THE SUN DAILY 4 JULAI 2022 ISNIN

INSIDE

TELLING IT AS IT IS Money Alternative

troubles for page medicine gaining page
youth: Experts acceptance
3 4

ON MONDAY JULY 4, 2022

No. 8058 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my

VINTAGE ATTRACTION ...

Visitors to the Art of Speed Malaysia 2022
taking a wefie in front of a vintage car
yesterday. The two-day event, held at the
Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang,
was supported by Tourism Malaysia.
– HAFIZ SOHAIMI/THESUN

Unaffordable
█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI oHigh house price-to-income ratio key
[email protected] factor preventing young Malaysians
from making purchase decisions
PETALING JAYA: The high price-
to-income ratio has put owning a complements the National Affordable Home scheme introduced in 2018.
house beyond the reach of many Housing Policy. “Buyers under that scheme only
young Malaysians. needed to finance 20% of the house
Research groups say the ratio, which is “Each unit has three bedrooms, two price, with the balance 80% coming
the standard of measurement for housing bathrooms and two parking lots, along from participating institutions or
affordability, is a key reason for the current with a comfortable built-up area of 1,000 investing entities.
state of affairs. sq ft and is priced at only RM232,000. “This represents a kind of a rental
arrangement, except that it (the
Think tank Emir Research head of “In Johor, Malaysia Pacific Corporation rent payment) is loaded upfront.”
social, law and human rights Jason S.W. Bhd and Real Trend Development Sdn Meanwhile, Khazanah
Loh said the present price-to-income ratio Bhd will jointly develop the Rumah Research Institute research
was around 4.5 to five times (or six times in Mampu Milik Johor scheme in three associates Puteri Marjan Megat
some sub-cases). phases. Muzafar and Theebalakshmi
Kunasekaran believe
“A price-to-income ratio of 4.1 times “With a gross development value of deteriorating housing
and above is considered ‘seriously RM85.5 million, the project will feature 570 affordability stemmed partly from
unaffordable’ based on the Median affordable homes,” he said. the unresponsiveness of housing
Multiple method recommended by the supply to effective demand.
World Bank and the United Nations. In Penang, the state government has “To put it into perspective, newly
approved 76,365 units of affordable houses launched housing units that are
“In 2020, the median house price was at (Rumah Mampu Milik), including priced below RM200,000 made up
RM295,000 and median annual household low-cost housing. more than 50% of the market in 2009, but
income was RM62,508. Our house price- that price segment has
to-income ratio was at 4.72 times that year. Loh suggested the government decreased to less than 20% in
consider rent-to-own (RTO) schemes. 2020. In contrast, houses Turn to
“Affordability is tied to the widening above RM500,000 made up
price-to-income ratio (i.e. from the However, he noted RTO schemes by the around 25% of total new —
perspective of the buyer),” he explained. private sector could lead to a financing
model that would still not address the page 3
Loh said there was a failure to build widening price-to-income ratio.
enough affordable houses priced at launches in 2020.”
RM300,000 and below, even though it can “Under an RTO scheme by the private
be done. sector, it could be speculated that the
financial inducements could take the form
“Only recently, the State Development of something similar to the Fund My
Corporation of Selangor completed the
handover of the Residensi Idaman
Selangorku affordable housing project in
Cyberjaya. This affordable housing project

2 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Three ministers Subsidised civil servant
among PN liaison housing units offered for rent
body chiefs
█ BY IMAN MUTTAQIN o Ministers says no law against it for PPAM Chang said the government
KOTA BARU: Three Cabinet ministers [email protected] properties, but practice prohibited under needs to conduct door-to-door spot
are among those who have been PETALING JAYA: Some 29 property PR1MA scheme checks to verify that occupants of
appointed as Kelantan Perikatan units under the Malaysian Civil PPAM and PR1MA houses are the
Nasional (PN) liaison body chiefs for Servants Housing (PPAM) would be rented to third parties. complaint, we will issue a warning intended ones.
13 parliamentary constituencies. programme and 31 units under He said there was no specific law letter to the property owner.”
1Malaysia People’s Housing “Stern action must be taken
They are Minister of Energy and Programme (PR1MA) in Kuala that prevents PPAM homeowners However, National House Buyers against owners who abuse the
Natural Resources Datuk Seri Lumpur are up for rent, ranging from renting out their houses. Association (HBA) honorary scheme. This includes imposing
Takiyuddin Hassan, who is also from RM800 to RM2,000 monthly. secretary-general Datuk Chang Kim hefty fines or confiscating the units
member of Parliament for Kota Baru, “Article 13 of the Federal Loong said it was previously and offering them to more
Education Senior Minister Datuk Dr The properties are listed on Constitution (Right to Property) common to hear complaints that deserving parties.”
Radzi Jidin (Ketereh) and Minister in Mudah.my, an online marketplace states rental is allowed. But under a low-cost flats under People’s
the Prime Minister’s Department to buy and sell a variety of products 10-year moratorium for PPAM, Housing Projects (PPR) were rented He suggested heavily subsidised
(Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa and services in Malaysia, including homeowners are not allowed to sell to other parties, especially foreign housing schemes such as PPR and
Mohamed (Jeli). renting of properties. their properties without workers. selected PPAM and PR1MA
government approval,” he added. initiatives should not be sold but
Also appointed were Kelantan Housing and Local Government “It is disheartening to hear this rented instead.
Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican A PR1MA spokesman said there has now extended to housing
Amar Nik Abdullah, who is also PAS Naina Merican told theSun the is a five-year moratorium under the schemes such as PR1MA and also “Use these houses as a ‘transit
vice-president, for the Pengkalan majority of civil servants live in their programme, during which property PPAM, which is meant to assist civil home’ where the occupants can
Chepa parliamentary constituency, PPAM houses. owners cannot sell or transfer their servants to own properties. stay at subsidised rental charges.
and Deputy Defence Minister Datuk units to a third party without Then, they can build their savings to
Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah “Those who rent out their house approval. The houses must be “HBA has previously called on buy a property or move to a better
Merah). may have reasons. For example, a owner-occupied and no sub-letting the government to crack down on location when their economic
civil servant may be stationed in is allowed either. those who took advantage of such conditions improved,” he added.
PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Putrajaya and after a few years, he is social housing schemes. It should
Hamzah Zainudin said PN transferred to Pahang, Perlis or even “The owner must make an check on those who abuse the “This would ensure there are
parliamentary liaison body chiefs Sabah or Sarawak. official request before he rents his benefits.” sufficient ‘transit homes’ to cater to
were appointed by coalition chairman unit. If PR1MA receives a (other parties). If heavily subsidised
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. “In some cases, he needs to housing schemes are allowed to be
serve abroad,” he said, adding that sold, they could end up in the hands
“Meanwhile, the appointment of to keep the house occupied, it of undeserving individuals who will
PN liaison body chief for the Tumpat only rent them for profit.”
parliamentary constituency will
be finalised and announced in the
near future,” he said yesterday.
– Bernama

BN to use ‘heavyweights’ strategy Govt will look after
people, says PM
SABAK BERNAM: Umno will Zahid Hamidi. Earlier, Selangor Umno Minister Tengku Zafrul
identify Barisan Nasional He said fielding such liaison committee chairman Tengku Abdul Aziz as one
(BN) “heavyweights”, Tan Sri Noh Omar said he of them.
including those in the candidates would be among welcomed heavyweight
Cabinet, to contest in BN strategies in Selangor. candidates or those in the Noh described Tengku PASIR SALAK: The administration is a
Selangor in the 15th general Cabinet to contest for Zafrul as among the young government will look into government that will
election (GE15), said its “We are confident that it is parliamentary seats in figures who has the potential ways to address the rising provide assistance, either in
president Datuk Seri Ahmad the right move. We will Selangor and named Finance to be highlighted and made an prices of goods and will not terms of materials or
identify the candidates,” he icon in the state. – Bernama let the people suffer, said support, in nurturing the
said yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri spirit of unity in finding
Ismail Sabri Yaakob. common ground in
“(Under) the previous diversity.
government, the people On another matter, he
struggled. But we are said he was satisfied with
looking for ways so that the the development and
people are not burdened. progress of Perak, as various
“The government programmes have planned
provides subsidies of for the state.
RM77.7 billion, namely for “I am happy when the
chicken, fuel, electricity, state government has
eggs, cooking oil and water. strengthened its tourism
We take short, medium and industry by branding
long term actions to ensure Pangkor as a marine tourism
the people are not burdened destination through the
with the increase,” he said Pangkor International
yesterday. Marine Tourism Conference.
According to Finance “Apart from that, there
Minister Tengku Zafrul are 93 new and extension
Abdul Aziz, the projects for the
government’s projected development of schools and
expenditure of RM77.3 educational institutions in
billion for consumption Perak.”
subsidies in 2022 is the Ismail Sabri said the
highest ever borne by the Human Resources Ministry,
government. through the Social Security
The subsidies covered Organisation, is developing
petrol, diesel, liquefied the National Neuro Robotics
petroleum gas (RM37.3 and Cybernetics
billion), cooking oil (RM4 Rehabilitation Centre in
billion), flour and electricity Bandar Meru Raya,
as well as subsidy bills involving a cost of RM654
(RM9.7 billion), excluding million, making Perak the
AROMATIC DRAW ... Visitors to The Curve in Mutiara Damansara yesterday enjoying beverages at a ‘Coffee Carnival’ that featured an other welfare assistance. only state to offer such a
assortment of blends and brewing equipment. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN Ismail Sabri said his robotics facility. – Bernama

