SMC to ensure Internet gambling eradicated
by Peter Boon, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on February 10, 2012, Friday
KEEPING INTERNET GAMBLING AT BAY: (From left) Inspector Firdaus Safuan, Ngieng, Tiong and SMC secretary Hii Chang Kee engaging in a dialogue with Sarawak Cyber Cafe Association.
SIBU: Authorities are putting a firm grip on Internet gambling which is said to have saddled individuals with huge debts, leading to bankruptcy and family break-up.
Topping the agenda during the meeting between Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), police and Sarawak Cyber Cafe Association yesterday, was the reminder by SMC deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng that they would revoke the licence of operators if they were found to be harbouring such activity.
He warned that the activity besides enticing people into the gambling habit would cause havoc to social security, characterised by the cropping up of a myriad of social ills.
Ngieng told a press conference later that both he and SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King had been approached by parents and some public members, highlighting their plight where family members were entangled with ballooning debts, compelling them to borrow from loan sharks.
“Internet gambling is an issue of great concern as this menace can force individuals to borrow heavily to clear their debts. And at the end of the day, when borrowers cannot settle their ballooning debts with loan sharks, they would be compelled to abscond, leaving their families behind.
“It is not just gambling as such, it (Internet gambling) creates lots of social problems such as family breakups and bankruptcy, among others, that can disturb social security,” Ngieng stressed.
He recalled a parent highlighting the plight of her son laden with huge debts who had to abscond, leaving her and her family to bear the brunt of his action.
“The mother said her son due to Internet gambling lost more than RM35,000 necessitating her to help clear his debt. Later, she learnt that her son owed people more than RM100,000 compelling him to abscond and leaving his wife and children behind as family members could no longer settle the huge debt,” related Ngieng.
As such, he assured that authorities such as SMC and police would leave no room for such menace to sprout, vowing stern action against the culprits.
“We have understanding with the police that Internet gambling in whatever form will be dealt with according to the law and regulations,” he stressed.
To ensure that Internet gambling does not have a foothold on the riverine town, the 39 members of the cyber café association pledged to give their full cooperation to SMC and the police to keep the unhealthy activity at bay.
“We have been assured by the association that they would shun such activity. We will not hesitate to revoke their licences if they indulge in Internet gambling for quick gains. Rest assured that we will not compromise on meting out stern action against the culprits.
“But while law enforcers can take actions on the menace, there is a limit to what they can do. Therefore, the onus is on public members to practise self-discipline and steer clear of the harmful activity. Nobody can force you to gamble if you don’t want to.
“Don’t be motivated by get-rich-quick dreams that can only land you in troubled waters,” he advised.
Towards this end, he said a concerted effort by SMC, police, operators and public members was vital to fight the menace.
Speaking to reporters after the press conference, Ngieng said operators had been pressing for extension of their business hours.
He however said this was a state-wide decision and requested them to write in for the relevant ministry to consider, saying currently cyber cafes operate from 8am till 10pm daily.
He admitted that he occasionally received complaints from parents about their children spending too much time in cyber cafes.
Asked on actions to be taken if underage school children were found in the premises, Ngieng said: “Those below 12 years old are strictly prohibited but if they are accompanied by parents and guardians to use computers for school work, I don’t see any problem with that.”
Ngieng reminded operators to keep out school children in uniforms from their premises.
“Some school children in uniforms seen in cyber cafés could be already playing truant and spending all their pocket money there,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the association’s chairman David Chia urged operators yet to join them to do so promptly for mutual benefits.
