Perak calls for forensic audit on theme park after RM474.4m loss

IPOH: The state government has called for a forensic audit of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) theme park, which incurred a RM474.4-million loss, said Perak Economic Advisory Council member Nga Kor Ming.

“The state government is committed to saving this project, but what is more important is to have a forensic audit and it should be done immediately.

“Those who made decisions on this project until it caused a big loss should be responsible and brought to justice. This is the people’s money.

“We have reminded them so many times during their five-year period not to get involved by investing in MAPS.

“It is not the state government’s job to build the theme park. We should give it to the private sector to invest and they will bear everything.

“At the beginning, the state government was not involved in this project. Perak State Development Corporation provided only land to the private sector, which wished to develop the theme park.

“I am not sure how the plan changed, as now, the state government is the biggest stakeholder in this project.”

Nga said to date, the losses incurred were RM474.4 million, including asset value of RM186.5 million, and loss on non-trade receivables of RM90.4 million.

“What is more shocking is that the state-owned Perak Corporation Bhd is the biggest shareholder in this project, with total investment amounting to RM248 million.

“Every year, the company needs to repay a bank loan amounting to RM15 million.”

Following this, Nga demanded the previous state government, led by Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, to apologise to the people who have to bear the consequences due to the poor decisionmaking.

MAPS, which was opened on June 26 last year, has over 40 unique attractions, with six worldrenowned animated themes, including Boboiboy, The Smurfs and some animated characters from Dreamworks Animation LLC.