POLICE have started investigating the video producer and actors involved in a contentious Hari Raya gambling commercial, said Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police said the case is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of the peace and Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.

Section 504 provides for a jail term of up to two years, or a fine, or both for those convicted.

“Our investigation will focus on the producer and actors involved in the video. They will be identified and called to provide statements, he said in a statement today.

Acryl called on the public not to spread the video and avoid causing public unease.

Earlier today Kuantan lawmaker Fuziah Salleh said the local online betting platform GDBet333 is influencing Muslims to use social media to gamble in the month of Ramadan so they can have money to celebrate Hari Raya.

She said this was in stark contrast to the meaning of Hari Raya, which promotes the cleansing of sins.

The ad by GDBet333 is inciting Muslims, especially the youths, to commit a sin, Fuziah said.

“The ad is also in contradiction of the current laws and tarnishes the holy month of Ramadan.

“The government through the MCMC must take action. The ad must be pulled down and those responsible must be taken to task,” she said in a statement.

GDBet333 calls itself “Malaysia’s top and trusted online casino”, and offers live dealer betting, slot games, online poker and 4D lotteries.

Its Raya commercial features a catchy Raya song and depicts a Muslim man looking for money to go back for Hari Raya.

The company then plugs its product and the catchy lyrics says how easy it is to get money.

The chorus goes: “GDBet333 ada, apa nak tunggu, marilah cuba, untung nasibmu, engkau berjaya, cuci semua, kemudian beraya (There is GDBet333, what are you waiting for, try it, if you’re lucky, you’ll win, cash out, then celebrate Raya).”

Links to the ad are no longer accessible.

Meanwhile, the MCMC said it had contacted social media platforms Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to request for the clip to be removed.

“This will only help those involved to spread their ideology to promote online gambling which can be harmful to Malaysian society,” it was quoted as saying. – April 16, 2021.