PAS Calls for Malaysia Gambling Licence Review

PAS has called on Malaysia’s federal government to reconsider its approach to issuing and renewing gambling licences, including the possibility of stopping new licences, as part of efforts to address what the party describes as the social and moral harms associated with gambling.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the proposal was approved without debate through a motion at the party’s 72nd muktamar. The motion was submitted by Baling PAS during the gathering at the Pusat Tarbiah Islamiah Kelantan.

The motion also highlighted the Kedah government’s previous efforts to stop renewing local business licences for 4D betting and lottery outlets from January 1, 2023.

Federal Court Ruling on Kedah Licences

On August 12, the Federal Court rejected the Kedah government’s bid to overturn a Court of Appeal decision preventing the state administration from refusing to renew local business licences for pool betting and lottery businesses solely because of their gambling activities.

Fadhli said the court decisions demonstrated the restrictions faced by state governments and local authorities when attempting to impose tighter controls on gambling premises.

According to the PAS information chief, gambling and licensing matters are subject to the division of powers established under the Federal Constitution.

PAS Seeks Federal Government Action

The motion approved at the muktamar calls on the federal government, through the Ministry of Finance, to review its policy governing the issuance and renewal of gambling licences.

It also proposes that the government consider stopping the issuance of new gambling licences.

PAS MPs are further being urged to bring the issue before the Dewan Rakyat and seek a review of relevant federal laws. The proposed amendments would aim to give state governments clearer and lawful authority to adopt stricter policies governing gambling premises.

The party said the objective is to ensure that efforts to restrict gambling activities are supported by a clear legal basis.

Limits on State and Local Authority Powers

The court rulings have placed renewed focus on the division of responsibilities under the Federal Constitution.

Gambling and licensing fall under federal jurisdiction, limiting the ability of state governments and local authorities to impose restrictions on gambling premises.

The Court of Appeal had previously determined that state authorities could regulate business licences according to factors connected with the premises. These included building conditions, safety requirements, sanitation, nuisance concerns and the suitability of locations.

Details of the PAS Motion

The motion adopted at the 72nd PAS muktamar combines a request for federal policy changes with calls for parliamentary action and stronger state-level legal and administrative measures.

PAS MPs are expected to raise the matter in the Dewan Rakyat and seek amendments to the relevant federal legislation. The proposed changes are intended to provide states with clearer legal scope to introduce stricter policies concerning gambling premises.

The motion also calls on state governments administered by PAS and Perlis to strengthen existing laws, local authority policies and administrative mechanisms.

PAS said these measures should provide a firm legal foundation for efforts aimed at curbing gambling activities.

Next Steps for PAS

Following the muktamar decision, PAS will pursue the issue at both federal and state levels.

The party intends to call on the Ministry of Finance to review the gambling licence framework, while its MPs will raise the matter in the Dewan Rakyat and seek potential amendments to federal laws.

PAS and Perlis-administered state governments are also expected to examine existing laws and administrative mechanisms concerning gambling premises.

The Federal Court and Court of Appeal rulings remain central to the issue, highlighting the limits on state governments’ ability to reject licence renewals solely because of gambling concerns.

The PAS motion therefore links the Kedah licensing dispute and the court decisions with its broader call for federal policy changes, parliamentary action and stronger state-level measures.