Singapore's opposition opposes casino plan

Singapore's opposition opposes casino plan

A casino in Singapore would jeopardize the city-state's "family values" reputation and place it at risk of becoming a money- laundering hub, the main opposition Workers' Party said on Thursday.

In a rare policy statement from one of the few opponents to Singapore's long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP), the Workers' Party rejected the government's casino proposal and called for a national referendum on the issue.

"PAP ministers who are paid world-renowned high salaries should be able to come up with a better solution for the economy," the Workers' Party said in a press release.

The Workers' Party, whose secretary general, Low Thia Khiang, is just one of two non-PAP members in the 84-seat national parliament, said a casino could jeopardize the city-state's attractiveness for foreign tourists and workers.

"The Workers' Party does not want the international community to identify Singapore as synonymous with casinos and gaming," it said.

"It is also not known how having a casino will affect Singapore's reputation as... a good place to ensure family values and bring up children."

The Workers' Party also questioned whether planned moves by financial authorities to tighten laws in relation to a casino "would be adequate to prevent Singapore from being a center for money-laundering".

The government is scheduled to announce a decision in parliament on April 18 on whether to build Singapore's first casino project, although Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has made comments that indicate it will get the go ahead.

The government has received at least 19 bids from some of the world's biggest gaming giants, including Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts, US gaming giant Harrah's Entertainment and Tabcorp of Australia.

The casino plan has sparked a rare public outcry in Singapore where voices of dissent against the government are rarely heard. -- AFP