KUCHING: Sarawak police chief Dato’ Azman Yusof said that 55 premises in the state had been closed and electricity to their premises disconnected for online gambling and illegal lottery activities.
He added that some were very stubborn and the police had to take drastic measures as the premises of the online gambling required electricity.
“We are trying our best in using this approach in fighting illegal online gambling activities and when their source of power is disconnected, how are they going to use their equipment? It is something that is provided under the law,” he told the media after officiating at the Closing of PGA Basic Training Course Serie 1/2018 at the Parade Ground of PULAPOL Kuching, Jalan Puncak Borneo here yesterday.
Azman added that it was not the first time such an approach had been used as it was provided under the law.
“Some of them are very stubborn. Although actions have been taken, they are still using the said premises. With the cooperation from Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), we are able to fight these illegal online gambling activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Azman revealed that there was a need to deploy more PGA personnels at the border areas of Sarawak.
“We have done a study on the security at our borders and it is not just about the security on land but also at sea.
“It is something that we need to look into. We need to prepare strategies in tackling the security at the borders to prevent the encroachment of any parties that attempt to threaten the country’s security.
“The issue of security needs to be a priority, especially with the recent issues of militant activities,” he said.
He added that the police had no information on areas along the state’s borders being used by militants to enter and exit to the neighbouring countries.
“There is none. The intelligence that we have to date, still has no information with regards to the entry of quarters as stated or considered as terrorists infiltrating our borders or crossing the existing borders. Nevertheless, we are constantly monitoring and also obtaining the latest intelligence,” he said.
On the GOF intelligence Division that was recently established Azman said, “It is very positive whereby PGA with its infrastructure had been able to prevent smuggling activities such as smuggling of cigarettes and illegals (PATI). I believe that it should continue to assist the police on duty at the border.”
Meanwhile, a total of 168 junior police officers from the Sabah PGA Brigade and Sarawak PGA Brigade successfully completed their three-month intensive course in PGA Basic Training Series 1/2018 which started July 9, 2018.
In the PGA Basic Training Course Serie 1/2018, Constable Mohd Ammar Mohd Fadilah was awarded the Best Overall Participant, Constable Mohd Khairul Najmie Abu Hassan (Best Participant in Theory Test), Lance Corporal Ngumbang Balai (Best Participant in Shooting), and Constable Danny Andrew was the Best Participant in Physical Training.
The event was also attended by the Commandant of PULAPOL Kuching, SAC Dato’ Azman Salim, Assistant Director Management (Training/Examination Competency) Training Division in Bukit Aman, SAC Azmi Adam, and Deputy Director of KDN/KA (Operation) PDRM, DCP Dato’ Azizan Abdul Aziz.
