MM Lee says Cabinet made right decision on integrated resort
By Hwee Goh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 19 April 2005 1910 hrs

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SINGAPORE : Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has envisioned Singapore as a "gem of an island" with a vibrant economy of 6 to 7 million people by 2030.

To do that, he said the phrase "healthy and wholesome" was no longer good enough, and the two proposed integrated resorts with casinos would be a small but crucial part of this dream.

In many ways, Minister Mentor Lee's own anti-gambling stand was very much like everybody else's.

Despite this, and the strong personal convictions of the ministers, he felt the Cabinet had made the right decision.

Mr Lee told Parliament, "If I were the prime minister and I was challenged like I was challenged on many issues when I was a younger man -- I had lots of energy -- I will take everyone on and say, I will persuade Singapore, I will convince Singapore that this is right, that the price is high, but the price of not doing so is even higher. So that's your choice."

Mr Lee looked at how major cities in the rest of the world, like London, had reinvented themselves.

Nearer home, he said Singapore's competitors in the region would also build integrated resorts, and if Singapore had said no, the investors would go elsewhere.

Mr Lee revealed that 11 out of the 19 companies who had submitted concept proposals said they would proceed with their plans whether Singapore had one or two casinos.

And the operators have made a big bet that the resorts can draw in huge numbers from major economies like China and India.

"To say 'no' after worldwide publicity for a year, Singapore will be sending out the wrong signal, that we want to stay put, to remain the same old Singapore, a neat and tidy place, like Switzerland -- better than Switzerland, with no chewing gum, no smoking in air conditioned places, no this, no fun," Mr Lee said.

"If we reject these integrated resort projects, the world's investors and players will mentally scratch us off," he added.

Mr Lee said the strategy should instead be to make Singapore "buzz" by attracting top class arts and popular entertainment to the country. - CNA /ct

Casino Decision: Channelnewsasia.com special coverage >>> Full text of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's speech >>>