PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) will gain at least two more seats in each of the three states held by Perikatan Nasional (PN) – Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu – in the Aug 12 polls, said Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan. “The seats will be on top of those that they won in the 14th general election. But it will not be easy for the PH-BN alliance to wrest any state from PN which has core supporters who will stand by it. The same applies to states led by PH and BN, whose voters will be loyal to them.” Azmi said although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed confidence in seizing Kedah, it will be an uphill task as PN’s core supporters will not desert it. He said Terengganu voters are unhappy with PAS, which has governed the state for the last few years. “Still, they will not desert the party in droves, although their unhappiness could translate into PH-BN gaining a few additional seats.” Azmi also said it is most likely that the PH-BN pact would gain three or more seats, which will be a major boost for the coalition. “We could see the same in Kelantan, with an additional two or three seats. Such inroads into PN-held states will strengthen the unity government at the federal level and highlight its wide support. “PAS, which holds the majority of seats in the three states, is very confident it will not lose any of its seats. The party believes it can easily defend all three states but any success by PH-BN will have an impact on it.” Six states - Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan – did not hold their state elections concurrently with the 15th general election on Nov 19 last year. Nominations for the state polls will be held on July 29, while early voting for security personnel such as police and military is set for Aug 8. Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said it would be easier for PH-BN to win seats in Kedah and Terengganu and maybe even unseat the incumbent state governments. He said this is because the two states have a history of changing governments, with Kedah having seen three ruling coalitions – BN, PAS and PH – while Terengganu has had BN and PAS as state governments. “It must be remembered that in the 14th general election, PAS did not win the state but came to power only after the Sheraton move. Kedah has never been a PAS stronghold, and by working together, PH and BN will have an advantage over PN in the state. “PN is not as strong as it was before the 15th general election. For one thing, it is no longer in power in Putrajaya. Also, PN cannot project itself as being a clean party since several of its leaders are facing corruption charges.” On Terengganu, Awang Azman said there were issues constantly cropping up on how PAS governs the state and about land worth millions of ringgit being sold for about RM500,000 to a group representing wives of former elected representatives. “Kelantan is another issue. It has been ruled by PAS for over 30 years. BN and PH can expect oPH-BN pact could make gains in PN strongholds but would not likely wrest any of the states: Analyst █ BYRAJVINDER SINGH [email protected] Seat boost TELLING IT AS IT IS ON THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023 No. 8308 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my JUMBO TASK ... A wild elephant (right) that was captured for causing disturbance at the Pos Perwor Orang Asli settlement near Sungai Siput in Pahang being relocated with the help of two tamed elephants yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC to win a few seats if disgruntled voters support them. BN and PH grassroots will also have a vital role to play in this. “They need to go to the ground and convince voters that voting for PH-BN will benefit the state,” he said. INSIDE Rubber settlers keen to switch to oil palm 3 page PH to use ‘Kita Selangor’ slogan for polls 2 page See report on — page 4
2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME King, Queen congratulate ministry’s former sec-gen KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang diPertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin AlMustafa Billah Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah yesterday congratulated Foreign Ministry former secretarygeneral Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa on being conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star award by the Emperor of Japan. According to a post on the Istana Negara Facebook page, the royal couple expressed joy and pride as well as described the prestigious award as a recognition for Rastam and the country. “In addition, it again proves that Malaysia is capable of producing individuals of quality, authority and international standards.” They also expressed hope that Rastam’s outstanding achievement would be a source of inspiration to all Malaysians to give their best and strive towards achieving excellence in their respective fields. The royal couple also wished him well and prayed for his continued success. – Bernama PH to use ‘Kita Selangor’ slogan for polls SHAH ALAM: Selangor Pakatan Harapan (PH) will use the slogan “Kita Selangor” for its campaign in the upcoming state election. State PH chairman Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is also caretaker Selangor menteri besar, said the slogan was widely used in programmes and initiatives implemented by the state government since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country. “For this state election, PH will maintain the ‘Kita Selangor’ tagline, which I introduced. It reflects the aspiration of the government and people in the fight against Covid-19, and in overcoming several other challenges, such as the economic turmoil and flood disasters. “For PH, ‘Kita Selangor’ is a reflection of its experience and track record, which are a reality and accepted by the people.” oTagline reflects state govt resolve in facing Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges, says caretaker MB He said new words would be added to the slogan and adapted to suit the election campaign. “Kita Selangor” was used in official letters and during programmes organised by the state government in 2021. Since then, it has been used for various government events, programmes and initiatives such as the state-level National Day celebrations, aid and economic stimulus packages as well as on the back of the jerseys of the Selangor football team to show support for the Red Giants. The use of the tagline was seen in Kita Selangor Teguh Bersama, in conjunction with the National Day celebration, Pakej Kita Selangor 2.0 for economy-related activities and Jelajah Kita Selangor, a tour programme to meet with community members. Commenting on Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) use of the slogan “Selangor Baru” (New Selangor) in the polls, Amirudin said the tagline was nothing more than political propaganda, Bernama reported. Last May, Selangor PN, comprising PAS, Bersatu and Gerakan, offered to give the people of Selangor a “New Selangor” if given the mandate in the state election. The Election Commission has announced that polling for state elections in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan will be held simultaneously on Aug 12, while nomination day is on July 29 and early voting on Aug 8. Of the 56 state seats in Selangor before the dissolution of the state assembly on June 23, PH had 40 seats (PKR-19, DAP-15, Amanahsix), BN (five), Bersatu (four), and Parti Bangsa Malaysia (two), while PAS, Pejuang and Warisan had one seat each. There was also an independent representative. The seat in Batang Kali was declared vacant after the elected representative failed to attend the assembly sitting for over six months. PROUD MOMENT ... The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah with recipients of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong scholarships at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Study on food security agency ongoing KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, through the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama), is conducting an in-depth study on the workings of a special food security agency, said its Deputy Minister Chan Foong Hin. He said the matter is still under discussion as food security is a crossdimensional subject concerning not only the ministry but also the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and others. “Hence, when it comes to a special agency, it involves a paradigm change. “As of now, Fama is doing a study on how this single agency should function. It is still under discussion and it has also gone through a series of meetings, but nothing has been finalised yet.” He said this after launching the Malaysian International Food and Beverage (MIFB) Trade Fair at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. At the Dewan Negara sitting on June 20, Chan said the ministry is looking into a proposal to set up a special agency to improve food security as a national agenda, which was one of the initiatives discussed at a National Council on Cost of Living meeting earlier this year. He said such an agency should encompass elements of availability, accessibility, food security, stability and sustainability, Bernama reported. Chan said MIFB serves as a platform for showcasing the best of what Malaysia has to offer as well as the latest trends and innovations in the international food and beverage industry. “This is why platforms like MIFB are all the more valuable, standing as a testament to Malaysia’s commitment to advancing our agriculture and food industries. “Together, we can drive growth, enhance competitiveness and ensure food security for our nation and beyond.” He also urged attendees of the trade fair to engage in discussions, network with industry leaders and explore the range of products and services on offer. Proposed amendments not about dismissal of PM: Wan Junaidi KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said yesterday his recommendation for amendments to the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat was not about enacting a new law for the dismissal of a prime minister, as reported by the media. He said his suggestion was to enact new regulations in the Dewan Rakyat to allow room for debate on a motion of impeachment or a motion of no confidence by MPs without going through a complicated and lengthy process, Bernama reported. “The existing process for proposed debates in the Dewan Rakyat on motions for other than government bills is via a 14-day notification. “This process should be improved so that motions other than government bills, which meet the conditions for debate and the Standing Orders, are given priority in terms of time and space, and are discussed comprehensively by MPs. “This is in line with my commitment to the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) that I will carry out some improvements and reforms in the working process in Parliament while holding the position as the president of the Dewan Negara.” Wan Junaidi said he wants to reintroduce the Parliamentary Services Act to help Parliament administration and management. “I would like to stress here that these proposals and suggestions for improvements and reforms will be discussed with the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat at the joint committee on parliamentary reforms that will be held soon.” It was reported that Wan Junaidi had proposed an enactment that would allow the premier to be dismissed for misconduct. TMJ visits S’pore commando HQ JOHOR BAHRU: The Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Commando Headquarters at the Pasir Ris Camp in the republic yesterday. A post on the official HRH Crown Prince of Johor Facebook page stated that Tunku Ismail, in his capacity as the Commanding Officer of the Johor Military Force, accompanied by Singapore’s Senior Minister for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, observed a “Close Quarters Battle” demonstration at the camp. “His Majesty was also invited to demonstrate his marksmanship during a routine firearms training. “There was also an airborne demonstration and a drive around the camp in SAF’s Combat Jeep.” – Bernama
3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 mitigate potential inconveniences for road users on the KuchingSamarahan Expressway,” Lee said. Phase one of the KUTS project involves the construction of a 27.6km Blue Line connecting Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in Kuching city centre as well as the development of a 12.3km Red Line from Kuching Sentral to Pending, and a 30km Green Line from Pending to Damai Central. He said the primary goal of the KUTS project, valued at about RM6 billion, was to alleviate traffic congestion in the Greater Kuching area and to provide a reliable, efficient and modern public transport service for the people. The first phase of the ART operations is scheduled to commence in stages from the fourth quarter of 2025 up to the fourth quarter of 2027. “Central to the project is the implementation of a zero-emission public transport system, with the ART fleet powered by hydrogen. “Complementing the ART service will be a hydrogenpowered feeder bus network, e n s u r i n g convenient ‘first and last-mile connectivity’ for c o m m u t e r s .” – Bernama Cosmetic product containing scheduled poison banned KUALA LUMPUR: The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has banned a cosmetic product called “Armila Beauty Kak ELL Pigment Booster” as it contains a scheduled poison, Betamethasone 17-Valerate. In a statement yesterday, Health DirectorGeneral Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan warned the public not to purchase or use the product. “Products that contain Betamethasone 17-Valerate must be registered with the ministry’s Drug Control Authority and can only be used on advice by a health professional, failing which it could cause side effects such as thinning and irritation of the area where it is applied. There is also a high risk of it being absorbed into the blood circulation system and causing serious harm to the user,” he said. Muhammad Radzi warned sellers and distributors of the product to immediately withdraw all stocks from their outlets as its sale contravenes the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 (CDCR 1984). “Individuals found guilty of contravening CDCR 1984 can be liable to a fine not exceeding RM25,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both, for the first offence and to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both for subsequent offences. “Companies found guilty of selling the product can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and up to RM100,000 for subsequent offences,” he said. Muhammad Radzi also advised the public who experience discomfort or adverse side effects from using the product to immediately consult a health professional. He urged the public to check notifications about any products by visiting the NPRA website at www.npra.gov.my or downloading the NPRA Product Status app from Google Play Store. █ BYJOSHUA PURUSHOTMAN [email protected] KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s willingness to consider drastic measures to help rubber settlers switch to other commodity crops such as oil palm will help provide them with a better income in the future. A second-generation settler in Felda Chuping, Perlis, Rosmadi Setu, 55, said the unstable rubber price, that has dropped to as low as RM2.70 per kg, has forced him to find another job, Bernama reported. “At the moment, I’m working as a tractor driver. The RM100 I receive as a rubber tapper is not enough to cover my household expenses, especially with me having to raise four children. “Alhamdulillah, this (switch to other crops) is much awaited by the settlers and we want to go back to work on our farms,” he said. His views were echoed by Musa Mat, 75, a first-generation Felda Chuping settler, who said it was better to have oil palm plantations. The rubber yield is low compared with its operational costs such as for pesticides, fertiliser and payment to rubber tappers. “When it rains, we cannot tap the rubber trees. Unlike oil palms harvesting can be done regardless of the weather condition,” said Musa, who has six children. Meanwhile, Ahmad Pin, 70, said he would agree to the switch if the majority of settlers are in favour of it. “In my present condition, I don’t think I’m fit to manage an oil palm smallholding and will have to hire workers. Switching to oil palm is also good because it opens up job opportunities and attracts young people back to the plantation.” Head of Felda Lok Heng Selatan settlers in Johor, Muhammad Bakar, said the government’s efforts to help rubber settlers switch to oil palm would help more rubber smallholders cross the poverty line thus improving their socio-economic level. He said rubber settlers had wanted to switch to other crops, especially oil palm, a long time ago considering the price of oil palm is between RM700 and RM800 per metric ton compared with the ceiling price of rubber, which is RM2.70 per kg. “This switch is very good because of the unstable price of rubber. Another factor is the use of labour in rubber plantations, the wage for workers is too high compared with oil palm plantation workers. “The cost of other items such as fertiliser is also high and when it rains, we have to hang up our tapping knife,” he said. Muhammad added that it is also easier to manage an oil palm plantation than a rubber plantation. Oil palms can grow longer, for up to 25 years, while rubber trees have to be replanted after five to six years. On July 7, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced several initiatives and incentives to improve the quality of life and preserve the welfare of Felda settlers, including providing infrastructure, healthcare, digitalisation and housing. He also announced the Digital Madani programme to empower the gig economy, solutions to issues on the Felda New Generation Housing scheme and efforts to help rubber smallholders switch to other commodity crops. Prototype public transport vehicle for Kuching Settlers keen to make switch oLow income from rubber smallholding insufficient to cover expenses, forcing some to take second job Penang Umno to contest six seats GEORGE TOWN: Penang Umno will field candidates in six of the 40 state legislative assembly seats in the elections on Aug 12, said state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir. “So far, it has been confirmed that Umno will contest six seats in Penang. That is, we will defend our two seats, namely Permatang Berangan and Sungai Dua in the Tasek Gelugor p a r l i a m e n t a r y constituency and contest in Penaga and Bertam in the Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency. “In addition, we will also contest in Sungai Acheh in the Nibong Tebal p a r l i a m e n t a r y constituency and Teluk Bahang in Balik Pulau ( p a r l i a m e n t a r y constituency), which is the only seat Umno will be contesting on the island,” he said. Musa added that Penang Umno is currently shortlisting candidates who will contest in the state election before he submits their names to the party leadership for selection. “Three names for each seat will be submitted to the leadership soon. “I will send them maybe in two or three days’ time.” – Bernama KUCHING: A prototype Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) vehicle for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project is expected to arrive next month, said Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin. The vehicle, shipped from China, would undergo a two-month engineering run at Kuching Isthmus in September and October in preparation for stage two of the Proof-ofConcept (POC) exercise scheduled for November. According to him, a part of the construction for the KUTS project, which is being implemented by Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, would be expedited to enable the exercise to be carried out. “Stage one of the POC exercise was conducted in China in February,” he said in a statement yesterday. Lee added that he made a site inspection yesterday and was confident with Sarawak Metro’s commitment to complete phase one of the KUTS project based on the cooperation between the company and Sarawak Public Works Department as well as other government agencies. “This synergy ensures the smooth implementation of both projects and aims to RECYCLED CREATION ... A mechanic displaying a replica of ‘Bumblebee’ from the Transformers movies made from scrap parts at his workshop in Taman Klebang Putra in Ipoh. – BERNAMAPIC
4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Wild elephant captured SUNGAI SIPUT: A wild elephant that had been encroaching on the Pos Perwor Orang Asli settlement has been captured in an operation by the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department. Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre assistant director Mohammad Abu Huzaifah Abu Samah said the female elephant, aged between 12 and 15, was part of a herd from the Piah ID (elephant group). He said the department received complaints from residents regarding the elephant roaming in the area. “This elephant caused disturbances in the village and school areas and will most likely be released into the wild,” he told reporters yesterday. Muhammad Abu, who is also the head of operations, said the relocation process, which took about four hours, involved 30 individuals, including the police department and the Kuala Gandah and Sungai Deka elephant conservation centres. He said two female elephants from the Sungai Deka centre in Terengganu, Kala and Suria, were used in the operation to rescue the wild elephant, that weighed almost two tonnes. Meanwhile, the village chief of Kampung Takong in Pos Perwor, Ali Long, 52, said the residents were relieved and grateful to the department for capturing the elephant. Ali said elephants often wander into other nearby villages and destroy houses and other structures. – Bernama RM9.9 billion govt lifeline for Felda KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s commitment to guarantee up to RM9.9 billion for the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) to issue sukuk could help reduce the financial burden on the organisation, said its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek. He said the guarantee was a big boost to Felda in its efforts to transform and help clear the debts of settlers, Bernama reported. “There is an agreement that the unity government will help Felda to repay the sukuk. The government’s confirmation through this guarantee (is appreciated) and provides relief to all Felda settlers,” he said after the Ruang Bicara programme on Bernama TV on Tuesday. On July 9, the Finance Ministry announced that beginning this year, the government will allocate up to RM1 billion a year to enable the redemption of Felda sukuk for debt write-offs. Last month, the ministry said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had signed an agreement for a guarantee to Felda to its loan. Resource-strapped NGO needs aid KUALA LUMPUR: Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK) is appealing to the public for financial aid as the number of at-risk children it supports has grown exponentially since it was established in 2010. Founded by Dr Hartini Zainuddin to provide children in the Jalan Chow Kit area with a safe place to socialise, its activities have expanded to include counselling, education, financial support, assistance with documentation and foster care. Its CEO Ananti Rajasingam said YCK currently looks after about 120 children at its old building at Jalan Chow Kit, in addition to another 50 who were referred to it through third parties. “We need a bigger space as we have a list of children who are in desperate need of our services. But we are unable to register and support them as we are limited by space.” YCK operates three facilities – Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak, Kuala Lumpur Krash Pad and YCK Safehouse. The last is at an undisclosed location specifically for higherrisk children and infants. The foundation has also rented space in a building located on Jalan Belia in the Chow Kit area, which can support up to 200 children. It has raised about RM500,000 for renovation works but needs another RM400,000 as costs have risen since the initial estimate was provided. In addition, YCK also needs to raise RM200,000 each month to cover its monthly operational expenses. This year, it received support from donors such as Yayasan Sime Darby, HSBC, Yayasan Hasanah, Selangor Properties, Firetree and Dreams Asia as well as international donors. Apart from education, YCK also has programmes involving sports and spiritual development. – SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN oFoundation for at-risk children in Chow Kit grappling with shortage of funds, space and essential items █ BYJULIANNE S.E. YAP [email protected] “No matter how much funds we collect, it is never enough due to the growing number of services we provide and the long list of children waiting for our help.” Ananti said YCK’s main aim is to get children off the streets and provide them with a safe space to play, get motivated and be encouraged as the Chow Kit area is known for its high crime rate. “Our mission is to provide safe spaces for at-risk children and expose them to positive and holistic opportunities so that they can thrive and reach their full potential.” Ananti added that dealing with each child on a case-by-case basis is one of its strengths as an NGO. “(Every child) has individual files to track their needs, programmes and to support them to achieve their ambitions.” She said many of the children YCK cares for are victims of abuse or human trafficking. It also provides aid to financially burdened children, especially those with medical requirements, apart from offering daycare services, a healthy meal programme and education, among others. YCK also offers enrichment programmes that involve sports, recreation and spiritual, psychosocial and artistic development. Ananti said its biggest challenge is the shortage of volunteers. “While we have many kind individuals who approach and support us, we need longterm volunteers. “We need more individuals to help conduct activities and assist with administrative work, marketing, social media support and similar tasks.” Apart from cash, YCK also needs donations of sanitary pads, cough syrup, food and other items that are listed on its website at https://yck.org.my/. Those who wish to assist financially may make deposits directly to its CIMB account No. 800113146. To claim tax exemption, donors may email their transaction receipts to [email protected].
