Sarawak police commissioner Aidi Ismail said he had instructed the Special Branch and criminal investigation department (CID) to monitor the allegations and not to compromise with anyone found placing bets on the results of the state elections.

“I am issuing a stern warning that police will not compromise and will take appropriate action to ensure no betting activities take place during the 12th Sarawak state elections,” he said.

He told reporters this after a demonstration by Sarawak police units at the Batu Kawa GOF base.

Aidi was commenting on allegations by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for Dudong, Tiong King Sing, who is also the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president and Bintulu MP, that he had received information of punters targeting this particular state seat.

Sarawak goes to the polls on Dec 18, with early voting taking place on Dec 14.

Meanwhile, on the police’s preparedness for the state elections, Aidi said 7,343 personnel from various units had been mobilised to be on duty on polling day compared with the 5,522 personnel on duty on nomination day.

So far, police have received 103 applications from the parties contesting in the elections for permits to carry out physical campaigning.