Here’s how Malaysian cinemas are gearing up to re-open following announcement by Finas

Starting today, Malaysian cinemas are officially allowed to open in states undergoing CMCO and RMCO, according to a statement released by Finas on Tuesday. 

On the same day Finas released the statement, Malaysia’s largest cinema company, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), announced that it is acquiring the majority of cinema assets from the operators of the MBO chain of cinemas, which is currently undergoing a creditors’ voluntary winding-up.

GSC, which is owned by PPB GroupBhd, released a statement stating it signed an asset sale agreement on Feb 23 to acquire the said assets from MCAT Box Office Sdn Bhd and Reel Entertainment Holdings Sdn Bhd, which are both in creditors’ voluntary winding-up.

“Despite the present challenging business environment, this acquisition is strategic, and will help accelerate the brand’s growth and strengthen its market leadership position,” said GSC in the statement. “GSC looks forward to optimising both circuits’ unique selling points to enhance its technologies, assets, and know-how, which will allow the exhibitor to deliver even more enriching cinema experiences than before.”

According to its official website, MBO has a total of 27 cineplexes across 10 states while GSC operates a total of 452 screens in 52 locations across Malaysia and Vietnam, with 344 screens in 34 locations in Malaysia, and 108 screens in 18 locations in Vietnam through a partnership with Galaxy Studio.

Ticket sales for GSC are now available for cinemagoers to choose from a wide selection of films including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie Mugen Train, Stand by Me  Doraemon 2, Raya and the Last Dragon, Don’t Look Back, Endgame, Master, and more.  There will also be re-runs of Wonder Woman 1984 and Shockwave 2. 

GSC also released a new seating plan to adhere to strict SOPs.

“If you watching alone or with friends, buy the white color single solo seat,” GSC explained in a Facebook post. “If you watching with your family under the same household, you can buy the pink color twin seats (and) 2 seats must be selected & purchased together.”

Malaysia’s second largest cinema, TGV is also preparing to welcome back cinemagoers and has released a list of SOPs customers are required to adhere to.

As part of a reopening special, TGV is offering a new range of benefits for its members.

Some of the new benefits announced include: 

Member Wednesdays 

Members can now enjoy RM2 off movie tickets every Wednesday. 

Birthday Month 2x MovieMoney 

Members get to enjoy earning double MovieMoney during  their birthday month when visiting TGV. 

Pay With MovieMoney 

Members have the option of using their MovieMoney balance  to pay part of the food & beverage items in the cinema. 

Exclusive Member Offers 

Members enjoy ongoing discounts on selected movies and free screenings throughout the year. As a part of TGV’s reopening specials, members get to enjoy free screenings with purchase of selected F&B combos as well as RM8 movie tickets on select titles when TGV reopens. 

Special Discounts on F&B 

Members get to enjoy exclusive savings when purchasing F&B. Reopening deals include 15% off Large Royale Popcorn Combos and selected Hot Food Combos at 50% off.

“TGV has the nation’s largest cinema  loyalty program with almost 2 million members and we are delighted to be offering more value as well  as benefits to our MovieClub members who have long awaited for the opportunity to return to  cinemas,” said GM of Sales & Marketing of TGV Cinemas, Mohit Bhargava.

In February, an independent analysis by Wisesight, a Malaysian intel agency, indicated that there are no known COVID 19 clusters that had origins from any cinemas during the various MCOs.

While the lack of cases originating from cinemas could be because they weren’t allowed to even operate in the first place, some members of the public are saw this as a case of double standards being played by the government. 

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