Zainudin Nordin says casinos won't affect values

Singapore
Muslim MPs: Decision won't affect valuesAZHAR GHANI
357 words
20 April 2005
Straits Times
STIMES
English
(c) 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
SINGAPOREANS who fear that the decision to allow casinos here will threaten their values should have more faith, Mr Zainudin Nordin (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) said yesterday.
In fact, the experience will be no different from when communities faced up in the past to potentially negative influences, he said.
He made the point by drawing from his personal experience as a student in France. The 3 1/2-year stint affected him in many ways but he still retained his Singaporean identity and his values as a Muslim, he said.
He also recalled how Singaporeans had once agonised over a new rating system for films and were concerned about policing of the Internet.
'Once again, history has proven the argument to be moot. We are still here today, we are still Singaporeans, our values still intact, our roots deeply grounded but our sights fixed on the future,' he said. Having casinos here would not be any different.
With the world constantly changing, he said asking the Government to intervene and ban 'this and that' was not an answer and could only be a short-term solution.
'Can Muslims or any other groups impose their standards on the rest?' he asked. 'Can we insulate our people by legislation forever?'
Mr Zainudin was one of three Muslim MPs who spoke yesterday. All three - Madam Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC) and Dr Ahmad Magad (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) were the other two - stated Islam's stand against gambling.
Madam Halimah urged Muslims here not to let thecasino decision divide the community, or put distance between them and the Government.
She also cautioned them against being distracted from other important challenges facing the community in areas such as education and employment.
She believed, in any case, that mosques and other Muslim organisations here are equipped to deal with any potential problems within the community arising from gambling. They could also work closely with the Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry.
And, if needed, worried Muslims could also fall back on government safeguards, which include barring vulnerable family members from entering casinos.