Conglomerate UEM World said today it was in exploratory talks with Disney over building a theme park in Johor which it said would be a huge boost for Malaysia.

The government confirmed yesterday it has been in negotiations with Disney representatives on building Southeast Asia's first Disneyland theme park.

"At this stage it's very exploratory. For a project that size, various elements have to be in place," said Ahmad Pardas Senin, managing director of UEM World which is developing the site where the park would be constructed.

"In the process of pursuing that development, we do speak to various theme park operators in the world. That process will continue," he said.

"What they will decide we don't know. We have been initiating talks with various parties, not just them, various parties that have an operation that will be suitable for the theme park," he told a news conference.

Reports brushed aside

Ahmad brushed aside reports that the US entertainment giant had ruled out building a park in Malaysia, but admitted UEM World's chances were limited.

"It's never easy, but we keep trying. With such a big name such as that... you can try to attract them but whether or not they will be attracted is another issue." he said. "We will continue to pursue."

"If names like that do come here it would definitely be an international crowd-puller in terms of tourism. It would have a huge multiplier effect. It would help in tourism, it would help in employment, in creative industries."

A Disney theme park would be a major boost for the tourism industry in Malaysia, which competes with Singapore to attract visitors.

According to The Edge financial daily, the theme park will be sited at Bandar Nusajaya, UEM's 23,000-acre township on the southwestern tip of Johor.