Malaysia: police cut electricity supply to 14 illegal gambling dens
Police officers together with Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd have cut the electricity supply of 14 illegal gambling dens on the island of Labuan, Malaysia.
Malaysia.- In a new blow against illegal gambling, police in Malaysia have cut the electricity supply of 14 illegal gambling dens. Five venues were located in the town centre of Labuan and eleven on the outskirts.
Labuan police chief Supt Ahmad Jawila said the joint work with the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd was part of an ongoing campaign to combat illegal gambling activities on the duty-free island.
He said: “With the move by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, we are optimistic the illegal activities will be crippled.”
He said that the power outage was carried out in accordance with Article 21A(1) of the Joint Gaming Company Act of 1953. Jawila called on the public to come forward and provide information on illegal gambling activities in their area.
Authorities in Malaysia arrested 7,755 people for involvement in illegal gambling operations in the first eight months of the year. Datuk Jonathan bin Yasin, deputy minister of home affairs, said 7,374 raids had been carried out between January to August.
According to The Star, Yasin was asked whether increasing special lottery draws could help curb illegal gambling.
Yasin said: “Based on my personal view, whether it can increase or reduce the number of cases related to illegal gambling, it needs a further study so we can truly identify the reasons behind it.”
