The Sun Daily - 22 September 2023

M’sia, Turkiye condemn Quran burning, hate speech against Muslims NEW YORK: Malaysia and Turkiye have expressed deep concern about the increasing hatred and acts of violence against Muslims and their sanctities, that have reached an alarming level in many parts of the world, especially Europe. In a joint statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined the emergence of a new form of racism characterised by xenophobia, negative profiling and stereotyping of Muslims. Both leaders condemned in the strongest terms the recent incidents of the burning of copies of the Holy Quran in several European countries based on the argument of freedom of expression as well as a discourse that incites abuse, hate speech and aggression against Islam and Muslims. They both welcomed the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 76/254 to declare March 15 as “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”, which stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. “We also welcome the urgent debate at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) to discuss the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred as manifested by the recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran, and the adoption of HRC resolutions defining the burning of holy books as religious hatred,” the statement read. Both leaders are in New York to attend the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly and held a bilateral meeting at the Turkish House yesterday. Anwar said Turkiye will implement the strategies at activity locations in Europe and the Middle East and Malaysia will do so in Asia. Turn to — page 2 █ BYANDEW SAGAYAM [email protected] TELLING IT AS IT IS ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 No. 8357 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my PETALING JAYA: Background checks on potential new hires have revealed that in 2019 alone, 5% to 7% of jobseekers used fake degrees, and 10% to 15% had qualifications from unaccredited tertiary institutions. Akhbar & Associates, a Malaysian corporate fraud investigation service, told theSun the statistics are the latest it has, as none was collected during the Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022. Its managing director Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar said the legitimacy of degrees and credentials among employees and students is a serious issue in Malaysia. “The human resource department of hiring companies should always verify the background details of potential employees. However, such verification is not carried out at many companies. “This is mainly because the human resource staff just want to save time in the hiring process. But the danger of doing this is ending up with incompetent candidates. “Ultimately, such slack employment practices will not serve the employer’s interest as the staff concerned may not be competent to handle the job for which he is hired.” The issue of false degrees and credentials returned to public notice after Muhammad Azhar Ali, 23, a former Perdana Fellowship Programme participant, was found to be using █ BYLEE KIAN SENG [email protected] fake credentials on Sept 12. He had even managed to fool the government’s chief security office to secure a place in its premier youth fellowship programme. He was selected as one of the 56 Perdana Fellows for 2023 after claiming to be a Universiti Malaya graduate majoring in electronics and communications engineering. But he has since been booted out of the programme after other participants and alumni pointed out that there was no such course at the institution. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin told theSun that although there were reports of fake degrees being used, it has never been a serious issue in the Malaysian higher education sector. “We have not received any official complaint involving our 20 public universities. As for private educational institutions, only one complaint has been received by the ministry thus far.” Mohamed Khaled said among important initiatives taken by the ministry were providing a dedicated verification channel under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, via which the public can inquire about and verify the accreditations of programmes offered by Malaysian universities. “In addition, the public can also lodge a complaint using the Public Complaint Management System,” he said. Turn to — page 3 Impact of fake degrees MAIN ATTRACTION ... A visitor takes pictures of an electric car on display at the International EV, Mobility Technology, Auto Parts and Component Expo at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN oUndetected cases of dishonest act may result in companies hiring incompetent individuals 2 page 3 page Law on mixed parentage children lauded Illegal for employers to retain staff passports INSIDE

2 theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Law on mixed parentage children lauded PETALING JAYA: The law that allows children of mixed parentage in Sarawak to be recognised as Bumiputera meets the aspirations and demands of the state’s people, said National Council of Professors senior fellow Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir. “It gives parents in mixed marriages peace of mind because their children can now enjoy the benefits of being natives of the state and easily apply for jobs. This creates a bigger talent pool as they can help contribute to the state economy. “Sarawak is pragmatic and it does not have the prejudice that exists elsewhere. Everyone is treated equally and this creates social cohesion and integration.” Jeniri said there are Bumiputera in the Peninsular who are Orang Asli and Peranakan but children of mixed marriages do not have Bumiputera rights. “So, it is up to the federal government and politicians on both sides of the divide to push for the oGranting of Bumiputera status would facilitate jobseeking efforts and create bigger talent pool: Analyst █ BYRAJVINDER SINGH [email protected] same law in the Peninsula.” He said whether there would be such a law is hard to say, but politicians in the Peninsular should work towards promoting cohesion and not continue with the divisive politics they are promoting currently, adding that they should put the country first and not their own interests. Deputy minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said children of mixed parentage could own native land and have native or Bumiputera status to enter public universities and tertiary institutions. She said this would take effect from Nov 1, in line with the provisions of the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, adding that the qualifying criteria are very simple. “For any person to be recognised as a native of Sarawak, he or she must be a Malaysian citizen, a natural born child of a person of a race indigenous to Sarawak, and one of his or her parents a person of a race indigenous to Sarawak.” She said “native” also means those having “Bumiputera” status, and applications for native recognition could be made at any district office in the state, where the forms, costing RM100 each, would be made available. Sharifah Hasidah said the Sarawak government would establish a committee chaired by the state secretary to review and consider applications for native recognition. University of Tasmania Asia Institute Prof James Chin said this is not a new law but has now been codified under the state, and no state government would be able to overturn it. He said the law is good for Sarawak as it meets the aspirations of the people due to the high number of mixed marriages. “With Bumiputera status, they can apply for Amanah Saham Bumiputera shares, and get discounts for house purchases, among others. Most importantly, it will help to further integrate the people of Sarawak.” Chin said it is harder to introduce a similar law in the Peninsula because politicians have been using race and religion to divide the people. He added that the Bumiputera status for Orang Asli and others is mainly for administrative purposes and it does not carry any power of law with it. Chin said if there was such a law in Peninsular Malaysia, governments would be powerless to remove it. “Only when politicians stop playing the race and religion card and put the people first can the nation see changes.” CONCERN FOR WILDLIFE ... The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah looking at a tiger receiving treatment during his visit to the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Sungkai, Tanjung Malim yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC RM6m for Pahang community projects BENTONG: The Local Government Development Ministry has allocated RM6.03 million through the Sentuhan Kasih initiative in Pahang, said its minister Nga Kor Ming He said of the amount, RM4.74 million is for the implementation of various projects related to the well-being, health and comfort of residents in Bentong, including efforts to address floods. He added that the remaining RM1.29 million has been allocated to the Bera district council for work on upgrading the Triang market and surrounding areas. “The allocation is a performancebased one to ensure that the ministry’s services and focus on the well-being of the population continue to be improved. All these projects will start immediately, with the tender issued and the target completion date set on Dec 31.” Nga was speaking after conducting a working visit to Bentong, including Medan Selera Kampung Baru, Taman Saga and Pasar Besar Bentong. Also present was Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman. For the project in Bentong, the largest allocation of RM1 million was channelled for repair works of Pasar Besar Bentong, while RM500,000 each was to upgrade Medan Selera Kampung Baru and the Chemomoi market. The upgrading works, among other things, involve repairing the ceiling, upgrading the drainage system, paving roads and installing garbage traps. “A total of RM400,000 was for upgrading and repairing drains in Taman Saga as well as related work in the housing area with 896 residential units and about 4,000 residents.” He said RM2.34 million was allocated for 16 projects in 11 new villages to be implemented immediately to ensure the safety of residents, including road repair works, upgrading of riverbanks and drainage systems to prevent flooding. The villages involved are Kampung Bukit Tinggi, Kampung Chamang, Kampung Karak, Kampung Kemasur, Kampung Manchis, Kampung Sri Telemong, Kampung Sungai Dua, Kampung Sungai Penjuring, Kampung Sungai Perdak, Kampung Telemong and Kampung Ulu Perting. – Bernama Help MSMEs face challenges: Minister KUALA LUMPUR: The government and private agencies need to be sensitive to the regional economic challenges encountered by entrepreneurs, particularly those in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in the current geopolitical situation. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the best approach is to channel aid to ensure that they continue to thrive. He said the government is very committed to ensuring that the vision of the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030, which aims to advance Malaysia’s entrepreneurial skills to create a holistic and conducive entrepreneurial ecosystem, could be achieved. “The ministry’s role is to encourage and strengthen the MSME sector for the country’s economic progress,” he said at the SME Bank Xcess launch yesterday. “This commitment is carried out through an environment with strengthened infrastructure that supports the development of MSME, while building capacity and capability and increasing financing access for them.” Ewon said his ministry fully supports SME Bank Xcess as a flagship programme to drive MSME growth inclusively and sustainably. The annual business matching event attracted 80,000 visitors on its online and physical platforms, exceeding its 40,000 target. The programme complements the government’s commitment, in which the bank’s strategy is to ensure that facilities, outreach and services are offered holistically. MSME contribution to the gross domestic product rose to 38.4% in 2022, with a value add of RM580.4 billion versus RM520 billion in 2021. – Bernama “A series of conferences were organised before this and they will continue (to be held). Further discussions on efforts against Islamophobia will continue to be pursued during Erdogan’s visit to Malaysia in December,” he said. Anwar said in addition to conferences and explanatory sessions, efforts to address prejudice and extreme attitudes towards Islam in the global community through publications would be done, and one of the ways is by publishing 100,000 copies of the Quran in various languages. “This includes 15,000 copies translated into Swedish, which have been sent to that country. Copies of the Quran have also been distributed in Australia and the United States as well as learning centres, universities and mosques,” he said. Countering Islamophobia From front page

3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 Stay loyal to cause, PKR members told PETALING JAYA: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reminded all party members to remain steadfast and committed to upholding the reformasi ideology. Anwar, who is also prime minister, said the party had gone through an era of struggles, trials and tribulations for the past 25 years and the voice of reformasi championed by PKR can bring about a transformation to save the people and the country. “I hope the pioneers of the reformation agenda and the young generation continue to enliven the spirit to save the people and the country, and maintain the ideals of living together in unity to spur growth and development that can propel the country in the region.” Anwar said this in a short video clip that was telecast during the 25th anniversary of reformasi and opening of the Selangor PKR’s premier annual general assembly of Cabang Wanita and Angkatan Muda Keadilan on Wednesday night. The anniversary programme was launched by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is also state PKR chairman. Anwar also registered his appreciation to Amirudin, who had organised the programme, to remind and appreciate the struggles of the pioneer reformasi initiative. Meanwhile, at the same event, Amirudin slammed certain parties for stating that the party’s struggle for reformasi over the past 25 years had fizzled Illegal for employers out. – Bernama to retain staff passports PETALING JAYA: Two lawyers have urged authorities to look into the plight of migrant workers who are being forced to surrender their passports in return for employment. Lawyer Datuk Sankara Narayanan said depriving migrant workers of their passports restricts their movements. “Retaining passports seems to be a standard condition for their employment. However, the action by employers to withhold the passports of migrant workers is a breach of international law. “The workers would be unable to move around freely on their off days. This leads to mental anguish and frustration in the long term,” he said. Another lawyer, Derek Fernandez, said according to Section 12(1)(f) of the Passports Act 1966, an employer cannot take possession of an employee’s passport unless it is for a specific reason such as visa renewal. oOnly authorities allowed to demand travel document for official purposes, say lawyers “The passport can be retained by government authorities for investigation or prosecution of an offence. “Government authorities can also request the passport for identity verification if it is needed,” Fernandez said, adding that all these are legitimate reasons. However, he noted there is no doubt some (migrant workers) are misled, taken advantage of or have to pay lump sum of “unofficial” money to unscrupulous agents, some of whom are in the migrant workers’ countries, just to secure their jobs in Malaysia. “Yet once they land in Malaysia, their freedom of movement is restricted because their passports are retained by local agents or their employers.” Some migrant workers are even given wrong information as to the actual expectations of their prospective employers, working hours and conditions. “And to have their passports retained by third parties means the migrant workers will face difficulty in seeking help from Malaysian authorities if they are exploited.” Derek said employers who are desperate for workers may also be misled and taken advantage by unscrupulous agents who supply those who are unskilled and unable to handle the jobs or tasks assigned to them. This is sometimes used to justify withholding the passports of migrant workers. Bogus credentials creating issues for legitimate varsities Meanwhile, National Association of Private Educational Institutions (Napei) secretarygeneral Dr Teh Choon Jin concurred that possessing and using fake degrees is a serious issue in the country. Teh said fake degrees from Malaysian universities are sold by unscrupulous parties. “This creates issues for legitimate universities, which can have their reputations dented by degrees being sold through websites, social media and degree mills. “We believe many of these fake degree websites are operating within and outside Malaysia. But despite this, we do not know which organisations are selling fake degrees and credentials to students.” Teh said fake degree and credential providers could be stationed abroad to hide their modus operandi, just like other scammers. During the Higher Education Ministry (Mohe) Visioning Workshop held on Sept 14, Teh said Napei had proposed that Mohe verify qualifications obtained in Malaysia through blockchain technology. “The use of blockchain technology to issue and verify qualifications should be made part of the national agenda under the Higher Education Digitalisation Action Plan 2023-2030 to weed out fake degrees. This will be in line with Malaysia’s digital initiatives.” Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said fake degrees are an ongoing issue among job applicants and employers may have unknowingly hired those with fake degrees. He said employers and other stakeholders affected by academic dishonesty are concerned because those with questionable credentials can turn out to be incompetent in carrying out their duties. Syed Hussain said potential employees who resort to using fake degrees are desperate to show they are better qualified than other applicants. “The availability of fake degrees has encouraged some job applicants to turn to them for a leg-up over other applicants, apart from making their resumes more impressive.” “On the other hand, some migrant workers have no intention of fulfilling their contracts and as a result, once they land in Malaysia, they run away to illegally work elsewhere. “Holding migrant workers’ passports in a way restricts them from doing such things and offers the employer or agent some security, even though it is against the law.” Derek suggested that mandatory insurance be required to ensure migrant workers who wish to leave their employment for any reason can do so as the insurance policy will compensate for the financial losses incurred by the employer. He said having the insurance policy would also mean that employers have no reason to retain the passports as a security measure to ensure their workers do not leave their jobs. Ahmad Badrul, a 40-year-old Bangladeshi who works as a security guard at a condominium in Puchong, said his passport has been held by his employer ever since he started working in Malaysia in 2020. “To work here as a security guard, my passport has to be given to my employer and I can only retrieve it from him if I have an emergency which requires me to return to my country. “Not only that, I have to be accompanied by my employer’s agent if I have to attend any medical check-ups. I feel as though I am being closely monitored at all times,” he said. RM911m revenue collected in Pahang BENTONG: The Pahang government has collected RM911 million in revenue as of September, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail. Of the amount, RM600 million was used for the state government’s fixed expenditures, including paying civil servants’ salaries, and RM311 million was used for the development and welfare of the people of Pahang. He said in addition to the high revenue collection, the state government has successfully reduced its debt from RM3.3 billion previously to approximately RM930 million. “We also have UniPSAS (Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah), many Pahang-born children continue their studies at Al-Azhar (University), Egypt and in Jordan, and after this we will send them to Morocco as well,” he said at the Bantuan Prihatin Pahang 2023 presentation ceremony in Simpang Pelangai yesterday. – Bernama FRESH CATCH ... A participant displaying seafood during the 17th edition of the Food and Hotel Malaysia Exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN Funds requested for old towns SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is requesting an injection of funds from the federal government in Budget 2024 to help the rejuvenation process of old towns and areas in the state. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the rejuvenation process was necessary to ensure that the development of the area could keep up with the pace of development in the surrounding new urban area, Bernama reported. He said old urban areas such as Petaling Jaya, Ampang, Gombak, Cheras and Pandan, which were developed with a development model in the 70s and 80s, are no longer meet the current needs of the population. “However, its implementation involves a large policy and requires financial support from the federal government, in addition to approval and permission from the land owners,” he said at the Selangorlevel Budget 2024 Roadshow yesterday. █ BYRAVEEN AINGARAN [email protected] From front page

4 theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ Students happy with flight fare offer PETALING JAYA: The collaboration between airlines and the government in implementing the FlySiswa programme is an excellent initiative to help students reduce transport expenses, said AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat. “AirAsia is happy to support the FlySiswa programme, which is a oFlySiswa programme makes trips back to hometowns affordable, especially for tickets to Sabah and Sarawak █ BYRAIS ZULFAHMI [email protected] Transport Ministry initiative that allows students to return to their hometowns more affordably. “Our involvement demonstrates AirAsia’s commitment to the initiative and reinforces our dedication to serving the underserved,” he said. Riad added that the good response from students underscores the appeal of the initiative, which will continue until Dec 31. He said for the application process, students can visit its FlySiswa website and fill up details required for a voucher. Redemptions can be done with a few clicks, starting with logging in as an Airasia member, choosing a flight on the booking page, and selecting the departure and return time with the voucher code. Eligibility for the FlySiswa programme is set by the ministry. The programme is open to students who are pursuing tertiary education at a Malaysian public university and are originally from Sabah, Sarawak, or the Federal Territory of Labuan. “AirAsia’s e-voucher for the FlySiswa programme applies to flight bookings on 45 routes between Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kota Bharu in Peninsular Malaysia and Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kuching, Bintulu, Miri, Sibu and Labuan. “It is also applicable to flights between Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan,” he said. Sabah student Siti Nursyahirah Abdul Latip, who studies social communication at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Tanjung Malim, said students from Sabah and Sarawak have undoubtedly benefited from the FlySiswa programme, adding that it has made a significant contribution to lowering travel and transport costs. “This kind of help is greatly appreciated by Sabah and Sarawak students because the price of flight tickets is unpredictable and sometimes, it exceeds our budget.” Siti Nursyahirah said she spent between RM150 and RM200 on flight tickets, excluding additional baggage charges, which usually cost her another RM200. “However, if you travel home over the weekends or during holidays, the ticket price will increase significantly, from RM300 to RM400 for a one-way ticket. “This programme is effective in assisting students to lower their expenses. This is because it covers more than just transport cost. “The initiative helps students in budgeting for travel, and other expenses such as the cost of food and other means of transport to get to their dormitories.” Measures taken to control rabies KUALA LUMPUR: The Veterinary Services Department has taken various steps to control the spread of rabies and prevent it from re-emerging in the country. Its deputy director-general Dr Suratan Kamarudin said the measures taken include forming an immune belt in the northern part of the peninsula involving the border states with a high risk of being infected with rabies. “This is to ensure that all forms of control actions by authorities can be carried out effectively in the area involved,” he said. He added that between January and August, the department had vaccinated 7,430 pet dogs, including 6,230 in the immune belt areas in the peninsula and Sabah. – Bernama PETALING JAYA: Most Malaysian road users have a poor sense of awareness about the importance of safety and the consequences of being involved in road crashes, said Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. “Quite a number of our motorcyclists are not riding carefully and therefore, increase the risk of collisions with other road users. It boils down to individual attitudes and awareness. “The lack of responsibility among motorists and larger vehicles also plays a part. Drivers need to maintain or increase their observation whenever motorcyclists are on public roads,” he said. Lee stressed that motorcyclists must follow safe riding guidelines and rules when going through traffic. That includes travelling at much slower speed, maintaining a safe distance, and not swerving in and out of traffic. He said they have the same rights as other road users on which lane they can use, unless the road they are travelling on has a dedicated motorcycle lane. “Our roads are not designed in a way that motorcyclists can stay on the left lane most of the time. They have to switch lanes when they need to turn at a junction. “There is also a risk of getting run over by larger vehicles such as lorries and buses as they also mostly travel on the left side of the road.” Lee urged the government to allocate a higher budget for constructing new lanes and maintaining the existing ones for the safety of motorcyclists. He said motorcyclists must be aware of other larger vehicles on the road and ride safely according to what they learnt in driving schools. The syllabus is sufficient to educate and train new and seasoned motorcyclists on safe riding. “The most important factor is the candidates themselves. Apart from passing the test and getting their licence, they have to follow what they learnt in training to become safer riders. “Driving institutes are doing their best to deliver the syllabus provided by authorities. However, when motorcyclists are on public roads, enforcement agencies must ensure they monitor and enforce the traffic rules and laws,” he said. █ BYALLEN WONG [email protected] Drivers, bikers urged to play part in road safety TROPICAL GETAWAY ... Tourists to Harimau Island, also known as ‘Maldives of Malaysia’, in Mersing, Johor, enjoying the view of crystal clear waters while on a boat ride. – BERNAMAPIC

