Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1 TUESDAY NOV 28, 2023 SCAN ME No. 8403 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) Chinese Embassy expects new policy to boost people movement, enhance overall ties between the People’s Republic and Malaysia. ROYAL VISITOR ... The Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, accompanied by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, showing Prince of Monaco Prince Albert II some souvenirs at Istana Negara yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Visa-free isa-free entry hailed Report on hpage 2 Flood worsens in Kelantan Number of evacuees drops in Terengganu, unchanged in Selangor. Report on hpage 6 M’sians shine at hacking contest Over 1,000 cyberbullying posts removed Report on hpage 4 Report on hpage 3 MCMC takes down 804 items on TikTok, 195 on Facebook, seven on X, nine each on Instagram and YouTube. Four national teams perform well at Asean Cyber Shield competition in Jakarta.
TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 2 Visa-free move boost to bilateral ties PUTRAJAYA: The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia anticipates the implementation of a visa-free policy will be pivotal in encouraging movement of citizens, nurturing enhanced bilateral practical cooperation, and ultimately fortifying the overall relationship between China and Malaysia. A Chinese embassy spokesman was commenting on the government’s recent initiative, which is set to roll out 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of China and India starting on Dec 1. “In a noteworthy diplomatic development, China and Malaysia have collaboratively enacted a oStrategic initiative aims to facilitate movement of citizens between two nations, says China embassy █ BYSIVANISVARRY MORHAN [email protected] ‘Digital ID project will not jeopardise security’ SHAH ALAM: The Communications and Digital Ministry yesterday said the National Digital Identity (Digital ID) project will not jeopardise the security of personal data of Malaysians. Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative undertaken by Mimos Berhad, in collaboration with several other agencies, has been used in several countries such as Estonia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. “There were claims that certain countries refused to implement it, Fahmi with Management and Science University president Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid (left) and Japan ambassador to Malaysia Takahashi Katsuhiko (third from left) at the launch in Shah Alam yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC visa-free policy, allowing individuals with ordinary passports from their respective countries to enter each other’s nations without the need for a visa. “This strategic measure, endorsed by the government, aims to enhance the facilitation of (people movement) and signifies a pivotal development in the high-level relationship between the two nations,” he said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement during his concluding speech at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat annual national congress at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on Sunday, which drew 1,391 delegates and 1,269 observers. He said this diplomatic initiative emphasises the commitment of both nations to deepen the relationship and facilitate seamless interactions, marking a milestone in diplomatic history. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said this new facility is an additional benefit to the existing visa exemptions already enjoyed by citizens from Gulf countries and other West Asian nations, including Turkiye and Jordan. He said the visa exemption is contingent upon rigorous security screenings. “All tourists and visitors to Malaysia will undergo preliminary screenings. Security concerns constitute a distinct aspect; entry will be denied to individuals with criminal records or potential terrorism risks. The responsibility for making these decisions rests with the security forces and immigration authorities,” he said. but many countries have done so because of its numerous benefits. It will also reduce costs for application development. “Once implemented, the data of Malaysians will be safe from being stolen by malicious parties. Therefore, the issue of personal data security can be controlled,” he said in response to allegations that some individuals were trying to scare the public on social media regarding the development of the initiative. Fahmi had earlier officiated the Malaysia-Japan Digital Transformation and Innovation Seminar 2023 at the Management and Science University yesterday. “It is a policy to standardise, especially the ‘sign-in’ process across ministries, as each ministry has its own applications and registrations. That’s why we want to have the single sign-in registration in addition to resolving security issues,” he said. The media had reported that the government had approved an initial allocation of RM80 million for the the project development in an effort to expedite the implementation of the self-verification platform, which is believed to further enhance the efficiency of public services. – Bernama Move to use satellites as cell towers KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications and Digital Ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is studying the use of satellites as cell towers in an effort to improve the communication system in the country. Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said if the technology can be implemented in cooperation with telecommunications companies, the “where there’s a road, there’s an internet” policy can be achieved and implemented well. “MCMC and the ministry are researching some new technologies other than the internet via satellites. Several new technologies are being developed which use satellites as cell towers. “In the next two or more years, there are several companies which are conducting research on the use of satellite technology as a telecommunications tower,” he said. He was replying to a supplementary question from Senator Aknan Ehtook in the Dewan Negara, who asked about the progress of the network-sharing initiative, which takes into account Sarawak as an implementation model. – Bernama Govt aid helps stimulate economy: Deputy minister KUALA LUMPUR: The Rahmah Cash Aid, or any cash or non-cash aid programme, will have a high impact on the B40 lowerincome group, which will stimulate economy through spending activities, said Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He said the Rahmah Cash Aid is the highest assistance in the country’s history as the government is aware of current developments, especially involving the economic situation and cost of living. “The aid will not only help the B40 group but will also have multiple effects on relevant industries,“ he said at the Dewan Negara yesterday. A total of RM10 billion will be provided next year for the cash aid programme to benefit nearly nine million eligible beneficiaries. There are two methods of distributing the aid – directly credited to the recipient’s bank account registered in the database, while recipients without a bank account will receive payment in cash at BSN branches nationwide. For recipients in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak who do not have a bank account, the payment will be made in cash, which will be coordinated by the Treasury in Sabah and Sarawak. Ahmad said in cases of deceased cash aid recipients, a death benefit of RM1,000 would be given to the spouses. If both spouses are deceased, a death benefit of RM2,000 would be given to the next of kin. Ahmad said as introduced this year, the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, which is one of the components of the Rahmah Cash Aid programme, aims to provide cashless assistance for those in the hardcore poor category. “About RM100 will be provided every month for six months through an identification card for them to obtain basic needs this year. “For next year, the government has agreed to extend the initiative to recipients in the poor category and will extend the grant of RM100 every month for 12 months,” he said. – Bernama Thai PM thanks Malaysia for help BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday said his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin has expressed gratitude to the Malaysian government for assisting in the safe release of their nationals held captive by Hamas in Gaza, Palestine. Anwar said this was conveyed to him during their meeting in conjunction with his one-day working visit to Sadao in Thailand. “Prime Minister Srettha has expressed appreciation to us for our efforts in helping in the safe release of the Thai nationals held captive by Hamas. I said we did what we could, but it was the wisdom of Hamas and Egypt that provided a pathway for the release (of the Thais),” he said at the CIQ complex here after the visit. Earlier, it was reported that three more Thais held by Hamas were released from Gaza on Sunday, taking to 17 the number of Thai nationals freed since the four-day truce with Israeli forces began on Friday. – Bernama Targeted Ron95 subsidy next year KUALA LUMPUR: The government will roll out the targeted Ron95 subsidy programme in the second half of 2024 to optimise its resources towards those that need it the most, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. He said a country where those in the top 20 (T20) income group are receiving 53% of blanket fuel subsidies is not a sustainable model, nor is it an equitable one. “These efforts are in line with the government’s central position of widening the fiscal paradigm we work in. “Given that our public finances ran a fiscal deficit of more than 5% for three consecutive years, we must find new avenues to mobilise our resources and reduce wastage within the system,” he said in his keynote address at the National Economic Outlook Conference here yesterday. He said implementing the subsidy retargeting programme by the end of 2024 would translate into a better fiscal position for the country. – Bernama
TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 3 Cooking oil subsidy to include micro traders KUALA LUMPUR: The subsidy programme for packet cooking oil next year will not only involve households, but also micro traders. Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh said currently, the subsidy system for essential goods is a bulk subsidy, which is implemented under the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme System and it stops at the retailer level. She said the bulk subsidy system was inherited from the previous administration, and the unity government will improve the system by expanding it to the consumer level to prevent leakage. “The ministry sees those who should receive this subsidy are the B40 group and some in the M40 group, because the M40 also need it and it is estimated that 5.8 million households will be eligible to receive this subsidy once the government implements it. “Previously, when we (implemented) bulk subsidies, we also did not target them to reach micro traders. In the future, the ministry will target micro traders, because they also need this cooking oil subsidy,” she said during question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Fuziah was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (BN-Titiwangsa) about whether the government will continue the cooking oil bulk subsidy method, and whether the government is prepared to use the cash transfer method to consumers, to avoid leakage of subsidy distribution of essential goods. She said the proposed cash transfer to consumers for the purchase of packet cooking oil may be the best solution, but the implementation mechanism requires further study, adding that the provision of bulk cooking oil subsidies made it difficult for the ministry to control foreigners buying the essentials, and there were no regulations prohibiting that group from buying packet cooking oil. She also said the new policy of targeted subsidies, based on the government’s Central Database System involving distribution to the B40 group, part of the M40 and micro-traders, could guarantee a sufficient supply quota of 60,000 metric tonnes of packaged cooking oil per month. – Bernama S’gor launches ‘Kongsi Zakat’ campaign SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) yesterday launched the “Kongsi Rezeki dengan Zakat” campaign to encourage and appeal to Muslims, especially in Selangor, to fulfill their tithe obligations before the end of the year. LZS CEO Mohd Sabirin Mohd Sarbini said the campaign, themed “Sedikit Bagi Anda, Segalanya Buat Mereka” to be held until Dec 31, was aimed at inviting eligible zakat payers to help needy asnaf (individuals entitled to tithe). “Through this campaign, the Muslim community can share zakat sustenance with the asnaf group in Selangor so that they can continue to survive in the current economic challenges, and further develop themselves and their families. “To date, LZS has helped more than 68,000 families of the poor, hardcore poor and Muslim converts in Selangor,“ he told reporters after launching the campaign at the LZS headquarters here yesterday. Mohd Sabirin said LZS also invited the community to participate in its campaigns by offering various attractive prizes. Among the campaigns are the “Zakat Online On X”, specifically for zakat payers who make payments through ezakatpay at fpx.zakatselangor.com.my and the “Auto Kan Senang” campaign for individuals, traders and companies that have started to register monthly zakat payment through direct debit platform. – Bernama Prayers for Palestinian martyrs at state assembly MALACCA: The Malacca State Legislative Assembly yesterday recited the surah Al Fatihah and observed a moment of silence to remember the martyrs who died in the conflict in Palestine. In his speech, speaker Datuk Ibrahim Durum also expressed hope that the ongoing ceasefire would prevent bloodshed from continuing. “To the Muslims, let’s recite the Ummul Kitab Al Fatihah… for our parents, relatives and the martyrs in Palestine, while hoping and praying for the ceasefire to be maintained.” On Wednesday, Hamas said it had reached a four-day ceasefire agreement with Israel under Qatari-Egyptian mediation after 46 days of bloody conflict in the besieged enclave. Under the agreement, Hamas agreed to release 50 Israelis held by them in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. The deal also includes a four-day pause in fighting and the entry of 300 trucks with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip. – Bernama Cyberbullying posts removed by MCMC KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration with social media platform operators, removed 1,147 cyberbullying posts between January and Nov 15. Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said these included 804 items on TikTok, 195 on Facebook, seven on X (Twitter), nine each on Instagram and YouTube and 123 on other platforms. She said the measures taken to prevent social media abuse include a series of advocacy efforts to raise awareness about responsible social media use and highlight the risks and threats of internet abuse, adding that the efforts were carried out through the Klik Dengan Bijak (KDB) and Malaysian ICT Volunteers (MIV) initiatives. “MCMC, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, continuously conduct educational activities for users through various platforms such as the Sebenarnya.my portal, KDB, SMS announcements, social media, television and radio programmes to promote public awareness and vigilance on the risks and modus operandi of cyberbullying,” she said. Teo was responding to a question from Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) during the question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday on oCommission conducts ongoing educational activities in collaboration with enforcement agencies, stakeholders measures taken to prevent social media abuse, especially in light of reported suicide incidents resulting from cyberbullying on TikTok, Bernama reported. To a supplementary question from Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang), Teo said MCMC has the authority to investigate cases under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. “However, if police are investigating a case, MCMC will not investigate. But if police do not investigate, MCMC still has the power to act. “To take a case to court, MCMC must first refer the matter to police or the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers.” She said 65 communications related cases have been taken to court under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 from 2018 until mid-November, while 876 cases have been investigated under the same section this year. Standard assessments for Year Six, Form Three KUCHING: The Sarawak Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development aims to implement standard assessments for Year Six and Form Three students that emphasise Dual Language Programme (DLP) subjects by 2025. Its minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee In said the Education Ministry (MOE) is supportive of the proposal and has agreed to assist in the implementation across all public schools in the state. “Education Minister (Fadhlina Sidek) also agreed to help us. So, of course the state education department will abide and in fact, many people are supporting it, even in the peninsula. The schools currently have their own system of school-based assessment. We cannot say that it is not good, but we want to do it better. “The main thing is the DLP, which is the Science and Mathematics subjects. So, these are the areas that we will conduct the assessments and we are engaging with officers and experts in matters relating to this,” he told a press conference at the state legislative assembly yesterday. In his winding-up speech earlier, Roland said such an assessment is vital as it will serve as a way to gauge the effectiveness of the DLP, alongside other state initiatives to increase the uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects in schools. However, he said it would still be premature to elaborate on the assessment as his ministry is currently deliberating the move. “Rest assured, the proposed assessment will not cause undue stress to all parties, students, teachers, the schools and parents.” On the progress of devolution and decentralisation of powers for education under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Roland said the ministry has yet to receive an official response from MOE for the arrangements on how the decentralisation of authority is to be realised. “We will not give up and we will keep checking with them. We will prepare to have a meeting again with them early next year, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is coordinating the MA63 meeting,” he said. – Bernama FEEDING FRENZY ... A flock of migratory birds swarm a padi field in Bukit Mertajam in search of food during the ploughing season, which presents an abundance of insects, small fish and eels. – BERNAMAPIC
TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 4 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK Malaysian Paper JAKARTA: Four teams from Malaysia recorded excellent performances at the Asean Cyber Shield (ACS) hacking competition on Nov 21 to 24. The national contingent, which took part in the student and open categories, finished in the top five of their respective brackets and qualified for the finals. The National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) under the National Security Council said in a statement “Team Cincai” placed third in the student category and won a cash prize of US$5,000 (RM23,405). Team leader Choo Chi Siang expressed satisfaction in completing unique challenges, especially in the “Cyber Warzone: Capture The Flag Competition”, which was considered very difficult compared with previous ones. The team won first place in July at the CYDES event in Kuala Lumpur, organised by Nacsa. Its chief executive Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin said the latest initiative is in line with efforts to advance the capacity and talent of the younger generation in the field of cyber security, Bernama reported. “A career in this field not only offers extensive opportunities, but also brings high income. We hope to see more young talents from our country getting involved and taking advantage of the opportunities provided.” Megat Zuhairy said Malaysia needs more than 25,000 cyber security professionals in 2025, compared with about 13,000 currently active in the local market. Malaysia’s participation in ACS provided opportunities for participants to gain skills, knowledge and strengthen relations with regional countries in dealing with cyber threats. ACS was organised by the Korea Internet Security Agency and Indonesia’s National Cyber and Crypto Agency under the Asean Korea Cooperation Fund initiative. Its other activities include cyber security conferences, digital forensics capacity building workshops, meetings with South Korean cyber security companies, open exhibitions and hackathons. Terengganu tables RM1.8b 2024 budget KUALA TERENGGANU: The government here has allocated RM1.86 billion for its Budget 2024, with an estimated deficit of RM131 million. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the budget, themed “Heading to a New Era Terengganu”, included a RM500 million contribution to its development fund. “Under operating expenditure, RM84.77 million was allocated for dependent expenses and RM1.77 billion for supply expenses comprising RM278.3 million for emoluments, RM251.48 million for supply services, RM23.86 million for assets, RM1.22 billion for grant and fixed payments and RM1 million for other expenses,” he said at the state legislative assembly yesterday. Ahmad Samsuri added that the development expenditure encompassed RM425.19 million for the social sector, RM44.1 million for the administrative sector and RM30.71 million for the economic sector. The Ru Rendang assemblyman said the estimated state revenue in 2024 is expected to be via tax revenue totalling RM80.06 million, non-tax revenue of RM169.01 billion and non-revenue receipts including petroleum revenue of RM1.61 billion under the federal special fund. Ahmad Samsuri outlined 10 main strategies for next year, among which is to ensure that gross domestic product growth remains between 3.5% and 4.1%. He said efforts to improve infrastructure in all 28 industrial areas and exploitation of advantages in state border areas and East Coast Rail Line stations need to be intensified so that the volume and balance of trade could be increased up to 7%. “The tourism industry needs to be empowered with product diversity, the availability of facilities and the conservation of resources to attract 13.2 million domestic visitors, including 4.5 million tourists, an increase of 30% compared with last year.” – Bernama Malaysian teams ace Asean hacking tourney oEvent among efforts to advance capacity, talent of younger generation in field of cyber security Unassuming mushroom found to boost health KUALA LUMPUR: Compared with its better known cousins such as oyster, shiitake, enoki and button mushrooms, lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) looks less appetising, but is touted to pack a punch in terms of health benefits. Resembling a cauliflower and covered with shaggy spines, the white-coloured fungus, also known as monkey head mushroom, was relatively unheard of in the country until recently. Lion’s mane thrives on dead or decaying wood and is native to North America, Europe and the temperate regions of Asia. Technology has allowed for cultivation in Malaysia, mainly for culinary purposes due to its taste and meaty texture. Research by Universiti Malaya (UM) since 2007 revealed findings linked to the therapeutic potential of lion’s mane, particularly for the management of neurodegenerative diseases. UM Faculty of Pharmacy senior lecturer Dr Phan Chia Wei said their studies have shown it is a functional ingredient that can prevent diseases related to the loss of nerve structure and function or nervous system degeneration. “This mushroom can stimulate the growth of nerves or nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain. “NGF is a type of protein crucial for the growth, maintenance and repair of neurons (nerve cells) in the nervous system. It also plays a role in cognitive functions such as learning and memory,” he said, adding that a deficiency could affect nerve health and lead to neuropathy. Phan said his team successfully extracted hericenones (chemical compounds beneficial for brain and nerve health) from lion’s mane, opening up potential for the treatment of diseases such as dementia and stroke. Apart from strengthening muscles, motor responses and cognitive functions, hericenones contain anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation. “Prolonged inflammation could lead to chronic ailments, including stomach ulcers,” he said, adding that pre-clinical studies involving cells and animals indicated the presence of compounds with anti-tumour and anti-cancer activities in lion’s mane. “Our studies are still in the preliminary stages and much more research has to be done on humans before these effects can be confirmed.” According to Phan, lion’s mane extract can be consumed as a dietary supplement as it is generally safe for consumption. However, he cautioned that some individuals may experience reactions depending on the dosage and their health condition. “For example, the intake of extracts can affect the body’s absorption of medications. If a person is on certain medications, it is important that they discuss the risk of drug interactions with their doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements containing lion’s mane extract.” He also advised consumers of such supplements to buy from a trusted source, adding that lion’s mane is becoming increasingly popular as a culinary delight. “Due to its meaty texture, it can be prepared as satay or added into rendang, curry or soup. Vegans use it as a meat substitute.” On the cultivation of lion’s mane in Malaysia, he said those planning to do so must study proper techniques to ensure the mushrooms are of high quality. Phan said some parties are currently undertaking extensive cultivation using the block technique. – Bernama Kelantan to launch own rice brand KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan government will launch its own rice brand, Beras Agro Darul Naim, to cater to demand in the state next year. State Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry and Commodity Committee chairman Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail said to realise this, they will have a special allocation for the development of padi factories. “This effort is a collaboration between the Kelantan Agricultural Development Corporation, Kelantan Agricultural Group Berhad and investor partners. “The state government has prepared a special allocation for the development of a padi factory in Meranti, Pasir Mas in 2024,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Tuan Azhar Salleh (PAS-Pulai Condong) at the state legislative assembly yesterday. – Bernama RM298m revenue collected in Malacca MALACCA: The state government collected RM298.41 million in revenue as of Nov 20, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. He added that the sum involved RM122.56 million in tax revenue, RM138.72 million in non-tax revenue and RM37.13 million in non-revenue receipts. “The types of tax revenue collected include land revenue, entertainment duties, water royalties and rock material tax. Non-tax revenue comprised land premiums, privatisation revenue, compounds, water recreation activity charges and non-revenue receipts include earnings from government agencies and others,” he said at the state legislative assembly yesterday. – Bernama AID BRIGADE ... Social Welfare Department staff with Batu Rakit assemblyman Mohd Shafizi Ismail (fourth from left) loading food supplies at the Kuala Terengganu jetty yesterday as monsoon rations for Pulau Perhentian residents. – BERNAMAPIC
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TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 6 READ OUR HERE /thesun Malaysian Paper More affected by floods in Kelantan oSituation in Terengganu improving, with no change in Selangor KUALA LUMPUR: There was an increase in the number of flood evacuees in Kelantan and a decrease in Terengganu, while the situation in Selangor remained unchanged as of yesterday. In Kelantan, the number of evacuees rose to 718 from 204 families as of 8am yesterday compared with 709 from 201 families on Sunday night. According to the Social Welfare Department Info Bencana portal, four relief centres were opened, two each in Pasir Mas and Bachok. In Pasir Mas, 232 evacuees from 79 families are sheltering at SK Tok Deh while 65 individuals from 19 families are still housed at the relief centre in Kedai Tanjung. In Bachok, 67 evacuees from 16 families are still housed at SMK Beris Panchor while 354 individuals from 90 families are still at SK Jelawat. In Terengganu, the flood situation is improving with 225 evacuees from 49 families still at five relief centres in four districts as of 8am yesterday. According to the Terengganu State Disaster Management Committee, 112 evacuees from 25 families are sheltering at a relief centre in Besut while 54 from 12 families are placed at a centre in Kuala Terengganu. In Dungun, 50 evacuees from 10 families are still housed in two centres while in Setiu, only nine individuals from two families remained at the centre in SK Kampung Rhu Sepuluh. In Selangor, the number of flood evacuees as of yesterday remained the same as Sunday night, with 83 people from 29 families in Kuala Selangor housed in two relief centres, 47 in Balai Raya Rantau Panjang and 36 in SK Sultan Abdul Aziz. Meanwhile, the publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my website said the water level at Sungai Bernam in Kampung Sungai Selisek, Hulu Selangor has exceeded the danger level at a height of 27.63m, although it showed a downward trend as of yesterday morning. Three rivers in Selangor are at alert levels, with Sungai Bernam in Jambatan SKC, Hulu Selangor reaching 18.27m; Sungai Langat at the Sungai Manggis Department of Irrigation and Drainage in Kuala Langat at 2.5m, while Sungai Selangor in Rantau Panjang, Kuala Selangor at 7.09m. – Bernama Residents using a boat to move around in Kampung Tersang, Kelantan yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Govt appeal on RM300,000 damages to be heard next year PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has set March 6 to hear the government’s appeal against a High Court decision to award RM300,000 in damages to politician Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan for unlawful detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma). Khairuddin’s counsel Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah said the new hearing date was fixed during case management before Court of Appeal deputy registrar Norkamilah Aziz yesterday. Earlier yesterday, the appellate court three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk S. Nantha Balan, Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali and Datuk Dr Choo Kah Sing postponed the appeal hearing as they wanted both Khairuddin’s counsel and senior federal counsel Andi Razalijaya A. Dadi, appearing for the government, to make further submissions on the issue of malicious prosecution. In May 2018, Khairuddin filed the lawsuit against the inspector-general of police, former attorney-general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, the government of Malaysia and five other individuals. The individuals are Bukit Aman officers Wan Aeidil Wan Abdullah and Muniandy Chelliah, former Dang Wangi deputy police chief Habibi Majinji, DPP Datuk Masri Mohd Daud and former senior federal counsel Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud. In his lawsuit, Khairuddin claimed he was initially detained by authorities on Sept 18, 2015 under Section 124C of the Penal Code. After the court ordered his release, he was rearrested on Sept 23 the same year under Sosma and charged in the Magistrate’s Court under Section 124L of the same act with attempting to sabotage the banking and financial services. In August last year, the High Court allowed Khairuddin’s claim for unlawful detention and awarded him damages of RM300,000. However, High Court Judge Datuk Quay Chew Soon dismissed the former Batu Kawan Umno division deputy chief’s claim against the government for malicious prosecution. – Bernama Hike in crime involving Johor youths ISKANDAR PUTERI: Criminal cases involving individuals aged 40 and below in Johor recorded an increase, with 2,402 cases from January to October compared with 1,970 during the same period last year. State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resources Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said yesterday theft recorded the highest number of cases (1,083), followed by sexual crimes (818) and robberies (244). “A total of 242 cases of vandalism were recorded, followed by 10 related to gangsterism or secret societies and five bullying cases,” he said in reply to an oral question from Marina Ibrahim (PH-Skudai) at the state assembly sitting. Marina wanted to know the state government’s efforts in addressing moral decline among those aged 40 and below. Mohd Hairi (BN-Larkin) also said the state’s Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department recorded 2,251 arrests of individuals, aged 40 and below, from January to October. He said there are 1.681 million individuals aged 15 to 40 in Johor, adding the state government is committed to youth development. Mohd Hairi said the state Youth and Sports Department, under the Youth Development Division, has implemented 10 youth-to-youth social intervention programmes this year, which focus on advocacy, campaigns, education and training, as part of efforts to reduce youth involvement in social problems. He added that the programmes, targeting youths in schools and institutions of higher learning, had been implemented in 10 districts, with 1,129 participants, in addition to the programme under the Youth Development Division, involving 30,000 people. – Bernama RM5m confiscated drugs to be disposed JOHOR BAHRU: Johor police will dispose of 322.13kg and 1,562.6 litres of drugs worth RM5.4 million that were seized from 2000 to last year. State police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said yesterday the process will be carried out at the disposal site in Bukit Pelanduk, Negeri Sembilan. The drugs include 19.42kg of heroin, 28.38kg of cannabis, 15.04kg of ketamine and 236.43kg of ketum leaves, Bernama reported. “With this disposal, a total of 3,214 cases from 2000 to 2022 were solved.” Kamarul Zaman also said 15,167 individuals were arrested for various drug-related offences from January to Nov 20. He said the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department is committed and aggressive in conducting operations to combat drug smuggling and trafficking, resulting in arrests and seizures of drugs. RM2m contraband cigarettes seized IPOH: Perak Customs foiled an attempt to smuggle over 2.5 million sticks of cigarettes worth more than RM2.1 million last Thursday. “We carried out surveillance on a terrace house in Sitiawan, which is fenced and has guards patrolling and found that the house used to store the cigarettes was uninhabited,” Perak Customs director Datuk Abdul Ghafar Mohamad said yesterday. “We confiscated 2,568,470 cigarettes of various brands worth RM2,032,372.21 that have not gone through Customs.” Abdul Ghafar said in another raid conducted in Pantai Remis, Customs found 127,200 cigarettes worth RM100,907.40 at an abandoned house there. “Most of the smuggled cigarettes are brought in by sea from Vietnam and stored in the house before being distributed to the local market. “We are still tracking the owner of the premises to help with the investigation.” – Bernama
TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 7 Compensation hearings begin for MH370 victims BEIJING: A Beijing court began hearing compensation cases filed by the families of dozens of Chinese people who died on board a Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared almost 10 years ago. The MH370 jet vanished on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people – mostly from China – en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. More than 40 families have filed lawsuits against Malaysia Airlines, the aircraft manufacturer Boeing, engine maker Rolls Royce and Allianz insurance group, state broadcaster CCTV said. The families’ litigation requests focus on compensation and finding the truth behind the flight’s disappearance, according to Zhang Qihuai, a lawyer quoted by CCTV. It was unclear what jurisdiction the Chinese court has to enforce the claims for compensation against the defendants. oOver 40 families in China have filed lawsuits, focused on damages and finding truth behind flight’s disappearance COLOURFUL DISPLAY ... Participants row dragon boats during a competition as part of the Water Festival on the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh, Cambodia recently. – AFPPIC Hardly any trace of the plane was found in a 120,000-sq km Indian Ocean search zone, with only some pieces of debris picked up. The Australian-led operation, the largest in aviation history, was suspended in January 2017. Despite freezing temperatures in Beijing, several relatives of missing people, wrapped up in winter coats, were keen to talk to journalists. Jiang Hui, whose mother was on flight MH370, said yesterday the opening of the hearing was “very comforting, and it is a turning point”. “The survival of the relatives during these ten years, the deterioration of their living conditions. This really makes us very sad. “So I hope that the legal relief can be realised as soon as possible. It is not difficult,” he said. “Ten years have really been unbearable for us,” he added. “As a relative, I am under a lot of pressure because I was the first to go to court. But I am also very excited because it is not easy to reopen the court hearing after so many years,” said a man surnamed Fu, whose brother was killed. Each family filed for civil compensation of between 10 million yuan (RM6.5m) and 80 million yuan (RM52m), as well as moral damages of 30 million yuan to 40 million yuan (RM20m-RM26m), CCTV reported. The broadcaster added that the families of more than 110 other passengers have already reached a settlement with the defendants and received between 2.5 million and 3 million yuan (RM1.6m-RM2m). The hearing was not listed on the court’s public website, but Jiang wrote on social media this month the court hearings would continue until mid-December. A US exploration firm launched a private hunt for MH370 in 2018, but it ended after several months of scouring the seabed without success. The disappearance of the plane has long been the subject of a host of theories ranging from the credible to outlandish. – AFP G7, Vietnam making final tweaks to climate plan HANOI: Vietnam is finalising reform commitments with G7 governments and multilateral lenders that could unlock billions of dollars in loans to reduce coal use in the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub, according to foreign officials familiar with the talks. The document, known as Resource Mobilisation Plan, has to be agreed with investors ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) which begins on Thursday in Dubai. “Some work (is) ongoing, mainly on changes to regulatory framework and obstacles for investments,” one foreign official said, noting however that the document was expected to be agreed in time. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the COP28 from Nov 30 to Dec 3, the government portal said, raising expectations that the plan could be announced there. A second foreign official said there was no major issue pending, and approval of the final version “is very nearly there”. Both foreign officials declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak on the record to media. Vietnam’s environment ministry and the Prime Minister’s office did not immediately reply to requests for comment. Reuters has not seen the latest version of the plan. A draft from late October, reviewed by Reuters, listed Vietnam’s commitments and over 400 projects which could receive money from Group of Seven (G7) members, including 272 on energy infrastructure such as power grid upgrades, wind and solar farms. Under an agreement reached last year with foreign investors, mostly from G7 members, Vietnam would receive US$15.5 billion (RM72.6 billion), largely in commercial loans at market rates over three-five years, to boost the use of renewables and cut dependence on coal. There is no certainty that Vietnam would actually take the loans on offer, and the communist government has been reluctant to take foreign loans in the past. In 2020, coal accounted for 31% of Vietnam’s installed capacity, and it plans to reduce that share to 20% by 2030, though in terms of consumption Vietnam will burn more coal. Domestically mined coal and imports totalled 80 million tons in the first 10 months of this year – imports accounted for about half the total – putting the country among the world’s top 20 consumers. The government plans to expand its capacity of coal-fired power plants to over 30 GW (gigawatts) by 2030, from about 21 GW in 2020. It has committed to stop developing coal-fired power plants after 2030. Foreign investors have long tried to enhance Vietnam’s commitments on reforms and expressed concerns at the country’s plan to reduce coal only after boosting its installed capacity until 2030. They are betting on offshore wind to partly offset coal but Hanoi listed in its October draft offshore wind regulations as “potential” actions to be finalised in 2025, which would mean the sector’s 2030 targets would likely be missed. – Reuters Bangladesh arrests thousands in ‘violent’ crackdown DHAKA: Bangladesh has launched a sweeping and violent crackdown on opposition parties to “eliminate competition” ahead of general elections, including arresting almost 10,000 activists, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday. As well as the thousands arrested, many from the key Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a staggering number also face charges. According to the BNP, about half of its five million members “face politically motivated prosecution” HRW said. “The arrests, they are not leaving anyone behind, from senior level to the ground level,” one activist told HRW. Prisons are now at more than double their capacity, the rights group said. The South Asian nation of around 170 million people holds a general election on January 7, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina eyeing her fourth consecutive term in power. “Bangladesh authorities are carrying out mass arrests of political opposition in a clear attempt to quash the opposition and eliminate competition ahead of the general elections”, HRW said. – AFP B R I E F SN. KOREA VOWS MORE SATELLITE LAUNCHES SEOUL: North Korea warned yesterday that it would continue to exercise its sovereign rights, including through satellite launches, while its troops were reported to be restoring some demolished guard posts on the border with South Korea. North Korea’s foreign ministry said the launch of a reconnaissance satellite last week was prompted by the need to monitor the US and its allies, state media KCNA reported.”It is a legal and just way to exercise its right to defend itself and thoroughly respond to and precisely monitor the serious military action by the US and its followers,” the KCNA report said. Nuclear-armed North Korea launched the satellite last Tuesday, saying it successfully entered orbit and was transmitting photographs, but South Korean defence officials and analysts said its capabilities have not been independently verified. – Reuters GOVT IN CONTROL AFTER ARMOURY ATTACK FREETOWN: Sierra Leone’s government said it was in full control on Sunday evening after reporting a security breach by unidentified attackers at a military armoury in the capital Freetown that sparked armed clashes. Authorities in the English-speaking West African country, which has been going through a political crisis following elections in June this year, have declared a national curfew until further notice. The “government is in firm control of the security situation in Freetown, the attackers are retreating,“ information minister Chernor Bah told AFP. A journalist said calm was slowly returning to the capital by Sunday evening, but checkpoints heavily guarded by security forces remained in place. “We are trying to collate the number of arrests and casualties,” Bah said, adding that “those responsible for today’s attack will be hunted down to face the full force of the law”. – AFP
TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 8 /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE Malaysian Paper New Zealand’s new government sworn in WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s new right-ofcentre government was sworn in yesterday, with parliament expected to sit next week and begin working on new policies including a new central bank mandate and lifting a ban on oil and gas exploration. New Zealand Governor General Cindy Kiro, who represents British monarch King Charles III as head of state, swore National Party leader Christopher Luxon in as New Zealand’s 42nd prime minister along with ministers of his cabinet at Government House in Wellington. Centre-right National signed coalition agreements with libertarian ACT New Zealand and populist New Zealand First on Friday allowing the three parties to form a government, bringing an end to six years of left-wing governments in New Zealand. Former airline executive Luxon told TVNZ’s 1News he was excited about taking on the role of prime minister. “We’ve got the team, we’ve got the ideas, we’ve got a clear policy program for the next three years,” he said. The incoming government’s coalition agreements, released Friday, outlined a number of policy plans including a single mandate for the country’s central bank, a plan to roll back the use of Maori language and an end to a ban on oil and gas exploration. The New Zealand Green Party yesterday launched a petition to keep the ban on oil and gas exploration. “We ask everyone to stand with us to tell this government that the oil and gas ban has to stay,” Green Party co-leader James Shaw said in a statement. – Reuters Ukrainians praised for battles with Russia KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday thanked Ukraine’s military for fighting Russian attacks and its rescue services for tackling the consequences of extreme winter weather that he said had deprived about 400 settlements in 10 regions of power. In his nightly video address, Zelensky said relentless, intense battles were ongoing in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv, while “extremely challenging weather” was affecting areas from Kyiv region in the north to Odesa in the south. In Russian-controlled territory, Oleg Kryuchkov, a senior Moscow-installed official, said nearly half a million people were without power in Crimea, the peninsula Russia annexed in 2014. The Russian-installed heads of Crimea, of the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, and of the part of Kherson region under Moscow’s control, declared days off for Monday amid reports of high winds, flooded homes and snowbound roads, and damaged buildings. Ukraine’s border service said Moldova had temporarily suspended vehicle access to its territory from two crossing points in Odesa region. Moldovan authorities also asked local schools to consider closing due to snowfall and high winds. Odesa Mayor Henadii Trukhanov urged residents of his Black Sea port to stay at home. Local authorities warned that water supplies were being interrupted by power cuts that stopped pumps from working and urged people to preserve supplies. Power grid operator Ukrenergo shared a photograph of a transmission tower in Odesa region whose leg had snapped in two due to high winds, adding, “We are doing everything possible to overcome the consequences of the bad weather as soon as possible and restore light to every home.” – Reuters B R I E F SPOLICE ARREST 109 CLIMATE PROTESTERS IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY: More than 100 climate activists have been arrested after staging a floating blockade of Australia’s largest coal port, police said Monday, including five children and a 97-year-old reverend. A fleet of kayaks blocked shipping traffic over the weekend at the Port of Newcastle on Australia’s east coast, imploring the government to end the country’s long reliance on fossil fuel exports. Authorities agreed to let the protest run for 30 hours, but police boats started closing in when the deadline passed and crowds of activists refused to leave the water. Among the 109 people arrested was 97-year-old Uniting Church reverend Alan Stuart, who said he wanted to stave off climate disasters for his “grandchildren and future generations”. – AFP SIX STUDENTS GO ON TRIAL FOR MURDER PARIS: Six teenagers went on trial in Paris yesterday for their role in the 2020 beheading of teacher Samuel Paty, the first of two trials in a case that horrified France. The 47-year-old history and geography teacher was stabbed and then beheaded near his secondary school in the Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. His attacker, 18-year-old ethnic Chechen refugee Abdoullakh Anzorov, was shot dead at the scene by police. All six minors were referred to the children’s court and could face 2.5 years in prison. The hearings, due to last until Dec 8, will be held behind closed doors. – Agencies Indian rescuers try new method to reach workers SILKYARA: Indian rescuers began drilling vertically on Sunday from the top of a mountain under which 41 workers became trapped two weeks ago while working on a highway tunnel in the Himalayas, government officials said. The men, construction workers from some of India’s poorest states, have been stuck in the 4.5-km tunnel being built in Uttarakhand state since it caved in early on Nov 12. Indian army personnel deploying an excavator as part of the rescue efforts to reach the 41 men trapped inside the tunnel. – AFPPIC oEfforts to take much longer than expected due to manual drilling following damage to machine, say officials Authorities have said they are safe, with access to light, oxygen, food, water and medicines. But rescuing them will take much longer than previously hoped as rescuers have switched to manual drilling following damage to the drilling machine, officials said on Saturday. Rescuers had hoped to finish the drilling late on Thursday but had to suspend operation after the platform on which the machine was placed was damaged. Work resumed on Friday evening only to be suspended soon afterwards as the machine ran into a new obstacle, officials said, without elaborating. Vertical drilling started on Sunday and it will take about 100 hours, the officials said. Initially, the rescue plan involved pushing a pipe wide enough to pull the trapped men out on wheeled stretchers. The men have been getting cooked food via a lifeline pipe that was pushed through to ensure steady supplies of essential goods. More than a dozen doctors, including psychiatrists, are at the site, talking to the men and monitoring their health. The fact that the tunnel is closed by the debris is keeping the men warm. They have been told to do light yoga exercises, walk around in the two km of tunnel space they have been confined to and keep talking to each other. Deepak Patil, one of the officers in charge of the rescue mission, told Reuters authorities had sent in two mobile phones and memory cards with Hindi films and electronic games. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a spokeswoman for one of India’s opposition parties, on Sunday asked for an investigation into the accident and asked the government to ensure the safety of the men. A member of a panel of experts investigating the disaster said on Friday the tunnel does not have an emergency exit and was built through a geological fault.
TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 9 Truce enters final day with talks of extension oHamas willing to stretch ceasefire to see more hostages, prisoners released and allowing more humanitarian aid GAZA: The truce between Israel and Hamas entered its final 24 hours yesterday, with the group saying it was willing to extend the pause after it freed more hostages. The pause that began Friday has seen dozens of hostages freed, with over 100 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel in return. Attention now has turned to whether the truce will be extended before its scheduled end early today. “That’s my goal, that’s our goal, to keep this pause going beyond tomorrow so that we can continue to see more hostages come out and surge more humanitarian relief into those in need in Gaza,” US President Joe Biden said on Sunday. He said he would like the fighting to be paused for “as long as prisoners keep coming out”. “I get a sense that all the players in the region are looking for a way to end this so the hostages are all released and Hamas is completely no longer in control of Gaza.” Hamas has signalled its willingness to extend the truce, with a source telling AFP the group told mediators they were open to prolonging it by “two to four days”. “The resistance believes it is possible to ensure the release of 20 to 40 Israeli prisoners” in that time, the source close to the movement said. Under the truce, 50 hostages held by Hamas were to be freed over four days in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. A built-in mechanism extends it if at least 10 Israeli captives are released each extra day. One potential complicating factor is the fact that some hostages are believed to be held by groups other than Hamas. Israel faces enormous pressure from the families of hostages, as well as allies, to extend the truce to secure more releases. “It would be good, helpful and necessary” to extend the truce until all hostages, which include French nationals, are freed, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told BFMTV on Sunday. Three successive days of hostage releases have buoyed spirits in Israel, with tearful reunions according to Israeli officials. Israel launched a military campaign to destroy Hamas, killing nearly 15,000 people, mostly civilians and including thousands of children, according to Gaza’s Hamas government. Thirteen hostages were freed under the terms of the truce on Sunday in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners, who have been received by rapturous crowds waving Palestinian and Hamas flags. Hamas separately freed three Thai nationals and a Russian-Israeli citizen, Ron Krivoy, who the group said was released “in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin” and his “support of the Palestinian cause”. Release of prisoners welcome JERUSALEM: An Israeli soldier rescued from the Gaza Strip welcomed the releases of her fellow hostages yesterday, in her first public comments since she was freed. Ori Megidish, 19, was operating an observation post on the heavily-militarised Gaza border when she was seized in the Hamas attacks of Oct 7. Her rescue was confirmed by the Israeli military just over three weeks later, but no details have been released of her captivity or the operation to free her. In a relaxed video filmed at her home and posted to her TikTok account, she said she was “fine” and “happy to see all the moving clips of hostages returning to their families”. “I hope all the families who are still waiting for their hostages to return will be united and they will be able to celebrate as I did. I hope they will all return with God’s help.” A total of 14 hostages with Israeli citizenship were returned to Israel on Sunday. “They are in our arms. They are fine, in good condition and they are smiling,” said Inbar Goldstein after her sisterin-law Chen Goldstein-Almog, 48, was released with three of her four children, Agam, 17, Gal, 11 and Tal, eight. Negotiations for an extension of the pause in the fighting and with it more hostage returns, were continuing yesterday. For one family the tension continued after Elma Avraham, 84, was flown to Soroka hospital in the southern city of Beersheva immediately after being released where doctors said she was in “critical condition”. “She’s being treated in our emergency department after serious neglect for the last several weeks while being held by Hamas,” said Shlomi Codish, head of Soroka hospital. Another of the freed hostages was toddler Abigail, a US-Israeli dual citizen whose parents were killed on Oct 7 and whose case was highlighted by US President Joe Biden. In a brief statement via the Families Forum, her family confirmed the girl – who turned four in captivity – was safely home but asked for time and privacy to let her recover. “She just landed in the hospital and she’s been checked and taken care of,” said her aunt Ella Mor. “I just want to say she has family and we are taking care of her.” – Agencies Musk to meet Israeli president, hostage families JERUSALEM: Israeli President Isaac Herzog will meet Elon Musk and emphasise “the need to act to combat rising anti-Semitism online”, the politician’s office said yesterday. Musk, owner of X, has come under fire over what critics say is a proliferation of hate speech on the social media site since his takeover. He has also been accused by the White House of “abhorrent promotion” of antiSemitism after endorsing a conspiracy theory seen as accusing Jews of trying to weaken white majorities. Herzog’s office said the meeting would be joined by “representatives of families of hostages held by Hamas and the ongoing pain and uncertainty for those held captive”. “In their meeting, the president will emphasise the need to act to combat rising anti-semitism online,” Herzog’s office said. In September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Musk to combat anti-Semitism on X, calling on him to find “the ability to stop not only anti-Semitism, or rolling it back as best you can, but any collective hatred”. Musk, the world’s richest person, said while his website could not stop all hate speech before it was posted, he was “generally against attacking any group, no matter who it is”. X Corp is currently suing nonprofit Media Matters on grounds it has driven away advertisers by portraying the site as rife with anti-Semitic content. Musk has also threatened to file suit against the Anti-Defamation League over its claims that problematic and racist speech has soared on the site since he completed his US$44- billion (RM206 billion) takeover. – AFP B R I E F STHREE PALESTINIANS SHOT IN VERMONT NEW YORK: Police and federal agents searched on Sunday for a gunman who shot and wounded three college students of Palestinian descent in Burlington, Vermont, in what investigators suspect was a hatemotivated crime, authorities said. A man with a pistol shot the three victims on the street near the University of Vermont on Saturday evening and then ran away, Burlington police said in a statement. Two victims are US citizens and the third is a legal US resident, all 20 years old, police said. Two of the men were wearing a keffiyeh, the traditional black-and-white checkered scarf of Middle Eastern dress, at the time of the attack, police said. The victims were reported to have been speaking Arabic when attacked, according to the Institute for Middle East Understanding, a non-profit proPalestinian advocacy organisation, which also said the assailant opened fire on the three men after he began to shout at and harass them. – Reuters DAMASCUS AIRPORT OUT OF SERVICE AGAIN BEIRUT: Israeli air strikes Sunday made Damascus airport inoperable just hours after flights resumed following a similar attack last month, a war monitor said, as state media also reported the attack. “Israeli warplanes on Sunday afternoon carried out a new raid targeting Damascus international airport, putting it out of service again,” said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It said the raid targeted the runways, and also reported the sound of an explosion from the direction of a military airport in the Mazzeh area on the other side of Damascus. An officer and two other personnel were wounded in the strike that targeted “an air defence forces base in the Mazzeh area”, the Observatory added later. – AFP A Palestinian boy carries a cat on a street in the aftermath of an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank recently. – REUTERSPIC
10 TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM Malaysian Paper Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesun.my/ Understanding millennials in workplace MILLENIALS, born between 1981 and 1996, constitute a sizable portion of Malaysia’s workforce. According to a study published in October 2022 by Statista Research Department, 2.79 million Malaysians aged 25 to 29 were employed in 2021. This age group represents the largest cohort in the labour force, followed by those in the 30- to 34-year range. Given the size of this generation, businesses that wish to retain them must grasp the demands and expectations associated with this demographic as they assume increasingly important duties in the workplace. Recognising and accommodating the distinctive characteristics and expectations of millennials, as opposed to previous generations, is essential for promoting a positive and productive work environment. One of the major problems faced by millennials in the workplace is achieving a balance between work and personal life. This generation places great importance on work-life balance and seeks flexible and accommodating work conditions. They look for opportunities with companies that prioritise their personal lives. Employers offering options such as telecommuting or flexible work hours are more likely to attract and retain millennial employees. Professional advancement and development opportunities are also critical factors for millennials. They seek work in an environment that will facilitate their professional development. Millennials seek conducive environments to progress in their careers, acquire new skills and tackle challenging assignments. They are more inclined to remain with a company that invests in training and development programmes, offering clear career paths and avenues for progression. Workplace culture is also a significant consideration for millennials as they seek environments characterised by positivity, collaboration and friendliness. Furthermore, millennials prefer working for organisations that appreciate and respect their contributions and align with their values. Companies promoting inclusivity and diversity, providing opportunities for collaboration and social interaction, and cultivating a positive work atmosphere are more likely to retain millennial employees. Another important factor is technology, given their upbringing surrounded by the latest technological tools and services. Employers who invest in digital technology and provide state-of-the-art tools and services have a greater chance of retaining millennial employees. Millennials expect to work in a modern and well-equipped environment, and seek access to technologies that enhance their productivity and efficiency. Employers should invest in the latest technological tools and resources to enhance employee productivity and efficiency. This investment will not only empower workers but also equip them to perform their duties effectively. Moreover, social responsibility and moral business practices are major concerns for millennials. They seek employment with companies that prioritise environmental sustainability and uphold moral values. Businesses that emphasise corporate social responsibility, adopt sustainable practices and strive to make a positive impact on the world are more likely to attract millennial employees. To create a work environment that resonates with millennials and keeps them engaged, employers must understand their needs and expectations. This involves adjusting current workplace culture and protocols, which may have been designed for previous generations. Providing flexible work arrangements is one way to encourage a millennialfriendly company atmosphere. Employers can support employees in managing work and family obligations by providing options, such as flexible scheduling or remote work. This approach will not only make employees feel valued and appreciated but also has the potential to enhance productivity and job satisfaction. Providing millennials with opportunities for advancement and professional growth is essential. Employers should implement initiatives, such as training and mentoring programmes, to help staff members grow and advance in their careers. This will increase employee loyalty and job satisfaction by showing them the company’s appreciation for their contributions. Additionally, diversity and inclusion should be given top priority by employers to create a positive workplace culture for millennial employees. Businesses that are committed to creating a warm and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected will draw in millennial customers. Furthermore, employers should also provide opportunities for teamwork and social interaction because these pursuits can cultivate a sense of belonging and community among employees. Finally, employers must adapt to the current employment landscape, where the younger generation prioritises work-life balance over compensation. The previous generation, who primarily focused on meeting basic needs and providing for their families, considered jobs as a means to an end. The goals of the second generation are to educate their children, improve the family’s future, and elevate their social standing through employment. In contrast, the contemporary third generation will seek employment that offers flexibility, freedom, a healthy work-life balance and opportunities for creative expression. The writer is an instructor and language consultant at the National Institute of Public Administration. Comments: [email protected] “Companies promoting inclusivity and diversity, providing opportunities for collaboration and social interaction, and cultivating a positive work atmosphere are more likely to retain millennial employees. Professional advancement and development opportunities are critical factors for millennials. – REUTERSPIC COMMENT by Keshavan Kumar Sukumar
