By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP wants Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for allegedly misleading Parliament over the sports betting licence issue.
Its MP Tony Pua said Najib, who is also the finance minister, had misled the House when he denied issuing the licence to business magnate Vincent Tan's betting outfit, Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd.
Copies of the proposal made by Berjaya Corporation Bhd, Tan's flagship company, were distributed by Pua to the media in Parliament here as proof that Ascot Sports was given the licence.
"The Ministry of Finance has given its approval for the re-issuance of the licence to Ascot Sports to carry out sports betting operations upon certain terms and conditions,” read the proposal.
However, in its response to the queries raised by five MPs yesterday, the ministry said the government has yet to issue the licence to Ascot Sports. It added that it has not finalised the terms and conditions for the licence.
"This is in direct contradiction to what the finance minister announced yesterday," said Pua.
“We want Najib to clarify and state clearly if the government has actually issued the licence and what are the conditions," added the Petaling Jaya Utara MP.
Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussein told reporters on May 6 that the government was considering issuing the licence in light of the coming World Cup tournament in order to curb illegal gambling.
'Investors losing confidence'
Meanwhile, Pua said the confusion over the licence issue has affected investor confidence.
“On May 12, when the announcement was made, Berjaya shares traded at its highest volume for the year. It traded at 44,680,000 shares. That day, the shares hit a high of RM1.72.
"Today, after the finance minister’s announcement, the price is RM1.39. It has dropped by 19%. Who will bear the cost?” he asked.
Rasah MP Anthony Loke, who heads Pakatan Rakyat's anti-gambling taskforce, questioned why the government is keeping mum on the matter.
“Why is there not a single Finance Ministry official denying that the licence has not been issued? The impression is that the licence has been given. This has confused the public, especially investors.
“If the licence has not been given, why is the prime minister so afraid in denying it? He continues to keep mum on the matter,” he added.
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