PETALING JAYA: Statistics show that an increasing number of youths are choosing to pursue business and entrepreneurship instead of continuing their studies at institutions of higher learning. Marketing research firm Edge Research found that of 1,675 youths aged between 18 and 30 who were surveyed, 686 (41%) felt unsure of enrolling in tertiary institutions while 217 (13%) decided not to do so. The 903 youths who were unsure or decided not to enrol for higher education said they were faced with financial constraints and believe it was more important to work and earn money. A study by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research in 2021 found annual student intakes in tertiary education institutions decreased from 1,346,858 in 2016 to 1,207,131 in 2021. However, while earning a university degree is always preferable, those who decide to pursue careers as entrepreneurs could also make it in life, said a company founder. Taylor’s University Assoc Prof Dr Lydia Y.Y. Foong said students who wish to join the workforce at an early age may enjoy earning money and having flexible working hours. “Students can make a living being online sellers or social media influencers. But in the long term, their potential earnings on average may not be on par with employees with tertiary qualifications. “According to the Employment and Labour statistics released in June by the Human Resources Ministry, employees with tertiary qualifications earn an average of RM4,239 monthly while those with secondary qualifications only earn RM2,169. “The business environment post-Covid is very volatile and requires one to consider upskilling and reskilling to sustain earnings and business. It depends on the mindset and skills of the individual whether they would become successful,” she said. Foong, who is also Centre for Future Learning Curriculum Innovation and Development director, said a tertiary education would help graduates gear themselves towards professional interests and assist them in pursuing significant career options. “Our students get to learn and practise within supportive ecosystems that consist of facilitators, peers and industry mentors. This also provides graduates with networking and contacts for easier access to their dream jobs. “Students with tertiary education also learn generic skills that harmonise the world of education, work and responsible global citizenship to address issues being faced.” Foong said she believes in providing all learners with an education that empowers them to succeed in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. “Students will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful and realistic challenges through immersive and problem-centred learning. “There is also an emphasis among higher learning institutions in developing real-life █ BY ETHAN YEO [emailprotected] Skipping paper chase 2 page INSIDE Nurture patriotism for united M’sia: PM 3 High-income status page in sight for S’gor Fahmi flagging off the 6,600 Langkah Perpaduan event in Ipoh yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC skills by including internship and entrepreneurial opportunities for students to attain a successful life and career transition.” Turn to — page 3 National Month kicks off with ‘6,600 Steps of Unity’ IPOH: More than 5,000 people took part in the 6,600 Langkah Perpaduan (Steps of Unity) programme in conjunction with the launch of the 2023 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at Sultan Azlan Shah Roundabout in Meru Raya yesterday. Pre-registered participants arrived at the registration centre as early as 5.30am to confirm their participation and receive a free T-shirt. The participants were flagged off by Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who heads the main committee for the National and Malaysia Day 2023 celebrations. Earlier, Fahmi joined participants in a warm-up session with the programme’s icon influencer Usop Wilcha. The event, which began at 6.30am, was divided into two categories, namely a 4.5km fun run that is open to all participants and a 1.5km fun walk for the elderly, children and persons with disabilities. The concept of 6,600 steps was chosen to symbolise the 66th National Day celebration this year. Apart from the 6,600 Langkah Perpaduan programme, several other events were held in conjunction with the campaign launch. They include Jualan Rahmah, an exhibition by government agencies, the Bintang Patriotik competition, a national quiz and the Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang Convoy. Meanwhile, police opened a payment counter offering a 50% discount for selected summonses from 8.30am to 3pm. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof launched the event at 10am on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. National Day celebrations on Aug 31 will be held at Dataran Putrajaya while Malaysia Day celebrations on Sept 16 will take place in Kuching, Sarawak. – Bernama oSurvey shows increasingly more youths opt to work than pursue tertiary qualifications TELLING IT AS IT IS ONMONDAY JULY 17, 2023 No. 8310 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my
2 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Nurture patriotism for united Malaysia, says PM IPOH: The spirit of patriotism among Malaysians needs to be continuously nurtured to create a united society, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said it is also important to create a strong nation, which requires the strengthening of unity among those of various races, backgrounds and religions. Anwar added that all Malaysians should take the opportunity to celebrate the National Month and fly the Jalur Gemilang and show their love for the country by participating in the various events organised. “We are blessed to be part of a sovereign and independent Malaysia. Indeed, the blessing of independence should be appreciated as we can live comfortably, harmoniously and prosperously, with the practise of tolerance among the races,” he said at the launch of the National Month and the Kibar Jalur Gemilang event at Sultan Azlan Shah Roundabout in Meru Raya yesterday. The text of his speech was read o‘Vital to create strong nation, which requires boosting solidarity among those of various races, backgrounds and religions’ by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who officiated at the event on his behalf. Anwar said unity is a priceless blessing and an important asset to the country and needs to be maintained so that Malaysia’s independence continues to be safeguarded. He added that history has proven the greatness of an empire is not only based on wise leadership, but also on the spirit of identity and consensus among the people. Anwar said the practise of the Tabayyun concept, which is to always check the authenticity of any information, is important before sharing it with other individuals. He said the practice is relevant to ensure that the dissemination of information, especially on social media, is carried out with prudence and integrity. He also said the social media world, which is without borders, makes the sharing and dissemination of information possible in a matter of seconds. “True and fake (information) are all mixed in the virtual world and this sometimes gives rise to the seeds of conflict that can threaten the peace and harmony of the lives of people of various races.” Anwar said practising the concept indirectly trains individuals to be more careful in drawing conclusions. On another matter, he said the problems faced by people struggling daily with the increasing cost of living are now being dealt with comprehensively. He added that the government has taken proactive steps through various initiatives to ensure that people’s lives are at a comfortable level. Anwar said all the initiatives by the government are carefully planned to ensure that nobody is left behind in enjoying prosperity, and people’s welfare is protected, Bernama reported. “These include the cost of living and Rahmah cash aid initiatives to ease the people’s burden. “The government is also taking steps to increase the income of the hardcore poor and B40 families, while at the same time trying to resolve daily economic problems through the People’s Income Initiative. “About 100,000 participants from hardcore poor and B40 households will be assisted through this initiative.” Fadillah also flagged off the Kembara Merdeka and Jalur Gemilang 2023 convoy, which will tour the country in conjunction with Merdeka month celebrations. PICTURE HUMOUR ... Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail reacting to a caricature of herself during a visit to a booth at Pusat Belia Antarabangsa in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN King commends joint military exercise KUANTAN: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah attended the closing ceremony yesterday of the Jungle Falcon Exercises Series 1/2023, between the Malaysian Army and the United Arab Emirates Land Forces at Felda Sungai Panching Selatan. The King was accompanied by his sons, the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah and Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah. Also present were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Chief of Defence Force Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Eisa Saif Al Mazrouei. The King expressed pride in the cooperation and performance of the two defence forces involved in the joint exercise, which was described as excellent. – Bernama Call to improve procedures for rape victims KUCHING: Procedures at hospitals related to the examination of suspected rape victims need to be improved, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Taking into account the trauma faced by rape victims, she expressed hope the Health Ministry would permit them to undergo examination at hospitals without police reports being lodged first. “Our recommendation is, since the report and rape kit must be done within 72 hours, a victim could get a medical examination first and then we will leave it to the victim whether she wants to make a police report. “We will leave it to the ministry to decide (on this suggestion),” she said yesterday at a media conference in conjunction with Sepeda Amal Borneo 2023, a charity event. Nancy said procedures for handling cases of suspected rape victims currently state that a police report must be made first before a victim is allowed to undergo an examination at a hospital. “When the victim goes to the counter (at the hospital), she will be referred to the police first. Only after police give permission to conduct the medical examination will it be carried out as they (police) require evidence for the case.” She was commenting on a media report on July 8 about an individual who was allegedly dissatisfied with the services of the One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) in Sarawak in handling the case of a woman suspected of being raped. Sarawak Health Director Dr Ooi Choo Huck had said in a statement that the woman refused to lodge a police report and did not give permission for further evaluation to be carried out despite being advised to do so by the medical officer on duty. Ooi said after discussions with an emergency physician on duty, the woman was sent to the OSCC, where the medical officer conducted a comprehensive examination, including examining her vital signs. Nancy said the matter was a miscommunication between the victim and the hospital and it has been resolved. On Sepeda Amal Borneo 2023, she said a total of 20 participants took part in the event, which involved cycling 700km across Sarawak in six days. The event is being held to raise funds for the ROSE Foundation to curb cervical cancer, which is the third most common cancer among Malaysian women. The foundation is offering free cervical screening to all women at more than 10 locations in Sarawak until July 23. – Bernama New initiative to boost padi yield GEORGE TOWN: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is confident that the implementation of a Smart SSB Mini SekinchanBernas Programme would boost local padi production and reduce rice imports. Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the programme could increase rice production by between seven tonnes and 10 tonnes per hectare for each harvest compared with about five tonnes previously. “The pilot project has been carried out in Perlis since May, involving an area of more than 100ha, and harvesting is expected to begin on Sept 2. Based on monitoring and inspection, we found that the crop is growing well and of good quality, like that in Sekinchan, Selangor. “Perhaps we can get a yield of up to 10 tonnes per hectare and thus increase the income of padi farmers.” He was speaking after officiating at the Jualan Agro Madani Tanjung programme at the Prangin Mall grounds. Also present was Tanjung MP Lim Hui Ying, who is also deputy education minister. Mohamad said the ministry plans to expand the programme soon to several other states, namely Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang. He said the programme involves smart farming with modern equipment to increase the quantity and quality of rice yields. He added that the approach involves a more organised work schedule, supplementary fertilisers and accurate schedule of fertiliser and pesticide application to ensure optimum padi planting efficacy. Mohamad said Padiberas Nasional Bhd manages the project and acts as a service provider, as well as supervises the use of fertilisers and pesticides according to contract farming with the rice farmers involved. “We hope that the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute would produce more padi varieties through the programme.” – Bernama Turkiye minister calls on Anwar KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday received a courtesy call from Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia beginning Saturday. At the meeting held in Penang, Anwar and Fidan discussed bilateral cooperation long established between both nations. “We also exchanged views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest, including those involving Muslims. “May the relationship between Malaysia and Turkiye continue to grow and benefit the people,” Anwar said in a post on his Facebook page. Also present at the meeting was Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. This is Fidan’s first visit to Malaysia since being appointed Turkiye’s foreign minister on June 3. Turkiye is Malaysia’s third largest trading partner, largest export destination and sixth largest import destination from the West Asian region. In 2022, Malaysia’s total trade with Turkiye rose by 12.6% to RM20.25 billion (US$4.62 billion) from RM17 billion (US$4.10 billion) in 2021. – Bernama
3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is confident of achieving high-income state status through a series of comprehensive planning and development initiatives that encompass various economic sectors, talent development and the provision of quality education and careers. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said with efficient economic management and excellent basic infrastructure, Selangor could follow in the footsteps of Sarawak, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, which were earlier recognised as high-income states by the World Bank. Amirudin said various programmes have been formulated to ensure Selangor remain an advanced and modern state that serves as the main engine of the national economy and the largest contributor to gross domestic product (GDP). He said for that purpose, Selangor, which has a population of seven million, is actively promoting and providing opportunities for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to youth to produce skilled workers, Bernama reported. “Selangor has set a specific target to achieve high-income state status and considering the population size, encouraging economic development each year and the excellent infrastructure, we believe that goal can be achieved.” Amirudin added that the initiatives towards the target have begun to bear fruit, with several collaborations established between Selangor and technology giants such as Apple Inc, Festo and Siemens Malaysia, followed by a collaboration with Dassault Systemes, which would be signed in September, to provide TVET workforce resources. Selangor recorded the best GDP performance at the national level with a growth of 25.5% last year, with the service and manufacturing sectors being the largest contributors. According to a Statistics Department report, Selangor recorded a consistent increase in GDP contribution each year, with 24% in 2016/2017 and 24.5% in 2018/2019. Amirudin said this was achieved despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of movement restrictions as well as flood disasters. He also said the Selangor government has prepared a blueprint for industrial development, state public transportation, the Selangor Smart State and the First Selangor Plan (RS-1), which was formulated to drive comprehensive, sustainable and continuous state development in the present and future. He said RS-1 was presented at the state assembly on July 27 and was developed as a detailed effort to ensure planned development. Through RS-1, the state government also aims to make Selangor a smart, inclusive and prosperous state by 2025. On the achievements during his term as menteri besar, Amirudin, said the slogan “Kita Selangor”, which he introduced, has successfully shaped the culture and identity among state civil servants, politicians and the community to work together. “With the spirit of ‘Kita Selangor’, we can create a successful team that drives the administration and development of Selangor, capable of placing the state at the forefront of economic management as Selangor continues to maintain its position as the largest contributor to the nation’s income.” He said during this term alone, three district councils, namely the Kuala Langat District Council, Kuala Selangor District Council and the Hulu Selangor District Council have been upgraded to municipal councils while the Subang Jaya Municipal Council has been elevated to city council status, following the earlier recognition given to Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya. Right mindset vital for business Wordlabs Media founder Sritharan Vellasamy said tertiary education is not the most important aspect of being a successful entrepreneur. “Tertiary education can be important in some career paths like engineering or medicine, but in business, what matters more is a person’s ability to communicate. “Skills, adaptability and innovation are the three key foundations that make a successful entrepreneur. “When one does not have the skills, there will be no business. There will be many changes, especially in the fast-paced and volatile business environment, which is why adaptability plays such an important role in staying afloat.” He said the integration of technology is also an important part of adapting to the current trends in the marketplace. Sritharan said being open and eager to learn is an essential mindset to have as an aspiring entrepreneur. “It is all about reading and learning. Even for people who do not have tertiary education, the thirst for knowledge will help in establishing an understanding of what consumers want and need. “If someone does not have a tertiary education, it does not mean he is incapable of doing the job. What matters is whether he can adapt and learn new things. Communication is also very important because most industries are people-centric.” Sritharan stressed that anyone can be an entrepreneur if they can sacrifice their time and clearly define why they want to enter the business. “A person must set their goals before setting out on this journey because it is not an easy one to take. It is a baptism of fire to pursue this path.” oInitiatives, collaboration with tech giants keeping state on track as main driver of national economy: MB MCA aiming to recruit young members SEREMBAN: MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said the party will recruit more young members to remain relevant and competitive in the country’s political arena. He said MCA should attract the participation of more youths aged as young as 18 as almost 90% of its members are now aged 40 and above. “About 90% of our members are over 40. So, I think we need to rejuvenate and get more young blood to be in our party, to understand the problems of the younger generation,” he said after officiating at the Negeri Sembilan MCA Annual General Meeting yesterday. He added that the party must have new talents who are articulate and have extensive knowledge to counter allegations against the party. “We need new talents who have the knowledge and can hit back at all the misconceptions. That is most important because leaders with such qualities can reassure the community.” On another matter, Wee said MCA’s stance not to contest in the upcoming state polls was to enable it to focus on its preparations for the 16th general election. – Bernama Social media drive to attract visitors KUANTAN: Domestic tourists are the biggest contributors to tourism in Pahang, with 9.71 million visiting the state last year. State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said Tourism Pahang is actively promoting activities on social media platforms to attract more visitors and achieve its target of 13 million tourists this year. “This is based on the findings of the 2021 Domestic Tourism Survey data, which shows that the majority of domestic travellers to Pahang are aged between 25 and 39 and active usocial media users. “So, it is only appropriate that we enhance promotions on social media platforms that can attract the interest of domestic travellers and be expanded to overseas social media users,” she said yesterday. – Bernama Power rests with Rulers, says Anwar NIBONG TEBAL: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday the accreditation of religious figures and ulama in the country is under the authority of the Malay Rulers. He said although a prime minister has authority over various matters when it comes to Islam, the power rests with the Rulers. “They are saying that because Anwar is the prime minister, certain people are not being given accreditation. Now listen here. There will be those who get them. (It is) not my decision. This is the decision of the Malay Rulers. “I do not interfere with who obtains these accreditations, and who does not,” he said when officiating at the redevelopment of Masjid Lama Sungai Bakap yesterday. – Bernama COLOURFUL COSTUMES ... Models showcasing traditional wear during the Perak Travel Fair 2.0 at NU Central in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN High-income status in sight for Selangor From front page
4 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Agro Madani sale to be held at 5,000 sites GEORGE TOWN: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry plans to hold “Agro Madani Sales” in 5,000 locations nationwide, with a sales target of RM39 million. Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said his ministry is also targeting the participation of 46,000 entrepreneurs in the programme. “As of July 9, the programme generated RM17.7 million in sales after being held at 643 locations nationwide involving 10,143 entrepreneurs. It also recorded savings of RM5.3 million, involving 1.28 million households. “Agro Madani Sales is one of the ministry’s quick-win programmes that help traders sell their goods directly to consumers. It could also help reduce the people’s cost of living through the savings offered,” he said after officiating at the Tanjung Agro Madani Sales programme at Prangin Mall yesterday. The event was also attended by Tanjung MP Lim Hui Ying, who is also education deputy minister. Mohamad said the Agro Madani Sales programme will focus on ensuring the availability of agro-food supplies and provide consumers with the opportunity to purchase goods at reasonable prices. He said through the programme, essential items that include fresh produce and controlled goods, will be sold at 10% to 30% less than market prices. “Government complexes or premises, retail outlets under the ministry, People’s Housing Projects, residential and rural areas are among the target locations. “The ministry is also planning to expand the sales programme next year to provide more savings to consumers. We are not competing with traders but we want to help households get essential goods at up to 30% cheaper,” he said. The Agro Madani Sales programme is a rebranding of the “direct sales from farm” programme implemented by the ministry through the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, Farmers’ Organisation Board and the Fisheries Development Authority. – Bernama Plan to raise TVET graduate wages KEPALA BATAS: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry aims to raise the minimum salary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates from RM1,500 to RM2,000. Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said TVET not only teaches conventional subjects but also trains a competent workforce, in line with industrial revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). “What I’m doing is transformation, for us to move towards IR4.0. The government is committed to raising TVET. “InsyaAllah, a new policy by the education minister with the cooperation of the higher education minister and 10 other ministries (would allow) us to (be) a developed nation under the leadership of the prime minister’s Madani government,” he said at the TVET@KKDW 2023 Expo with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday. Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, added that 92.5% of TVET graduates managed to secure jobs. At the event, Universiti Kuala Lumpur and Ni Hsin EV Tech Sdn Bhd exchanged MoU as a strategic partnership to boost entrepreneurial aspects and technical skills. – Bernama Orang Asli grateful for internet service GUA MUSANG: The government initiative to provide a telecommunication network and good internet access to the Orang Asli community living in the interior is indeed good news for them. The government, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has carried out upgrading works at 35 transmitter stations under the National Digital Network Plan at nine Orang Asli settlements here. According to an MCMC spokesperson, the upgrading works involved settlements around Lojing Highlands, Pos Pulat, Pos Tohoi, Pos Simpor, Pos Blau, Pos Lebir, Pos Belatim, Pos Balar, Pos Hau, Pos Pasik, Pos Bihai, Pos Gob and Kuala Betis. “Works to upgrade 17 transmitters in 23 areas have been completed, while 18 Orang Asli villages have been provided with WiFi broadband services (broadband wireless access @ BWA). All of these are implemented under Phase 1 of Jendela,” he said, adding that MCMC will also build nine more telecommunication towers under the national plan. “Nine new towers are being constructed in Kampung Jias, Kampung Sangwai, Kampung Jekjok, Kampung Kerbok, Kampung Sendrop, Kampung Rengil, Kampung Bahong, Kampung Jedip and the Orang Asli settlement in Aring 5.” The Temiar community at Pos Simpor expressed gratitude to the government for providing them with the facilities, despite their remote location, Bernama reported. Jimi Arifin, 42, said although the settlement is nearly 100km from the town of Gua Musang, he is still able to stay in touch with the outside world and keep up with current events because of the available electricity and internet facilities. “I’m grateful for the government’s concern for our welfare. We have access to electricity and have been able to use the internet since last year, allowing us to communicate with those who live in other areas. “We have high-speed internet access and we can watch videos, send and receive photos and videos.” Ensure safety of road users, utility firms told SHAH ALAM: Utility companies have been urged to follow through on repairs and resurfacing of roads after they have dug up an area for maintenance operations. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexandar Nantas Linggi said they should follow standard operating procedures to ensure the safety of road users. “(The Works Ministry) has received complaints from road users because the work was not done properly. “I wish to remind utility companies that they should not be complacent after the work is done and let the highways authority pay for any problems later. This will compromise the safety and convenience of road users,” he said after opening the Eco Ardence intersection in Setia Alam yesterday. Nanta described the intersection as an extensive cooperation between the government and the private sector to provide convenience to road users. “This intersection will provide a more efficient and convenient route for residents and local communities to access the North Klang Valley Expressway and also the Eco Ardence Township,” he said. – Bernama Local book on traditional dance to hit Italian stores PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian author’s book about the Kelantanese traditional dance, Makyong, is set to be launched in Italy on July 21. Bentala Naga by Zaliha Abdul Rahman (pic), 58, and published under her pseudonym, Ninot Aziz, is a retelling of an old Makyong dance narrative adapted for modern readers. At the Frankfurt Book Fair 2022, Bentala Naga attracted the attention of Italian publishing group LetterarieMenti, that expressed intent to publish a translated version of it in Italy. “(The book fair) was amazing. The friendships I made there, the cultural exchanges and the experience will be etched in my mind forever,” said Ninot. The book will soon be released in Italy as Bentala – Regina dei Naga (Una Leggenda Makyong)”. Ninot’s inspiration for the book was a Makyong performance she watched at an event. “(The event) was where I first met the primadonna of the Makyong world, Khatijah Awang. I fell in love (with Makyong) from that moment. Ever since the event in 1996, I have wanted to write about Makyong.” Ninot said she began to collate Makyong stories because of how much the audience enjoyed the narrative and performance. She then hit on the idea to combine three stories – Endeng Tejali, Anak Raja Gondang and Bongsu Peiang Peribut – and share them on an international platform. Ninot believes that Malaysian culture deserves more appreciation from local and international audiences. “It is my life’s vocation to promote our beautiful culture. My daughters were the The cover of Ninot’s book. oAuthor manifests passion for Kelantanese culture in writing to be published as ‘Una Leggenda Makyong’ █ BYJULIANNE YAP [emailprotected] reason I focused my writing on Asian folklore. “They were too exposed to Western, Greek and Egyptian tales and knew nothing of our legends and epics.” The main challenges she faced when writing her book were getting the stories and retelling them, as well as coordinating the illustrations, that were drawn by Walid Muhammad. The English and Bahasa Melayu versions of the book have been selling very well. However, Ninot believes Malaysian literature needs more media attention. “The literary scene is growing, mainly due to the passion shown by industry players. More writers, established ones and new talents, need to be featured and book prices need to be reduced to encourage Malaysians to support the local writing industry.” Ninot encourages Malaysians to further support authors by attending their events, asking bookshops and libraries to bring in stocks of local books, visiting book fairs and reviewing local books on the Goodreads website. She is currently working on a new novel about a young teenager who time-travels between 16th-century Malacca and the Uthmaniyah (Ottoman) Empire in search of a mysterious treasure. She has also recently collaborated with writers from eight countries, including Turkey, Egypt and Germany, to create an anthology of dragon-themed stories, titled Dragonlore. Apart from being an author, Ninot is a public relations consultant and said she does both jobs with deep passion. “I am lucky that my career in PR and my chosen path to champion arts and culture allow me to write and be creative. “Through writing, I have managed to produce animation movies and short films, and made friends worldwide.”
