The Sun 14092023

KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of rice shortage and the increase in the price of imported rice drew the attention of MPs during the second day of debate for the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Several of them expressed urgency on the issue, saying it needed to be addressed promptly to alleviate concerns among the people, as rice is a staple food in the country. Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai) urged the government to take immediate action to address the 38% shortage in rice for local consumption. He said the country faced competition from Indonesia, which currently has a 42% shortage of local rice, and the Philippines, the largest rice importing country in Southeast Asia, with imports valued at US$1.3 billion (RM6.08 billion) in 2021. “The Indian government has also restricted rice exports from the country, which has caused the selling price of imported rice nationwide to increase from RM2,350 per tonne to RM3,200 per tonne effective Sept 1, an increase of 36%. “This price hike will make it more difficult for the B40 and M40 groups to obtain their daily needs, thus increasing concerns among Malaysians during these challenging times,” he said. Wee also suggested that the government immediately import rice from countries other than India, such as Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan, before the shortage worsens. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) said rice is a controlled item, and the government should find a way to control its price so that it does not become too expensive. “Let’s not forget that many people have become impoverished after the pandemic. Although eKasih data showed that the number of registered households has reduced from 124,744 to 118,217 as of May, with the excessive increase in the price of goods, especially food items and daily necessities such as rice, I doubt the government’s target to eradicate hardcore poverty this year will bring any meaning to the people. “Is the poverty line used to determine the poverty status of households still realistic, taking into account the increase in the price of goods and the current inflation rate?” he added. Meanwhile, Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) called on the government to increase the stockpile of rice to meet the needs of the people. He also proposed the government study oMPs suggest approaches to curb shortage, price increase of staple commodity Advice on rice INSIDE TELLING IT AS IT IS ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 No. 8351 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my COLOURFUL FARE ... Customers enjoying the food at the Tai Tong Dim Sum Restaurant at Lebuh Cintra in George Town amid more than 1,000 lanterns put up to herald the Mooncake Festival on Sept 29. – BERNAMAPIC the price of imported rice to ensure it is not too high, which makes it difficult for the people to purchase. The issue was also raised by Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman), who suggested that the government focus on increasing rice cultivation in the country, Bernama reported. “Why is our country, Malaysia, with fertile land, vast forests and a suitable climate, not advancing in agriculture, including livestock farming? “We still depend on other countries to obtain food supplies such as rice. What happened to the national rice bowl project?” She pointed out that the Batang Lupar Rice Bowl project in Sarawak covers an area of 5,100ha but only 196ha have been completed, while the rest of the site is still undergoing construction of necessary facilities. On the other hand, she said, the Kota Belud Rice Project in Sabah, with a more extensive project area and established at about the same time, has contributed yields. Eased policy on foreign nurses 4 hiring lauded page Abuse cases at childcare centres 5 on the rise page

2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS King describes tour as ‘bridge of friendship’ KUCHING: The Kembara Kenali Borneo tour by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah provided an opportunity for the King to build a “bridge of friendship” between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak. Al-Sultan Abdullah said he came up with the idea of the tour simply to allow him to meet the people in the provinces of Sabah and Sarawak more closely. “(This tour) provided an opportunity to build a new bridge where there is no river. The bridge is a bridge of friendship. My presence and that of my family, my entourage, is as if it is representing part of the people in the Peninsula. “I, representing the Malay Rulers, am extending my arms to all as one Malaysian family in our beloved country,” said the King at the closing ceremony of the tour and a dinner hosted by the Sarawak government. According to Al-Sultan Abdullah, the hospitality displayed by the people in Sabah and Sarawak throughout the duration of the journey was unexpected and will remain as sweet memories for him and his family. The King advised elected representatives of constituencies in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak to continue to engage with their constituents to be able to better understand their needs, Bernama reported. The King said during the tour, he received many complaints and letters of application from residents for basic necessities such as water supply, electricity and good roads. “I would like to advise all YB (Yang Berhormat) to engage with the people, go and meet the people, go and listen to the The King waving to the crowd in Kuching yesterday while accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (left). – BERNAMAPIC o‘Hospitality received from people in Sabah and Sarawak will remain as sweet memories’ people about what they need.” He added that the federal and state governments need to play a more effective role in solving the people’s problems. The King also gave an assurance that all the complaints he received from the people during the tour would be given due attention and would be forwarded to the relevant authorities as soon as possible. Al-Sultan Abdullah said the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour would be his last visit to Sabah and Sarawak as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as his term expires on Jan 30. “This visit is my last as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Therefore, on this meaningful night, I would like to say goodbye and thank all the people of Sabah and Sarawak for all the sweet memories.” Al-Sultan Abdullah and his entourage will complete the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour of Sarawak, covering a distance of 1,194km by travelling to Telok Melano, the starting point of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway, before returning to Kuching and heading back to Kuala Lumpur. ‘Emulate past leaders to ensure unity’ KOTA KINABALU: Former Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has called on all quarters, leaders and the people to emulate the attitude and character of past leaders to ensure that unity in the country continues to be preserved. The 67-year-old veteran politician from Kota Belud in Sabah said the charisma of past leaders such as first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj and former Sabah chief minister Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun managed to foster unity among the people in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. Pandikar Amin said the two important figures in the formation of Malaysia played a significant role in promoting and strengthening unity. He added that they were able to resolve Sabah-related issues, particularly the state’s claims, harmoniously without the need to “shout”. “They didn’t have to yell or ask for help loudly because they understood one another’s body language. A whisper was enough,” he said during an interview with Bernama and Radio Televisyen Malaysia. The United Sabah National Organisation president said unity is closely related to development and any disparities between Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula could hinder efforts to foster unity if nothing is done. Pandikar Amin said the visit by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to Sabah for the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour recently was crucial for the King to witness development disparities so that efforts to close the gap could be realised, Bernama reported. “So, if we look at unity from the perspective of development, it is certainly difficult to unite because the development gap is already too wide. Therefore, I hope the current government can make efforts to narrow this development gap.” On the influence of social media, especially among the younger generation, Pandikar Amin said social media brings more harm than good in efforts to strengthen unity. “Social media is uncontrolled. Most of the information we read on social media does not reflect the actual situation. In fact, what we read often pertains to fabricated issues and mostly fake news that can erode unity.” Malaysia can regain ‘90s glory, says Anwar KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday shared his vision for Malaysia to regain the status it achieved in the 1990s, and become a stellar country in the region economically and politically, with good governance, and be a showcase of a multiracial society. Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore, Anwar said given the present scenario and his team, he is optimistic that the goals can be achieved. “We must hasten the process and accelerate the reforms that we promised to the country,” he said during “A Conversation with the Prime Minister of Malaysia”, a special session that was live streamed. Anwar said he envisioned that Malaysia would evolve as an example of a free multiracial society that embodies humanity and compassion. He added that it would, however, depend largely on the government’s ability to govern fairly and justly. “Whatever problems we have to encounter for now, with this wave of racism and religious bigotry, I believe it’s a matter of time. With a strong sense of conviction, tenacity and purpose, we will be able to bring Malaysia forward.” When asked about political instability that is a concern for investors, Anwar said the federal government has a strong majority in Parliament, thus debunking the notion of political instability in the country. He said he believes that with correct and clear economic policies, Malaysia can perform much better than it did in the 1990s, thanks to the government’s commitment to good governance, which is often lacking in many developing countries. – Bernama Health screening for MPs KUALA LUMPUR: All MPs are required to undergo mandatory health screenings by Oct 31, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. He said this follows a recommendation made to the Health Ministry that regular health checks be conducted on all MPs. “I am deeply concerned about the health status of MPs inside and outside the Dewan Rakyat, and there have been cases of deaths. “Therefore, notices on the mandatory health screening were issued to all MPs on Sept 12,” he said in an announcement during the debate of the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review at the special Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday. Johari said MPs could undergo the health screenings at the Parliament health clinic or other health clinics and private facilities as specified in the notice. The Speaker said he had witnessed 11 MPs falling ill over the past 15 years, and therefore urged all representatives to take health issues seriously. – Bernama Rare earth mining SOP to start soon KUALA LUMPUR: The standard operating procedure (SOP) for rare earth elements (REE) mining is expected to be enforced this year, said Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. He said a meeting would be held on Oct 2 to discuss matters related to the proposed expansion of the SOP throughout the country. “The REE SOP has been approved at the Cabinet level and has already been brought to the National Mineral Council. “One part of the SOP focuses on the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry and the Minerals and Geoscience Department while another part is for us to ensure how to develop at the intermediate and downstream levels, and this involves related ministries,” he said. – Bernama

3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 PETALING JAYA: While SMEs stand at the forefront of innovation and economic growth, the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (Mdec) reported that in 2019, 84% of them experienced cyber threats and 76% had faced it more than once. A study conducted last year by the SME Association of Malaysia said only 26% of SMEs have chosen to digitalise their operations or use e-commerce platforms in 2021, while the remaining 57% have yet to do so. Speaking to theSun, Cyber security company Novem CS CEO Murugason Thangaratnam said SMEs are advised to instal cyber security systems to protect against hackers. “SMEs are three times more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals. They are particularly vulnerable to ransomware attacks as even small amounts in ransom could affect them due to their small profit margins.” Murugason said all SMEs should conduct a “health check” to identify their security risks. Once this is done, their requirements will be identified and they can proceed to plan their cyber security investment. “There are many professional cyber security firms that provide health checks and it may not cost SMEs a large sum of money. Some solutions may just involve improving internal processes and increasing awareness of cyber hygiene,” he said. While there are many methods used by cybercriminals to hack into companies, “phishing” remains the most preferred method to gain access to confidential information because it involves social engineering. Other indications include a sudden increase in network traffic, login anomalies and access at odd hours or from unusual locations, numerous failed login attempts, slow computer systems or network operations, and unrecognised login requests. Murugason said some of the biggest cyber security threats to SMEs come from employee behaviours and habits. “These threats range from a suspicious link that redirects the user to a fake website or a cybercriminal posing as an interested customer to trick staff into giving away sensitive information.” By investing in cyber security awareness training, Murugason said SMEs can show their customers and partners that they take data protection seriously, and are taking proactive measures to prevent cyber attacks. “Employees must exercise good judgement to keep their enterprise secure. It is mandatory to train employees against scams and deception techniques so that they practise cyber hygiene and never put the business at risk.” In terms of data breaches, he said different sets of data provide different information to owners and cyber attackers. “The available information depends on the nature of the business, its importance in the supply chain and what cybercriminals consider the enterprise’s most valuable assets. “However, cybercriminals typically target high-value accounts for takeover. Those that are usually managed by the organisation’s CEO or chief financial officer are twice as likely to be taken over compared with the average employee,” he said. There are government organisations in Malaysia that can provide help to corporations experiencing a cyber attack, such as the Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT). MyCERT’s Cyber999, a cyber security incident response centre, revealed that in the third quarter of 2022, it received 2,240 incidents of cyber attacks, an increase of 13% over the second quarter of the same year. ‘Use social media to foster unity’ KOTA KINABALU: Using social media in a positive and effective manner is essential to strengthen unity among the people, said Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Corporate Communication Centre director Dr Jakaria Dasan, who is also a senior lecturer at the varsity. He said misuse of social media could result in misunderstanding and therefore, it was critical that members of society fulfil their roles and responsibilities as patriotic citizens by utilising such platforms as a medium of unity. “We have to look at social media in a positive context. This technology did not exist in the past but today we all have smartphones. We used to have public telephones but even then we could not access or make contact sometimes, and also information was delayed.” He said currently there are four popular social media platforms in Malaysia, which are Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, with the latest being TikTok. He said young people used to be on Facebook but the platform has now been embraced by people of all ages, while TikTok is the most popular among younger generations at the moment. “In the context of social media and technology, we need to overcome the negative elements by increasing the presence of various parties, especially the government, in a more effective way. For example, if young people want to watch history or past events, we must provide that content,” he said in an interview with Bernama and Radio Television Malaysia yesterday. – Bernama SMEs advised to instal cyber security systems oCompanies vulnerable to ransomware attacks and three times more likely to be targeted by hackers: Expert Zahid: Up to committee to comment on DNAA KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would leave it to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reforms to shed light on the discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) granted to him in his Yayasan Akalbudi case. He was replying when asked about the statement by committee chairman William Leong Jee Keen that it would summon Attorney-General (AG) Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh to provide clarification on the DNAA. “The announcement was made during the special Dewan Rakyat meeting on the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review. “I leave it to the committee to take steps towards clarifying the issue,” he said after officiating at the Halal Sector Forum yesterday. At the special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Tuesday, Leong said the committee would also summon former AG Tan Sri Idrus Harun to explain the DNAA, adding that a report would be presented after the proceedings were conducted. Commenting on Perikatan Nasional Youth’s planned demonstration this Saturday, Ahmad Zahid said: “We are a democratic country. Some want to organise (a rally) and others may not. I hope there won’t be any battle in the streets.” Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, said there was no need for a referendum among party members regarding cooperation with DAP as suggested by supreme council member Isham Jalil. “There is no need for a referendum. I respect individual opinions, but let’s not force everyone to do the same.” On another matter, Ahmad Zahid said decisions on applications for halal certificates must be made within 30 working days and there should be no excuse for delays. He said this was because there have been complaints suggesting that the application process has taken from nine months to two years, with some applicants receiving rejection notices only after two years. “The report that I received from the (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) shows that they have taken several proactive measures and the approval process has been expedited. “While this information may only be on paper, there are still complaints out there,” he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, also wants the workshop on halal certification to be held triannually to expedite the issuance of halal certificates to new applicants or to certificate holders seeking renewal. – Bernama Pahang to boost halal certification KUANTAN: Pahang will intensify its efforts to ensure that more entrepreneurs in the state obtain halal certification and produce a greater variety of halal food products for the local market and export. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said this was in view of the high demand for halal food products among consumers worldwide. “It is undeniable that halal certification is important at the international level because consumers will feel more assured, especially regarding food ingredients, and the same applies to our country. “The prime minister, when opening the Global Halal Summit 2023, called for improvements in this aspect and in Pahang, there is still room to enhance the production of halal food products.” He said this after officiating at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Pahang State Farmers’ Organisation on Tuesday night. Wan Rosdy also stressed that Pahang is one of the largest vegetable producers in the country. – Bernama █ BY QALIF ZUHAIR [email protected] Budget hostel for youths, jobseekers KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry yesterday launched the Youth Capsule (Y-Capsule) @IYCResidence, a hostel for youth and jobseekers in the city. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the facility will start operating tomorrow and is offered to those aged between 18 and 40 at only RM10 per day. “This programme targets youths who intend to undergo industrial training, are looking for jobs and individuals who are already employed but do not have a place to stay. “I hope this will encourage more youths to get jobs particularly those coming from rural areas,” she said after the launching ceremony. The facility at the International Youth Centre in Cheras offers five dormitories with 54 beds and is equipped with cooking facilities, self-service laundry and internet access. – Bernama GIFTED PATRIOT ... Retired serviceman Ridzwan Abdul Wahab showing his portraits of Malaysia’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and current premier Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at his shop in Gua Musang, Kelantan. – BERNAMAPIC

4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME 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. Eased policy on foreign nurses lauded PETALING JAYA: As the number of private hospitals in the country increases, the demand for skilled healthcare professionals is soaring, particularly for nurses. The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) found that of the 103 member hospitals it surveyed in November last year, 9,224 additional nurses will be required oRemoval of post-basic qualification requirement expected to alleviate shortage, position country as healthcare hub █ BY SIVANISVARRY MORHAN [email protected] from this year to 2025. In a move to address the matter, the Health Ministry has announced that foreign nurses will be exempted from having a post-basic qualification to work in the country. The exemption will be effective from Oct 1 to Sept 30 next year. Previously, only foreign specialist nurses with post-basic qualifications were allowed to work in Malaysia under strict regulations. APHM president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said with the exemption, the country can position itself as a leading healthcare hub for local and international patients. “The demand for trained nurses has increased in recent years due to the growth of private hospitals and the migration of local nurses to work abroad. “To address this, the country is now accepting applications from nurses from India and the Philippines, among others.” Kuljit said the exemption will benefit private hospitals by allowing them to serve more patients and potentially participate in public-private partnerships to treat patients from government hospitals. Commenting on the extension of the employment period beyond next September, he said it can be decided based on their performance and the hospital’s needs when the time comes. He also expressed gratitude to the Health Ministry and the Registrar of the Nursing Board for granting the long-awaited exemption. “Private hospitals would like to thank Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and the Registrar of the Nursing Board Devi Saravana Muthu for their assistance in the matter. “Our repeated requests have been granted, and patients seeking private care will now have better access and earlier admittance with available beds.” He said the Health Ministry’s initiative demonstrates its commitment to improving private healthcare delivery alongside public healthcare services. Kuljit said in supporting the medical tourism hub, APHM has joined hands with the government and the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council to bring in more foreign patients. With the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, he said the country has the potential to establish itself as a premier healthcare destination, catering to the needs of both local patients and medical tourists. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that the Health White Paper, which aims at reforming the nation’s health system, will further enhance collaboration between the public and private sectors. New bypass relief for villagers KUANTAN: The construction of a bypass from Bukit Sagu to Bukit Kuin here has been described as a boon for locals, who for years have had no way out of their villages each time the areas were hit by floods. Bukit Kuin resident Kapt (Rtd) Ahmad Azuan Osman, 44, said almost every monsoon season, Jalan Sungai Lembing, which is the main route to the state capital, would be submerged and the floodwater would take days to subside. He said the alternative route through Felda Sungai Panching was too far away and more often than not, it would also be flooded. “Bukit Kuin and Bukit Sagu are located next to each other. If there is a proper alternative, residents would be able to head to Kuantan through Felda Bukit Sagu, Indera Mahkota or KotaSAS during floods. “This means we would be able to commute to the city for work as usual. Those relying on daily wages would not have their incomes affected, while those who need to go to the bank or hospital can do so without worry,” he said. On Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his speech on the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 in the Dewan Rakyat, said the construction of the bypass project would benefit the locals. Felda Bukit Sagu 1 resident Mohd Shah Riduwan Abdul Rahman, 38, said the new bypass will also help reduce road crashes in the area. He said this is because the main road in Felda Bukit Sagu is a primary route used by palm oil lorries, which, coupled with poor street lighting, makes it risky for road users, especially motorcyclists. – Bernama Komuter delays due to upgrading works KUALA LUMPUR: The current disruptions and delays in the KTM Komuter service are due to upgrading of systems and infrastructure under the Klang Valley Double Tracking (KVDT) project. KTMB chief corporate officer Mohamed Suhaimi Yaacob said the upgrading works are taking a long time because train services are still running. “When they (upgrading works and train services) are done simultaneously, they will definitely impact the scheduling, even forcing the cancellation of some services, but we always reschedule another one. “For now, we are running Komuter trains at an interval of 30 minutes during peak hours and hope to increase it to 15 minute-intervals once the upgrading works are completed,” he said after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between KTMB and AirAsia Ride, here yesterday. The MoU was signed by Mohamed Suhaimi and Air Asia Ride Regional chief executive officer Lim Chiew Shan. Phase One of KDVT, which started in 2016 and involves system works upgrade between Rawang and Seremban as well as Sentul and Port Klang covering an estimated 150km, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Phase Two of KDVT started early this year and covers the repair and upgrading of 265km of tracks between Salak Selatan and Seremban, and Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang, with completion expected in 2027. – Bernama HOLISTIC LEARNING ... A class in session at the Human Capital Development Centre in Kampung Kabog in Kunak, Sabah where the syllabus includes both mainstream education and religious modules. – BERNAMAPIC

