ALOR STAR: A top Kedah Pas leader today confirmed reports that the High Court last month granted several gambling outlets' judicial review application to challenge the Kedah government's ban on their operations in the state.
Kedah Pas commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yahaya, however, defended the state government's decision to shut down licenced gaming outlets in the state since Jan 1, 2023.
The Pokok Sena member of Parliament said the closure was done in accordance to the state government's power through the local government, at each district level.
He also expressed his disappointment over the licenced gaming companies' move to file judicial review against the decision, stressing that they were just obsessed with reaping profits while being ignorant of the consequences of the punters' addiction to gambling.
"Kedah Pas takes note of the Alor Star High Court decision to grant a judicial review application against the Kedah state government decision to shut down the operation of gaming outlets in Kedah effective Jan 1, 2023.
"The argument presented by the gaming companies that the move to shut down gaming activities was done without considering religious diversity in this country is far from the truth.
"Which religious and culture condone gaming? Of course there are none. In fact, it doesn't bring any benefit except for profits reaped by gaming outlet operators," he said in a statement this evening.
Ahmad stressed that the 'Kedah Free from Gaming' policy implemented by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's administration is the rightful decision and Pas is standing firm in defending the move.
He added that Kedah Pas also backed the state government's move to use the legal process to defend the decision.
"This matter is clearly under the Kedah state government's jurisdiction through the local government. The legislation distinction between the state and the Finance Ministry over this matter is also clear.
"Matters that are something good for the people at large should be given utmost priority by any responsible state government," he said.
Ahmad was responding to media reports that the Alor Star High Court had, on June 20 allowed a judicial review application to stop the state government from banning licenced gaming outlets from continuing operating in Kedah.
It was reported that the state government has filed for a stay of execution against the decision pending an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
During the Kedah state assembly sitting on Nov 14, 2021, Sanusi announced that Kedah would no longer approve new licenced gaming outlets and not to renew existing licences.
Following the decision, all licenced gaming outlets in Kedah have fully ceased by Jan 1 last year.