Kuala Lampur, Aug. 28 -- On August 15, I wrote that the Kedah State's decision not to renew business licences for pool betting operators was ruled by the Court of Appeal as 'ultra vires' the Federal Constitution.

Three days earlier, the Federal Court had dismissed the Kedah State government's application seeking leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's ruling, that had quashed its decision to cease the issuance and renewal of business licences for pool betting operators in the state.

Federal Court Judge Rhodzariah Bujang, who delivered the apex court's unanimous decision, said that the state government had failed to meet the threshold requirement under Section 96(a) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 for leave to be granted.

In ...