There is no need for cinemas in the PAS-led Kelantan, as the people in the state can travel if they want to watch movies.
For instance, some people will drive to Terengganu, while others will fly to Kuala Lumpur to watch a movie in the cinema.
PAS Vice President Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said the situation is NOT unusual and similar to those who travel to Thailand for shopping, holiday, or food. In his Facebook post, Amar said the lack of cinemas in Kelantan has never been a major issue among the people.
“It only came back into the spotlight when the local film Mat Kilau sparked an extraordinary phenomenon.”
“At that times, some parties blew up sentiments, and claimed that the people in Kelantan were denied the rights to watch movies in cinemas.”
Amar also said that Mat Kilau came to the big screen when the General Election was nearing, so the parties took the chance to turn the matter political. Mat Kilau is a local historical epic that was released in 2022.
He also said that cinemas shouldn’t be used to measure the progress of a state because many cinemas outside Kelantan had closed down due to changing entertainment trends and the existence of online streaming platforms that give consumers more control over content. Amar stated that the state government has always approached cinema-related matters in a balanced and considerate manner.
“If there is a true desire to see the film industry grow, the focus should be on efforts to double the production of quality, syariah-compliant films that are filled with values.”
“We just want to make sure that whatever form of entertainment we bring, it does not damage the soul or distract society.”
What do you think of Amar’s take on the matter?
