ALOR STAR – Kedah resident Liew Han Eng, along with three other individuals, filed a judicial review at the Alor Star High Court yesterday against the decision of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to ban gambling in the state.
DAP national law bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh said the review papers were filed by Messrs Karpal Singh & Co, supported by the affidavit of the plaintiff, who is a resident here and has participated in licensed gambling in the past.
“It will be contended by the plaintiffs, amongst others, that the decision of the Kedah government to not renew such gaming licences is ultra vires the federal constitution as the power to issue such licences is exclusively within the jurisdiction of Parliament.
“The plaintiffs will further contend that the said decision of the menteri besar is unreasonable and liable to be quashed by the high court upon an application for judicial review,” he said in a statement today.
Ramkarpal said all papers will be served to the relevant parties in due course, adding that he hopes to obtain an early date for the hearing for leave at the high court here.
On Sunday, Sanusi announced that the state will neither issue new licences nor renew existing ones for gambling effective immediately.
Sanusi, who is also the state PAS deputy commissioner, said that apart from gambling licences, the state government will also restrict the sale of alcohol in public, including on the holiday island of Langkawi.
Liquor will only be allowed to be sold to non-Muslim consumers.
The announcement, however, received positive and negative reactions from various quarters who were generally shocked by the actions of the Jeneri assemblyman.
Gambling licences in Malaysia are subject to the approval of the Finance Ministry. However, permission to operate gambling premises falls under the authority of the local councils.
In justifying his decision, Sanusi said that his administration wants to turn Kedah into a “gambling-free state”, claiming that gambling is the cause of the collapse of family institutions and the nation’s civilisation. – The Vibes, November 19, 2021
