The Sun - 07 June 2024

Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY RM1 FRIDAY JUNE 7, 2024 SCAN ME No. 8539 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) Expert warns of chemical leaching and microbial growth, especially with current heatwave, that could increase risk of diarrhoea and diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Report on — page 4 Assisted by four guides, 10 seasoned climbers brave extreme cold, treacherous trails and landslide to conquer 63 peaks and complete challenge in 33 days. Report on — page 6 While laws to address the issue exist, lack of enforcement perpetuates the injustice of ordinary people ending up being a victim of an abandoned housing project. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN Report on — page 2 M’sia to lead with ’sia to lead with Madani principles adani principles Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says in upholding principles of non-alignment and cooperation as 2025 Asean chair, govt ideals demonstrate it is possible to act respectfully while being active player in shaping Southeast Asian region. Beware of bottled water contamination Group accomplishes 230km arduous mountain feat Despite many housing projects being abandoned nationwide, no errant developer has ever been punished or even prosecuted despite revised Act with more bite coming into force nine years ago: Association sec-gen Report on — page 3 Do not make mockery of law, ministry urged

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 2 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK Malaysian Paper King, Queen conferred highest federal awards KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the King and Queen of Malaysia, have been conferred the highest federal awards, which were presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Istana Negara on Wednesday. Açcording to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page, the King was conferred the Darjah Yang Maha Utama Kerabat Diraja Malaysia (DKM) while the Queen, the Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara (DMN). “The DKM title is a federal award conferred on Malay rulers appointed as the the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. “The DMN title is conferred on the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Their Royal Highnesses the Malay Rulers who ascend to their respective state thrones and to distinguished individuals,” read the post. Present to witness the ceremony were deputy prime ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali. Also present were AttorneyGeneral Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, Public Service Director-General Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Ab Aziz, Chief of Defence Forces Jen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, senior deputy secretarygeneral of the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Awang Alik Jeman and Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad. – Bernama Anwar presenting the award to the King yesterday. – PIC FROM SULTAN IBRAHIM SULTAN ISKANDAR FACEBOOK PAGE ‘M’sia to lead with Madani principles as Asean Chair’ KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship in 2025, the country will strive to lead with moral character, as emphasised in the principles of Malaysia Madani, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said this entails a civil and inclusive approach that celebrates interconnectivity. Anwar said in upholding Malaysia’s enduring principles of non-alignment and cooperation, the Madani ideals demonstrate that it is possible to act respectfully while being an active player in shaping the Southeast Asian region. “Indeed for Malaysia, Asean, more than a pillar of our foreign policy, is also a force multiplier, and a valuable asset to exercise our agency,” he said in his keynote address at the 37th Asia-Pacific Roundtable yesterday. Anwar also stressed the importance for the regional bloc to start addressing the underutilisation of its mechanisms, namely the Asean Regional Forum, the Asean Plus meetings and the East Asia Summit. He said it should also be anchored on the fact that Asean’s future development evolves alongside its member states, their national interests and what the group can collectively achieve together. “In these times of great uncertainty, it is imperative to redouble our efforts towards further strengthening Asean to be the key platform in managing regional affairs.” He added that the regional bloc needs to move from mere rhetoric to concrete action, and focus on seeking ways to deliver on its aspirations. On the crisis in Myanmar, Anwar said Malaysia would work with other Asean member states and dialogue partners who have influence on Myanmar, to push for peace, more effective humanitarian mechanisms and the eventual political engagement of all relevant stakeholders in that country. “Of course, Asean can only facilitate any effort when the various parties in Myanmar are ready to do so. However, this does not mean that we should not try multipronged, more creative tracks. The status quo is not static.” He said there are the nascent beginnings of long and difficult oIn upholding nation’s principles of non-alignment and cooperation, ideals show it is possible to act respectfully while being active player in shaping region, says Anwar conversations of what the future of Myanmar would look like, including the possibility of a federation-like system. “While it is not our place to decide on what is best for the people of Myanmar, it is incumbent on us, friends and neighbours to help facilitate what and where we can.” Anwar said Malaysia consistently called for an end to the ongoing violence and the history of political marginalisation of the people of Myanmar as well as adherence to the Five-Point Consensus that was jointly reached in Jakarta in April 2021. On foreign policy, he said Malaysia is fiercely independent, stressing that the country refuses to be defined by how major powers see the world and will continue to strive for its national and strategic interests, defined on its own terms, Bernama reported. “In this vein, Malaysia maintains a strong and fruitful relationship with both China and the United States. “At the same time, Malaysia will continue to pursue productive and meaningful relations with our other partners, whether they be our longstanding and comprehensive strategic partners, or friends in the Global South.” Anwar said Malaysia has a proud history of being part of the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War, adding that by remaining faithful to the principle of non-alignment, the country has proven that the pursuit of dynamic neutrality is not only feasible but highly desirable. PM hails US shift in stance on Israel-Palestine conflict KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed Malaysia’s appreciation for the early signs of change in America’s approach towards the Israeli occupation of Palestine. He highlighted Malaysia’s consistent concerns about the reluctance of the US and the West to pressure Israel. “However, it’s important to acknowledge positive developments. Within the constraints of the US political system in an election year, President Biden has expressed growing impatience with his Israeli counterpart. “He has also begun to push for an acceptance of a proposal for a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages. “We welcome these early signs of change in America’s approach towards the conflict,” he said in his keynote address at the 37th AsiaPacific Roundtable yesterday. Anwar emphasised Malaysia’s hope for continuous re-evaluation of the US approach to hasten an end to the killings and carnage. He underscored the importance of maintaining balanced relationships with key partners while also recognising situations that demand unhesitating and unequivocal intervention. “I am speaking here of war crimes, flagrant atrocities committed in the killing fields under the pretext of self-defence, and settler colonialism, which is nothing short of a systematic campaign of genocide to displace an entire population of indigenous people.” Regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Anwar described it as a scourge on collective history and emphasised the Palestinians’ oppression in contrast with Malaysia’s sovereignty. “The Palestinians live oppressed and besieged while we are alive and free, limited in our influence and power, but sovereign and free. “Malaysia is no major power but make no mistake, we will use our freedom to support the Palestinians’ fight for their rights.” He said the humanitarian crisis cannot be ignored or conveniently brushed aside, urging action to prevent further atrocities and displacement, Bernama reported. “We cannot stand idly by and allow this to be yet another chapter of mass killings and displacement that furnishes the historical volume of atrocities that have been committed, recognised, and then tragically but conveniently ignored.” Govt firm on barring containers from Israel PUTRAJAYA: The government stands firm in not allowing any container bearing the logo of ZIM, an Israel-based shipping company, into any port in the country. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also unity government spokesman, said the government is closely monitoring the situation and would not change its stance although the container is leased by another company. “In a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, we received some feedback and reaffirmation from Transport Minister Anthony Loke that any container from shipping companies based in Israel are not allowed to enter ports in Malaysia. “What happened at the Perlis border is in line with the government’s policy,” he told a media conference when asked about an attempt by a trailer lorry from a neighbouring country to enter Malaysia through a land route in Perlis last Sunday with a container bearing the ZIM logo. – Bernama Cyprus revokes passport of Jho Low NICOSIA: The Cyprus government decided on Wednesday to revoke the Cypriot passport of internationally wanted fugitive Jho Low, reported Xinhua. Low, granted Cypriot citizenship in 2015, is wanted in connection with money laundering involving RM4.2 billion (about US$900 million) from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. He was not a fugitive at the time he applied for the citizenship. A decision to revoke Low’s passport was taken a year ago but he appealed against the decision, prompting a re-examination of the case by an independent committee. – Bernama

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 3 Do not make mockery of housing law, ministry urged PETALING JAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has been urged “not to make a mockery of the law against errant developers of abandoned housing projects”. National House Buyers Association secretary-general Datuk Chang Kim Loong was commenting on Section 18A of the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Revised 2015). Under the Act, “any licensed housing developer who abandons or causes to be abandoned a housing development or any phase of a housing development shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine of not less than RM250,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both”. “Thus far, no developer of abandoned housing projects has been prosecuted despite the revised Act coming into force nine years ago. “The question is, with so many abandoned housing projects in the oNo developer of abandoned projects prosecuted to date despite revised Act, leaving buyers to suffer consequences: Group █ BYAZMAN UJANG [email protected] Govt moves to resolve parallel pathway issue KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50) have been proposed to resolve the issue of registering medical doctors who obtain their specialist qualifications through the parallel pathway and to streamline the process of recognition and registration as medical specialists. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said he and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir submitted the proposed amendments through a Cabinet memorandum yesterday. “The Cabinet meeting has agreed in principle to this proposal. “The Bill for the amendments will be presented at the Second Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament in 2024 after it is approved by the Cabinet,” he said in a statement yesterday. Dzulkefly said the Cabinet also recognises the increasing need for specialist services in all healthcare facilities throughout the country. He added that the parallel pathway, implemented in collaboration with the Health Ministry and medical master’s programmes by local higher education institutions, aims to produce more specialists to meet these demands. He said through the proposed amendments, both pathways for specialist training can be implemented more systematically from a legal perspective. “Consequently, doctors who have completed any such programmes will be eligible for registration as medical specialists in the National Specialist Register (NSR) under the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). “This will allow for the prompt resolution of any arising issues.” He said the Health Ministry will ensure that the quality of training and services, the competency of practitioners and medical specialists, as well as patient safety aspects, remain protected upon the implementation of these amendments. The parallel pathway issue came into focus when the Malaysian Medical Association requested Universiti Teknologi Mara to allow the entry of non-Bumiputera medical officers who wish to undergo specialised training in cardiothoracic fields, similar to how the institution accepts international students. This request came after MMC rejected the applications of four cardiothoracic surgeons to be listed in the NSR because their Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Cardiothoracic Surgery was not recognised. – Bernama FIRST-HAND LOOK ... Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (seated left) accompanying a patrol team at the Malaysia-Thai border yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Sg Bakap polling set for July 6 PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has set the polling day for the Sungai Bakap state by-election in Penang on Saturday, July 6. The nomination and early voting were set for June 22 (Saturday) and July 2 (Tuesday) respectively, said EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom after chairing the EC special meeting at Menara SPR yesterday. Azmi said the Electoral Roll to be used for the Sungai Bakap by-election is updated as of May 24. “The Electoral Roll for Sungai Bakap contains 39,279 voters, consisting of 39,222 regular voters and 57 police officers.“ He said the by-election would cost RM2.1 million, with 522 election workers to be appointed. The by-election will have nine regular polling centres with 65 polling channels, and one early voting centre and channel. The nomination process and official vote tallying centre will be at the Jawi Multipurpose Hall in Taman Desa Jawi, Penang. The campaign period is set for 14 days, starting from the declaration of candidates after the nomination until July 5. The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff at Hospital Seberang Jaya on May 24. For more details, visit https://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my, use MySPR Semak app, or call 03-8892 7018/7218/7124, which will be open from June 18. – Bernama Petrol, diesel prices remain unchanged KUALA LUMPUR: The retail prices of RON97 and RON95 petrol as well as diesel remain unchanged at RM3.47, RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre, respectively, from yesterday until June 12. The Finance Ministry in a statement said the prices were fixed based on the weekly retail pricing of petroleum products using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism. “To protect consumers from the increase of global oil price, the government will maintain the ceiling price of RON95 at RM2.05 per litre and diesel at RM2.15 per litre, although the market price for both products has increased beyond the current ceiling price that has been set.” The ministry added that the government will continue to monitor the global crude oil price trends and take appropriate measures to ensure the continued welfare and well-being of the people. – Bernama country, why hasn’t any errant developer been punished or even prosecuted?” Chang said enforcement is the key to the effectiveness of a law which was passed to protect property buyers. Yet, not a single prosecution has been reported in the media involving a developer of an abandoned housing project. He said even the best legislation to counter any particular situation in the country would just remain an “ornamental piece” unless strict enforcement is carried out against offenders without fear or favour. “This is the only way to instil respect for the law and the fear that it should command. As the guardian of the legislation, how does the ministry account for the growing number of problematic housing projects?” Chang said while the ministry has the laws, it is the lack of enforcement that is the problem, and that one of the greatest injustices is to end up being a victim of an abandoned housing project. “It is a traumatic experience to spend your savings to own a house, only to discover that the project is abandoned and you still have to service the bank loan.” Chang said as of two years ago, a total of 198 abandoned housing projects were recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, some dating back to 1997, while new ones were declared abandoned only recently. He said the statistics did not include those by the government or its agencies that have been similarly abandoned or categorised as “sick or delayed” projects that are nearly thrice the figures of abandoned ones. In February 2023, theSun also reported that minister Nga Kor Ming announced that there are 429 “sick” housing projects, comprising 70,727 units involving 29,147 buyers nationwide as of Jan 31. Sick housing projects are defined as those that have been delayed by more than 30% of their scheduled progress or whose sales and purchase agreements (SPA) have lapsed. Chang said the havoc caused to victims of failed housing projects is a widespread national issue. “Just look at the number of abandoned housing projects and the numerous buyers left in the lurch to fend for themselves. “This is not only unfair but downright unacceptable and disgusting. Why should we expect the victims to suffer while the errant developers get away scot free?” He said while Malaysians pride themselves as a society with a caring government, the public that relies on legislation for protection is often let down by enforcement agencies. theSun reached out to Nga for his reaction but has yet to receive any response as of press time. ‘Sarawak not taking rights of others’ BETONG: The Sarawak government will not take the rights of other people in its efforts to develop the state, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said although certain quarters were questioning the Sarawak government’s action in enforcing laws on streamlining gas distribution in the state, the move was undertaken after it had been approved by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. “We are only taking back our rights as agreed to in the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he said at a Gawai Ngabang (visit) ceremony here on Wednesday. He said some claim that Sarawak is lucky to have advanced compared with other regions in Malaysia, but the truth is, it is due to the efforts of its leadership, which aims to keep the people united to ensure its continued success. – Bernama

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 4 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper Experts raise concerns on bottled water consumption PETALING JAYA: A food safety consultant has warned the public to beware the next time they drink bottled water as it could be contaminated. Mohd Nur ‘Azim Shahuddin said bottled water kept in vehicles and stored in shops could be susceptible to chemical leaching, microbial growth and degradation of taste and mineral content. “This is especially so with the current heatwave, which may increase the risk of chemical leaching from plastic bottles that are commonly used to hold water. “Potential health risks could include cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid.” Nur ‘Azim also said bottled water transported in lorries is usually packed in cartons to protect it from direct sunlight but those packed in plastic wrapping should be transported in closed container lorries and not canvas-covered ones. “This will ensure transporters maintain the integrity and quality of bottled water during transit, so safe and satisfactory products are delivered to consumers,” he said, adding that the ideal temperature for storing bottled water is between 20°C and 24°C to maintain its quality and safety, prevent plastic degradation and reduce the risk of chemical leaching. “Also, storing bottled water in the refrigerator is a common practice and generally recommended to maintain its freshness. However, temperature fluctuations when storing plastic bottles in the refrigerator Nur ‘Azim said bottled water packed in plastic wrapping should be transported in closed container lorries to avoid exposure to sunlight. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN oCurrent heatwave may increase risk of microbial growth in plastic containers, posing health risks such as cholera, diarrhoea , dysentery and typhoid █ BYQIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI [email protected] 25 rivers in six states classified as polluted PUTRAJAYA: A total of 25 out of 672 rivers nationwide, monitored by the Department of Environment (DOE), are classified as polluted, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said the polluted rivers were identified in six states, namely Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Sarawak. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, said among the polluted rivers are Sungai Bakar Arang in Kedah, Sungai Jawi in Penang, Sungai Buloh in Selangor, Sungai Kerayong in Kuala Lumpur and Sungai Adong in Sarawak. He said the polluted rivers are classified as Water Quality Index of Class III and Class IV, due to various sources of organic pollutants, including wastewater from industrial, domestic and commercial activities. “I have chaired the first meeting of the committee on the deterioration of river water quality and the meeting read four presentation papers. “DOE has presented the status of rivers in the country, which are classified as clean, medium and polluted. “The department monitors 672 rivers nationwide, with 486 rivers, or 72%, in the clean category, 161 rivers, or 24%, in the medium category and 25 rivers, or 4%, in the polluted category. Fadillah said the meeting also agreed for a special committee to address the deterioration of river water quality to be established at the state level. He said the committee also emphasised the use of an integrated river basin management action plan to help improve river water quality. Fadillah said to ensure success, the cooperation of various parties is crucial, including the state and federal governments, private sector and NGOs. He also said the meeting was informed about the development of the Artificial Intelligence River Rating and Ranking System, which can be used in river basins nationwide by stakeholders, to monitor river water quality. – Bernama No lane closures from June 12 to 19 for Aidiladha: Minister PUTRAJAYA: The Works Ministry, through the Malaysian Highway Authority, has issued an order prohibiting lane closures for maintenance work from June 12 to 19 in conjunction with Aidiladha. Its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said only emergency work would be allowed to be carried out during the period. “The ministry has long-term and short-term plans to address the problem of road congestion during festive seasons or school holidays.” He was speaking after handing over a 300m slip road project, from Jalan P15H to Persiaran Timur, to the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territory) Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa yesterday. Alexander said highway concessionaires will also activate smart lanes at selected locations to ensure smoother traffic flow. He said the project, covering the construction of a drainage system, environmental conservation and the upgrading of traffic lights at the P15H intersection, commenced on Dec 29, 2020, and was completed on May 15 this year. He also said among challenges faced by the RM12.63 million project was the pandemic and its location along the main utility corridor in Persiaran Timur, Putrajaya. – Bernama Govt formulating Building Surveyors Act KUALA LUMPUR: The government is in the midst of formulating a new law to regulate the profession and practice of building surveyors, ensuring good governance in the construction industry. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the proposed Building Surveyors Act is still in the discussion stage with industry players. “It is still under review, particularly regarding its concept, scope and so on because building surveyors exist but there is no specific law governing them. “If we look at many developed countries, they have clear governance concerning building surveyors. So, we are heading in that direction,” he said after launching the 2024 International Congress of Surveyors yesterday. – Bernama increase the leaching of chemicals such as antimony and others into the water. “While the amount of antimony leached is generally safe according to regulatory standards, repeated refrigeration and room temperature transitions will increase the risk of such leaching.” Nur ‘Azim suggested consumers use glass or stainless steel bottles for long-term refrigeration since the former is non-chemical reactive while the latter is “less prone” to chemical leaching. Universiti Putra Malaysia Faculty of Food Science and Technology researcher Naziruddin Mat Ariffin said exposure to direct sunlight of between 32°C and 40°C should be avoided. “This is because such temperatures could promote the growth of microorganisms such as algae and bacteria, which deteriorate the quality of bottled water.” He said the prolonged exposure of UV radiation to the polymeric material in plastic bottles, including polyethylene terephthalate bottles, which are used to pack bottled water, makes it susceptible to photochemical ageing. “The leaching of chemicals from these bottles can worsen with higher water temperatures caused by exposure to sunlight. The public and retailers are advised to ensure proper storage of bottled water to minimise the risk of contamination.” He said storage temperature and duration directly affect the rate of chemical leaching from the plastic bottles into the water and pose a major health concern. “Studies confirmed the leaching rate rises in tandem with the increase in temperature. Similarly, a longer storage duration will result in higher levels of chemical leaching,” he said, adding that the Malaysian Food Regulations 1985 does not require manufacturers to include an expiry date on bottled water. “However, in 1987, New Jersey in the US introduced legislation mandating bottled water must carry an expiry date of less than two years from the manufacturing date. “This has since become an unofficial standard for manufacturers. But consumers must continue to remain vigilant for any strange smell, metallic taste, foam, unusual cloudiness or colour change in bottled water as these could indicate the presence of microorganisms.” He said while consuming bottled water beyond its expiration date is generally safe, adhering to the recommended shelf life is advised to minimise potential risks. Negeri Sembilan aims to reach zero hardcore poverty by month-end SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan is set to achieve zero hardcore poverty by the end of this month through various programmes, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. He said the efforts include collaboration with relevant agencies such as the State Development Office, Social Welfare Department and Baitulmal as well as partnerships with several companies to provide employment opportunities. “InsyaAllah, we will uplift the remaining 77 heads of households from the hardcore poverty category. “This year, we have 1,697 heads of households in the category and they were listed last year but have been re-listed. “We are also running a drive-thru recycling centre in community areas this year, which is a recycling programme for items that include cooking oil, that will help increase their income to some extent,” he told reporters after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting on Wednesday. On another matter, Aminuddin announced the formation of a special committee to address pollution threats to Sungai Linggi, which will include representatives from relevant agencies and departments. “I have met several department heads and have been informed that follow-up actions are being taken to ensure pollution does not recur.” On allegations over the appointment of the State Education Department director Datuk Dr Roslan Hussin as a member of the PKR Central Leadership Council, Aminuddin, who is also the vice-president of PKR, said Roslan has not received any such offer letter. “I met him and asked if he received any letter or offer to become a PKR Central Leadership Council member. “He said he has not received any letter so far. Whatever the offer, if he agreed, it would have been a mistake.” Previously, two opposition leaders questioned the appointment of a senior civil servant from Negeri Sembilan as one of the three new PKR Central Leadership Council members. – Bernama

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 5 KAJANG: A daycare centre caregiver pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court yesterday to endangering a 17-month-old girl and potentially causing her physical injury last month. Nor A’in Ismail, 24, who is eight months pregnant, was charged with intentionally exposing the child to conditions that could lead to physical harm at a daycare centre in Bandar Mahkota Cheras at 4.15pm on May 28. She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, up to 20 years’ jail, or both. DPP Faelly Jeffrey Lanjungan proposed bail at RM20,000 in one surety and requested the court to schedule another date for the prosecution to submit a full medical report. Nor A’in’s lawyer Wan Guan Hui appealed for a lower sum on the grounds that she had no criminal record and did not pose a flight risk. Mazuliana Abdul Rashid granted bail at RM8,000 in one surety and required her to report monthly to a police station and ordered her not to contact the victim’s family. Case remention was scheduled for July 2 to review the victim’s full medical report before sentencing. In the Magistrate’s Court, the daycare centre owner Chan Pei Kuan, 34, was fined RM3,500, in default one month’s jail, after she pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed childcare centre. Chan was charged under Section 6(1) of the Child Care Centre Act 1984, which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Magistrate Nik Siti Norazlini Nik Mohamed Faiz meted out the fine on Chan, who was represented by the same lawyer. DPP Norfarhanim Abdul Halim appeared for the prosecution. Kajang district police chief ACP Mohd Zaid Hassan said the baby’s father had lodged a report claiming his daughter was physically abused when she was being fed. – Bernama Investigation on assault of disabled drivercompleted: IGP KUALA LUMPUR: Police have completed investigation papers involving disabled e-hailing driver Ong Ing Keong, 46, who was allegedly assaulted by an escort of a prominent person last month. IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the papers were submitted to the deputy public prosecutor office for further action. He said statements have been recorded from 12 individuals, including Ong, hotel workers and escorts of the VIP concerned. “Although the complainant withdrew the police report, further recordings of statements revealed he is interested to continue with the case.” He added that checks showed the suspect has no disciplinary records and advised the public not to speculate on the incident. “Dissemination of false information could affect the investigation.” On May 29, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said Ong lodged the report at 1pm on May 28. He made another report at 9.59pm the same day saying the matter had been resolved amicably and he did not wish to pursue the case. According to media reports, Ong alleged that he was punched in the head and asked to move his vehicle while waiting for passengers at a hotel in Brickfields. The Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department took a statement from Ong on Wednesday to assist in investigations regarding disciplinary issues involving a policeman. Department director Datuk Seri Azri Ahmad said a media statement on the matter would be issued. Four held over fake royal emblem JELI: Police have arrested four local women and are searching for an elderly man suspected of selling and misusing car emblems using the name “Raja Kelantan Asal Bentara Setia Paduka Raja.” According to police, they believe Lim Khong Soon, 61, to be the mastermind. Kelantan police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun said the suspects, in their 20s and 30s, were detained on May 24 and 25 in Bachok and around Setia Alam in Selangor. He said police received the case on May 17 from a state palace staff member who had seen an Instagram post by account owner @chiron_superport displaying several images of a luxury car with the number plate QM80B using the emblem. “The complainant said the royal Kelantan family has never issued such a logo or emblem and it is suspected that the logo has been misused by irresponsible individuals. “Investigations found the vehicle was registered under a company name (Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd) and a check by the Companies Commission of Malaysia found it was owned by a 61-year-old man.” Muhamad Zaki said police have identified the emblem as belonging to an association called Pertubuhan Keturunan Paduka Raja Cik Siti Wan Kembang Malaysia. Another vehicle with the number plate WVG 1170 also bears the emblem. He said two of the detained suspects are the chairman and treasurer of the association. He added that the case is being investigated under Section 419 of the Penal Code/5B of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment. – Bernama Ong arrived at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters with Latheefa Koya and N. Surendran from Lawyers for Liberty and an interpreter. He finished providing his statement after nearly five hours. Surendran said the statement was recorded by three department officers, Bernama reported. “Department investigators are conducting an internal inquiry on the assault, indicating to us that the perpetrator is an escort attached to police. They are investigating him for possible misconduct. “They are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of Ong’s initial report, the so-called settlement and the matters that took place at the Brickfields district police headquarters.” Tun M files bid to make RCI hearing public KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has filed an application for a judicial review at the High Court seeking to have the proceedings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) conducted publicly as it looks into the handling of issues related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh in Middle Rocks and South Ledge. In his affidavit, he said the RCI was unreasonable to not hold the inquiry openly. He named RCI chairman Tun Md Raus Sharif and his deputy Tan Sri Zainun Ali as the first and second respondents. Other respondents are RCI members Datuk Dr Baljit Singh Sidhu, Datuk Dr Johan Shamsuddin Sabaruddin, Prof Datin Dr Faridah Jalil, Datuk Mohammed Ridha Ham Abd Kadir, Tuan Hai Dickson Dollah and RCI secretary Zamri Misman. Mahathir is also seeking an order to prohibit Md Raus from acting as RCI chairman and Baljit and Mohammed Ridha from being RCI members. – Bernama Man sought for using fake ‘Datuk Seri’ title JELI: Kelantan police are tracking down a man said to be using a fake “Datuk Seri” title purportedly from Kelantan royalty. “The man is 56-year-old Mohd Fared Abdul Ghani. A report was lodged by an individual who had watched a YouTube video in which the suspect used the title when issuing a statement regarding the suspension of two Kelantan Boxing Association members that was broadcast by a local television station. “Anyone with information about the individual can contact the Kelantan police headquarters at 09-745 5622 or the nearest station,” said state police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun. In another case, police detained a local man at a house in Jalan Genting Klang in Kuala Lumpur on June 3 following a widely spread video showing a Bangladesh national apparently receiving a “Datuk” title from the Kelantan palace. “In a video, the Bangladeshi, dressed in Baju Melayu with a keris (dagger) tucked at his waist, was receiving the title although the Kelantan palace has never awarded such a title to him,” said Muhamad Zaki. – Bernama Daycare worker pleads guilty to endangering baby CITY CRACKDOWN ... A policeman questioning a motorist in Kuala Lumpur yesterday during the ‘Respect the Law’ operation, that will be conducted until June 15 involving more than 200 officers focusing on traffic obstruction offences and illegal parking. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN oLawyer says Bukit Aman conducting internal inquiry on possible misconduct, indicating perpetrator may be attached to police, while also looking into withdrawal of report

