KOTA KINABALU: Internal action will be taken against policemen found to be abetting illegal gambling syndicates in the state, says Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali.

       He said several police officials have been investigated following the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) crackdown on illegal gambling recently, but there have been no arrests made on them yet.

       “But we will take action against those found involved in the syndicates, or any crime for that matter,” he said at a press conference here on Tuesday (June 29).

       The press conference was held to give updates on the joint investigation of the case.

       A total of four people have been arrested to facilitate the investigation, and Hazani said that they believe more suspects will be called in.

       State MACC director S. Karunanithy said the suspects are two men and two women aged in their 20s and 50s.

       In the June 21 and June 26 raids, graft busters and police saw a total of RM39,199 in cash seized and four bank accounts with RM586,576.72 in them confiscated.

       All the money seized are believed to be the proceeds from gambling.

       It was earlier reported that policemen were also investigated for allegedly receiving bribes to cover up the illegal activity.

       Karunanithy said the bribes offered were believed to have totalled about RM10,000 thus far.

       “Our investigations are ongoing, and for now our focus is on the syndicate,” he said.

       Apart from the Common Gaming Houses Act, this case will also be probed under the Prevention of Crime Act.

       On other matters, Hazani said they are now in the midst of arresting those involved in football bettings for qualifiers ahead of the World Cup 2022.

       “There have been several arrests in Kota Marudu and Kota Belud districts over the past few days, and we will give an update soon,” he said.