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though we may not have a direct debate, the government has listened to these views and these views would be taken into consideration when we make our decision. PM had explained that we intend to make a decision before the middle of April. The government had been elected to govern and it had the full mandate to decide on many important issues, for example the GST increase and the CPF contribution changes. All these are issues that, having gone through discussions and taking into consideration the views of the people, the government then had to make a decision. This, I think, is the same for the integrated resort. I agree with Mr Gan Kim Yong that the
Workers Party and Mr Low Thia Khiang had been conspicuously quiet for this whole, entire one year. And like him, I am a little perplexed why he thinks this ought to be an election issue. As Mr Low Thia Khiang knows, the election is not due until 2007. So is he suggesting that we don't make any decision and wait until elections come around and treat this as an election issue, two years later?
230:"The Government sought the opinion of the people but it does not go along with the opinion of the people and it has now made a unilateral decision. Eventually, will it turn out to be a blessing or a curse to our people? We have to wait and see. Under the current situation, where a party is dominant and the civil society is very weak, the people cannot sway the Government's decision on such a matter that concerns the fate of the people. If the Government's judgment is wrong, it would lead the nation and our people on to the 'river of no return', where the cost would be very real and very heavy."
819:
Of the 21 issues put before them, the one that will have the least influence on their vote is the decision to have the casinos. Eighty-five respondents (54 per cent) said that casinos would definitely not matter to them when they voted. This is more than double the number who said the casino issue would "definitely" influence their vote. Senior research fellow at the
Institute of Policy Studies Dr Gillian Koh suggested that the Government's slew of social safeguards had managed to assuage the feelings of the nay-sayers.
89:
453:"Genting International & Star Cruises submitted the most compelling proposal overall that best meets our economic and tourism objectives. In particular, the proposal reflects our vision for the Sentosa IR as a large-scale, family resort with its host of world-class family leisure attractions and other strong offerings. We believe that the attractions will position Sentosa as a premier island resort for families and draw significant numbers of both new and repeat visitors to Singapore."
903:
associated capital cost, its total investment will exceed S$ 5 billion. Said Prof
Jayakumar, "Sands has submitted the best overall proposal that meets our economic tourism objective. In particular, the proposal will significantly strengthen Singapore's position as a leading MICE destination and the proposal also possesses unique design elements that will provide a memorable image for Marina Bay."
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dining and shopping facilities, and the Sands SkyPark at Level 57 of the hotel, which features a 150-metre long infinity-edge swimming pool. The Expo and
Convention Center served as the main media center for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games 2010 held in Singapore in August 2010. Other facilities such as museums, theatres and crystal pavilions are due to open over the year through till 2011.
186:
members of a patron of the casino may block him or her from entering and gambling. Lee announced a steep entrance fee of S$ 100 per entry or S$ 2,000 per year and a system of exclusions for all
Singaporeans. (Increased to $ 150 per entry or $ 3,000 per year on 4 April 2019) In addition, the casinos would not be allowed to extend credit to the local population.
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because we believe that two projects will bring more economic benefits, without increasing the social cost commensurately; After weighing the matter carefully, the
Cabinet has collectively concluded that we had no choice but to proceed with the IRs. As Prime Minister, I carry the ultimate responsibility for the decision.
321:"Sands has submitted the best overall proposal that meets our economic tourism objective. In particular, the proposal will significantly strengthen Singapore's position as a leading MICE destination and the proposal also possesses unique design elements that will provide a memorable image for Marina Bay."
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While Harrah's and MGM were considered forerunners, Las Vegas Sands emerged as the surprise winner when it was announced on 26 May 2006. Las Vegas Sands had committed the highest development investment of S$ 3.85 billion. With the land price and associated capital cost, its total investment will
1055:
Two new faces will be in the ministerial committee headed by Deputy Prime
Minister Prof S Jayakumar to approve the bids. They are Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran. The duo will join other ministers like Mr Mah Bow Tan, Mr Lim Hng Kiang,
185:
Lee acknowledged the downsides of having integrated resorts and the concerns expressed by the public. He promised that there would be safeguards to limit the social impact of casino gambling. He stated there would be restrictions on the admission of local people into the casinos, for example, family
1092:
Genting
International & Star Cruises submitted the most compelling proposal overall that best meets our economic and tourism objectives. In particular, the proposal reflects our vision for the Sentosa IR as a large-scale, family resort with its host of world-class family leisure attractions and
818:
As
Singapore prepares to go to the polls, it appears that the two issues that provoked the loudest outcry last year will have very little impact on the way votes are cast. Last year, everyone had something to say about the go-ahead for casinos as well as the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) affair;
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and the civil society is very weak, the people cannot sway the
Government's decision on such a matter that concerns the fate of the people. If the Government's judgment is wrong, it would lead the nation and our people on to the "river of no return", where the cost would be very real and very heavy.
