The Sun 06072023

PETALING JAYA: The unity government is confident of capturing at least two states from PAS as it has had over seven months to show the people what it can do and has achieved to win over voters, said Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi. “The over seven months of being in power have allowed the unity government to show voters how different its policies are from the Perikatan Nasional-led government. “The policies put in place by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have emphasised helping the less well-off. Such policies have resonated very well in the Opposition-led states as the people feel they are being given first preference and that no state has been left behind in federal government policies.” Awang Azman said Pakatan Harapan (PH) holds a clear and distinctive advantage over Perikatan Nasional (PN), which can no longer claim the moral high ground. He also said PN has had its funds either confiscated or frozen, and its image has been hurt as some of its top leaders are facing court cases. Awang Azman said another advantage PH holds over PAS-led states is voters in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu can see the huge difference in development that has occurred in PH-led states. “There are major economic and infrastructure development projects in PH-led states. Whether this will translate into votes remains to be seen. What is more important is for PH and the unity government to win the social media war, which will give them a big boost in the coming state elections.” Anwar had previously expressed confidence that parties in the unity government will capture at least two PAS-held states in the upcoming polls. He declined to specify if the two he meant were among Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan, which are all currently led by PAS-helmed caretaker state governments following the dissolution of their state assemblies. Anwar added that studies conducted by his team had indicated that PH would retain Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan, now that the public has accepted the coalition’s cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN). Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said PH supporters will be solidly behind their parties, but things could be a bit dicey for Umno supporters because the party is working with DAP. He said theoretically, more people would support the unity government, which was cobbled together as a compromise with 19 political parties. “The federal government represents all walks of life and voters should be comfortable with the unity government. But on the other side, PN is playing the 3Rs (race, religion and royalty) issues, especially the first two. “Anwar is confident of capturing two PAS-led states, although he did not mention which ones. The most probable states are Kedah and Terengganu. However, I am more inclined to believe the status quo will remain, i.e. three for PH and three for PN.” Azmi said a few seats will be lost by incumbents on either side and that it is very hard to determine the outcome of the state elections this time around. He said there are very few reliable polls on what will drive the voters to pick a particular party. Although it is only a state election, it might be seen as a kind of referendum for the federal leadership, since only six states are going to the polls, he said. Azmi added that the political scenario has seen lots of changes, and with Umno and DAP in the unity government, whether voters want to see a change is anybody’s guess. He said it will be very hard at the moment to determine whom the votes will go to, but most oPolicies implemented by Anwar administration well-received in Opposition-led states: Analyst █ BY RAJVINDER SINGH [email protected] INSIDE TELLING IT AS IT IS ON THURSDAY JULY 6, 2023 No. 8303 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my KEEN SENSES ... Frankie, from the Fire and Rescue Department K9 Tracker Dog Unit, with its handler yesterday during the search and rescue operations for the last two victims of the water surge tragedy at Jeram Air Putih in Kemaman, Terengganu. – BERNAMAPIC Unity govt upbeat likely the status quo will remain. Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said voters in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan will go to the polls on Aug 12, following the decision to hold simultaneous state elections in the six states. He added nominations will be held on July 29 and early voting on Aug 8. Turn to — page 3 Report on — page 5 PAS to tread cautiously during polls 2 page No eviction of Bandar Hilir traders 3 page

2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS PAS to tread cautiously during state polls KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS will take specific steps and be more cautious in ensuring that the party’s operations for the state election slated for Aug 12 do not contravene any election law. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also PAS vice-president, said this includes scrutinising the implementation of the state government’s programmes throughout the campaign period. Nevertheless, he said PAS would continue upholding its mature and prosperous political culture at all times, especially during the state election process, Bernama reported. “It is indeed our agenda to always be cautious, especially oParty will avoid repeating mistake it made in Kuala Terengganu during GE15, says veep after the (election petition) cases in Marang and Kuala Terengganu, we will avoid making mistakes. “As far as I know, we (the state government) do not have any programmes relating to the distribution of aid or donation during the state polls. We will only proceed with the Awal Muharram programme on July 19,” he told a press conference after launching the Terengganu Report Card 2018 to 2023 and Book of Success 2018 to 2022 at Wisma Darul Iman here yesterday. Ahmad Samsuri, who is incumbent for Ru Rendang, said this when asked about PAS’s plans for the state polls, especially after the Terengganu election court’s decision on June 27 to nullify the victory of Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim, who represented PAS in the 15th general election (GE15). Judge Datuk Seri Mohd Firuz Jaffril said the court found that the petitioner Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong of Barisan Nasional had successfully proven that corrupt practices had occurred with the aim of influencing voters in the election for that parliamentary seat in GE15. The judge said even though the petitioner was not called as a witness, other evidence was sufficient to declare the election in Kuala Terengganu null and void under Section 36 of the Election Offences Act. However, the court upheld the victory of PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang as the MP for Marang. For the record, in GE14 the Terengganu state government was formed by PAS after the party won 22 out of 32 state seats, while BN only obtained 10 seats. DOWN MEMORY LANE ... Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah visiting a book gallery at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor Bahru yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC RM8 billion debt waiver boost for Felda KUALA LUMPUR: The Felda Malaysia Youth Council (FMYC) believes the 80% cancellation of settlers’ debt amounting to RM8.3 billion, which resulted from the recent agreement signed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, could help the agency gain greater financial flexibility. Its president Muhammad Fadzli Hasan said this will allow the Felda Land Development Authority (Felda) to move forward and ensure that it prioritises the welfare and sustainability of its 112,638 settlers. “This not only shows the government’s commitment to the agency but also benefits the Felda administration, especially in improving its financial situation,” he said yesterday. On June 28, the Finance Ministry said Anwar, who is also finance minister, has signed the government guarantee for Felda to restructure the agency’s loans to reduce the principal of Felda’s debt to financial institutions by RM7.9 billion. The restructuring will also reduce Felda’s financial cost in terms of interest rates and enable Felda to cancel 80% of the RM8.3 billion settlers’ debt implemented in 2021. The ministry said the government had agreed to provide a government guarantee to Felda in 2019 to enable the agency to implement its redevelopment plan under the transformation programme that began in 2020 for five years. Muhammad Fadzli also expressed hope that the prime minister would announce some good news to the people of Felda, who are currently working on 317 land schemes nationwide during the national-level Felda Settlers’ Day celebrations on July 7. “For example, if possible, we request that the government stabilise palm oil prices and increase infrastructure development in Felda land schemes,” he said. He also hoped that with the appointment of Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek as Felda’s new chairman, the agency will be in a better position to deal with the current business challenges and that more community programmes will be implemented to strengthen relations among settlers. Felda has introduced a land development model that includes land allocations and socioeconomic support and is directly involved in land development and management. – Bernama PH confident of retaining three states SEREMBAN: Pakatan Harapan (PH) is optimistic that its alliance with Barisan Nasional (BN) will enable it to retain Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Penang in the coming state elections, said PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli. He said the findings of monthly research done in these PH-held states showed a high level of voter satisfaction with the current state administrations. He said Negeri Sembilan, led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, obtained the highest mark from voters with a 75% approval rating. “In the studies done from January to May, one common question asked is whether they support and are satisfied with the existing state government. “Seventy-five per cent of voters in Negeri Sembilan say they are satisfied with the current state government, the highest approval rating among the six states. We pray that this situation will persist,” he said at the Madani tour ceramah for the Sikamat state constituency here on Tuesday night. Rafizi did not give the data for the other states but said he was confident with the level of support shown by voters, especially those aged 30 and above. PAS-ruled Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan are also scheduled to hold their state elections on Aug 12. Meanwhile, Aminuddin, in his speech, said he believed that in line with the formation of the unity government at the federal level, the PH-BN cooperation had become stronger and could continue to lead the state. Aminuddin said PH and BN would campaign together in all seats to be contested by the two coalitions to ensure that candidates of unity government parties would win in the state polls. – Bernama Condolences to Terengganu royal family KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has expressed his condolences to the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and the Sultanah of Terengganu Sultanah Nur Zahirah as well as the Terengganu royal family on the passing of Tengku Norhana Fatihah Almarhum Sultan Mahmud yesterday. Tengku Norhana Fatihah, who was Sultan Mizan’s sister, breathed her last at 4.52am at Gleneagles Hospital. Also conveying her condolences was the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. In a post on the Istana Negara Facebook page, Their Majesties expressed sadness over Tengku Norhana Fatihah’s passing and hoped that her family members would remain patient and persevere in facing this sad and trying time. “Their Majesties pray that her soul be showered with blessings by Allah SWT and placed among the pious,” the post read. The remains of Tengku Norhana Fatihah were taken to Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque in Ladang, Kuala Terengganu, for funeral prayers and burial. – Bernama Fahmi on two-day working visit to Negeri Sembilan SEREMBAN: Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil is on a two-day working visit to Negeri Sembilan to meet the people and monitor telecommunications issues in the state. This is his maiden visit since being appointed to lead the ministry on Dec 2 last year and as official spokesman for the unity government. During his visit, he will attend a town hall session with departments and agencies from Negeri Sembilan and Malacca that are under his ministry, including the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Radio Television Malaysia and the information department. Fahmi is also scheduled to officiate the point of presence programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Undang Haji Adnan in Rembau for internet coverage network and to present awards to outstanding 2022 SPM students, including the ministry’s fibre package to customers at the school. He is also expected to visit the digital economy centre at Felda Palong 11, which is among the ministry’s initiatives to help empower the local community with digital skills, and generate income through e-commerce platforms. – Bernama

3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 MALACCA: The state government has confirmed that no eviction notices have been issued to traders in the Bandar Hilir area, especially at Uptown Pahlawan Walk, following a proposal to create a car-free zone at the tourist location. State housing, local government, drainage, climate change and disaster management committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said the proposal to turn the 2.4km stretch in Bandar Hilir into a car-free zone is still being studied. “We understand the concerns of traders around Bangunan Merah, Dataran Pahlawan, Pahlawan Walk and Uptown Pahlawan Walk following the chief minister’s (Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh) proposal to convert the area into a vehicle-free zone, but it is still at the study stage. “The state government has so far only directed the council to hold a dialogue with traders,” he said after a meeting with more than 100 traders at the Plaza Mahkota building and Pahlawan Walk here on Tuesday. Rais added that a thorough study was needed because various aspects must be looked into, including routes to close, the number of parking spaces available and exit routes. He said the results of the study would be presented at the state executive council meeting, and the public would be informed of any development, adding that there was no specific period for the study to be concluded, Bernama reported. On a video posted on social media, in which a woman claimed that the car-free zone project would affect the businesses of nearly 200 traders at Uptown Pahlawan Walk, Rais said it was not true. “The traders confirmed they did not receive any eviction notice.” He said one of the objectives of the car-free zone in the Bandar Hilir area every Friday, Saturday and Sunday was to ensure that Malacca becomes a low-carbon city. It is also an effort to preserve the historic buildings around the area as they are the state’s main tourist attractions. “We want to improve the economic well-being of the people in Bandar Hilir. “As long as the plan is still under study and no notice has been issued, the traders can continue to operate as usual,” he added. Malaysia names honorary consul in Casablanca KUALA LUMPUR: Khalid Assari, a well-respected member of the business community in Morocco, has been appointed the honorary consul of Malaysia in Casablanca. The Malaysian Embassy in Morocco said Assari has extensive knowledge of the region, which is invaluable in providing assistance and support to Malaysian companies keen on doing business in Casablanca and elsewhere in Morocco. “In his capacity as honorary consul, Assari will also provide information services to Moroccan citizens regarding Malaysia. “He will, among other things, work to promote cultural and economic ties between Malaysia and Morocco, building on the strong historical and cultural connections between the two countries,” said the embassy in a statement yesterday. – Bernama No eviction of Bandar Hilir traders oProposal for car-free zone in area still being evaluated, says state committee chairman Sea embankment damage bane to farmers BATU PAHAT: About 80 farmers in Kampung Sungai Suloh and Kampung Bukit Kelicap near here claim to have lost millions of ringgit after their crops were inundated by seawater for most of the year. Mazlan Ithnin, 58, said the sea embankment in their villages have been damaged since 2018 and crops such as mataq, tacunan and pandan coconuts, as well as oil palm have been affected. He said agriculture activities, which started in 1976, could earn each farmer an income of about RM150,000 per year. However, due to the damaged embankment, they are losing almost half of that amount. “When the four-kilometre embankment, which is made of stones and earth, began to collapse, seawater started to flow into the farms. “It would take some time for the water to flow back as there is only one water gate. As a result, some crops were damaged and could not produce yields,” he said yesterday. Kampung Bukit Kelicap resident Nordin Daiman, 68, said the stagnant seawater also affected 120ha of crops, including bananas, papayas and guavas that have been cultivated by the residents. “We hope the authorities will take action to help us repair the damaged embankment and to ensure that the new one will be long-lasting,” he said. Meanwhile, Senggarang assemblyman Mohd Yusla Ismail said the matter has been brought to the attention of the Johor Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID). Batu Pahat DID assistant engineer Anas Mohamed said the embankment was built on privately owned land. However, the department would try to overcome the problem by building a new embankment using mangrove wood and geotextile, which is expected to be carried out soon. – Bernama RM3 million to widen jam prone road SHAH ALAM: Traffic congestion regularly experienced along Persiaran Mokhtar Dahari could soon be a thing of the past once a short-term expansion project is completed at the end of the year. Selangor Infrastructure and Public Amenities, Agriculture Modernisation and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Izham Hashim said through a RM3 million allocation, one-kilometre additional lanes on both sides will be added to overcome congestion in the area. “As for the long-term, we will add one more lane on both sides since the road is a main route, besides also being a connecting point to the Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway. “The long-term project will go on for another two years with an estimated cost of RM20 million, including utility costs borne by the Selangor State Development Corporation and Teguh Mantap, the company that is developing the area,” he said after inspecting work progress of a road expansion project in Puncak Perdana yesterday. On the Mega Selangor large-scale road resurfacing works by the state government involving 118 roads throughout the state, Izham said progress was at 25%, with the project expected to be fully completed by the end of the month. – Bernama Event on dignity, peaceful coexistence KUALA LUMPUR: An international symposium titled “Upholding Human Dignity for Peaceful Coexistence” aims to expand the understanding of the concept of human dignity and peaceful coexistence from the different aspects of Malaysian life. The two-day event, which started yesterday, is organised by the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia. It will also focus on creating new ideas on the concept as it relates to the different aspects that can be expressed in positive actions and outcomes. Its chairman Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad Nur Manuty said the symposium covers the important topic of the need to uphold and preserve human dignity to create and sustain peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding in society. “The symposium is well-timed as the world is facing challenges of dehumanisation, degradation and sufferings of human life,” he said in his speech when opening the symposium at a hotel yesterday. – Bernama 10 million voters eligible to cast ballots, says EC chairman Abdul Ghani said about 9.77 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots and of these, 9.67 million are ordinary voters. The others are soldiers and their spouses (49,660), police personnel and their spouses (47,728) and overseas absentee voters (1,727). “The electoral rolls to be used in the state elections are the latest ones until the Supplementary Electoral Roll for April 2023, updated as of June 21,” he said after chairing a special EC meeting on the state polls at Menara SPR yesterday. The EC convened the meeting after receiving notifications on the official dissolution of the six state assemblies from their speakers. Kelantan was the first to dissolve its state assembly on June 22, followed by Selangor (June 23), Penang, Kedah and Terengganu (June 28), and Negeri Sembilan (July 1). The six states did not dissolve their state assemblies when Parliament was dissolved on Oct 10 last year to pave the way for the 15th general election on Nov 19. Abdul Ghani said the state polls would involve 245 seats, comprising 36 in Kedah, 45 in Kelantan, 32 in Terengganu, 40 in Penang, 56 in Selangor and 36 in Negeri Sembilan. “The campaign period has been fixed for 14 days beginning July 29, when the names of candidates are announced, until 11.58pm on Aug 11,” he said. Abdul Ghani added that applications for all categories of postal votes overseas and in the country were opened on June 15. From front page FINE TUNING ... Music enthusiast Ishamudin Ahmad Naina Merican repairing a guitar at his shop in Gelugor, Sungai Dua, Penang. – MASRY CHE ANI/ THESUN

4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME Get a jump start today on creating a successful tomorrow! For the best in local and international higher education institutions, catch theSun's fortnightly Education Focus. FOCUS 2023 EDUCATION Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising. Aircraft repair firm set to soar PETALING JAYA: Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services firm Airod Sdn Bhd is expecting to secure more foreign clients after securing deals recently with the air force of Sri Lanka and Egypt and Uganda Air Cargo Corporation. In line with its aspirations to stamp its mark as a global service provider, Airod is in advanced discussions to provide its expertise in the C-130 aircraft to more countries, including Botswana, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates by next year, it said in a statement. The Subang-based company said the catalyst for its continued growth and success in the global C-130 marketplace started when it first received its Hercules Service Centre certification from USbased Lockheed Martin, the original equipment manufacturer. The statement said Airod has successfully completed five other refurbishment and replacement deals between 2013 and 2021, with three units for SafAir of South Africa, one for the Pakistan Air Force and another for Transafrik of Uganda. “Airod is also truly honoured to receive the recent certification by the Indonesian military airworthiness authority as it showcases Malaysia’s in-country engineering capability, that is being constantly sought after regionally and globally. “This is also timely as more and more C-130 operators in Asean are facing the replacement and refurbishment mandate by Lockheed Martin, including the Royal Malaysian Air Force,” said Airod CEO Datuk Ismail Ibrahim. Niche in unique timepieces KUALA LUMPUR: Watchmaker extraordinaire Bostami Ahmad has been the defining force in creating Artwist limited edition watches that feature unique artwork by artists from all over the world. “At Artwist, we are focused on the creation of storytelling watches that blend art and elegance,” said Bostami, who is Artwist founder. Artwist is a Malaysian startup supported by the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation under its global market fit programme. Its watches are manufactured by Artwist in small quantities, limited to 300 pieces, making them unique and valuable collectibles, Bernama reported. The small number offers the artisans time to create other works of art and seek other sources of inspiration, while the serial number or name ensures that the watch is unique and cannot be replicated. An alumnus of the faculty of creative multimedia at the Multimedia University, Bostami said the company was incepted in 2018 to assist artists in selling their works. “More than 25 artisans from Malaysia and abroad, such as Nic Mac (United Kingdom) and internationally recognised designer Aleksandra Erdogan from Russia, have independently contributed to this business.” Bostami, 42, said his latest entrepreneurial Bostami with some of the artisan timepieces created by Artwist. – BERNAMAPIC oFirm collaborates with local, global artisans to create handcrafted limited-edition watches project under Artwist is the creation of a one-off hand-painted, limited edition watch, in collaboration with artisans, renowned figures such as veteran composer and singer Datuk M. Nasir and renowned brands. In 2021, Bostami and partner Zakiyah Hasan combined their collective mastery, that was developed at the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan and shaped by their experience with Lamborghini, Moleskine, 3M and the Google XPrize Moon Mission. The most intriguing of its models is a watch called “Gerbang”, which features an art piece of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine painted by M. Nasir. The manufacturing of limited edition timepieces, which is the core of Artwist’s business strategy, also creates a new opportunity for artisans to gain from the resale value of the watches, which often increases over time. On watch engine technology, Bostami said Artwist selects the best technology from Japan, and the company has entered into a collaboration with Seiko and Miyota via manufacturing partners to produce their watches. More information on Artwist watches is available at https://artwist.co/ and organisations interested in customising branded logo watches as premium gifts may direct inquiries to [email protected].

