The Sun Daily-190821

INSIDE

TELLING IT AS IT IS No urgency for Man swings

booster shots page stick at woman page
yet: Experts walking dog
4 5

ON THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 Al-Sultan Abdullah and the
Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan
No. 7845 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my Agong Sultan Nazrin
Muizzuddin Shah granted
Heed an audience to party
leaders on Tuesday to
discuss the political
situation. – PIC COURTESY
OF ISTANA NEGARA

royal
call
oAnalysts: Political
leaders should bury
distrust, hatred for
good of nation

█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH attempt to gain power. against the constant change of government in
[email protected] He added that they do not seem to want to recent years.”
He added that the animosity that exists
PETALING JAYA: Party leaders have make sacrifices that could be for the greater among Peninsular-based parties does not
been urged to bury their differences good of the nation. exist in Sabah and Sarawak.
and heed the royal decree to work “They are more pragmatic and
together for the sake of the nation. “The deep-rooted hatred they seem to easier to deal with.”
Political analysts are of the view that the have for each other has resulted in a lack of Azmi said the idea of a unity Turn to
main stumbling block to them working trust. Our politicians are not mature enough
together are the distrust and hatred built over to work together, and this can be seen by the government should perhaps be —
decades. third change of government in three years. dropped, as the political parties
page 2
Making the situation more complicated “On the other hand, the public is mature.
are their seeming hunger for power and the They have not gone to the streets to protest seemingly cannot work together.
self-serving agenda of some leaders.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
geostrategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said
political parties will have to decide if they
want to heed the call by the King for a new
political landscape.

He said even today, we see parties being
divided along the same lines as before.

“Whoever becomes prime minister will
need the support of every party to fight the
Covid-19 pandemic,” Azmi said.

“The clarion call by the the Yang di-
Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah seems
not to be heard by political parties as they all
want the prime minister’s post.

“It is a very powerful post, it allows the
prime minister to do nearly ‘anything’ he
wants. This is the main reason for the division
among our political parties,” he added.

Malaysian Council of Professors senior
fellow Prof Dr Jeniri Amir said the inability of
political parties to work together stems from
their personal agenda.

“Some leaders want their party to be
dominant simply because of their own
survival.”

Azmi said political parties seem to be
working from the same old playbook in their

2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

‘New PM must have majority support’

o Confidence vote in Dewan Rakyat before supremacy of the Constitution and when the nation is facing the on the need to form a stable
appointment necessary, says King the rule of law,” said Ahmad Fadil. pandemic. government as soon as possible,
Bernama reported.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang King had decreed this following an Also present during the more than He said both rulers stressed that
di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah audience with leaders and 90-minute audience was the Sultan the ongoing political crisis and “The consensus and sincerity of
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah representatives of major political of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, who is uncertainties have had a negative Dewan Rakyat members are
has decreed that the new prime parties on Tuesday. Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong. impact on the country’s economy, necessary to ensure that priority is
minister to be appointed must seek a and that due to safety concerns, given to the welfare and safety of the
confidence vote as soon as possible The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Chief Secretary to the holding the 15th general election is people. Dewan Rakyat members
to determine his legitimacy and decreed that the appointment of the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, not the best option at this time. must show solidarity by continuing
majority support in the Dewan prime minister would be in Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar their efforts with great commitment
Rakyat. accordance with Article 40(2)(a) Azizan Harun and Attorney-General He said both Rulers also felt that and by providing the best service to
and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Tan Sri Idrus Harun also attended. there is a need for members of the the people.
Comptroller of the Royal Constitution. Dewan Rakyat to unite and for all
Household of Istana Negara Datuk “The King will chair a special political parties to work together by “The majority of frontliners are
Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a “The King said as head of state, he meeting of the Malay Rulers to focusing on current issues and exhausted because they deal with
statement issued yesterday, said the will exercise his duties as the discuss current issues on Aug 20,” he resolving uncertainties. thousands of new Covid-19 patients
Constitutional monarch based on the said, adding that the Sultan of Perak every day. In fact, the country’s health
expressed the view that a protracted Ahmad Fadil said the King and the facilities are also in a worrying
political crisis can jeopardise Sultan of Perak had consented to situation.”
government administration at a time grant the audience to state their stand

Leaders need to put aside differences: Analyst GPS silent on choice
of top job candidate
“We should instead work towards a interests are the main causes of division He added that there is a need for an
bi-partisan government, in which the among parties.” inclusive prime minister who can bring all MIRI: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman
Opposition also has a say in formulating Jeniri said it would be ideal if political parties together by breaching the gap Datuk Abang Johari Abang Openg reserved
policies.” political leaders could put aside their that exists today. comment when asked who the coalition wanted
Jeniri agreed that the lack of trust From differences and work together as there as premier following the resignation of Tan Sri
are only two years to go before the next “The politicians of today need a big heart Muhyiddin Yassin.
among political parties has front general election. to make sacrifices by working together for the
resulted in their inability to work page nation’s future,” Jeniri said, adding that “I am leaving it to the wisdom of the Yang
self-serving leaders are the biggest problem di-Pertuan Agong,” he said yesterday when met
together. “We need negotiations, sacrifice and preventing political parties from working by reporters after a ground-breaking ceremony
“Hunger for power, especially for the top trust to move ahead but this seems together. for the Laku corporate and Miri office building.
post, coupled with self-serving agendas and non-existent at the moment.”
He was asked about the party’s stance after a
local newspaper reported that GPS leaders had
an audience with the King via video
conferencing.

The leaders comprised Abang Johari, who is
president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu,
Datuk Seri Sim Kui Hian of the Sarawak United
People’s Party, Tan Sri James Jemut Masing of
Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Datuk Seri Tiong King
Sing of the Progressive Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, two Malacca state assemblymen
from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu)
have expressed support for the Umno-led state
government.

Malacca Bersatu chief Datuk Mohd Rafiq
Naizamohideen, who is also the Paya Rumput
assemblyman, and Telok Mas assemblyman
Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad said they would
back the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri
Sulaiman Md Ali, Bernama reported.

Mohd Rafiq, who is also Malacca Perikatan
Nasional chairman, said now is not the best
time to jostle for power or to bring down any
leader as the people want the focus to be on
addressing the pandemic and reviving the
economy.

“We feel there has been enough of
politicking and political ploys to bring down the
prime minister or other leaders.”

A Forestry Department employee collecting seeds at the Panti Forest Reserve yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX Perak private Chinese
schools get funds
Johor planning to plant four million trees in five years
IPOH: The state government has distributed
KOTA TINGGI: The Johor Forestry he told Bernama at the Panti Forest Reserve. more saplings. RM1.8 million in educational funds to nine
Department is targeting to plant four million He said the Malaysia Greening campaign “This phenomenon is unique and rare Chinese private schools to help reduce their
trees in the next five years to make Malaysia’s financial burden in managing the schools
green agenda a success through the 100 is one of the government’s commitments at because it usually occurs at intervals of many during the pandemic.
Million Tree-Planting Campaign. the international level to ensure at least 50% of years. It really helps us and other state forestry
the country’s land area is covered by trees and departments to collect and sow seeds to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad
Its director Datuk Salim Aman said forest areas. produce more seedlings to plant and support said the amount was part of the RM8.1 million
yesterday that a total of 230,000 trees from 43 this campaign,” he said, adding that there are allocation to students of national schools,
species had been planted in the state since the Salim said the public can also participate seven nurseries in the state that can missionary schools, vernacular schools and
launch of the campaign on Jan 5. in the campaign by registering through the accommodate as many as 272,100 trees. Chinese private schools as announced in the
Malaysia Greening app, where they have the 2021 Perak Budget in December last year.
“In Johor, we have set a target to plant four opportunity to receive rewards. He said the department is also constantly
million trees within five years, with an average identifying flowering trees in permanent “Each Chinese private school will receive a
of 800,000 trees a year. At the national level, 13 He added that the phenomenon of mass forest reserves, for seed collection activities one-off allocation of RM200,000, which will
million trees from 724 species have been flowering happening in most of the via e-Forgris (Electronic Forest Genetic benefit about 10,000 teachers and students
planted by 55 agencies and 3,128 individuals,” dipterocarp forests in the country can Resources Information System). statewide. Among the schools are Shen Jai
also help the department to produce Secondary School in Ipoh, Tsung Wah
Secondary School in Kuala Kangsar and San
Min Secondary School in Teluk Intan.

He said it has been the state government’s
commitment over the years to help private
schools. A nominal rate of RM10 per lot yearly in
land tax remittances and land tax arrears has
also been approved.

He was speaking at a virtual media
conference after handing the cheques to school
representatives yesterday.

Saarani expressed hope that the aid would
help school managements to fund educational
programmes and overcome problems in the
wake of the pandemic. – Bernama

3theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

National Day celebrations to go ahead as planned

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Day 2021 “Preparations for the National Day cancelled the National Day celebrations since involved in the celebrations must be fully
celebrations, scheduled to take place on Aug 31 Celebrations, which are almost 80% complete, its independence in 1957. vaccinated and must undergo a Covid-19 swab
at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, Putrajaya, will go will not be affected. We will continue to test three days before the full rehearsal.
on as planned by the National Day and monitor the development of Covid-19 cases,” “We are working towards a balance
Malaysia Day 2021 Organising Committee. he said on RTM’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia (celebrating while social distancing) in the No spectators will be allowed and the
programme yesterday. current situation. As we should be achieving physical distancing rule, wearing of mask and
Communications and Multimedia Ministry 50% herd immunity by Aug 31, we are consistent sanitation practices will continue to
secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mohammad, who heads the organising confident that it is alright to go ahead with a be monitored to avoid the spread of Covid-19
Mentek said despite the challenges of the committee, acknowledged that several small-scale celebration with strict compliance infections, he added.
Covid-19 pandemic and the current political countries facing the same pandemic had to the standard operating procedures (SOP),”
crisis, the civil service will continue to work as postponed celebrations involving the public. he said. Mohammad hoped the public would follow
usual. the live broadcast of the celebrations beginning
He said Malaysia had never postponed or He said all participants who are physically at 7.30am. – Bernama

Making a change Thirukumaran Three-wheelers for
in difficult times is among an better courier services
increasing under Pakej
o For a lucky few, the leap number of
of faith bears much fruit people who KUALA LUMPUR: The National Courier
have turned Accelerator Plan (Pakej) initiated by the
to the fruits Malaysian Communications and Multimedia
retail business Commission (MCMC) will focus on adopting the
to survive the three-wheeler vehicle as one of the main
economic transport method in order to increase the
fallout of the efficiency and quality of services of courier.
pandemic.
– SUNPIX Chairman Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul
Malek said a three-wheeler vehicle has the
█ BY ALISHA NUR MOHD NOOR ability to transport three times the capacity of
[email protected] parcel for delivery compared with a motorcycle
and half the number of parcels transported by a
PETALING JAYA: K. Thirukumaran quit his BRIEFSnormal van.
job as an auditor and accountant when his
employer could no longer ensure he got his has registered his business as TK Fruits. On the bright side, Ariffin is happy that he “In terms of cost, a three-wheeler vehicle
pay cheque regularly. Another person who has turned to selling has not been infected by Covid-19 and so is would be somewhere in between the cost of
able to continue to earn a living. operating a motorcycle and a van and has the
The 28-year-old began selling fruits and in fruits is Ariffin Mohamed. The 31-year-old ability to transport more parcels per route than
just a few months, has managed to earn more former administrative staff at an aviation “Most importantly, my family members are a motorcycle especially to the rural areas,“ he
money than he used to. company decided to quit his job when his all healthy and safe during this outbreak. That said in a special interview on Pakej recently.
employer cut the staff’s salaries by 50%. is also a blessing for me,” he said.
Thirukumaran is among an increasing Pakej, a five-year roadmap launched in June,
number of people who have turned to the “It (my salary) was not enough to pay the As for Agusman Kandari, it was a change is set to enhance the quality of courier services
fruits retail business to survive the economic bills (after the cut),” he told theSun. from the pasar malam or night market to a (QoS) and seamless coverage to support the e-
fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. roadside fruit stall business. commerce industry’s growth to double the
Ariffin was prompted to make the change parcels per capita to 30 by 2025.
Most have very simple operations, with when a friend who owns an orchard in “When we were forced by the movement
only a stall or a pick-up truck parked at the Selangor proposed that they should team up control order to stop trading at the night Pakej comes with eight initiatives within two
roadside, but they have thrived nonetheless. to start a business selling fruits. market, I started my fruits business. pillars: to help drive the industry’s sustainability
and to provide QoS and coverage-backed
There is no doubt that running a business is In June, they set up a stall in Ampang to sell “We all need to survive in these very tough growth for the consumer.
hard work, as Thirukumaran pointed out to durians and other fruits. “I now earn more times and I don’t make as much as I did
theSun. than what I used to,” he said. previously but at least I have an income,” he “Pakej is one way to help small courier
told theSun at his stall, which sells a wide companies to compete in a better environment,
For him, the day starts at 5.30am when he For Ariffin, the reality of the times was range of fruits, near Taman Samudera in to have the ability to grow at a lower cost as
leaves his home in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, difficult to accept. “I had a stable job and Gombak. well as maintain the pricing of the services,” said
for Chow Kit where he picks up his day’s suddenly the future became uncertain.” Fadhlullah.
supply of fruits from a wholesaler.
He said MCMC would table the Pakej report
By 9.30am, he is in Bandar Seri Permaisuri, on a quarterly basis with the first quarter report
Cheras where he tries to catch the morning scheduled to be out for the public to review by
crowd. Otherwise, he would set up stall in next month.
Sungai Besi. The day ends at 7.30pm or 8pm,
depending on how good the sales are for the Fadhlullah said so far this year, MCMC has
day. received more than 13,000 complaints from
consumers regarding courier services and 86%
For Thirukumaran, the change was a leap of them are about the poor deliveries - Bernama
of faith, but it has worked out quite well for
him. AID FOR SPA, FOOT MASSAGE
OPERATORS
“I made about RM3,500 in my first month
in business, which is RM1,000 more than what PUTRAJAYA: Over 400 spa and foot massage
I used to earn in the accounting firm where I centre operators have been targeted to
worked,” he said. receive the RM1,000 one-off aid under the
National People’s Well-being and Economic
“It was a difficult decision to make. I was Recovery Package (Pemulih). Tourism, Arts
giving up a stable job for an unpredictable and Culture Ministry (Motac) said in a
venture,” he pointed out. statement yesterday that all recipients were
registered under associations accredited by
But the push factor was when his employer the ministry, namely the Association of
told him and his colleagues that they would Malaysian Spas (AMSPA) and Malaysian
have to either clear their annual leave or take Association of Wellness and Spa (MAWSPA).
unpaid leave. That was when he decided it was Those who qualify can apply online at
time to go, and in July he bade farewell to his http://www.motac.gov.my/PrihatinMOTAC
employer. 21_Spa starting tomorrow. The deadline for
applications is Sept 6. “Motac urges all
Initially, he did not get the support he was operators who qualify to immediately apply
hoping for. “My friends and family did not for the assistance offered to reduce their
think very highly of me becoming a fruit seller.” burden due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” the
statement read. – Bernama
But he was undaunted. “I hope to make
RM120 to RM250 a day and I have already open PETROL, DIESEL PRICES
other avenues to reach more customers, like on UNCHANGED
Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram. For those
who place orders through these apps, I use the KUALA LUMPUR: The retail prices of RON97
services of Grab to make deliveries,” he said. and RON95 petrol as well as diesel will
remain unchanged at RM2.74, RM2.05 and
The proud owner of the humble fruit stall RM2.15 per litre respectively for the Aug 19-
25 period. The Finance Ministry, in a
Tour operator makes timely venture into honey bamboo shoots statement yesterday, said the prices were
set based on the weekly retail prices of
KUANTAN: An outdoor recreation operator He said it was a timely venture as the one month to 16 years, Ahmad Azuan went petroleum products using the automatic
was rescued by his humble bamboo crop previous owner, who bought the farm in into venture without any agricultural pricing mechanism. “To protect consumers
when his adventure tour business had to stop 2019, could not attend to the crop due to knowledge but he persevered by surfing the from the effect of the actual price increase
operation for more than a year following the poor health while his own tour business had internet as well as watching YouTube video on of oil on the global market, the government
Covid-19 pandemic. ground to a halt a year ago. bamboo farming. has maintained RON95 at the ceiling price
of RM2.05 per litre and diesel at RM2.15 per
Captain (Rtd) Ahmad Azuan Osman, 42, Every morning, armed with a machete, he “A clump of honey bamboo if properly litre, although the actual market prices for
who is the owner of Recreation Outdoor goes to his farm to harvest shoots from his maintained can yield up to 4kg of shoots and both products have exceeded the ceiling
Hikers, now tends to his crop of 200 bamboo crop of honey bamboo known scientifically as he could harvest between 10kg and 15kg of price set,” it said. – Bernama
clumps everyday by harvesting bamboo Gigantochloa Albociliata. shoots a day,” said the computer engineer
shoots in the 1ha farm in Bukit Kuin, here. from a local university. – Bernama
A father of seven children ranging from

4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

No need to wait Booster shots can be delayed
for approval

PUTRAJAYA: All trade and distribution o Health experts advocate focus on completing vaccination Malaysia, of fully-vaccinated people being
sub-sectors in states under Phase 2 of the programme before moving to next level infected with the Delta variant with a viral load
National Recovery Plan can resume similar to those who have yet to be vaccinated.”
operations even if the number of fully █ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI shots, he said there is not yet sufficient data to
vaccinated individuals in those states has [email protected] support such a move. However, he maintained that those who are
yet to reach 50% of the adult population. PETALING JAYA: A booster shot of the fully vaccinated have less severe symptoms.
Covid-19 vaccine is beneficial, but there is no Universiti Malaya (UM) professor of
The Domestic Trade and Consumer hurry to get it. epidemiology and public health Dr Sanjay “The good news is that the vaccines are still
Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the Rampal pointed out that just two doses of the effective against new variants. However, the
states involved are Kelantan, Terengganu, According to health experts, the priority now vaccines have so far been effective in preventing world should not lose focus, which is to ensure
Pahang, Perak, Penang and Sabah. should be to ensure all Malaysians are fully hospitalisation and fatality, so it is best to everyone is vaccinated. After all, no one is safe
vaccinated, which means getting at least two consider a third dose only for those in the high- until everyone is safe.”
“Industry players and premises owners doses, to achieve herd immunity. risk groups, such as the elderly and those with
can operate without having to wait for comorbidities. Hoe said for now, the available supply of
approval from the ministry. All proof of Only then should the nation consider a third vaccine should not be diverted for booster doses
application through CIMS (Centralised dose of the vaccine, they said. “We should complete the National Covid-19 as many people, especially in developing
Information Management System) must be Immunisation Programme (NIP) first before we countries, have yet to be vaccinated.
kept to be presented when needed,” it said. Malaysian Medical Association president roll out booster shots that should also be effective
Datuk Dr M. Subramaniam said if booster shots against new strains of the coronavirus,” he said. “If we do not vaccinate everyone, the virus
Applications can be made through CIMS were to be administered, frontliners as well as will continue to mutate, making it difficult for us
via https://notification.miti.gov.my/login. those with impaired immune system should be Sanjay pointed out that the World Health to move beyond the pandemic,” he added.
given priority. He said there should be two Organisation has also recommended completing
Caretaker prime minister Tan Sri options for others. the vaccination programme globally before On Aug 12, the Selangor government
Muhyiddin Yassin on Sunday announced considering booster jabs. announced that it would make the Sinovac
that 11 types of business activities will be “The government should make it available at vaccine available to those who want booster
allowed in Phase 2 states effective Monday. public health facilities, but private doctors “Booster doses can be recommended, but not shots.
should also be allowed to procure the vaccines mandated, pending further research.”
The ministry said the companies for those who seek it,” he said, adding that this Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari said this could
involved do not need to submit details of would ensure those who want it will get it fast. UM head of social and preventive medicine be offered when at least 80% of adult residents in
employees who have completed their Dr Victor Hoe said unless herd immunity is the state have received their first dose, pending
vaccination. However, they must ensure The cost will depend on the vaccine one achieved, a booster shot may not give the approval from the National Pharmaceutical
visitors who enter their premises show their chooses. The cheapest is AstraZeneca, followed individual the enhanced protection desired. Regulatory Agency.
digital vaccination certificates. by Pfizer and then Sinovac. Subramaniam said
the Moderna vaccine could turn out to be the He said with several rounds of mutation, the On July 28, NIP former coordinating minister
For Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca and most costly. virus has also become more resistant to current Khairy Jamaluddin told Parliament that
Sinovac vaccines, the individual must have vaccines, given that the drugs were developed discussions were under way to make booster
received the second dose at least 14 days On mixing and matching vaccines for booster based on the original strain. shots available, with the possibility of mixing
prior, while recipients of vaccines that vaccines to enhance immunity.
require only one dose such as Johnson & “There have been reports, including in
Johnson and CanSino are allowed entry SUPERHERO However, he said the government was still
only after the 28th day. – Bernama SUPPORT ... waiting for recommendations from a group of
Performers health experts led by Institute for Clinical
dressed in Research director Dr Kalaiarasu Peariasamy.
comic and
movie character Spike in Delta cases
costumes liven in Sarawak
up the
atmosphere at KUCHING: There has been a sharp increase in
the Spice Arena Covid-19 Delta variant cases detected in
vaccination Sarawak, according to the Institute of Health and
centre in Community Medicine (IHCM) of Universiti
Penang Malaysia Sarawak (UniMAS).
yesterday.
– MASRY CHE IHCM director Prof Dr David Perera said in a
ANI/THESUN statement yesterday an overall detection rate of
over 73% had been recorded recently, which is a
sharp increase from the 50% reported on Aug 3.

