The Sun - 06 September 2023

J AKARTA: Asean must guard against divisive actions from major powers and uphold the group’s position to protect all that has been achieved from being undermined by their unbridled rivalry, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday. Speaking at the 43rd Asean Summit Plenary Session, he said the group, with its diversity being its strength, must enhance its institutional capacities, streamline mechanisms and ensure timely implementation of its decisions. “Asean has a unique opportunity through its platforms to bring together competing parties to remind them of the need to prioritise dialogue and cooperation, to promote healthy competition and to ensure what they bring into their relations with Asean would help maintain peace, stability and prosperity in this region,” he said. Anwar pointed out that those outside the region have recognised Asean as one of the most successful regional organisations, particularly with its ability to maintain a region that is peaceful, stable, secure and prosperous, Bernama reported. “This has attracted many to establish relations with Asean, including major powers whose rivalries are being played out right at the centre of and adjacent to our region,” he said. On the “2023 edition of the standard map of China”, Anwar said Malaysia has issued its statement clearly, stating its position. “Issues on the South China Sea must be managed peacefully and rationally through dialogue and consultation by the universally recognised principle of international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas 1982,” he said. On the Asean community post-2025 vision, Anwar said Asean Community Vision 2045 outlines a clear, long-term strategic direction for the group to achieve its goal of an Asean community that can effectively respond to current and future challenges and opportunities. He expressed hope that all leaders could agree to allow for some flexibility for necessary adjustments to be made to the vision in light of relevant developments between now and its final adoption in 2025. “Malaysia thanks Indonesia for co-chairing the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) with Malaysia in 2023 as well as its excellent support oBloc has platforms to urge competing parties to prioritise dialogue, cooperation: PM Asean solidarity TELLING IT AS IT IS ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 No. 8345 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on stage with Indonesia President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana upon their arrival for the Asean Summit in Jakarta yesterday. – AFPPIC Digital platform regulatory framework mulled PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is considering adopting a digital platform regulatory framework similar to what has been implemented in Australia and Canada, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). In a statement yesterday, MCMC said the Communications and Digital Ministry and MCMC have held discussions with major online platforms such as Meta and Google to establish a licensing and regulatory framework. Following the approval of the Mandatory News Media Bargaining Code by Australia, which was the first of its kind globally, Google and Meta voluntarily entered into compensation agreements with news channels as an example of fair compensation. Similarly, Canada’s Bill C-11 aims to regulate streaming platforms and encourage support for Canadian-related content, it said. “By emulating both Australia and Canada, the involvement of the ministry and MCMC with online platforms demonstrates an unwavering commitment to address challenges in the digital market. “One of the challenges faced is the imbalance in advertising expenditure between digital platforms and local media to ensure fair compensation for news content creators,” it said. The statement was issued following a discussion between the ministry and MCMC with Meta and Google to address challenges in online media in Cyberjaya on Monday. and cooperation in carrying forward the HLTF’s work. We look forward to working with Laos next year.” As the coordinator of the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Summit, he highlighted that Asean and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have agreed to hold the summit in Saudi Arabia on Oct 20, adding that two outcome documents have been proposed, which are a joint statement on the Asean-GCC Summit and Asean-GCC Framework of Cooperation (2024-2028). “They are currently being negotiated by our officials. There is a proposal for an Asean-GCC Ministerial Meeting on Oct 19 to finalise preparations for the summit,” he said. On the Asean chairmanship rotation, Anwar conveyed Malaysia’s appreciation to the Philippines for its readiness to assume the position in 2026 and join a consensus for other member countries to continue the rotation based on alphabetical order, unless otherwise decided by the leaders. Turn to — page 2 INSIDE Malaysia aims to be biodiversity 2 superpower page Support PH for unity, Pulai voters urged 3 page

2 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME KUALA LUMPUR: As a megadiverse country, Malaysia constantly seeks to take a more proactive role in meeting its goal of emerging as a biodiversity superpower among nations with similar rich ecosystems, said Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. He added that Malaysia has done and is doing a lot in terms of biodiversity conservation and climate action, but there is much more work to do. “As I highlighted earlier, more can always be done. For instance, we can never have too much public awareness and understanding of the importance of biodiversity. Conservation efforts can only succeed if citizens are informed. “Also, Malaysia’s strong conservation laws must be enforced oStrengthening conservation laws must be prioritised and enforced consistently, says minister Acknowledging the importance of Artificial Intelligence, MCMC said the ministry and the commission aim to implement fair and smart regulations and practices, Bernama reported. “This includes plans to promote fair competition, strengthen intellectual property rights, protect users from harmful online content and safeguard user privacy,” it said The ministry and MCMC are committed to fostering an environment in which digital platforms operate fairly and responsibly for public interest, particularly as Malaysia embarks on its digital journey. On Monday’s discussions, MCMC said some of the challenges faced by online platforms include the spread of harmful content related to child sexual abuse, online gambling and content that touches on race, religion and royalty. Other challenges include fraud and data phishing, the sale and promotion of illegal substances such as drugs, impersonation, and the dissemination of fake information and news. TikTok is also scheduled to meet with MCMC to discuss similar challenges in online media, it said. Challenges faced by online platforms consistently. We do not want to have just good policies and good laws, but we must also have good enforcement,” he said in his speech at the National Climate Governance Summit yesterday. He said strengthening conservation laws must also be a priority, and this includes enforcing newly passed legislation such as the Wildlife Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022 and the National Forestry (Amendment) Act 2022 that empower authorities to protect vital habitats and species in Peninsular Malaysia. Nik Nazmi said the National Biodiversity Council should continue to emphasise a wholenation approach to biodiversity management, Bernama reported. He said Malaysia’s approach to preserving biodiversity is holistic as well as forward-thinking and the country has adopted pragmatic, progressive and long-term development strategies that recognise the intrinsic value of natural heritage. He added that key among these strategies is the alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), an international commitment aimed at reversing the decline in biodiversity. Nik Nazmi said Malaysia’s commitment to the KMGBF should go beyond support and extend to leadership which entails not only meeting targets but also setting an example for other nations to follow. “The financial aspect of biodiversity conservation must also be addressed. “The KMGBF calls for at least US$200 billion (RM932 billion) per year, with a significant portion coming from wealthy to lowincome countries. “Malaysia intends, at international forums like the COP28 (United Nations Climate Change Conference), to advocate equitable contributions, recognising the shared responsibility of nations.” Prioritise safety when awaiting convoy: Palace SANDAKAN: Istana Negara has advised the public to stay on the side of the road and avoid crossing when the Kembara Kenali Borneo convoy passes their locations to prevent untoward incidents. It also advised the public not to inconvenience themselves waiting for the convoy until late at night, especially with children present. “Local authorities are urged to take effective control measures to ensure the safety of the public on the roadside,” it said in a post on its Facebook page yesterday. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong AlSultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin AlMustafa Billah Shah was deeply touched by the overwhelming response of the people to the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour, which is ongoing until Sept 13. However, the King and the organising committee are also very concerned about the safety of the public, who eagerly await the arrival of the convoy at each planned location. Al-Sultan Abdullah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have embarked on the tour to connect with the people of Sabah and Sarawak. The royal couple’s children Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah, Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah ‘Athiyatullah, Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Ilisha Ameera and Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Ilyana are also part of the convoy. The Kembara Kenali Borneo tour is scheduled to continue its journey through four districts, namely Sandakan, Beluran, Telupid and Ranau. Among the stops for the convoy are the Sabah Forestry Institute in Telupid district and Tagal Sungai Moroli in Ranau district and a dinner with the community at Pentas Budaya, Kundasang. The Sept 3 to 13 tour which started in Tawau, will conclude in Teluk Melano, Sarawak, covering a distance of 2,154km along the Pan Borneo Highway connecting Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. – Bernama Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah with a baby Borneo elephant at the Sepilok Orang Utan rehabilitation centre in Sandakan yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC 12,000 farms granted sustainable practices certification SHAH ALAM: A total of 11,832 farms in the crops subsector have received the myGAP certification from 2003 until last year, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He said 326 farms received the myOrganic certification during the same period, and both certifications aim to promote sustainable agricultural practices to maintain the balance between the environment and ecosystems. He added that the certifications are to ensure that the industry’s growth would not result in pollution and environmental damage while meeting the increasing demand for food. “With increasing awareness of food safety and the need to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the agri-food sector will continue to be committed to improving the efficient use of natural resources. “At the same time, it (certification) increases the rate of adoption of good agricultural practices by farmers in the country,” he said at the appreciation ceremony for myGAP and myOrganic Certification in the Crop Subsector for 2022, held on Monday. The text of his speech was read by the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Lokman Hakim Ali. Mohamad explained that the letter ‘M’ in the government’s Madani slogan also referred to the core value of sustainability. – Bernama We respect ruling on Zahid case: DAP KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution’s application for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his Yayasan Akalbudi case was made at the discretion of the attorney-general but was granted by the court, said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke. He said DAP respected the court process and ruling but in the interests of justice and accountability, AttorneyGeneral Tan Sri Idris Harun should give an open explanation regarding the factors which motivated him to make the application. “This clarification is important to ensure that the confidence of the public and the international community in the country’s legal system is always preserved,” he said. – Bernama Malaysia aims to be biodiversity superpower Move to boost local rice production JOHOR BAHRU: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is confident that white rice production in the country will increase within a month through the Special Local White Rice Programme. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said several intervention steps have been taken through the programme, including directing rice millers to increase production by 20% as a short-term measure. He said several engagement sessions with padi industry stakeholders would be held tomorrow to discuss methods for the increase in rice production. Mohamad was speaking at a media conference after surveying the supply of local white rice at a supermarket in Tampoi yesterday. He said the Mini Sekinchan Smart Big Scale Padi Field project is expected to help boost local rice production as the project can produce a massive harvest of 11 tonnes of padi per hectare. He said local rice supply now is sufficient and has been maintained at the controlled price of RM2.60 per kg since 2008. – Bernama From front page

3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 JOHOR BAHRU: To promote unity, stability and national prosperity, Amanah is hoping for Chinese voters to support Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Suhaizan Kaiat in the Pulai parliamentary by-election on Saturday. Party president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said Malaysia would not be stable if only one ethnic group ruled, adding that unity and harmony among ethnic groups would boost confidence among foreign tourists and investors. “When hundreds of thousands or millions of visitors come to Malaysia, we will be able to build the country’s economy better in the future. But they will only come if the country is peaceful. “So, all ethnic groups must work together to build the nation. Stability can only be found in a unity government. Other parties do not have it because they are based on one ethnic group,” he said during a dinner with the Chinese community in Taman Bukit Indah on Monday. Also present were the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Suhaizan, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, Suhaizan said he is satisfied with the early voting held yesterday for the byelection, describing the process as being well organised with no undesirable incidents reported. “Alhamdulillah, the process went going smoothly. We had two early voting centres, which were at the Marine Police Region 2 headquarters and the Kempas police station.” Suhaizan said the use of the PH logo indicates that all parties within the unity government are participating in the by-election, with him representing them. “The same goes for the Pelangai state byelection. Although there has not been a decision yet, the seat is currently held by Barisan Nasional (BN), so we (PH) will support BN,” he said when asked how PH could get the votes of BN supporters when its logo was not on the ballot papers. The Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections will see a three-cornered fight between PH, Perikatan Nasional and independent candidates. Both by-elections are being held following the July 23 death of incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was also Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister. Pulai has 166,653 registered voters, of which 40.46% (67,434) are Chinese. New leadership lineup for army KUALA LUMPUR: The army will receive several new top leaders starting today, including the army chief, army deputy chief and western field commander, said outgoing Army Chief Jen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman. He said Army Deputy Chief Lt-Jen Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan will take over as the 30th army chief, adding that the Western Field Commander Lt-Jen Datuk Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim will replace Muhammad Hafizuddeain. “Apart from that, Second Infantry Division Commander Mejar-Jen Datuk Muhammad Huzaimi Sabri will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general and will serve as the new western field commander. “I will hand over the reins of the army to the army deputy chief, who is being promoted to general and appointed as the 30th army chief,” he told a press conference at the 29th Army Chief Appreciation Parade at Kem Perdana Sungai Besi yesterday. “I would like also to thank the media, which have been direct liaison agents to the community in providing and disseminating information related to the role and general responsibilities of the army,” he said. The parade comprised 12 detachments with 46 officers and 1,110 servicemen of various ranks, led by Lt-Kol Mohd Azroi Ariffin Shah, who is commanding officer of the 23rd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment. The ceremony involved the colours of seven regiments and corps of the army – the Royal Malay Regiment, Royal Ranger Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Signals Regiment, Royal Engineer Regiment, Royal Artillery Regiment and Royal Logistics Corps. – Bernama Support PH for unity, Pulai voters urged oStability cannot be achieved if only one ethnic group rules, says Amanah chief Prison Dept staff quarters upgrade SUNGAI BULOH: A total of 2,940 staff quarters of the Prison Department nationwide are being renovated involving an allocation of RM41 million, said the Deputy CommissionerGeneral of Prisons (Management) Abd Kadir Rais. In thanking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for providing the allocation last July, he said renovation of the quarters would boost the morale of Prison Department staff. “This will also have a positive impact on the quality of their work,” he said after the presenting the keys for Phase 1 of the staff quarters at Sungai Buloh Prison yesterday. According to Abd Kadir, the renovation works involve 102 projects. “Ten of the projects have been completed and they included two projects each at Taiping Prison and the Labuan Correctional Centre. “The others are at the Kamunting Correctional Centre, Sungai Buloh Prison, Muar Rehabilitation Centre, Penor Prison in Kuantan, Henry Gurney School in Keningau and the Henry Gurney School in Telok Mas.” Abd Kadir added that progress on the other 45 projects were at more than 50%, while work on the remainder would start soon. – Bernama Urban renewal law to be introduced PUTRAJAYA: The Local Government Development Ministry is preparing a new law specifically related to urban renewal. Its minister Nga Kor Ming said currently, urban renewal is implemented through nine existing laws, with legislation involving various ministries, departments and agencies. “If we look at development in Malaysia, there are several things that hinder efforts towards urban renewal, including the absence of specific legislation,” he said after launching the Urban Renewal Implementation Guidelines yesterday. He said the special law was prepared through the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), by conducting a Regulatory Impact Analysis with Malaysia Productivity Corporation to assess the need for a special law. Nga said the new law is expected to be tabled in Parliament at the end of next year, which will have a major impact on the national economy, as well as enabling the guidelines to be used nationwide. He said the guidelines were introduced as the governance of urban renewal varies by states and local authorities, and there is no uniform practice across the country. Nga added that the guidelines will be used as reference for the federal government, state and local authorities, developers and other stakeholders to redevelop obsolete and abandoned townships. Emphasising that urban renewal should be accorded serious attention, given that Malaysia’s urbanisation rate is expected to increase to 85% by 2040, Nga said a geospatial database for urban renewal will be created by the ministry, through PLANMalaysia. “The role of the geospatial database is as an inventory of the location and site information for potential areas for urban renewal for the whole country. It contains information such as the age of buildings or areas, the status of building conditions and others,” he said. According to Nga, Kuala Lumpur City Hall currently has the data, and a total of 139 sites with an area of 1,297ha have been identified to be redeveloped. – Bernama Nga viewing a presentation on the Urban Renewal Implementation Guidelines in Putrajaya yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Kelantan state reps sworn in KOTA BHARU: All 45 Kelantan state assemblymen took their oath of office at the first meeting of the first session of the 15th Kelantan state assembly at Kota Darulnaim yesterday. Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud (PAS-Meranti) was the first to be sworn in before newly appointed speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, followed by nine state executive councillors. Former menteri besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob (PAS-Pasir Pekan) then took his oath, followed by former state executive councillor Wan Roslan Wan Hamat (PASPengkalan Kubor). Earlier, Mohd Nassuruddin proposed Mohd Amar (PAS-Panchor) as the speaker and Datuk Mohamed Farid Mohamed Zawawi (Bersatu-Kok Lanas) as deputy speaker, and his nominations were supported by Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan (PAS-Temangan), who is also deputy menteri besar. In the recent state elections, PAS and its Perikatan Nasional partner Bersatu won 43 of the 45 seats contested to form the state government. – Bernama

4 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Invest in palliative care training, govt urged PETALING JAYA: As demand for palliative care services continues to grow, experts are concerned about a shortage of healthcare professionals and caregivers to meet the needs of patients and their families. A recent report released by the World Health Organisation showed that the shortage of palliative care professionals is a global concern. It said in many regions, including developed countries, there are not enough skilled professionals with the necessary training to provide comprehensive services. A palliative care specialist at a centre in Damansara, Wong Yi Huey said: “With the country’s ageing population and growing prevalence of chronic illnesses, the demand for quality end-of-life care has reached unprecedented levels. “This shortage not only affects the quality of care provided to patients but also places a considerable burden on families and loved ones who often have to fill the gaps in such care. “Many caregivers feel overwhelmed and under-supported, leading to fatigue, isolation, oShortage of professionals, lack of adequate resources affecting quality of service to patients: Caregivers █ BYSIVANISVARRY MORHAN [email protected] Play role to shape nation’s future, youths told KUALA LUMPUR: As heirs of the nation, the younger generation plays a crucial role in highlighting mature politics that could indirectly help shape the country towards a better future. Since youths aged 18 can now vote in elections, it is crucial that they have peer guidance to help them properly evaluate and disseminate the vast amount of political related information, particularly in cyberspace. Malaysian Youth Council president Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid said it is the responsibility of youths to rectify any inaccurate information and facts in order to increase the community’s access to reliable information. He said young people, who are the most active users of social media, should be the first to check and verify all news and information. “Young people and youths should be the ones who mobilise the cultural renewal agenda and noble attitude. “The council hopes that today’s young people will have more positive attitudes and good values to ensure a better future for the country,” he said yesterday. He was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for youths in the country to play a role in helping the government deflect accusations from certain parties in today’s political and economic landscape. Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia Youth Development lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Mursyid Arshad said by sharing their knowledge, values and commitment, youths can contribute to the betterment of the nation’s future. “Youths, as the next generation, will be in charge of developing the nation by putting in new ideas and making suggestions to the government through the right channels. “They must also put emphasis on innovation and continue to contribute their energy and expertise to the country,” he said. He added that in the context of youth development, the government could translate the involvement of youths in the national development agenda through their participation in various sectors, including education and the economy. – Bernama Guidelines on varsity entertainment events KUALA LUMPUR: Student representative councils and student unions should be involved in the process of drafting and drawing up guidelines for entertainment activities at higher learning institutions. In a statement yesterday, the Higher Education Department said the directives to all institution managements under the Higher Education Ministry were to ensure that the needs of students, as well as the locality of and suitability of each institution are taken into account before they are officially adopted. The department said the instructions were in line with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s announcement that institutions should conduct guidelines for entertainment activities held at their premises. – Bernama emotional distress and burnout, which compromise their well-being.” Supporting Wong’s call, Margaret Anne Richard, 47, who is a full-time caregiver in a community palliative care centre in Petaling Jaya, said: “Being a caregiver has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. “But the shortage of caregivers has put a tremendous strain on patients and their families. I often find myself feeling overwhelmed, as there simply aren’t enough hours in a day to provide the level of care that is required.” She stressed that it is devastating to witness the consequences of this shortage of professionals on the level of care provided, as well as the emotional burden it places on everyone involved. Meanwhile, home-based palliative care centre founder Christie Anne said due to the shortage of caregivers at her centre in Subang Jaya, she is constantly juggling multiple responsibilities and has no time to provide the level of care that she wants to. “I believe that caregivers need more support and recognition for the critical role they play in our healthcare system. Without adequate resources and support, caregivers and patients will suffer,” she said. Recognising the urgency of ensuring quality care, Wong is calling on the government for increased attention and investment in palliative care education and training. She emphasised that the government should address the shortage more effectively by expanding educational programmes and offering incentives for healthcare professionals to specialise in palliative care. “There must be mandatory caregiver training, which covers key topics like communication, professional standards and preventing burnout. “Webinars could also be conducted to foster a sense of community among care providers, facilitate learning and sharing of skills, and enhance emotional resilience.” Wong said the implementation of innovative approaches can expand access to palliative care services. This includes the integration of palliative care into primary healthcare systems and the use of telemedicine to provide support and consultations for patients and families in remote or underserved areas. “This issue must be addressed promptly to ensure that individuals nearing the end of their lives can receive comfort and support by collaborating with stakeholders, including governments, healthcare organisations and academic institutions,” she said. WATER WALK ... Visitors to 1Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya trying out an aqua orb attraction that was part of activities at a charity event yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/ THESUN