5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 Investigation on death of girl at hospital ongoing SUNGAI PETANI: The Health Ministry is awaiting an investigation report by police on the recent death of a 10-year-old girl, allegedly due to negligence, at a government hospital in Klang. Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said detailed information from all parties involved needed to be obtained before she could comment on the incident. “I urge the public to be careful, get (information) from authentic sources and not spread negative sentiments,” she said after officiating at the Madani Afiat event and the national level observation of World Malaria Day yesterday. Netizens have expressed shock over news on Dea Maisarah Bada, who purportedly died while receiving treatment at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan was reported on Saturday to have confirmed receiving two reports, and that police had started an investigation under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001. At the event, Zaliha said in her opening speech that malaria cases nationwide were under control. “The ministry has achieved the National Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Malaria (2011-2020) target, zero local (indigenous) human malaria infections from 2018 onwards, and successfully maintaining this for five years.” She presented the Tokoh Malaria award to Malaria Triangle in Peninsular Malaysia programme founder Datuk Dr Pius Premaraj, who is also former Kelantan health director. – Bernama Customs seize RM2m in contraband cigarettes KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan Customs Department blocked an attempt to smuggle cigarettes valued at almost RM2 million, including tax, during a July 11 operation in Bachok. Its director Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long said the illegal operation was exposed by the East Zone Risk Branch of the Kota Bharu enforcement division, adding that a subsequent search at 1am the same day found a five-tonne lorry abandoned along Jalan Kuala Kemasin. “An inspection of the vehicle revealed 2.5 million sticks of branded white cigarettes, presumed to have been smuggled in by sea. “The cigarettes were worth about RM208,000 in the local market, while the tax involved totalled RM1,736,800,” he said at the Customs office yesterday. Wan Jamal Abdul Salam also said investigations are ongoing to track down the owner of the abandoned contraband and lorry. He said the modus operandi of smugglers was to use the sea route along the coast to transport cigarettes, before loading them onto trucks to be distributed locally. “The cigarettes are suspected to be from Vietnam. We are not ruling out the possibility of foreign fishermen being involved in the dealings, but we have no clear information (on the matter) so far. “Based on the large number, they would have likely been destined for the Klang Valley to be marketed,” he said, adding that the case was investigated under Section 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967. – Bernama Wildlife lover living the dream KUALA LUMPUR: Keeping a crocodile as a pet is rare and almost unheard of in Malaysia because the reptile is considered dangerous. Yet, Kajang-based entrepreneur-mentor Khairul Johari Mohd Denie’s family has been raising six smooth fronted caimans (Paleosuchus trigonatus) in their backyard since 2018. Khairul Johari, 38, said he bought the North American reptiles from a licensed Wildlife and National Parks Department dealer when they were a year old, each measuring roughly 20cm. He said the animals are now aged seven, but are still young at about 160cm in length and weighing around 15kg to 20kg, adding that they are housed in a special pond that he had built himself. Khairul Johari said his deep interest in raising the creatures started young, as his parents often took him to visit zoos and crocodile oPrivate ‘home zoo’ owner has six crocodiles, giant grouper and dozens of exotic birds Probe on sensitive statements almost complete KOTA BHARU: The investigations into three political party leaders regarding their statements that allegedly touched on religion, royalty and race (3R) issues are almost complete, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain. He said police were expected to submit investigation papers on the three politicians – Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang – to the Attorney-General’s Chambers soon. “They have had their statements recorded and we will send investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers as soon as possible ... maybe next week,” he said after attending a briefing on the state election at the Kelantan police contingent headquarters yesterday. State police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun was also present. Razarudin said the investigations were being carried out under the Penal Code, Sedition Act 1948 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. – Bernama 9,600 extra personnel for polls: IGP KOTA BHARU: A total of 9,602 additional police officers and personnel will be deployed to assist in the six state elections next month, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain. He said the Internal Security and Public Order Department would coordinate the deployment to ensure that the polls are conducted smoothly. “With the additional personnel, almost 2,000 officers would be helping out in the states involved. “The number is sufficient to guard ballot boxes and ensure voter safety,” he said at the Kelantan contingent police headquarters yesterday, adding that 16 flashpoints have been identified in the state. “I believe the election would run smoothly. I would like to emphasise that it is safe for voters to go out and cast their ballots.” Razarudin also said police have identified potentially problematic parties that could cause chaos during election season. – Bernama parks. He was also inspired by late Australian zookeeper and conservationist Steve Irwin, who loved crocodiles. “I chose to legally own the smooth fronted caiman, that is categorised as a dwarf crocodile. A non-aggressive and prey type animal, it has a history of never injuring, let alone biting or eating, humans,” said Khairul Johari, who also shares his interest on TikTok. “Apart from live catfish, I feed them with unsold chicken parts such as the head, legs and liver because they are high in protein and calcium. “I do not feed my crocodiles often, once or twice a week is enough,” he said, adding that they like murky, still water habitats and sunlight. He also said his family can play, bathe or hug the reptiles because they have been tamed and raised together from a young age. “When they feel threatened, they will (sound a warning) by snorting or flicking their tail. They have never attacked me,” Khairul Johari said, adding that he keeps other protected exotic animals such as a giant grouper, two Siamese fireback birds, two Victoria crowned pigeons, 22 lesser whistling ducks and 22 hill mynas. He said the pets have never been released outside of his semidetached house because doing so Khairul Johari and his wife checking on two of the crocodiles at their home in Kajang. – BERNAMAPIC would be an offence, except the hill mynas, that are let out for exercise before returning home at dusk. “It does not bother the neighbours. On the contrary, they enjoy bringing their children over to sometimes help with feeding and cleaning the pond or the aviary.” Meanwhile, Wildlife and National Parks Department Director-General Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said there are only three individuals, Khairul Johari included, with a valid licence to own crocodiles in Peninsular Malaysia. He said based on department data, 53 crocodiles of the same species were imported since 2010 for commercial purposes, including those kept in zoos. “Anyone can own protected wildlife species as long as they apply for a licence or permit, and ensure that the animal comes from a legal source,” he added.
6 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Floods, landslides hit South Korea SEOUL: Rescuers battled to reach people trapped in a flooded tunnel yesterday in South Korea, where at least 33 people have died and 10 are missing after heavy rains caused flooding and landslides. South Korea is at the peak of its summer monsoon season, and there has been heavy rainfall for the last four days, causing a major dam to overflow. The Interior Ministry reported oAuthorities warn weather conditions pose ‘grave danger’ as 33 killed and 10 go missing that 33 people had been killed and another 10 were missing in the heavy downpours, mostly buried by landslides or after falling into a flooded reservoir. Rescue workers were still struggling to reach more than 10 cars trapped in a 430m underground tunnel in Cheongju, North Chungcheong province, the ministry said. The tunnel was inundated on Singapore minister arrested in graft probe SINGAPORE: Transport Minister S. Iswaran has been arrested in connection with a rare top-level corruption probe that has also ensnared a billionaire hotel tycoon, the city-state’s anti-graft body said. Iswaran was “arrested on July 11” and “subsequently released on bail”, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in an emailed statement, confirming the arrest for the first time. Hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng, one of Singapore’s richest people, was also arrested on the same day and released on bail in connection with the probe, the bureau said. The bureau has not disclosed details of the investigation that has gripped Singapore, a financial hub reputed to be among the least corrupt countries in the world. Cabinet ministers are paid salaries comparable to the top earners in the private sector to deter corruption. The investigation of the transport chief by the powerful CPIB widened after it was disclosed that Ong was included in the probe. Ong is the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited, which owns a string of high-end hotels and resorts in Asia and the Pacific. In a filing with the Singapore Exchange last week, the company said that Ong was given a “notice of arrest” by the CPIB and had posted bail. While the passports of those under arrest are generally impounded, Ong was granted permission to leave Singapore on Friday, with the anti-graft agency noting it considers requests for travel overseas “on a case-by-case basis”. The CPIB said it had “acceded to Ong’s request to travel overseas”, but increased his bail to S$100,000 (RM343,000). “Upon his return, Ong is required to report to CPIB and surrender his passport to the bureau,” the agency added. Ong, a Malaysian who is a Singapore permanent resident, is credited with helping bring the Formula One Grand Prix to Singapore in 2008. – AFP Saturday morning after floodwaters swept in too quickly for the people inside to escape, according to the Yonhap news agency. As of yesterday, seven bodies have been recovered from the tunnel and divers were working around the clock searching for more victims, the Interior Ministry said. “I have no hope but I can’t leave,” a parent of one of those missing in the tunnel told Yonhap. “My heart wrenches thinking how painful it must have been for my son in the cold water.” Images broadcast on local television showed a torrential stream of water from a nearby river Pita says only one more shot at forming govt BANGKOK: The liberal frontrunner to become Thailand’s next prime minister said on Saturday he would withdraw his candidacy if Parliament did not endorse him this week, after military-appointed lawmakers foiled his first attempt. Pita Limjaroenrat’s Move Forward Party (MFP) won the most seats in May elections but the Harvard-educated millionaire’s campaign to lead the next government was knocked back Thursday by senators who consider his pledge to reform strict royal defamation laws a red line. The legislature holds its second ballot for a new prime minister on Wednesday, and Pita said he would support a candidate from coalition partner Pheu Thai if he again failed to win the needed votes. “I’d like to apologise that we haven’t succeeded,” he said in a video address posted to social media. “I’m ready to give a chance to Thailand by letting the party that has the second most votes ... be the one to form the coalition.” Pita was 51 votes short of the 375 lawmakers he needed to support his candidacy during the first ballot. Just 13 senators voted for him, with many voicing their opposition to MFP’s pledge to soften the kingdom’s royal defamation laws. All 250 senators were appointed under the junta-drafted constitution, which political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak said was a reliable impediment to MFP’s reformist platform. Pita urged his supporters on Saturday to get “creative” in urging senators to throw their support behind him in the next round. “Send a message to the senators in every way possible, every way you can think of.” Property tycoon Srettha Thavisin, 60, is widely tipped to be Pheu Thai’s candidate for prime minister if Pita’s bid fails again. Liked by business leaders, he has been touted as a potential compromise candidate. – AFP that had burst its banks flooding into the tunnel, as rescue workers struggled to use boats to get to people inside. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held an emergency meeting with his aides on the government’s response to the heavy rains and flooding, his office said. Earlier, he ordered Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to mobilise all available resources to minimise casualties. The majority of the casualties – including 17 of the dead and nine of the missing – were from North Gyeongsang province, and were largely due to massive landslides in the mountainous area that engulfed houses with people inside. Some of the people who have been reported missing were swept away when a river overflowed in the province, the Interior Ministry said. More rain is forecast through Wednesday, and the Korea Meteorological Administration has warned the weather conditions pose a “grave” danger. – AFP Rescue workers at a deluged road leading to an underground tunnel where some 15 cars were trapped in floodwaters after heavy rains in Cheongju yesterday. – AFPPIC Xi calls for ‘solid’ security barrier around China’s internet BEIJING: President Xi Jinping said China must build a “solid” security barrier around its internet under the supervision of the Communist Party, in his latest call to safeguard online data and information. China must persist in managing, operating and ensuring access to the internet in accordance with the law, Xi said in instructions delivered to officials attending a two-day cybersecurity meeting in Beijing that ended on Saturday. “We must adhere to the party’s management of the internet and adhere to (the principle of) making the internet work for the people.” In the past decade, Xi has made preserving security a priority, with his concept of security covering everything from politics and the economy to the environment and cyberspace. In 2015, China passed a national security law with a broader scope to include its cyberspace. A year later, a law was passed that contained requirements for security reviews and for data to be stored on servers in China. In 2021, China rolled out regulations around so-called critical information infrastructure. This year, lawmakers updated anti-espionage legislation to ban the transfer of information related to national security and broaden the definition of spying. – Reuters B R I E F SLAI PLEDGES TO BE STEADY HAND TAIPEI: The front-runner to be Taiwan’s next president pledged yesterday to be a steady hand who would keep the peace with China. William Lai, Taiwan’s vice-president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, has consistently led the majority of opinion polls, though former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party is running a close second. Speaking at DPP’s annual congress, Lai reiterated an offer to talk to China on an equal basis to promote peaceful development of ties, but also the need to strengthen Taiwan’s defences. “I will use peace as a beacon and democracy as a compass. In the complex geopolitical situation, I will brave the winds and the waves to lead Taiwan steadily forward.” – Reuters ‘TURNING POINT’ IN VATICAN-VIETNAM TIES HANOI: The Vatican and Vietnam are due to take a major step towards improving their longstrained relations by finalising a deal in which Hanoi will allow the Holy See to have a resident representative in the communist-run country, sources say. The deal will likely be announced during a visit to the Vatican later this month by Vietnamese President President Vo Van Thuong, according to a senior Vatican official and a Hanoi-based diplomat familiar with the matter. “We are hoping that this will mark a turning point,” the senior Vatican official told Reuters. The Vatican has been asking Hanoi to allow a resident papal representative for more than 10 years. An agreement in principle was reached last year. – Reuters
7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 US, China aim to revive climate cooperation BEIJING: The United States and China will look to revive efforts to combat global warming this week, in bilateral meetings that observers hope will raise the bar on ambitions ahead of UN-sponsored climate talks in late 2023. The talks follow two other high-level US visits to China this year, as the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters work to stabilise a relationship strained by trade disputes, military tensions and accusations of spying. US special envoy on climate change John Kerry arrived in Beijing yesterday for talks with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua from today through Wednesday. The talks will focus on issues including reducing methane emissions, limiting coal use, curbing deforestation and helping poor countries address climate change. “I wouldn’t look for breakthroughs in these meetings but my hope is that they restore normal alignment and diplomacy,” said David Sandalow, director of the US-China programme at the Centre on Global Energy Policy. Kerry addressed his objectives for the China trip at a House foreign relations subcommittee hearing last week, saying: “What we’re trying to achieve now is really to establish some stability with the relationship without conceding anything.” Republicans have accused Joe Biden’s administration of being too soft on Beijing in climate diplomacy, arguing that China continues to increase its greenhouse gas emissions while the United States imposes costly measures to clean up. Both countries said they should be able to collaborate on climate change regardless of other disagreements. Li Shuo from Greenpeace in Beijing said the scheduled talks showed climate change “is still the touchstone for the most important bilateral relationship of the world”. – Reuters Airlines see increase in angry passengers PARIS: Viral videos of vulgar, intoxicated and violent airplane passengers have become common, but it is not just a social media trend as statistics confirm cases are on the rise. The surge in incidents comes as the aviation industry is bouncing back from the Covid pandemic, with airlines expecting to fly a near-record 4.35 billion passengers this year. According to the airline industry trade group Iata, one in every 568 flights had an incident linked to an unruly passenger last year, compared with one flight in 835 flights in 2021. “Although non-compliance incidents initially fell after the mask mandates were removed on most flights, the frequency began to rise again throughout 2022 and ended the year some 37% up on 2021.” The most common incidents involved passengers smoking or vaping in the cabin or toilet, refusing to buckle their seatbelt, failing to respect baggage limits and storage instructions and consumption of their own alcohol on board. While incidents of physical aggression remain rare – only one flight in 17,200 in 2022 – that represents a 61% jump from the previous year. The US saw a tenfold rise in violent incidents from 2017 to 2021 to 6,000, with the politicisation of mask wearing during the pandemic responsible for many confrontations. “This was a crazy time, people did a lot of strange things,” said JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes. “That has come back down a lot since the masking rules went away, it’s still slightly elevated compared to 2019 but it’s largely back to normal.” But Federal Aviation Administration data shows that in the first half of this year, incidents were nearly double the pre-pandemic rate. For the European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa), the rate of incidents has fallen since peaking in the pandemic, but the seriousness of the issues “seems to have increased considerably”. “We see a lot more angry passengers generally and that matches very much what the police services say they see in the wider population everywhere,” said Easa head of safety promotion, John Franklin. – AFP B R I E F SSTRONG EARTHQUAKE HITS ALASKAN PENINSULA WASHINGTON: A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the Alaskan peninsula on Saturday night, the United States Geological Survey said, briefly sparking a tsunami warning. The shallow quake hit at 10.48pm on Saturday (2.48pm yesterday in Malaysia), 89km southwest of the small town of Sand Point, the agency said. The National Tsunami Warning Centre in Palmer, Alaska, cancelled an earlier tsunami advisory for south Alaska and the Alaskan peninsula, saying it “no longer poses a threat”. “A tsunami was generated by this event, but no longer poses a threat,” it said, adding some areas may continue to see small sea level changes. – AFP AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA HOLD PEACE TALKS BAKU: Azerbaijan and Armenia held a fresh round of EU-mediated peace talks on Saturday, while Russia offered a summit in Moscow in a bid to reassert its lead role in the normalisation process. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels for talks aimed at resolving their decades-long conflict for the control of Armenian-populated Karabakh. European Council President Charles Michel, who mediated the discussions, said the exchanges were “frank, honest and substantive”. The talks come amid renewed tensions after Azerbaijan closed the sole land link between Karabakh and Armenia on Tuesday. – AFP Russia has sufficient cluster munitions for tit-for-tat: Putin MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country had enough cluster munition to answer if Ukraine were to use the weapons, in an interview published yesterday. Ukraine started receiving cluster weapons from the United States, a move that sparked concerns due to the long-term risk posed to civilians by bomblets that fail to explode. “Russia has a sufficient stockpile of various kinds of cluster munitions,” Putin told a state-television journalist. The controversial weapons can disperse up to several hundred small explosive charges, which can remain unexploded in the ground. “If they are used against us, we reserve ourselves the right to tit-for-tat actions,” Putin said. He added Russia had not yet used the weapons despite a “certain shortage of munitions at some point”. Human Rights Watch and Ukrainian forces have accused Russia of already using cluster munitions on the battlefield. They are banned by numerous countries – notably in Europe – that are signatories to a 2008 Oslo Convention, to which neither Russia, the United States nor Ukraine are parties. Humanitarian groups have strongly condemned the US decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine. US President Joe Biden said the decision was “very difficult” but stressed Ukraine needed extra ammunition to refill its depleted stocks. – AFP Record heatwaves scorch three continents ROME: Tens of millions of people were battling dangerously high temperatures around the world yesterday as record heat forecasts hung over parts of the United States, Europe and Asia, in the latest example of the threat from global warming. A powerful heatwave stretching from California to Texas was expected to peak, according to the US National Weather Service, which warned of an “extremely hot and dangerous weekend”. Arizona’s state capital Phoenix recorded 16 straight days above 43°C. California’s Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth, is also likely to register new peaks today, with the mercury possibly rising to 54°C. Authorities have been sounding the alarm, advising people to avoid outdoor activities in the daytime and to be wary of dehydration. At a construction site outside Houston, Texas, a 28-year-old worker who gave his name only as Juan helped complete a wall in the blazing heat. “Just when I take a drink of water, I get Visitors walking among sand dunes near a sign warning of extreme heat danger in Death Valley National Park in the US. – AFPPIC oJapan broadcaster says temperature at life-threatening levels dizzy, I want to vomit because of the heat,” he told AFP. The Las Vegas weather service warned that assuming high temperatures naturally come with the area’s desert climate was “a DANGEROUS mindset! This heatwave is NOT typical desert heat”. Southern California is fighting numerous wildfires, including one in Riverside County that has burned more than 3,000 hectares and prompted evacuation orders. Further north, the Canadian government reported that wildfires had burned a record-breaking 10 million hectares this year, with more damage expected as the summer drags on. In Europe, Italy faces weekend predictions of historic highs with the Health Ministry issuing a red alert for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence. The weather centre warned Italians to prepare for “the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time”. The thermometer is likely to hit 40°C in Rome by today and 43°C tomorrow, smashing the record of 40.5°C set in August 2007. In France, high temperatures and resulting drought are posing a threat to the farming industry, earning Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau criticism from climatologists for having brushed aside conditions as “normal enough for summer”. There is little reprieve ahead for Spain, whose meteorological agency warned that a new heatwave from today to Wednesday will bring temperatures above 40°C to the Canary Islands and the southern Andalusia region. Japan’s national broadcaster NHK warned viewers that the heat was at life-threatening levels, as temperatures soared to nearly 40°C in some places, including the capital Tokyo. “Please stay hydrated and use air conditioners appropriately, and refrain from outings that seem difficult,” a news presenter said. The government issued heatstroke alerts for 20 of the country’s 47 prefectures, mainly in the east and southwest, affecting tens of millions of people. Heat can kill by inducing heatstroke, which damages the brain, kidneys and other organs, but it can also trigger other conditions such as a heart attack or breathing problems. China yesterday issued several temperature alerts, warning thermometers could reach 40°C to 45°C in the partly desert region of Xinjiang, and 39°C in southern Guangxi region. Morocco was slated for above-average temperatures this weekend with highs of 47°C in some provinces – more typical of August than July – sparking concerns for water shortages, the meteorological service said. – AFP
