GE13: Cinema talking point in Bangi

The Star, Tuesday April 23, 2013

BANGI came into the limelight in 2011 and 2012 when a proposed cinema project was banned.

Commenting on the ban, incumbent assemblyman Dr Shafie Abu Bakar of PAS was quoted as saying that the cinema “will lead to vice activities and there would be films not in line with Islamic and eastern values.”

He added that the cinema was not welcomed as “we do not want that here to corrupt the minds of our young.”

Although Shafie insisted it was his constituents — and not his party — that opposed the cinema plan, the ban drew flak from some residents and BN leaders.

Besides saving residents the trouble of travelling far for a movie screening, many argued that cinemas were not the main factor causing immoral activities.

Bangi state coordinator Datuk Mohd Fathil Daud said, “With or without the cinema, vice activities will still take place.”

In the last general election, Shafie garnered 17,201 votes, defeating Mohd Fathil by 6,192 votes.

For GE13, Shafie is replaced by Mohd Shafie Ngah. Barisan’s candidate for the seat is Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd Zain.