Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen this morning ordered the capital, provincial, district, Khan and municipal governors as well as police officers to repress all kinds of illegal gambling in their respective localities.
“I would like to issue a very strict order to take repressive measures [against illegal gambling] in a timely and decisively manner,” said the Premier in a special voice message.
It is unfortunate that we have a lot of work to do with the prevention of COVID-19 spread, inflation, as well as economic-related problems caused by external crisis, but we are also disturbed by gambling, he added.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also warned to remove any capital, provincial, district, khan and municipal governors or police officers of any level who is found not to be responsible for his/her role.
“I do not hesitate to use legal and administrative measures against any officials who conspire or who refuse to act in connection with illegal gambling in their respective localities,” he underlined.
Besides, the Prime Minister advised businesses such as restaurants, cafes that involve in illegal gambling to stop immediately if they do not want to see their licenses be removed.
“This is not an order to destroy the people, but for their well-being and the protection of their property not to lose in gambling, leading to family breakups,” he said, adding that this is in line with the government’s Village-Commune Safety Policy.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen has recently signed a resolution on the establishment of a 12-member working group to crack down on all forms of illegal gambling, chaired by H.E. Sok Phal, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Interior.
In the voice message, the Premier ordered the working group to conduct investigations into the collusion between the officials and gamblers to avoid catastrophes for the people.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press