PAS signalled today that it may shut down the country's only casino in the mountain resort of Genting if it wrests control of the area in next week's elections.

Party president Abdul Hadi Awang said he will consult residents in Pahang state where Genting is located on whether they want the casino there to be closed.

The hardline PAS, which advocates an Islamic state in largely Muslim Malaysia, boarded up gambling joints in the northern states of Kelantan and Terengganu after wresting political control of these areas from the ruling party.

"We will ask the people, we will ask the non-Muslims just like in Terengganu whether they want it closed down. If they want it to be closed down, we will close it down," Abdul Hadi told AFP as he campaigned in the Malaysian capital ahead of Sunday's general elections.

Singapore to build casino

Nearly 70 percent of Pahang's voters are Malay Muslims, who are banned by their religion from gambling. Chinese comprise 24 percent of the voting population in Pahang and Indians five percent, and PAS's chances of taking control of Pahang are considered slim.

Abdul Hadi's comments followed an announcement by neighbouring Singapore that it planned to set up a luxury residential resort which may include a casino as part of the city-state's bid to become a global entertainment hub.

Shares of Malaysian casino operator Genting Bhd closed 10 cents lower to RM18.10 on Tuesday, with analysts saying it was a "knee jerk" reaction to Singapore's plans.

About 25 percent of Genting visitors are Singaporeans, many of whom go to the cloud-shrouded mountain resort to gamble. - AFP