By : Shahrum Sayuthi, Chuah Bee Kim and Shuhada Elis

JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: The proposed "mega sex party" here to usher in the new year is seen as nothing more than a "mega con".

The authorities feel that the only place where such a party could be held is at the sandfly-infested mangrove swamp which is hardly a conducive setting for G-string clad women and nude men.

Johor police and religious department authorities have trashed the idea of such a party being held on their shores, especially since all beaches in the state are public places.

They were commenting on a newspaper report yesterday which alleged that invitations for the "no-holds barred" event are being circulated by the post and on the Internet.

The report claimed that several people in Terengganu had received invitations to take part in a New Year's Eve beach party here where they may indulge in sexual activities.

Females who wanted to attend, among others, are required to wear G-string panties and must be prepared to take them off after midnight.

To entice potential male participants, the organiser claimed that over 200 women, including female college students from Kuala Lumpur and Malacca had confirmed their attendance.

The men are also urged to bring along condoms as the organiser said they could not offer "an AIDS-free guarantee package" to the would-be revellers.

There is an entrance fee of RM250 which is to be deposited into the account of the organiser.

Johor CID chief Senior Assistant Commissioner II Amer Awal dismissed the report, but said the authorities were nonetheless on alert.

"The idea of organising such a party is far-fetched but the state Religious Department and local councils have all been informed," he said.

Amer said police were also tracking down those responsible for attempting to dupe members of the public into paying a "deposit" to take part in such a party.

"We are, at this point, quite confident that this whole thing is nothing more than a con."

"Even in some Western countries, such parties are organised in secrecy. No organiser would be so bold as to try and invite potential participants through a website.

"And the fact that they are only asking for a RM250 deposit is indeed fishy. Why so cheap?"

-- New Straits Times / Asia News Network