State DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming has called on the state government of Perak, Malaysia, to sell the loss-making Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) theme park to private investors.
As reported by The Star, Nga said in a press conference: “MAPS, set up under the Perak Corporation Berhad (PCB) by the previous Barisan Nasional government, has suffered RM474mil in losses even before its official opening.
“The state government should not be running a business, and to prevent further losses, it is best the theme park is sold.
“I am aware of the current state government’s efforts to ‘save’ MAPS, with interesting packages, discounts and promotions, but I still strongly feel that the park must be sold.”
Nga said the theme park should be sold using an open tender system.
MAPS, Asia’s first animation theme park, opened last June. The RM520 million ($120m) theme park stretches over 21 hectares in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. It features more than 40 attractions in six themed zones. Animated themes include The Smurfs, Boboiboy and animated Dreamworks characters.
Earlier this year Perak Corp had negotiated a deal with theme park operator Only World Group to co-manage and co-operate the Malaysian theme park. The park fell into trouble in June when an external auditor’s report showed huge losses for Perak Corp.
In August, developers of MAPS called off plans to open a Dreamworks attraction at the park.
MAPS CEO, Shafeii Abdul Ghaffor, later said the termination of the licence with Dreamworks will give the park more freedom to expand and promote itself.
Movie Animation Park Studios is open 10am to 6pm on weekdays and from 10am to 10pm on weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
Image courtesy of MAPS Perak
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/12/03/perak-govt-should-sell-maps-theme-park-to-private-investors-to-cut-losses-says-nga/
