By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 30: Three suspects have been arrested and about 10 others identified in connection with attacks on several convenience stores in Kuching and Sri Aman on Sept 20, which police believe were linked to a business rivalry.
Sarawak Commissioner of Police Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said investigations indicated that the incidents, involving the throwing of flammable substances and fires at the premises, were believed to have stemmed from a dispute over business interests.
He said police were still investigating the involvement of other suspects, including several individuals believed to have fled the country.
“Arson is a serious offence, and the punishment for such an offence can carry a sentence of up to 20 years,” he said after the Sarawak Police Contingent’s Monthly Assembly today as reported by TVS.
Mohamad Zainal said police also found that most of the convenience stores targeted were linked to the sale of top-up services for online gambling games.
He said local authorities had therefore been urged to take action against premises suspected of misusing their business licences.
He added that closer cooperation with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and other relevant agencies was necessary to curb the growing problem of online gambling.
Mohamad Zainal also called for gambling laws to be reviewed to ensure they remain relevant to technological advances and the changing nature of online gambling.
He noted that existing legislation governing common gaming houses dates back to 1953.
On enforcement, he said more than 1,600 individuals were charged in court for online gambling offences in 2025, while about 900 people had been arrested and charged so far this year.
He said continued enforcement and stronger inter-agency cooperation were necessary to address both the physical premises facilitating online gambling and the digital platforms used to conduct such activities. — DayakDaily
