ALOR STAR – The PAS-led Kedah government will neither issue new licences nor renew existing licences for gambling businesses, including all 4D lottery businesses, in the state starting immediately.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhamad Sanusi Md Nor said apart from gambling licences, the state government will also restrict the sale of alcohol in public, and it will only be allowed to be sold to non-Muslim consumers.
“This decision was made at the state executive council meeting last week, and we agreed that local authorities throughout the state of Kedah will no longer issue licences to gambling businesses.
“We want to create Kedah as a gambling-free state because we are aware that gambling is the cause of the collapse of family institutions and the nation’s civilisation,” he said at a press conference today.
Sanusi had earlier presented the Kedah Budget 2022 at the state assembly session which began today.
Sanusi, who is also Kedah PAS deputy commissioner, said the ban on the sale of liquor in public would also be implemented on the duty-free island of Langkawi, as well as in rural areas on the mainland.
“In rural areas where the majority of Muslims live, we will limit the sale of alcohol,” he said.
Gambling licences in Malaysia are subject to the Finance Ministry. However, permission to operate for gambling premises is under the authority of local state authorities.
Meanwhile, Sanusi presented a state Budget 2022 deficit of 12.44%, or RM90.22 million, compared to last year.
He said among the allocations increased next year were for the Forest Development Fund with an additional 10.6%, and the development fund expenditure with 8.66%.
Sanusi also announced a special financial assistance of RM1,000 each to civil servants and members of the state administration to appreciate their contributions and sacrifices.
“A total of 5,000 civil servants and members of the state administration will enjoy assistance involving an allocation of RM5.6 million,” he said. – The Vibes, November 14, 2021
