Rumours of casino in Forest City an attempt to derail SFZ

Rumours about launching a casino in Forest City were made by quarters who are against the government’s plan to establish a Special Financial Zone in Johor, charged Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The negative public perceptions were caused by slanders by certain people who were against mega development six years ago.

“I stress once again that news on the opening of a casino in Forest City is not true at all.

“The slander also does not make any sense, but only fuels the malicious intent to tarnish Forest City’s image,” he replied during Question Time in the Johor Legislative Assembly.

“This is the best time for us to return to developing Forest City with the solid support of the federal government under the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Forest City will provide direct and indirect benefits to Johoreans and Malaysia,” he said, calling for all parties to support the federal government’s efforts to develop Forest City.

Backbencher Liow Cai Tung (DAP-Johor Jaya) had earlier questioned the issue’s validity based on several international media reports including Bloomberg, that the state government had greenlit the development of a casino in Forest City.

‘Forest City will benefit us’

The Johor government has condemned certain media reports that suggest the opening of a casino in the state.

Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap assemblyman, advised those spreading such lies to repent and offer something that can benefit Johor instead.

“This is the best time for us to return to developing Forest City with the solid support of the federal government under the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Forest City will provide direct and indirect benefits to Johoreans and Malaysia,” he said, calling for all parties to support the federal government’s efforts to develop Forest City.

International news agency, Bloomberg first reported it on April 25 cited sources and claimed that the Malaysian government was negotiating with Malaysian billionaires, including Berjaya Group’s Vincent Tan and Genting.

Both the companies who have licenses to operate gambling activities denied the report. Anwar also denied it.