ALOR STAR: Kedah DAP has urged Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to reconsider the decision to ban gaming and lottery ticket outlets in order to maintain racial harmony and social order in the state.
Kedah DAP state secretary Teh Swee Leong said the state government's recent decision to discontinue gaming and lottery outlet licences would only cause more problems to society.
"We hope that the Menteri Besar will review the order and issue licenses to gaming operators to ensure racial harmony.
"To me, his action is unacceptable as it will create more problems to the society," he said when contacted.
Teh, who is also the Kota Darul Aman assemblyman, argued that gaming outlets have been strictly regulated under the law and the decision to make them illegal would only encourage unregulated gambling activities.
He said the root solution to address immorality and social degradation is education, not simply restricting regulated businesses.
"How can he ensure that immorality and social degradation will stop (with this directive)? The outcome will be uncontrollable. Unregulated gambling is open to everyone and available.
Also, education is the key to preventing immorality and social degradation, instead of simply restricting something that is regulated under the law.
"There are reasons why all those businesses were regulated over the years, he should think deeply about that," he added.
"Meanwhile, Teh also called for outlet operators to provide input on the matter. He said DAP will work with the local council to address any grey areas that may arise within the act.
Yesterday, all gaming and lottery ticket outlets in Kedah ceased their operations as directed by the state government.
On Nov 14, 2021 Sanusi announced the state government's decision to neither approve new gaming licences nor renew existing licences once they expire on Dec 31.
He stressed that the decision was made with the intention to stem negative activities that could lead to social degradation and had nothing to do with racial, religious or political issues.