Following the illegal move by the Kedah State Government to ban licensed gaming activities in the state, the DAP National Legal Bureau has assisted in the filing of an action for judicial review of the decision by concerned Kedahans. In a statement yesterday, DAP National Legal Bureau Chairman, Ramkarpal Singh announced that the action was on behalf of Liew Han Eng and three other Alor Setar residents who are seeking a judicial review on the Kedah Menteri Besar’s (MB) arbitrary decision to not renew licences of premises carrying out licensed gaming activities in the state.
Speaking of the judicial review application, Ramkarpal, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Gelugor asserted,
“It will be contended by the Plaintiffs, amongst others, that the decision of the Kedah State Government to not renew such gaming licences is ultra vires the Federal Constitution as the power to issue such licenses are exclusively within the jurisdiction of Parliament.”
Ramkarpal further clarified that such application was made due to the unreasonable reasoning behind the Kedah MB Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s decision which is liable to be quashed by the High Court upon a judicial review application.
Previously, the Bukit Gelugor MP criticised the Kedah State Government’s decision to arbitrarily impose a blanket rule purely on personal views that gambling activities contribute to social ills is a clear form of abuse of power. He then reminded Sanusi that the State Government is bound by laws and can’t simply ignore them.
Therefore, refusing to renew licences for these businesses is akin to telling them that their right has been denied despite complying with all necessary rules and regulations, simply because the Kedah MB wishes it. Isn’t that practically dictatorship?
In regards to judicial review application, Ramkarpal confirmed that all cause papers will be served on the relevant parties in due course. The DAP National Legal Bureau is currently hoping that an early date for the hearing would be granted for the application at the Alor Setar High Court. – The Rocket.
