The DAP has challenged MCA, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and MIC cabinet members to reprimand PAS ministers over the Kedah government’s decision to ban licensed number betting outlets when the cabinet meets later this week.
In a statement today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (above) said PAS’ policy in Kedah was “extremist” because it was done without consulting stakeholders, ignoring cultural diversity and disrespecting lifestyles.
He added that while the DAP agreed on prohibiting Muslims from gambling, the party was of the opinion that the betting outlet ban in Kedah will only worsen police corruption and encourage illegal betting syndicates.
“Will these ministers dare to draw a red line and demand in this week’s cabinet meeting that cabinet direct that this ban be reversed to prove that MCA, GPS and MIC can stand firmly on their position of being able to stop PAS extremist policies?” asked Lim.
Yesterday, Kedah Menteri Besar Mohammad Sanusi Md Nor, after tabling the state’s budget for 2022, said his administration will not allow gambling outlets to renew their licences.
PAS had implemented similar policies in Kelantan and Terengganu in the 1990s. The ban was not lifted in Terengganu by the BN administration between 2004 and 2018.
Since PAS joined the Perak government last year, the Selama District Council had decided to ban all retail sales of alcoholic beverages.
Meanwhile, Lim said GPS, MCA and MIC ministers must also reprimand their PAS colleagues who launched a personal attack against FMT reporter Minderjeet Kaur.
PAS vice-president and Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad, alongside Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim, had skirted a question on disagreement over the Kedah government’s decision to ban the betting outlets.
Instead, Awang got personal by attacking Minderjeet for asking the question in English while Idris asked the reporter if she was agreeable to having a kaki judi (gambler) for a husband.
Idris also alleged that all non-Muslims are against gambling.
Lim said the exchange was yet another example of PAS’ bullying behaviour and extremist policies.
“Both leaders have once again shown the true face of PAS as a heartless bully of minorities and women, who have no place under the extremist policies of PAS,” he said.
Lim pledged that DAP MPs will pursue a full public apology from Idris and Awang through Parliament. – Malaysiakini