5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 Rosmah in final bid to disqualify lead prosecutor PUTRAJAYA: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has filed an appeal at the Federal Court against the Court of Appeal decision dismissing her application to challenge the appointment of the late Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram as the lead prosecutor in her corruption case involving a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project. The wife of ex-premier Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who filed the appeal yesterday through Messrs Akberdin & Co, submitted several legal questions to the court. The questions included whether Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun has the right under the law to issue a retrospective letter of appointment, dated May 21, 2021, for Sri Ram’s appointment as senior deputy public prosecutor effective Nov 15, 2018, being that in fact and law, Idrus was only appointed as attorney-general in 2021. On June 22 last year, the Court of Appeal dismissed Rosmah’s appeal for leave to initiate a judicial review to challenge Sri Ram’s appointment as lead prosecutor in her case. Rosmah, 71, made the application in the High Court on June 24, naming the attorneygeneral/public prosecutor, Sri Ram and the government as respondents. In the application, Rosmah sought a declaration that Sri Ram’s appointment through three letters of appointment dated July 8, 2020, May 11 and May 21, 2021, was unlawful. She also sought a declaration that the entire prosecution proceedings and full trial for her case, which took place from Nov 15, 2018, until the defence closed the case, were invalid and void and that she must be acquitted of all charges under Section 16 (a) (A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009. Before the judicial review, Rosmah had applied to disqualify Sri Ram, but was dismissed by Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, who presided over her trial. Her appeals to the Court of Appeal and Federal Court were also dismissed. On Sept 1, 2022, Mohamed Zaini found Rosmah guilty of the corruption charges, and sentenced her to 10 years in jail and fined RM970 million. She then filed an appeal against her conviction and sentence, and the Court of Appeal set four days, from July 11 to 14, to hear her appeal. – Bernama Search for remaining two victims enters fourth day CHUKAI: The search and rescue (SAR) operations to find the last two victims of the Jeram Air Putih water surge incident resumed at 9am yesterday. Putri Nur Fatin Karim, 14, and Muhammad Fikri Saliman, 24, are among the 10 casualties. The search is focused on Sectors B and C, with the SAR team in Sector A reduced to only 20 personnel involving police and the Fire and Rescue Department, as well as a K9 tracker dog unit. The search in Sector B was divided into two subsections, comprising 68 personnel, whereas the remaining SAR members will focus between Sector C and the debris trap area in Sungai Kemaman. According to Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department Zone 2 chief Senior Supt II Azman Alias, divers from the department’s Water Rescue Team and marine police will also be mobilised. “The search methods will be expanded to include coverage on land as well as via water rafting, in addition to using tracker dogs,” he said at the Air Putih police station operations control centre yesterday. “The weather condition is good and the river water level has returned to normal since it did not rain on Tuesday.” The operation was suspended at 6.30pm on Tuesday and resumed at 9pm following new leads, with the search focusing on Sector C and halted at midnight after efforts to find the missing duo were unsuccessful. A family of nine from Felda Lepar Hilir, Kuantan, Pahang and another individual from Batu Pahat in Johor, who was engaged to a member of the family, had gone on a picnic to the waterfalls on Saturday. They are believed to have been swept away by strong currents caused by a water surge. The bodies of eight have been found, with seven buried on Tuesday. – Bernama Five tracker dogs deployed to assist in SAR operations CHUKAI: Four dogs from the Fire and Rescue Department K9 Tracker Dog Unit, namely Frankie, Denti, Grouse and Lady, have been enlisted in the search and rescue (SAR) operations for victims of the water surge tragedy in Jeram Air Putih. Unit head Lacey Elizabeth Stanley said the canines worked for two days during the operations, while another dog, Sarkar from the K9 Unit in Bukit Aman, also participated. The five canines were regularly featured in news reports on SAR operations during the landslide tragedy at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor last December, in which 31 people oCanines previously used in Batang Kali, Turkiye tragedies assisting in search for water surge victims Factory worker loses RM87,000 in WhatsApp scam JOHOR BAHRU: A factory worker claimed he was deceived in a nonexistent investment scheme, resulting in a loss of RM87,400. Iskandar Puteri district police chief ACP Rahmat Ariffin yesterday said the 40-year-old claimed to have participated in a practical training camp on investment through a WhatsApp group on May 4. He said a month after joining the scheme, the victim was told that his investment profit increased by RM180,000 and then wanted to withdraw the profits, but was instructed to pay a “tax” of RM24,000. “The victim made the payment and only realised he was cheated after being unable to contact the individual involved and was removed from the WhatsApp group. He claimed to have lost RM87,400, investment capital included.” Rahmat said police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code and advised the public to be wary of investment schemes that promise lucrative profits. – Bernama Cops bust phone fraud syndicate ALOR SETAR: Kedah police busted a phone scam syndicate with the arrest of 54 individuals during a raid at the Mergong 2 industrial area on Monday. State police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said a team from the commercial crime investigation department of the Kedah contingent police headquarters, assisted by the district police headquarters of Kota Setar, Kuala Muda and Langkawi, raided the syndicate’s operating premises at 6pm. “A Taiwanese woman, two Bangladeshi men, 19 Taiwanese men, 29 Chinese men and three local men between the ages of 20 and 50 were arrested. “The premises is believed to have been rented and used as a call centre for fraudulent activities, and this syndicate has been operating for four months,” he said yesterday. – Bernama WASHED OUT ... A Kampung Iboi resident surveying the condition of a crossing damaged by flash floods in Baling, Kedah yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC lost their lives. Denti and Frankie, both in service for six years, were also in Turkiye for 14 days to assist in SAR operations following the earthquake in early February that claimed about 50,000 lives, Bernama reported. “Throughout the operations, we have to constantly monitor their condition. The handlers cannot go all out like other teams because when working with dogs, our work and rest time follow their (physical limits). “If any signs of fatigue are seen, handlers must immediately rest them.” Sarkar’s handler L/Cpl Jonvi Moris said he has to be sensitive to the health of his German Shepherd, adding that four years on, he can now read the temperament of the five-year-old when in action. “Sarkar is very hyperactive. You can say that as long as he hasn’t fainted, he will force himself to work and continue working even if he starts showing signs of fatigue. “So, when his tongue hangs out longer and longer, his saliva starts foaming a lot and his walk (becomes unsteady), I will immediately rest him. Otherwise, he will continue to work. “As the handler, I can say that every indicator Sarkar gives is very accurate and helpful,” he said, adding that another canine from the Pahang contingent police headquarters will also be joining the SAR operations (see sidebar). Body found in parked car boot SHAH ALAM: The body of an Indonesian man was found in the boot of a car near Taman Sri Orkid in Section 30 yesterday. Shah Alam deputy police chief Supt Ramsay Anak Embol said police were informed about the body at about 3.25pm, adding that it was then sent to the Shah Alam Hospital for post-mortem. He said in follow-up operations, four suspects were held, including an Indonesian woman. – Bernama

6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Fukushima water safe: IAEA oSouth Korea says it will respect nuclear watchdog’s approval of release TOKYO: The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog tried to reassure local residents and representatives yesterday that the planned release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant is safe. The planned, decades-long discharge of accumulated water from the devastated nuclear facility has been approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as meeting global standards. Its chief Rafael Grossi acknowledged at a meeting in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, that concerns remain. “All these complex graphs and statistics are one thing but the reality, the reality of people, the reality of the economy, the reality of the social mood and perceptions may be different,” he told a meeting of residents and officials. Some 1.33 million cubic metres of groundwater, rainwater and water used for cooling have accumulated at the Fukushima site, which is being decommissioned after several reactors went into meltdown following the 2011 tsunami that badly damaged the plant. Plant operator Tepco treats the water through its ALPS processing system to remove almost all radioactive elements except tritium, and plans to dilute it before discharging it into the ocean over several decades. The release is expected to begin this summer but is opposed by some neighbours, with Beijing vocally condemning the plan, as well as BEIJING: Fifteen people died and four were missing after torrential rain lashed the metropolis of Chongqing and swathes of southwestern China, local officials and state media said yesterday. China has for weeks been hit by extreme weather – from heavy rains to intense heatwaves – the frequency of which is increasing as global temperatures soar. Residents in the capital Beijing and dozens of other areas have been warned to stay indoors as temperatures soar past 35°C. And in one of the deadliest natural disasters to occur in China so far this year, torrential rains in Chongqing this week “killed 15 people and left four others missing”, local authorities said. “The heavy rains, mainly seen in the areas along the Yangtze River, have triggered floods and geological disasters, disrupting the lives of more than 130,000 people in 19 districts and counties,” Xinhua news agency said. Images from state broadcaster CCTV posted on social media on Tuesday showed torrents of muddy water in Chongqing’s heavily affected Wanzhou district overflowing embankments and pieces of debris being swept away. The People’s Daily posted photos of ongoing rescue efforts yesterday, showing emergency responders helping residents evacuate flooded residential buildings. On the outskirts of Chongqing, workers on Tuesday discovered that a closed-off railway bridge had collapsed after it was “damaged by the impact of mountain torrents”, CCTV said. In neighbouring Sichuan province, authorities said more than 460,000 had been affected by the heavy rain this month, Xinhua reported. More is still to come, with officials warning that China is set to face “multiple natural disasters in July, including floods, severe convection weather, typhoons and high temperatures”. – AFP B R I E F S‘N. KOREAN SATELLITE HAD NO MILITARY USE’ SEOUL: North Korea’s first spy satellite had “no military utility” at all, South Korea said yesterday after analysing its wreckage. In May, North Korea attempted to put what it described as its first military reconnaissance satellite in orbit but the rocket carrying it plunged into the sea minutes after launch. The crash sparked a 36- day South Korean salvage operation involving a fleet of rescue ships, minesweepers and deep-sea divers. The retrieved parts of the rocket and the satellite were analysed by experts in South Korea and the US, the Defence Ministry in Seoul said yesterday after the end of the operation. They “evaluated it had no military utility as a reconnaissance satellite at all”, the ministry said. – AFP PROGRESS ON SWINE FEVER VACCINE TRIALS MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said yesterday initial local trials for an African swine fever vaccine had showed promising results, raising hopes that it will soon be available in the country to combat the deadly animal disease. A number of vaccines have been tested worldwide as authorities rush to stop the spread of the highly contagious disease that ravages pig farms and the US$250 billion global pork industry regularly. One vaccine candidate is close to approval in Vietnam. Marcos, who also heads the Agriculture Ministry, said preliminary clinical trials showed the vaccine produced sufficient antibodies and was safe to use so far, but needed further testing. – Reuters some in Fukushima, particularly fishing communities who fear customers will shun their catches. Grossi said IAEA was not involved in the process to “give cover to decorate something that is bad”. “When it comes to this activity here, what is happening is not some exception, some strange plan that has been devised only to be applied here and sold to you. “This is, as certified by the IAEA, the general practice that is agreed by and observed by many, many places, all over the world.” Still, there is palpable anger among some residents who fear the reputational damage of the release. Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations chairman Tetsu Nozaki argued Japan’s government was misrepresenting local sentiment, which he said remained strongly opposed to the plan. “We fishery operators are left with no choice but to react Thai Parliament to vote on new premier on July 13 BANGKOK: Thailand’s Parliament will vote on whether to appoint progressive party leader Pita Limjaroenrat prime minister on July 13, the new House speaker announced yesterday. Pita’s pro-democracy Move Forward Party (MFP) netted the most seats at the May 14 election but there are no guarantees it will be able to form government or that he will lead the country. MFP has cobbled together an eightparty alliance, which also includes election runners-up Pheu Thai, with a total of 312 seats but remains well short of the 376 votes needed across both houses of Parliament to endorse Pita for the top job. Veteran lawmaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, who was appointed as a compromise candidate to the all-powerful House speaker role on Tuesday, has scheduled a joint sitting of Parliament on July 13 to choose a prime minister. Asked what would happen if Pita does not have enough support, Wan Noor said: “The Parliament will vote until we have a PM. If the vote does not meet 376, we will do further votes.” He would not be drawn on how many chances Pita would be given before alternative candidates are sought. – AFP emotionally and harden our attitude,” he told Grossi. “I beg you to realise ... that this project of the release of ALPS-processed water is moving ahead in the face of opposition.” The IAEA said on Tuesday in a final report that the release would have “negligible” impact on the environment, a finding that South Korea said it respects. “The IAEA is a global authoritative body and the government’s basic stance is we respect its decision,” South Korea policy coordination office first deputy chief Park Ku-yeon said. China has been less conciliatory, with its Foreign Ministry spokesman warning that “the report cannot prove the legitimacy of Japan’s ocean-dumping plan”. “The IAEA report has not silenced strong calls to oppose ocean dumping coming from within and outside Japan,” spokesman Wang Wenbin said. – AFP A building collapsing during a flood in the town of Baolong in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. – REUTERSPIC Philippines accuses China of ‘harassment’ MANILA: The Philippines yesterday accused China’s coast guard of harassment, obstruction and “dangerous manoeuvres” against its vessels, after another incident near a strategic feature of the South China Sea that has become a flashpoint between them. Philippine coast guard boats were assisting a naval operation on June 30 when they were “constantly followed, harassed, and obstructed by the significantly larger Chinese coast guard vessels”, Philippine coast guard spokesman Jay Tarriela tweeted. It took place near the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef over which the Philippines stakes a claim to sovereignty via a handful of troops who live aboard a rusty World War II-era American ship that was intentionally grounded in 1999. Tarriela said the vessels had to reduce speed to prevent a collision. The shoal is located inside the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone. The spokesman described as “alarming” what he said was the presence of Chinese navy ships in the area, adding that raised “greater concerns”. – Reuters Heavy rains lash China, 15 dead

7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 World registers hottest day on record PARIS: July 3 was the hottest day ever recorded globally, according to data from the US National Centres for Environmental Prediction. The average global temperature reached 17.01°C, surpassing the August 2016 record of 16.92°C as heatwaves sizzled around the world. The southern US has been suffering under an intense heat dome in recent weeks. oAverage global temperature reached 17°C on Monday In China, an enduring heatwave continued, with temperatures above 35°C. North Africa has seen temperatures near 50°C. Even Antarctica, currently in its winter, registered anomalously high temperatures. Ukraine’s Vernadsky Research Base in the white continent’s Argentine Islands recently broke its July temperature record with 8.7°C. “This is not a milestone we should be celebrating,” said climate scientist Friederike Otto of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment at Britain’s Imperial College London. “It’s a death sentence for people and ecosystems.” Scientists said climate change, combined with an emerging El Nino pattern, were to blame. “Unfortunately, it promises to only be the first in a series of new records set this year as increasing emissions of (carbon dioxide) and greenhouse gases coupled with a growing El Nino event push temperatures to new highs,” said Berkeley Earth scientist Zeke Hausfather in a statement. Meanwhile, the British government said yesterday that claims it was dropping its International Climate Finance pledge are false, after The Guardian reported the country was planning to drop its flagship £11.6 billion (RM68.7 billion) climate funding pledge. “The government remains committed to spending £11.6 billion on international climate finance and we are delivering on that pledge,” a government spokesman said. A document given to the British Foreign Office, which was seen by The Guardian, said “Our commitment to double our international climate finance to £11.6 billion was made in 2019, when we were still at 0.7 (% of GDP spent on international aid) and pre-Covid.” Government officials calculated it would have to spend 83% of the total aid budget on the international climate fund to meet the £11.6 billion target by 2026. Civil servants wrote that this would “squeeze out room for other commitments such as humanitarian and women and girls”, The Guardian report said. Rishi Sunak’s climate policies have come under critique after International Environment Minister Zac Goldsmith resigned last week, saying that the prime minister was “uninterested” in environmental issues. Goldsmith said Britain had “visibly stepped off the world stage and withdrawn our leadership on climate and nature”. – Reuters Biden denounces wave of shootings WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden called again on Tuesday for stricter gun control measures while denouncing a wave of shootings that overshadowed Independence Day. Five people were killed and four wounded in a shooting in Philadelphia on Monday night. Another shooting overnight in Fort Worth, Texas, claimed the lives of three and injured eight. And as of Tuesday afternoon, the country had already seen multiple shootings on Independence Day. Five were injured in Lansing, Michigan, and four hurt in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Another shooting in Akron, Ohio, which police responded to on Tuesday morning, left four injured, according to local media. “Over the last few days, our nation has once again endured a wave of tragic and senseless shootings in communities across America,”Biden said in a statement, mentioning the shootings in Philadelphia, Fort Worth, and Lansing, as well as recent instances of gun violence in Baltimore, Wichita, Kansas and Chicago. “As our nation celebrates Independence Day, we pray for the day when our communities will be free from gun violence. “Much more must be done ... to address the epidemic of gun violence that is tearing our communities apart. “I continue to call upon Republican lawmakers in Congress to come to the table on meaningful, commonsense reforms that the American people support.” – AFP B R I E F SRIGHTS SITUATION IN BELARUS ‘CATASTROPHIC’, SAYS UN GENEVA: The human rights situation in Belarus is catastrophic, and only getting worse, the UN special rapporteur on the country said on Tuesday. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime is deliberately purging civil society of its last dissenting voices, Anais Marin told the UN Human Rights Council. “The situation remains catastrophic. Unfortunately, it keeps on worsening,” said the special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus. “The Belarusian government amended an already restrictive legislation aimed at dismantling civic freedoms, leading to a surge in politically motivated prosecutions and sentencing.” – AFP SIX SHOT DEAD IN MEXICAN INDUSTRIAL HUB MEXICO CITY: Six people, including two women, were found shot dead in Mexico’s northeastern city of Monterrey, home to major international corporations as well as rival drug gangs, authorities said on Tuesday. The bodies were found abandoned in a residential area, most of them with their hands bound, according to the state prosecutor’s office. The incident was reported shortly after midnight by local residents who heard gunshots, it said. Mexico has recorded 350,000 murders – most of them blamed on organised crime – since the launch of a military operation to combat drug trafficking in 2006. – AFP Palestinians defiant after Israel ends Jenin raid RAMALLAH: Palestinians returned to the scarred streets of Jenin yesterday after Israel ended an unusually intense 48-hour raid, some of them preparing heroes’ funerals for the dead while others set about repairing the 75-year-old refugee camp. Paving had been churned up by armoured bulldozers, causing a water pipe to burst and leaving sodden gullies of rubble that residents – many of whom had holed up at home, or evacuated as a precaution – traversed with a grim and businesslike gait. After months of spiralling skirmishes with Jenin’s gunmen, Israel on Monday swamped the city’s refugee camp with hundreds of commandos backed by combat drones. Commanders said the operation – dubbed “Home and Garden” – aimed to root out Palestinian fighters’ infrastructure. “They did not get what they wanted. The youths are fine, the families are fine and the camp is fine,” Mutasem Estatia, a father of six, said after what he described as two nights being kept away, one of them in Israeli detention. Twelve Palestinian men or male teenagers were killed, five of them confirmed fighters from the Hamas or Islamic Jihad factions. Scores of Palestinians were wounded. The army – which lost a soldier in the clashes – said it killed combatants only. – AFP West enabled drone attacks near Moscow: Russia MOSCOW: Moscow said Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory would “not be possible” without US and Nato help, escalating its rhetoric after reporting it had downed five drones near the capital on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russia of planning “dangerous provocations” at the Moscow-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, while Russia in turn claimed Kyiv was planning to attack the facility, Europe’s largest. Moscow said the West had enabled Ukraine to carry out the drone attacks, after earlier condemning what it called a “terrorist act”. “These attacks would not be possible without the help provided to the Kyiv regime by the US and its Nato allies,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said, claiming the West was “training drone operators and providing the necessary intelligence to commit such crimes”. It marks the latest in a series of recent drone attacks – including on the Kremlin and Russian towns near the border with Ukraine – that Moscow has blamed on Kyiv. The Russian military said it had downed all five drones and that there was no damage or casualties from the early morning attacks. Emergency services cited by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency said one of the drones was “neutralised” at Kubinka, 40km from Vnukovo International Airport, where air traffic was briefly disrupted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday warned his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that Russia was planning “dangerous provocations” at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. “We agreed to keep the situation under maximum control together with the (UN nuclear watchdog) IAEA”, he added after his phone call with the French leader. The Ukrainian Health Ministry urged residents to be ready for a “possible evacuation” if there is an explosion at the site. In Chechnya, an award-winning Russian investigative journalist was beaten by armed assailants and taken to hospital, her newspaper and a rights group said. The attack happened early on Tuesday as well-known journalist Elena Milashina and Alexander Nemov, a lawyer, were travelling from the airport. Her newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, published a video of Milashina in hospital with her head shaven and covered in a green-coloured dye – used to target Kremlin critics – and her hands bandaged. – AFP Storks flying over a burning field near the Ukrainian town of Snihurivka. – AFPPIC

