The Sun 111220

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INSIDE

TELLING IT AS IT IS Effect of Perak Daily Covid

exco line-up page cases breach page
on alliances 2,000 mark
2 4

ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2020 KEEPING INFORMED ...

No. 7679 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my A resident of the Persiaran Paya
Terubong flats in Penang catches

up on the news from behind
barbed wire barricades after an

enhanced movement control
order was enforced in the area.

– MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Online deception
█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI oScam predators pounce as
[email protected] pandemic drives people to the internet
in search of income opportunities
PETALING JAYA: In the dark
underbelly of cyberspace, liars It does not help that despite Shankar Durairaja, cited statistics
and cheats lurk. They have widespread reports of such scams, released by the Malaysia Computer
been responsible for more internet users continue to leave Emergency Response Team that
than RM769 million in losses suffered themselves vulnerable to these showed 8,366 cases reported from
by unwary surfers in Malaysia from swindlers, opening their bank January to September.
2017 to 2019, but the worst is yet to accounts or simply handing over This works out to about 30 cases a
come. money to them. day, underlining the seriousness of the
situation.
The Covid-19 pandemic has made A study of 419 internet users by Shankar said the worst months
the internet fertile ground for them to Mohammad Rahim, who is an were March, April and May, during the
spread like wildfire. associate professor at Universiti early stage of the movement control
Kebangsaan Malaysia and president of order.
Most of us are now forced onto the Malaysian Criminological and He noted that official
digital platforms to perform various Correctional Association, revealed figures from the
tasks, such as work or to make that 35% of internet users in Malaysia Communications and Turn to
purchases, so the risk rises have been victims of cyber scams.
significantly. —
Of those who responded to his Multimedia Ministry page 4
It is usually at times of crisis when survey, 58% said they knew of show an equally disturbing
opportunistic and professional someone who has been a victim. scenario.
scammers rear their ugly heads,
according to criminologist Dr “Almost everyone is vulnerable.”
Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin. Another criminologist,

“Many victims would have lost their Seasaonnd tboefjeoalslyt
jobs and are dependent on
government aid to survive. Without a
steady income, they are easily hooked
by offers of loans that can be approved
and disbursed within 24 hours, only to
lose all they have,” he told
theSun.

2 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

‘Makevaccine A government for continuity

available to all’

KUALA LUMPUR: Access to vaccination o No major changes in have described as fair and a reflection of the Jeniri said it is a good ratio based on the
is a human right that must be respected, state exco line-up by people’s sentiments. number of representatives each party has in
protected and fulfilled. Perak’s new MB the state assembly.
Senior fellow at the National Council of
By the same token, universal and █ BY NICOLAS ANIL Professors Dr Jeniri Amir said this would Umno, the only Barisan Nasional
equitable access to affordable vaccines is [email protected] ensure a more stable government, an component party in the Perikatan Nasional
crucial, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri PETALING JAYA: Newly-minted Mentri essential factor to enable the administration (PN) coalition government, has 25 seats in
Hishammuddin Hussein. Besar of Perak Datuk Saarani Mohammad to tackle the prevailing economic challenges. the state assembly. Bersatu has five and PAS
has opted to retain most of the state exco has three, giving the alliance a simple
“International cooperation is line-up of his predecessor, a step analysts Of the 11 members in the new exco, six, majority of 33 seats in the 59-seat legislature.
extremely crucial at this juncture to including Saarani, are from Umno, three
ensure effective coordination and follow from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Jeniri described Saarani as a man with the
up on efforts of the United Nations (Bersatu) and two from PAS. calibre and experience to lead Perak based
system to promote and ensure global on good governance.
access to medicines, vaccines and More notable is the fact that most of them
medical equipment to face Covid-19,” he also served as executive councillors in the “He is a seasoned politician and he knows
said in his opening speech at the 2020 recently ousted mentri besar Datuk Seri what is good for the people.
International Human Rights Day virtual Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s government.
forum, held in conjunction with World “Now he has the responsibility to
Human Rights Day yesterday. Sultan Nazrin presenting the letter of appointment to Saarani at Istana Iskandariah yesterday. – implement policies that will resonate with
BERNAMAPIX the people and he needs the cooperation of
“In the same spirit, Malaysia has the other members (of the exco),” he told
joined the Covax Global Vaccines Facility, theSun.
and is collaborating with countries
around the world to ensure that vaccines Another political analyst, Dr
must be made a global public good.” Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains
Malaysia, said the new line-up is “people-
Hishammuddin said the government friendly”.
has found that the economic impact of
the pandemic has been more severe on He said Saarani is an experienced
women than men. politician and the people will want to see
how he rebuilds the state in the Covid-19 era.
As a result, he said gender-responsive
policies under initiatives such as the “The new state government must return
Prihatin and Penjana stimulus packages to the issues that affect the people, especially
that have been implemented come with those in the lower and middle-income
cash assistance for single mothers, groups,” he told theSun.
childcare subsidies and flexible work
arrangements. - Bernama Sivamurugan said Perak ruler Sultan
Nazrin Shah rightly reflected the sentiments
RM3.5m more of the people when he commented that
sought having to swear in a mentri besar for the
for career fairs third time in just over two years was a
“reflection of failure instead of success”.
IN RESPONSE to growing demand for
career fair programmes to be continued “I think the people are fed up with what
next year, the Human Resources has happened so far,” he said.
Ministry has asked for an additional
budget of RM3.5 million from the Ahmad Faizal was sworn in as mentri
Finance Ministry, said its minister Datuk besar for the first time in May 2018 when
M. Saravanan. Pakatan Harapan (PH) won the state in the
14th general election on May 9 that year.
He said the ministry will operate the
Myfuturejobs web portal after the In March, Bersatu cut ties with PH to join
Economic Action Council decided that PN, leading to the fall of the PH state
the website will serve as the national job government.
portal.
Ahmad Faizal was once again sworn in,
During the winding up debate for the this time as leader of the newly formed PN
Human Resources Ministry, Datuk state government.
Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) urged
Saravanan to state the government’s Sivamurugan said it is important that the
plan in attracting locals to do jobs new line-up includes leaders from different
currently monopolised by foreign parties.
workers.
Apart from Saarani, those who were
He said it is no longer tenable for the sworn in as exco members yesterday were
government to use the excuse that locals fellow Umno leaders Datuk Mohd Zolkafly
were not willing to take up those jobs. Harun, Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya, Datuk
Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin, Ahmad
“The government should rebrand a Saidi Mohamad Daud and Khairul Shahril
particular job by making it look and Mohamed, as well as Datuk Zainol Fadzi
sound attractive. The salary and benefits Paharudin of Bersatu.
must be attractive enough to attract
locals job seekers,” he said. Bersatu leaders Datuk Nolee Ashilin
Mohamed Radzi and Datuk Abdul Yunus
Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN- Jamahri, and their PAS counterparts Razman
Pontian) asked if the was a plan to Zakaria and Mohd Akmal Kamaruddin, who
increase the current minimum wage. were also in the previous exco line-up, are
expected to be retained.
He pointed out that a Bank Negara
Malaysia study revealed that a person RAJVINDER SINGH ATTHE DEWAN RAKYAT
needs at least RM2,480 a month to
survive. The estimate by the Employees No-confidence vote unnecessary: Takiyuddin
Provident Fund (EPF) is even higher, at
RM2,700 monthly. KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need for a vote question from Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar
of no confidence against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Gudang) during the minister’s question time Ibrahim had ordered his side of the lawmakers
Ahmad pointed out that the present Yassin in the Dewan Rakyat given that there is yesterday. to refrain from blocking the passage of Budget
minimum wage of RM1,200 is too low. no proof that he has lost the support to remain 2021 at the policy stage.
as prime minister. Hassan had wanted to know if a motion of
He also urged the Human Resources no confidence against Muhyiddin would be Takiyuddin noted that Anwar (PH – Port
Ministry to assist the Finance Ministry “There is nothing to prove that Muhyiddin tabled, debated and voted on. Dickson) had earlier claimed that he
when it comes to withdrawal from the has lost the confidence of the majority of the commanded enough support to topple the
EPF Account 1 by easing the conditions. members. In the public interest, the Takiyuddin pointed out that since Budget present government and become the next
government is of the view that any confidence 2021 has already been passed at the policy prime minister.
vote should not be rushed through Parliament,” stage, it puts to rest any claim by the Opposition
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department that Muhyiddin has lost the support of the “However, he did not provide substantial
Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said. majority of the MPs. evidence to prove that he had the majority
support to become the prime minister when he
In any case, the Standing Orders prescribed If the budget had been rejected, it would was granted an audience with the Yang di-
that government matters should take have been considered a successful vote of no Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah
precedence over private members’ businesses confidence against the government and this Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Oct 13,”
in every sitting, he added in response to a should have been met with the resignation of Takiyuddin said.
the entire Cabinet.

Govt mulls reimplementation of GST, says deputy finance minister

THE government is studying the weaknesses in the Sales and Services shadow economy activities. Mohd Shahar was replying to a measures in regard to taxes will not
feasibility of reimplementing the Tax (SST), which is currently in force, “The new tax should be easy to question by Wong Shu Qi (DAP- be implemented if it is going to be a
Goods and Services Tax (GST), or as well as those of the GST, which was Kluang) on whether the government burden to the people.
other consumption tax modules. implemented in 2015. administer and not increase business would reimplement GST or a wealth
costs, aside from strengthening the tax to boost government revenue. “We will look at other methods as
Deputy Finance Minister II Mohd He said the study will include the country’s fiscal position,” he said mentioned by the finance minister in
Shahar Abdullah said the impact on the economy, cost of during oral question-and-answer He said the government has no his budget speech – by strengthening
government would take into account living, impact of taxes on the price of session at the Dewan Rakyat plan to implement wealth tax at the tax compliance and empowering a
various aspects, including goods as well as the ability to address yesterday. moment, stressing that new multi-agency task force. - Bernama

3theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020

4 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Covid daily cases soar with 2,234 infections

PETALING JAYA: A record number Of the new cases, only five were On Ops Benteng, he said 67 borders in an integrated manner by Health personnel
of 2,234 new cases of Covid-19 imported. foreigners were arrested as a result the police, Armed Forces, Malaysian carrying out Covid
infections were detected yesterday. of tight control of the country’s Maritime Enforcement Agency and screening on local
This surpassed the previous highest The latest figures brought the and foreign workers
number of cases recorded in a day, total number of infections in the at Central Spectrum
which was 2,188 on Nov 24. country to 74,499 cases, with 11,867 in Pulau Indah, Klang
active ones. yesterday.
Klang Valley accounted for 70% Border Security Agency.
of the new infections, with 1,428 Three more people died from the Also seized in the operation were
cases detected in Selangor and 136 virus, raising the country’s death toll four vehicles and eight boats.
in Kuala Lumpur. to 396.

Most of the cases in Selangor A total of 1,112 patients had
came from the Seruling workplace recovered and were discharged
cluster, which recorded 842 from hospital.
infections.
The recovery cases stood at
Another 315 were from the 66,236 to date.
Hentian cluster involving Selangor,
Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Negri However, 124 are under intensive
Sembilan. care, with 60 needing ventilator
assistance.
“New cases in Selangor are
expected to remain high after the Meanwhile, a total of 217
expansion of the foreign worker individuals were penalised on
screening programme by Socso and Wednesday for disregarding
proactive efforts by employers in the directives of the recovery movement
Klang Valley,” Health Director- control order, with 210
General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham compounded and seven remanded.
Abdullah said in a statement.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk
Other states with new cases were Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said not
Perak (115), Johor (100), Negri wearing a face mask comprised the
Sembilan (67), Pahang (45), Penang most number of offences at 99 cases,
(42), Kedah (14), Malacca (five), followed by failure to provide
Kelantan (three), Terengganu facilities to record customer details,
(three) and Sarawak (one). with 60 cases.

Putrajaya recorded one case. Other common offences were
Perlis and Labuan did not record failure to comply with physical
any new cases. distancing (31 cases), entertainment
centre activities (17) and others (10),
he said in a statement yesterday.

Crimes that shook the nation Stick to SOP in large
gatherings: Health DG
Brutally killed for giving
caring advice to brother KUALA LUMPUR: In response to the rising
number of clusters stemming from social
o Eighteen-year-old slashes elder sister to death after fate that had befallen their daughter. gatherings recently, the Health Ministry has
being told to stop playing video games Wei Jun is believed to have walked away issued another reminder to the public to strictly
observe the standard operating procedures
█ BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN On Oct 24, 2014 at almost midnight, as and remained in his room until he regained (SOP).
[email protected] Wei Teen lounged in the living room, loud his composure at least an hour later.
WHEN 22-year-old Toh Wei Teen returned noises from digital devices rang out of her In a Facebook post yesterday, Health
home from university for a break, all she younger brother’s room. He then called out to his parents. Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham
hoped for was to spend time with her family When the bleary-eyed couple stepped Abdullah said this is especially crucial when
and friends. Disturbed by the din and concerned for out of their room, they were stunned to see attending large gatherings such as family
her brother’s well-being, she went up to his Wei Teen, who was clad in her pyjamas, celebrations and religious ceremonies,
Had the third-year food science room to advise him to lower the volume and lying motionless in a pool of blood. especially if some of the attendees already have
undergraduate of Universiti Malaysia Sabah to take control of his addiction for video Next to her was a knife and a bottle of an symptoms.
known that danger lurked within her home games. alcoholic drink.
in Section 33, Taman Kamuning Utama in When his parents asked him what He singled out the Enggor cluster in Perak
Shah Alam, Selangor, she would have After all, she was his older sister and it happened, the teenager allegedly told them and Indah Mas cluster in Kuala Lumpur and
probably stayed put in campus. was the right thing to do. that Wei Teen had committed suicide by Selangor, which were sparked by family
slashing herself with a knife. gatherings.
Wei Teen’s kid brother, Toh Wei Jun, was When she went up to her brother and When police arrived at the scene, it did
engrossed with video games and spent most spoke out, Wei Jun did not take it well. not take investigators long to solve the Clusters that stemmed from celebrations
of his time at it. crime. such as the Inai and Jambul in Sabah, and
The teenager, who is believed to have Wei Jun, who police found to be drunk Mentari detected in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
The 18-year-old, who was the youngest of consumed alcoholic drinks earlier, became and weak, was arrested. and Negri Sembilan, started at religious
three siblings, was a hardcore video game aggressive and attacked his sister. He had some cuts and bruises on him. ceremonies and a funeral.
addict. The following day, a post-mortem report
Wei Teen put up a struggle during the revealed that Wei Teen had suffered “Everyone is required to comply with the
Wei Jun, who studied at a school in USJ, attack but moments later, she collapsed and multiple knife-inflicted injuries when she SOP under all circumstances in all places, given
Subang Jaya and was waiting for his SPM started bleeding. put up a struggle during the attack but a stab that any assembly without compliance with the
examination results had earlier enrolled to wound to her neck proved fatal. SOP will raise the risk of Covid-19
pursue a course at a private college. She had been slashed with a knife. About a week later, Wei Jun was charged transmission,” Noor Hisham said.
As she lay on the ground with her life at the Shah Alam magistrate’s court with
slipping away, her parents, who were fast murdering his sister. “Physical distancing is difficult to practise in
asleep in their room, were oblivious of the crowded and confined spaces, but taking
lessons from the incidents of these clusters, the
‘Some cases not reported due to small amount of loss’ community is advised to abide by and obey the
advice given.” – Bernama
According to Communications and criminal acts in 2019 but noted that there He cautioned that while there are
Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin could have been more that went genuine websites that enable people to earn Penang will not pay
Abdullah, 5,697 cases were reported unreported. some money from the comforts of their Kedah for raw water
from January to August, compared He said there are “safe spaces” in home, there are many more fake ones that
with 4,671 for the same period in From the web for cyber criminals to retreat lead to a scam. GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will
2019, representing a 22% increase. to, adding that another problem is not pay RM50 million for raw water as
front the possibility that some victims do As Rahim and Kamal see it, the only way demanded by the Kedah government, Chief
Shankar said from March 13 to page to protect yourself is to be mindful of the Minister Chow Kon Yeow said yesterday.
websites you visit. If you have been
June 30, the Cyber999 Help Centre not report their losses if they lose just a scammed, even if it is a small amount, lodge Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn
received 3,906 complaints – a 90% jump for small sum. a police report. Bhd (PBAPP) had received a letter from the
the same period last year. This includes all “But an accumulation of such ‘small neighbouring state’s water supply operator
types of cyber crimes. sums’ lost to Macau and Nigerian scams “By doing that, you will be contributing in recently regarding the claims, but PBAPP had
Crime analyst Kamal Affendi Hassim amounts to RM2.7 billion to RM2.8 billion a a small way to helping the authorities stamp already replied that it would not be paying the
estimated there were about 28,000 such year,” he pointed out. out these rackets,” Kamal said. amount, he said.

“We have given the answer that we will not
pay as Penang uses international rights, namely
using water from rivers, especially those that are
within the boundaries of Penang, in line with
international law,” he said at a press conference
yesterday.

