KUCHING: Sarawak CID chief, SAC Dato’ Dev Kumar Sree Shunmugam has praised Kota Samarahan Municipal Council’s (KSMC) move not to renew the licences of 18 family entertainment centres for suspicion of promoting illegal gambling.
This follows the move by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) in revoking licences of four family entertainment centres in the district recently.
“The move by both councils shows their commitment in resolving the issue and to assist the police in ridding both districts of illegal gambling.
“State Commissioner of Police, Dato’ Amer Awal conveys his thanks to both councils for their bold move,” he said.
Dev Kumar said there were 11 more family entertainment centres believed to be involved in illegal gambling.
Of the figure, five in Kuching, three in Miri and three in Limbang.
“Most of these licences will expire in December this year. Although these centres have stopped operating, their licences are still valid.
“We hope the local councils in these three districts will emulate their counterparts by not issuing new entertainment licences or revoking the existing ones,” he said.
The Ministry of Local Government and Housing has already frozen the issuance of new licences for entertainment outlets since February 19 last year and Dev Kumar believed that the action by the ministry proved that the state government was serious in eradicating gambling activities including cyber gambling in the state.
“We (police) would like to make it clear that our objection to family entertainment centre (PHK) licences does not apply to genuine family entertainment centres in shopping malls which provide a variety of family-themed games to the public,” he said.
