STAUNCH PAS supporter and the party’s former candidate for the Ampang parliamentary seat in the 2018 general election (GE14) Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff has challenged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to emulate PAS by illegalising gambling dens once their operating licenses have expired.
For context, beginning with the termination of gambling licenses in Kelantan in 1990, the Islamist party has since extended similar action on number forecast operators (NFOs) and other gambling outlets in Terengganu (1999) and Kedah (2022).
Next in line to face a ban is Perlis whereby the state government will no longer approve license renewal for six existing NFOs in the state after March next year in line with the “Perlis Gambling Free” policy.
“Does PMX (Anwar) who is also the Finance Minister and so-called PH-BN (Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional) Menteri Besar at the state level dare to take similar measures at the central and state level?” asked the former PAS Youth election director in a recent Facebook post.
“Or is he willing to let Malaysians continue to engage in gambling activities for the sake of gambling tax?
Nurul Islam further alluded to the reality that even as gambling tax revenue received by the aforementioned PAS-ruled states were not small, “PAS prioritises divine blessings in its administration”.
“Closing the door of destruction will open the door of divine blessings and sustenance. That’s the confidence of PAS. Congratulations,” he opined.
“Gambling has proven to damage the social system of our society in our country. Many families have been damaged by the effects of gambling addiction. Neglecting the family, being in debt, and being involved in the crime of robbery and others.
“Moreover, there is a rise in the number of couples being indebted to Ah Long (loan sharks) due to gambling addiction. This ultimately leads to a divorce. In short, there is nothing good with gambling.”
At the end of the day, the arising question is why both the PH-BN state administration and the central government are still renewing gambling licenses?
“Are they still opening up space for the citizens to indulge and trapped in social woes that can destroy family institutions?” lamented the former PAS Federal Territory Youth chief who is now residing in Leicester, UK.
“If the state government and central PH-BN administration love tax revenue from gambling, remember the proverb ‘penny wise, pound foolish’ or that a small profit yet incur big losses. That’s the painful situation with gambling. The tax profit is not much but the damage is enormous, not to mention it is prohibited by the religion in the first place.” – June 19, 2023
Main pic credit: The Star
