KUALA LUMPUR – Thousands of elite Malays are purportedly gambling at gaming outlets across the country without consequence, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) charged in Parliament today.
He also alleged that these individuals are being lured to join as club members by rich towkays, and has taken the government to task for turning a blind eye.
Debating Budget 2022, Anwar said based on information obtained from police reports and media statements, he understood that there has been an increase in gaming clubs in the country, with 62 supposedly in operation.
He said what is more concerning is the outlets have huge numbers of Malay-Muslim members.
“Their numbers reach tens of thousands, and make up 45% of the overall membership in these 62 clubs. This is happening under the watch of a Malay-Muslim government. There appears to be attempts to block this from becoming public,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat, while urging the government to disclose more information on the matter.
Anwar said there are also records of MySejahtera check-ins to prove Muslims are frequenting these premises.
“I also understand that when it involves large companies and ‘tauke-tauke kaya’ (rich bosses), the action taken is quite slow,” he said, while exposing the name of an individual allegedly running the clubs.
“Is it true (this individual) can move around freely with a huge number of gambling companies and licences, and can invite elite Malays to join in the gambling activities?”
He urged the Inland Revenue Board to investigate the individual and take action if found guilty of any financial crimes.
Additionally, the PKR president sought clarification on whether the majority of the 62 clubs were approved for operation by the Barisan Nasional government just prior to the 2018 general election. – The Vibes, November 1, 2021
