DPM: End online gambling and its syndicates

KUALA LUMPUR: The police have been told to put a stop to online gambling and smash the syndicates behind the activity.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who made the call, said it will be an uphill battle.

“But it can be done, with concerted effort from everyone, including the public,” he said.

“I have asked the InspectorGeneral of Police to eradicate these syndicates that are very big and hard to wipe out.

“But we will do the best we can because gambling has destroyed many lives and is like a cancer to society.

“We need to do everything we can to combat this menace,” he said in his speech yesterday at the close of the 7th Consumer Forum organised by the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said more than 400 online gambling syndicate members from China have been extradited for action to be taken by their home country.

He also said that another 38 suspects are in the process of being sent back to that country.

“I want to see the police and related agencies work hard to hurt these online gambling syndicates.

“We have the Macau, African, Chinese and love scams, and this is a problem that we have to tackle, otherwise it will affect more Malaysians,” he added.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said he has instructed the police to use the Prevention of Crime Act against those suspects who are hard to bring to book.

“I will be the No. 1 enemy to these syndicates because now even school children are involved in online gambling and this is a very dangerous trend for the country,” he said.