MB denies spending RM600mil on Movie Animation Park sitting idle now

IPOH: The Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) became a bone of contention between the ruling and Opposition parties at the Perak state assembly sitting.

During his winding-up speech, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad denied an allegation by several assemblymen that the state had spent RM600mil on the theme park that was no longer in operation.

“The state has never funded the project. Instead it was funded through a few loans from various financial institutions. Therefore, the state has no locus standi in interfering in the company’s matter.

“Even when I was the state Opposition leader, I denied the accusation that the state had spent that much on MAPS,” he said.

Saarani said the project was funded by PCB Development Sdn Bhd (PCBD), which is a subsidiary of Bursa Malaysia-listed Perak Corp Bhd.

“If there is any criminal allegation made (on MAPS), (assemblymen) can lodge a police report and let the authorities take action,” he added.

Earlier on, state Opposition leader, Dr Abdul Aziz Bari (PH-Tebing Tinggi), asked Saarani whether he agreed that what happened to MAPS had impacted the state’s image.

“I agree with what Abdul Aziz said earlier, that what happened to MAPS has tarnished the state’s image, and it is our responsibility (as the state administration) to restore the image, which we will. We will facilitate in areas that we can.

“But we won’t interfere with MAPS’ legal matter,” he said.

Opened in 2017, the RM520mil theme park had been closed since January 2020.

In 2019, a special audit by PCB audit committee revealed that MAPS’ original cost of construction and development was stated at RM390mil, when the actual cost stood at RM607mil.

In 2020, the state government tried looking for private investors to take over MAPS.

Separately, state social welfare committee chairman Datuk Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin said about 1,700 women in Perak were facing period poverty, which is characterised by the inability to afford sanitary pads.

During her question-and-answer session at the state assembly sitting, Wan Norashikin said among the issues faced were financial constraints and a lack of information about menstruation and hygiene.

“We also received reports that some schoolgirls in the state are missing classes when they are menstruating.

“We are planning several programmes and campaigns, including providing basic health kits for women in the state,” she said.