‘Stop issuing licences to entertainment centres’
MELAKA: Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has called on the state authorities to stop issuing licences for “family entertainment centres”, which are often a front for vice dens.
He also called for a joint operation among the enforcement authorities to shut down vice dens and illegal gambling outlets in the state.
“It is clear licences issued to the so-called family entertainment centres are being misused.
“The games are not games, they are turned into gambling machines.
“Massage centres are not massage centres, but fronts for vice,” said Khalid.
“We do not need these entertainment centres and massage centres.”
Khalid yesterday held an hourlong dialogue and briefing with police officers above the rank of inspector from all district and state headquarters at the state police headquarters in Bukit Beruang.
He said this was required to stop the force’s morale from dropping, while reassuring the force in the wake of a high-profile Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) swoop on a protection racket that had shielded vice dens from enforcement for many years.
The racket involves high-ranking police officers, nine of whom were among 13 suspects remanded by MACC since May 16 to assist in investigations.
Among those remanded were district police chiefs of Jasin and Melaka Tengah, and criminal investigation chiefs of the Melaka Tengah, Jasin and Alor Gajah district police headquarters.