Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY RM1 FRIDAY MAR 1, 2024 SCAN ME No. 8470 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) Parents face unique challenge this year as the start of new school session coincides with Ramadan in March and Aidilfitri in April, says Parent Action Group for Education. Report on — page 4 Despite data leaks’ far-reaching repercussions, the worrying rise in breaches in Malaysia has not been correlated with any increase in organisational preparedness: Expert Report on — page 3 Berjaya Corporation unit donates gifts to children warded at Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital in Batu Pahat, Johor as part of Singer Prihatin programme. Report on — page 6 Anwar, flanked by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong (left) and MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, leads the anti-corruption pledge at the National Anti-Corruption Summit 2024 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Also present were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (second row, second from left) and Berjaya Corporation founder and adviser Tan Sri Vincent Tan (second row, first from left). – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN ‘Plan for back to school, upcoming Raya’ Call for cybersecurity audit after every breach Toys, duit raya for child patients - Report on page 2 Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says any Cabinet members found involved in graft must be axed from their positions to save country from corruption. Corrupt ministers orrupt ministers must go must go: PM
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 2 Selangor Sultan expresses deep regret over Hadi’s statement KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed deep regret over the statement made on Feb 20 by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang titled Ketinggian Islam Wajib Dipertahankan, which was addressed to religious scholars, judges, lawyers, MPs, state Legislative Assemblies and the Malay Rulers. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, the Royal Office said Sultan Sharafuddin had sent Abdul Hadi a letter through state PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Ab Halim Tamuri, conveying this sentiment. Sultan Sharafuddin said, among other things, that Abdul Hadi had made the statement without thoroughly reading His Royal Highness’ speech at the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs meeting on Feb 15. The Sultan described as highly inappropriate Abdul Hadi’s cynical statement indirectly linking his speech to the need for Rulers to be focused on the afterlife and not solely on worldly interests. The Ruler added that the statement lacks decorum from the perspective of Malay culture, which always respects and upholds etiquette when expressing views and advice to the Malay Rulers. “The statement by Tan Sri Hadi not only confuses but also can cause anxiety that could ultimately lead to division in Muslim unity, especially among Malays in this country. “If Tan Sri Hadi had been more cautious before making any statement by closely examining His Royal Highness’ speech, he would have understood its true meaning.” The Sultan also asked why Abdul Hadi was now questioning the position of the Federal Constitution as the country’s supreme law when Islam had been established as the religion of the Federation since the Constitution was drafted in 1957. Sultan Sharafuddin also advised Abdul Hadi to be more careful in the future to avoid repeating acts of insulting the Malay Rulers through statements that could divide the Muslim community in the country. The Ruler also asked members and leaders of political parties not to exploit Islam and tarnish the sanctity of Islam for their own political interests. On Feb 15, Sultan Sharafuddin ordered all parties to respect the decision of the Federal Court and the position of the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the country, which should always be supported by the people. The Sultan made that statement following the Federal Court’s decision on Feb 9 that 16 syariah criminal offences in the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Enactment were null and void because the state legislature did not have the authority to enact those provisions as there are federal laws covering the same offences. – Bernama PM: Corrupt ministers must be dropped from Cabinet KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that any member of the Cabinet found involved in corrupt practices must be dismissed from his position to save the country from corruption. Anwar said he has also directed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take action against ministers found involved in such practices. “We have been in power for over a year. I have been asking in Parliament and outside Parliament for anyone with information about a corrupt minister or a prime minister to come forward with solid proof. If there’s any, we will investigate and prosecute according to the laws. But, there was none and after one year and three months now, I salute all my friends (in Cabinet) for helping me to uphold the image of a clean and oMACC directed to take action against govt leaders found involved in graft, says Anwar EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE ... Transport Minister Anthony Loke presenting the Overall Best Graduate award to Zukardi Abdul Halim at the Akademi Keretapi Tanah Melayu convocation in Batu Gajah, Perak yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Implement Bumiputera Economic Transformation as policy PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi proposed the implementation of Bumiputera Economic Transformation (BET) as a policy to empower Bumiputeras. He said BET set three main goals, namely socio-economic justice, nationstate sustainability, as well as national prosperity and people’s well-being. He added that this is to ensure that the policy and the implementation of the national economic agenda not only guarantee the involvement and rights of Bumiputeras but also ensure their synergy with non-Bumiputeras. “These three goals demand that all races work shoulder to shoulder to develop the country, respecting fair distribution while accepting the fact that efforts to strengthen Bumiputera participation in all economic sectors are within the framework of the Federal Constitution. “It is also to remove the narrative that the country’s economy is dominated by minority groups, which of course raises the anxiety of the majority, and ultimately creates social disparity. “This kind of situation is certainly not healthy for a country that has been developed jointly for more than six decades,” he said in his keynote address at the Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024 yesterday. Ahmad Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said through the goal of socio-economic justice, the government wants to ensure that Bumiputera participation, ownership and dominance in the economic sector can be empowered. He emphasised that for the goal of nation-state sustainability, BET needs to be a major policy that could stimulate Bumiputera economic growth and attract investments so that the country could build a strong economic foundation for long-term sustainability. Ahmad Zahid said to achieve the final goal, namely national prosperity and people’s well-being, every step taken to empower the Bumiputera economy should be in line with efforts towards more equitable development and creating a foundation for strong economic growth. He said the congress must find a way to get more Bumiputeras to participate in entrepreneurial activities because the ability to be independent in generating income would lead to an increase in the standard of living and well-being of the people as a whole. – Bernama Income tax e-filing for 2023 begins today PUTRAJAYA: Individual and nonindividual taxpayers can submit their Tax Return Forms for the Year of Assessment 2023 through e-Filing starting today. The Inland Revenue Board (IRB), in a statement, advised taxpayers to use the e-Filing service through the MyTax portal at https://mytax.hasil.gov.my or through the HASiL official portal at https://www.hasil.gov.my. Tax agents are encouraged to use the Tax Agent e-filing System (TAeF) service at https://taef.hasil.gov.my/ to submit the forms. The statement added that registered taxpayers accessing MyTax for the first time should activate their Individual Digital Certificate by generating it through the MyTax Portal > Select Identification Type > Identification Number > Submit and select e-KYC (smartphone) or e-CP55D (computer/laptop/smartphone). More information regarding the e-Filing programme for Year of Assessment 2024 can be obtained on the IRB official portal. – Bernama corruption-free government. “The message is also clear for the MACC to always monitor every tender and decision made and not to spare any minister from their investigations. “If they (MACC) ask me, I would say go ahead and take the necessary action, and that minister must be dropped (from the Cabinet). That’s the way to keep the country safe,” he said when opening the National Anti-Corruption Summit 2024 here. Anwar also advised Cabinet members to evaluate and scrutinise approved projects before proceeding, to ensure that the process is transparent, clean, and potentially cost-effective. He said this is important to save public funds and subsequently return them to the people for mutual benefit, Bernama reported. “Fighting corruption is not just the MACC’s job, it’s our job. If we heard it (about corruption), report it, but don’t make false accusations, don’t sabotage. “That’s why I have also proposed to MACC to organise talks on corruption across the country because there are many among the elites, politicians, corporate figures and government officials who are uncomfortable with talk on corruption as they live and engage with it,” he said. Anwar also questioned the silence of opposition leaders who are seen not expressing any support for the MACC’s efforts to investigate high-profile figures associated with corruption. He added that the Opposition instead accused the investigations carried out against high-profile figures and super-rich individuals as motivated by personal vendettas. “In Parliament, the Opposition seems agitated, angry and resentful. There is no voice from the opposition bloc supporting steps to combat corruption, which I find strange. “When I was in the Opposition, whenever the government proposed initiatives for the MACC, I supported them. In fact, I even criticised it if I think it was not bold enough.”
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 3 PETALING JAYA: An expert has called on the government to undertake a cybersecurity audit each time personal data leaks are discovered in one of its IT systems. Murugason R. Thangaratnam, who is a cybersecurity company CEO, said last year was the worst ever for online privacy leaks in Malaysia, with several cases of data breaches at various government agencies. He said in December alone, the Sabah government’s official website was hacked, compromising 109 files involving state agencies. This was followed by the official Halal Portal of Malaysia which was hacked and disabled temporarily, while the Social Security Organisation confirmed a cyber attack on its systems, database and website in the same month, even though it regained control without any serious data leaks. Murugason said it is difficult to assess the safety of systems owned by the government or private organisations because of the lack of accountability and transparency that currently exists. “When a data breach is discovered, most government agencies and private organisations deny it outright. “When the breach is finally and reluctantly acknowledged, the parties held responsible will only provide a nonchalant mention without being fined or shamed due to their negligence,” he said. Murugason said the reason for their negligence is due mainly to the lack of proper cybercrime legislation and an obsolete Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). When it comes to the consequences of data breach, he said the repercussions can be far-reaching and deeply impactful to individuals and organisations. He said the breaches or data leaks have evolved from mere cyber security issues to direct financial losses, reputational damage, legal troubles, regulatory fines in many countries, erosion of public trust and even crippling of businesses. Unfortunately, the worrying increase in data breaches in Malaysia has not been correlated with any increase in organisational preparedness. “Many organisations fail to implement basic security measures to prevent a cyber attack,” he said, adding that in the event of a breach, most do not even have a plan or playbook to accept, address, mitigate and recover from it with minimal impact to their operations. Murugason said it is important to have data protection laws to ensure everyone’s data is used properly and fairly. He said organisations collect and store personal data about their customers and clients such as names, addresses and contact details. Such data are required to deliver goods or services, provide consultation and improve customer experience. “However, they may also have access to sensitive information such as medical and income-related data. Organisations having such data need to be responsible, accountable, and ensure they are not exploited beyond the terms and conditions of use.” Murugason said the government must take the lead in regulating data privacy and cyber security from all aspects. He said the Cyber Security Act and the amended PDPA are to be tabled in Parliament. “We should get more clarity and accountability when these two legislations come into force.” Meanwhile, he said by practising proper cyber hygiene and additional security measures, one can learn how to protect privacy, fend off identity thieves and hackers, and regain control of personal data. “Choose a secure storage method, whereby you store personal data in a secure location, such as an encrypted database, a passwordprotected file, or a secure cloud storage service. “Perform updates, make regular backups of your data, and store them in a secure location to ensure that you can recover them in case of loss or files getting corrupt. “Only give access to personal data to those who need it for legitimate business purposes, and always keep track of where it ends up and who has accessed it.” Nod for 510 projects, says Johor MB JOHOR BAHRU: The federal government has approved a total of 510 projects in Johor this year with a cost of RM4.7 billion. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the effort was the result of close cooperation between the state and the federal governments, which is aiming for the country’s economic growth and recognising Johor’s potential to become a new economic hub. “Thank you federal government. Profound thanks also to the Cabinet ministers who previously visited Johor to look at the situation in the state firsthand. “Hopefully all these plans will be realised as best as possible,” he said in a post on his Facebook page. On Wednesday, Onn Hafiz and the state government delegation attended the Johor State Development Meeting in Putrajaya, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by 12 Cabinet ministers. Onn Hafiz said this was the first such meeting involving the state government and 13 related ministries, focusing on comprehensive coordination for high-impact development projects in Johor. He said there were seven initiatives and high-impact development projects brought to the meeting’s attention. They included the Johor-Singapore special economic zone and special financial zone, highway upgrading projects, flood mitigation plan, upgrading works for Sultanah Aminah Hospital and construction of Sultanah Aminah Hospital 2, upgrading works for Sultan Iskandar Building and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, proposal for traffic dispersal and public transport upgrade in Johor Bahru City and the Johor water supply project. – Bernama Call for cybersecurity audit after every data leaks oGovt must take lead in regulating privacy as repercussions of breach have impact on individuals, organisations: Expert Govt finalising new national service programme KUALA LUMPUR: The government is finalising the National Service Training Programme 3.0 module, which is expected to start as early as next year. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said among the aspects assessed are the curriculum, implementation and inter-agency efforts that could help strengthen the programme. “The module will be based on 80% military training and another 20% (elements of) nationalism. It is not true to say it is an effort to influence or have a political element,” he said after attending the Defence Ministry’s Outstanding Service Award and Appreciation ceremony here yesterday. Regarding the previous participant quota, Mohamed Khaled said there were many Bumiputera participants because of their high percentage in the country. “It is impossible to accommodate all of them because the available places are limited. So there will be certain criteria before they are selected to join the programme later,” he said. The government had decided to reimplement the national service programme after it was postponed for more than five years. It will be carried out in 13 Territorial Army Regiment camps as well as Police Training Centres across the country. A total of 477 recipients comprising civil servants in Wisma Pertahanan and military units, Armed Forces members and selected civilian retirees were honoured with the Outstanding Service Award yesterday. – Bernama Negligence reason for illegal lodgings SEREMBAN: Employers’ negligence and profit-driven mindset are cited as reasons why they fail to provide conducive living space for workers, said the Negeri Sembilan Labour Department. Director Roslan Bahari said such a situation should not occur as employers must abide by regulations in the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Employee Facilities Act 1990 (Act 446). “They find it easier to place (their workers) here (in illegal housing) as it’s cost-free, although under the law, employers can deduct a maximum of RM100 from the employees’ salaries for accommodation. Unfortunately, many employers fail to take this initiative. “Employers have the option to offer good living quarters (to their workers) and obtain certification from the department, but some employers still fail to comply and opt for unsuitable accommodations for their workers,” he said in conjunction with Ops Gegar here. State Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Climate Change, Cooperatives and Consumerism Committee chairman S. Veerapan was reported to have said that employers in Negeri Sembilan have been given three months from Wednesday to relocate workers residing in illegal accommodation to 25 centralised worker’s quarters throughout the state. – Bernama █ BYALLEN WONG [email protected] COLOURING FUN ... Children taking part in art activities at the Children Glee Festival 2024 at Taman Tasik Cyberjaya Community Club. Other events include food sales and traditional game stations. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 4 READ OUR HERE /thesun Malaysian Paper Consider number of family members when setting airfare KUCHING: Setting the maximum fare for a oneway economy class flight ticket from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in conjunction with this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri is still seen as expensive, especially for those with families. Bank officer Falisha Alia, 38, said setting the maximum price should also take into account the number of family members, especially those with many children. “The price is still high to return home. For single people, it may not be a problem for them to spend more to celebrate the festival with their family. But for those who are married and with children, the maximum price is still high,” she said. Falisha added that if she and her family plan to go back to their hometown in Sarawak for Hari Raya, they need to purchase their tickets three months before their departure date. “Our finances are quite limited. For us as a family, the maximum cost for flight tickets for myself, my husband and two children will be around RM2,500, so we will not be able to afford anything more than that. “It is not every year that we can go back to celebrate in Sarawak. If the financial situation does not allow it, we celebrate it in Kuala Lumpur only,” she said. Ahmad Johari, 52, a civil servant in Sibu, hopes that the maximum fare can be extended to other festivals such as Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak, Kaamatan as well as Christmas. He said this is because there are many Sarawakians living in the peninsula who celebrate these festivals. However, Ahmad said many Sarawakians who already have families in the peninsula cannot return to their respective villages during the festive seasons as airfares usually increase during these seasons. “For those who have arrived in Sibu, they have to continue their journeys to their respective villages located on the upper reaches of the river or on the coast. This will cost them a few hundred ringgit more for the boat trip. Sibu is just a stopover,” he said. On Feb 24, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the government had set a maximum fare of RM599 for a one-way economy class flight from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, applicable for travel three days before Aidilfitri. – Bernama Twelve food premises ordered to close KOTA BHARU: The Integrated Clean Premises Operation conducted by the Kelantan State Health Department on Wednesday resulted in the closure of 12 food premises for 14 days under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983, due to failure to meet cleanliness standards. Department director Dr Zaini Hussin said the operation targeted food premises in areas around Bandar Pasir Puteh, the Pasir Puteh-Terengganu border and main roads up to the Pasir Puteh-Kota Bharu border, which are heavily frequented by the public. He said the operation resulted in the issuance of 89 Section 32B notices by the department to premises owners and food handlers for various violations related to the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, which necessitate court attendance. “The offences detected include failure to display their registration certificate, failure to comply with requirements related to the general duties of the owner, proprietor or the food premises’ occupants, and offences related to food handler attire,” he said in a statement. The operation involved 74 department personnel, with 62 food premises inspected. Zaini said that Section 32B notices can be settled with a compound within one month from the date of issuance while errant food premises owners will receive guidance for cleanliness improvement. – Bernama Delicate balancing act for schoolgoers this year PETALING JAYA: As the 2024 school session draws near, the Parent Action Group for Education has called on parents to take proactive steps to plan for their children’s expenses and the upcoming festive season. Its chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said this year brings a unique challenge as the start of the school session coincides with Ramadan in March and Hari Raya Aidilfitri in April. The Education Ministry’s academic calendar for 2024 shows that schools in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will begin on March 10, while those in other states will start on March 11. “This overlap calls for delicate balancing by students, families, educators and policymakers as they strive to harmonise academic commitments with religious and cultural practices. “The ministry plans to start the 2024 school session next month and the 2025 session in February next year. This adjustment aims to return the start of the 2026 school session to January. “The challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, including delayed school sessions, have made it difficult for many of us, including parents, teachers and students to adapt. However, the ministry and school administrators are committed to finding ways,” she said. A mother of two aged eight and 11, Norhidayah Hamzah, 36, said with Ramadan and Aidilfitri falling close to the start of the new school session, her family faces financial constraints as the expenses will come together. “We had to carefully budget for school supplies, Ramadan preparations, and the Aidilfitri celebration, so my husband and I decided not to send our children to school during Ramadan this year. “I also decided on this as I assume there would be fewer activities in school due to the fasting period, so we opted to save up on transport fares, daily pocket money, and other expenses,” she said. Responding to such decisions, Noor Azimah cautioned against withholding children from school and stressed that education is a fundamental right. “To think that teaching efforts will be Families, educators and policymakers must aim to harmonise academic commitments with religious and cultural practices. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN oWith 2024 session around the corner, parents urged to plan for children’s expenses and upcoming Ramadan, Aidilfitri celebrations █ BYSIVANISVARRY MORHAN [email protected] Malacca to hold exhibition on Hang Tuah MALACCA: The state government plans to organise an exhibition of artefacts related to the legend of Hang Tuah in May, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said. He said researchers from Universiti Islam Melaka, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Putra Malaysia, led by the Tun Perak Institute, had already conducted studies on Hang Tuah in several countries. “We have found various artefacts that we can bring back to show to the people in May. Among them are the keris (a distinctive, asymmetrical traditional dagger) found in Okinawa (Japan) and the letters of Hang Tuah , which we will bring back to find a solution to the tangle of history that we have not been able to find out about the authenticity of this story,” he said. Ab Rauf said this after launching the Malaysia Book Expo and the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka book titled Merintis TVET Termaju Rentas Dunia Rentas Budaya at the Malacca International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh. “Researchers have found that Hang Tuah was a great diplomat in the 15th century. Hang Tuah was sighted in China, Japan, India, Turkiye and Rome and had performed the haj in Mecca,” he said. – Bernama reduced during Ramadan is a mere excuse. Co-curricular activities are not scheduled to commence during this period. “Whether it is Ramadan or not, school operations will continue as usual. Undoubtedly, teachers may encounter challenges, but Ramadan should not be used to justify making excuses,” she said. She reminded parents that the government has provided a cash payment of RM150 per child to lighten the burden on them, even though it may not be enough. Noor Azimah said while she appreciated the financial pressures that families may face during this period, it is not just about financial planning but how to seamlessly integrate cultural and religious practices with the demands of the school year. She emphasised the importance of parents gearing up for the new academic year by maintaining open communications with school management for necessary accommodations or adjustments to schedules. “Parents should encourage flexibility at home and school and recognise that academic demands may need to be adjusted during religious and cultural observances,” she said. Noor Azimah expressed confidence that the Education Ministry and school administrators are dedicated to supporting students and families throughout the holiday season. “Schools and parent-teacher associations often continue to provide meaningful activities and educational experiences during the fasting month. “Some schools and teachers may offer flexibility in homework deadlines during Ramadan. Additionally, initiatives to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity in the school community can help foster understanding and empathy among students and staff,” she said. By fostering collaborative relationships and discussions with schools, Noor Azimah said parents can navigate the academic year with greater ease and inclusivity, and ensure students thrive academically despite having to fast.
