Gambling and drinking are NOT rights but addictions
In the ‘democratic’ and ‘secular’ west, gambling, drug abuse and drinking are classified as addictions, not rights. So is watching porn, which is classified as an addiction. And watching child porn is a crime, not a right.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
In 2013 the American Psychiatric Association added Gambling Disorder to the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). In doing so, pathological gambling was recognised by mental health professionals as an addiction, similar to an alcohol or drug addiction. Despite obvious differences, primarily one being that gambling is a behavioural addiction whereas drugs and alcohol are substance addictions, there are more commonalities between the two than one might think.
Both gambling and drug or alcohol addiction share many commonalities in terms of signs that an addiction problem exists. For example, an addiction may be present to either gambling or alcohol and drugs if the individual has had failed attempts to stop or reduce their behaviour. Both gambling addiction and addiction to drugs or alcohol also involve a preoccupation and a persistent need to engage in the behaviour despite adverse consequences such as loss of relationships, jobs, or legal issues. Both also involve engaging in the behaviour in greater frequency, duration, or quantity over time – the addiction is progressive in nature.
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PAS is being accused of denying non-Muslims their RIGHTS by banning or restricting gambling and drinking, or the sale of liquor.
Gambling and drinking are NOT rights, according to the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, and neither is having sex with your neighbour’s wife, or with your sister-in-law. Those are sins and the Federal Constitution of Malaysia does not guarantee non-Muslims the right to indulge in sins.
Voting is your right. PAS cannot deny you that right. So are freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, and so on, although they are not absolute freedoms but come with conditions attached. But gambling and drinking are not rights. They are addictions and the government is not obligated by law to protect those addictions.
In the ‘democratic’ and ‘secular’ west, gambling, drug abuse and drinking are classified as addictions, not rights. So is watching porn, which is classified as an addiction. And watching child porn is a crime, not a right.
PAS cannot take away your rights as stipulated in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. But gambling, drug abuse and drinking are NOT rights under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. The fact that establishments where you gamble and drink require licences means they do not come under rights. If they are, then they need not be licenced.
