The Sun - 19 June 2024

Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY RM1 WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2024 SCAN ME No. 8547 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) Local conglomerate forges alliances with smart home appliances and technology specialist Skyworth Group and NEV maker Skywell New Energy Automobile Group. An AI generated image of Kuala Lumpur featured online that portrays the city as a Southeast Asia gem and a melting pot of cultures and beauty. Report on — page 2 Findings on Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge submitted by Royal Commission of Inquiry chairman to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim at Istana Negara. World of difference between reality and hype Berjaya in strategic ties with two China firms Free Bharatanatyam classes for students of Tamil school over past 25 years have not only rendered sense of belonging and pride but also spurred them to do well in studies and life. Report on — page 4 Developing trajectory for success through traditional dance Report on hpage 13 Report on hpage 3 Leading tour comparison site uses artificial intelligence to present how local residents and global travellers perceive top city destinations. Sovereignty report overeignty report presented resented to King to King

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 2 KUALA LUMPUR: The latest report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to study the sovereignty issues over Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge was presented to the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim. A post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page stated that the report was presented by RCI chairman Tun Md Raus Sharif to His Majesty at Istana Negara yesterday, during an audience lasting nearly an hour. In February, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department announced that Sultan Ibrahim had consented to the immediate establishment of the commission. The RCI formation was carried out under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950 [Act 119]. On May 23, 2008, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Singapore has sovereignty over Batu Puteh, while Middle Rocks, located less than 1km away, belongs to Malaysia. The ICJ also ruled that ownership rights over South Ledge, approximately 4km from Batu Puteh, would be determined according to the maritime boundaries of the controlling country, Bernama reported. On Feb 2, 2017, Malaysia applied for a review of the ICJ’s decision. However, in May 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government under prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad withdrew the application just two weeks before the scheduled hearing on June 11, 2018. On Feb 27, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the RCI’s establishment was aimed at finding a resolution and moving forward with improvements regarding issues involving national sovereignty, rather than assigning blame to any party. She emphasised that Malaysians, especially in Johor, deserve an explanation for the reasons and factors behind the decision not to pursue the Application for Review and Request for Interpretation at the ICJ. On June 12, Mahathir provided testimony during closed-door proceedings of the RCI. Govt to study proposal to place MACC under Parliament jurisdiction BUKIT MERTAJAM: The government will examine the implications of a proposal to place the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) under the jurisdiction of Parliament, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the strict conditions under the proposal also need to be reviewed first before any decision could be made on the matter. “That needs to be discussed. We need to examine the stringent conditions (before deciding),” he said after attending a Hari Raya Aidiladha gathering hosted by his old friend Hamzah Mat Isa in Mengkuang Semarak yesterday. He said the MACC now appears to be more aggressive compared with earlier. Anwar said although MACC is still under the Prime Minister’s Department, it is the responsibility of the agency to conduct investigations if there is misconduct, regardless of an individual’s status. “Right now, what is important is to investigate, have clear evidence and prosecute. That is crucial. Then use technical arguments, don’t avoid the truth. I don’t care, don’t fabricate, don’t oppress. If there is evidence, respond, if there are facts, respond. That is what matters.” Last Sunday, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, when appearing as a guest on a news publication’s podcast, disagreed with the proposal to place the MACC under Parliament. He said the MACC is the only agency monitored by five independent bodies, while Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption is monitored by four oversight bodies. Meanwhile, Anwar also pledged to make Cherok Tokun an outstanding Madani Village under the initiative to adopt it as his foster village. Earlier, Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail spent about 45 minutes mingling with and greeting guests at the event. – Bernama oFindings on Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge submitted by inquiry commission chief at Istana Negara ‘Eggs-cellent’, say consumers on price reduction KUALA LUMPUR: The three-sen drop in the retail price of grade A, B and C chicken eggs that was announced on Monday may seem paltry but it sent ripples of relief to small traders and was welcomed by consumers across the country. Most food traders said the price reduction would cut business costs, given that eggs are widely used in various cuisines, especially in making cakes and pastries. Bumiputera Small Traders Association of Pasar Siti Khadijah chairman Ahmad Nazri Che Omar said the initiative gave Kelantan traders, especially food sellers, an opportunity to make a little “eggs-tra” profit. “The drop in price allows traders to make more profit and offset the increasing price of other raw materials used for business.” Biscuit and cake dealer Nur Anisa Hanis Ramli, 42, from Negeri Sembilan said although some see the price drop as meagre, the effect was felt by those who took large orders for products using eggs as the main ingredient. “For example, in my job running a confectionery, I need more than 60 eggs every two weeks. So, this price reduction really helps reduce my costs.” In Selangor, cake and pastry maker Intan Baizura Zainal, 39, said the price cut could reduce the financial pressure on bakery operators. “The decision to lower the price of eggs is timely because even if we want to make a profit, we still need to offer reasonable prices to customers. This may be the beginning of government efforts to lower the prices of other essential goods, in line with the move to return savings from targeted subsidies to the people in stages.” A canteen operator in Terengganu, Ahmad Khairi Samad, 52, said the drop in egg prices would reduce his operating costs, as he requires about 100 grade B eggs a day. Consumers Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the price cut for eggs would help low-income groups. “This measure will also help traders and food sellers because they can lower costs and we hope that traders who use a lot of eggs will not raise the prices of their food after this.” A member of the Perak State Consumer Movement Khairul Anwar El Syazalli Musa said the move would certainly benefit consumers. Single mother Mariam Abdul Ghani, 48, from Pahang said lower egg prices help the less privileged because eggs are a cheaper source of protein. Rizalina Mad Saad, 46, from Arau said the government is sensitive to people’s needs, especially those in the B40 group since eggs are usually a basic necessity in the kitchen of every home. On Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the retail price of chicken eggs would be reduced by 3 sen per egg, bringing the price down to 42 sen, 40 sen and 38 sen for grade A, B and C, respectively. – Bernama Malaysia expresses interest to join BRICS BUKIT MERTAJAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday confirmed that he has expressed to the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Malaysia’s wish to join the intergovernmental organisation BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). “For the past two months, the Foreign Ministry has been appointed to conduct a study on our policy decision to join BRICS. We will go through the process to enable us to join it. “I have spoken to the President of Brazil about such a wish,” he said after attending a Hari Raya Aidiladha kenduri of his old acquaintance Hamzah Mat Isa at his residence in Mengkuang Semarak here yesterday. BRICS was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining the group in 2010. In January 2024, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates joined the organisation as new members. – Bernama Pact to boost aid to Palestine KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Turkiye have agreed to increase humanitarian assistance to Palestine, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In a post on his official Facebook page, he said the proposal was discussed with Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan via a telephone conversation on Monday. “In fact, President Erdogan also shared his experience and concerns as well as registered his protest against the genocide in Gaza during the G7 Summit which he attended in Italy recently.” During the tele-conversation, the president also reiterated his commitment in strengthening cooperation in defence, economy, culture, trade and investment between both countries while Anwar once again forwarded an invitation to Erdogan to visit Malaysia in the month of July or August. – Bernama The reduction in prices of chicken eggs has brought cheer to traders as well as household consumers in the country. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN RCI report on sovereignty issues presented to King

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 3 Malaysia, China to ink MoU PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and China will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the fields of housing, urban planning and smart cities, announced Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. In a statement yesterday, Nga said the exchange of the MoU between Malaysia’s Housing and Local Government Ministry and China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development will be witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his official three-day visit, which began yesterday until tomorrow. Following the signing, Nga elaborated that both countries would explore potential cooperation in smart housing, urban redevelopment, urban mobility, urban livability, urban sustainability and smart city profiling. He said both countries are also expected to explore smart solutions and services for urban operations and management, smart construction and adaptation, and partnerships in the recognition and certification of smart cities. “Through this MoU, both countries will benefit from expertise sharing, best practices and collaboration in significant initiatives and projects. The exchange of MoU in the housing and urban development sector is seen as a strategic and significant cooperation between Malaysia and China.” Nga highlighted that Malaysia stands to gain the latest technology and expertise in housing and urban development from China. He stressed that this partnership has the potential to boost investment value, stimulate economic growth and create new job opportunities while strengthening bilateral relations between Malaysia and China. Li arrived last night for his official visit in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. He will hold meetings with Anwar to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. – Bernama Polygamous unions among M’sians common in Thailand NARATHIWAT: The Islamic Religious Council here has disclosed that at least 30 couples from Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Terengganu travel to the province every month to enter into polygamous marriages. Its deputy president Abdul Aziz Che Mamat said the majority of these couples came with the intention of formalising their relationships and were willing to travel long distances for the purpose. “However, getting married in southern Thailand is not as easy as it may seem. There are specific conditions that must be met, including background checks on the couples. “One of the mandatory conditions is the presentation of the divorce certificate or the death certificate of a previous spouse if the woman is a widow or divorcee. If these conditions are not met or are questionable, the solemnisation will not be allowed to proceed.” Abdul Aziz emphasised that marriages are not conducted recklessly, as everyone must consider the lineage and future implications if they are not truthful. He added that couples wishing to practise polygamy in southern Thailand must obtain verification from the Malaysian Consulate General Office in Songkhla and register their marriages in Malaysia to avoid future problems. – Bernama Baring truth on perceived versus actual tour attractions PETALING JAYA: Imagine planning a holiday abroad and getting excited when reading about all the wonderful places to visit in a particular country. Travellers will be in for a shock when doing this, said TourScanner CEO Simone Semprini. TourScanner is a tour comparison site with a diverse team of travellers from every continent (except Antarctica), including tech developers, content writers, editors, digital marketers and managers. “We wanted to shed light on the issue and showcase the staggering difference between local and world stereotypes by using AI to examine how residents and global travellers perceive top city destinations.” Semprini said her company collected country stereotypes of the local view and world view from ChatGPT, which was then put into MidJourney, an AI image generator, to create an image of the stereotypes of each city from the local and world views. She said Kuala Lumpur, which is home to the Petronas Twin Towers, is considered by the world to be a warm, diverse metropolis, boasting dozens of malls for seasoned shoppers to peruse. oTraveller expectations shaped by ‘ glossy portrayals’ and ‘romanticised narratives’ unlike what locals experience █ BYJOSHUA PURUSHOTMAN [email protected] “As a relatively new city, it is known for being a gem of Southeast Asia, a melting pot of cultures and beauty, which is a sentiment mirrored in the AI world-view images. “However, all these world-view positives which make it such a desirable destination are what’s making it less so among Malaysians, who say it is a busy metropolis with plenty of job opportunities, but expensive and full of traffic. “These are words Malaysians themselves are using to describe Kuala Lumpur as depicted in the AI-reimagined image.” Semprini said like all major cities, Kuala Lumpur has seen a significant increase in tourism in the last year alone, so it is no surprise that traffic is becoming an increasing source of frustration. She said a recent study revealed that Malaysians spend 81 hours per year driving in rush hour traffic, with a 43% congestion level which gives a different perspective of the city. “In the age of social media, the romanticised expectations placed on dream destinations may not match reality, which is what is happening in Kuala Lumpur and the other cities we studied.” Semprini said Paris, which is Europe’s most popular city break, has made headlines for this phenomenon, dubbed “Paris Syndrome”, as visitors felt very disappointed or were even shocked by their experiences there. She said Southeast Asia, with Western culture and entertainment, depicted Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok as bucket list destinations. “When quizzed on how the world views Bangkok, AI described it as an exotic, party city with iconic landmarks bursting with unique culture to explore. “However, the Thais described it as a place with a distinct contrast between traditional and modern life, with economic opportunity and street food, but a victim of traffic, pollution and flooding.” Semprini said as 2023’s most visited city, pollution is a big concern in Bangkok as captured in AI’s local view image, where smog shields the view of its skyline and traffic fills the streets, often disrupting day-to-day living in the city. TourScanner co-founder Guillaume Picard said when booking a city break, it is not uncommon for travellers’ expectations to be shaped by “romanticised narratives and glossy portrayals” as its study demonstrated. “But often, this can lead to disappointment or worse, tourists being wilfully ignorant of the important issues locals are facing. On the other hand, locals have a far harsher opinion of their cities and may be too quick to overlook the beauty that draws in tourists. “While every city boasts its own set of positives and negatives, maintaining an open mind about the realities of each destination can foster a more enriching and respectful travel experience,” he said. Govt to provide family housing for 60% of military personnel SANDAKAN: The Defence Ministry (Mindef) aims to provide family housing for up to 60% of its over 100,000 personnel, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said. He added that there are discussions with the Finance Ministry to address various aspects of housing for military personnel to achieve this target. “This initiative is to ensure that as many as possible, in line with our target of 60%, can occupy family housing. Additionally, personnel will have opportunities to acquire their own homes, making the process of homeownership easier for them. “We have planned to develop these houses within this period. For this year, we have budgeted for family housing to be completed by 2029, and we will continue to pursue the development of family housing.” He said this after an official working visit to the Royal Malaysian Navy Base in Sandakan on Monday. He also said the government has allocated RM400 million to maintain and refurbish all military family housing. Separately, Adly said the upgrade project for the Operations Jetty of the Naval Region 2 Headquarters (MAWILLA 2) at the TLDM Base in Sandakan is currently 39% complete and is expected to be completed by next year. “All our ships and assets, especially in the Naval Region 2, will be able to operate optimally and effectively with the availability of this jetty,” he added. – Bernama STANDSTILL TRAFFIC ... Congestion seen near the Bentong Toll Plaza in Pahang as travellers head back to Kuala Lumpur after the extended Hari Raya Aidiladha weekend. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 4 /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE Malaysian Paper Cultivating confidence through dance KUALA LUMPUR: Some 25 years ago, a Tamil school in Bangsar was in dire need of books, stationery, computers and tutoring in English, Mathematics and other subjects. Some doctors, lawyers and other professionals decided to pitch in and purchase what was needed for them as most of the primary and secondary school students there were from poor families. However, while giving the school the equipment it needed was important, the students perceived tutoring as merely an extension of their schooling. This is where the Mahavidya Dance Theatre, founded in 2001 by Sheela Raghavan, entered the scene. An accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, she started teaching the pupils dance to give them a sense of belonging. “I have always believed dance can be a unifying channel that would give them the self-confidence and pride they needed. “It was tough at first as we had to convince parents to send their children for classes although they were free and held just once a week for beginners. We were also short of money for their costumes, which includes silk sarees, imitation jewellery, anklets and other items R. Shavena (left) and P. Harshnna, two senior dancers who will be performing in ‘Reflections’ on July 5 and 6. – PIC COURTESY OF MAHAVIDYA DANCE THEATRE oLocal academy dedicated 25 years to teaching Bharatanatyam to underprivileged students, providing them with sense of belonging, pride and purpose █ BYJOSHUA PURUSHOTMAN [email protected] Health screening, education for indigenous communities in S’wak PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur-based Yayasan Kesenian Orang Asli (YKOA) has started a comprehensive week-long health screening and education programme in three remote indigenous community villages in Bario Highlands, Sarawak. It has been carried out since June 13 in collaboration with the district health office at Long Seridan, Long Meraan and Long Balau, situated in between Mount Mulu and Bario Highlands. The health screening will benefit the Penan, Kelabit and Saban communities. Sponsored by the Australian High Commission and Klinik Leela Ratos, YKOA director Datin Pearl Mohan said the initiative was important in providing essential medical care to underserved communities in rural Sarawak. The objectives of the programme include imparting essential health knowledge to the local populace, extending non-communicable disease outreach, health screenings for women and fostering a healthy, active and collaborative community. “By conducting health screenings and providing health education talks to indigenous residents, we not only make inroads into their health but help build a framework for the needs of isolated communities,“ said YKOA chairman Dr Andre Ratos. He said the initiative underscores its ongoing commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and education. Ratos cited poor access to doctors, the burden of travel costs and reluctance to seek healthcare as among the challenges faced by the indigenous communities. He said the programme was also aimed at building rapport and treating, educating and encouraging indigenous individuals to seek follow-up or surgical care at district hospitals. Ratos said bridging their healthcare gaps would pave the way for improved health outcomes and higher quality of life. Established in 2002, YKOA was founded by Dr Leela Ratos to elevate indigenous livelihood and preserve their culture. required for public performances.” Sheela said some people looked at her dancers with disdain because of this. But saree shops chipped in and so did those that sold imitation jewellery and other items so the children could be properly attired. The Mahavidya Dance Theatre is unique in that Sheela teaches the Vazhuvoor style, which is one of the four original styles of Bharatanatyam. Soon, word spread and before long, the dance theatre was invited to put on shows, which Sheela gladly accepted. Bharatanatyam opened the children to a world of performing arts and music they previously did not know existed. “One could see the transformation in the children once they were on stage. They beamed with pride as they danced to script and put on flawless performances that were appreciated by the audience.” The self-confidence of the children grew to the point that even their studies improved. Seeing this, children from more well-off families were also sent to learn Bharatanatyam from her. On average, Sheela puts on about two performances a month and more during auspicious Hindu festivals such as Deepavali, Navarathiri (a nine-day Hindu festival in honour of the Goddess Durga) and others. “Over the years, I have trained more than 300 dancers. The number seems small for that many years, but there are only about 20 students at each intake.” Today, the senior students she taught years ago are being trained to teach as they have vast experience as Bharatanatyam dancers, having performed in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries. The Mahavidya Dance Theatre will be showcasing a performance called “Reflections”, which combines theatre, Bharatanatyam and folk dances, and multimedia projections with English subtitles, so the audience can follow the storyline. The event will take place over two nights on July 5 and 6 at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre. “Reflections brings to life the legendary tale of Garuda, the part-eagle and part-human who is king of the birds, according to Hindu mythology. He is also the vehicle for Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. “In one tale, Garuda seeks the nectar of immortality and our performance reimagines the deity seeking the counsel of his guru as he sets out on his quest.” Sheela said the 20 dancers who will be performing over the two days include her senior students, who have made good in their lives and careers. “They have graduated in actuarial science, accounting and finance, psychology and other disciplines and are returning to perform for a good cause.” For more details and to attend the performance, please contact Mahavidya Dance Theatre on Instagram or Facebook, or reach them via WhatsApp at 016-225 6993. Proceeds from tickets priced at RM38 will go towards supporting arts education for underprivileged children in the Klang Valley.

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 5 Drug bust nets 56kg of ganja KUANTAN: The Pahang Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) has arrested a man and seized 56.22kg of ganja worth an estimated RM173,600, marking the state’s largest drug bust of the year. Acting state police chief DCP Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the 39-year-old man was apprehended at Lorong Seri Mahkota Permai at around 1.30pm on Saturday following a two month surveillance operation. He said 54 compressed packages of greenish dried ganja leaves were found in a car, where the man was suspected to be waiting for customers. “The suspect operated independently as a main distributor or major player, sourcing his supply from a neighbouring country and distributing it in Pahang for nearly a year. “With the arrest of the suspect, the NCID has successfully dismantled the distribution network of ganja in Kuantan,” he said at the Pahang police contingent headquarters yesterday. The suspect has 13 criminal offences related to drugs. He also said the suspect tested positive for methamphetamine and has been remanded for seven days to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. – Bernama Cops tracking down armed robbers KUALA LUMPUR: Police are looking for four men believed to have been involved in an armed robbery of a jewellery shop in a shopping mall in Kajang. District deputy police chief Supt Mohamad Nasir Drahman said preliminary investigations revealed four masked men wearing security guard uniforms and gloves entered the first floor premises at 3.17pm on Monday. “The suspects smashed the glass of the jewellery display cases with a hammer and took the items. “They are believed to have had two pistols and a rifle. During the incident, the suspects fired a shot at a wall before escaping to the basement car park,” he said, adding that total losses were still being established. He said police were studying the mall CCTV footage and taking witness statements for further investigation in the case, which is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971. Those with information may contact the nearest police station or investigating officer ASP Mohd Afiq Farhan Mohd Nor at 012-244 6768. – Bernama One killed after car crashes into express bus NIBONG TEBAL: A man died and another was injured when a car they were travelling in collided with an express bus at Km155.9 of the North-South Expressway near Sungai Bakap yesterday. A Penang Fire and Rescue Department operations centre spokesman said a team was despatched to the scene after they were alerted of the collision at 4.36am. “The collision is believed to have occurred when the car hit the back of the express bus, trapping the front passenger. “Rescuers took about 15 minutes to extricate the 30-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. “The 40-year-old driver sustained facial injuries while the bus driver and passengers were unhurt.” The body was sent for an autopsy while the driver was rushed to a hospital for treatment. – Bernama Govt fails to block review of Sabah revenue grant KOTA KINABALU: The Court of Appeal has dismissed a federal government appeal against the leave granted to the Sabah Law Society (SLS) to seek a judicial review of the state’s 40% revenue grant. Court of Appeal judges Datuk Ravinthran N. Paramaguru, Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali and Datuk Dr Choo Kah Sing delivered the ruling via online proceedings. Ravinthran read out the decision and directed the High Court to fix a date for a full hearing of the judicial review application. The government was appealing against a Kota Kinabalu High Court decision on Nov 11, 2022 to grant SLS leave to seek a judicial review of the matter to compel the return of 40% of federal revenue earned from the state according to the Federal Constitution. On Nov 11, 2022, Justice Ismail Brahim had granted the SLS application for leave, ruling that SLS had locus standi for judicial review as it was a public interest litigation. The Attorney-General’s Chambers obtained a stay order to stop the High Court from hearing the merits of the case pending the appeal. SLS filed the judicial review application in 2022 to overturn the federal government gazette of a RM125.6 million annual grant for Sabah, claiming that it violated the state’s revenue rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. In delivering the unanimous decision, Ravinthran said SLS has established locus standi for judicial review as it is a public interest litigation undertaken for the benefit of the public and not on personal grounds or grievances of SLS. He said the issue addressed in the application involves high constitutional importance and it was undertaken to purportedly indicate a constitutional right accorded to Sabah and by extension, for the benefit of the people. “Whether there is merit in the application (judicial review) or otherwise is a matter that should be addressed in the full hearing (at the oJudges reach unanimous decision for full hearing after finding locus standi had been established as case represents public interest High Court).” He added that to prevent SLS from ventilating the issue on the grounds of locus standi at this stage would be a retrograde step and would not be in consonance with the recent development of law in this area. Ravinthran said at this stage, it cannot be said the subject matter (judicial review) is not justiciable and the SLS counsel had pointed out in the application that they were not challenging the lawfulness of the special grant for Sabah. “If that were the case, it would attract a justiciability argument as it is a matter agreed upon by the federal and Sabah governments. “Neither is SLS asking the court to conduct a review under Article 112 (of the Constitution), which would also attract a justiciability argument as the court is not equipped to handle such a matter.” He said the focus of the judicial review application is on the alleged “lost years”, Bernama reported. Sabahans use the term “lost years” to refer to a 48-year period of a second mandatory review of the state’s 40% revenue grant, originally due by 1974 but only undertaken in 2022. He said the judges noted that the main issues raised by the government lacked merit given the factual and legal matrix of the unprecedented judicial review application. Four youths held over alleged kidnapping of boys JOHOR BAHRU: Police have arrested four youths aged between 15 and 20 in connection with the alleged kidnapping of three 14-year-old boys from a supermarket in Skudai. Johor Bahru North district police chief ACP Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said the youths were arrested at 8pm on Sunday while a vehicle believed to have been used in the incident was seized and the victims’ belongings were recovered. He said the four suspects, including three juveniles, have been remanded until tomorrow and the case is being investigated under Section 363 of the Penal Code (kidnapping), Section 324 of the Penal Code (causing hurt with weapons) and Section 506 of the Penal Code (criminal intimidation). “An investigation is ongoing to identify the motive of the suspects.” At around 8pm on June 15, the victims were abducted by a group of about 10 people, one of whom was known to one of the victims, using three cars and taken to an unknown location. Balveer Singh said the suspects beat the victims, took nude pictures of them and threatened to spread the photos if they reported the incident. “The suspects fled with the victims’ belongings, leaving them at the location.” He said the victims suffered bruises on their faces and hands and were rescued with help from the public and sent to a hospital before they went to a police station to lodge a report at 6.45am on Sunday. – Bernama ON THE RUN ... Beluran district police chief Supt Hasan Majid at a press conference yesterday showing drugs seized during an inspection of a vehicle and a photo of a suspect who managed to escape during an operation at the Sapi Nangoh checkpoint in Sabah. – BERNAMAPIC

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 6 There is a pottery studio in Petaling Jaya that offers classes for interested parties to experience the benefits of clay art and explore its therapeutic potential. Good Times DIY Pottery Studio founder Norbert Wong said he created and introduced a programme, which he described as innovative and engaging, in 2021. The programme aims to promote emotional healing and help people manage stress, with workshops and classes led by experienced pottery masters, Bernama reported. Participants also get to learn the wheel throwing and hand building techniques. According to Wong, working with clay has many benefits, including stress reduction and improved emotional regulation. He said this was evident among the participants, who found shaping clay to be therapeutic and a way to take their minds off work stress. “They also reported to us that working with clay activates their creativity. I believe our workshops could also help individuals struggling with social anxiety issues or shyness. “It’s quite challenging for us to handle large crowds during team building sessions but the participants have so much fun making their own ceramic items,” he said in an interview recently. Wong also spoke about a pottery workshop he and his team conducted for children with autism. “It was challenging but ultimately, it was a rewarding session for everyone. For that particular class, one of the main challenges for us was to think and act fast when interacting with the children because they think and act differently from others.” He said he also encourages parents and teachers to let children experiment with clay as “playing with clay and making objects with it actually help children to think differently”. Studio supervisor Norfarisha Adilea Mohd Faris, 21, said participants of the pottery classes are each given 500gm of clay, which they can use to make a cup, bowl or plate. They are taught to mould the clay using a wheel throwing machine. “We instruct them to remove air pockets and ensure the clay is evenly mixed. They are also taught to control the speed of the wheel and add water if the clay gets dry. “The process must be repeated patiently using alternate pressure with their hands until they achieve the desired shape. Learning how to coordinate their hands with the wheel and centering the clay may take some time, but once they get the hang of it, it will become easier.” After centering the clay, participants will be @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper Education remains an important pillar of Malaysian society; it equips students with the skills needed to become productive and useful members of society. We invite you to showcase the best of education and the difference your institution has brought to the education landscape. Education matters so join us in 2024! Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising. Malaysian Paper 03-7784 6688 [email protected] Exploring therapeutic benefits of pottery KUALA LUMPUR: Throughout history, the use of clay pottery in therapeutic settings has been documented in many cultures worldwide, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient times. In contemporary times, clay pottery has progressed into a reputable form of art therapy, with some experts describing the emotional healing achieved as “truly remarkable”. Clay art therapy offers a range of techniques that are said to aid in improving mental health and enhancing psychological well-being. One of the most prominent techniques used is “wheel throwing”, which refers to the process of shaping clay on a potter’s wheel to create ceramic items such as pots, bowls and vases. The process is said to improve patience and concentration. Another technique is “hand building”, which allows one to create ceramics with clay using just their hands. A participant shaping a clay creation at Good Times DIY Pottery Studio. oProcess of shaping clay said to improve mental health and enhance psychological well-being Hand-crafted rattan gown takes centre stage KUALA LUMPUR: The attire singer Aina Abdul wore when she performed at a recent National Unity Week event was a real head-turner. It was no surprise that it drew so much attention as her voluminous gown was made of rattan, that is usually used to make furniture. With the natural colour of the rattan adorned with pink embroidery, the unique dress looked beautiful on Aina, who won the Best Vocal Award at the 37th Anugerah Juara Lagu 2023. The gown was created by fashion designer Melinda Looi, in collaboration with rattan artisans from the Penan ethnic group in Sungai Tutoh village, Baram in Sarawak. According to Looi, who has been involved in the local fashion industry for 20 years, the dress, which took almost a year to complete, is a tribute to Malaysian craftsmen and artisans. “It’s more of an art piece rather than a dress. I created this as an artistic inspiration and not as a commercial wearable outfit. “I hope this work can inspire the younger generation to appreciate and preserve Malaysia’s heritage crafts. We must ensure our craftsmen, artisans and local businesses are able to sustain their crafts for a longer period,” she said recently. The fashion designer, who represented Malaysia at the World Fashion Awards and World Fashion Week in Paris in 2014, said her interest in “ikat” textiles produced by the Iban community in Sarawak was also a significant motivation behind creating the rattan gown. Looi said the rattan weaving process itself took eight months to complete. “Another month was spent on the finishing touches. The most tedious and time-consuming part was the production of the rattan itself. We had to smoothen it first and then the rattan had to be hand-sewn to create the design of the dress. “Rattan is not an easy material to turn into clothing and it’s not something flexible that can be (easily shaped). The gown is a 100% hand-sewn and woven kind of couture garment,” she said. Looi added that she also collaborated with the Tun Jugah Foundation on the pattern, Tanoti Crafts on the weaving and Jaw Textile and Printing on the digital textile printing. The gown features hand-harvested and hand-plaited rattan by Erang Ipoi, Serina Melai and Supang Sigak, with the supplemental patterning produced by Mandona Jusely, and embroidery by Maya Luebbert. She said the woven design resembling flower petals on the shoulders was crafted by women living in Iban longhouses in the Ulu Ai region, an area accessible only by a two-hour boat ride from the Batang Ai dam in Lubok Antu. – Bernama taught to shape it using their thumbs to make the base. Then, they will need to pull the clay upwards using both hands. “This step requires utmost patience as failure to do it properly might require them to start over.” She also said once the participants have finished working on their creations, the studio staff will take care of firing the ceramics using a specialised kiln and glazing them to make them food-safe and waterproof. “Their artworks will be ready for collection in a month. This is because it takes some time to complete the kiln firing, colouring and glazing processes,” she added.

