KUCHING: Enforcement against illegal gambling outlets disguised as coffee shops and grocery stores in Sarawak is a federal matter under the jurisdiction of the police.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said this in response to allegations on social media claiming he and other Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) leaders had turned a blind eye to such activities,
He made it clear that he has no authority to order the police or local councils to take action against such activities.
“It is important for the public to know that enforcement against illegal gambling is governed by the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and lies entirely with the police,” he said in a =statement.
Local councils, he added, can only issue licences for legitimate businesses, and if licensed premises engage in illegal gambling, only the police have the power to investigate, raid and prosecute.
“While enforcement is a police matter, I urged local councils to carry out thorough checks on licence applicants to ensure they have no history of involvement in illegal activities.
“I also called on landlords to verify prospective tenants’ backgrounds before renting out premises to prevent illegal operators from infiltrating communities,” he said.
Yap pointed out that the areas mentioned in the allegations, namely Kota Sentosa, Batu Kawa and Batu Kitang, fall within the Stampin parliamentary constituency, represented by Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
“As the MP for Stampin, Chong has the federal platform to push for stronger police action, greater enforcement resources and stricter laws.
“It is grossly unfair to shift the blame onto a state assemblyman who does not control federal agencies, while ignoring the inaction of the MP who can influence them,” he said.
Yap said he has always acted on public complaints by referring them to the relevant authorities, adding that accusations of him being “silent” or “covering up” are false and irresponsible.
“Making allegations without acknowledging jurisdictional limits is nothing more than political point-scoring.
“If DAP is genuinely concerned about illegal gambling in Stampin, their MP should be leading the charge in parliament,” he said.
He made it clear that he has no authority to order the police or local councils to take action against such activities.
“It is important for the public to know that enforcement against illegal gambling is governed by the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and lies entirely with the police,” he said in a =statement.
Local councils, he added, can only issue licences for legitimate businesses, and if licensed premises engage in illegal gambling, only the police have the power to investigate, raid and prosecute.
“While enforcement is a police matter, I urged local councils to carry out thorough checks on licence applicants to ensure they have no history of involvement in illegal activities.
“I also called on landlords to verify prospective tenants’ backgrounds before renting out premises to prevent illegal operators from infiltrating communities,” he said.
Yap pointed out that the areas mentioned in the allegations, namely Kota Sentosa, Batu Kawa and Batu Kitang, fall within the Stampin parliamentary constituency, represented by Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
“As the MP for Stampin, Chong has the federal platform to push for stronger police action, greater enforcement resources and stricter laws.
“It is grossly unfair to shift the blame onto a state assemblyman who does not control federal agencies, while ignoring the inaction of the MP who can influence them,” he said.
Yap said he has always acted on public complaints by referring them to the relevant authorities, adding that accusations of him being “silent” or “covering up” are false and irresponsible.
“Making allegations without acknowledging jurisdictional limits is nothing more than political point-scoring.
“If DAP is genuinely concerned about illegal gambling in Stampin, their MP should be leading the charge in parliament,” he said.