Genting Malaysia denies 'casino discussion' in Forest City

Genting Malaysia Berhad has denied media reports on the company’s involvement in supposed discussions on a purported casino project in Forest City, Johor.

The company said the reports, originally by Bloomberg quoting sources, contained claims that implicated Genting Malaysia and its deputy chairperson and CEO Lim Kok Thay.

"Neither the company nor Lim was involved in any such discussions or meetings and the claims made are untrue.

"We would ask that all parties immediately cease the publication and dissemination of the misinformation, remove the untrue claims, and provide clarification to the public to prevent further confusion.

"Genting Malaysia shall not hesitate to take further action deemed necessary to protect its interests and stakeholders,” it said in a statement.

This came after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on Thursday that dismissed the reports as untrue.

Bloomberg originally reported that Malaysia was in talks with tycoons to open a casino in Forest City - a US$100 billion (RM480 billion) project in Johor that is on the verge of becoming a white elephant.

The business portal quoted sources as saying that Anwar had met Berjaya Corp founder Vincent Tan and Genting Group in a lunch meeting last week to discuss the matter.

Since then, Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi has affirmed that no casinos will be allowed to open or operate in the state, while Berjaya Corporation Berhad also denied Tan’s involvement in the supposed discussions.

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