The Sun Daily-110821

INSIDE

Relief for
economic
TELLING IT AS IT IS 3 4People gettingpage page
numbed to
Covid risks activities

ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11, 2021

No. 7839 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my

FRUITMAN ... With bunches of fruits

dangling from his neck and held with
outstretched arms, petty trader Ahmad Izan
Latip, 46, cuts an interesting figure in front of
his stall in Jalan Balik Pulau on Penang island
yesterday. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Lifeline needed
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH oEconomists: Non-essential businesses must that it becomes difficult for them to start up
[email protected] reopen now to save economy again.
“The earlier we reopen for business,
PETALING JAYA: Steps must be taken preferably by the end of this month, the easier it
now to allow all businesses to fully will be for us to move forward economically,”
resume operations to prevent an he added.
economic fallout. Universiti Tun Abdul Razak economist
Economists are of the view that the crunch Until now, key sectors of the economy have also cannot operate,” he said. Dr Barjoyai Bardai said the nation is expected to
time is likely to be the end of this month. If all remained closed as part of measures to curb the He urged the government to allow even see only a 3% economic growth, “which is not
businesses are not allowed to resume operations spread of Covid-19. very good”.
by then, it could send the economy into “deep non-essential businesses to reopen to save the He noted that while businesses in several
trouble”, they said. Various restrictions under the movement economy and jobs. states may now reopen under Phase 2 of the
control order that have been in place on and off National Recovery Plan, the states that form the
Reopening the services sector is especially for the past 18 months have forced businesses “We can always make the employer core of the nation’s economy remain shut.
essential for economic recovery, economics that are considered non-essential to remain responsible for full and strict adherence to the “They may have to wait until October and this
professor at Sunway University Dr Yeah Kim closed. SOP, and hold him responsible if there is an can be fatal for our economy. We need to find
Leng told theSun. outbreak at his business premises,” he said. other ways to fight this virus while we reopen the
Only “essential” business such as eateries, economy,” he told theSun.
Yeah pointed out that the services sector is pharmacies and public transport have been Yeah pointed out that the bulk of the working “Buying screening equipment that can easily,
the largest contributor to the gross domestic allowed to operate, but under conditions with population is employed in the services sector, quickly and cheaply detect the virus may
product (GDP) and by extension, economic strict adherence to standard operating and there is now an urgent need to save and be the best way forward,” he said.
recovery. procedures (SOP) to curtail infections. protect their jobs. Barjoyai said this would make it
possible to determine who is Turn to
“The sector employs millions of people and it Yeah explained that the government needs to “The longer companies remain shut, the unwell and stop them from going
accounts for up to 56% of GDP, making it all the understand companies are linked together in harder it will be for them to resume operations. to work. —
more essential that this sector be allowed to the supply chain. “Companies that fall under Some companies may end up using all their
resume operations to get the economy back on essential services depend on non-essential reserves, thus making it impossible for them to page 3
its feet,” he said. businesses for supplies or parts. Otherwise, they restart,” he said.

He said others could be so deeply in debt

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2 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021 M’sian group
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS helps Bangkok
pandemic victims
Aid for siblings who lost
parents to Covid-19 BANGKOK: A group of 20 Malaysians
residing here have been lending a
o RM500 from Social Welfare Dept and finishes her education,” she told ownership if there are any issues. helping hand to those impacted by
RM250 personal aid from minister monthly reporters after visiting the siblings at In a separate development, Rina the latest Covid-19 outbreak.
their home yesterday, Bernama
PORT KLANG: The Social Welfare Rina said she would also provide reported. also expressed condolences to the “Malaysians in Bangkok – Hands
Department will provide assistance a personal monthly contribution of family of comedian Shahmira that Serve”, led by Dr Silva Kumar is
to five siblings in Seri Perantau flats, RM250 to the eldest, Intan Iewanina The responsibility of being the Muhammad, better known as Shuib doing its bit to help Malaysians and
whose parents died last week due to Mohd Suhaimi, to continue her head of the family to look after her Sepahtu, over the loss of his wife Siti Thais during the pandemic.
Covid-19. studies at the International Islamic four schoolgoing siblings fell upon Sarah Raisuddin, who was a popular
University Malaysia in Gombak. Intan after her parents died. Malaysian singer. The group has sent groceries to
Women, Family and Community charitable organisation iCare
Development Minister Datuk Seri “Intan is 21 and her late mother The four, Batrisyia Izzah, 19, She died due to Covid-19 at the Thailand and an Islamic charity
Rina Harun said a monthly (Ramlah Muktar) spent RM250 Uzair Wazini, 16, Ahmadinejad, 12, Canselor Tuanku Muhriz organisation, Satthachon Foundation
assistance of RM500 will be monthly for her studies. So, I took and Nisa Ailani, five, are staying in a Hospital, Universiti Kebangsaan for Education and Orphans.
channelled to three siblings aged 18 this opportunity to help in my unit at the flats in Port Klang. Malaysia in Cheras at 5.13am on
and below from next month. personal capacity until Intan Monday. The organisation also provides
Rina also said the house left by free meals to frontliners and the
Intan’s parents has been fully paid “We will provide financial as well underprivileged as well as others
off, and her ministry together with as emotional support. Counselling affected by the pandemic. “Giving
the state assemblyman’s office will services are not only provided for and helping has to be a passion and
help in the transfer of the house adults but also for children.” going out of the way to help others is
divine,” Silva told Bernama.
Rina visiting the BRIEFS
siblings at their The group also donated cash to
home yesterday. help the Malaysia Independent
– ASYRAF Animal Rescue, a dog shelter in
RASID/THESUN Pulau Meranti, Puchong and a
non-governmental organisation,
Number of MP at Dewan meeting to be decided Refuge for the Refugees.

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of He said the Dewan Rakyat four days as it was postponed after which need to be submitted 14 days “I initially started this group as
individuals, including members of Committee, based on advice from Covid cases were detected in the earlier.” ‘White Flag Help. Kita Jaga Kita’.
Parliament (MP), allowed to be the Health Ministry and the Parliament building. Malaysians in Bangkok – Hands that
present in the Dewan Rakyat in National Security Council, will have Muhyiddin had said his Serve, was set up at the end of June
September will take into discussions with both the A total of 88 positive cases were legitimacy as prime minister and and we started collecting funds.”
consideration the need to prevent government and opposition chief detected as of Aug 8, involving the Perikatan Nasional
the spread of Covid-19, said Deputy whips soon. individuals who attended the government’s position will be The spouse of Malaysian
Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid special meeting. determined in Parliament in ambassador to Thailand Datin
Hasnon. “Learn from what happened September through a vote of Catherina Cherian Samuel said the
during the recent special meeting. On the no confidence motion confidence. group came together to serve
The first meeting of the 14th We need more solid preventive against Prime Minister Tan Sri Malaysians adversely affected by the
Parliament’s fourth session will measures put in place,” he told Muhyiddin Yassin, expected to be Mohd Rashid said notifications pandemic as well as Thais.
begin on Sept 6. Bernama yesterday. tabled in the upcoming meeting, to lawmakers are in the distribution
Mohd Rashid said Parliament has process to enable them to prepare STATEMENTS
Mohd Rashid said the move is to The special meeting of the yet to receive it. questions and other matters. RECORDED OVER RALLY
ensure the meeting runs smoothly Dewan Rakyat’s third session of the
and to prevent Covid transmissions, 14th Parliament was supposed to “For government motions, the The duration of the first meeting GEORGE TOWN: Two members of
as had happened during the special take place from July 26 to July 29, submission period is not that far off will be 15 days, from Sept 6 to 30, Parliament (MP) in Penang have
five-day meeting at the end of July. and Aug 2. However, it only met for from the date of the meeting while the second meeting will last 32 given their statements to the
compared with private motions days, from Oct 25 to Dec 16. police in connection with a rally
by opposition representatives in
Kuala Lumpur recently.
Northeast district police chief
ACP Soffian Santong said they
were Tanjong MP Chow Kon
Yeow, who is also Penang chief
minister, and Jelutong MP R.S.N.
Rayer. Chow said he gave his
statement to the police at the
chief minister’s office in Komtar at
10am and the session lasted for
45 minutes. Meanwhile, Rayer
turned up at the Northeast
district police station at about
9.45am. – Bernama

NEW UNIMAP
VICE-CHANCELLOR

KANGAR: Prof Tan Sri Dr Zaliman
Sauli has been appointed as the
new vice-chancellor of Universiti
Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) effective
yesterday. Zaliman, 54, takes over
from Prof Tan Sri Dr R. Badlishah
Ahmad, who held the post since
2019. The Higher Education
Ministry said yesterday Zaliman
holds a bachelor’s degree in
physics from Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia, a master’s in advanced
semiconductor materials and
devices from the University of
Surrey, United Kingdom and a
doctor of philosophy in
microelectronic engineering
from UniMAP in 2012. – Bernama

Many in Labuan unable to meet spouses on mainland

LABUAN: Hundreds of Sabahans on standard operating procedures (SOP) committee, which takes a long time island is still heavily dependent on “Unfortunately, it does not apply
the duty-free island might not find it for travellers from Labuan to Sabah. to be approved. The expensive Sabah’s resources, especially food to Sabah. It means I’m still unable to
easy to meet their spouses on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test supply. travel to meet my wife on the
mainland although the relaxation of He said the Sabah Disaster (to enter Sabah) should be replaced mainland. I hope the Sabah
travel restrictions for married couples Management Committee should by the RTK-Ag test,” he told Bernama Jeffrey Nian, a staff of the Labuan government can consider the plight
came into force yesterday. review its interstate travel SOP for yesterday. Information Department, said he had of Sabahans in Labuan.”
people from Labuan as the island had not seen his wife and children for four
Most of them are civil servants achieved herd immunity with over Rozman said he would send an months. Labuan Disaster Management
working in various government 80% of its adult population fully appeal letter to Sabah Chief Minister Committee chairman Rithuan Ismail
agencies and only a small number vaccinated against Covid-19 as well Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor over the “I was happy to hear about the said travellers from Labuan need a
are private sector employees. as having a low infectivity rate. matter soon. relaxation of inter-district and police permit, negative PCR test
interstate travel for married results and interstate travel approval
Labuan member of Parliament “There is no necessity for He said although Labuan is a couples living apart, as from the Sabah government to enter
Datuk Rozman Isli said it is high time interstate travel special approvals (via federal territory under the federal announced by the prime minister on the mainland.
the Sabah government loosens its online applications) from the government’s administration, the Sunday.

3theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Help one another, says Pahang Regent

KUALA LUMPUR: The Regent of challenging times. regardless of religion, skin colour and live from Dewan Auditorium Kolej “I don’t want any of my people to
Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim He said as the country faces the political affiliation because we must Universiti Yayasan Pahang, Tengku be hungry because they don’t have
Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah win the war against this invisible Hassanal also called on all parties, food and basic necessities to
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah pandemic, it was not the right time to enemy,” he said in an online speech including the state government, non- continue living. A basket of food
yesterday called on the people in the get into power struggles, quarrel or in conjunction with the state-level governmental organisations and the worth about RM100 may be small for
state to be helpful to one another and talk too much without taking any Maal Hijrah celebration yesterday. private sector to always reach out to us, but for the needy, it is very
stay united during the current action that benefits the people. people in need. valuable,” he said. – Bernama
In his address, that was broadcast more,” he said.
“It is time for us to be united,
Louis attributed the non-
Numbed by Covid-19 compliance to the SOP to pandemic BRIEFS SULTAN GRATEFUL
fatigue. FOR VACCINES
JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of
“It occurs when people get tired of Johor Sultan Ibrahim
the measures and become less likely Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has
█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI to observe public health practices or expressed appreciation to the
[email protected] o Prolonged exposure to hardships and bad they simply drown out those government for an additional
PETALING JAYA: The human mind news tends to make people disregard facts and messages,” he explained. two million Covid-19 vaccine
has a great capacity to get used to bad threat posed by pandemic: Expert doses provided to the state
news. “Burnout happens when we are through the National Covid-19
stuck with these public health Immunisation Programme.
This has never been more evident measures for a prolonged period.” Sultan Ibrahim said the doses
than in the current Covid-19 will help accelerate the drive
situation. Daily news of increasing He said people are taking towards achieving the herd
infections and the rising death toll would mean that if a person faces the not being concerned about the daily increasingly higher risks because they immunity target in Johor. “The
has so saturated social and same issue every day, it eventually increases in the number of infections have to do whatever it takes to carry Covid-19 transmissions
mainstream media that the shock loses its impact on him. This can be and fatalities. on living. currently among the people is
factor has diminished. anything from traffic congestion to extremely worrying. With the
background noise. “Ultimately, we stop recognising “For instance, those who cannot additional doses, we will be
Experts say this phenomenon, the effects of Covid-19 on our lives afford to close their small-time able to protect the people and
known as “desensitisation”, is a Low believes Malaysians are and livelihood,” he added. businesses because they depend on facilitate the herd immunity
coping mechanism. But it can also becoming desensitised to Covid-19. the day-to-day income will have to target,” Sultan Ibrahim said in a
reduce the inclination to observe Counselling psychologist Dr take the risk and open to help them post on his official Facebook
safety rules. “It’s not anyone’s machination or Gerard Louis said desensitisation survive.” page. On Aug 8, Health
fault. It’s just part and parcel of how could just mean that people are Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham
According to the experts, this is a our mind adapts to new situations. getting tired of being exposed to Louis pointed out that there is a Baba was reported to have said
common human response to disaster. We have reached a point where Covid-19. limit to how much people can endure that an additional two million
Covid-19 is now just numbers or being kept in enclosed spaces. doses of Covid-19 vaccine
“As we become more and more statistics.” “To put it in a more psychological approved by the National
accustomed to the effects of a perspective, they have become “There will come a time when they Pharmaceutical Regulatory
disaster, we notice it less and less,” However, there is an unwanted, ‘habituated,’” said Louis, who is dean reach the end of their ability to cope,” Agency would be distributed
said The Mind Psychological Services even dangerous impact. Low said the of the Faculty of Behavioural he said. to all vaccination centres in
and Training clinical psychologist Dr lowered sensitivity to the seriousness Sciences, Education and Language at Johor. – Bernama
Joel Low. of the situation has led to higher levels HELP University. “People start to look for normalcy.
of non-compliance with the standard For them, the mentality is ‘if I don’t FARM ORDERED
He cited an example of eating operating procedures (SOP). He said when a person becomes die of Covid-19, I may die of TO CLEAN UP
chips or using perfume. “comfortable” living in a particular starvation.’ Basic human needs drive TAMPIN: A poultry farm in Air
“People either slip or choose to environment, he may not feel like he people to act beyond certain Kuning Selatan, Gemencheh,
“The first bite is the best, but when ignore precautionary measures.” needs to be at his best behaviour. restrictions.” near here has been given one
you get to the 10th bite, it’s just salty week starting from last
and crunchy. Similarly, the first whiff Low said some of the obvious signs “In the Covid-19 environment, Monday to clean up its sewage
of a perfume is heavenly. But after a of this coping mechanism are people become less cautious until
while, you don’t notice it anymore.” forgetting to practise social distancing someone they know is infected. Then,
while out in a public area, failing to they are reminded of the dangers and
He said on a day-to-day basis, it wash up upon returning home and they start taking extra care once

system, that is believed to have
caused water pollution at
Sungai Air Kuning. State
Agriculture and Agro-based
Industry Committee chairman
Datuk Bakri Sawir said the
directive was issued after
receiving complaints
regarding pollution in the river,
believed to be caused by the
disposal of wastewater into
drains from the farm. “The
owner of the poultry farm has
been given seven days to clean
up and upgrade the sewage
system. The state veterinary
department will conduct a
follow-up visit and action will
be taken against the owner if
there is no improvement,” he
said yesterday. – Bernama

A restaurant in Penang is seen without ‘Staying shut
tables and chairs as the establishment could collapse
has decided not to accept dine-in economy’
customers until the Covid situation
improves. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN From He agreed that the
completed their two doses of the front classification of
Covid-19 vaccine,” she said. page essential and
non-essential
Checks found that some cafe businesses is “not very
owners in Kota Baru have placed a clear” because companies
“dineincanwait” hashtag on their are interdependent on one another.
Eateries put dine-in on hold despite green light given Instagram posts to inform their “The multiplier effect of
followers of the postponement. businesses staying shut could send
our economy to the verge of
KOTA BARU: Eatery operators here Covid-19 cases in the state were still planned to allow dine-in from next On Sunday, Prime Minister Tan collapse,” he added.
have opted to disallow dine-in as they high and unsettling. month. Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced He pointed out that the services
are not willing to take the risk of that fully vaccinated individuals in sector in particular, should not be
causing the spread of new Covid-19 “Although permission has been She said although business went states under phase two of the kept shut any longer, given its large
cases at their premises. given to eat at restaurants, I opt to put down by more than 50% when dine- National Recovery Plan are allowed contribution to GDP.
it off first because I feel the current in was not allowed, she would put to dine at food outlets. – Bernama “We need to get people back to
A check found some eateries still situation is still not suitable for the safety first. work to save our economy.”
do not allow fully-vaccinated relaxation. My workers have not Berjoyai said the country now not
customers to dine-in, although they received their Covid-19 vaccine “It is okay to suffer a bit of loss only needs a new policy but also a
were allowed to do so beginning injections. This makes me reluctant because safety and good health must rethink of how it will fight the virus.
yesterday. to take the risk as this might cause an be prioritised. Currently, sales “Covid-19 is not going away. We
outbreak at my premises,” he said. depends a lot on walk-ins as well as will have to learn to live with it,”
Lieniey Nasi Kerabu Tumis owner orders via a food delivery app. he added.
Zaini Ahmad said he does not allow Meanwhile, Kafe Drum & Desk
dine-in at his eatery because the daily manager Chew Li Mun said the cafe “I plan to allow dine-in from
September after my 12 workers have

4 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Relief for economic activities

o More sectors expected to open in stages with eateries, restaurants and cafes in previously emphasised that all retail the programme will be expanded to
flexibility given to fully vaccinated individuals states under phase two and phase and distribution industry players other states such as Penang and
three. should be prepared for the opening Johor soon based on the registrations
of all business sectors in stages after received,” he said.
“Ministry enforcement officers all employees were fully vaccinated The relaxation of restrictions for
will ensure all the SOP are fully and necessary preparations were fully vaccinated individuals in states
PUTRAJAYA: The flexibility given to full compliance with the standard complied with by customers and the made to ensure their operations under phase two and phase three of
fully vaccinated individuals can help operating procedures (SOP) set, premises,” he said in a statement complied with the SOP. the NRP came into force yesterday
revive various domestic economic especially in states under phase two yesterday. “The ministry has also following Prime Minister Tan Sri
activities that will see the opening of and phase three of the National collaborated with the Covid-19 Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement
more economic and social sectors in Recovery Plan (NRP), to keep This comes after 15.9 million or Immunisation Task Force in last Sunday.
stages soon. everyone safe and healthy as well as 65.6% of the adult population in the implementing the Retail Industry States that are in phase two are
ensure business sustainability. country had received the first dose of Vaccination (RIVac) programme in Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu,
Domestic Trade and Consumer Covid-19 vaccine, while 9.04 million the Klang Valley since July 26. Perak, Penang and Sabah while
Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander “The permission given to fully or 35.3% had completed both doses “To date, a total of 29,105 industry Labuan, Sarawak and Perlis are
Nanta Linggi reminded all consumers vaccinated individuals to dine in of the vaccination and daily workers have been vaccinated and already in phase three. – Bernama
and traders to work together to ensure provides relief to operators of vaccinations surpassed 500,000.

