Najib Tun Razak’s brave decision: No sports betting licence !!!

The Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak pleasantly surprised the majority of the Rakyat with his decision on the sports betting licence. There was rife speculation that he would ‘crumble’ to the many “powerful pressures” exerted upon him to approve the sports betting licence. This proves that the Prime Minster listens to the Rakyat. Contrary to some speculations too, this is also proves this PM can make up his own mind. Congratulations PM Sir!

 

If you know the “powerful” links and the “political temptations” of the gaming industry in this country, you will also realize that this is a courageous decision made by the Prime Minister. In a sense he has made a “Rakyat decision” and probably has upset some powerful elitists. I don’t think such a decision has ever been made by any PM since Merdeka in the gaming industry.

You will also note that there have never been any discussions on the effects of the gaming industry on the regular patrons. It is almost as if even the mainstream media is under “hush –hush” understanding with relevant parties on the issue. I am just speculating here!

You will also note that this country totally lacks “clinics” or avenues for addictive gamblers to seek counseling or cure. Ashamedly, even the legal gaming operators do not even sponsor any such clinics. Compulsive gamblers are sick people and they need help. They are not bad people who deserve only punishment.

I do hope however that this courageous decision by the PM will be followed by another courageous act – to re-evaluate the massive gaming industry in the country.

Kudos to you Honourable PM Sir! You have saved many families.

Peace !

Khairy Jamaludin: Umno Youth Against Sports Betting Licence !

The sports gambling betting licence issue has indeed brought forth much debate and diverse views.

UMNO Youth seems clearly against the issuance of the licence as is evident from the UMNO Youth Chief’s website. YB Khairy Jamaludin essentially cites three concerns of UMNO Youth and in brief, they are as follows (as I understand):

1. That the issuance of the betting licence is not well received by the majority of Malaysians, irrespective of race. The Muslims too are not convinced that there exists guarantees that some Muslims will not be involved in this form of gambling. Further, many Non-Muslims too are against it especially since there are some quarters who claim that gambling is part of the Non-Muslim culture.

2. The argument that since there is already illegal gambling, therefore, it is better to legalise it does not hold water. The more reasonable and practical approach will be to strengthen the enforcement against illegal gaming in the country. That such enforcement against illegal gaming should be consistent through the year and not seasonal.

3. Questions arise as to why Ascot should prematurely announce that they have been given the license when the Government has yet to make a decision.

You may read the entire statement here.

UMNO Supreme Council member and Deputy Minister of Education, YB Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi is also against sports betting. He feels that the culture of gambling in the country should be reversed. You may read further here. His post in his facebook inviting comments and feedback on the sports betting issue had attracted many feedbacks – almost all against the sports betting and other forms of gambling.

The StarOnline reports that “Former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has backed legal sports betting saying that it will help regulate gambling among non-Muslims”.


Sun2Surf reports as follows: “Legalised sports betting is "not a problem" in Malaysian society, Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Rais Yatim said today”. It further reports: “Rais urged everyone, including politicians and public to view the issue in the perspective of respecting the rights of non-Muslims”.

What is your view?

Peace !

THE SAGA TO LEGITIMISE SPORTS GAMBLING

By Ramlan Kamal

Malaysia is a Muslim country, where already most forms of betting/ gambling are allowed. In non-Muslim countries like Thailand, Vietnam, India and even China, a much stricter and restrictive approach is taken in legitimising gambling, in any form.

A quick and pertinent snapshot to what gambling are already given licence in Malaysia:-

Type	Predominant Players/ Patrons (Income Group)
1.     Casino	Upper Middle & Middle
2.     Jackpots	Middle
3.     Horse Racing	All
4.     Numbers & Lotto betting	Middle-Low & Low

5.     Sports betting (if allowed)

All, including Youths

For the numbers and lotto betting (i.e. magnum 4-D, 1+3D, Toto), it is estimated that, at least 50% - 60% are patronized by the non-Chinese. So, the argument by an ex-PM, that it is OK to legitimise sports betting (for the Chinese, as claimed), does not hold water. And it is precarious, if one extends the argument that, since sports gambling is happening anyway (i.e. illegally) we might as well legitimise it, to other misdeeds in society (like snatch thefts, robbery, rape, etc.).

It does appear (over the last two weeks) that concerted and ‘orchestrated’ efforts were made (by Police, political leaders and parties) to bring to the fore on activities of illegal sports (especially football) bookies. But we all know these activities have been going on for years. Suddenly now (in the midst of a company attempting to get a licence to operate sports betting), there is a frenzy to show the dark side of illegal gambling. Off course, suspicions are abound that monetary considerations must have taken place to spur and shift public opinion to support the move to legitimise sports gambling.

