KUCHING: State police are sending a clear message to all that the selling of illegal lottery (4D) tickets would not be tolerated and those involved would face the consequences.
Sarawak CID chief SAC Dato’ Dev Kumar Sree Shunmugam said with the closure of fish machines and cyber gambling outlets in the state, the police had shifted their focus and intensified raids against illegal 4D.
He said in the one-week raid until Wednesday, a total of 32 raids were carried out throughout the state and 40 people were arrested for promoting public lottery without a licence.
“Of the 40 arrested aged between 17 and 41 years old, 25 are males. Two of them are foreigners.
“The police also seized RM15,808 in cash, mobile phones, portable printers, calculators, betting slips and stationeries during the raids,” he said.
Dev Kumar said the CID headquarters team carried out 14 raids while the Padawan District CID team carried out 4 raids.
“The district CID team in Kuching carried out three raids while the CID teams in Limbang, Miri, Bintulu, Julau, Sibu, Sarikei, Sri Aman, Serian, Bau, Kota Samarahan and Kuching carried one raid each,” he added.
He said eleven of the raids were conducted at shoplots, nine at public places, eight at coffee shops and restaurants and four at sundry shops.
All those arrested are being investigated under the Common Gaming House Act 1953.
“New State Commissioner of Police, Dato’ Amer Awal has issued a stern warning to all CIDs and police district chiefs to ensure that Sarawak is free from illegal gambling activities. The war against illegal gambling in the state will continue unabated,” he said.
