KUALA LUMPUR: Police expect to submit a proposal to the government soon on law amendments to provide for better combat against illegal gambling activities.
The contents of the proposal, which would include provisions on online gaming and stricter actions against illegal gaming outlets, are now being formulated in a series of discussion between a team of police experts and the Attorney-General's Chambers.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar when contacted today said they are looking forward to submit the proposal in the near future.
He said among those involved in the discussion with the AGC's legal experts were officers from the Criminal Investigation Department's Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7).
It was reported that the federal police were hoping to get better 'tools' so that they can eradicate illegal gaming syndicates.
Khalid was quoted as saying that the law enforcement agency's "hands are tied" as there are no provisions under the current law against online gaming for police to prosecute accordingly.
He also said that police were considering to punish the owners of illegal gaming premises for renting out space for illegal use.
In Nov last year, the federal police launched its Special Task Force on Organised Crime (Stafoc), a 400-strong of specially trained policemen, in an aim to cripple and put an end to organised crime syndicates including those masterminding illegal gaming activities.
The federal police headquarters had since put illegal gambling on top of their 'clean-up' list, which saw mobilisation of Stafoc operatives in special operations against the syndicates.
The crackdown intensified since about two months ago following news reports on thousands of illegal gaming centres, which had been operating under the nose of authorities.
Khalid had then issued a warning to all district and station police chiefs to ensure that areas under their jurisdiction are clear of such outlets, or face disciplinary action including being slapped with 24-hour transfer notice.