He said for the Kuching division alone, the
Delta variant detection rate was approximately
90%.

“This variant also continues to be detected in
Bau, Lundu, Kota Samarahan, Simunjan, Miri
and Bintulu. Additionally, we have detected six
Delta variants in Sibu,“ he said.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 last year,
IHCM has been at the forefront of the fight
against the pandemic in the state, tasked with
testing samples and genome sequencing
analysis to detect changes in the virus.

Perera said as of Aug 10, a total of 249
additional Variants of Concern and Variants of
Interest were detected from 338 Covid-19
positive cases sequenced and of these, 248 were
of the Delta variant. – Bernama

50 PERLIS 1,351 KELANTAN C VID-19
1,852 KEDAH UPDATE
1,867 PENANG concTafiosrtemasled 1,466,512
As of noon yesterday
1,036 PERAK Total cNaesews 22,242
5 LABUAN ac�ve cases 1,060TIoCintUal

TERENGGANU 487 254,484

6,858 SELANGOR Total
1,587 K.LUMPUR recoveries New
PAHANG 675 2,413 SABAH recoveries 19,680
SARAWAK 1,403 1,198,726

25 PUTRAJAYA Death

577 N.SEMBILAN toll New 225
fatali�es
13,302
579 MALACCA JOHOR 1,477

PROGRESS STATISTICS FOR THE NATIONAL COVID-19 IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME
As of August 17Received rst dose
Received second doses

17,437,286 11,400,456

5theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Woman walking dog
threatened, cops to probe

KUALA LUMPUR: Police will doing anything and he is taking a COLOURS OF PRIDE .... A woman walks past a Jalur Gemilang banner as decorations spring up all over Kuala Lumpur city
investigate an incident where a stick. Don’t whack my dog,” the centre ahead of National Day celebrations on Aug 31. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN
man allegedly threatened a woman is heard saying in
woman for walking her dog. the video.

The case came to light after In response, the man, who is
a video of a man threatening the believed to be in his 60s or 70s,
woman in Taman Tun Dr Ismail tells the woman that she should
here surfaced on social media not bring her dog to the area.
yesterday.
The woman questions the man
Brickfields deputy police chief on why she cannot do so as “it is a
Supt Basri Sagoni told theSun that free country”.
police have received a report on
the matter from the man, but not “You cannot simply bring your
the woman. dog here. This is a free country but
it is against the law. Under the
“Since a report was lodged, we Police Act, you cannot bring your
are investigating and looking into dog. I am calling the police now,”
the matter. the man replied.

“We hope the woman will As the man draws closer, the
come forward and assist us in the woman backs off.
probe,” said Basri, who declined
further comment. The man then swings his stick
towards the woman, who screams.
The incident, which occurred
at Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, was Checks by theSun showed that
captured in a video recorded by there are no laws under the
the woman. Police Act that are related to
walking one’s dog and the man
Although the dog is not seen in could face investigations for
the footage, a man carrying a long criminal intimidation.
stick and wearing a baseball cap
approaches the woman while he Laws pertaining to keeping and
was holding a mobile phone to raising pets are under the
his ear. authority of local councils and
are stipulated in the Animal
“Look at this fellow. I am not Welfare Act.

BRIEFS KILLED AIRCRAFTMAN Strict new rules may hinder
BURIED IN SIBU second home scheme

SIBU: The body of aircraftman o Criteria coming into force in October will have RM150,000. Under the new Malaysian economy since it
Nesly Nabau, 27, one of four Air drive away potential rich foreigners rules, the sum have been raised to was launched.
Force personnel killed in a RM1 million for both categories.
shooting incident at a Camp in █ BY ELWIN DAVA participants away, given that they He said the new regulations
Kota Samarahan on Aug 13, was [email protected] will no longer be able to meet the While applications were free would see a reduction in the
buried at the Nirvana Memorial PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia new requirements. under the old rules, each applicant MM2H business.
Park here yesterday. The burial My Second Home (MM2H) must now pay a RM5,000 processing
ceremony was only attended by programme, a long-standing and Under the MM2H programme, fee, and accompanying family “It will be a loss for the country,”
family members and Kuching Air successful strategy to attract which was introduced in 2002, a members must pay RM2,500 each. he added.
Force Base Commander Kol investments, may soon be upended foreigner could be given a 10-year
Mohd Azuan Bohari. The hearse by new and stricter rules. renewable visa to reside in Malaysia The new rules will also apply to Deputy chief of mission at the
arrived at the memorial park at if he fulfiled certain conditions. those who have been living in Japan Embassy in Malaysia Kaname
8.50am from his wife’s village at Rich foreigners looking to retire Malaysia under the old Araki said the new requirements
Rumah Ugil, Sungai Selangan in in a more conducive environment He had to have a monthly requirements. They will have to would have a significant influence
Sarikei. Mohd Azuan handed the are likely to start looking elsewhere, offshore income of RM10,000 and a show proof that they meet the new on potential applicants and current
Jalur Gemilang to Nesly’s wife according to existing participants bank balance of RM500,000. requirements when they apply for a residents from all countries.
Jessica Clestur at the end of the and industry players. renewal of their visas.
ceremony. The others killed in the However, the government “Japanese nationals like to stay in
shooting incident were Kpl They said even those who recently announced that when the Lee Chee Keong, who has been a Malaysia because of the unique
Mohamad Ehsan Sehamat, Kpl qualified based on the original MM2H programme is reinstated consultant for the MM2H culture, lifestyle and hospitality
Ho Swee Boon and Kpl Sharif requirements and are now happily in October, after a year-long programme for 18 years, described displayed by the people.”
Mohd Siddiq Al-Attas Wan Sabli. settled in Malaysia, may take their suspension because of the Covid-19 the new standards as “ludicrous”.
– Bernama money elsewhere. crisis, the rules would be Araki said many members of
tightened. He told theSun that stakeholders Japanese clubs and associations in
ASSEMBLYMAN’S RAPE In a post on investor.com, have appealed to the government Kuala Lumpur have already
TRIAL ADJOURNED J. Andrew Davison, who has been The applicant must now show an to review the proposed changes expressed concern and some have
living in Kuala Lumpur under the offshore income of RM40,000 a but “our appeals have fallen on even stated that they were
IPOH: The trial involving Tronoh MM2H programme for several years month and a fixed deposit amount deaf ears”. considering plans to relocate
assemblyman Paul Yong Choo now, said that by tightening the of RM1.5 million. elsewhere when the new regulations
Kiong, who is charged with rules, the government is likely to He said the programme had are imposed.
raping his maid, at the High Court drive more than 90% of current Previously, upon approval, an worked well for 18 years.
here yesterday has been applicant aged below 50 is required “The MM2H scheme has
adjourned and set for two days in to have RM300,000 in the bank, “Why make them pay more now? benefited Malaysia’s economy by
September. Justice Datuk Abdul while those aged 50 and above must Malaysia is not the only country allowing Japanese and international
Wahab Mohamed set Sept 27 and where they can retire to.” applicants to spend large sums of
28 to call other witnesses, after money on agent fees, opening
hearing the testimony of two Lee estimated that the MM2H Malaysian bank accounts, and
witnesses in court yesterday. The programme had brought in an purchasing homes and vehicles.”
proceedings commenced with average of RM3.8 billion a year to the
the 21st prosecution witness,
former Meru Desa Park
supervisor A. Murugiah, who was
then responsible for maintaining
the security of the residential area
where Yong lived. – Bernama

48 job scams reported in Malacca this year Female wild elephant caught in Jeli

MALACCA: Police have received 48 “The modus operandi of these deceived when they did not receive KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Belimbing, Dendong and Kampung
reports on fraudulent online job syndicates was to offer the victims the promised commission. Department of Wildlife and National Air Berching in Jeli since July.
offers, with losses involving jobs as sales agents, to raise business Parks (Perhilitan) captured a female
RM700,000 from Jan 1 to Aug 16 ratings and to help promote online He said the latest case reported wild elephant in Kampung Ipoh, Jeli, “Earlier, we had taken several
this year. traders. The victims are promised a involved a business executive who about 100km from here on Monday. actions including providing advice,
commission of between 5% and 8%, lost RM8,000 after she was offered 8% installing blue LED lights and
State commercial crime depending on the tasks performed,” commission as a purchasing agent Perhilitan director Ady Ermanty conducting a series of shooting
investigation department chief Supt he said in a statement yesterday. on Facebook. The 23-year-old Haniff Mohamed Hanif said the operations to scare and divert the
E. Sundra Rajan said the syndicates woman had made five transactions elephant, estimated to be 15 to 20 elephants to a nearby forest,” he said
would offer employment from online He added that the syndicates also as purchase capital to the bank years old, was caught at about in a statement yesterday.
sales companies that are advertised offered the victims jobs as account provided by the syndicate. 5pm by rangers from its elephant
through Facebook, Instagram, purchasing agents, whose role were capture unit. Ady Ermanty said these
Telegram and WhatsApp. to purchase goods and they would be The victim lodged a report at the measures were implemented for
given a commission of 8% of the Ayer Keroh police station on Aug 13. “The operation was mounted almost a month but the elephants
He said the syndicates use price of the goods. following complaints from villagers still roamed around the villages. He
popular company names such as He urged the public to be vigilant that a herd of eight wild elephants said the villagers suffered losses of
Lazada and Shopee to obscure their Sundra Rajan said most victims and to check the companies at had been on a rampage, destroying about RM63,000 this year due to
fraudulent online activities. began to realise they had been https://semakmule.rmp.my/ before crops around Kampung Bukit Ipoh, damaged crops. – Bernama
making any transactions. – Bernama

6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Twitter allows users to flag misleading content

WASHINGTON: Twitter on Tuesday Australia to choose “it’s misleading” us identify trends so that we can Such efforts have ramped up as during his 2020 re-election
announced a new feature to allow after clicking “report tweet.” improve the speed and scale of our Twitter toughened its campaign, before the then-president
users to flag content that could Users can then be more specific, broader misinformation work.” misinformation rules during the was finally banned from the website
contain misinformation, a scourge flagging the misleading tweet as Covid-19 pandemic and during the for posting incitements to violence
that has only grown during the potentially containing Twitter, like Facebook and US presidential election between and messages discrediting the
pandemic. misinformation about “health” YouTube, regularly comes under fire Donald Trump and Joe Biden. election results.
“politics” and “other”. from critics who say it does not do For example, Twitter began
“We’re testing a feature for you to “We’re assessing if this is an enough to fight the spread of blocking users in March who have Moderators are ultimately
report Tweets that seem misleading – effective approach so we’re starting misinformation. been warned five times about responsible for determining which
as you see them,” the social network small,” said the San Francisco-based spreading false information about content actually violates Twitter’s
said from its safety and security company. But the platform does not have the vaccines. terms of use, but the network has said
account. “We may not take action on and resources of its Silicon Valley And the network began flagging it hopes to eventually use a system
cannot respond to each report in the neighbours, and so often relies on tweets from Trump with a banner that relies on both human and
Starting Tuesday, a button would experiment, but your input will help experimental techniques that are less warning of their misleading content automated analysis to detect
be visible to some users from the expensive than recruiting armies of suspicious posts. – AFP
United States, South Korea and moderators.

Taliban vow to be ‘different’ Nuclear scientists hail
fusion breakthrough
WASHINGTON: Nuclear scientists using lasers
o Group pledges no Zabihullah Mujahid told foreign and local evacuation airlifts from the capital Kabul. the size of three football fields said on Tuesday
revenge against opponents, reporters, revealing his identity for the first Desperate scenes from the airport at the they had generated a huge amount of energy
respect for women’s rights time. from fusion, possibly offering hope for the
start of the week have created searing images development of a new clean energy source.
KABUL: The Taliban have offered a pledge of “We will not seek revenge.” of Afghans terrified of the Taliban, and a
reconciliation, vowing no revenge against He said the new regime would be diminished United States unable to protect Experts focused their giant array of almost
opponents and to respect women’s rights in a “positively different” from their 1996-2001 them. 200 laser beams onto a tiny spot to create a
“different” rule of Afghanistan from two stint, which was infamous for deaths by mega blast of energy – eight times more than
decades ago. stoning, girls being banned from school and Some footage showed hundreds of people they had ever done in the past.
women from working in contact with men. running alongside a US Air Force plane as it
The announcements came on Tuesday “If the question is based on ideology, and rolled down the runway, with some clinging Although the energy only lasted for a very
night shortly after the return to Afghanistan of beliefs, there is no difference ... but if we to the side of it. short time – just 100 trillionths of a second – it
their co-founder, crowning the group’s calculate it based on experience, maturity, took scientists closer to the holy grail of fusion
astonishing comeback after being ousted by a and insight, no doubt there are many One person was later found dead in the ignition, the moment when they are creating
American-led invasion in 2001. differences.” wheel well of the plane. more energy than they are using.
He also said they were “committed to
With huge concerns globally about the letting women work in accordance with the Crowds also built outside embassies in “This result is a historic advance for inertial
Taliban’s brutal human rights record – and principles of Islam”, without offering specifics. Kabul yesterday on rumours that confinement fusion research,” said Kim Budil,
tens of thousands of Afghans still trying to flee A spokesman for the group in Doha, Suhail governments were offering asylum. director of Lawrence Livermore National
the country – they held their first press Shaheen, told Britain’s Sky News that women Laboratory, which operates the National
conference from Kabul. would not be required to wear the Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Ignition Facility (NIF) in California, where the
all-covering burqa, but he did not say what co-founder and deputy leader of the Taliban, experiment took place this month.
“All those in the opposite side are attire would be acceptable. arrived back in Afghanistan on Tuesday night.
pardoned from A to Z,” Taliban spokesman Nevertheless, Afghans and foreigners Nuclear fusion is considered by some
continued to flee the country, with the He chose to touch down in the country’s scientists to be a potential energy of the future,
United States and other nations stepping up second biggest city Kandahar – the Taliban’s particularly because it produces little waste and
spiritual birthplace and capital during their no greenhouse gases.
first time in power.
It differs from fission, a technique currently
He arrived from Qatar, where he has spent used in nuclear power plants, where the bonds
months leading talks with the United States of heavy atomic nuclei are broken to release
and then Afghan peace negotiators. – AFP energy.

OVERRUN BRIEFS In the fusion process, two light atomic nuclei
WITH WATER are “married” to create a heavy one.
... An overview of
the destruction In this experiment scientists used two
caused by floods isotopes of hydrogen, giving rise to helium.
in Wald im
Pinzgau, Austria, “This is the most significant advance in
on Tuesday. inertial fusion since its beginning in 1972,” said
Storms have Professor Steven Rose, co-director of the centre
battered large for research in this field at Imperial College
parts of the London.
country since
Monday. Some But, warned Jeremy Chittenden, co-director
100 people stuck of the same centre in London, making this a
in cars as useable source of energy is not going to be easy.
landslides hit
roads had “It will involve overcoming significant
to be rescued. technical challenges.” – AFP
– AFPPIX
NO RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR HAITI
Hong Kong adds wildlife trafficking to organised crime law AS DEATH TOLL RISES

HONG KONG: Lawmakers here passed a new Lawmakers added illicit wildlife smuggling tonnes of pangolin scales as well as 2.1 tonnes PORT-AU-PRINCE: The death toll from a 7.2
law yesterday that classifies wildlife trafficking to the city’s Organised and Serious Crimes of ivory, according to a legislative filing. magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti has
as an organised crime issue, a move Ordinance yesterday, putting the trade on a risen to 1,941, the Caribbean nation’s civil
welcomed by conservationists because it will par with drug and human trafficking. But arrests of those who really benefit from protection agency said on Tuesday, as
give law enforcement wider powers to combat the lucrative trade are rare. Tropical Storm Grace brought torrential
the trade. The law, initially designed to combat the downpours on survivors. More than 9,900
city’s triad organised crime gangs, contains A university study released last year found people were wounded and 60,000 homes
With its busy port and transport links, wide investigatory powers for the police and no wildlife traffickers have ever been destroyed. In the coastal town of Les Cayes,
Hong Kong has been thriving as a major heavier sentences for those convicted. prosecuted for money laundering related residents began building makeshift
transit point for illegal parts of endangered offences and no syndicates indicted for shelters on a football field despite lashing
animals like elephants, rhinos and pangolins Courts also have broader powers to wildlife smuggling. winds and pouring rain as Grace passed
– most of it headed for consumers in confiscate the proceeds of organised crime. over the country. Aftershocks continued to
mainland China. That study cited the failure to classify rock the ground days after the quake,
Wildlife seizures have reached new peaks wildlife trafficking as organised crime as a further terrifying the residents. – AFP
in the past two years, including a record 8.3 major reason for the lack of convictions. – AFP
IRAN SAYS NUCLEAR
PROGRAMME PEACEFUL

TEHRAN: Iran has stressed its nuclear
activities are peaceful and conform to
safeguard obligations, after the United
Nations nuclear watchdog said it has
established a process to accelerate
production of highly enriched uranium.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA )
director Rafael Grossi said Iran was
boosting such capacity at its Natanz plant.
“All of (Iran’s) nuclear programmes and
actions are in complete compliance with
the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), Iran’s
safeguards commitments, under IAEA
supervision and previously announced,”
said Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman
Saeed Khatibzadeh on Tuesday. – AFP

7theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

* NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

HK students arrested for BRIEFS ANTI-MASK OFFICIAL
‘advocating terrorism’ GETS COVID