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 7 Thaksin indicted for insulting monarchy BANGKOK: Prosecutors formally indicted yesterday influential former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra under the kingdom’s strict royal insult laws over comments he made nearly a decade ago. The case against the 74-year-old billionaire, twice elected premier and ousted in a 2006 military putsch, is one of four before the courts that could unleash political instability in the coup-prone kingdom. Thaksin, the patriarch of the Pheu Thai party that leads the coalition government, appeared at Bangkok’s Ratchada Criminal Court accused of lese-majeste over an interview he gave oCriminal court grants ex-PM bail South Korea orders striking doctors to return to work SEOUL: The South Korean government issued a return-to-work order for doctors yesterday as more doctors including medical professors join the months-long strike to protest against increasing medical school admissions. Around 4% of some 36,000 private clinics have notified the government of plans to be closed to take part in the protest, Health Minister Cho Kyoohong said. “To minimise the medical gap, the return-to-work order will be issued,” Cho told a briefing. The government previously issued a return-to-work order to striking trainee doctors before withdrawing it earlier this month as an olive branch. Under the law, doctors defying the return-to-work order can face suspension of their licences or other legal repercussions. President Yoon Suk Yeol said the doctors’ strike was “regretful and disappointing”. “(The government) has no choice but to sternly deal with the illegal acts neglecting patients,” Yoon said during a Cabinet meeting, while offering to work together if the doctors return to work. According to a survey conducted last week, nearly eight in 10 South Koreans oppose the doctors’ strike. Some doctors and medical staff Doctors protesting against government plans to increase medical school admissions and healthcare reform in Seoul yesterday. – REUTERSPIC Four Philippine police officers found guilty of drug war killings MANILA: Four Philippine police officers were found guilty yesterday of killing a father and son, in a rare case of law enforcement officers being prosecuted for taking part in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war. The four low-ranking officers were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for the shooting deaths of the two victims at a Manila slum during an anti-drug operation in 2016, Manila regional trial court judge Rowena Alejandria said in her written verdict that was read in court yesterday. “It must be worthy to note that the accused did not deny their presence and participation in the police operation, the same event where the victims Luis and Gabriel (Domingo) were killed,” Alejandria wrote. Thousands of drug suspects were killed by police and unknown gunmen in a campaign that became the centrepiece of Duterte’s 2016- 2022 rule, a crackdown that critics described as state-sponsored extrajudicial killings and is now a subject of an investigation by the International Criminal Court. Luis Bonifacio’s partner, Mary Ann Domingo, cried on her son’s shoulder as they listened to the verdict on two counts of homicide each being read at the cramped northern Manila courtroom. Police officers Virgilio Cervantes, Arnel de Guzman, Johnston Alacre and Artemio Saguros were also ordered to pay 300,000 pesos (RM24,133) each in damages to the victims’ heirs. The family has alleged more than a dozen police officers took part in the nighttime raid at the northern Manila slum. The family insisted the two were not involved in drugs and were unarmed when police opened fire. The defendants pleaded selfdefence, alleging the suspects were armed and had shot at them. But state prosecutors went with the lesser charge of homicide against only four officers, instead of murder, which involves deliberate intent to kill and which carries a heavier penalty. Official data shows more than 6,000 people died in police antinarcotics operations. Duterte had openly ordered police to shoot dead suspects during anti-drug operations if officers believed their lives were in danger. While the crackdown has been widely condemned and sparked an international investigation, only five other policemen have been convicted for killing drug suspects. Lawyers say most families are too scared to go after their relatives’ killers or do not have the money or time to pursue a case in the Philippines’ creaky judicial system. The Philippine drug crackdown is being investigated by the International Criminal Court, which said in 2021 that it appeared “a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population took place pursuant to or in furtherance of a state policy”. Duterte pulled the Philippines out of the ICC in 2019, so only cases before that date are covered by the investigation. – AFP B R I E F SSUBMARINE SURFACES IN TAIWAN STRAIT TAIPEI: Taiwan’s defence minister said yesterday that they have a “grasp” of the situation after pictures appeared online of a Chinese nuclear submarine surfacing in the sensitive Taiwan Strait. Pictures of the surfaced craft, which appears to be a nuclear-armed Jin class ballistic missile submarine, taken by a fishermen in the strait as dawn broke yesterday, about 200km from Taiwan’s western coast. Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said they have a “grasp” of the intelligence situation, but declined to say how they were monitoring it or give details. China’s Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A security source familiar with the situation said the submarine was most likely returning to its home port in Qingdao from the South China Sea. The source said the submarine likely experienced a malfunction and was forced to surface. Koo said: “We must be alert at all times, but not panic nor be apathetic, and calmly deal with the situation.” – Reuters ‘ONE TOURIST, ONE TREE’ CAMPAIGN YANGON: Myanmar has launched the “One tourist, one tree” campaign allowing tourists to plant commemorative trees to encourage sustainable and responsible tourism. The initiative, jointly launched by the Hotels and Tourism Ministry and Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Ministry, aims to mitigate the impact of climaterelated disasters, said an official from the Tourism Promotion Department. The campaign encourages the tourism sector to contribute to preserving the natural environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with tourism. The campaign will take place annually from June to November in key tourist destinations such as Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Ngwe Saung Beach, and Chaungtha Beach. In the first four months of this year, Myanmar welcomed over 430,000 foreign tourists, with the majority coming from China, followed by Thailand. – Bernama to South Korean media in 2015. “Today a state prosecutor indicted Thaksin Shinawatra and the court accepted the case,” the attorney general’s office said in a statement. Thailand has some of the world’s strictest royal defamation laws protecting King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family, with each charge bringing a potential 15-year prison sentence. Thaksin was also charged under the Computer Crimes Act, which can carry a jail sentence of up to five years. His lawyer Winyat Chatmontree said Thaksin denied all charges and had “no intention of speaking about anyone protected by Article 112” – a reference to the section of the criminal code dealing with lesemajeste. The former Manchester City owner was granted bail on a 500,000 baht (RM63,634) bond and ordered not to leave the country without permission, court officials said. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug 19. Critics say the lese-majeste laws are misused to stifle legitimate political debate, and there has been a spike in their use since youth-led anti-government street protests in 2020 and 2021. Thaksin is the biggest name among the more than 270 people charged under the laws since the protests, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, a legal group that handles many cases. Thaksin’s case came on the same day the Constitutional Court deliberated on three other cases that could spark a political crisis. One seeks the ouster of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin under ethics rules, over the appointment of a Cabinet minister with a conviction. In another, the election commission is seeking the dissolution of the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), which won the most seats at last year’s general election but was blocked from forming the government. The court said it would sit again in the MFP case on July 3 and in the Srettha case on July 10. In a third case, the Constitutional Court ruled that the election for a new senate is lawful, throwing out a challenge that sought its postponement or cancellation. For two decades, Thai politics has been dominated by a struggle between the conservative military pro-royalist elite and progressive parties – first those of Thaksin and his allies and now the MFP. Thaksin returned to Thailand last August from 15 years in self-exile on the same day Srettha took power in an alliance with pro-military parties previously bitterly opposed to Thaksin and his followers. The timing seemed to suggest a truce in the long-running tussle as both sides sought to see off the threat posed by MFP. But the Constitutional Court cases could rip any such deal apart, and Thaksin has hinted that he believes the lese-majeste allegations are an establishment ruse to undermine him and Srettha’s government. “I think the latest developments signal that he is somewhere between a political mastermind and a hostage,” said political analyst Napon Jatusripitak of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. – AFP have openly criticised the collective action in response to the government’s push for an increase in medical school admissions to address the shortage of doctors in the country. Others have argued that increasing the number of doctors will do little to shore up essential services and rural areas grappling with a deepening shortage of doctors. More than half of medical professors at Seoul National University hospitals on Monday went on indefinite strike, the Yonhap news agency reported. The Korea Medical Association, a leading critic of the government’s reforms, vowed yesterday to go on strike. The group is also expected to stage a protest in Seoul, calling for reconsideration of increasing medical school admissions. – Reuters

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 8 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK Malaysian Paper Concern over actions of two diplomats SYDNEY: Australia voiced concern yesterday about the actions of two diplomats at a press event on Monday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised the behaviour, saying Australia had “followed up with the Chinese embassy to express our concern”. “When you look at the footage, it was a pretty clumsy attempt, frankly, by a couple of people to stand in between where the cameras were and where Cheng Lei was sitting,” he told national broadcaster ABC. “And Australian officials intervened, as they should have, to ask the Chinese officials who were there at the press conference to move.” Footage showed two Chinese diplomats hovering next to a seated Cheng, repeatedly ignoring requests to move from animated Australian officials. Cheng said they “went to great lengths to block me from the cameras”. “And I’m guessing that’s to prevent me from saying something or doing something that they think would be a bad look,” she told Sky News Australia. “But that itself is a bad look.” In closed-door talks just hours earlier, Albanese had told Premier Li Qiang that “foreign interference was not acceptable in Australia’s political system”. The highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Australia since 2017, Li’s visit shows the growing rapprochement between Beijing and Canberra. Li ended his visit with a tour of a Chinesecontrolled lithium refiner in Western Australia. He said his trip to Australia demonstrated “that this relationship is on the right track of steady improvement and development”. Despite the goodwill on show, both sides have acknowledged lingering “differences” – a nod to diplomatic jostling in the Pacific. “We won’t always agree, and the points in which we disagree won’t simply disappear if we leave them in silence,” Albanese said. – AFP B R I E F S NEW ZEALAND SHIPS JOIN MONITORING TEAM WELLINGTON: New Zealand will increase its contribution to a North Korea sanctions monitoring group. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the government had committed to send New Zealand Defence Force ships for the first time and increase the frequency of deployments of aircraft to support sanctions monitoring until September 2026. “This increase reflects the importance New Zealand places on collective security efforts that support peace and stability and the international rulesbased system in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. The New Zealand government has been trying to step up international engagement both diplomatically and in its military contributions and earlier this month announced it would deploy more soldiers to the UN mission in South Korea. – Reuters REMOVE BARRICADES, NEW CALEDONIA RESIDENTS TOLD PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron called on residents of the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia to dismantle barricades after weeks of unrest, adding that the situation remained “unacceptable”. In a public appeal, Macron called for “the firm and definitive lifting of all blockades” and “the condemnation of violence”. New Caledonia has been ruled from Paris since the 19th century but many indigenous Kanaks want greater autonomy or independence. Riots broke out in mid-May after anger over voting reform spilled into weeks of deadly protests. French authorities insist Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, is back under their control, although barricades remain and demonstrators have said they are determined to stay in the streets. – AFP India to probe railway collision KOLKATA: India will launch an investigation into a train collision that killed nine people in the state of West Bengal and injured more than 50. The death toll was revised down to nine from 15 after the crash on Monday, in which a freight train hit a passenger train heading for the state capital of Kolkata from the northeastern state of Tripura. Northeast Frontier Railway general manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said: “The inquiry will involve eye-witness accounts, scrutiny of official documents and statements from railway officials, regarding signalling and other mandatory safety issues.” On Monday, India’s top railway official said the driver of the freight train, who was among the dead, disregarded a signal, leading to the crash with the Kanchanjunga Express, which had stopped near a railway station in the district of Darjeeling. There were 1,400 people aboard, a railway spokesperson said. But media said an automatic signalling system had not been working from Monday morning, prompting authorities to advise train drivers to proceed slower than usual, in a process known as “paper signals”. Survivors described their terror yesterday. The force of the crash on Monday was so strong that one carriage was initially thrust high into the air, precariously balanced on another. Heavy goods carriages were flung off the tracks, lying high in tumbled piles. “I did not feel like I was going to survive,” said one passenger, Arti Roy, who lost her o‘Automatic signalling system was not working’ belongings when the carriages crumpled, twisted and then flipped off the rails. Jahangir Alam, 35, who lives near the crash site in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling, rushed to offer his help. He said the sight of the wrecked trains terrified him. “These accidents are very dangerous,” he said. “Whenever we think about travelling by train, we feel scared.” “It was a horrific experience,” said Antara Das, 35. “God has saved us.” Trains resumed operating on parallel tracks, with work to repair the line and clear the twisted metal debris of the carriages expected to finish later at night. Many of the carriages have since been cleared from the lines and pushed onto the grassy verge. As trains passed them yesterday, passengers stared out at the wreckage. India has one of the world’s largest rail networks and has seen several disasters over the years, the worst was in 1981 when a train derailed while crossing a bridge in Bihar state, killing an estimated 800 people. In June last year, a three-train collision killed nearly 300 people in Odisha state. In that crash, a packed passenger train was mistakenly diverted onto a loop line and slammed into a stationary goods train. Three railway employees were later charged with culpable homicide and destruction of evidence. In October, at least 14 people died when two passenger trains collided after one overshot a signal in Andhra Pradesh state. India has been investing huge sums of money to upgrade its network with modern stations and electronic signalling systems. – Reuters/AFP Indian murder plot suspect pleads not guilty NEW YORK: An Indian national extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic pleaded not guilty on Monday to involvement in an alleged plot to kill a separatist leader on US soil. Nikhil Gupta, 52, who was detained at Prague Airport in June 2023 on a US warrant, arrived in the United States on Friday. Gupta appeared before a federal magistrate in New York on Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges of murder-for-hire, according to court filings. “This extradition makes clear that the Justice Department will not tolerate attempts to silence or harm American citizens,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “Nikhil Gupta will now face justice in an American courtroom for his involvement in an alleged plot, directed by an employee of the Indian government, to target and assassinate a US citizen for his support of a separatist movement in India,” Garland said. The Justice Department unsealed the charges against Gupta in November, accusing him of conspiring with an unidentified Indian government official to kill a US citizen of Indian origin in New York City. The alleged target of the plot was Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US and Canadian citizen who is affiliated with a New York-based group that advocates the secession of Punjab, a northern Indian state. According to court documents, an Indian government agency employee identified only as “CC-1” recruited Gupta in May 2023 to carry out the assassination of Pannun. Gupta allegedly contacted an individual he believed to be a criminal associate to hire a hitman. The individual was a confidential source working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Canada and India had a major diplomatic row last year after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked New Delhi to the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Canadian authorities have arrested four Indian nationals in connection with Nijjar’s murder, which took place in the parking lot of a temple in Vancouver. Nijjar, who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a citizen in 2015, had advocated a separate state carved out of India. He had been wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. US intelligence agencies have assessed that the plot on American soil was approved by India’s top spy official at the time, Samant Goel, The Washington Post reported in April. India has denied involvement in the murder plots and pledged to carry out an investigation into the allegations. “If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Financial Times in December. Pannun welcomed Gupta’s extradition as a “starting point” for the global community to “hold Modi’s India accountable”. – AFP SOARING START ... An electric flying car named XPeng Voyager X2 and made by XPeng AeroHT takes off during a demonstration flight in Beijing yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 9 SEOUL: Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday hailed North Korea for “firmly supporting” Moscow’s war in Ukraine ahead of a visit to Pyongyang set to boost defence ties between the two nuclear-armed countries. Putin touched down last night for his first trip to the isolated nation in 24 years, with a confrontation between North and South Korean troops on their shared border highlighting regional security tensions. Moscow and Pyongyang have been allies since North Korea’s founding after World War II, and they have drawn even closer since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 led to the West isolating Putin internationally. The United States and its allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with muchneeded arms, including ballistic missiles. The North has denied giving Russia military hardware but, ahead of his trip, Putin thanked Kim Jong Un’s government for helping the war effort. “We highly appreciate that the DPRK (North Korea) is firmly supporting the special military operations of Russia being conducted in Ukraine,” Putin wrote in an article published by Pyongyang’s state media yesterday. Russia and the North are “now actively developing the many-sided partnership”, Putin wrote. The trip will elevate ties to a “higher level” the Russian leader wrote, adding it would help develop “equal cooperation” between the two allies. Both countries are under UN sanctions – Pyongyang since 2006 over banned nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine. Putin praised the North for “defending their interests very effectively despite the US economic pressure, provocation, blackmail and military threats that have lasted for decades”. He also hailed Moscow and Pyongyang for “maintaining the common line and stand at the UN”. – AFP B R I E F SRESOLVE LEBANON BORDER CONFLICTS, URGES ENVOY BEIRUT: US envoy Amos Hochstein called for the “urgent” de-escalation of crossborder exchanges of fire between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israeli forces. “The conflict has gone on long enough,” the presidential envoy said. “It’s in everyone’s interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically.” Hezbollah stepped up attacks on northern Israel last week after an Israeli strike killed one of its senior commanders. But since Saturday, Hezbollah has not claimed any attacks against Israel, despite Israeli strikes on the border area in Lebanon’s south including one on Monday that killed a fighter. Hochstein met Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a day after holding talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We discussed the security and political situation in Lebanon and the deal with respect to Gaza, which also presents an opportunity to end the conflict across the Blue Line”, the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon. – AFP NEMO GETS HERO’S WELCOME IN SWISS HOMETOWN BIEL: Eurovision winner Nemo Mettler received a hero’s welcome on Monday as he took to the stage to give his Swiss hometown of Biel a celebratory rendition of The Code. The 24-year-old was back in Biel for a special ceremony laid on by the town, which hopes to host next year’s Eurovision. Around 2,000 locals were in Biel’s main square to see the artiste receive a trophy and a giant bouquet of flowers, and perform The Code. Nemo is Switzerland’s third Eurovision winner after victories in 1956 and 1988. As per tradition, the Swiss will now host next year’s song contest. Biel, in the canton of Bern, is looking at potentially co-hosting the event with the nation’s capital, though bigger cities like Zurich or Geneva might get chosen. – AFP UN raises alarm over AI-fuelled distortion PARIS: AI technology is helping to create false stories about World War II atrocities, the UN warned yesterday. The UN’s education and culture body Unesco called for governments and tech companies to introduce ethical safeguards around AI technology, and for schools to spread the word about the risks of AI-generated content. Unesco’s report highlighted instances where hackers had rigged chatbots to spread Nazi ideology, and others where bots dreamt up their own stories around atrocities. Unesco director-general Audrey Azoulay said: “If we allow facts to be diluted, distorted or falsified through the irresponsible use of AI, we risk the diminution of our understanding about the causes and consequences of these atrocities.” AI tools that generate content – such as ChatGPT and DALLE-2 – exploded onto the scene in 2022. Companies and institutions have rushed to adopt them for anything from translating texts to providing customer service. But policymakers, campaigners and law enforcement warned from the start that these tools could be used to extort money, ruin reputations, influence elections and distort history. Several tools have already failed at history. Google’s Gemini model caused global controversy in February when it generated images of ethnically diverse Nazi soldiers. Unesco also pointed out that ChatGPT had wholly invented the concept of “Holocaust by drowning”, while Google’s Bard chatbot had fabricated witnesses to support untruths. The policy paper called for “urgent action” from governments, tech companies and educators. However, Unesco’s report also flagged positive uses for AI. Algorithms could categorise and sort testimonies, helping to find new patterns and fresh insights. And AI-powered education tools could bring immersive experiences to young people, the Unesco report said. Unesco education expert Karel Fracapane said that, with the state of the technology, he was leaning harder towards the “AI as menace” side of the debate rather than “AI as opportunity”. – AFP Israeli forces deepen Rafah invasion, kill 17 in camps CAIRO: Israeli airstrikes yesterday killed at least 17 Palestinians in two of the Gaza Strip’s historic refugee camps and Israeli tanks pushed deeper into the enclave’s southern city of Rafah, residents and medics said. Residents reported heavy bombardments from tanks and planes in several areas of Rafah, where more than a million people had taken refuge before May. Most of the population has fled northwards since then as Israeli forces invaded the city. “Rafah is being bombed without any intervention from the world, the occupation (Israel) is acting freely here,” said a Rafah resident via a chat app. Israeli tanks were operating inside Tel AlSultan, Al-Izba, and Zurub areas in Rafah’s west, as well as Shaboura at the heart of the city. They also continued to occupy the eastern neighbourhoods and outskirts as well as the border with Egypt and the vital Rafah border crossing. “There are Israeli forces in most areas, there is heavy resistance too and they are making them pay dearly but the occupation is not ethical and they are destroying the city and the refugee camp,” the resident said. Palestinian health officials said one man was killed in the morning by Israeli fire on the eastern side of Rafah. Medics said they believed many others had been killed in the past few days and weeks but rescue teams could not reach them. The Israeli military said it was continuing “precise, intelligence-based activity” in Rafah, killing many gunmen over the past day in close-range combat and seized weapons. The air force struck dozens of targets across the Gaza Strip in the past day. In the central Gaza Strip, two separate Israeli air strikes on two houses killed 17 Palestinians in Al-Nuseirat and Al-Bureij, two designated refugee camps that are home to families and descendants of people who fled to Gaza in the 1948 war around the creation of Israel, medics said. “Every hour of delay, Israel kills more people, we want a ceasefire now,” said Khalil, 45, a teacher from Gaza, now displaced with his family in Deir Al-Balah city. “Enough of our blood, I say it to Israel, America, and our leaders too. The war must stop,” he said via a chat app. The Israeli military statement did not comment directly on the 17 deaths but said forces continued to operate against factions in central Gaza areas. The commander of an Islamic Jihad sniper cell was killed by an Israeli warplane, and troops also “eliminated” a cell, it said. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said fighters confronted Israeli forces in combat zones with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs, and have in some areas detonated explosive devices against army units. Israel’s ground and air campaign was triggered when gunmen stormed into southern Israel on Oct 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages. The offensive has left Gaza in ruins, killing more than 37,400 people, according to its health authorities, and left much of the population homeless and destitute. Since a week-long truce in November, repeated attempts to arrange a ceasefire have failed, with Hamas insisting on an end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal. – Reuters Palestinians at Jabalia camp in northern Gaza receiving food on Monday. – AFPPIC Putin hails N. Korea support ahead of visit oAir strikes, tanks and troops deployed

