JOHOR BAHARU, Oct 12 — Johor Corporation (JCorp) is bullish over public response to South East Asia’s first Angry Birds Indoor Theme Park at the Johor Baharu City Centre (JBCC) here, based on a study it conducted recently.

Its President and Chief Executive Datuk Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim said the study showed that more than 80 per cent of respondents would come to the JBCC when the theme park is officially opened in May next year.

He was speaking after officiating the opening of the 2,800 sq ft Angry Birds Public Activity Park, also a first in the region, at the Galleria@Kotaraya shopping complex here.

Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of JCorp is developing the JBCC, formerly known as Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (Komtar), into an integrated real estate hub comprising retail outlets, hotel and office towers.

The Angry Birds Indoor Theme Park will be located on the third floor of the JBCC. Last June, Damansara Assets inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Angry Birds’ creator, Rovio Entertainment of Finland, to set up the Angry Bird Indoor Theme Park.

At present, there are four Angry Birds Theme Parks in operation in Finland. Meanwhile, Damansara Assets Executive Director Yusaini Sidek said the theme park was capable of attracting about 30,000 visitors monthly.

He said RM10 million had been invested in the theme park and work had entered the final phase. On competition from other theme parks in Iskandar Malaysia, Kamaruzzaman said JCorp was positive over the potential of the Angry Birds Theme Park as a tourist destination.

“Compared to the other open air theme parks, the Angry Birds Theme Park is indoors and can attract that segment of clients who are keen on being entertained while shopping,” he added.

Iskandar Malaysia at present has the Legoland Malaysia Theme Park and the indoor Hello Kitty Theme Park, while the Legoland Water Theme Park will open at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Senior Vice President of Rovio Entertainment (Asia) Henri Holm who was present at the ceremony today said the company is very excited over the opening of the Angry Birds Activity Park at the Galleria.

“Having the Angry Birds Activity Park at the Galleria will enhance the mall experience,” he added. — Bernama