HONG KONG: Four student leaders o Detentions prompted by statement in arrested under the law – the majority WASHINGTON: The Republican
from a top university here were support of man who attacked police officer for secession or subversion charges governor of Texas, who has
arrested yesterday for “advocating for expressing their political views. been a forceful opponent of
terrorism”, police said. released a statement expressing HKU’s management also banned mask mandates, has tested
“deep sadness” over the attacker’s the union’s council members from Terrorism charges are rarer. positive for Covid-19, his office
A controversial student union death and appreciation for his campus. The security law has been said on Tuesday, one day after
statement following a lone wolf attack “sacrifice”. combined with an official campaign attending an indoor public
on a police officer last month sparked Advocating terrorism carries up to to purge Hong Kong of any elements event. Greg Abbott “has been
the arrests, according to senior The statement proved hugely 10 years in jail and is covered by Hong deemed “unpatriotic”. testing daily, and today was
superintendent Steve Li from the controversial even as the union Kong’s national security law. Over the past year, more than 30 the first positive test result,“
city’s national security police unit. retracted the statement and professional and political groups said a statement from his
apologised for its wording. That law, imposed on the city last have disbanded following spokesman Mark Miner. “He
“Four men aged between 18 and year by Beijing in response to huge investigations by authorities. will isolate in the Governor’s
20 were arrested. They are members “It beautified, rationalised, and often violent protests two years The 612 Humanitarian Relief Mansion and continue to test
of the student union and the student glorified terrorism and an ago, has quickly criminalised much Fund, established to support daily,“ the statement said,
union council,” he told reporters. indiscriminate attack, and dissent. democracy protesters, yesterday adding Abbott is receiving an
encouraged suicidal acts,” said Li. became the latest to announce it was antibody cocktail treatment.
On July 1, a man stabbed and It covers offences deemed as shutting down. Abbott is “in good health, and
wounded a police officer in a busy Last month, police raided the subversion, secession, terrorism and Pro-Beijing media singled out the currently experiencing no
shopping district before taking his union’s offices, campus television collusion with foreign forces. group as a “fundraising platform for symptoms“, it said. – AFP
own life in what authorities called an station and undergraduate office. rioters”, saying it must be “eliminated”.
act of “domestic terrorism”. More than 130 people have been – AFP JAPAN SEES RECORD
INFECTIONS
Shortly afterwards, the University TOKYO: Record Covid-19 cases
of Hong Kong (HKU) student union sprang up across Japan
yesterday, media said a day
after the government
expanded emergency
measures to fight a wave
fuelled by the infectious Delta
variant that has put the
medical system under threat.
The western prefecture of
Osaka reported a record 2,296
cases. Neighbouring Hyogo,
the central prefecture of Aichi
and Fukuoka prefecture in the
south all set records of more
than 1,000 new infections,
media said. Tokyo’s 5,386 daily
cases were just off last Friday’s
CROP ART ... all-time high. – Reuters
Tourists visiting
a paddy field NZ confirms
with images Delta outbreak
created by
growing WELLINGTON: New Zealanders
different must brace for additional
varieties of rice Covid-19 cases from an outbreak
in the that has plunged the previously
northeastern virus-free country into a snap
Chinese city of lockdown, Prime Minister Jacinda
Shenyang Ardern warned yesterday after
yesterday. nine more positive tests.
– AFPPIX
Ardern confirmed New
Myanmar crackdown death toll passes 1,000 Zealand was dealing with the
highly transmissible Delta variant
BANGKOK: Myanmar’s security But anti-junta mobs – some of they will continue to kill youths, The health crisis has been linked to the outbreak in Australia
forces have killed more than 1,000 whom have formed self-defence professionals like doctors and aggravated by a lack of formal that authorities have so far been
civilians since the military ousted groups – are still taking to the streets teachers, men, women and children. medical care as many hospitals have unable to contain.
Aung San Suu Kyi from power six daily in flash marches. been emptied as staff joined
months ago, an advocacy group said “They are not only killing our lives nationwide strikes against the junta. Ardern said the rapid rise,
yesterday. Activist group Assistance but the country’s future and taking the total number of cases to
Association for Political Prisoners – democratic hopes.” Patients are also reluctant to go to 10, justified her decision to issue
The country has been in turmoil which verifies the deaths and mass military-run hospitals, creating long nationwide stay-at-home orders
since Feb 1, when the armed forces arrests under the regime – said the Ko – whose group has been lines for oxygen and medical supplies on Tuesday when just one case
seized power in a lightning coup, number of people killed by security named an “unlawful” organisation by in pharmacies across Yangon. had been identified.
triggering dissent as protesters forces reached 1,001 yesterday. the junta and is currently in hiding –
demanded a return to democracy. also accused authorities of The junta has given much lower “It demonstrates, at this stage,
The actual number is likely far “weaponising” Covid-19 as the civilian death tolls. Level 4 (hard lockdown) is the
Security forces responded with higher, said the group’s joint secretary country weathers a deadly surge. right place to be.”
bloody crackdowns, using live Ko Bo Gyi. It said in June that more than 90
rounds against civilians. So far, Myanmar has recorded members of the security forces have She said one of the new cases
“As long as the military is in power, 360,000 cases and 13,623 deaths. been killed in clashes. – AFP was a nurse at Auckland Hospital
and another was a teacher at a
Cambodian court jails union leader over border comments high school, both representing
high-risk environments for rapidly
PHNOM PENH: A Cambodian court Cambodia-Vietnam border has for judge Li Sokha during a brief hearing. him, and his supporters slammed the spreading the virus.
yesterday jailed an outspoken union years been a lightning rod for Two other activists, who were court’s ruling yesterday.
leader for two years on incitement controversy, fuelled by strong “We’re expecting more,” she
charges relating to comments about anti-Vietnamese sentiment in the arrested during protests demanding “The court’s decision to sentence said as officials revealed
the country’s border, the latest legal kingdom. his release, were both sentenced to 20 Rong is a threat to younger modelling predicted there could
case activists say is aimed at cracking months in jail. generations ... to stop thinking about already be up to 120 cases in the
down on opposition voices. Rong, who has been in pre-trial the nation’s problems and social community linked to the cluster.
detention since his arrest last July, The judge also ordered the trio to issues,” said Ouk Chhayavy, president
Rong Chhun, the leader of the had said that a newly agreed jointly pay US$100,000 to the of the Cambodia Independent The initial infection, a
Cambodian Confederation of borderline encroaches on some local government’s border committee. Teachers’ Association. 58-year-old Auckland man, ended
Unions, was arrested in July last year farmlands. a six-month run without local
after accusing the government of “It’s so disappointing. This is a Opposition politicians have long transmission in New Zealand,
“irregularities” over the demarcation The union leader was found guilty serious punishment, and the verdict accused Prime Minister Hun Sen of which has recorded only 26
of the eastern border with Vietnam. of incitement charges by the Phnom did not render justice to my three ceding territory to Vietnam, using the Covid-19 deaths since the start of
Penh Municipal court yesterday and clients,” said lawyer Sam Sokong, border issue to whip up nationalist the pandemic.
The demarcation process at the sentenced to two years in prison, said adding Rong will appeal the ruling. sentiment against him. – AFP
Ardern said investigators were
Rong denied the charges against trying to work out how the man
caught the strain linked to
Australia.

“Our case originated in
Australia, now the job we have is to
work through how and when it got
here.

“The natural place to start is to
look at our managed isolation
(border) facilities.” – AFP

8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
SPEAK UP

Urgent measures to drive GDP growth

COMMENT by Jason Loh and AmandaYeo On the other hand, unemployment is essential/non-controlled) items across
expected to reach 900,000 or more by the the entire supply chain, especially in
DESPITE Klang Valley having prolonged Selangor’s unemployment rate end of the year. urban areas, and as part of an early
undergone corresponded to 8.6 times drop in its GDP warning system as well.
lockdown for more than three growth (i.e. 12.1%). Jobs created in the private sector
months, there’s no clear sign of amounted to 33,600 only for the first half Other schemes would include
recovery. The graduate unemployment rate in (H1 = Q1 + Q2) of the year. absorbing technical and vocational
Covid-19 daily infection figures Selangor increased by 1.3% in 2019 to education and training and engineering
remain five-digit and the death toll 4.3% in 2020. Rounding up the figures to 100,000 graduates for government-linked
continues to rise. jobs created (optimistic side for the companies (GLC) in the production and
As of yesterday, Klang Valley For KL, which is services-dependent, private sector) by year-end, the deployment of green and renewable
accounted for more than one third (i.e., its GDP declined to -7.5%. government would still need to create technologies.
37.9%) of cases. Out of 22,242 cases, 800,000 jobs or more (pessimistic side for Medium to long term:
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (KL) This corresponded to unemployment the public sector) representing a ratio of 0 Develop targeted incentives to attract
recorded 6,858 (i.e. 30.5%) and 1,587 growing by 1.4%. KL’s unemployment rate eight government-created jobs for every high-tech foreign direct investment (FDI)
cases (i.e. 7.07%), respectively. corresponded to 9.7 times drop in its GDP Driving one private sector job created. that will integrate the domestic supply
In addition, Klang Valley recorded growth (i.e. 13.6%). economic chain, promote spillover in terms of
slightly more deaths compared with the growth in According to the Malaysian Employers technology transfer and developing a
rest of the country. Compared with 2019, the graduate the Klang Federation (MEF) executive director new breed of entrepreneurs and
Although Operation Surge Capacity in unemployment rate in KL shows an Valley as Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, 500,000 technopreneurs, including in the critical
the Klang Valley marked a great success, increase of 0.8% to 3.1%. fulcrum graduates enter the job market every year areas of food security and smart farming
quick vaccination progress has not would serve alone. as well as electric vehicles, etc.
helped to counter the adverse impacts Although the government introduced as impetus
from the prolonged lockdown. numerous initiatives to enhance and catalyst Therefore, to ensure a GDP growth In addition to creating jobs through
It has constrained movement among employability among Malaysians over the for overall outlook of 5% and above for 2021 and FDI, the integration and localisation of
workers in the Klang Valley, especially one year of fighting against the Covid-19 GDP growth beyond, the government would have to the domestic supply chain, including
those who earn a living through low- pandemic, a dire economic outlook altogether prioritise job creation – directly and through creating new entrepreneurs and
skilled or semi-skilled jobs. They require continues to provide uncertainty in the indirectly – in the Klang Valley where technopreneurs will also create jobs,
physical presence to perform their job. job market. nearly one-third of our population is especially high-tech ones, along the
There’s also the concern that if more concentrated. entire streams (down, mid and upper).
people become unemployed over the Skim Jaminan Penjanaan Pekerjaan
next few months, the more drastic the fall (JanaKerja), MyStep (Short-Term The government should focus on This should be part of the National
in GDP growth will be in 2021. Employment Programme), “Place and ensuring “flattening of the curve” for the Investment Council’s strategy to attract
Now it’s reported that Bank Negara Train” initiatives, reskilling and upskilling unemployment figures (from H1) for the quality FDIs through the Ministry of
Malaysia (BNM) expects the economy to programmes and apprenticeship second half of the year (H2). International Trade and Industry and
grow between 3% and 4% in 2021, down programmes, for instance, are ongoing under the National Investment
from the 6% to 7.5% forecast in March. initiatives. Following are some policies for the Aspirations framework.
There’s a direct correlation between government to consider:
unemployment rate and GDP growth, as As of 2020, Selangor and KL remained Short term: Incentives could include government
per Okun’s Law for example, which states the highest contributors to the national 0 To lower the vaccination threshold co-investment matching grants, double
that for every 1% drop in employment, GDP – a total contribution of 40.4%. from 80% to 70% herd immunity in the tax deductions, supplementary
there’s a 2% drop in the GDP growth rate retail industry with a focus on the Klang avoidance of double taxation agreements,
in general. With the expectation of more business Valley as sufficient, e.g., for a shopping exemption from import duties for capital
With the current unprecedented crisis, closures and job losses in the Klang Valley mall to be a “green bubble”, suggested by goods and equipment, export
the magnitude of Okun’s Law could well in the next few months, Malaysia’s 2021 Malaysia Shopping Malls Association subsidies/credits, etc.
be strained, i.e., going beyond the GDP growth forecast could even be lower (PPK) president Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok.
standard constant ratio. as alluded to in the forecast by BNM. This would enable the retail industry to The domestic supply chain would
Our unemployment is expected to reopen sooner than later. receive support and backing under e.g.,
reach 5% and above by end of the year. If Such a phenomenon of gloomy Short to medium term: the National Entrepreneur Group
so, it would be highly plausible for employment prospects is already 0 Immediately implement a “Job Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional) of the
unemployment to increase by nearly one reflected in the latest unemployment Guarantee” (JG) scheme that prioritises Ministry of Entrepreneur Development
percentage point then. figure from the Statistics Department, the healthcare and related sectors, and Cooperatives.
Lower GDP growth results from lower whereby a total of 768,700 individuals especially targeting the Klang Valley
production and investment together with remained unemployed in June. initially. The unemployed could also be
consumption, and by extension, higher retrained and reskilled under the
unemployment. Compared with May (4.5%), the This would, by default, extend to the National Institute of Entrepreneurship
At the state level, the correlation overall unemployment rate in June contract doctors and medical officers. We geared for the high-tech industries.
would translate into a coefficient climbed to 4.8%, an increase of 0.3 need more doctors, nurses, auxiliary staff
(constant ratio) that is higher and which percentage points. such as ambulance drivers and The focus of these FDIs would be in
might vary across states due to differing paramedics as well as contact tracers. the Klang Valley (together with other
underlying economic fundamentals. However, as Malaysia’s labour market high-growth areas such the Northern
For Selangor, which is manufacturing- comprises mostly semi-skilled and low- We need standard operating Economic Corridor Region with Penang
dependent, its GDP contracted to -5.3%. skilled jobs, it would be challenging, procedures and physical distancing as the lynchpin, and Iskandar Malaysia).
This corresponded to unemployment especially for fresh graduates with enforcers to maintain physical distancing
growing by 1.4%. bachelor degree qualifications, to secure in crowded areas that are potential super- Driving economic growth in the Klang
a high-skilled/well-paid job in the current spreaders. In short, the government Valley as fulcrum would serve as impetus
climate. needs to hire more frontliners. and catalyst for overall GDP growth
altogether.
The labour market comprises 62.4% In addition, we need more personnel
of those with semi-skilled jobs, while to ramp up our vaccination rates – that Jason Loh and Amanda Yeo are part of
13.3% are low-skilled jobs as of the fourth will enable the creation of more PPVs the research team of EMIR Research, an
quarter (Q4) of 2019. The latest statistics (vaccination centres) to avoid crowding
for Q2’2021 reveal that the composition of and for mobile distribution. independent think tank focused on
both semi-skilled and low-skilled jobs are strategic policy recommendations based
similar to Q4’2019, whereby 62.2% are We also need frontliners to
semi-skilled jobs while 13.1% are low- continuously monitor and check on on rigorous research. Comments:
skilled jobs. prices of (essential/controlled and non- [email protected]

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THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

PICTURE COURTESY OFUNIVERSALMUSICMALAYSIA pTrhaeopeptiecr Dennis Lau is the
Breakout hip-hop artiste Asyraf new food king
Nasir raises his voice against
negative perception of >>> Page 3
homegrown music and talents
>>> Page 6 Making art from used
shoes

>>> Page 4&5

FOOD

2 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

IT was a shockwave in the world Ducasse, was proved vital for many chefs during
of French cuisine. Jean Imbert, replaced at the hard months of pandemic-
best known for winning a one of the induced closures.
reality TV show and finest Narrative
hobnobbing with stars, replaced the restaurants in Imbert is the perfect illustration of
most decorated chef in the world, Paris. – AFPPIX the new trend, using his victory in
Alain Ducasse, at one of the finest 2012 to launch a restaurant in
restaurants in Paris. No longer in the race partnership with Pharrell Williams
and pick up more than 400,000
The announcement in June that o Even in rarefied world of French cuisine, you gotta Insta followers on Instagram.
Imbert, 40, would take over the
illustrious Plaza Athenee, was met amusing side dish for chefs – it is “a made a name for themselves in the “The competition attracts more “Ducasse was a man of big ideas,
with much harrumphing and trampoline to success”, said chef industry by winning professional and more very talented young but he lacked a narrative,” Philippe
pursing of lips among the fusty Mory Sacko, who took part last year. contests and titles, such as “the best people,” she told AFP. Moreau Chevrolet, head of PR firm
corners of the French culinary craftsman of France”. MCBG Conseil, said in a recent
world. He used the publicity to help “I’m astonished – they all have an editorial.
launch his restaurant MoSuke, “Now, it’s trial by TV,” he added. agent. I’ve never had an agent in my
“It’s like getting a rocker to bringing the flavours of Helene Darroze – a decorated life,” she added. “Jean Imbert, on the other hand,
perform at the Opera de Paris,” one francophone Africa to the French chef with five Michelin stars – has is always telling stories – about his
“expert des grands tables” told capital, and now fronts his own TV also become a household name But Darroze sees this as a positive grandmother, the time he dined with
Challenges magazine. show. thanks to her regular appearances thing – elevating the job of chef in Pharrell Williams – with words, with
on Top Chef. the eyes of the public. images, with videos, with selfies ...”
But for many of France’s top Le Squer said that before, chefs
chefs, it is hardly a surprise. And social media presence It marks a cultural shift, he
added, as the importance of
“A chef that stays in the kitchen, Michelin stars fades in comparison
who isn’t ‘Instagrammable’, to the power of a selfie by model
reaching out to the public, is no Bella Hadid in your restaurant
longer in the race. Restaurants can’t kitchen.
survive without publicity. There are ‘A dangerous game’
so many of us,” Christian Le Squer, When David Gallienne, from the
head chef at the three Michelin- Jardin des Plumes in Giverny, won
starred Le Cinq at the George V Top Chef in 2020, his Instagram
hotel in Paris, told AFP. followers jumped from 5,000 to
50,000.
Le Squer, 58, learned this lesson
from the best: he was assigned to “Social media is part of how we
train Imbert during his winning are known and exist today,” he told
performance on Top Chef, the AFP.
phenomenally successful TV
competition, in 2012. He ran online masterclasses
during France’s lockdowns last year,
He gave him tips of the trade, and followed by a competition in which
Imbert returned the favour by participants compared their
helping Le Squer set up his culinary creations on Instagram –
Instagram account. with a free lunch in Gallienne’s
restaurant for the winner.
Ducasse may have had more
Michelin stars than anyone in the It’s all part of the job, even if
world, “but he perhaps didn’t find everyone is acutely aware that a big
his audience on Instagram,” said Le online presence carries risks.
Squer.
‘Trial by TV’ “You’ve got to play the game,
Even more than social media, Top even if it can be a very dangerous
Chef has changed the rules of the game,” said Gallienne.
game.
“You’ve got to weigh your words
First launched in the United carefully. They can just as easily hurt
States, the show arrived in France in you as help you. It’s a full-time job in
2010, pitting professional cooks itself, and in the future, I will
against each other in a knock-out probably delegate it to someone else
competition. entirely.” – ETX Studio

It has become more than just an

How Yemeni fish became multicultural Djibouti’s national dish
IT’S lunchtime in Djibouti’s capital from Yemen, he opened this
and “Chez Hamdani” is buzzing. Customers at restaurant, then my father took
one of the over from him, and now it’s my turn
Local celebrities, visiting city’s oldest to take the lead,” the bearded
diaspora and nomadic herders: restaurants, entrepreneur, who is in his late 30s,
everyone flocks to this decades-old Chez tells AFP.
establishment for a taste of Yemeni Hamdani, Taste of home
fish, the only dish on the menu. enjoy The Yemenis are the third largest
yemenite fish, ethnic community in Djibouti,
Split in two, coated with a red split fish behind the Issa and the Afar.
pepper paste and then baked in a seasoned and
traditional oven: its spicy flavour seared in a Migration and trade between
evokes the complex, multicultural traditional the two countries have existed for
history of this tiny coastal nation open-flame millennia.
nestled between Africa and Arabia. clay oven, in
Djibouti. But in recent years, their shared
“It’s a recipe imported from history has taken a tragic turn, with
Yemen that we have adopted and offerings to the many Yemeni fish plunging it into a traditional famous” recipe for his thousands of Yemenis crossing the
which is part of our eating habits,” restaurants or “moukbasa” dotting terracotta oven, which resembles establishment’s enduring Bab el-Mandeb strait to seek refuge
explains Abubakar Moussa, a the port city, which is separated an Indian tandoor. popularity, nearly a century after in Djibouti and escape the war that
former television anchor, as he from Yemen by the Gulf of Aden. he emigrated to Djibouti from has ravaged their country since
waits for his order to be prepared. The finished dish – retrieved 15 Yemen. 2014.
Then, it’s time for the chefs to minutes later – owes both its gentle Not much has changed at “Chez
“All Djiboutians, whether they get to work. heat and its intense red colour to Hamdani” since then, but for the After fleeing Sanaa for Djibouti,
are young or old, consume it,” adds the peppers. addition of a second floor. former civil servant Amin Maqtal
the 63-year-old, a regular at the The fish is cut lengthwise and Its walls are still adorned with set up a moukbasa called “Le
establishment. salted, before a paste made from Across Djibouti City, Yemeni earthenware and traditional Kaaboul” with two other
mild red peppers – imported from fish is eaten with pancakes and moldings. A small dining room in immigrants – a reflection of their
The heavy Djibouti heat – which Ethiopia – is applied using a “fata”, a paste made from bananas the back is reserved for women desire for a fresh start and their
the ceiling fans vainly try to dispel – paintbrush. or dates, and usually sold for who wish to dine alone. And the longing for a taste of home.
does little to dampen the around 1,000 Djiboutian francs recipe remains the same.
enthusiasm of Moussa or his “The most important thing is (US$5.60). “My grandfather brought it back “As long as I am in this
visiting Belgian grandchildren. the chilli,” says one of the cooks, restaurant, I eat here, I am
beaded with sweat, as he secures Restaurateur Omar Hamdani surrounded by my compatriots, I
“Every time I come to Djibouti, the fish to a long metal rod, before credits his grandfather’s “world- feel good. Because everything I had
he takes me here and I’m so in Yemen, I have it here,” the soft-
happy,” says Sohane, 16, who spoken 45-year-old tells AFP.
discovered the dish with her
grandfather. He is both moved and amused
by the local craze for Yemeni fish,
“When we make it at home in which is only one among dozens of
Brussels, it doesn’t taste the same, delicacies in his home country.
but it reminds me of Djibouti, it’s a
little memory.” In the end, “demand is stronger
‘The chilli is most important’ in Djibouti than in Yemen,” he says
Several times a day, fishermen with a smile. – ETX Studio
deliver sea bream, mullet and other

