Nothing wrong with setting up casino in Sarawak, state minister tells PAS

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KUCHING: There is nothing wrong with setting up a casino at the Borneo Highlands Resort as Sarawak is not just for Muslims, says a state minister.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he had heard some dissenters from Miri objecting to the opening of a casino because gambling was haram in Islam.

"But they must remember that Sarawak is not for the Muslims only. Why don't they make noise about the opening of 4D or Toto outlets? That is also haram for Muslims," he told reporters at his Hari Raya open house on Sunday (April 23).

He was referring to Sarawak PAS commissioner Jofri Jaraiee's objection that the proposed casino would do more harm than good.

In a statement issued in Miri on Thursday (April 20), Jofri had said a casino could lead to gambling addiction and the eventual collapse of families and society.

Abdul Karim also said the casino was not the only attraction proposed for the redevelopment of the Borneo Highlands Resort.

He said it would be an integrated resort with other amenities such as a golf course and amusement park.

"People don't realise that the casino will not be the only attraction there, if it is opened," he said, adding that the decision to set up the casino would be made by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Previously, Abdul Karim did not rule out the possibility of developing Borneo Highlands into a "second Genting Highlands".

"I can’t say yes or no (to having casinos opened in Borneo Highlands) at the moment. I guess we’ll leave it to the state government to decide whether to allow casinos to be built there," he reportedly said last month when asked about the state's development plans for Borneo Highlands.