Malaysia navigating hurdles in used lithium battery recycling.Jeeps, pickups added to diesel subsidy scheme.page 4page 2INSIDEGovt launching school-based skills development programmes to build early financial independence and reduce growing social issues.page 3Future-proof girls Malaysian PaperRM1SCAN MENo. 9161 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) No. 9161 PP 2644/12/2012(031195)SCAN MEon MAY 24, 2026 | RM1.00 PER COPY | www.thesun.my9 773141 151009ISSN 3141-1517Sarawak native groups demand immediate halt to logging.page 5Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the programme would be implemented in selected schools, particularly after major examinations. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN
2 NATIONALtheSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026/thesuntelegramFOLLOW ON TELEGRAMmRAM/Malaysian PaperDiesel subsidy benefits to include jeeps, pickup trucks nationwideKUNDASANG: The government has agreed to enhance the mechanism for implementing diesel subsidy distribution under the Subsidised Diesel Control System by expanding eligibility to include jeeps and pickup trucks for the land goods transport sector nationwide, effective June 1. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the decision was made during the Cabinet meeting on May 20. “Previously, eligibility for such vehicles was limited to the Cameron Highlands area. Beginning June 1, 2026, companies in the land goods transport sector nationwide that own jeeps and pickup trucks may apply to register under the system,” he said here yesterday. He added that the government had also agreed to extend diesel subsidy benefits under the system to jeeps and pickup trucks previously registered under individual ownership, subject to approval for the transfer of ownership to a company. “Individual operators involved in land goods transport are encouraged to register their companies or businesses with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission, or relevant authorities in Sabah and Sarawak in accordance with state laws. “In addition, applicants must fulfil other eligibility requirements, including transferring vehicle ownership from an individual to a company through the Road Transport Department,” he added. Armizan said the government had also agreed to revise the fixed quota limits under the subsidised system for the land goods transport sector as part of efforts to strengthen regulatory and enforcement mechanisms to curb subsidy leakage and misuse of fleet cards. “Each fleet card will be allocated a fixed quota ranging from 900 litres to 5,000 litres per month, depending on the quota limit set for 23 categories of vehicles in the land goods transport sector. “The total quota allocation is determined based on an analysis of transport usage patterns throughout the two-year implementation period of the system. The revised fixed quota rates for each fleet card will take effect on June 1,” he said. He added that companies requiring fuel usage beyond the stipulated limit may submit appeals for quota increases to the Petroleum Subsidy Approval Committee, which is managed by the ministry. “Appeals can be submitted online via email at [email protected] or at the nearest ministry’s office. “Applications will be assessed based on the justification of actual operational requirements and existing monthly fuel usage records in the system since approval was granted,” he said. He encouraged companies in the public land transport, land goods transport and public water transport sectors that have not yet enjoyed petrol and diesel subsidies to register under the Subsidised Petrol Control System and Subsidised Diesel Control System. Armizan said all companies receiving fuel subsidy benefits under the two systems must use their fleet cards responsibly. “Any misuse will result in the immediate suspension of the fleet card and the company concerned being blacklisted.” – BernamaSpeak up against hate narratives, urges PMKUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the peaceloving majority to speak up against narratives of hatred and slander being propagated by a minority group against society in the country. He said the current situation appeared to reflect a “tyranny of the minority”, where a small group of loud, angry individuals who spread slander were attempting to impose their will on the majority of the people. Anwar flanked by Loke and Yeoh at the event. – BERNAMAPIC“Now, it is the noisy minority stirring up emotions. They gather, sow hatred, spread slander and instil fear in others. This seems like a tyranny of the minority. The oppression and cruelty of a small group forcing the larger group (majority). “The time has come for the majority to speak from their conscience to save our country and advance together,” he said in his keynote address at the Madani Harmony Discourse in conjunction with Wesak Day here yesterday. Also present were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who is also co-chairman of the discourse organisers, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council president Lillian Chang. Anwar said since the formation of the nation under the leadership of the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Malaysia has been built on the foundation of “unity enhances strength”, recognising the reality of racial and religious diversity. He said although the Malay and Bumiputera communities Anwar pushes for better financial outreach to tradersKUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged relevant agencies to intensify ground efforts to provide explanations and assistance to small and medium traders who are still unaware of financing facilities and aid provided by the government. Anwar, who is also Finance minister, said the matter was important to ensure the group is not left out from the various initiatives created specifically to help increase their income and expand their businesses. “There are some who are still unaware of the facilities available. So I ask the relevant agencies to go to the ground and provide explanations,” he said after visiting the Taman Melawati Farmers’ Market here yesterday. He said hawkers and small traders should continue to be given attention, as they number hundreds of thousands but still lacking a strong platform to voice their views. Regarding his visit, Anwar said the feedback he received from hawkers and small traders was generally very positive, with most expressing gratitude for the opportunity to obtain micro-financing facilities provided by the government and its agencies. “Most are already very grateful and thankful to the agencies that helped them, even for a RM10,000 loan,” said the prime minister. Anwar added that most of them were more focused on earning a living than complaining about the challenges they faced. Among the issues raised by traders was the relatively high price of certain essential goods. However, agencies like the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority could help by providing supplies at more affordable prices, he added. – Bernama ‘It is time for peace-loving majority to voice out and not let minority of individuals spread slander, instil fear in people’form the majority, and Islam is enshrined as the federal religion in the Constitution, the country continues to be developed based on mutual respect and appreciation for one another. “Within the framework of Malaysia Madani, we are not charting something new, but continuing the agenda set by the founding fathers of the nation,” he said. In this regard, Anwar said national development should not focus solely on technology, digitalisation and innovation, but must also be grounded in values, ethics and conscience rooted in religious teachings. He stressed that the concept of love and compassion found in all religions must be translated into daily life, rather than replaced with hatred and division. At the same time, he said current challenges also stem from a lack of understanding, leading to hasty judgements, including the use of religious sentiments on social media and in the political arena to sow hatred, Bernama reported. Commenting on issues of social and economic justice, Anwar stressed that he fully supports efforts to help the Bumiputera community, who are still poor, but at the same time, assistance must be channelled to all needy Malaysians regardless of race. He said the country must help the needy as one large family while also having the courage to acknowledge weaknesses, including issues of corruption and share misappropriation involving tens of billions of ringgit. The prime minister also stressed that the government will continue to respect and support Wesak Day celebrations in the years ahead.
NATIONAL 3theSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s upcoming Senior Citizen Bill must deliver real protection for the elderly by tackling pressing issues such as elder abuse, financial insecurity, healthcare access, mental health support and long-term care services, said The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. He said the proposed legislation is timely and crucial as Malaysia moves steadily towards becoming an ageing nation and welcomed the government’s move to table the Bill in the next Parliament meeting next month. “This is a crucial step towards safeguarding the rights and welfare of older persons. Many senior citizens today continue to face neglect, abandonment, loneliness, rising living costs, poor healthcare access and social isolation, with some left without adequate family support or protection systems. “We hope the government will ensure that the final legislation is not merely symbolic but truly effective in improving the quality of life, dignity, independence and wellbeing of senior citizens throughout the country. Lee also stressed the need for stronger mechanisms to protect elderly individuals from physical, emotional and financial abuse. “At the same time, senior citizens should not be viewed as a burden to society. “They are valuable members of the nation who have contributed significantly to the country’s development through their experience, sacrifices and wisdom,” he said. Lee added that the legislation should encourage stronger family and community responsibility in caring for the elderly while promoting active ageing and greater participation of senior citizens in society. “Malaysia must prepare itself comprehensively for the demographic changes ahead to avoid facing a major social and healthcare crisis in the future.” Lee also stressed the importance of comprehensive consultations with senior citizens’ groups, healthcare professionals, social welfare experts, NGOs, caregivers, and community leaders before the Bill is finalised. He said such engagement is necessary to ensure the law is practical, inclusive and capable of addressing the real needs faced by elderly individuals from different backgrounds and communities. The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry announcing on Thursday it is pushing to table the long-awaited Senior Citizens Bill at the upcoming Parliament meeting, although its progress remains subject to final procedural clearance and continued review by the Attorney General’s Chambers. – BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDIPETALING JAYA: The government will introduce school-based skills development programmes for girls nationwide this year as part of efforts to enhance their economic empowerment, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. She said the initiative aims to equip girls with practical skills before they complete school, enabling them to earn income and achieve financial independence in the future. Nancy added that the programme is part of broader efforts to reduce social issues through women’s empowerment and increase the number of Support stricter monitoring, childcare operators urgedPETALING JAYA: Childcare centre operators back stricter monitoring, including surprise inspections, to improve child safety and regulatory compliance, saying it should not be seen as purely punitive. Registered Early Childhood Care and Development Association of Malaysia president Adjunct Professor Norsheila Abdullah said registered childcare operators should be prepared for and support such inspections, as transparency is essential given they have already undergone registration and training. She stated that regular monitoring ensures compliance with the Child Care Centre Act 1984, the Child Act 2001, and the “best interests of the child” principle under Unicef’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).” “Inspections are not meant as punishment, but to ensure that safety, hygiene, proper caregiver ratios, documentation and children’s wellbeing are met. “Centres with Child Protection Policies should see enforcement as a way to strengthen parents’ confidence in the childcare industry,” she added. Norsheila said parental awareness has increased following several viral child abuse cases, with parents now more proactive in checking registration status, CCTV, safety SOPs, caregiver qualifications and child protection measures. She said while the incidents from friends, neighbours or colleagues are also helpful, with most enrolments at her own centre coming through referrals. “I also agree that the community and neighbours also play an important role in reporting suspicious childcare centres for the safety of children. “However, every report should be investigated transparently and fairly. For example, crying or shouting from children is normal in childcare centres as they are still young and adjusting to their environment and emotions.” Haliza said stricter action should be taken against unregistered childcare centres to protect children’s safety, but licence renewal processes and costs, especially from local authorities, should be simplified and reduced to ease operators’ burden and encourage registration. Another childcare centre operator in Shah Alam, Syamila Aimi Yahaya, 36, said registered operators often feel anxious whenever cases involving childcare centres make headlines, despite already complying with existing guidelines. “As registered operators, we sometimes feel uneasy and confused about what further enforcement will be introduced, even though we are already doing our best according to the guidelines,” she said. She stressed that enforcement should be carried out fairly and not be applied across the board, adding that childcare workers should not be judged based on isolated incidents. “I hope enforcement is done fairly and not generalised. It is unfair to hardworking teachers who care for the children sincerely but are sometimes viewed negatively because of a few isolated cases,” she said. Syamila called for more training for operators and caregivers, simpler registration processes, and regular counselling sessions for childcare staff to help them manage emotional and work-related stress.‘Bill must effectively improve welfare of elderly’School-based skills plan to empower female studentsŰ BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI [email protected] independent women in the country. “They can test their skills, and in the future, they can sell products and generate income.” She said the programme would be implemented in collaboration with district education offices and carried out in selected schools, particularly after major examinations, subject to coordination and approval from relevant authorities. “We have targeted schools for this initiative, but it depends on the ministries involved, as we need to work with the education offices in the respective areas. “If approved, students would take part in the initiative for two to three days after sitting for their examinations. If they are not strong academically, they would be equipped with practical skills for their future,” she said. Nancy said the ministry is also expanding cooperation with NGOs, including Rotary International, to support community welfare initiatives and address social issues. She also highlighted that efforts are being made to increase volunteer participation in assisting vulnerable groups, including homebound welfare recipients who need support such as transport and daily assistance. “We have the Home Help Service, where volunteers receive a small allowance. “They are dedicated individuals who help support those who are homebound.” We are aslo strengthening this programme further, she added. “Malaysia has nearly one million single mothers and single women, many of whom carry dual responsibilities as caregivers and sole income earners. “However, only a small number are formally registered within support systems, leaving many without adequate assistance,” she said. She added that the ministry continues to support single mothers through the KasihniTA programme, which provides financial literacy, psychosocial support and legal assistance. – BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDINorsheila said stronger enforcement will help improve the image of the industry and raise the professionalism of quality childcare services. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUNRegular inspections needed to ensure compliance and protection of children’s wellbeing, says association chiefare distressing, they have raised awareness on the importance of choosing registered and quality childcare centres, calling it a positive development for the industry where child safety remains the top priority. “What is most important is that all parties sincerely view childcare, child protection as an investment in the nation’s future, in line with the aspirations of the CRC, the Child Protection Policy and the Child Act 2001.” She said stronger enforcement will help improve the image of the industry and raise the professionalism of quality childcare services, while also ensuring fairness to operators who comply with existing laws. Meanwhile, childcare centre operator Haliza Karim, 58, said she is always prepared to receive inspections from the Welfare Department, as it is important to ensure that safety, hygiene and management standards are consistently met. “However, overly frequent surprise inspections may slightly disrupt daily operations as well as children’s routines. “In my view, periodic inspections, such as once every four months, would be sufficient to ensure effective monitoring without affecting the smooth running of childcare centres,” she added. Haliza advised parents to check a childcare centre’s registration status, visit the premises, observe the environment and caregiver-tochild ratios, and see how caregivers interact with children. She said recommendations
4 NATIONALtheSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026/thesundailyFOLLOW ON FACEBOOK/Malaysian PaperOver 27,000 cattle imported for AidiladhaPADANG BESAR: More than 27,000 cattle have been imported to meet demand for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration, with all livestock undergoing strict screening and quarantine procedures by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis). Its deputy director-general Dr Azhari Sharidan Abu Bakar said the department guarantees that all cattle, most of which were imported from Thailand, are disease-free and safe to be sold and slaughtered for the qurban ritual. He said the livestock were monitored throughout a 14-day quarantine period for signs of foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease. “These two are among the main diseases we monitor throughout the quarantine,” he told Bernama at the Maqis Animal Quarantine Station in Padang Besar. Azhari Sharidan also said the department has recorded the import of about 1,000 buffaloes so far in preparation for the upcoming Hari Raya Haji celebrations. Meanwhile, he stressed that all livestock must pass Maqis screening procedures to control animal diseases and protect public health and safety, while urging importers to strictly comply with regulations. He explained that some importers house their cattle at private quarantine premises approved by Maqis instead of government stations, although Maqis officers continue conducting regular monitoring. If government quarantine stations are full, cattle may be quarantined at private premises or the importer’s own location, subject to prior approval from Maqis and compliance with all stipulated conditions and procedures. He admitted that cases of noncompliance still occur, particularly when cattle are removed and sold before completing the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Maqis recorded one such case last year and two the year before, with action able to be taken under the Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011. M’sia faces mounting lithiumbattery disposal challengeGEORGE TOWN: Used lithium batteries from mobile phones, power banks and electric vehicles are piling up faster than Malaysia can recycle them. Penang Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said many people still dispose of lithium batteries carelessly, posing serious environmental and safety risks if not properly managed. “Sustainability requires collective participation and cannot be achieved by the government alone. “Strong collaboration between the government, industries, recyclers, technology providers and the public is essential in building a more sustainable Penang initiative aims to strengthen recycling network amid rising wasteoperations and help close the loop in battery production,” he said. On electric vehicle (EV) battery lifespan, Tan said EV batteries generally last between five and eight years before requiring replacement or disposal, with larger numbers expected to enter the recycling cycle before 2030. “We need to prepare the infrastructure now to handle the wave of EV batteries that will need recycling within the next few years,” he said. Road Transport Department data previously showed EV registrations in Malaysia more than doubled in 2025, raising expectations of larger volumes of battery waste in the coming years. Meanwhile, Riiicycle founder Chew Chin Huat said the programme connects consumers, collectors, aggregators and recyclers to track where discarded batteries end up after collection. “We are building an ecosystem for collection across the entire supply chain – from consumer to recycler – with full traceability,” he told theSun.He said the system ensures recyclable materials are sent to licensed recyclers instead of “illegal players” who may improperly handle waste. “About 800 tonnes of recyclable items, including batteries, e-waste and used cooking oil, have been collected since early 2024, based on invoices and average weight estimates,” Chew said. The programme also offers rewards allowing users to exchange recyclable items for ewallet credit or vouchers through the Riiicycle mobile app as an incentive for proper disposal. Smart bins equipped with sensors, AI-assisted e-waste bins and used cooking oil collection bins have also been introduced as part of the recycling operations.FRIM steps up conservation of rare limestone floraKUALA LUMPUR: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is spearheading efforts to conserve and document the country’s limestone flora, which supports rich biodiversity and is home to numerous endemic and endangered species not found elsewhere in nature. In a statement issued in conjunction with the International Day for Biological Diversity, FRIM said the initiative is crucial as limestone ecosystems, formed over millions of years, provide habitats for plants specially adapted to thin, dry, alkaline and nutrient-poor soils.Among the species commonly found in these areas are begonias, balsams and several types of orchids. “To date, around 1,300 limestone plant species have been identified in Peninsular Malaysia, accounting for about 14% of the country’s total flora across an estimated 908 recorded limestone hills,” the statement said. FRIM said threats from development, quarrying, mining and land-use changes are being addressed under Target 8 of the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022–2030, in line with Malaysia’s commitment to protect at least 30% of its land area as protected zones by 2030. To address these challenges, FRIM said flora documentation plays an important role in recording, identifying and assessing plant diversity and conservation status, while helping prioritise areas for protection. FRIM said under the flora documentation project of Peninsular Malaysia, which began in 2005, several new species have been recorded, including Gymnostachyum kanthanense, Meiogyne kanthaensis and Vatica kanthanensis at Mount Kanthan, Perak, in 2014. Between 2016 and 2024, discoveries also included Impatiens chikuensis, I. glaricola, I. vinosa, Coleus rafidahiae and Gymnostachyum calcicola in Kelantan, as well as the orchid Thrixspermum merapohense and fern Asplenium merapohense in Merapoh, Pahang, and Coleus hairuliiin Kedah. The research also highlighted endangered endemic species such as Impatiens vinosa and Begonia jayaensis, which are facing serious habitat disturbance, while documenting new orchid discoveries including Didymoplexis micradenia and Chiloschista exuperei in Perak, Sohmaea teres in Kedah and Exacum tenue in Kelantan. As a proactive measure, FRIM prepared a discussion paper for the 3rd National Biodiversity Council meeting in August 2016 proposing closer collaboration with state governments to conduct limestone biodiversity research. In terms of limestone hill distribution in Peninsular Malaysia, Kelantan recorded the highest number with 298 hills, followed by Pahang with 183, Kedah with 173, Perak with 138 and Perlis with 103. Selangor and Terengganu each recorded three hills, Negeri Sembilan had two and Johor one. FRIM, which received funding from the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources for projects in Kelantan and Perlis, as well as Rapid Biodiversity Assessment funding for Batu Caves, presented an update on the status of limestone hill ecosystems at the National Biodiversity Council meeting on July 29, 2024. – BernamaSundarajoo (third from left), Tan (fifth from left) and Chew (right) during the launch. – PIC COURTESY OF PENANG GREEN COUNCIL Ű BY T.C. KHOR [email protected],” he said at the launch of the Rechargeable Battery Circularity Programme and Kitar Hub initiative in Penang on Friday.Describing the initiative as “structured and technologydriven”, Sundarajoo said both the state government and the Penang Green Council have consistently supported environmental initiatives promoting sustainability, innovation and community participation. The programme is led by Techom Metal Sdn Bhd, which manages battery recycling and recovery processes, while collection operations are handled by Riiicycle Tech Sdn Bhd. The collection network currently comprises about 70 bins and stations across Penang and Kuala Lumpur, including 31 located at high-rise residential buildings for easier public access. Apart from fixed collection points, the programme also offers house-to-house e-waste collection services and battery buy-back schemes to reach households unable to access drop-off centres. The initiative also plans to expand collection points to shopping malls, retailers and commercial premises as more rechargeable devices enter the market. Techom director Tan Yeow Chuan said the company handles scheduled waste, including lithium batteries and electronic waste, at its facilities in Bukit Minyak. He said recycling and recovery processes include collection, sorting, dismantling and material recovery before reusable materials are extracted for industrial use. Tan said materials recovered from used batteries include lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper and aluminium, which can be reused in manufacturing new batteries and electronics. “These recovered materials reduce the need for new mining