5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 Ongoing study to improve pension scheme KUALA LUMPUR: The government remains committed to continuing pensions for retirees despite an increasing operating expenditure, said Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He added that improvements were being made through a comprehensive study involving civil servant salaries and pension schemes. Ahmad said an estimated 32,000 retirees were recorded every year and the government spends RM31 billion to pay the pensions of more than 900,000 individuals. Of that number, 768,947 retirees include pension recipients under the Retirement Fund (Incorporated). “As of July, unaudited gross funds reached RM184.5 billion. Approximately 80% were invested in the country and 20% (comprised) international investments.” It is the third largest fund manager after the Employees Provident Fund and Permodalan Nasional Berhad, contributing a dividend of RM3 billion to the government. Ahmad expressed hope that the pension fund optimise investments and ensure more sustainability for public sector retirees. He added that 40% of its funds were invested in fixed income securities and private equity, while the rest were in the real estate and public equity sectors. – Bernama Govt efforts to improve hospital lauded JOHOR BAHRU: Residents in the state have expressed relief that the unity government is working to resolve numerous issues at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital. It was reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM500 million allocation for the first phase of infrastructure development, covering a new block and a multi-level car park. Civil servant Salmah Yunos, 49, who has been diagnosed with hypertension, said she usually has to wait for half an hour to find a parking spot. She said on several occasions, she had to park near shop lots about a kilometre away and walk to the hospital. “So, when the prime minister announced the allocation, I was relieved. People have been waiting a long time for this good news.” Petrol station supervisor Abdul Rashid Hamzah, 43, who regularly takes his diabetic mother for treatment at the hospital, expressed hope that the government would keep up with its upgrading efforts. “We know government hospitals treat large volumes of patients, so the new block could reduce overcrowding. The healthcare sector also needs to keep up with the nation’s fast paced development, especially in Johor, which is becoming more advanced.” M. Shobana, 54, who frequents the hospital for regular check-ups since her diabetes diagnosis three years ago, said she was grateful that Anwar and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi are attending to the people’s hardship. “This is a great effort to ease the burden of people like me who depend on government hospitals.” According to the hospital website, it was built in 1938 to replace the district hospital established in 1882. It is currently one of the busiest hospitals in the nation, handling an estimated 2,100 outpatients and 460 emergency patients daily. – Bernama 28 reports lodged over by-elections, says Johor police chief JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 28 reports related to the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections have been lodged since the campaigning period started on Aug 26, said state police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat yesterday. He added that two 3R (race, religion and royalty) offences were being investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit, while Johor police have made arrests following another two investigation papers over vandalised flags and posters. “There is no need to play up 3R issues, show strength with your respective (party) agendas. If you touch on 3R (topics), action will be taken and this will jeopardise the campaigning process, which is not good,” he said after inspecting the early voting process at the Marine Police Force Region Two headquarters in Tampoi. Kamarul Zaman said early voting for Pulai, which began at 8am in Tampoi and at the Kempas police station, was carried out smoothly without any untoward incidents. A three-cornered fight between Pakatan Harapan hopeful Suhaizan Kaiat, Zulkifli Jaafar of Perikatan Nasional and independent candidate Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi has been set for the parliamentary seat. Polling day for the two by-elections have been fixed on Saturday. – Bernama Increasing concern over fatal road collisions KUALA LUMPUR: Improving safety awareness of road users through education, training and law enforcement is necessary to reduce crash fatalities, said Alliance For A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Selangor Road Safety Council member Tengku Ahmad Marwan Tengku Mahmud. oCollaboration between govt and stakeholders needed to raise level of safety for motorists: Experts █ BYLEE KIAN SENG [email protected] 79 telco towers built in Pahang KUANTAN: A total of 79 telecommunication (telco) towers were built in Pahang under Phase One of the National Digital Network, out of a targeted 270 towers. State Communication and Multimedia, Youth, Sports and NGO Committee chairman Fadzli Mohamad Kamal said the remaining would be completed in stages. He added that the upgrade of 902 transmitter stations from a 3G to 4G network was completed in the middle of last year. “Some 69 Orang Asli villages were also equipped with free satellite broadband internet services,” he said during the state legislative assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang yesterday. He was replying to a question from V. Arumugam (BN-Sabai), who wanted to know about the progress of communication infrastructure projects being implemented throughout Pahang. Fadzli said 4G mobile broadband coverage in the state increased to 94.31% in the second quarter, compared with 89.1% during the same period in 2020. The rate is expected to continue rising after all Phase One projects are completed. – Bernama Group to review incident at event PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Drag Bike National ET Record Championship Road Tour, at which professional drag racer Muhammad Hattem Rashdi was killed, did not receive approval from the Motorsport Association of Malaysia. Youth and Sports Ministry chief secretary Dr K. Nagulendran said the event organiser must take responsibility for the incident, that happened at the Speedway Circuit in Pahang last Sunday. “We have checked the validity of the event and found that the organiser did not get (approval) from the association and the programme was not supported by the ministry. “We regret the incident happened, but the people who organised this event should be responsible because I don’t think it’s right to do the event without proper sanctioning and safety measures in place.” He added that the ministry has asked the association to carry out follow-up action with the organiser to get a clear picture of the incident. – Bernama They added that it was time the government gave serious attention to road safety in Malaysia. “The lives of six family members were claimed during a Sept 1 tragedy in Segamat, Johor. It was among the worst case this year and indirectly portrays the current road safety situation. “We need to produce well-behaved road users as fatalities are rising rapidly in Malaysia,” Lee said. He added that statistics showed such deaths increased by 13.3% between January and June, with 294,197 collisions, compared with 283,065 crashes during the same period last year. “According to research done by the authorities, 80% were caused by driver negligence. “Fatalities involving heavy vehicles also became more common and (these incidents) need serious attention.” Meanwhile, Tengku Ahmad Marwan said the number of deadly incidents involving motorcyclists remains high. “Statistics show there were 1,884 deaths during the first six months. About 17 were recorded daily for road crashes and almost 60% of the total number of victims (comprised) motorcyclists.” The duo urged the government, via the council, to come up with measures to curb road crashes. They said the council’s involvement is crucial to implement more effective initiatives and fulfil the vision, mission and target set in the Road Safety Plan 2022-2030. “There must be serious cooperation among council members at the national and state levels. Suggestions to improve the level of road safety should be reviewed while (engaging with) those from the council and other stakeholders,” Tengku Ahmad Marwan added. From left: Kpl Nur Fatihah Roselan, Kpl Nurazillah Naziah Maslin, L/Kpl Nurfharah Shatiqah Hasmuramin and L/Kpl Norajijah Azis showing their stained fingers after early voting at the Marine Police Force Region Two headquarters in Tampoi yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

6 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Taiwan president visits last African ally Eswatini TAIPEI: President Tsai Ing-wen headed to Eswatini yesterday to cement ties with Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa as China intensifies political pressure on the island. In a pre-departure speech, Tsai acknowledged support from Eswatini in the face of “many international challenges, such as the expansion of authoritarianism” in recent years. “Eswatini has always stood up to firmly support Taiwan, giving us confidence and strength,” she said at the airport. “Taiwan will not stop its steps going global and will continue to move forward more firmly and confidently to let the world see Taiwan as a steady force for good.” Tsai will attend celebrations marking the African nation’s independence day on her second visit to Eswatini since taking office in 2016. She will also hold a meeting with the king and visit a local hospital and Taiwan-sponsored projects before returning to Taipei on Friday, according to her office. Africa’s last absolute monarchy, Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is among only 13 countries that officially recognise Taiwan over China, which claims the self-ruled island as its own territory. It is Taiwan’s last diplomatic ally in Africa, after Burkina Faso ditched Taipei in favour of Beijing in 2018. China has poached nine of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and ramped up military pressure. In April, it conducted military exercises to simulate the encirclement of the island after Tsai met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. On the day Tsai’s African visit was announced last month, Taiwan’s defence ministry said it had detected 22 Chinese warplanes around the island on a “joint combat patrol” with five warships. – AFP B R I E F SJUNTA DENIES AILING SUU KYI URGENT CARE NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is ailing and a request for an outside physician to see her has been denied by the country’s military rulers, a source familiar with the matter and the shadow government loyal to her said yesterday. The 78-yearold Nobel laureate instead has been treated by a prisons department doctor. “She was suffering swelling in her gums and could not eat well and is feeling light-headed along with vomiting,” said the source, who declined to be identified. Myanmar military junta spokesman did not answer calls from Reuters. The Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since early 2021, when the military overthrew Suu Kyi’s elected government. – Reuters MAN ADMITS TO ANIME ARSON ATTACK TOKYO: A Japanese man reportedly angry that his ideas had been stolen admitted yesterday to starting a fire that killed 36 people in an animation studio in 2019, local media said. The blaze that ripped through the studios of Kyoto Animation in July 2019 shocked the anime industry and its fans in Japan and around the world. “It is correct I’ve done” what is in the charges, Shinji Aoba said at the Kyoto District Court, according to the Jiji Press news agency. “I didn’t think so many people would die and now I think I went too far,” said the 45-yearold who appeared in a wheelchair. – AFP Indonesia warns Asean on ‘destructive’ power rivalry JAKARTA: Indonesia warned yesterday against Southeast Asia’s bloc getting dragged into big-power rivalry as leaders gathered for a summit seeking to dispel worry about rifts over peace efforts in Myanmar and to reaffirm the relevance of their disparate group. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, opening a summit of the 10- member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), called on the group to devise a “long-term tactical strategy that is relevant and meets people’s expectations”. “Asean has agreed not to be proxy to any powers. Do not turn our ship into an arena for rivalry that is destructive,” Widodo said. “We, as leaders, have to ensure this ship keeps moving and sailing and we must become its captain to achieve peace, stability and prosperity together.” Former Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa said the bloc must adapt to challenges or risk oblivion. “Obituaries on Asean have been written many times over but oWidodo urges leaders of bloc to be neutral, and focus on staying relevant or risk oblivion somehow, Asean has been able to reinvent itself and reassert its relevance. I feel, today, we are at one of those junctures,” he told an Asean business forum on Sunday. Founded at the height of the Cold War in the 1960s to oppose the spread of communism, the diverse grouping prioritises unity and non-interference in members’ internal affairs. But critics say it has limited its scope for action when it comes to handling issues, such as fellow member Myanmar. Asean has banned Myanmar’s military leaders from its meetings. Malaysia called on Monday for “strong” measures against the generals, saying they had created “obstacles” to the peace plan. The summit comes after China Storms from Typhoon Haikui drench China province BEIJING: Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes, and vehicles were swept away in floods as storms from now weakened Typhoon Haikui made landfall in China’s southeastern Fujian province early yesterday after battering Taiwan for the past two days. Around 114,400 people were moved from risky areas as the typhoon rolled in with a maximum wind speed of 20m (66ft) per second. Several areas in Fujian recorded more than 300mm of rainfall in just over 24 hours. In Fuzhou city, two firefighters were missing after a fire truck carrying nine rescue workers was swept away by floodwaters, state media reported. Vehicles were swept away in the currents and some cars stranded in waterlogged areas were completely submerged, social media posts showed. Schools in Fuzhou city as well as in Xiamen, Quanzhou and Putian were also shut. Many flights were cancelled at two airports in Fuzhou and Quanzhou, tourist spots and parks were shut, and ports, coastal and river transport was suspended, state media reported. The typhoon lost strength and became a tropical storm after its landfall around 5am (5am in Malaysia), the national forecaster reported. – Reuters released a “10-dash line” map, illustrating its claim to an extensive portion of the South China Sea that will likely add urgency to negotiations on a long-delayed code of conduct in the strategic waterway. Meanwhile, South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol said yesterday Asean nations must “join forces” to respond to North Korea’s nuclear threats. In an interview with Indonesian newspaper Kompas, Yoon said North Korea’s missile launches “pose a direct and existential threat” not only to South Korea but also to its allies. “In times like these, the Republic of Korea and Asean must join forces to respond decisively and cooperate closely on North Korea’s denuclearisation.” – Agencies India bets on future in seaweed as industry appetite grows MANDAPAM: As global interest in seaweed farming grows, India has outlined ambitious plans to ramp up and modernise its small-scale production of the underwater plant, hailed for its climate-friendly credentials and nutritional value. India’s Seaweed Mission aims to kickstart cultivation of seaweed along its 7,500km (4,660 mile) coastline and boost production from 30,000 tonnes at present to 11 million tonnes by 2025. Plans include creating a seaweed park to process the wet and dried seaweed in Tamil Nadu, model demonstration farms, seaweed nurseries and developing seaweed recipes to suit the Indian palate. “India is only producing 0.02% of the world’s total seaweed,” said V. Veeragurunathan, principal scientist at the government-run Marine Algal Research Station based in Mandapam. “If all nine maritime states introduce cultivation, our role could be in the double digits.” Wheat, rice and other grains form the backbone of food security in the country. “It is the greatest untapped resource we have on the planet ... once we know how to grow (it),” said Vincent Doumeizel, senior adviser on the oceans to the United Nations Global Compact, a voluntary initiative based on private sector commitments. – Thomson Reuters Foundation ARTISTIC ALLURE ... Visitors walking past a sand sculpture depicting Dodoli, an ancient mountain god in Korean culture, during an exhibition at the Bali District in New Taipei City yesterday. – AFP

7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 Putin accused of trafficking Cubans to fight in Ukraine HAVANA: Cuba has identified an alleged human trafficking ring aimed at recruiting its citizens to fight in Russia’s war in the Ukraine. The Foreign Ministry said on Monday a human trafficking operation was being run by criminals working in both the Caribbean island nation and thousands of miles away in Russia. The Cuban government added that they were being incorporated into the military forces to participate in war operations. The government was working to dismantle a “trafficking network that operates from Russia to incorporate Cuban citizens living there, and even some from Cuba, into the military forces involved in military operations in Ukraine”, the ministry said in a statement. It said the government had initiated criminal proceedings against those carrying out the trafficking. oCarribean island nation working to ‘neutralise and dismantle’ network run by criminals Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez said in a post on X, the government was “acting with the full force of the law” against trafficking operations. “Cuba is not part of the war in Ukraine,” the ministry said, adding it would take action against anyone “who participates in any form of human trafficking for the purpose of recruitment or mercenarism for Cuban citizens to use arms against any country”. There was no immediate reaction from Moscow. Russia and Havana have boosted ties recently, with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow at the end of last year. In June, Cuban Defence Minister Alvaro Lopez Miera was received by his counterpart Sergei Shugu. Ukraine said on Monday it had made some gains against Russian forces in the south and east as it pushes ahead with a highly scrutinised counteroffensive. Russia last year announced a plan to boost the size of its armed forces by more than 30% to 1.5 million combat personnel, a lofty goal made harder by its heavy but yet undisclosed casualties in the war. In late May, a Russia newspaper in Ryazan city reported that several Cuban citizens had signed contracts with Russia’s armed forces and had been shipped to Ukraine in return for Russian citizenship. It was not immediately clear if the Cuban foreign ministry statement was associated with the Ryazan report. – Agencies Three dead in Spain after torrential rains MADRID: At least three people died and three were missing after heavy rains lashed droughthit Spain, triggering flash floods, shutting roads, subway lines and high-speed rail links. Emergency services said on Monday helicopters were sent to rescue people who had sought refuge on the roofs of their homes in Toledo. The sudden downpour on Sunday and early Monday transformed streets into rivers of mud that swept away cars and trash bins in Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia and Valencia regions. Hail also fell in many areas. Three people died in Toledo, where the weather service Aemet registered record rainfall of 90 litres per square metre on Sunday. Police said one of the victims was a young man who was trapped in a lift that filled up with water, while another was inside a vehicle when it got flooded. The third person who died was a 50-year-old man who had been reported as missing. His body was found in the afternoon floating in a river near his home in Camarena. “It just kept raining and we were a little scared, but we were indoors so we were safe,” said Isabella Stewart, a US missionary living in Toledo. Another resident, Ruben Gonzalez, said: “Everything is flooded. This is crazy.” – Reuters B R I E F SBIDEN-XI MEETING HINGES ON ‘SUFFICIENT SINCERITY’ BEIJING: China’s top security agency has hinted that any meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in San Francisco later this year will depend on the US “showing sufficient sincerity”. Biden on Sunday expressed disappointment that Xi was not attending an upcoming summit of G20 leaders in India but added that he was going to “get to see him”. Biden did not elaborate but the next likely opportunity for Biden to hold talks with Xi, as the two countries seek to stabilise troubled relations, is an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in San Francisco in November. “To truly realise ‘from Bali to San Francisco’, the US needs to show enough sincerity”, the State Security Ministry said in a post on Monday on its WeChat social media page. – Reuters EXODUS BEGINS AT BURNING MAN PARTY IN DESERT BLACK ROCK CITY: Burning Man organisers reopened the road leading out of the remote Nevada desert festival on Monday, allowing tens of thousands of attendees to escape after they had been trapped for days by mud. But many of the 64,000 people who remained on site as of Monday may choose to stay one more night and watch the festival’s giant namesake effigy go up in flames on Monday night, one day past schedule. Unexpected summer rain turned the weeklong, annual counterculture arts festival into a muddy nightmare. For days, up to 70,000 people were ordered to stay put and conserve food and water as officials closed the roads. – Reuters N. Korean, Russian leaders to meet over arms deal WASHINGTON: North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un is expected to visit Russia this month to meet President Vladimir Putin as Moscow tries to negotiate the possibility of receiving military equipment from North Korea for its Ukraine invasion. Kim would travel from Pyongyang, probably by armoured train, to Vladivostok on the Pacific Coast of Russia, where he would meet Putin, reported the New York Times. According to the outlet, both heads of state could be on the campus of Vladivostok’s Far Eastern Federal University to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, scheduled to take place from Sept 10-13. However, the date of travel or exact place of meeting is not yet clear. Meanwhile, the Kremlin said yesterday it had “nothing to say” about the report. The outlet reported that Pyongyang is expected to ask Moscow to share their advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines in exchange for weapons, citing officials on the condition of anonymity. The US has previously warned North Korea could supply more weapons to Russia, with US National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson noting earlier on Monday that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu travelled to Pyongyang recently in a bid to persuade North Korea to sell artillery ammunition. “We have information that Kim Jong-un expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level engagement in Russia.” She said the US is urging North Korea “to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Russia”. The White House said last week it had intelligence indicating Putin and Kim swapped letters following Shoigu’s visit. – The Independent Microsoft bets big on Hollywood-style video game BRUSSELS: “Starfield”, one of the mostanticipated video games in years, launches worldwide tomorrow with the hype – and production standards – of a Hollywood blockbuster. And Microsoft has billions riding on its success. The ever-evolving game is the tech giant’s bid to lock players into its Xbox subscription service after some enormous investments in the gaming sector, which is worth RM$200 billion (RM933 billion) globally. A universe-spanning role-playing sci-fi game, “Starfield” is made by US studio Bethesda, which Microsoft bought as part of a US$7.5 billion deal in 2020 to boost Xbox’s appeal over Sony’s PlayStation. Microsoft is currently trying to purchase another studio, Activision Blizzard – the makers of “Call of Duty” – for US$75 billion. The excitement for “Starfield” has been driven by a high rating of 87 out of 100 on review-aggregator Metacritic, based on early play-throughs by critics and gamers. Reviews praise its epic scale, multitude of interactive stories, engrossing first-person combat and the way it conjured ersatz interactive versions of movie franchises Star Trek, Star Wars and Blade Runner. Its appeal underscores growing fascination with games that have become increasingly cinematic, complete with nuanced acting, storytelling involving moral dilemmas and big-budget, multi-year evolving storylines. Those qualities mean they are essentially “interactive movies”, said Simon Little, head of Video Games Europe, an umbrella organisation representing European games developers. – AFP BUFFALO SOLDIERS ... Military Police from the 8th Battalion in Soure, Marajo Island in the Brazilian state of Para patrol on Asian water buffalos on Monday. – AFP

