The Sun 13042023

PETALING JAYA: The government should increase its revenue base by improving and extending the tax system, said Universiti Utara Malaysia economics professor Dr K. Kuperan Viswanathan. He told theSun that there was a rapid expansion of government-linked companies and public authorities in the 1970s and 1980s, but the government is now facing difficulty maintaining them as the current tax system does not provide adequate revenue to do so. “One of the options available is to raise revenue through the Goods and Services Tax (GST). But this system is regressive as the rich and poor pay the same percentage of tax, which becomes a burden to lower-income families.” Kuperan said a possible solution is for the government to develop a system in which some of the GST is redirected to lower-income groups to help them deal with the tax and to improve their living conditions. He said the government could not perpetually rely on Petronas for funds, although it is common to utilise natural resources to meet national expenditure. “The government can follow the example of other countries and set up an investment fund which, in the long run, will provide revenue to help it in its budget planning. “There is still time to go down that route,” he said, adding that highly experienced individuals will be needed to run such a fund to ensure profitability. Pointing out that Petronas contributes some 10% to 15% towards the government’s budget, he said Malaysia’s petroleum reserves for oil and gas resources are projected to last another 15 years only, according to the Reserve Life Index calculation. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, in a written reply in Parliament, said as of Jan 1 last year, Malaysia’s probable and proven reserves of petroleum totalled 6.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent. She said this could be optimised and stretched to over 40 years with high capital investment, new technology, as well as a more stable and competitive investment landscape. Azalina said 70% of the oil and gas fields in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak had been awarded to companies for exploration and development. The dividend for last year was only RM50 billion, despite crude oil prices averaging US$100.93 a barrel. Indirect taxes amounted to RM41 billion in 2019, which was close to the dividend payout by Petronas. Think-tank Emir Research president Dr Rais Hussin said the country should strengthen the oil and gas (O&G) sector by enhancing the attractiveness of existing energy and petrochemical hubs, increasing and intensifying exploration in the South China Sea and offshore deepwater elsewhere in the world. He said the objective is to maximise output and include a robust stockpiling policy and infrastructure for a rainy day. “Diversify and expand the O&G sector by transforming Petronas and its subsidiaries from an O&G or oil and energy company into a global industrial conglomerate. “It should not be limited to expansion and investments in the energy and renewable energy business and assets, but also renewable chemicals, petrochemicals, materials and other businesses. “The term ‘core’ business must be wider and more flexible to quickly adapt to market forces and disruptions.” He said strengthening the palm oil sector was also important as it would likely remain a major food oil for the world and as a base oil for various products. He pointed out that palm oil mills generate methane biogas or renewable natural gas, while oil palm plantations and mills generate biomass (palm residues) that can be used for power generation and other renewables, such as fuels, chemicals and materials. “Key economic sectors also need to move oEconomists call for improvements to tax system, setting up of investment fund, diversifying and expanding O&G sector, and strengthening of palm oil industry █ BYRAJVINDER SINGH [email protected] Boosting govt coffers INSIDE TELLING IT AS IT IS ON THURSDAY APRIL 13, 2023 No. 8249 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my GOODIES GALORE ... Trader Muhammad Faizal Nasrul with an array of Hari Raya snacks at his stall in Section 7, Shah Alam. His bestsellers include custard, butter and chocolate almond cookies and pineapple tarts. – WAN MIRZA ISKANDAR/THESUN from lower-value, high-volume commodities or simpler products to higher-value end-user products to reap more from the value chain.” Rais said institutional reforms and good governance are key to major structural reforms and will need to be undertaken to ensure justice, equity, talent availability and good governance. “Without these, policies and strategies will not be successfully or sustainably implemented. Policies must become needs-based, instead of discriminatory, arbitrary or based on knee-jerk reactions,” he said. ‘Don’t be duped by 2 fake Datuks’ page Volunteers bring relief to 3 less fortunate page

2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Beware of individuals with fake ‘Datuk’ titles, public told PETALING JAYA: The Council of Datuk Dato’ Malaysia has warned the public not to fall for those claiming to have such titles but to verify their authenticity. Its secretary-general Datuk Samson David Maman said using fake titles is nothing new, adding that many of those who use fake titles believe it would give them easy access to the powers that be and they will be accepted by the upper echelons of society. Samson pointed out that titles can only be awarded and revoked by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultans and the Yang di-Pertua Negeri. “When a state title is given out, it is the sole prerogative of the sultan, while for federal titles, the government has a process where a person can apply based on his contributions, for example, to society or sports. “Titles are usually given to those who are above 45 years and have contributed to the nation. People should be careful when anyone oThose involved in such unscrupulous behaviour believe their actions would put them in company of VIPs, says council sec-gen █ BYRAJVINDER SINGH [email protected] with a title approaches them. The younger they are the more cautious a person should be. “Anyone can check if a person has a title by visiting the government website, istiadat.gov.my, and keying in their name. “Some, who already have the title of Datuk, cannot wait to get a Datuk Seri or Tan Sri title and are willing to buy fake ones.” He said buying or selling a fake title is an offence and the public should be wary when someone approaches them to obtain a title for which they have to pay money. Samson said it is likely the title could be fake as a person can only officially become a Datuk at an investiture ceremony. “There have been instances where supposed royal title award ceremonies were organised at hotels, which is akin to the presentation of fake titles because investiture ceremonies are not held at such venues.” Samson said the Awards Act 2017 and the Emblems and Names Act (Amendment) 2016 were introduced to fight fake awards and protect royal institutions after people claiming to be members of royal families, such as the self-proclaimed “Sultan” of Malacca and King of Borneo, Sulu and Mindanao gave out titles. Under the Awards Act 2017, soliciting awards or trying to sell fake awards is punishable with a fine of up to RM500,000 or 20 years’ jail. Under the Emblems and Names (Amendment) Act, the offender can be fined RM20,000 or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both, as compared with a fine of just RM1,000 before the amendment, for the improper use of emblems, names and pictorial representations. Samson said previously people were using royal emblems on their cars and if caught, they only had to pay an RM1,000 fine. But now, police often question those using royal emblems on their vehicles. “The media, too, has a role to play. They must check whether the person they are talking to or interviewing has a proper title and not a fake one. This has happened to a media outlet. “A person claiming to be a ‘Datuk’ frequently appeared and gave comments on issues, but checks by the council found the person was using the similar name of another Datuk. When exposed he did not seem to care about it.” Samson wondered how people with fake titles would explain the situation to family members when they are caught. He said those using fake emblems, names and pictorial representations will have action taken against them. Raya price controls for 30 items from April 15 to 30 PUTRAJAYA: The festive season maximum price control scheme for Aidilfitri involving 30 items will be implemented for 16 days from this Saturday until April 30. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the items included six types of goods under the chicken and eggs category, controlled under the maximum price of chicken and eggs which came into force on Feb 5 last year. The items controlled under the scheme are local beef (except for tenderloin), imported beef, imported buffalo meat from India, ikan kembung (mackerel), ikan selayang (sardines), ikan tongkol and ikan demudok. Tomatoes, red chillies, imported round cabbage, long beans, cucumbers, mustard greens, imported old ginger, imported red onions, yellow onions, Chinese garlic, Indian red Salahuddin showing the list of pricecontrolled items at the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Putrajaya yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Govt holding RM11 billion in unclaimed money PUTRAJAYA: There is about RM11 billion in unclaimed money belonging to the public as of last March, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He said the amount was out of the RM14.1 billion received by the Accountant-General’s Department from companies or firms in accordance with Section 8 of the Unclaimed Money Act from 1977 to last month. He said of the total, about RM3.2 billion in savings accounts, insurance and deposits had been refunded to its owners. “A large portion of the RM11 billion in unclaimed money has been invested by the government in fixed deposits in accordance with the Financial Procedure Act 1957, and the interest earned from fixed deposits is accounted for in the Consolidated Revenue Account. “From that fixed deposit, we (have managed to earn) RM250 million in interest and we will use that money for the people,” he told reporters yesterday. Ahmad said unclaimed money is defined as money that is legally payable to the owner but has remained unpaid for a period of not less than one year, money standing to the credit of an account that has not been operated in whatever manner by the owner for a period of not less than seven years and money to the credit of a trade account that has remained dormant for a period of not less than two years. He urged owners of the unclaimed money to claim their money by submitting an application through the eGUMIS portal, at department counters nationwide or by mail sent directly to the Putrajaya office. According to him, the eGUMIS portal launched in 2020 received about 17.2 million visitors as of last month with the number of registered users being almost 4.4 million. He said the government intends to amend the the Unclaimed Money Act, involving the period of transfer to the Consolidated Revenue Account from 15 years to 10 years, to redefine “unclaimed money” according to Sections 8(a) and 8(c) of the Act and the amount of fines imposed on companies or firms for non-compliance. “This Act has not been amended for a long time,” he said, adding that the government expects to table the proposed amendments at the end of this year. – Bernama onions, imported potatoes, dried chillies, peanuts and coconuts, including grated coconuts. “The implementation period is appropriate according to the current situation and creates a win-win situation for consumers and traders. Consumers get reasonable prices and traders are not stressed by the long implementation period.” Salahuddin said the ministry did not plan to extend the implementation period as 16 days are sufficient, adding that the prices of subsidised goods such as cooking oil, chicken, eggs, flour and sugar will remain fixed after that. He said the list of items, the maximum price and the festive season maximum price control scheme implementation period were determined based on several factors, including the weather, the global economy, foreign currency exchange rates, wage rates, and supply and demand. He said the price controls will be enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, which allows for price determinations to be made. – Bernama New name for ministry KUALA LUMPUR: The International Trade and Industry Ministry has been rebranded and will now be known as the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. The ministry said the rebranding is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision during the Cabinet meeting on April 5. “This is in keeping with the ministry’s function as the leader in driving and encouraging inflows of foreign investments, enhancing local investments, strengthening international trade and empowering sustainable industrial development,” it said in a statement yesterday. The decision was also in line with the government’s aspiration to boost investment promotion activities as outlined by the National Investment Aspiration for the continuation of the national economic redevelopment in accordance with the Madani government framework. “The ministry remains committed to attracting new quality and high-impact investments, expanding the international trade network and strengthening the existing industrial sector as the main contributor to the economic development for the well-being of the people and the business sector, especially the small and medium enterprises.” – Bernama Ministry to probe exploitation of worker allegation KUALA LUMPUR: Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar has ordered an investigation into a recent allegation of exploitation made by a delivery rider against a food delivery service company. Sivakumar tweeted that a ministry officer will contact the company for further investigation. “I have taken note (of it) and have instructed my officer to investigate and resolve this issue immediately,” he posted on Twitter yesterday. Media outlets reported that the rider, Muhd Saifuddin Mustafa, 28, expressed disappointment and claimed that the wages he received were only RM500 and not RM800 as they should be. The video of his allegation was uploaded on TikTok on the account saifulxander that has received 900,000 views so far. – Bernama

3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 Volunteers bring relief to less fortunate in Klang KLANG: In 2013, a group of independent volunteers came together to form Feeding the Needy (FTN), after noticing that many in the Klang district needed food, clothes and other items. The volunteers would converge near a Klang furniture shop each night to assist the less fortunate. “We give them used clothes and beverages, as well as cooked food and groceries. “Each night, about 80 to 100 people, including those from the lower-income group and migrant workers, would come and collect the items, which cost us about RM800 daily,” said community service coordinator Mohana Kumar Suppiah, adding that the group started its work specifically to help those facing financial hardships and found it hard to afford a proper meal. “Their access to cooking (necessities) is also limited due to the high cost of living in the city. With the support of contributors, we have expanded our services by providing classes on character development for young individuals, free medical check-ups and also empowerment projects in schools.” Mohana Kumar said a team of 20 volunteers, including family members and friends of various ages and diverse backgrounds, have committed their time and efforts to help the needy. “Our team also comprises volunteers as young as eight years old. “We encourage boys and girls to take part so that they would be initiated in charitable work from a young age. “We also have university students and a differently-abled individual to participate in charitable activities.” However, Mohana Kumar said the group needs more volunteers and donors as the scope of their charity work has increased due to the economic downturn after the Covid-19 pandemic. Siti Rukhaiyah Safren, a volunteer since 2019, said she is happy to be part of the group, which is made up of several races and individuals of different religions. “We are sharing resources and spreading joy to the less fortunate. By doing so, we are giving back to the community, indirectly contributing to the government’s efforts to support those in need and alleviating their burden,” she said. The youngest volunteer, Amyra Hana Mohd Hadi Anuar, eight, said she wants to follow her mother’s footsteps as a volunteer. “I need to set a good example to get people to be involved in doing good deeds.” Mohamad Naeim Firdaus Erwan, 23, said getting youths involved in charity could bring new energy, creativity and perspectives of life, which would lead to a greater impact in the community. “I joined the group to be more involved in public service as I was fully occupied in online learning sessions during the pandemic. “I now use social media to reach out to my family and friends to be volunteers. “I target youths as they can bring a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and ideas to charity. I believe we can bring in more volunteers and contributors.” Norrimah Sharmen, 51, said she was grateful to be a volunteer at FTN. “Despite the challenges that I face daily, it is an impactful way to give back to the community. “Through this charitable work, I believe that I can make a difference in people’s lives and also break the stereotypes and misconceptions about what is possible for people with disabilities”, she told theSun. oCharitable group invests time, effort to distribute food, clothes and provide free medical check-ups to low-income earners, migrant workers EPF refutes speculation of cash crisis KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has refuted speculation of a cash crisis building up in the retirement fund, as well as claims of amendments to the EPF Act to prevent retirees from withdrawing their savings. In a statement, EPF said it has always maintained sufficient liquidity to meet all its obligations. It added that the sale and purchase of overseas assets was a normal part of its investment operations, while stressing that the move was not for the payment of premature withdrawals. “In fact, there has been a slow but steady increase in the EPF’s overall foreign exposure over the years, even during the Covid-19 crisis. Additionally, there is no truth to the speculation that the EPF Act 1991 will be amended to prevent retirees from withdrawing their savings,” it said. EPF issued the statement to refute speculation circulating via WhatsApp that referred to an article titled “Bank Negara says Malaysians could run out of savings 19 years too soon”, published by an international daily on April 7. “What Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has highlighted is the dire situation for retirees, even before the pandemic, due to structural issues such as low wages.” BNM said the median savings for the 51 to 55 age group would only last five years upon withdrawal at 55, and that has dropped to around three years after the pandemic related withdrawals. “The report further states that an average Malaysian would be at risk of depleting their retirement savings 19 years before death, with global life expectancy rising to above 77 by 2050,” it said. Millennials in the 26 to 40 age group are also likely to face significant financial challenges, as many of them are struggling to meet the EPF “Basic Savings” threshold of RM240,000. “The special pandemic related withdrawals have also resulted in significant reductions in the amount of retirement savings for members involved,” EPF said. As of March, 70.5% of the 7.2 million active formal sector members aged 18 to 55 do not meet the Basic Savings threshold by age, while 3.1 million (39%), who made special withdrawals and are aged below 55 as of January, have yet to start rebuilding their savings. – Bernama █ BYSIVANISVARRY MORHAN [email protected] FTN volunteers gather every night in Klang to distribute essentials to those facing financial hardship. Have good rapport with federal govt, Kedah MB urged ALOR STAR: Kedah Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has been urged to learn from his counterparts in Perlis and Kelantan, in maintaining good rapport with the federal government. Kedah Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar said if Muhammad Sanusi keeps being at loggerheads with the federal government, it will have a negative effect on Kedah residents, who want to see smooth development in the state. Mahfuz said Muhammad Sanusi should learn from those who are more experienced than him such as Perlis MB Mohd Shukri Ramli and Kelantan MB Datuk Ahmad Yakob. “It is a loss if it (disputes with the federal government) continues,” he said on Tuesday. Mahfuz added that any tension between the Kedah government and the federal government could be a cause of concern among existing or future investors in the state. He said Muhammad Sanusi should explain to the public his vision and mission to develop Kedah and not make allegations or create political sentiments for his own benefit. – Bernama Tengku Zafrul named Selangor Umno treasurer SHAH ALAM: Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has been appointed as Selangor Umno treasurer. The Selangor Umno liaison committee said its chairman Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin also appointed Datuk Abdul Mutalif Abdul Rahim as the state Umno liaison secretary and Datuk Dr Mohd Zaidi Md Zain as the state Umno information head. The appointments were made at the first meeting of the state Umno liaison committee on Tuesday. According to its statement, a stand was reached by Selangor Umno to continue its support for the unity government and to cooperate for the sake of the country’s stability. It also said Selangor Umno would set up a unity government committee to hold joint programmes under the state government leadership. Selangor Umno would also continue negotiations with Selangor Pakatan Harapan to determine the distribution of seats for the coming state election. – Bernama RM500,000 for management of mosques in Perlis KANGAR: The Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council is allocating RM505,000 for the management of 101 mosques in the state this year. In a statement yesterday, the council said the Regent of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail handed the financial aid to the respective mosques at the Qiam Ramadan event held at the Al-Ghufran Mosque, Batu Dua Lama Jalan Kaki Bukit on Tuesday. In his speech, the Regent, who is also the council president, expressed the need for management of mosques to ensure that all activities and programmes that are being carried out are relevant and have an impact on the community. Also present was council chief executive officer Mohd Nazim Mohd Noor. – Bernama

4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Cops recapture Indonesian escapees JOHOR BAHRU: Police have successfully recaptured two Indonesian male detainees who escaped yesterday while on their way from a Kota Tinggi court to Ledang Prison in Jalan Felda Inas, heading towards Sengkang. Kulai district police chief Supt Tok Beng Yeow said both men were found within 24 hours at two separate locations. Tok added that the distance between the locations was an estimated 1.5km, and both prisoners had discarded their lock-up uniforms and changed into jeans and T-shirts, believed to have been stolen. “Acting on information, the Intelligence and Operations Division of the Kulai district police headquarters rearrested Riki Rinaldi, 40, at Sengkang in Jalan Felda Inas-Kulai at 10.35pm on Tuesday. “The other escapee, Samirudin, 36, was nabbed at Taman Saga in Jalan Felda Inas-Kulai during a raid at 10.40am. Both escapees sustained light injuries as a result of jumping out of the van in their attempt to escape.” Tok said police have opened an investigation paper under Section 223 and Section 224 of the Penal Code, which provides imprisonment of two years or a fine, or both. – Bernama Man pleads guilty to abusing dog JOHOR BAHRU: A man pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court yesterday to a charge of committing cruelty to a dog. However, Judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim postponed sentencing on Braden Yap Hong Sheng to April 18 as his lawyer, G.K Sritharan, was away. The 19-year-old man was charged with causing undue pain to the dog in front of his premises at Taman Impian Emas in Skudai at 1.49am on March 27. The charge was framed under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, punishable under Section 29(1) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of three years, or both. The prosecution was conducted by Johor Veterinary Service Department prosecuting officer Mohd Zamri Shak @ Ishak. Earlier, lawyer P. Rajakunaseelan, who appeared in court on behalf of Sritharan, requested that sentencing be postponed. “The appointed lawyer is in the Philippines and would be back next week,” he said. - Bernama Applications to sell firecrackers declined KUANTAN: Pahang police rejected 50 applications to sell firecrackers and fireworks in conjunction with Hari Raya as of Monday, said state police chief Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf. He said the rejected applications were part of a total of 424 applications received, with 340 approved while another 34 were still in the approval process. “Among the reasons for the rejection were applicants having criminal records, no letter of support from other authorities, unsuitable place of sale and unregistered companies,” Ramli said. “Applications will also be rejected if the applicant is dealing in fireworks and firecrackers online or if any of them are storing supplies beyond the permissible amount,” he said. Ramli also advised those who have obtained a permit to sell fireworks to abide by the set rules, especially the sales period, which is 25 days before and five days after Aidilfitri. – Bernama Housewife duped of RM500,000 IPOH: Perak police received a report from an individual who claimed to have fallen victim to a phone scam involving a housewife in her 50s who lost nearly RM500,000. State police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the Kerian district police headquarters received the woman’s report last Saturday. “The incident happened in February after the woman received a call purportedly from an insurance company, that was later transferred to the ‘police’, claiming that she was involved in a false claim as well as a criminal case of extortion and illegal gambling,” he said. Mohd Yusri added that the scammers told the complainant that for investigation purposes, she needed to disclose her banking details to the “authorities” and transfer funds into another account. He said the housewife only realised that she had been duped when she confided the matter to her family members, following which it was found that her account was short of RM459,754. He advised the public to be more cautious and alert to the tactics of scammers, as many had fallen victim to such scams. “The public can also refer to the Kerian Operations Room at 05-721 2222 or call the CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599, or the National Scam Response Centre at 997,” he added. Last week, Mohd Yusri said a retired female teacher suffered losses of more than RM585,000 after being deceived by a syndicate that used the same modus operandi. – Bernama Marang to face water disruption during Aidilfitri KUALA TERENGGANU: A total of eight areas in the Marang district are expected to experience low water pressure during the Aidilfitri celebration. Syarikat Air Terengganu (Satu) chief executive officer Abdul Karim Endut said the areas are Kampung Durian Kasim, Bukit Kecil, Durian Pahit, Gong Balai, Pasir Putih, Alor Ketitir, Tok Fakir and Felda Rantau Abang l. He said Satu plans to place 34 static tanks to ensure that all affected residents get sufficient water supply. “This year, we have identified (the areas) early. It will involve (some) areas in Marang since the construction and water distribution works from the Kepong water treatment plant to the main tanks are ongoing. “However, the percentage (of areas affected) is small, involving 600 accounts,” he said. According to Abdul Karim, Satu also expects an increase in water consumption of 10 % to 15 %, Bernama reported. However, he gave an assurance that there would be no water supply disruption in other districts apart from Marang. “For your information, a week before and after Hari Raya, we will stop all work, such as maintenance, that may interfere with plant operations. It is to ensure there is no disruption to water production in the 16 plants we have across the state,” he said. Abdul Karim added that Satu supplies about 750 million of litres per day water to consumers throughout Terengganu. Ex-Perlis MB denies receiving RM1.06m unlawful proceeds KUALA LUMPUR: Former Perlis menteri besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court yesterday to five charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM1.06 million. Azlan, 64, made the plea after the charges were read out to him before Judge Azura Alwi. “I plead not guilty and claim trial,” Azlan said. According to the charges, Azlan is alleged to have received proceeds from unlawful activities totalling RM1,059,675.25 from Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd, Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd and Abdul Rahim Halim, on behalf of Aidil Travel. He is alleged to have received the money through three Maybank cheques and one CIMB cheque, which were deposited into his Maybank and CIMB accounts, and in cash from Abdul Rahim. He is charged with committing the offence at the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman Maybank branch, CIMB Bank branch in Putrajaya and Sheraton Imperial Hotel between Feb 19, 2014 and December 2017. All the charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act, Bernama reported. The section provides imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the proceeds of the illegal activity or RM5 million, whichever is higher. Azlan was Pauh assemblyman from 2013 to 2018, before winning the Bintong state seat in 2018. He failed to defend the seat in the Azlan leaving the Sessions Court yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC oSessions Court allows bail of RM50,000 in one surety, sets June 9 for mention of case 2022 general election. Azlan served as the Perlis menteri besar from 2013 to 2022. Azura allowed Azman bail of RM50,000 in one surety for all the charges and fixed June 9 for mention, as requested by DPP Ahmad Akram Gharib from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. Earlier, Ahmad Akram also told the court that the prosecution did not request additional conditions for the accused to surrender his passport because it had been handed to the Kangar Sessions Court last Monday. The DPP also informed the court that the prosecution would request for Azman’s case at the Kangar Sessions Court to be transferred to the Sessions Court here to be tried together. Azlan was represented by lawyer Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid. On April 10, Azlan pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court to five counts of submitting false overseas travel claims amounting to more than RM1.18 million between 2013 and 2017.

theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 5 KUALA LUMPUR: Great is more than a word to Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad and its agents. Great is the security that you provide to customers every day, the freedom that you bring to the pursuit of their dreams, and the confidence that you give them to face challenges. That is why Great Eastern believes great is the only thing worth reaching for, and why they are proud to recognise all 2,143 agents as Great Eastern Supremacy Summit Achievers! In supporting Malaysians to Reach for Great and protect them from all of life’s twists and turns, Great Eastern rolled out a new suite of innovative life, medical, cancer, critical illness and wealth accumulation products. This included value-added promotions and customer engagement events. With digital being the new normal, Great Eastern also introduced digital and hybrid versions of its signature Unit Manager Venture and Group Manager Venture leadership programmes to help you advance your careers. Great Eastern delivers on its promise to be great As Great Eastern press ahead in 2023, strengthening their digital infrastructure and upskilling agents’ professionalism continues to be key. By harnessing the power of digitisation, this will create a more seamless customer experience and develop innovative products, which will be used to protect Malaysians from the rising cost of hospitalisation, as well as build a financial legacy for generations. Great Eastern will also upgrade its training programmes, to future-proof agents to meet changing customer needs and trends. Chief Executive Officer of Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad, Dato Koh Yaw Hui, takes great pride in thanking all outstanding Supremacy Summit Achievers for their outstanding achievements as well as selfless commitment to customers. “We are constantly setting new standards to support customers with protection and financial goals at every life stage.” As Great Eastern celebrates its 115th anniversary, they will continue to put their customers and agents at the heart of all they do, and help them Reach for Great. For 115 years, Great Eastern provided Malaysians with financial protection for generations. Dato Koh Yaw Hui, Chief Executive Officer Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad

6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Taiwan says China planning to close airspace TAIPEI: China plans to close airspace north of Taiwan next week, the self-ruled island’s Defence Ministry said yesterday, which could disrupt flights in the region amid rounds of intense military drills by Beijing. When asked about an earlier Reuters report on the airspace’s closing, Yan Yu-hsien, deputy chief of the general staff for intelligence from Taiwan’s Defence Ministry, said the “no-fly zone” would fall within the country’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ), about 85 nautical miles north of its shores. “We all know that there are many international flights to Japan and the United States from Taiwan’s north,” Yan said, adding that the ministry was aware of the development and was closely monitoring it. An ADIZ is a section of international airspace countries can arbitrarily define as theirs to monitor. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he was unaware of the situation. Japan said yesterday China had notified it about a no-fly zone near Taiwan from April 16 to 18, saying it related to aerospace activities. The closings will coincide with a meeting of Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers scheduled to take place in Japan on the same dates. One senior government official with direct knowledge of the matter said the flight ban would affect 60% to 70% of flights between Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as flights between Taiwan and South Korea, Japan and North America. The official declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. When China imposed such restrictions during military drills last August, there were significant disruptions to flights in the region, with some aircraft required to carry extra fuel, according to OpsGroup, an aviation industry cooperative that advises on flight risks. Japanese authorities said there were no major flight cancellations to or from Japan during those drills. Earlier yesterday, China said President Tsai Ing-wen was pushing Taiwan into “stormy seas” after meeting with US House speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. Tsai said the trip, which included stops in Guatemala and Belize, showed Taiwan’s determination to defend freedom and democracy. “Tsai brought danger to Taiwan. Tsai almost completely sided the US, pushing Taiwan into stormy seas,” said China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Zhu Fenglian. Zhu said the drills around Taiwan were “a serious warning against the collusion and provocation of Taiwan independence separatist forces and external forces”. – Reuters Four soldiers dead in shooting at Indian base NEW DELHI: Four soldiers were shot dead yesterday in a pre-dawn incident at a military base in northern India, an army statement said. The incident was reported at 4.35am local time at the Bathinda military station in Punjab, a northern state where tensions have been high over the local resurgence of a separatist movement. “The area continues to be sealed off and joint investigations with Punjab police are being coordinated to establish the facts of the case,” the army statement said. Bathinda’s top police official G.S. Khurana told broadcaster NDTV that the incident did not appear to be a terror attack. Punjab has been on the edge since last month when authorities launched a manhunt for Sikh separatist preacher Amritpal Singh. Amritpal has in recent months rallied a huge following by demanding the creation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland, the struggle for which sparked deadly violence in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s. He remains at large after eluding despite a huge police dragnet involving thousands of officers and a statewide internet shutdown that lasted for several days. – AFP Air strike kills dozens in central Myanmar YANGON: Myanmar’s ruling junta has confirmed that it carried out an air strike on a village in which dozens of people were reported killed, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and Western powers. UN rights chief Volker Turk said he was “horrified” by the deadly air strike, whose victims he said included schoolchildren performing dances, with the global body calling for those responsible to be brought to justice. The death toll from the Tuesday morning strike on the remote oUN calls for those responsible to be brought to justice Vietnam jails political activist six years HANOI: A Hanoi court yesterday sentenced a prominent Vietnamese political activist to six years in prison for conducting anti-state activities, his lawyer said, in a case that has raised international concerns over the country’s treatment of dissidents. Nguyen Lan Thang, 48, participated in environmental and anti-China protests, voiced support for other jailed activists and wrote blogs about Vietnam’s socio-political issues, according to his social media accounts. The police said last year they arrested Nguyen on charges of “making, storing or distributing information, materials, documents to oppose the state of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, without providing further details. Nguyen will also be placed under house arrest for two years after he serves his sentence, lawyer Le Van Luan said after the closed-door trial session at the People’s Court of Hanoi. Authorities have convicted at least 163 people since 2018 for exercising their rights to freedom of expression or association under “vague or overbroad laws that criminalise protesting or criticising the government”, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). “Vietnam’s authorities systematically trample on human rights by punishing brave bloggers like Nguyen for expressing their views about the government,” said HRW deputy Asia director Phil Robertson. A delegation of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee of Human Rights during a visit to Hanoi last week expressed its “great concern at the worsening human rights situation” and called for the release of all political prisoners. – Reuters FESTIVE JOY ... Teenagers performing the bhangra Punjabi folk dance ahead of the Baisakhi festival in a wheat field on the outskirts of the Indian city of Amritsar yesterday. – AFPPIC B R I E F STAIWANESE VP TO VIE FOR PRESIDENCY TAIPEI: Taiwan’s ruling party nominated Vice-President William Lai yesterday as its candidate for next year’s presidential elections, choosing a contender who has been more outspoken on Taiwanese independence than incumbent Tsai Ing-wen. “I am very honoured to have received the Democratic Progressive Party’s nomination to take part in the 2024 presidential election and to uphold the duty of safeguarding Taiwan,” Lai, 63, said at a press conference. The Harvard-educated former doctor has previously described himself as a “pragmatic Taiwan independence worker”. Tsai is barred from running again after her second four-year term ends in May next year. – AFP COASTAL SEA LEVELS HIT NEW HIGH IN CHINA BEIJING: China’s coastal sea levels hit their highest on record last year, and have increased by an average of 3.5mm per year since they were first measured in 1980, a government official said yesterday. Coastal sea levels last year were 94mm higher than the 1993-2011 average, and have been rising more quickly than the global rate, said Wang Hua, head of the marine forecasting and monitoring section at China’s Ministry of Natural Resources. “In the last 11 years, 2012 to 2022, China’s coastal sea levels were the highest since observations were first recorded,” he said at a press briefing. The 94mm increase in average sea levels last year was 10mm higher than 2021. – Reuters Kanbalu township in the central Sagaing region remains unclear. At least 50 fatalities and dozens of injuries were reported by BBC Burmese, The Irrawaddy and Radio Free Asia, as well as a witness contacted by AFP. Military aircraft strafed Pazi Gyi village, where scores of locals had gathered to mark the opening of a local defence force office connected to junta opponents, a witness said. One fighter jet and a helicopter were involved in the attack, a security source told AFP. The junta confirmed yesterday it had “launched limited air strikes” after receiving a tip-off from locals about the event. It did not say how many were killed but insisted the military had tried to minimise harm to civilians. “We heard that more people were killed because of big explosions from weapons and ammunitions displayed at the opening event,” the junta statement said. Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun on Tuesday said some of the dead were anti-coup fighters in uniform, though “there could be some people with civilian clothes”. The spokesman went on to blame mines planted by the People’s Defence Force – coup opponents – for some of the deaths. The attack came as Myanmar was preparing to mark the Buddhist new year – Thingyan – which begins today and traditionally involves public water fights, but celebrations are expected to be muted. “As the people of Myanmar celebrate their New Year, the EU is deeply shocked by reports of the latest atrocity committed by the military regime in Sagaing, taking the lives of dozens of innocent civilians,” said EU foreign affairs spokesman Nabila Massrali. The UN, while not confirming a toll, said several civilians were killed. Turk accused Myanmar’s military of once again disregarding “clear legal obligations to protect civilians in the conduct of hostilities”. Graphic video clips circulating on social media – footage AFP has been unable to verify or geo-locate because of the absence of significant landmarks – show bodies scattered among ruined homes. “We are going to rescue you if we hear you screaming,” one person could be heard saying in a video. “Please scream!” A rescuer connected to a People’s Defence Force group told AFP that children were among the dead. After recovering bodies, he estimated the death toll could be as high as 100. – AFP

7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 US tries to reassure allies after files leak oUK casts doubt on reports about special forces in Ukraine WASHINGTON: Top US diplomat Antony Blinken and defence chief Lloyd Austin spoke with their Ukrainian counterparts on Tuesday as Washington seeks to reassure its allies after a leaked trove of highly sensitive documents appeared online. The breach – which has sparked a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice – includes classified information about Ukraine’s battle against invading Russian forces, as well as secret assessments of US allies. A document reviewed by AFP highlighted US concerns about Ukraine’s capacity to keep defending against Russian strikes, while the Washington Post reported that another expressed doubts about the success of an upcoming offensive by Kyiv’s forces. “We have engaged with allies and partners at high levels over the past days, including to reassure them about our own commitment to safeguarding intelligence,” Blinken told a news conference. Blinken said he had spoken with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and “reaffirmed our enduring support for Ukraine and for its efforts to defend its territorial Nasa unveils ‘Mars’ habitat for year-long experiments on Earth Musk: ‘Many mistakes’ made since Twitter takeover WASHINGTON: Twitter boss Elon Musk said running the social media network has been “quite a rollercoaster” and acknowledged “many mistakes” along the way, six months after he bought the company for US$44 billion. In a live interview with the BBC after agreeing to a last-minute invitation for the “spontaneity” of it, Musk appeared to tacitly acknowledge that one of those errors was the decision to label the broadcaster’s account “government-funded media”. Musk said he would change the designation on the BBC’s Twitter handle after the broadcaster objected. “We want it as truthful and accurate as possible. We’re adjusting the label to ‘publicly funded’.” Britain’s national broadcaster is predominantly funded by an annual licence fee set by the government but paid by individual households. The labelling spat follows an earlier controversy over a similar move involving US radio network NPR, which Twitter briefly branded “state-affiliated”, the same way it styles government-run Chinese and Russian platforms. NPR stopped tweeting in protest. Twitter now tags NPR, which has nearly nine million followers, B R I E F STRUMP VOWS TO ‘NEVER DROP OUT’ WASHINGTON: Former US president Donald Trump, having been criminally charged in New York, pledged on Tuesday to “never drop out” of the 2024 race for the White House, and insisted Joe Biden is not fit to run again. The Republican real estate magnate, who is facing 34 felony counts over alleged hush money paid to an adult film actress, told Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson that nothing would prevent him from running – even a conviction. “I’d never drop out,” he said. “It’s not my thing. I wouldn’t do it.” Trump, 76, cast doubt on whether Democrat Biden, 80, would be in the 2024 race. “I don’t see how it’s possible,” he said. “I just don’t see Biden doing it from a physical or a mental standpoint.” – AFP FBI RAIDS ART FOUNDATION SAN JUAN: US and French authorities raided on Tuesday an art foundation in Puerto Rico dedicated to the work of the late French-Hungarian painter Victor Vasarely. FBI agents loaded dozens of paintings into a truck outside the foundation, located in the old quarter of San Juan, capital of the US island territory in the Caribbean. The reason behind the raid was not disclosed, but the operation was carried out under the order of a French judge, which the FBI honoured, said FBI spokesman Limary Cruz-Rubio. Vasarely’s works of have long been at the centre of a legal dispute between his grandson Pierre Vasarely and foundation founder Michele Taburno-Vasarely. – AFP BLESSED ENCOUNTER ... A boy meeting Pope Francis at the weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican yesterday. – REUTERSPIC integrity, its sovereignty, its independence.” Austin, speaking alongside Blinken, said he had also talked to his counterpart Oleksiy Reznikov. “He and the leadership remain focused on the task at hand,” Austin said, noting that “they have much of the capability that they need to continue to be successful.” Ukraine is expected to launch an attack on invading Russian troops in the spring – its first major military push of the year. But one top secret document said tough Russian defences and “enduring Ukrainian deficiencies in training and munitions supplies probably will strain progress and exacerbate casualties during the offensive”, the Post reported. Meanwhile, Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has cast doubt on reports that UK special forces have operated in Ukraine. The Guardian and other media outlets said the leaked military and intelligence files suggest that dozens of British special forces personnel have been present in Ukraine so far this year. The British embassy in Kyiv said in June 2021 that UK and US special forces were holding “joint training activity” with their Ukrainian counterparts. But London has not disclosed their continued presence inside the country since Russia’s invasion in February last year. “The widely reported leak of alleged classified US information has demonstrated a serious level of inaccuracy,” the UK’s MoD tweeted. Meanwhile, a South Korean newspaper reported that Seoul has reached an agreement to lend the US 500,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells that could give Washington greater flexibility to supply Ukraine with ammunition. DongA Ilbo cited unidentified government sources as saying South Korea decided to “lend” the ammunition instead of selling, to minimise the possibility of South Korean shells being used in the Ukraine conflict. – Agencies WASHINGTON: Four small rooms, a gym and a lot of red sand – Nasa unveiled on Tuesday its new Mars-simulation habitat, in which volunteers will live for a year at a time to test what life will be like on future missions to Earth’s neighbour. The facility, created for three planned experiments called the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (Chapea), is located at the US space agency’s massive research base in Houston, Texas. Four volunteers will begin the first trial this summer, during which Nasa plans to monitor their physical and mental health to better understand humans’ fortitude for such a long isolation. With that data, Nasa will better understand astronauts’ “resource use” on Mars, said Chapea experiments lead researcher Grace Douglas. “We can really start to understand how we’re supporting them with what we’re providing them, and that’s going to be really important information to making those critical resource decisions,” she said on a press tour of the habitat. “Such a distant mission comes with very strict mass limitations.” The volunteers will live inside a 160 square metre home, dubbed “Mars Dune Alpha”, which includes two bathrooms, a vertical farm to grow salad, a room dedicated to medical care, an area for relaxing and several workstations. An airlock leads to an “outdoor” reconstruction of the Martian environment – though still located inside the hangar. Several pieces of equipment astronauts would likely use are scattered around the red sand-covered floor, including a weather station, a brick-making machine and a small greenhouse. There is also a treadmill on which the make-believe astronauts will walk suspended from straps to simulate the planet’s lesser gravity. “We really can’t have them just walking around in circles for six hours,” joked Nasa Behavioural Health and Performance Laboratory head Suzanne Bell. – AFP Brazil hit by two new school attacks BRASILIA: A 13-year-old boy stabbed three classmates on Tuesday at a school in Brazil, the second such assault in 24 hours, adding to fears over spiraling school violence after a series of deadly attacks. Brazil is on edge after a man armed with a hatchet burst into a preschool last week and hacked four children to death, shocking the nation and thrusting the issue of school safety into the spotlight. Police said a student in the central city of Santa Tereza had thrown a firecracker into a classroom, then attacked classmates with a knife when they fled into the hallway. He wounded three before being subdued by a janitor. On Monday, a student in the northern city of Manaus stabbed a teacher and two classmates, media reports said. Justice Minister Flavio Dino said a climate of panic was spreading in the wake of last Wednesday’s attack on the Good Shepherd preschool and day care centre in the southern city of Blumenau. The 25-year-old attacker climbed over the school’s wall and went on a rampage on the playground, killing four children between the ages of four and seven before handing himself in to police. Messages have been circulating on social media warning of further school attacks, including a viral video telling parents not to send their children to school on April 20, the anniversary of the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in the US state of Colorado. – AFP “government-funded media”, and applied the same label to the BBC’s account. Musk has expressed deep disdain for news media for years and recently installed an automatic response of a poop emoji to e-mails sent to the site’s main media address. Speaking with the BBC on Tuesday, he also addressed Twitter’s controversial move to strip the New York Times of its blue verified check mark after the company refused to pay to keep it. From April 20, any legacy verified accounts on Twitter – which were verified as authentic under the company’s old ownership – will have to pay to subscribe to Twitter Blue. One of the reasons for this, Musk said, was that he does not want Twitter to boost “some anointed class of journalists” who determine what constitutes news. “I’m hopeful that this can be more a case of the public choosing the narrative, as opposed to the media choosing the narrative.” Twitter, he said, would “treat everyone equally”. Musk, in assessing his time in charge of the social media network since he took over in October, said it had been “a stressful situation over the last several months”. “Were there many mistakes made along the way? “Of course. “But all’s well that ends well. “I feel like we’re headed to a good place.” He said the company was now “roughly breaking even” with the return of advertisers. – AFP

