Pahang Mentri Besar Adnan Yaakob today defended the federal government's move to
allow a second gaming centre in his state amid protests from the opposition
Islamic party.
The new gaming centre at Bukit Tinggi Resort, owned by the Berjaya Group, in
central Pahang state will have 250 electronic gambling slot machines to woo
visitors to its French-themed hill resort.
Located about 60 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, the new centre, which analysts
say could be Malaysia's second largest, is just minutes away from the country's
only casino, the Genting Highlands resort.
The opposition PAS has criticised the government's decision, saying it was
promoting gambling.
Not encouraging gambling
But Adnan said that Muslims would be barred from visiting the new gaming centre,
just like in Genting.
"We are not encouraging gambling," he was quoted as saying by Bernama
news agency.
"What we are doing now is to coordinate the gambling centres for
non-Muslims... this is to make it convenient for them and to ensure that
gambling does not spread to other areas."
The issuance of the gaming licence is the federal government's decision but
Adnan said the approval was given after taking into account the needs of the
non-Muslim communities.
Since its opening in July 2000, Bukit Tinggi Resort has drawn almost a million
visitors but this pales in comparison to Genting's estimated 15.4 million
visitors in 2002 alone, analysts said. - AFP