8 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 SPEAK UP Get a jump start today on creating a successful tomorrow! For the best in local and international higher education institutions, catch theSun's fortnightly Education Focus. FOCUS 2023 EDUCATION Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising. /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME Is Malaysia ready for hybrid education? ONLINE learning has become increasingly prevalent and has gained popularity in Malaysia’s education system, particularly with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. Recently, Higher Education Minister (MOHE) Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said local universities will soon introduce a hybrid and adaptable educational system at public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by requiring physical attendance only in the first and final year of studies, with the remaining years conducted online. Convincingly, this flexible and convenient system has many significant drawbacks that must be acknowledged. Long-term hybrid education among students will increase the possibility of academic dishonesty, reduce engagement and motivation, and lead to the failure of students to develop excellent interpersonal skills. Research involving Malaysian undergraduate dental students revealed that 85.7% of 147 of them were already concerned about the quality of online teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the prestigious Stanford University’s definition, hybrid education involves the combination of traditional face-to-face classes and online participation from students, wherein they meet routinely throughout the semester but spend considerable time meeting via the Internet or working online asynchronously. Contrarily, online learning is conducted entirely in a virtual environment, whereby lectures, assignments and assessments are conducted using online platforms. So, is the ministry planning to implement a hybrid or an online system in public HEIs? While the initiative to save costs and increase student enrolment are commendable, compromising the quality of education while focusing on quantity can be a significant drawback for Malaysia. Rising ethical concern with technological advancement Academic dishonesty has been a popular culture in HEIs worldwide before the Covid-19 pandemic. In Malaysia, the Education Ministry (MOE) revealed that from 2000 to 2005, a total of 1,710 students from 10 universities and colleges breached the terms of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. Ethical issues include cheating by using a plagiarism detector, duplicating other people’s work and engaging in or seeking outside aid using technology and individuals during assessments, assignments and coursework submissions. Research in Pakistan found that among 8,590 respondents, 60% admitted cheating on online examinations most of the time and 30% acknowledged cheating at least once on an online exam. Furthermore, the research also indicates that students from high school, college and university received better results on online tests than they did on traditional ones. In addition, by outlining strict guidelines for using ChatGPT, it is apparent that using this powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tool at Malaysia’s public HEIs is now permissible. However, if the Higher Education Ministry permits using these powerful AI technologies, the ministry should be prepared with specific mechanisms/tools to handle ethical issues involving AI tools in HEIs, especially in assessments, assignments and coursework, not by just constraining students with guidelines. In comparison, Singapore has been proactive in monitoring the use of AI in HEIs. For instance, Singapore Management University and Singapore Institute of Technology utilised “secure browser and lockdown” tools to monitor students during online examinations, preventing access to other websites until the examination was over. In addition, students must set up a webcam video while taking their test, in which the AI algorithm will detect the eye movement of students to prevent them from cheating. Deteriorating physical and mental health of students While being capable of saving money, students’ mental and physical well-being will deteriorate over time due to stress, exhaustion and other factors associated with distance learning. For instance, social isolation, poor involvement in physical activities, increased stress and anxiety, and increased digital fatigue due to heightened workloads of coursework and assessments with limited deadlines are some significant impacts of long-term hybrid learning on students. Another research involving 285 Malaysian private HEI students found that there was an alarming prevalence of anxiety (57.2%), depression (58.6%) and high stress (79.7%) amid the sudden transition to e-learning during the pandemic. Long-term online learning endangers students’ health, as they spend a longer time facing their digital devices every day, which increases cases of social isolation. Digital connectivity and engagement of students The digital divide and geographical disparities disrupt the learning sessions of students. It was found that the ability of Malaysian students to participate in the online learning programme was significantly influenced by their geographical locations. For instance, 52% of students in Sabah faced difficulties with technical and internet connections during online learning sessions. Equitable access to digital connectivity is essential for quality education. In comparison, Estonia started building its digital infrastructure even in 2001, whereby all schools had computers and internet networks, and by 2018, the country digitalised all study materials for students in secondary schools. During the pandemic, Estonia had one of the highest access to the internet (73%) and to school systems (69%) compared with Malaysia, whereby one in three students did not have access to online learning during the Covid-19 lockdown. Internet coverage is not equivalent to internet access by students during online classes. Marketability of students in the employment market Studies indicate that the conventional classroom is still preferred by roughly 60% of employers, who give its graduates preference for jobs over online graduates. Another survey involving 1,006 hiring managers found that while graduates from agriculture, forestry and construction profit 10.8% and 4.9% from online learning, 60% of employers said whitecollar professionals benefit more from it. Additionally, when recruiting or promoting an entry-level employee, 47% of these employers rated education higher than experience. Therefore, it is evident that relevant and highquality and marketable on-demand education programmes are crucial for the employability of fresh graduates in Malaysia. Inadequate public tertiary education will increase the likelihood that parents will have to shell out for the enrolment of their children in private HEIs. The fact that Malaysia still has a long way to go before implementing the hybrid/online tertiary education mode in HEIs is more evident than ever. In the meantime, apart from addressing the above gaps in Malaysia’s hybrid/online preparedness, the following are a few other policy recommendations by EMIR Research for the stakeholders to consider before putting this proposed new system in place: 1. Expanding the enrolment for value-added university programmes in HEIs A recent poll conducted by the UCSI Poll Research Centre involving Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia graduates found that among 1,000 of its respondents, 39% were eager to begin working while 10% were unsure about their next steps. Additionally, this 49% of respondents’ lack of interest in continuing their education was caused mainly by their financial situation and their view that obtaining a higher education degree was not financially rewarding, and that education does not guarantee better jobs. It is recommended that MOHE analyse university programmes that are currently ondemand in the market and add value to the student’s career development, for example, by boosting student enrolment in programmes such as computing and information technology, digital designing, marketing, business management and human resources. By doing this, there is a strong likelihood that more students will be open and interested to enrol in public and private HEIs for higher learning. 2. Revising the current student-educator ratio in public HEIs In 2020, the academic staff-to-student ratio was 1:18.55, and this number varied depending on the universities, programme and their capacity. There have been classes of 1:100 students not only during traditional classes but during online learning. The high student-to-educator ratio leads to ineffective teaching and learning experience for students. It often causes a decrease in a student’s attention span as the educator cannot closely monitor and provide targeted intervention in areas where the feedback is crucial for a student’s progress. On top of that, this physically and mentally drains the health of educators as well. It is recommended that stakeholders hire additional qualified educators to reduce the ratio, especially for the university core programme. Besides, regular monitoring and evaluation of the student-to-educator ratio is needed so that timely adjustments can be made to improve the effectiveness of quality education in HEIs. 3. Robust emphasis on financial literacy among Malaysian students Recently, enough emphasis has been made in public that financial literacy is an essential life skill. However, shockingly, a study of 500 undergraduate and graduate students at Malaysian universities revealed that 369 (73%) of the participants have never taken a course in financial management. The MOE and MOHE should prioritise educating students about financial literacy, including budgeting and saving from an early age. This may be accomplished by including such courses into the curriculum across the programmes as compulsory or by establishing clubs and organisations concentrating on financial literacy in schools and colleges. In the final analysis, apart from being a social concern, the long-term unpreparedness to implement hybrid learning and address the most obvious structural problems in HEIs risks Malaysia’s Education Blueprint 2015 to 2025 to nurture knowledgeable and ethical students. Malaysia is an international educational hub for students from China, Indonesia and Vietnam, contributing significantly to strengthening the ringgit among other things. The poor quality and management of Malaysia’s tertiary education will push most of these students to pursue their education in other neighbouring countries. Therefore, the MOHE needs to meticulously prepare if it intends to implement a hybrid learning system in public universities, as education provides stability and security to one’s future. Jachintha Joyce is a research assistant at EMIR Research, an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research. Comments: [emailprotected] COMMENT by Jachintha Joyce
9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 My take on tourist arrivals ON July 13, Tourism Malaysia posted figures for tourist arrivals for the first quarter of this year on its website. It would be much better if these numbers were released three months earlier in early April so that industry players could be more proactive in tourism. The total number of tourist arrivals was 4,387,602, a huge increase compared with the first quarter of last year but it is no surprise as travel restrictions in 2022 were only lifted in April and Covid-19 conditions eased in May. Last year, there were 98,053 tourist arrivals in the first quarter (Q1), 2,014,107 in Q2, 3,423,761 in Q3 and 4,535,043 in Q4. Their monthly averages were 32,684, 671,369, 1,141,254 and 1,511,681 per month respectively. A better comparison would be between the first three months of this year with the final three months of last year. Alarmingly, there was a slight drop of 147,441 arrivals and averaging 1,462,534 per month, with 1,496,308 in January, 1,298,261 in February and 1,593,033 in March. Earlier, I had projected that tourist arrivals should reach 18 million this year as the monthly average for Q4 in 2022 had averaged more than 1.5 million per month, although the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is targeting 16.1 million arrivals and RM49.2 million in revenue. Nevertheless, I am optimistic that total arrivals for 2023 could still hit 18 million as it is likely that another 13,612,398 foreign tourists could arrive on our shores from April to December or an average of 1,512,489 per month if the momentum in March at 1,593,033 is maintained. And this is possible even without the surge of China tourists that Southeast Asian countries have been expecting after China resumed outbound group travel in early February by allowing tour operators to offer flight, hotel and tour packages to a selected group of 20 countries. In 2019, 12% of tourist arrivals to Malaysia or 3,114,257, were China nationals but in the first quarter of 2023, they constituted only 4% or 178,150. It would be a bonus should their numbers rise dramatically but I would not count on it. This is because China today is very different from the years before the pandemic. Although its economy was not weakened by Covid-19 as exports still soared, most people are no longer spending freely and are saving for a rainy day to brace for tough days ahead. Although domestic tourism is doing much better than other sectors in China, people are no longer as keen to travel overseas for leisure. Before, shopping for luxury goods was to show off the level of success. Today, the rich who are depressed may buy expensive items for comfort. Because of the crackdown on technological businesses, there are fewer avenues to make a lot of money and the shift towards socialism for common prosperity resulted in capital outflows, with some of the rich emigrating. But most telling of all, there had been unpaid furloughs, salary cuts and weak bonuses amid geopolitics. The US together with its allies are trying to contain China’s growth, destabilise the economy and overthrow the Chinese Communist Party-led government. The tensions are likely to continue for the next five to 10 years or more. It is no surprise that consumer confidence is down and 64% have not renewed their passports, with no plans to travel overseas. However, China is very welcoming to foreigners from the government to the people. Interestingly, my opinion runs contrary to that of many economists that have foreseen the potential growth of Chinese tourists to boost Southeast Asian countries’ tourism industry. For example, Public Invest Research said in its recent report that it expects China to contribute to the recovery of the global tourism industry, including Malaysia. Hong Leong Investment Bank Research also sees China as a key ingredient in Malaysia’s tourist concoction in its recent report. CGS CIMB also sees an upside from a pickup in Malaysia’s tourism sector over the next six to 18 months underpinned by the potential growth of Chinese tourists. The most optimistic view was expressed by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who was reported to have said currently, more than 200 million tourists from China are planning their trips abroad and it is hoped they choose Malaysia as a tourist destination. However, I would urge the authorities to have a greater focus on Asean and South Asian countries for foreign tourists and less on long-haul markets, especially Europe, until there is a ceasefire in Ukraine and lesser unrest in some European nations amid the high inflation. In 2019, we received 17,880,151 tourists from nine Asean countries or 69% of all arrivals. In the first three months of this year, their percentage rose to a massive 75%. In 2019, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal contributed 1,066,461 tourist arrivals to Malaysia or 4.1% of the total. In the first quarter of 2023, the nationalities of these countries constituted 4.6% of tourist arrivals or 200,594. In any case, our greatest attention should be on the top 13 countries that contributed the greatest number of tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year. They are Singapore (1,827,625), Indonesia (704,147), Thailand (390,816), Brunei (207,182), China (178,150), South Korea (118,601), India (110,883), Australia (76,801), Vietnam (72,180), Philippines (67,657), the UK (64,010), Taiwan (51,748) and the US (51,167). These figures exclude excursionist arrivals and there were 8.9 million in 2019 plus another 26.1 million tourist arrivals. In other words, we received a total of 35 million visitor arrivals in 2019. Figures for excursionist arrivals in Q1 of 2023 have yet to be released for public scrutiny. YS Chan is a master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. Comments: [emailprotected] Global whammy of rising food prices GLOBAL food prices have been falling since mid-2022 owing to several factors, including the resumption of exports from Ukrainian ports under the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s food price index declined by 19.7% year-on-year in April 2023 to 127.2%. Data analyst Trading Economics reports that in the European Union (EU), although food inflation has gone down, it is still in double-digits – 15.04% in May compared with 16.41% the previous month. In the bigger economies of the EU, France and Germany for instance, food inflation is at 13.6% and 13.4% respectively in June compared with 14.3% and 14.5% in May. In Eastern European countries, Poland scored 18.9% in food inflation in May compared with 19.7% the previous month, while for the same month the Czech Republic has a food inflation rate of 14.5% (17.3% previously), Bulgaria had 14.38% (15.85% previously) and Romania 18.73% (19.84% previously). In the Baltic countries, Estonia scored 19.5% food inflation rate in June compared with 20.4% the previous month while for the same month, Latvia’s rate was 14.4% (17.9% previously) and Lithuania’s 14.4% (18.2% previously). Russia has a food inflation rate of 0.2% (very low) in June compared with -1% in May. For comparison, let’s take a look at the food inflation rate for some Asean countries. Brunei and Cambodia have a food inflation rate of 2.8% and 2.26% respectively in April, while Malaysia and Singapore each have a rate of 5.9% and 6.8% respectively in May, and Indonesia, 2.85% in June. Only two Asean countries have double-digit food inflation – Laos (42.73%) and Myanmar (18.43%). For those countries with double-digit food inflation, it is not clear when food prices will start to come down as multiple factors will need to stabilise before prices can reduce. Most analysts opine the war in Ukraine needs to come to an end and then a period of stabilisation on all the other costs facing food businesses needs to take place before any meaningful reductions in food inflation can start occurring. According to these analysts, there are many complex reasons food prices have been going up since last year. Rising labour, energy and transport costs are major contributors to the increases, as well as the war in Ukraine and production difficulties caused by severe weather conditions. The war in Ukraine has impacted commodities such as wheat, grain and vegetable oils, while broader supply chain issues since the pandemic have also contributed. It is the small businesses that produce and sell food which are feeling the pinch, many can only survive by putting up prices. In going through all the data in Trading Economics, we can discern some interesting patterns. In the first place, there seems to be a general downward trend in food inflation in almost all countries starting from the middle of last year when the BSGI was introduced in July 2022, hot on the heels of a peak in food prices for months after the Ukraine war began in Feb last year. Now just imagine if Russia withdraws from the BSGI when it expires on July 18, the downward trend in food inflation that the world is enjoying now will be reversed, sparking a global food crisis again. Also, this downward trend in food prices is very marginal in EU countries such that even after the fall in food prices there, food inflation remains at a double-digit rate in EU countries, unlike the one-digit figure experienced by almost all Asean countries except Laos and Myanmar. Why would the EU countries’ food inflation mirror that of poorer countries such as Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Haiti, in terms of being in double digits? Could it be that it is the unilateral shock and awe sanction that the EU imposed on Russia that has boomeranged on all EU countries such that their food inflation is in double digits whereas Russia’s food inflation is very low at 0.2%? Almost all Asian countries, including Asean the majority of whom do not support the EU sanction on Russia, have a one-digit food inflation rate. Isn’t this a strong enough reason for EU countries not to put obstacles on Russian exports of its food and fertilisers by acceding to the Russian request of lifting sanctions on their agricultural exports so that it will continue to participate in the BSGI and thereby prevent a global food crisis? Also, taking into account that the war in Ukraine needs to come to an end for a period of stabilisation on all the other costs facing food businesses to take place before any meaningful reductions in food inflation can start occurring, isn’t it the time for EU countries, majority of whose members are also in Nato, to put pressure on the US to end the war by cajoling Ukraine to enter into a negotiation with Russia? After all, the world has already suffered enough from this war and it needs to be stopped. Jamari Mohtaris the Editor of Let’s Talk!, an enewsletter on current affairs. Comments: [emailprotected] COMMENT by Jamari Mohtar COMMENT by YS Chan THE government’s decision to revise the salaries of civil servants is yet another affirmation that it recognises their invaluable contributions to the nation. This revision will boost motivation, enhance service delivery and contribute to economic growth. By ensuring that civil servants are fairly rewarded, the government is investing in a more efficient and effective public sector. The backbone of any nation lies in the efficiency and dedication of its civil servants. As citizens, we should welcome this decision and continue to support initiatives that strengthen and empower our civil servants, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said besides salary increases, the government will also consider bonuses and provide medical and educational incentives. Bonuses, if given, should be based on KPI and not a flat rate for all. In terms of medical benefits, the government could consider allowing getting treatment from private general practitioners. This could lessen the burden on government clinics and lessen the time spent in government clinics. As for education incentives, the government should increase the number of scholarships to the rank and file to pursue tertiary education. The cost of living and inflation rates in a country plays a significant role in determining the adequacy of civil servant salaries. Salary adjustments should be aligned with inflation rates and reflect changes in the cost of living to maintain the purchasing power of employees. Currently, some lower-ranking government servants are being paid a basic salary of about RM1,200 per month. However, if monthly allowances are included it is about RM1,850. Although this is above the suggested minimum pay, the government could consider alleviating their burden by providing a targeted allowance to those in the lower grade, such as a city allowance to those serving in major cities. When employees feel that their work is valued and they are adequately compensated, they are more likely to be motivated and committed to delivering high-quality services. On the other hand, insufficient salaries can create financial strains on civil servants, potentially leading to corruption and unethical practices. It must, however, be noted that increasing civil servant salaries may face scrutiny and criticism from the public, which may increasingly demand transparency and accountability, and integrity. The public has a right to expect that there will be an end to leakages and inefficiencies such as those that have been regularly highlighted in the annual Auditor-General’s reports. Public expectations are high and they expect the civil service to perform and give their best. Sustainable financial planning is also necessary to ensure the long-term viability of increased salaries and, consequently, pensions. The government must assess whether salary increases are feasible and sustainable over the long run, considering factors such as economic growth and revenue projections. It is also important to involve the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) in the negotiations and consider their input to reach mutually acceptable agreements. Having said that, while championing the welfare of government employees Cuepacs should also play a role in ensuring the productivity and integrity of all civil servants. Ultimately, the decision to increase civil servant salaries requires careful analysis of the financial implications, fairness considerations, market competitiveness, public perception and the long-term sustainability of such increases. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye Kuala Lumpur Fair rewards for civil servants LETTERS [emailprotected]
10 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 MEDIA & MARKETING Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ MSU Foundation: Ticket to your future MANAGEMENT and Science University (MSU), a Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) globally ranked institution focused on building holistic human capital, is one of Malaysia’s top universities that provides quality foundation programmes. These wide variety of foundation programmes provide a pathway to bachelor’s degrees in various fields. While envisioning a better, more sustainable future for all, MSU champions equality by providing a level playing field for all students to achieve their fullest potential, regardless of gender. As one of Malaysia’s top private universities, MSU focuses strongly on the critical areas of study that encompass medicine, health sciences, pharmacy, information sciences, engineering, business management, professional studies, education, social sciences, hospitality, and culinary arts, including music and fashion. MSU also offers quality preparatory programmes for SPM/SPMV (also known as Sijil Vokasional Malaysia) leavers for direct entry to their preferred undergraduate courses. The chosen programme will assist them in developing their language, study skills, cultural awareness, social engagement, communication skills, and subject-specific knowledge, ensuring that students are well prepared for continuation into their oFoundation programmes offer pathways in various fields bachelor’s degree studies. Further, various skill enhancement programmes aimed at improving students competitiveness are offered. In addition, the Graduate Employability Skills (GEmS) programme at MSU serves to improve the students’ soft skills. Through its foundation programme, MSU offers seven areas of specialisation: science, biology/health science, information technology, law, business, engineering and technology, visual art, and teaching English as a second language (TESL). For students with a keen interest and aptitude in the health sciences disciplines, the foundation programme (science, biology, and health science) provided by MSU represents a good option. This is an ideal programme for those interested in becoming medical practitioners and continuing with their Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) studies. The MBBS programme is offered through the MSU International Medical School (IMS) at MSU’s main campus in Shah Alam or can be pursued at its off-shore campus in Bangalore, India. Alternatively, students may progress into the bachelor programme in biomedical science, food service technology, medical sciences, optometry, nutrition, forensic science, pharmaceutical technology, or pharmacy at MSU through its Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS) and School of Pharmacy (SPH). Another option, the foundation in information technology, is designed to meet the escalating demand for highly trained and skilled graduates in the areas of information technology. The other areas of specialisation the students may choose at the bachelor’s level at MSU include mobile wireless and technology, computer science, and computer forensics through the Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering (FISE) at MSU. For those students interested in the law and commerce professions, they may want to consider the Foundation in Law. Once students have completed this programme, they will be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Law and Commerce at MSU. The foundation in business was designed in view of the increasing demand for professionals in the business, management, and accounting fields. The various areas of specialisation that students may choose at the bachelor’s level at MSU include international business, accounting, investment management, and human capital management through the Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies (FBMP). The foundation in visual art, engineering, and technology and the Foundation in TESL are designed to complement the needs of highly skilled graduates and experts needed in the nation’s creative, technology, and education industries. The various areas of specialisation the students may choose at the bachelor’s level at MSU include graphic design, game design and animation, creative multimedia, computer engineering, and electrical and electronic engineering. They may also choose TESL through the Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering (FISE) and the School of Education and Social Sciences (SESS). MSU enhances competencies with community and creative entrepreneurship through global exposure, empowering MSU graduates with a well-rounded education desired and sought after by employers. The University delivers compelling learning experiences within the framework of a holistic curriculum. For further inquiries on MSU’s Foundation and other programmes offered for the coming intakes, please call 03-5521 6868, email [emailprotected], or visit msu.edu.my. International exposure enhances students’ skills through engaging learning experiences.