5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 Zuraida appeals RM10m bond payment to PKR PUTRAJAYA: Former PKR vice-president Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin has filed an appeal against the High Court verdict that ordered her to pay RM10 million to PKR for breaching a bond binding her to the party. The notice was filed on Monday at the Court of Appeal by Messrs Zharif Nizamuddin, representing Zuraida. Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Datuk Akhtar Tahir on June 23 ordered Zuraida, who is former Ampang MP, to pay RM50,000 in costs. The suit was filed by PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Sept 28, 2020 to claim RM10 million from Zuraida for allegedly breaching the bond. In the statement of claim, Saifuddin said Zuraida had executed a bond that bound her to pay the sum under the terms and conditions set. They include Zuraida agreeing to pay RM10 million no later than seven days after winning the election on a PKR ticket, or resigning from the party, joining any other political party or becoming an independent elected representative. In her defence, Zuraida claimed that she was forced to sign the bond to become a PKR candidate in the 2018 14th general election. Akhtar said Zuraida’s contention, that she had signed the bond under duress, was baseless. “The court finds that the bond was a valid agreement binding the defendant to pay RM10 million as promised, on her membership being terminated,” he said, adding that her termination was due to misconduct. – Bernama Former 1MDB lawyer arrested PUTRAJAYA: Former 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) lawyer Jasmine Loo Ai Swan was arrested by police on Friday to assist in an investigation into misappropriation of funds. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yesterday confirmed that Loo was arrested at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, and was remanded on Saturday. He said Loo, through her lawyer, was willing to cooperate in the investigation under Section 409 of the Penal Code. “Loo will assist police and the government to investigate the 1MDB case,” he said, without revealing the duration of her remand period. The Kuala Lumpur High Court on Jan 20 allowed the prosecution’s application in November 2021 to forfeit Loo’s rights to two luxury cars and cash totalling RM22,600. Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid made the decision after allowing the application under Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. He also allowed the application by a third party, OCBC Bank (M) Berhad, to claim a condominium unit in Mont Kiara that was seized from Loo. Loo is said to be a close associate of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, who was involved in the 1MDB scandal. – Bernama Tahfiz teenager appeal verdict postponed PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has rescheduled its verdict to Sept 11 for an appeal by a teenager found guilty of murdering 23 individuals in a 2017 fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz centre. It would also make a decision on the oCourt to announce decision on Sept 11 and rule on challenge of acquittal of second youth Ex-banker claims trial to cheating charges KAMPAR: A former bank officer was charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with two counts of cheating linked to non-existent investment schemes involving losses of more than RM110,000. M. Patmanathan, 43, pleaded not guilty to the charges read out by an interpreter before Magistrate A. Hafiizh Abu Bakar. He is accused of deceiving two individuals, a man aged 32 in March 2021 and a woman aged 52 in October the same year, to transfer money as an investment in “Maybank Bond” and “Hwang Bond”, resulting in both incurring losses of RM30,000 and RM80,600 respectively. The accused is alleged to have committed the offences at the Maybank Kampar branch and charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code, that provides a jail term of up to 10 years, whipping and a fine. The court set bail at RM8,000 in one surety for the first charge and RM15,000 in one surety for the second, and fixed July 26 for remention of the case. – Bernama RM60m commercial crime losses recorded in six months KUCHING: Sarawak recorded 1,465 commercial crime cases involving losses of RM60 million from January to June. State police commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the figures increased from 1,278 cases, with RM36 million in losses documented during the same period last year. “The cases involving the most victims include e-commerce crimes, that logged 279 cases with RM2.06 million in losses, job offers (165 cases, RM3.9 million), non-existent loans (154 cases, RM1 million), investments (115 cases, RM12.4 million) and phone scams (111 cases, RM8 million),” he said after attending the monthly assembly at the Sarawak police contingent headquarters yesterday. Mohd Azman also said 456 arrests relating to commercial crimes were made in the first six months of the year. “During the same period, 652 individuals were charged in court (including cases from the previous year).” – Bernama Three charged with drug trafficking MALACCA: Three Indonesian men were charged at the Ayer Keroh Magistrate’s Court yesterday with trafficking drugs weighing almost 41kg. The trio, Gunawan (age undisclosed), Amirullah, 33, and Suryadi, 31, did not have any identification documents and are alleged to have been trafficking methamphetamine with a gross weight of 40.76kg. They are alleged to have committed the offence at Klebang Beach in the Central Malacca district on June 28 at about 10.30pm. They are accused of committing the offence under Section 39B (1) (A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B (2), that provides the death penalty or life imprisonment, and a maximum of 12 strokes of the cane. – Bernama prosecution’s appeal against the High Court’s acquittal and discharge of a second youth for the same offence without calling for his defence. The prosecution and defence were informed of the date change via a June 20 letter, Bernama reported. A three-member panel comprising judges Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk See Mee Chun previously fixed tomorrow to announce their verdict after they finished hearing submissions from DPP How May Ling and lawyer Haijan Omar, who is representing the duo. The accused, currently aged 22, was convicted on Aug 17, 2020 by the High Court and ordered to be detained at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. According to the charge, the youths, both aged 16 at the time of the offence, and another unidentified individual, were accused of causing the deaths at Jalan Keramat Hujung, Kampung Datuk Keramat in Wangsa Maju between 4.15am and 6.45am on Sept 14, 2017. Haijan said no eyewitness testified that the first teenager had set fire to the school, adding that the prosecution only relied on circumstantial evidence to support its case. On the prosecution’s appeal against the acquittal of the second youth, How submitted that the fire must have been caused by more than one perpetrator as a 16-year-old would not be able to lift two gas cylinders in one go. Cops recapture lockup escapee KUALA LUMPUR: Police confirmed that a detainee had escaped on Tuesday from the lockup at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters. Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the incident occurred at 9.40am during the process of taking the individual to court. “We launched a search operation to track down the detainee. We were able to locate and rearrest him at 1.50pm the same day,” he said after attending the monthly assembly at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters yesterday. He also said an investigation was ongoing to determine whether there was negligence involving the six personnel on duty during the incident. On another matter, Mohd Shuhaily said as of July 9, over 26,000 summonses were issued in Ops Hormat Undang-Undang Jalan Raya. He said the offence with the highest number of summonses was traffic obstruction, totalling 18,931, adding that 86 individuals were detained for various criminal and traffic offences while 99 vehicles were impounded. “My (major) concern is about foreigners riding motorcycles without a licence. Although they possess the relevant documents (to be in Malaysia), they do not have a (driving) licence.” – Bernama Traffic police issuing summonses during Ops Hormat Undang-Undang Jalan Raya in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. – SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN
6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Philippines allows ‘Barbie’ film but wants map blurred MANILA: Philippine censors said yesterday they have allowed the upcoming Barbie film to be shown in cinemas, after asking its Hollywood distributor to blur a map allegedly showing China’s claims to the disputed South China Sea. After reviewing the film about the famous doll twice and consulting foreign affairs officials and legal experts, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board said it would allow it to be screened. The censors began examining Barbie last week after Vietnam reportedly banned the film over scenes featuring a map showing the so-called nine-dash line, which China uses to justify its maritime claims. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite rival claims from other countries including the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam. But after “meticulous” scrutiny of the film, Philippine censors were convinced that the “cartoonish map” did not depict the nine-dash line. “Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the ‘real world’, as an integral part of the story,” the board said in a statement. In a separate letter to Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino, who had criticised the film for “violating Filipino fisherfolks’ rights”, the censors said they had asked Hollywood studio Warner Bros to “blur” the lines on the map. Dashed lines drawn in a “child-like manner” appeared in several locations on the map around land masses identified as Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia, the censors said. But it found only eight dashes around the landmass labelled “Asia”. “Moreover, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia are not visible on the map.” – AFP B R I E F SNORTH KOREA FIRES LONG-RANGE MISSILE PYONGYANG: North Korea fired a long-range ballistic missile yesterday, days after Pyongyang threatened to down US spy planes that violated its airspace. South Korea’s military said it had detected the launch of a long-range ballistic missile fired from the Pyongyang area at around 10am. “The missile was fired on a lofted trajectory and flew 1,000km before splashing down in the East Sea,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan. A lofted trajectory involves firing a missile up and not out, a method Pyongyang has previously said it employs in some weapons tests to avoid flying over neighbouring countries. – AFP MILITANTS KILL FOUR AT PAKISTANI BASE ISLAMABAD: Militants armed with guns, hand grenades and rockets attacked a military base in the Pakistani province of Balochistan yesterday, killing four soldiers. Another five soldiers were critically wounded, the army said in a statement, adding at least three militants were killed. An operation was under way to apprehend two other attackers, it said. “Initial attempt of terrorists to sneak into the facility was checked by soldiers on duty,” the army said. “In ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the terrorists have been contained into a small area at the boundary.” – Reuters Poll body recommends Pita’s suspension BANGKOK: Thailand’s election commission yesterday recommended the Constitutional Court disqualifies prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat as a lawmaker, dealing a major blow to the election winners on the eve of a vote on the premiership. The commission said in a statement it found merit in a complaint alleging Pita, the leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, was unqualified to run the May 14 election because of his ownership of shares in a media company in violation of electoral rules. A source from the commission, who declined to be identified, told Reuters it would also request Pita be suspended as a parliamentarian pending the court’s ruling. There was no immediate indication the commission’s recommendation would prevent Pita from contesting today’s vote, where the 42-year-old faces a challenge to win the required backing of more than half of MPs, including conservative members of the upper house Senate opposed to his party’s anti-establishment agenda. Pita said the commission’s action was unfair as he had been oShareholding issue casts doubt over Move Forward leader’s premiership bid given no chance to give his side of things. “The regulations allows me to defend myself. This is a bit rushed, one day before the PM vote, it shouldn’t have happened.” Pita said he was not worried, adding the referral of the case, and its timing, suggested his powerful opponents were concerned that he would prevail in today’s vote. Buoyed by massive support from young voters for its bold reform plans, Move Forward and another opposition party thumped rivals allied with the royalist army in the May election in what was widely seen as an overwhelming public rejection of nine years of government led or backed by the military. Move Forward beat the populist Pheu Thai party by 10 seats and the two parties together hope to form a Singapore PM orders minister to go on leave SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday he had ordered Transport Minister S. Iswaran to go on leave after the city-state’s powerful anti-graft body launched a corruption probe. Lee said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had briefed him about a case it had uncovered and sought his approval for a formal investigation that would involve interviewing Iswaran, among other people. “I have instructed Minister Iswaran to take leave of absence until these investigations are completed,” Lee said on Facebook. CPIB said Iswaran “is currently assisting” with its investigation of a case it had uncovered. The bureau said it could not disclose details as the investigation was still under way. “CPIB acknowledges the interest by members of the public in this case because a minister is being interviewed ... CPIB will investigate this case thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law,” it said in a statement. “Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. “CPIB investigates all cases without fear or favour and will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved in corrupt activities.” Singapore has been consistently ranked in surveys as among the least corrupt countries in the world. Salaries of ministers are benchmarked against top wages in the private sector, with founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew saying this helps attract the best people to join the government and deter corruption. Singapore’s premier earns around S$2.2 million (RM7.4 million) a year including bonuses, four times the salary of the US president. Ministers earn around S$935,000, including variable bonuses, according to the government’s Public Service Division. – AFP coalition government after today’s vote. The Constitutional Court referral is the latest twist in a turbulent, two-decade battle for power in Thailand that broadly pits conservatives allied with the military and influential old money families against parties elected on populist or progressive platforms. Leaders of a student-led protest movement that held massive rallies against the outgoing military-backed government issued calls for supporters of democracy to take to the streets in at least five cities, including Bangkok. “There must be a retaliation to the effort to destroy democracy,” protest leader Anon Nampa said in a hand-written note posted on Twitter. “Whatever the conclusion, let all know that the fight has begun.” The election commission has been investigating a complaint alleging Pita’s ownership of 42,000 shares in media firm iTV at the time of his registration made him ineligible to stand in the May 14 election. Pita has maintained no rules were violated because iTV has not been an active mass media organisation for many years. – Reuters Thai foreign minister says he met Suu Kyi BANGKOK: Thailand’s foreign minister said yesterday he met ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week and she was in good health in her first known meeting with a foreign envoy since she was detained following a 2021 coup. Suu Kyi has been seen only once since she was held after the Feb 1, 2021 putsch – in grainy state media photos from a bare courtroom in the military-built capital Naypyidaw. “There was a meeting, she was in good health and it was a good meeting,” Don Pramudwinai told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Asean foreign ministers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The coup ended Myanmar’s brief democratic experiment and plunged the nation into bloody turmoil. Suu Kyi was later hit with a raft of charges and jailed by a junta court for a total of 33 years in trials that rights groups slammed as a sham. Don confirmed that he met with the Nobel laureate on Sunday and that she had called for renewed talks to end the crisis. “She encouraged dialogue.” The meeting was private and lasted “over one hour”, a spokesman from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told AFP. Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo said Don briefed Asean ministers on his meeting with Suu Kyi but reiterated any independent effort to restart the peace process should be in line with a five-point Asean plan agreed two years ago with Myanmar’s junta. – AFP HELPING HAND ... A villager rescuing his cattle in a flood-affected area after a breach in Sutlej River following heavy monsoon rains in India’s Punjab state. Days of intense rains across northern India have left at least 29 people dead, rendering many areas inaccessible, with bridges smashed and roads blocked. – AFPPIC
7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 IN REMEMBRANCE ... Residents lighting candles in Kosovo capital Pristina to mark the 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. Bosnian Serb forces captured the ill-fated town – then a UN-protected enclave – on July 11, 1995 and in the following days summarily killed some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in an act of genocide. – AFPPIC US state hit by catastrophic floods WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in the northeastern US state of Vermont on Tuesday as heavy rains triggered flooding from which dozens of residents were rescued by boat. The move, which frees up funds to help relief efforts, came after officials warned that a dam close to the state capital Montpelier was nearing capacity and close to spilling into a river. “This has never happened since the dam was built so there is no precedent for potential damage,” Montpelier city manager William Fraser said in a statement on Monday, referring to the Wrightsville Dam. There were no immediate reports of any deaths or injuries in the state from the rains, which officials said had flooded downtown Montpelier, a city of 8,000 people. The excessive rainfall – more than 20cm in some places, according to the National Weather Service – came after flash floods in New York state killed a woman on Sunday. Much of the northeastern US, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont, was lashed by rain on Sunday and Monday, washing out bridges and leaving roads impassable. More than 100 people in Vermont had been rescued from cars and homes as of midday Tuesday, officials said. Authorities were trying to airlift others by helicopter, The New York Times reported. “The devastation and flooding we’re experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic,” Governor Phil Scott said. – AFP B R I E F SBRAZIL RESCUES STOWAWAYS ON SHIP FROM NIGERIA BRASILIA: Four stowaways were rescued off the southeast coast of Brazil after spending 13 days at sea hidden in the hull of a ship from Nigeria, police said on Tuesday. The four had hidden in a compartment on top of the rudder – a part of the ship that is sometimes submerged. They were found by crew members of the Liberia-flagged ship, which had departed from Lagos on June 27. A police official said the four were “healthy” and “well-fed.” According to the police, “the men rescued claim to be Nigerians, but they did not carry any documents confirming their origin.” – AFP CUBA SLAMS PRESENCE OF AMERICAN NUCLEAR SUB HAVANA: Cuban on Tuesday protested against the presence of a US nuclear submarine last week at the American naval base in Guantanamo Bay on the island’s east coast. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said it “strongly rejects the arrival of a nuclear-powered submarine in the Guantanamo Bay on July 5 that stayed until July 8 at the US military base located there”. The incident was a “provocative escalation of the US, whose political or strategic motives are not known”, it added. The ministry warned of the “danger of the presence of nuclear submarines of the US armed forces in the nearby Caribbean region”. – AFP UN body approves motion on religious hatred GENEVA: The UN Human Rights Council yesterday approved a disputed resolution on religious hatred in the wake of the burning of a Quran in Sweden, prompting concern by Western states who said it challenges longheld practices in rights protection. The resolution, introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calls for the UN rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may “impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred”. It was strongly opposed by the United States and the European Union, who said it conflicts with their view on human rights and freedom of expression. oVote outcome marks major defeat for Western countries An Iraqi immigrant to Sweden burned the Quran outside a Stockholm mosque last month, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and demands by Muslim states for action. The vote’s outcome marks a major defeat for Western countries at a time when the OIC has unprecedented clout in the council, the only body made up of governments to protect human rights worldwide. Twenty-eight countries voted in favour, 12 voted against and seven countries abstained. Marc Limon, director of the Geneva-based Universal Rights Group, said the outcome showed “the West is in full retreat at the Human Rights Council”. “They’re increasingly losing support and losing the argument.” US Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council Michele Taylor deplored the vote’s outcome, saying America’s concerns about the initiative “were not taken seriously”. “I believe with a little more time and more open discussion, we could have also found a way forward together on this resolution.” After the vote, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Khalil Hasmi accused the West of “lip service” to their commitment to prevent religious hatred. “The opposition of a few in the room has emanated from their unwillingness to condemn the public desecration of the Holy Quran or any other religious book. “They lack political, legal and moral courage to condemn this act, and it was the minimum that the council could have expected from them.” Earlier, UN rights chief Volker Turk opened the debate by saying recent Quran-burning incidents seemingly “manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger”. “Powered by the tidal forces of social media ... hate speech of every kind is rising, everywhere.” Turk said that “people need to act with respect for others”, with inflammatory acts against religions being “offensive, irresponsible and wrong”. But, he stressed, limitations on free speech “must, as a matter of fundamental principle, remain an exception”. – Reuters Ukraine fails to secure invitation to join Nato VILNIUS: Nato leaders on Tuesday dashed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hopes for a clear timeline to join the alliance, saying they would offer an invite to become a member only when “conditions are met”. At a summit in Vilnius of the 31 Nato nations, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg insisted the alliance had never used “stronger language” to back Ukraine in its bitter fight to defeat the Russian invasion. Leaders of member nations pledged that “Ukraine’s future is in Nato” and shortened the eventual process Kyiv would have to go through to enter the alliance. “We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met,” a statement said. But the failure to go much beyond a 2008 vow on future membership appeared a bitter blow to Zelensky, who was in Vilnius to address an admiring crowd of Lithuanian supporters in a packed city square ahead of his meetings with the Nato leaders. “It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to Nato nor to make it a member of the alliance,” he declared on Twitter, after getting advance notice of the cautious language in the summit statement. “This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine’s membership in Nato in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror,” he said, dubbing it “absurd” that no timeframe was set for an invitation. “Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit,” he said, vowing that – far from exposing Nato members to conflict with Russia – Ukraine’s membership would make the alliance stronger and safer. As Zelensky was speaking, Moscow upped the pressure on the Nato leaders meeting in Vilnius, claiming that its forces had made 1.5km of progress across a 2km wide section of the eastern front. If confirmed, this would bring them closer to the rail hub of Lyman, a town in the Donbas region of the east of the country. Mindful of Zelensky’s disappointment, Western officials stressed that there would be a broader package of support proposals designed to give Ukraine a military edge over the invader. – AFP Security Council unsuccessful in extending vital Syria aid lifeline NEW YORK: The UN Security Council failed on Tuesday to reach consensus on extending a key Syria aid route, throwing into doubt a vital mechanism that provides life-saving support to millions of people. Russia vetoed a nine-month extension of the agreement authorising the operation of the conduit during a vote at UN headquarters in New York, and then failed to muster enough votes to adopt just a six-month extension. The UN-brokered deal that allows for the delivery of aid overland from Turkiye into rebel-held areas of Syria expired on Monday. Many council members including the US and Britain have called for a full-year extension, but they backed a nine-month compromise proposed by Switzerland and Brazil. The proposal was vetoed by Russia, whose six-month offer only secured China’s support. The 15 members of the Security Council had been trying for days to find a compromise to extend the deal, which since 2014 has allowed for food, water and medicine to be trucked to northwestern Syria without the authorisation of Damascus. – AFP
8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 SPEAK UP Maximise environmental guidebook THE Environment Protection Department of Sabah recently unveiled the third edition of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) handbook. This updated version refines the assessment guidelines, ensuring that the EIA fulfils its intended purpose of evaluating the significant environmental effects of project proposals or developments. Recognised as an essential tool, the EIA plays a crucial role in our pursuit of sustainable development in Sabah. It ensures that development aligns with the present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. By acting as a watchdog for the environment against unsustainable development plans, the EIA helps to establish boundaries between environmentally sensitive areas and areas suitable for development. This enables us to strike a balance between economic development and the protection of our natural resources, leading to long-term benefits. The release of this third edition is commendable as it shows the commitment of the Environment Protection Department to continuously improve assessment guidelines, ensuring we are consistently strengthening our ability to safeguard the environment. One of the new guidelines involves strategic spatial planning in Sabah. Without it, we run the risk of conflict – whether among ourselves, in terms of how best to utilise the land, or in the form of human-wildlife conflicts that can harm both humans and wildlife. One way to mitigate this is to incorporate sound planning into development projects, taking into consideration the risks against biodiversity as well as the impacts it may have on communities, and then developing mitigation strategies against those risks. The handbook provides the best toolkit for the job. However, to be effectively functional, the EIA should implement it to its full capacity. This means that holistic can be heard. The EIA guidelines will help in determining and identifying possible impacts of projects on the environment, and the subsequent mitigation process. Sabah has been a powerhouse when it comes to biodiversity. It is a poster child for environmental conservation due to its rich ecosystem of forests and seas. Recognising this, the government has made conservation one of its key focus as seen in many of its conservation commitments. The government has gazetted 30% of its forest as Totally Protected Areas, of which 26% has been achieved. Additionally, it is committed to gazetting 13% of its total sea area as Marine Protected Areas. Sabahans depend on natural resources daily. Communities rely on land, water, forest products and wildlife to support their livelihoods, whether directly or indirectly. The government also depends on these same resources to fuel the economy and spur development. As the impacts of climate change become more prevalent, it is imperative we take necessary steps to alleviate pressures on the environment. Among others, the protection of forests and seas will help minimise greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard food and water resources – benefitting Sabahans across the state. While development may be necessary for the betterment of the communities, the protection of our ecosystem is also a crucial element in ensuring the survival of not just our biodiversity but our people, well into the future. More importantly, we should not forget that our dependency on a healthy ecosystem is for the long run. This means what we take from the environment today must be given the opportunity to regenerate, thus ensuring that those same resources are available in the future. To ensure the sustainability of our resources, we need to reconsider the way we pursue development. We can improve our livelihoods without threatening the lives and livelihoods of future generations. If we can utilise the EIA handbook effectively, with the intent of achieving sustainable development, we have in our hands a powerful and effective toolkit that will ensure we gain the best of both worlds. This article was contributed by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia. Comments: [email protected] “The EIA helps to establish boundaries between sensitive areas and areas suitable for development. This enables us to strike a balance between economic development and the protection of our natural resources, leading to long-term benefits. Prioritise mental healthcare for overall well-being THE Dewan Negara recently approved the Health White Paper, which outlines future reforms for the healthcare industry. Among the issues addressed in the paper, presented by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, are the effects of mental health in Malaysia. According to the World Health Organisation, an individual’s mental well-being is a crucial and substantial component of their overall health. Maintaining good mental health will enable individuals to recognise their capabilities, effectively handle stress, develop coping mechanisms and contribute positively to their communities. According to a 2022 Ipsos survey, Malaysians expressed concerns about both their physical and mental well-being. The survey revealed that 86% of respondents considered maintaining good physical health as a top priority while 84% prioritised their mental health. A National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted in Malaysia found that individuals from ages 16 to 19 had the highest prevalence of mental health problems, with 10.3% experiencing depression and 18.3% reported being suicidal. To promote accessibility and eliminate barriers to mental healthcare, a telecounselling project has been implemented, offering sponsored sessions with certified psychologists and counsellors. This initiative aims to encourage more Malaysians to seek assistance for their mental health concerns. According to Doctor Anywhere Malaysia general manager Edward Ling, the programme offers free mental health counselling services to Malaysians through a smartphone application, to provide convenient therapy to 20,000 Malaysians, who are experiencing mental health problems. To reduce suicide rates, it is crucial for mental health to be prioritised by everyone. The public has a significant role to play in identifying symptoms that may indicate someone is experiencing mental health challenges, as early intervention is vital. The Health Ministry should expand and enhance its existing mental health awareness activities to help increase public understanding of mental health issues, to encourage early diagnosis and improve knowledge on managing such concerns if they arise in the future. The government should take a stronger stance in advocating against abuse to prevent victims from experiencing distress and potentially contemplating suicide. Abuse can encompass various forms, such as bullying, cyberbullying and other harmful behaviours. In addition to improving the overall well-being and physical health of the population, particular attention should be given to prioritising the welfare of children. According to research by Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund), children living in low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur faced a relative poverty rate of 100%. The study also indicated a high prevalence of malnutrition among these children. Child poverty is a serious problem in Malaysia that can have an adverse effect on children’s mental health over the short and long term. These children are more susceptible to contracting infectious diseases, lack access to adequate healthcare and suffer from the detrimental effects of hunger. The Health White Paper acknowledges that socioeconomic factors, including poverty, may affect up to 80% of all healthcare outcomes. Therefore, addressing the immediate health concerns and tackling the root causes of poverty necessitate a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. Strengthening and defining social protection, coupled with targetted income assistance schemes, should be a top priority. These initiatives can include various programmes, such as those aimed at improving food security, providing cash incentives, offering targetted subsidies, ensuring affordable housing and enabling prompt access to healthcare services. To ensure that low-income families have access to comprehensive treatments, a focused approach is required to improve healthcare accessibility. Preventive measures and public health initiatives, including vaccination campaigns and early detection of illnesses, are crucial in safeguarding public well-being. Furthermore, efforts must be made to improve access to education, with focus on reading, writing and financial literacy. In addition, efforts to reduce poverty should include enhancing the socioeconomic opportunities available to parents. This can be achieved through various initiatives, such as tailored reskilling and upskilling programmes. Significant progress is required to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Three, namely, good health and well-being, to guarantee healthy lifestyles for all, regardless of age. The writer is a Director at Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. Comments: [email protected] Sabah’s wildlife depends on a healthy ecosystem. – PIC BY WWF-MALAYSIA COMMENT by Prof Dr Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani COMMENT management and a robust assessment should be conducted on any development project. Feasibility studies on the environment should be carried out before the commencement of development projects to assess the overall impacts on the environment. This will help in effective mitigation measures where necessary as well as ensure a better-informed decisionmaking process. The EIA process should be conducted with complete transparency in order to ensure that all stakeholders, including the general public, are aware of its thorough evaluations. It should take into account feedback on the procedure, awareness of the status of EIAs and the application of any necessary mitigation actions supported by data. A transparent process will enable public participation where they can offer insightful opinions, feedback and viewpoints that can further enhance the reliability and validity of the EIA. Ultimately, the voices of all parties
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10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 PETALING JAYA: AmBank Group has granted a RM130 million green financing facility to Persada Mentari Sdn Bhd (PMSB) to facilitate the development of Arica @ Andaman Island as well as future projects there. PMSB, a special purpose vehicle formed by Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn Bhd (TPD), a subsidiary of Eastern & Oriental Bhd, and KWEST Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan), is the developer of the Andaman Island project. The project was recently awarded the provisional GreenRE Platinum Certification. AmBank Group CEO Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir said they are pleased to support Persada Mentari in providing green financing facilities for the environmentally-friendly project and believed that through this partnership they can make a real difference not only about making a positive impact on the environment but also to create a brighter future for generations to come. “This effort will further demonstrate our commitment in promoting and optimising sustainable financing and we are proud to be part of growing movement with PMSB in their initiatives towards a sustainable and resilient economy,” he added In congratulating PMSB for its recent win in the provisional GreenRE Platinum Certification, AmBank Group, business banking managing director Christopher Yap said they are honoured to support PMSB’s vision towards building a township designed with a strong foundation on sustainable principles and practices. Eastern & Oriental executive chairman Datuk Tee Eng Ho said: “Arica is E&O’s second serviced residence project, which is developed after the success of our first residential development, known as The Meg. Designed to meet Green Building Certification standards, the development is in line with our sustainability principles and has recently received the GreenRE Platinum Provisional Certification under the residential category from Malaysia’s Real Estate and Housing Developers Association. “With that said, the green financing facility offered by AmBank is a testament to our commitment towards sustainable developments, as well as doing our part in embracing green building technology initiatives to achieve construction quality and environmental sustainability. This facility came at an opportune time and we are confident that Arica will be on track for completion by end of 2026.” In addition to financing the project, AmBank will also be providing RM77 million worth of end-financing for the residential units. Koe named president of FIABCI’s World Council of Developers and Investors PETALING JAYA: The International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) has appointed former SP Setia Bhd deputy president and COO Datuk Seri Koe Peng Kang as the new president of the World Council of Developers and Investors for a one-year term, effective from June 23, 2023. In his new role, Koe aspires to connect international developers and investors and unlock potential for cross border partnerships and collaborations. He envisions establishing a wide network beyond borders, fostering growth and innovation in the real estate industry. Koe brings a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, with a wealth of experience in civil engineering, construction, infrastructure works and property development. After serving IOI property as a project manager, he joined SP Setia in 1997 and advanced rapidly through various business and operational roles. Koe rose to the role of group COO, which he eventually retired from in 2022. Furthermore, Koe held regional responsibilities over the group’s international projects in Vietnam, the UK, China and Japan. He served on the board of directors for G2G China Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park and oversaw the group’s venture in Japan, Setia Izumisano City Centre, in Osaka. Notably, Koe was the president of FIABCIMalaysia (2020-2022) and vice-president for FIABCI Asia Pacific Committees (June 2021- May 2023), during which he rolled out many initiatives for the FIABCI community across the region. Represented by 47 chapters across all continents, FIABCI has more than 100 principal members (national associations), 2,300 regular members in over 70 countries and over one million associate members worldwide. PMSB’s green project gets RM130m AmBank financing oFacility is mainly for Arica @ Andaman Island, which recently secured provisional GreenRE Platinum Certification Central Global, Permodalan Kedah team up for RM42m development PETALING JAYA: Central Global Bhd’s (CGB) wholly owned sub-subsidiary Central Global Development Sdn Bhd (CGD) has entered into a collaboration agreement with Menteri Besar Kedah Incorporated’s wholly owned subsidiary Permodalan Kedah Bhd (PKB) for a mixed development project in Mukim Bukit Raya, Pendang, Kedah. The project, with a gross development value of RM42.3 million and spanning 11.7 acres of leasehold land, will see CGD developing 20 units of two-storey shop/office lots, 46 units of two-storey terrace houses, and 53 units of one-storey terrace houses. Work is expected to begin within one year from the execution date of the agreement and is expected to be completed within five years. “The demand for residential properties in Kedah has continued to be encouraging and there is no better way for us to employ our construction expertise than to fulfil this demand,” said CGB executive director Jacky Lee. At the same time, he said, they are honoured to be contributing to the Kedah government’s efforts to advance the economic development of the state, particularly in the development of real estate. “This vote of confidence and trust in our capabilities by the State Government of Kedah provides us a huge encouragement to further strengthen our position,” Lee said, adding that the agreement is a synergistic collaboration that fits well into their expansion plan given CGB’s existing exposure in the construction sector in the northern region. In line with this plan, he added they continue to source for opportunities in both the domestic and regional markets to ensure a healthy replenishment of projects. CGD is primarily involved investment holding and buying, selling, renting and operating of self-owned or leased real estate of residential buildings and land. PKB is primarily involved in the development of Kedah in various fields, including real estate development, construction, hospitality and mining. Currently, CGB is active in the residential property construction sub-sector in Penang through its wholly owned subsidiary Proventus Bina Sdn Bhd. Most notably, the group’s construction projects include Beacon Executive Suites and the Eco Horizon. The group is also making significant headway in the infrastructure construction sub-sector primarily in Sabah through its 70%- owned subsidiary RYRT International Sdn Bhd. To date, the group’s construction order book stands at RM318.8 million. The Kedah project is expected to contribute positively to the CGB’s financial performance in the long run. Scientex Lestari buys six parcels of land in Kulai for RM299.8m KUALA LUMPUR: Scientex Lestari Sdn Bhd, an indirect subsidiary of Scientex Bhd (Scientex), has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with Seriemas Development Sdn Bhd to acquire six parcels of freehold land in Kulai, Johor, worth RM299.84 million. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Scientex said the proposed acquisition will increase and boost the company’s existing landbank at a reasonable acquisition cost. It plans to develop the land parcels into a mixed-property development consisting of about 7,000 affordable houses.– Bernama Mah Sing’s land acquisition strategy viewed positively PETALING JAYA: MIDF Research is maintaining its “buy” call on Mah Sing Group Bhd with an unchanged target price of 78 sen, citing the group’s active land acquisition strategy. MIDF Research said in a note: “We remain positive on Mah Sing as we think that the active land acquisition of Mah Sing would continue to support new property sales growth and earnings visibility in the near term. Besides, dividend yield is also attractive at 5.5%.” The research house said it makes no changes to Mah Sing’s earnings forecast as earnings contribution is expected to be limited in the near term. On July 6, Mah Sing announced that its wholly owned subsidiary had entered into a joint venture agreement with Liberty Triangle Sdn Bhd for a proposed joint venture to undertake a development of two pieces of land in Kepong for RM85.3 million. The land has direct frontage along the Kepong Metropolitan Lake. The joint venture consideration includes landowner’s entitlement of RM70 million and fixed guaranteed return of RM15.3 million. The deal marks the fourth landbanking exercise of Mah Sing in 2023. The company acquired land in Puchong Johor and Semenyih in the first half of the year. “The latest land deal in Kepong allows Mah Sing to expand its presence in Kepong where it has a strong footprint. Development on the land, to be named M Zenya, would be Mah Sing’s fourth property development in Kepong after Lakeville Residence, M Luna and M Nova. M Luna which is under construction, is less than 1km away from M Zenya. Land price of RM401psf for the latest land deal in Kepong is close to the land price of RM398psf for M Luna land back in 2019,” MIDF Research said. From left: Tee, Eastern & Oriental executive chairman Datuk Maznah Abdul Jalil, KWEST chairman Michael Tan, Yap and Sulaiman at the ceremony.
