Traffic cops have to pitch in: Mazlan

ACP Zulkefly Yahya.

Mohd Nadzri takes over as deputy director of the Special Task Force, Anti-Gambling and Gangsterism in Bukit Aman.

In calling for efforts to eradicate illegal activities to be intensified, Mazlan said all police personnel in the city, including traffic policemen, have to play a role to make the plan succeed.

“Every policeman has to play a role to completely eradicate illegal gambling in the city once and for all.

“If I get to know of any policeman who withholds information on illegal gambling outlets, or fail to identify those who operate and aid these syndicates, we will take disciplinary action against them,” he added.

Mazlan also announced that KL police have, as of Monday, formed an undercover task force to go after gambling syndicates.

“These syndicates are getting smarter ... some operate in coffee shops, some in snooker centres and some just by the road side, but they have ‘tontos’ on the lookout to alert them of any police action.”

He said since police ramped up operations against illegal gaming, city police have mounted over 500 raids and arrested 56 suspects between Oct 18 and Nov 1.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim had on Sept 27 announced a crackdown against illegal gambling nationwide.

He said the plan is to identify and take action against gambling dens and those involved in operating them.