SHAH ALAM - The Federal Government is urged to abolish gambling premises licences as implemented in Kedah on Jan 1.
Pas Ulama Council (DUPP) chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya said that the action was in line with religious principles in educating the community to avoid gambling.
"The implementation of a strict policy against gambling should be implemented unconditionally.
"It is not appropriate to be proud of the decrease in the number of votes, but the premises are still allowed to operate
"Highlight the policy of educating the people in a humane balance rightly guided by religion.
"DUPP is confident and believes there is no evidence that gambling activities can bring the community out of poverty.
"It's just an illusion," he said in a post on Facebook on Monday.
Ahmad added that the action of the Kedah government to cancel gambling premises licenses in the state was welcomed by DUPP.
He explained that it made Kedah the third state after Kelantan and Terengganu to do so under the PAS administration.
He said closing the door to illicit activities could bring more blessings and sustenance.
"Despite various reactions that doubt the state's ability to continue to survive as a result of the closure of gambling premises, Kedah received the highest investment in its history throughout 2021, producing a series of high-impact mega projects in addition to successfully creating hundreds of thousands of job opportunities in the state.
"It is hoped that gambling activities will no longer have a foothold on the land of Jelapang Padi," commented Ahmad.
Previously, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor ordered the local authorities to monitor and ensure that all gambling and lottery premises in the state fully comply with the closure order.
He said the matter was in line with the decision made during the State Legislative Assembly session on Nov 14, 2021.