MP urges DBKL to get rid of illegal cybercafes

SEGAMBUT MP Lim Lip Eng wants Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to rid the constituency of illegal cybercafes and gambling centres.

Lim said he had raised the matter with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib at the end of August.

“A report from DBKL states four operations were conducted this year in three locations in Segambut, during which eight premises were raided and their equipment confiscated but this is insufficient.

“For example, an operation was conducted in Taman Sri Sinar on Feb 24 where 103 computer CPUs were confiscated from five premises. However, during my walk along Jalan 5/38D in Taman Sri Sinar in the afternoon on Sept 2, I saw five illegal cybercafes open,” he said.

Lim said nearby shopowners told him the cybercafes were operating round-the-clock. However, during his visit on Wednesday accompanied by the media, all the five outlets were closed.

“All these outlets have CCTV cameras at their entrances,” he pointed out.

Lim said DBKL should do more than just raid and confiscate their equipment.

“These illegal cybercafes and gambling centres are the root of many social problems. The chance of these gamblers winning is very slim and when these gamblers lose a lot of money, they are tempted to make easy money by robbing and selling drugs,” he said.

Selayang Municipal (MPS) councillor Yew Jia Haur, who was also present, said the council’s enforcement department was facing similar problems.

“MPS had issued only about 500 licences for cybercafes but there are more than 1,000 of them.

“We have been conducting raids too but are currently looking at seizing the premises of those who fail to ensure their property is being used for legal businesses.

“The onus should be on the property owner to make sure their tenants are doing legitimate businesses, failing which, they should be penalised,” he said.