DAP Legal Bureau head Ramkarpal Singh Deo urged Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to accept the fact that licensed gambling has been a part of Malaysian life.
The authorities have approved the operation of gambling-related businesses, which are permitted under the Federal Constitution, said Ramkarpal.
Sanusi should also respect the recent Federal Court decision denying leave to appeal a decision that found Kedah’s policy of refusing to renew gambling-related business licenses unconstitutional for encroaching on federal powers, he said.
Sanusi was reported as saying that the matter would be first assessed by the state’s legal advisers to prevent any action taken that may amount to contempt of court.
The question that needs to be asked is if the mentri besar is considering ways to complement the court decision, instead of finding ways to avoid complying with it, he said in a statement.
"Sanusi should accept the fact that licensed gambling has been a part of Malaysian life and licenses for the operation of gambling-related businesses are permitted under the Federal Constitution since this does not offend the sensitivities of non-Muslims in the country."
Sanusi should concentrate his efforts on identifying more effective enforcement methods to tackle the issue of Muslims partaking in gaming activities and instruct his government to engage with federal agencies such as the Finance Ministry, PDRM, MACC, MCMC and local authorities on how best to achieve this, said Ramkarpal.
"Moreover, Sanusi must surely be aware that curbing licensed gambling will likely result in an increase in illegal gambling activities in the black market carried out by individuals or syndicates, such as online gambling," he said.
Since the issue of licensed gambling has clearly been put to rest by the courts with the latest decision of the Federal Court, Sanusi should accept the reality that these gaming activities are legal and there is, therefore, no reason to find options around it.
The decision of the courts on the matter is clear, and Sanusi should follow it as it is not his business to find ways to avoid it, said Ramkarpal. - August 19, 2028.
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