Singapore's opposition opposes casino plan<\/p>\n
A casino in Singapore would jeopardize the city-state's \"family
\nvalues\" reputation and place it at risk of becoming a money-
\nlaundering hub, the main opposition Workers' Party said on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
In a rare policy statement from one of the few opponents to
\nSingapore's long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP), the Workers'
\nParty rejected the government's casino proposal and called for a
\nnational referendum on the issue.<\/p>\n
\"PAP ministers who are paid world-renowned high salaries
\nshould be able to come up with a better solution for the
\neconomy,\" the Workers' Party said in a press release.<\/p>\n
The Workers' Party, whose secretary general, Low Thia Khiang,
\nis just one of two non-PAP members in the 84-seat national
\nparliament, said a casino could jeopardize the city-state's
\nattractiveness for foreign tourists and workers.<\/p>\n
\"The Workers' Party does not want the international community
\nto identify Singapore as synonymous with casinos and gaming,\" it
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"It is also not known how having a casino will affect
\nSingapore's reputation as... a good place to ensure family values
\nand bring up children.\"<\/p>\n
The Workers' Party also questioned whether planned moves by
\nfinancial authorities to tighten laws in relation to a casino
\n\"would be adequate to prevent Singapore from being a center for
\nmoney-laundering\".<\/p>\n
The government is scheduled to announce a decision in
\nparliament on April 18 on whether to build Singapore's first
\ncasino project, although Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has made
\ncomments that indicate it will get the go ahead.<\/p>\n
The government has received at least 19 bids from some of the
\nworld's biggest gaming giants, including Las Vegas-based Wynn
\nResorts, US gaming giant Harrah's Entertainment and Tabcorp of
\nAustralia.<\/p>\n
The casino plan has sparked a rare public outcry in Singapore
\nwhere voices of dissent against the government are rarely heard.
\n-- AFP<\/p>",
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