Theme park for Klebang

The Star; Friday October 9, 2009; By ALLISON LAI

MALACCA: Plans are underway to develop a RM50mil theme park in Klebang early next year in conjunction with the arrival of the replica of Admiral Zheng He’s treasure ship from China in 2011.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the Malacca Zheng He Theme Park would be located on a 12ha coastal reclamation site in Klebang Besar, with work expected to begin early next year.

The theme park would have a replica of Zheng He’s ship including a 150-room hotel, restaurants and recreational facilities, he told reporters this after witnessing the signing of a me­­morandum of understanding between DMDI Finance House and Yuen Her Holdings Sdn Bhd.

China’s Nanjing Dragon Treasure Boat Development Co Ltd owns the intellectual property rights of the authenticated Zheng He treasure-boat design.

The company has built a full-size replica of the boat on the 80ha Zheng He Park in Tai-Cang, Jiangsu Province, China.

Currently under construction is a sea-worthy replica of the ship, with plans for the vessel to sail the routes of Zheng He’s expeditions to Asia and Africa some 600 years ago.

DMDI chairman Tan Sri Datuk Dr Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim said that initial plans did not include Malaysia as a stop during the commemorative voyages.

However, following meetings with officials in China, he said it was agreed that Malacca would be one of the ports of calls for the replica ship when it set sail in 2011.