THE idiom “losing the battle but winning the war” means that someone suffers a temporary defeat, minor setback or failure in a small conflict but still manages to achieve the ultimate, overarching or long-term success.
That phrase certainly seems to apply to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and his PAS-ruled state government despite a landmark Federal Court ruling that foiled Kedah’s attempt at curtailing pool betting and numbers lottery a.k.a. 4D gaming by withholding the renewal of business premise licenses.
In December last year, the appellate court – by a 2-1 majority – had upheld the Alor Setar High Court ruling by declaring the Kedah state government’s decision to cease the issuance and renewal of business licences for gaming operators is in violation of the Federal Constitution. This decision has been upheld by the Federal Court.
In November 2021, Sanusi who is also the PAS election director had announced that the state government would not approve new gaming licences or renew existing ones once they expire.
He reportedly argued the decision aimed to curb activities that could lead to social degradation and had nothing to do with racial, religious or political issues. He even insisted that the ban would stay even if the state loses RM400 mil in revenue due to the move.
However, this setback has done little harm to Sanusi’s hardline Islamist credentials which have further endeared him to the conservative demographic, commonly referred to as walaun (PAS diehards).
News of the state government’s judicial defeat was flashed across numerous news portals, including the Harian Metro Facebook page.
“The state government’s business is done … Just answer in the afterlife whoever rejected it,” asserted one seemingly pious commenter while another vouched that the state government has done its utmost best to combat gambling as part of its social responsibility albeit the unfavourable Federal Court verdict.
Special praise was reserved for Sanusi who was cloaked with the special “defender of religion” cape.
The fiery Kedah MB and his Islamist party seem to have further strengthened their hardline credentials with their unyielding stance on gambling and other unhealthy “kafir (infidel)”-linked vices.
Noting that gambling had more downsides than benefits, one commenter was completely puzzled as to why efforts to clean up the state was halted by federal judges. “Congrats to the state government for doing the right thing,” he proclaimed.
Others snubbed non-Muslim political parties – DAP, MCA, MIC and Gerakan – “for having won big prizes”.
The same news was shared on the Bahasa Malaysia Malaysiakini Facebook page with the comment section again flooded with similar sentiments praising Sanusi and PAS.
Some commenters saw the matter as simply non-negotiable in a country where the majority populace are Muslims. “Gambling, booze, prostitution, gay and similar vices” should be compulsorily outlawed.
The wave of support Sanusi and PAS seem to be getting over this Federal Court ruling will surely embolden them to keep playing up their “defenders of religion” credentials.
Such is a perception that will suit PAS as it draws battle lines for impending elections by pitching itself as the keeper of moral (Islamic) values against the permissive liberal government where everything goes under its watch. – Aug 13, 2026
Main image credit: MYsinchew