5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 More monitoring operations on heavy vehicles KUALA LUMPUR: Monitoring operations against heavy vehicles will be stepped up, especially on commercial ones, said city police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid yesterday. He added that the move follows a fatal collision involving a trailer at Km5.7 Jalan Persiaran Utara in Putrajaya on Wednesday. The incident at about 10am involved 14 vehicles, including a police outrider motorcycle, that are believed to have stopped to make way for a convoy just before the crash. Two motorcyclists were confirmed dead at the scene and seven injured. Allaudeen said he did not rule out negligence as the cause of the crash. Putrajaya district police chief ACP A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz said the victims were identified as Pos Malaysia employee Faris Haziq Abu Bakar, 25, and Yuswar Mohd Uyus, 39, who worked at the Ampang Court. “We do inspections on heavy vehicles every day in Kuala Lumpur, but we increased operations starting yesterday in collaboration with the Road Transport Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Department of Environment,” Allaudeen said. “In addition to the travel restrictions (imposed on heavy vehicles) from 6.30am to 9.30am in the city centre, we will focus on routes in Putrajaya and vehicles coming from Puchong. “If there is any incident that requires us to impound vehicles, action will be taken. There will be no compromise.” Meanwhile, the trailer driver has been remanded for four days starting yesterday. The remand order was issued by Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court after allowing an application by police. Asmadi said the driver, 29, tested negative for drugs and has no record for traffic offences, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. On another matter, Allaudeen said 36,432 summonses were issued during Phase Two of Op Hormat Undang-Undang Jalan Raya. He said traffic obstruction was the most common offence, with 27,755 summonses issued. “We detained 59 individuals for various criminal and traffic offences and also seized 27 motorcycles and two lorries.” The operation, which began on Sept 15, will be conducted for two weeks until Sept 29. – Bernama £9.45m of 1MDB money sent to Najib’s account, court told KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court was told yesterday that more than £9.45 million of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) loan money was deposited into former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s private account in 2014. Bank Negara Malaysia analyst and 47th prosecution witness Adam Ariff Mohd Roslan, 29, said the money originated from Blackrock Commodities (Global) Ltd and Vista Equity International Partners, companies controlled by Eric Tan Kim Loong, who is alleged to be an associate of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low. The funds were transferred to Najib’s account ending with “880” between June 23, 2014 and Dec 17, 2014, Adam Ariff said when verifying the money trail report at Najib’s trial involving the alleged misappropriation of RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds. “Blackrock transferred £750,000 on June 19, 2014, while Vista Equity transferred £8,706,021.92 to the same account through five transactions.” According to the prosecution’s opening statement at the beginning of the trial in 2019, it contended that £9.45 million was originally from 1MDB through its subsidiary 1MDB Energy Holdings Ltd, and it obtained two loans totalling US$1.23 billion from Deutsche Bank Singapore. Adam Ariff also said Najib’s “880” account had RM100,000 before the sum of £750,000 was transferred. Najib, 70, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. The trial before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues on Oct 9. – Bernama Alarming increase of substance abuse cases recorded KUALA SELANGOR: Drug addiction cases in the country have increased by 27% in the first six months of the year involving 118,820 addicts, compared with 93,534 reported in the same period last year. National Anti-Drug Agency director-general Sutekno Ahmad Belon said on Wednesday the increase is worrying. “More than 137,000 drug addicts were recorded last year and 65% of the total number involved youths and teenagers.” He said based on cases of prohibited substance abuse in the last five years, the use of synthetic drugs was found to be higher than organic drugs. Sutekno disclosed that Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu were among the states that recorded the highest ratio per 100,000 residents involved in the problem of drug abuse, while Selangor recorded the highest number of addicts. oNational Anti-Drug Agency registers 27% hike in six months, mostly involving youths and teenagers RM27 million worth of drugs destroyed PORT DICKSON: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency yesterday destroyed 1,301kg of drugs valued at over RM27 million that were seized between 2020 and this year. Its deputy director-general Khairul Anwar Bachok said the drugs were seized in the maritime zones of Tanjung Sedili, Batu Pahat, Kuala Kedah, Kedah and Perlis. “The disposal of drugs such as cannabis, heroin, morphine, methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine was carried out after receiving a court order.” Khairul Anwar said in one case, operations were conducted at the coastal border between Kuala Perlis and Satun in Thailand, with the drugs being thrown into the sea. He revealed the drugs are believed to be for the Langkawi and Penang market, adding that Johor was also a transit location for drugs as they were to be marketed abroad. He said the agency will increase patrols and enforcement in the nation’s waters, especially at locations suspected of being flashpoints for criminal activities. – Bernama Khairul Anwar (third from right) showing some of the drugs to be disposed in Port Dickson yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC He said having too much free time without engaging in any activities was one of the main contributing factors for teenagers and youths to get involved in the drug menace. “Because of that, we launched the Anti-Drug Squad this year to ensure that youths have beneficial activities. “We aim to attract one million members of the Anti-Drug Squad by the middle of next year and thus far, we have 120,000.” The agency aims for the rate of drug addiction to be below 400 individuals per 100,000 residents in the country by 2025, compared with 426 recorded last year. Sutekno also advised parents not to shield family members affected by drug addiction and to take them to the agency for treatment. “Prevention is better than cure and it needs to start at home and the family should protect their children.” Meanwhile, the agency has adopted a new approach for drug addicts participating in its programmes by providing treatment and rehabilitation-based initiatives. According to Sungai Besi Drug Rehabilitation Centre director Nurshuhaila Ab Rahman, the previous agency programme was “regimented” and difficult for trainees to follow. She said yesterday the new approach is more humane, fun and effective, and focuses on nine components that meet the psychological, emotional and behavioural needs of the trainees. “Helping drug addicts means changing their lives so that they can function normally in society rather than just stopping them from taking drugs.” Nurshuhaila said the agency ensures that trainees interact with the community to prevent them from feeling isolated. “It also equips recovering addicts with skills to prepare their return to society.” She added that the centre has good relationships with some employers and they are willing to offer jobs to former drug addicts. “This will ensure former drug addicts have jobs that would provide them with a steady income when they are back in society.” Brush with death for motorist LABUAN: A man narrowly escaped being crushed when a giant tree fell on his parked vehicle during a downpour just minutes after he stepped out of it. The incident, that took place at Jalan Kampung Ganggarak at around 4pm yesterday, left bystanders shocked by his close encounter with death. The man earlier parked his car by the roadside and was stunned to see his vehicle beneath the tree when he returned a while later. An emergency response team from the Layang-Layangan Fire and Rescue station cleared the tree and removed the vehicle. – Bernama

6 theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME SEOUL: The opposition-controlled Parliament in South Korea voted yesterday to allow prosecutors to serve an arrest warrant against the main opposition leader who is facing an investigation into bribery and breach of duty charges. The vote means Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung will face court to contest his arrest over the charges. The motion was accepted by a margin of 149 to 136, with six abstained votes and four invalid in a secret ballot with 295 votes cast. Separately, Parliament voted to dismiss Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for a slew of government policy failures including the deadly Halloween crush, inadequate response to heavy rains and flooding, and the much-criticised World Scout Jamboree. It is the first time such a motion has passed against a prime minister in South Korea though it is not binding and President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to exercise his power to reject it. Lee was hospitalised on Monday while on a hunger strike protesting what he called policy failures by Yoon’s government, including economic mismanagement and not doing enough to stop Japan’s Fukushima wastewater release. MPs have immunity against arrest when the assembly is in session unless its members vote to rescind it with a simple majority. Lee’s Democratic Party holds 167 seats in the 297-member Parliament. Lee is accused of asking a company to illegally transfer US$8 million (RM38 million) to North Korea when he was the governor of Gyeonggi Province. He is also accused of breaching his duty over losses of 20 billion won (RM70 million) by a municipal development corporation during his time as mayor of the city of Seongnam. Lee has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “fiction” and a “political conspiracy”. He and many members of his party have criticised the investigations against him as a political witch-hunt. Lee narrowly lost to Yoon, a former chief prosecutor, in the presidential election last year. On Wednesday, Lee urged lawmakers to vote against the motion and stop what he called “prosecution dictatorship” by the Yoon government in a social media post, despite having promised earlier not to use his parliamentary immunity. “Over 300 raids have been conducted (by the prosecution). But nothing has come out,” Lee said. Lee was not present in the plenary session to vote. – Reuters B R I E F SJAPANESE ROYALS IN VIETNAM HANOI: Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko were welcomed yesterday in the Vietnam capital by lines of flag-waving schoolchildren, as they began a visit marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The royal couple laid wreaths at the mausoleum of late president Ho Chi Minh, before heading to the former home – a traditional stilt house – of the revolutionary leader and feeding fish in a pond outside. Akishino – the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito – was last in Vietnam, which Japan once occupied, more than two decades ago. The two nations have maintained close diplomatic and trade ties, with Japan considered one of Vietnam’s most important economic partners. – AFP ‘BEIJING, MOSCOW MUST DEEPEN TIES’ BEIJING: China Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Russia President Vladimir Putin that the two countries must work to strengthen cooperation in the face of a “complex international situation”, Chinese state media reported yesterday. Speaking at a meeting with Putin in Saint Petersburg, at which the Russian leader accepted an invitation to visit China next month, Wang said the “world is rapidly moving towards multipolarity”. “Both sides need to strengthen their multilateral strategic cooperation, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and make new efforts to promote the international order towards fairness and justice,” Wang said. Putin told Wang “our positions coincide regarding the emergence of a multipolar world”. – AFP Activists accuse Marcos Jr of ‘witch-hunt’ MANILA: Filipino activists accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s government yesterday of carrying out a “witch-hunt” against rights defenders as they held rallies for the 51st anniversary of the imposition of martial law. Hundreds of people marched in Manila calling for the release of victims of forced disappearances and the abolition of an anti-communist task force, set up by former president Rodrigo Duterte, that has been accused of targeting government critics. Rights group Karapatan said the Marcos Jr administration was using the task force to “witch-hunt activists, human rights defenders and other dissenters”, while enabling the military and police to “perpetuate repression reminiscent of the martial law era”. Marcos Jr’s father Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law in 1972, unleashing his security forces on rivals, critics and dissidents. Amnesty International estimates thousands of people were killed and tens of thousands tortured and imprisoned in the brutal crackdown. Activists said rampant human rights abuses have continued under Marcos Jr, who has kept up Duterte’s deadly war on drugs, as well as his National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Rights groups said eight activists have been “disappeared” since Marcos Jr became president in June last year. There have been more than 400 drug-related killings during the same period, according to a monitoring group. “It’s like we’re still living in the shadows of 1972. This regime doesn’t care about human rights,” Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the leftist alliance Bayan, told protesters. The rallies come after the release on Tuesday of two environmental activists who had accused the military of abducting them. Jonila Castro, 21, and Jhed Tamano, 22, had been working with coastal communities opposed to reclamation activities in Manila Bay when they disappeared on Sept 2 in Bataan province, near Manila. Authorities rejected the allegation, saying the women were part of a communist insurgency seeking to overthrow the government and had sought their help after voluntarily leaving the movement. Human Rights Watch senior researcher Carlos Conde told AFP some aspects of the country’s human rights situation had worsened under Marcos Jr. “What we’re seeing is somebody ... Potentially radioactive metal stolen from Fukushima TOKYO: Construction workers stole and sold potentially radioactive scrap metal from near the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, the Environment Ministry said yesterday. The materials went missing from a museum being demolished in a special zone 4km from the atomic plant in northeast Japan. Although people were allowed to return to the area last year after intense decontamination work, radiation levels can still be above normal and it is surrounded by a no-go zone. The Environment Ministry was informed of the theft by workers from a joint venture conducting the demolition work in late July and is “exchanging information with police”, ministry official Kei Osada told AFP. Osada said the metal may have been used in the frame of the building, “which means that it’s unlikely that these metals were exposed to high levels of radiation when the nuclear accident occurred”. If radioactivity levels are high, metals from the area must go to an interim storage facility or be properly disposed of. If low, they can be re-used. However, the stolen scrap metals had not been measured for radiation levels, Osada said. The Mainichi Shimbun daily, citing unidentified sources, reported on Tuesday that the workers sold the scrap metal to companies outside the zone for about ¥900,000 (RM28,000). It is unclear what volume of metal went missing, where it is now, or if it poses a health risk. The March 11, 2011, tsunami caused multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant in the world’s worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. – AFP who likes to shove human rights as an issue aside,” Conde said, adding one of the reasons could be “his family have a ... nasty history as far as human rights is concerned”. Veteran human rights campaigner Cristina Palabay of Karapatan said she felt “more scared now” as the number of missing activists increased. Palabay said she and other members of Karapatan faced “some sort of mortal danger far greater than before”, citing increased threats, profiling and surveillance. “This is actually like martial law ... when people are just being picked up in the streets and justified as being held by authorities because they are suspected of being somebody,” Palabay said. – AFP Australia announces inquiry into Covid-19 response CANBERRA: Australia announced yesterday an inquiry into its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to fortress-like travel restrictions, rolling lockdowns and a sluggish initial vaccine rollout. The country imposed some of the world’s most stringent restrictions during the pandemic, sealing international borders for two years and locking down most major cities for months on end. For much of the pandemic the strategy worked, but the relaxation of the rules led to a leap in detected cases. High vaccination rates limited the number of fatalities. “It was a very disruptive period in our lives. But we got through it,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “We need to examine what went right, what could be done better with a focus on the future.” The independent probe will examine the government’s response, including the provision of vaccines, treatments and key medical supplies; financial help for people and businesses; mental health support; and assistance to Australians abroad. – AFP BRINGING FANTASY TO LIFE ... Cosplay models posing during the preview for the Tokyo Game Show in Chiba City yesterday. The annual show will be open to the public from today until Sept 24. – AFPPIC oHundreds march for release of victims of forced disappearances South Korea vote paves way for arrest of opposition leader

7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 Canada to ‘adjust’ number of diplomats in India NEW DELHI: Canada’s High Commission said it would “adjust” diplomat numbers in India and the South Asian nation suspended visa processing in Canada yesterday as a row between Ottawa and New Delhi deepens. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has demanded India treat with “utmost seriousness” allegations that Indian agents played a role in the June murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar near Vancouver. The fallout prompted tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and a forceful denial from India, which said any suggestion it played a role in Nijjar’s killing was “absurd”, sending strained relations between the world’s most populous oHigh Commission says some staff threatened on social media platforms Venezuela seizes control of gang-run prison CARACAS: Venezuela said on Wednesday it had seized control of a prison from the hands of a powerful gang with international reach, in a major operation involving 11,000 members of its security forces. The Tocoron prison had served as the Tren de Aragua gang’s headquarters, where it had installed amenities such as a zoo, a pool and gambling rooms, according to an investigative journalist recently interviewed by AFP. In a statement, the government congratulated law enforcement officers for regaining “total control” of the prison in the northern state of Aragua, adding the operation had “dismantled a centre of conspiracy and crime”. In an official proclamation, President Nicolas Maduro praised “today’s great success in the fight against criminal organisations”. After the government announced a complete evacuation of the jail, Interior Minister Remigio Ceballos said the inmates were being transferred to another facility. Dozens of relatives who had been living inside the prison with sentenced inmates gathered outside for news. “I am waiting to hear where they are taking my husband ... I was living in there, but they kicked us out,” said Gladys Hernandez. An AFP team saw security officers carrying motorcycles, televisions, air conditioners and microwaves out of the jail. “That’s ours!” shouted one of the women outside. It appeared some inmates escaped during the operation, as a later government statement announced a “second phase” of the operation for the “search and capture” of “fugitive criminals.” Tren de Aragua, Venezuela’s most powerful local gang, is involved in crime countrywide and has spread its tentacles to at least eight other Latin American countries. According to an investigation by Venezuelan journalist Ronna Risquez, the gang has some 5,000 members. It emerged a decade ago, and is involved in kidnappings, robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution, extortion and illegal gold mining. The InSight Crime think tank said the gang is also a major player in migrant smuggling. Risquez said the gang “took advantage” of Venezuela’s economic and political crises over the past decade to expand operations. She said Tocoron had been entirely in the hands of the gang. “Inside, the men I have seen with guns are prisoners belonging to the organisation. They guard the prison but not for the state.” She described the prison as a “hotel” for the gang leaders, with a bank, baseball field, a restaurant and even a disco. – AFP Strip ‘criminal’ Russia of veto power:Ukraine KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday confronted Russia directly at the UN Security Council, denouncing the Kremlin’s invasion of his country as “criminal” and urging the United Nations to strip Moscow of its veto power. Clad in his trademark military fatigues, Zelensky for the first time since the February 2022 invasion sat in the same room as a Russian official, who responded by scrolling through his smartphone with a look of conspicuous disinterest. “Most of the world recognises the truth about this war,” Zelensky said. “It is a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against our nation aimed at seizing Ukraine’s territory and resources.” He called on the UN to vote to end Russia’s veto power on the Security Council, where Moscow joins only Britain, China, France, and the US in being able to block any resolution. He said this move could be among wide-ranging reforms at the Security Council that would include giving permanent representation to nations in the developing world. “Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a deadlock. “It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor or those who condone the aggressor.” Zelensky repeated the Ukrainian stance that Moscow’s veto power belonged to the former Soviet Union – one of the victors of World War II after which the UN was created – and not to President Vladimir Putin’s Russia. “This seat on the Security Council, which Russia occupies illegally through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been taken by liars whose job it is to whitewash the genocide.” – AFP B R I E F SSHOTS FIRED NEAR AMERICAN EMBASSY IN LEBANON BEIRUT: Gunshots were heard on Wednesday evening near the US embassy in Lebanon, a spokesman told AFP yesterday morning, reporting no casualties. “At 10.37pm local time, small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance to the US embassy,” said embassy spokesman Jake Nelson. “There were no injuries, and our facility is safe,” he said, adding that the embassy was in “close contact” with law enforcement. The highly secured embassy complex is located in the northern Beirut suburb of Awkar. Wednesday’s incident coincided with the anniversary of a deadly 1984 car bombing outside the American embassy annex in Beirut, which the US blamed on the Iran-backed Hezbollah. – AFP THREE SOUTH AFRICAN NAVY DIVERS DIE OFF CAPE TOWN CAPE TOWN: Three South African navy divers died after being swept away from their submarine in choppy waters near Cape Town on Wednesday, the country’s military said. The incident occurred off the coast of the town of Kommetjie, as an army submarine en route to Cape Town staged a refuelling operation at sea. The operation involved a helicopter dropping off supplies, but that went awry when strong waves lashed the submarine. “High waves swept away seven crew members out to sea,” said the South African National Defence Force. The rough conditions adversely affected rescue attempts. “All seven members were recovered but sadly there were three fatalities,” said the army in a statement. – AFP country and G7 member Canada to a new low. “In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats,” Canada’s mission said in a statement. “With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India. “As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India.” The mission did not give further details of the number of people leaving but said its offices were “open and operational”, while calling for the safety of its staff to be ensured. “We expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs.” Earlier yesterday, India’s official visa processor in Canada said it had been told to stop handling applications. “Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from Sept 21, 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice,” BLS International posted on their website. There was no immediate comment from India’s Foreign Ministry. On Monday, Ottawa expelled a diplomat it described as the head of India’s foreign intelligence service in Canada, prompting New Delhi to order a Canadian diplomat to leave. The suspension of visas comes a day after India’s Foreign Ministry said it was concerned for the safety of its citizens in Canada because of “politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence”. “Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda,” a ministry statement said. Nijjar was shot dead by two masked assailants outside the Sikh temple he presided over in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver. – AFP UN chief: Climate crisis has ‘opened gates to hell’ NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday told world leaders the climate crisis had “opened the gates to hell” during a summit where leading polluters China and the United States were conspicuously absent. The talks were partly overshadowed by an announcement from Britain – also not present – that it was rolling back policies that would help it achieve its net-zero goal. Despite increasing extreme weather events and record-shattering global temperatures, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and fossil fuels remain subsidised to the tune of US$7 trillion annually. Guterres had billed the “Climate Ambition Summit” as a “no-nonsense” forum, making clear that only leaders who had made concrete plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions would be invited. In his opening address, Guterres evoked 2023’s “horrendous heat” and “historic fires,” but stressed: “We can still limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C”, referring to the target seen as needed to avoid long-term climate catastrophe. “Humanity has opened the gates to hell,” he warned. After receiving more than 100 applications to take part, the UN released a list of 41 speakers which did not include China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan or India. Several major leaders did not bother making the trip to New York for this year’s UN General Assembly, including President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from the United Kingdom. Sunak also chose Wednesday to announce he was adopting a more “pragmatic” approach to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, including pushing back a ban on the sale of cars fully run on fossil fuels and easing energy efficiency targets for rental properties. – AFP ‘Letzte Generation’ (Last Generation) activists walking slowly as they block a street in German capital Berlin yesterday to protest for climate councils, a speed limit on highways as well as for affordable public transport. – REUTERSPIC

