Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it had been confirmed that the 14K Triad did not exist in the country.
"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, if they are involved with triad gambling activities," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting 1,115 flood victims from 297 families at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) training centre in Sungai Galah, Pasir Salak, today.
Paul Phua Wei Seng and his son, Darren Phua Wai Kit are currently under house arrest in the United States and facing charges for allegedly transmitting betting information and conducting illegal gambling activities in Las Vegas during the FIFA World Cup 2014 tournament last June and July.
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.
Zahid had complied with the request, as was reported by the South China Morning Post. But acccording to an FBI document submitted to the Las Vegas court trying Phua, Malaysian police had identified Phua as a 14K member.
However, Zahid has now said that 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, January 6, 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment