PAS has urged Muslim voters to put the party in power at the federal level to end gambling, saying the responsibility for eradicating the activity now rests with them following a court ruling that state governments lack the authority to do so.
The central PAS ulama council said the Federal Court's decision showed that the Kedah government had exhausted the legal avenues and powers available to it to stop issuing and renewing licences for gambling premises.
"In view of the court's decision that the actual power to eradicate gambling lies with federal laws, the burden and responsibility now fall entirely on the shoulders of voters.
"All Muslims must realise that their votes will determine whether this vice continues to be protected by federal legislation, or it can be completely eradicated from its roots.
"On this matter, voting is no longer merely a democratic right, but has become a requirement of the syariah-based responsibility of ‘amar makruf nahi mungkar’ (enjoining good and forbidding wrongdoing)," its information chief Nor Hamzah said in a statement.
Yesterday, the Federal Court rejected the Kedah government’s bid to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that had effectively prevented the state from imposing a blanket policy against the renewal and issuance of licences for gambling premises.
The top court’s decision means Kedah cannot use its state-level licensing powers to impose a blanket ban on gambling outlets, as the regulation of gambling falls exclusively under the Finance Ministry.
‘Disappointed’
Nor said PAS respected the court’s decision and the judicial process, but expressed deep disappointment that the ruling had constrained the Kedah government’s efforts to protect public welfare from what he described as the social harms of gambling.
He also cited the dissenting judgment of Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Azizah Nawawi, who held that the Kedah state executive council had acted within its legal powers.
Nor described PAS’ stance against gambling as more than political rhetoric, saying the party had translated its political promises into action despite facing legal challenges from the gambling industry.
"Gambling, in reality, is the greatest 'dajjal of destruction' in society's social and financial system today.
“It destroys family institutions, causes bankruptcy, triggers crime, and damages the economy of the ummah.
"Indeed, gambling is opposed by all religions and sound moral values, not only Islam, because of the very nature of gambling, which is exploitative and unjust, profiting from the tears and hardships of others, and is entirely unfair," he added.
In Islam, the dajjal is an evil figure who would deceive people during the end of time.
Nor, who is also the Terengganu state assembly speaker, stressed that only by securing federal power could PAS end the policies, laws and approval of gambling licences.
He also justified his call by citing a “fiqh” principle that states if an obligation, such as eradicating vice, can only be fulfilled by obtaining federal power through voting, then voting to obtain that power becomes an obligation.
"Based on this, it is clear that it is mandatory for every Muslim to vote for PAS and its coalition partners in our effort to take over the federal administration," he added.
‘Why didn’t PAS end gambling when in govt?’
Responding to Nor, DAP Youth national secretary Lim Chun Weng challenged PAS to explain why the party did not end gambling when it was part of the federal government and held ministerial posts, including the religious affairs portfolio.
Lim said gambling remains prohibited for Muslims, but accused PAS of using religion to suggest that support for the party was tied to a Muslim’s faith.
“Muslims remain prohibited from gambling under religious law and syariah law.
“PAS should not twist the court’s decision to give the impression that voting for PAS is a measure of a person’s faith,” said Lim, who pointed out that PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad served as religious affairs minister from August 2021 to October 2022.
“If it is true that Muslims are obliged to vote for PAS so that the party can control Putrajaya and put an end to gambling, why was this not done when PAS was in the federal government and even held the religious affairs portfolio?” he questioned.
Lim said PAS could not ignore its own record in power, adding that it had cabinet representation and opportunities to push for changes to gambling laws.
He added that the court ruling involving the Kedah government concerned the constitutional limits on state powers and did not legalise gambling for Muslims.
Lim said illegal and online gambling, as well as gambling syndicates, should instead be tackled through enforcement, education, and effective policies. - Mkini
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