Illegal gambling premises possess licence from local council – Police

KUCHING: Padawan district police have been unable to take action against five suspected illegal gambling premises on grounds that the businesses were operating under the Family Entertainment Centre licence.

Padawan district police chief Supt Aidil Bolhassan said the raids were conducted following complaints from the public in Kota Padawan and Kota Sentosa areas on Monday.

“So far, we are unable to take further action as the premises have licenses issued by the local council to operate as family entertainment centres.

“The licences are valid until Dec 31 this year, meaning we cannot do much unless the local authority cooperates with us in tackling this problem,” he said in a statement issued yesterday.

The local council, added Aidil, has the authority to seize and confiscate equipment from these premises if they were found to be running illegal gambling activities.

“Moreover, the local council also has the right to direct the owners to shut down the premises for violating the licence conditions,” he explained.

In a separate matter, Aidil urged the local council to get tough on traders who take up parking spaces for their businesses which he said has caused traffic congestion especially in Kota Padawan, Kota Sentosa, Matang and Batu Kawah.

Due to the actions of such irresponsible traders, he said police had to issue summonses against cars for illegal parking in.

Aidil also said that members of the public who wish to report a traffic jam or faulty traffic lights can contact the Padawan police hotline at 082- 86223.