Johor cops nab 13 for gambling on first day of CNY

JOHOR BARU: Police arrested 13 people for gambling on the first day of Chinese New Year in a statewide special operation.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said a total of 389 premises were checked during the operation, conducted between 9am and 7pm on Tuesday (Feb 1).

“Ten raids were also carried out in Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Kluang and Johor Baru North where 13 individuals between the ages of 19 and 57 were arrested.

“We also seized 12 phones worth a total of RM1,393,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 2).

Comm Kamarul Zaman added that those detained comprised 11 men and two women, and the case was being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.

He also noted that some 23 business premises had their electricity supply cut off for involvement in illegal gambling activities since January.

He said these premises included mobile phone shops and snooker centres in the Kluang, Batu Pahat, Muar and Kulai districts.

On a separate matter, Comm Kamarul Zaman said 776 accidents were recorded during the first five days of Ops Selamat 2022 in conjunction with Chinese New Year.

“This is a drop of about 36% in the number of accidents in this year’s op compared to Chinese New Year last year, where some 1,219 accidents were recorded.

“A total of nine deaths from eight accidents were recorded this year, also a drop from the 11 deaths in 10 fatal accidents last year,” he added.

Comm Kamarul Zaman said a total of 6,100 summonses had been issued in the first five days of this year's operation.

Some 36 road users, whose ages ranged from 18 to 56 years, were also arrested for various offences including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he added.