BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ

The nation loses billions of ringgit in revenue annually from illegal gambling and despite the cogent reasons given by a growing number of Malaysians to legalize all forms of gambling the government is dead set against it because it is ‘haram’ or gambling is prohibited by Islam.

But why take the cue from the Islamic religion because although Islam is the official religion of the nation, Malaysia as enshrined under the Federal Constitution is not an Islamic state and therefore it is up to an individual to decide if they want to gamble.

Muslims, according to the stance of their faith should be barred from gambling and punished if caught in the act but non Muslims should be given the freedom and liberty to decide if they want to gamble in a free state.

The reason why all forms of gambling should be legalized is because in Malaysia the ugly truth is that illegal gambling is actually operated by a nexus formed between rogue politicians, corrupt police officers and the underworld vice kingpins.

Since illegal gambling takes place in no man’s land, this nexus of evil dictates terms and conditions to punters often resulting in cheating and taking advantage of gamblers as they bend and break the rules according to their whims and fancies.

The right and proper thing the government should do is legalize all forms of gambling, supervise, regulate and monitor by issuing permits and licenses, collect revenue and educate gamblers to play responsibly.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher