PUTRAJAYA, April 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today denied claims that the government will issue a license for the operation of a casino in Forest City, Johor.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Madani Muhibbah Aidilfitri 2024 event jointly organised by the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Communications Ministry here today, Anwar, in a brief reply said: “There’s no such thing, (the issue of) the casino license is a hoax. Not true.”
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said this in response to a report published by an international news portal, Bloomberg, claiming that he had met with the founder of Berjaya Corporation Bhd (BCorp) Tan Sri Vincent Tan and chief executive officer and chairman of Genting Group Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay last week to discuss the matter.
The report stated that discussions on the issuance of the licence are still at the initial stage.
The Forest City project in Gelang Patah started in 2015 and has 28,000 completed residential units to date, with the first man-made island, measuring 560 hectares, serving as the development’s major focus.
Forest City is also home to two hotels, two international golf courses, the largest Industrial Building System (IBS) prefabricated factory in Malaysia, Shattuck St Mary Forest City International School and a water theme park.
Earlier, Anwar arrived at the Madani Muhibbah Aidilfitri event 1.30pm and was greeted by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Also present were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu and the top management of both ministries.
The event, which was held on the porch of the Communications Ministry and KPKT, was attended by over 5,000 people comprising employees of both ministries as well as various industries.
A variety of traditional delicacies was served, including lemang, chicken rendang, satay and nasi himpit, while local artistes like Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Hazama and Aisha Retno provided entertainment.
At the event, Anwar also presented several donations, including through the Home Repair Assistance Project under the KPKT’s supervision, before leaving at about 2.30pm.
— Bernama
