ISLAMIST party, PAS urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to be firm and take similar action as the Kedah state government by banning 4D gaming outlets.
“Public coffers must be ‘cleansed’ of proceeds from gambling and alcohol sale. All such licences must be cancelled.
“It is our belief that a proper Malaysian Family can only be realised by doing away with such things (that are) detrimental to our society,” Harakah Daily reported Penang PAS youth chief Muhamad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan as saying.
Yesterday, Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced that he will no longer renew licences of all gaming shops in the state.
Calling it a move “to tackle social ills resulting from gambling”, Sanusi also said that the move would introduce curbs on the sale of alcohol in rural parts of Kedah “where the demand for such drinks is low”.
“Those who want to buy (4D lottery numbers) can go to Penang,” he was reported saying.
His decision received brickbats from DAP leaders, with its secretary general Lim Guan Eng calling PAS’ allies MCA, MIC and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to state their stand on the matter.
Why the fuss, DAP?
On that note, Fawwas said he was puzzled on why DAP leaders were getting so worked up over the ban, adding that such activities would only strengthen those involved in the black economy which is detrimental to the country.
He added that the Government must understand that gambling and the alcohol industry causes a lot of damage to the family institution; where it also leads to drug addiction, prostitution, theft, murder and other crimes.
“Behind every licensed gambling and outlets selling alcoholic beverage, more of the unlicensed ones appear alongside them. Therefore, what the Kedah state government did was merely to clamp down on such activities from spreading.
“I believe majority of Malaysians are in support of the move as they want to see the people live in a healthy society,” Fawwas remarked.
Speaking to FocusM, Malaysian Indian Voice (MIV) queried whether PAS is now going the way of the Taliban government in Afghanistan by undermining the rights of non-Muslims in Malaysia.
“So, what’s next for PAS? Are they going to shut down the casino in Genting Highlands too? What will it take for these jokers to understand that Malaysia is a plural society?” its chairman V Pappa Raidu asked.
He also reminded PAS leaders that the gaming industry, just like the alcohol beverage sector, provides much needed revenue to the Government, which is eventually disbursed to all regardless of race and religion.
If PAS leaders were so worried about revenue from non-halal sources, Pappa Raidu suggested the former to tell Putrajaya to distinguish the proceeds and allow it only to be used to help the minorities.
“But I doubt they will do such a thing. If they are really worried about sin and the hereafter, PAS will not be cooperating with UMNO leaders who are tainted on corruption charges,” Pappa Raidu remarked. – Nov 15, 2021
