(AFP) A proposed ban on street sales of video compact discs (VCDs) has prompted some traders to introduce phone-in and home delivery services, a report said today.

The ban was proposed on Monday by a special anti-piracy task-force in a bid to curb pornography blamed for a spate of brutal sex crimes.

Consumer Affairs minister Muhyiddin Yassin said more than 70 percent of some 5,000 licensed traders distributed pornographic and pirated discs.

In anticipation of the ban, the New Straits Times said some traders had distributed business cards to regular customers to enable them to place their orders.

"It's simple. They now know my telephone number and they can place their orders or find out the latest movies and have them sent directly to their homes," it quoted a trader as saying.

The trader, who declined to be named, said such service would cost her slightly more but she had no choice as she had to clear her stock.

Online trading

Another unidentified VCD trader, who has been trading in pirated discs and cassettes at a flea-market for about 10 years, told the newspaper that he would give his e-mail address to regular clients.

"We have to continue to earn a living," he added.

Cheap pornographic VCDs have been blamed for the increase in rape cases.

Last month, two girls, aged 16 and five, were raped and killed by youths in separate incidents.

Pornographic discs are often openly sold here although the authorities routinely censors television and cinema.

The Consumers Association of Penang has urged authorities to extend the ban to traders operating in mobile vans which "service" housing estates and those at the concourse of shopping malls, The Star said.

The association also called for the ban to cover other pornographic materials such as lewd magazines and sex-themed novels.

The newspaper said consumers urged the government to first bring down the price of original VCDs before they imposed the ban.

A pirated VCD can be obtained at night markets and roadside stalls for around RM5 ringgit, compared to some RM40 ringgit for an original.