RM6m sports complex for Kelantan

KOTA BARU: A RM6 million multi- “All games and art performances of Parliament, said the complex “This is part of our efforts to went to Sarawak, there was the
purpose complex with a digital sports will be improved and presented in would be the first of its kind in the preserve Kelantan’s heritage. (The Sarawak Cultural Village and many
entertainment concept worth will be digital elements, with high-tech country. complex) will not only have martial other places that I went, they have
built in Ketereh, Kelantan. lighting and sound system,” he said arts courts, but also batik and their (cultural and arts) centres.
after a prize presentation and closing “After we have done the design handicraft as an attraction,” he said,
Communications and Multimedia ceremony for the RTM Kelantan Seni work, I will discuss it with state adding that the structure would be “Kelantan is unique and we need
Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said Silat (Malay art of self-defence) Culture, Tourism and Heritage developed in stages. to take the initiative to do the same
negotiations were in the final stage on competition on Saturday. Committee chairman Datuk Md through sponsorship and
the purchase of a 23ha site, worth Anizam Ab Rahman to get input from “This will be something that involvement of non-governmental
RM10 million. Annuar, who is Ketereh member silat-related associations. Kelantan can be proud of. When I organisations,” he added. – Bernama

3theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Plugging leaks in Mustapa checking on a stall at the
cooking oil supply Tunjong Rural Transformation Centre
during his visit yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX
KOTA BARU: The government
views seriously the problem of
leakage in the supply of subsidised
cooking oil that is said to be due to,
among others, smuggling to
neighbouring countries, said
Minister in the Prime Minister’s
Department (Economy) Datuk Seri
Mustapa Mohamed.

He said his office took a serious
view of the matter, with a shortage of
the commodity affecting supply in
the country.

“We held discussions with
various parties to obtain clearer
information on the issue, including
with the Domestic Trade and
Consumer Affairs Ministry.

“We want to know how serious
the matter is because the
government provides subsidies for
locals to enjoy, but it is enjoyed by
foreigners... this should not
happen,” he said after checking
prices of daily necessities and goods
at the Tunjong Rural
Transformation Centre yesterday.

Mustapa, who is also a member
of the “Jihad Tangani Inflasi” (Jihad
on Addressing Inflation) special task
force, said the team would focus on
two main issues, namely shortage of
subsidised cooking oil and the
rising prices of essential goods.
– Bernama

Money troubles for youth Price hikes outpaced
income growth

oLack of financial literacy, above-means lifestyle if they have a positive or negative cash flow on “The growth of house prices has also
trapping many in debt: Experts a monthly or annual basis, and then look for outpaced the growth of household
ways to improve it.” incomes. For example, between 2012 and
2014, the median house price
Customer service executive Angela George increased at a compound
Varughese, 25, said her monthly expenses annual growth rate (CAGR)
█ BY SIVAA TANGAI RAJU working adults should look for ways to cut exceeds what she earns, especially after the From of 26% from RM170,000 to
[email protected] expenses rather than blame the country’s prices of essential goods and other household front RM270,000,” said Puteri
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian youths are in a economic situation, since the government is items rose. page Marjan.
bind over the rising cost of living and a lack of doing its best to help the people.
financial literacy, said financial experts. She said it was difficult to save money Theebalakshmi added:
He urged those who were in debt to unless the government addresses the issue of “During the same period,
Licensed financial planner Marshall Wong prioritise their needs and repay their price increases so that people can afford to median household income grew
said young adults should consider employing installments as soon as possible rather than buy more things and eventually save some significantly slower at a CAGR of 12.4%, or
proper financial management advisors to increase their debt exposure. money. less than half of the rate of increase in
help them to be more prudent and track their house prices.”
expenditure, instead of spending blindly. On household debts, he said the easy “It’s not only difficult to save but it’s almost The mismatch in demand and supply is
access to credit, such as personal loans and impossible to survive under the current partly contributed by a lack of data that
He said while youths understand the value installment plans, was the primary reason economic conditions where the prices of assists in analysing the housing market in a
of saving money, their desire to live a most families fall into debt. goods have increased. We understand that the particular area.
luxurious lifestyle overrides it. Russia-Ukraine war has caused a rise in prices “To overcome the housing market
“We have youngsters at both ends of the of chicken, but we are still puzzled why other mismatch, feasibility studies should be
“Knowing how your money is spent is an spectrum, known as savers and spenders, and items have gone up too. Even car wash conducted by developers to ensure houses
important step. In this case, an expense those in between. But some have higher operators have increased their prices. The are built at the appropriate prices and
tracker would be their best friend, but most incomes and lower borrowings (loans) while government has to control this,” she added. building standards.
young adults do not have the habit of tracking the rest suffer with insufficient salaries and “We propose the establishment of a
their expenses. higher commitments. “Youths are forced to take loans just to centralised housing database that must
survive with a basic lifestyle. How is their encompass both demand and supply that is
“Firstly, they need to sort their expenses “So, we can’t brand anyone as a saver or savings going to help when salaries are too comprehensive and at an appropriate
from the largest to the smallest and go spender, but we need to encourage everyone low? Almost everyone is finding it difficult to spatial level,” Theebalakshmi added.
through it line-by-line. Then, ask themselves to save based on what they can afford now, live in Malaysia.”
if there is something that can be reduced or and slowly increase it as their salaries grow,” Muda keen to
removed entirely,” he added. he said. Senior executive Nabilah Saidatul Mohd contest in Perak
Sahizan, 29, said salary increments will
“They know the importance of savings, but “People should consider cooking at home definitely ease the burden of many workers. IPOH: The Malaysian United Democratic
they usually save for vacations, marriage or instead of eating outside. I advise them to buy Alliance (Muda) is eyeing the opportunity to
the purchase of big-ticket items such as a second-hand products that will be cheaper “Income is not growing in tandem with the contest the parliamentary and state seats in
down payment for a vehicle or property.” compared with new items. cost of living. For example, cooking oil prices Perak in the 15th general election (GE15).
have increased by 40% while annual salary
Another financial expert, Felix Neoh, said “To prevent household debt, people need increment is approximately 5%. This makes it Perak Muda chairman Mutalib Uthman
to know their financial position and recognise near impossible for anyone to save,” she said. said his party was targeting parliamentary and
state seats that could be won, but declined to
Ismail Sabri closes Malaysian Family event reveal the number of seats that the party
would contest.
PASIR SALAK: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Datuk Mastura Mohd Yaziz, who is also Kuala “The Keluarga Malaysia concept is very
Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday closed the Kangsar MP, and Deputy Education Minister important to unite us all, regardless of “Muda wants to contest (in GE15) and the
Perak Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon. differences in religious and and political target is to win, not just to kill time,” he said
(AKM) event at the Datuk Sagor Circuit in beliefs, to work together to face it.” while attending a Perak Muda mobile
Kampung Gajah. The state-level AKM tour, which was campaign programme at Memory Lane Ipoh
inspired by Ismail Sabri and started last He said now was not the time to point yesterday.
He arrived at the venue at about 11.30am Friday, was a continuation of the 100-Day fingers, but for all quarters to pool resources
and was welcomed by Perak Mentri Besar AKM programme at the Kuala Lumpur to face the challenges and further drive the Mutalib said his party was actively
Perak Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Pasir Convention Centre from Dec 9 to 12 last year. Malaysian economy. implementing a campaign in all 24
Salak member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri parliamentary constituencies in the state,
Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who were In his speech, Ismail Sabri said today’s He aslo said the Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga adding that the programme will be conducted
accompanied by 30 members of the challenges, including the changing global Malaysia, which has been held in Johor, face-to-face in public areas such as farmers’
Kampung Gajah Kompang Association. economic scenario, could not be addressed Perlis, Sabah and Terengganu, received markets and recreational areas as well as
by the government alone and required the encouraging response, adding that the tour door-to-door and online. – Bernama
Also present were Chief Secretary to the implementation of proactive measures benefited Keluarga Malaysia because they
Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Perak through the modification of certain policies. were given the opportunity to provide
State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul feedback that could help improve the
Rahim, Deputy Minister in the Prime “I’m hoping for Keluarga Malaysia to be services of ministries and government
Minister’s Department (Special Functions) the ‘eyes and ears’ of the government in agencies. – Bernama
ensuring that there is no subsidy leakage.