1022:
In a statement on Friday, the two partners said they had worked tirelessly on a proposal for Sentosa that would meet the government's ambitious goals for the site. But they decided not to submit a bid because they would not be able to deliver a development on the scale that they had envisioned for
720:
The Government sought the opinion of the people but it does not go along with the opinion of the people and it has now made a unilateral decision. Eventually, will it turn out to be a blessing or a curse to our people? We have to wait and see; Under the current situation, where a party is dominant
337:
officially launched the opening of its first phase developments on 27 April 2010 and held its official grand opening celebrations on 23 June 2010. It is billed as a centrepiece of the Marina Bay landscape. Amenities include a hotel with 2,560 rooms and suites, Sands Expo and Convention Center with
756:
On this issue of integrated resort, this is an issue that has been debated many times, there were a lot of views put up. We have had this discussion over a year. I disagree with Mr Gan Kim Yong. In fact, members of this house had used this house, on many occasions, to express their views and even
789:
The Workers' Party notes that a broad cross section of Singaporean society is concerned about the negative effects of having a Casino literally at their doorsteps. Yet the PAP Government has refused to allow Singaporeans to exercise their right to decide on having a Casino in Singapore through a
556:
The first question was whether to have IRs at all. The answer was yes. Having settled that, the next question was whether to have one or two IRs. We decided on two IRs, because the Bayfront and Sentosa projects complement each other, because having two provides competition and critical mass, and
902:
The integrated resort will be a centrepiece of the Marina Bay landscape come 2010. At a news conference on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar said that among the four bidders, Las Vegas Sands had committed the highest development investment of S$ 3.85 billion. With the land price and
209:
The debate over integrated resorts also brought to the public's attention a discussion on the methods and ways government policies should be deliberated in Singapore, and whether they were effective or needed reform. This is especially because the political climate is
1056:
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Mr Raymond Lim to form the tender approving authority. This committee – together with the tender evaluation committee (TEC) made up of senior civil servants – will review the three bids, said the Singapore Tourism Board.
189:
Lee, who has been prime minister since August 2004, took a significant political risk when he made the decision, with some of his cabinet members against the plan. Nonetheless, Lee decided to go ahead with the decision; he stated:
316:
consists of three large shells containing conference halls and other business venues, three large hotel towers linked on their top floors by a sweeping sky garden, and a centerpiece museum which juts out onto the bay.
170:, openly expressed their disapproval of the casinos. Concerns were raised about the negative social impact of casino gambling, citing worries that the casinos could encourage more gambling and increase the risk of
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122:, which proved popular with Singaporean tourists. The IRs in Singapore were expected to create about 35,000 jobs directly and indirectly. In addition to the casinos, the IRs will have other amenities including
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other strong offerings. We believe that the attractions will position Sentosa as a premier island resort for families and draw significant numbers of both new and repeat visitors to Singapore.
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The plan to build the integrated resorts was subject to considerable debate among Singaporeans even till 2014. Several groups, such as those belonging to the
150:. The industry was expected to invest US$ 7.1 billion in integrated resorts (US$ 3.5 billion in Marina Bay; US$ 3.6 billion in Resorts World).
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that attracted tens of thousands of signatures. When Lee approved the proposal after such widespread criticism, the opposition said that he had overruled
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Sentosa while meeting their objectives for this project. So, with less than four days to the deadline for the bids, the field is down to just three.
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Results were announced on 8 December 2006. The winning consortium was front-runner Genting International and Star Cruises with their bid for the
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The six-month consultative period gave the opportunity for many sections of the population to voice their opposition to the casinos, including a
271:(RFC), inviting industry players to submit concept proposals for the integrated resorts. A total of 19 bids were submitted during the RFC.
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referendum. The PAP government has also refused the challenge by the Workers' Party to make the proposed Casino an election issue.
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The bids were reviewed by a ministerial committee and a tender evaluation committee. The ministerial committee was headed by
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which had been facing intense competition from other destinations around the region, particularly from nearby
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1073:"Remarks by DPM Prof S Jayakumar at Press Conference on Award of Integrated Resort at Sentosa, 8 Dec 2006"
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exceed S$ 5 billion. It would also be one of the most expensive casinos in the world. The design by
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In the following decades, the operation of legal gambling in Singapore was limited to the government-run
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be reviewed till putting in a total ban on remote gambling after the Remote Gambling Bill was passed.
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Three consortia submitted their proposals by the due date on 10 October 2006, including:
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Developing Industries > Integrated Resorts > Ministerial Speeches & Comments
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and increased crime, and gambling was criminalised again within three years.
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194:"As Prime Minister, I carry the ultimate responsibility for the decision."
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1003:"Harrah's, Keppel Land pull out of race for Sentosa integrated resort"
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832:"Singapore should 'wean itself off the casino industry': Denise Phua"
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Four companies/consortia placed formal bids for the Marina Bay site:
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consortium, pulled out from the race four days before the deadline.