NATIONAL 5theSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday held the Malaysian Polygraph Seminar: The Role of Polygraph in Employment Screening at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (Maca). In a statement, MACC said the seminar aimed to enhance understanding of polygraph technology as a support tool for employment screening, organisational integrity management and security-related investigations. Among the speakers were ASP Ahmad Shahrulazmi Mazni from the Special Branch, ASP Mohammad Firdaus Ashaari from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, MACC Polygraph team coordinator Norhakimin Brahim and Dr Salwa Zolkaful from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM). The seminar was attended by 60 participants from enforcement agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies, including police, the Armed Forces, Air Force, Customs Department and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry. Other participants included representatives from the Immigration Department, Health Ministry, UiTM, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and XSpec Technology. In his opening speech, Maca deputy director of academic and basic training Mohd Saud Ayutollah Abdul Manan said the seminar marked an important step in strengthening national knowledge and best practices in the field. He stressed that cross-agency sharing of expertise must continue to strengthen strategic collaboration in combating crime, misconduct and integrity-related issues. He also expressed hope that similar seminars would continue to be organised on a larger scale through research, colloquiums and academic programmes to further develop expertise and maximise the potential of polygraph technology in Malaysia. – BernamaJOHOR BAHRU: An unconventional tactic by the Johor Immigration Department involving the removal of all counter number signs at southern border entry points has proven effective in reducing complaints of countersetting misconduct involving its officers and personnel. Its director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the measure was introduced after the department uncovered tactics used by syndicates to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals through a network of internal personnel lacking integrity. He said the syndicates were found to have provided undocumented migrants with advance instructions before arriving in the country, directing them to proceed to specific counters without knowing the identity of the officer on duty. “The syndicates would instruct these travellers, for example, ‘once you get off the plane, head straight to counter seven’. At the designated counter, their illegal entry process would be handled by officers who had received substantial bribes. “As a countermeasure, we took the bold step of removing all counter numbers at our entry points. Now, these counters no longer display any numbers,” he told Bernama recently. Mohd Rusdi said the initiative was implemented through close cooperation between the Johor department and operators of major entry points, including the management of Senai International Airport and sea entry terminals. He said the operators gave full support to the proposal to ensure there were no loopholes left for syndicates to exploit. “When the counter numbers are removed, travellers will simply proceed to any available counter based on the type of transaction, without knowing which officer is on duty. This automatically curbs counter-setting activities because syndicates can no longer pre-arrange the counters,” he said. The strategy, introduced through a special committee meeting on counter-setting and flying passport issues chaired by Mohd Rusdi, has yielded positive results, with the state’s main air terminal now recording zero cases and no complaints related to such misconduct. He said last year, 20 officers faced disciplinary action for involvement in counter-setting activities, while five others were penalised over flying passport offences. On the disciplinary measures, Mohd Rusdi said firm action served as a deterrent and warning to other officers against engaging in similar misconduct.Upper Baram communities oppose continued loggingBARAM: Communities in Upper Baram, Sarawak are insisting that logging activities in their area be brought to an end. The logging activities are ongoing despite legal action, voicing of human rights concerns, large scale environmental degradation and protests by affected communities. Seven communities – Long Moh, Long Semiyang, Lio Mato, Long Siut/Long Tungan, Long Sepigen, Long Kerong and Long Sait – have rejected all activities carried out on their Native Customary Rights land without their consent. In a letter submitted at the end of March to the Sarawak premier, the Forest Department of Sarawak and a timber logging company, the communities claimed they had yet to receive any response to their formal objections and concerns. Although forest certification is required for all Sarawak timber concessions under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, the communities alleged that the company continues operating without such certification. In a joint statement, the communities also claimed surveys appeared to have been conducted without Free, Prior and Informed Consent, further deepening mistrust towards the parties concerned. Keruan director Komeok Joe said the communities unequivocally reject such activities. He said they also refused to hold negotiations with representatives from the company and the Forest Department on their territories, signalling that the parties are not welcome to enter the area. “The Penan and Kenyahpeople reject this approach. Legitimate representation must come from collectively recognised and elected community leaders, not government-appointed leaders who fail to represent the community,” said Komeok. He added that the letter highlighting their resistance signed by community representatives also raised concerns over divisive practices. “This includes alleged meetings and negotiations involving only selected or externally appointed community leaders, without consulting the majority of the community for their consent. “The communities’ concerns point to a stark contradiction between ongoing logging pressures on the ground and the Sarawak government’s recently articulated ‘Beyond Timber’ strategy, which presents forests as strategic assets for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services and sustainable livelihoods,” he said. Meanwhile, indigenous rights lawyer Roland Engan said while Sarawak promotes a transition towards a green economy, indigenous communities in Upper Baram continue facing encroachment, opaque surveys and threats of forest degradation. “Logging activities without Free, Prior and Informed Consent should not be allowed. Forests should remain in the hands of their true custodians. “There should be no more logging, regardless of whether it is labelled sustainable or reduced-impact logging,” he said. Through the joint statement, the seven communities firmly reaffirmed their rejection of any logging activities by the company within their areas. They also called on all relevant parties to respect their decisions, uphold indigenous rights and immediately cease any actions that violate their autonomy and land rights.MACC explores wider use of polygraph technologyJohor Immigration Dept removes counter numbers to curb graftŰ BY ANDREW [email protected] held in probe on sexual assault involving nine-year-old pupilMERSING: Police have arrested a teacher to assist in investigations into a sexual assault case involving a nine-year-old schoolboy. Mersing police chief Supt Abdul Razak Abdullah Sani said the 31-year-old suspect was arrested at 5.50pm on Thursday following a police report lodged over the alleged incident. “A mobile phone was also seized, and investigations are still at an early stage,” he said in a statement. Abdul Razak said the suspect has been remanded for five days under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code to facilitate investigations. The case is being investigated under Sections 14(a) and 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. - BernamaThe affected communities have called on relevant parties to respect their decisions, uphold indigenous rights and immediately cease any actions that violate their autonomy and land rights. – PIC COURTESY OF SARAWAK NATIVE NGOS Residents claim operations persist despite protests and environmental concerns voiced
6 NATIONALtheSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026thesun.myContact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising.03-7784 6688 [email protected] retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.Immortalising soul of demolished buildingLANGKAWI: Piles of timber, aged beams and construction debris left behind at the site of the old Kuah Hospital and Clinic may appear worthless to some, but to young architect Muhammad Ismail Rahim, they carry stories waiting to be told. Through his installation artwork titled “Nafas Tanah” (Breath of the Earth), the 34-year-old artist breathes new life into the physical remnants of the old building, transforming them into a medium that revives memories and reconnects the community with a space slowly disappearing from Langkawi’s landscape. Muhammad Ismail, from Kemaman in Terengganu, said witnessing the demolition of the old hospital firsthand left a deep emotional impact on him and prompted him to salvage pieces of the structure. “I often talk about how we frequently demolish old buildings with historical value, but when it happened right before my eyes, I felt compelled to do something. “The most immediate thing I could do at the moment was to gather as much material as possible, such as wood, stones Architect-artist turns fragments of old hospital into exhibition display as tribute to Langkawi landscapeKUALA TERENGGANU: The uniqueness of the Musing Ketang programme organised by the Terengganu Tourism Department in collaboration with Terengganu Cultural Village has drawn the interest of international tourists. Department director Datuk Tengku Mohd Ariffin Tengku A. Rahman said the programme, now in its third year, was attended by tourists from around the world, including the United States, Singapore, South Korea and several European countries. He said among the highlights of the programme were shadow puppet performances, top-spinning competitions and children’s top-spinning event. “In the Terengganu dialect, ‘Musing Ketang’ means walking back and forth within an area. Musing Ketang @ Kampung Budaya Terengganu refers to strolling or moving around the event site. “We are targeting 10,000 visitors for the three-day programme,” he said after officiating at the programme launch on Friday. The opening ceremony was officiated by State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee deputy chairman Sulaiman Sulong. Tengku Mohd Ariffin said 20 recreational and cultural activities have been lined up for visitors to experience the uniqueness of Terengganu’s culture and way of life. Among them are kite competitions featuring various states, gamelan performances, rubber seed and betel nut spinning top game, batik-making demonstrations, mengkuang weaving, wood carving and Laksa Terengganu cooking demonstrations. “This programme also supports the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign while promoting Visit Terengganu 2027. “Next year, we will increase the number of activities to attract more visitors, especially from abroad,” he said. – Berrnamalonger in use. But throughout my time in Langkawi, the demolition continued gradually. “When I returned in February, the entire site had already been flattened. I managed to collect some of the wood and materials that could still be salvaged. The challenge was figuring out how to give them a new meaning.” Muhammad Ismail said he initially planned to build a wakaf (traditional resting platform) for public use, but various site limitations eventually led the idea to evolve into a temporary installation instead. He said the artwork required him to reorganise and reconstruct the uneven pieces of reclaimed timber, and took about five days to complete with assistance from local craftsmen. “For me, this artwork serves as a bridge before something disappears completely and before it transforms into something new. It is like a temporary monument marking that phase of loss.” The father of two added that the installation also functions as a “memory holder” for a place that is no longer part of Langkawi’s physical landscape. Even after the exhibition ends, the structure will be repurposed as a resting platform and handed to the Langkawi Senior Citizens Activity Centre for community use. “If these materials had not been collected, everything would simply have vanished without a trace,” he said.Tengku Mohd Ariffin (with songkok) said the event has attracted tourists from around the world, including the United States, Singapore, South Korea and several European countries. – PIC FROM JABATAN PELANCONGAN NEGERI TERENGGANU FACEBOOK PAGEand construction materials, before everything disappeared,” he told Bernama recently. Nafas Tanah is being showcased as part of the 29th edition of Bakat Muda Sezaman (BMS29) exhibition, organised by the National Art Gallery, which runs until July 26 at several locations around Langkawi, including Pantai Taman Lagenda, Pulau Tuba Jetty, an abandoned building near the Kuah night market site and the Teluk Kedak Lake Recreational Park. Muhammad Ismail, who holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Universiti Teknologi Mara Puncak Alam, said his background as an architect strongly influences the way he interprets spaces and structures. To him, the old Kuah Hospital and Clinic was far more than an abandoned building. It embodied layers of memory, history and long-standing community connections. “When I attended the BMS29 workshop in November last year, the building was still standing, although it was no Terengganu cultural event draws international visitors
WORLD 7theSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026 Cake DecoratingVENUE SPONSOR REGISTER HERE*Terms & Conditions ApplyTH 2 PM - 5 PM19 JUNE 2026(REGISTRATION STARTSAT 1:00 PM)CONTESTCILANTRO CULINARY &PASTRY ACADEMYMAIN SPONSORTOKYO: Japan’s Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said yesterday there were no formal talks with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, although the two had a brief conversation before a dinner on Friday, without disclosing details. Akazawa was speaking to reporters after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) ministerial meetings in the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou. Akazawa is the most senior Japanese official to visit China since a diplomatic dispute between the two countries erupted in November. “Before the dinner began on Friday, I approached Minister Wang and had a brief conversation,” Akazawa said, adding he could not disclose details because it was a diplomatic exchange. He said on Friday he hoped to discuss various issues with Wang if the opportunity arose. A Japanese Trade Ministry official declined to comment on whether Tokyo had formally requested bilateral talks. A meeting between Akazawa and a senior Chinese official would have marked the highest-level engagement since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi triggered the row by saying a hypothetical attack on Taiwan could trigger a response from Tokyo. Since then, Beijing has adopted a raft of retaliatory measures, urging its citizens not to travel to Japan and choking off shipments of some rare earths, which are vital in making electric cars, weapons and other products. During the Apec ministerial meeting, Akazawa called on exporting nations to rectify arbitrary rare earth export controls, although he did not name any country. – ReutersKOLKATA: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday opened a visit to India that will include talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rubio began his four-day, four-city tour by visiting the headquarters of Mother Teresa’s charity in Kolkata. “Rubio spoke about aiding the homeless, terminally ill and those afflicted by leprosy,” Sister Marie Juan of Missionaries of Charity told China coal mine blast kills at least 90, more missingBEIJING: The death toll from a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern Shanxi province has jumped to 90, CCTV reported yesterday. The gas explosion occurred on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan ߑcounty, with 247 workers on duty underground, Xinhua news agency reported. Most of them were brought to the surface by yesterday morning. President Xi Jinping called for authorities to “spare no effort” in treating the injured and conducting search and rescue operations, while ordering a ߑthorough investigation into the cause of the accident and strict accountability. He “emphasised that all regions and departments must draw lessons from this accident, remain constantly vigilant regarding workplace safety ... and resolutely prevent and curb the occurrence of major and catastrophic accidents”. Premier Li Qiang echoed the instructions, calling for timely and accurate release of information and rigorous accountability. Rescue operations were ongoing and the cause of ߑthe accident was under investigation, according to the local emergency management authority in Qinyuan. Executives of the company responsible for the mine have been detained, Xinhua reported. Shanxi, one of China’s poorer provinces, is the centre of the country’s coal-mining activities. Mine safety in China has improved in recent decades but accidents still occur in an industry where safety protocols are often lax and regulations vague. In 2023, a collapse at an open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia killed 53 people. China is the world’s top consumer of coal and the largest greenhouse gas emitter, despite installing renewable energy infrastructure at record speed. – Reuters/AFPJapan, China meet amid diplomatic rowRubio in India to renew tiesreporters after his hour-and-ahalf-long visit. “He was happy to pray and we were also happy to have him.” Rubio then flew to New Delhi, where he was scheduled to meet Modi. Before leaving on Tuesday, Rubio will also take part in a meeting of foreign ministers of the so-called Quad – Australia, India, Japan and the United States – four democracies seen as a counterweight to China’s presence in the Indian Ocean. Ahead of the trip, Rubio called India a “great ally, great partner” and said the United States would be looking to find ways to sell it more oil. The United States was a Cold War partner of Pakistan but increasingly took a distance as it prioritised relations with India, seeing the world’s largest democracy as a natural partner in a global order. President Donald Trump has turned away from long-held assumptions and warmed to Pakistan, which has lavished him with praise over his diplomacy in its short war with India last year, and has welcomed a cryptocurrency firm owned by the US president’s family. – AFPHong Kong astronaut joins space missionBEIJING: A Hong Kong astronaut yesterday joined a Chinese space mission for the first time as part of a three-person crew. The Tiangong space station, crewed by teams of three astronauts that are rotated every six months, is the crown jewel of China’s space programme, boosted by billions in state investment in a bid to catch up with the United States and Russia. The Shenzhou-23 mission is scheduled to blast off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwestern China, carrying three astronauts to the space station, said China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) spokesman Zhang Jingbo. The team comprises Lai Kaying, hailed by state media as Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan, the spokesman said. Flight engineer Zhu, who participated in the Shenzhou-16 mission in 2023, will be the commander. “This is a test of our physical and psychological endurance, emergency response abilities, coordination and teamwork, as well as our ability to work and live in orbit,” Zhu said. “As mission commander, what I have thought about most is how to make thorough preparations in every aspect and how to lead the team in successfully completing the flight mission with zero mistakes and zero errors.” The mission’s objectives are to “continue carrying out space science and application work, conduct extravehicular activities and cargo transfer in and out of the cabin”, Zhang said. He added that one astronaut will remain on the station for a year. The one-year residency, Zhang said, will provide data on astronauts taking part in long flights and test health support capabilities. Beijing aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030. – AFPRescuers arriving at the Liushenyu coal mine after a gas explosion yesterday. – CNS/AFPPICXi orders thorough investigation(From left) Zhu, Zhang and Lai at a press conference yesterday. – REUTERSPIC
