Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the investment holding arm and strategy division of the Government of Malaysia, is planning to launch six world-class leisure projects in 2010 to boost the country's tourism industry.

The group has earmarked MYR1.8bn ($533m) for the developments, which would initially be centred around Iskandar Malaysia and the Klang Valley. Attention will be focused on nature-based attractions, health farms, and cultural sites.

The news follows the MYR800m ($237m) investment that Malaysia recently announced in two developments - Legoland in Iskandar Malaysia and Kidzania in the Klang Valley - which are slated to be completed in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Khazanah is also rumoured to be eying the development of an indoor family theme park at Puteri Harbour in south Johor.