Gambling Dens in SS19 Subang Jaya Busted

Tuesday, 5 August 2008

Gambling Dens in SS19 Subang Jaya Busted

OPERATORS of two computer-based gambling dens in the busy precinct of SS19 Subang Jaya thought they had found the best hideout for their illegal activities.

Hidden behind closed shutters and probably only known to those who sought a chance for a quick buck, these two outlets which had a total of 51 computers have been operating round-the-clock unnoticed.

Even their neighbours along the row of shop lots were unaware of their activities.

But the long arms of the law finally caught up with them yesterday (July 21) morning when a team from Subang Jaya Municipal Council's enforcement unit raided and brought their illegal activities to a halt.

Set in the commercial row of SS19 and just a stone's throw away from two primary schools, these two outlets, according to the council's enforcement director Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali, had been raided several months ago but had resurfaced.

“Residents had complained to us about the two outlets. Initially, we couldn't locate them. We sent in plainclothes officers to check and found them.”

“One of the outlets is located next to a clinic while the other was next door to a legal gaming outlet,” he said.

Mohd Zulkurnain said four local Indian men were in one of the outlets when council officers raided it.

“We took their particulars which we then handed over to the police when we lodged a report, which is our standard operating procedure when conducting raids.”

“These two outlets were illegal. We do not allow any cybercafes to operate near schools or residential areas,” he said, adding that any such outlets found operating illegally would be shut down under the council Cybercafe Bylaw of 2007.

All 51 computers together with the monitors were carted away during the raid.

The owners of the business were not at the premises when the raid took place.

“No cash was found at the scene. Normally people who frequent these places would buy tokens which they then use to play at the machines, which had various variety of gaming programmes.”

Mohd Zulkurnain said complaints received from the public of such illegal activities in their neighbouhood will be dealt with immediately as the council deemed it as serious.

“We hope the public will help us by being our ears and eyes on the ground. Through this cooperation, we can keep all negative elements away from this township,” he added.

The computer equipment seized, according to him, would be destroyed and the premises sealed off.

He said the council was regularly working with the police to look out for such outlets in the municipality.

“There are times when we conduct raids together and when we raid on our own, we lodge a police report after the operations, “ he said.