Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed that the government will intensify efforts to combat illegal gambling activities in Malaysia.
Speaking in his capacity as Finance Minister, Anwar highlighted that enforcement operations to date have resulted in seizures valued at billions of ringgit.
However, he acknowledged several challenges in curbing the illicit industry. “It’s not easy because online gambling is often operated from abroad. Moreover, the electronic systems are highly sophisticated, allowing them to open and close operations instantly,” he said during a parliamentary oral question session.
Anwar was responding to a supplementary question from Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) on whether cracking down on illegal gambling operators is also part of broader efforts to plug revenue leakages, ensuring fiscal consolidation does not rely solely on reducing subsidies.
He added that beyond enforcement actions, the government is focusing on increasing public accountability and raising awareness about activities that violate national laws.