He added the ministry had

Warning on forging Inoculation drive
vaccination certificates
in Kuala Perlis
BAGAN SERAI: The Health Ministry will take
stern action against any quarter who tries to EAGER TO BE SAFE ... Foreigners lining up to receive their Covid-19 jabs at a walk-in vaccination KUALA PERLIS: More than 500 Kuala Perlis
forge the digital Covid-19 vaccination centre at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN residents took advantage of a special Covid-19
certificate in the MySejahtera application. vaccination programme which included “walk-
ins” at Hotel Brasmana yesterday.
Deputy minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi
Ghazali said the ministry enforcement The programme was held due to public concern
division and other authorities view the issue over the slight increase in Covid-19 cases in Kuala
seriously and will take necessary action to Perlis.
curb the act.
Perlis state secretary Azman Mohd Yusof said
“We will investigate. The ministry the programme provided an opportunity for
enforcement division will certainly be more individuals, who had not yet received an
careful in ensuring and checking the authenticity appointment through the MySejahtera
of vaccination certificates,” he said in a news application, to get their vaccinations.
conference after visiting the vaccination centre
for teachers at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan “The vaccination rate for the adult population
Abu Bakar Al-Baqir yesterday. (in the state), aged 18 and above, has reached
49.25% for those who have completed both doses
He was commenting on a statement by and 67.72% for the first dose. This is a good sign for
Kelantan police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat Perlis,” he told reporters at Hotel Brasmana
who reminded the public not to abuse the yesterday.
relaxation of standard operating procedures
for inter-district and interstate movements by He said the five-day special programme, which
producing fake vaccination certificates. began yesterday, would benefit more than 2,000
Kuala Perlis residents.
Noor Azmi said the issue would be brought
to the ministry’s special meeting soon to A check found that people started arriving at
discuss suitable methods to address the 8am for the walk-in vaccination.
matter. – Bernama
One of them, 48-year-old housewife Quek Siu
‘Merdeka Booster’ initiative to lift spirits of frontliners Li, said she had registered a few months ago
through MySejahtera but had not received an
SERDANG: “Be strong and take care of Health Support Services Unit (MHPSS) of the their sacrifices as well as to ensure they appointment yet.
yourself. We love you.” Those were among the Selangor State Health Department as part of remain strong in carrying out their
words of encouragement written in a card efforts to enhance the emotional well-being of responsibilities,” she said. “I then found out about this special vaccination
given to frontliners at the Covid-19 integrated frontliners amid the increasingly challenging programme through a neighbour. We just needed
quarantine and treatment centre (PKRC) 2.0 Covid-19 situation in the country. Suraya Banu, who is also the MHPSS to show our utility bills (as proof of being
at Malaysia Agro Expo Park Serdang in coordinator, said the card with the message residents) to get vaccinated. So I came here, and
conjunction with this year’s National Day Department psychology counselling unit “Be strong because things will get better. It thankfully, received my vaccine jab,” said the
celebration. principal assistant director Suraya Banu may be stormy now, but it never rains forever” mother of two.
Sallehudin said there has been a decline in gave frontliners hope that this challenging
The card, along with a pill-shaped pen, will motivation among frontliners lately, with some situation would end. Quek said vaccination could protect people
then be tied to the door handles of vehicles or of them almost giving up and getting frustrated from severe illness should they contract the virus.
the side mirrors of motorcycles belonging to as the Covid-19 uncertainty continues. She said frontliners who received the
frontliners randomly throughout the month. surprise card after working hours would Another senior citizen, Hawa Sudin, 58, said she
“The surprise token of appreciation is contact MHPSS through the WhatsApp was grateful to the government for giving priority to
The “Merdeka Booster” initiative was given to these frontliners to let them know application saying they felt appreciated, loved people like her to receive the vaccine.
introduced by the Mental and Psychosocial that there are people who care and appreciate and motivated. –Bernama
“I am elderly ... so I really want to get vaccinated.
This protection is good for all of us. I am an old lady
who wants to register for the vaccine but does not
know how to use a sophisticated handphone,” she
added. – Bernama

PERLIS 24

1,299,767 KEDAH 1,830 KELANTAN 1,030 LABUAN 1
PENANG 743 TERENGGANU 378 1,383
PAHANG 539 SABAH
230,762 1,057,843 11,162 PERAK 953 N.SEMBILAN 564
SELANGOR 7,338 836
19,991 16,258 201 578
K. LUMPUR 2,374 JOHOR 1,344
PUTRAJAYA 76

MALACCA

SARAWAK

PROGRESS OF VACCINATION DRIVE UNDER As of August 9

1,096 THE NATIONAL COVID-19 IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME

Received rst dose Received second dose

15,959,596 9,048,634

5theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Bringing closure to Covid victims’ families

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territory of understood the pain families of Covid-19 allowed facial identification through a television Mudzakkir Mohd Zahidi, 30, who lost his
Kuala Lumpur temporary one-stop centre and patients go through as they were not allowed to screen provided in a special area,” he told 54-year-old father, Mohd Zahidi Mohd Zain to
the National Sports Institute in Jalan Raja Muda, visit their loved ones warded at hospital, and not Bernama recently. Covid-19, said he used the Google Meet
Kampung Baru, have undertaken an initiative to able to say their final farewell when they application on his handphone during the digital
introduce a method to allow digital identification succumbed to the disease. Ahmad Hafizam said the centre started identification process to enable more relatives,
process of a deceased Covid-19 patient. operations on July 20 and had managed a total of especially those staying far away, to view his
“The one-stop centre provides a body 1,058 remains of Covid-19 patients so far. father’s remains.
National Institute of Forensic Medicine identification facility where an heir, who is
Department, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) required to wear personal protective equipment, “The 24-hour centre receives the remains “At least with this method we can have a last
forensic doctor Dr Ahmad Hafizam Hasmi, who is allowed to perform a physical identification in from HKL and is able to manage the delivery of a look before the final rites,” said Mudzakkir, who
is also the operations director, said his team an identification tent, while two other heirs are maximum of 30 bodies of Covid-19 Muslim lives in Shah Alam, Selangor.
patients and 20 non-Muslims at a time.”

Abused teen pleads for IP on human
help on social media trafficking case ready

o Son alleges father Wangsa Maju police chief Supt Ashari Abu again, adding that police went to the BRIEFSKUALA PILAH: The investigation paper (IP) on
assaulted him and mother Samah yesterday said the incident occurred at apartment and took the teenager and his a case involving a celebrity, believed to be
after argument, wants about 11.30am on Monday when a mother to the Wangsa Maju police station, involved in human trafficking, will be
police to take action 44-year-old man accused his wife of stealing where they lodged a police report. submitted to the deputy public prosecutor’s
money from him. office today for further action.
█ BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN “We arrested the boy’s father and a remand
[email protected] Ashari said the woman, also aged 44, chose order will be sought to keep him in our Kuala Pilah district police chief Supt Amran
KUALA LUMPUR: A teenage boy allegedly to keep silent as she did not want to aggravate custody for further investigations. The case is Mohd Ghani said to date, several witnesses
abused by his father turned to social media for the tense situation. being investigated as causing hurt under had been called to assist in investigations into
help on Monday following a domestic Section 324 of the Penal Code,” Ashari said. the case, he told Bernama yesterday.
squabble at an apartment in Taman Melati He added the commotion escalated and
Utama here. the man assaulted his wife, prompting their In his Twitter postings, the teenager According to media reports, a male
teenage son to intervene in an attempt to stop alleged he was kicked in the ribcage by his celebrity in his 40s was arrested at a roadblock
The 14-year-old had alleged on Twitter the attack. father, whom he accused of being in Negri Sembilan on Aug 1 to assist in
that his father assaulted him and his mother “temperamental and abusive”. investigations into a human trafficking case
and pleaded netizens to help. A struggle ensued and the teenager was for sexual exploitation.
also allegedly beaten when he tried to break “This is domestic violence. Please help me.
The victim alleged he underwent another up the fight. I am 14 years old. Me and my siblings are so He was later freed on police bail after being
round of beatings when his father found out stressed. I tried to stop him but was also remanded for three days.
about his tweets. Ashari said neighbours of the couple beaten up. I can feel swellings on my head. I
intervened and managed to calm the am not lying, please trust me, I swear by Allah. Following the arrest, police rescued a
situation. Call the cops and detain my dad. My mother Melanau woman in a hotel room here.
was slapped and kicked,” he tweeted.
Soon after the attack, the teenager posted They obtained a temporary protection
details of the assault on Twitter, which was The teenager had also tagged the tweets to order to place her at a shelter home in Johor.
widely shared on social media. celebrity preacher and philanthropist Ebit
Lew and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Police also detained another man in his 30s
Ashari said at about 1.15pm, when the Rahman. who is being remanded until Aug 13 to assist
teenager’s father came across the Twitter in the probe.

posts, he attacked his son The case is being investigated under
Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code
ALL CLEAR ... A car driver and Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in
showing his digital Covid-19 Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act
2007 which carries a jail term of not more than
vaccination certificate at a 15 years and a fine, Amran said.
roadblock at the Jalan Raya
Plaza Toll in Gurun, Kedah. TWO HELD FOR ALLEGEDLY
INSULTING KEDAH MB
– BERNAMAPIX
ALOR STAR: Police detained two
Bid to smuggle 17,000kg of cooking oil foiled individuals for allegedly insulting Kedah
Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor
KOTA BARU: The Domestic Trade and and Battalion 8 of the General Operations some were transferred to a store. on social media recently. Kota Star
Consumer Affairs Ministry seized 17,000kg of Force. “The store is believed to be used as a district police chief ACP Ahmad Shukri
subsidised cooking oil packets before they Mat Akhir said the two men, aged 52 and
were smuggled out of Kelantan to a The operation was conducted based on storage and transition centre before 45, were nabbed at their house in Kepala
neighbouring country. intelligence and surveillance carried out by smuggling out the cooking oil to a Batas and Mergong Perdana here at
the ministry’s intelligence section in neighbouring country,” he said. 5.15pm and 6pm on Monday. “A special
Putrajaya deputy director of enforcement Putrajaya on a cooking oil wholesaler in officer to the Kedah mentri besar lodged
(operations) Shamsul Nizam Khalil said two Malacca, he said in a statement yesterday. Shamsul Nizam said the syndicate’s a police report at the Alor Star police
men, a lorry driver and his attendant, were modus operandi was to obtain the supply of station at about 10.30am on Monday
also arrested during a raid on a store in “We believe a syndicate used a lorry to the subsidised oil from companies in following negative and insulting
Kampung Belukar, Pasir Mas, near here, at ferry the cooking oil to Kelantan for the Malacca and the Klang Valley by using comments made by the two individuals
12.30pm on Monday. purpose of improper activities involving the licences belonging to other firms. on the mentri besar’s Facebook page.
subsidised cooking oil,” he added. “One of them is a private employee and
The raid was jointly carried out with the “Based on documents found, the cooking the other is a trader. Both have no
Pengkalan Kubor Region 3 marine police “A total of 17,000kg of 1kg packet oil was meant for a wholesaler in Malacca criminal records and were released on
cooking oil were found in the lorry and but it was rerouted to Kelantan.”– Bernama bail after their statements were
recorded,” he said in a statement
yesterday. Ahmad Shukri added the case
was being investigated under Section 14
of the Minor Offences Act 1955, Section
504 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of
the Communications and Multimedia
Act 1998. – Bernama

A WEEK REMAND FOR
MURDER SUSPECT

IPOH: A senior citizen was remanded for
a week beginning yesterday for the
alleged murder of his wife at a
double-storey house in Gopeng on
Monday. Kampar district police chief
Supt Hasron Nazri Hashim said the
72-year-old man was detained on
Monday. It was reported that a
74-year-old woman with disabilities was
found dead with slash wounds on her
neck at a house in Taman Desa Cahaya,
Gopeng. Hasron Nazri said the victim’s
body was found by her daughter and
two grandchildren who went to the
house after receiving a call from the
suspect at about 7.30am.“Also found was
a knife next to the victim,”he said, adding
that initial investigations found that the
victim was partially paralysed and lived
with her husband who was also suffering
from various ailments. Police found no
signs of a break-in and the case was
being investigated under Section 302 of
the Penal Code for murder. – Bernama

6 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021 BRIEFS HONG KONG’S LARGEST
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS UNION DISBANDS

Taliban tightens control HONG KONG: The largest union
of northern Afghanistan here announced yesterday it
decided to disband, citing “huge
o Thousands flee homes amid tales vested neighbours – Pakistan, China, As fighting raged, tens of pressure” as authorities stamp out
of beating and looting by insurgents and Iran – will also attend the thousands of people were on the the democracy movement and
meetings. move inside the country, with impose political orthodoxy.
But Pentagon spokesman John families fleeing newly captured Founded in 1973, the Professional
Kirby said it was down to the Afghan cities with tales of brutal treatment at Teachers’ Union (PTU) was Hong
government and its forces to turn the the hands of the insurgents. Kong’s single largest union with
KABUL: The Taliban were in control where the Taliban draw their tide, and there was “not much” the 95,000 members and was a
of six Afghan provincial capitals strength. United States could do to help. “The Taliban are beating and prominent player in the
yesterday after a blitz across the The United States – due to Michael Kugelman, at the looting,” said Rahima, now camped democracy movement. “After
north forced tens of thousands of complete a troop withdrawal at the Woodrow Wilson International out with hundreds of families at a discussions, the executive
people to flee their homes for the end of the month and end its longest Centre for Scholars, doubted park in the capital Kabul after fleeing committee unanimously decided
relative safety of Kabul and other war – has all but left the battlefield. Washington had the means to Sheberghan province. to disband the union,” said PTU
centres. However, its special envoy change anything. president Fung Wai-wah. “The
The insurgents now have their Zalmay Khalilzad has been sent to “I fear that the Taliban (are) just “If there is a young girl or a widow social and political environment
eyes on Mazar-i-Sharif, the north’s Qatar to try and convince the Taliban so strong and the Afghan military is in a family, they forcibly take them. has changed in recent years, we
biggest city, whose fall would signal to accept a ceasefire. so beleaguered right now, it’s going We fled to protect our honour.” are under huge pressure. We can’t
the total collapse of government The envoy “will press the Taliban to be hard to find some type of find a way to resolve the crisis we
control in a region that has to stop their military offensive”, said momentum-changer from the US.” “From the window of my house, I are now facing,” he said. – AFP
traditionally been anti-Taliban. the State Department, and “help The Taliban have appeared can see women, children and men
Government forces are also formulate a joint international largely indifferent to peace overtures, all leaving,” said Haseeb, who only ZUMA’S GRAFT TRIAL
battling the hardliners in Kandahar response to the rapidly deteriorating and seem intent on a military victory gave his first name, in the northern POSTPONED TO SEPT 9
and Helmand, the southern situation”. to crown a return to power after their city of Kunduz that was captured by
Pashto-speaking provinces from Officials from Afghanistan’s most ouster 20 years ago. the Taliban over the weekend. JOHANNESBURG: The corruption
trial of South Africa’s former
“Some of them are barefoot ... president Jacob Zuma over an
some are pulling crying children arms deal dating back more than
with them.”– AFP two decades was postponed
yesterday to next month after he
SEA OF was hospitalised last week. The
ASH ... A burnt 79-year-old was admitted to
slope is seen hospital for observation on Friday
following a for an undisclosed condition,
wildfire in which prompted yesterday’s
Varympompi hearing to be held virtually rather
suburb, in than in open court. “The matter is
Athens, Greece postponed to Sept 9 and 10,” said
on Monday. Judge Piet Koen, pending a
– REUTERSPIX medical report on Zuma. The case
has been carrying on for years and
suffered a string of holdups. – AFP

JOIN ARMED FORCES,
ETHIOPIANS URGED

ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Prime
Minister Abiy Ahmed issued a call
yesterday for all eligible civilians
to join the armed forces as
fighting raged in multiple regions
of Africa’s second most populous
nation. “Now is the right time for
all capable Ethiopians who are of
age to join the Defence Forces,
Special Forces and militias and
show your patriotism,” said Abiy’s
office in a statement. Abiy sent
troops into Ethiopia’s northern
Tigray region last November to
topple the ruling Tigray People’s
Liberation Front (TPLF). The war
took a stunning turn in June when
TPLF recaptured the regional
capital Mekele and the Ethiopian
army largely withdrew. Since then,
the TPLF has pushed into
neighbouring regions.– AFP

Prince Andrew sued over alleged sexual abuse

WASHINGTON: Britain’s Prince A spokesman for Andrew, Duke of Andrew, 61, is one of the most accountable for what he did to me,” The complaint said Giuffre “was
Andrew was sued in a New York court York, declined comment. prominent people linked to Epstein, Giuffre said in a statement. compelled by express or implied
on Monday by a woman who alleged who federal prosecutors charged in threats” by Epstein, his associate
that he sexually assaulted and “Prince Andrew forced plaintiff, a July 2019 with sexually exploiting “The powerful and rich are not Ghislaine Maxwell or Andrew to
battered her two decades ago when child, to have sexual intercourse with dozens of girls and women. exempt from being held responsible engage in sexual acts with the prince,
she was 17 years old. Prince Andrew against her will,” for their actions. fearing repercussions for
according to the complaint by Epstein, a registered sex offender, disobedience.
Virginia Giuffre, who says she was Giuffre, who was previously known as killed himself at the age of 66 in a “I hope that other victims will see “Andrew’s wealth, power, position,
trafficked for sex by the late financier Virginia Roberts. Manhattan jail on Aug 10, 2019, while that it is possible not to live in silence and connections enabled him to
Jeffrey Epstein, filed a civil complaint awaiting trial. and fear, but to reclaim one’s life by abuse a frightened, vulnerable child
against Andrew, Queen Elizabeth’s The prince said in a 2019 speaking out and demanding justice.” with no one there to protect her,” said
second son, in the US District Court interview with the BBC that he had Prosecutors later said Andrew had the complaint. – Reuters
in Manhattan. no recollection of meeting Giuffre, not cooperated with their probe. Giuffre has said she was a victim of
and denied her claim of sexual abuse. Epstein’s sex trafficking from 2000 to
“I am holding Prince Andrew 2002, starting when she was 16.

China court upholds Canadian’s death sentence

BEIJING: A Chinese court upheld where she faces charges linked to dealings in Iran, potentially causing attending the hearing, Canada’s though China has warned of
yesterday a Canadian man’s death violating sanctions. the bank to violate American ambassador to China Dominic unspecified consequences unless
sentence for drug smuggling, a day economic sanctions. Barton condemned the decision and Meng was released.
before another court is due to rule on Robert Schellenberg was arrested called for China to grant clemency.
the case of another Canadian for drug smuggling in 2014 and jailed Meng, who has said she is Spavor was detained in China
accused of spying. for 15 years in late 2018. innocent, has been fighting her “It is not a coincidence that these days after Meng’s arrest in Vancouver.
extradition from under house arrest are happening right now, while the
The court proceedings for the two He appealed but a court in the city in Vancouver. case is going on in Vancouver,” The businessman was charged
Canadians come as lawyers in of Dalian sentenced him to death in Barton said, referring to with espionage in June last year and
Canada representing the detained January 2019, a month after Huawei The High Court in the northeast Schellenberg’s case and that of went to trial in March.
chief financial officer of telecoms executive Meng Wanzhou was province of Liaoning heard another Canadian, Michael Spavor.
giant Huawei make a final push to arrested at Vancouver International Schellenberg’s appeal against the Barton said a court in the
convince a court there not to Airport on a warrant from the US, death sentence in May last year and China has rejected the suggestion northeastern city of Dandong, on a
extradite her to the United States, charged with misleading HSBC confirmed the verdict yesterday. the cases of the Canadians in China river bordering North Korea, is
Holdings about Huawei’s business are linked to Meng’s case in Canada expected to announce a verdict on
Speaking to reporters after Spavor today. – Reuters

BRIEFS SYDNEY POLICE TO STEP 7theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
UP ENFORCEMENT
* NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
CANBERRA: Australian authorities
yesterday vowed to crank up policing Myanmar junta denies link
of anti-Covid lockdown rules in Sydney, to UN ambassador attack
but dismissed suggestions that
tougher measures, including a curfew, o US charges duo over bid to force him to resign or, if he refused, kill him. sabotaging the ambassador’s car to force it to
were needed after the city reported its force resignation or kill envoy “Myanmar has nothing to do with this crash, the criminal complaint said.
biggest single-day new case number
yet. Now in lockdown for six weeks, YANGON: Myanmar’s junta had “nothing to incident,” said the state-backed Global New More than 900 people have died in
Sydney reported 343 new infections. do” with an alleged plot to attack the country’s Light of Myanmar newspaper yesterday, in the Myanmar as the military seeks to crush
Authorities in New South Wales state, ambassador to the UN, who has defied the junta’s first comments on the case. protests against the coup, according to a local
home to Sydney, said police have been military and backed the pro-democracy monitoring group.
asked to step up checks on how many movement, state media said yesterday. “The said plot happened among the
people were being allowed inside small residents inside the United States of America.” Kyaw – who is wanted in Myanmar for high
shops at the same time as they were Kyaw Moe Tun made headlines after the treason – has repeatedly called for
still seeing “lots of unnecessary army’s February coup, brazenly disregarding Actions should be taken “in accordance international intervention to help end unrest
movement of people”. – Reuters its insistence that he no longer represents the with the law of the land”, it said. and reinstate a civilian government.
country at the New York-based body.
CHINA VIRUS CASES AT Suspects Phyo Hein Htut, 28, and Ye Hein Last week, he sent a letter to UN
SEVEN-MONTH HIGH United States prosecutors said last week Zaw, 20, are being charged in a federal court Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report
they had charged two Myanmar citizens over on counts for which they could be sentenced an alleged massacre of 40 civilians by the
BEIJING: China’s coronavirus cases hit a an alleged plot to hire hitmen who would to up to five years in prison. military in the Sagaing area of northwestern
seven-month high yesterday, after a Myanmar over several days last month.
cluster at a test site helped drive up Prosecutors said Phyo had been in touch
numbers as the Delta variant with an arms dealer in Thailand who had The junta has denied the accusations,
challenges Beijing’s grip on the dealings with the military in Myanmar. while AFP has not been able to independently
pandemic. State media has described verify the reports. – AFP
the current outbreak – which has The arms dealer spoke to Phyo about hiring
sparked local lockdowns, mass testing assailants for the plot, which involved
and travel restrictions – as the most
severe since the virus emerged in the Indonesian ‘Jurassic Park’ project on track
central city of Wuhan. Health
authorities yesterday reported 143 new JAKARTA: Construction will continue on a to hunt the region’s water buffalo for food. environmental group, was quoted as saying by
infections. Dozens of cases in recent tourism project in Indonesia that has drawn The 3,000-strong lizard population has Reuters.
days have been linked to a Covid-19 both official and unofficial comparisons to
testing site in Yangzhou city. – AFP Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. inhabited three Indonesian islands for millions The Indonesian government, however, said
of years, according to estimates. the project will change the perception of how
FRENCH OVERSEAS COVID The announcement by the Tourism Ministry national parks are seen around the world and is
CRISIS GROWS comes even as Unesco warned against the This is where a host of tourism construction being carried out carefully.
potential negative environmental impact of the projects have been taking place.
PARIS: Two French ministers were due as-yet officially unnamed project, and called for “The construction is being done very
yesterday to travel to the Caribbean as a fresh environmental impact assessment to be Activists claim the dragons have never been carefully – we haven’t even cut down a single
concern grows over spiralling Covid-19 undertaken. used to the large-scale construction activities tree,” Kita Awang Nistyantara, head of the
infections in French overseas territories and will be disturbed by the project. Komodo National Park, told news channel
across the globe, with the island of Construction for the tourism project – Al Jazeera last year.
Martinique tightening a lockdown and centred around the Komodo National Park, a Locals, who take pride in coexisting with the
telling tourists to leave. While well over Unesco World Heritage site – began last year, large lizards, said they are concerned the It is unclear exactly what the project will
half of people in mainland France have even as locals and environmental activists government is not paying attention to the fact entail.
now received two vaccination doses, raised concerns. that the lizards will not get accustomed to the
rates in its overseas territories, from the reduced habitat space they will be confined to It is reportedly focused around Rinca island,
Caribbean to the Indian Ocean to the The park is home to and named after the once the projects are completed. that has the second-largest Komodo dragon
Pacific, have lagged well behind. Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard, a population, by some accounts.
Martinique authorities announced on species distinguished not just by its 3m-long size “We urge the government to develop tourism
Monday that hotels and non-essential but also razor-sharp teeth and the strength that’s based on the people. There are people The project, according to government
shops would now be closed, adding living there,” Rima Melani Bilaut of the authorities last year, is going to be a “premium
that tourists should leave. – AFP Indonesian Forum for the Environment, an tourism spot”. – The Independent

MAMMOTH FEAST ... Workers arranging fruits N. Korea snubbing
and vegetables for rescued elephants at the Wildlife South after warning
SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, ahead of
World Elephant Day in the northern Indian town of SEOUL: North Korea did not answer routine
Mathura on Monday. – REUTERSPIX calls on inter-Korean hotlines yesterday,
South Korea said, hours after a senior official
Bangladesh begins vaccinations for Rohingya refugees in Pyongyang warned the South and the
United States over annual joint military drills
DHAKA: Bangladesh began vaccinating 48,000 refugees aged over 55 get China-made be good for us if we get vaccinated. That’s why I set to begin this week.
Rohingya refugees living in congested camps Sinopharm shots in the coming three days, said came here today,” said 60-year-old
yesterday as the impoverished nation battles a local health chief Mahbubur Rahman. grandmother Rahima Khatun. Kim Yo-Jong, the powerful sister of North
record surge in coronavirus cases. Korean leader Kim Jong-un, accused South
At Kutupalong, the largest refugee “We need the vaccine to live through the Korea of “perfidious behaviour” for going
Health officials say 2,600 Covid-19 cases and settlement home to more than 600,000 people, current crisis. It will save us from the disease ahead with the drills after North Korea agreed
29 deaths have been recorded in the camps Rohingyas, including many elderly people, everyone is worried about,“ said Mohammad to restore hotlines late last month, having cut
housing 850,000 Rohingya but many experts queued up to get their shots from health Zafar, an elderly man. them last year amid rising tensions.
say this is likely a gross underestimate. workers in protective suits.
The virus has killed nearly 23,000 people South Korea and the United States are set
The initial inoculation phase will see about “We are scared of corona. We heard it would and infected 1.4 million in Bangladesh. – AFP to hold computer-simulated exercises next
week, but preliminary training began
yesterday, said military sources.