8 WORLDtheSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026 READ OUR HERE/thesun Malaysian PaperIran accuses US of ‘excessive demands’TEHRAN: Tehran accused the United States of “excessive demands” as media reports raised the prospect that Washington was mulling new military strikes. Pakistan’s army chief arrived in Tehran on Friday to bolster mediation and US President Donald Trump abruptly changed his plans to skip his son’s wedding to stay in Washington due to “circumstances pertaining to government”, fuelling speculation that the situation had entered a sensitive stage. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Tehran was engaged in the diplomatic process despite “repeated betrayals of diplomacy and military aggression, along with contradictory positions and repeated excessive demands” by the United States. Axios and CBS News, citing unnamed sources, reported the White House was considering strikes on Iran, although both added a final decision had not been made yet. Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir landed in Tehran on Friday, where he met Araghchi. – AFPTalks on nuclear disarmament failNEW YORK: Talks at the UN to reaffirm nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament goals failed on Friday. Vietnam’s Do Hung Viet, the president of the conference, said that “despite our best efforts ... it is my understanding that the conference is not in a position to achieve agreement.” “I do not intend to put the document forward for adoption.” Negotiators were reviewing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, amid fears of a renewed arms race. Previous reviews in 2015 and 2022 were also unsuccessful. With expectations low, participants negotiated over a repeatedly reviewed and watered-down text, which they ultimately failed to adopt. Experts pointed out that even in the absence of a review agreement for the third time in a row, the treaty continues to exist, but with diminished legitimacy. Exactly why the review failed is not yet known. – AFPLOS ANGELES: Tens of thousands of people were ordered to leave their homes in California on Friday after a huge chemical tank began to leak, sending toxic fumes over Thousands ordered to leave amid blast fearsa heavily populated area and posing the risk of an explosion. The tank contained 26,000 litres of methyl methacrylate, a volatile and flammable liquid used to make plastics. “There are literally two options,” Incident Commander Craig Covey said. “The tank fails and spills a total of about 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot in that area or, two, the tank goes into a thermal runaway and blows up, affecting the tanks around them that have fuel or chemicals in them as well. “We are setting up these evacuations in preparation for these two options... it fails or it blows up,” he said. Pope slams polluting companiesACERRA: Pope Leo yesterday called out companies that seek “dizzying profits” at the cost of environmental pollution, on a visit to an area in Italy known as a hotbed for illegal dumping of toxic waste. While in Acerra, about 220km south of Rome, the pope urged the world to “reject temptations of power and enrichment linked to practices that pollute the land, water, air and social coexistence”. Leo said he wanted to come to the area near Naples known as the “Land of Fires”, where the European Court of Human Rights ruled last year that authorities had failed to protect residents from waste dumping since at least 1988, to “gather the tears” of families who had lost loves ones to related illnesses. Leo was greeted by people waving flags and wearing yellow hats, some holding up posterboards with pictures of family members who had died. Leo, who will issue his first major document tomorrow, said “unscrupulous people and organisations have been allowed to act with impunity for too long”. During his four-hour visit to Acerra, he also referred to “the dizzying profits of a few, blind to the needs of people, their work and their future”. For years, collection, treatment and disposal of garbage in southern Italy was largely in the hands of a small group of private owners. In January 2025 the European court found that Italian authorities had repeatedly failed to stop illegal dumping in a region also known as the “Triangle of Death”, due to abnormally high rates of cancer among local residents. The court gave the Italian government two years to establish a comprehensive database of toxic waste sites and communicate the risks to the public. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in February 2025 appointed an Italian general to head a task force aimed at helping victims and pursuing environmental clean-up operations. – ReutersAbuse of flotilla activists reflects immoral policyRAMALLAH: Palestine on Friday condemned mistreatment of activists seized from a Gazabound aid flotilla, saying the actions of Israeli forces reflect a policy devoid of “law, human morality and human dignity”. Its Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemns the abuse and humiliation suffered by activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which headed to the Gaza Strip on a humanitarian mission, at the hands of the occupation forces and their extremist ministers.” The ministry said Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir deliberately filmed and published footage of the mistreatment of the activists while boasting about it, describing the actions as part of a broader Israeli policy rather than “an isolated incident” or “individual political showmanship”. It said the incident demonstrated how Israel has “turned collective humiliation into a declared part of its political and security doctrine”. The ministry also praised flotilla participants, commending their “courage and noble humanitarian positions”. The Palestinian presidency urged the international community to assume its “legal and humanitarian responsibilities toward the Palestinian people, lift the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and work to stop the Israeli attacks against our people, land and holy sites”. – BernamaThe incident unfolded in Garden Grove, Orange County, southeast of Los Angeles. Garden Grove police chief Amir El-Farra said about 40,000 people were affected by the evacuation order, with several thousand refusing to leave. Aerial footage filmed by TV stations showed jets of water being sprayed at the tank, which has a capacity of 34,000 gallons. Covey said later on Friday that efforts to cool the tank had been successful. “It’s down to a temperature around 61ºC, with 50ºC being its happy place, so those efforts are succeeding,” Covey said. “Our group is going to do everything they can to come up with a third, fourth and fifth option,” he said. Orange County health officer Regina Chinsio Kwong said the large exclusion zone was a necessary precaution. “If it does explode and there is vapour, you are all safe as long as you are out of the zone,” she said. She appealed for anyone who might notice “a fruity and heavy smell” to alert authorities. “Smelling it doesn’t mean you’ve reached a level that causes symptoms. But we don’t want you to smell that. So, we need to know if you’re smelling it.” No injuries had been reported by Friday evening, and there was no immediate indication as to what caused the leak. – AFPWater being sprayed on a failing tank of flammable liquid in Garden Grove, California, on Friday. – REUTERSPICToxic fumes leak triggers evacuationPope Leo arriving in Acerra yesterday. – REUTERSPIC
ALSO INSIDECreative open-air space in Langkawi boosts arts on paradise island Refreshing rainforest glamping offers nature-based hospitality and experience Fossil of Southeast Asia’s largest dinosaur found in Thailand 110 million years laterFossilargetimeless art and beauty me ess ar an eau y ThailandEnchanting collection of Nusantara wares emanates Enchanting collection of Nusantara wares emanatesSpecialdayMAY 24, 2026A 17th century Bruneian ceremonial kettle made of bronze at Pucuk Rebung Royal Gallery-Museum that depicts scenes resembling those in Antonio Pigafetta’s book on Magellan’s travels to Borneo. – SUBHADRA DEVAN/THESUN
II theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026NESTLED amid a row of shops sits a treasure trove of Malaysia’s history, gathered by an affable Henry Bong. Walking by the Pucuk Rebung Royal Gallery-Museum, your eyes are drawn to huge jars, old rusty iron boxes and a huge wooden arch all together in a corner that looks like it once belonged to a zamindar’s mansion or should be gracing the entrance of a millionaire’s home. You walk in, trying your best to avoid knocking something precious over, through a narrow entrance filled with artworks, centuries-old artefacts, pottery and jewellery in glass cases. Silver bracelets, silver waistbands, diamond-studded Nyonya and Malay-world ornaments, and books on the histories of Malaysia, the Silk Route and the Malay Archipelago greet Avid collector unravels the forgotten bonds among people from across the Nusantara regionRich tapestry of Malaysian lineage and identityseem to get my first choice. I was in Singapore, chosen for an Asean Scholarship. Went through all the interviews, got inoculated and at the end, was told there were funds for only two places. And guess who got them? The two Singaporeans, of course-lah.” Statues of the Buddha from the 17th to 19th centuries, all from Southeast Asia, with one of goddess Kuan Yin made of Blanche de Chine procelain. – SUBHADRA DEVAN/THESUNthe eyes in nooks and corners. Amid all these treasures sits Henry, an art historian and artist, who smiles cheerfully at visitors. Through black-framed spectacles, the 73-year-old Sarawakian is happy to explain the history behind each and every piece and their connections to one another. BY SUBHADRA DEVAN [email protected] posing beside a photograph of his parents taken at the Basilica of St Bernadette in Lourdes, France, in 1959. –COURTESY OF HENRY BONGIt is Sunday morning, when Bangsar’s Lucky Gardens enjoys more than its share of market-goers, shoppers and foodwanderers. “We are all part of the Nusantara. We are not built in isolation, we are built with many, many layers of influences from the peoples who have come here, to this tanahair of ours between Malaya and the Borneon Sarawak and Sabah territories,” he says. Old Peranakan lineage As we talk about Nusantara history, a young couple come browsing through. They are taken by one artefact, and Henry explains its history, cultural value and detailed work. “It’s not some old object but a living legacy really of our history,” he tells the young Malaysians. “It’s an occupational blessing really, this place that I have in Lucky Gardens. It lets you get to know so many people,” adds Henry, who is ably helped at the gallery by Terence Tay. Henry comes from a centuries-old Peranakan line. His maternal side stretches from Shanghai to Singapore to Borneo. In between showing old, black-and- white photographs of his mother's line, pointing out the twisted gold jewellery heirlooms, and of his family parties in Kuching, Henry reveals that he has a degree in agriculture from Universiti Malaya decades ago, although that field of study wasn't his first choice. “It’s strange, but in all my life I never A whole shelf is devoted to the history of Malacca with artefacts from 1511. – SUBHADRA DEVAN/THESUN
theSunday Special IIION SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026Silver and brass from the Malayan archipelago, featuring treasured buckles and belts, including Malay and Peranakan pieces. –SUBHADRA DEVAN/THESUNMalaysia’s mysticism, intangible and tangible, is on display upon entering the gallery. Note the Wayang Kulit Hikayat Anak Raja Siam on the right. – SUBHADRA DEVAN/THESUNSome of Henry’s vibrant contemporary art pieces. – SUBHADRA DEVAN/THESUNHe ended up doing agriculture at Universiti Malaya, although his first choice was pre-medicine. “I told my parents I would make it on my own steam although we were wealthy enough to fund studies overseas. “When I came to Kuala Lumpur for my studies, I was glad my older brothers had gone abroad. There was an 11-year difference between me and the next oldest sibling. An accident! “They might have persuaded me to follow them, these Colombo Plan scholars who did well overseas. And I would not have come and discovered this passion,” says Henry, gesturing towards the wonders of classical Malaysian and Asian antiques as well as contemporary art and crafts pieces inspired by the rich Malaysian culture and heritage on which his enterprise is centred. Interest sparked at age nine As an undergraduate, he was attached to the Agriculture Research Centre in Sarawak during varsity breaks. After graduation, he ended up in senior positions in banks, here and in Singapore, and finally carved himself a place in art. “Varsity days had their ups and downs. I was an odd stick in agriculture! Some campus colleagues would refer to me as ‘that artist chap’ or ‘the Suzuki guy’.” Henry says his interest in historical artefacts really started when he was nine. “My father was in senior service, under the last Rajah Brooke administration and, after World War II, with the British. When the Brunei House closed, he was able to get the tepak sireh (betel-leaf container) of Sultan Ali Shaifuddien III. I was the one polishing it every Christmas! I was very taken up by this artefact. It was exquisite. “We visited Singapore many times because we had family there on Kitchener Road. My great-grandfather married a Singapore Baba Nyonya. She wore a long kebaya, with sarong,” he says, pointing at an old photo. “My aunt there spoke only Malay patois and English,” he adds, reaching to open a book written by his cousin in I am happy doing what I do. In the early days, it was hard to get banks to understand this “fledging industry. “The entrance of the shop is already invitingly decked with curious wares. SUBHADRA DEVAN/THESUNof the movement on Malay textile heritage since 1999, when exhibitions and talks were held in Italy, Taiwan, Palais de Nations, Geneva, the National Art Gallery Kuala Lumpur and Bank Negara Malaysia, and at the International Congress of Asian Scholars and the Asean Symposium on the Heritage of the Woven Textile at Muzium Negara. In 2007, his work Textiles of Malaysia with Special Accent on Kelantan” was exhibited at the United Nations in New York. Events were also held at the premises of his Pucuk Rebung MuseumGallery, then at Suria KLCC, including fashion shows and talks with the late Malay cultural figure Azah Aziz. He was honoured as one of the Heritage & Cultural Experts of the Year –Southeast Asia in LUXlife’s Global Excellence Awards 2020. Banks, hotels and establishments showcase his artworks and collections of historical significance. His efforts and endeavours “put kebayas into encyclopaedias”. A volume of the 2007 Encyclopaedia of Malaysia set bears testimony, with Development of Local Textiles along with Peranakan & Chinese Wood-Carving, among other articles. “I am happy doing what I do. In the early days of this 29-year-old gallery enterprise, it was hard to get banks to understand this fledging industry. But fortunately, we had some enlightened top bankers who did. “So few understood the direction and significance of the business of gathering historical artefacts with a related contemporary art collection complimenting them,” Henry says, adding that one who really did understand was his royal patron, the Raja Perempuan Tengku Anis Binti AlMarhum Tengku Abdul Hamid of Kelantan. “It’s a very hard business, but it’s more about celebrating our rich cultural diversity and aesthetic wealth of Malaysia. These treasures, and I do call them that, reflect the dynamic unity in diversity of our peoples. Art and beauty are so timeless, don’t you think?”Sarawak about the Lim clan on his maternal side. “My father’s side goes back 16 generations on Borneo, between Sambas and Kuching. It’s like the book of Genesis,” he says with a laugh. He reads a paragraph aloud: “See, it’s about who begot whom, stretching back centuries. How dare they say the Peranakans have no history, no ancestry!” He pauses his recollections to offer me some fruits, and even a whiff of one of his favourite perfumes, an oud, in a fluted glass bottle. It is known for having among the most expensive raw fragrance ingredients, often referred to as “five thousand dollar per pound scent” as only a small percentage of trees produce it. “I have some Arab blood on my father’s side,” he says in a confidential tone. Vibrant textile movement After breathing in the heady air, Henry muses: “Singapore is filled with familiar childhood haunts. I went to its ‘thieves market’, Gay World Amusement Park and the museums. I totally enjoyed Singapore. I was so pissed I didn’t get that Colombo Plan scholarship.” There is no hint of rue as he mischievously smiles with that memory. “But it’s about fate, isn’t it? Rejection spurs you to achieve more, I found,” says Henry, long divorced. He calls himself a free spirit. “I was brought up in a very open environment, where birth control was discussed over dinner. Wine was drunk, caviar was sampled. And we are staunch Catholics, mind you.” The respected art historian of the Nusantara world reveals that he was part
IV theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026Tiara is shaping how Malaysia experiences nature-led luxury. A tranquil setting in Bentong where travellers disconnect from urban life.Luxury tents set amid the rainforest hills of Bentong, offering a blend of comfort and nature immersion. – ALL PICS COURTESY OF TIARA JACQUELINABENTONG: Long before “glamping” entered Malaysia’s tourism vocabulary, Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina was already imagining a different kind of escape, one in which luxury was not measured by chandeliers or marble lobbies but by silence, stillness and the ability to connect with nature. Tiara is a Malaysian actress, producer and entrepreneur best known for her acclaimed work in film and theatre, including the epic Puteri Gunung Ledang. She is the founder of Enfinity Group and Tiarasa Escapes, through which she has expanded into experiential tourism and nature-based hospitality. Nestled amid the rainforest hills of Janda Baik in Pahang, Tiarasa Escapes was never intended to be merely another resort. Conceived as Malaysia’s first glamping resort by concept, it was built around a philosophy that blended wellness, storytelling and immersive outdoor living, inspired by Tiara’s childhood experiences in nature and refined through years of luxury travel abroad. Redefining luxury vacationing in MalaysiaFrom rainforest dreams to pioneering resort, iconic local actress charts how she wove nature and wellness into hospitalityToday, as travellers increasingly move away from conventional hotel stays in search of slower, more restorative experiences, the resort reflects a wider shift reshaping the hospitality industry. Malaysia’s glamping sector is entering a more mature growth phase, fuelled by evolving travel preferences, stronger domestic tourism and post-pandemic demand for privacy, emotional wellbeing and nature-based retreats. For many travellers, accommodation is no longer the primary attraction. Increasingly, holidays are being chosen for how they make people feel, offering a chance to disconnect from routine, connect with nature and return from the trip mentally restored. In that space, glamping – which blends outdoor immersion with modern comfort – is steadily gaining ground among both local tourists and experience-driven travellers. For Tiara, however, the concept was once unfamiliar territory. “I deliberately coined and introduced the term ‘glamping resort’ to distinguish it from camping on one end and hotels on the other. “What we created was a new hospitality category altogether, one that combines immersive nature, curated comfort and storytelling-led experiences at a premium level,” she told theSun. Creating a new hospitality categoryand maintaining service standards in open, nature-based environments. “Success requires vision, discipline and a strong brand philosophy. When done properly, glamping is not a trend, it is a sustainable, experience-driven hospitality model.” The rise of intentional travelGlobal travel patterns are also influencing the direction of Tiarasa’s evolution. “Globally and across Southeast Asia, the most significant trend shaping glamping is the shift towards intentional travel, experiences that prioritise wellness, authenticity and emotional connection over volume and spectacle. “My own travels have reinforced this. The most memorable stays are not necessarily the most extravagant, but the ones where nature, design and service work quietly together to create a sense of calm and presence.”BY JOHN GILBERT [email protected] first came with challenges, particularly in educating the market on what glamping truly meant. “We had to explain that glamping is not about tents, and it is certainly not about roughing it. It is about intentional design, emotional resonance and service excellence, delivered within a natural setting. “What differentiates glamping from traditional hospitality is that value is created through experience, not scale.” At Tiarasa, she said, every aspect of the stay is carefully choreographed – from arrival and dining to wellness rituals and quiet moments in nature – creating stronger emotional connections and long-term brand loyalty. Tiara believes the real opportunity in glamping lies in differentiation and depth rather than expansion for its own sake. “The challenge lies in operational complexity, environmental sensitivity
theSunday Special VON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026The serene surroundings at Tiarasa Escapes offer guests a chance to disconnect from urban life and connect with nature. – ALL PICS COURTESY OF TIARA JACQUELINAGlamping accommodation designed to bring guests closer to nature without sacrificing comfort.That philosophy continues to shape the way Tiarasa evolves. Marketing, too, has changed dramatically in the digital age, with travellers increasingly making decisions through visual storytelling and emotional resonance long before arrival. “As a result, we focus on narrative-led marketing rather than hard selling. “At Tiarasa, we often speak about creating ‘everyday magic’, moments that feel effortless and natural to guests, but are thoughtfully designed behind the scenes. “That emotional authenticity resonates far more powerfully than traditional advertising, especially with younger and more experience-driven travellers.” Hospitality built around emotionBehind the tranquil facade lies a highly disciplined operational structure. Tiara said Tiarasa’s operations are designed around the guest journey rather than internal convenience, with every touchpoint aligned to the brand’s emotional promise. “Behind the scenes, we maintain strong operational discipline through clear SOP, preventive maintenance, inventory control and cross-trained teams. Efficiency comes from clarity, not rigidity. “Our teams are empowered to make service-led decisions on the ground, within well-defined frameworks. This balance allows us to remain agile, personal and responsive while maintaining consistency and financial control.” Dining also plays a central role in the experience. The Tiarasa Rainforest Café, originally intended to complement guest stays, has organically grown into a destination of its own, attracting both resort guests and day visitors. “When systems are strong, the experience feels effortless,” she said. Balancing luxury with sustainabilityRunning a nature-based resort comes with significant operational demands, particularly in manpower, maintenance and environmental management. Tiara said manpower remains the resort’s largest cost driver due to the personalised nature of service in an open-concept setting. “We manage this through careful workforce planning, aligning staffing levels with occupancy patterns, flexible rostering and cross-functional training. “This allows us to maintain service quality without unnecessary overheads during quieter periods.” Nature itself also presents operational challenges. “Preventive maintenance, energy efficiency and long-term planning are essential. “Cost management for us is never about cutting corners. It is about making informed, disciplined decisions that protect quality, sustainability and long-term brand value.” Hiring, she added, is guided more by attitude and emotional intelligence than technical ability. “Technical skills can be taught, but warmth, adaptability and a genuine appreciation for nature-based hospitality cannot. “Our training focuses not just on how things are done, but why they matter. When teams understand the purpose behind each detail, service becomes intuitive rather than scripted.” She said employees are encouraged to see themselves not simply as staff, but as storytellers and brand ambassadors. “When they feel connected to the experience they help create, service excellence follows naturally.” Wellness becomes the new luxury Technology and sustainability are increasingly integrated into operations at Tiarasa Escapes. This includes energy-efficient lighting, selective solar usage, water-saving systems and low-impact development approaches, alongside digital reservation and guest communication systems aimed at reducing paper usage and improving responsiveness. “Sustainability for us is practical, integrated and ongoing, not performative. “Waste reduction, minimising single-use plastics and responsible sourcing are embedded into daily operations. Our food philosophy follows the same approach – comfort-driven, responsibly sourced and thoughtfully curated.” Tiara added that travellers today are increasingly evaluating hospitality brands not only on comfort, but also on values and environmental responsibility. Post-pandemic behaviour has accelerated that shift, with guests prioritising space, privacy and emotional wellbeing over mass tourism experiences. “Wellness has shifted from an add-on to a core travel motivation. “We responded by enhancing facilities, strengthening hygiene protocols, introducing flexible booking approaches and evolving our experiences towards wellness-led stays and retreats. “These changes have reinforced our belief that glamping is about restoration, not just accommodation.” Expanding without losing authenticityDespite growing demand, Tiara said Tiarasa Escapes is taking a measured approach to expansion. “In experiential hospitality, brand integrity is everything. Once intimacy and authenticity are compromised, they are difficult to recover. “As the pioneer that introduced glamping resorts to Malaysia, we also feel a responsibility to protect the integrity of the category we helped create. We are not chasing trends, we are setting benchmarks.” Rather than rapid expansion, the focus is on deepening wellness offerings and refining the guest experience. “Wellness is not a pivot for Tiarasa, it is a natural evolution of what the brand has always stood for – slowing down, reconnecting and restoring.” On future investment decisions, she said they are guided by a single principle – whether they enhance guest experience while strengthening long-term sustainability. “Capital expenditure is focused on infrastructure upgrades, selective capacity expansion and environmentally responsible innovations. We take a disciplined approach to ensure growth supports resilience, not short-term gains.” For now, the focus remains on strengthening the Malaysian footprint before exploring regional opportunities aligned with the brand’s philosophy. “Each Tiarasa destination is designed to reflect its environment and story, rather than replicating a formula. “By balancing creativity with operational discipline, Tiarasa Escapes will continue to evolve as a category leader, not just a participant.”
