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SamaWorld
LocationSamaWorld Theme Resort, Genting Highlands, Malaysia
OpenedNever opened
Operated bySamaWorld Theme Park Sdn. Bhd.
ThemeSee the World in a Day
SloganFantasy & Fun For Everyone

TheSamaWorld Theme Park and Destination Resortis an abandoned theme park development inGenting Highlands,Pahang, Malaysia.[1]Planning began in the 1980s and construction started in the 1990s but the project was never completed.

Location

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The abandoned SamaWorld site is located on a mountain slope between theGenting Highlands Resortand the Ion Delemen high-rise complex. It lies beneath the road leading toAmber Courtand Ion Delemen. The road is now called Jalan Ion Delemen.

History

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With Asia's economic boom in the 1980s income levels increased and demand for leisure activity was raising. This led to the construction of many amusement parks in Asia.[2]Two Malaysian entrepreneurs, Lim Tuck Fatt and Lim Tuck Sing proposed the SamaWorld theme park for the Genting Highlands. The second son of the Sultan of SelangorTengku Sulaiman Shahwas chairman ofSamaWorld (Malaysia) Sdn Bhdand Lim Tuck Fatt was managing director. SamaWorld (Malaysia) was a subsidiary ofSamaWorld Asia Sdn Bhd.70% of the Sama World Asia consortium was held by the Lim Brothers together with Tengku Sulaiman Shah[3]and the remaining 30% were held by the Malaysian Government (Selangor State Development Corporation).[4]LaterKuala Lumpur International Sdn Bhd,a subsidiary of thePolice Cooperative,invested in SamaWorld. There would've been a special tax relief for the first years of operation. The office of SamaWorld (Malaysia) was in the Wisma Sama building inPetaling Jaya.

TheSama Holdings Groupwith foreign investors, consultants and contractors from the US, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, West Germany, France (Buoygues), and Canada planned to undertake the project. The Sama Group was a conglomerate of diverse companies in trading (Sama Corporation, later renamed SamaWorld Management), manufacturing (Sama Plastic Industries), properties (Sama Land Development), and more.[5]Sama was owned by Samanda (WTK Holdings) and later Sakullah Holdings,[6]a company founded by Lim Tuck Fatt and S. Kulasegaran.

The SamaWorld project comprised a Disney-like theme park, a hotel, residential and commercial developments, a health spa, a clubhouse, and a special events area with live shows (3,500-seat amphitheater/Entertainment Complex). The estimated cost was around 1 billion Malaysian dollar[7]including land clearing and initial infrastructure development cost around 540 million dollar and the theme park development around 600 million dollar. Financing was 35 % from equity and 65 % from borrowing. Initial assistance was byShearson Lehman MalaysiaandRakyat Merchant Bankers Bhd.Shearson Lehman Brothers was the financial adviser for SamaWorld. A deal with the Canadian mining companyGiant Bay Resources Ltd.was arranged and Giant Bay developed the residential and commercial part around SamaWorld.[8]

The total area of the SamaWorld project was 140 hectares with 39 hectares occupied by the theme park. In 1987 the Land was purchased fromGenting Bhd.[9]Planning and construction was difficult because of the dense jungle terrain on a 5,500-foot-high mountain sloping 20 to 30 degrees. Land clearing and construction of the park started in 1990. The work had heavy civil engineering components with hand-dug caisson piles, slope stabilizations, drainage and sub soil drainage excavations, access road works and bulk earth works with construction of the highestreinforced earth wallsand retaining structures at the time in Malaysia.[10][11]The construction of a preview center on the site was financed by a fast food chain (believed to be KFC). First, the park was scheduled to open in 1990, then 1993, and later in 1995. The mountainous terrain and heavy monsoons led to a stop of the work. The expected opening was delayed until 1996 whereby the size of the park was scaled down to 12 hectares.[12]Khong Guan(a biscuit manufacturer) bought 69% of SamaWorld and the completion date was set to 1998. With the consequences of the Asian financial crisis 1997 the project was abandoned. In 2003 an official receiver was appointed to take over the management of SamaWorld (Malaysia).

