12 detained by religious department for gambling

Twelve Muslim men were detained by the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEANPP) at three gaming outlets during an operation in the state yesterday.

JHEANPP enforcement operations chief Khairul Azman Azizan said today the men, aged between 25 and 40, were detained during the operation from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm along Jalan Seri Bahari.

Five of the men were Indonesian and Pakistan nationals, he told reporters.

All the men were liable to be fined up to RM3,000 or sentenced to two years' jail, or both, for gambling if convicted under the Syariah Criminal Offences (State of Penang) Enactment 1996.