MASIDI VEHEMENTLY SHOT DOWN PROPOSAL TO BUILD A CASINO IN KUNDASANG

Sabah minister shoots down casino proposal

KOTA KINABALU: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun has vehemently shot down a proposal to build a casino in Kundasang, citing its potential adverse impact on the population.

“We should not view it solely on perceived economic benefits. We must also consider its social impact on Sabahans themselves.

"The economic benefits look rosy but the possible social cost of gambling addiction and its social by-products are equally colossal,” he said.

He made these comments is response to the call made by Batu Sapi MP Edmund Chong Ket Wah (PBS) in urging Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to approve a casino licence for the state to help boost its tourism industry. He made the call while debating the 10th Malaysia Plan at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.

Chong proposed Kundasang as a suitable site for a casino, citing similarity in climate and environment to that of the Genting Highland during the debate.

Without mincing words, Masidi who is also Karanaan state assemblyman contended that one must not equate Kundasang with Genting, home to the country’s sole casino.

“I don’t think we can equate Kundasang with Genting. Kundasang has more than just the cool weather to lure tourists. It has Mt Kinabalu (Malaysia’s first World Heritage site) and other eco-attractions like birds watching.

"Genting would probably be just another highland without the casino but Kundasang will continue to stand tall in the tourism map even in the absence of a casino,” he said.

Naïve proposal

Blasting the proposal by Chong as naive he said: "Purely anticipating tourism dollars from having a casino is very simplistic way of looking at the issue.

"Sabah has so many tourism products that can be developed and are sustainable. All we need to do is attract investors and provide good infrastructure such as good roads and steady electricity supply.

"We should look beyond our life time to plan and develop the tourism industry in Sabah and avoid a quick-fix strategy which we may regret later.

"Sabahans should learn to be innovators and creators of our own brand of service products and not merely become senseless imitators of others," he cautioned.

He also noted that while the Genting casino was built on empty highland, Kundasang, is "overwhelmingly populated by Muslims and the government would need to take into consideration the sensitivity and social norms of the locals."