Name and marketing

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According to the magazineVariety,samameans "happy" in Malay.[3]The SamaWorld logo was a squirrel next to a globe with a banner reading "SamaWorld" and the slogan "Fantasy & Fun For Everyone". The project was announced in theNew Straits Timeswith the phrase "A Small Step Taken By Us, A Giant Stride for Malaysians and the Nation."[13]Selangor State Development urged SamaWorld to carry out "aggressive publicity campaigns" internationally.[14]Malaysian Airlines did not buy stake in the project but wanted to promoted it as a tourist spot.[15]Advertising focused on the unique location 5,000 ft above sea level in a cool environment. SamaWorld described itself as South East Asias first international theme park.[16]On site promotion was with a preview centre showcasing the whole theme park in replica. Te preview centre was financed by KFC for the right to have premises in the park.

Relationship with the Genting Group

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In 1987Genting BHDsigned a sales and purchase agreement with Sama Holdings to sell 140 hectares of freehold land at Genting Highlands to SamaWorld..Lim Kok Thaysaid that the development of a Disney-like Themepark would augur well for Genting's business.[17]The stockbroker TA Securities assessed that the SamaWorld Themepark would increase the development potential of Genting Highlands. TA added that the SamaWorld project could help Genting's resort arm Resort World Bhd to diversify into property development and property could become a second core business after gaming for Genting.[18]The official statement of Genting Bhd was: "Its a big world".[19]Genting Bhd argued that the SamaWorld Theme Park would complement its own hotel and entertainment business and as the largest facility of its kind would vastly increase traffic to the Genting Highlands. SamaWorld resort project manager K.L. Chan said: "our project will change the world image of Genting Highlands from a gamblers resort to a place for the family." A collaboration with Genting Bhd to develop the SamaWorld theme park was considered.[20]

SamaWorld Theme Park

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Planned was a Disneyland-type theme park with the concept "See the World in a Day". The continents Asia, Europe, Africa, and America should have been represented by attractions and landmark-replicas of different countries[21]and the different areas connected via cable cars.

  1. Plans for theAsian Adventure:Behind the main entrance Malaysia with traditional Malaysian and colonial style facades, with a representation of all 13 federal Malaysian states (for example, Selangor with a craftsman makingpewter objectsandsatay), a full sized 130 m long replicated part of the Great Wall of China built with the assistance of the Chinese Government, the Krakatoa volcano with a working eruption, a Japanese garden, a Japanese tea cup ride, and other activities from India, Singapore and Hong Kong.
  2. Plans for theEuropean Fantasy:King Arthur's castle with Merlin's magic show, a hall with artificial falling snow called the Ice Kingdom, Viking longboat rides, and Venice gondola rides.
  3. Plans forthe Americas:For North America a Wild West Town including saloons and cowboys, for South America a jungle terrain with a water log flume canoe ride as an "Indiana Jones" type adventure, and an Inca pyramid.
  4. Sama 5000:Planned was a futuristic World with intergalactic battles.

In 1986 was announced thatSequoia Creative,a company from Los Angeles founded by the former Walt Disney executives Dave Schweninger, Thomas Reidenbach andRobert Gurrwould equip SamaWorld with animated attractions.[22]For example, Capt. Andy's RiverTowne Revue, which featured a cast of 14 animated characters singing and telling jokes in 15 minute musical revues.[23]Architect of the theme-park was Kumpulan Akitek Sdn Bhd.[24]The design of the park was by the Dallas based companyLeisure and Recreation Concepts (LARC)with Michael Jenkins as Concept Designer. The Sidney basedWoodhead Firth Lee architectsdesigned residential villas with a European village theme and made the interior design of the Ice Kingdom, the Americas and the entertainment centre. Planned was a total of 42 rides including aVon RollSkyway over the rainforest, aVekomaMine Train, aMackLog Flume, aZiererWave Swinger, a Fionda Boat Swing, a Dragon coaster, and a monorail. SamaWorld purchased nearly all rides. The Park should have started to operate underSamaWorld Theme Park Sdn Bhd,a subsidiary of SamaWorld (Malaysia). A mostly US staffed management team trained 1400 locals to run the hotel, restaurants and underground interactive rides. Construction was byBovis (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.Later SamaWorld got into a legal dispute wit Bovis andActacorp took over the construction.[25]Entrance fees for adults were set to 30 Ringgit and for Children to 20 Ringgit. The planned opening hours were weekdays 11 am to 7 pm and weekends/holidays 11 am to 10 pm. Expected were three million visitors with 80 % locals in the first year of operation. TaiwansTung-Hai Universityplanned a permanent management training chapter in the middle of SamaWorld.

