Kedah state government has officially banned all gambling premises & activities, effective 1 January 2023. While other states in Malaysia (except Terengganu & Kelantan) are not likely to follow in the same footsteps, will the Kedah state government find itself reversing the decision made on the gambling premises?
The state’s Menteri Besar, YAB Dato’ Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor made it clear that he stands firm with his decision, and will NOT allow gambling premises to operate in the state in the future.Ā
Sanusi also said that it was not a drastic decision as the call to ban gambling premises has been made since November 2021, which has given the business operators ample time to shift their businesses to something else once their licenses are discontinued.
“Thousands or millions, it won’t change my mind”
In his Facebook post yesterday (January 4), Sanusi revealed that in 2021, the gambling sector generated as much as RM400,000 in taxes revenue. Regardless of the amount, he insisted that nothing will change his mind when it comes to the fate of the gambling premises in the state.
“It was just RM400,000. Even if it generates RM400 million, I’m still banning the premises.”
His reason is simple – the cons of gambling. Sanusi highlighted how gambling has affected society which includes abusive fathers who hit their wives and kids.
“Online gambling? That’s out of my jurisdiction”
Word has it that following the closure of all gambling premises, it’ll give way to black markets, such as online gambling and gambling premises without valid licenses to thrive. In response to that, Sanusi said that those are not under the jurisdiction of the state government.Ā
‘We have the authorities and the agencies, or some organisations that will be responsible for that.”
While the closure of the sector in the state may help with societal problems, how do you think it will affect the economy in the state? Do you agree with Sanusi’s take on this?
