Shah Alam parliamentarian Khalid Samad hit out at the Selangor religious affairs department (Jais) and Selangor mufti Tamyes Abdul Wahid for being silent over the soccer betting license recently issued to the Berjaya Group courtesy of the federal government.

Their silence, Khalid said at a press conference in Shah Alam today, runs contrary to their earlier hardline and very vocal stand against the use of the term ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims.

NONE He said that Jais had been directly involved through mosque administrators in demonstrations organised to protest the use of the term ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims following a High Court decision allowing a Christian publication usage of the word.

Khalid ( above ) also urged the state government to reconsider the appointment of Jais director Khusrin Munawi alleging the latter often acts as an agent for Umno as he was once the secretary to former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

 

"Why is he (and Jais) silent (on this soccer betting issue)? Is it because he is still indebted to Muhammad (and Umno)? Asked Khalid.

Khalid urged Tamyes, to come out with a fatwa (religious edict) with regards to the soccer betting issue. This was because Muslims may be influenced to gamble if no fatwa was issued on the matter.

"Even those who have never gambled may be enticed to gamble by the publicity blitz of the coming World Cup," said Khalid.

‘I challenge Ezam’

At the same press conference, Khalid also challenged ex-PKR youth chief and now Umno member Ezam Mohd Noor to run against him for the Shah Alam parliamentary seat in the next general election.

klscah corruption forum 230307 ezam mohd noor 01 Congratulating the former PKR leader ( right ) on his recent appointment as a senator for ‘services’ rendered to Umno, Khalid nevertheless also threw the challenge to Ezam.

"As a somebody who considers himself a fighter, he cannot be satisfied entering Parliament through the back door," quipped Khalid.

Ezam had once ran against an Umno candidate in Shah Alam in 1999 while he was with PKR but lost his bid.

Khalid contended that it must be proven whether the public accepts and supports Ezam in his new political incarnation and Shah Alam was the perfect arena for such proof.

"I believe that he will face tougher opposition (from the people) compared to any other Umno leader," said Khalid.