Cinema operators call for entertainment tax cuts to save Malaysia's cinemas
Showtimes
   
News

Cinema operators call for entertainment tax cuts to save Malaysia's cinemas

Get all the latest updates right on your phone. Join our Telegram channel.
Cinemas want moviegoers to come back in droves
Cinemas want moviegoers to come back in droves
13 Jul - Malaysia's cinema industry is adding its voice to a growing chorus calling for the government to scrap the 73-year-old Entertainment Duty Act, with operators saying tax relief could finally fund long-overdue upgrades nationwide.

Ms. Koh Mei Lee, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors and CEO of Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), revealed that over 600 cinema screens across the country haven't seen major renovations in more than ten years. Speaking at a press conference in Petaling Jaya, she said scrapping or lowering the entertainment tax would let cinemas channel savings straight into refurbishments - a move she believes is key to winning audiences back.
Ms. Koh Mei Lee calls for tax relief to fund long-overdue cinema upgrades
Ms. Koh Mei Lee calls for tax relief to fund long-overdue cinema upgrades
Cinemas are still recovering from pandemic losses, Ms. Koh said, with many operators still paying off loans taken during Covid-19 closures. On top of that, cinemas are facing tough competition from streaming platforms, and more people are choosing to watch more movies at home. As a result, she said, moviegoers now only head to the cinema for big blockbusters - smaller films or comedies get skipped in favour of streaming.

Cinema tickets are currently taxed at up to 25% of the admission price. This is part of a bigger entertainment tax that many industry groups say is outdated and unfair - with different rules in different states, and no longer matching how Malaysians actually spend their free time.


Related Links:
Latest News:
See All News

Showtimes
   
Ticket Pricing Guide