5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 Man escapes gallows after drug charge amended PUTRAJAYA: A former maintenance worker at an army air base in Sungai Petani, Kedah escaped the gallows yesterday after his drug trafficking charge was amended to possession. Abdul Salam Zainal Abidin, 46, was sentenced to 10 years and six months’ imprisonment with 10 strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty before a Court of Appeal panel. He will receive 15 strokes of the cane in total, as his conviction and sentence of four years’ imprisonment with five strokes for another drug possession charge was upheld after Abdul Salam withdrew his appeal. Abdul Salam was ordered to serve the jail sentences concurrently from the date of his arrest on June 16, 2015. The panel, comprising justices Datuk Hanipah Farikullah, Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali and Datuk Azmi Ariffin set aside his conviction and death sentence for the drug trafficking charge and substituted it with the charge for possession. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad earlier told the court that the Attorney-General’s Chambers has accepted his client’s representation seeking the trafficking charge to be reduced to possession. DPP Mohd Khushairy Ibrahim confirmed the matter. Amer Hamzah also said his client was withdrawing his appeal against the High Court verdict that convicted him of a charge of possessing cannabis. The High Court had imposed a custodial sentence and whipping on Abdul Salam. He was sentenced to death on Sept 18, 2019 for trafficking 517g of cannabis at a house at Taman Sri Tanjung in Sungai Petani at about 10pm on June 16, 2015. The Alor Setar High Court also found him guilty of possessing 23.04g of cannabis at Level One of the Kemudik building at Bandar Amanjaya in Sungai Petani at 8pm the same day. – Bernama Cops start probe over rally video KUALA LUMPUR: Police have opened an investigation paper over a video on a “Save Malaysia” demonstration planned for Saturday at a shopping complex here. City police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said in a statement five reports have been received over the video of an individual urging people to join the demonstration. He added that two individuals have provided their statements and four more will be called in to do the same. “The public are urged not to be involved in any demonstration that violates the law. Action can be taken against offenders.” The 55-second video, showing a man inviting the public to join a demonstration on Malaysia Day and to wear white shirts as a sign of support, was recently uploaded on social media. In a separate case, an investigation paper was opened following the actions of 20 individuals who tried to march to the Parliament building to submit a memorandum on Tuesday. Dang Wangi police chief ACP Noor Dellhan Yahaya said in a statement the group defied police when ordered not to proceed to Parliament as the submission of the memorandum had been coordinated by Parliament officials and was to be held at the National Monument. “The individuals involved have been identified and will be called to assist in investigations before the case is referred to the DPP.” – Bernama Abuse cases at childcare centres on the increase PETALING JAYA: Cases of abuse at childcare centres nationwide are on the rise, with 336 cases recorded in 2022 compared with 217 in 2019, according to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president Datin Wong Poai Hong said the increase could be due to the lower number of registered childcare centres post-Covid, resulting in more children enrolled in fewer facilities. “Malaysia has only 2,999 centres now, compared with twice the number before Covid-19. The vast majority are unlicensed and of poor quality. Most of the staff are qualified only on paper, as a large number of them were not properly trained on child rights, protection oGovt urged to regulate sector, require basic training for all employees at such facilities █ BY RAIS ZULFAHMI [email protected] 450 police for M’sia Day event KUCHING: A total of 457 police officers will be on duty to ensure the smooth running of the Malaysia Day celebrations at Stadium Perpaduan here on Saturday. Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said in a statement their tasks include security control and traffic management. “We estimate that about 5,000 people will attend the event, which will begin at 8.30pm.” Acting Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar will be the guest of honour. Other expected attendees include Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Abang Openg, his wife Puan Sri Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and his wife Datin Seri Juliah Salang. Themed Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan, the celebrations are scheduled to start with a pre-performance at 7pm. The event will include a Malaysia Day concert featuring local artistes, a Special Malaysia Day Book signing ceremony and a Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang convoy parade. – Bernama Woman loses RM1.4 million to phone scam syndicate IPOH: A 62-year-old woman in Perak was cheated of RM1.4 million three years ago by phone scam syndicate members who posed as courier company staff and police officers. Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the woman from Taman Wah Keong lodged a report yesterday. “On March 27, 2020, the complainant received a phone call from an unknown individual claiming to be a courier company (employee), saying there was a parcel for her but there was a problem with it. “She then ‘verified’ it through a fake Sabah contingent police headquarters phone number, that was provided by the caller, and was informed by a ‘police officer’ that she was implicated in a money laundering and drug case. “She only realised she had been cheated after she revealed confidential information about her bank accounts and digital wallets and followed instructions to transfer funds to a number of bank account numbers (provided by the fraudsters).” Mohd Yusri advised the public to be wary of suspicious phone calls, especially those claiming to be from government agencies. – Bernama TRADITIONAL TROUPE ... Perak Culture and Arts Department performers gather for a group photo during the 9th Educational Institution Sports Championship that was officiated by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek at the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris stadium in Tanjung Malim on Tuesday. – BERNAMAPIC and development. “Malaysia lacks a national early childhood care and education policy and strategy to guide the sector. “The majority of parents can only afford to send their children to cheaper daycare centres staffed with unqualified and untrained childminders. This could be why there is a higher chance of abuse cases happening.” Wong said the government should make it mandatory for all childcare centres to instal closed circuit television cameras, as required by the ministry, although it is not a definite deterrent. “A more effective way is to make it compulsory for all centres to implement a Child Protection Policy that includes staff screenings and processes for handling abuse cases.” Child Rights, Innovation and Betterment Foundation co-chair Srividhya Ganapathy said a two-pronged approach is required to reduce such incidents. “Measures must be put in place to ensure that every childcare centre, even informal neighbourhood ones, is registered with the government. “If we approach it systematically with the assistance of local councils and communities, it can be achieved. We can only ensure protection if we first know which centre the child attends. “We must also take urgent steps to ensure that every centre (employee) is provided with basic child protection training. At any point in time, there must be a manageable ratio of children to trained childcare personnel.” Srividhya said training is needed for them to understand what is right and wrong when it comes to the care of children. She added that the government must establish comprehensive measures for individuals to report incidents of child abuse, while protecting whistleblowers and educating and raising awareness among the public. Daycare centre-cum-kindergarten teacher Shafika Basri said the childcare industry has been impacted by the rise in reports of abuse. “Parents would be anxious about placing their children in childcare centres and (they may) prefer to look after their children themselves or leave them in the care of a family member.”

6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said Russia would help North Korea launch satellites and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Moscow had his full backing in its “sacred fight” with the West as they met yesterday at a cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East. They would discuss “all issues”, Putin said when asked if the two leaders would talk about getting supplies from the North to replenish Moscow’s dwindling stock of weapons and ammunition at the summit at the Vostochny Cosmodrome space station. “That’s why we came here,” Putin said when reporters asked whether Russia would help Kim build satellites. “The leader of the DPRK shows great interest in rocket engineering; they are also trying to develop space.” DPRK is short for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea’s formal name. At the opening of the meeting with Putin at the gleaming new space station, Kim said it was North Korea’s unwavering position to further develop its traditional friendship and ties with Russia. “I find it an honour that the president has prepared an opportunity to meet at a special environment at the launch station which is the heart of your position as a space superpower and given us a deep understanding of the way forward.” Kim also told Putin the Kremlin chief had his full backing in the “sacred fight” Moscow is waging “against the hegemonic forces”. “We will always support the decisions of President Putin and the Russian leadership ... and we will be together in the fight against imperialism,” Kim told Putin, speaking via an interpreter. The summit between the leaders of the two countries, which have become increasingly isolated internationally, is being watched closely by Washington and allies, who suspect they could agree to trade arms and defence technology. The choice to meet at Vostochny Cosmodrome – a symbol of Russia’s ambitions as a space power – was notable, as North Korea twice failed to launch reconnaissance satellites in the past four months. “I am glad to see you,” Putin said earlier as he welcomed Kim at Vostochny Cosmodrome, a modern space launch facility in the Amur region of Russia’s Far East. “This is our new cosmodrome.” – Reuters B R I E F SSMOKE SHROUDS SYDNEY HARBOUR CANBERRA: A smoky haze blanketed Australia’s scenic Sydney Harbour on yesterday. Office workers could taste the smoke as they stepped off trains in the city’s business district, while whispy shrouds cloaked landmarks such as the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The smoke was produced by “hazard reduction burns” on Sydney’s forested outskirts, which have been lit by firefighters to reduce fuel loads ahead of risky bushfire conditions this summer. – AFP INSURANCE CHIEF JAILED FOR LIFE BEIJING: The former head of a major Chinese insurance firm has been sentenced to life in prison for corruption. Wang Bin, the former chairman and Communist Party chief of China Life Insurance, was handed “death with a two-year reprieve” for taking bribes and hiding overseas savings, state news agency Xinhua said on Tuesday. His sentence “can be commuted to life imprisonment ... (with) no further reduction or parole” after two years, Xinhua said. It said a court in Shandong province found Wang abused his positions to rack up illicit gains. – AFP JAPAN PM NAMES NEW MINISTERS TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida named new foreign and defence ministers yesterday in a major reshuffle that raised the number of women in the Cabinet to five. Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi was replaced by Yoko Kamikawa. The 70-year-old is Japan’s first woman foreign minister in 19 years. Minoru Kihara, 54, succeeded Yasukazu Hamada as defence minister, just as Japan faces a rising threat from North Korea. – AFP Dozens dead in Hanoi apartment fire HANOI: Dozens of people died in a fire at an apartment block in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi, state media said yesterday, with witnesses reporting screams from inside. The fire started just before midnight on Tuesday (1m yesterday in Malaysia) in the parking floor of the 10-storey building, an area packed with motorcycles. More than 100 people managed to escape or were pulled from the building by rescuers, with authorities rushing 54 to hospital, including “dozens of dead”, the official Vietnam News Agency said. At least three children were among the dead, Viettimes, an online state newspaper, reported. “I heard a lot of shouts for help. We could not help them much,” said Hoa, a woman who lives near the block and gave only one name. “The apartment is so closed with no escape route, impossible for the victims to get out.” Photos by AFP photographers on the scene overnight showed flames and smoke billowing from barred balconies. The blaze was out by yesterday morning, but rescuers still struggled for hours thereafter to access the building, which is down a narrow alley in a residential area of southwest Hanoi. The complex’s small balconies were surrounded by iron bars, with the apartment block having only a single exit – and no emergency ladder on the outside. Around 150 people lived in the complex, authorities said. Another witness, Huong, said a small boy was thrown from a high floor to help him escape the flames. “I was about to sleep when I smelled something. I went outside and saw the fire,” she said. “The smoke was everywhere. “There was a little boy thrown from a high floor, I don’t know TikTok opposes mooted Indonesia transaction ban JAKARTA: TikTok yesterday criticised calls by Indonesia to ban social media transactions, as Jakarta rails against what it says are monopolistic practices by major companies with e-commerce platforms such as the Chinese-owned firm. Indonesia users spent more money on TikTok than anywhere else in Southeast Asia over the past year, as the app’s e-commerce arm rapidly grew to gain a substantial regional market share and millions of sellers since its 2021 launch. Several government officials in recent weeks have called for social media and e-commerce to be separated, taking aim at companies like TikTok for what they say are monopolistic practices threatening local and small businesses. “Close to two million local businesses in Indonesia use TikTok to grow and thrive through social commerce,” said TikTok Indonesia head of communications Anggini Setiawan. “Forcing social media and e-commerce to separate into different platforms would not only hamper innovation, it would also disadvantage Indonesian merchants and consumers.” It called on Jakarta to “provide a level playing field for TikTok”. It came after Deputy Trade Minister Jerry Sambuaga told a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday that “we must differentiate between ecommerce, social media and social commerce”. He complained there was little regulation of the social media e-commerce space and called for a change to current trade laws. “A revision ... will firmly and explicitly ban that,” he said, without confirming further details of his plan. Current laws in the archipelago nation do not cover transactions on social media. – AFP whether he survived or not although people used a mattress to catch him.” Neighbours reported several others jumping from the block. “There was a middle-aged woman jumping down onto my terrace here. She hit her arm and broke it,” said Dao To Nga. “Another person also jumped down here and broke his legs. “A child was put into a plastic basket and lowered down”. Some were able to flee the building using her roof. “This rooftop of my family helped 14-15 people escape,” she said. – AFP Family of late US billionaire to return looted Cambodian artefacts WASHINGTON: The family of late American pipeline billionaire George Lindemann has agreed to return 33 looted artefacts to Cambodia, a decision described as “momentous” by the Southeast Asian country. The collection includes statues of deities, angels and demons from the 10th and 12th centuries from Koh Ker, the ancient capital of the Khmer kingdom, and from the famous Angkor Wat temple, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said on Tuesday. In a statement, it said the family’s decision was voluntary. Cambodia’s archaeological sites suffered widespread looting during civil conflicts from the 1960s to 1990s and its government has spent years pursuing the return of antiquities, some of which it says are on display in American museums. The United States repatriated 27 smuggled antiquities to Cambodia in 2021, including Hindu and Buddhist statues valued at about US$3.8 million and last year returned 30 more including several that were more than 1,000 years old. The artefacts that were held by the Lindemann family are expected to be repatriated later this year, said Bradley Gordon, a lawyer advising Cambodia on the repatriations and head of its investigation team. Gordon said he understood the Lindemann family had paid more than US$20 million for the artefacts. – Reuters SPEEDY TRIP ... Indonesian President Joko Widodo gesturing during a trial of the new Bandung-Jakarta high-speed train in Jakarta yesterday. – AFPPIC oBoy thrown, several others jump down from building to escape blaze Putin and Kim hold summit in Russia

7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 Flood-devastated Libyan city tallies dead TRIPOLI: Libya’s devastated eastern city of Derna was counting its dead yesterday with the toll from the floodwaters unleashed by Storm Daniel expected to rise even further. Two dams burst on Sunday afternoon after the storm hit, releasing a surge of water that tore through the city, sweeping away buildings and the people inside them. By Tuesday night, the preliminary death toll from authorities in the politically fractured North African country was at least 2,300 dead. Emergency services said more than 5,000 people were missing and about 7,000 were injured. “The death toll is huge and might reach thousands,” said Tamer Ramadan, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies delegation in Libya. Media reports quoted a spokesman for the Interior Ministry of Libya’s eastern government as saying “more than 5,200” people had died in Derna. The city, 250km east of Benghazi, is ringed by hills and bisected by what is normally a dry riverbed in summer, but which became a raging torrent of mud-brown water that also swept away several major bridges. Derna was home to about 100,000 people, and many of its multi-storey buildings on the banks of the riverbed collapsed, with people, their homes and cars vanishing in the raging waters. With global concern about the disaster spreading, several nations offered urgent aid and rescue teams to help the war-scarred country. Elsewhere in Libya’s east, the Norwegian Refugee Council, an aid group, said “entire villages have been overwhelmed by the floods and the death toll continues to rise”. “Communities across Libya have endured years of conflict, poverty and displacement. “The latest disaster will exacerbate the situation for these people.”– AFP B R I E F SBAHRAIN PRISONERS ‘END’ HUNGER STRIKE MANAMA: Prisoners in Bahrain have “ended” a mass hunger strike over jail conditions, a government source said, after activists warned the action could resume. The hunger strike, which lasted 36 days and involved at least 800 inmates according to activists, was halted on Monday, days before a team from the United Nations Human Rights Office was due to visit. The strike was “temporarily suspended” after an offer to improve conditions and as the health of some prisoners deteriorated, the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said on Tuesday. But a government source familiar with the situation said “inmates have ended their hunger strike”. – AFP CHINA’S XI MEETS VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT BEIJING: China leader Xi Jinping met Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday, according to state media. “Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro in Beijing on Wednesday,” Xinhua news agency reported. The pair will later hold a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, state broadcaster CCTV added. Maduro arrived in Beijing on Tuesday after a tour of Shanghai and other Chinese cities. The Venezuelan leader, who touched down in the southern tech hub Shenzhen on Friday, is expected to stay in China until today for his first state visit to the country since 2018. – AFP Tories warned candidates might be China spies LONDON: Britain’s MI5 security service warned the ruling Conservative party that two would-be lawmakers could be Chinese spies, a minister said yesterday. Details of the advice, given in 2021 and last year, comes days after it emerged that a parliamentary researcher was arrested in March on suspicion of spying for Beijing. Junior Health Minister Maria Caulfield said her party acted promptly to drop the two potential candidates for Parliament after MI5’s intervention. “I think whichever party is in government, there will always be those who are trying to target it, either to get information or to influence,” she told Times Radio. In the case of the two possible candidates “who the Conservative Party were warned about, swift action was taken and they were removed from the list”, she added. “They are not standing for election.” Caulfield was speaking after a report in The Times daily said MI5 raised concerns that the pair had links to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, a body charged with influencing global policy and opinion. “It was made very clear that they posed a risk,” the report quoted an unnamed source as saying. “They were subsequently blocked from the candidates list. “They weren’t told why.”– AFP McCarthy orders Biden impeachment inquiry WASHINGTON: Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, bowing to pressure from his party’s hard right, authorised the launch on Tuesday of an impeachment investigation into US President Joe Biden. “I am directing our House committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden,” McCarthy said, alleging that the Democratic leader had lied to the American people about his son Hunter’s foreign business dealings. “House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations about President Biden’s conduct,” McCarthy told reporters. “Taken together, these allegations paint a oTop Republican claims president lied about his son’s foreign business dealings picture of a culture of corruption.” The business dealings in Ukraine and China by Biden’s 53-year-old son Hunter while his father was vice-president under Barack Obama have been a constant target of Republicans. Hunter, a recovering drug addict, is currently under investigation by a Justice Department special counsel for possible tax evasion and is expected to be charged by the end of this month on a firearms violation. However, he has not been charged with crimes related to his foreign business dealings, and no credible evidence has emerged so far that the president was involved in anything illegal. McCarthy has been under pressure from the right wing of the party, loyal to Donald Trump, for months to open an impeachment inquiry into the 80-year-old Biden. The White House immediately condemned the move, calling it “extreme politics at its worst”. “House Republicans have been investigating the president for nine months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing,” Ian Sams, a White House spokesman, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. McCarthy, who was forced to compromise with the far right of the party to win his powerful speaker’s post, said the “allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption” against Biden “warrant further investigation by the House of Representatives”. “We have found that President Biden did lie to the American people about his own knowledge of his family’s foreign business dealings,” McCarthy said. “Bank records show that nearly US$20 million in payments were directed to Biden family members and associates through various shell companies,” he alleged. McCarthy said the Republican-held House Oversight, Judiciary and Ways and Means committees would carry out the impeachment inquiry. “We will go wherever the evidence takes us,” he said. – AFP 333 million children still in extreme poverty: Unicef WASHINGTON: The Covid-19 pandemic caused a sharp slowdown in the fight to end child poverty, with 333 million children still living in extreme poverty, according to a report published yesterday. The report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the World Bank found that the pandemic led to the abolition of extreme poverty for 30 million fewer children than was previously predicted. As a result, around one in six children still live on less than US$2.15 per day, it said. “Compounding crises from the impacts of Covid-19, conflict, climate change and economic shocks have stalled progress and left millions of children in extreme poverty,” said Unicef executive director Catherine Russell. The report’s findings throw a spanner in the works of the UN’s ambitious goal to eradicate extreme child poverty by 2030. “A world where 333 million children live in extreme poverty – deprived not only of basic needs but also dignity, opportunity or hope – is simply intolerable,” World Bank global director for poverty and equity Luis-Felipe Lopez-Calva said in a statement. The report found that 40% of children in sub-Saharan Africa still live in extreme poverty – the highest percentage of anywhere in the world. A series of factors including rapid population growth, Covid-19 and climate-related disasters have exacerbated extreme child poverty in sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, even as all other regions in the world have seen a steady decline. – AFP TURNED BACK ... Migrants from El Salvador seeking asylum attempt to cross a wire fence to return to Mexico from the United States, after members of the Texas National Guard prevented their crossing. – REUTERSPIC

