Electricity Supply Cut Off From 470 Online Gambling Premises In Johor

JOHOR BAHRU, March 4 (Bernama) -- A total of 470 online gambling premises in Johor have had their electricity supply cut off since January 2024 until Feb 26.

Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar said that 88 business licenses involved in these activities were also revoked by the local authorities (PBT) throughout this period.

He added that the authorities had submitted a request to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block access to websites involved in these activities in an effort to curb the issue.

"This effort reflects the continued commitment of the authorities to ensure that gambling crimes can be eradicated for the well-being of the community," he said in a statement.

Kumar said that the latest operation to cut electricity supply took place on Feb 25 and 26, involving 86 premises.

He said the operation was conducted under Section 21A of the Open Gambling House Act 1953 (Act 289), involving 64 senior and junior police officers, 48 Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) personnel, and seven local authority officials.

He added that the Iskandar Puteri area recorded the highest number of premises, with 19, followed by Johor Bahru Selatan (14), Kota Tinggi (11), Johor Bahru Utara (10), Muar (7), Batu Pahat (6), Pontian (5), Kluang (4), Kulai (4), Segamat (3), Mersing (2), and Tangkak (1).

"In addition to electricity cuts, Equipments were seized from seven premises in Muar and one in Tangkak while eight premises also had their licences revoked during this operation," he said.

Kumar added that the authorities would not tolerate any form of gambling activities and would continue to monitor and inspect premises to curb these activities from becoming active and widespread.

He also advised owners of premises to ensure that their tenants do not misuse the premises for gambling activities.

-- BERNAMA