Anwar challenges PAS: Did gambling rise or fall under your rule?

Anwar Ibrahim has questioned PAS’s record on gambling while rejecting claims his government is anti-Islam, accusing the opposition of using religion for politics. - Bernama pic, September 27, 2025



Anwar challenges PAS: Did gambling rise or fall under your rule?


Prime minister dismisses claims his government is anti-Islam, accusing the opposition of hypocrisy and exploiting religion for political gain



Julie Jalaluddin
Updated 31 minutes ago
27 September, 2025
9:31 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has challenged PAS to explain whether gambling activities increased or decreased when the Islamist party was in government, accusing the opposition of hypocrisy in attacking his administration as being against Islam.

Speaking at Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) 27th Reformasi anniversary in Melaka earlier today, Anwar said the opposition was exploiting religious sentiment for political gain, using Islam as cover to hurl accusations against the government.

“I rarely comment on individuals, but when I heard a Member of Parliament claim that ‘our dignity has been tarnished’, I had to ask — during their time in government, when PAS was part of the administration, was gambling reduced or increased?” he said, reported Bernama.

“Do not speak based on whims, using religion as a cover, when the reality tells a different story.”

Anwar contrasted his government’s policies with those of the previous Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, in which PAS was a component party. He said the number of special draws was raised to 22 under PN, even as the coalition claimed to defend Islam.

“Compare the Madani Government with PN. What Islamic programmes did they introduce through the Ministry of Education? Gambling activities increased, and PAS should not make that criticism because it was during their time in government that the increase took place,” he said.

The prime minister dismissed allegations that his Madani Government was anti-Islam, pointing to increased allocations for Islamic development, support for tahfiz schools, and new opportunities for huffaz students to pursue studies at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes.

“Where are we against Islam?” he asked. “We teach the people to have the courage to denounce corruption, not to use religion to deceive them.”

He stressed that the government would continue to uphold Islamic values through clean governance and protection of public welfare, adding that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been given full freedom to act.

“If there are ministers, deputy ministers or anyone in this government involved in corruption, we will not protect them. Stolen assets must be returned to the people,” he said.

Anwar also vowed to strengthen national unity by rejecting racial politics, accelerating infrastructure projects, and encouraging strategic investments, particularly in the semiconductor sector in Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.

“This country must be led with determination, hard work and trust, not with rhetoric or hatred. A Malaysia Madani is for all the people, regardless of race and religion,” he said.

Also present at the event were PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh and Melaka PKR chairman Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. Earlier, Anwar officiated the new Melaka PKR state headquarters. — September 27, 2025