8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 SPEAK UP Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ Addressing need for veterinarians VETERINARIANS play an important role in society. A substantial portion of our protein requirement originates from animals, including poultry, eggs, beef, mutton and pork. To meet these demands, we must effectively manage animal farming to ensure the industry is sustainable and consumers have ample supply of safe and high-quality animal products. This will require expertise in various areas, such as animal production, husbandry, disease prevention and control, treatment, animal welfare practices and food safety and hygiene. In the broader livestock and food production system, veterinarians play an integral role in overseeing the proper transportation of animals to slaughter and processing facilities. Additionally, they are actively engaged in inspecting meat and milk processing to uphold food safety and hygiene standards. The issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging concern and veterinarians are crucial in promoting responsible and prudent use of medicines in animals. They also participate in multifaceted strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of AMR through a comprehensive one-health approach. Next time you savour a steak, indulge in fried chicken or enjoy a glass of milk, it is important to note that veterinarians have been instrumental in ensuring the quality and safety of these products. Veterinarians are also involved in ensuring there is sufficient animal protein sources within the local production to meet local demand. The Malaysian poultry broiler industry has undergone commercialisation and has attained a self-sufficiency rate of 99.9%. Meanwhile, the egg industry is currently exceeding self-sufficiency levels, with more than enough eggs to meet local demand and surplus eggs being exported to Singapore and Hong Kong. Although these subsectors are poised for growth due to increasing demand, it is imperative that effective disease control measures be implemented and managed. Failure to do so can lead to significant mortality rates and losses within the industry. In the event of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), our export industry would suffer significant consequences, resulting in losses amounting to billions of ringgits. The 2017 HPAI outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the urgency veterinarians had to face when dealing with such diseases. This outbreak not only impacted the poultry industry but also had repercussions on the bird nest industry, valued at RM16 billion and RM1 billion, respectively. Additionally, other diseases have affected and caused huge financial losses to the industry. Recent occurrences include the infection of pigs with African Swine Fever and cases of Lumpy Skin Disease in beef cattle since 2021. Between 1998 and 1999, Malaysia grappled with the Nipah virus outbreak, which necessitated the culling of one million pigs and resulted in 105 human fatalities. This underscores the need to improve biosecurity measures and farming systems, with an increased presence of veterinarians to manage and mitigate the impact of these transboundary animal diseases. Veterinarians also play a key role in disease control among wildlife, pets as well as exotic and aquatic animals. Numerous diseases originating in animals can be transmitted to humans, such as the highly fatal rabies. Sarawak has already reported 13 human fatalities attributed to rabies this year. As such, it is important to strengthen disease control strategies among dogs, with involvement of veterinarians, to reduce or prevent such incidents. Furthermore, a comparison of the number of veterinarians between Malaysia and several countries in the region indicates a big disparity. For instance, in Australia, there are approximately 13,000 veterinarians, with one veterinarian for every 1,923 people, Japan has 40,251 veterinarians, representing one veterinarian for every 3,123 people, Thailand has around 15,000 veterinarians, translating to one veterinarian for every 4,773 people and Taiwan has 5,342 veterinarians, resulting in one veterinarian for every 4,300 people. In contrast, Malaysia has comparatively fewer veterinarians, with 2,236, leading to one veterinarian for every 14,311 people. Meanwhile, studies show that three in five people in Asia own pets, indicating a high number of pet ownership. In Malaysia, 59% of the population own pets, with ownership of cats and dogs at 34% and 20%. The increase in pet ownership is linked to rising affluence and an increased societal focus on animal welfare. This trend is expected to heighten demand for high-quality veterinary services. Concurrently, the field of companion animal practice has become popular and competitive, attracting the interest of young entrepreneurial veterinarians in Malaysia. The practice has undergone notable transformation, shifting its focus from curative medicine to preventive care, with the establishment of referral and specialisation centres. At present, there are more than 650 companion animal practices in Malaysia, with 61 newly licensed clinics registered between January and May. There are currently 3,463 registered veterinarians with the Malaysian Veterinary Council. However, only 2,236 have applied and received their Annual Practising Certificate. The majority of veterinary practitioners in Malaysia graduated from two local universities – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). UPM initiated its five-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programme in 1972, while UMK started its programme in 2009. The remaining veterinarians obtained their degrees from Indonesia, Taiwan and other Commonwealth nations, such as India and Pakistan. Each year, UPM produces approximately 120 veterinary graduates, while UMK contributes around 40. Additionally, it is estimated that 60 to 80 Malaysians graduate annually from accredited foreign universities. As a result, an approximate total of 220 to 240 new veterinarians enter the workforce each year. However, based on the demand for veterinarians from various projections, Malaysia will need an excess of 6,400 veterinarians nationwide to fulfil the ideal ratio of one veterinarian for every 5,000 people. UPM and UMK can only scale up the number of veterinary medical undergraduates to a certain extent as their expansion is limited by available resources, including teaching staff and facilities. The establishment of additional veterinary schools is imperative to accommodate the growing demand and meet the required supply of veterinarians. Facilitating training for the projected workforce will also complement the government’s ongoing efforts and elevate standards in veterinary education. Private institutions are also wellpositioned to contribute by offering relevant programmes, thus playing a significant role in augmenting the number of veterinarians and bridging the workforce gap in the veterinary field. The writer is a professor at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University and was the former Director-General of Veterinary Services Malaysia and president of the Malaysian Veterinary Council (2017-2020). He is a Founding Fellow at the Malaysian College of Veterinary Specialists and was the president of the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (2020-2022). Comments: [email protected] “The establishment of additional veterinary schools is imperative to accommodate the growing demand and meet the required supply of veterinarians. Facilitating training for the projected workforce will also complement the government’s ongoing efforts and elevate standards in veterinary education. The field of companion animal practice has become popular and competitive, attracting the interest of young entrepreneurial veterinarians. – REUTERSPIC COMMENT by Prof Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin A. Hassan Nizam

9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 Mastering art of mindfulness I N a fast-paced world where our thoughts are constantly racing, a seemingly simple concept has emerged as a focal point in our collective consciousness: mindfulness. This term has been tossed around in recent years, often accompanied by hype. But what exactly is mindfulness and why does it hold our attention, appearing to be accessible and yet strangely elusive? Let us explore the essence of mindfulness, its connection to the present moment and reasons its practice can be effortless and challenging. Mindfulness is a state of complete presence and involvement in the current moment, free from judgement or distraction. It is about directing your attention on the present, appreciating the beauty and intricacies of each unfolding moment. In our hyperconnected world, where smartphones and constant notifications demand our attention, mindfulness provides a sanctuary of clarity and calm. At first glance, this description may seem deceptively straightforward. After all, it is not just about being aware of our surroundings. There is more than meets the eye. Mindfulness delves into the depths of our consciousness, beckoning us to explore not only the external world but also our internal realm. Mindfulness is not limited to the present moment, although it starts with the present moment. It is a gateway to a broader understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe. By training our minds to stay in the present, we gain insight into our thought patterns, emotions and reactions. We start to notice the subtle fluctuations of our inner world, which can be as chaotic as the external world. In essence, mindfulness transcends the present moment. It is a vehicle for selfdiscovery and self-mastery. When we practise mindfulness, we become observers of our thoughts, emotions and sensations. We learn to accept them without judgement, allowing them to flow through us like passing clouds. This does not mean suppressing or denying our feelings, it means acknowledging them and choosing how to respond consciously. If mindfulness offers such profound benefits, why is it often perceived as easy and difficult to attain? The answer lies in the paradox of simplicity and complexity inherent in mindfulness. On the surface, mindfulness may seem easy. After all, how hard can it be to focus on the present moment? However, as anyone who has engaged in mindfulness meditation will attest, it does not take long before the mind begins to wander. Our thoughts will drift to the past or the future, distractions start creeping in and the present moment slips away like sand through our fingers. This is where the challenge lies: the mind’s innate tendency to meander and the incessant chatter of thoughts. Our brains are wired to constantly analyse, plan and reflect. Quieting this mental turbulence is no small feat. Like taming a wild horse, it takes time, patience and practice. In a world that frequently glorifies multitasking and constant stimulation, the act of sitting still and doing nothing can feel counterintuitive. It is this paradox that makes mindfulness difficult to achieve. It is easy in theory but challenging in practice because it requires us to break free from the relentless pace of modern life, slow down and focus our attention inwards. However, the rewards of mindfulness are worth the effort. As we become more skilled at mindfulness, we can experience greater clarity, emotional resilience and a profound sense of inner peace. It is a journey that can take us beyond the present moment, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our connection to the world around us. In conclusion, mindfulness is not just a passing trend or a buzzword. It is a transformative practice that can bring balance and serenity to our lives. While it may seem simple, it carries the paradoxical challenge of taming the wandering mind. But with dedication and practice, mindfulness can guide us on a journey that goes beyond the present moment, helping us discover the profound depths of our inner world and the beauty of the world outside. In a world filled with noise and distraction, let us embrace the mindful revolution and discover the profound richness of the here and now. The writer is a Certified Mental Health and Awareness practitioner specialising in Narcissistic Abuse Recovery. Comments: [email protected] Help unrecognised destitute in our society RECENTLY, I had a few encounters with the destitute in our society, who are in dire need of assistance to break free from poverty. Our nation has made significant economic progress after 66 years of independence. However, in terms of eradicating poverty, there is still much to be done. Frequently, we hear about the wealth gap widening, with the affluent becoming richer while the impoverished becoming poorer. There is a degree of truth in this assertion. Many people are tirelessly struggling to provide necessities, such as food and shelter, for themselves and their families. As a nation, we can do more for those facing economic hardships. Recently, a man approached me and asked me if I could buy him lunch. He said he did not want money but simply needed a meal because he had no money. I led him to a nearby food stall and paid for his lunch. In hindsight, I realised that I should have gone further and learnt more about his situation and extended assistance in any possible way, including aiding him in accessing social welfare support. A few days later, as I parked my car, I noticed an elderly man in his seventies diligently washing cars. He used a modest setup, relying on a pail of water he had fetched from a nearby source. His means of transport was an old bicycle, and he had two buckets of water hanging on each side. Under the intense afternoon sun, he meticulously washed one car after another, earning a meager sum. The weariness and struggle he has been enduring were evident from the expression on his face. He was toiling tirelessly for a modest means of livelihood. Another similarly distressing incident took place outside a bank. I observed an elderly woman begging for alms. Her clothes were soiled and tattered, and she probably had no place to call home. There are countless others who can be seen begging in the streets. Another increasingly common sight on our streets these days is people involved in the collection of scrap iron, aluminum cans and corrugated boxes. They can be found in towns and villages, scouring for discarded materials that can be traded for a small sum. It is not uncommon to witness them rummaging through shop bins in search of items they can sell. These harsh realities paint a vivid picture of the challenges we are facing in our developing nation. In these trying economic times, where financial stability is elusive, these individuals have to exhibit remarkable resilience just to endure. The question that arises is: What actions are the authorities taking to address this pressing issue? It is easy to demean people and pass judgements on those who beg rather than work. We must realise that we are unaware of the challenges and difficulties they face. As a compassionate society, the least we can do is extend a helping hand to empower them to secure their livelihoods. While the government is allocating millions in monetary aid to help the B40 group, it is imperative not to overlook the hardcore poor, many of whom lack literacy and the means to register for such assistance. Eradicating poverty requires a collective responsibility that extends beyond governmental efforts. The authorities, civil society organisations and religious groups should proactively involve themselves in aiding the hardcore poor at the grassroots level. The elderly struggling on the streets deserve our attention and care, and should be placed in old folks’ homes. Identifying these vulnerable members of our community is not a challenging task as they are often in plain view. You can find them seeking assistance outside banks, supermarkets and various other locations. Now is the time for social welfare officers and relevant government agencies to venture into the community and assess the well-being of the underprivileged among us. It is vital to ensure that the substantial financial aid distributed reaches those who need it most – the hardcore poor. How can we claim to have achieved greatness and be proud of 66 years of independence when the stark reality of poverty remains a conspicuous and disheartening presence in our society? Dr Tan Eng Bee Kajang LETTERS [email protected] MIND THE MIND BY DR PRAVEENA RAJENDRA “Mindfulness is not just a passing trend or a buzzword. It is a transformative practice that can bring balance and serenity to our lives. While it may seem simple, it carries the paradoxical challenge of taming the wandering mind. But with dedication and practice, mindfulness can guide us on a journey that goes beyond the present moment, helping us discover the profound depths of our inner world and the beauty of the world outside. Eradicating poverty requires a collective responsibility that extends beyond governmental efforts. – BERNAMAPIC

10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 No change to OPR a good thing for real estate market KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara’s decision to leave the overnight policy rate unchanged has reassured the Malaysian real estate market, said Juwai IQI co-founder and group CEO Kashif Ansari. “In simple terms, Bank Negara’s decision means housing will remain relatively affordable compared to the alternative. Home buyers and owners won’t see their mortgage payments go up. Landlords won’t feel financial pressure to raise rents on their tenants. Bank Negara has declared that it will maintain its overnight policy rate at 3% in September. Looking forward, they expect the bank to again leave the rate unchanged at its next meeting in November. “For a typical loan, every time your mortgage interest rate increases by 25 basis points, your monthly payment climbs by about oBank Negara’s decision to maintain key rate means housing will remain relatively affordable compared to alternative: Juwai CEO RM77. For this example, we have used a hypothetical loan of RM500,000 with a 30-year term at a 5% rate. Monthly payments climb from RM2,684 to RM2,761. This decision to leave the rate unchanged comes in the context of recent good economic news,” said Ansari. The first piece of good news is that inflation seems to be under control, with headline inflation falling for the last 11 months to just 2% year-on-year in July. That’s the lowest level since August 2021. “We also have the excellent news that economic growth has remained relatively strong. While global economic growth is slowing, Juwai IQI’s August forecast pointed out that Malaysia’s outlook is surprisingly bright and forecast GDP growth of 4.7% this year and 4.9% in 2024. Since then, other experts have updated their own GDP forecasts. Bank Negara forecasts a growth rate of 4% to 5%, and UOB Research is expecting 4% GDP growth,” he said The steady OPR brings certainty and stability to the market, said Ansari adding that it’s a good sign for housing affordability and makes it easier for developers to create new housing for Malaysians. The decision will reinforce the growing residential real estate market, where transactions are increasing and the property overhang is shrinking. “Malaysia is benefitting from Bank Negara’s global leadership in the battle against inflation. They started raising rates before other central banks. That kept inflation from getting as high and causing as much damage as it has in the US and Eurozone. The economy will keep growing for the rest of 2023, and inflation will keep dropping. “Whether Bank Negara raises, lowers, or leaves rates steady in 2024 will depend on how strong the economy is and how fast prices grow. Homeowners hope the economy remains strong enough to support high employment and household income but not so strong that Bank Negara has to raise rates and make their mortgages more expensive. Right now, we seem to be in that lucky zone,” he said. SSF Home to raise RM50m from IPO KUALA LUMPUR: SSF Home Group Bhd (formerly known as SSF Home Living Sdn Bhd) a homegrown furniture, home décor, and home living products retailer, has launched its prospectus in conjunction with its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities. The group aims to raise RM50.0 million in proceeds from the IPO, the bulk of which would go towards the opening of 18 new retail outlets over the next three years. Since the group’s venture into the retail segment in 1990, SSF Home has established an extensive industry presence for over 30 years. The group manages and operates a network of 41 retail outlets with a total retail space of more than 1 million sq ft throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. The retail outlets are strategically located in shopping malls as well as shoplots and standalone outlets in commercial areas, allowing it to reach a large base of customers across a wide geographical area. To provide customers with an attractive retail experience, the group adopts various visual merchandising strategy such as window displays, house displays, concept displays and eye-level displays. Managing director and CEO of SSF Home Wong Choong Loong, said, “With the launch of our prospectus, SSF Home is now a step closer to being a public-listed company on the ACE Market. The RM50 million in proceeds raised from this IPO will enable us to further strengthen our market position in the home furnishing retail industry and to capitalise on future industry growth.” “Our plan to open 18 new retail outlets over the next three years will enable us to build awareness and increase the visibility and presence of our brand. In addition, we will also be enhancing our IT infrastructure which includes migration to new enterprise wide resource planning system (ERP), enhancement of ecommerce website and upgrading the SSFHOME mobile application.” From the total IPO proceeds of RM50 million, RM14.2 million (28.5%) will be used as capital expenditure and RM21 million (41.9%) as start-up costs for the setup of new retail outlets. The balance RM14.8 million (29.6%) will be allocated towards repayment of bank borrowings, marketing activities, general working capital, and to defray listing expenses. Moving forward, industry prospects remain favourable underpinned by growing affluence of Malaysians, rising population coupled with urbanisation. According to the Independent Market Research Report by Protégé Associates Sdn Bhd, the home furnishing retail industry is expected to grow from RM50.3 billion in 2023 to RM73.2 billion in 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. From left: SSF Home Group Bhd executive director and deputy CEO Lok Kok Khong, Wong, independent non-executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah, M & A Securities Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Bill Tan and Ting. Melati Ehsan unit buys land for RM912m development KUALA LUMPUR: Melati Ehsan Holdings Bhd’s (MEHB) unit Pembinaan Kery Sdn Bhd (PKSB) has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire commercial development land from Mega Legacy (M) Sdn Bhd (MLSB) for RM85 million. The unsubdivided vacant land, known as Kiara Bay is located along Jalan Benteng Utara, off Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), and has an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM911.85 million. PKSB also entered into a development rights agreement with MLSB. According to the agreement, PKSB grants MLSB the sole rights to develop the land and to market and sell the completed properties on the land in return for a development rights value of RM93.5 million or the aggregate purchase consideration plus entitlement of 20% of the profit from the project. “MEHB intends to undertake the proposed joint development on the proposed land acquisition which comprises the development of two blocks of serviced apartments with 1,160 units. Construction is expected to commence from the fourth quarter (4Q) of 2025 until 4Q of 2029. “Given the strategic location of the land and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the board is confident that the proposed joint development will contribute positively to the future earnings of MEHB group,” it said. “The proposed acquisition will enable the group to add substantial land bank in prime locations for development to the group,” it said. – Bernama Avaland unveils roadmap on sustainability SUBANG JAYA: Property developer Avaland Bhd, formerly known as MCT Bhd, recently launched its sustainability roadmap which reinforces its commitment to integrate sustainable and eco-friendly features that will benefit its customers across all its projects. “At Avaland, we are committed to prioritising sustainability in all our offerings to fulfill our mission of creating communities and enhancing lives for generations. This approach will help ensure the creation of lasting economic, environmental and social value for all stakeholders involved,” said COO Aw Sei Cheh. Guided by Avaland’s parent company Ayala Land Inc’s (Ayala Land) robust sustainability framework, Avaland’s Sustainability Roadmap is developed inline with its product standardisation manual across the different segments that Avaland serves in. The product standardisation manual will incorporate sustainable features in all its projects and focuses on four key sustainability focus areas: site resilience, resource efficiency, people mobility & connectivity, and local economic development. “We focused on these four key areas because of our strong conviction that initiatives on these areas will make a lasting impact on the environment and in the communities that we are a part of,” said Aw. “We are also tapping on the expertise of our counterparts in Ayala Land who have long been a champion of sustainable practices in its developments. Launching our Sustainability Roadmap is our first steps in sustainability development and doing our bit to reduce carbon emission,” he added. To invest in a more sustainable and inclusive future, Avaland is designing urban communities using ethical labour practices that incorporate green materials and energy-efficient technologies. For instance, all units in the Aetas Damansara development come with a naturally lighted private lift lobby. The foyer also comes fitted with breezeway for natural ventilation. These energy-efficient features help to decrease the use of electricity and reduce carbon emissions. Tropicana to roll out township project in Puncak Alam PETALING JAYA: Tropicana Corporation Bhd is bringing its unique development DNA to Klang Valley’s vibrant northwest growth corridor with Tropicana Alam. Spanning approximately 362 acres in Puncak Alam, the integrated township embraces heritage and modernity, to be showcased by the upcoming launch of its first residential offering. Featuring about 431 double-storey terrace homes in its first phase, the landed development will offer ample built-ups from 1,917 sq ft, as well as land sizes from 20’ x 70’. Ixora Ang, marketing & sales of Tropicana, shared more details about the project. “As the centre of gravity for development expands outwards from Kuala Lumpur, Tropicana is leveraging on its strategic landbank to deliver signature townships with great connectivity, amenities, generous open spaces and more. “Following the success of Tropicana Heights in Kajang and Tropicana Aman in Kota Kemuning, Tropicana Alam is set to Redefine the Art of Living in Puncak Alam, catering for families, upgraders and investors alike with spacious layouts and contemporary designs in harmony with the heritage of the area,” she said.