In a statement, Yo-Jong said the exercises
were an “act of self-destruction for which a
dear price should be paid as they threaten the
safety of our people and further imperil the
situation on the Korean peninsula”.

“They are the most vivid expression of the
US hostile policy towards (North Korea),
designed to stifle our state by force.”

The two Koreas typically check in over the
hotlines twice a day, and North Korean
officials answered morning calls as usual on
hotlines maintained by South Korea’s
military as well as on those used by the
Unification Ministry, which handles relations
with the North.

But when the South made calls in the late
afternoon, they were unanswered.

The nuclear-armed North’s reaction to the
drills also threatens to upend efforts by South
Korean President Moon Jae-in to reopen a
joint liaison office that Pyongyang blew up
last year, and to hold a summit as part of
efforts to restore relations.

A US Department of Defence spokesman
declined to comment on the North Korean
statement. – Reuters

8 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
SPEAK UP

COMMENT by Gokul Shankar Sabesan LETTERS [email protected]

Nature-inspired Views of a young fisherman

leadership skills FOR three generations, my developing three islands at
UNPRECEDENTED times due family worked as fishermen at Teluk Kumbar. I applied and was
to the pandemic requires skills planning and do the necessary job Eagle, the trend-setter Teluk Kumbar, south of Penang offered a position in the
of higher order. The challenges training to equip the team with The eagle leader has a broad vision and a island. I would like to share my stakeholder engagement
that face the educational necessary skills. When it is time to long distance focus, with precision and view about the Penang South department.
sector are multifaceted and it is choose the next leader, the matriarch clarity. In life, it is most important to be Islands (PSI) project as a young
necessary to have able leadership and paves the way for its successor and “the first” to spot any opportunity and fisherman who grew up here. I am now 23 and have been
team skills to tide over these uncertain facilitates another experienced member move swiftly to make the best of it. working in the PSI project for
times. of the team to take over. A matriarch is Visionary leaders guide teams not to I am not good in the English more than a year. The job has
more a servant leader. miss any market opportunity and to language so I have written this provided me with a stable
Furthermore, the Malaysian ensure the iron is struck when it is hot. letter with the help of my income and I have all the staff
Qualification Framework emphasises A mentoring teacher who is a source of friends because it is pertinent benefits such as insurance
the need for leadership and team skills in wisdom and inspiration is an example of A visionary teacher foresees the that I share my views with the coverage, Socso, and EPF
students. Usually, leadership skills are a servant leader. academic and futuristic progress of a English readers as well. savings. With payslips, I can
best learnt from peers and teachers in a Queen bee, the influencer student, and provides career guidance. purchase a motorcycle through
learning setting. Most of the time, The key to bees’ success and many other The visionary teacher identifies the I began helping my monthly instalments. I had
students look up to teachers who serve insect families is team work. The motto learning difficulties in the student who grandfather at sea when I was none of these before.
as role models and help in mentoring is ALL for ONE, ONE for ALL. The queen requires additional support and gives 14 years old. We would wake up
them in their career skills. bee believes in delegation of labour timely solutions. At the same time, he also in the middle of the night to After seeing the progress in
amongst its team. There is no job in the recognises the high achievers and helps prepare our fishing gear and my life, my peers who grew up
Man is an intrinsic part of nature and team which is menial or inferior. Each of them to excel. boat. Often times, we would with me at Teluk Kumbar are
at times we fail to realise that there is the teams are independent in operation, Migratory birds, transformational spend the whole night without now seeking employment in PSI
more to learn from nature. There are and they have autonomy in their leader sleep at our wooden hut, too.
amazing leadership traits that are respective jobs, be it housekeeping, The migratory birds travel thousands of waiting for favourable water
exhibited by certain animals, which can foraging, protecting the hive (soldiers), kilometres every year. The birds usually current and weather. However, there are not many
serve as models for us to emulate. The parental care, honey making, etc. The make a “V” formation to overcome their openings currently as the
leadership skills incorporated in our queen has a phenomenal influence on arduous journey by taking turns to lead. The scariest part in the job reclamation work has not
curriculum helps students’ in their the hive, and it keeps the whole dwelling It is a sort of transformational leadership, was getting caught in a storm started and the government is
growth and success. in harmony and peace. A queen bee is a which is also seen in penguins where in the middle of the sea. We had still waiting for approval from
Lion, the boss leader of self-discipline, dignity and different team members take lead to one such encounter when I was the Department of Environment
The lion is usually regarded as the king of decorum. She is powerful, yet she march, and so all members have the 18. Our boat was bombarded for the environmental
the forest, but in an educational punishes no one in the hive; when advantage of getting insulated and by strong waves that it almost management plan.
organisation, is a lion a preferred leader? needed the queen stings only another staying warm by sticking together. Such broke into two, and the rain
An alpha lion believes in commanding queen! leaders encourage and bring about curtain was so thick we could The delay of the approval
the group by aggression. He dominates change by tapping the inner potential of not see the shoreline and were could be due to a small group
by keeping his subordinates submissive An empathetic teacher who provides team members. lost. But somehow, we of fishermen who are trying to
with a roar. He executes his supremacy emotional support and counselling, managed to find our way back, stop the project. These
and expects subordinates to follow his whom a student prefers to confide is an A transformational teacher is more a with God’s grace. fishermen are opposing the
orders. But the lion also defends his example of an influencer. This teacher facilitator in teaching sessions, allowing project because they want to
team with his life and protects them can crack even the hardest shell (student) students to take turns to demonstrate The experience was keep the PSI area for their
against all odds. The “lion boss” is good and treats all of members of her class their capabilities in terms of practical traumatising, but we had to children to fish. No one knows
in getting work done on time, but is not equally. skills. This teacher ensures that each pupil continue to go out to sea the real motive of these
emotionally involved with the team. Wolf leader, the path finder gets equal opportunity to present his view because we had to eat. That fishermen for opposing the
The wolf is best known for its team work, point or showcase his talent. was life as a fisherman. This is project.
A strict disciplinarian and loyalty to its pack and excellent vision, one reason why many
dominating teacher who believes in and has a fine smell of finding and There are varying traits that are fishermen want their children to My family of three
getting the work done by the student with tracking. The wolf is a highly social unique and special to each of these pursue a higher education so generations of fishermen have
command is a “lion boss”. He also goes out animal. They travel together, eat animal leaders. It is in our wisdom to mix they can have better career no issues with the PSI project.
of his way to fight for his mentees. together, hunt together and play and match the traits suitable to the options. This is why I took a My grandfather himself had
Elephant, the servant leader together. A wolf leader believes in the situation to practise “situational diploma course in electrical urged me to work for the
The leader of an elephant group is a slogan “Never, ever give up” and has an leadership”. Educators can incorporate engineering. However, having a project, seeing that there was
matriarch – an elderly female in the unquenchable thirst for curiosity. The the jungle wisdom in their teaching skills higher education does not more prospect and job security
group. Leadership is by guidance and wolf leader makes its own path and and be an inspiration for learning guarantee us jobs when there is for me.
wisdom gained over experience. prefers to be an early bird during hunts. essential leadership skills during the no opportunity.
Experience is a key aspect of leadership university training. He is now 66 years old. After
in elephants and not dominance. The A strict but adventurous teacher who After my graduation, I being a fisherman all his life, he
elephant leader believes in the motto – can help a student to discover his own self Dr Gokul Shankar Sabesan is continued to go out to sea with can see that the PSI project will
to empower, to change and to live in and show them a unique path to success, Senior Asso Prof and Deputy Dean of my grandfather. bring development to the area
harmony. Elephant leaders have career and most of the times it’s a path that has Student Affairs in Faculty of Medicine, and generate jobs for his
not been previously ventured. As a fisherman, I did not children and grandchildren, and
AIMST University. have a stable income and I other fishermen’s children and
Comments: [email protected] could not commit to an grandchildren at Teluk Kumbar.
insurance scheme or purchase a
motorcycle. I did not even have He believes that with more
Socso and EPF contributions. career options, the community
will not need to continue
The turning point came risking their lives at sea. Besides,
when my grandfather urged me there are many other fishing
to apply for a job in the Penang grounds in the southern sea
South Islands (PSI) project after area for fishermen to fish in.
he learned that the state
government would be Nur Adam Anuar

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>>> Page 2

WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021

Put your creativity
to the test

>>> Page 7

PICTURE COURTESY OF MARIANNE TAN Beyond the silver
screen

>>> Page 8

ENTERTAINMENT Two faces
of Marianne
2 theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
o Fortune smiles on
█ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR illustrator who enjoys star
turn as an actress
AN illustrator by training an actress by
happy accident – Marianne Tan has ‘Plum roles are hard to come by in Malaysia.’
skilfully combined two talents in life
and gained steady recognition in both my work instead of sitting there and letting the Marianne says long-form films demand more discipline from her compared to short films, as she has to
fields. anxiety overwhelm me,” she said. carry characters longer. – PICTURES COURTESY OF MARIANNE TAN

She almost stumbled into entertainment, Marianne said she would gladly take on “Last year was like that year where I drowned to pay the bills, thanks to brands that still
according to the breakout star of Ola Bola. leading roles on a simple caveat. a little bit, like ‘Wow, this is much deeper than I reached out and are consistent with her.
thought.’ It was very scary and I had to find ways
“I had a friend who was a Youtuber, and he “If there is an opportunity, that would be to manage my anxiety, which was what I spent “These are brands that have maintained a
introduced me to acting through one of the first great,” she said, laughing. the last half of 2020 focusing on.” relationship with me and me with them,” she
short films on Youtube,” she explains. “That said.
video blew up at that time, because there were She describes her role as Faye in By My Side The actress got to work on managing her
not a lot of romantic series or short films at that as her biggest to date. anxiety and to prepare her mental fortitude if Currently, Marianne is working on a big
time.” something happens again this year. illustration campaign with Samsung for an
“In Ola Bola, I was a journalist, and in By My upcoming phone.
After it went viral and got the attention of Side, I was the main character that held “This was to make sure I’m ready and that I
JinnyboyTV, role after role landed on everything together,” she explained. do my work instead of sitting there and letting “I also have a short film I’m acting in but I
Marianne’s doorstep. the anxiety overwhelm me,” she said. don’t think they are revealing it any time soon.
Her star turn was in 2017, and other movie It is being planned to play at festivals,
Eventually, the rising actress nabbed the role parts have trickled in since then. Marianne pointed out that she has managed competition and stuff like that.”
in Ola Bola, which in turn led to By My Side, a
romantic feature length film that Marianne But plum roles are hard to come by in
headlined as the leading lady. Malaysia, she pointed out, “especially an
English script in a movie format. I think the
On the side, she is also known as a digital Malay film industry is also the toughest market
illustrator and creator for a comic series called to get into.”
Think Anne Think.
“If there is an opportunity, that would be
Speaking to theSun, Marianne explained she great,” she said, laughing.
began after watching simple tutorials on
creating comics by a favourite artist of hers. “It’s actually really hard to come by,
especially an English script in Malaysia in a
“I think it was the fact that she laid it out so movie format. I think the Malay industry for film
simply which made me decide to explore it,” is very strong and also the toughest market to
said the graduate in digital animation. “I kept get into”.
doing it weekly.’’
Like many others in the arts and
Posted on her social media platforms, the entertainment industry, Marianne’s world has
comics and art are not just a personal portfolio also been rocked by the pandemic, and then
of Marianne’s different styles and versatility as some.
an artist, but also a source of entertainment.
“The first wave crashed and nobody
“If you imagine reading a newspaper on expected it. Everything was in chaos and I did
Sundays, there are those comic strips. I wanted not expect how deep the anxiety was going to
to give that kind of vibe as well,” she said. get,” Marianne divulged.

“It’s a bit of a break from regular social media
posts. That was kind of the purpose of the
comic.”

Two of the biggest posts came last year, at the
start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

One dealt with domestic abuse and a
particularly outrageous remark by a minister;
the other was about frontliners.

“In a way, when I wrote that comic, I was
addressing the person in charge,” said
Marianne, who studied at a local design college.
“On the other hand, I also wanted to validate
everyone’s feelings and concerns.”

“That’s why I’m not posting as often during
this period,” she added, laughing. “I find myself
having difficulty soothing my own anxiety, so
how am I going to soothe the anxiety of others.”

Other side of the grass Like many others in
the arts and entertainment industry,
Marianne’s world has also been rocked by the
pandemic, and then some.

“The first wave crashed and nobody
expected it,” she lamented. “Everything was in
chaos and I did not expect how deep the anxiety
was going to get.”

“Last year was like that year where I drowned
a little bit, like ‘Wow, this is much deeper than I
thought.’ It was very scary and I had to find ways
to manage my anxiety, which was what I spent
the last half of 2020 focusing on.”

The actress got to work on managing her
anxiety and to strengthen her mental fortitude
in case something happened again this year.

“This is to make sure I’m ready and that I do

‘South Park’ creators sign latest streaming mega deal

“SOUTH PARK” creators Trey Parker new series of South Park for America and known for crude Stone joint statement.
and Matt Stone have signed a television network Comedy Central, language and lampooning hot- (left) and “We can’t wait to get back to doing
massive deal to make 14 movies of which will see the long-running satire button social issues since 1997, has Parker.
their enduring satirical cartoon for reach its 30th year by 2027. already spawned one film, multiple “Comedy Central has been our traditional South Park episodes but
streaming service Paramount+, as video games and other merchandise. home for 25 years and we’re really now we can also try out new formats,”
Hollywood’s frenzied scramble for South Park, set in small-town happy that they’ve made a they added.
online content accelerates. commitment to us for the next 75
years,” said Parker and Stone in the While ViacomCBS did not
While MTV Entertainment immediately comment on the
Studios – which like Paramount+ is US$900 million figure, it would put
owned by parent corporation the deal on a par with Reese
ViacomCBS – did not release any Witherspoon’s sale of her Hello
financial figures, Bloomberg News Sunshine company to a new private
put the deal at US$900 million, which equity-backed media venture this
would make it one of the largest in week.
television history.
It also comes after Amazon in May
The Paramount+ streaming agreed to buy MGM studios for
platform launched in March in a bid US$8.45 billion.
to compete in a crowded and
content-hungry marketplace led by Other streaming platforms
the likes of Netflix, Disney+ and recently launched by major media
Amazon Prime. and tech companies to join the so-
called “streaming wars” include HBO
In a statement, MTV Max, Peacock and Apple TV+, each
Entertainment’s Chris McCarthy said seeking vast content libraries to
developing new content with attract and retain subscribers.
“tremendous talent like Matt and
Trey, is at the heart of our strategy to ViacomCBS said Wednesday that
continue growing Paramount+”. it had reached 42 million streaming
subscribers. Current market leader
The deal also includes multiple Netflix has more than 200 million. –
ETX Studio

Iconic UK EDUCATION
degrees
3theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021

o World-recognised degrees are within
reach through HELP University

A United Kingdom (UK) Bar, or pursue the Malaysian Fourteen recipients of the 2017 Dean’s Award received certificates and gifts from the University of Derby for their outstanding
education opens doors, Legal Profession’s Qualifying academic performance for UoD programmes at HELP Academy.
wherever one is in the Board’s Certificate in Legal
world. From the world- Practice examinations.
renowned and innovative Management studies
teaching approaches to the The University of Derby (UoD) is
leading minds who deliver them, ranked among the Top 30 UK
an education in the UK is a universities in the Guardian
guaranteed way to reach one’s University Guide 2019. UoD
maximum potential. prides itself on offering a high
quality education that is relevant
A UK education also provides to today’s world and ensures its
placements, internships and graduates are well equipped to
volunteering positions that are lead successful careers.
designed to build new skills,
make new contacts and apply Included in the Derby 3+0
learning in a real-world, programme is a 10-day trip
professional environment. to Derby UK for registered
students, who will participate in
As UK universities have such academic activities and
strong links with every type of seminars, network with Derby
industry (from engineering to students and faculty members as
fashion to science and more), well as visit Derby’s industry
you are certain to find a partners like Rolls Royce. Choice
placement that is right for you. of majors available are
Accounting & Finance, Business
This is also another reason UK Management and International
graduates are among the most Business.
employable in the world, and Prestigious degrees
why they are earning more and The University of London
progressing further than their programmes are arguably the
peers who were educated most prestigious social science
elsewhere. degrees offered in Malaysia. It
has been offered at HELP
A UK degree helps graduates Academy for more than three
stand out in increasingly decades, providing teaching and
competitive job markets. support to its Economics,
Management, Finance, and
Through the new Graduate Social Science (EMFSS)
Route, one can also apply to programmes.
study in the UK for two years after
graduating. The University of London
Programmes offer degrees and
The Graduate Route provides diplomas in EMFSS, with
an opportunity for international academic direction provided by
students who have been awarded the London School of Economics
degrees to study in the UK or look (LSE).
for work at any skill level for two
years, and three years for Students will benefit from the
doctoral students. academic rigour and leading-
edge research undertaken by
Prime destination at HELP LSE, while HELP Academy offers
The UK Degree Transfer teaching and support to
Programme (Law) enables accomplish the study for the
students to pursue a prestigious University of London degree.
law degree at HELP University, Another distinguishing feature is
recognised for transfer to leading that all examinations are set and
partner universities in the United graded in Britain, so that the
Kingdom. degree is certified by a world-
UK partner universities class institution.
include the University of
Manchester, University of The programmes are
Sheffield, School of Oriental and designed to cultivate a sense of
African Studies in London, challenge and pride for students.
University of Leeds, Cardiff This is the premier league. These
University, University of are degrees which will open
Liverpool, Aberystwyth doors and take them places.
University, University of the West
of England in Bristol, With more than 54,000
Northumbria University and the students in 180 countries, these
University of Hertfordshire. degrees have earned global
Upon successful completion recognition in both academic
of the UK Degree Transfer and professional circles. The
Programme (Law), students will distinctive quality of the
be able to transfer to partner University of London degrees is
universities in the United comparable to those from
Kingdom, or other universities in Oxbridge.
the United Kingdom (on a case-
by-case basis) to read for an HELP has gained vital
undergraduate LLB (Hons) experience since 1986 in running
degree. the University of London
An attractive feature of this programmes. Today, four
programme is that students are academic programmes are
able to obtain a coveted UK law offered to cater to the specific
degree at an affordable cost, needs of students – BSc
while flavouring the UK Accounting and Finance, BSc
educational experience. Economics and Management,
Upon completion of the LLB BSc Economics and BSc Banking
(Hons) degree in the UK, and Finance.
students who wish to become
practising lawyers will have to For more information, visit
read for either the UK Bar university.help.edu.my.
Professional Training Course to
gain admission into the English

EDUCATION

4 theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021

A ray of hope
o UTAR launches new programme to nurture public
administration professionals

AS the global economy evolves, jobs being of individuals, communities and the
and responsibilities at government public. Graduates are not limited to work in
agencies have grown increasingly government departments, but will also be an
important. With integration and asset in the private sector. As the graduates are
collaboration between international familiar with the operations, systems and legal
governments, it is crucial to have government knowledge of government departments, they
talents that can bring great results to the public can join the private sector to help companies
service overall operation. This is especially true deal with procedural matters to a certain extent.
given the ongoing pandemic. Graduates may also use the knowledge and
The Universiti Tunku Abdul
Rahman (UTAR) Faculty of skills to engage in their own careers
Business and Finance (FBF) because the skills learned in public
at its Kampar Campus is administration can be applied
gearing up to be part of when managing non-profit or
the solution. In line with non-governmental
the government’s organisations and other private
transformation efforts, enterprises.” Choong. – PICTURES COURTESY OF UTAR
UTAR will soon launch a Department of Business future students will continue advancing in their
new Bachelor of Public head Dr Tee Chee Wee said: educational careers upon graduation. misunderstanding between private companies
Administration (Honours) “The programme is suitable for and the government.”
programme aimed at fostering a arts and science streams students to Considering the government’s urgent need
new generation of civil servants. pursue further studies, and it is to establish e-government operations, FBF The three-year public administration degree
FBF deputy dean Dr Choong usually only offered by public Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee said the programme will not only provide students with
Yuen Onn said the universities. Currently, UTAR future course will accelerate the process. fundamental knowledge of governance and
programme would be is actively promoting it public administration, but will also help them
an excellent platform to let more people “The existing Bachelor’s degree develop valuable skills that can be applied in
to produce well- know and apply programmes focus more on the benefits of the various work settings. Students will get the
trained civil for this private sector, while this newly launched public opportunity to resolve and address real-life
servants. professional administration programme is more inclined to challenges in various contexts regionally and
“A public programme.” principles, practices and organisational globally.
administration The new management related to private and public
degree is a good programme will organisations, and even covers profit or non- Upon graduation, students can look forward
start for students comply with profit organisations. to a wide range of career choices. From
who want to the Malaysian government relations managers to human
make a positive Qualifications “It also emphasises the establishment of a resource specialists, students have the
impact on the Agency solid understanding and foundation of public opportunity to make a difference with their
social and requirements. or government management systems. More skills and knowledge. The course is expected to
economic well- The faculty importantly, when more people understand the start in October 2021. For more information,
Au Yong. hopes that government’s operation and communication visit https://study.utar.edu.my/public-
methods, it will help reduce the gap and administration.php

Solid foundation for
seamless transition
THE whole world has been forced to adapt to learning, so the transition to full online
unforeseen circumstances brought on by the learning was seamless. I was also taught to be
Covid-19 pandemic, and this has changed the independent and to prepare for lectures
landscape of many sectors such as industries, ahead so I would never miss out any
economies and of course, education. important lessons during online classes.

