No compromising with Malaysians involved with '14K Triad' - Zahid

The Home Ministry will not compromise with Malaysians linked to the triads and an international drug trafficking syndicate known as the '14K Triad'.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it had been confirmed that the '14K Traid' 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 and 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 here, today.

Paul Phua and his son, Darren Wai Kit are currently under house arrest in the United States (US) and facing charges for allegedly transmitting betting information and conducting illegal gambling activities in Las Vegas during the football World Cup 2014.

Paul Phua, noted for his involvement in the professional poker game circuit, took part in the 'Big One For One Drop' tournament in the 2012 World Series of Poker and finished sixth in the European Poker Tour Grand Final in Monte Carlo and, 100k Super High Roller 2014, 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.

Ahmad Zahid said as the case was being tried in an American court, a statement could not be issued as it would jeopardise the court's decision.