Calling for "moral and sustainable alternatives" of economic development, the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas) said in a statement that restrictions aimed at curbing the negative effects of casinos would not be enough to combat the social ills of gambling.

"We fear that this so-called liberalisation to embrace the casino and its ensuing culture of gambling will undermine efforts to inculcate the practice of honesty and hard work amongst our people," Pergas said in the statement, made available to AFP Saturday, June 12.

It said that although the government had sought to assure the public that Singapore will not be another Macau or Las Vegas, "we are of the view the government has sent a wrong signal in proposing the casino idea" in the first place.

It noted that gambling was "haram", or forbidden, in Islam, and said casinos posed a potential danger to all Singaporeans.

Muslims constitute about 14 percent of Singapore's largely ethnic Chinese population.

"We posit the view that the casino proposal has more harm than benefits out of our concern for the moral well-being of Singaporeans at large, irrespective of our religious faiths and beliefs."

The statement also pointed out that the Islamic organisation's criticism echoed that of other Singaporeans who have expressed concern over the moral and social implications of allowing casinos to operate here.

The issue has sparked rare community and political dissent within the tightly controlled city-state, with ministers and members of parliament making strong public statements against the proposal, despite the fact that the government has not yet given the project the green light.

The government will only confirm its decision by January, and is carrying out extensive studies to determine the comparative benefits and ill effects of casinos.

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