Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today refused to comment on the recent government decision to legalise sports betting.

"We are not going to talk about that," he said to the consternation of reporters after the ground breaking ceremony of Utusan Malaysia's new building today.

He also dodged the question on MCA's claim that Malay rights NGO Perkasa was the cause of the BN's loss in the recent Sibu by-election.

NONE "It's a whole (bunch) of reasons, cannot just ... ok, never mind lah," was Najib's ( left ) only reply.

On Monday, the MCA blamed Perkasa for the ruling coalition's loss in Sibu, saying that BN's "ambigious ties" with the vocal NGO has caused discomfort, especially among the Chinese.

Perkasa has voiced the view that Umno should abandon the "ungrateful" Chinese and stop allocations for minorities who vote for the opposition.

All this week, Malaysiakini has been on the trail of both the PM and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin for their comments on the two issues, but to no avail.

However, Najib responded to the question whether Sime Darby chairperson Musa Hitam should offer to resign and take the responsibility for the government linked company's recent troubles, to relieve pressure on the rest of the board of directors.

"I cannot say much on that now, I need to study the situation first," he said.

At the function earlier, Najib also told the Utusan , which is owned by his party Umno, to go slow on "sensational" news and instead try to be a more "intellectual" medium.

‘Nationwide protest'

NONE The government decision to legalise sports betting and the issuance of a license to business tycoon Vincent Tan's Berjaya group, has been met with strong opposition, especially from Muslims and the Islamic-based opposition party PAS.

A nationwide demonstration is in the works for tomorrow after Friday prayers, with the PAS Youth movement expecting participation from its chapters in every state.

The movement has planned a much bigger demonstration for July 3.

PAS Youth head Nasruddin Hassan has issued a call for a "wave" to be started to protest the legalising of sports betting and bring it to the Agong's attention.