VI theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026How Perak’s busiestrailway line vanished Outside of Ipoh, there are quite a few settlements that fit the definition of “sleepy town” to a tee. Places such as Tronoh and Papan are quiet places today, often populated mostly by seniors, with most youngsters having left for greener pastures in the Klang Valley. Things were not always like this. In fact, once upon a time, someone living within or around any one of these towns would have likely awoken to the sound of a train’s whistle. Although little physical evidence has been left of its existence, the Ipoh-Tronoh railway line was a very real thing. In fact, there is evidence to suggest this line was actually British Malaya’s busiest, surpassing the traffic on even Kuala Lumpur’s own railway line at the time. So, what exactly made this line special and how did it vanish into thin air? That is exactly what local filmmaker Ansell Tan, 38, has worked to answer via his YouTube documentary The Forgotten Railway of Kinta Valley. Lucky discoveryTan, a Filipino-Chinese currently residing in Ipoh, has visited several schools and public events to share his findings. According to him, he too would have known nothing about the railway had he not stumbled upon a brief mention of it in a book, Ipoh: When Tin was King by Ho Tak Ming. “It was actually just about half a paragraph,” Tan told theSun, adding he would later have the honour of meeting Ho in person while showing his documentary at an event. After stumbling upon that mention, Tan grew curious about the railway line and began digging deep to find any information available about it. An old photograph depicts a locomotive and its carriages at the Telok Anson (Teluk Intan) railway station. – ALL PICS COURTESY OF ANSELL TANIpoh-Tronoh train service acted as state’s lifeline, transporting tin, machines, peopleBy Noel Wong Yan MingA train chugs through the Malayan countryside, plumes of smoke spewing from its chimney.An old railway map of Perak, with the Ipoh-Tronoh line visible on the left.Tan giving a talk on the history of the Ipoh-Tronoh railway and the Kinta Valley.“We searched everywhere we could think of... archives in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Australia and the UK. Private collections. Online sources. “And we only found very few related things. It was just endless searching and it was depressing actually to realise most of the information does not exist in Malaysia,” he said. Eventually, Tan decided to enlist some friends to expand the search. The frustration was still boiling when he finally found an obscure report from over a century ago. The report was by a journalist who decided to hop onto the newly launched line and he described the experience of watching the world go by. Finding this report while on a family trip, it felt like a “breakthrough” moment to Tan and it would form the base of his documentary. “Without that one reporter, without that news report, we couldn’t bring (the documentary) to life.” Land of tinAccording to Tan, the construction of the railway line coincided with the growth of Perak’s tin mining industry, specifically in the Kinta Valley. “It was right in the middle of the Tin Rush,” Tan said, noting how obscure the Tin Rush is compared with the Gold Rush, a key point in American history. “Tin was one of the pillar industries of Malaya, alongside rubber. Malaya accounted for 50% of the world’s tin production, Kinta Valley was 25%.” One interesting fact about the railway’s construction, according to Tan, involves opposition from local tin miners of the time. They were apparently less than pleased at the thought of a railway running across their tin mining lands. “There was a petition actually, from the Chinese business community, against building the railway.” Of course, the British ignored the petition and proceeded with the construction anyway. The end result was a railway line stretching for 24km from Ipoh to Tronoh, passing through the towns of Menglembu, Lahat, Papan, Pusing and Siputeh. Busiest railway lineDespite the miners’ opposition, the railway actually benefitted them as it allowed the transport of heavy machinery which would have proven difficult via roads. Additionally, the train could easily ferry workers to and fro between the mines and the towns where they resided. According to an article sourced by Tan from the Scottish Geographical Magazine, the Ipoh-Tronoh train made 14 runs each day, more than the 12 runs on the Kuala Lumpur train line. This suggests the Ipoh-Tronoh line was the busiest in British Malaya at the time. The railway was also an unexpected boon for students living in the Kinta Valley. “Teachers and students received free passes, so (the students) could pursue a better education in Ipoh. Even if they lived in the other 10 surrounding mining towns, it was safe, convenient and free for them,” said Tan. An article from 1907 published in the Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle also affirmed the train’s benefit to the Kinta Valley. “We have no doubt that all classes, miners, property holders, creators, coolies and manufacturers will prove this to be the most popular line in the Peninsula.” So, where is it today? See next page
theSunday Special VII Decorating CakeON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026VENUE SPONSOR REGISTER HERE*Terms & Conditions ApplyTH 2 PM - 5 PM19 JUNE 2026(REGISTRATION STARTSAT 1:00 PM)CONTESTCILANTRO CULINARY &PASTRY ACADEMYMAIN SPONSORIgnominous end“It’s totally gone! You can’t find a single trace. During World War II, the Japanese needed raw materials to build the Death Railway between Thailand and Burma,” said Tan. To that end, many railway lines in Japanese-occupied countries were dismantled to be repurposed for the Death Railway. The Ipoh-Tronoh line was one of the casualties. Supposedly, some surviving parts of the Death Railway today have the initials “FMS” (Federated Malay States) engraved into their metalwork. Of course, the war and the occupation would come to an end with the Japanese defeat and the return of the British to Malaya. Perak’s history is deeply tied to its tin mines. – PICS COURTESY OF ANSELL TANTan believes there are lessons to be learnt from the story of the Ipoh-Tronoh railway.From page VIThe British planned to rebuild the railway, but “history repeats itself”. “After the war, the tin miners wanted to mine underneath the ‘virgin’ land which the railway used to occupy,” said Tan. The tycoons again objected to the construction of a railway, arguing roads and motorways were more than enough. In 1948, the plans to rebuild the railway were officially scrapped, with the land on which the train used to run being sold to the highest bidder. “So, the railway land was converted into mining land. And (the decision) might have made a few people wealthy for a few decades. But in the long run, it made the entire Kinta Valley, the entire state of Perak poorer.” What ifIf history went differently, said Tan, Ipoh could have had a train linking it to Lumut, giving the landlocked state capital its own port. This could have possibly put it on the same level as Kuala Lumpur or George Town. The question of “what if” has fascinated Tan for some time now, as he has seen maps of proposed railways in British Malaya which would have seen trains criss-crossing the peninsula to an impressive extent. During his research, he came across a photograph of a bus, taken in Papan in 1910. Tan dug deeper to find out more about it and he learnt it was a French-imported bus, part of a service which connected isolated towns and villages to the railway system. “So, public transport a hundred years ago was even more developed than what we have today. And we have visual proof of that,” lamented Tan. These facts and thoughts are shared with audiences whenever Tan goes around showing his documentary to students and other curious Malaysians. Among the Malaysians he hopes will benefit from the knowledge of the past is his young daughter, whom he hopes will grow up knowing the history of Ipoh, her hometown. “My wife didn’t know much about her own hometown and only started to rediscover (the place) when we came back. So, by doing this documentary, my wish is that when my daughter watches it, she will know more about her hometown and history doesn’t repeat itself.” Modern-day lessonsHe hopes the lessons of the past will play a role in how Ipoh is developed in the modern day, especially in regard to its transport network. Referring to a recent announcement regarding the construction of Ipoh Sentral, he said: “What we learnt through researching this old railway line is that Ipoh’s middle class isn’t concentrated in the centre of Ipoh, but in the surrounding suburbs where the former tin mining towns were. “If Ipoh Sentral develops a complimenting rapid bus transit system with the locations of schools in mind, which are the main cause of traffic today in Ipoh, it can open up bandwidth to prevent traffic and loss of transport time while creating economic gains. “As of now, Ipoh Sentral is like any other ‘mixed development’ you’d see in Kuala Lumpur, instead of being a real transport hub for Ipoh and the Kinta Valley. A missed opportunity.”Dismantled during Second World War, doomed to never return by greedLangkawi: Openair art galleryThe legendary island of Langkawi has unveiled a new charm as an “open-air gallery” through the 29th Bakat Muda Sezaman (BMS29) or Contemporary Young Talent art showcase.Through a site-specific approach, several An artwork floats on the sea, one of many that are being exhibited during BMS29. – ALL PICS FROM BERNAMAInstallations, sculptures placed all over paradise islandNaturally beautiful Langkawi is perfect as an open-air art destination.The exhibition features a wide range of mediums, including installations.The exhibition is ongoing until July 26.artworks are displayed not only within gallery walls but also across public spaces around Langkawi, transforming the island’s landscapes, communities and everyday life into part of the artistic experience for emerging artists. Among the locations for the artworks are the Kuah public market, Pantai Taman Lagenda, jetty and padi fields of Pulau Tuba, old Kuah hospital, Tasik Teluk Kedak recreational park, Dataran Lang and Jetty Point. Open to the public until July 26, the exhibition features a wide range of mediums, including installations, mixed media, digital art, performances and interactive works, demonstrating how contemporary art can engage deeply with space, nature and local communities. The initiative draws inspiration from international examples such as the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale in Japan, where the site-specific approach succeeded in drawing visitors to the rural area. Artist Suhaimi Fadzir, 60, told Bernama Langkawi has its own strengths as an open-air art destination due to its naturally striking landscapes. “Public art is an essential feature of major cities and reflects urban progress. Langkawi has many suitable locations. If done properly, it could become a major attraction because tourists come to Langkawi in search of unique experiences,” he said. Kuah resident Lim It Leang, 70, said programmes such as BMS29 could introduce Langkawi’s cultural identity to tourists, especially when the artworks highlight local elements. “If we create artworks inspired by local culture, it can attract visitors to explore them. To me, that makes Langkawi even more interesting and adds value to the island.”
VIII theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026EXCITING EVENT ... Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching with officials during the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day celebration held at the Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUNCULTURAL SHOWCASE ... A traditional Indian music troupe performing during one of several activities held during an event for youths at the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur. – BERNAMAPICHIGH HONOUR ... Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (left) and his deputy Mordi Bimol, presenting the National Sportswoman award to badminton mixed-doubles athlete Toh Ee Wei during a ceremony held at the National Sports Council in Kuala Lumpur. – BERNAMAPICPIOUS PLAY ... Kindergarten pupils in Shah Alam participating in a haj simulation activity organised by Persatuan Tadika Islam Malaysia at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Selangor. – BERNAMAPICDIVINE DUTY ... Revellers in Asakusa district carry a Mikoshi, a portable shrine, during the Sanja Matsuri or Sanja Festival, one of the three largest Shinto festivals in Tokyo, Japan. – REUTERSPICLIGHTBuddhlanterparadto celBuddKorea
theSunday Special IXON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026NEW BREED ... A quad of young trishaw riders ready to serve visitors to the Unesco World Heritage Site in George Town, Penang. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUNSPIKY AND SWEET ... Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (centre) on a site visit to a harvest event at an MD2 pineapple farm in Kota Raja, Klang. – BERNAMAPICHEFTY HAUL ... Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar (centre) addressing the media during a press conference on the dismantling of a major narcotics syndicate and seizure of drugs valued at RM17.8 million. – BERNAMAPICT ENLIGHTENMENT ... hist devotees carrying rns march during a e ahead of Vesak Day lebrate the birthday of ha in Seoul, South a. – REUTERSPIC
X theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026ADHD medication found to ease cancer-related fatigueSYDNEY: Cancer-related fatigue, one of the most common and hard-to-treat side effects of the disease and its treatments, can be eased by drugs widely prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new analysis found. The results may be especially relevant as cancer diagnoses are on the rise among young adults who are balancing careers and family responsibilities during treatment, the researchers said. “Our findings show that a well-established, accessible medication can provide meaningful relief within weeks,” said study leader Dr Bruno Almeida Costa of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre. His team reviewed data from nine randomised, placebo-controlled trials involving 823 adults who were undergoing active treatment or who had late-stage disease. Patients who received the psychostimulants methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate, sold by Novartis under the brand names Ritalin and Focalin, had significantly improved fatigue scores compared with those who had a placebo. According to a report of the study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, these drugs have the “longest-standing and best-documented safety records among actively prescribed controlled substances”. “The benefit is not fully apparent in the first couple of weeks, but by around five weeks, it reaches a level that genuinely matters in terms of patients’ daily energy and function,” said Costa. “For people dealing with a symptom that can be profoundly disabling, that is a meaningful contribution.” The modest improvements increased further by week eight, the researchers found. The drugs should not replace established methods to manage cancer-related fatigue, such as exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy and mind-body practices, but could provide earlier relief while those strategies take effect, the researchers said. In a separate study, an analysis of data from more than 25 million pregnancies found that the use of antidepressants while pregnant does not raise the child’s risk for developmental disorders such as autism, contradicting assertions by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy had said, without evidence, certain antidepressants pose such a risk to foetuses, and has also linked vaccines to autism, a debunked theory contrary to established science. The causes of autism are unclear. Scientists speculate that its neurological characteristics may develop in utero, when the foetal brain is being wired. “Our study provides reassuring evidence that commonly used antidepressants do not increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, in children,” said study leader Dr Wing-Chung Chang of the University of Hong Kong. The researchers analysed data from 37 earlier studies involving nearly 650,000 pregnancies with antidepressant use and nearly 25 million unexposed pregnancies. Children of mothers who took antidepressants in pregnancy were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with autism or ADHD, they found. But the associations became significantly weaker, or statistically insignificant, after accounting for the mothers’ mental health, family history, genetics and other variables that could increase the risk of neurodevelopmental Modest improvements in daily energy level and function increased further by week eight: Studydisorders, the researchers reported in The Lancet Psychiatry. “This is a really important point that is easy to get wrong,” said University of Leeds obstetrics and gynecology professor emeritus Dr James Walker, who was not involved in the study. “If you simply compare children whose mothers took antidepressants with children whose mothers did not, you may find a difference. But that does not mean the medicine caused the difference.” Higher risks for autism and ADHD were also seen in children whose fathers used antidepressants while mothers were pregnant, and in those whose mothers had used them before, but not during, pregnancy, further suggesting that use in pregnancy does not explain the increased risks, the researchers said. “A father’s medication obviously cannot reach the baby in the womb, so this pattern is very hard to explain by anything other than shared family traits,” said Walker. Higher doses of antidepressants did not increase children’s risks, which is another reason to doubt that the medicines are to blame, he added. In women with pre-existing mental health disorders, the older antidepressants amitriptyline and nortriptyline were linked with increased ADHD and autism risk in children. Those drugs are typically reserved for patients whose depression has not responded to other treatments, suggesting that women treated with them may have had more complicated mental health conditions that could have influenced their children’s risks for ADHD and autism, the researchers said. Amitriptyline and nortriptyline are so-called tricyclic antidepressants. They do not belong to the class of widely used antidepressants that Kennedy had most heavily criticised as a cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes, which are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. For pregnant women with mild depression, non-pharmacological treatments such as psychotherapy might be preferred, the researchers said. However, antidepressants should never be withheld during pregnancy solely because of inconsistent and potentially confounded reports of neurodevelopmental risk, they added. “Abrupt discontinuation might worsen maternal depression, which in itself is associated with adverse outcomes for both mothers and children.” In the United Kingdom, mental health disorders are the leading cause of maternal mortality in the year following childbirth, said King’s College London obstetrician Dr Anita Banerjee, who was not involved in the study, reinforcing that under-treated maternal mental illness carries its own serious risks. – ReutersThese drugs have the longest-standing and best-documented safety records among actively prescribed controlled “substances.“The drugs should not replace established methods to manage cancer-related fatigue, such as exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy and mind-body practices, but could provide earlier relief while those strategies take effect. – PEXELSPICThe results may be especially relevant as cancer diagnoses are on the rise among young adults who are balancing careers and family responsibilities during treatment. – PEXELSPIC
theSunday Special XION SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026Thai team finds bones of largestdinosaur in Southeast AsiaBANGKOK: About 113 million years ago, along a meandering river in a warm and arid region that is now Thailand, a plant-eating behemoth almost 27m-long browsed among the treetops without much fear of predators due to its sheer size. This was Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, which is the largest-known dinosaur from Southeast Asia. Researchers have unearthed skeletal remains of Nagatitan, a member of the dinosaur lineage called sauropods known for having a long neck, long tail, small head and four columnar legs. The fossils of this Cretaceous Period dinosaur were first spotted by a villager in Thailand’s northeastern province of Chaiyaphum. Scientists over a period of years then dug up spine, rib, pelvis and leg bones, including a front leg bone (the humerus) measuring 1.78m. Based on the dimensions of its humerus and femur (the corresponding hind leg bone), the researchers estimated Nagatitan’s body mass at between 25 and 28 tonnes. Its head and teeth were not among the fossils recovered but the researchers have a good idea of its feeding preferences based on other sauropods. “Nagatitan was probably a bulk browser that focused on consuming high volumes of vegetation that required little to no chewing, such as conifers and possibly seed ferns,” said University College London palaeontology doctoral student Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, who is also lead author of the research published in the journal Scientific Reports. The climate was probably subtropical, with some forests but also savanna-like and shrubland habitats. Nagatitan lived alongside various other dinosaurs as well as flying reptiles called pterosaurs. The rivers were teeming with crocodiles and fish, including freshwater sharks. The ecosystem’s largest predator was a relative of the giant African meat-eating dinosaur Carcharodontosaurus, which was probably about 8m-long and around 3.5 tonnes. “At that size, it was dwarfed by Nagatitan. At full size, Nagatitan likely had very little to fear in terms of predation,” said Sethapanichsakul. Predators probably avoided attacking healthy adults of any large sauropod species because of the danger of being squashed. But they may have targeted old or sick adults or babies. “Indeed, sauropods are known to have grown very quickly after hatching, and this probably relates to the dangers of predation. The sooner sauropods could become large, the safer they were because they would have been more difficult to tackle,” said University College London paleontologist and study co-author Paul Upchurch. Sauropods included the largest land animals in Earth’s Sethapanichsakul posing with the humerus of Nagatitan at the Sirindhorn Museum in Kalasin Province, Thailand. – REUTERSPICThe name Nagatitan references ‘Naga’, a serpent-like being in some Asian religious traditions, prominently depicted in various Thai templesA model skeleton of Nagatitan displayed at the Thainosaur Museum in Bangkok. – AFPPIC“titan” because the region became a shallow sea later in the Cretaceous Period, meaning no more sauropods would live there. Nagatitan provides insight into sauropod diversity in the region. Not many sauropods are known from Southeast Asia and Nagatitan is the largest and the geologically youngest of them. Nagatitan belonged to a subgroup of sauropods that possessed bones with lots of internal air sacs and thin walls, lightening their skeletons. This group originated around 140 million years ago, achieved a global distribution and, around 90 million years ago, became the only sauropods left worldwide, thriving until the dinosaur age ended 66 million years ago with an asteroid impact. Nagatitan was probably a bulk browser that focused on consuming high volumes of vegetation that required little to no chewing, such as conifers and possibly seed ferns.““Nagatitan lived at a time when Earth’s atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were climbing, corresponding to high global temperatures. “Sauropods seem to have become particularly large at this time, with gigantic forms living in South America, China, probably North Africa, and now, with Nagatitan, Southeast Asia,” said Upchurch. “This possible relationship between large body size and high climatic temperatures is not fully understood, but it is likely that the high temperatures had an impact on the plant fodder that was important to sauropods, which were very large-bodied herbivores. “Nagatitan gives a glimpse of the period leading up to the eventual peak in body size and temperatures about 10 to 15 million years later.” – Reutershistory. Nagatitan was huge, but not on the scale of some South American sauropods, such as Argentinosaurus as well as Patagotitan, that topped 30m-long. Nagatitan’s name references Naga, a serpent-like being in some Asian religious traditions that is prominently depicted in various Thai temples. In all, there are 14 named dinosaurs known from Thailand. The names of several large sauropods include the word “titan”. Sethapanichsakul said it might be appropriate to call Nagatitan Southeast Asia’s last Cake DecoratingVENUE SPONSOR REGISTER HERE*Terms & Conditions ApplyTH 2 PM - 5 PM19 JUNE 2026(REGISTRATION STARTSAT 1:00 PM)CONTESTCILANTRO CULINARY &PASTRY ACADEMYMAIN SPONSOR
XII theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026ENDANGERED Egyptian vultures, with their vivid yellow face and white plumes, would usually be nesting across the Balkans in their dozens by April. But experts tracking the rare birds say local teams have struggled to find more than a handful in recent weeks, raising fears the wars in the Middle East may have further disrupted their already perilous journey from Africa. “The war is adding to the risks already present along their migration route,” Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds project manager Nikolai Petkov told AFP. From electrocution to poaching, the scavenger birds face many hazards on its 5,000km annual migration to its Balkan breeding grounds. “The Middle East is a crucial migration corridor and the war can have a considerable impact on this already sharply declining population,” said Xhemal Xherri from the group Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania. With thousands of people killed in bombing campaigns and the threat of further military action, any information on the impact on wildlife is hard to find, even for experts. “Bombardments disturb not only Waiting for vultures to arriveAn Egyptian vulture flies high in the sky over Gjirokaster, Albania. Residents walk past a mural depicting an Egyptian vulture, raising awareness about one of the world’s most threatened vulture species. – ALL PICS FROM AFPDOZENS of preening peacocks looking for love have colonised a seaside village in Italy, strutting their stuff for the ladies but infuriating human residents with their spring mating season screams. The birds with their irisdescent, sweeping trains perch on rooftops and fences across Punta Marina, a village on the Adriatic Sea coast in the Emilia Romagna region, east of Bologna. Their booming numbers have split the town in two – one side thinks they should be left alone, the other wants them taken to more suitable pastures. The once-revered creatures appear throughout nearby Ravenna’s prized mosaics as a symbol of immortality, but 81-year-old Marco Manzoli, a retired bus driver, said they were essentially delinquents who poo a lot. “The population has boomed over 30 years and it’s too big now. They disrupt sleep, disrupt traffic and dirty the ground with ice-cream-like excrement, which we then step on. “The peacocks climb onto the cars... and scratch them,” Manzoli said, creating fears “tourists won’t come on holiday anymore unless they have a garage to park their car in.” Although not officially counted, the birds are reported to number some 120. ‘Something magic’Pastry chef Claudio Ianiero, 64, told AFP peacocks have long lived in the pine forest behind the village but began seeking safety from predators by nesting in the gardens of abandoned houses. A visitor taking a picture of a wild peacock in Punta Marina. – ALL PICS FROM AFPWar imperils yearly odyssey of rare birds to BalkansThe peacocks are a fierce topic of contention in the village.Villagers complain the peacocks’ loud mating calls are disrupting the peace.Egyptian vultures but also many other birds,” he said, adding that the decline of the specific species could be a wider signal. Stark declineIn the last 30 years, their numbers have fallen by 80% in the Balkans, according to Petkov, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the species as endangered worldwide. Due to their key role in clearing carcasses, which prevents the spread of disease, conservationists and NGOs have long pushed efforts to protect the birds across their range. Protecting resting places along with breeding programmes has helped their numbers improve slightly in Bulgaria, where the majority of the vultures now nest in the Balkans, Petkov said. But they remain particularly vulnerable to accidental poisoning from bait use on farmland, which often means the birds eat tainted carrion. Waiting hopefully In the rugged wilderness of southern Albania, the shepherds of Salaria are usually the first to notice the vultures return as a signal of the coming European spring. As the season nears its end, they have recently spotted two soaring over their flocks. Even for experts such as Xherri, it took hours of scouring mountainous nesting sites to confirm the shepherds’ report. “Good news!” he exclaimed, as he squinted through binoculars at the white dot descending onto a ledge about 400m up a rockface. He would have another long wait before confirming a second of Europe’s smallest vultures had also safely returned to its lofty perch. The painstaking nature of the work makes it almost impossible to know how many actually reached nests in Albania, even before the war. But Petkov remained optimistic, suggesting they may have delayed their journey due to colder weather earlier this year. “So, they might be a bit late. But hopefully, as we often say, you count the birds in autumn.” “Out there they have many natural enemies such as wolves and foxes. Here however, they have none and they are proliferating in a way that is difficult to control,” he said. As a peacock neared the window of the bakery, Ianiero denied frenzied media reports of an invasion, a sanitary emergency or locals being forced to move away. The chef, who boasts peacock biscuits among his delicacies, says locals have lived in harmony with them for years. The crested birds in their myriad blues are “something magic” for Punta Marina, he said. But Mara Capasso, a 57-year-old supermarket cashier, said she had neighbours woken nightly by mating calls. The peacock problem had “split the town into two factions,” she said. The birds should be “taken to pine forests, woods, places where they can be in their habitat because they should never live on concrete. They need to be in their natural environment,” she said. Peacock ‘ranger’Ravenna city council has toyed with various strategies to manage the population over the years. But an attempt to relocate them in 2022 fell through largely due to opposition from animal rights groups. It may have more success now, for “we are getting adoption offers from all over Italy,” Ianiero said. Although the council launched a campaign in 2024 to instruct locals and holidaymakers on how to live alongside the birds – such as not feeding them – local Emanuele Crescentini said more must be done. Kitted out in a fluorescent orange jacket, 50-year-old Crescentini said he had appointed himself a peacock “ranger”, walking the streets to protect the birds from irate locals. “There’s plenty of space in Punta Marina, they could spread out everywhere and cause no trouble at all. We could set an example of intelligent and mature coexistence. It can be done,” he said. Xherri fears the war’s impact on the vultures.Wild peacocks bring unexpected delight, despair to Italian village
THE Honda Prelude is an icon that was almost relegated to the pages of history, until last year when Honda reincarnated it in its sixth-generation form after it had disappeared for a quarter of a century. There were entire generations that never knew how iconic the Prelude was, until now. First introduced in 1979, the Prelude has long been the go-to car for those wanting something stylish to drive. The second and third generations of the Prelude were icons of the pop-up headlight era, offering a low-slung, sleek silhouette together with technologies that were far ahead of time. While many modern car makers rave about their four-wheel steering innovations, Honda did it back in the late 80s when it was introduced in the third-generation Prelude. This innovation gave the Prelude impressive agility, despite it not being all that powerful. Now, this same innovation and sleek design are seen in the modern-day Prelude which, despite being shown in Malaysia a few times already, is now set to make its official debut. THE BACKGROUNDHonda Malaysia organised a drive event where select members of the automotive media were given a chance to drive the new Prelude around the south track of the Sepang International Circuit. For some of us, the other highlight of the event was being able to talk to the Large Project Leader of the new Honda Prelude, Tomoyuki Yamagami – basically, the brains behind the project. Having the man who ideated and built the car is a special opportunity; we don’t always get the chance to pick the brains of those who envisioned a vehicle. During his product brief, there was one thing Yamagami mentioned that stuck with me: he said that Honda created the car first and only later decided on a name. I thought that to be odd, because it means Honda never set off to build a replacement for the Prelude. It just became the Prelude. Yamagami explained that his team wanted to create a car that people enjoyed driving with their partner – a car they could drive every day that looked good at the same time. After conceptualising that, they looked into the Honda naming catalogue and decided that “Prelude” suited the car best. here was no objection from upper management, so they went with it. Yamagami also said the car was challenging to build given today’s expectations for sports cars, but they managed to build something so special that he ended up buying one. The President of Honda Motor Co Ltd, Toshihiro Mibe, drives the new Prelude as well. THE POWERTAINThe new Prelude uses the same powertrain found in the Honda Civic e:HEV RS Hybrid. The system comprises a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, Atkinson-cycle engine, a drive motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack. Combined system output is rated at 200hp at 5,000rpm and 315Nm of torque from zero rpm. Just like the system in the Civic hybrid, the engine exists to power the generator which supplies electricity for the electric motor. It also assists in channelling torque to the wheels and recharges the battery. It provides instant torque from a standstill, acceleration is impressive. The electric drive motor directly powers the wheels while the generator starts the engine and powers the car’s systems simultaneously. THE DIFFERENCE Though the overall powertrain is the same as the current-generation Civic hybrid, there are differences in two key areas. First up is the S+ Shift system. This feature is unique to the Prelude for now; it is there to amplify the driving character and add a sportier touch to an otherwise straightforward powertrain. Recall how I mentioned that the Prelude does not have a gearbox. In the Civic hybrid, Honda added augmented sounds of gears shifting to provide auditory excitement. The Prelude takes it a step further: you don’t just hear it, you feel it, just as you feel gearshifts taking place in a sports car. It is nearly identical to the feeling of shifting gears with Porsche’s PDK dualclutch system, which Honda’s engineers used as a benchmark. When S+ Shift is engaged via the butpowered byContributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / [email protected]: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] AdvertisingT: 03-7784 8888 SCAN ME E: [email protected] seats are unique to the PreludeThe engine is the same as the Civic hybrid.Prelude rebornBY KESHY DHILLONAn icon returns with revolutionary spiritSUNDAY | MAY 24, 2026Digital instrument cluster changes display according to driving mode.
XIV theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026ton on the centre console, the system mimics gear shifts by piping the sound into the cabin and through lightningquick power cuts. If you have ever driven a car with a dual-clutch transmission, you will know how it feels. This makes the car feel like it is shifting gears, which is essential to the excitement of a sports car. This sensation gets louder and quicker when GT mode is selected. What Honda has achieved here is nothing short of revolutionary. THE DRIVE Some cars don’t need a huge amount of power to be categorised as good-handling vehicles, and the Prelude is one of them. After half a day of throwing the car around a slalom course, an acceleration test, and the south track of Sepang, one thing stood out: the Prelude is undoubtedly fun to drive when the road is right. And the “right road” for it is one that is tight and curvy. That it handles well is no surprise, as the Prelude shares its platform, suspension components, and Brembo braking system with the firebreathing Civic Type R. However, it also comes with Enhanced Agile Handling Assist. This system automatically and gently brakes the inner wheel when cornering, acting as an anchor to help the front tuck in. You feel it most in tight corners. The front end is lively and happy to be thrown around; I reckon the Prelude will truly come alive on the small roads of Janda Baik or Fraser’s Hill rather than the wide, fast-flowing corners of Sepang. THE VERDICTHalf a day with the Prelude is far from enough to tell you whether to put your money down. But just like its predecessors, it offers revolutionary technology and a fun-to-drive character. The fact that it shares a large part of its interior with the Civic is a slight disappointment, but it is a comfortable cabin with all the creature comforts, such as a Bose sound system and large digital displays, wireless CarPlay. It now comes down to how Honda Malaysia will price it. If the team pulls off a miracle and prices it close to the RM240,000 that the Prelude costs in Indonesia, they might just have a winner on their hands. If it is priced too close to the Civic Type R, they could have a social media storm on their hands. SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 2.0-litre, Atkinson-cycle, fourcylinder Power: 200hp @ 5,000rpm Torque: 315Nm @ 0rpm Transmission: None (Dual motor hybrid system) Price: Not yet announced We like: S+ Shift is revolutionary; fun handling. We don’t like: Interior is too similar to the Civic.You get wireless Carplay and Google software as well.Same Brembo brakes as Civic Type R.Ample storage for long distance drives.Rear seats are good for kids and to keep your belongings.The interior is nearly identical to the Honda Civic.
