KUCHING, MALAYSIA - After illegally operating in Sarawak for the past two years, all 15 Da Ma Cai lottery outlets were forced to close in a statewide police operation yesterday. The raiding teams, led by Sarawak Anti-Vice, Gaming and Secret Societies Division chief Deputy Superintendent Abg Junaidi Abg Ahmad, seized computers, booking slips and cash.

Abg Junaidi said: "We will get statements from all the workers."

Last month, several calls for the illegal outlets to cease operations were made by ministers and politicians, including state Second Finance Minister Datuk Wong Soon Koh and Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Authorities have issued closure notices to the outlets, but they were ignored by its agents.

Da Ma Cai began its operations in 2004 under its former agent, Superole.

However, squabbles between the local agent and Da Ma Cai owner Pan Malaysia Pools led to the termination of the agreement in 2006.

A source said: "They were brought legally into the state, but the deal between the agent and its parent company ended in 2006, making them illegal."

Later, Firmpower took over the role as agent.

The New Straits Times was also told that a civil suit between the agent and Pan Malaysia Pools is under way.

Police sources said a local politician was behind the operation.

Last month, Pan Malaysia Pools issued a statement saying that it had not appointed any agents in the state, confirming that all Da Ma Cai outlets were operating illegally.