SPURRED by raids on hundreds of illegal gambling raids in Sarawak this year, the municipal council of Padawan – an urban sub-district south of Kuching – has shuttered its gambling dens, on the premise that it would reduce loansharking and related crimes.

On Wednesday, the eve of the Gawai holiday in Sarawak, council enforcement officers closed down four entertainment outlets it said were fronts for gambling. 

The closures were effected after Padawan police chief Supt Adil Bolhassan stated earlier this week that several gambling premises raided by cops were found to hold entertainment licences issued by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP). 

The licences were valid until the end of the year. Licences are renewed annually. 

Adil’s statement had led to accusations of corruption within the council, which MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang has denied. 

“I know there has been a lot of slander against me recently after Padawan district police headquarters pointed out that our licensed premises are involved in gambling activities,” Lo said in a statement today.

“Some have even stated that I am corrupt and dishonest. I wish to assure my people that I am as clean as I have always been,” he said.

Lo promised that the gambling dens shuttered would remain so for good.

“I will call for a special full council meeting after the Gawai holiday, to pass a ruling to ban the operation of fish machine outlets within the MPC jurisdiction,” he said. 

“I am pleased to say that all of my councillors are with me in my decision to revoke and terminate these fish machine activities,” Lo said. 

Fish machines are arcade games that allow up to six players to bet at once. 

Lo said he sought the “cooperation” of the Padawan police to enforce the ruling.

Lo, who is also the Batu Kitang assemblyman, claimed his actions had public support.

“I am deeply touched by the overwhelming response from the public towards this issue. My Facebook page and messages (inbox)  have been swamped with an enormous amount of support and requests to stamp out the problem and put a stop to the fish machine activities.”

“They have created much heartache and broken many homes and split up many families due to debts incurred via gambling. It is indeed the wish of our people to see that these illegal operators are stopped for good,” said Lo, who is also a leader of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).

DAP, however, expressed doubt that the gambling dens closed down would remain that way, and alleged there was underlying relationship between the criminal underworld and corrupt law enforcement officers.

“As much as I support the call to tackle illegal gambling outlets in Padawan, I have doubts about the council chairman Lo Khere Chiang. To me, it’s just more hot air from him,” said Abdul Aziz Isa, special assistant to Sarawak DAP leader Chong Chieng Jen.

Abdul Aziz lost to Lo in the state election last May by 1,866 votes in a three-cornered fight.

“They simply do not have enough officers and they’ve always argued with the police over who has enforcement jurisdiction and passed the  responsibility back and forth.

“You want to talk about illegal gambling? Just take a walk a few hundred metres from his office. There are gambling centres right there.

“There are dozens of gambling dens openly operating (in the townships of) Batu Kawah, Siburan and Matang. They’re all under Padawan (municipal council),” Abdul Aziz said. 

The state government has recently approved the deployment of 15 more enforcement officers, including a head of enforcement, under MPP.

MPP currently has seven enforcement officers covering a district area of about 800sq km.

From January 1 to May 31, state police conducted 342 raids resulting in the arrests of 1,016 people, according to police.

A total of 295 gambling machines were seized and 272 raids were conducted against illegal lottery sellers. – June 2, 2017.