8 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 SPEAK UP Get a jump start today on creating a successful tomorrow! For the best in local and international higher education institutions, catch theSun's fortnightly Education Focus. FOCUS 2023 EDUCATION Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising. Be joyful, come what may APART from school textbooks, most of the books I bought were a long time ago in the early 1970s. I was then working as a tourist guide and spent a lot of time waiting at the airport for flights to arrive. At a shop in Subang Airport, I purchased Sylvia, Queen of the Headhunters written by the last Ranee of Sarawak and The Jungle is Neutral by Colonel Spencer Chapman, a British soldier who survived three and a half years as a guerilla fighter in the Malayan jungle during the Japanese Occupation. The most inspiring book was the Dictionary of Quotations and when devouring many old and new issues of Reader’s Digest, I always looked for quotations that could be found on many pages. In the 1990s, I read the local dailies to keep abreast with developments. The most interesting book must surely be the Guinness World Records, now in its 68th year and published in 100 countries and 23 languages and maintains over 53,000 records in its database. When very much younger and in good health, idealistic quotations easily impressed or inspired me. One fine example was the quote by American evangelist Billy Graham who proclaimed: “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” But I am now much older and wiser, and will not be telling others to live by this maxim. For someone like me, unable to perform physical tasks as well as I used to, the once-inspiring quotation now sounded like mumbo jumbo. The truth is, there is nothing more important than being healthy and staying alive. Be healthy It is bad enough for anyone to be gravely ill, but it would be a double whammy for the wealthy if they cannot be cured with all the money they have. Those disabled would feel miserable and unable to enjoy life. Being able to walk normally is better than being chauffeured around in a Rolls Royce as a cripple. Therefore, my greatest wish for others, especially my loved ones, is to live a healthy lifestyle before it is too late and to stay safe from injuries, infectious diseases, hazardous environments and risky activities that include speeding, rushing, and walking behind parked cars that may suddenly reverse. So, stay healthy and as long as you are alive, you will eventually get what you want if you truly desire. Be at peace My second wish is that you make peace with yourself so that you can also be at peace with others and accept that this world will continue to be imperfect. But wishful thinking will not make it happen. It requires a continuous process, starting with knowing who we really are such as our strengths and weaknesses, personality and traits, and being aware that we are a product of our environment and experience. We are unique individuals with our own thoughts and feelings that may be different from others. We ought to be kind to ourselves and others by forgiving ourselves for the mistakes we made and to others for the mistakes they made. We should compliment ourselves for doing a great job and be quick to praise others. We must accept who we really are and accept others who are quite different from us. Be happy My third wish is for you to be happy and it would be wonderful if happiness or sadness could be chosen like switching a lamp on or off. But we have a myriad of feelings that we experience consciously and emotions in the subconscious realm of the brain. They exist and cannot be shut off totally. Taking all the good and bad into consideration and reaching a state of happiness or sadness would only last momentarily. Therefore, wishing others to be happy may require them to make a choice, which could be a struggle for many. And even if they choose to be happy, it may just be a fleeting moment. Be joyful My wish for you is to be joyful by finding it in everything you see or do, and there could be a thousand and one things if you care to look for it. Combining the many joys experienced daily would make us happy most of the time. With practice, one could even find joy while suffering in misery. The 1997 Italian film Life is Beautiful best epitomises such a situation. The main character was a Jewish Italian bookshop owner who employed his imagination to shield his wife and son from the horrors of internment in a Nazi concentration camp where he would eventually be put to death. Although facing imminent death, he managed to move about in the camp without arousing suspicion and found joy in many things he did and never showed any fear to his son, not even while being marched to the firing squad, as he winked at his son who was too young to understand what was going on. Incidentally, the movie was the second highest-grossing foreign language film in the US after Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, released three years later in 2000 with the theme song A Love Before Time that was sung by Coco Lee, who passed away recently. I find joy in listening to this song and many other musical videos and love to watch talent auditions from around the globe easily accessible using my laptop. Apart from learning something new, I also find joy in unlearning and relearning what I know, especially those that are meaningful or useful. I am not disturbed by my forgetfulness, as I get to enjoy old movies watched years ago or read what I have written a while back, having forgotten most of it. We should not take life too seriously and ought to see the humorous side. With a good sense of humour, bad situations would be less stressful for everyone. In my youth and until today, I find joy in looking at a leaf or a patch of barren land later overgrown with a variety of wild plants that may be short such as weeds or taller as in a thicket, or a pool of water with some small fishes or tadpoles. A fish aquarium with freshwater grass can look heavenly to me. Most of the time, I found joy in making others happy by showing courtesy. While most tend to ignore babies, my wife and I would always engage them whenever we had an opportunity. Their parents would be amazed at the baby’s response, not knowing children are far more intelligent than adults think. Even if not in a state of happiness, we can still feel it by choosing to be joyful with many things we encounter daily. No matter what happens, our lives can certainly become much happier by finding and enjoying the many opportunities that are presented to us each day. So, do be joyful, come what may. Comments: [email protected] “In my youth and until today, I find joy in looking at a leaf or a patch of barren land later overgrown with a variety of wild plants that may be short such as weeds or taller as in a thicket. Lives can certainly become much happier by finding and enjoying the many opportunities presented to us each day. COMMENT by YS Chan

9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 theSun ON WEDNESDAY | NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS THE OBJECTIVES TO achieve greater unity among Malaysians TO maintain a democratic way of life TO create a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared TO ensure a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions TO build a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES BELIEF IN GOD LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY THE SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION THE RULE OF LAW COURTESY AND MORALITY Racial focus worsens climate change DESPITE all the hype over wind turbines and solar panels, electric cars and carbon suction plants, the “rain in Spain” no longer falls “in the plain” and instead the mercury has soared to 46.8°C. On the other side of the world, Beijing has been deluged with the heaviest rainfall since records began 140 years ago. But in Malaysia, there is climate change complacency as, for geographical reasons, we have only experienced a mild heatwave and slightly more severe flooding. We are where frontline nations stood 10 years ago, giving us a fortunate time buffer. To embark on a completely effective aboutturn, it is important for everyone to know that climate change is not brought about just by a simplistic burning of fossil fuels. The roots of this cataclysmic disorder are traceable to our deep-seated alienation from nature. Malaysia ought to embrace the 2E lifestyle mixing economy and ecology in a blend that is anchored on a symbiotic relationship between human society and the natural world. Nature is powered by a fuel called moderate inclusive diversity and Malaysia is founded upon such blessedness. The Merdeka setup of Umno, MIC and MCA ensured a balanced representation of Malays, Indians and Chinese in government. Upon the formation of Malaysia, this multiracial platform was further enriched by the inclusion of the diverse cultural mixes that characterise Sarawak and Sabah. Other than Malays, Indians and Chinese, we have Orang Asli, Melanau, Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazan, Bajau, Dusun, Suluk and other friends. Our nation’s inclusive diversity has been encapsulated in the tourism slogan: Malaysia Truly Asia. Of particular importance are the Orang Asli communities who live embedded in nature and who affirm that nature is embedded in them. Regrettably, this blessing of multifarious inclusive diversity is being discarded in favour of a confrontational diversity that resembles the pouring of sand into your petrol tank. In recent years, there has been a steady and notable shift from the Merdeka generation’s inclusive diversity towards ethno-religious exclusivity. For politicians, this shift is a guaranteed votewinner but it deepens the human alienation from nature and divides the nation along clear fault lines. What has induced the majority of citizens to abandon our national inclusive diversity? In the 1950s to 70s, the US served as a role model because it had fought courageously to end World War II. But from the 1980s, the US started invading Third World countries and later got entangled in a domestic culture war between guns and gays. The US factional split reflects a dichotomous tearing of the human mind that compels people to divide the world into combative irreconcilable halves. In a previous article, we have seen how the US and the West stand on one side while Russia and China stand on the opposing side. Total world defence spending by nations exceeded US$2 trillion (RM9.32 trillion) last year, absorbing one-third of the funds needed to boost ecology and the economy together. Twelve rare metals are classified as war minerals because they are being used, not to fight climate change, but to make advanced weaponry. At the national level, many countries are fracturing into two competing societies with deepening hostilities goaded on by a polarising political partisanship. In the US, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party hold opposite ideas of what their nation should be. In Malaysia, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) coalition and the PASBersatu-Gerakan coalition also hold opposite ideas of what our nation should be. The “friend or foe” approach by the US to human rights allows the people to keep and bear arms as a Constitutional right. American states that are governed by the Republican Party have adopted laws permitting anyone who reaches the age of 18 to carry a loaded gun without the need for a permit. Gun violence has killed 118,000 Americans from January 2020 to July 2023. With 400 million firearms in private hands — averaging more than one for each person — the US is truly exceptional in pandering to gun lovers. Political partisanship is largely to blame. Republican congressmen burnish their firearms credentials by featuring guns in TV ads, displaying rifle signs and making appearances at riflemen’s conventions. Schools across America are now spending billions of dollars each year to increase security, including the purchase of metal detectors. On the other side of the political divide, the Democratic Party is garnering votes by pushing a different type of human rights extremism: allowing 13-year-olds to undergo surgical treatments to change their sex. Our politicians, too, have largely ditched the Merdeka practice of harnessing diversity and are increasingly drawn towards extremist schemes that misapply cultural and religious differences to stir up fear between communities. By accentuating ethno-religious identity and depicting “others” as threats to one’s race and religion, they easily secure electoral victory. Political scientist Barbara Walter, author of How Civil Wars Start, notes that “perhaps 75% of civil wars have been fought between ethnic and religious groups” since 1991. A University of California (UC Davis) survey of 9,000 Americans last year showed that 51% believed there would be a civil war in America in the next few years and 2% said they would be willing to kill a political opponent. Africa has for decades suffered tremendously as a result of ethnic discord and ethno-religious politicking has now engulfed India’s northeastern state of Manipur in civil strife, with violent clashes between the majority Hindu Meiteis and the minority Kukis who are primarily Christian. It is no coincidence that tens of millions of Africans are feeling the negative health impacts of climate change in the form of heat stress, extreme weather and increased transmission of infectious diseases. In South Asia, extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and storms are posing substantial challenges to agricultural systems in the region. One sign indicating that Malaysia has transited to a corrosive fear-based democracy is the voting pattern at the recent six-state elections, wherein the vast majority of Malays voted for the Perikatan coalition and most nonMalays voted for the PH-BN coalition. The majority of Malays voted out of fear that a significant role for non-Malays would undermine their ethnic rights and religious beliefs. The majority of non-Malays voted out of fear that without a sufficiently adequate voice in government, they would be forced to abandon their secular lifestyles. Fear has become so overpowering that some non-governmental organisations recently urged all political leaders who belong to the dominant ethno-religious community to unite and form a government that excludes the participation of other ethnic groups. This call violates the inclusive diversity of nature and if carried through will plunge Malaysia into climate disaster. Inclusive diversity without extremes is a higher middle ground that Malaysians should repossess if only the two political coalitions can lead their supporters to stand on it. It requires a broadening of mindset on both sides. In another article, we will explore what this broadening mindset entails and why the rejection of nature’s inclusive diversity will greatly weaken Malaysia’s ability to survive a climate change onslaught imperilling the lives of Malays and non-Malays alike. The writer champions interfaith harmony. Comments: [email protected] Reinventing cultural, heritage tourism to promote unity DURING a recent retreat to Kota Kinabalu, our group, comprising families from the Alliance for a Safe Community, had a profoundly enlightening experience when we visited the Mari Mari Cultural Village. This visit, combined with the anticipation of Malaysia’s upcoming 60th anniversary on Sept 16, unexpectedly sparked an idea: the potential of using cultural tourism to foster unity among Malaysians. The Mari Mari Cultural Village served as a splendid showcase of Malaysia’s diverse East Malaysian ethnic groups and their vibrant traditions. This brief excursion served as a catalyst for me to contemplate how we could harness the power of cultural tourism to bridge divides and promote a sense of togetherness in the lead-up to such a significant national milestone. Imagine the prospect of leveraging the vibrant heritage of New Villages, Malay kampungs, and once predominantly Indian estates. Picture interactive exhibitions that transport you through time, providing firsthand experiences of the customs and values that have shaped our diverse communities. To bring this vision to life, it is imperative that the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry collaborates closely with the National Unity Ministry and engages experts well-versed in cultural preservation and promotion. By involving these professionals and proactively engaging existing tour and resort operators, we can reimagine our cultural tourism design, transcending existing limitations. They can craft engaging, interactive games that enable visitors, especially the younger generation, to appreciate and delve deep into the culture, offering a taste of what our ancestors experienced in the early days of our nation. As we approach the diamond jubilee of Malaysia’s founding, we must constantly bear in mind that our nation’s cultural richness serves as a powerful tool for promoting unity. Tourism, when conducted thoughtfully, becomes a celebration of our heritage, transcending mere economic gains. Cultural tourism serves as a platform for sharing stories, traditions, and values that have been lovingly passed down through generations. Beyond fostering unity among our own people, it plays a vital role in helping foreigners comprehend and appreciate Malaysia’s diverse cultures. As we approach this landmark anniversary, tourists who engage with our rich cultural heritage will depart with indelible memories and newfound respect for Malaysia’s hallmark of “unity in diversity”. Our unique diversity deserves to be explored in-depth, allowing us to authentically represent Malaysia’s famous tagline, “Malaysia Truly Asia”. Comments: [email protected] COMMENT by Chin Yew Sin A cultural dance performance by the Mari Mari ethnic group. An ethnic woman preparing a local delicacy. “Inclusive diversity without extremes is a higher middle ground that Malaysians should repossess if only the two political coalitions can lead their supporters to stand on it. It requires a broadening of mindset on both sides.

10 TRAVEL & LEISURE theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 S EPTEMBER is synonymous with back-to-school in many countries, but if your school days are behind you and you’re nostalgic for the ambience of classrooms and the halcyon days of field trips taken on school buses, why not indulge this nostalgia with a short getaway? The web offers a host of unique spots for travellers to “go back to school” without any of the stress of lessons and homework. If the new school year has you yearning for the charm of chalkboards and recess, perhaps spending a night or two in a quaint former schoolhouse or converted school bus will appeal. On Airbnb, the internet’s leading property rental platform, you can discover just such treasures all over the world. Nestled in the mountains of Washington State, you can sleep in a rustic old schoolhouse, built at the beginning of the 20th century and entirely renovated and fitted out for your comfort. Literary types may prefer another establishment, in England’s Lake District, where Charlotte and Emily Bront walked the halls. For a totally bucolic experience, you can also opt for a 19th-century villa that was once a school in Tuscany, Italy, which has now been transformed into a farm, or for a rural spot in New Zealand’s Makarora valley where you can enjoy a huge garden and the peaceful sheep that live there. In addition to schools, it’s also possible to spend the night in a specially converted school bus. For example, a double-decker bus in Alabama has been completely refurbished and even includes a Volkswagen minivan integrated into the roof! In Kent, England, you can enjoy a classic American bus transformed into an elegant country retreat. Finally, in Cornwall, another restored American school bus now offers unrivalled panoramic views. It’s enough to make us want to pull out our pencils and notebooks. This bus has been transformed into a cosy sleeping space in Kent, England. oYou can spend a night in a converted school bus Biggest Loch Ness monster search in decades gets underway THE biggest search for the Loch Ness Monster in five decades got underway in the Scottish Highlands last week, as researchers and enthusiasts from around the world braved pelting rain to try to track down the elusive Nessie. The expedition deployed drones with thermal scanners, boats with infrared cameras, and an underwater hydrophone to try to unravel a mystery that has captivated the world for generations. “There’s not a corner of the globe you can go to where people haven’t heard of Nessie, but it is still one of our biggest questions— what is the Loch Ness Monster?” said Paul Nixon, general manager of the Loch Ness Centre, to AFP. “I don’t know what it is. All I know is that there is something big in Loch Ness. I have seen sonar scans of objects the size of transit vans underneath the water moving. Tatiana Yeboah, 21, a tourist from France whose visit coincided with the search, said it had been a lifelong dream to visit Loch Ness. “It could be a myth, it could be real—I like to believe it is something halfway in between,” Yeboah said. Yeboah said she would keep her eyes firmly on the loch during her visit, just to make sure she didn’t miss anything. The searchers believe the thermal scanners could prove crucial in identifying any strange anomalies in the murky depths. Hundreds of sightings The hydrophone will allow the searchers to listen for unusual Nessie-like underwater calls. Stretching 23 miles (36km) and with a maximum depth of 788ft (240m), the freshwater loch is the UK’s largest lake by volume. Reports of an aquatic monster lurking in Loch Ness date back to ancient times, with stone carvings in the area depicting a mysterious beast with flippers. The earliest written record of the creature dates back to AD 565 in a biography of the Irish monk Saint Columba. According to the text, the monster attacked a swimmer and was about to strike again when Columba commanded it to retreat. More recently, in May 1933, the local Inverness Courier newspaper reported a couple driving along a newly constructed lochside road seeing “a tremendous upheaval” in the water. There are now more than 1,100 officially recorded Nessie sightings, according to the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit, near Inverness. The monster brings millions of pounds in tourism revenue to the Scottish Stretching 36km and with a maximum depth of 240m, the freshwater Loch Ness is the UK’s largest lake by volume. economy each year. Prehistoric reptile Over the years, scientists and amateur enthusiasts have tried to find evidence of a large fish, such as a sturgeon, living in the depths of the loch. Some have suggested the monster could be a prehistoric marine reptile like a plesiosaur. In 1972, the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau undertook the biggest search to date but returned empty-handed. In 1987, Operation Deepscan deployed sonar equipment across the width of the loch and claimed to have found an “unidentified object of unusual size and strength”. In 2018, researchers conducted a DNA survey of Loch Ness to determine what organisms live in the waters. No signs of a plesiosaur or other large animal were found, though the results indicated the presence of numerous eels. - ETX STUDIO Airbnb in a school

