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Malaysian PaperRM1SCAN MENo. 9133 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) No. 9133 PP 2644/12/2012(031195)SCAN MEon APR 26, 2026 | RM1.00 PER COPY | www.thesun.myAutism awareness event enhances understanding of PwD community.Govt mulls incentives for private sector to encourage WFH adoption.Theme parks seek lifeline to stay competitive.page 4page 6page 3INSIDETransport Ministry identifying suitable mechanism for lower rates to ease burden on 1.8 million vehicle owners, says prime minister.page Diesel 2road tax cutGroup says 1,178% jump in licensing fees for playland operators from RM500 to RM6,390 would crush small operators and stunt industry growth. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN9 773141 151009ISSN 3141-1517

2 NATIONALtheSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026PETALING JAYA: Former High Court judge Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman (pic) has been appointed as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, effective May 13. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said his name was presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and has received royal consent. The appointment is in accordance with Subsection 5(1) of the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) which stipulates that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints the chief commissioner on the advice of the prime minister. “The government is confident that Abdul Halim, with his extensive experience and strong integrity, will further strengthen governance, boost public confidence and intensify anti-corruption efforts in the country,” he said in a statement. On Friday, Anwar said a list of candidates qualified to lead the agency was presented to the King. The King had previously stressed that the selection process should remain free from political interference. He stated that there is no requirement for any group or individual to politicise the transition. Sultan Ibrahim highlighted that the leadership of the MACC is vital to the organisation’s mission to ensure that it remains the country’s preeminent body for tackling corruption, financial embezzlement and the misuse of authority. Abdul Halim has close to two decades of experience on the bench and a long career in the Judicial and Legal Service. Born on March 10, 1957 in Kampung Alai, Malacca, he obtained his Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1982 before pursuing a Master of Laws at the University of Hull, United Kingdom. According to the Malaysia Judiciary Yearbook 2023, he began his career in the Judicial and Legal Service in 1982 and served in various capacities for over 22 years. His early roles were as federal counsel at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, magistrate in Kluang and Muar and as senior assistant registrar at the Malacca High Court. He was elevated as High Court judge in 2007. He also served as judge at the High Court in Penang, Johor Bahru and Shah Alam until his retirement in March 2023.Pay zakat through authorised channels, says Selangor RulerSHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has urged Muslims to understand the importance of paying zakat through authorised channels and ensuring its transparent distribution to eligible asnaf recipients. Each state has its own collection and distribution system to ensure that the welfare of asnaf is properly managed, said Sultan Sharafuddin in a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, Bernama reported. He said external parties should not cross state boundaries to collect zakat without permission from the relevant state authorities. “The Sultan of Selangor calls on all Selangor residents to understand and reflect on the essence of today’s (April 24) Friday sermon delivered in mosques across the state titled Pay Zakat to Authorised Amil. “His Royal Highness wants all of us to take heed and realise that zakat is an act of worship involving wealth, and plays a significant role in assisting asnaf and strengthening the economic well-being of the Muslim community.” The Selangor Islamic Religious Council, with the consent of the Sultan, has appointed Lembaga Zakat Selangor to manage all matters related to zakat. The Sultan also reiterated that Muslims have a responsibility to protect the rights of asnaf from being misappropriated by irresponsible parties. “Do not remain silent or conceal wrongdoing as we may be considered complicit in injustice by denying the rights of asnaf. “Muslims must understand that not only zakat but also any form of public fund collection involving the interests of Muslims in Selangor must have the approval of relevant authorities.” Meanwhile, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department has urged the public to continue trusting the tithe institution and let authorities investigate recent allegations of zakat fund misappropriation. Its director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said State Islamic Religious Councils are not involved in the issue. “The councils entrusted with managing zakat collection are not involved. Instead, a third party is believed to have misused the funds. “The public should remain confident that state religious agencies are following all procedures and guidelines. Any conclusion must be based on official investigations,” he said after launching the department’s 2026 Madani adopted village and Madani adopted school programmes on Friday.Govt mulls cut in road tax rates for diesel vehiclesBATU KAWAN: The government is considering reducing road tax rates for diesel vehicles in the near term to ease the burden on the public following the rise in diesel prices. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he has asked the Transport Ministry to identify a suitable mechanism to implement the reduction, taking into account the impact of higher diesel prices on users, particularly in sectors that still rely on diesel vehicles. “Reducing fuel prices is not feasible at this time but road tax can be (reduced), and there are about 1.8 million diesel vehicles in Malaysia. “Although the number is relatively small compared with the total, these 1.8 million vehicle owners are affected as diesel prices have increased,” he said at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Road Transport Department (RTD) and the RTD Madani Mega Carnival at the Penang stadium grounds yesterday. Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abdul Bakar and Anwar inspecting a guard-of-honour mounted by the Road Transport Department at the event in Penang yesterday. – BERNAMA PIC Transport Ministry to identify mechanism to implement move, taking into account impact of higher fuel prices, says PM RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli. Anwar, who is also Finance minister, said the government would maintain its targeted subsidy policy for RON95 petrol through the Budi Madani (Budi95) programme, with fuel subsidies currently amounting to about RM7 billion a month. He said the government’s priority is to ensure sufficient supply amid global uncertainties. Meanwhile, Anwar stressed that Malaysia would continue to maintain good relations with all countries to safeguard its economic interests in the face of global challenges, Bernama reported. He said Malaysia’s independent and sovereign foreign policy enables the country to cooperate with major powers, including the United States, China and Middle Eastern nations, despite ongoing conflicts in certain regions. “We do not get involved militarily or in ways that would affect our good relations but as a free and sovereign nation, we must speak out when there are serious injustices, such as when a country like Israel decides to bomb schools.” He said strong diplomatic ties also help Malaysia navigate international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, including ensuring the smooth passage of the country’s oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI [email protected] High Court judge named new MACC chief

NATIONAL 3theSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026WFH incentives for private sector being exploredKUALA LUMPUR: The government is considering incentives for the private sector to adopt work-fromhome (WFH) arrangements as part of it measures for cost-containment and efficiency amid ongoing global economic uncertainty, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. He said a proposal is under consideration, stressing that the government needs time to assess the most effective mechanisms before rolling out any policy. “We are looking into it, but we need a bit more time to determine how best to implement such measures. At this point, we are operating in a global crisis environment, and it is crucial that we manage spending prudently,” he said after officiating at the Vetri Madani Carnival at Dewan Kandiah Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Also present was Human Ramanan (centre) with Azman (third from left) and Mohamed Shamir (second from right) at the launch of the Vetri Madani Carnival. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUNMore time needed to determine most effective way to implement measures as govt navigates global economic uncertainty, says ministerŰ BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE [email protected] not weaponise petroleum royalty payments issue, Opposition toldIPOH: The federal government approach towards petroleum royalty payments to state governments should be viewed within the context of development project implementation and should not be used as political capital by the Opposition to gain public support. Political Secretary to the Minister of Finance Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said this procedure is an existing mechanism involving coordination between the federal and state governments to ensure funds are utilised effectively. He stressed that the goal is to ensure the special funds are not used solely to cover salaries and emoluments, but are instead coordinated between the Finance Ministry and the state government to guarantee that projects benefit the people and are monitored to prevent leakage or wastage. He was responding to media reports on April 23, in which the Terengganu government revealed a total of RM2.25 billion in petroleum royalty payments had not been channelled into the state government’s account since 2023. On another matter, Muhammad Kamil said the implementation of the Madani Mart initiative uses a different approach compared with the previous Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) model. He said while the previous model involved large-scale use of government funds, Madani Mart is implemented through collaboration between Yayasan Madani and private parties interested in the retail business. He added that unlike the previous method, in which items such as rice, sugar and milk were rebranded under the KR1M label, the current initiative maintains existing market brands. Entrepreneurs interested in running these businesses must utilise their own capital, while Yayasan Madani provides technical assistance and operational coordination to ensure uniform implementation. He added that the government remains open to feedback and suggestions to ensure these facilities benefit the public, particularly low-income groups. – BernamaMove to tighten guidelines for public fundraisingPUTRAJAYA: The Registrar of Societies (RoS) is reviewing the need to enhance the legal framework governing registered organisations, including proposals for specific guidelines and an independent audit mechanism for those collecting public funds above a certain scale. RoS director-general Datuk Mohd Zulfikar Ahmad said the effort is part of ongoing improvements to the Societies Act. “RoS takes note of media reports that are going viral on social media regarding allegations of fund misappropriation involving NGOs, amounting to millions of ringgit and linked to influential individuals. “These reports have raised public concern over the transparency and integrity of the management of donation funds by registered organisations,” he said in a statement yesterday. Sharing the latest data, he said as of March 31 this year, RoS had received 314 complaints related to alleged misuse of funds involving registered organisations over the past five years. “During the same period, 21,013 organisations had their registrations revoked between 2019 and 2026 for various offences, including noncompliance with legal provisions,” he said. He stressed that RoS remains committed to carrying out its regulatory functions in a transparent and integrity-driven manner, based on the provisions of the Societies Act as well as the constitution of each registered organisation in Malaysia. He said RoS monitors the fund management of organisations through compliance requirements such as maintaining complete financial records, presenting financial statements at annual general meetings and submitting documents to RoS when requested. “This monitoring covers all forms of fundraising, whether conducted physically or through online platforms, including social media,” he said. On enforcement, he said RoS carries out reviews and takes action based on complaints, non-compliance or breaches of the prevailing legal provisions. – BernamaResources Secretary-General Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof and the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) CEO Datuk Mohamed Shamir Abdul Aziz. The Sungai Buloh MP also highlighted the mounting fiscal pressure faced by the government, particularly in relation to fuel subsidies, which have surged significantly in recent months. “As has been shared before, our monthly subsidy bill used to be around RM700 million, but it has now increased to about RM4 billion a month,” he said. He stressed that such a sharp rise necessitates careful fiscal management and targeted interventions to ensure that public funds are utilised efficiently while safeguarding the welfare of Malaysians. “We have to take the necessary steps and measures to ensure that we are able to protect the interests of the rakyat,” he said. Ramanan added that while global geopolitical developments remain beyond Malaysia’s control, domestic policy responses must be calibrated to mitigate their impact, particularly on operational costs and public expenditure. The consideration of WFH incentives, he said, reflects a dual objective – reducing operational costs while maintaining productivity across sectors. “Ultimately, these measures are about ensuring sustainability. We want to make sure that both the government and the private sector can adapt efficiently without compromising service delivery or economic activity.” Ramanan said further announcements would be made once the government finalises its approach, taking into account feedback from stakeholders and the economic outlook. Ramanan also confirmed that the government has begun implementing internal cost-cutting measures, including limiting official travel among members of the administration. Responding to a question on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent call to restrict movement or unnecessary travelling among Cabinet members, Ramanan said the directive was not new and had been discussed in earlier Cabinet meetings. On Vetri Madani, a targeted skills development initiative designed to widen access to structured training and job opportunities for the Malaysian Indian community, Ramanan said the programme is open to all eligible participants on a first-come, first-served basis. “A total of RM10 million has been allocated to train 2,000 participants in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine-related skills, as well as reskilling and upskilling programmes, among other training modules. “The courses will be conducted both physically and through hybrid formats, ensuring accessibility for participants who may be located farther away. Applications can be submitted via the HRD Corp website. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their skills,” said Ramanan.

4 NATIONALtheSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026Hassle-free experience for Malaysian haj pilgrimsMAKKAH: Malaysian haj pilgrims arriving in Makkah from Madinah have described their arrival process as smooth and reassuring, as they were able to head straight to their rooms without having to carry luggage or search for accommodation. For many, the long journey ended with a well-organised and hassle-free experience. “Upon arrival, we went straight to our room. “Our luggage was already placed in front of the door, which made things very easy,” said Nuri Syuhada Soleha Suhaimi, 21, when met at Maktab 63, Al-Tayseer Hotel on Friday. She added that the arrangement was especially helpful after a long journey, allowing pilgrims to rest immediately without worrying about other matters. A Bernama check found that the Pilgrims’ Fund Board had made early logistical preparations at the maktab, including organising luggage and assigning rooms based on groupings and pilgrims’ needs. Another pilgrim, Martdiyah Ismail, 57, said the room Selangor clarifies status of 168-acre Puchong plotSHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari clarified that a 168-acre plot of land in Permatang Kumbang, Puchong city centre, is not a permanent forest reserve as claimed by irresponsible parties. Amirudin said the land, located near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in Kinrara, was degazetted in 1926, approximately 100 years ago. “At that time, Puchong was known as Kampung Pulas, and Malaysia was under British colonial rule, then called British Malaya.” The statement was issued following a meeting between Amirudin and representatives of residents from the Puchong area, who had sought clarification regarding the baseless allegations about the land’s status. Fourteen residents’ associations and Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han attended the session to hear residents’ feedback following the spread of false information by irresponsible parties. Amirudin said his administration has never approved any development on the land. However, he added that in 1996, the state government approved the alienation of government land to two companies, Citrasama Projek Sdn Bhd and Metroway Sdn Bhd, for low-cost housing. “Planning permission was rejected in 2003 by the Subang Jaya City Council, because 75% of the area was Class III and IV slopes exceeding 25 degrees, which are unsuitable for development. “Following this, the state government cancelled the project and revoked the land alienation in 2010. “The developer then took legal action, and the case went to the Federal Court in 2017.” He also said both the Court of Appeal and Federal Court ruled in favour of the council, affirming that the local authority’s decision to reject development was correct due to the slope conditions. – Bernama‘Energy crisis could help curb single-use plastics’KUALA LUMPUR: Rising prices of petroleum-based raw materials due to the global energy supply crisis are seen as a catalyst to end dependence on single-use plastic packaging, thereby accelerating the targets set under the Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018 - 2030. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Institute of Sustainable Environmental Research director Prof Dr Muhammad Zaly Shah Muhammad Hussein said cost pressures, or pocket pressure, have proven more effective in driving immediate behavioural change among consumers and industries compared with awareness campaigns, which take longer to yield results. He added that since plastics are derived from crude oil and natural gas, the surge in prices of key raw materials such as resin has made environment-friendly alternatives more competitive and relevant in the current market. “We have seen this with the 20 sen plastic bag charge. Within a short time, individuals began bringing their own bags, not because they suddenly became environmentally conscious, but because they felt the impact on their wallets. “The cost argument, which has long been the main barrier for industries to shift to bioplastics, is now weakening. This is a rare opportunity that depends on firm government action, not just market pressure.” The Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018 - 2030 serves as the country’s strategic guide to gradually reduce plastic pollution through various initiatives targeting items such as plastic bags, straws and polystyrene. Despite its clear policy intent, a gap remains between policy and implementation, posing a challenge for the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry. On industry transition, Muhammad Zaly said the use of recycled materials is no longer merely a “green” option, but also a risk management decision to safeguard business profit margins. – BernamaTheme park operators appealfor govt aidKUALA LUMPUR: As the family recreation sector is at risk of losing its competitive edge over regional peers, theme park operators are pleading for help from the government. Malaysian Association of Theme Parks and Family Attractions (Matfa) president Tan Sri Richard Koh said the association understands the government’s fiscal needs and challenges but the obstacles currently facing the industry players should not be overlooked. “The ongoing tensions in the Middle East have continued to drive up our operational costs. At the same time, consumers are tightening their belts, focusing only on essential items. As a result, our industry is experiencing a softer demand and increasing pressure on the margins. “On top of this, we also face new cost burdens under the Sales and Service Tax (SST) framework including the 6% tax on food and beverages and another 6% on in-park revenue and rentals.” However, he added that the issue was not all about taxation. Nuri Syuhada said the arrangement was especially helpful after a long journey, allowing pilgrims to rest immediately without worrying about other matters. –BERNAMAPIC“It is also about how the industry can sustain its appeal, remain competitive and be on par with our regional peers. “I humbly request the government to amend the outdated Entertainment Duty Act 1953 as it places a heavy burden on the industry.” He also said the Act was written 70 years ago as a “sin tax” for gambling, bars and nightclubs. “Today, the same Act also applies to themeparks, children’s playlands, water parks and swimming complexes. “Matfa is here to provide recreational activities and a place for family bonding.” Koh thanked the government for providing the RM1,000 tax relief for local travel, including entrance fees to attractions and domestic tour packages as part of Visit Malaysia 2026. However, he said industry players need stability, not a short-term solution. “If we want Visit Malaysia 2026 to succeed, the government’s policy must support tourism, not penalise it.” He added that Matfa has also formally written to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari regarding the sharp increase in licensing fees for playland operators. “The hike from RM500 to RM6,390 represents a 1,178% jump. Such an increase would crush smaller operators and result in slow industry growth.” Koh on Friday said operators in Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia have the advantage during this challenging period with the backing of their respective governments. “They have moved ahead with the support from their governments. In Thailand and Singapore, there is no entertainment tax being imposed on theme parks as they’re considered family recreational places. “Even in Indonesia, the authorities have reviewed its system. They have one tax rate for the whole country, unlike here where there are different rates for each state.”Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM [email protected] tensions driving up costs, softening demand: Matfa presidentarrangement, which placed family members close to one another, made it easier to manage daily matters while in the Holy Land. “Alhamdulillah, after the rooming list was released, I was grateful to be assigned a room with my three daughters. It makes things much easier.” Movement from the lobby to the rooms was also orderly, with staff stationed at several points to assist pilgrims. Meanwhile, Maktab 63 assistant manager Muhammad Fauzi Muniran said all preparations were completed in advance to ensure a burden-free arrival process. “Our aim is to allow pilgrims to rest immediately and focus on their worship. “We review the room allocation list early, especially for those travelling with family. “If it involves parents and children, we ensure they are placed on the same floor regardless of gender so they are able to stay connected and help one another.” – Bernama

