The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has so far blocked 12,449 phone numbers for promoting online gambling.

Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said the action was made following 1,161 complaints received between 2015 and September 2016.

He said information about the phone numbers had also been shared with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) so that further investigation under the Open Gambling House Act 1953 could be carried out.

"The MCMC always works closely with PDRM in tackling crimes, such as online gambling, the spread of Daesh extreme ideology and the spread of false news that can threaten national security," he said when officiating the Community Policing, Crime Prevention and Flood Preparation programme here Friday.

Jailani said continuous cooperation between MCMC and PDRM would cover the aspects of monitoring, detection, information sharing, digital forensics, termination of phone numbers and access restrictions on websites.

On the programme, Johari said it was a good initiative to strengthen the relationship between the police and the community.

"Such a programme should always be held to raise awareness and provide information to the public in the event of an emergency situation such as flood so that early preparations can be made," he said.

-- BERNAMA