11 TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 Understanding premature births in Malaysia AN estimated 13.4 million babies were born premature in 2020. That is more than one in 10 babies. Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five. Many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems. Prematurity, also called preterm, is defined as a birth that occurs before 37 completed weeks of gestation. There are sub-categories of preterm birth based on gestational age: 0 Extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks) 0 Very preterm (28 to less than 32 weeks) 0 Moderate preterm (32 to less than 34 weeks) 0 Late preterm (34 to less than 37 weeks) The Malaysian National Neonatal Registry reported 319,867 total live births in participating hospitals in 2020, in which 10.7% of live births were delivered preterm at less than 37 completed weeks, with 77.6% delivered at late preterm gestation, between 34 to 36 completed weeks. Cause of preterm birth: 0 Chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or infections. 0 Drug or alcohol abuse. 0 Multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets. 0 Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy). 0 Problems with uterus or cervix. 0 Short interpregnancy interval. 0 Vaginal bleeding or infections during pregnancy. Complications in preterm babies Preterm babies often have complications due to prematurity, and the severity of the complications is inversely proportional to the gestational age of the baby. Complications include: 0 Breathing problems, including conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome caused by insufficient surfactant, apnea of prematurity involving temporary breathing cessation, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which may necessitate home oxygen therapy if severe. 0 Heart problems, with patent ductus arteriosus and low blood pressure being the most prevalent conditions. 0 Intraventricular haemorrhage or bleeding in the brain. Impact on family members When a baby is born prematurely, it can have a substantial emotional impact on the entire family. Preterm labour can cause anxiety, post-partum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and mother-baby bonding difficulty. Empathy from healthcare providers, who are looking after preterm babies, is essential, and directing them to registered preterm support groups or counsellors can also prove beneficial. Upon the discharge of a preterm baby, it is crucial to provide counselling on preterm baby care to ensure that parents feel confident in caring for the infant at home. Additionally, follow-up appointments should be scheduled to monitor their growth and neurodevelopment. In conclusion, maintaining proper antenatal care is crucial, and efforts to prevent preterm labour should be undertaken whenever possible. However, it is important to acknowledge that preterm births are not always avoidable. Consequently, delivering preterm babies in a hospital equipped with neonatal intensive care is essential to guarantee optimal care and improved outcomes for preterm infants. The writer is a neonatologist and paediatrician at Sunway Medical Centre in Sunway City. Comments: [email protected] COMMENT by Dr Cheong Shu Meng I HAVE lived in Sabah for six years when I was working in the plantations, and I cherished listening to the captivating stories there, with one of my favourites being the legend of Tun Mustapha Harun (pic). He served as the chief minister for nearly nine years, from 1967 to 1975, a period not long after the formation of Malaysia. Ruling with a firm hand, he was aided by his commanding personality and hailed from a noble family with Suluk and Bajau heritage. He possessed a keen intelligence, a trait acknowledged when he was selected as the houseboy for the colonial officer of British North Borneo and later as the office boy for a resident in Kudat. Meticulous in his duties, his ambition was set on becoming a leader. During the Japanese occupation, he took measures to safeguard his family, relocating them to Pitas, then a secluded area of Sabah, accessible only by sea. Leaving them behind, he actively participated in the guerrilla war. A bounty was placed on his head by the Japanese. Upon the arrival of the British, they appointed him as captain of the army and bestowed upon him the title of head of the local people. He was subsequently sent to England for a course on politics and English language. Upon his return to Malaysia, he assumed the role of the first governor of Sabah in 1963. However, wanting to be closer to the action, he assumed the position of chief minister in 1967. I had the opportunity to encounter him just once, back in 1971 in Kota Kinabalu, where he attended a wedding. Even from a distance, his presence was unmistakable – impeccably groomed, not a strand of hair out of place, and a sharp gaze that could send waves of fear among the crowd. Despite his stern demeanour, he displayed kindness to everyone, hosting grand parties and showcasing his musical prowess on the violin. He contributed significantly to the well-being of the people. He ensured that every citizen in the state became a shareholder in the state timber corporations, receiving dividends as a tangible benefit. He created a rubber fund board to help the smallholders and formed several bodies to develop the land. He sent many young Sabahans to universities in Australia and established colleges in Sabah to make higher education more accessible to the locals. He was once offered the post of defence minister but he turned it down. Soon, he receded into history when he lost the election, and his party, the United Sabah National Organisation, was disbanded and absorbed into Umno in 1991. He lost his charismatic appeal, and gradually, he relinquished his former position. Soon after, some of his former federal officers who had once served alongside him in Sabah organised a birthday party to lift his spirits. He arrived in Kuala Lumpur with his violin, and when the moment came to play it that evening, his countenance bore a hint of melancholy as he drew the bow slowly across the strings. True to form, he adhered to his melody and sang, although with several pauses, until the end. Mustapha became a revered figure in Sabah for his significant contributions. He played a pivotal role in initiating developmental progress. Sabah is now recognised as a state that has consistently rebounded and improved despite every setback. It presently thrives on oil palm, cocoa, tea, manufacturing and minerals, for its major source of income, achieving unprecedented success. Mustapha died at the age of 77, in 1995. We will not see another man like him. Not many Sabahans know of his impact on the state. The writer has extensive experience in the management of oil palm plantations. Comments: [email protected] “Mustapha became a revered figure in Sabah for his significant contributions. He played a pivotal role in initiating developmental progress. Bridge gap between academia and industry STUDENTS take immense pride in earning their degrees, viewing it as a significant milestone worth celebrating with their families. Subsequently, graduates embark on diverse paths, with some entering the workforce and others opting to pursue further studies. However, an interesting trend unfolds as some graduates seize job opportunities while others, exercising discernment, reject offers primarily due to higher salary expectations. It is noteworthy that many employers tend to prefer candidates with a minimum of two years of work experience. While some individuals secure promising positions without prior experience, others must actively seek and accumulate practical work experience to meet the demands of the industry. The academic journey, albeit enriching, may not equip graduates adequately with the hands-on skills sought by employers. This suggests that a degree does not guarantee immediate access to ideal employment. Those seeking their foothold in the job market must prioritise gaining valuable experience to enhance their employability. This experiential bridge is a critical stepping stone towards securing better job prospects. It is a matter of recognising that a university education, while invaluable in many aspects, may fall short in offering the practical experiences demanded by employers. The gap between academia and industry expectations necessitates proactive steps from graduates to bridge this divide. In essence, while convocation symbolises accomplishment, it is merely a commencement towards a career. The journey post-graduation often demands a blend of academic knowledge and practical experience for a successful professional ascent. Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Shahidan Shaari Faculty of Business and Communication Universiti Malaysia Perlis Delivering preterm babies in a hospital equipped with neonatal intensive care is essential to guarantee optimal care and improved outcomes for preterm infants. – PIC COURTESY OF SUNWAY MEDICAL CENTRE E STATE MANAGERWRITE S BY MAHBOB ABDULLAH Unveiling legacy of Mustapha Harun LETTERS [email protected]
HEALTH HEALTH 12 TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 Harmony in armony in nature NATURE encompasses a broad spectrum, from lush green spaces like parks, woodlands, and forests to serene blue spaces such as rivers, wetlands, beaches, and canals. Even the trees lining urban streets, private gardens, and indoor plants in our homes contribute to this expansive definition. Research consistently highlights the profound impact that time spent in natural environments has on our wellbeing. It is not just a luxury; it is a necessity for a balanced and fulfilled life. A study from 2019, published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, demonstrated the remarkable influence of nature on our psychological and emotional health. Surprisingly, it showed that just 20 minutes spent in a park, without any exercise or specific activity, can significantly enhance one’s overall well-being. The benefits are not exclusive to those who engage in physical activities within these natural settings but extend to anyone who immerses themselves in the tranquilly of nature. The Mental Health Foundation in the UK, in their 2021 report, underlines a profound connection between an individual’s relationship with nature and their happiness in life. Those who feel a stronger connection to the natural world are more likely to report that their lives are meaningful and worthwhile. The report emphasises that for many, nature is not just a preference; it is a fundamental need. It plays a pivotal role in sustaining us emotionally, psychologically, and physically. The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) further underscores the therapeutic potential of nature. A study conducted in Helsinki, Finland, in 2014 discovered that even brief visits to natural settings could significantly reduce perceived stress when compared to urban environments. This indicates that nature possesses a unique ability to alleviate the tensions of our modern, fast-paced lives. In light of this evidence, it becomes clear that recreating natural ecosystems within our urban environments can serve as a powerful antidote to the stresses of our busy lives. Whether it’s planting more trees on city streets, creating pocket parks, or simply cultivating a small garden at home, integrating nature into our daily routines is essential for DIY pond established at Pasum. oHow ponds connect nature and well-being nurturing our overall well-being. Recognising these positive impacts of nature on our wellbeing, a dedicated team of eight support staff from Pusat Asasi Sains Universiti Malaya (PASUM) embarked on an inspiring project. Their mission? To create a doit-yourself (DIY) sustainable pond within the grounds of PASUM. This special pond even serves a dual purpose: as a peaceful retreat for students and staff and a source of valuable biological resources. Muhamad Illzam Ishak and his team took an innovative approach to constructing the pond. They repurposed waste materials found on the UM campus, like discarded printer and PC boxes, unused pipes and timber from fallen trees around the Universiti Malaya (UM) campus. Various plant species, such as Dieffenbachia (commonly known as dumb cane), Xanthosoma violaceum (black elephant’s ear), taro, water lettuce, Syngoniums (arrowhead), and Alocasia (giant taro), were thoughtfully relocated from the UM campus to create a thriving natural habitat within the pond. The benefits of this sustainable pond extend beyond its appearance. It serves as a valuable educational resource for the academic community too. Over 500 PASUM students in the Life Sciences Programme use this pond for their biology experiments. Two specific types of mosses, Spirogyra algae and Oscillatoria, are collected from the pond, aiding students in their studies of cellular structures and cell membrane characteristics. Dr. Mahanom Jalil, the Head of the Biology Department, noted, “We use Spirogyra algae and Oscillatoria from the pond to explore the world of cellular biology. What’s truly remarkable is that this pond is entirely selfsustaining, needing no ongoing maintenance. Guppy and catfish call this pond home, effectively preventing larval larvae from proliferating.” Beyond its educational significance, this initiative aligns seamlessly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11), focusing on building resilient and sustainable communities. This simple, albeit impactful, project aims to foster a spirit of innovation and environmental responsibility among PASUM colleagues and students. This project not only deepens the connection with nature but also sets an example for a more sustainable coexistence with the environment. In the heart of PASUM, this DIY sustainable pond stands as proof of the potential within sustainable practices, promoting well-being and academic excellence while aligning with global sustainability goals. - BY DR NORDI ANIDA ABDULLAH
TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2624/5 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 F: 03-7784 4424 SCAN ME E: [email protected] Upswing in Malaysian SRI sukuk issuances in RE sector oMore than 50% of total sustainable and responsible investment Islamic bond issues are in renewable energy space PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has witnessed a notable upswing in sustainable and responsible investment sukuk (SRI sukuk) issuances in the renewable energy sector, contributing to a total outstanding value of RM2 trillion as of October 2023. Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Awang Adek Hussin said more than 50% of total SRI sukuk issuances in Malaysia are in the renewable energy space. “With a total outstanding value of RM2 trillion as of Oct 31, 2023, it represents more than 50% of the Malaysian capital market,” he said in his address at the virtual Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd’s Malaysian Bond and Sukuk Conference 2023: Sustainable Transition To A Greener Economy yesterday. For this year, up to October, three SRI sukuks with a total programme size of RM2.2 billion have been launched. “TNB Power Generations’ recent issuance of a RM2 billion SRI sukuk for its renewable energy terminal stands out as the largest, underlining Malaysia’s commitment to financing projects contributing to sustainability and green energy,” said Awang Adek. He added that Malaysia is the largest sukuk market with 35% of global outstanding sukuk, ahead of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. “The country also remains the regional leader in sustainable and responsible investment sukuk,” he said. Awang Adek noted that Malaysia accounts for 27% of the US$41 billion (RM191.8 billion) total issuance of Asean green, social and sustainability bonds and sukuk. “Since the launch of the SRI Sukuk Framework in 2014, the cumulative issuances of SRI sukuk have reached about RM27 billion, with over RM18 billion recognised under the SRI Sukuk Framework and Asean green, social and sustainability bond standards,” he said. Awang Adek highlighted that Malaysia leads in SRI sukuk regionally as the country issued the first Screengrab of Awang Adek (left) speaking at the virtual Malaysian Bond and Sukuk Conference 2023: Sustainable Transition To A Greener Economy Conference organised by Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd. PETALING JAYA: REDtone Digital Bhd has inked an authorised reseller agreement with SpaceX to offer Starlink satellite-based high speed internet services across Malaysia. With REDtone’s team of more than 150 dedicated engineers across the country, the company can quickly deploy Starlink’s broadband services to users in remote locations as well as areas with geographical and environmental constraints. REDtone CEO Lau Bik Soon (pic) said, “Our strength as a network integrator will enable us to offer seamless satellitebased services to government and enterprise customers. “We are targeting sectors which are showing an increasing reliance on satellite services such as oil and gas, telecommunications, shipping and maritime, financial services and plantations. These are expected be a significant driver of satellite market growth in the country and will enhance the company’s profitability.” The satellite market in Malaysia is estimated to be worth US$4.2 billion (RM19.7 billion) by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10.9%. Lau said, “Today, we also take another step forward to help realise the government’s vision to achieve 100% internet access in populated areas. “About 3% of Malaysia’s population are residing in areas with little or no internet connectivity. “This is where we come in to fill the broadband gap via satellite, to enable economic growth, provide access to education and healthcare, and enhance public safety.” REDtone is one of the leading providers of Universal Service Provision. The company is assisting the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to deploy Starlink satellite services to connect various rural communities across the country. Currently, there are some 5,000 Starlink satellites in orbit and Starlink has started launching the Gen 2 satellites which promise enhanced speeds. This will enable Starlink to provide digital support to every corner, connecting the unconnected and bridging the digital divide in Malaysia. As of September Starlink connects more than two million active customers in more than 60 countries. Malaysia, S. Korea urged to leverage each other’s strengths to woo investments KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and South Korea should leverage each other’s strengths in manufacturing and technological advancement, respectively, to enhance and attract more investment opportunities between both countries. Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) executive director for investment policy advocacy (manufacturing) Masni Muhammad said South Korea has technological advantages in terms of innovation, research and development, as well as semiconductor, electronics, digital economy, and information technology. “On the other hand, Malaysia is strong in the manufacturing sector and we are the manufacturing hub in South Asia, wherein the country has been blessed with oil palm, oil and gas and mineral resources. “For example, while Malaysia is blessed with palm oil, South Korea is looking at biorenewable and this is among the areas we could leverage each other,” she said during the Look East Policy MalaysiaKorea Business Summit yesterday. Moreover, she said there were recurring themes in Malaysia and South Korea’s economic policies, especially in the green economy, sustainability and digital economy sectors. “Hence, both countries could work together and enhance green investments globally,” she said. .Meanwhile, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry deputy secretarygeneral for international trade Mastura Ahmad Mustafa urged South Korean companies to leverage tremendous opportunities outlined by the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, aimed at revitalising the manufacturing sector through its mission-based approach to industrial development for mutual benefits. – Bernama. First tranche of OCK sukuk murabahah oversubscribed 1.3 times PETALING JAYA: OCK Group Bhd, Malaysia’s largest telecommunications network solutions provider, has issued the first tranche worth RM400 million under its RM700 million Sukuk Murabahah programme with an oversubscription rate of 1.33 times. The sukuk programme has been accredited with a credit rating of AA- by MARC Ratings Bhd. Under the first tranche, a profit rate, for a RM100 million portion maturing in five years, has been priced at 5.21% while the other seven-year RM300 million portion has been priced at 5.38%. The proceeds raised will be channelled towards restructuring the group’s foreign currency-denominated borrowings, thus allowing for significant interest savings and alleviating the strain on foreign exchange rate fluctuations. This will also provide OCK with additional capital to strategically undertake new projects, further strengthening its presence and foothold within the telecommunication segment. █ BYHAYATUN RAZAK [email protected] REDtone offers Starlink satellite broadband services sovereign US dollar sustainability sukuk in 2021 with 6.4 times bidto-cover ratio. “This was despite significant spikes in interest rates globally and gradual reopening of the economy,” he said. However, Awang Adek said, to reach net zero emissions by 2050, annual clean energy investment worldwide will need around US$4 trillion by 2030. Malaysia alone needs RM1.3 trillion by 2050. “Considering the huge financing requirement, the financial sector, particularly the capital market, must continue to facilitate financing and investments in these key areas to support the government’s priorities. “The Malaysian bond and sukuk market, one of the most developed and largest markets in the region, should be well positioned to provide crucial financing towards productive and socially responsible initiatives,” he added. Malaysia is the largest sukuk market with 35% of global outstanding sukuk, ahead of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.”
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 14 KUALA LUMPUR: OSK Holdings Bhd’s net profit increased to RM123.03 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2023 (Q3’23), from RM112.85 million in the same quarter last year, lifted by higher contributions from the industries and hospitality segments. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the property developer said its revenue surged 25% to RM433.64 million against RM347.07 million previously. “The industries segment recorded a 58% increase in revenue of RM121.6 million and a more than sevenfold rise in pre-tax profit to RM17.2 million in Q3 2023, compared to the same quarter last year. “The significant improvement in performance was attributed to stronger sales revenue achieved in cables and industrialised building system (IBS) wall panel, from both local and export sales,” the group said. OSK said the hospitality segment reported revenue of RM26.2 million and a pre-tax profit of RM2.5 million in Q3’23 compared with revenue of RM24.1 million and a pre-tax profit of RM0.8 million in the same period last year. “The improvement was mainly due to the higher occupancy rate and average room rates from the hotel and resort division as demand for local tourism and meeting and event activities remain strong,“ the group said. For the nine months of 2023 (9M23), OSK’s net profit rose to RM369.16 million from RM303.04 million during the same period of 2022, while revenue improved 18 per cent year-on-year to RM1.16 billion from RM988.19 million previously. As at Sept 30, 2023, the group’s effective unbilled sales stood at RM1.2 billion with minimal unsold completed stocks, while its total land bank measured at 806.94 hectares, with an estimated effective gross development value of RM15.5 billion. – Bernama Heineken Malaysia posts RM599.66m revenue for Q3 PETALING JAYA: Heineken Malaysia Bhd reported a decline in revenue and net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 2023 (Q3’23) due to weak consumer sentiment driven by rising cost of living and macroeconomic concerns. Revenue in Q3’23 fell by 17% to RM599.66 million compared with RM720.47 million in Q3’22. Profit before tax (PBT) came to RM115.33 million, down 27% from RM157.44 million in Q3’22. Net profit for Q3’23 was 20% lower at RM87.33 million (Q3’22: RM108.74 million). In Q3’23, revenue decreased mainly due to lower sales arising from weak consumer sentiment driven by rising cost of living and macroeconomic concerns. The group had a strong base in the third quarter of 2022 as the market had an upsurge in sales (revenue +85% versus the third quarter of 2021), following the reopening of the oQuarterly profit before tax comes in at RM115.33m amid challenging conditions economy and international borders at the start of the endemic phase. The group views this quarter’s performance as a continuation of the form of market correction as reported in the previous quarter’s report. For the nine-month period, group revenue was 7% lower to RM1.91 billion mainly due to weaker consumer sentiment attributed to growing macroeconomic concerns and the strong rebound in 2022, buffered by higher sales in the first quarter due to Chinese New Year festive period. Group PBT declined by 14% to RM378.85 million principally due to lower revenue and relatively higher promotional and marketing expenses incurred during the period. Managing director Roland Bala said, “2023 remains challenging as the market goes through corrections following the rebound in 2022 coupled with weaker consumer sentiment due to macroeconomic concerns. Nevertheless, our One Strong Winning Team remains agile and resilient. We continued our focus to deliver against our EverGreen strategy to future proof our organisation whilst navigating the challenges in this soft period.” The board of directors does not recommend any dividend in respect of the quarter ended Sept 30, 2023. On outlook, Roland shared, “In light of cautious consumer spending due to macroeconomic concerns, we anticipate the market to remain challenging. The group will remain agile in the volatile business environment and will continue to focus on our EverGreen strategy to future-proof the business. In the absence of the one-off Prosperity Tax, we also look forward to a positive impact on the group’s net profit this year.” Matrade takes Malaysian mid-tier companies on mission to Germany PETALING JAYA: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), is debuting a customised Market Immersion Mission to Germany involving Malaysian mid-tier companies (MTC) to strengthen the country’s branding as a hub for sustainable sourcing in view of the Sustainability Due Diligence Act recently imposed by the European Union. The mission, which began on Sunday and runs until Thursday, covers three cities – Berlin, Wolfsburg and Frankfurt. It is a proactive move to respond to the growing need for sustainable sourcing in Germany. Additionally, the mission aims to help Malaysian MTC learn sustainable sourcing requirements by German companies, identify new export opportunities; and highlight mid-tier companies as case studies of Malaysia’s industrial capabilities. Six Malaysian MTC from the machinery and equipment; plastics and rubber components and parts; and electrical and electronics industries are taking part in the inaugural programme. Matrade deputy CEO Abu Bakar Yusof (pic) believes MTC’s improved readiness in sustainability can catalyse Malaysia’s value-added proposition to potential buyers in Germany. During the mission, Malaysian MTC will engage with several German companies such as Siemens AG and Volkswagen AG and its football club VfL Wolfsburg, apart from networking with business communities in Germany the likes of market linkers, policymakers, industry associations, and German small and medium enterprises, known as mittelstand. OSK Holdings records higher third-quarter net profit of RM123m UMW Lubetech opens Pulau Indah lubricants blending plant PETALING JAYA: UMW Lubetech Sdn Bhd, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of UMW Holdings Bhd, yesterday opened its automated lubricants blending plant in Pulau Indah Industrial Park, Klang. The new plant has a capacity to produce 60 million litres of lubricants a year, replacing the plant in Shah Alam which had a 35- million-litre capacity. The event was officiated by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. The new facility has a built-up area of 3.2 acres and sits on a piece of land measuring 6.9 acres. It has more than 200 employees. Construction started in March 2022 with a total investment cost of RM67 million for land, building and equipment. It is equipped with IR4.0-ready processes to enhance efficiency and competitiveness as well as accredited laboratory facilities. The warehouse at the plant is equipped with automated racking system. The production floor has a total of 14 filling lines and commercial production commenced in April 2023. In line with the UMW Group’s Sustainability Roadmap, the new UMW Lubetech plant is GreenRe Gold certified. Installation of solar panels at the plant will be completed by the first quarter of 2024. It has facilities for rainwater harvesting, electric vehicle charging, waste composting and energy efficient lighting. UMW Lubetech produces a variety of products at the plant under its in-house brand “Grantt”. The brand’s range of products include passenger car motor oil, motorcycle oil, diesel engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, agricultural oil, marine oil, grease, radiator coolant, brake fluids, biohydraulic lubricants and food grade grease. UMW Lubetech also does toll blending for Amirudin (centre) with UMW Holdings officer-in-charge Megat Shahrul Azmir (left) and Anas Nasrun displaying the new Grantt packaging. original equipment manufacturing customers including Toyota, Perodua and Modenas. UMW manufacturing and engineering division group director Anas Nasrun Mohd Osman said the new plant has increased their blending capacity by 71% compared with the previous plant and the new plant will allow them to increase production of all types of lubricants, penetrate the biolubricants market segment as well as expand their toll blending business, in line with the expected increase in demand for lubricants. “We are also revitalising our export initiatives with the focus to penetrate the Asean markets through UMW’s establishments in Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar,” he added.