10 WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 Identifying where your talents, passions and desires intersect helps in recognising the unique blend of abilities you possess. Embrace any eccentricities, idealism, intense curiosity and intelligence you may have as these traits often guide you toward areas where you can truly excel. Unlocking your curiosity is another essential step. Curiosity bridges the gap between the known and the unknown. Despite being an innate trait, curiosity often diminishes in rigid educational and work environments. By rekindling your love of learning and maintaining an open mind, you can overcome these constraints and continue to explore new interests. Nurturing various abilities ensures that you do not become overspecialised in a single field. Intelligence is diverse, encompassing mental, social, emotional and spiritual dimensions. Recognising and developing these varied skills can enrich your personal and professional life, making you more adaptable and innovative. Tapping into versatility is invaluable in a world that often pushes for hyper-specialisation. Drawing from different fields not only fosters innovation but also enhances your ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This intellectual flexibility is crucial for thriving in today’s rapidly evolving world. Connecting the dots involves applying concepts from one field to another. Innovation frequently occurs at the intersection of different disciplines. By exploring these intersections, you can create new ideas and solutions that transcend traditional boundaries. Lastly, seeing the bigger picture develops systemic thinking, allowing you to understand the interconnectedness of various fields. This holistic view helps you appreciate the broader context and relationships between different areas of knowledge, enabling you to approach problems and opportunities with a well-rounded perspective. Society often suppresses the curiosity and inquisitiveness that are crucial for navigating our complex world. Embracing a polymathic approach – exploring and celebrating diverse skills – can prepare us better for future challenges. Rather than seeking to be the best in one thing, let us enjoy the journey of learning and growing in multiple areas. Let us break down the barriers and unleash our potential by embracing the joy of exploring new vocations, just as history’s greatest polymaths did. The writer is an emeritus professor of biomedical imaging at the Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Malaya. He was the 2020 Merdeka Award recipient and is a medical physicist by training, who also enjoys writing, drawing, taking photos and tinkering with ideas for new medical devices. Comments: [email protected] /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM Malaysian Paper Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesun.my/ Embracing versatility THE Renaissance, a period of rebirth in arts, science and culture from 1359 to 1600, was a time when society celebrated versatility. This era saw the emergence of polymaths – individuals who excelled in multiple fields. Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most iconic figures of the Renaissance, epitomised this ideal. Known for his masterpieces like the “Mona Lisa” and his extensive notes on engineering and human anatomy, Da Vinci demonstrated the seamless integration of art and science. His famous sketch, the Vitruvian Man, symbolises the unity of the human body, the world and the cosmos, echoing the belief that “a man can do all things if he will”, as articulated by Italian architect Leon Battista Alberti. Polymaths like Alberti and Da Vinci were driven by their passion for learning and exploring diverse fields. They were not confined to one area of expertise but thrived on their ability to connect and innovate across disciplines. The legacy of polymaths includes names such as Archimedes, Aristotle, Ibn Sina, Omar Khayyam, Nicholas Copernicus, Benjamin Franklin, Florence Nightingale, Lewis Carroll, Rabindranath Tagore, and Maya Angelou, all of whom made significant contributions by following their diverse interests. Despite the historical celebration of polymaths, Waqas Ahmed, in his 2019 book The Polymath: Unlocking the Power of Human Versatility, argues that today’s society stigmatises polymathy. The saying “A jack of all trades is a master of none” is often quoted to discourage pursuing multiple interests. However, the full proverb is actually “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one”. This clearly suggests that versatility can be more valuable than deep specialisation. Waqas posits that everyone is born with limitless potential, yet societal pressures often force us to narrow our focus. To unlock this potential and lead a fulfilling life, Waqas proposes six steps that encourage exploring our diverse talents and interests. To begin, understanding yourself is crucial. “Recognising and developing varied skills can enrich your personal and professional life, making you more adaptable and innovative. Grooming great teachers THE government is considering employing teachers and lecturers from Singapore to teach English as well as key science and mathematics subjects in schools and higher learning institutions. This initiative aims to improve the standards of these subjects locally. The matter was raised following the recent visit to Malaysia by Singapore’s new prime minister, Lawrence Wong. These teachers and lecturers would be employed on a contractual basis. In my opinion, a better approach would be to send our teachers overseas for training to become proficient in these subjects. A good example is our Kirby-trained teachers from the 1960s. These teachers were sent abroad under a popular programme initiated by our colonial masters, and after two years, returned to make a significant impact on our children’s education. Alternatively, since Singapore is our closest neighbour and has a reputable education system with high standards in English, science and mathematics, our teachers could be sent there for refresher courses lasting a year or so. Such a move could also strengthen educational ties between both countries. Teachers could live in Johor Bahru and commute daily to Singapore, as many Malaysians currently do. This would be a more cost-effective option compared with hiring Singaporean teachers and lecturers. The government should reconsider sending our teachers for training rather than employing foreign teachers to reduce costs. Abu Mansor Basir Kuala Lumpur The Vitruvian Man by Da Vinci is one of Renaissance’s outstanding polymaths. – WIKIMEDIA COMMONS PIC COMMENT by Emeritus Prof Dr Ng Kwan-Hoong LETTERS [email protected]

11 WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 Unlocking KL-SG HSR’s potential THE Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HighSpeed Rail (KL-SG HSR) is more than a strategic initiative to cut Kuala LumpurSingapore travel time to an estimated 90 minutes. It is a significant move to boost regional connectivity and economic growth, making Malaysia a vital part of the larger Pan-Asian Railway Network. This role can become more crucial if the line later integrates with the Pan-Asian HSR, a project under China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. Looking beyond its immediate benefits, the KL-SG HSR can play a significant role in addressing some of Malaysia’s long-standing issues, such as the lack of a highly skilled workforce, the need for high-value foreign direct investments (FDI) and a continuously depreciating currency. However, we should note that without careful and meticulous execution, the KL-SG HSR can inadvertently lead to diametrically opposite outcomes. Harnessing HSR’s great potential for Malaysia involves more than just surmounting a daunting funding challenge due to constricted fiscal space. Malaysia must undertake every measure to reverse the significant outflows of resources (financial and human capital) that have escalated and become entrenched over decades of inefficient governance. As Malaysia’s profound brain drain and weakening ringgit evidently illustrate, in the globalised world, resources will always flow where they are needed and can be deployed most effectively. Enhanced connectivity, without ironing out the destructive mechanisms within our country that initiated the resource outflows risks exacerbating these outflows, bypassing Malaysia as the key beneficiary and only perpetuating its role as not more than a resource appendage and market base for others. High-value FDIs will not flock in simply “because we have HSR in place”. Savvy high-value investors consistently seek holistic foundational platforms where all crucial components are present and harmoniously integrated while lowvalue FDIs tend to exploit gaps in the system. Demand for ringgit The economic necessity of constructing the HSR reinstates the need to create organic demand for the ringgit as discussed by Emir Research in “Seizing opportunities to support sliding Ringgit”. This is crucial to attract Singaporeans and our other neighbours, in the context of a long-term broader Pan-Asian integration, to visit Malaysia more and encourage them to spend on our products and services, thereby supporting the ringgit rather than the other way around. This requires seizing opportunities within the tourism and entertainment industry, catering to international and domestic tourists. Such initiatives should include: 0 Revitalising the highly successful “Malaysia Truly Asia” campaign; 0 Developing new “adventure and sports tourism” attractions that have been on the rise globally and which in Malaysia can be plentiful due to its picturesque and diverse landscapes; 0 Taking “gastro-diplomacy” seriously; 0 Positioning Malaysia as a regional travel hub for a seamless Umrah experience by capitalising on its well-established network of Umrah facilitating agencies and close bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia, which has resulted in one of the largest numbers of landing rights in Saudi Arabia; and 0 Rejuvenating “medical tourism” by addressing various persistent challenges within the healthcare industry, including the ongoing issue of brain drain. The policymakers must consider the 2024 Global Medical Trends Survey report, which forecasts Malaysia’s medical inflation to surge to 13.36% while placing Malaysia second only to the Philippines (13.94%) among its Asia Pacific peers with much better outlooks, such as Vietnam (11.33%), Singapore (10.67%) and Thailand (9.27%). Such figures cast doubt on Malaysia’s potential to thrive in medical tourism. Furthermore, if this trend is not checked, HSR could only exacerbate the ringgit outflows by facilitating Malaysians’ access to superior and more affordable medical care overseas. Addressing brain drain effectively The KL-SG HSR, if realised, may not immediately affect the number of highly skilled Malaysians relocating to Singapore, who seek not only superior work conditions and benefits but also a higher quality of life and public services, such as education and healthcare. However, it preserves the potential to expand the current trend observed at the MalaysiaSingapore border, where many Malaysians live in Johor but commute daily to Singapore for work, extending this pattern to a larger geographic area. This outcome is more probable without simultaneous comprehensive government efforts to tackle the primary push factors accelerating the Malaysian brain drain for decades. Emir Research has identified these factors in its recent report, “Malaysian Brain Drain: Voices Echoing Through Research”, based on over 15 years of empirical data. They include inadequate salaries and perks; scarce job opportunities stemming from severe skill mismatches with local industries; limited promotion chances; restricted opportunities for professional and personal development; an unstimulating work environment; poor quality of life encompassing education, public services and quality of policymaking; safety concerns; economic instability; political volatility and institutional weaknesses. Even without the KL-SG HSR, the allure of significantly higher salaries and the persistently weakening ringgit has consistently drawn many Malaysians to move to Johor, enabling them to make day trips to work in Singapore. These individuals, enjoying greater purchasing power, have been able to buy homes in Johor, markedly improving their economic status over time. This trend is not limited to highly skilled workers, it also includes those with medium and low skills. Even individuals working in Singapore’s 3D sector (dirty, dangerous and difficult) earn considerably more than their counterparts in Malaysia for similar jobs. A 2016 report noted that 600,000 Malaysians were employed in Singapore’s 3D sectors. Although these salaries were lower than those in Singapore’s high-skilled sectors, when converted to the ringgit, they surpassed some high-skilled salaries in Malaysia at that time, which was still the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Furthermore, fast-forward to 2024, with the extensive use of advanced technology, Singapore’s 3D sector is no longer even characterised as “3D”. Therefore, the HSR necessitates a complete reformatting of Malaysia’s 3D sectors as proposed by Emir Research in “Complete Reform of 3D Sectors Needed to Reduce Reliance on Foreign Workers”. If the push factors driving the Malaysian brain drain remain unaddressed, the HSR, which will effectively increase the “geographic proximity” to Singapore, could remove barriers preventing more Malaysians from becoming day commuters to Singapore. While they will continue to live and spend in Malaysia, their contributions to the foreign economy and value creation abroad will further widen the disparity between local demand and economic growth. Human capital flight, encompassing highlyskilled, medium-skilled and low-skilled workers, may partially support the weakening local currency, improve the economic status of some family units and increase consumer spending. However, it will also create critical voids in key local sectors, triggering a series of profound negative economic impacts, as Emir Research detailed in “Harvesting Genius: Unraveling the Complex Dance of Brain Drain”, eventually leading to more human capital flight. Therefore, the HSR project must not be considered in isolation but alongside credible and decisive interventions to tackle key the brain drain push factors so that in the long-term, the HSR line can be strategically utilised to leverage a significant diaspora network in Singapore and stimulate economic growth and development. Projects of national importance It is imperative to ensure that the majority of Malaysian commuters on work trips disembark before reaching Singapore. This underscores the urgent need for strategic national projects in Johor and along the HSR corridor that could reap substantial benefits from improved connectivity to Singapore. One such area, consistently emphasised by Emir Research, pertains to food security, where two states (Perak and Johor, due to their sizeable waqf land currently being underutilised) appear to be well-positioned to assume the role of Malaysia’s “Jelapang Sekuriti Makanan” – a scenario that could be significantly facilitated and amplified by HSR. Additionally, Emir Research has suggested, as one of the key initiatives under the Malaysian Food Security Framework, the establishment of an AgriTech Valley/City as an AgriTech innovation cluster/hub to provide a nurturing business ecosystem and engender local and international collaboration for research and development of advanced scientific food security systems. The site in Johor appears compelling as a strategic location between Singapore and Nusantara. Quantum tech innovation hubs in Johor is another area to be considered, given Singapore’s recent strides in developing its National Quantum Strategy. Overall, the opportunities are plenty. However, beyond resolving funding issues, there is an urgent need to devote more thought to how the HSR can unlock its immense potential for the benefit of many Malaysians. The writer is the founder of Emir Research, a think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research. Comments: [email protected] Revitalising the highly successful ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ campaign can encourage tourism and boost demand for the ringgit. Do more to preserve and protect our rich biodiversity IT is heartbreaking to witness the mindless deforestation and devastation near Habu Lake, where hillslopes have been carved out, leading to the nearby lakes in Blue Valley, Bertam Valley and Tanah Rata turning murky. The resulting mudslides and soil runoff from the barren highlands have polluted roads, lakes and rivers, damaging farms and jeopardising farmers’ livelihoods. Residents have observed this growing environmental tragedy for years, repeatedly sounding the alarm to local officials. The response from Tanah Rata Assemblyman Ho Chi Yang was simply that “all land clearing projects were approved by the state government and relevant authorities”. This answer shows no recognition of the mounting destructive consequences of such reckless programmes, nor any intent to halt their progress. This deforestation also damages flora and fauna, water catchment areas, animal life and fishing activities of the natives. These quality-of-life issues reflect the critical need to reverse the mindless stripping of vital natural resources. This is a horror story approved by short-sighted state officials with misplaced priorities, affecting not only the people of Cameron Highlands but also the tourism industry, vegetable and flower growers, the farming community and the entire supply chain. It has created disastrous consequences rippling throughout the country. The rampant and rapid deforestation of our precious timber resources contradicts all conservation efforts. Given the prime minister’s commitment to climate change issues and fostering environmentally responsible businesses, Cameron Highlands is an opportune area to eliminate irresponsible projects. Although it will take years to regrow our forests, much reclamation work can begin immediately. It is never too late to do the right thing. We must also address our complacency as this has been ongoing for decades. It is our collective responsibility to speak out strongly against harmful policies sanctioned by officials. Public servants are ultimately responsible to the people they serve, and we must hold them accountable to this end. Legislation should be enacted to give forest reserves legal protection. It is time Malaysians play a proactive role in preserving our rich biodiversity, rather than being reactive only when a major catastrophe occurs. C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu Seremban LETTERS [email protected] COMMENT by Dr Rais Hussin

ESG ESG WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 12 Maybank sets science-based emission targets for 2030 KUALA LUMPUR: As a significant step towards a sustainable future, Maybank has set science-based interim emission targets for 2030. This is a crucial part of its journey to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In pursuit of this goal, Maybank is focusing on a collaborative approach and determined to work alongside clients, assisting them in transitioning to more environmentally friendly business practices, particularly in the power and palm oil sectors. This initiative underscores Maybank’s pledge to sustainable palm oil production and in the power sector, the shift towards cleaner and renewable energy sources. In affirming this responsibility, Maybank introduced its maiden whitepaper titled Banking on a better tomorrow: Our oBank assists clients in transitioning to environmentally friendly business practices UOB to finance green transition in Sarawak KUCHING: UOB Malaysia and SEDC Energy (SEDCE) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in supporting businesses in Sarawak and the state’s new energy sector. Under the MoU, UOB Malaysia will empower SEDCE’s supply chain ecosystem of suppliers, vendors and contractors by providing them with greater access to financing. Through the Bank’s Financial Supply Chain Management (FSCM) programme, these local enterprises will be able to access a suite of banking services for working capital and transactional needs, including tailor-made trade finance, supply chain financing and cash management solutions to grow their businesses. UOB Malaysia will also leverage its comprehensive sustainable financing framework to support SEDCE’s green transition projects, signifying a joint commitment in advancing Sarawak’s sustainable development. SEDCE CEO Robert Hardin said: “This partnership with UOB solidifies SEDCE’s stand as one of the hydrogen players in the region and plays a role towards supporting Sarawak’s clean new energy initiatives. We are proud to be moving forward as one in this new business, which will be an investment for a cleaner future.” Meanwhile, UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei said: “This MoU represents the beginning of a significant collaboration between UOB Malaysia and SEDCE to support Sarawak’s economic development and green agenda. “Our comprehensive financing solutions will not only assist SEDCE in implementing green transition projects but also extend critical financial resources to its entire supply chain.” Hartalega discloses carbon footprint data for three products KUALA LUMPUR: Hartalega Holdings Bhd, a world-leading nitrile glove manufacturer, recently announced the results of its inaugural life cycle assessment (LCA) study on the carbon footprint of three of its key glove products, namely the BDG™ Nitrile Biodegradable Glove, Standard Nitrile Glove, and COATS® Colloidal Oatmeal Coated Glove. Hartalega is the first glove manufacturer in the industry to publicly disclose the critically reviewed carbon footprint data for its products, reflecting the group’s commitment to driving environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and achieving greater transparency in sustainable glove production. Utilising data from the July 2021 to June 2022 period, the LCA study followed international ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, covering the life cycle from raw material acquisition to the production of finished gloves leaving Hartalega’s factories. The LCA study found that the carbon footprint for the key products were as follows: Standard Nitrile Glove 3.2g 0.034073COATS® Colloidal Oatmeal Coated Glove 3.2g 0.034078BDGTM Biodegradable Glove 3.5g 0.034073 In accordance with ISO 14071 standards, Hartalega’s carbon footprint disclosures underwent an independent critical review by TÜV SÜD, a global industry leader in environmental impact audits. Hartalega CEO Kuan Mun Leong said: “In line with our commitment to ESG, transparency about our carbon emissions is vital for driving improvements and accelerating our sustainability initiatives. “The life cycle assessment provides a baseline for us to identify further opportunities to reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency across our operations and supply chain.” commitment to net zero at the inaugural Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3) – Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) CEO Roundtable Luncheon hosted in Malaysia recently. Maybank president and group CEO Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli said: “The whitepaper for net zero pathway targets will serve as the Bank’s primary instrument for publicly communicating our commitment to sustainable growth and enhancing credibility by signalling our dedication to achieving net zero. It will also highlight our role as a financial intermediary facilitating a “just transition” in Southeast Asia, and our steadfastness to a net zero trajectory.” Maybank’s 2023 baseline financed emissions intensity in its palm oil portfolio is 1.47 tonnes CO2e/tonnes crude palm oil (CPO) produced. This is well below the reference scenario of 2.04 tCO2e/tCPO. This significant achievement is guided by an integrated reference scenario that combines the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Flag pathway, tailored for palm oil, with Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) REMIND, which accounts for methane emissions from palm oil milling. Maybank’s position, which outperforms the current reference scenario, is a reflection of its dedication to sustainability. This is largely owing to its focus on integrated palm oil players and smallholders within the supply chain, who have made significant progress towards sustainable practices. The unwavering commitment to No Deforestation, No New Peat, and No Exploitation (NDPE) policy plays a significant role in Maybank’s portfolio growth. This policy ensures that the palm oil players operates in a manner that respects the environment and avoids practices that harm the forests and peatlands. Moving forward, Maybank has set an ambitious interim target for 2030. Based on the IEA NZE 2050 reference pathway, the goal is to further reduce emission intensity to 272 kgCO2e/MWh. This is part of Maybank’s pledge to a greener future and its dedication to achieving net zero emissions. Furthermore, Maybank will continue to enforce its coal policy whereby it will not extend financing to new greenfield coal-fired power plants and to borrowers who derive a material amount of annual revenue from thermal coal. Maxis expands e-waste recycling campaign PETALING JAYA: Significant progress has been made by Maxis in promoting responsible e-waste disposal habits among Malaysians eight months after launching its e-waste recycling campaign. After initially offering a convenient collection service for residential and commercial premises in the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, and Penang, the campaign has now been expanded to include free postal drop-off service for all consumers in West Malaysia. Managed by Maxis’ campaign partner, Electronic Recycling Through Heroes (ERTH), an e-waste collection centre authorised by the Department of Environment Malaysia, this latest option further simplifies e-waste recycling and encourages consumers to adopt eco-friendly habits. Anyone living within or outside the onpremise collection service areas can opt to mail in their e-waste devices to ERTH at over 1,000 Pos Malaysia outlets. Maxis chief people & transformation officer Patrick Er said the company is committed to mitigating the harmful impacts of e-waste and being a catalyst for positive environmental change. “We have partnered with Pos Malaysia to make e-waste recycling accessible throughout Peninsular Malaysia, regardless of coverage or quantity. We are glad that the postal drop-off has become instrumental in accelerating our collection volume and we are pleased to extend this additional option to our already successful partnership with Maxis,” said ERTH founder Mohamed Tarek ElFatatry. To mail in their devices, consumers need only fill out a request form on Maxis’ website and list the items for recycling to receive a Pos Malaysia label for free shipping. To date, Maxis’ e-waste recycling campaign with ERTH has collected over 15,000 devices, preventing more than 29 tonnes of e-waste from ending up in landfills. Maxis employees sending in their e-waste for recycling and proper disposal.

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: [email protected] SCAN ME KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Corporation Bhd (BCorp) has signed memorandums of strategic cooperation with Skyworth Group Co Ltd, a Chinese company specialising in smart home appliances and technology, and Skywell New Energy Automobile Group Co Ltd, a Chinese manufacturer of new energy vehicles (NEV). The memorandums mark the initiation of two alliances aimed at exploring innovation and expansion across vital sectors in Malaysia and the broader Asean region. The first collaboration pairs BCorp with Skyworth to advance smart technologies in Malaysia. It will focus on advancing smart home technology, systems and new energy solutions. Leveraging each other’s strengths, BCorp is poised to explore using its extensive distribution network to enhance the reach of Skyworth’s innovative smart home appliances and systems across Malaysia, introducing consumers to cutting-edge advancements. The strategic cooperation will also include developing and implementing green energy solutions, such as residential, commercial and industrial photovoltaic systems, aligning with BCorp’s sustainability goals and contributing to an eco-friendlier future for Malaysia. In the second collaboration, Berjaya EcoDrive Sdn Bhd (Berjaya ED), a subsidiary of BCorp, will collaborate with Skywell to establish the Chinese company as a prominent NEV brand in Malaysia and Asean, catalysing NEV growth across the region. The endeavour may include exploring strategic partnerships to advance essential NEV technologies and bolster the NEV ecosystem in the country, thus enhancing the entire NEV landscape in Malaysia. The memorandum of strategic cooperation between BCorp and Skyworth was executed by BCorp joint CEO Vivienne Cheng Chi Fan and Skyworth chairman Lin Jin. The memorandum between Berjaya ED and Skywell was signed by Berjaya ED director Datuk Tony Khor and Skywell CEO Zhu Ping. The signing of the memorandums was witnessed by Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, the founder and adviser of BCorp, and Stephen Wong Wang Sang, the founder and controlling shareholder of Skyworth and Skywell. Tan shared that the strategic collaborations with Skyworth and Skywell herald transformative prospects, poised to revolutionise various sectors across Malaysia and Southeast Asia. “By combining our collective expertise and leveraging regional strengths, we stand at the forefront to catalyse innovation, foster sustainable development, and illuminate the path towards a more prosperous future for the entire region,” he said. Wong said he believes that through the joint efforts and sincere cooperation of both parties, they will achieve mutual benefits and win-win objectives, strengthening the training of talent and localisation of the entire industrial chain, new productivity besides creating landmark projects for ChinaMalaysia economic and trade cooperation. “We also look forward to further promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Malaysia in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, and culture through this cooperation, as well as injecting new impetus into the formulation of a comprehensive strategic partnership between both countries,” he added. Berjaya Corp collaborates with two Chinese companies oEnters into strategic cooperation with smart home appliances and technology specialist Skyworth Group and NEV maker Skywell New Energy Automobile Group Berjaya Food to bring Paris Baguette to Brunei KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Food International Sdn Bhd (BFI), a subsidiary of Malaysia’s Berjaya Food Bhd (BFood), has signed a letter of intent with Paris Baguette Singapore to bring the popular South Korean bakery cafe, Paris Baguette, to Brunei. The first store is expected to open by the fourth quarter of this year. BFI and its Brunei partner will work with Paris Baguette to establish a strong brand presence in Brunei, with an initial target of opening five stores within the next 10 years. “We are excited to announce this partnership with Paris Baguette to operate Paris Baguette in Brunei. Building on our successful expansions in Malaysia and the Philippines, we are confident about replicating this success in Brunei,” said Berjaya Food Bhd group CEO Datuk Sydney Quays. He highlighted that BFI has deep expertise in the international food and beverage (F&B) industry and sees significant potential in the Brunei market for Paris Baguette, with strong support from its local partner. The announcement of BFI’s Brunei partner will be made in due course. “To be given the rights to operate Paris Baguette in Brunei is a major milestone in our Apac region expansion. BFood looks forward to bringing world-class culinary experiences to many more countries across the globe, with the goal of becoming an internationally recognised and diverse F&B group,” Quays said. Paris Baguette’s entry into Brunei offers a unique investment opportunity, joining a globally recognised brand with a successful track record. This venture leverages BFood’s extensive experience and its partner’s local market insights, tapping into the growing demand for premium bakery products in Brunei. Paris Baguette has revolutionised the Korean bakery market by introducing and popularising Frenchinspired bakery culture in South Korea. With over 3,400 stores in South Korea, it is the leading bakery chain in the country and has expanded globally with nearly 4,000 stores including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. The brand frequently appears in Kdramas and is endorsed by many Korean celebrities. Paris Baguette offers a wide range of pastries, breads and cakes, all baked fresh daily, providing a unique dining experience for thousands of customers worldwide. The brand’s success is driven by its focus on innovation, fresh products and its blend of French inspiration with global influences. The company is also committed to localisation initiatives, ensuring that its products meet local tastes and preferences. █ BYHAYATUN RAZAK [email protected] BMI: M’sian health expenditure to grow at 8.3% CAGR from 2023 to 2028 KUALA LUMPUR: BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, has forecast Malaysia’s health expenditure to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% from 2023 to 2028, with the public portion growing by 8.5% and the private portion by 8.1%. It said the positive outlook was supported by double-digit increases in the government’s healthcare budgets in 2023 and 2024 alongside continued advancements in the private sector. “This will make Malaysia’s medium-term health expenditure growth to be among the fastest in Asean,” it added. The ageing population, growing burden of chronic diseases and efforts to enhance public health infrastructure and improve access for underserved communities will drive public sector growth. “Private healthcare providers will continue to attract patients with higher incomes including medical tourists and domestic patients looking to avoid long waiting times amid Malaysia’s shortage of physicians and nurses,” BMI said. It noted that Malaysia’s high single-digit expenditure growth will see it outpace regional peers such as Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia over the medium term. “Annual per capita health expenditure remains above global and emerging market averages, indicating a strong capacity for spending on advanced medical products.” Meanwhile, BMI said Malaysia will continue developing its healthcare offering to attract medical tourists but will face strong regional competition from Thailand and Singapore. It expects partnerships will remain a feature of Malaysia’s efforts to enhance its medical tourism industry as it seeks to remain competitive amid strong regional competition. The country will continue to address accessibility challenges in rural areas with the government’s 2024 budget highlighting investments in health facilities, including expanding hospitals and building new health clinics to increase capacity and reduce overcrowding. “The Malaysian government is also aiming for a nationwide rollout of electronic medical records by 2026 in a bid to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system,” it added. – Bernama From left: Cheng, Tan, Wong and Lin during the strategic cooperation agreement signing ceremony at Berjaya Times Square Hotel. –AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN View of the Paris Baguette outlet in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 14 MIDF Amanah maintains positive outlook on REIT sector KUALA LUMPUR: MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd has maintained its positive outlook for Malaysia’s real estate investment trusts (REIT), led by the retail and industrial sub-segments. The investment bank said the retail industry is expected to return to organic growth of positive rental reversion as it recovers to pre-Covid pandemic level. Meanwhile, industrial asset performance is expected to remain stable while rental rate is expected to grow due to healthy demand for industrial assets. “We also see that the hotel industry will continue to recover in the second half of 2024 as tourist arrivals are expected to increase as Malaysia is offering visa-free entry to travellers from several countries which will boost the tourism industry,“ it said. As such, MIDF Amanah has maintained its “positive” stance on the sector, with Sunway REIT as the oInvestment bank upbeat on retail and industrial sub-segments, Sunway REIT is top pick Mah Sing included in Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list PETALING JAYA: Mah Sing Group Bhd, a leading property developer in Malaysia, has been included in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list. In financial year 2023 (FY23), Mah Sing continued its productive momentum with multiple achievements, strengthening its position as one of the top developers in the country. The group reported a revenue increase of 12.3%, reaching RM2.6 billion, up from RM2.32 billion in FY22. This growth was accompanied by a 24% rise in profit before tax, which soared to RM327.4 million from RM264.1 million compared with the previous year. For 2024, Mah Sing has set a higher sales target of a minimum of RM2.5 billion. The group achieved RM992 million in new property sales in the first five months of 2024, putting it well on track to meet its set target. This performance was driven by high demand for the affordable M Series developments in key markets, particularly in central and southern regions, and other launches. Mah Sing founder and group managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum (pic) said “Mah Sing’s inclusion in the prestigious Fortune Southeast Asia 500, alongside some of the region’s most outstanding companies, is a significant accolade for the group. We will continue to innovate and evolve to stay ahead in the competitive landscape while upholding our brand promise of excellence in service, sustainable operations and the delivery of quality, affordable homes. We remain committed to pushing boundaries to deliver exceptional values to our stakeholders and to set new benchmarks in our industry and the region.” Touted as Malaysia’s “King of Urban Residential Projects,” Mah Sing has a portfolio of 58 projects spanning a total landbank of 5,341 acres, with a substantial gross development value of RM58.6 billion as at May 2024. Mah Sing’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles has earned it a place in the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Sustainability Index since June 2021. It is rated 4 Stars, placing it among the top 25% of companies on the FBM EMAS index in 2023, reflecting its dedication to responsible corporate practices. Malaysia slips in world competitiveness ranking PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has slipped to 34th position in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2024 – down from 27th place in 2023. The ranking divides data into four areas – economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure. Together, they capture various aspects of competitiveness, such as macroeconomic stability, fiscal policy, institutional quality, market openness, business dynamism, innovation, education, health and environmental performance. IMD World Competitiveness Centre director Arturo Bris, who has been behind the annual ranking since its inception in 1989, said that among the 14 Asia-Pacific countries, Malaysia was ranked 10th from its previous sixth placing. “At a macro level, Malaysia ranked high in terms of prices (second), basic infrastructure (10th), and tax policy (11th),” he said. He said despite the strong overall performance, IMD found that Malaysia was less competitive in several other areas, such as education (44th), business legislation (50th), and productivity and efficiency (53rd). The report highlighted that for 2024, the main challenges for Malaysia will be to increase investment in research and development to boost business resilience. “The country also has to optimise the labour market to maximise workforce productivity, update policies and regulations to improve global competitiveness, and leverage advanced technologies to accelerate productivity growth.” Bris said Malaysia must mitigate the increasing costs of doing business through strategic productivity enhancements. “We believe the most competitive economies of the future will be those that can anticipate and adapt to the changing global context while creating value and well-being for their people. This will translate into making them sustainable as well.” He said the major competitiveness challenges for the world’s economies in 2024 and beyond were transitioning to a low-carbon and circular economy. “Countries also have to be mindful of emerging markets’ increasing integration into the world economy, and keeping up with digital transformation.” Bris said the IMD rankings, which compute survey data and 164 pieces of statistics were conducted between March and May 2024 among 6,612 C-level and mid-level managers from 67 economies. He said the three trends that survey respondents consider as having the greatest impact on businesses in 2024 were AI adoption (55.1%), risk of a global economic slowdown (52%), and geopolitical conflicts (36.1%). “AI adoption is one thing, but using it is another matter. One of the key challenges for companies today is how to implement AI systems that improve efficiency without disrupting business activities. “A related challenge is ensuring their chosen AI system’s accuracy because inaccurate systems lead to inefficiencies and reduced productivity.” While 27% of executives surveyed consider the transition to zero emissions to be an important trend in the short term, just 12.2% highlighted the impact of global warming as relevant. Bris said the results reflected a matter of priorities. For instance, executives needed to balance short-term priorities with long-term ones. “Environmental risks are seen as being in the latter category and are being given too little relevance despite them already affecting us. The top 10 ranked economies are dominated by smaller ones, which strongly indicates that economic competitiveness is not a question of size.” The IMD report says that for 2024, the main challenges for Malaysia will be to increase investment in research and development to boost business resilience. – AFPPIC top pick (buy, target price RM1.70) as the contribution from its retail division should remain stable in the long term on the back of positive rental reversion. Besides, the outlook for the hotel division is also improving with expectation of higher tourist arrivals, it said. Sunway REIT’s earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 dipped 9.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) partly due to the loss of income from Sunway Medical Centre and lower rental from Sunway Pyramid Mall as Aeon exits the mall. “Nevertheless, we see an improving earnings outlook for Sunway REIT as earnings from Sunway Pyramid should normalise from financial year 2025 onwards with the reconfiguration exercise of the mall completed in financial year 2024. “Besides, the rental contribution from six hypermarkets that were acquired in April 2024 should lift earnings in 2H 2024,“ it said. Meanwhile, MIDF Amanah also likes Axis REIT (buy, target price RM2.02) for its exposure to industrial assets which is underpinned by healthy demand for industrial space. “Its active acquisition will also spur earnings growth in the long term,“ the investment bank said. – Bernama █ BY JOSHUA PURUSHOTMAN [email protected]

