Trying to revive gambling dens

Police: Kingpins are attempting to bring back the illegal activity in Melaka

MELAKA: Former accomplices of online gambling kingpins are attempting to revive the illegal activity at housing estates.

The Star was told the kingpins were willing to pay higher rental for houses including in posh areas.

The kingpins, who used to operate from shoplots, have gone into hiding after the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission crackdown on a high-level vice den protection racket earlier this year.

Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Afnizar Ahmad acknowledged there were moves by illegal operators to revive online gambling activities in the district despite continuous operations by his men to eradicate the menace.

He said police would make sure these operators don’t succeed.

“We have not let our guard down. These stubborn operators will face serious consequences for being defiant,” he said when contacted.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said he was confident in ACP Afnizar and his team’s ability to stop the illegal activity.

“He has a no-nonsense reputation,” he added.

The rented premises at housing estates are being used as bases to download online applications on smartphones and also for gamblers to claim their winnings.

To avoid detection, gamblers are usually told to wait nearby before they are chauffeured to the houses by operators.

Ayer Keroh assemblyman Khoo Poay Tiong said he suspected a house in Taman Merdeka was being used for online gambling activities.

“Residents there had raised their concerns for some time now,” he added.

Melaka Historical City Council (MBMB) mayor Datuk Zainal Hussin said it was difficult for their enforcement officers to act against these operators,

“They are taking advantage of legal loopholes as they know local councils are unable to act against non-business premises,” he said.

Zainal added that the MBMB enforcement officers are continuing to check shophouses that were previously used as illegal gambling dens.

“As of today, these shophouses remain shut and that is a good sign,” he said.

They are taking advantage of legal loopholes as they know local councils are unable to act against non-business premises.

Datuk Zainal Hussin