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 15 AirAsia adds over 5 million seatsto China, India flights oSurge in travel demand expected following govt’s announcement of 30-day visa-free entry for travellers from the two countries SEPANG: AirAsia has significantly increased its services between China-Malaysia and IndiaMalaysia, totalling an impressive 230 weekly flights starting in the first quarter of 2024, with up to 5.2 million seats per year. The significant increase in capacity via AirAsia Malaysia (airline code AK) and AirAsia X Malaysia (airline code D7) comes in response to the anticipated surge in travel demand following the government’s announcement of a 30-day visa-free entry for travellers from China and India into Malaysia starting Dec 1. The announcement also coincides with the recent announcement of the easing of travel restrictions for Malaysians to China, from Dec 1. Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes said: “This is a huge, much-anticipated news not only for AirAsia but for the country, and we truly thank the government, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for this forwardthinking initiative. AirAsia has been at the forefront of trying to make visiting Malaysia easier. The 30-day visa-free entry for the citizens of China and India will surely provide a welcome boost for Malaysia’s tourism and its economy ahead of the upcoming peak travel season while boosting economic bonds between these great nations. As a vital player in the aviation sector, we stand ready to add capacity to support the demand for affordable and accessible air travel in the region.” AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd group CEO Bo Lingam added: “We see this as an opportunity not only to enhance regional connectivity in two of our largest markets, but also to act as a catalyst for significant economic growth. With an estimated 4.6 million guests expected to travel on our extensive network of 26 routes in China and India in 2024 alone, we are ready to play a pivotal role in achieving Malaysia’s ambitious tourism targets of 25 million international tourists annually.” As the largest foreign low-cost carrier in China, both AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia X Malaysia fly 17 routes into the country with a total of 156 flights weekly. AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia X Malaysia fly from Kuala Lumpur to Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Kunming, Guilin, Nanning, Shantou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. AirAsia Malaysia also flies from Kota Kinabalu to Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Wuhan, as well as from Johor Baru to Guangzhou. Both airlines have also increased frequencies to nine routes into India with a total of 74 flights weekly. AirAsia Malaysia flies from Kuala Lumpur to Bengaluru, Kolkata, Cochin, Hyderabad, Chennai, Trichy, and Trivandrum – a new destination starting in February 2024. AirAsia X Malaysia flies from Kuala Lumpur to New Delhi and Amritsar. Recently, the China Embassy in Malaysia also announced that Malaysian citizens holding ordinary passports who enter China for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes can enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days starting Dec 1, 2023 until Nov 30, 2024. Sime Darby reports higher net profit of RM589m for Q1’24 PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd (SDB) reported a higher net profit of RM589 million for the first quarter ended Sept 30, 2023 (Q1’24). This was primarily driven by its effective business strategy, which saw the industrial division significantly rebound in the quarter under review compared to the corresponding quarter in FY23. SDB’s revenue for Q1’24 was 14.8% higher at RM13.98 billion, compared with RM12.18 billion in Q1’23. Profit before interest and tax (PBIT) for the industrial division saw an upturn of 65.7% to RM358 million in the current quarter, mainly due to an increase in profits from the division’s Australasia operations from RM186 million to RM309 million. The increase was largely due to higher product support revenue and profit contribution from Onsite Rental Group (Onsite), which SDB had acquired in April 2023. Overall PBIT for the motors division increased by 15.3% to RM203 million despite a continued slowdown in China which resulted in lower profit margins at the Chinese mainland operations. The overall positive motors performance was attributable to the Malaysian operations which did well, recording an 80% increase in PBIT. Also included in the results was a gain of RM251 million on the disposal of MVV land to Sime Darby Property Bhd. “Despite unprecedented geopolitical tensions and exceptionally trying economic conditions, we are pleased to have kicked off FY24 on a positive note. The industrial business, in particular, has seen very strong growth with a significant 65.7% jump in the first quarter. This was primarily due to higher demand for product support and the positive contribution from Onsite, a distinguished market leader in providing equipment rental solutions to clients across diverse industries in the Australian market, said Sime Darby Bhd group CEO Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson. Looking forward, he added they are highly optimistic that that the UMW deal will help to broaden our earnings and allow them to capitalise on the mass volume segment, while unlocking further value by leveraging our proven strengths and capabilities in the automotive sector. RHB Bank nine-month net profit up 16.4% year-on-year to RM2.22b KUALA LUMPUR: In announcing its financial results for the nine months ended Sept 30, 2023, RHB Bank Bhd’s net profit for the said period rose 16.4% y-o-y to RM2.22 billion mainly due to higher non-fund based income and lower expected credit losses (ECL). Total income was RM5.75 billion from higher non-fund based income and net fund based income was RM4.11 billion on the back of higher funding costs, mainly due to fixed deposit growth of 14.9% y-o-y. Net interest margin for the quarter was 1.85%. Non-fund based income was RM1.64 billion, primarily from the higher net gain on forex and derivatives and net trading and investment income while operating expenses increased 3.3% to RM2.71 billion from higher personnel costs, attributed mainly to collective agreement adjustments, and higher establishment and marketing costs. Correspondingly, the cost-to-income ratio increased to 47.1% compared with 44.3% a year ago, the group said in a statement yesterday. It said the ECL reduced 81.4% to RM71.4 million primarily due to writeback of management overlay. Excluding writebacks, normalised credit cost stood at 0.24% compared with 0.35% for the same period last year. Despite the headwinds, RHB Banking group managing director/group CEO Mohd Rashid Mohamad said they continued to uphold its strong financial performance in the third quarter and consequently for the nine months ending September 2023 as it navigated the challenging operating environment. “We are on track to achieving our Sustainable Financial Services target under our five-year Sustainability Strategy and Roadmap. On a cumulative basis, we have attained over RM19 billion, equivalent to 99% of our RM20 billion target. We will be revising our sustainable financial services commitment upwards to ensure we continue to expand and maximise our impact in supporting our customers in their sustainability journey,” he added. Aviation industry begins recovery in 2023 but turbulence remains KUALA LUMPUR: The global airline industry saw evidence of a smooth takeoff early in the year as it was recovering from the pandemic and the subsequent border closures. However, the ensuing geopolitical tension, spiralling inflation and elevated fuel costs threatened to disrupt the flight back to financial safety. Despite that, the industry is headed for profitability in 2023, only three years after the historic loss of US$140 billion (RM656 billion) in 2020. Total airline revenue was expected to recover to around 93% of the 2019 figure, with operating profits reaching US$22.4 billion, according to the International Air Travel Association (IATA). The net profit forecast stood at US$9.8 billion, and the net margin amounted to a slim 1.2%. This would equate to US$2.25 per passenger, said IATA, a trade association representing some 300 airlines comprising 83% of the global air traffic. This was supported by the fact that jet fuel prices, although still high, had moderated over the first half of the year and that economic uncertainties had not dampened the desire to travel, said IATA. However, with airlines just making US$2.25 per passenger on average, repairing damaged balance sheets and providing investors with sustainable returns on their capital investments would continue to be a challenge for many airlines. In Malaysia, the aviation sector has been a mixed bag, with the shortlived MYAirline Sdn Bhd, the catering fiasco of Malaysia Airlines Bhd, and signs of financial trouble in SKS Airways Sdn Bhd. On the positive side, AirAsia X Bhd got out of Practice Note 17 status. Moving forward, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation chief analyst Adrian Schofield said international capacity in the Asia-Pacific region, especially Malaysia, is catching up quickly and will probably get close to at least 100% by late 2024. “The full return of Chinese traffic will be a major factor for a full recovery in Asia-Pacific international traffic,” he told Bernama. As the largest foreign low-cost carrier in China, both AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia X Malaysia fly 17 routes into the country with a total of 156 flights weekly. –AFPPIX
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY 16 TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 PETALING JAYA: City Council (MBPJ) places The Petaling Jaya MBPJ carnival focuses on PwD importance on providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities (PwD) to participate in healthy lifestyle activities, says its deputy mayor Aznan Hassan. Speaking at the MBPJ-KBS OKU Carnival 2023 at D’Klana Hall here on Sunday, he pointed out that this would help to add value to their lives. The carnival was held to promote inclusivity and empowerment within the differently abled community. “This initiative plays a crucial role in fostering an inclusive society where the PwD community oCouncil places importance on providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities to add value to t█ BYRAVEEN AINGARAN [email protected] Aznan gamely plays ping pong with an PwD athlete. A game of boccia gets extra attention during the carnival. The MPPJ-KBS OKU Carnival draws an overwhelming response as the council looks to foster an inclusive society where the PwD community is not left behind. is not left behind,” Aznan said. He expressed his support for efforts aimed at the development of the PwD community and said MPBJ recognises their rights and would continue to provide them with opportunities to enhance their lives. At the carnival, the council showcased its proactive and caring approach to the OKU community by organising sports programmes tailored for this special group. Among the events at the carnival were sport activities encompassing six categories aimed at talent discovery. The carnival featured sports such as swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, boccia, archery and chess. Aznan expressed gratitude for the presence of Mohd Najwan Halimi, the state exco for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship, who officiated the carnival. Past activities, such as the MBPJ Para Carnival in collaboration with the Malaysian Paralympic Council and the Datuk Bandar Cup for Goal Ball, were highlighted at the carnival. Aznan applauded the partnerships with various organisations, including the Youth and Sports Department of Selangor, the National Sports Council, Selangor Para Swimming Association, Universiti Teknologi Mara, the Department of Social Welfare and the Selangor State Education Department in hosting the carnival. “These collaborations contributed to the success of the MBPJ-KBS OKU Carnival 2023 at the state level,” he said. The carnival attracted 600 particactiviand c“TuncovSelanprepawouldthe abOKU fosterhe sai
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY 17 TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 their lives Council and Rajiv hold people friendly programme in Bukit Gasing strengthen the cooperation between the government and private agencies through a more proactive approach. The council expressed hope that more such programmes would be held in the future. Among the activities at the programme were exhibitions by government agencies, NGOs and external agencies, health check-ups, colouring, youth street football, three-on-three youth netball, lucky draws, petting zoo, face painting, and bouncy castle. The programme was officiated by Petaling Jaya Deputy Mayor Aznan Hassan. Also present at the event were Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran and council members. – by Qalif Zuhair Aznan (left) with Rajiv (seated, first from left) and MBPJ council members at the programme. PETALING JAYA: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is opening bazaar site applications for businesses in conjunction with the Chinese New Year 2024. Site permits can be applied for online at http://elesen.mbpj.gov.my starting on Nov 24 (Friday) until Dec 7 (Thursday). A total of three Chinese New Year bazaar sites are provided by the council involving a total of 47 slots. The following are the site locations and the number of slots allocated: Locations Slots 1. Pasar Jalan Othman 12 2. Pasar Taman Megah 16 3. Pasar Kampung Cempaka 19 Total 47 The council invites the public, especially traders, to visit the MBPJ website to make the application. For any information or questions, please contact the Licensing Department, MBPJ Business and Entrepreneur Development on the 6th Floor, MBPJ Tower or call 03-7954 1560 or 7960 4667 or visit the website www.mbpj.gov.my and the council social page - Facebook: @Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya and Tiktok/Twitter/Instagram/ YouTube: @pjcitycouncil. PETALING JAYA: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) held a Bukit Gasing state constituency family day at the MBPJ park and Dataran Boulevard here on Saturday. The programme was part of the council’s efforts to create a harmonious neighbourhood for the benefit of the community here. It was in line with the direction of the council’s Smart, Sustainable and Resilient City (PJSSR 2030) plan. It was aimed at strengthening the relationship among the community, especially those in Bukit Gasing, through the activities organised. Apart from that, the people friendly programme was also to provide exposure and knowledge to the local community on the initiatives, programmes and services provided by the council and the Selangor state government. Indirectly, a programme like this can foster partnerships and healthy relationships among community leaders, residents and the council, MBPJ said in a press release. This could be considered a valuable contribution from the council to the community, thus enhancing the social services, it added. At the same time, it sought to A hot air balloon draws in the crowd at night. A child gets a feel of a superbike under the supervision of a Fire Department personnel. Applications for CNY bazaar site now opened cipants over two days of ities, including exhibitions competitions. his event is also aimed to ver athletic talents for ngor’s Sukma 2024 arations, and I hope that it d heighten awareness about bilities and sports needs of the community. It will help to r integration in Petaling Jaya,” id.
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 18 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper BENGALURU: India’s economic expansion likely moderated but remained strong in the September quarter, supported by robust service activity and solid urban demand despite a global slowdown dampening export growth, according to a Reuters poll of economists. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is forecast to have slowed to 6.8% in the JulySeptember quarter from 7.8% in the previous quarter, according to the median forecast of 55 economists polled from Nov 17-27. But forecasters see that as a minor slowdown from an exceptionally strong quarter for Asia’s third-largest economy, which is expected by the same group of economists to grow more than 6% over coming years, currently the fastest among major economies. Even as an erratic monsoon led to a spike in inflation last quarter, consumer demand – which contributes about 60% of GDP growth – remained strong in a country of over 1.4 billion people, largely driven by urban dwellers. Forecasts for the data, due on Thursday, ranged from 5.6% to 7.4%. “Headline growth likely remained resilient...with utilities, services and construction showing robust growth. Domestic demand remains the key economic driver of activity, as external demand continues to remain weak,” Rahul Bajoria at Barclays said in a note. India GDP growth is forecast to average 6.4% this fiscal year ending March 31 and 6.3% in the following year, driven partly by higher government capital expenditure, according to the wider Reuters poll. That expected growth would easily outpace most other economies, many of which have slowed dramatically following a historic series of central bank interest rate rises to tame inflation. The Reserve Bank of India’s efforts have been mild by comparison. Capital expenditure was 4.91 trillion Indian rupees (RM276 billion) in the first six months of the fiscal year, higher than 3.43 trillion rupees in the same period a year earlier. Economists predict capital spending will climb even higher in the run-up to a national election slated for May 2024. Asked what would be the primary driver of economic growth for the remainder of this fiscal year, economists were nearly split between government spending (14) and consumption (13). Five said investment. But consumer demand is not uniform across the world’s most populous country, which contains some of the biggest cities globally. Two-thirds of Indians live outside of cities. While rural demand took a hit in the JulySeptember quarter due to higher prices for everyday items, urban demand held strong. However, weakness in rural demand is expected to be short-lived. A strong 69% majority of economists who answered a separate question, 20 of 29, said the gap between rural and urban consumption would narrow over the coming two to three years. Six said it would remain the same, and three said it would widen further. “We expect private consumption growth to recover further as it narrows the gap between rural and urban demand and between goods and services,” Upasana Chachra, chief India economist at Morgan Stanley, said in a note. – Reuters oPoll: Domestic demand key driver of activity as external demand continues to remain weak China’s industrial profit growth slows, keeps stimulus calls alive BEIJING: Profits at China’s industrial firms extended gains for a third month in October, albeit at a slower pace, suggesting more policy support from Beijing is needed to help shore up growth in the world’s second-largest economy. The 2.7% year-on-year rise sees profit growth narrow back to single-digits, following an 11.9% increase in September and a 17.2% gain in August, putting pressure on authorities to extend further assistance to manufacturers as soft global demand continues to dog policymakers heading into 2024. For the first 10 months of 2023, profits slid 7.8% from a year earlier, narrowing from a 9% decline in the first nine months, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed yesterday. China’s economy has struggled to mount a strong post-Covid recovery as distress in the housing market, local government debt risks, slow global growth and geopolitical tensions dented momentum. A flurry of policy support measures has had only modest effect, raising pressure on authorities to roll out more stimulus. “Three consecutive months of positive profit growth suggest that the worst times, when profitability was squeezed by high input costs, overcapacity and soft demand, are over,“ said Xu Tianchen, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). “However, the volatility of profits is a sign enterprises remain highly sensitive to input costs,“ he added. “The sharp slowdown of yearon-year profit growth was partly driven by a rebound in energy prices.” The NBS said authorities should “focus on expanding domestic demand and inspiring businesses,“ in a nod to factories’ trade challenges. Data for October has been mixed. Both new export and import orders shrank for an eighth consecutive month in October, according to the official purchasing managers’ index (PMI). However, industrial output grew 4.6% in October, compared with the same period a year earlier, buoyed by strong autos and restaurant sales. Goldman Sachs wrote in a note that “the divergence in profits across various sectors and firms remained significant”. Profits at furniture firms fell 11.8% over the first 10 months of 2023 year-on-year, for example, while electronics manufacturers saw profits jump 20.8% over the same period. “Early signs of a comeback in the global electronics cycle will work in Chinese manufacturers’ favour,“ said the EIU’s Xu, who warned of downside across the sector and overcapacity across electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells in 2024. LONGi Green Energy Technology Co, a major domestic solar energy manufacturer, saw its third quarter net profit plummet 44.1% to 2.5 billion yuan (RM1.6 billion), hit by macroeconomic headwinds and a supply glut. Yesterday, China’s central bank and other authorities called for more measures to strengthen financial support for private companies, including allowing increased issuance of loans, bonds and shares. The central bank governor earlier this month said: “transforming the economic growth mode is more important than pursuing a high growth rate,“ suggesting an urgent need for longer-term structural reforms as investment-led growth loses steam. China’s blue chip CSI300 index fell 1.21% after the data while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 1.07%. State-owned firms posted a 9.9% decline in earnings in the first 10 months, foreign firms recorded a 10.2% slide and private-sector companies saw profits down 1.9%, according to a breakdown of the NBS data. – Reuters B R I E F SBYTEDANCE TO WIND DOWN NUVERSE IN RETREAT FROM GAMING BUSINESS HONG KONG: TikTok maker ByteDance plans to wind down its Nuverse gaming brand and retreat from mainstream video games, four people familiar with the matter said. ByteDance told Reuters it had decided to restructure its gaming business after a review, without giving further details. ByteDance’s 2019 creation of Nuverse was widely seen as a major push into global gaming and a strategic element of its competition with domestic rival Tencent Holdings, the world’s biggest gaming company. But Nuverse’s performance has been patchy. Its bestknown game is Marvel Snap, an online card game that amassed a cult following but was not a commercial hit. Other titles include action games One Piece: The Voyage and Crystal of Atland.– Reuters NEW COMPETITION LAWS FOR DIGITAL PLATFORMS NEEDED, SAYS AUSTRALIA SYDNEY: Australia’s competition watchdog said yesterday new competition laws were required in response to the rapid expansion of digital platforms such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft in the country. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in its latest report for the Digital Platform Services Inquiry raised concerns that expansion of these platforms has increased the risk of them engaging in harmful behaviour such as invasive data collection and practices that lock in customers and limit their choices. ACCC has not made specific findings of anticompetitive conduct, but said digital platforms with significant market power can use practices such as the bundling of products, and pre-installation and default settings to limit customer choice or deter innovation from competitors. – Reuters ADVERTISED SALARIES IN BRITAIN FALL TO 6-MONTH LOW LONDON: Advertised salaries in Britain hit their lowest level in six months in October, indicating easing inflation pressure, but a first rise in vacancies since June suggested a recovery in the labour market, a survey showed yesterday. Job search website Adzuna said annual advertised salaries averaged £36,946 (RM215,575) last month, down 0.4% from September and taking the decline since April to 1.9%. However, online job ads climbed 0.35% to 1.03 million adverts, the biggest month-on-month jump since June, helped by pre-Christmas hiring in sectors such as retail and warehousing. Employers have struggled to fill jobs in recent years after many workers left the labour market during the Covid-19 pandemic with Brexit also reducing the supply of candidates.– Reuters 18 countries, led by US and Britain, in pact to make AI ‘secure by design’ WASHINGTON: The US, Britain and more than a dozen other countries on Sunday unveiled what a senior US official described as the first detailed international agreement on how to keep artificial intelligence safe from rogue actors, pushing for companies to create AI systems that are “secure by design.” In a 20-page document unveiled Sunday, the 18 countries agreed that companies designing and using AI need to develop and deploy it in a way that keeps customers and the wider public safe from misuse. The agreement is non-binding and carries mostly general recommendations such as monitoring AI systems for abuse, protecting data from tampering and vetting software suppliers. Still, the director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Jen Easterly said it was important that so many countries put their names to the idea that AI systems needed to put safety first. The agreement is the latest in a series of initiatives – few of which carry teeth – by governments around the world to shape the development of AI, whose weight is increasingly being felt in industry and society at large. In addition to the US and Britain, the 18 countries that signed on to the new guidelines include Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Australia, Chile, Israel, Nigeria and Singapore. The framework deals with questions of how to keep AI technology from being hijacked by hackers and includes recommendations such as only releasing models after appropriate security testing. It does not tackle thorny questions around the appropriate uses of AI, or how the data that feeds these models is gathered. The rise of AI has fed a host of concerns, including the fear that it could be used to disrupt the democratic process, turbocharge fraud, or lead to dramatic job loss, among other harms. Europe is ahead of the US on regulations around AI, with lawmakers there drafting AI rules. France, Germany and Italy also recently reached an agreement on how artificial intelligence should be regulated that supports “mandatory self-regulation through codes of conduct” for so-called foundation models of AI, which are designed to produce a broad range of outputs. – Reuters India to remain fastest growing major economy The rise of AI has fed a host of concerns, including the fear that it could be used to disrupt the democratic process, turbocharge fraud, or lead to dramatic job loss, among other harms. – AFPPIX
