No compromise over stand on gambling activities - PAS Youth
PAS Youth will not compromise its stand against gambling activities, stressed its chief Khairil Nizam Khiruddin.
He was responding to Putrajaya's confirmation that the frequency of "special draws" for number betting companies was increased to 22 times this year.
"This has been our...
PAS Youth will not compromise its stand against gambling activities, stressed its chief Khairil Nizam Khiruddin.
He was responding to Putrajaya's confirmation that the frequency of "special draws" for number betting companies was increased to 22 times this year.
"This has been our stand from the past until now, there is no compromise on the issue of gambling," he said.
Khairil (above) said PAS Youth believes the special draws were not the best solution to raise government income because gambling is forbidden in Islam and contributes to social ills.
"There are other ways that can be used without the need to increase these draws," he said.
Previously, the Pakatan Harapan federal administration reduced the number of annual special draws from 22 to 11 in 2019, and to eight in 2020. This is on top of three "normal" draws in a week.
The special draws were first introduced in 1999 to raise funds for Nipah virus victims.
However, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, which took over from Harapan, reportedly restored the number of special draws back to 22.
PAS was a member of the PN government.
For the record, PAS Youth had in early January requested to meet with the Finance Ministry to state their stand on the issue.
The increase of special draws was confirmed by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Zafrul was responding in the currently ongoing Dewan Rakyat session to a question from Amanah's Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar on Sept 20.
Khairil thanked Mahfuz for raising the issue in Parliament, saying it was a much-needed reminder on an issue that affects Muslims.
Separately, PAS Ulama (DUPP) information chief Mohd Nor Hamzah also urged the government to reconsider increasing the number of special draws.
"On behalf of DUPP we urge the finance ministry to reconsider the approval granted to increase the frequency of the special draws.
"Do not tarnish our efforts and prayers to Allah SWT for protection against Covid-19 by allowing this forbidden thing," said Mohd Nor.
"I request urgent action to be taken to end this gambling sector in our beloved Keluarga Malaysia," he said.
Mohd Nor also urged the Finance Ministry not to use the excuse of increasing the government's coffers to justify the increase in special draws.
