MOVIE-GOERS SHUN CINEMAS DUE TO FLU SCARE

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20(Bernama) -- The film industry will suffer if the public
stay away from cinemas due to the influenza A(H1N1) scare, said KRU Studio
president and chief executive officer Norman Abdul Halim.

He said local film producers were not only reeling from the economic
slowdown but were also affected by the swine flu threat.

"Ticket sales are affected and I hope the government will give a
comprehensive picture of the situation and not to cause panic," he told Bernama
after attending the charity screening of 'Jin Notti', a movie produced by his
company, here Wednesday night.

"I noticed that Singapore and New Zealand had passed the panic stage with
the people becoming more conscious on personal hygiene. I hope we will do
likewise and not scare the public," he added.

The charity screening collected about RM50,000 (US$14,126) for the Artistes
Welfare Fund and the Armed Forces Veterans Foundation.
-- BERNAMA