KOTA BARU: Kelantanese hope the Pas-led state government which has ruled for over 32-years, will change its mind and consider reopening cinemas in the east coast state.

Many are frustrated that other Pas administered states, including neighbouring Terengganu, have cinemas.

Self-employed Muhamad Amir Hafiq said the last time he watched cinema in the state was when he was still a child.

"If l am not mistaken, l was five-years-old when my family took me to a popular cinema in the town area to watch a famous comedy movie being played at that time. 

"But after that, we did not have an opportunity to go to the cinema when the state government decided to shut it down.

"Like other youths, l am frustrated and not happy with the move. I have go to other states if l want to watch cinema," said the 27-year-old who is from Pengkalan Chepa.

Amir hopes the state government would reconsider their decision, otherwise young people like him have to travel to Terengganu, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur just to catch a movie at a cinema.

Housewife Vivi Sumanti Ahmad, 44, said watching a movie at the cinema was part of family activities.

"The state government must take this positively. Do not just think that by entering a cinema will see individuals committing immoral activities.

"The state government should not make this as the reasoning for not allowing cinemas to operate in the state.

"Going to a cinema is like a family activity, especially during the weekend," said the mother of five from Lundang.

The last time that Kelantan had a cinema operating was in 1990, before Pas took over the administration of the state from Barisan Nasional.

Among the cinemas previously operating in Kelantan were Lido, Rex and Odeon.

In 2018, a company planned to operate a cinema named Paragon cinema at the KB Mall shopping complex in Jalan Hamzah. The plan failed to materialise after it was rejected by the Kelantan government.

The Kelantan-cinema issue has become a hot topic of late after its Pas Youth chief was spotted at a cinema in Kuala Lumpur recently.