BN component party PPP has come out in public to voice their support to the government's "intention" to legalise sports betting.

In a move to bolster support for Prime Minister Najib Razak facing heavy fire over his approval to conglomerate Berjaya Corporation, PPP echoed fellow component party MCA's call to approve the measure on condition that it is strictly regulated.

kayveas hq pc 050609 "The main reason (to legalise sports betting) is to put a stop to illegal bookmaking and to protect the public from falling prey to illegal gambling syndicates, which we yet have to find a way to curb," said PPP president M Kayveas in his opening speech at the party AGM this morning in the presence of Najib.

"Our country has also long allowed numbers prediction and lotteries. In fact, the 'mother of all premises' has been operating at the top of Genting Highlands.

"It is strict enforcement that will ensure our Muslim friends do not participate in legalised gambling," he told the 800 PPP delegates at the one-day party assembly in Putra World Trade Centre.

What Najib will decide next on the issue is the million ringgit question, especially after the very powerful Umno Johor had denounced legalised sports betting.

The prime minister, however, continued to be elusive at a press conference later, answering questions about the license with his usual vague reply, that it has yet to be issued.

His response to the inconsistent views within the BN component parties on the issue was, "Never mind. I will address it later."

10 percent discount

Kayveas at his opening speech also called for a 10 percent discount for property purchase be given to non-bumiputeras earning less than RM3,000 a month.

indian malaysia poverty At present, bumiputeras regardless of financial standing, get to enjoy a 10 percent discount when buying houses as part of the affirmative action to encourage them to be houseowners.

He also "pleaded" to Najib to "find a way to help Malaysians of Indian origin to achieve the so much talked about three percent equity they are asking for since 53 years of Independence".

To that, Najib replied that his 10th Malaysia Plan already highlighted a lot of allocations to the non-Malay community, including special training for those living in the estates.

"If you are poor, and you need education - regardless of the bumiputera status, you deserve help from the Barisan Nasional government," he said to thunderous applause.

Murugiah digs reprised

Kayveas, who had been PPP president since 1993, also entertained the delegates with digs at protege-turned-nemesis T Murugiah, who is now the deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

NONE In an apparent sequel to the animal fable which Kayveas delivered at last year's assembly - in which he likened Murugiah ( right ) to a scorpion - this time he called the one-time contender for the party presidency a fox.

In an extended routine that included mention of the World Cup, Kayveas unabashedly referred to himself as the "lion".

"Once there was this fox and this lion, who roamed the jungles of South Africa. And then one day, the lion was called to visit another jungle, so he took the fox along with him ... The lion had to stay back, to help with the World Cup, so the fox went back home without him,” waxed Kayveas.

The story continues how the fox on his way back got hit with some blue paint, and did not bother to wash it off.

"He went back home and amazed all the other animals, who have never seen a blue animal. And he told them that the lion is dead and they should listen to him. But one day, there was a heavy downpour, and washed the paint off, and everyone could see that it was the fox

"So all the animals chased the fox away. But the fox is still running around," he concluded, turning to Najib beside him with the punchline, "I hope prime minister, that you can keep the fox far away from PPP."