The federal government's recent decision to re-issue a sports betting licence to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd continues to be the popular topic - this time in Parliament, as independent and opposition parliamentarians submitted their questions.

This is in addition to widespread opposition and public demonstrations against the licence issued to the company owned by business tycoon Vincent Tan.

vincent tan sports betting Tan ( right ) had recently defended sports betting and said that he will donate to charity the proceeds - amounting to half a billion ringgit - from the sale of Ascot Sports to the Berjaya Group.

"What is the fun of watching sports without betting," he had quipped.

Up to four questions and one motion with regards to sports betting were recorded in today's order paper, one each from Tian Chua (PKR-Batu), Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas), Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) and Anthony Loke (DAP-Rasah).

Tian Chua wanted the government to reveal why it cancelled the licence in 2004 and its rationale in reissuing it now.

"Why did the government issue the licence without open tender?" he asked further.

Ibrahim and Khalid wanted the government to explain why it persisted with issuing the licence in spite of it clearly contravening Islamic values and facing strong opposition from various segments of society.

Loke asked whether the government had considered the impact that the legalising of sports betting will have on society.

"The goverment should also justify why it approved the licence to Ascot Sports, why was the company chosen?" asked Loke in his question.

zulkifli noordin Zulkifli Noordin (Independent-Kulim Bandar Baru) went a step further, following up with a motion for debate, moving for the house to urge to government to cancel the sports betting licence.

"It contradicts Syariah law and may give the wrong impression to youths that sports and gambling go hand in hand," said Zulkifli ( left ) in his motion.

Due to lack of time, the questions were not answered this morning. But written answers are expected later today or early tomorrow.

Zulkifli's motion however may also not see parliamentary debate as priority will be given to government business.

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