8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 SPEAK UP Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Monitor new minimum wage order THE government should monitor the enforcement of the new minimum wage order in the country. There have been complaints by workers that employers have not made the necessary adjustments to the new wage rates and have taken away some of the employment benefits to cover the wage increase. These complaints need to be investigated and addressed immediately to prevent confusion and alleviate additional hardships for workers already grappling with financial burdens and rising cost of living. The minimum wage in Malaysia was increased to RM1,500 per month from RM1,200 previously and came into effect on July 1. This is important as it will help employees deal with the increasing cost of living. As such, we need to ensure employers follow the new wage rate for their employees. The Minimum Wage Order 2022 was gazetted on April 27, 2022. It was made pursuant to Section 23 of the National Wages Consultative Council Act, 2011 (Act 732), under which wages nationwide should be increased to RM1,500. However, there was a temporary exemption for employers with fewer than five employees. According to Section 2 of the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732) “minimum wage” means the basic wage to be or as determined under Section 23 of Act 732. It excludes any allowances or other payments. Local and foreign employees who have entered into a contract of service with an employer is entitled to receive a minimum wage. According to Section 2 of the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732) “contract of service” means any agreement, whether oral or in writing, and whether express or implied, whereby one person agrees to employ another person as an employee and that other person agrees to serve his employer as an employee but does not include an apprenticeship contract. Domestic servants e.g. maids, cooks, guards, gardeners and personal drivers and apprentices who undergo training for a period of not less than two years are not covered by the minimum wage order. Employers should abide by the new minimum wage rate order. Failure to implement it is an offence and is punishable by law. According to Section 43 of the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732): “An employer who fails to pay the basic wages as specified in the minimum wage order to his employees commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not more than RM10,000 for each employee”. Section 44 of the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732) further adds: (1) Where the employer has been convicted of an offence under section 43, the court before which he is convicted may order the employer to pay (a) the difference between the minimum wage rate as specified in the minimum wage order and the basic wage paid by the employer to the employee, including the outstanding differences; and (b) other payments accrued from the calculation of wages based on the basic wage, which shall be in accordance with the minimum wage rate as specified in the minimum wage order. (2) The calculation of the differences and other payments accrued under subsection (1) shall be made in accordance with the Employment Act 1955, Sabah Labour Ordinance or Sarawak Labour Ordinance, as the case may be. (3) Where an employer fails to comply with an order made under subsection (1), the court shall, on the application of the employee, issue a warrant to levy the employer’s property for the differences and other payments accrued under subsection (1) in the following manner: (a) by way of distress and sale of the employer’s property in accordance with the same procedure of execution under the Subordinate Courts Rules 1980 (P.U. (A) 328/80) and this execution shall apply mutatis mutandis notwithstanding the amount in the order; or (b) in the same manner as a fine as provided under section 283 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593)”. More penalties can be imposed on any employer who fails to take this issue seriously as provided under Sections 45, 46 and 47 of the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732). Any employee who feels that their employer has ignored their right to receive a minimum wage should immediately seek help and lodge a complaint to the Department of Labour or National Wages Consultative Council Secretariat at the Human Resources Ministry. The writer is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Syariah and Laws, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia. Comments: [email protected] “An employer who fails to pay the basic wage as specified in the minimum wage order to his employees commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not more than RM10,000 for each employee. Do not be fooled by app-earances MODIFIED versions of mobile applications are common in the mobile world. These applications may offer extra features and customisation, reduced prices or be available in a wider range of countries compared to their original application. Their offer may be appealing enough to tempt naive users to install them through unofficial external application stores. The risk of installing modified versions comes from the fact that it is impossible for the user to know what changes were made to the application code. To be more precise – it is unknown what code was added and whether it has any malicious intent. The Check Point mobile research team recently discovered a modified version of the popular Telegram Messenger Android application. The malicious app was detected and blocked by Harmony Mobile. Though innocent looking, this modified version is embedded with a malicious code linked to the trojan Triada. This Triada trojan, which was first spotted in 2016, is a modular backdoor for Android, which grants admin privileges to download another malware. Telegram 9.2.1 – modified with the perfect disguise The malware disguises itself as Telegram Messenger version 9.2.1. It has an identical package name (org.telegram. messenger) and the same icon as the original Telegram application. Upon launch, the user is presented with the Telegram authentication screen, is asked to enter the device phone number, and grant the application phone permissions. Behind the scenes Static analysis of the applications shows that upon launching the application, a malware code runs in the background, disguised as an internal application update service. The malware gathers device information, sets up a communication channel, downloads a configuration file, and awaits to receive the payload from the remote server. Once the payload is decrypted and launched – the Triada gains system privileges, which allow it to inject itself into other processes and perform many malicious actions. Past research performed on Triada payloads presented Triada’s diverse malicious abilities. These include signing up the user for various paid subscriptions, performing inapp purchases using the user’s SMS and phone number, displaying advertisements, including invisible advertisements running in the background, and stealing login credentials and other user and device information. How to protect your device from Trojan malware: 0 Always download your apps from trusted sources, whether their official websites or official app stores and repositories 0 Verify who the author and creator of the app are before downloading. You can read the comments and reactions of previous users before downloading 0 Be wary of permissions requested by the installed app and whether it is necessary for the actual app’s functionality. This article was contributed by Check Point Software Technologies, a leader in cyber security solutions. Comments: [email protected] COMMENT by Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow COMMENT

9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 Resolute stand against corruption I N a nation plagued by corruption and bribery, the burning question remains: Can we rise above the challenges and confront this insidious menace head-on? The scourge of corruption and bribery has long plagued our society, eroding trust, impeding progress and undermining the very foundations of justice and fairness. However, a glimmer of hope emerges as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rallies the nation with a resounding call to action. Recent revelations of a controversial incident involving high-ranking officials within the Immigration Department have thrust corruption back into the spotlight. While the veracity of these claims remains under investigation, one thing is certain: the urgent need for swift and decisive action. Anwar has exemplified true leadership and underscored the imperative of shattering public perceptions of institutional malfeasance, vowing to hold accountable civil servants who have grown complacent and ensnared by outdated practices. The battle against corruption extends far beyond mere rhetoric. Anwar recognises that action is the true litmus test of a government’s integrity. Faced with this formidable challenge, the government must rise to the occasion, implementing comprehensive measures to investigate allegations, expose wrongdoings and institute groundbreaking reforms that will fortify the system against corruption’s corrosive influence. U n q u e s t i o n a b l y , education and public awareness play a pivotal role in this ongoing battle. With this in mind, it is imperative for the government to take proactive measures and incorporate anticorruption education and ethics into the national school curriculum. By providing our youth with the necessary knowledge, values and moral compass to navigate the perilous realm of corruption, we can shape a generation of individuals who are committed to upholding integrity and becoming catalysts for change. Yet, the fight against corruption cannot be waged by the government alone. It necessitates a united front as all sectors of society must rally behind this noble cause. The government must forge alliances with civil society organisations, engage international bodies and harness the power of unbiased, responsible media to expose corruption, champion success stories and elevate anti-corruption messages to the masses. As the penultimate question looms large, can Anwar and his administration combat corruption and steer Malaysia towards a brighter future? The answer lies not in grandiose promises or eloquent speeches but in tangible, unwavering action. Anwar must embrace this historic opportunity to unleash the full potential of a united nation, armed with the weapons of transparency, accountability and justice. The battle against corruption is not for the faint of heart, but under the leadership of Anwar, the government holds the key to a corruption-free Malaysia. With resolute determination and collective efforts, this nation can finally break free from the shackles of corruption and forge a prosperous future for generations to come. The time for rhetoric has passed. The time for action is now. Let the legacy of the unity government be etched in the annals of history as the vanguard of a corruption-free Malaysia, an enduring testament to the power of unity, integrity and justice. Thewriter is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM Segamat, Johor. Comments: [email protected] COMMENT by Wan Mohd Farid Wan Zakaria Belia Rahmah initiative timely relief for struggling youths FOR some, RM200 may simply cover the cost of a dinner for two at a fancy restaurant or a round of drinks with friends after work. However, for others, this amount can go a long way, especially for those struggling to make ends meet. Coming from a family with five siblings, life has always been challenging for us. My father works as a driver and my mother holds a part-time position as a store assistant. Wearing hand-me-downs is a norm for me, and we have been taught the importance of saving wherever possible. Recently, the government introduced the eBelia Rahmah initiative, which offers RM200 to eligible youths between the ages of 18 and 20, which is credited to the eWallet. This announcement could not have come at a better time as I needed some extra cash to purchase materials for my university project. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at a public university, and although the tuition fees are subsidised, the costs of rent, food and study materials are still significant, especially for someone from a less privileged background. My university is in the Klang Valley, where the cost of living is higher. My monthly rent is RM530 and food alone costs me at least RM600 per month (it would be higher if not for the subsidised Menu Rahmah meals). The RM200 assistance not only brings relief to me but also to many of my friends who are in a similar financial predicament. The application process for the eBelia Rahmah was not cumbersome and it could be conveniently done online. I am grateful to the government for implementing this initiative as the RM200 means a lot to me. It is disheartening when people undermine such efforts without understanding the struggles of those who are financially disadvantaged. Initiatives like this by the government can help alleviate the financial burdens of the poor, especially during this time of economic difficulties. Gunasegaran Thambipillay Petaling Jaya LETTERS [email protected] “The government must forge alliances with civil society organisations, engage international bodies and harness the power of unbiased, responsible media to expose corruption, champion success stories and elevate anti-corruption messages to the masses. Support for Form Six education revamp I SUPPORT the proposal put forth by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently on revamping the three modes of Form Six education to positively impact students’ development. Having done Form Six myself, I believe that improving the current system will offer significant advantages to students and promote their academic and personal advancement. Form Six education is a crucial phase in a student’s educational journey, bridging secondary and tertiary education. We must recognise the significance of this phase and work towards optimising it to empower students for the challenges that lie ahead. Furthermore, this initiative will make Form Six a viable option for many students, who frequently compare educational institutions, including private colleges that provide pre-university education. Many students frequently experience a sense of inferiority compared with their peers in private colleges, and this has deterred some students from considering Form Six as a viable choice. The move to streamline the three modes will hopefully make Form Six more attractive to students. A revamped system will also contribute to social mobility and inclusivity by removing rigid barriers and allowing students to pursue their interests across different domains. While Form Six education promotes equal access to opportunities, it also ensures that all students, regardless of their background or stream selection, have a fair chance at achieving their educational and career goals. I am confident the revamp will create a dynamic, inclusive and future-oriented Form Six education system that will empower students to excel in their academic pursuits and succeed in their chosen career paths. This will also ensure Malaysia’s education system is adaptable and responsive to the demands of a rapidly changing world. Chua Chee Tong Penang Urgent action needed to stop motorcycle accidents MALAYSIA has the highest rate of road fatalities per 100,000 population among Asean countries, with over 50% of these fatalities involving motorcyclists. Startling statistics reveal that out of every 100 road deaths in the country, 70 are motorcyclists. Over the past decade, an average of eight motorcyclists or their passengers lose their lives daily, totalling approximately 60 per week and 243 per month. The prevalence of motorcycle deaths in Malaysia is alarming, prompting the World Health Organisation to publish a manual to address this issue in Malaysia. Riding a motorcycle is undeniably dangerous. It has been dubbed a “death machine”. Many motorcyclists exceed the speed limit, contributing to the danger. Most of the food and goods delivery riders are young, and many of them use motorcycles as it is convenient to move around and cheaper on fuel consumption. We have seen delivery riders weaving in and out of traffic, disregarding traffic signals, exceeding speed limits and displaying a reckless disregard for safety. Many motorcyclists are blamed for their fate due to their carefree riding attitude and failure to adhere to traffic rules. Some riders neglect to properly secure their helmets, compromising their safety. The Mat Rempits, who engage in stunt performances, have given motorcyclists a bad reputation. The minimum age requirement for a motorcycle licence in Malaysia is 16, and statistically a majority of fatal incidents involve riders between the ages of 16 and 22. Younger drivers lack maturity and are inexperienced in handling motorcycles. They tend to exhibit aggressive and rebellious riding behaviours. A significant number of fatalities can be attributed to improperly fastened helmets, leading to severe head injuries. The preventable loss of life among motorcyclists on our roadways must be stopped. Countless families have been shattered and lives upended due to these tragic incidents. Motorcyclists must change their mindsets and attitudes. They should exercise additional care and caution due to the increased risk of accidents while riding motorcycles. Riders should prioritise their safety by wearing appropriate gear, securely fastening their helmets and using a luminous vest when riding at night. The government can do its part by allocating a dedicated lane for motorcyclists. According to a study, most motorcycle fatalities occur on highways than in residential areas. Traffic enforcement needs to be beefed up, accompanied by strict enforcement of the rules. Offenders who violate traffic regulations should face significant fines as a deterrent. Samuel Yesuiah Seremban Anwar has vowed to combat corruption in the country. – REUTERSPIC

10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 CORE Residence @ TRX is now connected to TRX City KUALA LUMPUR: CORE Precious Development Sdn Bhd, the developer of the prestigious CORE Residence @ TRX project in the Tun Razak Exchange, has completed the installation of the first linked bridge connecting its residential property, direct access to TRX City, Malaysia’s international financial district. The installation of the linked bridge, a key component of the CORE Residence @ TRX project, is a major milestone in the construction of the RM1.4 billion gross development value (GDV) project. CORE Precious Development Sdn Bhd is a joint venture between China Communications Construction Group (CCCG) – a Fortune Global 500 corporation – and WCT Holdings Bhd, a leading Malaysian engineering, Upon completion, the linked bridge will spring to life with a terrace garden landscape, forming a seamless connection with the architectural language of the TRX City Park. oInstallation of first linked bridge completed, providing direct access to Malaysia’s international financial district construction company and property developer. CORE Precious Development Sdn Bhd chairman and managing director Zhang Bao said: “I am very pleased to announce the installation of the linked bridge connecting CORE Residence @ TRX with TRX City Park. The bridge will weave CORE Residence @ TRX’s vibrant community into the fabric of TRX City, providing a vital link for CORE Residence @ TRX to the new heart of Kuala Lumpur, as well as unparalleled connectivity to the rest of Klang Valley.” A triumph of civil and structural engineering, the linked bridge has a width spanning two car lanes and is more than three storeys above ground. The massive structure was fabricated off-site, then lifted on site by crane. Once in position, the bridge was installed by CORE Precious Development’s construction team. Upon completion, the linked bridge will spring to life with a terrace garden landscape, forming a seamless connection with the architectural language of the TRX City Park. The TRX City Park will be a 10- acre rooftop park – the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Drawing inspiration from the High Line in New York and Osaka’s Namba Parks, a key feature of the TRX City Park is the central hub, a space that can host up to two and a half thousand people for events. The Park will also include retail outlets, a police station, amenities, a surau, a play space with water play, multi-purpose facilities, a formal garden and an urban forest. The only park in Kuala Lumpur with a direct link to the MRT system, the Park sits atop the roof and service buildings of the Exchange Retail Mall, slated to open by the end of 2023. CORE Precious also announced an update on the overall progress of CORE Residence @ TRX. Zhang said: “We are proud to have achieved a take-up rate of 80%. We expect to have sold all units by the end of this year. We remain on track to complete CORE Residence @ TRX by the end of 2023 and look forward to handing over completed properties soon.” Commenting on market demand for the project, Zhang said: “Response to CORE Residence @ TRX continues to be very encouraging, demonstrating high demand for properties within the highly anticipated Tun Razak Exchange. CORE Residence @ TRX is attracting investors from all over the world, with our buyers hailing from more than 25 countries and regions including Malaysia, China, Singapore, South Korea and Japan. Of note, we expect to benefit from the positive impact of China’s economic re-opening, with our team starting to receive more enquiries from Chinese prospective buyers.” Haily Group wins RM53.8m job to build residential units in JB township PETALING JAYA: Haily group Bhd through, its wholly owned subsidiary Haily Construction Sdn Bhd, has secured a RM53.8 million construction contract from Tasek Maju Realty Sdn Bhd to build 170 residential units for the Taman Mutiara Maju township in Johor Baru. This contract, which is the fourth major job won by the group this year, brings the total contract value of its ongoing projects to RM713.56 million. The group expects the contract to contribute positively to its group’s earnings and net assets over the duration of the project, assuming no material delay in the timing. The houses, each measuring 32’ x 70’, will be located in Taman Mutiara Maju, Pulai in Johor Baru. The contract shall commence on Aug 17, 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in 15 months by Nov 17, 2024. Founder and executive director See Tin Hai said that there are many reasons to be optimistic about the long-term outlook for property development and the construction industry in Johor. “Johor will continue to be a beneficiary of key infrastructure projects, such as the Rapid Transit System link, which is expected to be completed in 2026. And this year, prominent developers have announced new projects in Johor with gross development value totalling more than RM1 billion. “So far this year, we have secured total contracts worth RM204.48 million, which has exceeded what we secured for the entirety of 2022. As we continue growing our total contract value, we remain on track to achieve a stronger financial year in 2023. We will continue to work towards securing more high-value projects this year,” he said in a statement. Other contracts secured by group this year include a RM37.85 million contract from Austin Senibong Development Sdn Bhd to construct 77 units of three-storey shop offices within the Crest@Austin project, a RM78.28 million contract for the construction of 262 units of residential properties in Pontian, Johor from Gadang Holdings Bhd’s subsidiary Mandy Corp Sdn Bhd, as well as a RM32.66 million contract for the construction of 186 residential units in the Bandar Putra township from Nice Frontier Sdn Bhd, a member of IOI Properties Group Bhd. Haily is principally a main contractor involved in constructing residential and non-residential buildings in the Southern Region of Peninsular Malaysia, particularly Johor. It also provides construction machinery for rental purposes. Marriot International signs hotel management deal with SKS Group KUALA LUMPUR: Marriott International has signed a hotel management agreement with SKS Group to open the 345-room Sheraton Johor Baru. The signing is the second property in collaboration with SKS Group, following the Four Points by Sheraton Desaru which opened in 2021. Expected to open in 2025, Sheraton Johor Baru is slated to be ideally located along Jalan Storey, with direct access to Tebrau Highway that links to various parts of the state and beyond. “We are thrilled to build on our relationship with SKS Group, this time to bring the Sheraton brand to Johor Baru. We value and foster our long-term relationships with our community of owners and strive to continue creating mutually beneficial opportunities. With its strategic location and high accessibility, the hotel aims to attract both business and leisure guests and offer its signature community experience,” said Shawn Hill, chief development officer, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. Located nearby are well connected transport amenities including the Johor Baru Sentral Bus Terminal and the Bukit Chagar Johor Baru–Singapore Rapid Transit System station which is scheduled for completion by end 2026. Strong demand for Sime Darby Property’s Laman Idaman shop offices PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Property Bhd continues to serve growing businesses within its townships via the Laman Idaman shop offices in Bukit Jelutong. The 85% take-up of the 35 units offered signals the ever-strong demand for quality retail and office spaces for expanding economies. Situated in Sime Darby Property’s successful Bukit Jelutong township, Laman Idaman provides tenants with visibility from the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE)-Bukit Jelutong Interchange, ensuring high foot traffic and a regular stream of clientele. It is also easily accessible via two entrances and exits and provides 264 storefront car parking bays and disabled-friendly ramp access with parking allocation. With six lot sizes ranging from 22’ x 70’ to 40’ x 70’ and built-ups of 3,079-6,914 sq ft, the Laman Idaman two- and three-story shop offices are designed to offer a functional open plan layout and large window openings, allowing businesses to maximise branding and product displays to draw customers in. Laman Idaman units are priced from RM1.69 million. “The business community is increasingly discerning. Quality retail and office spaces in prime locations are in high demand since they are essential to long-term business growth and success,” said Sime Darby Property’s chief operating officer – township development, Appollo Leong. He added: “True to our purpose of multiplying value for people, business, economies and the planet, Sime Darby Property is providing business owners with top visibility and forward-looking shop office investments, paving the way for increased economic growth and employment creation.” The Laman Idaman commercial space is the ideal destination for the community to come work, live and play. This development is not only situated alongside the 1,260-unit Idaman Apartment but tenants stand to tap into a ready catchment of 131,000 residents in Bukit Jelutong upon its completion in 2025. With its rich 28-year heritage, the award-winning Bukit Jelutong is renowned for showcasing the best neighbourhood landscape and township planning. It is embraced by lush greeneries spread across 2,200 acres of prime freehold land, complemented by the Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve. Other than the GCE, Bukit Jelutong is well served by an excellent road network and other major highways including the New Klang Valley Expressway, North-South Expressway Central Link and Federal Highway.

