Covid-19: Finas prepares action plan to assist cinemas

 

The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) is preparing an action plan especially to assist cinemas which have to temporarily stop operation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Finas has begun working on an action plan upon hearing that cinemas may close due to the lack of patrons now.

The action plan according to Saifuddin was being prepared by Finas chief executive officer Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri and deputy chairperson Norman Abdul Halim.

"We will also review to assist them over the question of entertainment tax which is under the jurisdiction of local authorities and we are prepared to negotiate with them,” he said.

Saifuddin told reporters this after visiting victims of a storm in Indera Mahkota 2, Kuantan today. In the incident at 8pm, 85 houses suffered damages on the roof.

Today, two cinema networks, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and TGV Cinemas (TGV) were reported to be closing their operations temporarily from Nov 2 as a measure to contain the spread of Covid-19 which has seen a surge lately.

Commenting on the visit, the Indera Kota MP said his office would be assisting victims to repair their houses with the cooperation of the Rukun Tetangga Area (KRT) and the Kuantan District and Land Office.

Saifuddin also thanked the acting Raja of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah who was present to visit and hand over contributions to the victims this morning.

Meanwhile, KRT chairperson Rogayah Hassan, 65, said the storm last night was the worst she had ever seen in the area after another incident in 2006 even though the number of houses affected then were small.

- Bernama