Malaysian activist arrested over report of China-backed Forest City’s planned casino in Johor

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has denied the report, saying ‘those who raised the issue of a casino licence lied’

Genting Malaysia Bhd and Berjaya Corp have also denied that they are in talks with the government to open a casino in Forest City

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Chairman of Resorts World Sentosa and its developer, Malaysia’s Genting Group Lim Kok Thay plays baccarat to begin the soft opening of Singapore’s first casino in 2010. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:11pm, 28 Apr 2024Updated: 3:22pm, 28 Apr 2024

Malaysian political activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, has been detained at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters over his post on alleged talks on opening a casino in Forest City in Johor that was reported by Bloomberg.

In a statement by lawyer Rafique Rashid, he said investigations were being conducted under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

He added that an application for remand would be heard at the district police headquarters on Sunday.

The report also alleged that the casino would revive the US$100 billion property project.

A sign in front of residential apartments in Chinese developer Country Garden’s Forest City in Johor Bahru. Photo: EPA-EFE

Genting Malaysia Bhd said neither the company nor its deputy chairman and chief executive Lim Kok Thay took part in talks with the government about opening a casino in Forest City.

The company denied claims made in a Bloomberg report on Thursday that Lim was involved in such a discussion.