THE Home Ministry said it would leave the decision whether to reveal the identities of the politicians said to be linked to online gambling activities in the country to the police and the Malaysian Anti-Correction Commission.

Its minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it is believed that both the agencies will assess whether there was a need to do so.

“So let the investigative bodies – the police and MACC – make their decision. I do not want to get involved in this matter.

“Both agencies have comprehensive data on who are behind the players and also the mastermind… so whether they will reveal the matter, I leave it to their professional judgment,” he said at a media conference after officiating his ministry’s Madani programme in Sungai Petani, today, in the presence of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain and Kedah police chief Fisol Salleh.

He added it is believed online gambling activities could rake in several billion ringgit a month.

“In a week, it could reach up to RM200 million to RM250 million… that’s just one. In parliament recently, I showed over 100 gambling-related websites and when we look at the size of it, the volume is simply huge and their profits are in cryptocurrencies and such.

“…in terms of technology they are way ahead… that’s why enforcement teams need to be quick, two or three steps ahead because no matter what the reason, this is something that is really bad,” he added.

Saifuddin did not discount the possibility that online gambling activities were financing political activities, as data and information gleaned by the authorities showed such activities were linked to politicians.

“Players in this industry, if protected by political patronage, obviously they need to reciprocate so it’s not a stretch to say that they finance political activities. So I leave this matter to the police and the MACC,” he said. – Bernama, June 18, 2023.