PAS calls for wider state powers to curb gambling

PAS wants state governments to have clearer legal room to impose tougher policies on gambling premises, including through amendments to federal law.

The demand formed part of a motion submitted by PAS Baling and accepted without debate at the party's 72nd muktamar at the Pusat Tarbiah Islamiah Kelantan in Kota Bharu. Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, chairman of the muktamar's motions committee, said the proposal also calls on the federal government, through the Finance Ministry, to review its policy on issuing and renewing gambling licences.

The motion urges the states of the SG4 grouping, Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis and Terengganu, to update existing laws, state policies and administrative mechanisms based on legal advice. PAS says the changes would help curb gambling activity.

Ahmad Fadhli said PAS lawmakers would bring the issue to the Dewan Rakyat to study and propose amendments to federal laws. The aim, he said, is to give state governments clearer and legally valid authority to set stricter policies for gambling premises.

The motion refers to developments in Kedah, where the state government stopped issuing and renewing gambling-premise licences as part of an effort to implement Islamic demands. That policy was challenged through the courts. The Federal Court rejected the state government's application for permission to appeal, leaving in place a Court of Appeal decision allowing a judicial review.

Ahmad Fadhli, who is also PAS information chief, said the muktamar received 33 motions for consideration. Three were accepted without debate, while four others were scheduled for debate.

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PAS lawmakers will bring this matter to the Dewan Rakyat to study and propose amendments to the relevant federal laws so that state governments are given clearer and legally valid room to determine stricter policies on the operation of gambling premises.