4 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Kenyir TNB power station back in operation

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Tenaga The station was forced to shut The commissioning of the power on by the pandemic and further which is expected to start operating
Nasional Bhd (TNB) Sultan Mahmud down on Feb 27 after a landslide station’s unit one and two from the worsened by the Russian-Ukraine in 2027.”
Power Station in Kenyir, Hulu occurred following unusually heavy National Load Dispatch Centre at the conflict.
Terengganu is back in operation to rains in Hulu Terengganu, Bernama TNB headquarters in Bangsar was He added that the station
strengthen the national grid, as all reported. officiated by Baharin on June 19. “With the station restored, TNB’s succeeded in rechannelling
four of its power units have resumed green energy generation is electricity supply to the National
operations three months earlier than It was fully operational again on Baharin said the amount of strengthened through three Grid system earlier due to efforts of
planned. June 26. energy generated by hydro could hydroelectric schemes, namely Hulu employees from various TNB
save fuel costs of about RM463 Terengganu hydroelectric scheme in divisions and government agencies
TNB president and chief executive “We hope that the four power million a year compared with the use Terengganu, Cameron Highlands in including the Armed Forces, Civil
officer Datuk Baharin Din said the units will run smoothly and the of coal as fuel. Pahang and Sungai Perak in Perak. Defence Force, Fire and Rescue
four power units with a capacity of green energy will continue to provide Department, Public Works
100 megawatts (MW) each began reliable power supplies to the “This comes following the “TNB is also developing a fourth Department and Kuala Berang
operating in phases from June 19. people,” he said in a statement extraordinary increase in prices as a hydroelectric scheme in Nenggiri, District and Land Office.
yesterday. result of the global fuel crisis brought Kelantan with a capacity of 300MW,

‘Report mosque Alternative medicine “(The shift) in interest in T&CM
mismanagement gaining acceptance can be attributed to our
to Jaim’ multicultural nation, where each has
its own traditional medicine. It is
MALACCA: Individuals or parties part of our lifestyle,” he said.
who are dissatisfied with the
management of mosques and surau, Ayurvedic medicine coach
including suspected Shameny Raj said based on her
misappropriation of the institutions’ observations, some young
funds, can channel complaints or lot of ground for practitioners to practitioners, such as chiropractors,
information to the Malacca Islamic o With government support and WHO cover, that includes creating have added “a sense of
Religious Department (Jaim) for recognition, practitioners can create awareness on its benefits. Previously, professionalism” in their work. This
further action. awareness on T&CM benefits, says expert T&CM wasn’t seen as a popular form includes wearing uniform and how
Its director, Datuk Che Sukri Che of medicine. they present themselves to the
Mat, said the matter could be resolved public,” she said.
at the Jaim level as immediate action “However, efforts to integrate
would be taken in accordance with T&CM in the healthcare system are Shameny, who is also a chakra
the law, without having to go through █ BY ELLY FAZANIZA and formally register if they wished paying off. healer, said the reason behind the
the Malaysian Anti-Corruption [email protected] to practise in any T&CM area. interest in traditional medicine is
Commission (MACC). PETALING JAYA: There is a growing “The Health Ministry is in its that people have become aware of
“Jaim noted that the MACC interest in the country to try Additionally, a memorandum of second phase until 2024 in the side effects of using conventional
received various complaints through alternative medicine as a means of understanding signed in March registering practitioners in seven medicine. “It (conventional
poison-pen letters regarding healing various ailments, thanks to between Malaysia and China put areas, which include traditional medicine) can also be expensive,”
allegations of dissatisfaction over government efforts over the past 20 another feather in T&CM’s cap when Indian medicine, traditional Malay she said.
mosque management and misuse of years, to include traditional and it approved the use of traditional medicine, traditional Chinese
funds. However, there has been no complementary medicine (T&CM) medicine to complement the medicine, Islamic medical practice, The rise in the public’s spiritual
claims of misappropriation of funds in its national healthcare system. conventional medical system. homeopathy, chiropractic and consciousness, which extends to
in Malacca. osteopathy,” said Kong. their change in diet, such as eating
“Jaim always monitors the Healthcare journal BMC Health T&CM practitioner Dr Kong Why more vegetables or becoming a strict
management of state mosques and Services Research noted that Hong said the World Health The Malaysian Chinese Medical vegetarian, has made traditional
our officers will not hesitate to take Malaysia had marked a historic Organisation (WHO) had Association general secretary, who medicine more acceptable.
action if they detect elements of milestone on March 1 last year, recognised T&CM and encouraged represents about 10,000 members
misconduct or corruption,” he said. when practitioners were told to its member states to integrate it with nationwide, said the seven areas are She said ayurvedic treatment can
– Bernama provide recognised qualifications, the practice of Western medicine. recognised under the T&CM Act. A be used for chronic conditions such
fresh graduate can earn a minimum as arthritis, eczema and
“The government’s support and salary of between RM2,500 and gastroesophageal reflux disease, a
WHO’s recognition means there is a RM3,000 a month. digestive disorder that affects the
ring of muscle between the
oesophagus and stomach.

However, it is less suitable for
acute illnesses.

Pilgrims undergo OLD CHARM
stringent health ... George Town’s
checks: TH 19th-century
buildings are still
MAKKAH: Lembaga Tabung Haji a tourist draw for
(TH) yesterday said all prospective local and foreign
Malaysian haj pilgrims have visitors to
undergone stringent health checks Penang. The
before leaving for the Holy Land. town will
celebrate its 14th
Malaysian haj delegation head anniversary of
Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Abdul Rahman being
said each prospective pilgrim is also recognised as a
required to be examined by World Heritage
authorised doctors and clinics. Efforts Site by Unesco
are being carried out with the Health on Thursday.
Ministry to ensure that all prospective – BERNAMAPIX
pilgrims have good health and meet
requirements set by the Saudi Arabian
government, he added.

He also said health examination is
one of the proactive steps taken by TH
to ensure that all pilgrims stay
healthy, adding that conditions that
needed attention were respiratory
and skin problems as well as muscle
cramps.

So far no dangerous diseases have
been detected. – Bernama

Malaysian Family Aspirations Tour lifts spirits of underprivileged

PASIR SALAK: The hardship of five family, said the passing of their which received assistance from support my husband who is a person said the mother of four.
siblings after being abandoned by mother, who had been the pillar of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail with disabilities,” she added. Maziana described the
their father, followed by the death of the family, left them living in misery, Sabri Yaakob at the closing of the
their mother from Covid-19, has with the need to be self-reliant and Perak edition of the Malaysia Family Meanwhile, single mother contribution as rezeki (good fortune)
caught the attention of the Malaysian seek new source of income. Aspirations Tour yesterday. Maziana Zakaria, 43, said the for her children after they lost their
Family Foundation, which feted She said the RM3,000 financial aid RM5,000 aid that she received would father in a road accidenty last year.
them at the Malaysian Family “We were desperate as we had lost would be used to buy a laptop for her be invested for her 10-year-old son
Aspirations Tour at Litar Dato’ Sagor our sole breadwinner. I have to take younger brother Muhammad Syaiman Samsul Nurul Iman Zinun, 12, who lost
here. care of my siblings, the youngest S. Dharchanamoortmyra, 11. Kamal’s future. her mother to Covid-19 last
being 10,” she told Bernama. “I am truly grateful. I also have to September, expressed happiness at
C. Cristina, 30, the eldest in the “I will use the money to pay for his receiving a RM6,500 one-off
Cristina’s is one of the families university fees and for his savings,” contribution from the foundation.

Illegal budget hotels edging 5theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
out licensed operators NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

