Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has accused Information and Culture Minister Rais Yatim of using Chinese as scapegoats to pursue the government's agenda to legalise sports betting.

He levelled this charge during a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, responding to Rais' claim that the government must issue the sports betting licence for the rights of non-Muslims to be recognised and respected.

NONE "When did he become an expert on the Chinese?" asked Lim, ( left ) adding that he was "shocked" by Rais' unusual statement, challenging him to name the Chinese organisations which actually asked for the legalisation of Sports betting.

"I don't think that any Chinese organisation ever asked for sports betting, like Umno is claiming.

"It seems that Umno is more interested in gambling, than the Chinese or other non-Muslims... Not only is he looking (to use them) to cross the bridge (legalise sports betting), he wants to find scapegoats also (as an excuse)," he alleged.

The Bagan parliamentarian also questioned the government's "perverse logic" that it must legalise sports betting just because underground gambling existed.

He challenged the government to also legalise sand being exported to Singapore since that illegal activity has been rampant for sometime.