While many continue to find their feet, “This saves me hours of ineffective studies,
there are some who have taken the situation which I can channel towards other
as an opportunity to solidify their foundation, meaningful activities like revision, or even
in preparation for future challenges that will exercise to keep myself active and alert,” said
arise from adapting to the new normal. Teh.

An example is Teh Wen Jie, who enrolled The 19-year-old also credited TAR UC’s
for the Foundation in Accounting programme comprehensive student lifestyle for helping
at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College her to improve her social skills via club
(TAR UC) last year. She is currently a Bachelor activities.
of Commerce (Hons) student. The
comprehensive lessons she picked up from “Through my involvement as a member of
her Foundation days has prepared her for the the Economics Society, I have learned the
new challenges today, and has turned them importance of social skills such as team
into opportunities. planning, negotiation and communication.
The experiences also spurred me to volunteer
“When the pandemic hit, I clearly for the TEDxTARUC 2019 event as a
remember one piece of committee member, which taught me lessons
advice I was given by that could not be replicated in class”, she
one of my lecturers: added.
‘Challenges can be
opportunities, it all It was also her passion for accounting that
depends on how you led Teh to TAR UC.
view them.’
“Thanks to my “I have always been fascinated with
Foundation studies, numbers, so I pursued that path after
I have adapted to secondary school. When I heard about TAR
online UC’s strong Foundation programme and its
Teh credits her history of producing successful graduates
Foundation studies for annually, I figured this would be the place to
a seamless transition help me develop my passion into a career.”
to full online learning
at TAR UC. TAR UC offers six Foundation
programmes – Arts, Science, Engineering,
Accounting, Business and Computing – that
are curated to prepare students effectively for
transition to their Bachelor’s Degree
programmes and any future challenges they
may encounter in their careers upon
graduation.

For more details on TAR UC’s Foundation
programmes or September intake, contact
the centre for Pre-University Studies at 011-
1075 8537 or email to [email protected].
Alternatively, visit www.tarc.edu.my/cpus.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply
online at www.tarc.edu.my. Attractive
scholarships are also available.

Schooled in Gaming EDUCATION

5theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021

█ BY ANANSA JACOB o There are more options than ever for gamers to turn their passion into a solid career

IN recent years, the number of (left) APU’s
students joining courses linked programme
to video game development has teaches students
grown exponentially, thanks in how to create a
part gaming culture becoming full-fledged
increasingly mainstream, and more game; while
people begin to realise that the (right) FSAEM
gaming industry has a lot to offer in and Orange
terms of careers. Esports allow
students to
One of the more established explore a career
courses related to this field is the BSc in Esports
(Hons) in Computer Games management.
Development programme, which
has been offered by Asia Pacific really wanted me to do something I The programme is also dynamic content creators, marketing based learning, which includes
University of Technology and was passionate about. enough to adapt to changes in the executives and team managers. organising, marketing and
Innovation (APU) for the past 15 industry. broadcasting Esports tournaments.
years, long before game “So I sat her down and explained This change in outlook has been
development was a widely known to her how the industry has been Wong explained: “We engage with reflected in the growing number of “Right now, the studios [where
career option. increasing exponentially in both the industrial advisory panel, which Esports-specific courses offered by classes will be conducted] are in
mobile and console, and I also told consist of people in the industry, local institutions. For instance, operation, as we have ongoing
Two students currently her the benefits of games such as such as games companies, as well as students can study for a Professional national tournaments,” Pang said. “At
undertaking the course are final year [improving] hand-eye coordination. non-games companies. We also Certificate in Esports Management, a the moment classes are being
student Chung Yee Xiang, 22, and speak with the students regularly and new course currently offered by FSA conducted online, but we are ready
second year student Lee Hua Iong, “Right now, most adults have a [get their feedback] on the course. Esports Academy (FSAEM) through a for face-to-face learning.”
20. Both were avid video game really bad impression of games in collaboration with Orange Esports.
players while growing up. general. But there is a game genre “We also have partner Pang related the story of one of his
called edutainment, where children universities, and with that The four-month course is students, who came in with a
Chung learned how to play from learn better by playing games and collaboration and interaction that we developed and taught by Orange background in the performing arts.
his brother, who in turn was taught learning. So I really want to change have, we know what is out there, and Esports general manager Kelvin
by their father. “I basically grew up people’s perspective of the industry.” we can quickly adapt and change our Pang, who has almost 20 years of “The student told me that before
with gaming,” he said. “My all-time curriculum. competitive experience under his he joined the course, he had
favourite game is Pokémon. According to Assoc. Prof. Wong belt, both as an Esports player and a experience working in the backend
Bee Suan, head of APU’s School of “In Malaysia, MDEC is also very tournament organiser. He is also an of various stage productions,” he
“Ever since I was young, I knew I Computing, Chung and Lee’s active in promoting this industry, exco member of the Malaysia Esports said.
had an affinity for [video games] and experiences are part of what makes and they have done a lot of work Federation.
knew that I wanted to learn to make the course so unique. through conferences and networking “He later told me that he could see
[them].” with international players in creating “My role is to educate and a correlation between his own
She said: “A lot of the parents awareness among the local industry. enlighten people that Esports is more experiences, and what he learnt from
For Lee, video games were a way [thought] that computer games than just ‘a bunch of kids playing the broadcasting aspects of the
for him to relieve stress. “I would play development [was] a no-no “There are also a lot of spin-off games,’” he said, referring to some of course.
multiple genres such as FPS (first- programme to go into, in the professions in this industry, you the most common misconceptions
person shooter) and mobile games to beginning at least. don’t have to be a computer game about the industry. “We want to show that there are
really exercise my brain,” he said. developer. Upon graduation, you can alternatives to traditional career
“Now, it’s gotten a lot better. When also be a streamer [for example]. The He explained that within Esports, choices. Instead of [just being an]
“I was also really enraptured by we first started [the programme], entertainment and edutainment there are various career engineer, doctor or lawyer, you can
story-telling games; I wanted to whenever we spoke to parents, they industry is huge.” opportunities ranging from the become a gaming engineer, Esports
analyse the storytelling process that would go ‘Oh no, I don’t want my Not just playing games business side, which includes team doctor or an Esports lawyer.
the directors implemented, as well as child to be playing games.’” One other aspect of the gaming marketing and planning events, all
how they are exhibited in the game industry which has gained the way to broadcasting and “There are many different job
itself.” Wong added that she is a member prominence in recent years is streaming, and even beyond. opportunities available in the
of the Game Development Council of Esports. Since 2019, the industry has [Esports industry], and for a student
Both students explained that the Malaysia (GDCOM), which is under received RM30 million from the Declan Khor, operations manager who is a gamer, it just so happens to
course has allowed them to leverage the Ministry of Education. national budget, with another RM15 for FSAEM, said: “Some parents still fit in with their interests.”
upon their passion for gaming, while million promised later this year. think that Esports is all about
also teaching them the process of “The main focus is to create gaming, but we hope that with more To find out more about careers in
creating a game from start to finish. awareness among parents and high This is in recognition of the mainstream exposure, it will open the gaming industry, be sure to check
school students to let them know industry’s potential to produce not their eyes to the fact that it is a out Part 3 of our Gaming series where
Initially, both Chung and Lee what developing games is all about, only talented players, but also a diversified, booming industry. we speak to people who have chosen
encountered some resistance from and just to cut down on the barrier thriving ecosystem that includes to make their mark in this dynamic
their families when they indicated that parents may have in sending “At the same time, we want them industry. Only in theSun’s Career
they wanted to study computer their children to pursue a career in to feel reassured that their children feature on Aug 17.
games development. this area.” will have a good career path, which is
why our course places an emphasis Click the ICON
Chung said: “My dad joked that on internships and industrial to read the
[he] wanted to strangle me! But I can placement, so that students get real- full version of
see from his perspective that this life working experience.” this article
career is not your typical, run-of-the
mill profession like a lawyer or a A large part of the course is
doctor. Over the years they have hands-on and focused on project-
become more supportive, which I am
very grateful for.

“I guess with the advancement of
technology, they can see the impact
that video games can have, especially
with the Esports scene being so huge
now.”

Lee took a more direct approach
when it came to convincing his
mother. “My mum was definitely
hesitant at first,” he said. “But she

CAREERS

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
A CAREER IN GAMING

Don't miss part 3 of our 4-part
eSports series on Aug 17!

Brought to you by

EDUCATION

6 theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
NE of the most notable
names in the
entertainment industry in

O The importance of giving backMalaysia is Dr
Muhammad Shazril Shaharuddin,
better known as Dr Say. He is an
alumnus of Management and o Good things in life are meant to be shared,
Science University (MSU), who
graduated with a Bachelor of

says alumnus of MSUMedicine and Bachelor of Surgery
(MBBS) in 2013.
Born into a medical family, Dr
Say said he chose to be a doctor (Medical Physiology) through the People might think: ‘Oh, influencer is
because it was his passion to help MSU School of Graduate Studies. just a name!’ But it is actually a
people, and not because he was Also a budding artiste and a TV profession and I must say that it is
influenced by his parents and personality, Dr Say has an quite a profitable profession. You get
siblings. unquenchable passion for to work from home and yet you get to
Now, he is married to a doctor as parenting, health and fitness. He has earn even more than those who are
well – Dr Azura Abas, who is also an 300,000 followers on Instagram. working an 8 to 5 job. But just like any
alumna of MSU. She is currently “Currently, my main source of other profession, being an influencer
pursuing her Master of Science income is from being an influencer. has its own challenges too. You have to
be consistent in your postings and in
sharing useful information on your
social media platforms.
“The significance of this is that I am Dr Say also helps out as a volunteer at the vaccination centre in Putra World Trade
now consulting patients on a bigger Centre Kuala Lumpur.
scale. If it were in a clinic, I would be
seeing patients one by one. But by
being an influencer, I get to share
information with an even bigger
crowd in a shorter time frame,” he said.
Dr Say recently helped out as a
frontline worker.
“I had the chance to be a frontliner
for 10 days at Pasar Borong Kuala
Lumpur and it still haunts me until
today. When I was called for duty on
the first day, it was also the first day of
the RMCO. It was like a place of war,
with barbed wires and a massive
amount of army and police personnel
securing the place.
“I was on duty also during the
fasting month and it was hard.
Wearing personal protective
equipment under the scorching sun
was challenging.
Screening
mostly
Rohingya
who had

Dr Say receiving his second dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

a language barrier was also tough. flew to the campus in Bangalore.
All in, it was a good experience for Studying abroad surely was tough, but
me. I am thankful that I could do my MSU guided me through thick and
bit to help the country,” he said. thin by helping me organise myself
through proper schedules, hospital
Prior to his stupendous journey attachments and exams so that I could
with MSU, Dr Say studied focus on my studies and my hobby,
International Baccalaureate under which was bodybuilding at the time.
Majlis Amanah Rakyat, which made One more thing was that they
him eligible to pursue the MBBS at constantly had representatives
MSU’s International Medical School coming from MSU Malaysia to India to
offshore campus in Bangalore, India. help us settle in.

“My experience studying at MSU “What I learnt from MSU is the
was the best. I was the third batch that importance of giving back. Good
things in life are meant to be shared, so
Dr Say believes in it can be passed down for generations
influencers who and that was what MSU has managed
portray realness and to nourish in me. Once my wife is done
authenticity through with her masters, I would definitely
their posts. pursue my studies, so I can give back
to the community. Plus, I might even
consider working there at MSU one
day, who knows?”

The MBBS is a five-year
programme offered through the
International Medical School at the

MSU main campus in Shah Alam
and its offshore campus in
Bangalore, which is Malaysia’s first

medical school to receive a five-
year accreditation from the
Malaysian Medical Council. In
addition, MSU’s MBBS
programme is recognised by the
Medical Council of India, Sri Lanka
Medical Council and the Maldives
Medical and Dental Council.
Intakes for the MBBS programme
are in April and October, and qualified
students are required to sit for the
Medical Entry Test (MET) at the MSU
campus in Shah Alam to determine
their aptitude for the programme.

All decked out in personal Want to be a doctor and qualify to sit
protective equipment during for the MET at MSU? For details and
his stint as a frontliner at Pasar
Borong Kuala Lumpur last year. more information on scholarships
and fee waivers, please call 03-5521
6868, email [email protected] or

visit www.msu.edu.my.

EDUCATION

7theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021

Put your creativity to the test
o Harvard University Measuring verbal creativity
has an online tool for The purpose of this test is to measure
that our divergent thinking via our verbal
creativity. Indeed, the test’s divergent
A tool shared online by association task offers “a quick
Harvard University offers a measure of verbal creativity and
measure of our creativity, or divergent thinking, the ability to
more precisely, our divergent generate diverse solutions to open-
thinking. This online test focuses on ended problems,” explain the
verbal creativity, and takes less than researchers. “People who are more
four minutes to complete. So, are you creative tend to generate words that
ready to put your creativity to the test? have greater distances between them.”
Harvard University psychologists
have developed a test based on a To measure the distance, or
single challenge to exercise your relatedness, between words,
inventiveness. The test, taken by more researchers rely on the Common
than 9,000 people from 98 countries, is Crawl, a corpus containing thousands
available online at of different words across billions of
www.datcreativity.com. The rule is webpages. An algorithm calculates the
simple, but it’s designed to stretch distance between words. For example,
your mind: choose 10 words that are while “dog” and “cat” are close
as different as possible from each together, “cat” and “book” are further
other. apart. “The total score is simply the
In less than four minutes, the time average of these word distances:
it takes to complete the questionnaire, greater distances give a higher score.”
the algorithm that calculates the
results generates a score ranging from But what if you get a low score?
0 to 200. Participants’ average score is Don’t panic, it doesn’t mean that
78. you’re not creative. “This task is a
Note that the test is only available single measure of one aspect of verbal
in English. The specialists creativity and does not capture many
recommend that you take the test types of real-world creative
before learning more about the achievement,” explain the specialists.
process it uses. “There are many different types and An online tool allows you to measure your verbal creativity.
aspects of creativity that the task does
not measure,” reassure the test’s
creators. “No single task can fully
capture creativity, which is why in
studies we often use several measures
at once.” – ETX Studio

EDUCATION

8 theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021

MORE than the act Beyond the silver screen
of going to the
cinema itself, an o Dr Agata Frymus from Monash University Malaysia examines the
understanding of the evolution of the movie-going experience in Kuala Lumpur
movie-going experience in Kuala
Lumpur in the 1970s can help people behaved and how their cinema tickets available. University Internal Seed Grant.
researchers capture the zeitgeist behaviour changed. I wanted to do “I thought that was such an In the future, Frymus hopes to
of the time. that in the Malaysian context,” she extend her study beyond Kuala
added. interesting story because it’s so Lumpur and talk to
Watching a movie then was a specific to being Tamil and burial moviegoers in other parts of
radically different experience Where cinema, culture and practices that are no longer Malaysia.
from what it is today. An history intersect practised. It’s just an anecdote but
understanding of cinema and the The 1950s and 1960s were the it tells you so many different To learn more about
world that coexisted with it can tell golden age of Malay cinema, which things,” Frymus said. postgraduate coursework
us a lot about life in the 1970s, saw actors such as P. Ramlee rising and research programmes at
which researchers at Monash to fame. Things started to change The study also provides Monash, join their Virtual
University Malaysia are trying to in the 1970s, with Hollywood, researchers with an overview of the Postgraduate Preview on
accomplish. Indonesian and Hong Kong films expectations and impacts people Aug 21 at 11am. For
screening in cinemas. had in their lives, and an more information, visit
Movies were one of the most In addition to examining maps understanding of how they www.monash.edu.my.
popular forms of entertainment at of the city, old newspapers and operated within the social context.
the time. The School of Arts and magazines, Frymus said: “I also Frymus
Social Sciences lecturer in Film, interviewed people who lived in The way a film is perceived and holds a PhD
Television and Screen Studies, Dr Pudu or Sentul in the 1970s. the values derived from it differs in Theatre,
Agata Frymus, is attempting to Hassan Abdul Muthalib and among people from different walks Film and
understand how cinema can be Joseph Chozhan both told me that of life. For example, a critically Television
used to understand society, the they cycled to the cinema back in acclaimed Hollywood movie from the
nature of memory, and the the day because Kuala Lumpur was espousing progressive values may University of
changing urban landscape in Kuala bicycle-friendly. Some struggle to gain traction in a York.
Lumpur. interviewees watched lots of conservative society. Similarly, a
Hollywood movies but also lots of movie exploring the banality of life
The film scholar aims to Chinese movies, depending on filled with conservative values risks
understand questions such as: who was talking to me.” being labelled as one for the
How does one’s identity shape Some iconic cinemas such as simpletons.
one’s engagement with public Pawagam P. Ramlee or Sentul
entertainment? Does gender, Cinema were later redeveloped for “I found an article in Berita
cultural background, ethnicity or other purposes. Harian about The Graduate (1967)
religion affect the cinema-going “It shows you how landscapes describing it as a controversial “sex
experience? If so, what is the change and how people’s lives movie”.
relationship with history, as well as change.”
the social and national context? There is also much to be learned “The film is about a young man
about the interaction between (Dustin Hoffman) getting in a
“In the past five to seven years, cultural heritage and cinema- relationship with an older woman,
there has been a trend in film going. One interviewee spoke Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft). But
studies to combine it with about how young boys would when I talked to my respondents,
ethnography and social history and collect coins strewn on the ground they didn’t remember the film
oral history,” Frymus explained. after the coffin was burned at a being controversial. Maybe it was,
traditional Tamil funeral, and later but I think that ethnicity and
“Inspiration for the study use the coins to buy the cheapest religion have an impact on how
stemmed from another research you see certain films, or how
on postwar Italy, where academics certain films are problematic to
from the United Kingdom one group, but not to another.”
interviewed elderly Italians about
their memories of cinema in the Her study began in February
1950s. and is funded by the Monash

“That’s my starting point. I read
about the project and its findings. I
thought it was interesting because
it tells you about film and cinema
and the urban context – how

9theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
* SPEAK UP

COMMENT byAmandaYeo

Early intervention can prevent suicides
ALTHOUGH the overall
unemployment rate in May this one among his circle of friends who loses “By resonating mental health professional; and 2. Develop more high-skilled and
year (4.5%) hit a 14-month low his job. He may contemplate suicide with the 5. Stay connected: Staying in touch high-income job opportunities under
compared to April 2020 (5%), even though he is aware that it may have feelings and Jana Kerja, Penjana Kerja, etc to ensure
the Statistics Department of Malaysia’s a devastating effect on his family and emotions of after a crisis or after the person at-risk more Malaysians can secure jobs that
definition of employed persons also friends. loved ones, is discharged from care can make a match the current industry needs in the
involves those working one hour a week counselling difference. Studies have shown that country;
and who may be unpaid workers in a EMIR Research has written an article services can the number of suicide deaths goes
family enterprise, which masks the on the effects of the pandemic, resulting help the down when someone follows up. 3. Integrate food and nutrition-
underemployment taking place in the in many having mental illness, which struggling As suicidal thoughts or actions are focused programmes with different
informal economy where official has led them to take the drastic and persons to signs of extreme distress, Malaysian transfer modalities such as in-kind, cash
statistics may not capture them. tragic step of committing suicide. realise how citizens can save the following numbers or vouchers into social protection
With the loss or decrease in income detrimental in their phones: systems. Women and children from low-
arising from reduced working hours, It may not be easy to see the signs of their loss (i) Women, Family and Community income households, in particular, can
more Malaysians, especially someone with suicidal thoughts, would be to use food vouchers or cash to buy food.
breadwinners, single parents and however, when someone behaves out of those they care Development Ministry’s Talian Such an initiative would ensure
mothers, may resort to ending their lives character, we can do our part by learning about, which Kasih hotline at 15999 or via everyone has a basic income, giving
as a result of the ongoing financial stress to recognise the warning signs of suicide in turn WhatsaApp number at 019-2615 them the ability to cover their essential
due to the prolonged lockdown. so psychological first aid-based decreases the 999 and, spending and enjoy healthy food;
Single mothers, who are a socially helplines can be extended to those who chances of (ii)Befrienders (03-76272929).
and economically vulnerable group, are desperately need help immediately. them wanting By resonating with the feelings and 4. Work closely with soup kitchens,
particularly at risk of various physical to commit emotions of loved ones, counselling NGO and the Social Welfare Department
and mental health problems. According Losing interest in daily activities, suicide.” services can help the struggling persons for meal distribution. Cross-sector
to a survey conducted by South Korea’s having difficulty focusing and carrying to realise how detrimental their loss collaboration in terms of meal
Ministry of Gender Equality in 2015, out daily tasks, consuming more drugs would be to those they care about, which distribution can prevent individuals who
single parents with low education and or alcohol than usual, isolating in turn decreases the chances of them cannot afford to put food on the table
income levels are more likely to themselves from others and expressing a wanting to commit suicide. If the from attempting suicide to end their
experience depressive symptoms. desire to commit suicide on social media individual perceives that the value of problems; and
Therefore, there is an increasing concern are some of the symptoms of someone living is greater than dying, the suicide
that more single mothers in Malaysia contemplating suicide. rate will decrease. 5. Turn MySejahtera into a super app
may commit suicide when they are Although the current administration that can address the root cause of mental
unable to feed their children. There are five steps where citizens is expanding mental health illness, besides fighting the Covid-19
Another vulnerable group are youths. can assist someone in emotional pain as infrastructure to assist the vulnerable pandemic. The developer could apply
Due to their lack of working experience, suggested by the US National Institute of ones in managing mental illness machine learning and artificial
they find it hard to secure a decent job Mental Health: problems during this prolonged intelligence tools, to assist the
with decent pay and benefits. When the 1. Ask: Although “Are you thinking lockdown, there is still a continuous government in predicting and
company downsizes, young people are need for empathy for the plight of intervening in suicidal behaviour among
often the first to be laid off (or face a about killing yourself?” is not an easy ordinary Malaysians as they struggle to its citizens. In turn, the users could
reduction in working hours). question. Studies show that asking at- weather this challenging time. receive advice and prescriptions from
As the Covid-19 daily infection risk individuals if they are suicidal Aside from the RM15 million given to certified healthcare providers via text
figures remain above the 10,000 mark, does not increase suicides or suicidal non-governmental organisations (NGO) messaging or video calls that may
youths who cannot cope with the thoughts; to assist the government in addressing discourage them from attempting
continuous rise in living costs will 2. Keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal social issues such as mental health, suicide as a way to solving their
become demotivated in pursuing their person’s access to highly-lethal items homelessness and other social problems problems.
life goals, and may eventually choose to or places is crucial for suicide under the Pemulih stimulus package,
end their miserable lives. prevention. While this is not always there are several steps required to To conclude, early intervention on
While it may appear irrational to end easy, asking if the at-risk person has a moderate the mental health impacts suicide prevention is necessary to help
one’s life, an individual would be plan and removing or disabling the from unemployment and income losses. individuals with suicidal thoughts to find
inclined to commit suicide when their lethal means can make a difference; Towards this end, EMIR Research new ways to cope with their pain from
perception of the derived benefit of 3. Be there: Be a good listener and learn urges the government to: job loss or income reduction, giving
living into the future falls below the what the individual is thinking and 1. Organise door-to-door visits to them the ability to start all over again.
expected costs of committing suicide. feeling. Encouraging them to talk and understand the needs and problems of
Such a phenomenon is particularly release their sadness. Research the citizens, particularly among the low- Amanda Yeo is Research Analyst at
apparent when the individual is the only suggests acknowledging and talking income groups, in addition to providing EMIR Research, an independent
about suicide may reduce rather than psychological first aid-based helplines think tank focused on strategic
increase suicidal thoughts; for them to express their psychosocial
4. Help them connect: Connect with a concerns; policy recommendations based on
trusted individual like a family rigorous research.
member, friend, spiritual adviser or
Comments: [email protected]

COMMENT by Khairil Ahmad

P-hailing conundrum to regulate bad road antics

ROAD traffic violations and bad traffic etiquette influences riding platforms to educate its riders. While anyone below 21 to be a rider. These industry works.
etiquette are normally associated attitudes, the key question is: Is it fair promotion of road safety and traffic examples appear so unrealistic that it Still, the proposed regulation is
with errant small-machined to entirely blame platforms when the etiquette is a collective responsibility, will force platforms to add a layer of praiseworthy for its intent on riders’
motorcyclists – youngsters’ reckless root issue is riders’ platforms, similar bureaucracy and costs that could safety and welfare. However, this
riding triggers the wrath and personal to corporations deprive thousands of people of should not be at the expense of
expletives of traffic-abiding motorists behaviour? hiring dispatch income-generating opportunities, impeding industry growth that
and residents of real estate, where Nonetheless, riders, have and deny the flexibility that is adopts a “short-term populist
these riders traverse. platforms have limited control hallmark of the gig economy. outlook”, just because the socio-
always assumed a over how riders economic demographics of rider
As the last-mile services industry moral behave on the The critical question: Will this majority are bumiputra.
expands, the target of these responsibility to road. proposed regulation change the If the intent is to address traffic
antagonism has shifted towards food remind riders on The proposed riding attitude and behaviour that violations and provide a safe
delivery platforms, allegedly for good values and regulation is reduces traffic violations, accidents environment for riders, then the
“allowing” and “enabling” bad riding compliance of interesting in that and deaths? Now comes the paradox: government and the industry should
behaviour. Naturally, this caught the road safety. it has digressed The proposed regulation, on face collaboratively promulgate a solution
government’s attention that Platforms also from its original value, does not appear to solve the to address it. Inculcating positive
compelled the Transport Ministry to co-opt riders intent of problems that triggered the intent for road riding behaviour and etiquette
conceptualise a p-hailing policy based on the addressing high such regulation. Thus, the next must start early – in schools,
paper for the Cabinet, highlighting correct – and legal traffic violations. question: What is the raison d’etre of driving/riding schools, and a
another possible government – assumption that The centrist the proposed regulation? concerted effort with the traffic
(mis)step to overregulate this they have been, Promotion of road safety and traffic local think tank, enforcement authorities and
industry. first, officially etiquette is a collective responsibility. The Centre, in its Industry sources indicate that the industry, to ensure safe streets for all.
government intends to: Khairil Ahmad is a consultant with
The trigger-point for the instructed and Jan 13 report, 0 Determine fares set by platforms, Hann Partnership and an associate
regulation was developed from tested, and then, licensed by the pondered the possibility of a riding
studies conducted by the Malaysia Road Transport Department, thus regulation as a case of “over without a clear understanding of with the Malaysia International
Institute of Road Safety Research are “qualified” to ply the streets. regulation”. Examples: Platforms the business model; Chambers of Commerce and
since 2020. The conclusion: A high Therefore, any “misbehaviour” should conduct and verify 0 “Charge” a licensing fee on
percentage of traffic violations are reflects more on systemic failure of inspections that vehicles are platforms and riders; and, Industry Digital Economy Group.
caused by p-hailing riders, hence, the the Road Transport Department, roadworthy and free from 0 “Curate” new training courses for Comments:
proposed regulations. rather than the failings of the modifications, and also prohibit riders, highlighting again what
seems to be the case of the [email protected]
Referencing how behavioural and government “assuming” how the

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. SunBIZ WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 11, 2021
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
9/08/2021 Fax: 03-7784 4424

Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected]

% RM m RM m RM m

44.3 Institutions 954.3 998.2 -43.9

40.2 Retail 919.1 853.2 65.9

15.5 Foreign 330.5 352.5 -22.0 161.51 17.23
TSEC KOSPI
100.0 2203.9 2203.9 0.0 CLOSED 30.18 322.22 35.30 68.11 17,323.64 3,243.19 24.20
STI HANG SENG SCI NIKKEI S&P/ASX200
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com KLCI 26,605.62 27,888.15
Source: Bursa Malaysia 3,207.36 3,529.93 7,562.60

August 10, 2021

KL MARKET SUMMARY Malaysian companies on Forbes Asia 100 to Watch
August 9, 2021

INDICES CHANGE
FBMEMAS 10,998.30 +44.24
FBMKLCI 1,496.73 +6.93
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 588.02 +5.84
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 189.32 +0.63
CONSTRUCTION 158.41 -0.08
FINANCIAL SERVICES 14,726.90 +22.47 BrioHR DoctorOnCall Dropee iHandal Energy Solutions
ENERGY 710.80 -2.44 Category: Education & recruitment Category: Biotechnology & healthcare Category: E-commerce & retail Category: Construction & engineering
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 684.25 +4.97 Year founded: 2018 Year founded: 2016 Year founded: 2017 Year founded: 2009
HEALTH CARE 2,722.76 +19.82 CEO: Benjamin Croc Managing director: Maran Virumandi CEO: Lennise Ng CEO: Aaron Patel
TRANSPORTATION 854.61 +11.23 Key backers: East Ventures, Global Key backer: Conny & Co Key backers: Vynn Capital,Y Key backer: Bintang Capital Partners
PROPERTY 691.71 +2.63 Founders Capital,Y Combinator Combinator
PLANTATION 6,101.34 -24.11 DoctorOnCall is a digital health plat- Claiming to be the country’s leading Building ventilation and heating
FBMSHA 12,072.10 +36.24 A cloud-based human resources form that offers telehealth consulta- B2B e-commerce marketplace, contribute 10% of global electricity
FBMACE 7,194.21 +18.23 management platform, BrioHR tions with board-certified doctors, Dropee provides an integrated consumption. The company says its
TECHNOLOGY 92.66 -0.15 offers all-in-one services from online pharmacy and delivery serv- supply chain network that facilitates systems capture and reuse buildings’
TURNOVER recruitment to payroll, for SMEs in ices, as well as booking services for transactions between businesses wasted heat and recycle it, offsetting
3.682 BIL VALUE Southeast Asia. A recent graduate doctors and specialists. DoctorOnCall and their suppliers. The company up to 70% of thermal emissions, with
RM2.204 BIL of the Y Combinator incubator, says it serves an estimated three mil- says it serves around 70,000 busi- energy savings as high as 80%. It
BrioHR announced in March that it lion users nationwide. The company nesses, with revenue up 600% in the says it raised more than US$5 million
5 MOST ACTIVES bagged US$1.3 million from inves- plans to build mobile clinics to make last three years. Dropee says it raised in a recent round led by Bintang
August 9, 2021 tors including Global Founders healthcare more accessible to rural US$1.3 million in seed funding last Capital Partners.
Capital and East Ventures. communities. year from investors including Vynn
Capital andY Combinator.

STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) 4 M’sian firms included in
DNEX 148,007,000 81.5 -1.0
ECOFIRS-WD 122,658,100 9.5 +3.0
AVI 121,358,400 16.0 +2.0
SCNWOLF-WA 104,099,900 12.5 +1.0
SAUDEE 93,938,600 8.0 -1.0

5 TOP GAINERS Forbes Asia 100 to Watch
August 9, 2021

STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM oThe list spotlights notable small commerce & retail, food & was selected from over 900
GENETEC 488,600 25.40 0.78 companies and startups on the rise hospitality and education & submissions.
HEIM 46,500 22.60 0.60 recruitment.
CARLSBG 110,800 21.54 0.44 To qualify for consideration,
RAPID 274,000 8.05 0.30 companies had to be
GREATEC 4,403,900 7.10 0.25 headquartered in the Asia-
Pacific region, be at least one
Across the Asia-Pacific year old, privately owned, for
region, 17 countries and profit, and have no more than
5 TOP LOSERS territories are represented, with US$20 million (RM84 million)
August 9, 2021 PETALING JAYA: Four remarkable progress and the lively startup communities in its latest annual revenue or
Malaysian companies BrioHR, impact in spite of the in India and Singapore total funding through Aug 1.
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM DoctorOnCall, Dropee and challenging climate brought on producing 22 and 19 companies
MPI 61,800 44.70 0.70 iHandal Energy Solutions have by the Covid-19 pandemic. respectively. Hong Kong has 10 Forbes Asia editors
IHS046000824 101.00 0.50 made it to the Forbes Asia Their inclusion on the list and Indonesia has eight evaluated each submission,
KESM 50 13.02 0.38 inaugural 100 to Watch list. comes in part from addressing companies on the list. looking at metrics such as a
HSI-HMI 35,500 1.60 0.32 significant problems with For the selection of the 100 to positive impact on the region or
FANG-2XL 2,500 15.00 0.28 Forbes Asia yesterday innovative solutions,” said Watch list, Forbes Asia solicited industry, a track record of strong
11,000 released the inaugural 100 to Forbes Asia editor Justin online submissions, and invited revenue growth or ability to
Watch list, which spotlights Doebele. attract funding, promising
EXCHANGE RATES notable small companies and accelerators, incubators, SME business models or markets,
startups on the rise across the The 100 to Watch list features advocacy organisations, and a persuasive story.
AUGUST 9, 2021 Asia-Pacific region. a diverse range of companies
spanning industries such as
“Companies on the 100 to biotechnology & healthcare, e- universities, venture capitalists
Watch list are making and others to nominate
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy companies as well. The final 100

1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD MPC-MDEC collaboration sees more than
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.2855 4.1595 4.1495 10,000 businesses onboarding e-commerce
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.1600 3.0350 3.0190
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.1600 3.0680 3.0600 PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Productivity He said the mandate given under the navigate and thrive during these trying times.
1 EURO 3.4040 3.3130 3.3010 Corp (MPC) and Malaysia Digital Economy MyDigital to accelerate e-commerce With strong support from the government
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 5.0420 4.8790 4.8590 Corp (MDEC) yesterday announced their onboarding programme for offline food & and effective public-private collaborations,
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.0100 2.8980 2.8820 cooperation in facilitating more businesses beverages businesses will inevitably boost we aim to further catalyse the growth of e-
1 STERLING POUND 3.1600 3.0680 3.0600 to adopt e-commerce and e-payment as the productivity and economic competitiveness commerce in Malaysia,” said MDEC CEO
1 SWISS FRANC 5.9480 5.7610 5.7410 new way of doing business and expand their of the business. The collective efforts towards Surina Shukri.
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.6660 4.5590 4.5440 market reach. digitalisation is showing results as Malaysia’s
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 118.0600 111.9400 111.7400 position in the “digital transformation in The Go-eCommerce Onboarding and
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 5.1770 4.8030 4.6030 MPC director-general Datuk Abdul Latif companies” indicator of the World Shop Malaysia Online campaigns were
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 66.1000 63.6000 Abu Seman envisioned that this Competitiveness Yearbook ranking has launched to assist businesses in their e-
100 INDIAN RUPEE 55.6800 52.9100 N/A collaborative effort in the Go-eCommerce improved from 26th in 2020 to 22nd in 2021, commerce journey under Budget 2021’s
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.8700 5.5100 52.7100 Onboarding Campaign and Shop Malaysia and it aims to improve it further. allocation. The Go-eCommerce Onboarding
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0309 0.0280 5.3100 Online Campaign will help businesses in Campaign aims to nurture and facilitate
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.8910 3.7690 0.0230 the onboarding on e-commerce platforms Datuk Wei Chuan Beng, champion of the more MSMEs to adopt e-commerce and e-
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 16.5000 3.7590 with the aim to optimise their operations Digital Productivity Nexus, highlighted that payment as the new way of doing business
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.6700 N/A and improve customer experience. the dynamic economy, high percentage of and expand their market reach. Meanwhile,
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.6000 2.5000 N/A mobile phone users, a sizeable young the Shop Malaysia Online Campaign aims to
100 SAUDI RIYAL 118.3100 8.0800 2.3000 “We are targeting 10,000 businesses to population and the array of digital accelerate sales by featuring sale campaign(s)
100THAI BAHT 115.5300 112.3200 7.8800 benefit from these initiatives via a series of applications developed has made Malaysia an to encourage online consumption with the
13.4000 109.6800 112.1200 webinar that will be organised throughout the attractive market for e-commerce regionally. support of industry partners from the e-
11.8800 109.4800 duration of the campaign, collaborating with commerce and e-payment sectors. The
11.4800 key e-commerce players such as Touch N’ Go, “MDEC holds steadfast to its resolve to campaigns run from July 1 to Dec 31.
Boost, Beep and others starting Aug 12.” equip and enable Malaysian businesses to
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama

11theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
* SUNBIZ

Calls to open up all economic sectors

o Manufacturers warn of irreparable damage,
recession risk; employers say lockdowns
not working, scrap classification of businesses

PETALING JAYA: The Federation of business sectors which is desperately normalcy in their business He said SMEs that are today strategy of rapid vaccination and to
Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) needed to ensure business viability as operations and sustainability.” classified as non-essential may be open up businesses with strict SOPs
yesterday called on the government many are on the brink of collapse due viewed as such by the government immediately. Employers are
to open up all economic sectors to the extended business closure,” he Meanwhile, employers in states but they are essential to the committed to implement and abide
immediately based on company- said in a statement. under Phase 1 of the National businesses and to the livelihoods of by all the necessary SOPs and MEF
level vaccination rates, failing which Recovery Plan – especially micro the employees and their families. It even supports tougher action against
more businesses will have to fold up, Soh said that with the ramping up enterprises and SMEs in the non- has been almost four months of recalcitrant employers.”
with irreparable damage to the of the national immunisation essential sectors – are eagerly looking lockdown for many of these SMEs
economy and the risk of going into a programme, it is imperative for the forward to the easing of restrictions and this has devastated the retail Syed Hussain also urged the
recession with a long recovery government to immediately remove on social and business activities. industry. Barbers, locksmiths, car authorities to be reasonable in
period. the segregation of essential and non- wash, salons, gift shops are among formulating plans to contain the
essential sectors since businesses are “We appreciate the ease of those who continue to suffer. spread of Covid-19 infections.
FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian interconnected whereby the restrictions for Phase 2 regions, but the
Lai said industry is most concerned continuation of operations of the so- impact on businesses and livelihoods MEF appealed to the government “Despite the prolonged
with the prolonged closure of non- called essential sectors requires in KL and Selangor is huge especially to provide the necessary assistance to lockdowns, it is clear that the number
essential sectors for almost three support from the non-essential for the non-essential sectors. The open up the economy. of those infected has kept increasing.
months now. sectors for inputs and critical services. economic stress has become far This must lead to some conclusion
greater than the physical stress “MEF is all for opening of the that lockdowns are not the answer.
“While FMM notes and welcomes “Much effort, time and financial because it can kill the business and all economy and we must stop using The single strategy of mass
the easing of restrictions for resources have been deployed by those involved in it,” Malaysian phases to decide on the economy but vaccination prior to opening the
individuals who have been fully employers to ramp up their company Employers Federation (MEF) instead to zoom in, isolate and treat economy has not worked. Let’s move
vaccinated, we look forward to level vaccinations as they recognise it president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed those in the red zones. The towards a combined strategy so more
similar easing of restrictions on the is their only ticket to returning to Husman said in a statement yesterday. authorities should adopt a combined people can have less stress,” he said.