8 theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 SPEAK UP Deliberate before remarrying Q: I recently went through a divorce I did not want, but my ex-husband has moved on. I am contemplating dating and the prospect of remarriage. How soon is too soon before I can consider marriage after a divorce? Focus on the Family Malaysia: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of “how soon is too soon” following a divorce. However, this is a question that counsellors frequently encounter. There are several suggestions for anyone grappling with this situation. One piece of advice is to spend adequate time as a single person before remarrying. This period of independence will provide an opportunity for healing from the previous marriage, addressing lingering emotions such as anger, and rebuilding trust. It is crucial to resolve these issues before embarking on a new relationship as they can complicate matters. Another vital recommendation is to ascertain what you are looking for in a marriage. Take the time to carefully think through what you want and allow yourself the space to search and evaluate. Avoid rushing into a commitment hastily. In general, experts concur that pre-marital counselling is a wise step. As the saying goes, “Marrying someone who refuses to undergo pre-marriage counselling is like buying a car without lifting the hood.” Additionally, individuals are encouraged to consult a trusted friend or family member before deciding to remarry. Address issues of the heart first. Instead of searching for the right person, endeavour to become the right person yourself. Recovering and moving on after a divorce can be tough. However, by embracing a willingness to learn, you can increase the chances of a successful future relationship. Q: As a new parent, I am afraid of disciplining my child. Please advise. Focus on the Family Malaysia: In many respects, being a parent is one of the most natural roles one can assume. However, there is a lot to learn in the process. The term “discipline” comes from the Latin word “disciple”, “pupil” or “learner”. Essentially, discipline revolves around teaching and each of us possesses the ability to teach. Firstly, it is essential to ensure that your child understands the rules before he is disciplined. If your child has not been informed that a particular behaviour is unacceptable, he should not be punished for it. Remember, it is important to distinguish between deliberate defiance and innocent mistakes. When your child’s actions stem from immaturity or clumsiness, there is no reason to punish him, instead, seize the opportunity to guide him in learning and growing. Secondly, when your child breaks a rule, make sure your disciplinary action fits the offence. Avoid using excessive force for minor transgressions. In simpler terms, do not use a fire hose to put out a match. A minor act of defiance should receive a proportionate form of correction. Once again, the objective is to teach. Above all, maintain control. Never administer discipline when consumed by anger. Unless your child is immediately in harm’s way, there is no urgency to address a problem the moment it occurs. Instead, step back from the situation until your emotions are under control. Remember, discipline is not about breaking down children, it is about teaching them between right and wrong and assisting them in their journey of learning and development. In a nutshell, effective parenting involves striking a balance between love and the establishment of clear and consistent boundaries. The article was contributed by Focus on the Family Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening the family unit. It provides a myriad of programmes and resources, including professional counselling services, to the community. For more information, visit family.org.my. Comments: [email protected] UNDER ONE ROOF Libya disaster due to ignored expert warnings EXPERTS have been highlighting the flood risk facing two dams protecting nearly 90,000 people in northeastern Libya for a considerable time. They repeatedly called for immediate maintenance of the structures, located uphill from the coastal city of Derna, but successive governments in the chaos-stricken North African nation failed to react. Last November, professor of civil engineering Abdelwanees Ashoor had presciently warned about the impending catastrophe in a study published in the Sebha University Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, stating, “in the event of a significant flood, the consequences will be catastrophic for the valley’s residents and the city”. The warnings turned into reality in the early hours of Sept 11, as residents of Derna awoke to a deafening sound of explosions before floodwaters inundated the Mediterranean city. They found that two dams had broken, releasing a towering wall of water two stories high that wreaked destruction and swept entire neighbourhoods into the sea. The deluge proved fatal for thousands in just seconds, uprooting apartment buildings and washing away roads and bridges. According to the Libyan Red Crescent and the United Nations, the disaster resulted in more than 11,300 reported deaths, with over 10,000 people still missing a week after the calamity. Libya, home to around seven million people and rich in oil and natural gas reserves, has been plagued by neglect and corruption. As of 2021, the country ranked 172nd out of 180 on Transparency International’s transparency index. The North African nation has been in chaos since 2011, when an Arab Spring uprising, backed by Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), ousted longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed. The country has since been divided between rival dministrations: one in the west backed by lawless armed groups and militias and the second in the east, aligned with the self-styled Libyan National Army, which is commanded by powerful General Khalifa Hifter. The dams, Abu Mansour and Derna, were built by a Yugoslav construction company in the 1970s above Wadi Derna, which divides the city. The Abu Mansour dam could hold up to 22.5 million cubic metres of water while the Derna dam, which was closer to the city, could hold 1.5 million cubic metres of water. “Both dams had not been maintained for years despite previous floods that struck the city,” said Saleh Emhanna, a geological researcher with the University of Ajdabia in Libya. In 1986, a powerful storm caused major damage to the dams, and more than a decade later, a governmentcommissioned study revealed cracks and fissures in the structures, according to Libya’s general prosecutor, al-Sediq alSour. During a press conference in the stricken city, al-Sour said prosecutors will investigate the dam collapses and the allocation of maintenance funds. “I want to reassure the citizens that anyone found responsible for mistakes or negligence will face strict action,” al-Sour said. In 2021, a state-run audit agency reported that despite an allocation of over US$2 million (RM9.37 million) for maintenance in 2012 and 2013, both dams remained unattended. The audit agency blamed the Works and Natural Resources Ministry for failing to cancel the contract and reassigning it to a company that would do the work. Back in 2007, a Turkish company called Arsel Construction Company Ltd was contracted to conduct maintenance on the dams and construct an additional one in between them. According to Arsel’s website, they completed their work in November 2012. Arsel was one of dozens of Turkish companies that had projects worth more than US$15 billion in Libya before the uprising. Many of these companies withdrew from Libya due to the turmoil before returning in the past couple of years, especially when the Turkish government stepped in to help the Tripoli-based government fend off an attack by Hifter’s forces in 2019. Ahead of Mediterranean storm Daniel, authorities sent conflicting messages. They imposed a curfew in Derna and surrounding areas while the municipality of Derna advised residents to evacuate the coastal areas due to the risk of a sea surge. Emergency officials said the aftermath of the disaster resulted in approximately 25% of the city being wiped out, reflecting the storm’s intensity and Libya’s vulnerability. Al-Sour said a probe will be launched, and appointed investigators from different parts of the country to conduct the investigation. Derna mayor Abdel-Moneim al-Gaithi has been suspended pending an investigation into the disaster. Since 2014, eastern Libya has been controlled by Hifter and his forces while a rival government, based in the capital Tripoli, controls most national funds and oversees infrastructure projects. Both factions do not tolerate dissent. Activists are calling for an international probe, fearing that a local investigation would be fruitless in a country largely ruled by armed groups and militias. A UN panel of experts has reported on the “predatory” behaviour of these groups and militias, which have led to “the misappropriation of Libyan State funds and the deterioration of institutions and infrastructure”. Transparency International has pointed out that Libya’s longstanding issues, including weak public institutions, internal conflict and deep instability, have created an environment where corruption has become rife, with few to no checks on public sector abuse. An online petition signed by hundreds of people, including Libyan rights groups and nongovernmental organisations, said an independent international committee is needed to “uncover the causes of this catastrophe” and hold those responsible accountable. However, an expert on Libya at the London-based Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, Jalel Harchaoui, said an investigation into the disaster would face significant challenges because it could implicate high-ranking officials in Libya. – The Independent An aerial view of a destroyed bridge in the aftermath of the flooding that hit Derna on Wednesday. – REUTERSPIC █ BYSAMY MAGDY “In the event of a significant flood, the consequences will be catastrophic for the valley’s residents and the city. – Prof Abdelwanees Ashoor

2 2 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 3 F R I D A Y Between two slices of slices of bread Discover what your horoscope has in store for you on S3 How not to dissapoint that four-legged friend on S2 Comforting taste of homemade sandwiches on S4 & S5

2 theSun LYFE ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 Strengthening bonds through playtime Fetch and retrive. – PEXELS oHere are some interactive games to play with your furfriend █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Hide and Seek. – PEXELS Tug of War. – PEXELS Agility Courses. – PETABLE Puzzle Toys. – AMAZON Chase the laser pointer. – THESPRUCEPETS Bubble Chasing. – YOUTUBE I N a world bustling with technology and screens, it’s easy to overlook the simple pleasures of spending quality time with our beloved pets. Engaging in interactive games not only provides physical exercise but also strengthens the emotional bond between you and your furry companion. In this feature, we’ll explore seven delightful games that cater to a range of pets, ensuring fun and fulfilment for both of you. Fetch and retrieve A timeless classic, “Fetch” is a game that transcends species. Dogs, cats, and even some birds can get in on the action. Begin by selecting a favourite toy and tossing it a short distance. Encourage your pet to bring it back to you, rewarding them with praise and a treat when they do. This game taps into your pet’s natural instincts and provides an excellent outlet for pentup energy. Hide and seek This game is perfect for curious and inquisitive pets. Start by having your pet sit and stay in one room while you find a hiding spot in another. Call out their name and wait for them to track you down. When they find you, offer plenty of affection and perhaps a treat. For cats, you can also hide toys or treats around the house to keep their hunting instincts sharp. Tug of War A great game for larger dogs and even some smaller breeds, tug of war provides both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Use a sturdy rope toy and engage in a gentle tug. Remember to establish boundaries and let go if your pet starts to overpower you. This game can instill a sense of confidence in your pet and reinforce their trust in you. Agility Courses For pets that are more agile and have higher energy levels, setting up a makeshift agility course in your backyard or a spacious indoor area can be incredibly rewarding. Use everyday objects like hula hoops, cones, and small hurdles to create a fun obstacle course. Guide your pet through the course with treats and plenty of encouragement. This game not only offers physical exertion but also promotes p r o b l e m - s o l v i n g skills. Puzzle Toys Especially suited for intelligent breeds like Border Collies and Poodles, puzzle toys challenge your pet’s cognitive abilities. These toys require your pet to figure out how to retrieve a hidden treat. They provide mental stimulation and can help reduce anxiety or boredom, making them an excellent addition to any pet’s playtime repertoire. Chase the laser pointer Cats and even some dogs are captivated by the elusive red dot of a laser pointer. Gently move the laser around, encouraging your pet to chase it. Be mindful to avoid shining it directly into their eyes. This game can provide hours of entertainment and exercise, particularly for highenergy felines. Bubble Chasing Surprisingly entertaining for both dogs and cats, blowing bubbles can be an amusing game that stimulates their hunting instincts. Use a nontoxic bubble solution and blow bubbles in the air, letting your pet chase and pop them. It’s a lighthearted activity that can be done indoors or outdoors, providing both exercise and mental engagement. Engaging in interactive games with your pet is a wonderful way to build a deeper connection and ensure their physical and mental well-being. Each of these games offers a unique experience tailored to different types of pets, from the playful pup to the cunning cat. Remember to adapt the games to suit your pet’s individual needs and preferences, and always prioritise their safety and enjoyment. By investing time and effort into playtime, you’ll be rewarded with a happier, healthier, and more bonded relationship with your furry friend.

theSun LYFE ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 3 /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME 20 random fun facts 1. Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable. They’re technically considered a single-seeded berry, believe it or not. 2. The Eiffel Tower can be 15cm taller during the summer due to thermal expansion, meaning that as the iron heats up, the particles gain kinetic energy and take up more space. 3. Trypophobia is the fear of tightly packed holes. Or more specifically, “an aversion to the sight of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps.” No crumpets for them, then. 4. Allodoxaphobia is the fear of other people’s opinions. It’s a rare social phobia that’s characterised by an irrational and overwhelming fear of what other people think. 5. Australia is wider than the moon. The moon sits at 3,400km in diameter, while Australia’s diameter from east to west is almost 4,000km. 6. Mellifluous’ is a sound that is pleasingly smooth and musical to hear. 7. The Spice Girls were originally a band called Touch. “When we first started [with the name Touch], we were pretty bland,“ Mel C told The Guardian in 2018. “We felt like we had to fit into a mould.” 8. Emma Bunton auditioned for the role of Bianca Butcher in Eastenders. Baby Spice already had a small part in the soap back in the 90s but tried out for a full-time role. She was pipped for the post by Patsy Palmer but ended up auditioning for the Spice Girls not long after. 9. Human teeth are the only part of the body that cannot heal itself. Teeth are coated in enamel, which is not a living tissue. 10. It’s illegal to own just one guinea pig in Switzerland. It’s considered animal abuse because they’re social beings and get lonely. 11. The Ancient Romans used to drop a piece of toast into their wine for good health, hence why we “raise a toast”. 12. The heart of a shrimp is located in its head. They also have an open circulatory system, which means they have no arteries and their organs float directly in blood. 13. Amy Poehler was only seven years older than Rachel McAdams when she took on the role of “cool mom” in Mean Girls. Rachel was 25 as Regina George, and Amy was 32 as her mom. 14. People are more creative in the shower. When we take a warm shower, we experience an increased dopamine flow that makes us more creative. 15. The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. It was apparently chosen because of its connection with dominance and chivalry, as well as purity and innocence in Celtic mythology. 16. The first aeroplane flew on Dec 17, 1903. Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, with their first powered aircraft, aka the first aeroplane. 17. Venus is the only planet to spin clockwise. It travels around the sun once every 225 Earth days, but it rotates clockwise once every 243 days. 18. Nutmeg is a hallucinogen. The spice contains myristicin, a natural compound that has mind-altering effects if ingested in large doses. 19. Competitive art used to be an Olympic sport. Between 1912 and 1948, international sporting events awarded medals for music, painting, sculpture, and architecture. Shame it didn’t catch on; the famous pottery scene in Ghost could have won an Olympic medal as well as an Academy Award for the best screenplay. 20. A chef’s hat has 100 pleats. Apparently, it’s meant to represent the 100 ways you can cook an egg. I wonder if Gordon Ramsay knows that. The Eiffel Tower in Paris. Plenty people get creative in the shower LIBRA 23 Sept-Oct 23 Your mind and body may not be in sync as the sun in your mood and memory zone clashes with low-energy Neptune in your work and well-being sectors. Focus on maintaining a positive outlook. Don’t be overly critical of perceived flaws or challenging issues. Neptune can create illusions, so be kind to yourself while staying realistic. The weekend brings a more harmonious connection between the sun and powerful Pluto in your home area. This helps you declutter your home, break old habits, and address any lingering issues related to your home, history, or lifestyle. The best news this week is the sun’s arrival in your own sign today. The next four weeks will be your most balanced and confident in 2023. This move brings a surge of confidence that you can ride like a wave until the same time next year. SCORPIO 24 Oct-Nov 22 Your loyalty to your ambitions and social circle may clash with your romantic and creative desires. It’s a matter of balancing “needs versus wants,“ and with the Sun opposing Neptune’s shifting influence, your mission is to find a compromise. To navigate this, get clear on your aspirations and your ideal team. When Pluto, your co-ruling planet, aligns with the Sun, it’s a great time to focus, learn, and even travel to gain recognition for your goals. As the sun changes signs towards the end of Sunday, you have the opportunity to adopt a more serene mindset until midOctober. Evaluate your options and consider what both inspires and calms you. Prioritise intellect over emotion, but trust your gut instinct to gauge how you genuinely feel about your choices. SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov-Dec 21 You might find yourself prioritising work over your home life, creating a sense of imbalance. Your career demands your full attention, while your home life may feel draining. There could be guilt or pressure from others about your work commitment, leading to rumours and misunderstandings when the Sun meets Neptune. However, those playing the martyr card will need to adjust their perspective when they see your dedication, especially as the sun aligns with Pluto at the end of the week, helping you focus on your financial future and personal priorities. Towards Sunday, the sun moves into your zone of friendships, collaborations, and ambitions. Balancing these aspects of your life may be a juggling act, but over the next four weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to become an expert at it. CAPRICORN 22 Dec-Jan 19 Despite usually being sharp and on point, you might struggle with communication as the sun urges you to focus on the future, leaving you somewhat in the dark about the present. Be cautious about being overly influenced by media reports on important issues and missing the stability and focus that real-life relationships and closer connections can bring. On Sunday, when Pluto in your own sign aligns powerfully with the sun, expect clarity to emerge regarding your goals and ambitions. Consider it a cosmic detox from clutter and confusion as you align with the idea that hard work leads to luck and rewards. Today, the sun moves into your career zone for a four-week period. While standing your ground at work is important, be open to others’ ideas and opinions. A more gentle and collaborative approach will earn you more respect than a hard-nosed or high-handed attitude. AQUARIUS 20 Jan-Feb 18 Your finances and values take centre stage. On one hand, the sun emphasises your focus on saving, investing, and making commitments. On the other hand, Neptune suggests some flakiness and indecision, potentially leading to money slipping through your fingers. Fortunately, Pluto teams up with the Sun, cutting through this lack of clarity and bringing a more direct approach to the forefront. As the sun moves into your spirituality, fairness, and fun zone, you’ll approach the world with calm detachment. This will enable you to see both sides of every story and seek facts over opinions or hearsay. You might also consider relaxation, yoga, chakra alignment, or even writing a blog on staying calm under pressure. This weekend and through mid-October, your focus is on balance and harmony, both within yourself and in your interactions with others. PISCES 19 Feb-March 20 You might sense a feeling of being targeted by those closest to you, even though you care deeply about them. With Neptune in your sign, you may lose touch with boundaries and time, getting lost in your dreamy world and experiencing unexplained melancholy. However, the sun in your partnership zone brings clarity and may prompt loved ones to confront you with some home truths, jolting you out of inactivity. The Sun also aligns with Pluto in your friends and ambitions zone, and you’ll likely be more receptive to this influence. It provides an opportunity to resolve recent issues with your close circle and your aspirations, allowing for a fresh start. Towards Sunday, as the sun changes signs, you’ll focus on balancing commitments, financial matters, and complex or sensual relationships. Over the next four weeks, you’ll have a chance to find peace in your private or hidden concerns and restore your inner tranquilly. ARIES 21 March-April 20 This weekend, a health or work issue may arise, so seek expert advice rather than relying on internet searches or office gossip. You might find yourself dwelling on worst-case scenarios due to Neptune’s influence, so counter this by focusing on your well-being and work routines under the Sun’s guidance. Support your co-workers behind the scenes, and your diligence and positive attitude will likely gain recognition, thanks to Pluto’s practical energy. Use this opportunity to enhance your reputation or discuss a potential salary increase. Your top priority for the next four weeks is building alliances as the sun enters your relationship zone. Love and professional partnerships can thrive with fairness and equality from both parties. TAURUS 21 April-May 21 This weekend, you’ll be balancing pleasure and romance with friends and ambitions. The sun enhances your creativity and love life, but Neptune raises questions about your compatibility with your social circle and the feasibility of your dreams. However, you have control over your actions, companions, and choices. Use Pluto’s power to overcome doubts and inhibitions that may be holding you back and move closer to your goals. Fame, education, spirituality, and media may all be relevant this week. It’s also an ideal time to prioritise selfcare. If your body or work routines have been neglected lately, the sun in your self-care area will help restore balance, bringing calm and beauty to your daily life over the next four weeks. GEMINI 22 May-June 21 Your focus this weekend is on your home life, with the sun igniting your enthusiasm for family matters. However, this might distract you from potential career issues, as Neptune casts a shadow over your work. Around midweek, the Sun and powerful Pluto join forces to help you address financial, commitment, and private matters, getting you back on track. Focus on the details and how your home life affects your work life, and let Pluto guide you. As the weekend approaches, the sun moves into your zone of romance and creativity for a fantastic four-week period. This doesn’t mean you’ll swing from home to pleasure excessively; it’s about balancing your desires with your responsibilities, allowing you to enjoy both simultaneously. CANCER 22 June-July 22 You are focused on precise and effective communication this weekend, thanks to the sun’s influence. You have a heightened ability to spot errors and faux pas, but be cautious about engaging in intense debates where others may prioritise opinion over facts. Neptune’s presence in your media, travel, spirituality, and justice sectors blurs the lines between reality and falsehood, so scepticism could be your ally. By midweek, your transparency and directness may work in your favour, particularly in partnerships, as the sun aligns with Pluto. This alignment can lead to transformations in personal or professional connections, possibly involving dealing with rivals. Being right and morally upright boosts your self-esteem and home life. Towards the end of the week, the sun enters your home sector until late October, bringing peace and harmony. When your home life is balanced, other aspects of your life tend to fall into harmony as well. LEO 23 July-Aug 23 Avoid confusing your current situation with your desired outcome. The Sun is enhancing your financial matters and helping you organise them, but Neptune’s influence could blur the line between reality and fiction in areas like commitment, high finance, power, and intimacy. Don’t assume anything until you see it with your own eyes; rely on facts over others’ words. Around midweek, when the sun aligns with Pluto, channel your energy into productive work and exercise. This powerful influence enables you to overcome obstacles and achieve results. Towards the end of the week, as the sun enters your communication zone, topics like travel, transport, siblings, neighbours, or studying may come up. It’s wise to remain balanced and avoid making hasty, negative decisions without considering both sides of a situation. VIRGO 24 Aug-Sept 22 With the Sun in your sign, you’re wielding more power and authority, but be mindful not to overdo it today when the Sun clashes with Neptune in your partnership zone. People who appear slower, more sensitive, or dreamy may feel dismissed, so look beyond the surface before drawing conclusions. On the bright side, a romantic or creative endeavour can make significant progress when the sun aligns favourably with transformative Pluto. This energy helps you clear away doubts and distractions, allowing you to focus with passion. As the weekend approaches, the sun moves into your money and values sector for the next four weeks. Say goodbye to a “poverty mindset” or feelings of inadequacy. You’ll realise that you’re amazing just as you are, and your life, finances, and selfesteem will feel more harmonious and balanced during this period and beyond. Your weekend horoscope

4 theSun LYFE ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 5. Top with another slice of bread, butter side up. 6. Cook until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt, which should take about two to three minutes. 7. Carefully flip the sandwich and cook the other side until it is also golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. 8. Remove from heat, let it cool for a minute, then slice in half and serve. Vegetarian avocado sandwich 0 Ingredients: Two slices of your favourite bread One ripe avocado, sliced 1/4 cup cucumber slices 1/4 cup sliced red bell pepper 1/4 cup shredded carrot 1/4 cup baby spinach leaves Salt and pepper to taste 0 Instructions 1. Lay out the two slices of bread. 2. On one slice of bread, place the slices of ripe avocado 3. Add cucumber slices, sliced red bell pepper, and shredded carrot over the avocado. 4. Layer on the baby spinach leaves. 5. Season with a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper to taste. 6. Place the second slice of bread on top to create a 7. If youoptionalminutes crispy. 8. Slice6. Lay the cooked chicken slices on the tomato slices. 7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 8. Top with the remaining slices of bread, mayonnaise side down. 9. Cut the sandwiches diagonally to create two halves and serve immediately. Grilled Cheese Sandwich 0 Ingredients Four slices of bread Two cups of shredded cheese Two tablespoons of butter CREATING delicious sandwiches does not have to be a complicated affair. In fact, some of the best sandwiches are simple and easy to make, yet bursting with flavour. In this article, we will explore four easy sandwich recipes that you can whip up in no time. These recipes are perfect for a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or even as a snack. Whether you are a seasoned home chef or a beginner in the kitchen, you will find these recipes both accessible and mouthwatering. Egg Sandwich 0 Ingredients Two large eggs Two slices of bread One tablespoon butter Salt and pepper to taste 0 Instructions 1. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. 2. Whisk together the eggs in a bowl and season with a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. 3. Pour the beaten eggs into the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully scrambled and no longer runny (about two to three minutes). 4. While the eggs cook, toast the bread to your preferred level of crispness. 5. Once the eggs are ready, remove them from the heat. 6. Assemble the sandwich: Place one slice of bread on a plate and add the scrambled eggs. 7. Top with the second slice of bread. 8. Cut the sandwich in half diagonally, and it is ready to serve. Chicken Sandwich 0 Ingredients Four slices of cooked chicken breast (grilled or roasted) Four slices of bread Two lettuce leaves Two slices of ripe tomato Mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste Delicious fa and and easy█ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN 0 Instructions 1. Start by cooking or grilling the chicken breast until it is fully cooked and has a nice sear. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also marinate the chicken in your favourite marinade for added flavour. 2. While the chicken is cooking, toast the slices of bread to your desired level of crispness. 3. Once the chicken is ready and the bread is toasted, it is time to assemble the sandwich. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each slice of bread. 4. Place a lettuce leaf on two slices of bread. 5. Add two slices of tomato on top of the lettuce. 0 Instructions 1. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. 2. Butter one side of each slice of bread. 3. Place one slice of bread, butter side down, in the skillet. 4. Add a generous amount of shredded cheese on top of the bread. oSatisfy your sandwith these quick andVegetarian avacado sandwich. Be creative.

theSun LYFE ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 5 sandwich. u prefer a warm sandwich, you can lly toast it in a grill pan for a few until the bread is golden brown and e the vegetarian avocado in half diagonally, and it is ready to serve. Experiment with different ingredients and make these recipes your own by adding your favourite condiments, veggies, or meats. Enjoy the convenience and tastiness of these easy-tomake sandwiches whenever hunger strikes. Egg sandwich. Grilled cheese sandwich. ast y recipes recipes Use any type of bread. Toast it or grill it. Add extra toppings. dwich cravings d easy recipes Chicken sandwich.

