A demonstration to protest the presence of more than 10 shops, believed to be operating illegal gambling, at Kampung Teluk Kumbar in George Town today turned unruly when two of the protesters broke into the premises and damaged the gambling machines there.

Its organiser, Rushdi Abdul Majid, said 30 people from the Teluk Kumbar and Sungai Batu mosques took part in the demonstration during which they pasted posters on the shops to protest their operation.

He said the situation turned unruly when two men, in their 30s, broke into the shops  and began hurling the gambling machines in the premises.

“They were out of control and aggressive. We regretted the incident, it was not planned to be that way,” he told reporters in George Town today.

He said they had written to the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) and the Penang Municipal Council for action to be taken, but it went unheeded.

Meanwhile, South West deputy police chief DSP Lai Fah Hin, when contacted, said police went to the scene, but could not find the suspects.

So far, we had not received any report from the owners of the premises, he added.

- Bernama