Group seeks to re-open casino-resort in Samal

KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysian investor wants to revive the P1-billion Ekran Berhad resort located at the southernmost tip of the Garden City of Samal Island.

Ekran Berhad Resort, which was built purposely for casino goers and other holiday seekers, opened in 1997 but closed down after a few years, reportedly after it incurred heavy losses.

Ekran Berhad, a Malaysian listed company that owns the resort, was reportedly seriously affected by the Asian crisis in 1998.

The resort also owes the Samal Island city government at least P50 million in unpaid taxes.

Samal Island Mayor Al David Uy told The STAR that the owners of Ekran Berhad, represented by Michael Ting, signified interest in reopening the resort with new investors interested in pouring in fresh capital. 

Uy, accompanied by Samal Island officials, arrived here on Tuesday to meet with Ting regarding the reopening of the resort.

But Uy said that even if they welcome the planned reopening of Ekran Berhad, there are certain matters that have to be addressed by Ting’s group, such as the P50 million in taxes owed to the city. Ting wants the taxes condoned before they would infuse new investments. 

“It could not be that totally they will no longer pay the back taxes. They should come up with a certain amount, maybe 50 percent of the total amount,” Uy said, adding that the city government also needs the revenue.

Ekran Berhad resort was opened at the start of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) geo-economic grouping in 1994.