PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim refuted speculations today regarding any intentions to establish a casino in Forest City, Johor.
“Not true, not true. Casino license… That’s a lie,” he told reporters while gesturing with an X sign.
Anwar’s response came amidst queries about Malaysia’s purported consideration of a second casino license for the Forest City development in Johor.
Earlier reports by Bloomberg suggested that Anwar had met with Berjaya Corporation Bhd founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun and Lim Kok Thay of Genting Group to discuss the matter.
According to sources cited in the Bloomberg report, the introduction of a casino could inject new life into the US$100 bil property project.
Moreover, the report noted that gambling in Malaysia is heavily regulated with casino licenses subject to renewal every three months at the discretion of the Finance Minister — a position currently held by Anwar.
Genting Group, holding Malaysia’s sole casino license since 1969, operates the country’s only casino in Genting Highlands.
Furthermore, the conglomerate oversees casino operations in the US, the UK and Singapore.
In a previous development, it was reported in 2014 by the New Straits Times that Tan aimed to rejuvenate plans for a casino at the Berjaya Hills Resort in Pahang. Despite applying for a license to operate a casino since 2004, the proposal faced rejection amid opposition from certain quarters. – April 25, 2024
Main photo credit: FMT