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 | 5
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 6 Gifts, duit raya for warded children BATU PAHAT: Singer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd donated gifts to children warded at Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital here on Wednesday, as part of its year-long corporate social responsibility programme called Singer Prihatin. The company’s general manager P. Prabakaran Nair said the event, which was organised by Singer South Region, is its way to give back to the community. “Being part of the Berjaya Group, Berjaya Corp Bhd founder and adviser Tan Sri Vincent Tan has always impressed on us to give back to the people in whatever way we can. “Apart from donating 50 teddy bears, we also contributed a sum of RM1,000, which was distributed as duit raya to the patients of the children’s ward, as well as three units of Singer standing fans for their use.” Prabakaran said Singer Prihatin is a continuation of its Program Cuba-Cuba Menjahit Bersama Singer, a sewing skills programme using Singer sewing machines that was carried out in several locations throughout 2023. Apart from Singer South Region representatives and its regional manager Aizad Hizami Abd Azis, the Muar Community Development Department, students and teachers Prabakaran (centre) and Aizad Hizami (second from right) handing over a Singer stand fan to Zainah. – COURTESY PIC OF SINGER oPresents include teddy bears sewed using T-shirts and three units of standing fans █ BYJOSHUA PURUSHOTMAN [email protected] Para swimming coach linked to sexual harassment case goes on leave KUALA LUMPUR: The coach linked to a sexual harassment case involving national swimmers has gone on leave until investigations are completed. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said after a report was received, the safeguarding officer of the National Sports Council (NSC) held a meeting with the athletes involved to protect their rights through the Safe Sports code, which was launched on March 15 last year. She said appropriate action will be taken, if the coach is found guilty. “As soon as the report was made, we immediately arrested the coach to make sure the investigation continues. “If this (email) letter is correct, NSC will take immediate action,” she said, adding that if the email letter is not true, legal action may be necessary. She said some of them (national swimmers) want the coach to continue guiding the team to prepare for the Paris Paralympic Games 2024, which begins on Aug 28. However, Hannah said the NSC will first examine the request before making any decision, especially when the safety of athletes is its priority. “As police are conducting an investigation into allegations involving the coach. We cannot interfere even though some athletes have requested that the coach continues to train them. The coach has been with them since 2017. So, it has been a long time. “The athletes have requested (for the same coach to teach) because (they) will be competing in the Paralympic Games in Paris,” she said, adding that they did not want their preparation for the Paralympic Games to be interrupted. A local media previously reported the Paralympic Council Malaysia (PCM) confirmed a coach was investigated for sexually harassing minor athletes. According to the report, PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said the governing body had filed a police report after receiving an email regarding the matter from the Malaysian Para Swimming Association last week. On the other hand, NSC insisted it never received a report or complaint from any of the athletes regarding sexual misconduct by the coach before the latest complaint on Tuesday. – Bernama Over 17,700 summonses issued to foreigners for traffic offences JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 17,762 summonses were issued to foreign drivers for various offences during the implementation of a special ops in conjunction with Chinese New Year throughout February. Road Transport Department (RTD) Law Enforcement senior director Datuk Lokman Jamaan said about 6,380 summonses were issued for not having a Malaysian driving licence, 2,120 for not having road tax, 1,843 for not having vehicle insurance and 7,419 for other offences. Lokman said RTD also arrested 33 drivers, including drivers of public vehicles, who were found to be positive for drugs such as syabu, tetra hydrocannibol and opiates. He said the number of fatal accidents last year showed an increase compared with 2022, with a total of 6,344 victims. “The increase is 8% and out of a total of 6,344, 4,000 involved motorcyclists. On average, there is one fatal accident every two hours this month.” – Bernama Man dies in car crash BUKIT MERTAJAM: A man was killed after the car he was driving skidded and crashed into a road divider at Km141 of the North South Expressway yesterday morning. The victim, identified as 26-year-old R. Aravin, died at the scene due to severe injuries. A spokesman for the Penang Fire and Rescue Department said the State Operations Centre received an emergency call at 3.43am before a team was dispatched to the scene. “The crash caused the car to be badly damaged and the victim was pinned in the driver’s seat.” The victim’s body was sent to Seberang Jaya Hospital for a post mortem. – Bernama Lorry driver nabbed over death of woman SHAH ALAM: Police arrested a lorry driver in connection with the death of a Thai woman, who was allegedly pushed by her boyfriend from the 23rd floor of a condominium in Setia Alam. District police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said the lorry driver was arrested at 10.10pm on Wednesday after police received a report on the incident. He said police received the report regarding the incident at 10.02pm and according to witnesses, a fight occurred between the 37-year-old suspect, who is a local, and the unemployed woman, aged 32. Mohd Iqbal said the lorry driver has seven criminal records and one for a drug-related offence, adding that a urine screening found the suspect positive for cannabis. He said police are investigating the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder and urged those with information to contact investigating officer ASP Muhammad Khairi Kamaruddin at 012-266 6025. – Bernama bring joy to the children who are hospitalised here. I hope more companies will follow their example and do their bit for our patients,” Zainah said. Earlier, Prabakaran said the Singer Prihatin programme was held in conjunction with the company’s philosophy “Singer, Your Friend For Life”. Giving some background about Singer, he said the brand was introduced to Malaysia (then Malaya) in 1906, with the opening of its first branch by the Singer Sewing Machine Company from the US. “The Singer brand has been synonymous with sewing since 1851 when Isaac Singer received a patent for his first practical sewing machine. Since then, the spirit of practical design and creative innovation has characterised the company. “This continues today as Singer develops products for every level of sewing. As a company, we have celebrated many firsts, including the world’s first zig-zag sewing machine and first electronic sewing machines among others,” he said. of GiatMara Kota Tinggi and Sri Gading Batu Pahat also participated in making the teddy bears that were distributed to the hospital. “We wanted the teddy bears to be personalised, instead of just buying them or other toys for the children, so we had the participants sew stuffed teddy bears using T-shirts and Singer sewing machines. The teddy bears were then donated to the patients of the children’s ward,” Prabakaran said. He added that the hospital was chosen to receive the donation due to its critical role in providing healthcare services to the community. “The hospital serves a significant population and has demonstrated a commitment to delivering quality care. By supporting it, we aim to contribute to the well-being of the patients as its doctors and nurses ensure essential medical services are accessible to those in need,” he said. During the event, hospital staff were represented by its senior assistant director of management Nasraha Nadua Sami’an and the head of the paediatric department, Dr Zainah Shaikh Hedra. Nasraha thanked Singer Malaysia for its contribution while Zainah said the duit raya and teddy bears brought smiles to the children’s faces. “It is heartwarming to note that the company has come forward to
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 7 South Korea seeks talks with striking junior doctors SEOUL: South Korea said yesterday it was seeking its first talks with striking junior doctors, warning them to return to hospitals ahead of a looming deadline or risk legal action over work stoppages that have plunged hospitals into chaos. Nearly 10,000 junior doctors – about 80% of the trainee workforce – handed in their notice and walked off the job last week to protest government plans to sharply increase medical school admissions to cope with shortages and an ageing society. Doctors say the plan would hurt the quality of service, and the Korean Medical Association (KMA) has slammed the government’s “intimidation tactics”. Under South Korean law, doctors are prohibited from striking, and the government has threatened to arrest and suspend the medical licences of medics who did not return to work by yesterday. Second Vice-Health Minister Park Min-soo said he had contacted doctors involved in the strike seeking talks and hoped to meet them later, adding he was unsure “how many people will attend”. Doctors had begun trickling back to work in hospitals, Park said. “We have confirmed a downgrade in the walkouts for two days in a row,” he told a press briefing. But Health Minister Cho Kyoohong said that “a full-scale return has not yet materialised”. “As today is the last day (to) return, I implore them to do so for the patients,” he said, adding medics who returned to work before the deadline expired would not be punished. Cho said the government was committed to its reform plan, which would increase medical school admissions by 65%, citing shortages of health professionals and a looming demographic crisis. The KMA has not commented on possible talks, but a social media account run by young doctors shared a screenshot of a text message from the government and said: “You must be joking.” Analysts say the government’s hardline stance may play well for them ahead of elections on April 10. “If the government were to back down now, they would perceive it as a major setback ahead of the upcoming general elections,” said Kim Jae-heon, the secretary-general of an NGO advocating free medical care. But doctors “believe that stepping back at this point would result in their own disadvantage. It seems the standoff will continue for a while.” – AFP Thailand to ban recreational cannabis use BANGKOK: Thailand will ban recreational use of marijuana by the end of this year but continue to allow its use for medical purposes, its health minister said. After Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to free up medicinal use in 2018, and then recreational use in 2022, tens of thousands of cannabis shops have sprung up in an industry projected to be worth up to US$1.2 billion (RM5.7 billion) by next year. Critics say piecemeal rules were rushed out and adopted within a week of decriminalisation, and the government has drafted a new law to regulate cannabis use that is expected to take effect by year-end. The draft bill will go to cabinet for approval next month before heading to parliament to be passed before the end of the year, Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said. “Without the law to regulate cannabis it will be misused,” Cholnan said on Wednesday, referring to recreational use. “The misuse of cannabis has a negative impact on Thai children. In the long run it could lead to other drugs.” – Reuters Philippines ‘will not yield’, Marcos tells Canberra CANBERRA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr told Australia’s parliament his country was on the “frontline” of a battle for regional peace yesterday, pledging resolve as he sought support in maritime disputes with China. With Beijing’s warships loitering in waters off his country’s coast, Marcos told Australian lawmakers that “the Philippines now finds itself on the frontline against actions that undermine regional peace, erode regional stability, and threaten regional success”. He vowed to remain firm in defending his country’s sovereignty, despite “formidable” challenges. “I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory,” Marcos said to loud applause. “The challenges that we face may be formidable, but equally oSeeks support from Australian lawmakers in South China Sea maritime disputes DRY DAYS ... A farmer crosses an almost completely dried up canal in southern Vietnam’s Ca Mau province, amid an abnormally long heatwave. – AFPPIC B R I E F STACKLE FAKE NEWS CONCERNS, META CHIEF TOLD SEOUL: Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg met South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol yesterday and discussed cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and ways to prevent fake news circulation ahead of key elections. Zuckerberg is on a mini-tour of Asia that has included a stop in Japan, plus a three-day visit to Seoul where he met industry leaders. He heads to India next. Yoon and Zuckerberg discussed cooperation between South Korean companies and Meta “as well as the vision to create an AI digital ecosystem”, said Sung Taeyoon, Yoon’s chief of staff for policy. “Yoon emphasised South Korean companies’ top place in the memory market for AI systems and asked Zuckerberg to forge close cooperations with them.” Yoon stressed that South Korea can become an outstanding platform to apply Facebook parent Meta’s AI. In light of major elections globally this year, Yoon asked the Meta chief to “pay special attention” to monitoring and preventing fake news on his platform. Spearheaded by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, generative AI is a technology that can conjure up text, images and audio from simple prompts in just seconds. – AFP JAPAN EASES WORK RULES FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS TOKYO: The government of Japan yesterday eased visa regulations to expand the scope of foreign students allowed to stay on and find jobs in the country in response to calls from business and academic circles. The Kyodo News quoted the Immigration Services Agency of Japan as saying that the government will allow students who have completed their studies at state-designated technical schools to work in fields that are not necessarily closely related to the areas they majored in. The new measure is expected to increase the number of foreign students staying in Japan to work by 3,000 a year, the agency said. Previously, many foreign students, even if they had acquired a certain degree of technical and Japaneselanguage skills at technical schools, had to return to their home countries after failing to find workplaces that matched the skills or knowledge they had acquired. – Bernama formidable is our resolve. We will not yield.” Philippines authorities this week reported detecting Chinese navy vessels around the Scarborough Shoal – an area seized by Beijing in 2012. China has claimed the shoal and large swathes of the South China Sea, ignoring regional objections and an international tribunal ruling that the claims have no legal basis. The South China Sea is strategically vital for several countries, including China, providing a key route for the import and export of essential fuel, food and other goods. Beijing has long deployed coast guard and other vessels around the Scarborough Shoal to prevent Philippine access. But Marcos painted the deployment of warships as a new and “worrisome” escalation. China has rapidly grown its naval forces in recent years, and snatched vast tracts of maritime territory, hoping to project its military and political power well beyond the country’s shores. “The protection of the South China Sea as a critical global artery is crucial to the preservation of regional peace. And I dare say of global peace,” Marcos said. Marcos’ Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese hailed the Philippines as a “strategic partner”. Albanese said the two countries signed a deal on “enhanced maritime cooperation” and vowed to “collaborate more closely to promote our shared vision for the region”. Marcos may be pushing at an open door when it comes to Australia’s support, but he is likely to face a tougher task in garnering fullthroated support from his Southeast Asian neighbours. Early next week, Australia and the Asean bloc of Southeast Asian nations will hold a summit in Melbourne. Although Beijing’s aggressive stance in the South China Sea is tipped to dominate discussions, many countries around the table – notably Laos and Cambodia – have extremely close ties with China. Many others are keen not to damage relations with Beijing, a major trading partner. – AFP
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 8 NZ smoking ban goes up in smoke WELLINGTON: New Zealand has overturned laws that would have banned the sale of cigarettes to future generations, the government said yesterday, reported dpa. Under the leadership of Jacinda Ardern, the country passed a groundbreaking law in 2022 that would have ended the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2008. The law also included a reduction in the nicotine content of cigarettes and a reduction in the number of tobacco sales outlets. However, the new National coalition government overturned the law under urgency overnight on Wednesday, bypassing the usual scrutiny and public submissions process. Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello said the government was still committed to the country being smoke-free. “New Zealand has seen some of the largest drops in smoking rates across the world in recent years and we want to build on the practical tools and approaches that have worked to date,” she said. “The last government was moving towards an untested regime that ignored how well quitsmoking initiatives were working, and the potential downside of taking a prohibitionist approach for smokers, or for retailers and crime.” Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it was a “tragic milestone” for the country. “The government folding to big tobacco while pretending to care about the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders is the stuff of dystopian nightmares. It lacks a moral compass, content to continue to promote and support an industry that literally kills its consumers,” he said. Thousands of New Zealanders would be condemned to tobacco addiction, harm and preventable death, Health Coalition Aotearoa said. “The tobacco industry will be celebrating their victory in getting the government coalition parties, all of whom have significant ties with the industry, to run their agenda in keeping 284,000 smokers addicted to their products for as long as possible,” co-chair Boyd Swinburn said. – Bernama B R I E F S‘NO ROLE FOR CHINA IN PACIFIC POLICING’ CANBERRA: Australia’s Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said there should be “no role” for China in policing the Pacific Islands, and Australia will train more local security forces to fill gaps. The United States on Monday cautioned Pacific Islands nations against assistance from Chinese security forces, after Kiribati’s acting police commissioner Eeri Aritiera said last week that uniformed Chinese officers were working with its police in community policing and a crime database programme. There are no Australian police in Kiribati, although Canberra has pledged to fund a new police radio network, police barracks and two maritime security advisers are supporting Kiribati police to maintain a donated patrol boat. Kiribati is a nation of 115,000 people whose closest island is 2,160km south of Honolulu. – Reuters LEAP YEAR OUTAGE SHUTTERS PUMPS WELLINGTON: Self-service petrol pumps across New Zealand were shuttered yesterday as several companies reported a leap year “software glitch” that left motorists stranded. In the capital Wellington, some stations closed completely, leaving forecourts empty and customers confronted with signs reading “Nationwide Payment Outage – Site Unavailable”. “It is a nationwide issue affecting all fuel brands and it does appear to be a software glitch with the payment provider because it is Feb 29 – a leap year,” said spokesperson Julien Leys of petrol chain Gull. Its rival Allied Petroleum reported a similar issue but added that “manned service stations (forecourts with a shop on site)” were slowly coming back online. – AFP Australian spy chief told to name traitor SYDNEY: Australia’s government yesterday faced angry demands to name a “traitor” former politician accused by the country’s top spy of having “sold out” the country to a foreign power. In an extraordinary public revelation, Australia’s director-general of security Mike Burgess said a spy team from an unnamed country had cultivated and recruited a former Australian politician. “This politician sold out their country, party and former colleagues to advance the interests of the foreign regime,” the spy chief said in a speech in Canberra on Wednesday. The unnamed former politician had been recruited “several years ago”, said Burgess, who runs the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. The person had even proposed bringing a prime minister’s family member into the “spies’ orbit”, a plan that did not proceed, he said. The former politician did, however, oMedia speculates as cloud hangs over former politicians organise an overseas conference at which spies posing as bureaucrats targeted participants for recruitment, eventually obtaining security and defence information from an academic, Burgess said. The remarks unleashed speculation in the media and demands for the former politician to be identified. “The trouble is, if he does not indicate the name then there is a cloud hanging over everybody else,” conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton told Sydney radio station 2GB. “If you are putting that detail out there as Mr Burgess has done, I think it is incumbent to either give a little bit more criteria or a little bit more of a hint as to who the person might be.” Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group that includes the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand – making it a juicy target for operatives from countries such as China and Russia. Former Australian conservative treasurer Joe Hockey said all lawmakers had been tainted by the revelation. “The former politician is a traitor,” he told national broadcaster ABC. It is “inconceivable” that the politician could be allowed to “walk off into the sunset without having their name, or their reputation revealed”, he said. Burgess’s revelation had “besmirched” all politicians, said Hockey, who was also Australia’s ambassador to the United States for four years until 2020. “He should not do that if he is not going to name that person – it’s absurd, it’s absolutely absurd.” Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham urged the government to “provide as much clarity as possible”, without demanding the person be named. Defence Minister Richard Marles said he did not know the name of the former politician. “I respect what ASIO have done here in terms of putting this story into the public domain but also maintaining the confidentiality of the facts around this, and there could be a whole lot of reasons why that should happen,” he said. In his Canberra address, Burgess said a foreign intelligence service unit, dubbed “the A-Team” had made Australia its “priority target”. The unit had targeted Australians with access to “privileged information” on social networking sites using “false, anglicised personas” and promising cash rewards, he said. – AFP Pakistan’s new assembly meets amid protests ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s newly elected lower house of parliament met for the first time yesterday with freshly elected members taking oaths amid protests on the floor of the house by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) party backed by Imran alleges that the Feb 8 national election was rigged against them and has called for an audit of the polls. No single party won a majority. Candidates backed by Imran won the most seats but the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party, have agreed to an alliance to form a coalition government. “Who will save Pakistan? Imran Khan, Imran Khan,” SIC members chanted as legislators, including the prime minister in waiting Shehbaz Sharif, signed the membership register of the National Assembly. One SIC member held up a poster reading “Release Imran Khan” as he went up to the speaker’s dais to sign. SIC’s Omar Ayub, Imran’s candidate to be prime minister, told journalists the party would seek the release of the former cricket hero who was has been convicted in a string of cases and faces over a decade in jail. The election for the prime minister will be held on March 4, local broadcaster Geo News reported. The session took place under tight security after earlier this week the inaugural session of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly, where Imran’s supporters will form the government, was marred by the pelting of some members with pens and slippers from the visitors’ gallery. A note from the National Assembly’s media wing said visitor passes for upper galleries had been cancelled due to security reasons. Not all members of the 336-member house took the oath, with the apportioning of 70 reserved seats for women and minorities still pending adjudication by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The commission will decide on allocating reserved seats to the SIC, which did not win any seats in the polls but was later joined by Imran’s successful supporters, who had contested as independents. The ECP completed hearings on the matter on Wednesday but has yet to deliver a ruling. Imran’s party was barred from the polls for breaching electoral laws and independent candidates are not eligible for reserved seats. – Reuters Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party members in Quetta remove roadblocks to protest against alleged vote rigging. – AFPPIC
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 9 GENEVA: Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said he believes Hamas understands why it should not be part of a new government in the Palestinian territories. Maliki told a press conference that a “technocratic” government was needed, without the group which is fighting a bitter war against Israel. “The time now is not for a national coalition government,” Maliki said. “The time now is not for a government where Hamas will be part of it, because, in this case, then it will be boycotted by a number of countries, as happened before,” he told the UN correspondents’ association on Wednesday. “We don’t want to be in a situation like that. We want to be accepted and engaging fully with the international community,” he explained. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced on Monday the resignation of his government, which rules parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, citing the need for change after the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza ends. A decree from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said the government will stay on in an interim capacity until a new one is formed. Maliki said the priority was engaging the international community on to help provide emergency relief to Palestinians, and then looking at how Gaza could be reconstructed. “Later, when the situation is right, then we could contemplate that option. But what comes first is how to salvage the situation. How to salvage innocent Palestinian lives. How to stop this insane war and how to be able to protect Palestinian people,” he said. “That’s why I think Hamas should understand this, and I do believe that they are in support of the idea to establish, today, a technocratic government. “A government that is based on experts, individuals who are completely committed to take up the reins and the responsibility for this period – a difficult one – and to move the whole country into a period of transition into a stable kind of situation where, at the end, we might be able to think about elections. “And after elections, the outcome of the elections will determine the type of government that will govern the state of Palestine later.” Maliki is in Geneva to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council. The war in Gaza began after the Hamas group that controls the Palestinian territory launched an attack on Oct 7 that killed about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to a tally of Israeli figures. Hamas fighters also took hostages, 130 of whom remain in Gaza. Israel’s retaliatory bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza have killed at least 29,954 people, most of them women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. – AFP oPriority to stop insane war and protect civilians New Zealand lists group as terrorist, sanctions ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers SYDNEY: New Zealand yesterday listed Palestinian group Hamas in its entirety as a terrorist entity and imposed travel bans on “extremist” Israeli settlers whom it said had committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a statement that the attacks by Hamas on Israel in October “were brutal and we have unequivocally condemned them”. But he added that “New Zealand wants to be clear that the designation of Hamas is about the actions of an offshore terrorist entity and is not a reflection on the Palestinian people in Gaza and around the world.” New Zealand has designated the military wing of Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2010. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the whole of Hamas bears responsibility for the October attacks, making it difficult for the New Zealand government to distinguish between the group’s military and political wings. The Oct 7 attacks killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel’s air and ground campaign in Hamas-governed Gaza has killed about 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. New Zealand’s decision makes it a criminal offence to carry out property or financial transactions with Hamas or provide material support. It also freezes any Hamas assets in New Zealand. It does not prevent New Zealand from providing humanitarian and future development assistance for civilians in Gaza or from giving consular support to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents in the conflict zone. Luxon also said he was “seriously concerned by the significant increase in extremist violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers” against Palestinians in recent months. “This is particularly destabilising in what is already a major crisis,” Luxon said. New Zealand’s consistent position has been that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are a violation of international law. The government said it would continue to support a future Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution, urging an end to the conflict and an urgent restart of the Middle East peace process. – Reuters MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin warned yesterday of a “real” risk of nuclear war if the West escalates the conflict in Ukraine, offering a defiant and emboldened stance in his annual speech to Russians. Speaking in Moscow, Putin said his soldiers were advancing in Ukraine and warned the West of “tragic consequences” for any country that dared to send troops to Kyiv. “They have announced the possibility of sending Western military contingents to Ukraine ... The consequences for possible interventionists will be much more tragic,” he said in his address to the nation. “They should eventually realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. Everything that the West comes up with creates the real threat of a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and thus the destruction of civilisation,” said Putin. His comments appeared to be a response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s refusal earlier this week to rule out sending troops to Ukraine – a stance that drew swift rejection from other leaders in Europe. Nevertheless, the debate has struck a nerve in Moscow, which has long seen its conflict with Ukraine as part of a wider “hybrid war” being waged against it by Nato. Western leaders have repeatedly criticised Putin for what they see as his reckless use of nuclear rhetoric. After pulling Russia out of arms control treaties with the United States and previously warning he was “not bluffing” when he said he was ready to use nuclear weapons, Putin had appeared in recent months to dial down his nuclear threats. But the fresh warning comes with the Kremlin buoyed by recent gains on the battlefield in Ukraine, but also an economy that has largely defied sanctions and ahead of an election certain to extend Putin’s term in the Kremlin until 2030. The current state of affairs marks a sharp reversal in fortunes for Moscow over the last 12 months. Last year at this time, Russian troops were reeling from Ukrainian counteroffensives that pushed them back in northeastern and southern Ukraine. But after a Ukrainian campaign in the summer of 2023 failed to bring similar results, Kyiv is back on the defensive. The initially strong Western support for Ukraine also appears to be fraying, with a US$60 billion (RM285 billion) US aid package stalled in Congress. Outgunning Ukrainian forces on the battlefield, Putin’s troops seized the eastern stronghold of Avdiivka and are attempting to build on their advances. Putin yesterday pointed to recent successes. – AFP B R I E F SBLACK SEA COMMANDO LANDING REPULSED MOSCOW: Russia said yesterday it had defeated an attempted landing by Ukrainian special forces on the Tendra Spit sandbar in the Black Sea held by Russian troops, killing “up to 25” Ukrainian personnel. “Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian commando group trying to land on speedboats,” the Defence Ministry said. It said that one Ukrainian serviceman had been taken prisoner in the operation and four boats captured, while a fifth vessel got away. Ukrainian special forces said in a statement that some of its personnel had “heroically died in a combat mission”. It also said most of the group “withdrew” after carrying out “a special mission”. Ukrainian forces have been trying for months to cross the Dnipro River to the part of the Kherson region that is occupied by Russian forces. Ukrainian forces have managed to secure a bridgehead near the village of Krynky further to north from the attempted landing but attempts to move further have been fought off. Putin said earlier this month that the Russian army had taken back control of Krynky but Ukraine has denied this. – AFP BIODIVERSITY LOSSES TOTAL US$57B KUALA LUMPUR: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine over the past two years has caused devastating ecocide to the latter’s environment, with at least US$57.3 billion (RM273 billion) in environmental damage. The Ukrainian embassy in Malaysia said the war is putting a heavy toll on the country’s biodiversity, with thousands of plant and animal species facing extinction, and causing massive air, water and soil pollutions. “In light of these crises, Ukraine is calling on the global environmental protection community and policymakers to prioritise addressing Russia’s ecological warfare and hold the aggressor accountable for its crimes against Ukraine and the planet,” it said in a statement. Almost 3,600 cases of environmental damage caused by Russia’s aggression have already been recorded since the war began on Feb 24, 2022, and the Prosecutor General’s Office is investigating 15 cases of ecocide. The ecological damage extends to Ukraine’s forests. – Bernama Putin warns West of nuclear war risk Hamas knows it cannot be in new govt, says Palestinian FM A hungry tired boy pushes a child in a makeshift buggy in Rafah. – AFPPIC