S OME car models are successful because of the brand, while some models are successful because of the sheer sales figures. Rarely is a model successful because of the combined strength of the brand and sales figures it has raked in, but that is the story of the new Honda WRV. Introduced back in July of this year, the WRV has already garnered over 7,000 bookings. In fact, it had received over 2,000 bookings before it was even officially introduced to Malaysians and to date, over 3,000 are already prowling our streets. Such is the strength of the Honda brand. The WRV is the first non-national small SUV and it competes against the Perodua Ativa, even though there is roughly about RM20,000 separating the two models. It is impossible to say which one is better without a wheel-to-wheel comparison, so we are not even going to even try to answer that. Besides, Honda Malaysia insists that the WRV stands alone and does not compete against the Ativa despite the duo being in the same segment, albeit one being a non-national model while the other is the pride of the nation. The WRV, which stands for Winsome Runabout Vehicle, is designed for those looking for a car with a taller ride height but without the usual bulk associated with SUV’s. In fact, being priced from RM89,900 to RM107,900, the WRV sits in the same price category as the Honda City. That is quite an odd move as car makers would usually try to price their models apart from one another to avoid cannibalising sales. But Honda shunned the norm and despite having admitted that the pricing of the WRV did eat into the sales of the City, it has also welcomed an entirely new demographic to the Honda brand. It is not difficult to see the appeal of the WRV. From a design perspective, the WRV is undoubtedly a great looking car – whether in the full-fledged RS variant which comes with a more aggressive body kit and 17-inch wheels – or the none-RS models. In terms of size, the WRV is roughly about the size of the old 2003 3-door Toyota RAV4, perhaps slightly longer. That should give you some perspective about the size. If compared to the Ativa, the WRV is smaller but just a few millimeters wider than the Perodua. However, that does not mean the interior is small. Far from it actually as we found out recently. Booth space is great for three adults and their luggage for a three-day getaway plus camera bags. The rear seats are good for anyone below six feet tall and are comfortable for a threehour road trip. The seats also come with Isofix mounts which make the WRV perfectly adapted for life as a family car. Space up front is also decent though taller drivers may find it a little cramped while the horizontally challenged may find their shoulders rubbing against the passenger. In terms of interior features, the WRV has everything you may want to make your everyday commute more comfortable. ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 ► Contributing Editor: KESHY DHILLON / [email protected] ► Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 / +6012-580 3470 ► To advertise email: [email protected] Convenience redefined redefined Honda WRV rewrites rule book on fuss-free driving █ KESHY DHILLON SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-Cylinder, DOHC, i-VTEC Power: 121PS@6600rpm Torque: 145Nm@4300rpm Transmission: CVT with Torque Converter Suspension: MacPherson Strut (Front) Torsion Beam (Rear) Handsome design, impressive features. Can be cramped for tall or wide passengers.

Entertainment is provided by a seven-inch infotainment system that comes equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Driver comfort includes such niceties as adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, lead car departure notification system and road departure mitigation with lane departure warning, among others of course. This does not include the active and passive safety systems that work in unison to give the WRV a five-star rating at the Asean NCAP crash test. Interior quality too is impressive with soft touch panels sprinkled around the dashboard and the door panels to give the WRV a premium feel. The WRV truly comes alive when driven around urban roads. Its smallish size makes it easy to manage in traffic and easy to park just about anywhere. It also has a decent ground clearance of 207mm, which is just slightly more than the 200mm of the Perodua Ativa. Despite what is said online, that amount of ground clearance does not mean that it can handle flood waters. It may handle floods better than sedans, but it is still not an offroader, so traversing floods is definitely not what the tall ride height of the WRV is for. The ride height does however offer a better view ahead than regular cars. And therein lies the appeal of the WRV. The rise in popularity of SUV’s is not endemic to Malaysia, it is something that is happening the world over for many years now. And that is why the WRV is popular as well, because it offers a better driving position than regular cars. The suspension too is quite comfortable over all terrains. We drove the car in Langkawi recently, and over the poor conditions of the kampung roads the WRV soaked up everything that the unkept roads threw at it. Over the new highways that connect the island, the suspension did a splendid job at isolating the cabin from the road. However, it is worth noting that the suspension of the RS and the V-spec models have a slightly different state of tune than the E and S variants. The former ride on 17-inch wheels and have a firmer suspension setting for a sportier ride and handling while the latter ride on 16-inch wheels and have a softer suspension setting for a more comfortable drive. The powertrain though is not the most inspiring. Power is rated at 121PS and 145Nm of torque and is channeled to the front wheels through a conventional CVT gearbox. It makes a lot of noise especially during acceleration, but it does not seem to go anywhere fast. Speed and power is obviously not something that the WRV is well known for, but it is quite efficient. During our drive, we saw a range of 420km and that translates to 12km per litre of fuel, which is surprisingly good for a car with a 35-litre fuel tank. And that is what the WRV is all about – convenience and efficiency. The WRV offers a drive quality that is fuss free and straight forward. It is also an easy car to live with considering its size and tallish ride height that make it suitable for all purposes. It also has decent storage space and a powertrain that is easy on the wallet which means that it is a good companion for those who are just starting out in life either in their careers or with a family. The interior is a good place to be in as well though it may not be very big. And once you start poking and prodding around you might notice that there are some spots that could do with better material and bolstering. Those are not deal breakers but rather the usual character of hard plastics. There is some icing on the WRV cake though, and besides the abundance of driver aid and safety systems, there is also the Honda Connect App. When activated, the App allows the user to remotely start the car, set a geo fencing that will alert the owner when the car drives out of the designated area, set a speed limit and even assist to book a service appointment. The Honda WRV is obviously designed for comfort and convenience, and it does that really well. Some may argue that it is quite expensive for a small SUV, but there are some cars that need to be driven to be appreciated, and the WRV is one of those cars that you are bound. 7 SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 There is 380-litres of storage space in the booth which is good enough for weekends getaway for a small family. The interior of the WRV has all the features you could want in a small SUV. The back seats are surprisingly comfortable even for tall passengers. The front seats are comfortable but can be small for horizontally challenged passengers. The 1.5-litre engine is better suited for efficiency than power.

GEELY has introduced its latest model, the Panda Knight, for the Chinese market. As of its launch, the Panda Knight is only available in a singlemodel variant. It draws its design inspiration from the Panda Mini and features a slightly extended body. It measures 3135mm in length, 1565mm in width, and 1655mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2015mm. Essentially, the Knight can be described as an off-road variant of the Mini, retaining the standard Mini EV body. To enhance its off-road capabilities and rugged appearance, the Knight comes equipped with various features, including a side ladder, dual-colour luggage racks, blackened wheel arches, and 14-inch aluminium alloy rims. In terms of its front design, the Panda Knight retains the signature large, round headlights that are characteristic of the Panda series. These headlights give the car a distinct appearance and contribute to its unique identity. Paired with these headlights is an aggressive suspended grille, further enhancing the car’s visual appeal and giving it a bold and distinctive front-end look. Additionally, the front bumper of the Knight features two tow hooks, adding to the model’s rugged and off-road-ready aesthetics while also underlining its functional design. There are three exterior colours to choose from, providing a range of options to suit different preferences. The colour choices include classic white, as well as two shades of forest green. Inside the Panda Knight, the cockpit offers a choice of two colours: green and white, allowing drivers to match the interior to their liking. The dashboard features a 9.2-inch instrument panel and an 8-inch central control screen, providing essential information and easy access to various vehicle controls. The steering wheel is a distinctive doublespoke design with a flat bottom and is adorned with contrasting strips, adding a sporty touch. The vehicle is equipped with modern amenities including Bluetooth connectivity, remote control functionality, and remote air conditioner control, enhancing convenience and connectivity for the driver. The Panda Knight is equipped with a rearwheel-drive system and relies on a robust 17.03kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. This battery configuration provides the Panda Knight with an impressive pure electric driving range of up to 200km on a single charge, making it an efficient choice for daily commuting and short trips. Powering the Panda Knight is a 30kW permanent magnet synchronous motor, capable of delivering a peak torque of 110Nm. Geely highlights the motor’s exceptional efficiency, boasting an impressive rating of 96.5%. This efficiency not only contributes to the vehicle’s overall performance but also enhances its energy utilisation. Furthermore, the Panda Knight comes equipped with an upgraded charging system that offers both fast and slow charging options. It supports 22kW DC fast charging, enabling a swift recharge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes, according to Geely. Standard safety features include an antilock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and a battery management system. These safety measures contribute to a safer driving experience and ensure a sense of security on the road. The initial price for this model is set at 53,900 yuan (approximately RM34,000). However, the company is presently offering a limited-time discounted price of 49,900 yuan (RM32,000). Knight rider Geely’s off-road mini EV with a 200km range BYD rolls out 500,000th Atto 3 BYD, a global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs), recently celebrated a major achievement with the production of its 500,000th BYD Atto 3 at its Hefei industrial plant. Remarkably, this milestone was reached in just 19 months since the Atto 3’s launch. The BYD Atto 3, positioned as the first model for the global market, has swiftly become the top-selling NEV in various countries, including Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand, Israel, and Sweden. By now, BYD’s passenger vehicles are present and successful in over 50 countries and regions. Particularly noteworthy is the Atto 3’s dominance in Israel’s NEV sales for nine consecutive months and its current standing as Thailand’s best-selling pure electric vehicle as of August 2023. These accomplishments underscore BYD’s growing influence and triumph in the global automotive market. The Atto 3, an innovative SUV, showcases BYD’s cutting-edge ePlatform 3.0 technology, delivering exceptional performance in intelligence, efficiency, safety, and aesthetics. Its design incorporates BYD’s distinctive “Dragon Face” design language, seamlessly blending traditional Chinese culture with modern global preferences. Equipped with the BYD Blade Battery, the Atto 3 offers an excellent balance of security and range, further enhancing its urban appeal. The model has gained popularity among local consumers and received global acclaim due to its outstanding performance, unique driving experience, and distinctive design. Earning a 5-star Euro NCAP score, the Atto 3 has been honoured with prestigious awards such as the “2022 New Zealand Car of the Year” and “VAB Electric Family Car of the Year of Belgium,” among others. THE upcoming new generation of the Panamera is in the final stages of testing just before its official launch. Engineers are conducting thorough evaluations in and around Barcelona, Spain, to fine-tune the sports saloon. These tests are the culmination of a comprehensive testing process that took place across four continents. The Panamera has undergone various tests, including high-altitude evaluations in the US to assess drivetrain performance under lowoxygen conditions, as well as testing the engine-cooling system and air conditioning in extreme heat. Scandinavian tests focused on performance in extremely low temperatures, while South Africa’s challenging road conditions were used to evaluate the car’s capabilities. Lastly, in Asian megacities with high humidity and heavy traffic, the Panamera faced demanding stop-andgo conditions. These tests ensure that the Panamera is ready to deliver topnotch performance and reliability when it hits the market. The upcoming model features a significant overhaul of its engine range, emphasising sustainable drivetrains and improved efficiency. In response to the growing demand for E-Hybrid models, with some countries seeing nearly 100% adoption of these hybrids, the Panamera will introduce a fourth plug-in hybrid variant, enhancing the lineup’s versatility. One of the key improvements across all E-Hybrid models is increased electric performance. The new Panamera E-Hybrids aim to deliver enhanced driving dynamics, extended electric range, and faster charging times. During testing, these models have demonstrated the capability to cover up to 70% more distance on electric power alone compared to their predecessors, marking a significant advancement in electric driving range and efficiency. The foundation for all E-Hybrid models in the upcoming Panamera is an upgraded electric motor, which is now fully integrated into the transmission housing of the new dualclutch transmission. This electric motor delivers improved drivetrain performance and energy recuperation compared to its predecessor while maintaining a reduced weight. It draws power from a high-capacity battery with a significantly larger capacity of 25.9kWh. To further enhance convenience, an onboard charger with an 11 kW power rating is included, which reduces charging times despite the increased energy storage capacity. In addition to its extensively updated engine lineup, the new Panamera introduces several other notable enhancements. It now offers an optional high-end chassis featuring active damper control and a diverse range of additional functions. It comes standard with a semiactive chassis that features new twovalve shock absorbers. These shocks have the capability to independently control the compression and rebound stages, greatly extending the range of chassis tuning options, both in terms of comfort and high-performance settings, within the standard chassis configuration. The final test drives are currently underway, allowing Porsche’s engineers to make any last-minute adjustments before the car’s world premiere. The third generation of this fourdoor sports car will be unveiled at the Icons of Porsche Festival in Dubai on Nov. 24, 2023. New Porsche Panamera undergoing final test drives Lamborghini , Ducati develop bike-to-car comms system AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI is lending support to Ducati in its dedication to enhancing safety of motorcyclists. Ducati played a pivotal role at a Demo Event held at the Lausitzring race track in Germany, organized by the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC). This event showcased the efficacy of motorcycle-car connectivity systems that have been developed as part of the consortium’s research. The Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) is an international association of prominent two-wheeled vehicle manufacturers committed to incorporating motorcycles into the future of connected mobility to enhance motorcyclists’ safety. Car manufacturers have long been researching and developing Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communication technologies. CMC’s aim is to include information sent by motorcycles, which have distinct needs and dynamics, and standardise this data when integrating the technology across the entire motorcycle and car fleet. Founded in 2016, CMC saw Ducati join the same year, initiating a thorough analysis of the most perilous accidents involving motorcycles and cars. This analysis guided the selection of cases where connectivity could significantly reduce accidents and harm to motorcyclists. One vital aspect was minimising system reaction times to provide advanced warnings, crucial in preventing accidents. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to safety and leveraging advanced technology to enhance road safety for motorcyclists. 8 SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

KLCI 1,448.21 STI 3,202.81 HANG SENG 17,655.41 SCI 3,084.70 NIKKEI 32,571.03 452.75 TSEC 16,316.67 KOSPI 2,514.97 S&P/ASX200 7,065.20 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] 5 MOST ACTIVES September 21, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) TWL 150,824,300 3.0 UNCH KNM 89,581,200 12.0 UNCH UEMS 76,196,000 88.0 -3.0 EAH 73,213,100 0.5 UNCH TOPGLOV 65,470,100 80.5 -2.5 EXCHANGERATES SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.7615 4.6285 4.6185 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0790 2.9580 2.9420 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.4830 3.3850 3.3770 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.5310 3.4380 3.4260 1 EURO 5.0770 4.9150 4.8950 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8320 2.7270 2.7110 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4830 3.3850 3.3770 1 STERLING POUND 5.8780 5.6950 5.6750 1 SWISS FRANC 5.2790 5.1590 5.1440 100 UAE DIRHAM 131.2400 124.5000 124.3000 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.4230 4.1360 3.9360 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.8200 63.0700 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 61.5500 58.5200 58.3200 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.8400 5.4900 5.2900 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0321 0.0290 0.0240 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.2140 3.1130 3.1030 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR N/A N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.6500 1.5400 1.3400 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.5100 8.0200 7.8200 100 QATAR RIYAL 132.1800 125.4800 125.2800 100 SAUDI RIYAL 128.4700 121.9600 121.7600 100 THAI BAHT 13.7100 12.1700 11.7700 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY September 21, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,726.60 -28.40 FBMKLCI 1,448.21 -3.35 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 557.05 -1.10 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 174.41 -0.00 CONSTRUCTION 184.68 -0.29 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,227.90 +9.58 ENERGY 891.89 -12.20 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 584.38 -0.45 HEALTH CARE 1,705.15 -13.80 TRANSPORTATION 916.97 -0.98 PROPERTY 875.82 -1.13 PLANTATION 6,925.10 -53.60 FBMSHA 10,972.40 -45.90 FBMACE 5,214.14 +10.01 TECHNOLOGY 63.35 +0.06 TURNOVER VALUE 3.248 BIL RM2.131 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS September 21, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM HEIM 661,800 23.90 +0.22 IMASPRO 416,100 5.65 +0.21 BKAWAN 4,800 20.40 +0.20 PANAMY 11,400 19.00 +0.14 MASTER 200,500 3.14 +0.13 5 TOP LOSERS September 21, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM BAT 1,047,100 9.23 -0.19 GENTINGC2S 1,000,000 0.065 -0.185 PETDAG 478,200 23.02 -0.18 KLK 989,700 21.30 -0.14 MYETFDJ 200 0.90 -0.14 3.35 39.19 230.19 23.87 218.08 44.77 98.10 Strong China-Malaysia ties will continue: Chinese ambassador KUALA LUMPUR: The strong momentum in China-Malaysia relations will continue as both countries celebrate the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership this year, said China’s ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing. Speaking at a reception here on Wednesday to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, he said pragmatic cooperation between the two countries has yielded encouraging results. Bilateral trade reached US$106.68 billion (RM498.9 billion) in the first seven months and China continued to be Malaysia’s top trading partner, he said, citing Chinese statistics. “According to Malaysian statistics, China’s investment in Malaysia amounted to US$12.5 billion, accounting for 33.9% of Malaysia’s total foreign direct investment of last year,” he added. Ouyang noted that high-level visits between the two countries were frequent with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visiting China twice this year, reaching an important consensus with President Xi Jinping on jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future. “Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia establishing diplomatic ties, an important milestone in China-Malaysia bilateral relations history,” Ouyang said. – Bernama Turkiye gives MAHB a vote of confidence NEW YORK: Turkiye has agreed that Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will continue to operate the Istanbul Sabiha Gokchen (ISG) International Airport. During their bilateral meeting on Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed the agreement to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “He (Erdogan) agreed that MAHB should continue operating the ISG as they are oMalaysia Airports Holdings will continue to operate Istanbul Sabiha Gokchen International Airport, says Anwar US-based Top-Line to increase furniture imports from Malaysia to RM230m annually PETALING JAYA: Top-Line Furniture Corporation, a furniture importer and wholesale distributor based in Chicago, Illinois in the US, has expressed its intention to increase its imports from Malaysia to RM230 million annually over the next few years. In a statement yesterday, Top-Line said it has been sourcing home furniture from Malaysia since 2000, with total imports amounting to about RM840 million to date. Top-Line has fostered strong partnerships with some of the industry’s biggest players, including Wayfair.com, Bed Bath and Beyond, Overstock.com, Walmart.com, Target.com and Home Depot. It currently operates three distribution locations across the US spanning multiple channels, including wholesalers, online retailers and direct-to-consumer platforms. The company is among major US importers that have been importing from Malaysia for many years. Top-Line made the pledge during a oneto-one business meeting with Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz and ministry officials arranged by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation in New York City. Imports from Malaysia will grow in tandem with Top-Line’s expansion plan. New product sourcing from Malaysia will create an opportunity for the company to import RM230 million yearly of MalaysianTengku Zafrul (third, right), Top-Line Furniture deputy CEO Max Liaw (second, left), ministry officials and company executives during their one-to-one business meeting in New York on Wednesday. – BERNAMAPIC satisfied with the success of the company in the first stage and now they want to extend (operations), including building a longer runway,” he said at a press conference after meeting with the Turkiye president. Anwar, who is in New York to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly, said Turkiye strongly believes that MAHB is best suited and capable of running the ISG operations. Although the agreement to continue operations by MAHB has been announced, Anwar said it will go through the normal process by the relevant ministry. “This tremendous support is also a vote of confidence in the Malaysian company to develop and manage the ISG,” he added. Fully owned by MAHB, the airport is the sixth busiest gateway in Europe, with passenger numbers reaching 25 million in 2021, which is 70% of the prepandemic level. Cabinet ministers from both countries attended the meeting. Anwar said they also discussed efforts to increase bilateral cooperation in investment and trade. Malaysia is Turkiye’s largest trading partner in Asean with a trade volume of US$4.7 billion (RM22 billion) in 2022, a 35% growth from 2021. Malaysia’s total export volume to Turkiye in 2022 reached RM17.39 billion, which was largely comprised of palm oil, palm oilbased agricultural products, metal manufacturing, textiles, clothing, footwear, electrical and electronic products and palm oil-based manufactured products. Total imports in 2022 stood at RM2.86 billion which includes petroleum products, jewellery, iron and steel products, chemicals and chemical products, textiles, clothing and footwear. – Bernama made furniture in the next few years. The increase in sourcing will not only benefit furniture manufacturers but also supply chain players among micro, small and medium enterprises such as suppliers of components and parts (bolts and nuts), which leads to an increase in employment too. The US Furniture Market Report 2022 stated that the US furniture market is expected to reach a value of US$288.9 billion (RM1.35 trillion) by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.47% from 2022 to 2026. Malaysia exported RM13.86 billion of furniture globally in 2022, with the US being its top export destination at RM7.24 billion or 52.2% of the nation’s total furniture exports last year. Malaysia was the US’ sixth largest source of imported furniture in 2022, accounting for 2.78% of its total furniture and bedding import value. Participation 27.3 44.9 27.8 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 592.1 921.4 617.9 2131.4 Sold RM m 569.7 992.4 569.3 2131.4 Net RM m 22.4 -71.0 48.6 0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 21/9/2023

