A rollout would underline UK’s largest retailer’s, the third largest in the world overall, push to increase the amount of international stores it has. For Philip Clarke, who is Tesco’s chief executive designate and is stepping up from being both international and IT director once Sir Terry Leahy finishes his illustrious career in March, the growing country is meant to be of great interest. Already, the grocer has reshuffled its entire management structure so that it could form a new UK board Mr Clarke takes the helm.

According to sources, the company is currently looking to enter two countries that it doesn’t already have business in. While an announcement is not regarded to be imminent however, Tesco has presented the attractiveness of expanding in South-East Asia at recent events for City analysts. They were reportedly impressed by the businesses operations the grocer established last year in China and nearby South Korea, which were highly successful.

For now, Tesco has noted the still relatively undeveloped grocery markets that exist in Vietnam, the Philippines and also Indonesia – countries with a combined population of around 400 million people.

Tesco, already the clear market leader in both Thailand and Malaysia, has faced stiff competition in the region from French giant Carrefour.  Vietnam is home to 87 potential customers and, according to a presentation that Tesco has made, possesses a modern grocery market worth around £4bn at present. In 2009, the communist country’s economy increased by 8% and income per capita surpassed $1,000 in 2010.

Arlida Ariff, president and chief executive officer of Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB), said the 26 hectares (62.4 acres) theme park located in the state of Johor, which neighbours Singapore, is now on track for an April 2012 unveiling.

According to Ms Ariff, the choice of Legoland was very deliberate. She said that Universal Studios’ planned theme park in Singapore will be for young adults, while the one in Johor will be for entire families. She added that the two will compliment each other rather than compete with each other.

Malaysia’s Legoland destination will be the first of all Asia.

IIB is an investment holding firm associated with the 17.7 billion ringgit Iskandar Development Region (IDR) infrastructure project in Johor.

Launched in November 2006, the IDR is said to be 2.5 times the surface area of Singapore once completed. The project will include up-market homes, a waterfront city, a logistics hub, a medical hub as well as an educational city.

Merlin Entertainments signed an agreement with IIB in 2008. Merlin operates a variety of attractions all over the world including Madame Tussauds, Sea Life and Legoland.

Merlin Entertainments is scheduled to design and operate the Lego attraction of which it will have a 20 percent stake, with a IIB lead consortium owning the remainder.

The Lego theme park will showcase 40 interactive rides, attractions and shows aimed at families with kids between two and 12 years of age.

Despite still-prevalent regulations regarding the dress code, Beyonce is taking on Malaysia and making the country part of her “I am …” World Tour, with a performance scheduled for October 25 at the National Stadium.

Fans of the star will get an opportunity to watch her transform herself into her alter ego, Sasha Fierce.

In 2007, her scheduled gig created controversy and drew opposition from the Islamic Party and concert promoter called off the show saying at the time that “scheduling conflicts” were the reasons.

In Malaysia, female performers are told to dress and behave conservatively.Islamic associations have expressed their anger over the concert and promised to send a protest note to the government officials.

Sabki Yusof, the youth leader of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said in reference to the  show that his organization is against sexy Western style performances.

After cancelling her Malaysian gig, the singer played a show in Indonesia, where rules surrounding stage performances are less conservative.

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The Malaysian government appears to have rediscovered its soft spot for Black Eyed Peas, reversing the interdiction for Muslims to attend the band’s forthcoming concert. Government officials did not offer an explanation for their change of heart.

The Black Eyed Peas event near Kuala Lumpur is included in a huge worldwide promotional campaign by Guinness, marking with celebrations the 250th anniversary of its first Dublin brewery. It’s this association to an alcohol icon – not Black Eyed Peas’ clothing, or their lady lumps – that was the source of the government’s clampdown. Malaysian Muslims must obey the Sharia law in personal life, such as abstaining from drinking alcohol.

Events sponsored by alcohol companies are ordinarily forbidden in Malaysia, but the nation’s weakening tourist sector prompted the government to allow the gig to go ahead. The 25 September concert is now accessible to everybody aged 18 or older. However, Guinness will not be permitted to sell alcohol at the event, or to use its corporate image in publicity material.

