New attractions for Perak

IPOH: The state government is finding ways to come up with new tourist attractions following the closure of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) here, says Tan Kar Hing.

The Perak Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman said MAPS was among the main attractions in the state and the closure would affect the tourism sector here.

Nevertheless, the state government has plans to create new attractions here as well as outside of the city, he said.

“For this year, we have several development projects lined up, such as the Ipoh Light and Sound Show which is expected to be completed by end of the year.

“The show will be held at Ipoh Padang and the area will be decorated with beautiful lights that twinkle according to the sounds played in the background.

“We also have plans to open a digital library, and a few more projects that will be announced later, ” he told the press after announcing the state-level Chinese New Year celebration that will be held on Thursday at Eco Park 1 near here.

MAPS was opened to the public in June 2017 and has been closed since Jan 28 until further notice.

The closure notice was issued by the receiver and manager of Animation Theme Park Sdn Bhd (ATP) from Ernst & Young.

On the Chinese New Year celebration, Tan said some 10,000 people are expected to attend the event from 6pm to 11pm.

When asked if the gathering would be affected by the novel coronavirus scare, Tan said there has been no human-to-human transmissions in the country thus far, and the eight cases reported were foreigners.

Tan said the state government has sought advice from the Health Ministry, as well as Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye.

Dr Lee, who is also the Deputy Health Minister, told them to go ahead with the show, he said, adding that the celebration would be held in Dr Lee’s constituency.

“Come for the event, as various traditional dance performances, clown and magic shows, wushu performance, calligraphy, origami, batik making and kolam exhibitions will be held. Plenty of food and drinks will be served.”