SHAH ALAM - SPECIAL places of accommodation for school students and adolescents participating in domestic tour programmes must be secure and have telecommunication facilities, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Thursday.

He said these places, which had campsites or hostels, should be provided with guardians or wardens to ensure the security of the programme participants.

'The security of the children on tour should be given priority so that parents will find it comfortable to allow their children to participate in the tour programmes.

'These places of accommodation should also have good telecommunication facilities such as telephones to enable parents to monitor their children,' he said.

Abdullah said this in his speech when launching the 'Kami Anak Malaysia' programme, a brainchild of the Tourism Ministry to encourage 'active participation of adolescents in tourism activities while fostering in them love for the country'. -- Bernama