Various types of transactions take place at night markets and bazaars, ranging from ordinary to unusual. Recently, a video went viral depicting an individual distributing business cards promoting online gambling and illegal loans at a Ramadan bazaar. The question arises: Were a couple truly apprehended for distributing such cards at a Ramadan bazaar in Ipoh?
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The Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan has confirmed the arrest of a married couple. However, he mentioned that the man shown in the video distributing the cards is disabled and is still being sought by the police. The couple, identified as the masterminds of the operation, was apprehended in Sitiawan on Monday. The man is 54 years old, while his wife is 53.
“In the video, traders are seen confronting the man and he was told to leave the bazaar,” Comm Mohd Yusri explained. “With the information gathered, police were able to track down the couple.” He further revealed that on Sunday, police were searching for three suspects in connection with the viral video at the Ramadan Bazaar at Stadium.
Comm Mohd Yusri disclosed that police seized a mobile phone, a notebook with a list of individuals who had borrowed money, and a total of 120 cards detailing money lending and online gambling. During interrogation, the man confessed to being at the bazaar with two individuals he had hired to distribute the cards. “The suspect has been involved in the illegal business since 2022. He paid the two disabled men RM30 each on the day of the incident to distribute the cards,” Comm Mohd Yusri added.
Further examinations from the notebook containing the borrowers’ names indicated that 90% of them were Malays from the Manjung district. “The suspect expressed his desire to grow his ‘business’ and attract new clientele. He also admitted to charging high daily interest rates,” Comm Mohd Yusri stated. The case is now under investigation under Section 4(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act.
