“Ops Bah” in action
The Malaysian government has stopped issuing licenses for recreation and sports clubs in the country. According to Federal Territories Minister Adnan Tengku Mansor, a number of pool halls, dart clubs and snooker bars have also been running illegal iGaming operations.
“We have enforced stricter rules and City Hall has since this month stopped issuing such licenses,” he said. “We want to see a reduction in the number of illegal gambling facilities.”
According to the Sunday Mail, the government has shut down eight clubs to date and seized gaming machines worth about RM500,000 (US$112,000). In addition, reported the Malay Mail, City Hall has carried out 517 similar raids since October in a campaign Enforcement Director Abdul Salim Mansor called the “tip of the iceberg.”
Adnan said authorities have developed new guidelines, effective immediately, for cyber-cafes in Malaysia. “Cyber-cafes are only allowed to operate on ground floors or inside shopping malls. No more two-story cyber cafes,” he said. “They are also prohibited from having dark, tinted windows so people on the outside can see activities taking place within.”
The actions are part of “Ops Bah,” a campaign by law enforcement to battle illegal entertainment centers. “This is an ongoing effort to ensure Kuala Lumpur is free of such outlets,” Adnan said. “We are also working closely with other parties including the Immigration Department, police and utility companies.”
