NEFARIOUS WEB: Crime bosses amassing millions from illicit activities that puts state's revenue to shame
KOTA BARU: GAMBLING lords operating in Kelantan are making more in a year from their illicit activities than the entire annual revenue of the state government.
And they do this right under the noses of the state government.
Estimates show that these crime bosses rake in between RM140 million and RM150 million a month. By comparison, the Kelantan government's revenue this year is RM581.77 million, after factoring in the oil royalty payment of RM200 million, which it claimed should be paid by the Federal Government.
The way the gambling racket operates is by using a cadre of loyal agents made up of locals in all of the state's 12 districts. It is a multi-level system that takes advantage of the absence of any form of regulation. As a result, punters as young as 15 and Malays can buy numbers without fear of being caught or prosecuted.
On average, there are 10 main agents in the 12 districts in the state. Each has an average of 10 sub-agents. With three draws a week and a collection of no less than RM10,000 each time, the agents collect a minimum of RM120,000 a month (at least 12 collections).
The New Straits Times' Special Probes Team tracked down one of the top agents in Kota Baru to get an insight into the operation. Known as Abe We to his clients, the 54-year-old makes no less than RM24,000 a month.
Abe We is good at what he does. He rakes in big money without even trying and he started in the business only last year.
Before that, he used to buy numbers regularly but when he saw that the agents were making a killing, he decided that he wanted a piece of the action. His highest taking was RM28,000 a month.
From the RM140,000 he collects each month from all the bets placed, he makes 20 per cent. When any of his clients hit the jackpot, he gets an additional 10 per cent share.
"I used to buy numbers, but I saw how much the agents were making and I wanted to start making that kind of money, so I started making enquiries. We all know the demand and market is huge. Here, in Pasir Putih, Pasir Mas, Tumpat ... it's huge," says Abe We.
"In Tumpat, where I operate from, I cannot even begin to tell you how big the market is. Each area has a representative to collect and I meet my boss at least twice a month.
"It wasn't easy getting in. For me to be appointed an agent, I had to earn his trust. I had to serve a probationary period where my weekly collection had to surpass a certain threshold. Since I performed better than most people, I am now his main agent.
"I collect a 20 per cent commission from my boss for every transaction. If my customer buys RM300 worth of numbers, I will be paid RM30. If, say, he wins RM3,000, I will get another RM300 from my boss. The winner will keep his entire winnings."
Abe We says his customers are from all walks of life -- wage earners, odd-job workers and government servants. The majority are Malays. Coffeeshops and cafes serve as a place to seal the deal. The term is cash only and everything is paid up front.
He's certain the village head and elders are aware of what's going on but they turn a blind eye.
"I've never been hauled up (by the authorities). Nobody says anything as almost everyone does it."
Kelantan Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the state government must act swiftly to the New Sunday Times report that exposed a thriving vice industry involving prostitution, drugs and illegal gambling to clean up the image of Kelantan, also known as Serambi Mekah (The verandah of Mecca).
"The state's image was somewhat tarnished by the report on a thriving vice industry involving prostitution, drugs and illegal gambling.
"Based on the report, we regret that Pas has failed to turn Kelantan into a Serambi Mekah, which is free from immorality. All the vices revealed in the report are unknown to many people in the state.
"We hope that this expose will open the minds of the people that Kelantan is not a perfect state, as it has its shortcomings.
"Prostitution and other vices which are being carried out openly are not only against religious rulings but also state regulations.
"If the state government does not act, then it is just paying lip service and has failed to keep its promises of curbing vices," Mustapa said after chairing the state Umno political bureau meeting here yesterday.
Mustapa said according to the report, young girls were forced into prostitution because of family hardship and it was clear that it was an economic issue that had led them astray.
"The state government has a responsibility to ensure that youth in the state are protected and given jobs and an opportunity for the sake of their future."
He said if Barisan Nasional came to power in the state after the general election, among its priorities would be to ensure that rules and regulations that had been drawn up by the government were enforced.
Just an 'app' awayto illicit riches
ONCE you've been accepted as an agent, you're given a "starter kit" that comprises a cheap, generic handphone.
That's it. There are no fax machines, copiers or printers. A paper trail is avoided like the plague.
Installed in the handphone is an innocuous-looking "app" called "WF Puzzle".
An agent is given a pre-set code that he keys in when selecting the app.
With the code keyed in, the system will let him in and he is ready for business. If you don't key in the code, a harmless game will pop up and you would be none the wiser.
For security reasons, the phone is changed once a month.
To take bookings, the agent will key in the client's pick of numbers and the amount he wants to bet. The list is then forwarded to the agent.
On the surface, the system may look very impersonal but agents meet their clients regularly. There is no conning the clients as word of mouth could kill the business.
One agent says the last big win was just before the Chinese New Year. The winner went home RM40,000 richer.
Apa nak jadilah denganKelantan makin teruk..Tukar lah..
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