MAPS entertainment park in Ipoh won’t close despite RM500 mil losses

From March 1, entrance to the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) is free and visitors only need to pay if they want to play any games. (Bernama pic)

IPOH: The Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) here, a joint venture project by a subsidiary of the Perak government, will not be closed as it provides job opportunities for the locals, said Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He said the developers of the park would incur more losses if it is closed down.

“We have taken several measures to make it cost-efficient, like giving free admission to the park.

“Visitors now only need to pay for playing the games of their choice.

“This has proven to be effective,” he told reporters after laying the foundation stone for the At-Taiyyibin Islamic Learning Centre project in Tanah Hitam, Chemor, here today.

The new system (for MAPS) was implemented on March 1.

Faizal said the state government would need time to settle MAPS’ debt of nearly RM500 million.

On a suggestion by Keranji assemblyman Chong Zhemin, from DAP, to move a motion for the tabling of the audit report on MAPS at the state assembly sitting tomorrow, Faizal said this would not happen.

“My friends and I from Amanah and PKR feel that this is inappropriate.

“We (state government) have taken action and conducted an internal audit. We’ve also appointed an outside company to do a forensic audit.

“I also lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate and find out if there was any misappropriation of funds in MAPS,” he added. - FMT