Kedah MB : ban on vices only with Chinese community's agreement
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 18, 2008
Soon Li Tsin

Kedah Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak has not ruled out a ban on the sale of hard liquor and gambling in the state but this would only happen if the Chinese community agreed to it. MCPX

azizan abdul razak"If the Chinese think that gambling and drinking is fine then we will let it go on. If there are no restrictions from other religions, we’ll let it go on.

"But from how I see it, some of them don’t agree with gambling and drinking.

"So if the Buddhists or Christians say it’s wrong, then we will wait and see if we want to act against gambling and the selling of liquor," he told Malaysiakini.

There is still an air of uncertainty whether the PAS-led state government would implement a ban against vices stated in the Muslim religion.

However, Azizan remains steadfast that there will be no drastic changes in Kedah and that the implementation of Islamic law would come into force only when the people fully understood the religion.

Meanwhile, Anak Bukit state assemblyperson Amirudddin Hamzah echoed Azizan’s stand and said any new policy will only be done with consultation from the people.

"(Policy changes) will not be forced upon the people suddenly. The MB has said that the existing policies will go on. There will not be any major changes.

"If there was, it would be done with consultation and education from the people," he said.

He said liquor shops and gambling licences will carry on and be allowed to open.

"We were also made known that gambling and drinking is prohibited in other religions. Should any policy changes on these matters arise we will not do it instantly, we’ll do it step by step," he added.

Open selling of pork

In another matter, various groups have called for pork to be sold openly in Sungai Petani.

Currently in the town, pork is sold behind tinted screens and black plastic bags are used. This ruling was put in place under the previous Barisan Nasional government.

According to them, parliamentarian Johari Abdul from PKR had promised in his election manifesto that pork will be sold openly.

Azizan when quizzed on whether his government would reverse the ruling, said: "I don’t know. We have to wait and see. Right now we are focused on the development for the people."

Meanwhile, Amirudddin could not confirm if this has been discussed as he was presently in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the Kedah state executive council will be holding a meeting tomorrow and is unclear if the issue of pork will arise.

PAS formed the new state government after winning 16 out of the 36 state seats available. They also won four from the 15 parliamentary seats in Kedah.

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