o Legitimate establishments being forced out of business at budget hotels and having to pay a tourist tax, 13 nabbed in diesel
as unregistered entities do not need to pay taxes which can put off those who just want to enjoy smuggling raid
their holiday.
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH complain about slow or bad service as they KOTA TINGGI: Police arrested 13 men on
[email protected] would hardly see any staff to get assistance if “Those staying at unlicensed places do not suspicion of being involved in diesel
PETALING JAYA: Unlicensed tourist required. This creates a bad impression of the face such issues. They feel safer, more relaxed smuggling activities and seized 138,000 litres
accommodation providers are getting away destination and the hotel itself. and only have to worry about insurance of the fuel in a raid at a premises at Sungai
with a lack of government monitoring, while coverage. Bauk in Tanjung Belungkor on Friday.
more budget hotels may have to close down “Despite the higher minimum wage,
due to rising operating costs and falling room workers are reluctant to work in the industry. “The biggest issue facing MyBHA members Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman
prices, said Malaysia Budget and Business They can calculate how much a budget hotel is that more tourists are choosing to stay at Mamat said all the individuals, comprising
Hotel Association (MyBHA) president Dr Sri makes based on its occupancy. They can also such places even though budget hotel prices four locals and nine foreign nationals aged
Ganesh Michiel. calculate the cost of operating the hotel, which are very affordable.” between 18 and 62, were nabbed at 11pm
includes salaries and other bills. If workers durng an operation called Op Bersepadu
He was commenting on the government’s believe it is not making enough to sustain He said budget hotels need help or more of Kontraban.
alleged failure to address issues such as high itself, they will leave for jobs in other industries them will have to close down. He claimed in
rentals, minimum wage and electricity bills as that offer better job security.” today’s environment, unlicensed premises He said the modus operandi of the
the budget hotel industry was just beginning promoting budget accommodation are getting syndicate was to purchase diesel around the
to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 He said no one can blame the workers for away with it as no action is being taken against state before selling it locally and
pandemic. being choosy, but the government must find them. internationally, including to foreign
ways to help MyBHA before it becomes a merchant ships, at about RM3.50 per litre.
“The Tourism Ministry is doing a great job major problem. “It (seems) better to operate an unlicensed
of promoting various destinations and business than to have a properly licensed one “The smugglers conducted their activities
attracting tourists. Ganesh said even with budget hotel prices that is governed by law and paying taxes and every three days, selling diesel on the black
being low, tourists prefer to stay in an AirBnB other expenses. Operating an unlicensed market at a higher price.
“When tourists check-in, they may or other short-term stay accommodation business seems to be more profitable.
because of raids conducted by the authorities “The syndicate was uncovered a month
“Budget hotels play a crucial role of ago, the premises that was raided was a
ensuring there are cheap rooms at tourist transit point used to smuggle out subsidised
destinations. But if unlicensed businesses are diesel,” he said yesterday.
allowed to continue operating, how will
licensed budget hotels ever survive?” Kamarul Zaman added that police also
seized a foreign tanker, four cargo tanks, four
Integrity programme to fight corruption fuel suction pumps, two generators and
diesel worth RM386,400.
KUCHING: The Malaysian Institute of Integrity Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Henry local community integrity buildng.
(lIM), in collaboration with the Sarawak Sum Agong, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak The programme would help in finding Police also impounded a car. The total
government, has implemented the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and value of the seized items is estimated to be at
Community Integrity Building (CIB) Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya and IIM appropriate solutions to enhance integrity in least RM14.4 million.
programme as a way to create a culture of high chief executive officer Datuk Wan Suraya Wan the delivery of public services, especially by
integrity and anti-corruption governance. Mohd Radzi were also present at the event. local authorities and government-linked Kamarul Zaman said one of the suspects
service providers to local communities. has a criminal record, adding that the case is
IIM said the CIB initiative would make a “Among the instruments and systems that being investigated under Section 21 of the
positive impact on the local community, have been adopted by several agencies in the The programme will be adopted for a start Control of Supply Act 1961.– Bernama
especially in strengthening the efficiency of state are the Anti-Bribery Management by the Kuching North City Hall, Sibu Municipal
public service delivery, as well as providing a System, Corruption Risk Management, Council, Limbang District Council and Passenger killed in
more inclusive monitoring system in terms of Organisation Anti-Corruption Plan, Ethics and Matu-Daro district councils. three-car crash
integrity and governance. Integrity Programme and the latest is CIB.”
“The programme is a continuation of the BUTTERWORTH: A 29-year-old man was
The programme was launched by Sarawak The pilot programme was developed by CIB 1.0 implemented in 2016, involving the killed, while his friend was severely injured
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang IIM, together with the State Integrity and Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Malacca after the car they were travelling in crashed
Tengah Ali Hasan in Lawas yesterday. Ombudsman Unit, as a holistic approach to Historic City Council and Hulu Terengganu into two vehicles in Jalan Raja Uda on
District Council.” – Bernama Saturday.

The car that was on display at the autoshow in Serdang. – SUNPIX North Seberang Perai district police chief
ACP Mohd Radzi Ahmad said in the 12.15am
Man held for displaying ‘police car’ at autoshow incident, the deceased, who was sitting in
the front passenger seat, died while receiving
PETALING JAYA: A 45-year-man was arrested exhibition called Art of Speed at the Malaysia police arrested the owner of the vehicle, who treatment at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.
after he displayed a vehicle fashioned to look Agro Exposition Park Serdang. had a car accessories booth at the exhibition.
like a police patrol car at an automobile show He said in a statement yesterday the
in Serdang on Saturday. Sepang police chief ACP Wan Kamarul The “police car” was impounded. deceased’s friend, in his 20s, who was in the
Azran Wan Yusof said federal police viewed a He said the suspect was freed on bail hours rear seat, is in critical condition and is
Except for the absence of beacon lights, the 13-second video on Tik Tok that showed the after his statement was recorded, adding that receiving treatment at the same hospital,
vehicle was painted and fitted with police logos “patrol car” being unloaded from a vehicle the case is being investigated under Section 89 while the driver of the car, also in his 20s,
identical to that of a real police patrol car. transporter at the venue. of the Police Act 1967 for unlawful possession sustained minor injuries,
of police equipment. – By Charles Ramendran
It was displayed at the two-day automobile He said at about 10.30pm on Saturday, He added that the crash is believed to
have occurred when the car the victims were
in made a right turn and collided with
another car that was coming from the
opposite direction.

“The impact caused the victims’ car to
swerve and crash into another car, which
was on the side of the road. The drivers of the
other cars sustained only minor injuries,”
he said.

He added that the case is being
investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road
Transport Act 1987. – Bernama

Father, son drown
while cleaning pond

KUALA LUMPUR: An excessive load of lotus
leaves is believed to have caused a boat to
capsize, resulting in a father and son
drowning at a pond in Taman Cahaya Sungai
Chua in Kajang on Saturday.

Kajang district police chief ACP Mohd
Zaid Hassan said the overloaded boat was
difficult to control and it overturned.

In the 2pm incident, the boat, which
Mohd Adnan Johdi, 50 and his two sons,
Hakimi, 15 and Mohamad Mustaqkim,17
were in, capsized while they were cleaning
the pond.

Mohamad Mustaqkim survived.
“The victims had been clearing lotus
leaves in the pond since morning when the
incident occurred.”
He said the case was classified as sudden
death and urged witnesses to contact
investigating officer Sgt Ariffin at the Kajang
police station.
Mohd Adnan’s body was found at 5.12pm
while Hakimi’s body was discovered at
6.56pm. – Bernama

6 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022 READ OUR HERE SCAN
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS ME
/thesundaily

Thai officials find ‘Balloons from South experts were sceptical.
109 live animals Korea caused Covid’ In July 2020, North Korean leader
in duo’s luggage
o Pyongyang says wave of infections began and a group of fevered persons Kim Jong-un had imposed a
BANGKOK: Two Indian women after patients touched ’alien things’ near border emerged in the area … for the first three-week lockdown on Kaesong
were arrested last week after time,” it said. town near the inter-Korean border
arriving at a Thai airport with 109 PYONGYANG: North Korea last week with some unidentified materials “in after a man who defected to South
live animals, including tried to blame Seoul for its Covid-19 a hill around barracks and residential Health authorities in the hermit Korea in 2017 returned to the city
porcupines, turtles and outbreak by alleging that the wave of quarters” in the eastern county of kingdom have been using fever as an with symptoms of Covid.
chameleons, in their luggage. infections began after patients Kumgang in early April showed euphemism for Covid-19.
touched “alien things” near the symptoms and later tested positive North Korean defectors and
Customs officials at border with South Korea. for the coronavirus, KCNA state news KCNA said all other fever cases activists in South Korea have for
Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok agency reported. reported in the country until decades flown balloons carrying
searched the women after an Pyongyang urged people to mid-April were due to other diseases leaflets and humanitarian aid across
X-ray raised concern over the “vigilantly deal with alien things “The investigation results showed but it did not elaborate. the heavily-fortified border.
contents of their bags. coming by wind and other climate that several persons coming from the
phenomena and balloons in the area of Ipho-ri in Kumgang county of The isolated nation shut down its The previous government in
Authorities said what they found areas along the demarcation line and Kangwon province to the capital city borders at the onset of the pandemic Seoul, under Moon Jae-in, had barred
put the pair in breach of animal borders”. in mid-April (had a) fever and a in 2020 but only publicly such campaigns in 2020, citing safety
protection and trafficking laws. sharp increase of fever cases was acknowledged its first case of concerns of residents at the border.
An 18-year-old soldier and a witnessed among their contacts ... Covid-19 on May 12 this year.
The pair had two white five-year-old who came in contact Activists had called the ban an
porcupines, two armadillos, 35 Soon after, North Korea declared a attempt to whitewash Pyongyang
turtles, 50 chameleons and 20 state of emergency. Throughout 2020 and silence critics amid efforts to
snakes between two suitcases. and 2021, North Korea had claimed improve cross-border ties.
that there were zero infections in the
After the discovery, animal country, although global health Meanwhile, Seoul-based University
authorities were called, the of North Korean Studies professor Yang
women were detained and their Moo-jin told The Guardian that it is
luggage was confiscated. “hard to believe North Korea’s claim,
scientifically speaking, given that the
Thailand’s Department of possibility of the virus spreading
National Parks, Wildlife and Plant through objects is quite low”.
Conservation identified the two
women as Nithya Raja, 38, and On Friday, the North reported
Zakia Sulthana Ebrahim, 24. 4,570 fresh Covid-19 cases, bringing
the total caseload to 4.74 million.
They were attempting to board – The Independent
a Thai Airways flight to the Indian
city of Chennai on June 27.BRIEFS NATURE’S
WRATH ... A ship
The women have been charged after it broke into
with violating the Wildlife two during Typhoon
Conservation and Protection Act Chaba in the South
of 2019, the Animal Act of 2015 China Sea, 160
and the Customs Act of 2017. nautical miles
southwest of Hong
Airports are a common route Kong. More than
for animal trafficking. two dozen crew
members are still
In 2019, more than one million missing.
illegal wildlife products and live – AFPPIX/
animals were seized at airports HONG KONG GOVT
around the world, according to FLYING SERVICE
Traffic, a charity which campaigns
against the illegal wildlife trade. India imposes nationwide ban on single-use plastics

