Leave police to probe political patronage in online gambling, says Saifuddin

 

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has called for gambling laws to be updated because current legislation was drafted when cockfighting was popular. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has reaffirmed that political patronage exists in online gambling but said information could not be shared with the public as it would affect the police’s investigation into the matter.

He said it was important for the police to gather accurate information, and they should be given space to arrange their strategy for the case.

Saifuddin had raised the matter of political patrons behind online gambling syndicates when he answered a question in the Dewan Rakyat.

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He told Berita Harian today: “My answer in Parliament doesn’t mean that it (political patronage) isn’t present, my answer was affirmative, it (is present).

“What does political patronage mean? It means there exists elements of protection, influence, and that affects the police force. There will be elements of corruption and bribery.

“Do the police have information (on it)? The answer is yes, it is on their radar. Collecting accurate information will allow us to take targeted action, and that information is not something we can share with the public. It will affect their (the police’s) investigation,” he was quoted as saying.

Saifuddin said he will make no further comment without getting a “convincing explanation” from the police. “Let the police arrange their strategy,” he said.

In the Dewan Rakyat, he had said it would be “laughable” to say these syndicates are free from political patronage. Such patronage was a major obstacle for the home ministry, police and the government.

“Yes, there is an element of political patronage exerted. That is affirmative,” he said.

Saifuddin said the “political masters” would protect syndicates from legal action, which would then “reciprocate”.

However, he did not elaborate on what this reciprocation entails. He also called for legislation to tackle illegal gambling such as the Betting Act 1953 and the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 to be amended to effectively tackle the problem.

These “outdated laws”, he said, were created when cockfights were the most common form of gambling. Saifuddin said he will discuss proposed amendments with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. - FMT