By SIM BAK HENG

JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA - Legoland Malaysia is another step closer to reality as six people will be selected from a total of 80 job applicants to undergo training in California or Denmark to become model builders.

The 80, who were shortlisted from 277 applicants from all over the country, had attended the job interview on Monday and yesterday.

They had gone through an interview with three judges and three rounds of model-making challenges to test their skills, team work and creativity.

The results of successful applicants will be known in two days.

Merlin Entertainments production director Tim Burnell, who is one of the judges, said the applicants had displayed a high level of creativity.
"But creativity alone is not enough. We also look for team spirit as there are certain huge models which could not be handled by an individual alone but by a team of people.

"The six successful applicants will go for overseas training. When they come back, they will assist the Legoland master builders to train 40 others," he said.

Burnell is responsible for the production and delivery of Lego models, wax figures and themes for Merlin Entertainments, which operates several attractions including Lego- land.

Legoland Malaysia, the first in Asia, will be the fifth in the world when it is completed in 2012, spreading over 23ha. The other four are at Billund in Denmark, Windsor in London, California in the United States and Deutschland in Germany.

Merlin Entertainments signed a landmark agreement last December with Iskandar Investment Bhd to create the US200 million (RM709 million) theme park in Nusajaya.

Burnell said the "miniland" in Legoland Malaysia will feature miniature replicas of iconic buildings and structures across Asia.

"We want iconic old and new buildings of different countries so that they are representative of Asia. Besides the Petronas Twin Towers, we are looking at landmark buildings such as clock towers, mosques and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport," he said.

Besides the miniland, Legoland Malaysia will also feature rides, building challenges, Lego models, interactive attractions, family-friendly roller-coasters and shows.