FOOD 3

theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

█ BY ANANSA JACOB foTohde king

ONE of Malaysia’s best known o Renowned musician Dennis
violin virtuosos, Dennis Lau, is Lau scores a hit with his maiden
used to performing in front of foray into the food business
adoring audiences across
Malaysia and around the world. and 15,000 birds a day prior to the MCO. Whole
“Last April, she let me go over to try out kampung
Now, with the ongoing pandemic having chicken and
forced the cancellation of live music some kampung chicken. I am someone eggs are
performances, he has found himself who is attuned to the kampung chicken delivered
catering to an entirely new audience, local taste, as my mother used to cook it when I
gourmands! was growing up. I asked her if there was a daily.
way I could be a part of the business.” The business
Dennis spent the last 15 months
promoting premium food products online As an experiment, he asked his has also
under his company Ah Lau Food King, neighbourhood group chat if anyone would branched out
which he established soon after the first want to place orders for kampung chicken.
MCO last year. to include
By the next morning, he had orders for 52 cooked
“I’m the kind of person who needs to feel kampung chickens, both from his meals.
productive, and I was so bored staying at neighbours as well as from their family and
home with nothing to do. I also have a friends in other parts of the Klang Valley. “I hold on to one important principle. I changes,” he said.
personal driver, and I was thinking what only promote and sell products that I myself “I believe that it will take us a long, long
(work) could I give him to do, and continue Dennis immediately called up another have tried and love. That way, everything is
to pay his salary?” said Dennis. friend to help set up a website, where sincere and authentic.” time to get back to ‘normal.’ The effects of
people could place orders. His enthusiasm can be seen in the many the pandemic will be with us for the long
He then met up with a friend who owns videos and photographs of him heartily run, and we need to constantly adapt to
a halal slaughterhouse for broiler chickens, “At the very least, this would be enjoying the products, which can be seen
which he said processed between 10,000 something I could do to keep busy,” he said. survive.”

Ah Lau Food King’s main product is fresh, He purchased a delivery car for the on his website and his social media
whole kampung chicken delivered daily. business, which is driven by his personal accounts.
driver, and began hiring people who were “People do recommend and introduce
unemployed due to the lockdown, new products to me, and I spend time
including former school bus drivers.

The drivers would get their schedule for
the day, pick up the chickens early in the
morning from the slaughterhouse and
deliver them to customers in different areas.

“We provide people with fresh kampung
chicken. The chicken is slaughtered in the
morning, and delivered directly to them the
very same day,” he added.

“Over the past year, we have sold and
delivered over 70,000 chickens.”

Today, the website has flourished, with
Dennis taking orders not just for kampung
chicken, but also kampung chicken eggs,
fresh seafood such as fish and prawns, as
well as beef steaks and patties, and even
ready-cooked meals, all sourced locally.

He has also utilised his vast network of
celebrity friends to help promote the food
products, to great success.

Dennis only studying (and tasting) the product, and
promotes researching how to best market it, which
food involves taking pictures and videos.
products that “We’re a B2C (business-to-consumer)
he has company, but we are also moving into B2B
personally (business-to-business). I have some ideas
tried and about expanding the business in the future,
enjoyed. but I don’t want to move too fast, as things
are still a little volatile with the pandemic
situation.”
He has also been donating food
to those who have been hit hard
by the ongoing lockdowns, after
putting out a call on his social
media accounts
asking if people
needed aid. It is
his way of helping
others during
difficult
times.
Des-
pite
spending
most of
Dennis his time
launched Ah managing
Lau Food King and growing
his new
in order to business,
stay Dennis has
not given up
productive on his music. With the local
when the entertainment scene at a
entertainment standstill, he said he is fortunate
industry was to have been able to compose and
forced to shut sell four songs to a recording
studio.
down. – “I think these days, people
PICTURES need to relearn, reset and reboot,
COURTESY OF and learn to adapt to the
AH LAU FOOD

KING

LIFESTYLE (left) Koua
washes u
4 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021 flops at h
workshop
Picasso’s leaving
Las Vegas for (far left) K
auction block paints op
effects art
SOME 11 Picasso paintings and works by the Spanish with worn
artist are going up for auction in October as casino PICTURES
and hotel group MGM Resorts seeks to further REUTERS
diversify its vast art collection. (right) Ko
carries a b
The auction will take place on Oct 23 in the of used fl
Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas, where the works were on picked up
display, MGM Resorts and Sotheby’s said on beach in
Wednesday. Ivory Coa
(left) Koua
The sale could fetch some US$100 million and is works at h
thought to be the most valuable auction dedicated to workshop
Picasso that has ever been held. (below, le
artwork d
“We are committed to creating an even more the portra
inclusive collection that maintains the breadth of our Nelson M
existing portfolio while giving a greater voice to made by
artists from under-represented communities,“ Ari
Kastrati, chief hospitality officer at MGM Resorts, said Another a
in a statement. by Kouam

The MGM Resorts Fine Arts Collection boasts
about 900 works by 200 artists, including modern
pieces by the likes of Bob Dylan and David Hockney
displayed in its hotels around the world.

The collection was started more than 20 years ago
by real estate developer Steve Wynn, former owner of
the Bellagio and former chief executive of Wynn
Resorts.

The Picasso works up for auction include five
paintings, some of which were displayed for years in
the Bellagio’s fine dining restaurant, Picasso. The
restaurant will continue to show an additional 12
Picasso works.

The artist’s 1938 painting Femme au beret rouge-
orange of his lover and muse Marie-Therese Walter is
expected to sell for US$20 million to US$30 million.
The large-scale portraits Homme et Enfant and Buste
d’homme have a presale estimate of up to US$30
million and US$15 million respectively. – Reuters

Prehistoric cave paintings in Spain show Neanderthals were a

NEANDERTHALS may have been closer to our had long been portrayed as. A guide iluminates the red ocher markings
species of prehistoric modern human than Pigments were made in the caves at different
previously believed after cave paintings found
in Spain proved they had a fondness for creating times up to 15,000 and 20,000 years apart, the
art, one of the authors of a new scientific report study found, and dispel an earlier suggestion
said on Sunday. that they were the result of a natural oxide flow
rather than being man-made.
Red ochre pigment discovered on
stalagmites in the Caves of Ardales, near Malaga Joao Zilhao, one of the authors of the PNAS
in southern Spain, were created by study, said dating techniques showed that
Neanderthals about 65,000 years ago, making ochre had been spat by Neanderthals onto the
them possibly the first artists on earth, stalagmites, possibly as part of a ritual.
according to the study published in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences “The importance is that it changes our
(PNAS) journal. attitude towards Neanderthals. They were
closer to humans. Recent research has shown
Modern humans were not inhabiting Europe they liked objects, they mated with humans and
at the time the cave images were made. now we can show that they painted caves like
us,” he said.
The new findings add to increasing evidence
that Neanderthals, whose lineage became Wall paintings made by prehistoric modern
extinct about 40,000 years ago, were not the humans, such as those found in the Chauvet-
unsophisticated relatives of Homo sapiens they Pont d’Arc cave of France, are more than 30,000
years old. – Reuters

LIFESTYLE

5theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

ame
used flip-
his
p.

Kouame
ptical
tworks
n soles. –
S BY
S

ouame
bag full
lip-flops
p on a
Abidjan,
ast.
ame
his
p.

eft) An
depicting
aits of
Mandela
Kouame.

artwork Making art from used shoes
me.

oIvorian artist turns discarded flip-flops from beach into masterpieces

█ BY LOUCOUMANE COULIBALY beach in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s commercial carried out to sea, then back to shore with the works hung in a gallery frequented by foreign
capital. shifting tides. art collectors.
AS Ivorian artist Aristide Kouame
combs the beach with a big trash bag “I make art from used shoes ... It’s a way to In just a few years, Kouame’s original Its director enthusiastically ushered patrons
to gather discarded flip-flops and give life to the objects that litter the beaches.” methods have caught the attention of Ivory towards three large collages, each consisting of
other footwear, he is aware that other Coast’s art establishment and his works have around 140 miniature portraits that Kouame
beachgoers probably take him for a desperate Sitting on the floor of a narrow alley, hung in galleries at home and abroad. carved from discarded flip-flops.
street trader or possibly a madman. Kouame carves shapes, letters and faces into
the rubber soles of what he has salvaged from They range from large portraits of civil Around 13 million tonnes of plastic waste
Little do they know that Kouame, 26, the beach. He makes his own paint by grinding rights and political leaders such as Nelson are dumped into the world’s oceans each year,
transforms the flotsam into artworks valued at what scraps remain into piles of technicolour Mandela to abstracts evoking societal ills according to the United Nations. Two of
up to US$1,000 by cutting the rubber and pigment. including climate change, Covid-19 and Africa’s worst culprits, Ghana and Nigeria,
plastic soles into pieces that he assembles into wealth inequality. share the same Atlantic coastline as the beach
large collages. His technique is both inexpensive and Kouame combs for supplies.
ecologically aware. Thinking of environment
“This is the rubbish people have thrown “My goal is to get people to question the
into the sea and the sea brings it back to us Plastic and other waste - including large On a recent afternoon in a chic neighbourhood issue of their environment, in order to create a
because it doesn’t want it,” he said on a quanitities of flip-flops lost or tossed away - is in southern Abidjan, several of Kouame’s better life,” Kouame said, solemnly looking
strewn across most urban beaches in West back toward the plastic faces. – Reuters
Africa, as rubbish discarded into city canals is

artists

s. Visitors walk in the ‘Room of the Stars’, in a prehistoric cave where red ocher Kouame talks with EUREKA gallery’s manager Sandrine Marmisole.
markings were painted on stalagmites by Neanderthals about 65,000 years ago.

Next Gen YOUTH

6 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

The poetic rapper
o Breakout hip-hop artiste raises his voice against
negative perception of homegrown music and talents

█ BY JASON LIM acknowledged because I am a fan of the
Malaysian hip-hop scene first and
ASYRAF Nasir started out foremost.”
making one-minute music
videos on Instagram and later Asyraf’s debut single Virus in April last
appeared in Joe Flizzow’s rap year took the local music scene by storm.
cypher show 16 Baris. Despite its timely release during the
outbreak of Covid-19, the rapper says that
“I didn’t call myself a rapper at the the virus in question refers to himself.
time because my initial goal was to create
content through rap and essentially to Following his subsequent single
entertain people,” he said. Keliru – which has resonated with many
who find themselves stuck in a rut – he is
“Somehow, all the thematic raps now working on an extended play
caught the attention of people in the and more music collaborations.

underground rap “I always turn my thoughts into lyrics
scene,” added and I like to add a bit of fun into it. Being
the 26-year-old. genuine is critical in my songwriting.
“It was
pretty wild for “I think a good artiste has to be true to
me to be himself, whatever the choice.
Consistency and humility are also part of
the equation of what makes a great
artiste.”

Asyraf What do you like about hip-hop? someone out there relates to our songs. songs all the time.
counts I think hip-hop may be the most flexible I look up to the trailblazers who came Do you think the local hip-hop scene
his father has unlocked its potential?
as one of his genre, where you can speak about before me. They shaped my interest and Looking at the top music charts by local
formative anything. There are no boundaries, drove the Malaysian music scene to radio stations and digital streaming
musical and with that power comes the where it is today. One day, that is going to services, there are a number of hip-hop
influences, but empowering of unheard voices. be me. So, whatever I do today, I aim to songs and rappers on them, so we
it was his older In our own way, we express entertain and make myself relatable. I definitely are moving up. It’s just a matter
brother who our thoughts through rhythm don’t want to limit my music to a of time.
sparked his love and rap poetry that can be discerning audience. I want it heard by What would you change about the local
for hip-hop understood by all. non-hip-hip music lovers of all ages as music industry, if you could?
music. – How do you aim to make a well. The whole Malaysian music scene is such
PICTURES difference? What did you find most challenging an under-appreciated turf that I wish
COURTESY OF I have heard talented when breaking into the music scene? Malaysians would remove the perception
UNIVERSAL people who constantly Being heard. Twenty other people can be that our quality isn’t up-to-par
MUSIC question the worth of doing the exact same thing as you are but internationally. You can still listen to
MALAYSIA their creations. I just the real question is: ‘How are you doing it Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and all, and
want to say, and this is differently? What sets you apart?’ I do too, but we can also embrace our
also a reminder to homegrown talent.
myself, that whether It is challenging to push yourself to be
we see it or not, more creative than usual. It requires extra And when you do come across an act
work to establish your presence. that is mind-blowing to you, let’s avoid
\TRIVIA Unlike some hip-hop and rap artistes, saying: “Wah, not bad for local ah?”, and
you do not use profanity in your lyrics. actually give appropriate credit as how
Guilty pleasure: Watching I believe that language is rich, and there you would pay 100 times the ticket price
rom-coms. are many ways to express your feelings. for international concerts.
Best rap artiste of all time: You just need to find alternative words What motivates you?
Kanye West. that hold equal significance. Personally, I Other creators. Not in a competitive
Three local artistes you would try not to swear too much, so I have to sense that pushes me to accomplish
like to collaborate with: Zee stay true and reflect that in my craft as more but it’s really just being in awe that
Avi, Salammusik and Yuna. well. when you see the drive and brilliance of
Pet peeve: My teh ais kurang ais their work, it inspires you to also want to
that is not kurang ais. I want people and even kids to be able make something awesome.
What is overrated: Hustle to listen to it without having my songs
culture. heavily censored for being too explicit.
My nephew and nieces sing along to my

EDUCATION

The Class of 2021 is here.

PUBLICATION DATE 14 SEPTEMBER, 2021 (Tuesday)

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ENTERTAINMENT

7theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

AMAZON recently dumped Middle Earth is moving NZ$660 million (US$460 million) in
New Zealand as the New Zealand as it sought to create a
location of its big-budget o Amazon shifts Lord of the Rings filming to UK series that could emulate the
The Lord of The Rings runaway success enjoyed by Games
series after just one season, in a A participant dressed of Thrones.
major blow to the South Pacific’s as a character from
self-styled Middle Earth. J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The government was to rebate
The Hobbit. 25% of the budget, although that
Officials in Wellington had will be cut to 20% because of the
hoped multiple seasons of the move.
show would give the local film
industry a long-term boost similar Amazon said the decision to
to Kiwi director Peter Jackson’s epic shift was in line with its strategy of
Tolkien movies. expanding in Britain, where many
of its productions are already
With an eye on post-pandemic based.
travel, they were also banking on
footage of New Zealand’s rugged The still-unnamed series
beauty again sparking a tourism explores storylines set in author
boom among fantasy fans. J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy realm of
Middle Earth long before the events
But with shooting on season one depicted by Jackson, who has no
recently completed and set to involvement in the production.
premiere in September 2022,
Amazon announced production of Jackson’s fellow Kiwis have
the next season would move to embraced Middle Earth as part of
Britain. the country’s cultural identity, and
even now – seven years after the
“We want to thank the people last Hobbit movie’s release – giant
and the government of New models of dragons and wizards
Zealand ... for providing The Lord of decorate Wellington airport.
the Rings series with an incredible
place to begin this epic journey,” International tourism also
Amazon Studios vice-president leaned heavily on the fantasy epic
Vernon Sanders said. before the pandemic, with
attractions such as the Hobbiton
New Zealand’s Economic movie set and numerous operators
Development Minister Stuart Nash, offering Lord of the Rings location
who had offered Amazon generous tours.
incentives to stay, said the film
industry was “incredibly Opposition spokesman Todd
competitive and highly mobile”. McClay said the government
should have sought a commitment
“We have no regrets about giving from Amazon to stay in the country
this production our best shot with before signing off on multi-million
government support,” he said. dollar rebates.

“However we are disappointed “This is a huge missed
for the local screen industry.” opportunity for New Zealand,” he
said. – ETX Studio
Nash said Amazon had spent

People in a boat listen to Nicole Kidman calls TV’s ‘Nine Perfect
Latvian band Dagamba Strangers’ ‘trippy and crazy’
performing during a
concert.

Latvians take to the water DON’T ask the forged to Wednesday. but at the end of the day,
for distanced concerts explain Nine Perfect Strangers, It is co-written and even though we’re playing
the brand new Hulu TV with those tropes, it was
sequence primarily based on produced by David. E. Kelley, about character,” stated
the 2018 best-selling ebook who with Kidman was Jonathan Levine, director of
by Liane Moriarty. additionally within the staff Nine Perfect Strangers.
behind the 2017 hit TV
“It is so trippy and crazy … adaptation of McCarthy, who performs a
I dare you to ask any of us Moriarty’s romantic novelist affected
what genre this is. We have no homicide
idea,” Nicole Kidman thriller Big by a damaged coronary
instructed reporters. Little Lies. heart and a declining
profession, stated the
Kidman leads a forged that “I
features Melissa McCarthy, certainly present brings up large
Bobby Cannavale and Michael thought philosophical
Shannon within the story of about questions, together
nine rich, careworn individuals horror with “what will be
who go on a retreat to a and changed when you’re
distant boutique resort. certainly gone? Who will care?
thought What have you left
The sequence is partly a about behind?”
satire on the wellness thrillers
business. Kidman performs a “It brings up
LATVIANS are taking to the country’s The Baltic state has one of the lowest mysterious well being guru pretty big
waterways for a socially distanced musical vaccination rates in the European Union – who guarantees a life-
experience this summer, boarding kayaks, around 43 per cent. changing expertise utilising questions –
dinghies and motor yachts to enjoy some unconventional strategies that and I was
music – even if unvaccinated. The government has imposed go approach past massages terrified of
restrictions for unvaccinated people in a and yoga. being
At a concert on Juglas Lake near the bid to encourage more Latvians to get
Latvian capital Riga on Saturday, hundreds vaccinated – including threatening Filmed in rural Australia, attacked by
of boats could be seen bobbing to rock, soldiers with dismissal if they do not get the eight-episode sequence bull ants,”
folk and heavy metal. the jab. launches on Hulu on McCarthy
stated. –
“The idea ... is so great,” said Vladimirs For live events, the rule is that there
Kravchenko, a heavy metal fan who has must be two separate zones for vaccinated Reuters
been attending hard rock festivals since and unvaccinated spectators, creating a
the 1990s. headache for organisers. Madonna, Warner Music
partner to re-issue popstar’s
“I hope festivals on lakes like this will Saturday’s concert was the second in a entire catalogue
continue even after the virus is over,” series designed by Dagamba, a classical MADONNA, the best-selling DJ David Guetta’s deal in June.
Kravchenko said. and rock music crossover band, which female pop music superstar of Warner Music is also home to
came up with the idea of lake concerts musicians including Cardi B, Ed
Organisers said there were around during last year’s lockdowns. all time, will relaunch her Sheeran and Bruno Mars.
1,500 people on the water, and 3,500 more entire catalogue over the
watching from the shore. The concerts are called LAIVA – a play coming years under a The Material Girl and
on the English word “live” and the Latvian deal with Warner Music Express Yourself singer has sold
The stage was located on the shore and for “on a boat”. Group, the music studio more than 300 million records
two floating bars in the lake sold beer and and was inducted into the
cocktails. At the concert, the sight of the flotilla in that launched her debut Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in
front of him inspired Peteris Kvetkovskis, single nearly four decades 2008.
Only people with Covid-19 the frontman of black and folk metal band ago.
vaccinations were allowed to attend the Skyforger. Winner of seven Grammy
concert on the shore while the lake was Madonna, who turned Awards, Madonna is best
also open to those without a vaccine. “Seeing so many boats in front of us, we 63 on Monday, is the latest known for her albums Ray of
will play a song about a Viking raid being artiste to sign a deal with Light, Like a Virgin and True
“This is simply a brilliant idea for how launched,” he told the audience from the the world’s third-largest Blue. – Reuters
to hold a festival and ensure social stage, before launching into the number recording label after French
distancing for the unvaccinated at the called To the Northern Shores. – ETX
same time,” Anna Berzina, who was rowing Studio
a kayak with her husband, told AFP.

