KUWAIT CITY : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said the Cabinet had
made its decision on the casino issue during a meeting last
Saturday.
Speaking to the Singapore media at the end of his visit to Qatar
and Kuwait, Mr Goh confirmed that there was some disagreement among
Ministers.
But he would not say what the decision is, as it will be announced
in Parliament on April 18.
Mr Goh said he would also make his views known during the
session.
And while some speculate that the Ministers could have been divided
along the lines of age, Mr Goh said it was not just some of the
older Ministers who had views against the casino.
The arguments against the casino were based on principle - on
social costs - with some younger Ministers expressing concern over
the casino's impact on society.
Mr Goh said he gave his views to the Prime Minister before he left
for his visit.
Asked if he felt if public reaction against the casino was
overblown, Mr Goh said Singaporeans must be allowed to state their
views and he is happy there are many in the country who felt
strongly against the casino.
Mr Goh said if very few people objected to it, then it would worry
him as it would mean the people have become practical and have
forgotten moral and religious values.
He added, however, that while weight has to be given to the
people's views, the Government has to ask whether the country can
continue to attract investments in tourism and if there can be that
extra ballast in the economy to sustain growth.
So a decision has to be taken carefully, and weigh both
sides.
Asked if conditions were favourable now for a General Election in
Singapore, Mr Goh said if Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wants to
go for an early election, Mr Goh feels the ground is good now and
if he wants to do it later, the ground may be better.
But if Mr Lee wants to go for elections two years from now, Mr Goh
said it may then be a little too late. - CNA
