Former Malacca chief minister Mohd Ali Rustam has urged the government to close down the Genting Highlands casino resort.

ali rustam According to the Nanyang Siang Pau today, he claimed that the casino creates a lot of social problems and crimes and he had received many complaints.

Speaking in a press conference after a briefing session with bumiputera entrepreneurs at Malacca yesterday, Mohd Ali ( left ) said that Genting Group had provided zero contribution to Malacca's economy despite high earnings from its casino.

The newly appointed Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) chairperson said that the government still has other resorts to levy taxes on and did not need to rely on the Genting Highlands casino.

MCA slams Mohd Ali

However, MCA Youth secretary-general Chai Kim Sen slammed Mohd Ali's statement as an attempt to fool the people by simplifying the problem, in a press statement today.

He also claimed that Mohd Ali made such remarks with the Umno party election in mind.

Chai said any decision on Genting Highlands lies with the government.

"I think Mohd Ali's remarks were made with the Umno party election in mind, to express his personal political ideas and opinions, and raise his popularity in the party.

"He should be aware that such remarks will raise controversy," he added.

It has been reported that Mohd Ali will participate the coming Umno party election and is considering whether to run for vice-president or defend his current supreme council seat.

Chia criticised Mohd Ali for saying that the source of social problems and crimes are casinos.

"If we can solve all social problems by closing down casinos, than all the casinos around the world should have been closed down," he argued.