MALAYSIAN GOVT WON'T ISSUE SPORTS BETTING LICENCE, SAYS PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government Friday decided
not to issue the sports betting licence to Ascott Sports Sdn Bhd.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the decision was made after
taking into consideration the views of various quarters which clearly showed
that the majority did not agree to the issuing of the licence.


"Since the approval was decided in principle and a survey was carried out,
although there were groups who supported as well those who did not support or
opposed the decision, it was clear to the government that a majority of the
people did not agree that the licence be issued to Ascot Sports.

"As such, I hereby wish to announce that the government has decided that the
licence will not be issued," he told reporters after chairing the meeting of
the Supreme Council of UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), the largest
component party in the ruling coalition of the country's federal government.

Najib said the licence was issued in 1989 but the company had returned it
to
the government in 1990 after suffering huge loses.

Since the company had tried to renew the licence a number of times but only
recently the government had approved the issuance of such a licence on
principle, based on a number of terms.

Najib said the government's aim was to control illegal betting that was said
to be in the region of RM10 billion, as well prevent other social problems.

At the same time the Prime Minister said the government had also decided
that Muslims were totally prohibited from being involved in any sports betting
whether buying, working or becoming a member of the Board of Directors in a
betting company.

"This condition was firmly specified by the government," he pointed out.

When asked whether the decision was agreed upon by other National Front (
Barisan Nasional - BN) component parties, he said they all accepted the decision
in the interest of the nation.

Najib who is also the Finance Minister emphasized that Ascott would not be
paid any compensation because the finance Ministry had the right to revoke any
gambling licences issued.

He said Ascott had also been informed of the decision and they understood
why the government did not issue the licence.

-- BERNAMA