Write an article about ‘Eateries’ with yellow sign boards doubling as online gambling outlets can be found around Kuching and beyond, says Sarawak lawmaker Mordi Bimol. (Mordi Bimol pic)
KUCHING: What appears to be a modest roadside eatery in Sarawak may in fact be a covert front for 24-hour online gambling dens — an insidious trend that is tearing families apart, warns a local MP.
Mordi Bimol.
Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol said the outlets, scattered across towns and villages, and notoriously known to locals as “rumah kuning” (yellow house), are decorated with brightly-coloured signboards.
Yet, they only serve instant noodles and drinks, he claims, while quietly doubling as illegal gambling dens.
“They often have yellow sign boards with funny names (and) are open 24 hours to sell tokens for online gambling taking place there. It’s quite well known among locals,” Mordi told FMT in an interview.
He said these shops function as hubs for players to gather, buy tokens and access the internet.
First seen in Kuching, Mordi said these shops have now spread beyond the city.
“It is not only in the town area. They have started to enter rural areas, operating with local grocery stalls.”
The DAP MP questioned how these businesses qualified to be licensed as food and beverage outlets in the first place. “Who is responsible for allowing these shops to exist?”
Expressing frustration, Mordi said he has raised the issue with the local council on several occasions, only to be referred to the various district offices where business licences are issued.
Recently, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail acknowledged the increase in illegal gambling dens masquerading as coffee shops in Sarawak.
He said the authorities carried out 509 raids on premises across Sarawak between January and July, resulting in 535 arrests.
Devastating families
Mordi said these gambling dens have had devastating consequences on families, with patrons taking on debts to make punts in hopes of a jackpot win.
The Sarawak DAP vice-chairman said the issue was not limited to working adults, with students and the elderly also drawn to these illegal activities.
“Ten families have come to my office asking for help to settle debts with loan sharks. It’s also causing other social issues like divorce. Schoolkids, youths and even old ladies in their late 60s would patronise these shops,” he said.
Mordi said the widespread presence of such outlets reflected a lack of enforcement, and called for the enactment of more effective laws to curtail illegal gambling.
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‘Eateries’ with yellow sign boards doubling as online gambling outlets can be found around Kuching and beyond, says Sarawak lawmaker Mordi Bimol. (Mordi Bimol pic)
KUCHING: What appears to be a modest roadside eatery in Sarawak may in fact be a covert front for 24-hour online gambling dens — an insidious trend that is tearing families apart, warns a local MP.
Mordi Bimol.
Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol said the outlets, scattered across towns and villages, and notoriously known to locals as “rumah kuning” (yellow house), are decorated with brightly-coloured signboards.
Yet, they only serve instant noodles and drinks, he claims, while quietly doubling as illegal gambling dens.
“They often have yellow sign boards with funny names (and) are open 24 hours to sell tokens for online gambling taking place there. It’s quite well known among locals,” Mordi told FMT in an interview.
He said these shops function as hubs for players to gather, buy tokens and access the internet.
First seen in Kuching, Mordi said these shops have now spread beyond the city.
“It is not only in the town area. They have started to enter rural areas, operating with local grocery stalls.”
The DAP MP questioned how these businesses qualified to be licensed as food and beverage outlets in the first place. “Who is responsible for allowing these shops to exist?”
Expressing frustration, Mordi said he has raised the issue with the local council on several occasions, only to be referred to the various district offices where business licences are issued.
Recently, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail acknowledged the increase in illegal gambling dens masquerading as coffee shops in Sarawak.
He said the authorities carried out 509 raids on premises across Sarawak between January and July, resulting in 535 arrests.
Devastating families
Mordi said these gambling dens have had devastating consequences on families, with patrons taking on debts to make punts in hopes of a jackpot win.
The Sarawak DAP vice-chairman said the issue was not limited to working adults, with students and the elderly also drawn to these illegal activities.
“Ten families have come to my office asking for help to settle debts with loan sharks. It’s also causing other social issues like divorce. Schoolkids, youths and even old ladies in their late 60s would patronise these shops,” he said.
Mordi said the widespread presence of such outlets reflected a lack of enforcement, and called for the enactment of more effective laws to curtail illegal gambling.
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