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 6 Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesun.my/ Exhibition on artefacts linked to Hang Tuah MALACCA: The Hang Tuah exhibition, that started on June 10 and runs until July 7, features about 20 artefacts and 20 manuscripts believed to be connected to the Malay warrior and the era of the Malacca Sultanate. Chief researcher on the study of the existence of Hang Tuah, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Taib Dora, said the exhibition at the Malacca International Trade Centre consists of several main galleries, including the Gallery of the Magnificent Era of the Malacca Sultanate. “This is followed by a gallery dedicated to Hang Tuah, which includes sections on his origins and life history, his character traits, films made about Hang Tuah, and manuscripts in several languages,” he said at a press conference at the Malacca Museum Corporation on Wednesday. He added that the exhibition also features several displays from the era of the Malacca Sultanate, such as a replica of the largest cannon, known as the “Peca de Malacca,” which was discovered at the Military Museum in Lisbon, Portugal. The press conference was attended by state Tourism, Heritage, Arts, and Culture Committee deputy chairman Datuk Zaidi Attan. Mohd Taib said a replica of part of the Mendam Berahi galley, which took Hang Tuah to several places around the world such as Istanbul in Turkiye, Pattani in Thailand and Japan, will also be displayed. He added that during the month-long exhibition, there will also be symposiums for secondary school students and teachers, as well as students from higher education institutions, along with an international seminar that will include many figures from abroad, involving the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. “The research conducted since August 2023 has led to the exhibition to present research findings and evidence of Hang Tuah’s existence, such as artefacts believed to be related to Laksamana Hang Tuah. These include the nine-luk (curved indents and peaks) keris located in the Okinawa Museum, Japan, and the Rekidai Hoan documents, the records of the Ryukyu Kingdom,” he said. – Bernama Group accomplishes arduous 230km mountain feat KUALA LUMPUR: It was a phenomenal adventure for 10 local climbers, including two women, who successfully took on the extreme climbing challenge of Trans Titiwangsa Version Four (TTV4) on the longest mountain spine in Malaysia, the Titiwangsa range. The climb started from the intake of Sungai Renyuk in Jeli, Kelantan, to the final destination at Blue Valley Dam in Cameron Highlands, Pahang on May 23. The group climbed and hiked for 33 days to cover a distance of 238km of tropical rainforest, the pristine home of undisturbed wildlife, assisted by four mountain guides on rotation. During the TTV4 feat, the 10 hikers also managed to conquer 63 mountain peaks, including six of the seven highest mountains in the peninsula with a height of over 2,000m, Bernama reported. The 10 climbers are Muhamad Izzat Syahmi Ahmad Shokree, 22, Abdul Halim Mohammad, 27, Erwan Rezal Nasaruddin, 45, Danesh Murugan, 28, Qayum Ahmad, 33, Nurul Rizqi Che Muda, 36, Chiah Ruey Peng, 29, Muhammad Hanif Muhammad Abdul Wahid, 25, Mohamad Ariff Omar, 37, and Muhamad Zamri Bahari, 33. Muhammad Hanif said climbing mountain trails in the Titiwangsa range is a test of mental and physical endurance because more than 60% of the trails are not commercially used for normal climbing. “The trails are fraught with hidden dangers as the climbers adhere to the explorer’s mantra of ‘take nothing, leave nothing’. “Climbing around the permanent forest reserve from Gunung Basor to Gunung Chamah involves the North Titiwangsa Upper trail, which is very rarely used as a climbing The group posing for a ‘survivors’ photo while on a break during the climb. – BERNAMAPIC oTen climbers brave extreme cold, treacherous trails and landslide to complete 33-day challenge route or accessed by people. “While we were climbing carrying haversacks weighing 30kg to 35kg, we also had to use a parang to cut saplings and bushes so we could pass. There were also obstacles like fallen trees in addition to a maze of tree roots that made it difficult to move,” said Muhammad Hanif, who is from Pantai Remis in Perak. He also shared an anxious moment when a day before the end of the expedition, a landslide occurred at part of the climbing trail from Kuali Camp (elevation 6,585ft) to the top of Gunung Yong Belar (at 7,156ft), posing a risky situation for the climbers. The hike also turned out to be an experience of sheer survival for climber Danesh, who is thankful that he recovered after experiencing extreme cold (hypothermia) to the point that he lost consciousness for an hour-and-a-half on the 29th day of the climb. He said they had to start climbing as early as 2am because they had a slight delay from the original climbing schedule and it was raining throughout the climb. “With the temperature plunging below 17°C, I was shivering from the cold and it was difficult to breathe. We arrived at Camp Lopak Air at 5.30pm and while I was putting up the tent, I suddenly collapsed and fell unconscious. “My climbing mates quickly helped by removing my shoes, gloves and wrapping me in an emergency blanket, and lighting up a portable camping stove to warm up my body,” said Danesh, who intends to document the story of the climb in a book. Chiah, who has wide experience climbing abroad such as in New Zealand, Indonesia and Nepal, said climbing in the Titiwangsa range, which is covered in tropical rainforest, presents a difficult and interesting challenge that is rich in biodiversity beauty. “Apart from tiger and elephant prints, we also saw flora and fauna that can be categorised as endemic and protected species such as Siput Api (fire snail), Baning Bukit (impressed tortoise), red-tailed axe snake, Corybas holttumii orchids and the Rafflesia (Stinking Corpse Lily) flower,” she said.

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 7 Vietnam tycoon on death row faces fresh charges HANOI: A Vietnamese property tycoon sentenced to death in a US$27 billion (RM127 billion) fraud case could now face prosecution for money laundering, state media said yesterday. Truong My Lan, chair of major developer Van Thinh Phat, was found oTruong My Lan to be charged with money laundering, trafficking Cambodia environmental activists boycott trial PHNOM PENH: A group of environmentalists dressed in mourning clothes boycotted their trial for plotting against the government – the latest legal crackdown on the country’s green activists. Ten campaigners from Mother Nature, one of Cambodia’s last environmental activism groups, are facing jail sentences of five to 10 years if convicted in the case, the details of which are unclear. Five of them, wearing mourning outfits of all white, gathered at barricades outside the courthouse as the trial resumed on Wednesday. They refused to go inside after security guards blocked journalists and their supporters from gathering at the entrance to monitor their trial. “We have never done anything against the law. We are just Cambodian youths who love natural resources,” said Phuon Keoraksmey, one of the charged activists. “The charges against us are too extreme because they are criminal charges that could see us jailed for so long, between five and 10 years in prison,” she said. The other five defendants did not come to court. The tussle over conserving or exploiting Cambodia’s natural resources has long been a contentious issue in the kingdom, with environmentalists threatened, arrested and even killed in the past decade. The trial, which opened on May 29, relates to Mother Nature’s activism between 2012 and 2021. The group has raised issues around the filling-in of lakes in Phnom Penh, illegal logging and the destruction of natural resources. “We see that forest protectors, people who defend their lands, people who protect the environment are being prosecuted. It is so embarrassing for the judicial system in Cambodia,” said activist Long Kunthea. Among the 10 defendants is Mother Nature’s co-founder, Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, a Spaniard who was deported from Cambodia in 2015 after he criticised plans for a controversial dam. Gonzalez-Davidson and two others also face charges of insulting the king, which could carry jail terms of between one and five years. Three of the activists were previously jailed for organising a peaceful march protesting the fillingin of a lake in the capital to create land for real estate developments. From 2001 to 2015, a third of Cambodia’s primary forests – some of the world’s most biodiverse and a key carbon sink – were cleared, and tree cover loss accelerated faster than anywhere else in the world, according to the World Resources Institute. Much of the cleared land has been granted to businesses in economic land concessions that experts say have driven deforestation and dispossession in the country. – AFP Hundreds mark funeral of Myanmar general turned Suu Kyi ally YANGON: Hundreds of mourners turned out on Wednesday to pay their respects to a former Myanmar general turned democracy activist and confidant of Aung San Suu Kyi, in a rare sanctioned public gathering in the commercial capital. Foreign ambassadors and senior figures in Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party were among those who attended the funeral in Yangon for Tin Oo, who died on Saturday aged 97. Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year prison sentence. Tin Oo served as commander of the army under former strongman Ne Win, before being forced out for allegedly withholding information over a failed coup plot. He co-founded the NLD with Suu Kyi in the aftermath of mass protests against the government in 1988, and went on to become one of her closest confidants. The ambassadors of India and Singapore joined hundreds of other people paying their respects to Tin Oo, whose body was displayed in a glasstopped coffin. A car carrying the casket of Tin Oo makes its way to the cemetery in Yangon. – AFPPIC B R I E F S12 YEARS JAIL FOR KILLING RARE RHINOS JAKARTA: An Indonesian court sentenced a poacher to 12 years in prison on Wednesday after he was found guilty of killing at least six critically endangered Javan rhinos. The rhinoceros endemic to Indonesia’s most populous island is one of the world’s most endangered mammals, with authorities believing there are around 82 remaining in the wild. It comes as the Indonesian government and police reportedly investigate the claims of a captured poacher that a single gang was responsible for the deaths of 26 Javan rhinos since 2019, nearly a quarter of what was the animal’s total population. “The defendant has been found guilty,” the presiding judge told a court in Java’s Banten province, adding he would be fined 100 million rupiah (RM28,781). “He has killed, kept, and traded parts of protected wildlife,” the judge said. Sunendi was convicted of killing the rhinos between 2019 and 2023 in Java’s Ujung Kulon National Park. – AFP MT FUJI VIEWPOINT TO BE FENCED OFF TOKYO: A tall metal fence will be built to control unruly tourists who have annoyed locals at a popular Mount Fuji photo spot. It follows the construction last month of a black screen in another nearby town to block an Instagramfamous view of the snowcapped volcano rising from behind a convenience store. Now residents have complained about mostly foreign visitors venturing into the road on the Mount Fuji Dream Bridge in search of the perfect shot of Japan’s highest peak. Despite its flashy name, the bridge is an ordinary overpass that runs above a river, with a narrow pavement separated from the road by a waist-high concrete wall. To deter this risky behaviour, authorities have already put up low metal scaffolding and signs telling people to keep away from the stretch of tarmac. They plan to erect a 1.8m high metal mesh fence around the area by the end of the month. – AFP MOUNT IBU ERUPTS THREE TIMES JAKARTA: A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted three times yesterday, belching an ash tower 5km into the sky and spewing lava against a backdrop of lightning. Mount Ibu, located on the island of Halmahera in North Maluku province, spewed an ash tower more than 5,000m above the peak, according to the Geological Agency. It advised residents and tourists to stay out of an exclusion zone 4-7km from the crater and to wear eye and mouth coverings when outdoors. The eruptions were the latest in a series of huge belches that forced authorities to evacuate more than half a dozen villages last month. The latest eruptions caused no new evacuation orders and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage on Halmahera. – AFP guilty in April of swindling cash from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) over a decade in one of the biggest corruption cases in history. Police said late on Wednesday that they are seeking to prosecute 34 people in the case, accusing them of fraud, money laundering and crossborder money trafficking. The police statement did not provide further details, but state media said Lan was among the 34. Between 2012 and 2022, Lan used nearly 1,300 fake loan applications to withdraw money from SCB, in which she owned a 90% stake. Reports said her driver transported the equivalent of more than US$4.4 billion in cash from SCB’s headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City to her nearby home and Van Thinh Phat’s head office. Lan embezzled US$12.5 billion, but prosecutors said the total damages caused by the scam amounted to US$27 billion – a figure equivalent to 6% of the country’s 2023 GDP. The court ordered Lan to pay almost the entire sum in compensation. Authorities identified around 42,000 victims in the case. Lan’s husband, Hong Kong billionaire Eric Chu Nap Kee, was sentenced to nine years in prison. Police said late last year that much of the cash had been invested in real estate projects or trafficked abroad. Lan’s arrest and prosecution came as part of a nationwide crackdown on corruption, which has swept up senior officials and members of the country’s business elite. In late April, she filed an appeal against the death sentence. Any appeal must take place within 60 days. – AFP A cortege of cars, one decked with wreaths and bearing Tin Oo’s portrait, carried the coffin slowly through the rain-washed streets to the Yay Way cemetery, where hundreds more mourners were waiting and soldiers kept watch. While Suu Kyi was not allowed to attend, there was a bouquet of white roses at Tin Oo’s house with a card that said “from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi”. The cemetery is also home to the remains of Sein Lwin, a former home minister accused of leading a bloody crackdown on the 1988 prodemocracy demonstrations. Tin Oo was detained by the military in that crackdown, before being released. He was arrested again along with Suu Kyi in 2003 after a mob attacked their motorcade, killing dozens of people. In 2017, the NLD stalwart suffered a stroke and in recent years receded from the political arena due to old age and poor health. He avoided arrest in the sweeping crackdown that accompanied the 2021 coup, likely due to his advanced age, analysts say. The NLD has been targeted in the government’s bloody crackdown on dissent, with one former lawmaker executed in Myanmar’s first use of capital punishment in decades. The government dissolved the NLD in 2023 for failing to re-register under a tough new military-drafted electoral law, removing the party from polls it has indicated it may hold in 2025. – AFP

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 8 READ OUR HERE /thesun Malaysian Paper Hiring of Western military trainers spooks US, allies WASHINGTON: The US and other “Five Eyes” countries warned that China has been circumventing measures aimed at halting its recruitment of current and former Western military pilots and other personnel to train the Chinese military. “Western recruits who train the PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) may increase the risk of future conflict by reducing our deterrence capabilities,” said a public bulletin issued by the US, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand intelligence services. The notice is the latest warning by the English-speaking “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance about rising concerns with Chinese government-directed espionage, cyber hacking and intellectual property theft as Beijing’s growing might has roiled relations with oPersonnel contacted through headhunting emails BREATHER ... An asylum-seeker from China rests on a rock while waiting to be transported by the US Border Patrol after crossing from Mexico into Jacumba Hot Springs, California on Tuesday. – REUTERSPIC Hong Kong plans blanket ban of e-cigarettes HONG KONG: The city-state announced plans yesterday for a blanket ban on e-cigarettes, citing a “consensus” on the need for action and their impact on the health of young people. The move came about two years after the Chinese city banned the import, manufacture and sale of ecigarettes and heated tobacco products. “We will fully ban all alternative smoking products,” said Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau at a news conference, using the government term for e-cigarette products. Hong Kong already bans possession of e-cigarettes “for commercial purposes” and yesterday’s proposal would extend the ban to retail buyers, even if they intended to smoke in private. Under existing laws, anyone in Hong Kong who imports e-cigarettes can be punished by up to seven years in jail and a fine of HK$2 million (RM1.2 million), while sellers and manufacturers can be jailed for up to six months. “A blanket ban on alternative smoking products has become a consensus in society ... It is time to ban all forms of possession of alternative smoking products, including for personal use,” said Deputy Secretary for Health Eddie Lee. City officials also announced other smoking curbs, including a ban on smoking while queueing in outdoor public areas and sharing cigarettes with minors. The government also proposed banning flavoured tobacco, which officials said survey results showed particularly appealed to women and young people. Lo said he hoped the e-cigarette ban and other proposals would be introduced to the legislature this year. The World Health Organisation reported last year that 34 countries have banned the sale of e-cigarettes, while 87 have full or partial regulations. Hong Kong authorities hope to reduce the smoking prevalence rate to 7.8% by next year from 9.1% in 2023. – AFP Restore protest song, commission urges YouTube WASHINGTON: A US congressional commission appealed on Wednesday to YouTube to restore a Hong Kong prodemocracy anthem, saying blocking the video boosted authoritarianism and went beyond a local court order. YouTube last month said it was complying with a Hong Kong court order and would block access to 32 videos of Glory to Hong Kong, originally written for protesters who took to the streets in a failed 2019 movement to stop China’s stifling of the city’s autonomy. In a letter to the CEOs of YouTube and its parent Google, the heads of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, which looks at Beijing’s rights record, accused the companies of improperly imposing a blanket ban on the song. The order was targeting “seditious intent” through the song, including causing secessionist activities, but did not ban it for academic or journalistic activity, the lawmakers said. “It is our opinion that the steps taken by your company thus far exceed what is required by the court’s injunction and will have far-reaching implications for the free flow of news and information and the freedom of expression in Hong Kong,” wrote Republican Representative Chris Smith and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley. “We would not want your company’s actions to embolden the Hong Kong government in its increasingly growing authoritarian tendencies,” they wrote. The lawmakers also asked YouTube to clarify it will appeal the court ruling. Responding to the letter, a YouTube spokesperson said that the company “shared the commission’s commitment to ensuring freedom of expression in Hong Kong”. “We strongly disagree with the Hong Kong High Court’s order to block access to the listed videos for viewers within Hong Kong’s borders,” the spokesperson said. “We pushed back against the demand that we remove these videos for over a year, and are continuing to investigate our options for an appeal.” YouTube says it is obliged to comply with court orders and only agrees to removal requests by governments after they come through a legal process. The 32 videos remain accessible to users outside Hong Kong. The United States has denounced the court order as the latest blow to the reputation of Hong Kong, a financial hub that was promised a separate legal and governance system when Britain returned it to China in 1997. Beijing has defended the curbs on the song as a “necessary measure” to safeguard national security. – AFP B R I E F SKOREA BALLOONS TIT-FOR-TAT RESUMES SEOUL: Activists said yesterday they had sent 10 balloons loaded with anti-Kim Jong Un leaflets and K-pop music into North Korea, in response to hundreds of trash-carrying balloons from Pyongyang. North Korea has said its recent balloon blitz, lugging bags of garbage, was retaliation for previous missives sent by the activists. Pyongyang called off its campaign on Sunday, but has warned it would restart if more balloons came north. Past propaganda tit-for-tats have had real-world consequences for interKorean relations. The defector group Fighters for Free North Korea announced they had launched 10 balloons northward carrying 200,000 leaflets and 5,000 USB flash drives containing Korean pop music and TV shows, as well as thousands of one-dollar bills. – AFP TIGER SHARK VOMIT SHOCKS SCIENTISTS SYDNEY: A tiger shark has surprised Australian scientists on an ocean research trip by regurgitating a spiky land-loving echidna in front of them. Researchers from James Cook University were tagging marine life on the northeast coast when the 3m tiger shark they caught vomited a dead echidna – a spiny creature similar to a hedgehog. Nicolas Lubitz said he could only assume the shark gobbled up the echidna while it was swimming in the shallows off the island, or travelling between islands, which the animals are known to do. “We were quite shocked at what we saw. We really didn’t know what was going on,” he said yesterday. – AFP Washington and its allies. China’s embassy in Washington did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The PLA is using private companies in South Africa and China to hire former fighter pilots, flight engineers and air operations centre personnel from Western countries to train its air force and navy aviators. “The PLA wants the skills and expertise of these individuals to make its own military air operations more capable while gaining insight into Western air tactics, techniques, and procedures,” the notice said. It said the efforts represented a “persistent, adaptive threat”, with the insight gleaned by the PLA a threat to “US and allied security”. In one high-profile case, former US Marine pilot Daniel Duggan is fighting extradition from Australia on US charges of training Chinese military pilots through a South African flight school in how to land on aircraft carriers. Duggan, a naturalised Australian citizen, faces US charges including money laundering and breaking arms control law. Personnel are often contacted through headhunting emails or personal acquaintances from the military, or by privately owned companies with hidden ties to the PLA, the notice said. The Five Eyes agencies asked people to guard against such offers, which they said often entail promises of lucrative salaries or excessive flattery, and to report any attempts to the FBI or military investigators in their countries. One official from the US National Counterintelligence and Security Centre (NCSC), speaking on condition of anonymity, said the governments issued the warning at this time because China “has been adapting” to countermeasures aimed at thwarting recruitment. Western pilots have been lured into training Chinese pilots by money and opportunities “to fly really exotic” Chinese aircraft, said a US official familiar with the matter. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added that the Chinese military had recruited at least five former pilots from New Zealand and some 30 from Britain, as well as former pilots from Germany and other countries. The US Commerce Department last year sanctioned more than a dozen companies in China, Kenya, Laos, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the UK and the United Arab Emirates for their roles in recruiting Western military talent for PLA aviation training. The US official said the Test Flying Academy of South Africa is “one of the biggest companies” that has been hiring former military pilots to train Chinese pilots and has continued doing so despite US sanctions. The company did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement on its website last year, the company said it “does not provide any classified military training, nor train frontline pilots, and all training is based on opensource material or material provided by clients.” It has said it operates with the approval of South African government agencies, does not employ US nationals and had terminated the employment of British nationals following “legal challenges in the UK”. – Reuters

