WITH Kedah planning to ban all 4D gaming outlets in the state, DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng urged MCA, MIC and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to explain their stand on the matter.
“Is this a new policy under the Malaysian Concept family? Even though the sale of 4D and alcohol are exclusive to non-Muslims, the Kedah menteri besar had adopted the PAS rhetoric, where they don’t want to be questioned in the afterlife on what they have done to curb gambling when they led the state government,” he said, in a statement.
At a press conference after tabling the budget for Kedah, Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced the state government will not renew business licences of 4D gaming outlets in a move “to tackle the ills resulting from gambling”.
Besides gambling controls, Sanusi also said that he would also 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 (4-D lottery numbers) can go to Penang,” he was reported saying.
Sanusi’s comments drew ire from Penang deputy chief minister Prof P Ramasamy, who accused the former of taking every opportunity available to criticise the state.
“Rather than appreciating Penang for providing employment opportunities for Kedahans, Sanusi is passing moral judgment on its neighbour,” the Perai state assemblyperson was reported saying.
Touching on the matter, Lim said that targeting gambling outlets and alcohol sales has become a useful political tool to distract attention from the failings of the Kedah state government.
Scoring brownie points at the expense of non-Muslims
By bullying the minority, the Bagan MP added, Sanusi felt he could reap maximum political benefit with minimal political cost.
Lim also noted that non-Muslims do not understand why they are singled out when they only offer such services to non-Muslims; with Muslims being prohibited from patronising these outlets.
“Fines can be imposed on those who sell to Muslims but to ban such activities will be seen as PAS’ attempt to forcibly impose its extremist values on non-Muslim in a plural society.
“PAS or anyone can discourage them but banning them outright is a form of moral policing that denies freedom of choice for non-Muslims,” the former finance minister stressed.
Lim then called for the Government to study the matter thoroughly and assess the financial losses that will be incurred by the 4D gaming outlet operators due to the move.
“PAS should have at least consulted its partners in the Government like MCA and MIC, as well as the Chinese community.
“MCA, MIC and GPS ministers must take full responsibility for the extremist policies by PAS,” Lim retorted. – Nov 14, 2021
