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SERDANG: Graft busters have received reports and information in connection with claims of political protection over illegal online gambling, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said the commission has received certain reports and information that are being investigated.

“We will also cooperate with the police in investigating the matter,” he told reporters after launching the Malaysia Corruption Watch (MCW) annual general meeting at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) on Saturday (June 17).

It was reported that Bukit Aman is exchanging information with graft busters in connection with political involvement in illegal online gambling.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani had said the police had received information of political influence in online gambling activity.

“We are exchanging pertinent information with the MACC on the matter.

“We will investigate the matter further,” he said in a statement.

The police are committed towards curbing such illegal activities, he said.

“We will take action in accordance with relevant laws,” he said.

On Thursday (June 15), Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat that illegal online gambling syndicates were receiving protection from certain politicians, which made it difficult to eradicate the issue.

“I can confirm that there are elements of political protection for online gambling (syndicates),” he said, adding that this was the biggest challenge faced by his ministry, the police and the government.

The political protection, he said, had affected the efficiency of the police force.