10 theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 SUNBIZ /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME SIBS 2023 expected to notch up RM1.5b negotiated sales KUALA LUMPUR: Invest Selangor Bhd anticipates a potential RM1.5 billion in negotiated sales from Selangor International Business Summit 2023 (SIBS 2023), fuelled by focused industries such as electrical and electronics, food and beverage manufacturing, digital investment, logistics services, machinery and transport equipment. According to Selangor State Exco for Investment, Trade and Mobility Ng Sze Han, who is in charge of SIBS 2023, the target of RM1.5 billion is a step upwards from SIBS 2022, which saw record-breaking participation of businesses from 60 countries taking up 906 booths and achieving RM1.45 billion in potential transaction value. “Selangor is strategically located, at the heart of Asean countries. That’s why the theme for this year is ‘Selangor, Gateway to Asean’. Companies come to Selangor to expand their businesses to other parts of Asia. This is why we believe that Selangor has the advantage to attract investment,” he said at a press conference after the official launch of SIBS 2023 yesterday. Ng said there are plans to expand the exhibitions in this year’s SIBS to better serve industrial participants and meet growing demand from buyers. “We are considering the possibility of splitting it into two or more exhibitions. We are thinking along the lines of whether to proceed with this expansion and make it bigger to accommodate more people,” he added. Ng (third from left) at the official launch of Selangor International Business Summit 2023. oOrganiser to expand promotion of this year’s Selangor International Business Summit beyond Asean – to Japan, Australia, the Middle East and China █ BYHAYATUN RAZAK [email protected] According to Invest Selangor, it is not limiting the promotional efforts for SIBS only to Asean countries, as it is extending their outreach to Japan, Australia, the Middle East and China. Ng said Selangor is committed to providing an international networking platform for the business community and an invitation has been extended to them. At the launch, he said, “At this juncture, I also want to encourage businesses and industry players who have yet to sign up to reach out to Invest Selangor and participate in SIBS in one way or another. Take this opportunity to engage in the many discussions, forge productive partnerships, and seize the opportunity within Selangor and the broader Asean market presented during SIBS 2023.” Initiated by the Selangor state government and organised by Invest Selangor, the annual business event is one of the region’s premier platforms for brands, innovators and other business movers and shakers to explore the potential to be found in the Malaysian and regional markets. The four-day SIBS 2023 features 11 events, taking up the entire eight exhibition halls and seven conference halls of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, hosting about 1,000 trade booths. The summit is anticipated to draw 50,000 trade visitors. The six main programmes are: 9th Selangor International Expo (F&B); 7th Selangor Asean Business Conference; 8th Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention; 4th Selangor R&D and Innovation Expo; 9th Selangor International Expo; and 3rd Selangor Industrial Park Expo. Moreover, SIBS 2023 will be held in parallel with Selangor International Culinary Festival; Selangor International Coffee Week; Selangor International Healthcare Conference; Malaysia International Tea & Coffee Expo; and Selangor International Business Summit Invitational Golf Tournament. 7-Eleven Malaysia unit sells 75% stake in Caring to BIG Pharmacy for RM675m KUALA LUMPUR: 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s (SEM) wholly owned subsidiary Convenience Shopping (Sabah) Sdn Bhd (CSSSB) will sell a 75% stake in Caring Pharmacy Group Bhd (Caring) for RM675 million. SEM said CSSSB has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with BIG Pharmacy to dispose of its entire stake in Caring. Motivasi Optima Sdn Bhd would also dispose of its 25% stake in Caring to BIG Pharmacy, however, this is not part of SEM’s corporate exercise, it added. “The company is expected to record an estimated one-off gain on disposal from the proposed disposal of RM251.16 million, thereby improving the net assets per share of the company to 0.34 sen from 0.12 sen as of Dec 31, 2022,” SEM said in a stock exchange filing. Upon the completion of the proposed disposal, the company said, it would be able to focus its resources on growing its convenience store segment. However, SEM said the proposed transaction did not include the disposal of the Indonesian businesses that are operated by Caring Group. The group said the bulk of the RM675 million proceeds, comprising 61.66% or RM416.19 million, will be used for its 7-CAFé store expansion, refurbishment of existing classic stores to the 7-CAFé format and convenience storerelated infrastructure investments. SEM said the proposed disposal is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year. – Bernama AmBank expects double-digit growth in loans to MSMEs KUALA LUMPUR: AmBank Group Bhd expects double digit loan growth for its micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) segment this year, driven by initial public offering (IPO) and market penetration opportunities, according to group CEO Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir. “(We expect) double-digit loan growth or at least 10%, we are looking at least RM40 million more. It’s small but we hope to do more,” he told reporters after the launch of Ambank SME Amplify during KL Fashion Week Connect Point 23 yesterday. Last year, the segment recorded single-digit loan growth. Currently, the bank has outstanding loans of RM6 billion to about 7,000 retail SME borrowers. █ BYGLORIA HARRY BEATTY [email protected] Sime Darby Property in sustainable energy partnership with TNB PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Property Bhd reached a new milestone in its sustainability journey with the establishment of a strategic partnership with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) for the exploration and development of sustainable energy initiatives. “This partnership reflects our strategy to develop a sustainable and commercially viable portfolio that will enable us to lead the domestic real estate industry’s transition to renewable energy. It also signifies our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and playing our role in the nation’s green agenda,” said Sime Darby Property’s Group managing director, Datuk Azmir Merican. Through this collaboration, both parties will explore potential joint venture partnerships to integrate rooftop solar solutions in the group’s townships and developments. The residential solar pilot project includes the leasing of rooftop spaces or implementation of rooftop solar solutions on up to 1,000 existing and future properties in the City of Elmina or other potential townships. Additionally, Sime Darby Property and TNB will seek to explore the implementation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure within townships and/or developments by the Group. Both strategic partners will also look into microgrid solutions in townships, managed industrial parks and landbanks within Sime Darby Property. Of that total, about 15% or 1,000 customers are in the MSME segment with outstanding loans of RM400 million. Sulaiman said although the MSME loan size is small, the bank sees an opportunity for it to support the segment until the enterprises potentially go for listing on Bursa Malaysia. “We want to support the SME business because it is our bread and butter, a large component of our growth has been coming from SMEs but mostly it’s coming from the bigger and medium sized SMEs, while the MSMEs are still largely underpenetrated ... it’s small, we’ve got a RM27 billion base, it’s only RM400 million” he said. Touching on Ambank SME Amplify which provides a suite of financing and digital solutions, Sulaiman said the product aims to address the challenges that SMEs or MSMEs face by providing them with easier access to financing. He added that it launched its product at KL Fashion Week 2023 (KLFW23) to engage with fashion industry players, from manufacturers to designers. “We have panel sessions, speakers to talk about the business and the business model with the intention to educate them. To expand your business ... people are talking about how to access funding. So the idea of the event is to connect with SMEs,” said Sulaiman. Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry deputy secretary general (investment) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil said the fashion, textile and lifestyle industry is a key contributor to Malaysia’s economy. The government is committed to support the growth of the industry which generates billions in revenue and provides employment to a significant number of Malaysians, she added. “The fashion, textile and lifestyle industry in Malaysia will continue to grow and thrive. The government will continue to aspire the industry players to focus on the production of high value-added products such as high quality niche market items, invest in modern equipment, undertake research to keep abreast with new market demand and development, explore new trade opportunities, e-commerce options and pursuing social media platforms to increase revenues,” Bahria said. The event was organised by KLFW and AmBank in collaboration with Malaysian Investment Development Authority to showcase the latest developments and opportunities in the fashion, textile and lifestyle industry in Malaysia. UMW Group registers 41,386 vehicles in August PETALING JAYA: UMW Group recorded strong automotive sales in August with registration of 41,386 vehicles as UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) and associate company, Perodua continued to deliver their outstanding orders. Accordingly, the group’s automotive sales increased by 16% to 271,515 units for the first eight months of 2023, from 233,367 units registered in the same period of 2022. UMWT registered stronger monthly sales for 2023 with the delivery of 10,275 units in August, 13% higher than the 9,091 units delivered in August 2022. Year-to August, UMWT registered 67,283 units, recording 9% growth compared with the 61,639 units registered in the corresponding period of 2022. UMWT achieved market share of 13.4% for year-to-August. Perodua registered 31,111 units in August 2023, 19% higher compared with the 26,039 units delivered in August 2022, mainly due to the improving supply chain as well as enhancement of production and sales operations. Year-to-date August, Perodua’s sales surged to 204,232 units, 19% higher than the 171,728 units delivered in the same period of 2022. Accordingly, Perodua achieved market share of 40.7% for YTD August 2023. For the first eight months of 2023, Perodua’s top selling models were Bezza, Myvi and Axia.

11 * SUNBIZ theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME Federal Oats Mills launches cutting-edge factory KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Oats Mills Sdn Bhd (FOM), a pioneering leader in the industry with a rich history dating back to its incorporation in 1965, has launched its cutting-edge oat processing plant. FOM has continuously evolved and innovated, establishing itself as Southeast Asia’s first oat mill and now standing as the 13th largest exporter of oat products worldwide. Over the past 15 years, FOM’s commitment to growth and innovation has led to a sevenfold increase in its milling capacity, backed by an investment of over RM135 million. Today, FOM operates at a milling capacity of 10 tonnes per hour, a testament to its dedication to meeting the rising global demand for high-quality oats. At the launch, Penang State Exco for Local Government and Town & Country Planning (representing Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow) H’ng Mooi Lye said that FOM’s expansion is a testament to Penang’s sustainable investment location. oIndustry pioneer and leader’s RM135m investment in Penang aligns with National Food Security Policy Action Plan Meanwhile, Malaysian Investment Development Authority CEO Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman said, “The presence of this modern and fully automated facility aligns with the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030), which aims to encourage industries to shift away from labour intensive business models.” “As one of the food processing leaders in Malaysia, FOM’s commitment to advancing its technology and production capacity also benefits the local vendors within its supply chain, creating positive social spillovers and improving local economies. “In addition, its long-established halal-certified oats products have opened up numerous opportunities within the global Muslim market, highly recognising Malaysia’s halal certification,” he added. He said the increased capacity also aligns with the National Food Security Policy Action Plan, which aims to expand the accessibility and affordability of food, especially healthy food products. “Malaysia is proud to be an international halal production hub, as industry participants increasingly elevate into advanced food processing technologies for high standard of hygiene and food safety practices. We are looking forward to see FOM realising its “Captain Innovation Hub” in Malaysia and would be glad to facilitate necessary support.” he added. FOM deputy managing director Michael Chew Kian Hong said that FOM will reinforce their capacity and product line strength, providing substantial room for growth and expansion to meet market needs. “FOM has already, in the last three years, proven our strength in meeting the increasing demand of oatmeal and oat-based products in the region. I would like to emphasise that our company will continue to be deeply rooted in Penang as the state has given us so much,” he added. Looking ahead, FOM has ambitious plans for growth. Leveraging its new cutting-edge facility, FOM is looking to extend its reach into the rapidly growing plant-based beverage and meat industries. FOM is also excited to unveil its visionary Captain Innovation Hub, which is slated for completion by 2028. This hub aligns seamlessly with the pursuit of healthier lifestyles, aiming to introduce a range of innovative oat products to the younger generation. MARii, Indonesian institute in pact to strengthen tie-up KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) and Indonesia Automotive Institute (IOI) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday to strengthen their working relationship. MARii and IOI have consistently worked together advancing both Malaysia and Indonesia automotive industries. The most significant cooperation is the joint effort by MARii and IOI in creating business opportunities for local automotive vendors and Small Medium Industries in Malaysia and Indonesia by facilitating business matching, international exhibitions, and joint ventures. This is to promote growth in automotive manufacturing, parts localisation, and exports, with the aim of becoming regional and global suppliers. This MoU is geared towards the establishment of the Asean Automotive Institute or alliance, and other forms of engagement among member countries by creating business opportunities, improve supply chain management, research on cleaner fuels, and enhance battery manufacturing with the goal of a greener, more innovative automotive future. The MoU exchange took place during the EVM Summit 2023. TRX Exchange retail wing to open on Nov 29 KUALA LUMPUR: The retail wing of the TRX Exchange will open its doors to the public on Nov 29. The wing will act as a shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment destination for the Tun Razak Exchange’s international financial district. To date, 95% of the stores have been snapped up, representing over 400 outlets, spread across 1.3 million sq ft. Some of the world’s leading retailers have set up shop there including Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster; fashion brand Maison Kitsuné and the 28th branch of the acclaimed Café Kitsuné; California-based athleisure brand Alo Yoga; as well as Finnish textile, clothing and home furnishings brand Marimekko. Cult beauty brand Drunk Elephant also makes its entrance with its first ever brick and mortar store globally. In addition, TRX Beauty Galleria will bring one of the world’s most sought-after beauty brands in Swiss luxury skincare brand La Prairie and one of the world’s oldest luxury cosmetics brands Guerlain. Another attraction is Japan’s largest department store Seibu, which will occupy four levels over 250,000 sq ft. For lovers of nature, the TRX City Park, the largest rooftop public park measuring 10-acres will also be opened. The park has numerous facilities, including cascading greenery, children’s play areas, water features and beautifully shaded enclaves. Worldwide building two waste-to-energy plants in Selangor SHAH ALAM: Diversified government-linked company Worldwide Holdings Bhd (WHB) is developing two waste-to-energy (WTE) projects in Selangor to generate clean and renewable energy, and produce electricity. The Jeram WTE plant – touted to be largest and most advanced WTE in the country and located at the Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre (ISWMC) in Jeram – will process 3,000 tonnes per day (tpd) of solid waste, which will be used as feedstock for the WTE plant to generate 50MW of clean and renewable energy. The other plant to be developed at the Tanjung Dua Belas ISWMC in Kuala Langat is capable of processing 1,800 tpd of solid waste to produce 38MW of electricity. By harnessing the potential of waste as a resource, WHB is not only addressing the state’s waste management challenges but also contributing to its energy needs in an ecofriendly manner. This not only reduces the reliance on fossil fuels but also mitigates the environmental impact associated with their extraction and consumption. The two ISWMC are also able to treat a wide spectrum of waste materials effectively as it is able to reduce the volume of solid waste by 90%. This will resolve the scarcity of land for landfills and reduce the dependency on engineered landfill disposal methods, which requires a larger environmental footprint and pose long-term environmental risks. Looking ahead, WHB plans to develop several more WTE plants over the next decade. Another record-breaking year for auto sector forecast KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Research is expecting Malaysia’s automotive sector to deliver another record-breaking year if the monthly total industry volume (TIV) strengthens in the next four months. In a note yesterday, it said strong deliveries in the second half of 2023 (H2’’23) will be supported mainly by marques with large outstanding backlogs like Perodua and Toyota, largely fuelled by Perodua Axia and Toyota Vios launches. “August TIV of 72,000 brought year-to-date TIV to 502,000 units. August saw a strong month-on-month increase, mainly from the Japanese carmakers Honda and Toyota, which rose by 30% and 23%, driven by order backlogs. The research house said its 2023 TIV estimate of 725,000 units parallels the Malaysian Automotive Association’s 2023 forecast. Meanwhile, given that 2023 could be a second consecutive record-breaking year and based on the lack of catalysts to support high orders and deliveries, RHB Research said 2024 TIV will likely soften y-o-y, especially if 2023 TIV hits a peak. “We are also expecting the backlog of major marques to gradually ease throughout the fourth quarter of 2023 (Q423). While stronger electric vehicles adoption may be an upside risk to 2024’s TIV, we do not think this will be significant enough to move the needle. In a separate note, MIDF Research said there is room for 2023’s TIV to outperform projections, while near-term revenue visibility is solid given the existing order backlog. “However, the recent round of analyst briefings has suggested that backlog order growth has started to flatten with initial signs of receding compared to March-June levels following a pickup in production to address the long waiting list previously. “While we believe TIV momentum is close to peaking after record-breaking TIV (numbers) in 2022 with another potential new record this year, we do not expect a drastic fall at this juncture,” the report said. Demand could be supported by improvement in labour market, income conditions and easing inflation, the research note said. While a strong US dollar is a margin risk, it noted that non-national auto players have been raising prices since early this year. It is keeping a neutral call on the auto sector. – Bernama Strong deliveries in 2H’23 will be supported mainly by marques with large outstanding backlogs like Perodua and Toyota. - BERNAMAPIX