The government’s change in stance exposes the Malays’ ongoing debate over western influence and Muslim law. A similar U-turn happened before a too “sexy” Avril Lavigne gig in Kuala Lumpur in 2008.

The decision came down after a Malaysian Islamic court has sentenced a Muslim woman to be caned. The a 32-year old female had been caught drinking alcohol in a hotel and during a time when beer sales were condemned by an opposition Islamic party.

The show, which is billed as celebrations for Guinness 250th birthday, asks visitors to its website (www.arthursday.com.my) “Are you a non-Muslim aged 18 years and above?” If the visitor answers “no”, access is denied.

Muslims make up 55% of the 27 million people of Malaysia and are barred from drinking alcohol although these regulations are regularly broken, especially in large cities like Kuala Lumpur, the capital.

Malaysia’s Guinness Anchor, which promotes and distributes Guinness and other alcohol brands here, sold for 1.2 billion Malaysian ringgit ($340.6 million) of their products in 2008.

Even without the sponsorship of alcohol brands, foreign bands are always subject to scrutiny. The Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) asked this week to have Danish band Michael Learns to Rock banned from live concerts as it would be a source of immorality.

Since 2007, PAS, Malaysia’s second largest political party measured membership, has campaigned against musical acts by the likes of Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Beyonce, and Avril Lavigne.

We would like to thank www.reuters.com for information used in this article.

According to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng a Penang-based company called Sim Leisure, previously involved in Singapore’s Universal Studios Theme Park, has submitted a proposal to the government of Penang to set up “Ecofun Theme Park Resort”, an environmentally friendly project.

Just as with similar state projects, the bid must first go through an open tender prior to deciding which company will have the privilege to design and built the park.

Lim said the state government wants to have an open tender starting October 1 and finishing on December 1.

The Minister said that 12.14ha of land, property of the Penang Water Corporation, would be leased out if an interesting proposal is approved.

“If the green light is given then the project will take about four years to be fully completed. The estimated cost for the theme park is RM100mil.

“This will boost tourism as the park will be only 3km away from the Batu Ferringhi tourist belt, and if the proposed Penang Hill cable car project takes place, it will be a value added service, as one of the stops could be at the theme park,” he said.

We would like to thank www.thestar.com.my for quotes used in this article.

Arlida said that the Legoland park will be the central venue while the other two will be supporting parks. “Different theme parks cater to different segments of visitors as this will be better rather than just having one park in our development,’’ Arlida told reporters recently.

Arlida also added that Iskandar Investment had been negociating plans with several foreign theme park operators in order to set up parks in Iskandar Malaysia but wouldn’t elaborate further.

The past failed attempts by local operators to set up theme parks were taken into account by IIB, she added.

Muhammad Zainal Ashikin, IIB senior vice-president, commented that work on Legoland Malaysia is set to begin next March with projected completion by the first quarter of 2012.

Mr. Zainal Ashikin also added that the company will partner with major airlines and travel operators from the region.

The US $200 million park will be built on a 23 ha of land and is a joint venture between Merlin Entertainment Groups and IIB. Legoland Malaysia will be the first in Asia.

Legoland presently has four parks around the world – in Billund (Denmark), Windsor (near London, Britain), California (United States) and Deutschland (Germany).

We would like to thank biz.thestar.com.my for quotes used in this article.

The airline claims a loss during the first quarter of this year, mainly due to over-capacity, fuel hedging losses and lower passenger and cargo demand as a result of economic crisis.

Malaysia Airlines’ managing director, Idris Jala, has reported an increase in business in the second quarter, but also stipulates that only 67 per cent of the carrier’s seats were filled in June and 76 per cent so far in July.

Priced at $229 for economy-class travel and at $729 in business class, the new pass gives access to four one-way tickets. The prices include all extra fees and surcharges with the exception of airport taxes which must be paid separately by the passengers.
The validity period is of three months on travel to and from Kuala Lumpur to destinations throughout ASEAN – the countries comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The ASEAN community includes very popular destinations such Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

“It’s a massive discount (on fares). Kuala Lumpur will be the base and hub, so it will bring a lot of tourists to Malaysia,” Idris Jala told reporters. The Malaysian Airlines official also added that airline wants to attract 2,500 new passengers each month under this programme.

We would like to thank www.asap.co.uk for quotes used in this article.