A prominent Muslim political party has pledged to close Malaysia’s only casino if it wins the next Pahang state election. Resorts World Genting in Genting Highlands must renew its gaming licence every quarter.
An Islamic political party has vowed to close Resorts World Genting if it wins the next general election in Malaysia, Fortune Asia reported on Monday (16 September).
Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) now controls four of Malaysia’s 13 states. It hopes to add Pahang, the third largest state, in the next election, to be held by early 2028.
Rise in conservative power
PAS emerged as a power in 2022, winning 43 of 222 seats in Malaysia’s lower house and becoming the federal government’s dominant party. A commentary on Channel News Asia called the results “shocking,” and indicative of “a sea change” in Malaysian politics.
“PAS’ brand of conservative religious politics has become more attractive,” wrote James Chin, professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania. “Political Islam has become mainstream in Malaysia.”
Gambling is forbidden by the Quran, which lists it among the “works of Satan”, and calls it an unjust transfer of wealth.
In comments at a PAS assembly in Malaysia on 15 September, deputy commissioner Andansura Rabu added, “Anything that can harm society, we must together support its destruction. This isn’t a matter of religion, it’s a social issue.”
Half a century of operations at risk
The sprawling casino resort on a mountaintop in Genting Highlands first opened in 1971. Resorts World Genting is the flagship property of the multibillion-dollar Genting Group. It now has casinos in the US, the UK and Singapore.
The property hosts five hotels (including the world’s largest, with 7,500 rooms), an amusement park, a golf course and other attractions. Its gaming floor offers a total of 3,000-plus slots and more than 400 game tables.
Collective revenues totalled RM6.4bn (£1.044bn/€1.3bn/$1.16bn) for the 2023 fiscal year, a 23% rise. EBITDA also grew by 26% to RM2.1bn. In a January forecast, Maybank said the Malaysia resort would lure 24 million people this year and increase earnings 60%.
Those contributions to the tax base and tourism don’t seem to matter to PAS leaders. However, a win at the polls may not be enough to shut down the casino, acknowledged Andansura. Any closure “must be in accordance with the laws and constitution”, he told Fortune Asia.
“In Genting Highlands, the power might not be entirely ours. It could require a federal government decision, so we might not be able to shut it down.”