12 theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 SUNBIZ @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME Bank of England freezes interest rates after inflation surprise LONDON: The Bank of England (BoE) is set to announce yesterday whether it is halting a run of interest rate hikes that stretches back to December 2021, a day after signs that it had turned a corner in tackling Britain’s high inflation problem. Investors piled into bets on the BoE keeping bank rate at 5.25% on Wednesday as soon as official data showed a surprise fall in the pace of price growth. Goldman Sachs and other banks ditched their previous calls for one more rate increase and investors put a roughly 50% chance on a pause by the BoE, up from just 20% on Tuesday. Other analysts said they still thought a final BoE rate hike was the most likely outcome after a recent jump in global oil prices, but they stressed it could go either way. “We stick with our call for a hike, but now see this as a coin toss,“ JP Morgan economist Allan Monks said. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey and his colleagues on the Monetary Policy Committee have faced intense criticism after consumer price inflation surpassed 11% in October last year. At 6.7% in August, inflation is falling towards the 5% level that the BoE predicts for the coming months – and which British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to voters ahead of an election expected next year. But it remains more than three times the BoE’s 2% target and the highest in the Group of Seven economies. Bailey and other officials have stressed in recent weeks that, while they might be close to reaching the peak of their run of rate hikes, they would probably have to keep borrowing costs at high levels for a period, dashing hopes of quick cuts. Whether it raises rates one more time or not, the challenge for the BoE is likely to be to convince investors that it will stick to its guns and not rush to cut rates even as Britain’s already fragile economy shows signs of weakening. “While the BoE will no doubt try to project a ‘higher for longer’ message, as the ECB has since its rate hike last week, history tells us that once the peak is in, forward rates move notably lower,” Dominic Bunning, head of European FX Research at HSBC, said in a note to clients. The BoE is alarmed that wages have so far defied the slowdown in the broader economy and are rising at a record pace, threatening to thwart its attempts to bring inflation down. British inflation is almost double the rate in the US, where the Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept borrowing costs on hold. Last week, the European Central Bank raised rates to a record high but signalled that it was likely to pause. – Reuters B R I E F SCHINA’S NIO LAUNCHES FIRST SMARTPHONE SHANGHAI: China’s Nio Inc yesterday unveiled a high-end smartphone designed to be used with its electric vehicles (EV), touting a plethora of related functions such as using the phone to instruct the car to park itself. The launch of the Nio Phone – the first car-specific phone to be sold by a Chinese firm, highlights the advanced state of EV technologies in the world’s biggest auto market. A Nio driver can also use the phone to notify their car to drive itself to their location (allowed in China in restricted spaces and at low speeds) and to unlock the car even when the phone is switched off. CEO William Li said the Nio Phone had more than 30 car-specific functions and had broken new ground with connection technologies. Three models are available, priced between 6,499 and 7,499 yuan (RM4,173-4,829). The phone will only be sold in China for now. – Reuters TOSHIBA: US$14B TAKEOVER BID BY JIP A SUCCESS TOKYO: Toshiba said yesterday that a US$14 billion (RM66 billion) tender offer from private equity firm Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) had ended in success – a deal which paves the way for the embattled industrial conglomerate to go private. The JIPled consortium saw 78.65% of Toshiba shares tendered, giving the group a majority of more than twothirds which would be enough to squeeze out remaining shareholders. The deal puts the 148-year-old electronics-to-power stations maker in domestic hands after years of battles with overseas activist investors. Toshiba is set to be delisted as early as in December. – Reuters HK CENTRAL BANK LEAVES INTEREST RATE UNCHANGED HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority yesterday left its base rate charged via the overnight discount window unchanged at 5.75%, tracking a decision by the US Federal Reserve to keep rates steady. The US central bank held interest rates steady as expected at the end of a two-day policy meeting but projected another rate hike by year end and monetary policy significantly tighter through 2024 than previously expected. Hong Kong’s monetary policy moves in lock-step with the US as the city’s currency is pegged to the greenback in a tight range of 7.75- 7.85 per dollar. – Reuters INDONESIA PARLIAMENT PASSES JOKOWI’S US$216B 2024 BUDGET JAKARTA: Indonesia’s parliament yesterday passed President Joko Widodo’s 3,325.1 trillion rupiah (RM1.01 trillion) budget for 2024, his final year in office, with a fiscal deficit of 2.29% of gross domestic product. The budget assumes economic growth of 5.2%, which is slightly higher than 2023’s outlook of 5.1% and a state revenue target of 2,802.3 trillion rupiah. – Reuters China’s economic struggles stir calls for deeper reforms BEIJING: China’s economic slowdown is polarising government advisers over the best way forward, with advocates of structural reforms now emerging from the shadows in a challenge to others calling for more state spending to shore up faltering growth. The rare debate among advisers, who influence policy-making but do not wield direct power, comes as global markets scramble for clues on how authorities will halt a downturn that has left millions without jobs, forced investors to flee and the yuan to tank. A dribble of piecemeal support measures from Beijing in recent months has raised questions about the tough choices China’s new economic leadership now faces over whether to prioritise short-term relief or long overdue reforms. Advisers calling for immediate stimulus argue the central government’s low debt means it can shoulder the burden with municipalities to finance infrastructure and other spending to rev up activity. But pro-reform advisers argue the stimulus playbook that helped drive growth for decades has run its course and oSome advisers urge Beijing to ramp up infrastructure spending that bolder structural changes to the economy are now needed. Both camps argue their proposals should be treated with urgency by policymakers, ahead of the annual Central Economic Work Conference, an agenda-setting gathering of top leaders expected in December. The central government’s debt as a share of gross domestic product is just 21%, far lower than 76% for local governments, including their hidden debt. China targets a budget deficit of 3% of GDP for 2023. Local governments are racing to issue the 2023 quota of 3.8 trillion yuan (RM2.4 trillion) in special bonds this month to fund infrastructure. The pro-reform camp is beating the drum for faster structural reforms, including relaxing the system of residence permits, or “hukou”, to spur consumption, removing market entry barriers for private firms at the cost of state giants. Some are calling for reviving stalled market reforms amid signs of increased state controls in the economy. International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva told Reuters over the weekend that the Fund plans to tell China to boost domestic consumption, rein in local government debt and clean up its bloated property sector. “Policy stimulus is not effective and it’s just a placebo,“ said one of the advisers. Assets seized in Singapore’s biggest money laundering case hit S$2.4b SINGAPORE: The total value of assets seized in Singapore’s biggest money laundering case has swelled to S$2.4 billion (RM8.3 billion), police said on Wednesday. The assets now include cash amounting to more than S$76 million, 68 gold bars, cryptocurrencies of more than S$38 million, more than 110 properties and 62 vehicles worth more than S$1.2 million. Last month, 400 police officers ran simultaneous raids across Singapore and arrested 10 foreigners in an anti-money laundering swoop. Police have said the 10 suspects were allegedly “laundering the proceeds of their overseas organised crime activities, including scams and online gambling”. During the raids, police seized S$1 billion worth of assets including bank accounts, S$23 million in cash, luxury homes, cars, bags, watches and two gold bars. The 10 also had various passports from Cyprus, Cambodia, Dominica, China, Turkey and Vanuatu. The amount was updated to S$1.8 billion in early September as investigations led authorities to assets in Swiss banks. The large amounts seized in the case has been the talk of the town in Singapore, which has attracted vast investments and private wealth since the pandemic but is generally know for having low crime rates. Latest figures from the central bank show that total assets under management in Singapore rose 16% in 2021 to S$5.4 trillion, compared with a global increase of 12% to $112 trillion the same year. – Reuters Liu Shijin, an adviser to the central bank, said China must push reforms to unleash spending power of migrant workers who had entered cities, a view shared by former central bank head Yi Gang. Reforms are urgently needed as growth engines such as property, exports and infrastructure are stalling, he said. “If we continue to focus on macroeconomic policies to stabilise growth, the side effects will increase, and more importantly, the opportunity for structural reform will be missed again,“ Liu told a forum last month. Despite the heated debate, analysts expect Chinese leaders can walk a tightrope between stimulus and reforms. “China’s current economic woes are caused by both cyclical and structural factors and, hence, require measures on both fronts,“ Tao Wang, chief China economist at UBS, said in a note. The world’s second-largest economy is showing some signs of stabilsing after a flurry of modest policy measures, but the outlook is clouded by a property downturn, aging demographics, high debt and geopolitical tensions. The Asian Development Bank on Wednesday trimmed its growth forecast of China to 4.9% from 5% in July due to the weakness in the property sector. – Reuters IMF urges China to boost domestic consumption, rein in local government debt and clean up its bloated property sector. –AFPPIX