8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 SPEAK UP /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME THE European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell, said that “Europe is a garden” on Oct 13, 2022, at the European Diplomatic Academy in Bruges. The rest of the world isn’t quite a garden, but we have made one. The majority of the other planet is a rainforest. Perhaps this explains why the rest of the world’s humanitarian issues haven’t gotten enough attention. According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the US$8.9 billion (RM39.3 billion) earned by the 2022 “Stand Up for Ukraine” worldwide pledging drive is “among the fastest and most generous donations a humanitarian flash appeal has ever received”. However, there is a growing “aid deficit” for Afghanistan, Yemen, Gaza, Ethiopia and the Sahel. The Rohingya genocide, which is acknowledged as the largest and fastest refugee influx since the Rwandan genocide in 1994, has likewise received less attention over time. The Rohingya communities scattered across the western part of Myanmar’s Rakhine State came under a ruthless bombardment from the country’s military in 2017. A few days later, the head of the UN Agency for human rights described the military’s actions as “acts of appalling barbarity”, maybe “acts of genocide” and “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing”. A million Rohingya were compelled to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh and more than 10,000 of them died. Mass executions, torture, sexual assault, arbitrary detention and other abuses were carried out by junta security forces under the command of Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing against protestors, journalists, lawyers, medical staff and members of the political opposition. The security force crackdown’s systematic, extensive, and deliberate nature mirrors the junta’s nationwide strategy of repressing the opposition. However, reactions from world leaders are still only provided on paper, in stark contrast to what was done, for instance, for Ukraine. The National Unity Government (NUG), a Myanmar government in exile, asserts that the regime has carried out 64 massacres throughout five states and regions, killing at least 766 people since the coup in 2021, in addition to the genocide against the Rohingya. The NUG reported 11 massacres this year, 44 in 2022, and 9 in 2021. Massacres mainly occurred in anti-regime hotspots such as Kayah State, the Sagaing and Magwe regions, and so on. The West African nation of Gambia, which is far from being a Western “civilised” civilisation, filed a case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice on Nov 11, 2019, accusing the military of committing genocide against the Rohingyas in Rakhine State. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar of the UN later discovered evidence of crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar military in 2022. The records they had gathered documenting the systematic extermination of the Rohingya were made public by the Commission for International Justice and Accountability. However, reactions to sanctions or other attempts to resolve the problem continue. Inaction on the part of the international community over the past two years, which has given the Myanmar military junta more licence to use violent techniques against the populace, has been denounced by the UN special envoy and rights organisations. Noeleen Heyzer, the UN’s special envoy to Myanmar, said in a speech to the UN General Assembly on March 16 that the third year of military rule had had “devastating” effects. The junta’s most recent atrocities, indiscriminate artillery and aerial attacks, widespread arson attacks, and new horrors such as beheading and dismembering arrested resistance fighters and civilians are stark proof of this lack of action. But the plea to put a halt to such barbaric deeds is all but ignored. An International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor announced an investigation into alleged crimes in Ukraine in March 2022, one month after Russia’s escalated invasion of Ukraine. The ICC prosecutor did not take long to issue a strong warning against committing crimes in Ukraine. Regarding Myanmar, no comparable vehement ICC public remarks have been made. Additionally, there hasn’t been the same amount of public backing for prosecutions brought by other states. This is a cause for worry, especially in light of the perception that prosecutions, arrest warrants and remarks from the ICC prosecutor may have a deterrent and preventative effect, particularly during an active conflict. In contrast, according to a report by The Irrawaddy, high-ranking soldiers and intelligence officers from Myanmar’s Military Operations Command met with several Rohingya residents in Buthidaung, Rakhine State between Feb 24 and 25, warning them not to deny that “they set fire in their own houses and fled away during 2017 incident”. They would be jailed and/or put to death if they confessed that the military slaughtered the people and set their homes on fire. The Myanmar military is trying to avoid responsibility for its part in crimes against the Rohingya people by doing this. At some point, world leaders must pause for a moment and consider how much more bloodshed in Myanmar is necessary to spur them to react. Comments: [email protected] The Myanmar military is trying to avoid responsibility for its part in crimes against the Rohingya people. – REUTERSPIC Protection scheme for non-occupational accidents IT was reported recently that the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) wanted the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to expedite implementation of its suggested social protection scheme to better protect employees. The essence of the scheme is to provide comprehensive 24-hour protection for those who experience accidents outside their working hours and during activities not related to their work. But before we embark on an additional scheme, we need to study whether Socso has the financial capability to implement it. At present, employees contribute 0.5% of their wages to Socso, while employers contribute 1.75% to the Employment Injury Insurance Scheme and the Invalidity Pension Scheme. MTUC president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani also said that the protection scheme has already been implemented in developed countries such as Canada, New Zealand and the US. However, he did not provide information on contributions by the employees and employers in those countries. The contributions would dictate the success of the scheme. Under Socso’s existing scheme for those involved in an accident, if it is not during any work-related travelling it is not covered by Socso. With the current collections from employees and employers, Socso has expanded its coverage on compensations given out to workers over the years. In recent years, Socso also assisted workers who have lost their jobs. Over the years, unscrupulous people have viewed Socso as an organisation that they can exploit. It was reported recently that in just five years, from 2018 to 2022, Socso detected 683 cases of fraudulent claims amounting to RM43 million. To some extent, they have depleted the limited financial resources of Socso. These unscrupulous people are like people who steal money from charity boxes in places of religious worship. Socso would need more financial resources to implement the scheme. The current contribution by employers is 1.75%. Maybe the contributions from employees could be raised to 1% to extend their protections off duty. The employer has already done its duty by caring for them while at work. It is not reasonable to ask employers to pay for their protection off-duty. Wong Soo Kan Petaling Jaya LETTERS [email protected] COMMENT by Fumiko Yamada More action needed on Rohingya crisis

9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 Ecotourism needs clarity, positive action WHILE academics, students and the public can freely chat, discuss or write about ecotourism, stakeholders such as the relevant authorities, host communities, business operators and training providers ought to be more pragmatic. They must go beyond repeating common narratives that are vague, quoting official definitions with superficial understanding or citing various initiatives under the United Nations Environmental Programme such as the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and the Paris Agreement in 2015. They ought to look at ecotourism from their perspective, describe it meaningfully in their own words and take actions that produce positive results. But first, they must understand what exactly ecotourism is as not all nature-based activities qualify or should be lumped together. According to one source, ecotourism is the shortened version of two words: ecology and tourism. But ecology is the study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment, and an ecologist studies the relationship between living things and their habitats. It makes more sense if it is an ecosystem, which is a place where interactions occur between living and also non-living things that include sunlight, air and water. The soil may be spoiled by pollution, the environment disturbed by manmade sounds and the introduction of invasive species. For clarity, it would be better to treat eco as a word by itself, which means not harming the environment. While conducting training for tour operators, I would explain that eco means nature-friendly and that ecotourism simply means nature-friendly tourism. Nature-friendly means having a minimal impact on the natural environment or being environmentally friendly. Therefore, activities that are not naturefriendly should not be labelled as ecotourism, even though they may be nature-based. Authorities Politicians and officials in state governments, and local authorities that administer tourism must first understand basic terms such as tourism, recreation, tourists, excursionists and visitors. For example, opening an access road to a waterfall in the name of tourism does not hold water. The project only allows many people to reach the waterfall and mountain stream with ease. Over weekends and public holidays, it could attract huge crowds and vendors on wheels will have a field day selling large amounts of food and drinks. In no time, the area would be turned into a vast garbage dump infested by animals such as rodents and flies. Picnickers could fall ill or die from gulping some water with rat urine or in contact with the soil where Leptospira bacteria could enter the body through cuts and scratches. However, if a concessionaire were to be appointed to run an eco-friendly restaurant and tasked to upkeep the entire vicinity, then littering would be better controlled. But it would be difficult, given the tidak apa attitude of those used to enjoying recreational activities free of charge. The authorities must understand that when no money is involved in leisure activities, it is not tourism but recreation. Tourism is a business, catering to those at work or leisure. Those working could travel to attend meetings or exhibitions, and those at leisure could be on their holidays or visiting relatives and friends. Travellers staying overnight away from home are tourists and those that return home on the same day are excursionists. And visitors could be tourists or excursionists, foreigners or locals. When reporting visitor arrival figures, there must be a clear distinction and should not be generalised. Last year, the Selangor government was reported to have issued a 30-year permit to a developer to build a RM100 million chalet at the Kuala Selangor Nature Park, but Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari recently said the project is now under review. Sadly, we have yet to realise that the greatest irreversible loss our country has suffered over the past decades was overlogging our jungles and destroying many mangrove forests that also provide a nursery habitat for many commercial fish and shellfish while stabilising shorelines. Host communities If those living at the fringes of natural areas could benefit from ecotourism, will an increase in such activities bring further good or harm to these popular sites? In theory, ecotourism can reduce the need for locals to hunt wild animals and gather plants for food or income. With ecotourism, income is earned from preserving natural sites and deforestation is discouraged as it is detrimental to generating income from visitors. But how much money goes back into the conservation of these areas? And who has been determining the carrying capacity of a particular site and how would it be monitored and enforced? Unescorted individuals that enter a jungle or cave are more likely to cause destruction in their wake and take away living or non-living things they fancy. Hence, it makes sense that permits must be obtained before entering national parks and visitors are escorted by a nature guide who can spell out the dos and don’ts to ensure minimal damage. The only way to fully protect natural sites would be to close them off completely to the public. Businesses Although less than 1% of foreign visitors would pay for an ecotourism package to visit a national park, our natural heritage should continue to be used to portray Malaysia as a tropical paradise, with sunshine throughout the year and free of typhoons, earthquakes and volcanoes. Superb photos of our pristine jungle-clad mountains, idyllic streams, palm-fringed sandy beaches washed by warm waters and our seas teeming with colourful corals and fishes are powerful images that are alluring and stick to the minds of audiences. Visitors could easily reach many islands or beaches on their own to enjoy recreational activities that include snorkelling and swimming, something that locals may take for granted until they visit countries with four seasons where it would be too cold to dip in the open sea in winter. Tour operators that offer ecotourism packages must be able to provide nature guides who are specialists for specific areas, apart from providing relevant information in advance and targeting the right customers, as ecotourism activities could range between soft and hard adventures. In any case, contingency plans must be in place to deal with accidents or emergencies, and such plans would take at least a few weeks to complete, beginning with brainstorming sessions by a working committee of at least four persons and not more than eight. The initial brainstorming alone could last a few days and be conducted in a free-flow manner without being judgemental, so that every thought, idea, suggestion or statement on what may go wrong is recorded, with none dismissed. They are then to be grouped before discussing in sequence and two or more solutions must be found for each possible problem. When the first draft of the contingency plans has been prepared by the working committee, they are to present it to the top management for feedback. It will go through a few rounds before the contingency plans are finally ready with several PDF versions prepared. The full version is restricted to the top management and other versions are distributed among the office and field staff, with relevant editions for various tour groups. If two tour operators were to offer the same package, service and pricing, I would choose the one with contingency plans over the other. Why? Any organisation that has contingency plans in place would have identified all the things that can go wrong and would have taken measures to prevent or minimise them. And in the unlikely event that something does go wrong, the field and office staff could easily access the contingency plans on their phones and take immediate steps to contain the disaster, prevent more damage and minimise possible harm. YS Chan is a master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel & Tours Enhancement Course as well as an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a transport and training consultant and writer. Comments: [email protected] Visitors could easily reach many islands or beaches on their own to enjoy recreational activities. – REUTERSPIC Inculcating a positive environment in the workplace FEAR weakens stifles and curtails creativity, innovations, and accountability in an individual as well as organisations. An organisation that engages with its employees with fear sees a systemic collapse of morale, professionalism and productivity. One can watch out for some telltale signs of a fear-based culture in an organisation. Firstly, some managers only focus on daily targets without giving any space for creativity or innovativeness for the fear of being seen as “unproductive” or even “losing their face and job”. Second, managers have no competencies or knowledge of the core business of the department or unit and act merely as taskmasters, pushing and harassing for output without quality care. One may get penalised for voicing genuine concerns and challenges. Truth is a taboo in such organisations as well, everything is always painted and presented in the most idealistic way. Figures, outcomes, reports and documents must be massaged and crafted to look their best. Challenges are the people’s problem and the delivery of bad news is unacceptable. Instead of reinforcing success and celebrating milestones, the focus is on delays or failures to meet deadlines and outputs, explaining challenges and highlighting the lack of resources and support often gets the employees earmarked and kept in “cold storage” for voicing the realities which show the glaring inefficiency of the leadership. This also creates a culture which hinders collaboration and support from other employers for fear of being banded and isolated. This gloom of fear even trickles down to coming up with new approaches that are required for the organisation to transform. Change is unwelcomed and is only done as a prerequisite to be “seen to be done” rather than implemented on the ground. Communication is fragmented, sieved and altered to always “safeguard” the survival and image of leadership and some chosen individuals. Any form of new or unconventional idea or knowledge that is introduced is pushed back as the leadership and managers lack the competency or expertise to understand it, thus making them look incompetent. The rot in most cases does start from the top, this once again emphasises the importance of choosing and placing the right person to do the job. Academic qualification or years of employment does not ensure the right behavioural attribute, skill or knowledge. The personality, passion and capabilities of an individual determine leadership. A leader with the courage, right values, conviction and most importantly belief in their capabilities, will break the reign of fear in an organisation. Empowered managers, employees and staff of an organisation will be open to discussing the challenges as they believe the solutions for them can be achieved. Failures are not penalised but will be seen as an opportunity to redesign and restrategise, and the focus on learning from it will be a natural conversation that would be encouraged by the leader and managers at all levels. Success and celebration of small wins, people making strides, effort and willingness to learn and adapt from failures create an environment that encourages growth. Every journey of the organisation, be it success or failure, forms part of the institutional memory. These events provide valuable insights for the leadership to craft strategic development plans. For an organisation to grow organically, the triumphs and trials must be embraced and used to build its existence. Fear cripples, whereas courage enables. P. Veni Muthusamy Kuala Lumpur LETTERS [email protected] COMMENT by YS Chan

10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 Tropicana’s Hana Residences final villa series 70% taken up PETALING JAYA: Tropicana Aman, the largest 863-acre township by Tropicana Corporation Bhd (Tropicana) in Kota Kemuning, launched Hana Residences to healthy take-up in a lively showcase. The final signature villa series registered a take-up rate of 70%, driven by its elevated outlook and spacious design, with all signature Type A 3-storey luxury bungalows fully sold to date. The night celebration was held at the Tropicana Aman Property Gallery. It featured entertainment by comedian Douglas Lim, Astro Classic Golden Melody champion singer Lin Yong Huat and live band ensemble The Raw Note, as well as a spectacular fire performance and fireworks display. Tropicana deputy CEO Joanne Lee said, “As the final landed oElevated outlook and spacious design the key selling points for its Type A 3-storey luxury bungalows residential phase in Tropicana Aman, Hana Residences offers an elevated outlook as a private enclave overlooking the serene township. We’re so happy to see the enthusiastic response from our loyal home buyers and community, who cited Hana Residences’ high ceilings, spacious kitchens, and rear garden access to the phase’s linear park as purchasing considerations. These elements are driven by Tropicana’s unique development DNA emphasising generous open spaces and accessibility, as we continue Redefining the Art of Living.” The spectacular soiree was graced by more than 250 guests including home buyers, partners and members of the public. Aside from the lively entertainment, a sharing session was held to share more on Tropicana’s T.Living bespoke home personalisation programme where owners can customise their property with ‘Bella,’ a darker theme for stylish, sophisticated aesthetics and a modern palette, or ‘Charisma,’ a lighter theme for soothing colours and a sense of tranquillity and harmony. In addition, existing purchasers leveraged on double referral rewards when introducing friends and family to Hana Residences. Hana Residences spans 28 acres in the heart of Tropicana Aman, with a gross development value of RM403 million. It comprises 130 luxury units from 2- and 3-storey bungalows to 2-storey semidetached homes featuring up to 7+1 bedrooms and abundant car park space for up to eight cars, as well as lakeside views and lift access across all levels for selected units. Envisioned as a haven for life made beautiful, Hana Residences is projected for completion in Q3 2025. Signature villas in Hana Residences are priced from RM2.34 million. Myra Putri targeted at young civil servants looking for their first home PETALING JAYA: Very much like welcoming a firstborn child, there is a sense of both joy and pride when making the decision to purchase a first home. And that’s where Myra aims to allievate the burden for first-time bumiputra homeowners in their 20s and early 30s with the launch of Myra Putri after the successful debut of Myra Putra. In particular, Myra wishes to revolutionise the definition of affordable housing by cultivating an environment necessary towards making home ownership an accessible and stress free experience. This is achieved by eliminating negative concerns such as skyrocketing home prices and escalating interest rates often associated with the first homebuying process and turning it instead into a renewed sense of excitement. As such, Myra Putri caters to working individuals and young married couples serving in the various Malaysian government sectors that are currently centralised at the Federal Territory of Putrajaya. Boasting a gross development value of RM115 million, Myra Putri Knight Frank, PropertyGuru team up to enhance mass appraisal service for financial institutions KUALA LUMPUR: Knight Frank Malaysia, Malaysia’s leading real estate services company, and PropertyGuru, Malaysia’s leading property marketplace, are collaborating to enhance the mass appraisal process to better serve financial institutions in Malaysia. With this tie-up, Knight Frank Malaysia will introduce AMASe – Advanced Mass Appraisal Solutions “electronically”, a bespoke mass property appraisal solution underpinned by proprietary technology from PropertyGuru For Business. As an early adopter of technology, Knight Frank Malaysia is amplifying its digitalisation efforts and integrating technology into its day-to-day mass property appraisal process. Knight Frank Malaysia aims to further streamline and alleviate the challenges faced by valuers and banks in their workflow process while driving efficiency with less turnaround time and improving productivity. Financial institutions will have access to up-to-date information, encouraging greater transparency and governance, and ensuring compliance with banking laws and regulatory requirements (Basel II). Knight Frank Malaysia, group executive chairman Sarkunan Subramaniam said, “We continuously adapt innovative property solutions to improve our processes in order to serve our clients better. “Our partnership with PropertyGuru allows us to pioneer new solutions together and increase performance for our clients through our expertise, data, and innovation. We are excited to partner with PropertyGuru to meet and exceed the industry objectives while elevating the seamless experience delivered to our clients.” “Knight Frank Malaysia has always prioritised our human capital and the adoption of technology to assist us in providing results faster, and more efficiently. Such tools not only assist financial institutions, but can also improve other objectives like assisting the local councils for their rating processes. “As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our appraisal methods, we are continuously exploring opportunities to leverage such tools for maximum impact,” he added. Joe Thor, general manager, data and software solutions, PropertyGuru said, “Harnessing the power of our expertise in property data and technology, this partnership allows us to make mass property appraisal a smooth process for Knight Frank. The demand for this service is anticipated to increase further, as many have been relying on traditional methods to value real estate assets, which can be a time-consuming activity. “We are excited to partner with Knight Frank and support their journey in digitising every step of their property journey. Similar solutions are already being used in many developed countries, and we hope to continue partnering with different stakeholders in the industry to drive growth in the real estate ecosystem through intuitive data, insights, and intelligent software.” LBS ‘Rezeki Ekstra Dikongsi Kembali’ campaign offers exciting bonuses PETALING JAYA: LBS Bina Group Bhd, the leading township developer, is all set to go the extra mile for this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration with the launch of its latest campaign “Rezeki Ekstra Dikongsi Kembali”. This campaign offers homebuyers a chance to win a “Duit Raya” worth more than RM438,800 and enjoy six bonus offerings upon purchasing their dream home with LBS. LBS executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Hock San expressed his enthusiasm about this campaign saying, “In the spirit of Syawal, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our Rezeki Ekstra Dikongsi Kembali campaign. We believe that this campaign will not only help our customers achieve their dream of owning a home but also make their Hari Raya celebration more joyful with exciting bonuses and offers.” The six enticing bonus offerings under this campaign include free legal fees, loyalty reward, flexi payment scheme, low booking fees, zero exit fees, and a furniture package. These bonuses are aimed at providing customers with an excellent buying experience and ensuring that they receive more than what they expect. Rezeki Ekstra Dikongsi Kembali is an extension to its longest running campaign LBS Fabulous Extraaa where winners stand a chance to win 22 units of Perodua Axias, 41 units of SM Sports 110R motorcycles, 33 units of Sony 5.1 Cinema Home Soundbars, 46 units of Decathlon Rockrider ST30 mountain bikes, Panasonic 40” televisions and a variety of home electrical appliances, cumulatively worth a whooping RM1.5 million in value. In addition to these great wins, LBS Bina Group is also introducing three compelling online contests featuring a special collaboration with renowned Ogawa Malaysia as a part of this campaign. Indulge in the Ekstra Tuah Challenge online game on htt p : / / ra i ka n reze ki . l b s. c o m. my , dance to the Raya Ekstra TikTok Challenge and Rezeki Ekstra Raya Giveaway Contest, and walk home with premium Ogawa products namely the Smart Reluxe massage chair (worth RM10,999.00), the My Sofa Luxe massage chair (worth RM8,999.00), air purifiers, foot massagers, worth more than RM50,000 (T&C apply) The Rezeki Ekstra Dikongsi Kembali campaign duration is from April 1 to May 31. aims to provide exceptional value and a safe, convenient residence for families to live, thrive, and grow. Starting from RM375,000 for a 904 sq ft unit with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, Myra Putri is located in the town of Desa Pinggiran Putra and is a costeffective option when compared to other low-rise apartments in the vicinity. It is also notable for being a low-density development with only 310 units within its 8.84-acre Malay Reserve land size. “We wish to debunk the myth that a young working couple’s first home has to be sparse, bare-bones and uninviting to relatives and visitors,” said Akil Hassan, branding & culture chief of Myra. “We drew valuable feedback from the successful launch of Myra Putra, and our team has persevered once again to balance the inclusion of top-notch facilities with the need to maintain affordability. We are proud to present a final product that seamlessly integrates both affordability and a rich array of amenities.” Fittingly, Putrajaya is just a 10- minute drive away from Myra Putri, which is the main hub for government complexes, agencies and administrative offices – this includes Perdana Putra, which is the Prime Minister’s office, and the Finance Ministry.

