Singapore's founding premier, Lee Kuan Yew, said he found Malaysia's Genting Bhd proposal to build two casinos in Singapore the most interesting of the 19 submitted by global casino operators. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Lee, 81, who remains in cabinet in the powerful post of minister mentor, said he was briefed on all the proposals, including those by Las Vegas giants Harrah's Entertainment Inc and MGM Mirage.
"The most interesting for me was Genting Bhd putting two bids," said Lee, Singapore's first prime minister from 1965 to 1990. His son, Lee Hsien Loong, now holds that post.
Genting, which owns Malaysia's sole casino on the hilltop resort of Genting, is controlled by 84-year-old gaming tycoon Lim Goh Tong, who submitted two proposals - one for Marina Bay area and another for Sentosa island.
Genting and its partner Star Cruises Ltd are teaming up with Universal Studios, the theme parks and entertainment giant behind movie franchises such as "The Mummy" and "Jurassic Park".