A study of global trafficking NEW DELHI: India has chances of the ban proving effective, after use, despite enormous pressure But Environment Minister
through airports from 2016 to 2018 implemented a ban on single-use or as small businesses struggle to find from the plastics industry to delay Bhupender Yadav told a briefing in
found Thailand had the third most disposable plastic products, despite viable alternatives to plastic products. the implementation of the new rules. New Delhi that the ban had been in
airport trafficking instances in the pressure from manufacturers to the pipeline for a year.
world, with 57. defer the measure, as the nation of Popular items such as drinks The ban had already been
1.4 billion aims to phase out the bottles and crisp packets, which deferred several times following legal “Now that time is up.”
China was first with 240, far material altogether. frequently become litter, are exempt challenges. Plastic bans have been trialled
ahead of Vietnam in second with from the ban – a major problem in a before in some parts of India, but this
76. – The Independent Plastic cups, straws and some country where rubbish is a common Plastics manufacturers, already is the first nationwide legislation.
disposable plastic bags are among 19 sight. subject to pressure from inflation on Legal Initiatives for Forest and
MUSK BREAKS single-use plastic items that are now top of job losses during the Covid Environment adviser Dharmesh
TWITTER SILENCE illegal to produce, import, stock, The government said the move is pandemic, claim that the ban has Shah said while this is definitely a
distribute or sell. part of a larger plan to eventually increased their burden. step in the right direction, it is still a
ROME: American billionaire phase out plastic, a leading cause of “wait and watch game” as actual
Elon Musk on Saturday broke Violating the ban is punishable pollution around the world. Concerns about finding suitable enforcement depends on the
his silence on the Twitter, which with a fine or even a jail term, said alternatives for numerous sellers and municipal bodies of individual states
he plans to buy, posting a the Environment Ministry. The government has set targets small businesses, to prevent them and cities. – The Independent
picture of himself with Pope for manufacturers to be responsible from suffering financial difficulties,
Francis. “Honoured to meet But doubts remain over the for recycling or disposing of plastic also remain.
@Pontifex yesterday,” Musk
tweeted next to a photograph Thousands told to evacuate before ‘life-threatening’ Sydney flood
of him and four of his children
with the Argentinian-born CANBERRA: Thousands of emergency situation,” said Stephanie situation” and warned that people 500km stretch of Australia’s east
pontiff. The location and details Australians were ordered to evacuate Cooke, emergency services minister should be “prepared to evacuate at coast, both north and south of
of the meeting were not their homes in Sydney yesterday as for the state of New South Wales. short notice”. Sydney, to consider cancelling their
specified by the Tesla boss. Last torrential rain battered the country’s school holiday travel plans because
week, the richest man in the largest city and floodwaters Australia has been at the sharp She said the city’s Warragamba of the weather.
world said his US$44 billion inundated its outskirts. end of climate change, with Dam began to spill yesterday
(RM194 billion) move to take droughts, deadly bushfires, morning, well ahead of authorities’ Emergency services conducted 29
over Twitter remained held up Roads across the city were cut off bleaching events on the Great Barrier predictions. flood rescues and were called out
by “very significant” questions and authorities said at least 18 Reef and floods becoming more more than 1,400 times in the
about the number of fake users evacuation orders were in place in common and intense as global While in Camden, a southwestern previous 24 hours, she said.
on the social network. – AFP western Sydney, an area that was weather patterns change. suburb of Sydney home to more than
inundated with severe flooding in 100,000 people, local shops and a The east coast flooding event in
19 DIE IN PAKISTAN March. With more wild weather expected petrol station were inundated by March – caused by heavy storms that
BUS CRASH in the coming days, Cooke described floodwaters. devastated Sydney’s west – claimed
“This is a life-threatening the floods as a “rapidly evolving 20 lives. – AFP
ISLAMABAD: At least 19 people Cooke asked those living along a
died and 14 were injured when
a bus plunged into a ravine
near a small town in Pakistan’s
west, local official Ejaz Jaffer
said yesterday. The bus skidded
off a slippery road near Danisar
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
province as it was en route to
Quetta from Rawalpindi.
Pakistan has an appalling road
safety record, with frequent
accidents due to poorly
maintained routes and vehicles
– as well as reckless driving. At
least 22 people died when a
minibus plunged into a ravine
in Balochistan last month. – AFP

7theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Blasts kill three in Russian border city

o Moscow says it and 39 houses were damaged, “The death of civilians and the exiled mayor said in a video address “liberated”, said the Defence Ministry.
now has full control including five that were destroyed, destruction of civilian infrastructure on Telegram. The minister said Russian forces
of east Ukraine region said Gladkov on the Telegram in Belgorod are a direct act of
messaging app. aggression on the part of Ukraine and The base had been “taken out of and their allies in the area had
KYIV: At least three people were require the most severe, including a action”, said Ivan Fedorov. “gained full control over the city of
killed and dozens of homes damaged “The sound was so strong that I military, response.” Lysychansk”.
by blasts in the Russian city of jumped up, I woke up, got very scared Meanwhile, Russia said yesterday
Belgorod near the Ukraine border, and started screaming,” said a Moscow has accused Kyiv of its forces and their allies had taken “Ukrainian forces likely
said the regional governor yesterday. resident of the city, adding the blasts numerous attacks on Belgorod and control of Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk conducted a deliberate withdrawal
occurred at around 3am. other regions bordering Ukraine region, after capturing the final from Lysychansk, resulting in the
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav since Russia’s Feb 24 invasion. Ukrainian holdout of Lysychansk. Russian seizure of the city on July 2,”
Gladkov reported several explosions “The missile hit residential wrote analysts at US-based Institute
in the city of nearly 400,000, 40km buildings about 20m from my house. Ukraine has not claimed After fierce Ukrainian resistance for the Study of War in a briefing note.
north of the border with Ukraine. responsibility but has described the prevented Russian seizing the capital
“All the windows in our house incidents as payback and karma for Kyiv after its Feb 24 invasion, Moscow They based their assessment on
At least 11 apartment buildings were shattered, the doors came out of Russia’s actions. turned its focus to taking full control footage showing Russia forces
alignment.” of Luhansk and Donetsk provinces in walking casually in northern and
In the Russian-occupied southern Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. eastern neighbourhoods of
Senior Russian lawmaker Andrei Ukraine city of Melitopol, Ukrainian Lysychansk, saying it suggested few
Klishas accused Ukraine of shelling forces hit a military base with more Russian Defence Minister Sergei or no Ukrainian forces remained.
Belgorod and called for a stern than 30 strikes yesterday, the city’s Shoigu informed President Vladimir – Reuters
response. Putin that Luhansk had been

Palestinians hand bullet that killed journalist to US Libyan anger boils
over living conditions
RAMALLAH: The Palestinian Authority was wearing a vest marked “Press” and a wherever they lead. It’s as straightforward as
handed the bullet that killed Al-Jazeera helmet, was killed on May 11 while covering that,” said Blinken. TRIPOLI: Libya’s rival leaders were under
journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to US forensic an Israeli army operation in Jenin camp in the growing street pressure on Saturday after
experts on Saturday as it seeks to prove northern West Bank. Investigations by the United Nations (UN), protesters stormed parliament as anger
conclusively that it was fired by an Israel as well as several journalistic probes, have exploded over deteriorating living conditions
soldier. The official Palestinian investigation found found that the shot that killed Shireen was and political deadlock.
that the Qatar-based television channel’s star fired by Israeli forces.
The Palestinian Authority was assured that reporter was killed after being hit by a bullet Libyans, many impoverished after a decade
no modifications would be made to the bullet just below her helmet. “We find that the shots that killed her came of turmoil and sweltering in the soaring
that killed Shireen during an Israeli raid in the from Israeli security forces,” UN Human summer heat, have been enduring fuel
occupied West Bank, and that it would be It found that Shireen was killed with a Rights Office spokesman Ravina Shamdasani shortages and power cuts of up to 18 hours a
returned as soon as the assessment was 5.56mm armour-piercing round fired from a told reporters in Geneva. day, even as their country sits atop Africa’s
complete, said Palestinian Attorney-General Ruger Mini-14 rifle. largest proven oil reserves.
Akram Al-Khatib. “It is deeply disturbing that Israeli
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had authorities have not conducted a criminal The country has been mired in chaos and
The Palestinian Authority gave the green promised last month to pursue accountability investigation.” repeated rounds of conflict since a Nato-backed
light to hand over the bullet to the United over the killing of Shireen wherever the facts uprising toppled and killed dictator Muammar
States, but not to Israel, reported the might lead. The UN Rights Office have inspected Gaddafi in 2011.
Palestinians’ official Wafa news agency. photo, video and audio material, visited the
“We are looking for an independent, scene, consulted experts, reviewed official Protesters stormed the seat of the House of
The Palestinian-American journalist, who credible investigation. When that communications and interviewed witnesses. Representatives in the eastern city of Tobruk on
investigation happens, we will follow the facts, – AFP Friday night, ransacking its offices and torching
part of the building.

In both the main eastern city of Benghazi
and the capital Tripoli, thousands took to the
streets to chants of “we want the lights to work”.

Some brandished the green flags of the
former Gaddafi regime.

