Police authorities in Sarawak, Malaysia are on the clock to eradicate illegal online gambling in the state.
The Borneo Post reported that Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar issued the ultimatum to law enforcement officials in the Malaysian state on the island of Borneo. The edict was simple and concise: Put a stop to online gambling or else. Authorities have seven days to accomplish this goal and state police chief Dato Sri Wira Muhammad Sabtu Osman has led efforts to expedite stings and raids on illegal gambling dens as part of Operation Dice.
A recent 24-hour raid was carried out and netted positive results for police officials. In a span of 24 hours from October 26 to 27, police agents conducted 51 raids where 18 individuals arrested and 134 computers confiscated to go with RM2,017 ($615). All in all, Operation Dice, which was launched in January 2014, has resulted in 2,547 raids. 906 of these raids were successful, resulting in the arrests of 2,479 suspects and the confiscation of 11,367 sets of computers and RM294,865, which is close to $90,000 based on current exchange rates.
“We have been complying with all instructions (from IGP) before and will continue to do so,” Muhammad Sabtu told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail is planning to submit a proposal to amend the country’s existing gambling law or create a new law to help curb illegal gambling.
According to Patail, the existing Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 had run its course and is need of major updates because of the proliferation of illegal online gambling activities in Malaysia. “It is necessary not because the existing law is obsolete, the problem now is because many illegal gambling activities are done online,” Patail told reporters, as quoted by the Star.
The Malaysia attorney general also admitted that talks have already taken place between his office and relevant law enforcement authorities on the issue. The first proposal is expected to be finalized and submitted to the government next year.
