Najib evades query on govt’s legalisation of sports betting
(Malaysian Digest) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak refused to comment on the government’s legalisation of sports betting when a query on the decision was posed by a reporter at a press conference held by leaders of Umno today.
The Umno president was answering questions relating to the party supreme council committee meeting held earlier at its headquarter. Umno Secretary-General Tengku Adnan Mansor had just pronounced that the press conference had adjourned when a reporter asked Najib to comment on the protests held against the issuing of a gaming licence to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd, a company owned by Tan Sri Vincent Tan of the Berjaya Group.
Instead of answering the question, Adnan, sitting next to Najib, shunned the query on the prime minister’s behalf saying “Okay. Thank you. That‘s enough. We already said that’s it (but you) still want to ask some more. What is this?” and proceeded to get up from his seat.
The rest of the party leaders followed suit indicating the press conference is over instantaneously leaving reporters in the conference room somewhat disgruntled.
The controversial decision to award Berjaya Group sports betting licence including online gaming has led to protests by various religious and civil groups as well as those from the opposition front held on May 15 where 500 people had gathered in the compound of Masjid Kampung Baru.
The move is said to have been made to curb illegal gambling and boost government coffers.
In a statement, Berjaya said Ascot Sports has been re-issued the sports betting licence by the Ministry of Finance which was first issued in 1987. The conglomerate which owns holdings ranging from casino operations to lottery will acquire a 70 percent stake in Ascot Sports by paying Tan RM525 million.
The licence given in 1987 was quickly retracted. Efforts to regain it several years ago was unsuccessful due to strong opposition to gambling, which is forbidden in Islam.
Ascot Sports hopes to begin operating in time for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa which will take place between June 11 and July 11 though reports said it is expected to start business only in August or September.