KLCI 1,454.83 STI 3,226.83 HANG SENG 18,456.91 SCI 3,154.37 NIKKEI 33,036.76 2.37 TSEC 16,791.61 1.92 KOSPI 2,582.18 S&P/ASX200 7,314.30 97.58 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] 5 MOST ACTIVES September 5, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) CLASSITA 496,123,400 8.5 +1.0 EKOVEST 125,569,300 53.5 -2.5 MRCB 78,020,200 46.0 -2.5 SAPNRG 66,140,900 5.5 UNCH UEMS 63,887,900 68.5 -5.5 EXCHANGERATES SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.7230 4.5900 4.5720 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0660 2.9450 2.9280 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.4850 3.3860 3.3760 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.4700 3.3790 3.3640 1 EURO 5.1060 4.9440 4.9280 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8170 2.7140 2.6970 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4850 3.3860 3.3760 1 STERLING POUND 5.9750 5.7890 5.7680 1 SWISS FRANC 5.3250 5.2040 5.1950 100 UAE DIRHAM 130.1700 123.4700 123.0600 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.3710 4.1020 3.8950 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.0000 62.6000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 60.9500 57.9400 57.5700 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.8100 5.4500 5.2500 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0321 0.0291 0.0240 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.2280 3.1270 3.1220 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.9000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.5700 1.4700 1.2700 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.4600 7.9800 7.7800 100 QATAR RIYAL 131.1000 124.4500 124.0400 100 SAUDI RIYAL 127.4100 120.9500 120.5700 100 THAI BAHT 13.9900 12.4200 12.0500 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY September 5, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,738.80 -64.00 FBMKLCI 1,454.83 -7.89 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 557.02 -2.46 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 172.83 -0.94 CONSTRUCTION 179.43 -2.57 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,433.30 -54.90 ENERGY 853.25 -7.78 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 579.43 -3.42 HEALTH CARE 1,657.69 +12.92 TRANSPORTATION 932.46 -2.30 PROPERTY 856.47 -22.10 PLANTATION 6,890.48 -56.10 FBMSHA 10,910.90 -67.10 FBMACE 5,208.88 -33.30 TECHNOLOGY 63.61 -0.20 TURNOVER VALUE 4.091 BIL RM2.389 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS September 5, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM NESTLE 105,800 129.90 +0.70 DLADY 19,300 22.50 +0.20 AAX 10,812,500 2.41 +0.16 AFFIN 11,848,700 2.11 +0.14 HLFG 65,800 18.24 +0.14 5 TOP LOSERS September 5, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM ALLIANZ-PA 500 16.58 -0.72 ALLIANZ 36,300 16.00 -0.24 HEIM 215,500 23.56 -0.24 HEXTECH 56,900 25.00 -0.20 MPI 50,700 28.40 -0.18 7.89 12.14 387.25 22.69 4.50 QI issues RM100m sukuk to build university campus PETALING JAYA: QI group has launched its Sukuk Ijarah Programme worth RM100 million to raise funds for land acquisition and construction of its proposed Quest International University (QIU) campus in Ipoh, Perak. Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB) is the primary subscriber at RM60 million, of the programme. The Sukuk Ijarah is issued via Silver Formula ABS Bhd, a special purpose company set-up to undertake the transaction. According to QI Capital CEO Shekhar Balasubramaniam, the 10-acre campus, which will be located in Gunung Lang, is expected to start construction in the second half of next year and to be completed within three years. “Technically, we should be looking to start construction work on the campus by the second half of 2024 and it’s a 30 month or a three year construction. We’re looking (to complete it by) 2027,” he told reporters during the press conference after the signing ceremony between QI and BPMB yesterday. Its group managing director Kuna Senathirajah shared that currently it has an enrolment of about 2,000 students and has reached full capacity in Perak. “As a growing university, we can earmark From left: BPMB group CEO Roni Abdulwahab, group corporate & investment banking managing director Mohamed Nazri Omar, corporate banking & advisory group head Wee Yee Tat, Kuna, QI group chairman Datuk Seri Vijay Eswaran and QIU chancellor Tun Arifin Zakaria at the signing ceremony. GXBank receives green light to begin operations PETALING JAYA: Grab-led digital bank GX Bank Bhd (GXBank) is the first of five licence applicants to receive approval to begin operations effective Sept 1 from the finance minister and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), ahead of the April 2024 deadline set by the central bank. GXBank, which has completed an operational readiness review, will leverage technology and innovation to serve the needs of the unserved and underserved individuals, and micro and small medium enterprises. Additionally, the digital-only bank will support customers’ needs through various channels including a mobile app and 24/7 customer support via multiple platforms. GXBank, with more than 95% Malaysian employees from both the technology and o Grab-led digital bank first of five licence applicants to get approval from finance minister and Bank Negara Port authorities to bear cost to develop maritime single window system KUALA LUMPUR: The cost of developing Malaysia’s central database of Maritime Single Window (MMSW) will be borne by the port authorities, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said the development of MMSW, which is expected to cost about RM20 million, is in line with the need for speed in business, and the system is expected to solve issues such as clearance for cargo going in and out of the country. “Delay in the release of cargo is a cost to traders,” he said in a press conference after launching the Global Shippers Roundtable here yesterday. The roundtable session was themed “Navigating the Waves of Unpredictability: Building Shippers’ Resilience for the Next Normal”. The minister said all International Maritime Organisation member states are required to develop their MMSW by Jan 1, 2024, to enable all information needed for the public authorities in connection with the arrival, stay and departure of ships, people, and cargo to be transmitted in an electronic system.– Bernama finance sectors, is led by CEO Pei Si Lai (pic), who brings with her over 25 years of extensive experience in consumer and commercial banking. The more than 200-strong team share the same conviction that combining today’s technology and finance expertise will provide the platform to empower local communities and businesses to be financially resilient. “At GXBank, we are driven by our shared purpose and passion to bring positive transformation to the financial industry, starting with solutions to address the financial struggles of Malaysians and businesses. We are thankful for BNM’s guidance, support and trust in us to offer financial solutions and help the unserved and underserved communities achieve their dreams and better quality of life,” said Pei Si Standing on Grab’s legacy of innovative tech and economic inclusion, they hope to redefine banking and reshape Malaysia’s financial landscape. “Our collaboration with consortium partners such as Kuok Group and other industry players will enable us to work hand in hand, leveraging our respective ecosystems to nurture a resilient and financially inclusive Malaysia, where no one is left behind,” said Pei Si Supporting GXBank is the newly appointed board of directors, spearheaded by Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan. She brings with her more than 30 years of experience in banking, audit, risk management and focus on governance and financial inclusion. Her previous roles in a variety of nonprofit organisations and local banks reflect her deep passion to build and promote sustainable growth for the financially underserved. With the commencement of operations, the bank will begin beta-testing its app – starting with its employees from GXBank, Grab and Kuok Group – and progressively roll out to a wider pool of users. This will enable GXBank to continuously receive feedback and refine the user experience before launching to the broader public. GXBank is a subsidiary of GXS Bank Pte Ltd – the digital bank joint venture between Grab Holdings Limited and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel) – and a consortium of other Malaysian investors, including Kuok Group. for at least 6,000 students … with the new campus. Currently, our student demographics comprise students from 50 countries who have been to QIU,” he said. Kuna said the overall cost for the whole campus, including the land, will be in the range of RM120 million to RM150 million. He said the sukuk programme will raise the initial funds albeit moving forward, there may be further fundraising required to complete the campus. Founded in 1998, QI group is a multinational conglomerate with interests in education, travel and leisure, direct selling, property development, as well as retail. Participation 27.9 43.2 28.9 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 652.0 1075.8 662.1 2389.9 Sold RM m 681.3 988.1 720.5 2389.9 Net RM m -29.3 87.7 -58.4 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) 5/9/2023

12 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 SUNBIZ /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME ExecuJet to display MRO capabilities at SAS 2023 PETALING JAYA: ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia (ExecuJet), a Dassault Aviation company, will showcase its range of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services at the Selangor Aviation Show 2023 (SAS 2023) to be held from tomorrow to Saturday. ExecuJet, which is Malaysia’s largest business aviation MRO services provider, is an exhibitor of the event at Subang Airport’s Skypark Regional Aviation Centre (RAC). Regional vice-president Asia Ivan Lim said, “As a key player in the region, we are thrilled to Lim says the growth of business aviation in Asia, coupled with Malaysia’s highly skilled workforce in the sector, has enabled ExecuJet’s MRO capabilities to grow too. oAircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul firm will also promote purpose-built facility – under construction – at Selangor Aviation Show participate and exhibit our offerings at the Selangor Aviation Show and play our part in supporting the industry and promoting business aviation in Malaysia. “The growth of the business aviation industry in Asia – coupled with Malaysia’s highly skilled and qualified workforce in the aviation sector – has enabled our MRO capabilities to steadily grow.” He noted that Malaysia has set a target of capturing almost half of Asia’s MRO market and 5% of the global MRO market by 2030. ExecuJet will showcase its expanded range of MRO capabilities, which include airframe maintenance, cabin interior refurbishment and avionics upgrades. Its maintenance facility at Subang Airport is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, European Aviation Safety Agency and US Federal Aviation Authority, Civil Aviation Administration of China and other civil aviation regulators around the world. In addition, ExecuJet will promote its new purpose-built MRO facility, which is expected to open in the first half of next year. The facility, which is in development, measures 149,500 sq ft and can accommodate 10-15 business jets of various sizes simultaneously, including the ultra-large cabin Dassault Falcon 10X as well as the recently certified Falcon 6X which will start customer deliveries this year. Lim said, “In the first phase of the construction, we completed the hangar steel structure, the roof and the reinforced concrete slab floor, marking significant milestones. Other works in the hangar and annex building are progressing well and within the timeline we set. “We are now entering the construction’s second phase which involves exterior finishing works and interior works. Once complete, the facility will be replete with huge hangar space, corporate and customers offices in addition of recreational areas, apron area and back shops.” He said ExecuJet has grown tremendously over the years and Malaysia is a regional hub for MRO and business aviation that warrants the investment it has made in the new purpose-built MRO facility in response to clients’ requirements. Hartalega decommissions Bestari Jaya facility to improve operations, cost efficiencies PETALING JAYA: Hartalega Holdings Bhd is decommissioning its Bestari Jaya facility to improve operational and cost efficiencies as it continued to face challenging market conditions in its financial year ended March 31, 2023 (FY23). This group recognised a one-off impairment of RM347 million, resulting in a loss after tax of RM239 million for FY23. Nevertheless, excluding the impairment, the group registered a full-year profit after tax of RM108 million – achieved on the back of RM2.4 billion in revenue. The group’s net cash position on March 31 stood at RM1.6 billion. For the first quarter of the current financial year ended June 30, the group’s performance continued to be impacted, recording a loss after tax of RM51 million. Revenue for the quarter stood at RM440 million. CEO Kuan Mun Leong said that despite the current headwinds which include the ongoing oversupply situation in the glove sector, heightened competition from global players as well as increased operating costs, Hartalega is focused on ensuring the longterm sustainability of the group. “Leveraging our 35 years of experience in the sector and driven by our Five-Year Strategic Plan, we are single-minded in our commitment to emerge as a stronger and more resilient company. To this end, the decommissioning of our Bestari Jaya facility will enable us to consolidate our operations at our Next Generation Integrated Manufacturing Complex in Sepang. “In tandem with this, we are focused on continuous cost optimisation measures, accelerating our culture of innovation across the organisation and tapping on heightened automation and advanced technologies to hone our competitive edge,” he said in a statement. He added that with strategic plans under way, it is optimistic that the group will weather through the current challenges. “Underpinning this is our dedicated Environmental, Social, and Governance agenda, which we will continue to drive forward to create value and ensure our sustainable growth,” Kuan said. National Fraud Portal expected to be ready by middle of next year KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is working closely with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) and the financial industry to set up the National Fraud Portal, which is expected to be ready by the middle of next year. BNM deputy governor Datuk Marzunisham Omar said the portal aims to automate and enhance the ability to trace fund movements as well as identify money mules. “BNM is working with the financial industry and PayNet to improve the National Scam Response Centre by automating the process of detecting and tracing the movement of funds stolen from financial scam victims. “We hope that by doing this, we will increase the likelihood of tracing and freezing the fund, and protect the victims from losses,” he said after a media workshop and panel discussion on financial scams at Lanai Kijang yesterday. Marzunisham said the rapid evolution of technology offers many benefits to the financial industry and consumers alike, but it has also led to the rise of AI-powered scams. “This is something that we have to guard against, we don’t want to underestimate the scammers as they would use various modus operandi to scam the people,” he said. During the panel discussion session, BNM’s technology risk specialist, Ng Lee See, warned that globally, AI technology has been misused to digitally manipulate or generate fake visual and audio content of some well-known people. It is important that the public be made aware of scammers’ tactics, and to always check investment scheme licences prior to making investments, she said. The public can refer to the Securities Commission’s website to see the list of companies or individuals licensed to carry out financial planning or investment services, as well as BNM’s website to see the list of individuals or entities regulated by the central bank. At the same time, to combat AIdriven digital crimes, Ng said, financial institutions must keep abreast with investment laws and cybersecurity operations. – Bernama Bubbles 02 targets domestic sales of at least RM10m in 2024 KUALA LUMPUR: Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd, the manufacturer of Bubbles O2 – a highly oxygenated natural mineral water product in Malaysia – is aiming to achieve sales of at least RM10 million in the domestic market in 2024. It will also explore the Asean and North American markets next year. Managing director Ain Azizah Arifin said Bubbles O2 expects product sales overseas – consisting of existing markets in Brunei and Dubai, as well as new ones – namely Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore – to contribute 3-5% to the company’s revenue in 2024. “We have been exporting to Brunei since last year and Dubai earlier this year. For the North American market, we already have several partners there, as well as South America and Canada. “The company has obtained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration for the export of Bubbles O2 to the North American market. We expect to be in the market in January next year,” she told Bernama yesterday. Ain Azizah said the company aims to increase the contribution from the export segment to 25% within five years. For 2023, Bubbles O2 has recorded an annual sales increase of 50% in the domestic market so far. Ain Azizah said the product has a great opportunity to expand in the Asean region due to the possession of a halal certificate and the high quality naturally oxygenated mineral water. At the same time, Bubbles O2 plans to release flavoured mineral water products in the local market next year. Bubbles O2 products for the domestic market can be found at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Aeon Big, Eraman, KPJ HealthShoppe and Emart24, PLUS highway stops including petrol stations at Petronas Mesra and Caltex XpressPoint. IMAR signs MoU to boost cross-border trade with 4 countries KOTA BAHRU: The Secretariat on Regional Madani Initiatives (IMAR) aims to generate a revenue of RM4.6 billion over a three-year period (2023-2026) through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on trade matching signed with 50 companies from four neighbouring countries on Monday. Its chairman, Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, said the signing of the MoU is to expand the Malaysia-Thailand border economy in addition to Bangladesh, Indonesia and Cambodia. “This initiative is being carried out to explore potential cross-border trade opportunities in various sectors in addition to building relationships with the private sector at the small and medium entrepreneur level,” he told reporters after the Malaysia-Thailand Border Trade Conference here on Monday. – Bernama

13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 Tamin soy sauce still a preferred choice KUALA KANGSAR: From using wood stoves when the company’s business started in Batu Gajah around 1951 to currently using the steam method manufacturing process, Tamin Group’s soy sauce remains a preference locally and even gaining popularity overseas. Executive chairman Datuk Sharifah Mohd Tamin said approximately 2,000 cartons of the company’s Perdana soy sauce, sized at 330ml and 630ml, are exported to Vietnam every month due to high demand. She said the soy sauce is also exported to Japan and the UK while the company’s soy sauce mee, sized 500ml and 2.3kg, is in demand in Brunei. Sharifah said the company planned to penetrate more foreign markets through collaboration with the Perak Entrepreneur Secretariat (STeP) to introduce their Perdana soy sauce and several other products in various other countries, including Turkiye and Europe. “We will be going to Turkiye in November and London in December to introduce Perdana soy sauce, garlic sauce and chilli sauce before marketing them next year. “These products are introduced at trade exhibitions and we will also go to Pakistan to introduce Tamin soy sauce,” she told Bernama in an interview at the soy sauce factory in Enggor recently. Recapping the company’s history, the well-known bumiputra company was founded by Sharifah’s Perakborn father, the late Mohd Tamin, with an initial capital of RM10. oSeventy two-year-old brand remains a local favourite, and is gaining popularity overseas too The soy sauce products he produced were well-received and became popular among the local, leading him to open two modern factories in Batu Gajah and Enggor which produced tens of thousands of bottles of sauce daily compared with the hundreds produced daily at the start of the business. The company then diversified its production to various products such as chilli sauce, tomato sauce, vinegar, tamarind, cordial, toasted grated coconut paste (kerisik), fermented soybean paste (taucu) and various types of soy sauce. It also opened a warehouse in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. Mohd Tamin’s business legacy was continued by his children and grandchildren through Salmi Hj Tamin Sdn Bhd, Zamani Hj Tamin Sdn Bhd and Maju Tamin Trading Sdn Bhd, which are bumiputera soy sauce producers that still use the natural fermentation process. With new technology, Tamin soy sauce continues to maintain its quality and taste according to the original recipe that is guaranteed to be clean and halal according to the Food Act 1983 and has received global recognition. On the company’s latest product, Tamin Signature Soy Sauce, which has a unique flavour and came in an exclusive bottle, Sharifah said the soy sauce is made from the first filtration of non-genetically modified soybeans from Canada and does not involve harmful ingredients. “The soy sauce production process is pure and uses organic soybeans as the main ingredient, which is fermented for months to produce high-quality soy sauce that is not too salty or too sweet in taste. “What’s special is that the water is filtered using high-tech nano filters and no additional flavourings are used, making it a healthy choice,” she said. The mother of four children said Tamin Signature Soy Sauce is limited in production and is currently only available online, including on her Facebook and Instagram pages, priced at RM40 for a 500mm bottle. The company is also planning to produce the soy sauce in 250 ml sizes soon. “This product receives positive responses from soy sauce enthusiasts who appreciate its true quality because it does not contain flavourings or is produced within a short period like some other brands,” she said. Sharifah said the product would be introduced to the international market through several business exhibitions in the near future before realising efforts to export the soy sauce, just like several other products from the company. She added that besides Tamin Signature Soy Sauce, which was first produced last year, there are other new product releases, including garlic sauce and black pepper chilli sauce with a smoked flavour that were introduced two years ago. Graphjet Tech recognised as one of NIMP 2030’s champions KUALA LUMPUR: Nasdaq-bound Graphjet Technology Sdn Bhd, the world’s leading graphite and single-layer graphene producer, has been chosen as one of the champions of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030). This recognition is cemented with the issuance of a certificate of acknowledgement to Graphjet Technology, reinforcing its status as a mission-based project champion under the framework of NIMP 2030. This initiative driven by NIMP 2030, aims to rejuvenate local ecosystems, foster innovation, and cultivate talent, with Graphjet Technology leading the charge. As champion for MBP1.4: Groom champions in 4 game changing advanced materials, Graphjet Technology is poised for numerous benefits. Beyond the expansion of business opportunities, the company will become an integral part of a landmark national project. With the government’s steadfast support, challenges will be addressed promptly, ensuring a smooth journey ahead. Additionally, Graphjet Technology will gain privileged access to NIMP 2030 funds and hold a vital position in the NIMP 2030 governance, contributing significantly to industry development. Graphjet Technology Sdn Bhd CEO Aiden Lee Ping Wei, said: “Being selected as a champion for NIMP 2030 resonates deeply with our core values and aspirations. We are the first in the world to transform renewable raw materials such as palm kernels, into graphite and singlelayer graphene. “Graphene, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010, is a standout material. We have created a unique patented method to turn palm kernel shell waste into single-layer graphene at a much lower cost. This breakthrough places us at the forefront of advanced material innovation in Malaysia.” Graphjet Technology’s forthcoming Nasdaq listing underscores its global ambitions, bringing international attention to Malaysia’s advanced industrial blueprint. The group is making significant strides towards its listing on Nasdaq, which is projected to lead to an impressive market capitalisation of US$1.5 billion (RM6.9 billion), showcasing its robust growth trajectory and the global investor community’s faith in its potential. Greatech launches solar panel installation project at Batu Kawan PETALING JAYA: Greatech Technology Bhd has launched its new solar panel installation project at its Batu Kawan, Penang Plant 1 (BK1). The company stated that the new solar panel installation project, started in March 2023 and completed in mid August 2023, is one of the many initiatives undertaken by Greatech towards realising the group’s commitment to “Going Green for a Greatech Future” and is aligned with Malaysia’s National Renewable Energy Policy. “As the world transitions towards cleaner and greener energy sources, Greatech is committed to championing solar power as a catalyst for sustainable development in Malaysia. Solar energy offers numerous benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, cost savings, mitigation of climate change and sustainable energy transition. Embracing solar power is a significant step towards achieving Malaysia’s climate goals and building a resilient and sustainable future. It also promotes a greener and healthier planet for present and future generations,” the company said in a statement. With the completion of this project, the company is expected to see a carbon dioxide avoidance of 25,000 tonnes and the green energy generation of approximately 43,000MWh in 25 years, which is equivalent to 54.6 million trees saved in 10 years. With the completion of this installation project in its BK1 plant, the company is looking forward to the next phase of the project, which is the installation of the solar panels in its remaining plants in Batu Kawan. ENGIE, Gamuda to boost sustainable township development PETALING JAYA: ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services and Gamuda Land Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia’s leading property developers, have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of sustainable townships in Malaysia. Under the partnership, ENGIE Services Malaysia and Gamuda Land will collaborate on the exploration and implementation of solar technologies, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation solutions in Gamuda Land’s townships. This includes the development of rooftop solar installations and green transportation infrastructure for the townships of Gamuda Cove in Kuala Langat, Gamuda Gardens in Rawang, and twentyfive7 in Kota Kemuning – all in Selangor by 2024. “We are excited to partner with Gamuda Land to advance the development of sustainable townships in Malaysia,” said Thomas Baudlot, CEO Energy Solutions Apac and country head Southeast Asia at ENGIE Southeast Asia. “This partnership is a testament to how the association between the right partners can help streamline, accelerate, and amplify what is possible in the realm of sustainable development. We look forward to helping Gamuda Land realise the ambitious sustainability targets of their Gamuda Green Plan and to building a better future together.” The partnership is aligned with Gamuda’s sustainability framework, Gamuda Green Plan, that is built on an Environmental, Social and Governance framework that charts tangible targets for the company to reduce its carbon emissions intensity by 30% by 2025 and by 45% by 2030. Gamuda Land CEO Chu Wai Lune said, “We designed and planned our townships with a target to achieve at minimum a 30% overall reduction in carbon emission as compared to the business-as-usual design. As such, Gamuda Land is always on the lookout for innovative ideas and methods that can be implemented to increase the sustainability of our townships. This partnership with ENGIE will serve as a springboard for us to pursue a wider scope of energy efficient opportunities that can complement our carbon reduction efforts.” ENGIE Services Malaysia and Gamuda Land signed their MoU in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year solidifying their partnership on sustainable development and marking a significant milestone in their commitment to advancing a low-carbon future together. Baudlot (third from left) exchanging documents with Chu. Looking on is Gamuda Land COO (strategic operations) Jess Teng Poh Fern (left) and ENGIE Services Malaysia managing director Wong Yin Kee.

