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KUALA LUMPUR: No more warnings will be issued to OCPDs who fail to deal with illegal gambling in their districts, says Comm Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

The Bukit Aman CID director said there is no excuse as every OCPD has signed the “Aku Janji” pledge to ensure that there is no illegal gambling in their district

“The pledge should not be a piece of tissue with no worth. No more warnings will be issued. We will take action (against those who fail to deal with illegal gambling),” he said in his speech after witnessing the handing-over ceremony for the Kuala Lumpur police chief’s post.

“By right, all OCPD who signed the ‘Aku Janji’ pledge should stay true to it,” added Comm Ayob.

Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain took over the Kuala Lumpur police chief’s post from Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abu Samah Mohd Noor, who held the post in an acting capacity.

Comm Ayob said he received information that there were some OCPDs in Kuala Lumpur who were uneasy with his action in deploying the Bukit Aman CID D7 task force to take action against illegal gambling.

Speaking to reporters after the event on Monday (May 15) Comm Ayob said he has instructed all division heads at Bukit Aman and in states and state CID chiefs to ensure that there are continuous operations against illegal gambling.

“I know illegal gambling is still around. It will take time but the most important thing is consistency (in conducting operations),” he said.

Comm Ayob added that coordination between the police, local authorities and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is also important in curving illegal gambling, he said.

“I have received complaints that gambling premises are still operating even after being raided. We must realise that the process to cancel their licenses take time as most local authorities will wait for a court decision,” said Comm Ayob.

“Thankfully, TNB will take immediate action in cutting the power supplied to the premises every time we conduct a joint operation,” he said.

Comm Ayob reminded all OCPDs to take the initiative and take action against illegal gambling premises, instead of waiting for Bukit Aman to do so.

He then said that Bukit Aman CID has formed a task force to deal with criminal activities, especially illegal gambling.

“Our task force will go the ground based on information received via our hotline.

“I will not send them to all districts but we will act based on actionable intelligence. I will go to the ground to do spot checks,” he said

On the Bukit Aman CID hotline which was launched last week, Comm Ayob said it has already received some 300 calls.

“About 10 calls were on CID matters while others involved other agencies. However, we will channel it to the proper agencies. We will also step up our engagement with the public via social media,” he said.

Comm Ayob urged those with information to contact the Bukit Aman CID hotline at 019-376 4763.