Hamzah promises to end gambling

SAMBAS, West Kalimantan: Presidential candidate Hamzah Haz promised on Sunday that if he were elected, the eradication of gambling dens would be his first priority.

Gambling was the reason for the moral depravity in the nation and it hindered the economy, claimed Hamzah, who is also the leader of the Muslim-based party United Development Party (PPP).

Gambling dens had also become the cash cows for many government and security officials, and they used the money to retain their positions in the government by buying people off, he alleged. -- Antara