KLCI 1,453.54 0.15 STI 3,218.93 4.47 HANG SENG 18,009.22 SCI 3,123.07 NIKKEI 32,706.52 69.85 TSEC 16,581.51 8.80 KOSPI 2,534.70 S&P/ASX200 7,153.90 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 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 13, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) HSI-CRN 57,434,400 14.0 UNCH CAPITALA 56,644,300 95.0 + 8.0 SCIB 52,292,800 47.0 + 1.0 BPLANT 51,669,400 149.0 - 2.0 WIDAD 49,456,200 48.0 UNCH EXCHANGERATES SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.7390 4.6060 4.5960 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0650 2.9430 2.9270 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.4830 3.3840 3.3760 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.4960 3.4020 3.3900 1 EURO 5.1100 4.9460 4.9260 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8140 2.7110 2.6950 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4830 3.3840 3.3760 1 STERLING POUND 5.9350 5.7490 5.7290 1 SWISS FRANC 5.3060 5.1860 5.1710 100 UAE DIRHAM 130.6300 123.9000 123.7000 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.4020 4.1160 3.9160 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.0000 62.6000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 61.2200 58.2000 58.0000 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.8200 5.4600 5.2600 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0320 0.0290 0.0240 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.2260 3.1250 3.1150 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.9000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.6100 1.5100 1.3100 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.5000 8.0100 7.8100 100 QATAR RIYAL 131.5500 124.8800 124.6800 100 SAUDI RIYAL 127.8500 121.3700 121.1700 100 THAI BAHT 13.8900 12.3300 11.9300 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama 5 TOP GAINERS September 13, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM UWC 8,483,900 3.71 +0.27 PCHEM 2,958,800 7.22 +0.22 MY-MOMETF 29,000 0.98 +0.18 UTDPLT 161,800 16.32 +0.18 HENGYUAN 1,041,600 3.35 +0.16 5 TOP LOSERS September 13, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM HEIM 260,100 23.50 -0.46 YTLPOWR-C35 163,000 0.110 -0.23 PANAMY 7,900 19.28 -0.22 HEXTECH 16,400 24.30 -0.20 HSI-CRY 261,000 0.280 -0.16 Energy transition likely to face delay: EIC director KUALA LUMPUR: There are growing concerns that the energy transition, which is in line with Net Zero 2050 aspirations, is likely to be delayed with global energy players shifting focus back to oil and gas (O&G) due to challenges faced in renewable energy (RE) projects, said Energy Industries Council (EIC) regional director Azman Nasir. “In our EIC Survive and Thrive Report 2023 – based on insights from nearly 100 energy supply chain leaders globally, we found that supply chain companies have shifted their focus back to oil and gas, predominantly due to challenges related to availability of consistent work in renewables, and also due to challenges in profitability in renewable energy projects,” he said at the Oil and Gas Asia 2023 (OGA 2023) yesterday. He added that the report also revealed that oil and gas projects are far more likely to proceed with full funding, compared to renewable and transition technologies such as wind and hydrogen projects. “These findings raise the prospect of rapidly widening disparities between green ambitions and the reality of what businesses actually see in their order books. Ultimately, these findings raise concerns that Net Zero 2050 commitments are likely to be delayed,” he said. From left: Azman, Informa Markets Malaysia co-chairman General (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Azumi Mohamed, Yatimah, Petronas project delivery and technology senior vice-president Datuk Bacho Pilong and ABB Energy Industries president Brandon Spencer at the ceremony. oGlobal players shifting focus back to oil and gas as they encounter challenges in renewables projects █ BY GLORIA HARRY BEATTY [email protected] Berjaya Rail appoints Tunku Aminah as chairperson PETALING JAYA: Berjaya Rail Sdn Bhd (Berjaya Rail) has appointed Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim as its chairperson. Tunku Aminah brings a wealth of experience from her leadership roles in various private companies including Berjaya Corporation Bhd, Berjaya Assets Bhd, Berjaya Capital Bhd, Berjaya Hartanah Bhd, Bukit Kiara Resort Bhd, and REDtone Digital Bhd. She is also a share holder of Berjaya Rail, holding 30% stake in the company, reflecting her strong belief in the company’s vision, strategy, and potential for future success. Syed Ali Shahul Hameed, group CEO of Berjaya Land Bhd and board member of Berjaya Rail, in welcoming her to the board said, “I look forward to working with Her Highness in realising Berjaya Rail’s potential to redefine the way we travel, connect, and experience the world. The rail industry is undergoing a period of innovation, with new technologies being developed to make rail travel more efficient, sustainable, and attractive. It is evident that the future of the rail industry is filled with innovation, sustainability, and unprecedented growth.” INSP on track to generate deals worth RM1b this year KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is optimistic about generating deals worth RM1 billion from its flagship International Sourcing Programme (INSP), exceeding the initial target of RM800 million. CEO Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said the INSP generated RM745.2 million for Malaysian exporters last year. “I believe we will able to achieve more than RM1 billion this year as we are able to bring in more Malaysian exporters to meet international buyers and offer products and services. “Through the various virtual meetings that we conduct, from March to November, and physical meetings held on Sept 11, we will definitely be able to achieve all our targets this year,” he said in his welcoming remarks at the 19th Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2023 “Knowledge Hub” sessions yesterday. 16.67 13.99 1.88 53.00 The rail industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, as it becomes a more popular choice for transportation. Berjaya Rail is actively participating in the recent launch of the Request for Information (RFI) by MyHSR Corp for the revitalised KL-SG High Speed Rail (HSR) project and committed to working closely with stakeholders to ensure the success of the high-speed rail industry. Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, founder and adviser for Berjaya Corp group of companies, expressed his excitement about the KL-SG High-Speed Rail project. “The revitalisation of the HSR project will foster a new era of connectivity, and this interconnectedness will not only stimulate economic growth and tourism for Malaysia but also cultivate cultural exchanges and enrich people’s lives by reducing travel time and enhancing accessibility. I am confident that Berjaya Rail can play a leading role in shaping the future of the rail industry,” he said. Berjaya Rail which is led by CEO Farizul Baharom will focus on five strategic areas namely advancing HSR Development, delivering Integrated Rail Solutions, driving TOD (Transit Oriented Development)/TAD (Transit Adjacent Development), elevating user experience, and harnessing synergistic partnerships. By fostering innovation, sustainable practices, and global connectivity, the company believes that efficiency, sustainability, and progress can coexist harmoniously in the rail industry. He added that the energy transition will be challenging to the global O&G industry and calls for more conversations and knowledge sharing among players and governments, which could lead to more realistic solutions. Despite forecasting a turbulent period ahead for the future of energy, Azman believed that there is a great opportunity for key industry players to build and reimagine a more resilient and sustainable global energy system. “Asia is already recognised as having huge potential to become a hub for energy transition initiatives and low carbon investments. Let’s capitalise on that point and not be swayed by narratives that are not suitable for this region,” he said. Meanwhile, Economy Ministry deputy secretary-general (sectoral) Datuk Yatimah Sarjiman assured that the government is committed to ensure a just energy transition, attracting quality investment and investing in the future workforce. “However, we also know the fact that it cannot be done without collaboration and support of the private sector. We would like to foster an ecosystem that promotes research, innovation and investments in clean energy technologies to coexist harmoniously with our conventional resources, which can only be done with strong support from the private sector. By working together, we can address any challenges and unlock new avenues for growth in the sector,” she said. The event which is in its 19th edition, will take place until Sept 15 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, and anticipates the attendance of 2,000 local and foreign companies besides over 25,000 visitors from more than 60 countries. Participation 26.7 40.4 32.9 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 489.6 738.4 653.9 1881.9 Sold RM m 517.9 780.3 583.7 1881.9 Net RM m -28.3 -41.9 70.2 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) 13/9/2023

12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 SUNBIZ SC to adopt ISSB sustainability principles KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) plans to adopt the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), that is custom-fitted to the local context, with the aim to instill sustainability principles within Malaysian businesses. SC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Awang Adek Hussin said that the move will embed sustainability into the DNA of Malaysia’s corporations. “Malaysia is at a juncture in its development of domestic renewable energy sources as well as a carbon market. We cannot afford to fall short of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards,” he said in his address at the Business Foresight Forum 2023 yesterday. ISSB was formed in response to the demand for global sustainability standards. The oMalaysia in unique position to lead in sustainable finance by leveraging expertise in Islamic capital market: Securities Commission chairman █ BY HAYATUN RAZAK [email protected] Pernas invests RM5m to help Bubbles 02 expand market KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (Pernas) is investing RM5 million in Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd to help the company expand its market reach both locally and internationally. The company is the producer and distributor of BubblesO2, Malaysia’s first naturally oxygenated mineral water. In a statement yesterday, Pernas said the investment would allow Bubble O2 to expand its domestic market as well as increase its international market reach to countries such as Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Dubai, Puerto Rico, the US and Canada to meet rising demand for the product. “The investment will also be utilised for the expansion of the company’s manufacturing facility as well as its operational expenditure and working capital,” it said. It noted that Bubbles O2 has also introduced new packaging that uses premium glass bottles, and plans to produce flavoured vitaminised mineral water. According to Pernas, Bubbles O2 recorded RM3.7 million in sales in 2022 and has already achieved its sales target of RM6.7 million set for this year. “The investment from Pernas is expected to boost its sales by 50% in 2024 and 2025,” it said. Meanwhile, Pernas chairman Datuk Hazimah Zainuddin said since the introduction of its investment scheme in 1998, Pernas has invested in 85 companies, with investments totalling RM934 million. She added that Pernas is allocating RM300 million for equity investments for the next five years (2024-2028). “The investments will not be limited to franchise companies, in fact, Pernas identifies potential companies to be developed through investments, such as Bubbles O2,” she said. – Bernama ‘Govt focus on governance vital for progress’ KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s focus on governance is a prerequisite for economic progress and development, an economist said. International Islamic University Malaysia economics professor Prof Dr Mohamed Aslam Mohamed Haneef said good governance has become an important criterion to attract foreign direct investments. A big issue over the last decade was the low investment level entering Malaysia which is in direct contrast to the 1990s when private investments were the main growth engine, he said. “We have a lot of catching up to do as far as investments are concerned,” he said on BernamaTV’s special programme on the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review (12MP MTR) yesterday. Mohamed Aslam said the current administration, along with its Madani Economy framework, aims to empower and rejuvenate the national economy and is committed to address the governance issue. “These measures are meant to give confidence to foreign investors and Malaysians as the framework is built on pillars of trust,” he said. Meanwhile, on the 12MP MTR, Bernama business desk editor M. Saraswathi said there is a need for more clarity on the action plans to achieve the targets set. “On the surface, everything looks good, be it the plans, ideas and the way forward as they take into account urban-rural development disparities, existing wealth disparities, growing debt, fiscal constraints and the gradual economic structural transition.” – Bernama standards aim to provide investors and financial markets with clear and consistent information about sustainability. The ISSB builds on the work of market-led investor-focused reporting initiatives including the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB), the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Value Reporting Foundation’s Integrated Reporting Framework and industry-based SASB Standards, as well as the World Economic Forum’s Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics. Awang Adek said that Malaysia is in a unique position to lead in sustainable finance by leveraging on its expertise in the Islamic Capital Market (ICM). “The synergies and alignment between Shariah and ESG principles are naturally compatible,” he added. He said that its regulatory frameworks such as the Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk Framework, SRI-Linked Sukuk Framework, and Waqf-Featured Fund Framework reflects SC’s commitment to both the sustainability and ICM agendas. “Waqf is an innovative solution and social finance catalyst that aligns with this commitment to sustainable practices. We also intend to issue Maqasid al-Shariah principles by this year to ensure that our ICM’s next phase of growth is more deeply rooted in ethical, socially beneficial, and sustainable practices,” he added. He, however, reiterated that the convergence of digital innovation, sustainability and talent is reshaping the way we live, work, and how we plan for the future. “The imperative for industries is crystal clear: adapt or be left behind. Embrace digital innovation as a catalyst for growth. Harness the power of sustainability as a guiding principle, and invest in nurturing talent that will shape our future,” he said. He added that in this transformative landscape, the industries that prosper will be the ones that seize the opportunities presented by this convergence, committing themselves not only to profitability, but also to the wellbeing of the people, and the preservation of the planet. FRIM to help entrepreneurs commercialise herbal products KUALA LUMPUR: The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), via its Herbal Technology Centre (HTC), aims to help herbal entrepreneurs commercialise products worth RM30 million by 2025, reflecting an annual growth rate of 30%. In a recent statement, the research institute said HTC has successfully commercialised 192,446 units of products with a total value of RM16.4 million to date. “Since its inception, HTC has benefited more than 500 customers including companies and individuals. A total of 20 companies have appointed HTC as their contract manufacturer to produce 35 registered traditional herbal products. “In the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the centre has produced six semi-finished products in the form of pure extracts from selected herbs namely tongkat ali (eurycoma longifolia), kacip fatimah (labisia pumila), asam gelugur (garcinia atroviridis), misai kucing (orthosiphon aristatus), roselle (hibiscus sabdariffa), and gelenggang (candle bush),” it said. However, it said herbal products must comply with strict regulations and laws including registration with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency and safety testing, thereby posing a challenge to herbal entrepreneurs due to high costs. Through its services at HTC, FRIM is determined to support the production of highquality herbal products, as well as support herbal entrepreneurs in producing quality and competitive products. – Bernama RHB Islamic targets RM6b in wealth management KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Islamic Bank Berhad aims to achieve RM6 billion in Islamic wealth management by the end of 2026 driven by its RHB Multi-Currency Visa Debit Card/-i, Islamic unit trust products, and estate planning and trustee propositions. Managing director and CEO Datuk Adissadikin Ali said Islamic wealth management is about investing with integrity – through transactions that avoid riba or interest, in businesses that do not harm individuals, communities or the environment, and by giving back to society to empower and advance the less fortunate. Essentially, he added, Islamic wealth management is a gateway to a sustainable financial future rooted in integrity, ethics and the betterment of the society. “This is why RHB Islamic truly believe in the value of Islamic wealth management – managing and growing wealth in a structured and ethical manner. Hence, our wealth management proposition comprising products and services covered under the Islamic concept as a whole is suitable for everyone regardless of religious background or where they are in their financial journey,” said Adissadikin. The bank also launched its new Islamic wealth management portal, a one-stop digital platform that provides customers convenient access to one of the most extensive array of Islamic wealth management solutions and advisory services available online in Malaysia. The new portal complements the bank’s traditional in-person wealth management model, enabling it to serve new and existing customers who are more technologically savvy or prefer to manage their banking remotely efficiently. “To make it easier and more convenient for From left: Adissadikin, RHB Islamic Bank directors Hizamuddin Jamalluddin and Datuk Foong Chee Meng. our customers to manage their wealth on the go, our new digital Islamic wealth management portal offers the full array of our products and solutions to suit all life stages and empowers our customers to manage their financials on the go. With the launch of our Islamic wealth management portal, we plan to bring to market more Shariah-compliant products in the next three years and we are confident that RHB Islamic will be able to achieve an additional RM3 billion in Islamic wealth management by 2026,” said Adissadikin.

