Bursa mum whether Vincent Tan did wrong

Bursa Malaysia today refused comment over the status of tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan's listed Berjaya Corporation's claim in a filing last month with the exchange that Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd had been issued a sports betting licence by the Finance Ministry, which the ministry denied yesterday.

The exchange referred The Malaysian Insider to the company's announcement of its intended acquisition of a controlling stake in Ascot Sports as it was not unconditional.

“Bursa Malaysia highlighted to Malaysian Insider that the conditions of the re-issuance of the licence is stated in the announcement made by Berjaya Corp Berhad on 12 May 2010,” a Bursa official wrote in an e-mail response to questions about whether Berjaya Corporation would be queried.

In the announcement, Berjaya Corporation had stated that “the Minister of Finance has given its approval for the re-issuance to Ascot of the licence to carry out sports betting operations upon certain terms and conditions.

MP: Who's lying - Ministy of Finance or Berjaya? MoF denied giving license to Ascot while Berjaya said already have.

Contradictory statements by the Finance Ministry and Berjaya Corporation Bhd over the controversial sports betting licence have raised questions as to who is telling the truth.

In a notice to Bursa Malaysia on May 12, the company stated: 'The Finance Ministry had given its approval for the re-issuance to Ascot of the licence to carry out sports betting operations.'

Copies of the notice were distributed this morning to journalists by Petaling Jaya MP Tony Pua, at the Parliament lobby.

Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak, in a written parliamentary reply yesterday had said the government has yet to issue the licence because public feedback is still being sought and additional terms and conditions are still being drafted.

Privileges committee denies Anwar legal counsel

The parliamentary rights and privileges committee has convened its meeting to consider the propriety of specific remarks made in the House by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Wearing a beige suit and brown-and-yellow tie, Anwar (left) entered the room about 12.35pm, a little over an hour after the session was scheduled to start.

However, he was asked to leave the room while the committee decided on his formal requests for an open hearing and legal representation.

No lawyer for Anwar- Not allow for legal lawyers in Right and Privileges hearing.MPs not allow to view the processding also.

Denied legal representation in Right and Privilege hearing.MPs also denied to view the processding.


OPPOSITION Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was denied the right to have his lawyer Datuk S. Ambiga present during a Rights and Privileges Committee hearing which started this afternoon.

Anwar, who is accused of misleading the house over the Apco Worldwide issue, attended the first part of the meeting but was asked to leave shortly afterwards.

Committee members Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) and R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) said it was disappointing the majority of the members voted against Anwar having legal representation during the hearing.

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia chaired today's meeting. The committee members present, besides Karpal and Sivarasa, were deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah), Datuk Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar) and Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong).

No entry to Anwar's hearing, MPs livid when they are allowed to join in the Anwar's Rights and Priveges hearing.

Opposition Members of Parliament were livid that they were not allowed to sit in for Anwar's Rights and Privieges hearing.

Vincent Tan takes his detractors to task-alleged only minorities protests and it all about politics.

Berjaya Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri Vincent Tan today lashed out at his detractors, saying the negative reaction to the re-issue of the sports betting licence to Ascot Sports is "all about politics".

Tan told a press conference there are "loud voices from the minority...against sports betting" but he is "totally convinced it is all about politics."

All the three Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states of Selangor, Penang and Kedah have banned sports betting, saying they will revoke the premises licence of betting outlets that collect sports bets.