Pahang Mentri Besar Adnan Yaakob today defended the federal government's move to allow a second gaming centre in his state amid protests from the opposition Islamic party.

The new gaming centre at Bukit Tinggi Resort, owned by the Berjaya Group, in central Pahang state will have 250 electronic gambling slot machines to woo visitors to its French-themed hill resort.

Located about 60 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, the new centre, which analysts say could be Malaysia's second largest, is just minutes away from the country's o­nly casino, the Genting Highlands resort.