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 15 Amazon Global Selling. In addition, Matrade will support and promote Amazon Global Selling’s training activities to relevant local entities including businesses, authorities, and business associations to foster greater participation. The MoU will strengthen and open new opportunities for Matrade and Amazon’s Enclosed is my payment of RM payable to SUN MEDIA CORPORATION SDN BHD. Please WhatsApp your bank-in slip to 0182929936 or email to [email protected] *Not inclusive of vendor service charge 6 month subscription (128 issues) for only RM110* (Normal price RM128) 1 year subscription (258 issues) for only RM200* (Normal price RM258) PERSONAL PARTICULARS Name: NRIC: Race: Malay Chinese Indian Others Profession: Commencement date: Delivery Address: Residence Ofice Postcode: State: Tel: Mobile No: E-mail: DETAILS OF CURRENT NEWS VENDOR (IF ANY) Vendor name: Contact no: For your convenience, you may call or send in your subscription particulars via any of the following: Tel: KL/PJ 03-7781 4000, 03-7784 6688 (9.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday) Whatsapp No: +6018-292 9936 Post: P.O. Box 179, Jalan Sultan, 46720 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan Attn: Subscription Email: [email protected] *Terms & Conditions apply Important note: SMCSB reserves the right to revise the price at any time without prior notice. Pay to Maybank ( Account number 508177700420 ) Account name ( SUN MEDIA CORPORATION SDN BHD ) Nov 8 to Nov 10 Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1 WEDNESDAY NOV 8, 2023 No. 8389 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) SCAN ME Casino chip heist: Five more identified Police have detained a total of 10 suspects, including a Chinese national, in connection with the RM4.6m theft at Genting Highlands on Oct 28. Congratulations! You are holding the first edition A new sunrise of our new 32-page paper featuring more of the great content you have loved for the past 30 years. Copies will be free until Friday and will be available via subscription and at newsstands beginning Monday for only RM1. Muruku Buntong entrepreneur’s Deepavali snack, made from a still a national favourite 60-year-old recipe, is constantly in high demand. Chicken price float benefits consumers A week after subsidies ended, market prices are competitive and lower than subsidised prices, says expert. Full report —on page 3 Full report —on page 6 Full report —on page 4 Citing protection of country’s interests in terms of diplomatic, economic relations and security as reasons for joining meeting, Anwar says he remains steadfast in defending justice and rights of Palestinians. I will show up at Apec Story on page 2 Full story -on page 2 SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE Subscribe now for Monday-Friday copies of theSun newspaper only per copy 1 year subscription at normal price RM258* (258 issues) + RM50 administration fee to get 2nd year free *Special ofier for June 2024 only Foreign net buying continues with RM202m last week KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investors continued to inject funds into Bursa Malaysia for the second consecutive week with net purchases totalling RM202.4 million last week compared to net inflows of RM535 million in the previous week, according to MIDF Research. In its weekly fund flow report, the research firm said foreign investors recorded net buying of RM10.7 million on Monday, RM135.1 million on Tuesday and RM197.4 million on Thursday. They net sold RM82.7 million on Wednesday and RM58.1 million on Friday. MIDF Research said sectors which recorded the highest net foreign inflows last week were utilities at RM240.8 million, industrial products and services (RM142.8 million) and technology (RM100.8 million). “The sectors with the highest net foreign outflows were financial services (-RM330.9 million), plantation (-RM126.2 million), and telecommunication and media (-RM77.2 million),“ it added. Meanwhile, local institutions continued their trend of net selling for two consecutive weeks, albeit at a reduced amount of RM25.9 million, representing a 91% decrease compared to the previous week. “Although there were three days with net buying, the two net selling days on Tuesday and Thursday, totalling RM129.1 million, were enough to offset the net bought amount. “Local retailers consistently sold off domestic equities for two consecutive weeks, totalling RM176.5 million, with selling occurring every day except Wednesday (RM29.1 million) and Friday (RM37.5 million),“ it said. – Bernama Matrade, Amazon to help Malaysian SMEs go global KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and Amazon have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance the export capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises in Malaysia. Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate to lead the “Go Global with Amazon and Matrade” initiative, which will assist Malaysian brand owners and sellers in capturing cross-border business opportunities with Amazon Global Selling. The partnership is intended to educate Malaysian brand owners and sellers about cross-border e-commerce. Through Amazon Global Selling, they will offer guidance, training workshops, and support for businesses looking to sell on Amazon’s platform, covering account registration, product preparation, listing, shipping, advertising, and more. Matrade and Amazon will work closely to showcase success stories of Malaysia-based sellers selling overseas on Amazon – such as in the US and EU stores, inspiring and motivating other local small business owners to start their cross-border business with From left: Matrade CEO Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Reezal Merican, and Palit. oPartnership aims to teach local businesses about cross-border e-commerce collaboration which first started in 2021. The latest joint initiative took place in April 2024 in Kuala Lumpur and consisted of an in-person seller workshop which saw strong participation from Malaysian sellers. “We are thrilled to partner with Amazon in our efforts to empower Malaysian SMEs in international markets,“ said Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who witnessed the MoU Exchange yesterday. “This MoU highlights our commitment to helping them, leverage e-commerce in expanding their global footprint. Together with Amazon, we aim to provide Malaysian SMEs with the essential tools, knowledge, and support to succeed in today’s competitive global marketplace,“ he said. Amazon Global Selling in Southeast Asia head Anand Palit said, “We are excited to strengthen our collaboration with Matrade to empower Malaysia SMEs to leverage Amazon’s global reach. We are observing a growing interest from Malaysia sellers to sell overseas with Amazon.” “In fact, the number of new Malaysia sellers selling their products overseas through Amazon Global Selling nearly doubled in the January-April 2024 period compared to the same period the year before. “The MoU with Matrade will provide Malaysia brand owners with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to seize cross-border business opportunities as Amazon sellers,” he said.

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 16 READ OUR HERE /thesun Malaysian Paper BandLab CEO: Artificial intelligence is not the enemy SINGAPORE: Musicians around the world have described artificial intelligence as a threat to creativity, but the CEO of one popular platform told AFP he thinks critics are looking at it all wrong. BandLab, a mostly free online music workstation and distribution platform based in Singapore, has more than 100 million registered users. It recently incorporated an AI music creation tool dubbed SongStarter, which generates song ideas from genre, key, tempo and lyric prompts. For BandLab founder and CEO Kuok Meng Ru, whose company bought music magazine NME in 2019, AI is no substitute for a real musician. “It’s not called SongFinisher. It’s called SongStarter. It’s not trying to replace people’s creativity ... (with) a vending machine approach of a magic button where you press and a song comes out,” Kuok said in an interview with AFP. “You still need to use your human creativity to build on that, to turn it into something.” Proponents of easy-to-use apps like BandLab say they have revolutionised the music industry by allowing artists to be their own producers, and by bringing cheap bedroom recordings into the charts. But many musicians are concerned that AI will be used to replicate voices and sounds, and also that it will become even harder for professional artists to sustain themselves in a brutally competitive industry. Kuok, a Radiohead fan from a billionaire family, believes there is no going back from the shift towards more self-production. One of BandLab’s biggest successes came via American lo-fi indie artist David Burke, better known as “d4vd”. Relying totally on the app to record and master the track in his sister’s closet, d4vd’s song Romantic Homicide recently surpassed one billion Spotify streams. “He did that on his phone with just headphones. It’s ultimately his talent. “We’re more like someone’s guitar, you know? We’re an instrument,” Kuok said. “The definition of music creators will change. In the same way previously not everyone thought of themselves as a videographer or a photographer. “Today, with a mobile phone, everybody is a hyper-casual photographer.” Among the newer AI functions being rolled out is Voice Cleaner, designed to enhance the quality of vocal recordings. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Li chatting at the Kaarta Gar-up Lookout in Kings Park before an Australia-China CEO Roundtable in Perth yesterday. – AFPPIC oHuman creativity still needed, says music platform chief China premier targets critical minerals in Australia visit SYDNEY: China Premier Li Qiang toured a lithium refiner in Perth yesterday, a sign of his country’s vast appetite for Australian “critical minerals” essential to clean energy technologies. Li ended his four-day fence-mending visit to Australia by stopping in at Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, a 51% Chinese-owned venture comprising a mine for hard rock lithium ore, and a lithium refinery. Along with at least a dozen other officials, China’s second most powerful man donned a white helmet during a rainy visit to the facility south of Perth in resource-rich Western Australia. Australia extracts 52% of the world’s lithium, the vast majority of it exported as an ore to China for eventual refining and use in batteries, notably in China’s world-dominant electric vehicle industry. But despite being a huge Australian customer, China’s involvement in the country’s critical mineral industry is sensitive because of its dominance of global supply chains. Australia has only recently begun refining lithium rather than exporting the ore. And the government has announced a strategic plan to develop new supply chains with friendly countries for critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and so-called rare earths. The Chinese premier’s agenda included a visit to a private research facility for clean energy-produced “green hydrogen” – touted as a fuel of the future to power heavy-duty items such as trucks and blast furnaces. The research centre in eastern Perth is owned by a renewable energy arm of Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue metal mining group. Forrest welcomed the resolution of a diplomatic spat that sparked Chinese trade sanctions against a slew of Australian exports in 2020. China’s trade measures have recently been largely dismantled. “Any government of Australia which goes out of its way to annoy its biggest customer is probably going to stop being that customer’s favourite supplier,” Forrest told The Australian in an interview ahead of the visit. “You can’t run around kicking your customers and still expect to sell a lot of boots.”– AFP Shell to acquire Pavilion Energy from Temasek SINGAPORE: Shell has agreed to buy Singaporean liquefied natural gas (LNG) company Pavilion Energy from global investment company Temasek in a move the oil major said will strengthen its leadership position in LNG, according to statements yesterday. The announcement confirmed a Reuters report last Thursday saying Singapore’s Temasek was finalising the Pavilion Energy sale to Shell in the coming days in a deal worth hundreds of millions of US dollars. Shell and Temasek did not disclose financial details of the sale in their statements. Shell said the acquisition will be absorbed within its cash capital expenditure guidance, which remains unchanged. “The deal is in excess of the internal rate of return hurdle rate for Shell’s integrated gas business, delivering on its 15-25% growth ambition for purchased volumes, relative to 2022,” Shell said in its statement. Shell planned to expand its LNG business by 20% to 30% by 2030, compared with 2022, and this deal is expected to help deliver these targets, it added. Shell expects global demand for LNG to rise by more than 50% by 2040 as coal-to-gas switching gathers pace in China, South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. “We believe Shell is well positioned to grow Pavilion Energy’s business and strengthen its global LNG hub in Singapore,” Juliet Teo, Temasek’s head of portfolio development group and head of Singapore market, said in its statement. The deal will provide Shell, already the world’s top LNG trader, with access to gas markets in Europe and Singapore as it aggressively expands its LNG footprint after raking in billions of profits last year. Zoë Yujnovich, Shell’s integrated gas and upstream director, said that the purchase will bring material volumes and additional flexibility to its global portfolio. – Reuters HK bourse to keep trading through severe weather HONG KONG: The Asian financial hub’s stock exchange will continue trading through typhoons and heavy storms from September, Chief Executive John Lee announced yesterday. The bourse in the international finance hub typically suspends trading when a strong typhoon signal or “black rainstorm warning” is hoisted, meaning several days are lost each year. Southern China is accustomed to seeing seasonal typhoons in the latter half of the year, but climate change has made tropical storms more unpredictable while increasing their intensity. Lee said yesterday that from Sept 23 investors can trade as usual “when the typhoon signal number eight or above is hoisted in Hong Kong, or even during a black rainstorm warning”. “Shenzhen and Shanghai are now trading in bad weather. “There is no reason why Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, should not follow suit. “Non-stop trading in inclement weather can strengthen the competitiveness of the Hong Kong Exchange,” the city’s leader said, adding that the September timeframe would give the industry time to prepare. Katerine Kou, chairman of Hong Kong Securities Association, said discussion on the move had been ongoing for a year given the city’s role as “a super-connector between the Chinese market and the global market”. “I think Hong Kong as a whole, including the exchange, have been trying to score more points and to enhance its global competitiveness. “This is definitely a score-winning move.” According to a consultation paper from the city’s bourse proposing trading continue through bad weather, the exchange was impacted by severe weather four times in 2023, “including three full-day market suspensions”. “During such trading suspensions, investors are unable to manage their portfolios and are exposed to potential market risks, especially in scenarios where the markets of their underlying positions are open,” it said. – AFP Kuok wants AI critics to look at the tech not as an end to human creativity but as a tool that enhances it. “There are a lot of doomsday scenarios for every sort of innovation in technology, right? “So, if you look back historically, what’s happening with AI is, in my opinion, a technological evolution and it’s not as simple as a simple evolution,” he said. The Cambridge mathematics degree holder uses the invention of the phonograph – later called the gramophone – as an example of how new technology once instilled fear when musicians thought it would be the end of live performances. Kuok learnt to play the guitar as a teenager and was a fan of alternative bands like Radiohead and The Strokes. Later on, he became obsessed with the classics, from singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell to blues icon BB King. Asked how he would pitch BandLab to Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Kuok said he would try to get the band on board with the app’s social features. The 35-year-old’s father is a palm oil tycoon, and his great-uncle, Robert Kuok, is Malaysia’s richest man. Kuok also owns Swee Lee, one of Asia’s top musical instrument retailers. “My mom will always joke that my son sells guitars,” he said. – AFP

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 17 LONDON: More central banks plan to add to their gold reserves within a year and more of them expect others to do so as well, due to ongoing macroeconomic and political uncertainty despite high prices for the precious metal, the World Gold Council (WGC) said in its annual survey. Demand for gold from central banks has been elevated in the last two years as some countries diversify their foreign currency reserves. Their demand contributed to the gold price rally in March-May with the spot price hitting a record high of US$2,449.89 per ounce on May 20. “Despite record demand from the official sector in the last two years, coupled with climbing gold prices, many reserve managers still maintain their enthusiasm for gold,” WGC head of central banks sector Shaokai Fan said in a statement. The survey, which was conducted in February-April and included a total of 69 responses, showed that 29% of central banks expected their own gold reserves to increase in the next 12 months. This is the highest level since the WGC, an industry body whose members are global gold miners, began the survey in 2018 and compares with 24% last year. The WGC said 81% of respondents expected global central bank gold reserves to increase over the next 12 months compared with 71% a year ago. While in prior years, gold’s “historical position” was the top reason for central banks to hold gold, this factor dropped to fifth among WGC survey responses this year. The top reasons given for the increases now are “long-term store of value or inflation hedge”, “performance during times of crisis” and “effective portfolio diversifier”. Some 41% of 58 respondents listed domestic storage as the vaults where their gold reserves are kept, compared with 35% in 2023. The Bank of England remains the most popular location listed in 55% of the responses. Among 57 respondents, 15% said they planned to change custody arrangements for their gold in some way in the next year compared with 6% last year. This includes diversifying the overseas storage as well as an increase or decrease of the domestic storage. – Reuters Blackstone makes RM8.2b bid for e-comics platform TOKYO: Blackstone launched a ¥275.8 billion (RM8.2 billion) bid to take Japanese digital comic distributor Infocom private, including a tender offer for a per-share price of ¥6,060, Infocom said on Tuesday. The tender offer will amount to ¥141.4 billion, Infocom said. The company’s current parent Teijin separately said it will sell all of its 58% stake in Infocom for ¥134.4 billion in a share buyback after the buyout is completed. Infocom operates digital comic site Mecha Comic, which is among Japan’s largest, according to its website. Global investor interest in Japanese companies has surged in recent years as the weak yen, strong public markets and corporate governance changes make mergers and acquisitions (M&A) attractive. M&A in Japan reached a record US$35.5 billion in 2023, LSEG data shows. The Infocom deal marks the largest private equity transaction in Japan this year, Blackstone said in a statement. Infocom’s share price has more than doubled since news of the potential buyout was first reported last month, closing at ¥6,030 yesterday from below ¥3,000 in early May. Teijin said it will book a ¥105 billion profit on a consolidated basis from the sale in the current financial year ending in March 2025. – Reuters oTop reasons given are ‘inflation hedge’, ‘performance during times of crisis’ and ‘portfolio diversifier’ Adidas shares slide following corruption claims BERLIN: Adidas shares slid on Monday as the German sportswear giant said it was investigating alleged bribery in China after senior employees were reportedly accused of embezzling huge sums. It is another blow to the group, which has been betting on healthy business in key market China this year as it seeks to recover from the tumultuous end of its lucrative tie-up with rapper Kanye West. The bribery claims emerged at the weekend when the Financial Times reported that an anonymous letter, allegedly written by “employees of Adidas China”, named several Chinese staff members. In a statement, Adidas said that in June it “received an anonymous letter indicating potential compliance violations in China”. The group takes such allegations “very seriously and is clearly committed to complying with legal and internal regulations and ethical standards in all markets where we operate”, it said. “Adidas is currently intensively investigating this matter together with external legal counsel.” Shares in the outfitter slid more than 4% on Frankfurt’s blue-chip DAX index before winning back some ground to end the day 2.6% lower. According to the Financial Times, those accused included one of the company’s executives involved with Adidas’s marketing budget in China, which it said stood at €250 million (RM1.2 billion) a year. Another Adidas China manager is said to have received “millions in cash from suppliers, and physical items such as real estate”, according to the paper. The letter, which was posted this month on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, was no longer visible on the website at the weekend, but a purported copy, the authenticity of which AFP was unable to verify, was posted on several accounts. Company insiders quoted by the paper said the letter did not provide evidence for the allegations but appeared well-informed about confidential internal issues. China was traditionally a hugely important market for Adidas but its business in the world’s second-biggest economy was hit hard during long-running coronavirus lockdowns. The corruption allegations “could jeopardise the goal of finally regaining a foothold in (China) after the massive slumps of the past four years,” warned Juergen Molnar, an analyst at RoboMarkets. Adidas had developed the popular line of Yeezy trainers with West, and the end of the partnership contributed to the group reporting its first annual loss in over 30 years in 2023. – AFP IMF downgrades Argentina’s economic outlook WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sharply downgraded its 2024 economic outlook for Argentina on Monday, as the country implements a series of wide-ranging economic reforms under its new president, Javier Milei. A self-declared “anarcho-capitalist”, Milei has vowed to halt Argentina’s economic decline and reduce the budget deficit to zero. Since taking office in December, Milei has embarked on a programme to slash public spending and bring down inflation, which remained at an annual rate of more than 275% last month. In updated economic forecasts published on Monday, the IMF said it now expects Argentina’s economy to contract by 3.5% this year, 0.75% more than its previous projections, due to a “deeper contraction” in non-agricultural output. The updated forecasts were published a few days after the IMF executive board voted to approve an almost US$800 million payout to Argentina under an existing loan agreement, bringing the total disbursements under the programme to more than US$41 billion. The IMF said it now expects Argentine inflation to ease to an average annual rate of 232.8% this year, down more than 20% from its previous forecast in January. The easing inflation outlook is “supported by refinements in the monetary and FX (foreign exchange) policy framework and a recovery in peso demand from historically low levels”, the IMF said in the report published on Monday. – AFP People walking past an Adidas store at a mall in Beijing. – AFPPIC More central banks to increase gold reserves