In Tripoli on Friday, hundreds came out to
demand elections, fresh political leadership
and an end to the chronic power cuts.

The sudden eruption of unrest appeared to
be spreading to other areas of the country, with
Libyan media showing images of protesters in
the oasis city of Sebha, deep in the Sahara
desert, torching an official building.

A local journalist said protesters in Libya’s
third city Misrata were blocking roads after
setting fire to a municipal building on Friday
night. – AFP

BRIEFS EGYPT SHUTS DOWN BEACHES
AFTER SHARK ATTACK
GHASTLY ENCOUNTER ... A man in a costume taking part in the annual Ghost Festival in the Thai district of Dan Sai. – REUTERSPIX
CAIRO: Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate issued
Uzbekistan declares state of emergency an order to shut down several beaches after
a 68-year-old Austrian woman was killed in a
TASHKENT: Uzbekistan announced a freedoms (and) restore law and order” in the witnessed rare protests over constitutional shark attack on Friday, off the coast of Sahl
month-long state of emergency on Saturday territory, said the statement. reform proposals. Hasheesh, according to two security sources.
in an autonomous republic where rare The victim was transferred to a local private
protests forced President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Uzbekistan’s president had arrived in Friday’s demonstration brought thousands hospital right after the attack, said a source
into a climbdown on constitutional reforms. Karakalpakstan on Saturday and promised onto the streets of the regional capital after at the Red Sea Health Affairs Directorate. He
that proposed constitutional amendments draft amendments to the Uzbek constitution said there were attempts to resuscitate her,
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s press that would have weakened the territory’s were published, which are expected to go to but she died due to circulatory failure, which
secretary Sherzod Asadov said the state of status would be scrapped. referendum in the coming months. is a sudden drop in blood pressure resulting
emergency in the Republic of Karakalpakstan from her injuries and blood loss. A security
would run from yesterday to Aug 2. Authorities said earlier on Saturday that Although the government has made no source added that the woman had been
they had arrested “organisers of mass riots” mention of casualties, Telegram accounts living in Egypt over the past five years with
The measure was being taken to “ensure who wanted to seize administrative buildings have circulated footage that suggests fatalities her Egyptian husband. – Reuters
the safety of citizens, protect their rights and in the administrative capital Nukus, which occurred during the police crackdown. – AFP
SCIENTIST DIES TWO DAYS
AFTER ARREST FOR TREASON

LONDON: A Russian scientist who was
arrested in Siberia last week on suspicion of
state treason and flown to Moscow despite
suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer
has died, his lawyer said yesterday. Dmitry
Kolker had been taken to Moscow’s
Lefortovo prison, said lawyer Alexander
Fedulov. Kolker’s family said last week he had
been taken from a hospital in the Siberian
city of Novosibirsk, where he was being fed
through a tube, and bundled on a flight to
Moscow by officers of the FSB security
service. Kolker was a doctor of physics and
mathematics. The family said he had been
accused of collaborating with security
services in China. – Reuters

8 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022 COMMENT by Jason Loh and AmandaYeo

SPEAK UP Thorough revision required
to reflect actual inflation rate
A LTHOUGH the current inflation
rate in Malaysia is claimed to be their income on food items alone. “The tension consumed items, for example. This in turn could be combined with
“lower” than the world average The middle to upper M40 are also a between the The two categories under sub-indices the geometric average calculation like the
and remains “under control”, it CPI and real- Jevon Index – where the price increases
doesn’t actually reflect the reality of vulnerable income group since their world infla- will, therefore, be calculated separately over few consecutive weeks (for example,
ordinary Malaysians who continue to spending patterns are comparable with tionary pres- and the weighted average will be driven by four weeks to arrive at the monthly sub-
suffer from rising food and fuel price the B40 in relation to food consumption. sures needs to and mainly derived from the most indices figures) are multiplied together
inflation. be addressed popularly consumed category. and the nth root is taken as the average of
In short, inflation has also eroded their and resolved, the weekly increases (i.e, the “central
The Department of Statistics Malaysia purchasing power since their wages so that the So, for example, to calculate the sub- tendency” or “common denominator”)
(DOSM) stated that the Consumer Price haven’t kept up. credibility and index for vegetables, we first determine the and where n is the number of increases.
Index (CPI) – which measures the rate of legitimacy of weighted average of the price increase for
change in the cost of purchasing a constant They also tend to not have sufficient the govern- the most popularly consumed vegetables To ease the reformatting of the
basket of goods and services by cash buffer or savings relative to their ment’s policy on a weekly basis which is let’s say 5% for methodology, perhaps the next base year
households in a specified time period, income unlike the T20 group. formulation Week 1. The less popularly consumed should be 2023.
increased to 2.3% year-on-year from 123.1 and implemen- vegetables are at 11% for the same Week 1. 2. The National Action Council on Cost of
in April 2021 to 125.9 in April 2022. Since the middle and upper M40 lack tation can Living should focus on and spearhead
access to cash assistance, will we see more stand the test The above weighted averages of the initiatives aimed at expanding other
Officially, Malaysia’s CPI is lower than Malaysians experience cash flow problems of the rakyat’s price increases for the FPI are best derived secondary or tertiary headline inflation
countries like India, the US, the UK and or otherwise tighten their belts (and confidence and from a single national supply chain data indices – which can be according to the
Singapore – at 7.04%, 8.6%, 9.1% and 5.6%, thereby see a decline in living standards)? trust management platform linking the respective clusters, i.e, health, education,
respectively. suppliers of agrofood inputs, small housing, transportation, utilities and e-
Already the DOSM’s Household farmers, local agri-techpreneurs and commerce, in addition to food.
However, the ongoing fuel subsidy Income Estimates and Incidence of retailers together on a network. EMIR
together with other subsidies and price Poverty Report (2020) revealed that Research has long advocated the creation This follows the announcement by
ceiling/control measures and more would around 20% or 580,000 households fell of such a platform. Prime Minister Datuk Sri Ismail Sabri
have contributed to ensuring that actual from the M40 to B40 income category in Yaakob of a new special five-member
inflation in Malaysia is lower than it 2020. Combined with the national data committee on tackling accelerating
otherwise would be. aggregation platform – while eliminating inflation to be chaired by
Now that a basket of groceries that the middlemen – would empower small Communications and Multimedia
As producers have to bear the brunt of initially cost only RM79.90 in 2010 have farmers to collectively bring their Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
price increases from feed ingredients and gone up to RM100 in April 2022, the agricultural produce to the local markets at
labour shortages, this has translated into a household purchasing power had reduced prices. What the government needs to do is to
double-digit percentage rise in the decreased by 20.1% according to chief constantly and consistently assure the
Producer Price Index (PPI) at 11% in April statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin. On top of that, this platform can rakyat by ensuring there is transparency
2022. become a powerful vehicle for data (and therefore accountability) in the
This is why it is so important to revisit collection in order to inform policy methodology process of computing the
PPI measures the prices of goods at the our CPI and ensure that it’s more reflective decision-making processes, including CPI, etc.
factory gate, i.e, finished products but of the reality on the ground. inflation calculation.
minus transport/logistics and other post- This definitively includes the need to
production charges such as wholesale, In addition to the policy proposals As for the weightage allocation, DOSM disclose the underlying methodology and
distribution and marketing. outlined in an EMIR Research article, “Re- should conduct regular (e.g, semi-annual) formulas on DOSM’s website (technical
envisioning the CPI”, we would like to surveys (e.g, based on stated preferences) notes) – going beyond the calculation of
This by itself is an indicator that – even further provide additional suggestions: to find out about the composition of the the CPI in terms of the percentage of
minus the logistics and transport costs – 1. Formulate a separate Food Price Index food consumption patterns and related- change and “headline” methodology.
food inflation should realistically be much (FPI) as the secondary headline inflation to behaviour of Malaysians.
higher. the CPI. Like the CPI, the FPI comprises The tension between the CPI and real-
several sub-indices – vegetables, poultry, So, perhaps based on the frequency world inflationary pressures needs to be
In substitution of the price ceiling fish, (red) meat, fruits, eggs, etc. distribution for the consumers’ responses, addressed and resolved, so that the
adjustment/variation for chicken and eggs vegetables that are most popularly credibility and legitimacy of the
as well as the removal of subsidies for So, the FPI will comprise several sub- consumed could be assigned 70% government’s policy formulation and
cooking oil in bottles of 2kg, 3kg and 5kg index lines (analogous to the tariff lines weightage with the less popularly implementation can stand the test of the
from July 1 onwards, the government will under the World Trade Organisation) but consumed vegetables at 30% based on the rakyat’s confidence and trust.
provide additional Bantuan Keluarga devoid of the non-food items. weekly food consumption pattern and
Malaysia cash assistance to the B40. propensity to spend of the rakyat. Jason Loh and AmandaYeo are part of the
Since the B40 and the lower M40 research team of EMIR Research, an
An additional RM630 million of cash typically spend between 25% and 30% and This in turn could be combined with independent think tank focused on
assistance is to be diverted from the above of their disposable income on food the geometric calculation like the Jevon
original RM729 million subsidy for chicken and groceries per month, an FPI is Index – where the price increases are strategic policy recommendations based
farmers, whereby an additional RM100 warranted and would be a more important multiplied together and the nth root is on rigorous research. Comments:
and RM50 will be given for B40 indicator to assess the impact of rising taken as the average of the increase (i.e, the [email protected]
households and singles, respectively. prices on the majority of the rakyat. “central tendency” or “common
denominator”) and where n is the number
However, this wouldn’t be a sustainable Each of the sub-indices in turn would of increases.
solution to alleviate the cost-of-living be divided into the two categories based
concerns of the rakyat in the long run. on the per capita consumption, i.e, most
popularly consumed and less popularly
The question is how long would such a
cash allowance last for the B40, who spend
a minimum of 25% of their disposable
income on food and non-alcoholic
beverages even before the Covid-19
pandemic?