SUNDAY | APR 26, 2026 | 5

6 NATIONALtheSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026Parents laud activity for special childrenPETALING JAYA: More than just a walk in the park, an autism walkathon brought together numerous participants in a cheerful push for inclusion and acceptance of children with autism in everyday community life. For Emmanuel Miranda, 28, his younger brother was encouraged to join the walk through consistent motivation from family members, particularly their aunt. “She constantly encourages him, telling him it’s good for his health and that even small steps can become meaningful milestones. “She shares inspiring songs and videos with him, and that builds his excitement and mindset to be more active,” he said. Emmanuel said his 16-year-old brother, who has a genetic developmental disorder linked to a chromosome condition, enjoys outdoor activities and was naturally drawn to the event. He expressed hope that such initiatives would continue, as they help keep individuals with special needs active and engaged in the community. “They deserve all the love in the world, so we should keep this going and continue spreading that love,” he said. Priscilla Gomez, 50, a mother of two autistic children, said the programme helped foster inclusivity by bringing together children of different backgrounds. “It’s about inclusivity, allowing children to interact, understand one another, and also for parents from different communities and backgrounds to connect.” Priscilla added that preparation played a key role in helping her children participate comfortably. “Programmes like this give them something to look forward to and ensure they are not left out.” A 39-year-old mother, who gave her name only as Meenu, said her nine-year-old child with autism and cerebral palsy benefitted from programmes like the walkathon. “It’s our first time joining, and it’s a very good experience. My son really enjoyed it.” Catherine Gan, 69, whose 34-year-old son has AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, emphasised the importance of greater awareness and acceptance within society. She said exposure is key in shaping public attitudes, as people in some overseas countries are more aware and accepting of children with special needs. – By QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDISurvey shows prevalent work burnout among Gen ZKUALA LUMPUR: Burnout is a prominent concern among the Generation Z group, commonly known as Gen Z, with 45% of them regularly feeling exhausted at work, according to a nationwide survey. The poll by Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia also found that Gen Z happiness is strongly shaped by both day-to-day responsibilities (61%) and purpose at work (65%), making it critical that they see meaning in what they do and not just complete tasks. Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia managing director Nicholas Lam told theSun that the survey recorded responses from 1,000 workers across diverse demographics, regions and industries throughout Malaysia. “Malaysian workers ranked work-life balance as a key priority, with 41% of respondents saying that improving it would make them happier at work, second only to salary as the most desired change. “Only 42% are satisfied with their current workload, while 36% are happy with their stress levels, indicating a clear gap between expectations and reality.” Lam said workplace experiences differ across generations, with Millennials and Gen X placing greater emphasis on how work fits into their broader life stage and responsibilities. For Millennials (30–44 years), flexibility is a key enabler of workplace happiness (62%), alongside purpose (64%) and day-to-day responsibilities (65%). For Gen X (45–59) workplace satisfaction is influenced by relationships with managers (52%), company values (55%), and senior leadership (49%). Lam added that the survey was conducted between October and November 2025 by Nature, an award-winning strategic advisory firm, on behalf of Jobstreet by SEEK.Heightening autism awareness via walkathonPETALING JAYA: In conjunction with Autism Awareness Month in April, the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (the official charity and social welfare arm of the Catholic Church) held an autism walkathon yesterday as part of a community initiative promoting autism awareness and inclusion. Its director Dr Gary Liew said the event was aimed at enhancing public understanding of autism while encouraging a more inclusive society through active community participation and shared engagement. “The programme brought together different communities regardless of race or religion. “This is about coming together as one Malaysia, one community, to walk together and show unity,” he added. Liew said while similar events have been held before, initiatives like this continue to play an important role in strengthening awareness and encouraging greater community inclusion of individuals with autism. He expressed hope that such initiatives would continue and expand to local communities nationwide. “This is a walkathon that everyone can join, whether young, elderly or persons with Isaiah joining participants and their families during the event held at Taman Jaya Park in Petaling Jaya yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUNEvent aimed at strengthening public understanding while encouraging inclusive society through active community participationdisabilities (PwD). The idea is that we are journeying together.” On awareness, Liew said while public understanding of autism exists, deeper engagement is still lacking. He emphasised that families affected by autism share similar hopes, struggles and emotions with others in society. “Inclusion does not require large-scale events alone, but can begin in everyday interactions. “Even a simple smile or greeting can make someone feel included. It is about acknowledging their presence and making them feel welcome in the community,” he said. Senator Isaiah Jacob echoed a similar view, saying that Malaysia still has a long way to go in shifting public perception and embracing true inclusion. “In our society, we are still lagging far behind. Many people still do not understand what autism is, and other developmental conditions such as Down syndrome. “They tend to perceive them as something unfamiliar or foreign,” he said. He stressed that change must also come through religious and community institutions. “Places of worship such as mosques, surau, churches and temples can play an important role in raising awareness and improving understanding of autism and other groups within the persons with disability community,” he added. Isaiah pointed to three key issues – acceptance, lack of awareness and limited community involvement. He also lamented the lack of political engagement on the issue, saying that despite government incentives, some MPs are not giving sufficient attention to PwD related matters in their constituencies. “I am very disappointed that many MPs do not take this seriously, even though the central government provides various support and incentives. “Based on the United Nations framework, the responsibility to protect and support PwD lies primarily with the government, while NGOs play a supporting role. “NGOs should not be viewed as the main party responsible, but rather as partners that complement government efforts.” Isaiah said programmes such as the walkathon are just a starting point in broader efforts to build awareness and inclusion. He also called on companies and institutions to provide employment opportunities for individuals with autism. “Many organisations have already started hiring individuals with autism,” he said. He urged both government agencies and private companies to provide opportunities rather than exclusion. “Give them the space, time and opportunity, as they are capable and different in their own way,” he said.Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI [email protected]Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM [email protected]

WORLD 7theSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026Iran peace talks set to resumeISLAMABAD: US envoys headed to Pakistan yesterday to kickstart a new round of negotiations with Iran. The White House said Araghchi (left) with Pakistan Army Chief and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Islamabad on Friday. – AFPPIC/ IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY HANDOUTPakistan to mediate with negotiatorsFirefighters battle Iwate blazeOTSUCHI: Firefighters were battling wildfires in the forests of northern Japan yesterday, as authorities urged more than 3,200 people to evacuate. As of yesterday morning, blazes in the mountainous areas of Iwate region had burned about 700ha since breaking out three days ago, local officials said in a statement. A large column of smoke, which could be smelled 30km away, was seen rising up the valley near the town of Otsuchi as two helicopters dropped water on the burning forest. In Otsuchi, fire engines were spraying the forest near homes close to the fire. About a dozen helicopters and more than 1,300 firefighters as well as Japan Self-Defence Forces troops have been mobilised to battle the fires, the statement said. At least eight buildings had been burnt but all the residents had evacuated, it said. Increasingly dry winters have raised the risk of wildfires. A blaze that broke out in Ofunato early last year was Japan’s worst in more than half a century. – AFPA helicopter drops water in Otsuchi. – REUTERSPICIndonesia pushes for UN probeJAKARTA: Indonesia yesterday condemned the death of another peacekeeper in Lebanon, reiterating its call for a UN investigation. Corporal Rico Pramudia, 31, serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), died in a Beirut hospital on Friday. He was critically injured in a “projectile explosion” on March 29. The latest casualty brings the number of Indonesian peacekeepers killed to four. “Indonesia again condemns the attack by Israel that resulted in the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper. Any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law and may amount to a war crime,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Vahd Naby. Indonesia, he said, reiterates its call for the UN to do an “immediate, thorough and transparent investigation” to establish the facts, and stresses that full accountability must be ensured. “Safety and security of the UN peacekeepers is not negotiable. Therefore, the government of Indonesia also continues its coordination with the United Nations and other troop- and police-contributing countries to strengthen the protection of peacekeepers, including through a comprehensive evaluation of their safety and security, as well as enhanced risk mitigation measures in Unifil’s area of operations,” the spokesman said. The government extends its “deepest” condolences to the bereaved family, and expresses its highest respect for the deceased peacekeeper’s “dedication and sacrifice in maintaining international peace”, he said. Following the attack, he said, through “close and intensive” coordination with Unifil, the Indonesian government, the Lebanese government and medical teams in Beirut ensured optimum medical treatment was provided. However, due to the severity of Pramudia’s injuries, he died despite all efforts to save his life, the spokesman said. – BernamaWikimedia agrees to Jakarta registration ruleJAKARTA: The Wikimedia Foundation said yesterday it has found a compromise with the Indonesian government, which had threatened to block Wikipedia over domestic registration rules the foundation feared were overly invasive. Under a 2020 regulation, all electronic system providers (PSEs) must register in Indonesia for what the government calls legal and user protection purposes before making their services available. Critics have pointed to a provision that requires registered PSEs to take down content deemed “causing public unrest and disturbing public order” as a free speech restriction. The Wikimedia Foundation, which owns and operates Wikipedia, had previously said the provision “departs from international human rights norms”. In a statement sent to AFP yesterday, the foundation said it had a “very constructive meeting” earlier in the week with the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry, during which it explained its “non-profit mission” and “emphasised its commitment to protecting user privacy and security”. It said the ministry informed it that the registration requirement was administrative in nature. “With assurances that there would be no unlawful content takedown orders or data disclosure requirements that could put the Wikimedia community-led model at risk, the foundation is working constructively towards the administrative next steps,” the statement said. The ministry did not respond to a request for comment. – AFPemissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would engage with Iranian representatives, but Iranian state media said direct negotiations were not on the cards. Despite President Donald Trump’s announcement on Thursday of a three-week ceasefire extension in Lebanon, Israeli strikes in the south of the country killed six people on Friday. While Trump expressed confidence at the prospect of a lasting peace in Lebanon, sealing a deal to end the wider Middle East war is a thornier proposition, even as urgency mounts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade conduit. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Witkoff and Kushner were headed to Pakistan. “The Iranians reached out, as the president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation,” Leavitt said. Leavitt said Vice-President JD Vance, who led a first round of negotiations in Islamabad two weeks ago, would not be joining for the time being, but was on “standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary”. Iranian state television said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has no plans to meet the Americans, and Islamabad would serve as a bridge to “convey” Iranian proposals to end the conflict. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad to discuss “efforts for regional peace and stability” with Pakistani officials. An Iranian spokesman said Araghchi would visit Oman and Russia after the Pakistan stop to discuss efforts to end the war launched against the Islamic Republic by Israel and the United States on Feb 28. Since the last round of talks, efforts to bring the two sides back to the table have hit an impasse, with Iran refusing to take part as long as a US naval blockade remained in place. Iran has imposed a de facto blockade of its own on the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only a trickle of ships to pass through the vital waterway. European Council President Antonio Costa said on Friday that the strait “must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling”. – AFP

8 WORLDtheSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026 READ OUR HERE/thesun Malaysian PaperKATHMANDU: Nepali authorities began demolishing informal settlements yesterday along river banks of the capital. Squatters have been living for decades on the banks of the Bagmati river and its tributaries which crisscross the Kathmandu valley. Many live in flimsy shelters of wood and sheet metal shacks. Under a directive from Prime Minister Balendra Shah, bulldozers rolled in yesterday with police presence to clear out the area. Kathmandu Police chief Bhishnu Prasad Joshi said authorities had told residents to evacuate by Friday evening. The eviction took place peacefully, with residents carrying bags and loading furniture and belongings into small trucks. “I don’t have a place to stay,” said Puspa Kaasai, 65, who called the area home for three decades. Shah defended the demolition, writing on social media on Friday that it was important to remove citizens from “unorganised and flood-prone” areas. “This government will provide a permanent solution to this problem that has been going on for years,” he said, adding that genuine squatters will be given land. – AFPKuwait frees US journalist WASHINGTON: US journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who was detained in Kuwait over online posts related to the Iran war, has been released. A State Department official said on Friday that Shihab-Eldin, 41, had left Kuwait. Last week, the New Yorkbased Committee to Protect Journalists said Shihab-Eldin had not been seen in public since March 2, after being detained by Kuwaiti authorities during a crackdown by Gulf nations on people filming or posting footage from the conflict. Shihab-Eldin had been visiting family in Kuwait and was arrested on March 3, according to CPJ. The media watchdog said he was charged with spreading false information, harming national security and misusing his mobile phone. A Kuwaiti court acquitted Shihab-Eldin on all charges following nearly two months of detention, CPJ said on Thursday, citing a statement from lawyers for Shihab-Eldin’s sisters. CPJ said it welcomed the acquittal. “We can confirm that Shihab-Eldin has safely departed Kuwait. While in detention, the State Department was in contact with him and provided consular assistance,” the State Department official said. The official had no further comment, citing privacy and other considerations. – ReutersRussian drone, missile blitz kills four in Dnipro KYIV: A major Russian attack on Ukraine killed four people and injured more than 30 others on Friday night as Moscow launched over 660 drones and missiles in a barrage that targeted the city of Dnipro in southeastern Ukraine, and hit several other regions. “The Russians bombed Dnipro and other cities and communities,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on social media. Two bodies were recovered from a damaged building in Dnipro, regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said, adding that five other people could still be trapped in the rubble. Another 21 people were wounded, he said. In the northern region of Chernihiv, missile and drone attacks killed two people and wounded seven others, the governor there said. “Every strike like this must remind our partners that the situation needs immediate and firm action, rapid strengthening of our air defences,” Zelenskiy said. Russia attacked Ukraine with 619 drones and 47 missiles, Ukraine’s air force said on Telegram, adding that it downed 580 drones and 30 missiles. Russia has been launching smaller barrages of dozens of drones every night at Ukraine, interspersing them with largescale attacks that use drones and missiles. – ReutersPalestinians vote in municipal pollsRAMALLAH: Palestinians in the West Bank and a central area of Gaza began voting yesterday in municipal elections. Nearly 1.5 million people are registered to vote in the Israelioccupied West Bank, as well as 70,000 people in Gaza’s Deir elBalah area, according to the Ramallah-based Central Elections Commission. Most electoral lists are aligned with President Mahmud Abbas’s secular-nationalist Fatah party or running as independents. There are no lists affiliated with Fatah’s rival Hamas, which controls nearly half of the Gaza Strip. In most cities, Fatah-backed tickets will run against independent lists headed by candidates from factions such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Mahmud Bader, a businessman from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, where two nearby refugee camps have been under Israeli military control for over a year, said he would vote despite having little hope for meaningful change. “Whether candidates are independent or partisan, it has no effect and will have no effect or benefit for the city,” he said. “The (Israeli) occupation is the one that rules Tulkarem. It would only be an image shown to the international media.” In many cities, including Nablus and Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, only one list has been submitted, meaning it wins without needing a vote. Polling stations in the West Bank will close at 7pm, while polls in Deir al-Balah will close at 5pm to enable counting in daylight due to the lack of electricity in the strip, the An affected squatter catches her breath during the demolition. – AFPPICOpenAI chief apologises NEW YORK: OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman apologised on Friday to a Canadian community following a school shooting in February. Police said nine people, including the alleged perpetrator, were killed in the attack in British Columbia. Another 25 people were injured. OpenAI had suspended a ChatGPT account belonging to the alleged perpetrator last June after monitoring systems detected scenarios involving the use of firearms in her conversations. However, the company did not deem it necessary to notify the authorities. Following the incident, OpenAI discovered another ChatGPT account belonging to the woman. In a letter addressed to the community of Tumbler Ridge, Altman apologised for not alerting authorities. “I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement,” Altman wrote. “While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognise the harm and loss your community has suffered.” – BernamaA Palestinian man casts his ballot in the West Bank city of Al-Bireh. – AFPPICelections commission told AFP. Gaza, which has been under Hamas control since 2007, will see its first vote since the legislative elections of 2006 that the movement won. Abbas’s Palestinian Authority is holding elections only in Deir el-Balah “as an experiment (to test its own) success or failure, since there are no post-war opinion polls”, said Jamal alFadi, a political scientist at Cairo’s Al-Azhar University. Abbas, who is now 90 and has remained in power for more than 20 years without being reelected, frequently promises elections that have never taken place. Deir el-Balah was chosen as it was one of the only places in Gaza where “the population has remained largely in place and not been displaced” by more than two years of war, Fadi said. – AFPFirst elections since Gaza warNepal clears Kathmandu squatter settlements

