Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today called on the government to immediately clarify the status of the sports gambling licence allegedly issued to Berjaya Corporation.

khairy jamaluddin kj interview 190310 He said people deserve an explanation in view of the conflicting reports on the controversy.

"We hope this clarification can be made soon, because of conflicting reports we get from the government and also from the company,” said Khairy ( right ).

"(Berjaya reportedly said) an agreement has been reached but the licence was not issued yet.

"We therefore want to know what really happened. Certain Malaysians also wants to know if if it is true that approval has been given," he said.

Internal party channels

Furthermore, he said the BN leaders have given their views on the issue through “internal party channels”.

"We have submitted the views of party leaders to the prime minister, and it is up to the government to make the final decision on the matter," he said.

The youth leader addressed the media after launching the 1Malaysia Rally in Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil this evening.

Prime Minister Najib Razak and BN component party leaders also attended the event, which attracted over 10,000 youths. 

Asked about Pakatan Rakyat's plans to hold a mass rally to protest against the issuance of the sports betting licence, however, Khairy said the opposition coalition has merely been exploiting the issue for political purposes.

"(Pakatan Rakyat) will seek to reap as much political support (over an issue) if it was of benefit to them," he said.

'Go all the way'

He went on to challenge Pakatan governments to shut down all gambling premises in the states they control.

"Don't say it's not practical (to close down the premises). If you (Pakatan) tell (the government to) revoke the sports gambling licence, then show you stand for the principle all the way.

 

"If not, then it's only for political mileage for them to go halfway," he added.

 

Khairy also said he wants to see Pakatan show moderation in its actions by rising to the challenge.

"They protest against the sports betting licence. But when we challenge them to do something about it - say by disallowing all premises to operate and to revoke their licences... why not do away with all such premises such as 4D, Magnum, Sports Toto - they say it's not practical. 

"So then we know that the opposition is only playing politics," he added.