The problem of illicit sex, she said, is becoming increasingly serious, leading to problems in addition to unwanted pregnancies and births leading to baby-dumping and the spread of venereal diseases.

"I myself experienced this. A baby barely several hours old was dumped right across the road from my clinic. Of course, this was way before I become an assemblyperson," said the former general practitioner.

She blamed youths caught up in the 'culture' of celebrations and those parties that seek to profit from these 'celebrations'.

Halimah named Valentine's Day, Merdeka Day and New Year's Eve as being the traditional days when couples meet up and engage in illicit activities.