Chow was asked to comment on Kedah
Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s
statement that claims on raw water had never
been paid nor responded to. – Bernama

5theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020

6 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020 BRIEFS VIRUS SCARE ON SHIP
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS A FALSE ALARM

Indonesia makes risky bet SINGAPORE: A passenger who
on China vaccines tested positive for Covid-19
aboard a “cruise-to-nowhere”
JAKARTA: Indonesia is betting that o Analysts say Beijing may use priority access “At the moment, Indonesia is from Singapore, forcing the
China-made coronavirus vaccines to advance its regional agenda playing a rather clever balancing ship to return to dock and
can help it tackle one of the worst game in order to avoid identification nearly 1,700 guests to isolate,
outbreaks in Asia, but analysts warn it the Sinovac vaccine a few months infections and around 18,000 deaths. with just one of the two great powers,” has been found not to have the
is a wager that could leave them ago, and it has not yet been approved Low rates of testing means these Australian National University’s virus, the city-state’s health
holding a high-interest diplomatic by Chinese or Indonesian regulators. Assoc Prof Marcus Mietzner said. ministry said yesterday.
IOU. official figures are widely thought to Passengers on Royal
Jakarta has signed deals for more be well below the reality. “(Indonesia) has already made it Caribbean’s Quantum of the
Beijing has promised poorer than 350 million vaccine doses from known that it would not accept a Seas were held in their cabins
nations priority access to its different suppliers but the majority China is Indonesia’s top trading potential Chinese request to build a for 16 hours on Wednesday
inoculations in an attempt to repair will come from Chinese suppliers, partner and the nation is home to military base in Indonesia. after an 83-year-old man, who
an image tarnished by the pandemic, including Sinovac and Sinopharm, numerous projects, including a sought medical help on the
which started in the central Chinese according to a Duke University high-speed train line, that are part of “While it is not clear whether ship for diarrhoea, tested
city of Wuhan. vaccine tracking project. Beijing’s globe-spanning Belt and China actually made such a request, positive for Covid-19. When the
Road infrastructure building blitz. its rejection was noted with great ship returned to port on
This week, Indonesia received 1.2 “The vaccine cooperation with satisfaction in Western capitals.” Wednesday, the passenger was
million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine China is the most high profile,” said However, the relationship has its taken to hospital where he
made by China’s Sinovac, with Evan Laksmana, a senior researcher problems. In January, Indonesia But with the US epidemic surging, took two further tests which
another 1.8 million set to arrive next at the Jakarta-based Centre for deployed fighter jets and warships to Washington is focused on the home did not reveal infection. A third
month, but experts say this access Strategic and International Studies. patrol the Natuna islands after front and may not be able to knock negative test yesterday led
could have strings attached. Chinese coast guard and fishing Beijing off its vaccine diplomacy blitz. authorities to declare him virus
“That creates potential vessels entered the area on the edge free. – Reuters
“China’s ‘vaccine diplomacy’ is implications down the line (and) to of the South China Sea. And despite some disputes, the
not unconditional,” Ardhitya Eduard what extent Indonesia would be relationship with China remains AFGHAN JOURNALIST
Yeremia and Klaus Heinrich Raditio highly dependant on the Chinese Jakarta has since toned down its crucial for Jakarta, and it may find SHOT DEAD
said in a paper published this month medical supply chain over the long response, turning to diplomatic itself indebted diplomatically to
by the Singapore-based Yusof Ishak run.” protests instead. Beijing because of the vaccines. KABUL: A female Afghan news
Institute. anchor and activist was shot
Indonesia, the world’s The United States views Jakarta as “So far, there is yet to be any dead by assailants yesterday,
“Beijing may use its vaccine fourth-most populous nation with a key strategic partner as it pushes serious quid pro quo with regards to her employer said. Malalai
donations to advance its regional 270 million people, has reported back against China’s growing the vaccine,” Laksmana said. Maiwand, in her 20s, was killed
agenda, particularly on sensitive more than half a million coronavirus influence and controversial military along with her driver
issues such as its claims in the South build-up in the South China Sea. “But everyone in Jakarta is aware Mohammad Tahir in the
China Sea.” ... it would be harder for us to make a eastern city of Jalalabad as
series of moves in foreign policy or they travelled to work, said
Indonesia started human trials of something else that might (damage) Enekaas TV, the private
the relationship with China.” – AFP television channel she worked
for. The journalist, whose
Wealth of activist mother was also killed
US billionaires by unknown gunmen five
soars years ago, had previously
spoken out about the
NEW YORK: America’s difficulties of being a female
billionaires have seen their wealth reporter under Afghanistan’s
rise by more than US$1 trillion ultra-conservative patriarchal
(RM4 trillion) since the start of the system. Maiwand’s death
coronavirus pandemic, according comes as targeted killings of
to a study on Wednesday. prominent figures becomes
increasingly common as
The collective wealth of the 651 violence surges, despite
billionaires in the United States ongoing peace talks between
soared from US$2.95 trillion on the government and the
March 18 to US$4.01 trillion on Taliban. – AFP
Monday, the Institute for Policy
Studies and Americans for Tax SpaceX
Fairness (ATF) said. prototype
explodes
“Never before has America on landing
seen such an accumulation of
wealth in so few hands,” ATF WASHINGTON: SpaceX’s
executive director Frank Clemente Starship prototype exploded while
said, noting that the gain exceeds a attempting to land on Wednesday
relief package being considered by after an otherwise successful test
Congress. launch from the company’s rocket
facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
“Their pandemic profits are so The Starship rocket destroyed
immense that America’s in the accident was a 16-story-tall
billionaires could pay for a major LOOKS REALS ... Media visitors get a feel of a moving model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex during a preview of the Dinoa Live prototype for the heavy-lift launch
Covid relief bill and still not lose a Exhibition/Amazing Dinosaur Art Exhibition in the Shinjuku district in Tokyo yesterday. The models use a dinosaur-type vehicle being developed by
dime of their pre-virus riches.” human-operated mechanical suit called ‘Dino-Techne’ designed by Japanese firm On-Art. – AFPPIX billionaire entrepreneur Elon
Musk’s private space company to
On Tuesday, the White House carry humans and 100 tons of
unveiled a US$916 billion stimulus Activists seek UN help to repeal lese majeste law cargo on future missions to the
proposal in a final dash to break a moon and Mars.
months-long logjam over new aid The rocket blew up as it
for the coronavirus-stricken US BANGKOK: Thai activists rallied at Prueksakasemsuk, who previously Protest leader Parit “Penguin” touched down on a landing pad
economy before President Donald the UN’s Bangkok office yesterday spent seven years in jail on a lese Chiwarak, who has been charged following a controlled descent.
Trump leaves office in January. and asked the body to pressure the majeste conviction for publishing under the law, said he feared its use The test flight had been
kingdom into repealing royal satire of a fictitious royal family. would create a greater political rift intended to reach an altitude of
The new proposal is slightly defamation laws they say are being between the mostly young 12km, propelled by three of
larger than a US$908 billion used to suppress their movement. “This is not good for the image of democracy activists and conservative SpaceX’s newly developed Raptor
compromise unveiled by a the monarchy in Thailand,” the backers of the monarchy. engines for the first time. But the
bipartisan group of senators last Dozens of the movement’s leaders 59-year-old said, adding those with company left unclear whether the
week. are facing charges under the royal defamation convictions are “In a democratic system, there is rocket had flown that high.
legislation for headlining protests treated “like animals” in prison. no need for legal attacks. Musk said in a tweet
The authors of the study say demanding reforms to the monarchy immediately following the landing
that the US$1 trillion wealth gain and more scrutiny of the royal Lese majeste crimes have been on “We can have different opinions mishap that the rocket’s “fuel
would pay for stimulus cheques of family’s financial arrangements. the books for over a century in and live together.” header tank pressure was low”
US$3,000 for all of the roughly 300 Thailand, but were last strengthened during descent, “causing
million Americans. Thai’s lese majeste law shields the in 1976. Hundreds of protesters also rallied touchdown velocity to be high.”
wealthy King Maha Vajiralongkorn yesterday at a Bangkok memorial that He said SpaceX had obtained
A study published by UBS bank and the royal family from criticism, The use of the law has slowed commemorates the lives of “all the data we needed” from the
and accounting firm PwC in with anyone convicted facing three to since 2018 due to the “mercy” of the pro-democracy supporters lost test and hailed the rocket’s ascent
October found that the cumulative 15 years in prison. king, said Prime Minister Prayut during a military massacre in 1973. phase a success. – Reuters
wealth of the world’s dollar Chan-O-Cha, but last month the
billionaires hit a new record of Among the several dozen activists premier gave the green light to deploy “Freedom of speech is everyone’s
US$10.2 trillion, above the at the UN office was Somyot it again after months of protests. right,” Tuvanon, a 27-year-old flight
previous peak of US$8.9 billion attendant, said. – AFP
recorded in 2017. – AFP

7theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020

8 ttheSUunNOONNWFREDIDNAEYS|DDAEYC|EMBER 11, 2020

SNPEEWASKWUIPTHOUT BORDERS

RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES THE OBJECTIVES

BELIEF THE SUPREMACY OF TO achieve greater unity TO maintain a TO create a just society in which
IN GOD THE CONSTITUTION among Malaysians democratic way of life the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared

LOYALTY TO KING THE RULE COURTESY AND TO ensure a liberal approach to her rich TO build a progressive society which shall be
AND COUNTRY OF LAW MORALITY and diverse cultural traditions oriented to modern science and technology

Need to raise minimum wage
theSun ON WEDNESDAY |
ANnEaWrticSle WbyIaTuHthoOr UBrTenBdaOn RDDukEe RatSthe
are not paid appropriately based on the value of
OBJECTIitVnhteeEinrSsiovuetpinudt,usatnridesfahsatveer growth in labour- Center for American Progress mentioned a way
RUKUN NEbGy SAoRfeAa:ALTOzaHYhAEaLTrPYaRnTOdINKAICNmGIePeLnEKSamalTHTOE continued to keep to raise investments through increasing
achieve greatweraugnesitylow. TO maintain a cre“agtegraegjuasttesdoecmieatny din” wanhdicphointed to studies that
COMMENTBELIEF TO wesaulgthgeosftthinecnreaatisoend sshpaellnbdeinegquointabinlyfrsahstarruecdture
IN GOD
Tsocial safety nets and the need to AND COUNTRY among Malaysians Based on adsetumdoycdraotnicewbayy BoafnlikfeNegara tohne
HasTTesErpHHveEEecudtSCsnUa,OpsePNrsaRepSEwceTMecaIdiTkAaeeUlCnl-TyuYtIepiOnOdcNmFalpalatftonerdrusesrmeinliaOTctmHeFdEahLnatRAoysUWLEwyeaagSreisnhscyaessMCtnMeOmoOatUlRbaiRAnyeTsLeEi2InaT0SYv1Yfe3irrA,syNttshDiaegdnioinfpicctreaednmt.eanmt oinvTaeimnOrdutehdmneisvuerresilteanhabcecllouiuburldteeruilrnraapagtlrliaootMprdnapusadhrlcioatitiypiaovscniihtabsy,etotatwhchereeoerscnrsoicrwshreeavlageteriaolnlecvboToeeuOlrsitnewbntaertuineeeinlddsd taopfamornorodDgadftrueitesrkrscanesacisltvisciennaiegiscdnoeincncaevitenievatsyentumsdwn(ehtsdenuiecctcrhshhp.nseahorsafloolllogrbmwyeiinngtereecsot nraotmesy)
Concerns about low minimum wage are both tends to be positive – the higher the may be boosted through raising demand, which
embrace digitalisation. Many have lost their reflected by ground reality, based on EMIR productivity, the higher the wage levels. is a relevant point for a depressed economy in
jobs or been forced to take pay-cuts, leading to Research’s 3Q20 qualitative findings, with Unfortunately, that’s not the case for light of the pandemic.
job shifts which require certain skill-sets, or else several discussants sharing experiences about Malaysia as labour productivity and wage levels Combining the need for high-skilled jobs, it’s
ending up being unemployed or underpaid. getting low wages although their qualifications are below those of some advanced economies. clear that attracting investments is not enough
Hence, there is a greater need to pay closer are high. For example, South Korea is far better in terms to sustain an innovation-centric economy.
attention to increasing the existing low A young wage earner pointed out that the of wage levels and productivity due to its Shifting to an innovation and technology-
minimum wage alongside the upskilling of local salary scale starts from RM1,100 although the continuous efforts in technological driven economy requires mentality and
talents. person has a degree. “When people say the development since the 1970s, with average capability change.
The current monthly minimum wage in 56 young ones nowadays are choosy in selecting monthly wages surpassing labour productivity. The most stable currency to form, sustain
city councils and municipal council areas has jobs, I don’t think so.” In Malaysia’s case, not only are the wages lower and grow an innovative economy is a critical
been increased to RM1,200 whereas the Another young degree holder who worked at but also workers’ productivity. mass of researchers, technology developers,
minimum wage in other areas was set at a private school earning RM1,000 monthly said, Malaysia’s labour share of income lagged at innovators and start-up founders in relevant
RM1,100, effective Feb 1, 2020. “when I asked my friend who works as a cleaner 35.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018 fields.
These revisions were made by the former at KLIA, they (cleaners) are paid RM1,800 per while for advanced countries such as Singapore, Therefore, this requires a revamp of the
government as part of their manifesto promises month. So, it’s really disturbing”. its labour compensation was higher at 39.7% education system and an integration of
to remove the previous disparity in minimum “We spent four years of our lives to obtain a and South Korea’s registered even higher at innovative culture in government bodies and
wages between the Peninsular and East degree and we are paid only RM1,000.” 45.7%. private sector.
Malaysia of RM1,000 and RM920 respectively. Given the severe economic blow caused by Low compensation for employees is In an innovation-driven economy, the
In comparison with other Asean countries, the pandemic, people are trying all means to significantly evident in sectors which tend to be education system supplies talents (push-factor)
Malaysia’s monthly minimum wage performs survive, and some even on a day-to-day basis, highly labour-intensive, slow in technological while the increased demand by innovative
better in US dollar terms (US$270-US$295). especially parents who are trying to make ends advancements and reliant on low-skilled businesses (pull-factor) drives the production
Thailand’s minimum wage, assuming a six-day meet and ensure their children’s wellbeing. workers including foreign workers such as those of more talents by the education system.
work week with eight working hours, ranges This explains the public’s persistent request in wholesale and retail trade, food and beverage This is one example where the talent supply
US$229 to US$245 across provinces. to draw down their savings from their and accommodation, as well as manufacturing. chain can be made more sustainable. An
Vietnam’s monthly minimum wage ranges Employees Provident Fund Account 1 as one These statistics call for improvements in example of such a strong supply and demand
lower between US$126 and US$181 while in the way to get access to immediate cash for labour skill-sets and productivity which will system between industry and education can be
Philippines, it ranges between US$129 and emergencies. help workers demand for higher wages. observed in South Korea whereby it has been
US$245. Although this particular wish has been Bank Negara highlighted the importance of ranked as one of the most innovative
Despite our minimum wage being high granted with expanded coverage, this relief creating demand for high-skilled jobs and economies in the world, with high doctorate
among Asean peers, it is much lower compared measure should only be temporary and not as a pointed out the need to bring in new significant degree holders per capita.
with advanced economies such as South Korea sustainable and long-term solution. investments in higher-value businesses.
and Japan. In line with the notion of equitable shared The central bank acknowledged the need to Sofea Azahar and Ameen Kamal are part of the
Monthly minimum wage in South Korea (in prosperity, the minimum wage levels that look into existing incentives to attract research team of EMIR Research, an
US dollars) is close to five times higher than in remain low by international standards investments in high innovation economy independent think tank focused on strategic
Malaysia, whereas Japan’s is around six times need improvement. sectors instead of traditional low-cost policy recommendations based on rigorous
higher than Malaysia’s. Studies have shown that Malaysian workers manufacturing industries. research

COMMENT byYew Kam Keong LETTERS [email protected]