10 FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 Journeying through challengestogether Q: My husband has been diagnosed with cancer, and we are devastated. We have the best medical care, so there is hope. How do we shield our marriage from the adverse effects of this illness?” Focus on the Family Malaysia: Our hearts are with you during this challenging time. Medical crises can easily morph into emotional upheaval, posing a serious threat to any marriage. First and foremost, acknowledge that everything will be different now. Letting go of expectations is crucial. Your response as a couple will depend upon your willingness to set aside your earlier hopes and dreams and confront your current circumstances together. In other words, you both need to become and remain adaptable. As you navigate these difficult times, remember to count your blessings. Reflect on what you can genuinely be grateful for amid this turmoil. There is always something to be found if you search earnestly. Aim to discover new ways of finding joy in life and serving others together – the rewards can be unexpectedly fulfilling and therapeutic for both of you. Meanwhile, do not be afraid to reach out for assistance. Whether it is as simple as a meal or a listening ear, or guidance on medical or legal matters, seek support from friends and the community for useful resources. If you believe speaking with a counsellor can be beneficial, do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help. Q: How can we encourage our children to develop a more selfless attitude? They often seem more focused on taking rather than giving. Focus on the Family Malaysia: In a world that often prioritises consumption over contribution, guiding our children towards a mindset of giving is crucial. It is natural for individuals to lean towards being consumers in relationships, where the mindset revolves around reciprocity. However, genuine love involves giving to others without expecting anything in return. Children who lean towards a consumer mindset may exhibit friendliness and respect but their actions are often driven by the expectation of receiving something in exchange. They may lack empathy, viewing others as either useful or useless, and may manipulate people’s emotions for their own benefit. In contrast, children who embrace a contributor mindset do things for others without any strings attached. They genuinely empathise with others, recognise the value in people and seek ways to offer assistance. Here is how we can nurture our children to become contributors: 0 Cultivate humility: Being humble forms the bedrock of healthy relationships. 0 D e v e l o p i n g e m p a t hy : Early exposure to empathy lays the foundation for meaningful connections later in life. 0 Encourage observation and affirmation: Teach children to reflect on their motivations and appreciate the value of others. 0 Instil the idea of work as an expression of love: Work, at its essence, is an opportunity to demonstrate responsibility, service and perseverance. 0 Emphasise the importance of patience: This will yield rewards in various aspects of life, including finances, relationships and personal growth. 0 Foster courage: This will build self-assurance and the ability to act independently when necessary. Encourage children to do what is right and express love without seeking external validation. This article is contributed by Focus on the Family Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening the family unit. It provides a myriad of programmes and resources, including professional counselling services, to the community. For more information, visit family.org.my. Comments: [email protected] “Medical crises can easily morph into emotional upheaval, posing a serious threat to any marriage. Your response as a couple will depend upon your willingness to set aside your earlier hopes and dreams and confront your current circumstances together. Preserve architectural heritage for our future I REMEMBER reading Oliver Twist when I was young and imagining how hard life must be in those times. I believe other readers feel the same way, too, because author Charles Dickens skillfully captured the essence of the harsh realities of Victorian London. Hence, I could not help but associate this time-travelling moment when I had the chance to visit an old and abandoned mansion in Malacca recently – the Nam Hoe Villa in Klebang. The actual house where Dickens lived from 1837 to 1839 has now become the Charles Dickens Museum. The museum is situated at 48 Doughty Street in London, England. This Georgian townhouse was the residence of Dickens during an important period of his life and career. It was in this house that Dickens wrote some of his most famous works, including Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. Today, the museum preserves this historic building and provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the author’s former home and learn more about his life and literary legacy. I believe we should do the same for Nam Hoe Villa. As a building surveying student who had the opportunity to explore this mansion recently with my friends for our coursework, I was moved by the history and architectural significance of this house. During our visit, we were able to witness the convergence of Peranakan, British and Rome architectural styles, each telling a story of its own. The fact that this building has served as a guest house for dignitaries, a venue for significant political gatherings and a temporary residence for VIPs adds layers of historical depth and importance. The said VIPs include historically important figures such as Tun Tan Siew Sin, Tun Dr Ismail, Datuk Cheah Toon Lock and Tun Leong Yew Koh. I was also told that important meetings were held there, including preindependence meetings chaired by our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. The layout of Nam Hoe Villa stands out compared with other mansions, with interesting features such as the positioning of the staircase, the open spaces within the house and the surrounding sub-houses. It is a living testament to a bygone era, and the opportunity to explore its hidden backgrounds, history and mysteries was an honour. This building is not just a structure, it is a repository of cultural and historical value. Also, the conflict between the owners and local authorities, leaving this building abandoned, is disheartening. It is a stark reminder of the challenges we face in conserving our historical landmarks. However, this only fuels our determination to raise awareness and advocate for the preservation of such significant sites. Nam Hoe Villa represents a link to our past, and its potential registration under the National Heritage would be an important step in ensuring its conservation. This experience has solidified my belief in the importance of Old buildings, such as Nam Hoe Villa, are not just relics of the past, they are living testaments to our history, culture and identity. Tree maintenance urgently needed I AM writing to urgently address a recent incident near KL Sentral that has raised significant concerns about tree maintenance and public safety in the area. During a recent heavy downpour, a tree near KL Sentral was uprooted, posing a severe risk to public safety. Despite preventive measures that could have been taken, such incidents continue to occur, causing distress among residents and commuters. Kuala Lumpur City Hall should take immediate action to rectify this issue. Trees that are not properly maintained and trimmed pose serious hazards, especially during adverse weather conditions. Fallen trees can obstruct roads, damage property and result in injuries or loss of life. It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to proactively monitor and address these hazards. Therefore, I strongly urge a thorough inspection of the trees at KL Sentral, followed by the development of a comprehensive tree maintenance and trimming plan. Additionally, I call upon the authorities to allocate resources and manpower to carry out regular inspections, remove dead or decaying branches, prune overgrown branches and eliminate trees that pose an imminent threat to public safety. By adopting a proactive approach to tree maintenance, we can effectively minimise the risks associated with falling trees or branches. While I understand the challenges faced by the responsible authorities, ensuring public safety must be prioritised to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Kuppan Munian UNDER ONE ROOF LETTERS COMMENT by Tan Hou An [email protected] conserving old buildings such as Nam Hoe Villa. They are not just relics of the past, they are living testaments to our history, culture and identity. As we concluded our exploration, I felt an immense sense of responsibility to promote the historical significance of Nam Hoe Villa and advocate for its conservation. It is not just about preserving old buildings, it is about honouring the stories they hold and the lessons they can teach us. Perhaps, one day everyone can visit the Nam Hoe Villa Museum, complete with stories from its glorious past. Our collective past can help us chart our way towards a harmonious future. The writer is a final year building surveying student at the Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundailycom
Butterlicious utterlicious Exploring the creamy essence Exploring the creamy essence of buttered dishes f buttered dishes - P22 WEEKLY FOCUS MONDAY Discover cuttingedge world of Gaming and Tech TUESDAY Ultimate guide to Travel and Leisure WEDNESDAY Latest in Fashion and Beauty sense THURSDAY Inside the world of Social Media Influencers FRIDAY Culinary delights and Beverage trends FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: [email protected] SCAN ME INSIDE p INSIDE 12 Preventing INSIDE pet poisoning p 23 Cheers to home bartending p 21 Readers’ March forward
LYFE LYFE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 12 Aloe vera While deemed medicinal for humans, aloe vera poses mild to moderate toxicity for cats and dogs, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, depression, anorexia, tremours and urine colour changes. Aloe vera’s high toxicity causes liver and kidney damage which can lead to paralysis and death. Cleaning products Household cleaning products such as bleach, ammonia and toilet bowl cleaners contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets if ingested or inhaled. Even exposure to residue on floors or surfaces can cause irritation or toxicity. When using cleaning products, ensure that pets are kept out of the area until surfaces are dry and store chemicals securely out of reach. Consider using pet-safe cleaning alternatives to minimise risks. Medications Human medications, including over-thecounter drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be toxic to pets if ingested. Keep all medications securely stored in cabinets or drawers that pets cannot access. Be mindful of dropped pills and never give your pet medication without consulting a veterinarian first. Additionally, be cautious with pet medications, as overdosing can occur if administered incorrectly. Xylitol This sugar substitute is commonly found in sugar-free gum, candies, baked goods and some peanut butter brands. While harmless to humans, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in pets include vomiting, weakness, seizures and, in severe cases, liver failure and death. Always check product labels for xylitol content and keep these items away from pets. Batteries Household batteries, including button batteries used in watches, remote controls and other electronic devices, pose a significant danger to pets if ingested. Batteries contain corrosive materials like acids or alkalis, which can cause chemical burns to the mouth, oesophagus and stomach if swallowed. Ensure that batteries are securely stored and disposed of properly to prevent accidental ingestion by pets. Salt Even a small amount of pure salt can pose significant danger to pets. Consumption can lead to elevated blood sodium levels, triggering symptoms such as increased thirst, vomiting and lethargy. In severe instances, there is a potential for convulsions and kidney impairment to occur, leading to paralysis and death. Garlic and onions Onions, garlic, chives and leeks belong to the allium family, posing a toxicity risk to both dogs and cats when consumed in appropriate doses, whether it be a single large serving or repeated ingestion of small amounts over time. Garlic is notably deemed approximately five times more toxic than onions for both felines and canines. Chocolate Chocolate is a well-known hazard for pets, especially dogs. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to animals. Ingesting even small amounts of chocolate can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid breathing and, in severe cases, seizures and death. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are particularly dangerous due to their higher cocoa content. It is essential to keep all chocolate products safely out of the reach of pets. As pet owners, it is our responsibility to create a safe environment for our furry companions. By being aware of the potential dangers posed by common household items, we can take proactive steps to protect our pets from harm. Regularly inspect your home for hazards, keep toxic items securely stored out of reach and be prepared to act quickly in case of accidental exposure. With vigilance and care, we can ensure that our pets live happy, healthy lives free from unnecessary risks. Protecting your furry friends OUR homes are filled with everyday items that we often overlook as potential hazards to our beloved pets. While some may seem harmless to us, many household items can be toxic to our furry companions. As responsible pet owners, it is crucial to be aware of these dangers that can lead to the death of our beloved furbabies and take steps to keep our pets safe. Here are eight common household items that can pose a threat to our pets’ health and well-being. Essential oils While essential oils are popular for their therapeutic properties, many can be harmful to pets, especially if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. Certain oils, such as tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil, can cause toxicity in pets, leading to symptoms like vomiting, drooling, difficulty breathing and liver damage leading to death. Keep essential oils stored securely away from pets and use them with caution in areas where pets reside. Household plants Many common household plants can be toxic to pets if ingested. Examples include lilies, azaleas, philodendrons and poinsettias. Symptoms of plant poisoning in pets may vary depending on the plant but can include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and organ failure, which leads to death. Before bringing a new plant into your home, research whether it is safe for your pets or opt for pet-friendly alternatives. Essential oils – PEXELS oCommon household items that are toxic to pets █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Houseplant plants – PEXELS Cleaning products –PEXELS Medications – PEXELS Xylitol – PEXELS Batteries – PEXELS Chocolate – PEXELS Garlic, onions and chives – 123RF Salt – 123RF Aloe vera – 123RF
FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: [email protected] SCAN ME Capital A back in the black with full-year net profit of RM837m KUALA LUMPUR: Capital A Bhd is back in the black, achieving a net profit of RM836.98 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY23), turning around from a net loss of RM2.62 billion in FY22. The group attributed the improvement in earnings to the recognition of a gain of RM1.36 billion from the remeasurement of an associate to its subsidiary, Asia Aviation PCL Group, and overall improvement of the aviation business. Its revenue expanded to RM14.77 billion versus RM6.43 billion previously, it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday. However, in the fourth quarter of FY23 (Q4’23), the group recorded a net loss of RM159.56 million compared with a net profit of RM109.94 million in Q4’22. Revenue rose to RM4.85 billion against RM2.19 billion previously, following the strong recovery in demand from both domestic and international travel during the period. “In Q4 2023, the aviation segment accounted for 93% of the group’s revenue, while the logistics, digital and other businesses accounted for the rest,“ it said. On prospects for the aviation segment, Capital A said while cost pressures remain high, particularly from the weak Asean currencies, it has put in place control measures which would allow the group to continue to offer attractive fares. This year, the group will continue to focus on achieving the lowest costs across all sectors, enhancing asset utilisation and efficiency. “We are revitalising a high-performance culture, centred on efficiency and delivering superior products,” it said. Concurrently, Capital A is in the final stages of finalising its PN17 regularisation plan and aims for a full submission to Bursa Malaysia soon. “The board is confident and anticipates a strong performance to be delivered in 2024,“ it added. – Bernama Malaysia Airports’ FY23 earnings soar to RM543m KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) net profit increased to RM543.17 million in the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY23) from RM187.2 million in FY22 on the back of higher revenue. The improvement in earnings was also attributed to an increase in other income and share of profit from associates and joint ventures, coupled with a higher gain on fair value of investment in GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd recorded in the year under review. Revenue surged 57.2% to RM4.91 billion in FY23 from RM3.13 billion previously, in tandem with the increase in passenger movements. “Revenue from airport operations increased by 60.6% to RM4.6 billion while the aeronautical segment revenue saw an increase to RM2.7 billion. “This growth was primarily driven by the recovery of passenger traffic, which surged from 83.9 million to 119.5 million passengers,” it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia. MAHB said Malaysian operations experienced a significant improvement in passenger traffic, reaching 81.9 million passengers compared to 52.7 million passengers in the prior year. Meanwhile, operations in Türkiye continued to show a recovery in passenger traffic, increasing from 31.2 million to 37.6 million passengers during the same period. “The non-aeronautical segment revenue also witnessed growth, increasing to RM1.89 billion, primarily due to better contribution of commercial revenue from both Malaysia and Türkiye operations,” it said. MAHB declared a final dividend of 10.8 sen per share for FY23. For the fourth quarter under review (Q4’23), MAHB’s net profit fell to RM287.7 million from RM359.14 million due to a reduction in utilisation fees. However, revenue for Q4’23 increased by 36.8% to RM1.37 billion from RM1 billion previously, driven by higher passenger volumes resulting from the airlines route expansion, resumption of Northern Asia flights and the launch of new airlines operations in the current quarter. Going forward, MAHB said its prospects remain favourable, supported by passenger traffic growth and further strengthened by the group’s ongoing strategy in enhancing its airline and hub connectivity, rejuvenating commercial and retail spaces, as well as accelerating off-terminal opportunities. Acting group CEO Mohamed Rastam Shahrom said MAHB continues to be encouraged by the buoyant demand for air travel, with the latest airlines seat capacity filing for 2024 showing a 13% increase over 2023. – Bernama Ringgit expected to continue strengthening KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is expected to continue to strengthen this year, trading at RM4.50 against the US dollar by year-end, driven by the country’s positive economic performance, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said coordination between the Ministry of Finance and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), as well as joint efforts between government-linked investment companies and government-linked companies will help to increase inflows into the foreign exchange market to strengthen the value of the ringgit. He said BNM is also always ready to intervene in the foreign exchange market to curb currency movements that are considered excessive. “For example, BNM will sell US dollars from its reserves to curb the excessive weakness of the ringgit. “The efforts made by the government are effective and there is no need to use instruments such as pegging the ringgit or shutting down the ringgit exchange as was done during the Asian Financial Crisis,” Amir Hamzah said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He said this in reply to a supplementary question from Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) who wanted to know the government’s projection on the local currency’s recovery and the steps taken by BNM to strengthen the value of the ringgit. Amir Hamzah said the ringgit’s movement is influenced by various factors, and the current depreciation is largely driven by the strengthening of the US dollar and the uncertainty of China’s economic growth, which has also affected currencies of other Amir speaking during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, – BERNAMAPIC oMalaysian currency seen trading at RM4.50 against US dollar by year-end: Finance Minister II countries in the region. As of Feb 28, 2024, the value of the ringgit has depreciated by 3.5% against the US dollar, in tandem with regional currencies such as Japanese yen (-6.3%), Thai baht (-4.7%) and Korean won (-3.3%). Amir Hamzah said BNM will continue to monitor the financial market and take necessary measures, including intervention in the foreign exchange market to curb excessive currency movements. The central bank also monitors the conversion of export proceeds into ringgit by exporting companies, in addition to continuing efforts to encourage the use of the local currency for export settlements to reduce dependence on the movement of the US dollar. “The government also controls overseas investments by private companies to reduce pressure on the ringgit, including encouraging them to prioritise domestic investments as well as delaying new overseas investments. “Foreign investments implemented also need to be managed prudently, such as hedging foreign currency exposure and bringing back proceeds from overseas investments to reduce the high pressure on the ringgit,” he said. – Bernama
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 14 /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM Malaysian Paper PETALING JAYA: CAB Cakaran Corporation Bhd, one of Malaysia’s largest food producers, reported a net profit of RM38.38 million for the first quarter ended Dec 31, 2023 (Q1’24), an 8.3% decline from a year ago. Net profit fell mainly due to a lower year-onyear (y-o-y) gain on fair value adjustment of the group’s biological assets, coupled with higher tax expenses. For the quarter ended Dec 31, 2022 (Q1’23), CAB recorded an RM11.27 million gain in the fair value of its biological assets. This, coupled with an increase in the average selling price (ASP) of feed, processed chicken and other processed food products, had sent the group’s net profit for Q1’23 to RM41.87 million, the highest on record. In Q1’24, CAB recorded an RM1.59 million gain on fair value adjustment of the group’s biological assets. Tax expenses in the quarter amounted to RM15.71 million, an increase of 41.9% from a year ago. CAB’s Q1’24 revenue dipped 1.6% y-o-y to RM548.48 million, dragged down by a decline in ASP for chicks and broilers. On a year-on-year basis, the ASP for chicks and broilers fell 12.7% and 5.7%, respectively. The group’s financial position continued to improve, with CAB’s cash position rising 45.2% y-o-y to RM202.61 million as of Dec 31, 2023, up from RM139.58 million a year earlier. Taking into account its latest results, CAB’s stock trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 5.4 times, compared to the peer average of 11.4 times. Group managing director Christopher Chuah Hoon Phong, said, “We are pleased to kick off FY2024 with a strong quarterly performance. We will continue to pursue operational efficiency, economies of scale, and long-term sustainable growth opportunities. In the near term, we expect to benefit from the recent shortages of pork and eggs, both staple foods for Malaysians. These shortages should sustain high demand for chicken meat, which supports the outlook for broiler prices.” He added that they will continue to seek strategic merger and acquisition opportunities to develop innovative products and create sustainable food solutions. “With our strong cash position, we have the firepower to catalyse our evolution into a worldclass food conglomerate,” said Chuah. On the expansion front, he said they continue to work towards launching Phase 1 of their venture in Indonesia with Salim Group, their partner and shareholder. “We have proven we can win in Malaysia, and have now set our eyes on replicating this model globally. Our planned foray into Indonesia will not only diversify our revenue but also give us a new engine of growth. With the backing of Salim Group, one of Indonesia’s biggest conglomerates, we are confident that we have a long runway for growth in Indonesia,” he added. In the recent financial year ended Sept 30, 2023 (FY23), CAB reported a record-high net profit of RM107.25 million – an increase of 85.8% from a year ago. The improved performance was driven by increased demand, higher selling prices, and lower production costs. FY23 revenue was RM2.25 billion, a 14.9% y-o-y increase and the highest in the group’s operating history. oFood producer reports net profit of RM38.38 million for Q1’24 HAS signs MoU to acquire five H175 helicopters from Airbus JOHOR BAHRU: Guan Chong Bhd (GCB), the world’s fourth-largest cocoa grinder, achieved record-high revenue of RM5.3 billion for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY23), an increase of 21% compared with RM4.4 billion in the previous financial year. The record revenue was in line with the rising cocoa bean prices, and contribution from its Ivory Coast operations for the full year. However, GCB’s net profit for FY23 decreased 31.4% to RM101 million from RM147.4 million previously, mainly due to increased finance costs from higher borrowings, lower grinding margins, and increased tax expenses. Managing director and CEO Brandon Tay Hoe Lian said, “The strong revenue in FY2023 underscores the enduring demand for our cocoa ingredients among our clientele, despite the ever-rising selling prices. “Besides that, our grinding operation in Ivory Coast continues to see meaningful contributions to our profits, enabling us to benefit from the lower logistical costs of operating within proximity to the source of quality cocoa beans. The cocoa ingredients produced there will support our two industrial chocolate operations in Europe, where the demand for chocolate is greater.” Looking ahead, he said GCB will remain vigilant and observe market conditions to ensure their operations globally are wellmaintained, while they strive to optimise production to meet customers’ demand. In the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2023 (Q4’23), the group posted 59.2% higher revenue of RM1.8 billion, from RM1.1 billion in the same period last year, attributed to higher selling prices of cocoa butter, cocoa solids, and industrial chocolate due to increasing cocoa bean prices. However, net profit in Q4’23 decreased 18.8% to RM15.3 million from RM18.8 million previously, mainly due to increased finance costs from higher borrowings and tax expenses. Tay said, “Our working capital requirements have increased in tandem with the higher cocoa bean prices. Therefore, most of our borrowings now are dedicated to supporting our operations and purchasing cocoa beans. The group is aware of the current situation in the chocolate industry and is taking measures to control the impact and stabilise our operations.” Established in 1990, GCB is one of the largest cocoa processors in the region, with total annual grinding capacity of 330,000 tonnes per year. GCB is among the top four cocoa ingredients producers in the world. B R I E F SBNM: INTERNATIONAL RESERVES STABLE AT US$114.85B END-JANUARY KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s international reserves amounted to US$114.85 billion (RM546.68 billion) at the end of January 2024, while other foreign currency assets stood at US$2.3 million, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). It said the detailed breakdown of international reserves under the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard format indicates that as of the end of January 2024, Malaysia’s international reserves remained usable. – Bernama PHARMANIAGA REPORTS NARROWER LOSS OF RM77.45M FOR 2023 KUALA LUMPUR: Pharmaniaga Bhd’s net loss for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY23) narrowed to RM77.45 million from RM629.92 million in FY22. Revenue dropped to RM3.4 billion from RM3.48 billion, representing a 2.2% decrease, mainly due to the reduction in revenue from its concession business as a result of a lower budget allocation. For the fourth quarter, its net loss shrank to RM32.72 million from a loss of RM644.39 million, while revenue fell to RM789.81 million from RM862.72 million in the previous year. Guan Chong achieves record-high revenue of RM5.3 billion in FY23 CAB Cakaran on lookout for strategic acquisitions Airbus Helicopter customer support & services executive vice-president Romain Trapp (second from left) with Mohd Hasery at the MoU signing ceremony, flanked by Airbus and HAS representatives. PETALING JAYA: HAS International Sdn Bhd, a leading provider of offshore helicopter services in Malaysia, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus to acquire five state-of-the art H175 helicopters. The MoU was signed at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Heli Expo 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, USA. HAS managing director Mohd Hasery Abu Bakar said the acquisition of the cutting-edge H175 helicopters for the company’s fleet will not only strengthen HAS’s position in the offshore oil and gas market but also enable it to offer better value to clients, setting new benchmarks for excellence in the industry. At the same event, the company was recognised for its attainment of highest-flying hours per month on an Airbus H175 helicopter for offshore oil and gas operations in the South Asian region. The company had also recently celebrated its 3,000-flight hour milestone in H175 operations. These milestones were achieved within the company’s first year of operations in Miri, Sarawak, where it operates for six multinational clients with about 45 offshore assets, with the furthest located at 190 nautical miles from its helibase in Miri Airport. Hasery said the Airbus H175 has played an integral role in their success, and they are grateful for the unwavering support of their clients, partners, governing authorities, and the entire HAS team. Affin Bank’s full-year results impacted by margin compression KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Bank Bhd posted a lower net profit of RM402.19 million for its financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY23), compared with RM1.17 billion previously, amid margin compression arising from competition for deposits caused by the sharp increase in the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank’s interest rates. Revenue for the year was lower at RM1.98 billion against RM3.29 billion the year before. “Net Interest Margin compression has continued to impact revenue, but the Group has shown resilience by building stronger and deeper foundations for current account and saving account, loan growth, gross impaired loans, loan loss coverage, and customer acquisitions that will catapult us into the future,” Affin Bank said in a statement yesterday. Total assets as of December 2023 have surpassed RM105 billion, remarkably growing from RM70 billion in 2020, driven by loan growth of 12.3% year-on-year. For Q4’23, net profit was higher at RM39.53 million compared with RM16.56 million, while revenue stood at RM486.19 million versus RM566.70 million previously. The board has proposed a final dividend of 5.76 sen per share for FY23, which represents a total dividend payout of about RM135.3 million or 33.6% of the group’s net profit. – Bernama
