Just like Shah Alam, Bangi is another place I can’t relate with. \u00a0Just don’t have the feeling of belonging.<\/p>\n
Talking about rights, sure, you want to protect your “easily swayed” followers from the sins of the world. Fine, but why deprive other residents? Why discriminate and force them to travel further to catch a movie? Why not you station your volunteers to stop your followers from patronising cinemas instead of punishing other residents?<\/p>\n
Is this example of how minorities can be discriminated or marginalised? They have to incur more cost and waste more time. I shudder to think what will happen if we allow religious-based politicians or leaders to rule. Surely disaster as they only think their religion is the center of the world. We can talk till our voices go hoarse that “our religion is fair and just” but remember that\u00a0implementers\u00a0are humans who are definitely no saints. We have our own egos, arrogance, misplaced ideals and interpretation that will easily cause hardship.<\/p>\n
And I just wonder how many of Bangi residents have their Internet access and downloading all kinds of movies? Or subscribing to Astro? Or buying pirated DVDs? So, you ban cinemas means all OK?<\/p>\n
There are many, many movies that come from eastern countries with “eastern values”. Plenty of good movies from India, Iran, Korea and so on. Even western movies are also entertaining and some have good values. There are movies for children too, like cartoons and animations. So, I wonder what kind of councillors and ADUN are representing Bangi, a place with plenty of educational institutions.<\/p>\n
If these people don’t want such entertainment, why don’t the relocate to say, Afghanistan, instead of causing misery to others? Win-win situation.<\/p>\n
I hope the next time a proposal for cinemas arrives, those responsible will get opinion from experts before making decision. Don’t just rely on your misplaced and overrated wisdom.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nPAS has again rejected plans for a cinema in Section 15, Bangi, saying there will be films not in line with Islamic and eastern values.<\/p>\n
Bangi residents who want to watch a movie have to travel<\/strong> 18km away to the nearest cinema in Alamanda Putrajaya in Putrajaya or 25km away to the Aeon Cheras Selatan Shopping Centre in Balakong.<\/p>\n
Kampung Aman Bangi Federal Village Security and Development Committee (JKKKP) member Law Siong Deng, an avid moviegoer, said he had looked forward to finally having a cinema in Bangi and was disappointed when he found out that it had not been approved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had always hoped for a cinema here so that we do not have to travel far. It can cater to the students of UKM, Mara and other education institutions in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a cinema in Warta but only Malay movies were screened. We hope that companies like GSC or TGV would set up a branch here and provide more variety for cinema-goers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Taman Permai Bangi resident K. Satia Nathan, who enjoys Tamil movies, heard about plans for a cinema in the new commercial centre last week and was also disappointed that it had been rejected.<\/p>\n
\u201cI go to the movies twice a month with my friends or my wife.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be great to have one in Bangi so I do not have to drive 30 minutes<\/strong> to Metro Point in Kajang,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bangi state assemblyman Dr Shafie Abu Bakar from Pas said a few years ago there were plans to have a cinema in Komplex Warta in Jalan Medan Bangi, Kawasan Perusahaan Bangi and near the district office.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth plans were rejected and earlier this year there was another proposal to build a cinema in Jalan Reko.<\/p>\n
\u201cSix of us protested, including me and Kajang municipal councillors in Bangi. We want to uphold Islamic values<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a cinema will lead to vice activities<\/strong> and there will be films not in line with Islamic and eastern values<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not want that here to corrupt the minds of our young,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dr Shafie said most Bangi residents were against having a cinema in Bangi.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u201cAmong those who want a cinema here are people looking to make a profit whereas we are looking out for the society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
When pointed out that there are movies with the \u201cU\u201d (for general public) rating, he countered that this was not a guarantee.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to monitor it, hence it is best to not have it at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides, there are cinemas not far from Bangi. We want our place clean, free from such elements,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Datuk Mohd Zaidi Md Zain, who lives in Section 3, Bangi, agreed that it is not wise to have a cinema in Bangi.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a cinema in Bangi but it closed down eventually as there was no support from the people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a political issue but the sentiments of the people. With academic institutions in Bangi, we worry about social problems should a cinema be built here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Law said he disagreed with the statement that certain films can corrupt the minds of the young.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems that we are moving back in time. Vice activities can happen anywhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust because there is no cinema does not mean that there will not be vice activities in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cOthers should not be deprived of watching a movie. It is just a cinema and a place families can go to, not just couples,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bangi state coordinator Datuk Mohd Fathil Daud, who is also the Serdang Umno chief, shared his sentiment and agreed that having a cinema would be good for the community as Bangi residents do not have to travel far.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith or without the cinema, vice activities will still take place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
When contacted, the director of the project\u2019s developer, Richard Cheong, said he had no idea of the ban on the proposal for a cinema at the commercial project.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have heard of the ban on cinemas in Bangi, though. We do not have plans for a cinema at this stage,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The five-block commerical project includes a four-storey supermarket and office blocks.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n