Diabetes taking a toll on Malaysians Focus on local tourism vital

NON-COMMUNICABLE Diseases concerned by the findings of this health outcomes. A VIRAL posting on social media government such as the Penjana
(NCDs) are much deadlier than survey. However, this by itself is showing the impact of Covid-19 Tourism Financing to revitalise
Covid-19. Indeed, the total number of on Krabi’s (Thailand) tourism their ailing businesses. With an
deaths due to NCDs far outstrips the There are little or no recorded insufficient. Coffee shops, cafes and industry evokes a sense of despair allocation of RM1 billion, this
deaths caused by Covid-19, especially improvements in the prevalence and other eateries must play their part in and creates sympathy for those financing facility will help small
diabetes. risk factors of NCDs. The World Health reducing the prices of no-sugar or less- affected. and medium-sized enterprises
Organisation reported on June 1 that sugar drinks. At the moment, there is with much-needed working
According to the Institute for the prevention and treatment services no difference in pricing of both drinks. Malaysians should focus on capital.
Clinical Research, a research institute for NCDs all over the world had been their own backyard and help
under the National Institutes of severely disrupted due to the It is proposed that these drinks revive domestic travel as the In addition, the extension of
Health, seven in 10 people who pandemic. Malaysia is no exception. should be made at least 20 sen country also possesses numerous service tax exemption till June 30,
succumbed to Covid-19 in Malaysia cheaper. Drinks are the most tourist attractions. 2021 granted to hotels also
suffered from diabetes. Perhaps, it is time for the Health profitable part of an eatery, so a 20 sen provides a breather to their
Ministry to apply the lessons learned reduction will not make any The recent announcement operators. With the exemption, the
The loss in human lives carries with from Covid-19 to address the lifestyle significant impact on an outlet’s about the lifting of the interstate cash savings can be utilised to
it an increasing economic cost. It has issues of diabetes. profitability. travel ban surely is a blessing. further strengthen hotel
been estimated that, based on the Families separated due to the operations.
current trend, Malaysia is expected to A US study found that a lifestyle Besides, beverage companies could travel restrictions can now be
suffer a GDP loss of RM100 billion for change intervention achieved a 58% also reduce the sweetness of their reunited. People will also be encouraged
2020, and this does not even take into relative risk reduction in type 2 drinks and impose a 50 sen premium to travel due to the extension of tax
consideration the losses suffered from diabetes. for any additional spoon of sugar. The psychological impact of relief on travel expenses. The
Covid-19. staying at home can also be further spillover effects of this extension
In Malaysia, the ministry should A concerted effort, together with reduced, especially for children. not only apply to hotel operators,
My own experience has been a focus its attention on sugar non-governmental organisations and but also to businesses such as travel
grim one. My elder brother passed consumption to mitigate the main private companies must be made to The timing of the travel ban’s agencies, restaurants, food vendors,
away after his leg was amputated cause of diabetes. On average, encourage confectionaries, makers of lifting couldn’t be any more petrol station operators, highway
because of infections caused by Malaysians consume around 3kg of sweet items and other dessert perfect as employees will avail of operators and many more.
diabetes. Another old friend had his sugar per year in the form of sugary producers to lower their sugar content. the remaining annual leave
leg amputated below his knee last drinks. This is way too high. Ultimately, we need to re-cultivate the entitlements this month. As such, it is hoped that the
month. taste-buds of Malaysian consumers to local economy will become more
We must focus our attention on prefer less sugar. Starting this week, until the end resilient and be rejuvenated with
Earlier this year, the Health prevention by cutting the of the month, roads and highways the initiatives provided.
Ministry released its 2019 National consumption of sugar rather than on Healthcare must be prioritised in may become congested and
Health and Morbidity Survey which treatments. the reorganisation of our health hotels and restaurants could be However, the battle against
found that the prevalence rate of system. Our rakyat have proven crowded. Covid-19 can only be won if the
diabetes among Malaysian adults Malaysia has adopted the new tax throughout the Covd-19 crisis that people adhere to the standard
increased from 13.4% in 2015 to 18.3% on sugar-sweetened beverages as a given the proper guidance and However, this shouldn’t be an operating procedures and new
last year. strategy for reducing consumption of enforcement, they will abide by issue for families since this is the norms to stop the spread of the
sugar products. More than 50 necessary preventive measures to right time for them to plan for virus.
An estimated 3.9 million adults in countries around the world have protect their health and the health of short escapades from the harsh
Malaysia aged 18 and above had already implemented such taxes. their loved ones. impact of the pandemic. Fadhirul Hisham Aziz
diabetes as of 2019. The Malaysian Taxation of sugary drinks has Comments: [email protected] Negri Sembilan
Academy of Medicine was deeply consistently been shown to reduce Cash-strapped tourism industry
sugar consumption and improve players ought to consider availing
of facilities provided by the

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. SunBIZ FRIDAY
DECEMBER 11, 2020
197201001092 (12738-U)
Editorial: Tel.: 03-7784 6688
A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad Fax: 03-7785 2624/5

A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad Email: [email protected]
Advertising: Tel: 03-7784 8888
Participation Bought Sold Net
% Fax: 03-7784 4424
RM m RM m RM m Email: [email protected]

45.8 Institutions 2271.0 2151.8 119.2

40.0 Retail 1950.8 1909.3 41.5

14.2 Foreign 608.1 768.8 -160.7 18.11 92.25 61.70 140.65 9.01 45.35
STI HANG SENG NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
100.0 4829.9 4829.9 0.0 7.86 2,824.96 1.31 26,756.24 2,746.46
KLCI 26,410.59 SCI 14,249.49 6,683.12
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com 1,654.39 3,373.28
Source: Burs Malaysia

KL MARKET SUMMARY Covid-induced demand
December 10, 2020 spike boon for EasyParcel

INDICES 11,922.80 CHANGE +48.29
FBMEMAS
FBMKLCI 1,654.39 +7.86
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 601.61 -0.46
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 176.38 +0.17
CONSTRUCTION 181.24 +0.73
FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,319.00 +261.13
ENERGY 924.20 -18.46
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 654.03 -1.49 neighbourhood customers.
HEALTH CARE 3,887.71 +6.58 o Logistics aggregator fast tracks expansion plans on The period also saw the launch of
TRANSPORTATION 791.70 -1.19 e-commerce surge and ensuing movement restrictions
PROPERTY 727.06 +0.63 EasyParcel’s PgeonFlex, a programme to
PLANTATION 7,355.01 -6.01 onboard freelance drivers and help those who
FBMSHA 13,480.90 -25.43 have lost their jobs.
FBMACE 11,039.90 +99.77 █ BY AMIR IMRAN HUSAIN SAFRI MCO restrictions,” said the
TECHNOLOGY 66.68 -0.96 [email protected] founder of EasyParcel. As the pandemic brought into being a new
During the MCO, it normal of conducting business, Leong
TURNOVER VALUE PETALING JAYA: The surge in e- introduced Pgeon pointed out this turned into a realisation that
8.081 BIL RM4.825 BIL commerce during the Covid-19 Paperless, which everyone can become a home-based micro
pandemic and ensuing movement enables customers entrepreneur with the help of their
restrictions have led to a sudden, large without printers to smartphone.
5 MOST ACTIVES increase in demand for delivery write tracking numbers
December 10, 2020 services, according to logistics directly onto the parcel “The start of the MCO accelerated the
aggregator EasyParcel’s founder and in lieu of a printed label, process of creating many new micro
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) CEO, Clarence Leong (pix), leading the and PgeonMart, an online entrepreneurs in e-commerce who were
XOX 298,231,300 11.5 +0.5 company to surpass monthly targets as grocery marketplace exploring and understanding how e-
AAX 172,082,700 9 +0.5 well as achieve new records. for sundry shops commerce works.”
TRIVE 171,089,800 1.5 UNCH He recalled that initially it saw a 40% to serve their
MTRONIC 165,475,100 11.5 +0.5 drop in parcel volumes for the first In response to this new generation of
IRIS 147,309,200 36.5 +1 two to three weeks of the entrepreneurs, EasyParcel took up the
challenge of educating these new customers,
movement control order (MCO) drawing their experience from interactions
period, as many sellers were with over 700,000 customers across four
5 TOP GAINERS adjusting to the sudden countries to create “how to” content to
December 10, 2020 pandemic impact and keeping educate their customers.
their expenses low.
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM “The volume of parcels Such content covers a whole range of
NESTLE 62,900 137.30 0.50 started to regain momentum in topics from how to book a delivery service,
HLFG 460,100 18.00 0.40 the fourth week of the MCO wrapping a parcel to choosing the best courier
BIMB 2,721,500 0.34 onwards, as sellers rapidly service provider and more.
PBBANK 8,357,900 4.30 0.34 moved their businesses into the
DLADY 17,900 20.20 0.26 e-commerce space,” Leong told To supplement its efforts, the aggregator
37.60 has conducted more than a hundred sessions
of live-streaming events over the past six
SunBiz. months to further educate these customers.
Likewise, its courier partners
5 TOP LOSERS have experienced a surge too. With regard to its future, Leong related that
December 10, 2020 The sudden boom due to the company is in the midst of acquiring more
the surge in e-commerce, he service providers as well as rolling out new
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) RM explained, brought forward services to cater to the internet and online
MPI 199,400 24.66 0.82 EasyParcel’s growth and
FANG-2XL 10.52 0.48 expansion plans from the space, which moves quickly.
VITROX 4,700 14.78 0.42 third quarter to the first “We cannot neglect the need to have a
PETDAG 330,200 20.38 0.32 quarter.
HARTA 230,400 14.36 0.30 “We had to cater to sufficient amount of service partners and
5,906,200 the sudden spike in the services so that we maintain EasyParcel’s
convenience for our customers,” he
EXCHANGE RATES volume of parcels while reasoned.
simultaneously managing Furthermore, EasyParcel has not forgotten
DECEMBER 10, 2020 those in the rural and outskirt areas, as it
opens up partnership and agent
the limited supplies of opportunities to the public to develop more
resources, such as retail neighbourhood EasyParcel stores in
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy transport vehicles, those areas.
manpower and shorter “Our goal with this is to create a mass
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD working hours due to offline and online network to grow the
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.1270 4.0020 3.9920 ecosystem and make delivery services even
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.0890 2.9650 2.9490 more accessible to a wider group of people,”
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.0840 2.9950 2.9870 Leong said.
1 EURO 3.2150 3.1290 3.1170
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 4.9920 4.8300 4.8100 DBS to launch digital exchange
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.9080 2.8010 2.7850 as trading in virtual currencies soars
1 STERLING POUND 3.0840 2.9950 2.9870
1 SWISS FRANC 5.5290 5.3540 5.3340 HONG KONG: DBS Group Holdings, The move comes as institutional investors formal banking sector,” DBS chief executive
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.6270 4.5180 4.5030 Southeast Asia’s biggest bank, is to set up an pumped US$429 million (RM1.74 billion) Piyush Gupta told reporters.
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 113.6400 107.7600 107.5600 exchange for digital assets, including into cryptocurrency funds and products for
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 4.9690 4.6300 4.4300 cryptocurrencies, that will provide the week ended Dec 7, the second highest on “There are thousands of different coins
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 63.0000 60.5000 tokenisation, trading and custody services record, based on Monday’s data from digital today being traded on different exchange, and
100 INDIAN RUPEE 53.7900 51.1200 N/A to institutional and accredited investors. asset manager CoinShares. increasingly you are beginning to find that
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.6900 5.3400 50.9200 they are forming an important part of the asset
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0303 0.0273 The DBS Digital Exchange will use The investments pushed the sector’s allocation of wealth and private investors.”
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.9610 3.8370 5.1400 blockchain technology to provide a platform assets under management to an all-time peak
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 15.7000 0.0223 for fundraising through asset tokenisation of US$15 billion, the Coinshares report said. The exchange will permit trading of four
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.6200 N/A 3.8270 and secondary trading of digital assets, the types of tokens – Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ether
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.7000 2.4500 bank said in a statement yesterday. Bitcoin, the biggest and original and XRP – which account for 70-80% of
100 SAUDI RIYAL 114.5500 8.2000 N/A cryptocurrency, soared to a record global crypto trading volume, the bank said,
100THAI BAHT 111.2000 108.7500 2.2500 The tokenisation process represents US$19,918 earlier this month, buoyed by adding the trading activity on the digital
14.3400 105.5700 8.0000 converting rights to an underlying asset class demand from investors who variously view bourse will start next week.
12.7200 108.5500 such as shares of unlisted companies and the virtual currency as a “risk-on” asset, a
105.3700 private equity funds into a unique digital hedge against inflation and a payment “We are on the cusp of a massive
12.3200 form, which then becomes eligible for trading. method gaining mainstream acceptance. tokenisation and therefore you’ll find
tokenisation of all kind of assets around the
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama DBS said Singapore Exchange will take a “I believe that the time is right for this world and I think more and more exchanges
10% stake in the digital exchange, while the (digital assets) industry to increasingly find will start dealing with the tokenised assets,”
rest will be owned by the bank. partnership and sponsorship from the Gupta said. – Reuters

BRIEFS10 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020 BAuto’s second-quarter
SUNBIZ net profit 21.6% higher

CYMAO EXPLORES o Bigger contribution from domestic operations, attributed revenue of RM1.05 billion compared with
OPPORTUNITIES to increased unit sales revenue of RM992.21 million registered in
TO EXPAND BUSINESS the corresponding period of the preceding
year. The 5.7% increase was primarily due to
PETALING JAYA: Cymao Holdings higher sales volume from the domestic
Bhd said it has been exploring operations.
opportunities to expand its core PETALING JAYA: Bermaz Auto Bhd’s contribution from the domestic operations The board has approved and declared a
business and/or diversify its current (BAuto) net profit for its second quarter and share of loss contribution from Mazda second interim dividend of 1.25 sen single-
businesses to reduce its reliance on ended Oct 31, 2020 jumped 21.59% to Malaysia Sdn Bhd. tier dividend per share in respect of the
the existing core business as well as RM24.79 million from RM20.39 million a financial year ending April 30, 2021 to be
to expand its earnings base. “Cymao year ago, mainly due to higher profit The profit contribution from the domestic payable on Feb 5, 2021. The entitlement date
and its subsidiary companies are contribution from domestic operations operations was lower mainly due to lower has been fixed for Jan 18, 2021. This will
currently at the final stage of attributed to higher unit sales. gross profit margin arising from the change bring the total dividend declared for the
discussions with several parties in in sales mix and more aggressive financial
regard to potential new viable It reported a 31.2% increase in revenue to promotional period ended
business to venture in. The RM599.84 million for the quarter under activities, Oct 31, 2020 to
management of Cymao is of the review compared with RM457.17 million in especially in 1.75 sen single
view that this new business venture the corresponding quarter of the preceding the first tier per share.
could potentially improve the year, largely due to the improvement in sales quarter of the “A l t h o u g h
financial performance of the group,” volume from the group’s domestic financial year the financial
it said in a Bursa filing. Cymao issued operations despite the impact of the Covid- before the results for this
its statement after an unusual 19 pandemic. introduction second quarter
market activity query from Bursa of the Penjana under review
Malaysia on Wednesday. The improvement in sales volume for the economic have been
domestic operations was mainly attributed stimulus encouraging,
GOODWAY INTEGRATED to the positive impact from the Short-Term package by the group is nevertheless cautious of the
UNIT BOOSTS GLOVE Recovery Plan economic stimulus package the government. resurgence of Covid-19 cases and its impact
TRADING OPERATIONS (Penjana) introduced by the government in on the overall economy and expects the
June 2020, which provides 100% sales tax The loss contribution from Mazda automotive sector to remain challenging in
PETALING JAYA: Goodway exemption on completely knocked down Malaysia was mainly due to the significant 2020/2021. Hence, any launch of new and/or
Integrated Industries Bhd’s 51%- vehicles and 50% sales tax exemption on drop in unit sales from both the domestic new facelift Mazda models will be
owned GIIB Healthcare Product Sdn completely built up vehicles from June 15, to and export markets during the MCO and the dependent on market sentiments and
Bhd (GHP) has entered into an Dec 31, 2020. CMCO in certain states of Malaysia, as well economic conditions then,” BAuto said.
agreement with Glomaxes Latex as the regional lockdowns. Premised on the foregoing, the directors
Glove Manufacturer Sdn Bhd for the The market reacted positively to BAuto’s anticipate that the performance of the group
latter to supply latex gloves to GHP aggressive promotional campaign offering It also accounted for the expense relating for the remaining quarters of the financial
for its glove trading business. six years of warranty free and six years of free to its employees’ share scheme of about year ending April 30, 2021 will remain
Glomaxes has committed to GHP for maintenance to boost sales. RM1.6 million in the period under review as challenging.
the supply up to 30 million latex compared to RM2.3 million in the
gloves a month, for two years. GHP For the six-month period, its net profit corresponding period of the previous year.
is expected to benefit from the more than halved to RM34.04 million from
agreement by strengthening its RM70.9 million largely due to lower profit However, the group registered a higher
trading business within the rubber
industry, and to increase the group’s Poh Kong is BIMB gets nods to
revenue through the sale of latex confident it has proceed with revamp,
gloves by leveraging on the group’s put in place solid transfer listing
existing local and overseas measures to status to Bank Islam
customers. meet the
challenges PETALING JAYA: BIMB Holdings Bhd
UMW automotive ahead. will proceed with its proposed group
division on restructuring exercise and transfer its
track to meet Poh Kong Q1 results sparkle, listing status to its subsidiary, Bank Islam
full-year target aided by uptrend in gold prices Malaysia Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Holdings PETALING JAYA: Poh Kong Holdings Bhd’s the government and the cuts to the BIMB has received approvals from the
Bhd’s automotive segment is on track to net profit for its first quarter ended Oct 31, Overnight Policy Rate have helped cushion finance minister and Bank Negara
meet its full-year sales target supported 2020 surged by 81.1% to RM14.64 million the economic impact of the Covid-19 Malaysia in relation to the proposed
by strong sales in November 2020 by from RM8.08 million in the same quarter of pandemic, by providing a more internal reorganisation and distribution
both subsidiary UMW Toyota Motor Sdn the previous year, due primarily to the accommodative monetary environment. and capital repayment.
Bhd (UMWT) and associate company uptrend of gold prices and cost-control
Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd efforts together with streamlining and Moving forward, it will monitor the Upon completion of the proposed
(Perodua). strengthening of its operations and impact of the current uncertainties on its exercise, BIMB’s listing status will be
business. operations, financial obligations and transferred to Bank Islam, which will
In a statement yesterday, the group performance while external factors are emerge as the only full-fledged Islamic
said the automotive segment has Revenue for the quarter stood at largely beyond its control. financial institution to be listed in the
steadily recovered from the adverse RM221.91 million, an 8.2% increase from region.
impact of Covid-19 containment RM205 million previously. For the remainder of the financial year,
measures earlier this year with demand Poh Kong said it is confident it has put in “This listing will allow Bank Islam to
boosted by the sales tax exemption In its Bursa disclosure, the group stated place solid measures to meet the challenges better position itself in the Islamic
announced by the government, effective that the stimulus packages introduced by ahead. finance and Islamic capital market and
from June 15 to Dec 31, 2020.
capitalise
It said UMWT is poised to exceed its on the
revised sales target of 53,000 units for the growth of
year after selling 6,267 units in both
November 2020, which brought total markets in
sales to 50,074 units for the first 11 its efforts
months of this year. to expand its customer base,” it said in its
statement .
“Toyota Vios, Yaris and Hilux The principal adviser for BIMB’s
continued to be UMWT’s best-selling corporate exercise is Maybank
models year-to-date,” it said. Investment Bank.
The restructuring and the proposed
UMW said Perodua also continued to transfer were first announced in
advance strongly, achieving close to 93% December last year, involving five
of its year-end target of 210,000 units as it components – a proposed placement of
recorded sales of 23,119 units in new BIMB shares to raise RM800 million,
November, including a record-breaking a scheme of arrangement by BIMB to
single-day sale of 5,027 units on the last settle its outstanding warrants, an
day of the month. internal reorganisation, distribution and
capital repayment and the listing of Bank
“For the first 11 months this year, Islam.
Perodua has sold 194,983 units. The
Myvi continues to be the marque’s best-
seller year-to-date, followed closely by
the Axia and Bezza,” it said.

