Winter Retreat

If you find the UK too cold, and Singapore too hot, then Genting will suit you just fine. Set admist forested mountains, and periodically submerged in a bed of clouds, the air is cool and wet, refreshing and invigorating. That is, until you step into the casino. The air inside is so polluted of cigarette smoke, only the greater evil of gambling can attract the millions of hopefuls to brave the smog.

It was my first trip to Malaysia onboard one of the newly furnished, highly advertised coaches. The coach comes intact with drinks, chairs with massage functions, and the ability to travel steadily at high speeds. I would pick it over any airplane anytime. I havent been to Malaysia in a while. The first impression I got, as we travelled across the highway across Johor, Malacca, Selangor into K.L, was that the roads were very well built and maintained. In KL itself, the roads were of equal if not better quality than those in Singapore, with much greenery and flora. However, the buildings tell a very different story. It is quite apparent that 'China-style' development has not hit Malaysia in a big way. I saw more than a few zinc houses, and old buildings. My biggest query was why the state used so much money to build a first-world roads system, but the local development had failed to catch on or make use of it. Did the roads bring the benefits to the people in terms of access and greater business opportunities? Perhaps much less than they should have. But that might not be a bad thing either, at least, Malaysia retained a rather distinct look.

Back to Genting. In the hotel, one of the programmes shown on the television was a documentary of how Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong built and developed Genting into the multi-million dollar business it now is today. I looked out of the window and thought to myself that he indeed had chosen a most wonderful place. However, if not for the casino, would it still be as popular. I doubt so. The theme park, the hotels, are all not well maintained, making it a second-rate resort at best. But yet, many locals and foreigners still flock to it. If you were to step into the casino, you would understand why. Everyone is there to gamble. From old aunties, to the smartly-dressed businessmen. I wondered how the new casinos in Singapore would affect Genting. I am sure Genting will retain its niche pool of visitors though, at least it still has the climate advantage over Singapore.

If one were to judge an activity by the number of people that participate in it, gambling would probably be a great thing. Especially 2-cent jackpot machines, it brings hope to so many, not unlike the 4D or Toto system in Singapore. However, I will not need to elaborate on the ills and harms of gambling, and the number of families and individuals it has torn apart. Sometimes I wonder, if there is any way, that individuals could derive the hope and anticipation they get from gambling, but be saved from the evils of addiction. I think its a balance. Too much hope is a bad thing, but having no hope is no better. But to make people understand and live by that I think, is more impossible than building a resort on top of a remote mountain.