World · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia's gambling premises numbers stable since 1990s, Finance Ministry says
The Finance Ministry has responded to claims by Kedah's chief minister that the government lacks control over gambling activities in the state, asserting that the number of licensed gambling premises has remained unchanged for three decades.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Ministry of Finance has moved to counter assertions that gambling operations in Kedah operate without adequate government oversight, stating that the total number of licensed gambling premises nationwide has remained constant since the 1990s.
The ministry's clarification comes after the Kedah chief minister made statements suggesting a lack of governmental control over gambling activities within the state. Officials indicated that the stability in premises numbers demonstrates consistent regulatory oversight across the country.
The Finance Ministry's position underscores the government's maintained stance on gambling regulation, with licensing and control mechanisms remaining in place to monitor such establishments. The assertion reflects broader efforts by federal authorities to maintain control over the gambling sector despite periodic claims regarding enforcement effectiveness at the state level.
The comments highlight ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities regarding regulatory responsibility and implementation. The Finance Ministry's data on premises numbers serves as a key metric in assessing whether gambling operations have expanded beyond government control, with officials maintaining that current figures indicate effective management of the sector.