ALOR STAR – An opposition assemblyman in Kedah has reproached Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for arguing that legalising the export of ketum would curb smuggling of the leaf, while harbouring a different altogether attitude towards gambling.
Speaking in the state assembly today, Tan Kok Yew (Derga-PH) pointed to Sanusi’s recent claim that activities to smuggle the commodity to Thailand can be overcome if there are special guidelines to enable it to be exported legally.
“What amazes me is that the menteri besar can use this approach to curb and combat the smuggling of ketum leaves, but on other similar issues, he uses a different approach,” he said.
“Although gambling premises in the state were licensed before, they have since been banned. Now there is a lot of unlicensed gambling in the state, because licensed gambling is banned.
“Congratulations MB. Those who followed the law and were licensed are now banned, but those who are against the law are being allowed to operate illegally,” he added, asking Sanusi to explain the rationale behind this.
Last November, Sanusi had announced that his PAS-led state government would neither issue new licences nor renew existing licences for gambling businesses, including all 4D lottery businesses, in the state.
Apart from gambling licences, the state government also began restricting the sale of alcohol in public to only allow it to be sold to non-Muslim consumers.
Kedah became the second state after Kelantan, which is also ruled by PAS, to prohibit lottery number outlets.
Sanusi had then told those keen to utilise such services to “flock” to neighbouring Penang to “buy numbers”.
Tan today stressed on the irony that gambling was once licensed to curb illegal gambling, only for the activity to be prohibited.
“I am giving this as an example. Gambling is forbidden for Muslims. It is a fact and nobody is questioning this. We from the DAP also understand and defend that gambling is illegal for Muslims.
“But gambling for non-Muslims, even in our country Malaysia, is now an offence – unless it is illegal gambling or gambling without a licence,” he added.
Tan also asked Sanusi to explain what guarantee there is that ketum smuggling would be eradicated in Kedah with the introduction of specific rules and regulations on the export.
He also asked what assurance there was that the rules would not be misused by people. – The Vibes, March 22, 2022
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