Money from rubber sale for cockfight betting

0

KENINGAU: The police have issued a stern warning to those who hold cockfights during the ‘Buang Pantang’ ceremony not to torture the animals and gamble.

District police chief Deputy Superintendent Zahari Mohamed said yesterday the police would take stern action against those involved.

He said the latest reports received via SMS were from mothers who said the money from the sale of rubber was used to bet during the event held at a place here recently.

Zahari said this should not have happened and the permission granted by the police for the event should be used carefully as they relate to native custom and tradition in this area.

“The police only allow cockfights, which is one of the local traditions of the interior, during the ‘buang pantang’ ceremony,” he said, adding that cockfights should only involve the people in the village and without the use of knives in the cockfights.

He said cockfights using knives is a cruelty to the animal and is contrary to the permission given by the police.

“If cockfights involve outsiders from other areas who have no connection in the event, and when betting is involved, it becomes an illegal gambling event,” he said.

Zahari asked community leaders in their respective villages to advise villagers who hold the ceremony where cockfighting is involved to always comply with the village customs and the authorization given by the police.

In another development, he also advised owners to come to Keningau district police headquarters to identify their vehicles.

Zahari said seven vehicles and four motorcycles are yet to be claimed by their owners.

“The vehicles are: Nissan Vannette Registration No. SA4808, Toyota Liteace SAA3752D (Original Reg. No. SA6031V), Nissan Vannette SAA9274L, Perodua Kancil SA3085X, Toyota Van 2.8 SA8503D (Original Reg. No. SA7990U), Nissan Vannette SA9136D and Mitsubishi Triton SA7459H,” he said.

Motorcycles that have not been claimed are: Nitro SAA4073N, Modenas SAA534, Honda SAA7622E, and Modenas (without registration number).

He said the police were giving the owners two months to make their claim, after which an auction would be conducted.

For more information, owners can contact Sub-Inspector Edward Samali at the Keningau police station or call 087-332222.