Malaysia govt mulls country’s second casino, says report

Malaysia’s prime minister has reportedly been in talks with two of the country’s gaming entrepreneurs, Lim Kok Thay of global casino group Genting, and Vincent Tan of lottery specialist Berjaya Corp Bhd, about the possibility of putting a casino in a struggling US$100-billion real estate development that has Chinese backing, called Forest City in Johor, close to the border with Singapore.

That is according to a Thursday report by Bloomberg, citing people it did not name, but said were familiar with the matter.

Genting runs what is currently Malaysia’s only casino resort, Resorts World Genting, at Genting Highlands, outside the national Kuala Lumpur.

The talks involving Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim were said to have taken place last week, at the Forest City site.

Bloomberg said one of Forest City’s backers, Chinese real estate firm Country Garden Holdings Ltd, was in favour of such a move. Country Garden has recently seen its shares suspended on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, due to a delay in its financial reporting.

The current ceremonial monarch of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who is also sultan of Johor state, is said to hold more than 20 percent of the joint venture vehicle involving Country Garden that is the master developer of Forest City.

The report said the monarch was represented at the talks.

Bloomberg cited a spokesperson for Berjaya as saying it was not aware of any talks between Mr Tan and the Prime Minister regarding Forest City.

The news outlet added that neither Genting, Country Garden, or the monarch’s office, responded to request for comment.


https://www.ggrasia.com/malaysia-govt-mulls...no-says-report/

HAROM!

some helang getting desperate

Very unislamik

But anyway good move if they really go.for the plan.

Literally whacking SG directly

SG ppl will flock here if true.

No entry fee.

Harum

Cukur new kucing FTW

Oii tidak halal

support

Absolutely HAROM!

Suicide rate will inceease
Owaoiii

Cari makan ma..

It's nearby Sinkie. Sure exchange rate may make more attractive but why not EM?

This post has been edited by 9m2w: Apr 25 2024, 10:30 AM

i hope the lim and tan family form a consortium to outbid all the foreign bidder. make it berjaya genting consortium

then SG casino will collapse

make it easy to transit to JB casino
3.5:1
huat ahhhhhhhhhh

brb gonna buy a few more props in Johor

Wow, more Singaporean tourist coming.
Instead of go Singapore earn SG3.5, now we pull SGD come to Malaysia.
Good Job.

this will be really giving bullets to PN.

I dont think the tai kor of Johor wants it while he is the King.

BBB UUU forrest city

Still got cheap unit in Forrest city ??

Can organize bulk buy whole block??

Unless that area becomes a SAR.

Please build one in Penang.

if this materialize, those who bought property there will be happy liao la.

tanya akmal dulu!!

Doesn't affect Non ma ....nia sing ....

Not a good idea.

Too crowded with casino.

Encourage them to travel up genting la. Earn more ma.

That's the only way to save this land from being talibanised

Now or never

Lets get it moving before BKK starts theirs.

I'd love to have this before the current agong end his term

then why did PN do what PN did?
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/m...s-anti-gambling

agree for casino, because then can open themeparks there

Genting is overcrowded and too far for SG ppl

This post has been edited by GagalLand: Apr 25 2024, 10:35 AM

Ban Gambling Ban Rokok

Need to give more competition to Genting. They lansi put crazy high minimum bet for table games coz they know gamblers got no other choice.

Hopefully operator not genting.

Don't worry

It will be the 1st in the world a muslim friendly casino

wow agong approved?

LAZATZ....

Marketing janji dicapati. Anda rasa ini ada betul?

Vincent Tan may want it.
But Genting already got one casino in Singapore. Surely LKT doesn't like the idea of another one just across the border.

Strange......why PMX talk with Berjaya Vincent Tan????
If I not mistaken, Malaysia already granted another casino license but the holder didn't utilize it (yet)

wait....found the article the another casino license holder




https://kopiandproperty.com/2nd-casino-lice...-first-refusal/

If HM wants, it will likely happen.

Malaysia needed this casino and execute it fast

because Thailand will launch 3 casinos and will take away lots of money from Sgporean & malaysian

nanti king of the north LGE jerit lagi.
They have better potential. Nearer to Singapore. Got beach, got nice golf courses, duty free lagi.

This post has been edited by keyser soze: Apr 25 2024, 10:46 AM

LGE:
Why casino in Johor and not Penang?
CM Chow must explained!

Would this make any impact since SG already have 2 casinos? Worst case, ghosting casino

More to cater sinkie.

Currently SG residents (citizens and PR) need to pay a fee to enter the casinos in MBS and Sentosa. But should the Forest City casino becomes a reality, I am sure Lawrence Wong will abolish the entry fee requirements.