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 9 Swiss upper house spurns European court climate ruling GENEVA: Switzerland’s upper house of parliament on Wednesday voted to spurn a landmark ruling by Europe’s top rights court faulting the country for not doing enough to combat climate change. The Council of States voted 31-11 to adopt a statement criticising the European Court of Human Rights ruling, which made Switzerland the first country ever to be condemned by an international tribunal for not going far enough in tackling the issue. Switzerland’s lower house will decide on a similar motion next week, which could leave the government in a tricky position if parliament as a whole rejects the ECHR verdict. In April, the ECHR found that the Swiss state had violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the “right to respect for private and family life”. The case was brought by the Swiss association Elders for Climate Protection, a group of 2,500 women aged 73 on average. The organisation wants climate protection to be recognised as a human right and says the Swiss authorities’ failure to mitigate the effects of climate change is having a negative impact on their lives and health. The motion passed on Wednesday “notes with concern” the ruling, saying the court had exceeded the limits of interpreting the law, thereby exposing “itself to the criticism of exercising inappropriate and unacceptable judicial activism”. It called on the court to “respect the democratic processes” of member states. The motion invited the Swiss government to engage with the Council of Europe “to defend the interests of Switzerland”. It urged Bern to explain that Swiss voters had in a referendum last year approved a law setting a target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and that the country “has so far respected its international climate commitments”, the text said. “Switzerland therefore sees no reason to take further action on the court’s judgment.” – AFP B R I E F SFRANCE CHARGES MAN WITH FINANCING TERRORISM PARIS: A Palestinian man has been charged in France with financing terrorism and complicity in attempted murder over suspected links to attacks against Israelis in the occupied West Bank in 2023. He is being prosecuted for alleged terrorist conspiracy with a view to preparing attacks against people, financing terrorism and complicity in attempted murder, the National AntiTerrorism Prosecutor’s Office said. The man, who is in his mid-30s, was placed in pre-trial detention. He is suspected of being linked to attacks against Israelis in the occupied West Bank in early 2023 and of sending money to gunmen. The investigation was carried out as part of an inquiry opened by the anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office in December last year. The investigation was launched after Israel reported the matter to the French authorities. – AFP ONE DEAD, 90 INJURED IN SIBERIA TRAM COLLISION MOSCOW: One person died and dozens, including five children, were injured when two trams collided in Russia’s Siberian city of Kemerevo. “One person died,” said Alexei Kuznetsov, a senior official at the regional Health Ministry, yesterday. “Ninety people were hurt, including five children.” According to images broadcast on Russian media, one tram appeared to have lost control while descending a hill and slammed into another one, which was at a stop taking on passengers. Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it had opened an investigation into the incident. Kemerevo is a city of some 540,000 residents. – AFP Israeli jets strike school, 37 killed CAIRO: Israel targeted a Gaza school yesterday that it said contained a Hamas compound, killing fighters involved in the Oct 7 attack, but Gaza media said the strike killed at least 37 people seeking shelter. Ismail Al-Thawabta, the director of the government media office, rejected Israel’s claims that the UN school in Nuseirat, in central Gaza, had hidden a Hamas command post. “Occupation forces lie to the public through fabricated stories to justify the brutal crime conducted against dozens of displaced people,” Thawabta said. Israel said that before the strike, it took steps to reduce the risk of harm to civilians. oHamas wants permanent end to war The attack happened after Israel announced a new military campaign in central Gaza as it battles a group of fighters relying on hit-and-run tactics. Israel has said there will be no halt to fighting during ceasefire talks. In an apparent blow to a truce proposal touted last week by US President Joe Biden, the leader of Hamas on Wednesday said the group would demand a permanent end to the war in Gaza and Israeli withdrawal as part of a ceasefire plan. The remarks by Ismail Haniyeh appeared to deliver the group’s reply to the proposal that Biden unveiled last week. Washington had said it was waiting to hear an answer from 146 countries recognise Palestine PARIS: Slovenia on Tuesday became the latest country to recognise a state of Palestine, breaking with the long-held view of Western powers that Palestinians can only gain statehood as part of a negotiated peace with Israel. This follows the same move made last week by Spain, Ireland and Norway. Their action, which has infuriated Israel, means that 146 out of the 193 UN member states now recognise a Palestinian state. In April, the United States used its veto at the UN Security Council to prevent a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member state. Here is a recap of the Palestinians’ quest for statehood: 1988: Arafat proclaims state On Nov 15, 1988, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat proclaimed an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. He made the announcement in Algiers, at a meeting of the exiled Palestinian National Council, which adopted the two-state solution as a goal. Minutes later, Algeria became the first country to officially recognise an independent Palestine. Within weeks, much of the Arab world, India, Turkey, most of Africa and several central and eastern European countries followed suit. The next wave of recognitions came in late 2010 and early 2011. 2011-2012: UN recognition In 2011, Palestinians pushed ahead with a campaign for full UN membership. The quest failed but, in a groundbreaking move on Oct 31 of that year, the UN cultural agency Unesco voted to accept Palestine as a full member. In response, Israel and the United States suspended their funding of the body. They quit Unesco in 2018, although the United States rejoined last year. In November 2012, the Palestinian flag was raised for the first time at the United Nations in New York after the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to upgrade the status of the Palestinians to “non-member observer state”. Three years later, the International Criminal Court also accepted Palestine as a state party. 2014: Sweden first in western Europe In 2014, Sweden became the first EU member in western Europe to recognise a Palestinian state. A state of Palestine had earlier been recognised by Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania. 2024: New push in Europe Norway, Spain and Ireland last week finally took the step, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez describing it as a matter of “historic justice”. After Slovenia’s vote on Tuesday, Prime Minister Robert Golob said the recognition “sends hope to the Palestinian people”. Malta and Australia have also floated the possibility of endorsing Palestinian statehood. President Emmanuel Macron has said he would be prepared to recognise a Palestinian state, but such a move should “come at a useful moment” and not be based on “emotion”. – AFP A Palestinian man pushes another on a wheelchair past rubble at al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday. – AFPPIC Hamas to what Biden described as an Israeli initiative. “The movement and factions of the resistance will deal seriously and positively with any agreement that is based on a comprehensive ending of the aggression and the complete withdrawal and prisoners swap,” Haniyeh said. Asked whether Haniyeh’s remarks amounted to the group’s reply to Biden, a senior Hamas official replied to a text message from Reuters with a “thumbs up” emoji. Since a brief week-long truce in November, all attempts to arrange a ceasefire have failed, with Hamas insisting on its demand for a permanent end to the conflict, while Israel says it is prepared to discuss only temporary pauses until the group is defeated. Washington is still pressing hard to reach an agreement. CIA director William Burns met senior officials from mediators Qatar and Egypt on Wednesday in Doha to discuss the ceasefire proposal. Biden has repeatedly declared that ceasefires were close over the past several months, only for no truce to materialise. Last week’s announcement came with far greater fanfare from the White House, and at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under mounting domestic political pressure to chart a path to end the eight-month-old war and negotiate the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Although Biden described the ceasefire proposal as an Israeli offer, Israel’s government has been lukewarm in public. A top Netanyahu aide confirmed on Sunday that Israel had made the proposal even though it was “not a good deal”. Far-right members of Netanyahu’s government have pledged to quit if he agrees to a peace deal that leaves Hamas in place, a move that could force a new election and end the political career of Israel’s longest-serving leader. Centrist opponents who joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet in a show of unity at the outset of the conflict have also threatened to quit, saying his government has no plan. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said there would be no let-up in Israel’s offensive while negotiations over the ceasefire proposal were under way. “Any negotiations with Hamas would be conducted only under fire,” Gallant said in remarks carried by Israeli media after he flew aboard a warplane to inspect the Gaza front. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they had fought gun battles with Israeli forces on Wednesday in areas throughout the enclave and fired anti-tank rockets and shells. Two children were among the dead laid out on Wednesday in the city’s Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, one of the last hospitals functioning in Gaza. Mourners said the children had been killed along with their mother. – Reuters

10 FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 The forgotten art of play I LIVE in a condominium and I meet a lot of my neighbours while commuting in the elevator. Living in a high-rise offers the added benefit of getting to know more of my neighbours. We meet in the elevator, in the common areas, and facilities. Being a people person, I cherish the occasional tete-a-tete I have with people in between their rush hours. One neighbour, a housewife with three school-aged children whom I meet and chat with regularly always appear exhausted. She is constantly shuttling the children from one class to another, even on weekends. Sometimes, I see her husband handling the commute, and he looked just as drained. As for the children, they mostly looked bushed. The funny thing is, I have never seen their kids playing around the condominium. The mother once mentioned that her son attends badminton classes and considers that as play and that the children did not have the time to indulge in playing. This highlights a concerning trend in modern society: children do not know what play is and how to truly engage in it. There are various interpretations and misinterpretations of what play constitutes. Did we even know that the United Nations has assigned June 11 as International Play Day? The first-ever International Day of Play to be observed in 2024 marks a significant milestone in efforts to preserve, promote and prioritise playing so that all people, especially children, can reap the rewards and thrive to their full potential. Back to basics, play is as simple as indulging in recreation, which can be anything indoors or outdoors, and does not need to have a fixed return on investment, which is what new-age parents worry about too much. Modern parents, overwhelmed with the desire to ensure their children succeed, often equate structured activities with play, dismissing unstructured playtime as unproductive. Yet, it is this very unstructured time that is vital for a child’s development. Play is not just a way to pass time, rather, it is a critical element in developing social, cognitive and emotional skills. It is where children learn to negotiate, solve problems and manage emotions. They explore their creativity and imagination without the constraints of a structured curriculum or expected outcomes. Despite its importance, the art of play is gradually being sidelined. Driven by a competitive mindset, parents and schools prioritise academics and structured extracurriculars, viewing them as direct pathways to future success. The fear of “wasting time” that could be spent on “more productive” activities leads to schedules that are packed to the brim, leaving little room for spontaneous play. Did we know that 71% of children say play is important because it makes them happy and 58% say that it helps them make friends and have a good time with others? It is estimated that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning. Unfortunately, only one in four children play out regularly on their street compared with their grandparent’s generation, where almost three-quarters said they played outside a few times a week. Recognising the importance of play, International Play Day serves as a crucial reminder of the joy and developmental benefits of free play. To revive this art and truly benefit our children, we need a cultural shift. One way to encourage unstructured play is to educate and empower parents. Workshops and seminars can explain the developmental benefits of play, helping parents see it as a valuable investment in their child’s well-being and future. By understanding the importance of play, parents will be more likely to create opportunities for it in their children’s lives. Schools can also play a role in promoting unstructured play. Allocating dedicated playtime and designing classrooms and playgrounds with creativity in mind are two ways schools can achieve this. Open-ended materials in classrooms and playgrounds that spark imagination can help children engage in unstructured play more readily. Communities can get involved by organising play days. Closing streets to traffic and turning them into play spaces, or hosting play events in parks, are great ways to encourage unstructured play. These events can also be designed for families to participate together, fostering a community-wide support system for this type of play. On a larger scale, policy changes can make a difference. Governments and educational authorities can develop policies that recognise the importance of play. This could involve laws mandating playtime in schools or funding for community play programmes. Finally, adults can lead by example. When children see adults engaging in and valuing play, it sends a powerful message. If adults see play as a worthwhile activity, children are more likely to do the same. Let us bring back the yesterdays when play was a part of every child’s life, as they say, all work and no play makes a child dull. Comments: [email protected] Restraining anger takes conscious effort Q: I have to admit that my temper gets the best of me. When my husband or children push my buttons I just “let it out” (with words, not violence). That’s how my parents lived and how I was raised. Is there any way I can change? Focus on the Family Malaysia: Many people see anger as an uncontrollable emotion. But that’s false. You can control how you express your anger in fact, you probably already do it. Here’s an example. You and your spouse are in the car heading to your friend’s home for dinner. What should be a fun evening is already marred by a heated argument you’re having. With no one else around you’re both giving full vent, snapping at each other all the way across town. You might even continue arguing as you’re walking up to your friend’s porch. But what happens as soon as your friends open the front door? Suddenly, you and your spouse are all smiles and behaving like everything’s great between you. By unspoken agreement, you’ve both put a lid on how you express yourselves. The issue isn’t that you can’t control your emotions. It’s that you don’t want to exercise that ability. Anger is a powerful emotion and you may feel better letting your frustration spew all over your family. However, uncontrolled anger usually causes more damage than it helps. Anger can be restrained but it’s a choice that takes deliberate, conscious effort. If you need help to start dealing with anger in a healthy way and addressing the root causes behind it we would invite you to make an appointment with our counsellors. Q: My four-year-old daughter is very intelligent and imaginative. Do you have any suggestions for encouraging her creativity as she grows up? Focus on the Family Malaysia: Creativity is essential in art, science and business and also allows us to express ourselves in constructive and beautiful ways such as playing an instrument, cooking a meal, building furniture and so on. Helping our children develop imagination, original thinking and innovative problem-solving is one of the greatest privileges of parenting. Here are just a few ideas: 0 Let them play. Some structured activity, like a team sport, is healthy. But as she gets older, leave room in the schedule for your child to exercise her imagination and experience wonder at the world around her. 0 Nurture curiosity. Toddlers are always asking “why”. But inquisitiveness can get squelched as children get older. Use openended questions in your conversations – from practical “How could we clean up all these toys faster?” to abstract “What do you think that cloud looks like?”. 0 Don’t fear boredom. Children don’t have to be constantly entertained, especially with electronic devices. You’ll be surprised how easily imagination kicks in with just a few simple tools for creative expression. In fact, boredom can help trigger curiosity. 0 Don’t micromanage creativity. By nature, innovation is about “colouring outside the lines”. Let expression be about creating, not about yielding a perfect product. 0 Allow for messes. Developing creative problem-solving skills can sometimes be messy. Find a safe, appropriate place then let your child experiment. 0 Encourage “failure”. Let your child attempt things without the pressure of doing everything perfectly. If she’s taught to fear making mistakes, she’s less likely to engage the world creatively and take a confident approach to life. 0 Create alongside your child. Pursuing creative interests with your child – piano lessons, baking, photography and so on – allows for fun interaction and strengthens relational bonds. We wish you creative success! For more marriage, parenting and family resources, or if you would like to speak to a counsellor, visit family.org.my This article is contributed by Focus on the Family Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening the family unit. For more information, visit family.org.my. Comments: [email protected] Behaviours, actions determine who we are STUDENTS who have memorised written information well are likely to score high marks in exams, while those who cannot recall will fail their tests. Learning by rote is certainly beneficial for children when they are too young to understand concepts and engage in critical thinking. They get to learn what they can and develop discipline, which can be seen by their behaviours, in addition to training their minds. Therefore, education in secondary schools, colleges and universities should also focus more on what is observable than the usual written homework, assignments and exam answers as these alone do not indicate whether students and graduates have received holistic education. At the workplace, a person is judged mainly by their mannerisms, behaviours, speech, writing and performance. Without a good track record, high academic qualifications can help to secure lucrative jobs but would not prevent termination if performance is not up to expectation. Therefore, teachers and lecturers must also learn and practise interpersonal communication skills to teach and train students. In addition to completing homework and assignments well, students must also be able to articulate what they have learned and be convincing to others. This is critical for those studying business, communications, sociology, tourism, or others leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. All these are general education courses, unlike those studying to work in licensed professions such as architects, accountants, doctors, engineers and lawyers. It would be a mistake to classify all graduates under the skilled labour category when in fact most freshies lack industry-relevant knowledge and necessary skills to perform well in the job, except those that have fully completed technical and vocational education and training (TVET). TVET graduates and skilled workers can prove their competencies by giving a demonstration for others to witness. Whereas those with knowledge only will have to claim and convince others that they can but will fail miserably if they speak poorly or their body language is weak or bad. As courtesy is lacking at all levels of our society, it is obvious that holistic education is lacking or has failed miserably. We are mainly a product of our environment and experience, and are affected by what we read, hear or watch over electronic devices, or other people, the food and drinks consumed, the surroundings - including the air - and our lifestyles that can be sedentary, healthy or risky. However, what is more dangerous is choosing to believe out of convenience or seeking purpose. Not knowing is too unsettling, whereas believing something is easy and provides anchorage. Searching for answers involves too much hard work for those too lazy to think for themselves. In any case, we must always differentiate between what we remember and what we believe. We must not act on impulse based on what we have been exposed to, as behaviours and actions reflect who we truly are, not our job, title, claim, history, experience, or academic qualification. YS Chan Petaling Jaya FOCUS ON THE FAMILY MALAYSIA LETTERS [email protected]

Treating reating sore throats ore throats Natural remedies to the fore Natural remedies to the fore –P12 FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: [email protected] SCAN ME WEEKLY FOCUS MONDAY Technology and social media TUESDAY Travel and leisure WEDNESDAY Fashion and beauty THURSDAY Home and living FRIDAY Food and beverage – 123RFPIC NSIDEINSIDE p 21 INSIDEINSIDE p 23 Changing careers INSIDE INSIDE Refresh with Starbucks p 22 Chow down on clams

LYFE LYFE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 12 oYour guide to alleviating sore throat woes with natural remedies Asore throat can quickly put a damper on your day, making every swallow painful and leaving you feeling generally miserable. While over-thecounter medications can provide relief, many people prefer natural remedies for their simplicity and gentle approach. Here are a variety of home remedies that have stood the test of time for soothing sore throats, providing comfort and promoting healing. Salt water gargle One of the oldest and most effective home remedies for a sore throat is gargling with warm salt water. Mix a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds before spitting it out. The salt helps to reduce inflammation and loosen mucus, while the warmth provides soothing relief. Honey and lemon The combination of honey and lemon is a classic remedy for sore throats. Honey has natural antibacterial properties and can help coat the throat to reduce irritation, while lemon provides a boost of vitamin C and acidity to help break up mucus. Mix a teaspoon of honey with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice in warm water or herbal tea for a soothing drink. Herbal teas Herbal teas can provide relief for sore throats in several ways. Chamomile tea has antiinflammatory properties and can help relax sore muscles, while peppermint tea has a cooling effect that can numb the throat and reduce pain. Ginger tea is also beneficial, as ginger has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help fight infection. Steam inhalation Inhaling steam can help moisturise and soothe a dry, scratchy throat. Boil a pot of water and carefully lean over it with a towel draped over your head to trap the steam. Breathe deeply for five to 10 minutes, being careful not to get too close to the hot water to avoid burns. For added benefits, you can add a few drops of essential oils like tea tree oil to the water. Marshmallow root Marshmallow root has been used for centuries to treat sore throats and other respiratory issues. It contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that coats and soothes irritated tissues. You can make marshmallow root tea by steeping dried marshmallow root in hot water for 10–15 minutes, then straining and drinking the liquid. Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that can help kill bacteria and viruses in the throat. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water and gargle with it several times a day. You can also add honey to improve the taste and add extra soothing properties. Licorice root Licorice root has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties, which can help soothe and coat a sore throat. You can make licorice root tea by steeping dried licorice root in hot water for 10–15 minutes, then straining and drinking the liquid to offer effective relief to a sore throat. Turmeric milk Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Mixing turmeric with warm milk creates a soothing drink that can help alleviate sore throat symptoms. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a cup of warm milk and sweeten with honey to taste. Warm herbal compress Soak a clean cloth in warm herbal tea, such as chamomile or peppermint. Wring out the excess liquid and place the warm compress around your neck for soothing relief. The warmth helps to relax tense muscles and the herbal infusion can provide additional comfort. When a sore throat strikes, turning to natural remedies can provide gentle and effective relief without the side effects of medication. These home remedies offer a comforting solution to ease discomfort and promote healing. E x p e r i m e n t with different remedies to find what works best for you, and remember to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest to help your body recover. A sore throat can ruin a person’s daily routine. – ALL PICS BY PEXELS █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Honey and lemon offer gentle and effective relief for sore throat discomfort. Herbal tea offers natural relief for sore throats, thanks to its soothing properties. Turmeric milk combines the anti-inflammatory power of curcumin with the comforting warmth of milk to ease sore throat discomfort. Soothing sips Steam inhalation can help moisturise a dry throat.

FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: [email protected] SCAN ME Malaysia aims to showcase at least 40 5G private network use cases PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia plans to present at least 40 5G private network use cases in sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, logistics, healthcare, and plantations ahead of its Asean chairmanship in 2025. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo highlighted Malaysia’s rapid 5G network rollout, achieving over 80% coverage of populated areas within two years of launching 5G services. “This ongoing effort to accelerate 5G adoption among various enterprises is crucial for Malaysia’s digital transformation. It positions Malaysia as a 5G leader during our Asean chairmanship in 2025 and strengthens our hold on digital-related investments and benefits in the region,” he said in a statement yesterday. Gobind noted that Malaysia’s 5G network has received numerous awards and recognitions from global internet analytics firms such as Oookla, Opensignal and Glotel. By the end of April, Malaysia had more than 13 million 5G subscribers, equating to a 40% penetration rate. “While consumers will benefit from faster speeds and improved mobile experiences through 5G, the technology’s adoption by enterprises will be transformative. It will revolutionise business operations, collaboration, and innovation,” he said. Gobind said Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) is collaborating with the government, relevant ministries, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, telecommunications companies, and enterprises to promote 5G technology adoption across all Malaysian industries. Currently, there are 12 enterprise projects involving 5G trials across various sectors, including manufacturing, oil and gas, logistics, healthcare, and plantations. – Bernama Nga: Property market to remain stable this year KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s property market is poised to remain stable in 2024, followed by sustained growth in the next three years, bolstered by various initiatives of the Madani government under Budget 2024, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said the property market has demonstrated significant growth and resilience, with individual property counters experiencing up to 600% growth in share price appreciation. He said property counters in the stock market have been on the rise from January 2023 to June 2024, with 76 out of 100 on Bursa Malaysia experiencing an increase in share prices. “(Meanwhile,) 22 counters showed a decrease in share prices, (and) two counters maintained their share prices despite fluctuations,” Nga said in a statement. He noted that among the top counters were DPS Resources Bhd, registering 600% growth in share price, UEM Sunrise Bhd, posting a 347% increase and WMG Holdings Bhd, which appreciated by 326% from January 2023 to June 2024. “This positive trajectory is expected to continue into the second half of 2024. I firmly believe that under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, our property market will have a bright future in the coming years. “We must work together to enhance our industry’s reputation and increase the confidence level of investors to make the property market even more resilient,” said Nga. – Bernama Cautious optimism over rubber glove export revenue PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is cautiously optimistic that Malaysia will be able to achieve doubledigit growth in rubber glove export revenue this year. Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said that last year, Malaysia exported more than RM11 billion worth of rubber gloves, which account for 58% of the country’s total export of rubber products. “Malaysia is also the global leader in the rubber glove industry. Post-Covid era, we’ve seen about 12-15% growth in demand every year,” he told reporters after the soft launch of the 11th International Rubber Glove Conference and Exhibition (IRGCE) here yesterday. Malaysia recorded RM3.3 billion in revenue from rubber glove exports in the first quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, Malaysia Rubber Glove oMalaysia can achieve double-digit growth this year, says deputy minister Manufacturers Association (Margma) president Oon Kim Hung said the industry has shown exceptional resilience and flexibility in the face of challenging global circumstances. “Despite the downturn in 2023, when global demand for rubber gloves dropped significantly due to overstocking and the collapse of the average selling price, our players in Malaysia remained steadfast in their businesses and continue to move our industry forward,” he said. On another development, Oon said Margma is exploring the establishment of industry standards for Malaysian-manufactured rubber gloves and implementing “Malaysia Sustainable Natural Rubber” initiatives, including “Green Gloves” and other eco-friendly options. He said these endeavours highlight its dedication to sustainable practices and the preservation of the environment. “Collaborating closely with stakeholders and utilising technologies such as Internet of Things and artificial intelligence (AI) can improve supply chain efficiency, streamline operations, and enhance decision-making, leading to increased global competitiveness and effective management of upcoming challenges” Oon said. Themed “Towards an Effective, Sustainable and Innovative Rubber Glove Industry”, the 11th IRGCE is scheduled to take place at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Sept 3 to 5. The event will feature, among others, technical papers and keynote presentations by international and local experts on topics such as environmental and biodegradability standards for disposable rubber gloves, as well as practical approaches to adopting Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainable manufacturing. Experts will discuss preparations for the European Union’s new deforestation regulations, leveraging digital technologies for a sustainable supply chain, and environmental, sustainability and governance principles to ensure ethical and responsible business practices. Currently, 550 booths have been reserved by 171 exhibitors from 17 countries. This year’s IRGCE is expected to draw representatives from more than 30 countries and an estimated 12,000 participants. The event is supported by the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysian Rubber Board and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation. – Bernama MSM continues with hedging strategies KUALA LUMPUR: MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd, the producer of national refined sugar brand “Gula Prai”, will continue its hedging strategies to manage cost fluctuations and volatile market conditions until the government decides on a new pricing mechanism. CEO Syed Feizal Syed Mohammad said MSM is employing forward purchasing and market average hedging, as well as sugar industry incentives provided by the government, to manage the situation. “The ceiling price of sugar doesn’t make sense anymore. We have to manage in the sense that we have to buy forward quite often whether it’s for the wholesale segment or the industry segment. And we do market average hedging at best,” he told a press conference after the company’s AGM yesterday. Meanwhile, for the non-consumer side, he said the industry operates on a “back-to-back” basis, passing on costs to the industry. “Similarly for the exports, we do about 20 to 25% of exports. So exports also is a kind of a cost pass through to the customers,” he added. Syed Feizal pointed out the challenges posed by the raw sugar cost, which constitutes a major portion of MSM’s input expenses. has nearly doubled between 2021 and 2023. “The raw sugar cost itself is our main input cost. So raw sugar can be tracked by the New York 11 contracts on the ice market, representing about 75% to 80% of our input cost. It was high last year and also in 2022. Simply put, from 2021 to 2022 and 2023, it almost doubled,” he said. The current retail price of sugar is RM2.85 per kg. If the government approves the Syed Feizal (left) and MSM Malaysia Holdings chairman Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir at the postAGM press conference. █ BYHAYATUN RAZAK [email protected] recommended price float mechanism, the selling price of sugar could increase from RM0.80 to RM1.50, according to Syed Feizal. “At RM2.85 on the retail shelves, this is an anomaly in the sense that it’s the cheapest retail price in the region, and possibly even across the world,” he said. MSM stated that the sugar industry continues to face high input costs of raw sugar, with freight rates remaining volatile, further exacerbated by the Red Sea crisis since the first quarter of the year. Natural gas costs also remain elevated, and raw sugar imports are impacted by the stronger US dollar against the ringgit, it said. Looking ahead, MSM aims to explore upstream integration, with plans to secure raw sugar to meet long-term operational demands. MSM said it is also focused on downstream value-added products such as liquid sugar and premix, aiming to capitalise on market demand and enhance revenue streams. In 2023, MSM exported to the top five markets – the Philippines, China, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Beyond these, MSM maintained export relationships with markets such as South Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan and Pakistan, among others. The refined sugar producer aims to expand its market reach beyond Asia-Pacific and South Asia into Africa, aligning with its vision of greater global market penetration and diversification.