KLCI 1,398.06 6.60 STI 3,175.36 11.52 HANG SENG 18,860.95 201.12 SCI 3,196.13 12.23 NIKKEI 31,943.93 259.64 TSEC 16,962.03 63.12 KOSPI 2,574.72 S&P/ASX200 7,135.70 26.80 THURSDAY JULY 13, 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 July 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) SCIB 102,432,600 49.5 +1.0 SALUTE 96,478,800 72.0 +11.5 RGB 93,500,800 36.5 +2.5 KNM 62,674,400 8.5 +1.0 HSI-CO3 62,501,100 18.5 -1.0 EXCHANGERATES JULY 12, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.7190 4.5830 4.5850 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.1820 3.0550 3.0390 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.5240 3.4210 3.4100 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.5660 3.4700 3.4550 1 EURO 5.2110 5.0410 5.0270 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.9410 2.8330 2.8290 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.5240 3.4210 3.4100 1 STERLING POUND 6.1190 5.9250 5.8890 1 SWISS FRANC 5.3590 5.2350 5.1930 100 UAE DIRHAM 130.0600 123.2900 123.4000 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.4140 4.1400 3.9580 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.9300 63.1200 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 60.9600 57.9200 57.8700 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.8300 5.4600 5.2700 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0323 0.0292 0.0242 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.3810 3.2730 3.2510 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR N/A N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.7200 1.6100 1.4100 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.6800 8.1800 7.9400 100 QATAR RIYAL 130.9600 124.3200 124.4500 100 SAUDI RIYAL 127.2600 120.8100 120.8800 100 THAI BAHT 14.2100 12.6000 12.1200 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY July 12, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,300.30 +43.80 FBMKLCI 1,398.06 +6.60 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 550.47 +2.55 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 161.26 +2.21 CONSTRUCTION 166.97 +1.72 FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,497.20 +30.40 ENERGY 813.88 +11.66 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 578.32 +3.22 HEALTH CARE 1,680.33 -8.02 TRANSPORTATION 900.48 +7.84 PROPERTY 716.14 +2.44 PLANTATION 6,896.03 -5.40 FBMSHA 10,602.50 +58.14 FBMACE 5,221.27 +1.74 TECHNOLOGY 62.31 +0.04 TURNOVER VALUE 2.815 BIL RM1.727 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS July 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM DLADY 29,600 21.30 +0.96 HEXTECH 6,300 26.94 +0.62 AJI 47,500 15.36 +0.36 QUALITY 24,800 0.90 +0.30 SHANG 533,700 2.59 +0.30 5 TOP LOSERS July 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM HEIM 63,900 25.50 -0.48 KLK 1,191,900 22.74 -0.20 PANAMY 11,500 20.00 -0.20 CARLSBG 82,300 20.20 -0.18 DSONIC-C57 5,000 0.035 -0.115 25.23 SLIC, Cyclone Robotics in hyperautomation tie-up PETALING JAYA: SL Innovation Capital Bhd (SLIC), through wholly owned subsidiary, CR Distribution Sdn Bhd, yesterday signed an exclusive distributorship agreement with Cyclone Robotics Malaysia Sdn Bhd to drive hyperautomation in Malaysia. SLIC said the partnership will enable it to capture opportunities arising from the digital transformation of companies through the use of Robotic Process Automation solutions. Hyperautomation is a comprehensive approach where businesses leverage a range of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, RPA and business process management and more to identify, validate and automate business and IT processes. SLIC managing director Soon Seng Teck said hyperautomation is projected to grow in the coming years, underpinned by the increasing need for process optimisation, cost efficiency and enhanced customer From left: Cyclone Robotics chief technical officer (Asia) Donald Luo, regional director Hew Wee Choong, SLIC chairman Tan Sri Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim, Soon and Low during the signing ceremony. oAims to capture opportunities arising from digital transformation of companies in Malaysia █ BYGLORIA HARRY BEATTY [email protected] Razorpay launches payment gateway in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Curlec Sdn Bhd, acquired by Indian fintech unicorn Razorpay last year, is targeting RM10 billion annualised gross transaction value (GTV) in Malaysia by end-2025 as it transitions to a full-stack payment gateway branded as “Curlec by Razorpay”, driven by the fastgrowing digital economy in Malaysia. Curlec co-founder and CEO Zac Liew said it hopes to build on its recent significant traction, notably in insurance, lending and savings, where it tracked a 110% increase in transaction volumes. “We are targeting 10 times growth by 2025. Curlec Payment Gateway will serve more than 5,000 businesses with a target of RM10 billion in annualised gross transaction value by 2025. █ BYHAYATUN RAZAK [email protected] Household spending projected to grow 5% on-year in 2023 KUALA LUMPUR: BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, foresees Malaysia’s household spending to increase by 5% year-on-year (yo-y) in 2023 and will continue its steady growth towards 2024 as the economic recovery feeds through into strong real expansion in consumer spending In a research report yesterday, BMI said easing inflationary pressures and a healthy reduction in unemployment would form the base for stable consumer spending outlook. “Risks to this outlook would be higherthan-anticipated inflation and more aggressive economic weakness which will weigh heavier on household purchasing power,” it said. BMI said real household spending over 2024 will grow 5.0% y-o-y over 2024 to a total of RM910 billion based on 2010 prices. Furthermore, it said, consumer confidence levels have largely been steady, reflecting a positive consumer mindset even as inflationary pressures in certain commodities such as food and fuel weigh on low- and mid-income households. On the ringgit, BMI expects it to appreciate against the US dollar, strengthening from 4.50 in 2023 to 4.40 in 2024. “Malaysia remains heavily reliant on imports to meet local demand and this appreciation will provide a further tailwind to consumer spending growth as imports become cheaper. “We believe this backdrop will significantly mean that consumer spending over the second half of 2023 and into the start of 2024 will remain stable,” it said. – Bernama experiences. He added that local companies are recognising the potential of hyperautomation to gain a competitive edge in the global market. “Cyclone Robotics is the new hyperautomation which got a lot of potential for the future and we are looking forward to have this type of software to run together. As far as I’m aware, Malaysia right now does not have this type of software and it is important for us to appreciate their software,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony. On SLIC’s recent announcement to transfer from the LEAP Market to the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia, Soon hopes to complete the process by the first quarter of 2024, and shared that it is in the process of due diligence and preparation work. The proposed transfer will involve, among others, an issuance of new shares in the group to the public, Soon said. CR Distribution CEO Edmund Low said it anticipates to expand regionally within three years. “It is already in the pipeline, but if we have the funding, we can move faster. Otherwise, it is not going to stop us. We will still move with our plans ... maybe two or three years” he added. “The growth is driven by Malaysia’s fastgrowing digital economy that is projected to be worth US$35 billion in gross merchandising value by 2025, high mobile-phone penetration rate, and strong government support for the digital economy,” Liew told reporters at its first media briefing after the acquisition by India’s Razorpay. He added that Malaysia’s real-time payments system, also known as DuitNow, is another key catalyst for merchant acceptance of cashless payments and has significantly aided the emergence of mobile transactions. After five years of disrupting the recurring payments sector in Malaysia, Curlec has transitioned from a recurring payments solution to becoming a comprehensive payment gateway that caters to businesses of all sizes. Curlec by Razorpay combines Razorpay’s tech capabilities and Curlec’s understanding of the Malaysian payments ecosystem. The transition allows it to provide a wider range of services, including accepting payments and automating payouts. In leveraging Razorpay India’s industryfirst solutions and its extensive experience working with multiple sectors, Curlec also intends to incorporate the same innovative technologies that proved successful in the Indian market. Razorpay managing director and cofounder Shashank Kumar said it sees great potential in the Southeast Asian market and is delighted to announce the launch of its first international payment gateway in Malaysia. “We believe the new payment gateway will revolutionise how Malaysian businesses and end-consumers transact and engage with each other.” Participation 30.7 40.8 28.5 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 508.1 685.5 534.0 1727.6 Sold RM m 552.4 725.3 449.9 1727.6 Net RM m -44.3 -39.8 84.1 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) 12/7/2023
12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 SUNBIZ Maybank, JPMorgan roll out MAMG Global Dividend Fund KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank Asset Management Group’s (MAMG) wholly owned unit, Maybank Asset Management Sdn Bhd (MAM), expects to achieve a year-end target of RM100 million assets under management (AUM) for its newly launched MAMG Global Dividend Fund. MAM CEO Ahmed Muzni Mohamed said the fund is in collaboration with JPMorgan Asset Management, one of the world’s leading investment managers, with US$2.67 trillion or about RM12.45 trillion in AUM. He said the fund is a feeder fund that is aimed to achieve capital and income growth by investing in the JPMorgan Investment Funds-Global Dividend Fund, manageLd by JP Morgan Asset Management (Europe). “The fund is targeted to all investors and not looking at any specific segment. We always advise our customers to hold a portfolio investment rather than just a specific oTargets RM100 million in assets under management by year-end for latest offering investment to mitigate their investment risks and volatility of the market. “This brand new all-weather fund aims to deliver superior yet consistent dividend outcomes with attractive underlying opportunities for earnings growth over the long term,” he told reporters at the launch of the MAMG Global Dividend Fund here yesterday. Ahmed Muzni also said that the fund is expected to create a surge of interest among local investors and give them peace of mind to grow their investment portfolios. Meanwhile, JPMorgan’s head of Southeast Asia funds, Supreet Bhan said the fund seeks to deliver consistent income and potential capital growth from a portfolio of high-quality global dividend stocks across the yield spectrum. “Mandate of the fund is to identify companies that are paying dividends, a characteristic that is in a way testament to the balance sheet and the resiliency of that business. This is because if you have a future generating cash and profits, that is when you are able to pay out dividends,” he said. On the portfolio allocation, he pointed out that the benchmark is the MSCI All Country World Index where the fund is actively managed. “It cannot deviate from the benchmark since the risk management in place does not allow it to move too much away from the benchmark. “Also, because the benchmark has majority allocations in the United States, which is the largest stock market in the world, it tends to have a higher allocation to US companies. However, some interesting names from Asia are present in the portfolio as well,” he noted. – Bernama Manufacturing sales value rebounds, rises to RM146.8b in May KUALA LUMPUR: The manufacturing sector’s sales value has returned to positive, recording 3.3% growth year-on-year to RM146.8 billion in May this year, bolstered by the strong growth in among others, transport equipment and other manufacturers, non-metallic mineral products and electric and electronics products, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. The transport equipment and other manufacturers recorded growth of 17.3%, nonmetallic mineral products, basic metal and fabricated metal products (8.7%); and electrical and electronics products (8.2%). This brings the overall performance of sales value for the manufacturing sector for January to May 2023 to RM741.2 billion, increasing by 5.1% against the same period of the preceding year. “The sales value of the manufacturing sector increased by 3.3% in May after recording a decline of 2.0% in the preceding month. On a month-on-month comparison, the sales value rebounded to 1.3% against -7.2% recorded in April,” it said in a statement yesterday. The department said the sales value of export-oriented industries which represented 71.6 per cent of total sales rebounded marginally by 0.2% in May after registering a decrease in April 2023. The increment was mainly contributed by the manufacture of computer, electronics and optical products (7.9%); manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork (7.5%); and the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (2.4%) industries. “Nonetheless, the domestic-oriented industries sustained positive momentum to record doubledigit growth of 12.3% in May (April: 1.6%). “Meanwhile, the vibrant performance of domestic-oriented industries was primarily underpinned by the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers (20.1%); manufacture of food processing products (12.9%) and the manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (10.6%) industries,” it shared. During the first five months of the year, the number of employees increased by 2.6% to a total of 2.36 million persons while salaries and wages grew by 4.1% to RM40.6 billion. Consequently, during the period, the sales value per employee recorded a 2.5% increase to RM314,636. – Bernama Richmore to become wholly owned subsidiary of Gek Poh PETALING JAYA: Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd (HSCB) has announced the proposed disposal of Richmore Development Sdn Bhd by Hap Seng Hospitality Sdn Bhd (HS Hospitality) and Hap Seng Land Development Sdn Bhd (HSLD), both indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of HSCB to Gek Poh (Holdings) Sdn Bhd for RM51 million. Richmore is principally involved in hotel operations. HS Hospitality and HSLD hold 50 million and 500,000 ordinary shares, representing 99.01% and 0.99% respectively of the issued share capital of Richmore. Upon the completion of the proposed disposal, Richmore will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Gek Poh. HSCB said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia that the proceeds would be utilised for working capital of the HSCB Group within 24 months from the completion date of the proposed disposal. “Presently, the company has yet to determine the exact breakdown and its determination would depend on the working capital requirements of the HSCB Group,” it said. HSCB added that the proposed disposal will enable the HSCB Group to streamline and balance the group’s portfolio mix between property development and property investment; strengthen its financial position by de-consolidating Richmore’s borrowings of RM202 million from the HSCB Group; and meet its working capital needs which include property development activities of HSCB Group. Research house is ‘overweight’ on RE sector KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research has given an “overweight” recommendation on the renewable energy (RE) sector given its strong potential growth from an apolitical multi-year energy transition theme. The research house, in initiating coverage on the sector, said key catalysts include the Corporate Green Power Programme awards, Budget 2024 and future roadmaps and implementation plans. “We believe the growth of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing could drive a rerating of RE stocks with the tepid supply in the Malaysian market,” it said in a note yesterday. HLIB Research said since the turn of the year, the government has rolled out a few announcements indicating greater focus on RE policies going forward. It said the biggest sector uplift perhaps came from Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli’s announcement that in addition to RE targets outlined by the Malaysia Renewable Energy Roadmap (MyReR), the government is looking at an RE capacity share target of 70 per cent by 2050. “By today’s estimates, investments of RM637 billion are required to achieve this, which would include spending on grid infrastructure, new RE generation capacities, energy storage integration and grid operating costs,” it said. According to Rafizi, the government is set to roll out its Energy Transition Roadmap in phases, identifying key impact initiatives and implementation plans for the next two decades . “These plans are sector positive given that it crystallises prospects beyond the MyRER,” said HLIB. MyReR was commissioned in 2021 to support further decarbonisation of the electricity sector in Malaysia through the 2035 milestone. This is expected to drive a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the power sector in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions 2030 target of 45% reduction in GHG emission intensity per unit of gross domestic product in 2030 compared to the 2005 level, and a further reduction of 60% in 2035. HLIB said Malaysia’s trump card in its decarbonisation journey is high year-round solar irradiance due to its location near the equator. The country is planning to build installed solar capacity of 7,280MW by 2035, an increase of 5,746MW versus 2020 installed capacity, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 10.9%. HLIB has initiated ratings on two stocks that were the only Main Market listed solar engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning players, namely Samaiden Group and Solarvest Holdings. The research house has placed a “buy” call on Samaiden with a target price (TP) of RM1.43 per share and a “hold” call on Solarvest with a TP of RM1.20 per share. – Bernama MIFB 2023 aims to generate trade deals worth RM1.4 billion KUALA LUMPUR: The three-day Malaysian International Food and Beverage Trade Fair 2023 (MIFB 2023), which kicked off here yesterday, is forecast to generate total trade deals of about US$300 million (RM1.4 billion). Chua Wee Phong, group chief executive of its organiser Constellar Exhibitions Malaysia Sdn Bhd, said the confidence in reaching the higher target – versus US$250 million projected for last year’s event – is due to the significant interest from exhibitors. The fair, the 22nd edition, features more than 430 exhibitors from 60 countries, occupying a total of 12,000 square metres of exhibition floor space. This number of exhibitors is about double that of last year’s. The exhibitors are from key international markets such as China, Cambodia, Greece, India, South Korea, Poland, Syria, Thailand, and Turkiye. “Last year, the show occupied only two halls, which was about half of our usual size. We are definitely back to our pre-pandemic level of occupying five halls,” he told reporters at the launch of MIFB 2023. Chua said the fair is also set to capitalise the 20th China-Asean Expo 2023 Roadshow (Malaysia) and Guangxi Export Fair, which are Chan taking a closer look at exhibits after launching MIFB 2023 yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC located at the same venue (Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre), thus bringing together key players from Asean and China onto one platform. “This partnership creates greater opportunities to strengthen trade and economic ties between the two regions and serves as a catalyst to facilitate business growth and knowledge exchange,” he said. MIFB 2023, which was launched by Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Chan Foong Hin, is expected to attract 20,000 trade attendees. Next year’s MIFB will include production, packaging and logistic players to further strengthen its offerings and complete the food supply chain, Chua said. – Bernama
13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 Wholesale and retail trade grows 6.6% on-year in May PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade recorded monthly sales value of RM138 billion, grew 6.6% year-on-year in May 2023, according to Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) in its report “Performance of Wholesale & Retail Trade, May 2023” released yesterday. The increase of 6.6% for wholesale & retail trade in May 2023 was attributed to motor vehicles sub-sector, which surged 22% or RM3.1 billion to register RM17 billion. Retail trade also expanded by registering 5% or oIncrease attributed to motor vehicles sub-sector, which surged 22% or RM3.1b RM2.8 billion to RM58.8 billion, followed by wholesale trade with an increase of 4.4% or RM2.6 billion to settle at RM62.2 billion. For month-on-month (m-o-m) comparison, sales value of wholesale and retail trade rebounded 1.5%, contributed by motor vehicles and wholesale trade sub-sectors of 16.2% and 2.1%, respectively. Looking at the performance across sub-sectors, the doubledigit growth of 22% in motor vehicles sub-sector this month was pushed up by sales of motor vehicles which jumped 29.8% or RM2.1 billion to RM8.9 billion. This was followed by sales of motor vehicles parts and accessories and maintenance and repair of motor vehicles which climbed 17.7% and 20.4%, respectively. However, sales, maintenance and repair of motorcycles decreased -5%. For monthly comparison, this sub-sector bounced back 16.2%, contributed by all groups, mainly sales of motor vehicles with 30.8%. Commenting further on retail trade sub-sector, the growth of 5% in May 2023 was supported by retail sales in nonspecialised stores which grew 8.4% or RM1.7 billion to RM22.5 billion. Other groups in this sub-sector also recorded positive growth namely retail sales in specialised stores 6%, retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco 10%, retail sales of automotive fuel 6.0%, retail sales not in stores, stalls or market 2.5%, and retail sales in stalls and market 6%. On the other hand, for monthon-month comparison, sales of this sub-sector went down -2.7% with most of the groups registered a negative growth. DoSM also informed that the increase of 4.4% in wholesale trade was attributed to wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco which rose RM1.1 billion or 9.6% to RM12.3 billion. This was followed by wholesale of household goods 7.9%, wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals 8.6%, wholesale of machinery, equipment and supplies 5.8%, non-specialised wholesale trade 11.6%, and wholesale on a fee or contract basis 7.3%. For monthly comparison, wholesale trade rose 2.1%, mainly attributable to wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals and other specialised wholesale which increased 7.5% and 1.1%, respectively. For index of retail sale over the internet, the index recorded -0.8% growth year-on-year in May 2023 as compared to 4.1% in April 2023. For seasonally adjusted value, the index contracted -5.5% as against the previous month. In terms of volume index, wholesale and retail trade for May 2023 registered a year-on-year growth of 4.6%. DoSM also added that the expansion was attributed to all sub-sectors namely motor vehicles 17.8%, wholesale trade 5.3%, and retail trade 2.4%. For seasonally adjusted volume index, it declined -4.1% month-onmonth. EC-Council extends US$1m grant to Nacsa for cybersecurity scholarships KUALA LUMPUR: EC-Council, the inventor of Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and a global leader in cybersecurity training and certification, yesterday granted US$1 million (RM4.7 million) cybersecurity scholarships to Malaysian National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) to cultivate cybersecurity workforce in Malaysia. The scholarship programme was announced during the Cyber Defense and Security Exhibition and Conference 2023 event. Malaysia has experienced a significant rise in cyber incidents, highlighting the pressing need for a strong and skilled cybersecurity workforce. According to recent cybersecurity data and statistics, the country witnessed a 47% increase in cybercrime cases in the past year alone. These incidents encompassed various forms of cyber threats, including data breaches, phishing attacks, and ransomware incidents. Aligned with Malaysia’s strategic cybersecurity initiatives; EC-Council globally recognised for its cybersecurity education and industry certifications, will collaborate closely with Nacsa to implement the scholarship programme worth US$1 million. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s cybersecurity landscape, with a clear focus on empowering the country’s youth and businesses in the field of cybersecurity. The programme offered by ECCouncil will provide aspiring cybersecurity professionals in Malaysia with access to world-class training and certifications. Through specialised education in areas such as ethical hacking, incident response, and network defense, scholarship recipients will develop the expertise needed to effectively detect, mitigate, and respond to evolving cyber threats. A Nacsa spokesman said, “At Nacsa, we firmly believe that cybersecurity is not merely about protection; it serves as a fundamental pillar of progress and resilience. Our partnership with EC-Council and the launch of this impactful scholarship programme exemplify our unwavering dedication to fostering a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce in Malaysia.” Through the collaboration with Nacsa and the establishment of this transformative scholarship programme, EC-Council group CEO/president Jay Bavisi said they are paving the way for a stronger and more secure Malaysia. “By investing in the education and training of aspiring cybersecurity professionals, we are empowering them to become the guardians of our digital landscape. Together, we can forge a future where cyber threats are met with unwavering expertise and resilience, ensuring the safety and prosperity of the nation,” he added. MST Golf IPO oversubscribed by 5.28 times PETALING JAYA: MST Golf Group Bhd, en route to list on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market on July 20, saw its initial public offering (IPO) oversubscribed by 5.28 times. The golf retail and service provider’s IPO involved 228 million shares, comprising a public issue of 160 million new shares and 68 million existing shares, at an issue price of 81 sen apiece. Malaysian Issuing House Sdn Bhd said the institutional offering of up to 178.6 million shares comprising 110.6 million shares and 68 million offer shares was subscribed by 6.39 times. “The institutional offering received overwhelming demand of approximately RM924 million after receiving significant interest from institutional and selected investors,” it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia recently. Meanwhile, of the 41.5 million IPO shares made available to the Malaysian public, the company received 2,603 applications for nearly 62.73 million shares with a value of about RM50.81 million, representing an overall subscription rate of 1.51 times. For the bumiputra portion, MST Golf received 1,316 applications for 15.47 million shares, representing a subscription rate of 0.75 times, while 1,287 applications for 47.25 million shares were received under the other Malaysian public portion, representing a subscription rate of 2.28 times. May Industrial Production Index rebounds KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) rebounded to 4.7% in May 2023 as against negative 3.3% recorded in the previous month, driven by positive momentum in all sectors, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). In a statement yesterday, it said the expansion was attributed mainly to the performance in the manufacturing sector with a 5.1% increase (April 2023: - 3%), mining 2.9% (April 2023: -4.9%); and electricity 5% (April 2023: -2%). As compared to April 2023, the IPI accelerated by 7.3% after registering a contraction of 10.8% in April 2023. DoSM highlighted that the rise in the manufacturing sector was propelled by the robust growth of 10.1% in domesticoriented industries (April 2023: -2.1%), supported by the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers (16.4%), and fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (11.9%). “On a month-on-month comparison, the manufacturing sector registered a positive growth of 7% as compared to negative 11.4% in April 2023,” it added. According to the department, the increase in output in the mining sector was induced by the gain in both crude oil and condensate index and natural gas index by 0.6% and 4.5% respectively. – Bernama
