15-5-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphatically dismissed the possibility of allowing a second casino in the country, reiterating his administration’s commitment to prioritizing digital transformation, energy transition, and artificial intelligence as drivers of future growth.
Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday, Anwar was asked directly if his government would permit a second casino in Malaysia, to which he responded with a firm “Affirmative no.”
The issue of a potential new casino has been a subject of intense speculation in recent months, fueled by a Bloomberg report last month that suggested Malaysia was in early discussions with tycoons on opening a casino in Johor’s beleaguered Forest City property development.
The report was subsequently picked up by several Malaysian and international media outlets, including Singapore’s The Straits Times, which cited unnamed sources claiming that the casino was among Malaysia’s proposals for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
However, Anwar decisively quashed these rumors, stating that Malaysia does not need to venture into the casino business. Instead, he emphasized that the country’s current focus areas – digital transformation, energy transition, and artificial intelligence – are adequate to propel future growth.
“Malaysia does not have to venture into the (second) casino business. We are focusing on digital transformation, energy transition (and) AI, and we believe these are (among the industries that are) adequate to push the country forward,” Anwar said during the forum.
The prime minister had already dismissed the casino claims late last month, denouncing them as lies. Furthermore, the businessmen mentioned in the news reports also came forward to deny taking part in any such meeting.
The Malaysian authorities have taken a stern stance on the matter, charging several individuals for making seditious remarks in relation to the casino report. On Monday, local media reported that Malaysian police had recorded a statement from Bloomberg journalist Ram Anand over the article in question.
Malaysia currently has only one licensed casino, which was granted to the Genting Group in 1969. The group also operates casinos in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore.