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 19 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) PERTAMA 2.45 -0.68 73,135 NESTLE 120.9 -0.6 1,098 PETDAG 22.06 -0.5 6,160 SP500-H37 0.495 -0.375 200 OPPSTAR 1.33 -0.28 117,609 UTDPLT 16.5 -0.28 25,852 NHFATT 3.35 -0.24 1,846 RAPID 27.78 -0.22 3,867 PCHEM 7.09 -0.21 28,977 ALLIANZ-PA 18.8 -0.2 79 HEXTECH 23.5 -0.2 115 LPI 11.82 -0.18 863 CARLSBG 19.66 -0.16 1,382 PANAMY 17.84 -0.16 38 TENAGA 9.84 -0.16 28,667 PMBTECH 2.83 -0.15 6,836 HLBANK 19.08 -0.12 2,835 KLUANG 3.66 -0.11 10 NIKKEI-H4 0.1 -0.11 240 PINEAPP 0.87 -0.11 4,940 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) F&N 27.3 +0.200 505 MASTER 3.02 +0.180 1,478 MERCURY 1.1 +0.140 90 APM 2.38 +0.130 5,246 KLK 21.4 +0.120 2,364 MPI 27 +0.120 647 MBMR 4.37 +0.110 11,690 APPLE-C16 0.635 +0.100 1 MCEMENT 4.14 +0.100 31,325 SIMEPLT 4.44 +0.100 12,407 UCHITEC 3.56 +0.090 24,235 ALLIANZ 18.36 +0.080 524 EITA 0.89 +0.080 76,983 MSM 1.46 +0.080 65,183 NGGB 1.06 +0.075 42,360 COMCORP 1.48 +0.070 5,791 GENTING 4.6 +0.070 120,941 HSI-HPO 0.52 +0.070 51 PADINI 3.86 +0.070 727 SHH 1.62 +0.070 194 STOCKS VOLUME (’00) CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) +/- (%) PANDA 1,903,659 0.26 -0.03 -10.34 HONGSENG 1,492,156 0.025 - - HSI-CR5 865,917 0.245 -0.015 -5.77 TOPGLOV 730,883 0.88 -0.02 -2.22 WIDAD 652,213 0.465 - - EITA-WA 650,241 0.125 - - LEFORM 606,634 0.3 +0.005 +1.69 SIMEPROP 450,621 0.66 +0.030 +4.76 SCIB 407,648 0.69 +0.015 +2.22 HSI-CRZ 364,008 0.185 -0.015 -7.50 BPURI 361,880 0.07 +0.005 +7.69 HSI-HN2 357,935 0.02 -0.035 -63.64 TANCO-WC 349,527 0.27 +0.005 +1.89 MYEG 297,324 0.795 -0.005 -0.63 UEMS 273,315 0.765 -0.03 -3.77 VELESTO 267,192 0.235 +0.010 +4.44 HSI-HPG 265,468 0.18 -0.015 -7.69 HSI-HPK 247,126 0.19 -0.005 -2.56 TANCO 239,041 0.58 +0.005 +0.87 CSH 235,489 0.055 -0.005 -8.33 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: NOVEMBER 27 [ 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 10,725.40 -43.20 FBMKLCI 1,448.15 -5.77 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 557.72 -1.76 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 172.24 -1.87 CONSTRUCTION 184.19 -1.41 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,341.90 -42.40 ENERGY 830.68 -4.17 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 560.42 -0.55 HEALTH CARE 1,835.67 -16.10 TRANSPORTATION 936.88 -1.73 PROPERTY 851.16 -11.40 PLANTATION 6,943.45 +12.10 FBMSHA 10,874.00 -69.90 FBMACE 5,107.37 -98.00 TECHNOLOGY 62.82 -0.28 TURNOVER: 3.09 bil VALUE: RM2.05 bil Top 20 Actives Top 20 Gainers (By RM) Top 20 Losers (By RM) Bursa Indices STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (%) VOLUME (’00) KAREX-C13 0.015 +200.00 588 KGB-CB 0.095 +137.50 1,800 MTRONIC-WB 0.01 +100.00 300 SUPERMX-C3P 0.065 +85.71 1,028 KAREX-C14 0.05 +42.86 3,104 GENM-C2H 0.07 +40.00 49,477 GENM-C2L 0.075 +36.36 5,000 MSM-CO 0.18 +33.33 18,544 SIMEPROP-C16 0.06 +33.33 31,717 ZENTECH 0.02 +33.33 18,234 WPRTS-C23 0.095 +26.67 6,660 ASTRO-C57 0.025 +25.00 1,010 BURSA-C75 0.025 +25.00 250 G3 0.025 +25.00 40,642 SIMEPROP-C15 0.075 +25.00 2,070 SIMEPROP-C22 0.025 +25.00 4,470 FFB-CX 0.08 +23.08 100 TAKAFUL-CW 0.085 +21.43 10,920 MSM-CN 0.12 +20.00 27,214 APPLE-C16 0.635 +18.69 1 Top 20 Gainers (By %) STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (%) VOLUME (’00) A50CHIN-CC 0.005 -75.00 3,500 HSI-HN6 0.01 -75.00 34,355 DSONIC-C59 0.045 -70.00 2,020 HSI-CRS 0.005 -66.67 275 HSI-HN2 0.02 -63.64 357,935 HARTA-C1P 0.01 -60.00 12,902 HARTA-HE 0.075 -58.33 500 NIKKEI-H4 0.1 -52.38 240 AT 0.005 -50.00 7,502 EAH 0.005 -50.00 100,702 MLAB 0.005 -50.00 482 SIMEPLT-C18 0.075 -50.00 670 VS-C76 0.01 -50.00 3,100 SP500-H37 0.495 -43.10 200 SPSETIA-C61 0.135 -42.55 1,000 AXIATA-C95 0.015 -40.00 7,500 PNEPCB-WA 0.015 -40.00 552 CTOS-C5 0.035 -36.36 100 APPASIA-WB 0.01 -33.33 4,530 BSLCORP-WA 0.01 -33.33 3,504 Top 20 Losers (By %) INDEX CLOSING DAILY DAILY CHANGE CHANGE (%) DJIA (US) - - - S&P 500 (US) - - - NASDAQ (US) - - - NYSE (US) - - - EURO STOXX 50 (EUR) 4,366.11 -5.99 -0.14 FTSE 100 (UK) 7,474.56 -13.64 -0.18 DAX (GER) 16,007.86 -21.63 -0.13 NIKKEI 225 (JPN) 33,447.67 -177.86 -0.53 TOPIX (JPN) 2,381.76 -9.18 -0.38 HANG SENG INDEX (HK) 17,525.06 -34.36 -0.20 CSI 300 (CHN) 3,511.94 -26.07 -0.74 SH SE COM (CHN) 3,031.70 -9.27 -0.30 KOSPI INDEX (SK) 2,495.66 -0.97 -0.04 MSCI ASIA PACIFIC 161.48 -0.48 -0.30 ASX 200 (AUS) 6,987.64 -53.11 -0.75 ALL ORDINARIES INDX (AUS) 7,192.85 -51.29 -0.71 SENSEX INDEX (IND) - - - FBM KLCI 1,448.15 -5.77 -0.40 STRAITS TIMES INDEX (S’PORE) 3,086.42 -8.39 -0.27 WTI (US$/BBL.) 74.11 -1.43 -1.89 BRENT (US$/BBL.) 79.14 -1.44 -1.79 GOLD (COMEX) (US$/T OZ) 2,035.90 +12.40 +0.61 SILVER (COMEX) (US$/T OZ) 25.19 0.50 +2.02 PLATINUM (US$/T OZ) 938.52 +3.77 +0.40 COPPER (COMEX) (US CENTS/LB.) 381.90 -1.35 -0.35 COPPER 3MO (LME) (US$/MT) - - - CORN (US CENTS/BU.) 482.75 +0.25 +0.05 WHEAT (US CENTS/BU.) 578.50 +1.25 +0.22 SOYBEAN OIL (CBOT) (US CENTS/LB.) 50.87 +0.58 +1.15 COCOA (ICE) (US$/MT) 4,089.00 0.00 0.00 RUBBER (S’PORE) (US CENTS/KG) 150.60 -0.60 -0.40 World Stocks/Commodities Bursa ends lower on selling in selected stocks KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia finished lower yesterday dampened by selling in selected heavyweights as well as mid- and small-cap stocks, a dealer said. At 5pm, the barometer index declined 5.77 points to 1,448.15 from Friday’s closing of 1,453.92. The index opened 0.77 of-a-point weaker at 1,453.15 and moved between 1,448.0 and 1,455.78 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative, with decliners outpacing gainers 683 to 287, while 415 counters were unchanged, 1,025 untraded and 48 others suspended. Turnover fell slightly to 3.09 billion units valued at RM2.05 billion from 3.50 billion units valued at RM2.35 billion on Friday. Rakuten Trade equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices also trended downward as investors exercised caution ahead of upcoming inflation data from the United States and Europe later this week. The 7.8% year-on-year decline in China’s industrial profits in October further weakened investor sentiment, fuelling impatience over the potential for more stimulus measures from Beijing, while a series of weak Purchasing Managers’ Index in Japan raised concerns about a slowdown in business activity. On the domestic front, Thong said the valuation of the benchmark index remains attractive at its current level, and he anticipated continued stock accumulation, particularly in bluechip stocks during market dips. Market sentiment may be affected by uncertain global economic conditions and market volatility, hence, the FBM KLCI is expected to maintain its consolidation phase for the moments. He expects the index to trend between 1,445 and 1,465, respectively, for the week. - Bernama 1448.15pts Nov 27, 2023 as at 5pm, Nov 27 Participation 30.6 39.6 29.8 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 659.3 818.7 577.7 2055.7 Sold RM m 596.8 811.2 647.7 2055.7 Net RM m 62.5 7.5 -70.0 0.0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 27/11/2023
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 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 shalll not be liable or responsible for any consequences resulting from usage of the information. AEON Co. (M) Bhd’s (Aeon) results undershot expectations on higher-than-expected interest expense. 3Q23 group revenue fell 3% YoY led by softer retail segment contribution (-4% YoY) as certain stores were closed for renovations during the quarter, but this was partially offset by better property management services (PMS) segment contribution (+7% YoY) on higher occupancy rates and rental reversions. Pre-tax profit lifted by 55% YoY due to one-off gains on lease de-recognition of its Kota Bharu mall and lower operating expenses. Core net profit however declined -32% YoY due to higher effective tax rate of 52% (+10.5 ppts YoY) from larger nontax-deductible capex from its shopping mall renovations in Aeon Ayer Keroh & Aeon Cheras Selatan. Aeon’s 3Q23 core net profit of RM12m (-32% YoY, -61% QoQ) brought 9M23 core net profit to RM83m (-8% YoY), accounting for 65%/67% of our/consensus FY23E earnings estimates. The shortfall in earnings mainly resulted from higher-than-expected interest expense. We lower our FY23E-FY25E earnings estimates by 8%-13% to derive a lower TP of MYR1.60 (-15 sen) based on an unchanged 19x FY24E PER, mean. We expect sequential earnings to come in stronger from seasonally higher sales momentum during yearend festivities and school holidays. Aeon’s retail segment may continue to face challenges amid subdued consumer sentiment but its resilient PMS segment should offer some support to further retail spending downside in the near-term. - (Nov 27, 2023) AFTER a weak 2QFY23, MBM Reources Bhd’s (MBM) 3QFY23 rebounded strongly and outperformed expectations. MBM reported 3QFY23 core net profit of RM76.4m (excluding RM28.4m one-off gain from sale of land), which brought 9MFY23 core earnings to RM208.3m, accounting for 85%/81% of our/consensus’ full year estimates respectively. Group 3QFY23 core earnings was up +26.8%yoy mainly driven by higher contribution from associates (+49.3% yoy) amid a record quarter for Perodua. Perodua saw TIV rise +28.3%yoy to 88,541 units in 3QFY23 on the back of higher production and backlog order deliveries. However, this was partly offset by weaker earnings from motor trading (-13.1% yoy) given slowing sales volume of Volvo and VW models, as well as higher discounting which resulted in lower margins. We expect MBM’s earnings to be anchored mainly by Perodua over the next few quarters. MBM declared a second interim dividend of 6 sen and a special dividend of 7 sen, bringing total 3QFY23 dividend to 13 sen and 9MFY23 dividends to 39 sen. This is a positive surprise as MBM typically announces dividends in the 2Q and 4Q. We reckon the exceptional dividends are supported by sale of land announced in the 3QFY23. Given the outperformance, we raise FY23F net profit by +10.5% to factor in mainly higher Perodua TIV. FY24F net profit is only raised marginally by +0.9% as we expect gradual normalisation in TIV next year. Maintain BUY on MBMR at higher TP of RM4.75 to reflect the upward earnings revision and as we rollover to FY24F. Our valuation continues to peg MBM at 7.5x PER, close to mean PER. MBM remains a cheap proxy to Perodua trading at 6.7x FY24F PER. Dividend yield of 7.5% (DPR: 50%) is attractive. - (Nov 27, 2023) SIME DARBY Property Bhd’s (SDP) 9MFY23 property revenue rose 38.7% YoY to RM2.3bn, largely due to improved site progress and encouraging sales achieved, further supported by opening unbilled sales of RM3.6b (vis-à-vis RM2.4b a year ago). As such, Group’s property PBT saw an increase of 55%, driven by on-site development activities across their various projects. Separately, KL East Mall continues to grow its occupancy rate to 89% as at Sept 30, 2023 compared to 79% recorded a year ago. However, the segment’s PBT was lower at RM17.9m from RM38.5m mainly due to higher share of loss from the Battersea Power Station. Sales momentum remains encouraging with SDP appearing to likely to surpass its FY23 sales target of RM2.7b (which was revised last quarter from RM2.3b). In 9MFY23, it secured RM2.54b in presales. We understand that 38% or RM954.1m are from projects launched in previous years, contributed by conversion from bookings from prior year launches, and 55% or RM1,377.7m from new launches mainly from Serasi Residences, Teja in SJCC, Ilham Residence 3, The Eighth & Elmina Green 7 in City of Elmina and Nadira 3 in Bandar Bukit Raja. With about 93% of FY23 sales target in the bag, SDP is on track to surpass its FY23 sales target as the sales momentum is further supported by RM2.2b bookings as at Nov 5, 2023. Launch pipeline for Q4’23 worth c.RM791.2m in GDV across its townships are expected to be unveiled. We revise our FY23/FY24/FY25 upwards by +6%/+3%/+2% after imputing better sales performance. Unbilled sales still remain healthy at RM3.745b, providing earnings visibility for the next 1-2 years. As for valuations, we maintain our Outperform call and TP of RM0.80 (pegged at c.45% discount to book value) given its attractive fundamentals. - (Nov 27, 2023) FOREIGN CURRENCY SELLING TT/OD BUYING TT BUYING OD 1 US Dollar 4.7445 4.6115 4.6015 1 Australian Dollar 3.1400 3.0160 3.0000 1 Brunei Dollar 3.5410 3.4390 3.4310 1 Canadian Dollar 3.4780 3.3850 3.3730 1 Euro 5.1970 5.0310 5.0110 1 New Zealand Dollar 2.8970 2.7900 2.7740 1 Papua N Guinea Kina N/A N/A N/A 1 Singapore Dollar 3.5410 3.4390 3.4310 1 Sterling Pound 5.9860 5.8010 5.7810 1 Swiss Franc 5.3630 5.2400 5.2250 100 UAE Dirham 130.7800 124.0500 123.8500 100 Bangladesh Taka 4.3870 4.1030 3.9030 100 Chinese Renminbi 66.5000 63.9000 N/A 100 Danish Krone 71.4600 65.7700 65.5700 100 Hongkong Dollar 61.5900 58.5500 58.3500 100 Indian Rupee 5.7900 5.4400 5.2400 100 Indonesian Rupiah 0.0316 0.0286 0.0236 100 Japanese Yen 3.1860 3.0860 3.0760 100 New Taiwan Dollar 16.1000 N/A N/A 100 Norwegian Krone 45.4800 41.8400 41.6400 100 Pakistan Rupee 1.6900 1.5800 1.3800 100 Philippine Peso 8.6900 8.1900 7.9900 100 Qatar Riyal 131.7000 125.0300 124.8300 100 Saudi Riyal 128.0100 121.5200 121.3200 100 South Africa Rand 26.1700 23.6300 23.4300 100 Sri Lanka Rupee 1.4800 1.3600 1.1600 100 Thai Baht 14.0200 12.4400 12.0400 Exchange Rates Source: Malayan Banking Bhd/Bernama Ringgit higher against dollar ahead of US inflation data KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed higher against the US dollar yesterday compared to last Friday, ahead of the United States (US) Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data set to be unveiled later this week. At 6pm, the ringgit rose to 4.6785/6830 against the greenback from Friday’s close of 4.6830/6875. SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said the ringgit is currently undergoing consolidation within a wider, yet predominantly optimistic range ahead of the release of PCE data. The outcome of this data could potentially “influence the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision on rate cuts in the second quarter of 2024, particularly if the figures come in lower than market expectations and, most importantly, fall short of the Fed’s own inflation projections,” he told Bernama. He also said that the currency movement aligns with the broader trend of weakness seen in the US dollar at the beginning of the week. At the close, the ringgit was traded lower versus a basket of major currencies. It depreciated against the euro at 5.1220/1269 from 5.1059/1108 on Friday’s closed, declined versus the Japanese yen to 3.1334/1366 from 3.1295/1327 and fell vis-a-vis the British pound to 5.8963/9020 from 5.8767/8823. The local note traded mostly lower against other Asean currencies. It was marginally lower versus the Singapore dollar to 3.4961/5000 from 3.4903/4940 and depreciated versus the Thai baht at 13.3181/3381 from 13.1949/2139 and was down vis-a-vis the Indonesian rupiah at 301.9/302.3 from 300.8/301.3. Edotco enables 500 4G towers with 5G connectivity KUALA LUMPUR: Regional integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company Edotco made a major step forward for the nation’s 5G vision by enabling 500 of its existing 4G towers with 5G connectivity in 2023. Since 2021, Edotco has played a crucial role in the expansion of 5G infrastructure in Malaysia, completing the largest number of 5G sites in the country by constructing 1,695 sites nationwide. This substantial contribution underscores Edotco’s commitment to and capability in supporting Malaysia’s 5G rollout. This achievement reflects its strong commitment in supporting the Government’s objective of achieving 80% 5G coverage in populated areas nationwide by year-end, through Digital Nasional Bhd. The enablement of the 500 4G towers with 5G connectivity signifies Edotco’s focus on future-proofing its infrastructure, ensuring the networks are ready to meet the demands of nextgeneration technology. This milestone supports the government’s vision for broader 5G connectivity, facilitating increased access to high-speed internet, driving economic growth, and fostering innovation. It also enhances the digital infrastructure, providing a solid foundation for businesses, communities, and individuals to thrive in a digitally connected world. Edotco group CEO Adlan Tajudin said, “Enabling 500 of our existing towers with 5G connectivity signifies Edotco’s commitment to connectivity, economic growth, and innovation, as well as our commitment to the nation’s digital transformation journey. This achievement serves as a blueprint towards fulfilling Malaysia’s digital aspirations, showcasing our steadfast dedication to shaping the future of telecommunications through meaningful collaborations and impactful solutions.” Sime Darby Property Bhd Outperform. Target price: RM0.80 MBM Resources Bhd Buy. Target price: RM4.75 Aeon Co (M) Bhd Buy. Target price: RM1.60 Source: Maybank IBG Research Source: MIDF Research Source: PublicInvest Research Nov 27, 2023: RM1.08 Nov 27, 2023: RM4.37 Nov 27, 2023: RM0.66
Whispers hispers of the sea of the sea WEEKLY FOCUS MONDAY Discover cuttingedge world of Gaming and Tech TUESDAY Ultimate guide to Gaming and Leisure WEDNESDAY Latest in Fashion and Beauty sense THURSDAY Inside the world of Social Media Influencers FRIDAY Culinary delights and Beverage trends TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2624/5 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 F: 03-7784 4424 SCAN ME E: [email protected] INSIDE p 22 A maritime odyssey INSIDE p 23 New horizons from Kuala Lumpur INSIDE p 24 Modern travel solution
LYFE LYFE TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 22 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON Malaysian Paper INSTAGRAM Angler paradise EMBARKING on a maritime odyssey, the anticipation and excitement were palpable as theSun team set sail to unveil the hidden wonders of Kelong Ocean Pulau Ketam, a gem nestled in the mesmerising embrace of the Straits of Malacca. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life, this promised journey held the allure of tranquilly, the thrill of the catch and a rare glimpse into the beating heart of a fishing haven. Let us take you on an immersive journey through the vivid tapestry of our experience, where the rhythmic dance of the tide transformed into a symphony and the azure waters whispered the long-guarded secrets of this particular Kelong. Maritime oasis, setting the stage for serenity morning arrival The sun had just begun to paint the sky with hues of pink and gold as our day commenced with the gentle rocking of a ferry departing from the South Port Passenger Terminal in Port Klang. The rhythmic hum of the boat’s engines provided a soothing backdrop, setting the stage for an adventure that diverged from the ordinary. Against the gradually brightening horizon, the silhouette of the kelong emerged, an ethereal mirage promising a sanctuary far removed from the routine. The unique stilted structure of Kelong Ocean Pulau Ketam painted a picturesque scene, an enchanting welcome to what would unfold as a maritime oasis. Bountiful waters, casting lines into the abundance thrill of the catch Armed with fishing rods, our team embraced the art of patience and anticipation. The anticipation hung in the air like a promise as we cast our lines into the bountiful waters surrounding the kelong. True to its reputation, the sea was generous, offering a diverse array of marine life eager to engage in a dance with our bait. Laughter echoed against the backdrop of the open sea, a symphony of joy as each team member experienced the thrill of the catch. The shared excitement forged a camaraderie that mirrored the otheSun team’s enchanting fishing expedition █ BYACE EMERSON Sharizal Salim proudly displaying the fish he caught. Mohd Razali with the fish he caught. Abdul Manaf with his catch. Night view of the Kelong. The boys took one last photo before the team embarked on our journey back to Klang. serenity of the waters, creating bonds that resonated with the rhythm of the tide. Rustic retreat, cosy stilts and delectable delights immersed in nature Our stay at the Kelong unfolded in rooms elevated above the water, providing panoramic views that painted a canvas of tranquility. The rustic charm of the accommodations, with weathered wood and the creaking of the stilts against the gentle waves, immersed us in the natural beauty of the sea. The warmth of the hospitality and the delectable seafood offerings underscored the kelong’s role not merely as a fishing spot but as a retreat where simplicity seamlessly met comfort. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we found ourselves surrounded by the quietude of the sea, a serene lullaby that cradled us into a restful night. The art of patience, learning from local guides and mastering the craft Engaging with local guides and seasoned fishermen, we delved into the intricate art of fishing. Techniques were shared, stories exchanged and the rhythmic dance between humans and the sea unfolded. Every tug on the line became a lesson in patience and skill, adding a layer of mastery to the art of angling. The sea, a patient and wise teacher, imparted its secrets to those willing to listen, reinforcing the notion that the true beauty of fishing lies not only in the catch but in the journey of learning and understanding. Sunset symphony farewell As the sun began its descent, casting golden hues across the waters, our team gathered on the deck to bid a reluctant farewell to Kelong Ocean Pulau Ketam. The kelong, now illuminated in the soft glow of twilight, stood as a testament to the enduring allure of fishing and the timeless beauty of nature’s embrace. We watched in awe as the sky transformed into a canvas ablaze with colours, a celestial symphony bidding us adieu. The whispers of the sea echoed a promise — a promise to return to this maritime haven where time seemed to stand still and the connection between humans and the sea transcended the ordinary. We discovered more than a mere fishing haven in the heart of the ocean off Pulau Ketam. We found a sanctuary where the stresses of everyday life melted away with the tides. The rhythmic symphony of the sea, the thrill of the catch and the warm embrace of the kelong became cherished memories etched into the fabric of our collective experience. As we sailed back to the mainland under the blanket of stars, the team carried not just the tangible bounty of the sea but the intangible essence of a day spent in paradise. Kelong Ocean Pulau Ketam, with its serene waters, rustic charm and indomitable spirit of the sea, had woven its magic into the hearts of those who sought solace in its embrace. Until we meet again. The boat voyage to the Kelong costs RM34 return for those keen to participate in this excursion. The first ferry leaves at 7.30am, giving an early start to a day of marine wonders. If you want to immerse yourself in the experience, the accommodations are reasonably priced at RM80 per person. It provides a comfortable abode above the azure waves. It is worth noting that Kelong Ocean Pulau Ketam can accommodate up to 20 people, offering an intimate and personalised experience with this hidden gem. So, whether you are a seasoned angler or a nature enthusiast seeking solace in the sea, set sail for Kelong Ocean Pulau Ketam and let the rhythmic symphony of the tides embrace you. Kelong Ocean Pulau Ketam
LYFE LYFE TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 23 Amritsar’s Golden Temple at sunset, silhoutted against a pink sky. GLOBETROTTERS can now take direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to new locations in India and Central Asia, given that several airlines have introduced new services to some of these regions’ must-visit cities. Malaysia Airlines has expanded its flight routes, now connecting Kuala Lumpur to Amritsar in Punjab and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Starting on Dec 1, flights to Ahmedabad in Gujarat will also be available. Additionally, AirAsia X Malaysia, the medium-haul affiliate airline, offers direct routes from Amritsar to Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, AirAsia, recently announced new routes to Thiruvananthapuram (starting Feb 21) and Perth, Australia (starting March 11) in the coming year. Batik Air, a Malaysian fullservice carrier and part of the Indonesian Lion Air Group, is set to launch non-stop flights to Tashkent on Dec 15. As AirAsia X celebrates its 16th anniversary, it introduces a new route from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty, commencing on March 14, 2024. This route is part of the airline’s fifth freedom flights strategy, allowing it to use Almaty as a hub for flights to other destinations such as Istanbul, Paris, Frankfurt and London. Under this arrangement, an airline based in one nation can operate routes between two other nations that are not its home base. These expanded services from Kuala Lumpur not only benefit travellers within Malaysia but also connect passengers from the airline’s networks in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asian countries to these new destinations. Let’s delve into the offerings of some of these exciting new travel options. Amritsar in Punjab One of the most revered cultural sites in the world, the Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harimandir Sahib, is located in Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikh community. Thousands of people visit the magnificent temple every day, making Amritsar, which is located in the centre of Punjab, northern India, one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Ahmedabad in Gujarat India’s first Unesco World Heritage Site, Ahmedabad is a 600-year-old historic walled city that was established in the early 15th century by Sultan Ahmed Shah. It is the largest city in the state of Gujarat in western India and is famous for textile crafts. The Sabarmati River runs through the city and on its western bank is the Gandhi Ashram, which displays the spiritual leader’s living quarters and artifacts. Across the river, travellers can visit the Calico Museum of Textiles, which has a significant collection of antique and modern fabric. Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala Situated atop seven hills, Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala is a state in southwest India. Travellers can explore the museums and take in the exterior of Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple while they are here. When you are tired of the city, spend the day shopping for handicrafts or lazing on the beaches in Varkala or Kovalam. December is the ideal month to visit, as the area truly lives up to its moniker, God’s Own Country. Captivating Tashkent Tashkent, the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan, encapsulates a rich historical tapestry woven with diverse cultures. Its significance along the ancient Silk Road is evident in the architectural remnants and cultural influences that have endured through the ages. Amid the labyrinth of modern, bustling streets, Tashkent emerges as a city that gracefully balances its storied past with the pulsating energy of the present. A stroll through Tashkent unveils the captivating allure of Registan Square, where the grandeur of centuries-old architecture takes centre stage, offering visitors a breathtaking glimpse into the city’s historical legacy. The lively Chorsu Bazaar, with its intricate beauty and vibrant atmosphere, provides an immersive experience of the daily life and commerce that define Tashkent today. For those seeking a tranquil interlude, Hast Imam Square offers serenity amidst historical landmarks, inviting contemplation in a peaceful setting. Tashkent, with its fusion of ancient marvels and contemporary dynamism, beckons visitors to embark on a journey through time, where the past and present coalesce to create an enriching and unforgettable experience. The City of Love, Almaty Founded in the Bronze Age between 1000 and 900 BC, Almaty stands as one of Central Asia’s oldest cities, attracting settlers who were among the region’s first farmers and cattle breeders. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Tien Shan Mountains, Almaty boasts a picturesque backdrop of snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and shimmering lakes. The city’s breathtaking mountainous scenery adds a touch of tenderness to any film, as seen in the 2019 Kazakh-Chinese film Composer, which explores the wartime friendship between composers Bakhytjan Baykadamov of Kazakhstan and Xian Sinhai of China. Filmed against the backdrop of Almaty’s iconic streets and residences, the movie portrays the Chinese composer’s evacuation to the city during World War II and the support he receives from a newfound friend. Spreading preading wings oAirlines are expanding its reach to new frontiers Cars traversing Al Farabi street against the backdrop of Tien Shan Mountains. Aerial view of the Samudra beach in Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram. Almost 600-year-old Bibiji Mosque in Ahmedabad. A view of the white Minor Mosque in Tashkent during winter.
