Investment in Perak unaffected by MAPS closure, claims Nizar

IPOH: Any investments made in Perak will not be affected by the closure of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS), says Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

The Perak investment, industrial and regional development committee chairman, said he had spoken to two parties who were interested to take over the theme park.

"One is a local company and the other is from China.

"We are looking into ways to ensure the theme park, or a similar project, is revived," he told a press conference after a visit to Dex Draexlmaier Automotive Systems Sdn Bhd, 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.

Mohammad Nizar, the former Perak mentri besar, added thus the closure did not affect the stock market nor the investment climate in the state.

On the visit to the plant producing automotive wiring harnesses, Mohammad Nizar said the Germany based company set up in Ipoh for about 35 years would be carrying out an expansion project.

He said he and officials from relevant government agencies were there to ensure the project could be expedited.

"Currently there are 800 people working in the company, and with the expansion, an additional 500 people will be hired in the next five years.

"The building costing RM54mil is expected to be completed by October," he added.