MEDIA & MARKETING

8 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021

Snack healthy Berjaya Sompo introduces
to boost Sompo Motorsafe
immunity o An innovative telematics motor insurance plan the SOMPO MotorSafe app which tracks
designed to suit mileage needs the vehicle’s mileage use as well as provide
MUNCHY’S has launched a new cream safety assistance. If the car breaks down or
cracker, enriched with 10 nutrients Tan: “At BERJAYA SOMPO Insurance customers’ insurance coverage. With during an emergency, the driver simply
including vitamins B and C, and minerals Berjaya Berhad (Berjaya Sompo) has SOMPO Motorsafe, we have designed a needs to hold down the button for two
Selenium and Zinc, which can help support Sompo, we launched SOMPO MotorSafe, an policy that allows customers to choose a seconds, and the SOMPO helpline will call
the body’s immune system in terms of seek to innovative usage-based telematics coverage according to their mileage needs the driver to provide assistance, named
assisting physical barrier defence. As provide the motor insurance coverage suitable for low at the discounted premium rates while still bCall and eCall respectively. Additionally,
Malaysians stay home for safety, the new best value for mileage drivers with the flexibility of paying enjoying comprehensive protection. By the SOMPO Tag is equipped with an
Munchy’s Crackers Plus is innovated to help according to their mileage driven. It has using telematics technology, we are able to Automatic Driver Recognition system
consumers snack healthy, meeting their our three different mileage plans to suit the safeguard our customers’ driving journeys which can detect severe crashes via your
demand for healthier food, including customers’ usage of each vehicle at an affordable without them having to face any financial smartphone. To instil good driving practice,
snacks. insurance premium, namely: up to 5,000km, up to difficulties.” the insured driver will also receive real-time
coverage.” 10,000km and up to 15,000km. Customers friendly “beeping” alerts should he or she
Rodney Wong, CEO of Munchy’s Munchy’s can choose from three available mileage SOMPO MotorSafe is poised to make a text and drive. The SOMPO MotorSafe app
Malaysia says the demand for healthier, Crackers Plus plans with a top-up to the next available difference in the current Covid-19 also has a feature to remind policyholders
more nutritious snacks is growing steadily is available in plan or full-mileage plan if they are about to pandemic by helping Malaysians save on to top up their mileage plan.
and the launch of new 10-nutrient three exceed the chosen mileage. financial obligations as there is less driving
Munchy’s Crackers Plus is timely to meet flavours. due to the movement control orders. SOMPO MotorSafe covers loss or
this increasing need. Tan Sek Kee, Chief Executive Officer of damage to the vehicle due to accident, fire
Berjaya Sompo, said, “At Berjaya Sompo, we Each telematics SOMPO MotorSafe and theft, third-party injury, death, or
“Due to the ongoing pandemic, seek to provide the best value for our Policy comes with a Bluetooth-enabled, property damage if travelled within the
consumers are now more health and safety- battery-powered SOMPO Tag paired with chosen mileage. Other benefits under the
conscious than ever. At Munchy’s, our Policy include SOMPO 24-Hour Rakan
brand mission is to provide healthier, tastier Auto Assist, SOMPO Repair Warranty of 12
and delightful creations that bring people months, All Drivers Cover, and Special
together in the moments of happiness. Our Perils Coverage.
products are made with the highest quality
ingredients to deliver superior standards According to Statista.com, Malaysia is
and consistency across all our brands. ranked third in ASEAN with an annual
production of over 500,000 units of
“Munchy’s Crackers Plus is innovatively automotive vehicles. Statistics also show
conceived to bring our brand promise as that passenger cars are the most popular
well as healthful and immunity-boosting vehicles in Malaysia, with 353,000 units sold
benefits that everyone needs now, to our in 2019, with an average of two cars per
consumers through a humble cracker. We household.
hope this new product will not only bring
value in nourishing and supporting This shows that many Malaysians rely on
Malaysian families’ health, but also bring private cars as the primary mode of
them happiness as they stay home together transportation to perform daily activities
to fight this pandemic,” he said. from running errands, taking them to and
from work, sending children to schools and
Munchy’s Crackers Plus is available in many more. Affluent households and
three flavours: Original High Calcium, High households with more family members
Protein Chia Seeds and High Fibre Whole usually have more than one car, and
Grain, and priced at RM4.80 (300g) and sometimes, even a weekend car. A
RM10.90 (700g). household’s second car naturally clock in
less mileage than the primary car.
Now, you can enjoy 10 vitamins and
minerals in each pack of Munchy’s Crackers Tan further added, “Our SOMPO
Plus conveniently at home, giving you more MotorSafe Policy is suitable for households
value for money. with more than two cars to maintain, low
mileage drivers as well as weekend car
owners.”

UTAR Cyber Open Day

UNIVERSITI Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Prospective students and parents can as well as explore financial options and
will be having its Cyber Open Day from visit the virtual faculty and service counters, apply for admission.
now until Aug 29 from 9am to 5pm. live or video chat with programme advisors
and student ambassador For more open day information,
UTAR Cyber Open Day is an online (UTARambassador), participate in virtual please visit
digital platform that is accessible anywhere, campus tour, career guidance workshop,
anytime via any device, including mobile career talk and student project showcase, https://study.utar.edu.my/
phones. openday.php

9theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
SPEAK UP

█ BY ANTHONY SELDON Lessons of history left
unheeded in Afghanistan
AS Afghanistan falls to the
Taliban, the finger of blame is tactic used with varying success on “The mistake Commonwealth heads of government throats in a far bloodier war, that cost
being pointed every which Ireland, India/Pakistan, Korea and the west made as a chore, not to say a bore: let’s see if, some 50 million lives.
way, often by those who Vietnam. was not to post-Brexit, No 10 can wake up to the
abhorred the west’s continuing reach some asset that the Commonwealth Yesterday, I passed by Col de
presence in the country. It might not have worked in form of potentially always has been. Chipotte, the hill in the eastern Vosges
Afghanistan, but it should have been accommo- mountains, which changed hands
Victory for the Taliban was more seriously sought. dation with Does war and violence ever achieve several times between French and
inevitable, as was the withdrawal of the Taliban, to enduring peace? It is a question at the German forces from 1914 to 1918.
western boots on the ground, sooner It would have allowed a guaranteed acknowledge forefront of my mind as I write this
or later. It’s pointless to blame home for those Afghans who didn’t them, however article, walking for peace on a Every village I pass through and
President Joe Biden, when Donald want to be ruled by the Taliban, it abhorrent it 1,000km journey from Switzerland every path I walk down on this journey
Trump and Barack Obama would’ve would have given the west a listening finds some of back to the English Channel. has memorials and cemeteries,
done the same thing. When it comes post on terrorist activity in the Taliban- its actions – studded like stones on a necklace,
to Britain, as in Iraq, so in Afghanistan. territories, and it would have allowed above all in The walk was the idea of a British until I reach Nieuwpoort in Belgium in
We were merely in the slipstream, the families and loved ones of those regards to junior officer in 1915, AD Gillespie. He 30 days time, where the Western Front
walk-on players in a far bigger who lost their lives a more permanent women. imagined a pathway along the line of petered out into the sea.
psychodrama. consolation and closure. the Western Front created after
hostilities were over, along which he I am walking through territory
Those who believe that Britain will No power can remain in a country said he wanted every man and woman fought over many times since the
be a serious global player post-Brexit forever against the will of its in western Europe to walk as a Romans and before, a faultline in
have their chance now to prove that, inhabitants. reminder of where war leads, “from human history no less bloody than
without the shackles of the EU, Britain the silent witnesses“ on both sides. Afghanistan.
can punch way beyond its weight. Britain did better than some
After this past week, the jury remains colonial powers like France in quitting He never lived to see whether his Perhaps US academic Stephen
out. its empire before violence broke out dream would be realised: several Pinker is right, and violent death is on
and they were forced out. weeks later, his name was added to the the decrease globally. But human
The west was right to go into long lists of dead during the Great nature has not changed that quickly.
Afghanistan after 9/11 in 2001, and Conservatives, who had resisted War.
wrong to go into Iraq in 2003 – above independence for the empire in the The message of Afghanistan, and of
all with no exit plan. Now the lack of interwar years, hastened the lowering For what? The war, while hastening the First World War, is to commit
an exit plan in Afghanistan has come of the Union Jack across British Africa medical, social, political and forces only where absolutely
home to roost as well. in the 1950s and early 1960s. economic reforms, did not resolve the necessary, with objectives based on
simmering problems in western stated humane principles, and with a
The mistake the west made was not The undervalued Commonwealth Europe. clear get-out plan, and a peace
to reach some form of is a result, in which the British head of settlement that does not lead, as the
accommodation with the Taliban, to state is consistently more highly Up to 20 million died in the Versailles peace treaty did after the
acknowledge them, however regarded than the head of conflict, and within 20 years of the war First World War, to enduring
abhorrent it finds some of its actions – government, i.e the prime minister. ending in November 1918, European bitterness and hatred. – The
above all in regard to women. nations were back at each other’s Independent
Most PMs have regarded their
Where was the exit plan for attendance at the regular meetings of
Afghanistan? On the 10th anniversary
of troops going in, in 2011, the
questions asked, “how much longer?”,
“why?” and “with what result?” were
brushed aside.

The solution, now long gone, could
have been partition – a time-honoured

LETTERS [email protected] Creating a sporting culture for
nation building
RoS decision to reject Mar Thoma Church
registration unreasonable THE feeling of nationalism is 1972 Olympics Games in Munich and
indispensable to the idea of nation Moscow in 1980.
TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s The Malaysian Mar Thoma 1966 to ensure that it falls within building. Sports is a common thread
political party, Pejuang, was Church, which was founded in the the ambit of Malaysian law. that binds people from all walks of We saw it during the 1975 Hockey
registered by the Registrar of early decades of the last century, lives. World Cup in Kuala Lumpur where as
Societies (RoS) after the matter was has since its inception been under What more evidence does the host nation we finished fourth, the
taken up for judicial review and the the administrative control and RoS and former home minister, We recently witnessed the 2020 best ever, and in the 1992 Thomas
Court gave a deadline of 14 days jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, need Tokyo Olympics, with 206 nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur where the
for the government to decide on (head of the Church) and the to approve the registration of the participating comprising more than nation stayed up late cheering their
the registration. Episcopal Synod based in Kerala, church? 11,000 athletes. victory over the Indonesians.
India.
This episode suggests that The RoS registrar himself had Each of our 30 national Olympic All these victories helped to build
extraneous factors, not the law An application for registration said so and the reply in Parliament athletes who participated helped in national sentiment, where
alone, decide on the issue of was made to the RoS to register the was also in the affirmative. developing a feeling of patriotism Malaysians felt connected to a
registration by the RoS. church under the Societies Act and unity among Malaysians. common sense of purpose and pride,
1966. Is there any better reason than all other differences of race, religion
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul these for registration? Or could it Sports can counter extremism and or colour took a back seat.
Rahman’s new party, Muda, too Registration will enable the be the case that the home minister racial divide at a time when there is
had applied for registration by the church to come under Malaysian was not given the full details of the so much doom in our country’s Sport has a huge role to play
RoS but was rejected and the law and allow the RoS to ensure application for registration? health and political leadership. when it comes to nation building. It
appeal to the home minister was good governance, transparency elevates the qualities of discipline,
also rejected a couple of days ago. and accountability. It will reflect negatively on the Malaysia must embrace sports as determination, teamwork and a
government and its administrative a significant part of our culture and a passion for fitness in the psyche of a
Many new political parties, Various churches of different authorities if the rejected tool for nation building. nation.
social and religious organisations Christian denominations are applicants, who are increasing in
continue to apply for registration registered under the Act and face number, are always compelled to There has been so much “talk” of Once one becomes involved in
and eagerly await the decision by no problems or, if there are any, opt for judicial review to find a creating a sporting culture like the sports certain virtues like teamwork,
the RoS before going forth with the the RoS acts on the complaints favourable solution or a proper Australians with swimming, Indians ethics and sportsmanship become
next step. quickly. decision. with cricket and Brazilians with lifelong qualities.
football.
Needless to say, the RoS is an In fact registration will ensure Judicial review adds to the legal Sports is an exciting individual
important entity in Malaysian oversight by the RoS that brings costs and delay, and not many Creating a sporting culture begins and community activity. It has the
bureaucracy giving meaning to the proper administrative control. applicants can afford it. in our schools. A review of our power to change the world as former
freedom of association as physical education and K-curriculum South African president Nelson
espoused in the Federation Many church members are Hamzah, who was bestowed must be taken seriously otherwise Mandela said: “Sports has the power
Constitution, and therefore it must disappointed with the RoS with much authority and power, we can never go far as a sporting to inspire. It has the power to unite
act fairly and freely and not decision. should have been sympathetic to nation, despite having a National people in a way that little else can
deliberate on unreasonable applicants who referred their cases Sports Day in October where nearly create hope where once there was
considerations or “unwritten laws” I would like to state here two to him. five million students, teachers and despair. It is more powerful than
when deciding on registration of important evidence that the RoS public participate. government in breaking down racial
an organisation. had ignored. It is only when the applicant barriers.”
feels that the due process of the The 2019 Malaysian sports
I wish to relate the case of the The matter of the church law was not followed, as occurred challenge, a month-long sports and Any major international sporting
Malaysian Mar Thoma Church registration was brought up in in the rejection of Pejuang’s fitness programme aimed at event like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,
whose application for registration Parliament during question time by application, that it would motivate transforming Malaysia into a sporting though spectatorless, or a World Cup
under the Societies Act 1966 was Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon the applicant to opt for judicial nation, was never enough . promotes brotherhood as we
recently rejected by the RoS. Yeow on Sept 28, 2004 and the review. witnessed in the men’s high jump
answer given was that all houses of A new government with a event.
Some church members took the worship and religious organisations The Malaysian Mar Thoma supportive prime minister can create
initiative to have the church other than Islam have to be Church members hope that the awareness on the importance of Both the jumpers were friends,
registered under the Societies Act registered. next home minister will look into health, fitness and sports, enhancing one from Qatar and the other from
1966 that would give the church a the church registration issue unity among the people and Italy, and both jumped the same
legal standing and also enable the In a subsequent letter dated Dec legally, positively and favourably. contributing to the national height at 2.37m and shared the gold
church to undertake its various 8, 2004 from the RoS registrar then, economy through the development medal. It gives one a sense of
activities, both domestic and Kaswuri Kenan, it was specifically It is high time that the Malaysian of the sports industry, which can also belonging to a larger global
foreign, to be covered by the law. stated that the Malaysian Mar Mar Thoma Church is registered. create employment and revenue for community.
Thoma Church needs to be our country.
registered under the Societies Act V. Thomas C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu
Petaling Jaya We have seen this emotional Seremban
connect during the time our national
football team qualified twice for the

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. SunBIZ THURSDAY
AUGUST 19, 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
18/08/2021 Fax: 03-7784 4424

Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected]

% RM m RM m RM m

43.0 Institutions 919.2 971.7 -52.5

36.7 Retail 817.5 796.8 20.7

20.3 Foreign 463.5 431.7 31.8

100.0 2200.2 2200.2 0.0 1.65 12.93 121.14 38.31 161.44 164.91 15.84 8.88
KLCI STI HANG SENG SCI NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com 1,525.24 3,131.44 3,485.29 27,585.91 16,826.27 3,158.93
Source: Bursa Malaysia 25,867.01 7,502.15

KL MARKET SUMMARY Sime Darby Plantation
August 18, 2021 sees flat 2021 FFB output

INDICES 11,147.90 CHANGE +26.82
FBMEMAS
FBMKLCI 1,525.24 +1.65
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 595.28 -2.42
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 190.60 -0.15
CONSTRUCTION 160.34 +1.61
FINANCIAL SERVICES 14,859.00 +14.16
ENERGY 722.91 +0.16
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 684.91 -1.29 █ BY AMIR IMRAN HUSAIN SAFRI o Production will not improve until labour shortage
HEALTH CARE 2,778.64 +28.17 [email protected]
TRANSPORTATION
PROPERTY 851.28 +3.63 PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Plantation problem in Malaysia is resolved, says MD
PLANTATION 698.55 +6.96
FBMSHA 6,393.86 +70.43 Bhd (SDP) believes its fresh fruit bunch
FBMACE 12,262.70 +36.14 (FFB) production for this year will remain at
TECHNOLOGY 7,111.99 -20.10 roughly last year’s level of 9.3 million tonnes “The industry cannot remain as we are three years as it is likely to automate most of
89.30 -0.47 given the labour shortage in Malaysia. right now, the cheap labour is not going to the oil palm plantation operations.
Its managing director Mohamad Helmy remain cheap anymore,” Mohamad Helmy In regard to price outlook, Sime Darby
TURNOVER VALUE Othman Basha pointed out that 50% of the said. Oils managing director Mohd Haris Mohd
3.831 BIL RM2.200 BIL group’s planted hectarage is located across Given all its automation efforts, the Arshad projected that crude palm oil (CPO)
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the group reckoned that the dependency on would trade between RM4,000 and
Samoan islands, which cushions the impact manual labour could be reduced further to RM4,700 a tonne in the coming six-month
5 MOST ACTIVES of the worker shortage. one worker to 20 hectares within two to period until the end of the first quarter of
August 18, 2021 “Hence for 2021, we expect to 2022.
produce roughly the same amount For the longer term, he expects
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) as in 2020, as the production in to see a more reasonable price
AVI 394,490,100 19.0 -1.0 Malaysia is not expected to improve range of RM3,000 to RM3,500 a
ASB 327,151,500 19.5 -3.0 until this labour situation is put tonne from higher production.
SEDANIA 113,288,900 76.0 +13.0 behind us,” he told the media “On the whole, it is difficult for
APPASIA-WB 110,348,500 9.5 +2.5 during SDP’s second-quarter 2021 us to see how prices can trade
MUIIND 73,463,500 10.0 -0.5 (Q2’21) results briefing yesterday. below RM4,000 right now; likewise