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 14 Tanco unit signs MoU to build smart AI container port PETALING JAYA: Tanco Holdings Bhd, through its 79%-owned subsidiary Midports Holdings Sdn Bhd, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CCCC Dredging (Group) Co Ltd to develop Malaysia’s first smart artificial intelligence (AI) container port in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. According to the agreement, Midports has obtained approval in principle from the Ministry of Transport to develop a port in Port Dickson, named SMART AI Container Port. Construction of the port will contribute to Malaysia’s goal of establishing a modern and efficient port hub, accelerating economic development in Negeri Sembilan and bolstering Malaysia’s global trade position. This development is further to the joint venture agreement announced Signing the MoU are Midports Holdings executive director Datuk Wira Chuah Lim Leng (left) and CCCC Dredging vicepresident Huang Daojin. Standing, from left, are Tanco Builders Sdn Bhd managing director Eugene Choo Ewe Chuen, Tan, Liu and CCCC Dredging international business division executive general manager Li Feng. oMidports Holdings enters into deal with China’s CCCC Dredging to develop project in Port Dickson Local banks’ profitability steady in Q1: RAM Ratings KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian banks’ first quarter 2024 (Q1’24) financial results showed steady profitability, in line with RAM Ratings’ expectations. In a statement, it said the average pre-tax return on assets and return on equity of eight selected local banks amounted to an annualised 1.37% and 13.8% respectively (Q1’23: 1.38% and 13.9%). “Profit outperformance in 2024 is expected to be relatively limited. Potentially lower provisioning charges may be offset by more moderate loan growth, while margins are likely to remain flat,” it said, adding that the banking system’s loan growth was sustained at an annualised 5.3% as at end of March 2024 (2023: 5.3%). RAM Ratings said business loan expansion experienced a resurgence in late 2023, continuing into Q1’24 and this was in line with the recovery in exports driven by the emerging semiconductor upturn. Household credit demand, however, saw some moderation. All household subsegments experienced softer growth, except for passenger car hire purchases. Considering the coming revision of petrol subsidies, which may reduce credit demand in the second half of 2024, RAM Ratings predicted 5% loan growth for the entire year. Net interest margins (NIM) were significantly compressed in 2023 due to the elevated cost of funds from the upward repricing of deposits following multiple rate increases and heightened deposit competition. “On a positive note, margin trends have stabilised as competition for deposits eased. Although the average NIM of the eight banks contracted by 10 bps y-o-y to 2.03% in Q1 2024, the metric registered a modest uptick on a q-o-q basis (Q4’23: 2.02%),” said RAM’s co-head of financial institution ratings, Wong Yin Ching. “Overall, we expect full-year margins in 2024 to remain largely suppressed, similar to the year before,” she said. On the asset quality front, the system’s gross impaired loan (GIL) ratio inched down marginally to 1.62% (end-December 2023: 1.65%). Favourable labour market conditions – with the unemployment rate recovering to the pre-pandemic level of 3.3% – should help contain the adverse impact of the rollout of subsidy rationalisation. The GIL ratio is envisaged to come in between 1.6% and 1.7% by year-end. The eight banks’ average credit cost ratio also stayed relatively benign at 22 bps in Q1’24 (Q1’23: 18 bps; 2023: 23 bps), given the sizeable management overlays that remain. “Some writebacks of these overlays are anticipated but banks are prudently assessing the quantum and timing of reversals given the macro headwinds,” Wong said. HEB Group to expand internationally for growth PETALING JAYA: Engineering and project management consultant HSS Engineers Bhd (HEB Group) is expanding internationally and is targeting to rake in 25% of its turnover from overseas ventures by 2027. Executive vice-chairman Tan Sri Kuna Sittampalam said: “HEB Group is keen on deploying its expertise in infrastructure engineering in developing economies in the Asean region, Middle East and North Africa (Mena), and South Asia. We are encouraged by the policies of governments across the region to promote sustainable economic growth through strategic infrastructure projects.” On the domestic front, HEB Group is optimistic about the accelerated implementation of mega projects in Malaysia and the subsequent contract awards, with the government’s call to expedite high-impact projects. “We are eager to capitalise on this projected growth and further solidify our standing as the nation’s Central Digital Data Depository for transportation, water, rail and highways,” Kuna remarked. Furthermore, he said, the group sees tremendous growth potential in the emerging sectors of data centres and renewable energy and aims to move deeper into these spaces, in line with its diversification strategy. At HEB Group’s annual general meeting held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Kuna said the multipronged growth strategies, domestic and overseas, will elevate it into an internationally recognised player in the engineering industry. Shareholders approved all the resolutions tabled at the meeting. They include the payment of a final single tier dividend of 1.21 sen per share for FY 2023. New Hoong Fatt shareholders approve 8 sen final dividend PETALING JAYA: New Hoong Fatt Holdings Bhd, which concluded its 27th annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday, reported a 3.2% reduction in revenue from RM290.4 million in financial year 2022 (FY22) to RM281.2 million in FY23. The decline was primarily due to lower revenue from the local market as a result of competition, and partially offset by a 4.2% increase in export revenue. Despite the decline in revenue, the group achieved higher profit before tax, which rose to RM52.6 million in FY23, compared with RM33.2 million in FY22. Consequently, the group’s net profit increased to RM47.7 million in FY23, up from RM26.7 million in FY22. Earnings per share also saw a significant rise, reaching 57.7 sen in FY23, compared to 32.3 sen in the previous year. At the AGM, shareholders approved a final single tier dividend of 8 sen per ordinary share for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023. NHF had earlier declared a first interim single tier dividend of 3 sen and a second interim single tier dividend of 4 sen per share for FY23 totalling RM5.8 million. The latest approval brings the total single tier dividends declared by the group for 2023 to 15 sen per ordinary share compared to 13 sen in FY22. Shareholders also approved a share split involving the subdivision of every one existing ordinary share into two ordinary shares. on Feb 27, 2024, between Midports and Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan (Perbadanan) on undertaking reclamation works necessary for the project. Established in May 2015 in Shanghai, CCCC Dredging is a specialised sub-group of China Communications Construction Co Ltd, the world’s leading ultra-large infrastructure comprehensive service provider. CCCC Dredging is the largest marine engineering company globally, committed to becoming a world-class dredging, eco-environmental and marine industry group with global competitiveness in technology, management, and quality. With more than 10,000 employees, registered capital of 11.7 billion yuan (about RM7.6 billion), and total assets exceeding 100 billion yuan, CCCC Dredging leads the world in dredging fleet scale and advancement. It operates nearly 200 vessels with an annual dredging capacity exceeding 800 million cubic metres. Notable projects include Tianjin Port, Yangshan Deep Water Port and Hong KongZhuhai-Macao Bridge. Its parent company, CCCC, is listed in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The company’s profitability and value-creation capabilities are among the leading global players. In 2023, China Communications Construction ranked 63th in Fortune 500 and was among the top three in the ENR ranking of the 250 largest international contractors. The company boasts a market capitalisation of about RM80 billion. The smart AI container port will accommodate the largest container ships in the world, enhancing Malaysia’s maritime capabilities and creating new industrial zones. Tanco Holdings group managing director Datuk Seri Andrew Tan Juan Suan said, “This collaboration with CCCC Dredging marks a pivotal step towards realising our vision of a world-class port in Port Dickson. The expertise and resources brought by CCCC Dredging will ensure the successful implementation of this project, which is set to drive economic growth and create job opportunities in the region.” CCCC Dredging chairman Liu Yongman said, “We are pleased to partner with Tanco Holdings on this groundbreaking project. Our combined expertise and resources will pave the way for a state-of-theart port to boost Malaysia’s maritime infrastructure and set new standards in operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. We are committed to bringing our best capabilities to this strategic initiative and look forward to a successful collaboration.” The proposed smart AI container port will incorporate cutting-edge technologies to optimise logistics, enhance operational efficiency, and minimise environmental impact. The development will improve maritime logistics for transhipment and gateway containers and contribute to the development of industrial hubs, fostering economic growth in Negeri Sembilan.

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 15 Enclosed is my payment of RM payable to SUN MEDIA CORPORATION SDN BHD. Please WhatsApp your bank-in slip to 0182929936 or email to [email protected] *Not inclusive of vendor service charge 6 month subscription (128 issues) for only RM110* (Normal price RM128) 1 year subscription (258 issues) for only RM200* (Normal price RM258) PERSONAL PARTICULARS Name: NRIC: Race: Malay Chinese Indian Others Profession: Commencement date: Delivery Address: Residence Ofice Postcode: State: Tel: Mobile No: E-mail: DETAILS OF CURRENT NEWS VENDOR (IF ANY) Vendor name: Contact no: For your convenience, you may call or send in your subscription particulars via any of the following: Tel: KL/PJ 03-7781 4000, 03-7784 6688 (9.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday) Whatsapp No: +6018-292 9936 Post: P.O. Box 179, Jalan Sultan, 46720 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan Attn: Subscription Email: [email protected] *Terms & Conditions apply Important note: SMCSB reserves the right to revise the price at any time without prior notice. Pay to Maybank ( Account number 508177700420 ) Account name ( SUN MEDIA CORPORATION SDN BHD ) Nov 8 to Nov 10 Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1 WEDNESDAY NOV 8, 2023 No. 8389 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) SCAN ME Casino chip heist: Five more identified Police have detained a total of 10 suspects, including a Chinese national, in connection with the RM4.6m theft at Genting Highlands on Oct 28. Congratulations! You are holding the first edition A new sunrise of our new 32-page paper featuring more of the great content you have loved for the past 30 years. Copies will be free until Friday and will be available via subscription and at newsstands beginning Monday for only RM1. Muruku Buntong entrepreneur’s Deepavali snack, made from a still a national favourite 60-year-old recipe, is constantly in high demand. Chicken price float benefits consumers A week after subsidies ended, market prices are competitive and lower than subsidised prices, says expert. Full report —on page 3 Full report —on page 6 Full report —on page 4 Citing protection of country’s interests in terms of diplomatic, economic relations and security as reasons for joining meeting, Anwar says he remains steadfast in defending justice and rights of Palestinians. I will show up at Apec Story on page 2 Full story -on page 2 SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE Subscribe now for Monday-Friday copies of theSun newspaper only per copy 1 year subscription at normal price RM258* (258 issues) + RM50 administration fee to get 2nd year free *Special ofier for June 2024 only SIDC adds new competencies to framework KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC) yesterday announced three additions to the Industry Competency Framework (ICF) of new competencies designed to address the growing demand for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) and syariahcompliant products and services. In a statement, SIDC said the new competencies are designed to meet the needs of the evolving landscape in the capital market and are pivotal in guiding professionals in the industry to grow and enhance their skills. With the new competencies, it added the ICF now comprises 61 competency titles covering 149 job roles in capital market-regulated oMove will aid capital market professionals in identifying skill growth areas in sustainability and syariah advisory Proton sales rise to 12,522 units in May, up 13.6% from April KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd registered a 13.6% growth in sales to 12,522 units in May 2024 for the domestic and export markets compared with the previous month. It said sales for the first five months closed at 62,697 units, cementing the company’s second position in the overall national automotive sales ranking table with a forecast market share of 19%. “Sales growth registered by Proton in May is in line with the trend for total industry volume (TIV) which is estimated to have grown by 20.7% to approximately 70,000 units in May,” the carmaker said in a statement yesterday. Cumulatively, Proton noted that the year-to-date (YTD) figure for TIV is estimated at 330,236 units, equivalent to 8.8% increase over 2023. Furthermore, it said the company’s plans to expand and re-establish its brand in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Bangladesh and Iraq this year have proven fruitful as its export sales totalled 509 units in May, the highest shipment recorded for 2024 thus far. “Since February this year, the bestselling export model is the Proton Saga, which again led the pack with 360 units exported in May. Most models also saw an uptick in export sales in the month, bringing the cumulative export sales to 1,344 units since January this year,” it said. It noted that sales of the Proton Saga increased 21.6% to 6,119 units in May leading to year-to-date sales of 29,397 units, up 8%, as it remained an attractive proposition to Malaysian car buyers. Sales for its class-leading Csegment sedan, Proton S70, increased by 23% to 2,011 units last month from 1,635 units in April, and cumulative sales for the first five months of 2024 amounted to 9,474 units. Proton Edar Sdn Bhd CEO Roslan Abdullah said May saw a return to positive growth as TIV increased both year-on-year and month-on-month basis, reflecting the resilience of the local automotive industry. “With the cumulative TIV until May already making up 44.6% of Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA)’s fullyear projection of 740,000 units, we believe there is still room for growth in the local automotive industry,” he opined. Entering the second half of 2024, he said Proton will be focusing on growing sales via updates to existing models while also concurrently taking the first steps towards entering the electrical vehicle market. – Bernama activities. The ICF provides details of the required knowledge, skills and attributes (behavioural) of professionals for capital market activities including dealing in securities, dealing in derivatives, fund management, advising on corporate finance, investment advice, financial planning and dealing in private retirement schemes. “We are navigating constant change in the capital market today and our professionals work in a competitive market environment. SIDC’s ICF helps them to be futureready and be equipped with the right skills in the marketplace,” said SIDC CEO Tengku Zarina Tengku Chik. She added that the new competencies will also allow organisations to identify capacitybuilding gaps in their workforce so they could strategise and plan ahead to grow their organisations. The new competencies – the introduction of two new competencies in sustainability covers fundamental components in SRI Products and Sustainability/SRI Analysis. The existing competency dictionary on Corporate Governance has also been updated to align with the current development in sustainability practices and initiatives and syariah advisory that aims to equip capital market professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to engage in activities related to Islamic Capital Market (ICM) products and services. To complement this development, the existing competency dictionary on ICM Regulations and ICM Products has been updated to ensure a holistic understanding of this important field. The ICF is the first comprehensive capital market competency framework in Malaysia. It is accessible via the Competency Management System (CMS) an online industry-wide utility platform that centralises the ICF, assessment and development activities on a common hub. CMS is an online solution that facilitates continuous professional development of the capital market industry through assessment of competencies as prescribed by the ICF and the identification of specific learning and development interventions. Based on the ICF, the CMS empowers individuals and/or corporations to assess and identify their own or their employees’ existing competency levels and development areas.

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 16 /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE Malaysian Paper Beijing says it never uses EV subsidies barred by WTO FWD revives Hong Kong IPO plan, say sources HONG KONG: Billionaire Richard Li has revived plans to list pan-Asian insurer FWD Group in Hong Kong, said three people with direct knowledge of the matter, after regulatory delay and market volatility scuppered previous attempts to take it public. Hong Kong-headquartered FWD could target a valuation of up to US$9 billion (RM42 billion) in the initial public offering (IPO) depending on financial market conditions when launching the deal, one of the people said. oPrevious attempts to take insurer public scuppered by regulatory delay and market volatility The deal timeline and offering size are yet to be decided, the people said, declining to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media. “While we do not currently have an active listing application and no decisions have been made to refile at this stage, of course we continue to keep a close eye on capital market developments and conditions,” a FWD spokesman said. Li founded FWD in 2013 and controls it via investment arm Pacific Century Group, which has interests in the technology, media, telecoms and property as well as financial sectors. FWD targeted a valuation of at least US$10 billion when it last attempted to list in Hong Kong in 2022, one of the people said. The deal was shelved due to volatile market conditions. The insurer, which is present in 10 Asian markets, aimed to raise US$2 billion to US$3 billion in a New York IPO in 2021 but shelved China investor fails to join Northern Minerals board SYDNEY: A Chinese national has failed in his bid to join the board of Australian rare earths mining company Northern Minerals, days after Treasurer Jim Chalmers ordered the investor’s private company to sell some of its shares. Chalmers this week ordered several China-linked investors to dispose of Northern Mineral shares amounting to 10.4% of its issued share capital on national interest grounds. Yuxiao Fund had 60 days to dispose of 80 million Northern Minerals shares bought in September. The company was ordered not to lift its stake in February last year. The fund had sought Foreign Investment Review Board approval to raise its ownership to 19.9% in 2022, from 9.81% of Northern Minerals, but was declined last year. Northern Minerals has said the ultimate controller of Yuxiao Fund is Chinese national Wu Tao. Wu’s nomination to join the Northern Minerals board was one of four that failed yesterday, the company announced at its annual meeting. Wu has mining interests in Mozambique and China where his private company has developed and operated rare earth minerals businesses, Northern Minerals has said. Two other board candidates proposed by entities and individuals linked to Yuxiao Fund and named in the treasurer’s disposal order on Monday also failed at the meeting. The Australian government order to several China-linked investors to dispose of shares was not connected with the rare earths miner’s revelation this week of a data leak by cyberhackers, its chairman said at the meeting. Northern Minerals said on Tuesday some of its corporate, operational and financial data had been released on the dark web following a cyberattack in March. Executive chairman Adam Handley told the company’s shareholder meeting in Perth yesterday the attack and the divestiture order were not linked. “As is typical with cyber security attacks on corporations like Northern Minerals, the hackers demanded a ransom from us. “Northern Minerals, out of principle, refused to engage with the hackers on a ransom. “The fact we disclosed the cyber security breach a day after the treasurer’s divestiture order was announced is a coincidence. “There are no suggestions, contrary to some media speculation, that the two events are linked in any way.” – Reuters The FWD logo on a building in Hong Kong. – REUTERSPIC the plan due to lengthy delays in obtaining US regulatory approval. The revival of the Hong Kong listing plan is in its early stages and could change depending on market conditions and investor sentiment, the people said. A listing would bolster the outlook for the Asian financial hub which has seen a drop in new listings amid Chinese economic slowdown and geopolitical tension. The benchmark Hang Seng index has risen 9% this year after ending last year down 13.8%. FWD, whose minority shareholders include Swiss Re and Apollo Global Management raised US$1.83 billion in private placements in 2021 and 2022, valuing the insurer at around US$9 billion on a post-money basis. Last year, FWD reported a 22% jump in the value of new business – a key profitability indicator for insurers – to US$991 million, and 27% increase in operating profit after tax to US$372 million, its website showed. – Reuters BEIJING: China never makes use of subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) that have been prohibited by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday. Chinese companies are producing waves of low-priced EVs that some worry could harm big US automakers, some of which have focused recently on big gasoline-powered sports utility vehicles. “China’s new energy products, including electric vehicles, are widely popular in the international market,” ministry spokesman Mao Ning told a regular press briefing. “They are the result of the combined effects of comparative advantages and market laws.” The comments came in response to a query on remarks by US President Joe Biden that China provides subsidies to flood the American market with EVs, concerns echoed by other administration officals. New energy products were the result of enterprises’ efforts, not government subsidies, Mao said. “Last year, China exported only 13,000 electric vehicles to the United States. How can they flood into the US market?” Biden has vowed to ratchet up tariffs on a number of Chinese sectors, with measures such as quadrupling import duties on its EVs to more than 100%, while doubling semiconductor duties to 50%. – Reuters India to spend up to US$385b to meet renewable energy target: Moody’s MUMBAI: India will have to invest as much as US$385 billion (RM1.8 trillion) to meet its target of 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2030, but coal will remain a key source of electricity generation for the next decade, Moody’s Ratings said yesterday. India, a major greenhouse gas emitter, has said it aims to ramp up non-fossil fuel capacity set by 50 GW each year to help meet its 500 GW target. It missed its target of 175 GW by 2022. Moody’s, however, estimates an annual capacity addition of 44 GW will help achieve that target. For that, India will have to spend US$190 billion to US$215 billion on capacity over the next six to seven years and another US$150 billion to US$170 billion for transmission and distribution, the credit ratings agency estimates. “The sizable pipelines of announced projects will likely keep financial leverage of rated renewable power companies high over the next two to three years, a credit negative, but leverage of government related issuers is likely to remain moderate over the same period.” India’s strong policy support has boosted the renewable energy share to 43% in its power capacity mix in fiscal 2023-24, attracting private sector investments. Adani Group, through Adani Green Energy, aims to generate 45 GW of renewable power by 2030 as it strives to become the country’s first integrated renewable energy player. Continued policy backing will facilitate progress toward India’s 2030 transition and 2070 net-zero targets, said Moody’s. However, despite the steady growth in renewable energy, most of which will likely be solar power, Moody’s expects coal will play a significant role in electricity generation for the next eight to ten years. “We expect India to add 40GW-50GW of coal-based capacity over the next five to six years to help meet power demand.” – Reuters

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 17 Nvidia’s gains increasingly power Wall Street’s record run NEW YORK: A rally that has propelled US equities to record highs increasingly rests on red-hot chipmaker Nvidia and a handful of other giant stocks, reviving concerns that the market’s performance has become tied to a cluster of companies. About 60% of the S&P 500’s total return of more than 12% for the year has been driven by five companies whose shares have some of the heaviest weightings in the index: Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Alphabet and Amazon, data from S&P Dow Jones Indices showed. Nvidia – which on Wednesday became the world’s second-most valuable company following a 147% run this year – has alone accounted for about a third of the index’s gain. As the companies’ share prices have rallied, their weightings in the S&P 500 have grown, giving them more sway over the broader index. The top four stocks – Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia and Alphabet – accounted for nearly 24% of the S&P 500 at the end of May, the biggest collective weight for four stocks in 60 years, according to Bianco Research. Many investors believe the A staff introducing Nvidia GeForce series equipment to visitors at Computex expo in Taiwan capital Taipei. – REUTERSPIC o60% of S&P 500’s total return this year driven by five companies US regulators to open antitrust inquiries into AI firms WASHINGTON: The US Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have reached a deal that allows them to proceed with antitrust investigations into the dominant roles that Microsoft, OpenAI and Nvidia play in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Under the deal, the US Department of Justice will take the lead in investigating whether Nvidia violated antitrust laws, while the FTC will examine the conduct of OpenAI and Microsoft, the report said. While OpenAI’s parent is nonprofit, Microsoft has invested US$13 billion (RM61 billion) in a for-profit subsidiary, for what would be a 49% stake. The Microsoft-OpenAI partnership is also under informal scrutiny in other regions. The regulators struck the deal over the past week and it is expected to be completed in the coming days, the report said, citing two people with knowledge of the matter. The FTC is said to be looking into Microsoft’s US$650 million deal with AI startup Inflection AI, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, citing a person familiar with the matter. The moves signal growing regulatory scrutiny in the AI industry. In January, the FTC ordered OpenAI, Microsoft, Alphabet Amazon and Anthropic to provide information on recent investments and partnerships involving generative AI firms and cloud service providers. In July last year, the FTC opened an investigation into OpenAI on claims it had run afoul of consumer protection laws by putting personal reputations and data at risk. Last week, US antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter referred to “structures and trends in AI that should give us pause”, at an AI conference, adding that the technology relies on massive amounts of data and computing power, which can give already-dominant firms a substantial advantage. – Reuters Meta Platforms hit with privacy complaints in Europe VIENNA: A Meta Platforms plan to use personal data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models without seeking consent came under fire from advocacy group NOYB yesterday, which called on privacy enforcers across Europe to stop such use. NOYB (none of your business) urged national privacy watchdogs to act immediately, saying recent changes in Meta’s privacy policy, which come into force on June 26, would allow it to use years of personal posts, private images or online tracking data for the Facebook owner’s AI technology. The advocacy group said it has launched 11 complaints against Meta and asked data protection authorities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Spain to launch an urgency procedure because of the imminent changes. Meta rejected NOYB’s criticism and referred to a May 22 blog post in which it said it uses publicly available online and licensed information to train AI as well as information that people have shared publicly on its products and services. However, a message sent to Facebook users said Meta may still process information about people who do not use its products and services nor have an account if they appear in an image or are mentioned in posts or captions shared by a user. “We are confident our approach complies with privacy laws, and our approach is consistent with how other tech companies are developing and improving their AI experiences in Europe,” a Meta spokesman said. NOYB has already filed several complaints against Meta and other Big Tech companies over alleged breaches of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which threatens fines up to 4% of a company’s total global turnover for violations. Meta has previously cited a legitimate interest for using users’ data to train and develop its generative AI models and other AI tools, which can be shared with third parties. NOYB founder Max Schrems said in a statement that Europe’s top court had already ruled on this issue in 2021. “The European Court of Justice has already made it clear that Meta has no ‘legitimate interest’ to override users’ right to data protection when it comes to advertising. “Yet the company is trying to use the same arguments for the training of undefined ‘AI technology’. “It seems that Meta is once again blatantly ignoring the judgements of the court.” – Reuters companies’ market heft is deserved, given their robust earnings, dominant competitive positions and expectation they will capitalise on advances in the burgeoning artificial intelligence field. But some are concerned the concentration of gains in a handful of powerhouses could threaten indexes if some of the big names start to wobble. “If these names stop performing well ... and we don’t see the rest of the market providing that support, that could potentially be a source of vulnerability,” said Angelo Kourkafas, senior investment strategist at Edward Jones. A look at the 10 largest stocks in the S&P 500 shows their weighting ballooned to 34.1% at the end of May, the highest-ever month-end weight for the index’s top ten, said Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices. Concerns over market concentration have arisen repeatedly in recent years. The S&P 500’s 24% gain last year – when recession worries attracted investors to larger companies that are less exposed to the economy’s fluctuations – was propelled by eye-popping increases from a group of mega-cap tech and growth stocks dubbed the “Magnificent Seven”. While those stocks soared, large swaths of the market remained tepid, even though a recession did not come to pass. Signs of broadening emerged in the first quarter of this year when the financials, energy and industrial sectors all outperformed the S&P 500. Those groups have declined in the second quarter, however, even as the broad index has pushed higher. The equal-weight S&P 500 – a proxy for the average stock in the index – has pared earlier gains and is up just 4.5% this year, compared with a 12% gain for the S&P 500. “We were all excited about the broadening out of the recovery,” said Jack Manley, global market strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. “It appears to have stalled out, at least in the first half or so of the year.” Analysts cite a number of reasons for the market’s narrowing, including first-quarter earnings dominance from mega-cap tech companies and enthusiasm for companies benefiting from AI. Nascent worries over an economic downshift – reflected in recent data such as a weaker US manufacturing report – could be another factor. Meanwhile, Nvidia has kept ascending. Fuelled by its position as the dominant AI chipmaker, Nvidia’s market value on Wednesday surpassed US$3 trillion (RM14 trillion) as the company moved ahead of Apple in market capitalisation, trailing only Microsoft. The stock has gained 29% since its blockbuster earnings report on May 22, while the S&P 500 is up 0.9% in that time. “Nvidia itself was supporting the tape,” said Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading. “That’s a risk because if a correction emerges in that name ... you’re going to feel it in the market.” Some investors believe the concentration simply reflects the companies’ economic strength and is not in itself a cause for alarm. The mega-caps “are outperforming because the results and outlook are strong”, said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel, although he added that gains from a wider group of stocks are often preferable as this reflects broader economic strength. Others are optimistic the market will broaden again in coming months, helped by improving earnings from the rest of the S&P 500. Magnificent Seven earnings are expected to rise about 27% in 2024, against a 7.4% increase for the S&P 500 excluding those seven, with the gap shrinking as the year goes on, according to Tajinder Dhillon, senior research analyst at LSEG. “That earnings outperformance gap will start to narrow,” Kourkafas said. “Investors shouldn’t give up on that theme of broadening leadership this year.” – Reuters