13 * SPORTS theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MURNI PROPERTIES SDN BHD [Company Registration No: 198001009368 (63152-X)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 10.30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted, the property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. Dated this 22nd September 2023 Wong Heng Boon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Note: A member entitled to attend and vote in this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing such a proxy must be deposited at the office of the Liquidator, Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF IGB DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES SDN BHD [Company Registration No: 201501017052 (1142386-A)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 09.30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted, the property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. Dated this 22nd September 2023 Wong Heng Boon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Note: A member entitled to attend and vote in this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing such a proxy must be deposited at the office of the Liquidator, Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PENTAS JASA SDN BHD [Company Registration No: 201601006247 (1177174-H)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 09.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted, the property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. Dated this 22nd September 2023 Wong Heng Boon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Note: A member entitled to attend and vote in this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing such a proxy must be deposited at the office of the Liquidator, Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF ENTIRE ENTITY SDN. BHD. { Company No. 201301037288 (1067117-K) } (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459(1) of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Contributories of the Company will be held at 123-O Third Floor, Wisma Lister Garden, Macalister Road, 10400 Georgetown, Penang on the 23rd day of October, 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes :- 1. To consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing how the winding up has been conducted and to receive any explanation thereon. 2. To resolve under Section 518(3) (b) of the Companies Act 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company may be destroyed after the expiration of six months from the date of the Final Meeting. Yeoh Kar Siew Liquidator Dated : September 22, 2023 Note: A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend on his or her stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at 123-O Third Floor, Wisma Lister Garden, Macalister Road, 10400 Georgetown, Penang not less than 48 hours before the time set for holding the meeting. NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTARY WINDING UP OF LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP (Section 50(4) (a) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012) Notice is hereby given that TT EQUITY PLT (LLP Registration No.: 201504001432/ LLP0005209-LGN) will be making an application to the Registrar of Limited Liability Partnerships for a declaration of dissolution pursuant to section 50(2) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012 within seven (7) days after the application of this notice. Any partner or creditor of the LLP desiring to object to the application may do so in writing to the Companies Commission of Malaysia within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice. Dated this 22nd September 2023 NAMAJ SDN. BHD. Company No. 198001000170 (53953-U) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at the Car Park of The Flat of Lintang Bakau, Jalan Jelutong, 11600 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang on 15th October 2023 at 10.00 a.m. AGENDA 1. Special Resolutions 1.1 To resolve that the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 to facilitate for the transfer of strata titles to the qualified property purchasers and the beneficiaries of units of flats erected on all those pieces of lands known as Holding Nos. 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, and Lot 649 (now known as Geran 66467, Lot No. 923), Bandar of Jelutong, Section 1, Daerah Timur Laut, Pulau Pinang (“Lands”). 2. Ordinary Resolutions 2.1 To consider and, if thought fit, approve the legal and liquidator’s fees and expenses. 2.2 To consider and, if thought fit, that in the absence of the Declaration of Trust dated 12th March 1980 which required to be furnished by the unit purchasers, the directors are hereby authorised to apply to the high court for a Declaration of Trust to declare that the Company holds the said Lands and the units of flats erected on the said Lands (“Properties”) as set out against the respective names of the beneficiaries mentioned therein. 2.3 To resolve that approval is given that the entitlement and the right of claim of the properties by each unit purchaser or the beneficiaries of the unit purchaser upon them satisfied all the following: a. Producing valid sale and purchase agreements and any other relevant documents required; b. Satisfaction of the purchase price of the Properties; c. Satisfaction of the contribution towards the discharging of loan due to Southern Credit Investments Berhad; d. Satisfaction of the contribution towards the funds for the cost of rehabilitation of the development project and the maintenance fee and quit rent; and e. Satisfaction of the legal and winding-up fees and expenses. 3. To transact any other business which may be properly brought forward. By order of the Board, Lim Saw Im Company Secretary Dated this 22nd September 2023 Notes: 1. A member entitled to attend and vote at the General Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. The proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. 2. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Registered Office at 60, Sri Bahari Road, 10200 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or any adjournment thereof. A proxy form is enclosed. 3. For further enquiry, please contact Ms. Teoh at 04-2627055. NOTIS DI DALAM PERKARA AKTA SYARIKAT, 2016 DAN DI DALAM PERKARA GENYO SDN. BHD. No. Pendaftaran 199901026477 (501377-W) (Dalam Penggulungan Sukarela oleh Pemegang Saham) NOTIS adalah dengan ini diberikan bahawa mengikut Seksyen 459(2) Akta Syarikat, 2016, Mesyuarat Akhir Syarikat di atas yang akan diadakan di 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang pada 23 Oktober 2023 pada jam 11.00 pagi untuk tujuan berikut: i. Untuk mempertimbangkan dan sekiranya difikirkan wajar, meluluskan Akaun Terakhir Pelikuidasi yang menunjukkan bagaimana penggulungan telah dijalankan dan harta syarikat itu telah dilupuskan; ii. Untuk menyelesaikan di bawah Seksyen 459(5) Akta Syarikat, 2016 bahawa selepas tamat tempoh tiga bulan dari tarikh mesyuarat akhir, Syarikat akan dibubarkan; dan iii. Untuk menyelesaikan di bawah Seksyen 518(3)(b) Akta Syarikat 2016, bahawa buku-buku, akaun dan dokumen Syarikat dan Pelikuidasi dimusnahkan menerusi resolusi syarikat dalam tempoh tiga bulan daripada tarikh mesyuarat akhir. Penang Bertarikh 22 September 2023 ...................... LAM WAI MIN Pelikuidasi Nota : Seorang ahli yang berhak menghadiri dan mengundi di mesyuarat ini boleh melantik seorang proksi dan mengundi bagi pihaknya. Proksi dibenarkan tetapi tidak semestinya seorang ahli Syarikat. Suratcara perlantikan proksi hendaklah diserahkan di pejabat pelikuidasi, 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang tidak kurang daripada 48 jam sebelum mesyuarat. NOTIS DI DALAM PERKARA AKTA SYARIKAT, 2016 DAN DI DALAM PERKARA MIDAS NATURAL RESOURCES SDN. BHD. No. Pendaftaran 201601020838 (1191776-U) (Dalam Penggulungan Sukarela oleh Pemegang Saham) NOTIS adalah dengan ini diberikan bahawa mengikut Seksyen 459(2) Akta Syarikat, 2016, Mesyuarat Akhir Syarikat di atas yang akan diadakan di 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang pada 24 Oktober 2023 pada jam 11.30 pagi untuk tujuan berikut: i. Untuk mempertimbangkan dan sekiranya difikirkan wajar, meluluskan Akaun Terakhir Pelikuidasi yang menunjukkan bagaimana penggulungan telah dijalankan dan harta syarikat itu telah dilupuskan; ii. Untuk menyelesaikan di bawah Seksyen 459(5) Akta Syarikat, 2016 bahawa selepas tamat tempoh tiga bulan dari tarikh mesyuarat akhir, Syarikat akan dibubarkan; dan iii. Untuk menyelesaikan di bawah Seksyen 518(3)(b) Akta Syarikat 2016, bahawa buku-buku, akaun dan dokumen Syarikat dan Pelikuidasi dimusnahkan menerusi resolusi syarikat dalam tempoh tiga bulan daripada tarikh mesyuarat akhir. Penang Bertarikh 22 September 2023 .............................. LAM WAI MIN Pelikuidasi Nota : Seorang ahli yang berhak menghadiri dan mengundi di mesyuarat ini boleh melantik seorang proksi dan mengundi bagi pihaknya. Proksi dibenarkan tetapi tidak semestinya seorang ahli Syarikat. Suratcara perlantikan proksi hendaklah diserahkan di pejabat pelikuidasi, 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang tidak kurang daripada 48 jam sebelum mesyuarat. NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MIDAS NATURAL RESOURCES SDN. BHD. Registration No. 201601020838 (1191776-U) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang on October 24, 2023 at 11.30 a.m. for the following purposes: i. To consider and, if thought fit, adopt the Final Account of the Liquidator showing how the winding up has been conducted and the property of the company has been disposed of; ii. To resolve under Section 459(5) of the Companies Act, 2016 that after the expiration of three months from the date of the final meeting, the Company shall be dissolved; and iii. To resolve under Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, that the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator be destroyed as the company resolution directs after the expiration of three months from the date of the final meeting. Penang Dated this September 22, 2023 ..................... LAM WAI MIN Liquidator Note : A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. The Proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF FRATELLO GLOBAL SDN. BHD. Registration No. 200601026859 (746614-T) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of Members of the Company will be held at 22A, Jalan SS21/35, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor on 31st October, 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes :- 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the property disposed of and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution the manner and period in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be destroyed. Lim Beng Hong Liquidator Petaling Jaya Date: 22nd September, 2023 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI SEREMBAN DALAM NEGERI SEMBILAN DARUL KHUSUS, MALAYSIA SAMAN PEMULA NO.: NA-24NCVC-389-07/2023 Dalam Perkara mengenai Hartanah yang dipegang di bawah Geran 38662 Lot 2402 Daerah Port Dickson Negeri Sembilan; Dan Dalam Perkara mengenai Hartanah yang dipegang di bawah Geran 38663 Lot 2403 Daerah Port Dickson Negeri Sembilan; Dan Dalam Perkara mengenai Hartanah yang dipegang di bawah Master Title CT 12920 Mukim Port Dickson; Dan Dalam Perkara mengenai Perjanjian bertarikh 26.8.1982; Dan Dalam Perkara Seksyen 141A, 142 145(1) Dan 417 Kanun Tanah Negara, 1965; Dan Dalam Perkara Aturan 7 Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012; Dan Dalam Perkara Aturan 92 Kaedah 4 KaedahKaedah Mahkamah 2012 ANTARA 1. TAN YAN HONG (NO. K/P : 651116-10-5584) 2. MURUGAN A/L NARAYANASAMY (NO. K/P : 740918-05-5325) 3. ROSE MARY A/P IRUDAYASAMY (NO. K/P : 700818-05-5188) 4. SINNATHAL A/P SETTAMBRAM (NO. K/P : 441028-05-5040) 5. TEO AI YIN (NO. K/P : 880206-05-5380) 6. PALANIYAPPAN A/L KARUPPANNAN (NO. K/P : 8176045) 7. TEO POH SIONG (NO. K/P : 910408-05-5519) 8. MUNISAMY A/L RAMOO (NO. K/P : 0907821 (LAMA) 9. KUAN LOW @ SIOW KUAN LOW (NO. K/P : 4001589 (LAMA) 10. CHANDRAN A/L ARUMUGAM (NO. K/P : 520313-04-5277) 11. NAVU A/P APPAVU (NO. K/P : 0907821 (LAMA) 12. BALAKRISHNAN A/ L PERUMAL (NO. K/P : 611118-05-5393) 13. PARAMASIVAM A/L VELOO (NO. K/P : 540405-05-5075) 14. SUMADY A/ P SUBRAMANIAM (NO. K/P : 590529-05-5320) [Membaca tindakan di atas kapasiti sebagai Pentadbir] 15. RAMAYEE A/P SUBRAMANIAM (NO. K/P : 400308-05-5044) [Membawa tindakan di atas kapasiti sebagai Pentadbir] 16. TEVENDRAN A/L KRISHNAN (NO. K/P : 890906-05-5401) 17. GAN TUAN KIONG (NO. K/P : 621014-05-5275) 18. KALAVATHY A/P KESAVAN (NO. K/P : 591124-05-5028) 19. JANAKI A/P VEERASAMY (NO. K/P : 470128-05-5104) 20. SADIAMMAH A/P RAMAN (NO. K/P : 611022-05-5436) [Membawa tindakan di atas kapasiti sebagai Pentadbir] 21. R. MUNUSMAY A/L RETNAM (NO. K/P : 440510-01-5085) 22. KRISHNASAMY A/L PERUMAL (NO. K/P : 500406-05-5185) 23. KASAVAN A/L SUBRAYAN (NO. K/P : 311019-05-5043) 24. NG KOK CHIN (NO. K/P : 580830-05-5099) ...PLAINTIF- PLAINTIF DAN 1. PACHIAPAN A/L NADESON (NO. K/P : 490118-05-5037) 2. KAMALAM D/O VENGA KAVANDAR 3. KARAPAYAH A/L VALLAN 4. PALANY A/L SIKKAN (NO. K/P : 4101213) ...DEFENDAN-DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Kepada 1. PACHIAPAN A/L NADESON (NO. K/P : 490118-05-5037) 2. KAMALAM D/O VENGA KAVANDAR (NO. K/ P : - ) 3. KARAPAYAH A/L VALLAN 4. PALANY A/L SIKKAN (NO. K/P : 4101213) Penyampaian sesalinan Saman Pemula bertarikh 26/07/2023 dan Afidavit Sokongan yang diikrarkan oleh Krishnasamy a/I Perumal bertarikh 26/07/2023 (selepas ini dirujuk sebagai ‘dokumen-dokumen tersebut‘) terhadap Defendan-Defendan dilakukan secara penyampaian ganti iaitu dengan cara pengiklanan di dalam akhbar “The Sun”, penampalan di beberapa tempat yang mudah dilihat di Hartanah yang dipegang di bawah Master Title CT 12920 Mukim Port Dickson dan penampalan di papan kenyataan Mahkamah Tinggi Seremban menurut Perintah Mahkamah yang akan dikeluarkan nanti. Pengiklanan dan penampalan tersebut akan dianggap sebagai penyerahan sempurna bagi dokumen-dokumen tersebut kepada Defendan-Defendan dalam masa empat belas (14) hari dari tarikh penyampaian tersebut dilakukan. DAN SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa Saman Pemula ini ditetapkan untuk Pengurusan Kes pada 26/09/2023 jam 9.00 pagi di Mahkamah Tinggi 2, Seremban dan kamu dikehendaki memasukkan kehadiran dalam masa empat belas (14) hari dari penyampaian terhadap kamu. Notis ini diperiksa oleh kamu atas permintaan di Mahkamah Tinggi Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Darul Khusus Bertarikh pada 20 September 2023 ...............T.T............... Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Seremban NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Sharif & Khoo, Peguam bagi PlaintifPlaintif yang beralamat di No. 6, Jalan Tuanku Hassan, 70000 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. No. Tel No. : 06-761 1257 Faks : 06-763 5431 No. Ruj : [email protected] Emel : SK/CA/ 1293/23 LAND FOR SALE 5 Vacant Lands and 1 Vacant Land both located at Jln. Kampung Besar, Bukit Mertajam. For sale at RM28-RM33 per sqft. Total approx. 15acres in 2 difierent sites. Interested, contact Chris 012-5559398 / MayFang 012-4553727 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CHIT GUAN (BP) SDN. BHD. 198001003845 (57629-U) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING UNDER SECTION 459 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Final Meeting of the Company will be held at 7, Jalan Rotan Cucur, Taman Sri Jaya, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor on 23 OCTOBER 2023 at 10.00 a.m. AGENDA 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s account of receipts, payment and statements of distribution among the contributories, showing the manner in which winding-up has been conducted and to hear any explanation arising therefrom. 2. To determine pursuant Section 518 of the Companies Act 2016, the manner in which the books, papers, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator(s) thereof shall be disposed of. PHAN LI CHING NURATIKA BINTI MOHAMED NG KOK KEONG Liquidator(s) Dated : 22 SEPTEMBER 2023 SOUTHERN CONSORTIUM SDN. BHD. Company Registration No. 198201005058 (84808-T) (Incorporated in Malaysia) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 (1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 a final meeting of the members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Suite 12-A Gurney Tower Office, 18 Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 11.00 a.m. AGENDA 1. To receive accounts from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the assets of the Company dispose of and to hear any explanations that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as an Ordinary Resolution: “That the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator, shall be kept by the Liquidator for a period of three months after the Company has been dissolved, and that thereafter such books, accounts and documents may be destroyed by the Liquidator.” LAU KIM SEONG Liquidator Penang Dated: 22nd September 2023 204 Land for Sale 322 Notices 322 Notices NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GENYO SDN. BHD. Registration No. 199901026477 (501377-W) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang on October 23, 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes: i. To consider and, if thought fit, adopt the Final Account of the Liquidator showing how the winding up has been conducted and the property of the company has been disposed of; ii. To resolve under Section 459(5) of the Companies Act, 2016 that after the expiration of three months from the date of the final meeting, the Company shall be dissolved; and iii. To resolve under Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, that the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator be destroyed as the company resolution directs after the expiration of three months from the date of the final meeting. Penang Dated this September 22, 2023 ______________ LAM WAI MIN Liquidator Note: A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. The Proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 3-10, Medan Perniagaan, Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PUNCAK MEGAH (M) SDN BHD [Company Registration No: 198901011358 (188663-P)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted, the property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. Dated this 22nd September 2023 Wong Heng Boon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Note: A member entitled to attend and vote in this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing such a proxy must be deposited at the office of the Liquidator, Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. 322 Notices NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MURNI PROPERTIES SDN BHD [Company Registration No: 198001009368 (63152-X)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 10.30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted, the property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. Dated this 22nd September 2023 Wong Heng Boon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Note: A member entitled to attend and vote in this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing such a proxy must be deposited at the office of the Liquidator, Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF IGB DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES SDN BHD [Company Registration No: 201501017052 (1142386-A)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 09.30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted, the property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. Dated this 22nd September 2023 Wong Heng Boon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Note: A member entitled to attend and vote in this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing such a proxy must be deposited at the office of the Liquidator, Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PENTAS JASA SDN BHD [Company Registration No: 201601006247 (1177174-H)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 09.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted, the property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. Dated this 22nd September 2023 Wong Heng Boon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Note: A member entitled to attend and vote in this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing such a proxy must be deposited at the office of the Liquidator, Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF ENTIRE ENTITY SDN. BHD. { Company No. 201301037288 (1067117-K) } (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459(1) of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Contributories of the Company will be held at 123-O Third Floor, Wisma Lister Garden, Macalister Road, 10400 Georgetown, Penang on the 23rd day of October, 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes :- 1. To consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing how the winding up has been conducted and to receive any explanation thereon. 2. To resolve under Section 518(3) (b) of the Companies Act 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company may be destroyed after the expiration of six months from the date of the Final Meeting. Yeoh Kar Siew Liquidator Dated : September 22, 2023 Note: A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend on his or her stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at 123-O Third Floor, Wisma Lister Garden, Macalister Road, 10400 Georgetown, Penang not less than 48 hours before the time set for holding the meeting. NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTARY WINDING UP OF LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP (Section 50(4) (a) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012) Notice is hereby given that TT EQUITY PLT (LLP Registration No.: 201504001432/ LLP0005209-LGN) will be making an application to the Registrar of Limited Liability Partnerships for a declaration of dissolution pursuant to section 50(2) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012 within seven (7) days after the application of this notice. Any partner or creditor of the LLP desiring to object to the application may do so in writing to the Companies Commission of Malaysia within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice. Dated this 22nd September 2023 NAMAJ SDN. BHD. Company No. 198001000170 (53953-U) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at the Car Park of The Flat of Lintang Bakau, Jalan Jelutong, 11600 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang on 15th October 2023 at 10.00 a.m. AGENDA 1. Special Resolutions 1.1 To resolve that the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 to facilitate for the transfer of strata titles to the qualified property purchasers and the beneficiaries of units of flats erected on all those pieces of lands known as Holding Nos. 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, and Lot 649 (now known as Geran 66467, Lot No. 923), Bandar of Jelutong, Section 1, Daerah Timur Laut, Pulau Pinang (“Lands”). 2. Ordinary Resolutions 2.1 To consider and, if thought fit, approve the legal and liquidator’s fees and expenses. 2.2 To consider and, if thought fit, that in the absence of the Declaration of Trust dated 12th March 1980 which required to be furnished by the unit purchasers, the directors are hereby authorised to apply to the high court for a Declaration of Trust to declare that the Company holds the said Lands and the units of flats erected on the said Lands (“Properties”) as set out against the respective names of the beneficiaries mentioned therein. 2.3 To resolve that approval is given that the entitlement and the right of claim of the properties by each unit purchaser or the beneficiaries of the unit purchaser upon them satisfied all the following: a. Producing valid sale and purchase agreements and any other relevant documents required; b. Satisfaction of the purchase price of the Properties; c. Satisfaction of the contribution towards the discharging of loan due to Southern Credit Investments Berhad; d. Satisfaction of the contribution towards the funds for the cost of rehabilitation of the development project and the maintenance fee and quit rent; and e. Satisfaction of the legal and winding-up fees and expenses. 3. To transact any other business which may be properly brought forward. By order of the Board, Lim Saw Im Company Secretary Dated this 22nd September 2023 Notes: 1. A member entitled to attend and vote at the General Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. The proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. 2. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Registered Office at 60, Sri Bahari Road, 10200 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or any adjournment thereof. A proxy form is enclosed. 3. For further enquiry, please contact Ms. Teoh at 04-2627055. NOTIS DI DALAM PERKARA AKTA SYARIKAT, 2016 DAN DI DALAM PERKARA GENYO SDN. BHD. No. Pendaftaran 199901026477 (501377-W) (Dalam Penggulungan Sukarela oleh Pemegang Saham) NOTIS adalah dengan ini diberikan bahawa mengikut Seksyen 459(2) Akta Syarikat, 2016, Mesyuarat Akhir Syarikat di atas yang akan diadakan di 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang pada 23 Oktober 2023 pada jam 11.00 pagi untuk tujuan berikut: i. Untuk mempertimbangkan dan sekiranya difikirkan wajar, meluluskan Akaun Terakhir Pelikuidasi yang menunjukkan bagaimana penggulungan telah dijalankan dan harta syarikat itu telah dilupuskan; ii. Untuk menyelesaikan di bawah Seksyen 459(5) Akta Syarikat, 2016 bahawa selepas tamat tempoh tiga bulan dari tarikh mesyuarat akhir, Syarikat akan dibubarkan; dan iii. Untuk menyelesaikan di bawah Seksyen 518(3)(b) Akta Syarikat 2016, bahawa buku-buku, akaun dan dokumen Syarikat dan Pelikuidasi dimusnahkan menerusi resolusi syarikat dalam tempoh tiga bulan daripada tarikh mesyuarat akhir. Penang Bertarikh 22 September 2023 ...................... LAM WAI MIN Pelikuidasi Nota : Seorang ahli yang berhak menghadiri dan mengundi di mesyuarat ini boleh melantik seorang proksi dan mengundi bagi pihaknya. Proksi dibenarkan tetapi tidak semestinya seorang ahli Syarikat. Suratcara perlantikan proksi hendaklah diserahkan di pejabat pelikuidasi, 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang tidak kurang daripada 48 jam sebelum mesyuarat. NOTIS DI DALAM PERKARA AKTA SYARIKAT, 2016 DAN DI DALAM PERKARA MIDAS NATURAL RESOURCES SDN. BHD. No. Pendaftaran 201601020838 (1191776-U) (Dalam Penggulungan Sukarela oleh Pemegang Saham) NOTIS adalah dengan ini diberikan bahawa mengikut Seksyen 459(2) Akta Syarikat, 2016, Mesyuarat Akhir Syarikat di atas yang akan diadakan di 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang pada 24 Oktober 2023 pada jam 11.30 pagi untuk tujuan berikut: i. Untuk mempertimbangkan dan sekiranya difikirkan wajar, meluluskan Akaun Terakhir Pelikuidasi yang menunjukkan bagaimana penggulungan telah dijalankan dan harta syarikat itu telah dilupuskan; ii. Untuk menyelesaikan di bawah Seksyen 459(5) Akta Syarikat, 2016 bahawa selepas tamat tempoh tiga bulan dari tarikh mesyuarat akhir, Syarikat akan dibubarkan; dan iii. Untuk menyelesaikan di bawah Seksyen 518(3)(b) Akta Syarikat 2016, bahawa buku-buku, akaun dan dokumen Syarikat dan Pelikuidasi dimusnahkan menerusi resolusi syarikat dalam tempoh tiga bulan daripada tarikh mesyuarat akhir. Penang Bertarikh 22 September 2023 .............................. LAM WAI MIN Pelikuidasi Nota : Seorang ahli yang berhak menghadiri dan mengundi di mesyuarat ini boleh melantik seorang proksi dan mengundi bagi pihaknya. Proksi dibenarkan tetapi tidak semestinya seorang ahli Syarikat. Suratcara perlantikan proksi hendaklah diserahkan di pejabat pelikuidasi, 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang tidak kurang daripada 48 jam sebelum mesyuarat. NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MIDAS NATURAL RESOURCES SDN. BHD. Registration No. 201601020838 (1191776-U) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang on October 24, 2023 at 11.30 a.m. for the following purposes: i. To consider and, if thought fit, adopt the Final Account of the Liquidator showing how the winding up has been conducted and the property of the company has been disposed of; ii. To resolve under Section 459(5) of the Companies Act, 2016 that after the expiration of three months from the date of the final meeting, the Company shall be dissolved; and iii. To resolve under Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, that the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator be destroyed as the company resolution directs after the expiration of three months from the date of the final meeting. Penang Dated this September 22, 2023 ..................... LAM WAI MIN Liquidator Note : A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. The Proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF FRATELLO GLOBAL SDN. BHD. Registration No. 200601026859 (746614-T) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of Members of the Company will be held at 22A, Jalan SS21/35, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor on 31st October, 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes :- 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the property disposed of and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution the manner and period in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be destroyed. Lim Beng Hong Liquidator Petaling Jaya Date: 22nd September, 2023 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI SEREMBAN DALAM NEGERI SEMBILAN DARUL KHUSUS, MALAYSIA SAMAN PEMULA NO.: NA-24NCVC-389-07/2023 Dalam Perkara mengenai Hartanah yang dipegang di bawah Geran 38662 Lot 2402 Daerah Port Dickson Negeri Sembilan; Dan Dalam Perkara mengenai Hartanah yang dipegang di bawah Geran 38663 Lot 2403 Daerah Port Dickson Negeri Sembilan; Dan Dalam Perkara mengenai Hartanah yang dipegang di bawah Master Title CT 12920 Mukim Port Dickson; Dan Dalam Perkara mengenai Perjanjian bertarikh 26.8.1982; Dan Dalam Perkara Seksyen 141A, 142 145(1) Dan 417 Kanun Tanah Negara, 1965; Dan Dalam Perkara Aturan 7 Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012; Dan Dalam Perkara Aturan 92 Kaedah 4 KaedahKaedah Mahkamah 2012 ANTARA 1. TAN YAN HONG (NO. K/P : 651116-10-5584) 2. MURUGAN A/L NARAYANASAMY (NO. K/P : 740918-05-5325) 3. ROSE MARY A/P IRUDAYASAMY (NO. K/P : 700818-05-5188) 4. SINNATHAL A/P SETTAMBRAM (NO. K/P : 441028-05-5040) 5. TEO AI YIN (NO. K/P : 880206-05-5380) 6. PALANIYAPPAN A/L KARUPPANNAN (NO. K/P : 8176045) 7. TEO POH SIONG (NO. K/P : 910408-05-5519) 8. MUNISAMY A/L RAMOO (NO. K/P : 0907821 (LAMA) 9. KUAN LOW @ SIOW KUAN LOW (NO. K/P : 4001589 (LAMA) 10. CHANDRAN A/L ARUMUGAM (NO. K/P : 520313-04-5277) 11. NAVU A/P APPAVU (NO. K/P : 0907821 (LAMA) 12. BALAKRISHNAN A/ L PERUMAL (NO. K/P : 611118-05-5393) 13. PARAMASIVAM A/L VELOO (NO. K/P : 540405-05-5075) 14. SUMADY A/ P SUBRAMANIAM (NO. K/P : 590529-05-5320) [Membaca tindakan di atas kapasiti sebagai Pentadbir] 15. RAMAYEE A/P SUBRAMANIAM (NO. K/P : 400308-05-5044) [Membawa tindakan di atas kapasiti sebagai Pentadbir] 16. TEVENDRAN A/L KRISHNAN (NO. K/P : 890906-05-5401) 17. GAN TUAN KIONG (NO. K/P : 621014-05-5275) 18. KALAVATHY A/P KESAVAN (NO. K/P : 591124-05-5028) 19. JANAKI A/P VEERASAMY (NO. K/P : 470128-05-5104) 20. SADIAMMAH A/P RAMAN (NO. K/P : 611022-05-5436) [Membawa tindakan di atas kapasiti sebagai Pentadbir] 21. R. MUNUSMAY A/L RETNAM (NO. K/P : 440510-01-5085) 22. KRISHNASAMY A/L PERUMAL (NO. K/P : 500406-05-5185) 23. KASAVAN A/L SUBRAYAN (NO. K/P : 311019-05-5043) 24. NG KOK CHIN (NO. K/P : 580830-05-5099) ...PLAINTIF- PLAINTIF DAN 1. PACHIAPAN A/L NADESON (NO. K/P : 490118-05-5037) 2. KAMALAM D/O VENGA KAVANDAR 3. KARAPAYAH A/L VALLAN 4. PALANY A/L SIKKAN (NO. K/P : 4101213) ...DEFENDAN-DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Kepada 1. PACHIAPAN A/L NADESON (NO. K/P : 490118-05-5037) 2. KAMALAM D/O VENGA KAVANDAR (NO. K/ P : - ) 3. KARAPAYAH A/L VALLAN 4. PALANY A/L SIKKAN (NO. K/P : 4101213) Penyampaian sesalinan Saman Pemula bertarikh 26/07/2023 dan Afidavit Sokongan yang diikrarkan oleh Krishnasamy a/I Perumal bertarikh 26/07/2023 (selepas ini dirujuk sebagai ‘dokumen-dokumen tersebut‘) terhadap Defendan-Defendan dilakukan secara penyampaian ganti iaitu dengan cara pengiklanan di dalam akhbar “The Sun”, penampalan di beberapa tempat yang mudah dilihat di Hartanah yang dipegang di bawah Master Title CT 12920 Mukim Port Dickson dan penampalan di papan kenyataan Mahkamah Tinggi Seremban menurut Perintah Mahkamah yang akan dikeluarkan nanti. Pengiklanan dan penampalan tersebut akan dianggap sebagai penyerahan sempurna bagi dokumen-dokumen tersebut kepada Defendan-Defendan dalam masa empat belas (14) hari dari tarikh penyampaian tersebut dilakukan. DAN SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa Saman Pemula ini ditetapkan untuk Pengurusan Kes pada 26/09/2023 jam 9.00 pagi di Mahkamah Tinggi 2, Seremban dan kamu dikehendaki memasukkan kehadiran dalam masa empat belas (14) hari dari penyampaian terhadap kamu. Notis ini diperiksa oleh kamu atas permintaan di Mahkamah Tinggi Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Darul Khusus Bertarikh pada 20 September 2023 ...............T.T............... Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Seremban NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Sharif & Khoo, Peguam bagi PlaintifPlaintif yang beralamat di No. 6, Jalan Tuanku Hassan, 70000 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. No. Tel No. : 06-761 1257 Faks : 06-763 5431 No. Ruj : [email protected] Emel : SK/CA/ 1293/23 LAND FOR SALE 5 Vacant Lands and 1 Vacant Land both located at Jln. Kampung Besar, Bukit Mertajam. For sale at RM28-RM33 per sqft. Total approx. 15acres in 2 difierent sites. Interested, contact Chris 012-5559398 / MayFang 012-4553727 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CHIT GUAN (BP) SDN. BHD. 198001003845 (57629-U) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING UNDER SECTION 459 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Final Meeting of the Company will be held at 7, Jalan Rotan Cucur, Taman Sri Jaya, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor on 23 OCTOBER 2023 at 10.00 a.m. AGENDA 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s account of receipts, payment and statements of distribution among the contributories, showing the manner in which winding-up has been conducted and to hear any explanation arising therefrom. 2. To determine pursuant Section 518 of the Companies Act 2016, the manner in which the books, papers, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator(s) thereof shall be disposed of. PHAN LI CHING NURATIKA BINTI MOHAMED NG KOK KEONG Liquidator(s) Dated : 22 SEPTEMBER 2023 SOUTHERN CONSORTIUM SDN. BHD. Company Registration No. 198201005058 (84808-T) (Incorporated in Malaysia) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 (1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 a final meeting of the members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Suite 12-A Gurney Tower Office, 18 Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 11.00 a.m. AGENDA 1. To receive accounts from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the assets of the Company dispose of and to hear any explanations that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as an Ordinary Resolution: “That the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator, shall be kept by the Liquidator for a period of three months after the Company has been dissolved, and that thereafter such books, accounts and documents may be destroyed by the Liquidator.” LAU KIM SEONG Liquidator Penang Dated: 22nd September 2023 204 Land for Sale 322 Notices 322 Notices NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GENYO SDN. BHD. Registration No. 199901026477 (501377-W) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at 3-10 Medan Perniagaan Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang on October 23, 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes: i. To consider and, if thought fit, adopt the Final Account of the Liquidator showing how the winding up has been conducted and the property of the company has been disposed of; ii. To resolve under Section 459(5) of the Companies Act, 2016 that after the expiration of three months from the date of the final meeting, the Company shall be dissolved; and iii. To resolve under Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, that the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator be destroyed as the company resolution directs after the expiration of three months from the date of the final meeting. Penang Dated this September 22, 2023 ______________ LAM WAI MIN Liquidator Note: A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. The Proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 3-10, Medan Perniagaan, Pauh Jaya, Jalan Baru, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PUNCAK MEGAH (M) SDN BHD [Company Registration No: 198901011358 (188663-P)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd October 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted, the property of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. Dated this 22nd September 2023 Wong Heng Boon Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Note: A member entitled to attend and vote in this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing such a proxy must be deposited at the office of the Liquidator, Wisma Laxton, 9-3 Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. 322 Notices NATIONAL track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang must continue to be given full backing despite pulling out from the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games following injuries sustained in a training accident on Friday. Malaysian contingent Chef de Mission Datuk Chong Kim Fatt said Mohd Azizulhasni, popularly known as “The Pocket Rocketman”, must be given the chance to rise again as he is a national hero that has brought much glory to the country. Kim Fatt, who is also a Malaysian Olympic Council (MOM) vice-president, said the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games silver medalist’s decision was a difficult one as he had personally promised to deliver two gold medals for the nation in Hangzhou. “To me, he (Mohd Azizulhasni) is a very good and patriotic athlete… We pray that he has a speedy recovery and will be able to continue cycling until the Paris Olympics next year. “What has happened in this Asiad is not important, what matters is his safety and health,” Kim Fatt, expressing optimism that the 35-year-old cyclist will be back to his best ahead of Paris, said when met here today. Yesterday, the cyclist announced his withdrawal from the Sept 23-Oct 8 Hangzhou Asiad after discussing it with his coach John Beasley and teammates, saying it was the best thing to do to avoid aggravating his injuries. Meanwhile, Kim Fatt is confident that the national contingent will still be able to meet the target of 27 medals even without Mohd Azizulhasni in the picture. “Based on our calculation before this, yes, we are affected as we had pinned our hopes on him as well… but after gauging the situation, we still believe we can meet our target based on supporting data,” the Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM) president said. In the 2018 JakartaPalembang edition, Mohd Azizulhasni delivered a gold in the individual sprint event, a silver (team sprint) and a bronze in the keirin event. – Bernama Pocket Rocketman needs Pocket Rocketman needs a helping hand a helping hand Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang during a press conference. – BERNAMAPIX