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 18 Danone CFO says sustainability needs to work for investors LONDON: Decisions based on sustainability need to offer financial returns to ensure they attract investors, Danone chief financial officer Juergen Esser told Reuters. Esser’s comments are a departure from those of other executives in the industry who have tended to gloss over the need for sustainable strategies to deliver financial returns. While they have won support from some shoppers, they have increasingly drawn criticism from investors. Danone’s efforts to be more sustainable include changing the way it runs its facilities to reduce energy consumption, Esser said in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the Responsible Business conference in London. He said that had led to “a significant payback” for Danone, but declined to give details. “On top of that, it drives competitive advantage: it allows us to come to our customers and partners and say: ‘you asked us to help you to decarbonise – here this product is now with 20% less carbon emissions,” Esser added. From restaurants to retailers, companies are racing to cut emissions in their third-party supply chains, known as scope 3 emissions, and meet lofty sustainability goals. These companies rely on the consumer firms that supply them with food and other goods to help them meet these targets. “The reality is you need to find a different way to create an incentive to invest into sustainability,” Esser said. “There’s no other way to do it without competitive edge. Because investors do not compromise on financial returns.” Janus Henderson portfolio manager Robert Schramm-Fuchs agreed with Esser’s position. “Things are not sustainable if there’s not a positive commercial impact behind it. “If you do things that put your company in a disadvantaged position, others will take market share – your employees, your stakeholders will lose to outsiders. There’s no point in doing things to disadvantage your company competitively.” Danone is hosting an investor conference in Amsterdam this week to discuss topics including its sustainability measures with shareholders. – Reuters Nato sets up €1b innovation fund LONDON: A consortium of Nato allies has confirmed the first tranche of companies awarded funding as part of the group’s €1 billion (RM5.2 billion) innovation fund. The alliance unveiled the fund in the summer of 2022, promising to invest in technologies that would enhance its defences. The fund is backed by 24 of Nato’s 32 member states, including Finland and Sweden, which joined the alliance earlier this year. The Nato Innovation Fund (NIF) confirmed yesterday it had directly invested in four European tech firms, which it said would help address challenges in defence, security, and resilience. The body has allocated funding to Fractile AI, a London-based computer chipmaker aiming to make large language models (LLMs) like those that power ChatGPT to run faster, as well as Germany’s ARX Robotics, which designs unmanned robots with functions ranging from heavy lifting to surveillance. The other two startups were British manufacturer iCOMAT, which makes lighter materials for vehicles, and Space Forge, a Welsh company that harnesses the conditions of space – such as microgravity and vacuum conditions – to build semiconductors in orbit. “Enabling access to strategic technologies is key to securing a safe and prosperous future for the alliance’s one billion citizens,” said Andrea Traversone, the fund’s managing partner. The fund has also partnered with venture capital firms Alpine Space Ventures, OTB Ventures, Join Capital and Vsquared Ventures to support further investment in deep tech. – Reuters IMF calls for stronger social safety net WASHINGTON: Fiscal policy has a “major role to play” in broadening the financial gains from generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology and preventing a spike in wealth inequality, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday. Left unchecked, generative AI threatens to amplify job losses among white oFiscal policy has ‘major role to play’ in broadening gains from AI collar professions, IMF staff wrote in a new paper. The technology forms the core of chatbots including Microsoft’s Copilot, Google’s Gemini, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. To mitigate the negative effects of generative AI, governments should consider putting in place new measures to raise additional revenue and support people who lose their jobs, the IMF said. “Fiscal policy has a major role to play in supporting a more equal distribution of gains and opportunities from generative-AI,” IMF staff wrote in a blog post published to accompany the new paper. “But this will require significant upgrades to social protection and tax systems around the world,” they continued, arguing in favour of more generous unemployment insurance and investment in sector-based training to prepare workers for “the jobs of the AI age”. The IMF staff came out against the idea of implementing a special tax on AI products, which some academics have called for, arguing that it could end up hampering productivity growth. Instead, corporate tax breaks that encourage the “rapid displacement of human jobs” should be reconsidered, and taxes on capital income should be strengthened to help “offset rising wealth inequality”, they added. – AFP EV startup Fisker files for bankruptcy WASHINGTON: US electric vehicle (EV) maker Fisker filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday, looking to sell its assets and restructure its debt, after succumbing to rapid cash burn to deliver its “Ocean” SUVs in the United States and Europe. EV makers such as Proterra, Lordstown and Electric Last Mile Solutions have also gone bankrupt in the past two years due to depleting cash reserves, fundraising hurdles and challenges in ramping up production due to global supply chain issues. Fisker’s cars were also under investigation by US regulators. The company, founded by automotive designer Henrik Fisker, had flagged doubts about its ability to remain in business in February and a month later, its attempts to secure an investment from a big automaker failed, forcing it to rein in operations. “Like other companies in the electric vehicle industry, we have faced various market and macroeconomic headwinds that have impacted our ability to operate efficiently,“ Fisker said in a statement early yesterday. “After evaluating all options for our business, we determined that proceeding with a sale of our assets under Chapter 11 is the most viable path forward for the company.” It is also in advanced talks with financial stakeholders for debtor-in-possession financing, the company said, without giving further details. The company’s operating unit, Fisker Group Inc, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, listing estimated assets of US$500 million to US$1 billion and liabilities of US$100 million to US$500 million. It has about 200-999 creditors, per the court filing. After Fisker failed to get funds from a large automaker – which Reuters had reported to be Japanese automaker Nissan – it started exploring options, including in- or out-of-court restructurings and capital markets transactions. It paused manufacturing as well as investments in future projects until it secured an auto partnership and said it would cut its workforce by about 15%. Fisker made over 10,000 vehicles last year, less than a quarter of its forecast, but delivered only about 4,700. Its cars are under regulatory investigation for certain incidents, including a probe started by the US auto safety regulator last month. – Reuters Fisker Ocean electric SUVs at one of the company’s sales, service and delivery centres in Vista, California. – REUTERSPIC

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 19 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) PIE 6.75 -0.33 16,663 KLK 20.22 -0.28 26,336 CHINHIN 3.34 -0.24 17,660 YTLPOWR 5.07 -0.21 335,677 DLADY 37.6 -0.2 334 NESTLE 124 -0.2 736 UTDPLT 23.8 -0.2 2,732 YTL 3.5 -0.16 223,372 PETRONM 4.71 -0.15 3,619 PETDAG 17.78 -0.14 3,717 HSI-CXM 0.595 -0.13 100 GESHEN 3.22 -0.12 1,557 PENTA 4.99 -0.12 32,732 CHGP 2.44 -0.1 5,377 CVIEW 1.4 -0.1 710 HIBISCS-C61 0.05 -0.1 3,595 HLCAP 4.4 -0.1 1,714 HLIND 11.34 -0.1 905 KOBAY 2.2 -0.1 16,007 MPI 39.9 -0.1 2,554 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/-(RM) +/-(%) VOLUME HSI-CXF 0.13 -0.035 -21.21 3,237,204 HSI-HUZ 0.25 -0.015 -5.66 2,283,145 DFX 0.185 -0.015 -7.50 1,838,145 ATAIMS 0.515 +0.170 +49.28 1,604,906 TECHBND-WA 0.175 +0.080 +84.21 1,270,497 JCY 0.83 -0.065 -7.26 836,517 TOPGLOV 1.17 - - 820,932 INGENIEU 0.07 +0.005 +7.69 736,697 K1 0.29 +0.020 +7.41 708,290 MYEG 1.07 +0.020 +1.90 642,582 VELESTO 0.265 - - 619,693 NOVAMSC 0.195 +0.030 +18.18 614,262 PELIKAN 0.275 +0.035 +14.58 561,379 AHB-WC 0.06 +0.005 +9.09 556,530 AIMFLEX 0.185 +0.015 +8.82 555,108 DNEX 0.5 +0.015 +3.09 550,828 TECHBND 0.52 +0.085 +19.54 513,661 HSI-CT9 0.05 -0.02 -28.57 462,406 TALAMT 0.02 - - 448,188 HM 0.095 - - 442,583 SUNBIZ presents a summary of the day’s trading activity on Bursa Malaysia and other markets in an easy to digest format. MARKET ROUND-UP: JUNE 18 [ Sources: Bursa Malaysia, Bernama, shareinvestor.com and websites DISCLAIMER: The data and reports are provided as a service to investors. Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd shall not be liable or responsible for any consequences resulting from usage of the information. INDEX CHANGE FBMEMAS 12,365.14 -21.31 FBMKLCI 1,606.13 -1.19 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 591.56 +1.15 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 199.67 -0.72 CONSTRUCTION 264.87 -0.32 FINANCIAL SERVICES 17,519.70 -59.43 ENERGY 988.34 +0.44 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 611.90 -1.37 HEALTH CARE 2,204.27 -3.05 TRANSPORTATION 1,110.92 -8.45 PROPERTY 1,130.03 -7.28 PLANTATION 7,030.47 +21.97 FBMSHA 12,739.37 +11.89 FBMACE 5,849.27 -53.21 TECHNOLOGY 79.21 -0.09 TURNOVER: 5.925 bil VALUE: RM4.145 bil Top 20 Actives Top 20 Losers (By RM) Bursa Indices INDEX CLOSING DAILY DAILY CHANGE CHANGE (%) DJIA (US) 38,778.10 188.94 0.49 S&P 500 (US) 5,473.23 41.63 0.77 NASDAQ (US) 17,857.02 168.14 0.95 NYSE (US) 17,902.25 84.99 0.48 EURO STOXX 50 (EUR) 4,905.02 24.6 0.5 FTSE 100 (UK) 8,180.09 37.94 0.47 DAX (GER) 18,141.52 73.31 0.41 NIKKEI 225 (JPN) 38,482.11 379.67 1 TOPIX INDEX (JPN) 2,715.76 15.75 0.58 HANG SENG INDEX (HK) 17,915.55 -20.57 -0.11 CSI 300 (CHN) 3,545.59 9.39 0.27 MSCI ASIA PACIFIC 179.61 -0.17 -0.09 SHANGHAI SE COM (CHN) 3,030.25 14.36 0.48 KOSPI INDEX (SK) 2,763.92 19.82 0.72 SENSEX INDEX (IND) 77,224.50 231.73 0.3 ASX 200 (AUS) 7,778.08 77.82 1.01 ALL ORDINARIES INDX (AUS) 8,015.76 72.18 0.91 FBM KLCI 1,606.13 -1.19 -0.07 STRAITS TIMES INDEX (S’PORE) 3,302.63 5.08 0.15 WTI (US$/BBL.) 80.04 -0.29 -0.36 BRENT (US$/BBL.) 83.98 -0.27 -0.32 GOLD (COMEX) (US$/T OZ) 2,328.40 -0.6 -0.03 SILVER (COMEX) (US$/T OZ) 29.28 -0.12 -0.39 PLATINUM (US$/T OZ) 972.28 -0.27 -0.03 COPPER (COMEX) (US CENTS/LB.) 439.6 -3.5 -0.79 COPPER 3MO (LME) (US$/MT) 9,665.50 -76 -0.78 CORN (US CENTS/BU.) 464 1 0.22 WHEAT (US CENTS/BU.) 603.5 -4.5 -0.74 SOYBEAN OIL (CBOT) (US CENTS/LB.) 43.76 -0.13 -0.3 COCOA (ICE) (US$/MT) 9,217.00 66 0.72 RUBBER (S’PORE) (US CENTS/KG) 171.3 -2.9 -1.66 World Stocks/Commodities as at 5pm, June 18 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (%) VOLUME (’00) HIBISCS-C61 0.05 -66.67 3,595 EKOVEST-C43 0.03 -64.71 1,040 EG-CA 0.035 -58.82 501 HIBISCS-C53 0.02 -50.00 2,208 HSI-CT4 0.01 -50.00 77,591 HSI-CVZ 0.01 -50.00 14,070 NIO-C8 0.005 -50.00 300 VIZIONE-WE 0.005 -50.00 8,721 ALIBABA-C34 0.03 -40.00 1,000 GENM-C2P 0.025 -37.50 1,000 SPSETIA-C74 0.055 -35.29 4,130 AEON-C23 0.03 -33.33 4,500 FOCUS 0.01 -33.33 21,222 HIBISCS-C56 0.03 -33.33 19,998 HSI-HUT 0.05 -33.33 174,005 LHI-C13 0.01 -33.33 6,000 MYEG-HO 0.01 -33.33 1 HSI-CT9 0.05 -28.57 462,406 TECHBASE-WB 0.025 -28.57 3,452 WCEHB-CC 0.025 -28.57 78 Top 20 Losers (By %) STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) MERCURY 1.16 +0.300 5,861 TM 6.81 +0.290 226,795 NDX-CE 0.465 +0.250 1 PETGAS 17.9 +0.240 941 NDX-CF 0.57 +0.235 88 KESM 7.62 +0.210 1,092 FRONTKN 4.67 +0.190 93,653 ATAIMS 0.515 +0.170 1,604,906 AEONCR 7.7 +0.150 7,138 NOTION 1.96 +0.150 346,063 KEYFIELD 2.49 +0.140 28,012 ALLIANZ-PA 23.4 +0.100 1 GAMUDA-C1Y 0.405 +0.100 204 HEIM 23.3 +0.100 1,010 IDEAL 3.9 +0.100 30 PPB 14.5 +0.100 4,766 SAB 3.6 +0.100 82 HUMEIND 3.36 +0.090 7,668 METROD 1.53 +0.090 353 TECHBND 0.52 +0.085 513,661 Top 20 Gainers (By RM) STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (%) VOLUME (’00) NDX-CE 0.465 +116.28 1 BSLCORP-WB 0.01 +100.00 1,360 KGROUP 0.01 +100.00 9,831 MTRONIC-WB 0.01 +100.00 10 MOBILIA-WA 0.01 +100.00 9,937 PERMAJU-WA 0.01 +100.00 100 TOPGLOV-HL 0.01 +100.00 1,020 XOX-PA 0.01 +100.00 2 TECHBND-WA 0.175 +84.21 1,270,497 NDX-CF 0.57 +70.15 88 JADI-WB 0.025 +66.67 59,277 HSI-HUU 0.045 +50.00 70 NEXGRAM-WD 0.015 +50.00 94 ATAIMS 0.515 +49.28 1,604,906 ANCOMNY-CH 0.08 +45.45 16,944 TM-C1K 0.19 +40.74 90,094 DIGISTA-WD 0.035 +40.00 400 NDX-CD 0.09 +38.46 176 TM-C1J 0.22 +37.50 13,627 ANCOMNY-CK 0.115 +35.29 550 Top 20 Gainers (By %) Late selling pares gains BURSA Malaysia pared its gains at the close yesterday, weighed down by late selling in selected blue chips, mainly the utilities and banking stocks, said an analyst. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI eased 0.07% or 1.19 points to 1,606.13 from last Friday’s close of 1,607.32. The FBM KLCI opened 2.07 points higher at 1,609.39, and subsequently moved between 1,615.09 and 1,606.13 throughout the day. On the broader market, losers outpaced gainers 766 to 480, while 455 counters were unchanged, 699 untraded and six others suspended. Turnover rose to 5.92 billion units worth RM4.14 billion from Friday’s 5.64 billion units worth RM3.92 billion. In a note, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vicepresident Thong Pak Leng said he remained cautiously optimistic about the local stock market’s performance on the back of attractive valuations and rising trading volumes, while staying mindful of potential profit-taking activities. “We reckon that today’s selling offers an opportunity for investors to accumulate stocks at lower prices, hence, we expect the FBM KLCI to stage a rebound and hover within the 1,605-1,625 range for the week,” he told Bernama. Meanwhile, key regional indices closed mostly higher due to bargain-hunting activities following yesterday’s sell-offs. Of the heavyweights, YTL Corporation eased 16 sen to RM3.50, YTL Power International (YTLPower) fell 21 sen to RM5.07, Axiata Group shed 4 sen to RM2.75, Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) slid 28 sen to RM20.22 and CIMB declined 9 sen to RM6.83. Of the most active, Divfex rose 17 sen to 51.5 sen, Ingenieur added half-a-sen to 7 sen and both K-One and MYEG increased by 2 sen to 29 sen and RM1.07, respectively, while JCY shaved 6.5 sen to 83 sen and Top Glove was flat at RM1.17. 1,606.13pts June 18, 2024 Participation 24.26 42.49 33.25 100.00 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 1017.33 1790.49 1338.20 4146.01 Sold RM m 994.55 1732.95 1418.52 4146.01 Net RM m 22.79 57.54 -80.32 0.00 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 18/6/2024

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 20 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON Malaysian Paper INSTAGRAM MARKETS/FROM THE BROKERS SUNBIZ presents extracts of a selection of commentaries and research reports received from stockbrokers on counters that could be of interest to investors. [Compiled by SunBiz Team DISCLAIMER: The information is extracted from stockbrokers’ commentaries and research reports and do not represent the views or opinions of Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd. It is not a solicitation, recommendation or an offer to buy or sell the equities featured. Sun Media Corporation shall not be liable or responsible for any consequences resulting from usage of the information. ON June 13, Hibiscus announced a proposed acquisition of the entire equity interest in TotalEnergies EP (Brunei) for cash US$259.4 million. We think the acquisition price is fair, based on RPS Energy’s LT assumptions for Brent Crude Oil prices, ranging from US$75-95/bbl. The acquisition also implies an EV/2P valuation of US$10/boe based on: i) Jan 1 2P reserves of 21.7m boe; ii) EV (purchase price of US$245 million less net cash of RM44.9 million-plus balance payment of US$17 million) = US$217.1 million, which we think is also fair. To recap, an earlier Repsol deal (in June 2021) was done at an EV/2P valuation of US$6.2/boe. This latest acquisition will be funded via both internal funds and/or debt. Assuming a: i) natural field production decline of 4% annually starting FY28; ii) LT US$/RM FX of 4.6; iii) abandonment capex of US$70 million in FY40 for this field; iv) new debt of RM1.2 billion to fund this acquisition; v) completion of acquisition at end-1H’25 (FY June); vi) an opex/boe of US$6.5; vii) annual capex of US$10 million; viii) a tax rate of 55%, our new TP will be RM1.99 (from RM2.31) if the acquisition goes through. The incremental NPV of US$195.7 million (RM900.2 million) will be overshadowed by an increase in the group’s net debt position to RM1.1 billion (from a net cash position of RM98.6 million as at end-FY25), which will be captured in our valuation matrix. However, we highlight that we have a more conservative LT crude oil price assumption of US$65- 75/bbl (than RPS Energy). Post-acquisition, the production and reserve profile of Hibiscus is expected to increase substantially by >35%. We highlight that this acquisition may help boost the group’s earnings profile in 2H’25 and beyond, and increase its gas portfolio mix as the new asset – Block B MLJ Field – is predominantly a gas field (84% gas, 16% oil). HOLD on Hibiscus pending deal completion. Our TP of RM2.31 is unchanged. PPB has acquired 82.4m shares and 34.1m warrants in TECHBND translating to a 15% stake from TECHBND’s controlling shareholder Sonicbond Sdn Bhd (Sonicbond) for RM38 million cash. PPB’s stake will remain around 15% upon full conversion of 246m outstanding warrants of TECHBND and PPB’s total cash outlay will rise to about RM49 million. Sonicbond’s stake in TECHBND is now at 55% but will dip to 44% upon full conversion of 246 million outstanding warrants. The latest deal follows TECHBHD’s acquisition of a 99.57% stake in MAC from PPB from RM57 million cash in Feb 2023. The acquisition has widened its wood-based coverage from furniture makers to timber panels such as chipboards. Today, 70% of TECHBND’s revenue is derived from exports to over 30 countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Africa. While it started off serving the wood-based sector, it is now increasingly supplying players in the fast-moving consumer goods space such as waterresistant sticky labels for beverage bottles, adhesives for cigarette boxes as well as carton packaging solution to replace plastic straps. Overall, TECHBND’s strength lies in its focus as an industrial adhesives and sealants solution provider. Emphasis on R&D allows it to develop most of its products in-house alongside eight proprietary brand names. TECHBND manufactures out of Malaysia (Shah Alam) and, since 2005, Vietnam (Binh Duong). To improve margins further, a polymerisation plant was added in Vietnam in 2021. We believe PPB is getting a good deal here as it is earnings accretive and the 15% stake is acquired at below our TP per share of RM0.50 for TECHBND, based on 13.5x fully-diluted CY25F EPS of 3.7 sen, in-line with the forward PER of its international peers such as H.B. Fuller Co, Henkel AG & Co, and 3M Co. We maintain our forecasts, TP of RM17.50 and our OUTPERFORM call. WE expect TOPG to deliver a core loss of RM40-45 million from a core loss of RM66 million in Q2’24 on the back of i) Improving operating efficiency (expecting a higher plant utilisation rate); ii) recovery in ASP. These catalysts should be offset by the recent 5-6% uptick in natural gas tariff and escalation of raw material prices (ie natural latex: +12%; acrylonitrile: +3.6%). We learnt that the industry operating dynamics have turned favourable for glove manufacturers as we understand that customers are more receptive to the ASP increase in the coming months. On the other hand, we understand that Chinese glove makers have also raised their ASP to US$17-18 from US$15-16 according to our channel checks. In terms of demand, Malaysia’s glove export volume surged 46% YoY (its highest ever YoY growth post-pandemic) and 3.6% MoM, while export value was at a 39% YoY growth (-3.8% MoM). This comes after Malaysia recorded export volume growth of 6% QoQ during Q1’24, indicating that the recovery momentum of global glove demand remains healthy. We cut our FY24F-25F earnings to –RM152 million and RM2 million from –RM128 million and RM4 million as our previous ASP assumptions were slightly ahead of the actual ASP, offset by the higher production volume and stronger USD/RM. We also lower our required return assumption to 9% from 13% after trimming our beta to 1.3 from 1.6 to factor in improving operating dynamics in the gloves industry. Upgrade to BUY from Neutral, with new DCF-derived RM1.32 TP from RM0.83. Key risks. Decrease in gloves ASP, slower-than-expected demand recovery, lower-than-expected utilisation rate, and higher-than-expected raw material prices. FOREIGN CURRENCY SELLING TT/OD BUYING TT BUYING OD 1 US Dollar 4.7800 4.6440 4.6340 1 Australian Dollar 3.1830 3.0550 3.0390 1 Brunei Dollar 3.5370 3.4330 3.4250 1 Canadian Dollar 3.4840 3.3900 3.3780 1 Euro 5.1430 4.9770 4.9570 1 New Zealand Dollar 2.9470 2.8380 2.8220 1 Singapore Dollar 3.5370 3.4330 3.4250 1 Sterling Pound 6.0870 5.8940 5.8740 1 Swiss Franc 5.3680 5.2420 5.2270 100 UAE Dirham 131.7600 124.9100 124.7100 100 Bangladesh Taka 4.1560 3.8680 3.6680 100 Chinese Renminbi 66.3600 63.5600 N/A 100 Danish Krone 70.6800 65.0300 64.8300 100 Hongkong Dollar 61.8900 58.8000 58.6000 100 Indian Rupee 5.8300 5.4700 5.2700 100 Indonesian Rupiah 0.0302 0.0273 0.0223 100 Japanese Yen 3.0380 2.9400 2.9300 100 New Taiwan Dollar 15.8000 N/A N/A 100 Norwegian Krone 46.0800 42.3800 42.1800 100 Pakistan Rupee 1.7500 1.6400 1.4400 100 Philippine Peso 8.2800 7.8000 7.6000 100 Qatar Riyal 132.6700 125.9500 125.7500 100 Saudi Riyal 128.8900 122.3500 122.1500 100 South Africa Rand 27.1800 24.5400 24.3400 100 Sri Lanka Rupee 1.6200 1.4900 1.2900 100 Swedish Krona 47.1200 42.9100 42.7100 100 Thai Baht 13.5700 12.0400 11.6400 Exchange Rates Source: Malayan Banking Bhd/Bernama Ringgit higher against dollar ahead of US data release THE ringgit was higher against the American dollar at the close yesterday ahead of fresh US economic data later tonight, said an analyst. At 6pm, the ringgit advanced to 4.7110/7155 versus the greenback from Friday’s close of 4.7190/7225. The market was closed on Monday for the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration. ActivTrades trader Anderson Alves said market players are awaiting fresh leads with the US retail sales report due today. He added that investors are also cautious ahead of a series of US Federal Reserve (Fed) speeches by senior officials. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted that the US Dollar Index (DXY) has continued to hover above 105 points as the euro, which is a major component of DXY, fell against the US dollar on concern over the snap election in France which will be held this month. At the close, the ringgit was traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. The local unit appreciated against the Japanese yen to 2.9798/9828 from last Friday’s close of 3.0046/0072, strengthened vis-a-vis the British pound to 5.9750/9807 from 5.9955/9999 but slid versus the euro to 5.0492/0541 from 5.0418/0455 previously. The ringgit traded higher against its Asean peers. It went up vis-a-vis the Indonesian rupiah to 287.0/287.3 from 287.5/287.8 at last Friday’s close, inched up versus the Thai baht to 12.7874/8048 from 2.8328/8475 and edged up against the Singapore dollar to 3.4793/4829 from 3.4857/4886. – Bernama PPB soars after acquiring 15% stake in Techbond KUALA LUMPUR: PPB Group Bhd has emerged as one of the top gainers in Bursa Malaysia after it acquired a 15% stake in Techbond Group Bhd for RM37.67 million last week. Techbond is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial adhesives. As at 10.59am yesterday, PPB’s stock rose 20 sen to RM14.60 with 407,000 shares traded. Kenanga Research, in a note, believed PPB is getting a good deal as it is earnings accretive and the 15% Techbond stake is acquired at below our target price (TP) per share of 50 sen for Techbond. This is based on 13.5 times fully diluted calendar year (CY) 2025 forecast earnings per share (EPS) of 3.7 sen, in line with the forward price-earnings ratio (PER) of its international peers such as H.B. Fuller Co, Henkel AG & Co, and 3M Co. “While Techbond is much smaller than its benchmarked peers, we believe the PER valuation is justified given the specialised nature of its business and its exposure to niche markets that have less competition. On the other hand, Kenanga noted that Techbond is getting a strong strategic partner with extensive regional operations, including a strong presence in China and India, as well as a global network. “PPB can easily fund the acquisition with its net cash of RM734 million. “We see the deal as more of a vote of confidence from PPB to Techbond,” it said. Kenanga Research said it continues to like PPB’s strong business position in consumer essentials such as flour, feed, and ready-to-eat products as well as mass entertainment in Asean, while Wilmar International provides exposure to China and India’s consumer markets. – Bernama Top Glove Corporation Bhd Buy. Target price: RM1.32 PPB Group Bhd Outperform. Target price: RM17.50 Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd Hold. Target price: RM2.31 Source: Maybank Investment Bank Source: Kenanga Research Source: Bloomberg, RHB Research June 18, 2024: RM2.44 June 18, 2024: RM14.52 June 18, 2024: RM1.18

NSIDE Captivating aptivating fragrances ragrances WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: [email protected] SCAN ME INSIDE p 23 WEEKLY FOCUS MONDAY Technology and social media TUESDAY Travel and leisure WEDNESDAY Fashion and beauty THURSDAY Home and living FRIDAY Food and beverage INSIDE Most expensive guitars sold p 24 Best K-dramas for June INSIDE p INSIDE 25 The Watchers film – 123RFPIC Latest perfumes Latest perfumes for women or women – P22