KLCI 1,434.74 2.78 STI 3,286.12 159.33 HANG SENG 20,309.86 SCI 3,327.18 13.61 NIKKEI 28,082.70 1.15 TSEC 15,932.97 19.09 KOSPI 2,550.64 S&P/ASX200 7,343.90 34.00 THURSDAY APRIL 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 April 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) REVENUE 152,585,500 33.0 6.0 HONGSENG 89,811,400 13.0 +0.5 TOPGLOV 81,332,100 112.0 -3.0 MYEG 67,989,100 77.0 +2.5 VELESTO 66,149,700 23.0 -0.5 EXCHANGERATES APRIL 12, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.4820 4.3480 4.3355 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 2.9990 2.8790 2.8610 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.3620 3.2640 3.2560 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.3230 3.2350 3.2120 1 EURO 4.9000 4.7410 4.6990 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.7860 2.6830 2.6810 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.3620 3.2640 3.2560 1 STERLING POUND 5.5740 5.3990 5.3790 1 SWISS FRANC 4.9470 4.8340 4.8100 100 UAE DIRHAM 123.4600 117.0600 116.7900 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.2860 4.0210 3.8230 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.1000 62.6000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 57.7000 54.8300 54.6000 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.5500 5.2100 5.0100 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0311 0.0282 0.0232 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.3580 3.2520 3.2540 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.8000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.5800 1.4800 1.2700 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.2600 7.7800 7.6400 100 QATAR RIYAL 124.0400 117.7500 117.4000 100 SAUDI RIYAL 120.7900 114.6700 114.4200 100 THAI BAHT 13.6600 12.1200 11.6800 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY April 12, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,555.96 +1.17 FBMKLCI 1,434.74 -1.15 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 580.03 +1.17 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 175.21 -0.07 CONSTRUCTION 164.70 +2.53 FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,784.92 +1.25 ENERGY 882.56 +9.74 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 607.38 +0.23 HEALTH CARE 1,862.86 -27.00 TRANSPORTATION 936.22 +19.40 PROPERTY 707.21 +1.78 PLANTATION 6,857.97 +17.44 FBMSHA 10,902.97 -8.96 FBMACE 5,308.90 -37.43 TECHNOLOGY 62.58 -0.13 TURNOVER VALUE 2.797 BIL RM1.785 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS April 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM F&N 211,500 27.2 +1.18 RAPID 16,800 17.56 +0.54 KLK 354,600 21.90 +0.36 YNHPROP 14,200 5.04 +0.29 PETDAG 189,300 22.24 +0.22 5 TOP LOSERS April 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM HEIM 50,300 26.80 -0.24 HLBANK 154,700 20.04 -0.20 PPB 576,700 16.50 -0.20 HSI-CLP 3,000 1.30 -0.19 PETGAS 266,800 16.80 -0.18 11.71 175.38 MAHB sets issue price for DRP shares at RM6.06 each KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) announced that the issue price of its new ordinary shares according to the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) was fixed yesterday at RM6.06 a piece. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, MAHB said the issue price was fixed based on the five-day volume weighted average market price (VWAP) of MAHB shares of RM6.7631 up to and including April 11, 2023, being the last trading day before the price-fixing date. It said this was considered after adjusting the final dividend for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2022, of 3.91 sen per MAHB share to the five-day VWAP of MAHB shares (ex-dividend VWAP) and a discount 66.40 sen, which is a discount of about 9.88% to the ex-dividend VWAP of RM6.724. The book’s closing date for the final dividend and the DRP have been fixed on April 28. “The DRP statement and notice of election, including the dividend reinvestment form, will be provided to all the entitled shareholders of MAHB save for its overseas shareholders who do not have a registered address in Malaysia on May 3, and the election period for the DRP will close on May 17. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the DRP shares will be listed on the Main Market of Bursa Securities on May 26. – Bernama SME trade mission to Taiwan secures RM58.6m potential business KUALA LUMPUR: The SME Trade Mission to Taiwan led by Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) secured a total of RM58.6 million in potential business over a three-day period. The trade mission was one of the largest ever, with over 200 SMEs participating. Delegates consisted of Malaysian SME owners from various industries, including those from professional & business services, construction and property, and transportation & logistics. During the trade mission, delegates visited the Taipei Smart City Expo, and participated in a business-matching session facilitated by Samenta and Matrade Taipei. A high-powered trade and investment seminar was officiated by the acting president of Malaysia Friendship and Trade Centre, Syaja Abdullah, Samenta chairman Datuk William Ng, and Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan’s Department of Investment Services deputy directorgeneral Victor M.H. Lee. Ng said, “We are delighted with the outcome of the Samenta SME trade mission to Taiwan. It has provided valuable business opportunities for our SMEs and helped to promote Malaysia as a business-friendly destination. We look forward to organising similar trade missions in the future to further enhance business ties between Malaysia and other countries at the B2B level.” The next Samenta SME trade mission will be to Indonesia in July. ServerOn, Phison team up to develop solid state drive KUALA LUMPUR: ServerOn Sdn Bhd and Taiwan-based Phison Electronics Corps inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday to collaborate in the design and engineering of a solid-state drive (SSD) under the NEUBE brand, making it the first Malaysian enterprise-grade SSD brand. Under the collaboration, ServerOn will serve the front-end in terms of introducing the product to customers, while Phison will provide back-end support with its engineering resources and capabilities. “As a distributor, we will get this out into the market through the systems integration and reselling Malaysian market. Throughout the collaboration, we will gather market feedback from users and we will also give feedback to Phison for product development, moving forward. Just get more Malaysian input into the product,” said ServerOn sales director Chan Wone Hoe at a press conference after the launch of the NEUBE SSD here. Additionally, he said, through the collaboration, it will eventually expand the brand elsewhere throughout the Southeast Asian market such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, and Sri Lanka. NEUBE comprises high-performance SSD that are of enterprise and data-centre grade, in form factors including 2.5”, U.2, M.2 and E1.S. It will be available in the From left: ServerOn co-founder Robert Wu, Chan, Pua and Phison business development head Albert Kang. oFirms to collaborate on design, engineering of Malaysia’s first enterprisegrade SSD █ BYGLORIA HARRY BEATTY [email protected] market from Q2’23 onwards, with ServeOn releasing variants of the NEUBE SSD. The MoU also marks ServerOn’s tenth year in providing cutting-edge data storage and server tech. Meanwhile, Phison Electronics Corp CEO Datuk Pua Khein-Seng said that through the collaboration, if the SSD product is able to gain positive response from the Malaysian market, he has plans to breed local engineers in the SSD design technology. “Three years later, the engineer team will be capable of designing the products for the Malaysian market and will not only service this market but also the Southeast Asia, Asia, the Middle East and the US. I hope to see that,” he said. He hopes to create a startup in Malaysia that is able to design SSD products, which can contribute to the local electronics and electrical ecosystem, which currently is focused on chip assembly and testing. He disclosed that Phison has just started discussing with the government to explore its plans. Pua opined that since the government handles vast amounts of data, it will need storage capabilities, which the company will be able to provide due to its technology expertise and resources. ServerOn is a value-added distributor for enterprise/data centre-grade hardware ranging from servers, storage, network switches and backup tape systems to custom-built workstations/servers. It is also the first in Asean to be accorded Named Server Partner status in 2021, enabling it to provide Microsoft server software products. Participation 48.1 27.4 24.5 100.0 Institutions Retail Foreign Bought RM m 868.1 491.9 425.3 1785.3 Sold RM m 851.2 485.1 449.0 1785.3 Net RM m 16.9 6.8 -23.7 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) 12/04/2023

12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 SUNBIZ Maybank Investment Bank issues structured warrants over NYSE-listed stocks PETALING JAYA: Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) has issued structured warrants over stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), becoming the only issuer in Malaysia for ringgit-based warrants over NYSE-listed companies. The launch comprises six new call and put warrants over Bank of America, Citigroup and the first-ever warrants in Malaysia over Wells Fargo. These warrants, which are tradeable on Bursa Malaysia starting yesterday, allow investors to capitalise on their views of three of the top four largest banks in the US by total assets. Maybank IB head of investment management Azzahir Azhar said, “Structured warrants have become increasingly popular and we believe that the addition of US-listed stocks to our offering will generate strong interest from investors in Malaysia. “Against the backdrop of inflation and growing recession fears coupled with the recent banking turmoil, there is opportunity for further movements in the share prices of the three US banks in our maiden launch today,” he said in a statement yesterday. The warrants are designed with a longer tenure to provide investors with more time to potentially profit from movements in the underlying share. Additionally, with the ease of the Live Matrix tool, investors can track the potential prices of the structured warrants at various levels of the respective underlying NYSElisted stock prices. This enables them to estimate their warrant price movements based on their views of the underlying shares’ target prices. Structured warrants over foreignlisted stocks allow investors to gain exposure to foreign markets with a much lower capital outlay and without the need for a foreign trading account. Besides, investors can settle their trades in the local currency. “As an award-winning structured warrants market maker, we continue to monitor popular names among investors as well as other exciting stock markets that we can add to our offering. We were the first to have recently introduced structured warrants over companies in Malaysia with market capitalisation of at least RM500 million and last year, we launched our first warrants over Hong Kong-listed stocks. “We will continue to work closely with Bursa Malaysia to increase retail participation by making more investment choices available,” Azzahir said. Local natural rubber output in February dips, exports increase KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s natural rubber (NR) production decreased by 7.6% to 27,209 tonnes in February from 29,451 tonnes in January, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). In its monthly rubber statistics report released yesterday, Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said NR production fell by 2.7% year-on-year compared with 27,950 tonnes in February last year. Local production of NR in February was mainly contributed by the smallholder sector at 87.3% compared with 12.7% by estate sector. “Total stocks of NR in February declined by 1.5% to 191,636 tonnes from 194,563 tonnes in January. Rubber processors factory contributed 90.6% of the stocks followed by rubber consumers factory (9.3%) and rubber estates (0.1%),” he said. Meanwhile, exports of Malaysia’s NR amounted to 48,393 tonnes in February, an increase of 18.4% from 40,867 tonnes in the preceding month. China remained the main destination for NR exports, which accounted for 56.9% of total exports in February this year, followed by Germany (7.3%), Turkiye (3.6%), the United States (2.1%), and Egypt (1.5%). Mohd Uzir said the export performance was contributed by NR-based products such as gloves, tyres, tubes, rubber threads and condoms. The average monthly price showed that latex concentrated recorded an increase of 7.3% in February to 538.55 sen per kg against 502.05 sen per kg in the previous month, while scrap climbed by 2.3% to 474.50 sen per kg versus 463.84 sen per kg in January. Prices for all Standard Malaysian Rubber rose between 1.2% and 7.2%. – Bernama B R I E F SINFOBIP ROLLS OUT BLUEPRINT TO HELP FIRMS COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH CUSTOMERS KUALA LUMPUR: Global cloud communications platform Infobip has launched the Conversational Everything Blueprint to enable brands embed conversational experiences for customer communications. Infobip has developed the guide to help businesses stay ahead of the growing trend towards more personalised, end-to-end customer journeys from promotion to purchase and support through popular chat apps. The Conversational Everything Blueprint explains how brands can create such customer journeys using a conversational one-stop shop such as Infobip, which simplifies the process for brands. TNB SUBSIDIARY GSPARX TO INSTALL SOLAR PV FACILITIES AT AEON’S MALLS KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd and its subsidiary GSPARX Sdn Bhd have signed a supply agreement for renewable energy with Aeon Co (M) Bhd to provide installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities at all Aeon malls and Aeon BiG nationwide. Under the agreement, GSPARX will install and maintain a 77,000-kilowatt peak PV system at the Aeon ecosystem for 25 years. TNB chief strategy and ventures officer Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan said the initiative with Aeon is expected to continue until 2024. MMS Ventures aims to expand ODM business KUALA LUMPUR: Automation system maker MMS Ventures Bhd (MMSV) seeks to expand its original design manufacturing (ODM) business amid anticipation of slow sales in the semiconductor segment this year. The company said its ODM business showcases its design and development strengths, albeit marketed under global branding. “We have seen tremendous opportunities in the ODM/original equipment manufacturer (OEM) businesses and we are happy to report that we are currently engaging with a number of customers with the intention to capture their potential business,” chairman Tan Hock Hin said in MMSV’s 2022 annual report released yesterday. The ODM/OEM segment made up 20.5% of the group’s RM52.87 million revenue for the oEfforts to broaden customer base to include more industries show signs of early success financial year ended Dec 31, 2022 (FY22). Tan said the group’s continued efforts to penetrate other industries have shown signs of early success in 2023, and this includes the diversification of its machine platform to capture orders from customers involved in the medical equipment industry. “The progress and growth in this medical industry will be stable and steady. We have every intention to capitalise on this breakthrough and broaden our business and customer base over time accordingly,” he said. Tan said MMSV anticipates its smart phone customers to remain with their current generation of products that are 5G-enabled. “With little changes to the existing features of their products, we expect orders from this segment to be slow for 2023,” he added. In the annual report, MMSV said that in line with the sharp and prolonged downturn in the semiconductor industry, compounded with minimal changes in smart device features, sales from the segment are expected to remain slow in 2023. Similarly, the company said, demand for both automotive and general lighting is expected to be lacklustre. “However, the light at the end of the tunnel comes from the gradual pickup in demand from customers of other segments in the second half of 2023 onwards,” it added. MMSV noted that competitive pressure from both local and overseas players has made business challenging. “Apart from the equipment makers from our own local market, we also face stiff competition predominantly from Asia and European countries. To remain competitive, we will reinforce our position to sell machines with efficient design without compromising their quality,” the company said. For FY22, MMSV recorded a 39% jump in revenue to RM52.87 million from RM37.98 million in the preceding year, mainly due to an increase in inspection and testing machines sold. Its net profit rose to RM9.05 million from RM8.25 million previously. – Bernama Sime Darby Motors sets record, delivers 1,000 BYD ATTO 3 in 100 days PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Motors, the automotive arm of Sime Darby Bhd, achieved a new milestone by delivering 1,000 BYD electric vehicles (EV) in 100 days, a feat that reflects the increasing popularity and acceptance of EV in Malaysia. The achievement was celebrated together with the first 1,000 BYD owners in Malaysia at a mass delivery event held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium carpark recently, following its delivery of 100 units within the first 10 days of the EV’s launch in Malaysia. Sime Darby Motors Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau managing director of retail and distribution Jeffrey Gan said, “This celebration marks a milestone in Malaysia’s EV market, setting a precedent that reflects the increasing popularity and acceptance of EV in the country. We are pleased to sustain the momentum of our BYD ATTO 3 deliveries to customers. We look forward to continuing driving EV demand across our market segments.” BYD Malaysia Sdn Bhd and PT BYD Motor Indonesia managing director Eagle Zhao said, “We are optimistic on the growth prospects of EV in Malaysia. We hope the new BYD owners enjoyed their one-of-a-kind experience with us today and we look forward to continuing bringing in new energy technology and products to Malaysia in the future. This will offer Malaysians the opportunity to revel in the advantage and fun of EV.” In tandem with the delivery of the new vehicles, BYD recently opened its latest showroom at Gurney Plaza, Penang. Sime Darby Motors marking the recordbreaking feat in a mass delivery event held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium’s carpark recently.

theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 13

14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 SUNBIZ * NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Eighteenth Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the Dewan Berjaya, Bukit Kiara Resort Berhad, Jalan Bukit Kiara, Off Jalan Damansara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 12 May 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- 1. To receive the Audited Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2022 and the Reports of Directors’ and Auditors’ thereon. 2. To declare a First and Final Single Tier Dividend of 4.0 sen per ordinary share for the financial year ended 31 December 2022. 3. To approve the payment of Directors’ Fees amounting to RM305,200 in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2022. 4. To approve the payment of Directors’ Benefits (excluding Directors’ Fees) amounting to RM9,000 from 13 May 2023 until the next Annual General Meeting of the Company. 5. To re-elect the following Directors retiring in accordance with Clause 83.1 of the Constitution of the Company:- (i) Datuk Ng Yih Pyng (ii) Ng Sheau Yuen (iii) Datin Choong Chow Mooi 6. To re-elect Tan Sri Dr Madinah Binti Mohamad, a Director retiring in accordance to Section 202(3) of the Companies Act 2016. 7. To re-appoint BDO PLT as Auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorise the Directors to fix their remuneration. AS SPECIAL BUSINESS To consider and if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions with or without amendments or modifications:- 8. ORDINARY RESOLUTION 1 AUTHORITY TO ALLOT AND ISSUE SHARES PURSUANT TO SECTION 76 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 “THAT pursuant to Section 76 of the Companies Act 2016 and subject to the approvals of the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities, the Directors be and are hereby empowered to issue shares in the Company at any time and upon such terms and conditions, for such purposes as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion deem fit, provided that the aggregate number of shares issued in any one financial year of the Company does not exceed ten per centum (10%) of the total number of issued shares of the Company for the time being and that the Directors be and are hereby also empowered to obtain approval for the listing of and quotation for the additional shares so issued on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad and that such authority shall continue in force until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company.” 9. ORDINARY RESOLUTION 2 PROPOSED RENEWAL OF SHAREHOLDERS’ MANDATE FOR RECURRENT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (“RRPT”) OF A REVENUE OR TRADING NATURE WITH RELATED PARTY (“PROPOSED SHAREHOLDERS’ MANDATE”) “THAT subject to provisions of the Companies Act 2016 (“Act”), the Constitution of the Company, Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (“Bursa Securities”) Main Market Listing Requirements or other regulatory authorities, approval be and is hereby given to the Company and/or its subsidiaries to enter into category of RRPT as set out in Section 2.1 of the Circular to Shareholders dated 13 April 2023, subject to the following:- (i) THAT the RRPTs are:- (a) necessary for the day-to-day operations; (b) undertaken in the ordinary course of business and at arm’s length basis and are on terms not more favourable to the related parties than those generally available to the public; and (c) are not detrimental to the shareholders of the Company; and (ii) THAT such authority shall commence upon the passing of this resolution and shall continue to be in force until:- (a) the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the Company at which time it will lapse unless by a resolution passed at the meeting, the authority is renewed; (b) the expiration of the period within which the next AGM after that date is required to be held pursuant to Section 340(1) of the Act (but shall not extend to such extension as may be allowed pursuant to Section 340(4) of the Act); or (c) revoked or varied by resolution passed by the shareholders in general meeting, whichever is the earlier. AND THAT the Directors of the Company be and are hereby authorised to complete and do all such acts and things as they may consider expedient or necessary (including executing such documents as may be required) to give effect to the RRPTs contemplated and/or authorised by this Ordinary Resolution.” 10. ORDINARY RESOLUTION 3 PROPOSED RENEWAL OF AUTHORITY FOR SHARES BUY-BACK “THAT subject to provisions of the Companies Act 2016 (“Act”), the Constitution of the Company, Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (“Bursa Securities”) Main Market Listing Requirements or other regulatory authorities, the Company be authorised, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to buy-back such amount of ordinary shares in the Company as may be determined by the Directors of the Company from time to time, through Bursa Securities, upon such terms and conditions as the Directors may deem fit and expedient in the interests of the Company, provided that:- (i) the aggregate number of ordinary shares bought-back does not exceed 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company at the time in question; (ii) the maximum amount of funds to be allocated for the shares buy-back shall not exceed the aggregate of retained earnings of the Company. Based on the latest audited account of the Company as at 31 December 2022, its retained earnings stood at approximately RM86,729,000; and (iii) the ordinary shares purchased shall be treated in the following manner:- (a) the purchased ordinary shares shall be cancelled; or (b) the purchased ordinary shares shall be retained as treasury shares for distribution as dividend to the shareholders and/or resale on Bursa Securities in accordance with the relevant rules of Bursa Securities and/or cancellation subsequently; or (c) part of the purchased ordinary shares shall be retained as treasury shares and the remainder shall be cancelled; or (d) in such other manner as Bursa Securities and other relevant authorities may allow from time to time. AND THAT such authority shall commence upon the passing of this resolution and shall continue to be in force until:- (i) the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the Company, unless the authority granted is renewed, either unconditionally or subject to conditions, at the said AGM; or (ii) the expiration of the period within which the next AGM after that date is required to be held pursuant to Section 340(1) of the Act (but shall not extend to such extension as may be allowed pursuant to Section 340(4) of the Act); but not so as to prejudice the completion of the purchase(s) by the Company made before the aforesaid expiry date and, in any event in accordance with the Listing Requirements of Bursa Securities or any other relevant authorities and the applicable law; or (iii) revoked or varied by resolution passed by the shareholders in general meeting; whichever is the earlier. AND FURTHER THAT authority be and is hereby given to the Directors of the Company to take all such steps as may be necessary or expedient (including without limitation, the opening and maintaining of central depositor account(s) under the Securities (Central Depository) Industry Act, 1991, and the entering into and execution of all agreements, arrangements and guarantees with any party or parties) to implement, finalise and give full effect to the proposed share buy-back with full powers to assent to any conditions, modifications, revaluations, variations and/or amendments (if any) as may be imposed by the relevant authorities and with full power to do all such acts and things thereafter (including without limitation, the cancellation or retention as treasury shares of all or any part of the shares bought back) in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Constitution of the Company, the Main Market Listing Requirements of Bursa Securities and all other relevant statutory and/or regulatory requirements.” 11. ORDINARY RESOLUTION 4 CONTINUING IN OFFICE AS INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – YANG MULIA RAJA TAN SRI DATO’ SERI AMAN BIN RAJA HAJI AHMAD “THAT authority be and is hereby given to Yang Mulia Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Aman Bin Raja Haji Ahmad who has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a cumulative term of more than nine years, to continue to act as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company.” 12. ORDINARY RESOLUTION 5 CONTINUING IN OFFICE AS INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – DATUK M CHAREON SAE TANG @ TAN WHYE AUN “THAT authority be and is hereby given to Datuk M Chareon Sae Tang @ Tan Whye Aun who has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a cumulative term of more than nine years, to continue to act as an Independent NonExecutive Director of the Company.” 13. ORDINARY RESOLUTION 6 CONTINUING IN OFFICE AS INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – MR LAU TIANG HUA “THAT authority be and is hereby given to Mr Lau Tiang Hua who has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a cumulative term of more than nine years, to continue to act as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company.” 14. To transact any other ordinary business of which due notice shall have been given in accordance with the Companies Act 2016. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD TEOH KOK JONG (LS 04719 / PC No. 201908001451) Company Secretary Kuala Lumpur Date: 13 April 2023 NOTICE OF DIVIDEND PAYMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT, subject to the approval of the shareholders at the Eighteenth Annual General Meeting, the First and Final Single Tier Dividend of 4.0 sen per ordinary share in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2022 shall be paid on 9 June 2023 to the shareholders registered in the Record of Depositors at the close of business on 25 May 2023. A Depositor shall qualify for the entitlement to the dividend only in respect of:- a) Shares transferred into the Depositor’s Securities Account before 4.30 p.m. on 25 May 2023 in respect of ordinary transfers; and b) Shares bought on the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on a cum entitlement basis according to the Rules of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Notes: 1. Only depositors whose names appear in the Record of Depositors as at 5 May 2023 be regarded as members and entitled to attend, speak and vote at the meeting. 2. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. 3. The proxy form must be deposited at the Registered Office of the Company at SO-26-02, Menara 1, No 3, Jalan Bangsar, KL Eco City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time for holding the meeting or any adjournment thereof. 4. A Member shall be entitled to appoint more than one (1) proxy to attend and vote at the same meeting. 5. Where a Member appoints more than one (1) proxy, the appointment shall be invalid unless he specifies the proportions of his holdings to be represented by each proxy. 6. If the appointer is a corporation, this form must be executed under its Common Seal or under the hand of its attorney. 7. Where a member is an authorised nominee as defined under the Central Depositories Act, it may appoint more than one (1) proxy in respect of each Securities Account it holds with ordinary shares of the Company standing to the credit of the said Securities Account. 8. NO door gift will be provided to the shareholders / proxies / invited guests. 9. NO refreshment will be served at the AGM venue. EXPLANATORY NOTES ON ORDINARY BUSINESS Item 1 This agenda item is meant for discussion only as the provision of Section 340(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016 does not require a formal approval of the shareholders for the Audited Financial Statements. Hence, this Agenda item is not put forward for voting. Resolution 2 It is proposed that the fee for the Non-Executive Directors of the Company be increased from RM236,000 per annum to RM262,000 per annum after taking into the consideration of the financial performance of the Company and also the current market condition. Resolution 3 The proposed payment of Directors’ Benefits (excluding Directors’ Fees) amounting to RM9,000 comprise the Directors and Officers Liability Insurance from 13 May 2023 until the next Annual General Meeting of the Company. EXPLANATORY NOTES ON SPECIAL BUSINESS Resolution 9 The proposed Resolution 9, is a renewal of the previous year mandate and if passed, is to empower the Directors to issue and allot shares at any time to such persons in their absolute discretion without convening a general meeting provided that the aggregate number of shares issued does not exceed 10% of the issued share capital of the Company for the time being. The previous mandate approved on 19 May 2022 was not utilized and accordingly no proceeds were raised. The purpose of this general mandate is for possible fund raising exercise including but not limited to further placement of shares for purpose of funding current and/or future investment projects, working capital, repayment of borrowings and/or acquisitions. Resolution 10 The proposed Resolution 10, is a renewal of the previous year Shareholders’ Mandate and if passed will allow the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into RRPT of a Revenue or Trading Nature in order to comply with Paragraph 10.09 of Chapter 10 and Practice Note 12 of the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad Main Market Listing Requirements. The mandate will take effect from the date of the passing of the Ordinary Resolution until the next AGM of the Company. Further information on the Proposed Mandate is set out in the Circular to Shareholders of the Company dated 13 April 2023 which is made available on the Company’s website at www.tomei.com.my or on Bursa Securities’ website. Resolution 11 The proposed Resolution 11, if passed, will empower the Directors to purchase up to ten per centum (10%) of the total number of issued shares of the Company through Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. This authority, unless revoked or varied by the shareholders of the Company in general meeting, will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM. Further information on the Proposed Renewal of Authority for Share Buy Back is set out in the Circular to Shareholders dated 13 April 2023, which is made available on the Company’s website at www.tomei.com.my or on Bursa Securities’ website. Resolution 12 Continuing in Office as Independent Non-Executive Director – YANG MULIA RAJA TAN SRI DATO’ SERI AMAN BIN RAJA HAJI AHMAD The Nomination Committee has assessed the independence of Yang Mulia Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Aman Bin Raja Haji Ahmad, who has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a cumulative term of more than nine years, and recommended him to continue to act as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company based on the following justifications:- a) he fulfilled the criteria under the definition of Independent Director as stated in the Main Market Listing Requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, and thus, he would able to function as a check and balance, bring an element of objectivity to the Board; b) he has been with the Company for more than nine years and is familiar with the Company’s business operations; c) he has devoted sufficient time and attention to his professional obligations for informed and balanced decision making; and d) he has exercised his due care during his tenure as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company and carried out his professional duties in the interest of the Company and shareholders. Resolution 13 Continuing in Office as Independent Non-Executive Director – DATUK M CHAREON SAE TANG @ TAN WHYE AUN The Nomination Committee has assessed the independence of Datuk M Chareon Sae Tang @ Tan Whye Aun, who has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a cumulative term of more than nine years, and recommended him to continue to act as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company based on the following justifications:- a) he fulfilled the criteria under the definition of Independent Director as stated in the Main Market Listing Requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, and thus, he would able to function as a check and balance, bring an element of objectivity to the Board; b) he has been with the Company for more than nine years and is familiar with the Company’s business operations; c) he has devoted sufficient time and attention to his professional obligations for informed and balanced decision making; and d) he has exercised his due care during his tenure as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company and carried out his professional duties in the interest of the Company and shareholders. Resolution 14 Continuing in Office as Independent Non-Executive Director – MR LAU TIANG HUA The Nomination Committee has assessed the independence of Mr Lau Tiang Hua, who has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a cumulative term of more than nine years, and recommended him to continue to act as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company based on the following justifications:- a) he fulfilled the criteria under the definition of Independent Director as stated in the Main Market Listing Requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, and thus, he would able to function as a check and balance, bring an element of objectivity to the Board; b) he has been with the Company for more than nine years and is familiar with the Company’s business operations; c) he has devoted sufficient time and attention to his professional obligations for informed and balanced decision making; and d) he has exercised his due care during his tenure as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company and carried out his professional duties in the interest of the Company and shareholders. (Please refer to Explanatory Note below) Resolution 1 Resolution 2 Resolution 14 Resolution 3 Resolution 4 Resolution 5 NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TOMEI CONSOLIDATED BERHAD (200501015912)(692959-W) Resolution 6 Resolution 7 Resolution 8 Resolution 9 Resolution 10 Resolution 11 Resolution 12 Resolution 13 Twitter ‘roughly breaking even’ oReturning advertisers, aggressive cost-cutting starting to bear fruit: Musk BENGALURU: Twitter Inc CEO Elon Musk said yesterday the social media company is “roughly breaking even,” as most of its advertisers have returned and its aggressive cost-cutting efforts have started bearing fruit after massive layoffs. Musk, in an interview with BBC broadcast live on Twitter Spaces, said Twitter has about 1,500 employees now, a sharp decline from “just under 8,000 staff members” it had before he took it over in October. Twitter has been marked by chaos and uncertainty since the US$44 billion (RM194 billion) acquisition by Musk, as its layoffs have also included many engineers responsible for fixing and preventing service outages, sources told Reuters. Last week, Twitter suffered a bug that prevented thousands of users from accessing links, its sixth major outage since the beginning of the year, according to internet watchdog group NetBlocks. Musk acknowledged some glitches, including recent outages, but said they have not lasted very long. He says Twitter was in a US$3 billion negative cash flow situation and had to take drastic actions, referring to its large-scale layoffs. “We could be cash-flow positive this quarter if things go well,” he said in the interview that attracted more than three million listeners, adding the company currently has all-time high user numbers. Twitter has been hit by a massive decline in advertising since his acquisition. Musk had said that was due to the cyclical nature of ad spending and some of which was “political.” He said yesterday most of its advertisers have returned. The billionaire said he has no one in mind to succeed him as Twitter CEO. – Reuters Australia tells exporters to diversify away from top trade partner China SYDNEY: Australia wants exporters to diversify markets and become less reliant on China, because it cannot separate economic and strategic relationships, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a day after the trade partners unveiled a path to ending a dispute. Both nations have reached consensus to end their dispute over barley, they said on Tuesday, with Australia suspending a case at the World Trade Organisation, while China hastens a review of tariffs on Australian exports. “Making sure we do diversify our export markets is an important part of our national resilience,” Wong told Sky News in a television interview yesterday. “And the government will continue to encourage that because we want to make sure we have diversified export markets.” Trade worth A$285 billion (RM838 billion) a year continues with Australia’s major two-way trading partner, while thawing ties see Beijing wind back impediments placed on a raft of Australian commodity exports in 2020 amid a diplomatic dispute. However, it was important to recognise the relationship between the two nations was “not going back to where we were 15 years ago”, Wong said in media interviews. – Reuters Singapore’s GDP growth in first quarter likely slowed SINGAPORE: Singapore’s economy is likely to have expanded at a slower pace in the first quarter, posing a challenge for the central bank as it seeks to balance containing persistent inflation with efforts to shore up weakening growth. Preliminary data due tomorrow is seen showing gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.6% in January-March from a year ago, according to the median forecast of 19 economists in a Reuters poll, due to the weaker external demand. The city-state’s economy expanded 2.1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2022. Manufacturing, one of the country’s main growth engines, has contracted for five consecutive months due to the slowdown in demand for semiconductors globally, along with non-oil domestic exports. Growth in the services industry is expected to help offset the plunge in manufacturing, analysts said. “The pickup in visitor arrivals, including from China, will benefit the hospitality and F&B industries. Private consumption also remains supported due to the healthy labour market conditions,” said Selena Ling, head of treasury research and strategy at OCBC. “Going ahead, the services should still continue to underpin GDP growth in the coming quarters,” she added. The trade-reliant economy grew 3.6% last year, slowing from an 8.9% expansion in 2021. The gloomy outlook combined with persistent inflation has heightened analyst debate over whether the Monetary Authority of Singapore should tighten policy again at its scheduled review tomorrow. Singapore’s core inflation has remained at around a 14-year high in recent months at 5.5%. – Reuters

1 3 A P R I L 2 0 2 3 T H U R S D A Y Starved for success DIRECTED by Sitisiri Mongkolsiri, Hunger is a movie about a street food cook who is hired to work with a chef of fine dining. As the eldest of her siblings and the one who must lead the family business, Aoy (Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying) manages the modest family business Shuyou, which serves street food such Pad See Ew and Rad Na, together with her father. When Tone (Gunn Svasti Na Ayudhya), a customer, offers her a position at Hunger, Thailand’s top fine dining restaurant, she accepts. Hunger is run by the renowned chef Paul (Nopachai ‘Peter’ Chaiyanam), who is in high demand. The rest of the movie’s story follows Aoy as she deals with the challenges and journey of the fine dining industry, and sees how her own drive for success ultimately takes over her life. It’s a movie that explores divisions in society, the pursuit of riches and prestige, and individual egos via the basic ideas of food and culinary snobbery. The director’s vision expresses how food affects social and economic classes, and how following ambition may lead people to lose all they value most. In this movie, Aokbab delivered an outstanding performance as Aoy. It was fascinating to witness her journey. She begins as a frightened lady trying to win Chef Paul’s approval, and who puts up with the poisonous workplace to prove herself, but eventually, she has gained confidence and is no longer afraid by him. It was really thrilling to see her defeat Chef Paul by the end. Personally, I didn’t like the love story between Aoy and Tone. It would have been preferable if they had continued to work together professionally to the very end. But I suppose the filmmaker wanted some variety for the viewers, rather than merely highlighting the tense interactions between Chef Paul and Aoy. Chef Paul definitely was my favourite character in the film. I wouldn’t describe him as the movie’s villain. If we were to examine things Hunger is about a young, hard working girl who trains under a strict celebrity chef. – ALL PIX BY NETFLIX oThis new Netflix movie reveals the harsh reality of the high-end culinary industry █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Aokbab and Gunn share good chemistry in the film. Feeding a need to be the best theSun recently had the chance to do a Zoom interview with Hunger’s lead actors Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying, Nopachai ‘Peter’ Chaiyanam, and Gunn Svasti Na Ayudhya, along with director Sitisiri Mongkolsiri and producer/writer Kongdej Jaturanrasmee. We asked the filmmaker to describe his goals for the film and the message he intended to get through to the audience. The film, according to Sitisiri, is about food, but their primary goal was to depict the narrative that goes beyond the food. They paid more attention to the characters’ humanity. “It goes beyond a traditional food film,” he noted. The cast also discussed the difficulties they had while filming this movie. Sitisiri shared his perspective on the three main characters’ various types of hunger. One of his greatest challenges in making this film was describing and capturing the uniqueness of each cast member. In order to make the dishes in this culinary film, which examines both fine dining and street food, as realistic as possible, Kongdej claimed he conducted extensive study and spoke with several experts. Aokbab remarked that embodying the role was her hardest challenge. She described her persona as being highly aspirational. To integrate herself into both of her character’s worlds, she had to put in a lot of effort. “It’s not at all like how I had imagined myself in my kitchen. It feels more like a war inside this fine dining kitchen. I have to work really hard to study and emulate the life of a chef for this film.” To be able to perform and cook at the same time, according to Gunn, was difficult for him. On the contrary, he claimed that the performers greatly helped one another while filming. Peter said that at first he believed he needed to put in a lot of effort to suit the demeanour and attitude of Chef Paul, but that he quickly recognised all he needed to do was really comprehend his character and what he’s been through in his life. He felt it was enough to convey Chef Paul. Aokbab said portraying the character of Aoy took a lot of effort. – NETFLIX Given that the movie had a quite sombre vibe, we also asked them about the vibe on set. The group claimed that while they kept things serious on production, they are completely cordial with one another off camera. They actually enjoy the meal prepared for the and laughed a lot with each other. Additionally, they stressed how much they love filming together. – by Thashine Selvakumaran from his perspective, all he really wants is for his job to be flawless. He is just performing his job to the best of his ability because he knows how the industry works, and he wants everyone around him, especially his employees, to be the best. He has a very realistic personality. Believe me when I say that every time he came on screen, I would feel shivers. Peter is such a talented actor and precisely captured the character’s feelings. The meticulous preparation of each dish in each scenario is another noteworthy aspect. The music, cinematography, and camera work was all amazing as well. Although the latter act of the film felt a little draggy, it was still an exciting viewing. The food fight between Aoy and Chef Paul was one of the movie’s greatest scenes; it was really dramatic and fulfilling. I absolutely enjoyed the movie. Hunger is now streaming on Netflix. 0 Director: Sitisiri Mongkols iri 0 Cast: Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengch aroensukying, Nopachai ‘Peter’ Chaiyana m, Gunn Svasti Na Ayudhya E-VALUE 7 ACTING 8 PLOT 7

16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME IT has long been common behaviour to criticise others’ appearances, particularly if they are wellknown celebrities. They have historically been the favourite prey for body shamers. While fatphobia is common, celebrities can also become targets if they appear to be overly thin or strong. Thank goodness, more and more celebrities are speaking out against body shaming. Singer Ariana Grande recently responded to body-shaming comments in a TikTok video following some highly-circulated paparazzi photos of her. The singer asked viewers in the three-minute clip to be more careful while making comments about other people’s bodies, noting that the body type to which they are currently comparing her was that of her most difficult period. She said: “There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful. And personally, for me, the body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body. “I was on a lot of anti-depressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy, but that, in fact, wasn’t my healthy.” Grande claimed that she shouldn’t have to explain it but added that “something good might come” from her truthfulness and transparency. It’s difficult to understand what someone is going through, she continued. Near the end of the video, she wished everyone well and added: “Sending you guys a lot of love, and I think you’re beautiful no matter what you’re going through, no matter what weight, no matter how you like to do your makeup these days, no matter what cosmetic procedures you’ve had – or not – or anything.” Kudos to the star for expressing her views and for speaking up for those who struggle with their own body image and mental health. – by Thashine Selvakumaran WE’RE finally getting a look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first female team-up film. After her brief appearance in ShangChi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel will team up with Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau in The Marvels. The teaser trailer shows Rambeau being fired off elsewhere in outer space, while Captain Marvel finds herself transported to earth – specifically, into the bedroom of Kamala. This, more or less, brings us up to date with the post-credits scene of Ms. Marvel, which saw Kamala suddenly transported into outer space where Rambeau was. Though the film’s actual plot is still unknown, The Marvels will serve as a convergence point that ties together several entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that were not necessarily connected before. The film will function as a sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel, 2021’s WandaVision and last year’s Ms. Marvel series on Disney+. As the film will release after the upcoming Secret Invasion series (also on Disney+), The Marvels will more than likely also tie into the new series’ Skrull storyline. By all accounts, Kamala is set to play a major role in The Marvels, especially with her nature as the MCU’s first officially recognised mutant. The film is also rumoured to expand more on the mutant side of things before the inevitable arrival of the XMen in the next few years. In an exclusive interview with EW earlier this year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said that Vellani “essentially steals The Marvels,” while in another interview, Larson described Vellani as “the future.” Feige has also spoken about having all three characters in the same film. “There’s something immensely powerful about seeing Monica, Kamala and Carol together in a frame,” Feige said. “To me, it’s only akin to the first Avengers movie and seeing the six of them together in a frame. It’s chillinducing.” The Marvels hits cinemas on Nov 10, 2023. – by Mark Mathen Victor Ariana Grande calls out body-shamers JEREMY RENNER made his first red carpet appearance yesterday since his near-fatal snowplough accident. The Avengers star attended the premiere of his new Disney+ reality series Rennervations, at the Westwood Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles. The series focuses on renovating used vehicles for underserved communities around the world. The 52-year-old Renner arrived at the premiere and walked through the red carpet using a cane, before posing alongside his family for photographs. After a brief period of walking, the actor hopped on a motorised scooter to assist him to the press interviews. Renner reveals that despite his injuries, he was determined to keep the Rennervations premiere on schedule. “I was really adamant about them not pushing this thing while there was momentum with the brass at Disney, with us, with the timing of it in all of our lives. It just felt right,” Renner told Variety. “I look a little beat up right now, but I promise you this show is what’s propelling me to get better and makes me want to get better every day. I set out a goal to be walking this carpet. “And here I am enjoying it. Otherwise it would have gone to an abyss with no date and lost traction and excitement and I would have been very, very, very frustrated. I’m very excited right now because we’re here.” Monday also saw Renner’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! He entered the stage with the aid of a cane and was greeted with a standing ovation. Prior to talking to Kimmel, he even performed a short dance. – by Hazique Zairill Grande asked people not to compare her current body shape to her past figure. – INSTAGRAM BTS member SUGA recently sat down and did an interview with himself – or rather, his rap alter ego Agust D. On Tuesday, Disney Plus Korea posted a special video ahead of the SUGA: Road to D-Day documentary, which will be aired on Disney+ on April 21. In the video, SUGA sat across from a recorded version of himself as Agust D, and they began asking each other questions about music and life as a popular idol. In one part of the interview clip, SUGA asked Agust D why his songs are straightforward and seem blunt. Agust D replied; “I have always made music honestly, and I don’t think I try to make it more straightforward. I did what I have been doing, but personally, I think there is a little more I can say when I make my own music than for the team. “I speak about my trauma or feelings that he had to overcome in my albums, and I think I feel more liberated by it, and feeling more liberated helps me grow a little more, and it will affect my next album or music a lot.” SUGA also talked about his own music career and how it feels to live as an idol. “There are a lot of songs by SUGA that are rated R. So, I don’t make music with that many boundaries in mind. But when I produce for other musicians as SUGA or produce their songs, I have no choice but to think about the results first.” – by S. Suga during his two-way interview. – DISNEY+ Tamarai Chelvi (from left) Larson, Parris and Vellani in a scene from the trailer. – MARVEL STUDIOS SUGA interviews Agust D Meet The Marvels oThe trailer drops for the new series that brings together three of its new Marvel heroines Making Rennervations Renner on the red carpet for his new show. – REUTERS Scan the QR code to watch video Scan the QR code to watch trailer