ALSO INSIDEThespian promotes truthful storytelling for literature and stageHealing and entertainment through pure heartfelt improvisationPenang Heritage Arts Festival experiments with histories and cultures sustainable island tourism Preserving deep relationship of people and nature for Preserving deep relationship of people and nature forSpecialdayAPRIL 26, 2026

II theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026Feeling the flow of life, tides and tourism at Pulau Sibulong term and provide high-quality, authentic experiences to visitors while ensuring proper safeguards are in place to minimise environmental impacts,” said MareCet co-founder Louisa Ponnampalam. She added that the failure to implement sustainable tourism practices will eventually lead to the collapse of a destination, transforming formerly prosperous areas into ghost towns and driving residents to relocate or resort to desperate survival measures. “Economies, livelihoods, relationships and ecosystems are all affected,” she said. Camping under the stars, the expedition allowed visitors to experience Pulau Sibu not only through its marine biodiversity but also through its community. By involving locals at the grassroots level, MareCet curated an experience that extended far beyond conventional tourism. Activities included dugong watching, intertidal walks, community visits and a stop at a virgin coconut oil producer. An untouched island rich in biodiversityAccessible via a boat ride from Tanjung Leman, Pulau Sibu forms part of an archipelago comprising Pulau Sibu Tengah, Pulau Sibu Hujung, Pulau Sibu Kukus and Pulau Papan. Known for its pristine waters and fine sandy beaches, the area has long attracted MareCet researchers and participants scan the waters during a dugong-watching session off Pulau Sibu. – SUBASHINI JEYARAMAN/THESUNOn a remote Johor island where dugongs roam unseen and villages still move to the rhythm of the sea, a three-day expedition by MareCet explores how sustainable tourism is reshaping the relationship between people, nature and survivalWHEN it comes to tourism in Malaysia, many instinctively picture the gleaming skyline of Kuala Lumpur, dominated by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers or the postcard-perfect islands scattered across the country. In recent years, sustainable tourism has steadily carved out its place within Malaysia’s diverse travel landscape, emphasising meaningful experiences while maximising positive contributions to local environments and communities. At the forefront of this movement is MareCet Research Organisation, a non-governmental organisation that has championed marine conservation through research and advocacy since 2012. In line with its mission, the organisation recently hosted a three-day expedition to Pulau Sibu in Johor, offering participants an opportunity to experience slow and mindful travel. The trip was supported by Sustainable Tourism Malaysia, co-chaired by The Habitat Foundation and Tengah Island Conservation and funded by the Finance Ministry. “Sustainable tourism is important to ensure that a destination can survive in the BY SUBASHINI JEYARAMAN [email protected] enthusiasts and divers. The archipelago was gazetted as a Federal Marine Park in 1993 and was internationally recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2019 as part of the Mersing Archipelago Important Marine Mammal Area. Pulau Sibu is also part of the Mersing National Geopark, due to its significant geological features, including ancient volcanic rock formations. It consists of four main parts – Pulau Sibu Besar, which is the main focus for tourists, as well as Pulau Sibu Tengah, Pulau Sibu Kukus and Pulau Sibu Hujung. Pulau Sibu Besar, where the expedition primarily took place, is home to about 200 residents across five villages, with basic amenities including a primary school, mosque, public hall, shops, eateries, a clinic and a police station. Visitors may encounter small herds of cattle, as well as sheep and chickens roaming freely across the island. Wild boars have also been sighted, although they are generally docile. Nevertheless, visitors are advised to keep a safe distance.Searching for the elusive dugongOne of the expedition highlights was dugong watching, although the elusive marine mammals did not surface during the trip. MareCet researcher Joey Lee managed to spot large ripples in separate areas of the ocean believed to have been caused by the animals. Leading the search, Louisa pointed out the presence of seagrass fragments, an indication that dugongsmight be nearby. However, the animals remained out of sight. Another researcher, Chua Jing Er, described the scientific processes involved in their surveys, including the use of coded communication in the event of sightings. Participants also recorded ocean depth and seawater salinity using specialised tools such as depth finders and refractometers. A key takeaway emphasised by the organisers was that sightings are never guaranteed. While this may be disappointing to some, sustainable tourism encourages respect for marine life and appreciation for ongoing conservation efforts. Resident Nor Shazreen Muhammad demonstrates the traditional process of producing virgin coconut oil at her family-run business. -SUBASHINI JEYARAMAN/THESUN

theSunday Special IIION SUNDAY APR 26, 2026Rather than seeking guaranteed encounters, visitors are reminded to approach such experiences with realistic expectations, recognising that sustainable travel prioritises respect of environments. Life between the tidesIntertidal explorations offer travellers a unique opportunity to observe marine life during low tide. “When the seawater recedes, it becomes an accessible way for people to explore the rich biodiversity within our marine ecosystems,” said Louisa. “I hope such experiences inspire a sense of wonder that encourages people to protect the sea.” During the exploration, participants encountered various marine species, including a juvenile blacktip shark, a starfish and a tiny sea slug, commonly known as a nudibranch. Beyond the shoreline, a kampungwalkabout led by Pulau Sibu Besar resident Muhd Kamani Abdul Kadir provided further insight into island life. Visitors were introduced to local flora, from cempenai trees to hardy cactus plants, turning the walk into an engaging learning experience. A glimpse into the local economyThe expedition also offered insight into the island’s local economy, particularly the production of virgin coconut oil. Led by Nor Shazreen Muhammad, the session highlighted the intricate process of producing handmade coconut oil. While it may appear simple, the process requires patience, precision and consistency. nets and would only take a portion of turtle eggs found along the shore to ensure the survival of the species. “If there were 300 turtle eggs, he would only take half, fearing the species could become extinct,” she said. Although dugong meat was once consumed within the community, Zaharah said she could never bring herself to eat it. She also shared memories of seeing a stranded dugong in the 1970s while staying on Pulau Sibu Tengah. In many ways, her life reflects the essence of sustainable living, balancing the use of natural resources with the responsibility of preserving them for future generations. Legends of the islandLike many islands in Malaysia, Pulau Sibu is steeped in folklore. Zaharah recounted stories of mysterious entities believed to inhabit the island, including tales of shapeshifting figures linked to certain rock formations. She also spoke of a tree said to house a supernatural presence, often encountered during sunshowers or after dusk. While such stories remain part of local belief systems, they add a cultural dimension to the island’s identity, reflecting the deep connection between the community and its surroundings. Redefining travelSustainable tourism, as demonstrated in Pulau Sibu, is not defined by luxury or spectacle, but by intention. It is about travelling with awareness, respecting boundaries and recognising that every destination has its own rhythm that should not be disrupted. Pulau Sibu offers more than scenic beauty. It presents a shift in perspective, that the true value of travel lies not in what is taken from a place, but in what is left behind – care, respect and a commitment to preserving it for future generations.When the seawater recedes, it becomes an accessible way for people to explore the rich biodiversity within our marine “ecosystems.”MareCet researchers and participants record field data during a marine expedition off Pulau Sibu as part of ongoing conservation work. – SUBASHINI JEYARAMAN/THESUNPulau Sibu Kukus, where untouched nature meets quiet island charm. – SUBASHINI JEYARAMAN/THESUNThe 34-year-old runs a family business established in 2005 alongside her husband and relatives, producing coconut oil as well as related products such as lip balms and scrubs for both local and online markets. Her involvement began during her secondary school years, assisting her parents before eventually taking over the business after obtaining the necessary certifications before 2020. Using coconuts harvested from trees around her home, she explained that quality is crucial as it directly affects the final product. The process involves dehusking, splitting and grating the coconuts to extract its milk, which is then left under the sun to set naturally before being cooled overnight. The following day, the cream is exposed to sunlight again to extract the oil, which is then filtered. She added that the quality of water used also contributes to the final product. A life shaped by the sea Among the island’s long-time residents is Zaharah Muhammad Ali, a fourthgeneration islander and home-based entrepreneur. The 64-year-old developed a deep respect for the sea from a young age, influenced by her father, a fisherman who practised sustainable habits long before the term became widely known. She recounted how her father would release dugongs or turtles caught in his

IV theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026“What makes Playback Theatre unique is that it is not only artistically engaging, but also carries an organic therapeutic element, for both the audience and the performers. “Audiences are not just entertained, they are moved by real stories. Some may resonate with similar experiences, feel a sense of connection or realise that they are not alone.” Bringing back memoriesSoo, founder of The Onion Theatre and co-founder of Rasa Sayang Playback Theatre, initiated one of the earliest Playback Theatre communities in Malaysia. Trained in Playback Theatre by teachers from Taiwan, the 52-year-old has over 10 years of experience practising and performing Playback Theatre, and has participated in international Playback Theatre camps and festivals in the Philippines, Batumi (Georgia) and Singapore. The Bidor native said she studied drama at the Malaysian Institute of Art when she was 18, and went on to earn a living with a variety of backstage jobs. “About 10 years ago, I went through a traumatic experience, and I couldn’t seem to find a way to heal myself,” she said candidly about her start in Playback Theatre. “I attended a Playback Theatre workshop, to fulfil in a way my desire to act. The teacher asked me to do a performance with her. An audience member’s story seemed close to mine. CAN the ordinary become a piece of theatre, or even art? “We go to the theatre to watch a story. People naturally love stories, especially true stories, which can move us deeply and inspire us in many ways,” said theatre practitioner and show producer Kimmy Kiew. Attached to the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre’s academy, Kiew and the fledgling Onion Theatre team are offering us not just any story, but untold ones from you and I, the audience. Come May 1, Playback Theatre shall be presented by Onion Theatre as its first ticketed show centred on the theme “Moments of Growing Up”. The production is helmed by Peggy Soo. Since its inception in the ‘70s, Playback Theatre has grown into an international movement, practised in over 70 countries for community building and conflict resolution. “When I first learnt about what Peggy Soo has been doing over the past 10 years, I was already very moved, even before I had seen a Playback Theatre performance. As I began researching Playback Theatre, which was created by an American couple (Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas) in the late 1970s, I felt a strong sense of calling. It was as if something inside me was saying: ‘I must do this’.” A stage for our own storiesUsing improvisation, Playback Theatre promises to honour stories from the audience to see something magical happenSoo has participated in international Playback Theatre camps and festivals in the Philippines, Georgia and Singapore. – PIC COURTESY OF KLPAC/ONION THEATRE“It brought back memories, and when the event was over, I went back to my car and I cried. I felt so much better, and I started trying this form of theatre every month. “All along, my performances have been for charity, at cancer centres, old folk’s homes, leprosariums, schools and teacher groups. It seemed effective for them. It’s a good form of communication.” During the MCO period, Soo took part in online Playback Theatre performances with international collaborators, continuing to connect communities through storytelling across borders. “Only this year, I developed my first solo Playback Theatre performance, for Chinese New Year, with my family members. They seemed to enjoy it!” Soo credits her brother for egging her on to do what her heart desires, which is to act. “He was actually keen on music, and has composed songs for my performances, even one for ‘Moments of BY SUBHADRA DEVAN [email protected] rehearsal process has been exciting and meaningful, making the performers trust themselves and one another deeply. – PIC COURTESY OF KLPAC/ONION THEATREThe production is Onion Theatre’s first ticketed show on the theme of ‘Moments of Growing Up’.Growing Up’. But he had to take over the family business. I must thank him for encouraging me to follow my passion.” Plenty of trainingSoo worked with Kiew on a solo show in Cantonese in March. “This is all part of training for the May 1 show.” She and her small team are gearing up for the performance. “Lots of training is being done. We must act properly, and in a respectful way. What was a hobby then is now a real job. Commitment is needed.” Kiew felt that the local theatre scene lacked a strong community for this kind of theatre practice. She said her work with KLpac’s The Actors Studio Academy saw requests to explore Theatre of the Oppressed. “Playback Theatre felt very relevant, and as I continued researching, I began to see it as an evolution of that form. “When Peggy and I started planning this performance about a year ago, it was both exciting and meaningful. We brought together a team, many of whom did not know one another initially. “Throughout the rehearsal process, something quite magical happened. We shared our personal stories while practising the different forms and structures of Playback Theatre. It almost felt like a ritual – very pure, honest and therapeutic for all of us. “Because Playback Theatre involves improvisation, we had moments of uncertainty and wondered if we might get ‘stuck’ during a performance. However, after testing our work with a real, small audience recently, it gave us a lot of confidence. It pushed us to trust ourselves and each other more deeply. “We often say we are ‘serving’ the audience with this form of theatre. We honour their stories (on the spot during the performance) and return them through performance.” The one-night only show will have neither grand props nor fancy lights. It is about real stories told by us, the audience, enacted on stage. Real. Possibly healing. It could well be theatre, where it is you who matters. Playback Theatre will be staged in Mandarin at Indicine, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), Kuala Lumpur, at 8pm on May 1. Visit https://www.klpac.org/shows.

theSunday Special VON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026Reality show revs up Japanese yankiisubcultureTOKYO: Sporting towering Elvis-style hair and a school uniform modified into a rebellious silhouette, 15-yearold Reona worships Japan’s classic bad-boy subculture recently taken global by a hit Netflix dating show. Japan in the heady 1980s teemed with hot-blooded teens who rebelled against society through dangerous motorcycle rides, school “wars” and street brawls. Their outlandish fashion and supposed traits such as chivalry have since made them Japan’s pop-culture darlings, from anime to film, despite its conformist population’s disdain for rule-breakers. The latest to capitalise on the genre is Netflix, whose recent reality show “Badly in Love” spotlighted Japan’s yankii (delinquent) culture by starring 11 young men and women, including former bosozoku (motorcycle gang) members. A yankii-themed exhibition is now underway in Tokyo, re-enacting the ‘80s chaos with flamboyantly modified motorcycles and heavily embroidered tokkofuku, military-style jackets worn by the bikers. High-schooler Reona, who AFP has chosen not to name in full because he is a minor, mimics the ‘80s rebels by donning baggy school trousers designed to create an imposing impression. “I think their hardcore manliness on full display is so cool,” he told AFP. A fighting spirit, loyalty to friends and straightforwardness are redeeming qualities often associated with the subculture. Meanwhile, modern delinquents are sometimes derided for their childish TikTok clout-chasing, online bullying and the underhanded way they scam elderly people as part of so-called “black-market part-time gigs”. Prank videos have been widely circulated online in recent years showing teenage customers committing unhygienic antics at Japan’s sushi conveyor-belt restaurants, so-called “sushi terrorism”. “Getting arrested for riding around your motorcycle may have some honour, but getting arrested for those sushi pranks is plain lame,” Reona said. Hirotaka Sotooka, 43, laughs off his eight-year-old son’s precocious penchant for gangster-like attire, but draws a line. The parent is willing to tolerate motorcycles, fistfights and fashion statements, but “I don’t want him to bully the weak or be violent toward women. “Otherwise, it’s his life to enjoy,” he said, proudly watching as his son strikes a tough-guy pose before a bosozoku-style bike showcased at the yankii exhibition during its February iteration. Japanese teens still make headlines vrooming recklessly, skirmishing or even duelling, but they are now commonly seen as less belligerent after many moved online to vent. Saito poses at an event that can be translated as the ‘Great Yankii Exhibition’ in Saitama, Japan. – AFPPICOutlandish fashion, rebellious chivalry hallmarks of ‘bad-boy’ movement Otoha , a Season 1 participant of Badly in Love. – AFPPICA boy poses in a full yankii getup at the exhibition. – AFPPIC The number of bosozoku members also plummeted nearly 90% to 5,880 in 2024 from their peak in 1982, police data shows. That is partly because “surveillance cameras are now everywhere” and “everyone films you on an iPhone and leaves proof of your act”, Kenichiro Iwahashi, a former outlaw biker turned delinquency expert, told AFP. With the risk of arrest much higher, bosozoku gangs as hardcore as those in the ‘80s known for their unlicensed, unhelmeted and tokkofuku-flaunting style are “almost non-existent today”. While long popular in fiction, yankii youths remain deeply frowned upon in real life for their transgressive behaviours and occasional transitions to full-fledged career criminals. Satoru Saito, who performs as a “yankii comedian” complete with towering quiff, shaved eyebrows and tokkofuku, sometimes finds himself vilified online by those almost allergic to his “anti-social” appearance. “For some people, this is a hard no,” the 33-year-old told AFP. “Most of these yankii folks are doing things such as fighting or committing crimes, and the act of riding motorcycles at midnight can be extremely noisy, so I get why they are hated.” This makes “Badly in Love” an audacious project that few TV stations would have dared to green light. From “Tokyo Revengers” to “Crows”, manga and movies themed on school gangs have always made popular content as escapist fantasy. However, featuring these troublemakers beyond fiction would have “risked exposing TV stations to criticism from the public that they are endorsing the yankii culture”, said entertainment writer Motohiko Tokuriki. Mindful of the risk, Netflix said it went beyond strict legal compliance to “avoid sensationalism” and contextualise cast members’ past slips into delinquency. “We had extensive internal discussions to ensure the production would not be perceived as glorifying or condoning the violence,” Badly in Love executive producer Dai Ota told AFP. Overall, his gamble paid off. The show, with Season 2 already set for release later this year, has maintained a weeks-long top 10 presence, including in South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. “Our hope was to show that young people, who have often been marginalised or labelled as ‘social outcasts’, are simply youths who worry, struggle and genuinely grow.” Despite her tough, exterior, Season 1 participant Otoha told AFP she is “not at all what people think of me”. The 23-year-old “introvert” now calls her past delinquency “embarrassing”. “I’d like people not to admire us, but take us as their anti-role model.” – AFP

