KUCHING: Three Da Ma Cai (Telelinks) gambling outlets that applied to court for an order to get their premises unlocked, and for the return of items seized by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), agree to withdraw all the suits against the local authority.
Besides MPP, gambling outlets Firmpower Sdn Bhd, Superole Sdn Bhd and Sarahope Sdn Bhd named the state government, MPP secretary and three MPP enforcement officers as respondents.
Judicial Commissioner Ravinthran N Paramaguru in his consent judgement ruled that the action to strike out was subject to the term and conditions that the plaintiffs agree to withdraw against the defendants, including suits against other defendants namely Cheng Boon Aik and four others, Salaman Sait and four others, the secretary of Kuching City South Council (MBKS) as well as the state government.
Ravinthran also ordered all the items seized by the local council to be returned to the plaintiffs, and no action – based on similar causes of action – be filed against the defendants.
The order shall also bind the other suits or action in other divisions with no order as to cost.
The gambling outlets filed the applications on June 15, demanding RM3 million in damages from the defendants.
Among other things they argued that the premises they had used to operate their business were private properties, and the game system was being played through the website.
Prior to the suit, MPP enforcers locked the premises and seized several items from them because they claimed the outlets had operated at these premises without trading licences.