Ahli Parlimen DAP tuntut pendirian MCA, MIC isu haram judi PAS

PETALING JAYA: A DAP MP has questioned MCA and MIC's support for PAS's agenda to criminalize gambling nationwide, should the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) form a coalition during the upcoming general election. Kampar MP Chong Zhemin stated that the only realistic route for PAS to gain power is through a coalition with BN and Umno, given the party's inability to form a government on its own.

Therefore, MCA President Wee Ka Siong and MIC President SA Vigneswaran must clearly state whether they support PAS's use of federal power to end gambling nationwide. They also need to answer whether MCA and MIC will support a BN-PN government that grants PAS the necessary seats and political power to implement this objective, he added in a statement.

Chong cited the Centre of Ulama PAS Head Mohd Nor Hamzah's assertion that Muslim voters must support PAS to take over Putrajaya to ensure that gambling premises can be legalized at the federal level. Yesterday, the Federal Court rejected Kedah state government's petition for a ruling to cancel the notice to suspend the issuance and renewal of gambling licenses in the state.

The high court's decision confirmed that the authority and legislation regarding the approval of gambling licenses fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, not the state governments. Chong said both parties cannot continue to send mixed messages, asking for the support of Chinese and Indian communities for BN while pretending that voters' support for the coalition has nothing to do with PAS's agenda.

He added that if BN and PN act as political allies, each seat won by MCA, MIC, or Umno indirectly contributes to PAS's parliamentary seat count to help them gain a seat in Putrajaya. He emphasized that the issue is not just about the promotion of gambling activities, but also about the federal government's responsibility to protect the constitutional position and religious freedom of non-Muslim citizens in the country.

The people have a right to know the answer before the general election, not after the government is formed, Chong said.