14 theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 SPORTS Major thrill for Koepka American sees Ryder Cup on par with winning individual titles FIVE-TIME major champion Brooks Koepka says playing for the United States in next week’s Ryder Cup will bring the same thrill as battling for top individual titles. The 33-year-old American, who captured his third PGA Championship in May at Oak Hill, will compete in this week’s LIV Golf Chicago tournament before joining the US squad next week in Italy for the Ryder Cup. Koepka, who has a history of playing his best at majors, has been preparing for weeks to face holders Europe as the Americans seek their first victory on European soil in 30 years. He sees the Cup as an equal test to a major in those terms. “I think it is,” Koepka said yesterday. “My whole mindset has been to practice for that the last few weeks. “I think it’s one of the top six, seven, biggest sporting events you can have, so I like it when there’s a little bit more eyeballs, a little bit more pressure. “It’s obviously different with the whole team thing. Sometimes you don’t play every match so you are just cheerleading from the side, which can be quite fun as well. I’ve enjoyed it. It has been great and I’m looking forward to it.” Koepka was a selection by US captain Zach Johnson after barely missing out on an automatic qualifying spot despite being banned from the PGA Tour after defecting to LIV Golf last year. Being on the opposite side of the PGA-LIV divide did not give Koepka any problem on a trip two weeks ago to Rome to see the host course before next week’s showdown. “Good trip,” he said. “Most of the guys were there. Got to see the golf course. It’s pretty difficult, but it will be interesting to see how they set it up.” When it comes to legacy, Koepka sees the Ryder Cup as much about record. He played on triumphant US sides in 2016 and 2021 and was also on the American squad that lost in France in 2018. “Everybody remembers their record, or that’s kind of what you’re known by, wins, losses,” he said. “(Ian) Poulter has pretty much made a career on that.” Koepka isn’t sure that knowing how it feels to lose in Europe will provide extra incentive this time around. “I’m not sure how many guys have been part of losing teams in Europe. But yeah, it’s definitely a different feeling,” Koepka said. “Losing is no fun but somebody has got to do it. Hopefully it’s not us this year.” Koepka didn’t approach the Marco Simone course any differently than any other layout he was analyzing ahead of a future event. “I just treat it like any other course. Just figure out those two days, figure out where I want to put the ball in the fairway. Then it comes pretty easy,” Koepka said. “Just figure out the wind and the distance that you’re trying to hit it, and you calculate that all in and that’s the club you hit off the tee. “I’ll worry about it when we get there next week, but more the green complexes, where things will be and stuff like that. Usually when I go scout a golf course, it’s for lines off the tee.” – AFP Suzuka should be great for Red Bull, says Perez RED BULL should be back to their dominant best in Japan this weekend after suffering their first defeat of the season in Singapore last Sunday, Mexican driver Sergio Perez said. The Formula One champions had won 15 races in a row until then but they return to the figure-of-eight Suzuka circuit with every expectation of wrapping up the constructors’ title with six rounds to spare. “This track is very different so there should not be a reason why not to be strong in Suzuka,” Perez told reporters at the Hondaowned track yesterday. “Actually, this should be one of the best circuits for us.” Perez, second overall but a massive 151 points behind teammate and double world champion Max Verstappen, said Red Bull still did not know exactly why they had struggled so much in Singapore. Verstappen, winner of 10 races in a row until that point, finished fifth after starting 11th at Marina Bay while Perez ended up eighth. “We obviously have some good idea on how we prepare the weekend and the misinformation we had and where things got wrong,” said the Mexican. “It’s something that we will keep internally but there’s some good indications that we probably approached the weekend with the wrong setup.” Perez said the car had felt good on the Suzuka layout in the simulator, whereas Singapore had felt bad already before last weekend. “Hopefully it aligns well and it can be a good track for us,” he added. Mercedes’ seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton expected Red Bull to be hard to beat again. “I would think that if they’re not 30 seconds ahead like they have done in the past then something’s up,” laughed the Briton, who was third in Singapore. “Their car should be phenomenal here. They’ve been phenomenal all year long, they’ve aced pretty much every circuit.” – Reuters SUZANN PETTERSEN, one of the Solheim Cup’s greatest players, believes her European team are more than capable of beating the United States this week and giving her victory as captain. Europe are aiming for an unprecedented third straight win and go into the event in Spain as marginal favourites. “We are all very ready to go,” said Norwegian Pettersen who retired from playing after holing the winning putt in 2019 at Gleneagles. “We have the strongest team that I’ve ever been part of, and that’s based on great performances over the last few years. “But with good results, there’s also expectations. But these girls are up for it and we can’t wait.” Europe have three rookies – Linn Grant, Maja Stark and Gemma Dryburgh – while the USA have five, albeit world No. 2 Lilia Vu is a double major winner this year and Allisen Corpus is the reigning US Open champion. The other three newcomers are Cheyenne Knight, Andrea Lee and the charismatic Rose Zhang. The most experienced European is Anna Nordqvist, with the three-time major winner combining her eighth appearance with a role as vice-captain. “It’s been really cool being involved behind the scenes,” said the Swede. “I am getting the chance to see the process. It makes you appreciate the experience of playing inside the ropes even more.” Stacy Lewis is the USA captain aiming to regain the Cup for the first time since the Americans’ win in Ohio six years ago. “We’ve hit the ground running,” she said. “As a player, the early part of the week seems to go on forever but, as captain, the days have flown past. Everybody has had great practice rounds.” The player under perhaps the greatest pressure is home favourite Carlota Ciganda who will be playing in her sixth Solheim Cup. “It’s a dream come true to play at home,” said the 33-year-old. “The course is tricky with the wind. More than pressure, it’s excitement.” – AFP Pettersen eyeing Solheim Cup glory Powerful second half lifts Italy ITALY recovered from a first-half scare to score 31 unanswered points in the second half and overwhelm Uruguay 38-17 in their World Cup Pool A game in Nice yesterday and claim a second consecutive bonus-point win. Uruguay deservedly led 17-7 at the break and were dreaming of a huge upset after a remarkable opening 40 minutes that began well for Italy, who scored an early try through Lorenzo Pani, but then went badly wrong as poor discipline handed the advantage to the South Americans. But just when they had to hold their nerve at the start of the second period, Uruguay lost captain Andres Vilaseca to a yellow card and Italy took full advantage, running in four tries in 15 minutes to swing the contest their way. “It was a really tough game,” Italy captain Lamaro said. “I told all the Uruguayan guys they can be proud of their performance, they put us under a lot of pressure… “What counts the most is how strong is the team and in the second half we showed that and smashed everything we could.” Samoa seek more clashes against elite ahead of Argentina clash SAMOA coach Seilala Mapusua implored rugby’s governing bodies to change the global calender as his side prepare to take on Argentina at the World Cup today (11.45pm Malaysian time). The match in Saint Etienne will be only Samoa’s third against a Tier 1 nation in four years. “We’re expected to come to the pinnacle of our sport and compete and be competitive and this is on the back of two games against a Tier 1 nation in the span of four years, and one of them being on the eve of Rugby World Cup,” said Mapusua. “This model definitely needs to be looked at, especially from our perspective. We need more meaningful games and competitive games so we can assemble our best and keep developing as a team.” Samoa have not beaten a Tier 1 nation since 2014. Cheika wants discipline from Pumas ARGENTINA coach Michael Cheika said he was not looking for anything magical from his Pumas team when they try to get their World Cup campaign back on track against Samoa on Friday. The Australian said the players had learned a lot from their opening 27-10 loss to 14-man England in Marseilles and had spent all week in training focusing on the basics. “We know the type of game we want to play, we don’t want to change too much depending on the opponent,” he told reporters after naming his team yesterday. “We have to be disciplined in our organisation, in defence and attack. It may take 60, 70 minutes until the opportunity is there, but you have to take it when it comes. “You don’t have to do something magical, it’s about playing our game disciplined and very aggressively.” Time for Tonga to show up TONGA centre Malakai Fekitoa agrees with head coach Toutai Kefu that this is the “best ever” team they have had at a Rugby World Cup, but says they must show that against Scotland on Sunday (11.45pm). The 31-year-old and three other former New Zealand stars were helpless as Ireland made Tonga pay for their lack of discipline and ran out 59-16 winners last week. Fekitoa and his fellow former All Blacks told their teammates they must learn quickly from the thrashing and move on as “this competition does not stop for anyone”. “As a team it is probably the best ever selected for Tonga,” Fekitoa said yesterday. “However, there is always massive pressure playing for your country as you are representing a lot of people.” Fekitoa admitted that attaching such a label to a team was a double-edged sword. On one side, Ireland showed them respect in selecting “their number one side”, while on the other he and his teammates failed to really display their talent on the pitch. “We defended 95 percent of the time and did not really get to showcase our talent,” he said. “I hope we can fix it quickly and perform against Scotland.” LINEOUT Koepka. – USATODAYPIX

15 * SPORTS theSUN ON FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEWS MATCH-BY-MATCH facts and stats ahead of the next round of Premier League fixtures (all in Malaysian time/10pm unless stated): TOMORROW Crystal Palace vs Fulham England midfielder Eberechi Eze has shined after the departure of Wilfried Zaha and, in the absence of injured Michael Olise, scoring one goal and providing two assists in six appearances across all competitions. Fulham will be without defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Antonee Robinson. Luton TownvsWolves None of the promoted teams, which include Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United, have won a League match this season. Wolves’ Portuguese forward Pedro Neto has the most number of assists (four) while South Korea forward Hwang Hee-chan, who scored against Liverpool last week contributed to four goals in 12 League starts for Wolves last season. Man City vsNottingham Forest Erling Haaland missed five big chances in City’s 3-1 win at West Ham United last weekend. Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, 21, registered his first goal for City against The Hammers since joining the treble winners from Ligue 1 club Rennes last month. Forest’s Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi has scored nine goals and provided two assists in his last nine League appearances. SUNDAY Brentfordvs Everton (12.30am) Brentford defender Rico Henry is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during their 1-0 loss at Newcastle United. The Bees have recorded the highest non-penalty expected goals in the League so far this season. Everton, who are 18th in the table, have been sold to 777 Partners, with the US private equity firm taking over from Farhad Moshiri in a deal worth more than £550 million (RM3.2b) Burnley vs Man United(3am) United, who sit 13th on the table, have lost three of their opening five matches in a League campaign for the first time. Only promoted Burnley and 16-placed Wolves (both 11) have conceded more goals than United (10) in the League so far. Arsenal vs Tottenham(9pm) Spurs have collected the award for Manager of the Month (Ange Postecoglou) and Player of the Month (James Maddison) in the same month for the first time in six years. Brazilian forward Richarlison became the eighth South American player to score 50 plus League goals last weekend. Arsenal beat Everton at Goodison Park last weekend for the first time in the post-Arsene Wenger era. BrightonvsBournemouth(9pm) Brighton have scored more goals (15) than any other team in the League this season amd became the first team outside the traditional “big-six” last week to win four consecutive League games against Manchester United. The Cherries drew 0-0 against Chelsea last week, taking them to 15th spot on three points after five matches. Chelsea vsAston Villa (9pm) Chelsea have just scored five goals in the League this season – their fewest after five games of a top-flight campaign since 1995-96 (five), when they finished 11th. French defender Malo Gusto has registered more assists (two) than Chelsea captain Reece James (one), who has been out with injury since the start of the season. Liverpool vsWest Ham (9pm) Mohamed Salah has provided more League assists (63) than any other African player in the competition’s history, breaking former City winger Riyad Mahrez’s record. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk will return after missing their 3-0 win home over Aston Villa and 3-1 win at Wolves after being sent off against Newcastle last month. West Ham Midfielder James Ward-Prowse has scored or assisted in six consecutive appearances in the League for the first time in his career (three goals, four assists). Sheffield UnitedvsNewcastle (11.30pm) Newcastle, who qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, have lost three of their first five League matches this season. They only lost five games last season. Sheffield defender George Baldock and forward Will Osula returned from international break with injuries, with captain John Egan also an injury doubt. Reuters Bellingham rescues Real Midfielder scores sixth goal in as many matches for Madrid J UDE BELLINGHAM rescued Real Madrid with a 94th-minute strike to earn the Spanish giants a 1-0 win over Champions League debutants Union Berlin yesterday. Carlo Ancelotti’s side, 14-time winners of the competition, were thwarted at every turn by their stubborn German opponents, who were only promoted to the Bundesliga four years ago, until Bellingham prodded home at the death. The England international has started his Madrid career in stunning goalscoring form with six goals in six games for the club across all competitions. Madrid seemed destined to take only a point after Union Berlin goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow frustrated them and Rodrygo and Joselu both hit the woodwork, until Bellingham intervened. “Scoring in the last minute is the spirit of this shirt – of not giving up,” Madrid coach Ancelotti told a news conference. “(Bellingham) has great qualities, it seems he’s got luck too, because the goal is a rebound, but he was there, he arrives from deep, and he’s more switched on than others, he’s got that quality and he’s taking advantage of it.” Real Madrid have only failed to score in one of their last 68 home matches in the Champions League, and on few occasions at the Santiago Bernabeu have they seemed as toothless as in the first half. Perhaps it should have been no surprise, with veteran Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci making his debut at the back for the visitors. “The idea was to be patient and we have been too patient. They are matches like that, which can be classified as traps,” Ancelotti said via madrisuniversal.com “We have the memory of the game vs Sheriff. In this type of match, it is worthwhile to avoid cons. “(Antonio) Rudiger’s game was outstanding and we did well at the back because we didn’t suffer,” he added Union Berlin were living on a knife-edge in the final stages, with Joselu swinging a leg at Bellingham’s cross to direct the ball fractionally wide with Ronnow beaten. Eventually Bellingham decided the game, in the right place at the right time as a deflected Fede Valverde strike fell his way in the box. “I’m disappointed, we were a minute away from taking a point so you can understand that, but on the other hand I’m very proud of my team’s result, they did everything possible,” said Berlin coach Fischer. “Football is fair – in the 95 minutes Real Madrid clearly ‘won’, but it hurts too if they take your point away in the last minute, because in defence we played well.” Madrid’s 20-year-old midfield master Bellingham took Zinedine Zidane’s No. 5 shirt when he arrived, but so far his goals have turned him into Madrid’s de facto Karim Benzema replacement. “We have the luck that he’s here playing with us and I hope he keeps scoring a lot of goals,” defender Nacho told Movistar. “It was a complete game, we had a lot of shots, the one thing we had to do was to be aware of their counter attacks – we’re very happy.” – AFP Martinez steals point for Inter at Sociedad LAUTARO MARTINEZ struck late to snatch last season’s Champions League runners-up Inter Milan a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad yesterday, denying the Spanish side a triumphant return to the competition after a decade away. Brais Mendez’s early goal split the sides in San Sebastian for most of the night but the hosts spurned several opportunities to build on their lead in an intense showing that left Simone Inzaghi’s team bruised but not beaten. The Basque side’s performance was all the more notable given Inter’s 5-1 derby thrashing of rivals AC Milan on Saturday which kept them top of Serie A. Only Martinez’s cool finish after 87 minutes rescued the Italian side from a setback at the start of their Champions League campaign. “I’m not satisfied because we did not play as we planned,” Martinez told Amazon Prime TV. “We had a lot of troubles in the first half because we were facing a team who pressed us very high and we had difficulties to build from the back.” He continued: “We did not play well but it was important to avoid defeat at least because the group would have become more complicated.” Real Sociedad may have waited 10 years to get back into the Champions League, but it only took them four minutes to go ahead. The hosts pressed defender Alessandro Bastoni high to win the ball back on the edge of the box, with Mendez sweeping it home stylishly. Inter managed to calm the game down but could not find the net until the final stages when substitute Davide Frattesi’s raking pass found Martinez, who smashed home. “We faced a very strong side tonight, we knew it, and we did well to remain in the game despite playing badly thanks to our goalkeeper,” admitted Inzaghi. “We were up against a worthy opponent. We didn’t play well, we suffered, but we did well to stay in the match.” “It was our our first match (in the competition), we’ll take this point. We saw firsthand what I already said, that Real Sociedad are a good team.” – AFP/Agencies NAPOLI escaped Sporting Braga with a 2-1 win in their Champions League opener yesterday after a Sikou Niakate own goal handed the Italians the points in the final minutes. Rudi Garcia’s side looked to be sharing the spoils in Portugal when Bruma flicked home a perfect header from Rodrigo Zalazar’s cross with six minutes remaining after Giovanni Di Lorenzo had opened the scoring for Napoli on the stroke of halftime. But with two minutes to go Niakate thumped Piotr Zielinski’s cross into his own net to give wasteful Napoli a hard-fought Group C win at a soaking Estadio Municipal. “We could have scored more goals in the first half… and if you don’t score that second goal you always risk conceding an equaliser,” said captain Di Lorenzo. “It was a big win, one that we wanted and fought for. We’re happy.” Napoli are level on three points with Real Madrid, who beat Union Berlin 1-0 and travel to Naples in their next fixture early next month. And the Italian champions will need to be more clinical in front of goal against one of the tournament favourites after missing a host of first-half opportunities and allowing Braga back into the match. Napoli could have been leading Braga, in the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2012, by three or four goals by the break. And in the end they had to be thankful that Pizzi’s stoppage-time effort somehow stayed out after crashing onto the inside of Alex Meret’s near post. Garcia has a difficult job following on from Italy boss Luciano Spalletti, who quit Napoli in the close season after winning their first league title since 1990. And yesterday’s win, the only one for an Italian team this week, will be welcomed by the Frenchman after a bumpy start to the campaign which has Napoli fifth in Serie A. – AFP Napoli squeeze past Braga after late own goal drama CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP A: Galatasaray 2 (Boey 86, Tete 88) Copenhagen 2 (Elyounoussi 35, Goncalves 58), Bayern Munich 4 (Sane 28, Gnabry 32, Kane 53-pen, Tel 90+2) Manchester United 3 (Hojlund 49, Casemiro 88, 90+5). GROUP B: Sevilla 1 (Ocampos 9) Lens 1 (Fulgini 24), Arsenal 4 (Saka 8, Trossard 20, Jesus 38, Odegaard 70) PSV Eindhoven 0. GROUP C: Real Madrid 1 (Bellingham 90+4) Union Berlin 0, Braga 1 (Bruma 84) Napoli 2 (Di Lorenzo 45+1, Niakate 88- og). GROUP D: Real Sociedad 1 (Mendez 4) Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 87), Benfica 0 Salzburg 2 (Simic 15-pen, Gloukh 51). CONFERENCE LEAGUE GROUP A: Lille 2 Olimpija Ljubljana 0. ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP: Watford 2 West Brom 2, Blackburn 1 Sunderland 3, Huddersfield 2 Stoke 2, Hull 0 Leeds 0, Millwall 3 Rotherham 0, Norwich 0 Leicester 2. RESULTS Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring against Union Berlin yesterday. – REUTERSPIX

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] DEVASTATED goalkeeper Andre Onana said he let the team down with his costly mistake at the start of Manchester United’s Champions League loss to Bayern Munich. Erik ten Hag’s side suffered a fourth loss in five matches as a bright start in Bavaria went up in smoke with the summer signing somehow letting a Leroy Sane shot squirm home. Bayern quickly added a second through Serge Gnabry and never relinquished control of the Group A opener, with Harry Kane scoring a penalty straight after Rasmus Hojlund had pulled one back after half-time. Casemiro scored either side of Mathys Tel’s stoppage-time strike in a dramatic conclusion to a 4-3 defeat that glum Onana took responsibility for. “It’s difficult,” the Cameroon international said. “It’s difficult to lose this way because I think in the beginning we started very good and after my mistake we lost control of the game. “It’s a difficult situation for us, for me especially because I’m the one who let the team down. But the team were good, very good, but because of me we didn’t win the game. “I am happy for the work of the team and we just have to move on. This is life of the goalkeeper and if we didn’t win today it’s because of me.” Onana requested to face the media after the game and was clearly cut up about his error in the first half, which he said was “the key point” in the loss. “I have to learn from it and be strong, move on,” the former Inter Milan player told TNT Sports. “It’s not an easy situation but I’m very happy for the comeback of the team. We were fighting until the end, but I have to recognise because of me we didn’t win. “I have a lot to prove because, to be honest, my start in Manchester is not so good, not how I want. “Play how I play today is one of my worst games and it’s difficult because we have big ambition, we are a very big club and we want to win everything. “It was a big opportunity for us to bounce back after the situation we are facing. It’s tough, a tough time. “We have to be together, we have to continue what we are doing, learn from our mistakes because it’s the only thing to do.” Ten Hag did not sugarcoat things when asked about Onana’s error in the press conference, but made clear it is about the team rather than an individual. “I think he shows that he takes responsibility and shows personality and the personality he needs to get in high levels,” the United boss said. “But that’s not only about him, it’s about the team’s performance, so we have to support him on the pitch, not only in life, we have to help him. “But it doesn’t only count for Andre, it counts for all the players on the pitch. They have to understand they are in the same boat and they have to be on the same page to get results.” Ten Hag said people should “not make it bigger than it is” and is sure Onana will bounce back from the clanger as attention turns to Sunday’s (3am Malaysian time) Premier League trip to Burnley. “When you score three goals in Munich you have to take at least a point, which we didn’t,” the Dutchman said. “We have to take a look at ourselves in the mirror.” As for Bayern, they were far from their free flowing best but Thomas Tuchel – banned from the touchline – was happy with the result. “It is a deserved win,” the ex-Chelsea boss said. “Every win in the Champions League is a big point. “Every win against Manchester United is a big point. We didn’t have the rhythm that we wanted and in the phase after we made it 3-1 we could have killed the game off. But we reacted well to every setback.” – The Independent FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . Read iPaper at www.thesundaily.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME Onana owns up Goalkeeper takes responsibility for Man Utd’s defeat in Munich ARSENAL had waited six years for the Champions League to return to the Emirates – and there will be many more nights here this season should they continue to play like this. A triumphant return to European football’s top table was made possible by a blistering attacking display that blew PSV apart. The Dutch visitors offered little opposition, but Arsenal’s front three were too good: all of Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus scoring in the first half to set the Gunners towards a comfortable opening victory in Group B. Gabrie Jesus led from the front on his first start of the season; the player in the Arsenal squad with the most experience in this competition showing how it was done as he tied together an attacking line-up named by Mikel Arteta. Around him, Arsenal purred. Saka and Trossard superb on the flanks, Kai Havertz looking a little less lost in midfield, even as the outstanding Martin Odegaard continued to show the levels there are still to reach. The Norwegian would add Arsenal’s fourth in the second half with a fizzing low strike from the edge of the box. But Arteta’s selection created a front five which clicked playing together for the first time this season, producing by far Arsenal’s most complete and dominant performance of the campaign so far. That it came in the Champions League was fitting; in their first match in the competition since 2017, this was a night to perform. Around the Emirates, there was a tingle of excitement when the anthem they had waited so long to hear began. It was followed by a silence as they soaked it in, and a roar afterwards. Odegaard simply nodded, as if to say that Arsenal were ready for this moment. “It was a beautiful night after such a long time,” Arteta said after the win. “We wanted to produce the right performance to win the game. It was great to see the atmosphere and the Champions League music. “Everyone was getting a bit emotional before it. We showed in both boxes today I think we were exceptional. That was the difference today, I think. “I was (emotional), yeah. I was really excited about it. I wanted to control and not show that too much, but I was really excited. “The journey started last year when we earned the right to be in this competition which is where we have to be as a club. Now we have to produce what we have to produce to stay at this level.” After watching his side struggle at times to break down opponents who have set up defensively against them in the Premier League this season, Arteta was particularly pleased with the way his attack effectively killed the contest off before the break, taking advantage of a more open game than they have been used to domestically. “(It was) very good,” he said. “That’s what we have to do. That’s why I mentioned that in the box we were exceptional today, we were ruthless, we took our chances. “(It) was top. And as well we could have done more. Probably as managers we are looking a bit more on that than any part.” Amongst an array of standout performances for Arteta’s team, Havertz enjoyed possibly the best display of his early Arsenal career. There had been signs of frustration from home supporters towards the £65 million (RM377m) summer signing during recent games at the Emirates, but he was instrumental in the team’s fluent attacking rhythm as he finally looked at home in an Arsenal shirt. “Yeah, he was really connected today in the game,” said Arteta. “It’s true I asked him to play two different roles in regards to the behaviours of the opponents and he’s so intelligent that he does it. “It’s just finishing one or two actions that we had but it’s coming and he’s so willing to do it.” – The Independent Arteta hails ‘beautiful night’ as Gunners fire Champions League warning Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (left) and Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae vie for the ball during their Champions League Group A match. – AFPPIX