OPPOSITION TO FOOTBALL GAMBLING LICENCE BECAUSE OF POLITICS - DR MAHATHIR

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), June 14 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Dr
Mahathir Mohamad said the opposition by many quarters against the move by the
government to issue a sports gambling licence is purely for political reason.

He said the government's move to issue a gambling licence in conjunction
with the World Cup football must be accepted with an open mind to check rampant
gambling.

"Probably my opinion is different from the others. Whether the gambling
licence is issued or not, gambling will still go on in the country because the
Chinese generally like to gamble.

"So if they gamble without a licence, there is no way that we can ensure
that gambling is not rampant. This is because gambling is permissible to the
Chinese, but prohibited or 'haram' to the Muslims. So, the Muslims should not
gamble. If they are found gambling, catch them," he said.

Dr Mahathir said this when asked on the licence to issue a bookie licence in
Malaysia, at a media conference after delivering a speech at a gathering of the
Gerakan Kebangkitan Rakyat (Gertak) or People's Awareness Movement, here Monday.

He said the protests made by the opposition parties, especially PAS (an
Islamist political party in Malaysia) following the move to issue the gambling
licence was more politically motivated and not because of Islam.

"Even the DAP (Democratic Action Party) is protesting, as if the DAP too is
supporting Islamic teachings. This is the politics of the opposition parties
which are looking at issues.

"We have to separate politics from religion because for PAS, religion is a
political tool for them," he said.

The government had earlier considered issuing a licence to Syarikat Ascot
Sports Sdn Bhd to undertake bookie operations in Malaysia.

However, Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also Finance Minister, had said
that the government had not finalised discussions on the terms and conditions
for the licensing with the company concerned.
-- BERNAMA