The Selangor Religious Department (Jais) claims that it has been dragged into the controversy over sports betting controversy due to Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad's personal issues with Jais director-general Khusrin Munawi.

NONE "This is a national issue. Why is Khalid ( right ) relating it to personal issues? Jais director-general is neither an Umno, PAS nor PKR member. He is only an administrative officer," said Jais in a statement today.

Jais was responding to Khalid's press conference last Wednesday, where he criticised the department's failure to state its position on the federal government's decision to legalise sports betting.

Khalid also took a swipe at Khusrin, and urged the Selangor government to remove him because he "acts an an Umno agent" and was once the secretary to former Selangor Menteri Besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

In the statement, Jais also questioned why Khalid was fixated on sports betting and did not speak out on other forms of legalised gambling taking place in the state.

"What about four digits (gambling) and (Sports) Toto? Is it not forbidden in Islam?

"Why only now (PAS leaders) are holding demonstrations? (Does it mean) Khalid Samad agrees with four digits (gambling) and (Sports) Toto?," reads the statement.

Jais also stressed that gambling licences does not fall under its purview, but is controlled by the state government and local authorities.

The statement also reiterate Jais' authority to apprehend Muslims found gambling or found present in gambling premises.