Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming has urged the government to grant cinemas permission to reopen after nearly a year of disrupted operations under the movement control order (MCO).
With most other commercial premises allowed to operate with strict Covid-19 prevention protocols, Ong said similar considerations should be applied to cinema chains.
"By forcing cinemas to remain closed, the government is not only jeopardising the jobs of the cinema operators (including many in the B40 who work as cleaners and attendants there), it is also doing great harm to the local film industry.
"Filmmakers would not dare to shoot films if they don’t know when their films can be shown in the cinemas," said Ong in a statement today.
The government is expected to make an announcement soon on whether MCO 2.0 will be extended beyond March 4 in the Klang Valley, Malacca, Penang and Johor.
As such, Ong called for an update to government procedures so cinemas will be allowed to restart the business.
"Many may still be concerned about going to a cinema because it involves being in an enclosed space for an extended period of time.
"But the same can be said about being in aeroplanes for long haul journeys and yet overseas flights lasting more than two hours are still allowed," he added.
Ong further cited recommendations from an infectious disease expert on safety precautions in a cinema, many of which he said are already observed by cinema operators and moviegoers.
These include wearing a mask at all times, not talking, drinking or eating, and sitting one seat apart.
"If the government wants to be even stricter, they can ask for patrons not to laugh (while watching comedies) and not to scream (while watching horror films).
"The cinema operators also should prove to the government that their air-conditioning system sufficiently filters and cleans the air within individual cinemas," he said.
Three major cinema chains - GSC, TGV and MBO - had announced stricter measures since mid-last year in anticipation that permission to reopen would be granted last July.
However, a brief reopening of selected screens since last December was once again disrupted with the second round of MCO.
Last week, the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (Mafe) also pointed out the unfairness in allowing other non-essential businesses such as gyms and spas to operate while cinemas remain shut during the MCO.
It reportedly said the cinema industry suffered a 90 percent year-on-year decline in revenue, recording more than RM500 million in total losses last year. - Mkini
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