By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, April 4: King’s Trioplex, Sibu’s one and only cinema that has survived the test of time, plays a crucial role in ensuring that locals can indulge their passion for the silver screen.
In addition to being the only cinema in Sibu, it is also the oldest, having been in operation for several decades.
Originally a single-screen cinema, King’s Trioplex was formerly known as King’s Cinema. However, in the 2000s, it was renovated to become Sibu’s first three-hall cinema. In 2011, the cinema was upgraded once more to become Sibu’s first 3D cinema.
“King’s Trioplex’s business is slowly improving as the nation’s economy recovers following the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“As the only cinema in Sibu and an independent cinema, our ticket prices are substantially less than those of other cinemas in Malaysia.
“However, weekdays are typically slow, and weekends are when we see the most customers,” King’s Trioplex manager Tang Chiok King told DayakDaily when met recently.
Tang went on to say that once John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), and other popular films were streamed at King’s Trioplex, families, couples, and young people would visit the cinema on the weekends to watch them.
“Even Tamil and Hindi movies are a hit among the residents of Sibu,” he added.
Tang, who has been in the cinema business for decades, also revealed that many years ago, Sibu was home to about eight cinemas, all of which have since closed.
When asked why people would prefer to watch movies in cinemas as opposed to home via online streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and others, he responded: “Some movies look and sound significantly better in the cinema than they would at home. Certain films deserve to be viewed on the largest possible screen, especially in this age of constant superhero or action blockbusters.”
Tang also noted that King’s Trioplex sells a variety of snacks, but unlike other cinemas in Malaysia, they do not make their own popcorn, instead sourcing it from outside.
King’s Trioplex, located on Level 2 of Sarawak House Complex on Jalan Kampung Nyabor in Sibu aims to show as many movies as possible, covering the majority of the movies shown in Malaysia’s major cities. — DayakDaily
