S’gor cops in all-out war against illegal gambling

PETALING JAYA: Selangor has no place for illegal gambling syndicates, and police aim to wipe out the menace, said CPO Comm Datuk Seri Mazlan Mansor.

Selangor’s top cop said police personnel in the state would not compromise in taking stern action against illegal gambling premises and syndicates.

“It is clear. We are going to come down hard on illegal gambling. We will conduct operations against the premises and operators without fear or favour,” he told The Star yesterday.

Comm Mazlan, who took over as state police chief in July, said curbing illegal gambling was one of his main priorities.

“We have always been proactive in dealing with illegal gambling operations and our efforts are ongoing. All police personnel in Selangor have been ordered to go all out in the fight against illegal gambling,” he said.

Between January and August, 3,132 raids were conducted on illegal gambling premises, resulting in 3,885 arrests and the seizure of close to RM300,000 in cash.

A total of 2,313 cases have been prosecuted in court.

Comm Mazlan said efforts by Selangor police were in line with the directive from Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim to wipe out illegal gambling in the country.

“We are giving our full commitment to ensure that illegal gambling centres in Selangor are no more,” he said.

The Selangor CPO also issued a warning to any police personnel found to be in league with illegal gambling syndicates.

“I will not hesitate to take action against anyone involved with the syndicates. These bad apples have no place in the force,” he said.

Even licensed family entertainment centres under the Selangor Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment 1995 (Amendment 2001) will be monitored, he added, in case any of them are used as a front for illegal gambling.

The police will use the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 if the operators are found to be fronting gambling activities. As of Sept 26, the state had 137 licensed family entertainment centres.

Comm Mazlan also urged the public to come forward with any information on illegal gambling activities by calling Selangor Gambling and Vice Division operations centre at 03-5514 5168.