YOURSAY | 'Why didn't PAS propose nationwide prohibition during its years in govt?'

Gambling in Kedah: Anwar will be 'cursed' if it resumes, says Sanusi

DRKam: The Kedah state government has no constitutional power to ban federally licensed gambling in Kedah. It can refuse premises licences, but the actual betting and lottery licensing regime falls under the federal government.

And here's the awkward part: when Perikatan Nasional was in federal power, with PAS as part of the government, special draws were increased from eight to 22 a year.

So, what say you, Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor? If Muslims are expected to refrain from pork because it is forbidden, why do we need the government to physically remove every gambling outlet to stop Muslims from gambling?

Is our faith so fragile that it needs the government to police every temptation on our behalf? And shouldn't a government representing all Malaysians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, be making laws for everyone rather than legislating morality for one faith?

Apanama is Back: Let us not forget that PAS was part of the federal government. In fact, PAS has been a key partner in the ruling federal administration for years now, holding ministerial and government roles.

If PAS is so sincerely committed to the moral principles of prohibiting gambling at all costs, the question must be asked: why did PAS not propose and push for a constitutional amendment or federal legislation to prohibit gambling nationwide during all the years it held federal power?

The federal government, and indeed Parliament, has full authority under the Constitution and the federal list to legislate on matters of gambling and lotteries.

If PAS was truly serious about ending gambling across Malaysia, it would have put its political weight behind a formal constitutional or legislative amendment at the federal level - rather than leaving this "curse" allegation to be hurled from the state level today.

Instead, what we see now is a public attempt to shift blame onto Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, while conveniently overlooking PAS' own record and inaction while it governed at the federal level.

It is easy to moralise from the comfort of a state podium, but leadership is about taking responsibility - and accountability for federal policy rested, in large part, in PAS' own hands.

The people of Kedah and Malaysia deserve a serious, principled debate on this matter - not theatrics and accusations directed at political opponents.

GSVL: First, gambling is only prohibited for Muslims. In fact, federal and state laws do not permit Muslims to gamble. Secondly, non-Muslim religions do not expressly prohibit gambling, but it is not encouraged.

Thirdly, unlike in Islam, non-Muslim religions give their followers the freedom to choose for themselves what is morally right or wrong.

Gambling, lotteries, and gaming houses come under federal jurisdiction, and it is not a state matter. The Federal Constitution does not expressly prohibit gambling in Articles 3 to 13 of the supreme law.

Lastly, it is not for PAS to legislate on public morality for non-Muslims. Why should it matter if non-Muslims want to indulge in gambling, alcohol and other vices, since they are already “destined for eternal damnation”, according to PAS?

BlueShark1548: Indeed. Muslims are not permitted by Islam to gamble, and gambling is bad. However, one should not impose their religious beliefs on others. Is it Islamic to pray for another person's stomach to burst?

Malaysia is a secular nation with a multiracial population and with many different religions. Gambling is a human trait which you can never be curtailed. It is just like drugs. We have strict laws, but there are still drug users and traffickers. It is better to legalise gambling than let it go underground, where we cannot monitor it at all.

Does Sanusi not have comments on the taxes paid by Genting casinos? What happens to the millions paid to the government? Is the money paid by casinos haram and should not be used for the benefit of all Malaysians?

Sanusi is angry because the Federal Court has given him a tight slap on his face. His actual behaviour is being exposed for all to see.

BrownJaguar5869: I don’t gamble. I don’t encourage gambling either. But Malaysia cannot be governed as though everyone must live according to one community’s religious rules.

We are a multiracial, multireligious country governed by the Federal Constitution. Regulate gambling strictly, protect Muslims from it, tackle addiction and illegal gambling, and tax legal operators properly. But a blanket ban imposed on everyone is another matter altogether.

And please, enough with saying Anwar will be “cursed”. This is governance, not a religious threat. The courts have already ruled on the limits of the state’s powers.

Respect the Constitution and govern for all Malaysians, including those whose beliefs and personal choices may be different from ours.

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