Did you know that our Chuuk State Government is negotiating with the same Chinese investors who attempted to build a 10,000-room mega casino on Yap and Pohnpei? In a February 12, 2015 post on Micronesia Forum, Mr. Sabino Asor (commonly known as Taxi-Womw), CPSC Chairman for Public Hearing and Chuuk State Attorney General shared the news of the government’s negotiations while attempting to deflect people’s criticism of the relationship between Ms. Marilyn Manibusan (the former convicted Guam Republican Senator and businesswoman) and Mr. Kachutosy Paulis (Chairman of the Chuuk Political Status Commission and businessman) and Chinese investors.
Mr. Asor wrote,
“There seems to be confusion about Commission Chairman Paulus’ business relationship with Ms Manibusan and Chinese partners, Chinese Casino Proposal to Chuuk State, and the Commission’s role in either or both. Please do not discredit the Commission over the developments on either of such business proposals.
Chairman Paulus’ business relationship is with his own partners, and I think it is about solar energy and other types of business activities, not casino. And specifically as stated somewhere, Chairman Paulus’ business ventures with his partners are HIS PRIVATE BUSINESS DEALS, NOT OFFICIAL DEALS OF THE CHUUK STATUS COMMISSION.
There is another group of Chinese investors who are in negotiations with the Chuuk State Government, not the Chuuk Commission. This is the Group that includes a proposed Casino in their business proposal with Chuuk State, (similar to that being proposed to Yap and one in Pohnpei).
Both groups are not dealing officially with the Chuuk Commission. As with the Casino proposal, I think Chuuk can find ways to issue exclusive casino licenses, for regulated casino business operations in the state, (similar to Las Vegas), over long term land leases, not land purchases which is prohibited in the FSM Constitution. If the state would decide to go that route, it will have to amend existing state laws prohibiting casino in the state. But we are not there yet.
So public debate is welcome.”
Well, public…have at it! But before you debate the pros and cons of casino gambling as a viable option for economic development in Chuuk, please educate yourself first and stay respectful in sharing your opinions.
Further Readings:
- Impact of Casino Gaming in Chuuk State: A Report and Analysis by Charles Light (1992) – NEW (added 2/16/2015)
- The American Journal of Economics and Sociology: “Do Casinos Cause Economic Growth?” (PDF)
- University of Illinois, Institute on Government and Public Affairs: “Casino gambling causes crime.” (PDF)
- Wall Street Journal: “Is Yap Ready for the World?”
- Radio New Zealand: “Yap opposition to huge Chinese-funded casino project”
- Asahi Shimbun: “China courts Pacific island states to extend its reach”
- Microtech Consulting: “Wrongdoings in the State of Yap.“
- Saipan Tribune: “Saipan Casino Deal Reached”
Dr. Vid Raatior
Dr. Vid Raatior is a proud Chuukese parent, educator, citizen blogger, and social entrepreneur living in the US.
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I don’t know that the State of Chuuk has control over private land to negotiate with the Chinese businessmen to build a casino. What is going on in the minds of Chuukese leaders like Taxi Womw? It seems that they always venture into the path of uncertainty. The fact is CHUUK GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE LAND! Let the land owners to negotiate for themselves instead meddling. You cannot even negotiate with the land owners for the road on Weno and now you are thinking about a mega projects that required hectares of land. Not impressed!!
That completely contradicts the means to replicate Palau’s government…..Because Palau just defeated a Casino bill in their legislature NOT TO ALLOW Casinos in Palau.
On another note, I think the investors vying to be in Chuuk from China is not the same one here in Yap but still, Investment is a good thing but Casinos??? HELL NO!!!!
I am not gonna stay respectful toward something that is totally STUPID..!!
I will run my big mouth wild and nasty…against my respectful culture-Fairo..
In a democratic government, there’s no respect when dealing with corrupt leaders and crooked government…
Now, let get down with business..
First, the government of Chuuk can’t or won’t be able to stop/ control the use of ” dynamite” bombs in our water that slaughter thousands of fish and marine life in a single hit..
Second, local government unable to resolve the land dispute which causes $9 million a year…
Third, legal system/ public safety unable to control the skyrocketing numbers of crimes/violance in the state…
Well, it’s true that casino can bring some job opportunities, but it will ruined plenty of lifes. I know this because I’ve seen it.
I also wonder if we have land for this casino when we do not even have lands for our schools, hospitals, fire department, jails, and etc. Land owners won’t even let us expand the rodes…and we have land for this?
Why don’t we fix these problems we still have first before we open our beloved Chuuk for other entertainments.
Thank you.
hang up SABINO fan taxi womw…
Update: 2/16/2015 – Please read the new report and analysis done in 1992 for the Chuuk State Legislature by Mr. Charles Light, Staff Attorney. You can find in the Further Readings section of this article.
Yeah how im gunna see the update I want to read..
Lol.PATHETIC!!!.WHY DON’T YOU LOOK AT YOUR ROADS,SCHOOLS,HOSPITAL,MORE IMPORTANTLY LOOK AT YOUR PEOPLE BEFORE YOU THINK OF CASINO’S!!!..UFEN TAKIRI KICH ESP NEUCH LEADERS PUN SA KON SUUMWAS MEREN ARAMAS..REPWE FEN ERA SAKON NUWENI KICH WON NIENGAWEN ANEN CHUUK,NIENGAW NON PIOING, OSUPWANG ARAMAS PUN ESEOR AR ANGANG NGE TIPETA ON CASINO…RETARDED STUPID AND CRAZY IDEA I’VE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!
Talking about casino? Which involve money, women (prostitution) crime, drugs,..etc are we ready ?