Opposition party PAS will stage demonstrations in four states to protest the government’s recent decision to legalise sports betting.

The demonstrations which is being organised by the Islamic party’s youth wing will be held concurrently in Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu.

The largest protest will be at the Pengadang Baru mosque in Kuala Terengganu where more than 3,000 people are expected to take part, including PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

PAS Youth deputy chief Azman Shapawi Rani told Malaysiakini that they have decided not to apply for a permit as the protest was peaceful gathering in the mosque compound.

The gathering is also expected to see participation from the youth wings of other Pakatan Rakyat component parties.

The government has officially announced that it has re-issued the sports betting license to Ascot Sports, owned by politically well connected tycoon Vincent Tan, in time for the 2010 World Cup in next month.

This has drawn flak from several quarters, especially from opposition parties and NGOs.

Meanwhile, in Perak, state PAS vice youth chief Salman Salleh said that about 2,000 people will attend the planned demonstration at the Sultan Idris Shah II mosque in Ipoh to oppose the government’s decision.

'Umno to join in'

"Several other organisations including Umno, Pakatan component parties and NGOs will join us to protest the sports betting license," added Salman.

Salman said that the demonstration will be led by state PAS youth chief Zawawi Hassan.

In Negeri Sembilan, roughly 1,500 people will gather to demonstrate at the state mosque near Seremban after Friday prayers.

Negeril Sembilan PAS youth chief Khairil Anwar Mohd Wafa said that his movement will also invite non-Muslim Pakatan leaders to attend, including DAP youth chief Anthony Loke.

    

"We will not apply for a permit, if they want to arrest us, they can do so. Our gathering is a peaceful one. When we gathered to protest against Apco-Worldwide last time, we were not arrested," he said.

In Penang, state, PAS youth chief Mohd Yusni Mat Piah said that they will organise a demonstration at the Permatang Gajus mosque in Permatang Pauh after Friday prayers.

According to his estimates, over 1,000 Pakatan youth members will be attending.

In Selangor however, things are a bit different as there are no demonstrations planned at the state level.

But, according to state PAS youth chief Hasbullah Mohd Ridzwan, the movement has ordered its 22 PAS youth districts to organise local demonstrations in concert with the nationwide campaign.

This series of demonstrations will culminate with a massive nationwide rally on July 3, where the Islamic party will send in a memorandum of protest over the legalisation of sports betting to the Agong.