KLCI 1,412.09 15.86 STI 3,248.63 10.17 HANG SENG 19,413.78 63.16 SCI 3,237.70 1.22 NIKKEI 32,391.26 28.07 TSEC 17,283.71 222.31 KOSPI 2,628.30 S&P/ASX200 7,303.10 56.20 MONDAY JULY 17, 2023 Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [emailprotected] Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [emailprotected] 5 MOST ACTIVES July 14, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) CLASSITA-WC 491,018,700 7.0 +6.5 CLASSITA 281,462,000 21.5 +7.5 DNEX 82,017,500 50.0 +3.0 WIDAD 64,507,300 42.0 UNCH JADEM 60,424,600 21.0 -1.0 EXCHANGERATES JULY 14, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.6670 4.5330 4.5230 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.1980 3.0720 3.0560 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.5200 3.4190 3.4110 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.5480 3.4540 3.4420 1 EURO 5.2250 5.0570 5.0370 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.9660 2.8580 2.8420 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.5200 3.4190 3.4110 1 STERLING POUND 6.0880 5.8990 5.8790 1 SWISS FRANC 5.3840 5.2620 5.2470 100 UAE DIRHAM 129.0000 122.3300 122.1300 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.3790 4.1080 3.9080 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.5000 63.0000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 60.4800 57.4800 57.2800 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.8100 5.4500 5.2500 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0323 0.0292 0.0242 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.3700 3.2650 3.2550 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 16.1000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.7500 1.6200 1.4200 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.6800 8.1800 7.9800 100 QATAR RIYAL 129.9300 123.3400 123.1400 100 SAUDI RIYAL 126.2300 119.8300 119.6300 100 THAI BAHT 14.1000 12.5200 12.1200 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY July 14, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,432.10 +129.80 FBMKLCI 1,412.09 +15.86 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 555.65 +4.61 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 162.82 +1.75 CONSTRUCTION 169.19 +1.10 FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,735.20 +190.00 ENERGY 823.20 +12.02 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 581.72 +4.40 HEALTH CARE 1,682.18 +13.48 TRANSPORTATION 909.32 +9.91 PROPERTY 721.14 +3.97 PLANTATION 6,898.12 +2.45 FBMSHA 10,709.30 +125.40 FBMACE 5,279.77 +67.25 TECHNOLOGY 65.76 +2.70 TURNOVER VALUE 4.003 BIL RM2.669 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS July 14, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM MPI 727,500 31.24 +2.34 NESTLE 36,500 132.10 +0.90 AJI 130,600 16.00 +0.42 HLFG 175,500 17.76 +0.30 PENTA 6,445,700 5.40 +0.27 5 TOP LOSERS July 14, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM YNHPROP 105,500 4.90 -0.15 DLADY 19,600 21.86 -0.14 IDEAL 600 2.01 -0.11 CITAGLB-WB 11,200 0.84 -0.10 FBMKLCI-HMF 20,000 0.31 -0.09 Participation 24.5 42.8 32.7 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 577.3 985.4 1107.4 2670.1 Sold RM m 732.6 1299.0 638.5 2670.1 Net RM m -155.3 -313.6 468.9 0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 14/7/2023 More M’sian firms taking cybersecurity and ESG seriously: Grant Thornton PETALING JAYA: More Malaysian companies are taking cybersecurity and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues seriously, amid concerns over data breach and required annual sustainability reporting by local authorities. Grant Thorton Malaysia PLT country CEO Kishan Jasani (pic) said, of late, the firm has received high interest equally for both concerns as companies are looking at cybersecurity and ESG “very seriously”. “ESG is more because of the requirements that are coming in globally and the opportunities that are seen within the ESG space. For cybersecurity, the threat is there and they are trying to heal that,” he told SunBiz. He cited a recent cybersecurity report by Sophos, which found that 79% of Malaysia companies were attacked by ransomware in 2021, while the global average was at 66%. He pointed out a report by Cyber Security Malaysia, which discovered that Malaysia reported 4,741 cases of cyber threats last year. In addition, he shared that the firm had always offered both services to its clients but only on an “unofficial basis”. Seeing a rise in demand from clients, it decided to officially █ BYGLORIA HARRY BEATTY [emailprotected] Local sustainable seafood industry has huge potential PETALING JAYA: Umami Meats, a pioneering company in the cultivated food industry, has highlighted the untapped economic potential of sustainable seafood production in Malaysia Umami Meats CEO & founder Mihir Pershad (pic) said cultivated products could capture 10% of the fish market globally within the next 10 to 15 years. “This represents a significant production volume. Umami Meats expects the Malaysian market to contribute substantially to this growth,” he told SunBiz. Mihir said Malaysia has a wellestablished biomanufacturing industry, providing a talent pool and know-how that can be leveraged for the growth of sustainable seafood production. “Malaysia and Singapore are focused on increasing domestic food supply. This government mindset leads to the creation of support structures, such as tax incentives and skills training programmes, which facilitate the easier launch and scaling of production. “Another advantage for Malaysia lies in its potential to serve as a regional producer. oMalaysia well placed to tap growing global cultivated food market, says Unami Meats CEO █ BYHAYATUN RAZAK [emailprotected] 37.07 With a strong halal certification system, Malaysia can tap into the demand, catering not only to domestic consumers but also to neighbouring countries where such certification is highly desired,” he said. With its focus on addressing food security concerns and promoting a healthier, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional fishing practices, Umami Meats aims to revolutionise the food market. Mihir said that by producing food closer to consumers, shorter and more resilient supply chains are created, mitigating disruptions like Covid-19 and other supply chain challenges. “Unlike traditional seafood, this innovative approach significantly reduces carbon emissions as the fish no longer need to be transported. Furthermore, it allows for the creation of seafood free from harmful contaminants such as mercury and microplastics which addresses growing consumer concerns about food safety,” he added. However, regulatory challenges remain a significant hurdle for the industry as regulators are still exploring and understanding the cultivated food sector, requiring data to support the safety and efficacy of these products. “Umami Meats is engaged in discussions with regulators in Singapore, Japan, Europe, and Malaysia to address these challenges and establish appropriate regulatory frameworks,” Mihir said. He highlighted the importance of government support in defining clear regulatory pathways to foster the growth of the cultivated food market. “By ensuring that these facilities are designed with all the necessary considerations in mind, the government can facilitate a smooth and compliant transition,” he said. He explained that consumer education and awareness are paramount. “Taking a cue from Singapore’s successful approach, efforts should be made to educate individuals of all ages about the necessity of transforming our protein system and adopting new methods of food production. “This awareness will help people understand that novel foods are part of the solution and alleviate any concerns or uncertainties they may have about these new technologies,” said Mihir. Umami Meats is collaborating with Malaysia’s Cell AgriTech for the construction of its first cultivated meat production plant in Penang, set to be completed by the end of 2024 with a total investment of RM20 million. The collaboration aims to create the right cultivated products for the Malaysian market and potentially expand to other regions. Mihir said Umami Meats is confident that it will have products on the market by 2025, with the possibility of a limited commercial production launch by the end of 2024. The company’s business model, he added, allows for rapid scalability through partnerships with multiple manufacturers worldwide. Umami Meats focuses on cultivating endangered species such as eel, grouper, red snapper and tuna. “These species cannot be commercially farmed, yet face growing consumer demand. By targeting species with higher market value, Umami Meats aims to achieve price parity with conventionally sourced meat,” Mihir said. launch both services in January this year. The firm offers audit, tax as well as advisory, services and currently has 4,000 to 5,000 corporate clients, comprising multinational companies, mid to large corporates mostly in property, manufacturing and professional sectors. Kishan said Grant Thorton Malaysia aims to increase its growth by 15 to 20% year-on-year, underpinned by the expansion of the domestic economy. Last year, it registered a double digit growth due to the surge in clients and revenue. “Its primarily driven by the expansion of economy in Malaysia and the increased level of sophistication that Malaysian corporates are requiring. Malaysian corporates now are becoming more and more sophisticated, they are looking for different lines of service,” he added. On the firm’s five year plan, Kishan said it plans to grow its service offerings in ESG, assurance, cybersecurity and tax. “We have less than 1,000 certified sustainability professionals and for cybersecurity, Malaysia requires up to 20,000 cybersecurity experts to increase our cybersecurity levels,” he added. Based on the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDigital), the government targets to develop professional digital talent including 20,000 cyber security knowledge workers and 30,000 data professionals by 2025. In addition, Kishan said, before a company applies for an initial public offering (IPO) on Bursa Malaysia, it has to go through an audit in the initial stage, which is a service that the firm offers. Subsequently, after an IPO, the firm is able to assist the company by engaging as auditors. “When it comes to IPOs, we have been primarily reporting the contents. We audit their books and act as their accountant in charge for their prospectus. We’ve got the expertise to service our mid to large corporations. We are growing that and we are able to offer full breadth of services to them,” said Kishan. To date, it has four office branches in Malaysia – in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and Kuantan. It has also expanded its services to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Kishan expects the firm to establish a presence in Sabah and Sarawak soon.
12 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 SUNBIZ Outlook improves, M’sia set to achieve GDP growth target KUALA LUMPUR: Despite hiccups brought about by the volatile global environment in the first half of 2023 (H1’23), Malaysia’s economy is set to navigate through the second half of the year on continuous support from strong households, intact economic fundamentals and improved outlook. Economists are of the view that the gross domestic product (GDP) target of between 4% and 5% set by the government for 2023 is achievable and the country is on track to realise it. They also believe the external variables influencing growth, which impacted the economy in H1’23, including the US Federal Reserve’s monetary stance, the US dollar and China’s disappointing rebound, are likely to do favours for Malaysia in the second half of 2023 (H2’23). Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist and social finance head Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid (pic) said Malaysia has set a strong footing during H1’23 underpinned by a healthy labour market, better tourist arrivals and higher vehicle sales, among others, amid a gloomy external front. He said this provided solid oExperts say external factors should be favourable for the country in second-half 2023 support to GDP and the onus now is on domestic demand to ensure that Malaysia’s growth momentum continued. Thus far, he said, the labour market has demonstrated a positive trend with the number of unemployed falling to 584,600 in May 2023 from as high as 826,100 in May 2020. “Such trend is very much in line with the reopening of the economy since October 2021 and this has been instrumental to the livelier economic activity,” he told Bernama. He said the country has also witnessed the total industry volume for the automotive sector rising 11.7% year-on-year to 299,463 units for the first five months of 2023. Additionally, he said the total airport passenger traffic surged by 102.2% to 31.9 million passengers between January and May this year. “In that sense, our domestic demand has continued to improve, thereby ensuring the targeted 4% to 5% GDP growth can be achieved for this year,” he said. Newly appointed Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour recently told Bernama that the central bank is still maintaining its forecast for the country’s GDP growth this year as domestic demand remained resilient. Manulife Investment Management chief investment officer, Asia (exJapan) fixed income, Murray Collis said inflation across Asia has been relatively well contained compared with developed countries.. He said Asian central banks are in a relatively good position to hold monetary policy steady or even move to an accommodative stance in the coming quarters. Meanwhile, Manulife Investment Management global macro strategy for multiasset solutions team cohead Sue Trinh said inflation in Malaysia is looking benign, making it less of a headwind for discretionary spending. “That also puts less pressure on Bank Negara to hike rates aggressively,” she said, citing the rotation of spending from goods to services has helped underpin economic activity globally. After four consecutive increases in 2022, totalling 100 basis points (bps), and two consecutive pauses in early 2023 at 2.75%, the central bank on May 3 unexpectedly raised the Overnight Policy Rate by 25 bps to match the pre-pandemic level of 3%. BNM’s Monetary Policy Committee believes the global economy continues to be driven by resilient domestic demand while both headline and core inflation are projected to trend lower in H2’23. Unfair taxation of bonus shares of ‘Real Property Company’ IF YOU hold shares in a company that principally owns real estate (value of real estate exceeds 75% of the total tangible assets of the company), the shares are classified as “Real Property Company (RPC) shares”, they will always remain as RPC shares even though the company may no longer be classified as a RPC. You will be subject to Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) when you sell the shares. This provision to tax RPC shares (Paragraph 34A, Schedule 2 of the RPGT Act 1976) was introduced on Oct 211988 to curb RPGT avoidance by selling company shares instead of the property held by the company. Although the intention was good in introducing Paragraph 34A, the legislation has led to unfair taxation of taxpayers, and an example is the treatment on the taxation on the disposal of bonus RPC shares. What is the problem with bonus shares? The fundamental principle is bonus shares are derived from the holding of existing shares. Bonus shares do not increase the shareholding percentage by the shareholder. Bonus shares do not involve any transfer of shares, and they merely are issued generally out of retained earnings. When a company becomes an RPC, the deemed acquisition price of the shares will be based on the value of the real estate held by the company at that point in time. Bonus shares issued subsequently is regarded by the IRB as an acquisition of new RPC shares, but the cost of the real estate will not be distributed to the bonus shares. When shares are sold (which includes the bonus issues), the total proceeds are segregated between the number of original shares and the bonus shares acquired subsequently. This is where the unfair treatment arises. Now you have a situation where the sales proceeds will be allocated to the bonus shares received free of charge, and the gains will be calculated without the benefit of the cost being given to the taxpayer. The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) is unwilling to apportion the costs of the original shares between the bonus shares and the original shares. There is another fundamental error in the interpretation of this legislation which leads to the unfair taxation. IRB takes the position that the issuance of bonus RPC shares is a transfer of real property from one person to another (i.e. from the company to the shareholder). This cannot be the case as any transfer will involve one party moving an asset to another party. In this case, the bonus issue is not a transfer, but merely a split of the original shares without changing the percentage of ownership by the shareholder. If there is no transfer of shares, then the bonus issue should be treated as part and parcel of the original shares and the gain should be calculated in totality, rather than splitting the sales proceeds between the bonus shares and the original shares. It is time IRB looked at the actual substance of the transaction (i.e. the bonus issue is merely a split of the original shares and it cannot be treated as a separate real property). The law as it stands may permit IRB to interpret it the way it is being interpreted now, but it is leading to additional taxation where the taxpayer is paying tax on sale proceeds without being able to claim any costs on acquisition. This piece of legislation has other pitfalls, and it is time that Paragraph 34A should be relooked and revamped such that it does not unfairly bring sales proceeds to taxation. This article is contributed by Thannees Tax Consulting Services Sdn Bhd managing director SM Thanneermalai. PLS Plantations, Agrofresh to develop Malaysia’s largest banana plantation PETALING JAYA: PLS Plantations Bhd, a front-runner in the Malaysia agro-food industry, through iwholly owned subsidiary Brighthill Synergy Sdn Bhd, has entered into a strategic partnership with Agrofresh Management Sdn Bhd to develop Malaysia’s largest banana plantation. Agrofresh is a wholly owned subsidiary of Agrofresh International Sdn Bhd, which is extensively involved in the full value chain of the agriculture-based industry. It specialises in Cavendish bananas, boasting a portfolio of activities encompassing research and development, seedlings, plantations, packaging, trading nd exporting to China, Europe and the Middle-East. The joint venture establishes a company named PLS Agrofresh Sdn Bhd, where PLS Plantations holds 60% and Agrofresh the balance. It is set to pioneer the development, operation, maintenance, and harvesting of an initial 500-acre banana plantation. This collaboration is a testament to Agrofresh’s expertise in banana plantation and PLS Plantation’s vision of agricultural growth. The partnership aims to scale up the initial 500 acres to 2,500 acres of banana plantations in the subsequent phases over three years. PLS Plantations Bhd group CEO Lee Hun Kheng said: “This venture marks a significant step in the realisation of our ambitious growth plans. Our collaboration with Agrofresh is poised to make a substantial contribution to the evolution of the banana plantation industry in Malaysia. PLS seeks to become one of the largest banana From left: PLS Plantations group head of corporate finance Chong Yew Por, independent director Datuk Majid Manjit Abdullah, Lee, Tom Chow, PLS Agrofresh Bhd director Ng Tong Loon and PLS Plantations group CFO Chow Tiam Poh. Aeon Credit to venture into digital Islamic banking PETALING JAYA: Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd has entered into a shareholders’ agreement with Aeon Financial Service Co Ltd to undertake digital Islamic banking business. In a recent statement, the financial services company said this will be done via ACS Digital Bhd (ACSD) which is preparing to be licensed as a digital Islamic bank under Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 (IFSA). Aeon Credit will subscribe to 175 million ordinary shares in ACSD at RM1 per share. On completion, ACSD will become an associate company, the statement said. The total investment outlay and eventual share capital for ACSD is estimated to be RM550 million over the initial five years when the digital Islamic banking business commences, the statement said. It is envisaged that the eventual equity structure in ACSD would be Aeon Credit 35%, Aeon Financial Service 35% and Malaysian shareholders 30%, the statement said. This will be finalised within five years from the commencement of the digital Islamic bank operations. The proposed joint venture will be fully financed with internally generated funds. planters in Malaysia.” PLS Agrofresh executive director and CEO Datuk Tom Chow Chin Kiat said: “Our joint venture with PLS Plantations is the result of more than two years of meticulous planning and a testament to our collective commitment to agricultural innovation. Agrofresh’s expertise in the full value chain of the agriculturebased industry will merge with PLS Plantations’ ambition to foster agricultural growth, creating a potent synergy for unparalleled success.” He added that PLS Agrofresh’s first harvest from the maiden banana plantation is targeted for October or Novermber 2024.
