Pahang PAS ready to close gambling premises if it wins state in GE16

PAS MUKTAMAR | Pahang PAS has expressed its commitment to close gambling premises, including Southeast Asia’s largest casino in Genting Highlands if the party succeeds in capturing Pahang in the 16th general election.

However, Pahang PAS deputy commissioner Andansura Rabu said that the matter needs to be referred to the law to ensure it falls under the jurisdiction of the state government.

“In that aspect, we need to look at the totality of the law. If we have the power at the state level, if we can do it, we will do it.

“For example, (the casino) in Genting Highlands, the power may not be absolute for us. It might require a federal (government) decision, so we may not be able to do that.

“But anywhere within the scope of our jurisdiction, if we see things that bring harm to the people, we will take action based on the law,” he said at a press conference in conjunction with the 70th PAS muktamar at Kompleks Al-Makmur, in Kerdau, Temerloh, today.

Andansura, who is also Beserah assemblyperson, said this when asked about following in the footsteps of PAS-led state governments in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.

Eliminating societal harms

He added that it was important to support the idea that anything that could harm society should be eradicated.

“Anything that can be harmful to our society needs to be eradicated together, including gambling that we actually want to act on. It is not only Muslims who prohibit gambling.

“All religions do not allow gambling, so there is no religious reason in the issue, it is a social reason. We take care of the social welfare and well-being of the people.

“So this is harmful to us, let’s close it, but we must comply with the law and the constitution.

“So if the people of Pahang don’t like gambling, if they want to stop gambling, they have to support PAS, God willing,” he said.

‘Islam is the solution’

Pahang PAS commissioner Rosli Jabar said the matter was in line with the theme of the party’s muktamar this year - “Islam is the solution” - which covers all social, economic, and governance aspects.

Rosli said that the party also understands that the state and federal governments have different powers although there is some overlap.

“But in the concept of Islam, we mean to do what can be done at the state level. In the issue of gambling, the state’s authority may be our authority in terms of premises only.

“We can close a premise, but in the matter of a casino like Genting Highlands, we need to see from a legal point of view whether the state government can close it, if we can, God willing, we will close it,” he stressed.

Fadhli defends PAS leaders, says 'we're no angels, just human beings'

PAS opens associate membership to non-Muslims, sans atheists

PAS assembly okays constitutional change to add anti-hopping provision

PAS delegate accuses Madani govt of endorsing bids to 'bury Islam'

PAS fails to control quality of leaders and MBs, claims Perlis delegate

No sexual abuse at PAS schools, we have regulations - Hadi