PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to intensifying efforts to combat illegal gambling activities across Malaysia.
Speaking during a session of oral questions in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, highlighted the significant success of enforcement measures to date, with seizures reportedly amounting to billions of ringgit.
However, he acknowledged the complexity of curbing the industry, particularly due to the rise of online gambling operations. “It is not easy because online gambling is sometimes based overseas.
Secondly, the electronic mechanisms are very sophisticated; they can open and close immediately,” he explained.
Anwar’s remarks came in response to a supplementary question from Tuan Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang), regarding whether cracking down on illegal gambling operators could serve as a complementary measure to plug revenue leakages, ensuring fiscal consolidation efforts are not solely reliant on reducing subsidies.
Further elaborating, the Prime Minister emphasised that enforcement is only one part of a broader strategy.
“In addition to enforcement measures against illegal gambling activities, the government is also focusing on raising public accountability and awareness regarding activities that contravene the law,” he said.
Authorities have stepped up both physical and digital crackdowns in recent years, targeting syndicates operating locally and abroad, as part of ongoing initiatives to protect national revenue and maintain social order.
Anwar’s statements underscore the dual approach of strict enforcement combined with public education to curb illicit gambling, even as technological advancements make detection and regulation increasingly challenging. - February 11, 2026
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