The move by the Kedah state government to ban gambling is not in violation of human rights, or discrimination against the other races, its Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has said.

"When I was appointed to lead the government, I can see Kedah being blessed. The value of investment coming in is high. In fact, each household in the state received a food basket.

"So I decided to not renew the licences to gaming shops. It is one way how I show how grateful I am for the many blessings that Allah had given to the state," Bernama quoted the PAS leader saying in his winding-up speech on the dabate of the Kedah budget 2022 at the state legislative assembly in Alor Setar, yesterday.

As such, claims that the gambling ban was against human rights, and racist, were not true, he added.

Sanusi further claimed that even the Chinese government had banned gaming since 1949, as such activities were not profitable.

"There are many Muslims here. The decision was made based on the need to maintain harmony and on the basis of being grateful for the bountiful blessings."

Last Sunday, Sanusi announced that the state government will not renew business licences of 4D outlets and place curbs on alcohol sales in areas with "low demand" from next year.

The move has garnered criticism from various quarters, including the opposition, who dubbed it as an imposition of Islamic values and laws on non-Muslims.


Source: Bernama
Photo source: Astro Awani