When this happens, do you think SG residents will come over to Forest City? Exchange rate doesn't make a difference here. After all, the more you bet, the more you win.

Do charge entry fee for local population.....at least rm1k.....if they lose even their underwear.....still got rm1k to balik kampung.

This post has been edited by MakNok: Apr 25 2024, 10:52 AM

They like the cool mountain feeling.

SG and south side lack of it.

>inb4 absolutely harom
Nearlee

Lol

You don't know gambler

Cool factor is not their top priority

This post has been edited by GagalLand: Apr 25 2024, 10:56 AM

i remember this old news


Low Yat's Resort Plans
https://www.propertyhunter.com.my/news/2014...-s-resort-plans
05-08-2014

https://www.thestar.com.my/business/busines...-resort-project


Tan Sri Low Yow Chuan, the driver behind one of the oldest property development groups in the country, revealed that he has the "first right of refusal” for a second casino licence and plans to build an integrated resort, if the Government approves of one.

The licence was granted in 1970 by Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman to the 81-year-old patriarch of the Low Yat group and reaffirmed in 1993. By then, the Prime Minister was Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

According to Yow Chuan, Tunku offered to issue him with a casino licence in 1970, when the former was in his late 30s, on condition the Low Yat group builds a hotel and a country club in Langkawi.

Low Yat Construction Company Sdn Bhd was one of few Class A contractors accredited with the Public Works Department at the time.

Yow Chuan's father, the late Tan Sri Low Yat founded Low Yat Construction in 1947. Low Yat built the country's first international class hotel, Federal Hotel, in Kuala Lumpur in time for Malaysia's independence celebration on Aug 31, 1957.

The group also ventured into property development under the umbrella of Asia Pacific Land Bhd (AP Land), which was listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Singapore in 1969. In 2011, Low's family-owned company, Low Chuan Holdings Sdn Bhd, the substantial shareholder of AP Land, acquired the entire assets and liabilities of the listed company and took the company private.

Yow Chuan said the hotel and club project in Langkawi cost some RM100mil to build and was completed in 1973. He did not proceed to open a casino on the island because he said Langkawi was still remote without the necessary supporting infrastructure to support a casino then.

"We had to use our own resources to build the project as there was no grant or allocation from the Government to help finance the construction cost. We could not afford to fork out further capital outlay to support a casino operation then" Yow Chuan said in an interview with StarBiz.

Instead, Yow Chuan sought the blessings of Tunku to set up a casino in Penang but the plan also fell through because of land alienation issues with the state government.

In August 1993, Yow Chuan wrote to the Treasury on the status of the casino licence.

The Treasury responded in a letter two months later, stating that "the Government has no intention of issuing a casino licence presently, but if however, a reverse decision is made, Yow Chuan would be given an opportunity for ‘a right of first refusal'" said Yow Chuan.

The history of how the casino licence was granted by the Tunku in 1970 brought back fond memories for Yow Chuan, who was honoured the prestigious (Kuala Lumpur) Mayor's Commendable Award for Outstanding Contribution at the Kuala Lumpur Mayor's Tourism Awards (KLMTA) 2014 last month.

Yow Chuan said the group wanted to exercise its prerogative, should a second casino licence be granted, to apply to the Government to build an integrated resort with a casino complex.

The integrated resort project is estimated to involve an investment of between RM3bil and RM4bil.

Yow Chuan feels that casinos these days need not necessarily focus fully on gaming to market themselves, as Asians are increasingly responding to well-designed integrated resorts that meet the latest lifestyle and entertainment trends like food, live shows, theatres and themed retail stores.

The subject of a second casino licence cropped up recently when Berjaya group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan disclosed that he was keen to apply for a licence to operate a resort cum casino at the group's Berjaya Hills Resort in Pahang.

He revealed plans to invest up to RM3bil to set up a casino complex, indoor and outdoor theme parks, food and retail outlets, hotels, a convention centre and holiday homes in the resort area, if the application is approved.

The Genting group is the sole casino operator in the country now. Genting Highlands opened for business on May 8, 1971 and has since used those operations to build casino cum resorts in Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

This is not the first time the issue of a second casino for Malaysia has cropped up. The last time it was raised was more than 10 years ago when Berjaya made its first bid for a casino licence. Its application was rejected due to protests from various social groups.

Yow Chuan's disclosure that he has the "right of first refusal” means that should the Government decide to issue a second casino licence, it has more than one serious contender.

According to Yow Chuan, if his plans for the integrated resort project is approved, he would be able to add a new tourist destination to attract more visitors to the country.

If it happens, the project will mark a comeback of the tireless builder.

This region SEA is crowded with casino.

Competition would be stiff and unprofitable if country no advantage.

Don't be so optimistic. If the Forest City casino is built, Lawrence Wong will abolish the entry fee.