Given that the industry has been it is also difficult for us to see how
operating in the same manner over prices can go higher to RM5,000 as
5 TOP GAINERS the past 100 years, Helmy believes it already has an effect on demand
August 18, 2021 the answer to the labour shortage and consumption,” explained
lies in automation. Mohd Haris.
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM Due to the labour crunch arising He believes that the elevated
CARLSBG 120,100 22.10 0.60 from the Covid-19 pandemic, SDP’s price is not necessarily a good
HEIM 46,900 22.80 0.56 automation efforts have resulted in thing, as the group has seen a
KESM 14,200 12.66 0.44 an efficiency gain of one worker to decline in sales because
ALLIANZ-PA 13.28 0.40 15 hectares, over a pre-pandemic Harvesting of oil palm fresh fruit bunches using a grabber. Given customers are holding back their
KLK 700 19.88 0.38 rate of one worker to 11 hectares, its automation efforts, the group believes that dependency on purse strings and are not able to
457,700 and ahead of the industry average manual labour can be reduced to one worker to 20 hectares

buy as much as they used to in the
of one worker to 8 hectares. within two to three years. past.
5 TOP LOSERS
August 18, 2021 Net profit for Q2 increases 63% to RM617m

STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Plantation increase more than sixfold to RM146 million shortages to the Withhold Release Order
GENETEC 459,400 25.24 1.18 Bhd’s (SDP) net profit for its second quarter from RM24 million, attributed to improved imposed by the US Customs and Border
NESTLE 21,800 133.20 0.50 ended June 30, 2021 jumped 63.2% to results from its Asia-Pacific bulk operations Protection on its Malaysian products.
VITROX 44,800 19.50 0.40 RM617 million from RM378 million in the as well as its refineries in Europe and Africa.
PETDAG 55,700 19.08 0.36 same quarter of the previous year, driven by “The board and management are
F&N 74,700 26.22 0.24 higher recurring profit in upstream and Its other operations registered PBIT of focused on protecting shareholder value
downstream segments. RM14 million against RM10 million and building on our strong foundation,
EXCHANGE RATES AUGUST 18, 2021 previously, due mainly to higher share of while finding new solutions, to effect and
Revenue for the quarter stood at RM4.41 results of associates. implement the necessary improvements,”
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy billion, a 37.2% improvement from RM3.22 he said in a statement.
billion previously. In the first half ended June 30, 2021, the
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD group’s net profit improved 39.4% to RM1.18 Moving forward, SDP expects its
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.3050 4.1800 4.1700 SDP’s upstream operations reported a billion from RM846 million previously. operations in Indonesia and Papua New
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.1420 3.0170 3.0010 more than twofold increase in profit before Revenue for the half rose 29.1% to RM8.08 Guinea to register higher fresh fruit bunch
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.1600 3.0690 3.0610 interest and tax (PBIT) of RM789 million for billion from RM6.26 billion. production this year supported by better
1 EURO 3.4070 3.3170 3.3050 the quarter against RM316 million previously. weather conditions.
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 5.0490 4.8880 4.8680 SDP has declared an interim dividend of
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.9930 2.8830 2.8670 The quarter saw a higher realised crude 7.90 sen which will be paid on Nov 12, 2021. With the continued impact of labour
1 STERLING POUND 3.1600 3.0690 3.0610 palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) price of shortages on Malaysia’s CPO production as
1 SWISS FRANC 5.9240 5.7390 5.7190 54% and 85%, respectively, while oil extraction Commenting on the results, group well as tight global vegetable oil inventories,
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.6920 4.5850 4.5700 rate improved to 21.63% from 21.29%. managing director Mohamad Helmy the group expects prices to remain firm and
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 118.6100 112.4800 112.2800 Othman Basha said SDP performed well its performance for FY2021 to be promising.
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 5.1760 4.8260 4.6260 SDP’s downstream operations saw PBIT despite challenges ranging from labour
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 66.4000 63.8000
100 INDIAN RUPEE 55.8400 53.0700 N/A Petronas delivers its first carbon neutral LNG cargo
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.8900 5.5300 52.8700
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0310 0.0281 5.3300 PETALING JAYA: Petroliam Nasional Bhd Petronas for the delivery were certified deliver cleaner energy solutions that fuel
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.9350 3.8120 (Petronas) has completed the delivery of its through a rigorous verification process under progress in a responsible manner,” he said
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 16.5000 0.0231 maiden carbon neutral liquefied natural gas the Verified Carbon Standard programme, in statement yesterday.
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.6800 N/A 3.8020 (LNG) cargo, to Shikoku Electric. which is globally recognised and has been
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.6700 2.4900 adopted by energy players and producers. In the LNG industry, carbon neutral
100 SAUDI RIYAL 117.7600 8.1700 N/A The cargo was delivered from the LNG is seen as a catalyst to spur greater
100THAI BAHT 116.1000 111.7900 2.2900 Petronas LNG Complex (PLC) in Bintulu, Petronas president & group CEO Tengku carbon commitments, with a growing
13.5200 110.2200 7.9700 Sarawak, and was received on Tuesday at Muhammad Taufik said it will continue to number of LNG consumers seeking ways to
11.9900 111.5900 the Sakaide LNG terminal in Shikoku diversify its products and offerings, while reduce their carbon footprint.
110.0200 Island, Japan. transforming itself into a cleaner and more
11.5900 sustainable energy provider. As an integrated energy player, Petronas
Petronas has offset the estimated life cycle actively seeks collaborations with buyers
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama carbon footprint of the LNG cargo through “We are grateful to have collaborated and end-users to achieve their
renewables-based carbon credits for the with Shikoku Electric on the delivery of our sustainability goals. Above and beyond the
emissions generated from upstream gas first carbon neutral LNG cargo that maiden carbon neutral LNG cargo,
exploration and production, transportation, coincides with the date of our 47th Petronas is also reducing its carbon
liquefaction, and shipping of the cargo. anniversary. For Petronas, this is a footprint throughout its LNG and gas value
significant milestone as we forge ahead to chain.
Additionally, the carbon credits used by

AirAsia’s Teleport 11theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
to buy Delivereat * SUNBIZ
for US$9.8m
BFood posts Q4 net profit of
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia’s digital RM14.27m, revenue up 62%
logistics venture Teleport has signed
an agreement to acquire 100% equity o Operations not as badly impacted caused by this prolonged pandemic,
interest in local online food delivery compared with previous year’s corresponding the directors are of the view that the
platform Delivereat for US$9.8 quarter, group was better prepared to operate group’s operating environment will
million (RM42 million) to strengthen more efficiently remain challenging in the next
its delivery service in the country. financial year.
PETALING JAYA: Berjaya Food Bhd implemented various measures to million last year from higher same-
The acquisition will be satisfied (BFood) posted a net profit of operate more efficiently. Also, the store-sales growth with the gradual BFood is primarily engaged in
via a combination of cash and the RM14.27 million in the fourth group recognised the income upon easing of the lockdown measures developing and operating the
company’s shares, Teleport CEO Pete quarter ended June 30, 2021 against termination of the old Starbucks since the first quarter. Starbucks Coffee brand in Malaysia
Chareonwongsak said. a net loss of RM30.16 million a year reward programme. and Brunei, developing and
ago; while revenue grew 62% to The board has declared a fourth operating the Kenny Rogers Roasters
He said the exercise will provide RM180.72 million from RM111.57 For the full year (FY21), BFood interim dividend of 1 sen single-tier chain in Malaysia as well as Jollibean
an opportunity for Teleport to grow million previously. saw a net profit of RM47.36 million dividend per share in respect of FY21 and various brands in Singapore.
its unique logistics ecosystem compared with a net loss of RM19.58 to be payable on Sept 23. The total
alongside Delivereat, which has BFood said its operations in the million a year ago in tandem with dividend declared for FY021 Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic,
carefully developed an extensive and current quarter were not as the higher revenue recorded in the amounted to 3 sen single-tier the key factors that affected the
cost-competitive delivery network adversely impacted compared with current financial year, coupled with dividend per share (FY20: 2 sen). performance of the group’s
over the last nine years. Teleport the preceding year’s same quarter, as the lower operating costs resulted businesses included mainly the
wants to do this as quickly as lockdown measures were not from the effective cost management With the rising number of Covid- festive seasons, tourism, eating out
possible, starting with all major cities prevalent then. The group was more to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 19 confirmed cases in Malaysia and culture, raw material costs, staff costs
in Malaysia and then across Asean, prepared during this quarter pandemic. the uncertainty in the economy and consumer perception. Upon the
he said. compared with the previous year’s onset of the Covid-19 pandemic
corresponding quarter and Its revenue jumped 13% to since March 18, 2020 until now,
“We are all in when it comes to RM717.27 million from RM632.94 certain of the key factors mentioned
delivering everything in under 24 have been adversely impacted by the
hours and from anywhere in our core various restrictive measures
markets, which is our bet on what the implemented by the Malaysian
future of e-commerce logistics holds government to curb the Covid-19
in the region – faster, hyperlocal and pandemic.
on-demand. That’s why we are
investing to bring an ecosystem of KLK’s Q3 earnings soar on non-operational gains
delivery capabilities together so we
can efficiently pair on-demand PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur manufacturing units reported a to RM13.9 billion from RM11.59 government acquisitions.
deliveries with same-day courier Kepong Bhd’s net profit for the third lower profit of RM1.9 million. billion. Plantation profit for FY2021 will be
arrivals – both domestically and quarter ended June 30, 2021 Property profit surged to RM54.2 significantly higher as CPO and PK
across borders – to support localBRIEFS increased 112.62% to RM783.9 million supported by higher The group paid an interim single selling prices are much better
providers, provide the best value and million from RM368.7 million in the revenue of RM128.4 million. tier dividend of 20 sen per share to compared to last financial year.
choice to consumers and create more same quarter of the previous year its shareholders on Aug 3, bringing It said oleochemical division has
jobs for our delivery partners in the mainly attributed to corporate Revenue for the quarter the total dividend for the current performed well and is expected to
process.” – Bernama income from non-operational increased 39.38% to RM5.17 billion financial year-to-date to 20 sen per sustain its performance in the fourth
items. from RM3.71 billion in the share. quarter despite a challenging
WIDAD BAGS RM53M corresponding quarter previously. market environment. For FY2021,
GOVT SCHOOL PROJECT Besides, plantation segment’s On its current year prospects, this division’s profit is expected to be
profit increased 87.6% to RM999.4 Net profit for the nine months KLK said its year-to-date profit was higher than the previous financial
PETALING JAYA: Widad Group million, manufacturing segment’s period increased 189.43% to RM1.63 boosted by non-operational gains year.
Bhd’s wholly owned unit Widad profit jumped 89.2% to RM538.1 billion from RM563.79 million, derived from fair value surplus of On the whole, the group’s profit
Builders Sdn Bhd (WBSB) has million, oleochemical division which had taken into consideration RM324.3 million on deemed for FY2021 will improve
been awarded a RM53.2 million registered a 94.5% increase in profit of the non-operational items which disposal of an associate Aura substantially.
contract for the construction of a to RM536.2 million while other are included under corporate Muhibah and surplus of RM158.4
new school and other facilities at income. Revenue increased 20.61% million from sales of land and
SMK Bukit Mahkota, Bangi, Hulu
Langat, Selangor by the Public Mudah.my, MUV offer biggest choice of inspected used cars with warranty
Works department. WBSB is
principally involved in PETALING JAYA: Marketplace inspections through the alliance The reports are widely accepted as MUV inspection in
construction and integrated Mudah.my and end-to-end vehicle with its nationwide network of the gold standard used by dealers progress.
facilities management activities. bidding platform MUV have inspection centres and hubs. throughout the country to help Mudah.my and
The contract period will be 132 partnered to create the largest them trade used vehicles without MUV will offer an
weeks commencing from Aug 23, selection of inspected and used cars “If the seller is not able to come being physically present to end-to-end
2021 to March 3, 2024. with warranty in Malaysia. to our centres for the inspection, we look at the vehicles beforehand”, he facilitation service
are able to send our team to their said. that includes
KELINGTON NETS RM45M Through this alliance, Mudah.my doorstep to make the process of ownership
SINGAPORE CONTRACT introduces the Mudah Vehicle buying and selling their used Mudah.my and MUV will also transfer, car
Inspection and Protection (mVIP) vehicles as convenient as possible. offer an end-to-end facilitation inspection and
PETALING JAYA: Kelington Group program, which aims to give used service that includes the ownership financing
Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary car buyers assurance and a peace of “MUV’s comprehensive 180- transfer (JPJ), car inspection arrangements for
Kelington Engineering (S) Pte Ltd mind for their vehicle purchase. It point inspection report of vehicles (Puspakom) and financing a small fixed fee.
has received a RM45 million assures three things: First, by has been relied upon for over RM1.2 arrangements for a small fixed fee, owners to engage the services of
contract to undertake the verifying the car registration and billion worth of vehicle transactions which eliminates the need for car middlemen when they are
specialty gas systems distribution ownership details; second, by on MUV’s online bidding platform. unfamiliar with the process, and
works for GlobalFoundries’ new verifying the true condition of the especially if financing is required by
fab in Singapore. The contract will car via a comprehensive inspection their potential buyer – which is a
run for a 12 month duration process and the third, to offer major barrier for selling through the
starting Aug 18, 2021 and it is opportunity for buyers to purchase private market in Malaysia.
expected to be completed by July an extended warranty to protect Car owners would get between
2022. against future repair costs. 20% to 40% more when they sell
their car on Mudah.my. mVIP is the
LION INDUSTRIES: Mudah.my CEO Gaurav Bhasin first of many programs that will be
TWO PLANTS said understanding the true offered through this alliance in
BEING REFURBISHED condition of a used car had been the between the two automotive
biggest problem for buyers and industry marketplace veterans.
PETALING JAYA: Lion Industries sellers. By introducing mVIP, the
Corp Bhd (LICB) is carrying out company created a transparent and
repair and refurbishment of its trusted car marketplace by
hot rolled coil (HRC) plant in providing an unbiased report on the
Banting, Selangor. The plant, true condition of the vehicle being
which has a rated annual capacity bought.
of 3.2 million tonnes of HRC, is
expected to be ready to “We offer extended warranty on
commence production in the inspected vehicles through the
December, ramping up to full mVIP program,“ he said.
production by February 2022.
LICB is also undertaking MUV CEO Andy Teh said it
modification work at its steel provides its expertise in used vehicle
plant in Pasir Gudang, Johor,
which produces billets, steel bars
and sections. It is targeted to
commence production early next
year, in January or February.

BRIEFS12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021 Mixed data underscores Japan economy’s fragile recovery
SUNBIZ
TOKYO: Japan’s exports marked a fifth straight service sector businesses cloud the outlook, the median estimate for a 35.1% increase,
TENCENT Q2 PROFIT month of double-digit growth in July, driven by piling pressure on Prime Minister Yoshihide bringing the trade balance to a surplus of ¥441
EXCEEDS ESTIMATES US-bound shipments of automobiles in a Suga to deploy another big stimulus package billion, compared with the median estimate for a
positive sign for a trade-led economy, although a ¥202.3 billion surplus.
SHANGHAI: Chinese gaming and key gauge of capital spending fell for the first time Ministry of Finance data out yesterday showed
social media giant Tencent Holdings in four months. Japanese exports grew 37.0% year-on-year in July, Separate data by the Cabinet Office showed
beat forecasts with a 29% climb in although the gain was exaggerated by the contrast core machinery orders, a highly volatile indicator
second-quarter profit, helped by an The mixed batch of indicators underscored to the prior year’s Covid-induced slump. It of capital spending for the coming six to nine
increase in takings from popular fragility in the world’s third-largest economy, followed a 48.6% growth in the prior month. months, fell 1.5% in June from the previous
games and growth in online which grew 1.3% in the April-June quarter due to month. Year-on-year, core orders, which exclude
advertising revenue. Net profit for solid exports and a surprise gain in private Exports to China, Japan’s largest trading those of ships and electricity utilities, jumped
the three months through June consumption. However, prolonged coronavirus partner, rose 18.9% in the year to July, led by chip- 18.6% in June, a third straight month of annual
came in at 42.6 billion yuan (RM27.8 curbs on bars, restaurants and other face-to-face making equipment and plastic, the data showed. gain. – Reuters
billion), above a Refinitiv consensus
estimate of 34.4 billion yuan. Profit Imports rose 28.5% in the year to July, versus
was also boosted by an increase in
the fair value assessment of some of Geely maintains full-year
the companies it has invested in. sales target of 1.53m vehicles
Revenue jumped 20% to 138.3
billion yuan with sales from mobile o Chinese carmaker posts 22% rise in six-month revenue, pose significant threat to our sales performance
games up 13%. – Reuters confident new launches will offset chip crunch, Covid impact over the next few months,” Geely said.