KLCI 1,389.90 STI 3,185.38 HANG SENG 19,110.38 SCI 3,222.95 NIKKEI 33,338.70 83.82 TSEC 17,056.43 KOSPI 2,579.00 S&P/ASX200 7,253.20 THURSDAY JULY 6, 2023 Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] 5 MOST ACTIVES July 5, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) BTM 71,864,900 9.5 +0.5 HSI-CO 70,672,100 24.0 -4.5 SCIB 67,889,300 47.5 +0.5 PARKSO 52,794,300 21.5 +2.5 TWL-LA 46,823,800 2.5 +1.0 EXCHANGERATES JULY 5, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.7180 4.5840 4.5730 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.1780 3.0530 3.0350 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.4970 3.3960 3.3940 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.5660 3.4710 3.4610 1 EURO 5.1460 4.9820 4.9710 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.9390 2.8310 2.8030 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4970 3.3960 3.3940 1 STERLING POUND 6.0110 5.8240 5.7970 1 SWISS FRANC 5.2510 5.1300 5.1180 100 UAE DIRHAM 130.0300 123.3100 123.4400 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.4310 4.1570 3.9730 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.8700 63.1100 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 60.9300 57.9100 57.8300 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.8600 5.5000 5.3100 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0326 0.0295 0.0245 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.2700 3.1670 3.1600 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.7500 1.6400 1.4500 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.6700 8.1700 7.9800 100 QATAR RIYAL 130.9800 124.3500 124.4900 100 SAUDI RIYAL 127.2800 120.8300 120.9700 100 SOUTH AFRICA RAND 26.2400 23.7000 23.4000 100 THAI BAHT 14.1300 12.5400 12.1300 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY July 5, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,251.50 -7.30 FBMKLCI 1,389.90 -2.59 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 546.59 -2.59 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 158.97 +0.17 CONSTRUCTION 164.85 +0.63 FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,464.50 -18.64 ENERGY 798.17 +5.76 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 579.43 -5.50 HEALTH CARE 1,681.63 +2.15 TRANSPORTATION 905.96 -1.15 PROPERTY 701.07 +4.05 PLANTATION 6,916.17 +86.43 FBMSHA 10,531.30 +0.95 FBMACE 5,165.37 +70.50 TECHNOLOGY 61.69 -0.09 TURNOVER VALUE 2.541 BIL RM1.524 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS July 5, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM KLK 1,467,200 22.96 +0.68 SAM 424,200 4.88 +0.18 EG 9,722,300 1.34 +0.16 HENGYUAN 406,500 3.20 +0.15 LPI 67,200 11.98 +0.14 5 TOP LOSERS July 5, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM NESTLE 60,100 130.30 -1.50 DLADY 26,500 21.50 -0.50 PETDAG 68,400 21.88 -0.32 VITROX 132,600 7.80 -0.20 RAPID 19,100 21.10 -0.18 2.59 18.39 305.30 22.40 84.34 14.31 25.80 ‘BNM has done enough in managing inflation’ KUALA LUMPUR: The role of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in managing inflation and the ringgit through the overnight policy rate (OPR) is nearing completion, according to economists. UOB senior economist Julia Goh stated that at 3%, the OPR is approaching a neutral level where the rate is not too restrictive but sufficient to keep a handle on inflationary risk. “The bulk of the work for Bank Negara as far as the interest rate is concerned is done. So whatever is left to do, they can take their time,” she told reporters at UOB Asset Management Mid-Year 2023 Outlook Forum yesterday. She mentioned that following the 125 basis points hike, including the latest 25 basis points hike in May, there is room for a pause. █ BYHAYATUN RAZAK [email protected] Economy stands firm in face of volatile ringgit KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia still attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, its economic fundamentals and long-term prospects remain intact while access to credit remains widely available to finance economic activities, despite a volatile ringgit, said an economist. Maybank Investment Bank chief economist Suhaimi Ilias said the country’s trade or current account surplus has been sustained for decades despite having budget deficits. Additionally, he said the budget deficit itself is in the process of consolidation, declining from a high of over 6% of gross domestic product (GDP) during the pandemic years (2020-2021) to 5.6% of GDP in 2022. The budget deficit, then targeted to be 5% of GDP this year, has thus made progress oMalaysia’s FDI inflows, fundamentals, long-term prospects intact, and access to credit still widely available: Experts “The central bank should carefully evaluate the current trends resulting from the impact of the previous rate hike on the economy before determining the next course of action,” she said. Goh also noted that the latest economic data indicated a decline in manufacturing and exports. In addition, China, the country’s major trade partner, has also experienced a comparatively weaker economic recovery which is expected to have a spillover effect on the economy as well as the ringgit. “Taking all those factors into consideration, plus, although core inflation is still sticky, Malaysia’s headline inflation has been moderating. Private consumption has also been moderating and normalising, meaning after reopening, after all the pent up demand, people are now slowing their consumption, partly because cost of living has increased,” she said. In addition, economics Professor Tan Sri Dr Azlan Ghazali stated that the weakness of the ringgit is less influenced by the OPR rate and more attributable to structural factors, specifically the policies implemented by the government. “Many of us are overly focused on the day-to-day fluctuations of the ringgit. Not many are looking from year-toyear or period-to-period. So my concern is whether this movement in the exchange rate is a reflection of the interest rate differential per se, or is it telling us more than that? So, I will say here that we are putting too much on Bank Negara. If it is a structural matter, the answer is in Putrajaya, not in Bank Negara,” he said. to a sustainable level of around 3% to 3.5% of GDP, targeted by 2025. “Furthermore, the budget deficit is virtually fully-financed by domestic debt rather than external debt, reflecting the high level of internal financial resources, thanks to the high savings rate – another important economic fundamental,” he told Bernama when asked on the current ringgit weakness. It was reported that the ringgit declined 5.8% in the first half of 2023, leading the losses among emerging Asian currencies, while equities in Malaysia and Thailand were the biggest losers in a mixed market. Malaysia also continues to attract FDIs as indicated by the robust FDI approvals since 2021, which saw a record high of RM209 billion, and remain robust at RM163 billion in 2022, well over the average of RM58 billion per annum during the 2010-2019 period. For the first quarter of 2023 (1Q 2023), approved FDIs were up 52.5% year-on-year to RM37 billion compared with RM28 billion in 1Q 2022. “This reflects the confidence in the country’s fundamentals and long-term prospects, on top of the incentives given to pull in high-quality, high value-added, high impact FDIs, as per the recent announcements of investments in Malaysia by Tesla and Amazon, as well as the earlier long-term investment plan by Intel,” said Suhaimi. Ultimately, these fundamentals are reflected in Malaysia’s sovereign credit ratings, which are in the high investment grade category, with stable outlook. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist and social finance head Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said, while the ringgit continues to be volatile, access to credit remains widely available as banks are highly liquid, well-capitalised and has robust risk management. “So, the intermediation of funds can happen seamlessly to finance economic activities despite the volatile ringgit. In that sense, the country deserves better with respect to the level of ringgit,” he said. He added, “The issues to be focus on right now are how do we ensure the value of the ringgit is increased on a long-term basis and more sustainably?” He opined that this would require economic reforms, the ones that would promote the role of the private sector as the main engine of growth. “Certainly, resource allocation has to be relooked in order to gain competitiveness. Therefore, spending on education, healthcare and infrastructure deserve greater attention as these are the key areas that can ensure Malaysia will be competitive,” he said. SIBS to draw industry leaders, entrepreneurs from across region PETALING JAYA: The Selangor state government will host the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) from Oct 19-22 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). This conference will bring together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials from across the region. Within SIBS 2023 is the Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC), scheduled to take place on Oct 19-20 at the KLCC. Under the theme “Selangor, Epicentre of Asean: Leveraging Diversity, Catalysing Opportunity,” SABC will serve as a dynamic platform for thought-provoking discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities among participants. SABC presents an ideal avenue for businesses to forge strategic partnerships, gain insights into regional market trends, and showcase their innovative solutions and services. According to Invest Selangor CEO Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris, “SABC 2023 will feature esteemed panellists from prominent investment organisation such as the Foreign Investment Agency Vietnam, The board of Investment of Thailand, Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board alongside with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, who will be able to update on the investment landscape and opportunities in their respective countries, as well as discuss the broader potential of cross border investment within the Asean region”. “We are also expecting the conference to receive larger audience from Asean countries as it is being actively promoted through media exposures and roadshows in key countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Singapore”. The SABC is open to entrepreneurs, business leaders, industry professionals, government officials, and all those interested in harnessing the power of diversity in the Asean region. Participation 40.8 30.6 28.6 100.0 Institutions Retail Foreign Bought RM m 631.3 468.4 424.4 1524.1 Sold RM m 611.9 464.6 447.6 1524.1 Net RM m 19.4 3.8 -23.2 0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 5/7/2023

12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 SUNBIZ EPF continues to be flexible KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will continue to be flexible and guided by its asset allocation strategy to ensure longterm gain for its investments. CEO Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said although market volatility remained high and geopolitical issues have evolved over the past years, EPF’s stance would continue to be guided by market sentiment and its strategies. “The market trend may be downwards but there are still opportunities for us to make money. As long as we pick the right stock and we can trade it accordingly, we can make money. “The key for EPF is, it must be flexible, it must be nimble so that we can manage,” he told reporters at the International Social Well-being Conference 2023 (ISWC 2023) yesterday. Asked about EPF’s investment oPension fund certain that its asset allocation strategy will ensure long-term gain for its investments strategy upon the weakening of ringgit, Amir Hamzah said that EPF’s asset allocation strategy has been determined and valid for three years. He said there are some trading ranges that EPF could move within the market, using the capacity that it has. “The key is to remember that EPF is a long-term institutional investment. We must take the opportunity and invest accordingly. He said EPF made short and longterm investments based on its strategy but as a long-term institutional investment, it doesn’t dramatically shift its investment strategy. Amir Hamzah said currently, 64% of its total asset allocation is invested locally, which is in the ringgit base, while overseas investments would depend on the assessment of whether it should sell assets, if the investment has realised its value, or invests in other assets according to the return that it is getting. “It is part and parcel of our normal business condition. If we’re selling some assets we think market prices are good at that time and if we like any new investment, we will put money into it,” he said. Meanwhile, he said EPF is encouraging its members, who are 55 years old, to withdraw their savings periodically instead of a lump sum withdrawal to help the people to continue saving and have enough savings when they retire. “In terms of social protection, this (lump sum withdrawal) may not be a wise way because their savings may not reach the end of their life. “We want to organise these periodic withdrawals on a monthly basis, enough to live on and the remaining money in the EPF will continue to be compounded, giving them better returns,” he said. He said the withdrawal amount is up to the members and they could voluntarily request this kind of withdrawal. “At the moment, we still need further discussion with the government whether this can be done on a mandatory or voluntary basis, or also introduce this to new members,” he added. – Bernama YTL Cement launches ECO product range KUALA LUMPUR: YTL Cement, Malaysia’s largest building materials group, recently launched its ECO product range, certified with lower embodied carbon and recycled materials content, in response to the construction industry’s rising need for more environmentally-friendly building solutions. YTL Cement managing director Datuk Seri Michael Yeoh said the construction industry has been grappling with the complex challenge of maintaining financial performance while simultaneously improving ESG performance. “Conversations around sustainability are gaining momentum, and there is a pressing need for all of us to step up. We recognise the finite nature of the resources we utilise in the construction sector, and as our industry expands, it becomes imperative that we prioritise sustainability in our operations. “Hence, industry players must reevaluate our actions, strategies, and objectives,” he added. Recognising this urgency, YTL Cement has introduced Malaysia’s first ECO Product Range which consists of ECOCem, ECOConcrete, ECOSand, and ECODrymix. YTL Cement’s sustainability head Clarisse Loh said the company’s legacy in nation building has equipped YTL Cement with the knowledge and expertise to develop pioneering solutions that support the industry’s transition to sustainable construction. “To thrive in the construction sector, industry players need to address both sustainability and operational challenges such as labour shortage, rising costs, and workforce competency. “Our ECO product range is developed with those challenges in mind, and we believe that our sustainable products can help contribute towards reducing the environmental impact of construction projects while addressing the industry’s various challenges,” added Loh. Maybank in pact with Cambridge IFA to explore Islamic finance KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank entered into a strategic partnership with Cambridge International Financial Advisory (IFA) to collaborate and explore new opportunities in the field of Islamic finance. With this partnership, Maybank reaffirms its commitment to gender diversity and continued learning, preparing to lead the charge in Islamic finance while empowering women in the industry through collaboration, knowledge sharing, leadership programmes, panel discussions, networking, and creating an inclusive environment within Maybank. Local automotive sector’s TIV seen remaining strong in H2’23 KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian automotive sector’s total industry volume (TIV) for the second half of this year (H2’23) will remain strong, supported by the over 300,000 order backlogs, despite the sales and service tax exemption for new car deliveries having ended on March 31. In a note yesterday, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research maintained its forecast of 700,000 units for 2023 and expected TIV to normalise to 650,000 units in subsequent years. It said the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with high order backlogs include Perodua, Proton, Toyota, Honda and Mazda, and these high backlogs would ensure strong sales volume into the second half of this year. “Despite the anticipated strong electric vehicle (EV) growth, we reckon its overall market share will be relatively immaterial. “Hence, we maintain ‘neutral’ on the automotive sector as sales will likely normalise downwards into 2024,” it said. In terms of EV demand, HLIB Research said the government has been encouraging more EV usage with accommodative EV policies. It said EV sales were 2,631 units (0.4% of TIV) in 2022 (from a mere 274 units in 2021), driven by BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and Hyundai. “We anticipate continued EV sales growth in coming years, driven by aggressive new EV model launches by existing OEMs and new entrances such as BYD, GWM, Tesla and others,” it said. However, HLIB Research said overall EV sales would still be relatively immaterial (in terms of market share) in the near term due to the relatively high-priced EV market (RM145,000 and above) and lack of EV infrastructure. “Recently, Neta V (Careplus) was launched at RM100,000 in May, while BYD (Sime) is expected to introduce the more affordable Dolphin at slightly above RM100,000 by yearend,” it said. HLIB has maintained its “buy” call for DRBHicom Bhd with a target price (TP) of RM2.18 and MBM Resources Bhd with an unchanged TP of RM4.80. It also recommended a “hold” call for Bermaz Auto Bhd (an unchanged TP of RM2.30) and UMW Holdings Bhd (an unchanged TP of RM3.85). – Bernama Gentari, Sembcorp in clean energy drive for SE Asia LKUALA LUMPUR: Clean energy solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd and leading renewables player Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly explore potential collaborations and related business activities in the field of clean energy solutions. The MoU was signed by Gentari chief renewables officer Low Kian Min, and Sembcorp Singapore & Southeast Asia CEO Koh Chiap Khiong. Through this strategic partnership with Sembcorp, Low said Gentari aims to further accelerate the expansion of renewable energy and hydrogen-related initiatives. “This MoU signifies the shared vision and commitment of our two organisations to drive the energy transition in Southeast Asia, contributing to a more sustainable and low carbon future for the region,” he added. Meanwhile, Koh said that the collaboration underscores the strong potential of Malaysia’s fast-growing renewables sector. As a leading renewables player in the region, he added they look forward to working with like-minded partners like Gentari to progress initiatives that will accelerate the shift towards a sustainable energy transition. Under the MoU, Gentari and Sembcorp will jointly explore potential areas of collaboration in clean energy solutions, including trading of renewable energy from Southeast Asia or other mutually agreed locations, with the aim to accelerate the adoption of clean energy sources and supply of low-carbon hydrogen, including the development of hydrogen production facilities and joint studies on the transportation of hydrogen from Malaysia to Singapore. The collaboration aims to leverage the joint expertise of both parties and their resources to drive innovation and create sustainable solutions in the hydrogen sector. From left: Sembcorp Industries Ltd group president and CEO Wong Kim Yin, Petronas president and group CEO Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, Low, Koh and Gentari Sdn Bhd CEO Sushil Purohit.

