PAS stands by its plan should Pakatan take over Pahang in next election
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD and NIK NAIZI HUSIN
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUANTAN: PAS is pushing ahead with its plans to shut down the casino in Genting Highlands if it takes over Pahang in the next general election.

Pahang PAS Youth chief Sharil Azman Abdul Halim said the only thing the party would allow the Genting Highlands resort to run was the theme park and other parts except the casino and gambling-related facilities.

“PAS has no intention of closing the whole place down as the highland resort is a major tourist attraction,” he said, reiterating the party’s stand on the matter.

Sharil Azman is the third person to state the party’s stand after two PAS assemblymen, Syed Hamid Syed Mohamad (Kuala Semantan) and Syed Mohammed Tuan Lonnik (Beserah), stated recently that the party could not tolerate gambling and would close the casino if the Opposition took over the state.

Sharil Azman said this in response to allegations in the state assembly that PAS intended to close down the resort if the Pakatan Rakyat coalition captures the state at the next polls.

Backbenchers Datuk Chuah Boon Seong (BN–Mentakab) and Datuk Pang Tsu Ming (BN–Semambu) had raised this matter on Wednesday.

Syed Mohammed had clarified to the two Barisan Nasional reps that only the gambling facilities would cease operations while other tourism-related activities would continue.

Shahril Azman said it was the PAS Youth wing that had come out with the proposal to shut the gambling business.

Meanwhile, when met on the sidelines of the assembly sitting, Syed Mohammed said he stood by the Islamic teaching that gambling is a sin.

“The party’s stand on gambling is also clear,” he said, adding that the country did not need to include in its coffers revenue from gambling.

He said it would be up to the Pakatan leaders to reach an amicable decision on Genting Highlands and its gambling activities should the Opposition alliance rule the state.

He said non-Muslims were free to drink and gamble and Islam did not prevent them from doing so, such as at their homes and other places of their own.

How about 4D / toto which have it's branches/offices nationwide?

My opinion is that there is no need to close those, as long as the outlets strictly bars those who cannot gamble (as prescribed by their religion).

Fair for both sides.

My opinion is that there is no need to close those, as long as the outlets strictly bars those who cannot gamble (as prescribed by their religion).

Fair for both sides.

the enforcements on BARRING certain groups very hard.

we need to think how to solve this. so both side can enjoice.

nevertheless, i support the closing down of genting casino.

Why close it as it does not permit Muslims in the first place?

Non-muslims are allowed, not the muslims, so I don't see the point, really.

Then the non-muslims should help in preventing Muslims from going in there. aka work together with Hudud system.

Win-Win situation.

I tot nonmuslim can do whatever they want. Right? Muslim bukan boleh pun masuk casino tu. Mereka kan bebas dengan pegangan dorg. Ada kan benda ni dlm piagam madinah dl? Mereka bebas menganut agama dorg, dan buat apa pn dorg nk selagi x ggu org lain. Abang, comment sikit.

Then the non-muslims should help in preventing Muslims from going in there. aka work together with Hudud system.

Win-Win situation.

But one thing, Islamic Law must be implemented, non-muslims can do whatever they like but must help in preventing Muslims from going to haram places.

That is all.

They are already prevent muslim from going in from day 1. So what is the point.

This PAS stupid till max. Win the election first than talk later lah. Before election already scare ppl vote for you already. How to win.