Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gaël Rangain
Published on 2024-03-22 11:00:04
The inhabitants of this region are fundamentally against the operation of this increasingly criticized type of gambling house across the island.
To collect funds for the upcoming general elections scheduled for this year, Jean Michel Lee Shim, self-proclaimed financier of the MSM, who is at odds with parliamentarians in the majority as well as with Lakwizinn at the Prime Minister’s Office, had planned to open a second casino in Triolet this Sunday. However, this time, his group faced resistance from the local population and their representatives at the village level. Despite the efforts of his deputy Sakhir Mutthy with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Dev Beekhary, they were forced to back down, much to the dismay of Jean Michel Lee Shim, who increasingly sees the ground slipping from under his feet. The time of passionate love between the betting magnate and power has seriously hit a snag.
All necessary steps had been taken with the relevant authorities, and it seemed that a positive verbal response had even been given to Jean Michel Lee Shim by the GRA. With the GRA’s word, which had been considered sacred until then, the JMLS team, surrounded by several contractors, had worked tirelessly for this casino to open its doors this Sunday. However, the uncertain nature of the turf has extended to his other commercial activities, including the world of gambling, which bodes ill for his activities where he sources the necessary funds to keep his businesses running at full capacity and especially to make donations to the ruling party.
Despite Rs 2 million investments to equip the casino with all necessary facilities such as a bar, Smoking Lounge, changing rooms, etc., popular pressure decided otherwise. Yesterday afternoon, residents of the region gathered in Triolet in front of the building that was supposed to house the casino to voice their opposition. They expressed that they do not see the need for a new casino in Triolet and attributed the project to Jean Michel Lee Shim, emphasizing that Triolet should not become a center of gambling in Mauritius.
Even though he is currently out of the country, Jean Michel Lee Shim has already instructed his collaborators to halt all work because there will be no new casino in Triolet… for now, he said in a moment of great anger and disappointment, sensing that the unconditional support of the power is slipping inexorably from under his feet. This decision was made following a series of protests from the locals who oppose the opening of this new casino.
Information gathered from reliable sources indicates that Jean Michel Lee Shim is losing favor within the ruling power and its political hierarchy. He is criticized for not being able to keep his promises, including boosting to take down the MTC, or even changing the image of horse racing in Mauritius. The Lee Shim clan has faced a string of failures at the Champ-de-Mars day after day.
The consensus emerging is that under the Lee Shim era, the management of horse racing at Champ-de-Mars has regressed by several decades. The attempt to overshadow the MTC has been a glaring failure but there is more behind it. The Champ-de-Mars has lost its colors and splendor, being turned into a dumping ground. As for horse racing, it is in free fall.
The question that both horse racing enthusiasts and political observers are asking is whether Jean Michel Lee Shim is still influential in the eyes of the key players at the Prime Minister’s Office ahead of this year’s electoral maiden voyage.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