LYFE LYFE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 22 ‘Zouzou’, an affectionate and child-like nickname that appeared in the last century to describe a young woman with short hair,” said Slimane. In just one perfume, Zouzou distills the image of young women with the lively and sylph-like allure illustrated by 60s icons, characters from movies or from literature. Zouzou brushes the portrait of these heroines and their carefree lightheartedness. This amber and musk creation awards the lead role to a balmy accord with caramel overtones. Created around benzoin and tonka bean, the fragrance is given the maison’s inimitably chic neo-classic twist. Patchouli and labdanum underline the ambery and elegant character of the accord while musk and vanilla prolong the powdery notes of the trail, a muted signature featured in all Celine’s creations. Rabanne Fame Intense More irreverent, mischievous and galvanised than ever, new Fame Intense brings a more addictive incarnation of the original scent. Crafted with ingredients by globally renowned perfumers Dora Baghriche, Marie Salamagne, Alberto Morillas and Fabrice Pellegrin, Fame Intense is an ode to the dazzling facets of femininity. This captivating honeyed fusion offers an addictive new woody floral and spicy blend, where solar jasmine brings sparkling luminosity. A unique trio of incense collides with creamy sandalwood for a sensual, enveloping that recalls the cherry colour. In continuity with Q Eau de Parfum, the cap depicts a royal crown in gold and red. Q by Dolce&Gabbana Eau de Parfum Intense is available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml. Zouzou Zouzou is the new opus in the Celine Haute Parfumerie collection, joining 11 perfumes conceived by Celine creative director Hedi Slimane for the launch of the line. This perfume takes its source from Slimane’s olfactory journal, where the couturier recounts the genesis of this new opus and its name. Youth has been central to Slimane’s work, shaping the silhouette for decades through his photography and fashion designs. “I called my new perfume for Celine S CENT is a timeless tool in the art of leaving lasting impressions. Make a grand entrance by announcing your arrival with hint of the fragrance and leave an olfactory imprint when you leave the room. A new fragrance will not only give you an extra boost of confidence, but also complement your personality and sense of style. Here theSun has compiled some of the latest fragrances for discerning ladies. Let these fragrances weave a veil of mystique, elegance and sophistication. Amazonian Rose Embark on a sensory journey with Herrera Confidential’s latest addition Amazonian Rose, a fragrance that pays homage to the indomitable spirit of Carolina Herrera, the iconic founder of the brand. Inspired by her Venezuelan roots and her journey to conquering the fashion world, Amazonian Rose captures the essence of her vibrant personality and boundless passion. Drawing from memories of Hacienda La Vega, the Herrera family’s prestigious estate nestled in Caracas, Amazonian Rose evokes the lush beauty of its botanical gardens. Here, the Brownea grandiceps flower, affectionately known as the “Rose of Venezuela”, reigns supreme with its spectacular blooms, mirroring the vivacity and allure of Herrera herself. Crafted by perfumer Nicolas Bonneville, Amazonian Rose is an olfactory masterpiece that defies convention. Combining the warmth of Guatemalan cardamom with the romance of damask rose and the freshness of passion fruit, this fragrance unfolds like a symphony of floral and tropical notes. In its base, Amazonian Rose reveals an evocative blend of Mexican copal, paying homage to Latin America’s rich cultural heritage. This resinous accord, infused with myrrh and Arabian incense, adds depth and complexity to the fragrance, capturing the essence of the region’s landscapes and traditions. Amazonian Rose 100ml Eau de Parfum (RM1,220) by Carolina Herrera is available at Seibu Counter, TRX. Q Eau de Parfum Intense The new Q Eau de Parfum Intense by Dolce&Gabbana is a perfume for the strong and decisive woman. Q Eau de Parfum Intense maintains the top notes of its original counterpart, characterised by the freshness of Sicilian lemons, enhanced by the brightness of the orange and the fervour of jasmine petals. “In the new Q Eau de Parfum Intense, cherry continues to be the common thread, but turns into a delicious dark cherry with the warmest and deepest accords, mixing with the more feminine and intoxicating side of heliotrope, giving the fragrance a material texture,” explains perfumer Daphne Bugey. Contrasting with the brighter base of the original Q Eau de Parfum, the sensual ambery accord accentuates the seductive energy of this new version. The opulence of the new woody ambery fragrance is also expressed through the glass bottle and the juice, characterised by a strong shade Amazonian Rose pays tribute to the brand’s founder Herrera who, having grown up in Venezuela and conquered the New York fashion world, has always been known to her family as the Rose of Venezuela. oMake a lasting impression with these latest fragrances Musc Nude is a fragrant symphony of feminine grace. Smells like feminine spirit and irresistible fragrance. Coconut water adds a sundrenched facet, while vibrant bergamot essence from Italy fuses with bold pink pepper SFE. YlangYlang extract provides rich warmth and lushness, as mineral musk lingers with captivating seduction, amplifying the radiant floral facets. Finally, cedarwood ushers in a distinctive woody, warm and aromatic sensuality. Rabanne Fame Intense is priced at RM550 for 50ml and RM725 for 80ml (refillable) and is available at Sephora, Isetan, Parkson, Sogo, Aeon and Zalora. Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Nude Step into a world of elegance with Musc Nude, where each delicate note whispers tales of feminine allure and timeless sophistication. This enchanting fragrance opens with a symphony of white flowers, their petals unfurling to reveal a heart of tonka beans, enveloping the senses in a sublime embrace. With every spritz, Musc Nude becomes a tribute to the multifaceted nature of womanhood, celebrating strength, sensuality and unabashed femininity. The Musc Nude is available at RM475 for 50ml and RM625 for 100ml. Experience the epitome of luxury and sophistication with Narciso Rodriguez’s fragrance collection, available in store at major departmental stores nationwide, Sephora and online at Lazada, Zalora and Sephora. Zouzou is a perfume about utopic adolescence, capturing an ideal of eternal youth. Q by D&G Eau de Parfum Intense is available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml. Fame is the iconic scent of glamorous femininity whose golden aura steals the limelight, dazzling everyone on sight.

LYFE LYFE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 23 the years. Originally a Sunburst 1968 model from Manny’s Music in New York, it had been refinished in black by the time Gilmour purchased it in 1970. Through the 1970s, Gilmour alternated between a maple neck with a late-60s big headstock and a rosewood neck from the 1950s. The modifications did not stop there. The guitar came with custom pickups wound by Seymour Duncan and the famous shortened whammy bar. Over the decades, most parts were swapped out, and it is now believed that only the body, selector switch, and possibly the bridge plate are original. The Black Strat, used for the iconic Comfortably Numb solo and Gilmour’s primary guitar from 1970–1986, fetched a gaspinducing price at auction. It is now part of the Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay Collection, coveted by guitarists who could only dream of owning such a legendary piece. 2) Kurt Cobain’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ Fender Mustang @ US$4.55 million A grungy relic from the golden age of alternative rock just redefined the value of musical history. Cobain’s left-handed Fender Mustang, which was used in Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit video, sold for a staggering US$4.5 million in 2022. Despite not being Cobain’s favourite, this Lake Placid Blue beauty became an icon after the video’s impact. With 1.5 billion YouTube views, Teen Spirit launched Nirvana and the Mustang into the stratosphere. The guitar was estimated to sell for US$800,000, but the final gavel strike defied expectations, underlining Cobain’s legacy in rock history. The guitar even boasts a touch of battle-worn history – a testament to Cobain’s energetic performances. After a particularly enthusiastic smash against a mixing board during a 1991 Dallas show, the Mustang sported a repaired neck before finding its way into The Jim Irsay Collection, a treasure trove of rock and roll memorabilia. 1) Kurt Cobain’s Martin D-18E @ US$6.01 million One of the most renowned Cobain guitar moments, even more memorable than the Teen Spirit video, is from Nirvana’s poignant performance on the MTV Unplugged show, particularly their cover of David Bowie’s The Man Who Sold the World. Cobain bought his Martin D-18E in 1992 from Voltage Guitars in Los Angeles. This guitar was unique for Martin, as it originally came with DeArmond pickups, which Cobain replaced with a Bartolini 3AV soundhole pickup because he did not like the original tone. After Cobain’s passing, the guitar was left to his daughter Frances Bean, but it ended up with her ex-husband Isaiah Silva as part of their divorce settlement. In 2020, the guitar was purchased by RØDE Microphones founder Peter Freedman, making him the proud owner of the world’s costliest axe. Expensive axes I N the world of guitars, tone, wood and craftsmanship reign supreme. But for some instruments, legend and legacy elevate them beyond mere musical tools. Here are the stories behind six of the most expensive guitars ever sold. These are not just finely crafted instruments or average six-strings hanging on a dusty garage. These are museum-worthy masterpieces, played by icons who made their mark on musical history and coveted by collectors with pockets deeper than a bluesman’s soul. Hence, these instruments have been elevated to the status of historical artefacts, with price tags to match. These are some of the stories that have driven the prices of these guitars into the stratosphere while adding another layer of glitter to further burnish the legend. 6) ‘Reach Out to Asia’ Fender Stratocaster @ US$2.7 million (RM12.69 million) Ranked sixth on the list of most expensive guitars, this stock Mexican-made white Fender Stratocaster, previously at fifth, was never owned by any superstar. So, how did it achieve such a high ranking? The answer lies in the signatures adorning it. This Fender Stratocaster is signed by a legendary group of musicians, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Mark Knopfler, Ray Davies, Liam Gallagher, Ronnie Wood, Tony Iommi, Angus and Malcolm Young, Paul McCartney, Sting, Ritchie Blackmore, Def Leppard and Bryan Adams. Named the “Reach Out to Asia” Strat, this guitar was auctioned off to aid victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and certainly fulfilled its purpose. In 2005, a new made-in-Mexico Strat sold for about US$350, making this arguably the most overpriced guitar ever due to its collection of squiggles on its body. 5) John Lennon’s ‘Help!’ 12-string Framus Hootenanny @US$2.86 million The recent buzz in the guitar world is on Lennon’s 12-string Framus Hootenanny, which went missing for almost half a century before being discovered in a British attic and recently sold at auction for This autographed Fender Strat was auctioned to raise finds for the Tsunami disaster of 2005. – FENDER WIKIPIC oLegends behind six most expensive guitars to have gone under auction hammer █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL US$2.9 million. In April, Julien’s Auction revealed the discovery of this iconic Beatles instrument, used extensively during the Help! recording sessions in the 1960s. The guitar, featured in the film and during a performance of You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away, was found after 50 years. Though it did not set a new world record for guitar auctions, it did exceed its conservative estimate of US$800,000, selling for US$2.86 million in May. This sale set a record for the most expensive Beatles guitar at auction, surpassing another guitar owned by Lennon – the Gibson J160E, which sold for US$2.4 million. 4) Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Hot For Teacher’ Kramer @ US$3.93 million Van Halen was not just a virtuoso guitarist, his instrument designs were groundbreaking and as iconic as his music. However, genuine Van Halen This Kramer with the trademark stripe design was used to record Van Halen’s 1984 album. – SOTHEBYSPIC Gilmour’s black Fender was heavily modified by the Pink Floyd guitarist. – GILMOURISHPIC This 12-string Framus Hootenanny that belonged to Lennon recently sold for US$2.86 million. – CHRISITIESPIC Cobain’s Fender Mustang now resides in the Jim Irsay Collection. – AFPPIC guitars are near-mythical treasures. Most remain within his family, as cherished keepsakes from a legendary career. But a rare exception emerged – a striped Kramer built by the master luthier Paul Unkert. This was not just any run-of-themill Kramer. Van Halen used it as his main weapon in 1983–1984, as seen in the epic Hot For Teacher music video. The guitar outperformed its pre-auction estimate by US$1 million in 2023. The final gavel strike resonated at a jaw-dropping nearly US$4 million. This astronomical price tag reflects the extreme rarity of instruments from Van Halen’s collection. Guitars with even greater significance, perhaps his most beloved “Frankenstrat”, are likely destined to remain in private collections. 3) David Gilmour’s modified black Fender Stratocaster @ US$3.98 million Gilmour’s Black Strat is his most iconic guitar, heavily modified over Freedman is the proud owner of the world’s most expensive guitar, Cobain’s Martin D18E. – RØDEPIC

LYFE LYFE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 24 LISTERINE and Watsons Malaysia last week entered The Malaysian Book of Records for the “largest participation of simultaneous swishing”, where 2,382 participants came together to showcase the importance of holistic oral health awareness by using mouthwash as part of a daily mouth cleansing routine. The record was achieved during Listerine’s “Swish and Makan” event, where special highlights included a walk-through of a proper oral care routine with an emphasis on the importance of mouthwash as part of an optimal dental care routine. The “Swish and Makan” event is a reflection of Listerine’s commitment to holistic oral care. While brushing and flossing are important for removing plaque, they can quickly build up again, causing cavities, gum problems and bad breath. Studies show that using Listerine twice a day for 30 seconds kills 99.9% germs and reduces plaque five times more than brushing and flossing alone. While most Malaysians understand that basic mouth cleaning involves brushing our teeth, studies reveal that brushing alone only cleans 25% of your mouth. Given the variety of foods Malaysians consume every day, the risk of mouth and gum problems is prevalent without good oral care routines, which includes brushing, flossing and rinsing. Aside from helping kill germs and bad breath, rinsing with mouthwash has several other benefits, as explained by dentist Dr Kayla Teh. “By including rinsing with a mouthwash formulated with essential oils for 30 seconds in your BTS’s Dynamite to feature in Bridgerton Season 3 Swishing a new record NETFLIX has announced that BTS’s chart-topping track Dynamite will be featured in the upcoming Season 3 of Bridgerton. This decision was shared on Netflix’s X account recently, exciting many fans of the series and the K-pop group. However, the selection has sparked a debate among the BTS fandom. While Dynamite is celebrated globally for its upbeat and infectious energy, a segment of fans expressed disappointment, advocating for Black Swan as a more thematic fit given its deeper emotional resonance and alignment with the dramatic undertones of Bridgerton. The choice of Dynamite for Bridgerton marks another instance of Netflix opting for this particular BTS song, having previously used it in another popular series Emily in Paris. This repetition has led some fans to question whether Netflix is fully aware of BTS’s diverse discography, which includes tracks with a variety of themes and tones that could potentially enhance the narrative depth of its series. In 2022, the Vitamin String Quartet, known for their orchestral covers of pop songs and set to feature in Bridgerton, conducted an informal poll asking fans which BTS song they would prefer for Season 3. The majority voiced support for Black Swan, citing its artistic depth and suitability for the series’ atmospheric setting. Despite this, Netflix chose Dynamite, leading to discussions among fans about the potential missed opportunity to showcase a different facet of BTS’s musical capabilities. – Hallyubeat Selection of Dynamite to be featured in Bridgerton has sparked a debate among BTS fandom. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @BTS.BIGHITOFFICIAL From left: TV host Joey Kong, Kenvue Malaysia & Singapore general manager Steve Tiu, Watsons Malaysia managing director and Watsons International regional exclusives director Caryn Loh, Chef Wan and Teh were a part of the record-breaking event. Students from two schools also participated in the event. J UNE 2024 is shaping up to be an exhilarating month for K-drama enthusiasts, with a lineup of highly anticipated shows. Featuring notable actors and gripping storylines, these new dramas promise to keep you entertained. If you are a fan of Kdramas, your “to-watch” list is about to get longer with these exciting releases. The Player 2: Master of Swindlers Premiere date: June 3 on tvN/Netflix Starring: Song Seung-Heon, Oh Yeon-Seo In this thrilling action drama, a scammer, a hacker, a fighter and a driver team up to steal illegal money from the rich. This dynamic group uses their unique skills to redistribute wealth. The series is a sequel to the 2018 heist drama The Player, continuing the high-stakes adventures. Hierarchy Premiere date: June 7 on Netflix Starring: Roh Jeong-Eui, Laa ChaeMin This drama follows a group of students at Jooshin High School, an exclusive private school for the elite’s children. The story explores themes of love, friendship, and revenge, starting with the arrival of Kang-Ha, a transfer student who disrupts the established order among the students. My Sweet Mobster Premiere date: June 12 on Viki/Netflix Starring: Uhm Tae-Goo, Han SunHwa This romance drama features an unexpected pairing between Go Eun-Ha and Seo Ji-Hwan. Eun-Ha, known as Mini Sister, runs a popular YouTube channel for kids. Ji Hwan, a reformed gangster, is starting a new life and helping other gangs change their ways. Their paths cross, and romance blossoms as they get to know each other. Miss Night and Day Premiere date: June 15 on Netflix Starring: Lee Jung-Eun, Jung Eun-Ji Lee Mi-Jin has been struggling to find a good job. One day, she mysteriously wakes up as a 50-yearold woman and decides to make the best of it. By day, she works as an intern for a strict prosecutor and at night, she returns to her 20-year-old body. This one is for all the fantasy comedy lovers out there. Scandal Premiere date: June 17 on KBS Starring: Han Chae-Young, Choi Woong, Han Bo-Reum This mystery drama follows Moon Jeong-In (Han Chae-Young), a woman who wants to own the world. Born Moon Kyung-Sook, she marries the wealthy Baek Dong-Ho and seizes his assets before disappearing and changing her name. She later becomes the CEO of Jeong In Entertainment, starting a new life of wealth and power. However, she soon becomes entangled with rising actor Seo Jin-Ho (Choi Woong), who uncannily resembles her first love. DNA Lover Premiere date: June 22 on TV Chosun Starring: Choi Si-Won, Jung In-Sun So-Jin, a researcher, believes that genes hold the key to finding true love. Determined to find her genetic match, she meets YeonWoo, an ob/gyn struggling to maintain relationships. He ends up breaking up each time. So-Jin also has her firefighter friend Kang Hoon, who is always ready to help her. – Hallyubeat oUltimate K-drama binge list for June 2024 My Sweet Mobster features an unexpected pairing between Go Eun-Ha (top) and Seo Ji-Hwan. – IMDBPIC daily oral care routine, twice a day, you can reduce plaque, and tartar and achieve healthier gums overall too,” she added. In tandem with the event, Listerine in collaboration with Watsons Malaysia will be running a promotion until July 8 for customers who spend RM30 on Listerine products at Watsons outlets, where they stand to win Grab Food vouchers worth up to RM15,000. Korean TV fare to look out for V fare to look out for

LYFE LYFE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 25 Renner dodges death twice JEREMY Renner not only nearly died in real life, but also in Mission: Impossible, or rather, his character nearly did. During the recent Happy Sad Confused podcast, Renner revealed that he was asked to reprise his role as IMF agent William Brandt in 2018’s Mission: Impossible – Fallout. However, the job offer came with one caveat: Renner’s Brandt would die in the film. Having played the character in 2011’s Ghost Protocol and 2015’s Rogue Nation, Renner refused. “I remember they tried to bring me overseas for a week so they could kill my character, and I was like: ‘No, you don’t get to do that. You’re not going to drag me over there and just kill my character. If you’re going to do this and you’re going to use my character, you’re going to do it right.’ I yelled at the director Christopher McQuarrie,” Renner said with a laugh. “Dude, you’re not going to do this to me like that; you’re not going to do me wrong.” Renner also cleared the air over the pervasive rumours that he was brought into the franchise to take over the lead actor mantle from Tom Cruise and explained that it was never the plan. “It was always Cruise’s show, that would be a Cruise decision, if he ever wanted to change that narrative,” Renner said. Dropping out from Fallout, Renner’s Brandt has never appeared or is mentioned in the film and subsequent Mission: Impossible films. That said, the actor revealed late last month that he is still open to returning to the franchise. – by MARK MATHEN VICTOR Renner (right) has indicated he is open to return to the Mission: Impossible franchise. – PARAMOUNT PICTURESPIC Bizarre dance with the unexpected I N Ishana Night Shyamalan’s directorial debut The Watchers, viewers are treated to a labyrinthine journey through an eerie forest and a psychological maze within. It is a film that requires an open mind and a readiness to be constantly surprised. Following in her father’s footsteps, Ishana has crafted a story where the only certainty is uncertainty. Based on A.M. Shine’s 2022 novel, this supernatural horror film is full of plot twists and is suitably chilling. Dark forest The movie’s protagonist, Mina (Dakota Fanning), is an American immigrant stranded in an Irish forest. Her car breaks down and what starts as a routine bird delivery becomes a nightmarish ordeal. Fanning’s performance is compelling, capturing Mina’s transformation from a grieving, estranged sister to a resilient survivor. Along the way, Mina meets a peculiar ensemble of characters, the obedient oA complex supernatural horror film that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats █ BYYASMIN ZULRAEZ Mina is curious of the Watchers in the forest. The film is suspenseful and expertly crafted. – PICS COURTESY OF WARNER BROS PICTURES The Watchers is currently screening in cinemas. 0 DIRECTOR: Ishana Night Shyamalan 0 CAST: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Olwen Fouéré, Oliver Finnegan, Alistair Brammer E-VALUE 8 ACTING 8 PLOT 7 Madeline (Olwen Fouéré), the kindhearted Ciara (Georgina Campbell) and the pragmatic Daniel (Oliver Finnegan). Each character is an enigma and their personalities oscillate between likeable and unlikable, making them real and relatable. Madeline’s strict adherence to the rules initially makes her seem cold but her backstory reveals a depth that commands empathy. Ciara’s gentle nature endears her to the audience, yet her moments of doubt and fear inject necessary tension. Daniel, with his survivalist tendencies, can be both a hero and a hindrance, embodying the complexity of human nature in crisis. Monsters, myths and mayhem The mysterious Watchers, or Changelings, as revealed later, are the film’s true wild cards. These humanoid creatures, living in burrows and observing the group’s every move, are a masterstroke in horror. Their photophobia and ability to mimic humans add layers of intrigue and dread. The scenes where Mina and Daniel explore the burrows are particularly gripping, showcasing the film’s ability to blend suspense with action. The plot thickens when John, Ciara’s missing husband reappears in a shocking twist, leading to a gutwrenching encounter that underscores the film’s theme – trust no one – not even those who seem familiar. Character development One of the film’s strengths is its focus on character growth amid the horror. Mina’s journey from a passive pet shop employee to a proactive survivor is mirrored by the evolution of the other characters. Madeline’s revelation as the professor’s wife-turned-watcher adds a poignant layer to her initially stern demeanour. The professor’s video diaries, a clever narrative device, deepen the lore and offer glimpses into the nature of the Watchers, making the climax both inevitable and shocking. Ending with finesse (Spoiler alert) While some may find the ending a tad predictable, it is executed with finesse. The reveal that Madeline is a half-Watcher hybrid who plans to escape the forest by imitating Mina is a classic twist, yet it is handled with a sophistication that elevates the narrative. Mina’s confrontation with Madeline is a tense and thrilling culmination of the film’s themes of identity and survival. The final scenes, where Mina reconciles with her twin sister while Madeline, in the form of a child, watches over her, provide a bittersweet closure that lingers long after the credits roll. The Watchers is a psychological puzzle that challenges viewers to question every character and motive. Ishana’s direction ensures that the audience is constantly on edge, never quite sure what will happen next. The complex interplay of likeable and unlikable traits in each character adds depth, making their growth under duress both believable and compelling. Despite a somewhat foreseeable ending, the journey there is filled with enough twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned horror fans on their toes. The Watchers is currently screening in cinemas.