13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 Businesses sanguine on outlook for next 3 months KUALA LUMPUR: The RAMCTOS Business Confidence Index (BCI) continues to rise, climbing to 54.8 in the second quarter of 2023 (Q2) from 51.4 in the previous quarter, indicating businesses remain sanguine about prospects for the next three months. The improvement in sentiment was led by a positive outlook for sales and profitability, with the latter finally reverting to a positive reading (51.6) after languishing in a pessimistic territory in the last three quarters. “Following a round of price increases in late 2022 to maintain margins, the cost pressure faced by businesses may have started to ease this year,” said RAM Holdings and CTOS in a joint statement yesterday. Commenting on the improved sentiment, CTOS Digital Bhd group CEO Erick Hamburger said CTOS SME subscribers accessed 5% more credit reports in Q2 oRAM-CTOS survey shows improved sentiment in Q2, led by positive view for sales and profitability compared with Q1 to evaluate new customers, a good indicator that they are ramping up operations and productivity in line with the improved Q2 BCI sentiment. The average CTOS SME Score rose by two points from 307 in Q1 to 309 in Q2. This means the average Malaysian small and medium enterprise has “good” credit standing, which is important to access credit, Hamburger said. Meanwhile, RAM Holdings group CEO and executive director Chris Lee said firms may be able to shift from “survival mode” to growing their business again with a sales pickup in 2023. Aside from pursuing operational improvements, an increasingly important development that businesses should heed is sustainability practices. “In particular, firms with export dealings or that are part of the global supply chain will have to comply with new global and domestic environmental, social and governance-related (ESGrelated) regulations that are being rapidly introduced,” he said. Of the 146 firms surveyed in Q2, about 75% said they had adopted at least one sustainability practice, with waste reduction and recycling being the most cited. Not surprisingly, ESG practices are more common among firms that are part of a global supply chain (80%) as they may need to meet clients’ compliance requirements versus those that are not (68%). Energy and resource conservation initiatives are also popular among the firms surveyed, the statement said. Meanwhile, 26% of respondents have not adopted any sustainability practice. This is more prevalent among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) (27%) and micro firms (30%) as they face various impediments to progress on this front. “A lack of incentives was the most common hurdle, as cited by 45% of firms surveyed. About 40% of respondents said it is too expensive to adopt green practices,” it said. However, over half of the firms surveyed, particularly those with multinational clients, are keen to further adapt to sustainability initiatives to become ESG-compliant but the cost of compliance is a concern, it added. – Bernama Proton’s first-half 2023 cumulative sales best since 2012 KUALA LUMPUR: National carmaker Proton marked a successful first-half 2023 (H1’23) by posting its best cumulative sales numbers since 2012, outpacing the automotive industry’s total sales growth during the period by more than three times. With 14,351 units sold in June for both its domestic and export markets, its total sales in H1’23 now stand at 77,321 units. This was equivalent to an increase of 28.6% year-on-year (y-o-y), more than triple the automotive market’s H1’23 growth of 9.4%. In a statement yesterday, Proton said this was the highest growth figure among the top five brands in Malaysia’s automotive market. The total industry volume (TIV) for June is estimated to be 61,900 units, and Proton estimated its market share at 23.2%. Year-to-date, its market share figure has increased to 21.3%, an improvement of 3.2% y-o-y. Five of its car models lead the sales in their individual market segments, it said, highlighting that the Proton Saga retook the lead for A-segment sedans in June, going over the 6,000-unit threshold for the third time this year with sales of 6,111 units. Meanwhile, 1,082 units of the Proton X90 were delivered in June, taking the model straight to the top of the D-segment SUV category. The Proton Persona also ended the month at the top of its market segment with 2,254 units sold. “It retook the lead for B-segment sedans while also retaining its position as the overall segment leader,” said the carmaker. It noted that Proton Persona is its best performer in terms of individual sales growth at an impressive 79.4%, despite the introduction of newer and more expensive rivals from other brands. At the same time, the Proton X50 retained not only its overall lead for B-segment SUVs but also its position as the most popular SUV in Malaysia with 2,449 units sold in June. Cumulatively, 17,562 units of the model have been delivered this year, an increase of 9.9% y-o-y. Proton’s fifth overall segment leader is the Proton Exora, which remains unchallenged in the Csegment MPV market with 368 units sold in June. – Bernama KYM aims to increase exports to 40-50% within 3 years PETALING JAYA: Global industrial packaging solutions player KYM Holdings Bhd aims to increase exports from its current 30% to between 40% and 50% within the next three years with export sales expected to resume in the second half of next year. CEO Darren Lee Ji Jin said business development and marketing activities will be intensified to raise sales volume and orders from existing and new customers. “Additionally, we will be rolling out the top daeration plastic free film ESG sacks, a new sustainable and innovative product, in the second half of 2023,” he told reporters after the company’s 41st annual general meeting here yesterday. Lee said the company will KYM’ core operations include the production of corrugated carton boxes. – KYM WEBSITE PIC continue to actively seek business opportunities to enhance the group’s financial performance. “The ongoing volatility of paper roll prices and foreign exchange exposure, as well as the recent hike in the overnight policy rate, have a direct impact on the group’s financial performance. “However, we expect a gradual sales recovery for our cement bags as the construction sector is anticipated to (perform better) in 2023 supported by implementation of new projects and higher demand for both residential and non-residential buildings,” he said. According to its 2023 annual report, KYM said the path into 2023 will be filled with challenges and obstacles from various macroeconomic factors. “Slowing global growth is expected to weigh on exports and the group will enhance its diversification of raw material sources, implement stricter cost control procedures, focus on operational efficiency, and develop new packaging products,” it said. The group is also actively pursuing new business opportunities through joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and acquisitions to futureproof the business and diversify its revenue streams. “Despite the challenging landscape, the group remains optimistic that it will be able to navigate the obstacles successfully,” it added. – Bernama Tengku Muda Pahang is Bestinet board chairman PETALING JAYA: Bestinet Sdn Bhd has appointed Tengku Muda Pahang, Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah, as chairman of its board. Tengku Muda Pahang, who recently became a shareholder in the company, takes on the role of chairman of the board and assumes the position of company director, effective June 30, 2023, taking over from Datuk Sri Mohd Amin Abdul Nor, who resigned as chairman and company director after relinquishing all his shares. Bestinet CEO Ismail Mohd Noor said, “We are proud to welcome Tengku Muda Pahang as our company’s chairman. We believe his fresh perspective will drive the company to even greater heights.” He added that Bestinet’s primary objective is to establish a strong collaboration with the new chairman, with the aim to deliver enduring value to all public and private stakeholders. “The company has maintained a steadfast commitment to serving clients by providing comprehensive Information Technology solutions, with a particular focus on security, biometrics, and artificial intelligence (AI),” Ismail said. Upon assuming his new role, Tengku Muda Pahang conveyed his faith in and deep appreciation for Bestinet’s vision and emphasised that his decision to become the chairman reflects his unwavering confidence in the company’s dedication to creating a fairer and more equitable world through its comprehensive IT solutions. Tengku Muda Pahang said Bestinet is a prestigious information technology company, holding a prominent presence across multiple countries, including Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and in the Middle East. Good Foodie Media acquires food, travel and event site PETALING JAYA: Malaysian lifestyle and digital media company Good Foodie Media has acquired the food, travel and event site, Borneo Foodie. The acquisition marked a significant step towards expanding the company’s presence in Malaysia, and Brunei. Good Foodie Media is the brainchild of Nicholas Lim Pinn Yang, Edward Lim Pinn Jian and Ang Rui Mei – the founding trio who launched the company and its very first media title, Penang Foodie, back in 2016. After its presence soared, they took it further by establishing KL Foodie in 2018. The company continued to grow as it expanded its ventures into more vertical markets such as travel, lifestyle, ecommerce, and current affairs. “With the recent acquisition of Borneo Foodie, we believe that this strategic move will accelerate our growth in becoming Malaysia’s No. 11 digital media company. We are very excited about growing our platforms along with our new counterpart and bringing more exposure to the local F&B businesses there,” said Pinn Yang, CEO and co-founder of Good Foodie Media.

14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 SUNBIZ READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME Japanese companies offer biggest pay increases in 30 years TOKYO: Japanese companies offered the biggest pay increases in three decades at this year’s negotiations with workers, the country’s largest trade union group said yesterday, a development economists say will help revive anaemic consumer demand. A survey conducted by Rengo, Japan’s umbrella trade union group, showed pay hikes first reported by unions at the largest employers in March were now broadening to workers at small and medium enterprises (SME), or those with unions of 300 or fewer members. The final survey of 5,272 unions affiliated with Rengo showed an average pay hike of 3.58%, or ¥10,560 (RM340) per month, the biggest increase since 3.9% seen in 1993. Among them, SME raised wages by 3.23%, also the fastest pace in three decades. Wage growth is one of the key trends the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is closely watching as it considers if and when it should unwind its ultra-loose monetary stimulus. “Rising prices and a chronic labour crunch are driving up wages, which will continue to rise next year. What’s important from now on is to bring real wages to positive territory,” said Hisashi Yamada, economist and Hosei University professor. “Rising wages will help stabilise inflation at 2% towards next year, keeping the central bank under pressure to scrap yield curve control sooner or later.” The pay hikes could provide some political support for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida who has made wages as key part of his policy agenda, as a weak yen and higher import prices drive up living costs. Japanese wages have been virtually flat since the asset bubble burst in the 1990s. Big firms’ summer bonus payments are seen rising 3.9%, up for a second straight year, although gains are likely to be uneven, according to a survey by Keidanren, Japan’s biggest business lobby. – Reuters B R I E F STHAILAND’S HEADLINE INFLATION RISES AT SLOWEST IN 22 MONTHS BANGKOK: Thailand’s annual headline inflation unexpectedly rose in June but at its slowest pace in 22 months, and the commerce ministry yesterday lowered its forecast for consumer price rises for the whole year. The headline consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.23% in June from a year earlier, compared with May’s 0.53% year-on-year rise. It was the second straight month that headline CPI dropped below the central bank’s target range of 1% to 3%. Despite falling inflation, Thailand’s central bank is expected to raise rates further at its next meeting on Aug 2, as the economy continues to recover, said Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association. – Reuters EUROZONE BUSINESS ACTIVITY CONTRACTS IN JUNE, PMI SHOWS LONDON: Eurozone business activity slipped into contractionary territory last month in a broadbased downturn across the bloc’s dominant services industry and a deepening decline of factory output, a survey showed. HCOB’s final Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global and seen as a good gauge of overall economic health, slumped to 49.9 in June from May’s 52.8. The services new business index was barely above breakeven at a five-month low of 51.0. The preliminary reading was 51.3 and in May it was 53.3. – Reuters BEIJING/SHANGHAI: China’s export controls on metals used in making semiconductors are “just a start”, an influential Chinese trade policy adviser said yesterday, as it ramps up a tech fight with the US days before US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits Beijing. Shares in some Chinese metals companies rallied for a second session, with investors betting that higher prices on gallium and germanium, which Beijing’s export restrictions target, could boost revenues. Germanium is used in highspeed computer chips, plastics, and in military applications such as night-vision devices as well as satellite imagery sensors. Gallium is used in building radars and radio communication devices, satellites and LEDs. China’s abrupt announcement of controls from Aug 1 on exports of some gallium and germanium products, also used in electric vehicles and fibre optic cables, has sent companies scrambling to secure supplies and bumped up prices. Yesterday, Wei Jianguo told the China Daily newspaper that countries should brace for more should they continue to pressure China, describing the controls as a “well-thought-out heavy punch” and “just a start”. “If restrictions targeting China’s high-technology sector continue then countermeasures will escalate,” he added, who served as vice commerce minister in 2003- 2008 and is now the vice chairman of state-backed think tank China Center for International Economic Exchanges. Announced on the eve of US Independence Day and just before Yellen’s planned visit to Beijing from yesterday, analysts said the controls were clearly timed to send a message to the Biden administration, which has been targeting China’s chip sector and pushing allies such as Japan and the Netherlands to follow suit. China’s move has also raised concerns on whether restrictions on rare earth exports could follow, they said, pointing to how it curbed oOfficial says countries should brace for more measures shipments 12 years ago in a dispute with Japan. China is the world’s biggest producer of rare earths, a group of metals used in EVs and military equipment. The Global Times state media tabloid, in a separate editorial published late on Tuesday, said that it was a “practical way” of telling the US and its allies that their efforts to curb China from procuring more advanced technology was a “miscalculation”. The Chinese commerce ministry did not respond to a request for further comment. Asked about the metals export curbs, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday the government’s actions were reasonable and lawful. He told a regular press briefing that some European Union states also S’pore central bank warns of weak near-term growth SINGAPORE: Singapore’s central bank warned yesterday of weak near-term growth for one of Asia’s top financial hubs and said its fight against rising prices was not yet over, even as it lowered its 2023 headline inflation forecast. In an annual review by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), managing director Ravi Menon said Singapore’s inflation would ease significantly thanks to a tight monetary policy stance, but the central bank would “not switch from inflation-fighting mode to growth-supporting mode”. Headline inflation slowed to 4.7% in May compared with the 5.4% recorded in the first quarter. MAS now forecasts 2023 headline inflation at 4.5% to 5.5%, lower than the 5.5% to 6.5% seen previously, Menon told reporters. Core inflation is seen at 2.5% to 3.0% by the end of the year, versus an earlier 2.5% forecast because of rising travel-related costs, he added. MAS is ready to adjust monetary policy, “especially if inflation momentum were to re-accelerate,” Menon said. “We are closely monitoring the evolving growthinflation dynamics and remain vigilant to risks on either side.” The central bank left its monetary policy settings unchanged in April for the first time in two years as Singapore’s economy contracted in the first quarter this year, raising fears of a recession. Instead of interest rates, the MAS manages policy by letting the local dollar rise or fall against the currencies of its main trading partners. Gross domestic product would be at the mid-point of the 0.5% to 2.5% range expected this year, down from 3.6% in 2022, because Singapore remained exposed to a global slowdown and geopolitical uncertainties, MAS chairman Tharman Shanmugaratnam said in a report accompanying the annual review. Maybank economist Chua Hak Bin said the central bank must not lose focus on combating inflation. “The government has plenty of fiscal options to support growth ... and levers to cushion the downturn and may come up with a fiscal support package if a recession materialises,” he said. The central bank’s monetary policy tightening streak was also reflected in a net loss for the MAS of S$30.8 billion (RM106 billion) in the fiscal year 2022-2023, he said. – Reuters curb exports of some related goods. “Our action is not targeted at any specific country,” Wang said. Washington is considering new restrictions on the shipment of high-tech microchips to China, following a series of curbs over the past few years. The US and the Netherlands are also expected to further restrict sales of chipmaking equipment to China, part of efforts to prevent their technology from being used by China’s military. A day after China unveiled the curbs, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on nations to spurn decoupling and avoid severing supply chains in a virtual address to leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, according to state media reports. – Reuters China bank shares in HK slump after downgrades by Goldman Sachs SHANGHAI: Chinese banking shares listed in Hong Kong tumbled yesterday after Goldman Sachs downgraded top lenders including Agricultural Bank of China (AgBank) in a report that deepened worries over a sector already suffering from a weak economy. The Hang Seng Mainland Banks Index fell 3.6% to near four-month lows, in its worst day in eight months. Goldman said in a report yesterday that it had downgraded Agbank from “neutral” to “sell”, while cutting Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Industrial Bank from “buy” to “sell”. Investors are concerned about Chinese banks’ exposure to local government debt, earnings risks stemming from such debt, and diverging fortunes among individual banks, the Wall Street bank said. Agbank shares fell almost 3% in Hong Kong, the biggest one-day loss in eight weeks. The Hong Kongtraded shares of ICBC, China's biggest lender, lost nearly 2%. The banks’ China-listed shares saw smaller losses, with an index tracking the sector down 0.5%, in line with the broader market. Some investors said the market was over-reacting to Goldman’s outlook. Chinese banks’ exposure to local government debts “is nothing new. Questions have been around this issue since 2018”, said Mark Dong, general manager of Minority Asset Management in Hong Kong, which holds China banking stocks. He added that the report appears to be based on a wild guess of banks’ exposure to such debts, and “even if debt problems worsen, banks may not be asked by the government to bear most of the cost”. – Reuters Worker miniatures are placed among the flag of China and printed circuit boards with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken yesterday. Beijing says the US and its allies’ efforts to curb China from procuring more advanced technology is a ‘miscalculation’. – REUTERSPIC Chip materials export curbs ‘just a start’: China adviser

6 J U L Y 2 0 2 3 T H U R S D A Y Pawstastic July EVERYONE from pet lovers to fur parents should make their way to The Square by Jaya One for its fifth-year anniversary campaign “Truly Yours, Truly Pet-Friendly”. Running throughout the month of July, the campaign’s various activities and events will reaffirm The Square’s core beliefs and values as a petfriendly space built on the foundation of championing social responsibility. According to Jaya One Marketing and Communication department head Ellis Teh, one of the celebration’s objectives is to express gratitude and appreciation to the petfriendly community and the general public, as The Square would not exist in its current shape and form were it not for all the guidance, tolerance, advice, and feedback given by pet owners and visitors over the past few years. Five years strong Though The Square is relatively young, it was actually the natural byproduct of Jaya One’s decade-long championing of the fundamentals of social responsibility through its ageold collaboration with Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB), an animal welfare organisation. In 2018, The Square was revamped with four key “pillars” in mind: re-homing programmes, education programmes, pet-friendly restaurants, and working spaces, along with events and bazaars. These were done to support the demand for a more comfortable petfriendly space that could cater to the lifestyle needs of fur families, as well as to help the community develop Fourth from left: Ellis Teh and organisation representatives from The Square’s pet events. – ALL PICS BY SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN oJaya One appreciates petfriendly communities █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR A petting zoo at the event’s launch. There will be an open social day for pets on July 15 and 16. Rescue dogs socialising with visitors. Reptiles receiving love from visitors. Happy furkids enjoying their day out. responsible and caring behaviour towards animals, preventing animal cruelty and neglect in the long term. To date, The Square has successfully supported over 1000 rounds of pet adoption initiatives by working with over 100 pet shelters, animal rescue groups, animal-driven organisations, and non-profit communities to help rehome over 2000 pets. Shifting towards adoption Questioned on the recent news of backyard breeders by theSun, Teh explained that the only way it stops is to adopt pets. “Adopt. Don’t buy. Then slowly, we can cut it down because it’s in demand.” Asked whether the statistics translated to a shift in Malaysian mentality away from buying and towards adoption, Teh pointed out that there has been a visible increase in pet adoption in the past few years. “When I look at the adoption drives for the past 15 years, they’ve been successful, and I can say the animals being adopted are not even famous breeds; they’re mostly strays.” The demand for pet adoption has become so high that Teh pointed out that there are regularly three to four adoption drives each month. When asked if The Square’s petfriendly concept will ever be implemented through the entirety of Jaya One, she implied coyly that it may happen, but only after various other aspects are taken into account first. Moving forward, Teh explained that The Square is committed to continuously improving its facilities to cater to diverse pet families, such as the existing pet toilet, pet-friendly lift, trained pet marshals, and the new pet-friendly entrance route. Eventful July For the remainder of July, each weekend will see special activities that attendees can look forward to. These include a masterclass and demos on German Shepherds, a pet emergency response workshop, a pet agility challenge, an adoption carnival, pet movie day, and more from July 1-23. Pet owners can also get their pets a stunning personalised front cover magazine feature of their choice for FREE by sending in their pet photos taken in The Square here: https://forms.gle/rbnscHDDfFtfEeib 7 Supported by pet-friendly restaurants in The Square and the retail linkway, pet owners can also enjoy 10% off their total bill when dining with their pets throughout the month of July. Following the launch of the month-long tribute on July 1, pet families can enjoy a host of amazing events by checking out The Square’s social media for the latest updates. Admission is free for all the petfriendly events. For more information, visit.jayaone.com.my

