Gambling ban does not create racial conflict, Pas says

ALOR SETAR - Banning gambling activities does not create racial conflict or damage racial harmony, as Kedah DAP Secretary Teh Swee Leong claims.

Kedah Pas Youth Chief Nurul Amin Hamid said Teh on Monday urged the state government to reconsider the decision to ban gambling in Kedah to maintain racial harmony and control social problems.

"He said the statement is perverse against the ethics of society and the emphasis of all religions that prohibit gambling.

"For example, Kelantan and Terengganu have banned gambling activities for a long time, we have seen no issue of racial harmony being damaged," he said in a statement.

Nurul Amin, also a Padang Terap MP, said that gambling activities were more damaging to society and family, which led the perpetrators to do anything to win betting money.

"Teh's statement is very naive and contrary to the wishes of the people of Kedah, who want a safe, harmonious and peaceful state.

"Kedah's efforts to replace gambling premises licenses must be supported by all parties, including political parties and NGOs," he said.

Teh's statement implied that DAP was a party that supported gambling activities in the country.

Yesterday, DAP hopes the state government would reconsider the decision to terminate all gambling and lottery licenses in Kedah.

Teh said that the move should be reconsidered in order to maintain racial harmony and control social problems.