The Finance Ministry has yet to issue a sports betting licence as the government is still sourcing feedback from the public on the matter.

In a written reply to four MPs, Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the government had also yet to finalise the terms and conditions of the permit.

"The government is still sourcing feedback from various quarters for the proposal to license bookmaking in Malaysia, with the aim of reducing and subsequently eradicating illegal gambling," read the reply.

hulu selangor 180410 tian chua Batu MP Tian Chua ( right ), who was among those who received the written reply, queried Ascot Sports owner tycoon Vincent Tan's recent public stand .

"This is a shocking reply because for the past one week, Vincent has been speaking as if he already had the licence.

"He even mentioned that he might take Pakatan Rakyat to court if their states ban gambling," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby, adding that the situation does not add up and someone must be lying.

Flip-flop move?

The PKR strategy director questioned whether this is a flip-flop move from the government because of a fear of a backlash from the people, or perhaps Tan had been lying all along.

"This answer is so different from the impressions given by Vincent, could it be that he is so sure that he will get the licence?" he added.

However, the main question that was asked by Tian Chua was not specifically addressed by the government.

"What is the basis for the cabinet to retract the gambling license in 2004 and why was the decision changed this year?" he queried.

The written answer was prepared for questions from Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, Rasah MP Anthony Loke and Tian Chua.

Earlier, Deputy Finance Minister Chor Chee Heung said that the government was going through the final stages of processing Ascot Sport's application for the licence.

Approached by Malaysiakini reporters in Parliament, former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declined to comment.

" Dah comment dah (I have commented already)," he said.

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