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 18 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON Malaysian Paper INSTAGRAM Work-life balance, housing woes prompt Irish exodus week is hugely significant for having a life outside work,” Humphries, who researches doctor emigration trends and motivations, told AFP in Dublin. Inside the workplace, under-resourcing and under-staffing add to the strain, she said. “In Ireland, the system is very fast-paced with an intensive workload, there are never enough people to do the work that needs to be done on a given day,” said Humphries. Pay and cost of living are lesser but still significant factors in emigration decisions, she said, particularly for graduate doctors who finish their studies with a large debt burden. “Repaying debt while also paying expensive rent in maybe two places at once as they travel around the country as part of their job is also very difficult,” said Humphries. On the town’s main street, two young doctors from Dublin also completing their training in Tullamore said they were split on whether to stay in Ireland or leave. “The cost of living seems to be hard everywhere but it does particularly seem to hurt in Ireland,” said Aisling Gill. The 25-year-old said many of her family live around the world and that she plans to leave. Her friend Eve Blake, 29, said she wants to live in Dublin after her training but is worried about high housing costs. “Dublin is notorious for having a dreadful housing crisis,” she said. Healthcare is not the only public sector in Ireland under pressure from a staff exodus. Of 43,000 primary teaching posts approved by the Irish Education Ministry this year, some 3,000 are vacant, according to the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation union. “Teachers are leaving in droves to places like the Middle East, Singapore, Korea and Australia,” said the union’s leader John Boyle. A recent poll indicated that over half of young teachers are considering emigration, with Ireland’s long-running housing shortage the biggest driver. “Many teachers can’t afford accommodation near schools, particularly in Dublin and surrounding counties where vacancies are highest,” said Boyle. “I’ve been in teaching for 37 years and haven’t seen a recruitment and retention crisis like it.” – AFP Barr posing at the entrance of Midland Regional Hospital, where she works, in Tullamore. – AFPPIC oMany doctors and teachers leaving for countries that offer better lifestyle Staff warned off whistleblower hotlines: Global survey LONDON: More than half of whistleblowers have felt pressured not to use internal hotlines to raise red flags at large global businesses and public bodies, a global EY survey showed. The number of organisations without a whistleblowing hotline has halved since a similar survey in 2022, as countries introduce new whistleblower protection laws and regulators order companies to offer informants safe routes to step forward. But 54% of those who have used such channels, and responded to the latest EY Global Integrity Report, said they faced pressure not to do so. EY did not provide further details. The survey, for which 5,464 board members, senior managers, managers and staff were quizzed in 53 countries and territories between October 2023 and January this year, paints a gloomy picture for whistleblower protections. Good whistleblowing procedures shine a light on problems, allowing organisations to deal with concerns and avert crises. But the survey showed employees fear they would be ignored and their careers hampered, if they speak up. Almost a third of respondents said they also feared for their personal safety. Four in 10 board members, who responded to the survey, said they had faced retaliation themselves or witnessed adverse consequences towards someone who reported misconduct. EY warned that bosses overestimated progress. Four in ten board member respondents said it was easier for employees to speak up, but only 26% of staff agreed. “Individuals must be made to feel safe, and they should also know that their concerns will be acted on, without any consequence,” said EY’s global forensic and integrity services leader Andrew Gordon. Against a backdrop of geo-political and economic challenges, more employees would consider dishonest behaviour than two years ago. Nearly 40% of all respondents – and two thirds of board members – said they were willing to behave unethically to improve their career or financial position. This is more than one-and-a-half times higher than two years ago. Interviews for the survey at workplaces such as advanced manufacturers, consumer products firms, technology and financial services companies were conducted by global research agency Ipsos. – Reuters Chanel parts ways with artistic director Viard PARIS: French fashion house Chanel announced the departure of artistic director Virginie Viard yesterday, despite hitting record sales under her leadership. Viard, 62, replaced legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld at the storied label following his death in 2019, having worked alongside him for 20 years. “Chanel confirms the departure of Virginie Viard after a rich five-year collaboration as artistic director of fashion collections,” the group said in a statement, adding that a successor would be announced in due course. Chanel thanked Viard for her “remarkable contribution”, and while critics felt she played it a little safe, sales soared under her leadership, hitting a record of nearly US$20 billion (RM94 billion) in 2023 – an increase of 14.6% on the previous year. Viard herself kept a very low profile, dressing simply and giving very sobre statements to the press – a world away from the flamboyant Lagerfeld and his often provocative pronouncements. – AFP Solar investment outstrips all other power forms, says IEA PARIS: More money is pouring into solar power than all other electricity sources combined, with investments set to reach US$500 billion (RM2.3 trillion) this year, the world’s top energy research body said yesterday. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast in a report that global investment in clean energy this year will hit US$2 trillion, twice the amount going to fossil fuels. It said combined investment in renewable power and grids overtook the amount spent on fossil fuels for the first time last year. “Clean energy investment is setting new records even in challenging economic conditions, highlighting the momentum behind the new global energy economy,” IEA executive director Fatih Birol said in a statement accompanying the agency’s annual World Energy Investment report. Companies and governments worldwide are raising spending on clean energy production to reduce the carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels that are driving deadly climate change. The report said improving supply chains and lower costs were driving up investment in forms of so-called clean energy, which include solar panels, wind turbines, electric cars and heat pumps, as well as nuclear power generation. Combined investment in renewables and nuclear for electricity generation is now set to reach 10 times the amount going to fossil-fuel power, led by solar, with China investing the biggest share. “More money is now going into solar PV (photovoltaic panels) than all other electricity generation technologies combined,” the report said. Solar panel costs have decreased by 30% over the past two years and this year “investment in solar PV is set to grow to US$500 billion as falling module prices spur new investments”. By comparison, global upstream oil and gas investment is expected to increase by 7% this year to reach US$570 billion, following a similar rise in 2023. The IEA warned, however, of “major imbalances and shortfalls in energy investment flows in many parts of the world” where clean energy projects remain prohibitively expensive. – AFP DUBLIN: As Europe goes to the polls, skewed work-life balance, housing and cost of living crises are key issues for people across the continent. In Ireland, which has seen strong net immigration in recent years, many young doctors and teachers are bucking the trend and leaving for countries where they can afford a better lifestyle. “In Australia, you’ll get the same pay for doing less work,” doctor Kate Barr, who is emigrating to Perth in September, told AFP in Tullamore, an hour’s drive west of Dublin. Lack of time off and unpredictable hours were behind her decision to emigrate, said Barr, 25, wearing blue scrubs outside the town’s hospital after finishing another long shift. Back in her apartment, Barr showed her successful Australian visa application on a laptop and scrolled through information pages on moving Down Under. “Over here I always have to send texts to the football coach or teammates about running late, or have to skip a dinner date I planned a week in advance,” she said. “In Australia you’re not expected to work 12- or 16-hour days, it’s just a healthier workplace environment.” Barr said she will miss her family but “40 to 50” of her fellow medical graduates are also emigrating, so she is confident Australia will be a home from home. “I don’t have any plans to return to Ireland, and nor do I have long term plans to stay over there. I’ll see how I get on.” The number of young medics emigrating to Australia from Ireland, which trains around 750 doctors a year, is increasing, said Niamh Humphries, a lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. This year 535 doctors will make the trip, up from about 400 last year and some 300 a year before the pandemic, primarily due to better working conditions. “A 40-hour week compared to an 80-hour

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 19 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) APOLLO 7.05 -0.4 1002 PETDAG 18.3 -0.4 7949 AJI 15.6 -0.18 1825 HEIM 23.7 -0.18 3478 NPC 1.8 -0.15 30 MSM 2.42 -0.14 25,389 EKOVEST-C55 0.045 -0.115 12,000 KOTRA 4.37 -0.14 631 PARAGON 3.63 -0.11 708 SDG 4.33 -0.11 36,943 BKAWAN 19.8 -0.1 113 NOTION-WD 1.23 -0.1 29,786 NOTION 1.44 -0.09 240,046 SAB 3.45 -0.09 66 UTDPLT-CD 0.065 -0.085 9600 ARKA 2.05 -0.09 244 GAMUDA 6.05 -0.08 43,492 PECCA 1.33 -0.08 165,622 NIKKEI-HB 0.28 -0.075 300 AIRPORT 9.93 -0.07 68,452 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/-(RM) +/-(%) VOLUME WCT 0.775 0.15 24 2,312,221 HSI-HU8 0.11 -0.015 -12 1,993,609 JCY 0.615 - - 1,436,012 HSI-CV7 0.155 - - 1,270,658 SNS 0.65 - - 934,863 KENERGY 0.8 0.155 24.03 805,343 DSONIC 0.55 0.03 5.77 735,988 MYEG 1.05 -0.04 -3.67 682,788 KGW 0.225 0.015 7.14 658,520 SEALINK 0.335 0.035 11.67 656,969 EKOVEST 0.455 0.02 4.6 595,792 DNEX 0.475 -0.005 -1.04 566,027 PWRWELL 0.51 0.02 4.08 528,246 MALTON 0.505 0.095 23.17 501,079 SIMEPROP 1.3 0.06 4.84 488,646 MAHSING 1.75 0.15 9.38 475,352 MRCB 0.655 0.02 3.15 445,318 WENTEL 0.38 0.03 8.57 434,699 VELESTO 0.265 0.005 1.92 413,424 TOPGLOV 1.06 0.02 1.92 408,039 SUNBIZ presents a summary of the day’s trading activity on Bursa Malaysia and other markets in an easy to digest format. MARKET ROUND-UP: JUNE 6 [ Sources: Bursa Malaysia, Bernama, shareinvestor.com and websites DISCLAIMER: The data and reports are provided as a service to investors. Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd shall not be liable or responsible for any consequences resulting from usage of the information. INDEX CHANGE FBMEMAS 12,303.69 +63.71 FBMKLCI 1,614.73 +6.20 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 595.71 +2.41 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 197.24 +0.67 CONSTRUCTION 246.80 +0.26 FINANCIAL SERVICES 17,637.43 +46.26 ENERGY 965.64 +13.32 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 612.59 -0.40 HEALTH CARE 2,128.75 +33.19 TRANSPORTATION 1,115.24 +1.88 PROPERTY 1,102.99 +18.06 PLANTATION 7,112.86 -24.26 FBMSHA 12,576.18 +88.76 FBMACE 5,499.94 +32.33 TECHNOLOGY 74.68 +0.21 TURNOVER: 5.352 bil VALUE: RM4.499 bil Top 20 Actives Top 20 Losers (By RM) Bursa Indices INDEX CLOSING DAILY DAILY CHANGE CHANGE (%) DJIA (US) 38,807.33 +96.04 +0.25 S&P 500 (US) 5,354.03 +62.69 +1.18 NASDAQ (US) 17,187.91 +330.86 +1.96 NYSE (US) 18,045.50 +111.01 +0.62 EURO STOXX 50 (EUR) 5,066.84 +31.18 +0.62 FTSE 100 (UK) 8,263.68 +16.73 +0.20 DAX (GER) 18,723.25 +147.31 +0.79 NIKKEI 225 (JPN) 38,703.51 +213.34 +0.55 TOPIX (JPN) 2,757.23 +9.01 +0.33 HANG SENG INDEX (HK) 18,476.80 +51.84 +0.28 CSI 300 (CHN) 3,592.25 -2.54 -0.07 SH SE COM (CHN) 3,048.79 -16.61 -0.54 KOSPI INDEX (SK) 2,689.50 +27.40 +1.03 MSCI ASIA PACIFIC 178.75 -1.49 -0.83 ASX 200 (AUS) 7,821.77 +52.77 +0.68 ALL ORDINARIES INDX (AUS) 8,074.29 +52.06 +0.65 SENSEX INDEX (IND) 74,779.63 +397.39 +0.53 FBM KLCI 1,614.73 +6.20 +0.39 STRAITS TIMES INDEX (S’PORE) 3,334.79 +4.78 +0.14 WTI (US$/BBL.) 74.52 +0.45 +0.61 BRENT (US$/BBL.) 78.83 +0.42 +0.54 GOLD (COMEX) (US$/T OZ) 2,382.00 +6.50 +0.27 SILVER (COMEX) (US$/T OZ) 30.45 +0.38 +1.25 PLATINUM (US$/T OZ) 1,002.50 +2.95 +0.30 COPPER (COMEX) (US CENTS/LB.) 463.75 +3.15 +0.68 COPPER 3MO (LME) (US$/MT) 9,925.50 -19.50 -0.20 CORN (US CENTS/BU.) 443.00 +3.75 +0.85 WHEAT (US CENTS/BU.) 641.75 -5.00 -0.77 SOYBEAN OIL (CBOT) (US CENTS/LB.) 43.77 +0.64 +1.48 COCOA (ICE) (US$/MT) 9,601.00 +193.00 +2.05 RUBBER (S’PORE) (US CENTS/KG) 180.90 +5.70 +3.25 World Stocks/Commodities as at 5pm, June 6 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (%) VOLUME (’00) SP500-H41 0.005 -80 50 PBBANK-C97 0.005 -75 500 EKOVEST-C55 0.045 -71.88 12,000 UTDPLT-CD 0.065 -56.67 9,600 EG-CA 0.04 -52.94 500 EAH 0.005 -50 9,250 HSI-HUS 0.005 -50 1,917 TENCENT-H1C 0.035 -50 1,000 TWL-WE 0.005 -50 3,800 HSI-HUG 0.02 -33.33 200 XOX 0.01 -33.33 294,509 YINSON-C34 0.01 -33.33 1000 HSI-HUK 0.055 -31.25 13,701 MYEG-C5T 0.12 -29.41 1,000 PECCA-CD 0.06 -29.41 39,656 HSI-HS2 0.025 -28.57 245399 HSI-HUH 0.015 -25 700 MAG-WC 0.015 -25 8011 PETDAG-C9 0.015 -25 30,500 TAWIN-PA 0.015 -25 5,360 Top 20 Losers (By %) STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) DLADY 38.46 1.1 730 NESTLE 124.8 0.8 527 MPI 38.5 0.5 4,264 TENAGA 13.7 0.44 206733 BLDPLNT 11 0.4 12 UTDPLT 24.5 0.4 5,360 KGB 3.38 0.21 41,241 IDEAL 3.6 0.19 100 SAM 6.55 0.19 8341 HLIND 11.4 0.18 388 KGB-WB 1.96 0.18 22,958 BURSA 8.65 0.16 20,438 PANAMY 20.64 0.16 136 PPB 14.66 0.16 3,276 KENERGY 0.8 0.155 805,343 BMGREEN 1.62 0.15 73,172 KHIND 2.83 0.15 31 MAHSING 1.75 0.15 475,352 RANHILL 1.56 0.15 145,293 SUPERLN 1.4 0.15 32,788 Top 20 Gainers (By RM) STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (%) VOLUME (’00) LHI-C8 0.02 300 12,034 NETEASE-C3 0.015 200 506 WCT-C22 0 180 143255 WCT-C26 0 114.29 117,057 WCT-C25 0.16 113.33 241,876 WCT-C23 0 106.25 73,759 DRBHCOMC2X 0 100 8000 HSI-CT2 0 100 36534 HSI-HSS 0 100 250 KGROUP 0 100 29,045 LHI-C13 0 100 19,848 GTRONIC-C31 0 80 80129 MALAKOFC53 0 77.78 1,830 WCT-C27 0 76.47 129,293 LHI-C12 0 75 4,071 GTRONIC-C30 0 66.67 30,461 MALAKOFC52 0 58.33 3132 SIME-C80 0.07 55.56 3,502 DSONIC-C62 0 54.55 6177 CLASSITA-WC 0 50 935 Top 20 Gainers (By %) Bursa closes higher as bargain hunting emerges BURSA Malaysia closed higher yesterday on bargain hunting for stocks currently priced lower than usual after Wednesday’s profittaking, said an analyst. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI gained 6.20 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 1,614.73 from Wednesday’s close of 1,608.53. The benchmark index, which opened 3.29 points higher at 1,611.82, fluctuated between 1,609.34 and 1,617.05 throughout the trading session. On the broader market, gainers outperformed decliners 770 to 475, with 442 counters unchanged, 681 untraded and 10 others suspended. Turnover rose to 5.35 billion units worth RM4.50 billion from yesterday’s 4.28 billion units worth RM3.4 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI ended higher as investors took the opportunity to bargain hunt stocks at lower levels (that are currently priced lower than usual) after Wednesday’s profit-taking. “We remain cautiously optimistic as we see the local bourse is supported by attractive valuations, an increase in investor confidence gauged from the higher average daily trading volume and improving foreign buying. “Hence, we anticipate the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,610-1,630 towards the weekend,“ he told Bernama. Among the heavyweights, Tenaga Nasional surged 44 sen to RM13.70, CIMB Group climbed 6 sen to RM6.95 and IHH Healthcare advanced 6 sen to RM6.24. Among the actives, WCT Holdings increased 15.0 sen to 77.5 sen, Kawan Renergy climbed 15.5 sen to 80 sen, and Datasonic Group gained 3.0 sen to 55 sen, JCY International and SNS Network Technology were flat at 61.5 sen and 65 sen respectively. 1,614.73pts June 6, 2024 Participation 21.95 46.48 31.57 100.00 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 930.63 2066.45 1502.35 4499.43 Sold RM m 1044.37 2116.35 1338.71 4499.43 Net RM m -113.73 -49.90 163.64 0.00 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 6/6/2024

BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 20 MARKETS/FROM THE BROKERS SUNBIZ presents extracts of a selection of commentaries and research reports received from stockbrokers on counters that could be of interest to investors. [Compiled by SunBiz Team DISCLAIMER: The information is extracted from stockbrokers’ commentaries and research reports and do not represent the views or opinions of Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd. It is not a solicitation, recommendation or an offer to buy or sell the equities featured. Sun Media Corporation shall not be liable or responsible for any consequences resulting from usage of the information. NATGATE is seeing recovery in its networking (optical transceivers) and telco (military communication device) divisions (Q1’24 +32% YoY), which contributes c.52% of the group’s total revenue. This is as the migration of the production of the networking-related products of a major customer from China to Penang moves closer to full completion. The customer is now renting NATGATE’s Plant 8 and the tenure will commence in July 2024. As such, NATGATE will handle increased volumes of optical transceivers (<100G modules) before transitioning to higher-end modules (200G-800G) as per the customer’s allocation schedule. This transition is expected to enhance the plant’s utilisation rate (currently at 60%) and improve absorption of cost arising from the additional 400-500 workforce hired in advance for this project. We understand that the strong performance from its data computing division in Q1’24 (+73% YoY) was primarily driven by its new server product which accounted for c.42% of the segment’s revenue. This means that the demand for its cryptorelated product (making up the remaining c.58% of the segment’s revenue) remained flat as the customer was hit by chip shortages (chip sourcing rests with the customer as the job was awarded on a consignment basis). This issue was also reported by another local EMS peer producing the same product. Despite this, NATGATE remains optimistic about the overall growth of the data computing division, supported by the further production rampup at the server business and a gradual easing of the chip supply shortages for the crypto-related product. NATGATE is in the midst of expanding its Plant 6 to 194k sq ft (from 74k sq ft) and Plant 9 to 194k sq ft (from 84k sq ft) with completion expected in end-2024. We keep our forecasts, TP of RM2.06 and our OUTPERFORM call. QL is of the opinion that the government may review its current subsidy of 10 sen per egg and the controlled prices of 41 sen to 45 sen for eggs of Grades A to C. In the event the subsidy and price control are withdrawn (resulting in higher market-based egg prices), however, the impact on demand will be minimal as eggs are a staple food item for the general public. Meanwhile, easing corn prices (-6% YTD) in the absence of oversupply of chicken in the market (that could dampen prices) should buoy the performance of its integrated livestock farming (ILF) segment. In FY24, the division contributed 53% to group turnover and saw its PBT margin improving to 6.5% vs. 5.3% a year ago. Its marine product manufacturing (MPM) division is expected to remain stable due to sustainable demand for its surimi-based products. Additionally, the overall margin is anticipated to improve due to declining input costs. Its Family Mart convenience store chain (CVS) will open 60 to 90 new stores during FY25. The division’s operating efficiency could be boosted by raising utilisation at its central kitchen, currently stands at 70, by offering more ready-to-eat food items without compromising on quality. Its plantation & clean energy division (POCE) segment, meanwhile, will continue to be driven by 52.57%-owned BMGREEN (UP; TP: RM1.15) that focuses on higher-margin segments (>10%) such as water treatment and solar energy which benefit from various government renewable energy initiatives. Conversely, its plantation segment is likely to remain lacklustre on flattish CPO prices. We maintain our forecasts, TP and MARKET PERFORM rating. THE company expects the pipe coating industry to benefit from the production ramp-up of oil and gas, as well as investment in new energy (carbon capture and hydrogen) infrastructure by oil majors globally. GlobalData projects that 196,130km of new trunk oil and gas pipelines will be laid from now until 2030. This represents a significant increase compared to the 102,000 km of new pipelines laid over the past seven years, according to GlobalData. This bodes well for WASCO, as higher pipeline capex leads to higher demand for pipe coating. WASCO expects its strong group EBIT margin to sustain into FY24-25 as its clients offer more favourable contract terms for its pipe coating and upstream module fabrication services amidst stiff competition for qualified contractors (of which the number has shrunk over the last decade on a prolonged slowdown in the upstream services market). We expect its EBIT margin to average close to 8.1% in FY24F compared to 7.4% in FY23. It also guided for strong growth prospects for its bioenergy services division over the medium term on brisk demand for boilers and steam turbines. The government has set a target of total biomass installed capacity of 998MW by end-2035, up from 507MW in 2020. Additionally, it has noticed a shift towards the preference for higherefficiency boilers and steam turbines for power generation, prompted by sustainability awareness. We raise our FY24-25 net profit forecasts by 7% and 11%, respectively, lift our TP by 15% to RM1.70 (from RM1.48) and upgrade our call to OUTPERFORM from MARKET PERFORM. FOREIGN CURRENCY SELLING TT/OD BUYING TT BUYING OD 1 US Dollar 4.7660 4.6300 4.6200 1 Australian Dollar 3.1930 3.0660 3.0500 1 Brunei Dollar 3.5370 3.4350 3.4270 1 Canadian Dollar 3.4810 3.3870 3.3750 1 Euro 5.1950 5.0260 5.0060 1 New Zealand Dollar 2.9670 2.8590 2.8430 1 Singapore Dollar 3.5370 3.4350 3.4270 1 Sterling Pound 6.1100 5.9180 5.8980 1 Swiss Franc 5.3300 5.2050 5.1900 100 UAE Dirham 131.3700 124.5400 124.3400 100 Bangladesh Taka 4.1460 3.8590 3.6590 100 Chinese Renminbi 66.2400 63.4400 N/A 100 Danish Krone 71.3900 65.6800 65.4800 100 Hongkong Dollar 61.7200 58.6400 58.4400 100 Indian Rupee 5.8200 5.4600 5.2600 100 Indonesian Rupiah 0.0303 0.0274 0.0224 100 Japanese Yen 3.0650 2.9670 2.9570 100 New Taiwan Dollar 15.8000 N/A N/A 100 Norwegian Krone 46.3300 42.6100 42.4100 100 Pakistan Rupee 1.7400 1.6300 1.4300 100 Philippine Peso 8.2400 7.7700 7.5700 100 Qatar Riyal 132.2500 125.5400 125.3400 100 Saudi Riyal 128.5600 122.0500 121.8500 100 South Africa Rand 26.1000 23.5700 23.3700 100 Sri Lanka Rupee 1.6200 1.4900 1.2900 100 Swedish Krona 47.3800 43.1400 42.9400 100 Thai Baht 13.6200 12.0800 11.6800 Exchange Rates Source: Malayan Banking Bhd/Bernama Ringgit continues to gain ground against US dollar THE ringgit was slightly higher against the US dollar at the close yesterday as market movements are being influenced by investor sentiment regarding a potential interest rate cut next week. At 6pm, the ringgit improved to 4.6935/6965 against the greenback from 4.6970/6985 at Wednesday’s close. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit staged a further recovery as major central banks such as the Bank of Canada were seen to have lowered their benchmark interest rate for the first time in more than four years. “Eventually the US Federal Reserve will follow in similar footsteps to cut its interest rate, hence boosting the ringgit,” he told Bernama. The local currency was also well supported following the PMI data for May, which indicated the first expansion since August 2022. At the close, the ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. The local unit was marginally higher versus the Japanese yen to 3.0094/0113 from 3.0099/0111 and strengthened vis-a-vis the British pound to 5.9997/6.0035 from 6.004/0023 previously. However, it is almost flat against the euro at 5.1065/1098 from 5.1070/1087 at Wednesday’s close. Meanwhile, the ringgit was traded mixed against its Asean peers. It declined against the Thai baht to 12.8660/8798 from 12.7994/8091 at yesterday’s close and slipped versus the Philippine peso to 8.01/8.02 from 7.99/7.99, increased versus the Singapore dollar to 3.4842/4866 from 3.4857/4871, while was flat vis-a-vis the Indonesian rupiah at 288.6/288.8 from 288.3/288.6. MBSB sets financing portfolio growth target of RM44b PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) has set a financing portfolio growth target of RM44 billion this year from RM42 billion last year, said group CEO Rafe Haneef. He said with a return on equity (ROE) of 5.2% last year and about RM9.8 billion worth of equity, MBSB aims for a 4-5% ROE by the end of 2024. “We aim to grow financing by 8-9%. Our current ROE is at RM42.9 billion as of the first quarter of 2024, hence, we are quite healthy in terms of growth in financing and we need to make sure the growth is giving us the right profit margin. “Our guidance is 2% in terms of net profit margin and at the same time, we need to make sure our cost is controlled,” Rafe told reporters at the MBSB annual general meeting (AGM) media conference yesterday. At the 54th AGM, the company approved a dividend of 3.5 sen per ordinary share. The bank also unveiled FLIGHT26, the group’s strategic threeyear business plan designed to boost profitability, during the AGM. FLIGHT26 outlines four key missions, namely elevating the group’s current account savings account (CASA) ratio to 20%, expanding the financing portfolio to RM50 billion, increasing nonfunded income to 15% of net revenue, and achieving an optimal cost to income ratio of 50% by 2026. Meanwhile, shareholders passed all resolutions during the AGM, including a significant proposal to rename the company from Malaysia Building Society Bhd to MBSB Bhd. During the AGM, MBSB reported a profit after tax (PAT) of RM491.8 million for the fiscal year ended Dec 31, 2023, marking a 6.9% increase from the previous year. – Bernama Wasco Bhd Outperform. Target price: RM1.70 QL Resources Bhd Market Perform. Target price: RM6.25 NationGate Holdings Bhd Outperform. Target price: RM2.06 Source: Kenanga Research Source: Kenanga Research Source: Kenanga Research June 6, 2024: RM1.46 June 6, 2024: RM6.42 June 6, 2024: RM1.93

