Politicians criticise Genting Malaysia opening amid rising Covid-19 cases

Two opposition politicians have questioned why Genting Malaysia is allowed to continue operating while the country is seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Malaysia.- Two opposition politicians have criticised Resorts World Genting for continuing to operate when all bars and restaurants in Malaysia have been ordered to close due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

According to Free Malaysia Today newspaper, Klang MP Charles Santiago, questioned why RWG was still open, how people are getting there and who is monitoring social interaction at the venue.

Lee Chean Chung, an assemblyman for Semambu in Pahang, also criticised Genting Malaysia and said there should be no double standards within the MCO rules.

According to local media, the Ministry of Health has recorded 6,806 new coronavirus cases, the biggest daily jump in infections. Malaysia is now under a movement control order (MCO) in a bi to curb social interaction.

Genting Malaysia‘s stock dropped 5 per cent yesterday due to fears a new lockdown could be announced.

Genting Malaysia stated on its website Resorts World Genting gaming areas are only available to Genting Rewards members.

Genting Malaysia previously closed for two weeks in February due to a wave of Covid-19 infections. At that time, Genting Malaysia announced that essential resort-based services at Resorts World Genting, including security, firefighting, utilities and clinics, would remain operational.

In March, analysts predicted Genting Malaysia would see earnings fall by 10 per cent in 2021. They predict the casino operator will make a loss of around MYR184m (US$45m) because of restrictions to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the analysts, revenue will come in at around MYR6.32bn (US$1.54 bn), down from an earlier estimate of MYR7.05bn (US$1.71bn).

The casino operator started cutting salaries to reduce costs as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues.