SUBANG JAYA, 29 JAN: A total of 64 illegal cyber cafes throughout Selangor, some of which were running ‘casinos’, were raided in a simultaneous operation carried out by the Local Authorities today.
The Local Authorities officers seized 1,189 computers and issued 10 compounds towards those managing the centres without licences.
Local Government, Research and Development Executive Councillor, Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, said that the operation that involved all Local Authorities in Selangor was the first for this year.
He said that Local Authorities can carry out such operations at any given time to combat such illegal activities from spreading.
“The existence of illegal cyber cafes should be blocked (stopped). That is why the State Government is encouraging Local Authorities to carry out raids on premises that are believed to be conducting such illegal operations.
“However, the State Government feels that the RM1,000 compound issued for offences and RM2,000 when it gets a mention at court, should be increased because it is too minimal.
“This is because illegal cyber cafes can generate a profit of nearly RM30,000 through gambling,” he said in a press conference at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council office here today.
Also present was the MPSJ Deputy President, Abdullah Marjunid.
Elaborating further, he said that the majority of operators of cyber cafes without licences will continue to carry out their businesses elsewhere after the completion of the court case.
He stressed that according to current regulations, local authorities cannot take action against the owner of the premises and difficulties also arise because most of the premises that are rented out uses the name of a third party.
“We also deny the allegations made by the Selangor Police Chief that this state does not cooperate with the authorities when carrying out operations.
“Even the operations carried out today by some local authorities involves the presence of the police,” he said, adding that other authorities such as the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) were also involved.
The operations carried out in areas under MPSJ led by it’s Director of Enforcement, Ahmad Hassan targeted areas in Subang Jaya and Puchong with the seizure of 162 computer sets from six illegal cyber cafes.