LYFE LYFE TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 24 TUMI’s holiday collection TUMI, travel and lifestyle brand, has introduced its latest holiday collection, perfect for those looking for some fresh gift ideas or travel essentials for their festive getaways. The meticulously curated selection offers high-end and practical travel 19 Degree iPhone case. – PICS BY TUMI. oExplore distinctive gift ideas █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN 19 Degree international expandable four wheeled carry-on. Alpha bravo nomadic backpack. Spotlighting Latin American films THE Latin American Film Festival (LAFF) made a spectacular comeback, showcasing a vibrant selection of films from nine countries that illuminated the richness and diversity of Latin American and Caribbean culture and languages. On Nov 4, Kuala Lumpur was buzzed with excitement as the LAFF, a free event, unfolded to celebrate the varied cultures, languages and stories of this dynamic region through the captivating medium of cinema. The festival provided a platform to highlight the cultural heritage and creative industries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Notably, Uruguay and Venezuela rejoined the festival, completing the participation of nine countries in this cinematic celebration. The 21st edition of LAFF took place at the Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 16 to 19. Additionally, the festival expanded its reach with the third edition in Penang at GSC Gurney Plaza from Nov 30 to Dec 3. The festival’s grand opening featured a special screening of Argentina, 1985, an Argentine movie that garnered critical acclaim and nominations at the 2023 Oscars and BAFTAs. The film, which also secured victories at the Golden Globes, GOYA and several Platino Awards, offered a Argentina, 1985 opens for LAFF. - PIC BY LAFF █ BYYASMIN ZULRAEZ accessories such as sunglasses, phone covers and handbags to carry-on luggage for a variety of travel styles. Glamourous backpack This festive season, TUMI has launched a range of backpacks that include exclusive men’s and women’s silhouettes in limited-time colourways to bring “joy” to travellers’ journeys. Each item exudes style, versatility and functionality, igniting the spark for their next well-deserved adventure. The men’s Alpha Bravo collection in Castle Grey with embossed leather detailing offers a modern twist on ballistic nylon. For women, the voyageur assortment in grey ombre with gunmetal hardware offers a special play on neutrals, perfect for holiday and everyday styling. Premium carry-on For avid travellers, the 19-Degree Aluminium collection epitomises TUMI’s distinctive features, namely, exceptional quality, superb design, innovative technology and practical functionality. Sustainable gifts As a testament to TUMI’s commitment to sustainability, the 19 Degree collection boasts a recycled polycarbonate shell and recycled materials in select components for colour enthusiasts. Gift a piece in new hues and textures this season, and 1% of the proceeds will support the One Planet initiative, championing global environmental efforts. Modern carry-on and expandable case The Tegra-Lite travel collection, crafted for those who demand modern design and unparalleled strength, features durable yet lightweight Tegris material and elements made from recycled materials. The T-Graphite and Blush options make for exceptional holiday gifts. Endurance laptop brief, brief pack and carryall tote Alpha X, TUMI’s strongest softside collection to date, is engineered to withstand elements and surpasses all 40 of TUMI’s endurance tests. Made with PX6, an ultra-durable fabric, this luggage combines high strength with thermal stability, offering a thoughtful design with mixed hard and soft exteriors and gunmetal hardware. Accessorise with impact TUMI’s accessories and small leather goods make a big impression. The leather Nassau collection supports life on the move, while TUMI+ adds flair and function to any bag while storing small essentials like cards, cash, or keys. When you gift TUMI, you bestow more than just travel essentials. You provide effortless journeys, high performance and the creation of joyful memories. Explore these distinctive gift ideas at your nearest TUMI store and online at TUMI.com, where the extraordinary meets the unforgettable. Georgica Valorie tote in, Bernardine pouch and milinia laptop sleeve in taupe. fictionalised account of historical events during the trial of the military junta. LAFF showcased a diverse range of films from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, spanning genres such as comedy, drama, animation and documentary. These films dove into the social, political and cultural fabric of each country, presenting unique expressions and identities. The lineup included works by both prominent and emerging filmmakers from Latin America. Highlights of the festival included The Good Herbs, a touching Mexican drama portraying the struggles of a woman with Alzheimer’s and her relationship with her daughter. El Beat, a Colombian documentary piece, offered a captivating narrative of resistance told through music. Based on a best-selling novel, The Dolphin, Story of a Dreamer, a Peruvian animated film enchanted audiences by depicting the adventures of a dolphin exploring the world. Next, Brazil’s The Movie of My Life presented a nostalgic coming-of-age story set in the 1960s, exploring themes of family, love and identity. Hilda’s Short Summer from Uruguay unfolded as a poignant drama, interrupting a woman’s life with the unexpected news of her son’s visit after several years. A stunning Chilean documentary, I Am The Earth – Stories from the Southern Edge of the World, mesmerised audiences with its showcase of the country’s natural beauty and cultural diversity. Venezuelan inspiring drama The Special depicted the tenacity of a young man with Down syndrome aspiring to be treated as a normal adult. Cuba’s Love in the Dark intertwined three dark love stories during a night in La Habana. Organised by the embassies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela to Malaysia, with support from media partner Cinema Online, LAFF was more than just a film festival. Ambassador Manuel Balaguer Salas, the Dean of the GRULAC Embassies in Malaysia, stated that the festival served as a cultural bridge, connecting Latin Americans with the Malaysian public. Reflecting on the festival’s identity, diversity and creativity, he extended an invitation for everyone to join in the celebration of Latin American audiovisual art. the festival concluded, attendees were urged to grab the opportunity to explore Latin America through the eyes of its talented and acclaimed filmmakers. The LAFF in Kuala Lumpur and Penang were indeed an unforgettable
EDUCATION EDUCATION 25 TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 The power of postgraduate entrepreneurship networking AS TIME progressed, technology and innovation have taken the reins. At the same time, the entrepreneurial landscape has grown in depth and stability, transforming the process of networking into a crucial aspect of the success of business ventures. Whom one connects with now could be the starting point for something bigger down the line. There are no limits to what can be accomplished when a group of creative, resourceful and forward-thinking people get together. The Graduate School of Management (GSM) at Management and Science University (MSU) conducted the first edition of the Postgraduate Power Entrepreneurship Network (PPEN) this year. The central goal of the event was to facilitate the creation of a vibrant business entrepreneurial network by bringing together postgraduate students and professionals, who had carved out a name for themselves in their fields. This power network further enhanced opportunities for information sharing and collaboration. All participants had a rewarding and interesting experience, which helped foster the expansion of their professional networks, while improving their understanding of entrepreneurship in the modern day context of the world. The event was a success, with a total of 121 postgraduate participants at PPEN 2023, comprising of 109 students enrolled in the Master in Business Administration (MBA) programme, along with 10 postgraduates pursuing doctoral degrees from China, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. The networking event featured two sharing sessions, with two highly exceptional MBA graduates, who served as speakers at the event. CelcomDigi enterprise operations section head Dr Mohamad Sukeri Abdullah expertly explained the intricacies of 5G technology and its practical implementation. In a constantly evolving technological landscape, his insights offered attendees a deep understanding of the prevailing industry trends and the limitless potential that 5G could bring in terms of connectivity. VHCC Global Ventures, VHC Company and Yiwu VHC Co Ltd Group Chief Financial Officer and Strategic Planning Specialist for Brunei and Malaysia Lenny Juvena Azm shared her invaluable experiences and also provided guidance to aspiring leaders on how to build a leadership role. oPostgraduate students need to expand professional networks in business During her session, she explained how she had defied numerous challenges, demonstrating resilience and determination, especially in the face of gender-based obstacles. President and Founder of MSU Tan Sri Prof Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, a well-respected leader in the realm of entrepreneurship, launched the flagship event. “Education is an invaluable investment. Prioritising time, resources and finances for a brighter future, the path to completing your postgraduate studies is both challenging and ultimately rewarding,” he said. “Success in this journey hinges on qualities like perseverance, discipline, unwavering commitment and fostering a clear, determined mindset. It is crucial to recognise that your postgraduate journey begins with your personal initiative, even in the face of external, uncontrollable factors. “The changing landscape of job prospects, as indicated by the World Economic Forum, underscores the evolving nature of skills needed to thrive. It is not just the credentials on paper that matter. It is how you build upon them that count the most. Here at MSU, we are committed to cultivating two types of graduates, those who seek jobs and those who create them,” he added. “The choice of which path to follow is yours to make.” The MBA programme benefits from the guidance and oversight of 20 lecturers from both the GSM and the Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies. For information on flexible programmes offered at MSU, please email [email protected], visit www.msu.edu.my or call 03-5521 6868. The successful PPEN 2023 event was launched by Mohd Shukri.
EDUCATION EDUCATION 26 TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 Groundbreaking diploma in aviation oBerjaya UC offers students the opportunity to find new positions in aviation management THE newly introduced Diploma in Aviation Management at Berjaya University College (Berjaya UC) offers an exciting and comprehensive journey into the aviation world. The programme covers two years of full-time study, providing a strong foundation in aviation management. As part of this course, Berjaya UC has also formed an exciting collaboration with key players in the aviation industry, Berjaya Air Sdn Bhd and Asia Jet Sdn Bhd, both members of Berjaya Group Aviation. This partnership marks the successful introduction of the Diploma in Aviation Management, aimed at setting a new standard in aviation education and professionalism. The course will have its first intake in January 2024, and the biggest advantage for students signing up for the programme would be the priority given to graduates of the Diploma in Aviation Management to work in Berjaya Group Aviation. In a recent discussion between Berjaya Group Aviation CEO Datuk Capt Chester Voo and Berjaya Corporation Executive Director Norlela Baharudin as well as academic members of the Faculty of Business, the focus centred on strengthening the newly approved programme, transforming it into a market leader among approved aviation programmes. The diverse diploma programme structure enables graduates to find a position in various areas, such as air traffic control, aviation maintenance, avionics technology, flight, finance, marketing and human resource. This new pathway offers students opportunities to gain knowledge in the aviation industry, The emphasis is not only nurturing the development and competencies of future students with a competitive edge, but also through site visits to Berjaya Air facilities and providing hands-on experience through internship placement during their diploma study. The meeting also explored collaboration opportunities for career placements, involvement of industry professionals as guest speakers, as well as extending opportunities for Berjaya Air personnel to pursue personal academic development from diverse programme offerings at Berjaya UC. This provides an opportunity for Berjaya Air personnel to further pursue studies and update their knowledge through this new pathway. Norlela and Voo hope to ensure the Diploma in Aviation programme stands out as a leader in the market for aviation education. Students with SPM and ‘O’ levels can register for the diploma programme and acquire comprehensive knowledge, including a deep understanding of aviation management, covering diverse facets of the aviation industry. The additional “Crew Resource Management” (CRM) module covering decision making, situational awareness, workload management, error management and standardisation, as well as application of CRM in aviation provides valuable insight for students. The diploma offers real-world experience that allow students to immerse in industry-relevant internship opportunities, gaining practical insights into the aviation field. This is made possible through Berjaya Group Aviation, which has formed a collaboration with Berjaya UC. The opportunity to learn from experts, referring to the wealth of knowledge provided by experienced faculty and industry professionals, ensures a holistic learning experience, with industry advisors from the aviation industry, as well as industry professionals as guest speakers. The students gain a competitive edge as they acquire unique advantages through site visits, digital applications, internships and career placement opportunities within the dynamic Berjaya Group Aviation. Berjaya UC invites students to embark on a journey “Where Future Takes Flight” with our full-time Diploma in Aviation Management. For more information on the Diploma in Aviation programme, please visit berjaya.edu.my
SPORTS SPORTS TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 27 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HANDAL CERIA SDN. BHD.` Company Registration No: 200401035161 (673670-K) NOTICE OF PROPOSED REDUCTION OF SHARE CAPITAL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a Special Resolution to reduce the share capital of the Company pursuant to Section 117 of the Companies Act, 2016 has been passed on the 24th day of November 2023. The extract of the Special Resolution is set out below :- SPECIAL RESOLUTION PROPOSED CAPITAL REDUCTION THAT subject to the approvals from the relevant authorities and/or parties (where applicable) pursuant to Section 117 of the Companies Act, 2016 (“the Act”), approval be hereby given for the Company to reduce the issued share capital of the Company from RM90,000,000.00 (comprising of 90,000,000 ordinary shares) to RM50,000,000.00 (comprising of 50,000,000 ordinary shares) and the credit arising from such cancellation shall be utilised towards the accumulated losses of the Company (“Proposed Capital Reduction”). AND THAT the Directors of the Company be and are hereby authorised and empowered to do all such acts, deeds and things and to execute, sign and deliver all such documents and instruments, for and on behalf of the Company as they may deem necessary to give full effect to the Proposed Capital Reduction, with full power to assent to any condition, modification, variation and/or amendment as the Directors may deem fit or expedient in the best interest of the Company. LIM HAN WENG Director Dated : 28 November 2023 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SWEE HONG REALTY SDN BHD (196901000698 (9130-U)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) At a General Meeting of the members of abovenamed Company held on 23 November 2023, the following special resolutions were duly passed :- 1. THAT the Company be liquidated by way of members’ voluntary winding up and that Tan Chin Tiong of 52 Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of the winding up. 2. THAT the said Liquidator be authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind amongst the contributories of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. 3. THAT the said Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred in or sustained by him in the execution and discharge of his duties as Liquidator and in relation thereto. TAN CHIN TIONG Director Date: 28 November 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SWEE HONG REALTY SDN BHD (196901000698 (9130-U)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) Notice is hereby given that the creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required on or before 29 December 2023 to send in their names and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and their names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned at 1A Jalan 17/45, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, the liquidator of the said Company, and, if so required in writing from the said liquidator, are by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove the said debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved. TAN CHIN TIONG Liquidator Date: 28 November 2023 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GOLDEN SPANIEL SDN. BHD. Company No: 199201022064 (253568-U) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of GOLDEN SPANIEL SDN. BHD. held on 27 November 2023, the following Special Resolutions were duly passed :- 1. “THAT the Company will be liquidated by way of members’ voluntary winding up pursuant to Section 439 (1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016.” 2. “THAT MR KAM CHAI HONG of C.H. Kam Consultancy (2005) Sdn. Bhd., 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor be appointed as Liquidator to act for the purpose of winding up the company’s affairs and distributing its assets.” “THAT the Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by him in the execution and discharge of his duties in relation thereto.” GOON SWEE KHEONG Chairman Dated : 28 November 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GOLDEN SPANIEL SDN. BHD. Company No: 199201022064 (253568-U) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 29 December 2023 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove the said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Liquidator Kam Chai Hong 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru. Dated this 28 day of November 2023 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR (BAHAGIAN DAGANG) NO. PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT: WA-28NCC-1137-11/2023 Dalam perkara Ritma Hebat Sdn Bhd (No.Syarikat.: 200401007844 [646348-H]) Dan Dalam perkara Seksyen 465(1)(e) dan 466(1)(a) Akta Syarikat 2016 Dan Dalam perkara Kaedah – Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 ANTARA KESUTRA SDN BHD [(No.Syarikat: 200701020688 (778704-M)] ...PEMPETISYEN DAN RITMA HEBAT SDN BHD [(No.Syarikat: 200401007844 (646348-H)] ... RESPONDEN IKLAN PETISYEN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah, pada 6 November 2023, dikemukakan oleh KESUTRA SDN BHD. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut diarahkan supaya didengarkan di hadapan mahkamah yang bersidang di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada pukul 9:00 pagi pada 20 Februari 2024. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang sesuatu perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguambelanya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat berdaftar Pempetisyen adalah di 1-47, Jalan SP2, Taman Segar Perdana, Cheras, 43200, Selangor dan alamat perniagaan di Unit 503, Block F, Pusat Perdagangan Phileo Damansara 1, Jalan 16/11, Off Jalan Damansara, 46350, Petaling Jaya Selangor. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe yang beralamat di A3-3-6, Solaris Dutamas, No.1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Chong + Kheng Hoe …………………..……… Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe Peguamcara Pempetisyen NOTA - Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan, atau menghantar dengan pos, kepada Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe yang dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak berkenaan, atau jika ia sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau peguamcaranya, jika ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan, atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi, supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12.00 tengahari pada 19 Februari 2024 (sehari sebelum tarikh yang ditetapkan untuk perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut). IKLAN PETISYEN ini diisukan oleh oleh Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe, peguamcara Pempetisyen yang dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di A3- 3-6, Solaris Dutamas, No.1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. [Tel: 03-6205 3928 / E-mel: [email protected] / Rujukan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ffl (;3(5,(1&(5(48,5(0(176ffl 7KH:HE6RFLDO0HGLD(GLWRULV H[SHFWHGWRUHVHDUFKSODQ ZULWHDQGHGLWFRQWHQWIRUWKH SRUWDODQGRXUVRFLDOPHGLD VLWHV $EOHWRRYHUVHHWKHGDLO\RQOLQH RSHUDWLRQVDQGZHEWHDP 0RQLWRUQXPEHURIXSORDGVWR SRUWDODQGVRFLDOPHGLD SODWIRUPV (QVXUHFRQWHQWXSORDGHGDUH FRUUHFWDQGPHHWVWDQGDUGVVHW E\WKHFRPSDQ\ &RPPXQLFDWHZHOOZLWKWHDP PHPEHUVDQGFRRUGLQDWHWKHLU ZRUN 7KH$VVLVWDQW:HE6RFLDO 0HGLD(GLWRUZLOOKHOSWKH :HE6RFLDO0HGLD(GLWRULQ RYHUVHHLQJGDLO\RSHUDWLRQVRI WKHZHEWHDP ,I\RXIHHO\RXKDYHZKDWLWWDNHVWRMRLQXVLQWKH LQWHUHVWLQJPHGLDLQGXVWU\VHQG\RXUUHVXPH WRJHWKHU ZLWKDSKRWRRI\RX YLDHPDLOWRKU#WKHVXQGDLO\FRP <RXFDQFDOOXVDWflflfl WKH6XQLVSXEOLVKHGE\6XQ0HGLD&RUSRUDWLRQ6GQ%KG /RW/HYHO-DODQ3HWDOLQJ-D\D6HODQJRU IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO.: WA-28NCC-1126-11/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of the Companies Act 2016, the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 and the Companies (Winding-up) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Pro Redline Venture Sdn. Bhd. [Company No. : 201301020717 (1050547-D)] BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 199101010745 (221057-V)] …PETITIONER AND PRO REDLINE VENTURE SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: 201301020717 (1050547-D)] …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the above-named Company by the High Court at Kuala Lumpur was on the 6th day of November 2023 presented to the said Court by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Insolvency sitting at Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, the 20th day of February 2024 at 9:30 o’clock in the morning and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any Creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at 7th Floor, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Kama & Wan, whose address is at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. …………………… Messrs. Kama & Wan Solicitor for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Kama & Wan, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock in the noon of the 19th day of February 2024. This Advertisement of Petition is filed by Messrs. Kama & Wan, Advocate & Solicitor on behalf of the Petitioner of No. 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. (Tel: 03 89221485) (email: [email protected]) (Ref No.: WS/PUNB/PRVSB/1068(L)) 322 Notices 3 STY. SUPERLINK FOR SALE : 012-813 8660 (E(3)2059) * Terms & Conditions apply. Walking Distance to Paramount LRT(PJ). Brand New/22’ x 116’/ 5Beds+4baths. Built-in with Quality Finishes, CCTV plus Alarm System & etc. … Special Sale Offer* Show unit for viewing. XXXXX 168 Houses for Sale IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SOUTHERN CAPITAL GATEWAY SDN. BHD. Company No: 199101004529 (214839-P) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of SOUTHERN CAPITAL GATEWAY SDN. BHD. held on 27 November 2023, the following Special Resolutions were duly passed :- 1. “THAT the Company will be liquidated by way of members’ voluntary winding up pursuant to Section 439 (1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016.” 2. “THAT MR KAM CHAI HONG of C.H. Kam Consultancy (2005) Sdn. Bhd., 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor be appointed as Liquidator to act for the purpose of winding up the company’s affairs and distributing its assets.” “THAT the Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by him in the execution and discharge of his duties in relation thereto.” LEE TIOW LIP Chairman Dated : 28 November 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SOUTHERN CAPITAL GATEWAY SDN. BHD. Company No: 199101004529 (214839-P) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 29 December 2023 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove the said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Liquidator Kam Chai Hong 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru. Dated this 28th day of November 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT MALACCA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO: MA-28NCC-33-10/2023 In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) and 466 (1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of KONKRIT EKSPRES SDN. BHD. [Company No: 199001013106 (204676-U)] BETWEEN LHT TRADING SDN. BHD. [Company No: 199701014977 (430474-U)] … PETITIONER AND KONKRIT EKSPRES SDN. BHD. [Company No: 199001013106 (204676- U)] … RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court was on the 12th day of October 2023 presented by LHT Trading Sdn. Bhd. of No. 8, Jalan Kenanga 1/25B, Taman Kenanga Seksyen 1, 75200 Melaka. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Melaka at 9.00 o’clock in the morning on the 8th day of January 2024 and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purposes and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at LHT Trading Sdn. Bhd. of No. 8, Jalan Kenanga 1/25B, Taman Kenanga Seksyen 1, 75200 Melaka. The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Lawrence Tan & Associates of No. 17-1, Jalan PPPS 2, Pusat Perniagaan Putra Sentosa, 75150 Melaka. Dated this 21st day of November 2023 t.t. ........................................... Messrs. Lawrence Tan & Associates Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or sent by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Lawrence Tan & Associates, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The Notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 7th January 2024. [Ref: LTA/L/WP-HC/LHT-KESB/2322] [Tel: 06-2405933] 322 Notices 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HANDAL CERIA SDN. BHD.