VI theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026Walking the talk, JDev Studios decided to look between the cracks for its most authentic script – Tewas. A common but severely neglected topic, Tewas suited the social and political climate at a time when bullying became a conversation anchor. However, this story was in the works for over three years. Sidhart does not tell local stories just when it is “trendy”, but also when it is necessary – and for a topic such as bullying, it always has been. “Tewas is something we started working on three years ago, when it wasn’t a national headline and it wasn’t being discussed in newspapers, TV or the internet. We started working on it because we realised bullying has always been an issue for many, many years. “It’s just that when someone unfortunately dies, only then it becomes a national headline. Then, everyone talks about it.” “I started doing plays when I was about 17 years old. There’s something about storytelling, playing multiple characters and being able to tell stories that intrigued me,” he shared. After pursuing film and broadcasting at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), he cultivated a longing for telling domestic stories. Dabbling in theatre n Penang from 2014 to 2019, Sidhart then moved to Kuala Lumpur and started working in the metropolitan city. “Then, I collaborated with a couple of productions in Kuala Lumpur, such as the Actor Studio (Academy), KLPac, Theatresauce, Instant Cafe (Theatre Company) to do theatre work. So, it’s been about 14 years now.” However, it was not writing that kick-started his theatre aspirations, it was actually acting. “These roles didn’t come to me overnight, all at once. I started as an actor and I enjoyed the process of telling someone else’s story from a third person’s perspective. “I enjoyed that for the first few years. Then, I started directing. I was able to tell someone else’s story from an outsider perspective as a director. I enjoyed that process.” Sidhart said his journey taught him there was a lack of domestic stories and in it, he discovered his very own stage. This “plot hole” motivated him to assume the role of a producer. He started investing financially into projects that highlight local tales, and began recruiting creatives “to put these stories together”. The playwright’s passion for storytelling is veritable, The hardest thing a storyteller can do is narrate the truth... as it is. Often, stories help us escape reality and peer into a world veiled in layered metaphors, allowing us to hide behind words and escape taking accountability. As Martin Scorsese, the filmmaker behind The Irishman and Goodfellas, once noted: “A story should be a reflection of life, and life is rarely a tidy moral lesson. When we force a ‘correct’ ending, we betray the reality of the human experience.” This raises a vital question. Have storytellers traded nuance for dogma? In an attempt to deliver “ideal” endings, have we robbed stories of their souls? In a radical creative movement, thespians and chroniclers alike have taken a stance against smug storytelling, holding up mirrors to ask real and hard questions. This same rejection of dogmatism is finding a voice in the Malaysian theatre scene. That voice is JDev Studios, which put up Tewas, a local play directed by Hilyati Ramli and co-written with Sidhart Joe Dev, staged as four evening shows in November 2025. Although the play itself has closed its curtains, the conversation remains valid, and theSun sat with Sidhart for a chat about the theatre scene in Malaysia and telling authentic local stories. Born for the stageBorn and raised in Penang, Sidhart started in the creative industry by hosting talk shows and producing podcasts. However, his passion for storytelling started as a young boy in secondary school. Sidhart believes in telling little known domestic stories.Sidhart Joe Dev on his mission to narrate ‘insignificant’ stories amid struggling industry BY VERONICA ELANKOVAN [email protected] Sidhart, making an impact is as simple as lighting a matchstick in the dark.Playwright’s manifestoso when asked what fuels his passion for theatre, he simply said: “A little bit of everything”. “I can’t specifically say which one drives me more, but I feel like all of it. But right now, I enjoy being a playwright more.” Story is king?Story is king, an ideology popularised by Pixar’s co-founder Ed Catmull in his book Creativity, Inc. But for Sidhart, the characters are the focal point of a tale. “I always believe the character wins at the end of the day,” he said, adding it is the characters that make the story. He starts writing by focusing on the characters – who they are and what their motivations are. “I like ensemble characters, I don’t like a play with just two characters. I like writing multiple characters because I believe these characters will then add layers to the story, making it complete.” I enjoyed the process of telling someone else’s story from a third person’s “perspective.”

theSunday Special VIION SUNDAY APR 26, 2026Tewas faced troubles artistically and financially in pre-production. Tewas rewrites personal narrative into social advocacy.For Sidhart and his crew, Tewas was born from a genuine place of wanting to tell difficult domestic stories, drawing inspiration from personal ones and bullying cases that happened in the last couple of years. “Even its title came from a profound feeling you get when all odds are against you, when bullying corners you and “you tewas”, he said. “So, when you watch Tewas, you realise these are cases you might not know exactly, but you have heard of them,” he said, adding that the play is inspired by real stories. “Playing emotionally taxing characters can take a toll on your mental health.” Sidhart also shared that the intention in putting up the show was not to draw from self-pity. “We thought if we wanted to tell this story properly, we should do it for the truth that we are trying to tell,” he said, while revealing there were months’ worth of preparation prior to staging the play. He added that since the characters had been played repeatedly during rehearsals, the cast was desensitised by the time of the performance. Uphill battlePutting up a play as heavy as Tewas came with its tribulations, artistically and financially. “We realised the story was bigger than all of us, the production team, the cast and crew. “So, the challenges were how were we going to tell the story in a way that is artistic enough with light and music. At the same time, you don’t want to overwhelm or overdo it.” Finding the balance between showmanship and raw storytelling was the primary creative hurdle, said Sidhart. While navigating these artistic rigours, the team also faced stark constraints of the struggling industry. “We had to bring an entire team from Penang to the Klang Valley to fund this production.” Fortunately, USM’s School of the Arts stepped in to ease the logistical bottlenecks, providing manpower, technical equipment and a stage. While this support gave the production enough resources to sustain its week-long run, the broader financial gap in the industry remains an adversity. It highlights a recurring theme in the Malaysian theatre scene, the constant struggle to justify stories that do not end with a “happy ending”. “Are stories with ‘happy endings’ the only ones worth telling?” said Sidhart. While the Malaysian theatre scene is doing good work, the motivation to pursue the art is still low due to the lack of financial gratification. “You end up losing so much.” Unfiltered mirrorDespite the low enthusiasm for the industry by the masses, JDev Studios managed to put on a successful show, such as Tewas, that is definitely not its last. As for Sidhart, he is still on his quest to narrate the truth. “People want to hear the truth behind closed doors.” According to him, making an impact is as simple as lighting a matchstick in the dark, it does not have to be grand. So, he vows to keep telling little stories that others would deem insignificant, and Tewas has pushed that aspiration a little further. “As artistes, we all have to be socially responsible in the kind of stories we are telling,” he said, while expressing hope that Tewas, and the likes of it, keep the conversation going. He said bullying is widespread due to the failure to listen, thus prompting the company to create Tewas to “make people listen”. “I hope people have the patience to listen to someone else’s narrative and understand it... then help before it is too late.” For Sidhart, the stage is more than a platform for entertainment. It is a mirror As much as we believe in building the theatre industry, we also have to build “the audience.”that reflects the uncomfortable corners of society that is often ignored. By turning the spotlight on the mechanics of bullying, Tewas rewrites personal narrative into social advocacy. However, for such stories to ignite lasting change, it requires a sustainable ecosystem. Building an audience Sidhart said meaningful support starts at the institutional level. “If half of the attention that is given to films and music (was given to theatre), the artistes will know how to make this industry survive with whatever little that we have.” To tackle this issue, he calls for reform to make arts and theatre part of the education syllabus. “Each student gets only two hours of arts education in 365 days. As much as we believe in building the theatre industry, we also have to build the audience.” He urges for arts (theatre) education for our children, as Sidhart believes it can contribute to building a stronger artistic community. Looking ahead But Sidhart is not just waiting for the syllabus to change, he and his crew are actively creating the culture he dreams of. On the future of JDev Studios, he is already looking towards multiple projects and cross-border collaborations. The goal is simple. “We want to tell stories about ourselves and about who we are. We want to tell these stories in multiple languages.” Leading the creative revolution, JDev Studios and Sidhart are devoted to continue bringing stories found in our kitchen to an audience, ensuring the present and next generation have a voice and the representation they deserve.

VIII theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026PROUD PARADE ... Students performing during a celebration for the Khmer New Year, known as Nokor Sankranta, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. – AFPPICPRETTY PICTURE ... Harry and Meghan, the duke and duchess of Sussex, posing for a photo with the crowd at Man O’War Steps, next to the Sydney Opera House, before taking part in a sailing event with members of Invictus Australia in Sydney Harbour during their trip to Australia. – REUTERSPICTRICKLING TOURISM ... A boatman waiting for visitors to ride the Shikara, a traditional wooden joyride vessel, at Dal Lake in Srinagar, located in India-controlled Kashmir. – AFPPICCHEERFUL CROWD ... Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (centre) posing for a photo with laptop recipients and guests at the Safe Internet Campaign at the Mini Library, Tun Syed Nasir Syed Ismail Polytechnic in Pagoh, Johor. – BERNAMAPICREGAL REVIEW ... Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah inspecting a guard of honour mounted in Shah Alam. – BERNAMAPIC

theSunday Special IXON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026by the navy during the opening ceremony of the Fourth Session of the 15th Selangor Legislative Assembly CALM CONNECTIONS ... The Payung.camp Regional Campmeet event, themed ‘One Community, One Brotherhood, Raya with the Payung.camp Malaysia Community’, aimed to strengthen relationships within the group through face-to-face interactions. – BERNAMAPICCHAMP’S CELEBRATION ... France’s Arthur Fils lifting the trophy after winning the men’s singles final against Russia’s Andrey Rublev at the ATP Barcelona Open ‘Conde de Godo’ tennis tournament. – AFPPICWINNING WHOOP ... Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe team’s Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel celebrating as he cycles over the finish line to win the Amstel Gold Race in Valkenburg, the Netherlands. – AFPPICPOWER PUSH ... Runners approaching the finish line during the 130th Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, United States. – AFPPIC

X theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026MASBATE: The loop of Rizza Matutino’s lasso sat atop the steer’s head for what felt like forever. The crowd at the Philippine home of Asia’s only Western-style rodeo went silent, then roared when it finally slipped down around the animal’s neck. Rising from the dirt 60 seconds later, Matutino raised her arms after tying down a steer twice her size, celebrating a win over both the beast and the perception that women are not strong enough for the sport. Dozens of young women like Matutino compete each year at the Rodeo Masbateno, home to the sort of rough and tumble events that necessitate stretchers and medical staff. While larger provinces boast more livestock, the Masbate rodeo, established in 1993 in a bid to boost tourism, has become synonymous with the island known as Philippine cattle country. “There was pressure, but I just trusted myself,” the veterinary student said of the short, violent contest. “Every time we enter the arena or the corral, every time my teammates and I train, we try to prove this sport isn’t just for men. We can do it too.” However, unlike their male counterparts, the rodeo’s women competitors face a ticking clock. While Matutino told AFP she wants to keep competing, Masbate has no professional category for women, whose careers end the day they no longer qualify as students. A few hundred yards away, at a high school turned makeshift dorm for competitors from across the Philippines, Christel Mae Firme was practicing. The 25-year-old demonstrated her technique on a chair, something she had done thousands of times for lack of live cattle to practice with. Her father, Clodualdo, a former rodeo champion and animal husbandry expert, watched approvingly. “I taught her how to ride a horse. Then I combined it with lassoing,” he said of the daughter he would take on visits to farms where he would treat sick animals. “I would put a chair on top of a table and tell her, ‘estimate the distance, use your imagination. Imagine that’s the cow’.” Preparing her for the sport’s danger was just as important. “Whether I train women or men, if I Contestant Keziah Ramonal raising her hand to the cheers of the crowd after competing in the Rodeo Masbateno. – AFPPICDozens compete yearly despite lack of professional categoryPhilippine rodeo cowgirls tackle steers, stereotypessee they’re afraid of the cow, I’ll position them so when the cow charges, they get hit,” the weathered 60-year-old said with a grin. Fears melt away once trainees experience contact and realise they are able to withstand it, he explained. Ahead of her lassoing event, Christel conceded she had been nervous for a month leading to her moment of truth. “Sometimes I doubt myself. Can I do it? Can I wrestle the cattle without being gored? “What I always keep in mind is that I should face my fears.” Despite the fears, Christel said she was “hooked” on the adrenaline rush, adding she had considered pausing her veterinary studies to give herself one more year of competition. “When we graduate, there’s suddenly no place for us to compete.” Minutes before a herd of cattle was loosed onto the streets in a raucous recreation of a cattle drive, Edwin Du, 66, said he had been impressed by the performance of women competitors in recent years. However, Du, a member of the rodeo’s board of directors, insisted the lack of a pro category for women was down to a lack of interest. “When women graduate, they no longer have time, because they will have babies or they will have to stay at home,” he told AFP. Lucky Udarbe, one of Matutino’s trainers, begged to differ. “What men can do, we women can do,” the former competitor told AFP near a pen filled with restless cattle. Udarbe said she would still be competing if it were allowed. A female contestant taking a break with a fellow cowboy after her event. – AFPPIC Cowgirls, dressed in full rodeo regalia, arriving to compete. – AFPPIC“That’s the passion in my heart that’s still burning. “We can’t say that this is just for men,” agreed Clodualdo, who added that the sport was far more technique than strength. A day later, Christel’s years of lassoing chairs would pay off against the real thing, as she set the fastest roping time on her way to claiming the title of “Rodeo Queen”. Clodualdo had told AFP he never cheered at rodeos, not even for his daughter. After she roped her steer in just 7.64 seconds, he broke his rule.

theSunday Special XION SUNDAY APR 26, 2026the European Parliament at a hearing. “Members of the the European Parliament were listening to our demands, and their interventions largely went in our direction, with lawmakers who understood the problem and seemed determined to put an end to what we are denouncing,” Fourdan said. Campaigners are calling for existing consumer protection rules to be enforced when it comes to gaming, and also for EU legislation to be updated, a far bigger challenge. “Our movement has no intention whatsoever of preventing publishers from stopping the sale of a game,” Fourdan said. “What we want is simply that when they shut down a game, they leave it in a state in which it can still be played, for example on private servers run by volunteers.” He said failing that, the idea is to require publishers to systematically refund players. The issue is far from trivial, video games are Europe’s largest cultural industry, generating billions of euros in revenue each year. “It’s an industry with a huge amount of revenue, with a lot of cultural and technological importance,” said Moritz Katzner, head of the advocacy group Stop BRUSSELS: It’s a bitter pill for video gamers – a growing number of old but still-popular titles are being dropped by publishers, with servers going dark overnight, in a practice the EU is being urged to outlaw. More than a million individuals from across Europe have backed a citizens’ petition called “Stop Destroying Videogames”, and are now pressing for action in Brussels. At the heart of the issue – in the past decade, hundreds of video titles have been rendered unplayable at the whim of their publishers, for a variety of reasons ranging from profitability to “changes in strategy”. A significant part of popular culture is being wiped out in the process, with no compensation for gamers who in many cases have invested substantial sums, notably on microtransactions inside the playing environment. Microtransactions are a video game business model that allow players to make purchases within a game’s virtual environment using real currency to unlock further aspects of gameplay, most notably focused on boosting the abilities of characters or accelerating progress within the game. The phenomenon has concerned older versions of hugely popular franchises such as the Fifa football simulation series. But it was the shutdown of car-racing game The Crew that proved the final straw in 2024, prompting players to mobilise with a European petition. “It’s a bit like buying a book from a publisher and then suddenly opening it to find the pages have gone blank because they’ve decided you can’t play your game anymore,” organiser of the French chapter of the petition Brendan Fourdan told AFP. Buoyed by the success of the citizen initiative, gamer rights campaigners have been lining up meetings to persuade EU institutions to step in. After meeting the European Commission digital chief Henna Virkkunen and consumer protection head Michael McGrath in February, they made their case to members of “Gamers press EU to ban ‘vapourising’ of old titlesHundreds of games rendered unplayable by publishers in last decadeThe issue is far from trivial, video games are Europe’s largest cultural industry, generating billions of euros in revenue each year. – PEXELSPICKilling Games. “It most definitely should be on the radar of the European Commission and the European Parliament.” Green EU lawmaker Catarina Vieira said the issue is resonating among lawmakers. “The desire is there for all political groups to come to a good solution for those who buy games and deserve to use them for a long term,” she told AFP. The European Commission, which has until the end of July to respond to the petition, has already warned solutions would not be easy to implement, due to intellectual property issues in particular. Gaming companies, for their part, have rejected the solutions proposed by campaigners. “Private servers are not always a viable alternative option for players,” industry group Video Games Europe said in a statement. It argues that without the protections publishers put in place to secure the data of players, remove illegal content and combat unsafe community content, such a system would “leave rights holders liable” for abuses. – AFPIt’s an industry with a huge amount of revenue, with a lot of cultural, technological technological importance.”Campaigners are calling for existing consumer protection rules to be enforced when it comes to gaming, and also for EU legislation to be updated. – PEXELSPIC

