PORT DICKSON: Perikatan Nasional won't adopt the Kedah caretaker government's policy of banning gambling including 4D gaming outlets in Negri Sembilan should it rule the state, says a coalition candidate in the state polls.
Chuah candidate Tang Jay Son, 49, of Gerakan, noted the difference between Kedah and Negri Sembilan.
"The Muslim population in Kedah exceeds 80%, so the local government takes the majority ethnic group as the main consideration when formulating state policies.
"But in Chuah, the Chinese voters exceed 57%. In a multiracial state, the policies must take diversity and mutual respect into consideration.
"Kedah and Terengganu have a majority-Muslim population, so the local government policies will favour the majority ethnic group, but here (Chuah) is different," he explained.
Tang said if Perikatan wins the state, gambling and lottery outlets will not be closed, adding that the gaming industry pays taxes to the government.
"I don't deny that the voters here are concerned about PAS being in power.
"So, it's Gerakan's responsibility to explain to the voters that Islam is the country's official religion and that respecting each other is the first step," he said.
Tang said Gerakan's role within Perikatan is to monitor, check and balance the formulation of policies.
"If any policies appear unfavourable to other races, we will urge our allies to rectify them and ensure a balanced approach, and we will remind PAS to govern fairly," he added.
His contender from Pakatan Harapan, Yew Boon Lye, 52, reminded Gerakan that the closure of gaming outlets lies with the state government.
"If Gerakan fails to secure any seats in the state election, it will have no power to prevent PAS from making decisions regarding such matters," said the PKR candidate.
He also said various outlets have reminders that Muslims are not allowed to participate in betting, so the government should respect the people's freedom and choice.
He also opined that the so-called "green wave" that propelled Perikatan to unexpected gains in the 15th General Election would unlikely to take hold in Negri Sembilan.
"The people of Negri Sembilan live in harmony among all ethnic groups," he said.
The Kedah government stopped renewing the operating licences of all gaming outlets from Jan 1.
Chuah is a state seat located within the Port Dickson parliamentary constituency.
According to the Election Commission, the state seat has 15,095 voters - Chinese (57.45%), Indians (24.13%), Malays (18.12%) and others (0.3%).
Both Tang and Yew are making their electoral debut.
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