14 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 SUNBIZ READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME Asset managers to sell HK buildings as higher rates bite HONG KONG: Asset managers are increasingly looking to dispose of their commercial buildings in Hong Kong as rising interest rates take a toll on mortgage payments, which for some have now exceeded rental income. Some of the sales plans also come as mortgage loans are due to be refinanced, which is made more difficult when equity in the asset drops, people in credit and property markets said. While Hong Kong reopened its borders this year after the pandemic, the recovery in the city’s commercial property sales and rental markets has been weaker than expected due to rising interest rates and a sluggish global and China economy. Office prices have dropped over 30% since their peak in 2019 following anti-government protests and Covid19, with many international firms scaling back or exiting the financial hub. Average rents also dropped 34% and vacancy rates rose to 17.3% at the end of June, according to data from Cushman & Wakefield. Sources said a few larger asset managers, eager for swift disposals, were starting to sell Hong Kong assets at discounted prices. KaiLong Group is putting two of its buildings – which both have loan facilities due this year – on the market with the deadline for non-binding bids later this month. One asset is a new 25-storey Grade-A tower in the Central financial district, while the second is also a 25-storey commercial building with 41 parking spaces in nearby Wan Chai. People with knowledge of the matter said KaiLong would like to fetch at least HK$1.5 billion (RM890 million) and HK$1.25 billion, respectively, for the sales. The asking price for the Wanchai asset was over 20% below market price, they added. Ivan Ho, Hong Kong CEO of KaiLong, told Reuters the firm is not selling because of a “bad future” but rather through a “normal marketing exercise once assets are ready for sale.” Realtors said there was little incentive for investors to hold on to buildings because assets had run into negative cash flow due to higher interest costs. – Reuters B R I E F S‘MORE THAN 70 LARGE AI LANGUAGE MODELS RELEASED IN CHINA’ BEIJING: More than 70 large artificial intelligence language models with over 1 billion parameters have been released in China, Baidu Inc CEO Robin Li told an industry event in Beijing yesterday. Baidu joins several other Chinese companies that launched AI chatbots last week after securing regulatory approval for mass market releases. These include facial recognition firm SenseTime and AI startups Baichuan Intelligent Technology, Zhipu AI, and MiniMax. Li said the latest version of Baidu’s AI chatbot, Ernie 3.5, has processing speed twice that of the previous version with 50% improved efficiency. – Reuters INDIA: TALKS UNDER WAY FOR GLOBAL PLAN ON CRYPTO RULES MUMBAI: Talks are under way on a global framework to regulate crypto assets, India’s finance minister said yesterday, adding that cryptocurrencies could not be regulated efficiently without the co-operation of all countries. “India’s (G20) presidency has put on the table key issues related to regulating or understanding that there should be a framework for handling issues related to crypto assets,“ Nirmala Sitharaman said at an event in the financial capital of Mumbai. “Active discussions are happening.” – Reuters THAILAND LOWERS FORECASTS FOR 2023 GROWTH, INFLATION BANGKOK: Thailand’s 2023 economic growth and inflation were expected to be lower than previously forecast due to softerthan-expected exports and tourism spending, the central bank chief said yesterday. Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has been impacted by slowing global growth, led by its main trading partner China and falling investor confidence due to prolonged political uncertainty following a May election. A new government was endorsed by the king on Saturday. Updated forecasts to be published later this month would see downward revisions to the earlier projection for 3.6% economic growth for 2023 and headline inflation of 2.5%, he said. Last year’s economic growth was 2.6%. – Reuters QANTAS CEO STEPS DOWN EARLY AS AIRLINE FALLS OUT OF FAVOUR SYDNEY: Qantas’ veteran CEO Alan Joyce announced his early retirement yesterday, as Australia’s once-loved national carrier faced searing criticism over price gouging and poor service. Joyce has been in charge for close to 15 years, often delivering bumper profits for shareholders and safeguarding the airline’s dominant market position. But Qantas’ reputation and Joyce’s have been battered since the pandemic – which brought job losses and soaring flight prices despite a Covidinduced multi-billion-dollar taxpayer bailout. Joyce had been due to step down in November, but on Monday the airline said that was being brought forward by two months. Chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson was tapped as Joyce’s replacement. – AFP China to launch US$40b fund to boost chip industry BEIJING: China is set to launch a new state-backed investment fund that aims to raise about US$40 billion (RM186 billion) for its semiconductor sector, two people familiar with the matter said, as the country ramps up efforts to catch up with the US and other rivals. It is likely to be the biggest of three funds launched by the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, also known as the Big Fund. Its target of 300 billion yuan (US$41 billion) outdoes similar funds in 2014 and 2019, which according to government reports, raised 138.7 billion yuan and 200 billion yuan respectively. One main area of investment will be equipment for chip manufacturing, said one of the two people and a third person familiar with the matter. President Xi Jinping has long stressed the need for China to achieve self-sufficiency in semiconductors. That need has become all the more pressing after Washington imposed a series of export control measures over the last couple of years, citing fears that Beijing could use advanced chips oXi says country must achieve self-sufficiency in semiconductors as US continues to impose export control measures to boost its military capabilities. In October, the US rolled out a sweeping sanctions package that cut China’s access to advanced chipmaking equipment and US allies Japan and the Netherlands have taken similar steps. The new fund was approved by Chinese authorities in recent months, two of the people said. China’s finance ministry is planning to contribute 60 billion yuan, said one person. Other contributors could not be immediately learned. All the sources declined to be identified as the discussions were confidential. The State Council Information Office, which handles media queries on behalf of the government, the finance ministry and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. The Big Fund also did not respond to requests for comment. The fundraising process will likely take months and it was not immediately clear when the third fund will be launched or if further changes will be made to the plan, said the first two sources. Backers of the Big Fund’s previous two funds include the finance ministry and deep-pocketed state-owned entities such as China Development Bank Capital, China National Tobacco Corporation and China Telecom. Over the years, the Big Fund has provided financing to China’s two biggest chip foundries, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp and Hua Hong Semiconductor , as well as to Yangtze Memory Technologies, a maker of flash memory and a number of smaller companies and funds. Despite those investments, China’s chip industry has struggled to play a leading role in the global supply chain, especially for advanced chips. – Reuters Data from Australian Bureau of Statistics shows net export volumes added 0.8 percentage points to GDP in Q2, more than twice analyst expectations. – AFPPIX Australian economy gets boost from visitors, infrastructure splurge SYDNEY: Australia’s export volumes jumped in the June quarter as foreign visitors swarmed the country, data showed yesterday, offsetting softness in household consumption and providing a much-needed boost to economic growth. Spending by tourists and foreign students is classed as a service export. Other figures showed the government also spent big on infrastructure in the quarter, greatly lessening the risk of a negative reading for gross domestic product (GDP). The data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed net export volumes added 0.8 percentage points to GDP in the second quarter, more than twice a n a l y s t expectations. Spending by the government added another 0.5 percentage points to growth, when most analysts had looked for a flat outcome. Taken together, that should more than offset a sharp 1.0 percentage p o i n t d r a g from inventories. “Services export volumes increased by a remarkable 12.1%, buoyed by increased student and tourist flows,” said Sean Langcake, head of macroeconomic forecasting for Oxford Economics Australia. The ABS noted the number of foreign students in Au s t ra l i a h a d finally returned to pre-pandemic levels in the quarter. “This should ensure GDP growth will be positive in Q2,” said Langcake. Household consumption has been smothered by high inflation and rising borrowing costs. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifted interest rates to a decade high of 4.1% in June in an effort to restrain inflation. – Reuters

6 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 3 W E D N E S D A Y Unleash your creativity with a new hobby on page 18 Pop culture phenomenon in cosplay on page 17 ‘Jawan’ The phenomenon on page 19 Blackpink in your area Blackpink in your area The Girls continue to break records on page 16

16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 New game, new song BLACKPINK has made a triumphant return to the music scene, debuting its first song of the year, The Girls, two weeks ago. This empowering single, created for its mobile game titled The Game, serves as the group’s initial musical offering since the release of its second album, Born Pink, last year. According to an official statement, this new track serves as a celebration of the quartet’s unstoppable climb to stardom while perfectly capturing its spirited and carefree demeanor. The song’s catchy chorus warns, “Stop sign, The Girls music video by Blackpink. - YG ENTERTAINMENT oBlackpink dominates with The Girls █ BY YASMIN ZULRAEZ we are burning it down. Better watch out, we are coming in loud. Bang bang. Just playing around, don’t mess with the girls with the girls with the girls.” In addition to the single, Blackpink also unveiled a music video in which they appear as animated versions of themselves. This exciting musical release coincides with the penultimate date of the group’s world tour, Born Pink Encore, which took place on Aug 26 at Los Angeles’ Dodgers Stadium. The tour, which began on Aug 12, featured performances at major stadiums across the United States, including MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and Oracle Park in San Francisco. Blackpink marked its seventh anniversary as a group on social media, with each member expressing gratitude for their time in the band. Rose, 26, shared her appreciation on Instagram, saying, “Thank you, Blackpink, for being such a blessing in my life. I have really been able to experience everything and more than what I have ever dreamed of growing up as an aspiring artist.” Jisoo, 28, posted a photo of the group on Instagram, captioned, “Happy seventh anniversary, Blink and Blackpink. Blackpink is always in your area. Love you.” Lisa, 26, also celebrated the occasion on Instagram, writing, “Happy seventh anniversary to me and my three amazing girls @blackpinkofficial. Seven is one of my favourite numbers, and I hope this year will be a lucky one for us. Love you girls and blinks so so much.” Jennie, 27, kept her message simple on the platform, expressing, “Seven years with @blackpinkofficial. I love us, I love Blackpink, I love Blinks.” Vijay’s son makes directorial debut THALAPATHY Vijay is a huge star in South Indian cinema, but he has kept his children hidden from the limelight for most of his career. His son, Jason Sanjay Vijay, made a cameo in a song titled Naan Adicha and danced with his father when he was just nine years old in the movie titled Vettaikaaran. But since then, nothing much has been known until now. Jason is all grown up now and graduated with a diploma in film production from Toronto Film School, Canada. He went on to pursue screenplay writing in London. Making his famous father very proud, the 23- year-old has just made his directorial debut with a short film titled Pull the Trigger. On Aug 28, Lyca Productions shared news about the new film directed by Jason with a cast of rising stars in the industry. Vijay’s son Jason directs first film. – INSTAGRAM █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI Dune trilogy likely ARRAKIS may be seen in a sequel after Dune: Part Two releases next year. In an interview with Empire Magazine, director Denis Villeneuve revealed that he hopes to continue journeying through Arrakis in a third movie based on Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah. “If I succeed in making a trilogy, that would be the dream,” he told the publication about bringing to life Herbert’s Dune follow-up. “Dune Messiah was written in reaction to the fact that people perceived Paul Atreides as a hero, which is not what [Herbert] wanted to do. My adaptation [of Dune] is closer to his idea that it’s actually a warning.” Villeneuve explained he would say goodbye to Arrakis after a third Dune film and move on to other projects. That said, a sequel to Part Two has not been greenlit. The sequel will pick up where the first film ended, with Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) reaching Chani (Zendaya) and joining forces with the Fremen to bring down the evil Harkonnens. Joining Part Two as part of Dune’s growing cast will be an albino Austin Butler as Feyd Rautha, whom Villeneuve has described as an “Olympic sword master crossed with a psychotic serial killer”, Christopher Walken as the emperor, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot and Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli. During April’s CinemaCon, Villeneuve explained that extra effort was made to differentiate the sequel from the first film. “Part One is more of a contemplative movie. Part Two is an action-packed, epic war movie. It is much more dense. We went to all new locations,” he said. “I didn’t want a feeling of repetition. It’s all new sets. Everything is new.” Originally slated for release in cinemas on Nov 3, Dune: Part Two has been pushed back to March 15 next year due to the current actors strikes. Dune: Part Two will be more action-packed than the first movie. – IMDB █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Captivating untold stories MILEY Cyrus is embarking on a new journey of self-reflection. The multitalented 30-year-old actress and singer announced on Instagram that she’s launching a TikTok series where she’ll delve into her life’s untold stories. This introspective series is inspired by her latest single, Used to Be Young. Cyrus intends to rewind the clock to 1992 and begin her story from the very beginning, encompassing the three decades of her life. She promises fresh insights into some of her most memorable moments, aiming to shed light on the Miley that existed before the advent of Hannah Montana. In her Instagram post, she shared her aspiration to “light up the world with laughter, music and iconic moments that last beyond my lifetime,” acknowledging that this journey is made possible by her devoted fans. In a TikTok video as part of the series, Cyrus opened up about her relationship with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, who topped the country charts in 1992, the year she was born. She contrasted her upbringing on a sound stage with financial and emotional stability against her father’s different experiences. Miley emotionally shared, “Him feeling Cyrus reveals intimate life stories in new TikTok series. – PITCHFORK █ BYYASMIN ZULRAEZ loved by a big audience impacted him emotionally more than it ever could me. When he feels special or important, it’s like healing a childhood wound, and I’ve always been made to feel like a star.” Cyrus also revealed more personal reflections in her new Hulu special, Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions), which premiered recently. One topic she addressed was her public feud with Sinead O’Connor, stemming from O’Connor’s concern over Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball music video in 2013. In the Hulu special, Cyrus expressed regret for not understanding the extent of O’Connor’s fragile mental state at the time and recognised her own youth and inexperience in handling such situations. Cyrus acknowledged that Wrecking Ball was a controversial endeavor but asserted that it was her choice, one influenced by men in power. She expressed disappointment in other women who criticised her, especially those who had been in similar positions in the industry. The special ended with Cyrus paying tribute to O’Connor, highlighting her respect for the late singer, and dedicating a rendition of her song Wonder Woman to her. Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions) is available for streaming on Hulu, giving fans a deeper look into Cyrus’ journey and her growth over the years.

18 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 Unleashing creativity I N the relentless pursuit of creativity, the human spirit seeks novel ways to explore self-expression and personal growth. While traditional hobbies like painting and writing are perennial favourites, there exists a treasure trove of lesser-known activities that can set ablaze the sparks of inspiration and ignite the passion within. Step into a world of enchanting hobbies that will take you on an imaginative journey, unearthing the wonders of artistic pursuits that lie just beyond the mainstream. Urban sketching Amid the bustling streets and towering buildings, urban sketching breathes life into cityscapes with the stroke of a pencil. This extraordinary hobby blends art and observation, encouraging individuals to document the vibrant pulse of urban life in all its frenetic glory. Wander through the labyrinthine alleys, capture fleeting moments, and witness the metamorphosis of the city through your artistic lens. Resin art Channel your inner alchemist and plunge into the mesmerising world of resin art. With its glass-like finish and vibrant colours, resin offers boundless possibilities for creating abstract masterpieces. The juxtaposition of liquid and solid, transparency and opacity, will beckon you to explore uncharted territories of your creative mind. Letterboxing Imagine a global scavenger hunt entwined with the magic of storytelling and the thrill of discovery. Letterboxing involves hiding containers, each with a unique rubber stamp and a logbook, awaiting intrepid seekers. Navigate through clues and riddles to unearth these secret caches, leaving behind your own mark and a tale for future adventurers to cherish. Steampunk fashion Venture into the intriguing realm of steampunk fashion, a fusion of Urban sketching. – ETSY oHere are 10 unique hobbies that spark inspiration █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Urban art. – SFGATE Victorian elegance and retrofuturistic gadgets. Dust off your sewing machine, don a top hat, and let your imagination run wild as you craft eccentric costumes adorned with gears, goggles and clockwork wonders. Embrace the extraordinary and let your attire be a window into a whimsical alternate reality. Altered book art For bibliophiles with an artistic bent, altered book art presents a delightful marriage of literature and visual expression. Old books morph into unconventional canvases, transforming each page into a magical portal. With a blend of collage, painting and poetry, you can breathe new life into forgotten tales and embark on literary adventures of your own. Experimental cooking Culinary creativity knows no bounds when you embark on a journey of experimental cooking. Break free from the confines of recipes and embrace the art of improvisation. Allow your taste buds to guide you as you blend unexpected flavours, fuse diverse cuisines and sculpt edible art that tantalises both the palate and the eye. Soundscaping Dive into a world of auditory delights through the fascinating art of soundscaping. With a medley of instruments and ambient sounds, you can craft immersive audio experiences that transport listeners to far-off lands, surreal realms, or tranquil natural spaces. Close your eyes and let the music you create be a gateway to emotions and hidden landscapes. Shadow puppetry In the bewitching interplay of light and darkness, shadow puppetry Letterboxing. – ATLAS OBSCURA Steampunk fashion. – WIKIPEDIA Altered book art. – NORTH DELTA REPORTER Experimental cooking. – TWITTER Soundscaping. – ARCH DAILY Shadow puppetry. – CGTM weaves tales of enchantment and intrigue. With nothing more than a light source, silhouettes come alive, dancing across a makeshift stage. Create intricate characters, design intricate sets, and tell stories that transcend language and culture, resonating with audiences young and old. Upcycling art Embrace sustainability and breathe new life into discarded materials with upcycling art. Salvage old furniture, repurpose bottle caps, or resurrect broken electronics, transforming them into art that carries a powerful environmental message. Unleash your ingenuity, and let your creations speak of hope and renewal. Guerilla gardening Tread the clandestine path of guerilla gardening, where beauty and nature reclaim forgotten urban spaces. Armed with a green thumb and seed bombs, sow the seeds of change in vacant lots, neglected corners and forgotten crevices. Watch as nature’s resilience blooms amidst concrete jungles, leaving behind a vibrant legacy for future generations to cherish. In a world rich with possibility, these 10 unique hobbies beckon you to uncover the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary. Embrace the unfamiliar, dance with the unexpected, and set your creativity ablaze with passion and purpose. As you venture into these uncharted territories of selfexpression, remember that true artistry lies not in the final product but in the journey of discovering the boundless depths of your imagination. So, dare to explore and let these extraordinary hobbies be your guiding stars on a lifelong quest for inspiration and creativity.