Foreign portfolio outflow continues in July Research house
lowers year-end
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia recorded a larger investors further increased their holdings to over a softer global growth momentum ahead. FBM KLCI forecast
foreign portfolio outflow totalling RM5.0 RM31.2 billion, which was equivalent to 7.8% of “Constrained fiscal space and fluid
billion in July (June, -RM1.7 billion; May, total GII outstanding last month (from RM30.8 PETALING JAYA: PublicInvest Research has
+RM1.7 billion) after overseas investors billion or 7.9% as at end-Jun). political situations at home further present lowered its FBM KLCI end-2021 forecast to
continued to pare down their holdings of challenges to Malaysia’s foreign portfolio 1,590 points, from 1,690 points previously,
Malaysian equities for 25 months in a row In the Malaysian equities space, foreign flows and subsequently undermine the near- corresponding to a 15 times price-earnings
(July, -RM1.3 billion; June, -RM1.2 billion) ownerships dropped to an all-time low of term outlook for the ringgit,” UOB said in a multiple (16 times previously) due to higher risk
and Malaysian debt securities by the most 20.2% of total market capitalisation as at end- note yesterday. premiums.
since March 2020 (July, -RM3.6 billion; June, - July (end-June: 20.3%; end-2020: 20.7%; end-
RM500 million). 2019: 22.3%). Meanwhile, it kept its 2021 year-end “Given the seemingly twin positives of
jobless rate forecast at 4.5% (BNM forecast: economic reopening and political resolution
According to UOB Global Economics & Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) foreign 4.0%-5.0%; end-2020: 4.8%), backed by only occurring in the latter stages of Q3’21, the
Markets Research, debt instruments that reserves rose by just US$1.3 million month- ongoing government policy support and country’s current state of flux and notable
succumbed to foreign selling last month were on-month (m-o-m) to US$111.100 billion as timely review of standard operating change in market dynamics makes it unlikely
Malaysian Government Securities (MGS, at end-July (end-June: +US$200 million m-o- procedures (SOPs) for businesses. that the local bourse (and key benchmark) will
-RM3.6 billion), Treasury Bills (-RM600 m to US$111.099 billion), keeping its highest trade anywhere near its long-term price-
million), and private sukuk (-RM50 million). level since Dec 2014. The latest reserves UOB continues to expect a slower recovery earnings average as initially anticipated,” it said.
position is sufficient to finance 8.1 months of in the labour market as two main economic
Year to date (YTD), foreign holdings of retained imports and is 1.1 times total short- hubs Klang Valley and Johor remain under a The research house said earnings growth
Malaysian government bonds (MGS & GII) term external debt. YTD, foreign reserves stricter lockdown since June 1. Stubbornly momentum, albeit affected slightly by recent
declined for the first time in 15 months by RM3.2 jumped by US$3.5 billion in the first seven high Covid-19 infection rates and straining lockdown measures, remains largely intact.
billion to RM219.8 billion as at end-July (end- months of 2021, marking the largest gain since healthcare system will likely lead to a more
Jun: +RM700 million to RM223.0 billion). This January-July 2017 when it increased by US$4.9 cautious easing of pandemic lockdown over From a medium- to longer-term perspective,
brought foreign shareholdings of Malaysian billion (Jan-Jul 2020: +US$600 million). the next three months, despite an accelerating it said, the market appears attractive, currently
government bonds to a five-month low of 24.6% vaccination rate. This alongside increasing trading at around 1-standard deviation below
(from 25.1% in June). For MGS alone, foreign The volatility of capital flows in emerging concerns about a softer global growth the price-earnings averages.
investors held RM188.6 billion or 40.4% of total markets has increased significantly since June momentum due to Fed’s tapering plan and
MGS outstanding as at end-July (end-June: as US Fed moves closer to QE tapering, renewed China’s regulatory crackdown may persistently “We continue to be advocates of buying on
RM192.1 billion or 40.4%). For GII, overseas uncertainty around Covid-19 infections and cause businesses to scale back their capital weakness, in anticipation of a rebound in Q4’21.
China’s regulatory crackdown spark concerns expansion plans in the year ahead. Notable upside may however be capped by
expectations of a rollback in central bank
Rethinking financial strategies can boost financial resilience support, possibly weighing on global market
movements – possibly 2022’s biggest issue,“ the
THE recent increases in Covid-19 cases in able to consolidate their balances into one cash from existing properties to ease the research house said.
Malaysia and subsequent safe distancing lower-interest alternative. Not only can that temporary strain on your cash flow. Keep in
measures are placing significant strain on save money in interest fees every month, but mind that doing so carries the same risks and While sentiment is shaky, the investment
businesses and households, but there are it’s typically easier to pay one bill with a single requires the same financial discipline. If you community’s (that is, analysts) confidence in
ways to better manage your finances. due date, than managing several due dates a lose sight of your financial goals, you may end the market remains unwavering. This is
month. You can consolidate your outstanding up right back where you started, or even reflected in stock target prices (as per
Here are some strategies to consider to bills or debts with high interest rates through a worse off financially. Bloomberg consensus), which by and large,
better manage your finances: balance transfer programme that most banks Speak to your bank remain relatively unchanged from a month
Prioritise and take stock of what you owe offer. Various banks have a number of programmes before and are mostly higher compared to
Always pay off your debt with the highest Make your money work harder for you with to help their customers free up short-term current prices, even amid the brouhaha. Glove
interest first. For most people, that would be the right credit cards liquidity. HSBC Malaysia has financial and plantation-based stocks appear to have
credit cards, car and personal loans. Where When used prudently, credit cards can assistance programmes for existing greatest price upsides, though also having
possible, align all the due dates and set a actually help you stretch your money. For one, customers in line with the Pemulih stimulus performed relatively worse year-to-date.
reminder to ensure payments are made most credit cards now have cashback benefits package recently announced on top of
promptly to avoid incurring any late payment that offer rebates – sometimes immediately – existing R&R programmes. With the financial PublicInvest’s stock suggestions are a mix of
fees or overdue interest charges. whenever you spend. So you’re saving even assistance programmes, eligible customers cyclical names to capture upsides from eventual
when you spend on essentials. The caveat may opt for a six-month deferment or a 50% economic re-opening and business normalcy,
Mortgages or home financing tend to be though is that you must be able to make full reduction on their monthly payments for six and stocks likely to see multi-year growth
more acceptable debt to hold because of their repayment each month and not let the spend months to help ease their financial burdens stories. Its H2’21 suggested picks include
lower interest or financing rates. But for roll over. If this happens, potentially any during this Covid-19 situation in Malaysia. Dayang Enterprise, D&O Green Technologies,
customers who are currently financially cashback or savings you would have earned EcoWorld Development, Greatech Technology,
impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, they would be eliminated by the interest charges or Paying off debt in a challenging economic Hibiscus Petroleum and more.
may apply for a six-month moratorium or late- fee charges. climate is tough due to changing job and
deferment as per the recently announced Create cash flow financial situations, but it is a smart habit to Meanwhile, TA Securities said lacklustre
Pemulih stimulus package on their loans or If you have unencumbered properties or low cultivate. trading is expected to continue this week after
financing effectively providing some short- loan-to-value ratios, consider applying for a the FBM KLCI continued drifting lower last
term relief. home equity loan. It will allow you to draw This article was contributed by HSBC week, with ongoing domestic political
Look for lower interest rates and consolidate Malaysia head of wealth & personal banking uncertainties and surging Covid transmissions
Borrowers with high-interest debt may be dampening investor sentiment.
Renee Bullock-Cann.
“The local equity market is expected to
remain in the doldrums in the near term with
the threat from the Delta variant and political
instability affecting investment decisions.”

12 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021 McDonald’s faces
SUNBIZ Italian antitrust probe
into franchise terms
SoftBank Group net profit
tumbles 39% on-year in Q1 BRUSSELS: Italy’s antitrust authority AGCM will
investigate McDonald’s terms and conditions in
o Moody’s says the company’s earnings are ‘highly volatile’ ¥961.6 billion – its worst ever – as the start of the its agreements with franchise operators following
due to the nature of its business pandemic compounded woes caused by its several complaints, according to an AGCM
investment in troubled office-sharing start-up document seen by Reuters.
TOKYO: Japanese investment giant SoftBank yesterday. WeWork.
Group said yesterday net profit plunged 39% in Net profit in the three months to June 2021 The AGCM move could put the US fast-food
the first quarter, following big gains in the same But it quickly returned to profit as the chain at risk of a fine of as much as 10% of its
period last year related to the US merger of T- was ¥761.5 billion, compared with ¥1.26 trillion impact of Covid-19 lockdowns worked largely global turnover if it is found guilty of breaching
Mobile and Sprint. in the first quarter of last year. in its favour. Italian antitrust rules.

The corporate behemoth has poured SoftBank’s investment approach means In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, The AGCM declined to comment. McDonald’s
money into some of Silicon Valley’s biggest large transactions can cause unpredictable the telecoms firm-turned-investment giant’s Italy said it was “certain of the correctness of our
names and hottest new ventures, from AI to fluctuations in its results, said Mariko Semetko, total gain on investments came to ¥1.26 trillion, work”and open to collaborating with the agency.
biotech, through its US$100-billion (RM422 senior credit officer at Moody’s Japan. a year-on-year increase of around 28%. The group made US$19.2 billion (RM81 billion) in
billion) Vision Fund. revenues in 2020.
“Last year’s record high follows the previous Gains were led by rises in the share prices of
It reported Japan’s biggest ever annual net year’s record loss, and signifies the highly Chinese ride-sharing giant Didi Chuxing and The Italian competition watchdog said that
profit in 2020-21, driven by tech share rallies as volatile nature of the company’s business,“ she US food delivery app DoorDash, and partially based on the available information there
people moved their lives online during the told AFP. offset by losses including of South Korean e- appeared to be a relationship of economic
coronavirus pandemic. commerce giant Coupang. dependence between the store operators and
“The company has a very fluid and complex McDonald’s.
The merger of US telecoms operators Sprint capital structure, and unlisted investments and Analysts said before the earnings release
– which was controlled by SoftBank Group – private financings that have limited that it was too early for yesterday’s results to Some of McDonald’s clauses in the franchising
and T-Mobile was completed in April 2020, transparency and are frequently collateralised. reflect the impact of a recent crackdown on agreements cited by the complainants could
releasing more than ¥700 billion (RM27 Its investment approach results in high Didi and other US-listed tech firms by Chinese constitute an abuse of economic dependence, it
billion) in net income, the conglomerate said governance risks.” authorities. said in its decision to open an investigation,
according to the 13-page document dated Aug 4.
In 2019-20, SoftBank reported a net loss of Unlike in the previous quarter, SoftBank
Group did not list big names Facebook, The watchdog said a series of pervasive and
Microsoft, Alphabet or Netflix in its portfolio of binding clauses on prices, promotions, stocks,
holdings, although it did list Amazon. – AFP supplies and purchases, financial management,
among others, could be seen as elements of
Elite frequent flyers, many of abusive conduct.
them business travellers, are
coveted by full-service carriers Antitrust laws prohibit companies from
like Qantas, Singapore Airlines abusing the economic dependence of another
and Cathay Pacific, and the company via unjustifiably burdensome or
airlines want them back when discriminatory contractual conditions, especially
travel resumes. – REUTERSPIX when the latter cannot find a viable alternative.

Asian airlines offer perks to keep elite flyers on board BRIEFS With 85% of its outlets operated by
franchisees, franchising is an important business
SYDNEY: From wellness workshops to dinner For airlines, the extensions come at Consumers have kept spending on co- model for McDonald’s. It has about 615
with a celebrity chef and flights to nowhere, relatively little cost given the potential future branded cards at a similar rate to the broader restaurants in Italy, 85% of which are not
Asia’s big international airlines are working reward. credit card market during the pandemic, company owned.
hard to keep their most lucrative customers Qantas data and American Express Co data on
engaged as the pandemic-related travel halt Grounded elite members are not accessing its co-branded Delta Air Lines Inc cards McDonald’s Italy said: “While we do not yet
stretches beyond 18 months. airport lounges stocked with fine wines, shows. know details of the investigation launched by the
made-to-order meals and day spas, although Italian Competition Authority, we are open to
While flights are starting to rebound in the Qantas did host a dinner in Sydney for a few of During the pandemic, Singapore Airlines collaborating with the Authority, and we are
United States and Europe, international travel them with celebrity chef Neil Perry and CEO and Cathay Pacific have developed their certain of the correctness of our work and of the
is still down 96% in Asia due to tough travel Alan Joyce in June. loyalty programmes into broader lifestyle role that McDonald’s has had and continues to
restrictions, making it harder to maintain a brands, adding more miles-earning have in stimulating entrepreneurship and in
relationship with grounded premium clients. Singapore Airlines, which lacks a domestic opportunities through e-commerce, dining supporting the country’s economy.”
market, said it has hosted virtual wine tastings, and hotel stays, as Qantas has long done.
Elite frequent flyers, many of them wellness workshops and online courses such McDonald’s has 60 days to respond once it is
business travellers, are coveted by full-service as miniature clay art and coffee-brewing and These highly engaged members could notified and the investigation must be wrapped
carriers like Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd, offered a first class dine-at-home experience. become increasingly important to airlines up by Dec. 31, 2022, the document said.
Singapore Airlines Ltd and Hong Kong’s amid industry forecasts that business travel
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, and the airlines Michael Dean, a Qantas Platinum One will take a long-term hit from video- McDonald’s found itself on the AGCM’s radar
want them back when travel resumes. flyer, said his status enabled him to secure his conferencing and environmental concerns. after three operators filed complaints in March
preferred business class seats on a 747 regarding rents, royalties, the size of their
Before the pandemic, around 5% of joyflight from Brisbane last year – for A$747 Fiona Downes, a Qantas Platinum One investments and sales policies, according to the
international passengers globally flew in (RM2,323) a seat – just before Qantas retired flyer, said it could take two to three years after document. – Reuters
premium classes, but they accounted for 30% the jumbo jet. borders reopened for her work travel to return
of international revenue, data from airline to pre-Covid levels. Her points balance has SUPPORT MEASURES KEEP
industry group IATA shows. “It was not cheap, but great fun,“ he said. grown through credit card spending, but she is JAPANESE BANKRUPTCIES LOW
With flights grounded, airlines globally also hoping the airline will allow her to retain
Asian airlines have given status extensions have also boosted engagement with another elite status. TOKYO: The number of business bankruptcies
of at least two years to elite tier customers who lucrative group – customers who fly less often in Japan fell at the fastest rate this year to hit
have earned access to airport lounges and but spend large amounts on co-branded “I certainly would like to know that when I the lowest in 50 years for a July, thanks to
other perks such as priority access to seats and credit cards that earn users air miles they can do start flying again – even at a small scale, but funding support from the government and
upgrades to higher flight classes. redeem for flights. as things are starting to ramp up – that I am banks, a private-sector credit research firm
Airlines earn money from such cards by not disadvantaged in any way or I am not said yesterday. There were 476 company
Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said selling the frequent flyer miles to credit card starting from scratch again,“ she said. – bankruptcies in July, down 40% from the same
customers had made clear to the airline that issuers to use as rewards for cardholders. Reuters month a year ago, Tokyo Shoko Research
such extensions were important. showed, pointing to government help for
corporate financing amid a resurgence of the
Covid-19 pandemic. That was less than the
previous July low of 482 in 1990, during the
peak of Japan’s asset bubble economy, based
on comparable data available since 1972. It
was the lowest corporate bankruptcy total in
50 years for the month of July, the credit
research firm said, with the amount of
liabilities at ¥71.5 billion (RM2.7 billion) down
30% from a year earlier. – Reuters

HOLIDAY INN OWNER IHG POSTS
PROFIT AS BOOKINGS REBOUND

BENGALURU: Holiday Inn owner IHG
rebounded with a first-half profit, it reported
yesterday, citing a rise in summer hotel
bookings and noting some recovery in business
travel. It posted an operating profit of US$138
million (RM583 million) versus a loss of US$233
million a year earlier but held off on paying an
interim dividend to cut costs. Vaccinations and
easing travel curbs have helped the hospitality
industry, but the highly-contagious Delta
variant is causing cases to rise again. The
company, which also owns the Crowne Plaza
and Regent brands and has about 6,000 hotels
in more than 100 countries, said overall
occupancy rates were improving. – Reuters

332222 NNoottiicceess 13theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
* SPORTS

Hamilton keeps lead
… as F1 stewards rule out review of Vettel’s disqualification in HungaryORMULA ONE stewards dismissed
PPEERRMMDDAOAOLHLHAOAOMNMNAAMMNNAAUUHHNNKKTTAAUUPMPMKKEEAARPRPHHIEIESSRTRTYYILILTNTNAAIGIHGKHKGAGSASIIARARMMNANAANAANALALAJAJNANUYUYAANAANLOLDOADA:I:NINWWKKAUAUA-A-33LL8A8A--8L8L5U5U3M3M--P1P1U0U0/R/R22002200 Aston Martin’s request for a review of
Sebastian Vettel’s Hungarian Grand

FPrix disqualification yesterday, a ruling
KkDDDADDYTKADDDkDDTYAAeaaaaaaMAAeaaaaaaMjNPllnlnjaNPlnlnlaaaaaBaaaaBtnmmmtCnGmmmaACGaAggsHENsHE,pppN,pppOIsDOKIeeesDNKeeeNeKaerrrKarrrmkkk(eLmkkk(eLMIaaaMIrOaaaMurOMuarrra)rrrNaaaa)NhaaaahB(GB(bmmGNbUmmNEUamEam(oleeR(oluheeNRuhN.nne.nnHaeoHaLKnggoLKgnggAga.Ageeaa.igeeainKDannenKDdannedgnnaaagnnaaa(aP(iiadaPNtiiadNttAaeSitAaeS,ioP,onntePnSnte.uSea.uGkgeaGekgSrenhSrsaenahlsaeaylaygydnanygydnnayneeaaneaaeaaa8rgnni8rgnnlniianl3oaiak3aoag2knag2rnnarlKn5alK5adadt6a:t6ani:PnipeP:6pe:d6edede:1ed3:1ar3agar69gas0n6A9s0nAahe5ah69e56Nn-92NrDn-029rD109ag5T1Kag5TA10KA41h0A74haA7d11Nada111NRa1eiRKe80inK080ndA0bdaA1b0a610aNa6naNa00n70h0w7ohuwo6u1361:n3Ma:n5M6a053603hT2h6aT3)26a3)aah7(H1h7(H1n8nk8)8Sk)8aS5aa55Dah5D1hm/1m3/235N25Na70a7-0e-h7eh1D71Dg,1g,41)4a2)6a)2(6)r(0,r0ab,ab1P1P,e,e2T12Tr1rt9t3a93a61r61ri51i5k1k7h7h88:.,:.,0.M0..M1..1..u./Du/D.0k.0kEP4EiP4imFm/LF/L2E2AEA0N0NI2IN2DND00TAT)A)INIFNF that stretched Lewis Hamilton’s seven-times world champion Hamilton fuel system, “which would have resulted in the
inherited the position and gained two extra ejection of fuel during the race”, was to blame.
points in his battle with Red Bull rival Max
Verstappen. Aston Martin had previously said there
should have been 1.44 litres left in the car,
It also lifted Ferrari to third place overall, according to their calculations.
championship lead to eight points. ahead of McLaren, and boosted Williams’ “In the original decision, the stewards only
The German, a four-times world points haul to 10. assumed the fact that there was not enough
champion, was stripped of second place after The team still have a separate appeal fuel in the tank. The question of what caused
a required litre of fuel could not be extracted outstanding and said they were considering that situation was left out of consideration,” the
tSPNbdMtSPNbdMeeaaeiOaaeieplOelphnajhnajTanaTanaaAablutAblPutawPawa:rhSa:ryehSuyeatuaBaatEraBatEritrTrTaiCrnTrTatCniPatikiPaatAikmathAnemahanneaanRtrahRlbtarahtlbiathAipnahhAppnKahpKbstlbsetlOadaEtee:OadaEte:em/hnaemL/Mrhn/aLMrr/tnerEtbsneEaPPMbsaPPPlMKPeelerKeaeemereaLimablTLlinakbdlTilonkEdihuoeREhhdueaRnhdaKakntmaKkaOtmgdaOagSdsH2afSsH2N.efatmNe.eaktmaeakrlaMIabrleMaIJibrKreaaJikrKraehk/hiueAhh/hiusPAhlsaPDRlluaDHRaluedaHaTkedaITmkaInmKaiiiinKisiniinmLbsnonmLbAoeAaA2gAjeAual2gAjuualmoMusaKg0moMM,sKg0anM,nianini1Ah1uiAl1A.h1ugAlAa.ggMaA5aa8NgMa5Ha8NnHLNotKnLNotKakOEtavkMdOaEtKlvMaldaaKl.eWalLaa.geWmnaLagnUmnnalEnUOynlEooaOynEgooaAnyNEgaAyNNnnsaagBNnns/agBN/JgNbg7GJudgbPg27GudPU2TaeiaUTniaeidae0niAdAen0A-rAAAgnA-KrndAg2KLndNW2LLaNWpdmdeLUapE1dmdeUE1,nirraA,nSALirr,ajAeSAwLiP,j,aefwiP,alMOfEPLmtlMOEPALlmbteaAlbaCAeaNaa2CAaNeHbb2rneHbbrdAnG0dbAuG0APbkLuAaPkLRa,2aaRaa,2uUNaauUNnPA1tJnnPsA1tMJnGsMaGU,aa.acU,aa.cnPtnSmaaDPtSmaaDOrUdAAsOrUdAAisiaapTeR9aRapTeR9Rlner:lnaer:UOt0aUmOrt0amhraaHhL0PaHL0PesaemsEdMamEpnidMpkniRkeRegaeemegAaemnAA-enngA-engKgiSKnggLiiSlngLila,iMaea,eIiMkaeeIkninnleinlUoeUosaP-saPni-ReniLlRneeLlnegcgEirpcEidrpaiddLaiandLianriiOirstiOaisstasaKtaNyKtNiyhiurhturGtaidGaaidhaJh,sJe,nseaunmaunmtnratraagkaigklinlaaanaaaddnnnnnnii following the Aug. 1 race won surprisingly by their position. stewards said, explaining their decision.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon. The stewards said after a video hearing that “The F1 Technical Regulations
The disqualification meant Mercedes’ Aston Martin had discovered a malfunctioning unequivocally calls for a remaining amount of
one litre and does not allow any exceptions
under which circumstances or for what
BKNPMNNBNKBMPNBNeeaUoooeeaUooouugln...Tgln...ukTukaPLHgIaPLHgIaiRainoRmeuanomeuas-stgtn-ktgtankBaaBaa/aman/amkUnknUnnDn/DTiT/TilTNalNIaiaIaiRkeoRkneonr.ra.HaaHTahTAhhiAhinKnK/g/gMMNkNkIaeIaeLLtgtgI/IK/eKNeNrro:io:i.. :::::::::::::::::::::::::: HPHKHHKPTaaSTaaSjkDjk3aD3am3mn13n17g1i7g1il7l7i77i/k/k1818U6UK6KlelueukkLaLaaallnnggaatt//SSeellaannggoorr Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel reasons it could be dispensed with.”
KBKSPSKBKSPSeyeaaeeyeaaemakbvwmakbvwreaareaaiaaiaaatlnatlnsiatsitatkatkaanNannNnnBnyBKyK/eaR/eaeRerLtriLtpdaipzdaazaeaaeiaainnfbnnfbtt-tta-iaLiLnrnaraggiianannn R1T1nKY1TR1KnYI00oaAuI00oAaAuA.07vmP.07v4mDP4De.6e.630AaC30a.AaCa.400h4Ht00hHt0000pImTpIm9TN9Neekeek/e/rrea2Lrra2eLtsetsk0Oek0Oeseesi1rNin1rNnp6ppd6GpdGeeei,eirr,rrrTsirTssiaAsaeAeeneNngNgggiTiiTGiaGaEnEnOOGGKKeeoIoIMMkkIImmddaannyyaappcchhiinnlloonngg (left) and Mercedes’ Lewis
Hamilton celebrate with Aston Martin had requested the review on
champagne on the the grounds that they had discovered
podium after the “significant new evidence” which had been
Formula One Hungarian previously unavailable to them.
Grand Prix. – AFPPIX
This turned out to be analysis of more than
100 channels of fuel system-related data,
which stewards accepted had brought a new
element to light in the failure of the fuel
system.
HHSmBMr(oHLHHBrmSM(oLHi1lOi1zAaaAElOezAaaeAEU2eeaU2rrKRHahRrrnKRHhttRL0nbttL0baaAHdAGaaAIHdA)GpI)nnApeSAsnnAJAeSeAshJAaaehpeIaaADpem2IAaDhhm2oRbahhDoRb),Dr)sab,rI1tsabAiId1TttZAieindTitZieetniaddaeNtAradkdyaHNArrkyHsaamnrasaasamnBAaaseBPrAeenPkrkyienakbRkyiaEb:bRaEet:bnu1aetRInaRu1uRnIpaRunt0prt0MtIKBgraMtIKBig%aaHik%aHdaEkaddaEbaAhdbaAhjK3kaadjK3keaaLdeaajL3lEsaarju3nlEasarunnajHy3RrnjaaHy3hRgraaihga,iApJaly,ApJ0lydarb0MdaaarAbRMaaaAni0Raani0jdatjTdu.uk0tTu-n.uska0-nAsaaUeslA.aeUegsl.ie0glNyphin0albNyphnuab0auaatA0,aaeaatA,aneurdrnur4tldrHa4tglkau(aHaagkau(a3aRta3msRntamsnb:0jb:AI0jAuIrNuuk“0rNuMki“0taMitztasGeat0zsiGeal0airleaBadrGr,e-aBdrG,b-ipnbbiikAkpInbikAkaITeuahdTaeNuyhdamNyrtmaajrtaiKMajltaiKMrllteanairleanainmalsgnAmn(lmsogAn(mogeMgeLMnadLnyal,dyl,Aagbni)AaagbnSi)laSnYleaannYeaBaeanjBSeanmgjuSnmwlguEwltIEasttIasupAtbRnupaAbeRnnaenkie:ymkHired:gymHrdgkraBkrAaTioaB.ATiaoaa,.aa,IalDrIBnsalDGar.BnsGan.i.nmaaAil.maadAlkadPkkdaPkadaaeaibaReiDltbaRDlamthe”amAhrep”AmrparmaabTroahbTtorhtfriUesgfuiUedstgudtrdeSabrdadeSatbaditmauimiaubiyaTbkynaNTkpneaNtpIleatgIaluoGoglnauoGolnisikha.gAdskha.gAdn5enn5esbnksb6nPka6nePehaeeehgem,Ugrrem,UprrepmaJamLanJaaaLnnaaAtUndAidtUduid:nAuL:na-HAaLa-HsaaAsMakA-Mkt-tlsTNdlsaTNdBhaaBhIuahIeGuhAKteGAKtaunaAunNdAANdAddipKJhipbaKJhRbauRAaaukAaakI(lrI(yNlBlMruyNlBagMuaagaGUhhaGUh)rha)r They added, however, that this was not
relevant to the decision.
“In order to be able to affirm a ‘relevant’
fact, Aston Martin would have had to present
facts that actually more than one litre of fuel
was remaining,” the statement said.
“The explanation why this requirement
FAAFilirlarammmmaaaatGtGuuaammaann :::: 1TWC00T1WC00HS33WHS33WAA--ET--ETN/44N/44ACAG11CG11MHM43SHF34SFA12ABLA21ABL13MODB13MODB09OE/09OBE/BL46LRL64LRE/E11I/11,IHRM,HRMLSLSAA/N/NO1O11O13OF3F2.25.5W,W,33WWA-2A-21A1N9AN94N4-N-1G1GSSAABBMLMLOOAACCJJKKUU,,,,51513D3D33000W0W,,AWAWNNPPGGKKSSLLAA,,MMYLYLIINNKK,,JJAALLAANN could not be met is not relevant to the decision
NNNNNNoooooo......RTFRFTeaueaulxljexjeuuffkokoanannn :::::: as to whether a breach of the regulations has
occurred.” – Reuters