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 26 T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 SCAN ME E: [email protected] WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2024 Windies blow away Afghanistan Pooran, Charles Powerplay hitting lays foundation for big win NICHOLAS POORAN (pix) was run out agonisingly short of a maiden T20 World Cup hundred as a rampant West Indies humbled Afghanistan by 104 runs in a clash of unbeaten teams yesterday. With both sides already into the Super Eights, Pooran smashed 98 off 53 balls in the final group match at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia to propel the hosts to 218- 5 after being put in to bat. A rattled Afghanistan never recovered from the loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over of the reply and were bundled out for 114 off 16.2 overs, seamer Obed McCoy marking his first match of the tournament with best figures of 3-14. The next phase of the competition, the Super Eights, starts today. “When you get the good wickets you have to capitalise as batters. When it’s your day you have to take it and make the most of it,” said Pooran, who thumped six fours and eight sixes in a spectacular innings took him past 2,000 T20I runs. Coming to the middle in the second over after the demise of Brandon King, Pooran and hometown hero Johnson Charles (43 off 27 balls) accelerated at supersonic speed in lifting the total to 92-1 by the sixth over. It was the highest total ever in the Powerplay overs of a T20 World Cup since the first of the eight editions was played in South Africa in 2007. That period of relentless carnage included 36 off an over from seamer Azmatullah Omarzai, whose wayward bowling in that fourth over of the innings reflected the confused state of the Afghan attack. But it was Omarzai who ended Pooran’s pursuit of the century in the final over of the innings, his direct hit to the striker’s end from deep cover leaving the left-hander just short of his ground as he dived to the crease. With all the frontline Afghan bowlers taking a hammering it was left to Gulbadin Naib to help pull things back with 2-14 off two overs. “To concede more than 90 runs in the Powerplay, it’s pretty hard to come back from that,” Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said. “I thought we fought hard in the middle overs though to restrict them below 220. “It’s good that this happened at this stage of the tournament because you understand now what has to be the mindset and strategy in a similar situation.” West Indies skipper Rovman Powell said their run of four consecutive wins in the group was no fluke. “It goes to show all the hard work that the boys have put in over the past 12 months is paying off and it’s important for us to keep on playing good cricket and keep on improving,” he said. – AFP NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HEAP SENG HIN (PG) SDN. BHD. (Company No. 199901016683 (491583-V)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members of Heap Seng Hin (Pg) Sdn. Bhd., duly convened and held at 22 Pekeliling Sempadan, 11400 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang on 13th day of June, 2024, the special resolutions set out below was duly passed. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 and that Mr. Neoh Chin Wah of Insol-i Corporate Recovery PLT, 3rd Floor, Acctax Corporate Centre, No. 2, Jalan Bawasah, 10050 Georgetown, Penang be appointed as Liquidator to act for the purpose of the winding-up. Dated this 19th June 2024 Tan Seng Wui Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HEAP SENG HIN (PG) SDN. BHD. (Company No. 199901016683 (491583-V)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) Notice is hereby given that the creditors of the abovenamed Company are required on or before 19th July 2024 to prove their debts or claims and to establish any title they may have to priority by delivering or sending through the post to the Liquidator at the undermentioned address and affidavit verifying their respective debts or claims. In default they will be excluded from the benefit of priority, if any, and from objecting to any such distribution. Form of proof may be obtained from the Liquidator at the address shown below. Dated this 19th June 2024 Neoh Chin Wah, Liquidator c/o Insol-i Corporate Recovery PLT 3rd Floor Acctax Corporate Centre No. 2, Jalan Bawasah 10050 Georgetown Penang 322 Notices IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT GEORGETOWN IN THE STATE OF PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) WINDING UP PETITION NO.: PA-28NCC-69-05/2024 In the matter of Companies (Winding Up) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) & 466 of the Companies Act, 2016 AND In the matter of CYC LEISURE (M) SDN BHD (Company No. 200901030451 / 873557-X) BETWEEN DAHPAY (M) SDN BHD (Company No. 201701047552 / 1261728-U) …PETITIONER AND CYC LEISURE (M) SDN BHD (Company No. 200901030451 / 873557-X) …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court was on 21st May 2024 presented by DAHPAY (M) SDN BHD (Company No.: 201701047552 / 1261728-U) of A-15-02 & A-15-03, Vertical Business Suite, Avenue 3, Bangsar South City, No. 8, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, the above said Petitioning Company. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court sitting at Georgetown at 9.00 a.m. in the morning on 22nd July 2024; and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition may appear at the time of Hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at A-15-02 & A-15-03, Vertical Business Suite, Avenue 3, Bangsar South City, No. 8, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Yeoh Shim Siow & Lay Kuan of 13A-3 & 4, Floor 13A, Tower 1, Faber Tower, Jalan Desa Bahagia, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur. Dated 19th June 2024. Signed ……………………………………….. Messrs. Yeoh Shim Siow & Lay Kuan Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE – Any person who intends to appear on the Hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to Messrs. Yeoh Shim Siow & Lay Kuan, notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person of firm, or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed solicitors not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 19th July 2024 the working day before the day appointed for the hearing of the Petition. THIS ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION is filed by Messrs. Yeoh Shim Siow & Lay Kuan, solicitors for the Petitioner herein and whose address for service is at 13A3 & 4, Floor 13A, Tower 1, Faber Tower, Jalan Desa Bahagia, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur. [Tel: 03-7971 9994 Ref: 230649/LIT/AY/CYCLEISURE] IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR IN THE FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) PETITION NO.: WA28NCC-468-05/2024 In the matter of TOMATO EDU GROUP SDN BHD [Company No. 201501034397 (1159717-U)] And In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) and 465 (1)(h) of the Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) And In the Matter of Companies (Winding Up) Rules, 1972 BETWEEN 1. CHAN YEE SHERN (NRIC NO.: 810410-10-5863) 2. KOK CHEONG MING (NRIC NO.: 670722-10-5115) …PETITIONER AND TOMATO EDU GROUP SDN BHD (Company No. 201501034397 (1159717-U)] ...RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding Up of the above-named Company by the High Court was on the 24th day of May 2024 presented by Chan Yee Shern (NRIC No.: 810410-10- 5863) and Kok Cheong Ming (NRIC No.: 670722-10-5115) of Tower C, C-08-12, Jalan Setia Dagang AH, U13/AH, Trefoil@ Setia City, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Kuala Lumpur High Court at 9.00 o’clock in the forenoon, on the 26th day of August 2024; and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at Tower C, C-08-12, Jalan Setia Dagang AH, U13/ AH, Trefoil@Setia City, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor. The Petitioner’s Solicitors are M/s. K H Chong & Associates of E-11-14, Plaza Mont’ Kiara, No.2, Jalan Kiara, Mont’ Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Dated this 24th May 2024 t.t ……………………………………. Petitioner’s Solicitors (Messrs. K H Chong & Associates) NoteAny person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed K H Chong & Associates, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 25th day of August 2024 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the petition). IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUANTAN IN THE STATE OF PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR, MALAYSIA COMPANIES (WINDINGUP) PETITION NO.: CA28NCC-21-05/2024 In the Matter of Section 465 and Section 466 of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the Matter of the Companies (Winding-Up) Rules 1972 And In the Matter of MUJUR SEPAKAT SDN BHD (Company No. 199401022253 (307932-T)) BETWEEN EXCEL M & E SDN. BHD. (Company No. 199901015150 (490050-A)) …Petitioner AND MUJUR SEPAKAT SDN. BHD. (Company No. 199401022253 (307932-T)) …Respondent ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the above-named company, Mujur Sepakat Sdn. Bhd., by the High Court was, on the 14th day of May, 2024, presented by Excel M & E Sdn. Bhd. AND that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Kuantan High Court at nine o’clock in the forenoon, on the 25th day of July, 2024; AND any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is 2-9, Jalan Puteri 4/8, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor. The Petitioner’s Solicitors are Messrs Armiy Rais of No. 1-2B, 1st Floor, Jalan PJU 8/3A, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Armiy Rais ……………………………… Messrs Armiy Rais Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named Messrs Armiy Rais, notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 24th day of July, 2024 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the Petition). IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT SEREMBAN IN THE STATE OF NEGERI SEMBILAN DARUL KHUSUS, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING UP NO. NA-28NCC-13-06/2024 In the matter of Section 465 (1)(e) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of REGENT RESTAURANT (SEREMBAN) SDN. BHD. (Company No: 198201004347 / 84094-H) Between WING HANN MARINE FOOD SDN. BHD. (Company No. 932285-K) …PETITIONER DAN REGENT RESTAURANT (SEREMBAN) SDN. BHD. (Company No: 198201004347 / 84094 - H) … RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court was on the 11th day of June 2024 presented by WING HANN MARINE FOOD SDN. BHD. (Company No: 932285-K) and that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Seremban at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon on the 25th day of July 2024 and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for the purpose, and a copy of the said Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of regulated charge for the same. ………………………… MESSRS NESAN, CHENG & CO SOLICITORS FOR THE PETITIONER The Petitioner’s address is at Lot PT 240622, Hala Industri Bercham 3, Kawasan Industri Ringan Bercham, 31400 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan. The Petitioner’s Solicitors are Messrs Nesan, Cheng & Co. of Suite 23, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, No.1, Persiaraan Puchong Jaya Selatan, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Selangor Darul Ehsan. Note – Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Solicitors notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person or if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve noon (12:00 o’clock) on the 24th day of July 2024 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the Petition). Tel No: 03-8070 5725 Fax No: 03-8070 7725 Ref: 1.2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR IN THE FEDERAL TERRITORIES OF KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) NO. : WA-28NCC-239-03/2024 In the matter of sections 465(1)(e) and 466(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of the Companies (WindingUp) Rules 1972 And In the matter of Aventz Management Sdn. Bhd. (Registration No.: 201501003925 (1129257-W)) BETWEEN WONG CHIN LIM (NRIC NO.: 870607-14-5337) …PETITIONER AND AVENTZ MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD. (REGISTRATION NO.: 201501003925 (1129257-W)) …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for winding-up of the abovenamed company by the High Court was, on the 11th day of March 2024, presented by WONG CHIN LIM, an individual conducting business under the name Success Power Machinery (Registration No.: 002616504- P) with its business address at Lot 1214, Jalan BS 7/5, Kawasan Perindustrian Bukit Serdang, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan. And that the said petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Kuala Lumpur at 9:30 o’clock in the morning, on the 9th day of July 2024; and any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at Lot 1214, Jalan BS 7/5, Kawasan Perindustrian Bukit Serdang, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan. The Petitioner’s solicitors are TIONG AND ASSOCIATES, A4-2-3A, Solaris Dutamas, No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. t.t. ........................................... TIONG AND ASSOCIATES NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed solicitors, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 8th day of July 2024 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the Petition). This ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION is filed by TIONG AND ASSOCIATES, A4-2-3A, Solaris Dutamas, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur for the petitioner abovenamed whose address is at Lot 1214, Jalan BS 7/5, Kawasan Perindustrian Bukit Serdang, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel. 03-6412 2740 Faks. 03-6412 2739 Email. [email protected] Ref. CT/LIT/2023-1362 DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KOTA BHARU DALAM NEGERI KELANTAN DARUL NAIM, MALAYSIA PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO. DA-28NCC-15-05/2024 Dalam Perkara Seksyen 466 Akta Syarikat, 2016; Dan Dalam Perkara AL QUDS UMRAH & TOURS (M) SDN. BHD. [No. Pendaftaran: 199501035815 (365017-P)] ANTARA MOHAMAD RIZAL BIN NIZAMUDEEN (No. K/P: 770119-01-6415) PEMPETISYEN DAN AL QUDS UMRAH & TOURS (M) SDN. BHD. [No. Pendaftaran: 199501035815(365017-P)] RESPONDEN NOTIS PENGIKLANAN NOTIS DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk Penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas pada 28 haribulan Mei, 2024 dikemukakan oleh MOHAMAD RIZAL BIN NIZAMUDEEN yang beralamat di No. 46-01, Jalan Pulai Makmur 5/1, Bandar Baru Kangkar Pulai, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut telah diarahkan supaya dibicarakan di hadapan Mahkamah yang bersidang di Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di Kota Bharu pada jam 9.00 pagi, pada 11 haribulan Julai, 2024. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang satu Perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui Peguamcaranya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di No. 46- 01, Jalan Pulai Makmur 5/1, Bandar Baru Kangkar Pulai, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Ghazi & Lim, Peguambela & Peguamcara, Tingkat 12, Unit 8, Wisma New Asia, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. Bertarikh pada 6 haribulan Jun 2024. ..............t.t.............. Peguamcara Pempetisyen PERINGATAN:- Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan atau menghantar secara pos kepada Peguamcara Pempetisyen yang dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak atau firma berkenaan atau Peguamcaranya sekiranya ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12.00 tengah hari pada 10 haribulan Julai, 2024 Ruj: M102/23/MRG/PVK Tel : 03-2145 0177 Faks: 03-2713 1882 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT SHAH ALAM IN THE STATE OF SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING UP NO. BA-28NCC-340-06/2024 In the matter of Section 465 (1)(e) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of UWL FREIGHT FORWARDING SDN. BHD. (Company No: 200201017740 / 585403-A) Between MAXICONT SHIPPING AGENCIES SDN BHD (Company No. 731327-V) …PETITIONER DAN UWL FREIGHT FORWARDING SDN. BHD. (Company No: 200201017740 / 585403-A) … RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court was on the 11th day of June 2024 presented by MAXICONT SHIPPING AGENCIES SDN BHD (Company No: 731327-V) and that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Shah Alam at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon on the 24th day of September 2024 and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for the purpose, and a copy of the said Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of regulated charge for the same. ………………………… MESSRS NESAN, CHENG & CO SOLICITORS FOR THE PETITIONER The Petitioner’s address is at Lot 9, Centro, 15th Floor, No. 8 Jalan Batu Tiga Lama, 41300 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan. The Petitioner’s Solicitors are Messrs Nesan, Cheng & Co. of Suite 23, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, No.1, Persiaraan Puchong Jaya Selatan, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Selangor Darul Ehsan. Note – Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Solicitors notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person or if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve noon (12:00 o’clock) on the 23rd day of September 2024 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the Petition). Tel No: 03-8070 5725 Fax No: 03-8070 7725 Ref: 1.2038 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices WE ARE HIRING ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE / SENIOR EXECUTIVE Job Description: • Building and sustaining strong working relationship with advertising clients. • Plan and executive new, creative, exciting and innovative marketing campaigns for the company. • Develop and continuously improve marketing material, product/services presentations and proposals. • Passionate in serving client accounts to improve sales revenue. Requirement: • Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or other related fields. • At least 3 years of sales and marketing experience for senior position. • Fresh graduates are encourage to apply. • Training will be provided. • Good communication, presentation, problem-solving and organisational skills. • Possess own transport and willing to travel. • Able to start work immediately. Send in your CV with your photo via email to : [email protected] Office based in Petaling Jaya (5 days a week)

SPORTS SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 27 RORY MCILROY’S latest major heartbreak can fuel a strong O p e n challenge next month, according to a leading coach on the mental side of the game. The Northern Irishman missed two short putts in the closing stages of the US Open at Pinehurst on Sunday to see a first major title in 10 years agonisingly slip away. Six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo has said that late collapse could “haunt” McIlroy for a long time but performance coach Jon Adler, of “Golf is a Mind Game”, believes positive results can come from it. Adler told the PA news agency: “Obviously he was feeling distraught. It’s going to take a little bit of time to get over because it stings, and when you’ve had an experience of fear – being frightened of missing because it’s such a short putt, you’re supposed to be making it – it’s not nice, especially when it gets the better of you. “But every golfer has had experiences like that and sometimes you can get a lot of strength from that. The fear is almost like a bully. Once you’ve been punched on the nose the next time you’re not quite as scared. You’re like, ‘Well, I’ve had the worst. I’ve dealt with the worst that can happen to me’. “I heard Faldo saying he’s going to be wrecked forever from this but I’m not so sure. I certainly hope not. “I remember when Rory crashed and burned at the Masters years ago, when he was young. He won the next major after that. “From adversity often comes a new strength. It’s from the setbacks that often the great players emerge and I think Rory’s shown he’s got that in his locker, and he’s obviously got the talent and skill. “It’s going to be a bitter pill for him to swallow for a while but he’s shown he can bounce back before. I’d have a little bet on him for the Open.” – The Independent RORY MCILROY said yesterday he plans to take a break from golf after describing his epic US Open collapse as probably the “toughest” day of his professional career. In his first public comments since his meltdown at Pinehurst on Sunday that allowed Bryson DeChambeau to claim a oneshot victory, McIlroy said his next event will be the July 11-14 Scottish Open, the warmup for the British Open. “Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as professional golfer,” said McIlroy, who has withdrawn from this week’s Travelers Championship in Connecticut. McIlroy, who left Pinehurst swiftly on Sunday without speaking to media, squandered a two-shot lead with five holes to play, making bogeys on three of the last four holes to surrender a winning position to DeChambeau. Two of McIlroy’s bogeys came from missed putts of less than four feet. It was the latest agonising near-miss for McIlroy in his attempts to end a decade-long pursuit of a fifth major. McIlroy now has 21 top-10 finishes, including four runner-ups, since his last major in 2014. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland insisted however that he believed the positives outweighed the negatives from his US Open disaster. “As I reflect on my week, I’ll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the two missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day,” McIlroy said. “But as I always try to do, I’ll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives. “As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel close to winning my next major championship, than I ever have. “The one word that I would describe my career as is ‘resilient’. I’ve shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again. “I’m going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and the Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland.” McIlroy meanwhile paid tribute to the charismatic DeChambeau, describing the American LIV Golf player as a worthy US Open champion. “I’d like to congratulate Bryson,” McIlroy said. “He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional g o l f n e e d s right now. I think we can all agree on that.” Shane Lowry has urged fans to be “kind” to McIlroy, after posting on Instagram: “From the outside looking in… this game is easy. “But in reality it’s the worst game of all. We are very fortunate to get what we do from this game but over the last 24 hours it’s hit me. “We do it for not only ourselves but for our family, friends and fans. What Rory has gone through is as tough as it gets in our game but I would like to encourage people if anything please be kind.” – AFP/The Independent DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR (BAHAGIAN DAGANG) PETISYEN PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO.: WA-28NCC-492-06/2024 Dalam perkara China Construction Yangtze River (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (No. Syarikat: 201301046007 (1075831-X)) Dan Dalam perkara Seksyen 465(1)(e) dan Seksyen 466(1)(a) Akta Syarikat 2016 Dan Dalam perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 ANTARA RNC INTEGRAL CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY (M) SDN BHD [NO. SYARIKAT: 199701020681(436178-D)] ...PEMPETISYEN DAN CHINA CONSTRUCTION YANGTZE RIVER (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD [NO. SYARIKAT: 201301046007 (1075831-X)] ...RESPONDEN IKLAN PETISYEN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah, pada 4 Jun 2024, dikemukakan oleh RNC INTEGRAL CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY (M) SDN BHD. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut diarahkan supaya didengarkan dan dibicarakan di hadapan mahkamah yang bersidang di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada pukul 9:30 pagi pada 2 September 2024. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang sesuatu perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguambelanya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat berdaftar Pempetisyen adalah di Lot 515, Block A, Kelana Business Centre, 97, Jalan SS7/2, Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor manakala alamat perniagaan Pempetisyen adalah di No. 37-1, Jalan Putra Mahkota 7/7B, Putra Heights, 47650 Subang Jaya, Selangor. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen yang beralamat di A3-3-6, Block A3, Solaris Dutamas, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen …………………..…… Tetuan Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen Peguamcara Pempetisyen NOTA - Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan, atau menghantar dengan pos, kepada Tetuan Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen yang dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak berkenaan, atau jika ia sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau peguamcaranya, jika ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan, atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi, supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12:00 tengah hari pada 1 September 2024 (sehari sebelum tarikh yang ditetapkan untuk perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut). IKLAN PETISYEN ini diisukan oleh oleh Tetuan Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen (sebelum ini dikenali sebagai Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe), peguamcara bagi Pempetisyen yang dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di A3-3-6, Block A3, Solaris Dutamas, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Ruj: 22031509 Tel: 03-6205 3928 E-mel: [email protected]] 322 Notices Archers fall short Trio fail to shine in last-ditch effort to qualify for Paris 2024 FOR the first time in 16 years, Malaysia will not be represented in men’s archery in the Olympics and have to rely on their women recurve archers at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Three national men’s archers failed in their last-ditch effort to qualify for Paris 2024 after they were eliminated in the early rounds of the individual recurve and team events at the Archery In Paris Final O l y m p i c Qualifier in A n t a l y a , T u r k i y e , w h i c h e n d e d o n Monday. National Archery Association of Malaysia (NAAM) president Datuk Abdul Hamid Hasan said the Antalya tournament was the final venue for Olympics qualification but the results were expected as Malaysia had sent mainly backup athletes to gain experience. “The men’s and women’s teams we sent were mostly backup athletes, so their failure to qualify was expected, but they gave their best. Luck was not on their (male squad) side when they lost to the Indonesian team, who we know are very strong. “That was their first time competing in a qualification tournament, so we accept the results, but the target for this squad remains to qualify for the next Olympic Games (Los Angeles 2028),” he told Bernama when contacted yesterday. In the tournament, the men’s recurve trio of Muhammad Zarif Syahiir Zolkepel, Muhammad Danish Amsyar Norazlan and Muhammad Syafiq Busthamin lost in the early rounds, 0-6 to Indonesia in the team event and also in the individual competition. Previously, Malaysia had always had male archers competing in individual or team events at the Olympic Games since the Beijing 2008 edition. Last Friday, the women’s recurve trio of Ariana Nur Dania Mohamad Zairi, Nurul Azreena Mohamad Fazil and Syaqiera Mashayikh made history by qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time after reaching the final in the same tournament in Antalya. They narrowly lost 4-5 to China’s trio of Yang Xiaolei, Li Jiaman and An Qixuan in the final, bringing home the silver medal. Earlier, Ariana Nur Dania had secured a ticket to Paris 2024 in the women’s individual recurve event after winning gold at the Asian Continental Qualifying Championship in Bangkok last November. – Bernama Gavin qualifies for Olympics MALAYSIAN men’s professional golfer Gavin Green has qualified for his third consecutive Olympic Games after being ranked in the top 60 of the official Olympic Golf Rankings (OGR) at the end of yesterday’s deadline. The 30-year-old secured his Paris 2024 ticket with a 53rd placing in the men’s OGR, which was updated on the International Golf Federation’s (IGF) official website yesterday. In his previous two Olympic outings, Green finished 47th in the Rio de Janeiro edition in 2016 and joint 57th with Rafael Campos of Puerto Rico in the 2020 edition in Tokyo. National women’s golfer Ashley Lau is also in a good position to make her Olympic debut in Paris as she is in 49th spot in the OGR before the Monday (June 24) deadline. The Olympic golf event at the Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines will see 60 men and 60 women golfers in action on Aug 1-10. “The IGF utilises the Official World Golf Rankings to create the OGR to determine eligibility. The top 15 world-ranked players will be eligible for the Olympics, up to a maximum of four golfers from a single country. “Beyond the top 15, players will be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15,” according to IGF. Li Jane closes in on US title NATIONAL kegler Sin Li Jane is just a win away from creating history by becoming the first Malaysian to win the US Women’s Open title at the Royal Pin Woodland, Indianapolis. The 32-year-old continued to impress in the United States after emerging as the No. 1 seed among the five stepladder finalists on Sunday (Monday in Malaysia). According to the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) official website, Li Jane is heading for her first major title and third Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour crown of the 2024 season after topping the 25-player leaderboard with 12,474 pinfalls after 56 games on four different oil patterns over five days. Latvian Diana Zavjalova is second with 12,222 pinfalls, followed by American Stefanie Johnson (12,209), England’s Verity Crawley (12,207) and A m e r i c a n B r e a n n a C l e m m e r (12,118). SHORTS McIlroy taking break from golf Coach backs Rory to bounce back █ BY ANDY HAMPSON Gavin Green McIlroy reacts after finishing the 18th hole at Pinehurst on Monday. – AFPPIX

SPORTS SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 28 Just too good for Ukraine Romania record first victory at European Championship in 24 years ROMANIA recorded their first victory at a European Championship in 24 years with a stunning win over Ukraine in Group E. Captain Nicolae Stanciu gave Romania a surprise lead in the 29th minute, finding the top corner with a brilliant strike from 20 yards out. Razvan Marin then doubled the Tricolours’ lead after 53 minutes with a long-range effort that squeezed under Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Romania rounded off the scoring four minutes later when Denis Dragus tapped in Dennis Man’s cross from close range. Stanciu said his goal was the best of his career but added his team would not get carried away after yesterday’s win. “It is the goal of my career,” said the 31-yearold Stanciu, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia. “I’ve said before this shirt means everything to me and to score at the Euros, you can’t do more than that. And then to also win in the manner we did, that’s just incredible. “I think that it will be the same as it’s been so far. I knew what we had to expect, the level of play, and we had to rise to that level,” he said. “I know myself and know my team-mates. I know we’re not going to celebrate after this win, we’re only going to concentrate on Belgium now.” Their only previous win at the Euros came in 2000 where a late Ionel Ganea penalty helped them beat England 3-2 in the group stage. Ukraine’s players are appearing in their first major tournament since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. Last week, their forward Mykhailo Mudryk said his family were facing Russian missiles “day and night” in his home city of Krasnograd. Romania are 24 places below their opponents in the world rankings and had warmed up for the Euros with disappointing goalless draws against Bulgaria and Liechtenstein. But cheered on by a wall of yellow in Munich, they were gifted the opener when Lunin’s poor clearance was intercepted by Man, who teed up Stanciu for a wonderful whipped first-time shot into the net. Buoyed by their goal, Romania dominated and Stanciu almost scored direct from a corner minutes later with another curling effort beating Lunin and cannoning off the crossbar. Real Madrid goalkeeper Lunin had a poor game and was also at fault for Romania’s second when he misjudged the flight of Marin’s strike and the ball went under his attempted save. Edward Iordanescu’s side added a third to confirm their biggest win in the tournament as Dragus finished following a mazy run from lively Parma forward Man. Romania – who were unbeaten in qualifying – are now in a strong spot to progress from Group E and face Belgium in their next match on Saturday while Ukraine face Slovakia on Friday. Ukraine, quarterfinalists at the Euros three years ago, disappointed, taking 77 minutes to record a shot on target. Substitute Roman Yaremchuk struck the top of the crossbar for Serhiy Rebrov’s team deep into second half stoppage time. – AFP/Agencies REAL MADRID goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has taken responsibility for two mistakes that led to goals as Ukraine began Euro 2024 with defeat to Romania. Lunin, who had an excellent season in goal for Real Madrid while deputising for the injured Thibaut Courtois, admitted his errors were largely to blame for Monday’s defeat. The keeper was at fault for Romania’s 29th minute opener, guilty of a poor attempted clearance that went straight to Dennis Man, who immediately found goalscorer Nicolae Stanciu. Then, after halftime, he should have done far better to stop Razvan Marin’s Romania second, which snuck underneath his hands despite appearing to have done enough to comfortably stop the shot. “My first mistake changed the match. I’d like to say sorry,” said Lunin, appearing at his first major international tournament. “If a goalkeeper does a mistake, it practically means it’s a goal, with a bit of luck it can be avoided but in the most of the cases it’s a goal. “So it’s a mistake… I accept it, I understand it and I know it. It happened to me in the past. “I’m sad because my teammates put in a big effort and a lot of work and my mistake made the match difficult. All I can say is sorry and get back up for the next game.” Slovakia’s shock win over Belgium only compounded Ukraine’s defeat, meaning the two sides they would have expected to take points against have started with victories. Next up is Slovakia on Friday, followed by Belgium on June 26. Given how the group has started, three points is unlikely to be enough to get through. – AFP/Agencies Keeper apologises for nightmare performance COACHES’ VIEW Nobody expected this: Rebrov UKRAINE coach Serhiy Rebrov said his team’s opening 3-0 loss to Romania at Euro 2024 on Monday was a result “nobody expected”. Two mistakes from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin proved fatal as Romania took the lead in Munich through captain Nicolae Stanciu, with Razvan Marin and Denis Dragus completing the victory in the second half. “Unfortunately nobody expected this result,” said Rebrov, who led Ukraine to a fourth consecutive European Championship despite the country being ravaged by war following the Russian invasion in 2022. “The players feel they didn’t do enough. Before the game I told them we are representing a big strong country fighting for more than two years for our freedom. “Today we didn’t do good enough, that’s why they (the players) are apologising (to the fans). We have to show the other Ukraine for the game against Slovakia.” Rebrov said the team had held a playersonly meeting after the game, asking him to leave the dressing room. “We all have emotions. Everybody is unhappy,” he said. “If we don’t show our maximum… then it will be very difficult. “It doesn’t matter who is the favourite, football is about what you show on the day. Today we didn’t show our level.” Iordanescu hails ‘generation of soul’ ROMANIA coach Edward Iordanescu beamed with pride as he gave his side credit for their tireless running in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Ukraine on Monday to get their Euro 2024 campaign off to a flying start. “It’s incredible what they did, I think I felt those feelings for the first time – I lost control of myself. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for being with us,” Iordanescu told reporters. Asked if this was the victory of a lifetime, the 46-year-old coach declined to compare his side to previous generations, saying the current crop of players occupied a space all their own. “This is the generation of the soul – this team has put the biggest effort into everything... such a big heart and such a soul as this team has? No-one has ever had that. This has to be the generation of soul for Romania,” he added. “These lads have done so much… apart from the quality and the talent, they were very united and gave their all, and I’m very proud of them,“ Iordanescu said. | EURO 2024 Ukraine’s Mykola Matviyenko (2nd right) vies for the ball with Romania’s Denis Dragus (left) and Andrei Ratiu (right) during the Euro Group E match. – AFPPIX