XII theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026A NEW arts festival in Penang is being built not in boardrooms or by event agencies but by the very people who will step onto its stages – artists who believe that cultural work is strongest when it is shaped from within, not outsourced. When Jayaram Menon, Aida Redza and Jerome Quah decided to organise a festival, they did not call an event management company. They built it themselves. “We are all performers. We are practitioners. Everything is done by us from the ground up,” said Jayaram, playwright and vice-chairman of The Penang Players Music and Drama Society. The Penang Heritage Arts Festival (PHAF), opening on May 1 at Bangunan UAB on Gat Lebuh China in George Town, brings theatre, music and dance together under one roof, anchored on a simple but deliberate idea – that original work grows through collaboration. From experiment to ideaThe roots of the festival trace back to 2019, when Penang Players staged Memes: A Love Story, written by Jayaram. Wanting to move beyond theatre alone, he brought in choreographer Aida, founder of WindRiver Productions, known for cross-cultural movement work tied to social and environmental themes. Quah, chairman of the Penang Jazz Society, added live music while movement artist Luvenia Kalia also joined the production team. It was their first multi-genre collaboration, one that exposed both creative tension and unexpected synergy. “We could genuinely learn from one another,” Jayaram said. That experience planted the idea of a dedicated platform for local artists working across disciplines. Interrupted, then reimaginedInitial discussions with the state government began in late 2019 but Covid-19 halted progress and shelved initial plans. Set in 1800s Penang, The Legend of Rani Dhobi is among the highlights of the Penang Heritage Arts Festival, blending theatre, movement and history.Built from the ground up by artists themselves, the event brings theatre, music and movement into a shared space where heritage is lived, not performedBY T.C. KHOR [email protected] Moganasundaram (left) and Muhammad Haizam Mohd Azman will be performing in Nartana. – PICS COURTESY OF PHAFRooted, not replicated: A festival shaped by Penang’s ownWhen restrictions eased, the trio revisited the concept – smaller, leaner but more intentional. They applied to Yayasan Hasanah, the same foundation that supported Penang Players’ post-pandemic production A Plague Upon Your House. This time, the application was jointly submitted by Penang Players, Studio Pentas and the Penang Jazz Society, reflecting a broader practitioner-led collaboration. The grant was approved, although at less than half the requested amount. “We knew we had to go through with it even though it was not ideal,” said Jayaram, adding that the festival was condensed into two weekends. One space, many worldsThe decision to anchor PHAF at Bangunan UAB was deliberate. An earlier plan to spread performances across George Town including Komtar and the Blue Mansion was dropped in favour of a single, contained venue. The building’s three halls now host the full programme, transformed with temporary staging, lighting and sound systems. “We decided to have everything in one place,” Jayaram said. By artists, for artistsJayaram said what distinguishes PHAF is not only its programming but its authorship. He added that the George Town Festival has increasingly become a platform for international acts, while local productions often compete for attention and funding within humour and familiarity. Arunen Thiruvavul, a USM acting student, made his stage debut with Penang Players in The Murder Game, marking his early step into theatre through this collaborative ecosystem. Music, movement and exchangeThe music programme on May 2 features Quah and the Penang Jazz Society in A Celebration of Classical and Malaysian Music. The evening includes Cintra Simfoni, featuring Banana Brass and Papaya Winds performing classical, pop, jazz and Malaysian repertoire, as well as the USM Music Department Ensemble Project, in which students reinterpret Malaysian and evergreen works. The segment concludes with Malaysian Music Reimagined, featuring the Mini Big Band of Penang with vocalist Mable Ooi. On May 9, Rentak Jazz brings together Northern Jazz Unit and the Big Band of Penang alongside Kuala Lumpur acts Jo Lixian and the WVC Trio. The dance programme, led by Aida and collaborators, extends the festival’s multidisciplinary vision through Sasanakala and Nartana. Sasanakala, staged on May 9 and 10, features dancers including Luvenia, Afif Anor, Jerry Yacob and Kausalya Sugumarin in a work shaped by memory, heritage and movement. Nartana functions as both workshop and exchange, featuring artists such as Lau Beh Chin, Lim Lenzo, Luvenia, Kausalya Sugumarin and Devamayi Somasundaram, alongside explorations of Kaavadi dance, Baba Nyonya beadwork and everyday movement traditions. Building the next layerBehind the scenes, student volunteers from INTI College will be handling social media, documentation and rehearsal coverage after the college principal recognised the festival’s community-driven approach. “We want Penang to get a thriving theatrical, dramatic, musical, dancefilled capability so that George Town is recognised as one of the key towns of culture in Malaysia,” said Jayaram. The festival will be officiated by Penang state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai. Tickets are available at cloudjoi.com.We do not want to fit into any particular category except that which is defined by the title ‘heritage “arts’.”tourism-driven priorities. “PHAF was conceived as neither. It is a practitioners’ platform, shaped by artists for artists, with heritage as the organising theme rather than a marketing label. “We do not want to fit into any particular category except that which is defined by the title ‘heritage arts’,” he said. For Jayaram, heritage is not nostalgia but structure – a way to ground new work in shared histories, migrations and cultural layering while allowing experimentation. Stories on stageThis year’s programme reflects that approach. Among the highlights is The Legend of Rani Dhobi, an original play set in Penang in 1800, alongside a choral presentation by Pulse and Voices of Penang featuring Song of Pulau Pinang. Also featured is Beyond the Sea, a dramatic recital by theater artiste Himanshu Bhatt of Cape Poetics Circle, adapted from a 1950 novel, and accompanied by photographic slides and a post-show discussion on early Penang. Adding a lighter counterpoint is Light Bites, a one-hour sketch and stand-up comedy set for May 2 at 9pm. It blends satire and cultural reflection through a fictional meeting between colonial history and modern-day Penang. Sir Francis Light, played by Garu Rumon, finds himself in present-day Penang, encountering a motley crew of characters – a nasi lemak vendor (Shamirul Nazrin), a nasi kandar seller (Raqib Karim), a char kway teow chef (Lun Kor), and a roti canai cook played by Arunen Thiruvavul — each reflecting the island’s layered communities. They are joined by Emma McG, a British woman immersed in Penang’s languages and food culture. Apart from Francis Light, performers use their own names, reinforcing the show’s

I JUST spent a few days in the Mazda CX60, and it is easily one of the most interesting SUVs you can buy today. I say interesting because it is not perfect. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It is flawed in ways that are immediately obvious. But spend a bit more time with it, and either you start to understand what Mazda is trying to do here, or you get more infuriated with it. And if you are the kind of person who cares about how a car feels rather than just what it offers on paper, this might hit you harder than expected. I know it did for me. To the point where I am genuinely considering one if my Lexus RX gets sold. But first, some context. The CX-60 sits above the CX-5 and marks Mazda’s move into a more premium space. It rides on a new rear-wheel drive platform with a longitudinal engine layout, which already sets it apart from most SUVs in this price range. In Malaysia, we get a single variant, the 2.5G 2WD High, powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. On paper, it does not scream excitement. But this is not a car you judge purely by numbers. But let’s get the flaws out of the way because there are quite a few. The biggest one is the transmission. It is, frankly, not good enough for a car at this price point. At low speeds around town, it can feel jerky. The shifts are not clean and there is this slight shudder during gear changes that you cannot unfeel once you notice it. It feels like the car is constantly trying to second guess itself, especially in stop-go traffic. This is already the updated version, which makes you wonder how the earlier cars were. The engine itself is acceptable. It is not underpowered, but it does not excite either. You need to rev it out to get meaningful performance, but it never feels strained doing so. There is some induction noise, which helps with a bit of connection, but if you came in expecting something like a big naturally aspirated six-cylinder, this will not scratch that itch. Then there is practicality. For a car this size, the rear space is underwhelming. Legroom is just about adequate for Asian adults, but taller passengers will start to notice the limitations on longer drives. Footroom is also compromised by the seat base and rails, which makes it harder to stretch out. The seat base itself is on the shorter side, so thigh support is not great. Recline is there, but only just enough for long distance comfort. Cabin storage is another miss. The centre storage under the armrest is shallow, almost comically so. Door bins are small as well. At least the glovebox and boot are properly sized, so not everything is compromised. The infotainment system is another sticking point. It is still rotary dial only. No touchscreen, even when stationary. Mazda’s reasoning is safety, which is fair, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are clearly designed with touch in mind. It feels like the system is working against you rather than with you. On top of that, Android Auto is wired only, while Apple CarPlay gets wireless. Ride and refinement are decent, but not class leading. The suspension has decent level of pliancy, you can tell, but it still does not quite round off sharp edges the way the best in the segment do. You feel more of the road than you probably should at this level, especially over broken surfaces. It is also not the quietest cabin. There is some road noise that comes through, and it does not feel like a big step up from a CX-5 in terms of insulation. So yes, objectively, there are quite a few things to pick at. And yet somehow, I have convinced myself that I can live with those flaws, because this is where the CX-60 flips the script. The driving position alone is worth talking about. You sit in it and everything just feels right. The steering wheel comes to you properly, your legs are stretched out naturally, and nothing feels offset or compromised. The pedal box is well aligned, the steering is centred, and even the footrest is properly positioned. This is surprisingly rare, even in more expensive cars. Some brands still struggle with offset pedals or awkward seating geometry. Mazda nailed it here. What’s also nailed is the build and material quality. This is a fully imported unit from Japan, and it shows. There are no hollow points, everything feels solid, and the materials have a depth to them that you do not usually get at this price point. The stitching, the surfaces, the tactility of the controls, it all feels deliberate. Ergonomics are excellent as well. Every button is where you expect it to be. No guesswork, no hunting through menus. Even the switchgear has a satisfying weight and click to it. The indicator stalk alone feels more premium than some entire interiors. The seats are on the firmer side, but supportive, and suited for longer drives. And then, the way it drives is also where the CX-60 starts to make sense. The steering is one of the first things you notice. It has weight, clarity, and a very natural response. You turn the wheel, and the car just folpowered 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] CX-60 is flawed but deeply appealingThe 2.5-litre engine is the same one found in the current generation CX-5.SUNDAY | APR 26, 2026Wheels measure in at 20-inches, which are quite large Understatedpremium BY SHAUN LEE presence

XIV theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026lows without hesitation. No delay, no artificial filtering. It is not a sports SUV, and it does not try to be one. You can feel its size and weight. But what it does incredibly well is how obedient it is. You always know how much input to give, and it responds exactly as expected. Through corners, especially long sweeping ones, the car just settles into a rhythm. It flows. There is minimal need for correction on the highway, which makes long distance driving less tiring. It has that big car composure, that relaxed cadence that makes you want to just keep going. It feels cohesive, which is something I find increasingly rare. MAZDA CX-60 VERDICTAt around RM200k, fully imported from Japan, with this level of build and engineering, the CX-60 is priced very competitively. It looks the part with long bonnet, rearset cabin, clean surfaces. It has that understated premium presence, somewhere between a BMW and a Volvo. I know many of the things I mentioned will not matter to everyone. Rear space, touchscreen usability, smoother transmission, these are things most buyers will prioritise first. And objectively, they would be right. But if you are someone who notices the smaller things, the alignment of the steering wheel, the way the car responds to your inputs, the sense of connection, then the CX-60 offers something that many others in this segment simply do not. It is not the best all-rounder. It is the best at making you feel special. I can accept its flaws, the question is, can you? SPECIFICATIONSEngine: 2.5-litre naturally aspirated inline-four Power: 191 PS Torque: 261 Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive Price (as tested): RM200,510 (OTR without insurance) We like: Superb driving position, cohesive handling, strong steering feel, high build quality, premium cabin execution. We don’t like: Jerky transmission at low speeds, no touchscreen support, rear space not as generous as expected, limited cabin storage, refinement could be better for the price.Wireless Carplay makes life behind the wheel a lot more convenient. The digital meter cluster works brilliantly.Ventilated seats would’ve been nice. Practicality takes a hit with the shallow compartment under the centre armrest.The interior of the CX-60 feels well-built.A Bose sound system is always welcomed.You also get a proper spare wheel

theSunday Special XVON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026THE launch of the Toyota Yaris Cross in Malaysia is around the corner as UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has dropped a teaser of the B-segment SUV on its social media channels. However, the twin to the Perodua Traz will likely be better equipped when launched here and might even have a hybrid powertrain under its Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. It should be noted as well that the Yaris Cross slated for Asean will be a different model than the one sold in Europe. The Yaris Cross measures in at 4,310mm long, 1,770mm wide and 1,615mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,525mm. These figures are identical to the Traz save for the height, which the latter is 40mm taller. Apart from the teaser, little is known about the Yaris Cross, especially its powertrains. The Traz gets the 2NRVE 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol mill with 106PS and 138Nm of torque, sent to the front via Daihatsu’s D-CVT (Dual-Mode CVT). Over in Indonesia, the Yaris Cross gets the same powertrain but with a fivespeed manual option as well. Aside from that, Indonesia also gets a hybrid powertrain for the Yaris Cross. Here, the setup is powered by the 2NRVEX naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle 1.5-litre engine. On its own, it makes 91PS and 121Nm of torque, helped by an electric motor delivering 80PS and 141Nm of torque for a total system output rated at 111 PS. Sending power to the front is a CVT. Once here, the Yaris Cross should be equipped with Toyota Safety Sense suite of Adas functions. These functions are glaringly omitted from the Traz, likely to not cannibalise Toyota sales. In a similar vein to the Veloz and Alza twins, the Yaris Cross will likely be priced higher to reflect its more premium positioning. The local B-segment SUV market is already filled with options, making the Yaris Cross’s late entry a challenging one but something that UMWT has definitely prepared for. Among its chief challengers will be the Proton X50, Honda HR-V, Cherry Tiggo Cross, Jaecoo J5 and the recently launched Mitsubishi Xforce.HAVE we taken protectionism too far? And are we punishing the rich for their hard work? Judging by what has been happening lately with BYD and the redesignation of Langkawi as a duty-free island and capping duty-free cars at RM300,000, I certainly think so. I understand what the government is trying to do. We need to protect the companies that have invested hundreds of millions into the national automotive landscape. They created jobs, indirectly gave birth to supporting industries, and helped produce vendors with worldclass capabilities. But should we not produce more? By protecting those that already are, we are denying a chance to what could be. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) explained that it set some conditions for BYD and what was reported was not entirely correct. But that created more questions than answers. So much so that a minister who is also a member of the Perak state government has taken initiatives to help BYD and the Malaysian government strike a deal to help BYD achieve its goal of local assembly. I applaud that. It is good that both parties are working towards a mutually beneficial outcome rather than entirely dropping the idea. What is the worst that can happen if BYD is allowed to continue with its plans? Those that have been in the market for years will surely have to up their game, but is that a bad thing? Innovation strives when there is pressure to perform. For how long will Perodua and Proton be protected? The rakyat needs options when it comes to purchase options and companies should be kept on their toes. BYD and any company that is willing to have a local assembly programme will create job opportunities, they will need local vendors, their presence will increase the value of the property market surrounding their plant. If given the right deal, BYD will be a good thing for the country. But there is no doubt that it needs to be kept in check. Malaysia cannot be a dumping ground for cars that don’t sell in other markets. We must have the best and nothing less, and more importantly, we need high value jobs and clear-cut conditions that are not lopsided. BYD is an innovative company. Its battery technology has taken the world by storm. It has forced giants of the industry to take notice of it. So, the fact that the company is interested to set up shop here, should be taken positively. Then there is the topic of Langkawi wanting its duty-free status to be reinstated. The island has long been a tax-free haven for the wealthy. Why pay full price for a car when you can very well have it for close to half the price in Langkawi? Of course, it comes with a condition. Buyers can only drive their tax-free cars around the Peninsular for three months a year. But for those who can afford it, they buy four cars in Langkawi and rotate them to drive around in KL. Brilliant! Why buy one car when you can buy four? And it is all perfectly legal. Of course there are some that overstay their car’s welcome, but for every cheapskate, there are those who have worked hard to be there. So, what is so wrong with reinstating Langkawi’s duty-free status? The island has been largely neglected by Malaysian tourists. Thailand is quite close to either fly to, drive or take the train. It is cheaper than Langkawi in many ways, has nicer hotels and it has more character for those looking to have some fun. And let’s admit it, we all like to have some fun, it is just our definition of fun that can differ. Thailand though, has it all. Langkawi will never be able to match Thailand’s character. Our “holier than thou” attitudes will never let Langkawi be a fun place that can match Thailand. Perhaps we don’t want to, and that’s fine. We are at the liberty to spend our money wherever we want. So, when Langkawi’s duty-free status was removed, no one had any reason to go there anymore. The wealthy took their money and their car purchasing power elsewhere. Reinstating the island’s duty-free status may help. The powers that be will find a different way to tax the rich for sure, but not at the expense of Langkawi. Someone should build a high-end driving track in Langkawi. Something like the Magarigawa Club of Japan; a high-end private driving circuit that charges its members upwards of US$230,000 for membership. We Malaysians seem to have all the right cards in hand, but sometimes we just can’t seem to play it right when it comes to clear cut decisions.Progress comes in many formsWRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLONYaris Cross teasedPerodua Traz twin to lunch soon with hybrid powertrain