NORWAY WEALTH FUND BEIJING: China’s Geely Automobile Holdings The company’s upbeat forecast and a strong “(But) the upcoming launch of more new and
NETS 9.4% RETURN IN H1 Ltd retained its annual sales target yesterday, first-half revenue growth helped send shares of competitive vehicle models should enable the
betting that new vehicle launches will offset the the Hangzhou-based car maker up nearly 4%. Group to perform better in the second half,” the
ARENDAL: Norway’s US$1.4 trillion short-term impact of a global chip shortage and a company said, maintaining its full-year sales
(RM5.9 trillion) sovereign wealth resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic. “The recent worsening of chip shortage and target of 1.53 million vehicles.
fund, the world’s largest, posted a the resurgence of Covid-19 cases globally could
9.4% return on investment for the It said total annual vehicle sales under Geely,
first half of the year yesterday, driven Visitors checking a Zeekr 001 at its factory in Ningbo, China, in April. Geely says it will seek external Lynk & Co, which is a joint venture with Volvo
by a sharp rise in global equities and funding for Zeekr and will introduce more electric models in its overall lineup. – REUTERSPIX Car, and electric vehicle (EV) brands Zeekr and
especially energy, finance and tech Geometry would hit 3.65 million units by 2025.
stocks. The fund earned 990 billion More than 30% of them would be electrified
Norwegian crowns (RM427.5 billion) vehicles.
in the January-June period, 0.28
percentage points higher than the Geely posted a 22% rise in six-month revenue
fund’s benchmark index. The return to end-June of 45 billion yuan (RM29.4 billion),
on the equity investments was driven by an improved product mix. Its total
13.7%, while fixed income saw a vehicle sales rose 19% to 630,237 cars,
negative 2.0% return. – Reuters underperforming a 27% growth in China’s overall
passenger vehicle sales.
PHILIPPINES SLASHES
2021 GROWTH OUTLOOK More than 90% of Geely’s vehicles are sold in
China and the company has been pushing to
MANILA: The Philippines lowered its increase exports in recent years, focusing mainly
economic growth target for this on Southeast Asia and Europe.
year, reflecting the impact of a two-
week lockdown of the capital region But net profit grew just 4% to 2.38 billion yuan
to contain the spread of the Delta due to share-based payments of 641 million
coronavirus variant. This year’s yuan.
growth target was cut to 4.0% to
5.0%, from 6.0% to 7.0% expected Its parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group,
previously, the Development Budget which has stakes in Daimler AG and Volvo Cars,
Coordination Committee said. Next created Zeekr to consolidate its resources and
year’s growth target was kept at better challenge in the highly competitive EV
7.0% to 9.0%. The downgrade was market.
still a significant improvement from
last year’s record contraction of Geely said it would seek external funding for
9.6%. – Reuters Zeekr and would introduce more electric models
in its overall lineup.
Carlsberg raises
annual earnings The company, which abandoned a merger
guidance plan with Volvo Cars earlier this year, said the two
firms would combine their powertrain
COPENHAGEN: Danish brewer operations and also jointly develop next
Carlsberg raised its full-year earnings generation EV architecture and autonomous
guidance yesterday after reporting driving solution. – Reuters
second-quarter sales above expectations
as beer volumes exceeded pre- BHP, Woodside investors jittery over oil & gas merger
pandemic levels.
MELBOURNE: Shares in BHP Group and while doubling its stake in North West Shelf LNG. discount on its petroleum assets would be offset
The world’s third-biggest brewer said Woodside Petroleum fell yesterday as investors However, it raised concerns about the strategic by a higher valuation multiple for no longer
beer volumes in key markets China and on both sides raised questions about the value of holding oil and gas.
Russia rose to “well above” 2019 levels. It the Perth-based oil and gas group’s proposed sense of expanding in oil and taking on ageing gas
registered 2% organic growth in overall US$29 billion (RM122.8 billion) merger with assets with big decommissioning costs. “Long term the deal makes sense. I think BHP
beer volumes in the first six months of BHP’s petroleum arm. looks more attractive for a wider audience,” said
the year compared with the same period Investors said the fall in Woodside shares was Matt Haupt, portfolio manager at Wilson Asset
in 2019. While a 6% fall in BHP’s share price was linked also partly due to worries about an overhang of Management, a BHP shareholder.
to a decision to end its UK dual listing, where its stock as BHP investors who want to get out of
Sales in Western Europe were driven shares have traditionally traded at a large fossil fuels would look to dump the shares. Analysts were upbeat about the long term for
by hot weather in June, combined with discount, a fall of up to 4% in Woodside reflected Woodside, saying the deal would give it more
the European soccer championship and concerns about the expansion, they said. The stock closed down 2.12% yesterday. growth options, beyond its US$12 billion
the reopening of bars and restaurants Woodside’s new chief executive, Meg O’Neill, Scarborough gas project and Pluto LNG
after coronavirus lockdowns. “Woodside is one of the worst-performing said while investors were very familiar with expansion, funded by strong cash generation at
companies within the energy sector globally BHP’s Australian oil and gas assets, they did not BHP’s debt-free assets.
“Western European markets are post-Covid; the company doesn’t yet have a appreciate the value of its Gulf of Mexico oil
reopening, but a reverse trend is going strong mandate to enter a deal of such stakes – Mad Dog, Atlantis and Shenzi. “Those “It’s a logical deal between the parties,” said
on in Asia,” chief executive Cees’t Hart questionable value and this could further drag on are just first-class top-tier assets that will be very Argo Investments portfolio manager Andy Forster.
said on a conference call. Woodside’s shares,” said Jamie Hannah, deputy cash accretive to the merged company,” O’Neill “I do think ultimately shareholders will vote for it.”
head of investments at Van Eck Australia, a told Reuters.
He also warned that while Carlsberg shareholder in both companies. Analysts and two BHP investors said Woodside aims to put the deal to a vote in the
has hedged against rising commodity Woodside got the BHP assets relatively cheaply. second quarter of 2022.
prices until the end of the year, BHP agreed to hive off its petroleum business “I’d much rather have just hung on to them
“significantly higher” costs would hit the to Woodside in a nil-premium merger, in return and harvested the capital because demonstrably Credit Suisse analyst Saul Kavonic said
company next year, driven by rising prices for new Woodside shares which will go to BHP the returns from the growth parts of those Woodside shareholders may be painted into a
for aluminium, barley, paper and oil. shareholders, who will own 48% of the enlarged projects are much higher than Jansen,” said a corner, noting that, as part of the deal, Woodside
group. Sydney-based fund manager, referring to the gave BHP an option to hand over its stake in the
Carlsberg said it now expects US$5.7 billion Jansen potash project BHP Scarborough project for US$1 billion if Woodside
operating profit to grow by between 8% The deal will make Woodside a top 10 global approved on Tuesday. makes a final investment decision on the project
and 11% this year, up from its previous independent oil and gas producer, giving it oil Tribeca Investment Partners CEO Ben Cleary, by Dec 15.
guidance of 5-10% growth. assets in the Gulf of Mexico, gas in Trinidad and a BHP shareholder, said what BHP lost with the
Tobago and ageing assets in Australia’s Bass Strait, Woodside would then be the sole owner of
Sales between April and June rose Scarborough and have to fund the project by
17% to 18.69 billion Danish crowns itself, which it cannot afford. – Reuters
(RM12.4 billion), compared with a 17.97
billion crown forecast in a company-
compiled poll of analysts.

The company also launched a one
billion crown share buyback programme
yesterday. – Reuters

302 Jobs 322 Notices PIN HIGH 13theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
Revitalised Ko eyes glory
MEDIA SALES IN THE MATTER OF * SPORTS
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 LYDIA KO hopes to make it third
REPRESENTATIVE / AGENT time lucky in the Women’s British Rusty Rahm
(FREELANCE) AND IN THE MATTER OF Open at Carnoustie this week after hoping to
KATIBAS TRADING SDN. BHD. the New Zealander ended her poor deliver Spaniardwellrested
Requirements: run of form. Following a but sluggish ahead of
· Minimum 1 year sales experience Company No: disappointing spell, South Korea- FedEx Cup playoffs
198801006806 (174164-P) born Ko is back on track and she THE last time Jon Rahm teed I haven’t played competitively in
in newspaper and digital (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY goes into today’s final major of the it up on United States soil, he four weeks,” he said yesterday.
advertising season on a hot streak. The 24-year- won his first major title at the
· Attractive commission package WINDING UP) old finished third at the Olympic US Open at Torrey Pines. “So there might be a slight bit of
and incentive NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING Games in Tokyo and then second at That was two months ago. rust, but I’m pretty sure that’s going
· Able to start immediately NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN the Women’s Scottish Open. Now to go quickly just because of how
· Central, Northern, Southern, THAT pursuant to Section she wants to get her hands on the The top-ranked Spaniard happy and how excited I am to be
East Coast and Sabah/Sarawak 459(2) of the Companies Act, trophy in Scotland. “It’s been a tough finished seventh at the Scottish back and be competing.”
2016, a Final Meeting of the few weeks and it would be nice to Open and tied for third at The Open Rahm enters the playoffs fifth in
Send in your application with your members of the Company will end on a real high before taking a Championship. Then came his the standings and is a big fan of
photo to [email protected] be held at 55-A, Jalan Perang, break,” she said. “It would be great to second positive Covid-19 test, Liberty National, where he finished
Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor do well this week. The course is very knocking Rahm out of the third the last time it played host to
Bahru, Johor on Monday, 20 tough, but I am hitting it longer than Olympics and the WGC- The Northern Trust in 2019.
September 2021 at 10.00 a.m. a few years ago so that helps.” FedEx St. Jude “The next two weeks, obviously
for the following purposes :- Invitational. the goal is to win, but the main goal
322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Cantlay borrows Rahm arrived in is to get to the last event, to get to East
COMPANIES ACT, 2016 account of receipts and Tiger’s caddie Jersey City, New Jersey, Lake to the Tour Championship in as
IN THE MATTER OF THE payments and statements for this week’s The high rank as possible,” he said. “So
COMPANIES ACT 2016 and of distribution among the PATRICK CANTLAY will have Tiger Northern Trust well got to keep the good play going, and
IN THE MATTER OF contributories and to hear Woods’ longtime caddie Joe LaCava rested but also like I said, I’ll take it week to week
AND any explanations that maybe on the bag at this week’s Northern concerned about his hopefully.
IN THE MATTER OF ALFRANKO given by the liquidator; Trust in New Jersey, the first leg of forced month-long “I want to hopefully win those
ASPIRASI INDAH SDN. BHD. STONOR SDN. BHD. 2. To resolve that under Section the FedEx Cup playoffs. LaCava said hiatus from events as well, but the important
(CO.NO: 277823-U) 518(3)(b) of the Companies he “ran it by”Woods before agreeing c o m p e t i t i o n one is the last one. So it’s a bit of
Registration No: Act 2016, the books, to the gig. Cantlay’s usual caddie, entering the FedEx kind of like a qualifying few rounds
(In Members` 201301018663 (1048493-P) accounts and documents of Matt Minister, is out after testing Cup playoffs. where you’re just trying to get
Voluntary Liquidation) the Company be destroyed positive for Covid-19. “He’s going to “I’m probably ready and get positioned
NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING (In Member’s Voluntary after the expiration of three have to put up with the scrub caddie going to be a little for the Tour
NOTICE IS HEREBY Given that pursuant Winding-Up) (3) months from the date of this week,” LaCava joked. Cantlay has bit more rested Championship.”
to Section 459(2) of the Companies the final meeting. won twice during the 2020-21 PGA than most – Field
Act,2016,the Final Meeting of the NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KAM CHAI HONG Tour season, most recently at the people, but at Level
members of the Company will be held pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Liquidator Memorial in June. He enters the the same time, Media
at No. 8, Jalan Mangga, Taman Maju, Companies Act, 2016, the Final Dated this 19 August 2021 playoffs third in the points standings
86400 Parit Raja, Johor on Thursday, Meeting of the contributories of A member entitled to attend and will play the first two rounds of
the 23rd day of September, 2021 at the abovenamed Company will be and vote at the Meeting is the Northern Trust with Collin
11.00 a.m for the following purposes: held at the Liquidator’s office at entitled to appoint a proxy to Morikawa and Jordan Spieth, who
1. To receive the Liquidators Statement Wisma Goshen, 2nd Floor, 60, 62 attend and vote in his stead. A are Nos. 1 and 2 in the standings.
of Accounts showing the manner & 64 Jalan SS 22/21, Damansara proxy need not be a member of
in which the winding up has Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya, the Company. The instrument 322 Notices Simona Halep of
been conducted and to hear any Selangor Darul Ehsan on Monday, appointing a proxy has to be Romania plays a
explanation that may be given by 20th day of September, 2021 deposited at the office of the IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT backhand during
the Liquidator. at 10.00 a.m. for the following Liquidator not less than forty- GEORGETOWN her match against
2. To determine pursuant to Section purposes:- eight hours before the time for Magda Linette
518(3)(b) of the Companies Act,2016 1. To lay before the meeting holding the Meeting. IN THE STATE OF PENANG (unseen) of Poland
the manner in which the books, COMPANIES (WINDING-UP NO): during the Western
accounts and documents of the the Liquidator’s statement 322 Notices & Southern Open
Company and of the Liquidator of account and to give PA-28NCC-60-05/2021 at Lindner Family
thereof shall be disposed of. explanations thereof. IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT In the matter of Million March Sdn Bhd Tennis Centre
Ng Choon Fatt 2. To decide under Section 518(3) KUALA LUMPUR (Company No: 199201007444 yesterday in
Liquidator. (b) of the Companies Act, 2016, (238948-H)) Mason, Ohio.
Dated this17th day of August, 2021. the manner in which the books, IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH – AFPPIX
accounts and documents of the PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA And
Company may be destroyed. (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) In the matter of section 465(1) (h) the
Dated this COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) Companies Act 2016
19th day of August, 2021 NO: WA-28NCC-525-08/2021
Zakhar Shashkov In the matter of Section 465(1)(a) and (h) And
Liquidator of the Companies Act 2016 In the matter of Companies (Winding-Up)
NOTE: Rules 1972
A contributory entitled to attend And
and vote at the abovementioned In the matter of GSN KLANG SDN BHD BETWEEN
meeting is entitled to appoint a [Company No: 201801026980 (1289006- 1. CHOO KIN TONG
proxy who need not be a member T)]
of the Company to attend and (NRIC NO: 520924-07-5109)
vote in his stead. The instrument BETWEEN 2. CHANG HOCK LOON
appointing a proxy must be duly TRIO3 VENTURES SDN BHD
deposited at the Liquidator’s [Company No: 201701031855 (NRIC NO: 631017-03-5295)
office, not less than 48 hours (1246025-H)] …PETITIONERS
before the time of the meeting.
..... PETITIONER AND
322 Notices AND MILLION MARCH SDN BHD
GSN KLANG SDN BHD (Company No: 199201007444
[Company No: 201801026980 (238948-H)) Halep earns injury comeback win
(1289006-T)]
…RESPONDENT SIMONA HALEP earned her first victory “It was a strong match. In my opinion,
..... RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION since last May’s calf injury pause as the three- both of us played really well,” the 29-year-old
ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a petition time finalist defeated Magda Linette 6-4, 3-6, said. “Maybe the rain delay helped me a little
NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for the winding-up of the above-named 6-1 yesterday at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati bit to find energy. I was a little bit stronger
for the winding-up of the above-named company, MILLION MARCH SDN BHD Masters. physically and mentally in the third set.
Company by the High Court was, on the (Company No: 199201007444 (238948-
5th day of August, 2021 presented by the H) by the High Court was on 27th day American teenager Coco Gauff lined up a “It means a lot, I’m really happy to win.
Petitioner, TRIO3 VENTURES SDN BHD of May, 2021 presented by CHOO KIN contest with second seed Naomi Osaka It’s always important to have victories
AND that the said Petition is directed to be TONG (NRIC NO: 520924-07-5109) and through a 6-1, 6-2 hammering of Hsieh Su- when you come back from an injury.
heard before the High Court (Insolvency CHANG HOCK LOON(NRIC NO: 631017- Wei.
Court) sitting at Kuala Lumpur at Level 03-5295).And that the said Petition is “This was the first time in my life that I’ve
5, Left Wing, Kompleks Mahkamah Kuala directed to be heard before the Court On a day when rain forced a had this kind of problem, and I didn’t really
Lumpur, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim (Jalan sitting at the High Court of Malaya at reorganisation of the afternoon and evening know how to manage it. But I’m happy to be
Duta), 50506 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Georgetown, Penang at 2.30 p.m. on schedule, women’s top seed Ashleigh Barty back, happy to play pain-free. I’m just trying
Persekutuan at 9.00 o’clock in the Thursday, the 21st day of October 2021 and Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev to build my confidence back.”
morning on Wednesday, 10th November and any creditor or contributory of the never made it onto court.
2021; and any creditor or contributory said company desiring to support or Gauff won her last match with four-time
of the said Company desiring to support oppose the making of an order on the Halep only returned to the Tour last week Grand Slam champion Osaka at the Australian
or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of in Montreal, losing in the opening round. She Open last year. Gauff, 1-1 in the series, will
said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that remained confident that progress was not far play Osaka for the first time outside of a
hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the petition will be away after her injury in Rome three months Grand Slam.
purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory ago.
furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same “I’ve learned (from their past matches) to
of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the The Romanian defeated her Polish just focus on me and not on the expectations
by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. opponent for a second time, taking just over of others,” she said of the high-profile
regulated charge for the same. The 1st Petitioner’s address is at 10, two hours. meeting with the former No. 1. – AFP
The Petitioner’s address of service is at Lintang Sungai Ara 2, Sungai Ara, 11900,
2nd Floor, No. 17 & 19, Jalan Brunei Barat, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang.
Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. The 2nd Petitioner’s address is at HA 2-1,
The Petitioner’s solicitors is MESSRS. Lorong Kenari, Sungai Ara, 11900 Bayan
LOW & PARTNERS of No. 5, Jalan SS Lepas, Pulau Pinang.
21/23, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling The Petitioners’ solicitors are Messrs.
Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. San Law Chambers, Advocates &
Dated the 9th day of August 2021. Solicitors of Unit 6.2, 6th Floor, Wisma
Leader, No. 8 Jalan Larut 10050 Pulau
....................t.t................. Pinang.
Messrs. Low & Partners
For and on behalf of the Petitioner SIGNED
NOTE:- ...........................
Any person who intends to appear on the Messrs. San Law Chambers
hearing of the said Petition must serve Solicitors for the Petitioners
on or send by post to the abovenamed NOTE: -
solicitors, Messrs. Low & Partners, notice Any person who intends to appear on the
in writing of his intention so to do. The hearing of the said Petition must serve
notice must state the name and address on or send by post the abovenamed
of the person, or if a firm, the name and Solicitors for the Petitioner, Messrs. San
address of the firm and must be signed by Law Chambers, notice in writing so to do.
the person or firm, or his or their solicitor The notice must state the name and by
(if any) and must be served, or, if posted, address of the person, or, if a firm, the
must be sent by post in sufficient time to name and address of the firm, must
reach the abovenamed solicitors not later be signed by the person or firm, or his
than 12.00 o’clock noon on Tuesday, 9th or their Solicitors (if any) and must be
November 2021. served, or, if posted, must be sent by post
This ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION is filed in sufficient time to reach the above-
by Messrs. Low & Partners of No. 5, Jalan named not later than 12.00 o’clock noon
SS 21/23, Damansara Utama, 47400 day of the 20thday October 2021 (the day
Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, before the day appointed for the hearing
solicitors for the abovesaid Petitioner. of the petition).
Tel: 03-7729 5293 Fax: 03-7729 5298
Ref: LP/GL/9605/08/21/WCK/DC_WCK
wck