332222 NNoottiicceess Red Bull chief claims penalties inconsistent

IINN TTHHEE HHIIGGHH CCOOUURRTT OOFF MMAALLAAYYAA AATT KKUUAALLAA LLUUMMPPUURR F1 must look at the penalties they give out, “Vettel was disqualified because there was then this statement from someone who shoots
((CCOOMMMMEERRCCIIAALL DDIIVVIISSIIOONN)) according to Red Bull chief Helmut Marko. not enough fuel left in the tank. So we have to out a competitor a race before.”
talk about the relation of the penalties,” Marko
OORRIIGGIINNAATTIINNGG SSUUMMMMOONNSS NNOO:: WWAA--2244NNCCCC--225588--0055//22002211 It is after Sebastian Vettel was disqualified told Speedweek on penalties in F1. Marko also opened up on Mercedes
from the Hungarian Grand Prix and Lewis leapfrogging Red Bull in both the Drivers’ and
IInn tthhee mmaatttteerr ooff BBIILLLLIIOONN WWIINNDD SSDDNN.. BBHHDD.. ((CCoommppaannyy NNoo..:: 779955004411--WW)) Hamilton received a 10-second time penalty for “It is clear why Vettel almost ran out of Constructors’ Championships following a dismal
AANNDD a crash with Max Verstappen at Silverstone prior. petrol, because a normal race had been two races.
calculated and then he simply used more in the
IInn tthhee mmaatttteerr ooff PPrrooppoosseedd SScchheemmee ooff AArrrraannggeemmeenntt aanndd aann Vettel had a storming drive for Aston Martin fight with Ocon – no driver saves petrol in this He said: “In the race, which started wet, we
aapppplliiccaattiioonn ooff rreessttrraaiinniinngg pprroocceeeeddiinngg ppuurrssuuaanntt ttoo sseeccttiioonn 336666 aanndd to come home in second but did not have situation. were still confident because of Max as the rain
336688 ooff tthhee CCoommppaanniieess AAcctt 22001166;; enough fuel to be tested by the FIA, which led king, until Bottas came and cleared two of our
to the German’s disqualification. “Where is the relation there compared to cars, each with significant damage.
AANNDD Hamilton’s offence?
IInn tthhee mmaatttteerr ooff RRuulleess ooff CCoouurrtt 22001122 Hamilton collided with Verstappen at the “These two incidents, caused by Mercedes
British Grand Prix which left the Red Bull star out “Then there is Hamilton’s statement about drivers, washed away our championship
BBIILLLLIIOONN WWIINNDD SSDDNN.. BBHHDD.. ……AAPPPPLLIICCAANNTT of the race but the world champion only Fernando Alonso’s dangerous driving. (Alonso) leadership among drivers and constructors.” –
((CCoommppaannyy NNoo..:: 779955004411--WW)) received a 10-second time penalty. drove sensationally, defended optimally, and Express Newspapers

NNOOTTIICCEE OOFF CCOOUURRTT CCOONNVVEENNEEDD MMEEEETTIINNGG

NNOOTTIICCEE IISS HHEERREEBBYY GGIIVVEENN TTHHAATT bbyy OOrrddeerr ooff tthhee CCoouurrtt ddaatteedd 0022nndd 332222 NNoottiicceess INSIDE EDGE
JJuunnee 22002211,, tthhee HHiigghh CCoouurrtt ooff MMaallaayyaa aatt KKuuaallaa LLuummppuurr vviiddee aa Haseeb making‘strong case’
OOrriiggiinnaattiinngg SSuummmmoonnss NNoo.. WWAA--2244NNCCCC--225588--0055//22002211 hhaass ddiirreecctteedd IINN TTHHPPEAE((A((ICIOMCnOMnoLIoLIANMANMIRICRTCTeTeeTITLeTILAmHgAmESHigAESiAqEqRDEbERCNDbECuNuNeNATMNeNoOAiTMoOidr.TNdr..TFN2.sAF2asABE1aBDE1’0TD’0tTTRHt0TRHi0V1TiHV1ToTH3DoTE3o6DEo6EAn2EAn.Rl2.Rl)uI2)uIC2NCNnO9nOO9MOtMF-tF-MaMaWWEErrPNyP)Ny)AATTNNIIEESS for England Test recall
CCoouurrtt CCoonnvveenneedd MMeeeettiinnggss ooff tthhee SScchheemmee CCrreeddiittoorrss ooff tthhee CCoommppaannyy roABRABrAoRAefe,utaf,utassgztgzoMatoMhaauhaulnlkueneskuees,tgt,tgtiECiEoaCoa5xo5xnn2onn2t0mt00rm0rw4aw4A2aAp20po0avo1ava10ras0ersedndnnndiytdiyKntuKhnuuhuaueheauelhelyrayeraeyyl1lpl1alpfdafd,oa,GoaGlsa1lLsela1Lelosotsu8ntu8newewm9eBm9edBdi,ri,r-n:pa-n:pa5Jg5ulJgul-a-rar4M4lMlas,as,oeonpenpBnBeneeeltloTctoTciiu0nicu0nicaan3gkn3gkll
bbee hheelldd ffoorr tthhee ppuurrppoossee ooff ccoonnssiiddeerriinngg aanndd iiff tthhoouugghhtt ffiitt,, aapppprroovviinngg M“v(woav(“MwaoNNTonfoTnfiaRialhntdRhlntdunhunhaIdIadnCaeinCateiistitnsgtngcaNcageNhgeohrtorto-mieho-mmiehluml:yure:yreepeepp6ep6n.bnaa.”b8aa”8tCytnnCy0nn0oyd2oaSyd2aSmm2pfe2pfeot2oprpt2prhprvh-rova-oaat1iait1inchintnch0nt0eyeetye-te-sLes6Lp6pdede4bu4buSeSe8etr8etrdhpd7hp7CneoCn)eo).hws.hwsololeeieeioBqfoBqfeeuouhuoFuhFfnidfnaiddHadHsd.sdl.alouca-ouc-tnuobctnuobocongphengprher OPENER Haseeb Hameed is making a “very strong
wwhheetthheerr wwiitthh oorr wwiitthhoouutt mmooddiiffiiccaattiioonn((ss)) tthhee pprrooppoosseedd sscchheemmee BByyoorrddeerroofftthheeBBooaarrdd case” for a Test recall in England’s ongoing home
ooff aarrrraannggeemmeenntt bbeettwweeeenn tthhee CCoommppaannyy aanndd SScchheemmee CCrreeddiittoorrss DMMDiiararetethchcititaoaosrsr FFrraanncciissccoo HHaarrrryy GGoommeess series against India, coach Chris Silverwood has
((hheerreeiinnaafftteerr ttoo bbee rreeffeerrrreedd ttoo aass tthhee PPrrooppoosseedd SScchheemmee)).. DDaatteeddtthhiiss1111AAuugguusstt22002211 said. Haseeb played the last of his three Tests in
IINN TTHHPPEAE((A((ICIOMCnOMnoLIoLIANMANMIRICRTCTeTeeTITLeTILAmHgAmESHigAESiAqEqRDEbERCNDbECuNuNeNATMNeNoOAiTMoOidr.TNdr..TFN2.sAF2asABE1aBDE1’0TD’0tTTRHt0TRHi0V1TiHV1ToTH3DoTE3o6DEo6EAn2EAn.Rl2.Rl)uI2)uIC2NCNnO9nOO9MOtMF-tF-MaMaWWEErrPNyP)Ny)AATTNNIIEESS 2016 before injury and loss of form combined to
FFUURRTTHHEERR TTAAKKEE NNOOTTIICCEE TTHHAATT tthhee CCoouurrtt CCoonnvveenneedd MMeeeettiinngg tthhaatt hhaass PaLaMNoFcn1vc1BitobidttncaLaFoB1cvP1NMtitbdtoinnhihnnohhiorufannfy,3aemahooruoafnnfy3,aemaheoeeeelmeeemldmybow1dtlmtmlydmubaocw1sdmtidyiteuacishmi)dyiSetltri8,h)cSntlontrui8p,prcesisnonuipepresicstewba9eeticnyttecwbaa9eatusiBontsytcoaiaiusaBoatspeodsi,iiaraahpnedsn,irairrahn-nnirarrnlaotdnr-drsJnlaotdrldd5ytiisJedgsld5ytiiienddldMlaigshraindEldnMlaishiyrb-sam’Eensieyb-scm’deneel4cpdnnfotecela4bapnfotsceiarbarddsbiV,roatrdtltdlbnVa,oonaitttltslaunaowaieonites,ebhaeouaowsiferec,ebheodasmefrBccirdnarmeebBxcuerlirnrTeiembhxuerlsgdstTuiemheflasgddstcuteufrtala,dcotiu,rta,ersonii2,etnrclesrestni2netinrcsolesectuhnietsomahenocotuhb0hedtmarhnootoob0hndksraadeooqanskssfeamradey2qRassfemryes2Rrreesniucrrceni1urcgyeamsecn1eBrgyeaitsmsedndileeBitsodndilehaznraosntnhhazn,iraspgtnqhae,imastpgaqiaeieemfLastatiaeiedofLmrwictduarddobMmkrwdicduirvdidbMokdleiovidrSqloleeiolroSq,lSeeaeiilslrov,SeemasielsrtuvieomseevtLuifneioi5,qdhebevLfenswii5,qdghnmebbaierswngenmdbiairn0duneddaeionqv0dunadaeueotnqvpmoauetp4smaio.hna.lidu4sani.hna.flldiodiubcauntfldoitbscat0uocntedetisht0ocnedarBeieyirhndapraBeiyrir0onddipantAiar0odttitsntnAebahdattntitesnebnohdoabhnitettcnnovobhttcnevdtKpiacre)rdtKpeeiacueooro)rsseetueoosnos.ssrimutsns.rfriShmufnnlruturofShfn,nlrutuoetaceoiai,oetaceieadui(uheecccevedu(uheeofr/ccc(rooevIlofr/(rooIiliinnpddohehaeeeessiiinnpddrrohehaeeeefftsfsrrfftf banish him to Test wilderness. The 24-year-old has We need
bbeeeennddiirreecctteeddwwiilllbbeehheellddoonn2277tthhAAuugguusstt22002211aatt1100..0000aammaattEEssppiirraa LLLLeieiqqeeuuCiCiddhhaaeettoeoerrHHoonngg been in impressive domestic form with to get
SSrrii PPeettaalliinngg KKuuaallaa LLuummppuurr,, NNoo 3300,, JJaallaann RRaaddiinn AAnnuumm,, BBaannddaarr BBaarruu DDaatteeddtthhiiss1111AAuugguusstt22002211 Nottinghamshire and is close to a Test recall as the better
SSrrii PPeettaalliinngg,, 5577000000 KKuuaallaa LLUUmmppuurr OORR sshhoouulldd tthhee GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt SSOOPP team management looks for ways to bolster their at spin:
pprroohhiibbiitt pphhyyssiiccaall mmeeeettiinngg,,tthhee CCoouurrtt CCoonnvveenneedd MMeeeettiinngg wwiilll bbee hheelldd brittle top order. “He works extremely hard and he’s Wade
vviiaa VViirrttuuaall OOnnlliinnee MMeeeettiinngg PPllaattffoorrmm aatt hhttttpp::////ccrreeddiittoorrss..vviirrttuuaalleeaaggmm.. looked extremely good in the nets,” Silverwood
ccoomm// wwhhiicchh tthhee SScchheemmee CCrreeddiittoorrss aarree rreeqquueesstteedd ttoo aatttteenndd.. told British media yesterday. “I think he is making a AUSTRALIA stand-in skipper Matthew Wade (pix) has
very strong case and, at some point, we may have lamented the team’s batting in Bangladesh after they
AA ccooppyy ooff tthhee EExxppllaannaattoorryy SSttaatteemmeenntt rreeqquuiirreedd ttoo bbee ffuurrnniisshheedd to make a decision and give him an opportunity. crumbled in the T20 series finale with a record low score.
ppuurrssuuaanntt ttoo SSeeccttiioonn 336699 ooff tthhee CCoommppaanniieess AAcctt,, 22001166 ttooggeetthheerr “When that comes, we’ll wait and see, but he is
wwiitthh aa FFoorrmm ooff PPrrooxxyy ffoorr tthhee mmeeeettiinngg aarree eenncclloosseedd hheerreeiinn aanndd certainly putting his best foot forward and, in the Bangladesh thrashed Australia by 60 runs in Dhaka
ccaann aallssoo bbee oobbttaaiinneedd ffrroomm tthhee bbuussiinneessss aaddddrreessss ooff tthhee CCoommppaannyy nets, he has looked extremely good.” yesterday to secure a comprehensive 4-1 series win, with
aatt NNoo.. 7755--11,, JJaallaann 33//6622AA,, BBaannddaarr MMaannjjaallaarraa KKeeppoonngg,, 5522220000 KKuuaallaa the tourists’ batsmen managing just 62 in 13.4 overs, their
LLuummppuurr,,WWiillaayyaahh PPeerrsseekkuuttuuaann eevveerryy ddaayy eexxcceepptt SSaattuurrddaayy aanndd ICC prepares bid for cricket worst ever total in the format.
SSuunnddaayy aanndd dduurriinngg wwoorrkkiinngg hhoouurrss ooff bbeettwweeeenn 99..0000 aamm aanndd 66..0000 ppmm in 2028 LA Games
aass wweelll aass bbyy rreeqquueessttiinngg ttoo bbee sseenntt vviiaa eemmaaiill.. “There’s not a lot of positives to take out of it,”Wade
THE International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing told reporters.
DDaatteedd tthhiiss 0022 JJuunnee,, 22002211 a bid for the game’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic
Games in Los Angeles, the governing body said “The reality is we need to get better at spin, myself
..............................................TT..TT................................................ yesterday. Cricket last featured in the 1900 included. There’s a lot of players in this team who need to
SSOOLLIICCIITTOORRSS FFOORR TTHHEE AAPPPPLLIICCAANNTT Olympics in Paris and has rarely been played in find a way to score runs in these conditions.”
other multi-sport events, which many believe is
MMeessssrrss.. PPrreemm && AAssssoocciiaatteess essential for the game’s growth outside the Wade, who top-scored for Australia with 22 yesterday,
Commonwealth nations. “Our sport is united said he did not blame the team’s younger players.
TThhiiss NNOOTTIICCEE OOFF CCOOUURRTT CCOONNVVEENNEEDD MMEEEETTIINNGG iiss pprreeppaarreedd bbyy MMeessssrrss.. behind this bid, and we see the Olympics as a part
PPrreemm && AAssssoocciiaatteess..,, ssoolliicciittoorrss ffoorr tthhee AApppplliiccaanntt wwiitthh aann aaddddrreessss of cricket’s long-term future,” ICC chair Greg Barclay “Myself, Moises (Henriques), Dan Christian, we are all
ffoorr sseerrvviiccee aatt AA--1166--1111,, TToowweerr AA,, VVeerrttiiccaall BBuussiinneessss SSuuiittee,, AAvveennuuee 33,, said in a statement. “We have more than a billion experienced players and we needed to do better,” he said.
BBaannggssaarr SSoouutthh,, NNoo.. 88,, JJaallaann KKeerriinncchhii,, 5599220000 KKuuaallaa LLuummppuurr fans globally and almost 90% of them want to see
TTeell:: 0033--22224422 22114411 cricket at the Olympics.” Cricket’s 92% following is “Those (younger) guys got the opportunity to
FFaaxx:: 0033--22224422 33114400 from South Asia where it is the dominant sport in experience these conditions and if they take it as a
RReeff::PPAA//BBSS//LL//BBIILLLLIIOONN//11774477//2211 India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and learning opportunity to become better players, as we all
Afghanistan. Barclay said including the game in the should, then at least we’ve learnt something.
CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS 2028 Games would be welcomed by the 30 million
cricket fans in the United States. “I’ve played a lot of cricket and they are certainly the
MS. SHOBA most challenging T20 international pitches I’ve ever
played on.
T 03 7784 8888
F 03 7784 4424 “What they’ve seen out here will be very valuable
going forward but it’s on the senior batting group, we
needed to get more runs.”– Reuters

14 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021 Mbappe a Real prospect
SPORTS Kroos hints at Madrid move to sign French midfielder as Messi exits Spain

