Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has slammed Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) Sarawak commissioner Jofri Jaraiee for claiming that the proposed opening of a casino in Sarawak would do more harm than good to the people.
In a statement, Tiong said the PAS leader is often seen using religion when issuing statements which could threaten the harmony of the multi-religious and multi-racial communities in the country just to gain popularity.
“Such action is dangerous and can caused dissension among the community,” he said, adding that it would also complicate the government’s efforts to bring greater economic development in Sarawak.
Tiong was responding to Jofri’s recent statement that the proposed opening of casinos in Sarawak should be opposed as it would do more harm than good to the people.
As a Sarawakian, Tiong said he also shoulders a heavy responsibility at the federal ministry-level to bring development in the country.
“My stance on the proposed construction of an amusement park and golf course including a casino in Borneo Highlands is clear, which is up to the decision of the state government led by the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, as stated by the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah,” he added.
Tiong is confident that the existence of an amusement park and a golf course, including a casino at Borneo Highlands could promote tourism in Sarawak, create many job opportunities, drive the local economy and generate more income for Sarawak.
“Once the plan is confirmed and implemented, the basic facilities and tourist attractions in the surrounding area will also be improved. Of course, the Sarawak government can also use this income to develop rural areas.
“If it can create a good and encouraging economic cycle for the benefit of the people, why should it be prevented or objected?” he asked.
Tiong said the proposed projects are for the future development of the people in Sarawak, especially to fulfill the dream of the rural community in securing basic facilities.
He pointed out that the rural people ought to get the same amenities as what are being enjoyed by the people in urban areas, including good road infrastructure.
“This needs to be improved and one way is to increase the state’s income in order to meet the people’s expectations.”
Tiong said if anyone is worried that the existence of a casino will cause social problems, then a proper supervision should be provided such as allowing foreigners to enter the casino at any time.
“If they are local people, then they must comply with the specific rules to enter the casino, and other relevant conditions that it deems necessary to be implemented,” Tiong added.
He said although Malaysia is a multi-racial and religious country, the mindset and behaviour of some politicians in the country are more conservative than some of the Middle Eastern countries.
“Many Middle Eastern countries are gradually moving towards moderation. For example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which will host Miss World 2023 this year and there are luxury casinos in the Middle East. So, is Malaysia in particular Sarawak not entitled to be developed?” he said.
Source : Borneo
Casino in Sarawak is okay as state is for all, Karim tells PAS
There is nothing wrong with setting up a casino in Sarawak as the state belongs to all races with different religious beliefs, says a state minister.
Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said some dissenters from Miri were opposed to the setting up of a casino on the grounds that gambling is “haram” in Islam.
Karim said as a Muslim, he personally would not go to the casino but stressed that there was nothing wrong with having one in the state as Sarawak is not just for Muslims, Malay Mail reported him as saying.
He was responding to Sarawak PAS chief Jofri Jaraiee who said that opening a casino in the state would do more harm than good as it would lead to gambling addiction, which ruins society and families.
Jofri also said that such consequences outweigh the potential economic benefits casinos could bring by way of being a major stimulus for tourism development.
Karim also questioned why Sarawak PAS only opposed the casino project when there were lottery outlets such as Magnum and Toto operating all over the state.
“These are also ‘haram’ for the Muslims. But when the casino idea was mooted, everybody gets excited without realising that the casino is not the only thing to be set up at the Borneo Highland resort,” he said.
The state minister said that an amusement park and a golf course had also been proposed at Borneo Highland.
However, he said that the decision on whether to set up a casino at Borneo Highland is for Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg to make.
Source : FMT
An application to have a casino in Sarawak was proposed in 1997 to 1998
Setting up a casino here the likes of those in Genting Highlands will be a challenge for Sarawak based on past experience, say tourism stakeholders.
Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH) Sarawak Chapter chairman John Teo pointed out there was a previous attempt in the late 90s to open a casino in the state.
“An application to have a casino in Sarawak was proposed in 1997 to 1998 to the then PM (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) through a local tycoon from one of the casino operators in Bario. Due to the Syariah law, it was turned down.
“If the plan to have the casino in Bario was successful then, Sarawak would be a much richer state and a proper link road up to Bario would have been a dream come true then,” he said.
According to him, taking into consideration that casino tax is 35 per cent of gross gaming revenue, having a casino would significantly improve Sarawak’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Teo said there would also be huge employment opportunities for at least 10,000 employees with salaries ranging from RM3,000 to above RM18,000 (senior manager), while a vice-president at a casino could earn over RM25,000 per month.
“With the influx of tourists going to the casino, as well as many of the high rollers, Sarawak will be able to attract more 5-star properties, 5-star service standards, with 5-star rated tourists.
“Indirectly, all the businesses in Sarawak will increase threefold and we will be able to see many more quality tourism products coming up. With all the business coming in, this will lead to Sarawakians earning at least a minimum of RM3,000 salary, not the present RM1,500,” he projected.
Source : The Borneo Post
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