13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 Petronas-Gentari-Amazon pact boost for clean energy agenda PETALING JAYA: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), Gentari Sdn Bhd, Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS) will collaborate to intensify their sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives in global energy transition. This aligns with Petronas’ commitment to deliver affordable, low-carbon energy solutions while concurrently reducing the emissions intensity of its operations. Leveraging Gentari’s expertise in clean energy solutions, the move also supports Amazon’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The collaboration among the parties reflects a comprehensive approach towards sustainability, technological advancement, and socio-economic progress, which will involve exploring potentials such as: 0 Gentari will support the decarbonisation of Amazon’s India transportation network by working with third party delivery service partners to further From left: AWS energy business development director Scott Sanderson, Petronas group technology and commercialisation vice-president Aadrin Azly, Sushil, Bacho, AWS global services vice-president Uwem Ukpong; Petronas president and group CEO Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, Gentari deputy CEO Shah Yang Razali and McNamara. oCollaboration includes initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, research on alternative fuels electrify their transport vehicles. Amazon has committed to deploying 10,000 electric vehicles (EV) in its India delivery fleet by 2025, and the collaboration will also involve Gentari providing EV and fleet management services for Amazon’s third-party delivery service partners. 0 Petronas and AWS will explore designing and constructing a state-of-the-art plant of the future that incorporates cuttingedge technology, robotics and automation solutions similar to those used in Amazon warehouses and facilities. This is to scale existing research and development efforts by Petronas for the potential production of microalgae oil as feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel. 0 Amazon intends to evaluate Petronas’ low-carbon and alternative fuel solutions for potential integration in diverse areas such as mobility, stationary power applications, and carbon management. 0 Petronas will continue leveraging AWS cloud technology to enhance and expand its existing and new solutions. These include SETEL, Malaysia’s first ewallet for purchasing fuel at Petronas stations, and STEAR, a cloud-based logistics solution and services platform built on AWS for the offshore industry. 0 AWS will continue to upskill technical and non-technical employees at Petronas and strengthen their digital literacy through AWS Training & Certification programmes. This is in line with AWS’ broader commitment to help develop a digitally trained workforce to power Malaysia’s digital economy. Petronas project delivery and technology senior vice-president Datuk Bacho Pilong said Petronas believes that collaborations such as this, which builds on its longstanding relationship with Amazon and AWS and the expertise of Gentari in clean energy solutions, are vital to support Asia’s and the world’s transition towards cleaner energy. Meanwhile, Gentari CEO Sushil Purohit said the collaboration among all of them marks a pivotal moment as they strive to be at the forefront of energy transition, driving change to create a cleaner, more sustainable future. AWS Asean managing director Conor McNamara commented, “Achieving a net zero future requires immediate and wide-ranging innovation across all industries, including the energy sector.” Call to develop SMEs into unicorns, quasi-unicorns KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) Malaysia has urged the government to focus on developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into unicorns and quasiunicorns. Samenta national president Datuk William Ng said some of the startup funds and intervention by the government should be funnelled to high-growth, high-impact SMEs, as it may bear better fruit. “We have seen many examples of facilitation provided to the startup ecosystem, only to see these efforts benefiting regional neighbours as they get sold to larger players. “If and when they turn profitable, these profits are expatriated overseas,” Ng said, adding that Samenta welcomes the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP MTR). He proposed that the government ensure export-ready SMEs are better facilitated through focused market linkage, branding and packaging design. Venture funds and governmentlinked companies should also be encouraged to co-finance SMEs in merger and acquisition activities to better integrate their supply chain and create more SMEs with sufficient size to compete regionally and globally, Ng noted. “Established SMEs are not only less risky investments but also have a stronger footing in global supply chains, compared to startups with unknown future affiliations,” he said. Ng explained that the government is right in focusing on high-growth, high-value industries, which would have spill-over effects on SMEs and benefit from being part of the enlarged supply chain. In order to help SMEs move up the value chain, as encapsulated by the Madani Economy framework and the revised 12MP, Ng said Samenta has been working closely with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation over the past three years to drive greater automation and digital adoption among SMEs and transform their mindset to focus on labour productivity, profitability and competitiveness. “Hence, Samenta is committed to supporting the nation’s 1.2 million SMEs to move up the value chain, digitalise rapidly, and be more productive and competitive,” he said. Samenta also applauded the plan to focus on the creative industry and design-led SMEs. “We again suggest that the government consider a matching grant for packaging design and branding, to help our SMEs migrate from being mere original equipment manufacturers to brand owners while supporting our creative industry,” Ng said. – Bernama Bumi Armada in deals with Indonesian firms to develop, commercialise LNG PETALING JAYA: Bumi Armada Bhd has signed a non-binding agreement with PT Pertamina International Shipping, a shipping and marine logistics subholding of Pertamina, Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, and PT Davenergy Mulia Perkasa (DMP), an Indonesian natural gas trading company, to record key principles to develop and commercialise liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Madura Gas Field and its surrounding fields. Bumi Armada and Pertamina International Shipping will design, engineer, construct, install, commission, hook up and operate a floating natural gas liquefaction and storage facility, together with an LNG carrier to transport LNG to consumers who are not proximate to clean energy sources. DMP is dedicated to advancing Indonesia’s LNG market while actively contributing to the nation’s growth. This commitment is reflected through the delivery of reliable and sustainable energy solutions that support the nation’s net-zero aspiration. Preliminary discussions have been initiated with several potential off-taker clients and the first shipment of LNG is anticipated to take place three years after making final investment decision. Bumi Armada CEO Gary Christenson said the collaboration with Pertamina International Shipping and DMP is to bring sustainable and scalable solutions to reduce carbon emissions in Indonesia, which is also in line with their company’s recently launched decarbonisation agenda to achieve net zero by 2050. AirAsia to fully reactivate fleet, with engine supplier CFM’s support PETALING JAYA: AirAsia plans to fully reactivate its 204 aircraft, supported by a refreshed agreement with its long-term partner and engine provider, CFM International. CFM’s emphasis on improving fleet stability on site and 24/7 virtual monitoring of AirAsia’s LEAP-1A engine operation provide a catalyst for AirAsia to reinstate its full fleet across the group. In addition, its support will enable AirAsia to operate the latter’s LEAP engine fleet longer, which will help the airline reduce maintenance costs and operational expenses. Capital A CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes pointed out that the group has undergone challenges to bring back its planes and restart operations postpandemic, with balancing a mismatch cost of 204 planes and revenue of flying 143 planes on average this year. “Today, we have brought back 175 planes. CFM’s fleet stability support brings a vital catalyst for us to return to full activation … we look forward to fourth quarter results when we’re going to see the real performance of AirAsia with the full fleet,” he said in a statement. As the airline reinstates its 204 fleet and expands to above 300 aircraft in the next five years, it hopes to continue to connect with people across Asean and beyond with its offerings. Property sector to continue gradual recovery: MIDF Research PETALING JAYA: MIDF Research is maintaining its neutral call with positive bias on the property sector as it expects it to continue to recover gradually. In view of Bank Negara Malaysia’s decision to maintain the overnight policy rate at 3%, the research house believes that it will underpin demand for property. Based on data released by the central bank, loan application for purchase of property recovered marginally by 2.7% month-on-month to RM51.8 billion in July after a decline of 11% m-o-m in June “On a yearly basis, loan application was higher by 1.5% yearon-year (y-o-y) in June 2023 after a steep decline of 13.6% y-o-y in July 2023. We think that the marginal recovery in loan application could be due to pause in rate hike by BNM in July 2023. Cumulatively, loan application in 7MCY23 (up to July 2023) stood at RM348.8b (0.9% y-o-y). The marginally higher total application indicates healthy demand for property,” it said in a statement. MIDF said that on a yearly basis, total loan approved in July this year was marginally higher by 1.7%, bringing cumulative approved loan in 7MCY23 to RM153.8 billion (up 8% y-o-y).

14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 SUNBIZ @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME Vietnam EV maker VinFast to embark on Asia expansion oPlans to launch assembly plant in Indonesia in 2026 and set up presence in India, Malaysia and other markets HANOI: Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast plans to expand in seven more markets in Asia, including Indonesia where it aims to start deliveries from next year and establish a plant in 2026. VinFast, formed and almost entirely controlled by Pham Nhat Vuong, Vietnam’s richest man and founder of parent conglomerate Vingroup, aims to invest around US$1.2 billion (RM5.6 billion) in the Indonesian market in the long term, according to its latest filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Of that, up to US$200 million would be for its Indonesian plant, targeting production in 2026 with an output of 30,000 to 50,000 units each year. Indonesia, a country of 270 million people and Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, is on a drive to attract global EV makers, touting its abundant supplies of nickel, a key component of EV batteries. However, EVs currently account for less than 1% of cars on its roads. The Indonesian facility will be VinFast’s third besides its main one in northern Vietnamese city of Haiphong, and a new plant in North Carolina, slated to start in 2025. VinFast electric vehicles are parked before delivery at a store in Los Angeles. The Middle East, Africa and Latin America are also on the carmaker’s radar. – REUTERSPIC IEA: Saudi, Russian cuts to tighten oil market sharply LONDON: Oil output cuts which Saudi Arabia and Russia have extended to the end of 2023 will mean a substantial market deficit through the fourth quarter, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said yesterday, as it largely stuck by its estimates for demand growth this year and next. Opec and its allies, known as Opec+, began limiting supplies in 2022 to bolster the market. This month, benchmark Brent crude breached US$90 a barrel for the first time this year after Opec+ leaders Saudi Arabia and Russia extended their combined 1.3 million barrel per day (bpd) cuts until the end of 2023. Output curbs by Opec+ members of more than 2.5 million bpd since the start of 2023 have so far been offset by higher supplies from producers outside the alliance, including the United States, Brazil and still under-sanctions Iran, the agency said. “But from September onwards, the loss of Opec+ production ... will drive a significant supply shortfall through the fourth quarter,” it said in its monthly oil report. However, the lack of cuts at the start of next year would shift the balance to a surplus, the agency said, highlighting that stocks will be at uncomfortably low levels, increasing the risk of another surge in volatility in a fragile economic environment. Broader economic concerns, led by China’s sluggish post-pandemic recovery, have been amplified by worries that interest rates will remain high in the United States. Still, oil demand at the world’s biggest oil importer has so “far remained remarkably unaffected by its economic downturn”, the IEA said. “China is the main wild card,” it added. “Any abrupt weakening of China’s industrial activity and oil demand is likely to spill over globally, making for a more challenging climate for emerging markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America.” Estimates of global demand and supply this year and next differ markedly depending on the forecaster. Both the IEA and Opec – in its monthly report published on Tuesday – are optimistic about Chinese demand over the course of 2023, leaving their global demand estimates for this year and next largely unchanged. The IEA estimates 2023 global demand to grow by 2.2 million bpd, while Opec expects growth of 2.44 million bpd. For 2024, the contrast is wide. The IEA expects growth to slow sharply to 1 million bpd, while Opec has a far rosier estimate of 2.25 million bpd. Meanwhile, the US government’s Energy Information Administration has forecast demand growth at 1.81 million bpd for 2023 and 1.36 million bpd next year. “Welcome to the chaotic world of forecasting,” Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM said. – Reuters Singapore’s Temasek ‘still excited’ about China SINGAPORE: Singapore’s giant state investment firm Temasek Holdings is “still excited about the China market”, a senior executive said, even as investing in the world’s No. 2 economy has become more challenging amid a slowdown and tension with the West. Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore yesterday, Temasek’s head of China, Yibing Wu, said he sees attractive opportunities in China in areas such as advanced manufacturing and energy transition. “While people tend to look at the weakness in the traditional sectors such as the traditional manufacturing or real estate, and then people tend to overlook that these emerging sectors,” Wu said. China makes up 22% of the portfolio of Temasek, which is ranked among the top 10 investors in the world with net portfolio value of S$382 billion (RM1.3 billion) as at March 2023, according to its website. Its investments include Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com , tech giant Alibaba and China Construction Bank. Meanwhile, Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC is “doubling down” on certain sectors in China that it likes, said CEO Lim Chow Kiat. “We think China is definitely investable,” he said at the same summit. “For example, there are certain sectors in China which are world leading, green technology.” China has been losing its shine among global investors, weighed by the nation’s faltering economic recovery and tensions with the US. China’s authorities in recent weeks have rolled out a series of measures, such as easing borrowing rules, to support its debt-riddled property sector, which has been on a downward spiral since 2021. Yesterday, Financial News, a publication run by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said the central bank will boost demand and support a modest rebound in prices. The PBOC will ramp up its coordination with fiscal and industrial policies and strengthen the guidance of expectations, while closely monitoring the effects of financial policies, the unnamed official was quoted as saying. The central bank “will create an appropriate monetary and financial environment to promote effective demand in the real economy, support a moderate recovery in prices and enhance economic vitality,” the official said. – Reuters B R I E F SEUROPEAN COMMISSION STARTS ANTI-SUBSIDY PROBE INTO CHINESE EVS BRUSSELS: The European Commission started an investigation yesterday into whether to impose tariffs to protect the European Union against Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports benefiting from state subsidies. “Global markets are now flooded with cheaper electric cars. And their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to the bloc’s parliament. “So I can announce today that the Commission is launching an antisubsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China. Europe is open to competition. Not for a race to the bottom,“ she told the European Parliament. – Reuters UK ECONOMY SHRINKS MORE THAN FORECAST LONDON: Britain’s economy shrank more than expected in July, hit by strike action and wet weather, official data showed yesterday. Output contracted 0.5% compared with growth of 0.5% in June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. Analysts’ consensus forecast had been for contraction to gross domestic product in July of 0.2%. “Our initial estimate for July shows that GDP fell; however, the broader picture looks more positive, with the economy growing across the services, production and construction sectors in the last three months,“ noted ONS director of economic statistics, Darren Morgan. – AFP Since its establishment in 2017, VinFast has announced numerous ambitious growth plans overseas. The EV maker also said in its filing that it planned to create a presence in India, Malaysia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America and expand its presence in Europe as it identified between 40 and 50 potential markets. VinFast aims to establish its own distributors and may open show rooms in those locations, it said. Last month, the startup achieved a Nasdaq listing that valued the lossmaking startup at more than US$85 billion, higher on its listing day than Ford. VinFast is entering the American market at a time when EV pricing is under pressure, led by market leader Tesla and a range of Chinese companies. Share of VinFast closed up 3.86% at US$17.21 on Tuesday, compared with its peak of US$82.35 on Aug 28. The small amount of publicly available shares makes the stock prone to volatility. The company, which has not made a profit yet, said it intends to raise capital from global investors over the next 18 months. – Reuters MSC offers to acquire almost half of Hamburg port operator BERLIN: MSC, the world’s biggest container shipping company, is offering to buy almost half of the main operator of Hamburg port, in a deal that could allow city authorities to retain control of Germany’s biggest port in the face of other takeover interest. Shortly after the announcement yesterday, German logistics billionaire Klaus-Michael Kuehne said he was considering a counter offer for HHLA, the company that runs the port. HHLA shares surged 45% to a 19-month high. Switzerland-based MSC and the city of Hamburg said they agreed a deal in which MSC will make a cash offer of €16.75 (RM84.17) per share to acquire all listed class A stock in HHLA. That is well above Tuesday’s closing share price of €11.54 and, if the offer is taken up in full, would give MSC a 49.9% stake in HHLA at a cost of about €1.26 billion. The city of Hamburg, which currently owns 69% of HHLA’s A shares and all of its unlisted S-shares, would hold 50.1% via the S-shares. “We must maintain a majority, we must retain influence,” Hamburg’s finance senator, Andreas Dressel, said at a press conference announcing the agreement. MSC CEO Soren Toft said that the number of Hamburg-based MSC jobs would be doubled to more than 700. Kuehne, who owns a stake in shipping group Hapag-Lloyd, said he was considering a counter offer. HHLA said its management board would review the offer from MSC, which is privately owned by the Aponte family. – Reuters

1 4 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 3 T H U R S D A Y Grab your best dancing shoes South Korea’s robot fried chicken A cat and a robot’s journey Han River Police, where action meets comedy page 16 page 18 page 19 page 17 The Latin Ball is back

16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 Gen V sets up The Boys The Boys will return for a fourth season along with series spinoff Gen V. – THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER TO tide over fans of the “anti-superhero” superhero TV show The Boys, the spin-off Gen V will be arriving at the end of the month. According to Claudia Doumit, who plays Victoria Neuman on The Boys, the spinoff series will set up the events that will happen once The Boys returns with its fourth season. Playing a congresswoman who secretly moonlights as a “superhero” with the ability to cause heads to explode, Neuman will play a role in Gen V, which is set at a college for young “superheroes”. The spin-off will feature a brand new set of young characters, with Jaz Sinclair in the leading role as Marie Moreau, a young lady with the ability to manipulate and weaponise blood. Other stars from The Boys who will make an appearance on Gen V are Jessie T. Usher (A-Train), Chace Crawford (the Deep), Colby Minifie (Ashley Barrett) and PJ Byrne (Adam Bourke). Gen V will debut the first three episodes of its first season on Prime Video on Sept 29 and the remaining five episodes will release weekly throughout the month of October to Nov 3. As for The Boys’ next season, showrunner Eric Kripke has lightly revealed that it will focus on a “tug of war” between Karl Urban’s Billy Butcher and Anthony Starr’s Homelander for the soul of Ryan (Cameron Crovetti) following the climactic season three finale. However, a premiere date for the fourth season has not been announced. – BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Neuman plays a congresswoman with an “explosive” superpower in The Boys. – COLLIDER The loveable cat in Stray. – IGN AFTER the success of its debut film, Nimona, Annapurna Animation is ready for the next series of films. According to Entertainment Weekly (EW), multiple projects are currently in the pipeline. Formed last year, Annapurna Animation is the animation division of Annapurna Pictures, and on its agenda for the division are plans to adapt video games from the gaming division, Annapurna Interactive, into films. Out of them, the most intriguing is last year’s Stray, the award-winning adventure game from BlueTwelve Studio. In the game, Stray puts players in control of a stealthy cat that traverses an underground city populated by robots and mutant bacteria with the help of a friendly drone, B-12. The game is being adapted into an animated movie, which is currently in active development. In an interview with EW, Annapurna Animation co-founder Robert Baird explained that Stray is a game about what it means to be human, and there are no humans in the game. “It’s a buddy comedy about a cat and a robot, and there’s such a hilarious dynamic. So, there’s comedy inherent in this, but there’s not one human being in this movie. I think it’s one of the reasons why the game was incredibly popular - that you are seeing the world through the point of view of an adorable cat.” Baird went on to say that there’s “something so emotional” that the creators are trying to capture when adapting the game to film. BlueTwelve Studio, he explains, described the game as having a “sort of ‘hopepunk’ vibe,” a narrative concept that optimism is a form of resistance. “I love that term, hopepunk,” he said. “I think, if we are going to do this adaptation justice, this is going to be the first and greatest hopepunk movie that’s ever been made.” – BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR From a cat’s POV NETFLIX’S latest hit, One Piece’s liveaction second season, could return to the platform as early as next year. In an interview with Variety, Tomorrow Studios CEO Marty Adelstein confirmed that the scripts are ready. Unfortunately, there is one major setback: production of a second season of the TV series based on pirates will not begin until Hollywood’s Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike is dealt with. “Realistically, hopefully, a year away, if we move very quickly and that is a possibility,” Tomorrow Studios president Becky Clements told Variety. “Somewhere between a year and 18 months, we could be ready for air.” The Netflix series has become something of an anomaly in the anime community since its Aug 31 premiere: a rare success story for a faithful live-action medium adapted from an anime and manga. It debuted as the top show on the streamer with 18.5 million views, a feat Clements says “exceeded” Netflix’s expectations. “I think Netflix is looking at various situations about how many episodes they do and whether they break them up,” Adelstein said. “I think they’re trying to figure that out right now. I suspect we’ll hear from them in the next couple of weeks. There seems to be a lot of impetus to keep this going and to come up with a long-term strategy. So we’re just waiting for that.” The second season of Netflix’s One Piece would need to expand its audience beyond the existing fanbase of the manga and anime more than the first season had done, Adelstein told Variety. “We’re getting a lot of family viewing and that is really the key: is to bring in the non-fans and people who aren’t aware of the IP because the show stands on its own and you get people to watch it and people really love it,” Adelstein said. Return to the high seas oStudio executives confirm season 2 of One Piece Adapted from manga, One Piece is gaining viewership from new audiences. – TWITTER/@OP_NETFLIX_FAN █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR

