PKR Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim has questioned the religious basis behind what he described as defamatory and harmful remarks against fellow Muslims, including wishes for someone’s “stomach to burst”.
He asked when such conduct became acceptable in Islamic tradition, stressing that gambling is clearly prohibited for Muslims and that there has never been any dispute over the matter.
Muhammad Kamil said no party was seeking to legalise gambling for Muslims, adding that the issue should not be portrayed otherwise for political purposes.
“Let us not forget that PAS was once part of a government that increased the number of special lottery draws to 22 times a year.
“It was only after the Madani Government took over the country’s administration that the number was reduced to eight times a year,” he said.
He subsequently questioned where the party’s voice and religious arguments were when it was part of the federal administration.
His remarks were believed to be directed at Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who had reportedly criticised the Prime Minister over the court decision concerning gambling premises licences in the state.
On 12 August, the Federal Court dismissed the Kedah government’s application for leave to appeal against a ruling that overturned the state’s decision to stop issuing and renewing business licences for number forecast operators.
A three-member Federal Court panel also ordered the Kedah government to pay RM50,000 in costs after ruling that the state had failed to meet the required threshold for leave to appeal.
The dispute has since fuelled further political debate over the regulation of gambling activities, with both federal and state authorities facing scrutiny over their respective positions and past decisions.
