PADAWAN: Forty-eight premises in the district had their power supply cut off for illegally operating as online gambling centres and sale of illegal lottery from January up till last Friday (Aug 21).
District deputy police chief DSP Lim Jaw Shyong in a statement told that Padawan district police headquarters (IPD) had taken drastic actions in combating such illegal gambling activities by cutting off the power supply to the premises.
“The cutting of power supply will be carried out continuously with ‘Ops Dadu’ raids which we will be holding daily.
“Padawan police are also in discussion with Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) to revoke the premises’ business licence if the premises are caught carrying out illegal activities,” he said.
In addition to drastic action in combating gambling nests, he noted that the suspects arrested will be remanded and will be charged under the Crime Prevention Act (POCA).
This is a warning to those who are still stubborn, not to regret later when it is not just action under the law but, legitimate businesses will have its licences revoked due to organising gambling activities, Lim stated.
On Aug 21, the Padawan Crime Investigation Division (CID) in collaboration with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) conducted power cuts on eight premises in Matang and Batu Kawa areas under Section 21A (1) of the Common Gaming House Act 1953.
Meanwhile, he shared that police had managed to catch the road bully who smashed a car at Arang Road on Aug 17 three hours after the incident. The suspect did not plead guilty when he was taken to court last Friday (Aug 21).
He added that the suspect had even broken a doorcase while he was being remanded and the suspect failed to pay RM8,000 of bailing fee for both smashing the car and broken the doorcase.
Lim urged the public to take the case as a reminder not to act blindly or emotionally while driving on the road. The public are also reminded to obey traffic laws and drive responsibly.
