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Alcohol controls and gambling bans are already in PAS constitution, Sanusi says

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • PAS vice-president Muhammad Sanusi Md. Nor said the party’s constitution already commits it to controlling alcohol sales and opposing gambling.
  • He was responding to a challenge from Perlis Mufti Mohd. Asri Zainul Abidin for PAS to include bans on gambling and alcohol in its election manifesto.
  • Sanusi also said Kedah is awaiting further legal action after gambling-premises operators may seek compensation in court.

PAS does not need to wait for an election manifesto to state its position on alcohol and gambling, vice-president Muhammad Sanusi Md. Nor said. The party’s constitution already sets out an Islamic basis for its political struggle and rejects gambling and activities considered harmful to the mind, including alcohol.

PAS’s policy is Islam and PAS’s call is Allahuakbar

· Muhammad Sanusi Md. NorHe described the party’s stated religious foundation while defending its position on gambling and alcohol.

Speaking after a youth podcast held during PAS’s 72nd annual assembly in Pengkalan Chepa, Sanusi pointed to Article Five of the constitution. He said it calls for Islamic values and laws in government, including rules that prohibit gambling premises and control alcohol sales.

That matter has long been in the PAS constitution, namely Article Five. So there is no need to wait for a manifesto

· Muhammad Sanusi Md. NorHe said the party’s constitution already covers its position on gambling and alcohol controls.

His remarks responded to a video by Perlis Mufti Mohd. Asri Zainul Abidin, circulated by the Harakah Daily social-media account. Asri had challenged PAS to include bans on gambling and alcohol in its election manifesto. Sanusi argued that a manifesto represents a party’s offer to voters, while the constitution sets out its underlying principles.

Islam prohibits gambling. Surely this matter does not also need to be put in the manifesto? Try reciting the shahada once

· Muhammad Sanusi Md. NorHe rejected the demand to repeat the party’s opposition to gambling in an election manifesto.

Sanusi, who is also Kedah’s menteri besar, said the Kedah state government is waiting for the next legal steps after gambling-premises operators may file compensation claims in court. He said the government would continue to contest the case and urged people in Kedah, and others, not to gamble. Instead, he called on them to rely on effort, prayer and faith.

I hope the people of Kedah do not gamble. Whoever they are, whether from Kedah or anywhere else, do not gamble. Do not depend on luck, but depend on effort, prayer and faith

· Muhammad Sanusi Md. NorHe urged the public not to gamble while discussing possible compensation litigation by gambling-premises operators.
About this summary

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.