富丽华广场 《LFS影院拟进军二期》

Cineplex operator plans to expand ops to Sibu, Miri and Sabah

KUCHING: Lotus Five Star (LFS), which opened its first cineplex in East Malaysia in Kuching in April, plans to expand its operations to Miri and Sibu as well as break into the Sabah market next year. [莲花五星影院在今年4月于东马古晋开设第一家分行，该公司也计划将在美里、诗巫以及沙巴州扩展新业务。]

Its operations manager Raaj Planiyapan said its cineplex at Riverside Majestic Shopping Complex in Kuching has received very good response despite the emergence of new competitors in the city.

He pointed out that LFS is also the first cineplex to screen Tamil movies in Kuching, and still record ‘full’ house for three Tamil movies in spite of the small Indian population in the city.

“We emphasise being a simple and nice cineplex that offers affordable ticket pricing of RM5 to RM9. Compared to our ‘classier’ competitors, our ticket prices can be considered low.

“We also install the latest in sound system such as DTS, SRD and Dolby Digital Surround System so that our customers can have unforgettable viewing experience,” he told reporters here yesterday.

On the LFS Cineplex in Kuching, he revealed that LFS spent RM2 million on the renovation and upgrading work which included facelift at the lobby, improved sound system and better seats.

He pointed out that its cineplex in Kuching is one of more than 20 such centres owned by BIG Cinemas Lotus Five Star Sdn Bhd, an international cinema chain throughout Malaysia.

He said there are now more cinema-goers especially from the Chinese community at the cineplex after a slow start when it took over from Metrowealth Cinemas in April. There are four screening rooms with total seating capacity of 800, he added.

“About half of the audience are from the Chinese community. I’m also very happy that because of the promotions and the upgrading at the cineplex, we have pulled the crowd back to this shopping complex,” he said.

To a question, he said LFS also has plans to open its second cineplex in Kuching at the Boulevard Shopping Complex. [他说，LFS也计划将在古晋富丽华购物中心设第二间分行。]

“We want to provide more options for the public in Kuching to go and watch movies, as well as give healthy competition to our competitors,” he said, adding that LFS is mulling a 3D movie screening room in Kuching. [他说，LFS有意设3D屏幕在古晋的分行。]

Meanwhile, LFS is offering Hari Raya promotions of drinks and popcorn. A ticket plus regular popcorn and a regular drink, which altogether cost RM8.60, will be offered at a discounted price of RM7.50 during the Hari Raya holidays.

LFS will also be premiering two Malay movies namely Momok and Jin Notti, as well as 3D animated movie from Disney Pictures called G-Force for Hari Raya.

Asked if LFS had plans to screen Hindustani movies, Raaj did not dismiss the possibility following favourable responses to three Tamil movies screened in Kuching earlier.

“We will wait for the next Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan blockbuster movies to be screened here,” he said.