Chong Not Happy with Government Absence in Casino Consultation
“If we don’t get any approval from Government, we can invest elsewhere.”
Thursday 18 January 2024 | 12:01
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong in Suva on January 17, 2024. Photo: Leon Lord
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong hit back at Government yesterday over their absence during the proposed Casino Consultation Project at the Holiday Inn, Suva.
The chair of the Pacific Council of Churches and Head of the Catholic Church said it was vital to have open discussions with other religious organisations, Government and stakeholders.
An invitation was sent to Government, the Archbishop added.
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"I'm really disappointed with the way things turned out," he said.
"We were expecting them to be here to listen to the church and other religious leaders.
“Decisions made will affect community at grassroot level.”
The consultation was organised by the council in partnership with Macau-based David Group, the company which plans to invest in a $2 billion luxury project on Denarau Island.
At the heart of the project is the proposed casino.
But in December, the project became the centre of controversy when Government said it was not going to even talk of the idea of a casino without a policy in place.
Archbishop Loy Chong said: “As church leaders we wanted to get everyone’s opinion during the consultation, which was quite interesting, but we wanted Government to have a sit and listen to everyone’s opinion.”
David Group chief executive officer Jofe Tam, who was at the consultation, also questioned Government’s absence.
Participants of the Proposed Casino Consultation Project at the Holiday Inn Suva on January 17, 2024. Photo: Leon Lord
“When we started planning for this project, we made sure that public consultations were done before we present it to Government,” Mr Tam said.
“If we don’t get any approval from Government, we can invest elsewhere.”
But yesterday, Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica said they did not receive any formal invitation from the council.
Mr Kamicakamica reiterated the statement by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who earlier said: “They are wasting their time, no license will be issued until we develop a policy guideline on the issuance of casino licenses.”
Mr Rabuka also said the proposal needed to go through Cabinet first.
More research needed
On his views of the casino in the country, Archbishop Loy Chong said it required extensive research.
“The consultation consists of an inter-faith organisation that aims to get different views on casino operations in Fiji,” he said.
“The consultation was a hearing platform meaning where the investor and church groups and other religious groups came under one roof on how the proposed project would benefit everyone.”
He said there were negative and positive sides regarding the development, given the country’s poverty rate at 76 per cent.
“And a lot of the groups raise fears, concerns, questions, and uncertainty about this measure,” he said.
So, to help lay away those fears, we need more information.”
One Stop Pacific Island Business Consultancy’s Sandeep Singh, the local liaison for David Group, said more consultations would be held in the future.
Question on tour
Meanwhile, Mr Singh was asked how other Christian churches and religious groups were not part of the David Group-sponsored tour to Macau.
Mr Singh referred questions to Mr Kamikamica.
The Methodist Church of Fiji was the only religious body that toured Macau and casino operations of David Group.
Mr Kamikamica referred questioned to the church’s former president, Reverend Ili Vunisuwai.
Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.fj
