A high-powered MCA delegation to Kelantan to resolve the state’s imposition of a lottery ban resulted in a stalemate with the former saying it may resort to the courts to protect the rights of non-Muslims.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the decision by the Kelantan state government under PAS, to impose the lottery ban was a violation of the fundamental rights of non-Muslims as stipulated in the constitution, reports Bernama.
"MCA is not encouraging gambling but we oppose the ban as it is the ‘fundamental right’ of non-Muslims to have the freedom of choice to gamble if they so wished.
"We (MCA) cannot accept the explanation from PAS leaders and we will discuss the matter at the Central Committee level before deciding on the next course of action," he told reporters after a meeting with state government leaders of Kelantan in Kota Darul Naim here today.
Apart from Dr Chua, MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong and MCA vice president Wee Jeck Seng were among the MCA delegation that met the leaders.
The PAS-led Kelantan government declared earlier this month that it would ban the sale of lottery tickets and has dug its heels in despite drawing flak from Pakatan Rakyat ally, DAP.
DAP had warned that PAS’ hard-line stance on gambling would only slash Chinese support for the party.
Kelantan was represented by deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, deputy Speaker Ahmad Zaki Ibrahim, state chairman for Local Government, Tourism and Culture Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan and Entrepreneurial Development, Commerce and Unity committee chairman Datuk Annuar Tan Abdullah.
Takiyuddin said the meeting was not a dialogue but rather to brief and explain the Kelantan government’s decision and policy on the issue since it was not a new matter since it was the case since 1990.
"We welcome such meetings and discussions to explain such issues in detail. We held a meeting with all the races then and they had agreed for such a ban," he said.
