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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sports Toto failed to prove Perlis gaming ban decision, says court
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 By: Ho Kit Yen, FMT Text Size: The High Court in Kangar refused STM Lottery Sdn Bhd and four others leave to bring judicial proceedings against the Perlis state government, saying the application was 'frivolous'. PETALING JAYA: The Kangar High Court dismissed a bid by Sports Toto Malaysia and four others to revive their gaming business in Perlis, saying the application failed to identify any 'official decision' that could be made subject to judicial review. Justice Arik Sanusi Yeop Johari said the applicants had not identified any decision by the Perikatan Nasional-led state government that had impacted their livelihood. Advertisement Instead, they relied on printed and online news reports about the state's purported refusal to issue lottery operators licences for business premises, the judge said. 'The applicants only cited printed and online news reports (about the purported decision). 'These news reports cannot be considered an 'official decision' made by the state government, and thus the application is frivolous,' Arik said in a judgment issued last week. The judgment set out the grounds for a decision he had handed down last year. The applicants – STM Lottery Sdn Bhd, Leong Jenn Kiang, Chin Soo Shian, C Santha and Yip Kok Chyun – are appealing the decision to the Court of Appeal. They are seeking to quash the Kangar municipal council's decision not to renew the licences for their business premises, thereby preventing them from operating their lottery business. They contend that matters relating to the issuance of gaming licences are within the purview of federal law. For that reason, they said the state authorities' decision was irrational, ultra vires the powers vested in the municipal council and the state government, and contravened the Federal Constitution. However, Arik said the application for leave to bring judicial review proceedings was bound to fail for lack of a formal decision. The judge added that even if such a decision had been made, the matter was one of policy. 'The court does inquire into policy making decisions,' he said. The applicants' appeal will come up for case management in the Court of Appeal on June 16. Parallel case in Kedah Meanwhile, a High Court in Alor Setar last year quashed the Kedah government's refusal to renew the licences of several pool betting agents, their companies and officers. The court held that the state government had overstepped its powers under the Federal Constitution in doing so. It said pool betting and lotteries were matters within the federal government's purview, and that the state government had no power to ban them. The state government's appeal from that decision was heard by the Court of Appeal on May 26, which has reserved its judgment. The appeal has been fixed for case management on June 24. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Muslim convert fails in bid to return to Christianity
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 By: Ho Kit Yen, FMT Text Size: The Court of Appeal today reaffirmed that shariah courts have exclusive jurisdiction in cases involving the renunciation of Islam, and the civil courts cannot interfere. PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal here has dismissed a Muslim convert's attempt to renounce Islam and revert to his original faith of Christianity. Justice M Nantha Balan, who chaired a three-judge panel, held that the man's appeal had no merit. Advertisement Sitting with him were Justices Nazlan Ghazali and Azmi Ariffin. The 47-year-old man married a Muslim woman in 2010. However, they divorced five years later. In 2016, he filed an application in the shariah court to renounce Islam, but was ordered to attend 'counselling sessions' instead. The shariah court subsequently dismissed his renunciation application and ordered that he undergo further counselling sessions. The man's appeal to the shariah appeals court was also rejected. He then turned to the civil courts seeking to nullify the shariah court's decision, and sought a declaration that he is entitled to profess his original faith. His legal challenge was dismissed by the High Court in 2023. Nazlan, who read out the judgment today, said the civil court had no jurisdiction to hear cases from the shariah courts. 'This is not a case of him never being a Muslim but a renunciation (of Islam). 'We affirm that shariah courts have the exclusive jurisdiction to hear these cases and civil courts cannot interfere,' he added. The court also noted that the shariah court had dismissed the man's application to renounce Islam on grounds that the evidence presented was 'insufficient'. 'He can apply again before the shariah court,' Nazlan said, noting that there had been cases of successful renunciations. The court made no order as to costs. The man was represented by lawyers Iqbal Harith Liang and Firdaus Danial Tan, while senior federal counsel Idayu Amir appeared for the federal government. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
