Kit Siang: I've never bought 4D but moral policing on non-Muslims not right

 

Veteran opposition MP Lim Kit Siang said it was wrong for governments to impose moral policing on non-Muslims, following the Kedah government's ban on number betting shops in Kedah and PAS' objection to the name of a locally produced liquor.

"I am eighty years old and I have never bought a 4D (number betting ticket) in my life. But it is wrong, extremist and intolerant to try moral policing in a multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-religious and multicultural Malaysia," he said.

Describing Malaysia as "instant Asia" for being a confluence of great human civilisations and religions, Lim said Malaysia ought to leverage on common values instead of differences.

"Why should Malaysians quarrel over their different religions or their civilisational past, instead of adopting a tolerant attitude towards the diverse religions, cultures and civilisations that meet in Malaysia to create a world-class great nation?" asked Lim.

Lim said that the Rukun Negara principles for nation-building, as noted in its preamble, had set forth an agenda to build a democratic way of life to create a just society and guaranteeing liberal approach towards preserving traditions.

However, said Lim, there are now cabinet ministers who do not subscribe to these principles and questioned if Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's "Keluarga Malaysia" concept still subscribed to the Rukun Negara.

"If PAS accepts the Rukun Negara nation-building principles and the Malaysian First objective, then the Kedah menteri besar would not create the gambling ban issue in Kedah to fish for votes in Malacca or exploit Timah Whisky issue for political purposes.

"I call on the Malacca voters to teach PAS, PN and BN candidates a lesson in the Malacca general election on November 20, for Malaccans and Malaysians can envisage the chaos and confusion in the country if the five Rukun Negara principles and the Malaysian First objective are rejected in the country," he said.

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, during his speech on his administration's Budget 2022, has declared that local governments in the state will not renew business licences for betting shops.

While the gambling industry is regulated by the Finance Ministry in Putrajaya, local governments can deny licences for premises to conduct businesses. - Mkini