XVI theSunday SpecialON SUNDAY APR 26, 2026THE 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS facelift has been unveiled, bringing design changes along with major updates to its electrical architecture and overall tech. The biggest change is under the skin. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS now adopts an 800-volt electrical system, replacing the previous 400V setup. This allows for DC fast charging of up to 350 kW, enabling up to 320 km of range to be added in just 10 minutes. Battery capacities now range from 112kWh to 122kWh (usable), depending on variant. With improved efficiency and updated cell chemistry, the EQS now delivers up to 926km of range (WLTP). Powertrain outputs range from 367PS and 505Nm in the EQS400, up to 585PS and 800Nm in the EQS580 4Matic. Both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations are available. The facelift also brings new-generation electric drive units and a two-speed transmission on the rear axle, aimed at improving both acceleration and efficiency. Recuperation has been increased to up to 385kW. The EQS also supports vehicle-tohome (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality, allowing the battery to be used as an energy source beyond driving. Another update is the introduction of the optional steer-by-wire, making the EQS the first German production car to adopt the system. This removes the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and front wheels, allowing for variable steering response and reduced vibrations. On the design front, the EQS now features a more upright front end with a redesigned bonnet incorporating power domes. The grille is more pronounced, with options including a backlit star pattern and illuminated Mercedes-Benz emblem. New headlamps feature star-shaped daytime running lights, while the front and rear light bars have also been updated. Despite the visual changes, the EQS retains its aerodynamic efficiency, with a drag coefficient as low as 0.20. Inside, the layout remains centred around the MBUX Hyperscreen setup, combining a 12.3-inch driver display, 17.7-inch central screen and 12.3-inch passenger display under a single glass panel. Rear passengers get twin 13.1-inch displays. The facelift also introduces the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), enabling over-the-air updates and AI-based features, along with an expanded suite of driver assistance systems supported by multiple cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors. Other updates include seatbelt heating, improved rear passenger comfort, and an upgraded HEPA air filtration system.PROTON drove home with some big wins on the night of the DSF.my-Allianz Vehicle of the Year (VOTY) Awards 2026 as the Proton eMas 7 PHEV was crowned the Vehicle of the Year 2026 and its smaller sibling, the Proton eMas 5, won Electric Vehicle of the Year 2026 respectively. This year’s edition of the VOTY Awards celebrated outstanding achievements across 23 diverse vehicle segments, including dedicated categories for electric vehicles (EVs), amid continued strong interest for in the market. Even the total number of car brands participating grew, up to 33 this year, underscoring the significance of celebrating innovation and excellence in the automotive industry. Leading the race was Proton and its two outstanding wins. “I was quite surprised and delighted at the same time to win all these awards. This is a first for us and I would like to thank Allianz Malaysia and DSF for this award recognition,” said Lampard Peng Yile, Head of Department, User Development and User Operation, Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd. Joining Proton in the winner’s circle on the night were the likes of the Mitsubishi XForce as Crossover of the Year, the Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid as Compact SUV of the Year and the Zeekr 7X AWD as the Performance Electric SUV of the Year. “I am personally inspired to see how these vehicles are shaping the future of mobility, and proud that Allianz Malaysia continues to be part of this meaningful celebration of excellence,” said Allianz Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Sean Wang. Hosted by Malaysian automotive platform www.dsf.my, in collaboration with Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad since 2017, the VOTY Awards is Malaysia’s premier automotive awards ceremony, honouring ground-breaking automotive achievements and the exceptional industry leaders that continue to innovate. Winners of the VOTY Awards are chosen in a rigorous selection process based on criteria evaluated by the editorial team at DSF.my. Each vehicle is assessed comprehensively across key parameters, including innovation, design, performance, comfort and technological advancements.Big wins at Mercedes enters new phase VOTY AwardsFacelift focuses on speed and next-gen EV techJUST a week ago Porsche dropped a teaser hinting at something special that many guessed was from its GT division and the reveal proved it to be spot on. Say hello, or maybe shout it because of the wind, to the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C (Sport Cabriolet), the first GT3 with an automated roof. It is no secret that Porsche’s sales have been slumping over the last few years with the massive 911 range proving to be the only one with an upward trajectory. Naturally, expanding that range would make sense, especially with a unique model that comes with a higher profit margin. Many of the media titles suspected a successor to the 911 Speedster but this is no direct heir and it all boils down to that folding roof doing everything itself. Previous special variants without a fixed roof required getting out of the car and getting hands on. Now, it takes just 12 seconds after the touch of a button. Porsche GT models have always been on a strict diet and an automated roof would be a huge cheat day. However, Porsche claims the roof only adds 30 kg over the Speedster. Pushing the GT3 S/C through the century sprint in just 3.9 seconds is that screamer of a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six that sings to 9,000rpm. It makes the same 502PS with 450Nm of torque, just like its fixed-roof sibling. Top speed is 313kph. Being a GT model, the handling surprisingly did not require much fettling to echo the road holding of the 911 GT3 coupe with the Touring Package. For those that can afford it, you would be delighted to know that the 911 GT3 S/C will not be a limited run model like the Speedster. How much will it be? Hard to tell until it arrives here but, in the US, it is a whopping US$35,500 (RM141,000) premium over the base GT3 coupe.Porsche 911 GT3 unfiltered experience

PUZZLES 9theSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026GIANTS VS TITANS Gamification for a better planet from FIRST RAYSolve The Phrase And SudokuAnswers will be uploaded on Sunday, May 3 @ thesun.my/puzzles

10 HOROSCOPEtheSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026ARIES March 21 – April 19You may feel a strong urge to move forward and finish what you started. Your energy supports action, but patience helps you avoid small mistakes. A situation may require you to pause and think before responding. Communication keeps things smooth, especially in group settings. Personal goals feel more achievable when you stay focused instead of rushing. Someone may appreciate your honesty. Taking time to rest helps you stay balanced. Your progress feels steady and more rewarding.TAURUS April 20 – May 20You may feel drawn towards stability and comfort, choosing what feels safe and familiar. This helps you stay grounded even when small changes happen around you. Practical thinking supports steady progress in daily matters. Someone may depend on your calm and reliable nature. Try to stay open to new ideas, even if they feel unfamiliar at first. Simple moments of rest bring clarity and peace. Trusting your pace helps you avoid stress. When you stay patient and consistent, your confidence continues to grow naturally.GEMINI May 21 – June 20Your thoughts may feel active and curious, bringing many ideas into focus. You may enjoy conversations that challenge your thinking or offer new perspectives. Staying organised helps you manage your time and energy better. Avoid taking on too many tasks at once. A meaningful discussion may help you understand a situation more clearly. Personal connections grow stronger when you listen with care. When you slow down and focus, your ideas become easier to turn into action and your confidence feels stronger.CANCER June 21 – July 22 Your emotional awareness may feel stronger, helping you connect deeply with others. You may feel drawn to comforting spaces or people who make you feel safe. A heartfelt conversation can bring reassurance and strengthen trust. Be mindful not to take on too much of other people’s stress. Protecting your energy is important for your well-being. Daily responsibilities feel easier when handled gently. Quiet moments help you reflect and recharge. When you listen to your inner feelings, your choices feel more peaceful and balanced.VIRGO Aug 23 – Sept 22You may feel focused on organising your tasks and improving your routine. Attention to detail helps you stay productive and feel in control. Try not to be too critical when things are not perfect. Small improvements still bring meaningful progress. Someone may appreciate your practical advice or support. Clear planning helps reduce stress and keeps your mind calm. Allowing flexibility helps you adapt to changes more easily. When you balance structure with ease, you feel more relaxed and capable.LIBRA Sept 23 – Oct 22You may feel a strong need for balance, especially in your relationships. Calm and honest communication helps resolve misunderstandings and build stronger connections. Ensure to be empathetic in your approach. You may feel drawn to creative or peaceful activities that bring comfort. Decisions become easier when you consider both your needs and others’. Avoid ignoring your own feelings to keep the peace. Cooperation leads to smoother outcomes. When you stay fair and open, your relationships feel more supportive and steady.SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 – Dec 21You may feel inspired by new ideas or conversations that spark your curiosity. Your positive outlook helps you stay motivated and open to new experiences. Staying focused allows you to turn ideas into real progress. A meaningful discussion may offer direction or clarity. Avoid rushing decisions. Give yourself time to think and take a step back. Exploring new interests feels exciting and refreshing. When you balance curiosity with patience, your efforts feel more steady and fulfilling.CAPRICORN Dec 22 – Jan 19You may feel focused on responsibilities and long-term goals, encouraging steady and disciplined effort. Progress may feel slow, but it builds a strong and lasting foundation. Others may admire your reliability and trust your judgment. Try not to take on too much without rest. Keep in mind that one person cannot juggle too much. Sharing your thoughts can bring relief and a new perspective. Personal relationships improve when you express your feelings openly. When you stay patient and consistent, your confidence continues to grow.AQUARIUS Jan 20 – Feb 18Your ideas may feel fresh and inspiring, helping you approach situations in a new way. Conversations with others may spark creative solutions. This is where you can find ideas. You may feel the need to balance independence with teamwork. Expressing your thoughts honestly helps build trust. A small change in your routine can bring renewed energy. Staying open to different perspectives helps you grow. When you follow what feels true to you, your actions feel natural and meaningful.PISCES Feb 19 – March 20Your sensitivity may help you connect deeply with others and understand emotions easily. You may feel drawn to creative or calming activities that bring peace. Make time for some self-love activities. Helping others feels natural, but it is important to protect your own energy. Quiet reflection helps you understand your needs more clearly. Simple routines keep you grounded. Schedules and routine may help. Honest communication strengthens your relationships. When you balance compassion with self-care, you feel more stable and emotionally supported.LEO July 23 – Aug 22You may feel confident and ready to express yourself openly. Your energy can uplift others and bring positivity into your surroundings. Creative ideas may inspire you to try something new or share your talents. Lean into that. However, avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to always stand out. Personal relationships improve when you show appreciation and patience. Taking time to rest helps you stay balanced. Schedule a spa day or the likes of it. Your presence feels genuine and naturally draws support.SCORPIO Oct 23 – Nov 21You may feel more reflective, encouraging a deeper understanding of your emotions and personal situations. Quiet moments help you gain clarity and think things through carefully. Honest conversations can release tension. Your determination supports steady progress toward goals that matter to you. Strong emotions may arise, but they guide growth when handled calmly. Setting boundaries helps protect your energy. When you trust your instincts, your actions feel more confident and grounded.

SPORTS 11theSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026JANNIK SINNER (pic) took a first step towards a potential record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title with a 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in the Madrid Open second round yesterday. The Italian world No. 1 is looking to beat the record of four consecutive triumphs held by all-time greats Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this week in the Spanish capital. Sinner dropped only one set on the way to trophies in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, but Bonzi battled brilliantly to claim the first at the Manolo Santana stadium. The Frenchman survived five break points to reach a tie-break, where he also saved set point before edging ahead. However Sinner stepped up a gear in the second set, securing breaks in the fourth and sixth games, and another in the third on his way to the third round. “It was a tough match, I had some chances early on and I couldn’t use them, but this is tennis,” said four-time Grand Slam winner Sinner. “It’s not bad to start the tournament like this, two and a half hours on court, it gives me good feedback where we need to improve for the next round.” With Sinner’s biggest rival Carlos Alcaraz injured and unable to compete either this week or in the upcoming French Open, the Italian is overwhelming favourite for every competition he enters in the weeks ahead. Earlier, Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic sent world No. 6 Ben Shelton crashing out with a 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-5) victory. Shelton’s compatriot Tommy Paul also suffered a surprise early exit, falling 7-5, 6-4 against Argentine Thiago Tirante. Spaniard Rafael Jodar, 19, who impressed with a run to the Barcelona Open semifinals last week, dumped out world No. 8 Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-1. Women’s No. 2 Elena Rybakina scraped into the Madrid Open third round with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Gabriela Ruse. Rybakina will meet Zheng Qinwen, who produced a similarly battling performance to overcome Sofia Kenin, in the third round. “Today, I basically survived,” said Rybakina after her hardfought victory. “It wasn’t the greatest performance but Gabriela, she played very well. She was playing very deep and aggressive, so it was very difficult.” Last year’s runner-up and the third seed Coco Gauff made light work of Leolia Jeanjean with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at the Arantxa Sanchez stadium. Gauff will take on Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the third round, after she defeated Tyra Caterina Grant in straight sets. Fifth seed Jessica Pegula defeated Briton Katie Boulter 6-4, 6-4 in the late match on the main court to close out the day’s action. – AFPSCAN ME T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: [email protected] | APR 26, 2026NELLY KORDA made the best 36-hole major start of her career yesterday, firing a second consecutive seven-under par 65 to seize a six-stroke lead at the LPGA Chevron Championship. The 27-year-old American, seeking her second Chevron crown in three seasons, closed with back-to-back birdies to stand on 14-under 130 after 36 holes at Houston’s Memorial Park in the year’s first major women’s tournament. “I played really well,” Korda said. “It’s nice to birdie the last two as well. Maybe a little peace of mind going into the weekend. “Overall, I’m really happy with the way that I struck it, the way that I hit it off the tee today and also all my putting on the green.” World No. 2 Korda set the tournament record 36-hole score related to par, breaking the mark of 12-under by South Korean Park Sung-hyun and Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg in 2018. It marked the first time in Korda’s career she has fired consecutive rounds of 65 or better and the first time it had been done at any major outside of the Evian Championship. The tournament’s largest halfway lead had been four shots but Korda was eight strokes ahead when she walked off the course and six ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit when the day was done. Patty, a back-nine starter, fired a 69 to stand on 136 as the only bogey-free player through 36 holes. “I grinded pretty well. It wasn’t perfect,” Patty said. “I just kind of sucked it up and only focused on what was in front of me.” South Korea’s Yoon I-na shared third on 137 with 20-year-old American amateur Farah O’Keefe and American Ryann O’Toole. Korda, who had a two-stroke lead after 18 holes, began her round with birdies at the par-five first and par-five third holes and answered a bogey at the sixth with birdies at the par-three ninth and par-three 11th. She made a third birdie in four holes at the 12th to reach 11-under and seize a sixstroke advantage. Korda added a tap-in birdie at the parfive 14th, curled in a 12-foot birdie putt at 17 and sank a four-foot birdie putt at 18 after a great approach. “I was shocked at that one,” Korda said. “Happy with my day.” Thailand’s top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul missed the cut with a 73 to stand on 147. She could be overtaken by Korda for world No. 1 this weekend. – AFPKorda boosts Chevron lead to sixSinner on a rollJob Descriptiont

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4BCBI4BSBXBL302 JobsIN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA ATSEREMBANIN THE STATE OF NEGERI SEMBILANDARUL KHUSUSCOMPANIES WINDING UP PETISYENNO.: NA-28NCC-10-03/2026In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e), 466(1) (a) and (b) Companies Act 2016ANDIn the matter of BERIBU ANGKASA SDN.BHD. [Company No.: 199601005680(378026-P)]BETWEENCHAN YIAT KANG[NRIC No.: 720826-05-5223]…PETITIONERANDBERIBU ANGKASA SDN. BHD. [Company No.: 199601005680(378026-P)]…RESPONDENTADVERTISEMENT OF PETITIONNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a petitionfor the winding-up of the above-namedcompany by the High Court was, on26.03.2026 presented by CHAN YIAT KANG[NRIC No.: 720826-05-5223] addressed atNo. 270, Kampung Baru Sikamat, 70400Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.AND that the said petition is directed to beheard before the High Court sitting at HighCourt Seremban at Kompleks MahkamahSeremban, 70300 Seremban, NegeriSembilan on 22 May 2026 at 9.00 in themorning on FRIDAY.AND any creditor or contributory of thesaid company desiring to support oroppose the making of an order on the saidpetition may appear at the time of hearingby himself or his counsel for that purpose;and a copy of the petition will be furnishedto any creditor or contributory of thesaid company requiring the same by theundersigned on payment of the regulatedcharge for the same.The Petitioner’s address is No. 270,Kampung Baru Sikamat, 70400 Seremban,Negeri Sembilan.The Petitioner’s solicitor is Messrs Y F Chan & Partners of No. 17-1, Jalan KS 3,Kepayang Sentral, Taman Bukit Kepayang, 70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.……………………….…………MESSRS Y F CHAN & PARTNERSSolicitors for the PetitionerNOTE— Any person who intends toappear on the hearing of the said petitionmust serve on or send by post to theabove-named Petitioner’s solicitor, noticein writing of his intention so to do. Thenotice must state the name and addressof the person, or, if a firm, the name andaddress of the firm, and must be signed bythe person or firm, or his or their solicitor(if any) and must be served, or, if posted,must be sent by post in sufficient timeto reach the above-named not later thantwelve (12.00) o’clock noon of the day21-05-2026.This ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITIONis filed by Messrs Y F Chan & Partners,Solicitors for the Petitioner whoseregistered address of service is at 17-1,Jalan KS 3, Kepayang Sentral, TamanBukit Kepayang, 70200 Seremban, NegeriSembilan.Tel: 06-6019661 E-mail: [email protected][Ref.: 6254/CYK/2025]322 Notices302 JobsWorld No. 1 rallies to victory, closing in on unprecedented Masters milestone