14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 SUNBIZ Disney said to be exploring sale or partnership for India business NEW DELHI: Walt Disney is exploring options to sell or find a joint venture partner for its India digital and TV business, a source with direct knowledge said yesterday. The talks are in a “very, very nascent” stage and no potential buyer or partner has been approached so far, and it remains unclear how the process will pan out, the person added. “Talks have begun internally (on) what makes sense to do,” said the source, adding discussions were being driven by executives at Disney headquarters in the US. Disney did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The company’s shares closed up 1.6% on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal was first to report news of Disney’s talks and said the company had reached out to at least one bank about ways to help the India business grow, while sharing some of the costs. The discussions come at a time when Disney has faced increasing pressure due to the emergence of Reliance Industries’ streaming platform JioCinema, run by Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani. He has been marketing his streaming platform by offering free access to Indian Premier League cricket tournament, digital rights of which were earlier with Disney. Research firm CLSA has estimated Disney+ Hotstar’s subscriber base shrank by nearly 5 million users in India after it lost the digital rights for IPL. Reliance’s broadcast venture Viacom18, which runs JioCinema, also struck a deal with Warner Bros in April for HBO and other popular content such as Succession. Several of these top rated shows earlier aired in India on the Disney platform. Viacom18’s shareholders include Reliance, Paramount Global as well as Bodhi Tree, which is a joint venture between James Murdoch and a former Star India executive Uday Shankar. Disney’s India business comprises the Disney+ Hotstar streaming service and Star India, which it took over when it acquired the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox in 2019. The source, who declined to be named as the talks are confidential, said it will be difficult to find an outright buyer in India as the enterprise value of the India business was seen around US$15- 16 billion (RM69-75 billion) when Disney took over Fox’s business. Disney, like its peers in streaming and the wider media industry, is cutting costs as macro economic headwinds weigh on its advertising revenue and subscriber growth. – Reuters B R I E F SABRAMOVICH OBJECTS EU SANCTIONS ON HIM MOSCOW: Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich yesterday will challenge European Union (EU) sanctions imposed on him after the Ukraine war, arguing that the restrictions were imposed simply because he is a well-known Russian, a source familiar with the matter said. After President Vladimir Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb 24, the EU slapped sanctions on Russian officials and a host of Russian businessmen while freezing hundreds of billions of dollars of Russian assets. The EU in March 2022 described Abramovich, now 56, as an “oligarch who has close ties to Vladimir Putin” including “privileged access” to the Kremlin chief, connections the EU said had helped him maintain his assets. – Reuters HUAWEI TO OVERCOME US BAN WITH RETURN OF 5G PHONES SHENZHEN: China’s Huawei Technologies is plotting a return to the 5G smartphone industry by the end of this year, according to research firms, signalling a comeback after a US ban on equipment sales decimated its consumer electronics business. Huawei should be able to procure 5G chips domestically using its own advances in semiconductor design tools along with chipmaking from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co, three thirdparty technology research firms covering China’s smartphone sector told Reuters. Huawei could produce 5G versions of flagship models like the iPhone rival P60 this year, with new launches likely in early 2024, the three research firms said, adding they were basing such predictions on information they had received via checks with contacts in Huawei’s supply chain and recent company announcements. UNIQLO PROFIT SOARS ON CHINA RECOVERY TOKYO: The Japanese operator of apparel retailer Uniqlo is expected by analysts to post a 25% jump in profit to a thirdquarter record today, when the focus will be on whether its sales recovery in China is on track. Fast Retailing’s operating profit in the three months through May likely reached ¥102.4 billion (RM3.4 billion), according to the average of forecasts from seven analysts surveyed by Refinitiv. That’s compared to ¥81.8 billion yen posted last year. The company has 925 Uniqlo outlets in mainland China, more than in Japan. Business in China started to turn around in January, resulting in sharp increases in sales and profit from the region in the second quarter, the company said in April. – Reuters JAPAN’S SUMITOMO MITSUI LAUNCHES US DIGITAL BANK TOKYO: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group has launched a digital banking service in the US, as Japan’s number two lender aims to tap growth in the US consumer banking market, a bank executive said yesterday. Sumitomo Mitsui is providing personal loans through a newly created online banking division of Manufacturers Bank, a California state-chartered bank wholly owned by the Japanese group. – Reuters Beijing’s crackdown leaves large dent in Chinese Big Tech HONG KONG: China’s major tech firms have shed more than US$1 trillion (RM5.1 trillion) in value – equivalent to the entire Dutch economy – since the government’s regulatory crackdown on the sector began more than two years ago, according to Refinitiv data. Investors are now hoping the strict rules that have stymied growth since late 2020 will start to ease, after the People’s Bank of China indicated a change in direction could be under way. The central bank said on Friday most of the main problems for platform companies’ financial businesses had been rectified, and regulators would shift their focus to the industry as a whole rather than specific companies. The state planner yesterday praised Tencent Holdings, the world’s largest video game company, and e-commerce titan Alibaba Group, for their contributions to oRoughly US$1.1 trillion wiped off from five biggest giants, shares plunged between 40% and 71% during clampdown China’s tech innovation, in another sign that authorities are warming to the technology sector once more. Analysts pinpoint the shelving of Alibaba affiliate Ant Group’s US$37 billion initial public offering in November 2020 as the start of a sweeping regulatory crackdown on mainland China’s tech firms, which had grown rapidly in size and influence. Since then, roughly US$1.1 trillion has been wiped from the market capitalisation of the Hong Kong-listed stock of Alibaba Group, Tencent, Chinese food delivery giant Meituan , search engine provider Baidu Inc and ecommerce site JD.com. Share prices for the five companies have plunged between Saudi output cuts help prop up some global crudes HOUSTON: Prices for sour crude oil have climbed globally this month after top exporter Saudi Arabia hiked prices and expanded production cuts of higher-sulfur oil in the first sign its efforts to prop up global prices is having an impact. The de facto leader of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) this month deepened its production cuts to 1 million barrels per day in response to benchmark prices that fell to below US$72 a barrel this summer. “The kingdom’s curbs have had an outsized impact on the supply of medium-and heavy-sour barrels,” Mark Rossano, a partner at energy data provider Primary Vision Network, said. The increases – seen among North Sea, US and Canadian sour crude grades – have jumped as oil refiners in China, Europe and the US bid up dwindling supplies from sanctions on Russia and Saudi Arabia’s cutbacks, according to traders and brokers. Also pushing up sour crudes are US government purchases to restock its emergency reserves, production outages from Canadian wildfires, and worries about potential for Atlantic hurricane season to cut production of US sour crude. Most of Saudi Arabia’s crude oils, such as Arab Light, Medium and Heavy, are sour grades, a type that requires more complex refining and typically trades at a discount to 40.4% and 71% during that time. Technology stocks in Hong Kong have rallied 4.1% since Monday as investors bank on an easing regulatory environment to boost earnings, but some analysts have sounded a note of caution. “Mega-cap tech companies will allocate increasingly large amounts of capital expenditure towards developing generative AI technologies and products in a hostile external environment, potentially impacting profitability,“ said Redmond Wong, Saxo Markets strategist in Hong Kong. Steven Leung, UOB Kay Hian sales director, said current valuations would last “until we see more supporting policies from authorities”. – Reuters Saudi Arabia Russia 2,026,000 1,026,000 Iraq 431,000 Sources: Bloomberg, CSIS, OPEC press releases, Reuters Oil production cuts to boost price Saudi Arabia has pledged to cut oil production by one million barrels per day (bpd) from July. The cut is on top of previous OPEC+ cuts to limit supplies as the group seeks to boost oil prices © GRAPHIC NEWS Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 70 80 90 $100 Oct 5: OPEC+ announces cuts of 2 million bpd Oct 7: Price jumps to $97.92 Brent crude (price per barrel) Sep 30, 2022: $85.14 Dec 9: $75.89 Mar 30: $76.79 Jan 23, 2023: $84.55 Apr 12: $83.34 Jun 5: $77.85 OPEC+ cuts (Oct 2022-Jun 2023) 4,612,000 bpd – equivalent to 4.7% of global demand UAE 304,000 Kuwait 263,000 Kazakhstan 156,000 Nigeria 124,000 Other OPEC+ 282,000 Mar 15: $71.81 Apr 2: OPEC+ announces further cuts of 1.66 million bpd Saudi Arabia Russia 2,026,000 1,026,000 Iraq 431,000 Sources: Bloomberg, CSIS, OPEC press releases, Reuters Oil production cuts to boost price Saudi Arabia has pledged to cut oil production by one million barrels per day (bpd) from July. The cut is on top of previous OPEC+ cuts to limit supplies as the group seeks to boost oil prices © GRAPHIC NEWS Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 70 80 90 $100 Oct 5: OPEC+ announces cuts of 2 million bpd Oct 7: Price jumps to $97.92 Brent crude (price per barrel) Sep 30, 2022: $85.14 Dec 9: $75.89 Mar 30: $76.79 Jan 23, 2023: $84.55 Apr 12: $83.34 Jun 5: $77.85 OPEC+ cuts (Oct 2022-Jun 2023) 4,612,000 bpd – equivalent to 4.7% of global demand UAE 304,000 Kuwait 263,000 Kazakhstan 156,000 Nigeria 124,000 Other OPEC+ 282,000 Mar 15: $71.81 Apr 2: OPEC+ announces further cuts of 1.66 million bpd sweet crude, which has lower sulfur content. But sour prices are no longer cheap. Norway’s medium sour Johan Sverdrup crude climbed on Friday to a record US$3.50 per barrel premium to dated Brent, according to traders, compared with a more than US$6 discount in December. US Mars sour crude prices on Thursday of last week also traded at a US$2 per barrel premium to US crude futures at Cushing hub, its highest in three years. It traded at a premium to light, sweet WTI Midland at East Houston terminal, something rarely seen before. Mars also traded at a US$3.70 premium to Middle East crude benchmark Dubai, significantly higher than spot Middle Eastern crude. Western Canadian Select heavy crude, another widely discounted sour grade, traded at the US Gulf Coast on Monday at a US$2.30 per barrel discount, compared with a more than US$8 per barrel discount as recently as March, according to brokerage CalRock. Saudi Arabia’s price hike to Asia, the second month in a row, has pushed some Chinese refiners to seek cheaper sour crude alternatives from the spot market, traders and brokers said. This has lifted prices for other sour crudes. US Gulf Coast refiners, which are mostly configured to run sour crude, likely will purchase more Latin American barrels, said Rohit Rathod, an analyst at energy data provider Vortexa. “Opec+ players are pulling back supplies and we are already in a tight market at least for sour crudes.” – Reuters
1 3 J U L Y 2 0 2 3 T H U R S D A Y For the love of dance “DANCE is my life,“ declares Michelle Jueney. She fell in love with dance at a young age, and ever since, she has dedicated her time and career to the beautiful art of expression, especially Indian classical dance, Odissi. Growing up in an artistic environment, she learned about various arts and was exposed to different styles of dance from around the world. As a dancer, Michelle never looks at dance or dancers through the lens of race or ethnicity. She never saw herself as a Chinese learning an Indian dance; instead, she observed her chosen practise of dance through an artist’s eyes. Her interest in Odissi began around the age of 12 or 13 when she watched a performance by a renowned Odissi dancer in Malaysia, Ramli Ibrahim. She was completely captivated by his expressive exuberance and artistry of movement. Little did she know that one day she would meet Ramli in person and learn the Indian classical dance from the master himself. Before she became an Odissi dancer, she was enrolled at the Federal Academy of Ballet. She had also pursued a graphic design degree at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in London, but upon returning to Malaysia, her soul felt a void. She then met with dance master Ramli and proceeded to join the Sutra Dance Academy. Since then, there has been no turning back for her. She had found her calling. She has since been selected to perform in many countries and also got to thoroughly enjoy an adventurous time in India that was part of her training. Her love affair with dance continued as she also learned Bharata Natyam, Latin ballroom dance, and contemporary dance. During a photoshoot with theSun, Michelle showcased her Michelle posing at TTDI Park. – ALL PIX BY SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN oMichelle Jueney dances to her own tune █ BYS. TAMARAI CHELVI She also choreographs ballet and modern dance. The talented Odissi dancer. “I started this channel to share the beautiful world of dance with everyone and slowly try to educate the public on different styles of dance,“ said Michelle. The channel was launched on April 29, 2021, in conjunction with International Dance Day 2021, featuring dancers from around the world. It was a success right from the start, but she soon learned a lesson about operating an online platform. “Serious art has such a niche audience,“ she said, but that never stopped her from continuing with her vision. This year, the courageous performer took it a step further by collaborating with remarkable dancers for the “League of Legends” Legacy Category. Among them was footage of Merce Cunningham’s first performances with Andy Warhol as his stage designer. Unfortunately, there are setbacks as she struggles with a lack of funding to sustain the channel with rising costs of production, research, editing, and other related work. She does all the work by herself, including spending many months on research, organising, curating, and designing while also paying video editors for their time. Michelle hopes to eventually receive a grant or funding to cover all payment and cost-related issues. She aspires that the platform will attract more dancers to come along, be part of the community, and inspire the younger generation. Michelle can be reached at klmovementdancetheatre@gmail. com strength and beauty in every movement, gracefully moving from one pose to another with emotive expressions. Dance teaches about life “The dance movements actually tell you how to live a life,“ said Michelle. In Odissi, the ‘lotus hand mudra’ is always outward and giving. It’s quite the same when it comes to ballet, where both hands are opened outward. “Dance is about giving. You need to give in order to receive, and that’s why dance instills good values like generosity, and dancers are often very giving people,“ said Michelle. She shared how dance helps connect her with the mysteries of the cosmos, and every time she dances, she feels healing within herself. She confessed that she has danced through pain, stress, and suffering. “Dance is a medium that allows you to let it all out. When I dance, I am transported into a different realm, and that little moment is precious for me.” “It could be just three seconds, but that is enough to feel liberated and free every time I dance,“ said Michelle. Despite this, she does not limit her artistic expression to only dancing but also through other mediums like painting, playing the piano, and practising pilates. Recently, Michelle, who has 23 years of experience in Solo Odissi, performed “Poetry in Motion” , an Odissi performance, at the Goodman Arts Centre in Singapore. She also takes pride in teaching classical Indian dance to Tamil primary school students who aren’t able to afford professional classes for free. However, Michelle is particular about who she teaches and chooses not to engage certain students who approach her classes as mere hobbies. She expects passion and commitment from any student she agrees to teach. Apart from classical dance, she also teaches ballet and contemporary dance choreography. Creating a global dance community At the height of the pandemic, when she was unable to perform, she found a way to stay connected to audiences by actively kicking off her YouTube channel with Move: The Official International World Dance Day Online Festival in 2021. The aim was to offer a respite through despair and negativity from the isolation of the lockdown, finding strength and hope to break free from the perilous gridlock of the pandemic through dance and art. Historical dance figures, icons, and legends were honoured on the platform while recognising talents regardless of age, race, nationality, school, or discipline. At the same time, the platform educates dancers around the world on the characteristics and styles of dance. Michelle spends hours finding the right creative people, whether by connecting through emails or Enjoyed dancing since she was a child.. reaching out in other ways.
16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 Ballerini, have also fallen victim to airborne objects in recent months. Understandably, such a distressing trend has been met with criticism from fellow performers. Notably, Adele: who passionately expressed her dismay at the lack of concert etiquette displayed by attendees at one of her recent shows in Las Vegas. Performing at Caesers Palace, Adele took a moment to address the audience, voicing her concerns about this disruptive behaviour. In a TikTok video capturing the moment, she exclaimed, “Have you noticed how people are, like, forgetting show etiquette at the moment? People just throw stuff on stage; have you seen them?” With fiery determination, Adele issued a bold challenge to those contemplating such actions, firmly asserting, “I dare you. Dare you to throw something at me, and I’ll kill you.” @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME Jennifer Garner back as Elektra I N a surprising update to Marvel Studios’ upcoming Deadpool 3, Jennifer Garner is set to reprise her role as the sai-wielding assassin Elektra, a character that she last played almost 20 years ago in 2005’s Elektra. A critical and commercial flop, Elektra was a spin-off to 2003’s Daredevil, which also saw Ben Affleck in his first superhero role as he starred as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, the romantic interest of Garner’s Elektra. In 2021, Garner told the Hollywood Reporter that she wished both of those films had been produced by Kevin Feige as a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “It’s such a shame, honestly, because once Kevin took over, everything there was elevated: the writing, the direction, the comedy inside of the stories they were telling,” she said. “And I did not have that experience.” Created by the legendary comic book writer Frank Miller, Elektra has been an antihero for most of her presence in the comic books, displaying heroic values but also villainous violence and motivations. In that sense, the character will fit snugly with Jackman’s Wolverine and Reynolds’ Deadpool in Deadpool 3, which will be Marvel Studios first R-rated film. Shawn Levy, who just directed Reynolds and Garner in The Adam Project, is helming the film from a script by franchise mainstays Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. The rest of the cast will comprise Morena Baccarin, Karan Soni, Brianna Hildebrand, and Leslie Uggams, who are returning from the previous two Deadpool films, which were made by 20th Century Fox prior to Disney’s acquisition of the studio. Matthew Macfadyen from HBO’s Succession has also joined the cast, with Reynolds’ hinting the actor’s role will be substantial as Macfadyen will be on set “each and every day”. With Garner and Jackman on board reprising their old roles, Deadpool 3 is shaping up to be a multiverse film consisting of actors from bygone superhero films, and it’s unclear how many more will be returning. oThe actress played the sai-weilding assassin 20 years ago █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Tom Cruise runs again This discovery was made by media outlets in 2018 after someone posted scenes of the veteran actor running, claiming that he always runs in most of his movies. Among the movies with his signature-style running scenes were Mission Impossible III, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Edge of Tomorrow, and The Firm, all of which became huge hits. The actor seems to be in on the joke, too, captioning his Instagram bio with: Actor. Producer. Running in movies since 1981. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One is directed by Christopher McQuarrie and stars Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Pom Klementieff. The trailer that was released over a month ago had great stunts as well. In one video clip, the star is seen riding a motorcycle and falling off a mountain cliff. Running scenes, dangerous stunts, and Tom Cruise - all the necessary ingredients that a movie requires to pull crowds to the cinema. Tom’s last movie, Top Gun, was the first movie after the pandemic to gross over a billion US dollars worldwide. The actor among fans in Rome. – INSTAGRAM █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI The cast of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One at Abu Dhabi premiere. – INSTAGRAM Styles hit in face at recent performance. – NME THE Top Gun star ill reprise his iconic role as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the upcoming spy film Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. The first of a two-part movie is expected to be released in Malaysia on July 13, 2023. Cruise and his co-stars walked the red carpet for a premiere in Abu Dhabi, and fans were charmed by his personality and took the opportunity to chat with him and take photographs with the star on June 27. Recently, the photographs or stills from the movie were unveiled, and in the images, the box-office star is captured running fast at different locations. It has become no Hollywood secret that every time Cruise runs in a movie, it ends up becoming a blockbuster hit. In fact, the more he runs, the bigger the success of the movie. Garner’s Elektra makes comeback in upcoming Deadpool 3. – IMDB Harry Styles latest victim of fan violence LATELY, a rather disconcerting phenomenon has emerged within the music industry as repeated occurrences of violence towards performing artists in the form of object hurling have been caught on camera. This worrisome behaviour has caused serious harm to numerous musicians, the most recent victim being none other than the acclaimed artist Harry Styles, who suffered an unfortunate blow to the eye during his live performance in Vienna. Several video clips shared on social media platforms by attendees of the concert depict the moment when an unidentified object struck Harry squarely in the eye. The footage shows the singer wincing in pain upon impact, subsequently bending over while clutching his head in an attempt to compose himself before resuming his performance. This incident of on-stage assault follows a previous occurrence in November, when Harry experienced a similar mishap during a show in Los Angeles when an overzealous fan threw Skittles candies in his direction, one of which made contact with his eye. A notable and distressing case involves Bebe Rexha, who suffered severe facial injuries after being struck by a mobile phone during her ‘Best F’n Night of My Life’ tour at New York’s Rooftop at Pier 17 on June 18. In a TikTok video shared later, Rexha removed her sunglasses to reveal a bruised eye and several stitches as she detailed the aftermath of the incident. The individual responsible for throwing the phone was promptly arrested at the venue. Alas, these incidents are not isolated. Numerous other stars, including Drake, Ava Max, and Kelsea █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN
17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 WITH the recent launch of Final Fantasy XVI, it’s important to look back at previous modern Final Fantasy games since the franchise moved from its traditional style in Final Fantasy IX to Final Fantasy X, which set a new standard and direction for the franchise. It’s also important to look at what each series either achieved or failed to do, particularly during development, as FFXVI seems to be the only recent game that did not go through substantial drama. As FFXVI is a single-player game, this retrospective will only look at similar games in the franchise; the online games Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV will be skipped. Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 The game that marked a new era for the franchise, 2001’s Final Fantasy X (FFX), was not just a step forwards; it was a leap across the yard. With the release of the PlayStation 2 a year before, FFX not only gained the boon of the console’s graphic and performance capabilities, but it also introduced something new to the franchise: voice acting. FFX featured a poignant story that saw Tidus, a teenager, being flung into another world called Spira, where he meets Yuna and a host of characters close to her. A priestess of sorts, Yuna embarks on a religious pilgrimage to gain enough strength to defeat Sin, a monstrous creature that has been wreaking havoc on Spira for a thousand years. Eventually, they fall in love, and Tidus realises the grave nature of Yuna’s mission. In terms of modern Final Fantasy games, FFX set a standard, especially with its storytelling, that has yet to be beaten. Two years later, Final Fantasy X-2 was released. As a sequel, the game instead focused on Yuna and made a drastic shift in tone towards pop music and aesthetics that fans did not like. However, the battle system in FFX-2 is still lauded due to its perfect balance of being action-oriented and classically turn-based. Final Fantasy XII Released in 2006, Final Fantasy XII was a bizarre game. It was not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but it was definitely an odd game with bizarre tones and story choices due to its troubled development. For example, the final version of FFXII’s story is framed around the characters of Vaan and Penelo as the leads, but these two were last-minute additions to the game; during development, the original main hero was another character called Basch. Even worse, the main story is not even about Vaan and Penelo; the story is focused on Ashe, a princess whose husband and father were killed due to political scheming, and Basch, a captain falsely accused of killing Ashe’s father, a king. Ultimately, Vaan and Penelo were executive decisions made to attract a younger audience of gamers due to every other main character being an adult and the story being very adult. Hilariously, Penelo has zero interactions with Ashe, despite them spending 90% of the game together. A shining point of FFXII is the battle system called “gambits”. While providing the option of players directly controlling the actions of characters in battle, gambits also allowed players to assign specific actions that Tidus and Yuna’s relationship in FFX is still lauded as the best in the franchise. – ALL PIX BY SQUARE ENIX FFXV has a very long bromance between its boy band-looking leads. FFXIII and its sequels obsessed with Lightning, the lead character. █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR characters could perform in the order they were assigned. Meaning players could assign gambits, engage the characters in battle, put the controller down, and watch the game play itself until the battle ends. Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII The most controversial entry among modern Final Fantasy games, and its two sequels, barely anyone asked for. According to Video Game Sales Wiki’s collected data, each game allegedly sold less than the one before it. I can’t be bothered to explain what Final Fantasy XIII’s story is because it’s extremely convoluted and a dumpster fire, and the sequels get worse, especially due to director Motomu Toriyama deciding the inclusion of time travel would be a good idea. However, the gameplay is generally fun and engaging, with each entry revamping the battle system towards being more action-oriented. Final Fantasy XV The last mainline Final Fantasy game to be released before FFXVI launched, Final Fantasy XV kept following the downward trend that began with FFXII. In 2006, the game was introduced as Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and it was under the direction of Tetsuya Nomura. The game was intended to be a spin-off that went against what Final XIII established. After six years of troubled development and almost no progress, in 2012, FFVersusXIII became FFXV, the next mainline Final Fantasy game, with Nomura being replaced by Hajime Tabata as the new director. Set in a hybrid modern fantasy world, FFXV follows Noctis Lucis Caelum, the crown prince of the Kingdom of Lucis, and his group of friends who double as his bodyguards: Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto. After his father, King Regis, is assassinated and Lucis falls to the Niflheim empire, Noctis embarks on a journey to obtain the Royal Arms – magical weapons bound to those of royal blood – and retake the throne. The game is honestly fine. The problem is that what was delivered at launch was missing chunks of the story, and several areas in the game seemed to have been rushed through development, like the entire second half that becomes the equivalent of a linear hallway. From 2016 to 2020, these missing chunks were released through downloadable content expansions, a CGI film, an anime series, a mobile game, and a novel. On the gameplay front, FFXV’s combat and progression were shallow, despite being fastpaced. Most encounters with regular enemies and even bosses could be beaten by just holding down the attack button. There wasn’t much finesse or skill needed, especially with the dodging being automated and seemingly infinite, to the point that even a baby could play the game. The highs and lows of Final Fantasy oA look at the franchise’s progression since 2000 Setting the gambits in FFXII could lead to endless victory or a quick defeat.
