KUCHING: Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) proposes to the authorities to have a structured gambling treatment facility in Malaysia.
Its chairman, Datuk Dr Lau Pang Heng said that several private rehabilitation centres offer residential, and outpatient help for problem gamblers.
However, there are no offline Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meetings in Malaysia but online access to GA is possible.
“We are aware that private psychiatric hospitals and addiction specialists offer individual psychotherapies (mostly cognitive–behavioural therapy) for problem gamblers and supportive psychotherapy to their families.
“Anecdotes suggest that most people with gambling-related problems go unrecognised and untreated.
“Problems often only come to light when they are severe or when the gambler comes to the attention of the legal system for gambling-related debt, bankruptcy, financial fraud, domestic violence, and other crimes,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lau also said that SPA applauds and congratulates Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for taking action against the illegal gambling syndicates in Sarawak.
“Gambling can be very addictive and is a serious concern which can disrupt lives. Gambling can have a severe effect on one’s family life and finances.
“Disconnecting electric supply is in line with the Gambling Act as the premises is used for gambling without a valid licence.
“It is against the law to do illegal activities in a premises; thus, it is fair and within the Law of our country, for PDRM to disconnect the premises’ power supply,” he said.
Lau also noted that three major legal frameworks dictate gambling laws in Malaysia which are The Betting Act 1953, the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, and the Shariah law.
“The Betting Act 1953 (with several further amendments) is the most important of these. This Act bans all forms of gambling unless the company has a legal licence to operate and covers telecommunications and other means of transmitting bets between customers and betting houses.
“As per this Act, anyone caught running a betting house or caught in one will be penalised with a RM200,000 fine and five years in jail,” he said.
Lau said that the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 (with further amendments) is more inclusive than the Betting Act in its coverage of types of gambling which define gaming as the playing of any game of chance or mixed chance and skill for money or money’s worth.
“In the 2020 budget plan for Malaysia, the then finance minister announced an increase in punishments for both illegal gamblers and gambling operators.
“The maximum penalty for those who gamble illegally was increased 20-fold, from RM5000 to RM100,000, and a minimum jail sentence of six months was introduced.
“Islam being the predominant religion, Malaysia also recognises Sharia law and Sharia (or Syariah) courts.
“However, non-Malays (mostly ethnic Chinese and Indian) are not bound by Sharia law but by the secular legal system. All forms of gambling are forbidden under the Sharia law.
“Requesting the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to blacklist these illegal online gambling operators is in line with the Law of our country. MCMC has all the experts, and they are empowered to do,” he said.
Lau also emphasised that the citizens always blame the police for online gambling in the past, with the ongoing actions taken by PDRM to reduce or curb illegal online gambling, Sarawak will be a better and more peaceful place.