According to the DOSM’s Household
Expenditure Survey Report 2019, the B40
allocated more from their income to spend
on food and beverage items compared
with the M40 at 18% and the T20 at 12.6%.

With the heightening food price
inflation in recent months, the B40 could
well have been spending more than 50% of

9theSuntOhNeSWUENDONNESMDOAYND|AY | JULY 4, 2022

NEWS WITHOUT SBPOERADKERUSP

RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES THE OBJECTIVES

BELIEF LOYALTY TO KING TO achieve greater unity TO maintain a TO create a just society in which
IN GOD AND COUNTRY among Malaysians democratic way of life the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared

THE SUPREMACY OF THE RULE COURTESY AND TO ensure a liberal approach to her rich TO build a progressive society which shall be
THE CONSTITUTION OF LAW MORALITY and diverse cultural traditions oriented to modern science and technology

Will Lebanon be in Israel’s crosshairs?

COMMENT reductions a political move and it has Germany is concerned over the shutdown, reported deliveries of Israeli natural gas via
by Jamari Mohtar escalated the energy tensions in Europe. fearing the flow of gas will not be turned back Turkey by sea to Europe was mooted.
Some EU leaders have accused Russia of on.
THE first whammy – the Covid-19 “blackmailing” the bloc with its oil and gas In recent years, this shortfall was If this is agreed on, Turkey expected its ship
pandemic – is still with us, as no country exports, and have blamed Moscow for soaring compensated by increased flows through will be on duty during transmission periods.
has been successful in completely energy prices. Ukraine or Poland.
wiping out the Covid-19 virus. The Kremlin has rejected the claims, laying However, various officials and industry With this encouragement from Turkey,
The second whammy – the Russian- the blame on EU policies. representatives feared Russia might not do Israel’s interest in providing gas to Europe was
Ukraine war is still with us since February. According to Gazprom, German equipment that this time, leaving the continent to face gas first piqued on May 30 when it began the
supplier Siemens Energy failed to return gas shortages. process of launching a fourth exploration for
These two whammies have caused a pumping units to a compressor station on The impact of this shortage is reverberating natural gas in its territorial waters.
disruption in the supply chain. Along with time. in the economy. German chemicals major
sanctions, they have caused soaring energy The repaired turbines for North Stream are BASF may be forced to halt production at the A battle over Mediterranean waters rich in
and food prices, resulting in a third whammy currently stuck at a maintenance world’s biggest chemicals plant in natural gas deposits bubbled up on June 5 with
of galloping inflation globally, especially in EU facility in Canada, due to Ottawa’s Ludwigshafen due to shortages of the arrival of the Israeli-contracted Energean
countries. sanctions on Russia. cheap and abundant Russian gas. Power’s floating production storage and
Siemens has said Germany BASF has used Russian natural offloading vessel on the maritime border
The world is about to witness the possibility and Canada are seeking a gas for years to generate power between Israel and Lebanon.
of a fourth whammy, which might just occur in solution. “Lebanon’s and as feedstock for products that
the near future, in the form of an Israel- Hezbollah has make it into toothpaste, Its arrival was met with anger in Lebanon,
Lebanon war. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry medicine, and cars. with both Lebanese politicians and citizens
Peskov said Russia remains “the denouncing the move and threatening any
Let us first see what will lead to the fourth most reliable supplier”, but the However, dwindling Russian activity in the area would be considered a
whammy. threatened torestrictions have made delivery gas supplies are proving a threat “provocation” and an “act of aggression”.
to the company’s vast
When you use sanctions as a weapon technically impossible. manufacturing hub, it said. Lebanese President Michel Aoun warned
against your enemy, it is indeed foolhardy to “From the technological point take action if “Cutting down production at Israel that trying to tap the offshore riches
target your enemy’s product that you are of view, the mechanical Israel extracts without first resolving a territorial dispute
heavily dependent on for sanction. infrastructure of the pipeline is this site will be a huge task,” said would be seen as a “provocation”.
suffering because of the sanctions BASF senior economist Peter
This is what the EU is doing on the imposed by the EU. Westerheide, as quoted by the Lebanon’s Hezbollah has threatened to
instigation of the US when it sanctioned fossil fuels in“The pumping facilities, Wall Street Journal. take action if Israel extracts fossil fuels in the
Russian oil. “We’ve never seen situations disputed area without resolving the territorial
namely the turbines, have to like this before. It’s hard to impasse.
It does not sanction Russian gas on which it the disputedundergo maintenance. But the imagine.”
is heavily dependent but with an arrogance Meanwhile, Dutch Climate Although Israel has played down any
that borders on stupidity, it went on to turbines cannot be returned, that and Energy Minister Rob Jetten prospect of conflict over the dispute, a naval
announce the bloc’s intent to reduce the area withoutis, the Europeans are not warned on June 28 a gas crisis in version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense
import of Russian gas by two-thirds by the end systems, along with submarines, will
of the year. returning them. There is simply reportedly protect the rig.
nothing to pump with,” Peskov
You are still heavily dependent on Russian resolving theexplained. any one EU country would It was also reported the Israeli military is
gas and you have the temerity to announce “This is a man-made crisis provoke a domino effect and readying for a possible attack by Hezbollah on
this reckless bravado. territorialcreated by the EU. We have gas, quickly spread throughout the the Energean gas rig.
bloc.
The West must take a leaf from Sun Tzu’s it’s ready to be delivered, but the “It’s good if some member Its navy vessels will help secure the drilling
Art of War in that when you want to incur a impasse.Europeans have to give back the states can fill their gas storages by platform.
fatal blow to your enemy, it must be done Nov 1, but if other countries fail to
quietly even while you’re in a position of hardware. And repair the reach 80% – particularly big Also in a very aggressive mode, Israel
strength, lest your enemy knows of your move hardware in line with their Defence Forces Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi on
and makes a countermove behind your back, commitments.” June 12 warned overwhelming force would be
leaving you bleeding profusely. Gas prices normally fall with countries like Germany – then used in Lebanon during the next potential war
the end of the winter heating you have to be aware that this will with Hezbollah.
To the Russia’s credit, it held a moral high season, offering some relief to be a domino effect for the whole
ground by not cutting off its gas supply European utilities scrambling to refill of Europe,” Jetten told Politico magazine. “We will deal very big strikes in the war, but
completely and immediately to the West underground storage to have enough to get Last week, the nation lifted all restrictions we will warn the residents and allow them to
despite this bold, arrogant but naïve bravado through next winter. on coal-fired power stations to reduce natural leave the areas. I say to the residents of
from the West. But having enough for the coming winter is gas consumption, while making an “urgent Lebanon: I advise you to leave, not only at the
the key problem now for Europe because of appeal” to businesses to save as much energy beginning of the war, but from the beginning
Instead, it made a beautiful countermove the hefty cut in Russian supplies of gas. as possible ahead of the winter season. of tension and before the first shot is fired. I
by making it mandatory for the West to pay in It has hampered the EU’s attempts to refill Besides the Netherlands, a number of EU advise you to leave those areas because the
rubles the gas that it has supplied, failing its gas storage facilities, now about 55% full, to countries have launched emergency plans attack force will be unimaginable like nothing
which the gas supply will cease. meet a bloc-wide target of 90% by November, a aimed to lower and ration the use of natural you have witnessed before,” Kochavi said.
level that would enable the region to get gas and resurrect coal-fired power production,
And thus Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, through winter if Russian supplies were cut Business Insider reported on June 28. “A house in which a missile is located or
Denmark and the Netherlands have had their further. The shift from EU’s coal-free “green energy” located near a missile, an activist who deals
Russian gas deliveries suspended after they The nail in the coffin for Europe is when aspirations to the “dirty fuel” came after the with a missile, a command headquarters that
refused a demand to pay in Russian rubles. Russia announced Gazprom’s Nord Stream 1 bloc’s major gas supplier, Russia’s Gazprom, deals with a missile, or electricity connected to
gas pipeline would not deliver natural gas to slashed deliveries by 60% last week through a group of missiles – all of this network will be
On June 17, Russian energy giant Gazprom Germany for 10 days in mid-July as it the Nord Stream pipeline. hit on the day of the war.”
cut gas flows through the undersea pipeline undergoes annual maintenance. This has made it more imperative for
from Russia to Germany, which also served It was confirmed early last month Europe to find alternative sources of gas, and He also said the IDF has pinpointed
France, by as much as 60%, and by half to Italy maintenance work would take place from July here comes Israel to the rescue. thousands of targets in Lebanon to destroy in
and Slovakia and completely to France due to 11 to July 21. On May 16 a Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak the event of a war, including Hezbollah
technical issues arising from Western headquarters, rocket-propelled grenades, and
sanctions against Moscow. launchers.

