No need for anti-gambling policy in PAS manifesto, says Sanusi

PAS election director Sanusi Nor has stated that there is no need to include the party's goal of ending gambling nationwide in its election manifesto, as Islamic policies inherently reject gambling. Emphasizing that PAS's stance on this issue is rooted in its constitution, Sanusi, who is also Kedah menteri besar, explained that the Islamic values PAS seeks to promote in the country naturally preclude gambling.

This position is clearly outlined in Clause 5 of the party's constitution, rendering any mention of the goal in the manifesto redundant. Earlier this month, PAS had called on Muslim voters to elect the party to federal power in order to eliminate gambling in the country. When questioned about lottery operators requesting compensation for the state government's recently abandoned ban on license renewals for pool betting and lottery businesses, Sanusi indicated that his administration would be prepared to counter any legal action.

Should the operators pursue a lawsuit to seek compensation, he affirmed, his administration would "fight them." The Federal Court recently dismissed the Kedah government's appeal to overturn a ruling that prohibited the state from refusing to renew licences for pool betting and lottery operators. The Court of Appeal had ruled that the state could not enact a blanket ban on such businesses solely on the basis that it was against gambling.

The appellate court maintained that the state government could only regulate licensing based on factors related to the premises, such as building conditions, safety compliance, sanitation, causing a nuisance, and the appropriateness of locations.