Just about a month ago, luxury mega-development, Johor’s Forest City, had gone viral for basically becoming a ghost town after a Chinese developer had spent $100 billion (RM471,700,000,000) to build it.
Initially seeing consistent foot traffic following its opening to the public in 2016, it is reported that only 9,000 people currently live there despite the project’s target population of 700,000 for the 28,000 condominium units built.
Now, a source has shared with Bloomberg that the Malaysian government might attempt to revive Forest City through alleged considerations of opening a casino there. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held discussions with Berjaya Corp. founder Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s Lim Kok Thay at Forest City last week.
His Majesty YDPA Sultan Ibrahim, who is a shareholder of Forest City, also had a representative present during the meet up.
Though, the source also emphasised that the discussion was preliminary and they are not sure how seriously PM Anwar Ibrahim is taking the idea, as Malaysian Muslims may not be happy with the opening of a casino due to gambling being frowned upon.
PM Anwar Ibrahim, on the other hand, has since shared that there are no plans to issue a casino license for Forest City.
When asked about the potential casino by reporters at the Majlis Madani Muhibah Aidilfitri at the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, he said,
“There is no licensed casino, that’s a lie, it isn’t right.”
What do you think PM Anwar Ibrahim, Berjaya Corp’s Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s Lim Kok Thay have in mind to revive the ghost town that is Forest City?
Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: Malaysia’s Forest City Ranked World’s 2nd Most Useless Megaproject by Popular YouTube Channel
