Don’t bet on election results, Penang top cop warns

GEORGE TOWN: Anyone who tries their luck by betting on the state election results will face action by the police, says state police chief Datuk Khaw Kok Chin.

He said police have detected some elements of betting, but it did not involve any syndicate.

“It’s a small group of people who are betting with each other on the winners in Saturday’s state elections.

“No arrest has been made but we will closely monitor the situation until the end of the elections,” he said after inspecting the early voting process at the Penang police contingent headquarters here yesterday.

Comm Khaw said most election offences since nomination day on July 29 have involved vandalism of party flags and banners.

Earlier, he joined Election Commission deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom to inspect the early voting process.

Comm Khaw said there are 11,294 early voters comprising police and armed forces personnel in Penang.

A total of 6,451 police and 4,843 military personnel are casting their votes here, he added.

He said 28 early voting centres had been set up throughout Penang for the police force. They are located at the state police headquarters and district police headquarters.

Eight more centres are located at armed forces camps throughout the state.

In Kelantan, the largest number of early voters were at SK Desa Pahlawan in Ketereh, with 3,093 early voters consisting of military personnel.

The Bunut Susu police station in Pasir Mas had the fewest number of early voters – seven voters.

A total of 33 early polling stations were opened beginning from 8am until 5pm.

State police chief Comm Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun expressed satisfaction with the high turnout from the early voters.

“Everything went smoothly, and I hope it is smooth as well during polling day this Saturday,” he said.