It is perhaps alright for Singapore to legitimise sports betting, as it is, by and large, a middle class nation. One can argue that their populace can afford it. Already our country’s financial and competitive position does not appear strong and in need of dire turnaround. Now, the Government is making an initiative that will further impoverish our populace (mostly the middle-low and low income group), and enriching only a set of already highly-privileged tycoons. Not that the Government is contemplating to increase its taxes on gambling, so that a more sizeable chunk can be channelled back to the citizenry (assuming there is genuineness to do this).

Seriously, Government should make efforts to check and verify, on who patronizes all the various gambling outfits and joints in Malaysia, and see whether it is actually predominantly the Chinese who are gambling or the entire spectrum of Malaysians.

One also wonders, how come the Malaysian ‘ulamaks’ are very tight-lipped over this whole issue of legitimising sports gambling.

It is high-time that the ruling parties running this beloved country of ours, start pondering about new models/ paradigms of getting political funding. If we want to achieve a First Nation status (as envisioned in the NEM), lets start legitimising political funding first. The Westerners and other developed countries have done this. This would be a crucial step in turning-around Malaysia, in particular to avoid and stop repeating our wastages of the past.

As a Muslim country, Malaysia should not be overzealously legitimising gambling. Those existing are already superfluous and bad enough. We all know gambling is one of the root causes of social ills. Government cannot be seen to be supporting this kind of eventual outcome. There are other ways for countries to earn more. For us, address the leakages out of unnecessary expenditures, mismanagement of income sources from GLCs, Inland Revenue and Customs.   These ought to be the focus and priority.

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Encik Ramlan Bin Kamal is essentially involved in the logistics industry in the country, among other things.

Will the Government take heed?

Latest news on the consequences of making our society into a gambling society. It appears that addictive gamblers are turning to loan sharks and literally paying for it with their dignity, freedom and sometimes life. Some men were chained and locked up by loan sharks for defaulting on loans.

According to Datuk Michael Chong some 80% of the 870 cases involving loan sharks recorded by the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department since January last year involved habitual gamblers. In this process the family of the gamblers become victims.

Does'nt anyone in the Government know that gambling is addictive and kills families?

Can someone in the Government explain why we have turned the Klang Valley into a casino by having more than 65 slot machines clubs?

Who is making the money? At whose expense?

PEACE !

MOMENTUM FOR A KINDER SOCIETY 2- GAMBLING TAKES LIFE AWAY !

Jon pour do care, a Rapera has this story to share:

Once had an uncle who was in the horse racing bizness (and also a horse trainer !). Used to get some 'pep talk' about life from him when I was a teenager. Remembered one day, we had this conversation about man's sins:-

Uncle: If you're a drinker, how much can you drink in one nite ?

Me: Not much ! Would puke !

Uncle: If you're a womanizer, how many women can you 'take' in one nite ?

Me : Not many ! Would 'drop dead' after that !

Uncle: If you're a gambler and gambling and loosing, how much can your loss be in one nite ?

Me: Everything I guess !

Well the morale of the story.................!

PEACE !

MOMENTUM FOR A KINDER SOCIETY - 1

Stephen Doss of Pemuda Negara joins the call for war against one-arm bandits !

You may read his interesting article here.

I understand more bloggers will be posting articles and supporting the move to return Malaysia to a kinder level by removing access to cruel addiction to one arm bandits.

GOVERNMENT LISTEN.

PEACE !

HOW CARING ARE YOU GOVERNMENT?

Listen up Government. Start caring. Nobody in politics wants to talk about it. why? Because it affects normal people like you and me.

Anas Zubedy shares his personal experience and writes:

"Once my Yed lamented that he so wished that the government can ban all gambling in this country. He wanted to stop the behaviour so much but he is so afraid that the day he stopped, his 4711 and all those numbers he was following all those years may just pop as a winning one. If gambling is banned, he need not worry about it. He need not worry about social welfare lotteries too!"

Continue reading Anas Zubedy here.

GOVERNMENT, START CARING. DO SOMETHING. THIS MAY NOT BE A GLAMOROUS PROJECT, BUT IT WILL SAVE REAL LIVES AND REAL FAMILIES.

BAN GAMBLING.

Do read outsyedthebox.

PEACE !

THE STORY BEHIND THE MACHINES !!!

Looks like this is gaining attention since the past few years, what with along problems, "secret exchange of monies" and the ordinary homes being wrecked.

Two cabinet members I had independently chatted with raised the subject of exercising control over the machines. They apparently had read my writing on the killer industries.

We'll see what takes precedence - $$$$ or the social fabric !

For further, you may it read it at bigdogdotcom.

PEACE !

Killer Industry: Gambling - Allowed or Not? WHAT IS THE REAL SECRET???

There are so many cobwebs in the mind that many are not aware of the inconsistent thinking prevalent in society. Take the issue of gambling for example.

