No cinemas in Kelantan, people can watch Netflix
KUALA LUMPUR: The fact that Kelantan does not have cinemas has never been an issue with its people, said Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah.
“Kelantan folk have never made noise over the issue of not having cinemas because they do not need cinemas to watch movies.
“They can watch it all on Netflix. They don’t have to stay put for two or three hours (somewhere) when they can watch it from the comfort of their homes while eating ‘kuaci’ (melon seeds),” said Amar in an interview with YouTuber Feng Ren Guan.
The four-minute clip stems from the heated debate over Pas Youth leader Ahmad Fadhli Shaari watching Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan in a cinema in Kuala Lumpur, while Kelantan disallows the entertainment facility in the state.
He also dismissed the possibility that the state could explore revoking its ban by introducing cinemas with segregated seating spaces for men and women, similar to what was done in Terengganu.
Amar said it was not a question of being pro-business as digital disruption meant many cinemas, even in Kuala Lumpur, under Coliseum and Golden Screen Cinemas were forced to close.
He said Fadhli watching the movie was also a sign that Pas did not block people from being entertained or consuming movies.
“We can accept good films, entertainment that does not go against syariah. This is why we have our the Entertainment Enactment and rules.
“We do not simply restrict everything, we have guidelines. It’s not an issue for the people of Kelantan, it only became an issue when Mat Kilau is screened.”
Amar said Fadhli watching the movie was also not a big issue but was politicised due to the upcoming general election.
He, however, said Pas’ stand was that cinemas were not suitable for the state.
“We had lengthy discussions during the time of the late Tok Guru (Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat). We looked at the pros and cons, as well as taking the context and situation in Kelantan into consideration.”
NST
