Visit to Dubai

I visited Dubai. It was my first visit.

I was amazed at the development of Dubai. It is like Singapore, but using 21st century technology.

They are building many new cities, such as media city, internet city, knowledge village, etc. They get the international companies to be based there. The Dubai Marina is a grand residential city, and is nearly completed.

They are also building several large residential projects, such as Palm Jumeria, The World. These are built on reclaimed land in the Gulf. The scale of these projects is tremendous. Each has over 5,000 new residential houses and apartments.

My friend who live in Dubai said that the transport system is not adequately planned. I think that the Dubai planners will also find a 21st century solution to this issue. They have the vision and will to do it.

It is an exciting international city.

My perspective of the casino debate

Sent to:

Editor
Forum Page
Straits Times

I wish to add a new perspective to the casino debate and to suggest how we can enjoy the economic benefit and minimse its social cost.

I visted Genting Highlands recently to attend a conference. I was amazed. It is a large integrated resort, with entertainment shows, shops, food outlets, children games, an outdoor theme park and casinos.

Many families visited the resort with their children. They had an enjoyable time with the recreational facilities. They do not need to gamble at the casino, if they do not wish to.

The integrated resort is viable mainly due to the casino. But, I estimate that less than 20% of the visitors went to the casino. The remainder enjoyed the other excellent facilities.

Many people are gainfully employed in the integrated resort. The economic benefit from the integrated resport is significant and should not be brushed away.
I share the concern about the harmful effort of gambling addiction. This happens when addicts gamble beyond their financial means and have to resort to borrowing from loan sharks.

We can find a way to minimise this problem. Here is a suggestion. Singaporeans who wish to gamble in the casino has to open an account and depost money into the account. They can gamble by withdrawing moeny from the account. If they exhaust the account, they have to stop gambling. Any deposit into the account cannot be withdrawn on the same day.

This arrangement ensures that they do not continue gambling when their money is exhausted. It prevents them from borrowing to continue the gambling. Although they have the choice to deposit money and come back the following day, they are likely to be more sober.

Tan Kin Lian
(in my personal capacity)