17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 The film also delivers a poignant message about the seriousness of human trafficking, where children are exploited and turned into commodities in the global black market. In addition to this powerful message, the movie offers nearly an hour of continuous Silat combat scenes, serving as a symbolic representation of the unyielding efforts of local authorities and respected agencies in the fight against human trafficking. Aside from that, the film is poised to stand out from the crowd due to its one-of-a-kind aspect. The filmmaker emphasised that a majority of the cast members possess martial arts experience and skills, specifically in silat. “It is possible to say that 99% of the actors involved in the fighting action are real martial artists, which give Walid’s film an advantage in attracting the audience’s interest,” he remarked. The Gala Night premiere and press conference were also attended by other cast and crew, including the main lead actor Megat Sharizal, who plays Walid; Putri Qaseh Izwandy, who plays Aisha, well-known actor Namron, who plays Pak Ku, Yusran Hashim as Hamzah and Sham Putra as Zuki. During the KL premiere, Silat performers captivated the audience with their impressive skills. The director entrusted a team of skilled Malaysian silat martial artists to execute all the action sequences in the film, leaving the audience in awe of their expertise. Walid will be released in theatres across the country today. Experience Latin soul ENJOY everything Latin, from music and dance to Latin food and beverages, at the 14th Latin charity ball, themed alma latina or latin soul, while helping to contribute to a breast cancer organisation. Organised by the Latin Women’s Associations of Malaysia (LWAM), the charity ball takes place on Nov 11 at 7pm at Hilton Kuala Lumpur. The president of LWAM, Cristina Gutierrez, said BWCA is the beneficiary of the charity ball at a press conference at the Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur on Sept 4. “The Latin ball is our main fundraising event every year, and it attracts not only our Latin community but also many segments of Kuala Lumpur’s expat and local social groups to celebrate the cultural richness of Latin American countries and Spain, as well as supporting a charitable, noble cause that benefits local communities, especially women,” said Gutierrez. “It is a true representation of the vibrant Latin spirit, full of colours, flavours, music and tradition. In summary, a soul, a Latin soul, which in Spanish is ‘alma latina’,” added Gutierrez. The event promises an unforgettable night with all-night live music performances by Latino bands, dancers, and DJs for all to celebrate. During the ball, the guests will enjoy a four-course dinner inspired Ambassador of Argentina, Manuel Jose Balaguer Salas (right) with Gutierrez (centre), the organising team and sponsors. – S. TAMARAI CHELVI/THESUN █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI by Latin American and Spanish flavours, which will be prepared by Hilton’s Executive Chef Kasi Hassan, along with wines from foreign countries. More importantly, there will be an auction of artwork and fund-raising for the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA). The ticket for the event is priced at RM550 for members and RM600 for non-members, and all proceeds will go to BCWA. BWCA’s president, Lim Kim Foong, who was present at the press conference, spoke about the challenges they face in educating the masses on breast cancer. The organisation hires experienced and professional nurses who travel to different states in Malaysia to conduct talks on breast health issues and the importance of early detection of breast cancer. According to Lim, the talks make the public aware as they conduct tutorials on breast self-examination using first aid models. She said during the community outreach services, they would need to deploy three to four nurses to handle the clinical breast examinations and two volunteers to handle the talks on breast health and the early detection of breast cancer. “However, our current company vehicle, a Mitsubishi Wald, is over 18 years old and is really struggling to keep up with the punishing schedule that our Cummunity Outreach team keeps to,” said Lim. “As beneficiaries of this year’s Latin Ball 2023, we will now be able to purchase a new vehicle that will enable the required number of nurses to travel safely to all rural and remote locations, and they can load the two inflatable mobile clinics, which are packed into two huge luggage bags, as well as all the educational materials, inclusive of their own luggage, especially when they travel out of state,” said Lim. She also said that the LWAM is committed to fundraising for something that will make a tangible difference for breast cancer surgery patients. Besides this, BCWA offers temporary breast prostheses to breast cancer patients who undergo surgery. “The temporary prostheses are sewn by hand in different sizes by a group of dedicated breast cancer survivors who formed a sewing group known as ‘Thimble Thumbs’,” said Lim. Currently, Thimble is confined to a small utility area that is not conducive to their work. With the help of LWAM, they hope to create a light-filled working space by upgrading their sewing machine, which dates back to 2006, and revive Thimble Thumbs as their temporary replacement stocks are running low. From New York to KL FOLLOWING a successful debut in the United States, award-winning filmmaker Areel Abu Bakar’s Walid is set to be released in local theatres today. The movie had its initial premiere at Cinema Village in New York City and Laemmle Glendale in Hollywood, Los Angeles, during the months of July through August. Produced by Layar Pictures, Walid not only introduced American audiences to the culture and traditions of Malaysia but also drew attention to under-discussed but crucial issues. It also served as a platform for introducing the art of silat to a global audience. In the wake of his first film Geran in 2019, Areel, who was present at the local Gala Night premiere and press conference for Walid at GSC, Starling Mall, on Sept 5, pointed out that he continues to incorporate martial arts as an action element in his latest film as a result of his deep appreciation for the art of self-defence. “In my view, the film serves as a platform for promoting various things. That’s why I crafted the film Walid in order to encourage a broader audience, especially the younger generation, to learn silat,” he explained. Areel further noted, “Walid goes beyond being merely an action film; it also addresses humanitarian and national themes by showcasing silat, a cultural heritage, as a central element.” Besides that, the director also highlighted that his latest directorial Crew and cast during the gala night premiere. – PICS BY ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN oWalid returns to Malaysia after successful US debut █ BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL The legendary actor. work underscores the significance of education, shedding light on how certain community members are deprived of their right to pursue knowledge. The awardwinning filmaker.

18 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Han River hilarity oAction and comedy collide in this new Disney+ series WELCOME to the uproarious world of Han River Police, where action meets comedy in a wild ride along the iconic Han River of Seoul. This zany series directed by Kim Sang-chul features the dynamic duo of Kwon Sang-woo, known for his classic roles in Stairway to Heaven and Curtain Call, and the effortlessly cool Kim Hee-won from Netflix’s Unlocked. In this cop caper, Kwon steps into the shoes of Han Dujin, the fiery and impulsive sergeant of the Han River Police Force, a man who doesn’t know the meaning of “holding back.” On the other side of the spectrum, we’ve got Kim as Lee Chunseok, a laidback lieutenant with a personality as chill as a breeze off the Han River. Together, they make an odd couple patrolling the bustling streets of Seoul, tasked with tackling everything from terrorism to everyday mishaps and, of course, those quirky situations that only seem to occur when they’re on duty. It’s a recipe for action, comedy and offbeat crime-solving straight out of the buddy cop handbook. But our merry duo isn’t alone in this madcap adventure. The supporting cast includes Shin Hyeon-seung (remember him from the Adams?), Lee Sang-yi Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha fame, and the delightful Bae Da-bin of It’s Beautiful Now. Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty. If you’re looking for intense gang fights, heart-pounding chase scenes and a dose of slapstick comedy, Han River Police has got you covered. However, I have to be honest; the first two episodes left me with mixed feelings. The series is gearing up for something big and the early slow pace might leave you wondering when the action’s going to kick into high gear. As of now, there aren’t any standout scenes that I can’t wait to rave about. But here’s the silver lining Bae Dabin shines like a quirky beacon of light. Her eccentric character injects a welcome dose of eccentricity into the show. Plus, I’m genuinely intrigued by the brewing romantic subplot between the lead actors. Who doesn’t love a little on-screen chemistry? Given the stellar lineup of actors, I’m willing to give Han River Police the benefit of the doubt. I’ll hang in there, hoping that the forthcoming episodes will deliver the excitement and entertainment that I crave. Getting through the first two episodes wasn’t a breeze, but hey, sometimes it takes a bit of time for a series to find its groove. If you’re a fan of action-comedy series and can handle a bit of a slow burn, Han River Police might just be your cup of tea. The thrill of chase sequences and the adrenaline rush of completing high-stakes tasks might be enough to keep you hooked. As for me, I’m holding out hope that this show will hit its stride and become the laughter-filled adventure it promises to be in the future. Han River Police is available to stream on Disney+. █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Waititi and Keaton go behind lens THE Toronto International Film Festival features a jampacked schedule with screenings from morning to midnight at multiple venues everyday, making it a challenge to keep up with all the world premieres on offer. Here’s a quick look at three movies that debuted this weekend in Canada’s largest city. All of them come from talents also known for their work in front of the camera: Oscar winners Taika Waititi, Michael Keaton and Scandal star Tony Goldwyn. Next Goal Wins Waititi earned huge cheers and laughs on Sunday with Next Goal Wins, a feel-good comedy about the efforts of American Samoa’s football team to qualify for the World Cup, little more than a decade after losing 31-0 in a qualifying match. Waititi cast Michael Fassbender against type in a comedic role as Dutch-American team manager Thomas Rongen, who is sent to try to whip the hapless team into shape. The story had already been told in documentary form, but Waititi infused this slightly fictionalised take with his signature offbeat sense of humour – a winning formula if the enthusiastic applause from the crowd was any indication. “I wanted to tell this story because it’s uplifting. I had never attempted to make a sports film, so I just wanted to give myself a new challenge and get out of my comfort zone,” Waititi said on the red carpet. The Maori filmmaker is right at home in Toronto: his Nazi satire Jojo Rabbit won the coveted TIFF People’s Choice Award here in 2019 and went on to win an Oscar for Waititi for best adapted screenplay. “For me, the most important thing is to put ourselves on screen – by that, I mean Polynesians and Pacific Islanders – because we often get overlooked, especially in terms of the diversity conversation,” he said. Rongen and transgender player Jaiyah Saelua, portrayed in the film by Kaimana in a touching performance, were warmly received by the audience and joined Waititi on stage for the brief post-screening question and answer session. Waititi stressed the importance of representing the character of Jaiyah as a Fa’afafine, people who have fluid gender roles in Samoan culture. Knox Goes Away Keaton did double duty for Knox Goes Away, directing and starring in the story of John Knox, a hit man with memory loss who is trying to finish one last job – helping his estranged son (James Marsden) cover up a murder. The way forward is complicated,and so Knox enlists his friend Xavier (Al Pacino) to help him remember all the details of his job before it’s too late. At times darkly funny, the film offered a unique look at the ravages of memory loss and the inclination to make amends in one’s final days. Ezra Goldwyn, a stage and screen actor known for his years-long run on ABC’s Scandal, is also an accomplished director, with multiple films under his belt. He tapped Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale and Rose Byrne to star in Ezra, a crackling family drama based on the experiences of Goldwyn’s friend and screenwriter Tony Spiridakis in raising an autistic son. Cannavale plays Max, a standup comic trying to land a spot on a late-night talk show while navigating a divorce from Jenna (Byrne) and the complex needs of their son Ezra (William Fitzgerald). An impromptu road trip upends the family dynamic, leading to a new normal for everyone, including Max’s father, Stan (De Niro). A new Korean series added to Disney+ Hotstar. – PICS BY DISNEY+ Sang Woo plays the role of Han Dujin. The series promises a balanced mix of action and humour. Waititi’s latest film Next Goal Wins is a sports comedy. – VARIETY 0Director: Kim Sang-Chul 0Cast: Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Hee-won, Lee Sang-yi. Bae Dabin, Shin Hyunseung E-VALUE 6 ACTING 6 PLOT 8

19 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 Korean fried chicken is now enjoyed all over the world due to the “Korean wave.” – KITCHEN SANCTUARY Robot fried chicken I N fried-chicken-obsessed South Korea, restaurants serving the nation’s favourite fast-food dish dot every street corner. But Kang Ji-young’s establishment brings something a little different to the table: a robot is cooking the chicken. Eaten at everything from tiny family gatherings to a 10-millionviewer live-streamed “mukbang” (eating broadcast) by K-pop star Jungkook of BTS fame, fried chicken is deeply embedded in South Korean culture. Paired with cold lager and known as chimaek – a portmanteau of the Korean words for chicken and beer – it is a staple of Seoul’s famed baseball-watching experience. The domestic market, the world’s third largest after the United States and China, is worth about US$5.3 billion (RM24.76 billion), but labour shortages are starting to bite as South Korea faces a looming demographic disaster due to having the world’s lowest birth rate. Around 54% of business owners in the food service sector report problems finding employees, a government survey last year found, with long hours and stressful conditions being the likely culprits, according to industry research. Korean fried chicken is brined and double-fried, which gives it its signature crispy exterior, but the process – more elabourate than what is typically used by US fast food chains – creates additional labour and requires extended worker proximity to hot oil. Enter Kang, a 38-year-old entrepreneur who saw an opportunity to improve the South Korean fried chicken business model and the dish itself. “The market is huge,” Kang told AFP at her Robert Chicken franchise. Chicken and pork cutlets are the most popular delivery orders in South Korea, and the industry could clearly benefit from more automation to “effectively address labour costs and workforce shortages,” she said. Kang’s robot, composed of a simple, flexible mechanical arm, is capable of frying 100 chickens in two hours – a task that would require around five people and several deep fryers. But not only does the robot make chicken more efficiently, it also makes it more delicious, says Kang. “We can now say with confidence that our robot fries better than human beings do,” she said. Investing in ‘foodtech’ Already a global cultural powerhouse and major semiconductor exporter, South Korea last year announced plans to plough millions of dollars into a “foodtech” fund to help startups working on high-tech food industry solutions. Seoul says such innovations could o Entrepreneur seeks to improve South Korea’s favourite food Robert Chicken in South Korea uses robots to fry its chicken. – KOREABYME become a “new growth engine,” arguing there is huge potential if the country’s prowess in advanced robotics and AI technology could be combined with the competitiveness of Korean food classics like kimchi. South Korea’s existing foodtech industry – including everything from next-day grocery delivery app Market Kurly to AI smart kitchens to a “vegan egg” startup – is already worth millions, said food science professor Lee Ki-won at Seoul National University. Even South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, one of the world’s biggest tech companies, is trying to get in on the action, recently launching Samsung Food, an AIpersonalised recipe and mealplanning platform available in eight languages. Lee predicted that South Korea’s other major conglomerates are likely to follow Samsung into foodtech. “Delivering food using electric vehicles or having robots directly provide deliveries within apartment complexes, known as ‘metamobility’, could become a part of our daily lives,” he said. “I am confident that within the next 10 years, the food tech industry Robot chicken fryer. – AFP Jungkook of BTS indulges in fried chicken “mukbang.” – AMINO APPS will transform into the leading sector in South Korea.” Robots over human chefs Entrepreneur Kang now has 15 robotmade chicken restaurants in South Korea and one branch in Singapore. During AFP’s visit to a Seoul branch, a robot meticulously handled the frying process, from immersing chicken in oil, flipping it for even cooking, and retrieving it at the perfect level of crispiness, as the irresistible scent of crunchy chicken wafted through the shop. Many customers remained oblivious to the hard-working robotic cook behind their meal. Kim Moon-jung, a 54-year-old insurance worker, said she was not sure how a robot would make the chicken differently from a human, but one thing is certain, it tastes delicious. The robot can monitor oil temperature and oxidation levels in real time while it fries chicken, ensuring consistent taste and superior hygiene. When Kang first started her business, she “initially struggled” to see why anyone would use robots rather than human chefs. But “after developing these technologies, I’ve come to realise that from a customer’s perspective, they’re able to enjoy food that is not only cleaner but also tastier”, she told AFP. Her next venture is a tip-free bar in Koreatown in New York City, where the cocktails will feature Korea’s soju rice wine and will be made by robots. – AFP

20 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME ‘My everything’ oA love story that will captivate your heart and ignite your love En Muzhuvale (My Everything), a Tamil language pilot film by writer, actor, director and filmmaker, Shatish Rao, was a huge success during its premiere on Aug 26 at the Pawagam Mini P Ramlee, Finas in Kuala Lumpur. Shatish, an aspiring filmmaker, along with his co-actors and crew, presented a beautiful and captivating love story that touched on the aspects of true love and heartache, of having loved and lost. The storyline and idea were basically based on Shatish’s vision years ago, when he was a part-time e-hailing driver. An intriguing premise It starts with Ajay (Shatish), who goes on his rounds as an e-hailing driver and picks up Aravind (played by Koghilan Ravi). As Ajay picks up Aravind and drives him to his destination, he plays music as a way to make his customer enjoy the ride and, at the same time, feel comfortable and relaxed. Halfway through the drive, Aravind receives a phone call from Vrusha (played by the talented and beautiful Dhiviyaa Rathi), his girlfriend. As the couple starts the conversation, Ajay obviously can’t help but listen to Aravind’s conversation with Vrusha and smiles as Aravind speaks to her in a gentle and lovey-dovey tone. After the conversation ends, Ajay starts a conversation with Aravind and jokingly says, “That was a special someone, wasn’t it? A guy will only speak in such a manner to his lady. Not even to his mom nor his sister.” Aravind smiles and the two men start a casual conversation as they drive and talk. Ajay stops on his way to pick up Aravind’s girlfriend. To his surprise, Aravind’s girlfriend is none other than Ajay’s ex-girlfriend, in an unexpected plot twist. As the couple talk, Ajay, who is still in love with Vrusha, listens to their conversation. If you’re curious to know what happens next, watch the full movie available on the SR Production YouTube channel now. The entire 27-minute short film is captivating throughout. The writer applauds director Shatish and his entire talented and dedicated crew, not to mention his co-director Piraga Krishnan, assistant director Praveen Veerasingam, producers, a special music rendition by R Danny Daniel and amazing cinematography by TS Mathan and assistant Sarah Lingam. A brilliant cast In an interview with theSun, Shatish was asked about the storyline, to which he replied, “The idea of the film is completely fictional, but as I was a part-time grab driver a few years back, it struck my mind to do a film.” When asked what inspires him to make a particular film, he replied, “A line of a movie, also called a logline, intrigues me to make a film. Secondly, the process of writing the script that ultimately is shown on the screen is simply amazing; even though it can be challenging, when we love what we are doing, we have no complaints. “I also believe in the term ‘entertain.’ I firmly focus on entertaining my audience, and I will work hard to not disappoint them or waste their time. Whether I classify it as a message-driven film or an empowering-focused film, all I want to achieve is entertain my audience,” said the 26-year-old filmmaker. And it was indeed entertaining as we were laughing at the premiere. His co-actress Rathi, when asked how she felt about her role in En Muzhuvale and the challenges she personally faced while playing the role, said: “As for the character, it is one that’s very close to my heart as it was tied up with different types of conflicting emotions. “Of course there were challenges to bring Vrusha to life, as the directors were particular on the metre she should be in for each scene to make sure her feelings and thoughts are expressed well without clashing,” she explained. Asked further on how she would like to potentially see herself on the screens and what roles and genres intrigue her the most, Rathi said, “As an actress, I envision myself taking on a diverse range of roles and genres. I’m particularly intrigued by challenging dramatic roles that allow me to deeply explore emotions and complex characters. “However, I also have a fondness for bringing lighthearted and relatable characters to life. I aspire to be versatile, stepping into roles that push my boundaries and resonate with audiences in meaningful ways,” said the brilliant actress. Meanwhile, co-actor Ravi who plays Aravind had this to say: “My role as Arvind in the film has been a personal milestone in my learning journey as an actor, I feel. Because as an actor, it is also important to keep up with the speed of a team.” On the cast and crew, Aravind said his main challenge was to live up to the professionalism of the En Muzhuvale team, stating, “That being said, the En Muzhuvale crew was a highly skilled technical team; trying to give them an equally strong performance was a great challenge, which to be frank, I kind of wish for.” Commenting further on his dream of filmmaking and acting, he added, “It is my dream to make a living from making films. We were all taught to make money or earn a living by doing something we loved. “As for me, that would be to be a fulltime filmmaker. So any roles, genres or movies that help me take a step closer to that goal, I would be very excited to do so.” In conclusion, En Muzhuvale makes it evident that Malaysia has a great pool of talented filmmakers; many have great ideas and storylines just waiting for a chance to be on the big screens. █ BY CECILIA VICTOR Cast of En Muzhuvale. Rathi, a talented silver screen actress. Director and actor: Rao as Ajay. – PICS BY SHATISH RAO

