KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Corporation Bhd issued a statement today on behalf of Berjaya Group founder and adviser Tan Sri Vincent Tan, denying that he discussed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about opening a casino to revive the US$100 billion (RM476 billion) Forest City project in Johor.

Referring to two articles, “Malaysia In Talks With Tycoons On Casino To Revive $100 Billion Forest City” published by Bloomberg LP, and “Malaysia Mulls Casino At Forest City” in The Edge Singapore, the statement said they had included inaccurate information.

“They have misrepresented our supposed involvement in discussions with Anwar regarding the Forest City project and wish to make it clear that Tan has not participated in any such discussions. We also refute the inaccurate claims presented in the two articles,” it said.

The statement called for appropriate action by the two publications to clarify and remove the misleading content from the articles across all platforms, and cease further dissemination of the inaccurate information.

Berjaya Corporation is listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad and is a diversified consumer group with four core business segments – retail (food & non-food), hospitality, property and services.

Its business interests under the segments include among others, consumer marketing, financial services, hotels and resorts, recreation, gaming, environmental services, motor trading and distribution, telecommunications, IT and investment holding. – BY JOSHUA PURUSHOTMAN