16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Superman: Legacy unleashes stellar duo WARNER Bros. has delivered exciting news to fans worldwide, confirming that David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan will be donning the cape and playing the beloved characters of Clark Kent and his enchanting love interest in the highly anticipated film Superman: Legacy. This ground-breaking movie will mark the Superman: Legacy will be in cinemas on 11 July, 2025. – TWITTER oFresh faces take the lead in DC’s latest adaptation █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN inaugural production under the new DC Studios banner, following the appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairs and co-CEOs. The arduous and extensive casting process for Superman: Legacy has finally concluded, with Safran and Gunn sparing no effort in their quest to discover the perfect actors to lead this new chapter in the franchise. With Corenswet and Brosnahan now securing the coveted roles, Gunn’s attention turns to filling the shoes of Superman’s iconic arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor, and finding talented actors to portray supporting characters like Kent’s trusted friend, Jimmy Olsen. For Corenswet, this remarkable opportunity marks a major milestone in his blossoming career, as he steps into the limelight with his first leading role in a major studio production. Recognised for his appearances in notable projects like The Politician and We Own This City, Corenswet’s star has been steadily rising, and now he secures the biggest role of his career to date through a captivating final audition. Gunn, an acclaimed writer and director, will bring his creative vision to life in Superman: Legacy, drawing inspiration from the legendary All-Star Superman comic run penned by Grant Morrison and beautifully illustrated by Frank Quitely. While not a traditional origin story, the film will delve into Clark Kent’s early years as a tenacious reporter at the esteemed Daily Planet, unravelling his journey of self-discovery as he embraces his destiny as Metropolis’ beloved superhero. Superman: Legacy symbolises the dawn of a new era under the dynamic leadership of Gunn and Safran. Their tenure began with the release of The Flash, a film that faced significant challenges due to the unfavourable publicity surrounding its star, Ezra Miller. Despite these hurdles, The Flash opened to a less-than-stellar box office debut, amassing a disappointing £55 million (RM325,522,560 million) in its opening weekend. Anticipation builds worldwide for the release of Superman: Legacy on July 11, 2025, as audiences eagerly await a fresh take on the iconic superhero, accompanied by a compelling narrative that pays homage to his enduring legacy. As the film takes flight, fans will be transported to a thrilling cinematic universe, where Superman’s extraordinary journey of courage, love, and heroism unfolds before their eyes, captivating hearts and inspiring a new generation of dreamers. Racism soured Idris Elba’s Bond prospects AS one of the more prominent British actors that used to be in the running for the role of James Bond, rumours have long followed Idris Elba on whether he would clinch the role. However, during an interview on the SmartLess podcast, Elba revealed that he got turned off by the idea of playing the MI6 agent when the conversation became dominated by race, such as when author Anthony Horowitz wrote that Elba was “too street” to play Bond. “The truth is, I was super complimented for a long time about this,” Elba said about originally embracing the idea of playing Bond. “I was like, ‘This is crazy!’ We’re all actors, and we understand that role. It’s one of those coveted roles. Being asked to be James Bond was like, ‘Ok, you’ve sort of reached the pinnacle’. That’s one of those things the whole world has a vote in.” Elba further pointed out that, despite it being a compliment from most corners of the world, certain corners were not happy about the idea that he was considered. This made the whole thing “disgusting and off-putting” for the actor. Once the conversation about Elba becoming Bond became dominated by the topic of race, he cooled on the idea of headlining the 007 franchise. The actor has spoken out publicly in the past about his frustrations with being labelled a “Black actor.” “I stopped describing myself as a Black actor when I realised it put me in a box,” the actor told Esquire U.K. in a February interview. “As humans, we are obsessed with race, and that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations and growth. Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be.” “We’ve got to grow. We have to. Our skin is no more than that; it’s just skin. Rant over.” Elba voices out on racial discrimination. – IMDB █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Pink confused at ashes thrown on stage AT one of Pink’s recent shows at BST Hyde Park in London, a fan threw a clear plastic bag of powdered substances on stage, and after careful inspection, it turned out to be their deceased mother’s ashes. Pink was steadily performing her hit Just Like a Pill when the incident happened. Providing more context, in a video shared on Twitter by an attendee, she received the bag and picked it up, holding only the corner. “Is this your mom?” the talented singersongwriter asked the crowd member, who seemed to confirm her worries. Pink in the middle of her Summer Carnival 2023 Tour. – GETTY █ BYYASMIN ZULRAEZ Vijay possibly highest paid Indian actor SOUTH Indian actor Thalapathy Vijay is recently rumoured to be the highest paid actor in Indian cinema with an INR200 crore (RM114,074,875 million) remuneration for one movie, beating Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. As a leading star in the Tamil film industry, many sources have said that Vijay is believed to have been paid a huge sum for his upcoming movie. However, there is no actual confirmation from the actor himself about this, and he’s kept mum about it. Vijay’s next movie will be directed by █ BYS.TAMARAI CHELVI Venkat Prabhu, tentatively titled Thalapathy 68. Shah Rukh Khan is said to have received about INR100 crore (RM57,015,418 million) for Pathaan, which was released this year, while Salman Khan earns around INR100 to 130 crore (RM57,015,418 to RM74,117,131 million). Currently, Vijay is shooting for Leo, which is expected to release on October 19, 2023 and it will be dubbed in Hindi, Kannada and Telegu languages. Recently, a song from the movie Naa Ready was released. Leo is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, who directed Vikram, starring Kamalahassan, which went on to become a big cinematic hit in South India last year. In confusion, Pink slowly placed the bag on stage. “I don’t know how I feel about this,“ she said. On a more positive note, Pink is currently in the middle of her Summer Carnival 2023 Tour, which will continue on its European leg until 16 July. Afterwards, she will then go through North America for a series of shows starting from 28 July 28 to October 9 before heading back to the UK and Europe for her Trustfall Tour until November 19. At the end of it, she will wrap up the Summer Carnival 2023 Tour with continuous concerts in Australia and New Zealand, predicted to happen early next year.

17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 DELVING into another universe of its own, Viu Malaysia recently held a one-of-a-kind exclusive behind-thescenes and interview session of the upcoming series, W: Two Worlds, at Bandar Malaysia on June 27. The proudly presented Malaysian adaptation of the Korean series features an incredible line-up, including Daiyan Trisha, Hun Haqeem, Elizabeth Tan, Mierul Aiman, Faizal Hussein, and Tony Eusoff. In this special adaptation, W: Two Worlds revolves around the captivating tale of Izara, whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, the author of the comic W, mysteriously vanishes. Fate intervenes as Izara finds herself transported into the webtoon universe, where she becomes the saviour of the main character, Aliff. The story takes a turn when Izara’s actions carry consequences, entangle her deeply in the narrative, and blur the boundaries of fiction and reality. Simultaneously, Aliff, who has spent a decade seeking revenge for his family’s murder, starts unravelling a perplexing link between Izara and his own destiny. Great casting The cast line-up intended for this series truly comes to life with the amount of chemistry and charisma that pops off onscreen and offscreen. It is safe to say that every casting choice was the perfect match-up. Starting off with Daiyan Trisha, she plays Izara Yusuf, who is a compassionate doctor who possesses a strong determination to fight for her convictions. However, her life takes a massive turn when she is unexpectedly drawn into the world of the comic by Aliff. During her interview, she happily exclaimed, “Honestly, this is the best production team that I have worked with. It’s because they’re so good at covering every base. I feel very taken care of here. They take good care of timing, set, and look. I think the whole team, crew, and stars, respect each other and give our best. That’s what makes the dynamic on set great.” Then, we have Hun Haqeem, who breathes life into Aliff, the hero of the comic, weighed down by a tragic past. After being driven by his unwavering determination, he dedicates his entire being and existence to finding the identity of his family’s killer. When it was his turn to be interviewed, he voiced out, “Safety is always first and foremost. Everything that has to do with the body, especially regarding hydration, can cause a heart attack. There are a lot of small things that can disturb a lot of other things. Thank God, I have a lot of friends who help me with this. When on set, I can do it properly. Dieting and training for the right amount of calories.” Elizabeth Tan beautifully portrays Hanna, a carefully composed and successful individual who is torn between her responsibilities and matters of her heart. Hanna is at odds with the soft spot she has in her heart for Aliff and her own hardened individuality. When asked about her experience with the cast, she said, “Working with the cast is great. I’ve never worked with them before. I learned so much from them all. It’s an amazing experience. I am solely focusing on this series, but I do feel a bit nervous and afraid that I can’t do the character justice, and I don’t want to disappoint anyone. We are all trying our best.” Next, Mierul Aiman takes on the tough role of Ghazi, a devoted and highly perceptive bodyguard for Aliff. Ghazi is resilient, streetsmart, and straightforward. He is steadfast in training Aliff and devoutly stands by his side in his battle against criminality. Instilling Malaysian ideals When interviewed on his biggest challenge while filming, Aiman said, “We want to remould the Korean ideals, transforming them into the Malaysian ideals and making them our own. That is the hardest part. There is a lot of range that we have to cover: action, comedy, and love. The emotion has to be up there. We had to standardise every single emotion. That’s basically it.” Furthermore, they also cast a veteran and experienced actor, Faizal Hussein, who takes on the role of Omar Yusuf, Izara’s father, who gained fame and success through his comic, W. This success would then steadily become a nightmare when Omar realised that Aliff had gained a life of his own within the comic. Keeping it light, he said, “It’s fun, but this is my work. I have to take care of what I eat. I can do the motions and the different angles. I want to do it because I can do it. To them, it’s a bonus. The cast all work hard. They do every requirement, like the training, and action scenes, until some of their hands get cut. From that, I can definitely see they work hard.” Additionally, the incredible Tony Eusoff plays Musa, a character that transitioned from a lawyer to a politician and served as the public prosecutor during Aliff’s murder trial. Utilising the attention garnered from the case, Musa leveraged it as an opportunity to propel himself into the realm of politics. In his interview, he stated, “As long as it’s in a safe space, we all know our strengths and weaknesses. The highest priority should be our safety. But at the same time, we have done our best for the production. We needed to make everything convincing, and we did.” W: Two Worlds is a series that is directed by the respected Datuk Yusry Abd Halim, and it will be premiering on the Viu platform at the end of November 2023. W: Two Worlds’ Malay adaptation oViu Malaysia’s exclusive Korean to Malay series A sneak peak of W: Two Worlds’ behind-the-scenes. █ BY YASMIN ZULRAEZ Tony Eusoff. Mierul Aiman. Faizal Hussein. Elizabeth Tan. Daiyan Trisha. Hun Haqeem.

18 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME How reading is a superfood for young brains FEWER and fewer young people read for pleasure. Yet this activity is extremely beneficial to them in cognitive, intellectual, and behavioural terms, especially if they get into reading at an early age, a new study reveals. Researchers in the UK and China have investigated the multiple benefits of “leisure” reading by analysing data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development cohort, recruited as part of a longitudinal study of over 10,000 young adolescents in North America. The scientists wanted to determine whether reading for pleasure in early childhood contributes to the cerebral and cognitive development of young people. Indeed, specialists and teachers often insist on the need for kids to immerse themselves in the joys of reading from an early age. That’s why they encourage parents to read stories with their children to give them a lasting love of books. But previously, scientists have been unsure whether this activity involves cognitive and brain mechanisms that could benefit youngsters as they grow older. Experts and teachers often stress the need for children to get into reading from an early age. – ETX STUDIO To test this hypothesis, researchers from the Universities of Cambridge, Warwick, and Fudan analysed a wide range of data, including clinical interviews, cognitive tests, mental and behavioural assessments, and brain scans. They involved teenagers who began reading for pleasure at a relatively early age (between 2 and 9), and others who took up reading later or not at all. Nearly half of the participants (48%) in this study published in the journal Psychology and Medicine, had read little for pleasure or had only started to do so later in their childhood. The other half of the group had spent between three and ten years reading for pleasure. Twelve hours a week is enough Brain scans of the adolescent cohort enabled the scientists to observe that participants who had begun reading for pleasure at an early age had moderately larger total brain areas and volumes than their peers who had gotten into leisure reading later. This phenomenon was particularly noticeable for brain regions playing an essential role in cognitive functions and those linked to improved mental health, behaviour, and attention. What’s more, the research team found that teenagers who had started reading for pleasure in childhood performed better than others not only at school, but also on cognitive tests measuring verbal learning, memory, and speech development. In addition, they showed fewer signs of stress and depression than their peers, who discovered the joys of reading later in childhood, and had fewer behavioural problems. For study co-author Barbara Sahakian, a professor of clinical neuropsychology at the University of Cambridge, these findings show that reading is not a trivial pastime. “Reading isn’t just a pleasurable experience; it’s widely accepted that it inspires thinking and creativity, increases empathy, and reduces stress. But on top of this, we found significant evidence that it’s linked to important developmental factors in children, improving their cognition, mental health, and brain structure, which are cornerstones for future learning and well-being,“ she said in a statement. Interestingly, children don’t need to spend hours a day with their noses in a book to benefit from the effects described by the researchers. Twelve hours a week is optimal, it seems. Beyond that, the benefits of “pleasure” reading diminish in young people, which the researchers associate with the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle. – ETX STUDIO Nusa Fest promises two unforgettable days AFTER facing numerous challenges and delays, Shiraz Projects is proud to announce the return of a festival that unites Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore in one vibrant celebration. The festival, known as Nusa Fest, will take place in Bandar Malaysia, Sungai Besi, on July 8 and 9, 2023, beginning at noon each day. Previously disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent delays, Nusa Fest is back with a stellar lineup of renowned artists from the three countries. Through the shared rhythms and beats of friendship, the festival hopes to bring the three countries closer together. The Cross-Country Festival will also feature three major headliners in the music industry: Search, Wings, and Butterfingers. This highly anticipated moment has been eagerly awaited by fans, as it marks the reunion of Search and Wings on the same stage, promising an unforgettable experience. Butterfingers will also make a memorable return to Nusa Fest after a four-year absence, much to the delight of their devoted fan base. “I believe that with everyone’s support, Nusa Fest will be successful, lively, and in line with the desired festival concept. And this time we are back with the announcement of the final list of Nusa Fest,“ said Shiraz, the Managing Director of Shiraz Projects. Shiraz Projects proudly presented the highly anticipated final lineup of Nusa Fest performers at the Nusa Fest Headliner Press Conference held last Tuesday, June 27, at the PARKROYAL Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The announcement of the final lineup is a significant milestone in the journey leading up to the festival, which has been eagerly anticipated by music enthusiasts and fans alike. The stage is now set for a remarkable gathering of talented artists who will The inaugural Nusa Fest is organized by Shiraz Projects revitalise regional music industries. –ALL PIX BY ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THE SUN DAILY. oShiraz Projects brilliantly resurrects Malaysia’s CrossCountry Festival █ BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL Nusa Fest also features three incredible rock bands as last-minute headliners. The legendary Malaysian rock band Search, led by Amy Search. grace Nusa Fest with their extraordinary performances. The eagerly anticipated event will feature a phenomenal lineup of both local and international acts, promising an unforgettable experience for attendees. The lineup includes renowned Malaysian acts such as Wings, Search, Butterfingers, Kugiran Masdo, Salammusik, Forceparkbois, Iqbal M., White Percussion Unit, Jemson, Budak Nakal Hujung Simpang, Gerhana Skacinta, and Monoloque. Joining them on stage will be acclaimed Indonesian artists including Fourtwnty, Barasuara, Pusakata, Efek Rumah Kaca, Kelompok Penerbang Roket, The Changcuters, Burgerkill, Seringai, Diskoria, Dipha Barus, and Ras Muhamad. Representing Singapore, we have The Pinholes, adding an international touch to the festival. Not only that, the Nusa festival will also feature various activities, including the Nusa Theatre with two stages providing non-stop performances. The festival will showcase twelve Malaysian groups, eleven Indonesian performers, and one Singaporean group. Further, attendees can enjoy the culinary delights of Warong Nusa, offering a variety of delicious food, and explore Pasar Nusa, a marketplace showcasing arts and handicrafts from Nusantara. Music enthusiasts are urged not to miss out on the remarkable opportunity to witness a captivating festival that will feature two days of exceptional music and performances by renowned artists. This highly anticipated event is also set to deliver an extraordinary musical extravaganza that is certain to leave a lasting impression on all who partake in its festivities. Tickets for NUSA FEST are priced at RM200 for a two-day pass (per person) or RM700 for a group of four people. Visit or tickets at www.myticket.asia.

19 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 Culinary haven with irresistible delights NESTLED in the heart of the city, RATA is a restaurant inspired by the lush landscapes of Cameron Highlands. Chef Vic’s culinary journey began with a deep connection to this highland region, sourcing fresh supplies during his days in culinary school. This passion led to the birth of RATA, which maintains a well-established supply chain for fresh ingredients, delivered twice a week. Proudly serving local produce, RATA ensures that no MSG finds its way into their dishes. As I approached the restaurant, a line had already formed outside, indicating its popularity. It was around 8PM, and the vibrant atmosphere inside was filled with happy diners enjoying their meals. Alongside, a charming little bar showcased a stunning arrangement of wines. As the food arrived, our table became a masterpiece of diverse delights. We kicked off our culinary adventure with three tantalising small plates: Spicy Mutton and Mango Chutney Roll, Spicy Lamb Arancini, and Crispy Sriracha Chicken Bao. Inventive and delicious plates Starting off with Spicy Lamb Arancini, it was a true delight for those seeking a burst of flavour in every bite. Each savoury sphere was generously filled with tender and flavourful lamb that had been expertly seasoned with a fiery blend of spices. As you sink your teeth into the crispy exterior, you will be greeted by the aromatic and succulent meat, perfectly complemented by the heat of the spices. The spiciness adds a thrilling dimension to the dish, enhancing the overall richness and creating a memorable taste experience. Next, Crispy Sriracha Chicken Bao. This dish features a delightful combination of crispy chicken lathered in a tantalising sriracha sauce, nestled within a soft and fluffy steamed bun. The succulent chicken is perfectly cooked, boasting a delightful crunch on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. The sauce adds a zesty kick, elevating the flavours and providing a fiery tan. And finally, the Spicy Mutton and The Mango Chutney Roll creation combines the bold flavours of spicy mutton with the tangy sweetness of mango chutney, resulting in a harmonious blend of contrasting tastes. The mutton, marinated in a fiery spice mix, offers a rich and savoury experience with a pleasant kick of heat. The combination of spicy and fruity flavours creates a tantalising culinary adventure that is sure to leave your taste buds yearning █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN RATA, where every corner radiates with captivating colours and lights. – ALL PIX BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN/THESUN A delectable array of mouthwatering dishes. Customers savouring the fantastic food. above: RATA’s small plates. for more. Continuing with the main dishes, we then sampled the Nasi Lemak Banjir Bungkus. They have found a creative way to recreate the traditional experience of nasi lemak, even though it is served on a plate. They have chosen to present the dish in a way that resembles the traditional wrapping style with banana leaf and paper. It was served with delectable chicken karaage, bite-sized Japanese-style fried chicken. Chef Vic’s pro tip was to request extra gravy and thoroughly mix it into the fragrant rice. The result was an explosion of flavours that elevated the dish to new heights. Moving on, we couldn’t resist trying their mutton fried rice, a signature dish at the restaurant. To say that it was good would be an understatement. The mutton was incredibly tasty and tender, making each bite a true delight. However, I must caution those who are not fond of spicy food to approach it with care, as the dish packs quite a fiery punch. Thankfully, the restaurant allows you to request a milder version to suit your taste preferences. Despite struggling a bit with the spiciness, I found myself falling in love with this dish. Tantalising textures and flavours I also had the pleasure of savouring the Roasted Capsicum and Torched Camembert Rigatoni pasta, and it exceeded all expectations. What elevated the dish even further was the addition of crunchy garlic chips, which added a delightful texture and an extra layer of flavour. The creaminess and richness of the pasta were simply divine, making it an absolute treat for the taste buds. Vegans, in particular, would rejoice in this dish as it showcases the chef’s ability to create a mouthwatering vegan-friendly option. Our final indulgence was their signature pizza, the Sautéed Mushrooms and Truffle Aioli. It was a true masterpiece. The first thing that caught my eye was its size – it was enormous. Topped with a delightful medley of sautéed mushrooms, caramelised onions, pesto mayo, bits of camembert cheese, and a touch of left: Enchanting cocktails. truffle, each bite was a succulent symphony. This pizza was an absolute show-stopper, leaving me in awe of its taste and craftsmanship. Their cocktail selection was a delightful surprise. We savoured the refreshing and light flavours of the Limone La Blanca and Pineapple Prada. Notably, Chef Vic shared an intriguing fact about the drink names: they incorporate brand names after the first name, like Prada, Avanti, and Chloe. At RATA, they like to keep things interesting by not having a fixed dessert menu. Instead, they showcase a variety of cakes for customers to see and choose from. When we went, we indulged in the Almond Caramel Crepe Cake. It struck the perfect balance of flavours, not too sweet, and provided a delightful ending to our evening. Our experience here was exceptional – the fantastic ambiance and comfortable environment made our visit memorable. This place is guaranteed not to disappoint. RATA Address: 25, Jalan SS 15/5a, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Operating hours: Sunday-Thursday (11.30AM11PM), Friday-Saturday (11.30AM11.30PM) INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/rata_subang/?hl=en TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@rata_subang?_t=8dFJO XXNAwc&_r=1 FACEBOOK: facebook.com/RATASubangJaya oExperience a vibrant dining atmosphere and extensive menu

