Genting Malaysia says not involved in talks to set up casino in Forest City

Genting Malaysia Bhd says neither the company nor its deputy chairman and chief executive, Lim Kok Thay, had taken part in talks to build a casino in Johor’s Forest City. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA: Genting Malaysia Bhd has denied that it was in discussion with the government to set up a casino at Forest City in Johor.

The denial by Malaysia’s sole casino operator follows similar statements by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Berjaya Corporation Bhd.

They were responding to a Bloomberg report that Anwar had met Berjaya founder Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s deputy chairman and chief executive Lim Kok Thay last week to discuss a second casino licence for Forest City.

Quoting sources “familiar with the matter”, the report said a casino would revive the US$100 billion property project.

In a statement today, Genting Malaysia said neither the company nor Lim had been involved in any such discussions or meetings.

Describing the claims as untrue, it urged all parties to “immediately cease the publication and dissemination of the misinformation, remove the untrue claims, and provide the necessary clarification to the public to prevent further confusion”, Bernama reported.

It also said it will not hesitate to take further action, if necessary, to protect the interests of the company and its stakeholders.

On Thursday, Anwar denied the report, and yesterday, he suggested that all parties mentioned in it should take “the necessary action” against the New York-based media organisation.

Berjaya also said yesterday that Tan had not taken part in any such discussions, and urged Bloomberg to remove the “inaccurate information”.