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 15 Pecca posts record revenue, net profit for second quarter for car accessories, as well as wrapping and stitching services. These subsegments each contributed about 90%, 5% and 3% of the group’s total revenue, respectively. The original equipment manufacturer upholstery car seat segment contributed about 89% of the total revenue for car seat covers whilst the replacement equipment manufacturer and predelivery inspection segments contributed about 3% and 8% respectively. Pecca’s net profit margin for the quarter under review was 20.7%, a 32% increase from last year’s corresponding period. Pecca’s profitability improved due to enhanced cost efficiency, with the group’s production facilities benefiting from better economies of scale. CEO Foo Ken Nee said that this marks the sixth consecutive quarter where the group set a new net profit record. “Our cash position also rose to RM138.96 million as of Q2 FY24, up 24.9% from RM111.23 million at the end of FY23. Our robust financial strength will give us the firepower to accelerate our diversification into new markets. The outlook for automotive TIV in Malaysia continues to be resilient. We are well-positioned to capitalise on this momentum, with our focus on productivity, cost efficiency and optimal procurement strategy,” he added. Meanwhile executive director Teoh Zi Yi said, “As we move forward, we are banking on our aviation division to unlock our next phase of growth. We will continue to work toward building a strong and stable customer base in the aviation industry, tapping the capabilities and networks of our industry partners.” Last week, they formalised a strategic partnership with Global Component Asia Sdn Bhd (GCA) at the Singapore Airshow 2024. This partnership will provide Pecca Aviation with the chance to deliver aircraft interior solutions to GCA’s roster of prominent aviation customers, including airlines and maintenance, repair, and operations players from key markets around the world. oAuto upholstery maker chalks up sixth successive quarter of new highs KAB to boost RE footprint with hydropower plant KUALA LUMPUR: In a landmark move to enhance its renewable energy footprint, Kinergy Advancement Bhd (KAB), a pioneer in sustainable energy solutions in Malaysia, has embarked on a proposed acquisition of a 9.6MW minihydropower plant in Kedah, marking another strategic move forward in their renewable energy (RE) portfolio in the Asean region. This acquisition through KAB Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd (KABEH), its wholly owned subsidiary, involves acquiring 100% stake of Tunjang Tenaga Sdn Bhd (Tunjang Tenaga), which owns an 80% stake in SDF Hydro Sdn Bhd (SDF). A filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday showed that the SPA was entered into by KABEH and Vizione Energy Sdn Bhd (VESB), a wholly owned subsidiary Vizione Holdings Bhd (Vizione). SDF is entrusted with operating a minihydropower plant at Pedu Dam, Kedah – underlining KAB’s commitment to environmental sustainability in the Asean region. The other 20% is owned by Menteri Besar Incorporated Kedah, a Kedah state investment arm. The Pedu Dam plant boasts a total approved installed capacity of 9.6MW, with a net export capacity of 8MW approved by the Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) substation. This project has a 21-year concession period starting from the Feed-in Tariff commencement date scheduled on April 30, 2027. KAB executive deputy chairman/Group managing director Datuk Lai Keng Onn said, “Building upon our recent acquisition of the maiden 11MW mini-hydropower plant in North Sumatera, Indonesia in August 2023, this investment represents a crucial move toward realising our vision of leading sustainable energy development in the region. By harnessing the untapped potential of Pedu Dam, we anticipate making substantial advancements in renewable energy generation, furthering Malaysia’s environmental sustainability objectives.” EPMB reports more than 50-fold jump in FY23 earnings KUALA LUMPUR: Main Market-listed EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) reported that its net profit surged more than 50- fold in the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY23), the highest since 2014. Revenue crossed the RM600 million mark for the first time ever, helped by strong demand for the group’s products. EPMB’s net profit for FY23 was RM20.22 million, compared to RM0.4 million in fiscal 2022 (FY22). The group’s revenue was RM648 million, 25.5% higher year-on-year (y-o-y). EPMB group CEO Ahmad Razlan Mohamed said their improved results reflect the positive outcome of the transformational work they began in early 2023, focusing on operation and cost optimisation. Moving forward, he added they will continue to strengthen their core businesses and at the same time, pursue new market opportunities with substantial growth potential. This year the group will start the construction of their new vehicle assembly plant in Malacca where they will manufacture and assemble vehicle models for BAIC International Development Co Ltd (BAIC), and Great Wall Motor Sales Malaysia. For the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2023 (Q4 FY23), EPMB reported revenue of RM199.64 million, its highest in history and a 26% increase from RM158.38 million in the immediate preceding quarter (Q3 FY23). Revenue growth was mainly attributed by increase in sales of automotive parts. In line with the increased revenue, net profit was RM2.94 million, 617.1% higher than RM0.41 million in Q3 FY23. Torum gets SC approval-in-principle to operate digital exchange in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Torum International Sdn Bhd has been granted an approval-in-principle (AIP) from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) under the Recognised Market Operator (RMO) framework to become the sixth licensed digital asset exchange (DAX), operating alongside the other five current DAX players. SC has also granted Torum the AIP as the second Digital Broker under the RMO framework, enabling it to access liquidity from other digital asset exchanges for fairer market price. Torum International CEO/executive director Go Yi Feng said, “Onboarding the next generation of cryptocurrency users in Malaysia is our number one priority as we set out to redefine the cryptocurrency trading experience for Malaysians with just a few taps. Part of our mission is also to nurture Malaysians with the right mindset and understanding of cryptocurrency, paving the way for the next level of crypto adoption,” he added. Torum International is a unit of Torum Technology Sdn Bhd, a Malaysiagrown cryptocurrency social media platform (torum.com) that has been operating for the past six years, serving more than 240,000 cryptocurrency users across 100 countries. The startup is backed by notable institutions such as KuCoin Labs and Huobi Ventures. KUALA LUMPUR: Automotive upholstery maker Pecca Group Bhd reported another record-breaking quarter for the financial period ended Dec 31, 2023 (Q2’24), with both revenue and net profit hitting historic highs. The group delivered a record quarterly net profit of RM13.39 million in Q2’24, up 59% from RM8.41 million in the previous corresponding period. Revenue rose 21% year-on-year (y-o-y) to a record RM64.76 million, from RM53.48 million a year ago. In the second quarter of FY24, the group’s revenue was driven by demand for upholstery car seat covers, the sewing and supply of covers
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 16 Chinese firms step up hiring BEIJING: Chinese university graduate Zhang Baichuan travels hundreds of kilometres from one job fair to another in a final push to find a better offer than the unappealing one he received after more than 1,000 applications. He hopes the post-Lunar New Year recruiting season in China, when many companies advertise for new positions, brings more attractive opportunities than the livestream moderator role he was offered recently. While Zhang, 23, was fine with the 5,000 yuan (RM3,300) monthly salary, with the company covering meals and accommodation, he dreaded the 12-hour shifts, six days a week – known in China as the “996” work culture. “I’m not keen on a 996 schedule, but I’m considering it as a safety net Zhang submitting his resume to a recruiter at a job fair in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. – REUTERSPIC oBut wages remain sluggish as graduates compete for jobs MUMBAI: India’s Reliance Industries and Walt Disney have agreed to merge their Indian media businesses, creating a US$8.5 billion (RM40 billion) entertainment giant in the world’s most populous nation. India’s entertainment market is already one of the world’s biggest, with the merger expected to further shake up the multi-billion-dollar industry. The two companies had signed “binding definitive agreements” to form a joint venture that will combine the businesses of Reliance-backed Viacom18 and Star India, a joint statement by the firms said on Wednesday night. Reliance, an oil-to-telecom conglomerate led by billionaire tycoon Mukesh Ambani, will invest US$1.4 billion into the new company. The statement said Disney will hold 36.8%, Reliance will hold a 16.3% stake while Viacom18 will hold another 46.8%. “This is a landmark agreement that heralds a new era in the Indian entertainment industry,” Ambani said. His wife, Nita Ambani, will serve as its chairman. The Reliance Industries chairman, 66, is Asia’s richest person according to the Forbes real-time billionaires list, worth more than US$114 billion. The merger will create an entertainment powerhouse that will have more than 100 television channels and two streaming platforms. The companies said the joint venture will have “over 750 million viewers across India”, and will also cater to the Indian diaspora. “Reliance has a deep understanding of the Indian market and consumer, and together we will create one of the country’s leading media companies,” Disney chief Robert Iger said. The agreement will also help both Reliance and Disney stave off competition from traditional rivals such as India’s Zee Entertainment and Japan’s Sony, as well as streaming competition from Amazon and Netflix. The announcement comes less than a month after Sony and Zee Entertainment called off a US$10 billion merger that would have been a formidable force against Reliance and Disney. “This merger will have a very big impact on the entire media and entertainment ecosystem,” said Elara Capital senior vice-president Karan Taurani. “It’s going to be a one of its kind.” Taurani said the merger could help put their streaming platforms on a “path towards profitability” in the medium to long term by bringing down content costs. Taurani estimated the merged entity would command a 40% to 45% advertising revenue market share for both traditional broadcasting and digital streaming. – AFP Reliance, Disney announce giant Indian media merger Japan factory output tumbles in further gloom TOKYO: Japan’s industrial output last month slumped the most since the Covid-19 pandemic, government data showed yesterday, adding to the gloom for the world’s number four economy after going into recession in late 2023. Output at factories and mines in January was down 7.5% from the previous month – the largest month-on-month decline since May 2020, when Covid brought global economies to a standstill. “Many will attribute the poor January print to the Noto Peninsula earthquake which struck the northwest of Japan’s main island on New Year’s Day,” said Stefan Angrick, senior economist at Moody’s Analytics. But “business forecasts for January had already turned sour by the end of December when a major Japanese carmaker announced it would suspend production at one of its subsidiaries”, he said. Mini-vehicle specialist Daihatsu, a Toyota subsidiary, suspended its domestic production for weeks from late December over an embarrassing rigged safety test scandal. “Adding to this, a series of attacks in the Red Sea by Houthis hurt trade along a major shipping route connecting Asia to Europe,” Angrick said. Taro Saito, head of economic research at the NLI Research Institute, said the “double effect” of the earthquake and auto scandals meant “production dropped sharply, not only in the auto industry but in a range of sectors”. Japan is spending US$1.7 billion on rebuilding areas ravaged by the 7.5-magnitude earthquake on Jan 1, which killed 241 people and devastated parts of the Ishikawa region. The January output data could also give the Bank of Japan pause as it navigates a move away from long-standing ultra-loose policies while trying to minimise shock to the economy. “The poor reading adds to a series of disappointing data releases which will make it hard for the Bank of Japan to dial back monetary easing,” Angrick said. “All up, the outlook for the Japanese economy looks incredibly fragile.” The economy shrank 0.1% quarter-on-quarter in the last three months of 2023 after a contraction of 0.8% in the previous period, meaning that Japan was in technical recession in the second half of last year. – AFP Hong Kong agents say property deals jump after big policy moves HONG KONG: The property market here immediately celebrated the removal of decade-long curbs with a jump in transactions, property agents said yesterday, as authorities made a concerted bid to boost the city’s depressed real estate market. Hong Kong, long among the world’s most expensive housing markets, saw prices plunge 20% from their 2021 peak, hurt by the pandemic, an exodus of residents triggered by Beijing’s imposition of the national security law and interest rate hikes. On Wednesday, Hong Kong removed all additional stamp duties, reversing a government push over the past decade to cool housing prices. The financial hub recorded 28 transactions in the new home market on Wednesday, compared to 14 the previous day and a daily average of four to five units last week, while the secondary market also saw a 50% increase from Tuesday. Sellers also turned bullish, with some raising their asking prices by 3% to 5%, according to property agents. “We see the market is reacting positively,“ said Sammy Po, the residential CEO of Midland Realty. “Buyer confidence has generally improved and they have speeded up their entry into the market.” The latest relaxations could also attract more second homebuyers, foreigners and investors, agents said, as they no longer need to pay up to 15% of additional stamp duties. – Reuters while I look for better options,” Zhang, who holds a business management degree from Hebei GEO University, said outside his 50-yuan-per-night hostel room in suburban Beijing. “I don’t like the devaluation of degrees, but the reality is that there are more college graduates now,” he said before travelling to another job fair outside of Beijing. Encouragingly for China’s first-quarter economic growth, the post-Lunar New Year recruiting season is off to a stronger start than in 2023, when the world’s second-largest economy was going through its biggest Covid-19 infection wave. But high youth unemployment gives employers a large pool of candidates to choose from, keeping wage growth sluggish and cementing worries China may struggle to boost household consumption enough to stabilise growth and lift the economy out of deflation. Zhaopin, one of China’s biggest recruiting platforms, said in the first week after the Feb 10 to 17 break there were 45% more companies looking to hire than in the corresponding postholiday week of last year. That demand has not translated into higher wages, however, which were only up 3% on average. The pace, which lags China’s expected 2024 economic growth target of around 5%, suggests the job market remains an employers’ market for now, said ING chief China economist Lynn Song. “The recovery in the job market will likely be modest this year as economic momentum remains relatively weak.” More than 21% of Chinese aged 16 to 24 were unemployed last June, the last data point before officials suspended the series. China resumed publication this year, excluding college students from the data, to put youth unemployment at 14.9% in December. The travel sector – the fastest to recover after three years of Covid restrictions – led the way in hiring, offering 56.3% more jobs than last year, followed by logistics with 26% and transportation with 21.6%, Zhaopin said. At the Beijing job fair, one of thousands across China, a hotel human resources manager who only gave her surname Han, said her firm tweaked commission thresholds, which could lead to 40% higher takehome pay from last year. Others were less generous. Zhang Chengjin, director at housing information provider Mingwang, said he could only offer a “slight increase”, given the troubled property sector was generally cutting jobs. A civil servant from Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, said the local government’s debt woes forced it to cut bonus payments, reducing his annual pay by a fifth. “It might be the new norm.” Gao Tianyi, a 26-year-old attending the Beijing job fair, worries about a “trend of pushing salary expectations lower”, but says he tries to “remain humble” in his job hunting. – Reuters
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 17 India, US at loggerheads over WTO reform ABU DHABI: A US-led push to reform the World Trade Organisation’s embattled dispute settlement system sparked divisions at a WTO meeting on Wednesday, with New Delhi accusing Washington of bringing the trade body to a “standstill”. A working session on dispute settlement reform was held on the third day of the WTO’s 13th ministerial meeting (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, where little progress is expected on the issue amid major disagreements. Washington, under former president Donald Trump, brought the system to a grinding halt in 2019 by blocking the appointment of new judges to the WTO’s appeals court, the organisation’s highest dispute settlement authority. Dispute settlement reform is a “hard issue” but the dynamic in the negotiating room at MC13 is “constructive, it’s positive, it’s sober”, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai told reporters on Wednesday. But “there is more work to do”, she added, following the working session. During the last WTO ministerial meeting in 2022, member states reached a commitment to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system in place by 2024. oNew Delhi accuses Washington of bringing trade body to standstill The overall outcome of MC13 could only reiterate this commitment, despite demands by some member states, including India, for stronger progress at the Abu Dhabi talks. Tai said “convergence is happening” on various areas of dispute settlement reform. But “there is another set of issues that are going to be harder and that are going to take longer to address, including what to do with the appeals mechanism and how to have a mechanism for review that doesn’t repeat the problems of the appellate body that came before it”, she said. Washington has accused the appellate body of over-interpreting WTO rules, with Tai on Wednesday saying the now-defunct body was formerly more powerful than member states. “It was extremely activist, extremely powerful, more powerful than even the members, where members could secure new rules through litigation and not have to rely on the very hard work of negotiating with each other.” Washington’s push for reform has angered India, which accused the United States on Wednesday of bringing the WTO to a “standstill”. India threatened to hold off on any new deals before progress is made on the appellate body, which could imperil agreements on fisheries subsidies and agriculture, largely seen as the main agenda items of the ministerial talks. “It’s important that the first issue we should settle is that there should be an appellate body and some countries are not allowing that to happen,” India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told AFP. “The entire working of WTO currently has come to a little bit of a standstill”. Responding to his remarks, Tai said: “There is nothing standing still in this ministerial conference.” There is a concern among observers that delays to the restoration of the appellate body could throw it into jeopardy, especially if Trump is reelected as US president in November. During his tenure, Trump blocked the WTO’s ability to settle trade disputes and threatened to pull the US out of the trade body – all the while launching a trade war with China. “There is no momentum to relaunch the discussions” on the appellate body, said a source close to the talks. The European Union, meanwhile, would like the outcome of MC13 to “get out that sense of urgency ... of restoring the system by 2024”, said an EU official familiar with the negotiations. “Political will is required.” – AFP Glitch causes Coinbase account balances to fall to zero NEW YORK: The account balances of some customers of cryptocurrency trading platform Coinbase fell to zero on Wednesday, the company confirmed, as it moved to assure them that their assets were still there. Dozens of accounts had posted on social media sites including X earlier in the day, with screenshots that appeared to show their Coinbase account balance had fallen to zero. “We are aware that some users may see a zero balance across their Coinbase accounts and may experience errors in buying or selling,” the firm told AFP by e-mail shortly after the news broke. “Your assets are safe.” The incident came on the same day that bitcoin – the world’s best-known and most valuable digital currency – broke through the symbolic US$60,000 barrier for first time since November 2021. News of the incident hit the Coinbase’s shares hard on Wall Street. After rising as much as 6.5% in early trading to reach the highest level in two years, its share price slipped to close just 0.8% higher. In a later update posted on its website and shared with AFP, Coinbase said activity on the site was “starting” to normalise. “We will continue to monitor our systems and provide updates.” – AFP Electronic Arts to lay off 5% of workforce SAN FRANCISCO: Electronic Arts on Wednesday said it is cutting about 5% of its workforce, as belt tightening continues in the video game and tech industries. The California company behind hits including soccer game FC24 is also “sunsetting” some titles and stopping development of others it thinks will not be successful, chief executive Andrew Wilson said in a message to employees posted online. “We are streamlining our company operations to deliver deeper, more connected experiences for fans everywhere that build community, shape culture, and grow fandom,” Wilson said. “In this time of change, we expect these decisions to impact approximately 5% of our workforce.” The company’s annual report last year indicated it had 13,400 employees, meaning about 670 positions are being eliminated. The announcement came a day after Sony said it was cutting 8% of its global workforce, as video game makers find they are not immune to the wave of layoffs seen recently in the technology industry. Calling it “sad news”, PlayStation chief Jim Ryan said that the Sony reductions would affect 900 people across the globe, including video game studios. A separate statement said that US studios Insomniac Games and Naughty Dog, part of PlayStation’s stable, were hit by the job cuts. Microsoft in January said it was laying off 1,900 people, or 8% of staff, from its gaming division, following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Last year the wider tech industry lost 260,000 jobs according to layoffs.fyi, a California-based website that tracks the sector. So far this year, layoffs are at 45,356, the site showed, from 176 companies. – AFP A sign in front of the Electronic Arts headquarters in Redwood City, California. – AFPPIC Wendy’s says no surge pricing for burgers NEW YORK: Restaurant chain Wendy’s said on Wednesday it will not raise prices for hamburgers and other items at peak times, clarifying recent comments that sparked criticism of the fast-food company. The chain, a smaller rival to McDonald’s known for similar burger-and-fries fare, said comments by its chief executive two weeks ago had been “misconstrued”, leading to criticism on social media. During an earnings conference call on Feb 15, chief executive Kirk Tanner described plans as early as next year to “begin testing” features such as “dynamic pricing” and other potential changes that take advantage of artificial intelligence technology. The company’s statement on Wednesday did not mention dynamic pricing, saying its plan to employ “digital menuboards” would give it more flexibility to adjust displays. “This was misconstrued in some media reports as an intent to raise prices when demand is highest at our restaurants,” Wendy’s said. “We have no plans to do that and would not raise prices when our customers are visiting us most.” But Wendy’s, whose 7,240 restaurants are mostly in the United States, said the new technology could “allow us to change the menu offerings at different times of day and offer discounts and value offers to our customers more easily, particularly in the slower times of day”. The term “dynamic pricing” has been embraced by some tech companies such as Uber, which boosts prices at peak demand periods such as Saturday nights. Uber has been transparent in employing the policy, describing it as a way to manage the supply of drivers during periods of peak use. “Dynamic pricing helps us to make sure there are always enough drivers to handle all our ride requests, so you can get a ride quickly and easily – whether you and friends take the trip or sit out the surge is up to you,” Uber said on its website. Neil Saunders, analyst at GlobalData, warned that while dynamic pricing is accepted in travel and hotels, it “runs the risk of causing annoyance and confusion” in fast food. But Saunders said Wendy’s may be able to “position” the change successfully. “If Wendy’s sells it as customers getting money off or a discount during quiet hours, then I think that will be accepted more than if they say they’re charging a premium at busy hours,” he said. “The messaging is key here.” – AFP The Wendy’s sign is seen outside their restaurant in the American city of Bowie. – AFPPIC
