The Islamic party making big gains in Malaysia has vowed to voters it will end gambling in the home state of Genting’s IRC (pictured above). [Image: Shutterstock.com]

The Islamic political party making huge federal and territorial gains in Malaysia has vowed to voters it will end gambling in Pahang, home of the integrated resort casino (IRC) Resorts World Genting, if it wins the state in general elections.  

Gentings’ shares nosedived in 2022 when Mal Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) became the biggest party in federal parliament after crushing the GE15 national elections. With four of Malaysia’s 13 states already under its control, PAS now wants to take Pahang in GE15 and is upping the voter ante.

According to the South China Morning Times, the party is “tapping into concerns by the country’s Muslim majority over gambling.” The Koran forbids gambling.

Gambling is harmful, so we have to close it.”

The SCMT cited a deputy at a PAS annual gathering as telling voters in Pahang that, if they want an end to gambling in their state, they should vote for the rising political power. “Gambling is harmful, so we have to close it,” stated PAS’ Andansura Rabu.

Rabu, however, said the eradication of gambling wasn’t about religion, but rather a “social issue.” Genting’s Resorts World casino is believed to have contributed approximately 5 billion ringgit ($1.16bn) annually to government coffers pre-COVID-19.

While Genting shares have recovered since the 2022 slump, the rising tide of support for the party ahead of the GE15 elections, which must be held before 2028, poses a real threat to Kuala Lumpur-based Genting’s Resorts World interests in Pehang.