KUCHING: The proper authority to handle illegal gambling is the police, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang emphasised yesterday.
Responding to a comment by state DAP chairman Chong Chien Jen, Lo also said the local council has no authority to issue entertainment licences.
“The police have the authority or jurisdiction as it comes under the Penal Code. Gambling is a criminal offence and legally should come under the police. The council’s authority is in respect of entertainment premises where
the licence is issued by the council.
“If there is breach of the licence terms and conditions the Entertainment Ordinance & By Laws empowers the council to suspend or revoke the licences and issue Closure Order.
“If the operator breaches the closure order the penalty upon conviction is RM500,000 made possible by the recent amendment to the LAO that Chong alludes to.
“Based on what Chong is saying these are cases of illegal gambling in premises never issued with licences by the council, for example the licence to operate and premises licence required under the Licensing of Miscellaneous Occupations.”
Lo said the local council only has power over premises licensed by the council, reiterating if the premises operate without licence and are used for gambling the proper authority to address the issue is the police.
Therefore, he urged the police to act on the illegal gambling activities and assured the council would assist accordingly.
At the same time, he disclosed that MPP had only issued three cyber café licences, six snooker licences, 24 karaoke licences and five licences for amusement centres providing video gambling machines as entertainment in shopping complexes.
“However there is no licensed entertainment outlet in Batu Kawa Commercial Centre, as alleged by Batu Kawa assemblywoman Christina Chiew,” he added.
“Chong alleged that the police informed that they were unable to take action against illegal gambling because these premises have been issued with licence by the council. So my question is: Who is lying – Chong, Christina or the police?
“My sincere advice to Chong – stop this blaming game. You are paid RM46,000 a month. Be constructive! Stop wasting everybody’s time.”
Last week, Chong told three local councils here namely MPP, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) not to act like ‘little Napoleons’.
He was reported to have said that they had bent the law and issued entertainment licences to protect the illegal gambling operators.
Borneo Post: May 13, 2015
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