SHAH ALAM, 20 Feb: The state government asked all parties to not play with politics and to be serious in fighting illegal activities that are said to be rampant at the moment.

The Exco for Local Government, Ean Yong Hian Wah, said this in response to the statement by the Minister of Urban Well-being and Local Government that informed that the central government has no power to stop illegal gambling activities, rather it depends on the state government.

Ean said that such criminal activities should be curbed by all parties, together with the police and the community.

“As enshrined in the Local Government Act and the Federal Constitution, criminal activities are clearly controlled by the central government.

“The state government and the local government only have the power to block licensing and the use of premises,” he said when contacted by Selangor Kini.

He said meanwhile, to arrest and punish criminals involved would be under the power of the police.

“We have no issues to work with various parties to combat this problem. So, I urge you to not politicise this issue,” he said.

Ean stressed that the state government no longer issues licences to illegal gambling centres.

“Each state local authority have schedules to hold enforcement operations,” he said.

NS