Kedah PAS vows to continue fight against gambling after Federal Court ruling

ALOR SETAR, Aug 12 — Kedah PAS has vowed to persist in its campaign against gambling in the state, despite the Federal Court rejecting the government's appeal against a ruling prohibiting the issuance and renewal of gambling premises licences. Kedah PAS commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yahaya expressed disappointment with the court's decision, stating that his party accepted it but respected the ruling.

According to the statement, Kedah PAS acknowledges the government's efforts to eradicate gambling-related social issues, but is dismayed by the opposition from certain factions. The three-judge bench, comprising Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, and Datuk Azmi Ariffin, unanimously dismissed the Kedah government's application for a leave to appeal, finding that the legal questions presented did not meet the criteria under Section 96(a) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964.

Responding to the outcome, Yahaya reiterated that Kedah PAS remains committed to the tenet of amar makruf nahi mungkar, which involves promoting virtuous behavior and discouraging wrongdoing in governance. The state government had announced its intention to cease issuing gambling premises licences starting January 1, 2023, following the executive council's decision on December 8, 2021.