PKR suspect PM’s football betting snub just ‘an act’
By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysian Insider
SHAH ALAM, June 27 — PKR leaders have questioned Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decision to retract his approval for a football betting licence, calling the move “an act” to shore up public support.
PKR Youth deputy chief Fariz Musa said the prime minister’s announcement could be a ploy to regain public trust after a popular backlash against more gambling licences.
He added the decision not to reissue the licence might be a temporary one and could crop up again in the future, possibly after the next general election.
Tan Sri Vincent Tan’s listed Berjaya Corporation Berhad had reported last month that the government had re-issued the licence to the tycoon’s Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd after the original licence was cancelled by the previous administration under Tun Abdullah Badawi.
Tan had first obtained the licence under the Mahathir administration but had “asked the government to take it back” when the venture was unsuccessful. But he had obtained the right to get the licence back and was exercising it.
The public uproar that ensued over the possibility that yet another avenue for gambling would be legalised led to the government stressing an approval did not amount to a licence.
However, all speculation was put to an end Friday night when Najib confirmed that he will not reissue the licence to Tan.
PKR vice-president Mustaffa Kamil Ayub said he remained unsure whether or not the licence had already been reissued because statements from Umno seemed to suggest that that was the case.
“As long as it isn’t clear that the licence has been cancelled… the people and Pakatan Rakyat plan to hold a peaceful gathering on July 3 to protest against the betting licence,” he said.
The PKR Perak chief added that Najib has to prove that the licence has been cancelled and not just say so.
Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin felt the move was temporary to appease the religious sensibilities of the 40 ulama who entered into Umno’s fold yesterday.
“I feel the move is a temporary one to satisfy the ulama who just joined,” she said.
A group of 40 young ulama, led by Fadlan Mohd Othman of the International Islamic University of Malaysia, submitted their Umno membership forms to Najib yesterday at Menara Dato’ Onn.
PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali said people were wondering why Najib’s statement on the football betting licence was made after the Umno Supreme Council meeting.