17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 Super Mario movie hops to top of box office IT’S only April, but Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie racked up such huge numbers in its North American opening weekend that analysts say it could top the list for all of 2023. The animated film, a joint effort of Universal, Nintendo and Illumination studios, sold an estimated US$146.4 million (RM646.8 million) in tickets over the Easter weekend, and US$204.6 million (RM913.88 million) in its first five days, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday, adding, it “will easily be the #1 flick of 2023.” “The numbers are sensational”, agreed analyst David A. Gross. He said the results were the best ever for a first-episode animation, largely due to the film’s broad appeal, drawing both families and young and old viewers, both male and female. With its foundation in one of the most popular video games of all time, “It’s a marketer’s dream,” Gross added. In second place for the weekend – with one-tenth the ticket sales of Super Mario – was Lionsgate’s neonoir John Wick: Chapter 4, at US$14.6 million (RM64.5 million). The thriller has been praised for its action choreography, largely the work of director and former stuntman Chad Stahelski. Keanu Reeves stars as the titular hitman who finds himself fighting an international crime group. Third spot went to last weekend’s leader, Paramount and eOne’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, at US$14.5 million (RM64 million). Based on the popular role-playing game, it stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Hugh Grant. Amazon Studios’ new release Air, on the origin of Nike’s Air Jordan basketball shoe line, placed fourth, at US$14.46 million (RM63.88 million), which Gross called “an excellent opening for a sports drama.” He attributed that to the film’s “elite cast” – Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker The Super Mario Bros. Movie movie sold an estimated US$146.4 million in tickets over the Easter weekend, and US$204.6 million in its first five days. – NINTENDO & UNIVERSAL STUDIOS and Viola Davis – as well as “outstanding” reviews and the worldwide familiarity of the Nike brand. And in fifth was the horror flick Scream VI, from Paramount and Spyglass Media, at US$3.3 million (RM14.6 million). Rounding out the top 10 were 0 His Only Son (US$3.3 million/ RM14.6 million) 0Creed III (US$2.8 million/ RM12.37 million) 0 Shazam! Fury of the Gods (US$1.6 million/ RM7 million) 0Paint (US$750,000/ RM3.3 million) 0 A Thousand and One (US$600,000/ RM2.65 million) Celebrate Indian New Year with Astro ASTRO will be celebrating the upcoming Indian New Year with an exciting lineup, packed with a huge variety of telemovies, fun game shows, and Indian award shows for viewers to enjoy. The Tamil New Year, or Chithirai Puthandu, is celebrated on April 14 this year. On the same day, Vaisakhi, while Vishu Ashamsakal (the New Year for the Malayalee community) falls on the following day, April 15. For those celebrating, the new year marks a new beginning. Hence, Astro unveiled all the programs and the tagline: New Beginnings, New Possibilities, during an event with all the famous local Indian stars attending the event at V-Sing at Life Centre on April 4. “As we welcome the Indian New Year with our customers, we are thrilled to offer a wide variety of local content across various formats and dialects, such as telemovies, game shows, musicals, award shows, and much more, in Tamil, Malayalam, Punjabi, and Telegu,” said Astro’s Indian Customer Business Vice President, Prem Anand. “We are happy to also share that Bollywood and Kollywood fans can enjoy the ZEES App now on TV via the Ultra and Ulti Box for more of these favourites, including original features, movies, best-loved TV shows from Zee Network channels and more,” said Prem Anand. This year, Astro is rolling out a good selection of locally-made shows along with international programs that will entertain the viewers during these joyous occasions. So relax and enjoy the best tv shows. Watch Maya, a family drama about the journey of an Indian bride and her single-parent father on her wedding day, and the struggles of a single father and his daughter. Starring Hamsni Perumal, Vicky Rao, David Anthony, Satthiya Kandi, and Kogila, the telemovie, directed by M. Punithan, will air on April 15 at 4pm on Astro Vinmeen (Ch202). Another family drama to watch out for is Singapenney, about two sisters setting up a food business during the lockdown. If you love the arts and culture, you must watch the Shantanand Prem Anand (in red holding the Astro sign) along with the cast and crew of telemovies Maya, Nigoodam, Ik Parivaar, Shantanand Festival of Arts and Singappeney, which will premiere on April 14. – ASTRO oAstro unveiled exciting, fun, and entertaining shows, telemovies, and much more for the coming Indian New Year █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI Festival of Arts, which will premiere on April 14 -16 at 6 pm on Astro Vaanavil (Ch201). The show celebrates the Indian community’s love for the arts and aims to rejuvenate the desire to keep any forms of traditional arts alive, such as dance, music, drama, literature, and visual arts. For astrology lovers, find out what’s in store for your Indian zodiac signs (Rasi) in the upcoming new year as a special edition of the Chithirai Sirappu Rasipalan talk show featuring Sarangapani Desingarajan, Vaithyar Bani (a Siddha physician), Jayaseelan Selvaraj (astrologer) and Subramaniam Kandiah will be screened on April 14 at 10am (Ch201). A locally made Malayalam thriller movie, Nigoodam (9pm on April 15 on Ch201), and a Punjabi family comedy telemovie, Ik Parivaar (April 14 at 9pm on Ch251), will entertain the audiences. Exciting Indian movies Watch out for Kantara, a critically acclaimed and one of the biggest hit movies in 2022 in India, starring Rishad Shetty about a young tribal woman reluctantly performing a ritual dance to seek justice, which will be screened on April 17 at 9.30 pm (Ch202). Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, starring R. Madhavan, is set to entertain audiences on April 15 at 10 pm (Ch202). Fans of popular singer Hariharan can watch Padma Shree Hariharan live in Putrajaya on April 16 at 9 pm (Ch202) and other entertaining shows like Tamil cinema artists’ Zee Golden Moments Awards 2023. A grand gala show, Grandstar Night, featuring actors from Tamil cinema artists, including Parthiban, and Andrea Jeremiah, will entertain you on April 14 at 2 pm (Ch202), and then there is a debate show, Special Pattimandram, on Zee Tamil HD (at 10am on April 14 onCh223). If you are looking to watch something fun, watch Teriyumma (Do You Know), a fun street travelogue show (on April 15 at 9pm on Ch202). Fans of local actor Denes Kumar and the Pasange trilogy, Astro Vinmeen has good news for you. The popular stars of Pasanga will be coming to your TV screen. Starring the popular actors Denes, Vikadakavi Magen, Moon Nila, and Alvin Martin, you can enjoy the Pasanga Series Puthandu Special on April 15 and 16 at 8pm on Astro Vinmeen (Ch202). The writer and director of Vilayaattu Pasange (released in 2011), Vetti Pasanga (2014), and Vedigundu Pasangge (2018), Dr. Vimala Perumal, said they have so many stories to tell that they can’t squeeze them into a three-hour movie. “After we completed the trilogy, we thought let’s give it a pause and write Vayasana Pasange (Old Boys), but we documented a lot of stories that we want to tell the audience, so we started writing again,” she said. The TV series was directed by another film actress and director, Shalini Balasundram. Producer and writer of the series, Denes, added that they may decide to do Pasanga Series 2 or another Pasanga movie, depending on the public’s reception. Customers can catch all the premieres on TV, Astro GO, On Demand, and the ZEE5 app. Check out the special Indian New Year shows on Astro Ulagam and RAAGA radio.

18 FEATURE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 credible enough to direct my movie.” His debut television movie, Maya, is set to premiere on April 15, 2023, at 4pm on Astro Vaanavil (Ch201) in conjunction with the Tamil New Year. The film highlights the issues, compromises, and sacrifices faced by Indian brides on their journey to marriage. Maya was also inspired by his own personal and cultural experiences. Tell us more about Maya. “I wanted my first movie to be an entertainer with a strong social message, hence, I wrote Maya based on my belief of how a woman should be despite the pressure and challenges thrown at her by society.” Why did you choose to do a movie about an Indian bride? “It’s the most common issue that every Indian family will go through before marriage. The audience will be able to relate to D From a bride’s perspective IRECTOR R. Punithan, who recently released his first telemovie, spoke about his long journey before reaching his dream to become a director. The 34-year-old joined the local film industryover a decade ago, but his dream did not materialise immediately. He explained: “Just like many, I enjoyed watching movies growing up, and eventually, I became fascinated with the background work of producing these movies. “I decided at a very young age that I would become a director and share my ideologies in an entertaining way.” However, it took him some 13 years to finally reach his goal. “Literally, I started from the bottom as an ordinary crew member in 2010 and went up the ladder while learning more about the craft from the technical crew. [I worked as a] DOP (Director of Photography), editor, sound design, line producer, story writer, and 13 years later, [made my] debut as a director for Astro,“ said Punithan. Asked about his experiences, Punithan replied: “I wouldn’t call them struggles but challenges that pushed me to learn about my craft, since I had solved those issues, independently.” “I had to work in various types of projects (drama, documentaries, commercials, theatre movies, and others) before I was considered oIn his newest film Maya, local director R. Punithan explored the challenges a bride faces ahead of marriage █ BYS. TAMARAI CHELVI Lee Chong Wei unveils wax figure Youth and Sports Syed Saddiq, were present. “To inspire other sports athletes and to provide a voice of authority for younger athletes, people will turn to Lee,” said Yeoh. “I do hope his achievement will inspire other athletes to work harder, not just to gain medals, but to have a good attitude, mental strength, and success after sports that is equally important,“ she added. During the event, Lee was asked what memory came to mind when he looked at the wax figure wearing his Olympic jersey (which has his lucky colours, blue and green). He recalled the Rio Olympics in 2016, and all the ups and downs throughout his 19- year career as a national badminton player and his coaches, who had supported him. An emotional Lee described that he had a “roller coaster” career, but one of the toughest times was when he tried to qualify for the Olympics in 2016. “This was not easy,” said Lee, whose rank at that point went down to 142, and he had to come back up to the top position in 11 months “It was a tough moment in my career,” said Lee, as his voice started to crack. Lee smiles as he poses with his wax figure. – PIX BY AMIRUL SYAFIQ AND WAN MIRZA ISKANDAR/ THESUN Maya explores the perspective of an Indian bride. FORMER world No. 1 badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei will be the first Malaysian athlete to grace Madame Tussauds. His wax figure will be featured at The Champions Zone alongside sports icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Yao Ming, and Manny Pacquiao. Last month, Madame Tussauds had a special showcase in Kuala Lumpur, where the wax figure was unveiled at the JW Marriott Hotel before it was sent to Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong for permanent display. The wax figure depicted Lee’s signature “smash” pose and wearing Lee’s Yonex jersey from his final Olympics performance in Rio 2016, along with SHB-01 LTD LCW shoes and a Yonex Duora 10 LCW badminton racquet. Lee happily posed with the wax figure, and even joked that when he first saw the figure, he thought he had a new ‘brother’. It took about six hours for Lee to pose for the wax sculpture. At least 200 different measurements were taken, including eye measurements that resulted in the creation of a lifelike figure. At the event, Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister Adam Adli, and former Minister of either the bride’s or groom’s side of the story. “However, my perspective was on the struggle the couple faces during the wedding preparations. When pressure from unconventional and irrelevant practices is brought in by a third person (namely, relatives). “This movie will show you how little things can pile up and break the spirit of a strong young woman. I chose the bride’s perspective to make the audience see a perspective since it’s rarely shown and to make them feel how it will be if the groom’s family exercises their full authority in wedding preparation.” How are the characters related to your personal life? “Firstly, I am married and I have seen my share of wedding preparations, but mainly it’s the same issues with varying intensities in different Indian families ahead of weddings that inspired me to write this story with the “It was just me, my coach, and my physiologist who went to the US and Canada, and it was tough. I was fighting for myself and for my country to qualify for the Olympics,” explained Lee, his eyes swelled with tears. Wiping away the tears running down his cheeks, Lee took a moment to compose himself to speak while the audience applauded in a show of support and encouragement throughout the speech. Continuing his speech, Lee thanked all of his coaches, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), ministers, the Youth and Sports Ministry, his friends, family, and sponsors, Yonex. Lee also thanked all of his sponsors, who have never left him during his struggling moments and for their trust in him. A humble manLee even thanked the cleaning auntie, who helped to clean the badminton court after his many training sessions. Last but not least, Lee thanked all Malaysians, who had supported him all throughout his journey to the top. Lee, who has retired from badminton, holds a record of 349 weeks as the top badminton player worldwide, with 199 consecutive weeks listed at the top. – by S. Tamarai Chelvi Punithan and his crew working behind the scenes of his film. (from right) Adam, Yeoh and Lee with the wax figure. assistance of the writer, Sathiarupan Rajah, who further developed the characters to represent the issues I wanted to convey to the audience. “We did some interviews and research related to this topic and found interesting details to share. On top of it, the lead actors, Hamsni Perumal, and Vicky Rao made improvisations and improvements to their roles to make them much more realistic and relevant to my vision.” Do you hope the movie will help change the way in-laws treat future brides? “In my perspective, you can’t change anyone unless they want to. I hope my movie will help instigate the Indian community to realize what they are putting the Bride family through in the name of traditions. “The groom’s family always has the upper hand, and there is no equality when it comes to wedding preparations. One of my main messages in this movie will be to not let a third person interfere in any decisions in the marriage and to never give up on your dreams.” What did you want to convey through the characters or the story? “In this story, I have [highlighted] a father’s role to represent strength and as a pillar of support for daughters and wives. The antagonistic characters represent the issues faced by the couple when it comes to their wedding, an event that will be lifechanging for them but everyone else has a say in their life choices. “Finally, Maya conveys the strength that I hope women can bring into their life without losing themselves to community or family pressures and norms.” Is it tough for a male director to make a female-centric movie? “As a male director, it was kind of tough ... because I needed to understand a woman’s perspective on this topic. Luckily, my wife was able to guide me on that matter.” What is your next project? “I am working towards directing a theatrical film soon.” Punithan spoke to women to uncover nuances behind an Indian wedding. – ALL PIX COURTESY OF R. PUNITHAN

19 FOOD theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 Eat balanced meals Ramadan is a time when people are more socially active because they either host guests or are guests of friends and family. Visits are focused primarily on the iftar break fast, which is a rich and festive meal served with all of the best foods. As a result, some people may not engage in physical activity and, as a result, may gain weight during the month. Well, there is nothing wrong with attending all of the events and buffet dining, but when it comes to choosing your meals, you should be a little more selective because they should contain a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Make an effort to stay away from processed and fried foods that are high in calories, unhealthy fats, and added sugars. These foods can result in weight gain and other health issues. Select natural, whole foods instead, and cook them in wholesome ways like baking, grilling, or steaming. Keep in mind to control your portion sizes and avoid eating until you feel overly full because overeating during non-fasting hours can result in weight gain and other health issues. Maintain proper nutrition and hydration Breaking the fast with easily digestible foods is a good, healthy option. After many long hours of fasting, people tend to eat a lot of food quickly during Ramadan. Sudan’s speciality ‘bittersweet’ Ramadan drink AS generations of Sudanese have done before her, Wissal Abdel Ghany crouched next to a fire to prepare a traditional drink, a thirst-quenching favourite enjoyed during Ramadan. In Sudan, the arduously made “helo-murr”, which means “bittersweet”, is a drink synonymous with the Islamic holy month. It can be found on almost every table across the northeast African country at the end of the day’s fast. “Without it, our table feels empty,” said Abdel Ghany, wearing a bright orange headscarf. She sat in a small room in the village of Om Eshr, on the outskirts of the capital Khartoum, which teemed with a small force of women busily scraping and spreading a mixture before serving the beverage in clear glasses. The drink has satisfied thirsty fasters for decades and recipes are “inherited from our mothers and grandmothers”, the 43-year-old said. Corn is harvested and left to dry in the sun before being ground and mixed with spices such as fenugreek, cumin or even hibiscus – Sudan’s other essential Ramadan beverage. This mixture is then soaked in sugar and water for several days. Abdel Ghany spread a layer of the thick brown paste over a grill plate above the coals of a wood fire, cooking it into a thin, leathercoloured film. The resulting crepe-like layer is then peeled away and stored – ready to be soaked in the final step to create the beloved drink. Served as cold as possible, the drink is one of many ways that fasting Sudanese cool off, a significant challenge in one of the world’s hottest countries. Collective effort The daytime fasting month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, after which they traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast. In Sudan, the brew is so identified with Ramadan that even the US embassy took to Twitter to promote its staff making it, with diplomats wielding wooden spoons over embers and sipping the amber liquid. Abdel Ghany said preparing the drink is a collective effort, bringing “together our sisters and friends”. “We make it together to share among ourselves”, she said. In Sudan’s cities, she added, some people don’t make it themselves. “But they still have to offer it for dinner, so they buy it ready-made”, she said. For Abdel Ghany, the preparation of helo-murr and the holy month cannot be separated. “All it takes is a whiff of the scent coming out of a home to know that Ramadan is here,” she said. – ETX Studio Sudanese women prepare ‘helo-murr’, a Ramadan drink made with dried corn and spices. – AFP Healthy eating habits for Ramadan Let’s discuss some tips for maintaining a healthy diet during Ramadan, including meal planning, hydration, and smart food choices. – 123RF oHere are some ways to maintain a healthy diet during Ramadan and support your overall health and wellbeing █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL Chew your food thoroughly and slowly. This improves digestion and decreases caloric intake by enhancing meal satisfaction. – 123RF Start with liquids like soups, juices or water before eating. – 123RF RAMADAN is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims around the world embark on a spiritual journey of selfdiscipline and introspection. They also observe a period of fasting from dawn to sunset. As a result, maintaining healthy eating habits may be difficult. With a mindful approach to food, however, you can nourish your body and soul during this time of renewal. Embracing healthy eating during Ramadan means making smart choices that fuel your body with the energy it needs to thrive. By planning your meals, hydrating properly, and avoiding processed and fried foods, you can maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. Also do not forget the importance of portion control and avoiding overindulging in sweets, which can impact your health and wellbeing. So, let’s explore some tips and tricks to keep you on track with healthy eating during this holy month. Plan your meals and activities When you fast during Ramadan, you not only change your eating and sleeping patterns, but your biological clock also undergoes a series of physical and mental changes. Your body lowers your metabolism to use energy as effectively as possible because you are dehydrated and hungry after a fast. Don’t worry though, by simply drinking enough water and being mindful of your diet both during suhoor (the meal period before sunrise) and after iftar (the meal period after sunset), you can still enjoy fasting and embody the spirit of Ramadan. Therefore, simply plan your meals ahead of time and include a variety of foods that provide your body with the nutrients it requires. This will help you avoid overeating or consuming too many unhealthy foods during non-fasting hours. But instead of doing this, try breaking your fast with soup, followed by water or freshly squeezed fruit juice to hydrate your body after a long day of dehydration, and then eat the main course 10 to 15 minutes later. This will make you feel full and stop you from eating too much, which will benefit your digestive system. Be sure to hydrate well with water and other fluids like coconut water, fresh juice, and herbal teas. Caffeine and sugary drinks should be avoided as they can keep you dehydrated. It is vital to stay hydrated during non-fasting hours. Don’t skip Suhoor Suhoor is the meal that is eaten before dawn, and it is very important because it gives your body the fuel it needs to get through the day ahead. Complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and unsaturated fats should all be part of your suhoor meal. Focus on healthful meals such as rice, meats like chicken and beef, fruits and vegetables, and dates at the end. This will provide you energy throughout the day. Include vegetables, a serving of carbs like whole-wheat bread or rolls, protein-rich foods like dairy (milk, cheese that isn’t too salty, yogourt), eggs, and a side of avocado. As you can see, there are many ways to observe a fast while remaining nourished and healthy. Ramadan is a sacred time of year, and fasting is a significant part of this holy month. By adopting a holistic approach to food, you can support your body and mind during Ramadan’s spiritual practices.

