At a press conference at the Parliament lobby here today, the PKR lawmaker revealed the health ministry intended to deploy its officers to collect samples of the booze to be studied, following his revelation on Monday.

“I have raised this issue for over a year, so I’m glad the ministry is finally taking action now.”

On Monday, Manivannan claimed he had received reports from four schools in his constituency complaining of the problem, which had been going on for years.

The sale of cheap alcohol to students had allegedly been happening for the past two to three years and he demanded the government step in.

“Now the problem is across the nation. That is why I want the ministry to step in.”

He explained that students in his area were buying the cheap alcohol and mixing them with soft drinks to consume on school grounds.