COMMENT BY YB PROF DR P.RAMASAMY, DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER II, PENANG
The holier than thou PAS’ leaders are saying that something that is harmful cannot be defended as human rights. As such, the decision by the Kedah state to ban 4D gambling outlets and restriction on the sale of alcohol are defensible on the grounds that they are harmful immaterial of ethnicity or religious affliction of individuals.
This argument of the harmful effects of gambling and alcohol is buttressed by the religious stand that Islam forbids such practices.
PAS has gone on to say that since the non-Muslims faiths are against these vices, there is nothing for the non-Muslims to complain.
It is plain rubbish to say that non-Muslims are saying that the ban on gambling or alcohol consumption are violation of human rights. I am not sure about the PAS’ religious stand, but I am sure that non-Muslim faiths are not asking for ban on these vices.
Non-Muslim faiths might discourage the consumption of alcohol or gambling, but I am not sure about that non-Muslim faiths are calling for an outright ban. Therefore, PAS leaders have no business to invoke religions other than Islam to justify the move against gambling and alcohol sales and consumption.
If PAS leaders are so knowledgeable about the rights and wrongs, how can they explain the problem of drug addiction, corruption, instances of child molestation and others.
Despite the laws again these acts, they are widespread. Can PAS’ give a guarantee that once the two items are outlawed, the indulgence and consumption of alcohol will cease one and for all.
Can PAS guarantee that sale of alcohol and gambling might go underground posing far more problems to society in comparison when they were legalised and regulated.
I am sure that PAS cannot answer my questions that I have posed.
Banning what is considered by PAS as offensive is not the same thing as how others see and understand the consumption of alcohol or gambling.
If Muslims in the country feel that their religion forbids them from indulging in these vices, so be it.
I am sure that the general Muslim population in the country are tolerant and understanding of the feelings and sentiments of the non-Muslims.
It is not that all non-Muslims engage in these two activities; far from it. There are non-Muslims who regard these as “vice” activities to be avoided. There are non-Muslims who regard these as activities not sanctioned by their respective faiths.
I am sure that there are Muslims who might see alcohol consumption and gambling from a different perspective than PAS. Even Umno and Bersatu might disagree with the actions of PAS from a broader perspective.
PAS cannot claim that it is the only Muslim voice in the country. It cannot expect both Muslims and non-Muslims to understand its distorted reality as to the recent ban on gambling and alcohol.
PAS might invoke the religious morality behind the ban and restrictions.
But for the party that is struggling to gain a foothold in the Malay-Muslim heartland, politics is everywhere and everything is politics.
Devoid of politics, the party will probably sink in its own quagmire of ignorance and obscurantism.
PAS can talk about restrictions on Muslims given its shallow high ground on religious morality. It cannot speak on behalf of the non-Muslims on the grounds of morality.
The non-Muslims are fully aware of the wolf in the sheep’s skin.
Whether alcohol and gambling are harmful or not, let the non-Muslims decide.
PAS should back off with its holier than attitude.
