KUALA LUMPUR: Action will be taken against those involved in alleged illegal gambling dens in Sungai Buloh, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.
“If there are officers involved as claimed, action will be taken.
“We want officers with integrity as it could lead to social problems if they are not,” he told reporters after meeting whistleblower Asri Mohd Hamid in Parliament yesterday.
Asri, also known as Mohd Asri Janggut, caused a stir after posting videos which went viral on Saturday, alleging that authorities were working with illegal gambling syndicates.Hamzah said police would work closely with local authorities in Sungai Buloh to sweep the area clean of any illegal gambling dens.
“We will work with the local authorities on the matter as licences to operate businesses are issued by them and not the police,” he added.
This included acting against foreigners said to be involved in the illegal activities, added Hamzah.
Both the Sungai Buloh police and Shah Alam City Council had lodged reports against Asri, 42, claiming his accusations were unfounded.
The reports against Asri, the founder and managing director of Hot Burger Malaysia Sdn Bhd, drew criticism from netizens.
But Hamzah said the reports lodged against Asri were linked to his claims about threats to his life.
“He made a serious allegation that his life was in danger. The safety of his family was threatened too.
“If this is true, then we can protect him,” he added.
Hamzah said detailed investigations would be carried out with action to be taken against offenders, including Asri if he had flouted any regulations as a whistleblower.
Hamzah urged members of the public to send recordings of alleged wrongdoings to his office instead of posting them on social media.
In Putrajaya, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the commission would probe claims that certain enforcement authorities were on the take and protecting illegal businesses in Sungai Buloh.
He said he had contacted Bukit Aman’s integrity and standard compliance director Datuk Zamri Yahya.
“He (Zamri) informed the MACC that action would be taken against premises that carry out illegal gambling, and against officers and personnel who protect these activities.
“Our focus will be on officers and personnel who accept bribes from illegal businesses in Sungai Buloh,” Ahmad Khusairi said.
He urged the public to provide the MACC with information on any wrongdoing by enforcement personnel rather than sharing it online.
He said if the matter was made public before authorities could investigate, the culprits involved could destroy evidence.
Meanwhile, PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the party was ready to provide legal assistance to Asri.
“If there are officers involved as claimed, action will be taken.
“We want officers with integrity as it could lead to social problems if they are not,” he told reporters after meeting whistleblower Asri Mohd Hamid in Parliament yesterday.
Asri, also known as Mohd Asri Janggut, caused a stir after posting videos which went viral on Saturday, alleging that authorities were working with illegal gambling syndicates.Hamzah said police would work closely with local authorities in Sungai Buloh to sweep the area clean of any illegal gambling dens.
“We will work with the local authorities on the matter as licences to operate businesses are issued by them and not the police,” he added.
This included acting against foreigners said to be involved in the illegal activities, added Hamzah.
Both the Sungai Buloh police and Shah Alam City Council had lodged reports against Asri, 42, claiming his accusations were unfounded.
The reports against Asri, the founder and managing director of Hot Burger Malaysia Sdn Bhd, drew criticism from netizens.
But Hamzah said the reports lodged against Asri were linked to his claims about threats to his life.
“He made a serious allegation that his life was in danger. The safety of his family was threatened too.
“If this is true, then we can protect him,” he added.
Hamzah said detailed investigations would be carried out with action to be taken against offenders, including Asri if he had flouted any regulations as a whistleblower.
Hamzah urged members of the public to send recordings of alleged wrongdoings to his office instead of posting them on social media.
In Putrajaya, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the commission would probe claims that certain enforcement authorities were on the take and protecting illegal businesses in Sungai Buloh.
He said he had contacted Bukit Aman’s integrity and standard compliance director Datuk Zamri Yahya.
“He (Zamri) informed the MACC that action would be taken against premises that carry out illegal gambling, and against officers and personnel who protect these activities.
“Our focus will be on officers and personnel who accept bribes from illegal businesses in Sungai Buloh,” Ahmad Khusairi said.
He urged the public to provide the MACC with information on any wrongdoing by enforcement personnel rather than sharing it online.
He said if the matter was made public before authorities could investigate, the culprits involved could destroy evidence.
Meanwhile, PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the party was ready to provide legal assistance to Asri.
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