'Wrath of the wife' beats gambling urge among Kelantan Chinese, says PAS exco on court ruling
Published: Aug 17, 2026 7:00 PM
Updated: 9:00 PM
Non-Muslims in Kelantan are no longer keen on frequenting gambling premises as doing so could land them in trouble with their spouses, quipped state exco for local government, housing, health and environment Hilmi Abdullah.
“Kelantan Chinese are no longer interested in gambling at shops because their wives will get angry,” Hilmi (above) told Malaysiakini when asked to comment on a Federal Court decision that could have implications for the ban imposed in Kelantan nearly four decades ago.
The Guchil assemblyperson was responding to legal expert Zulqarnain Lukman’s views on the Aug 12 apex court decision to dismiss the Kedah state government’s application for leave to appeal against a ruling that had quashed its decision to stop issuing and renewing business licences for pool betting operators in the state.
Zulqarnain had said the power of state authorities to issue licences for gambling premises was derived from federal powers.
“What is unfortunate is that because of (Kedah Menteri Besar) Sanusi (Nor)’s action, the matter was brought to court, and the court’s ruling will apply to Kelantan.
“Now, if any non-Muslim wants to open a gambling shop in Kelantan, the Kelantan local authorities will have no choice but to allow gambling premises to operate in Kelantan,” he added.
Different case
Chempaka assemblyperson Nik Baharum Nik Abdullah argued that the basis of the Kedah case differed from that of an earlier case involving Kelantan.
Saving society
Kelantan PAS Youth chief Firdaus Nawi said the party was saddened that some Muslims supported the normalisation of gambling and belittled Kedah’s efforts to curb gambling activities.
He said if the issue were viewed purely through a political lens, shutting down gambling premises would clearly not be a politically beneficial move for PAS.
“However, PAS chooses to do what it believes is right, even if it carries political risks. This is because PAS is not fighting merely for votes, but to save society from activities that cause harm,” he added.
Chempaka assemblyperson Nik Baharum Nik Abdullah argued that the basis of the Kedah case differed from that of an earlier case involving Kelantan.
Nik Baharum Nik Abdullah
“In that specific Kedah case, I disagree with my friend (Zulqarnain)’s view that it will affect Kelantan. Every case is decided based on its own merits,” he said.
Nik Baharum, who is also a practising lawyer, said Kelantan had previously been taken to court over the matter during the tenure of the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat as menteri besar.
At the time, he said, the Federal Court ruled in favour of Kelantan and the Kota Bharu Municipal Council.
On a lighter note, Nik Baharum said Kelantanese no longer recognise the names of gaming outlets such as Toto or Magnum, associating them instead with a sleeping mat (tilam toto) and ice cream.
“There is no reason to bring back an undesirable culture. Yes, it will not happen (as long as PAS remains in power in Kelantan),” he said.
Nik Baharum, who is also a practising lawyer, said Kelantan had previously been taken to court over the matter during the tenure of the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat as menteri besar.
At the time, he said, the Federal Court ruled in favour of Kelantan and the Kota Bharu Municipal Council.
On a lighter note, Nik Baharum said Kelantanese no longer recognise the names of gaming outlets such as Toto or Magnum, associating them instead with a sleeping mat (tilam toto) and ice cream.
“There is no reason to bring back an undesirable culture. Yes, it will not happen (as long as PAS remains in power in Kelantan),” he said.
Saving society
Kelantan PAS Youth chief Firdaus Nawi said the party was saddened that some Muslims supported the normalisation of gambling and belittled Kedah’s efforts to curb gambling activities.
He said if the issue were viewed purely through a political lens, shutting down gambling premises would clearly not be a politically beneficial move for PAS.
“However, PAS chooses to do what it believes is right, even if it carries political risks. This is because PAS is not fighting merely for votes, but to save society from activities that cause harm,” he added.
Firdaus Nawi
The power to issue business licences to these operators lies with the Finance Ministry.
Kedah’s decision resulted in a complicated situation in which operators held licences but were constrained by the need for premises licences issued by local authorities.
The Kedah government had sought leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s 2-1 majority decision, which upheld the High Court’s ruling in favour of pool betting agents, companies and their principal officers in challenging the state government’s directive.
The Court of Appeal, in its majority decision on Dec 12, 2025, ruled that the Kedah government’s decision to cease issuing and renewing business licences for pool betting operators was irrational and unconstitutional.
Kedah’s decision resulted in a complicated situation in which operators held licences but were constrained by the need for premises licences issued by local authorities.
The Kedah government had sought leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s 2-1 majority decision, which upheld the High Court’s ruling in favour of pool betting agents, companies and their principal officers in challenging the state government’s directive.
The Court of Appeal, in its majority decision on Dec 12, 2025, ruled that the Kedah government’s decision to cease issuing and renewing business licences for pool betting operators was irrational and unconstitutional.
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