DAP blames lottery fiasco

PETALING JAYA: The DAP believes that the ban on the sale of lottery tickets and the prohibition against Valentine’s Day celebrations affected Chinese votes in the Kerdau and Merlimau by-elections. DAP Socialist Youth chief Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the approach taken by PAS on the two issues recently had created fear and confusion among the Chinese. “I do not deny the possibility that the bans would have dampened the number of Chinese votes and affected the results,” he said yesterday. Loke said the blanket ban on the sale of lottery tickets in Kelantan was uncalled for. “The rights and feelings of non-Muslims must be looked into,” he said. He added that the DAP would bring these issues up at a Pakatan leadership council meeting soon. DAP national vice-chairman Tan Kok Wai said Pakatan’s election machinery was gaining momentum at the two constituencies until the ban on lottery ticket sales was announced – a few days before polling day. “I think that at a certain level, it affected the by-elections’ outcome.” Tan, who is also DAP national elections chief, said PAS’ decision violated basic human rights. “The party should lift the ban because gambling is an individual’s personal choice. “If gambling is against one’s religion, then the person should not do it, but don’t suppress the freedom of choice of others.”