13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 OVERALL warrants turnover for week ended July 14 was relatively higher than the previous week, recording up to RM240.5 million in value traded which is up 5.9% weekon-week (w-o-w). Hang Seng Index (HSI) warrants continued to be popular among investors with its turnover coming in 1.6% higher w-o-w at RM202.1 million and making up 84% of the total warrants turnover for the week. Meanwhile, warrants over local stocks also saw increased trading activity with its total turnover surging by 36.6% w-o-w. The Hong Kong market saw a sharp rally last week, delivering its best performance in six months. The surge was primarily driven by investors’ anticipation of a more robust injection of stimulus, prompted by China’s expression of concern over the nation’s struggling economy. Besides that, the US inflation data also came in softerthan-expected, bolstering optimism that the Fed could address inflation without tipping the US economy into a recession. The Hang Seng Index (HSI) futures closed 5.9% higher for the week with all trading days ending in the green. For the week, the July expiry put warrant HSI-HK9 topped the most active list with up to 248.6 million units traded while HSI-HNU came in fifth on the list, logging up to 55.8 million units traded. Meanwhile, the call warrants HSICO3, HSI-CO2 and HSI-COW had up to 234.9 million, 148.2 million and 124.4 million units traded, occupying the second to fourth spots in the most active list, respectively. Investors should note that HSIHK9 and HSI-HNU will be expiring on July 28 with their last trading dates on July 26, which is the last day the warrants can be transacted. Investors may check their warrants portfolio and plan their trading strategies accordingly as warrants that are expiring soon will experience a higher rate of time decay. At the local front, the call warrant UEMS-C82 saw active trading among investors as its underlying surged 18% for the week to close at its highest level since November 2021 at RM0.36 and extending its gains for a second straight week. UEMS-C82 saw 33.6 million units traded for the week. To view the full list of structured warrants available on Bursa Malaysia, kindly visit malaysiawarrants.com.my. Provided for Malaysian residents’ information only. This commentary has not been reviewed by the Securities Commission Malaysia. It is not an offer or recommendation to trade and is not research material. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. You should make your own assessment and seek professional advice. The warrants will not be offered to any US persons. WARRANTS WATCH Top stock warrants by value traded Warrant Value Issuer Exercise Expiry date name (RM’ mil) level HSI-HK9 248.6 Macquarie 18,800 28 Jul 2023 HSI-CO3 234.9 Macquarie 21,200 29 Sep 2023 HSI-CO2 148.2 Macquarie 21,800 30 Oct 2023 HSI-COW 124.4 Macquarie 20,600 30 Aug 2023 HSI-HNU 55.8 Macquarie 19,400 28 Jul 2023 UEMS-C82 and Hang Seng Index in focus Diverse range of talent, skillsets in a team vital How has your life experience made you the leader you are today? The experiences I gained from living and working across different countries has taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity and adaptability that have been essential in building strong relationships and driving business growth. What traits do you look for in your talent or how do you decide who is right for a job? While it is always easier to hire people who think like you and thus get along with you, it is more important that you have varied talent and skillsets to achieve the goals of a project or the team or the organisation. This is especially true in our rapidly changing industry and world. We need team members who are challenging the norms, looking ahead to develop creative solutions and exploring new possibilities for the company. I place a high value on a diverse range of skills and traits when it comes to hiring new talent. How has mentorship made a difference in your professional life? I have had a number of mentors throughout my career and a few have become good friends. Looking back, they have coached me to be a better manager, to lead projects and teams and to be more strategic in thinking. They have challenged me and given me the confidence to take on more responsibilities or even different roles. My mentors have helped me to develop a sense of perspective and balance in my professional life. They’ve encouraged me to focus on the things that truly matter, both in my work and in my personal life, and have helped me to develop a sense of purpose and direction that has been invaluable in my career. Best piece of advice you ever got on your career. My career took a very different trajectory when I followed the advice of my mentor to take up the challenge of a start-up role outside my home country. It broadened my horizon, has allowed me to pursue new opportunities and also challenged me personally and professionally. This career move reinforced the importance of building bridges and connections which is very important in our industry. By focusing on building strong relationships and fostering a culture of collaboration and partnership, I have been able to drive innovation, build trust, and create value for the companies which I have worked for. What are the top factors you would attribute to your success? 0 Vision and strategy This is essential for me to steer the organisation and to focus all of us on the direction we are heading and to make decisions that align with our vision. 0 Competitiveness Having a talented and motivated team is very important. It’s also important to build a culture where everyone has a stake in the company’s success and where they are supported and empowered to contribute their best. 0 Authenticity I prioritise building authentic, longterm partnerships with employees, our clients and our partners through transparency, honesty, and reliability. This creates mutual trust and respect, leading to more successful collaborations and better outcomes for employees, partners, clients, and other stakeholders. 0Shared responsibility, collaboration and accountability You can’t do everything alone, and having a talented and motivated team is essential for achieving your goals. For me, that means hiring people who are not only skilled and experienced, but who share our vision and values. It’s important to create a culture where everyone feels like they have a stake in the company’s success, and where they feel supported and empowered to contribute their best work. Finally, I believe that my success has been greatly influenced by the ability to collaborate effectively with others and to approach challenges with empathy and understanding. SUCCESS: THE INSIGHT STORY Ancom achieves record high profit of RM75m in FY23 PETALING JAYA: Southeast Asia’s fully integrated chemical group Ancom Nylex Bhd (formerly known as Ancom Bhd) which announced its fourth quarter (4QFY23) and 12 months financial results recently for the period ended May 31, 2023 (FY23) has marked the strongest financial year in the group’s history, with revenue improving to RM2.04 billion as compared to the RM2.01 billion attained in the last financial year (FY22). In tandem with the top-line growth, Ancom Nylex’s profit after tax and non-controlling interest (PATNCI or net profit) surged to an all time high of RM75.1 million, a 10.2% growth from the RM68.2 million recorded in FY22. Ancom Nylex’s Agricultural Chemicals (Agrichem) segment remained as the group’s primary growth driver, with revenue standing at RM549.3 million in FY23, rising 18.7% as compared to the previous year. This translates into an earnings before interest and tax of RM85 million for the segment, marking a 20.2% YoY increase from the RM70.7 million recorded in FY22. Following the group’s solid financial performance, healthier financial position with strong generation of net operating cash flow, the board of directors had declared a dividend of 1 sen per share as a token of appreciation to their valued shareholders for their unwavering support. Maxis to sign deal on 5G products with DNB KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary Maxis Broadband intends to execute the Access Agreement for Maxis to gain access to the 5G products and services provided on a wholesale basis by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), including the national 5G wholesale network product. In a recent filing with Bursa Malaysia, Maxis believes that it is in the best interest of the company to enter into the Access Agreement after the government announced that they had agreed that the implementation of the 5G network in Malaysia will continue through DNB until it reaches 80% coverage in populated areas by the end of 2023. Maxis said the rationale and benefits of the proposed transaction are due to its commitment to realising Malaysia’s digital ambitions and enhancing Maxis’ converged network solutions. “DNB remains the single neutral wholesale network provider to undertake the deployment of 5G infrastructure and network nationwide as at the latest practicable date. Implementati on of the 5G network in Malaysia will continue through DNB until it reaches 80% coverage in populated areas by the end of 2023. - BERNAMAPIX oTelco says benefits of the proposed transaction are due to its commitment to realising Malaysia’s digital ambitions and enhancing its network solutions “Therefore, the entry into the Access Agreement with DNB will enable Maxis to provide the 5G services to its customers,” it said. The Access Agreement is expected to be executed by Maxis Broadband after Maxis has obtained the approval of its shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting to be convened, expected in the third quarter of 2023. Maxis Group is expected to incur operating expenses of approximately RM360 million per annum for the National 5G Wholesale Network Product. Previously on Nov 2, 2022, Maxis sought shareholders’ approval for the proposed entry into the Access Agreement with DNB but postponed it on Jan 20, 2023, until after the 5G network implementation policy has been finalised by the government. – Bernama kGHL Systems group CEO Sean Hesh tells SunBiz that cultural sensitivity and adaptability are important in driving business growth
14 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 SUNBIZ B R I E F S UNITED AIRLINES, PILOTS REACH DEAL ON HEFTY PAY INCREASES CHICAGO: United Airlines and its pilots on Saturday reached a labor agreement that will give the latter a significant pay increase, after the union rejected an earlier offer last year instead to seek even higher wages with pilots in short supply. The pilots will get cumulative 34.5-40.2% increase in pay raises in a new fouryear contract, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said. ALPA said it reached an agreement in principle with United management, which includes substantial improvements to compensation, as well as advancements in quality of life, vacation, and other benefits. – Reuters CHINA EASTERN TAKES DELIVERY OF SECOND HOME-GROWN C919 JET BEIJING: China Eastern Airlines has taken delivery of a second Chinesemade C919 narrowbody jet, state broadcaster CCTV reported yesterday, as the first customer for the type looks to ramp up flights. The C919 is the product of state-backed Commercial Aviation Corp of China (COMAC) which began developing the jet 15 years ago to rival the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle jet families. The second C919 will fly the Shanghai-Chengdu route. – Reuters UBS TO RETAIN EY AS AUDITOR AFTER CREDIT SUISSE TAKEOVER BENGALURU: UBS Group has decided to retain EY as its external auditor, enlarging its role to include Credit Suisse’s accounts from 2024, the Financial Times reported yesterday, citing people with knowledge of the decision. The size of the contract will require the Big Four accounting firm to call in staff from other countries to work together on the audit. PricewaterhouseCoopers which has been Credit Suisse’s auditor since 2020, will audit the acquired bank’s accounts for 2023, according to the newspaper. – Reuters AUSTRALIA: JOBLESS RATE TO RISE ON SLOWING GLOBAL ECONOMY SYDNEY: Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said yesterday that he expected the nation’s jobless rate to lift from near a 48-year low on the back of higher interest rates and slowing global growth. Amid stubbornly high inflation, the unemployment rate in May edged lower to 3.6%, when analysts had expected a steady 3.7%. The Reserve Bank of Australia has said the jobless rate would need to rise to about 4.5% – still well below prepandemic levels. – Reuters UK signs treaty to join trans-Pacific trade pact LONDON: The UK government yesterday hailed what it said was its biggest trade deal since Brexit, as it formally signed a treaty to join a major trans-Pacific bloc. Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch signed the accession protocol for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in New Zealand. It makes the United Kingdom the first new oFirst new member and first European country to enter CPTPP since bloc’s creation in 2018 member and first European nation to join the bloc since it was created in 2018. The CPTPP comprises the UK’s fellow G7 members Canada and Japan, plus longstanding allies Australia and New Zealand, alongside Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. It has been seen as a bulwark against Chinese dominance in the region, although China economic data shows recovery is fading quickly BEIJING: A flurry of economic data from China today is expected to show its post-pandemic bounce is quickly fizzling out, raising expectations that Beijing needs to unveil more stimulus measures soon to shore up activity and shaky consumer confidence. After a strong start to the year following the dismantling of tough Covid-19 measures, recent data have pointed to a sharp loss of economic momentum due to weak demand at home and abroad and a protracted slump in the country’s property market, traditionally a significant growth driver. The world’s second-largest economy likely managed just 0.5% growth in the second quarter compared with three months earlier, on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to economists polled by Reuters, with separate data for June expected to show industrial output, retail sales and investment continuing to cool. Some economists have blamed the “scarring effects” caused by years of strict Covid measures and regulatory curbs on the property and technology sectors – despite recent official efforts to reverse some curbs to support the economy. With uncertainty running high, cautious households and private businesses are building up their savings and paying off their debts rather than making new purchases or investments. Youth unemployment has hit record highs. Compared with a year earlier, gross domestic product (GDP) may have grown 7.3% in AprilJune from a year earlier, compared with growth of 4.5% in the first quarter, economist said. However, that reading will be heavily skewed by a sharp slump in activity last spring, when parts of the country were in paralysing Covid-19 lockdowns. Data on Thursday showed China’s exports fell the most in three years in June, slumping a worse-than-expected 12.4% year-on-year, as cooling global demands adds more stress on the economy. New home prices were unchanged in June, the weakest result this year, with rises slowing nationwide in continued weakness for the property sector, which accounts for one-fourth of economic activity. Producer prices fell at the fastest pace in over seven years in June and consumer prices teetered on the verge of deflation, data showed earlier in the week. Authorities are likely to roll out more stimulus steps including fiscal spending to fund big-ticket infrastructure projects, more support for consumers and private firms, and some property policy easing, policy insiders and economists said. But analysts say a quick turnaround is unlikely. – Reuters Beijing has applied to join. Badenoch said in an interview with Sky News that the deal showed the UK “looking outwards towards the world”. “We have a seat at the table in the fastestgrowing region, countries are queuing up (to join),” she said. “I’m really excited that we’ve brought home the biggest trade deal since we left the European Union.” London has been pushing a “Global Britain” strategy since formally severing nearly 50 years of ties with its nearest neighbours in the European Union three years ago. Yesterday’s signing at a CPTPP meeting in Auckland was the formal confirmation of the Musk says Twitter’s cash flow still negative as ad revenue drops BENGALURU: Twitter’s cash flow remains negative because of a nearly 50% drop in advertising revenue and a heavy debt load, Elon Musk said on Saturday, falling short of his expectation in March that Twitter could reach cash flow positive by June. “Need to reach positive cash flow before we have the luxury of anything else,“ Musk said in a tweet replying to suggestions on recapitalization. This is the latest sign that the aggressive costcutting measures since Musk acquired Twitter in October alone are not enough to get Twitter to cash flow positive, and suggests Twitter’s ad revenue may have not recovered as fast as Musk suggested in an interview in April with the BBC that most advertisers had returned to the site. After laying off thousands of employees and cutting cloud service bills, Musk had said the company reduced its non-debt expenditures to US$1.5 billion (RM6.8 billion) from a projected US$4.5 billion in 2023. Twitter also faces annual interest payments of about US$1.5 billion as a result of the debt it took on in the US$44 billion deal that turned the company private. It is unclear what time frame Musk was referring to by the 50% drop in ad revenue. He has said Twitter was on track to post US$3 billion in revenue in 2023, down from US$5.1 billion in 2021. Twitter has been criticized over lax content moderation, followed by an exodus of many advertisers who did not want their ads appearing next to inappropriate content. Musk’s hiring of Linda Yaccarino, former ad chief at Comcast’s NBCUniversal as CEO, signaled that ad sales are a priority for Twitter even as it works to increase subscription revenue. Yaccarino started working at Twitter in early June and has told investors Twitter plans to focus on video, creator and commerce partnerships and is in early talks with political and entertainment figures, payments services, and news and media publishers. On Thursday, Twitter said that select content creators will be eligible to get a part of the ad revenue the company earns in an attempt to draw more content creators to the site. – Reuters Source: CNN/Pathmatics by Sensor Tower *To Jan 25 © GRAPHIC NEWS TOP 1,000 ADVERTISERS ON TWITTER Still advertise on Twitter Have withdrawn from Twitter Major brands to pull ads include: SEP 2022 OCT NOV DEC JAN 2023* 924 907 746 453 375 76 93 254 547 625 Only 375 of the top 1,000 brands on Twitter are still advertising on the platform since Elon Musk acquired it in October 2022 Top Twitter advertisers down 62% agreement for UK membership after nearly two years of talks. The government said it will cut tariffs for UK exports to CPTPP countries, which with UK membership will have a combined GDP of £12 trillion (RM71.3 trillion), and account for 15% of global gross domestic product. It will give British businesses trade access to a market of more than 500 million people and access to the wider region, it added. The agreement is expected to come into force in the second half of next year, after parliamentary scrutiny and legislation. UK accession to the CPTPP – the successor to a previous trans-Pacific trade pact that the United States withdrew from in 2017 under president Donald Trump – has, however, been met with a mixed reception. For Brexit supporters, it has been seen as a chance for the UK to join other trading blocs with faster-growing economies than those closer to home – and boost the country’s international geopolitical and economic clout. But critics say it will struggle to compensate for the economic damage sustained by leaving the 27-member EU – the world's largest trading bloc and collective economy. – AFP
1 7 J U L Y 2 0 2 3 M O N D A Y Living life to the fullest “WE ONLY LIVE ONCE.” This timeless adage resonates deeply with a family from Argentina: Hernan, Paola, and their three beautiful children, Lva, Lian, and Lena. Fuelled by their desire to embrace the essence of this statement, they embarked on an incredible adventure, travelling the world in a humble camper van. In 2017, this spirited family, originally from Spain, set out on a journey that has taken them through 22 countries, forging unforgettable experiences and creating an extraordinary life along the way. Financial journey and resourcefulness To finance their journey, the family initially sold their car and other belongings. Over time, they discovered creative ways to sustain themselves. Hernan and Paola sell postcards, polarised pictures, and creative pencil designs in each country they visit. Understanding the different market preferences, they tailor their merchandise accordingly, ensuring higher chances of success. Living within the limitations of their compact camper, the family embraces a minimalist lifestyle. With each new purchase, they make space by parting with something old, avoiding clutter, and appreciating the simplicity of their existence. Despite certain unavoidable challenges, Hernan highlights the advantages of their unconventional home, emphasising the strong bonds and happiness they’ve cultivated along the way. Unforgettable experiences and cultural immersion Through their travels, the family has encountered a myriad of extraordinary experiences. Each country holds a special place in their hearts, as they appreciate the uniqueness of every culture they come across. Paola and Hernan immerse themselves in each nation, extending their stay beyond their initial plans if they feel a deep connection. By doing so, they create lasting memories and foster connections with locals. They affirm that their journey has shattered misconceptions about humanity, as they have met kind and helpful individuals wherever they’ve been. The Lopez family. – PIC BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL/ THESUN oOne family’s extraordinary camper journey █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Embracing new experiences in life. – PIC BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL/THESUN The vintage camper served the family for 34 years. – PIC BY LOSLOPEZXELMUNDO This global exposure has enriched their lives, broadened their perspectives, and reinforced the family’s commitment to constant learning and growth. Education on the road While exploring the world, the family ensures their children receive an enriching education. Through homeschooling, using various phone applications, and encouraging a love for reading, Lva, Lian, and Lena’s minds expand daily. Paola believes that the children learn just as much from their travels as they do from textbooks. Every day becomes a new adventure, fostering curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world’s diverse cultures. Paola also emphasises the importance of instilling environmental consciousness in their children, teaching them to cherish nature and practise ecofriendly habits. This unique education allows the children to gain knowledge far beyond traditional classrooms. Transforming negatives into positives Living in a camper presents its own set of challenges. Hernan admits that their camper, a second-hand vehicle over 34 years old, often breaks down and lacks modern amenities such as air conditioning. However, instead of dwelling on the negatives, they focus on the positive aspects of their journey. Each breakdown becomes an opportunity for the family to work together, finding solutions and gaining a deeper understanding of their van’s mechanics. These moments foster teamwork, problem-solving skills, and resilience within the family unit. Health challenges can be daunting on the road, but Paola maintains a positive outlook. She acknowledges that in every country they visit, there are doctors and medical facilities available. They have experienced the kindness of strangers who offer support and assistance during times of illness or injury. This constant stream of goodwill reaffirms their belief in the inherent goodness of people worldwide. Tips for aspiring adventurers Hernan and Paola have valuable advice for those yearning for a similar journey. They encourage others to seize the opportunity, embrace the unknown, and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. Their journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of taking risks and stepping out of one’s comfort zone. They advocate for trying new things, fostering a sense of curiosity, and living life to the fullest. The family firmly believes that one should fight for their dreams and not hesitate to embark on their own extraordinary journey. Crossing boundaries In their quest to return to Argentina after an extended period away, the family seeks the support of the readers. Crossing their camper back to their home country comes with significant expenses, leading them to reach out to potential sponsors. Their WhatsApp contact (+34 610 32 57 16), social media presence (Instagram: loslopezxelmundo) and PayPal donation link (paypal.me/loslopezxelmundo), provide opportunities for readers to connect with and support this adventurous family. Meeting Hernan, Paola, and their children has been an awe-inspiring experience. What initially appeared to be a food truck turned out to be an entire family on an adventure in a camper. Their extraordinary journey showcases the joy and fulfilment that come from embracing new experiences. Life can be an exhilarating ride if we dare to be adventurous, explore the world around us, and learn to adapt to new environments. The story of this remarkable family shows us that living our best life is not only possible but also immensely rewarding. The Lopez family reminds us that life offers us only one chance, so make it count. The world is waiting, so venture forth and leave your mark on it. Before the camper, the family used regular car. – PIC BY LOSLOPEZXELMUNDO
16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Hugh Jackman puts claws back on FOLLOWING the bleak western revenge-inspired Logan that saw Hugh Jackman retire his adamantium claws, the actor is back in the saddle as the Canadian superhero in the upcoming Deadpool 3. Promising fans that his role in the upcoming Deadpool sequel would “not screw with” Logan, the actor seems to be keeping his word, as a first look at Deadpool Reynolds and Jackman on set. – INSTAGRAM oWolverine to appear in Deadpool 3 █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR 3 shared on Jackman and co-star Ryan Reynolds’ Instagram finds Wolverine sporting his classic yellow-and-blue costume from the comic books. This appears not to be the iteration of Wolverine that Jackman previously played, as the superhero has never worn this costume on the big screen before. Currently in production, Deadpool 3 will be helmed by Shawn Levy, who previously directed Reynolds in Free Guy and The Adam Project. Last year, Levy told Collider that maintaining the R-rating was an integral part of why he agreed to direct the film. The film’s writers, Rhett Reese, and Paul Wernick assured fans that Disney would not be meddling with the franchise’s R-rating, claiming that the studio would be letting Deadpool be Deadpool. “It’s been nothing but, ‘How can we help you?’ What from our universe would you like to use? How can we make your life easier? And we’re gonna let Deadpool be Deadpool. We’re not going to be the Disney-fied Deadpool,’” Reese added Marvel’s views on the franchise’s future. “So, they’re awesome, and now it’s up to us to come through and justify that faith.” Outside the casting and crew information, not much else is known about the film’s plot, but it clearly involves the multiverse as Deadpool joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time after a string of solo movies produced under 20th Century Fox. Jamie Foxx reappears in public THE actor has made his first public appearance since unexpectedly experiencing a medical complication in April, which led to him being admitted to the hospital for an extended period of time. Recent footage released by TMZ shows Jamie Foxx on a boat on the Chicago River, and the singer and actor appear to be in good health. He even greeted cameramen and paparazzi with a peace sign. He was accompanied by a group of other guests during the outing. Back in April, Jamie Foxx was hospitalised in Atlanta due to a “medical complication.” His daughter, Corinne Foxx, verified the situation, stating that he was already on the path to recovery thanks to prompt action and excellent care. She expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from fans and requested privacy for the family during that time. Since then, details about his condition have been limited, but his daughter mentioned his recuperation and involvement in activities like playing pickleball in late May. The recent footage of Foxx marks his first return to the public eye, indicating that he is on the path to recovery. Foxx himself released a personal statement, expressing gratitude to his fans for their love and assuring them that he is feeling blessed during his recovery. During the time of his hospitalisation, Foxx was involved in the filming of the Netflix film Back in Action alongside Cameron Diaz. He is also the host and executive producer of the Fox game show Beat Shazam, which premiered its sixth season in May with Nick Cannon stepping in as a guest host due to Foxx’s absence. Additionally, Jamie and Corinne Foxx are going to be co-hosting a new music-themed game show called We Are Family, which is going to premiere on Fox in the year 2024. Foxx doing better after hospitalisation. – PEOPLE █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL Madonna postpones North American tour IN a surprising turn of events, iconic pop singer Madonna has announced a rescheduling of her highly anticipated North American tour dates. The reason behind this decision is her ongoing recovery from a recent stay in a New York City hospital’s intensive care unit. After her release from the hospital on June 29, Madonna took to Instagram to express her gratitude and address her concerned fans. She conveyed her appreciation for their positive energy, prayers, and words of healing and encouragement. Madonna’s European tour set for October. – WNAX █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Oppenheimer releases on July 21 DIRECTOR Christopher Nolan’s latest movie, Oppenheimer, a biographical movie about theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, will be released in theatres on July 21, 2023. Actor Cillian Murphy plays the lead character in the movie based on a book titled American Prometheus, released in 2005. Oppenheimer boasts stellar A-list cast. – IMDB █ BYS.TAMARAI CHELVI Assuring them of her progress, she stated, “I’m on the road to recovery and incredibly grateful for all the blessings in my life.” Her health and well-being are now her primary focus as she aims to regain her strength. She promised her loyal fans that she would return to the stage as soon as possible, but the rescheduling of the North American leg of the tour is necessary. The new plan is to kick off the tour in Europe in October, with specific dates to be announced in the near future. Originally slated to commence on July 15 in Vancouver, the tour rehearsals were in their final stages when Madonna was abruptly hospitalised on June 24 due to a serious bacterial infection, as disclosed by her manager, Guy Oseary, on Instagram. Oseary further stated that Madonna would temporarily suspend all her commitments, including the tour, and promised to provide more details regarding the new start date and rescheduled shows as soon as they were available. The “Celebration” tour holds great significance as it marks Madonna’s 40th anniversary in the music industry. The tour was intended to traverse 43 cities worldwide, extending into the early months of the following year. While the exact dates for the p o s t p o n e d N o r t h A m e r i c a n c o n c e r t s have yet to be announced, fans eagerly anticipate the announcement. Madonna’s Instagram post has allowed her fans to stay connected and updated during this unexpected turn of events, demonstrating her appreciation for their unwavering support. Her resilience and determination to fully recover ensure that she will return to the stage stronger than ever, ready to celebrate her remarkable career with her adoring fans worldwide. Hollywood A-list stars like Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Rami Malek, Casey Affleck, J. Florence Pugh, Josh Harnett, and Kenneth Branagh also star in the movie. Nolan is globally known to have made some very iconic and exceptional movies in the past, like Inception (2010), Interstellar (2014), and many more.