18 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME Try Afghan walk for greater endurance PART physical activity, part mental workout, the Afghan walk combines a number of benefits for both body and mind. This technique, inspired by Afghan nomads, enables you to walk long distances without having to exert great physical effort. Its secret lies in the coordination of steps and breathing. The Afghan walk is a hiking technique that allows you to cover long distances without feeling tired by coordinating the rhythm of your steps with that of your nasal breathing. It was theorised in the 1980s, based on observations made by Édouard G. Stiegler among Afghanistan’s nomadic peoples (hence the technique’s name), and described in his book Régénération par la marche afghane (Regeneration through Afghan Walking). Indeed, Afghan nomads are capable of covering some 700 kilometres in just 10 days. This walking technique is based on coordinating the rhythm of your steps and the rhythm of your breathing. The basic pattern consists of eight steps. Inhale on three steps, hold your breath on a fourth step, exhale on three steps, and then hold your breath on the fourth step. Then repeat the cycle. If the route is uphill, use a rhythm with no pauses, with two steps inhaling and two steps exhaling. Afghan walking can be practised anywhere, in the countryside or in town, and at any time of day. It could be on the way home from work or on the way to the shops, for example. Unlike Nordic walking, which focuses on speed and performance, this technique focuses solely on breathing. Experts recommend walking in this way for between 20 and 30 minutes, at least three times a week, to feel the positive effects. The Afghan walk helps oxygenate the body and make breathing easier. It increases stamina and enables you to walk for longer without getting too tired. The technique also stimulates This walk can cover longer distances while limiting fatigue. – ALL PIX BY FREEPIK It can be practised anywhere. blood circulation and tones muscles, such as those in the back and lower limbs. Bones are strengthened with each step, without causing pain or trauma to the joints. On top of that, it’s an excellent way to take care of your mental health. Afghan walking combines walking, breathing control, and meditation. It is often referred to as mindful walking, conscious walking, or yoga walking, because of the importance of breathing control in this exercise. By synchronising your steps with your breathing, the flow of thoughts slows down, which has led it to be considered a form of “active mediation.”. Plus, counting in your head helps you detach yourself from your inner worries. Your nervous system is rebalanced, promoting a feeling of relaxation and better sleep. – ETX STUDIO The Women’s World Cup stadiums Stadium Australia, also known as Accor Stadium, is located in western Sydney. – ETX STUDIO oCheck out the 10 venues hosting this year’s matches Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane’s major sporting and entertainment hub. – AUSTADIUMS Eden Park is New Zealand’s national stadium in Auckland. – FIFA Within walking distance of the city centre, it will host six matches, including Australia’s heavyweight Group B finale with Canada. Brisbane Stadium (52,500) Currently known as Suncorp Stadium and formerly Lang Park, it is Brisbane’s major sporting and entertainment hub. Nicknamed “The Cauldron”, it will host eight games, including a quarterfinal and the third-place playoff, with European champions England kicking off their campaign here against Haiti. Perth Rectangular Stadium (20,000) A stone’s throw from the Swan River, this state-of-the-art stadium used to be oval-shaped but is now the city’s only rectangular venue and home to A-League club Perth Glory. The Group D battle between Denmark and Asian champions China kicks off the action on July 22, with four other games to follow. Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide (15,000) The home of football in South Australia since 1960, the ground has undergone major surgery to bring it up to scratch for the tournament, including a new roof on the eastern stand. It has hosted countless A-League games and was a key venue for the 2000 Sydney Olympics football tournament. Five matches will be played here across four groups and one round-of-16 clash. New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland (50,000) New Zealand’s national stadium has been home to cricket and rugby for more than 100 years and witnessed many memorable moments, including the 1987 and 2011 Rugby World Cup finals. The tournament’s opening match between New Zealand and Norway will be here. The hallowed ground will host nine games in total, including a semi-final. Wellington Stadium (34,500) On the banks of New Zealand’s Wellington Harbour and also known as Sky Stadium, it was opened in 2000 and is the home of Super Rugby club Wellington Hurricanes. It will host nine games, including a quarterfinal, plus a blockbuster group clash between the United States and the Netherlands in a rerun of the 2019 final, which the Americans won 2-0. Dunedin Stadium (30,000) Bordering New Zealand’s stunning Otago Harbour, it is recognised as the world’s first fully enclosed natural turf stadium. Opened in 2011 and also known as Forsyth Barr Stadium, it is home to Super Rugby side Otago Highlanders and will host six games, starting with the Philippines against Switzerland on July 21. Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (25,000) The spiritual home of rugby is the New Zealand North Island city of Hamilton, which hosted two of the inter-confederation play-offs in February. A short walk from the city centre, the ground will stage five games, starting with the Group C meeting between Zambia and 2011 champions Japan on July 22. – ETX STUDIO THE Women’s World Cup takes place from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand. Here are the 10 stadiums hosting matches that will receive visitors from all around the globe very soon. Australia Stadium Australia, Sydney (83,000 capacity) The tournament’s main venue, also known as the Olympic Stadium after being built as the centrepiece of the 2000 Sydney Games, will host the opening-day match between Australia and Ireland on July 20 and the final a month later. Located in the city’s west, it is the home ground for National Rugby League clubs Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs and has hosted countless major sporting events since it opened in 1999. Sydney Football Stadium (42,500) This brand-new facility at Moore Park was completed last year to replace the ageing Allianz Stadium on the same site, which has been a major sports ground since 1903. Next to the famous Sydney Cricket Ground, it is regularly used for football, rugby league, rugby union, and as a concert arena. Six games will be played here. Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (25,000) Also known as AAMI Park, the venue is in a precinct that also includes the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Melbourne Park, venue of the Australian Open tennis.
19 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 Tapestry of sustainable bliss I N the bustling heart of Kuala Lumpur, a hidden gem of serenity awaited me at the PARKROYAL COLLECTION Hotels & Resorts. The hotel is revolutionising travel with its latest range of eco-wellness experiences. Set amidst enchanting biophilic gardens, guests can now indulge in multi-sensory offerings like Conscious Dining menus, signature Urban Farms, Sleep Ritual turn-down amenities, and mindful wellness programmes. With a focus on mindfulness and reconnecting with nature, PARKROYAL COLLECTION aims to inspire guests to live well while nurturing the environment. This ground-breaking approach to hospitality sets a new standard for sustainable and transformative travel experiences. Embarking on a two-day, onenight journey of eco-wellness, I found myself immersed in a world where nature’s embrace and personal wellbeing harmoniously intertwined. From the moment I stepped through the hotel’s grand entrance, it was clear that this was not an ordinary retreat. It was an oasis of beauty, care, and rejuvenation. As I ventured into the hotel lobby, the warm smiles and gracious greetings from the staff immediately set the tone for the exceptional experiences that lay ahead. The sight before me was a feast for the eyes, with opulent decor reflecting the hotel’s commitment to eco-conscious design. It was a perfect balance of elegance and sustainability, inviting me to embark on a memorable ecowellness journey. Entering my room, I was spellbound by its breathtaking beauty. The elegant furnishings, earthy tones, and panoramic views of the cityscape combined to create a tranquil haven. It was a testament to the hotel’s dedication to providing guests with an environment that soothes the senses and rejuvenates the soul. At 3PM, the eco-wellness activities commenced with a captivating urban farm tour. Nestled within the hotel’s grounds, the farm was a verdant paradise brimming with a kaleidoscope of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Here, the hotel showcased their commitment to sustainable practises, utilising the farm’s bountiful harvests to prepare fresh, delectable meals for the guests. It was a true farm-to-table experience, replete with flavours that danced on the palate and nourished the body. After the farm tour, we gathered for a mindful drinking session, where the fruits of the urban farm’s labour were transformed into an elixir of wellness. The resulting drink was an embodiment of pure bliss – a concoction that awakened the senses, revitalised the body, and left a refreshing trace of nature’s abundance on our tongues. Re-energised and intrigued, we Urban farm tour. – ALL PIX BY PARKROYAL COLLECTION HOTEL & RESORTS oA weekend oasis of eco-wellness delights █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Mocktailmaking using Urban Farm harvests. Simple nutrition tips talk. Sleep ritual tray. A taste of Malaysia mocktail. with mango chutney on rice crackers, each bite was a fusion of flavours, creativity, and well-being. Amidst these culinary marvels, we engaged in a fascinating conversation about simple nutrition tips, discovering new ways to nourish ourselves and embrace a healthier lifestyle. As the day progressed, we delved deeper into the realm of holistic wellbeing. An introduction to restful sleep captivated our attention as the hotel revealed a concoction designed to enhance our nocturnal rejuvenation. The promise of a better night’s sleep fueled our anticipation, leaving us eager to embrace the hotel’s innovative approach to wellness. The afternoon continued with a transformative KUEM relaxation workshop at the renowned St Gregory spa. The skilled practitioners guided us through a journey of selfdiscovery, imparting invaluable techniques for achieving inner peace and tranquility. The workshop’s insightful teachings and practical tools were gifts that would accompany us long after the weekend came to a close. After a brief respite to recharge our spirits, we reconvened for a consciously prepared dinner – a grand celebration of wellness lifestyle cuisine. Each dish artfully embodied the hotel’s commitment to sustainability, healthy consumption, and a delightful dining experience. From the moment we sampled the nutritious breads to the final indulgence of a decadent dessert, we revelled in a symphony of flavours that nourished both body and soul. The following morning, the hotel graciously offered a morning yoga session to invigorate our bodies and minds. However, I opted to indulge in the luxury of additional beauty sleep, knowing that the hotel’s commitment to well-being extended to honouring our individual choices. Rising refreshed, I relished a sumptuous breakfast, savouring the array of wholesome offerings that set the stage for the day ahead. Finally, the moment arrived to immerse myself in the St Gregory treatments. From the gentle touch of skilled therapists to the harmonious blending of aromas, every aspect of the spa experience was crafted to transport me to a realm of pure bliss. The therapeutic massage, in particular, melted away the tensions of the world, leaving me feeling truly restored and at peace. As the weekend drew to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on the invaluable lessons I had learned and the moments of sheer joy I had experienced. The eco-wellness launch at the PARKROYAL COLLECTION Hotel had taken me on an unforgettable journey of selfdiscovery, nourishing my body, mind, and spirit. The commitment to sustainable practises, the delectable cuisine, the rejuvenating spa treatments, and the enlightening workshops all contributed to a weekend of pure bliss and holistic indulgence. It was an experience that would forever hold a special place in my heart, reminding me of the power of mindful living and the profound impact it has on our well-being. moved on to a delightful snack break. What awaited us was an assortment of unique, healthy snacks that defied convention. From the quinoa salmon nasi lemak bungkus to the quail egg
20 FASHION & BEAUTY theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 VACATION packing can be a daunting and stressful task, and bursting-at-the-seams baggage can weigh heavily on the planet when you fly. But what if you didn’t have to bother? Japan Airlines has decided to try renting clothes to its passengers with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of its flights by streamlining luggage. Don’t forget your sunscreen, your hat, your beach towels, not to mention the perfect evening attire, and all your personal care products. Packing a suitcase requires thought and concentration, and even the most organised travellers can forget a phone charger or other everyday essentials. One option is to use ChatGPT to make sure you don’t forget anything, since the AI chatbot can write a comprehensive list of all the things you’ll need for any given destination or situation. Using clothing rental to reduce passenger baggage But there’s an even better way to make sure you don’t forget anything - just don’t bother packing! Or at least, pack only the bare essentials, slipping a toothbrush and toothpaste into your carry-on case. For the rest, you can dress using a clothing rental service, a solution recently deployed by Japan Airlines, which is offering passengers bound for the Land of the Rising Sun the chance to select a capsule wardrobe they can use for two weeks. Passengers simply log on to the Any Wear, Anywhere service website to select the kind of clothes they want to wear – casual, chic, or a mix of the two. You can choose up to six tops and three bottoms, specifying the season in which you’ll be travelling. That way, you can be sure to get clothes that suit the weather. Prices start at JP4,000 (RM131) for a men’s summer pack comprising three tops and two bottoms. Sizes range from S to double L. Packs can be reserved up to one month in advance. Once the rental has been confirmed, the service delivers the clothes to the passenger’s hotel or other accommodation. And it’s from there that the package of clothes should be returned before departure. Then, the pants, dresses, or shorts will be sent to a laundry service in order to be reintroduced into the rental system. Note that the garments used in this process are not new products. They are pieces obtained from surplus stock or pre-owned garments, explains Japan Airlines (JAL) in a news release. The idea is to create a truly circular economy. Japan’s national airline has launched a trial of the service with the aim of reducing the fuel use and carbon output of air travel. According to Sumitomi, JAL’s partner in charge of the logistics of the service, a tourist who travels with 10kg less baggage can reduce the carbon emissions of their trip by 7.5kg. This initiative is part of a test phase scheduled to run until August 31, 2024. Throughout this period, the airline will be collecting data on the baggage weights of its passengers who have chosen the clothing rental service, enabling it to assess the scale of the reduction in CO2 emissions. This initiative is all the more significant given that Japan has seen a boom in tourist numbers since the complete reopening of its borders following the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, international arrivals totaled 1.9 million in the Land of the Rising Sun in May, almost 70% of pre-pandemic levels. – ETX STUDIO No more suitcases when travelling to Japan Japan Airlines uses clothing rental service to help cut carbon footprint of air travel. – ETX STUDIO about this fashion show, some said I was crazy, but it’s precisely that fact that lured me to the idea. I am thankful to our collaborators, and together with the team I have now, I strongly believe that TFEKL23 will take off victoriously”. Jwan Heah, the CEO of Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR), also attended the press conference to show support and made it clear during the Q&A session with the media that TFEKL23 is currently the highest fashion show ever actualized and successfully carried out in Malaysia. Bon Zainal also announced that Her Royal Highness Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin has graciously agreed to grace this historic event, corresponding with the celebration of Hari Malaysia. Keeping it short and succinct, Managing Director of Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd., Datuk Abdul Hamid Shaikh Abdul Razak Shaikh, conveyed, “On behalf of KL Tower, I hope this will be an annual event as it will favourably profile this world-renowned structure and attract more local and foreign tourists. Moreover, our collaboration with TFEKL23 correspondingly signals our support towards the thriving Malaysian fashion industry”. With the KL Tower still standing as Southeast Asia’s tallest communications tower and the world’s seventh tallest, the impressive 421-metre-tall KL Tower is perched atop Bukit Nanas and blends in perfectly with the landscape. The area of Bukit Nanas, formerly known as Bucket Weld Forest Reserve, was established as a permanent forest reserve in 1906 and is roughly 9.37 hectares. It serves as the city’s lush lung and is the only intact tropical rainforest that is still present in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. Notably, KL Tower is the only tower in the world to be located within a forest, which adds to its allure and charm while simultaneously making it an iconic and historical venue for the fashion show event to be held in September. A stunning and groundbreaking fashion event, Tower Fashion Eleganza Kuala Lumpur 2023 (TFEKL23), will take place on September 9, 2023, at the Sky Deck, located 300 metres above ground level at the iconic Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower), in conjunction with World Skyscrapers Day. The inaugural event will feature the impressive creations of 15 esteemed Malaysian designers, including Radzuwan Radziwil, Carven Ong, Bon Zainal, Fizi Woo, Rasta Rashid, Kalima, and Leslie Variyan. These talented designers, renowned for their impeccable aesthetics, meticulous craftsmanship, creative prowess, technical expertise, and distinctive perspectives, will showcase collections that blend modern, traditional, stylish, innovative, and elegantly sophisticated elements. The runway will be graced by more than 75 sought-after models from Malaysia. Making history, TFEKL23 will be the first fashion show ever to be broadcast live on several RTM channels and various media platforms. Conceptualised and organised by Bon Fashion Legacy and Nuunaa Management, the event is made possible through a dynamic collaboration with Menara Kuala Lumpur, Tourism Malaysia, DBKL, KL Hop on Hop Off, and Gentlemen’s Code. During the press conference held at KL Tower, Founder and Director of Bon Fashion Legacy and TFEKL23, Bon Zainal Harun said, “I am extremely thrilled by this massive collaboration effort put in by so many significant entities, especially Menara Kuala Lumpur, RTM, Tourism Malaysia, DBKL and KL Hop On Hop Off. He further states: “When I first talked Malaysian fashion soars to new heights oTFEKL23 set to showcase top Malaysian designers TFEKL23 creating history as the highest fashion show ever held in Malaysia. – ALL PIX BY TFEKL23 TFEKL23 will be the first fashion show to be broadcasted live on TV. █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL
21 * SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF JAYA MEDIC (M) SDN. BHD. (198801001838 (169195-X)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at 13C, Lorong Brunei 2, 55100 Kuala Lumpur on the 14 th day of August 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the purpose of:- 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Final Account showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the property of the Company disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed of. Dated this: 13 July 2023 Signed by HUN SIEW TIN Liquidator IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SEAGATE INTERNATIONAL (JOHOR) SDN. BHD. [Registration No. 200601029076 (748832-H)] NOTICE OF REDUCTION OF SHARE CAPITAL PURSUANT TO SECTION 117 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special resolution to reduce the share capital of the Company pursuant to Section 117 of the Companies Act, 2016 has been passed on 10th July 2023. The extract of the special resolution is set out below:- AS SPECIAL RESOLUTION - PROPOSED CAPITAL REDUCTION EXERCISE PURSUANT TO SECTION 117 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 THAT approval be and is hereby given for the Company to reduce its issued share capital from RM253,647,758.00 comprising of 253,647,758 ordinary shares to RM213,647,758.00 comprising of 213,647,758 ordinary shares by cancelling RM40,000,000.00 of the share capital of the Company that is in excess of the needs of the Company and such reduction be effected by returning to the sole shareholder of the Company to the extent of RM1.00 per share totaling of RM40,000,000.00 payable in cash. THAT following the Proposed Capital Reduction, approval be and is hereby given to the Company to make a cash distribution to the sole shareholder of the Company whose name appear in the Register of Members on 30th June 2023 in proportion to its shareholding. AND THAT the Board be hereby authorised with full power to do all such acts, deeds and things and execute, sign and deliver on behalf of the Company all such documents and/or agreement as the Board may deem fit, necessary or expedient or appropriate in the best interest of the Company, in order to finalise, implement and/or give effect to the above transactions with full power to assent to any terms, conditions, modifications, variations and/or amendments as may be imposed or required by the relevant authorities. By Order of the Board Ng Heng Hooi (MAICSA 7048492) SSM Practicing Certificate No. 202008002923 Wong Mee Kiat (MAICSA 7058813) SSM Practicing Certificate No. 202008001958 Company Secretary Dated this 13 July 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF ASSET FRONTIER SDN. BHD. Company No:199601026517 (398869-D) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, a Final Meeting of the members of the Company will be held at 55-A, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor on Monday, 14 August 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes :- 1. To receive the Liquidator’s account of receipts and payments and statements of distribution among the contributories and to hear any explanations that maybe given by the liquidator; 2. To resolve that under Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, the books, accounts and documents of the Company be destroyed after the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the final meeting. KAM CHAI HONG Liquidator Dated this 13 July 2023 A member entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy has to be deposited at the office of the Liquidator not less than fortyeight hours before the time for holding the Meeting. 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUANTAN DALAM NEGERI PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR DALAM PERKARA KEBANKRAPAN NO.: CA-29NCC-282-11/2022 BERKENAAN: LIM BAN LONG [NO. K/P : 681231-06-5159] PENGHUTANG PENGHAKIMAN EX-PARTE : RHB BANK BERHAD [NO. PENDAFTARAN: 196501000373] PEMIUTANG PENGHAKIMAN N O T I S (Dalam Perkara mengenai Petisyen Pemiutang bertarikh 12 Mei 2023 dan Perintah bertarikh 6.7.2023) Kepada: 1. LIM BAN LONG (No. K/P: 681231-06-5159) No.19, Jalan Jati Taman Rimba 28400, Mentakab Pahang AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu Petisyen Pemiutang bertarikh 12.5.2023 telah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu, LIM BAN LONG di Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di Kuantan oleh RHB BANK BERHAD beralamat di Level 6, Tower Two, RHB Centre, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur dan Mahkamah ini telah memerintahkan bahawa Petisyen Pemiutang dan Afidavit Mengenai Kebenaran Pernyataan Dalam Petisyen disampaikan terhadap kamu secara penyampaian ganti dengan menampalkan sesalinan Petisyen Pemiutang dan Afidavit Mengenai Kebenaran Pernyataan Dalam Petisyen tersebut berserta dengan sesalinan Perintah untuk penyampaian ganti (“Kertas-kertas kausa tersebut”) pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di Kuantan dan pada suatu bahagian yang terang di premis alamat terakhir kamu yang diketahui, iaitu di No.19, Jalan Jati, Taman Rimba, 28400 Mentakab, Pahang dan dengan mengiklankan sekali Notis ini dalam suatu surat khabar tempatan iaitu “The Sun”, dan penampalan dan pengiklanan sedemikian akan dianggap sebagai penyampaian sempurna dan memadai bagi Petisyen Pemiutang tersebut terhadap kamu empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh akhir penampalan dan pengiklanan tersebut. DAN AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa Petisyen Pemiutang ini akan didengar di hadapan Penolong Kanan Pendaftar, Mahkamah Tinggi Kuantan pada 27 Julai 2023, jam 9.00 pagi dan kamu dikehendaki hadir pada hari tersebut dan sekiranya kamu gagal hadir, Mahkamah boleh memasukkan Perintah Kebankrapan ke atas kamu. Petisyen Pemiutang ini boleh diperiksa oleh kamu atas permintaan di Mahkamah ini. Bertarikh pada 6 Julai 2023. Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya Kuantan Notis ini telah difailkan oleh Tetuan Kee Sern, Siu & Huey, peguamcara Pemiutang Penghakiman yang mempunyai alamat penyampaian di No. 468-11E(2), Tingkat 2, Blok C, Rivercity, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (dahulunya Jalan Ipoh), 51200 Kuala Lumpur. Tel : (603) 9212 2688 Fax : (603) 4044 0448 Email: [email protected] [Ruj: LPT/LKS/GL05/RHB-SPSB/210162] DALAM MAHKAMAH SESYEN DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: WA-A52M-715-02/2023 ANTARA YAYASAN IHSAN RAKYAT (No Syarikat.: 201201017719 [1003231-A]) … PLAINTIF DAN NURULHUDA BINTI RAHMAT (No. K/P: 840803-13-5008) … DEFENDAN NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) Kepada: - 1) NURULHUDA BINTI RAHMAT SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Lumpur , dalam Guaman No. WAA52M-715-0/2023 oleh Yayasan Ihsan Rakyat (“Plaintif”) yang beralamat di di Tingkat 20, Menara Teo Chew, No. 1, Jalan Lumut, 50400 Kuala Lumpur di mana Plaintif menuntut terhadap kamu antara lain untuk membayar semula pinjaman, faedah dan kos. DAN TELAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 17.02.2023 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui serahan melalui menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Lumpur dan mengiklankan sekali di suatu penerbitan akhbar ‘The Sun’ dan penyampaian Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan sedemikian akan disifatkan sebagai penyerahan lengkap dan sempurna terhadap kamu dalam masa empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan yang terakhir tersebut. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah memasukkan kehadiran sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui peguamcara kamu. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, penghakiman boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 13 haribulan Julai, 2023 …………t.t………… TETUAN GM TAN & COMPANY Peguamcara Plaintif NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) ini telah difailkan oleh Tetuan GM Tan & Company,peguamcara pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di C-10-28, Block C, Lobby 2, Centum Oasis Corporate Park, No. 2, Jalan PJU 1A/2, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel No. : +603 2714 5456 E-mel :[email protected] Faks No.: +603 2714 5457 Ruj Kami: GMT/ YIR(RCE)/00798(48)/2023 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SECA CHEMICALS AND CATALYSTS SDN. BHD. 200501028637 (710772-A) (In Member’s Voluntary Winding Up) (Incorporated in Malaysia) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459(1) of the Companies Act 2016, the FINAL MEETING of the Company will be held at Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor on 15-08-2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- 1. To receive the Liquidators’ Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the Company has been disposed of, and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidators. 2. To destroy all the books and records of the Company and of the liquidators, in digital, printed and any format that are relevant to the affairs of the Company at the expiry of two years from the date of dissolution of the Company and in accordance to the provisions of the Companies Act 2016. LAI CHUNG EN CHAN BEE LEE (F) Liquidators Dated this 13-07-2023 Note : A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and, on a poll, to vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The proxy form must be deposited to the Liquidators’ address at Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor at least 48 hours before the date and time of the meeting. IN THE MATTER OF UNITED PROACTIVE SDN. BHD. (Company No. 201001032806 (916729-X) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 that the final meeting of the abovenamed Company will be held on Tuesday, 15th August 2023 at 2.00 pm at Suite 1, No. 25, Jalan Meranti Merah, Melodies Garden, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor for the following purposes:- 1. To receive an account from the liquidators showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to hear explanations that may be given by the liquidators. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution in the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and the liquidators thereof shall be disposed of. CHENG AH CHOO Liquidator Dated this 13th July 2023 Johor Bahru Note : A member entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him. A proxy need not be a member of the company. 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PAKATAN MAJDAN JAYA SDN. BHD. [Registration No. 198901005700 (183005-U)] NOTICE OF REDUCTION OF SHARE CAPITAL PURSUANT TO SECTION 117 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special resolution to reduce the share capital of the Company pursuant to Section 117 of the Companies Act 2016 has been passed on 10th July 2023. The extract of the special resolution is set out below:- AS SPECIAL RESOLUTION - PROPOSED CAPITAL REDUCTION EXERCISE PURSUANT TO SECTION 117 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 THAT approval be and is hereby given for the Company to reduce its issued share capital from RM352,000.00 comprising of 352,000 ordinary shares to RM2,000.00 comprising of 2,000 ordinary shares by cancelling RM350,000.00 of the share capital of the Company that is in excess of the needs of the Company and such reduction be effected by returning to the selective shareholders of the Company to the extent of RM1.00 per share totaling of RM350,000.00 payable in cash. THAT following the Proposed Capital Reduction, approval be and is hereby given to the Company to make a cash distribution to the selective shareholders of the Company whose names appear in the Register of Members on 30th June 2023 in proportion to their respective shareholdings. AND THAT the Board be hereby authorised with full power to do all such acts, deeds and things and execute, sign and deliver on behalf of the Company all such documents and/or agreement as the Board may deem fit, necessary or expedient or appropriate in the best interest of the Company, in order to finalise, implement and/or give effect to the above transactions with full power to assent to any terms, conditions, modifications, variations and/or amendments as may be imposed or required by the relevant authorities. By Order of the Board Ng Heng Hooi (MAICSA 7048492) SSM Practicing Certificate No. 202008002923 Wong Mee Kiat (MAICSA 7058813) SSM Practicing Certificate No. 202008001958 Company Secretary Dated this 13 July 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PEAK CHARISMA SDN. BHD. COMPANY NO. 199901021105 (496005-K) (INCORPORATED IN MALAYSIA) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) A Members Meeting of the above mentioned Company duly held at 51-17- F2, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 Georgetown, Penang 22nd June 2023 at 11:00 a.m., the following resolutions were duly passed: - SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016. ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS THAT Mr. Tiong Heh Bin of 51-17-E, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 Georgetown, Penang be appointed as Liquidator of the Company, to act for the purpose of the members’ voluntary winding up. TIONG HE BIN Liquidator Dated this : 13th July 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PEAK CHARISMA SDN. BHD. COMPANY NO. 199901021105 (496005-K) (INCORPORATED IN MALAYSIA) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, a meeting of the creditors and members’ of PEAK CHARISMA SDN. BHD. Company No. 199901021105 (496005-K) will be held at Suite 51-17-F2, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050, Georgetown, Penang on 16th August 2023 at 11:00 a.m. for the following purposes: - (i) To lay before the meeting the Company’s Statement of affairs; (ii) To accept the submission of claims from any creditors by way of proof of debt under Companies Act, 2016; (iii) To consider any other matter. TIONG HEH BIN Liquidator Dated this : 13th July 2023 A creditor entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. The proxy form must be deposited at the above address not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or any adjournment thereof. 322 Notices 322 Notices AGENT WANTED APPLY NOW Agent wanted for Top brand Japan Massage chair High Income from Rm10k and above Installment payment available for customer Contact : 018 2175363 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PROMINENT POTENCE SDN. BHD. (Registration No. 200701010836 [768839-X]) (Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, a FINAL MEETING of the members of the above Company will be held at No. 12, Jalan Bidara 1/KS6, Bandar Botanic, 41200 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan on 15th August 2023 at 11.30 a.m. for the following purpose :- 1. Having an account laid before them showing the manner in which the winding-up of the Company has been conducted and the assets of the Company disposed off and hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator 2. Directing the manner in which the books of accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off pursuant to Seksyen 518 (3) (b) of the Companies Act 2016. KOH WAAN (Liquidator) Selangor Darul Ehsan Date : 13th July 2023 Note : 1. A member entitled to attend and vote at this Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead; such proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. 2. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited to Liquidator’s address at No. 12, Jalan Bidara 1/ KS6, Bandar Botanic, 41200 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, not less than 48 hours before the time of meeting or adjourned meeting. 252 Distributors Agents Wanted 322 Notices PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the strata title to the property known as Parcel No. 01, Storey No. 01 designated as RI-01-01, Kondominium Relau Indah, Pulau Pinang bearing assessment address No. 2-1-01, Persiaran Bukit Jambul 1, 11900 Pulau Pinang (“the Property”) has been issued and is in the process of being transferred to KOMALAM A/P PALANY and GOWRI A/P MUNIYANDE (Administratrix of the Estate of MUNIYANDE A/L MUNIYAN, deceased). Any person or persons, banks and financial institutions, authority or authorities having any objection, claim, right, title, interest, charge, lien, litigation, mortgage or dispute in respect of the Transfer of the said Property should give notice of the same in writing supported by documentary evidence to Choy & Associates as stated below within seven (7) days from the date of publication of this notice failing which the Transfer of the Property shall be completed without further notice. Choy & Associates 3rd Floor, Wisma Penang Garden 42, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah 10050 Georgetown, Penang Tel: 04-2282550 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF ZOF TECHNIK SDN. BHD. Registration No. 200601037813 (757573-D) (Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, a FINAL MEETING of the members of the above Company will be held at No. 64, Jalan Teluk Batu 10, Off Jalan Kebun, Seksyen 36, 40470 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan on 15th August 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purpose :- 1. Having an account laid before them showing the manner in which the winding-up of the Company has been conducted and the assets of the Company disposed off and hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator 2. Directing the manner in which the books of accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off pursuant to Seksyen 518 (3) (b) of the Companies Act 2016. SOH WEE CHONG (Liquidator) Selangor Darul Ehsan Date : 13th July 2023 Note : 1. A member entitled to attend and vote at this Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead; such proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. 2. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited to Liquidator’s address at No. 64, Jalan Teluk Batu 10, Off Jalan Kebun, Seksyen 36, 40470 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, not less than 48 hours before the time of meeting or adjourned meeting. Brad speaks out after Max Pitt-lane snub BRAD PITT has spoken about his joy at making a new F1 film, describing it as “the best time of my life”. The Hollywood superstar was at Silverstone at the weekend, shooting race scenes for the unnamed movie which could be called Apex. Not everyone on the British Grand Prix grid, namely Max Verstappen, was particularly happy with Pitt being there though. Pitt’s presence saw scenes shot including him driving a specially adapted F2 car in between the real-life race sessions. Sky Sports grid reporter and former F1 driver Martin Brundle caught up with Pitt in the production crew’s dedicated pit lane garage to see what he made of it all. “I’m a little giddy right now, I’ve got to say. And it’s just great to be here, man. We’re just having such a laugh, such a laugh. It’s the best time of my life,” Pitt said to Brundle. “Listen, it’s all been great. I mean, the vibe is amazing, you know that, but just to get to be a part of it in this way, and get to tell our story, and everyone’s been really cool with us.” In the film, Pitt plays a retired racing driver who is recalled by his friend – the owner of a lowperforming F1 team – to help nurture the talents of a young prodigy. “I would be a guy who raced in the nineties,” he told Brundle. “In fact, I would have been on the track with you at some point! “He has a horrible crash, kind of craps out and disappears and then is racing in other disciplines. And then his friend played by Javier Bardem is a team owner. “They’re a last place team, they’re 21 and 22 on the grid, they’ve never scored a point. And they have a young phenom played by Damson Idris. And he brings me in as a kind of a Hail Mary. And hijinks ensue.” The presence of Pitt, Idris and the Hollywood film crew appeared to have been well received by the F1 circus at Silverstone except for reigning world champion Verstappen, who did not appear too fussed about the sideshow on race day. – Express Newspapers Fury to box ex-UFC champion Ngannou TYSON FURY will box ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in a seismic crossover fight in Saudi Arabia in October, it has been announced. Fury, who reigns as WBC heavyweight champion, has been struggling to find an opponent for his next title defence and will stay active by boxing Ngannou, one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts, in Riyadh on Oct 28. Per a press release shared yesterday, the fight will be contested “under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system”. “Both fighters, however, are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, go to war, and win by knockout in devastating fashion.” It was not stated that Fury’s WBC title will be on the line, or that the fight will count towards his professional record. Bangladesh avoid Afghanistan whitewash LITON DAS top-scored with 53 not out as Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets to avoid a series whitewash in yesterday’s third and final oneday international in Chittagong. The hosts raced to 129-3 in 23.3 overs after Shoriful Islam’s career best 4-21 helped them bowl out Afghanistan for 126 in 45.2 overs. Tail-ender Azmatullah Omarzai offered some late resistance for Afghanistan to top-score with 56, his maiden ODI fifty. Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi gave Afghanistan a glimmer of hope, bowling out Naim Sheikh for a duck and Najmul Hossain for 11. Liton and Shakib Al Hasan put on 61 runs for the third wicket to steady the innings and bring Bangladesh back into control. Shakib fell to Mohammad Nabi after making a run-a-ball 39, but Liton, who struck three fours and two sixes in his 60-ball innings, took Bangladesh home. England keep faith with Bairstow ENGLAND have kept faith with Jonny Bairstow as the wicketkeeper retained his place in a 14-man squad for next week’s fourth Test against Australia. Bairstow has endured a difficult series behind the stumps, missing eight chances in the first three Tests. There have been calls for Surrey’s Ben Foakes to replace Bairstow as wicketkeeper, but captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum remain supportive of the Yorkshire player. After winning the third Test in Leeds by three wickets on Sunday to keep their Ashes hopes alive, England have named the same group for next Wednesday’s clash in Manchester. BRIEFS Brad Pitt. – REUTERSPIX