SPORTS SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 29 FRANCE captain Kylian Mbappe was left covered in blood and was later taken to hospital after suffering a broken nose during his country’s Euro 2024 opener against Austria – in what could be a major injury blow for the tournament favourites. France’s 1-0 victory was overshadowed by Mbappe’s worrying facial injury in the closing stages of the match in Dusseldorf, with the star forward pictured leaving the stadium in an ambulance after the game. Head coach Didier Deschamps described Mbappe’s injury as a “big negative” on the night – amid fears in the French camp that the World Cup golden boot winner could be ruled out of the rest of the Euros. “He’s not doing well,” Deschamps said. “He’s with the medical staff, and I had a lot of media questions before coming here, so I cannot tell you anything else. “But his nose got badly hit, that’s for sure. We need to check that out, but it seems quite complicated, which is really very unfortunate for us tonight.” Initial reports suggested Mbappe did not require emergency surgery after arriving in hospital, with France facing Group D opponents Netherlands in their second game of the tournament in Leipzig on Friday. Mbappe sustained the injury challenging for a header in the penalty box when he collided with the shoulder of Austria defender Kevin Danso. Mbappe’s nose started bleeding and he stayed down following the challenge as Austria broke forward when they cleared the France corner. He received medical attention after play was stopped, with his white shirt already stained with blood. Mbappe covered his nose with his hand after getting to his feet. The 25-year-old star was helped off the pitch by medics before he was bizarrely booked when he attempted to re-enter the field of play without permission from the referee. It then became clear that Mbappe could not continue and he left the pitch, going straight down the tunnel with nine minutes of stoppage time remaining. Mbappe was jeered by the Austria fans as he went off the pitch, in response to what they perceived to be time-wasting tactics with France down to 10 players. France held on in Dusseldorf to open their Euro 2024 with a victory, joining Netherlands on three points after their o p e n i n g Group D win over Poland. The World Cup finalists were below their best and lacked fluency as they defeated Austria and will hope Mbappe recovers to face the Netherlands later this week. The World Cup golden boot winner could have to wear a protective mask if he has broken his nose, which may have to be remain in place throughout the remainder of the Euros depending on the extent of the injury. “I’m not going to go into hypotheses, but I’ll say what I’ve always said: The French team with Kylian will always be stronger, the national squad will always be stronger with him,” Deschamps said. “But if, and I use your ‘if’, the news doesn’t go along these lines, we’ll have to be without him. But Kylian is Kylian, and any team he’s in, the squad is always much stronger.” It had been a mixed evening for Mbappe until that point, with the star forward playing a key role in France’s only goal of the game as his cross deflected in off Austria defender Max Wober to break the deadlock. But Mbappe was unable to score his first goal at the E u r o p e a n Championships after wasting a golden chance to double France’s lead when sent through on goal. – The Independent Mbappe concern for Les Bleus France skipper taken to hospital following brutal nose injury against Austria No reproach over own goal AUSTRIA coach Ralf Rangnick said there would be no pointing fingers at defender Max Wober over his headed own goal in the 1-0 defeat by France in their Euro 2024 opener yesterday. Austria, who had only lost one of their last 16 matches, went toe-totoe with the World Cup runners-up but in the 38th minute France captain Kylian Mbappe weaved through the defence and Wober diverted his cross past goalkeeper Patrick Pentz. “Well, it’s obvious that we are disappointed with this result. In 100 minutes we didn’t concede one goal from France, the only goal was a very unfortunate own goal,” Rangnick told reporters. “There’s no reproach at all towards Maxi Wober. “But what is really important is that he doesn’t reproach himself. Among the team members, among the staff, everybody knows it was a situation that was super unfortunate. He received the ball on his head and couldn’t do anything.” Wober was consoled by teammates after the goal. Two minutes earlier, Christoph Baumgartner had a brilliant opportunity to put Austria on the board when captain Marcel Sabitzer touched a Michael Gregoritsch cross into the forward’s path but his shot was deflected wide by keeper Mike Maignan. “The biggest chance for us, normally (Baumgartner) would score in such a situation,” Rangnick said. “Of course, France also created their chances, Patrick Pentz did a great job. “But I think that (France manager) Didier Deschamps was really happy when the final whistle came, and I think that shows the great performance of my team. “There is not one reproach towards my team. They put everything on the page. They probably didn’t make the right decision in every moment – but let’s not forget who was the opponent.” – Reuters THE Godfather of gegenpressing, of all people, was made an offer he surely couldn’t refuse. And yet somehow, some way, he did. As the European Championship approached, so did Bayern Munich, but Ralf Rangnick held firm. It is a quirk of Rangnick’s career, that Germany’s most influential coach has never worked with the nation’s preeminent football club. Instead, the highest-profile periods of the 65-year-old’s career have been spells at Schalke, Leipzig, Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, Hannover, and – more recently – Manchester United. During his time as interim coach of United, the German accepted the Austria job and reneged on his decision to remain at the Premier League club in an advisory capacity. His arrival in England had stirred excitement in football purists, or nerds, yet his time there did not bring the desired results. At Austria, however, the last two years have been fruitful. In fact, while in charge of das Nationalteam, Rangnick has mustered the best winning percentage of his long and storied career: 60.87% (23 games played, 14 won, 4 drawn, 5 lost). Yes, the sample size is small, and statistics don’t always tell the full story, but the stint has clearly been encouraging and enjoyable for Rangnick. Yet optimism was tempered for this campaign, courtesy of a daunting groupstage draw with France, Netherlands and Poland, and injuries to key players – including captain David Alaba. In fact, Austria entered Germany depleted in every area of the pitch. And still they turned up emboldened for this Group D tie against France, the national team of their generation. While Rangnick was sedentary in the dugout, Didier Deschamps strode along the sideline, inciting a tempo that initially made a mockery of any machinations of Austrian gegenpressing. Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and co were simply too swift, too slick, too slippery. But when centreback Maximilian Wober perfectly timed a tackle, dispossessing a marauding Theo Hernandez just outside the Austria box, he kickstarted a slew of promising counters, which defined the impending phases of play. Two such moves almost resulted in goals for the talismanic Christoph Baumgartner. Even after going a goal down, Rangnick’s side continued brightly after the break, their improved play evident as they applied geometry to create triangle after triangle. H a l f - c h a n c e s came and went but Rangnick’s men could not capitalise. Even so, this game revealed his revival to the wider world. – The Independent Austria exhibits revival of Rangnick █ BY ALEX PATTLE Expert opinion Keane slams ‘out of order’ Kylian ROY KEANE insisted Kylian Mbappe was “out of order” after re-entering the pitch and sitting down immediately at the end of France’s Euro 2024 win against Austria. The France captain, who created the only goal of the game which gave France a winning start to the tournament in Dusseldorf, was left covered in blood after his head hit the shoulder of Austria defender Kevin Danso following a challenge in the air. Yet France boss Didier Deschamps was left incensed when Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano didn’t allow Les Bleus to make a substitute when the ball next went out of play. Mbappe then, without permission from the official, re-entered the field of play with a bloody shirt and immediately sat back down. Manzano then ran over and booked the France captain and ex-Manchester United captain Keane was left unimpressed with Mbappe’s behaviour. Speaking about Mbappe’s decision to return to the pitch to stop play, Keane said on ITV: “He gets an injury, it’s frustrating. Obviously he’s gone back onto the pitch to stop the play. “But he’s gone on to sit on the pitch, I don’t like to see this, this is out of order if he’s been instructed by the manager to go back on. “He’s obviously had treatment and come off. I don’t mind that he’s gone back on, but to go back on and sit on the pitch, he deserved that yellow card, I don’t like to see it. Gary Neville, also on punditry duties, agreed with his former teammate: “To be fair, when he looks back, I think he’ll be disappointed, because I think he’s looked at Deschamps and Deschamps has gone ‘Get on’ and I think he’ll feel like he’s let himself down.” Former England defender Matt Upson made a similar point on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Mbappe has gone back on the pitch without permission – the referee is going to book him and rightly so. You cannot do that! “Was he advised to go back on? He just walked back on holding his nose and sat down on the pitch. It looks like he has badly damaged his nose.” – The Independent/ Agencies | EURO 2024 Rangnick France’s Kylian Mbappe sits on the pitch after being injured during his team’s Euro Group D match against Austria. – AFPPIX

SPORTS SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 30 FLORIAN WIRTZ and Jamal Musiala will look to inspire Germany to make it two wins out of two in Group A against a Hungary side with a point to prove tomorrow (12.10am Malaysian time). Germany made a flying start, overpowering Scotland with a magnificent display in Munich on Saturday. Youngsters Wirtz and Musiala wreaked havoc against Steve Clarke’s side, with Toni Kroos pulling the strings in midfield as the three-time champions won their opening Euro game for a record-extending eighth time. Julian Nagelsmann’s team are a force to be reckoned with, and yet they were beaten in their last meeting with tomorrow’s opponents, losing 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League in Leipzig in 2022. He will have little reason to need to change his team, having fielded the XI that was widely expected, but Robert Andrich was replaced by Pascal Gross at halftime after picking up a booking. They will compete to partner Kroos in central midfield. Niclas Fullkrug once again made his own case up front with his third tournament goal, although all have come from the bench, so Kai Havertz will likely continue to lead the attack from the start after he netted the third from the penalty spot last Friday. “We know the match against Scotland was a good first step. I don’t think it makes any sense to preach caution after such a victory,” Germany coach Nagelsmann said as per uefa.com. “I want to give the team as much energy as possible, but I am feeding off their energy as well. Work is a lot of fun at the moment and we’ll try to perform on a similar level on Wednesday. We need to win a lot more matches if we want to achieve our goals.” Much like one win doesn’t define a tournament, neither does one loss – a fact the Hungarians have no doubt been telling themselves after they were comprehensively beaten 3-1 by Switzerland in their first match in Cologne. Changes aren’t expected from Saturday’s defeat, but a similar performance – and indeed result – will leave Hungary’s chances of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread ahead of their final game in Group A against Scotland. Hungary are unbeaten in their last three encounters with Germany, having drawn 2-2 in the Euro 2020 group stage and 1-1 in the Nations League on home soil. Coach Marco Rossi admitted his charges made too many mistakes in Saturday’s defeat by Switzerland in Cologne, but given Hungary’s recent ability to frustrate the trickiest of opponents, he may be confident of upsetting the tournament hosts in Stuttgart. “We wanted to avoid Germany, not just because they are hosts but because of their quality. They are a different class,” Rossi told uefa.com. “We met in the last Nations League, and after this European Championship we will meet again (in the 2024/24 Nations League), so it will be six times in (three) years. “In the last three matches, we haven’t lost once against them; we have one win and two draws. We hope to continue this positive streak, even knowing that what awaits us will be a completely different game.” – Agencies WITH a combined age of 106, Germany’s three remaining 2014 World Cup winners Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos are leading the hosts’ charge for Euro 2024 glory. Friends off the pitch, Neuer, Muller and Kroos are the only players in the 26-man squad to have each played over 100 games for Germany. But not only are they the most experienced members of the squad, they can also remember a time when Germany were on top of the football world. Since a semifinal elimination to France at Euro 2016, the Germans have struggled in major tournaments, with two World Cup group stage exits bookending a last 16 elimination by England at Euro 2020. After a 5-1 romp against Scotland in the tournament opener, their best performance at a major tournament for almost a decade, Germany’s golden oldies will be hoping for a successful last dance on home soil. While the exploits of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, both 21, stationed either side of the 25-year-old Kai Havertz, have dominated highlights reels, Germany have gone with an experienced squad for the Euros. With an average age of 28.5, G e r m a n y ’ s squad is the oldest at the tournament, with 10 of the 26 members aged 30 or older. G e r m a n y ’ s starting XI against Scotland on Saturday was the oldest they have fielded at a tournament since Euro 2000, when Lothar Matthaeus led them onto the pitch against Romania. Neuer, 38, is two years older than coach Julian Nagelsmann. Kroos and Muller are both 34 – a year older than captain Ilkay Gundogan. Gundogan made his Germany debut in 2011 but missed out as Germany lifted the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 with a back injury. When announcing the Euro 2024 squad, Nagelsmann named Muller “a connector” who “can link the rappers with the yodellers” in the squad. Speaking yesterday, Neuer said the trio “bring a very good perspective” to the squad. “We’ve already experienced a lot together. We’ve had times with good or bad first games and at the beginning you don’t always know where you stand. “I think the relationship between us is simply very good and has been over the years too. “But we don’t just get on well off the pitch, we’re also fine characters on the pitch who always give everything to the team.” – AFP Germany back on the hunt Host look to make it two wins on the trot against Hungary Scotland out to make amends HAVING frozen on opening night, losing 5-1 to hosts Germany and seeing defender Ryan Porteous sent off just before the interval, Scotland have endured a tough start to Euro 2024, but have plentiful opportunity to make amends. The Swiss, however, are an unfamiliar prospect: the most recent of the nations’ meetings came in 2006, Switzerland winning a friendly match in Glasgow 3-1. The sides also locked horns at Euro ‘96, Scotland prevailing 1-0 in a group stage game which ended with both teams eliminated from the tournament. The current Swiss vintage, though, have the wind in their sails following an impressive 3-1 opening-day win against Hungary. Granit Xhaka marshalled his squad superbly from midfield, and the Scots must shake his steely resolve if they are to start making up lost ground. Xhaka – the man of the match in the opening win over Hungary – said the Swiss will have to be “even more ready” when they face Scotland tomorrow (3am Malaysian time) because the “pressure will be more on our side”. “From our side, I hope that they don’t react too much. I mean, everyone knows the quality they have,” Xhaka told the BBC. “Big players in big teams, always playing every week. In my opinion, the first game is always something different, something special. “Of course, to play against Germany in the tournament where we are at the moment – and in Munich – it was maybe different for them but we know the quality the Scottish team has.” One game in and Scotland are already in must-not-lose territory. Quite simply, they can’t afford to drop another three points in Group A if they are to have any hope of reaching the knockout stage for the first time. A win or a draw against Switzerland would keep Clarke’s side alive for the final group game, but lose to the Swiss and it might all be over before they meet Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday. “We believe in ourselves: there’s no danger of (us giving up),” Clarke said as per uefa.com. “We know it was a bad night (against Germany). We have to accept all the criticism that comes our way and then we have to put it right. To be in football, you have to be very resilient.” – Agencies SHORTS Criticism leaves Neuer cold GERMANY goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is not losing any sleep over a debate about his recent performances for club and country, saying any analysis was taking place internally with the focus now on the team’s second Euro 2024 Group A game. Neuer has been Germany’s undisputed first choice keeper since the 2010 World Cup and is competing at his eighth major tournament. But in recent games, including Bayern Munich’s Champions League semifinal elimination by Real Madrid, he has looked far from world class. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann opted for Neuer as his tournament No. 1, relegating 32-year-old Marc-Andre ter Stegen to the bench again. “I have been seeing it (debate) from the outside to be honest,” Neuer told a press conference on Monday. “I did not read anything and that is really how I have always done it. “We discuss everything internally with those responsible. We look at the videos and evaluate everything based on those videos. So I did not spare any thoughts on this debate.” Free sunscreen for fans WEAR sunscreen is the advice at Euro 2024 from the Federal Office for Radiation Protection in Germany, which is doing all it can to protect fans from the dangers of UV radiation, but for now most are seeking shelter from the rain. For the massive number of fans flocking to 10 cities around Germany, sunscreen may not be top of their list when it comes to packing for the trip, but it is available for free. Anyone arriving at the stadiums, or enjoying the atmosphere at the large fan zones in each host city, can help themselves to sunscreen from the dispensers. At the Leipzig fan zone in Augustusplatz, which can accommodate up to 15,000 people, two mega umbrellas have been set up to offer protection from the sun and shelter from the rain. Free drinking water is also available at fan zones and as well as watching matches on large screens the supporters can enjoy musical entertainment. | EURO 2024 *Per match Group A, June 20 12.01am (Malaysian time) 16 GER 5-1 SCO 26 HUN 1-3 SUI FIFA rank Match 1 HEAD-TO-HEAD Germany 13 Draws 12 Hungary 12 Goals scored Germany vs Hungary UEFA EURO RECORD © GRAPHIC NEWS 74 68 UEFA Euro 2024 28 13 13 1.54 1.04 2 4 6 1.25 1.92 Wins Draws Losses Goals for* Goals against* Golden oldies leading push for glory Muller Kroos

SPORTS SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 31 CROATIA will be aiming to get their Euro 2024 campaign back on track against Albania today (9pm Malaysian time), with their “golden generation” in danger of a disappointing farewell from the top level following a humbling loss to Spain. Although World Cup semifinalists in 1998, Croatia have enjoyed an unprecedented spell of success since reaching the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, where they lost to France. Zlatko Dalic’s men are bidding to reach the knockout phase for a fifth consecutive major tournament in Germany, but there are fears this could be the end of an era. Captain and star player Luka Modric is 38, winger Ivan Perisic is 35 and midfielders Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic, as well as forward Andrej Kramaric, are all in their 30s. Former lynchpins of the national team, including Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic and Dejan Lovren, have already retired from international football. The average age of the 15 players who featured in a demoralising 3-0 loss to Spain in Croatia’s opener was 28.5 years old. But coach Dalic insists that defeat was far from a fatal blow – after Albania in Hamburg, they face holders Italy in their last Group B clash in Leipzig on June 24. Croatia finished third at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and lost to Spain in the Nations League final only last year. “There is no room for pessimism, everything is still in our hands,” Dalic said. “Of course, we have to be better. It’s my job to turn the team around.” Rumours of a rift in the camp after Perisic allowed Bruno Petkovic to take a late penalty, which was saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, have been played down despite Dalic publicly criticising his striker. “I think that situation is over. The coach said everything on that topic,” winger Lovro Majer said yesterday. “Bruno took the penalty, unfortunately he didn’t score, it can happen to anyone. It’s a finished story and there’s no need to add anything special.” Dalic is expected to opt for a switch in formation, potentially breaking up the midfield trio of Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic. Former Inter Milan player Brozovic has increasingly looked off the pace for Croatia since his move to Saudi club Al-Nassr last year. Croatia did create chances against Spain and were starting to look the more dangerous of the two teams when one through ball from Fabian Ruiz split them open and sent Alvaro Morata in on goal to score the first goal. “I don’t think it looked as bad as the result suggested,” said Majer. “It’s football, sometimes you concede and you don’t score, but it didn’t look so terrible.” Croatia have experience of recovering from similar positions at major tournaments – they progressed from the group stage at Euro 2020 despite an opening 1-0 loss to England and started their excellent Qatar World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Morocco. Dalic apologised to the fans, who vastly outnumbered their Spanish counterparts in Berlin, after Saturday’s defeat and his players vowed to battle on. “We can only promise that we will do our best and fight to the end and that we will celebrate in the next two games and get through the group,” said Wolfsburg’s Majer. – AFP Group stage 24 teams contest total of 48 matches, played at ten venues, over two weeks A B C D E F P W D L F A Pts 1 Germany 1 1 0 0 5 1 3 2 Switzerland 1 1 0 0 3 1 3 3 Hungary 1 0 0 1 1 3 0 4 Scotland 1 0 0 1 1 5 0 P W D L F A Pts 1 Spain 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 2 Italy 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 3 Albania 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 4 Croatia 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 P W D L F A Pts 1 England 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 2 Denmark 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 3 Slovenia 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 4 Serbia 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 P W D L F A Pts 1 Netherlands 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 2 France 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 3 Poland 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 4 Austria 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 P W D L F A Pts 1 Romania 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 2 Slovakia 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 3 Belgium 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 Ukraine 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 P W D L F A Pts 1 Turkiye 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Portugal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Czech Rep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Georgia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 JUNE 15 3am Germany Scotland 9pm Hungary Switzerland JUNE 24 3am Switzerland Germany 3am 3am 3am 12.01am 12.01am 3am Scotland Hungary JUNE 20 12.01am Germany Hungary 3am Scotland Switzerland JUNE 16 12.01am Spain Croatia 3am Italy Albania JUNE 25 3am Albania Spain Croatia Italy JUNE 19 9pm JUNE 21 9pm Croatia Albania Spain Italy JUNE 17 12.01am Slovenia Denmark 3am Serbia England JUNE 26 3am Denmark Serbia England Slovenia JUNE 20 9pm Slovenia Serbia JUNE 21 12.01am Denmark England JUNE 18 3am Austria France Netherlands Austria JUNE 22 12.01am Poland Austria 3am Netherlands France JUNE 18 12.01am Belgium Slovakia JUNE 17 9pm Romania Ukraine JUNE 27 12.01am Slovakia Romania Ukraine Belgium JUNE 21 9pm Slovakia Ukraine JUNE 23 3am Belgium Romania JUNE 19 12.01am Turkiye Georgia 3am Portugal Czech Rep JUNE 27 3am Georgia Portugal Czech Rep Turkiye JUNE 22 9pm Georgia Czech Rep JUNE 23 12.01am Turkiye Portugal www.sportstoto.com.my JUNE 16 9pm Poland Netherlands JUNE 26 12.01am France Poland A2 B2 A1 C2 C1 D / E / F3 B1 A/D/E/F3 June 30 June 30 July 1 July 1 12.01am 3am 12.01am 3am 12.01am 3am 3am July 6 July 10 D2 E2 F1 A / B / C3 E1 A/B/C/D3 D1 2F July 2 July 2 July 3 July 3 12.01am 3am 12.01am 3am 12.01am 3am 3am July 7 July 6 July 7 July 11 July 15 3am Second stage Quarterfinals Quarterfinals Second stage Semifinal FINAL Top two from each group plus four best third-placed teams progress to knockout stage. If scores level after 90 minutes, knockout stage matches go into extra-time. Matches remaining level decided on penalties. 5 1 1 3 3 0 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 End of an era? Croatia hoping to avoid ignominious end for ‘golden generation’ | EURO 2024 Albania have backs against wall ALBANIA made a mighty start against Italy in their opening Euro 2024 match, scoring the fastest goal in the tournament’s history before eventually losing 2-1. There were plenty of positives for coach Sylvinho and his players against the reigning champions but, with Spain coming up in Dusseldorf on Matchday 3, the former Arsenal and Barcelona defender will have earmarked today’s contest against Croatia as a mustwin fixture. If they fly out of the traps like they did in Dortmund, the “Red and Blacks” might just stand a chance. “Albania are underdogs in every game at this Euro, but will give all their opponents a run for their money at least, said Elvir Islamovic, reporting for uefa.com. “In midfield, Albania’s gritty, hard-working approach will come up against Croatia’s technical prowess. Whether Albania can disrupt their opponents’ rhythm and limit (Luka) Modric’s influence may be decisive in this match. “Given the chance, Croatia will look to pierce their rivals’ defence with incisive passing and quick movement. Be in no doubt: it will be a fierce contest, and if Albania can take their opportunities and be firm in defence, this is a game they can win. Sylvinho will try to keep his team disciplined before hitting Croatia on the break – as they did against Italy after kickoff and so nearly again at the end when they narrowly failed to equalise. “It’s a shame we couldn’t get an equaliser. If we hadn’t conceded the second goal, we’d have been well placed to hit them on the counterattack,” said Sylvinho. – Agencies/Reuters *Per match Group B, June 19 9pm (Malaysian time) 10 CRO 0-3 ESP 66 ALB 1-2 ITA FIFA rank Match 1 HEAD-TO-HEAD First meeting Croatia v Albania UEFA EURO RECORD © GRAPHIC NEWS UEFA Euro 2024 9 6 8 1.30 1.35 1 0 3 0.50 1.25 Wins Draws Losses Goals for* Goals against*

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: [email protected] SCAN ME WEDNESDAY | JUNE 19, 2024 BELGIUM boss Domenico Tedesco admitted he was frustrated by the controversial VAR decision that condemned his side to a shock 1-0 defeat against Slovakia in their Euro 2024 opener yesterday. Tedesco’s team were rocked by Ivan Schranz’s seventh-minute goal in Frankfurt, but would have escaped with a draw if Romelu Lukaku’s late strike had been allowed to stand. After missing a host of chances earlier in the Group E clash, Lukaku fired home from Lois Openda’s cross in the 86th minute. But the striker’s celebrations were dramatically curtained with the players in position to restart the game as VAR ruled Openda had handled after being shoved into the ball earlier in the attack. Lukaku also had an earlier goal disallowed for offside when he slotted home from Amadou Onana’s header. “It’s tough to speak. If we had won I could tell you more about my opinion. But we lost and I want to be seen as a fair manager so I don’t say anything,” Tedesco said. “We have to trust these guys. I trust the VAR. If they decide it’s handball, we have to accept it.” Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton, commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live. said: “That is scandalous. It is ridiculous, it really is. “Openda doesn’t intentionally push the ball into his path. That is harsh. In the Premier League, that goal would stand.” “I don’t think anyone saw this result coming with the talent and quality that Belgium have in their squad,” added Sutton. “They had chances. This is going to be one of Slovakia’s most famous victories.” Slovakia are 45 spots below third-placed Belgium in FIFA’s world rankings. But Belgium have made a habit of underachieving at major tournaments and once again they are in danger of wasting the potential of their talented squad. The Belgians’ first defeat in 15 games ended Tedesco’s unbeaten run since he replaced Roberto Martinez. “For me it hurts a lot tonight. I don’t want to point the finger at people. You can be sure we will speak about many things but we will do it interally and not through the media,” Tedesco said. “I knew we would lose one day but unfortunately it was today. Honestly there is not much I can say to the team to improve. “We created many chances, big chances. Of course if we take one, then it makes the game easier.” On Lukaku’s remarkably profligate performance, he added: “Romelu has been playing for Belgium for a long time. He knows how to score goals, I don’t need to tell him that. He is a top class player with great character.” Belgium face Romania, 3-0 winners against Ukraine on Monday, in a crucial clash on Saturday. Another loss would likely end Belgium’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages and Tedesco said: “Naturally everyone is disappointed but you can harness that. You can make use of it. “I always said our group would be very tricky and shouldn’t assume that we will go through.” Belgium had by far the best chances in the match, but Slovakia, having taken the lead through Schranz’s seventh-minute strike, maintained a hold in the game through some dogged defending and the technical craft of its midfield, led by the man of the match, Napoli’s Stanislav Lobotka. The 29-year-old said that the key to victory was that the team “were not afraid”. “We had some luck as well and we just have to continue in the same way,” Lobotka said. “We have shown we can compete with anyone.” After the match, the victorious players enjoyed extended celebrations with the thousands of Slovakian fans in attendance here. “They travelled far to come here and cheered us on from the beginning and especially at the end, and we felt the energy just as we were getting tired,” Lobotka said. “This is what it should always be like because when we pull together we can achieve great things.” – AFP/Agencies Windies blow away Afghanistan -Story - on page 28 Story on page 26 Just too good for Ukraine Red-faced ed-facedDevils Tedesco frustrated by VAR drama as Belgium suffer Euro shock -Story on page 30 Germany back in the hunt Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (centre) scores a goal that was later disallowed during yesterday’s Euro 2024 Group E match against Slovakia at the Frankfurt Arena. Slovakia won 1-0. – AFPPIX