PAS-Gerakan at odds over non-Muslims’ rights to gamble; DAP blamed for protecting gaming operators’ interest
When political entities are named as proponents, fingers are often pointed at DAP as “the mastermind defending gambling”.
(Focus Malaysia) – PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari recently took a swipe at National Gerakan deputy president Oh Tiong Keong for wanting to defend ‘lottery fans”.
“You won’t get any extra votes by behaving like this. In fact, not all our non-Muslim friends like this activity,” he penned in a Facebook post.
“While we respect the court’s decision, we also hope that the Kedah state government will find space and opportunities within the existing legal context to ensure that gambling and lottery premises will continue to remain closed.”
Notably, both Perikatan Nasipnal (PN) component parties were engaged in what seemed to ‘friendly fires’ following revelation that the Alor Setar High Court on June 20 has ruled as “illegal, irrational and unconstitutional” the Kedah state administration’s decision to ban their operations.
Pending an appeal to the appellant court by the Kedah state government which has since applied for a stay of execution on the ruling, such outcome could well set a precedent that may lead to the potential lifting of gaming license bans in four PAS-ruled states (Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu).