SamaWorld Theme Resort (Resort Hotel)

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Construction of the 850-room four-star hotel consisting of a three-level podium, a five-level car park, a 17-storey and eight storey tower had started. Planned were leisure facilities like a tennis court, a games room, and a health spa. The development cost was 300 million Ringgit. Architect was Gerak Reka Akitek Sdn.[26]The construction company wasCygal Bhd,the technical consultant wasHotel Resources International (M) Sdn Bhdand the land was owned bySamaWorld Theme Hotel Sdn Bhd.Construction stopped at 4 storey's height. Cygal (now Sycal) had a 70 % share of the hotel development[27]and is now constructing the Genting Sky City project on the site.

Residential and commercial development

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Main article:Amber Court

At first the development of 324 bungalows byMCB Holdings Bhdwas planned. Landowner wasGolden Apartments Sdn Bhd.[28]Later MCB Holdings withdraw the deal.[29]In 1990Giant Bay ResourcesacquiredTechlines Corp Sdn Bhd,a bankrupt company that owned the land surrounding SamaWorld. Techlines was renamedGiant Bay (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.Giant Bay (M)was responsible for the residential and commercial development around SamaWorld. Planned were apartments, condominiums, and bungalows (Regency Village, Asian Village, International Village) on an 80-hectare site. Financing was partly through a 10 million Dollar loan fromCitibank.Giant Bay (M) changed the name toVilla Gentingand finished the apartment Amber Court. Construction of the Billion Court Condominiums started but was never finished. TheNCT-Grouppurchased the abandoned Billion Court and developed it with the Ion Delemen high-rise complex.

Long-term plans

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SamaWorld aimed for becoming an international brand. Therefore, SamaWorld was incorporated in different countries with SamaWorld Hong Kong, SamaWorld Japan, SamaWorld Singapore, and SamaWorld Vancouver.[30]Another SamaWorld with the same concept was planned in Beijing and in 1990 preliminary talks with the Chinese authorities were held.[31]

Environmental concerns

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Land clearing in the Cameron Highlands lead to massive siltation resulting in floods and landslides. It was feared that clearing of the 800 year old forest on top of Genting Highland would have a similar impact like in the Cameron Highlands.[32]The Department of Environment set down 26 conditions for the land clearing work. SamaWorld complied with all of them. The water quality of rivers nearby was tested regularly. It was noticed that water of the Sungai Perting river which flowes into the Chamang waterfall turned murky. The cause was siltation from the SamaWorld project site and other projects in the area. SamaWorld conducted a study to find a solution and submitted a 70-page report on erosion mitigation measures which was approved.[33]SamaWorld built 25 large siltation dams and introduced a better drainage system to prevent further pollution down hill.[34]

Redevelopment plans

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Redevelopment of the abandoned site is difficult due to a limited infrastructure capacity mainly in water supply. A mixed development with serviced apartments together with a sewage treatment and a water treatment plant was proposed in 2015.[35]

