20 Apr – Spiral stairs and family karaokes – that's what one can expect from The Spring Shopping Centre, touted as the largest lifestyle mall in the state, when the 8-screen MBO Kuching opens in June 2009. With the abundance of undeveloped land in Sarawak, MBO Kuching is definitely going for the fancy stuff.
At a press conference on 20 March 2009, mall execs revealed that the "very different" entertainment floor (second and final floor) is going into its final phase and leading it is the 8-screen MBO cineplex, not to mention a karaoke joint. A casual survey with locals such as taxi drivers and shop assistants indicated that the development is indeed an exciting one for Kuching residents, as the town has not had a new cinema in more than 10 years since Star Cineplex opened in 1997 at Medan Pelita.
Mall leasing head Andy Song said: "There will be multiple accesses to the second floor during and after operational hours. Cinema and karaoke patrons will have exclusive access from the lift lobby and staircase which will remain open after the mall's normal hours. As global and local market contract under this current economic crisis it is important to be able to create value innovation and remain relevant for growing long term market share". MBO Cinemas Marketing Manager Cheah Gim Hin teased: "We are going for a 3D screen as well – but one thing for sure is that we are expected to have the largest four-way hall (sound system) in the country when it opens." Chief Operations Officer Ikmal Nizam Ariffin added: "We are a family-oriented business and the deco concept behind our latest outlet in Kuching will be on the magical, timeless feel of over 100 years of film history. The cinema chain is understood to be opening another two outlets this year, with MBO Kuching being its first venture into the East Malaysian market.