` Company Registration No: 200401035161 (673670-K) NOTICE OF PROPOSED REDUCTION OF SHARE CAPITAL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a Special Resolution to reduce the share capital of the Company pursuant to Section 117 of the Companies Act, 2016 has been passed on the 24th day of November 2023. The extract of the Special Resolution is set out below :- SPECIAL RESOLUTION PROPOSED CAPITAL REDUCTION THAT subject to the approvals from the relevant authorities and/or parties (where applicable) pursuant to Section 117 of the Companies Act, 2016 (“the Act”), approval be hereby given for the Company to reduce the issued share capital of the Company from RM90,000,000.00 (comprising of 90,000,000 ordinary shares) to RM50,000,000.00 (comprising of 50,000,000 ordinary shares) and the credit arising from such cancellation shall be utilised towards the accumulated losses of the Company (“Proposed Capital Reduction”). AND THAT the Directors of the Company be and are hereby authorised and empowered to do all such acts, deeds and things and to execute, sign and deliver all such documents and instruments, for and on behalf of the Company as they may deem necessary to give full effect to the Proposed Capital Reduction, with full power to assent to any condition, modification, variation and/or amendment as the Directors may deem fit or expedient in the best interest of the Company. LIM HAN WENG Director Dated : 28 November 2023 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SWEE HONG REALTY SDN BHD (196901000698 (9130-U)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) At a General Meeting of the members of abovenamed Company held on 23 November 2023, the following special resolutions were duly passed :- 1. THAT the Company be liquidated by way of members’ voluntary winding up and that Tan Chin Tiong of 52 Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of the winding up. 2. THAT the said Liquidator be authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind amongst the contributories of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. 3. THAT the said Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred in or sustained by him in the execution and discharge of his duties as Liquidator and in relation thereto. TAN CHIN TIONG Director Date: 28 November 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SWEE HONG REALTY SDN BHD (196901000698 (9130-U)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) Notice is hereby given that the creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required on or before 29 December 2023 to send in their names and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and their names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned at 1A Jalan 17/45, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, the liquidator of the said Company, and, if so required in writing from the said liquidator, are by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove the said debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved. TAN CHIN TIONG Liquidator Date: 28 November 2023 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GOLDEN SPANIEL SDN. BHD. Company No: 199201022064 (253568-U) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of GOLDEN SPANIEL SDN. BHD. held on 27 November 2023, the following Special Resolutions were duly passed :- 1. “THAT the Company will be liquidated by way of members’ voluntary winding up pursuant to Section 439 (1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016.” 2. “THAT MR KAM CHAI HONG of C.H. Kam Consultancy (2005) Sdn. Bhd., 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor be appointed as Liquidator to act for the purpose of winding up the company’s affairs and distributing its assets.” “THAT the Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by him in the execution and discharge of his duties in relation thereto.” GOON SWEE KHEONG Chairman Dated : 28 November 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GOLDEN SPANIEL SDN. BHD. Company No: 199201022064 (253568-U) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 29 December 2023 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove the said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Liquidator Kam Chai Hong 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru. Dated this 28 day of November 2023 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR (BAHAGIAN DAGANG) NO. PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT: WA-28NCC-1137-11/2023 Dalam perkara Ritma Hebat Sdn Bhd (No.Syarikat.: 200401007844 [646348-H]) Dan Dalam perkara Seksyen 465(1)(e) dan 466(1)(a) Akta Syarikat 2016 Dan Dalam perkara Kaedah – Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 ANTARA KESUTRA SDN BHD [(No.Syarikat: 200701020688 (778704-M)] ...PEMPETISYEN DAN RITMA HEBAT SDN BHD [(No.Syarikat: 200401007844 (646348-H)] ... RESPONDEN IKLAN PETISYEN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah, pada 6 November 2023, dikemukakan oleh KESUTRA SDN BHD. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut diarahkan supaya didengarkan di hadapan mahkamah yang bersidang di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada pukul 9:00 pagi pada 20 Februari 2024. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang sesuatu perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguambelanya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat berdaftar Pempetisyen adalah di 1-47, Jalan SP2, Taman Segar Perdana, Cheras, 43200, Selangor dan alamat perniagaan di Unit 503, Block F, Pusat Perdagangan Phileo Damansara 1, Jalan 16/11, Off Jalan Damansara, 46350, Petaling Jaya Selangor. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe yang beralamat di A3-3-6, Solaris Dutamas, No.1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Chong + Kheng Hoe …………………..……… Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe Peguamcara Pempetisyen NOTA - Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan, atau menghantar dengan pos, kepada Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe yang dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak berkenaan, atau jika ia sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau peguamcaranya, jika ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan, atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi, supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12.00 tengahari pada 19 Februari 2024 (sehari sebelum tarikh yang ditetapkan untuk perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut). IKLAN PETISYEN ini diisukan oleh oleh Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe, peguamcara Pempetisyen yang dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di A3- 3-6, Solaris Dutamas, No.1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. [Tel: 03-6205 3928 / E-mel: [email protected] / Rujukan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ffl (;3(5,(1&(5(48,5(0(176ffl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flflfl WKH6XQLVSXEOLVKHGE\6XQ0HGLD&RUSRUDWLRQ6GQ%KG /RW/HYHO-DODQ3HWDOLQJ-D\D6HODQJRU IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO.: WA-28NCC-1126-11/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of the Companies Act 2016, the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 and the Companies (Winding-up) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Pro Redline Venture Sdn. Bhd. [Company No. : 201301020717 (1050547-D)] BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 199101010745 (221057-V)] …PETITIONER AND PRO REDLINE VENTURE SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: 201301020717 (1050547-D)] …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the above-named Company by the High Court at Kuala Lumpur was on the 6th day of November 2023 presented to the said Court by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Insolvency sitting at Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, the 20th day of February 2024 at 9:30 o’clock in the morning and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any Creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at 7th Floor, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Kama & Wan, whose address is at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. …………………… Messrs. Kama & Wan Solicitor for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Kama & Wan, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock in the noon of the 19th day of February 2024. This Advertisement of Petition is filed by Messrs. Kama & Wan, Advocate & Solicitor on behalf of the Petitioner of No. 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. (Tel: 03 89221485) (email: [email protected]) (Ref No.: WS/PUNB/PRVSB/1068(L)) 322 Notices 3 STY. SUPERLINK FOR SALE : 012-813 8660 (E(3)2059) * Terms & Conditions apply. Walking Distance to Paramount LRT(PJ). Brand New/22’ x 116’/ 5Beds+4baths. Built-in with Quality Finishes, CCTV plus Alarm System & etc. … Special Sale Offer* Show unit for viewing. XXXXX 168 Houses for Sale IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SOUTHERN CAPITAL GATEWAY SDN. BHD. Company No: 199101004529 (214839-P) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of SOUTHERN CAPITAL GATEWAY SDN. BHD. held on 27 November 2023, the following Special Resolutions were duly passed :- 1. “THAT the Company will be liquidated by way of members’ voluntary winding up pursuant to Section 439 (1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016.” 2. “THAT MR KAM CHAI HONG of C.H. Kam Consultancy (2005) Sdn. Bhd., 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor be appointed as Liquidator to act for the purpose of winding up the company’s affairs and distributing its assets.” “THAT the Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by him in the execution and discharge of his duties in relation thereto.” LEE TIOW LIP Chairman Dated : 28 November 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SOUTHERN CAPITAL GATEWAY SDN. BHD. Company No: 199101004529 (214839-P) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 29 December 2023 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove the said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Liquidator Kam Chai Hong 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru. Dated this 28th day of November 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT MALACCA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO: MA-28NCC-33-10/2023 In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) and 466 (1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of KONKRIT EKSPRES SDN. BHD. [Company No: 199001013106 (204676-U)] BETWEEN LHT TRADING SDN. BHD. [Company No: 199701014977 (430474-U)] … PETITIONER AND KONKRIT EKSPRES SDN. BHD. [Company No: 199001013106 (204676- U)] … RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court was on the 12th day of October 2023 presented by LHT Trading Sdn. Bhd. of No. 8, Jalan Kenanga 1/25B, Taman Kenanga Seksyen 1, 75200 Melaka. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Melaka at 9.00 o’clock in the morning on the 8th day of January 2024 and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purposes and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at LHT Trading Sdn. Bhd. of No. 8, Jalan Kenanga 1/25B, Taman Kenanga Seksyen 1, 75200 Melaka. The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Lawrence Tan & Associates of No. 17-1, Jalan PPPS 2, Pusat Perniagaan Putra Sentosa, 75150 Melaka. Dated this 21st day of November 2023 t.t. ........................................... Messrs. Lawrence Tan & Associates Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or sent by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Lawrence Tan & Associates, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The Notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 7th January 2024. [Ref: LTA/L/WP-HC/LHT-KESB/2322] [Tel: 06-2405933] 322 Notices 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 SCAN ME TUESDAY NOV 28, 2023 India thrash Australia to go 2-0 up OPENER Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan led India’s batting charge to set up a convincing 44-run win over Australia in the second Twenty20 international yesterday. Jaiswal smashed a 25-ball 53 and fellow left-hander Kishan hit 52 off 32 deliveries to help India to 235-4 after being invited to bat first in Thiruvananthapuram. Spinner Ravi Bishnoi and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna took three wickets each as the hosts kept Australia down to 191-9 and extend their lead to 2-0 in the fivematch series. Batsmen ruled as Jaiswal laid the foundation for India’s mammoth total with key contributions from fellow opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made 58, and Rinku Singh’s unbeaten nineball 31. “The boys are not putting too much pressure on me. They are taking on us,” India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who won his second successive match as national captain, said. “I told them (players) before, be prepared to bat first. There was a lot of dew. We talked to defend it later.” Jaiswal was named man of the match and said, “It was really special for me. I was trying to play all my shots. Was trying to be fearless. I was sure of my decisions.” Jaiswal, who smashed nine fours and two sixes, raced to his fifty in 24 balls but soon fell to fast bowler Nathan Ellis, who got three wickets. Kishan, a wicketkeeperbatsman, raised his fifty with a six off leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha before he got out to Marcus Stoinis. But the left-handed Rinku finished off the innings with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. In reply, Australia fell to 58-4 including Steve Smith (19), previous-match centurion Josh Inglis (two) and Glenn Maxwell (12) back in the dug-out. Skipper Matthew Wade struck an unbeaten 42 off 23 balls to reduce the margin of loss for Australia, who last week lost the opener four days after being crowned champions of the ODI World Cup. “We’re making the right decisions but aren’t executing in the right moments,” Australia coach Andre Borovec said. The third T20 is today in Guwahati. – AFP ENGLAND white-ball captain Jos Buttler was retained by Rajasthan Royals for next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) but compatriot Jofra Archer was released by Mumbai Indians yesterday. England batter Joe Root has already joined Test captain Ben Stokes in skipping the 10-team T20 league following a heavy workload having played three matches in his IPL debut for Rajasthan. Mumbai released 11 players, including Archer, who is nursing an elbow pain that ruled him out of England’s white-ball tour of West Indies next month. Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is set to lead Chennai Super Kings again after the five-time champions retained the league’s arguably the most popular player. Delhi Capitals retained Rishabh Pant, who has been out of action since a horrific car accident last December. Royal Challengers Bangalore released Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, Englishman David Willey and South African Wayne Parnell hinting at an overhaul of their bowling attack as they search for their maiden IPL title. – AFP Buttler retained for IPL 2024, Archer released
SPORTS SPORTS TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 28 Max sets new Max sets new landmark andmark Verstappen toasts Tost after Abu Dhabi win completes dominant season I T WAS a measure of Max Verstappen’s spare capacity in a season of recordbreaking success that the first person he mentioned yesterday after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a retirementbound F1 veteran team boss, Franz Tost. After 18 years as the head of Red Bull’s junior team, an operation that has been a conveyor belt of talent for the Milton Keynes-based outfit and others, Tost was on the Alpha Tauri pit wall for the final time. “Thank you to everyone,” said Verstappen on his in-lap after his record 19th win of the season and the 54th of his career. “And thank you to Franz Tost. He has had lots of us under his wings and it is his last race – so thank you to Franz.” Verstappen’s progress from “Mad Max” in his early days of impetuous aggression through his determined arrival as a serial champion, following his controversial 2021 triumph at the Yes Marina Circuit, to his latest role as a record-breaking winning machine has been unstoppable. Yesterday, he became the first driver to complete a season having led more than 1,000 laps – 1,003 of the 1,325 available – to deliver a percentage rate of 75.70%, a feat that surpassed the 60-year-record of twotime champion Jim Clark, who led 506 of 708 laps at a rate of 71.47% in 1963. “It’s been an incredible season,” he said. “It was a bit emotional on the in-lap, the last time sitting in the car which has, of course, given me such a lot. “And I am very proud to win here in the last race and I have to say a big thank you to everyone at Red Bull. It’s been an incredible year – it will be hard to do something similar again. “We know that, of course. You always want to do better but sometimes doing better is not only race wins and potentially winning the championship. We will see! We’re working hard for next year to have again a very competitive car.” As he began his celebrations, Formula One’s records were being revised again – he is the youngest driver to score points, the youngest race leader, youngest winner, youngest to record a fastest lap and the youngest to score a “grand slam” of pole, victory and fastest race lap. And he also holds records for most podiums in a season (21), most wins (19), most points (575) and most consecutive wins (10). Without question, his triumphant 2023 season was the most dominant by any driver in F1 history, having won more than 86% of the races. He was beaten only three times in 22 races – twice by teammate Sergio Perez and once by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, in Singapore, where Red Bull experienced a rare off-day. His advantage in points ahead of Perez in the drivers’ championship, at the end of the season was 290 points – more points than the Mexican accumulated over the 22 races, 285, to secure second place in the title race ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, 234. The Briton finished ninth to score two important points that ensured Mercedes retained second place ahead of Ferrari in the teams’ title race by three points. – AFP Hamilton concerned by raging Bull’s advantage SEVEN-TIMES world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed concern about Red Bull’s continued dominance and questioned whether Mercedes could close the gap next year after Formula One’s Abu Dhabi seasonender yesterday. Once-dominant Mercedes finished second in the constructors’ championship but with less than half the points scored by Red Bull. “It’s not been a great year. There’s not a lot to take from the year in general,” Hamilton told Sky Sports television after finishing ninth with teammate George Russell third. “The fact that I survived it, probably that’s about it. At this moment I don’t really know,” he added when asked whether he believed Mercedes could challenge with next year’s car. “For Red Bull to win by 17 seconds in the end and they haven’t even developed their car since August is definitely a concern. “But we’ve learned a lot about the car and it’s just down to the team now. They know what they need to do. Whether or not we will get there, we will see.” Team boss and co-owner Toto Wolff sounded more o p t i m i s t i c , despite Mercedes ending a season winless for the first time since 2011. “This day feels like you’ve won and that’s great. We’ve got to be happy about that but also as a racer you want more, but today we won,” he said of the battle with Ferrari for second overall. “We have a gap to the leaders, but the two (Mercedes) teams in Brackley and Brixworth (engines) are so motivated, we have so much good things in the pipeline, so much new things,“ continued the Austrian. “I am in a really good place to see what’s coming together. We’ve got to take momentum from here and take that momentum into the factories.” – Reuters ITALY won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1976 as Jannik Sinner crushed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-0 to seal a 2-0 win over Australia yesterday in Malaga. The world No. 4 clinched victory in the second singles rubber after Matteo Arnaldi dug deep to beat Alexei Popyrin 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in the opening clash. Sinner, who remarkably beat top-ranked superstar Novak Djokovic twice in one day on Sunday as Italy eliminated Serbia, secured his country’s second title against Lleyton Hewitt’s 28-time winners in style. “I felt quite good today… this is a really important win for me, the whole team and Italy together,” said Sinner. “This is something different, really special, because you don’t play for yourself, you play for the whole team.” “We are all very young, we are really hungry to try to win it one more time in our life, but in another way, you know, having this feeling at least once, it is a really special feeling,” Sinner added. The Italian said his team triumphed because the group pushed each other on in search of their country’s first Davis Cup since 1976. Sinner arrived after losing the ATP Finals title to Djokovic the previous Sunday. “I played coming from Turin, I gave 100%, all I had,” added Sinner. “I think the whole team, they pushed each other on, and this is maybe our key, why we are standing here with this trophy.” Australia captain Hewitt was disappointed after finishing runners-up for a second consecutive year but hailed the superb Sinner. “Jannik, he’s played awesome all week, the last few weeks, to be honest, the last few months,” said Hewitt. “So he showed why he’s a top three or four player in the world at the moment. “He backed up what he did yesterday against Novak and played extremely good tennis.” De Minaur also acknowledged Sinner’s superb form, which saw him win titles in Montpellier, Toronto, Beijing and Vienna this year. “I think probably Novak said maybe a week ago, Jannik is riding this amazing wave of confidence,” said the world No. 12. “He’s seriously impressive (with) the level he’s showing.” – AFP Sinner steers Italy to Davis Cup glory ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX: 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 3. George Russell (Mercedes), 4. Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 5. Lando Norris (McLaren), 6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 7. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 8. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), 9. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 11. Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri), 12. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 14. Alexander Albon (Williams), 15. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas), 16. Logan Sargeant (Williams), 17. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo), 18. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari), 19. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), 20. Kevin Magnussen (Haas). FASTEST LAP: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) DNF: Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) FINAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS DRIVERS: 1. Max Verstappen (NED) 575pts, 2. Sergio Perez (MEX) 285, 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 234, 4. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 206, 5. Charles Leclerc (MON) 206, 6. Lando Norris (GBR) 205, 7. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 200, 8. George Russell (GBR) 175, 9. Oscar Piastri (AUS) 97, 10. Lance Stroll (CAN) 74, 11. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 62, 12. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 58, 13. Alexander Albon (THA) 27, 14. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) 17, 15. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 10, 16. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 9, 17. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 6, 18. Zhou Guanyu (CHN) 6, 19. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 3, 20. Liam Lawson (NZL) 2, 21. Logan Sargeant (USA) 1, 22. Nyck de Vries (NED) 0. CONSTRUCTORS: 1. Red Bull 860pts, 2. Mercedes 409, 3. Ferrari 406, 4. McLaren 302, 5. Aston Martin 280, 6. Alpine 120, 7. Williams 28, 8. AlphaTauri 25, 9. Alfa Romeo 16, 10. Haas 12 CHAMPION Perez gets formal warning RED BULL’S Sergio Perez was given a formal warning for calling Formula One stewards “a joke” over team radio after they gave him a five-second penalty during the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The sanction demoted the Mexican from second at the chequered flag, in a one-two with teammate Max Verstappen, to fourth. “The stewards are a joke, man,” Perez said on his slowing down lap. “I cannot believe it. They have been very bad this year but this is a joke. That was really a joke.” Stewards summoned the driver to a post-race hearing and handed him a warning. They noted Perez had made “a genuine and sincere apology” to each of them, explaining he made the comments in the heat of the moment and had not considered them being broadcast to a wider audience. F1 teams escape punishment FORMULA ONE teams were told to ensure mechanics had eye protection in the pitlane after stewards found numerous breaches during the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. All team managers were summoned after the race to answer allegations of team members lacking the mandatory eyewear during pitstops. The stewards issued a later statement saying the video evidence had been in some cases insufficiently clear to prove whether a team member with an open helmet visor might have been wearing glasses. “Notwithstanding, there were numerous examples of eye protection not being used,” they added. “The safety of team members is paramount. All teams are requested to stress the importance of eye protection for all personnel working on a car and ensure that this article is respected by all team members in the future.” No punishments were given. Max hijacks own interview MAX VERSTAPPEN sabotaged his own interview after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday, welcoming in Fernando Alonso and taking over the role of interviewer. Verstappen was discussing his race with reporters when he spotted Alonso waiting in line to carry out his own media duties. Taking over the role of interviewer, he opted to usher the Aston Martin driver into his slot. “Fernando, how was your race?” Verstappen asked to a giggling Alonso. “My race was a lot more exciting than yours I think,” the Spaniard responded with a wry smile. Verstappen then probed deeper, asking the 42-year-old for a synopsis of his evening. Alonso explained: “Yeah I’d been in the fight… different than yours I guess.” PITLANE RESULTS & STANDINGS Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (centre) raises the winners’ trophy as he stands on the podium with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (left) and Mercedes’ George Russell. – AFPPIX
