Written by Stan Lee, PoliticsNow Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR (politicsnowmy.blogspot.com) - Even as Malaysia's biggest Muslim political party Pas threatens to shut down the country's famous Genting casino, the United Arab Emirates has granted the region's first-ever gambling license to US operator Wynn Resorts.
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam's most sacred shrine in Mecca, the kingdom had allowed the first liquor store to open in its capital city of Riyadh earlier this year.
No doubt both the UAE casino and the Riyadh alcohol outlet will be off-limits to Muslims there, but the increasing recognition of non-Muslim preferences and ways of life should serve as an eye-opener and wakeup call to the antiquated notions of Malaysia's Pas, which are perhaps steeped more in in-your-face racism than in religious theology.
"There's no getting away from the fact that Malaysia is multi-racial and to maintain its political dominance, Pas believes it has to differentiate itself by playing some sort of protector role to the Muslims in the country as they form the majority populace," an analyst told PoliticsNow Malaysia.
"Obviously this limits Pas' appeal with the non-Muslims and gives it the image of being an extremist party out of sync with the rest of the world including the Muslim world, which itself is trying to shed its draconian and unable to get along with the rest of the world image. But Pas doesn't care. All it wants is the Muslim vote and so far this has helped Pas grow from a mosquito and backward party to the party with the most seats in Parliament and that controls the most state governments in the country."
GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION
Last week, US hotel and casino operator Wynn Resorts - a formidable rival to Malaysia's Genting group in the international gambling industry, announced it had obtained the first commercial gambling license granted by the UAE authority.
The Nevada-based company is currently developing a luxury resort at Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, according to reports from Reuters and Bloomberg. The project is a joint venture between Wynn, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding. Wynn Resorts had in August also revealed that it had invested $514 million in the 1,542-room resort, which is expected to welcome its first guests in 2027.
The UAE, as well as other countries across the Gulf region, has long been known for its blanket ban on both online and land-based casinos, as gambling is prohibited in Islam. However, casino operators have been seeking to develop a resort that would attract visitors from Europe, Asia, and other regions.
Perhaps, recognizing the need to diversify from its massive oil-and-gas-based resources as well as to further boost its successful tourism economy, the UAE had last year established a new regulatory body in an attempt to introduce a legal framework for a national lottery and commercial gaming.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has already opened its first liquor store in over 70 years. The store is located in the Diplomatic Quarter in the capital of Riyadh.
The Genting group, controlled by the Malaysian Chinese Lim family, operates the only casino in Malaysia in Pahang State. The Lim family is also invested in many other casinos in countries such as the US, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Last month, Pas announced its intention to shut down gambling establishments, including the casino in Genting Highlands if it wins control of the state government in the next general election, due to be held latest in 2027.
The party, which aims to take control of the federal government, has banned gambling in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah, the states it currently governs.
“We need to consider the totality of the law in this matter. If we have the authority at the state level, and we can do it, we will," Pahang Pas deputy commissioner Andansura Rabu had told the local media.
“For example, 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.
“But within our jurisdiction, if we see anything that harms the people, we will take legal action. All religions do not condone gambling, so the issue is not religious, it’s social. We prioritise the social welfare and wellbeing of the people. If gambling is harmful, we should close it, but we must follow the law and the constitution."
“If the people of Pahang oppose gambling and want it stopped, they need to support Pas."
EVEN FOOD GOES ON THE LINE
So far, Malaysia's prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has been silent on the matter.
However, his own handpicked the minister in charge of religious affairs Na’im Mokhtar had dropped a bombshell earlier last month that the Department of Islamic Development was considering a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that did not serve pork or alcohol.
This sparked outrage and widespread concern among non-Muslims in the country, many of whom are already disappointed in Anwar's perceived failure to carry out the social reforms that he had promised during his journey to power.
So strong were the simmering undercurrents of discontent that his deputy Zahid Hamidi was forced to make a public clarification.
“The issue of halal and haram has been ongoing for some time, and even non-Muslim restaurant operators have previously applied for halal certification," said Zahid, the deputy prime minister.
“There has been no decision to mandate that all restaurants or any businesses in the F&B industry must secure 100% halal certification. No such decision has been made by the cabinet. Non-Muslims should not be forced to obtain halal certification.”
Yet non-Muslims in Malaysia are not entirely convinced their rights will be respected by the Anwar administration and fear of being compelled to lead a lifestyle dictated by religious dogma that is not their own continue to trouble their peace of mind.
Will they be 'sacrificed' in the name of political power-play as the Muslim leaders in their country battle for control of the federal government?
Written by Stan Lee, PoliticsNow Malaysia
https://politicsnowmy.blogspot.com/
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