KUCHING, March 5: Four business premises here had their electricity supply disconnected for allegedly being involved in illegal gambling activities, today.
Kuching district police chief ACP Awang Din Awang Gani said the disconnecting of the electricity supply to the premises was done in a joint operation conducted by Kuching district police headquarter (IPD Kuching) Crime Investigation Department (CID) led by Insp Mohamad Rizal Muhammad Razali, together with Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sesco) personnel around 10 am to 12 pm.
“The operation was carried out on premises that had been found previously to be running the gambling activities without licenses.
“Under Section 21A of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, the police may request for an electricity supply to be disconnected if there is a reasonable reason that the premises is believed to be conducting any gambling activities,” he said in a statement today.
At the same time, Awang Din gave a stern warning to the operator of the premises involved to not carry out any gambling activities without a license.
“Drastic action will be taken by the police as provided in the Common Gambling House Act 1953, including implementing preventive measures under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) 1959 on those involved,” he added.
On the same note, Awang Din disclosed, since March 1 until March 4, 2021, IPD Kuching has conducted five raids on gambling premises throughout the city and arrested a total of seven individuals believed to be involved in illegal online gambling.
“All of the arrested suspects are currently being detained and remanded, and the case is still being investigated under Section 4 (1) (c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953,” he said. — DayakDaily