17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 Heart-tugging romance The trailer for Bawaal tantalises viewers with its contrasting elements. It commences with an endearing display of romance, even offering educational glimpses, only to take an unexpected turn, transforming into an adrenaline-fueled spectacle of action sequences. Director Nitesh deliberately keeps the plot under wraps, inviting audiences to experience the film firsthand and unravel its mysteries. He encourages everyone to immerse themselves in the world of Bawaal to discover the profound revelations that await. Nitesh also emphasises that a movie’s impact should not end when the credits roll. He firmly believes that a part of the film should resonate with the viewer, leaving a lasting impression that prompts introspection and contemplation. He confidently asserts that this film will not only entertain but also provoke profound thoughts about life, much like his previous cinematic endeavours. Impressive performances Lead actor Varun Dhawan enthusiastically shares his journey to being cast in the film. Collaborating with the talented Nitesh was always a cherished aspiration for him. Admiring Nitesh Tiwari’s previous works, Varun expressed his eagerness to be a part of the director’s cinematic vision. During the pandemic recovery, he visited Nitesh and requested to explore potential stories, reaffirming his interest in collaborating with the esteemed filmmaker. Eight months later, Nitesh contacted Varun, presenting him with a script and a challenge to prove his suitability for the role. Varun considers this character one of his best portrayals, relishing the opportunity to delve into a film that imparts profound philosophical messages. He describes Bawaal as an immensely important project, as it holds a mirror to the truth of life itself. In the trailer, Varun’s character transitions seamlessly from a carefree, romantic persona to a more serious and intense role. When questioned about the challenges he faced while portraying this duality, Varun credits the director for creating a comfortable and supportive environment on set. With Nitesh’s guidance and assistance, every scene was a breeze to shoot, allowing the actors to give their best performances effortlessly. Jhanvi Kapoor, the rising starlet, can’t help but express her overwhelming gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with influential figures in the industry. The chance to work alongside such visionary individuals has been nothing short of a dream come true for her. Additionally, she showered praise on her co-star, Varun, for his unwavering support during the filming process. His presence and encouragement proved to be a pillar of strength for her throughout the production. Speaking of their on-screen chemistry, Varun couldn’t contain his excitement. He passionately conveyed his admiration for their pairing, emphasising the exceptional moments they shared together on set. With a gleam in his eye, he confidently asserted that the viewers would undoubtedly revel in witnessing their captivating dynamic unfold on the silver screen. Prepare to be swept away by the riveting tale of Bawaal. With its unique blend of love, war, and life experiences set against the backdrop of World War 2, this film promises to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of v i e w e r s worldwide. PREPARE to be captivated by the upcoming Indian Hindi-language film, Bawaal, directed by the renowned filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari and produced by the visionary Sajid Nadiadwala. This actionpacked romantic drama stars the talented duo of Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor. Get ready to embark on a thrilling cinematic journey as Bawaal is set to have its exclusive global premiere on Amazon across 200 countries, with India being the epicentre of this highly anticipated release on July 21. The film’s narrative unfolds in the midst of World War II, where love blossoms against a backdrop of chaos and conflict. Amidst the high-octane action sequences, the film beautifully explores the tender love story between the two main characters, drawing viewers into their captivating world. Offering a glimpse into the film’s tragic plot, the trailer was recently unveiled at the grand Global Press event in Dubai, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating its release. A global reach During the press event, director Nitesh, producer Sajid Nadiadwala, and the cast members generously shared behind-thescenes insights about the making of Bawaal. Director Nitesh expressed his deep emotional connection to the film, emphasising that it is a story that resonates with him personally. He believes that Bawaal carries a significant message that deserves to be told, just like his previous acclaimed works. With the assurance that the film will leave a positive impact on the viewers, Director Niteshi reflected on the everchanging nature of human values and how Bawaal beautifully captures the essence of relationships and life experiences. The Bawaal team is a powerhouse of talent, consisting of an acclaimed director, accomplished producers, and an extraordinary cast. When questioned about the choice to release the film on an OTT (over-the-top) platform, producer Sajid Nadiadwala revealed that the production commenced a year ago. As they delved into the material, the team unanimously agreed that the film deserved a global release, reaching audiences worldwide in multiple languages. By partnering with the esteemed platform Amazon, they were thrilled to announce that the film will be accessible in 200 countries, a feat that left them feeling overwhelmed and grateful. Bawaal premieres on Prime Video on July 21. – IMDB Varun Dhawan and Jhanvi Kapoor star as main leads. – PINKVILLA The film takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride. – HINDUSTAN TIMES From romance to warfare █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN oBawaal takes audiences on an epic journey
18 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 Pavel Stuchlik speaking at the event. Founder of Amani Wellness, Yann Yang. /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME T Unlocking inner harmony HE world of health and wellness is experiencing an incredible boom, and Malaysia is no exception. By 2030, the global health and wellness market is predicted to reach over RM30,805.5 billion, up from RM19,660.9 billion in 2022. Today, wellness goes beyond physical health, encompassing mental and spiritual well-being as well. In the wake of the pandemic, wellness has emerged as a true champion, no longer seen as a luxury but a necessary priority for many. With the increasing pressures of work, financial demands, societal expectations, and environmental challenges, mental and physical health issues have seen a significant rise. Depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and their accompanying symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, and chronic diseases have become all too common. An innovative approach to wellness Enter Yap Yann Fang, a local wellness evangelist with over 20 years of industry experience and the founder of B&Co Clinic, a successful Wellness & Beauty brand. Through her work, she has witnessed the inseparable link between physical health and mental well-being, which drives her passion for the next frontier of wellness management: biohacking. This innovative approach focuses on optimising the body and mind for enhanced well-being. Biohacking involves making small, incremental changes to our bodies, diets, and lifestyles to improve overall health. It encompasses various practises, including meditation, dietary adjustments, and even cutting-edge technologies. The key to successful biohacking lies in being well-informed and oDiscover a new you through Biohacking █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN understanding what works best for each individual’s body. Yap Yann Fang’s personal journey has led her to believe strongly in the power of biohacking. Now, as a devoted advocate, she collaborates with experts to bring advanced biohacking techniques to Malaysia. A life-changing practise One notable partnership is with Pavel Stuchlik, also known as NOA|AON, a holistic wellness practitioner with a scientific background. Together, they organised Malaysia’s first-ever biohacking workshop, aiming to introduce this ground-breaking approach to a wider audience. Pavel’s extensive expertise in breathwork, meditation, and audio stimuli, along with his experience conducting over 400 workshops, has attracted clients ranging from everyday individuals to Fortune 500 companies seeking stress relief and personal transformation. He has also shared his knowledge as a speaker at global events like the Biohacking Conference, collaborating with neuroscientists to develop scientifically calibrated audio stimuli for healing the mind and body. At the Core System Reset workshop held at NEXUS CCED Bangsar South, participants embark on a journey of improved wellness through breathwork, meditation, and tailored audio stimuli, aligning their bodies and minds for holistic well-being. An experience of profound relief Attending the biohacking workshop led by Pavel Stuchlik, NOA|AON, was an experience unlike any other. I must admit, at first, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But as I stepped into the hall, a sense of tranquilly washed over me, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey. Little did I know that this workshop would have a profound impact on my well-being. Pavel’s breathing techniques were nothing short of remarkable. As he guided us through each exercise, I could feel the tension melting away from my body, replaced by a deep sense of relaxation and calm. It was as if the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. That night, I slept like a baby, free from the usual restlessness that often plagued me. There were moments during the workshop that brought forth unexpected emotions. It was in those vulnerable instances that I realised the power of this holistic approach. It wasn’t just about physical well-being; it was about delving deep into the recesses of our minds and hearts. In that sacred space, I felt like I had found a part of myself that had been waiting to be rediscovered. Experiences like this workshop should be cherished and shared more often. They have the potential to heal not only the mind but also the body. In a world filled with constant busyness and distractions, we often neglect our inner selves. These workshops provide a safe haven where we can pause, reflect, and nurture our holistic well-being. I couldn’t be more grateful for attending this transformative workshop. It has opened my eyes to the power within, reminding me that true wellness encompasses both the mind and body. As I left the workshop, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose and an unwavering belief in the importance of prioritising our well-being. Community workshop. – PICS BY AMANI WELLNESS Fostering relationships. Sound healing, meditation, and breathwork.
19 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 EMBARKING on a culinary adventure to Penang, theSun had the delightful opportunity to dine at UMI Japanese Restaurant, located in Lexis Suites Penang. Stepping inside, the enchanting décor immediately caught my eye, and I was captivated by the serene and immaculate ambiance that filled the space. The clean lines, traditional Japanese elements, and contemporary touches blended seamlessly, creating a harmonious atmosphere. As I settled into my seat, I couldn’t help but appreciate the friendly and warm demeanour of the staff, which already made me fall in love with the restaurant before even tasting their delectable dishes. To commence this gastronomic journey, we started with UMI’s signature Salmon Skin Salad. The dish arrived beautifully arranged, and the first bite was a revelation. The crispiness of the salmon skin paired with the exquisite goma dressing was a symphony of flavours that danced on the palate. This tantalising introduction left me eagerly anticipating the next culinary masterpiece. Next, we savoured the appetisers: Yaki Gyoza and Hanpen Cheese. The Yaki Gyoza, filled with succulent meat and vegetables, was seared to perfection, creating a delightful contrast between the crispy exterior and the tender filling. The Hanpen Cheese, a unique fusion of delicate fish cake and creamy cheese croquettes, instantly won a place on my list of favourites, even before experiencing the main courses. The moment arrived to indulge in the main dishes, each promising a delightful journey of taste. The Niniku Chahan, a fragrant garlic fried rice, combined the robust flavours of garlic and vegetables, creating a savoury delight that was impossible to resist. oA gastronomic adventure of exquisite flavours █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN McDonald’s proposes wedding catering service LONG associated with children’s birthday parties, McDonald’s is now trying its hand at catering another kind of milestone event. The fastfood giant is now offering thrifty couples the chance to treat their wedding guests to a feast of chicken nuggets and burgers. The arrival of summer means that wedding season is in full swing. While many lovebirds are hoping they’ve made the right choice in selecting a caterer to treat their guests to co*cktails and dinner, the British media is reporting the launch of one tasty option they probably wouldn’t have thought of... What if you served McDonald’s chicken nuggets and burgers to your wedding guests? After its legendary children’s parties, McDonald’s seems to be branching out to cover other family events. This highly serious proposition is being offered by McDonald’s in Indonesia. The fast-food giant posted the announcement on the Instagram page of its Jakarta outpost. The offer allows future brides and grooms to serve their guests 100 chicken burgers and as many nuggets. McDonald’s is clearly targeting couples on a tight budget. The package costs IDR3.5 million (RM1075), so, if there are 100 guests at the reception, you can feed everyone for just over RM10.25 a head. Surprising as it may seem, this isn’t the first time that McDonald’s has offered this kind of service. In 2011, in Hong Kong, the brand went all out with a US$1,300 (RM6054) package, including a wedding cake made with apple pies. The reception even took place in one of its restaurants, which is not the case for the offer in Indonesia. Fast food can sometimes find an unusual place in global culture. In Japan, for example, a Christmas Eve tradition dating back to 1974 involves getting KFC to celebrate the occasion! – ETX STUDIO UMI Japanese restaurant is located at Lexis Suites Penang – ALL PIX BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL/THESUN The captivating ambiance elevates the dining experience. The talented and dedicated UMI team. McDonald’s Indonesia branches out with wedding catering. – INSTAGRAM The Salmon Kabuto Nabe, a hot pot dish, featured tender salmon slices bathing in a rich and flavorful broth that exuded warmth and comfort with every spoonful. As for the Salmon Belly Shio, the succulent and perfectly grilled fish melted in the mouth, leaving a delicate, salty-sweet sensation that was simply divine. Of course, no Japanese culinary experience is complete without sushi. We sampled a selection of sushi rolls, and they were nothing short of exceptional. A highlight was the Unagi Maki, a roll of grilled Japanese eel and sushi rice wrapped with crab sticks and cucumbers in seaweed that provided a harmonious blend of flavours and textures, showcasing the expertise of UMI’s culinary team. Each sushi piece was meticulously crafted with vibrant and fresh ingredients that delighted the senses. The attention to detail in the plating was awe-inspiring, with every dish adorned with colourful and creative arrangements, elevating the visual appeal of each dish. UMI unquestionably claimed its place as one of the best Japanese restaurants we have ever had the pleasure of visiting. To conclude this remarkable dining experience, we couldn’t resist indulging in the perfect dessert: Mochi. Delicately wrapped in a chewy rice cake, the sweet fillings tantalised the taste buds, providing a delightful and satisfying ending to our meal. Leaving UMI with satisfied hearts and contented palates, we departed knowing that if ever one finds themselves in Penang, this extraordinary restaurant is an absolute must-visit. With its emphasis on taste, presentation, and freshness, UMI Japanese Restaurant not only transports diners to the Land of the Rising Sun but also leaves an indelible mark on their culinary journey. The impeccable decoration, serene ambiance, friendly staff, and, above all, the exceptional flavours make UMI a true gem in the realm of Japanese cuisine. With its spacious capacity, pleasant climate, versatile menu options, and pork-free menu options, UMI Japanese Restaurant ensures a delightful and inclusive dining experience for all patrons. Capacity: 60 pax Address: UMI Japanese Restaurant, Ground Floor, Lexis Suites Penang, 28 Jalan Teluk Kumbar, 11920 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang Opening Hours: Fridays to Sundays - A La Carte: 12PM to 3PM & 6:30PM to 10PM, Sunday Buffet Lunch: 12PM to 3PM Contact: +604-628 2888 Ext. 2762 Serenity amid culinary artistry Delectable delights.
20 FASHION & BEAUTY theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 were given the opportunity by Virtualtech Frontier to collaborate with Fashion Design Technology students and industry partner Mitoworld to create Malaysia’s first Metaverse Fashion Show called MAYAmode, taking inspiration from the official language of Malaysia, Maya,” which denotes virtual, and in the same capacity as the programme’s identity, Mayamode Fashion Studio. “We are ecstatic to join forces with these talented students to bring MAYAmode into existence. This extraordinary metaverse showcases topnotch facilities and technology together with an exclusive retail pop-up for Taylor’s fashion label, MAYAMODE, which also includes an impressive display of past projects crafted by Taylor’s Bachelor of growing fashion processes through comprehensive product development research. “We are now moving forward as the leader in digitised garment development using 3D body scanning and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technologies,” said Director of Puspamara Sdn Bhd, Ibrahim Aiman bin Mohd Nadzmi. The integration of the 3D Fashion Pod and CLO 3D technology, a CAD tool, will further strengthen Mayamode’s world-class facilities, enabling virtual fashion and madeto-measure clothes. This 3D Fashion Pod will support the National Size Malaysia Campaign in addition to empowering educational institutions to incorporate technology into the classroom. The campaign is led by Ts Dr Norsaadah Binti Zakaria, a Research Fellow at The Design School, and funded by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s Department of Standards Malaysia. It aims to analyse and collect Malaysians’ body measurements in order to develop the first national standard sizing system that will benefit Malaysian consumers and the garment industry. Before beginning THE SHOW, students from the Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours) READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME A fashion fusion showcase CHARMED like never before, on July 6, Taylor’s University, which is in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW), recently staged THE SHOW: A Fashion Fusion Showcase featuring an exploration and confluence of art, fashion, sustainability, and technology. The talented Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology (Honours) programme students presented a total of 39 innovative creations that challenged traditional fashion norms, leaving the audience of fashion enthusiasts, industry professionals, members of the media, and the general public in awe. “Through vivid styling that transcends cultures and geographical boundaries, THE SHOW proved to be a transformative experience for all who attended. The Fashion Design Technology students harnessed their unique ability to integrate cuttingedge technology into their designs with an artistic vision. These ingenious designs emphasised the fusion of fashion and technology, pushing the envelope of creativity and craftsmanship to redefine the future of the industry,” stated Taylor’s Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology Programme Director, Maria Sandra Wijaya. The event showcased four fashion collection concepts: Organic Geometry, which fuses materials and colours to form shapes and structures of garments; Unconventional Fashion, which uses mixed media art to create texture and depth; Layered Fashion, which layers every part of the textile; and Genderless Morphe, which transforms into interchangeable designs. Taylor’s University Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, Professor Dr Pradeep Nair, stated that the Fashion Design Technology degree provided by Taylor’s Design School is developed differently than other fashion programmes. “THE SHOW is a prime example of how we incorporate high-end technologies like body scanners and an impact-based approach into our fashion technology degree to graduate world-class designers aligned to the triple bottom line concept of sustaining people, planet, and prosperity,” he said. First-ever 3D Fashion Pod Prior to the exhibition, a Show and Tell Press Segment was held at Mayamode, Malaysia’s first coworking fashion studio, to present the nation’s first 3D Fashion Pod. 3D body scanning technology improves precise body scanning and digital measurements, enhances production speed, removes physical samples, lowers sample-making costs, and reduces material waste, resulting in a more sustainable fashion manufacturing process. This was made feasible by a collaboration with Puspamara Sdn Bhd, a premier garment manufacturing company founded in the 1970s with the goal of meeting oTaylor’s fashion design technology students challenge stereotypes █ BYYASMIN ZULRAEZ Wijaya conducting 3D fashion Pod simulation. Genderless morphe. Unconventional fashion. The event unveiled four fashion collection concepts. - PICS BY TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY Fashion Design Technology students. By collaborating with these visionary individuals, we are charting the course for the future of fashion, embracing innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in the digital realm,“ stated Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Virtualtech Frontier, Jason Low, a developer of Mitoworld. Preparing for the future of fashion Taylor’s University continues to be a forerunner in fashion education, encouraging students to embrace technological breakthroughs and venture into unexplored territory in order to future-proof graduates in a demanding labour sector. THE SHOW was a true testament to the university’s commitment to developing the next generation of fashion leaders through education excellence and shaping the future of the fashion industry by equipping students with the necessary skills and experience to tackle complex problems. This fusion showcase featured collaborations with SUB International Beauty School, providing hair and makeup services, while ZALORA sponsored footwear, OXWHITE for guest gift vouchers, Bombay Sapphire’s Art of Botanicals co*cktail, and a long-term partnership with Komuniti Tukang Jahit in order to award a student with the Innovative Sustainable Design Award across the four fashion concepts. Through fascinating performances, canape-style foods served, and an edible art sculpture exhibition constructed completely of chocolate, fondant, and food components, THE SHOW also witnessed interdisciplinary cooperation among schools within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management. Everything was truly magnificent, as it was a true diversion from the fashion shows that you would usually see in Malaysia, and not only was it something different, but it was also something that was tastefully done right. Organic geometry. Layered fashion.