12 SPORTStheSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026FORMULA 1 has announced a series of regulation tweaks ahead of the next race in Miami on May 4. They still need to be ratified by the World Motorsport Council, yet that should just be a formality. However, can they keep their star driver in the sport long-term? New engine and chassis regulations, including a near 50/50 power unit split between internal combustion and electrical power, have received mixed reviews after the first three rounds of the 2026 season. While the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari – the two top teams – and their drivers have praised instances of thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing so far this year, other drivers and fans have lamented changes to driving styles, as well as shone a spotlight on safety concerns. Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen even stated after the last race in Japan that he is considering retiring from the sport at the end of the season, such is his dissatisfaction with elements of the new rules. The outspoken Dutchman has described the 2026 cars as “anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids.” Reigning world champion Lando Norris has also described overtaking as “artificial.” As a result of the five-week break between rounds three and four – due to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – F1 and its governing body, the FIA, announced new measures on Monday to address driver, team and fan concerns. But what are they – and how will they impact the sport? QUALIFYING ‘LIFT AND COAST’Drivers across the board say they can’t push their machinery to the maximum in qualifying. To recharge the battery, drivers were being forced to “lift and coast” – taking their feet off the accelerator before braking for the corner – at the end of straights. In some cases, they were being forced to do so in qualifying (known for flat-out driving) due to depleted energy reserves. The FIA have made a change: the total amount of permitted recharge on a lap has been reduced from 8MJ (megajoules) to 7MJ. The aim here is that the amount of energy that needs to be recovered is less, so theoretically the amount of time required to recharge is also minimised, and thus “lift and coasting” is also reduced. Additionally, F1 have made changes to the “super-clipping” phenomenon – when the driver is fully on the throttle but not deploying the battery – and the maximum limit is now 350kw (kilowatts) as opposed to 250kw. One final tweak: the FIA have increased the number of circuits where an energy limit lower than 7MJ can be applied from eight to 12. These modifications won’t completely eradicate “lift and coast” or “superclipping.” But they should limit the requirements of drivers to do so. The FIA say of the intended impact of the changes: “They are aimed at reducing excessive harvesting and encouraging more consistent flat-out driving.” RACING SAFETY MEASURESOliver Bearman’s massive crash at the last race in Japan came about because of a 50kph speed differential between his Haas car and Franco Colapinto’s Alpine in front. Bearman used the boost button on a corner with a full battery – using 350kw of energy – while Colapinto’s battery was depleted. As such, the British driver took evasive action to avoid hitting Colapinto’s car, but then lost control at 307kph and spun into the barrier. The FIA have made changes: drivers will still be able to deploy 350kw in “straight-line mode” zones, but not elsewhere on a lap (i.e. in a corner). They will be limited to 250kw in other parts of the lap. In addition, the boost button will be capped at 150kw or, if higher, the car’s existing deployment level. The FIA states: “These measures are designed to reduce excessive closing speeds while maintaining overtaking opportunities and overall performance characteristics.” RACE STARTSFerrari have experienced an advantage at race starts over frontrunners Mercedes. They use a smaller turbocharger, mitigating the high turbo-lag other engines are experiencing. All cars have to hold higher revs for a longer period of time this season at lights out, which is why the new “blue light” starting procedure was introduced. F1 have now made further changes to avoid the potential of massive crashes on the starting grid, as a result of cars not getting away cleanly at all. In Miami, teams will trial a “lowpower start detection system” where cars with low acceleration will immediately be identified. If or when this happens, the MGU-K will automatically be deployed to ensure a “minimum level of acceleration and mitigate start-related risks without introducing any sporting advantage.” Visual warning systems, with rear and lateral flashing lights, will also be implemented, while cars will no longer arrive on the grid with depleted battery levels after the formation lap. WILL CHANGES KEEP MAX VERSTAPPEN IN FORMULA 1?Verstappen has spoken in depth about his disdain for the new regulations and the focus on energy management. These changes will, no doubt, help his desire for a more traditional way of driving a Formula 1 car – but they will not completely revert the cars to the status quo. Excruciatingly, “lift and coast” in qualifying will still occur. Drivers will also still have numerous overtaking aids in-race, despite Verstappen describing the new racing as “like Mario Kart.” The other obvious factor is Red Bull’s issues. His team have experienced problems so far this season in their new engine partnership with Ford and are currently sixth in the constructors’ standings. Verstappen is ninth in the driver standings. If he’s outside the top two by the summer break, he will be able to activate an exit from his £50m-a-year (RM260m) Red Bull contract, which currently expires at the end of 2028. This correspondent believes that Verstappen should take a one-year sabbatical at the end of this season, returning in 2028 with his (likely) pick of the teams and perhaps a further revamped set of regulations. The next few months, with the development of the rules and Red Bull’s performance, will go some way to telling us if F1 can keep their star driver in the sport beyond this campaign. The IndependentWill tweaks keep Max in F1?VIRAT KOHLI punished Gujarat Titans for dropping him on nought with a blistering halfcentury as Royal Challengers Bengaluru breezed to a five-wicket victory In the Indian Premier League on Friday. Left-handed opener Sai Sudharsan’s third IPL hundred was the cornerstone of Gujarat’s 205-3 on being put in by Rajat Patidar at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. But Kohli (81) and Devdutt Padikkal (55) tore into the bowling during a rollicking 115-run second-wicket stand to delight a full house in Bengaluru’s final league match of the season at this venue. Kohli was put down by Washington Sundar at mid-wicket off the first ball he faced from Mohammed Siraj, in the first over of the chase, and made Gujarat pay for their largesse with a thrilling exhibition of stroke-making. Bengaluru lost Englishman Jacob Bethell, playing his first game of the season in place of injured compatriot Phil Salt, in the third over. That was the cue for Kohli and Padikkal to put on a delightful exhibition of stroke-making, marked by timing and silken grace rather than raw power. Rangy left-hander Padikkal did the early running with a stunning array of sixes as he used his long levers to great effect, with Kohli only marginally behind. Padikkal was the first to his half-century, off 20 deliveries, while Kohli took 30 balls to reach the landmark before the former was bowled by Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan. “Chasing 200 in the Chinnaswamy, we were just one partnership away,” Kohli remarked. “You never see him (Padikkal) slogging the ball, yet he’s playing so freely. His innings was the difference in the first half and then I was trying to stay in the game so he wouldn’t feel the pressure.” Kohli continued to make merry, going past Abhishek Sharma to become the tournament’s leading scorer (328) and seize the Orange Cap. His dismissal, bowled off the inside edge by West Indian Jason Holder, sparked a mini collapse before Australian Tim David and Krunal Pandya got the job done with little fuss. –AFPKohli makes Gujarat pay as Bengaluru cruise to IPL winBY KIERAN JACKSONJust three rounds into 2026 season, FIA set to ratify new regulations for Miami raceOliver Bearman recently suffered a massive 50G crash during the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on March 29. – @skysports/X

SPORTS 13theSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026FORMER Barcelona defender Hector Bellerin snatched Real Betis a late point in a 1-1 La Liga draw against Real Madrid yesterday to do his former side a favour in the Spanish title race. Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid seemed set to chop down Barca’s lead but the Catalans sit provisionally eight points ahead of Madrid after Bellerin cancelled out Vinicius Junior’s opener. Vinicius’s 17th-minute strike seemed set to bring his team victory and boost their slim chances of overhauling the leaders and finishing the season with a trophy. However, Madrid were rocked in stoppage time as Bellerin finally provided the breakthrough his side’s performance had deserved. “We suffered another blow in the final minutes, as has already happened to us many other times, and we end up with a result I don’t think we deserved, because we had chances (to win),” Arbeloa told reporters. The Madrid coach complained about refereeing decisions which “heavily influenced the game”, although Betis arguably had the more legitimate grievances. The hosts, fifth, appealed in vain for a penalty against Brahim Diaz early on, after the Madrid midfielder appeared to touch the ball with his hand in his own box as he tried to control it. A few minutes later the visitors took the lead, when Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles could only push Federico Valverde’s drive back into Vinicius’s path and the Brazilian swept home. England international Jude Bellingham almost doubled Madrid’s advantage but Valles did well to tip over his fierce effort. Betis earned a foothold in the game and Madrid had their goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, playing in place of the injured Thibaut Courtois, to thank for getting them in ahead at halftime. Lunin pushed Antony’s low strike around the post and then denied the Brazilian winger again, having just thwarted Cedric Bakambu as he ran through on goal. Alvaro Fidalgo also lashed narrowly over as Betis pushed Madrid back, albeit without finding a way through. Lunin was the hero again for Madrid as he pushed Cucho Hernandez’s powerful effort over and defender Dean Huijsen blocked well from Antony. Madrid forward Mbappe appeared to ask for a substitution with 10 minutes remaining, creating worry over a possible injury for the French striker ahead of the World Cup. Betis snatched a point right at the death, with Bellerin in the right place at the right time to smash home a loose ball in the area after Antonio Rudiger blocked a cross. “In these situations you have very little time to think,” Bellerin told DAZN of his goal. “We had a lot of chances, during the game I had the feeling that we had a lot of control and we were getting opportunities and we didn’t have the luck of them going in – and then look, it happened to me.” Betis trail Atletico Madrid, fourth, by seven points having played one extra game. However Diego Simeone’s side are focused on the Champions League and have played the reserves in many of their recent Liga games, giving the Andalusians a glimmer of hope of overhauling them to finish in the top four. – AFPNAPOLI cruised to a 4-0 win at home to Cremonese yesterday, a result which means Serie A leaders Inter Milan will have to wait at least another week to celebrate the title win and leaves the visitors in serious relegation trouble. Napoli are second in the standings on 69 points, nine behind Inter who are away to Torino on Sunday and three points ahead of AC Milan who host Juventus. Cremonese are third from bottom, level on 28 points with Lecce who are in the safety zone ahead of a trip to Hellas Verona this morning. Verona are second from bottom on 18 points and look Serie B bound along with bottom club Pisa. With their title defence all but over, Napoli were still keen to impress after a dismal performance last weekend when they failed to register a single shot on target in a 2-0 home loss to Lazio. “After Lazio, we spoke, I coach intelligent guys and they understood what didn’t work,” Napoli boss Antonio Conte told DAZN before kickoff. “Today we have to get back on track.” Scott McTominay was denied by the onrushing keeper Emil Audero in an early attack but his opening goal quickly followed in the third minute. McTominay collected Kevin De Bruyne’s pass, took one touch to control before rifling a low shot to the bottom corner of the net for his ninth league goal of the season. Napoli created plenty of chances before doubling their lead on the stroke of halftime with an own goal. Rasmus Hojlund slipped as he got his shot away but the ball took a wicked deflection off Filippo Terracciano to wrongfoot Audero and Napoli finished the game off in stoppage time before the break. After McTominay made an acrobatic pullback from the byline to keep the ball in play, De Bruyne battled to win possession from Youssef Maleh in the area and drilled his shot beyond Audero. Napoli continued where they left off after the interval. Keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic threw the ball to Alisson Santos who ran the length of the pitch unchallenged before firing home from the edge of the area. Amir Rrahmani rattled the Cremonese crossbar and Audero denied McTominay from the penalty spot late on as Napoli failed to add to their goal tally, but Conte, and the home fans, will be more than happy with an impressive performance. – ReutersNapoli make Inter wait for Serie A gloryLate goal by Bellerin dents Los Blancos’ title chase, handing title boost to BarcaSHORTSLEIPZIG TIGHTEN TOP-FOUR GRIPRB Leipzig defeated Union Berlin 3-1 in the Bundesliga yesterday, handing coach Marie-Louise Eta her second defeat in as many games in charge. Max Finkgrafe, Romulo and Ridle Baku scored as Leipzig earned a fifth straight victory, in a game overshadowed by sexism allegations over a social media post. Eta, who is the first female coach in the Bundesliga, has been the subject of a torrent of sexist abuse on social media. Leipzig were accused of joining in on Thursday when they responded to a post on X from Union saying it was a “nice city”. RB Leipzig’s account posted photos of Eta posing with former Leipzig coach Marco Rose and former players Dominik Szoboszlai and Emil Forsberg. The caption read: “Your head coach didn’t just find the city pretty nice…” Finkgrafe opened the scoring in the 22nd minute by thumping Leopold Querfeld’s headed clearance inside the right post. Brazilian forward Romulo shrugged off Querfeld’s weak challenge to score three minutes later, and Union suffered another blow when keeper Frederik Rønnow had to go off injured, replaced by Carl Klaus. Though her team improved after the break, Eta made three changes around the hour mark, only for Yan Diomande to set up Baku for the third. Danilho Doekhi scored Union’s consolation with a header in the 77th minute, and substitute Ilyas Ansah thought he scored another in stoppage time, only to have it ruled out for offside. LENS RALLY BUT TITLE BID FADESLens came back from 3-0 down at mid-table Brest to rescue a 3-3 draw, but still handed reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain an advantage in the title race. Daouda Guindo’s arrowed low drive from distance gave Brest an early lead, which Lucas Tousart doubled with a towering header midway through the first half. Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe slotted home a third before halftime, leaving Lens staring down the barrel just days after they had booked their place in the French Cup final. Florian Thauvin capitalised on a loose pass to haul Lens back into the contest on the hour, before Abdallah Sima swept home a cross just four minutes later to continue the revival. Lens snatched a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time when Alain Saint?Maximin unleashed a 20-yard strike. The visitors almost completed an improbable turnaround with the final kick of the game, but Saud Abdulhamid blazed over after Odsonne Edouard’s header had been saved by Brest goalkeeper Gregoire Coudert. “I’ll admit that I had some very harsh words at halftime,” said Lens coach Pierre Sage. The draw leaves Lens four points adrift of leaders PSG, who have two games in hand. Lens host PSG on May 13 but, barring an unlikely collapse from the European champions, they appear destined to finish runners-up for the second time in four seasons in Ligue 1. “As long as it’s not mathematically over, we’ll fight for the title until the very end, but it’s clear they (PSG) are pulling away tonight,” said Sage. VAR: CLEAR AS MUDUefa president Aleksander Ceferin said yester that he often struggles to understand the interpretation of the rules of football since the implementation of VAR. “Sometimes the supporters can’t understand some interpretations of the rules. I can’t understand it many times,” Ceferin said during a conference in Madrid. “For example, the handball, nobody understands it. Is it a penalty? Is it not a penalty? Nobody knows. It was intentional, how do you know? You’re not a psychiatrist.” The head of the governing body of European football also bemoaned the length of time some VAR interventions take on the pitch. “We try to explain to the referees that the referee on the pitch is the one that decides,” Ceferin said. “And only if it’s a clear and obvious mistake, you intervene. And even interventions should be fast, not just in Spanish league. I saw it in Premier League, sometimes 10-15 minutes of watching something.” He also called for a greater harmonisation of the interpretation of the rules across Europe’s different domestic leagues. “I see that sometimes referees who are refereeing on the European level are refereeing differently than in their own leagues,” the Slovenian said. Ceferin added that the best way to avoid mistakes was to “strictly try to obey” the International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules.Madrid denied at deathMadrid players react at the final whistle of their La Liga match against Real Betis at La Cartuja Stadium yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