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 18 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK Malaysian Paper LONDON: Bitcoin passed the US$60,000 mark on Wednesday, approaching its all-time high and continuing its unbridled rise since the approval of a new type of investment indexed to the cryptocurrency. Bitcoin traded as high as US$61,360, closing in on its all-time high of US$68,991 – struck in November 2021 and which some analysts believe is now within reach. Around 16:15 GMT (12.15am yesterday in Malaysia), it traded at US$61,102. Since their approval on Jan 10 by US securities regulators, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) indexed to bitcoin have theoretically enabled a wider public to invest in the cryptocurrency without having to hold it directly. The funds themselves, however, do invest in the digital currency. The expected approval of the new investment product had contributed in recent months to a rise in its price, which had largely fallen by the end of 2022 following the bankruptcy of several crypto giants. The US launch of ETFs or ETPs (exchange-traded products) has “injected a fresh wave of optimism, propelling trading volumes and spotlighting crypto-linked firms”, notes Mikkel Morch, founder of specialist fund ARK36. The instruments are comparable to stocks or mutual funds as far as accessibility to everyday investors. Some investors eager to recoup their bets had initially triggered a wave of mass withdrawals from the GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust) fund, once it had been converted into an ETF. But once the selling fever subsided, flows into US bitcoin ETFs, such as that offered by asset management giant BlackRock, increased. Exchange-listed cryptoasset-linked investment products have attracted around US$5.7 billion since the start of the year, according to calculations by asset manager CoinShares published on Monday. As further evidence of “the growing institutional endorsement that’s fuelling this rally” in prices, Morch said, software company MicroStrategy announced on Monday that it had purchased a further 3,000 bitcoins, then worth US$155 million. The transaction brought its total bitcoin holdings to 193,000 bitcoins, worth US$6.09 billion. Bitcoin is created – or “mined” – as a reward when powerful computers solve complex problems to validate transactions made on the blockchain. James Harte, an analyst from Tickmill, notes that prices are also buoyed as major industry players invest in bitcoin ahead of the “halving” – or the dividing in two of the reward for the token’s miners. The event, which occurs about every four years, is next due in April. It is expected to slow the speed at which new bitcoins enter the market, reducing the cryptocurrency’s potential availability for purchase, which should boost its value. “As the issuance of new bitcoin slows down, the existing scarcity of the digital asset becomes even more pronounced, typically leading to increased demand and, subsequently, higher prices,” noted Nigel Green, head of financial advisory firm deVere Group. “Cryptocurrencies remain highly speculative, but the enormous interest in spot ETFs and the upcoming halving event ... can be expected to continue to fuel the current momentum which could lead bitcoin to surpass the US$69,000 mark.” The virtual unit has also been partly boosted by hopes the US Federal Reserve will start to cut interest rates this year as inflation eases. – AFP British Airways owner says profit soars six-fold LONDON: British Airways parent IAG announced yesterday that net profit surged six-fold last year, boosted by “strong” demand particularly from leisure travellers as the bounceback from Covid continued. Profit after taxation jumped to €2.7 billion (RM13.8 billion) in 2023 from €431 million in 2022, the airline conglomerate said in a results statement, adding that revenues leapt by almost a third to €29.5 billion. IAG, which also owns Spanish carrier Iberia, added that its “strong growth” was “underpinned by robust and sustainable demand”. Operating profit before exceptional items nearly tripled to €3.5 billion. The London-listed aviation giant added that it hired 13,000 new workers last year. “In 2023, IAG more than doubled its operating margin and profits compared to 2022, generated excellent free cash flow and strengthened its balance sheet position, recovering capacity to close to pre-Covid levels in most of its core markets,” said chief executive Luis Gallego. “We will continue to invest in our brands to transform the business, improve customer experience and support the delivery of sustainable growth and world-class margins.” Passenger capacity last year reached 95.7% of levels in 2019, or before the Covid pandemic sparked lockdowns, grounded airlines and ravaged demand for air travel. The company also issued a rosy outlook rooted in “robust” demand, adding that it was 92% booked for the first quarter of this year and 62% booked for the first half. IAG was formed from 2011 merger of British Airways and Iberia and has since expanded to also include Aer Lingus, Level and Vueling. – AFP Bitcoin tops US$60,000, approaches all-time high oRally fuelled by ‘growing institutional endorsement’ and Fed rate cut hopes Canada’s oil-rich Alberta curbs new wind and solar projects OTTAWA: Oil-rich Alberta on Wednesday unveiled new rules for renewable energy projects, effectively banning wind and solar on large swaths of agricultural lands and in areas that could obstruct the majestic Rocky Mountain views the Canadian province is known for. The region, known for sunshine and strong winds, has led Canada in renewable energy development, home to nearly C$5 billion (RM17.6 billion) in new capital investment since 2019, according to the Pembina Institute, a non-profit focused on the energy sector. Before announcing Wednesday’s rules, the government of Alberta had already come under fire for pausing all new projects over the past six months while it assessed their reliability and impacts on the landscape and power grid. Critics said that risked a chill on investment, which the local government rejected. The move also challenged the federal government’s ambitions for a net-zero power grid by 2035. At a news conference in Edmonton, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith (pic) said that moratorium would be lifted today, while announcing new regulations on the sector going forward. She said new projects will not be permitted on prime agricultural lands – 28 million acres – unless the landowner can show that turbines or panels can coexist alongside crops or livestock. There will also be a 35km buffer around some viewscapes. These areas were not immediately defined, but views of the Rocky Mountains, protected environmental areas and other “beautiful natural features” were touted by officials as examples. “We need to ensure that we are not sacrificing our future agricultural yields or tourism dollars or breathtaking viewscapes to rush renewables development through,” Smith said. Alberta produces more than 80% of Canada’s total oil output, and generates most of its electricity from natural gas. Alberta and neighbouring Saskatchewan, both led by conservative governments that have clashed with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s liberals over climate policies, have called the 2035 target for a net-zero power grid unrealistic and are aiming instead for 2050. According to the Pembina Institute, 64 companies and partnerships with plans for 118 projects in Alberta worth over C$33 billion had been left hanging by the moratorium. Alberta Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf said on Wednesday there are currently 26 renewable projects awaiting approval. – AFP A woman walking past a Swisscom branch office in the Swiss city of Zurich. – AFPPIC Vodafone in talks to sell Italian unit to Swisscom LONDON: British telecoms giant Vodafone said on Wednesday it was in advanced talks to sell its Italian unit to Switzerland’s Swisscom after rejecting offers from French billionaire Xavier Niel’s Iliad group. The full terms of the transaction have yet to be defined but the companies put a preliminary price of €8 billion (RM41 billion) on the potential deal. Shares in Vodafone, which has been on a cost-cutting campaign that has included layoffs and the offloading of divisions abroad, rose following the announcement but ended lower. The disclosure of the negotiations with Swisscom comes a month after the British mobile phone operator rejected an Iliad offer to merge their Italian units. Vodafone said in a statement that it had “engaged extensively with several parties to explore market consolidation in Italy”. The potential transaction with Swisscom “delivers the best combination of value creation, upfront cash proceeds and transaction certainty for Vodafone shareholders”, the company added. The two companies, however, cautioned in separate statements that there was no certainty the transaction would ultimately be agreed. The acquisition of Vodafone Italy would be on a cash and debt-free basis, the companies said. A source close to the matter told AFP that Vodafone preferred a deal with the Swiss company because of its “significant cash element” and a higher degree of certainty that the deal could be completed, as it would have a better chance of being approved by Italian regulators. Swisscom said it would merge Vodafone Italy with its own Italian unit Fastweb. Last month, Vodafone rejected a proposal from Iliad to merge their Italian businesses in a deal valuing Vodafone Italy at €10.45 billion. The British mobile phone operator had already rebuffed an €11.25 billion approach by Iliad and private equity group Apax Partners in February 2022. Niel has since taken a 2.5% stake in Vodafone. – AFP
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 19 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) PBA 1.94 -21.14 150864 BAT 8.35 -2.79 7446 HAPSENG 4.42 -4.33 73487 MSM 2.6 -6.81 54166 D&O 3.32 -5.14 43,597 ALLIANZ 18.88 -0.84 737 EDARAN 1.18 -11.28 31,654 CHINHIN 3.88 -3.24 9,085 SHANG 2.05 -5.96 51,472 CIHLDG 2.78 -3.81 949 MSNIAGA 1.49 -6.29 335 SPRITZER 2.03 -4.69 20,763 DIALOG 2.1 -4.11 4,139,998 HIBISCS 2.53 -3.44 20,582 TOCEAN 1.53 -5.56 14 AEONCR 6.34 -1.25 1,663 AAX 1.7 -4.49 43,627 PETGAS 17.94 -0.44 39,482 ABMB 3.56 -1.93 25,351 APM 2.97 -2.3 1,764 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/-(RM) +/-(%) VOLUME DIALOG 4,139,998 2.1 -0.09 -4.11 YTL 3,839,759 2.67 0.03 1.14 YTLPOWR 2,538,247 3.95 -0.06 -1.5 HONGSENG 1,306,039 0.015 - - MYEG 1,272,283 0.805 0.015 1.9 HM 1,199,262 0.145 - - VELESTO 1,057,791 0.285 0.005 1.79 ARMADA 969,570 0.55 0.03 5.77 TWL 573,383 0.04 0.005 14.29 MINETEC 553,936 0.16 - - EKOVEST 548,997 0.455 -0.02 -4.21 PBBANK 487,364 4.4 -0.03 -0.68 TOPGLOV 415,590 0.805 -0.02 -2.42 SIME 394,547 2.71 0.06 2.26 KPJ 371,052 1.65 -0.02 -1.2 EDUSPEC 353,408 0.11 0.01 10 SIMEPROP 346,272 0.77 0.01 1.32 ECONBHD 325,545 0.345 -0.015 -4.17 SKPRES 313,173 0.755 - - CAPITALA 284,690 0.69 -0.025 -3.5 SUNBIZ presents a summary of the day’s trading activity on Bursa Malaysia and other markets in an easy to digest format. MARKET ROUND-UP: FEBRUARY 29 [ Sources: Bursa Malaysia, Bernama, shareinvestor.com and websites DISCLAIMER: The data and reports are provided as a service to investors. Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd shall not be liable or responsible for any consequences resulting from usage of the information. INDEX CHANGE FBMEMAS 11,491.80 +28.19 FBMKLCI 1,551.44 +5.85 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 578.20 +1.25 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 176.28 +0.34 CONSTRUCTION 211.27 +1.49 FINANCIAL SERVICES 17,316.50 +16.87 ENERGY 924.70 +0.06 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 610.39 -2.40 HEALTH CARE 1,899.33 -17.68 TRANSPORTATION 962.00 -6.46 PROPERTY 921.75 -0.08 PLANTATION 7,194.67 +38.95 FBMSHA 11,527.90 +45.03 FBMACE 4,768.13 +2.89 TECHNOLOGY 64.59 +0.31 TURNOVER: 5.340 bil VALUE: RM7.012 bil Top 20 Actives Top 20 Losers (By RM) Bursa Indices INDEX CLOSING DAILY DAILY CHANGE CHANGE (%) DJIA (US) 38,949.02 -23.39 -0.06 S&P 500 (US) 5,069.76 -8.42 -0.17 NASDAQ (US) 15,947.74 -87.56 -0.55 NYSE (US) 17,573.69 -24.63 -0.14 EURO STOXX 50 (EUR) 4,890.38 +6.61 +0.14 FTSE 100 (UK) 7,643.01 +18.03 +0.24 DAX (GER) 17,682.24 +81.02 +0.46 NIKKEI 225 (JPN) 39,166.19 -41.84 -0.11 TOPIX (JPN) 2,675.73 +0.78 +0.03 HANG SENG INDEX (HK) 16,511.44 -25.41 -0.15 CSI 300 (CHN) 3,516.08 +65.82 +1.91 SH SE COM (CHN) 3,015.17 +57.32 +1.94 KOSPI INDEX (SK) 2,642.36 -9.93 -0.37 MSCI ASIA PACIFIC 172.07 -1.19 -0.69 ASX 200 (AUS) 7,698.70 +38.28 +0.50 ALL ORDINARIES INDX (AUS) 7,959.54 +42.41 +0.54 SENSEX INDEX (IND) 72,510.50 +205.62 +0.28 FBM KLCI 1,551.44 +5.85 +0.38 STRAITS TIMES INDEX (S’PORE) 3,141.85 +2.92 +0.09 WTI (US$/BBL.) 78.35 -0.19 -0.24 BRENT (US$/BBL.) 83.27 -0.41 -0.49 GOLD (COMEX) (US$/T OZ) 2,043.70 +1.00 +0.05 SILVER (COMEX) (US$/T OZ) 22.64 0.00 +0.02 PLATINUM (US$/T OZ) 888.13 +7.82 +0.89 COPPER (COMEX) (US CENTS/LB.) 384.75 +0.70 +0.18 COPPER 3MO (LME) (US$/MT) 8,448.50 -25.50 -0.30 CORN (US CENTS/BU.) 431.00 +2.50 +0.58 WHEAT (US CENTS/BU.) 579.25 +4.50 +0.78 SOYBEAN OIL (CBOT) (US CENTS/LB.) 45.29 +0.10 +0.22 COCOA (ICE) (US$/MT) 5,994.00 -461.00 -7.14 RUBBER (S’PORE) (US CENTS/KG) 162.40 -0.40 -0.25 World Stocks/Commodities as at 5pm, Feb 29 STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) PHB 0.005 -50 3,535 BORNOIL 0.01 -33.33 131,558 XOX 0.01 -33.33 8,737 TALAMT 0.015 -25 3,714 PBA 1.94 -21.14 150,864 BSLCORP 0.03 -14.29 11,581 SNTORIA 0.06 -14.29 2,751 SINARAN 0.06 -14.29 1,350 KIMHIN 0.52 -11.86 215 DNONCE 0.075 -11.76 66,503 EDARAN 1.18 -11.28 31,654 PDZ 0.04 -11.11 4785 PICORP 0.08 -11.11 7,997 TURIYA 0.26 -10.34 5,741 JHM 0.625 -10.07 124,824 FITTERS 0.045 -10 36230 PERMAJU 0.045 -10 8135 CRESBLD 0.485 -9.35 1267 LIONIND 0.3 -9.09 38,088 VINVEST 0.05 -9.09 3,250 Top 20 Losers (By %) STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) NESTLE 124.9 1.1 5,723 AMWAY 7.14 0.65 2,343 MPI 29.04 0.62 2,108 UTDPLT 22.12 0.44 8,454 HLFG 17 0.32 4321 TENAGA 11.26 0.3 126,178 HTPADU 1.78 0.28 67,972 AJI 17.38 0.26 437 PPB 15.58 0.26 16,230 ALLIANZ-PA 20.02 0.22 53 KLK 22.4 0.22 22,561 GAMUDA 5.29 0.2 133,252 MCEMENT 5.18 0.15 25,669 PCHEM 7 0.15 101529 KGB 2.55 0.14 79,656 GPHAROS 0.46 0.135 117,686 UWC 3.43 0.13 6,315 ATECH 2.73 0.12 4,630 GESHEN 2.74 0.11 7,887 ABLEGLOB 1.75 0.1 28,611 Top 20 Gainers (By RM) STOCKS CLOSING (RM) +/- (RM) VOLUME (’00) EAH 0.01 100 3,885 GPHAROS 0.46 41.54 117,686 ZENTECH 0.02 33.33 6,330 NEXGRAM 0.03 20 42,548 HTPADU 1.78 18.67 67972 TWL 0.04 14.29 573383 SAPNRG 0.05 11.11 56,213 VELOCITY 0.05 11.11 10331 AMWAY 7.14 10.02 2,343 ASB 0.11 10 262701 EDUSPEC 0.11 10 353408 JOHAN 0.055 10 610 PUC 0.055 10 133,703 LBICAP 0.555 9.9 9565 NOTION 0.47 9.3 130,679 EIG 0.36 9.09 1,679 SENDAI 0.18 9.09 82,286 OCR 0.06 9.09 8,460 IHB 0.14 7.69 21,409 PNEPCB 0.07 7.69 793 Top 20 Gainers (By %) Bursa ends higher in line with most regional markets BURSA Malaysia’s benchmark FBM KLCI ended higher yesterday in tandem with the upbeat performance in most regional markets and ahead of the US personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data due out later. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI added 5.85 points to close at 1,551.44 from yesterday’s close of 1,545.59. The benchmark index opened 2.03 points better at 1,547.62 and moved between 1,544.67 and 1,554.79 throughout the session. Losers outpaced gainers 679 to 370, while 431 counters were unchanged, 810 untraded and 43 others suspended. Turnover expanded to 5.34 billion units worth RM7.01 billion versus yesterday’s 4.78 billion units worth RM3.3 billion. Head of wealth research & advisory, designated portfolio manager at UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Mohd Sedek Jantan said Malaysian equities experienced a surge, mirroring the positive trend in most regional stock markets. “Although there was some initial caution among investors awaiting the US inflation data to gauge the Federal Reserve’s interest rate adjustments, the overall market sentiment remained optimistic,“ he told Bernama. ActivTrades trader Anderson Alves said investors are now turning their attention to the upcoming release of the US PCE report. Heavyweights Maybank gained two sen to RM9.53, CIMB perked up three sen to RM6.46, Tenaga Nasional rose 30 sen to RM11.26, Petronas Chemicals edged up 15 sen to RM7, and Public Bank fell three sen to RM4.40. As for the actives, YTL Corporation increased three sen to RM2.67, MY E.G. Services advanced 1.5 sen to 80.5 sen, Dialog Group eased nine sen to RM2.10, YTL Power International lost six sen to RM3.95, while Hong Seng Consolidated was flat at 1.5 sen. 1,551.44pts Feb 29, 2024 Participation 9.3 22.7 68.0 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 652.6 1676.8 4683.7 7013.1 Sold RM m 652.1 1516.0 4845.0 7013.1 Net RM m 0.5 160.8 -161.3 0.0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 29/2/2024
BIZ & FINANCE BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 20 MARKETS/FROM THE BROKERS SUNBIZ presents extracts of a selection of commentaries and research reports received from stockbrokers on counters that could be of interest to investors. [Compiled by SunBiz Team DISCLAIMER: The information is extracted from stockbrokers’ commentaries and research reports and do not represent the views or opinions of Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd. It is not a solicitation, recommendation or an offer to buy or sell the equities featured. Sun Media Corporation shall not be liable or responsible for any consequences resulting from usage of the information. IJM’S 9M FY24 core profit of RM303.2 million beat expectations, coming in at 80% and 81% of our full-year forecast and the full-year consensus estimate, respectively. The variance against our forecast came largely from higher-thanexpected property billings. No dividend was declared as expected as it usually pays half-yearly dividend in the past. YoY, its 9M FY24 revenue jumped 28% on a broad-based improvement across all segments with construction (+43%) attributed to higher construction work activities, property development (+28%) led by strong property sales as well as sale of industrial land in Q2’24, manufacturing & quarrying (+22%) driven by higher deliveries of piles, quarry and readymixed concrete, and infrastructure (+12%) due to the recovery in cargo throughput at the port. Meanwhile, its core profit leapt 34% thanks largely to strong property development earnings (+97%) which was driven by higher sales, improved margins on a better product mix, the sale of industrial land with gain of RM20 million and an unrealised forex gain of RM35.2 million. However, construction earnings fell 27% on higher raw material and prolongation costs and low profit recognition from new projects at initial stages. QoQ. Its Q3’24 revenue was flattish (+1%) as higher revenues from property development (+8%) and construction (+3%) were offset by lower revenues from manufacturing & quarrying (-7%) and infrastructure (-1%). Its core profit contracted by 31%, largely due to higher-than-expected taxation (+50% QoQ). We raise our FY24-25F net profit forecasts by 11% and 16%, respectively, lift our TP by 10% to RM2.54 (from RM2.31) and maintain our OUTPERFORM call. PBBANK’S FY23 net profit of RM6.65 billion met expectations. A full-year dividend of 19.0 sen surprised our anticipated 18 sen payment, thanks to slightly higher pay-out (c.55%). YoY, FY23 net interest income declined (-4%) owing to lower NIMs (2.19%, -19bps) which offsets its 6% loans growth. Meanwhile, non-interest income gained 3% namely from better forex. Costincome ratio rose (33.7%, +2.2ppt) from higher personnel costs. On the flipside, credit cost was significantly lower at 4bps (-5bps) from lower staging, despite the group not exercising on writing back its pre-emptive provisions. In addition to lower effective taxes, FY23 net earnings reported at RM6.65b (+9%). QoQ, Q4’23 saw NIMs contract slightly (-4bps) from year-end deposits competition. There was a bump in credit cost attributed to higher provisions in the retail segment. This led to Q4’23 earnings to be 5% softer. Meeting its targets for FY24, the group is cautious on the near-term outlook but believes it could at least sustain its momentum from FY23. PBBANK’s loans growth target of 5-6% is a mark up from the past year as the group anticipates a gradual recovery from the property market, as mortgages make up the largest (c.42%) component of its books. It also believes SMEs could be due to return but will likely remains picky with its approvals. Since its last reporting, the group kept an outstanding management overlay of RM1.8 billion which it has yet to consider writing back. That said, the group believes it may make a decision on its utilisation by 2H FY24 which could mean significant kick-back to earnings given the group’s persistently low provisioning needs. Its FY24 credit cost guidance of 5-10 bps is mostly similar to FY23. Maintain OUTPERFORM with a higher rolled over GGM-derived PBV TP of RM5.10 (from RM4.75). SLVEST’S 9MFY24 core net profit of RM25 million met expectations at 81% and 83% of our full-year forecast and the full-year consensus estimate, respectively. YoY, its 9M FY24 revenue surged 57% driven by: (i) acceleration in solar EPCC work progress (+4%) under LSS4, (ii) maiden contribution (+766%) from its two LSS4 plants located in Perak (29.6MWp) and Selangor (20.5 MWp), and (iii) higher O&M activities (+100%). Its core net profit grew by a steeper 69% on improved cost management. QoQ, its Q3’24 revenue fell 20% as EPCC works for LSS4 projects were already at the tail-end. However, its net profit soared 48%, we believe, due to lower panel prices and lumpy profit recognition on account closure for certain projects. Going forward, SLVEST’s earnings growth will be driven by the full-year contribution from its 67.3MWp of solar power plants under LSS4. In addition, SLVEST has secured orders for approximately 116MWp (+5% QoQ) through is solar project financing scheme Powervest, translating to a total revenue of RM41 million annually. Recall, Powervest has an internal rate of return (IRR) of at least 12% vs. 8% under LSS projects. The prospects of the solar energy sector are well supported by the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) which sets an ambitious target of RE to make up 70% of total power generation capacity by 2050. In line with the roadmap, the Energy Commission is embarking on LSS5 with a quota of 2GW and a developer is now allowed to bid for up to 500MW (vs. only 50MW previously). Given its experience in LSS4, SLVEST is poised to garner a slice of action in this new initiative by the Energy Commission. We estimate that LSS5 will generate some RM5b worth of works for solar EPCC players. We maintain our forecasts but lift our TP by 28% to RM1.88 (from RM1.47). Maintain OUTPERFORM. FOREIGN CURRENCY SELLING TT/OD BUYING TT BUYING OD 1 US Dollar 4.8320 4.6980 4.6880 1 Australian Dollar 3.1570 3.0320 3.0160 1 Brunei Dollar 3.5920 3.4890 3.4810 1 Canadian Dollar 3.5570 3.4620 3.4500 1 Euro 5.2480 5.0800 5.0600 1 New Zealand Dollar 2.9580 2.8490 2.8330 1 Singapore Dollar 3.5920 3.4890 3.4810 1 Sterling Pound 6.1310 5.9380 5.9180 1 Swiss Franc 5.4870 5.3620 5.3470 100 UAE Dirham 133.2000 126.3500 126.1500 100 Bangladesh Taka 4.4900 4.1970 3.9970 100 Chinese Renminbi 67.6400 64.8000 N/A 100 Danish Krone 72.1700 66.4300 66.2300 100 Hongkong Dollar 62.4400 59.3500 59.1500 100 Indian Rupee 5.9300 5.5700 5.3700 100 Indonesian Rupiah 0.0319 0.0289 0.0239 100 Japanese Yen 3.2160 3.1150 3.1050 100 New Taiwan Dollar N/A N/A N/A 100 Norwegian Krone 46.8500 43.1100 42.9100 100 Pakistan Rupee 1.7600 1.6500 1.4500 100 Philippine Peso 8.7200 8.2200 8.0200 100 Qatar Riyal 134.1100 127.3200 127.1200 100 Saudi Riyal 130.3900 123.7900 123.5900 100 South Africa Rand 26.0000 23.4900 23.2900 100 Sri Lanka Rupee 1.6000 1.4700 1.2700 100 Swedish Krona 48.2700 43.9700 43.7700 100 Thai Baht 14.0400 12.4600 12.0600 Exchange Rates Source: Malayan Banking Bhd/Bernama Ringgit strengthens against dollar after BNM comments THE ringgit ended higher against the US dollar yesterday, spurred by Bank Negara Malaysia’s comments on its valuation. At 6pm, the ringgit went up to 4.7400/7455 against the greenback versus Wednesday’s close of 4.7690/7730. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the central bank’s statement has provided an impetus for local traders even as market participants continue to observe the timing for the first US rate cut. Mohd Afzanizam said the local note appreciated against the US dollar yesterday with the US Dollar Index (DXY) falling 0.13% to 103.838 points. Meanwhile, the ringgit was traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. The local currency rose against the British pound to 6.0042/0111 from 6.0199/0250 yesterday, strengthened versus the euro to 5.1434/1493 from 5.1510/1553 previously, but fell vis-a-vis the Japanese yen to 3.1642/1681 from 3.1635/1664 at Wednesday’s close. The ringgit also performed better against other Asean currencies. It edged up versus the Thai baht to 13.2140/2345 from Wednesday’s close of 13.2252/2421 and was up against the Singapore dollar at 3.5257/5301 compared to 3.5405/5437 previously. The local note also gained versus the Philippine peso to 8.43/8.44 from 8.47/8.49 yesterday and inched up vis-a-vis the Indonesian rupiah to 301.5/302.0 from 303.8/304.3 Capital A shares buoyed by US listing agreement KUALA LUMPUR: Capital A Bhd shares rose after the company finalised an agreement with Aetherium Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), to list Capital A International (CAPI) in the US public markets. The company said under the terms of the proposed transaction, CAPI will combine with Aetherium and become a publicly traded entity. The transaction will reflect an estimated pro forma enterprise value of US$1.15 billion (RM5.5 billion) for CAPI. In a note yesterday, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) is overall positive with the announcement as Capital A will be able to reduce its current large negative equity position (-RM8.4 billion as at the third quarter of 2023 (Q3’23) and is expected to improve in the Q4’23. “Capital A will be able to realise the under appreciated value of the group’s business with the listing exercise, and we expect more of such exercises to be undertaken for investors to fully appreciate the group’s embedded value. “Shareholders of Capital A will also benefit via a distribution-inspecie, allowing its shareholders to directly own shares in CAPI. “The valuation of CAPI at RM5.44 billion is already higher than Capital A’s current market capitalisation of RM3 billion,“ it said. Hong Leong Investment Bank expects a similar exercise to be done for Capital A’s aviation business segment with the merging with AAX in the near term, as the next part of the group’s PN17 regularisation plan. Hence, the research house is maintaining a “Buy” call on the company with an unchanged target price of RM1.40 per share. – Bernama Solarvest Holdings Bhd Outperform. Target price: RM1.88 Public Bank Bhd Outperform. Target price: RM5.10 IJM Corporation Bhd Outperform. Target price: RM2.54 Source: Kenanga Research Source: Kenanga Research Source: Kenanga Research Feb 29, 2024: RM2.14 Feb 29, 2024: RM4.40 Feb 29, 2024: RM1.49
LYFE LYFE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 21 MARCH 1 feels like the dawn of a new chapter in my life. After months of searching for a job since graduating, I finally landed a position as an accountant at one of the top companies. It is a dream come true and I have often imagined myself working for this prestigious company. After numerous applications and interviews, I finally received the offer I had been waiting for. As I step into this new role, I know there will be challenges, but I am eager to learn and grow. Adapting to a new environment can be daunting, but I am hopeful to find support among my colleagues. With determination and enthusiasm, I am committed to excelling in my first professional endeavour. So, March is off to a promising start. – Muhammad Shukri, 24, Kuala Lumpur THIS month, my focus is on several fronts; succeeding in my new job, ensuring the well-being of my loved ones and embarking on a journey towards personal growth. At work, I have been assigned to lead two significant projects, which is both thrilling and nerve-wracking. Being naturally reserved, I struggle with opening up, but I recognise the importance of effective communication and teamwork in achieving our goals. I am going to try my best to step out of my comfort zone and foster stronger connections with my colleagues, setting a positive example for others. I am also keeping my fingers crossed for the good health and happiness of my partner and family, who are my pillars of support. – Elaine Ng, 30, Kuala Lumpur THIS month marks a turning point in my financial habits. I decided to change the way I use my money. Reflecting on the past few months, I notice a pattern of overspending, particularly on leisure activities with friends. I have taken steps, such as creating a detailed budget and diligently tracking my expenses. I told myself no more online shopping and took the time to create a savings fund in my account. It is a small yet significant step towards achieving greater stability and peace of mind. – K Sharmila, 23, Klang MARCH holds profound significance for both me and my partner as we take a leap forward in our relationship. After nearly five years of love and companionship, we are finally getting engaged. We know our journey has not been without its challenges. As individuals from different cultural and religious backgrounds, gaining acceptance from our families was an uphill battle. Despite facing multiple challenges, we remained steadfast in our love and determination. Our journey together has strengthened our bond and we are now ready to take this next step towards a shared future filled with love and understanding. – Kugan Rao, 28, Pahang THIS month is the beginning of a journey to get my driver’s license. Until now, whenever I needed to go out, my dad was the one who picked me up, or I relied on buses and trains. It has not always been easy, though. I faced some uncomfortable situations while using public transport. But now I have saved up enough money to get my license. It is a big step towards independence. So, this month, I am taking driving lessons. It might make things a bit hectic, but I am determined to make it happen. By the end of March, I hope to have passed my driving test and be able to drive myself wherever I need to go, marking another milestone in this special month. – Nur Farhana, 24, Klang COMPILED BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN ARIES March 20-April 19 Aries, someone in your circle could introduce you to the right person with the current cosmic influences. Do not hesitate to ask for help when needed. Moreover, this is an opportune time to accept social invitations and enjoy leisure activities. When it comes to your professional life, remember to embrace your rebellious side and grant yourself the freedom to explore your creative potential while enjoying the journey. TAURUS April 20-May 20 Facing the truth can be tough, but it is helping you discern between allies and adversaries. Taurus, remove your rose-tinted glasses and see reality clearly. However, dealing with the pain would not be easy. It is alright to take a step back and retreat into your safe space to heal from recent experiences. In professional matters, avoid rushing decisions. Use this time to reflect on past experiences and strategise for a fresh approach. GEMINI May 21-June 20 Changing old patterns does not happen overnight, and being hard on yourself would not help either. Take this cosmic signal to prioritise self-improvement and consistently support yourself. Your dedication will lead to significant changes in your life, Gemini. Additionally, embrace social opportunities this week. Accept invitations and connect with new people to expand your network. CANCER June 21-July 22 This week, love is on your mind. Light candles and set intentions through journaling for what you desire to manifest. Clarity aligns with the universe’s ability to grant your wishes. The allure of “the chase” may fade. For long-term partnerships, a moment of clarity could arise. Embrace seeing things as they are, as it leads to genuine freedom. LEO July 23-Aug 22 If it is not working, Leo, it is time to accept reality as it is, not as you wish it to be. Letting go of the past will be crucial in the weeks ahead. Trust that what you are clearing space for is greater than what you are leaving behind. Some may consider working independently or transitioning to a home office setup. Your excellent taste should shine in your workspace, reflecting your sensibilities. VIRGO Aug 23-Sept 22 Everything is aligning perfectly for you at this moment. You radiate a golden confidence, prioritising your own needs and filling your life with joy. This is the essence of thriving and flourishing. In relationships, love is abundant, with the support of the divine forces of romance. Embrace this season of love and celebrate the sacred connections in your life. If you feel inclined, now is an ideal time to strengthen bonds with your partner’s family. LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22 This weekend urges you to reaffirm your commitment to your big goals and take the necessary steps to achieve your dreams. It is alright to make compromises along the way; your future self will appreciate your dedication. In matters of the heart, it is time to reflect on your patterns. Pursuing another half-hearted romance will only disrupt your peace of mind. SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov 21 There are countless things you hold dear. Above all, you cherish how your partner embodies both adventure and security. This week, dive deeper into your relationship and strengthen bonds with your loved ones. Remember, you are deserving of love just as you are. In your professional endeavours, embrace your versatility. A side project demands attention now. Better time management will allow you to excel across multiple projects. SAGITTARIUS Nov 22-Dec 21 Before committing to yet another project this month, pause and evaluate your current workload. Remember, we all have limitations, and it is crucial to recognise what you can realistically handle. It is perfectly acceptable to decline, set boundaries and prioritise self-care and growth. Consider delegating tasks to lighten your load. For Sagittarians who have recently experienced a breakup, practice patience as you allow past wounds to heal. CAPRICORN Dec 22-Jan 19 Forget about the details and trust your heart, Capricorn. It would not steer you wrong. Word from the cosmic conference: A golden opportunity is on its way, ready to transform your life. In matters of love, prioritise open communication. Clearly express your needs and desires to create a shared vision. You have the power to shape your story as you go. AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18 Watching you blossom is truly inspiring, Aquarius. Witnessing you confront your inner struggles headon and emerge stronger is remarkable. This is the essence of aligning with your path and purpose, serving in a way that feels destined. Currently, your heart’s desires are being fulfilled. Your aura attracts someone who not only believes in your dreams but also wants to share a lifelong journey with you. PISCES Feb 19-March 20 Consider whether you can revive something nearing its end as you navigate the week, Pisces. Currently, the universe is revealing what has fulfilled its role in your life’s narrative. Embrace release with joy, knowing brighter prospects await. For those practicing magic, the waning moon phase is ideal for shedding hindrances. Write about your burdens, then offer them to the sacred fire for liberation. Readers’ gratitude and inspiration Your weekend horoscope Next week, tell us how you are preparing for the upcoming fasting month. Send your thoughts, opinions and stories to [email protected].