21 * SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 US RYDER CUP captain Zach Johnson said yesterday he is ready to handle criticism if the Americans lose to Europe in two weeks at Italy after a dominating 2021 triumph. Seeing the disappointment over a fourthplace finish by US NBA stars at the Basketball World Cup, Johnson accepts he might pay a price if the Americans cannot snap a 30-year win drought on European soil. “I’ve thought about it,” Johnson said. “I kind of know what I’m signing up for. That being said, I didn’t know all of what was going to be shot at me. There’s no way to really know that. “All the arrows, some of them you just deflect and some of them you’ve got to veer and just try to navigate what you can. I don’t mind it. “I love responsibility, I love difficulty, I love being pushed and somewhat being uncomfortable if that makes sense.” Johnson said full credit for victory should go to his 12-man team but he accepts his share of blame for a defeat. “If we lose this, there’s probably some merit some of that can go on me,” Johnson said. “I fully accept that, that’s what I signed up for. “I hope that’s not the case but I’m at peace with whatever comes my way.” Johnson spoke ahead of the PGA Tour’s Fortinet Championship, which starts today at Napa, California. Two-time defending Fortinet champion Max Homa and two-time major winner Justin Thomas from the US squad will compete in the field. Thomas, a controversial captain’s pick without a top-eight finish in seven months, has not played in six weeks after missing the FedEx Cup playoffs. Homa went 4-0 in the 2022 Presidents Cup the week after a Napa triumph. “Ideally they get some momentum. Momentum in this game is pretty lethal and can be a really good thing,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to give their scorecard a whole lot of merit when it comes to what we’re trying to do two weeks from now. “Four days of stroke play is vastly different than five sessions of match play in three days.” Most of the US team visited the Marco Simone host course near Rome last week for a sneak peek at the challenging layout they will face. “When we get there, they don’t have to force it and push themselves to get their feet on the grounds that much because they already know what to expect,” Johnson said. US vice captain Stewart Cink said the layout will be so difficult that some players won’t mind sitting out certain foursomes or four-ball sessions. “It’s so hilly and the temperature could be pretty hot, too,” Cink said. “I think guys are going to be happy to probably rest. There’s not going to be a lot of disappointment for not playing. “It’s probably the most demanding physically of any Cup course I’ve ever seen that I’ve been a part of.” – AFP Willing target COMPANIES ACT 2016 Section 117 (1) NOTICE OF PROPOSED REDUCTION OF SHARE CAPITAL TYLON CORPORATION SDN BHD [Registration No. 198801006411 (173769-D)] TYLON CORPORATION SDN BHD [198801006411 (173769-D)] gives notice that a special resolution to reduce the share capital of the Company has been passed on 7 September 2023. The extract of the special resolution is set out below:- SPECIAL RESOLUTION - PROPOSED CAPITAL REDUCTION RESOLVED:- 1. “THAT subject always to the Companies Act 2016, the Company’s Constitution and necessary approvals of the relevant authorities (if any), the issued share capital of the Company be reduced from RM10,180,000.00 to RM9,180,000.00 in the manner as tabulated and that such reduction be effected by cancellation of the paid-up share capital and return of capital which is in excess of the needs of the Company to the member(s) (hereinafter referred to as “Proposed Capital Reduction”): Status of Share Capital Number of shares Total (RM) Existing 10,000,000 Preference Shares 8,300,000 Ordinary Shares RM1,000,000 RM9,180,000 Return of excess capital 10,000,000 Preference Shares RM1,000,000 Post Capital Reduction 8,300,000 Ordinary Shares RM9,180,000 2. “THAT forthwith upon the Proposed Capital Reduction taking effect:- (a) the issued share capital of the Company will be RM9,180,000.00 comprising 8,300,000 ordinary shares; and (b) the existing share certificate be called in by the Directors for cancellation subject to the provisions of Constitution of the Company. 3. AND THAT the Board of Directors of the Company be authorised:- a) to determine the entitlement date; and b) with full powers to take all such steps as they may deem necessary in relation to the Proposed Capital Reduction including to authorise the Company Secretary(ies) to file in the necessary documents with the Companies Commission of Malaysia and send notices to the Director General of the Inland Revenue Board and to do all such acts, deeds, and/or things incidental and/or as may be required or consider necessary and expedient in the best interest of the Company, and to take such steps, execute such documents and to enter into any arrangements and/or agreements with any party or parties as may deem fit necessary, expedient and/ or appropriate in order to implement, finalise, complete and to give full effect to the Proposed Capital Reduction. Dated this 13 September 2023. Board of Directors 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR PETISYEN PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO. WA-28NCC-865-09/2023 Dalam perkara Amalan Setar (M) Sdn Bhd (No. Syarikat: 199701009676 (425172-T)) Dan Dalam perkara Seksyen 465(1)(e) dan Seksyen 466(1)(a) Akta Syarikat 2016 Dan Dalam perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 ANTARA CHARTER BUILT CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD (No. Syarikat: 200401002368 (640871-P)) …PEMPETISYEN DAN AMALAN SETAR (M) SDN BHD (No. Syarikat: 199701009676 (425172-T)) …RESPONDEN IKLAN PETISYEN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah, pada 1 September 2023, dikemukakan oleh CHARTER BUILT CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut diarahkan supaya didengarkan di hadapan mahkamah yang bersidang di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada pukul 9:00 pagi pada 10 Januari 2024. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang sesuatu perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguambelanya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat berdaftar Pempetisyen adalah di No. 63-2A, Jalan Anggerik Vanilla T31/T, Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor manakala alamat perniagaan Pempetisyen adalah di Unit 7-2-3A, Sinaran TTDI, Shopoffice, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe yang beralamat di A3-3-6, Solaris Dutamas, No.1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Chong + Kheng Hoe …………………..………………….. Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe Peguamcara Pempetisyen NOTA - Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan, atau menghantar dengan pos, kepada Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe yang dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak berkenaan, atau jika ia sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau peguamcaranya, jika ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan, atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi, supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12:00 tengah hari pada 9 Januari 2024 (sehari sebelum tarikh yang ditetapkan untuk perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut). IKLAN PETISYEN ini diisukan oleh oleh Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe, peguamcara Pempetisyen yang dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di A3- 3-6, Solaris Dutamas, No.1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. [Tel: 03-6205 3928 / E-mel: [email protected] / Rujukan: 23091834] 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH SESYEN DI IPOH DALAM NEGERI PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN GUAMAN NO: AA-A52NCvC-31-03/2023 ANTARA SARAVANANN A/L THULASIRAMAN (No.K/P: 781130-07-5495) PLAINTIF DAN DHARMENDRAN A/L PATHPANATHAN (No.K/P: 760706-07-5875) DEFENDAN PERINTAH UNTUK PENYAMPAIAN GANTI KEPADA:- DHARMENDRAN A/L PATHPANATHAN (No.K/P: 760706-07-5875) 0003 V4, Goodyear Court 9, 47630 Subang Jaya, Selangor. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Sesyen di Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan melalui Guaman No: AA-A52NCvC-31-03/2023 dalam tindakan ini oleh Saravanan a/l Thulasiraman (No. K/P: 781130- 07-5495) beralamat di 4D-06-13, Lorong Semarak Api 1, Farlim, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang. Mahkamah telah memerintahkan supaya Writ dan Pernyataan Tuntutan disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ bertarikh 15.3.2023 dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 13.3.2023 tersebut pada Papan Kenyataan Mahkamah Sesyen di Ipoh bersama dengan Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti bertarikh 12.6.2023 yang diperolehi ini dan akhir sekali mengiklankan di suratkhabar “The Sun” dan bahawa penampalan dan pengiklanan sedemikian dianggap sebagai wajar dan mencukupi akan Writ dan Pernyataan Tuntutan ke atas kamu selepas tamat tempoh EMPAT BELAS (14) hari dari tarikh akhir penampalan dan pengiklanan. Jika kamu berhasrat membela tindakan tersebut kamu mestilah hadir sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Sesyen di Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan pada 18 haribulan September 2023 pukul 9.00 pagi. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, penghakiman boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 12hb Jun 2023. ……………T.T…………… PENDAFTAR MAHKAMAH SESYEN IPOH, PERAK. Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti ini telah difailkan oleh TETUAN AL MURALI & Co, Peguambela dan Peguamcara yang beralamat di No.15A, Tingkat Satu, Medan Istana 7, Bandar Ipoh Raya, 30000 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan; Peguamcara bagi Plaintif yang dinamakan diatas. [Ruj Kami: AMC/3393/SD/2023]sha 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF QUANTUM LEAP PARTNERS SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 202001015327 (1371647-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) At a General Meeting of the Company duly convened and held electronically via video conferencing at Level 5, Tower 8, Avenue 5, Horizon 2, Bangsar South City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur on 8 September 2023, the following special resolutions were duly passed: RESOLVED:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act 2016 and that Wong Mee Kiat of No. 9, Jalan SJ16A, Taman Selayang Bahagia, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor Darul Ehsan be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator for the Company for the purpose of winding up of the Company. 2. THAT the liquidator be authorised pursuant to Section 456 of the Companies Act 2016 to exercise the powers laid down in Eleventh Schedule of the Companies Act 2016. 3. THAT the liquidator be authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as he thinks fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with his respective rights and interests therein. The Board of Directors Dated this 14th day of September 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF QUANTUM LEAP PARTNERS SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 202001015327 (1371647-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 8 October 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and their names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator QUANTUM LEAP PARTNERS SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 202001015327 (1371647-V) Level 5, Tower 8, Avenue 5, Horizon 2, Bangsar South City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. WONG MEE KIAT Liquidator Dated this 14th day of September 2023 NOTICE Finding Biological Mother of a Girl Girl’s Name: Chia Ka Mun Date of Birth: 30 August 2003 Place of Birth: CMH Medical Centre 106, Jalan Pudu Kuala Lumpur. Mother’s Name: Hang Rong Nationality: China In year 2004, Ms. Hang Rong has left and gave the girl to raise by the father Mr. Chia Yong Keang, who was staying in Plaza 393, Kuala Lumpur. Any information of Ms. Hang Rong, kindly contact: Mr. Chia Yong Keang at 012-3229812 322 Notices 322 Notices COMPANIES ACT 2016 Section 117 (1) NOTICE OF PROPOSED REDUCTION OF SHARE CAPITAL TYLON CORPORATION SDN BHD [Registration No. 198801006411 (173769-D)] TYLON CORPORATION SDN BHD [198801006411 (173769-D)] gives notice that a special resolution to reduce the share capital of the Company has been passed on 7 September 2023. The extract of the special resolution is set out below:- SPECIAL RESOLUTION - PROPOSED CAPITAL REDUCTION RESOLVED:- 1. “THAT subject always to the Companies Act 2016, the Company’s Constitution and necessary approvals of the relevant authorities (if any), the issued share capital of the Company be reduced from RM10,180,000.00 to RM9,180,000.00 in the manner as tabulated and that such reduction be effected by cancellation of the paid-up share capital and return of capital which is in excess of the needs of the Company to the member(s) (hereinafter referred to as “Proposed Capital Reduction”): Status of Share Capital Number of shares Total (RM) Existing 10,000,000 Preference Shares 8,300,000 Ordinary Shares RM1,000,000 RM9,180,000 Return of excess capital 10,000,000 Preference Shares RM1,000,000 Post Capital Reduction 8,300,000 Ordinary Shares RM9,180,000 2. “THAT forthwith upon the Proposed Capital Reduction taking effect:- (a) the issued share capital of the Company will be RM9,180,000.00 comprising 8,300,000 ordinary shares; and (b) the existing share certificate be called in by the Directors for cancellation subject to the provisions of Constitution of the Company. 3. AND THAT the Board of Directors of the Company be authorised:- a) to determine the entitlement date; and b) with full powers to take all such steps as they may deem necessary in relation to the Proposed Capital Reduction including to authorise the Company Secretary(ies) to file in the necessary documents with the Companies Commission of Malaysia and send notices to the Director General of the Inland Revenue Board and to do all such acts, deeds, and/or things incidental and/or as may be required or consider necessary and expedient in the best interest of the Company, and to take such steps, execute such documents and to enter into any arrangements and/or agreements with any party or parties as may deem fit necessary, expedient and/ or appropriate in order to implement, finalise, complete and to give full effect to the Proposed Capital Reduction. Dated this 13 September 2023. Board of Directors 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR PETISYEN PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO. WA-28NCC-865-09/2023 Dalam perkara Amalan Setar (M) Sdn Bhd (No. Syarikat: 199701009676 (425172-T)) Dan Dalam perkara Seksyen 465(1)(e) dan Seksyen 466(1)(a) Akta Syarikat 2016 Dan Dalam perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 ANTARA CHARTER BUILT CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD (No. Syarikat: 200401002368 (640871-P)) …PEMPETISYEN DAN AMALAN SETAR (M) SDN BHD (No. Syarikat: 199701009676 (425172-T)) …RESPONDEN IKLAN PETISYEN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah, pada 1 September 2023, dikemukakan oleh CHARTER BUILT CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut diarahkan supaya didengarkan di hadapan mahkamah yang bersidang di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada pukul 9:00 pagi pada 10 Januari 2024. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang sesuatu perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguambelanya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat berdaftar Pempetisyen adalah di No. 63-2A, Jalan Anggerik Vanilla T31/T, Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor manakala alamat perniagaan Pempetisyen adalah di Unit 7-2-3A, Sinaran TTDI, Shopoffice, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe yang beralamat di A3-3-6, Solaris Dutamas, No.1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Chong + Kheng Hoe …………………..………………….. Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe Peguamcara Pempetisyen NOTA - Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan, atau menghantar dengan pos, kepada Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe yang dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak berkenaan, atau jika ia sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau peguamcaranya, jika ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan, atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangka masa mencukupi, supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12:00 tengah hari pada 9 Januari 2024 (sehari sebelum tarikh yang ditetapkan untuk perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut). IKLAN PETISYEN ini diisukan oleh oleh Tetuan Chong + Kheng Hoe, peguamcara Pempetisyen yang dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di A3- 3-6, Solaris Dutamas, No.1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. [Tel: 03-6205 3928 / E-mel: [email protected] / Rujukan: 23091834] 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH SESYEN DI IPOH DALAM NEGERI PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN GUAMAN NO: AA-A52NCvC-31-03/2023 ANTARA SARAVANANN A/L THULASIRAMAN (No.K/P: 781130-07-5495) PLAINTIF DAN DHARMENDRAN A/L PATHPANATHAN (No.K/P: 760706-07-5875) DEFENDAN PERINTAH UNTUK PENYAMPAIAN GANTI KEPADA:- DHARMENDRAN A/L PATHPANATHAN (No.K/P: 760706-07-5875) 0003 V4, Goodyear Court 9, 47630 Subang Jaya, Selangor. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Sesyen di Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan melalui Guaman No: AA-A52NCvC-31-03/2023 dalam tindakan ini oleh Saravanan a/l Thulasiraman (No. K/P: 781130- 07-5495) beralamat di 4D-06-13, Lorong Semarak Api 1, Farlim, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang. Mahkamah telah memerintahkan supaya Writ dan Pernyataan Tuntutan disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ bertarikh 15.3.2023 dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 13.3.2023 tersebut pada Papan Kenyataan Mahkamah Sesyen di Ipoh bersama dengan Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti bertarikh 12.6.2023 yang diperolehi ini dan akhir sekali mengiklankan di suratkhabar “The Sun” dan bahawa penampalan dan pengiklanan sedemikian dianggap sebagai wajar dan mencukupi akan Writ dan Pernyataan Tuntutan ke atas kamu selepas tamat tempoh EMPAT BELAS (14) hari dari tarikh akhir penampalan dan pengiklanan. Jika kamu berhasrat membela tindakan tersebut kamu mestilah hadir sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Sesyen di Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan pada 18 haribulan September 2023 pukul 9.00 pagi. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, penghakiman boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 12hb Jun 2023. ……………T.T…………… PENDAFTAR MAHKAMAH SESYEN IPOH, PERAK. Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti ini telah difailkan oleh TETUAN AL MURALI & Co, Peguambela dan Peguamcara yang beralamat di No.15A, Tingkat Satu, Medan Istana 7, Bandar Ipoh Raya, 30000 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan; Peguamcara bagi Plaintif yang dinamakan diatas. [Ruj Kami: AMC/3393/SD/2023]sha 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF QUANTUM LEAP PARTNERS SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 202001015327 (1371647-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) At a General Meeting of the Company duly convened and held electronically via video conferencing at Level 5, Tower 8, Avenue 5, Horizon 2, Bangsar South City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur on 8 September 2023, the following special resolutions were duly passed: RESOLVED:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act 2016 and that Wong Mee Kiat of No. 9, Jalan SJ16A, Taman Selayang Bahagia, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor Darul Ehsan be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator for the Company for the purpose of winding up of the Company. 2. THAT the liquidator be authorised pursuant to Section 456 of the Companies Act 2016 to exercise the powers laid down in Eleventh Schedule of the Companies Act 2016. 3. THAT the liquidator be authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as he thinks fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with his respective rights and interests therein. The Board of Directors Dated this 14th day of September 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF QUANTUM LEAP PARTNERS SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 202001015327 (1371647-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 8 October 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and their names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator QUANTUM LEAP PARTNERS SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 202001015327 (1371647-V) Level 5, Tower 8, Avenue 5, Horizon 2, Bangsar South City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. WONG MEE KIAT Liquidator Dated this 14th day of September 2023 NOTICE Finding Biological Mother of a Girl Girl’s Name: Chia Ka Mun Date of Birth: 30 August 2003 Place of Birth: CMH Medical Centre 106, Jalan Pudu Kuala Lumpur. Mother’s Name: Hang Rong Nationality: China In year 2004, Ms. Hang Rong has left and gave the girl to raise by the father Mr. Chia Yong Keang, who was staying in Plaza 393, Kuala Lumpur. Any information of Ms. Hang Rong, kindly contact: Mr. Chia Yong Keang at 012-3229812 322 Notices 322 Notices Johnson ready to shoulder blame if US lose Ryder Cup Proteas relieved after halting losing streak SOUTH AFRICA’S win over Australia yesterday came as a major relief after a run of successive defeats threatened their confidence before next month’s World Cup, said man of the match Aiden Markram. South Africa beat Australia by 111 runs at the JB Marks Oval to win their first game in the five-match One Day International series, after losing the opening two as well as all three matches of the Twenty20 series against Australia that preceded it. Markram hit 102 not out and admitted afterwards that it had come at an important time for a team in need of a boost. “I think there is a lot of relief involved. We pride ourselves on being a really competitive cricketing nation and when you don’t play up to those standards, it affects the human as well as the cricketer,” he told a press conference. “So when you get a good result, it means a lot to us. And it’s nice to know that we’ve got the character to turn it around in a must-win game tonight. There are a lot of positives that we can take forward and a bit of relief as well.” It was Markram’s second century in a format where he has yet to prove himself. “Ultimately you’re walking out to bat every time, you’re seeing how you can add value to the team. And some days it might be a quick-fire innings for a change of momentum and some days, it might be in a situation with a bit more gravity.” South Africa were a lot better yesterday than in Bloemfontein where Australia won the first two ODIs. “It was a tricky sort of wicket. We almost never really quite felt in, but managed to play better cricket in all facets. “But we still have much to improve on, to get closer towards the standards that we set for ourselves. Fortunately a nice turn around for us.” – Reuters India beat Sri Lanka to reach final India’s Kuldeep Yadav (left) celebrates with Virat Kohli after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha (not pictured) during the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four one-day international (ODI) cricket match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday. – AFPPIX KULDEEP YADAV starred as India overcame a brilliant all-round effort from Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage to win a tense Asia Cup clash by 41 runs yesterday and book a place in the final. Kuldeep took four wickets including the final two as India defended 213, bowling out Sri Lanka for 172 to silence a large home crowd at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. India recorded their second straight Super Four win in the 50-over tournament, a prelude to the upcoming ODI World Cup, and ended Sri Lanka’s 13-match winning streak in ODIs. Wellalage, who claimed his maiden ODI five-wicket haul, remained unbeaten on 42 when he ran out of partners as left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep wrapped up the opposition tail in 41.3 overs. “Kuldeep is a great bowler, I tried to play my normal game with a positive mindset,” said Wellalage, who was named man of the match despite being on the losing team. “I want to thank my teammates and my coaching staff – they gave me great support.” India skipper Rohit Sharma praised Kuldeep, who also took five wickets in his team’s previous win over Pakistan, for his rhythm and consistency. “For the past year or so, bowling really, really well. He has done a lot of hard work on his rhythm,” said Rohit. “He went back to the drawing board and worked on it. The ball is coming out nicely and you can see the results in the last 10 ODIs.” It was India’s third straight day on the field after they crushed Pakistan by 228 runs on Monday in a match that was played across two days due to rain. The next Super Four match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan today will decide the second finalists between the two teams. Rohit scored 53 to hand his team a brisk start but Wellalage hit back. The 20-year-old returned figures of 5-40 including the key wickets of Rohit and Virat Kohli with strong support from part-time spinner Charith Asalanka, who claimed four victims for 18 runs. – AFP