theSunday Special XVON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026MERCEDES-BENZ Malaysia has launched the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe Nightfall Edition, priced at RM518,888 on-theroad without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia. The Nightfall Edition is locally assembled (CKD) and marks the second Nightfall Edition model introduced here, following the GLA Nightfall Edition. As the name suggests, the main changes are visual. The GLC 43 Coupe Nightfall builds on the AMG exterior Night package with AMG Night package Exterior II, adding dark chrome detailing across the radiator trim, model badges on the fenders and rear, as well as the rear Mercedes star. It also gets an AMG fuel filler cap in silver chrome with AMG lettering and black accents, along with AMG Real Performance Sound. The latter allows drivers to adjust the engine sound character, ranging from Balanced to Powerful. Like the standard GLC 43, power comes from an AMG (M139L) 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 421hp and 500Nm. The engine is paired with a belt-driven starter generator that provides an additional 14hp boost when needed. The 48V mild hybrid system also enables coasting and energy recuperation functions. The GLC 43 4Matic Coupe does 0 to 100kph in 4.5 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 250kph. The GLC43 is also equipped with rear-axle steering of up to 2.5°, AMG Ride Control suspension and AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission. Other exterior equipment includes 21-inch AMG Y-spoke alloy wheels, silver-painted brake calipers, Digital Light headlamps and a panoramic sliding sunroof. Inside, the cabin features AMG sport seats in Artico man-made leather, AMG carbon-fibre trim, an AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather, MBUX with AMG-specific displays and a Burmester 3D surround sound system. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is also offering the GLC 43 4Matic Coupe Nightfall Edition with Agility+, starting from RM6,688 per month.How technology is changing modern car buyer expectationsBUILDING on my review of the Honda Prelude in the past two pages, a car that comes with never-beforeseen technologies, it had me wondering about modern day car buyers. These days, it seems like car buyers are only interested in a handful of features such as the size of the infotainment system, acceleration times, type of audio system and others like the size of the panoramic roof. Where did we get it so wrong? What happened to buying a car for the way it drives? What happened to appreciating a car for its mechanicals like its engine? Driving the new Prelude was a nostalgic event for me. It took me back to the early 90s when I drove my first ever sports car; the thirdgeneration Prelude. It came with four-wheel steering, which completely blew my teenage mind back then. It took me some time to understand it, but I felt the system working as the car cut through corners on a knife’s edge. I’ll never forget how I felt back then, just like how you never forget your first kiss. Fast forward to 2026, I am now in my 40s and driving the latest generation Prelude around Sepang Circuit. Once again, it is a technological wonder. Honda’s S+ Shift is a revolutionary new system that mimics gear shifts for a car that does not come with a gearbox. Just to bring you up to speed, the powertrain of the Prelude includes a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine, an electric generator and an electric motor that sends power directly to the wheels. Because the electric motor drives the wheels, there is no need for a gearbox. Power is immediate and linear; it is like driving an electric car. But therein lies the problem. There is no joy in driving a car without the huffing and puffing of gearshifts. It is a sensationless, sterile feeling. Honda recognised that as well and worked on fixing it. They first added augmented sounds of gearshifts to the Civic hybrid about three years ago. The Civic runs on the same powertrain as the Prelude, and it has a system that mimics the sound of gears shifting that is piped into the cabin through the speakers. It sounds good, but you know it is fake. Some liked it, but the social media war mongers had a field day criticising it. Honda did not just give up but set out to build on that. And now it comes with something called S+ Shift. This does not only create the sound of gears shifting but also comes complete with power cuts as the augmented gears shift upwards or downwards. Imagine shifting gears in a manual car. You will first engage the clutch, which cuts power to the engine, then you select whichever gear you want to be in. You feel that very short loss of power. The S+ Shift feature in the Prelude works that way as well, but it shares more in common with Porsche’s PDK or Volkswagen’s DSG dualclutch systems. It is quick, precise and you feel a short but satisfying thud when the system cuts power as it selects the next gear. I applaud Honda for this engineering genius. This is what car makers are all about – innovation. We live in a time where too many car makers are simply copying what the other car maker is doing and making it cheaper. Very rarely do we see true innovation like what Honda has just achieved. The Honda Prelude makes a return after two and a half decades, and now it is more of a Grand Tourer (GT) rather than an all-out sports car. Never discount Honda because when it truly matters, the company delivers every single time. Don’t believe me? Just search which engine provider powered Max Verstappen to his four world championships.WRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLONAMG after darkNightfall edition arrives with stealthier styling and local assembly
XVI theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2026GEELY has won its first ever race in the top-tier FIA TCR World Tour and achieved the victory in just the first round in its first ever season. Chinese racing driver Ma Qinghua was the hotshoe behind the wheel of the Geely Preface TCR that took the chequered flag ahead of the field. Victory came in Race 2 of Round 1 of the 2026 TCR World Tour that was held at Italy’s Misano circuit. Running on the reverse grid format from Race 1 the day before, Ma started in third before diving into second at the first corner of Lap 1. He then took the lead, keeping the rest of the field behind to win the 15-lap race. The win was the cherry on top as Geely took third in Race 2, following its first ever podium in Race 1 the day before. Geely’s race programme is managed by Swedish racing firm Cyan Racing. The outfit was founded as Polestar Racing to run Volvo racing programmes and is now the official motorsport partner of Geely Group Motorsport Prior to this, Cyan Racing was running Geely’s sub-brand Lynk & Co cars in the TCR World Tour before principle Geely stepped in and announced its participation at the end of last year. Cyan Racing’s participation with Lynk & Co saw them win six world championships in the manufacturer category and three world championships in the driver’s category. Now the outfit runs the new Geely Preface TCR, which is distantly related to the Lynk & Co 03 TCR as both are underpinned by Volvo’s CMA platform. Road-going versions of both cars are powered by Volvo’s 2.0-litre fourcylinder turbo Drive-E engine and the manufacturer of the engine, Sweden’s Aurobay, was acquired by Horse Powertrain, of which Geely owns a stake i0n. TCR World Tour race cars are highly modified, front-wheel-drive production-based touring cars that must be based on the same bodyshell and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine as the production road cars. Output is closely regulated to approximately 340PS with strict Balance of Performance (BoP) implementation for door-to-door racing. Other cars in the series include the likes of the Honda Civic Type-R, Hyundai Elantra N and Cupra Leon VZ.MARRYING heritage and modern mobility, BYD Malaysia and Sime Motors have opened the doors to the former’s latest centre in the country, BYD Mansion Macalister in the heart of George Town, Penang. The meticulously restored heritage property was transformed into the brand’s northern flagship showroom, joining BYD’s nationwide network of more than 43 showrooms and over 25 dedicated aftersales centres. Simultaneously celebrated during the opening was the 5,000th BYD owner in the northern region, reflecting the growing confidence in electric mobility beyond the borders of the Klang Valley. BYD Mansion Macalister is located in a beautifully restored landmark and designed to be more than just any showroom. It features dedicated consultation lounges, integrated digital touchpoints and personalised customer spaces. Beyond infrastructure, BYD Malaysia and Sime Motors continue to invest in people through ongoing training programmes for technicians, sales advisors and aftersales professionals. This ensures Malaysian customers benefit from globally certified EV expertise and high quality support right at their doorstep. As EV adoption continues to grow nationwide, BYD Sime Motors remains focused on delivering reliable customer care through accessible aftersales support, backed by a 95% aftersales parts fill rate to lessen downtime and smoothen the ownership experience. The launch was graced by t he presence of Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, and H’ng Mooi Lye, Penang State Executive Councillor for Local Government and Town & Country Planning. “Our commitment to Malaysia reflects BYD’s global vision of making sustainable mobility accessible to all. We continue to channel our technological innovations and research capabilities into this market because we believe in Malaysia’s electric future,” said Liu Xueliang, vice president of BYD Co Ltd and General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division.“Our continuous investment in upskilling local talent in EV technologies and bringing in the latest technology and products to Malaysia also demonstrates our long-term promise to the nation.” ANDROID AUTO GETS FRESH REDESIGN, YOUTUBE SUPPORTGoogle has announced a major refresh for Android Auto and vehicles with Google built-in, introducing a redesigned interface, new personalisation features and expanded app support including YouTube. The update comes as Google revealed there are now more than 250 million Android Auto compatible vehicles on the road worldwide. Android Auto’s new interface adopts Google’s Material 3 Expressive design language, featuring updated animations, richer colours and improved personalisation. Users will also be able to customise widgets for weather updates, favourite contacts and shortcuts, while Google Maps gains an edge-to-edge display layout compatible with various screen shapes, including Mini’s circular infotainment display. A key addition is YouTube support, allowing users to watch videos while parked, particularly useful for EV owners waiting during charging sessions. Video playback will automatically stop once the vehicle is shifted into gear, although audio will continue. Google also confirmed Dolby Atmos support for compatible apps and vehicles, alongside refreshed interfaces for Spotify and YouTube Music. Gemini AI integration will enable users to ask vehicle-specific questions, such as explanations for dashboard warning lights or cargo space dimensions. Google Maps will further benefit from front-facing vehicle cameras, improving live lane guidance and navigation accuracy. Zoom support is also arriving for compatible systems, enabling users to join meetings directly from their vehicles. The updates are expected to roll out later this year, beginning with selected models from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Renault, Skoda and Volvo. JAC UNVEILS NEW N90 LIGHT-DUTY TRUCKJAC Auto (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has unveiled its allnew JAC N90 light-duty truck at the Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo 2026 held at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC). The sixth-generation N90 enters the 7.5-tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) segment, offering multiple wheelbase configurations ranging from 3,365 mm to 4,800 mm to suit various commercial applications such as cargo transport, refrigerated units and construction operations. Powered by a Cummins B4.5 Euro V engine paired with an Eaton-Fuller ESO-6106A transmission, the truck produces 160PS and 540Nm of torque. JAC said the powertrain delivers improved fuel efficiency, with an estimated 3-5% reduction in fuel consumption at highway speeds. The cabin comes equipped with an air-suspension seat, adjustable armrest, 10.4-inch multimedia touchscreen and LCD instrument cluster for enhanced driver comfort. Safety features include ABS, ASR, hill-start assist and electronic stability control (ESC). Priced from RM118,000 for the bare chassis, the N90 is available at authorised JAC dealerships nationwide. It comes with a six-year or 300,000km warranty, alongside a complimentary 10,000km free service programme. JAC International general manager Oscar Yu said the N90 reflects the company’s commitment to delivering advanced and high-performance commercial vehicles through collaborations with global partners such as Cummins, Volkswagen and Huawei. SHORTSPenang gets BYD mansionPerfect startGeely’s maiden FIA TCR outing ends in historic triumph
PUZZLES 9theSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026GIANTS VS TITANS Gamification for a better planet from FIRST RAYSolve The Phrase And SudokuAnswers will be uploaded on Sunday, May 31 @ thesun.my/puzzles
10 HOROSCOPEtheSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026ARIES March 21 – April 19You may feel motivated to move quickly towards your goals and handle tasks that have been waiting for your attention. Your confidence helps you take the lead, but patience allows you to avoid unnecessary stress. A conversation may require you to listen more carefully before reacting. Clear communication helps keep situations smooth and prevents misunderstandings. Focusing on one responsibility at a time helps you feel more organised. Someone may appreciate your honesty.TAURUS April 20 – May 20You may feel drawn toward stability, comfort and routines that help you feel secure. Familiar surroundings bring a sense of peace and clarity. Practical decisions support steady progress, especially in daily matters. Someone may rely on your dependable nature and your support may be deeply appreciated. Being open to small changes could make your life easier. Avoid holding onto habits that no longer help you grow. Simple pleasures and quiet moments help you recharge emotionally. When you trust your own pace instead of comparing yourself to others, your confidence grows naturally and steadily.GEMINI May 21 – June 20Your thoughts may feel active and full of curiosity, making conversations especially meaningful and engaging. You may feel inspired to learn something new or share your ideas openly. However, too many distractions at once may leave you feeling mentally tired, so staying organised becomes important. Writing down plans or setting clear priorities can help you stay focused. A conversation may offer a new perspective or solve a lingering question. Personal connections improve when you give others space.CANCER June 21 – July 22 Your emotional awareness may feel stronger, helping you understand situations and people more deeply. You may feel comforted by familiar places, supportive conversations, or quiet moments alone. A heartfelt discussion could strengthen trust and bring reassurance. Be mindful not to absorb too much of other people’s stress or emotions. Protecting your own peace is important. Daily tasks feel easier when approached gently instead of rushing through them. Taking time to rest and reflect helps you feel more balanced. When you trust your feelings, you take care of your emotional needs.VIRGO Aug 23 – Sept 22You may feel focused on improving routines, organising tasks and bringing more structure into your daily life. Attention to detail helps you stay productive and feel more in control. However, try not to be too critical of yourself when things are not perfect. Small improvements still create meaningful progress over time. Someone may appreciate your thoughtful advice or practical support. Planning ahead helps reduce stress. Allowing some flexibility makes unexpected changes easier to handle. LIBRA Sept 23 – Oct 22You may feel a strong desire for balance and harmony. Calm and honest communication helps resolve misunderstandings and strengthen trust. You may feel drawn toward peaceful surroundings or creative activities that help you relax and recharge. Decisions become easier when you consider your own needs and the feelings of others. Avoid staying silent simply to keep the peace. Cooperation leads to smoother outcomes and stronger connections. When you express yourself gently but honestly, your relationships feel more supportive.SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 – Dec 21You may feel inspired by new ideas, conversations or experiences that spark your curiosity and excitement. Your positive outlook helps you stay motivated even when plans shift unexpectedly. Staying focused is important so your energy does not become scattered. A meaningful conversation may provide direction or inspire a fresh perspective. Avoid rushing important decisions without taking time to think them through. Exploring something unfamiliar may bring enjoyment and personal growth.CAPRICORN Dec 22 – Jan 19You may feel focused on responsibilities, practical matters and long-term goals that require steady effort. Progress may seem slow at times but your discipline helps build a strong foundation for future success. Others may admire your reliability and trust your judgment. Try not to carry every burden alone, as sharing your thoughts with someone can bring relief and perspective. Personal relationships improve when you allow yourself to express feelings more openly. Taking breaks helps you maintain balance and avoid burnout. Your confidence continue to grow steadily.AQUARIUS Jan 20 – Feb 18Your ideas may feel fresh and inspiring, encouraging you to approach situations differently. Conversations with others could spark creative solutions or exciting possibilities. You may feel the need to balance independence with teamwork and cooperation. Expressing your thoughts honestly helps strengthen trust and understanding. A small change in routine may bring renewed motivation. Staying open to different perspectives supports growth and learning. Your actions feel more natural.PISCES Feb 19 – March 20Your sensitivity may help you understand emotions deeply, in yourself and in others. You may feel drawn toward creative activities, peaceful spaces or meaningful conversations that bring comfort and clarity. Helping others may feel fulfilling, but protecting your own energy remains important. Quiet reflection helps you understand your needs and feelings more clearly. Simple routines help keep you grounded and emotionally balanced. Honest communication strengthens trust in your relationships. Combine compassion with self-care make you feel more secure.LEO July 23 – Aug 22You may feel confident and ready to express yourself in ways that attract positive attention. Your warmth and enthusiasm can brighten the mood around you and encourage others. Creative ideas may come naturally, inspiring you to try something new or revisit an old passion. However, avoid putting pressure on yourself to always impress everyone around you. Relationships improve when you show appreciation, patience and understanding. Taking time to rest helps you maintain emotional and physical balance. You lead with confidence and kindness.SCORPIO Oct 23 – Nov 21You may feel more reflective than usual, encouraging deeper understanding of your emotions and personal goals. Quiet moments help you gain clarity and think situations through carefully. Honest conversations may release tension and strengthen trust with someone important. Your determination supports steady progress, especially in matters that require focus and patience. Strong feelings may surface, but they can guide growth. Healthy boundaries helps protect your energy.
