10 Feb - The wild cinema circuit expansion seen in the Peninsula Malaysia's west coast over the last five years will finally hit two east coast cities within this year. Despite a general downturn and a gloomy outlook for most businesses, cinemagoers are still a very under-served business segment in most cities outside the main centres on the west coast. Recent indication from malls and cinema operators put the intended launches of at least two significant cineplexes before mid-2009. TGV Cinemas is to open Terengganu's first ever cineplex with three screens in the recently launched Mesra Mall Kerteh, and GSC's second location in Kuantan is to be in the brand new East Coast Mall. TGV Mesra Mall is located at ground level as it is a single-level mall. "Mesra Mall is among our efforts to provide the opportunity for the people here to enjoy the facilities similar to that available in bigger towns" said Hashim Wahir, CEO of Kumpulan KLCC (Holdings) which manages the mall. GSC East Coast Mall however is likely to emulate GSC's recent expansion in Melaka where its newer and bigger outlet across the road will complement its existing smaller location in the vicinity. GSC Dataran Pahlawan opened last year just across the street from GSC's established 4-screen cineplex in Mahkota Parade, while East Coast Mall is also across the street from GSC's older Berjaya Megamall location. For cinemagoers in Terengganu, it means finally a KL-style cineplex to catch big movies without too much travel, and in Kuantan more screens and more choices in a brand new environment. Stay tuned to Cinema Online for more 2009 cinema updates.