31 illegal gambling dens in Labuan busted

0

Rozman (fourth right), Mohd. Nadzri (third right), Musa (second right), Bashir (right) and Siti Maznah (left) with the seized items.

LABUAN: Some some 255 central processing units (CPUs), 252 computer monitors, 404 chairs and tables, and some RM12,250.20 cash have been seized during a one-week integrated operation to curb illegal gambling premises on the island.

Disclosing this on Friday, Labuan Member of Parliament Datuk Rozman Isli said the raiding team comprised 50 personnel from Labuan Corporation, police, Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission, Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department and Labuan Civil Defence Department.

He said the one-week operation (from April 18 to 24) led by Labuan Corporation  raided a total of 31 illegal gaming premises.

“This kind of activity (illegal cyber gambling) is not welcome in Labuan and we are determined to fight this activity, as it is tarnishing Labuan’s image.

“Illegal gambling is damaging to the society here as it will affect the family institution. Addiction to gambling will cause the gambler to be trapped into another problem such as debts and eventually leads to crime like cheating,” Rozman said this to reporters on Friday.

“I was informed that during the one-week operation from 3pm to 12pm, all the persons in the premises managed to run away,” he said and added he believed there were ‘guards’ at the premises to watch out for the presence of law enforcement agencies.

He said vehicles of Labuan Corporation personnel involved in the operation were being followed by some vehicles of those believed to be involved in illegal gaming businesses.

However, he said all their vehicle registration numbers had been recorded.

“Building owners whose premises had been used to operate illegal cyber gaming activities were questioned and the warning letters would be issued to them. We are giving premises owners a month to claim their assets that we had seized.

“If there is no claim by then, all the assets would be considered as disposal items. We thanked the people for giving us the information about the illegal gaming activity,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were Labuan Corporation (LC) chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Nadzri Osman, LC deputy chief executive officer, Siti Maznah Awang Damit, LC enforcement officer, Musa Bariong and Labuan Umno deputy chief Datuk Bashir Alias.