SPORTS 11theSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING ACT) 1982 (AKTA 267)FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING) (APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION) (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR) RULES 2025RULE 3NOTICE TO OBTAIN VIEWSDatuk Bandar has received an application for a proposeddevelopment of 2 blocks of 37-storey apartments (864 units) comprising Block A, a 27-storey block with 432 units of Residensi Wilayah apartments, and Block B, a 27-storey block with 432 units of open-market apartments, including 8 levels of parking podium and 2 levels of residents' facilities on Lot Pt 50110, Lot Pt 50240, Lot Pt 50245, and Lot Pt 50246, Salak Selatan, Mukim Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.(Ref: DBKL.JPRB. 4130/2016)Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, Federal Territory (Planning) (Application For Planning Permission) (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) Rules 2025, the Mayor grants the registered landowners in the surrounding area a chance to submit their views towards this application.If any registered land owners in the surrounding area decides to do so, they are required to submit in writing their views towards this application addressed to the Pengarah, Jabatan Perancangan Bandaraya, Tingkat 9, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur and through email: [email protected] views shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this notification, clearly stating the name of the owner, lot number, local postal address, and DBKL reference number.Date: 22ND MAY 2026 DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPUR322 NoticesJob Descriptiont#VJMEJOHBOETVTUBJOJOHTUSPOHXPSLJOHSFMBUJPOTIJQXJUIBEWFSUJTJOHBHFODJFTBOEDMJFOUTt/FXCVTJOFTTEFWFMPQNFOUBOECVTJOFTTSFUFOUJPOt$PODFQUVBMJTFQMBOBOEFYFDVUFDSFBUJWFBOEJOOPWBUJWFNBSLFUJOHDBNQBJHOTUPFOIBODFCSBOEWJTJCJMJUZBOEFOHBHFNFOUt$SFBUFEFWFMPQBOEDPOUJOVPVTMZJNQSPWFNBSLFUJOHNBUFSJBMQSFTFOUBUJPOTBOEQSPQPTBMTUIBUTIPXDBTFPVSQSPEVDUTTFSWJDFTFGGFDUJWFMZRequirementst41.MFWFMXJUIBUMFBTUUXPZFBSTPGFYQFSJFODFt%JQMPNBPS#BDIFMPSTEFHSFFJOCVTJOFTTNBSLFUJOHPSPUIFSSFMBUFEGJFMETt'SFTIHSBEVBUFTBSFFODPVSBHFEUPBQQMZUSBJOJOHXJMMCFQSPWJEFEt(PPEDPNNVOJDBUJPOQSFTFOUBUJPOQSPCMFNTPMWJOHBOEPSHBOJTBUJPOBMTLJMMTt1BTTJPOBUFJODMJFOUTFSWJDJOHt1PTTFTTPXOUSBOTQPSUBOEXJMMJOHUPUSBWFMt\"CMFUPTUBSUXPSLJNNFEJBUFMZOfficebased in Petaling Jaya(Five-day week)MEDIA SALES - SpecialistSend in your CV with your photo via email to : [email protected] SALES -Representative/Agent (Freelance)Requirementt.JOJNVNPOFZFBSTBMFTFYQFSJFODFJODMBTTJGJFEBEQSJOUBOEEJHJUBMBEWFSUJTJOHt5IPTFXJUIPVUTBMFTFYQFSJFODFCVUXJUINFEJBBEWFSUJTJOHLOPXMFEHFNBZBMTPBQQMZt\"UUSBDUJWFDPNNJTTJPOQBDLBHFBOEJODFOUJWFTt\"CMFUPTUBSUJNNFEJBUFMZt$FOUSBM/PSUIFSO4PVUIFSO&BTU$PBTUBOE4BCBI4BSBXBL302 JobsFEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING ACT) 1982 (AKTA 267)FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING) (APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION) (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR) RULES 2025RULE 3NOTICE TO OBTAIN VIEWSDatuk Bandar has received an application for a proposeddevelopment of two apartment suite towers a 61-storey tower (Tower A - 460 units) and a 46-storey tower (Tower B - 119 units), including retails spaces, office spaces, parking podiums, mechanical rooms, and residents' facilities, with a plot ratio of 1:9.77 on Lot 147, Section 87, Jalan Tun Razak, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.(Ref: DBKL.JPRB. 6340/95 T)Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, Federal Territory (Planning) (Application For Planning Permission) (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) Rules 2025, the Mayor grants the registered landowners in the surrounding area a chance to submit their views towards this application.If any registered land owners in the surrounding area decides to do so, they are required to submit in writing their views towards this application addressed to the Pengarah, Jabatan Perancangan Bandaraya, Tingkat 9, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur and through email: [email protected] views shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this notification, clearly stating the name of the owner, lot number, local postal address, and DBKL reference number.Date: 22ND MAY 2026 DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPUR302 Jobs 322 NoticesFEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING ACT) 1982 (AKTA 267)FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING) (APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION) (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR) RULES 2025RULE 3NOTICE TO OBTAIN VIEWSThe Mayor has received an application for proposed demolition of the existing hotel building (Corus Hotel) and redevelopment into a 77-storey serviced apartment and luxury serviced apartment tower (582 units) comprising a parking basement, commercial space, lobby and amenities, a parking podium, and M&E space on Lot 236, Jalan Ampang, Section 43, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.(Ref: DBKL.JPRB. 1243/59 JLD 1)Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, Federal Territory (Planning) (Application For Planning Permission) (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) Rules 2025, the Mayor grants the registered landowners in the surrounding area a chance to submit their views towards this application.If any registered land owners in the surrounding area decides to do so, they are required to submit in writing their views towards this application addressed to the Pengarah, Jabatan Perancangan Bandaraya, Tingkat 9, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur and through email: [email protected] views shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this notification, clearly stating the name of the owner, lot number, local postal address, and DBKL reference number. Date: 24TH MAY 2026 DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPURFEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING ACT) 1982 (AKTA 267)FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING) (APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION) (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR) RULES 2025RULE 3NOTICE TO OBTAIN VIEWSDatuk Bandar has received an application for a proposed development of 2 blocks of 37-storey apartments (864 units) comprising Block A, a 27-storey block with 432 units of Residensi Wilayah apartments, and Block B, a 27-storey block with 432 units of open-market apartments, including 8 levels of parking podium and 2 levels of residents' facilities on Lot Pt 50110, Lot Pt 50240, Lot Pt 50245, and Lot Pt 50246, Salak Selatan, Mukim Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.(Ref: DBKL.JPRB. 4130/2016)Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, Federal Territory (Planning) (Application For Planning Permission) (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) Rules 2025, the Mayor grants the registered landowners in the surrounding area a chance to submit their views towards this application.If any registered land owners in the surrounding area decides to do so, they are required to submit in writing their views towards this application addressed to the Pengarah, Jabatan Perancangan Bandaraya, Tingkat 9, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur and through email: [email protected] views shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this notification, clearly stating the name of the owner, lot number, local postal address, and DBKL reference number. Date: 24TH MAY 2026 DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPURSCAN MESUNDAY MAY 24, 2026TEL: 03-7784 6688 FAX: 03-7785 2625 EMAIL: [email protected] SHORTSKLAASEN HELPS HYDERABAD PAST BANGALOREA powerhouse batting display, headlined by three frenetic half-centuries, set up Sunrisers Hyderabad’s comprehensive 55-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru yesterday, though it wasn’t enough to secure them a top-two finish as both teams completed their league engagements on 18 points apiece. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen extended their consistent run on a terrific batting surface at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, muscling the home side to 255-4 after Pat Cummins chose to bat. Defending champions Bengaluru needed to score at least 166 to ensure that they finished ahead of Hyderabad on net run rate even in the event of defeat, and they got the job done with clinical efficiency, finishing on 200-4. Despite the defeat, Bengaluru (0.783) ended up table-toppers, ahead of Gujarat Titans (0.695), who also amassed 18 points, with Hyderabad occupying the third spot. “I’m just happy about it, taking it one game at a time,“ said Kishan of winning the man-of-the-match award for the third time this year. “I do feel confident when I am playing against them (Bengaluru). More than maturity, it’s about shot selection. You need to feel confident, know what shots to play and which bowlers to target.” Bengaluru seemed determined to have a go at the massive target through their new opening combination of Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli, who added 60 in just 27 deliveries. After both fell in the space of 14 runs, Devdutt Padikkal kept up the momentum but when the left-hander was caught in the deep off the excellent Eshan Malinga, Bengaluru retrained their focus on achieving their primary objective of 166. TITANS STILL HAVE ROOM TO IMPROVE: RASHIDGujarat Titans qualified for the Indian Premier League playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons on Friday with an 89-run win over Chennai Super Kings, but despite their top-two finish spinner Rashid Khan said they still have room to improve. Gujarat, who won the title in their 2022 debut season, posted nine wins from 14 matches and trail only Royal Challengers Bangalore in the table. Rashid said there was no danger of them getting carried away. “You can’t really say we are a very perfect team or we are 100% perfect and we will win each and every game,” he told reporters. After setting Chennai to chase 230, Gujarat delivered a dominant bowling display with Rashid and pacers Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada each claiming three wickets to bowl out the visitors for 140 in 13.4 overs. Their bowlers have been central to Gujarat’s success this season, with Siraj, Rabada and Rashid all among the top seven wicket-takers. Rabada is the joint highest wicket-taker with 24 alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. “The bowling attack we have, especially the fast bowling unit, has done a really great job throughout the tournament,” said Rashid. “The main thing for us is that we adjust ourselves to the conditions very quickly.” Gujarat’s openers have also played a key role, with Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan topping the run charts. Sudharsan has scored 638 runs in 14 matches, while Gill has amassed 616 in 13. The IPL playoffs begin on Tuesday.
12 SPORTStheSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026/theSunMediaFOLLOW ON YOUTUBE/Malaysian PaperFEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING ACT) 1982 (AKTA 267)FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING) (APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION) (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR) RULES 2025RULE 3NOTICE TO OBTAIN VIEWSThe Mayor has received an application for proposed demolition of the existing hotel building (Corus Hotel) and redevelopment into a 77-storey serviced apartment and luxury serviced apartment tower (582 units) comprising a parking basement, commercial space, lobby and amenities, a parking podium, and M&E space on Lot 236, Jalan Ampang, Section 43, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.(Ref: DBKL.JPRB. 1243/59 JLD 1)Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, Federal Territory (Planning) (Application For Planning Permission) (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) Rules 2025, the Mayor grants the registered landowners in the surrounding area a chance to submit their views towards this application.If any registered land owners in the surrounding area decides to do so, they are required to submit in writing their views towards this application addressed to the Pengarah, Jabatan Perancangan Bandaraya, Tingkat 9, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur and through email: [email protected] views shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this notification, clearly stating the name of the owner, lot number, local postal address, and DBKL reference number.Date: 22ND MAY 2026 DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPUR322 NoticesFEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING ACT) 1982 (AKTA 267)FEDERAL TERRITORY (PLANNING) (APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION) (FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR) RULES 2025RULE 3NOTICE TO OBTAIN VIEWSDatuk Bandar has received an application for a proposed development of two apartment suite towers a 61-storey tower (Tower A - 460 units) and a 46-storey tower (Tower B - 119 units), including retails spaces, office spaces, parking podiums, mechanical rooms, and residents' facilities, with a plot ratio of 1:9.77 on Lot 147, Section 87, Jalan Tun Razak, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.(Ref: DBKL.JPRB. 6340/95 T)Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, Federal Territory (Planning) (Application For Planning Permission) (Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur) Rules 2025, the Mayor grants the registered landowners in the surrounding area a chance to submit their views towards this application.If any registered land owners in the surrounding area decides to do so, they are required to submit in writing their views towards this application addressed to the Pengarah, Jabatan Perancangan Bandaraya, Tingkat 9, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur and through email: [email protected] views shall be submitted within two (2) weeks from the date of publication of this notification, clearly stating the name of the owner, lot number, local postal address, and DBKL reference number. Date: 24TH MAY 2026 DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPURLANDO NORRIS warned George Russell he is facing a challenge like he has never dealt with before as he fights teammate Kimi Antonelli for the world championship. Russell was the pre-season championship favourite as Mercedes delivered the strongest car for the sport’s new regulations and an opening win in Melbourne only strengthened that case but Antonelli, 19, has turned the tables by winning the next three races. Norris found himself in a very similar situation last season, slipping behind McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri early in the season before ultimately clinching a maiden championship. The 26-year-old believes Russell has the mettle for the title scrap – one which Norris and McLaren would very much like to muscle their way into – but says having a dangerous challenger across the garage will make life much harder. “I think any situation that he’s ever dealt with is different to fighting for a world championship,” Norris said. “Forget everything that’s ever happened, I think as soon as you’re fighting for a world championship, and then you also have a strong teammate, that’s a very different situation. “The last few years, I’ve had a very strong teammate that as Watch out for KimiSabalenka poised to ‘go for it’ in ParisARYNA SABALENKA said yesterday she is ready, in body and mind, to conquer clay and take a first Roland Garros title. “I know how to play on clay, and it’s all about being physically and mentally healthy, to go for it, and to be ready to fight,” she said at the media day ahead of the tournament’s start today. Sabalenka, the top-ranked woman for approaching two years, has only won three titles on clay, all in Madrid. Her best showing in the clay-court Grand Slam was last year when she lost the final in three sets to Coco Gauff. “All I can say is that I’m ready to fight, and, of course, I hope to do a little bit better than I did last year,” said the Belarusian, who turned 28 earlier in May. Sabalenka completed a victorious “sunshine double” on the hard courts at Indian Wells and Miami, before losing momentum on clay. At Madrid, she lost in the quarterfinals to Hailey Baptiste. In Rome, she only won one match before falling to Sorana Cirstea. “I struggled the beginning of the clay season physically, to be honest,” she said yesterday. “Right now I feel 100%. I’m healed everywhere and I’m ready to go.” Asked if she would be satisfied if she did not win, Sabalenka’s answer showed a No. 1’s mindset. “I think all of us are here just for one reason, you know.” Sabalenka said that her improved consistency is not only the product of physical health but also of overcoming her tendency to melt down mentally on court when things didn’t go her way. “My emotions were destroying my game, and my level was dropping dramatically when I would just start overreacting on everything,” she said. “At the same time, my opponents would see that and they would step in and play better.” – AFPWORLD NO. 1 Jannik Sinner said yesterday that coming back to the home of the French Open was “nice” despite it bringing back memories of the iconic final last year, which he lost in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz. The 24-year-old gave up three championship points in that gutwrenching loss but returns to Paris 12 months later the overwhelming favourite to complete his career Grand Slam. Ahead of speaking to reporters at the media day before the tournament proper starts today, Sinner has had time to practise on Roland Garros’ showpiece court, Philippe Chatrier. He said stepping back on centre court for a hit was a “special feeling”, adding: “It’s a very special tournament for me, and it has been increasingly better year after year, and last year we were very close (to winning). “But the feelings and the connection with the crowd was very nice. A lot of kids, which I really like to see. Yeah, it was very nice also, the stairs up, the walk-on. And of course I still have some, I think back what happened, but still very positive feelings.” With Alcaraz out of action due to injury and Sinner being on a 29-match win streak, it would seem there is little to stand in the Italian’s way to a first Roland Garros title – and fifth major victory overall. However, he is aware that his unprecedented period of dominance has put a target on his back coming into Roland Garros. “Everyone is trying, you know, to beat (me), but that’s also the most normal thing,” he said. “You need to be ready. Best-of-five (set) matches, they are a bit different. It gives you a little bit more time to understand how to beat a player, and even if you have a wrong start, then potentially you can find a way in. “I’m very sure I have very, very tough matches in front of me. I try to focus on myself.” – AFPRoland Garros has special feeling: Sinner Russell biggest F1 fight is with teammate Antonelli, says NorrisBY SCOTT HUNTsoon as I wasn’t on my A game, I was way off. That always makes your life a lot, lot tougher. “Certainly (George) puts up a good fight. I think he’s shown that already when he tried to fight Max (Verstappen) off the track. “He certainly wanted to stand up for himself. I think he’s smart as well. I think he’s definitely one of the smartest drivers on track.” Russell was teammates with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes and, across their seasons together, came out on top. “Overall George,” Norris added on that battle. But he also didn’t get consistently beaten as much as he has done over the last two, three races. “And that’s just a very different situation to be in.” Norris remains optimistic that McLaren can close their gap to Mercedes and reflected on his own triumph last season where he clinched the championship at the final race – holding off Verstappen and Piastri after a campaign where he had been questioned on a regular basis. “The beginning of last year was one where I was consistently a bit behind. That’s when you start to feel a bit more like, ‘where do I start now’?” Norris said. “I wouldn’t say I ever got into a panic. I don’t think I really ever panic. But I certainly wasn’t the most happy. “I needed those people around me at that time to help me get back to being my normal self. “Just going back to just believing in myself a little bit more and just knowing that I have what it takes to fight for a world championship.” –The IndependentMercerdes’ George Russell (left) and Kimi Antonelli at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix tomorrow. – REUTERSPIC
