LETTER | An Inter-Faith Group comprising members of the Muslim, Buddhist and Christian communities and other associations concerned with the problem of mini-casinos in Sabah jointly thank our Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal, once again, for his announcement that there would be no more mini-casinos and slot machine operations in Sabah.

After more than 30 years and nine chief ministers, this is the first time a chief minister took our plea seriously and made a clear and tough stand on the issue. We thank you, CM, from the bottom of our hearts! We thank the chief minister for being decisive on this matter. We believe this decision will only reap good fruits in future!

Slot machine operations were first allowed in Sabah by the 7th chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan. Since then, we have witnessed the negative effects of slot machine addiction and destruction of many individuals and families in our community.

We have been made to understand that our government has already directed all city and municipal councils not to allow anymore slot machine operations in their respective areas. We hope that the effective enforcement of this directive will be conducted as soon as possible. This is historical and will make a big difference to the social and economic landscape of Sabah.

Thank you, Chief Minister Shafie, for respecting the wishes of the people of Sabah!

We also sincerely hope that Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng will respect the decision of our chief minister and the wishes of the people of Sabah and take necessary action to revoke all existing licences and cease issuance of new licences for slot machine operations in Sabah.

This Inter-Faith Group and other concerned associations presented a copy of our Joint Letter on the matter to the MP of Kota Kinabalu, Chan Foong Hin, to be passed to the Lim Guan Eng at the DAP headquarters in Heritage Plaza, Luyang Commercial Centre in Kota Kinabalu, yesterday, May 21.

This Joint Letter is signed by:

The Committee Of Masjid Nurul Hikmah Bukit Padang

The Sabah Council Of Churches

Sabah Interdenominational Education Committee

Buddhist Foundation Of Sabah And Labuan F.T.

Kk Tzer Ying Buddhist Temple

Kota Kinabalu Buddhist Che Sze Lim (Pu Tuo Buddhist Temple)

Sabah Buddhist Association

Santavana Dharma Patron Group

Kota Kinabalu Charitable Foundation

Aloka House Sabah

Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, Sabah Branch

The Young Buddhist Association Of Malaysia

Fo Guang Shan (Malaysia)

Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia

Persatuan Alumni Seminari Teologi Sabah (Pasts)

I-link Berhad (Faith Caring Home); and

Sabah Family Care Association

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