Sanusi Must Answer Honestly on Gambling Licences, Not Mislead the Public

SEPAKAT has accused Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md. Nor of using a sensitive religious and moral issue for political purposes, saying his recent remarks on gambling-premise licences misled the public and diverted attention from his administration’s own legal defeat.

The group condemned language Sanusi used during a programme at Dewan Seri Mentaloon in Alor Setar, describing it as crude and unsuitable for a state leader. A menteri besar, it said, should demonstrate mature and courteous argument rather than speak in a manner resembling a street political speech instead of an official policy explanation.

SEPAKAT also rejected Sanusi’s suggestion that the federal government had approved new gambling licences or increased the number of gambling premises in Kedah. The Finance Ministry says no new licences were issued and that the existing number remains based on approvals granted since the 1990s.

The group said the Kedah government’s decision to stop renewing gambling-premise licences had been challenged in court and that the state government lost the case. The Federal Court also rejected its application for leave to appeal. SEPAKAT stressed that the prime minister has no power over judicial decisions because Malaysia separates the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

It also pointed to what it called political hypocrisy. When PAS was part of the Perikatan Nasional government, special lottery draws increased from eight to 22 a year, while the Madani government later reduced them to eight. SEPAKAT chairperson Nor Miswary Ramli called on Sanusi to apologize for his language and explain the administration’s court loss instead of blaming others.