No one will deny that gambling is addictive. It can destroy homes , create enemies, and cause good people to become thieves and cheats due to the addiction. For example, In July 2008, a Bank worker was accused of taking nearly RM550,000 from the Bank to pay off gambling debts.


Equally, we know that gambling businesses do not add anything in real terms to the economy. They only bloat the economy by the monetary demand they generate and hence inflationary. It is a business where people are prepared to feed their families by destroying others. Like drugs.

PAS has always presented itself as the puritanical party defending “Islamic principles”. Before the 8th March 2008 elections, most know that PAS adopted an anti-gambling image. Now PAS has come into power in 5 states, assuming of course that the “Pakatan” is indeed a coalition government and not an electoral pact. Logically therefore, PAS now has the opportunity to review the gambling industry in these five states. PAS members have a right to expect that.

Since it claims to be an “Islamic party”, PAS must walk its talk as Allah says in the Quran (61.03): “Grievously odious is it in the sight of God that you say that which you do not do”. Hence, the consistent thing to do is to actively review the gambling “businesses” in the 5 states. Does it? Unsurprisingly, it not only does not, it has come up with an incredulous reason that can possibly be accepted only in BolehLand.

Apparently, in the 54th PAS Muktamar, PAS has shelved a proposal to ban gambling in the four states it rules with its political allies on the grounds that “their religion allows it”. What? The Bible, The Confucius teachings, The Bhagavad-Gita, The Granth Sahib, The Sudras and other religious scriptures permit gambling? Can PAS show us one verse from any of these scriptures? Is it true that Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Bahaism and other religions permit their followers to indulge in activities that destroy themselves and their families? I do not think so and I find PAS’s reasoning absolutely insulting of other culture’s moral teachings!

If PAS is scared to wage war against gambling, just say so. Go for the easy ones like “persuading” non-Muslims to cover their head with scarves – at least you are seen as doing something ‘Islamic” by the feeble minded in society! After all, non-covering of hair does more damage to society than gambling does, according to PAS logic.

It is reported that “The MCA has slammed PAS for wanting to ban gambling and limiting the sale of alcohol in Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states”. “It does not mean we condone abuse of alcohol and gambling but why go and impose your sort of thinking on others?” said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan when asked to comment on PAS Dewan Ulama head Datuk Mohamed Daud's call on Thursday to ban gambling joints and limit alcohol-selling outlets to non-Muslim areas in the Pakatan states. What exactly is Ong Ka Chuan saying? It sounds like the logic of “we are not condoning drugs, but why go and impose your kind of thinking that drug abuse destroys the society’s fabric!

Doesn’t Ong Ka Chuan know that Datuk Michael Chong, Public Services and Complaints Department head had said : “Why are the loan sharks acting unprofessionally by granting loans to someone who has had difficulties paying them back? And now the family are the real victims and not the debtor,” said Chong.
“Most debtors are Chinese, with 80% using the money to gamble while the other 20% use it for business,” he said.
“Last year about 500 cases were recorded but this year to date, we have received 364 cases already and it is fast increasing,” said Chong

I am trying to understand: Ong Ka Chuan does not mind members of the Chinese community being destroyed by accessibility to gambling? Don’t you and Michael talk to each other? Ong, if you read this, please clarify.

What is the official position of the Government? Are they for or against gambling businesses? I assure you it gets confusing until you unravel the real secrets. Lets us consider some of the reports on police taking action against gambling syndicates.
Police on 28th July 2008 in Johor Baru busted an illegal horse racing betting syndicated dealing with RM120mil worth of bets monthly from local and foreign clients.
On 22nd July 2005, City Police Chief, ACP Azizan Abu Taat, said acting on a tip-off a police team went to an entertainment centre in Sadong Jaya, Kota Kinabalu here, about 1am and found the suspects there.
He said police seized several pieces of illegal 4-D lottery tickets and "Wah Hui" papers and RM4,400 in cash from the men, aged 25 and 28. Several men arrested in Johor Baru for illegal online gambling on 23rd January 2007

Judging by the reports, one may wrongly conclude that the Government is against gambling. But why all these police actions? After all, PAS said that it is not “against their religion” and Ong Ka Chuan says that “do not impose their kind of thinking”. So why not let the gamblers gamble? The reason is simple – it is not gambling that the Government is against. It is the running of gambling operations WITHOUT a permit/licence and therefore it becomes “illegal”.

The logic is simple, you are allowed to destroy people’s lives through a gambling business as long as it is legal ie you pay TAXES to the government! And we call ourself a caring society?

Have you ever really wondered why this topic is never covered at all by the main stream papers? Why even PAS is afraid to venture? Think, dig and you may uncover dangerous stuff. It has nothing to do with “other religions allow it” or “don’t impose this kind of thinking”.