Kuala Lampur, Aug. 13 -- In the case of Kerajaan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman & Anor v Lee Bak Chui & Ors and other appeals [2026], the facts were straightforward.

The first appellant was the government of the State of Kedah and the second appellant was the Menteri Besar of Kedah, who presided over the Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Kedah (Exco).

The respondents were pool betting operators, agents, premises operators, and persons directly affected by the cessation of renewals of business premises licences for federally licensed pool betting operations in Kedah.

STM Lottery Sdn Bhd and ENE (Penang) Sdn Bhd held pool betting licences issued by the Minister of Finance under Section 5 of the Pool Betting Act 1967 (PBA). The individual agents ...