Gambling in Kedah: Anwar will be 'cursed' if it resumes, says Sanusi

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will be cursed by Kedahans if he allows gambling activities to resume in the state, warned Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor.

Speaking in Alor Setar, Sanusi said the state government had done all it could to curb gambling when it imposed a blanket ban on gambling and lottery outlets in 2023.

However, the ban was quashed by the Federal Court on Aug 12.

Sanusi (above) said the matter now rests with Anwar, who also holds the finance minister portfolio.

“Now the ball is in the finance minister’s court. You all know who is the finance minister.

“So now, are you going to approve? Because if you do, you will be cursed (celaka) by Kedahans.

“What else can we say? Kedahans will curse you because you allow,” he said during a special briefing at the menteri besar’s official residence last night.

The session was organised by the Kedah state government’s information arm, Urus Setia Penerangan Darul Aman, to explain the implications of the court ruling.

Pray against ‘tycoons’

The PAS central leadership member also called on Kedahans to pray for divine retribution against the “tauke” (tycoons) he claimed were behind the legal challenge to the state’s gambling ban.

Sanusi said he knew the identities of those who allegedly funded the court action but would reveal their names when the time was right.

“Let us pray for their stomachs to burst. I can’t mention (their names) since the court case hasn’t been resolved.

“We will pray every day. Say their names and let God cause their stomachs to burst. Can we do this? Yes, we can.

“Because you (tycoons) are evil. We can’t do much, because you are wealthy, and in this world, those with riches will have power, because those with authority are at the beck and call of the wealthy,” said the Jeneri assemblyperson.

Sanusi also claimed that gambling, like opium, was introduced by the British and Chinese migrants in the 1900s.

According to him, the British licensing of opium and gambling benefited colonial authorities and Chinese tycoons while victimising ordinary people, including Malays and Chinese alike.

On Aug 12, the Federal Court upheld a majority Court of Appeal ruling that found Kedah’s policy of refusing to renew gambling-related business licences unconstitutional for encroaching on federal powers.

The decision ended the Kedah government’s legal bid to enforce a blanket ban on gambling and lottery outlets in the state.

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