22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 SPORTS Source: FIA Pictures: Getty Images A revised layout, reducing the corners and adding a straight, could create a new overtaking opportunity and change the dynamic of the race Max Verstappen is yet to win in Singapore – can he extend his 10-race streak? Winning strategy: One stop. Circuit revisions will decrease tyre degradation, but give teams less time for strategy calls in safety car situations Sergio Perez Charles Leclerc Carlos Sainz Lando Norris Daniel Ricciardo Lance Stroll Max Verstappen Sebastian Vettel Lewis Hamilton Pierre Gasly Red Bull Ferrari Ferrari McLaren McLaren Aston Martin Red Bull Aston Martin Mercedes AlphaTauri 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 16 SEP 17: Singapore 2022 RESULT BEHIND THE WHEEL Singapore Grand Prix F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 Most wins: Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, 4 Lap record*: Kevin Magnussen 1:41.905 (2018) Fastest lap 2022: George Russell,1:46.458 *Old circuit layout © GRAPHIC NEWS Marina Bay Circuit Distance: 62 laps – 306.3km @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME 5691/2023 13/09/2023 (WED) 1595 2006 9424 9421 5374 9737 5505 9337 1282 0337 4127 4350 1452 9434 0160 0046 8602 8147 4909 2787 6571 7281 5207 3,750,127.67 1595 1595 1595 9424 9424 2006 9424 9424 2006 2006 1595 2006 278,378.53 1595 2006 9424 ROOSTER 94954 22351 2351 351 22229 5 1 1 2 990012 90012 0012 012 99001 9900 990 9 9 9,653,739.06 5,397,946.14 20 23 26 38 46 54 100,000.00 17 19 21 31 36 53 7 13 15 18 29 32 26 28,212,450.30 RM164,125 Star 6/50 Jackpot 2 won on 10/09/2023 ! 858 058 + BOAR 201 482 + DOG 983 373 + SNAKE Draw Date: 13/09/23 (Wed) Draw No: 5638/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 8058 1482 3373 9351 + 6305 7102 + 0840 1899 + 8239 5625 + 0795 9939 + 9580 1183 + 6625 9073 + 3305 5448 + 5767 8182 + 5022 9751 + 0147 RM12,124,676.50 8058 + 1482 1482 + 8058 8058 + 3373 3373 + 8058 1482 + 3373 3373 + 1482 RM270,875.50 RM1,970,327.50 RM1,706,817.00 RM2,548,691.30 539 351 306 305 777 102 870 840 031 899 138 239 425 625 020 795 349 939 339 580 611 183 946 625 599 073 003 305 055 448 365 767 378 182 235 022 099 751 220 147 058 482 373 RM756,323.50 058 + 482 + 373 482 + 373 + 058 058 + 373 + 482 373 + 058 + 482 482 + 058 + 373 373 + 482 + 058 HSSB 1+3D Jackpot 1 RM517,450.20 won on 10/09/2023! Max Marina Bay challenge Verstappen win streak under threat in ‘perilous’ Singapore race MAX VERSTAPPEN’S bid for a recordextending 11th straight win faces a severe test in Sunday’s “perilous” Singapore night race on the unpredictable Marina Bay street circuit. The Red Bull driver’s third world title in a row is only a matter of time but the Dutchman has never triumphed under the lights in Singapore, where tropical storms, intense humidity and concrete barriers all await. Safety cars and red flags will almost certainly play a part too, with memories of an “incredibly messy” race in Singapore a year ago fresh in Verstappen’s mind. Rain is again forecast for race weekend. Verstappen was only eighth on the grid in 2022 after being under-fuelled in Saturday qualifying and a pre-race deluge saw him start poorly on the sodden track, dropping back five places. He clawed his way through the field with the help of several safety car and virtual safety car periods, only to slither on to an escape road while trying to take fourth place, eventually rejoining and settling for seventh. Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez kept his cool out in front to win ahead of Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari and keep the champagne on ice for a bit longer. “It’s better than eighth but it’s not what I’m here for, not with a car like that,” lamented Verstappen after the race. “It was just incredibly messy.” Verstappen leads Perez by 145 points in this year’s championship and could clinch the world title with six races to spare at next week’s Japanese Grand Prix. Mercedes are second in the constructors’ championship, a distant 310 points behind, with team boss Toto Wolff believing that Red Bull are on course to win all 22 races this season. “I think they need to screw it up themselves,” Wolff said after Verstappen’s 10th win in a row at Monza a fortnight ago made it 14 out of 14 for Red Bull in 2023. If they complete the clean sweep, Red Bull would eclipse the record of Mercedes in 2016 when Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton won 19 of 21 races. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner warned that the unique Marina Bay challenge could upset their perfect season. “It’s a street circuit, it’s one of the toughest on the calendar. We saw last year how perilous it can be,” said Horner. “We’ll just do our best to keep this momentum running. “One day we’re going to get beaten. It’s just a question of when, and we’ve just got to make the when as far away as we can. “I think with every weekend that goes past there’s more expectation to keep up this amazing run of results.” Wolff believes Mercedes may have their best chance to upset Red Bull on a track where straight-line speed is not so crucial but grid position is everything because of the difficulty in overtaking. “Singapore is back to high downforce and coming towards our direction a little bit more,” he said. “It will be important for us to maximise that opportunity when it comes.” – AFP Halep to appeal four-year doping ban ROMANIA’S former world No. 1 Simona Halep said yesterday that she would appeal to sport’s highest court against the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) decision to ban her for four years after two separate anti-doping rule violations. The 31-year-old former Wimbledon and French Open champion had been provisionally suspended since October 2022 after testing positive for banned blood-booster roxadustat at the US Open last year where she lost in the first round. Halep was “shocked and disappointed” and blamed contaminated supplements, adding that she “refused to accept their (ITIA) decision of a four-year ban” which runs until Oct 6, 2026. “I am continuing to train and do everything in my power to clear my name of these false allegations and return to the court,” Halep said in a statement to Reuters. “I intend to appeal this decision to The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and pursue all legal remedies against the supplement company in question.” The ITIA said earlier yesterday it came to its conclusion based on the collection and analysis of 51 blood samples provided by Halep. “The first (charge) related to an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the prohibited substance roxadustat at the US Open in 2022, carried out through regular urine testing during competition,” the ITIA said in a statement. “The second charge related to irregularities in Halep’s Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).” Halep strongly denies knowingly taking roxadustat and said she had evidence to show small amounts of the anaemia drug entered her system from a contaminated licensed supplement. “The tribunal accepted Halep’s argument that they had taken a contaminated supplement, but determined the volume the player ingested could not have resulted in the concentration of roxadustat found in the positive sample,” the ITIA said. It added that the ABP charge was also upheld as three independent experts were unanimous that “likely doping” was the explanation for the irregularities in Halep’s profile. “The volume of evidence for the tribunal to consider in both the roxadustat and ABP proceedings was substantial,” Karen Moorhouse, CEO at the ITIA, said. Halep had previously accused the ITIA of seeking to further delay her independent tribunal doping hearing and said she was being denied her right to be heard. “I know Simona’s integrity and I have no doubt that she has never taken any banned substance,” her coach Patrick Mouratoglou said. “I hope that Simona will prevail at CAS which is the only Tribunal that is not controlled by the ITIA. “I do not believe that the ITIA looked for the truth in Simona’s case and I do not believe that they treated her in a way that is acceptable.” – Reuters

23 SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 Top dogs show class Spain, Italy step up chase of runaway Euro leaders S PAIN crashed in six in Euro 2024 qualifying yesterday while Belgium were also big winners as Italy revived their campaign and Austria and Switzerland stayed on course for qualification. Substitute Ferran Torres struck twice for Spain, while Gavi, Mikel Merino, Joselu and debutant Alex Baena were also on target as they beat Cyprus 6-0 in Granada. Spain closed to six points behind runaway Group A leaders Scotland with a game in hand. The two teams meet in the next round in Seville on Oct 12 “Our objective is clear – win the rest of the games,” coach Luis De la Fuente told Spanish broadcasters TVE. “We want to finish top of the group.” Norway kept alive their faint chance of catching either Scotland or Spain while ending Georgia’s hopes of qualifying with a 2-1 victory in Oslo. Erling Haaland gave Norway the lead with his seventh goal in five competitive matches this season and his 25th in 26 internationals. Martin Odegaard added a second before Budu Zivzivadze responded deep in added time. Davide Frattesi ensured that Italy got their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign back on track with a brace in an entertaining 2-1 win over Ukraine which moved the Azzurri second in Group C. Inter Milan midfielder Frattesi rifled in two low finishes in the first half-an-hour at the San Siro to give Luciano Spalletti his first success on his home debut as coach of the European champions. Italy moved level on seven points with Ukraine, who scored through captain Andriy Yarmolenko four minutes before half-time, and North Macedonia. Italy occupy the second of two automatic qualifying places on head-to-head record between those three teams, six points behind England who have played a game more. “We need to be happy,” said Spalletti to broadcaster Rai. “The team played good football and was well-organised on the pitch.” Ukraine drew with England on Saturday. “It was hard for us to play so soon after playing against England,” said Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov. Next month Italy face Malta in Bari before travelling to Wembley, the site of their triumph at the last Euro, to take on England. Belgium leapfrogged Austria at the top of Group F on goal difference even though both sides won. Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium crushed Estonia 5-0 in Brussels while Austria, facing a much trickier trip to Solna, beat Sweden 3-1. “A perfect night: 5-0, clean sheet. A goal, my 150th game,” said veteran Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen who opened the scoring “We have many players who are no longer part of the national team,” the 36-year-old added. “I didn’t feel ready for that yet.” In Sweden, Austria scored three times in 16 second half minutes. Michael Gregoritsch hit the first and Marko Arnautovic the next two before Emil Holm replied in the 90th minute. The top two have a seven-point cushion over Sweden. “Now we can breath a bit,” said Austria coach Ralf Rangnick. – AFP Germany beat France but questions remain DESPITE responding to coach Hansi Flick’s sacking with a 2-1 victory over neighbours France in Dortmund yesterday, pressing questions remain for Euro 2024 hosts Germany. Usually a bitter rivalry between two of Europe’s proudest footballing nations with six World Cups and five European Championships between them, France did not bring their usual intensity to yesterday’s friendly. Manager Didier Deschamps made six changes from their last outing, a 2-0 win over Ireland, including benching star striker Kylian Mbappe. With France trailing 1-0 for most of the second half, Deschamps left Mbappe on the bench as his side chased the game, the manager later revealing “we didn’t want to risk him in this game”. The France manager admitted his changes were made with the future in mind, including leading the line with Randal Kolo Muani who “hasn’t played for a while, hasn’t trained (and) isn’t in top form right now”. Calling Flick’s caretaker successor Rudi Voeller a “unique and rare coach”, Deschamps congratulated his “old friend”, telling reporters “I’m not happy we lost, but nevertheless I’m happy for him.” Immediately after the game, interim coach Voeller described the win, Germany’s first since March and only the second since the disappointing group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup, as an “emotional release”. “What I liked most was that we brought good energy onto the field”, telling the post-match press conference “it’s not just about the result, but the style and manner of the performance”. Veteran Germany striker Thomas Muller, who was named in the starting XI for the first time since Qatar, scored after just four minutes. The 2014 World Cup winner said the win was an “emotional liberation” for his side, but told German TV “it was fun, but we don’t need to overstate it – we still have a long way to go”. – AFP Messi-less Argentina triumph as Brazil grab late win WORLD CHAMPIONS Argentina rested Lionel Messi but still shined in a 3-0 victory over 10- man Bolivia in La Paz yesterday to maintain their winning start to South American World Cup qualifying. Brazil also have the maximum six points from two games after a superb 90th-minute winner from Marquinhos against Peru in Lima for the only goal of the match. But Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay suffered a setback, giving up the lead to end with a 2-1 defeat at Ecuador. Messi, who has had a hectic schedule with his club Inter Miami, watched his teammates from the bench but was not listed as a substitute, having complained of tiredness after scoring the winner in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador. Despite the absence of their talisman Lionel Scaloni’s side had too much firepower for Bolivia with goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez securing an impressive victory. Scaloni was pleased with the performance by his team, saying they were “not afraid to play with the ball” and also offered an explanation for Messi’s absence. “Leo was not ready to play, he tried to recover, but he did not feel comfortable,” he said. Brazil came up against a determined Peru side and looked set to be frustrated when Raphinha’s rocket in the 72nd minute was brilliantly saved by Pedro Gallese. But in the final minute Neymar whipped in a corner and Marquinhos met it with a masterful glancing header that flashed into the far corner. Colombia had to settle for a point in a disappointing goalless draw in Santiago, Chile. After an impressive start to his reign in charge of Uruguay, Argentine Bielsa saw his team lose to two goals from Ecuador defender Felix Torres in Quito. Uruguay took the lead in the 38th minute through Agustin Canobbio but Torres levelled for the home side levelled just before the break. Torres showed his value again to grab the winner, sliding into a crowded box to turn in a low cross from 16-year-old Kendry Paez. – AFP EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS Group A: Norway 2 (Haaland 25, Odegaard 33) Georgia 1 (Zivzivadze 90+1), Spain 6 (Gavi 18, Merino 33, Joselu 70, Ferran Torres 73, 83, Baena 77) Cyprus 0. Group C: Italy 2 (Frattesi 12, 29) Ukraine 1 (Yarmolenko 41), Malta 0 North Macedonia 2 (Elmas 5, Manev 41). Group F: Belgium 5 (Vertonghen 4, Trossard 18, Lukaku 56, 58, De Ketelaere 88) Estonia 0, Sweden 1 (Holm 90) Austria 3 (Gregoritsch 53, Arnautovic 56, 69- pen). Group I: Israel 1 (Kanichowsky 90+3) Belarus 0, Romania 2 (Stanciu 83, Mihaila 90’+3) Kosovo 0, Switzerland 3 (Itten 49, Xhaka 84, Shaqiri 90+3-pen) Andorra 0. WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS (South America) Bolivia 0 Argentina 3, Ecuador 2 Uruguay 1, Venezuela 1 Paraguay 0, Chile 0 Colombia 0, Peru 0 Brazil 1. AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS Group C: Cameroon 3 Burundi 0. INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES (selected) Scotland 1 England 3, Germany 2 France 1, Japan 4 Turkey 2. BRIEFS France’s Adrien Rabiot (left) and Germany’s Leroy Sane vie for the ball during the friendly match in Dortmund yesterday. – AFPPIX

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 THURSDAY • SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 Les Blues wary of Uruguay as All Blacks expects tough battle FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie may have made wholesale changes to his side for tomorrow’s (3am Malaysian time) Rugby World Cup game with lowly Uruguay in Lille, but he refuses to take them lightly. Les Bleus opened the tournament with a riproaring victory over three-time winners New Zealand on Friday, and are now favourites to secure a quarterfinal berth by topping Pool A. Uruguay, who start their World Cup campaign in the northern city this week, finished bottom of their pool in 2019 but Galthie saw positives in their performances in Japan. “They beat Fiji. Against Australia it was a respectable score,” Galthie told reporters this week. “They have big hearts. Uruguay is a different country with their fundamental values being at the breakdown and their pride, which are big priorities for them. “They are a team with a lot of energy and aggression,” he added. Galthie has kept just three players from the All Blacks victory having chosen to rest the likes of No. 8 Gregory Alldritt, centre Gael Fickou, flanker Charles Ollivon as well as captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont. The former Test scrum-half is also without hooker Julien Marchand due to a hamstring issue suffered in last week’s win, a result that lifted expectations of a first Webb Ellis trophy success even further among the home support. In skipper Dupont’s place is his former roommate and No. 8 Anthony Jelonch, who plays his first game since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in February. “These players will help me throughout the three days to come,” Toulouse’s Jelonch said. “Even if they’re not on the team sheet they will have a word to say. “Antoine, Greg, Gael, Charles, Julien, the leaders of the squad talk a lot, and lead the troop,” the 27-year-old added. For Uruguay, nicknamed Los Teros, they will have a French touch to their outfit, with five of their squad based at a club in the home country. Additionally, Uruguay president Luis Lacalle Pou will be in the stands watching the match. “It matters, we play to represent a lot of people. The fact that he’s there is another reason for that,” Vannes winger Nicolas Freitas said. “It’s good to know that we represent the best of our country,” he added. Meanwhile in the other group match, New Zealand scrum coach Greg Feek said his side expected Namibia’s pack to put up a tough fight in their meeting on Saturday (3am). Despite being ranked 17 places below the All Blacks in the world, the Welwitschias boast Bayonne’s experienced hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld as well as four forwards who play in South Africa. “They have a lot of players in their pack who used to play for the Cheetahs, even some in Europe,” Feek told reporters, looking ahead to the game in Toulouse. Both teams lost their openers. Namibia fell 52-8 to Italy on Saturday while three-time World Cup champions New Zealand are licking their wounds after the 27-13 loss to the hosts. Former Test prop Feek denied morale was low after the All Blacks’ first-ever pool stage defeat. Captain Sam Cane missed the match last week with a back problem and remains a doubt to play Namibia. “He’s still around the boys, doing his thing,” Feek said. “With the niggle he has, you have to be cautious. It’s a day by day thing. It’s wait and see for now,” he added. – AFP Humiliation complete Southgate must save Maguire after United defender showered with ridicule THE Hampden roar has often been reserved of late for a Manchester United player who was born in England. Just not this particular one. Scott McTominay, after all, was the scourge of Spain and is the joint top scorer in Euro 2024 qualifying, level with Romelu Lukaku and Rasmus Hojlund, just ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane. Yet this wasn’t a McTominay goal that Scotland support were enjoying. The announcement of their scorer over the tannoy was met with the sort of noise that stems from schadenfreude. Harry Maguire, the most prolific centreback in the history of the England national team, had struck for Scotland. Which, in one respect, was the product of a teasing cross by Andy Robertson, into the corridor of uncertainty, luring Aaron Ramsdale off his line, forcing Maguire to commit himself, resulting in an unstoppable finish that bisected goalkeeper and near post. And in another way, it had a sad inevitability. These things happen to Maguire. Were his form or luck or touch better, he would have diverted the ball past the goal, or straight to Ramsdale; perhaps missed it altogether. Now his last two goals have come for Scotland and Sevilla. “Just unfortunate,” said Gareth Southgate of his latest mishap, but Maguire can seem the most unfortunate of footballers. If something can go wrong, it often does when Maguire is around. For all his shortcomings as a defender, he seems on an extended run of bad luck that has lasted for around two years. He has lost the United captaincy; but for Southgate’s stubbornness, he may have lost his England place. But now so much with Maguire has a symbolic feel. When Andre Onana made his United debut in pre-season, when a goal was conceded and both Christian Eriksen and Maguire were culpable, it was the world’s most expensive centreback that was subjected to very public lambasting. When Declan Rice scored the decisive goal for Arsenal against United last Sunday, it took a telling deflection off Maguire. And when it deflects off him, it somehow seems destined to go in. Such is the unrelenting cruelty of being Maguire; in the highest standard of tournament football he has proved arguably one of the best centrebacks in England’s history and yet is now a figure of fun. “A joke,” said Southgate, though he was referring to the treatment of Maguire, to the unwanted reputation he has acquired, rather than the player. Yet Scotland faithful bought into it. They cheered when he was brought on at halftime. They spent much of the next 45 minutes taunting him, making every five-yard square pass an event. Despite England’s ultimate 3-1 victory, it felt like 45 minutes of relentless torment. Perhaps unnecessary torture: Southgate sent him on at halftime when Marc Guehi went off. “I have never known a player to be treated the way he is; not from the Scottish fans by our own commentators and pundits,” Southgate said. “They have created something that is beyond anything I have ever seen. He has been an absolute stalwart for us in the second most successful English team for decades. “I have talked about the importance of our senior players, he has been crucial amongst that and every time he goes on the field the resilience he shows, the balls he shows is absolutely incredible. “So he is a top player and we are all with him. I feel fairly strongly about it, yes.” Southgate’s argument is that Maguire will not hide. “He has fronted up as he always does which is enormous credit to his character,” he said. – The Independent Scotland’s defender Andrew Robertson (2nd left) looks on as England’s defender Harry Maguire (right) reacts after scoring an own goal during the international friendly match against Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow yesterday. – AFPPIX █ RICHARD JOLLY