19 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 Celebrating two decades of music FOLLOWING the success of its soldout Transcendence 20-Year Concert held at Shah Alam’s Malawati Stadium in November 2019, the beloved local rock band Butterfingers are back with another concert scheduled for Oct 7 at the same venue. The band’s concert, which is given the name Malayneum 23, aims to evoke a sense of musical nostalgia in the audience by transporting them back in time. Butterfingers, led by Loque or Khairil Ridzwan Annuar, said that this idea had been kept for a long time since the success Butterfingers during their press conference for the concert. – PICS BY BUTTERFINGERS oLocal band Butterfingers revives legendary status with Malayneum 23 concert █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL Malayneum album. Commemorating Merdeka through art MALAYSIANS celebrated the 66th Independence Day on Aug 31 and in the coming weeks, we will be celebrating another occasion: Malaysia Day on Sept 16. In conjunction with the celebrations, an art exhibition aptly themed “Tanah Airku Merdeka” is being held at Menara KPJ, Jalan Tun Razak, from Aug 21 to Sept 20. A total of 50 pieces of artwork are being exhibited with special themes on National Day and Malaysia Day. Some of the selected artworks are Rull with his magnificent artwork of Jalur Gemilang – PICS BY SYAZWAN KAMAL █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI Lina Ali with her paintings. of the Transcendence Concert in 2019, but was stalled due to the world being attacked by a pandemic for several years. “This year, we see the ‘weather’ is quite good for us to carry out this project. Butterfingers believes that all our listeners and followers are always thirsty for this band’s performance live,” he said during the press conference announcing the concert on Aug 24. After a four-year hiatus since its last performance and a recent comeback at Nusafest, Butterfingers is creating a buzz with its much-anticipated Malayneum 23 Concert. The band has been dropping hints since July, and now fans can finally mark their calendars for this nostalgic event. For Butterfingers, the Malayneum 23 Concert has special significance. The band’s 2001 album, Malayneum, marked a departure from its previous style. This concert serves as the band’s homecoming and celebrates the anniversary of this experimental album. Loque emphasised that Malayneum was a pivotal release for Butterfingers, as it marked a clear departure from its earlier works. He further described the album cover’s colour as symbolising the concept of “senja,” representing the twilight of its musical journey. Lead singer Emmet Roslan also remarks: “This comeback for me is pretty neat; it’s going to be the first show that I will be playing the guitars, and I am looking forward to that. It’s nice that the band is playing together a little more as opposed to just putting the band ready and putting my vocals on top of that, which we did for the Transcendence 20.” He then continues: “Now that the band is together again, there’s more of a band spirit”. He adds that Malayneum 23 is the first album celebration show postpandemic.” Established in 1993, Butterfingers has a discography of six albums. Enthusiasts can anticipate renditions of chart-topping tracks like Malayneum, Mating Season, Ginseng and Suddenly during the concert. Tickets for the Malayneum 23 concert are priced between RM99 and RM499 and can be purchased at ticket2u.com. Superstar royal rumble A “battle” may be brewing between the two biggest stars in India, Shah Rukh Khan and Prabhas, as their movies are set to release in the same month of September 2023. Khan’s latest movie Jawan, featuring South Indian actress Nayanthara and directed by a popular director in Tamil Nadu, Atlee, is set to release on Sept 7. The movie has been promoted widely, and some of the songs have been released on the internet. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated movie of the year, Salaar, starring Prabhas, is directed by Prakash Neel, whose last movie, KGF 2, became one of the highest-earning movies last year. Salaar is expected to hit theatres at the end of the month, on Sept 28. Now, which movie will emerge as the biggest blockbuster of the year? According to a report, Salaar’s advance booking overseas is way more than Jawan’s, with booking collections doubling the amount for Jawan. However, we will not know the final result and box office collection until the movies are released. South Indian fans are waiting with bated breath to watch their favourite actor, Prabhas, who is famous for his roles in Bahubali: The Beginning in 2015 and Bahubali 2: The Conclusion in 2017. Salaar starring Prabhas. – INSTAGRAM █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI Jawan starring Khan – INSTAGRAM available for purchase, with prices ranging from RM20 to RM65,000. The most expensive one, priced at RM65,000 and titled Gemilang: Freedom of Purpose, shows a Malaysian flag flying high in the wind. The magnificent creation is a mixed media art piece on a 129 cm by 142 cm canvas, and it was made by local artist Rull Mackenzie from Klang in 2019. The artwork was the centre of attention at the exhibition for its sheer size and beauty. According to the artist Rull, he picked the flag to show his “semangat Malaysia” (spirit of Malaysia), and he used his creativity to showcase the waving and billowing movements of the flag in the air, using real fabric for the texture. “My respect for our flag made me create this painting. It’s the ‘semangat’,” explained Rull. Another artist, Lina Ali, an entrepreneur turned artist, made an oil painting showcasing harmony between different races in the country. In the painting, a Sabahan holds a wau, a traditional kite in Kelantan, while a Malay woman is playing the Indian musical instrument tabla. “It’s to showcase that we are one nation and that we are together as one. We understand each other’s culture, music and traditions,” said Lina, who was present at the event. The event was launched by Professor Madya Datuk Paduka and Dr Mohd Rosli Salahudin. The exhibition was organised by Art Market Malaysia, a platform that sells art made by emerging local and differently-abled artists. It’s a programme under the NGOs Kelab Belia Perkasa and Prihatin.

20 FASHION & BEAUTY theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 SOCIAL networks, particularly TIkTok, are a never-ending source of makeup tips and tricks that can be reproduced by us ordinary followers with varying degrees of success. And sometimes one of the techniques being explained becomes a real phenomenon. Such is the case with “tantouring,” a method that combines tanning and contouring to achieve a tanned, sculpted complexion. Anyone who thought they’d seen the last of contouring may be in for a disappointment. Over on TikTok, one of the latest trends goes by the catchy name of “tantouring,” a mix of the terms “tan” and “contouring,” that infamous method of sculpting and structuring the face with makeup. You may have guessed it: contouring is making a comeback with a subtle twist designed to bring a hint of tan to the skin - an ideal tip for those who weren’t lucky enough to enjoy a summer vacation in the sun. Popularised by several world-famous influencers, such as Kim Kardashian, contouring took a back seat to more natural makeup styles during the Covid-19 pandemic and its various periods of lockdown. But that hasn’t stopped it from racking up over two billion views on TikTok. Its new spinoff, “tantouring,” has a way to go to get to this level, but it has already generated almost 20 million views in just a few weeks. A figure that testifies to the popularity of this new makeup technique, which combines the two basic elements for success: it’s simple and effective. Self-tanner, a key component In fact, there’s really nothing complicated about this method, which simply involves swapping your usual contouring products for a self-tanner. The idea is to apply the product to the areas you wish to sculpt – the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, jawline or hairline – playing with light and shadow effects, as you would with classic contouring. But the result won’t be the same: not only will your complexion be slightly tanned, like after a tanning session on the beach, but it will also last for several days. In short, semi-permanent makeup that guarantees a healthy glow both in the morning and at bedtime. Of course, the use of self-tanning products is not without risk. The amount of product applied to the skin should be kept to a minimum to avoid having to deal with an unattractive orange complexion. Plus, a good exfoliation beforehand helps eliminate dead skin cells to obtain an even tan. This technique is not irreparable, but it is also not easy to erase, requiring delicacy, dexterity and vigilance. – ETX STUDIO ‘Tantouring’ for glowing, sculpted skin The “tantouring” technique combines tanning and contouring for a tanned, sculpted complexion. Scent of luxury about four to five kilogrammes, with each kilogramme made up of around 4,000 buds. Once picked, the jasmine is rushed to market, selling for anything between US$2.40-US$24 (RM11.15- RM111.52) a kilogramme on special days. Expression of love The jasmine of Madurai, an Asian variety with the scientific name Jasminum sambac, was given a “geographical indication” tag from the World Intellectual Property Organisation in 2013, which noted its “deep fragrance”. “It is lush, it is rich, and it is vibrant,” said Thierry Wasser, HEADY scents fill the air as skilled pickers in India pluck white jasmine before the still fresh buds are rushed for processing into a valuable ingredient for global perfumes. Jasmine only emits its powerful scent when it blooms at night, and pickers must select only the ones yet to open. “We know which one to pick,” said Malarkodi, who gave only one name, as she snapped her fingers carefully to pluck the buds, tucking into her hair a few flowers that had already bloomed. “There is no use of these but I like the smell,” she said. Jasmine’s fragrant flowers have been used for millennia in India to honour the gods, and the scent is a key part of world-famous perfumes. In the ancient city of Madurai in southern India, jasmine is omnipresent; attracting buyers from some of the world’s most recognisable perfumes, including J’adore by Dior and Mon Guerlain by Guerlain. “It is one of the most expensive oils in the world,” said the director of Jasmine Concrete, Raja Palaniswamy, which squeezes vast quantities of jasmine to create a few precious drops of delicious-smelling essence. The women picking the buds earn around US$1.50 (RM7) per day for Meenakshi, considered the guardian of the city. Meenakshi is depicted holding a parrot, a bird associated with love. Every night, people surround a shrine of the goddess with fragrant jasmine flowers as she retires with her husband Shiva in a grand, symbolic ceremony. “When you understand that the purpose of this flower is the celebration of love, brotherhood, family and friendship; when you smell it, it takes on another dimension,” Wasser said. “And to me, this flower is the expression of love. Period.” Real fragrance The process to extract the oil requires long hours of labour. The women who pluck the jasmine, be it for their deity, weddings, funerals or expensive perfumes, have no time to romance its appeal. In a jasmine field on the outskirts of the ancient city, women tenderly move the branches of the bush, looking for the perfect bud. The processing factory runs around the clock in harvest season, with workers raking out fresh-picked flowers and waiting for the oblongshaped buds to bloom. “The minute it starts blooming, it starts emitting its fragrance,” Palaniswamy said. Late in the night, as the jasmine’s sweet scent fills the air, workers collect the blooms and load them into extractors. The freshly picked jasmine is immersed in a solvent to absorb the fragrance molecules, giving a waxy extract called concrete. The concrete is further processed with alcohol to remove the waxes carefully, which then results in a potent absolute. This absolute becomes an ingredient in perfumes. Around 700kg of fresh jasmine are reduced to just one kilogramme of oil, selling for around US$4,200 (RM19,515), Palaniswamy said. But Amsavalli Karuppuswamy, who runs a stall outside the flower market where she threads flowers into garlands, said the fresh jasmine will always outweigh any oil. “I will continue to do this job till I die. Women like jasmine, so that is why we are doing this,” she said. “The scents are not worth as much as the original jasmine flowers; nothing can match the real fragrance of the jasmine.” – ETX STUDIO perfumer and “nose” at French beauty house Guerlain, speaking to AFP while visiting the jasmine operators. The jasmine in Madurai has a “smoothness... and something floral that is immutable,” Wasser added. Wasser sources the jasmine oil he uses from Palaniswamy’s company. As well as Guerlain, Palaniswamy said his company sells jasmine oil to companies including Bulgari, Dior and Lush. In Madurai, the bright, white flower can be found in the homes of the city’s residents, as strings fastened by women to their hair, and in the sprawling 14th-century complex of the Hindu goddess Jasmine’s fragrant flowers have been used for millennia in India to honour the gods, and the scent is a key part of world-famous perfumes. – ETX STUDIO oIndia’s jasmine infuses global perfume /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME

