The PAS-controlled Kelantan government's refusal to reopen cinemas proves that the Islamist party is incapable of administrating the nation, according to DAP state assemblyperson Chong Zhemin.
He was responding to Kelantan local government, housing and health committee chairperson Izani Husin, who argued that even if strict conditions were imposed on cinema operators, there would still be room for social ills.
However, Chong described this excuse as "unfounded and illogical," claiming that Kelantan recorded the highest number of HIV cases despite having no cinemas for three decades.
"There is no concrete proof that the opening of cinemas will cause an increase of social ills as cinemas are allowed in all states in Malaysia except for Kelantan.
"The PAS government must also explain why Kelantan has the highest HIV cases, when cinemas are banned in the state," his statement read.
According to Chong, Kelantan health, family and women development committee chairperson Wan Ubaidah Omar last year said "there were 616 new HIV cases in 2009," which was the highest recorded in Malaysia.
Following this, PAS lawmaker Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff shared a Facebook posting from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Dr Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar which contained 2017 statistics for HIV cases in Malaysia.
According to the statistics, the Pakatan Harapan-controlled Selangor topped the list with 15.7 percent, followed by Johor (15.6 percent). Kelantan was third on the list with 10.3 percent.
Meanwhile, Chong also challenged Umno and MCA to state their stand on PAS' refusal to reopen cinemas since the parties have become allies.
“I urge both MCA and Umno to register their strongest protest against their newfound ally for its refusal to reopen cinemas in Kelantan.
"PAS' stand to ban cinemas is extreme and has no place in a moderate and multiracial society in Malaysia.
“MCA has in the past objected to PAS' stand to ban cinemas in the state,” he added.
The last time that Kelantan had a cinema was in 1990, before PAS took over the administration of the state from BN.
It was the Lido Cinema in Jalan Pos Office Lama, Kota Bharu.
