The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) refers to a report in a daily dated Dec 4 quoting a written response to Parliament by the Finance Ministry stating that the taxes gained by the government from the three four-digit gaming companies in Malaysia amounted to more than RM1billion and this was used for social programmes.

The ministry also stated that the taxes gained since 1999 were used for programmes such as sports, social, welfare, culture and health. The social-oriented programmes received the most allocation of about RM361 million or 32.93% from the total amount. This was followed by sports which got an allocation of RM320 million and welfare totaling RM268 million.

Aren’t taxes gained from gambling considered ‘haram’ or ill-gained? Isn’t it irrational and impractical to use this ill-gained money - that is considered ‘haram’ by Islam - for the development of a country with a majority of Malay Muslims?

CAP maintains that all kinds of gambling should be eradicated for the country’s wellbeing. Non-governmental organisations all over the world have come up with a resolution censuring gambling. In 1974 and 1995, it was reported that NGOs in the US had issued a resolution protesting gambling in casinos and slot machine gambling in New Jersey.

In 1998, NGOs in Canada, in their anti-gambling efforts, had urged the government to form a commission to evaluate socio-economic impact of gambling on Canadians. Robert Goodman, in his book titled ‘The Luck Business’ (Martin Kessler Books, 1995) had conducted a three-year research on the contribution of gambling and its effects on America’s economy.

He stated that in terms of the economy, the negative effects of gambling are:

Loss of monetary resources that can be channeled for other consumer goods and services that would bring about a more meaningful development of the industry.

The funds channeled for gambling are a lost resource for restaurant owners, grocers and other entertainment outlets.

Increased costs for police, prisons, courts and others to handle cases related to gambling.

Monetary resources that are lost due to unsettled debts.

Time wasted in gambling is also lost cost for other economic activities.

The effects of gambling on an individual are serious such as losing their homes, jobs, family, being dishonest to gain more money and addiction besides killing the initiative to work hard. Addiction to gambling can also lead to crime such as petty thefts and burglary.

It cannot be denied that many gamblers are also involved in ‘syirik’ beliefs such as believing in ‘bomoh’, mediums, meditating and praying to ‘keramat’ which directly encourages ‘khurafat’ beliefs.

CAP also strongly objects to the government’s actions last October when three four-digit gaming companies ie, Berjaya Sports Toto, Tanjong Plc and Magnum were allowed to conduct 10 special draws per year. These companies would gain a profit of RM20 million for each of these draws.

The writer is president, Consumers Association of Penang.