Nizar calls for swift review of ‘bleeding’ Perak animation theme park

IPOH, May 30 — A rapid evaluation of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) theme park in Ipoh is needed to prevent a loss of confidence among potential investors, Perak investment and corridor exco Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin said.

Nizar told Malay Mail that the problems plaguing the project have given would-be investors a poor impression of the state government, putting the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration in a difficult position.

“The [previous] state government burned their fingers on this project, through the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP),” Nizar said in a recent interview.

“This gives a negative image to would-be investors when they see that the state had a stake in the project. It haunts them because the state is involved.

“This is a bad sign and it needs to be rectified quickly,” he stressed.

He described the project as “bleeding” and claimed that planned works had not been 100 per cent completed because renovations and construction were still ongoing.

In addition, Nizar also said the theme park’s ticket sales were “not that encouraging”. 

A total of 51 per cent of MAPS’ shares is owned by Perak Corporation Berhad (PCB), which is a subsidiary of state development agency PKNP, and 34 per cent by co-developer RSG MAPS Sdn Bhd. The remainder is owned by an individual, whose identity is unknown.

In the lead-up to the election, Pakatan Harapan — then the Opposition — reportedly claimed that the park had lost over RM24 million in 2016, and was expected to lose the same amount in the future due to low visitor numbers.

The Barisan Nasional state government then countered by saying that the 2016 losses were pre-operational ones. They also expressed confidence in recouping the losses, claiming visitor traffic was good.

Last month, MAPS chief operating officer Mohd Farid Abdul Aziz said the park had welcomed 222,750 visitors since opening in June 2017. In March alone, Farid said an average of 1,077 people visited the park every day.

Nizar said the issue had “erupted” during the new administration’s maiden exco meeting on Wednesday, and added that a quick decision was needed on the multi-million ringgit theme park.

He said PKNP’s involvement meant that the issue came under the portfolio of Mentri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, adding that any meetings with MAPS representatives would be led by Faizal.

However, Nizar noted that the MAPS situation warranted discussion, as it would affect his own portfolio and the future of investment in Perak.

Nizar said there is a possibility that the project could be reformed if the state government decided that it could not be revived.

“An evaluation is needed to stem further losses and get back on track. Shutting down the project should be the last consideration, and now we haven’t arrived at that position.

“We are still at the point of identifying what caused the bleeding. If we can iron out the technicalities with the view that things can be improved, we will go along those lines,” he said.

When contacted for a response, a MAPS spokesman said all potential meetings with the state government would be arranged by parent company PCB.

“We normally get directions from our parent company, so all meetings will be made by PCB and the mentri besar’s office. We will work with PCB’s directions moving forward.” the spokesman said.