LYFE LYFE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 22 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON Malaysian Paper INSTAGRAM Butter cake Indulge your sweet tooth with a slice of butter cake, a moist and buttery confection that is perfect for any occasion. Made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, flour and eggs, this cake is rich in flavour and incredibly satisfying. Enjoy it on its own or with a cup of tea for a delightful afternoon treat. Buttered prawn noodles A comforting bowl of buttered prawn noodles is a local favourite, especially during rainy days. Fresh egg noodles are stir-fried with succulent prawns, vegetables and a generous amount of butter, creating a dish that is hearty and full of flavour. Topped with crispy fried shallots and spring onions, it is a bowl of comfort that is sure to warm your soul. Butter murtabak A savoury pancake filled with a delectable mixture of minced meat, onions and spices, butter murtabak is a popular street food snack. The pancake is cooked until golden and crispy, then generously brushed with melted butter for an extra layer of richness. Served with a side of tangy pickles or curry sauce, it is a satisfying dish that’s perfect for any time of day. Butter chicken A great twist on the classic Indian dish, butter chicken is a creamy and flavourful curry that is sure to please. Tender chicken pieces are simmered in a luscious sauce made with butter, tomatoes, cream and aromatic spices. Served with rice or any sort of bread, this dish is a favourite among foodies for its irresistible taste and comforting warmth. Butter truly works its magic in every cuisine, elevating dishes with its rich flavour and creamy texture. These dishes offer a taste of the culinary wonders that butter brings to Malaysian tables. BUTTER, with its rich flavour and creamy texture, adds a touch of indulgence to Malaysian cuisine. From savoury curries to sweet treats, butter enhances the taste and texture of dishes, creating unforgettable culinary experiences. Read on as we explore nine buttered Malaysian dishes that showcase the magic of butter. Roti canai with butter Originating from India, roti canai is a beloved Malaysian staple. Flaky and buttery, this flatbread is made by stretching and flipping dough until thin, then grilling it to perfection. Served with a generous dollop of butter and dhal or curry sauce for dipping, roti canai is a delightful way to start your day. Buttered roti bakar Roti bakar, meaning “grilled bread” in Malay, is a classic snack enjoyed for breakfast or tea time. Slices of fluffy Benggali bread are slathered with butter and kaya, a sweet coconut and egg jam, then toasted over a charcoal grill until golden and crispy. The combination of warm, buttery bread with sweet and creamy kaya is simply irresistible, making buttered roti bakar a beloved treat among individuals of all ages. Garlic butter rice A simple yet delicious side dish, butter rice is a staple in Malaysian cuisine. Fragrant jasmine rice is cooked with butter, garlic and a pinch of salt until fluffy and flavourful. The butter adds a rich and creamy texture to the rice, making it the perfect accompaniment to a wide range of Malaysian dishes, from spicy curries to grilled meats and seafood. Butter prawns A seafood delight, butter prawns are a must-try dish. Fresh prawns are coated in a fragrant butter sauce infused with garlic, curry leaves and chilli, creating a symphony of flavours. The buttery richness perfectly complements the sweetness of the prawns, making it a dish that is both comforting and satisfying. Buttered corn on the cob A popular street food snack, buttered corn on the cob is a simple yet delicious treat enjoyed throughout the world. Sweet corn is boiled until tender, then slathered with melted butter and sprinkled with salt and chilli powder for an extra kick of flavour. It is the perfect combination of sweet, savoury and spicy, making it a favourite among locals and visitors alike. Melting moments oNine dishes that celebrate the magic of butter Roti canai butter – PINTEREST Roti bakar butter – MY RESIPI Butter rice – PINTEREST Buttered corn on the cob – PINTEREST Butter cake – RASA MALAYSIA Buttered prawn noodles – GIRL GONE GOURMET Butter chicken murtabak – YOUTUBE Butter chicken – KITCHEN SANCTUARY █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Butter prawns – PINTEREST
LYFE LYFE FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 23 Classic mojito – SOUTHERN LIVING Spicy jalepeno margarita – PINTEREST Berry basil smash – PINTEREST Coconut pineapple mojito – QUEEN BEE MIXOLOGY Espresso martini – THE KITCHN █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN HOMEMADE cocktails are a delightful way to elevate any gathering or simply enjoy a relaxing evening at home. Crafting your own cocktails allows you to experiment with flavours, customise drinks to your preferences and impress your guests with your mixology skills. Below are five enticing homemade cocktail recipes that are sure to become favourites. Classic mojito The classic mojito is a refreshing Cuban cocktail that perfectly balances sweetness, citrus and mint flavours. It is the ideal drink for a hot day or anytime you crave a light and invigorating cocktail. 0 Ingredients 60ml of white rum 3ml of fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons of sugar 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves Club soda Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish 0 Instructions 1. In a glass, muddle mint leaves with lime juice and sugar until the mint releases its aroma. 2. Fill the glass with ice cubes, pour in the rum and top with club soda. 3. Stir gently to combine. 4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint. Enjoy. Spicy jalapeno margarita This spicy Jalapeno margarita adds a kick to the classic margarita with the infusion of fresh jalapeno slices. It is a perfect blend of sweet, spicy and tangy flavours that will awaken your taste buds. 0 Ingredients 60ml of tequila 30ml of triple sec 30ml of fresh lime juice 2 to 3 slices of fresh jalapeno Agave syrup (optional) Salt and lime wedge for rimming (optional) 0 Instructions 1. In a shaker, muddle jalapeno slices with lime juice. 2. Add tequila, triple sec and agave syrup (if using). 3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well. 4. Strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice. 5.Garnish with a lime wedge. Enjoy responsibly. Berry basil smash The berry basil smash is a delightful concoction that combines the sweetness of berries with the herbal notes of basil. It is a vibrant and aromatic cocktail that is perfect for showcasing seasonal fruits. 0 Ingredients 59ml of vodka or gin 30ml of lemon juice 14ml of simple syrup 4-5 fresh strawberries 3 to 4 fresh basil leaves Soda water Strawberry and basil leaves for garnish 0 Instructions 1. In a shaker, muddle strawberries and basil leaves with lemon juice and simple syrup. 2. Add vodka or gin and fill the shaker with ice. 3. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. 4. Top with soda water and stir gently. 5. Garnish with a strawberry and a basil leaf. Enjoy. Coconut pineapple mojito The coconut pineapple mojito is a tropical twist on the classic mojito, combining the flavours of coconut, pineapple and mint. It is like sipping paradise in a glass, perfect for a getaway or any time you want to escape reality for a moment. 0 Ingredients 60ml coconut rum 30ml of coconut cream 30ml of fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons of sugar 4 to 6 fresh mint leaves Pineapple chunks Club soda Pineapple wedge and mint for garnish 0 Instructions 1. In a glass, muddle mint leaves with lime juice and sugar. 2. Add coconut rum, coconut cream and pineapple chunks. 3. Fill the glass with ice cubes and top with club soda. 4. Stir gently to combine. 5. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a sprig of mint. Enjoy the tropical vibes. Espresso martini The espresso martini is a sophisticated cocktail that combines the rich flavours of coffee with the smoothness of vodka and the sweetness of coffee liqueur. It is the perfect pick-me-up cocktail for any time of day. 0 Ingredients 45ml of vodka 30ml of coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa) 30ml of freshly brewed espresso 14ml of simple syrup (optional) coffee beans for garnish 0 Instructions 1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes. 2. Add vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup (if using). 3. Shake vigorously until well-chilled. 4. Strain into a chilled martini glass. 5. Garnish with a few coffee beans. Enjoy responsibly. These homemade cocktail recipes offer a diverse range of flavours and styles, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. Experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create your own signature cocktails and elevate your home bartending experience. Cheers. Mixology magic oFive irresistible homemade cocktail recipes
LOVE them or loathe them, the electric vehicle (EV) revolution is real, and it will be here for a while – perhaps even permanently. Good thing then that Malaysians have a good list of options to choose from, one that seems to be growing on a near weekly basis. It was a busy year for EV makers last year, and 2024 may be just three months old, but it is already shaping up to be another stellar year for electric cars, and their fans. BYD first made a splash in the Malaysian market towards the tail end of 2022 when it introduced the Atto 3. These days it is impossible to go anywhere without spotting a few of them on the road. The success of Atto 3 is not surprising though. It offers spaciousness, a range of up to 420km and takes just 45 minutes to charge up to 80% with an 80kW DC charger. With prices ranging from RM149,800 to RM167,800, the Atto 3 makes a lot of sense. But BYD SD Motors Malaysia (BYD Malaysia), which is part of Sime Darby Motors, is not just about selling cars and forgetting about them. It has a masterplan that involves offering an EV for all budgets and preferences. So, a couple of months after launching the Atto 3, BYD Malaysia unveiled the Dolphin. Unlike the Atto 3, the Dolphin is small, about the size of the Honda City hatchback, and it is considerably cheap, with prices starting from just RM99,900. It too was an immediate sales success and unlike the other cheap EV, the Neta V, the Dolphin has some serious features to offer. For starters, the Dolphin has a range of between 310km to 427km depending on the variant. It also has some impressive output figures such as 204PS and 310Nm for the top of the range model while the entry level offers 95PS and 180Nm. As for charging, the Dolphin can take between 60kW to 80kW DC and 7kW AC charging. For the price, the Dolphin made a lot of sense for those who would usually buy a Honda City or a Toyota Vios and do not spend a lot of time travelling outside of the city. Now though, BYD Malaysia has started 2024 on a high note with the introduction of the Seal – a sleek, fourdoor sedan that is already upsetting Tesla fans. Speaking of Tesla, BYD has been an annoying thorn in the American brand that calls itself an artificial intelligence company rather than a car maker. While Tesla has prided itself with advanced assembly lines and tech that has put some legacy car makers to shame, BYD has chartered its own path and focused on creating batteries that SCAN ME powered by Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / [email protected] Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: [email protected] FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 Seal the eal the deal New BYD so impressive it should be your first EV █ BY KESHY DHILLON The 50-litre frunk space is one of the biggest in its class. The 400 litre boot space can be small. The LED lights look great and are unique to BYD Seal.
MOTORING MOTORING FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 25 offer the best balance of safety and efficiency. BYD recently outsold Tesla and is now the most popular electric car maker, and it is no surprise considering that its cars check pretty much all the boxes expected of an EV. Take the recently launched Seal for example. It is currently the flagship BYD for the Malaysian market, and costs RM179,800 for the Premium model and RM199,800 for the Performance model. The direct competitors to the Seal would be the BMW i4 which is priced from RM258,210 and the Tesla Model 3, which is priced from RM189,000 for the standard rear-wheel-drive model. With such formidable competition, the Seal had better be good, but it is a lot more than just good. Its styling for one is probably its biggest alure. It is designed by former Audi designer Wolfgang Egger, who is responsible for some of the most jaw dropping designs of the modern era, such as the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Audi R8 and even the Audi e-Tron concept. But to put it simply, there’s no bad angle to the Seal. The front is sleek and low slung. The C-shaped headlamps look cool, but when the sun sets, the LED headlamps play second fiddle to those ultra-cool LED backlit strips at either end of the front bumper. They are not very obvious during the day, but are stunning at night. The dramatic light play extends to the back as well where an LED light strip stretches across the length of the boot lid. But that’s nothing new and is quite common in today’s cars. What is unique here though is the hundreds, if not thousands of little pixels that make the rear lights look organic in nature. The Seal does not look very big though, its design does a brilliant job at hiding its bulk. But once you delve into the numbers, you will realise that it is actually quite a big car, bigger in fact than the Tesla 3 and the BMW i4. Though this translates to a spacious interior, its 400-litre boot space is left wanting. It is undeniably deep, but the openings at either side make it quite narrow and it is also shallow as well. But there is a 50 litre “frunk” under the bonnet, which makes it one of the biggest available in any EV in Malaysia. However, step inside and all is immediately well. The rear passengers will appreciate the flat floor and the recline of the rear seats and the suppleness of the leather clad seats is spot on. The front though is where the real magic is, and nowhere does the Seal feel more expensive than from the driver’s seat. You are greeted by a mega 10.25- inch LCD instrument cluster. The leather clad steering wheel is thick and feels good in your hands with buttons that feel like they will last some time. To the left of that is a massive 15.6- inch infotainment system complete with Apple CarPlay (wired) and Android Auto (wireless). Your favourite music is piped into the cabin through a 12-speaker DYNAUDIO system, and especially for Tesla fans, yes – the Seal has over the air updates as well. Though what updates those may be is still unclear at time of writing. And just like every other BYD, that massive centre screen rotates as well for a landspace or portrait style display. That does not serve much purpose other than impressing your passengers, but it does let you “freshen up” the cabin in case you start getting tired of it. But the one thing you will never get tired of though is that crystal gear shifter. You could argue that a lot of cars have that same crystal feature, but having one at this price range is just unheard of. Other than that, the interior feels well-built with high quality knobs and buttons. The ventilated seats are also a much-welcome addition to help manage the blistering Malaysian heat. The interior is undoubtedly brilliant in every sense of the word, but it is somewhat let down by the fact that the full panoramic roof does not come with a shade. BYD says the double-glazed glass on the roof is also UV resistant, which means it shouldn’t get hot, and the bald head of this writer did not get hot either, but perhaps a lengthier drive is needed rather than just 30 minutes with the car. To be fair though, it was a familiarisation drive. Now onto the best part, the performance, and we were in the flagship Performance model. The entry level Premium variant is powered by a single motor that drives the rear wheels. It offers 313PS and 360Nm of torque which allows it to sprint to 100kph in just 5.9 seconds. It has a range of 570km (WLTP) while charging takes a little over 15 hours from a dead battery to 100% with a 7kW AC charger. A 150kW DC charger will do 10-80% in just 37 minutes. The Performance variant on the other hand has twin motors, one on each axle, effectively making it an allwheel-drive model. It has a combined 530PS and 670Nm of torque, and takes 3.8 seconds to reach 100kph. It will do 520km on the WLTP cycle while charging time is the same as the Premium variant. The Performance variant offers supercar like performance with acceleration that threatens to rearrange your face every time you floor the accelerator. It is seriously fast and it feels planted too, which is unsurprising since it weighs in at a hefty 2,185kg. Even the suspension is a good balance between comfort and sports. The one thing that could be better though are the brakes. It could do with a little bit more feel and initial bite since the car accelerates so hard, but then again, these brakes don’t just stop the car but are also regenerative and help to recharge the batteries whenever possible. So there needs to be some trade off, and the lack of initial bite and spongy feel is quite normal of such braking systems. So, should the BYD Seal be your first electric vehicle? Judging by everything it has to offer, and if money is not an issue, then the real question is – why not? Especially when you consider that when compared to the competition, the Seal offers the most value for your money. But if you had to choose between the Premium and the Performance though, the latter should be your pick because there simply is no argument against performance levels that was once the territory of legends from Ferrari and Porsche. And with a range of over 500km’s, that is more than what some petrolpowered cars can offer. The huge panoramic roof does not have a shade but is UV protected. Rear passengers will appreciate the recline of the seats. High quality knobs and buttons. SPECIFICATIONS Motors: Squirrel cage induction asynchronous motor (Front) Permanent magnet synchronous motor (Rear) Battery: 82.56kWh BYD Blade Power: 530PS Torque: 670Nm Charging: 7kW AC (15.2 hours) 150kW DC (37 minutes) Range: 520km 0-100kph: 3.8 seconds Styling, features, performance. Brakes take some getting used to. 15.6-inch infotainment system complete with Apple CarPlay (wired) and Android Auto (wireless). The crystal gear shifter looks cool and adds a touch of luxury. Steering wheel has a good feel to it with intuitive buttons and controls. The front seats are ventilated and clad in genuine leather. Music is piped into the cabin through a 12-speaker DYNAUDIO system.
