Makes no sense for gaming companies to fund PN, says Hadi

It would not make sense for gaming companies and their owners to contribute to parties that aggressively fought to shut down their businesses.

(FMT) – PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has slammed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for implying that part of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) funds for its general election (GE15) campaign came from gaming companies.

In a statement, he said that it would not make sense for gaming companies and their owners to contribute to parties that aggressively fought to shut down their businesses.

“Only a deranged person would believe that such companies and their owners would contribute to PN,” adding that the value of gaming companies’ shares  plummeted following the outcome of the 15th general election (GE15).

In GE15, PN won 73 parliamentary seats, out of which PAS won 49. With a hung Parliament, speculation was rife that PAS would play a major role in a new PN-led coalition government.

The Marang MP claimed that the value of gaming companies’ shares only increased after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong named Anwar as prime minister for a unity government led by Pakatan Harapan (PH).

He added that PH had previously objected to the closing down of gaming premises in the states controlled by PAS, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.

“Unfortunately, the Muslim members in PH have been dead silent on this,” he said.

According to Malaysiakini, Anwar, on Monday, implied that PN’s funds for its election campaign partly came from gaming companies, particularly those that took part in “special draws” for 4D numbers.

“On the issue of gambling, certainly this is partly used to finance elections. (I have asked for) checks on that.

“Whether you call yourself a Malay party or Islamic party, notwithstanding, the (election) funds came from gaming companies,” Anwar was quoted as saying.

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan told Anwar to furnish evidence after implying that gaming companies had partially funded PN’s election campaign.

He said if Anwar failed to show any proof to back his “wild accusation”, PN will consider taking legal action.