20 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 Meet the Philips AquaTrio Cordless 9000 Series KEEPING the house clean is essential for a happy and healthy environment. However, the busy lifestyles of many adults often leave them with limited time and energy for extensive cleaning tasks. Fortunately, the Philips AquaTrio Cordless 9000 Series is here to make our lives easier. Recently, I had the chance to use and review the Philips AquaTrio Cordless 9000 Series, and it’s nothing short of everything I ever wanted in such a product and more. For the usual everyday problem, it’s a solution that fits everyone to a tee. At home, I took turns using the product with my grandmother, and while I expected her to like the product, I didn’t expect her to love it. She sang praises while using it, stating how easy it is to use and how it doesn’t make her bones ache while getting into small crevices. It’s clearly a solution that is suitable for a wide variety of ages. Not to mention, thanks to the high-efficiency motor and low water consumption, compared to traditional cleaning solutions, the AquaTrio Cordless in W&D configuration can save up to 65% of energy and 90% of water, which is a major plus in saving money. Vacuum Only The Vacuum Only mode has an advanced setup where it can capture up to 98% of dust and dirt in each stroke. With a long runtime of 45 minutes, it can have exceptional manoeuvrability and visibility with deep reach, even under low furniture. Also, a feature that is becoming a clear favourite from my end is the LED lights on the nozzle to highlight hard-to-detect or deeply hidden dirt or dust particles. Vacuum and Active Mop For the Vacuum and Active Mop modes, you can vacuum and mop simultaneously. This wet and dry vacuum cleaner has two patented high-speed functions. The amazing AquaSpin nozzle vacuums and actively wet-cleans hard floors, effectively removing up to 99.9% of bacteria in one go. Other than that, the patented high-speed rotation brush technology paired with a constant flow of clean water enables selfcleaning Power Brushes, with constant clean water flow from a dedicated clean water tank released onto the floor and immediately A device that handles any kind of mess. – ALL PIX BY PHILIPS oAn advanced 3-in-1 performance system █ BY YASMIN ZULRAEZ Hong Kong’s secondary school students studies AI programme is aimed at young teenagers aged 12 to 15 studying in Hong Kong’s 450 public secondary schools, reports the South Morning China Post. It will be spread over 10 to 14 class hours, and will complement the curriculum of the information and communication technology subject field. Through these new classes, the Education Bureau is not seeking to turn all Hong Kong junior secondary school students into future AI specialists or tech workers. But it does believe that artificial intelligence is bound to turn their lives upside down, and that they need to understand how to use it so as not to be overwhelmed by this new technological advance. Raising awareness about the dangers of AI With this in mind, students will work in groups to identify and try to solve concrete problems using artificial intelligence. They will also learn about the challenges and ethical issues involved in using this technology in our lives. “It is important for students to know that powerful tools like AI could be both good and bad for society. I hope students can have a good understanding of how to use AI well,“ explains Yam Yeung, a research professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, speaking to the South Morning China Post. While this artificial intelligence education is something of a novelty, children in Hong Kong have been introduced to computer coding in elementary school since 2017. The South Morning China Post also points out that 70% of the city’s public secondary schools introduced AI modules into their curricula prior to the Education Bureau’s announcement. – ETX STUDIO The new programme is aimed at teenagers aged 12 to 15. – ETX STUDIO You can get into crevices easily. ARTIFICIAL intelligence has infiltrated many areas of our lives, including education. Parents and teachers are wondering what they should be teaching kids to thrive in a world where technology is advancing at breakneck speed. All of which is prompting the Hong Kong authorities to take action. The Education Bureau, which oversees the content of school curricula in Hong Kong, recently announced that students on the island city will be learning to master the workings of AI from the start of the next school year. From September onwards, Hong Kong’s junior secondary students will have classes that teach them how to use generative artificial intelligence software, such as ChatGPT, or to learn about computer vision, a field of computer science that seeks to perform and automate tasks that replicate human capabilities. This new educational picked up again by the two Power Brushes. There will never be a need to drag around a heavy mop bucket or use dirty mopping water again (much to my grandmother’s happiness). Handheld This mode is a detachable Handheld for users’ added convenience. The vacuum-only set-up can easily be transformed from a dry vacuum stick to a convenient handheld to easily clean upholstery, shelves, and table surfaces. It can be especially handy for hard-to-reach areas and quick cleanups around your home and in your car. With the help of this particular 3- in-1 product, there would be no more mess to leave behind as it would leave your home spotless and squeaky clean. Say goodbye to long, difficult, and tiring chore times with this multipurpose device. With all of these features and benefits, the Philips AquaTrio Cordless 9000 Series is priced at RM3,499, but if you go to Harvey Norman’s website, you’ll be lucky to catch it at a lower price. Find it atharveynorman.com.my/homeappliances/vacuum-cleanersen/stick-and-handheld-vacuumcleaners-en/philips-9000-seriesaquatrio-cordless-stick-vacuumcleaner-xw9383.html Don’t let the price tag deter you, because the Philips AquaTrio Cordless 9000 Series is a worthwhile investment that will revolutionise your cleaning experience and leave you wondering how you managed without it.

21 * SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT SHAH ALAM IN THE STATE OF SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN OF MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO: BA-28NCC-277-05/2023 In the matter of Section 466 of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the matter of VIANA KEMBARA SDN. BHD. (Company No. 200801006111 [807395-X]) BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD (Company No. 199101010745 [221057-V]) PETITIONER AND VIANA KEMBARA SDN. BHD. (Company No.200801006111 [807395-X]) RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION Notice is hereby given that a petition for winding-up of the above-named company by the High Court was, on the 30th day of May 2023 presented by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad of Level 10, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. And that the said petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Shah Alam, at 9.00 o’clock in the morning, on the 22nd day of August, 2023; and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is Level 10, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs Ghazi & Lim of 12th Level, Unit 8, Wisma New Asia, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. Ghazi & Lim Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named Messrs Ghazi & Lim, notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve (12.00) o’clock noon of the 21st day of August, 2023. This Notice is filed by Messrs. Ghazi & Lim, Advocates for and behalf of the Petitioner whose address for service is at 12th Level, Unit 8, Wisma New Asia, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. (Ref: P16/23/MRG/NSN) IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT JOHOR BAHRU IN THE STATE OF JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM, MALAYSIA COMPANIES (WINDING UP) NO. JA-28NCC-30-02/2023 In the matter of the Section 464(1) (1)(b), Section 465(1)(e) and Section 466(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016 And In the matter of CEDY Third Contracting And Trading (M) Sdn Bhd (Company No: 199201022513 [254017-H]) BETWEEN XIN DAO BUILDING TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD (COMPANY NO: 201701011620 / 1225785-P) … PETITIONER AND CEDY THIRD CONTRACTING AND TRADING (M) SDN BHD (COMPANY NO: 201701029187/1243356-K) … RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court, was on 16th February 2023 presented by XIN DAO BUILDING TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD (COMPANY NO: 201701011620 / 1225785-P) of Suite 19-02D, 19th Floor, Menara Zurich, No 15, Jalan Dato’ Abdullah Tahir, 80300, Johor Bahru, Johor and business address L-1-1, Pusat Perdagangan Kuchai, Jalan 1/127, off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur 9.00 o’clock in the forenoon, on 18th July 2023; and any creditor or contributory of the said Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on the payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is No L-1-1, Pusat Perdagangan Kuchai, Jalan 1/127, off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur; The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs Ooi’s Chambers of No E-28-05, Menara Suezcap, KL Gateway, 59200, Kuala Lumpur. ...............t.t............... Messrs Ooi’s Chambers Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTEAny person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs Ooi’s Chambers notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of 17th July 2023. IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) NO.: WA-28NCC-552-06/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) & Section 466 (1) (a) of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the matter of the Companies (Winding-Up) Rules, 1972 And In the matter of TAIYO RESORT DEVELOPMENT (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: 199001004030 (195597-H)] BETWEEN AIK KHIAW TRAVEL & CARGO SDN. BHD. (COMPANY NO.: 6919-W) ... PETITIONER AND TAIYO RESORT DEVELOPMENT (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: 199001004030 (195597-H)] ... RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the TAIYO RESORT DEVELOPMENT (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD. (“the Company”) by the High Court was, on 16 June 2023 presented to the said Court by AIK KHIAW TRAVEL & CARGO SDN. BHD. of No. 6A, Jalan SS2/63, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan (“the Petitioner”). AND that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court sitting at Kuala Lumpur on 26 September 2023 at 9.00 o’clock in the morning via Zoom before the Honourable Judge. AND any creditor or contributory of the Company, desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition, may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose. AND a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is AIK KHIAW TRAVEL & CARGO SDN. BHD. of No. 6A, Jalan SS2/63, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners of 8th Floor, Wisma Harwant, No. 106, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100 Kuala Lumpur. Signed Illegible …………………………… Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners Solicitors for the Petitioner Note:- Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on, or send by post to, the abovenamed Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners, notice in writing of his intention to do so. The Notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitors, if any. The notice must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time, to reach the abovenamed not later than 12.00 p.m. of 25 September 2023. This Advertisement of Petition is issued by Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners, Advocates & Solicitors, solicitors for the Petitioner, whose address of service is at No. 106, 8th Floor, Wisma Harwant, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel No : 03-2691 0725 Fax No: 03-2697 0626 Ruj: AW/L/SB/JY/33037/23 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE SESSIONS COURT AT KUALA LUMPUR IN THE FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA CIVIL SUIT NO: WA-B52-24-03/2023 BETWEEN KIERIE PLASTIC SDN BHD [COMPANY NO.: 198801009608 (176965-P)] ...PLAINTIFF AND 1. HONG LEONG BANK BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 193401000023 (97141-X)] 2. MOHD ZAIFUDDIN ARIF BIN ZAINAL ABIDIN (NRIC NO.: 760204-01-5469) (TRADING IN THE NAME AND STYLE OF MY BULLION TRADE) [REGISTRATION NO.: 201103172388 (002059218-D)] 3. AHMAD WAZIR BIN HAMDAN (NRIC NO.: 880504-02-5323) 4. PERSON UNKNOWN [IMPERSONATING THE IDENTITY KNOWN AS DANNY TAN] 5. ONG TENG KOYE (NRIC NO.: 520206-08-5775) ...DEFENDANTS NOTICE OF ADVERTISEMENT To:- (1) AHMAD WAZIR BIN HAMDAN (3RD DEFENDANT) (NRIC NO.: 880504-02-5323) No. 15-2-3, Perumahan Polis Taman Miharja Fasa 2, Jalan Cheras 55200 Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (2) PERSON UNKNOWN (4TH DEFENDANT) [IMPERSONATING THE IDENTITY KNOWN AS DANNY TAN] (3)ONG TENG KOYE (5TH DEFENDANT) (NRIC NO.: 520206-08-5775) No. 28, Jalan Thambypillai Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan Brickfields 50470 Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur and/or No. 28, Jalan Thambilai Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan Brickfields 50470 Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur and/or No. 28, Jalan Thambipillay Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan Brickfields 50470 Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur TAKE NOTICE that an Action has been commenced against all 3 of you in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court under Civil Suit No. WA-B52-24-03/2023 by Kierie Plastic Sdn Bhd (Company No. 198801009608 (176965-P)) (“Plaintiff”) with a registered address at B-1-3 (Ground Floor), Intania Klang, Jalan Intan 1/KS1, Teluk Gadong Besar, 41200 Klang, Selangor and a business address at Lot No. 2552, Wisma Kierie, Jalan Seruling 59, Kawasan 3, Taman Klang Jaya, 41200 Klang, Selangor in which the Plaintiff’s claim against all 3 of you is for conspiracy to defraud and/or injure the Plaintiff through lawful and/or unlawful means inter alia for the sum of RM262,233.00, Special, General, Aggravated and/ or Exemplary Damages together with interest and costs thereof. And that it has been Ordered that service of the Writ of Summons dated 30.3.2023 and Amended Statement of Claim dated 17.5.2023 in the said Action on all 3 of you be effected by this advertisement. If you desire to defend the said action, all 3 of you must within 14 days from the date substituted service is deemed effected on all 3 of you, enter an appearance at the Registry of the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. In default of such appearance, Judgment may be entered against all 3 of you. Dated the 23rd day of June, 2023 ………………t.t……………… MESSRS LIM & HOH Solicitors for the Plaintiff This Notice of Advertisement is taken out by Messrs Lim & Hoh, Solicitors for the Plaintiff abovenamed whose address for service is at #08-02, 8th Floor, Bangunan Ming, Jalan Bukit Nanas, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2072 3113 Fax: 03-2078 0906 E-mail: [email protected] Ref: DH/2078.2/KPSB/HLBB IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF LTG PROPERTIES SDN. BHD. (Co. Reg. No. 208893-A) (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, that a Final Meeting of the abovenamed Company will be held at Falcon Management Services Sdn. Bhd. B-5-4, Block B, Megan Avenue 1, 189, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur on 8 August 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the purpose of having an account laid before the members, showing the manner, in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the company disposed of, and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the liquidators. A member entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting may appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. Proxies to be used at the meeting must be lodged not later than 48 hours before the date of the meeting. Lee Chee Hong Liquidators Dated this 6 July 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CANTON-I SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 200701033739 (791768-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) At a General Meeting of the Company duly convened and held electronically via video conferencing at Level 5, Tower 8, Avenue 5, Horizon 2, Bangsar South City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur on 29 June 2023, the following special resolutions were duly passed: RESOLVED:- 1. THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 and that Wong Mee Kiat of No. 9, Jalan SJ16A, Taman Selayang Bahagia, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor Darul Ehsan be and is hereby appointed liquidator for the Company for the purpose of winding up of the Company. 2. THAT the liquidator be authorised pursuant to Section 456 of the Companies Act 2016 to exercise the powers laid down in Eleventh Schedule of the Companies Act 2016. 3. THAT the liquidator be authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she thinks fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with her respective rights and interests therein. The Board of Directors Dated this 6th day of July 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CANTON-I SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 200701033739 (791768-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company which is being wound up voluntarily are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 6 August 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and their names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator CANTON-I SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 200701033739 (791768-V) Level 5, Tower 8, Avenue 5 Horizon 2, Bangsar South City 59200 Kuala Lumpur and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. WONG MEE KIAT Liquidator Dated this 6th day of July 2023 DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM NEGERI WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (BAHAGIAN DAGANG) PETISYEN PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO: WA-28NCC-799-09/2022 Dalam Perkara Seksyen 465 (1)(e), 465(1)(h) dan 466 Akta Syarikat 2016 Dan Dalam perkara Kaedah-kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 Dan Dalam Perkara D.J. DESIGN & SUPPLIERS SDN. BHD. [No. Syarikat: 198301013871 (109264-A)] ANTARA SENG LONG CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING SDN. BHD. [NO. SYARIKAT: 200801024162 (825485-P)] ... PEMPETISYEN DAN D.J. DESIGN & SUPPLIERS SDN. BHD. [NO. SYARIKAT: 198301013871 (109264-A)] ... RESPONDEN NOTIS PERINTAH PENGGULUNGAN Tarikh Perintah Penggulungan: Pada 31 haribulan Mei 2023 Nama Pelikuidasi : Pegawai Penerima, Cawangan Wilayah Persekutuan Alamat Pelikuidasi: 22, 23, 24 & 25, Menara TH Perdana 1001, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur. -SGD- ……..…………………… Peguamcara bagi pihak Pempetisyen Tetuan Joseph, Vinci & Leong NOTIS PERINTAH PENGGULUNGAN ini difailkan oleh oleh Tetuan Joseph, Vinci & Leong Peguamcara bagi Pempetisyen dan mempunyai alamat untuk penyampaian di 41-3AB, Jalan PJU 1/3C, Sunwaymas Commercial Centre, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Tel.: 03-7492 0639 Fax: 03-7806 3256 Emel: [email protected] [Ruj.: JVL221146/L/SLCESB (DJDS) W/ Up] 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SUPPLEMED SOLUTIONS SDN BHD (201701001633)(1215783-K) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act 2016, that the Special Resolution set out below was duly passed by the members of the Company on 30 June 2023 ‘‘THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily and Chong Choy Yin of No. 19, Jalan Industri Mas 12, Taman Mas Sepang, 47130 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, be and is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up.” Dated : 6 July 2023 Chan Hong Fook Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SUPPLEMED SOLUTIONS SDN BHD (201701001633)(1215783-K) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily are required on or before 7 August 2023 to send in their names and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the said Company, and if so required in writing from the said Liquidator, are by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove the said debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proven. Dated : 6 July 2023 Chong Choy Yin Liquidator No. 19, Jalan Industri Mas 12, Taman Mas Sepang, 47130 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan. 322 Notices Wrong formula McLaren boss says track-limits fiasco must never happen again MCLAREN boss Zak Brown has called on Formula One’s governing body to ensure the track-limits fiasco which overshadowed the Austrian Grand Prix never happens again. Drivers were penalised throughout the weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg for crossing the white lines – with the final classification for Sunday’s race only settled five hours after the chequered flag. Eight of the 20-strong grid were dealt post-race sanctions by the FIA, with Lewis Hamilton demoted from seventh to eighth. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz slipped two places to sixth, while Frenchman Esteban Ocon was handed an extraordinary half-aminute’s worth of combined penalties for track-limit infringements. Earlier in the weekend, world champion Max Verstappen accused race director Niels Wittich of making the grid’s stars look like “amateurs”. In all, more than 100 laps were deleted during Sunday’s race. “It definitely wasn’t ideal what happened, and that’s stating the obvious,” said Brown. “Where we need to do a better job is that we knew this was going to be a problem on Friday and yet we just kind of watched it happen. “We need to make sure it never happens again, and that we do a proper debrief and understand how we could have prevented it in the first place or handled it differently.” McLaren driver Lando Norris benefited from Sainz’s post-race penalty to be promoted to fourth to take his best result of a difficult season for the British team. Brown, speaking at the reveal of a oneoff livery for McLaren’s home race at Silverstone this weekend, continued: “I’ll take my hat off to the FIA for addressing the issue and I think it would have been easy to say, ‘this is going to cause a lot of noise, let’s just kind of get it right next time’. “For them to put their hands and say there were some penalties that needed to be addressed, I thought that was a brave decision. “But we can’t have it again. We can’t have a race and then five hours later you have that degree of change in the result.” – The Independent Murphy braced for England assault AUSTRALIA stand-in spinner Todd Murphy expects to be targeted by the England team and home fans alike in the third Ashes Test at Headingley starting today. Murphy is set to come into the side after off-spinner Nathan Lyon suffered a tour-ending calf injury during Australia’s 43-run win at Lord’s. Australia have arrived in Leeds 2-0 up in the five-match series and needing one win for their first Ashes campaign triumph in England in 22 years. But the fall-out from Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal at Lord’s means Australia can expect to face an even more raucous atmosphere than usual at the Yorkshireman’s home ground. “I think they’ll probably come even harder at me,” Murphy told reporters at Headingley yesterday. “Obviously, I haven’t played a hell of a lot of Test cricket so it’s a challenge that presents itself. They’re going to keep taking the game on. “I think it’s just about trying to navigate through that and come up with a few different ideas potentially. I’ve never been to England before, so it’s all quite new.” “From speaking to the boys, this is probably the most hostile ground you get in England and I’m quite looking forward to it if I do get the opportunity.” He added: “I’ve always grown up watching Ashes cricket and love what the Barmy Army bring to the game.” “I’m sure they won’t hold back. But I’ll just embrace it and try and have a good time with it. It’s all in good fun.” – AFP AUSTRALIA can expect to face a fired-up England and a furious crowd in the third Ashes Test at Headingley starting today as the row over Jonny Bairstow’s divisive dismissal at Lord’s rumbles on. To add fuel to the fire, the third Test is taking place at Bairstow’s Yorkshire home ground, with increased security measures expected at Headingley – traditionally one of English cricket’s most raucous venues. Many within the Australian game have been stunned by the vehemence of English reaction to a legitimate dismissal and the attempts to link it to their side’s Sandpapergate ball-tampering controversy in South Africa five years ago. But former England captain Mike Atherton said rather than world Test champions Australia abusing the “Spirit of Cricket”, Bairstow had been guilty of “dozy cricket”. Stokes insisted he would have withdrawn the appeal and Joe Root, his predecessor as England skipper, endorsed that view by saying yesterday: “As a team we want to play our cricket in a certain way and leave a certain legacy.” Asked how Bairstow might react Root, recalling England’s record-fourth innings chase of 378 against India, when he and his Yorkshire teammate both struck unbeaten centuries, said: “Go back to Edgbaston last year, someone said something to him – I think it was Virat Kohli – and brought the best out of him. Let’s hope it happens again.” – AFP Bairstow row casts shadow over third Ashes Test █ PHILIP DUNCAN Todd Murphy. – REUTERSPIX