21 * SPORTS theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 RORY MCILROY admitted a first victory in Scotland was long overdue as he took a slender lead into the final day of the £7 million (RM41m) Genesis Scottish Open. A third round of 67 ensured halfway leader McIlroy remained the man to catch at The Renaissance Club on 13-under, with South Korea’s Tom Kim a shot behind and Tommy Fleetwood and Brian Harman another stroke back. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and former Open champion Shane Lowry are part of a five-way tie for fifth on 10-under, with tee times brought forward several hours overnight due to the forecast for winds gusting up to 64kph. McIlroy threatened to forge a bigger advantage when he covered his first 10 holes in 4-under, but covered the last eight in one over as the top 17 players ended the day separated by just five shots. “I felt like I played really good golf for those first 11 holes and made that first bogey on 12 and it was a little scrappy coming in from there,” McIlroy said. “But overall another solid day’s play and put myself into a great position going into the final day. “There’s a lot of great players behind me but it’s going to be difficult for everyone. “When the wind gets like that there’s a lot of skill involved but it’s also just attitude and trying to stay upbeat when you’re probably going to get bad breaks here and there. “The guy with the best attitude is going to have the best chance.” A month after charging through the field with a closing 63 in the US Open, Fleetwood matched that score thanks to eight birdies and a solitary bogey at a venue where he finished fourth last year and lost out in a playoff in 2020. “I’m very happy,” said Fleetwood, who started on the 10th and birdied two of his last three holes on the front nine. “Those last three holes are tough so it was great to get on the right side of those and finish strong.” Lowry would have been alongside Fleetwood but for a bogey on the last, the 36-year-old having earlier carded five birdies and an eagle on the 10th. “I’ve been rolling a few putts in which is always nice. Some lovely stuff over the last few days and plenty of confidence builders to take into The Open next (this) week,” Lowry said.– The Independent IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF METRO MEDICAL CENTRE SDN. BHD. (238531-H) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act 2016, the final meeting of the Company will be convened and held at 8, Jalan Nyonya, Pudu 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kula Lumpur on 18 August 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purpose: 1) To receive an account from the Liquidator, showing how the winding up has been conducted and the property of the Company disposed of and to receive any explanation thereon. 2) To determine pursuant to Section 518 of the Companies Act, 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and the liquidators thereof shall be disposed of. Tee Siew Kai Liquidator Date : 17 July 2023 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF INDAH BARISAN SDN. BHD. Company No.: 199501009889 (339089-V) (In Liquidation) (Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the Contributories of the Company will be held at No. 5005, Jalan Lunas, Kelang Lama, 09000 Kulim, Kedah on the 16th August 2023 at 11.00 a.m., for the following purposes:- 1. To consider the Liquidator’s statement of accounts showing how the winding-up has been conducted and to receive any explanation thereon. 2. To resolve under Section 518 (3) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company may be destroyed after the expiration of 3 months from the date of the Final Meeting. TAN KIM LENG @ TAN KHENG LEANG Liquidator Kedah Dated : 17th July 2023 Note: A contributory entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of the contributory. A proxy need not be a contributory of the Company. NOTIS Kami sedang mencari ibu kandung kepada seorang kanak-kanak perempuan berbangsa Cina yang lahir pada 03.11.2007 jam 08:07 PM di Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang, Selangor. Sebarang makluman sila hubungi pejabat peguam Tetuan Mohan M Sankaran & Associates di talian 03- 8052 0358. SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu permohonan untuk perintah pengangkatan telah dibuat di Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Selangor (Guaman No: BJ-58-4- 05/2023) yang mana telah ditetapkan untuk bicara pada 04.08.2023 jam 9:00 pagi dimana kehadiran kamu adalah diwajibkan. SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa sekiranya kamu gagal hadir di Mahkamah pada tarikh dan masa yang dinyatakan di atas, satu perintah akan diberikan tanpa kehadiran anda. Bertarikh pada 11 haribulan July 2023 t.t .................... Mohan M Sankaran & Associates 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI PETALING JAYA DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO.: BB-A72NCVC-432-05/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat : 199001009294 (200866-W)] …PLAINTIF DAN HOONG NGEN CHEONG [NO. K. P.: 690902-08-5375/A1378093] …DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, HOONG NGEN CHEONG [NO. K. P.: 690902-08-5375/A1378093] No. 25, Jalan Margosa SD10/5J Bandar Sri Damansara 52200 Kuala Lumpur Dalam perkara Writ yang dikeluarkan pada 9 haribulan Mei 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Writ telah dikeluarkan terhadap Defendan dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Petaling Jaya dalam Guaman No. BB-A72NCVC-432-05/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294] (200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Plaintif ialah untuk jumlah RM12,011.58, faedah ke atas jumlah RM12,011.58 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh pemfailan saman sehingga tarikh penghakiman, faedah ke atas jumlah RM12,011.58 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh penghakiman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian penuh dan kos dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Writ bertarikh 9/5/2023 dan Penyata Tuntutan bertarikh 9/5/2023 disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Petaling Jaya, ditinggalkan di alamat terakhir Defendan di No. 25, Jalan Margosa SD10/5J, Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur (“Alamat terakhir Defendan“) dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar tempatan ‘The Sun’ dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Defendan tersebut tujuh (7) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut. Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya pada 10/8/2023 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Penghakiman Ingkar boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 17 haribulan Julai 2023 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj: SA/L/TNB/HOONG NGEN CHEONG/1901/2023/SA) 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI PETALING JAYA DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO.: BB-A72NCVC-410-05/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat : 199001009294 (200866-W)] …PLAINTIF DAN HO WAI KEN [NO. K. P.: 760511-10-5421/A3355673] …DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, HO WAI KEN [NO. K. P.: 760511-10-5421/A3355673] 25 BM 1/3, Bukit Mayang Mas 47301 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan Dan/atau HO WAI KEN [NO. K. P.: 760511-10-5421/A3355673] 18-2, Plaza Puchong Jalan Puchong Mesra 1 58200 Puchong Selangor Darul Ehsan Dalam perkara Writ yang dikeluarkan pada 5 haribulan Mei 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Writ telah dikeluarkan terhadap Defendan dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Petaling Jaya dalam Guaman No. BB-A72NCVC-410-05/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294] (200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Plaintif ialah untuk jumlah RM17,472.15, faedah ke atas jumlah RM17,472.15 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh pemfailan saman sehingga tarikh penghakiman, faedah ke atas jumlah RM17,472.15 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh penghakiman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian penuh dan kos dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Writ bertarikh 5/5/2023 dan Penyata Tuntutan bertarikh 5/5/2023 disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Petaling Jaya, ditinggalkan di alamat Pertama Defendan di 25 BM 1/3, Bukit Mayang Mas, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan (selepas ini “alamat Pertama Defendan”) dan di alamat Ketiga Defendan di 18-2, Plaza Puchong, Jalan Puchong Mesra 1, 58200 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan (selepas ini “alamat Ketiga Defendan”) dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar tempatan ‘The Sun’ dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Defendan tersebut tujuh (7) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut. Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya pada 10/8/2023 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Penghakiman Ingkar boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 17 haribulan Julai 2023 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj: SA/L/TNB/HO WAI KEN/1905/2023/SA) 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GATEWAY PROP-SERVE SDN. BHD. Registration No. 200301005350 (607770-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of Members of the Company will be held at Unit No. 203, 2nd Floor, Block C,Damansara Intan, No. 1, Jalan SS20/27, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor on 21st August, 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes :- 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the property disposed of and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution the manner and period in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be destroyed. Chua Yoke Bee Liquidator Petaling Jaya Date: 17th July, 2023 322 Notices MENCARI IBUBAPA KANDUNG Ibubapa Kandung kepada Kanak-Kanak lelaki bernama Jaleinthiran (No. Sijil Kelahiran 091016-14- 1497) yang dilahirkan pada 16.10.2009 pada pukul 7.15 pm di Taj Hospital Jalan Ipoh Kuala Lumpur 322 Notices IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) NO: WA-28NCC-940-11/2022 In the matter of Section 465(1)(c) and (h) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of MEGA OMNIBUS SDN BHD [Company No: 193801000048 (968-H)] BETWEEN TANG SIEW WEI (NRIC No.: 630107-08-5144) ..... PETITIONER AND MEGA OMNIBUS SDN BHD [Company No: 193801000048 (968-H)] ..... RESPONDENT NOTICE OF WINDING-UP ORDER (Form 12) In the matter of MEGA OMNIBUS SDN BHD [Company No: 193801000048 (968-H)]. Winding-up Order made on 11th day of July 2023. Name and address of Liquidator:- The Official Receiver Malaysia Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi Cawangan Kuala Lumpur Menara TH Perdana Tingkat 22, 23, 24, & 25 1001, Jalan Sultan Ismail 50250 Kuala Lumpur Dated this 11th day of July 2023. T.T. .............................. Messrs Low & Partners Advocates & Solicitors No. 5, Jalan SS 21/23 Damansara Utama 47400 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan (Ref:LP/GL/11461/10/22/WCK/DC/ LY_WCK) This NOTICE OF WINDING-UP ORDER is filed by Messrs. Low & Partners of No. 5, Jalan SS 21/23, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, solicitors for the abovesaid Petitioner. Tel: 03-7729 5293 Fax: 03-7729 5298 Ref: LP/GL/11461/10/22/WCK/DC/ LY_WCK ly AGENT WANTED APPLY NOW Agent wanted for Top brand Japan Massage chair High Income from Rm10k and above Installment payment available for customer Contact : 018 2175363 252 Distributors Agents Wanted 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SYARIKAT PEMUDA RIA SDN BHD (Company No. 197401002691 (19746-H) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) The following resolutions were duly passed by the Members of Syarikat Pemuda Ria Sdn Bhd on 7 July 2023: SPECIAL RESOLUTION “THAT, the Company be wound up voluntarily by way of Members’ Voluntary Winding Up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016.” ORDINARY RESOLUTION “THAT, in accordance with Section 445(1) of the Companies Act, 2016, Khoi Hoay Ling and Karen Yong Syew Ciin of No. 1, Tingkat 1, Persiaran Golf, Saujana Resort, Seksyen U2, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, be and are hereby appointed as the liquidators for the purposes of the winding up.” NURASHIQIN BINTI MOHD NOH (LS 0010001) Company Secretary Dated this 17 July 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SYARIKAT PEMUDA RIA SDN BHD (Company No. 197401002691 (19746-H) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required on or before 17 August 2023 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, Khoi Hoay Ling and Karen Yong Syew Ciin of No 1, Tingkat 1, Persiaran Golf, Saujana Resort, Seksyen U2, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, the liquidators of the abovenamed company and, if so required by the notice in writing by the said liquidators, are by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved. Dated this 17 July 2023 KHOI HOAY LING KAREN YONG SYEW CIIN Liquidators 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF METRO MEDICAL CENTRE SDN. BHD. (238531-H) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act 2016, the final meeting of the Company will be convened and held at 8, Jalan Nyonya, Pudu 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kula Lumpur on 18 August 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purpose: 1) To receive an account from the Liquidator, showing how the winding up has been conducted and the property of the Company disposed of and to receive any explanation thereon. 2) To determine pursuant to Section 518 of the Companies Act, 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and the liquidators thereof shall be disposed of. Tee Siew Kai Liquidator Date : 17 July 2023 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF INDAH BARISAN SDN. BHD. Company No.: 199501009889 (339089-V) (In Liquidation) (Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the Contributories of the Company will be held at No. 5005, Jalan Lunas, Kelang Lama, 09000 Kulim, Kedah on the 16th August 2023 at 11.00 a.m., for the following purposes:- 1. To consider the Liquidator’s statement of accounts showing how the winding-up has been conducted and to receive any explanation thereon. 2. To resolve under Section 518 (3) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company may be destroyed after the expiration of 3 months from the date of the Final Meeting. TAN KIM LENG @ TAN KHENG LEANG Liquidator Kedah Dated : 17th July 2023 Note: A contributory entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of the contributory. A proxy need not be a contributory of the Company. NOTIS Kami sedang mencari ibu kandung kepada seorang kanak-kanak perempuan berbangsa Cina yang lahir pada 03.11.2007 jam 08:07 PM di Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang, Selangor. Sebarang makluman sila hubungi pejabat peguam Tetuan Mohan M Sankaran & Associates di talian 03- 8052 0358. SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu permohonan untuk perintah pengangkatan telah dibuat di Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Selangor (Guaman No: BJ-58-4- 05/2023) yang mana telah ditetapkan untuk bicara pada 04.08.2023 jam 9:00 pagi dimana kehadiran kamu adalah diwajibkan. SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa sekiranya kamu gagal hadir di Mahkamah pada tarikh dan masa yang dinyatakan di atas, satu perintah akan diberikan tanpa kehadiran anda. Bertarikh pada 11 haribulan July 2023 t.t .................... Mohan M Sankaran & Associates 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI PETALING JAYA DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO.: BB-A72NCVC-432-05/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat : 199001009294 (200866-W)] …PLAINTIF DAN HOONG NGEN CHEONG [NO. K. P.: 690902-08-5375/A1378093] …DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, HOONG NGEN CHEONG [NO. K. P.: 690902-08-5375/A1378093] No. 25, Jalan Margosa SD10/5J Bandar Sri Damansara 52200 Kuala Lumpur Dalam perkara Writ yang dikeluarkan pada 9 haribulan Mei 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Writ telah dikeluarkan terhadap Defendan dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Petaling Jaya dalam Guaman No. BB-A72NCVC-432-05/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294] (200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Plaintif ialah untuk jumlah RM12,011.58, faedah ke atas jumlah RM12,011.58 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh pemfailan saman sehingga tarikh penghakiman, faedah ke atas jumlah RM12,011.58 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh penghakiman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian penuh dan kos dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Writ bertarikh 9/5/2023 dan Penyata Tuntutan bertarikh 9/5/2023 disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Petaling Jaya, ditinggalkan di alamat terakhir Defendan di No. 25, Jalan Margosa SD10/5J, Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur (“Alamat terakhir Defendan“) dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar tempatan ‘The Sun’ dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Defendan tersebut tujuh (7) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut. Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya pada 10/8/2023 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Penghakiman Ingkar boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 17 haribulan Julai 2023 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj: SA/L/TNB/HOONG NGEN CHEONG/1901/2023/SA) 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI PETALING JAYA DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO.: BB-A72NCVC-410-05/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat : 199001009294 (200866-W)] …PLAINTIF DAN HO WAI KEN [NO. K. P.: 760511-10-5421/A3355673] …DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, HO WAI KEN [NO. K. P.: 760511-10-5421/A3355673] 25 BM 1/3, Bukit Mayang Mas 47301 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan Dan/atau HO WAI KEN [NO. K. P.: 760511-10-5421/A3355673] 18-2, Plaza Puchong Jalan Puchong Mesra 1 58200 Puchong Selangor Darul Ehsan Dalam perkara Writ yang dikeluarkan pada 5 haribulan Mei 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Writ telah dikeluarkan terhadap Defendan dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Petaling Jaya dalam Guaman No. BB-A72NCVC-410-05/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294] (200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Plaintif ialah untuk jumlah RM17,472.15, faedah ke atas jumlah RM17,472.15 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh pemfailan saman sehingga tarikh penghakiman, faedah ke atas jumlah RM17,472.15 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh penghakiman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian penuh dan kos dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Writ bertarikh 5/5/2023 dan Penyata Tuntutan bertarikh 5/5/2023 disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Petaling Jaya, ditinggalkan di alamat Pertama Defendan di 25 BM 1/3, Bukit Mayang Mas, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan (selepas ini “alamat Pertama Defendan”) dan di alamat Ketiga Defendan di 18-2, Plaza Puchong, Jalan Puchong Mesra 1, 58200 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan (selepas ini “alamat Ketiga Defendan”) dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar tempatan ‘The Sun’ dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Defendan tersebut tujuh (7) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut. Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya pada 10/8/2023 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Penghakiman Ingkar boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 17 haribulan Julai 2023 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj: SA/L/TNB/HO WAI KEN/1905/2023/SA) 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GATEWAY PROP-SERVE SDN. BHD. Registration No. 200301005350 (607770-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of Members of the Company will be held at Unit No. 203, 2nd Floor, Block C,Damansara Intan, No. 1, Jalan SS20/27, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor on 21st August, 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes :- 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the property disposed of and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution the manner and period in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be destroyed. Chua Yoke Bee Liquidator Petaling Jaya Date: 17th July, 2023 322 Notices MENCARI IBUBAPA KANDUNG Ibubapa Kandung kepada Kanak-Kanak lelaki bernama Jaleinthiran (No. Sijil Kelahiran 091016-14- 1497) yang dilahirkan pada 16.10.2009 pada pukul 7.15 pm di Taj Hospital Jalan Ipoh Kuala Lumpur 322 Notices IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) NO: WA-28NCC-940-11/2022 In the matter of Section 465(1)(c) and (h) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of MEGA OMNIBUS SDN BHD [Company No: 193801000048 (968-H)] BETWEEN TANG SIEW WEI (NRIC No.: 630107-08-5144) ..... PETITIONER AND MEGA OMNIBUS SDN BHD [Company No: 193801000048 (968-H)] ..... RESPONDENT NOTICE OF WINDING-UP ORDER (Form 12) In the matter of MEGA OMNIBUS SDN BHD [Company No: 193801000048 (968-H)]. Winding-up Order made on 11th day of July 2023. Name and address of Liquidator:- The Official Receiver Malaysia Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi Cawangan Kuala Lumpur Menara TH Perdana Tingkat 22, 23, 24, & 25 1001, Jalan Sultan Ismail 50250 Kuala Lumpur Dated this 11th day of July 2023. T.T. .............................. Messrs Low & Partners Advocates & Solicitors No. 5, Jalan SS 21/23 Damansara Utama 47400 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan (Ref:LP/GL/11461/10/22/WCK/DC/ LY_WCK) This NOTICE OF WINDING-UP ORDER is filed by Messrs. Low & Partners of No. 5, Jalan SS 21/23, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, solicitors for the abovesaid Petitioner. Tel: 03-7729 5293 Fax: 03-7729 5298 Ref: LP/GL/11461/10/22/WCK/DC/ LY_WCK ly AGENT WANTED APPLY NOW Agent wanted for Top brand Japan Massage chair High Income from Rm10k and above Installment payment available for customer Contact : 018 2175363 252 Distributors Agents Wanted 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SYARIKAT PEMUDA RIA SDN BHD (Company No. 197401002691 (19746-H) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) The following resolutions were duly passed by the Members of Syarikat Pemuda Ria Sdn Bhd on 7 July 2023: SPECIAL RESOLUTION “THAT, the Company be wound up voluntarily by way of Members’ Voluntary Winding Up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016.” ORDINARY RESOLUTION “THAT, in accordance with Section 445(1) of the Companies Act, 2016, Khoi Hoay Ling and Karen Yong Syew Ciin of No. 1, Tingkat 1, Persiaran Golf, Saujana Resort, Seksyen U2, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, be and are hereby appointed as the liquidators for the purposes of the winding up.” NURASHIQIN BINTI MOHD NOH (LS 0010001) Company Secretary Dated this 17 July 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SYARIKAT PEMUDA RIA SDN BHD (Company No. 197401002691 (19746-H) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required on or before 17 August 2023 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, Khoi Hoay Ling and Karen Yong Syew Ciin of No 1, Tingkat 1, Persiaran Golf, Saujana Resort, Seksyen U2, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, the liquidators of the abovenamed company and, if so required by the notice in writing by the said liquidators, are by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved. Dated this 17 July 2023 KHOI HOAY LING KAREN YONG SYEW CIIN Liquidators 322 Notices Red-hot Rory McIlroy in position to finally end Scotland duck █ PHIL CASEY Pogacar rues ‘wasted bullet’ as Rodriguez seals win CARLOS RODRIGUEZ moved up to third overall after taking a maiden Tour de France stage win as Tadej Pogacar was left to rue a “wasted bullet” in his bid to wrest the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard. At the end of a dramatic 152km stage 14 to Morzine that began with an almost half-hour delay following a huge crash in the peloton, Rodriguez descended off the Joux Plane to take a second consecutive win for the Ineos Grenadiers while Vingegaard and Pogacar battled it out behind. There was controversy at the top of the climb, where Pogacar tried to beat Vingegaard to vital bonus seconds only to find his path blocked by a motorbike as he accelerated, leaving question marks over the crowd management on the mountain. That allowed the Dane to gain three seconds there, although Pogacar took two of them back on the finish line. Vingegaard’s lead in the yellow jersey is now 10 seconds as these two very different riders, head and shoulders above the rest, remain evenly matched. “It was one wasted bullet after already doing the big climb to do one sprint for nothing,” Pogacar said. “It’s a bit of a shame but I don’t think it will change the outcome. OK, I messed it up a little bit but it is what it is.” As the pair eyed each other Rodriguez, having lost around a minute when Pogacar put in his first acceleration, paced his way back on and then rode by to go clear on the descent. “It’s incredible,” the Tour debutant said. “I have no words. Being here was a dream and getting a victory is incredible in the best race in the world.” – The Independent █ IAN PARKER Grant opens 6-stroke lead SWEDEN’S Linn Grant shot a blistering 9-under 62 yesterday to take a commanding six-shot lead after three rounds of the Dana Open in Sylvania, Ohio. The 24-year-old sits at 18- under 195, with five players tied for second at 12-under. Two players are seven shots off the lead in a tie for seventh. In pursuit of her first win on the LPGA Tour, Grant put some distance between herself and the pack with an eagle and eight birdies against one bogey. She birdied four consecutive holes – Nos. 2-5 – to kick off her round. Then she holed out from 149 yards for eagle on No. 11. “I was 4-under at the time. Had to go in,” said Grant, playing in her first Dana Open. “I wasn’t really feeling as confident as I would like to, but I found some good swings on the range and felt better going out after the delay. (Hole) 11 was amazing. “Like, I hit a really good drive and a really good second shot, it just took one bounce pretty much and went in. I think it’s my first hole-out eagle probably. Just really cool.” Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia fired a 65 to give herself a shot among a cadre of players at T2. She’s joined in the pack by Mexico’s Maria Fassi (67), Finland’s Matilda Castren (67), Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen (67) and Allisen Corpuz (68). I’d do it again, says Carey AUSTRALIAN wicketkeeper Alex Carey has said he would not hesitate to repeat his controversial stumping of England’s Jonny Bairstow should a similar opportunity arise in the final two Tests of the ongoing Ashes series. Australia lead 2-1 going into the fourth match of the fiveTest series at Old Trafford, which begins on Wednesday. “If there was an opportunity to get a stumping, yeah I would,” Carey said when asked if he would repeat a move that saw Australia’s players verbally abused in the pavilion at the end of the session. “There’s been some nasty stuff been said but it is the Ashes. There was nasty stuff said before that as well. “I feel really well supported, I think the whole group does. From Australia, I still think we’ve got lots of fans and from England I don’t think we’ve made any, but we probably didn’t lose any either. “Once the bail’s come off, it’s up to the third umpire to deem it out or not out, or the on-field umpires as well and it was given out.” SHORTS Rodriguez
