DAP wants PM to explain 4D gambling, alcohol sales ban in Kedah

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 14 Nov 2021 4:12PM · 8 Comments

Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng targeting gambling outlets and alcohol sales is a political device that is being used to divert attention from the failures of the Kedah state government. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 14, 2021.

DAP has demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the non-Muslim ministers in his cabinet regarding the ban on 4D gambling shops in Kedah.

Its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said MCA, GPS and MIC ministers have to explain whether banning 4D gambling shops and alcohol sales to non-Muslims is the new policy under Keluarga Malaysia.

He said PAS should have consulted MCA, MIC and the Chinese community to appreciate the financial losses that could result from the sudden and hasty decision made.

“Or does both MCA and MIC support such a sudden and hasty policy decision by Kedah? Again the non-Muslims will feel that they are unfairly victimised by this latest decision that interferes their business practices and lifestyle, which have been undisturbed all this while,” he said in a statement today.

“Both Keluarga Malaysia, MCA, MIC and GPS ministers must take full responsibility for the extremist policies by PAS,” he said.

The former finance minister was commenting on the decision by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to ban all gaming shops in the state by not renewing their business licences issued by the local councils in a move “to tackle the ills resulting from gambling”.

Sanusi said apart from  gambling controls, he would also introduce curbs on the sale of alcohol in rural parts of Kedah where the demand for such drinks is supposedly low.

He said the decision will take effect from next year.

PAS governments in Kelantan and Terengganu have also put in place similar directives.

Lim said targeting gambling outlets and alcohol sales is a political device that is being used to divert attention from the failures of the Kedah state government.

“By bullying a minority, the Kedah menteri besar feels he can reap the maximum political benefit with minimal political cost. Non-Muslims do not understand why they are singled out when they sell to non-Muslims, not Muslims, especially when Muslims are prohibited from patronising these outlets,” he said.

Lim said the government could have issued fines to gambling outlet operators who make sales to Muslims. Banning such activities will only be seen as an attempt by PAS to forcibly impose its extremist principles on non-Muslim, which is contrary to diversity and a plural society, he said. 

“PAS or anyone can discourage them, but banning them outright is a form of moral policing that denies freedom of choice for non-Muslims.

“Why interfere in the lifestyle and business practices which have remained undisturbed since Merdeka?” he asked.

Lim speculated that the hasty decision could have been made to help PAS candidates contesting in the Malacca elections. – November 14, 2021.

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Comments

  • Keluarga Malaysia is dead. PM is too weak.

    Posted 2 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • Good move by PAS. Serves the non Muslims right for supporting PAS and all other political parties who are working with PAS. I think the next agenda should be banning the sale of pork in the state followed by a ban against dogs. Yay

    Posted 2 years ago by Jeevaraj Nadarajah · Reply

  • Good move by PAS. Serves the non Muslims right for supporting PAS and all other political parties who are working with PAS. I think the next agenda should be banning the sale of pork in the state followed by a ban against dogs. Yay

    Posted 2 years ago by Jeevaraj Nadarajah · Reply

  • Good move by PAS. Serves the non Muslims right for supporting PAS and all other political parties who are working with PAS. I think the next agenda should be banning the sale of pork in the state followed by a ban against dogs. Yay.

    Posted 2 years ago by Jeevaraj Nadarajah · Reply

  • Good move by PAS. Serves the non Muslims right for supporting PAS and all other political parties who are working with PAS. I think the next agenda should be banning the sale of pork in the state followed by a ban against dogs. Yay

    Posted 2 years ago by Jeevaraj Nadarajah · Reply

  • Good move by PAS. Serves the non Muslims right for supporting PAS and all other political parties who are working with PAS. I think the next agenda should be banning the sale of pork in the state followed by a ban against dogs. Yay

    Posted 2 years ago by Jeevaraj Nadarajah · Reply

  • Good move by PAS. Serves the non Muslims right for supporting PAS and all other political parties who are working with PAS. I think the next agenda should be banning the sale of pork in the state followed by a ban against dogs. Yay.

    Posted 2 years ago by Jeevaraj Nadarajah · Reply

  • Good move by PAS. Serves the non Muslims right for supporting PAS and all other political parties who are working with PAS. I think the next agenda should be banning the sale of pork in the state followed by a ban against dogs. Yay.

    Posted 2 years ago by Jeevaraj Nadarajah · Reply