GEORGE TOWN: Penang has recorded 4,332 cases related to online gambling and scams since 2023, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
In 2023, there were 2,337 cases, resulting in 2,681 arrests and 1,390 persons charged, while the figures for 2024 were 1,510 cases with 1,810 arrests and 1,084 persons charged.
“As of March this year, we have recorded 485 cases, 542 arrests and 255 individuals charged in court,” he said at the state legislative assembly here yesterday.
Chow was responding to a question from Joseph Ng Soon Siang (PH–Air Itam), who had asked about statistics and measures taken against online gambling and scams in Penang since 2023.
Since 2023, over 150 mule accounts linked to such activities involving about RM32mil in funds have been frozen nationwide.
“The government has amended the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to strengthen efforts against cybercrimes, including online gambling and scams.
“The police have also carried out operations such as Ops Dadu to cripple gambling and scam syndicates,” he said.
Chow added that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has also taken action to restrict access to websites and phone numbers used to promote or send spam messages related to online gambling.
“A total of 6,381 websites were restricted between 2020 and 2022, and 212,000 phone numbers were terminated.
“The authorities are also working with Tenaga Nasional Bhd to cut electricity supply to premises involved in gambling.”
Meanwhile, Penang will introduce a track-and-trace system to tag its durians for better verification of authenticity.
Penang agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the smart platform, developed with Mimos Bhd, aims to tackle fraud and protect local growers.
“We developed this platform after receiving complaints from local operators about fraud and exploitation by irresponsible parties,” he said.
Fahmi said the new tracking system will offer end-to-end visibility from farms to retailers and boost consumer confidence.
“This system will support the verification of product certifications, ensuring quality assurance and transparency,” he added.