22 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 SPORTS September. “You cannot force things. It wasn’t meant to be,” said Jabeur, the only Arab woman and only North African woman to make it to the last round in singles at any major tournament. “Hopefully I will be like the others that failed a couple of times… and it will come after.” Her day started awkwardly: Jabeur showed up to the main stadium to warm up before the match wearing black clothes, which is against the All England Club’s rules requiring white attire on the competition courts. So she had to interrupt that hitting session to go change. “It was just an honest mistake,” she said. Jabeur was seeded sixth at Wimbledon and beat four past Grand Slam champions along the way to Saturday, including Rybakina. But Jabeur said she was too tense against Vondrousova, and the statistics seemed to bear that out. She did not serve well: Only 48% of her first serves landed in and she was broken a half-dozen times. She did not hit her backhand well: Her 17 unforced errors on that stroke alone were more than Vondrousova’s 13 total mistakes. In all, Jabeur made 31 unforced errors. No matter how much she tried to relax by taking deep breaths, no matter how much she tried to calm down with little chats to herself, it didn’t solve the problem. “It’s painful,” she said, “because you feel so close to achieving something that you want, and actually (now go) back to square one.” Now Jabeur will regroup and try to figure out how to get back to the most important match at her sport’s most important events. She has established herself as one of the best players in women’s tennis, reaching three of the past five major finals. And her 28 wins on grass over the past three seasons were the most by anyone since Maria Sharapova picked up 30 victories from 2004-06, a stretch that included a Wimbledon title. “Will definitely keep learning, keep being positive. I think that’s the thing that will keep me going,” Jabeur said. “Otherwise, if I’m going to be depressed about it, it’s not going to help much.” – AFP @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME Toto 4D Jackpot 2 RM906,873 RM23,027,839 won on 15/07/2023 ! Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System) Toto 4D Jackpot 1 (i-System) RM556,564 5665/2023 16/07/2023 (SUN) 4380 1188 6476 9454 2687 6223 2232 9444 1174 0946 1014 9417 2412 4358 3181 4876 6350 8488 2794 5321 1450 6340 1355 10,711,542.99 4380 4380 4380 6476 6476 1188 6476 6476 1188 1188 4380 1188 274,919.04 4380 1188 6476 SNAKE 42494 08871 8871 871 22211 7 1 3 2 744432 44432 4432 432 74443 7444 744 7 4 7,865,784.97 4,510,881.43 10 22 34 41 45 56 234,787.63 2 3 9 22 41 52 3 14 15 22 31 35 18 19,158,966.50 641 708 + OX 975 892 + BOAR 568 411 +DRAGON Draw Date: 16/07/23 (Sun) Draw No: 5612/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 1708 5892 8411 1509 + 0693 6111 + 2238 0617 + 9733 9327 + 5969 2882 + 3866 6945 + 3677 0002 + 7497 3141 + 1305 8247 + 2283 6431 + 0639 RM14,470,883.90 1708 + 5892 5892 + 1708 1708 + 8411 8411 + 1708 5892 + 8411 8411 + 5892 RM348,179.70 RM2,073,613.00 RM1,616,527.70 RM2,526,754.20 071 509 290 693 796 111 012 238 320 617 829 733 879 327 795 969 702 882 433 866 596 945 833 677 490 002 667 497 413 141 601 305 778 247 242 283 266 431 020 639 708 892 411 RM836,387.20 708 + 892 + 411 892 + 411 + 708 708 + 411 + 892 411 + 708 + 892 892 + 708 + 411 411 + 892 + 708 Follow us on FB (@DaMaCai88) for latest news & promotions. ‘Most painful loss’ O Jabeur gets consoled by princess after Wimbledon defeat NS JABEUR used a white kleenex to wipe away tears as she walked to her post-match news conference 1½ hours after falling to 0-3 in Grand Slam finals by coming up short against Marketa Vondrousova in the Wimbledon final yesterday. Jabeur called it “the most painful loss of my career,” and was grateful for the consoling embrace she received from Kate, the Princess of Wales, during the trophy presentation at Centre Court. “Hugs are always welcome,” the 28-year-old Tunisian said – and the comforting words she heard later from Kim Clijsters, the International Tennis Hall of Fame member who was defeated in her first four major finals before winning the next four. The 6-4, 6-4 setback against Vondrousova followed Jabeur’s losses to Elena Rybakina in the final at the All England Club last July and to Iga Swiatek in the final at the US Open last Young Tunisian girls dream of tennis glory AT A sporting club in Tunis, young girls enthusiastically hit yellow tennis balls across the court in the hope of one day making it to Wimbledon, like their idol Ons Jabeur. As the tennis star tried but failed for a third time to become the first African or Arab woman to win a Grand Slam singles title, a tournament took place at the Tennis Club of Tunis in the Alain Savary neighbourhood, near the centre of the Tunisian capital. On the dozen sunny courts, surrounded by large trees, Tunisian boys and girls vigorously compete in several matches surrounded by their families. Ibtissem Treimech, the mother of one player says, “when they see Ons Jabeur... succeeding as a finalist, the children and parents are inspired, and the parents encourage their children to play tennis”. In a country where football reigns supreme, Jabeur has become a national icon and sparked a newfound enthusiasm for tennis over the past three years, especially among young girls. Like Jabeur, many of them come from working-class backgrounds. “I am capable of becoming like Ons Jabeur and participating in Grand Slam tournaments like Wimbledon and Roland Garros,” Lina Chedli, a nine-year-old tennis player and Ibtissem’s daughter, told AFP. Yasmine Ben Mabrouk, also nine, has no doubts over her own talent. “I think I will become a great tennis player like Ons Jabeur, and I will participate in very big matches,” she said. Not far away, 10-year-old Emna Bartagisse says she will “become better than Ons Jabeur.” Jabeur defines herself as a “100 percent % of Tunisia”, and her fans praise her for her dynamic game, which includes drop shots and approaches to the net, and her sense of camaraderie. The star continues to push the limits, despite a sometimes difficult period following a series of recent injuries to her wrist and calf. Before the final at the All England Club, Jabeur said she had “learned to be very patient and to accept everything that has happened to her regarding injuries.” But her straight-sets defeat at Wimbledon, where Marketa Vondrousova won 6-4, 6-4, broke the hearts of her fans back home. “I am disappointed because Ons has lost. Such a shame,” said Ben Chedly, a boy who watched the game at the Gammarth tennis club in Tunis. Chedly’s brother Mehdi is also upset, insisting that victory for Ons was close but “she does not know how to control herself”. “When she thinks she is winning, she does not play like when she is trying to win,” he added. – AFP █ HOWARD FENDRICH Ons Jabeur (left) receives the runners up trophy from Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, after losing her final match against Marketa Vondrousova at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon on Saturday. – REUTERSPIX
23 * SPORTS theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 17, 2023 PSG attempting to hijack Munich’s move for Kane Fabinho moves closer to Liverpool exit LIVERPOOL have received a major offer from Saudi Arabia for midfielder Fabinho and are considering whether to sell him. The Brazil international, who has emerged as a £40 million (RM236m) target for Al-Ittihad, has been withdrawn from Liverpool’s squad for their pre-season training camp in Germany to allow for his future to be resolved. The 29-year-old, who did not refuse to travel to Germany, is now likelier to leave than captain Jordan Henderson, who has attracted interest from Al Ettifaq but who is in the travelling party. If Fabinho leaves, Liverpool will step up their search for a defensive midfielder with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia a prime candidate, but others are also under consideration. Liverpool, who have already signed midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer, were already looking for Fabinho’s long-term successor. However, Mac Allister’s former Brighton teammate Moises Caicedo is not on their shortlist, with the Ecuador international expected to join Chelsea. If Henderson wants to join former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq, Liverpool will look for a price significantly higher than the £10m (RM59m) sum often quoted. They are conscious that Chelsea received around £20m (RM118m) from Al Hilal for Kalidou Koulibaly, who is also in his early thirties. Inter Miami in Messi unveiling INTER MIAMI will celebrate the signing of Lionel Messi yesterday but will do so after their winless run extended to 11 games with a 3-0 defeat at St. Louis City on Saturday, leaving them rock bottom of Major League Soccer. Miami confirmed the arrival of Messi hours before their game kicked off in Missouri, but that couldn’t inspire Gerardo Martino’s team to victory as they suffered their 14th defeat in 22 games. Miami are bottom of the Eastern Conference and their latest loss also left them in last place in the overall standings – 29th of 29 clubs. That leaves Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina World Cup hero, playing for officially the worst team in MLS. Fortunately for the club and their new star, MLS does not, like most leagues in the world, have relegation. But Messi will need to have a transformational impact on the field if the club are to make a push towards the playoffs. Messi has been expected to make his debut on Friday against Cruz Azul in the new Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring all the top-flight teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX. MLS is suspending its play for a month while the Leagues Cup is played, meaning the 36-year-old former Barcelona star won’t have a chance to start helping Miami up the league table until they host Charlotte on Aug 20. Blues Cherki move Chelsea owner Bohely plotting to gift Pochettino his own Hazard CHELSEA owner Todd Boehly could be set to reward Mauricio Pochettino for his faith in the project at Stamford Bridge with the signing of Rayan Cherki. The playmaker shone with Lyon last season and was equally as impressive at the U-21 Championships over the summer, prompting the Blues to register an interest in acquiring his services. Pochettino has taken a “no nonsense” approach to rearrings the Chelsea dressing room this summer, offloading those who have had their head turned by other clubs, as well as selling fringe players that would hardly feature in the upcoming campaign. With several striker targets appearing to be unattainable, the Blues are now looking at other goalscoring outlets that they can add to their ranks – with Cherki heavily admired. According to 90min, Chelsea have opened talks with Lyon regarding the 19-year-old and are hopeful of striking a deal for approximately £30 million (RM177m). Cherki has gained praise from across Europe for his development, and the Frenchman’s flair and effortless dribbling technique has seen him draw comparisons with Eden Hazard. The Belgian winger became a hero at Chelsea during his stint at the club, with some regarding the now-Real Madrid forward as one of the best to grace the Premier League. Hazard was 21 when he headed to England on the back of an unbelievable campaign at Lille that saw him bag 20 goals and register 15 assists in 35 appearances – justifying why the Blues were willing to fork out £32m (RM189m) for his services. However, his stats whilst aged 19, like Cherki, are incredibly similar. In the 2009/10 Ligue 1 campaign, Hazard scored five and assisted seven in 37 appearances. In contrast, Cherki is being targeted after a season that saw him bag four and assist six in 34 Ligue 1 matches. Though it is not simply Cherki’s goalscoring output that has caught the eye of Chelsea, his movement and versatility is viewed as a key asset. The playmaker predominantly plays in a No. 10 role but can also be deployed on either flank due to his creativity and ability to break through the lines with the ball at his feet – attributes that Hazard had whilst with the Blues before his move to Real Madrid. Discussing the talented teenager, former Chelsea star Frank Lebouf recently said: “(Cherki is) still a raw player in the way that he’s still what I call a street footballer, which is somebody who has all the skills. “You cannot find another player who is more skilful on the planet right now and that’s amazing when he’s able to do that on the pitch and what he can do with his feet and the ball, but he has to know when to get rid of the ball at the right time.” – Express Newspapers WALES captain Aaron Ramsey is to return to boyhood club Cardiff on a two-year contract, it was announced yesterday. Ramsey, who is coming back to Wales from French side Nice, made 22 appearances for Cardiff as a teenager and six more on loan from Arsenal in 2011. He remains the Bluebirds’ youngest player. The now 32-year-old midfielder also played for Cardiff in their 2008 FA Cup final defeat by Portsmouth before going on to win the competition three times with Arsenal. He later added a Serie A title and a Coppa Italia in an injury-hit stint at Juventus and lifted the Scottish Cup on loan at Glasgow giants Rangers before joining Nice. He has played in Europa League finals with Arsenal, for whom he made over 350 appearances, and Rangers and for Wales at two European Championships and a World Cup. But he is now back at Cardiff following reports he had turned down a lucrative offer to continue his career in Saudi Arabia. “It feels unbelievable to finally be back here,” Ramsey told Cardiff’s website. “I always thought one day I’d come back, and now it’s the perfect time to do that. “To be back with my family and around familiar faces is just brilliant, so I’m delighted to be back here now. I’ve missed that a lot in the last year or so, so it was important for me to be back around them. “Obviously I’m a Cardiff City fan and watching them over the years since I’ve been away, we’ve had some low points but some big highs as well, being in the Premier League and representing Cardiff on the big stage.” He added: “That’s a target of mine – to try and help my teammates and this club to get back to the top.” Ramsey later tweeted photographs of himself and seven-year-old son Sonny, who has joined Cardiff’s academy, signing their respective contracts. – AFP PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are attempting to hijack Bayern Munich’s bid for Harry Kane, having been given renewed encouragement the Tottenham Hotspur striker would play abroad. The French champions have long-standing interest in the English forward, but that cooled earlier in the summer when it felt like a deal was difficult to do. All of this comes amid one of the driving forces of the summer market, which is a host of major clubs – including PSG, Bayern, Manchester United and Chelsea – looking to bring in a marquee goalscorer. The “A-list” strikers are Kane, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani, with Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic in the group behind. While PSG had in the last two weeks gone all in on Kolo Muani due to Osimhen being overpriced by Napoli and Kane looking less likely to go abroad, the developments that Bayern have made have prompted the Qatariowned club to act. The tone of the saga has changed, and there is now at least more credence given to the idea that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy might sell this summer. This has alerted PSG, in what could well represent a carousel as regards to strikers. They are willing to match Bayern in any bid for Kane. Any move by PSG for Kane or Kolo Muani is seen as entirely separate to Kylian Mbappe’s future, especially since the French star himself has wanted a No. 9 to play off. The big question is whether Levy would actually sell, even though Kane only has a year left on his contract. Bayern have so far had two bids for Kane turned down, the last offer going to £80 million (RM472m). PSG have the wealth to significantly surpass that, and sales would free Financial Fair Play constraints. – The Independent █ MIGUEL DELANEY SHORTS Ramsey back at Cardiff on two-year deal
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [emailprotected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [emailprotected] or download app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Read iPaper at www.thesundaily.my FREE access Interactive History-making Marketa thought Wimbledon win would be ‘impossible’ MARKETA VONDROUSOVA savoured her “impossible” Wimbledon triumph while Ons Jabeur cried tears of despair at the most painful defeat of her career. There have been a string of surprise slam winners in a period of flux for the women’s game but Wimbledon had been the exception until now, with Czech Vondrousova taking advantage of a nervous performance from Jabeur to claim a 6-4, 6-4 victory. The 24-year-old is the first unseeded player to win the women’s singles title here, and it is all the more improbable given she was in London last year as a tourist and with her left wrist in plaster. “When I was coming back, I didn’t know what’s going to happen, if I can play at that level again,” said Vondrousova, who had won only four tour-level matches on grass prior to arriving at Wimbledon. “I think it was the most impossible grand slam for me to win, so I didn’t even think of it. When we came, I was just like, ‘Try to win a couple of matches’. Now this happened, it’s crazy.” While Vondrousova is not a household name, she had been in a grand slam final before, at the French Open back in 2019 when she was well beaten by Ashleigh Barty. She also reached the Olympic final in Tokyo in 2021, having to settle for silver behind Belinda Bencic, but this time there was no denying her the big prize. Jabeur was the crowd favourite but Vondrousova’s supporters included her husband Stepan Simek, who had passed over the responsibility of looking after their cat Frankie to fly to London for the final. “I think when I came to the box, he cried,” said Vondrousova. “I saw him after, and he cried a lot. “I think that’s the first emotion I saw from him over the eight years. I think he cried on the wedding day also, but that was it.” Vondrousova said she plans to take coach Jan Mertl to a tattoo parlour to honour a pre-tournament bet. “I think I’ll choose for him,” she said. “Maybe we’ll get the same one. We talked before the tournament, and he said, ‘Yeah, so maybe if you win a grand slam, then I’ll do it’. Then this is happening.” This was Jabeur’s third slam final from the last five major tournaments having lost to Elena Rybakina here 12 months ago and Iga Swiatek at the US Open. The popular Tunisian claimed revenge against Rybakina in the quarterfinals and then saw off Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka to go into the match as the favourite. But handling the pressure of trying to make it across the line, as well as attempting to become the first north African and Arab grand slam champion, proved too much. She started well, breaking the Vondrousova serve twice to lead 4-2, but both times the Czech hit back straight away, and from there Jabeur seemed to freeze completely. Willed on by the crowd, Jabeur pulled herself back from 1-0, 40-0 down to take a 3-1 lead in the second set but still the tension in her legs and arms was all too apparent and, with Vondrousova able to keep putting the ball back in play, the sixth seed wilted once again. A double fault on her first match point betrayed a hint of nerves but she put away a cool volley on the second before dropping to the court in stunned celebration. “When I was 40-0 up, I almost couldn’t breathe,” said Vondrousova. “I’m just very happy that I stayed in my head and I just kept it together. “It was really tough in some moments. I think it was just a great match. We had some great rallies. She’s an amazing player. She’s an amazing person. “That was the tough part also. We know each other very well. I’m just very happy that I kept fighting in the important moments.” – The Independent █ ELEANOR CROOKS MONDAY • JULY 17, 2023 Record deal Arsenal sign England midfielder Rice from West Ham for RM619m ARSENAL have completed the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham United for a club and British player record transfer fee. The Gunners will pay £100 million (RM590m) for the England international, plus an additional £5m (RM29.5m) to come in bonuses. It also marks the biggest fee received by the Hammers for a single deal. Enzo Fernandez cost Chelsea £105.6m (RM623m) earlier this year in what will remain the most expensive signing for a British club, but Rice’s fee eclipses that of Jack Grealish last summer to make him the most expensive British player ever. Rice, aged 24, becomes the second major midfield arrival of the summer for Mikel Arteta’s side after the capture of Kai Havertz from Chelsea late in June and will wear No. 41. It is expected that the new pair, along with captain Martin Odegaard, will form a regular midfield trio for Arsenal, as they attempt to go one better than last season when they finished Premier League runners-up behind Manchester City. Rice was briefly linked with the champions, though they fell out of the running once the north London club raised their bid to record levels. He will now carry the burden of expectation at the Emirates Stadium heading into the new campaign, both due to the size of the fee to sign him and because he’ll be operating at the base of a midfield which appears decidedly attack-heavy. The role could therefore also be a departure from the one in which he operated at West Ham, where he had more licence to roam forward as a ball carrier. Having won 43 caps for England, Rice was already a key player under Gareth Southgate at international level and will now hope to elevate his game even further with a step up on the club stage His final match for the Hammers saw him lift the Europa Conference League trophy after defeating Fiorentina in the final. Rice had earlier penned an open letter to Hammers fans confirming his departure from the club for which he made 245 appearances. He said: “I want you to know how tough a decision it has been for me to leave an environment that I have loved and cherished so much. “This club and its supporters will always be in my heart, and forever a part of who I am. “Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game. “Playing on the opposite team to West Ham for the first time will be an unusual experience. I’m not sure yet exactly how I will feel, but I also know you will all understand and respect that my professional loyalties have to now lie with my new club.” Arsenal manager Arteta stated his excitement at the signing, saying: “We’re really happy that Declan is joining us. He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now. “Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here. “Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy. “The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.” But Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has sent a warning to Arsenal over their new record signing. “Judge him on the defensive aspect alone and you would have to say he’s the best in the country in that position,” Souness wrote in his Daily Mail column. “But when it comes to attack and scoring goals, I think Rice is a bit short. Factor those in and I would have to say he’s not the best in that position.” – The Independent/Express Newspapers Source: Deloitte Pictures: Getty Images Arsenal complete £105m Rice signing Premier League club Arsenal have signed England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham United for £105m. Rice becomes only the third player to be bought by an English club for more than £100m © GRAPHIC NEWS Enzo Fernandez Declan Rice (right) Jack Grealish Romelu Lukaku Paul Pogba Romelu Lukaku Aston Villa Man City Transfer from Transfer to Inter Chelsea West Ham Arsenal Juventus Man Utd £100m (2021) £105m (2023) Benfica Chelsea £106.8m (2023) £97.5m (2021) Everton Man Utd £90m (2017) £93.25m (2016) MOST EXPENSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFERS* Chelsea broke British record in January with £106.8m signing of Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez from Benfica ARG ENG ENG BEL FRA BEL Jude Bellingham (left) Declan Rice Jack Grealish Harry Maguire Jadon Sancho Dortmund Real Madrid West Ham Arsenal Aston Villa Man City Leicester Man Utd Dortmund Man Utd £115m (2023) £105m (2023) £100m (2021) £80m (2019) £73m (2021) MOST EXPENSIVE ENGLISH PLAYERS* *Fees inc. potential add-ons Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova celebrates during the prize ceremony after winning the women’s Wimbledon singles final on Saturday. – AFPPIX
