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Focus on keeping Muslims from gambling, Ramkarpal tells Sanusi

Focus on keeping Muslims from gambling, Ramkarpal tells Sanusi

3 hours ago

FMT Reporters

DAP man says Kedah MB should respect the apex court's decision and not look for other ways to ban gaming outlets in the state.

DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh urged Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor to complement the court’s decision, not circumvent it.

PETALING JAYA:

DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh has criticised Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor for looking for other ways to ban gambling in the state despite the Federal Court rejecting the state government’s bid for leave to appeal a ruling on the issuance of gambling licences.

Ramkarpal said Sanusi, a PAS leader, should concentrate on preventing Muslims from gambling instead of looking for ways to circumvent the court’s decision.

“He should concentrate his efforts on identifying more effective enforcement methods to tackle the issue of Muslims partaking in gaming activities.

“Since the issue of licensed gambling has clearly been put to rest with the Federal Court’s latest decision, Sanusi should accept the reality that these gaming activities are legal and that there is, therefore, no reason to find options around it.

“The decision of the courts on the matter is clear and Sanusi should follow it as it is not his business to find ways to avoid it,” the DAP legal bureau chief said in a statement.

While Sanusi had pledged to consult legal advisers to avoid contempt of court, Ramkarpal said the menteri besar should be looking at how to complement the court’s decision instead of circumventing it.

The Bukit Gelugor MP also warned that a blanket ban on gambling would only drive demand towards illegal black-market syndicates and online platforms.

“Sanusi should accept the fact that licensed gambling has been a part of Malaysian life, and licences for the operation of gambling-related businesses are permitted under the Federal Constitution since this does not offend the sensitivities of non-Muslims in the country.”

On Aug 12, the Federal Court rejected the Kedah government’s attempt to overturn a ruling that barred the state administration from refusing to renew licences for pool betting and lottery operators.