20 TRAVEL theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Tips to save big on your next vacation GOING on a trip to explore what the world has to offer is one of life’s greatest adventures! Whether you’re looking to spend a sunny day at the beach or uncover the hidden gems of a big city, travelling can help you unwind, reset, and embrace the unknown. When planning your getaway, travel expenses can feel intimidating – but there are plenty of apps you can use to cut some costs, get the best deals and plan an amazing, financially savvy vacation! Here are a few of our top picks: Manage your money Wisely Wise is the one place you can manage all your money. The app lets you create multi-currency accounts that give users access to as many as 50 currencies – gone are the days of conversion and bank fees sneaking up on you while you spend overseas! Wise’s international card also offers users the best exchange rate and saves on ATM withdrawal fees when you travel overseas. With these savings, you can spend your hardearned money anywhere in the world on what really matters. Stay connected with Airalo Say no to exorbitant roaming charges and unreliable wifi with the world’s first eSim store, Airalo. Airalo offers eSIMs (virtual sim cards) for over 200+ countries and regions at the most affordable rates from around the world. With these eSIMs that you can purchase ahead of your trip, you can stay connected without having to purchase a brand new physical SIM card or having to carry multiple SIM Use the above apps to help you save money while on holiday! cards at once. Find the best deals with Klook When traveling, there are truly so many things to consider that it can feel overwhelming: transportation services, SIM cards, local dining spots, and pocket wifi, to name a few. Fortunately, Klook can help you book it all on one nifty app. You can experience more for less with Klook’s wide range of promotions and exclusive deals for the best activities, restaurants, and attractions in any town. Save a pretty penny on flights and hotels with Hopper Need travel recommendations? Check out the Hopper app to get personalised suggestions based on your travel history. The app also keeps you posted on best deals for your flights and desired hotels to ensure you get your dream vacation at the lowest prices possible. Stay comfortable with LoungeBuddy Say goodbye to stuffy and uncomfortable waiting areas at the airport! Just download LoungeBuddy and treat yourself to their affordable, one-time-use lounge passes so that you can indulge in the comfort, privacy, and convenience of airport lounges as you wait for your next flight – no membership or status necessary! And while you’re on the road, don’t forget to take your Wise card with you! It helps make payments easy, and you can avoid hefty overseas card transaction fees by enjoying the fairest rate you can find when paying during your trip abroad. Holiday fun for children I STANBUL, a leading global destination offering distinctive travel experiences, is also a great city to cater for children. İstanbul’s various museums expand children’s awareness of culture, arts, technology and history while creating fun moments for the entire family. İstanbul’s museums for children are also getting prepared for April 23, Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. It offers an ideal occasion for kids and parents to explore these interesting İstanbul institutions. Aeroplanes, Automobiles and More: The Rahmi M. Koç Museum Opened in 1994, the Rahmi M. Koç Museum is among the unique museums in stanbul. Set in Hasköy on the shores of the Golden Horn, the museum is Türkiye’s only major museum dedicated to the history of transportation, industry and communication. The Museum promises an unforgettable journey into the past with exhibits featuring classic cars, the first trams, boats, antique planes, steamboats and penny-farthings (the first types of bicycles). Visitors can also expand their horizons in sections devoted to scientific inventions and tools. The Museum’s collection also includes some of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s personal belongings. The Rahmi M. Koç Museum regularly organizes various activities and workshops for children, during which their parents can enjoy the nearby seaside cafes and restaurants. A Journey into Childhood: The Toy The Rahmi M. Koc Museum is filled with various vehicles. oMuseums in İstanbul are celebrating Türkiye’s children on a day dedicated to them The Toy Museum features many unique figurines and games. Museum of Illusion is a great place to spend an afternoon. Museum The İstanbul Toy Museum, set in a historical mansion in Kadıköy, the most famous district on the Anatolian side, welcomes visitors of all ages to the colorful world of toys. With a collection of toys amassed over two decades by poet/writer Sunay Akın from antique shops and auctions across more than 40 countries, the Toy Museum is an excellent place for parents and children to spend time together. The Museum’s exhibits include the most famous examples of toy history from the 1700s to the present, offering parents and kids the opportunity to learn about world history in a fun and memorable way. In addition, the stanbul Toy Museum pioneered the establishment of a union of children’s and toy museums worldwide, giving stanbul the title of the “capital of toy museums”. Where Time Stands Still: Miniatürk Another museum beloved by children is Miniatürk, which brings most important works of Türkiye are exhibited. Miniature models of 137 architectural works, from caravanserais to complexes, mosques, churches and synagogues, and ancient buildings to palaces, showcase the artistry and architecture of Türkiye. A visit to Miniatürk is a delightful introduction to Turkish history! A World of Illusions: The Museum of Illusion In general, children are enchanted by magic and illusion. The İstanbul Illusion Museum invites kids into the surprising and entertaining world of illusions at Narmanlı Han in Beyoğlu on the European side of İstanbul and at Emaar Square Mall on the Anatolia side. Featuring optical illusions, holograms, illusion tunnels, and cleverly designed rooms that make the visitor appear upside down, presenting intriguing experiences to visitors of all ages. While the İstanbul Museum of Illusions offers kids an interactive and fun journey, the exhibits also contribute to the development of children’s imaginations with its perception tricks. Check out the Museum’s Infinity Room, Vortex Tunnel and UpsideDown Room, have a great time with your kids and take lots of photos! Article provided by Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency. together the architectural heritage of the civilisations that ruled Anatolia throughout history. Miniatürk opened to visitors in 2003 with the slogan of ‘A Small Model of the Big Country’, is a unique park where 1/25-scale models of the

21 SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SENI INSPIRASI SDN BHD (198501009548 (141999-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of SENI INSPIRASI SDN. BHD. (198501009548 (141999-D)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Syed Mahfiz Bin Syed Ismail Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SENI INSPIRASI SDN BHD (198501009548 (141999-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 15 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator SENI INSPIRASI SDN BHD (198501009548 (141999-D)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF S E MANUFACTURES SDN BHD (198401006627 (119142-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of S E MANUFACTURES SDN. BHD. (198401006627 (119142-K)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Syed Mahfiz Bin Syed Ismail Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF S E MANUFACTURES SDN BHD (198401006627 (119142-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 15 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator S E MANUFACTURES SDN BHD (198401006627 (119142-K)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HALUAN EKSKLUSIF SDN BHD (199601040482 (412835-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of HALUAN EKSKLUSIF SDN. BHD. (199601040482 (412835-D)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Shaari Bin Nasir Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HALUAN EKSKLUSIF SDN BHD (199601040482 (412835-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 15 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator HALUAN EKSKLUSIF SDN BHD (199601040482 (412835-D)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CORE CHALLENGE SDN BHD (199301010638 (265375-X)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of CORE CHALLENGE SDN. BHD. (199301010638 (265375-X)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Rais Bin Hasnan Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CORE CHALLENGE SDN BHD (199301010638 (265375-X)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 15 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator CORE CHALLENGE SDN BHD (199301010638 (265375-X)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CORAK BAKTI SDN BHD (199101002531 (212842-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of CORAK BAKTI SDN. BHD. (199101002531 (212842-K)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Azman Hanafi Bin Abdullah Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CORAK BAKTI SDN BHD (199101002531 (212842-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 14 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator CORAK BAKTI SDN BHD (199101002531 (212842-K)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: WA-A72M-1248-01/2023 ANTARA YAYASAN DEWAN PERNIAGAAN MELAYU PERLIS BERHAD (No Syarikat.: 199201018259 [249763-U]) … PLAINTIF DAN NOOR FADZILAH BINTI SHAIKH ABDUL MAJID (No. K/P: 781021-06-5108) … DEFENDAN NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) Kepada: - 1) NOOR FADZILAH BINTI SHAIKH ABDUL MAJID SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Lumpur , dalam Guaman No.WAA72M-1248-01/2023 oleh Yayasan Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Perlis Berhad (“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 31.01.2023 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui serahan melalui menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Majistret 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 tujuh (7) 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 Mac, 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/YYP(RCE)/00780/2023 CLASSIFIEDS *Terms And Conditions Apply Call 03-7784 6688 or email [email protected] RM138 6SHFLDO2΍HU for Limited time only! (excl 6% SST) 2 Units 3 Storey Shop House known as 178, 178A, 178B & 180, 180A, 180B Seang Teik Road, 10400 Penang. Price: RM2.5 million per unit Riverside Resort Sdn Bhd, 332D Chulia Street, 10200 Penang 04-2630337 PROPERTY FOR SALE GREAT RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT / SALE! For Viewing Appointment, please call Ms. Chloe : 03-2072 2562 Address: Kota Raya Complex Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock 50000 Kuala Lumpur Area: 5th Floor – 26,102 sf 4th Floor – 22,390 sf Other Floors – From 205 sf to 2,982 sf Size : 5cm x 1 column (3cm) Spec : Full Color Actual Price : RM198.00 5 Days duration *Value Added on website www.thesundaily.my Call : 017-320 8888 Home Repair Expert Plumbing, Tiling, Wiring and A/Cond From RM60 onward 322 Notices 302 Jobs IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF WOH SENG TRADING SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO. 200001006777 (509382-W) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) At the Meeting of Members the abovenamed Company duly held at 10A, Jalan Centrepoint 2, Pinji Centrepoint, 31650 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan on Thursday, 6 April 2023 at 10.30 a.m., the following special resolution was duly passed:- Special Resolution Members’ Voluntary Liquidation RESOLVED: 1. “THAT the Company be wound up as Members’ Voluntary Liquidation pursuant to Section 439(1) of the Companies Act, 2016.” 2. “THAT Mr Leong Jia Jien (NRIC No.: 890612-08-5867) of 64, Jalan Kledang Raya 11, Taman Saz, 30100 Ipoh, Perak be and is hereby appointed as the Liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such liquidation with all the powers given by Section 456 (Regulation No. 6 of the Eleventh Schedule) of the Companies Act, 2016.” 3. “THAT the Liquidator be and is hereby authorised to draw his remuneration by reference to the time properly incurred by him in the winding up of the Company in addition to his out of pocket expenses.” 4. “THAT the Liquidator be and is hereby authorised to distribute surplus assets in specie or in kind to the members of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interest therein.” LEONG JIA JIEN (MIA 38062) Secretary Ipoh 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF WOH SENG TRADING SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO. 200001006777 (509382-W) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) Notice is hereby given that the creditors of Woh Seng Trading Sdn. Bhd. [Registration No. 200001006777 (509382-W)] which is being voluntarily wound-up are required on or before 13 May 2023 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and the names and addresses of the solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator at 10A, Jalan Centrepoint 2, Pinji Centrepoint, 31650 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator or by their solicitors or personally required to come in and prove their said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. LEONG JIA JIEN Liquidator Ipoh 13 April 2023 DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: WA-A72M-1749-02/2023 ANTARA YAYASAN IHSAN RAKYAT (No Syarikat.: 201201017719 [1003231-A]) … PLAINTIF DAN RAFIDAH BINTI ABU BAKAR (No. K/P: 790414-06-5066) … DEFENDAN NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) Kepada: - 1) RAFIDAH BINTI ABU BAKAR SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Lumpur , dalam Guaman No.WAA72M-1749-02/2023 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 3.02.2023 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui serahan melalui menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Majistret 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 Mac, 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)/00790/2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF LT TRADING SDN. BHD. 199601002493 (374839-W) (Incorporated In Malaysia) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 that a Final General Meeting of the members of the abovenamed company will be held at No. 53, Tingkat 2, Bandar Raub Perdana, 27600 Raub, Pahang on Monday, 15th. May, 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: (1) To make Final Distribution of surplus assets to the contributories. (2) To receive an account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to receive any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. (3) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereof shall be disposed off. LEE PIT NYUK Liquidator Dated this 13th. April, 2023 Raub, Pahang Darul Makmur NOTE : A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. All proxies should be deposited at the Liquidator’s Office not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the Meeting. 322 Notices 322 Notices Advertise with us & connect to our urban readers. KLANG VALLEY PENANG | KEDAH PERAK | PERLIS PAHANG | KELANTAN TERENGGANU MS. Shoba TEL: 03-7784 8888 FAX: 03-7784 4424 MALACCA MR. Rajah TEL: 012-628 2844 FAX: 06-764 2051 JOHOR BAHRU MS. Anne Lim TEL: 013-770 6699 FAX: 07-355 5549 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SENI INSPIRASI SDN BHD (198501009548 (141999-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of SENI INSPIRASI SDN. BHD. (198501009548 (141999-D)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Syed Mahfiz Bin Syed Ismail Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SENI INSPIRASI SDN BHD (198501009548 (141999-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 15 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator SENI INSPIRASI SDN BHD (198501009548 (141999-D)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF S E MANUFACTURES SDN BHD (198401006627 (119142-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of S E MANUFACTURES SDN. BHD. (198401006627 (119142-K)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Syed Mahfiz Bin Syed Ismail Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF S E MANUFACTURES SDN BHD (198401006627 (119142-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 15 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator S E MANUFACTURES SDN BHD (198401006627 (119142-K)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HALUAN EKSKLUSIF SDN BHD (199601040482 (412835-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of HALUAN EKSKLUSIF SDN. BHD. (199601040482 (412835-D)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Shaari Bin Nasir Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HALUAN EKSKLUSIF SDN BHD (199601040482 (412835-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 15 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator HALUAN EKSKLUSIF SDN BHD (199601040482 (412835-D)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CORE CHALLENGE SDN BHD (199301010638 (265375-X)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of CORE CHALLENGE SDN. BHD. (199301010638 (265375-X)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Rais Bin Hasnan Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CORE CHALLENGE SDN BHD (199301010638 (265375-X)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 15 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator CORE CHALLENGE SDN BHD (199301010638 (265375-X)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CORAK BAKTI SDN BHD (199101002531 (212842-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of CORAK BAKTI SDN. BHD. (199101002531 (212842-K)) on 4 April 2023:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2. THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Azman Hanafi Bin Abdullah Director Dated this 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CORAK BAKTI SDN BHD (199101002531 (212842-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 14 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator CORAK BAKTI SDN BHD (199101002531 (212842-K)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 13 April 2023 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: WA-A72M-1248-01/2023 ANTARA YAYASAN DEWAN PERNIAGAAN MELAYU PERLIS BERHAD (No Syarikat.: 199201018259 [249763-U]) … PLAINTIF DAN NOOR FADZILAH BINTI SHAIKH ABDUL MAJID (No. K/P: 781021-06-5108) … DEFENDAN NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) Kepada: - 1) NOOR FADZILAH BINTI SHAIKH ABDUL MAJID SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Lumpur , dalam Guaman No.WAA72M-1248-01/2023 oleh Yayasan Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Perlis Berhad (“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 31.01.2023 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui serahan melalui menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Majistret 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 tujuh (7) 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 Mac, 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/YYP(RCE)/00780/2023 CLASSIFIEDS *Terms And Conditions Apply Call 03-7784 6688 or email [email protected] RM138 6SHFLDO2΍HU for Limited time only! (excl 6% SST) 2 Units 3 Storey Shop House known as 178, 178A, 178B & 180, 180A, 180B Seang Teik Road, 10400 Penang. Price: RM2.5 million per unit Riverside Resort Sdn Bhd, 332D Chulia Street, 10200 Penang 04-2630337 PROPERTY FOR SALE GREAT RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT / SALE! For Viewing Appointment, please call Ms. Chloe : 03-2072 2562 Address: Kota Raya Complex Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock 50000 Kuala Lumpur Area: 5th Floor – 26,102 sf 4th Floor – 22,390 sf Other Floors – From 205 sf to 2,982 sf Size : 5cm x 1 column (3cm) Spec : Full Color Actual Price : RM198.00 5 Days duration *Value Added on website www.thesundaily.my Call : 017-320 8888 Home Repair Expert Plumbing, Tiling, Wiring and A/Cond From RM60 onward 322 Notices 302 Jobs IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF WOH SENG TRADING SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO. 200001006777 (509382-W) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) At the Meeting of Members the abovenamed Company duly held at 10A, Jalan Centrepoint 2, Pinji Centrepoint, 31650 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan on Thursday, 6 April 2023 at 10.30 a.m., the following special resolution was duly passed:- Special Resolution Members’ Voluntary Liquidation RESOLVED: 1. “THAT the Company be wound up as Members’ Voluntary Liquidation pursuant to Section 439(1) of the Companies Act, 2016.” 2. “THAT Mr Leong Jia Jien (NRIC No.: 890612-08-5867) of 64, Jalan Kledang Raya 11, Taman Saz, 30100 Ipoh, Perak be and is hereby appointed as the Liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such liquidation with all the powers given by Section 456 (Regulation No. 6 of the Eleventh Schedule) of the Companies Act, 2016.” 3. “THAT the Liquidator be and is hereby authorised to draw his remuneration by reference to the time properly incurred by him in the winding up of the Company in addition to his out of pocket expenses.” 4. “THAT the Liquidator be and is hereby authorised to distribute surplus assets in specie or in kind to the members of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interest therein.” LEONG JIA JIEN (MIA 38062) Secretary Ipoh 13 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF WOH SENG TRADING SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO. 200001006777 (509382-W) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) Notice is hereby given that the creditors of Woh Seng Trading Sdn. Bhd. [Registration No. 200001006777 (509382-W)] which is being voluntarily wound-up are required on or before 13 May 2023 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and the names and addresses of the solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator at 10A, Jalan Centrepoint 2, Pinji Centrepoint, 31650 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator or by their solicitors or personally required to come in and prove their said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. LEONG JIA JIEN Liquidator Ipoh 13 April 2023 DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: WA-A72M-1749-02/2023 ANTARA YAYASAN IHSAN RAKYAT (No Syarikat.: 201201017719 [1003231-A]) … PLAINTIF DAN RAFIDAH BINTI ABU BAKAR (No. K/P: 790414-06-5066) … DEFENDAN NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) Kepada: - 1) RAFIDAH BINTI ABU BAKAR SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Lumpur , dalam Guaman No.WAA72M-1749-02/2023 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 3.02.2023 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui serahan melalui menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Majistret 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 Mac, 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)/00790/2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF LT TRADING SDN. BHD. 199601002493 (374839-W) (Incorporated In Malaysia) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 that a Final General Meeting of the members of the abovenamed company will be held at No. 53, Tingkat 2, Bandar Raub Perdana, 27600 Raub, Pahang on Monday, 15th. May, 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: (1) To make Final Distribution of surplus assets to the contributories. (2) To receive an account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to receive any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. (3) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereof shall be disposed off. LEE PIT NYUK Liquidator Dated this 13th. April, 2023 Raub, Pahang Darul Makmur NOTE : A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. All proxies should be deposited at the Liquidator’s Office not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the Meeting. 322 Notices 322 Notices Advertise with us & connect to our urban readers. KLANG VALLEY PENANG | KEDAH PERAK | PERLIS PAHANG | KELANTAN TERENGGANU MS. Shoba TEL: 03-7784 8888 FAX: 03-7784 4424 MALACCA MR. Rajah TEL: 012-628 2844 FAX: 06-764 2051 JOHOR BAHRU MS. Anne Lim TEL: 013-770 6699 FAX: 07-355 5549 Mumbai win first IPL game SKIPPER Rohit Sharma smashed 65 as Mumbai Indians edged out Delhi Capitals by six wickets in a last-ball IPL thriller to register their first win of the season yesterday. Mumbai’s chase of 173 moved to the final delivery when impact player Tim David and Cameron Green got the winning runs to hand hosts Delhi their fourth straight loss in as many matches. Delhi, led by David Warner and coached by Ricky Ponting, have endured a horrendous run in the T20 tournament to be in danger of an early exit from the playoff race. The franchise is yet to win the Indian Premier League and suffered an early blow when captain Rishabh Pant was involved in a car crash in December to be ruled out of the season. Rohit and the left-handed Ishan Kishan gave the former champions a flying start in their 71-run stand before a run out sent Kishan back to the pavilion. The Indian captain put on another big partnership of 68 with Tilak Varma, who made 41, but Mukesh Kumar raised hopes of a turnaround with successive strikes. He sent back Varma and then T20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav for a first ball duck to bring a live the home crowd that went crazy when Rohit departed five balls later off Mustafizur Rahman. But David (13) and Green (17) kept their calm in a dramatic final over from Anrich Nortjeto steer the team home. Earlier Delhi were bowled out for 172 in 19.4 overs despite Warner’s 51 and an attacking 54 by fellow left-hander Axar Patel after the hosts were invited to bat first. – AFP

