Extracted from : Business Times - 18 Apr 2005
S'pore gives green light to casino project
SINGAPORE - Singapore announced on Monday that it will allow construction
of two casinos, gambling that the decision can boost its economy and juice
up its image.
Critics fear residents of one of Asia's safest cities will succumb to vice
with casinos on their shores for the first time.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed the government's decision in
Parliament after months of mulling the economic pros and social cons.
Singapore has received nearly 20 proposals from international gaming giants
angling to build a casino in Southeast Asia's most prosperous country.
"The Cabinet has decided to proceed with the project," Mr Lee said.
Singapore's leaders had encouraged citizens to speak up on the casino plan,
triggering lively exchanges in the media, on Internet chat sites, in
offices and homes. For a while Singaporeans appeared to be split evenly in
the debate - unusual in that Singaporeans so rarely challenge their
government's plans.