The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) revealed that illegal online service providers have been identified by the Commission. According to the Monitoring and Enforcement Division chief of the MCMC, Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin, the series of investigations showed that the illegal gaming services were offered through SMS and were run by a local who used special equipment to make everything possible.

Mohd Yasin pointed out that even though the equipment was special and “off the air,” MCMC successfully managed to find the people providing the gaming services. The chief finished his statement by saying that the Commission was waiting “for an appropriate time” to launch an operation and arrest anyone linked to the illegal Malaysian gambling operations.

After the success of seizing 11 parabolas that were located in a fisherman’s house, MCMC can proudly say it is now cooperating with the Marine Police Force as well. Previously, the authority has been closely working only with the police from the Criminal Investigation Department. However, this last operation, according to Mohd Yasin, shows the strong determination of MCMC to remove any activities that violate the Malaysian law.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Government is considering cyber-blocking and stricter cyber laws. This was revealed by the new Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, who said that the government was preparing cyber laws which would probably include the blocking of websites as well as enforced registration of information services and online news. Cyber-blocking won’t be much of a novelty in Malaysia knowing that the authorities blocked over 500 sites due to illegal gambling earlier this year.

The new minister stated that all of these things were done in the national interest and added that he had been meeting with MCMC officials in order to “study the proposals.” According to the minister, Malaysia was looking for ways “to tackle issues such as pornography, online gambling and Islamic State threats.”