HOUSING and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin today said local authorities should be more efficient in identifying business operators who abused their licences to host illegal gambling.

“Based on the law, they should not and cannot use the premises for gambling activities, but there are ways for them to do so.

“I want the enforcement division to be more alert and effective in identifying the premises concerned,” she told a media conference in Iskandar Puteri today.

Zuraida said the police and the local government authorities should also be more firm in enforcing the law.

Meanwhile, Zuraida said the local authorities should ensure that women made up at least 30% of their council members, and include young people below the age of 35 in their administration.

She also said the government had decided to proceed with the Bukit Payong solid waste disposal centre project in Parit Sulong, Batu Pahat near Iskandar Puteri, with a briefing to be held to explain the decision to the area’s residents. – Bernama, July 1, 2018.