GEORGE TOWN: A legal challenge has been initiated against the Kedah state government's ban on gaming outlets.

       It is learnt an application has been filed on behalf of one Liew Han Eng and other Alor Setar residents at the High Court there, for a judicial review of the decision by Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

       The filing includes an affidavit by the plaintiffs, who are Alor Setar residents and were reportedly part of licensed gambling activities before the ban.

       The plaintiffs contend the ban was unreasonable and could be quashed by the High Court upon an application for judicial review.

       DAP national legal bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh said in a statement on Thursday (Nov 18) that it helped file the application on behalf of the plaintiffs.

       "The move by the Kedah state government is ultra vires the Federal Constitution as the power to issue such licences comes under the jurisdiction of Parliament," he added.

       Under the Constitution, betting and lotteries are under Putrajaya's purview via laws like the Pool Betting Act 1967 and Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.

       Sanusi had said on Sunday (Nov 14) that the state would ban all gaming outlets by not renewing their licences and not issuing new ones.

       He subsequently welcomed any legal challenges to his decision and said that as expected, DAP has sided with gambling premises.