ALOR SETAR: If Kedahans cannot bet at licensed gaming premises, there is a chance that illegal bookies will take advantage of the situation, warns the Kedah Chinese Chamber Of Commerce.

       Its chairman Datuk Cheng Lai Hock said this seemed to be the eventuality now that licensed lottery operators won’t get an operating licence from local authorities in Kedah.

       He expects this to happen with the decision by the state to override allowances provided by the Federal Government for licensed premises to operate, calling it unfair and detrimental to the economy.

       On Sunday, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the state would ban all lottery shops by not issuing new licences for gambling premises.

       “The move is to ensure Kedah will be free from gambling,” he said, describing it as unhealthy and having a negative effect on the family institution and civilisation.

       Cheng said as illegal gaming operators were present in any community, banning legal gambling premises would likely lead to the illegal ones thriving instead.

       “The state’s decision is inappropriate as the outlets were granted a licence by the Federal Government. The country is multiracial and we’ve shown mutual respect towards each other all along.

       “The licensed gaming premises are not interfering with the lives of others. Why not leave them alone? We should allow for diversity. Such a ban is detrimental to the economy,” he said.

       Besides the ban on gambling, Muhammad Sanusi said the state government would also limit the sale of alcohol in the state, including Langkawi.

       He said stricter conditions would be laid down to ensure Kedahans “are always in a sober state of mind”.

       Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk N. Gobalakrishnan said: “Enforcement should curb and eliminate illegal bookies first and then study if gambling is really affecting the people.

       “Legal premises generate income for the nation and it has been clearly stated Muslims are prohibited.

       “The government needs to make a stand on whether they are trying to curb gambling to help the people or are they overzealous on religious grounds.

       “If it is religious, then the government should get the relevant authorities to monitor those prohibited from gambling.

       “We live in a multicultural country and there should be leniency over what each religion allows for.”