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The government stated that the aim of the project was to boost
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596:"MPs say Casino Control (Amendment) Bill not strict enough"
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The Integrated Resorts: A Select Guide (English Version)
776:. The Workers' Party of Singapore. Archived from
707:. The Workers' Party of Singapore. Archived from
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470:National Council on Problem Gambling (Singapore)
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23:, an initiative of the Government of Mauritius.
734:Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry
118:has long had a legal casino cum theme park on
1079:. Ministry of Law, Singapore. Archived from
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747:. Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore
570:"Why Singapore embraced integrated resorts"
1142:Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore)
623:"Shit! RWS is hiring Taiwanese dealers!!!"
34:was briefly legalized in the then-British
1138:Developing Industries: Integrated Resorts
538:Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore
246:suggesting that the place of gambling in
675:"Casinos in Singapore will create havoc"
527:"Proposal to develop Integrated Resorts"
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1155:Singapore National Library Board (NLB)
1069:Deputy Prime Minister Prof S Jayakumar
803:"Casinos? NKF? Do voters care at all?"
458:Deputy Prime Minister Prof S Jayakumar
238:, however, the decision was already a
1042:. Channel NewsAsia. 11 October 2006.
984:from the original on 25 November 2010
1046:from the original on 23 October 2006
1013:from the original on 21 October 2006
1009:. Channel NewsAsia. 6 October 2006.
955:from the original on 28 October 2010
951:. Marina Bay Sands. 31 August 2010.
681:from the original on 12 October 2014
655:from the original on 14 October 2014
500:from the original on 19 October 2010
57:for horse racing. However, during a
926:from the original on 1 October 2010
922:. Marina Bay Sands. 27 April 2010.
352:Publishing and Broadcasting Limited
13:
980:. Marina Bay Sands. 23 June 2010.
916:"Marina Bay Sands Opens its doors"
834:. Channel NewsAsia. Archived from
598:. Channel NewsAsia. Archived from
226:, warned in a parliament session:
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889:. Channel NewsAsia. 26 May 2006.
809:. Channel NewsAsia. 18 April 2006
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16:Singaporean resorts with casinos
1114:Integrated resorts in Singapore
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705:"Casinos in Integrated Resorts"
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1036:"Genting bets big on Sentosa"
745:News and Events > Speeches
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1128:Resources in other libraries
154:Public debate and criticisms
100:Singapore's tourism industry
38:, but the experiment led to
19:Not to be confused with the
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326:Deputy Prime Minister Prof
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61:session on 18 April 2005,
30:internationally. In 1923,
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1123:Resources in your library
182:or even organised crime.
21:Integrated Resort Scheme
265:government of Singapore
166:communities as well as
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420:Tharman Shanmugaratnam
401:Harrah's Entertainment
399:A fourth contender, a
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263:In December 2004, the
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1178:Tourism in Singapore
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1083:on 28 February 2008
1071:(8 December 2006).
547:on 27 November 2007
436:Vivian Balakrishnan
350:Eighth Wonder with
269:request-for-concept
234:By the time of the
172:compulsive gambling
55:Singapore Turf Club
36:colony of Singapore
711:on 13 October 2007
629:on 13 October 2014
602:on 12 October 2014
576:on 13 October 2014
136:convention centers
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40:gambling addiction
28:integrated resorts
1188:2006 in Singapore
1183:2005 in Singapore
1109:Library resources
838:on 9 October 2014
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440:Raymond Lim
428:Mah Bow Tan
416:S Jayakumar
405:Keppel Land
393:Frank Gehry
391:(design by
380:(design by
362:(design by
328:S Jayakumar
292:Keppel Land
254:Development
244:Denise Phua
180:loan sharks
148:theme parks
128:restaurants
1167:Categories
1087:2008-01-17
1050:2008-01-17
1017:2008-01-17
988:2010-10-06
959:2010-10-06
930:2010-10-06
897:2008-01-17
813:2008-01-17
784:2008-01-17
751:2008-01-17
715:2008-01-17
551:2008-01-17
476:References
389:Capitaland
306:CapitaLand
302:MGM Mirage
259:Marina Bay
59:parliament
864:8 October
842:8 October
685:8 October
659:8 October
633:8 October
606:8 October
580:8 October
424:S Iswaran
248:Singapore
212:dominated
204:consensus
164:Christian
108:Hong Kong
71:Singapore
51:lotteries
1044:Archived
1011:Archived
982:Archived
953:Archived
924:Archived
891:Archived
679:Archived
653:Archived
498:Archived
464:See also
456:—
324:—
200:petition
140:theatres
132:shopping
116:Malaysia
32:gambling
1140:of the
504:3 April
342:Sentosa
214:by the
144:museums
104:Bangkok
83:Sentosa
75:cabinet
1111:about
160:Muslim
124:hotels
65:, the
53:, and
741:(PDF)
545:(PDF)
530:(PDF)
434:, Dr
414:Prof
372:with
112:Macau
866:2014
844:2014
687:2014
661:2014
635:2014
608:2014
582:2014
506:2010
438:and
403:and
162:and
146:and
134:and
110:and
81:and
49:for
69:of
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1153:–
1149:,
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