[pilotsnoopy]

Disney 'has no plans for Malaysian park'
(BT May 31, 2006)

LOS ANGELES - Walt Disney on Tuesday said it has no plans to build a theme park in Malaysia -- even though Malaysian government officials said they had been in talks to develop one.


'We are constantly exploring opportunities around the world as we look to grow our parks and resorts business. At this time, however, there are no existing discussions in Malaysia and we currently have no plans for a Disney-branded resort development in that country,' said Lisa Haines, a spokesman for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

'Oriental Land Company, which owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort as our licensee, is a valued partner; however, they have no role in evaluating or negotiating other opportunities for Disney outside of Japan,' Ms Haines said, after The Edge financial weekly reported over the weekend that Malaysian government officials have held talks with executives from Oriental Land, the Japanese company that operates Tokyo Disneyland, to run a similar park in Malaysia.

Malaysian government officials said they are in talks to set up a Disney theme park in southern Johor state, as it battles neighbour Singapore to become a major tourist hub. -- REUTERS