UMW said Perodua will prioritise
meeting outstanding orders by year-end
to allow as many customers to enjoy
sales tax-exempt prices while bolstering
the Malaysian automotive ecosystem as
over 90% of its components are locally
sourced. – Bernama

ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020

█ BY ADELINE LEONG o Easy peasy DIY festive snacks that will have Santa drooling! hue is from food colouring – or
probably just envious vibes from a
THROWING house parties Reindeer brownies in it. This sneaky and frothy Grinch jealous neighbour.
looks simple but often These reindeer brownies will be a punch is just made out of Holiday cornflake cookies
involved lots of hit with the young children in the evaporated milk, almond extract, It’s a perfect excuse to bring back
preparations behind the family. Do not be surprised to see lemon-lime soda the Raya cornflake cookies to be
scenes. While you’re busy putting the adults pawing off some of these and vanilla ice- enjoyed during Christmas time.
the final touches to the family meal, treats too. To decorate the brownie, cream! The However, you can bling up the
here are some delicious and eye- you’ll need pretzels for the antlers, green cornflake cookies by shaping it into
catching Christmas snacks to keep round candies as eyeballs and a red a wreath and add toppings of your
party guests busy while they mingle chocolate chip for the red nose.
in the living room. choice such as marshmallows
Festive eggnog popcorn and give it a good mix. You Rice Krispie Snowballs or chocolate sprinkles.
Eggnog is a classic festive holiday can even add in some chocolate While we can’t throw actual These childhood snacks
drink which is usually made out of chips. snowballs, we can throw these rice will be a hit with
milk, egg yolk, rum or whiskey but Guacamole Christmas trees Krispie snowballs into our mouths. everyone at the party.
there is a non-alcoholic version too. These guacamole Christmas tree The marshmallows, melted Santa hat jello shooters
If you’re unsure about drinking raw tacos will look too cute to eat! The chocolate sprinkles, Reese’s minis Santa hat jello shooters
eggs, the eggs can be gently cooked layers of guacamole, cream cheese, and the crunch from the Rice will be a nice dessert at
first. Sometimes, cinnamon or and the colourful peppers cut out Krispies make every bite the end of the family
nutmeg is added to give some spice into stars are simply indulgent yet addictive and you’ll wish you meal. All that needs to be
to the drink. Done right, the eggnog perfect as a light group snack. It can made more. done is to pour the jelly
tastes like delicious melted ice- also be made using quesadillas as Grinch punch mixture into shot glasses
cream. the base. Yes, it’s safe for young or small cups. Once the
children to drink jelly is ready, top it with
because a dollop of whipped
there’s no cream and place a
alcohol strawberry on top
with the pointed-
end up.

Holiday salsa
Feed the party with some yummy
holiday salsa to get the night
started. A cheesy cream salsa of
fresh cranberries, cilantro and a
little kick of jalapeno will have
everyone asking for more. The
splash of red from the cranberries
already gives off a festive vibe.

Peppermint popcorn Cranberry orange cookies
Make the party interesting with a These tender butter cookies with
dish with a funky flavour. cranberry and orange zest put a
Peppermint popcorn gives the right festive and refreshing spin to the
‘shock’ because it’s familiar and yet usual cookies. The delicious
alien to most of us. It’s pretty simple cookies go well with a cup of hot
to prepare too. drink, such as tea, and is a
marvellous snack no matter the
After melting the peppermint time of day.
candies in a microwave, pour the
melted peppermint over the

12 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
BUZZ

█ BY THE BUZZ TEAM o Apart from the movies delayed this year due to the Message
pandemic, BUZZ takes a look at some gems that are from the Editor
NO thanks to the current expected to hit the cinemas in the coming months
worldwide situation, SEASON’S GREETINGS DEAR
movies are getting their READERS!
dates pushed back, Well, this has been one rollercoaster
leaving many cinemagoers feeling a of a year, hasn’t it? The Covid-19
little bored at home. Nevertheless, pandemic threw a wrench into
here are some films that are slated many people’s plans, and the situa-
to be released next year and tion looks as though it will continue
hopefully, we’ll all be allowed to well into the new year, at least until
return to the big screens soon. a vaccine becomes widely available.

PIECES OF A WOMAN own inner power and unlock the (300: Rise of an Empire) and Jack Based on a 2011 memoir Two Those of us here at BUZZ have
Premiere date: January 7, 2021 planet’s dark secrets. Rounding up Roth (Us and Them). Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss also been affected by the
Pieces of a Woman is a deeply the cast are David Oyelowo, Nick PETER RABBIT 2: RUNAWAY and Love by Matthew Logelin, restrictions, in both our work and
personal, searing and transcendent Jonas and Cynthia Erivo. Premiere date: February 18, 2021 Fatherhood is a true story about a personal lives. The pandemic
story of a woman learning to live TILL DEATH In this sequel, Peter Rabbit (James father who has to bring up his baby disrupted a lot of our planned
alongside her loss. Martha Premiere date: 2021 Corden), Bea (Rose Byrne) and girl as a single dad after the feature stories and content but
(Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia Till Death is a crime action thriller Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson) are unexpected death of his wife. thankfully, the team pulled
LaBeouf) are a Boston couple on following the story of Emma now a makeshift family but despite together and we were able to
the verge of parenthood whose (Megan Fox) who is left handcuffed all efforts, the mischievous bug in She died a day after their meet our deadlines.
lives change irrevocably when a to her dead husband as part of a Peter rises again. Adventuring out daughter’s birth and the father
home birth ends in unimaginable sickening revenge plot. While the garden, Peter finds himself finds himself woefully unprepared As we prepare to bid goodbye
tragedy. trying to figure out what was going appreciated for his mischief but to raise his daughter on his own. to 2020, we can’t help but reflect
on, she has to survive two hired when his family risks everything to The stellar cast include Kevin Hart, upon our journey thus far into
Thus begins a year-long odyssey killers on the way to finish the job. look for him, Peter has to decide Alfre Woodard, Melody Hurd, Lil BUZZ’s second year of existence.
for Martha, who must navigate her what kind of bunny he wants to be. Rel Howery, Paul Reiser and Christmas is known as the season
grief while working through a Rounding up the cast are Eion CINDERELLA DeWanda Wise. of giving, but it is also a season for
marriage on the verge of breaking Macken (The Night Shift), Aml Premiere date: March 4, 2021 GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE gratitude, and we certainly have
down and her domineering mother Ameen (Sense8), Callan Mulvey The upcoming Cinderella movie Premiere date: June 10, 2021 many things that we are grateful
(Ellen Burstyn), along with the adaptation is a musical romantic Set thirty years after the second for today.
publicly vilified midwife (Molly comedy starring Camila Cabello as film, a family moves to a farm in
Parker), whom she must face in Cinderella and Billy Porter as the Summerville, Oklahoma, inherited We especially want to extend
court. fabulous genderless fairy from their late grandmother. When our warmest regards to our
CHAOS WALKING godparent. The film promises to the town experiences a series of colleagues, well-wishers and
Premiere date: January 21, 2021 feature new original music too. unexplained earthquakes, the advertisers, who have continued
Director Doug Liman (The Bourne While the storyline is still kept a children discover their family’s link to support us throughout these
Identity, Edge of Tomorrow) directs secret, the number of huge stars in to the original Ghostbusters, who trying times. Without your
this adventure sci-fi film based on the film just can’t be hidden. have become a myth to many after assistance, there is no way we
the best-selling novel The Knife of the long-forgotten events of could have made it this far, and for
Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. In Rounding up the cast is Idina Manhattan Crossrip of 1984. that, we thank you.
the not too distant future, Todd Menzel as the stepmother, Pierce
Hewitt (Tom Holland) discovers Brosnan as King Rowan, Minnie Things get interesting for our This will be our final edition for
Viola (Daisy Ridley), a mysterious Driver as Queen Beatrice, James young heroes as they discover the 2020, as we will be taking a much-
girl who crash lands on his planet, Corden as a footman/mouse, secret legacy left by their needed break, but we promise
where all the women have Missy Elliot as the Town Crier and grandfather. Fans have high hopes that we will be back on Jan 15,
disappeared and the men are more. for this movie after Paul Feig’s 2021, with a new resolve and an
afflicted by “the noise” – a force that FATHERHOOD miserable attempt at rebooting the exciting Chinese New Year special.
puts all their thoughts on display. Premiere date: April 15, 2021 franchise via 2016’s horrible
Ghostbusters. Let’s keep our fingers Look forward to what we have
Viola’s life is threatened in this (not the streams) crossed for the in store for Chinese New Year and
dangerous landscape and to best! all the goodies we will have for
protect her, Todd has to discover his you in the future ... in the
meantime, check out the link
below and take a stroll down
memory lane with us.

As we move into a new (and
hopefully better) year, we wish
you moments of peace amid the
difficulties, connections with
family and friends even if they
can’t be in person, the warmth of
memories from holidays past, and
wonderful glimpses of the joy that
still lives under the surface.

Take care, stay safe and we
hope to see you soon.

Happy Holidays!
Paul Ng

[email protected]

SCANTHE QR CODE FOR
PAST BUZZ
EDITIONS

13theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
BUZZ

█ BY ADELINE LEONG

DON’T let the Grinch stop
you. Here are some gifting
ideas you can easily gather
or order online to add cheer
to the Christmas experience this year.

Woodwick scented candles o Here are some interesting gift ideas to consider this Christmas
Nothing feels more Christmassy than
to be gifted woodwick scented the room with an amazing aroma. companion on those rainy and cool From cute snowmen to Santas, it’ll
candles. When lit, the soothing Festive bath bombs days. It can be spiced up by gently sure delight the ones receiving them
crackles of the burning woodwick It’s the time of the year where you can heating the drink over the stove or and makes a great gift for all ages.
sound like a crackling fireplace. buy a festive-themed bath bomb gift adding peppercorns or ginger. Whether it’s just one bar or a gift
set. These bath bombs can be pack, you’ll be tempted to
Delicious Christmas scents such encased in plastic baubles to double Healthwise, the anti- get one for yourself too.
as pine, gingerbread, cinnamon, as Christmas tree ornaments too. inflammatory goodness from Perfume palette
cloves or oranges complete the cosy Some of the amazing bath bombs in drinking chai is an added bonus. Gift A perfume palette for
and festive experience at home. the market also come with a hidden someone a box of chai so they can both men and women is a
Scented wax melts gift inside. Imagine the delight of enjoy all the goodness of chai too. fun gift. It’s a fun box with a
An alternative to burning essential receiving a gift within a gift! Hot chocolate kit variety of different perfume
oils is to gift beautifully scented wax Preparing a hot chocolate kit is one of scents to try daily. The small
melts. Wax melts are essentially a Christmas chai the many gifts you can customise sizes are also great for those
candle without a wick. They can be While we don’t get to yourself. The hot chocolate kit can be who don’t spritz every day and
melted using a wax warmer and the experience the snow easily prepared as a gift basket are convenient for travel. The
slow melting process gradually fills season, we’re in the consisting of hot chocolate powder, perfume palette literally spells
middle of a rainy marshmallows, chocolate sprinkles a whole year of fun
monsoon season. A and some snacks such as biscuits. experiments.
warm cup of Fuzzy socks
Christmas chai Whether you wrap it up or tie it No one wants to admit it but
is a perfect with a beautiful ribbon, hot chocolate everyone loves fuzzy socks
lovers will love you for it. regardless of the weather. Fuzzy
Christmas cookies socks are comfy, soft and great
Other than a hot chocolate kit, you to wear around at home. They
can gift family and friends Christmas can even double as a hand
cookies in a jar too. Christmas glove or Christmas stocking.
cookies aren’t just gingerbread PlayStation 5
To be absolutely clear, we’re
cookies. They can be chocolate chip talking about getting them a
cookies, butter cookies or jam PlayStation 5 for real and not just
tarts as long as they are photo filter pranks. The sleek white
blinged up in a nice jar. For design simply completes the gaming
a festive final touch, wrap den setup.
or tie a small ornament
around the cap of the Not only that, the latest PS5
jar. promises fast speeds and playing
Festive soap bars games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man:
The creative designs of Miles Morales is seamlessly amazing.
soap bars during this time
of the year are irresistible.

14 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
BUZZ

█ BY ADELINE LEONG

2020 has not been a good year
for festive cheer and just like
the previous holidays,
Christmas is going to be
celebrated mostly indoors at home.
Here are some fun Christmas
decoration ideas that the entire
family can make together to bond
during this upcoming celebrations.

DIY ornaments
A fun family project to do is to make
your own Christmas tree ornaments.
There are numerous ideas online to
replicate, such as ice cream stick
trees, tiny gnomes and felt ogee
ornament that looks like something
Elsa can conjure.

A battery-operated tealight can be
transformed into a snowman using
ribbons, markers, tiny poms poms,
pipe cleaners and felt too.

o Here are some simple DIY ideas to get the
home ready to usher in the yuletide holidays

snowman. All you need is to have DIY snowflake coasters
three clear containers or jars and the Brighten up your table with these
ingredients for hot cocoa. Fill the first beautiful snowflake coasters. These
jar with marshmallows, the second coasters can be easily made using
jar with hot chocolate powder and white pipe cleaners cut into several
the third jar with some Christmas sizes and a hot glue gun. Guests will
mints. never again leave water ring marks or
scratches on your tables.
Stack the three containers Mason jar snowglobes
together to build the snowman and It’s fun to see a small world nestled
put the finishing touches such as inside beautiful mason jars and they
eyes, nose, mouth and a scarf for the can make a pretty décor too. Pick a
snowman. small toy or figurine such as a toy car,
Santa’s sleigh or reindeers and place
It can be easily turned into a fun them in the middle of the jar. You can
children’s toy by using plastic glue the toys to the jar if you choose
containers or small cardboard boxes too.
so children can mix and match their
own snowmen. Next, pour in a small amount of
glitter and fill the jar up with water.
Create a wreath snowman and ornaments. Now the small world inside the jar
While Malaysia doesn’t really get to You can also arrange a few can experience a snowy Christmas.
experience winter weather, children
can still enjoy one of the Christmas branches in a glass pot and hang
traditions by helping to assemble Christmas decorations on it for a
snowmen using wreaths. Stack two or rustic look.
three different sized wreaths to make Mix and match your own hot cocoa
the body and drape an old scarf to snowman
keep the snowman warm. Another ingenious way to build a
Make an alternative Christmas tree snowman is to make a hot cocoa
If you don’t have space to put up a
regular Christmas tree, thankfully
there are plenty of ways to make
alternative trees. The simplest way is
to decorate the house plants at home
with fairy lights or lightweight décor

Happenings

Xmas Community Yoga Christmas Theme Sourdough Djakarta Warehouse Project The 9th Annual Art of Speed
Bagels Virtual Malaysia 2020
When?
11- 12 Dec @ 2.30pm- 3.30pm When? When? When?
Where? 12 Dec @ 2pm-6pm 19-20 Dec @ 5pm- 1am GMT +7 30 Dec 2020 – 3 Jan 2021 @ 10am- 10.30pm
Sunny Side Up Market @ The Row Where?
Angelicioxs Studio, Taman Danau Desa Where? Where?
In the spirit of Christmas, Under Stream at djakartawarehouse.com 1 Utama

The Light yoga studio Click the In this workshop, learn how to bake delicious Djakarta Warehouse Project Click the Art of Speed Malaysia is an annual event
partners up with Sunny Side ICON for Christmas themed sourdough Virtual is a two-day virtual featuring the movers and
Up Market to host a round bagels. Bake With Yen is festival experience which ICON for shakers of the local
of community yoga classes more info brings together the world’s more info Click the
sponsoring some of the raw Click the automotive customisation ICON for
for two days. Teacher Sprina ingredients and students ICON for most sought-after names in scene. The exhibit
will help participants of all get a discount code to more info the EDM scene and DWP’s celebrates the Kustom more info
levels to unwind during the purchase from BWY online signature world-class Kulture and features plenty
Christmas Flow yoga class. store too. Class is limited to 6 production right to your screens. of artwork in various formats
Class is free on a first come first serve basis pax per workshop in line with Featuring artists such as Martin Garrix, Vini Vici, such as canvas, poster, moving
and do bring your own yoga mat, towel and current SOPs, so hurry up and Yellow Claw and Armin van Buuren, it’ll be a fun visuals and sculptures, as well as
water. book your spot! two nights to cap the year. rolling art.

15theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020

16 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
SUNBIZ

UK, S’pore ink free trade deal ECB to unveil
yet another
SINGAPORE: Britain yesterday o Agreement will cover more than £17b of Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico and stimulus package
signed a free-trade deal with current bilateral trade in goods and services Vietnam. A previous version of the
Singapore, giving it a key foothold in deal was once championed by the FRANKFURT: The European Central
Asia as it seeks to forge its own path November 2024, the same timeline in Asean, while the UK is Singapore’s US, but President Donald Trump Bank (ECB) was set to unveil fresh
after leaving the European Union as the agreement between the EU top investment destination in Europe.” abandoned it. stimulus measures yesterday to prop
(EU), while talks on a post-Brexit and Singapore, a former British up the recession-hit currency bloc long
deal stumble. colony that maintains close links Her Singapore counterpart, Chan Britain signed its first major post- enough for a coronavirus vaccine to be
with London. Chun Sing, said the deal “provides Brexit trade deal with Japan in deployed and its devastated economy
The agreement largely replicates British businesses a platform to October, but Thursday’s agreement to start to heal.
an existing EU-Singapore pact, with As the deal was signed in the city- access opportunities in the region is its first with a member of Asean.
the city-state saying it will cover state, Britain’s International Trade through Singapore”. With fresh support measures
more than £17 billion (RM89 billion) Secretary Liz Truss praised Singapore The 10-country bloc is home to already promised, only the details of
in trade. for its leadership on free trade. Truss said the deal will take Britain 650 million people and – prior to the the package remain up in the air. But
a step closer to joining a massive free- pandemic-induced downturn – had the bottom line is clear: borrowing
It removes tariffs, gives both “Now the United Kingdom is trade zone, the Comprehensive and enjoyed rapid growth in recent years. costs will be kept close to zero for
countries access to each other’s back as an independent trading Progressive Agreement for Trans- years so that governments and firms
markets in services and cuts non- nation, we are free to join this Pacific Partnership, of which Yesterday’s signing came after can spend their way out of the biggest
tariff barriers in electronics, cars and campaign,“ she said. Singapore is a member. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recession in living memory.
vehicle parts, pharmaceutical and European Commission
products, medical devices and “Singapore is already the UK’s The pact groups 11 Pacific Rim President Ursula von der Leyen gave The ECB’s challenge will be to
renewable energy generation, the largest trade and investment partner nations, among them Australia, themselves until Sunday to decide on balance a growing range of short-
ministry said. the future of post-Brexit negotiations, term risks against improving long
following a three-hour dinner that term prospects, indicating that its
Duties will be eliminated by left the two sides “far apart”. – AFP move will be big but lack the “shock
and awe” impact of previous crisis-
Sony to buy S&P DJI boots Chinese firms fighting measures.
US anime from indices after US blacklisting
giant Crunchyroll “With the positive news in terms of
SHANGHAI: S&P Dow Jones (ADRs) of 10 companies including in June because, as we have shown vaccine development, Europe is now
TOKYO: Japan’s Sony said yesterday Indices (DJI) yesterday became the Hangzhou Hikvision Digital time and again, Hikvision is not a starting to see the light at the end of
it has agreed to buy US anime second major index provider to Technology Co Ltd and ‘Chinese military company’,“ she the tunnel,“ Oxford Economics said.
streaming giant Crunchyroll, which remove some Chinese companies Semiconductor Manufacturing said.
has more than three million paying from its index products following a International Corp (SMIC) from all For now, the 19-country euro zone is
subscribers, in a deal worth US$1.17 Trump administration executive equity indices prior to the market SMIC did not immediately facing a triple shock: a lingering second
billion (RM4.8 billion). order, in the latest market open on Dec 21. respond to a request for comment. wave of the pandemic, the prospect of a
disruption from persistent Sino-US hard Brexit and political stalemate over
By purchasing the anime, games tensions. The company said it will also FTSE Russell said last week that the European Union’s €750 billion
and manga distributor from AT&T, remove 11 securities issued by it would remove eight Chinese (RM3.7 trillion) recovery fund.
Sony’s entertainment division is Outgoing US President Donald Chinese companies from its fixed firms from its products to comply
hoping to strengthen its position in the Trump’s executive order, unveiled income indices before Jan 1. with the US executive order, which But all three are seen as temporary
global video streaming market and in November, is designed to deter bars US investors from buying shocks, with the political strife likely
compete with the likes of Netflix and US investment firms, pension “The order may impact the securities of blacklisted firms to be resolved and the pandemic
Hulu, which also offer anime titles. funds and others from buying ability of market participants to starting in Nov 2021. easing by the spring, leaving the ECB
shares of Chinese companies replicate S&P DJI Equity and Fixed with the task of getting the bloc
Crunchyroll, founded in 2006, is designated by the US Defense Income Indices containing The index providers’ moves to through a difficult winter.
the world’s largest online library of Department as backed by the securities affected by the order,“ comply with the US order
Japanese animation. Chinese military. S&P DJI said in a statement. effectively shut passive investors Indeed, financial market had
out of the stocks and bonds already started to price in a post-
Tony Vinciquerra, CEO of Sony S&P DJI said it would remove A spokesman for Hikvision affected and could challenge pandemic recovery, with global stocks
Pictures Entertainment, said the mainland-listed A-shares, Hong called the order’s decision to investor assumptions that a Joe hitting an all-time high earlier this
firm had already developed “a deep Kong-listed H-shares and pursue Hikvision “groundless.” Biden administration will mean a week, spreads between euro zone
understanding of this global American Depositary Receipts warmer bilateral relationship. – government bond yields tightening
artform” through its own anime “We strongly protested when Reuters and the euro scaling a 2½ year high
streaming service Funimation, Hikvision was included on this list against the dollar at US$1.22 (RM4.96).
which it will combine with
Crunchyroll. UK economic growth in October slows sharply to 0.4% The economy also recovered quickly
after the first wave of lockdowns,
“Together with Crunchyroll, we LONDON: Britain’s economy, from September, chalking up growth Output was also hit after more suggesting more resilience than is built
will create the best possible battered this year by coronavirus and for the sixth consecutive month, the localised measures to control the into economic models. – Reuters
experience for fans and greater now facing fresh fears of a no-deal Office for National Statistics said. virus were imposed in parts of
opportunity for creators, producers Brexit, slowed sharply in October northern and central England, as The economy then enjoyed a
and publishers in Japan and from the previous month, according That marked a sharp slowdown well as in Scotland and Wales. historic third-quarter rebound on the
elsewhere,“ he said. to official data published yesterday. from 1.1% expansion in September, back of easing curbs, but economists
Gross domestic product while analysts warned of a difficult Britain’s initial Covid-19 lockdown expect a fourth-quarter slump due to
Sony has recently seen massive expanded by just 0.4% in October November when a second partial sent the economy tanking into a record the impact of England’s second
success in Japan with the popular lockdown was imposed in England. recession in the first half of this year. partial lockdown in November – and
“Demon Slayer” anime series made subsequent regional tiered
by its Aniplex studio. – AFP restrictions in December. – AFP

DON'T
RED GAMBLE
WITH
LIFEMEANS
ONONFRFIRDIADYAY
STOP!
NOVDEEMCBEEMRB23E,R201118, 2020 A Community Campaign

by

New CR-V: 180% increase
in bookings
HONDA Malaysia on Wednesday
City ‘12.12. announced that the new CR-V has specifications. a button on the smart key
Special Sales’ seen a 180% increase in bookings, “The new CR-V is an all-rounder SUV with a and at the same time, turn on
extended till within a month since its official the air conditioning from
Dec 31 launch last month. sporty driving experience that is suitable for outside without unlocking the car.
different kinds of lifestyles; be it as a family car Owners can also fold the door
HONDA Malaysia yesterday announced The company also stated that the or daily commute for work.” mirrors using the smart key.
that the “All-New City 12.12 Special Sales” bookings have exceeded The new CR-V continues to provide high-
with rebate worth RM2,000* has been expectations, of which the new Further enhanced with tough and modern level comfort with roomy cabin and boot
extended up to Dec 31*. CR-V has received more than exterior design, the new CR-V has a new black capacity at 522 litres when all seats are up and
1,700 unit bookings to-date. grille combined with Honda signature LED 1,084 litres when the rear seats are folded
The extension is to allow more time for headlamps and new front bumper with new down, providing great versatility and ample
customers to visit Honda authorised The new CR-V was wing-style chrome fascia. space for customers to transport various sizes
dealerships. launched with three of goods.
upgraded variants, namely The new rear dark chrome, new smoked To top it off, the convenience of loading
Customers can now book and register 2.0L 2WD, 1.5L TC-P 2WD finish taillights, rear bumper garnished with goods is now further improved with the hands-
their cars by Dec 31* and will be entitled for and 1.5L TC-P 4WD. new wing-style chrome fascia and twin tailpipe free power tailgate* feature that requires just a
the Special Rebate*, once they fulfil the chrome finish* at the rear design has taken new simple foot motion towards the hands-free
booking and registration requirements at The 1.5L TC-P 2WD is the CR-V aesthetics to the next level. access sensor under the rear bumper.
any Honda authorised dealerships most popular choice among The new CR-V’s advanced safety features
nationwide. customers, contributing 46% The 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels* with include a full suite of Honda Sensing*
to the total booking. new design also elevates the masculine comprising all eight safety features, which are
Commenting on the extension of the appearance of the new CR-V. adaptive cruise control (ACC), low speed
“All-New City 12.12 Special Sales”, Honda According to the booking follow (LSF), forward collision warning (FCW),
Malaysia managing director and CEO records, the Central region The new CR-V is packed with advanced collision mitigation braking system (CMBS),
Toichi Ishiyama said since its official contributed the highest number of features that deliver exceptional driving lane departure warning (LDW), road departure
launch, the company has delivered close to bookings, accounting for 45% of experience. Elevating the joy of owning the mitigation (RDM), lane keep assist system
5,800 units of the all-new City to customers the total booking. SUV is the remote engine start*, a new feature (LKAS) and auto high beam (AHB).
nationwide. in the new CR-V that allows drivers to start the There’s also a rear seat belt reminder, to alert
The new CR-V also received high the driver when rear passengers have not
“To-date, we have received over 11,100 demand from the Southern region and the engine with the fastened their seat belts.
bookings for the all-new City and the ‘All- Northern region with 20% and 19% press of Other standard safety features are Honda
New City 12.12 Special Sales’ have received contribution to the booking respectively. LaneWatch, six airbags, vehicle stability assist
positive response from the market since (VSA) with agile handling assist (AHA), hill
the company announced it. In terms of colour options, Dark Olive start assist (HSA), emergency stop signal (ESS),
Metallic is the most preferred colour among anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic
“With the travel ban on inter-district new CR-V owners, which translated to 30% of brake distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA),
and inter-state lifted beginning December the total booking. auto brake hold (ABH), walk away auto
7, we acknowledge the feedback from our lock and driver attention monitor.
customers and understand that most To-date, more than 1,300 units of the new
customers would like to visit Honda CR-V have been delivered to customers
dealers to test drive the cars. nationwide. Honda Malaysia assures that the
new CR-V will be delivered to customers in a
“Therefore, we have decided to extend timely manner.
the Special Sales until December 31* to
enable more customers to enjoy the rebate, Honda Malaysia managing director and
make inquiries, test drive and place a CEO Toichi Ishiyama said: “The launch of the
booking for the all-new City. At the same new CR-V has definitely captured the interest of
time, we endeavour to continue to work many SUV enthusiasts. As an all-in-one SUV,
hard, to meet customer demand and the new CR-V is able to fulfil customers’
deliver the cars to all customers in a timely demand with its complete package that
manner.” consists of a full suite of Honda Sensing* safety
features, Honda LaneWatch, dynamic
Honda Malaysia wishes for everyone to performance with four-wheel-drive system as
have the opportunity to enjoy the Special well as spacious and comfortable cabin.
Rebate* on the All-New City S and E
variants. With the sales tax exemption in “Combining its premium features and
place until Dec 31, customers who are attractive pricing starting from
interested to purchase the all-new City can RM139,912.53**, we believe the new CR-V is the
enjoy the extra benefits. ideal SUV for customers, especially families
and professionals who have a
For more information or to test drive the discerning taste for
new City, visit any of the 102 Honda SUV with
authorised dealerships nationwide or call top-notch
Honda’s toll-free number at 1-800-88-2020
or log on to www.honda.com.my. *Applicable for 1.5L TC-
P 2WD & 1.5L TC-P 4WD
*Terms and conditions apply.
variants only.
**On-the-road

price without
insurance. Sales
tax exemption

period ends on
Dec 31. Terms
and
conditions
apply.

18 theSun on friday Out & About
DECEMBER 11, 2020

New Almera Turbo:

Innovation that looks out for you
THE all-new Nissan Almera
Turbo incorporates a sleek, Other safety technologies Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW) and Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking (IFEB) systems.
comfortable and spacious available on the new Almera Turbo
design that leaves a lasting are the blind spot warning (BSW) and A five-year unlimited mileage 0 Kedah: ETCM Alor Setar (Dec 11- Chukai - 09-8596288.
first impression that drivers can be rear cross traffic alert (RCTA) vehicle warranty comes standard on 12) - 04-7339155. Prices for the new Almera Turbo,
proud of, along with intelligent and systems. all Almera Turbo variants, along with 0 Penang: ETCM Butterworth - 04-
advanced drive assist technologies free five-time alternating 3984588. which comes in three different
that meet the needs of Nissan’s At a driving speed of maintenance service (parts and 0 Perak: ETCM Sitiawan (Dec 11-12) variants, are RM79,906 for VL
valued customers, especially approximately 32km/h and above, labour included) within five years. - 05-6924811, ETCM Teluk Intan - 05- variant, RM85,715 for VLP and
millennials and young families. the BSW system helps keep an eye on 6223994, Nikaijaya Resource, Ipoh - RM91,310 for VLT (for Peninsular
blind spot areas at approximately Test Drive Carnival 05-2531228. Malaysia, on-the-road price without
The important area where the new three metres by three metres, via 0 Negri Sembilan: ETCM Seremban insurance and with sales tax
Almera Turbo stands out is its Nissan radar sensors at the rear bumper and Members of public are invited to - 06-7613311, Seremban Victory exemption).
Intelligent Mobility and Safety Shield alerts the driver of other vehicles in experience the new Almera Turbo at Credit, Seremban 2 - 06-7202888.
360 technologies that provide front, adjacent lanes, when changing lanes. the nationwide Nissan Test Drive 0 Johor: ETCM Segamat (Dec 11-12) ETCM is also offering a special
side and rear safety monitoring and Carnival from today to Dec 13. - 07-9316899, ETCM Kluang - 07- hire purchase Flexi Financing
intervention. If the radar sensors detect a 7719668, Sincere Scope, Bukit Indah - Promotion as follows: VL variant
vehicle in the detection zone or blind Customers stand a chance to win 07-2441383, Public Motor, Kulaijaya - from RM688 monthly, VLP for RM738
This exciting technology is a key spot area when the turn signal is five iPhone SE (128GB) worth 07-6633877, Simpson Tan Auto, monthly and VLT for RM788 monthly
component of Nissan’s vision of how activated, the system will chime twice RM2,199 when they test drive the Skudai - 07-2321199, W.E Motor, – based on 90% loan amount, nine
vehicles are driven, powered and and warning indicators on the ADAD new Almera Turbo and a chance to Mount Austin - 07-3578698. years loan tenure and valid until Dec
integrated into society. and the side mirror surface will win prizes worth up to RM88,888 in 0 Pahang: ETCM Kuantan - 09- 31.
illuminate. the “Buy & Win Contest” when they 5178628, Multiway Auto, Temerloh -
Standard on all three Almera purchase and register the car before 09-2960133. Customers who purchase
Turbo variants are the Intelligent Additionally, the RCTA system Dec 31. 0 Kelantan: ETCM Kota Bharu (Dec insurance for the new Almera Turbo
Forward Collision Warning (IFCW) operates while the vehicle is 11-13) - 09-7478645, Edaran Nuri KB, with Tan Chong Insurance Business
and Intelligent Forward Emergency reversing at speeds less than 8km/h. The locations of the carnival are: Pasir Tumboh - 09-7659888. Stream (TCIBS) will get free Personal
Braking (IFEB) systems. 0 Selangor: ETCM Petaling Jaya - 03- 0 Terengganu: ETCM Kuala Accident (PA) coverage with sum
The same rear radar sensors help 79575940, Auto Dunia Sdn Bhd, Batu Terengganu (Dec 11-13) - 09- insured up to RM75,000*, Key Care
The Intelligent Forward Collision to detect an approaching vehicle Caves - 03-6189 3028. 6222350, Edaran Nuri Kemaman, cover reimbursement up to RM1,500*
Warning monitors vehicle distance below 30km/h driving speed and 0 Wilayah Persekutuan: ETCM and flood relief allowance up to
and speed between 5km/h and warn the driver with an audible alert Melati Utama - 03-41076698, ETCM RM1,500*.
80km/h and alerts the driver when and indicator on the side mirror Cheras Southgate - 03-92221891. *Terms and conditions apply.
the vehicle is too close to a vehicle surface where the vehicle is
ahead or a risk from frontal collision approaching from.
by flashing a warning with audible
alert on the seven-inch Advance The highly-appreciated Intelligent
Drive Assist Display (ADAD). Around View Monitor (IAVM) with
Intelligent Moving Object Detection
If the driver does not take any (IMOD) system that is featured on the
action, the IFEB system will indicate Nissan X-Trail, Serena S-Hybrid and
an emergency stop sign and Navara is now available on the new
automatically engage the brakes to Almera Turbo too.
help avoid a frontal collision or lessen
the severity of an impact. Perfect during parking and
manoeuvring tight spots, the IAVM
The vehicle will remain at a system uses four cameras that
standstill for approximately two provide a virtual 360-degree bird’s-
seconds before the brakes are eye view of the vehicle, while the
released. IMOD system helps to detect and
alert the driver of moving objects
“The all-new Nissan Almera surrounding the vehicle.
Turbo takes the popular B-saloon to a
new level of refinement and The new Almera Turbo is also
enhancements not usually found in packed with other various safety
this segment. With the theme technologies that are always looking
‘Challenge All Beliefs’, the all-new out for you by monitoring,
Nissan Almera Turbo is not the responding and protecting you and
Almera everyone knew before. It is your passengers, including:
completely redesigned to be 0 Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
energetic, provocative and engaging with traction control.
with its dynamic styling, confidence- 0 Hill Start Assist (HSA).
inspiring performance and 0 Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
innovative technologies, that sets to with Brake Assist (BA).
challenge customers’ beliefs on what 0 Electronic Braking Distribution
modern saloons should be,” said (EBD).
Christopher Tan, sales and marketing 0 Six airbags (available on VLP and
director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor VLT variants only).
Sdn Bhd (ETCM). 0 Two Isofix child seat restraints with
top tethers.

