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THE Home Ministry has reiterated its refusal to publicly disclose information concerning the attack on Pandan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s son, stressing that doing so could endanger witnesses and hinder the investigation.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail emphasised in a written parliamentary reply: “Regarding the request to publicly verify information related to the investigation into the attack on the child of the Pandan MP, I wish to clarify that making such verification publicly in this House could potentially disrupt efforts to track down the suspect and may also jeopardise the safety of key witnesses. As such, the request cannot be acceded to.”
Rafizi had requested confirmation of several pieces of information provided to him in confidence on 1 December 2025 regarding the probe into the individual responsible for the assault, in which his son was pricked with a syringe at a shopping mall in Putrajaya on 13 August last year.
Preliminary checks suggested that two men on a motorcycle had been following his wife’s car prior to the incident.
While withholding further details, Saifuddin assured that justice would proceed without compromise, adding that any developments safe for public disclosure would be communicated.
On the day of the attack, Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar confirmed that authorities were tracking two male suspects and had obtained and reviewed CCTV footage from the mall.
Curbs On Online Gambling
In a related announcement, the Home Minister outlined plans to strengthen Malaysia’s legal framework to combat the rapid expansion of online gambling.
“The police have proposed a review of existing laws to ensure they remain relevant in addressing the evolving nature of online gambling.
The Home Ministry, together with the Finance Ministry, the Communications Ministry, the Attorney-General's Chambers and the National Cyber Security Agency, have been involved in studying amendments, including proposals to amend the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and to incorporate provisions on online gambling offences into the proposed Cyber Crime Bill,” he said.
Saifuddin’s statement followed a parliamentary question from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Batang Lupar MP Mohamad Shafizan Kepli regarding measures to counter illegal gambling syndicates spreading in rural Sarawak.
The minister noted that between 2022 and 2025, authorities conducted 4,750 raids, arrested 4,992 individuals, seized RM740,000, and requested the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block 1,477 gambling websites.
The Home Minister also highlighted ongoing deliberations on online gambling legislation.
While the Perikatan Nasional government had considered legalising online gambling in 2021, Saifuddin indicated that current efforts focus on modernising the legal framework to keep pace with technological developments and prevent criminal exploitation. - January 28, 2026