Penang 'playing politics' in sports betting ban
Not everyone is thrilled with Penang's decision to ban legalised sports betting recently endorsed by the federal government. Seberang Jaya (BN) assemblyperson Arif Shah Omar Shah deemed Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's ban directive on such gambling outlets yesterday as merely "playing politics". "Pakatan Rakyat governments have the authority to stop all gambling outlets, not just sports betting, that is the real meaning of having good intentions," Arif Shah told Malaysiakini. "But it looks like they are now playing politics," he added, referring to Penang's decision to only bar sports betting outlets, the legalising of which was recently announced by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. Rising in defence of gov't move
Arif Shah (left) defended the federal government's decision to legalise sports betting, saying it was meant to control gambling. "When it comes to illegal betting, it is very difficult even for police to take action," he said. "But if there was a campaign against gambling, it is easier to pin down those involved if it was legalised, so it is actually a form of control," he added. However, he was quick to add that gambling was prohibited and rejected by every religion. Lim is acting under the Local Government Act Section 101(v), where the local council is empowered to deal with issues concerning the municipality's safety, health and convenience. In conjunction with his Wesak Day message, Lim said the state wanted to promote a "healthier and more responsible lifestyle" for all Penang families, and therefore decided to ban the activity. On Thursday, several local councils in Selangor moved to freeze the license of gambling premises which offer sports betting.Is it necessary to ban ?
Then the Penang govt should also ban Magnum , Sports Toto and Pan Malaysian Pools if it want s to control gambling , or is it that they are supporting syndicates involved in illegal betting ? Everytime when the World Cup is being played , we hear stories of schoolboys , teenagers , girls betting among friends and with illegal betting syndicates which the govt can never erradicate . So with the banning of legalised betting , the triads and underworld gangsters have taken over , perhaps this is one way Guan Eng can repay them before and in future for their support and services .
J4,
ReplyDeleteI think the intention to ban is good. I have friends who do not goto Casino but succumed to world cup football betting and caused lots of problems to family members. WC is the worst and should be banned. Even football betting - do you remember a chinese guy from Penang who switched off the stadium floodlight in the English league some years back??
But Penang or even Fed gov should go a step deeper, eradict Ah Long first, without along all this will not happen. IT is along who step up as football bookies.
If you have legal betting, those die hard better without money (after they loose a few rounds) will still go to illegal betting house since they also can load them the money or the credit terms is better.
La
J4,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like CSL only confined to Batu activities?? Is he hobbled??
He also brought up the issue of "with the same civil Servants, there is no point of changing gov" in today's newspapers.
Is he saying the Civil Servants are the Kings??!! (not only little napolean". Looks like pornstar us having hard time.
JJ
La
ReplyDeleteAgreed but there are habitual people hell bent on betting . I remember one girl also lost thousands in illegal betting and had to sell her body .
I am also wondering whether this legal betting is for this seasons world cup only or is it also applicable to our Malaysian league ?
Chinese are Chinese , they bet on anything including who is going to win or lose in a bye election and by how many votes . Handicaped votes are also given .
But first like you said which I agreed to 101% is to erradicate all the Alongs . These are the main culprits .
JJ
ReplyDeleteLooks like he has been sidelined by Najib
Also he was asked and directed not to go to Sibu last month .
Didn't see his face at the Buddhist Wesak celebrations which Najib attended . OTK came late and set at the adjoining table but was asked to join Najib at the main table .
Also by passed for Cabinet so he had to come up with his face saving announcement that he did not seek to be nominated as a Minister . A President with a cabinet position is a lame duck president without political power in govt . Considered an excess and heavy baggage to carry , same clout as Samy Vellu .
Kong Wah tried to spin the Cabinet reshuffle saying Tee Keat will be dropped to push for their sales , but when you spin something and it does not happen , it will eventuallt be like the boy who cried wolf . When that comes , nobody will be buying Kong Wah .
CSL has no moral high ground to push for anything. All he is doing to is making noise to make himself to be seen as relevant. How can we believe and trust in what he is saying.
ReplyDelete