Xpander media joyride

█ BY AZLAN RAMLI cars) started from MMM office in Glenmarie, There was even a few hundred metres of dirt with four colours – Titanium Grey, Quartz
MITSUBISHI Motors Malaysia (MMM) added which covered a short part of the New Klang road leading to the resort and even in such a White, Diamond Black and Red Metallic.
some colour to the dull motoring media scene Valley Expressway to the whole length of the condition, the Xpander showed it could handle
on Wednesday, when it took journalists on a North-South Expressway Central Link (also it, thanks to its high, 205mm ground clearance. At RM91,369 (for Peninsular Malaysia, on-
day trip 130km away, to a glamping resort in known as Elite Highway) before exiting at the the-road, without insurance and for private
Kuala Klawang, in Negri Sembilan’s Jelebu Nilai area of the North-South Expressway Upon arrival at the resort, there were a few registration, which excludes the sales tax), the
district. southern route, towards our exit point at the more Xpanders already there, strategically seven-seater crossover comes with five-year
Port Dickson toll plaza, right after the Seremban parked for more photo and video shoots, during warranty with unlimited mileage.
Despite not being an overnight trip, it was exit. an awesome lunch.
better than none at all! There were only a few of More on the new Xpander when I (with a few
such trips throughout this year (by different car Throughout that section, the roads were A- The new Xpander comes in one variant only, passengers!) borrow it for a few days...
companies) and all were short/day trips, grade highway types, where we enjoyed the
instead of the two-day one-night ones or even speed from the Xpander’s compact-but-
the occassional three-day or four-day outings. spirited, aluminium-blocked 1.5-litre Mivec
petrol engine.
Even the test drives – where we borrow cars
for a few days – were significantly reduced since The powerplant produces 104hp at
most car companies halted lending out cars to 6,000rpm and 141 Nm of torque at 4,000rpm,
the media, due to the Movement Control Order complemented by a four-speed automatic
(MCO) from March 18 and worse, the transmission.
Conditional MCO, which made test drives (if
any) quite pointless, since we couldn’t really From the Port Dickson exit, it was trunk
drive around much of Kuala Lumpur and roads in the kampung areas all the way to the
Selangor, let alone to other states. resort in Kuala Klawang, where the Xpander
demonstrated its ability to handle the bumps,
Now that the inter-district and interstate ruts, potholes, crests and many sharp bends
travels are allowed, such an event by MMM is and yet, hold its line. Once in a while, the
greatly welcomed! Xpander reminded me that it is still a seven-
seater and not a sportscar, but it wasn’t
The very-loose drive (no convoy and no lead alarming.

19theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
* ENTERTAINMENT

What is love?

oRidhwanSaidiexploresintimacyinrelationships
inhisfirstfeaturefilmthatwasscreenedatthe
31stSingaporeInternationalFilmFestival(SGIFF)

█ BY BISSME S. He just threw simple questions
and brief scenarios at his 14 cast
MANY know of Ridhwan members, and gave them the
Saidi as a photographer, a freedom to react to
novelist and a theatre his questions and
director. In recent years, his scenarios in any
he has directed many short films. Last way they wanted.
year, one of his short films, Sisa He explains that
Binasa, won first place in the Open as a novelist, he
Category at the FiTA WAVE Short decided on A scene from the film.
Film Awards. everything that Fellow cast member Lim Paik
was going to take Yinalso agrees with that assessment.
Recently, he directed his first place in the stories resorted to into his film. The 40-year-old says: “The film has
feature film, Tiada Cinta Selama that he wrote, from movements. He says: “I try to blur the line some surreal and fantasy elements.
Muda (No Love for The Young). beginning to end. After There are some poems in the film. I
Later, he began recording their between theatre and film. I try to blur love the way the shots were framed.”
The 85-minute film was recently directing theatre reactions, the line between fiction and reality. I This is her first time working with
selected to compete in the Asian plays, and it was Ridhwan spent try to blur the line between Ridhwan.
Feature Competition at the 31st there that he learnt hours in the performing and non-performing.” “I have only known Ridhwan as a
Singapore International Film Festival how directing editing room to photographer,” she says.
(SGIFF), which ended on Dec 6. theatre operated Ridhwan explores what love is in find a narrative Lew Shu Ni, 33, had a fun time “Only much later did I learn that
on a different his first feature film. within the results. working on the film. She has worked he had dabbled in writing novels and
Explaining the theme behind his concept from with Ridhwan on a few prior directing theatre productions.”
film, the 36-year-old filmmaker says: – COURTESY OF RIDHWAN SAIDI He pointed out occasions in his theatre productions, She loves the fact that Ridhwan
“I am exploring what love is. There and in his short films. had turned the whole production
are many layers and spectrums to writing a novel. that sometimes we process of the film into a
love. Some people associate madness “In theatre, you cannot work forget that film editors are an “But this is my first time working collaborative effort between the cast
with love. There is also puppy love, alone,” he says. important factor to a film’s in front of the camera,” she says. and the director.
like infatuation, as well as platonic “You work with your actors. You production, and that editors “The actors were pro-active,” she
love.” have to collaborate with them. You ultimately decide the outcome of the She finds that Ridhwan has a says.
need to learn to trust your actors, and film. strong vision but is willing to adapt to “He dared to break the rules, and I
For decades, filmmakers have the same goes for the actors. They He showed his film to a test his actors, and accepts their love that about him.”
been told that a good film needs a need to trust their director, too.” audience. A few remarked that his suggestions.
solid script. For the film, some of his cast film has a documentary atmosphere,
choose to express themselves while others have noted that he “Everyone will have their own
However, Ridhwan has been through conversations, while others incorporated his theatre experience interpretation of what the movie is all
rather adventurous with his first about,” she says.
feature film. He did not prepare any
screenplay. “For me, this film is a poetic look
at what love is.”

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20 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020

FEATURE

SERGI PINO recently moved to A cleaning staff million visitors, says Jordi Mestre,
Barcelona, but rather than member turns head of the Gremio de Hoteles
renting a flat, he’s staying at a on a disinfection representing the hotel and tourist
hotel which has been forced lamp inside a accommodation sector in the
to get creative to compensate for the room at the Barcelona area.
absence of tourists. Hotel Claris.
More than 75% of hotels remain
Hugely popular with international Staying afloat closed and the few that are open
visitors, the city has seen most of its barely manage an occupancy rate of
hotels close as the pandemic has o Without tourists, some Barcelona hotels get creative to survive 10%, leaving many on the verge of
kept tourists away, and the few that bankruptcy and attracting vulture
remain open have had to repurpose Gallery group, which includes hotels Although they are making just a which is cheaper than renting a funds.
themselves to stay afloat. in the southern resort of Malaga and fraction of what they would have studio in Barcelona.
Mallorca in the Balearic Isles. done in a normal year, the income This year, only 1.5 million visitors
Some have adapted their goes some way to compensating for Others are offering a taste of have stayed in hotels in the city, 12%
premises to suit telecommuters, Shuttered by the pandemic in the losses incurred by the pandemic, luxury, with one hotel, the Ohla, of whose wealth normally relies on
while others have dropped the price March, the hotel reopened in “providing the staff with jobs, and promising a free overnight stay for tourism.
for long-term stays in order to October after being refitted for meaning less money lost”, those paying to have dinner in its
compete with the traditional rental distance working with shared Golobardes says. Michelin-starred restaurant. In the local press, some are
market. working spaces and rooms The Detroit effect? already speaking of Barcelona as “the
converted into offices with a desk Several hotels have taken a The pandemic has caused “tragedy” Detroit of tourism”, referring to the
Still others are offering a deluxe instead of a bed for those who cannot similar approach, offering rooms for in a city that last year welcomed 9.5 fate of what was once among
experience to residents who, unable concentrate at home. as little as €600 (RM2,948) a month, America’s wealthiest cities as the
to travel, get to play the tourist in capital of its car industry during the
their own city. early half of the 20th century.

At his new “home” in the Gallery “I don’t think it’s the same
Hotel, Pino not only has his room, situation, although it’s true that the
but enjoys the use of the gym, the sector is going through a very, very
pool, the spa and an open space for complicated time,” said Remei
teleworking all for €900 (RM4,422) a Gomez, who runs the five-star Claris
month. hotel in central Barcelona.

“There’s more space, I’m happy Although in July the Claris
and focused on my work,” he says, achieved occupancy rates as high as
sitting in front of a screen in the 50%, fresh pockets of infection swiftly
shared working space wearing a grey ended that, leaving the hotel more
suit and white trainers. silent and empty than ever.

“Nothing bothers me.” “At this time of day, the restaurant
More affordable than a flat would normally be full of people
A former basketball player who is two having breakfast, with customers
metres tall, Pino used to commute sunbathing outside on the patio and
from his home 70 kilometres away. a lot of people in the reception area.
Under normal conditions, the hotel
But when he looked for a flat, he would be full of life, but now, sadly, it
realised that staying in a hotel would is very quiet,” she says.
be more affordable.
Outside, bellboys are loading a
And he’s not alone: among other suitcase into the boot of a car
long-term “guests” at the hotel are belonging to one of its few guests, a
couples whose homes are being German businessman who says he
renovated and people who were knows the city well.
going to move abroad but found their
relocation put on hold because of the “It’s really strange, I went to the
pandemic. Ramblas this morning and it was
almost empty,” said Matt Wittberg,
“We have eight people living with 48, after handing his key back at
us and we’re about to take in another reception.
24 reservations,” says Marta
Golobardes, director general of the “I’ve never seen it like that, it was
a bit scary.” – AFP-Relaxnews

More than RM2 million in funding to address digital health inequalities

THE use of high-tech health devices an online platform. This platform focusing on the development of an
such as smart bracelets to combat will be optimised for use in Malaysia. accessible digital solution that will
sleep apnoea, chest straps to It can facilitate future adaptations to encourage immunisation uptake
monitor heart rate and exercise foster youth mental health in and support the large-scale data
trackers to boost workouts have seen marginalised populations and collection of immunisation records
massive growth in recent years. strengthen existing Australia-South- in the refugee population in
People can also interact with health East Asia links with the Turner Malaysia.
care providers via video calls and Institute. 0 Another interdisciplinary team’s
receive text messages as reminders 0 Diabetes mellitus is a major non- research proposal was motivated by
to take their medication. These communicable disease in Malaysia. recent trends experienced among
devices and the ways we obtain our Dr Chong Chun Wie and his team the younger generation worldwide.
health information are known as will be designing a programme that Led by Associate Professor Anuja
digital health. enables remote consultation, self- Dharmaratne from the School of
monitoring, and real-time Information Technology, the team
However, the integration of intervention to help alleviate the will explore the impact of Artificial
digital health care is still an issue in load off highly congested Intelligence (AI) in analysing the
some populations. Monash government healthcare facilities. behaviour of individuals. The team
University is on a mission to work The project will draw on scientists aims to assist psychotherapists and
with these under-resourced across different expertise within special needs teachers by recording
communities to eliminate the causes Monash University in Malaysia, long durations of behaviour
of disparities. The use of high-tech health devices has seen massive growth in recent years. Australia as well as industry partners monitoring exercise during
such as Caring Pharmacy and treatment sessions and analysing
Digital health traverses and the Asia-Pacific and Southeast 0 Despite a sizable number of deaf Bionime (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. them automatically.
disciplines including information Asian regions which have low access people, healthcare professionals are 0 Professional burnout is one of the 0 Epilepsy is a neurological disorder
technology, clinical medicine, public to technology and digital literacy. mostly unprepared to understand or many causes of mental and physical affecting about 65 million people
health, computer science and others. serve the needs of these patients due health issues among healthcare around the globe. Dr Mohmad
Aligned with Monash University’s In this year’s inaugural Monash to their lack of training in sign workers. Professor Tin Tin Su and Farooq Shaikh and his team are
vision for global impact, Network for University Malaysia NEED Grant language. Associate Professor Uma her team aim to determine the proposing a device that will detect
Equity through Digital Health Scheme 2021, the university Devi Palanisamy and her team are feasibility, acceptability and early seizures and prevent it from
(NEED) is an interdisciplinary approved funding for seven digital addressing the health preliminary efficacy of a culturally happening. The proposed project
collaboration between researchers health strategic projects totalling to communication needs of deaf sign sensitive and fully automated will combine health sciences,
from Monash University in Australia more than RM2 million. Successful language users with an app - Deaf In conversational agent (Chatbot), in engineering, AI & machine learning
and Malaysia and relevant partners applications were from the Jeffrey Touch Everywhere (DITETM). The delivering Cognitive Behaviour along with formulation and material
which aim to use digital health as a Cheah School of Medicine and app allows a deaf person to book Therapy (CBT) to nurses in Segamat sciences for improving patient’s
vehicle to address health and Health Sciences, School of sign language interpreters by district who self-identify as having quality of life.
wellness inequalities. Information Technology and School appointment during their health symptoms of work-related stress and
of Pharmacy. Their projects will consultation and communicate with burnout. All seven projects are due to be
President and Pro Vice- focus on research in the following them via video conferencing using 0 There is a lack of information and completed in 2023.
Chancellor of Monash University areas: neurosciences and mental smartphones. documentation about the
Malaysia, Professor Andrew Walker wellbeing; digitally-enabled care 0 The interdisciplinary team lead by immunisation status of “The opportunities to influence
and Professor of Practice in Digital models of the future; improving Karen Golden proposes to conduct a undocumented migrants, refugees, through the multidisciplinary field of
Health at Monash University in the health access and wellbeing of mixed-methods needs analysis to asylum seekers and the stateless digital health research align closely
Faculty of Information Technology, underserved populations; and adapt existing Australian-UK digital population. Dr Yatinesh Kumari and with our strategic priorities. By
Professor Chris Bain are the co- cardiovascular health and health parenting interventions into her team of researchers will be investing in this area through NEED,
founders of NEED. NEED will target wellbeing. we’re able to bring our vision to life,”
less developed and underserved Professor Walker stated.
communities in Australia, Malaysia