14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
SPORTS

Ronaldo pooh-poohs Real, City rumours

CRISTIANO RONALDO has insisted Ronaldo posted on Instagram: involved in these rumours, as well as affection and respect that I retain to me with a number of clubs in many
his “story at Real Madrid has been “Anyone who knows me is aware of to their players and staff. this day, and that I will always different Leagues, with nobody ever
written” amid speculation linking the how focused I am on my work. Less cherish. being concerned about trying to find
Juventus star with a return to the talk and more action, this has been “My story at Real Madrid has been out the actual truth.
Bernabeu. my guiding motto since the start of written. It’s been recorded. In words “I know that the true Real Madrid
my career. and numbers, in trophies and titles, fans will continue to have me in their “I’m breaking my silence now to
Reports have suggested Ronaldo in records and in headlines. hearts, and I will have them in mine.” say that I can’t allow people to keep
could leave Turin this summer with “However, in view of everything playing around with my name.
Manchester City and Real among that’s been said and written recently, “It’s in the Museum at the And Ronaldo also hit back at
those suggested as possible I have to set out my position. Bernabeu Stadium and it’s also in the reports linking him with a move to “I remain focused on my career
destinations. minds of every fan of the club. any other clubs with PSG also among and in my work, committed and
“More than the disrespect for me those believed to be interested. prepared for all the challenges that I
Though the former Manchester as a man and as a player, the frivolous “And beyond what I achieved, I have to face. Everything else?
United star has hit out at the claims, way that my future is covered in the remember that in those nine years I “As well as this most recent Everything else is just talk.” – Daily
insisting it is all just talk. media is disrespectful to all the clubs had a relationship of deep affection episode in Spain, there have been Star
and respect for merengue aficion, an frequent news and stories associating
INSIDE EDGE
Wood injury add to … and looks set to
England’s woes spearhead Allegri’s
return at Juventus
AN ENGLAND side reeling from a
151-run defeat by India, and Bayern draw FROMLEFT: CRISTIANO RONALDO has been linked with a host of clubs
already missing several fast Dortmund’s Erling this summer but he seems set to stay put at Juventus, tasked
bowlers, could be without Mark Braut Haaland, with an even more important role in revitalising the Italian
Wood (below) for next week's third first blood Bayern Munich’s giants.
Test after the express quick injured Robert
himself while fielding at Lord's. Lewandowski and After Juve stuttered to a fourth-placed finish last season
Wood landed heavily on his right Dortmund’s Marco and were knocked out at the last 16 stage of the Champions
shoulder while diving headlong Reus vie for the League, Ronaldo, in the twilight years of his career, could be
into an advertising hoarding when ball during their forgiven for seeking pastures new, to better his chances of
saving a boundary on the fourth Lewandowski scores twice as Bavarian German Supercup further silverware before retiring.
evening, but he still bowled at giants beat Dortmund in Super Cup match yesterday.
speeds in excess of 150kph on the – AFPPIX But, as yet, no such move has materialised, with Real
last day of the second Test. There coach Carlo Ancelotti distancing himself from the man who
are doubts, however, over whether ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI netted “exceptional” performance. won four Champions League winners medals in the Spanish
the Durham paceman will be fit to twice as Bayern Munich retained It was a frustrating game for Erling Braut capital.
feature at Headingley.“The medics the German Super Cup with a 3-1
are working on him (Wood), we’ll win at Borussia Dortmund Haaland and 16-year-old Dortmund striker “Cristiano is a Real Madrid legend and he has all my love
find out more in the next couple of yesterday in a high-tempo encounter. Youssoufa Moukoko, who each had goals and respect,” Ancelotti tweeted yesterday. “I have never
days,”England coach Chris ruled offside. considered signing him. We look forward.”
Silverwood said yesterday after a Lewandowski put Bayern ahead with a Steady rain did little to dampen the
crushing loss that left his side 1-0 bullet header at Signal Iduna Park before electric atmosphere as tempers quickly Ronaldo therefore appears likely to remain at Juve as they
down in a five-match series Thomas Muller doubled the visitors’ lead to became frayed, with three yellow cards look to win back the Scudetto from Inter Milan, with last
following a rain-marred draw at make it 2-0 just after the break. dished out in the first half. season’s top goalscorer in Serie A the focal point of the club’s
Trent Bridge.“We will make a Dortmund captain Marco Reus pulled a Dortmund had the best early chance title tilt once again.
decision, along with him and our goal back when he curled a superb shot when England midfielder Jude Bellingham
medics, closer to the time. But if inside the post before Lewandowski settled threaded a pass through the defence to Reus New coach Massimiliano Allegri, back at Juve for a second
he’s not right, he’s not right. I the match. on 20 minutes, but Bayern goalkeeper spell in charge, has in fact called on Ronaldo to offer even
certainly won’t push him into The 32-year-old has now scored 24 goals Manuel Neuer blocked the shot with his more this season.
playing if he tells me he’s not right. in as many games against Dortmund, where foot.
I will look after him.” he spent four years from 2010-2014. Moukoko then had the ball in the net on “Ronaldo is an extraordinary player and an intelligent
“This means a lot to me. We’ve won our 36 minutes from a Haaland pass, only to be guy,” Allegri told a news conference last month.
Pressure mounts on next title and for the spectators it must have denied by an offside flag.
‘grumpy’ Langer been a really cool game to watch,” Lewandowski put Bayern ahead four “We talked as we talked with other players and I told him
Lewandowski told Sky. minutes before the break, perfectly timing that it will be an important season, he will have a completely
A FEW months before Australia “It’s something really great for the team his run into the box to head home a pin- different and greater responsibility than three years ago.
bid to retain the Ashes in a which we can enjoy.” point Serge Gnabry cross.
summer clouded by pandemic Bayern have now won all of their last six Bayern extended their advantage four “He can’t just be a goalscorer, I expect him to take
uncertainty, Justin Langer stands matches against Dortmund. minutes into the second half when responsibility as the man he is, given we have a lot of
on shaky ground with criticism of It was a welcome victory for Bayern, who Lewandowski failed to connect with an younger players in the team.
his coaching style piling up in the were winless in four pre-season friendlies Alphonso Davies cross and Mueller swept in
wake of the team's recent before drawing last Friday’s opening game the loose ball. “I can only imagine the difficulties that have been here
setbacks. A depleted Australia of the new Bundesliga season 1-1 at Haaland beat Neuer three minutes later, over these two years.”
completed a poor white-ball tour Borussia Moenchengladbach. but his effort was also chalked off.
this month, suffering their first New coach Julian Nagelsmann has However, Dortmund pulled a goal back Allegri’s five seasons at the helm from 2014 to 2019
ever series defeat to Bangladesh in earned a trophy, which Bayern also won last when Bellingham spotted Reus in space and brought five league titles, four Coppa Italia wins and two
the wake of a heavy loss to West year against Dortmund in Munich, with his he unleashed an excellent strike into the runners-up finishes in the Champions League.
Indies. While the defeats first win in charge. corner with 26 minutes to go.
underlined a lack of depth ahead “We were better than in Gladbach and However, Lewandowski ended the tie as However, Juve decided after winning the 2019 Scudetto at
of the Twenty20 World Cup, this is an important win for the lads,” said a contest, after Bayern capitalised on a rare a canter that it was time to evolve from Allegri’s effective but
reports of a heated exchange with Nagelsmann, who hailed Lewandowski’s mistake in the Dortmund defence. – AFP often unattractive football towards a more progressive style.
a Cricket Australia journalist in
Bangladesh shone the spotlight Two unsuccessful attempts to do that later, after Maurizio
on Langer’s role in a tense team Sarri and Andrea Pirlo both lasted one season each, Juve are
environment. The confrontations back where they started. – Reuters
played out at the team hotel in full
view of players, some of whom Coaching carousel makes for
were taken aback by them, the unpredictable Serie A season
Sydney Morning Herald reported. In
separate newspaper articles ITALY’S Euro 2020 triumph is still fresh in the memory, but
yesterday, two of the country’s the mood ahead of the new Serie A season is mixed after a
leading cricket writers wrote of summer characterised by high-profile departures rather
players being worn down by the than big-name signings.
team environment. Former players
have demanded Cricket Australia The list of players to have left the league includes 2020-
put a stop to “leaks” to media from 21 Player of the Season Romelu Lukaku, Defender of the
team insiders, saying they are Year Cristian Romero, Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament
undermining Langer’s authority. Gianluigi Donnarumma and flying wing back Achraf
Hakimi.

However, widespread changes to the coaching line-up
offer plenty of reasons for excitement ahead of a campaign
that is hard to call.

The only top-seven sides to keep their coaches in place,
AC Milan with Stefano Pioli and Atalanta with Gian Piero
Gasperini, may well benefit from stability after finishing
second and third respectively last season.

“If Milan can take a step forward with the internalisation
of their game plan, no objective is out of reach,” said former
Rossoneri coach Arrigo Sacchi.

Twelve of the 20 Serie A clubs changed coach ahead of
the new campaign, but arguably the most intriguing
appointments were in the capital.

Jose Mourinho joined AS Roma, marking his return to
Italy 11 years after leading Inter to an unprecedented treble,
and the Portuguese is determined to succeed in a country
where he is still held in high regard.

Across the city, Lazio appointed Maurizio Sarri and the
clash in styles – and personalities – of the two Roman
coaches promises to provide high drama on Rome Derby
day. – Reuters

15theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 19, 2021
* SPORTS

McCarthy laments Jekyll and Hyde Cardiff

Aden Flint’s MICK MCCARTHY rued how his Cardiff City side well, because it made us look bloody awful for 10
double earned defended after the half-time break which allowed minutes and another 10 minutes further on, until we
Cardiff a point Peterborough to steal a march and net two quick got the subs on and changed it around. We got a
against goals in the 2-2 draw during yesterday’s response and we saw the worst and the best.”
Peterborough. Championship match.
Cardiff have continued their unbeaten start to the
The Bluebirds were hit for two goals in as many campaign and the draw means they head into the
minutes after the break when Harrison Burrows and clash with Millwall on Saturday in confident mood.
Siriki Dembele scored to give Peterborough control.
And McCarthy at least praised the Bluebirds’ show
It took a late double from Aden Flint to ensure of spirit in the dramatic draw.
Cardiff came away from Weston Homes Stadium
with a point, but while McCarthy was clearly happy “The response the lads showed, it shows the
to come away having not lost the game, he was still team spirit, desire and willingness to work hard,” he
furious at how his side defended after the break. said.

“It was downright carnage, disgusting, not right, “They showed (character) last season, with 10
it shouldn’t happen,” McCarthy said of wins, nine draws and three defeats. They showed real
Peterborough’s quick double. character and they’ve not lost that.

“But the players feel that way as well. They have “The results we’ve had so far helps to build that.
all come in disappointed, disgusted with the fact we The belief.
conceded the two goals we did.
“It knocked the stuffing out of us ,the first 10
“Good, I’m glad. I’m glad they feel that way as minutes of the second half, but the response was
terrific.” – WalesOnline

SIDENETTING Right time for move
Pedrinho gives Shakhtar It’ll be nice to see Kane playing for City, says Zabaleta
lead over Monaco
█ SUNNY BADWAL “We’ll see if the money is there and will worth the massive price tag, former Argentina
CLOSE-SEASON signing Pedrinho’s goal gave splash the money for Harry Kane but will be defender Zabaleta said: “If you look at the
Shakhtar Donetsk a 1-0 lead over Monaco PABLO ZABALETA believes it is the nice to see him playing for City,” Zabaleta told markets these days, maybe yes, but it is still
yesterday in their Champions League playoff round right time for Harry Kane to move on the PA news agency. ridiculous but every year it gets worse and
ahead of next week’s second leg in Ukraine. The from Tottenham and would love to see worse.
Brazilian playmaker joined Shakhtar from Benfica the England captain join his old club “He’s in the right moment for him to go to a
last month and scored the winner with a sublime Manchester City before the transfer window different club and have different experience, “The money has been increasing massively
first-half finish in the principality. “We had an shuts. when you look at all the top teams they are over the past few years so if you pay £100m for
extraordinary 25 minutes. Then we lost the ball looking for players who can score 25 goals a Grealish he is still young so it was a great
which gave our opponents hope,” Shakhtar coach Kane’s current club beat Pep Guardiola’s season, you always need players like that. signing for Man City especially as he can play
Roberto De Zerbi said. “The objective now is to City 1-0 in their Premier League opener on in a number of different positions.
play 90 minutes like we did for the first 25.” Monaco Sunday, with the 28-year-old not involved at “Obviously Sergio (Aguero) left the club
coach Niko Kovac remained positive after the the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium amid and they only have Gabriel Jesus as a proper “Look at the transfer fees these days, they
defeat as they eye a first group stage appearance ongoing speculation about his future. striker but we all know the quality of Kane if are crazy. It wasn’t like that years ago when I
since losing five of their six games in 2018/2019. you want to win trophies and (he) knows he’s first came to the Premier League and if you
“We didn’t play the first 20 (minutes) as we wanted Kane has been heavily linked with a big- done enough for Spurs and wants to move, want to buy some top player from any club
do. We lost the ball too easily, it’s the main issue,” money transfer to City and Zabaleta would like maybe City are one of those clubs.” they will ask for big money.” – The
Kovac said. “We can’t give up on our dream. There to see the prolific frontman move to the Etihad. Independent
is no reason not to believe. We had chances Asked if the 25-year-old playmaker was
tonight.” Elsewhere, American attacking midfielder
Brenden Aaronson scored in the 90th minute as I feel like a player again: Jimenez Magpies
Salzburg came from behind to beat Brondby 2-1. have food
Mali forward Adama Traore claimed a double as █ SONIA TWIGG Jimenez had been hopeful of for thought:
Sheriff Tiraspol, who could become the first WOLVES striker Raul Jimenez admits he returning towards the end of last Wilson
Moldovan club to reach the group stage, finally feels like a footballer again following season, only to be held back by
hammered Dinamo Zagreb 3-0. his “miracle” return from a fractured skull. scans which revealed his skull had CALLUM WILSON admitted there
not healed fully. will be some soul-searching from
Fulham remain top of Championship The Mexican suffered the sickening Newcastle over the next few days
injury in a clash of heads with David Luiz – “It’s not like I injured my knee after they started their Premier
FULHAM remained top of the early English then of Arsenal – last and it’s something League campaign with a 4-2
Championship table after a 2-1 win at London November and made his that I can feel and defeat at home to West Ham.
rivals Millwall yesterday. On a good night for competitive return in maybe I can’t walk. I
travelling teams in the second tier – five of the Saturday’s opening felt really good at that Newcastle’s new No. 9 opened
seven matches were won by the visiting club. Premier League moment but it was not the scoring after just five minutes
Fulham were 2-0 ahead inside nine minutes thanks defeat by to send a St James’ Park crowd in
to goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and teenager Leicester. excess of 50,000 into raptures
Fabio Carvalho. But Benik Afobe's late header for while the Magpies held a 2-1 lead
Millwall ensured a tense finish at the Den. Stoke “The at halftime on Sunday.
stayed second on goal difference after Sam Clucas skull
scored in a 3-1 win over former club Swansea. But the Hammers battled back
Luton were left third after Amari'i Bell's first goal and scored three times in the
since March 2019 secured a 1-0 win at Barnsley. space of 14 second-half minutes to
Coventry ended the evening in fourth, with Viktor secure victory on the opening
Gyokeres’ goal on the stroke of halftime sealing a weekend of the season, much to
1-0 win at Blackpool. the chagrin of Wilson.

RESULTS & STANDINGS fracture, it my The striker, who took his tally
took a little time yet.” against West Ham to nine goals in
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP: Barnsley 0 Luton bit longer than 11 career Premier League
1, Blackpool 0 Coventry 1, Huddersfield 1 we all expected The 30-year- appearances, believes the entire
Preston 0, Millwall 1 Fulham, 2, Peterborough 2 to heal, but it is a old explained he team need to take collective
Cardiff 2, Reading 2 Bristol City 3, Swansea 1 miracle for me to could not remember responsibility for the defensive
Stoke 3. be here with the incident or some of flaws David Moyes’ side exposed.
you,” he said. the events that
(Top 10) P W D L F A Pts Jimenez, occurred before and “We started the second half
Fulham 321083 7 who revealed afterwards, but was keen slow and could never recover
Stoke 321063 7 he had no to find out what really,” he told NUFC TV. “It’s
Luton 320163 6 memory of the happened. frustrating to lose the game.
Coventry 3 2 0 1 3 2 6 incident and had chosen “I asked to be sent
Cardiff 312053 5 to watch replays of it to videos of the different sides “Ultimately when you do go 2-1
QPR 2 1 1 0 4 1 4 see what happened, said of the pitch. I like to see in front at home you expect to
West Brom 2 1 1 0 5 4 4 he “felt really good” on what happened, because for hold on to the lead, at least don’t
Bournemouth 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 his long-awaited return. me it’s like it never happened be conceding more than another
Blackburn 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 “I feel now that I’m a because I don’t remember,” he goal.
Mid’boro 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 player again after a long said.
almost nine months being Jimenez wore a headguard “It’s frustrating but we’re all to
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (Playoff, 1st leg): out for this injury,” he said. on his return which featured blame, we’re all a team and we all
Monaco 0 Shakhtar Donetsk 1, Salzburg 2 “I have being training specially designed padding which is defend from the front. It’s
Brondby 1, Sheriff Tiraspol 3 Dinamo Zagreb 0. the whole pre-season six thicker on one side to protect the something to work on and go
weeks, so I think it was the more fragile area of his skull and it is a away and think about together.
EUROPA LEAGUE (Playoff, 1st leg): Red Star right moment to come Jimenez precaution he will continue to take. –
Belgrade 4 CFR Cluj 0. back and start the season The Independent “Hopefully my goals amount to
again and I feel really more points rather than none. To
good.” score and then to lose is
frustrating.” – The Independent

THURSDAY • AUGUST 19, 2021 QUOTE OF THE DAY

We’ll see if the money is there and will
splash the money for Harry Kane but will be nice
to see him playing for City. He’s in the right
moment for him to go to a different club and have
different experience…”

Pablo Zabaleta

Prepare for Mour fireworks as Jose returns to Serie A

JOSE MOURINHO was never going to walk into a players during his previous two jobs in England, having seen three of their players sent off. incredible seriously despite his happy persona
new job quietly, with all eyes on the new AS the new image of Mourinho is not one of player Not to be outdone, Mourinho himself was away from football.
Roma coach on the eve of the Serie A campaign adulation and unrivalled glory, but one of a fiery,
after a close season full of fireworks. confrontational figure who is back in Italy to sent off by the referee for being over-zealous in “In the world of football, everyone knows the
ruffle some feathers. his protests, getting right in the face of the Special One. But I only knew him from TV and
The final enduring image of Mourinho’s first official, despite the match being a friendly. interviews,” he told Il Romanista.
and trophy-laden spell in Italy, was of distraught He is, however, fully aware, that the Italian
Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi being media will be hanging on his every word. Mourinho and his player were angered by a “Now I can say that I like very much how he
consoled by the Portuguese after hearing of his refereeing decision on the hour mark with the works.”
coach’s decision to leave for Real Madrid. “I am smiling because I had a record of 40 game tied at 2-2.
days without interviews,” Mourinho joked on All the histrionics that come with Mourinho
Having steered Inter to an unprecedented Instagram this week. Alex Moreno put the Spanish side ahead as he will all be in vain if the results do not go Roma’s
treble in 2010, Mourinho, also in tears, departed bundled the ball over the line, but Roma players way, however, such is the expectation that the
after winning everything he could in a short two- “(I had an) Amazing time where I only focused felt as though the ball had struck his left arm. club need to be challenging at the top of the
year tenure. Now back in Serie A with Roma, he on work and forgot my friends from the press. table.
returns a different proposition entirely. Nothing interesting really to be honest. Love the They swarmed the referee before Mourinho
press, (I have) missed them a lot.” too got involved resulting in him and Lorenzo “Here I go on another Mission: Impossible,”
Mourinho has suffered declining levels of Pellegrini being given their marching orders. Mourinho said in an interview with GQ magazine
success since leaving Italy 11 years ago, having He has already been causing a stir, even last month.
won two league titles in that time, compared to before the season is under way. Gianluca Mancini and Rick Karsdop also saw
six in the previous eight campaigns. red which allowed Betis to take advantage of “I say impossible because people tend to look
Roma were beaten 5-2 by Spanish side Real having three extra men on the pitch. at me and in their eyes there’s only one way to
After several much publicised bust-ups with Betis earlier this month in a friendly. They finished measure success, which is that I have to win.” –
a bad tempered match with just eight men, Karsdorp is one of Mourinho’s new arrival and Reuters/Agencies
admits the Portuguese coach it taking the role

Devils’ intuition
Maguire backs Varane to bring winning mentality to Old Trafford

█ SIMON PEACH to a club striving to win know at this club we added two elite players this summer,
their first silverware need to challenge for with Varane following Jadon Sancho
MANCHESTER UNITED under Solskjaer. titles and challenge for into the club.
captain Harry Maguire is trophies.
excited to play alongside “I think “We look at one “I think you’ve seen in little
Raphael Varane and you’ve seen step at a time, one glimpses the talent, the skills, goals,
believes the natural winner’s what he’s game at a time. assists,” England teammate Maguire
mentality can help boost their quest won over Every game is so said of Sancho. “He’s obviously going
for silverware this season. his career,” important if you to be a top player.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side made Maguire want to get to
light work of a disrupted pre-season said of the where you want to “He’s still young as well but he’s
and their absent players when four-time get to and be done a lot in the game. He brings that
kicking off the 2021-22 campaign Champions successful. winning mentality to us as well,
with a bang against old foes Leeds on League winner. “But of course which is really important.
Saturday. we want to
Old Trafford’s first full house in 17 “He’s played challenge for the “But he’s an exceptional talent
months enjoyed a day to remember, in some of the big trophies and and I think he’s had a really stop-start
with Bruno Fernandes’ hattrick top teams the title. That’s the pre-season, so I think he’ll work hard
helping to inspire a 5-1 victory about – the aim at this club. obviously over the next few weeks to
against Leeds on a day when French squad and “I think you’ve seen get to match fitness and he’ll be there
supporters were introduced to their the Real Madrid how much everyone’s soon.”
newest star. team – and he’s won strengthened in the
United announced just before absolutely everything. With Sancho’s fitness improving
kickoff that they had finally summer and everyone’s and numerous players to return, it is
completed the signing of Varane from “I think he’ll bring going to probably little wonder skipper Maguire thinks
Real Madrid with the 28-year-old that winning mentality “there’s still a lot more to come from”
paraded on the pitch before the team to the club and he’ll also improve, but so have United.
ran amok. bring his footballing we.”
ability to the club. United “It was amazing,” he said after
have playing in front of Old Trafford’s first
“We sell-out crowd since March 2020. “To
get the fans back in the stadium, it’s
“To bring players into this club, what football is all about.
obviously of his calibre as well, it’s
going to be really, really exciting,” “You felt it before the game in the
United skipper Maguire said. warm-ups, even the build-up to the
“Everyone in the squad is
obviously looking forward to game.
working with him. “It’s what we all strive for.
“I think one thing that it does is We all want to play for the
it boosts our defensive options. fans, we all want to score
We’ve got an amazing number of goals in front of fans.
centrebacks now at this club, all “I think it shows
international players who are how much we missed
all proven in the Premier them last season
League. when you start and
“To have this amount of see the atmosphere
top centrebacks is great for in the stadium
the competition for today.
places. It’ll make people “The perfect
push further, push start against
harder and it’s obviously Leeds
exciting.” United as well.
Varane certainly To stick five past
takes United’s them we’re
defensive quality up really pleased.”
– The
Independent

a level and the 2018 MaGuire
World Cup winner (left) and
also brings a Varane.
winning mentality

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