The likes of GSC, TGV and MBO are using the hashtag in nearly all of their social media postings.
This comes amid the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) appeal to the government for permission to reopen cinemas, which have been closed since January when the movement control order was enforced.
They had previously been closed for a month last year and cautiously reopened until November when the association announced progressive closures.
In a statement, MAFE pointed out that cinemas were still not allowed to reopen while other non-essential services like spas, gyms, and casinos could.
“In other neighbouring and developed countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and Japan, cinemas have been permitted to operate. India, which has just reopened its cinemas today, has also done so at 100% capacity.”
MAFE said the closure of cinemas has resulted in industry players losing up to 90% of revenue year-on-year and racking up over half a billion ringgit in losses for 2020 alone.
It added this has led to job losses, permanent closures of over 25% of theatres, and a significant downsizing of operations for all exhibitors across the board.
“This is no longer just a crisis for the cinema industry; it is evolving into a financial catastrophe that is likely to affect thousands of jobs across a larger supply chain, which serves the entire trade from end-to-end including smaller organisations in manufacturing, logistics, cleaning, F&B, and retail, among others.”
MAFE said while aid has been allocated for the creative industry, cinema operators have been left out.
“To date, cinema operators have not yet obtained any other form of financial or stimulus packages from the total RM325 million that has been set aside for the creative industry by the government.”
It added that although cinema operators adhered to strict Covid-19 rules and invested measures to ensure the safety of theatres and customers, they are still not allowed to operate.
“We strongly urge the government to reconsider the opening of cinemas.”
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