Zahid: No compromise with Malaysians involved in 14K triad

PASIR SALAK: The Home Ministry will not compromise with Malaysians linked to triads and drug trafficking syndicate known as '14K Triad,' said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said it had been confirmed that the '14K Traid' did not exist in Malaysia.

"Nevertheless, if there are Malaysians associated with the group abroad, it's beyond national legislation.

"The home ministry will neither sympathise nor compromise even if the individuals concerned are Malaysians and involved with triad gambling activities," he said after visiting flood victims at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) training centre in Sungai Galah here.

He was referring to the case of alleged professional poker player Paul Phua who is currently under house arrest in the United States (US) and facing charges for allegedly transmitting betting information and conducting illegal gambling activities in Las Vegas during the football World Cup 2014.

Phua, noted for his involvement in the professional poker game circuit, is also suspected of being involved with '14K Triad' activities.

Following his arrest, his lawyers from the firm, Chesnoff and Schonfeld applied to Zahid to issue a letter to US' Federal Bureau of Investigation deputy director, Mark F. Giuliano to confirm that the man was not a member of '14K Triad' and that the triad did not exist in Malaysia.

Ahmad Zahid said as the case was being tried in an American court, a statement could not be issued as it would jeopardise the court's decision. - Bernama