14 SPORTStheSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026CHELSEA INTERIM boss Calum McFarlane said yesterday there was still “a lot of belief” the Blues could turn their season around after a slump that resulted in the dramatic dismissal of Liam Rosenior. The Stamford Bridge club take on Leeds in an FA Cup semifinal today (10pm Malaysian time), desperate to salvage some pride following five straight Premier League defeats without a single goal scored. A 3-0 hammering by Brighton on Wednesday was the final straw for club bosses, who ended Rosenior’s unhappy reign after just 106 days. First-team coach McFarlane, who also led Chelsea briefly following the departure of Enzo Maresca in January, spoke to reporters on Friday for the first time since Rosenior’s departure. Minutes before he appeared, Chelsea’s home page had a picture of the former boss with a message that read “Watch Liam Rosenior’s press conference live!” before it was updated. McFarlane, a former under-21s coach at Chelsea, was grilled on what had gone wrong at the club, where a rift had reportedly opened up between Rosenior and his players. He was asked whether it was a “fair assumption” that the players were not playing for the management and quizzed on how he would address the issue. “Who’s to say? It’s not anything I would comment on,” he said, adding that there had been no clear-the-air meeting. But the Englishman said despite seven defeats in eight matches, he was confident Chelsea could save their season. “I know it’s been tough recently, but we’ve had some good games this year, good performances against top sides in recent history,” he said. “So there’s a lot of talent. Some of those players in there are some of the best players in the world for their position. So there’s still a belief within us. We can turn this around and get our season back on track.” McFarlane said Brazilian winger Estevao would be out for the rest of the English season and that he was unsure whether he would be fit for the World Cup, which starts in June. “Estevao, unfortunately, won’t play for us this season,” he said. “He’s going to be out for a little bit of time. “So, that’s really unfortunate, especially for someone so young and so talented, but we’re here to support him and be around him.” – AFPMILLWALL snatched a late 1-1 draw at alreadyrelegated Leicester yesterday to move back into the Championship’s automatic promotion places but missed the chance to put pressure on Ipswich. Substitute Macaulay Langstaff’s first goal since February cancelled out a Foxes opener from Harry Souttar, who was playing his first game since rupturing an Achilles 16 months ago. It moved Alex Neil’s visitors up to second, a point ahead of Ipswich, but the Tractor Boys now have two games in hand. “There is disappointment in the changing Late roar from LionsMcFarlane urges fightback as Blues look to rescue troubled seasonroom because we’ve not won the game, and that is always the overriding emotion whether it is the second last game or if it’s the second game. “It doesn’t make any difference because we set out to win and we tried to win. There will always be frustration for the fact that I think when you get a point and haven’t played well, you can be quite content, but we feel we played well and had enough opportunities to make a difference and to score, and we didn’t take them. “Depending on what happens in the next couple of games will determine how important or not important that point will be. We just need to try and finish with as many points as we can,” Millwall boss Alex Neil told BBC Sport. Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion were hit with a two-point deduction yesterday for breaching the Football League’s financial rules. Albion were charged with exceeding the £39 million (RM209m) loss limit for the three-year period up to the end of the 2024/25 season. The club denied the charges but during a two-day hearing, an independent financial review panel found Albion’s losses “did exceed the upper loss threshold”. The punishment plunges West Brom back into relegation danger with two matches left in their second tier campaign. WBA said they disagreed with the panel’s findings and insisted the club were compliant with the league’s profitability and sustainability rules. “The decision does not state the amount by which the club is said to have exceeded the upper loss threshold,” the statement said. “West Bromwich Albion has not been informed of the quantum of the breach, save that this is less than £2 million (RM10.7m). This is therefore the smallest ever breach of the P&S rules across the EFL Championship and the Premier League.” West Brom’s accounts were submitted to the Football League in December, but they were not charged until the end of March. The Baggies need one point from their remaining games to avoid relegation. – AFP/AgenciesBelief amid the BluesChelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane. – AFPPIC6122/2026 25/04/2026 (SAT)7754 2965 26278612144269013060133554784558871097122483001645318181153616360665566344958468338810,695,437.34775477547754262726272965262726272965296577542965538,995.34775429652627 RABBIT5657334534453453491739 3 47 93474794747974794793474734743473 47,665,229.922,529,206.1017 42 21 27 33 38162,382.481 4 16 22 37 538 9 23 28 30 31 1126,356,495.382505 991 +ROOSTER335 453 + SNAKE668 999 + BOARDraw Date: 25/04/26 (Sat) Draw No: 6069/26 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL5991545389992968 + 3397 4848 + 52703232 + 1424 4001 + 36566558 + 0398 0593 + 55866645 + 4450 3058 + 07924477 + 8829 7261 + 0952RM5,996,768.605991 + 5453 5453 + 59915991 + 8999 8999 + 59915453 + 8999 8999 + 5453RM178,424.20RM693,773.00 RM1,155,833.30 RM1,323,339.00 162 968 003 397 584 848 995 270213 232 871 424 034 001 173 656996 558 040 398 440 593 645 586766 645 184 450 093 058 780 792784 477 548 829 707 261 440 952991 453 999RM1,630,187.40991 + 453 + 999 453 + 999 + 991991 + 999 + 453 999 + 991 + 453453 + 991 + 999 999 + 453 + 991Play Responsibly. Set your limit.Enjoy the Game.

SPORTS 15theSun on Sunday APR 26, 2026REFORMATION in Sports and Excellence (Rise) aims to serve as a “third voice” in strengthening the check and balance process regarding governance and welfare of athletes in the country. Rise spokesperson Hamdi Jaafar said that the initiative, led by a lineup of former national athletes, coaches, and sports officials, is a step toward systemic reform within the local sports arena. According to Hamdi, a former national hurdler himself, the establishment of Rise IJM CORPORATION BERHAD (IJM), in collaboration with Allianz Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Malaysia), yesterday announced the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge (DHC) 2026, with registration for the running event opening today. In a statement, the organisers said the eighth edition of the run, scheduled for Aug 2, will offer participants a unique experience of running along two iconic highways certified by World Athletics - the Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya-E9) and the New Pantai Expressway (NPE-E10). The flag-off will take place in front of Sunway Pyramid along the NPE. Co-organised by Besraya (M) Sdn Bhd, New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd and EC Pixels Asia, this year’s edition targets 15,000 participants, further cementing its position as one of Malaysia’s premier highway running events. Four categories will be contested: the full marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21km), as well as the 10km and 5km runs, catering to both seasoned runners and recreational participants. Registration is open until June 22 via the official websites (race.mas.run/dhc2026 or ijmhighwayrun.com). Organisers are also offering exclusive incentives under a special “Surprise Promo”, which provides instant discounts based on early bird registration rates. The limited-time promotion runs from tomorrow until May 3, with each participant eligible for one redemption. – BernamaKELANTAN The Real Warriors (TRW) FC suffered a crushing defeat on home turf as Selangor FC inflicted a heavy 6-0 defeat in their Super League clash at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium on Friday night. From the starting whistle, the visitors appeared more aggressive, launching continuous assaults on the hosts’ territory, while Kelantan relied mostly on counterattacks to find openings. Kelantan nearly stunned the visitors in the 12th minute, but striker Muhammad Asraf Aliffuddin’s shot from inside the penalty box missed the right of the Selangor goal. Selangor eventually opened the scoring through Kim Jiho, who calmly finished a chance in the box after the home defence failed to clear the ball cleanly. Selangor’s momentum continued to peak as Flores Moreas netted two quick goals, scoring first from a penalty in the 30th minute before heading in a third goal three minutes later following a cross from the right flank. In the second half, Selangor maintained their dominance as Kelantan was punished by an own goal from Alexander Yeoule in the 58th minute, before Alvin Fortes added a fifth goal five minutes later. Flores completed his hattrick in the 65th minute to secure Selangor’s sixth goal, effectively wrapping up the match with a stylish victory for the visitors, who clearly dominated throughout the 90 minutes of play. TRW are in real danger of being relegated from the Super League next season following their latest defeat. Assistant head coach Zairul Fitree Ishak said the pressure has intensified following a string of defeats, including the 6-0 thrashing by Selangor FC at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium last night. He said the squad now have only two matches left – against Johor Darul Ta’zim FC and Negeri Sembilan FC – which will determine whether they can stay in the top flight or drop to a lower division. “This is a critical situation as the final two matches are not easy, especially against some of the strongest teams in the league at the moment,” he told reporters after the match. After 22 matches, TRW sit 12th in the league with 15 points from four wins, three draws and 15 defeats. Zairul Fitree admitted his team are also relying on results elsewhere to remain in the Super League next season. “The final match against Negeri Sembilan is very important and we will strive to get maximum points to improve our position,” he said. He also expressed disappointment over his team’s defence, which lasted only 30 minutes before crumbling to concede six goals. – BernamaIJM highway challenge registration opens todayENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Sunder- Rise to serve as ‘third voice’ in Malaysian sports land 0 Forest 5 (Hume 17-og, Wood 31, Gibbs-White 34, Jesus 37, 90+5). PW D L F A Pts Man City 33 21 7 5 66 29 70 Arsenal 33 21 7 5 63 26 70 Man Utd 33 16 10 7 58 45 58 Aston Villa 33 17 7 9 47 41 58 Liverpool 33 16 7 10 54 43 55 Brighton 34 13 11 10 48 39 50 Bournemouth 34 11 16 7 52 52 49 Chelsea 34 13 9 12 53 45 48 Brentford 33 13 9 11 48 44 48 Everton 33 13 8 12 40 39 47 Sunderland 34 12 10 12 36 45 46 Fulham 33 13 6 14 43 46 45 Crystal Palace 32 11 10 11 35 36 43 Newcastle 33 12 6 15 46 49 42 Leeds 34 9 13 12 44 51 40 Forest 34 10 9 15 41 45 39 West Ham 33 8 9 16 40 57 33 Tottenham 33 7 10 16 42 53 31 Burnley 34 4 8 22 34 68 20 Wolves 33 3 8 22 24 61 17 CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester 1 Millwall 1.TOP 6 P W D L F A PtsCoventry 44 26 11 7 90 44 89 Millwall 45 23 11 11 62 49 80 Ipswich 43 22 13 8 75 45 79 Southampton 44 21 13 10 77 53 76 Mid’boro 44 21 13 10 65 44 76 Wrexham 44 19 13 12 66 60 70 LA LIGA: Real Betis 1 (Bellerin 90+4)Real Madrid 1 (Vinicius 17).TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Barcelona 32 27 1 4 85 30 82 Real Madrid 33 23 5 5 68 31 74 Villarreal 32 19 5 8 57 37 62 Atletico 32 17 6 9 53 35 57 Real Betis 33 12 14 7 49 41 50 Getafe 32 13 5 14 28 32 44 SERIE A: Napoli 4 (McTominay 3, Terracciano 45-og, De Bruyne 45+2, Alisson 51)Cremonese 0.TOP 6 P W D L F A PtsInter Milan 33 25 3 5 78 29 78 Napoli 34 21 6 7 52 33 69 AC Milan 33 19 9 5 48 27 66 Juventus 33 18 9 6 57 29 63 Como 33 16 10 7 57 28 58 Roma 33 18 4 11 46 29 58 BUNDESLIGA: RB Leipzig 3 Union Berlin 1.TOP 6 P W D L F A PtsB. Munich 30 25 4 1 109 29 79Dortmund 30 19 7 4 61 31 64 RB Leipzig 31 19 5 7 62 38 62 Stuttgart 30 17 5 8 62 42 56 Hoffenheim 30 16 6 8 59 44 54 Leverkusen 30 15 7 8 60 41 52 FRENCH LIGUE 1: Brest 3 Lens 3.TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Paris SG 29 21 3 5 65 25 66 Lens 30 20 3 7 60 32 63 Lyon 30 16 6 8 45 30 54 Lille 30 16 6 8 49 34 54 Rennes 30 15 8 7 52 41 53 Marseille 30 16 4 10 58 40 52 CHAMPIONS RELEGATEDRESULTS & STANDINGSAll 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 RESPONSIBLY359/26 25/04/202630720896412536488105034518263500326200268009946756314659400281588816828053663639394825289875RM4,154,357.51RM502,891.483072 + 08960896 + 30724125 + 30723072 + 41250896 + 41254125 + 08963 6 20 21 22 28 30 339 24RM9,624,836.48RM228,997.3472962572962 296257296 9625729 62572 259 60 0was driven by growing concerns over governance issues – particularly in athletics – including leadership disputes and regulatory compliance that could risk international sanctions. “Rise wants to be a rational and independent voice in every sports association facing problems. “If there are weaknesses in governance or transparency in decision-making, we will step forward to provide views and suggest improvements,” he said during a press conference to introduce Rise yesterday. He also emphasised that Rise remains committed to advocating for welfare of athletes, including ensuring their livelihood after retiring from the sporting arena. Meanwhile, Hamdi said the group plans to organise a forum involving various stakeholders to discuss current issues and obtain direct feedback toward improving the national sports ecosystem. Also present at the press conference were former national hurdler Datuk Karunakarer Selvaratnam, Malaysian Olympians Association (MOA) President Noraseela Mohd Khalid, and former heptathlon athlete Datuk Zaiton Warriors Warriors Othman. – Bernamatorn apartSelangor’s six-goal blitz pushes TRW closer to drop zone troubleKelantan’s Mohamad Faris (left) battles for the ball with Selangor’s Chrigor Flores during the Super League match at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium on Friday night. – 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] NOTTINGHAM FOREST stunned Sunderland with a sensational 5-0 win on Friday to put some serious distance between themselves and the bottom three. It moved Vitor Pereira’s side on to 39 points, eight clear of 18th-placed Tottenham and six clear of 17th-placed West Ham. It is 15 years since a team was last relegated from the Premier League with 39 points. So, with Forest unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, is it time to call the battle to avoid the Premier League’s final relegation spot a two-horse race? Forest boss Pereira was quick to tell BBC Match of the Day that his side’s tally “isn’t enough” to stay up quite yet. “We need more points, we need to win more games and we need to keep our mentality,” he said. But is Pereira being needlessly cautious? Twenty-three teams have been on exactly 39 points after 34 games across Premier League history – and none of them have gone down. There is a strong argument to be made that Forest, and by extension Leeds on 40 points, already have enough to stay up. When looking at 38-match seasons the average points tally of the side finishing 18th is 34.5 – so 35 points is, on average, good enough for survival. And, in even better news for Forest and Leeds fans, over the past five seasons the average points tally for 18th has dropped to 29.6. Only six teams have ever been relegated from the Premier League with 39 or more points in a 38-game campaign. The last two were Birmingham and Blackpool, who both went down with 39 in 2010-11. “Is 39 points enough to keep you up? Yes, but you have to work on the basis that anything is still possible,” former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sportsafter Forest’s win. “You are asking Tottenham to win four games… is that going to be possible? We don’t know. Back-to-back wins and it all changes.” Mathematically, eight more points ensures next season will be Forest’s fifth consecutive campaign in the top flight. In theory Tottenham could finish on 46 points, but that would require them to win all five of their final five games. In six first-half minutes Forest went from 1-0 up to 4-0 up by capitalising on some Sunderland errors and displaying a ruthlessness in front of goal not seen in the first half of the season. Chris Wood scored for the first time since a double on the opening day, having been sidelined for most of this campaign with a knee injury. Goalscorer Igor Jesus impressed, former Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson was also on the scoresheet and Morgan GibbsWhite netted again to extend his superb goalscoring run to seven goals in seven games. Redknapp described it as “the result of the season”. “In the predicament Forest are in, to go to Sunderland and win 5-0, yes Sunderland’s home form hasn’t been great of late but this is still a difficult place to go, and they had real quality,” added Redknapp. “An unbelievable result. I can only imagine what Nuno Espirito Santo and Roberto de Zerbi are thinking. They are probably watching from behind the sofa thinking, ‘we’ve got it all on now’.” Forest striker Wood added to BBC Match of the Day that survival “is in touching distance”. He said: “I don’t think it’s done. But it’s a big mental one and back-to-back wins puts us in a good position.” According to Opta’s supercomputer, both Leeds and Forest are all but safe – their chances of relegation have narrowed significantly to less than 1%. – AgenciesFive-star Forest… as Pereira’s men extend unbeaten run, putting daylight between themselves and drop zone 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 | APR 26, 2026UNDERDOGS Turkiye gave Malaysia a real scare, but the national women’s team dug deep to escape with a nerve-shredding 3–2 win in their Uber Cup Group B opener in Horsens yesterday. What was expected to be a routine outing quickly turned into a dogfight. Malaysia took the first and third singles but stumbled in the opening doubles, leaving the tie hanging by a thread at 2–2. With everything on the line, it was down to the young pairing of Low Zi Yu and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan – and they delivered under pressure. The duo held their nerve to edge past Yasmen Bektas and Zehra Erdem 21–18, 21–19, sealing a dramatic victory and sparing Malaysia’s blushes. Despite the shaky start, Malaysia remain on track for the quarterfinals. Team Thinaah is widely expected to brush aside South Africa in their next tie today (6pm Malaysian time), before facing a sterner test against group favourites Japan tomorrow (6pm).Nerve-shredding win for Malaysia over Turkiye in Uber Cup openerNational women’s doubles pair Noraqilah Maisarah and Low Zi Yu in action against the Turkiye pair in their Uber Cup Group B match at the Horsens Forum in Denmark yesterday. – BERNAMAPICNational women’s singles K. Letshanaa (left) and Goh Jin Wei in action against their respective Turkiye opponents yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC