KUALA LUMPUR: No "green light" has been given to illegal gambling syndicates to operate nationwide, says Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador. The Inspector-General of Police said he was aware of false statements from the syndicates claiming that Bukit Aman has purportedly given them the go-ahead to operate. "The lie which has been spread since late last year was meant to thwart raids and operations against the syndicates. The baseless allegation also stated that all gambling premises can resume operations by mid-January or by Chinese New Year," he said. When contacted on Saturday (Jan 23), Abdul Hamid added that the claim that Bukit Aman has given the syndicates the green light to be active is a "malicious lie".