THE ban on 4D gambling outlets in Kedah is not within the purview of the federal government, said Wee Ka Siong, in an attempt to distance MCA from the controversial decision.

The party president said it is a state government matter.

“What happened in Kedah is about the business licenses issued by the state government. This is not within the purview of Barisan Nasional; it is up to the state government,” he said in Malacca today.

The PAS-led Kedah had on Sunday announced that it will ban all 4D gambling outlets from operating in the state.

Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the state government will not renew the business licenses issued by local authorities for lottery outlets.

The decision, which will be implemented from next year, will help tackle the ills resulting from gambling, he added.

PAS-led Kelantan and Terengganu have also put in place similar bans.

Wee said the Finance Ministry has been issuing business licenses, but when it reaches the state level, the state has the power to decide.

“When it reaches the state, it has the power to decide the business licenses.

“I am perplexed because, in the past few days, Lim Guan Eng has been saying that ‘BN is extremist, Perikatan Nasional is extremist, support Pakatan Harapan (PH) and you will have a just society’.

“I do not understand; its (PH) component party Amanah has representatives who support the ban. So, his (Lim) supposed justification does not hold weight.

“This is not a BN problem; it is a decision by the state government.”

Lim had earlier said Putrajaya is playing up extremist and racist sentiments in an effort to avert attention from more pressing matters.

Kedah’s ban on 4D lottery outlets and Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s ban on alcohol sales at Chinese medicine halls and grocers is Putrajaya’s way of averting attention away from the Covid-19 health crisis and economic recession, he added.

“Using lies by appealing to extremist and racist sentiments does not hide the fact that discriminating against minorities is not only immoral and against the basic tenets of the Federal Constitution, but also divisive and does not benefit Malaysians, including Malay-Muslims.

“(It is) wrong to discriminate, neglect and target non-Malays or non-Muslims as an excuse to hide their incompetence and failure to meaningfully improve the lives of Malay-Muslims with higher incomes, better jobs and a brighter future.”

Wee said in a multicultural society there are freedoms given to non-Muslims that are prohibited from Muslims, like gambling.

“There should be no issue if action is taken against Muslims who enter these premises as such activities are haram (prohibited) for them. But for others, freedom must be given.” – November 17, 2021.