Since 5th March Malaysians have once again been able to watch movies at the cinemas across thenation following strict SOPs. In what was deemed the largest ever industry survey conducted, Malaysiansof all ages from across the country have shown their overwhelming support for the safety and SOPs in placefor them to return to the cinemas.
In just 72 hours, almost 25,000 people responded to an independent online survey conducted by CinemaOnline Sdn Bhd via Malaysia’s leading Movie Information website – www.cinemaonline.com.my.
Key Findings show overwhelming support for cinema safety measures & reopening:
“98% of Malaysians say they are very satisfied with Cinema SOPs.”
“Cinema Operators are indeed humbled by the huge and positive responses received from all those who have taken the survey, and we are now looking forward to welcoming audiences back to the cinema safelyso that Malaysians can once again enjoy the cinema entertainment experience,” said Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) chairman General (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali Mohd Seth.
MAFE has been reiterating the need for cinemas to open back after continuous closure which has crippled the Malaysian cinema industry, losing up to 90% of revenue year-on-year and more than RM500 million in total losses incurred in the year 2020 alone. The association has been steadfast in its stance of sustained appeals to the Government to reconsider the opening of cinemas.
“The public have spoken loudly and with clarity as the findings of the survey indicate that audiences are very satisfied with the stringent SOPs in place at cinemas. Respondents have in fact equated a cinema visit to that of visiting a shopping mall and even dining out at a restaurant, this reinforces the views shared on2nd March 2021 by Dr Ong Kian Ming, Member of Parliament for Bangi and Assistant Political Education Director for the Democratic Action Party (DAP) where he endorses reopening of cinemas withstringent SOPs and draws close comparisons to people now being comfortable with visiting restaurants and gyms.
There is evidently a growing level of confidence amongst the public who now feel comfortable to bring backelements of normalcy into their lives whilst still practicing SOPs as we continue to live in the new norm,” saidMohit Bhargava, GM Sales & Marketing, TGV Cinemas, one of the largest cinema chains in Malaysia.
“They miss the cinemas…period. They are looking forward to the upcoming blockbuster movies lined up in2021. The sheer volume of respondents in 3 days is just astounding and the results are very overwhelming. We are confident cinemas will open for good as the government lifts the current MCO in most parts of Malaysia,”said Marcel Lariche, the Managing Director of Cinema Online Sdn Bhd.
On 2nd March 2021 the Government announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Terengganu as well as the federal territories of Putrajaya and Labuan where cinemas are now allowed to reopen with strict SOPs in place.
MAFE chairman General (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali Mohd Seth added, “We welcome the news permittingthe cinema industry to reopen with new SOPs allowing guests from the same family and home to sit in pairs.This certainly presents a positive multiplier effect to the retail outlets, food and beverage businesses withinthe mall and the entire supply chain across the cinema industry. This definitely augurs well for thesustainability of livelihoods across all stakeholders in the cinema industry.”
