Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email I was not surprised to read this news, but amazed at the timing. Made at the cusp of two by-elections, this will surely push fence-sitters away from PAS. For some people, lottery may be just trying their luck, not really a hard-core gambling. Some take number occassionally or after some “consultation”. The state government is saying that Chinese community leader has agreed that gambling is a dangerous habit. Now, its up to those community leader to verify or rebut the statement.
As I have often mentioned, just talking about religion or general good/bad stuff is not suitable. Need to provide statistics, facts and figures to justify any action. Was there a survey conducted on the impact of lottery tickets among the Chinese community? I think participative government is more suitable nowadays, not the autocratic, “i know better” kind of leaders.
The Kelantan government slapped a ban on the sale of Big Sweep lottery tickets, raided two bookshops for selling them and issued summonses to the owners of the premises – and Chinese community leaders in the state are incensed.
The Kelantan PAS had already banned all other four-digit gambling outlets in the state.
Kelantan Chinese Chamber of Commerce president J.P. Goh described the action of raiding the bookshops as infringing on the rights of non-Muslims in the state.
He added that the PAS-led government, which had ruled the state the past 20 years, should have taken action a long time ago if gambling was offensive.
“The punitive action was taken without any prior notice.
“It looked like a rush job on the part of the council.
“I have been told by the owners of the bookshop that the confiscated lottery tickets were kept in a drawer away from public view,” said Goh at a press conference yesterday.
He added that both the shop owners were upset with the action as there was no prior announcement declaring it an offence to sell lottery tickets.
MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker said the lottery was governed by federal laws, and the right to buy and sell such lotteries shall not be deemed as gambling.
He added that the local council has no right to raid and seize such lottery tickets because it did not have jurisdiction over a federal matter.
Ti challenged the Pakatan government to introduce the same enforcement in Kedah, Selangor and Penang.
Ti also took offence to Wednesday’s statement by state executive councillor Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan who announced that the state government had banned all forms of gambling, including selling lottery tickets.
Takiyuddin had claimed that the local Chinese community leaders had agreed that gambling was a dangerous habit which threatened the well-being of families.
“Takiyuddin’s explanation is erroneous and a fallacy.
“No community can take away the civil or legal rights of any community guaranteed by federal laws,” said Ti, who is also Kuantan MCA division chief.
What is the point the authority ban this and that, where the public mentally not ready to accept the changes.
Many poor happenings in Kelantan. Can they ban the prostitution and alcohol in Kelantan. Check out who is the real practitioners. You will get shock.
All merely indirect political campaigns. OLD and outdated strategy. Guys, open your eyes and mind. Don’t sleep.
Gambling and prostitution exist in Kelantan.
Just ask Datuk Seri Mustapha.
Or at least that’s what he tells to the Malay voters.