KUALA LUMPUR (April 27): Genting Malaysia Bhd has dismissed reports linking the group and its deputy chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay to supposed discussions relating to the opening of a second casino for Malaysia in Forest City, Johor, to revive the US$100 billion (RM477.60 billion) development.

"Genting Malaysia wishes to state that neither the company nor Lim was involved in any such discussions or meetings, and the claims made were untrue," it said in a statement on Saturday, after the reports claimed that Lim met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently to talk about the matter.

The company also called on the parties that reported the matter to cease publication and dissemination of the misinformation, remove the untrue claims, and to provide the necessary clarification to the public to prevent further confusion. "Genting Malaysia shall not hesitate to take further action deemed necessary to protect its interests and its stakeholders," it added.

The Genting group currently owns and operates Malaysia’s only casino in Genting Highlands, Pahang. It also operates Resorts World Sentosa, an integrated resort with its own casino, in Singapore.

Anwar had also dismissed the reports. He told reporters at an event on Thursday that claims of the government mulling a casino licence to revive Forest City were "a lie".

Berjaya Corp Bhd and its founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, who had also been linked to the reports, had likewise denied any participation in a brief statement on Friday.

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