KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) does not have the authority to issue licences for gambling centres.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang pointed out that any illegal gambling would be an offence under the Penal Code.
“Should that happen, it will be a matter handled by the police, and MPP can only issue a compound to the premises for not having any entertainment licence,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Lo was responding to Batu Kawah assemblywoman Christina Chiew’s claims that MPP is to blame for the number of centres hosting the ‘Fishing Game’, which is said to be a form of gambling, in the area.
He said if Chiew had proof of illegal gambling, she should file police reports instead of seeking cheap publicity at the expense of MPP.
Lo pointed out that the police have conducted raids on illegal gambling centres following reports filed by MPP.
Meanwhile, he said MPP will also be open tomorrow (Oct 31) from 8am to 4pm to enable the public to pay their assessment rates.
Rates can also be paid at the Urban Transformation Centre from 8am to 8.30pm daily.
An additional 1 per cent will be charged for those who fail to settle their assessment rates by tomorrow’s deadline.
Those living in the lower Padawan area, Siburan, Tapah and Beratok, which are now part of Serian division, will still have to pay their assessment rates to MPP for now.
To date, MPP has collected an estimated 80 per cent or RM20.2 million out the RM25.3 million assessment rates this year.
Borneo Post: October 30, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment