MUAR - Nine Singaporeans - seven men and two women - and an Indonesian woman who is a Singapore permanent resident have been arrested for gambling in a hotel in Muar, Johor, the Utusan newspaper reported.

The group, whose names were not given, had gone to the town to pray at the Parit Jawa temple and feast on asam pedas, the report said Tuesday.

Just before returning home on Monday, they decided to play cards at a hotel, the report said.

Police raided the venue after receiving a tipoff from a member of the public. During the raid, according to Utusan, four of the men were found sitting at a table with 52 cards and cash worth S$425.

The rest of the group were resting at a corner of the room.

"Two hours later, we detained a 33-year-old local man believed to be the organiser of the gambling activity as he was loitering in Muar police headquarters' compound," Muar Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Azman Ayob, was quoted by Utusan as saying.

The Singaporeans will be investigated under Section 6(2) of Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, under which they can be fined a maximum of RM5,000 (S$1,931) or jailed up to 3 years or both.