21 * SPORTS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF KIM JOO ROOF & TRUSS SDN. BHD. (Company No. 244545-K) (IN MEMBERS VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 that a Final meeting of the Members of the above company will be held at No 5 Jalan 1/15, Seksyen 1, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor on the 4th September 2023, at 11.00 am for the following purposes: 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts and any explanations therefrom. 2. To determine the disposal of the books, accounts and documents of the Company. Signed ……………………… LOW POH SEONG LIQUIDATOR Dated this: 4th September 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF RELIABLE CONSTRUCTION (M) SDN. BHD. 199101008199 (218511-X) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the Company held at Suite 12-A, Level 12, Menara Northam, No. 55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Penang on 29th August 2023, the following Special Resolution set out below was duly passed :- MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms Ch’ng Lay Hoon of Enet Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd. of Suite 12-A, Level 12, Menara Northam, No. 55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Penang be and is hereby appointed as the Liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding-up of the company’s affairs and distributing its assets at a fee to be mutually agreed upon and that the Liquidator may exercise all her powers and duties pursuant to Section 456 of the Companies Act 2016. Ooi Teik Heng Director Dated: 6th September 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF RELIABLE CONSTRUCTION (M) SDN. BHD. 199101008199 (218511-X) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required on or before 5th October 2023 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their debts or claims and the name and address of their solicitors (if any) to the Liquidator of the Company at Suite 12-A, Level 12, Menara Northam, No. 55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Penang and, if so required by notice in writing by the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their 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 or claims are proved. CH’NG LAY HOON Liquidator Dated: 6th September 2023 PERISYTIHARAN JUALAN DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG PERMOHONAN UNTUK PERLAKSANAAN NO:PA-38-348-05/2023 Dalam perkara mengenai Seksyen 256 dan 257 Kanun Tanah Negara, 1965 Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Gadaian Perserahan No: 0799SC2021003546 (bertarikh 07/01/2021) ke atas semua bahagian tanah yang dipegang di bawah HSD 46291, PT 43, Mukim 1, Daerah Seberang Perai Tengah, Pulau Pinang Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Aturan 83 Kaedah- Kaedah Mahkamah, 2012 ANTARA Public Bank Berhad (No. Syarikat : 6463-H) .. PLAINTIF DAN Kho Hui Ping (No. Kad Pengenalan : 930709075028) ...DEFENDAN Menurut Perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di PULAU PINANG mengenai Perintah Jualan dan Perintah bertarikh 21 Mac 2023 dan 26 Julai 2023, adalah dengan ini diisytiharkan bahawa Timbalan Pendaftar/Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Pusat Operasi e-Lelong di Kuantan AKAN MENJUAL SECARA LELONG AWAM Pada Hari Isnin, 18 September 2023, Pada Jam 11:00 pagi, SECARA ELEKTRONIK DI LAMAN WEB e-LELONG, PUSAT OPERASI e-LELONG, KOMPLEKS MAHKAMAH KUANTAN, PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR NOTA: Bakal pembeli adalah dinasihatkan agar membuat carian Hakmilik secara rasmi di Pejabat Tanah dan memeriksa semua tanggungan, bebanan serta mengenal pasti dengan tepat hartanah tersebut sebelum juaIan lelongan dijaIankan. Sila layari https://eIeIong.kehakiman.gov.my/bidderweb BUTIR-BUTIR HAKMILIK: No. Hakmilik : HSD 46291 No. Lot : PT 43 Mukim/Daerah/Negeri : 1 / Seberang Perai Tengah / Pulau Pinang Pegangan : Hakmilik Pajakan No. Petak/No. Tingkat/No. : Bangunan : Keluasan Tanah : 1530.0000000000 kaki persegi : 142.1300000000 meter persegi Pemilik Berdaftar : Kho Hui Ping Syarat Nyata : The land hereby alienated shall be used solely for residential purposes Sekatan Kepentingan : The land hereby alienated shall not be sub-divided Bebanan / Lain-Lain : Kawasan Rizab : Kaveat : No Pers 0799B2020008983 Kaveat Persendirian atas Tanah oleh PUBLIC BANK BERHAD No. Syarikat: 6463-H No. 6862-6864, Jalan Bagan Jermal, Bagan Ajam, 13000 Pulau Pinang didaftarkan pada 27 Oktober 2020 jam 02:43:25 petang Suratkuasa Wakil : 0799SW2005000304 Jil 106 Fol 69 No. Mahkamah : 54939/05 LOKASI DAN PERIHAL HARTANAH : Hartanah tersebut adalah “ An intermediate single storey terraced house” yang beralamat pos di No. 80, Lorong Siakap 2, Seberang Jaya, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang. HARGA RIZAB : Hartanah tersebut akan dijual atas “sepertimana sedia ada” tertakluk kepada satu harga rizab sebanyak RM 380,000.00 (RINGGIT MALAYSIA: TIGA RATUS LAPAN PULUH RIBU SAHAJA) dan kepada syarat-syarat jualan yang dilampirkan. Pembida yang berminat hendaklah mendepositkan 10% daripada harga rizab dalam bentuk Bank Draf di atas nama PUBLIC BANK BERHAD 1 HARI BEKERJA sebelum tarikh lelong awam. Baki harga belian hendaklah dibayar oleh pembida yang berjaya kepada PUBLIC BANK BERHAD dalam tempoh seratus dua puluh (120) hari dari tarikh jualan. Untuk butir-butir selanjutnya, sila berhubung dengan:- Firma Guaman : WONG-CHOOI & MOHD NOR Alamat : NO. 27, 1ST FLOOR JALAN MAJU JAYA PUSAT PERNIAGAAN MAJU JAYA, 14000 BUKIT MERTAJAM, PULAU PINANG No. Telefon : 04-5398855 No. Fax : 04-5395855 No. Rujukan : WCMN(BM)/PBB-HL/2022-383/KHP(RS/j) IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MICRO COMPACT (M) SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 199201006831 (238335-H) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 439 (2) of the Companies Act, 2016 that the Special Resolution set out below was duly passed by the Members of the Company on 1 September 2023. MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR - SPECIAL RESOLUTION RESOLVED THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Gooi Soon Lee of 47-6-3 Gurney Ville, Jalan Cantonment, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, who has given his consent to act, be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up with all powers given by Section 456 and Section 457(1) of the Companies Act, 2016. RESOLVED THAT the Liquidator be and is hereby authorised to divide all or such part of the surplus assets of the Company as he shall think fit to the members of the Company. Dated this 6th of September 2023 GOOI SOON CHAI Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MICRO COMPACT (M) SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 199201006831 (238335-H) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given that the Creditors of MICRO COMPACT (M) SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 199201006831 (238335-H) which is being wound up voluntarily, are required within one month from the date hereof to send their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the said Company and, if so required by notice in writing by the Liquidator, either by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice and in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proven. Dated this 6th of September 2023 GOOI SOON LEE Liquidator O-26-A1 Gurney Tower Office 18 Persiaran Gurney 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF DKLS HIGHLANDS SDN BHD Registration No.: 200701038116 (796146-D) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 439(2)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, that the Resolution set out below was duly passed by the Member of the Company on 1 September 2023: SPECIAL RESOLUTION - MEMBER’S VOLUNTARY WINDING UP “That approval be and is hereby given for the Company to proceed with a member’s voluntary winding up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016. And that pursuant to Section 445(1) of the Companies Act 2016, Mr Cheai Weng Hoong of No. 1 Jalan Lasam, 30350 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan be and is hereby appointed as the Liquidator to act for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the Company and distributing its assets at a remuneration to be determined by the directors.” Cheai Weng Hoong Secretary Ipoh Date: 6 September 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF DKLS HIGHLANDS SDN BHD Registration No.: 200701038116 (796146-D) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required on or before 6 October 2023 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator of the abovenamed Company; and if so required by notice in writing from the Liquidator, either by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their 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 benefits of any distribution made before such debts are proved or such priority is established or as the case may be, from objecting to such distribution. Ipoh Date: 6 September 2023 Cheai Weng Hoong Liquidator No. 1 Jalan Lasam 30350 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GBC HOLDINGS SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 197901004530 (48729-T) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 439 (2) of the Companies Act, 2016 that the Special Resolution set out below was duly passed by the Members of the Company on 1 September 2023. MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR - SPECIAL RESOLUTION RESOLVED THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Gooi Buck Choon of 56 Taman Berjaya, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, who has given his consent to act, be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up with all powers given by Section 456 and Section 457(1) of the Companies Act, 2016. RESOLVED THAT the Liquidator be and is hereby authorised to divide all or such part of the surplus assets of the Company as he shall think fit to the members of the Company. Dated this 6th of September 2023 LAU LAY EAN Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GBC HOLDINGS SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 197901004530 (48729-T) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given that the Creditors of GBC HOLDINGS SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 197901004530 (48729-T) which is being wound up voluntarily, are required within one month from the date hereof to send their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the said Company and, if so required by notice in writing by the Liquidator, either by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice and in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proven. Dated this 6th of September 2023 GOOI BUCK CHOON Liquidator O-26-A1 Gurney Tower Office 18 Persiaran Gurney 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF BHARAT TEA TRADING SDN. BHD. [Registration No. 200801022353 (823672-P)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act 2016, a Final Meeting of the members of Bharat Tea Trading Sdn. Bhd. will be held at No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Perak on Monday, 9 October 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and adopt the account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts, documents and records of the Company and of the Liquidator thereof shall be disposed of in pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016. Lee Hoong Ch’ng Liquidator c/o Peter Lee Consultancy (M) Sdn. Bhd. No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram 30450 Ipoh, Perak Ipoh Date: 6 September 2023 Note: A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint another person (whether a member or not) as his/her proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Perak not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT GEORGETOWN IN THE STATE PULAU PINANG COMPANIES (WINDING UP) NO : PA-28NCC-89-08 /2023 In the matter of Section 466 (1) (a) of the Companies Act, 2016 ; And In the matter of RFK TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201801027706 (1289732-M)] And In the matter of Companies (WindingUp) Rules, 1972. Between SYABAS ERAMAS SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201601039728 (1210669-P)] … Petitioner And RFK TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201801027706 (1289732-M)] … Respondent ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the winding-up of the abovenamed Company, RFK TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201801027706 (1289732-M)] by the High Court was on the 1st August, 2023 presented by SYABAS ERAMAS SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201601039728 (1210669-P)]. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at 9.00 a.m. on the 6th October, 2023; and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at No. 10- 2, Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Bay, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs BP Ang & Tan of No. 7-1, Lorong Usahaniaga 5, Taman Usahaniaga, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. signed ............................ Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE:- Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Solicitors notice in writing of this intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 5th October, 2023. (Ref: ABP/WP/SE/RFK/1786/23/GK) DT METAL SDN. BHD. (Company No.: 200901010810 (853832-U)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 (1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2016 that a Final Meeting of the members of the above-named Company will be held at its registered office situated at No. 31-3, Jalan Tasik Selatan 3, Metro Centre, Bandar Tasik Selatan, 57000 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the 02nd day of October, 2023 at 10.30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and consider the final accounts of the Liquidator. 2. To resolve under Section 459 (5) of the Companies Act 2016, that the books and papers of the Company be destroyed after the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the final meeting. LEE SHOOK MUN @ LEE YUE YEE (f) Liquidator Dated this: 06th day of September, 2023 NOTE: A member entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Company’s registered office not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting. 322 Notices 322 Notices “NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTARY WINDING UP OF LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP (Section 50(4)(a) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012) Notice is hereby given that TJ MAXBIZ RESOURCES PLT (LLP0018033-LGN) will be making an application to the Registrar of Limited Liability Partnerships for a declaration of dissolution pursuant to section 50(2) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012 within seven (7) days after the publication of this notice. Any partner or creditor of the LLP desiring to object to the application may do so in writing to the Companies Commission of Malaysia within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.” IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SAFARI AUTOSPORTS SDN. BHD. Company No. 199901022886 (497786-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, a Final Meeting of the abovenamed Company will be held at Lot 2012, Batu 12 1/2, Jalan Serdang Lama, 43300 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan on 10th October, 2023 at 11:00a.m. for the following purposes: - 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to hear any explanations thereof. 2. To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidators thereof, shall be disposed of. Selangor Dated this 6th September, 2023. Lim Fook Onn Tan San Li (f) Liquidators 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF BHARAT OIL PALM PLANTATIONS SDN. BHD. [Registration No. 200801021987 (823305-T)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act 2016, a Final Meeting of the members of Bharat Oil Palm Plantations Sdn. Bhd. will be held at No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Perak on Monday, 9 October 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and adopt the account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts, documents and records of the Company and of the Liquidator thereof shall be disposed of in pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016. Lee Hoong Ch’ng Liquidator c/o Peter Lee Consultancy (M) Sdn. Bhd. No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram 30450 Ipoh, Perak Ipoh Date: 6 September 2023 Note: A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint another person (whether a member or not) as his/her proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Perak not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. 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 KIM JOO ROOF & TRUSS SDN. BHD. (Company No. 244545-K) (IN MEMBERS VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 that a Final meeting of the Members of the above company will be held at No 5 Jalan 1/15, Seksyen 1, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor on the 4th September 2023, at 11.00 am for the following purposes: 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts and any explanations therefrom. 2. To determine the disposal of the books, accounts and documents of the Company. Signed ……………………… LOW POH SEONG LIQUIDATOR Dated this: 4th September 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF RELIABLE CONSTRUCTION (M) SDN. BHD. 199101008199 (218511-X) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the Company held at Suite 12-A, Level 12, Menara Northam, No. 55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Penang on 29th August 2023, the following Special Resolution set out below was duly passed :- MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms Ch’ng Lay Hoon of Enet Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd. of Suite 12-A, Level 12, Menara Northam, No. 55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Penang be and is hereby appointed as the Liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding-up of the company’s affairs and distributing its assets at a fee to be mutually agreed upon and that the Liquidator may exercise all her powers and duties pursuant to Section 456 of the Companies Act 2016. Ooi Teik Heng Director Dated: 6th September 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF RELIABLE CONSTRUCTION (M) SDN. BHD. 199101008199 (218511-X) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required on or before 5th October 2023 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their debts or claims and the name and address of their solicitors (if any) to the Liquidator of the Company at Suite 12-A, Level 12, Menara Northam, No. 55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Penang and, if so required by notice in writing by the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their 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 or claims are proved. CH’NG LAY HOON Liquidator Dated: 6th September 2023 PERISYTIHARAN JUALAN DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG PERMOHONAN UNTUK PERLAKSANAAN NO:PA-38-348-05/2023 Dalam perkara mengenai Seksyen 256 dan 257 Kanun Tanah Negara, 1965 Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Gadaian Perserahan No: 0799SC2021003546 (bertarikh 07/01/2021) ke atas semua bahagian tanah yang dipegang di bawah HSD 46291, PT 43, Mukim 1, Daerah Seberang Perai Tengah, Pulau Pinang Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Aturan 83 Kaedah- Kaedah Mahkamah, 2012 ANTARA Public Bank Berhad (No. Syarikat : 6463-H) .. PLAINTIF DAN Kho Hui Ping (No. Kad Pengenalan : 930709075028) ...DEFENDAN Menurut Perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di PULAU PINANG mengenai Perintah Jualan dan Perintah bertarikh 21 Mac 2023 dan 26 Julai 2023, adalah dengan ini diisytiharkan bahawa Timbalan Pendaftar/Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Pusat Operasi e-Lelong di Kuantan AKAN MENJUAL SECARA LELONG AWAM Pada Hari Isnin, 18 September 2023, Pada Jam 11:00 pagi, SECARA ELEKTRONIK DI LAMAN WEB e-LELONG, PUSAT OPERASI e-LELONG, KOMPLEKS MAHKAMAH KUANTAN, PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR NOTA: Bakal pembeli adalah dinasihatkan agar membuat carian Hakmilik secara rasmi di Pejabat Tanah dan memeriksa semua tanggungan, bebanan serta mengenal pasti dengan tepat hartanah tersebut sebelum juaIan lelongan dijaIankan. Sila layari https://eIeIong.kehakiman.gov.my/bidderweb BUTIR-BUTIR HAKMILIK: No. Hakmilik : HSD 46291 No. Lot : PT 43 Mukim/Daerah/Negeri : 1 / Seberang Perai Tengah / Pulau Pinang Pegangan : Hakmilik Pajakan No. Petak/No. Tingkat/No. : Bangunan : Keluasan Tanah : 1530.0000000000 kaki persegi : 142.1300000000 meter persegi Pemilik Berdaftar : Kho Hui Ping Syarat Nyata : The land hereby alienated shall be used solely for residential purposes Sekatan Kepentingan : The land hereby alienated shall not be sub-divided Bebanan / Lain-Lain : Kawasan Rizab : Kaveat : No Pers 0799B2020008983 Kaveat Persendirian atas Tanah oleh PUBLIC BANK BERHAD No. Syarikat: 6463-H No. 6862-6864, Jalan Bagan Jermal, Bagan Ajam, 13000 Pulau Pinang didaftarkan pada 27 Oktober 2020 jam 02:43:25 petang Suratkuasa Wakil : 0799SW2005000304 Jil 106 Fol 69 No. Mahkamah : 54939/05 LOKASI DAN PERIHAL HARTANAH : Hartanah tersebut adalah “ An intermediate single storey terraced house” yang beralamat pos di No. 80, Lorong Siakap 2, Seberang Jaya, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang. HARGA RIZAB : Hartanah tersebut akan dijual atas “sepertimana sedia ada” tertakluk kepada satu harga rizab sebanyak RM 380,000.00 (RINGGIT MALAYSIA: TIGA RATUS LAPAN PULUH RIBU SAHAJA) dan kepada syarat-syarat jualan yang dilampirkan. Pembida yang berminat hendaklah mendepositkan 10% daripada harga rizab dalam bentuk Bank Draf di atas nama PUBLIC BANK BERHAD 1 HARI BEKERJA sebelum tarikh lelong awam. Baki harga belian hendaklah dibayar oleh pembida yang berjaya kepada PUBLIC BANK BERHAD dalam tempoh seratus dua puluh (120) hari dari tarikh jualan. Untuk butir-butir selanjutnya, sila berhubung dengan:- Firma Guaman : WONG-CHOOI & MOHD NOR Alamat : NO. 27, 1ST FLOOR JALAN MAJU JAYA PUSAT PERNIAGAAN MAJU JAYA, 14000 BUKIT MERTAJAM, PULAU PINANG No. Telefon : 04-5398855 No. Fax : 04-5395855 No. Rujukan : WCMN(BM)/PBB-HL/2022-383/KHP(RS/j) IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MICRO COMPACT (M) SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 199201006831 (238335-H) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 439 (2) of the Companies Act, 2016 that the Special Resolution set out below was duly passed by the Members of the Company on 1 September 2023. MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR - SPECIAL RESOLUTION RESOLVED THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Gooi Soon Lee of 47-6-3 Gurney Ville, Jalan Cantonment, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, who has given his consent to act, be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up with all powers given by Section 456 and Section 457(1) of the Companies Act, 2016. RESOLVED THAT the Liquidator be and is hereby authorised to divide all or such part of the surplus assets of the Company as he shall think fit to the members of the Company. Dated this 6th of September 2023 GOOI SOON CHAI Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MICRO COMPACT (M) SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 199201006831 (238335-H) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given that the Creditors of MICRO COMPACT (M) SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 199201006831 (238335-H) which is being wound up voluntarily, are required within one month from the date hereof to send their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the said Company and, if so required by notice in writing by the Liquidator, either by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice and in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proven. Dated this 6th of September 2023 GOOI SOON LEE Liquidator O-26-A1 Gurney Tower Office 18 Persiaran Gurney 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF DKLS HIGHLANDS SDN BHD Registration No.: 200701038116 (796146-D) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 439(2)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, that the Resolution set out below was duly passed by the Member of the Company on 1 September 2023: SPECIAL RESOLUTION - MEMBER’S VOLUNTARY WINDING UP “That approval be and is hereby given for the Company to proceed with a member’s voluntary winding up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016. And that pursuant to Section 445(1) of the Companies Act 2016, Mr Cheai Weng Hoong of No. 1 Jalan Lasam, 30350 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan be and is hereby appointed as the Liquidator to act for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the Company and distributing its assets at a remuneration to be determined by the directors.” Cheai Weng Hoong Secretary Ipoh Date: 6 September 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF DKLS HIGHLANDS SDN BHD Registration No.: 200701038116 (796146-D) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required on or before 6 October 2023 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator of the abovenamed Company; and if so required by notice in writing from the Liquidator, either by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their 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 benefits of any distribution made before such debts are proved or such priority is established or as the case may be, from objecting to such distribution. Ipoh Date: 6 September 2023 Cheai Weng Hoong Liquidator No. 1 Jalan Lasam 30350 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GBC HOLDINGS SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 197901004530 (48729-T) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 439 (2) of the Companies Act, 2016 that the Special Resolution set out below was duly passed by the Members of the Company on 1 September 2023. MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR - SPECIAL RESOLUTION RESOLVED THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Gooi Buck Choon of 56 Taman Berjaya, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, who has given his consent to act, be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up with all powers given by Section 456 and Section 457(1) of the Companies Act, 2016. RESOLVED THAT the Liquidator be and is hereby authorised to divide all or such part of the surplus assets of the Company as he shall think fit to the members of the Company. Dated this 6th of September 2023 LAU LAY EAN Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GBC HOLDINGS SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 197901004530 (48729-T) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given that the Creditors of GBC HOLDINGS SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 197901004530 (48729-T) which is being wound up voluntarily, are required within one month from the date hereof to send their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the said Company and, if so required by notice in writing by the Liquidator, either by their solicitors or personally to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice and in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proven. Dated this 6th of September 2023 GOOI BUCK CHOON Liquidator O-26-A1 Gurney Tower Office 18 Persiaran Gurney 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF BHARAT TEA TRADING SDN. BHD. [Registration No. 200801022353 (823672-P)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act 2016, a Final Meeting of the members of Bharat Tea Trading Sdn. Bhd. will be held at No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Perak on Monday, 9 October 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and adopt the account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts, documents and records of the Company and of the Liquidator thereof shall be disposed of in pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016. Lee Hoong Ch’ng Liquidator c/o Peter Lee Consultancy (M) Sdn. Bhd. No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram 30450 Ipoh, Perak Ipoh Date: 6 September 2023 Note: A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint another person (whether a member or not) as his/her proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Perak not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT GEORGETOWN IN THE STATE PULAU PINANG COMPANIES (WINDING UP) NO : PA-28NCC-89-08 /2023 In the matter of Section 466 (1) (a) of the Companies Act, 2016 ; And In the matter of RFK TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201801027706 (1289732-M)] And In the matter of Companies (WindingUp) Rules, 1972. Between SYABAS ERAMAS SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201601039728 (1210669-P)] … Petitioner And RFK TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201801027706 (1289732-M)] … Respondent ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the winding-up of the abovenamed Company, RFK TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201801027706 (1289732-M)] by the High Court was on the 1st August, 2023 presented by SYABAS ERAMAS SDN. BHD. [Registration No : 201601039728 (1210669-P)]. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at 9.00 a.m. on the 6th October, 2023; and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at No. 10- 2, Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Bay, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs BP Ang & Tan of No. 7-1, Lorong Usahaniaga 5, Taman Usahaniaga, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. signed ............................ Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE:- Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Solicitors notice in writing of this intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 5th October, 2023. (Ref: ABP/WP/SE/RFK/1786/23/GK) DT METAL SDN. BHD. (Company No.: 200901010810 (853832-U)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 (1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2016 that a Final Meeting of the members of the above-named Company will be held at its registered office situated at No. 31-3, Jalan Tasik Selatan 3, Metro Centre, Bandar Tasik Selatan, 57000 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the 02nd day of October, 2023 at 10.30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and consider the final accounts of the Liquidator. 2. To resolve under Section 459 (5) of the Companies Act 2016, that the books and papers of the Company be destroyed after the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the final meeting. LEE SHOOK MUN @ LEE YUE YEE (f) Liquidator Dated this: 06th day of September, 2023 NOTE: A member entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Company’s registered office not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting. 322 Notices 322 Notices “NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTARY WINDING UP OF LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP (Section 50(4)(a) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012) Notice is hereby given that TJ MAXBIZ RESOURCES PLT (LLP0018033-LGN) will be making an application to the Registrar of Limited Liability Partnerships for a declaration of dissolution pursuant to section 50(2) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012 within seven (7) days after the publication of this notice. Any partner or creditor of the LLP desiring to object to the application may do so in writing to the Companies Commission of Malaysia within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.” IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SAFARI AUTOSPORTS SDN. BHD. Company No. 199901022886 (497786-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, a Final Meeting of the abovenamed Company will be held at Lot 2012, Batu 12 1/2, Jalan Serdang Lama, 43300 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan on 10th October, 2023 at 11:00a.m. for the following purposes: - 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to hear any explanations thereof. 2. To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidators thereof, shall be disposed of. Selangor Dated this 6th September, 2023. Lim Fook Onn Tan San Li (f) Liquidators 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF BHARAT OIL PALM PLANTATIONS SDN. BHD. [Registration No. 200801021987 (823305-T)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act 2016, a Final Meeting of the members of Bharat Oil Palm Plantations Sdn. Bhd. will be held at No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Perak on Monday, 9 October 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and adopt the account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which the books, accounts, documents and records of the Company and of the Liquidator thereof shall be disposed of in pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016. Lee Hoong Ch’ng Liquidator c/o Peter Lee Consultancy (M) Sdn. Bhd. No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram 30450 Ipoh, Perak Ipoh Date: 6 September 2023 Note: A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint another person (whether a member or not) as his/her proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at No. 108 (2nd Floor), Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Perak not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 Donald picks three rookies THREE Ryder Cup rookies were among the six captain’s picks announced for the European team yesterday. Captain Luke Donald selected Shane Lowry of Ireland, and Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood of England along with first-timers Ludvig Aberg of Sweden, Sepp Straka of Austria and Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark. They will join the six automatic qualifiers for the biennial competition against the United States taking place from Sept 30 - Oct 1 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club outside Rome, Italy. Donald’s picks join Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, Spain’s Jon Rahm, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, Norway’s Viktor Hovland and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton. MacIntyre is also new to Ryder Cup competition. “I think it’s fine to have rookies in a Ryder Cup. My first one in 2004, you always want that chance to shine. I think 2004 we had five rookies and you know how that result ended,” said Donald, referring to Europe’s 18� -9� win at Oakland Hills in Michigan. “There’s nothing wrong in having these young fresh guys going in there to battle.” Aberg can be generational player, says skipper EUROPE’S latest Ryder Cup rookie Ludvig Aberg could be a “generational player” who will do amazing things in the game, Europe captain Luke Donald said yesterday. The 23-year-old Swede was named as one of Donald’s six picks for the match in Rome having won the European Masters title in Montana at the weekend. Remarkably, Aberg only turned professional in June having excelled on the US college scene and will now become the first player to appear in a Ryder Cup team without contesting a major. “I have faith in Ludvig, I think he’ll be a generational player,” Donald said. “He’s going to be around a long time and do amazing things. “If he wasn’t going to play this one, he was going to play the next eight. That’s how good I think he is.” India thump Nepal in Asia Cup INDIA shook off some sloppy fielding and fired with the bat to comprehensively beat Nepal in a rain-shortened Asia Cup match in Pallekele yesterday as they joined arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super Four stage from Group A. Chasing a revised target of 145 in 23 overs following a long rain interruption, India romped to a 10-wicket victory under the Duckworth-Lewis method as Skipper Rohit Sharma and fellow opener Shubman Gill got them across the line with 17 balls left. Rohit was not out on 74 after smashing six fours and five sixes, while Gill made an unbeaten 67. India had earlier let Nepal off the hook after opting to bowl as Shreyas Iyer dropped Kushal Bhurtel in the opening over, Virat Kohli made a mess of another chance in the next to hand Aasif Sheikh a lifeline. Bhurtel got another reprieve when wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan put down a simple catch off Mohammed Shami. But Ravindra Jadeja (3-40) tore through the middle-order and Mohammed Siraj (3-61) also got in on the act before rain briefly halted play at 178-6. Nepal then rode on Sompal Kami’s 48 lower down the order to finish with 230 in 48.2 overs. SHORTS Aberg. – AFPPIX

