GOVERNMENT DRAFTING BILL TO ADDRESS ONLINE GAMBLING - FADILLAH

KUCHING, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- The government is drafting a bill to tackle illegal gambling activities, including online gambling, amid growing concerns over its social impact and the need for a more comprehensive legal framework, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said the proposed legislation is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat as early as the next sitting, subject to the bill’s readiness.

“At the federal level, the government is drafting a law to address illegal gambling. Insya-Allah,  we hope to table it in the next session of Parliament. 

“Illegal gambling, if left unchecked, can affect social well-being, especially among our younger generation. That is why the government is treating this matter seriously,” he said when met by reporters after the presentation of the annual grant to the Village Development and Security Committees in the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency here today.

Fadillah said the proposed law has yet to be given a specific name and is still under review, including whether it will be introduced as a new standalone act or incorporated as amendments to existing legislation, such as the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.

“There is no specific name yet. Whether it will be a special act or incorporated under existing cybercrime legislation is still being studied,” he said.

He explained that once enacted, the law would strengthen enforcement mechanisms, particularly in addressing online gambling, and facilitate more effective action by the police and other relevant authorities.

In November last year, Sarawak police said efforts to curb online gambling were focused on identifying more effective ways to block access to such platforms, in line with technological developments that enable gambling activities to be conducted via mobile devices.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah reportedly said a new approach was needed, including closer collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) to enhance system-blocking measures.

-- BERNAMA