KUCHING: A month-long anti-gambling operation code-named ‘Op Dadu Khas’, led to the arrests of 387 individuals, 27 of whom are foreigners.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri in a press conference, said the operation carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) throughout the state, was held from July 14 to Aug 14.
He stated that the operation was to curb gambling activities that are said to be proliferating in the state.
“A total of 344 raids were conducted throughout the period and 387 individuals consisting of 251 men and 136 women were arrested.
“Of the arrest figure, 360 are locals and 27 are foreigners. All of them are aged between 20 and 63.
“The department also seized various gambling equipment worth RM47,705,” he said.
A total of 344 investigation papers have been opened under various sections of the Common Gaming House Act 1953.
From the figure, 125 of them have been referred to the deputy public prosecutor and have been prosecuted in court.
Azman pointed out that from Jan 1 to Aug 19 this year, a total of 1,381 raids were carried out and it involved the arrests of 1,826 individuals with RM462,071 worth of gambling equipment seized.
“In the effort to ensure gambling activities are completely eliminated, Sarawak CID is focused on two matters namely, electricity cuts to premises and blocking of gambling websites through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“A total of 156 premises were cut off from power supply with the cooperation of Sarawak Energy Berhad under Section 21A of the Common Gaming House Act 1953.
“And a total of 38 online gambling websites have been listed and sent to MCMC for sanction actions this year,” he said.
As for football betting, he stated that the department would continue to investigate and if there is any information (on the matter), the police will take action on it.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata and Sarawak CID chief SAC Lukas Aket.
