Kuala Sepetang

The police yesterday denied the existence of an 'a la Mafia' activities in Kuala Sepetang, Perak which raised many heads, especially the local folks there.

However, the actual special report by Utusan did not make any direct 'Mafia' reference. It was just a matter of adding weigh to it, and I believe Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Bukit Aman and readers understand it.

And when the minister said the police will 'rush' to the scene, it actually did not mean Kuala Sepetang - a beautiful fishing village - is in red alert. The police, of course, will usually act on media reports. So, neither Zahid nor the police is wrong. What went wrong was some perceptions that Kuala Sepetang is 'a gangster den'.

However, Zahid could be right by saying some proceeds from illegal gambling centres in places like Kuala Sepetang, Bagan Panchor and Pulau Kuala Sangga go to irresponsible politicians. Could be true.

PUTRAJAYA: Some politicians in Perak are believed to be financed with proceeds earned from illegal gambling centres in the state, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 
He said although the politicians concerned were not directly involved, they were believed funded by the illegal gambling centres namely in - Kuala Sepetang, Bagan Panchor and Pulau Kuala Sangga - to carry out their political activities. 
"Based on information I received, there are politicians involved. If they want proof, the police have the evidence," Ahmad Zahid told reporters here on Monday. 
He said this when asked to comment on newspaper reports on gambling activities in the three areas, which were said to be hard for the authorities to penetrate.

I've been to Kuala Sepetang. The environment is good, the people are nice and friendly and the food (especially at the jetty restaurant) was yummy.

I don't deny the existence of some illegal activities like gambling and smuggling but if you compare it with other places, Kuala Sepetang is not 'worrying'. Police sources said that in Perak, Sitiawan is worst for illegal activities and underworld movement.

No alarm for Kuala Sepetang. The report was taken out of context but the police has to investigate. What Zahid meant by 'an ambush' in Kuala Sepetang was just also misunderstood.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said police admitted that there were crime activities occurring in Kuala Sepetang, Perak.
"I don't deny that there are crime activities there, but not to the extent of involving mafia groups," he said.
Nevertheless, he said the police would always monitor the situation there and were hoping that the public with information about any crime activities would channel the information to the police to enable further action to be taken.

Kuala Sepetang is a tranquil village. Tourists who have been there will agree to the fact that they were free to move around without any fear. Nobody would want to touch them.

And for Perak police, Kuala Sepetang has the least reports on crime. 

IPOH: Perak police have denied a news report in a local daily of the existence of Mafia style criminal activities in the coastal fishing villages of Kuala Sepetang, Bagan Panchor and Pulau Kuala Sanggar.
Acting State police chief Datuk A. Paramasivam said: "We do not the crimes but the report does not reflect the actual situation in these villages.
"Police have not received reports of crimes like snatch thefts, threats or any violent crimes from the public, especially the tourists.

I would like to be there again. Would be 'something' if we - reporters and bloggers alike - go in groups organised by the Home Ministry, PDRM or a mainstream media like Utusan Malaysia... how about that?