22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 SPORTS /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System) RM263,374 RM293,875 won on 09/07/2023 ! Toto 4D Jackpot 1 (i-System) Toto 4D Jackpot 2 RM91,416 5663/2023 12/07/2023 (WED) 7118 1284 2857 6405 7359 5743 9535 5371 3403 6905 7748 9084 9410 6508 9800 0182 6903 6191 2541 7314 2760 2691 7411 26,033,331.68 7118 7118 7118 2857 2857 1284 2857 2857 1284 1284 7118 1284 351,740.95 7118 1284 2857 MONKEY 24655 23863 3863 863 70967 6 3 8 5 242985 42985 2985 985 24298 2429 242 2 4 7,736,071.81 4,427,813.17 1610 23 24 48 50 214,020.56 3 5 9 17 40 52 10 21 23 25 36 44 32 18,588,397.21 404 993 + HORSE 843 573 + RABBIT 403 490 +MONKEY Draw Date: 12/07/23 (Wed) Draw No: 5610/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 4993 3573 3490 3191 + 1732 4305 + 3751 9078 + 6488 1269 + 5881 0763 + 5016 3590 + 5606 8727 + 6013 5592 + 6999 6500 + 2747 6011 + 9172 RM14,472,121.30 4993 + 3573 3573 + 4993 4993 + 3490 3490 + 4993 3573 + 3490 3490 + 3573 RM135,968.00 RM2,043,613.00 RM1,586,527.70 RM2,496,754.20 793 191 741 732 254 305 633 751 589 078 516 488 231 269 415 881 740 763 895 016 643 590 545 606 798 727 876 013 145 592 446 999 996 500 622 747 776 011 279 172 993 573 490 RM818,135.30 993 + 573 + 490 573 + 490 + 993 993 + 490 + 573 490 + 993 + 573 573 + 993 + 490 490 + 573 + 993 1+3D Jackpot 2 RM138,181.80 won on 9/7/2023! KUDA 12072023 WAN Svitolina’s fairytale run continues Ukrainian stuns world No. 1 Swiatek to reach Wimbledon semifinals AFTER almost three hours of understanding her role and executing a calculated game plan to perfection, Elina Svitolina was suddenly at a loss to explain what she had achieved. In stunning the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek to reach the Wimbledon semifinals, the Ukrainian wildcard, who only returned to tennis three months ago after becoming a mother, continued her fairytale comeback run in a story that is becoming bigger than the tournament. It could become greater still. There will be no overshadowing this. After knocking out Victoria Azarenka in the previous round, delivering a victory for Ukraine against Belarus in a three-set thriller that was dominated afterwards by the Wimbledon crowd booing Azarenka off the court, Svitolina produced an even stronger performance against Swiatek. It’s a seismic shock, delivered by a wildcard with nothing to lose and who no longer sees tennis as the most important thing in her life. But that, perhaps, is the explanation behind Svitolina’s remarkable run. “I think war made me stronger,” Svitolina said. “Mentally I don’t take difficult situations as like a disaster. There are worse things in life. “I think also, because I’m just started to play again, I have different pressures. “Of course, I want to win. I have this motivation, like huge motivation, to come back to the top. “But I think having a child, and war, made me a different person. I look at the things a bit differently.” Back in Ukraine, Svitolina’s run at Wimbledon is headline news. The country stops to watch her play, children huddling around phones, bringing some light into the darkness. “I know that lots of people back in Ukraine are watching,” Svitolina said. “I’m happy I can bring little happiness to their life.” She was inspired by the opportunity to give Ukrainians a moment of celebration in difficult times. “I think she played with more freedom and more guts,” said Swiatek. “I think overall having Grand Slam title would be pretty amazing for her. She’s coming back after becoming a mother. “I think, yeah, I’ll root for her, especially because we like each other as people. I told her on the net that I hope she win this tournament. “You know how it is in tennis: it’s tough to win a Grand Slam. I know that for sure she wants it really bad. So I will be rooting for her.” Reigning French Open and US Open champion Swiatek’s game also misfired in the fourth round as she saved match points against Belinda Bencic before turning things around. Yesterday her forehand in particular went missing. “For sure it wasn’t as good as on previous matches,” she said. “I didn’t feel today like I could play my best game. But I gave my all in everything that I could do today. “I think Elina was just overall playing aggressively and giving it all in every shot… she also put pressure on me.” – The Independent/Agencies Phone call to husband inspires Marketa MARKETA VONDROUSOVA revealed an impromptu pep talk from her husband helped inspired her stunning Wimbledon quarterfinal comeback win over world No. 4 Jessica Pegula. The 2019 French Open finalist was trailing 3-1 in the deciding set against the American when play was suspended for more than 20 minutes to allow the Court One roof to be closed due to forecasted rain. Vondrousova spoke on the phone with spouse Stepan Simek during the unexpected stoppage and, once play resumed, battled back from 4-1 and a break point down to continue her greatest run at the All England Club with a gripping 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 success. The 24-year-old was in tears following a victory which sets up a semifinal clash with Elina Svitolina and admits the break was beneficial. “I actually didn’t see my coach,” she said of the weather delay. “I was alone in the waiting room. “I chatted a bit with my husband. We talked on the phone. He just said, ‘try to fight, you are playing good, you are playing a great match’. “That was it. I think the break helped actually. It was good. “She had break points for 5-1. You are not in a good mood. I just kept belief in myself. “After the match point, I couldn’t believe it. I just couldn’t hold the tears.” Pegula, playing in her sixth grand slam quarterfinal, looked certain to reach a first major career singles semifinal until the intermission. The 29-year-old appeared unhappy about the decision to halt proceedings and soon had further reason to feel irked after her Czech opponent rattled off five games on the bounce in a dramatic twist under the roof. Pegula felt the closure of the roof was a crucial turning point. “It was, like, the perfect time (for Vondrousova),” she said. “It definitely changed momentum because I totally had the momentum going to serve that 4-1 game. “I still had chances with the roof closed. She played solid. She literally didn’t miss for, like, the next five games, whatever it was. (It) sucks to lose that way, having the lead in the third.” – The Independent █ JAMIE BRAIDWOOD █ ED ELLIOT Elina Svitolina celebrates winning a point against Iga Swiatek during their women’s singles quarterfinals match. – AFPPIX
23 SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 13, 2023 Arsenal in race against time Deadline looming for Gunners to confirm new signings for pre-season tour ARSENAL are facing a race against time in their bid to announce a clubrecord £105 million (RM620m) transfer of Declan Rice from West Ham in an ideal fashion. The Gunners have had a deal agreed with the Hammers for over a week but supporters have grown agitated that no confirmation has been made by the club. The London Evening Standard have claimed that medicals for both Rice and Jurrien Timber have been completed ahead of their proposed moves, which in addition to Kai Havertz would see Arsenal reach £200m (RM1.18m) spent already this summer. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu have moved quickly in order to get their signings in place for a full preseason under the Spanish boss. Rice and Timber are both set to be announced as Arsenal players this week, but there is a race against time to do so before the Gunners set off for their trips to the USA and Germany. The Gunners will take on Nurnberg today before then jetting off stateside for three friendlies against the MLS All Stars, Manchester United and Barcelona. Rice is set to miss the Germany camp, having been given extended time off due to his international commitments with England and also cutting his holiday short to finalise a move to the Emirates. However, he is expected to join up with his new teammates in the US, providing the finishing touches on his contract have been approved. Having already made a significant outlay in the opening few weeks of the transfer window, should Arteta wish to bolster his squad any further it may have to come at the expense of outgoings. Another midfielder is being eyed by the club after Rice, as Thomas Partey could follow Granit Xhaka out of the club – with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia high up on the shortlist. But amid rival interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, the Belgian teenager is set to cost as much as £50m (RM295m) and sales would be necessary for Arsenal to compete for his signature. Attention is set to be turned towards outgoings, with Folarin Balogun expected to headline the departures. The striker, who spent last season on an impressive loan with Ligue 1 side Reims, has been told that he can leave for a fee of £50m, which could fund a move for Lavia or another midfield target. While the likes of Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pepe and Cedric Soares are among the fringe players expected to end their north London stays. Arteta will be looking to finalise his squad sooner rather than later in order to get a full pre-season with the vast majority of the team, as he alongside the Arsenal fanbase will be hoping that the signings of Rice and Timber are confirmed in the near future. – The Independent Ratcliffe ‘exploring different club’ if United takeover fails FOOTBALL finance expert Kieran Maguire thinks Sir Jim Ratcliffe is eyeing Barcelona as the INEOS chief looks to acquire Manchester United. The Briton is hopeful of fending off competition from Sheikh Jassim Al-Thani to seize power at Old Trafford. However, with the Glazers yet to indicate their preferred bidder, it’s unclear what will happen. Ratcliffe is eager to acquire United, having missed out on purchasing Chelsea to Todd Boehly last year. And having recently revealed he’d been interested in purchasing Barcelona, football finance expert Maguire thinks it’s feasible the 70-year-old will revive interest. However, Maguire also thinks it will be tricky for Ratcliffe to own Barcelona due to their current structure. “Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking for some sort of legacy in terms of investing in the football industry,” he told Football Insider. “The French football market really isn’t big enough to make a global splash and therefore he has to look for an elite club to make his mark. “Barcelona would be an alternative to Man United if he loses the current takeover bid. “However, I think it would be very difficult to get past the current model, which is membership driven. “Secondly, from the perspective of the Catalan fans who own Barcelona, they could have doubts about an overseas owner taking charge. “While it is unlikely, it is no doubt something he is exploring and given the financial challenges that Barcelona face, you can never say never.” Ratcliffe revealed recently that he’d been eyeing Barcelona, saying: “They were planning to sell off the club’s television rights. “We told them, ‘Don’t do it – we’ll put in two or three billion, renovate the Nou Camp and have 50% ownership – and sign a deed to say we’d never sell. “Our interest was in football alone, not making money. I think it would have worked. “We talked about it but, in the end, they didn’t think they could go to the fans with it. The road they are going down is a disaster. “They have now sold a chunk of the TV rights, and merchandising rights, for the next 25 years. “They’ve sold them to American hedge funds. So they’ve got this big slug of cash, which they can now… waste.” And Ratcliffe also revealed he was still hoping to own United, despite Sheikh Jassim appearing to be the frontrunner in the race to buy the club. “We still very much would like to do it. There is still a process, we are in the process,” he said.” – Express Newspapers Chelsea star Mudryk set for ‘private Pochettino talks’ MAURICIO POCHETTINO is hoping he can bring the best out of Mykhaylo Mudryk next season. The Ukrainian winger has had a tough start to life at Stamford Bridge since signing for the Blues in January for £89 million (RM525m). But Pochettino believes he carries significant potential and is “keen” to work one-on-one with the 22-year-old to help him find his feet in the Premier League, according to football insider Ben Jacobs. It is claimed that part of the focus will be on helping the winger be more vocal and culture-orientated. Mudryk will no doubt be pleased with the extra attention as he enters a do-or-die campaign with Chelsea. Another poor season could see him shipped out on loan or worse still sold in the following summer. Liverpool legend Stan Collymore believes Pochettino’s style of play will bring the best out of Mudryk. The Argentine tends to favour counterattacking football, which the youngster has become accustomed to during his time at Shakhtar Donetsk. Mudryk is at his best when he can break into open space and showed that in his Premier League debut against Liverpool. The Ukrainian turned James Milner inside out when he was given time to run at him with the ball and clocked the fastest speed run in the Premier League last season. However, if Pochettino can’t get a “tune out of Mudryk” then Collymore doesn’t fancy his chances of coming good. “Mauricio Pochettino is coming in though and he has a style of football that you would assume will benefit Mudryk,” Collymore told Caught Offside. “So, if the Argentine can’t get a tune out of him and we’re talking about him, in the same way, this time next year, then I think it’ll be time to worry. “But as for right now, I think he still has huge potential and next season I do expect him to show vast improvements in his individual game.” Mudryk failed to score in all 15 of his Premier League appearances for Chelsea last season and was named the biggest flop of the 2022-2023 campaign by ESPN. – Express Newspapers TOUCHLINES JUVENTUS and France midfielder Paul Pogba, 30, will be offered £128m over three years to join a club in Saudi Arabia. WEST HAM and Italy forward Gianluca Scamacca, 22, would be keen to work under Roma manager Jose Mourinho if he returns to Serie A. NAPOLI president Aurelio de Laurentiis thinks only Paris StGermain have the financial power to meet his valuation of 150m euros for 24-year-old Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen. BOURNEMOUTH are ahead of Tottenham, West Ham and Wolves in the pursuit of Bristol City’s 19- year-old English midfielder Alex Scott. SWEDEN striker Viktor Gyokeres, 25, is set to leave Coventry for Sporting Lisbon, with the Championship club anticipating a fee of up to £20m. CHELSEA are preparing an offer for Lyon’s 19-year-old French forward Rayan Cherki. CHELSEA have delayed Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and PierreEmerick Aubameyang’s return to training. Belgium forward Lukaku, 30, is aiming for a return to Inter Milan, Gabon striker Aubameyang, 34, is wanted by clubs in Europe and Morocco winger Ziyech, 30, is interesting clubs in the Saudi Pro League. EVERTON are interested in 21-yearold Manchester United and Sweden forward Anthony Elanga. £1 = RM5.90 Declan Rice
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] NOVAK DJOKOVIC had a message to the pretenders to his grand slam crown after beating Andrey Rublev to reach another Wimbledon semifinal – “It ain’t happening.” The Serbian’s 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 victory on Centre Court sent him through to the last four at a major for the 46th time, equalling Roger Federer’s all time men’s record, and extended his winning run at Wimbledon to 33 matches. Djokovic is now only two wins away from a 24th grand slam title and, although this performance was not quite perfect, it was another demonstration of what it will take to stop the 36-year-old lifting the trophy for an eighth time. Asked how it felt to be the man always with a target on his back, Djokovic said: “I love it. Any tennis player wants to be in the position where everyone wants to win against you. “Pressure is a privilege, as Billie Jean (King) said. It’s never going to go away. “It awakens the most beautiful emotions in me and it motivates me beyond what I’ve ever dreamed of and inspires me to play my best tennis. “I know they want to get a scalp, they want to win, but it ain’t happening. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but of course I would consider myself the favourite,” Djokovic said. “Judging with the results I had in my career here, previous four occasions of Wimbledon that I won, I do consider (myself) the favourite.” After surviving a serving barrage from Hubert Hurkacz across two days in the fourth round, Djokovic was forced to rally from a set down yesterday against Rublev. The second seed extended his 4-1 head to head lead against Rublev, who Djokovic has beaten three consecutive times, including at this year’s Australian Open. But the Serbian feels that the World No. 7 brought a new level to SW19. “It was like a dogfight. At some points of the match were so long and exhausting. “Those games at the end of the third set (is) where basically the match was decided. “I felt like huge relief when I won the third set, and in the fourth again made the crucial break and held my nerves till the end. “For sure the best quality tennis Rublev has played that I have faced him in the previous matches in Grand Slams.” Rublev played a terrific match yet landed only a glancing blow on Djokovic, with the Russian now the first man in the open era to have lost his first eight slam quarterfinals. If Rublev struggles to get to sleep, it may well be because of the third set, where he certainly had his chances but could not take them. He was left with mixed feelings after the defeat, saying: “I think (it’s) my first quarterfinal that I feel proud of myself. “Then, of course, you wanted to win. I was doing everything to try to win this match.” The 25-year-old was the first Russian player to make a statement against the invasion of Ukraine, writing “No war please” on the camera lens after a match in Dubai last February. He was hugely appreciative of the backing he received on his return to Wimbledon, saying: “I felt really great support during all these two weeks. To be from the country where I am, to have this support, it’s special. “I feel sometimes I don’t deserve it or something like that. I’m really grateful for this. “It’s not (feeling) guilty. It’s more just the situation is terrible. Of course, you don’t wish this to anyone. “You want these terrible things to be able to finish as fast as possible for all the people in the world just to have a chance to have a good life.” – The Independent/Agencies or download app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Read iPaper at www.thesundaily.my FREE access Interactive THURSDAY • JULY 13, 2023 I know they want my scalp but it ain’t happening: Djokovic █ ELEANOR CROOKS The Kane paradox MILE JEDINAK was the winner. The new-look Tottenham Hostpur backroom staff had wondered which question to Ange Postecoglou at his unveiling would first raise the issue of Harry Kane’s future. The answer was the third one: sooner than Postecoglou had expected, but exactly what former Crystal Palace captain Jedinak had predicted. Because Kane’s future dominates not just the debate, but the context of Postecoglou’s first summer and debut season in N17. “What’s important in the long term goes beyond individuals,” the Australian tried to argue. “It’s more about the overriding philosophy.” In the broader picture, he is right: Tottenham require a reboot as well as a rebuild. After the ill-fated dalliances with Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, the flawed thinking that managers who were a byword for success elsewhere would bring silverware to Spurs, Tottenham require an end to the emptiness and unhappiness. “The reason I am here is the club is seeking change, in direction and the way we do things, and that usually involves personnel,” Postecoglou reflected. “There will be some players who won’t be here and others who will come in.” But gazes will be directed at the exit to see if one particular footballer goes. “I don’t think it is my role to sit there and treat people in a manner because of their circumstances,” Postecoglou said. “I’m really big on treating everyone the same.” Which is admirable in principle but harder to maintain in practice: not here and now, anyway. The ethos matters but Kane’s status is such that one individual assumes a disproportionate significance. He feels bigger than Spurs now. Kane is yet to turn 30 and has 280 goals for Tottenham; that the previous club record belonged to Jimmy Greaves shows how prestigious it is. That Bayern Munich are bidding for him is one of many signs of the stature of England’s record scorer and the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner. And he is at a club whose last trophy came in 2008 and who, despite his 30 goals, only finished eighth last season. The juxtaposition of Kane and Spurs has never been greater. “He has already entrenched himself in the history of the football club,” Postecoglou said. “He is one of the premier strikers in the world and I want him involved here. “My conversation with him will be about how we make this club successful and I have no doubt that’s what he wants as well.” Whether Kane wants that enough to stay is a different matter; if Postecoglou could convince a player who could have a lucrative free transfer and his choice of clubs next summer to sign a new contract it would be a major triumph of his persuasive powers. For Kane, the equation could be different in 2024 and it is no secret his high-profile admirers include Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino. “What I want is to introduce myself to Harry and give him my vision of the football club,” the former Celtic manager said. And if that does not work, Daniel Levy’s obduracy may ensure Kane spends another year in north London but could cost Tottenham a fortune if they spurn Bayern’s offers now and get nothing in 2024. Whether Kane stays for this season will help define Postecoglou’s immediate task but the 57- year-old does not know what will happen. “I haven’t had any assurances and I wouldn’t expect any assurances,” Postecoglou said. It is a pragmatic position but also an illustration that everything is up in the air. The problems of Tottenham’s past have compounded the importance of Kane. They are a team who only got one more point than Brentford last season, despite the potency of one of the world’s best strikers. And for now, Ange Postecoglou is waiting to discover if he will keep him. – The Independent █ RICHARD JOLLY Novak Djokovic celebrates winning against Andrey Rublev during their men’s singles quarterfinals at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon yesterday. – AFPPIX Postecoglou makes pitch to skipper to be part of Tottenham rebuild Harry Kane