22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 SPORTS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME 5660/2023 05/07/2023 (WED) 0921 1635 4714 6014 9055 5746 7505 9984 5156 8572 8381 8027 5239 6646 5841 3324 2020 9144 8568 5280 6065 1088 7086 26,645,025.28 0921 0921 0921 4714 4714 1635 4714 4714 1635 1635 0921 1635 410,882.78 0921 1635 4714 DOG 49486 44145 4145 145 13401 4 5 3 2 866932 66932 6932 932 86693 8669 866 8 6 7,543,498.71 4,308,354.71 9 15 18 20 29 40 192,925.29 8 18 20 38 40 50 19 32 33 35 41 47 1 17,762,326.95 RM10,534,473 RM1,359,749 won on 04/07/2023 ! Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System) Toto 4D Jackpot 1 (i-System) 031 625 +DRAGON 549 521 + RAT 792 378 + RAT Draw Date: 05/07/23 (Wed) Draw No: 5607/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 1625 9521 2378 6587 + 7300 4632 + 4877 9222 + 3350 7776 + 8416 1292 + 9490 2143 + 3542 6563 + 1696 4203 + 0527 8573 + 0675 3406 + 5330 RM12,221,289.60 1625 + 9521 9521 + 1625 1625 + 2378 2378 + 1625 9521 + 2378 2378 + 9521 RM241,530.70 RM2,013,613.00 RM1,556,527.70 RM2,466,754.20 876 587 327 300 134 632 074 877 979 222 453 350 047 776 958 416 621 292 209 490 662 143 343 542 296 563 641 696 784 203 990 527 148 573 400 675 743 406 915 330 625 521 378 RM790,725.50 625 + 521 + 378 521 + 378 + 625 625 + 378 + 521 378 + 625 + 521 521 + 625 + 378 378 + 521 + 625 dmcGO: All you need is at your fingertips! ‘I feel incredibly blessed’ Wie West set for career finale at Pebble Beach MICHELLE WIE WEST already has left a lasting legacy on the sport of golf. This week, as she prepares for her final event – the US Women’s Open in Pebble Beach – she reflected on her career in the spotlight. “I think that one word comes to mind: Bold,” she said yesterday. “Made a lot of bold choices in my career, and I’m proud of it. I’m proud of being fearless at times and just doing what felt right. “I hope that I inspire a lot of other girls to make bold and fearless decisions and choices in their careers, as well.” Wie West captured her first and only major at the US Women’s Open in 2014, a feat celebrated with fellow champions on Tuesday. At the gathering, Wie West gained a deepened appreciation for those who forged a path to the success enjoyed by today’s women’s golf pros. “Every time you have interactions with the older generation, you just realise that we all have a job because of them,” Wie West said, “because they were our founders, because of the women that came before us, because of all the hard work and things that they did to make the Tour better. “It’s a big reason why our purse is now US$2 million (RM9.3m) this year, and it’s incredible to hear their stories.” As for day-to-day life in the present, Wie West cited her “competitive drive” as one of the more difficult traits to channel. “When you’re a professional athlete, the highs are so high, and the lows are so low,” she said. Now 33, the iconic golfer is married to the son of an icon. Jonnie West, son of Jerry (believed to be the model for the league’s logo), and Wie West exchanged vows in August 2019 and have a daughter, Makenna. She told Golf Channel yesterday that being a mother has been her biggest achievement to date, but her reach extends far beyond her immediate family. Wie West’s influence on young stars includes a special connection with fellow Stanford standout Rose Zhang, though Wie West defers the credit to Zhang. “She’s really done it all on her own,” Wie West said. “I really hope that I can be a sounding board for her. “To all the younger players out here, I’ve told them I’m just a phone call or text away.” Wie West’s in a group with fellow legend Annika Sorenstam of Sweden and threetime major champ In Gee Chun of South Korea. She would like nothing better than to be walking up 18 with the title on the line. “Yeah, I’ve definitely thought about the final walk, and gosh, I hope it’s in the final group with everyone watching,” she said. “That would just be so incredible. “I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting, and incredibly blessed for the journey that I have and the family that I’ve built. It’s just a really cool week to be here.” – Field Level Media Zhang carries momentum into US Women’s Open BLESSED with immense talent to match her considerable humility, Rose Zhang takes aim at the US Women’s Open this week at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, the site of a collegiate highlight. While playing for Stanford in last September’s Carmel Cup, Zhang posted a 63 – a women’s course record. “That week was just a week of pure excitement,” Zhang said. “But that 63 as well, it came as a blur. It was the second round, and I was preparing myself to just be able to hit fairways and greens because that’s what you have to do here.” Taking on the challenging and “tiny” greens, Zhang was on target all day. She received a report on her round from one of the caddies that showed she hit all 18 greens in regulation – a huge boost when playing at Pebble Beach. “So that’s basically what I did,” Zhang said. “I was able to shoot a low number. I was making a lot of great putts. Yeah, it was just a pretty dreamy week.” She carried the momentum into this year, and Zhang’s past three months have been a highlight reel. She dominated college golf, winning the Pac-12, NCAA regional and NCAA individual championships. She won the amateur championship at Augusta National, Mizuho Americas Open and finished tied for eighth at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Now, she is favoured to win the US Women’s Open, which opens today. “It’s just such an honour being the betting favorite,” Zhang told Golf Channel yesterday. “I would have never imagined myself to be in this position starting out last month. But it’s really cool.” This course setup will be a challenge, Zhang said, and different from the layout for the Carmel Cup. Her mental game is also at an advanced stage, and she said preparation can make the obstacles easier to overcome. “I’ve always already put that in my mind that professional golf is going to be very difficult,” she said, “so with that kind of mindset, later on when I actually did come over to the professional world, I already prepared myself for all scenarios of just being able to grind, not having the greatest luck, and that puts me in a position where I can expect everything. “When things come out good, I just roll with it,” she said. – Field Level Media Philipsen wins again as falls steal Tour de France headlines JASPER PHILIPSEN won a second consecutive stage of the Tour de France yesterday as a series of high-speed falls at the Nogaro motorbike racetrack stole the headlines. The Alpecin rider Philipsen finished at a speed over 67kph and took the overall lead in the sprint points battle after pipping Caleb Ewan and Phil Bauhaus. Belgian Philipsen expressed shock at the falls. “I’ve never experienced a finish like that before, those curves are tight and I’m so happy not to have fallen,” said the 25-yearold. His teammate and lead-out man Mathieu van der Poel also spoke out about the choice of placing the finale on a racetrack. “A circuit is not safer than a road. I’m just happy I managed to stay upright and managed to find a gap for Jasper,” he said. “Maybe because it was so boring and slow today the riders were more nervous. The corners were also much more technical than I had expected. “Sadly, it’s a dangerous sport and it’s not always possible to maintain safety,” Philipsen agrees with Van der Poel. Adam Yates retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. He is six seconds ahead of his teammate Tadej Pogacar and seven ahead of his brother Simon Yates. “Today went well, nobody wanted to break away and the sprinters were delighted,” Yates said of the slow pace set by the peloton on a flat stage. American Neilson Powless took the polka dot climb jersey on the July 4 holiday. – AFP Michelle Wie West. – USATODAYPIX

23 SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | JULY 6, 2023 ROGER FEDERER showed he is still king of Centre Court after a special welcome marked his record-breaking achievements at Wimbledon. The 41-year-old was back at the scene of his eight titles for the first time since he retired last September and was celebrated in the Royal Box ahead of the start of play yesterday. Federer, who was fresh from appearing on stage with Coldplay in Zurich over the weekend, received a rapturous standing ovation and was visibly moved before taking his seat next to the Princess of Wales. The celebration did threaten to upstage Elena Rybakina, the defending women’s champion who began her title defence against American Shelby Rogers with a three-set win. He then saw British national treasure Andy Murray begin his bid for an unlikely third Wimbledon title by dispatching home wildcard Ryan Peniston for the loss of four games. But Federer missed Spanish phenomenon Alcaraz on Court One pounding winners past experienced Frenchman Jeremy Chardy that illustrated why he has surged to the top of the rankings and is seeded No. 1. “I’m really happy with the level that I played, with the performance today,” Alcaraz told reporters, although he was not so happy that Federer missed his match. “After the match I was on the phone checking everything, all the stories, all the posts. I saw that Federer was here. I was a little bit jealous.” Federer returned last year to celebrate Centre Court’s centenary but he found things a lot easier this year. “It feels OK now. Last year was hard, because I was still trying to play but struggling with my knee so bad,” he told CNN. “Last year was the 100-year anniversary of Centre Court, and I came back and I got an incredible ovation… I remember saying on court that I hope to see you next year – and I truly meant that. “Funny enough, I don’t miss so much being out on court anymore just because I know the body couldn’t do it. “So I think it’s good that I couldn’t or I can’t, which then lets me watch and follow tennis as a total fan. “I think planning ahead and planning quite far ahead for personal moments with my family and friends, I think that’s what I enjoy the most. “Life’s honestly been good. I didn’t play so much anymore at the end. So actually I feel like the transition was super smooth.” With rain still falling late in the afternoon, play was abandoned on the outside courts with Court Two and Court Three ticket holders and those with ground passes eligible for full refunds after seeing barely an hour of tennis. The only other match played yesterday was local hope Cameron Norrie against Czech Tomas Machac, with the 12th-seeded Briton prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 on Court One. – The Independent/Reuters Fedex back in town Tennis royalty vows Wimbledon crowd on return to Centre Court WORLD NO. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has warned Novak Djokovic he won’t crack under pressure if the title rivals meet in the Wimbledon final. Alcaraz made a confident start to his bid for a first Wimbledon crown as he routed French veteran Jeremy Chardy 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in the first round yesterday. The 20-year-old Spaniard’s emphatic victory underlined his status as the main challenger to reigning champion Djokovic. Alcaraz, who has five titles to his name already this season, is in fine form after winning his maiden grass-court trophy at Queen’s Club last month. But Djokovic remains the man to beat as the Serb chases an eighth Wimbledon title. US Open champion Alcaraz is seeded to meet world No. 2 Djokovic in a blockbuster final at the All England Club. That would be a repeat of last month’s French Open semifinal, which Djokovic won 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 after Alcaraz suffered cramping in the final two sets. Alcaraz is confident there would no repeat of his pressure-induced fitness issues if they clash in the Wimbledon final. “The main reason I had cramp was the tension that I had facing Novak in the semifinal of a Grand Slam. I’m sure the experience is a really important part of that,” he said. “I learned a lot from that match to the next time I’m going to face Novak. It’s going to be different for me. I’m going to deal with the pressure better than I did in the French Open. “I can’t play with that tension. As I said, it’s going to be different the next time. “I’m watching his matches, that’s obvious, but not the whole match. I think he does the same as me. “To win the tournament. That’s the main goal right now for me. I have a lot of confidence.” Alcaraz will face Alexandre Muller in the second round. – AFP Jabeur turns on the style LAST YEAR’S Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur made a solid start to her bid to capture a maiden Grand Slam title as the world No. 6 eased past unseeded Pole Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-3 yesterday to reach the second round. Tunisia’s Jabeur has struggled to build momentum during an injury-hit season and her preparation for the grasscourt major was far from ideal with early losses in Berlin and Eastbourne, but the sixth seed showed her calibre against Frech. “I always feel so great to come back here. Last year I had an amazing run and hopefully this year it will be a little bit better,” said Jabeur, who lost to Elena Rybakina in last year’s final. “I walked into the locker room and there was Elena’s photo with the trophy so that didn’t help at all,” she joked. “But it’s amazing to come back here, just the atmosphere, the grass is so beautiful and I love connecting with nature. “I’m just trying to enjoy my time, enjoy playing tennis, doing some cool drop shots and see what’s going to happen,” said Jabeur. “It reflects my character. I like to joke around a bit,” she said. “I hate routine… I like to entertain the crowd with cool shots, so maybe I’ll keep doing that.” Jabeur will play Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan next. – Reuters Elena Rybakina in action during her first round match against Shelby Rogers during the Wimbledon women’s singles round one yesterday. – REUTERSPIX DEFENDING CHAMPION Elena Rybakina survived a Centre Court scare to reach the Wimbledon second round yesterday, blaming her nervous start partly on the presence of Roger Federer sitting in the royal box. Rybakina saw off Shelby Rogers of the United States 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the first round as retired eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer looked on. “Maybe that’s why I was nervous because actually I really like Roger. When I was younger, I was always watching him play,” she said. “The atmosphere and the attention of being on Centre Court, it’s different than last year, because last year I started on a smaller court. “Straightaway you go to this big court. I think for me it’s now a new chapter and this is something I need to get used to and try to maintain my level.” The 24-year-old Kazakh arrived in London under a cloud after struggling with a virus which saw her suffer an early loss in Berlin before pulling out of Eastbourne. “I’m feeling much better although it wasn’t easy to get back to fitness,” said Rybakina. “I’m happy to get the win and it gives more confidence for the next round.” This year, the All England Club has relaxed its traditionally strict all-white clothing rule for female players to help alleviate period anxiety. “I think it’s good to have an option. But the same time I was also fine with all white,” said Rybakina. “I think changes are good, and we still have the same tradition to be in full white. It’s just maybe a little adjustment. Overall I think it’s good.” Second seed Aryna Sabalenka made short work of Hungary’s Panna Udvardy with a powerful 6-3, 6-1 victory to reach the second round at a rainy Wimbledon yesterday. The Belarusian, unable to play last year because of Wimbledon’s ban on Russians and Belarusians in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, charmed the crowd with some dazzling play. “I didn’t realise how much I missed this place until today,” Sabalenka, who reached the semifinals in 2021, said on court. “This really means a lot for me. It’s really good to be one of the favourites at this great tournament.” – AFP Rybakina survives scare Alcaraz fires warning to Djokovic Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. – AFPPIX

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] MASON MOUNT has confirmed his £60 million (RM348m) transfer to Manchester United with an emotional goodbye to Chelsea on social media. The England midfielder has been with the Blues since 2005 and came through the Cobham academy, but with just a year left on his contract has opted to take up a new challenge at Old Trafford. Mount completed his medical at Carrington on Tuesday ahead of the move, after the two clubs were able to move past the deadlock in negotiations over a transfer fee – with the Red Devils set to pay an initial £55m (RM319m) with a further potential £5m (RM29m) in add-ons, having reportedly signed a five-year contract with the option of a further year. But the 24-year-old first reflected on his time as a Chelsea player, having won the Champions League in 2021 in addition to being named the club’s Player of the Year twice – for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons. In a video via social media addressed to fans, Mount said: “This may not come as a surprise to you but it doesn’t make it any easier to tell you I have made a decision to leave Chelsea. “I feel you deserve more than just a written statement so I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I’ve been for all of your support over the last 18 years. “I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision but it is what’s right for me at this moment of my career. “I joined Chelsea when I was six years old and we’ve been through a lot together, winning the Youth Cup, my Player of the Year awards, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and of course that unforgettable night when we won the Champions League. “I want to say thank you to the academy, Jim and Neil, for being so influential to me from such a young age. The managers I’ve worked under, Frank, Thomas and Graham. The backroom staff, the unsung heroes of Cobham. “All of my teammates over the years that have become my brothers. My family, for the continuous love and support and most importantly you guys, for sticking with me throughout. I wish you all the best.” Mount’s link-up with United boss Erik ten Hag has been five years in the making, as the former Ajax head coach wanted to sign Mount when the midfielder was on loan in the Eredivisie with Vitesse. However, the Dutchman has been made to wait and pay up to £60 million for his man, who is set to line up alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in the heart of United’s midfield next season. Like many in Chelsea’s squad last season, Mount struggled for form, which was compounded by injury issues. In what became a turbulent and fraught campaign for the Blues, which they ended 12th in the Premier League, he was abused by some fans on social media. However, he has few bigger advocates than the man who was his boss on loan at Derby, handed him his Chelsea debut and under whose management he spent the back end of 2022-23. “I’m not going to tell anyone what opinion they should have on football, but if anyone thinks Mason Mount is not already a top-level player then I’m not sure what they’re seeing,” said Frank Lampard in April. “You can ask myself, you can ask Thomas Tuchel, you can ask Gareth Southgate, you can ask Graham Potter. It’s clear he’s a top player and a top lad.” Commenting on the signing, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand said: “Every manager he’s had has been nothing but positive about him, integral to everything they do. “He’s a high-intensity player, everything you’d want from an attacking player in midfield. For that price in today’s market he could turn out to be a very good piece of business.” – Express Newspapers/Agencies or download app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Read iPaper at www.thesundaily.my FREE access Interactive THURSDAY • JULY 6, 2023 RYAN PENISTON wasn’t dreaming but there were moments on Centre Court when it must have felt like he was. Not only was the 27-year-old British wildcard facing his childhood hero Andy Murray on the second day of Wimbledon, but Roger Federer was in the first row, sitting next to Kate Middleton. It was quite the sight: the king of Wimbledon and the future Queen, sharing jokes and engaging in almost constant conversation, the best of friends. Afterwards, Federer gave Murray’s 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 victory a royal seal of approval. This was an impressively straight-forward afternoon for Murray, a welcome opener to shake off any nerves and loosen the limbs ahead of the sterner tests to come, but for Peniston this was a day he will never forget. Peniston was 17 when Murray won Wimbledon 10 years ago and undoubtedly would have played out this fantasy countless times growing up in Essex. Add in a legend of the sport and the Princess of Wales and it was like being transported into a different world. To his credit, Peniston began and played as if there was a dream to be realised. Like a third-round FA Cup tie between Premier League and non-league opposition, there was an opening spell that carried intrigue as Peniston started hot and shot for the lines with nothing to lose. Murray, though, barely flinched: back for his 15th Wimbledon, he had seen all of this before. Playing in front of the Royal Box does not phase him: Federer is a former competitor and now friend, while Murray’s own legend at Wimbledon means he is just as revered in the eyes of the people. One day, he will be just as deserving of a place alongside the Princess. But for Murray routine wins in grand slams have been few and far between since returning from surgery, and being clinical enough to complete this opening match with only two hours of play in the legs is a major positive. Despite a shaky start, Murray quickly found his footing and never really looked back. He kept his foot on the gas throughout, particularly in the second and third set. The 36-year-old admitted he took a “ruthless” approach to the match when he began to find his groove. “I didn’t start the match how I would have liked,” he said. “It’s always different conditions playing under the roof. “Especially when you consider last few days have been quite cool, pretty breezy outdoors, then playing in those conditions is a bit different. “But yeah, as the match went on, unforced errors, I cut them out. I was pretty ruthless at the beginning of the second and third sets. “There was no sort of dip in intensity or anything. I got ahead early in those sets, did well. So I was pleased with everything, apart from the beginning.” This was Murray’s most commanding win at Wimbledon since a 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 victory over Slovenia’s Blaz Rola in 2014. The Scot, traditionally a marathon man, said he was glad to have a shorter match for once. “Any time you get the chance to finish a match quickly and can conserve some energy is a really positive thing. “It’s not necessarily confidence that I gain from it – it just means that hopefully the deeper I go in the tournament the fresher I will be.” The crowd tried to lift the spirits of 268thranked Peniston, along with the occasional shout of “Come on, Roger” in a nod to eighttime champion Federer, smiling whenever it happened. On Centre Court’s VIP guests, a smiling Peniston added: “It was surreal looking up in the box and seeing them watching. “It’s impossible not to have pressure when you have a legend like Roger Federer sitting there. But, no, it’s super cool.” – The Independent/Express Newspapers/Agencies Goodbye Blues Mount confirms Man Utd transfer with emotional Chelsea farewell post Mason ount Murray earns royal approval to begin Wimbledon in clinical style Andy Murray waves as he leaves Centre Court following his men’s singles tennis match against Ryan Peniston (inset) on the second day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club yesterday. – AFPPIX