Michael Jackson has invested $1.5 million (GBP830,000) in two villas and a plot of land in Bahrain's man-made Amwaj Islands.

The THRILLER hitmaker has chosen a secluded quarter-acre site on the exclusive island which is mainly inhabited by the extremely rich and boasts top restaurants, private hospitals, golf courses, parks, exclusive shopping, an equestrian centre and private boat moorings.

Jackson has been planning to quit his native America since his June (05) child molestation trial severely damaged his image - despite being cleared of all charges.

But RASHID BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL KHALIFA, an officer in the ministry of information, predicts Jackson will not be given citizenship.

He says, "Citizenship is not easy to get here in Bahrain, even for Michael Jackson.

"He is not a visitor (and may stay indefinitely) as long as he owns property here."