[CaRe]

M'sian firm suspends SMS contest after warnings that it resembles gambling

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S second largest mobile phone company has suspended a short message service (SMS) contest offering new cars for winners after Islamic authorities warned it contained elements of gambling.

In a brief statement received on Friday, Celcom said it would temporarily halt its '100 days, 100 cars' SMS campaign until Tuesday.

The move came after the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, a government institution handling religious affairs, advised Celcom to halt the contest until its Syariah advisory panel decides on Tuesday whether it is permissible under Islam.

Under the SMS contest running June 2 to Sept 9, subscribers who answer the most quiz questions correctly each day will win a new Toyota car.

Each SMS costs RM5 (S$2.14) instead of the average RM0.20. Celcom officials have defended the high cost, saying each SMS also comes with new mobile content such as ring tones for participants.

Islamic religious leaders said the mechanism of the contest resembles gambling which is forbidden under Islamic laws.

'In Islam, we call this gambling. Such contests should be stopped because you pay (but you) buy nothing,' said Mohamad Asri Zainul Abidin, the mufti of northern Perlis state on Friday.

Consumers may end up being saddled with high phone bills in the hope of winning, he warned.

Ethnic Malay Muslims make up about 60 per cent of Malaysia's 27 million people.

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department has no formal power to order Celcom to stop the contest but its decision is supported by the government which will put pressure on Celcom to comply. Celcom is a unit of Telekom Malaysia.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a minister in charge of religious affairs, recently said corporate companies should seek the advice of religious experts before launching such contests. -- AP

[Voodoo Vince]

No life. Contest only, yet they think too much.