SPORTS 13theSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026@thesundailyFOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM@tMalaysian PaperAFTER a few minutes of hugging and celebrating at the training base in London Colney on Tuesday, when Arsenal had finally been confirmed as champions again, the players just let go. There had already been a few guttural roars from the pure relief of winning. They then all jumped into the swimming pool. Bukayo Saka of course had an inflatable, if not this time a unicorn. Some older staff members were chuckling that this was rather different to how the Premier League-winning squad of 1998 to 2004 celebrated. The point, however, was that they were actually celebrating again. The players did end up going to a club in central London. They’ve very much come of age in other ways, but so has the manager. Some of the popular jibes about Mikel Arteta won’t work any more. And the story of Arsenal’s 14th title is really the story of how their former captain, through a deliberate long-term plan, turned the club from a joke to a serious team again. He ended Arsenal’s “banter era”. If Arteta himself can often seem overly serious, too, those who know the 44-yearold stress that one point should always be acknowledged: he is a phenomenally hard worker. Many were happy for him for that alone. Some liken Arteta to the founder of a start-up, and how he can easily work 90 hours in a week without even realising. “He’s an obsessive,” in the words of one source. Another even recalled a comment that Sir Alex Ferguson made at a similar age at Manchester United. “This isn’t just a job to me. It’s a mission.” This has been a mission for Arteta. Arsenal could have benefitted from this zeal even earlier, but for the dysfunction that was so characteristic of the club before Arteta returned. He was lined up to be their manager in 2018, only for the hierarchy to U-turn on Unai Emery very late in the process. Despite Emery’s qualities – which he proved once again when leading Aston Villa to Europa League glory against Freiburg on Thursday, his fifth time winning that competition, the older Basque was ultimately seen as not right for a club of that size. Arteta sees the wait as having been better for his own career. It is funny how things work out. Arsenal’s transfer window in the summer of 2011 is commonly seen as emblematic of the club’s recent lows, but it may have secured their future. It gave them this manager. That was when Arteta was finally signed from Everton, after initial reservations from Arsene Wenger. From a growing connection with the club, Arteta gradually began to see it as his destiny to be Arsenal manager. Arteta knew his own limitations as a player, but his ability to adapt would preface his thinking as a manager. Despite all of this, some of the Arsenal hierarchy were reluctant since it was going to be his first job. On eventually becoming convinced to take a one-hour meeting that ended up becoming four, one executive gave a telling comment. “I can see what the fuss is about.” Arteta had given his full idea, blowing them away with his detail and how they could become competitive. Arsenal badly needed someone of such vision, because everything at the club was – in the words of one senior figure – “a chaotic mess”. The dressing room was described as “toxic”, with too many characters who “just didn’t care”. It was described as “a boys’ club” and some of the directors didn’t show much ambition because, ultimately, they didn’t think owner Stan Kroenke was that interested. The feeling was there was “no drive to be successful”. This was infamously known as the club’s “banter era” online. They had endured so much calamity, with putative rivals considering them “a laughing stock”. Arteta himself had been all too aware of some causes of this, before he retired as a player in 2016. It used to deeply frustrate him that Arsenal were always out of contention by February, as some players seemed more concerned with getting their bodies ready for holidays. Despite Arteta’s great respect for Wenger, he believed there wasn’t enough detail on preparation. Instructions would be written on post-it notes. Far from putting Arteta off, though, it drove an urge to set it right. He felt it was still a club with almost everything – especially a huge fanbase and great stadium in London – that had just been allowed to drift. “You just need to grab everyone by the collar,” the Spaniard said. It soon became apparent much more than that was needed. The squad was still so average that Arsenal struggled to shift players. On the other side, the initial signings weren’t up to it. Arsenal would stumble from bad run to bad run, with rare bright performances giving a glimpse of what Arteta was trying to do. Numerous sources now say that at that point, going into the end of 2020, Arteta was in “a very low place” and thought he’d “made a terrible mistake”. He was even considering quitting. It was recent executive-vice chair Tim Lewis who is viewed as integral to preventing that. Lewis, an Arsenal fan who had worked with the Kroenkes for years, felt it was vital to get Arteta in front of the owner. The two flew to Denver, where Arteta explained his football vision and Lewis pointed out how important a competitive team was to the Kroenkes’ own business. It was crucial to getting Arteta that backing but the manager also knew he had to start thinking about things anew himself. A key moment came in July 2021, when he wrote up a five-year plan with. Arteta was well versed in how the average age of a title-winning team was 27 years and three months but that Arsenal couldn’t afford that kind of profile. Their wage bill was a mere £125 million (RM650m), compared to the £300 million (RM1.56b) that Manchester City were winning the title with. So, Arteta realised he had to do “a Borussia Dortmund”, as it used to be known, and get young players in to build to a proper collective. “That’s the future of Arsenal,” he pronounced. Youth graduates like Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe were immediately elevated. Arteta did wonder whether a long frustrated fanbase would accept this, and the inevitable pain within progress, but realised the need to sell it as a journey. “Project players” would be targeted and Arteta ensured a good number had a high football intelligence. He wasn’t initially sold on William Saliba but quickly realised what he had. Arteta gradually developed a system that would be known as “the spin drier” – getting the opposition in such a whirl they couldn’t get out – but soon realised the pressing necessary couldn’t have any passengers. There was also something resolute about them, despite perceptions. Arsenal suffered setbacks – like getting thrashed by Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur to lose a Champions League place in 2021-22 – only to come back stronger. It would eventually be the same with second-place finishes. By August 2022, and a 2-1 home win over Fulham, Arteta felt he finally had the spirit he wanted. There was “an incredible noise” at the stadium. Arsenal still didn’t have the right weapons, though. Arteta is described as taking the two second places of 2022-23 and 2023-24 very badly. “He was in the basement and it was hard to pull him out of it,” one insider says. A corollary to the hard work was an element of “torturing” himself. Such anguish gradually evolved into deep consideration about what was required, though. Strategy meetings about how you evolve a team soon became strategy meetings about how you win the Premier League. Process now required end product. Arteta could see how the positional game he had been a devotee of was fracturing, in a Premier League that was becoming more physical. Arsenal found that their attacks were increasingly coming up against massed defences, which resulted in more setpieces, so they had better start practising them. Arteta of course didn’t just want to make his squad physically bigger, but bigger in number. He’d learned the lessons of the expanded 2024-25 campaign. “The bench is what does it for you,” he’d say. The result has been football that not everyone enjoys watching, but that no one likes facing. Arsenal were no longer a joke, or a punchline. They are champions again. –The IndependentGunners no longer a joke How Arteta banished the banter era to bring glory back to ArsenalBukayo Saka (left) and Gabriel Magalhaes celebrate after Arsenal secured their first Premier League title in 22 years following Man City’s draw with Bournemouth. – @ARSENAL/INSTAGRAM
14 SPORTStheSun on Sunday MAY 24, 20266134/2026 23/05/2026 (SAT)2113 2113 2994995941032023351945604146332453108113112360981301725199112649917026236470843137587,879,958.71211321132113299429942113299429942113211321132113568,131.85211321132994 DRAGON5501237177717717784418 7 75 52393553935593553552393523932392 38,768,305.483,092,854.242721 32 45 46 52124,344.053 7 19 34 38 5317 20 21 22 24 41 4532,719,672.249ffiffi 61$.(ffi 61$.(fl '2*'UDZ'DWHffl 6DW 'UDZ1Rfflflffifl ffi flffi flfl ffiffi ffiffi fl fl flflfl fl ffi flfl50flffi ffiffi fl fl ffi fl fl 50flffi50fl50fl50ffi ffiffi flflffi flfl ffiffi ffiffiffi fl fl flflfl ffi fl fl ffiffiffi flfl50ffiffifl flffiffifl flffiffifl flffiGPF*2OR\\DOW\\UHZDUGV±3OD\\(DUQ5HGHHPffi flTHOMAS TUCHEL (pic) can occasionally be careless with his words, like the time he said his mum found Jude Bellingham’s on-field behaviour “repulsive”. It provoked an apology and Tuchel blamed a slip of the tongue in his second language, even though his command of English is better than most of us writing up the story. He rarely stops to think too hard about how the media will interpret his words, in the way his predecessor Gareth Southgate was so Team firstPEP GUARDIOLA said yesterday he feared he would run out of the energy required to lead Manchester City after announcing his glittering 10-year tenure as manager will come to an end. After amassing 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League, Guardiola will step aside following today’s match at home to Aston Villa. “I think the club needs a new manager, new energy with these incredible players that we have right now and you start to write another chapter,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference. “I feel I will not have the energy that requires, (matches) every three days, the expectations to fight for the titles, with being in front of the players.” One of Guardiola’s former assistants Enzo Maresca is reportedly set to take charge next season. Maresca, 46, has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in January, where he won the Club World Cup and Conference League in his only full season in charge. Guardiola will remain associated with the club as a global ambassador for the City Football Group. However, Guardiola ruled out an immediate return to the game in a coaching role. Since taking charge of Barcelona in 2008, the 55-year-old has had just one year out of the sport, when he took a sabbatical in New York before joining Bayern Munich in 2013. “I will not train for a while,” added Guardiola. “It’s not 10 years. I’ve been, except for a year in New York, 17, 18 years, every three days, three days, three days, three days. “I need to breathe a little bit, and relax. It’ll be a while, that is my feeling right now.” City narrowly missed out on the Premier League title this season to Arsenal, managed by one of Guardiola’s former assistants Mikel Arteta. But the City boss will depart with silverware in his final campaign after lifting both the League Cup and FA Cup. A parade through Manchester will take place tomorrow to mark those achievements and Guardiola’s legacy. – AFPCity need new energy: Pepdeliberate and precise. But there could be no misunderstanding of his remarks at the start of Friday’s Wembley press conference, which were pre-selected and carefully chosen. There was clarity in his voice and perhaps some loaded, pointed words for certain players. An hour after England’s World Cup squad was announced, confirming the notable omissions of Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire, Tuchel seemed to send a message. “From day one we were very clear that we are trying to select and build the best possible team, which is not necessarily to select and collect the 26 most talented players,” Tuchel said. “Teams win championships. It’s as simple as that. And what we are trying to achieve this year can only be achieved as a team.” When pressed on specific players, Tuchel said they were “painful conversations” with players he respected. “We have to leave some extraordinary talents, some extraordinary personalities at home.” But the broad message was undeniable. “I can assure every fan in the country that we have 26 100% committed players in camp with us who are ready to buy into their role on and off the pitch, and who are ready and committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish.” Tuchel acknowledged that this World Cup will be a squad game like no other. For the first time there are 48 teams playing 104 games, most of which will be played out in stifling North American heat. The manager plans to rotate his squad and this fed into his thinking, too, in having a group of players with so few “stars”. He hopes to share around as many minutes as possible in the opening two weeks, while still securing top spot in Group L against Croatia, Ghana and Panama. There is no clear “first XI” in his mind. “The challenge is clear: it will be hot, it will be humid, we can have a game in huge altitude, it’s one match more than usual because of the amount of teams – so would it make sense to rotate? Yes. And does it show also a level of trust to the players? Yes. “I think we have a significant amount of players who hope to start, and it’s more than just 11, so we will be able to rotate on a high level and give minutes and spread the minutes. “Hopefully we can do this without losing momentum, without losing connections between the players… History shows that it makes sense to rotate in the beginning of the tournament.” – The IndependentBY LAWRENCE OSTLEREThe not-so-hidden message in Tuchel’s World Cup press conference
SPORTS 15theSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026All jackpot amounts stated above are for this Draw. Subject to T&Cs of the Scheme. Please visit to www.magnum4d.my for more info.THE BIGGER PLAY IS TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY371/26 23/05/202608488166283373433475772113350042408626510793381691324577606081899631844148217059107946683902RM14,759,491.36RM354,562.610848 + 81668166 + 08482833 + 08480848 + 28338166 + 28332833 + 81665 6 8 10 21 24 26 3013 17RM10,581,380.81RM126,825.0248663348663 866334866 6633486 63348 336 60 8@thesundailyFOLLOW ON TWITTER Malaysian PaperTHE performance of the national mixed doubles squad at the 2026 Malaysian Masters has been described as disappointing, with head coach Nova Widianto taking full responsibility after Malaysia failed to place a pair in the semifinals. “Overall, the mixed doubles results here are not good. We have to admit they were bad. I personally apologise and am ready to take responsibility (for the poor performance by the national mixed doubles players),” he said when met yesterday. Earlier, Malaysian hopes of having a representative in the mixed doubles semifinals were dashed after world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei crashed out in the quarterfinals. The world No. 4 pair suffered a straight-games defeat, 18-21, 16-21, to China’s eighthseeded duo Gao Jia Xuan and Wei Ya Xin in 44 minutes. Commenting on the performance of Tang Jie and Ee Wei, Nova admitted he was deeply disappointed with the lacklustre display shown by the pair, whom he described as playing without spirit or direction. “The first thing I noticed today was that they looked empty and unfocused. They did not lose because the Chinese pair played exceptionally well. “In my opinion, their opponents were also below par. During the crucial points, our players seemed to play without ideas and without soul,” he said. Nova added that he would hold discussions with the world champions to find the best solution and help them regain top form ahead of the Singapore Open next week. The national mixed doubles pair admitted they failed to deliver their best performance at the Unifi Arena. Ee Wei said they were disappointed with their display, adding that they were far from their usual level. “We did not produce our usual style of play. I think we did not even reach 20% of our actual performance level,” she said after the match. Tang Jie said the pair would review their performance and make necessary adjustments ahead of their next week’s Singapore Open, particularly in improving their attacking game. – BernamaNova takes responsibilitySelangor ultras visible absence at ACC final a puzzleSELANGOR die hard fan group Ultrasel’s absence took centre stage despite a sold-out crowd during the first leg of the Asean Club Championship (ACC) final at the MBPJ Stadium in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, on May 20, raising questions over the noticeable pockets of empty seats in the upper tiers. While tickets for the match were fully snapped up, the boycott by Selangor’s main ultras group created a visible void that was made worse by television coverage focusing on the less populated sections of the stadium. President of Kelab Penyokong Anak Selangor, Mohd Faizal Wahid, acknowledged the situation but stressed that the turnout overall remained strong. “Tickets were already sold out. The stadium is not that big, and certain sections were already filled. The emptiness you see is mainly at the upper levels, and that’s where the cameras were focused, so it became an issue,” he told theSun. Mohd Faizal stressed that from a supporter’s standpoint, fans should continue turning up consistently, regardless of the club’s less-than-impressive finish to the season. “As supporters, regardless of the situation or whether it’s the final leg or not, we should show up. That’s part of our responsibility to the team,” he said. Mohd Faizal, however, admitted he was not privy to the reasons behind Ultrasel’s boycott, saying he could not confirm the factors that led to their absence. “I’m not sure about the details behind it. That’s something only they can explain.” theSun had reached out to Ultrasel for comment but had yet to get a reply. Selangor lost to Buriram United FC 1-0 and will get the chance to end the season with a cup should they find a way to defeat the defending champion in the return leg at the Chang Arena in Thailand on May 27. On the pitch, Selangor’s progress under head coach Kim Pan-gon – who took over midway through the season – has been viewed as encouraging by Mohd Faizal. He pointed out that despite not starting the campaign with the team, the coach managed to guide Selangor to the ACC final, a semifinal appearance in the Malaysia Cup, and a third-place finish in the Super League. “For a coach who came in mid-season, those are positive results. It shows there is progress and direction within the squad.”GOH Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani defeated compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in an all-Malaysian semifinal yesterday to reach the Malaysia Masters final. The victory marks the world No. 7 pair’s second World Tour final of the season. Sze Fei-Izzuddin defeated the world No. 2 duo 21-18, 21-12 at Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. The win is only their third victory over Aaron-Wooi Yik in nine meetings, with their most recent success at the Badminton Asia Championships two years ago. The last time they reached the Malaysian Masters final was in the 2017 edition in Sibu, Sarawak, where they finished runners-up after losing to Indonesia’s Berry AngriawanHardianto. But the dream of an all Malaysian men’s doubles final was dashed when compatriots Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King went down to Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard in yesterday’s second semifinal match. The Danes won 21-19, 21-17. Meanwhile in singles, Thailand’s men’s singles shuttler Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul pulled off a major upset by defeating France’s third seed Christo Popov yesterday. The world No. 28 was in complete control as he stunned the world No. 4 with a convincing 21-13, 21-13 win in just 39 minutes at the Unifi Arena in Kuala Lumpur. The 21-year-old’s run marks his third final appearance of the season, having also reached the title matches at the Indonesia Masters and the Thailand Open. Awaiting Panitchaphon in today’s final is China’s Li Shifeng, who advanced after overcoming compatriot Hu Zhe Ann 21-17, 21-16 in a match lasting nearly an hour. “Reaching the final again is a great opportunity for me. I want to learn from this tournament without putting too much pressure on myself,” Panitchaphon said. “I will try to learn from Shifeng and gain as much experience on the court as possible.” In the women’s singles event, former world No. 1 Chen Yufei lived up to expectations by cruising into the final with a straightgames victory over Japan’s Hina Akechi. The Chinese star needed just 43 minutes to seal a comfortable 21-11, 21-14 win. “The match was good, and I feel my overall performance is improving. My tactics on court worked well, but there are still some areas that I need to fine-tune,” she said. Yufei will face Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the final after the Thai star beat Denmark’s Line Hojmark Kjærsfeldt 21-12, 21-12 in 39 minutes in the other semifinal. –BernamaSze Fei-Izzuddin stun Aaron-Wooi Yik Head coach apologises for poor performance of Tang Jie-Ee Wei RESULTS & STANDINGSSERIE A: Fiorentina 1 (Piccoli 39) Atalanta 1 (Comuzzo 82-og). P W D L F A Pts Inter Milan 37 27 5 5 86 32 86Napoli 37 22 7 8 57 36 73 AC Milan 37 20 10 7 52 33 70 Roma 37 22 4 11 57 31 70 Como 37 19 11 7 61 28 68 Juventus 37 19 11 7 59 32 68 Atalanta 38 15 14 9 51 36 59 Bologna 37 16 7 14 46 43 55 Lazio 37 13 12 12 39 39 51 Udinese 37 14 8 15 45 47 50 Sassuolo 37 14 7 16 46 49 49 Torino 37 12 8 17 42 61 44 Parma 37 10 12 15 27 46 42 Fiorentina 38 9 15 14 41 50 42 Genoa 37 10 11 16 41 50 41 Cagliari 37 10 10 17 38 52 40 Lecce 37 9 8 20 27 50 35 Cremonese 37 8 10 19 31 53 34 Verona 37 3 12 22 25 59 21 Pisa 37 2 12 23 25 69 18FRENCH CUP (Final): Lens 3 (Thauvin 25,Edouard 42, Sima 78) Nice 1 (Coulibaly 45+3). CHAMPIONS RELEGATEDBY ZUJ AHSANGoh Sze Fei (right) and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in action against compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (not pictured) in the men’s doubles semifinal match at the Malaysia Masters at Unifi Arena, Bukit Jalil yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC
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] www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN MEMalaysian PaperRead iPaper at Malaysian Paperor download from appthe App Store or Google PlayTM.Malaysian PaperSUNDAY | MAY 24, 2026TOTTENHAM must avoid defeat against Everton today to guarantee their place in the Premier League next season as Pep Guardiola and Mohamed Salah prepare for emotional farewells. This time last year Tottenham fans were basking in the glow of a first trophy for 17 years after beating Manchester United to lift the Europa League. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi believes the visit of Everton dwarfs the importance of that victory, with Premier League survival at stake. “There is something more important than the trophy and the bonus,” he said. “There is the future of the club, there is the history of the club. “There is the pride of the players, there is the pride of the families of the players. There is the dignity of every one of us.” Everton manager David Moyes finds himself in a unique position, with his current club’s match against Spurs potentially deciding the fate of his former team, West Ham United. While Everton are practically out of contention for European football, Moyes has expressed a personal desire to help West Ham avoid relegation. The stakes are high for West Ham, who are currently 18th and sit two points behind Spurs. To survive, the Hammers must defeat Leeds United today and hope Tottenham lose to Everton. A draw would likely be sufficient for Spurs to secure their top-flight status due to their superior goal difference. Moyes, who managed West Ham for five-and-a-half years across two spells between 2017 and 2024, and led them to the UEFA Conference League title in 2023, openly stated his sentiment. “I’d love to keep West Ham in the League if I can,” he told reporters. However, the 63-year-old was quick to clarify his primary allegiance. “It’s more important I get Everton that top finish and we get a few more million pounds because of our League position,” he added, highlighting Everton’s pursuit of a potential top-10 finish. Tottenham, revitalised under De Zerbi, have lost just one of their last five fixtures, contrasting sharply with Everton’s current six-match winless streak. However, they were beaten 2-1 by London rivals Chelsea on Tuesday, which meant that the relegation battle has gone to the final day. West Ham also missed the opportunity to leapfrog Spurs in the table last weekend when they lost 3-1 at Newcastle. The odds are now stacked against the Hammers to stay in the Premier League, but their former boss Moyes could do them a massive favour. Liverpool and Bournemouth could both secure places in the Champions League, while European football is also on the line for Brighton, Brentford, Chelsea and Sunderland. The Reds should ensure a terrible season does not end on a fresh low note by securing a top-five finish in Salah’s farewell to Anfield. Finishing in the top five would ensure Champions League football next season – a consolation prize after a shocking title defence. Egypt international Salah criticised Liverpool’s performances under Arne Slot this season after last week’s 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa. “I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies,” he said in a social media post, pointedly referring to the football played under Slot’s predecessor Jurgen Klopp. “Qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen,” he added. Salah’s outburst gives Slot a tough decision to make on whether to start the 33-year-old, who has only recently returned from a hamstring injury. The already unpopular coach risks infuriating the Liverpool fans even further if he does not give the man they christened “The Egyptian King” one last run out in front of the Kop. With increasing speculation over his future, Slot can ill afford to let any personal issues with Salah get in the way of finishing the season on a high. Liverpool have failed to win any of the nine League games that Salah has not started in 2026. The Reds, who host Brentford, have a three-point lead and a six-goal cushion on goal difference over sixth-placed Bournemouth. Sixth could be enough to qualify for the Champions League if Liverpool win and leapfrog Aston Villa, who travel to Manchester City, into fifth spot. As it stands, the sixth and seventhplaced teams would go into the Europa League and the eighth would qualify for the Conference League. Brighton would be guaranteed at least Europa League football with victory over Manchester United. Sunderland host Chelsea with a chance of qualifying for continental competition for the first time in more than half a century. At the Etihad, Guardiola is set for a rousing send-off after amassing 20 trophies in his decade in charge, including six Premier League titles and City’s only Champions League. “It’s been the experience of my life,” said the Catalan after announcing his departure on Friday. – AFP/The IndependentFinal countdownSpurs sweat over Premier League survival as Salah, Guardiola say goodbyeFROM LEFT: Liverpool’s Mo Salah, Tottenham’s Mathys Tel and Man City manager Pep Guardiola. – AFPPIC/REUTERSPIC