KUCHING: State police are sending a clear message to all that any illegal gambling activity would not be tolerated and those found running them would face the consequences.
State CID chief, SAC Dato’ Dev Kumar said efforts by the state police to rid Sarawak of illegal gambling intensified last month with several operations carried out in 16 places across the state.
He said from 1 to 31 May, the state police conducted 81 successful raids against illegal gambling that resulted in the arrests of 163 individuals. 63 of the raids were against illegal 4D, cyber gambling (13), cock-fighting and gambling in public places (4) and gambling in a common gaming house (1).
He said the CID headquarters team carried out 22 raids while the Kuching District CID team carried out 21 raids.
“The district CID team in Padawan carried out 12 raids, nine raids by CID Miri, six raids each by CID Sibu and Sri Aman; CID Kota Samarahan, Sarikei and Limbang five raids each, CID Bintulu three raids and CID Serian and Meradong two raids each,” he said, adding that the CID teams in Bau, Mukah, Marudi, Julau and Saratok carried out one raid each.
The 63 raids on illegal 4D sellers resulted in the arrests of 74 individuals and seizure of cash amounting to RM19,675. Mobile phones, portable printers, betting slips, calculators and stationeries were also seized.
Apart from illegal 4D raids, 13 raids were conducted at premises suspected to be cyber gambling outlets. The raids resulted in the arrests of 46 individuals and seizure of 115 computers, tablets and fish machines and cash amounting to RM6,912. Five of the raids were conducted in Miri and two each in Bintulu, Limbang, Sri Aman and Kota Samarahan.
“Two raids were also conducted at cock-fighting pits in Padawan and Marudi that resulted in the arrests of 28 individuals. Various paraphernalia used for gambling, including live and dead cockerels were seized,” said Dev Kumar.
Dev Kumar said of the 163 individuals arrested, 120 of them were males while the rest were females.
“They are aged between 18 and 70 years old. 16 foreigners were among those arrested,” he added.
He said a total of 46 raids were conducted at shoplots, 20 at public places including five-foot-ways, 10 at coffee shops and restaurants and five at grocery shops.
“The state police act on all public complaints and information as part of our long-standing and total commitment to eradicate illegal gambling in Sarawak. We assure the public that we will continue to take action with the assistance of local councils.
“On this note, the police welcome the decision by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) to revoke the licences of four family entertainment centres in Kota Padawan and Kota Sentosa that were suspected to be promoting illegal gambling. We hope the local councils in other districts will
follow suit by revoking the licences of family entertainment centres.
“We are also encouraged that the Local Government and Housing Ministry will continue to require all local councils to freeze the issuance of new licenses for entertainment centres in the state,” Dev Kumar said.
Meanwhile, on another development, Dev Kumar said the state police had conducted 14 raids on massage parlours, reflexology centres, pubs and budget hotels suspected of hiring foreign prostitutes throughout the state in the whole month of May.
He said the raids resulted in the arrests of 59 women suspected to have been employed as prostitutes.
Of the 59 women arrested, he said 26 were Vietnamese, Indonesians (17), Chinese nationals (9), Thai nationals (2) and five locals.
“The district CID teams in Kuching and Sibu carried out five raids each, two raids by CID Miri and one raid each by CID Bintulu and Padawan.
“Six of those raids were conducted at reflexology centres, five at pubs, KTV lounges (two) and budget hotel (one). Various items relating to sexual activities were also seized during the raids,” said Dev Kumar.
