SEPANG: Action must be taken by those mentioned in a recent report claiming that the government was considering issuing a second casino licence, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Those who are mentioned must take the necessary action,” he said after launching the MAB Academy Campus and groundbreaking for the Flight Simulation Centre here yesterday.
Anwar was asked if the government would request a retraction from Bloomberg or proceed with legal action against the New York-based news agency.
On Thursday, Anwar denied the report, which stated that Putrajaya was mulling a second casino licence for Forest City in Johor.
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The Prime Minister, who is also Finance Minister, described the report as untrue and a lie.
Bloomberg on Thursday reported that Berjaya founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay were in early discussions with the government on opening a casino in Forest City. The report claimed that Anwar had met Tan and Lim last week.
The report, quoting sources, said the casino project would revive the US$100bil (RM478bil) Forest City project.
In Johor Baru, Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi refuted the report that there will be a casino opening in the state.
Describing the report as an act of sabotage, Onn Hafiz said the state government has never been involved or referred to over the matter.
He said the state has never even received an invitation to discuss it.
“News alleging that a casino will be opened in Forest City has been making the rounds.
“The Johor government stressed that no casino will be opened or operated in Johor.
“With the support of the Federal Government, Johor is beefing up efforts to boost and improve its economy so that quality, high-skilled job opportunities could be made available for Bangsa Johor.
“The rumour is seen as an act of sabotage with an ill intention to taint the name of Forest City and Johor,” Onn Hafiz said in a statement.
“His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has also decreed that there should be no casino in Johor.
“This clearly shows Johor’s stance on the matter.
“With this firm statement, the state government hopes that the issue will not be prolonged further,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said the state government is confident that the development of the Special Financial Zone and Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will breathe new life into Forest City and boost the economy.
Meanwhile, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim commended Anwar for his prompt response in dismissing the report.
“I would not recommend the three writers of the report be issued summonses for spreading slander about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“However, I believe that the Prime Minister’s Office should write an official protest letter to Bloomberg so that this does not happen again,” he said.
Hassan said it is impractical to investigate the news company and the writers involved under the Sedition Act or the Communications and Multimedia Act.
“The writers are likely not Malaysians and are living overseas. Similarly, Bloomberg’s operation is outside of Malaysia’s power,” he said.
Hassan also questioned the intention of the news report, adding that it was an indirect slander of the King of Malaysia, who is also the Sultan of Johor.
Genting Group holds the only casino licence in Malaysia.
As gambling is a highly regulated sector, casino licences will have to be renewed on a quarterly basis at the discretion of the Finance Minister.
Genting Group has held the licence since 1969 and operates the country’s only casino in Genting Highlands.
The Forest City project started in 2015 and has 28,000 completed residential units to date, with the first man-made island, measuring 560ha, serving as the development’s major focus.
