Wanna bet?
Let me tell you what else the Chinese (plus some Malays and Indians as well, of course) bet on. They bet on the outcome of the general election and by-election results — not only who will win but also by how many votes.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Today, The Sun wrote an editorial called ‘The better way to curb illegal gambling’, which you can read below. Basically, the argument offered to support the licencing of sports betting is that it already exists and there is no way you can eliminate it. So, if you can’t beat them, then join them.
At least, this way, the country can enjoy a cut of the action rather than allow the underground bookies to earn everything without sharing some of these profits with the government. Why allow the underground to profit? Make them share that profit with the government.
That, basically, is the argument in favour of licencing betting. What they sidestep or conveniently fail to address is the issue of the manner the licence is being approved. Why to one man? Why negotiated instead of a public tender and awarded to the highest bidder? Why allow Vincent Tan sole monopoly of what can be considered a gold mine? The fact that he has done Barisan Nasional a favour by buying off Pakatan Rakyat people makes it even more suspicious.
Of course, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Rais Yatim, Nazri Aziz, etc., offer an additional argument — in that it is Chinese culture to gamble. So, as a good government, we should not deny the minorities their right to practice their culture.
Let me tell you what else the Chinese (plus some Malays and Indians as well, of course) bet on. They bet on the outcome of the general election and by-election results — not only who will win but also by how many votes. Yes, millions change hands during the by-elections and even much more during the general elections. In fact, election betting could even be bigger than football betting.
Seeing that it is ‘Chinese culture’ and seeing that this form of betting already exists and can’t be eradicated and seeing that it is huge, can the government now issue a licence for this form of betting as well? After all, in England, you can even place a bet on whether it will rain on the day of the Queen’s garden party.
Yes, once ‘Election Results Betting’ is licenced the government can enjoy a share of the profits, which normally goes to the underground bookies 100%. Currently the Chinese bookies, in particular from Singapore, make all the money without sharing some with the government.
And all we need to do is justify the licencing of ‘Election Results Betting’ the same way we justify it for sports betting. The same arguments would apply.
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The better way to curb illegal gambling
Much has been said by those who support and oppose legalising sports betting. The opponents say there are enough gaming options and allowing another will lead more Malaysians to gamble. So far, the most vocal have been Pakatan Rakyat politicians who are betting that their gamble of taking the moral high ground now will pay dividends come the next general election. By opposing legalised sports betting, they are not only ignoring the fact that there already is a thriving industry which rakes in billions a year but also indirectly condoning the black-market economy.
Fact: Sports betting is available illegally. Fact: It is rampant and pervasive. Fact: The government, through the police, is fighting a losing battle to curb the menace and yet receives zero income.
The reality is that sports betting is not a new activity. It’s happening all around us, in the office, coffee shops and online. And it’s been going on for years and has extended beyond national borders, thanks to the Internet. If anyone still needs convincing that sports betting is booming, just read media reports of the past few weeks of police raids against illegal betting syndicates. According to Federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin, Ops Soga launched to coincide with the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, police had arrested 120 suspected bookies nationwide, with bets totalling RM300 million placed by an estimated 300,000 punters in just 11 days.
Despite their best efforts, police are only scratching the surface. Thus legalised sports betting, conducted under strict regulations, kills two birds with one stone: it helps rein in illegal betting syndicates, which are known to have links with loansharks and organised crime syndicates; and provides non-Muslims, who form a large section of the population, a chance to indulge in the pastime without feeling guilt or shame and risk of punishment. Make no mistake, those who bet illegally are just as guilty as bookies in breaking the law.
Legalising sports betting lets non-Muslims help subsidise the federal treasury rather than enrich the coffers of illegal bookies and loan sharks. The chief loser is the government which is cheated of tax revenue which can be used for the benefit of all Malaysians
Many prominent Muslim leaders, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Minister in the PM’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz, former minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, have come out in support of the government move, arguing that non-Muslims should be allowed to partake in their pastime and that properly regulated, sports betting will help curb rampant illegal gambling. Rais even proposed a commission to regulate all gaming activities and channelling the taxes derived to a special account to be used for only non-Muslims.
But we leave the last word to elder statesman Mahathir who sums up the issue best when he said: “Whether the gambling licence is issued or not, gambling will still go on in the country because the Chinese generally like to gamble.
“So if they gamble without a licence, there is no way we can ensure that gambling is not rampant. This is because gambling is permissible to the Chinese, but prohibited or ‘haram’ to the Muslims. So, the Muslims should not gamble. If they are found gambling, catch them.”
As a paper which supports fair play, non-discrimination and the 1Malaysia concept of acceptance of all religious, racial and cultural freedoms, theSun couldn’t agree more. — The Sun
