Perlis to Open a Cinema After 20-Year Absence, But Seating May be Gender-Segregated & Lights Not Fully Off

After about 20 years of absence, Perlis residents are about to see the return of a cinema in the state, thanks to the upcoming opening of the largest mall in the state.

Kangar Jaya Mall in Perlis is slated to open its doors in December 2025, with a variety of surprises to be offered to the visitors, including a cinema. However, it might be a little different from most cinemas in Malaysia, and may resemble how cinemas in Terengganu operate.

Men and women who are not family members may not be allowed to sit together

In case you are not aware, cinemas in Terengganu have been implementing a gender segregated seating arrangement since 2020, in which men and women should not sit together, except for families.

Perlis state government plans to follow suit for the upcoming launch of the cinema in Kangar Jaya Mall.

For now, the Perlis state government requires the management of the cinema to comply with the entertainment guidelines, and 3 seating areas will be opened, namely for men, women, and families.

“We are more inclined with Terengganu’s measure to ensure that the entertainment is in line with Islamic teachings,” Asrul Aimran Abd Jalil, PAS Perlis Information Chief, said.

Apart from the gender-segregated seating, there’s another catch.

Unlike most cinemas, the lights will not be turned off completely during the show.

For illustration purposes only

Asrul, who is also the Perlis assemblyperson (ADUN) for Kayang, said that the cinema company has expressed interest in running a theatre in Kangar, but the relevant authorities have yet to receive a business application from the said company, reported Sin Chew.

Kangar had 3 cinemas in the past, with the last one closed about 20 years ago.

Do you think it’s time for the cinemas to make a return in Perlis?

Also read: “Some will go to T’ganu or fly to KL to watch movies” – PAS Says No-Cinema Policy in Kelantan Not a Big Issue