322 Notices Smith revved 21theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
up for India Test * SPORTS
IN THE MATTER OF THE
COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND STEVE SMITH admitted yesterday Chequered flag for F1
he was pumped to play his first Test Farewells abound at Abu Dhabi season-enderOUR-TIMES world champion
IN THE MATTER OF in almost a year, revealing how hard Sebastian Vettel will be saying
ETERNITY LIFE TOMBSTONE it was to miss India’s last series in farewell to Ferrari in Abu Dhabi
CONSTRUCTION SDN. BHD. Australia when he was banned for
(Company No. 564060 - W) ball-tampering. Fon Sunday while Mexican
alongside Max Verstappen. Fellow Briton George Russell, his
(In Members’ Voluntary The two sides meet in a day-night “I already have some good options stand-out replacement last weekend
Liquidation) Test in Adelaide from Dec 17, the first in a race he might have won but for a
of four clashes over a blockbuster for ‘22 so my best option is obviously to tyre mix-up and late puncture, is
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN summer. keep going on next year but if I have to waiting for the nod from Mercedes.
pursuant to Section 459(2) of Sergio Perez faces an uncertain future stop, then it’s not a disaster,” he said.
the Companies Act, 2016, that a It will be Smith’s first red-ball despite being Formula One’s newest There will be others saying “thank “Lewis’s condition is improving,
Final Meeting of the members of international since the final Test race winner. you and goodbye” too, with Australian but we won’t know until closer to the
the abovenamed Company will against New Zealand at the Sydney After six seasons at Maranello, the Daniel Ricciardo bowing out of time if he will be driving,” said team
be held at C-6-07, Street Mall, Cricket Ground in January before German is taking Perez’s place at a Renault before a move to McLaren – boss Toto Wolff.
One South, Jalan OS, Taman coronavirus caused havoc. Racing Point team that will be whose Spanish driver Carlos Sainz is
Serdang Perdana, Seksyen renamed Aston Martin next year. taking Vettel’s place at Ferrari. “We’ll do everything we can to get
6, 43300 Seri Kembangan, “Very excited, I love Test cricket, “Together we have learned so Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen him in the car and we know he’s
Selangor on 11.01.2021 at 11:00 it’s my favourite form of the game no much,” said Vettel of his time in red. heads for the exit after being replaced determined to be back as soon as
a.m. for the following purposes:- doubt. It challenges you in so many “There have been ups and downs at Haas, whose other departing driver possible. But his health is our main
LIQUIDATOR’S different ways,” Smith, bubbling with and we have been close to winning the Romain Grosjean has already gone priority, so we will see what the
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS enthusiasm, said on a Zoom call from title twice but it was not to be. I am home after his miracle escape from a situation is and then make the call.”
To receive the accounts from Adelaide. happy that we have won 14 races fiery crash in Bahrain.
the Liquidator showing how the together but for sure we wanted more.” Russian Daniil Kvyat could also be Mercedes will still be favourites for
winding up has been conducted “So excited to get back out and Perez, a popular first-time winner set for a final outing, with Japanese a 14th win from 17 races. Ferrari, in
and the property of the Company play some long-form cricket. It’s in his 190th start in Bahrain last Yuki Tsunoda tipped to replace him at contrast, will be happy to see the back
disposed of and to hear any been close to a year since our last weekend, could be making his last Honda-powered AlphaTauri next of 2020.
explanations that may be given game. Can’t wait – all the boys are appearance on the starting grid until season.
by the Liquidator. really keen to get out there and play 2022. With both titles won by Mercedes, Without a win all season, they are
DISPOSAL OF BOOKS & as well.” His only hope of returning next year there is nothing at stake but the big certain to end up sixth – their lowest
RECORDS is a Red Bull seat, with the former question is whether seven-times world position since 1980 when they were
“THAT the books, accounts & Making it extra special for Smith champions considering whether to champion Lewis Hamilton will be able 10th.
documents of the Company is that he missed India’s historic first retain Thailand’s Alexander Albon to race after contracting Covid-19.
and of the Liquidator, shall be Test series win in Australia in 2018-19 “Abu Dhabi is a track that has never
kept by the Liquidator for a when he was serving his 12-month really suited our cars well so I am
period of 3 months after the suspension. expecting it to be an interesting
Company has been dissolved challenge,” said Vettel. – Reuters
and that thereafter such books, “I watched bits and pieces,” he
accounts and documents may said of the tour. “It was difficult Tough fight to the top for Kim
be destroyed by the Liquidator.” sitting on the sidelines and not being
Dated this 10th December 2020 able to go out there and make a KIM SEI-YOUNG hopes to become the world No. 1 with a win where competitors will play on two
difference.” at the US Women’s Open, which begins today, but with nine courses: Cypress Creek and Jackrabbit.
WANG SIEW YUEN of the top 10 golfers playing in Houston, Texas, she faces a A 12-times LPGA winner, the 27-year-
(Liquidator) Smith said Australia face a test of tough fight in the final major of 2020. old Korean has enjoyed five top-10
their batting depth After picking up her maiden major title at the finishes in 2020, including a win at the
C-6-07, Street Mall, One against India with an Women’s PGA Championship in October, Pelican Women’s Championship last
South, Jln OS, Tmn Serdang injury cloud hanging second-ranked Kim is among the month.
Perdana, Seksyen 6, 43300 Seri over their top favourites in the tightly “I felt like previously my game
order. packed field at fluctuated quite a bit throughout the
Kembangan, Selangor. Champions season but this season what’s been
Veteran Golf Club, different was I was able to be consistent
322 Notices opener with my performance,” said Kim.
David “And because I’m playing well, I just
NOTICE Warner want to continue on this momentum
IN THE MATTER OF has been KIM and try to finish strong every
THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 ruled out tournament.”
while his She hopes to dethrone her 25-year-old
AND likely SEI-YOUNG compatriot Ko Jin-young from the top of
IN THE MATTER OF replacement Will the world rankings, but will have to beat
WASPADA PRESS SDN. BHD. Pucovski is recovering back fearsome competitors including
(Company No. 131196-D) from concussion after returning champion Lee Jeong-eun, world
being hit by a bouncer No. 3 American Nelly Korda and fourth-
(In Members’ during a tour match. ranked Danielle Kang, who won two LPGA
Voluntary Winding-Up) titles this year but took a few weeks off from
By a Written Resolution of the “I think our competition after October.
Members of Waspada Press depth is obviously “I actually needed to tune up some stuff back at
Sdn. Bhd. duly passed on the going to be home with my game and feel like I was ready to play
2nd December 2020, the special tested with here. I need to have my height and I need to have my ball
resolutions set out below were duly Davey out and a control. Distance off the tee is going to be huge,” said the 28-
passed. few potentially year-old American.
THAT the Company be wound up new players Echoing others in the field this week, the third-ranked
voluntarily pursuant to Section coming in,” the Korda said the two courses used in the tournament would
439(1)(b) of the Companies Act former captain pose a significant challenge.
2016 and that Mr. Chan Tuck Vai said. “I have never done this before, so there’s a lot more
of c/o 4th Floor, Acctax Corporate yardage books,” said the 22-year-old American, who has
Centre, No. 2, Jalan Bawasah, “It’ll test us out, three LPGA titles to her name and finished tied for second
10050 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang no doubt, against a in the ANA Inspiration in September. A lot more prep.
be appointed as Liquidator to act good Indian outfit… These greens definitely play a big role, and so I’ve been
for the purpose of the winding-up. They beat us out here working a lot around the greens.” – Reuters
Dated this 11th December 2020 last time and they’re a
.........Sgd........ very good side.” –
Saw Boon Lee AFP/Reuters
Director
322 Notices BRIEFS make a last push now at the end of his struck at any point in the last few years.
IN THE MATTER OF Wawrinka still hungry for success career,”Vallverdu said by phone from
THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 IN THE MATTER OF Monaco. Williamson pulls out of Windies Test
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 THREE-TIME Grand Slam champion Stan
AND Wawrinka still has the hunger to be Merc radio problems solved NEW ZEALAND captain Kane Williamson
IN THE MATTER OF AND consistently competitive against top players yesterday pulled out of the second Test against
WASPADA PRESS SDN. BHD. IN THE MATTER OF and wants to make a final push for success FORMULA ONE champions Mercedes have the West Indies in Wellington as he awaits the
(Company No. 131196-D) YL MARK SPECIALIST before the end of his career, his coach Daniel fixed a radio problem that caused pitstop imminent arrival of his first child. The abrupt U-
CENTRE SDN. BHD. Vallverdu has told Reuters. The shutdown confusion in Bahrain last weekend and turn came just hours after batting mainstay
(In Members’ 200901004734 (847669-W) due to Covid-19 pandemic and the wrecked their race, team boss Toto Wolff said Williamson had told head coach Gary Stead he
Voluntary Winding-Up) (In Members’ Voluntary uncertainty in the calendar proved yesterday. Mercedes put Valtteri Bottas’s front would play in the match, which begins today.
Notice is hereby given that the “challenging” but Wawrinka managed to tyres on race leader George Russell’s car Williamson had flown home to Tauranga,
creditors of the abovenamed Winding-Up) make a strong end to the year by reaching when both drivers pitted during a safety car 500km from Wellington, to be with his wife
Company are required on or before NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING the quarterfinals in St Petersburg and the period at Sakhir. The mistake meant Russell Sarah on the eve of the match. After
11th January 2021 to prove their ATP Masters in Paris. “Once the tour had a had to pit again. He ended up ninth after a confirming his availability he flew back to
debts or claims and to establish UNDER SECTION 459 OF little bit more of a structure and we knew late puncture dealt a further setback. Bottas Wellington where, after further discussions
any title they may have to priority THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 that tournaments were going to happen he was meanwhile held for an agonisingly long with Stead, he agreed it would be best if he
by delivering or sending through NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Final found his motivation again and we were able time in the pits before the team put his returned to be with his wife. “It’s a decision that
the post to the Liquidator at the Meeting of the Company will be held at to practice with a goal and with objectives in original worn tyres back on. “The pitstop we’ve come to around the best interests for
undermentioned address and No. 7, JALAN ROTAN CUCUR, TAMAN SRI front of us,”Vallverdu said in an interview. problem has uncovered an underlying him and for Sarah, and also for our team,” Stead
affidavit verifying their respective JAYA, 83000 BATU PAHAT, JOHOR on 11 “The last few events of the year were very problem with our intercom, and we’ve put said. “He isn’t the first person to have a baby
debts or claims. In default they will January 2021 2020 at 10.00 a.m. encouraging. He’s now ready to go through measures in place, both technically and in and miss a Test match so our thoughts and
be excluded from the benefit of AGENDA this training block in December, and the way we operate, to make sure it doesn’t wishes are with Sarah and Kane at this time
priority, if any, and from objecting 1. To receive and consider the hopefully have a full season next year. “The happen again,” said Wolff. Technical head and we want to make sure first and foremost
to any such distribution. Form of Liquidators account of receipts hunger is definitely there and he wants to James Allison explained that the radio the mother and baby are well looked after,”
proof may be obtained from the and payment and statements of problem had lain undetected and could have Stead added.
Liquidator at the address shown distribution among the contributories
below. and any explanations arising
Dated this 11th December 2020 therefrom.
.........Sgd.......... 2. To resolve that under Section 518
Chan Tuck Vai, Liquidator of the Companies Act 2016, the
c/o 4th Floor books, accounts and documents of
Acctax Corporate Centre the Company be destroyed after the
No. 2, Jalan Bawasah expiration of three (3) months from
10050 Georgetown the date of the final meeting.
Penang Dated : 11 December 2020
PHAN LI CHING (f)
CALL Liquidator
TO PLACE
CLASSIFIED ADS

MS. SHOBA

T 03 7784 8888
F 03 7784 4424

22 theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020
SPORTS

Conte fumes as Inter crash out after stalemate

INTER MILAN crashed out of the Champions against Shakhtar, in two games dominated, hear that there was a lack of desire, of situations that have not been reviewed or
League in the group stage for the third we didn’t manage to score,” said Conte. determination and focus. evaluated.”
consecutive season yesterday after a goalless
draw against Shakhtar Donetsk at the San Siro. “Their goalkeeper was the best on the “There was a lack of goals. If you don’t Conte said he had “no response” to a
pitch in both games.” score, you don’t win.” suggestion from former AC Milan, Juventus,
Antonio Conte’s side had needed a win to Real Madrid and England coach Capello that
advance to the last 16 along with Spanish Conte’s side are the only Italian team not to Conte also complained about referees and Inter lacked determination.
giants Real Madrid. make the last 16 with Juventus, Atalanta and argued with former coach Fabio Capello, now
Lazio all advancing. a television pundit, after the match. He also gave short shrift to Capello’s
But the Italians finished bottom of their suggestion that Inter did not have a backup
group with just one win, last week’s 3-2 “These are evaluations that have to be “Throughout the Champions League, we plan.
victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach, done in a calm and cold way,” said the former have been unlucky with referees and VAR,”
having also played out a goalless draw in Juventus and Chelsea coach. Conte said. “Yes, we do have a Plan B but I am not
Ukraine. going to talk about it in public because then
“I don’t think you can make these “Now that we are out, I feel I have to say our opponents will know about it and it will
“It’s unbelievable that in 180 minutes evaluations after such an exit. this. It seems to me that Inter have not been became useless,” he said. – AFP/Reuters
respected, if you go back and look at the
Real sigh “There is a lot of regret but I honestly don’t SIDENETTING
Atletico sink Salzburg
of relief
Benzema takes Madrid into Euro last 16 ATLETICO MADRID sealed their Champions
and eases pressure on Zidane League knockout stage berth after an
industrious performance topped off by a
KARIM BENZEMA netted two identical headers to secure Real Madrid a sublime Yannick Carrasco goal helped them
place in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-0 win over Borussia to a 2-0 win at Salzburg in their Group A
Moenchengladbach yesterday, easing the pressure on coach Zinedine match yesterday. The result left Atletico
Zidane. second in the group on nine points from six
Record 13-time champions Madrid started the night in third place, at risk of failing games, seven behind group winners Bayern
to qualify from the group stage for the first time in their history and dropping into the Munich who sealed their progress earlier and
Europa League, but delivered an assured were 2-0 home winners over Lokomotiv
performance at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium. Moscow. Salzburg wasted a string of chances,
with Mergim Berisha hitting the post in the
Madrid finished as group winners on 10 second minute, before defender Mario
points, ahead of runners-up Gladbach on eight Hermoso fired the visitors ahead against the
despite the defeat, as Shakhtar Donetsk and run of play in the 39th minute. Atletico’s
Inter Milan drew 0-0 in the other Group B clash. second goal was one of pure quality as
substitute Angel Correa raced down the right
President Florentino Perez was spotted in the flank and delivered an inch-perfect cross for
tunnel before the game and his presence seemed to focus Carrasco to blast home a superb first-time
Madrid minds, as they put on their best performance of the volley from inside the penalty area. Atletico
season in their most important game so far. manager Diego Simeone praised his team
and Carrasco in particular. “We never thought
“It was a good game for us,” Benzema told Movistar. it would be simple because Salzburg are a
“Each match is a final and I think that if we always play team who play with high intensity,” he said.
how we did today, no team can hurt us. “Carrasco was fantastic in the second half and
he must carry on like this because at this level
“This was a very difficult game, we started it well and he is a different player and a very important
with the desire to show that we are the best.” one for the team.”

Makeshift rightback Lucas Vazquez curled in a cross and Benzema produced a Choupo-Moting makes
fine header to break the deadlock after just nine minutes. stand in Bayern win

Madrid kept an iron grip on the game until Gladbach forward Alassane Plea broke Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema BAYERN MUNICH striker Eric Choupo-Moting
free but dinked wide of Thibaut Courtois’ goal. (left) in action with Borussia dropped to his knee and raised a fist in
Moenchengladbach’s Stefan celebration after sealing a 2-0 win over
Benzema doubled the lead with a clone of his first strike, nodding home from Lainer during their Champions Lokomotiv Moscow in his side's final
Rodrygo’s cross from the right in the 32nd minute. Champions League group game yesterday.
League group match at The striker's statement against racism came
Two defeats by Shakhtar Donetsk had left Madrid in a tight spot in the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano just 24 hours after his former Paris Saint-
Champions League and their situation was compounded by disappointing yesterday. – REUTERSPIX Germain team mates walked off the pitch in
losses against Cadiz, Valencia and Alaves in La Liga. protest against alleged racism from the fourth
official in their game against Istanbul
“The objective was to finish first and we did it,” a proud Zidane told Basaksehir on Tuesday. “I obviously followed
Movistar. “We played a spectacular game today. I think it was our most what happened yesterday, and it was very sad
complete of the season, from minute one to the end we did very well.” to see, but a great reaction from both sets of
players. The fight against racism continues, we
Gladbach created little of note and found it impossible to escape can’t simply look away, we have to be
Madrid’s relentless press, showing few similarities to the side which proactive and make a statement,” Choupo-
almost shocked the Spanish champions in the 2-2 draw they Moting told Sky. Choupo-Moting’s goal sealed
shared in October. a comfortable victory for Bayern, handing the
defending champions the fifth win of their
“It’s really amazing, we played our worst game of the whole title defence this season. “We struggled to find
group stage today, but we are still through, and deservedly space in the first half, it was important to
so,” Gladbach captain Lars Stindl told DAZN. score the first goal. We kept pushing forward
and I’m happy I got my goal,” added Choupo-
The visiting players gathered around an electronic Moting.
tablet at the end of the game to watch the final moments
of Inter’s draw with Shakhtar, before they could World Cup win was ‘redemption’ for Rossi
celebrate reaching the Champions League last 16 for
the first time.

“It was a strange feeling because we couldn’t really be
happy after our game. We just had to hope, and the
emotion flooded out at the end,” Gladbach midfielder
Christoph Kramer added on Sky.

