SINGAPORE TO HAVE 2 CASINOS

S'Pore Twin Casinos

Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong revealed that the city state will allow construction and operation of two casinos to boost its economy and juice up its staid image. But critics fear that the casinos may drag Singaporean residents to succumb to vice.

PM Lee warned that Singapore could become an Asian “backwater'' unless it competed with its neighbouring countries like China, Malaysia, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan who had reinvented themselves with world class transportation, unique cultural environments and with many other development projects to generate a strong economy.

“In Asia, Shanghai is full of drive and energy. Hong Kong is opening its Disneyland; Hong Kong is also talking about opening a casino to compete with Macau,'' PM Lee said. “Will Singapore be part of this new world, or will we be bypassed and left behind?” said Lee. “We want Singapore to have the X-factor, that buzz that you get in London, Paris or New York.”

Lee said one casino will be built as part of a resort with other attractions on the island of Sentosa, and the other will be at Marina Bay on Singapore's main island. Both projects, worth a total of S$5bil (RM11.4bil), will be five minutes by car from the central business district.

Many Singaporeans lay down bets on racehorses and fork out cash at parlours with slot machines and sports wagers. But the prospect of a large, Las Vegas-style casino alarmed many who think Singapore's strict social controls are its main asset.

Singapore hopes that billions spent on casinos with theme parks and hotels will boost its S$184bil (RM422bil) domestic economy, attract high-spending tourists and create thousands of jobs.

Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew admitted recently that not building a Formula 1 race track in Singapore was a mistake. Under-estimating the power of pop culture was the other mistake. “My colleagues in Parliament and I said: ‘Oh, It’s bad. It’ll teach our drivers to be reckless. Better not.’ “But that was a stupid decision because everybody wants to be F1 and they put their names on it and millions of eyes are watching F1,” KY Lee said.

Lee also said that there would be “trouble” if there were casinos, but there would be “more trouble” if there was none.

In the time of great change, it is applauding that Singapore is prepared to change and reinvent themselves so as to stay relevant. It takes great pain for former PM KY Lee to admit his mistakes, which during his time as prime minister, was not a mistake. They did not blame others for their weakness. They did not blame Genting and Macau for their outflow of revenues and for stifling their economy. They took it upon themselves to re-engineer their economy. Casinos was previously considered sinful for Singapore. Formula 1 and pop music would introduce a bad culture; it was thought. Now, they are seeing things in a different perspective.

Is Singapore not concerned over the social problems that will arise as a result of this decision? I believe they do; but they would make great effort to see that it won't destroy the social fabrics of the great city state. They would work hard to make sure that the benefits outweighs the risks. They don't shout 'Singapore Boleh' but they silently and honestly ensure the Bolehs!!!