SEREMBAN: The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has urged the authorities, including the police, to prosecute parents who allow their underage children to roam the streets unattended during inappropriate hours of the night.

It’s deputy chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Ali said actions could be taken based on the provisions under the Child Act 2001.

“We have to admit that letting our children roam outside the house unattended after midnight exposes them to dangerous and unhealthy influences.

“We believe that perhaps parents will be more strict in controlling their children’s movement if authorities start to take action against them,” he said after attending the MCPF roundtable discussion on safety here today.

Also present were MCPF senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Negri Sembilan deputy police chief Senior Assistant Commisioner Muhamad Zaki Harun.

Kamaruddin’s comment came after eight teenage boys on bicycles were reportedly killed after being hit by a car at Jalan Lingkaran Dalam near Johor Baru early yesterday.

Eight others injured in the deadly cycling accident are still being treated at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA).

They boys were said to be part of a large group of 30 to 40 who came from areas such as Plentong and Skudai to ride their modified bicycles.-nst