22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 SPORTS 5622/2023 12/04/2023 (WED) 0330 9333 0855 9423 4748 7163 7890 0258 1365 9916 6488 4458 5238 6671 3892 5111 6333 5391 6220 3671 3553 2576 2099 5,011,861.83 0330 0330 0330 0855 0855 9333 0855 0855 9333 9333 0330 9333 136,055.92 0330 9333 0855 RABBIT 55163 82959 2959 959 96086 5 9 9 8 003298 03298 3298 298 00329 0032 003 0 0 5,163,664.41 3,002,848.37 7 8 26 52 57 58 550,495.73 5 10 24 32 50 54 9 11 18 28 31 44 45 16,373,919.91 RM268,449 RM3,464 won on 09/04/2023 ! Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System) Toto 4D Jackpot 2 508 699 +ROOSTER 991 654 +DRAGON 499 203 +DRAGON Draw Date: 12/04/23 (Wed) Draw No: 5569/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 8699 1654 9203 2697 + 3048 4484 + 1924 4591 + 3725 5726 + 6877 4689 + 4804 0758 + 4061 1051 + 5434 7227 + 9262 2977 + 3217 1353 + 1239 RM19,828,266.70 8699 + 1654 1654 + 8699 8699 + 9203 9203 + 8699 1654 + 9203 9203 + 1654 RM530,148.90 RM2,038,335.70 RM1,196,527.70 RM2,106,754.20 732 697 073 048 294 484 121 924 254 591 663 725 345 726 706 877 644 689 074 804 450 758 664 061 621 051 525 434 987 227 309 262 182 977 613 217 041 353 621 239 699 654 203 RM620,102.30 699 + 654 + 203 654 + 203 + 699 699 + 203 + 654 203 + 699 + 654 654 + 699 + 203 203 + 654 + 699 HSSB 1+3DJP1 RM289,911&HSSB 1+3DJP2 RM230,103 won on 09/4/23 Clinical Milan Inter close in on CL semis with solid win at Benfica I NTER MILAN put one foot into the Champions League semifinals with a comfortable 2-0 win at Benfica yesterday, with Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku netting in Lisbon. The Italians, three-time winners, took a commanding quarterfinal first leg lead at the Estadio da Luz, inflicting Benfica’s first defeat in the competition. After an even first half, Barella headed home from Alessandro Bastoni’s cross and substitute Romelu Lukaku netted the second from the penalty spot late on. Roger Schmidt’s Benfica, aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1990, were not able to put a glove on the visitors, who controlled the pace of the game. Despite Inter’s poor form, they conjured a patient, professional display when they needed it most. Having scored two goals in their previous five games across all competitions, they managed the same tally in Lisbon with clinical finishing. “It’s been one of our best games this season,” Inter midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan told British broadcaster BT Sport. “We were dominating all over the pitch. We were doubling up and were everywhere, helping each other and we got (rewarded) for it. We’ve done a great job. “But it’s still not over, we still have to face them in a week and we know it’s not going to be easy.” Inter Milan broke the deadlock early in the second half when Barella headed Bastoni’s looping cross back across goal and into the bottom corner. The goal crowned a superb performance from the Italy international, while Inter’s defence kept a sixth clean sheet in nine Champions League matches this season. Schmidt sent on David Neres for midfielder Florentino in search of the equaliser, but Inter doubled their lead with eight minutes remaining. Joao Mario, one of Benfica’s best players this season, handled Denzel Dumfries’s cross, gifting his former side a penalty. Lukaku drilled it beyond the reach of Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, answering some criticism of his recent form. Benfica might have pulled a goal back deep in stoppage time but Andre Onana made a fine save to deny Goncalo Ramos, who seemed poised to score. “I said that we had to come here and play without fear because we could win – we did just that,” Onana told UEFA. “But we cannot think that we are already in the semifinal because we are not. We still need another great game like today’s next week.” Benfica defender Antonio Silva said he believes his team can go to Milan and score three to produce a comeback. “We deserved more and we had the opportunity for it, the fair result was a draw,” Silva told Portuguese broadcaster Eleven. “This is the first part of the tie. We are going to do everything we can in Milan and we have to score at least three goals to win and go through.” – AFP Max shoots down Hamilton’s claim LEWIS HAMILTON’S statement that this year’s Red Bull car is the “fastest he’s ever seen” has been dismissed by Max Verstappen. Red Bull have won three out of three races to open up the 2023 season, with Verstappen victorious in Bahrain and Australia and Sergio Perez triumphant in Saudi Arabia. In all three grand prix, the RB19 has been rapid and in some cases a second-a-lap quicker than the rest of the field. This led Hamilton to state after the race in Jeddah last month that he’s “never seen a car so fast”. Yet double world champion Verstappen, while unbothered by the comparison, believes last year’s world champions are yet to create an aura of dominance like Mercedes did during 2014-2021, when they won eight straight Constructors’ titles. “I think if you look at the statistics, then those statements are not correct,” Verstappen told the Dutch press, as quoted by RacingNews365 NL, when asked about Hamilton’s statement. “But we also do have a very good car. Nothing wrong with that, of course. Still, we are not as dominant as Mercedes has shown some years. “I don’t pay much attention to that, that doesn’t get you anywhere. “Whatever we have done in the eight years that Mercedes is so dominant, we also tried to close the gap. That’s the only thing you can do.” The next race takes place in Baku, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix (April 28-30) and the first sprint weekend of the season. Djokovic needs more time on clay NOVAK DJOKOVIC returned to the ATP Tour with an “ugly” straight-sets win over Ivan Gakhov at Monte Carlo and while the world No. 1 has had extended preparation on clay this year, he said he needs more time to adapt to the surface after yesterday’s 7-6(5), 6-2 win over Russian qualifier Gakhov. “Throughout my career I needed one, two weeks of tournaments to really start to play the way I want to. It’s the case again this year, though I trained for three weeks and felt good playing practice points,” Djokovic told reporters. “But it’s different when you play a match, especially today (it) was quite windy on court, so not easy to find the rhythm, to have the ball right, the ball toss and playing a lefty, playing someone that has not much to lose. “All these things play a factor in the way you feel on the court. I’m really glad I overcome the first step, because I hope things will be better and easier from this point.” Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni (left) in action with Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos. – REUTERSPIX SHORTS

23 * SPORTS @thesundaily theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 13, 2023 FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME Simple works for Pep Rodri’s omission may have cost City 2021 final but he helped define the rematch I N a fit of genius, Pep Guardiola overthought things. He omitted his defensive midfielders, stationed his top scorer in front of the back four and crowbarred another winger into the team. This would outwit Thomas Tuchel. This would get the elusive Champions League win. It didn’t, of course. Tuchel’s Chelsea capitalised on the absence of a destructive presence at the base of the midfield to score the only goal in the final. Rodri watched on from the bench, an unused substitute. He had started 46 games in the season, but not the biggest of City’s history. That was 2021 and Tuchel joined Guardiola in the band of Champions League winners. Two years later, Rodri began the Guardiola-Tuchel rematch. He helped decide it too. Different generations of Spanish defensive midfielders could celebrate as Rodri showed his constructive skills; from 25 yards, with his lesser left foot, curled into the top corner. It wasn’t a quintessential Guardiola goal but it might have been his Vincent Kompany moment, the point where he had the shot of his life. That was the spectacular. Guardiola, however, prospered by doing the sensible. As he got his revenge over Tuchel, as he took Manchester City to the brink of a third consecutive Champions League semifinal, as he beat Bayern Munich’s new manager 3- 0, he found a new way of confounding Tuchel. He opted for the obvious. And as it was Guardiola, no one would expect that. The problem of being too clever, of having too many ideas, is that the best ones can get neglected in favour of something more left-field. Guardiola has tried them all in the Champions League: three centrebacks against an undistinguished Lyon side, Kevin de Bruyne on the bench against Tottenham, Ilkay Gundogan on the right wing at Anfield, Gundogan anchoring the midfield in the final. The bigger the game, the more he needed to prove his brilliance. Guardiola is familiar with the narrative he overthinks; he references it in the manner of a man who reads the criticism of him, objects to it but realises he cannot stop it. At times he leans into it. But take overthinking to its natural extreme and the result is completely conventional. Guardiola overthought things so much, he came up with an entirely logical team. It was a cunning way to confuse Bayern. Jack Grealish wasn’t in goal. Nathan Ake wasn’t up front. Erling Haaland wasn’t a false 12. And no one would have anticipated that John Stones, England’s outstanding centreback, would spend much of the match as a centreback. Because even when Guardiola changed, it made sense. Stones has made a success of his hybrid role of right-back and holding midfielder of late but this time he was part midfielder, part centreback and, for the moment when he set up Haaland’s strike, part strike partner for the 45-goal Norwegian. There was a slightly facetious theory Bayern appointed Tuchel to mess with Guardiola’s head, to get him questioning himself. Instead, the Catalan enjoyed one of his finest nights in the Champions League as City manager. He returns to Bayern with a three-goal lead. It would take quite a bit of overthinking to lose it. – The Independent Neville fires shots at ‘classless’ Glazers FORMER Manchester United star Gary Neville has hit out at the Glazers and labelled them “classless” for taking the takeover process to a third round. The club legend is fearful that there is a “pact” among the family to prevent a changing of hands to take place. Interested parties were invited to submit second offers for the club by March 23, though the Raine Group has now informed several groups that a third round of bidding will take place this month. New offers must therefore be sent by the end of April. The unprecedented next step comes as a hammer blow to those who were hopeful of owning the Red Devils for when the summer transfer window opens as it significantly delays the process, which could mean that the Glazers are in control for another important window. Neville has hit out at the American family as a result, with the ex-England international tweeting: “They’re making it up as they go along! Shoddy way to run a sale process. “They need to get out by end of May to allow the new owner a fighting chance to impact the next transfer window and get moving! “Taking it to a 3rd round is just classless. The market has obviously not given them the answer they want! “It’s like they’ve made a pact to each other that they won’t go for less than £1 billion (RM5.4b) each family member. (5 of them). If they stay in after all this it will be toxic!” It is believed that both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani have both been informed that they have reached the new round of bidding and received feedback on their respective offers. Reports have circulated that five other private groups have also been invited to submit new offers this month, though it is unknown whether this figure includes minority groups that are hopeful of acquiring a small share of the club. With limited information shared to bidders about the process prior to the ‘third round’ announcement, fears were growing that the Glazers could dig their heels in at Old Trafford and not sell the club. However, Neville does not believe that will be the case anymore. He continued: “I think they will go eventually as it will be unbearable for them. If they do somehow think they can stay in then any new investor that comes in with them as partners need to think seriously about their brand damage.” – Express Newspapers Reds pull out of Bellingham race LIVERPOOL have pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer after concluding the deal would not make sense for them any more – and potentially opening the way for Real Madrid or Manchester City to seal a record deal for the midfielder. Jurgen Klopp has been a high-profile admirer of the England international for some time and the 19- year-old was expected to top Liverpool’s list of targets after they opted not to sign a midfielder last summer. Bellingham is expected to command a record price for an English player, topping the £100 million (RM540m) City paid for Jack Grealish, but Liverpool’s budget may be reduced as they are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League and they are likely to need to divide it several ways with at least two midfielders needed. James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who are all out of contract in the summer, could leave, along with on-loan Arthur Melo. Liverpool are also wary of getting into a bidding war and ending up wasting time and missing out on other targets while chasing Bellingham. They were conscious there was no guarantee he would choose to come to Anfield, but their decision leaves Real the favourites to buy Bellingham. However, there is a growing possibility the former Birmingham player, who is under contract until 2025, will stay in Germany for one more year. Liverpool have also considered a host of other midfielders, including the Chelsea pair of Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher, the Brighton duo of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister and Wolves’ Matheus Nunes. – The Independent █ RICHARD JOLLY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERFINAL, 1ST LEG: Benfica 0 Inter Milan 2 (Barella 51, Lukaku 82-pen), Manchester City 3 (Rodri 27, Silva 70, Haaland 76) Bayern Munich 0. ‘Elbow-gate’ linesman says: Que sera, sera THE linesman under investigation over claims he elbowed Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has broken his silence. Constantine Hatzidakis says he is prepared for whatever the Football Speaking outside of his south London home yesterday, he said: “Whatever happens, happens. There is nothing more I can say at the moment. I can’t talk about what happened.” The incident occurred on Sunday during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against league leaders Arsenal at Anfield. Robertson had been warned for descent against Hatzidakis earlier in the game and emotions appeared to boil over during the half-time break. Robertson claimed that he had been elbowed in the face by Hatzidakis while he was leaving the field. The clash was caught on camera as Liverpool players surrounded referee Paul Tierney in protest. The 38-year-old has since been taken off duty while the FA carry out an investigation into the alleged elbow. Robertson and other players who witnessed the altercation will be asked to make statements as well as Hatzidakis’ fellow officials. The Professional Game Match Official Limited (PGMOL), who oversee the Premier League’s officials, have confirmed that Hatzidakis will not return to action until the conclusion of the FA’s investigation. – Agencies RESULTS Bellingham

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] PEP GUARDIOLA claimed he was emotionally drained and had aged 10 years after Manchester City’s stunning Champions League win over Bayern Munich. City put one foot in the semifinals for a third successive year as they powered to a 3-0 victory over the German champions in the first leg of their last-eight tie at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. City manager Guardiola, who reached the last four three times as Bayern boss, said: “Emotionally I’m destroyed. I have 10 more years today. It was so demanding a game. It was not comfortable. “Now I have to relax – a day off for the guys, prepare for Leicester (in the Premier League on Sunday 12.30am Malaysian time). “After five, six minutes it was a tight game and in part of the game they were better than us. It was difficult to control them. “In the last minutes of the (halves) we were better and we scored three fantastic chances.” The first half was evenly contested but City claimed the initiative with a spectacular strike from Rodri after 27 minutes. A powerful header from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland’s 45th goal of a remarkable season wrapped up a convincing win as City stepped up the pressure in the second half. With the second leg still to come in Germany next week, however, Guardiola is not taking anything for granted. He said: “It was an incredible result but I know a little bit what can happen in Munich. “If you don’t perform really well they are able to score one, two, three. I know that, the players know that. “It’s an incredible result, but we have to do our game with huge, huge personality. If we don’t do our game anything can happen. “To knock out these teams you have to have two good games, not just one.” Haaland set up Silva’s goal before netting himself to establish a new record for the most goals scored by a Premier League player in a single season. Guardiola said: “He’s always a threat. In the first half (he was) not in the game but in the second half we started to play better and he was part of the game. “He showed he has the quality to assist as well. He is not just a top scorer.” Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel felt the scoreline was not a fair reflection of the game. The former Chelsea manager said: “I try to not allow my players to focus on the result. I think it is not a deserved result, it does not tell the story of this match. “We played with personality, courage and a lot of quality but we didn’t get the rewards we deserved. “This does not feel a 3-0 but it is a 3-0. It is a huge task to turn it around but we will not give up. “It is a home match in Germany and, as they say, it will not be over until we are in the shower.” Rodri and Silva played starring roles against the reigning Bundesliga champions on a night when Kevin De Bruyne was influential but not quite his best. The 31-year-old appeared to suffer an injury in the second half and was replaced by Julian Alvarez with the score at 1-0. De Bruyne did not look pleased with the decision but it proved to be a masterstroke. City quickly scored two more goals through Silva and Haaland. Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand reckons Guardiola will be making a point to De Bruyne that he was right to take him off. The pundit said on BT Sport: “We saw Kevin De Bruyne get pulled off the pitch, he was not happy. “That happens with players, big player thinks he should be on the pitch all the time but they scored two goals instantly after that. “Pep’s going to walk into that changing room and say to him ‘listen, I know what I’m doing.’” – The Independent/Express Newspapers It’s been one of our best games this season. We were dominating all over the pitch. We were doubling up and were everywhere, helping each other and we got (rewarded) for it. But it’s still not over, we still have to face them in a week and we know it’s not going to be easy.” Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan QUOTE OF THE DAY THURSDAY • APRIL 13, 2023 ‘Incredible result’ Pep ’emotionally destroyed’ after City take commanding lead against Bayern VISITING Manchester United might seem a nightmare cup draw but for Europa League royalty Sevilla, a trip to hallowed turf like Old Trafford tomorrow (3am Malaysian time) provides a welcome break from reality. The Andalucians, led by Jose Luis Mendilibar – their third coach of the season – have been mired in a relegation scrap in La Liga, but find themselves on more familiar ground in Europe. Record six-time Europa League champions, Sevilla’s players are more accustomed to battling for silverware than survival, and have shown signs of improvement under Mendilibar. That give them some hope of overcoming Erik ten Hag’s three-time European Cup winners in the last eight, which would earn redemption with supporters after a year to forget. “I’m convinced that, in Europe, Sevilla are respected more than in La Liga, because of what they have done in the Europa League, with a lot of titles quite recently,” said Mendilibar in March after taking over from Jorge Sampaoli. “In Manchester they will feel they are favourites, but with respect for Sevilla.” Behind Sevilla, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Juventus and Atletico Madid have each won the trophy three times, while Manchester United lifted it once, in 2017. Despite holding their own against such esteemed company on the continent, domestically Sevilla have fallen and are currently 13th, five points above the bottom three. Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri has found his shooting boots and is an aerial threat, which could be useful at Old Trafford. But Sevilla will not be able to call on midfield powerhouse Pape Gueye, who is not registered for the competition. “(We’re doing) quite well in European competition, unlike the national league, sadly,” said veteran midfielder Ivan Rakitic told UEFA. “But we know Sevilla’s overall history in Europe. “Here in the city, people say the Europa League is Sevilla’s competition,” added Rakitic. “It’s something which belongs to us because we have won it six times in the last 15 or so years. “Respect to everyone who’s also won it, but it is somehow our competition.” Meanwhile Manchester United yesterday announced Marcus Rashford will miss tomorrow’s match after suffering a muscle injury that is likely to keep him out for “a few games”. The 25-year-old limped out of the 2-0 Premier League win over Everton on Saturday. “Marcus Rashford will be unavailable for the Europa League quarterfinal game against Sevilla because of a muscle injury,“ United said in a statement. “The forward was withdrawn in the 80th minute of Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton at Old Trafford and immediately headed to the dressing room for treatment. “Subsequent assessment of the injury suggested that Marcus will be unavailable for a few games, but is expected to be back for the season run-in.” Rashford has taken his game to the next level under Ten Hag this campaign, racking up 28 goals in all competitions. With the Red Devils rediscovering a taste for silverware, they are set to throw everything at Sevilla in a bid to add to their Carabao Cup triumph earlier this season. Ten Hag has other high-quality options to call upon in Rashford’s absence, with Martial beginning to stamp his authority on the side after a long injury lay-off. Jadon Sancho was also impressive against Everton, setting up Scott McTominay to open the scoring. Despite Rashford’s setback, it is not all doom and gloom for United, who are set to welcome a handful of key stars back into the fold. Casemiro has been forced to watch on from the sidelines in recent weeks due to suspension, but he is eligible to play against Sevilla. Christian Eriksen was fit enough for the bench against the Toffees as he gradually works his way back from a two-month injury absence. – AFP/Express Newspapers Sevilla looking for redemption as injury sidelines Rashford Manchester City’s Erling Braut Haaland (right) celebrates scoring their third goal against Bayern Munich. – REUTERSPIX