LYFE LYFE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 21 Your weekend horoscope Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 21 Tap into your network and dive into activities that challenge and thrill you, whether it is an adventure sport or a creative endeavour. The new projects will ignite your passion. Allow the dynamic atmosphere to inspire bold moves and deep connections, making this weekend truly unforgettable. Sagittarius Nov 22 – Dec 21 Your weekend is a canvas of vibrancy supported by l o n g - s t a n d i n g friendship. Get ready for new adventures and explore uncharted territories that will satisfy your wanderlust and zest for life. Leverage on the dynamic energy and let it lead you to exhilarating experiences. Your free spirit will thrive, making this weekend a whirlwind of joy and discovery. Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 19 Step into the unknown and feel the excitement. Participte in activities that break the routine and inspire creativity, like a workshop or a scenic hike. Be brave. Your new experience will refresh your perspective, guiding you to new and thrilling experiences. Allow the excitement to revitalise your spirit. Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 18 You have many ideas on how to spend the weekend. Connect with like-minded individuals and explore new interests. Perhaps explore a new area that will stimulate your innovative mind. An uninvited guest will bring on more social interaction opportunities. Let the excitement of connecting with new people lead you to newfound experiences. Enjoy the thrill of the unexpected and the joy it brings. Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Dive into the arts and culture scene. Engage in activities that spark your imagination and bring joy, such as an art exhibit or a music festival. The shows will uplift your spirit and inspire your creativity and dreams. Allow the atmosphere to fill your weekend with magic and wonder. Aries March 21 – April 19 This weekend is bursting with vibrancy and excitement. Dive into new adventures and embrace the endless possibilities before you. Try something daring, like a new hobby or a spontaneous trip. Your bold spirit will thrive, bringing exhilarating experiences. Let the thrill of the unknown guide you, and watch as the world opens up with new opportunities. Gemini May 21 – June 20 Your weekend is filled with social opportunities and e x c i t i n g e n c o u n t e r s . Engage in lively conversations and explore new places. These prospects will ignite your curiosity and enthusiasm. Embrace the new happenings and let it lead you to thrilling experiences. Your adaptable nature will thrive, making this weekend a memorable one brimming with excitement. Taurus April 20 – May 20 Embrace the positive energy around you. Plan activities that excite your senses, like visiting a bustling market or exploring nature. The countless possibilities will invigorate your spirit. Connect with friends and indulge in joyful experiences. Let the lively atmosphere inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and discover new, exciting adventures. Cancer June 21 – July 22 Step into a world of motivation and excitement. Plan activities that bring joy and a sense of a d v e n t u r e , whether it is a day trip or a creative project. A packed itinerary will invigorate your heart and mind. Allow the new dynamism to inspire new ideas and connections. Let the passion fill your weekend with joy. Leo July 23 – Aug 22 Your weekend is set to be a whirlwind of excitement and fun. Surround yourself with lively people and group activities. The camaraderie will fuel your passion and creativity. Step into the spotlight and embrace new experiences that showcase your talents. Let the positive energy inspire you to make bold moves and enjoy every moment to the fullest. Virgo Aug 23 – Sept 22 Immerse yourself in the vibrant township around you. Plan activities that stimulate your intellect and senses, such as a cultural event or a new culinary adventure. The new plans will bring a fresh perspective. Embrace the excitement and let it inspire your creativity and curiosity. Allow the dynamic energy to rejuvenate and motivate you. Libra Sep 23 – Oct 22 Your weekend is brimming with quirky surprises. Join a social event that brings laughter and connections. A different environment will enhance your charm and creativity. Take the chance to meet new people and explore new interests. Let the excitement guide you to enriching experiences and memorable moments. Fun shines on with Starbucks REJUVENATE with Starbucks’ latest lineup of refreshing beverages, crafted to invigorate your senses. Elevate your sunny days with the Starbucks Burnt Caramel Frappuccino Blended Beverage – a sophisticated beverage inspired by the trending burnt-topping desserts, designed to tantalise your taste buds with layers of rich flavours. Experience the blend of sweet and sour with the allnew Starbucks Green Grape Yuzu Refreshers. Bursting with citrusy lemonade and a hint of sweet green grape and zesty yuzu, this fruity and tangy delight might just become your go-to beverage. Starbucks Greeny Drink with Green Grape Yuzu Starbucks Refreshers is made with real fruit juice of exotic Yuzu and green grapes that will energise your day. Enhancing the overall experience with the slight bitterness of the Yuzu fruit pieces adds a unique and perfect way to quench your thirst. Rejuvenate with Starbucks’ newest lineup of refreshing beverages. oDiscover exciting flavours with Starbucks’ latest beverages, paired with space-themed merchandise, sunkissed whole-bean coffee and more ‘Out of This World’ merchandise collection. Grab these latest offerings, available at all Starbucks stores and selected delivery platforms: Burnt Caramel Frappuccino Blended Beverage Indulge in caramelly coffee goodness and treat yourself to the smoky sweetness of the Burnt Caramel Oatmilk Latte this summer. This sweet and playful drink combines coffee with burnt caramel sauce and oat milk, topped with burnt caramel whipped cream and a sprinkle of even more burnt caramel to brighten up your day. Available as a hot, iced or iced blended beverage. Green Grape Yuzu with Lemonade Starbucks Refresher Refresh your taste buds for fun sunny days with the fruity Green Grape Yuzu with Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers. Bursting with citrusy lemonade and a hint of sweet green grape and zesty yuzu, this fruity and tangy delight will be your go-to beverage this hot weather. Available as an iced beverage. Greeny Drink with Green Grape Yuzu Starbucks Refresher Keep it cool and breezy with this vibrant, tropical delight – the Greeny Drink with Green Grape Yuzu Starbucks Refresher. Soak in the sunshine with the refreshing taste of yuzu infused with coconut milk, creating a sweet, yet distinct citrus flavour that will leave you wanting more. It is available as an iced beverage. Additionally, explore the “Out of This World” merchandise collection, featuring the Space (Galaxy) Starbucks Card inspired by the cosmos and the Father’s Day collection with the ash green Stanley Series, perfect for keeping drinks cold. Delight in the new Starbucks Burnt Caramel Donut and Jumbo Croissant, and savour the flavours of African-inspired whole-bean coffee like Starbucks Single-Origin Rwanda 2024 and Kati-Kati Blend 2024. Indulge in seasonal food from RM12.50 and activate your Space (Galaxy) Starbucks Card with RM20.

LYFE LYFE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 22 From classic comfort to exotic spice CLAMS, with their briny-sweet taste and tender texture, are many a seafood lover’s favourite. Healthy and nutritious, they lend themselves to a variety of culinary creations. Below are six mouthwatering clam recipes that showcase the versatility and flavour of this oceanic treasure. Garlic butter clams This is a classic dish that combines the richness of butter with the aromatic flavour of garlic, enhancing the natural sweetness of the clams. Ingredients Fresh clams Butter Garlic Parsley Salt and pepper Instructions 1. Rinse the clams thoroughly under cold water to remove any sand or grit. 2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. 3. Add the cleaned clams to the skillet and cook until they open up, discarding any clams that do not open. 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. Clam chowder A comforting and creamy soup loaded with tender clams, potatoes and aromatic vegetables, perfect for a cosy evening meal. Ingredients Clams Potatoes Onion Celery Chicken slice Heavy cream Chicken broth Thyme Bay leaves Salt and pepper Instructions 1. In a large pot, cook chicken slices until crispy. Remove the chicken slice and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot. 2. Add diced onion, celery, and potatoes to the pot and cook until softened. 3. Stir in chicken broth, thyme, bay leaves and clams. Simmer until the clams open. 4. Add heavy cream and cooked chicken slices to the pot, season with salt and pepper and simmer for an additional 5–10 minutes before serving. Tender clams in rich garlic butter sauce. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @HEINEN oSix irresistible clam recipes to whet appetites █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Clam chowder, creamy soup with clams and chicken slices. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @GETRECIPE Tangy clams with pineapple and peppers. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @MY MOMMY COOKING Spicy Indian clam curry with coconut milk. – FREEPIKPIC Savoury clams in black bean sauce. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @HAPPY WOK Classic pasta with garlic white wine sauce. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @SIP AND FEAST Sweet and sour clams A tangy and flavourful dish that balances the sweetness of pineapple and the sourness of vinegar, creating a delightful contrast of flavours with tender clams. Ingredients Clams Pineapple chunks Bell peppers Onion Garlic Vinegar Sugar Soy sauce Cornflour Water Instructions 1. In a wok or large skillet, heat oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. 2. Add sliced onion and bell peppers to the wok and stir-fry until slightly softened. 3. Stir in pineapple chunks, vinegar, sugar and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer. 4. Dissolve cornflour in water to make a slurry and add it to the wok to thicken the sauce. 5. Add the cleaned clams to the wok and cook until they open up. Serve hot with steamed rice. Clam curry A spicy and aromatic curry dish that infuses tender clams with a blend of Indian spices, perfect for lovers of bold flavours. Ingredients Clams Onion Tomato Garlic Ginger Curry powder Turmeric Cumin Coriander Chilli powder Coconut milk Fresh cilantro Instructions 1. In a pot, heat oil and sauté finely chopped onion, garlic and ginger until softened. 2. Add diced tomatoes and cook until they break down and form a thick sauce. 3. Stir in curry powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli powder. Cook until fragrant. 4. Pour in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. 5. Add the cleaned clams to the pot and cook until they open up. 6. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving with rice or naan bread. Stir-fry clams with black bean sauce A savoury and umami-packed dish featuring clams stir-fried with pungent black bean sauce and aromatic vegetables. Ingredients Clams Black bean sauce Bell peppers Onion Garlic Ginger Soy sauce Rice wine Cornflour Green onions Instructions 1. Heat oil in a wok and stir-fry minced garlic and ginger until fragrant. 2. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers to the wok and cook until slightly softened. 3. Stir in black bean sauce, soy sauce and rice wine. Allow the flavours to meld together. 4. In a small bowl, mix cornflour with water to make a slurry. Add it to the wok to thicken the sauce. 5. Add the cleaned clams to the wok and stir-fry until they open up. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving with steamed rice. Linguine with clam sauce This classic Italian dish combines tender clams with garlic, white wine, and parsley, creating a simple yet flavourful sauce that pairs perfectly with linguine pasta. Ingredients Clams Linguine pasta Garlic White wine Olive oil Red pepper flakes Fresh parsley Lemon juice Salt and pepper Instructions 1. Cook linguine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. 2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté until fragrant. 3. Add the cleaned clams to the skillet and pour in white wine. Cover the skillet and cook until the clams open up, discarding any that do not open. 4. Once the clams are cooked, remove them from the skillet and set them aside. Continue cooking the sauce until it reduces slightly. 5. Return the clams to the skillet, along with the cooked linguine pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce. 6. Season with salt, pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy these clam recipes!

LYFE LYFE FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 23 Workplace changes WHETHER driven by t e c h n o l o g i c a l advancements, market demands or strategic shifts, organisations frequently implement new systems, rules and policies. While change can be a catalyst for growth and innovation, it also presents challenges, particularly for employees who have grown accustomed to a certain work environment. Here are the nuances of navigating workplace changes, focusing on the delicate balance between individual job satisfaction and organisational transformations. Joy of work For many individuals, work is more than just a means to an end – it is a source of fulfilment and satisfaction. The thrill of tackling challenges, collaborating with colleagues, and achieving meaningful outcomes can make coming to work a joyous experience. Employees who feel valued, supported and engaged are often more productive and loyal to their organisations. However, this sense of fulfilment can be fragile, easily disrupted by changes that alter the work environment or undermine employee well-being. Impact of organisational changes When organisations introduce new systems, rules or benefits changes, it can disrupt the status quo and create uncertainty among employees. What was once familiar and comfortable may suddenly feel unfamiliar and unsettling. This disruption can be particularly challenging when it affects core aspects of the employee experience, such as job responsibilities, compensation or workplace culture. Employees may feel disoriented, frustrated or even betrayed if they perceive the changes as detrimental to their wellbeing or job satisfaction. Trapped between comfort and discontent In the face of organisational changes, employees often find themselves caught between conflicting emotions. On one hand, there is a sense of comfort and familiarity with the current job and work environment. This comfort may stem from established routines, relationships with colleagues, or a sense of belonging within the organisation. On the other hand, there is growing discontentment fuelled by the perception of being undervalued, misunderstood or Fulfilled employees are more productive and loyal, finding joy beyond mere tasks. – ALL PICS BY PEXELS oBalancing job satisfaction with organisational shifts █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Employees grapple with staying in a familiar yet dissatisfying job or leaving for uncertain prospects. well-being, it may be a sign that it is time to move on. This decision is never easy and requires careful consideration of personal values, career goals and financial security. However, staying in a toxic or stagnant work environment can have long-term consequences for mental health, professional growth and overall happiness. Finding adaptability In the face of workplace changes, adaptability is an invaluable quality. Employees who can embrace change, learn new skills and pivot when necessary are better positioned to thrive in dynamic environments. This is all about leveraging challenges as opportunities for growth and selfimprovement. Employees can navigate uncertainty with confidence and emerge stronger on the other side. Seeking support and community Navigating workplace changes can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially if colleagues are also grappling with their own challenges. Seeking support from trusted friends, mentors or professional networks can provide a much-needed sense of solidarity and perspective. Whether it is sharing frustrations, seeking advice or simply venting frustrations, connecting with others who understand can help alleviate feelings of isolation and empower individuals to take proactive steps towards positive change. Navigating workplace changes requires a delicate balance between personal fulfilment and organisational realities. It is natural to feel apprehensive about upheaval but it is also essential to recognise when staying no longer serves one’s best interests. Ultimately, the journey towards finding fulfilment and satisfaction in work is a deeply personal one, shaped by individual values and experiences. New policies unsettle employees, leading to frustration and uncertainty. Diminished satisfaction or well-being signal it may be time to leave a toxic workplace. mistreated by management. Despite recognising the need for change, employees may feel hesitant to leave their comfort zones or risk destabilising their livelihoods. Role of leadership Effective leadership plays a critical role in guiding organisations through periods of change. Leaders who demonstrate empathy, transparency and communication can help alleviate employee concerns and foster a sense of trust and collaboration. Conversely, leaders who are dismissive or out of touch with employee needs may exacerbate tensions and erode morale. In the absence of supportive leadership, employees may feel isolated and disengaged, further complicating efforts to navigate workplace changes. Recognising when it is time to move on While it is natural to feel hesitant about leaving a familiar job, there comes a point when staying becomes untenable. When organisational changes consistently erode job satisfaction, diminish career prospects, or compromise

SCAN ME powered by Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / [email protected] Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: [email protected] FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 S UVS have undeniably evolved significantly in recent years and we have seen some good models for each segment. The demand for SUVs is also undeniably booming and everybody wants one, to the point that some car makers have stopped offering sedans, case in point – Honda Malaysia has dropped the legendary Accord from its line-up because buyers now prefer SUVs. This high demand has also resulted in some heated competition for sales and this has pushed manufacturers to outdo each other. The Proton X70 for instance shook up the market when it was introduced to the point that some of its competitors were deemed obsolete. It took some years for the competition to respond, but they responded with some formidable fire power. Take the new Honda CRV for instance, it is such a radical change from the previous models that the competition has once again been left in awe. It may not have had the same impact on the market as the X70 did, but for buyers, there is almost no point in considering anything else if budget is no concern. To back track a little, the first-generation CR-V was introduced in 1995 and was an immediate success. It soon became a staple of the middle class and was the go-to machine for those who wanted something safe, convenient and had enough space for the family. If you have been following these pages, you would know that we are fans of the CR-V. There is very little not to like about it and for everything that is flawed, the CR-V makes up for it in different ways. We have done multiple tests with the new SUV in Thailand and Malaysia and have spoken about the visuals and performance. We recently tested its practicality after getting the chance to take one home for a couple of days to spend time with the family. This sixth-generation C-segment SUV measures 4,691mm long, 1,866mm wide, and 1,681mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,700mm which makes it bigger than its predecessor. This translates into a more spacious cabin room which is good news for people of this writer’s width and height and for those who have bigger families. Well, it’s not a seven-seater but we did try to squeeze as many people into it as possible and found that four regular-sized people can sit at the back comfortably which brings the total number of people in the SUV to six. If you have kids, the CR-V comes with rear ISOFIX child seat anchors which is a necessity. Now, if you have six people in the car for a road trip, you will have around six to eight luggage or bags. Does the CR-V have enough boot space for this? It has 589 litres of boot space which is more than enough to stuff the bags and as we tested just for the sake of it, a person of my size can fit in there too. Besides that, the boot has a hands-free powered tailgate with a walk-away close function which is helpful when unloading the luggage. With it being this bulky, getting through tight and narrow roads is a bit of a challenge but not impossible. This variant has a multi-view 360° camera that assists you when it comes to these situations. So that’s size, but what about comfort during long drives? Let’s just say everyone, except the driver (obviously) was fast asleep comfortably. The road noise is not as quiet as the e:HEV RS variant that comes with wheel resonators but it is not at all annoying or that noticeable. We asked Honda Malaysia why the resonators were not fitted into the lower variants and Honda stated that the resonators were designed specifically for the hybrid variant for improved noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance. Is the Honda CR-V good enough for the whole gang? █ BY TIMOTHY PRAKASH The CRV V-Variant rolls on 18” wheels. The 1.5L, turbocharged engine offers 193PS and 243Nm of torque. SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 1.5 litre DOHC VTEC Turbo engine Power: 193PS @ 6000rpm Torque: 243Nm from 1,700 to 5,000rpm Gearbox: CVT 0-100kph: 10.4 seconds Top speed: 200kph Price: RM181,900 Comfort, space and practicality. LaneWatch, slow wireless charging and no “teh-tarik” hook. All-round ll-roundfamily SUV? family SUV?

MOTORING MOTORING FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 25 As always, Honda takes the small things into consideration and you see this in the CR-V which features body-stabilising seats for front passengers. This is very helpful to the driver when it comes to long drives as the seats are quite supportive, much better in fact than the previous model. Also included is the seat position memory function which this writer found very helpful because I did not have to keep adjusting the seats to my liking whenever someone else drove the car. Anyhow, if your family is as fun as mine, they will be dancing and singing along to music that can be played via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on the nine-inch advanced display audio touchscreen head unit. Sound is channelled through the respectable eight-speaker sound system. You don’t get Bose here as that is only available in the top of the line model. The touchscreen infotainment system is easy to use compared to the other more technical and complicated ones out there. So don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy, it will only take you a few minutes to mess around and figure out the functions. For the driver, the CR-V comes with a seven-inch TFT instrument display and it is customisable. There are multiple views that you can set it to, such as audio info, range and fuel, and AWD power distribution. You can also adjust a few settings through it – such as the cruise control and other safety-related features. Another nifty feature is the tyre pressure monitoring system which comes in handy when going for long drives. Of course, when one is travelling long distance, tiredness will naturally set in, and that’s why the CR-V comes equipped with a Driver Attention Monitor which tells you to pay attention to the road if you’re feeling tired. Speaking of feeling tired, we tried out the low-speed follow and adaptive cruise control when our legs felt tired and cramped up. It does the job and is as responsive as it is supposed to be, managing the braking and acceleration seamlessly. In case of an emergency, the CR-V has autonomous emergency braking, vehicle stability assist and eight airbags which are for the front, side, side curtain and knee. However, the CR-V does have some things we wish were better. For starters, there is no “tehtarik” hook available so you will have to purchase one on your own and second is one this writer has always been annoyed with from the start, which is the Lane Watch system. As mentioned in an earlier review, when you turn on the left indicator, the LaneWatch system just overrides the entire infotainment system which means, you won’t be able to see your GPS screen until you turn off the indicator or switch back to navigation which means you will have to take your eyes off the road for a second. And this can be particularly annoying when you need to watch out for where to turn next. Blind Spot Monitoring system is a necessity these days, and Honda Malaysia should be addressing this. The final flaw is the slow wireless charging pad that takes hours to charge the phone. Yes, there are USB ports and a 12V 180W Max outlet options but that would mean more cables and a messier look. To conclude, for RM181,900, we would say that yes, this is an all-rounder family SUV and if we were in the market for a reliable, comfortable SUV, this would be it. The boot is spacious, comes with the all important tonneau cover and a full sized spare tyre. The dashboard of the CRV is similar to the one in the Honda Civic. Honda has trudged on with the part analogue and part digital display. The 9” infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You get plenty of charging options for your devices. Honda’s Lane Watch has dated and is due for an upgrade. Rear passengers get their own airconditioning vents and dual Type C ports. The CRV Turbo V Variant offers electric seats as standard. TOP: The rear seats are more spacious and comfortable than ever. LEFT: The new CRV offers better seats with improved comfort.

MOTORING MOTORING FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 26 THE Lamborghini Urus SE has finally made its way into the Malaysian market. This is Lamborghini’s first Plugin Hybrid version of the SUV. The new model showcases a revamped daytime running light signature encircling the headlamp clusters, now equipped with advanced matrix LED technology. Both the front and rear bumpers have undergone subtle modifications, while the rear tailgate boasts a complete redesign. The addition of a spoiler, paired with a revised diffuser, delivers 35% more downforce at high speeds compared to the Urus S. Aerodynamic improvements are not limited to the exterior. Underbody air vents and updated air ducts enhance cooling efficiency for mechanical and engine components by 15%. The newly designed front section also improves brake cooling by an impressive 30%. Inside the cabin, the Urus SE features dual 12.3-inch displays and an updated infotainment system, offering improved graphics akin to those in the Revuelto. While the rest of the interior remains familiar, Lamborghini continues to provide extensive customisation options, including wheels ranging from 21 to 23 inches. Under the hood, the Urus SE retains its powerful 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, producing 611hp and 800Nm of torque. The engine is now complemented by an electric motor delivering 189hp and 483Nm, resulting in a combined system output of 800hp and 950Nm. These power figures enable the Urus SE to accelerate from 0-100kph in just 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 312kph. The plug-in hybrid version also offers up to 60km of electric-only range, powered by a 25.9kWh lithiumion battery. The Lamborghini Urus SE is now open for booking in Malaysia through Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur, the authorised distributor, with a starting price of RM1,028,000 before taxes, duties and customisation. Proton X50 roton X50 gets new updates ew updates THE Proton X50 was launched in 2020 and since then has remained largely unchanged. Proton seems to have stuck to the age-old adage of “if it is not broken, don’t fix it”. But that doesn’t help a car maker sell cars or remain relevant. Despite its age, the Proton X50 has remained hugely popular. However, the competition is heating up and while previously the X50 enjoyed a considerable advantage over its competitors, it has now caught up and are breathing down Proton’s neck, and our national car maker is starting to feel the heat. To ensure that it keeps its edge over the rest, Proton has introduced a number of updates for the X50, but they do not warrant calling the update a “facelift” in the traditional sense. That is because from the outside, the new X50 looks identical to the previous models, there is literally no update as far as the exterior goes. The update then is mostly around the interior and some of the creature comforts. The updates are powered tailgate, improved NVH levels, updated Infotainment Head Unit, updated 360 Camera and the Proton Link App. The updates may seem minimal, but they are designed to make owning and operating the X50 a more pleasant experience. The pricing of the 2024 Proton X50 Standard is at RM86,300, Executive at RM93,300, Premium at RM101,800 and Flagship at RM113,300. Besides that, everything remains the same for the Proton X50 and it comes with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage, 6-times free labour service, 5-year data package with 1GB/month, financing interest rates from 2.28% per annum and Proton insurance programme. The first 5,000 bookings (registration by July 31, 2024), will enjoy a cash discount of RM7,000, trade in overtrade support of RM1,500 and value added features worth RM6,000, bringing the total savings to RM14,500. Lamborghini Urus SE officially launched in Malaysia Limited edition and units available for new pick-up SIME DARBY Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, today unveiled the new Limited-Edition Ford Ranger StormTrak, strengthening its position in the pickup truck segment in Malaysia. In tandem with the new model launch, SDAC launched its online booking via shop.sdacford.com.my, allowing customers to book any of its Ranger and Everest models online with the Ranger StormTrak being exclusively available online, offering only 200 units. A fusion of rugged capability, premium features and unparalleled technologies, the Ranger StormTrak is an upgrade to the well-loved Ranger WildTrak, catering to the multifaceted lifestyle of bold adventure seekers. The pick-up boasts a unique StormTrak Scheme for both its exterior and interior. Its features include 20-inch wheels with Asphalt Black matte paint and Race Red wheel inserts, a distinctive Storm Trak Scheme grille and bumper as well as new emblems and livery. Inside, the attractive Storm Trak Scheme continues with a dashboard accented with Race Red stitching, seats featuring Storm Trak Logo, Race Red stitching and Miko suede inserts, elevating a premium and stylish cabin experience. For enhanced functionality, the Limited-Edition Ford Ranger Storm Trak introduces several first-in-class features tailored for the adventurous spirit. With strong emphasis on customer experience in both showroom and digital channels, SDAC provides customers with even more convenience through online booking via its website. Customers who book will be entitled to the Ranger Storm Trak Windbreaker jacket, redeemable upon vehicle delivery, providing owners with a stylish jacket to go with the stylish Ranger Storm Trak. The Limited-Edition Ford Ranger Storm Trak is priced from RM181,888.00 (on-the-road without insurance) in Peninsular Malaysia, RM188,288.00 (on-theroad without insurance) in Sabah, RM188,288.00 (on-the-road without insurance) in Sarawak. It is available in three exterior colours: Arctic White, Meteor Grey and Absolute Black. First street-legal performance hybrid Porsche 911 PORSCHE has ushered in a new era for the iconic 911 sports car with the introduction of the new 911 Carrera GTS, marking the debut of a street-legal 911 equipped with a superlightweight performance hybrid system. The 2025 Carrera GTS model combines the classic rear-mounted flat-six engine of the 911 with an electric motor and an electric turbocharger, resulting in an impressive output of 532hp and 608Nm of torque. Scheduled for release before the end of the year, this hybrid setup represents a significant upgrade from previous iterations. Under the hood, the Carrera GTS features a new 3.6-litre flat-six engine, offering 478hp and 569Nm of torque – an increase of five hp compared to its predecessor. The hybrid system enables Porsche to replace the twinturbo setup with a single electric turbocharger, equipped with a 14.7hp motor for rapid response and minimal turbo lag. Additionally, a 32.6hp traction motor and a small 1.9-kWh battery contribute to enhanced performance across the rev range while maintaining optimal air-fuel ratio. Despite a weight increase of 46kg, attributed partly to added standard equipment such as rear-wheel steering, the Carrera GTS delivers remarkable acceleration, clocking a sub-3-second 0- 100kph time of 2.9 seconds – a first for a Carrera model. Inside, the Carrera GTS boasts an all-new, all-digital gauge cluster, replacing the analog tachometer, while still prioritising essential driving information. For the first time, the 911 has a fully digital instrument cluster. The base Carrera starts at RM573,571, while the Carrera GTS is priced at RM784,030, reflecting the enhanced performance and advanced technology offered by these revamped models. … and early bird Savings up to RM14,500

SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 27 I NDIA captain Rohit Sharma allayed fears about an arm injury after making 52 before retiring hurt as his side thrashed Ireland by eight wickets in the teams’ T20 World Cup opener in New York yesterday. India only required 97 to win after a dominant display by their bowling attack, with left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh striking twice in the third over to reduce Ireland to 9-2 after Rohit won the toss. All-rounder Hardik Pandya took two wickets in two balls on his way to 3-27 and Jasprit Bumrah, the player of the match, 2-6. “Just a little sore,” said Rohit at the presentation ceremony. “New ground, new venue, wanted to see what’s it like to play on. “I don’t think the pitch settled down, there was enough there for the bowlers.” Ireland, all out for just 96, needed to hold every chance to have any hope of a shock upset. But Rohit had made just two when, off the last ball of the first over of India’s chase, he edged Mark Adair through the hands of Andrew Balbirnie at second slip. Adair dismissed Virat Kohli for just one, when the star batsman sliced to deep third man, but the damage had been done as India launched their bid to win a first major title since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph with a commanding Group A victory. Rohit punished Ireland with a 37-ball innings, including four fours and three wellstruck sixes as he shared a stand of 54 with Rishabh Pant. The wicketkeeper, returning to international cricket after a horror car crash in December 2022, finished on 36 not out and ended the match with a typically flamboyant reversescooped six off Barry McCarthy as India won with nearly eight overs left. Rohit was not there alongside him, however, having been previously struck on the arm by Josh Little, although he struck the next two balls from the paceman for resounding sixes. India’s joy, however, would have been tempered by the thought they too could be batting first on a similar surface when they return to the ground on Sunday to play arch-rivals Pakistan in the showpiece match of the group phase. “I don’t know what to expect against Pakistan, we will prepare like the conditions are going to be like that,” said Rohit. Bumrah, however, had few qualms, with the fast bowler saying: “Coming from India, when you see the ball seaming around (here), I would never complain when there’s help for the bowlers.” Only four Ireland batsmen reached double figures, Gareth Delany top-scoring with 26 before he was run out as the innings ended in the 16th over. “A tough one,” said Ireland captain Paul Stirling. “The toss played a really important part in overcast conditions and then the pitch offered all sorts. “We weren’t quite up to that challenge and India bowled really well to put us under pressure.” – AFP T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 SCAN ME E: [email protected] FRIDAY JUNE 7, 2024 FOCAL PARK SDN BHD (358698-H) NOTIS LELONG AWAM KENDERAAN UNTUK DILELONG SEPERTI SEDIA ADA TEMPAT & TARIKH LELONG: East Coast Region (Kota Bharu, Kuantan & Temerloh) 12-06-2024 (Rabu) Pukul 11:00pagi TARIKH MELIHAT : SEBELUM TIGA HARI LELONG (Pukul 9:00pagi - 4:00petang) PERTANYAAN (Tel) : Kota Bharu 07-7747972, Kuantan 017-4973133, Temerloh 012-428 7538 FPAC - PELELONG BERLESEN : a) Mr. Chew Wooi Kok , b) Mr. Steven Lim Peng Seng (01795), c) Pn Hasniza Binti Abu Samah (00919) Alamat : Lot 5198,Petak 41 Jalan 20,Kawasan Perindustrian Pengkalan Chepa, Fasa 2,Pengkalan Chepa,16100 Kota Bahru. : Lot 10869, Lot 10870 & Lot 10871 Jln Tanah Putih,Tanah Putih 25100 Kuantan : PT5101 & 5102, KAMPUNG MEGAT SEGAMA, 28000 TEMERLOH SILA LAYARI LAMAN WEB KAMI : http://www.focalpark.com.my Lot Reg No. Jenis & Model Tahun AM1 VBG4732 PERODUA AXIA 1.0 G (M) 2017 AM2 VBS1735 PROTON IRIZ 1.3 (A) 2018 AM3 VH6444 PROTON SAGA 1.3 (A) 2016 AM4 CCN659 HONDA CITY 1.5 E 2009 AM5 BNP7811 BMW 320I 2009 AM6 DEB8627 PERODUA MYVI 1.5 AV (A) 2021 AM7 WQU9794 PROTON WAJA 1.6 (A) 2007 (Perhatian: Kenderaan-kenderaan diatas yang tidak dibida dalam perlelongan akan dilelong semula pada 19-06-2024) LOST CERTIFICATES The following Share Certificates have been reported lost or destroyed Certificate No Name No Of Share LAM SOON (M) BERHAD 40445 – 447 1907 15918 – 919 45316 – 318 8995 35088 – 089 7971 27095 – 096 42216 – 217 42952 – 956 48991 – 992 49151 – 153 49292 – 295 44862 – 871 17396 24785 – 786 0000471 - 0000472 3 x 1000 1 x 1000 2 x 1000 3 x 1000 3 x 1000 3 x 1000 16 x 1000 10 x 1000 3 x 1000 NA LYE GUET PHENG AND CHEE SIANG OY ENG HO LEONG HEE SU CHUNG @ KHO SIE CHONG LOO LEONG WOEI TEO HO HIN TAN AH NGI @ TAN TIAM CHAN LOH AIK BIN LEE TECK HENG LEE SOI WOH CHEMICAL COMPANY OF MALAYSIA BERHAD KOPERASI KAKITANGAN KERAJAAN MUAR BERHAD NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that if within fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, no claim or representation in respect of such certificates is made to the Directors, they will then proceed to issue replacement certificates and the original certificates will be deemed cancelled and void. REGISTRARS BOARDROOM SHARE REGISTRARS SDN BHD Registration No. 199601006647(378993-D) Date: 07.06.2024 DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUATAN DALAM NEGERI PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR, MALAYSIA PETISYEN PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO: CA-28NCC-5-01/2024 Di Dalam Perkara TPH NIAGA SDN BHD (No. Syarikat: 200501014730 [691777-W]) DAN Di Dalam Perkara Seksyen 464(1)(b) dan Seksyen 465(1)(e) Akta Syarikat 2016 DAN Di Dalam Perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 ANTARA RJZ ALLIANCE SDN BHD (NO. SYARIKAT.: 201401003685 [1079758-P]) … PEMPETISYEN DAN TPH NIAGA SDN BHD (NO. SYARIKAT.: 200501014730 [691777-W]) … RESPONDEN PENGIKLANAN PETISYEN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk Penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas pada 19 Januari 2024 dikemukakan oleh RJZ Alliance Sdn Bhd yang beralamat di Suite A-07-11, Block A, RADIA Offices, No.3, Persiaran Arked, Bukit Jelutong, Seksyen U8, 40150 Shah Alam. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut telah diarahkan supaya dibicarakan di hadapan Mahkamah Tinggi Kuantan yang bersidang di negeri Pahang pada 04 Julai 2024 jam 9.00 pagi hari Khamis. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang dan penyumbang syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang satu Perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguamcaranya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di alamat Suite A-07-11, Block A, RADIA Offices, No.3, Persiaran Arked, Bukit Jelutong, Seksyen U8, 40150 Shah Alam. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Low & Partners yang beralamat di 5, Jalan SS31/23, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Bertarikh pada 4hb Jun 2024 Tetuan Low & Partners Peguamcara Pempetisyen Peringatan — Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan atau menghantar dengan pos kepada Peguamcara Pempetisyen yang dinamakan diatas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak atau firma berkenaan atau alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau Peguamcaranya sekiranya ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum jam dua belas (12) tengah hari pada 03 Julai 2024. 322 Notices WE ARE HIRING ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE / SENIOR EXECUTIVE Job Description: • Building and sustaining strong working relationship with advertising clients. • Plan and executive new, creative, exciting and innovative marketing campaigns for the company. • Develop and continuously improve marketing material, product/services presentations and proposals. • Passionate in serving client accounts to improve sales revenue. Requirement: • Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or other related fields. • At least 3 years of sales and marketing experience for senior position. • Fresh graduates are encourage to apply. • Training will be provided. • Good communication, presentation, problem-solving and organisational skills. • Possess own transport and willing to travel. • Able to start work immediately. Send in your CV with your photo via email to : [email protected] Office based in Petaling Jaya (5 days a week) FOCAL PARK SDN BHD (358698-H) NOTIS LELONG AWAM KENDERAAN UNTUK DILELONG SEPERTI SEDIA ADA TEMPAT & TARIKH LELONG: East Coast Region (Kota Bharu, Kuantan & Temerloh) 12-06-2024 (Rabu) Pukul 11:00pagi TARIKH MELIHAT : SEBELUM TIGA HARI LELONG (Pukul 9:00pagi - 4:00petang) PERTANYAAN (Tel) : Kota Bharu 07-7747972, Kuantan 017-4973133, Temerloh 012-428 7538 FPAC - PELELONG BERLESEN : a) Mr. Chew Wooi Kok , b) Mr. Steven Lim Peng Seng (01795), c) Pn Hasniza Binti Abu Samah (00919) Alamat : Lot 5198,Petak 41 Jalan 20,Kawasan Perindustrian Pengkalan Chepa, Fasa 2,Pengkalan Chepa,16100 Kota Bahru. : Lot 10869, Lot 10870 & Lot 10871 Jln Tanah Putih,Tanah Putih 25100 Kuantan : PT5101 & 5102, KAMPUNG MEGAT SEGAMA, 28000 TEMERLOH SILA LAYARI LAMAN WEB KAMI : http://www.focalpark.com.my Lot Reg No. Jenis & Model Tahun AM1 VBG4732 PERODUA AXIA 1.0 G (M) 2017 AM2 VBS1735 PROTON IRIZ 1.3 (A) 2018 AM3 VH6444 PROTON SAGA 1.3 (A) 2016 AM4 CCN659 HONDA CITY 1.5 E 2009 AM5 BNP7811 BMW 320I 2009 AM6 DEB8627 PERODUA MYVI 1.5 AV (A) 2021 AM7 WQU9794 PROTON WAJA 1.6 (A) 2007 (Perhatian: Kenderaan-kenderaan diatas yang tidak dibida dalam perlelongan akan dilelong semula pada 19-06-2024) LOST CERTIFICATES The following Share Certificates have been reported lost or destroyed Certificate No Name No Of Share LAM SOON (M) BERHAD 40445 – 447 1907 15918 – 919 45316 – 318 8995 35088 – 089 7971 27095 – 096 42216 – 217 42952 – 956 48991 – 992 49151 – 153 49292 – 295 44862 – 871 17396 24785 – 786 0000471 - 0000472 3 x 1000 1 x 1000 2 x 1000 3 x 1000 3 x 1000 3 x 1000 16 x 1000 10 x 1000 3 x 1000 NA LYE GUET PHENG AND CHEE SIANG OY ENG HO LEONG HEE SU CHUNG @ KHO SIE CHONG LOO LEONG WOEI TEO HO HIN TAN AH NGI @ TAN TIAM CHAN LOH AIK BIN LEE TECK HENG LEE SOI WOH CHEMICAL COMPANY OF MALAYSIA BERHAD KOPERASI KAKITANGAN KERAJAAN MUAR BERHAD NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that if within fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, no claim or representation in respect of such certificates is made to the Directors, they will then proceed to issue replacement certificates and the original certificates will be deemed cancelled and void. REGISTRARS BOARDROOM SHARE REGISTRARS SDN BHD Registration No. 199601006647(378993-D) Date: 07.06.2024 DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUATAN DALAM NEGERI PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR, MALAYSIA PETISYEN PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO: CA-28NCC-5-01/2024 Di Dalam Perkara TPH NIAGA SDN BHD (No. Syarikat: 200501014730 [691777-W]) DAN Di Dalam Perkara Seksyen 464(1)(b) dan Seksyen 465(1)(e) Akta Syarikat 2016 DAN Di Dalam Perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 ANTARA RJZ ALLIANCE SDN BHD (NO. SYARIKAT.: 201401003685 [1079758-P]) … PEMPETISYEN DAN TPH NIAGA SDN BHD (NO. SYARIKAT.: 200501014730 [691777-W]) … RESPONDEN PENGIKLANAN PETISYEN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk Penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas pada 19 Januari 2024 dikemukakan oleh RJZ Alliance Sdn Bhd yang beralamat di Suite A-07-11, Block A, RADIA Offices, No.3, Persiaran Arked, Bukit Jelutong, Seksyen U8, 40150 Shah Alam. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut telah diarahkan supaya dibicarakan di hadapan Mahkamah Tinggi Kuantan yang bersidang di negeri Pahang pada 04 Julai 2024 jam 9.00 pagi hari Khamis. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang dan penyumbang syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang satu Perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguamcaranya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di alamat Suite A-07-11, Block A, RADIA Offices, No.3, Persiaran Arked, Bukit Jelutong, Seksyen U8, 40150 Shah Alam. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Low & Partners yang beralamat di 5, Jalan SS31/23, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Bertarikh pada 4hb Jun 2024 Tetuan Low & Partners Peguamcara Pempetisyen Peringatan — Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan atau menghantar dengan pos kepada Peguamcara Pempetisyen yang dinamakan diatas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak atau firma berkenaan atau alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau Peguamcaranya sekiranya ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum jam dua belas (12) tengah hari pada 03 Julai 2024. 322 Notices WE ARE HIRING ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE / SENIOR EXECUTIVE Job Description: • Building and sustaining strong working relationship with advertising clients. • Plan and executive new, creative, exciting and innovative marketing campaigns for the company. • Develop and continuously improve marketing material, product/services presentations and proposals. • Passionate in serving client accounts to improve sales revenue. Requirement: • Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or other related fields. • At least 3 years of sales and marketing experience for senior position. • Fresh graduates are encourage to apply. • Training will be provided. • Good communication, presentation, problem-solving and organisational skills. • Possess own transport and willing to travel. • Able to start work immediately. Send in your CV with your photo via email to : [email protected] Office based in Petaling Jaya (5 days a week) Rohit plays down injury scare … after India rout Ireland in T20 World Cup IRELAND coach Heinrich Malan said the surface for yesterday’s T20 World Cup game against India didn’t live up to expectations after pundits slammed it as “dangerous.” India won the Group A game by eight wickets after they bowled Ireland out for just 96. Malan didn’t lay blame for the defeat on the uneven bounce on the recently laid surface at Nassau County Cricket ground in New York state, but was clearly far from impressed. “When you play the game you need a really good surface or as good as surfaces you can get and unfortunately what we’ve seen over the last couple games just doesn’t necessarily live up to that. “So hopefully, over the next day or so it can hopefully flatten out a little bit and we can see some good cricket come Friday,” he said. It was the second straight low-scoring game at the new venue after Monday saw Sri Lanka bowled out for 77 as South Africa won with 22 balls to spare. “I think we just want to see good cricket, don’t we? It’s the pinnacle of our event and it doesn’t have to be 200 play all the time, it just needs to be an equal contest and I think if you look at today it is debatable where that was,” said Malan. Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe player and ex-England team director, told Cricinfo that he felt the surface was not up to scratch. “I’ve got to say that is not a good surface to play an international match on. It’s bordering on dangerous,” said Flower. “You saw the ball bouncing from a length both ways, so skidding low occasionally but in the main bouncing unusually high and striking people on the thumb, on the gloves, on the helmet and making life very, very difficult for any batsman,” he added. Flower credited India’s pace bowlers for taking full advantage of the conditions but said it had been tough on Ireland. “The Indian quicks were good enough to exploit it, you’ve got to give that to them. They kept their game plan really simple, they hit the deck hard on a good length and that was all you needed to do,” he said. “It proved very, very tricky batting conditions for any side, let alone a smaller cricketing nation like Ireland taking on the giants of India”. – AFP New York wicket raising concerns SHORTS Stoinis shines as Aussies cruise past Oman MARCUS STOINIS shone with bat and ball as Australia launched their bid for a grand slam of major cricket titles with a 39-run victory over Oman at the T20 World Cup in Barbados yesterday. Stoinis smashed a game-changing 67 not out off just 36 balls to power Australia to 164-5 and then took three wickets for 19 runs as Oman were restricted to 125-9 in reply at Kensington Oval. “It was a nice start,” player of the match Stoinis said afterwards. “Maybe a few cobwebs for us but we’re better for it, and nice that we got the win. “And nice that I got to spend some time in the middle and have a bit of a bowl.” Oman captain Aqib Ilyas meanwhile took encouragement from the performance of Oman’s bowlers after a solid start. “Playing against a top side today was a great experience, especially following on from the Super Over last game,” Ilyas said. “They played really well, but credit goes to our bowlers. Our bowlers can do really well on turning tracks.” Uganda claim first ever victory UGANDA claimed their first ever T20 World Cup win with a three-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea at Providence Stadium yesterday in a low-scoring but tense encounter. The African side bowled out PNG for 77 and after struggling at 26-5 in reply reached the target in 18.2 overs with Riazat Ali Shah top-scoring with 33. Riazat put on a crucial sixth wicket partnership of 35 with Juma Miyagi (13) which effectively won the game for the tournament debutants. But PNG will rue the moment that Riazat, on eight, was dropped by Charles Amini, who misjudged a relatively simple catch. The Pacific Islanders had their work cut out trying to defend such a low total but were also undone in part by some loose bowling, conceding 15 wides. The Ugandans celebrated their victory with dancing on the edge of the field as the team picked up their first points. “That’s a pretty special win for us. You know, first win at the World Cup,” said Uganda skipper Brian Masaba. India’s captain Rohit Sharma bats during the T20 World Cup match against Ireland at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. –AFPPIX

SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 28 Ruud test for Zverev German on 11-match winning streak but has never reached Roland Garros final ALEXANDER ZVEREV advanced to his fourth successive French Open semifinal with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 win over Australian 11th seed Alex de Minaur yestersday. Fourth seed Zverev will play Casper Ruud for a place in Sunday’s final after the Norwegian received a walkover following Novak Djokovic’s injury-enforced withdrawal. Germany’s Zverev is on an 11- match winning streak after clinching the Rome title last month, but he has never reached the final at Roland Garros. “I’m happy to be in another semifinal. Hopefully I can win one,” said Zverev, who defeated 14-time champion Rafael Nadal in the first round of this year’s tournament. Zverev was defeated by Ruud in straight sets in the semifinals of the French Open in 2023. After needing five sets in each of his previous two rounds, Zverev polished off De Minaur inside three hours. He saved a set point on his serve at 5-6 in the second set and then won a 39-shot rally to bring up one of his own in the tie-break, which he sealed at the first opportunity. “Everybody in the press keeps asking me what I do for recovery and the answer is very simple – you don’t recover after matches, you recover in the offseason,” said Zverev. “I have the mindset you have to work harder than everyone else to be the best player. I like to work to my absolute limit. If I do that then playing five sets all of a sudden is not that difficult.” A serious ankle injury dashed Zverev’s hopes in his 2022 semifinal against Nadal as he was forced to retire. The year before he lost at the same stage in five sets to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Zverev is playing under the shadow of an ongoing trial in Berlin over allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend. De Minaur’s bid to make a first Grand Slam semifinal ended with an eighth defeat in 10 meetings with Zverev. “I’m extremely proud of my efforts through the two weeks. Even today I think I put up a hell of a fight in difficult conditions against a quality opponent,” said De Minaur, playing just his second quarterfinal at a major. De Minaur rued letting slip a 4-0 lead in the tie-break in the second set as his hopes of becoming the first Australian man to make the last four in Paris since Pat Rafter in 1997 fizzled out. “I had my opportunities. Should have probably taken the second set and I think we would have been in for a proper battle. I left my heart out there, I did everything I could. It wasn’t good enough.” – AFP JASMINE PAOLINI’S day at Roland Garros could not have gone any better, with the Italian reaching the French Open semifinals in both singles and doubles yesterday and she said her experienced playing partner is a major part of that success. Paolini’s day began with a surprise win for the 12th seed over fourth seed Elena Rybakina, to reach her first Grand Slam semi, and she followed that up with a quarterfinal doubles victory. “Yeah, today was the perfect day, I think, singles and doubles,” Paolini told reporters. “The singles was a really tough match. I’m happy I managed to come back in the third set, because, you know, was tough after the second set. “But, yeah, I’m really happy with my performance, and I’m also happy for the doubles, of course.” After her 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win over Rybakina, Paolini took to the court alongside fellow-Italian Sara Errani, and the pair defeated American Emma Navarro and Russian Diana Shnaider 6-3 6-3. Paolini had never before gone past the fourth round at a Grand Slam in either singles or doubles, but 37-year-old Errani has been a finalist at Roland Garros in singles, and has won five Grand Slams in doubles. “I think she’s helping me so much, you know, to play doubles with her, I can talk about tennis with her, I can ask her strategies,” Paolini said. “But also, some advice, how to step on court, what can I do today to play better.” Paolini’s opponent in the semifinal will be 17- year-old Mirra Andreeva who caused an even bigger upset by beating world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka. Unlike Paolini, Andreeva decided to withdraw from her doubles match. “For me, it’s as important as singles, because if you enter in a competition, in my opinion, you have to finish,” Paolini said. Andreeva may be an unexpected semifinal opponent, but the Russian teenager won their only previous meeting when they clashed at the Madrid Open. “With Mirra, it’s going to be a tough match. I played against her in Madrid, and she’s a really great player,” Paolini said. – Reuters SECOND SEED Aryna Sabalenka was sent crashing out of the French Open after a shock 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 quarterfinal loss to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva yesterday after being hampered by illness throughout the contest. Victory made the 17-year-old Andreeva, who will face 12th seed Jasmine Paolini in the last four, the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist since a 16-year-old Martina Hingis at the US Open in 1997 and the youngest at Roland Garros since the Swiss great that same year. It also snapped Australian Open champion Sabalenka’s 11-match winning run at the Grand Slams this year and ensured her earliest defeat at the majors since the French Open in 2022. “It feels amazing. It was a thriller of a match and we both played good,” Andreeva said. “I’m really happy that I managed to win the match and go to my first semifinals.” Andreeva said she came into the match full of nerves and her main goal was to win more than the five games she did during her defeat by Sabalenka in the Madrid quarterfinals last month. “After I lost the first set, I was like, ‘well, now I have to go for the set at least to make it three sets. Afterwards, I just tried to play point by point and win as many points as I can,“ Andreeva said. “I would say that in the beginning I didn’t really believe it, because she’s very experienced. She has two Grand Slams in her pocket. She’s a great player, very aggressive. “So it was like, ‘we’ll see what will happen… I’ll try to enjoy the atmosphere and try to play the best way I can’.” Andreeva said that although she was a typical teenager, she stood out on court because of her maturity. “I still have to do my school that I don’t like to do. I watch a lot of TV in my spare time. I watch Netflix. I sometimes spend too much time on my Instagram,” she added. “But maybe what makes me a little different, I don’t know if I can say it but I feel I’m a mature person. And I feel that I know what I’m doing.” – Reuters SHORTS Aryna breaks silence ARYNA SABALENKA has explained that a stomach bug caused a “difficult time” for the Australian Open champion in her French Open quarterfinal defeat to Mirra Andreeva yesterday. The world No. 2 cancelled her postmatch press conference in Paris but later gave a few quick words to the Roland Garros media. Sabalenka was due to conduct a post-match press conference and give her thoughts on the match, but a statement from the French Open was released confirming that she would not be speaking with the on-site press, explaining the decision was due to “medical reasons”. “Aryna Sabalenka will be unable to attend her post-match press conference due to medical reasons and is currently with the tournament medical team,” the statement stated. But several hours later, Sabalenka caught up and provided an explanation for her delay and troubles on court. “I had a difficult time out there physically today,” she said. “I have been very sick the last few days with some kind of stomach bug, so it’s been a challenge. It has been a few days, yes. I did my best to try and manage it.” She rejected the idea that there was any consideration to retiring early from the match, insisting: “No, I always do my best to fight to the end. I had to keep trying and just hope I could find a way and feel a bit better.” Djokovic’s injury drama THE president of Serbia’s Olympics Committee has surprisingly denied that Novak Djokovic underwent surgery on a knee injury. Wide-ranging reports suggest that the 37-year-old underwent surgery on the medial meniscus ligament (MML) tear. Serbian publication Sportklub, who frequently report on Djokovic’s career, even claim that the procedure went well and that a three-week recovery period is felt to be the best possible outcome. However, Bozidar Maljkovic, the president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, insists that the surgery did not happen at all. He claims to have spoken with Djokovic’s uncle. “My son follows the French press every day. The French wrote in very serious media that Novak Djokovic had an operation,” he said. “We called (Djokovic’s) uncle, but we received information that he did not. I would not like to speculate. “In any case, kudos to Novak. To play such a match in such a condition. We would all like him to be with us and lead the Olympic team. “He is a wonderful man who makes other athletes better. He showed that in Tokyo.” Perfect day in Paris for Paolini Teenager Andreeva eenager Andreeva stuns ailing Sabalenka tuns ailing Sabalenka Mirra Andreeva reacts during her quarterfinal match against Aryna Sabalenka (not pictured). – REUTERSPIX

SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 29 Education remains an important pillar of Malaysian society; it equips students with the skills needed to become productive and useful members of society. We invite you to showcase the best of education and the difference your institution has brought to the education landscape. Education matters so join us in 2024! Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising. Malaysian Paper 03-7784 6688 [email protected] Max under Max under spotlight spotlight Verstappen needs to end his M sequence in Montreal MAX VERSTAPPEN was dominant in Montreal a year ago, leading every lap from pole, but he faces a fight for a third successive Canadian Grand Prix victory this weekend. There have been three different winners in the last three races and, after winning 19 of 22 in the most onesided Formula One season last year, Red Bull’s triple world champion has now failed to win three of the last six. Curiously, street circuits in cities starting with the letter M are the ones to have brought no joy – Melbourne, Miami and Monaco – and Verstappen needs to end that sequence. Ferrari, winners in Australia with Carlos Sainz and Monaco with Charles Leclerc, will fancy their chances in Montreal at a circuit named after their late great Gilles Villeneuve. Verstappen has not been beaten in two successive races since July 2022, winning in Japan after Australia and at Imola after Miami, but he identified running over kerbs as a weakness in Monaco. Race nine of the season in Montreal, where riding over the kerbs is a fast track to gaining lap time, could see more of the same. “We’ve had this problem since 2022, but of course for the last two years we had a car advantage and it gets masked a little bit as we gain a bit in the corners where the kerbs and the bumps are not the limitation,” Verstappen said in Monaco. “But with everyone catching up, naturally when you’re not improving your weakest point you get found out.” Teammate Sergio Perez, who crashed out of the Monaco race, has something to celebrate already with Red Bull announcing his two-year contract extension earlier in the week. Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur predicted another close battle in Canada between the Red Bulls and the red cars, as well as McLaren. Ferrari are now only 24 points behind Red Bull, and have scored with both cars in every race unlike their rivals, while Leclerc is 31 behind Verstappen. “It’s probably almost the opposite to Monaco in terms of speed but you also have the characteristics of the kerbs, with a lot of low speed corners and chicanes,” Vasseur told reporters in Monaco. “Some corners (are) similar to Monaco but overall we were performing in Melbourne, we did well in Imola, in Miami with different type of compounds and Tarmac, different layout. It will be tight.” McLaren will also hope to continue in the mix after a run of four successive podium places, including Lando Norris’s Miami victory and Oscar Piastri’s second place in Monaco. “Our car has performed well at a few different types of circuits, but we know we might have our work cut out in Canada,” said Norris. “Our competitors are likely to be strong here.” Canada marks a return for Mercedes’ seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton to the circuit where, in 2007 as a McLaren driver, he took his first of 103 wins. “Both drivers will have the updated front wing in Canada, plus some other development items for this event,” said team boss Toto Wolff. “It offered a small lap time gain around the tight streets of the principality and should offer greater benefit on upcoming circuits.” Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll is the only Canadian in the race but has yet to finish higher than ninth at his home town circuit. – Reuters TOTO WOLFF has assured that Lewis Hamilton will be on equal footing with George Russell in terms of upgrades at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. This news follows Hamilton’s previous concerns, which he aired after noticing that only Russell had been given a new front wing in Monaco last month. Hamilton had hinted to journalists that this disparity might have contributed to Russell outperforming him in qualifying at the prestigious track. Due to time constraints, Mercedes were only able to produce one new front wing for the Monaco Grand Prix and it was given to Russell. Russell has since explained that it was Hamilton who decided against a coin flip to determine who would receive the upgrade, proposing instead that the younger Briton should benefit from the new components. While Monaco is not typically the best location for testing new equipment, the updates seemed to aid Russell in securing fifth place, matching his season’s best result. With the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, team boss Wolff has confirmed that both of his drivers will have access to the improved front wing and additional new parts. “That progress isn’t yet showing in terms of positions but if we can continue to close the gap to the fastest cars, we know it will in due course. “Both drivers will have the updated front wing in Canada, plus some other development items for this event.” He also noted the benefits of the new parts: “It offered a small lap time gain around the tight streets of the Principality and should offer greater benefit on upcoming circuits. “That said, the picture at the front of the field is incredibly competitive. The field has compressed, and we are under no illusions that others will continue to improve. “We will have to continue to work hard and diligently to get ourselves into the mix.” Wolff remains hopeful for his team’s prospects at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, adding: “It offers a mix of low-speed corners and high-speed straights which makes for great racing.” “We always enjoy returning to Montreal as the fans are incredibly passionate about F1. “We’ve enjoyed many good moments there over the years and hopefully we can add to those this weekend.” – Express Newspapers No disparity in Canada, says Wolff Max Verstappen. – REUTERSPIX Wolff

SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 30 HARRY KANE says his England story will not be over until he brings some silverware home. The captain became his country’s all-time leading scorer when he surpassed Wayne Rooney’s record of 52 goals last year and took his tally to 63 when he scored in Monday’s 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trophies have so far evaded him for club and country, but he could put that right this summer by leading England to Euro 2024 glory. Kane, whose footballing journey is featured in a new exhibition at the FIFA Museum in Zurich, said: “Becoming England’s all-time top scorer is a dream I never dared to imagine as a kid kicking a ball around in the park. “It’s an unbelievable feeling. And for me, the story isn’t over yet. There are more goals to score, more matches to win, and hopefully, more silverware to bring home.” The 30-year-old’s rise to prominence is a well told story. From a failed early loan spell at Leicester, where he considered his future, to becoming Tottenham and England’s record goalscorer, Kane has got to the top with his professionalism and dedication to being the best. He has won a host of personal accolades, including three Premier League Golden Boots, and says it is down to his winning mentality. “My mantra is to be the best I can be and not to let myself and my family down,” he added. “I try to keep a level head. I think you have to enjoy your football, and if you are not smiling, you won’t be playing that well. “But also when it comes to competition you want to win. I’m a winner, and that’s the case no matter what I’m doing. “Whether it’s on the pitch or if I’m playing a game of chess with my team-mates, I always want to win. That mode always sets in no matter what I’m doing.” Kane is set to lead England out at Wembley for England’s final warm-up friendly against Iceland (Sat 2.45am Malaysian time) before they head to Germany for the Euros. Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has returned to training after a lengthy injury problem, which boosts hopes he could make the final 26-man squad. – The Independent /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM Malaysian Paper Eriksen masterclass …as Denmark down Sweden in Euro 2024 warm-up CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN scored a stunning late winner to give Denmark a 2-1 victory over Sweden in a lively pre-Euro 2024 friendly at a sold-out Parken stadium yesterday, cementing his spot as the Danes’ most potent creative force ahead of the tournament in Germany. It took just over a minute for the home side to break the deadlock as Sweden’s defence was caught napping at the game’s first corner, and Eriksen found Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the near post for an easy finish. With the red-clad fans expecting that to be the beginning of an onslaught, the Swedes struck back quickly through Alexander Isak, who collected a blocked shot from Jens Cajuste and slammed it past Frederik Ronnow in the Danish goal seven minutes later. The 32-year-old Eriksen, who collapsed due to a heart attack on the same pitch in Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland, pulled the strings throughout, and his curling, dipping strike in the 86th minute gave the Danes a welldeserved win. Sweden’s Danish coach Jon Dahl Tomasson was inducted into the Danish football Hall Of Fame ahead of kickoff, and his side defended well but faltered in attack, with Isak and Dejan Kulusevski often crowded out by the Danish defence. Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand gave credit to Tomasson for his work so far with Sweden, who failed to qualify for the Euros under previous coach Janne Andersson, opening the door for the Dane to take over. “(They play) an incredibly aggressive man-to-man game. I think in general we gave away too many turnovers in the first half, and they got chances they shouldn’t have gotten,” Hjulmand told broadcaster TV2. “We should have scored a little more… we must look at the opportunities Sweden got, because we must not give them chances,” he added. A delighted Eriksen was almost happier for the assist for the opening goal than he was for scoring the winner, having come in for some criticism for a string of poor set pieces in qualifying. “It was nice, and it was good that we scored from a dead ball, I think it created a bit of calm in our team,” he told broadcaster TV2. Eriksen reflected on a tough season with Manchester United and how difficult it was for him to adjust to his new reality of being a bench player. He said: “For me, the season has been a little different to other seasons. It has been a slightly different role. “It’s new to me, but it’s also new to the outside world. It is clear – in relation to how people talk (about me). “I was also a bit lucky that I didn’t sit on the bench so much when I was younger. But I did it once in a while. It’s never fun, that’s for sure “Personally, you always want to be the one who is chosen first in the team. Sometimes the coach looks the other way. “But then, I play for United. There is just a battle for places because there are a lot of good players.” Denmark round off their Euro 2024 preparations with a home game against Norway on Saturday (Sunday 1.30am Malaysian time) before travelling to Germany, where they will face Slovenia, England and Serbia in Group C – Reuters/Agencies Mbappe on target as France beat Luxembourg FRANCE strolled to a comfortable 3-0 win over Luxembourg in a pre-Euro 2024 friendly in Metz yesterday as striker Kylian Mbappe sealed the win after delivering two assists. Forward Randal Kolo Muani put France in front just before the break, heading in from a precise Mbappe pass, before Jonathan Clauss’s thunderous strike from outside the box doubled the advantage in the 70th minute. Mbappe added a third 15 minutes later with a low, first-time shot from near the penalty spot for his 47th goal for Les Bleus. The 25-year-old, who finalised his widely anticipated move to Real Madrid on Monday, has now been involved in 80 goals for France in 78 games. “(Mbappe) is a formidable leader ever since he’s been with us,” said manager Didier Deschamps. “He did a good job today… his head and body weren’t used to playing very much these past couple of weeks, so some juice was missing… but he decided he wants to win everything, it’s gotten way better for him. He has been a good example all week.” The World Cup runners-up had Luxembourg pinned back inside their own half for large chunks of the opening 45 minutes but the visitors’ disciplined defence held firm to thwart their efforts. Ranked 87th, Luxembourg missed out on what could have been their first-ever major tournament with a 2-0 loss to Georgia in their Euro 2024 qualification playoff semifinal. Goalkeeper Anthony Moris denied Mbappe from close range before the half-hour mark until Kolo Muani found a way in two minutes before halftime. Little changed after the break as France, who are among the favourites to win Euro 2024, continued to dominate and substitute defender Clauss increased their lead from another Mbappe assist before the striker wrapped up the scoring. Forward Bradley Barcola, who set up Mbappe, made his France debut when he replaced Marcus Thuram in the 81st minute. “It’s a source of pride, I was really looking forward to this match to show what I can do,” said the 21-year-old. “I’m happy, I made an assist and we won 3-0. No pressure, it’s a friendly match, (but) I gave everything.” – Reuters Kane’s England story ‘not over yet’ █ BY JONATHAN VEAL SHORTS Belgium’s De Bruyne celebrates 100 caps in style KEVIN DE BRUYNE scored to mark his 100th cap for Belgium and set his country on their way to a 2-0 win over Montenegro in Brussels yesterday in the first of two friendlies before they head to the European Championship. The Belgium captain stroked home a long range shot a minute before half-time to hand his side the lead after the goalkeeper was caught in no-man’s land after a defensive mix-up. Leandro Trossard tucked away a penalty with the last kick of the game to double the scoreline at the death. “I’m happy to be back. It’s been a long time,” said De Bruyne, who was making his first appearance for more than a year for the Red Devils after a hamstring injury saw him miss half a season at Manchester City. “It’s nice to be able to play my 100th cap here in Belgium. This is a good start and it was fun to score. “We deservedly took the lead in the first half, but after the break things became a little more difficult due to the substitutions. “It is important to get into a rhythm and get some automation in our play. It also takes some adjustment for me because I haven’t played much with this team yet,” he added. Oyarzabal hits hattrick for Spain ATTACKING midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal climbed off the bench to score three times in the second half and help Spain to a 5-0 friendly victory over Andorra yesterday in their penultimate warm-up game before Euro 2024. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente fielded a much changed squad which, despite dominating from the start, struggled to turn 75% of possession into scoring opportunities in a dour first half against their lowly rivals who came in to the match on a 15-game winless streak. Former Newcastle United and Leicester City forward Ayoze Perez, gave the hosts the lead in the 24th minute and was Spain’s lone bright spot before the break. Real Sociedad’s Oyarzabal, who was one of four substitutions at halftime, extended Spain’s lead in the 53rd minute with a tidy finish from a low cross by Ayoze. “It was a dream debut,” Ayoze, who scored five goals in Betis’ last seven La Liga games this season, told TVE. “To score a goal and give an assist it’s just great, I’m delighted. Every ball I controlled, every run I made, I put it all together towards my goal that is making the team.” Oyarzabal scored Spain’s third from a quick counter in the 66th and he got his hattrick in the 73rd minute. Ferran Torres wrapped a comprehensive victory eight minutes later on another counterattack. Denmark’s Christian Eriksen celebrates scoring their second goal against Sweden. – REUTERSPIX

SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 31 Not impossible Mohd Sumali says Malaysia can upstage Thailand in Thai King’s Cup AFTER the feat of winning two gold medals at the recent 2024 Sepak Takraw World Cup, the Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) are optimistic that it is not impossible to defy the host squad at the upcoming 2024 Thai King’s Cup in Bangkok. PSM president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said based on the performance at the 2024 World Cup which took place at Titiwangsa Stadium here from May 18-26 and the Cambodia SEA Games last year, the chances for the national squad to overcome world giants Thailand is 50-50. “Based on the results (I am confident) but I cannot be over-confident because this is a major tournament, not to mention playing on the opponent’s home court in front of their own fans, anything can happen. “It is certain that we want to maintain our winning consistency even though it will not be easy. “Supporters want to see how successful we are in a foreign country as well, and this is a big challenge for me, head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun and the players,” he said during the Federal Land Development Authority’s (Felda) appreciation ceremony for the new generation of players who were involved in the World Cup last month. However, Mohd Sumali said the target for the 2024Thai King’s Cup, which is expected to be held in September, has not been set yet because he has not yet received confirmation about the events to be contested in this year’s edition. “For sure there is a team regu event, (but) I’m not sure about other events such as doubles and quadrants (four players per team), there might be a mixed event (one male, two female or four players). I understand that the events to be contested will be finalised in the coming week,” he said. At the World Cup this time, Malaysia created history by ending Thailand’s dominance after recording victories in the finals of the regu and doubles events respectively with a result of 2-0, but the 33- year wait to emerge as champion of the team event continued to be elusive when they lost to Thailand 1-2 in the final. Earlier, Felda chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek expressed his appreciation to a Felda settler’s, son Ahmad Jais and two players – Muhammad Fetri Mohd Azwadi and Baihakki A’rippin – for their success in making the country famous in the recent World Cup. “I am grateful because it is unprecedented. I hope it can increase the interest of more Felda youth, who are indeed synonymous with the sport of sepak takraw, to venture into this (heritage) sport and perform at the international level,” said Shabery. – Bernama THE national cycling camp will be receiving the new WX-R Vorteq bicycle evolved through the research and development (R&D) of the National Sports Institute (NSI) ahead of the Paris Olympic Games. The customised bike, estimated to be worth a hefty RM385,800 apiece, will come with cutting-edge technology to achieve marginal gains on the track, thus putting Malaysia on par globally to increase its chances of winning a gleaming medal. The bikes will be used by national track cycling champions Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri when they participate in training in Belgium this month and Spain in July before flying to Paris. Mohd Azizulhasni, who was excited about the development, said he stays open minded even though he would only start to experience using the bike a few weeks before going to Paris. “What I already know is that our last R&D saw an improvement in terms of friction for the bike, including a skin suit, in terms of positioning, and it combines everything for us to have bigger gains to compete. “They (NSI) want to make sure everything is perfectly done before handing over the bicycle and I’m not rushing too much either because I still have the old bicycle to use. But usually I will use a new bicycle a month before (competition) which will be in Spain later and in Belgium when I will try it out,” he said. Mohd Azizulhasni rejected claims that the entry of the new bike will guarantee that Malaysia is able to achieve the desired success at the most prestigious games in the world. “Some may reckon that when we have a new bike, we will definitely win but it’s not like that, rather it’s about us being on par with other competitors. Previously, we didn’t have R&D, we were one step behind the main cycling challengers like Great Britain and Germany who have already developed their own special (prototype) bikes. “This is what we call (cutting-edge) sports technology. Right now, we are on par with them in terms of technology. That gives us extra confidence when we have the best equipment,” he said. – Bernama Excitement over new WX-R Vorteq bicycle SHORTS Speedy Tigers beat Canada 4-2 THE Malaysian men’s hockey squad (Speedy Tigers) beat Canada 4-2 in their final Group B Nations Cup match at the National Gniezno Stadium in Poland yesterday. The win was the first for the Speedy Tigers under coach Sarjit Singh in three matches, after having played to a 4-4 draw against Pakistan and losing 1-3 to France in their two earlier matches. The win however, saw Malaysia remain third in Group B with four points, behind group leader France with six points and second placed Pakistan who also have four points but with a better goal advantage. Based on the format of the tournament, the top two teams move into the semifinals. Malaysia started the action in style yesterday – taking the lead as early as the 2nd minute through Fitri Saari’s field goal and added the second in the 6th minute through Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal. Syed Syafiq Mohd Cholan piled on the misery for Canada by scoring the third goal from a penalty corner in the 22nd minute before Canada managed to reduce the deficit in the 41st minute through Dhillon Rhopkanwar but Muhajir Abdul Rauf restored the three goal advanatge a minute later. Canada however, managed a second goal in the 51st minute through Mansarovar Sidhu but remained rooted at the bottom of the table without any points. KBS launches Team MAS campaign THE excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which will kick off in 50 days, is increasingly felt following the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) launching the Team MAS (Team Malaysia) campaign in an effort to create a national movement to support the country’s competing athletes. Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh said the initiative highlighted by KBS is hoped to be a morale booster for the country’s athletes who have qualified, giving them more confidence to fight in Paris and bring home the country’s first Olympics gold medal. “All the athletes’ preparations are in place. From now on, we are in the 50-day countdown, so we hope the athletes will continue to have a strong spirit to face their opponents in Paris. “‘We Are All Team MAS’, it is not just about the Olympic Games. Every time an athlete goes abroad representing Malaysia, they carry this theme. Sports are a driver of unity in Malaysia, and this is a call for all of us to come together,” she told reporters after the Team MAS launch ceremony in conjunction with the Paris Olympics at the National Sports Council (NSC) yesterday. A total of 33 athletes have qualified for Paris 2024, involving 18 athletes for the Olympic Games from July 26 to Aug 11, while 15 others for the Paralympics, scheduled to take place from August 28 to Sept 8. New benchmark for sepak takraw THE Kuala Lumpur Sepak Takraw World Cup held from May 18-26 at the Titiwangsa Stadium here has set a new benchmark for excellence in the sport, according to the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF). ISTAF secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Kader said the resounding success of the event, where host nation Malaysia secured two gold medals, has impressed the global sepak takraw community. “It had demonstrated the effectiveness and resilience of our new 15-point system and the unified service rule, which ensures a level playing field for all participating countries. “These innovative changes have elevated the competitive spirit, brought a fresh and dynamic approach to the game, making it more thrilling for players and spectators alike. “We acknowledge the dedication and hard work of athletes, coaches and officials, whose commitment and perseverance were instrumental in achieving this success. The extraordinary performances and strategic gameplay displayed have raised the bar and shown the world the true potential of this exciting sport,” he said in a statement yesterday. Abdul Halim also congratulated the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM), under the leadership of Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan for the outstanding achievement, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh for her support, and all participating nations for their sportsmanship and competitive spirit. National men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao in action against Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX NATIONAL men’s singles shuttler, Leong Jun Hao continued his fine form as he caused another upset over another higher-ranked player, this time against Taiwan. At the Istora Senayan, Jun Hao survive yet another gruelling match yesterday beating world No. 11 Chou Tien Chen 21-18, 13-21, 21-17 in 67 minutes in the second round of the Indonesia Open whilst sealing his quarterfinal spot . The unseeded Jun Hao, who stunned the home crowd by defeating third seed, Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in the opening round on Wednesday will face reigning Asian Games champion, Li Shi Feng of China today. The unseeded Wei Chong-Kai Wun rose to the occasion to oust Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard from Denmark 21-18, 19-21, 21-12 in 61 minutes. Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for national No. 1 men’s doubles duo and fifth seeds, Aaron ChiaSoh Wooi Yik as they fell short to unseeded pair, Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han of Taiwan, 16-21, 14-21. Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also made it to the last eight as they came from behind to eliminate home duo, Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin, 16-21, 21-16, 21-12. Jun Hao continues giant-killing run

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: [email protected] SCAN ME FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME Malaysian Paper Read iPaper at Malaysian Paper Malaysian Paper Rohit plays down injury scare -Story - on page 28 Story on page 27 Ruud test for Zverev THERE HAVE been 77 England matches since Trent Alexander-Arnold debuted in 2018. If he had played in them all, he would be level on caps already with Terry Butcher, wedged between John Terry and Tom Finney. Instead, he has 24 international appearances to his name, fewer caps in the Gareth Southgate era than Jesse Lingard, barely half as many as Kieran Trippier. A player who has been labelled the best rightback in the world has sometimes only seemed Southgate’s fourth choice. And yet, the England manager has long insisted he is an admirer of Alexander-Arnold’s talent. An attempt to reinvent him as a midfielder – first criticised by Jurgen Klopp, then adopted – may have been a consequence of his preference for Kyle Walker and Trippier’s defensive qualities but is a bid to unleash a creator. It is, though, something of a voyage into uncharted territory for Southgate and Alexander-Arnold alike. The Merseysider missed the March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium with injury – Southgate’s selectorial choices are not the only reason why he has so few caps. Southgate savoured the goal while accepting that Alexander-Arnold has been underused. Alexander-Arnold can play passes others cannot imagine, let alone execute. He can add a dimension. “We were very pleased, it is a role he is discovering and he is hungry to learn,” Southgate said. But he is learning on the job. Even the rookies Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton have more positional experience; they are midfielders by trade. The relatively battlehardened Conor Gallagher has come to seem the safe option. For Alexander-Arnold, the unproven element is whether he can operate as a midfielder in a defining tournament game, whether he has the positional acumen to shield the defence when out of possession. “That is the unknown. Obviously, with Gallagher, with Mainoo, even with Wharton you know exactly what they can and what they can’t do,” said Southgate. “None of these p l a y e r s can do everything so you are trying to work out what is the right balance. Obviously, Declan (Rice) is going to be in there so what is the balance with him? That could be different for different games.” It could be Jude Bellingham, but Southgate counselled against expecting to see Real Madrid’s 23-goal finisher too deep. “Jude’s obviously playing the season very high up the pitch for Madrid,” he said. “Defensively, (it was) a bit of a mix.” It is partly a question of chemistry. “All the bits have to fit together,” said Southgate. And traditionally, England have lacked the player who knits a team together; if Alexander-Arnold can supply the magic ball, the youngsters Mainoo and Wharton are the natural passers; always available, always looking for the next ball. The Crystal Palace player’s England debut was auspicious. “He is just pretty unflappable,” said Southgate. “That ability to receive and see a picture early isn’t something you should underestimate.” Unprompted, he started mentioning two of the modern-day greats, six-time Champions League winners. “You immediately start to think of (Toni) Kroos and (Luka) Modric and those types,” he said. “They’ve had a decade or more of how to control the rhythm of a game. That’s a step beyond where we’re at with Wharton and Mainoo. “They’re really tender in their development. They’re doing really well and we’re excited about working with them but we’ve got to be realistic about what that’s going to look like in terms of controlling the tempo at the highest possible level, which is also a step that none of them have seen yet.” For Wharton, Mainoo and AlexanderArnold, in different ways and at different stages of their career, Euro 2024 will be a step into the unknown. They are England’s three new midfielders: two youngsters and a recycled, rebranded rightback. – The Independent █ BY RICHARD JOLLY -Story on page 30 Eriksen produces masterclass Midfield muddle Southgate admits dilemma in who to choose alongside Rice at Euro 2024 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Bellingham, AlexanderArnold, Gallagher and Mainoo.