DPM says gambling legal, slams PAS
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS has revealed its true colour by imposing a ban on lottery tickets in Kelantan, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today.
He also argued that based on the country’s existing laws, gambling was not wrong.
The Umno deputy president said the PAS-led Kelantan state government’s ban on the sale of lottery tickets was an infringement of the rights of non-Muslims.
“Based on existing laws, gambling is not wrong,” he said.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Muhyddin said that the ban reflected the Islamic party’s true attitude towards the treatment of non-Malays.
“Their action has caused dissatisfaction and raised questions on PAS’ real attitude and their treatment of non-Muslims,” he said.
Asked if the federal government would intervene in the decision, Muhyiddin said he had yet to receive full reports from the concerned groups.
The ban drew widespread criticism, including from PAS’ Pakatan Rakyat teammate, DAP. On the other hand, MCA central committee member Ti Lian Ker had threatened to take the state government to court.
On another matter, Muhyiddin backed his boss, Najib Tun Razak, on the latter’s suggestion that Anwar Ibrahim was becoming a liability to the opposition.
“We know that PAS is actually uncomfortable (with Anwar’s presence) during the campaigns in Merlimau and Kerdau. His image is dented by what has happened to him.
“Because of that, PAS wanted him to stay away, but Anwar felt that he has the right (to campaign) because he is the opposition leader,” he said.
