Thousands rally against sports betting

A large protest against the federal government’s decision to legalise sports betting was held after Friday prayers at the sleepy hollow of Bachok, Kelantan this afternoon.

Organised by the Anti-Gambling Campaign, otherwise known by its Malay acronym Keji, the demonstration drew 2,000 angry protestors.

Protestors were seen wearing arm bands embossed with pictures conveying the message that football was acceptable, but not gambling.

They also unfurled posters and banners demanding that the government withdraw the sports betting licence issued to Ascot Sports, owned by politically connected tycoon Vincent Tan.

The location of the demonstration was strategically chosen, because it was the hometown of Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin, who led Umno to a dismal attempt to capture Kelantan from PAS in the 2008 general elections.

"Malaysia is not a gambling den, it is not part of the Malay culture, Chinese culture, Siamese culture or Indian culture," bellowed one of the participant.

"Awang Adek lives nearby and we hope all this noise reaches his ears," he added, drawing shouts of Allahu akbar .

Addressing the crowd, Kuala Krai MP and PAS treasurer Hatta Ramli said Awang would have been Menteri Besar of Kelantan now if Umno had succeeded two years ago.

Demands for licence withdrawal

"Imagine, the Menteri Besar of Kelantan making the announcement (defending sports betting)? I think the people of Bachok were wise to reject him then," said Hatta.

This attempt will fail as no party would support any rise in gambling, he said.

"We demand that the licence be withdrawn... if not, it is the biggest treachery to our religion and country," said Hatta.

Later at a press conference, Hatta expressed apprehension that the recognition could be extended to other football matches, for the instance, the English Premier League (ELP).

"If the gambling culture expands greatly, we cannot stop it... it will be disastrous. Therefore we cannot tolerate it any longer.

"If this is Umno's way of boosting the nation's wealth, maybe they should withdraw and let people with brains handle the task," he added.

Across the nation, thousands more expressed their discontent in a concurrent protest against sports gambling.

People's power on display

In Kedah, 1000 PAS members and NGOs congregated at the Dataran Zero in Sungai Petani for 45 minutes after Friday prayers, bearing posters which read "We protest against sports betting" (photo, right) .

In Perlis, 500 people chanted "Tolak judi (reject gambling)" with some using loud hailers, in the Masjid Putra Kangar compound.

They were also carrying banners which read "Rakyat Benci Judi dan Pemimpin Judi (The people hate gambling and leaders who gamble)"

Selangor saw more than 500 attend simultaneous protests at three mosques in Kuala Selangor, Hulu Langat and Selayang.

In Malacca 500 protestors held banners which read "Yes to football, no to gambling" at the demonstration which took place in Masjid al-Azim.

Also present there were representatives from the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) and Pertubuhan Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM).

According to Penang PAS Youth Secretary Md Nor Harun, hundreds more gathered at several mosques in Penang, including Masjid Bayan Baru and the iconic Masjid Kapitan Keling.

Although 10 police officers were present to monitor the Sungai Petani protest, all events ended peacefully.

The nationwide protest follows last week's demonstrations which took place in Penang, Perak, Selangor, Terengganu and Negeri Sembilan.

There was also another protest at Masjid Jamek, Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur prior to that.

The demonstration was part of a nationwide roadshow to drum up support for a mammoth rally on July 3, where thousands of demonstrators are expected to converge in Kuala Lumpur to deliver a protest petition to the King.