BRIEFS REAL MADRID midfielder Toni Kroos Dortmund forward Erling Haaland. The Spanish giants, who are enduring a
No Djokovic in Cincinnati has issued a hint that the La Liga giants “I prefer to talk about signings that have difficult period, could not register Messi because
want to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris they are above the salary cap that La Liga clubs
WORLD NO. 1 Novak Djokovic withdrew Saint-Germain. already been completed,” the former Germany must abide by. It has been widely reported that
yesterday from this month’s Western & Mbappe has long been linked with a move to international told Bild. Messi is now close to joining PSG.
Southern Open in Cincinnati, saying he the Spanish capital but those rumours have
needed more time to recuperate from a intensified since talks over a new PSG contract “But since Real Madrid always want the best, Journalist Fabrizio Romano had earlier
season in which he won three Grand have stalled. The France forward has entered the his signing wouldn’t surprise me. claimed that Messi’s representatives are still
Slam tournaments and competed at the final 12 months of his deal with the Ligue 1 club discussing a deal as the 34-year-old left for Paris
Tokyo Olympics. “I’m taking a bit longer and fresh terms are no closer to being agreed. “Next to him, Haaland is definitely the most late yesterday.
to recover after quite a physically taxing interesting player on the market, and therefore
journey from Australian Open up to PSG now find themselves in the difficult (would) not exactly (be) cheap. It would be a huge coup as part of Mauricio
Tokyo,” he wrote on Twitter. “Sadly, this position of possibly losing a £160 million Pochettino’s rejuvenation of his PSG squad.
means I won’t be ready to compete in (RM928m) signing for free. “We must not forget that we are in a period
Cincinnati this year so I’ll be turning my where there’s not an endless flow of money and, The French club surprisingly relinquished
focus to the US Open and spending more Mbappe can speak to foreign clubs in January at the same time, we are completing our the Ligue 1 title for just the second time in seven
time with my family. Can’t wait to see you ahead of a possible summer switch, with Real stadium (which) is not free either.” years last term as Lille shook French football to
in New York soon!” reportedly at the front of the queue. win the league.
It is another hint that Real could move for
Kyrgios comes undone And the club’s midfielder Kroos has added Mbappe. However, the 22-year-old could be Pochettino has already made major big-
in Toronto fuel to speculation that Mbappe could complete convinced to sign a new deal by PSG’s seemingly name signings in the form of Sergio Ramos,
a transfer. imminent signing of Lionel Messi. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Gini Wijnaldum,
A RULING from the chair rattled Nick each on free transfers with the addition of wing-
Kyrgios yesterday, sparking the Kroos was quizzed about Real’s rumoured Barcelona stunned the world of football by back Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan. – Express
Australian's 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 first-round transfer targets, including Mbappe and Borussia announcing the departure of the legendary Newspapers
loss to Reilly Opelka at the ATP Toronto forward late last week, issuing a brief statement
Masters. Kyrgios came undone after he blaming La Liga’s player registration rules.
protested that his American opponent
illegally touched the net with his foot late Chance for
in the second set. When the umpire Koeman to
failed to act on his complaint the No. 80 rebuild Barca
lost concentration. Despite standing two
points from victory in the eighth game of TOP: Workers remove posters featuring Barcelona’s departing Argentinian forward Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp HAVING a player of Lionel Messi’s
the set, Kyrgios slowly came undone as in Barcelona yesterday. quality is something that no club
the towering 2.11m Opelka turned the BELOW: Fans outside the Barcelona stadium where Messi held a press conference on Sunday. – AFPPIX would turn down, but following his
tide in a comeback effort in two hours. departure from Barcelona, it gives
The Australian, who has played a limited Fans ‘devastated’ at superstar’s exit the Catalan club the chance to reset
schedule during the Covid-19 pandemic, and once again place a focus on their
was unable to focus on his game, LIONEL MESSI appeared in no hurry to leave his stay, I think it was in the club’s hands to make him world-renowned La Masia academy.
constantly chattering angrily to his home in Barcelona yesterday as fans gathered stay, beyond the money.”
coaching box of two. Opelka finished outside spoke of their sadness at the departure of the Manager Ronald Koeman
with 22 aces while Kyrgios struck 16; the club’s greatest player and Paris St Germain supporters Young Jonas Romero said he was “waiting to see if recognised Barcelona’s financial
Aussie saved eight of nine break chances clamoured for his arrival. we can see Messi before he leaves for PSG”, adding limitations last year and placed faith
while earning just two on his opponent's that he wanted the player to sign his shirt and take a in several of the club’s young starlets,
serve. One Barca member filed complaints with a French picture with him. namely Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Oscar
court and with the European Commission to try to Mingueza, Ilaix Moriba and Ansu Fati.
… as Gauff flirts with block any move by PSG to sign Messi, according to In the Barcelona member’s legal complaints,
Aussie bad boy documents seen by Reuters yesterday. shared by the fan’s lawyer, the member claims that Next season, that process of
French football authorities have failed to enforce their bringing through young players will
US TEEN Coco Gauff expressed the hope The 34-year-old Argentine on Sunday bid farewell own financial fair play (FFP) rules in order to help PSG no doubt be accelerated in Messi’s
yesterday that a random suggestion to to the club he has spent his entire career at and become a force in European football. absence, according to a report in
pair in mixed doubles with Australian confirmed that he was talking with the Paris club over Spanish sports daily Marca.
Nick Kyrgios can become a reality. a possible move. Barcelona, like their main La Liga rivals Real
“Hopefully we can make it happen,” the Madrid, are fully owned by their subscription-paying The thing with having a player
Montreal Masters 15th seed said Barcelona fans were still coming to terms with members known as socios. like Messi is that Barcelona needed
yesterday of a social media suggestion events. to remain competitive and have
made by Kyrgios that they team up at The FFP rules notably forbid top European football aspirations of winning the
January’s Australian Open. “We haven’t “I feel devastated,” said Cristian Garcia, wearing a clubs to pay their playing squads an excessive share Champions League. Now, with the
really talked about it other than on social Barca shirt with Messi’s name and No. 10 on the back. of their total revenues, according to the complaints, 34-year-old having announced his
media. Obviously Australia is far, far away which also state that the transfer of Messi to PSG farewell from the Nou Camp, more
from now,” she said. Gauff said that she “To see a player that I have always followed, who is would breach the code. realistic targets can be placed on the
and Kyrgios go back a few years. “He hit an example for me, to see him leave now brings me a Blaugrana.
with me at the Miami Open when I was lot of pain.” PSG and the French football league did not
13 (but) we’re not super close,” she said. “I immediately respond to emailed requests for Barcelona’s finances are such a
guess he asked the (doubles) question Barca and Argentina fan Gonzalo Moreno added: “I comment. – Reuters mess that it remains unclear if new
because I did an interview for ATP socials don’t think the club has done enough to make him signings Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia,
and they asked me who I wanted to be Sergio Aguero and Emerson Royal
friends with. I said Nick. I just really will be able to be registered in time
respect him as a person and player.” for this weekend’s La Liga opener at
home to Real Sociedad.
US ratings for Tokyo 2020 slide
There will no doubt be more
US VIEWERSHIP for the Summer departures after Messi in the last few
Olympics in Tokyo, a competition weeks of the transfer window, with
clouded by the Covid-19 pandemic, Barcelona still having roughly 95% of
dropped to about half the audience for their revenue going on wages when
the London games in 2012, according to it needs to be 70%, but this pre-
data released by Comcast Corp's season has shown that several of the
NBCUniversal yesterday. The 17-day event club’s young players are ready to step
attracted an average of 15.5 million up.
primetime viewers on the NBC broadcast
network and on digital platforms The likes of Gavi, Nico Gonzalez,
including the new Peacock streaming Alejandro Balde and Yusuf Demir
service, the company said in a statement. have all shown that they could be of
That compared to 31.1 million viewers use to Koeman in the 2021/22
who watched the Summer Olympics in season as Barcelona embark on a
London via TV and online outlets, and new era at the Nou Camp, one which
26.7 million who tuned in for the 2016 is looking to the future rather than
games in Rio de Janeiro, an NBC the present.
spokesman said. Comparisons with
previous Olympic Games are imperfect Barcelona earned plaudits from
given the different times zones, the Covid all around the world during the Pep
pandemic and fewer streaming options Guardiola era not only for their
in past games. Viewers streamed nearly 6 exceptional football but for the way
billion minutes of Tokyo Olympics in which the core of the team was
programming, a record for an Olympics, built around players from La Masia.
across NBC’s digital and social media
platforms, the company said. The TV Given the financial struggles the
ratings drop reflects a trend among live club are currently going through,
events, including Hollywood awards and which are unlikely to be eased
shows and sports championships. any time soon, having a coach like
Koeman will allow the Catalan giants
to put the blueprint of a new-look
team together. – Agencies

Stones extends 15theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 11, 2021
contract to 2026 * SPORTS

JOHN STONES has signed a four-year contract Glee-lish
extension that will keep him tied to Manchester City
till 2026, the Premier League champions announced While some players would feel the pressure, new
yesterday. City signing sees RM580m fee as a show of trust

The new deal rewards Stones, who joined the club █ MARK CRITCHLEY Manchester City sign £100m Grealish
from Everton in a £47.5 million (RM275m) deal in
2016, for a past year in which he has rejuvenated his JACK GREALISH has earned a Premier League champions Manchester City have signed
career for club and country. reputation for being something of a England star Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for a British record £100m.
maverick presence on the pitch and the
The 27-year-old formed a formidable partnership same is true of his approach to media Grealish becomes the ninth most expensive player of all time
with Ruben Dias as Pep Guardiola’s men cruised to a duties.
third League title in four years and reached the MOST EXPENSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFERS*
Champions League final last season and Stones also His official unveiling as Manchester City’s Transfer from Transfer to
started all of England’s matches at Euro 2020 as the new £100 million (RM580m) signing and the
Three Lions reached a major final for the first time in most expensive player in English football’s Jack Grealish ENG £100m
55 years. history yesterday brought an inevitable (2021)
question: on whether that price tag invites Aston Villa Man City
“I couldn’t be happier. I love being part of this pressure.
squad. There are so many quality players here and I Paul Pogba FRA £93.25m
know we can continue winning trophies, which is my No player would ever say “yeah, you’re Juventus Man Utd (2016)
main focus,” said Stones. right, I’m terrified”, of course. But most would
admit that certain expectations come with Romelu Lukaku BEL £90m
“Working with the manager is a dream – he has such an eye-watering fee and at least hint at (2017)
taught me so much about the game and I feel like I the burden that their new employers have Everton Man Utd
learn something new every single day. inadvertently placed on their shoulders.
Harry Maguire ENG £80m
“The success we’ve had in the last four years has Not Jack, though. (2019)
been incredible. To be a part of it has been a dream “No, it doesn’t put no pressure on me Leicester Man Utd
come true and I just want to continue winning. whatsoever,” Grealish replied. “I take that as a
compliment. I actually like it.” Virgil van Dijk NED £75m
“This is the best place for me to play my football You can tell he does, too. There is a certain Southampton Liverpool (2018)
and fulfil my ambitions.” status that comes with being the most
expensive footballer in the country and Jadon Sancho ENG £73m
Stones fell down the pecking the order at the Grealish is more than happy to accept it. (2021)
Etihad during the 2019-20 campaign and appeared to Yet to City’s new No. 10, being a £100 Dortmund Man Utd
be facing an uncertain future last summer when City million player does not only mean pressure
spent a then club record fee on Dias. and status. It also means those above him Nicolas Pepe CIV £72m
have absolute belief in his ability. Lille Arsenal (2019)
However, he won a battle with Aymeric Laporte to “When you see a football club paying that
partner the Portuguese at the heart of the City sort of money for a player, it means they trust Sources: BBC, Sky Sports Pictures: Getty Images *Fees inc. potential add-ons © GRAPHIC NEWS
defence as 19 clean sheets in 27 games between you and value you highly and see potential
November and February helped open up a there to work with,” he explained. but only gradually and incrementally – first made him even more of a fan.
commanding lead at the top of the table. – AFP “It means so much to me that the club with Aymeric Laporte for £57m (RM330m) in “I’ve been here now for two days and
were willing to spend that much money on 2018, then with Riyad Mahrez, Rodri and
SIDENETTING me. If anything it just fills me with finally Ruben Dias in a £64m (RM371m) deal honestly, the way he is in training is just
Jack know how it feels like confidence. last year. unbelievable. I can’t actually explain it,” he
“I don’t think there’s any pressure on that For that slow and steady pattern to be said, for once struggling to articulate himself.
ENGLISH football’s £100 million man Jack Grealish price tag at all. It just shows how much the broken is a sign of how certain key figures at
knows how Lionel Messi feels after saying his own club and the manager value me and that only City admire Grealish. “The stuff he has certain players doing in
tearful farewell to Aston Villa. Argentine superstar gives me confidence going forward.” Guardiola revealed last week that Txiki certain positions, it’s stuff I’d never think of
Messi shed tears as he confirmed his departure from City’s spending may be nearing the £1 Begiristain, City’s director of football, was and it works.
boyhood club Barcelona and Grealish, Manchester billion mark under Pep Guardiola but no “completely in love with him”. Guardiola
City’s record signing but a lifelong Villa fan, told single deal has come close to this one. himself has admired Grealish for years, from “The man management, you’ve see what
reporters yesterday he could relate to that. “Everyone The club’s transfer record has been the very first time that he watched him play. he has done with players here, the likes of
has seen the way Messi was at his final press broken several times over the past few years Grealish reciprocated that at his Raheem (Sterling) and Phil (Foden)
conference,” said Grealish. “That is the exact way I felt unveiling, describing Guardiola especially… I feel like he can take my game to
myself. Actually before I left at the hotel I spoke to the unambiguously as “the best manager in the the next level.
team and the staff and the players and, yeah, you world”. Seeing him work up close has only
know I teared up a bit myself.” “I’m going to be learning from him every
single day, listening to him and I genuinely
Robertson blow for Reds cannot wait to work with him.” – The
Independent
LIVERPOOL will be without Andy Robertson for the
opening weeks of the Premier League season, but Rio opens
manager Jurgen Klopp believes the Scotland captain up on
“got lucky” after initial fears his ankle injury could have
been much worse. Robertson had to be helped off the chat with
pitch in Monday’s friendly against Athletic Bilbao after ‘hungry’
his ankle twisted as he blocked a cross. “I think we got Lukaku
lucky with Andy, it could have been much worse,” said
Klopp. “The footage didn’t look too well but we got MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand defender Ferdinand has claimed Lukaku could and he will want to unload.
lucky and it will not be too long. Before the (left) has heaped praise on “elite goal-scorer” score between 30 and 35 goals this season. “Lukaku guarantees you 20 goals,
international break (in early September), after the Romelu Lukaku (right) ahead of the striker’s
international break, I don’t know.” Robertson is £97 million (RM562m) move to Chelsea. Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, minimum. He guarantees you that. He’s scored
remaining upbeat despite being pictured outside a Ferdinand said: “I’ve spoken to him recently goals wherever he’s been, he’s an elite goal-
Liverpool hospital yesterday with his foot in a Lukaku, 28, was expected to arrive in and he’s hungry man. He hasn’t confirmed to scorer, it’s as simple as that.
protective boot. “Scan suggests nothing too major but London late yesterday to complete his transfer me that he’s signing for Chelsea but he just
there’s some ligament damage which will need to to the Blues 10 years after he originally signed said this season, he’s hungry. “If he gets the chances that Timo Werner
mend,” he said on Twitter. “I will be grafting every day for the club. got last year, he bangs 30-35 goals, it’s as
so I can help the team again sooner rather than later.” “I just think this guy, a lot of greatness simple as that.
The Belgium international won the comes through having fuel and what I mean
Kane expected to play in opener Scudetto with Inter Milan last season and was by that is having doubters and wanting to “I think Werner will still be vital for them
set to stay on for a third season in Italy until prove them wrong. with how he runs off the ball and creates
TOTTENHAM are expecting to have Harry Kane fit the club’s financial trouble saw them accept a space.
and available to start in their Premier League opener bid from Chelsea. “He’s got a whole stadium full at
against Manchester City. Spurs take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester United who doubted him, all the “Chelsea have heavy artillery up front now,
reigning champions on Sunday (11.30pm Malaysian Lukaku himself is reportedly eager for the fan-base at Old Trafford doubted him. A lot of a real mix of talent, all different type of players,
time) as Nuno Espirito Santo takes charge for the first- challenge of returning to the Champions people weren’t too dissatisfied when he left. a real good blend.
time since joining the club from Wolves. While Kane League winners.
has only been training for a matter of days after an “He will be sitting there and looking in the “Lukaku going there makes them an
extended summer break following England’s run at Now former England and Man United diary to see when that Old Trafford game is absolute threat to win the title. They could win
Euro 2020 – the club want him to play. That comes it.” – Daily Star
after he released a statement that insisted he would
never refuse to train for Spurs – despite his desire to
leave in search of silverware. Santo has now said that
Tottenham are expecting their star striker to be
available, despite speculation over his future
continuing. “All the players that are in the squad are
available,” Santo told Sky Sports News. “It is up to us to
decided who we think are the best options.”When
asked about Kane specifically, he added: “All the
players in the squad that are working on a daily basis
will be options for us.”

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 11, 2021 QUOTE OF THE DAY

It means so much to me that the club (Man
City) were willing to spend that much money
on me. If anything it just fills me with confidence. I don’t
think there’s any pressure on that price tag at all. It just
shows how much the club and the manager value me and
that only gives me confidence going forward.”

Jack Grealish

Champions League ‘not enough’ for Blues under Tuchel transformation

CHELSEA will aim to start the new season as ahead of his side’s return to competitive action The Belgium forward’s move should be A crowd of 13,000 will fill 70% of Windsor
they ended the last with more silverware when in Northern Ireland. completed before Chelsea’s Premier League Park tomorrow.
the European champions face Europa League “This is in Chelsea’s nature and of course we opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but While Chelsea have become accustomed to
winners Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup in are up for the challenge. will not be registered in time to face Villarreal. lifting trophies on an annual basis in nearly two
Belfast tomorrow (3am Malaysian time). “We will try to compete for every title in Instead, Werner and Havertz will be tasked decades since Abramovich took charge,
Thomas Tuchel’s stunning impact since every competition we enter but I also think it with starting their second season in England Villarreal are aiming to back up their first ever
taking charge of the Blues in January has raised will be a huge step forward if we can maintain better than they did their first. piece of silverware when they beat Manchester
expectations for Chelsea to challenge in all the same quality, attitude and effort that we After a slow start, Havertz came good on his United on penalties in Gdansk.
competitions this season, particularly with showed last season.” £71m (RM412m) price tag with the winning goal Unai Emery has now won the Europa League
Romelu Lukaku on the verge of returning to As many of Europe’s traditional giants have in the Champions League final. four times, but never won the Super Cup after
Stamford Bridge for a club record fee of £97 been squeezed by the economic consequences The 22-year-old was also one of few star his three previous successes with Sevilla.
million (RM562m). of the coronavirus pandemic, the backing of performers for Germany at a disappointing Euro The former Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain
Tuchel’s men beat Manchester City to lift the billionaire Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich 2020. boss believes Chelsea will become “the best
Champions League in May, just five months has again allowed Chelsea to strengthen at a “I think we have all a lot of goals this season. team in the world” this season, but is hopeful
after he replaced the sacked Frank Lampard time of crisis. The Champions League title is not enough for they suffer a European Championship hangover
with Chelsea languishing in ninth in the Premier A £220m (RM1.27b) spending spree on us, we want to win more and that’s our aim for with a number of key players only just back into
League. Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Kai the season,” said Havertz, who attributed the pre-season training.
Victory in Porto was Chelsea’s third over City Havertz and Timo Werner last summer was turnaround in his form to the return of fans to “Chelsea have Italian and English
in six weeks towards the end of the season. Now rewarded with Champions League glory. stadiums. internationals who haven’t arrived back until
they have the longer term goal of dethroning Now Lukaku looks set to return for nearly “With the fans now in the stadium, they give this week. Their starting line-up will not be the
Pep Guardiola’s side as English champions. four times the amount he was sold seven years you a lot of support. I feel very comfortable. I same as the Champions League final,” said
“We want to win, we want to compete and of ago to provide the missing piece of a proven like it here, I like the city and I like the club, so all Emery.
course we want to be successful,” said Tuchel goalscorer. good.” “Hopefully they misfire from the start.” – AFP
Messi wait over
PSG set to complete signing of Argentinian striker on RM168 million a year deal
SIX-TIME Ballon d’Or winner
Lionel Messi arrived in France expected to be a deal worth €35
yesterday to finalise a transfer million (RM168m) a year.
to Paris Saint Germain (PSG) He leaves
after reaching a deal with the club Barcelona with 672
following his shock departure from goals in 778
Barcelona. appearances, a
record tally for one
The agreement is a major coup club.
for wealthy PSG, who will add one of Messi won 35
the greatest players of all time to an trophies at the Nou
already formidable front line that Camp after joining
includes Brazil’s Neymar and young Barca aged 13, but his
Frenchman Kylian Mbappe. last appearance was a
damp squib: a 2-1
Messi’s plane touched down at Le home defeat behind
Bourget airport on the outskirts of closed doors against
the French capital, according to Celta Vigo in May.
reporters at the scene and the His trophy haul
Flightradar24 website. includes four
Champions League
Scores of fans gathered at the and 10 La Liga titles.
airport before his arrival, chanting: “The greatest of
“Messi, Messi, Messi.” all,” wrote Messi’s old
Barcelona teammate
“It’s going to be mad. After all, it’s Dani Alves – who won
a legend who is arriving,” said the Olympic gold with
Florent Chauveau, a PSG fan who Brazil in Tokyo – in an
has been back and forth to the Instagram message on
airport every day since Sunday in the Monday.
hope of seeing Messi arrive. Messi’s arrival would
make PSG even more
“I hope he knows it’s been three obvious favourites to
days that we have been waiting and FROM LEFT: Lionel reclaim a French title they
that he doesn’t set off in his van Messi arrives with his family at El Prat missed out on last season.
without a little wave.” airport in Barcelona yesterday; A picture Some in Ligue 1 have
taken in Madrid on Monday shows the mixed feelings about the impending
Messi gave no details of the deal, front pages of Spanish newspapers arrival of arguably the greatest player
which was reached days after showing Messi crying during a press of all time.
Barcelona said it could not afford to conference in Barcelona; Supporters wait “It’s extraordinary for Ligue 1,”
keep him because of Spain’s La outside French football club Paris Saint- said Metz coach Frederic Antonetti.
Liga’s fair play rules. Germain at the Parc des Princes stadium in “But for a purist like me, Messi
Paris yesterday in anticipation of the arrival should have finished his career at
But the 34-year-old Argentine of Messi. – AFPPIX Barcelona.”
midfielder’s father, speaking to An added attraction in moving to
reporters at the Barcelona airport, Paris is that coach Mauricio
confirmed reports by French Pochettino, like Messi, started his
newspaper L’Equipe and Spanish career at Newell’s Old Boys in
newspaper Mundo Deportivo that Rosario, Argentina.
Messi had reached an agreement that a news conference to mark his hotel. Barcelona on Sunday that joining Messi could be unveiled to
with PSG, which is owned by Qatar arrival will most likely be held today. “He is the strongest in the world, I PSG was only a “possibility”. supporters on Saturday, when PSG
Sports Investment. host Strasbourg and a full house of
“I am happy if he arrives in Paris,” am excited and happy at the thought In reality, with Abu Dhabi-owned nearly 48,000 will be allowed in for
Asked by reporters at the airport if new PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi of having him in the team.” Manchester City having ruled the first time in 18 months because of
his son would sign for PSG, Jorge Donnarumma told Sky Sports Italia themselves out, PSG were about the the pandemic. – Reuters/AFP
Messi replied: “Yes.” on Monday outside his Parisian Messi conceded at a tearful only club who could afford what is
farewell news conference in
When asked whose fault it was
that his son was leaving Barcelona,
Jorge replied: “Ask the club”.

L’Equipe said the deal would be
for two years. It also said Messi would
have medical tests overnight, and

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