THE electricity supply to 10 premises involved in gambling activities in Melaka Tengah was disconnected by Tenaga Nasional Bhd with the assistance of police during an operation carried out from 10am to 5pm in Malacca yesterday. 

Melaka Tengah police chief Christopher Patit said no arrests were made during the operation since the premises were empty.

“The businesses were operating under the pretext of legal fronts like cellphone shops, restaurants and phone service providers. The premises were also affixed with closed circuit televisions to detect the presence of authorities at their premises.

“The front entrance of some premises remain closed but have small entrances at the back to allow their clients to come in and join the illegal gambling activities,” he said in a statement today.

Patit said all storefronts raided were properties that were rented, and under normal circumstances, the owner would not be aware that their premises were being used for illegal activities.

He said from January to July, the electricity supply to 61 premises involved in illegal gambling activities was disconnected after 440 raids to weed out illegal gambling activities. 

“Inform the authorities if any place is carrying out suspicious activities. Owners must also be aware of the type of business carried out by tenants at rented premises. They too will end up with problems if their properties are used for activities like illegal gambling,” he said. – Bernama, September 23, 2022.