PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today denied any plans to open a casino in Forest City, Johor.
“Not true, not true. Casino licence… That’s a lie,” he told reporters while holding out his arms in an X sign.
He was asked if it was true that Malaysia was considering a second casino licence for Johor’s Forest City development.
Bloomberg had reported earlier today that Anwar met Berjaya founder Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s Lim Kok Thay last week to discuss the matter.
SPONSORED CONTENT Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year. Read more Quoting sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that a casino would revive the US$100 billion property project.
The Bloomberg report said that gambling is one of the most regulated sectors in Malaysia, with a casino licence having to be renewed every three months at the discretion of the finance minister.
Anwar is also the finance minister.
Genting has held Malaysia’s sole casino license since 1969 and operates the country’s only casino in Genting Highlands.
Genting also operates casinos in the US, the UK and Singapore.
In 2014, the New Straits Times reported that Tan wanted to revive plans to operate a casino at the Berjaya Hills Resort in Pahang.
The report said that while Tan had applied for a licence to operate a casino in Berjaya Hills since 2004, it was rejected amid protests from some quarters.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
