KUCHING: The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) here has launched a decisive operation against the pervasive realm of online gambling, demonstrating their commitment to enforcing the law.
Dubbed ‘Ops Dadu,’ the operation was executed by a police team recently with the aim of eradicating these illicit activities. A 24-year-old local man was swiftly apprehended at an apartment on Jalan Lapangan Terbang around 11 pm.
According to Acting Kuching police chief Supt Merbin Lisa, this arrest marks the fourth one related to illegal online gambling centres this year.
“During the raid, the team seized two monitors, two computers, two keyboards, two modems, six phones, and a sum of cash,” said Merbin.
The suspect is currently in custody to facilitate investigations under Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. Once the expert’s report on gambling is obtained, the investigation papers will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for court proceedings.
In a related development, Merbin provided an update stating that since January this year, a total of 155 men and nine women have been arrested in connection with the sale of online gambling top-ups and unlicensed lottery tickets during ‘Ops Dadu.’ He further disclosed, “The operation has resulted in the seizure of RM19,138 in cash and gambling equipment used for these illegal activities.”
Furthermore, during the same period, 32 premises have been disconnected from the power supply under Section 21A(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
To date, a total of 121 investigation papers have been initiated under Section 4(1)(c) and Section 4A(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, concerning online gambling top-ups and the sale of unlicensed lottery tickets.
Out of this number, 62 individuals have been charged under Section 4(1)(c), which carries penalties of up to RM50,000 in fines and a maximum of three years’ imprisonment. Additionally, 21 individuals have faced charges under Section 4A(a), which imposes fines of up to RM200,000 and jail sentences of up to five years.
Merbin added that the police are actively investigating the remaining investigation papers, which consist of 28 cases of online gambling and 10 cases of lottery gambling.
