Johor to come under spell of Disney Magic?

Disneyland across the Causeway will benefit Singapore's IRs, say observers

(JOHOR) It may sound like a fairy story, but there are rumours that the 'world's most famous mouse' could squeak across the Causeway.

There is talk that the Johor state government is 'in discussions' with the Walt Disney Company to set up a Disneyland.

And at a news conference yesterday during an offical visit to Johor, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi neither confirmed or denied the gossip.

Mr Abdullah: 'If Disneyland wants to come to Johor, I will not object. I will say, good'

'This is a matter for the state government to decide. I'll go along with what the state government wants,' Mr Abdullah said. 'If Disneyland wants to come to Johor, I will not object. I will say, very good.'

There are already two Disneylands in Asia - in Tokyo and Hong Kong. And Singapore came close to hosting Mickey Mouse in the 1990s.

In April this year, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang told Parliament that Singapore almost got a Disneyland in the Seletar area, but the deal fell through after Disney asked for 300 ha of land but wasn't prepared to use its own money to pay for it.

Johor, too, has had some near misses. Universal Studios was reported to have toyed with the idea of teaming up with the former Renong group for a theme park in Johor more than three years ago, but that plan fell through.

Industry sources said yesterday it is possible that Malaysia and Disney are in talks.

But they said it is doubtful that Disney would commit to another Asian project just yet, as its hands are full with Hong Kong Disneyland which opens this year.

'Johor and Disney could be in discussions and talks, but just because people talk doesn't mean it's going to be realised,' a source said.

If a Disneyland ever did sprout across the Causeway, it would certainly benefit Singapore's integrated resorts.

'Disneyland and the IRs would very much complement each other,' an industry oberver said.

'Disneyland would be a strategic benefit to the IRs as it would create a greater tourism-value proposition,' a source said.

Mr Abdullah also said yesterday he wants a 'masterplan' to coordinate the major projects Johor has embarked on in recent years.

These include the estimated 15 billion ringgit Danga Bay development and the Nusajaya project, which is set to house Johor's new RM1 billion Administration Center, scheduled for completion in 2007.

Mr Abdullah said the federal government would help with a masterplan and Malaysia's investment arm Khazanah Nasional may also provide its expertise.

But he stressed that Johor's projects must be for the people of Johor and not just for the wealthy - so projects must meet certain criteria.

Asked if such projects would be 'complementary or competitive' in relation to Singapore, Mr Abdullah said that they would be neither. 'We're not thinking of complementing. Neither are we thinking of competing. We have to think of what is in the best interest of Johor,' he said.