22 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 SPORTS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME No pain, no gain Alcaraz plays down Djokovic fears but has Sascha to deal with first CARLOS ALCARAZ has tamed any concerns over a potential injury after he was spotted with strapping on his thigh during his victory over Matteo Arnaldi. The top seed still managed to dominate as he needed less than two hours to advance to the quarterfinal in straight sets. But the addition of tape on his leg sparked fears that he could be unable to set up a final against Novak Djokovic because of physical issues. Alcaraz booked his spot in the last eight of the US Open with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over world No. 61 Arnaldi yesterday. It was one of the Spaniard’s usual entertaining performances filled with stunning shot-making and lots of smiles. But there was one change that eagle-eyed fans noticed during the match – the 20-yearold had taped up his left thigh, just visible at the bottom of his shorts. The world No. 1 has now addressed concerns of a possible injury, claiming that the strapping was purely for precaution. “Well, it’s really tough playing in a Grand Slam,” the defending US Open champion said. “You play tough matches during two weeks. “For me it’s normal that some pains came to your body, and you have to take care about it.” While Alcaraz confessed that there had been some pain, he maintained that he was still feeling fine. “It’s nothing serious, it’s just for prevention. I mean, I felt a little bit that pain on the left leg, but as I said nothing serious. Just taking care about it.” The world No. 1 has so far been dominant in his first four matches, dropping just one set to Dan Evans. But things are about to ramp up as he faces Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinal. And fans are still hoping that Alcaraz and Djokovic will meet in the final of another Grand Slam event. Any major physical setback could prove to be an issue as Alcaraz tries to retain his crown. And the Spaniard had already skipped training on Sunday. But if his performance against Arnaldi is anything to go by, the top seed is still playing at his usual high level. Alcaraz is now fully focused on his next match, against German 12th seed Zverev, who outlasted Jannik Sinner 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in a marathon encounter in New York. The 26-year-old Zverev holds a 3-2 record against Alcaraz and appears to be regaining his best form after a horror ankle injury at last year’s French Open. Addressing the chance of facing Zverev, Alcaraz said: “Against Sascha, the head-tohead as well is really, really close. “We’ve played great matches. He’s playing really, really well. This year he’s finding his top level again. “It’s going to be a really fun, fun match to watch tonight between them, and let’s see I going to play because going to be a really tough quarterfinal.” – Express Newspapers/AFP Hill unimpressed by Wolff’s dismissal of Verstappen’s record win DAMON HILL has described Toto Wolff’s dismissal of Max Verstappen’s record winning streak as “churlish” and “ungracious”. Red Bull’s Verstappen became the first driver in Formula One’s 73-year history to win 10 consecutive races following his triumph at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. But moments after Verstappen drove into the record books, Mercedes team principal Wolff called the Dutchman’s unprecedented run of victories “completely irrelevant”. He added that the record was only “for Wikipedia, and nobody reads that anyway”. Responding to Wolff’s unflattering appraisal, 1996 world champion Hill said: “It sounded a bit churlish and not very gracious. “It’s unlike Toto because he’s usually very sporting. But he is hurting a bit now. They know what it is like to be dominant and they didn’t even get on the podium in Monza. “They seem to be a bit stymied and can’t seem to work out what to do. But who can? It seems like everywhere we go, Red Bull has got the upper hand.” Speaking on Sky Sports News, Hill, 62, continued: “Max has achieved something no-one else has ever done. “Red Bull have won 14 races this year and it is an incredible record, but you can’t just put it down to the car. “This guy is special. Throughout Max’s career, from the moment he arrived in F1, he has done things no-one has done before and he continues to polish off this season.” – The Independent Fan ejected after ‘Hitler phrase’ A fan was ejected from the US Open yesterday after Germany’s Alexander Zverev protested about a “Hitler phrase” being shouted from the stands. Zverev was serving in the fourth set of his last 16 battle with Italy’s Jannik Sinner on the Arthur Ashe Stadium when the drama unfolded. The 12th-seeded Zverev approached chair umpire James Keothavong to complain about the alleged catcall. “He just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is in this world,” Zverev told the umpire. “This is unbelievable.” Keothavong consulted with security officials in an attempt to identify the culprit. Eventually a man wearing a blue baseball cap was singled out and ordered to leave the arena. The late-night US Open crowds on the 23,000-capacity Arthur Ashe Stadium are famously boisterous but have been criticised during the tournament. Medvedev books clash with Rublev DANIIL MEDVEDEV will play Russian compatriot and close friend Andrey Rublev in the US Open quarterfinals after defeating Australian 13th seed Alex de Minaur in four sets yesterday. Third seed Medvedev fought back from a set down to brush De Minaur aside 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 as he bids to add a second US Open crown following his maiden Grand Slam title in New York two years ago. “The conditions were some of the most brutal we’ve ever played,” Medvedev said of the hot and humid conditions in Louis Armstrong Stadium. “There was one moment where I thought I’m not going to be able to play until the end, it’s so tough. But I looked across the net and noticed he was slowing down too, so I thought okay, I can do this.” Sabalenka overwhelms Kasatkina SECOND SEED Aryna Sabalenka eased past Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-3 to make the US Open quarterfinals for the third year in a row yesterday, subduing her opponent with her powerful forehand inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Kasatkina lost in straight sets to the Belarusian last month in Cincinnati and had clearly not cracked the code, as Sabalenka overwhelmed her at every turn. “I think I’m playing great tennis,” Sabalenka told reporters. “But there is always things to improve. There is always things to keep building and keep getting better with every match you play.” Sabalenka next faces China’s Zheng Qinwen, who knocked out 2022 finalist Ons Jabeur in straight sets. The second seed said her opponent will have nothing to lose in their first meeting. “She played great tennis against Ons. I haven’t watched her previous matches,” Sabalenka said. “I just have to focus on myself more than on her, on my game. I know if I’ll bring my tennis there, I have chance to win this match.” Sainz recovers RM2.9m watch CARLOS SAINZ chased down thieves and retrieved his watch worth £500,000 (RM2.9m) in a scary robbery incident in Milan just hours after Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari star Sainz, still in his team kit, was targeted near the Armani hotel in central Milan at around 8.30pm on Sunday evening, reports in Italy detail. Sainz, alongside members of his entourage and the public, then chased the thieves and successfully recovered his Richard Mille watch worth in the region of £500,000. Local police have arrested two suspects. It is not the first occasion an F1 driver has been targeted by thieves: Lando Norris had a £144,000 (RM835,000) watch stolen outside Wembley following the Euro 2020 final between Italy and England in July 2021. Norris was also robbed whilst with friends in Marbella earlier this year. Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc has also had a Richard Mille watch stolen, in the Italian resort of Viareggio last year. Zheng rejoices at ‘breakthrough’ US Open win RISING Chinese star Zheng Qinwen reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal yesterday at the US Open after knocking out last year’s runner-up Ons Jabeur, describing it as a “breakthrough” win after enduring her share of frustration this season. The 20-year-old Zheng’s blend of power and precision overwhelmed a weary Jabeur, her 6-2, 6-4 victory sending the 23rd seed through to a meeting with incoming world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. “Honestly the feeling was fantastic, especially in that moment. I feel this is like important win for me. Like you say, it’s a breakthrough,” said Zheng. “I always been waiting this moment to happen. Honestly, at beginning of year I’m thinking it’s going to happen very fast. “Because I’m focusing that moment too much about the result and I lost little bit the patience of myself, that’s affect a lot to my tennis part.” She earned the WTA newcomer of the year award in 2022, winning her debut at all four majors and making a run to the French Open last 16 before losing in three sets to eventual champion Iga Swiatek. But Zheng had won just two Grand Slam matches this season before carving out a bit of history in New York, where she and Wang Xinyu became the first two Chinese players to reach the fourth round at the same US Open. While Wang lost to Roland Garros finalist Karolina Muchova on Sunday, Zheng became only the fourth Chinese woman to make the last eight at Flushing Meadows – following in the footsteps of Wang Qiang, Peng Shuai and Li Na. Standing in her way next is Sabalenka, who will replace outgoing champion Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings after the tournament, but Zheng is not one to shy away from a challenge. “I always believe that I’m able to beat everyone if I play the right tennis that I have to play,” said Zheng. “Of course, the opponent will also play good. There is going to be lot of competition. But I believe that if I’m really there fighting for every point, I mean, things going to happen. You can never say that, but we will see.” – AFP Carlos Alcaraz. – AFPPIX BRIEFS

23 * SPORTS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 A FEW years ago, Declan Rice said he would have passed. Now, however, the £105 million (RM609m) man assumed responsibility, shot and, via a deflection off Jonny Evans, gave Arsenal a 96th-minute lead against Manchester United. As Gabriel Jesus scored an even later goal, it was not technically the winner. But Rice was the scorer of the de facto decider in the sort of match that can define seasons and establish reputations. Perhaps particularly for central midfielders, given that it is a fixture that evokes memories of Patrick Vieira against Roy Keane. Vieira scored the winning penalty in an FA Cup final shootout against United; Keane scored a disproportionate number of his United goals – five, almost 10% – against Arsenal. Rice’s first in Arsenal colours came at United’s expense. The most expensive Englishman ever can appear something of a throwback player: called a defensive midfielder, but often an all-rounder, in the way the Frenchman and the Irishman were. Football has grown more complex, the tactical intricacies of managers such as Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola reducing the significance of going mano a mano with the opposition’s alpha male. And yet, in the age of the £100 million (RM580m) midfielder, perhaps Rice has a responsibility to be more than just another cog in the wheel, to be the matchwinner at least sometimes. If it is simplistic to demand a tangible impact that always equates with his price tag for a player whose contribution stretches far beyond goals and assists, he is nevertheless charged with improving Arsenal. Turning one point into three and winning a game against rivals is a way of doing that. Chelsea created the £100m midfielder and now have two of them, a £222m (RM1.3b) double act. That can seem the product of a shift in thinking, recognising the significance of dictating a game. But there is still the need to decide it. Enzo Fernandez has shown his incisive passing as he has become increasingly creative: that he only has two assists in their colours is in part a reflection of others’ poor finishing. But the Argentinian has a lone goal himself, and that was against AFC Wimbledon of League Two, while he missed a penalty at West Ham. Moises Caicedo’s Chelsea career has only spanned 205 minutes on the pitch and, while Fernandez has been used as a No. 10 of late, the Ecuadorian’s deeper role means he is likely to score fewer goals than the World Cup winner or Rice. Nevertheless, at such a colossal cost, each was bought to make a difference. And when, deep into added time, it seemed Arsenal would drop two points, Rice did. Arsenal have now won three of their opening four Premier League games as Rice once again shone following his move from West Ham. “A tremendous performance,” Arteta said of Rice. “A holding midfielder needs to dominate his area and the pressing that is needed to break up play, how he glued the team together in many moments. “He was really dominant and then obviously produced a magic moment to win the game.” – The Independent Sancho wouldn’t see light of day under Fergie: Foster BEN FOSTER has hit out at Jadon Sancho’s tweet following Erik ten Hag’s criticism of his attitude. Sancho wasn’t in the Manchester United squad that lost 3-1 away at Arsenal on Sunday after Ten Hag claimed that the 23-year-old was not selected due to his poor performances in training. “Jadon, on his performances in training we did not select him,” Ten Hag said after the Arsenal defeat. Sancho later hit back at his manager’s claims on social media in a public attempt to undermine his manager. He wrote: “Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue. I have conducted myself in training very well this week. “I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!” Former United goalkeeper Foster, who played for the club between 2005 and 2010 under Ferguson, hit out at Sancho’s behaviour, claiming no player would’ve gotten away with responding to Ferguson in the same vein. Speaking on The United Stand, Foster said: “It’s crazy mate, it’s absolutely crazy. If Alex Ferguson is managing in this moment in time at Manchester United, and Jadon Sancho does this, he will never see the light of day again for Man United. “He’ll never play for this club, he’ll never be allowed in the training ground, you are done, mate.” – Express Newspapers TOTTENHAM boss Ange Postecoglou stumbled on a potent attacking recipe in his side’s emphatic win over Burnley on Saturday. Richarlison being moved to the bench seemed to work wonders for the Londoners, but the Brazilian proved last season that he won’t be a happy camper if he remains there for the majority of the season. Richarlison was left out of the starting XI at Turf Moor after picking up a knock in midweek. New Spurs captain Son Heungmin took his place through the middle and made a huge statement by scoring a hattrick. The South Korean bagged as many goals in 90 minutes than Richarlison managed in the whole of last season following his £60 million (RM348m) move from Everton. Keeping Son up top after the international break is therefore a no-brainer for Postecoglou. Richarlison was expected to step up to the plate through the middle after Harry Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich, but he is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League this term and may find it tricky to work his way back into the starting XI if Son embraces the central role. Repeatedly being benched by Antonio Conte in 2022/23 did not sit well with Richarlison, who said while on international duty back in March: “I’m not silly, I’m a professional that works hard every day and I want to play. “There hasn’t been enough minutes given to me, and this season – forgive my language – has been s***. When I’m on the pitch I give my life.” Richarlison’s game-time prospects were looking up just a few weeks ago when Spurs cashed in on Kane and resisted the temptation to splash out on a direct replacement. Postecoglou’s exciting brand of play has also lifted the general mood around the club, but the 26-year-old has so far been unable to capitalise. It remains to be seen whether Postecoglou risks feeling the wrath of the forward by keeping him on the bench and rewarding Son when Sheffield United visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sept 16. – Express Newspapers Postecoglou risks wrath of Richarlison SIDENETTING Brazil drop Antony after allegations of assault MANCHESTER UNITED winger Antony has denied accusations by his former partner of assault, threats and intimidation, as Brazil dropped him from their international squad. The 23-yearold winger is being investigated by police in Sao Paulo after Gabriela Cavallin gave an interview to UOL in Brazil in which she claimed that the footballer headbutted her, threw a glass at her and threatened to push her out of a moving car when she was pregnant. Antony insists he is innocent and labelled the accusations as “false” in a statement released on his Instagram page. “Out of respect to my fans, friends and family I feel obligated to speak publicly about the accusations I have been a victim of,” the statement said. “I trust the ongoing police investigation will reveal the truth about my innocence.” Man arrested in headbutt case A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after football pundit Roy Keane was reportedly headbutted at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Footage was posted on social media of fellow Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards pinning a man against a wall in the moments after the alleged assault on Sunday. The Metropolitan Police refused to identify anyone involved in the incident, but issued a statement that said: “A 42- year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault. The man has been taken into police custody. Enquiries are ongoing.” … as Keane accused of ‘provoking’ fans ROY KEANE reportedly wound up Arsenal fans on Sunday before being targeted by an alleged headbutt at the Emirates Stadium. Before the Gunners’ two late goals, a finish from Alejandro Garnacho looked to have won the game for the Red Devils, supposedly sparking celebrations from Keane before the goal was ruled out for offside. An Arsenal fan is then reported to have aimed a headbutt at the former Republic of Ireland international. The impact hit Keane in the shoulder, breaking the supporter’s nose which left blood all over the floor, according to eyewitnesses. According to The Sun, the lead-up to the scuffle saw Keane “provoking” Arsenal fans when Garnacho scored the winner that was not to be. Friends of the fan said that the former United midfielder “hurled abuse” at supporters below. Morata slams Rubiales’ behaviour SPAIN’S men’s football team has expressed solidarity with the women’s national side and called out the “unacceptable behaviour” of president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales is under mounting pressure to resign from his job in the wake of the “kissgate” scandal following the Women’s World Cup final. Captain Alvaro Morata read out a statement at a press conference ahead of this weeks Euro 2024 qualifiers: “First and foremost we want to convey, once again, our pride and heartfelt congratulations to the women’s national team for winning the World Cup in Sydney. We want to express our regret and solidarity with the players whose success has been tarnished. We want to reject what we consider unacceptable behaviour on the part of Rubiales, who has not lived up to the institution he represents.” Ramos returns to Sevilla SERGIO RAMOS has returned to boyhood club Sevilla after signing a one-year deal with the Andalusian club. The 37-year-old former Spain and Real Madrid captain, a free agent after leaving Paris St Germain in June, has returned to Sevilla 18 years after leaving to join Real Madrid. Sevilla announced on their official website that Ramos had passed a medical on Monday morning before signing a 12-month contract. La Liga club Sevilla said: “Sevilla FC have reached an agreement for the signing of Sergio Ramos. The academy graduate is returning to the club 18 years after he signed for Real Madrid in 2005, aged 19.” Ramos progressed through Sevilla’s academy, making his first-team debut as an 18-year-old, and went on to make 49 appearances in all competitions before joining Real Madrid in 2005 for £23 million (RM136m). ‘Rice Rice baby’ Gunners RM500m man shows what Arsenal have and Chelsea don’t Declan Rice was named Player Of The Match afyer the match against Crystal Palace on Aug 22, 2023. Richarlison

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] or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . Read iPaper at www.thesundaily.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME WEDNESDAY • SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 JURGEN KLOPP hasn’t had a knock on his office door. But Dominik Szoboszlai heard the speech in the dressing room. Mohamed Salah had told his teammates he is staying, the Hungarian reported. The Egyptian, according to his manager, has never come to tell him he was leaving. The German, seeing Salah’s commitment in matches and training, noting his input in meetings of the players’ leadership group, had not felt the need to ask him if his next match would be for Al-Ittihad. “For me it wasn’t a subject for one second, to be honest,” Klopp said. Perhaps only for him. Klopp could brush aside a £150 million (RM870m) bid, with a breezy indifference to the prospect of a windfall, because of Salah’s attitude. The Saudi Pro League transfer window remains open but Liverpool’s position is unchanging – there was no wave that could be interpreted as a farewell on the pitch afterwards and his hug with Klopp was brief. There was a feeling of normality, though these are abnormal times. More than a few would be distracted by the prospect of becoming the best-paid player in the world: not Salah. Other footballers, from Matheus Nunes to Wilfried Gnonto, went on strike towards the end of the window. Salah instead struck against Villa. Such dissent as he has shown this season came at Chelsea on the opening weekend when he contrived to rip a relatively small bandage into several pieces and fling it on the pitch in his annoyance at being substituted. Yet it was all a sign of an enduring ambition: to play, to excel. The signs are that it is to continue at Liverpool. He has propelled himself to greatness in Europe in a way that was not preordained – not for a player from his background, not for a fringe figure at Chelsea – and perhaps he is reluctant to give up his spot at the top table. Saudi Arabia may not be a retirement home for everyone, but it is for some. Salah’s old sidekicks Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are there but Salah is in the sort of shape to suggest that, even at 31, he is not entering his dotage. Even as Erling Haaland seems to have supplanted him as the annual Golden Boot winner, he may be more creative than before. Perhaps no forward in the Premier League presents such an all-round threat. As the best-paid player in Liverpool’s history, he is scarcely a pauper. Yet, in a time of transition at Anfield, when the side of 2024 may not reach the heights of some of its recent predecessors, it is notable that Salah has given no indications he is going. Liverpool will tend to sell anyone when three criteria are met: when the offer is big enough, when the player wants to go and when Klopp has the time to recruit a replacement, should he need one. Al-Ittihad only ticked one of those three boxes and increasing the bid to, say, £200m (RM1.16b) would not change that. If Klopp, his players and the fanbase who sang about their Egyptian king are in harmony, the most intriguing element of the Liverpool coalition is the owners. Fenway Sports Group traded their way to the top; Liverpool’s rise was financed in part by selling very well. Financial logic dictates that nine-figure sums for players in their thirties must be accepted. The case for keeping Salah is partly footballing, partly fiscal, given the value of Champions League qualification, partly a case of morale and status and keeping Klopp happy. Taking £150m for Salah, who could leave on a free transfer in 2025, might have seemed a nobrainer. But it would also be accepting defeat; for Liverpool but maybe for Salah, too. – The Independent WHEN news got through to Manchester United officials of Jadon Sancho’s social media post – which, of course, took mere seconds – the feeling was that Erik ten Hag had already said all he was going to say on it. The situation will now be dealt with internally, although a lot is left hanging outside the club. The Dutch coach made it clear that Sancho had not met the standards required in training. There has been a feeling from some around United that he “had his head turned” from interest elsewhere, although an approach from Chelsea was denied. Those who know the player are meanwhile fairly wondering why Old Trafford isn’t seeing the Borussia Dortmund version of Sancho, where his attitude was never questioned. For the moment, it just looks one more waste of an expensive move, to go with how the team United put out on Sunday felt much less than what has been invested in the squad. It’s also one more issue, as if everything is going against them right now. Ten Hag had already complained how every decision went against them in that same press conference after the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, before another trend was put to him. That result was Manchester United’s ninth loss in their last 11 games away to teams in the top half of the table, in what has felt a stagnation since the League Cup-winning high under the Dutch coach. There are admittedly caveats, as Ten Hag pointed out: it looks bad if you “look at the result”. He had earlier claimed the “performance was right”. There is merit to Ten Hag’s argument and, against an Arsenal team who are further along in where they want to be and are bound to dominate play at home, it could be said he got it tactically right. Amid an injury crisis, United reduced the game to the tightest margins: an almost imperceptibly thin offside; a winning goal deep into stoppage time. The bigger question is why it is so often this type of performance, and this type of result. That is where the tight margins grow into something bigger. It is why there can be concerns even with the caveats, especially since those caveats did not apply to all of those away games. United still struggle to impose themselves in these matches. That goes much further and deeper than admittedly missing most of your main defenders and having to persist with the unfulfilled Anthony Martial in attack. They are also a club that knows better than anyone that breaks tend to go your way the more you attack, the more you have the ball around the opposition box. It must be galling for anyone associated with United to hear Mikel Arteta, rather than their manager, be asked about the spirit behind late matchwinning goals. The overall sense is still of a team that is seeking to execute an idea but only occasionally does so with real conviction. There is a lightness to the side. Some have started to talk about a “lack of connection” between Ten Hag and some players, and that may be reflected in the Sancho situation. The flip side is that is exactly what squads start to say in any loss of form. A few good results and it all changes. Ten Hag is still only a year in. He is going through an injury crisis. There have been thrilling performances that show what is possible. Two key players in and it all might fit again, as happened with Casemiro last season. The attack did look better with Hojlund as a focal point, something they have lacked. Sofyan Amrabat will go right into the team and add the midfield ballast they clearly need. But they may also need to change their approach to games like this. Otherwise, these trends are unlikely to change. – The Independent █ MIGUEL DELANEY What Salah’s dressing room speech says about Liverpool future █ RICHARD JOLLY Cause for concern Sancho spat heaps pressure on Ten Hag to reverse losing trend Salah Sancho