SPORTS SPORTS TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 29 RODRYGO sent Real Madrid provisionally top of La Liga with two goals in a comfortable 3-0 win at Cadiz yesterday. The Brazilian winger also set up a goal for La Liga’s top scorer Jude Bellingham, who now has 11 to his name this season in the Spanish top flight. Madrid climbed a point clear of high-flying Girona, who host Athletic Bilbao overnight looking to reclaim top spot. Carlo Ancelotti’s side also rose four points clear of fourth-placed rivals Barcelona, following their 1- 1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, and thirdplaced Atletico Madrid. Madrid were dealt severe blows over the past fortnight with Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga suffering long-term injuries, joining Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Aurelien Tchouameni on the sidelines. Despite that, Madrid secured a straightforward victory which is not something they take for granted after the international break, and less so with an injury-ravaged squad. “Sometimes difficulty is just more motivation and the players understood that very well,” Ancelotti told reporters. “All the absences that we have are important players, but we managed it well and the team was very good out there.” Madrid dominated the opening stages and took the lead after 14 minutes when Rodrygo dribbled across the penalty area and curled a sumptuous strike into the top right corner. “Rodrygo is back – he made the difference today,” said Ancelotti. Rodrygo got his second after the break and set up the third for Bellingham and the England international drilled a tidy low finish across goal with his left foot. With the job done, Ancelotti withdrew both goalscorers and handed young forward Gonzalo Garcia his debut. “I’m grateful and happy, since I was little I’ve been a Real Madrid fan and I’ve dreamed of playing with the first team,” Garcia, 19, told Real Madrid TV. “I’ll keep the shirt and I’ll ask my teammates to sign it.” The only negative note for Madrid was veteran Luka Modric going off with what Ancelotti said was a “muscle overload”. Madrid host Napoli on Thursday (4am Malaysian time) in the Champions League having already qualified from the group but looking to seal top spot. In an earlier matches, Marcelino Garcia Toral enjoyed a comfortable win on his return to La Liga management with Villarreal, with Jose Luis Morales’ hattrick sinking Osasuna 3-1. Real Sociedad, fifth, earned a 2-1 win at Sevilla, who had Sergio Ramos and Jesus Navas sent off. Veteran defender Ramos’s dismissal was the 29th red card of his career, and a record-extending 21st in La Liga. Willian Jose’s goal helped Real Betis, seventh, edge Las Palmas 1-0 to pull level with Athletic Bilbao, sixth, on 24 points. – AFP 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 Stay informed with the latest news and trends All the best articles from Monday to Friday 32 pages full colour Subscribe now for Monday-Friday copies of theSun newspaper 6 month subscription (128 issues) for only RM110* (Normal price RM128) 1 year subscription (258 issues) for only RM200* (Normal price RM258) 1 year subscription at normal price RM258* (258 issues) + RM50 administration fee to get 2nd year free 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) Fax: 03-7781 4484 Post: P.O. 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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 Rodrygo sends Madrid top Brazilian winger , Bellingham on target against Cadiz LAUTARO MARTINEZ ensured that Inter Milan kept hold of their two-point lead at the top of Serie A as he struck in yesterday’s scrappy 1-1 draw at closest rivals Juventus. Argentina forward Martinez swept home Marcus Thuram’s low cross in the 33rd minute following fine play down the right flank from his strike partner, to keep second-placed Juve at arm’s length in the title race. His 15th goal in all competitions brought Inter level six minutes after Dusan Vlahovic broke a two-month scoring duck with a similar first-time finish at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. The stalemate ended a six-match winning streak in all competitions for Inter, who are favourites to claim a 20th Scudetto ahead of AC Milan who have also won the league 19 times. “For how the match went we’ll take the point,” said coach Simone Inzaghi to DAZN. “We know it’s not easy to score at Juventus but after going behind the team stayed in the match and we scored a great goal.” Inzaghi’s side have come through the first of a series of tough tests with a Champions League trip to Benfica next up on Thursday (4am) before they face Napoli in Naples on Sunday. They have already reached the last 16 of Europe’s top competition but are battling with Real Sociedad for top spot in Group D with the Spanish outfit travelling to Milan next month. – AFP Martinez maintains Inter’s lead Real Madrid’s Nacho (left) in action with Cadiz’s Roger Marti. – REUTERSPIX
SPORTS SPORTS TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 30 ANGE POSTECOGLOU remained defiant and insisted Tottenham were on the path to being “a very good football team” despite a 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa consigning them to a third consecutive defeat. Spurs were without 11 first-teamers but Postecoglou doubled down on his philosophy with a back four containing no centrebacks, several attacking players handed first League starts of the season and no recognised defensive midfielder in the starting line-up. It initially paid off with Giovani Lo Celso firing Tottenham ahead in the 22nd-minute and while the hosts had 18 shots, three goals disallowed and hit the woodwork twice, Aston Villa punished their profligacy to move above them into the Premier League’s top four. Postecoglou reflected: “It is just the situation we’re in at the moment, but we’ll get through it. “It might take a little while, but we’ll get through it and as long as we show the same intent and play the football we did today, I’ve got no doubt when we come out the other side, we’ll be a very good football team. “We had four fullbacks out there so we didn’t really have the height, which we knew would be an issue for us today but you kind of take those calculated risks with the flipside of it being that some of our football was outstanding today. “I mean some of the goals we could have scored would have ended up being showreels for us in the way we want to play our football, so for me the positives definitely outweigh the negative of the result. “We’ve just got to make sure the players stay focused on what’s important right now and you need to win games of football to keep yourself in the mix to be in a strong position come the end of the year, but right now we’re still building a side. “What’s more important is the way forward has to be with what the end goal is in mind and today was about trying to play the football we want to play. “If we fell short, we fell short but I didn’t think we fell short today. I thought it was just fine margins for us and not getting the rewards.” While Tottenham created chances aplenty, it was visiting Villa who clinched an eighth victory from their last 10 matches after Pau Torres’ header in first-half stoppage-time was backed up by Ollie Watkins’ low effort after 61 minutes. It pressed home their case as a genuine contender for Champions League qualification but former Arsenal boss Unai Emery insisted there are seven teams ahead of them. “That was an amazing match,” Emery added. “I think both teams, different ways tactically but very hard, very tough. “They create chances, we create chances and we were efficient and clinical. Really I enjoy it but I lost all my energy. “Of course we can get confidence when we are winning matches like here at Tottenham, but still in my mind, it is 38 matches that we have to be consistent. “There are seven contenders more than us to be in the top seven, to be in the top four but while we are there, we are going to try to keep (there).” – The Independent ‘We’ll get through it’ City only trained for 25 minutes, says Guardiola PEP GUARDIOLA has claimed that he has not properly trained his Manchester City players in his seven years at the Etihad Stadium – despite winning five Premier League titles, the Champions League and a treble. And the Catalan said it is impossible to work with his players on the training pitch now without risking injuring them, because the fixture list is so packed. Guardiola said City are instead learning from their past after revealing they only did 20 or 25 minutes work on the pitches at the Etihad Campus to prepare for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, while they had a shorter pre-season than everyone else to give players time off after winning two finals in June. “In seven years I don’t train,” he said. “Maximum 35 minutes. We don’t train. They started pre-season 15 days before… do you know what 15 days is? We played the FA Cup final and the Champions League final. “They had 15 days more with the new players. We didn’t do one day (of) tactical (work). “The day before, we train… it is the same for Jurgen (Klopp), I’m pretty sure. We did 10- 15 minutes with the ball and 10 minutes defensively.” City face RB Leipzig in the Champions League tomorrow (4am) and Guardiola is worried that if he tries to work with his players, he will lose others. Midfielders Kevin de Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes are injured while the ill Jack Grealish also missed the Liverpool game, as he only named six outfield substitutes. “We cannot train. If we train, we don’t have players for the next game. We don’t have them. That’s why we have to learn from the past: just understand what you have to do. The press, who jumps. This is what we absolutely rely on.” Guardiola joked that, instead of time on the training pitch, his players absorbed his message from his good looks. “Because I’m really good. I’m a handsome man, I seduce them,” he smiled. – The Independent VIRGIL VAN DIJK has weighed into the debate over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position by proclaiming his Liverpool teammate as the complete package. Alexander-Arnold delivered another reminder of his attacking talents as he got forward to strike a fine equaliser for the Reds in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at champions Manchester City. The 25-year-old rightback had spent a lot of a tight Premier League encounter in defensive mode, trying to contain City’s tricky Belgium winger Jeremy Doku. It was a sweet moment for AlexanderArnold after plenty of debate over the past fortnight over whether or how he can fit into the England team. Van Dijk, the Liverpool captain, said: “I think everyone this season, as a defender, one v one against Doku will have a tough afternoon. He’s a very good dribbler. “But I don’t think he had a tough afternoon on the whole. It’s how you defend them together and try to get two v one in situations and, in the end, I’m pleased for him that he got the equaliser. “He offers a lot defensively and, obviously in possession, he has qualities that are very special and he shows that as well, so he has the complete package. “He has to keep doing what he’s doing, keep improving, keep that high standard he has for himself and we all have for him as well.” Alexander-Arnold has expanded his game over the past year, not only playing as a conventional attacking fullback but also in a hybrid defence-central midfield role. His recent England outings against Malta and North Macedonia were also in midfield and Van Dijk admits he does not know where he will ultimately end up. “I don’t know, that’s for the coaches that work with him,” said the centreback. “I think for the moment he’s playing just fine where he is right now. “He has that freedom to mix it up and he has to do that because you see teams are working it out at times, so he has to be able to switch from staying on the outside and going on the inside as well. “I think it’s a good learning curve for him as well and (on Saturday) he did that well because obviously he was playing against one of the most in-form wingers at the moment.” – The Independent Alexander-Arnold is complete package: Van Dijk █ BY GEORGE SESSIONS █ BY RICHARD JOLLY █ BY ANDY HAMPSON Neville hails ‘magical’ Garnacho bicycle kick GARY NEVILLE hailed Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning “magical” bicycle kick against Everton. The pre-match talk had been dominated by Everton’s 10-point deduction and Erik ten Hag’s decision to award teenager Kobbie Mainoo his first Premier League start in place of Marcus Rashford. But Manchester United’s Garnacho stole the headlines with what could yet become the goal of the season. Diogo Dalot sent a cross in from the right and Garnacho hit a stunning overhead kick, drawing similarities to Rooney’s feat in the Manchester derby back in 2011. Garnacho spotted the opportunity immediately, adjusted his body and rose into the air to hit it perfectly into the top corner giving England No. 1 Jordan Pickford no chance to make the save. “He can’t believe it, Garnacho. I can’t believe it. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a stadium to see an overhead kick as good as that – and I was there for Rooney’s in the Manchester derby. That was unbelievable. A magical, magical goal,” said Neville on Sky Sports commentary. Garnacho followed up the incredible effort, by emulating Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous “siu” celebration to mark the occasion, and there will not be many more memorable ways to mark a first goal of the season. John Murray, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live said: “Memories there, some of the great goals that we’ve seen scored. “I’m thinking Mark Hughes, I’m thinking Wayne Rooney, the famous goal that he scored in the Manchester derby, that was right up there with that. “It was acrobatic, spectacular I think it’s one of the best goals I’ve seen live.” Roy Keane at halftime said: “It was an absolutely brilliant goal.” – The Independent █ BY SONIA TWIGG Postecoglou stays defiant after injury-ravaged Spurs beaten again Aston Villa’s Pau Torres (centre) scores their first goal against Tottenham yesterday. – REUTERSPIX
SPORTS SPORTS TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 31 Hendrawan committed to helping Tze Yong for Paris 2024 NATIONAL men’s singles coach Hendrawan is committed to working with shuttler Ng Tze Yong for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Having coached Tze Yong for two years, Hendrawan said he would continue to help and prepare the world No. 14 ahead of the prestigious Games. “I have a clear mission with Tze Yong. I remain committed to my responsibility of guiding Tze Yong for the Olympics in Paris,” Hendrawan said in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) statement yesterday. The statement issued by the 51-year-old Indonesian coach also dismissed speculation that he would leave the BAM in the near future. “The ongoing qualifying process is extremely competitive and Tze Yong does not need any distractions at this stage. Together, we are determined to achieve our goals,” he said. Pearly-Thinaah can deal with any issues, says Hannah YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh believes that national women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah can deal with any misunderstanding, if any, between them. She said that as experienced shuttlers, who are also in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, they should be able to work out any issues that crop up. “I have not been following any reports about them. I think there’s no problem because they are not newcomers, they have been a pair for a long time. So, I believe this is something they can definitely deal with,” she said. National badminton fans have been speculating that there is something amiss between Pearly and Thinaah after the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallists barely spoke to each other en route to losing 11-21, 21-15, 20-22 to South Koreans Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong in the first round of the China Masters last Wednesday (Nov 22). Tough task awaits injury-hit TFC Down Under TERENGGANU FC (TFC) will be without three key defenders when they take on the Central Coast Mariners FC of Australia in their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup Group G match tomorrow. Azam Azmi, Alif Zakaria and Shahrul Nizam Ros Hasni will have to sit out the away game at the Industree Group Stadium, Gosford, Australia due to injuries. “Azam Azmi will stay at home… Alif Zakaria stays at home… Shahrul Nizam stays at home. Even Safwan Mazlan (centreback) has a slight injury. We have two training sessions there (Australia) to assess whether he can compete,” TFC head coach Tomislav Steinbruckner told reporters. KDA can secure AFC slot next season: Nafuzi KEDAH Darul Aman FC now has a chance to secure a slot in next season’s AFC Champions League 2, when they collected three points after recording a 6-1 victory over Kelantan FC, in the Super League match at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium on Sunday. KDA FC head coach, Mohd Nafuzi Muhammad Zain, said that the threepoint win was important for his team to close the gap with the Selangor team, who are in second place in the Super League. “Currently, we only have a two-point difference with Selangor, and we have two more league matches left,” he said. KUALA LUMPUR City FC climbed one spot in the 2023 Super League table after beating Kelantan United FC 3-0 to earn three points at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium on Sunday. KL City under Nenad Bacina dominated the proceedings right from the start and by the 21st minute had turned the dominance into a goal when Matko Zirdum scored but despite the dominance, the city boys had to wait until the 68th minute before Paulo Josue Sturmer dos Reis made it 2-0. Striker Kipre Tchetche headed in KL City’s third goal of the night 10 minutes later to seal the victory and climb to seventh spot in the league table. Meanwhile, at the City Stadium in George Town, Penang, home side Penang FC scored a memorable 3-2 victory over Sri Pahang FC to claim all three points. Penang FC opened accounts in the 20th minute through Rafael Silva before Sri Pahang equalised through Abdeen Abdul’s strike in the 26th minute. Sri Pahang took the lead through Shazwan Andik in the 62nd minute but Penang FC fought back gamely to equalise again two minutes later before Izzat Zikri Iziruddin became the hero for Penang FC when he struck the winner in the 70th minute. At the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu, Kedah FC import Ifedayo Olusegun emerged as the star of the night to help Kedah FC whip Kelantan FC 6-1 by scoring four goals. Ifedayo put Kedah in the lead with a brn hattrick before Kelantan managed to register themselves on the scoresheet in the 73rd minute through Haziman Che Ngah. Not satisfied with his hattrick, Ifedayo added his fourth goal of the night and Kedah’s fifth in the 80th minute before Muhammad Arif Farhan completed the rout in the 87th minute. – Bernama Hotly contested sports award THE fight for the Federal Territories Sportswoman title is set to be hotly contested by Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Wendy Ng Yan Yee and Ng Joe Ee at the 2021-2022 Federal Territories Sports Awards Night in Putrajaya tomorrow. Rhythmic gymnast Joe Ee, who created a sensation at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games by capturing two golds in the ball and ribbon events, is seen as the favourite, having been crowned the 2022 National Sportswoman. She can expect a tough fight from Nur Dhabitah, who finished fourth in the women’s 3m springboard event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as well as two silvers in the Commonwealth Games and bronze in the women’s 10m platform synchronised event with Datuk Pandelela Rinong. Wendy, meanwhile, clinched silver in the 3m springboard synchronised event with Nur Dhabitah in Birmingham taking home two gold medals from the Hanoi SEA Games held in May 2022. In the mens category, a threecornered fight between weightlifter Muhammad Erry Hidayat, who clinched silver in the 73kg event in Birmingham, swimmer Steve Khiew and karate exponent S. Prem Kumar. Swimmer Bryan Leong, silat exponent Muhammad Khairi Adib Azhar and karate exponent S.G. Kathish will vie for the Most Promising Sportsman award. The Most Promising Sportswoman award will be between 2022 Malaysia Games (Sukma) athletics sensation Winnie Eng, silat exponent Ain Najwa Muhamad Basri Darul and rhythmic gymnast Valerie Ng. – Bernama PENANG FC caretaker coach Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli hopes the Panthers can continue to play with determination in their two remaining Super League matches against sixth-placed Terengganu FC and champions Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT). He said the Panthers can take heart from their win over Sri Pahang FC on Sunday as they gear up for the season’s end. “I met all the players to forge an understanding and harmony among them and, during the training session, they were highly motivated although we are in the bottom half of the standings and that was the kind of spirited performance they displayed throughout the 96 minutes of the game (against Sri Pahang) last night. “I hope all the players, be their seniors or youngsters, will always be ready as I will use them at any time based on my game plan,” he told reporters after Penang edged Sri Pahang 3-2 at the City Stadium on Sunday night. Commenting on the game against Sri Pahang, Akmal Rizal said they managed to play differently and the players carried out his game plan to perfection. “We saw how they, for example, did not rely on long balls and there was less chaos in the attack. “I am happy they have adapted to my style of play,” he said. Asked about the possibility of him staying on as the permanent coach of the Panthers, Akmal Rizal said he would always be ready to answer the call if the management team had faith in him. Meanwhile, Sri Pahang assistant coach Datuk Ahmad Yusof said his players lost focus midway through last night’s game. “We are quite disappointed but we will look ahead and prepare for our (two remaining) matches against JDT and Kuala Lumpur City FC,” he said. With yesterday’s win, Penang are in 10th position in the 14-team Super League standings with 23 points while Sri Pahang are fifth with 44 points. – Bernama ‘Panthers must step up against Turtles’ ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Tottenham 1 (Lo Celso 22) Aston Villa 2 (Torres 45, Watkins 61), Everton 0 Manchester United 3 (Garnacho 3, Rashford 56-pen, Martial 75). P W D L F A Pts Arsenal 13 9 3 1 27 10 30 Man City 13 9 2 2 33 13 29 Liverpool 13 8 4 1 28 11 28 Aston Villa 13 9 1 3 31 18 28 Tottenham 13 8 2 3 25 17 26 Man Utd 13 8 0 5 16 16 24 Newcastle 13 7 2 4 31 14 23 Brighton 13 6 4 3 28 23 22 West Ham 13 6 2 5 23 23 20 Chelsea 13 4 4 5 22 20 16 Brentford 13 4 4 5 19 18 16 Wolves 12 4 3 5 16 20 15 Crystal Palace 13 4 3 6 13 18 15 Nottm Forest 13 3 4 6 16 21 13 Fulham 12 3 3 6 10 20 12 Bournemouth 13 3 3 7 14 28 12 Luton 13 2 3 8 12 23 9 Sheff Utd 13 1 2 10 11 34 5 Everton 13 4 2 7 14 20 4 Burnley 13 1 1 11 10 32 4 Note: Evertondeducted 10ptsfollowing breach of Premier Leaguefinancial rules. LA LIGA: Villarreal 3 (Morales 57, 71, 80) Osasuna 1 (Catena 78), Real Sociedad 2 (Dmitrovic 3-og, Sadiq 22) Sevilla 1 (En-Nesyri 60), Cadiz 0 Real Madrid 3 (Rodrygo 14, 64, Bellingham 74), Real Betis 1 (Jose 19) Las Palmas 0. TOP 5 P W D L F A PTS Real Madrid 14 11 2 1 31 9 35 Girona 13 11 1 1 31 16 34 Atletico 13 10 1 2 30 12 31 Barcelona 14 9 4 1 27 14 31 Sociedad 14 7 4 3 25 17 25 SERIE A: Cagliari 1 (Dossena 10) Monza 1 (Maric 61), Empoli 3 (Caputo 4-pen, Fazzini 30, Kovalenko 86) Sassuolo 4 (Pinamonti 12 Henrique 22, Berardi 66-pen, 90+2), Frosinone 2 (Soule 34, Monterisi 90+4) Genoa 1 (Malinovskyi 38), Juventus 1 (Vlahovic 27) Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 33), Roma 3 (Mancini 20, Dybala 81, El Shaarawy 90) Udinese 1 (Thauvin 57). TOP 5 P W D L F A PTS Inter Milan 13 10 2 1 30 7 32 Juventus 13 9 3 1 20 8 30 AC Milan 13 8 2 3 21 14 26 Napoli 13 7 3 3 26 14 24 Roma 13 6 3 4 25 15 21 BUNDESLIGA:Heidenheim 0 Bochum 0, Hoffenheim 1 Mainz 1. TOP 5 P W D L F A PTS Leverkusen 12 11 1 0 37 10 34 B. Munich 12 10 2 0 43 9 32 Stuttgart 12 9 0 3 31 15 27 Dortmund 12 7 3 2 25 19 24 RB Leipzig 12 7 2 3 29 12 23 FRENCH LIGUE 1:Nice 1 Toulouse 0, Lorient 2 Metz 3, Montpellier 1 Brest 3, Nantes 0 Le Havre 0, Rennes 3 Reims 1, Lyon 0 Lille 2. TOP 5 P W D L F A PTS Paris SG 13 9 3 1 34 11 30 Nice 13 8 5 0 14 4 29 Monaco 13 7 3 3 27 19 24 Lille 13 6 5 2 17 11 23 Reims 13 6 2 5 18 18 20 RESULTS & STANDINGS BRIEFS KL City secure three points … after beating Kelantan United 3-0 in Super League Kelantan’s Alif Ezzahan (left) is closely guarded by KDA’s Janasekaran. – BERNAMAPIX
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] SCAN ME TUESDAY | NOV 28, 2023 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 India trash Australia to go 2-0 up -Story - on page 28 Story on page 27 Max sets new landmark Wonder goal! Garnacho has potential to do some amazing things, says Ten Hag after screamer against Everton MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag said Alejandro Garnacho should not be compared with Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo after his superb strike in yesterday’s 3-0 win at Everton. Teenager Garnacho silenced a fired-up Goodison Park after just three minutes with an overhead finish that will be a contender for goal of the season. Former United stars Rooney and Ronaldo both struck similar goals during their stellar careers, but Ten Hag insisted it was too soon to bracket the 19-year-old Garnacho in such vaunted company. Ten Hag, who saw his side seal maximum Premier League points with second-half efforts from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, said: “Don’t compare, I don’t think it is right. They all have their own identity, but for Garnacho to go that way he has to work very hard. “You have to do it on a consistent basis and so far he has not, but he definitely has high potential to do some amazing things. “It’s not the first time we saw this, we have already often seen glimpses, but if you want to be a player like Rooney or Ronaldo you have to score 20-25 goals in the Premier League each season. “That’s not easy to get, you have to work hard, you have to go in areas where it hurts. So there’s a lot to come. But potential, he has.” Ten Hag, whose side made it five wins from six top-flight matches to close the gap at the top of the table to six points, felt Garnacho’s opening goal was extra special because of United’s build-up. The former Ajax manager added: “It was fantastic goal and this season there’s still many games to play, but probably already maybe the goal of the season. “But not only the finish, it was the total from the back to the end, but of course the finish is incredible.” Goodison Park was a cauldron before kickoff as Everton fans launched their protest at a 10-point Premier League deduction, with marches prior to the game and most fans in the stadium waving mini purple ‘Corrupt’ placards. Everton responded well to Garnacho’s opener, creating several clear-cut chances before being punished after the interval for not taking their chances. Manager Sean Dyche said it was difficult to criticise his players after his side slipped five points from safety in their first game since being handed the punishment for breaching the league’s profitability and sustainability rules. Dyche said: “It’s a tough one to call, for a large part we were very good, particularly the first half. “They get off to a lifetime goal and got the better of the first 15 minutes, but then we regrouped well. “They ended up kicking it long. We created chances but couldn’t end up scoring a goal and it hurts you in the end.” Rashford converted United’s second from the penalty spot after a VAR intervention before Martial’s neat late finish, while Everton struck the woodwork through Vitaliy Mykolenko’s second-half shot. – The Independent Alejandro Garnacho scores Man United’s first goal during yesterday’s English Premier League match against Everton. – REUTERSPIX █ BY MARK WALKER