In large commercial cities, the money power is, I fear irresistible. It is not by open corruption that it always, or even most generally, operates.
— Roger B. Taney
The old adage “you can run but you cannot hide” truly hits the nail on the head pertaining to a good number of convicted cases thus far.
With the highest profile case in Malaysia reaching its eventuality (convicted) and numerous cases of formerly powerful political figures and dignitaries still undergoing trials or waiting for further case managements, there are likely some that will end up in the same consequence with the former upon guilty verdicts.
Our law does not differentiate anyone as it is blind to names, creeds and colours and doesn’t know any Tun, Tan Sri, Datuk or whoever you are. It calls a spade a spade and criminal a criminal. It does not fear or favour despite being run by men — unless of course the enforcers are themselves criminals.
Its long arm is omnipotent; anyone who believes in piety must be a believer in the all-powerful and supreme presence of justice. So apart from the aforesaid, concerned public members in the state and elsewhere are anxiously waiting for the outcomes of cases such as the suspected organ trafficker recently held by police and still under remand and many other cases still ongoing and yet to have any conclusion.
One interesting case in Peninsular Malaysia is currently handled by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). It involves nine enforcement officers from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Sungai Buloh branch who are being remanded by MACC. They were nabbed as part of a probe into claims that they were on the take for providing protection to certain illegal businesses operating in a certain area in Sungai Buloh.
If one reads local dailies, there are daily drug cases involving addicts and dealers being nabbed and remanded for further investigations by police. There are also many theft and robbery cases whereby suspects and those convicted are published as education and deterrence for public members, especially potential offenders — though in actual fact most of them are likely not reading fans.
Police in the state are now trying their best to eliminate illegal gambling, especially the acts done online as well as illegal sales of lottery. However, based on newspaper statistics, those caught were mostly small “fish” or runners as shown by the small amount of cash confiscated. The masterminds or their big bosses who are the actual culprits remain undetectable. Law enforcement efforts thus far included cutting off power supply to errant premises under Section 21A (1) of the Common Gaming House Act 1953. Online gambling organisers can also be charged under Section 4(1) c of the same Act where an offender can be fined not less than RM20,000 but not more than RM200,000 and jailed up to five years if found guilty.
Those caught during gambling sessions at their own residences or in an open space such as during cockfighting sessions (playing holo/dice game) are normally charged with either the Open House Gambling Act 1953 — usually under Section 7 (2) or the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
In 2018, a woman in Miri who pleaded guilty to selling illegal lottery under Section 9(1) of the same Act was fined RM5,000. It is the maximum fine under this section. Other cases under the same Act were mostly fined between RM1,000 and RM2,000.
The Betting Act 1953 thoroughly outlaws all forms of gambling. The act even addresses telecommunications and other means of transmitting bets between customers and betting houses. The language in the act covers just about all possible loopholes.
The act specifies a penalty of up to RM200,000 and five years in jail for anyone caught operating a betting house or patronising one. It’s unclear if today’s betting sites fall under the definition of a “betting house.”
Apart from the aforementioned Acts, Malaysian laws also provide for other anti-gambling Acts such as Lotteries Act 1952 and Pool Betting Act 1967 to govern the gaming industry in Malaysia, though these two are seldom used.
On corruption, there are a number of laws in the country.
Thus far, suspects are charged under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and others. The former was used in the highest profile case and on few other
powerful figures already on trial or awaiting one.
While others are trying to evade imprisonment and spending big bucks on lawyers, one miserable small fish from a Saratok longhouse chooses jail to
a free life. He makes sure he is always caught stealing because in jail, he is given enough food without having to work for it.
My message to readers, be a law-abiding citizen and enjoy further reading of this tabloid.
