KOTA TINGGI – A 75-year-old man was detained by officers from the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) after being caught purchasing lottery numbers at a gambling premises on Wednesday evening.
He probably didn't dream this one up: being caught by religious enforcement officers while buying lottery numbers he believed came from his dreams.
The man, who lives alone in a small village home and survives on RM600 monthly government aid, was nabbed by JAINJ officers on Wednesday evening while spending RM8 at a gambling outlet.
“Initial investigations revealed that the man admitted to gambling for more than 40 years and is still ‘trying his luck’ despite facing financial difficulties," a JAINJ spokesperson reportedly said.
Apparently, his lucky numbers often came from dreams or even accident scenes.
“Every month, he will buy numbers, especially if he has a good dream or witnesses a road accident involving vehicles.
"If a car overturns, it means the number he wants to buy must also be reversed,” he told officers, still in full belief of his mystical system.
The elderly man admitted he knew gambling was against Islamic teachings but said he couldn’t stop.
“I’m worried the number I frequently buy might ‘come out’ if I stop,” he said.
Officers even had to check his home to confirm a guarantor since he has no close family around.
The case is being investigated under Section 18 of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment, which could mean a fine up to RM3,000, two years in jail, or both.