“We deserved to go through, even if we had no
chance against Real Madrid.” – AFP

Ney defends walkout after PSG hammer Turks

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN and Istanbul the Black Lives Matter movement. PAOLO ROSSI once described his He was ineffective in Italy’s three pool
Basaksehir played their Champions League Players also sported t-shirts with the slogan performance at the 1982 World Cup, where matches, failing to score in three draws,
match to a conclusion yesterday, 24 hours after he etched his name into football folklore, as prompting Italian journalist Gianni Brera to
it had been suspended, with Neymar scoring a “No To Racism” while warming up at the Parc “personal redemption” from a match-fixing describe him as “an ectoplasm of himself”.
hattrick before saying both teams had felt des Princes, where large banners in the empty scandal, even though he always said he had
compelled to make a stand against racism in stands carried the same message. nothing to atone for. But just when it seemed Italy did not
what was an unprecedented protest over an have a ghost of a chance of winning the
alleged comment by an official. “What happened was unacceptable. In the Rossi, who died at the age of 64 early World Cup, Rossi came alive, scoring all
times we live in we cannot accept differences yesterday, had been handed a three-year three goals in their pulsating 3-2 win over
PSG won the game 5-1 after it restarted being made like that about colour or race,” ban in the fallout from the “Totonero” Brazil in the second stage group match in
where it had stopped the previous day, in the Neymar told French broadcaster RMC Sport. scandal in 1980, but when the sanction was Barcelona.
14th minute, following a touchline argument reduced to two years it gave him the
over accusations the Romanian fourth official, “It has no place in football, or in life, or in any opportunity to rebuild his reputation. He continued his run with both goals in
Sebastian Coltescu, had described Basaksehir’s sport, so our attitude was perfect.” the 2-0 defeat of Poland in the semifinals
Cameroonian assistant coach Pierre Webo as The Juventus striker’s six goals, including before snaring the opener in a 3-1 victory
“black”, or “negru” in Romanian. Already qualified for the last 16 thanks to an astonishing hattrick against Brazil, helped over West Germany in the final in Madrid.
Manchester United’s defeat to RB Leipzig on him to the Golden Boot as the tournament’s
“Sometimes in extreme circumstances these Tuesday, PSG still needed to win the restarted highest scorer while he was also awarded “That goal, more than any other goal I’ve
things need to be done to see if the world can game to secure top spot in their group and the Golden Ball as the best player of the ever scored, completely defined my
change a little,” said Neymar, who together with cruised to victory. tournament. characteristics. It was mine because I stole
other players and the new team of officials that precious tenth of a second from the
gathered around the centre circle and took a As well as Neymar’s stunning hattrick, the Rossi had returned to the field just defender and I knew he would never reach
knee before the restart yesterday in support of world’s most expensive player won a penalty months before the World Cup in Spain and me,” Rossi told a FIFA documentary in 2018.
which Kylian Mbappe converted. Mbappe was considered unfit. – Reuters
scored another goal, PSG’s fifth, after Mehmet
Topal pulled one back for Basaksehir. – AFP

23theSUN ON FRIDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2020

BERNARDO SILVA believes Manchester Time to deliver * SPORTS
City’s cruise through the group stage of
the Champions League with a record Group stage record ‘not enough’ as City aim Spanish international as he tried to tackle Riyad
number of points is a sign of how far the for Champions League progress Mahrez inside the box.
club have progressed in Europe, but knows it is in
the knockout phase that Pep Guardiola’s men will “It’s a good start for us – we know it’s not seriously. It was a good performance,” said Sergio Aguero’ took just 10 minutes after
be judged. enough but it’s a very good start. We’re into the Guardiola. “Sixteen points, just one draw, it was a coming on to show why he is City’s all-time
last 16 and our goal is to do better than we did in really good group stage.” leading scorer with a poacher’s finish after the
In four previous seasons under Guardiola, the last three seasons and that’s what we will try break before Raheem Sterling hammered home
City have failed to make it beyond the to do.” City’s reserves were still far too strong for the third, which was later changed to an own goal
quarterfinals despite the hundreds of millions Marseille, who slipped to a 14th defeat in their from Alvaro Gonzalez.
invested by the club’s Abu Dhabi owners to win With City already guaranteed top spot in the last 15 Champions League games, and missed
the competition for the first time. group, Guardiola took the chance to hand a out on the chance to leapfrog Olympiakos into Guardiola was all praise for Aguero after the
number of his key players a rest ahead of third place in the group. striker found the net 10 following his return from
Despite Guardiola making a number of Sunday’s trip to Manchester United in the injury against Olympique Marseille in the
changes yesterday, a comfortable 3-0 victory over Premier League. City made the breakthrough three minutes Champions League.
Marseille on saw City top Group C with a club after half-time when Ferran Torres pounced after
record 16 points from a possible 18. “We didn’t play for points but we took it Valere Germain inadvertently played in the “His instinct to score goals will always be
there,” Guardiola said. “The important thing is he
“I hope it’s a mark of how far we’ve made a good three or four training sessions and
progressed,” said Silva on setting that new record. the reaction after the training session was good.”
“We always want to do better than in the last
seasons, so we’re very pleased with our group However, Guardiola said Aguero would not
campaign. start against Manchester United on Sunday.

“Step by step. What is important is how his
reaction will be tomorrow after this effort,” he
added. – AFP/Reuters

TOUCHLiNES Norwich back
on top
BRAZIL forward Neymar, 28, says that leaving
Paris St-Germain“does not cross my mind”. Ajax’ Lisandro NORWICH returned to the top of the
PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi is“very confident” Martinez (centre Championship thanks to Emi
that Neymar and France forward Kylian Mbappe, left) fights for Buendia’s late strike to beat
21, will agree contract extensions. the ball with Nottingham Forest 2-1 in front of
CHELSEA are one of four potential destinations Atalanta’s 2,000 fans at Carrow Road.
David Alaba’s agent has identified for the Alejandro
Austria defender, 28, if he leaves Bayern Munich Gomez (centre Jacob Sorensen punished a
next summer.The others are Barcelona, Real right) during mistake from defender Yuri Ribeiro to
Madrid and PSG. their Champions give Norwich the lead in first-half
MANCHESTER UNITED want to sell France inter- League group stoppage time.
national Paul Pogba in the January transfer window match at the
after the 27-year-old’s agent said the midfielder Johan Cruijff Anthony Knockaert levelled in the
was“unhappy”and had to“change teams”. stadium 73rd minute when his cross sailed
REAL MADRID and Juventus have been linked yesterday. into the Canaries’ net.
with Pogba but Manchester United have doubts – AFPPIX
about whether they can afford to sign him. But a deflected Buendia effort
SPAIN winger Lucas Vazquez’s contract at Real Canny Atalanta demote Ajax restored Norwich’s lead four minutes
Madrid runs out in June 2021 and the 29-year-old to Europa League later to open up a three-point lead
says renewing his deal there is a“complicated sub- on second-placed Bournemouth.
ject”. A LATE goal from Luis Muriel earned Atalanta Brobbey, on his competition debut, headed
LIONEL MESSI would threaten the financial bal- a 1-0 win at 10-man Ajax Amsterdam into the hands of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini. All four teams in the playoff
ance at Paris St-Germain if the 33-year-old yesterday and sent the Italian side into the places are tied on 30 points as fifth-
Argentina forward joined from Barcelona, says Champions League knockout stages at the They found more room in a desperate last placed Reading were stunned 2-1 at
former Arsenal boss ArseneWenger. expense of their Dutch hosts. 20 minutes when a penalty appeal, after home by Birmingham.
JORDI FARRE says that if he wins the Barcelona substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar tumbled
presidential election in January, Messi will sign a Ajax needed victory at the Amsterdam theatrically to the ground, was turned down Jon Toral had not scored for 22
contract renewal the next day. Arena to pip their Italian visitors to second and Davy Klaassen shot into the legs of Gollini. games, but struck twice in eight first-
BAYERN MUNICH are preparing a move for place in Group D behind Liverpool but failed half minutes to put Birmingham in
Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie to create many chances as Atalanta produced “I should have scored,” Klaassen said. “But it command.
de Jong, 23. an astute performance topped off by a was a difficult game, they didn’t come to score
BRAZIL striker Hulk, 34, is willing to take a 90% breakaway goal in the 85th minute. but defended well, they were very compact Yakou Meite halved the deficit
pay cut to seal a free transfer to the Premier and we created too few chances.” just after the hour mark and the
League after ending his four-year spell with The Italian side finished the group on 11 visitors were reduced to 10 men
Shanghai SIPG. points, four more than Ajax, who will go into The 78th-minute dismissal of 18-year-old when Harlee Dean saw red for a
the Europa League. Liverpool were top and midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, sent off for a second bookable offence after 70
RESULTS Denmark’s Midtjylland bottom. second caution, then hampered home hopes. minutes but held on to move up to
15th.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Atalanta, quarterfinalists in last season’s Atalanta’s Dutch international midfielder
Group A: Bayern Munich 2 (Suele 63, Choupo- Champions League, abandoned their usual all- Marten de Roon fired wide early and Matteo Bristol City moved into the playoff
Moting 80) Lokomotiv Moscow 0, Salzburg 0 out attacking approach to concentrate on Pessina had an attempt blocked after a poor places with a 1-0 victory over
Atletico Madrid 2 (Hermoso 39, Carrasco 86). stifling Ajax’s midfield and denying the home punch out by Ajax keeper Andre Onana. Blackburn at Ashton Gate.
Group B: Inter Milan 0 Shakhtar Donetsk 0, Real side possession, executing coach Gian Piero
Madrid 2 (Benzema 9, 32) Borussia Moencheng- Gasperini’s plan to near perfection. The Italians, who only needed a draw to Substitute Famara Diedhiou
ladbach 0. advance, secured the win when Remo struck the winner eight minutes from
Group C: Olympiakos 0 Porto 2 (Otavio 10-pen, Ajax created only a single chance in the Freuler’s perfectly-weighted ball found Muriel time with a classy swivelled finish.
Uribe 77), Manchester City 3 (Torres 48, Aguero 77, first half when 18-year-old striker Brian clear on goal and he rounded Onana to score.
Gonzalez og 90) Marseille 0. – Reuters Wayne Rooney extended his
Group D: Ajax 0 Atalanta 1 (Muriel 85), Midtjyl- unbeaten record as interim Derby
land 1 (Scholz 62-pen) Liverpool 1 (Salah 1). manager to four games with a 0-0
Group H: Paris Saint-Germain 5 (Neymar 21, 38, 50, draw at Brentford, but the Rams
Mbappe 42-pen, 62) Istanbul Basaksehir 1 (Topal remain in the relegation zone.
57).
Team qualified for the last 16 Preston ended their poor run at
Group winners: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, home to beat Middlesbrough 3-0.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Borussia
Dortmund, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain. Brad Potts flicked home the
Runners-up: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Moencheng- opener in the 63rd minute and Scott
ladbach, Porto, Atalanta, Sevilla, Lazio, Barcelona, RB Sinclair added a low left-footed
Leipzig. second just moments after heading
CHAMPIONSHIP: Preston 3 Middlesbrough 0, against the underside of the
Barnsley 2 Wycombe 1, Brentford 0 Derby 0, Bristol crossbar.
City 1 Blackburn 0, Norwich 2 Nottingham Forest 1,
Reading 1 Birmingham 2. Substitute Emil Riis Jakobsen
drove home the third seven minutes
from time to confirm Boro’s third
defeat in four games.

Barnsley beat Wycombe 2-1 at
Oakwell. – AFP

Klopp turns against VAR after long, cold wait

JURGEN KLOPP said his support for VAR is difficult to make, it took three or four minutes backpass inside the first minute and slotted
waning after a series of lengthy delays in and it was cold for the boys. home his 22nd Champions League goal for
Liverpool’s 1-1 Champions League draw away to Liverpool, to surpass Steven Gerrard as the
Midtjylland yesterday. “It is really hard and I could hear people club’s all-time top scorer in the competition.
saying, ‘Oh my God’. It took really long and it was
Three times the game was interrupted in the really cold, which doesn’t help. “Absolutely exceptional player,” added Klopp.
second-half as the penalty that led to the “Since we worked together obviously a lot of
Danish champions equaliser and a goal ruled “I used to be one of the people who said VAR things clicked really for all of us. He helps the
out for either side were reviewed. is a good idea, I’m really not sure if I would say team massively and he knows and appreciates
that again to be honest. But now we have it.” the help of the team as well.”
Klopp agreed with all three calls by the
officials, but was concerned that the wait in cold Liverpool were already guaranteed top spot Midtjylland’s pressure was rewarded with a
conditions could have led to even more injury in Group D, allowing Klopp to make eight penalty after the first of a series of lengthy
problems for his side. changes, but he did surprisingly start Mohamed reviews.
Salah up front and Fabinho at centreback
“It just took too long,” said Klopp after eight despite his concerns over a gruelling December After reviewing the incident on the pitchside
minutes of stoppage time were added on at the schedule. monitor French referee Francois Letexier
end of the game. pointed to the spot and Alexander Scholz made
The decision to play Salah immediately paid no mistake. – AFP
“The decisions were right but it was so off as the Egyptian seized upon a mishit

FRIDAY • DECEMBER 11, 2020 QUOTE OF THE DAY

Family I hope it’s a mark of how far we've
progressed. We always want to do
better than in the last seasons, so we’re very
pleased with our group campaign. It’s a good
start for us – we know it’s not enough but it’s a
very good start.”

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva

fued
Manchester United host neighbours City in Premier League main event
MANCHESTER UNITED meet
Manchester City for the first time 2-1 victory at the Etihad earlier in the
this season on Sunday (1.30am campaign.
Malaysian time) as they go head-
to-head with their “noisy neighbours” in the Overall, from 182 meetings with City in all
Premier League at Old Trafford. competitions, United have won 76, drawn 52
and lost 54.
United go into this weekend’s derby off
the back of a disappointing midweek loss to Looking ahead to Sunday’s match,
RB Leipzig in the Champions League, former United defender Wes Brown sees no
although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have reason why United couldn’t still finish above
won their last four League outings. their rivals and win the title despite their
mixed start to the season.
Pep Guardiola’s City have begun to strike
up some form in the League too, picking up “The way the season has gone so far, I
three points in both of their last two outings think Man United could finish above Man
– against Burnley and Fulham – without City,” Brown told metro.co.uk.
conceding a goal.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s still going to be
Those wins mean City go into Sunday’s tough, and there are probably six teams in
showdown just a point and a place behind there that’ll be fighting for the title. I don’t
United, as they occupy seventh spot in the see why United can’t finish above City and
table after 10 games. win the League, just based on how the
season has gone so far.
Ole will hope to call on the services of
Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani for the “United came top four last season when
game. The pair both missed the midweek nobody thought they would, so sometimes
trip to Germany, but may recover in the time you have to give them credit where it’s due.
for the derby. More consistency in the Premier League is
all I’d ask for – at home, especially.
Luke Shaw returned to the starting line-
up during the loss to Leipzig, but it remains “Put together a six or seven game run at
to be seen whether two matches in a week Old Trafford and I don’t think anyone can
will be too much for the defender, following have any questions about whether or not
a recent injury. you’re genuine title contenders.”

Fred is also in contention to play after he Brown is expecting a cagey affair, but
missed Tuesday match through suspension. backed his former team to seal a narrow win.

As for the visitors, Guardiola ruled out “Derbies are always going to be tight,” he
striker Sergio Aguero, who scored in added. “Immediately when I think of
yesterday’s 3-0 victory over French side Manchester derbies I think of the penalty I
Marseille in the Champions League after gave away at the Etihad which was never a
having missed the majority of the season penalty in 2006/07.
with a knee injury.
“That was against my mate from school
The Reds have won exactly half of the 46 as well, Michael Ball – we won that game 1-0.
meetings between the sides in the Premier There have been some great ones over the
League, with City winning 15 and there years.
being eight draws.
“The one to commemorate the Munich
Last season, United recorded a double Air Disaster was a special one to be a part of.
over their local rivals, when goals from They’re always special occasions and it
Martial and Scott McTominay secured a 2-0 doesn’t matter who is in form and who isn’t.
win at Old Trafford, following an impressive
“I reckon both teams will score this
weekend. I’m going to go with a 2-1 win for
Man United.” – Agencies

FIXTURES & PREDICTIONS EPL PREVIEWS

Click red icon to MATCH-BY-MATCH facts and statists against Steve Bruce’s side for the first time join Mark Stein as the only Chelsea players Premier League games against Fulham
view interactive ahead of the 12th round of Premier since 1966. The Magpies defeated Crystal to have scored in seven consecutive and have won 18 successive Premier
of results, League fixtures. Palace 2-0 in their previous game and are Premier League starts. League matches against promoted sides,
standings and LEEDS UNITED vs WEST HAM looking for back-to-back League wins for SOUTHAMPTON vs SHEFFIELD UTD behind only Chelsea, who won 27
match stats. Leeds are undefeated in their last nine the first time since June. Bruce has lost 28 Southampton won both Premier League between 2002-2006. Reds forward
meetings with West Ham in all competi- games against promoted sides, more than games against Sheffield United last Mohamed Salah has scored more League
TOMORROW tions (W5 D4). Marcelo Bielsa’s side are any other manager in Premier League his- season and are looking for three succes- goals than any other player since the start
Leeds vs West Ham winless in their last four games at Elland tory. sive League victories against the Blades for of the 2017-18 season (82).
(4am in Malaysia) Road since winning their home opener 4-3 MAN UNITEDvs MAN CITY the first time since 1950. The Saints have ARSENAL vs BURNLEY
Wolves vs Aston Villa against Fulham. This is the first Premier City have won more Premier League won six of their first 11 games in the Arsenal are undefeated against Burnley in
Newcastle vs West Brom League meeting between Leeds and West games at Old Trafford than any other visit- League this season while the Blades are their last 15 League meetings, winning
Ham in seven years. ing side (7). United are looking to win three winless in 11 Premier League games this their last nine at home. Mikel Arteta’s side
SUNDAY WOLVES vs ASTONVILLA successive Premier League games against season and have lost each of their five have picked up 13 points in 11 games this
Man United vs Man City Villa have lost each of their last three away their rivals for the first time since 2010, fol- away matches. season, their worst start to a League cam-
games against Wolves, who have the best lowing their double last season. United’s CRYSTAL PALACE vs TOTTENHAM paign since 1981-82 (12 points).
(1.30am) defensive record at home this season, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes League leaders Tottenham are unde- LEICESTER vs BRIGHTON
Everton vs Chelsea (4am) having conceded just five goals. Wolves has been involved in 26 goals (15 goals, 11 feated in their last 10 Premier League Brighton have not won any of their six
Southampton vs Sheffield Utd manager Nuno Espirito Santo boasts an assists) since his Premier League debut in meetings with Palace (W9 D1). Premier League meetings with Leicester
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham impressive record against English manag- February, more than any other player. Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Son (L4 D2), who have lost four of their last six
ers in the Premier League, losing just two EVERTON vs CHELSEA Heung-min have combined for 11 goals Premier League games at the King Power
MONDAY of his 16 home games (W9 D5). Chelsea have not conceded a goal in six of this season and are on course to break the Stadium. The Seagull’s two League victo-
Fulham vs Liverpool NEWCASTLEvs WEST BROM their last eight Premier League games record held by Alan Shearer and Chris ries in 11 games are the joint-fewest at this
West Brom overcame Newcastle 1-0 at St against Everton. The Blues are looking to Sutton (13 in 1994-95). stage of a season in the club’s history
(12.30am) James’ Park two years ago and are hoping keep a clean sheet in four successive away FULHAM vs LIVERPOOL (1979-80, 1980-81).
Arsenal vs Burnley to win consecutive away League games League games for the first time since Liverpool have won each of their last six
February 2016. Olivier Giroud is looking to Reuters
(3.15am)
Leicester vs Brighton

(3.15am)

HOME AWAY DRAW

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