The Malaysian Insight

A BLOOMBERG journalist today had his statement recorded by police over a news report on purported plans to build a casino in Forest City, Johor. 

Ram Anand, who is attached with the international news agency, arrived at the Bukit Aman police headquarters at 8.30am and was seen leaving at approximately 11am. 

Ram is one of three journalists who contributed to the Bloomberg report.

Last Friday, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said Bukit Aman’s classified crime investigation unit would be recording a statement from an editor of an English-language news portal at 11am today.

He said the matter was being investigated for sedition, criminal defamation and the misuse of network facilities. 

Razarudin said the investigation was initiated after a police report lodged by a lawyer of Berjaya Group founder Vincent Tan over the article, “Malaysia Mulls Casino at Forest City: Bloomberg”.

“The report was lodged after it was alleged to contain false, unwarranted and fake information,” he was quoted as saying. 

Investigations are being carried out under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, Section 500 of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The IGP also said police would record a statement from Tan and Genting Group chief executive Lim Kok Thay, although a date has yet to be set.

Last month, Bloomberg reported that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had met Tan and Lim to discuss plans for a casino at the Forest City development, which has been described as a ghost town.

Anwar, Berjaya and Genting Malaysia have all rejected the claims made in the Bloomberg report.

Last week, Anwar suggested that those mentioned in the report take action against Bloomberg. – May 6, 2024.