Penang state denies links to unlicensed gambling

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has denied all possible connections between the Penang state government and unlicensed gambling.

Malaysia.- Penang state government, led by the Democratic Action Party (DAP), has denied it has links with unlicensed gambling. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng assured it’s not connected to said business and explained that the DAP administration is ready to cooperate with the police in combating the illegal activity.

According to astroawani.com, Guan Eng says that the government’s stand is clear: they reject illegal gambling or any plan to build a casino in the state. “We are not at all involved in illegal gambling or licensing it and we are prepared to cooperate with the police in combating the menace,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said earlier that he ordered Penang police to go on an all-out fight against illegal gambling in the state, including arresting and taking the main responsible to court. He also explained that the gambling situation in the state is getting more serious and expressed his fear that political parties could be financed by said activity.

Chief Minister Guan Eng was asked to comment on Ahmad Zahid’s statement and said that the state government doesn’t have the power to enforce the law and that only the police can take action against illegal gambling.

“Gambling licences are not issued by the state government and if the illegal gambling syndicates have links with political parties, it definitely has nothing to do with the state government,” he explained.