By Chew Wan Ying

PETALING JAYA: Award-winning local film-maker Yasmin Ahmad is still in critical but stable condition, said her younger brother Muzaffar Shah.

"It's good news that she's not getting worse. We will not know until 48 to 72 hours after surgery. The doctor will check on her again to see if there's any change and will let us know," he said.

Drainage of fluid was being carried out to reduce the pressure on Yasmin's brain, which was swollen, said Muzaffar, 38.

"One of the vessels burst due to high blood pressure, causing the stroke. Right now it depends on how she reacts to the medication."

Muzaffar said his sister is on oxygen support, instead of life support, contrary to some reports.

He also refuted reports claiming that this was her second stroke.

"A few years ago, she fainted due to her high blood pressure, but it was a very mild thing. She was placed under observation for one or two days and discharged," he said, adding that he hoped there would be no more inaccurate reports.

"Her works are always about humanity, reality and stories. It is not time for her to go yet as she still has a lot to give to people. She still has a lot of messages to convey through her advertisements," Mu- zaffar said.

Although she was on medication to control her high blood pressure, Yasmin had never complained about any other discomfort or stress, he added.

"She has migraine, but that is normal for high blood pressure patients. And she has always been jovial and happy."

Muzaffar said the family, including Yasmin's parents and husband Tan Yew Leong, had been at the Damansara Specialist Hospital since she was admitted.

Yasmin was involved in a few projects when she collapsed, he said.

"Now, with her condition, I don't think we can say anything about what will happen to the projects," he said, adding that he appreciated the overwhelming response from the public and the media.

"I am so overwhelmed by the attention and the care. People always say I have a famous sister. I didn't feel that way. It happened so suddenly, just as people felt when Michael Jackson passed away. People are not ready."