MOTORING MOTORING FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 26 MERCEDES-BENZ MALAYSIA has introduced the latest variant of the best-selling CClass: the Mercedes-Benz C 350 e Plug-in Hybrid. Proudly assembled at the production plant in Pekan, the C 350 e Plug-in Hybrid seamlessly combines electric power with traditional fuel for enhanced efficiency. It perfectly integrates performance, efficiency, and sustainability with its advanced powertrain specifications. The 1,999 cc engine powers this innovative vehicle, delivering a rated output of 204hp at 6,100 rpm, paired with a robust torque of 320Nm spanning from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. The four-cylinder petrol engine ensures a dynamic driving experience. Augmenting the combustion engine is an electric motor with a rated output of 95 kW and a torque of 440 Nm, contributing to a harmonious blend of power sources. This integration results in an impressive maximum rated power system output of 313hp and a peak torque of 550Nm, ensuring a compelling performance. Notably, the C 350 e boasts an electric range of up to 117km (WLTP), affirming its commitment to sustainable mobility. The vehicle’s high-voltage (HV) battery, with an energy content of 25.4 kWh provides substantial electric range for a variety of journeys. Acceleration from 0 to 100kph is achieved in just 6.1 seconds, showcasing the agility and responsiveness of the C 350 e, while a top speed of 245kph adds versatility to its capabilities. Meticulously engineered and thoughtfully designed, the car stands as a testament to modern automotive technology, offering a harmonious balance between performance, efficiency, and an impressive electric driving range. A standard-fit 11 kW charger is available for three-phase charging at a Wallbox connected to the domestic AC mains. Included with the C 350 e is a mode 2 charging cable. The new C-Class is made more dynamic thanks to its AMG Line styling, featuring the iconic Mercedes-Benz pattern grille with the star design in chrome with 18-inch AMG 5-spoke lightalloy wheels. Night Package includes sporty, expressive design elements in high-gloss black such as the louvre of the radiator shell, trim moulding in the AMG front apron, beltline trim strip and window surround, and exterior mirror housings. The high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD screen and 11.9-inch touchscreen central display are slightly tilted towards the driver by six degrees. The vehicle is also equipped with the latest generation of MBUX multimedia system making the interior more digital and intelligent. The new C-Class has a haptic accelerator pedal module with a pressure point at an accelerator pedal angle of 9.7°. In Electric mode, this power surge is activated and allows all-electric vehicle operation up to the additional pressure point. If the pressure point is overridden, the combustion engine starts and delivers additional torque. The new C350e has an estimated price from RM355,000, on the road without insurance. Hybrid like no other Mercedes-Benz unveils new C350 e Plug-in VW’s first electric wagon venture VOLKSWAGEN has transformed the ID. Space Vizzion Concept, introduced in November 2019, into the production version known as the ID.7 Tourer. This electric wagon marks Volkswagen’s entry into the electric wagon segment, joining the brand’s lineup alongside conventional estates like the Golf Variant, Passat Variant, and Arteon Shooting Brake. Despite wagons typically being larger than sedans, the ID.7 Tourer shares the same length, width, and height as its sedan counterpart. With dimensions measuring 4961mm in length, 1862mm in width, and 1536mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2971mm, the ID.7 Tourer offers ample space for passengers and cargo. While maintaining identical external dimensions, the ID.7 Tourer boasts improved practicality, with 605 litres of luggage space behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,714 litres with the rear bench folded. An optional roof box further increases cargo capacity by 460 litres. Additionally, the wagon offers flexibility for carrying longer items, with a load area length of up to 1948mm when the rear seats are folded. Inside and out, the design remains consistent with the ID.7, featuring a longer roof and a revised rear section for enhanced practicality. The Tourer inherits the optional panoramic sunroof with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer, allowing occupants to adjust transparency at the touch of a button. It shares the same rearmounted electric motor as the liftback variant, delivering 282hp and 545Nm of torque. The Pro version, available at launch, comes with a 77 kWh battery pack, while a Pro S variant with an 86-kWh pack is planned. The larger battery is estimated to provide a range of 685km per the WLTP cycle. Charging times range from under 30 minutes to reach 10 to 80 per cent capacity, depending on the battery size and maximum charging power. SINCE its inception, Jaecoo has rapidly established itself as a prominent player in the off-road market worldwide, engaging in a comprehensive value chain deployment. Within just nine months, Jaecoo has amassed a devoted following in over a dozen countries and regions, steadily increasing its influence. Guided by the brand ethos of “From Classic, Beyond Classic,” Jaecoo is poised to launch its debut urban premium off-road SUV, the J7, on a global scale this year. The recent major launch event held in Mexico on Feb 20 garnered significant attention and acclaim from key industry representatives, media publishers, and investor-dealers alike. With the successful introduction of the J7, Jaecoo aims to further expand its presence in the global right-hand drive market. Notably, Malaysia is slated to be the first country in Southeast Asia to witness the launch of the Jaecoo J7 in the first half of 2024. In preparation for the J7’s launch, Jaecoo hosted an exclusive preview event in Malaysia on Jan 3, attracting potential dealer investors and industry media. Attendees were treated to the unveiling of the premium offroad SUV, which seamlessly integrates off-road performance with smart technology. The SUV’s striking design and innovative features received widespread praise from guests. To demonstrate the J7’s off-road capabilities and real-world performance, Jaecoo conducted rigorous testing at Malaysia’s renowned “M4TREC” off-road track immediately following the preview event. The J7 excelled in various extreme offroad tests, showcasing its adaptability. Equipped with the advanced ARDIS (All Road Drive Intelligent System), the J7 effortlessly navigated diverse terrains and challenging conditions. ARDIS revolutionises the off-road experience by offering the most diverse driving modes in its class, tailored to address a range of challenging conditions with scenario-based technological logic. With the BOSCH Intelligent Power B r a k e (IPB) control system, ARDIS boasts rapid response times and enhanced braking capabilities, ensuring optimal performance in off-road situations. Backed by a powerful 1.6TGDI engine that produces 194hp and 290Nm of torque and a 7DCT wet dual-clutch transmission, the J7 delivers impressive power and agility, rivalling luxury brands in performance metrics. With Malaysia positioned as a key market in Jaecoo’s global strategy, the brand is dedicated to delivering unique lifestyle-oriented driving experiences worldwide, offering smarter and more exceptional off-roading products to consumers. Porsche E-Hybrid models set to electrify lineup PORSCHE introduced the latest iteration of the Panamera last year, featuring refreshed styling, an updated interior, and a power boost. Initially, Porsche showcased the base V-6 model and the toptier Turbo E-Hybrid variant. Now, hybrid powertrains are expanding throughout the lineup, with the introduction of the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and 4S E-Hybrid models. The new E-Hybrid models are powered by a revised turbocharged 2.9-litre V-6 engine. While the V-6 generates 348hp in the non-hybrid base Panamera, the 4 E-Hybrid’s V-6 engine produces 300hp. However, when combined with the electric motor from the hybrid system, total output increases to 463hp and 649Nm of torque. This represents an 8hp increase over the outgoing model, and Porsche claims the 2024 model will accelerate to 100kPh in just 3.9 seconds. The 4S E-Hybrid, on the other hand, utilises the full 348hp from the turbo V-6 engine. Paired with the electric motor, which delivers up to 187hp, the 4S E-Hybrid generates a robust total output of 536hp, with torque remaining at 750Nm of torque. Despite being down by 16hp compared to the old model, the 4S E-Hybrid still achieves a claimed 0-100kPh time of 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 290kPh, 10kPh higher than the non-S model. Both E-Hybrid models feature the same new battery as the Turbo models, with a 21.8- kWh capacity. Porsche states that the 11-kW onboard AC charger can recharge the battery in two and a half hours. The new E-Hybrid models come at a premium, with the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid starting at us$117,495 (RM563,682) and the 4S E-Hybrid priced from us$128,795 (RM617,894). Orders are set to open at the end of March, with deliveries slated for this September. Watch out for the Jaecoo J7
TSS4U SEA SDN. BHD. Registration No.: 201601024197 (1195136-A) (Incorporated in Malaysia) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the Company will be convened and held electronically via video conferencing at B-11-10, Level 11, Megan Avenue II, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 1 April 2024 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: AGENDA 1. To receive an account from the liquidator showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and to hear explanations that may be given by the liquidator. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution in the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and the liquidator thereof shall be disposed of. NG HENG HOOI Liquidator Dated: 1 March 2024 Notes: 1. A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote in his stead. 2. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, under its common seal or the hand of its Attorney. 3. The proxy form must be deposited at B-11-10, Level 11, Megan Avenue II, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur not less than forty eight (48) hours before the time for holding the meeting or at any adjournment thereof. 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KUALA KUBU BHARU DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: BF-A72NCvC-275-12/2023 Antara MAJLIS PERBANDARAN HULU SELANGOR (dahulunya dikenali sebagai MAJLIS DAERAH HULU SELANGOR) ...PLAINTIF Dan PENTADBIR HARTA PUSAKA CHEONG YEW KEONG (“Si Mati”) (NO. K/P: 630611-10-7285) …DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN SECARA PENGIKLANAN Kepada, PENTADBIR HARTA PUSAKA CHEONG YEW KEONG (“Si Mati”) (NO. K/P: 630611-10-7285) No. 39 Jalan Teluki 2 Bukit Sentosa 48300 Rawang, Selangor PENTADBIR HARTA PUSAKA CHEONG YEW KEONG (“Si Mati”) (NO. K/P: 630611-10-7285 ) No. G-22 Jalan Trompet 11, Perniagaan Jalan Trompet, Bukit Beruntung 48300 Rawang, Selangor AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Kubu Bharu dalam Guaman Sivil No. BF-A72NCvC-275-12/2023 oleh MAJLIS PERBANDARAN HULU SELANGOR (dahulunya dikenali sebagai MAJLIS DAERAH HULU SELANGOR) yang beralamat di Jalan Bukit Kerajaan, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor Darul Ehsan dan Mahkamah ini telah memberi perintah bahawa Writ Saman bertarikh 20.12.2023 hendaklah dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti kepada Defendan dengan menampalkan satu salinan perintah ini pada papan kenyataan di Mahkamah Majistret, Kuala Kubu Bharu, menampalkan satu salinan perintah ini pada alamat terakhir Defendan yang diketahui dan juga secara menyiarkan sesalinan Notis Periklanan untuk sekali sahaja di suratkhabar tempatan dan bahawa penyampaian sedemikian hendaklah menjadi satu penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup dalam tempoh empat belas (14) hari dari tarikh akhir penampalan dokumen tersebut dan pengiklanan notis tersebut mengikut yang mana lebih lewat. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela dalam tindakan tersebut kamu mestilah dalam masa empat belas (14) hari dari penampalan dan penyiaran pengiklanan ini, memfailkan Memorandum Kehadiran. Kegagalan kamu untuk berbuat demikian boleh menyebabkan Penghakiman Ingkar boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 01 haribulan Mac 2024. t.t. …………………………… Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif Law Practice of K.A. Ramu Notis Penyampaian Secara Pengiklanan ini telah dikeluarkan oleh Law Practice of K. A. Ramu , Peguambela & Peguamcara, peguamcara bagi Plaintif yang dinamakan diatas dan yang mempunyai alamat penyampaiannya di 15-1-A Jalan MH3, Taman Muzaffar Heights, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka Tel: 03-76665625 Ruj:KARV/LIT/MDHS(CYK)/207/2023 Email :[email protected] DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO.: WA-A72NCVC-9658-12/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat : 199001009294 (200866-W)] …PLAINTIF DAN ROHAIZAN @ KHAIRUL NIZAM BIN MATT DIN [NO. K/P: 690726-09-5055] …DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, ROHAIZAN @ KHAIRUL NIZAM BIN MATT DIN [NO. K/P: 690726-09-5055] 1-8, Duta Ria Condominium, Jalan 1/38B, Off Jalan Segambut, 51200 Kuala Lumpur. Dan/atau ROHAIZAN @ KHAIRUL NIZAM BIN MATT DIN [NO. K/P: 690726-09-5055] No. 1-G, Jalan Bunga Kertas 1B/2, Bukit Sentosa, 48300 Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Dalam perkara Writ yang dikeluarkan pada 22 haribulan Disember 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Writ telah dikeluarkan terhadap Defendan dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Kuala Lumpur dalam Guaman No. WA-A72NCVC-9658-12/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294] (200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Plaintif ialah untuk jumlah RM19,753.34, faedah ke atas jumlah RM19,753.34 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh pemfailan saman sehingga tarikh penghakiman, faedah ke atas jumlah RM19,753.34 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh penghakiman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian penuh dan kos dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan bertarikh 22/12/2023 disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Kuala Lumpur, penampalan di alamat pertama Defendan di Unit 1-8, Duta Ria Condominium, Jalan 1/38B, Off Jalan Segambut, 51200 Kuala Lumpur dan di alamat kedua Defendan di 1-G, Jalan Bunga Kertas 1B/2, Bukit Sentosa, 48300 Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar harian tempatan ‘The Sun’ dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Defendan tersebut empatbelas (14) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut. Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Lumpur pada 19/3/2024 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Penghakiman Ingkar boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 1 Mac 2024 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj: SA/L/TNB/ROHAIZAN/1970/2023/SA) 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI SHAH ALAM DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA WRIT NO.: BAA72NCVC-1553-12/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat : 199001009294 (200866- W)] …PLAINTIF DAN JEGAN A/L RENGASAMY [NO. K/P.: 770812-01-5605] …DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, JEGAN A/L RENGASAMY [NO. K/P.: 770812-01-5605] 24, Jalan Bukit Melawati U17/5 Seksyen U17, Shah Alam 40160 Selangor Darul Ehsan Dalam perkara Writ yang dikeluarkan pada 8 haribulan Disember 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Writ telah dikeluarkan terhadap Defendan dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Shah Alam dalam Guaman No. BA-A72NCVC-1553-12/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294] (200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Plaintif ialah untuk jumlah RM24,357.50, faedah ke atas jumlah RM24,357.50 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh pemfailan saman sehingga tarikh penghakiman, faedah ke atas jumlah RM24,357.50 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh penghakiman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian penuh dan kos dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan bertarikh 8/12/2023 disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Shah Alam, penampalan di alamat Defendan di 24, Jalan Bukit Melawati U17/5, Seksyen U17, 40160 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar harian tempatan ‘The Sun’ dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Defendan tersebut empatbelas (14) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut. Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Shah Alam pada 26/3/2024 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Penghakiman Ingkar boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 1 Mac 2024 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj: SA/L/TNB/JEGAN/1965/2023/SA) DALAM MAHKAMAH SESYEN DI AMPANG DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: BCA52NCC-5-01/2024 ANTARA TAN MOON CHIEW (No. K/P: 640529-10-7189) …PLAINTIF DAN CHEONG WAI CHUAN (No. K/P: 790408-14-5289) … DEFENDAN NOTIS UNTUK PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Kepada: CHEONG WAI CHUAN (No. K/P: 790408-14-5289) 25 Jalan Melur 22A, Taman Melur, 68000 Ampang, Selangor. SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Sesyen di Ampang oleh Tan Moon Chiew (No. K/P: 640529-10-7189) yang beralamat di No. 18, Jalan 4, Taman Titiwangsa 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor dan Mahkamah memerintahkan bahawa Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan kedua-duanya bertarikh 23.1.2024 dan Perintah Penyampaian Ganti termeterai bertarikh 23.2.2024 tersebut hendaklah dilaksanakan dengan penampalan Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan tersebut dan Perintah Penyampaian Ganti tersebut di papan notis Mahkamah Sesyen di Ampang dan serahan secara pos berdaftar di alamat terakhir kamu yang diketahui di 25 Jalan Melur 22A, Taman Melur, 68000 Ampang, Selangor dan mengiklankan sekali di dalam akhbar tempatan “The Sun” dan bahawa penyampaian Writ Saman itu ke atas kamu tersebut hendaklah dianggap penyampaian sempurna dan cukup terhadap kamu tujuh (7) hari selepas tindakan terakhir penyampaian tersebut. DAN SELANJUTNYA AMBIL NOTIS bahawa tarikh pengurusan kes Writ Saman tersebut ditetapkan di hadapan Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen pada 26.3.2024 pada jam pukul 9.00 pagi melalui pengurusan kes dalam talian (E-review). Jika kamu berniat untuk menentang dan/atau membela diri, kamu mestilah dalam masa empat belas (14) hari dari tarikh penampalan dan pengiklanan tersebut menjadi sempurna, memohon kepada Mahkamah untuk memasukkan kehadiran di Mahkamah ini. Jika tidak, suatu Penghakiman ingkar boleh direkodkan terhadap kamu. Writ Saman tersebut boleh diperiksa oleh kamu dengan melalui permohonan kepada Mahkamah ini. Bertarikh pada 1 Mac 2024 ……...…t.t…….….. Pendaftar Mahkamah Sesyen Di Ampang NOTIS ini adalah dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Tang, Khor & MP Leong, peguamcara bagi Plaintif yang dinamakan di atas, yang mempunyai penyampaian di Unit 3A-17, Block A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Ruj: TKL/Lit/23114/TMC/MP Emel: [email protected] Tel: 011-2700 7108 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices DIGITAL MARKETING SENIOR EXECUTIVE / ASSISTANT MANAGER Job Description: • Design and develop online marketing strategies, digital roadmap and creative campaign that align with the business goals and directions. • Provide creative ideas for content marketing. • Manage all digital marketing channels. • Plan and manage social media platforms. • Able to create content & produce graphics for social media posts. Requirement: • Diploma / Degree in Marketing, Digital Marketing or equivalent. • At least 3 years experience in digital marketing. • Excellent understanding of digital marketing concept and best practices. • Required skill(s): Google Analytics, SEO/SEM, social media marketing and optimisation. • Team player and great communication skills. ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE / SENIOR EXECUTIVE Job Description: • Building and sustaining strong working relationship with advertising clients. • Plan and executive new, creative, exciting and innovative marketing campaigns for the company. • Develop and continuously improve marketing material, product/services presentations and proposals. • Passionate in serving client accounts to improve sales revenue. Requirement: • Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or other related fields. • At least 2 years of sales and marketing experience in media industry. • Good communication, presentation, problem-solving and organisational skills. • Possess own transport and willing to travel. • Able to start work immediately. Submit your CV with your photo via e-mail to: [email protected] Office based in Petaling Jaya (5-day week) WE ARE HIRING Manager – Finance and HR Job Description: • To handle full set of accounts, month-end closing, year - end closing, audit schedules, tax, stock control, etc. • Responsible for management, statutory and group reporting, development of business plans, budget and cash flow forecast. • Oversee recruitment, manage payroll system, staff benefit, yearly performance and appraisal. • Develop & implement HR policies to support company business objectives and compliance with law and regulatory requirements. • To handle legal and disciplinary matters including staff counselling in compliance with local Labour Law. • Other administration duties where required and part of job scope. • Any other duties as assigned by the superior / management from time to time. Requirements: • Candidate must possess at least Professional or Degree in Finance/Accountancy or equivalent. • At least 5 years managerial/supervising of working experience in audit, financial accounting and HR. • Familiarity with Accpac, ERP Accounting & HR software would be added advantages. • Computer literate and skillful in Ms Excel, Word & PowerPoint. • Good command of written and spoken English. Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia & Mandarin will be added advantages. 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF YS INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS SDN. BHD. 200401004922 (643425-U) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 that a Final Meeting of the Company will be held at Suite 729, 7th Floor, Menara Hai-O, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 1 April 2024 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- 1) To receive an account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the assets of the Company has been disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereof, shall be disposed of. Dated this 1st day of March 2024. FOONG CHEE SUM Liquidator A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting may appoint a proxy to attend and vote on his behalf. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointer or his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the appointer is a corporation, either under its common seal or signed by its attorney or by an officer of the Company duly authorized in writing in that behalf. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Liquidators’ office, Suite 729, 7th Floor, Menara Hai-O, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting. Item Reg No Jenis & Model Tahun AM1 CDY1469 PROTON ERTIGA 1.4 (A) PLUS 2017 AM2 CDW562 PROTON SAGA 1.3 (A) 2017 AM3 VV3021 NISSAN ALMERA 1.5 E (A) 2017 AM4 CEE2167 NISSAN ALMERA 1.5 E BLACK SERIES 2019 AM5 AJS2501 PERODUA ALZA 1.5 2014 AM6 DCF811 AUDI A5 2.0 COUPE 2011 AM7 BNP7811 BMW 320I 2009 AM8 WQU9794 PROTON WAJA 1.6 (A) 2007 FOCAL PARK SDN BHD (358698-H) NOTIS LELONG AWAM KENDERAAN UNTUK DILELONG SEPERTI SEDIA ADA TEMPAT & TARIKH LELONG : East Coast Region (Kota Bharu, Kuantan & Temerloh) 06-03-2024 (Rabu) Pukul 11:00pagi TARIKH MELIHAT : SEBELUM TIGA HARI LELONG (Pukul 9:00pagi - 4:00petang) PERTANYAAN (Tel): Kota Bharu 07-7747972, Kuantan 017-4973133, Temerloh 012-428 7538 FPAC - PELELONG BERLESEN : a) En Mohd Fawzi Bin Ibrahim (32954) & Mr Mazenan Bin Haji Mohamed (01/2023) Alamat : Lot 5198,Petak 41 Jalan 20,Kawasan Perindustrian Pengkalan Chepa,Fasa 2,Pengkalan Chepa,16100 Kota Bahru. : Lot 10869, Lot 10870 & Lot 10871 Jln Tanah Putih,Tanah Putih 25100 Kuantan : PT5101 & 5102, KAMPUNG MEGAT SEGAMA, 28000 TEMERLOH SILA LAYARI LAMAN WEB KAMI : http://www.focalpark.com.my (Perhatian: Kenderaan-kenderaan diatas yang tidak dibida dalam perlelongan akan dilelong semula pada 13-03-2024) IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF TIARA EMAS MOTOR & HIRE PURCHASE SDN. BHD. [Co. No. 197601003186 (029144 - H)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 (“the Act”) that the Final Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at B-03-15, Jalan Ekoflora 7/1, Pusat Perdagangan Ekoflora, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor on Sunday, 31 March 2024 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- 1. To lay before the meeting the account showing how the windingup has been conducted and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution the manner in which the books and papers of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed of pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Act. CHIN KOK FENG Liquidator Date: 01 March 2024 NOTE: 1. 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. 2. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under the Seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices KLANG VALLEY PENANG | KEDAH PERAK | PERLIS | PAHANG | KELANTAN TERENGGANU MS. Shoba / MS. Balqish TEL: 03-7784 8888 WHATSAPP : 018 2616 626 MALACCA | N.SEMBILAN MR. Rajah TEL: 012-628 2844 FAX: 06-764 2051 JOHOR BAHRU MS. Anne Lim TEL: 013-770 6699 FAX: 07-355 5549 CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS SCAN ME FRIDAY MAR 1, 2024 TEL: 03-7784 6688 FAX: 03-7785 2625 EMAIL: [email protected]
SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 28 TRIPLE Formula One champion Max Verstappen said yesterday the sport was “way over the limit” with the number of races on its calendar as he prepared to start a record 24-round season. The 26-year-old Red Bull driver starts tomorrow as clear favourite, chasing his fourth successive championship, but even with his streak of success has found the calendar expansion to be wearing thin. “From my side I’ve said it before – this is not sustainable,” Verstappen told reporters at the Bahrain International Circuit. “I love racing a lot and I do it a lot also outside of Formula One. “But, if people in the sport start shortening their careers because it’s too much I think that’s a shame and so hopefully of course we can have a look at that for the future.” Formula One’s popularity has soared in recent years, driven in part by the success of Netflix show Drive to Survive. The sport’s commercial rights holders Liberty Media have capitalised by adding new venues in the Middle East, some returning classics in Europe and three races in America, with Miami and Las Vegas joining long-time fixture Austin. Teams have begun to rotate personnel to cope with the demands of such a long c a l e n d a r w h i l e p r e - season testing this year was reduced to just three days. Spain’s double world champion Fernando Alonso, 42, a veteran of the sport who made his debut in 2001, echoed Verstappen and recalled the days when the calendar featured less than 20 races. “When I started we had 16 races, then it was 18 at some point, and then I think when Liberty came it was like a message that we have 20 one season and that was absolutely the limit, 20 races,” said the Aston Martin driver. “And now we are up to 24 and this is not sustainable for the future. Even the world champion thinks this is a little bit long, the season. “Imagine for the rest of us, we go to the races in the second half for nothing, there is no incentive to fight for anything.” Carlos Sainz said the sport has got to the point where it is “at the limit” of what it can expect from the drivers and staff involved. “In my opinion, I think we’re already at the limit of the number of races that personnel, drivers, F1 people, F1 journalists etc can take during the year if you want to have a family back home to go and see and to keep in touch with your home,” he told media including PlanetF1.com. “It doesn’t matter if it’s family, if it’s your dog, whatever, I think it’s just on the limit of being a bit too much and I really hope it doesn’t get much higher than 24 because if not, I think it’s going to be very tricky for everyone,” the Ferrari driver said. – Reuters/Agencies FORMULA ONE will have a record 24 races in the season that starts in Bahrain tomorrow. The calendar is as follows: 1. Bahrain (Sakhir) - March 2: The Middle East’s first race celebrates its 20th anniversary, held on a Saturday to accommodate Ramadan. The track is abrasive, with wind also a factor. Lewis Hamilton has won five times in Bahrain. Fernando Alonso is the only driver still racing who took part in the 2004 debut. 2. Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) - March 9: Sergio Perez won last year, one of only three that Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen did not win. The Corniche layout is the season’s second longest and the fastest street circuit. It will also be held on a Saturday. 3. Australia (Melbourne) - March 24: Albert Park is a home race for McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and RB’s Daniel Ricciardo but no Australian has ever won in Australia. Hamilton has been on pole a record eight times in Melbourne and McLaren have won a record 11 times. 4. Japan (Suzuka) - April 7: Held in September last year. Red Bull clinched the constructors’ title at Honda-owned Suzuka in 2023 with Verstappen’s second successive Japanese win. The figure eight circuit is a home for RB’s Yuki Tsunoda. It has been 20 years since Ferrari’s last win, with Michael Schumacher in 2004. 5. China (Shanghai) - April 21: Absent from the calendar since 2019, when Hamilton won for Mercedes, Shanghai hosts a sprint race for the first time. Sauber’s Guanyu Zhou will be the first Chinese F1 driver to race in front of his home crowd. 6. Miami - May 5: The fifth round of the season last year and a key moment. Verstappen and Perez were on two wins each, but Miami began a record run of 10 in a row for Verstappen. This year, Miami hosts a sprint for the first time. One of three home races for Williams’ Logan Sargeant. 7. Emilia Romagna (Imola) - May 19: Cancelled last year due to flooding, the anticlockwise track is fast, bumpy and narrow. Named after Ferrari founder Enzo and son Dino, the track is also a memorial to Brazilian triple champion Ayrton Senna and Austrian Roland Ratzenberger, who died over the 1994 race weekend. 8. Monaco - May 26: Now perhaps overtaken by flashier new venues, Monaco has history and glamour and is home for many drivers. The shortest track is also the race with the most laps and least overtaking. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc can become the first home winner. 9. Canada (Montreal) - June 9: The race came after Monaco and Spain last year. A home race for Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and team owner father Lawrence. Hamilton picked up his first F1 win here and has a joint record (with Schumacher) of seven in Montreal. Verstappen has won the last two. 10. Spain (Barcelona) - June 23: The start of a European triple-header with Austria and Britain. Verstappen recorded his first F1 win here in 2016. Hamilton shares the record of six wins with Schumacher. Alonso and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz are the home drivers. 11. Austria (Spielberg) - June 30: Red Bull’s home race and a sprint race again. Only 10 corners and the shortest race in terms of time. Verstappen has won four times in Spielberg, which attracts a large contingent of his Dutch fans. 12. Britain (Silverstone) - July 7: On the calendar since season one in 1950, and a home race for Hamilton, team mate George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris. Hamilton has won a record eight times and been on pole in seven with 13 podium appearances. 13. Hungary (Budapest) - July 21: Hamilton has won a record eight times. Verstappen took his first F1 pole here in 2019, Alonso his first win in 2003. 14. Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) - July 28: Norris and Verstappen both have Belgian mothers, making Spa something of a home race. Verstappen has won three times in a row. A lap is the longest in F1 and one of the fastest. 15. Netherlands (Zandvoort) - Aug 25: Verstappen’s home race. He has won every year since it returned to the calendar in 2021. Zandvoort, in the coastal sand dunes, is distinctly old school. 16. Italy (Monza) - Sept 1: The Temple of Speed outside Milan hosts Ferrari’s home race. Hamilton and Schumacher share the record of five wins each at a circuit with long straights and 11 corners. 17. Azerbaijan (Baku) - Sept 15: Held in April last year and won by Perez for the second time in three years. It remains his most recent victory. Baku’s street circuit has been on the calendar since 2016 and Perez is the only repeat winner. 18. Singapore - Sept 22: The only race Red Bull failed to win last year, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz victorious. The hot and humid night race is one of the season’s biggest physical challenges. 19. United States (Austin) - Oct 20: The start of the second triple-header of the year, Austin will again be a sprint race. All the races at the undulating anti-clockwise Texas track have been won from the front row of the grid. Sargeant scored his only point so far last year. 20. Mexico (Mexico City) - Oct 27: Verstappen has won five of the last six Mexican GPs, last year becoming the first driver to win 16 races in a season. Hamilton sealed his 2017 and 2018 championships in Mexico. 21. Brazil (Sao Paulo) - Nov 3: The only circuit to have hosted a sprint every year since the format debuted in 2021, Interlagos will again have a sprint this year. 22. Las Vegas - Nov 23: The famed Strip made its F1 debut last year as the penultimate race, and on a Saturday night. A loose drain cover played havoc with practice. The start of the third and final triple-header this season. 23. Qatar (Lusail) - Dec 1: Verstappen clinched his third championship in a row in a Saturday sprint last year. Qatar was the 17th round in 2023 and held in October, when the extreme heat proved a problem for the main race. The weekend is again scheduled as a sprint. 24. Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina) - Dec 8: Verstappen has won this for the last four years, in controversial circumstances in 2021, when he beat Hamilton for his first title. Reuters F1’s race calendar for 2024 BRIEFS No hard feelings SPANIARD Carlos Sainz said he had no hard feelings towards seven times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton over the Briton's impending move to Ferrari as his replacement. Hamilton will take Sainz's seat alongside Charles Leclerc at the Italian glamour team next season in a shock move announced earlier this month. “I think this is how the sport works and obviously I have a lot of respect for Lewis and the success he's had and obviously his choice to join Ferrari,” said Sainz sitting alongside Hamilton in a Bahrain Grand Prix press conference yesterday. “I would have done the same in his position,” added the 29- year-old, who himself replaced four times champion Sebastian Vettel at the Maranellobased team in 2021. Horner cleared RED BULL team chief Christian Horner was cleared yesterday of wrongdoing following an investigation into complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him made by a female team member. A statement from Austrian energy drinks brand Red Bull, the parent company of the world champion Formula One team, said the “grievance has been dismissed”. In a statement, Red Bull GmbH said: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.” No talk of asterisk necessary, says McIlroy RORY MCILROY is missing only the championship at the Masters Tournament to become the sixth golfer to win a career Grand Slam on the PGA Tour. And speaking yesterday in advance of the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, he assured the Masters title will be the real deal if and when it comes. In fact, he cast aside comments from LIV Golf League member Talor Gooch, who said should McIlroy win, the career Grand Slam should come with an asterisk. “Look, the Masters is an Invitational and they’ll invite whoever they think warrants an invite,” McIlroy said. “I think to be fair to Talor, if you read the entire question and answer, it’s not as if he just came out with that. I feel he was led down that path to say that, so I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.” Over the limit! Verstappen takes swipe at 24-race calendar Max Verstappen. – AFPPIX /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE Malaysian Paper
SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 29 Enclosed is my payment of RM payable to SUN MEDIA CORPORATION SDN BHD. Please WhatsApp your bank-in slip to 0182929936 or email to [email protected] *Not inclusive of vendor service charge Stay informed with the latest news and trends All the best articles from Monday to Friday 32 pages full colour Subscribe now for Monday-Friday copies of theSun newspaper 6 month subscription (128 issues) for only RM110* (Normal price RM128) 1 year subscription (258 issues) for only RM200* (Normal price RM258) 1 year subscription at normal price RM258* (258 issues) + RM50 administration fee to get 2nd year free PERSONAL PARTICULARS Name: NRIC: Race: Malay Chinese Indian Others Profession: Commencement date: Delivery Address: Residence Ofice Postcode: State: Tel: Mobile No: E-mail: DETAILS OF CURRENT NEWS VENDOR (IF ANY) Vendor name: Contact no: For your convenience, you may call or send in your subscription particulars via any of the following: Tel: KL/PJ 03-7781 4000, 03-7784 6688 (9.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday) Fax: 03-7781 4484 Post: P.O. 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Muruku Buntong entrepreneur’s Deepavali snack, made from a still a national favourite 60-year-old recipe, is constantly in high demand. Chicken price float benefits consumers A week after subsidies ended, market prices are competitive and lower than subsidised prices, says expert. Full report —on page 3 Full report —on page 6 Full report —on page 4 Citing protection of country’s interests in terms of diplomatic, economic relations and security as reasons for joining meeting, Anwar says he remains steadfast in defending justice and rights of Palestinians. I will show up at Apec Story on page 2 Full story -on page 2 SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE Relentless Inter Inzaghi revelling in ‘unplayable’ Milan’s Scudetto march S IMONE INZAGHI could barely contain his glee yesterday night as his Inter Milan put four goals past Atalanta and took another step towards a 20th Serie A title. Usually happy to trot out the usual post-match cliches with a stern expression, Inzaghi had to try his very hardest not to let a huge grin spread across his face as TV pundits on DAZN praise on a team they classed as “unplayable” for the rest of Italy’s top flight. Yesterday’s emphatic 4-0 win at the San Siro moved Inter 12 points clear of closest rivals Juventus, who are now trailing in the distance after leading the pack little over a month ago. Inzaghi is closing in on the first league title of his managerial career after narrowly losing last season’s Champions League final to Manchester City. “The team is playing really well but I’ve been enjoying watching them for twoand-a-half years because we’ve won five trophies and got to a Champions League final” said Inzaghi. “I have a team which sticks to its principles regardless of who plays. That had to be the most satisfying thing... whoever comes on it’s a pleasure to watch them play. Sometimes I find it hard to pick the team.” “The first 10-15 minutes Atalanta pressed us very high, so we had to sort ourselves out. “The start wasn’t our usual approach, but then we scored, hit the bar and came out for the second half with ferocity,” Inzaghi said. “These are great signs for our journey, which must continue without pauses.” There were reports this week of interest in Inzaghi from several Premier League clubs and even Barcelona, but Inter director Beppe Marotta assured they w e r e h a p p y continuing together. “I am very happy here, with the club, these fans and the lads, so there is no point talking about it right now,” agreed Inzaghi. “We need to keep that concentration for three months, I am not interested talking about the rest and I don’t think the club is interested either. We all just want t o enjoy watching Inter play like this.” Inter have the league’s top scorer in Lautaro Martinez and have scored 67 times – more than any team in Europe’s top five leagues. Fans spent the last few minutes of yesterday’s match belting out Ole to their team’s every touch as Inter netted four goals without reply for the third straight league match. Yesterday’s clean sheet was their 23rd of the campaign in all competitions, highlighting their dominance of a division in which last season they lost 12 times. “The final in Istanbul has stayed with us. We missed a great opportunity but it gave us a lot of strength and belief in ourselves,” said d e f e n d e r A l e s s a n d r o Bastoni after the Atalanta win. “We realised how great it is to play those kinds of matches and how to get there… We were rightly criticised last season because we lost too many games but we, the coach and the staff have bounced back from that.” – AFP/Agencies Napoli hit Sassuolo for six VICTOR OSIMHEN and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted five goals between them as Napoli thumped Sassuolo 6-1 yesterday, harking back to the thrilling attacking partnership which won last season’s Serie A title. Clinical Osimhen scored a hattrick before Kvaratskhelia bagged a brace of his own as Napoli come from behind to handily win their game in hand and reignite hopes of European football. After Amir Rrahmani levelled just before the half-hour mark, Osimhen rattled in his treble across 16 minutes either side of halftime to take his goal tally since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations to five in three matches in all competitions. And Kvaratskhelia, who rolled Osimhen in for his simple third, belted in two fabulous strikes in the 51st and 75th minutes against a dreadful Sassuolo. “We already knew that Osimhen was a great player, we missed him a lot. When you’ve got Osi in this kind of form everything is easier,” said Matteo Politano, who set up two of Osimhen’s goals, to DAZN. Napoli are still ninth but four points behind Roma, who sit sixth and in the Europa Conference League spot, after just their third league win of 2024. And while Roma are in sight, eight points separate them from Bologna and the Champions League positions with a huge home fixture with fierce rivals Juventus coming at the weekend. “We really needed the win and we showed today that we’re a good team,” added Politano. “We’ve given away a lot of points but if this is how we’re going to approach games then there’s still time for us to catch up.” Sassuolo, playing for the first time under Emiliano Bigica following Alessio Dionisi’s sacking on Sunday, drop down into the relegation zone following a sixth defeat in seven matches. – AFP Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez (right) celebrates scoring their second goal with Marko Arnautovic during their Serie A match against Atalanta yesterday. – REUTERSPIX
SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 30 MAURICIO POCHETTINO hailed a “needed” victory as Chelsea bounced back from Sunday’s Carabao Cup final extra-time heartbreak to edge past Leeds and reach the FA Cup quarterfinals. Conor Gallagher, who missed two glorious chances in the closing stages of normal time in the Wembley loss to Liverpool, came off the bench to hit the winner at Stamford Bridge as the Championship side were dispatched 3-2 to set up a lasteight meeting with Leicester. Axel Disasi and Moises Caicedo combined to gift Mateo Joseph an eighth-minute opener but the Blues turned it around before halftime as Nicolas Jackson equalised and Raheem Sterling set up Mykhailo Mudryk to make it 2-1. Leeds levelled just before the hour mark when Joseph headed home his second but Enzo Fernandez set up Gallagher to avoid extra-time and put Chelsea through. “We needed this result,” said Pochettino. “It wasn’t a great performance. (Leeds) were a team full of confidence, a very strong team, they are doing fantastic in the Championship. “It was tough for us, when you concede after a few minutes. But the character we showed after in this situation, it’s a thing to learn from the team. “I’m so happy. We avoided extra-time. We’re in the quarterfinal which was our objective. “It’s always tough when you lose a final in extra-time. We had 72 hours or less to recover, it’s always difficult. “The effort was massive and I say thank you to the players because they made a fantastic effort.” Pochettino reiterated his rejection of Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville’s jibe that Chelsea had “bottled” the Carabao Cup final against a Liverpool side bested by injuries. “I cannot be angry about (Neville),” he said. “With all my love to Gary, it’s not fair to use this type of word for a team that is so brave, a club that always fights for big things. “What can we do? Only with this type of performance show that we are brave and that we can win games. Nothing to say, only to keep moving. “It’s not important for us. Because we know how we are and who we are, and how we behave. We know why we lost the game against Liverpool. It’s nothing to do with this. “We know that we are brave and that we are working really hard, For us, it’s not an important comment.” – The Independent MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag accused Nottingham Forest of targeting Bruno Fernandes in his side’s FA Cup win at the City Ground and branded criticism of his captain “pathetic”. The Portugal midfielder overcame a “serious injury” to play his part in United’s 1- 0 victory at Forest, setting up Casemiro’s 89th-minute winner from a freekick. He was on the receiving end of plenty of robust challenges from Forest throughout the 90 minutes while also being the butt of social media jokes after Saturday’s loss against Fulham where he suffered the problem. Fulham’s official TikTok account poked fun at him for appearing to feign injury and it got Ten Hag’s back up. Asked about the severity of Fernandes’ injury, he said: “I don’t want to go into that because you saw that Forest was targeting him, so I don’t tell what he has but it was a serious injury. “There were many fouls on him. Maybe I am a little bit too tough but when he has the ball they were really tight on him. “Then I see that serious media criticise him and social media is pathetic and it can’t be. “He has a serious injury but he continued to play on Saturday and today he also fought to be part of the game and he has a very high pain threshold. “Last year he did also something similar against Spurs and in the semifinal and it shows his leadership because that expresses his character and that is very good when you are a leader.” This was far from a classic performance by United, who face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday (11.30pm Malaysian time), but they got the job done and kept hopes of finishing the season with a trophy in tact. That is not going to be easy, though, as they were handed quarterfinal draw against Liverpool at Old Trafford in two and a half weeks. “There are many good teams in the Premier League, Liverpool at this moment is top but it is a great challenge and we are really looking forward and we like the challenges, it is a great game for us to play. “But first of all we are now looking forward to Sunday.” Extra-time was looming when Casemiro glanced Fernandes’ delivery past Matt Turner to send United’s travelling contingent wild. The goal survived a lengthy VAR check as Raphael Varane, who was in an offside possession, blocked a couple of Forest players, but he was ruled not to be interfering in play. Such has been Forest’s frustration at refereeing decisions in recent weeks, they have appointed Mark Clattenburg to act as a conduit to the PGMOL and he was spotted sat next to Howard Webb. And this was another decision that went against them but boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who swatted away Ten Hag’s suggestions of targeting Fernandes, did not want to dwell on it. Nuno said: “I didn’t see clearly the images but speaking with the players they say it is a block and a possible offside. They checked it. “We have had so many issues in this period with VAR and referees that we try to forget about it and move forward. “I think it was a good performance, we played good, much better than the previous game, so improvement from that. “It is frustrating to lose it in the end but I think we played good, football is cruel sometimes and today we are on that side.” – The Independent @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper Casemiro keeps Devils in the hunt ... as Ten Hag accuses Forest of ‘targeting’ Fernandes in FA Cup tie Leeds deserved to win: Farke IT WAS hard to argue with Daniel Farke assessment of a performance which saw a depleted Leeds United side only beaten by Conor Gallagher’s 90th-minute winner to earn Chelsea a 3-2 win. Leeds were the stronger team in the second half, when Mateo Joseph’s second goal of the game sandwiched strikes by Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk. But there was no shame in defeat on a night when Archie Gray was outstanding in the centre of midfield and Jaidon Anthony’s two assists were reward for a really strong performance. “Congratulations to Chelsea, they were really clinical by taking their chances, especially the second goal, Mudryk a top-class class finish, and the third goal a really good action by Gallagher,” Leeds boss Farke told yorkshirepost.co.uk. “We are disappointed we lost this game because wherever we go we want to win a game of football. I know it’s not realistic that we as a Championship side win the FA Cup but I wanted to win it if I’m honest. “I wanted to go into the next round even though we played a pretty young side without several key players. “Joseph made his first steps on this level in a central position, 17-year-old Gray played in midfield in the middle of the park against a really good side with many top-class players and we were excellent. “In the second half we had more possession, more shots, more shots on (target), more expected goals, the lads would have deserved to get a reward with a win. “You can always speak about the additional load but I would have preferred to go to extra time because the gut feeling was now we had a chance to win.” – Agencies █ BY JONATHAN VEAL █ BY ROBERT OCONNOR O’Neil says Wolves’ aim is to win FA Cup GARY O’NEIL revealed Wolves’ FA Cup dream after they reached the quarterfinals with a 1- 0 victory over Brighton. Mario Lemina’s goal after just 77 seconds booked a home tie with Coventry next month, just the second time Wolves have reached the last eight since 2003. Brighton, though, bossed the game and Facundo Buonanotte missed a fine chance before goalkeeper Jason Steele sliced a good opening wide in stoppage time. O’Neil has underlined his desire for success in the competition and admitted he told his players the goal was to lift the trophy ahead of their third-round tie at Brentford in January. “When we set off to travel to Brentford I remember delivering the pre-match meeting and spoke about our aim, at that moment, was to win the FA Cup,” he said. “I know how farfetched that sounds but every win you get a step closer. We have had to give a lot to get here. “Coventry will be a massive test, they are a good side, play good football and we will be expected to roll them over by everyone outside and that can create problems. “Whoever we played in the quarter-final we would see it as a great chance. We’ve beat Chelsea twice and Tottenham and Man City here. “We love playing here, I’m sure they (fans) will be dreaming of a semi final and I’ll be analysing Coventry.” Wolves snatched a second-minute winner when Lemina fired in at the second attempt after Steele flapped at Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s cross. But the hosts never built on their lead and Brighton pushed them – without forcing Jose Sa into a meaningful save. “The future of Brighton was on the pitch, a lot of young players,” said Seagulss boss Roberto De Zerbi. “Maybe they are not all ready for this level but we are working well and doing great things.” – The Independent █ BY NICK MASHITER Pochettino hails brave Blues Leeds United’s Archie Gray (right) in action with Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo during their English FA Cup fifth round match yesterday. – REUTERSPIX Man United’s Casemiro celebrates scoring their first goal with Amad Diallo (left) during their English FA Cup fifth round match against Nottingham Forest yesterday. – REUTERSPIX
SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 31 Pro golfers win 2024 TAS Trophy Galven, Geraldine crowned champions at Saujana Golf & Country Club PROFESSIONAL golfer Galven Green carded a splendid 4- under 68 in the final round to clinch the 2024 Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy with a three-day total of 11-under 205 at the Saujana Golf & Country Club yesterday. It handed him a seven-shot win over Syahiran Syakir, who carded 2-over 74 on the final day for a three-day total of 4- under 212 in the RM180,000 tournament. Galven showed his dominance while blazing the course with six birdies – three each on the front and back nine – as well as three bogeys yesterday en route to pocketing the first prize of RM31,500. “Nervous at the start but after the fifth hole managed to find my way through. Its good to keep playing like this… having the first win really boost me up,” he told reporters. Amir Nazrin Jailani who dazzled with a 5-under 67 and 2023 defending champion Danny Chia with 2-over 74 shared third spot with 3-under 213. In the women’s category, Geraldine Wong was crowned champion when she excelled on with an even par 72 to finish with a three-day total of 221 over the three days of the tournament to claim the first prize of RM10,000. Geraldine was thrilled to bits after winning the tournament as a start of the season. “Today was a really good outing. I performed very well under pressure. A lot of putts and shots that really mattered worked well and I am happy with what I did,” she said. In second place was Jocelyn Chee who also excelled with an even par 72, but her comeback fell short of Geraldine’s total since she closed with a three-day total of 224. Aretha Pan the defending champion, ranked third when she finished with a total score of 225. – Bernama OUM scholarship fuels Thinaah’s French Open bid A SCHOLARSHIP from Open University Malaysia (OUM) has provided a timely boost for national No. 1 women’s doubles shuttler M. Thinaah ahead of her participation in the French Open in Paris from March 5-10. Thinaah, who has been pursuing a Bachelor of Education in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) at OUM since May 2020, said the scholarship would fuel her ambition to win the Super 750 event with her partner Pearly Tan. “I believe it (scholarship) is a good motivation for me. Yes, it (French Open success) is my aim. “I think our preparations are so far so good. So we pray for the best,” she told a press conference after receiving the scholarship yesterday. World No. 15 Pearly-Thinaah will open their French Open campaign against world No. 5 Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu of China. Pearly-Thinaah became the first Malaysian women’s pair to win the French Open when they defeated two-time world champions Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara of Japan 21-19, 18-21 21-15 in the 2022 edition final. When asked about her choice to pursue a Bachelor of Education in TESL, the 26- year-old player said she has been interested in English since childhood. “Since I’m travelling most of the time, I think English is very important,” she said. Thinaah said her academic pursuit would not disrupt her sporting career, thanks to the flexible online learning platform provided by OUM. OUM president-cum-vice-chancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang said the university is extending full financial support to Thinaah for the January 2023 to May 2024 period. Ahmad Izanee said OUM decided to offer Thinaah the scholarship because it is impressed by her academic performance and remarkable progress in badminton. – Bernama THE MIDFIELD of Terengganu FC (TFC) is expected to be strengthened with two imported players in March, said head coach Tomislav Steinbruckner. However, he denied rumours that Igor Ponstonjski of Croatia is one of them. Steinbruckner said he tried to get the services of the NK Varazdin star but was unsuccessful. “We are looking for two more foreign players. I’m not going to reveal the names yet. I don’t know exactly when they will join our team. But I expect it will be in the first week of March. “I know many fans talk about Ponstonjski. He was my first choice. But no, he will not be in our team. We talk about some other players,” he told Bernama yesterday. Steinbruckner said the Turtles squad this season is a dream team comprising a good mix of experienced and young players. “Everything is good. The players work hard and I have nothing to complain about. I expect at the end of March to go for a tour in Kuala Lumpur and play some friendly matches. “And before the season starts, I think we will have two friendly matches against Kelantan and Pahang,” he added. TFC had earlier announced that two imported players, Ismaheel Akinade (Nigeria) and Matthew Steenvordeen (Netherlands), would be joining the team for the Malaysia League 2024/2025 which begins in May. They have also decided to retain the services of three other imported players, Ivan Mamut, Argzim Redzovic and Nurillo Tukhtasinov. – Bernama Turtles to sign two more imported players FA CUP (5th round): Chelsea 3 (Jackson 15, Mudryk 37, Gallagher 90) Leeds 2 (Joseph 8, 59), Nottingham Forest 0 Manchester United 1 (Casemiro 89), Wolves 1 (Lemina 2) Brighton 0, Liverpool 3 (Koumas 44, Danns 73, 88) Southampton 0. SERIE A: Inter Milan 4 (Darmian 26, Martinez 45+1, Dimarco 54, Frattesi 71) Atalanta 0, Sassuolo 1 (Racic 17) Napoli 6 (Rrahmani 29, Osimhen 31, 41, 47, Kvaratskhelia 51, 75). TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Inter Milan 26 22 3 1 67 12 69 Juventus 26 17 6 3 41 19 57 AC Milan 26 16 5 5 50 32 53 Bologna 26 13 9 4 39 23 48 Atalanta 26 14 4 8 48 28 46 Roma 26 13 5 8 48 32 44 RESULTS & STANDINGS MATCH-BY-MATCH facts and stats ahead of the next round of Premier League fixtures (all matches at 11pm Malaysian time unless stated): TOMORROW Brentford vs Chelsea – Away win Chelsea have won once in their five Premier League meetings with Brentford (D1 L3). Brentford have a four-game unbeaten streak against Chelsea, winning 2-0 in their last two meetings. The Blues last beat Brentford 1-0 in October 2021. Everton vs West Ham – Away win Everton have moved up to 15th place after their points deduction was reduced from 10 to six. The Toffees have 29 wins over West Ham in 55 matches played in the Premier League (D13 L13). The Hammers have six wins at Goodison Park while Everton have 16 home wins over the London side. Fulham vs Brighton – Home win Brighton are yet win a match against Fulham in their seven Premier League meetings (D4 L3). Fulham won 2-1 in the Seagulls last visit to Craven Cottage. Brighton have won four in 13 away games while the Cottagers have won seven of 13 home games played this season. Newcastle vs Wolves – Home win Wolves have two wins in their 17 Premier League meetings with Newcastle. The last game between the two sides ended with a 2- 2 draw. Wolves were beaten 2-1 in their last visit to St. James Park. Nottm Forest vs Liverpool – Away win Forest have three wins against Liverpool in their 13 Premier League meetings (D4 L6). The Reds are yet to win an away game against Forest in the Premier League. Forest beat Liverpool 1-0 in their last visit to the City Ground. Tottenham vs Crystal Palace – Home win Palace's last League victory at Tottenham came in 1997. Spurs have 18 wins in their 29 Premier League meetings with Palace (D7 L4). The Eagles have lost their last four League games against Spurs. SUNDAY Luton Town vs Aston Villa (1.30am) – Away win Villa won in the side's only Premier League meeting in October. This is Villa's first Premier League visit to Kenilworth Road. Villa last won at Luton in a top-flight match in 1989. Luton are battling relegation in 18th place, having lost their last three games. Burnley vs Bournemouth (9pm) – Away win Burnley have six wins over Bournemouth in their nine Premier League meetings (D0 L3). The Cherries won 2-1 in their last Premier League meeting but the last League win at Burnley came six years ago. Man City vs Man United (11.30pm) – Home win City have 19 wins over United (D6 L25) in their 53 Premier League meetings. United suffered a 3-0 defeat in the last meeting between the two sides. United were beaten 6-3 in their last visit to the Etihad. TUESDAY Sheffield United vs Arsenal (4am) – Away win Arsenal have won five of their 11 Premier League meetings with Sheffield United (D4 L2). The Gunners have won their last six League games, scoring three or more goals in five of those matches. The Blades have conceded the most goals (66) in the Premier League this season. Reuters PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEWS & PREDICTIONS National pro golfers Geraldine Wong and Galven Green pose for photos after winnning their respective category in the Tun Ahmad Sarji Trophy Golf Tournament at Saujana Golf and Subang Jaya Country Club yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: [email protected] SCAN ME FRIDAY | MAR 1, 2024 or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME Malaysian Paper Read iPaper at Malaysian Paper Malaysian Paper Relentless Inter -Story - on page 230 Story on page 29 Casemiro keeps Devils in the hunt J URGEN KLOPP and Liverpool find new ways to make teenage dreams come true. Three days after three rookies played pivotal parts in winning a trophy at Wembley, two newcomers scored the first goals of their careers at a packed Anfield. For Lewis Koumas, it was a debut strike; for Jayden Danns, one of the novices who embarrassed Chelsea, a brace to cap a remarkable week that brought his maiden firstteam game, a medal and now two finishes in front of the Kop. Perhaps he ought to retire now: he may never have a week like this again. And, once again, Liverpool’s academy extended their hopes of sending Klopp off with a quadruple. In the broader reckoning, Southampton had the chances to take a three-goal lead by halftime. Yet it is Liverpool who advance to an FA Cup quarterfinal with Manchester United, their remarkable season progressing with a couple of heart-warming tales of players whose surnames were familiar, but their faces were not. Koumas was an unused substitute at Wembley, promoted to start in what was arguably the weakest team Klopp has fielded this season. The starting 11 contained six players aged 21 or under and their squad numbers added up to 450: the No. 67 broke the deadlock and the No. 76 was brought on to seal victory. By the end, Trey Nyoni, the 16-year-old wearing No. 98, was on for his own debut. It was quite a night for Klopp’s creche. The German likened the instant impact of his academy players to that of darts player Luke Littler last month – but then asked for the youngsters to be given time to find their feet. Referencing Littler, who reached the World Darts Championship final at the age of 16, Klopp asked for perspective despite the youngsters’ key roles in a depleted side. “It is little bit like the new darts sensation, it is fine for tonight. Tomorrow, leave the boys in the corner,” Klopp said. “Everyone who is with us, we should have our moments, they will have more moments than we expect. “All of it was obviously incredibly important. Against a Southampton team we would have had problems with anyway but in our situation we tried to give as much information as possible to them and we had to improve during the game. “The first 15 minutes we were all over the place; we tried to press but the timing was horrendous and Southampton used that. “We found a way into the game and the goal we scored was in a nearly perfect moment, it felt like a momentum change and then an exceptional finish from Lewis. “We now had the momentum rather than Southampton and won a lot of high balls and scored, the play was special, the way we won the balls was special and something like that, as impossible as it seems, can happen. “Maybe the people (fans) don’t forget it when the transfer window opens, don’t close the door (on young players) with 12 signings.” On Danns, who came off the bench to score twice in 15 minutes to earn the man-of-thematch award, Klopp added: “Exceptional talent. Of course it is not natural that a boy 18, is as calm as you like. The second goal calm as you like.” Saints boss Russell Martin was left to rue several missed chances in the opening 30 minutes in particular. “I don’t think 3-0 is a fair reflection of the game as we should have been one or two up before they got close to a goal,” he said. “The difference in the game is the quality of the finishing and their goalkeeper making some brilliant saves. “If we are ever going to lose, then let’s do it being the team we want to be and I can’t ask any more from them tonight. “I really enjoyed watching my team but I am really hurt for them and the result as I didn’t think we deserved that.” – The Independent █ BY RICHARD JOLLY AND CARL MARKHAM Klopp compares Liverpool kids’ impact to darts sensation Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (right) and striker Lewis Koumas. – AFPPIX Reds’ striker Jayden Danns. – AFPPIX Red-hot teens