City council: We’ve nothing to do with gambling licences

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is not authorised to issue gambling licences.

MBPP Licensing and Public Health Standing Committee alternate chairman Ong Ah Teong said the council could only issue public entertainment licences.

“If the operators misuse the licences issued, then the police can move in and take action, not the council,” he said during a press conference at City Hall yesterday.

Ong was responding to Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim, who was quoted in Harakah Daily as saying that the Penang government did not take action against those who ran gambling dens.

He said Iszuree, as a former councillor, should know how the council operates.

“The operators have to apply for a licence from the Finance Ministry to use simulator machines meant for entertainment purposes.

“We will only issue them the licence once they secure approval from the ministry, but not before consulting all the relevant agencies, including the police.

“If any operators are found misusing the licence to run gambling activities, then police will have to take action,” he said.

Ong said the issue of gambling dens should not be politicised, as the police were also involved in the decision making before a public entertainment licence could be issued.

“We are ready to work with the police in this matter. We will revoke the licences of such operators if there are cases referred to us by the police,” he said, adding that they had informed police to take action against 23 unlicensed operators in the south-west district.

Ong said there are 82 licensed family entertainment centres to date.

Of the number, he said, 33 of them were operating simulator machines outside shopping malls, supermarkets and hotels.

“They have until Dec 31 this year to relocate the machines to shopping malls, supermarkets and hotels.

“Failing which, their licences will not be renewed,” he said, adding that the operators should find suitable places to relocate before the end of the year.