KEMAMAN: Police have confirmed that the 12 men arrested near Kampung Mak Chili on Friday, were part of a larger group of people who were gambling on matches between Siamese fighting fish.
District police chief Superintendent Mohd Said Ibrahim said this was the first time that Kemaman police had encountered and take action against such gambling activity.
"Although, we found no money at the site. We believe that those detained had placed some bets on the matches," he said when contacted today.
He said investigations showed the suspects were using the local species of fighting fish called 'betta imbellis', which were cheaper than the imported 'betta splendens'.
In the raid, eight men managed to evade arrest when the police team raided the arena and seized 30 jars containing various sizes of fighting fish and other gambling paraphernalia.
He said the district police received a tip-off before raiding the area.
"When we arrived, all the 20 individuals tried to make a run for it but we manage to catch 12 of them, aged between 24 and 72," he said.
Said said the suspects have been released on police bail after their statements were recorded and the case is being investigated under Section 7 (2) of the Common Gaming House Act 1953, which carries a fine up to RM5,000 or six months imprisonment or both.