SG casino is not Singaporean friendly, SG PRs and citizens need to pay SG150 levy per entry

MY can give them free entry with free accommodation and free chips

This post has been edited by GagalLand: Apr 25 2024, 11:04 AM

If need pay Rm200 to enter genting, also many will not go already.

It might happen. But honestly, Chinese gamblers will not come to gamble because China view gambling like Opium war....

It is bad. At the same time, if do Casino/Resort Worlds as a whole, with proper anti problem gambling program. Which applies to Local and International visitor. Could work.

one of the way to pull singaporean and china ppl

maybe build a theme park there better

This post has been edited by anakkk: Apr 25 2024, 11:07 AM

wait until more news about his citizen suicide rate goes higher due to his relaxing the entry fees ...

kita halalkan. Owai..Indon will come.

If I am Lawrence, wait until the casino is fully built and then announce the abolishment right before the official opening.

Many will vomit white foam

Nope

SG ppl will still come over here due to the privacy as they need to register before entering the casino

They won't shit at the same place they live

This post has been edited by GagalLand: Apr 25 2024, 11:12 AM

Suicide in Johor is better than suicide in SG?

Yes

MY can implement this entry levy to reduce the local entering casino

no comment on that,

but SG opposition will surely goreng the news against the new SG PM if he does that(relax the entry fees) .

Local can enter or not ? Better make it only available for tourists ...

If got, Johor will BOOM!

good thing here ATM here will be 24 hr online minus 45 min maintenance unlike other place want to withdraw money need to wait 6am

Forest city funland?

Forest city water theme park?

Forest city resort?

Forest city only have cimb bank atm right?

dunno. but after this sure will have more atm one

First thing first, make more flight first

Who care about privacy when it comes to entering casino? This is not the same as going to red light district.

all in iskandar city. no wonder last tiem can attract a lot tong san la

in Johor - bet RM1k; if win, get RM2k
in SG - bet $300; if win, get $600

I don't see how exchange rate can make the Forest City casino more attractive...

Astonishing hypocrisy.

mana boleh???? ini ini haroommm!!! AKMAL do sth!!!

SG oppo has no power, they also goreng about CPF and retirement issue but Sinkie is still quite rational. Competancies is always their no.1 priority and they need government which is competent despite bad in some policies. SG opposition still have much to prove especially our former opposition Pakatan Harapan is the best example not to trust the promise from politikus.

They also should discuss with 2feidei to expend the tourism business at Johor same like thai.... Owai haram

ok make sure do infiniti pool on top like marina bay sands so they dont feel so special anymore

kucing syiok la for years to come..bisnes booming

Many Malaysian does it, what make you think Sinkie won't?

Privacy is important for Singaporean? If they value it SG won't turned into a nanny state by PAP

This post has been edited by bashlyner: Apr 25 2024, 11:32 AM

Isn't the license for casino a big hurdle though? I remember it is for alcohols, having to enter under the first few existing license holders only or something.

Hoo boy, meow.

Good move. As I keep on telling these few weeks. To revive JB, must build casino. No limits to Singaporean. Their 1 SGD to 1MYR is good for them to all in in our casino.

mau sailang Singkapork?

Seriously, from getting to Singapore, already how many casino oh. 3 right, want to add more? Giler one.

why not legalize prostitution but gambling?

then may as well close Resorts World Sentosa

Kucing can tell the government to bulldoze it. Any backlash from conservative? Government kena tanggung because they are the executor

The kucinghouse always win

Genting still attracts of middle to lower class Singaporeans for gambling. You haven't seen the free shuttle buses that pickup and drop off right at Genting doorstep.

Sometimes they even give you free RM100 chips each.

All you need to give a gambler is a reason.

meow meow meow meow

Some things we cannot comment.

Ghost casino..

whereever got gambler demand, then there got the casino.
Everyone want some from that big pie.

Another idea. Near the casino build petrol stations. Only allow those SG who gamble in the casino allow to fuel petrol.

myriad number of ways for sinkie to block. how much will goh family invest. how much of sinkie business will they lose?

sultan would want stake so goh family will have less stake in bolehland business. then compete myr vs sgd profits.

sure, from goh family perspective better than give other parties. but risk of white elephant not insignificant.

when forest city first launch, so many people thought good idea, sure win. lesson repeat....

Thinking along the lines of convert over from their native currency they need less to get say 1000 of local currency

Maybe got ppl wired to see the qty of cash on hand rather than actual value taking into account forex

When Marina and RWS opened i serious read some analyst cited this as why Genting can still be attractive kek

A lot of those in exclusion list will flock to a casino in Forest City. Also a lot of migrant workers probably too.

idea untuk menarik singapork tourist