Kedah state ordered to pay RM50,000 in court costs after losing gambling licence fight
The Kedah state government must pay RM50,000 in court costs after losing a three-tier legal challenge over its ban on gambling licences, but public donations covered the bill within 24 hours.
Source: The Rakyat Post · August 16, 2026 at 7:46 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST 2026 —
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The Kedah state government must pay RM50,000 in court costs after losing a three-tier legal challenge over its ban on gambling licences, but public donations covered the bill within 24 hours.
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Yayasan Kedah Sejahtera (YKS) opened a donation drive on Saturday and closed it within a day after reaching the RM50,000 target, according to Zulkifli Yahaya, political secretary to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
The Federal Court on Aug 14 rejected Kedah’s final appeal, ordering costs of RM50,000 against the state following a unanimous decision by a three-judge panel led by Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang. The High Court had earlier struck down the state’s 2023 directive instructing local authorities not to issue or renew gambling business licences as unconstitutional.
Zulkifli said the Menteri Besar’s office had approved YKS as the collection agent. He added that funds would be verified and remitted through proper legal and financial channels once the target was reached.
“Many have asked how to contribute,” Zulkifli wrote in a social media post. “The people of Kedah have shown how great they are.”
The episode aligns with a pattern in PAS politics, where supporters have repeatedly crowdfunded legal costs for leaders and state governments after court defeats. Contributions have covered defamation damages, court fees and other liabilities, often framed as collective obligations or even jihad donations to prevent bankruptcy or political disqualification.
YKS said the donations would now be processed under its standard procedures before being paid to the winning party.