The government of the Malaysian state of Kedah has placed a ban on all 4d lottery shops, as reported by Mothership.
Reports have stated that the Chief Minister of Kedah, Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, has ‘immediately’ enforced the ban and will not renew the gambling licenses of any 4d lottery shops. Additionally, no new gambling licenses will be issued to new retail outlets.
Citing religious reasons, Muhammad Sanusi raised concerns that gambling can have a negative effect on people, institutions and civilisation when explaining the ban.
Sanusi added that people who still wish to purchase 4d lottery tickets can travel to neighbouring states including Penang.
The ban has seen Sanusi receive political backlash, with opponents publicly speaking out against the ban.
T Mohan, the Vice President of the Barisan Nasional coalition, told Mothership that the ban was a ‘cheap publicity’ stunt, claiming that a more appropriate measure would have been to reduce the number of retailers allowed to sell lottery tickets.
Meanwhile, Chong Sin Woon, the Secretary-General of the party, stated that the government should respect multiculturalism, claiming that the ban only serves the Muslim members of the community.
Sanusi is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party and stated he did not want to be scolded by people who would discredit him if he did not impose the ban.