Casino for Tourists or Not?

Casino News Flash – 10/1/06 - Pantai Jerejak State Assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe was quoted by Associated Press (AP) for saying that the State Government will think a suggestion to open a casino to attract tourists. “In what ability could I make such a statement? I am a State Assemblyman and not a State Exec (to speak or to take a decision on behalf of the Government).

“My position is that I have no opposition if there is a offer on the topic. I didn't say that the State Government will think about such proposal,” he said. Wong further said that the media didn't understand his opinion as “there is a big dissimilarity between no opposition and making an allowance such a proposal.”

Wong was quoted as stating that opening a casino on the isle might help the state compete for tourist dollars with Singapore, which is predictable to open its first casino in 2009. “Penang bureaucrats would almost certainly discuss the casino offer before mid-2006 before choosing whether to bring it to the Federal Government for approval,” Wong had reportedly said.