{
  "id": 3656145,
  "title": "Kedah PKR hits out at Sanusi over remarks on gambling licences",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/kedah-pkr-hits-out-at-sanusi-over-remarks-on-gambling-licences",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T03:23:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1519697/kedah-pkr-hits-out-sanusi-over-remarks-gambling-licences"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kedah PKR has criticized Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi for making unkind remarks about Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim regarding gambling licences in the state. Communications director Tunku Nashrul Abaidah stated that Sanusi should instead address his administration's loss in legal proceedings and stop directing his anger towards the prime minister. The decision to ban gambling activities in Kedah was made by Sanusi's administration and was later overturned by the courts due to exceeding the state's jurisdiction. The Federal Court rejected An appeal for leave to appeal the decision. Nashrul emphasized that Malaysia follows the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judiciary, and the prime minister does not have a role in the court's decision. He also pointed out that when Pas was part of the Perikatan Nasional government, the number of special gambling draws increased from eight to 22 times a year, while Anwar, the prime minister, decreased it back to eight times a year. Nashrul accused Sanusi of misleading the public and involving unrelated parties to evade responsibility for his administration's shortcomings. Sanusi reportedly threatened that Anwar would face the wrath of Kedahans if he allowed gambling activities to resume in the state.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah PKR has hit out at Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for hurling insults at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the issue of gambling premises licences in the state.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "YOURSAY | Kedah has no constitutional power to ban gambling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/yoursay-kedah-has-no-constitutional-power-to-ban-gambling",
        "published": "2026-08-27T00:01:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}