The Star/Asia News Network
Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012
MALAYSIA - It is known as the street that never sleeps. And for all the wrong reasons.
Because of the proliferation of gambling outlets, businesses along the same street, both legal and illegal, operate non-stop to cater to the demands of the gamblers.
In another part of the Klang Valley, one road is regarded as the hottest gambling spot in town, with 20 outlets along a single stretch.
The Star's investigation into the e-gambling dens in Klang, Selayang, Batu Caves, Kepong and Petaling Jaya reveal that these casinos in the streets thrive because the authorities turn a blind eye to what is going on under their jurisdictions.
Enforcement is lax even when these outlets in highly-popular zones are so easily identified.
We are not talking about illegal activities that operate in the boondocks, where their locations are tightly-kept secrets and you may need special passwords to gain access.
As our expose today on similar outlets in Penang reveals, we are talking about such illegal activities in two of the most developed states in the country.
The local authorities and enforcement agencies are certainly well-equipped to deal with situations like these.
The modus operandi seems simple enough. By day, they are typical business outlets, but by night they transform into bustling gambling dens.
The enforcers should be working round the clock to close them down.
The real action happens after dark, when not only gamblers head to these places, but also others seeking other services, like sex, to unwind after a hard day's work.
One law enforcement official claims that the operators of the illegal e-casinos play "hide-and-seek" with the authorities and often disappear before raids are conducted.
Meanwhile, the local authorities claim that they cannot do anything about the rising gambling menace either because the residents do not complain officially or that the other enforcement agencies are not doing their part.
While that may be the case, such scenarios are common and should not be used as an excuse not to take the necessary action.
The enforcement officials can station themselves in these areas.
The licensing authorities can shut down even the legitimate businesses in the daytime if they have evidence that they are being used for illegal activities at night.
Rather than blame one another over the lack of action, everyone can, and should, work as a team to ensure that our streets come alive, in the day or at night, for only the right reasons.
Otherwise, casinos in the streets will simply spawn crime in the streets.
