KUALA LUMPUR: Police today warned Red Shirts leader Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos against setting up an unlicensed gambling outlet, saying that action will be taken against him if he proceeded with the plan.
Ampang police chief Assistant Commissioner Hamzah Alias said it is clearly an offence for someone to operate an illegal gambling den.
“We will take action against any unlicensed premises. He (Jamal) is making assumptions that enforcement authorities are not doing their job.
“We have repeatedly inform the public to relay information to us if there is something suspicious activities in their area that needed to be checked,” he told the New Straits Times.
Hamzah pointed out that the public should go through the proper channel by lodging police reports instead of taking matters into their own hands.
“We will launch an investigation once a report is filed, in accordance to the law,” he said.
Earlier, it was reported that Jamal, who is also the Sungai Besar Umno division chief, had declared that he was looking at the possibility of resign his political post to venture into "new business", which included illegal gambling.
"Today, I want to announce that I might resign my position as Umno division chief, Barisan Nasional Sg Besar chairman, Selangor NGO Chairman and Malaysian Non-Governmental Organisations Coalition chairman.
“To me, these positions I hold to help the community could not be fully utilised. After this, I will operate an illegal gambling business just like other gambling tycoons because it offers immunity and privilege compared to the positions as community leaders,” he was quoted by Malay daily, Sinar Harian as saying.
Jamal was speaking to reporters after his release at 7pm today.
Meanwhile, Hamzah said Jamal and nine others were released today as police continue to update its probe into the case.
"The investigation paper has been forwarded to state chief prosecutor for the next course of action."
"The detainees were released with RM5,000 police bail with one surety each," he said.
Jamal, who is also Sungai Besar Umno division chief, was arrested on Thursday following a police report lodged by the owner of an entertainment outlet, who claimed that he had lost several items during one of Jamal's 'raids'.
It was reported the premises he had ‘raided’ was a licensed entertainment centre.
The case is being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ jail, or a whipping, or both, upon conviction.