(AFP) - PAS has reiterated plans to shut down Malaysia's only casino if it wins control of a central state.

But Fadzil Noor, president of the party, said in remarks published today the party would accept "private gambling" by non-Muslims.

PAS has come under fire from a political ally after it said it would shut the casino at the Genting Highlands if it gains control of the Pahang state assembly in the next elections.

Fadzil said the party would stick to its decision because gambling was "an ill" to all races. But it was ready to allow it during the Chinese New Year and on other private Chinese occasions.

Fadzil said the party has been given an understanding that gambling was not part of the Chinese culture but that gambling involving small stakes was "traditional".

"We want to ban organised gambling like casinos and four-digit draws," he was quoted as saying by The Star. "We have to take this stand and we regret the inconvenience we may have caused to the other communities."

PAS is the largest member of an opposition alliance, which groups the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the National Justice Party led by the wife of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian People's Party.

In the 1999 parliamentary and state elections PAS more than tripled its parliamentary seats to 27. It retained control of the northeasteastern state of Kelantan and won power in neighbouring Terengganu.

But its goal of setting up an Islamic state has created uneasiness among its Chinese-dominated ally, the DAP.

The opposition alliance has begun a series of meeting to iron out disagreements over PAS's Islamic agenda.

In a move to win support from the minority Chinese community, PAS said Monday it would appoint a Muslim Chinese to its central decision-making body for the first time.

PAS has already banned gambling in Kelantan and Terengganu and curbed sales of alcohol. Separate checkout counters have been installed at supermarkets for men and women.

Malaysia must hold parliamentary and state elections every five years but the government can call polls earlier if it chooses.