After meeting with a Pakatan Rakyat delegation today, Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat reiterated that the state government under PAS opposes all forms of gambling.

Nevertheless, he said, he would refer the state's ban on the sale of lottery tickets by street vendors to the state legal adviser.

The legal adviser would study whether the state has the power to do this, the PAS spiritual leader said in a written statement after the meeting at Parliament House this morning.

photo of a younger nik aziz Nik Aziz said Kelantan has been governed under Islamic principles since 1990, when PAS took power in the state, and that Islam prohibited Muslims from gambling or being involved in gambling-related activities.

As a result, the state government put a ban on all gambling activities in 1991, after discussing the issue with NGOs and religious leaders in the state who agreed with the ban, Nik Aziz said.

"Subsequently, the local government was directed to introduce enforcement prohibiting any premise from providing gambling services and related activities. The enforcement is in line with the power of state government and the local government," the statement said.

As for banning street vendors from selling lottery tickets, Nik Aziz said the state government was ready to listen to other views and give its explanation.

Hence, the matter would be referred to the state legal adviser, he added.

Nik Aziz also slammed the BN government led by Umno for approving various types of gambling licences that have brought negative impacts to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

He discussed the matter with the Pakatan delegation comprising DAP youth chief Anthony Loke, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, PKR information chief Muhammad Nur Manuty and PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali.

'Amicable solution reached'

After the meeting, Loke told Malaysiakini that an amicable solution had been reached.

"We are not asking the Kelantan government to re-open 4D shops, as we all know its policy all this while has been against gambling.

"What they agreed to do is to refer this matter to the state legal adviser, because there is an argument that the sale of lottery tickets on the streets comes under the federal government," Loke said.

Nik Aziz has also agreed to meet MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek on the ban, but the date is yet to be fixed.