References

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  1. ^"Study on the Development of Hill Stations, Final Report I".Report by WWF Malaysia.1:Chapter 3: Genting Highlands, Page 30. December 2001 – via Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister's Department.
  2. ^Sanchez, Jesus (29 February 1988)."Thrills 'n Chills in Asia".The LA Times.p. 3.
  3. ^abMoerk, Christian (12 October 1992)."Orient Bearish On Opulent Theme Parks".Variety (magazine).p. 49-50.
  4. ^"PKNS buys 30pc stake in SamaWorld (Malaysia)".New Straits Times.18 December 1991. p. 14.
  5. ^"Sama Holdings".The Straits Times.4 October 1983. p. 6.
  6. ^Chandiramani, Ramesh (27 April 1985)."Samanda sells Sama for M$14m cash".Business Times.p. 11.
  7. ^Shuang, Cheng Lee (20 February 1990)."$1b 'Disneyland' to come up in Genting Highlands".New Straits Times.p. 1.
  8. ^"Canadian group in Malaysia venture".Financial Times.21 February 1990. p. 23.
  9. ^"Selangor Govt may buy stake in park".New Straits Times.16 March 1989. p. 14.
  10. ^"Notices SamaWorld ThemePark and Destination Resort developer".New Straits Times.15 September 1992. p. 39.
  11. ^"TAI List of Reinforced Earth Structures Over 20 [m] High"(PDF).April 2014.
  12. ^Shunmugam, Kula (9 February 1995)."Theme park at Genting ready next year end".New Straits Times.p. 18.
  13. ^"A Small Step Taken By Us A Giant Stride for Malaysians and the Nation".New Straits Times.
  14. ^"$176.8mil invested since '81, says chairman".New Straits Times.18 December 1991. p. 14.
  15. ^"M.A.S. not interested".New Straits Times.13 September 1988. p. 15.
  16. ^"SamaWorld Theme Park and Destination Resort is being developed in Genting Highlands".New Straits Times.6 February 1995. p. 8.
  17. ^"Genting's listing in Hong Kong put on hold".New Straits Times.29 June 1987. p. 14.
  18. ^"$260mil profit forecast for RWB".New Straits Times.7 August 1990. p. 17.
  19. ^Deepak, B (16 October 1996)."Genting Bhd. - It's a big world".Investor's Digest.
  20. ^Lee Shuang, Cheng (4 June 1990)."Huge tourism projects set to pull the crowds".New Straits Times.p. 23.
  21. ^"Sama World Fantasy & fun for everyone".Malaysia Tourism News.67:15. April 1994 – via Tourism Malaysia.
  22. ^Bates, James (11 November 1986)."Oohs and Ahh-nimation, Sequoia Creative Will Make Fantasy Come to Life on Malaysian Mountain".The LA Times.p. 5A.
  23. ^"Sequoia: Firm Helps Animate Malaysia Park".The LA Times.11 November 1986. p. 5C.
  24. ^Architects of Asia.Images Australia Pty Ltd. 1993. p. 91.ISBN1875498125.
  25. ^"Actacorp main contractor of Samaworld project".New Straits Times, Business Times.2 September 1996.
  26. ^Architects of Asia.Images Australia Pty Ltd. 1993. p. 65.ISBN1875498125.
  27. ^"Resort-hotel deal signed".Business Times.5 July 1996.
  28. ^Lee, Laura (1 October 1987)."MCB to run Genting project".New Straits Times.p. 16.
  29. ^"MCB revokes marketing deals".BUSINESS TIMES.10 June 1988. p. 17.
  30. ^Shuang, Cheng Lee (5 May 1990)."SamaWorld expects to make big bucks".New Straits Times.p. 14.
  31. ^"Another SamaWorld to come up in Beijing".New Straits Times.20 February 1990. p. 15.
  32. ^"Hills stripped of forest cover to make way for resorts, roads".New Straits Times.19 December 1993. p. 4.
  33. ^"Three Pahang rivers under pollution threat".New Straits Times.20 January 1994. p. 6.
  34. ^Badrolhisham, Bidin (11 July 1994)."Developer builds siltation dams to prevent pollution".The Malay Mail.
  35. ^"Ringkasan Eksekutif: Cadangan Pembangunan Bercampur"(PDF).

Further reading

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  • De Lapp, S.E. (1992): The Making of SamaWorld: A Case Study of the Theme Park Development Process
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