A 'stupid play of words' over sports betting, says DAP

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP National Publicity Secretary Tony Pua on Monday, June 21 demanded a clear answer instead of a "stupid play of words" following the uncertain status of Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd's sports betting licence.

The uncertainty is over the crucial difference in Ascot Sports apparently receiving government approval to operate sports betting although the company had yet to be issued a license.

At a press conference in parliament's lobby on Monday, Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara-DAP) urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to publicly state the status of the sports betting licence sought by Ascot Sports instead of "playing with words" and "telling half-truths".

Pua noted that Najib was "probably technically correct" in saying the government had yet to re-issue the sports betting licence to Ascot Sports, given that approval and license were separate things.

"It is becoming a stupid play of words, the hiding of truth. The PM cannot just leave it at that. He is destroying confidence in our financial market and as PM and finance minister, he needs to rectify this immediately," Pua said.

Ascot Sports is the private vehicle of Berjaya Corporation Bhd chairman and CEO Tan Sri Vincent Tan, who owns a 70% stake in the private company while the remainder is held by Tan's eldest son Datuk Robin Tan Yeong Ching.


Written by Chua Sue-Ann