Leaders in Germany and Italy called the Jamari Mohtar is the Editor of Let’s Talk!, an
e-newsletter on current affairs. Comments:
[email protected]

Longing for the return of foreign tourists

LETTERS between 40% and 50% of all foreign tourists to in 2020 and 265,137 in 2021. This is because we have been more
Malaysia since 1965, has returned to its top Last year, most of the excursionists were successful in attracting foreign tourists and we
[email protected] position in the first quarter of 2022, after losing were hit harder by travel restrictions after
to Thailand, Indonesia and China in the from Thailand (258,638), Brunei (3,266), countries started closing their borders.
TOURISM Malaysia has just released figures for corresponding period of last year. Indonesia (2,136), Philippines (525) and
foreign tourist arrivals for the first three months Singapore (421). This year, the Tourism, Arts and Culture
of this year. Many people mistakenly believe that the Ministry is targeting for 4.5 million foreign
high number of Singaporean tourists to For the first three months of this year, most tourists and RM11.1 billion in inbound receipts.
Total number of foreigners that entered Malaysia was because many of them drove to of the excursionists were from Thailand
Malaysia in the first quarter was 98,053, up Johor for shopping and returning the same day. (61,602), Brunei (1,008), Indonesia (741), If the pandemic is under control in most
288% from 25,256 for the corresponding period Singapore (336) and China (222). parts of the world we can expect more, but it
last year. But foreigners not staying overnight in can be less if Covid-19 transmissions were to
Malaysia are not included under tourist Please note that these nationalities could spike.
International travel hit rock bottom last year, arrivals. Foreign excursionists are counted arrive from anywhere and not necessarily from
with Malaysia recording a total of only 134,728 separately. their home country. Meanwhile, we can only plan to cater for the
foreign tourists compared with 4,332,722 in influx of foreign visitors and hope for the best.
2020 and 26,100,784 in 2019. In 2019, we received 26,100,784 foreign Comparing the three charts on “Tourist
tourists and 8,944,841 foreign excursionists. arrivals to Malaysia by country of nationality” But it will continue to be dicey if inbound
In the decade between 2010 and 2019, for 2020, 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, all tour operators put all their eggs in one basket,
average foreign tourist arrivals were 25.8 Combined, there were more than 35 million the 47 figures were in the red for 2020 and 2021, anticipating the return of the glorious years
million per year. foreign visitors to Malaysia in 2019, before the and all black for 2022. when they reaped a rich harvest.
first case of Covid-19 was detected in January
Singapore, which has been contributing 2020. In 2020, international tourist arrivals YS Chan
dropped by 74% globally, with 83% for Petaling Jaya
We received 1,768,656 foreign excursionists Malaysia.

10 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022 Experience the
highly interactive
MEDIA & MARKETING Barkingburg
Castle like never
Amway Malaysia holds before with the
National Leadership Event PAW Patrol
AMWAY Malaysia’s anticipated were also entertained to an exciting Rescue Knights
National Leadership Conference evening with a variety of at Sunway Malls.
and Dinner (NLCD) saw the performances and delicious
gathering of over 4,000 Amway cuisine. goAoPdAtWimsoeme Sunway Malls, General Manager -
Business Owner (ABO) leaders o Visit each Sunway Malls and create a Marketing, Business Innovation,
from Malaysia, Singapore and The highlight of the night was a memorable experience for your children eMall, Loo Hoey Theen said: “This
Brunei for its first physical event Paris Inspired Haute Couture collaboration with PAW Patrol is an
after a two-year hiatus. Fashion Show curated by Starz THIS YEAR, Sunway Malls is limited-edition PAW Patrol sticker exclusive one that we wanted to bring
Secret. Models strutted the runway bringing PAW Patrol Rescue sheet. Shoppers stand to win limited to life especially in Sunway Malls so
The event was filled with glitz, adorning pieces from a wide array Knights to life with fun edition PAW Patrol merchandise as that we can provide an experience
glamour, fun and excitement with of fashion brands namely, CA activities and even more well. that everyone can look forward to and
ABO leaders all dressed to impress, Jewelry & Accessories, a Paris- PAW-some adventures! Beginning create wonderful memories with
as they mingled and enjoyed a Paris themed brand; and Crisathena, a with Sunway Pyramid this June, the A Sunway eMall section filled with their families and loved ones.
Inspired Haute Couture evening French luxury brand that creates campaign will continue in other PAW Patrol merchandise will also be
beautifully sculptured timepieces. Sunway Malls across Malaysia on display for fans and shoppers who “They can take part in the
The annual NLCD, a celebration throughout the rest of 2022. can make purchases. They can check interactive experiences or simply take
to commemorate the efforts by the The celebration was further out the items physically and make photographs to remember the day by
ABO leaders, witnessed their hyped with an outstanding Making its first stop at Sunway purchases via the website at the – all of which we hope will create joy
coming together in high spirit to performance by Dennis Lau, a Pyramid first from now to July 11, booth. and lasting impressions that they can
celebrate their achievements as renowned Malaysian-born musical shoppers can then continue with cherish for a long time to come.”
they take an entrepreneurship prodigy and award-winning electric their mission with the pups until Shoppers who register as an eMall
journey one notch higher while violinist and Kit Lam, a fresh November in other Sunway Malls. member and follow Sunway eMall After the pups complete their
propagating a healthy lifestyle. talented singer and actor from social media will be bringing home rounds in Sunway Pyramid, Marshall
Hong Kong. The interactive castle playground, PAW Patrol merchandise along with and Chase will make stops at other
After two years of hiatus, Mike which takes centre stage in the an exclusive shopping voucher. Be Sunway Malls nationwide through
Duong, Managing Director of For the first time ever, award- Orange concourse will include a sure to get them fast as it’s on a first- the end of the year, beginning with
Amway Malaysia, Singapore and winning Qatar Airways, renowned spiral climber, two-lane slide, rope come, first-served basis. Sunway Carnival Mall, Sunway Big
Brunei said: “This year, we are very hospitality groups: Pavillion Group climbing, a rock climber, a tic-tac-toe Box Retail Park, Sunway Putra Mall
excited to finally reunite with as well as Marriott International, play panel and a castle rooftop for a Parents and children should also and Sunway Velocity.
everyone in person again. along with luxury watchmaker bird’s eye view of the space. mark their calendars for every
Furthermore, this is the biggest ever Crisathena collaborated with weekend as both Marshall and Chase Date Sunway Malls
leadership conference hosted by Amway Malaysia to give attendees Little ones can also unleash their will be making an appearance at the June 23 – July 11 Sunway Pyramid
Amway Malaysia with over 4,000 amazing lucky draw prizes. creativity with their best poses and concourse of the malls at selected
ABO leaders and business partners props to get an unforgettable picture time slots for children to meet, greet
physically here, along with 500+ Amway Malaysia is a leading together with a visual of Sparks, the and snap photos with them.
joining us virtually. Health and Wellness company that friendly dragon.
created income opportunities Parents can plan ahead for their
“ These top ABO leaders’ through entrepreneurship. Several interactive activities are visit by checking on the meet and
mentor, service, and support also in place for shoppers and their greet time slots available at
almost one million customers and To date, Amway has close to families to enjoy and redeem a www.sunwaymalls.com/pawpatrol.
new entrepreneur seekers who 900,000 ABOs and Amway
made building the Amway business Privileged Customers (APC) that
and healthier choices their contributed to the growth of
personal goal. Amway.

“We are also excited to share that Amway continues to help people
the destination for Amway live better, healthier lives by
Leadership Seminar (ALS) 2023 will strategically and prudently
be Paris - The City of Love and for investing in specific areas including
Diamond Invitation (DI) 2023 will ABO and APC-centric incentive
be Queenstown – The Adventure programmes, product innovation
Capital of The World.” and promotions, health-centric
communities, as well as ease of
Attendees to the annual NLCD doing business via digital platforms.

July 28 – Aug 14 Sunway Carnival
Mall
Sept 2 – Sept 18 Sunway Big Box
retail Park
Sept 23 – Oct 9 Sunway Putra Mall
Nov 3 – Nov 20 Sunway Velocity
Mall

*Event dates, activities and details are
subject to change.

Amway National Leadership Conference and Dinner 2022, is largest such For more information on each
event with over 4000 leaders. Sunway Mall’s PAW Patrol Rescue

Knights campaign and exclusive
activities, visit

www.sunwaymalls.com/pawpatrol
and stay tuned to each Sunway
Mall’s social media platforms.

DISCOVER

THE BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS WITH THESUN’S TRAVEL SPECIALS
FOR YOUR NEXT VACATION GETAWAY!

Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and Publication date 28 JULY, 2022 (THURSDAY)
print advertising. Booking deadline 14 JULY, 2022 (THURSDAY)

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. MONDAY
JULY 4, 2022
197201001092 (12738-U)
Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688
A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad Fax: 03-7785 2624/5

A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad Email: [email protected]
Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888
1/07/2022 Fax: 03-7784 4424

Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected]
RM m
% RM m RM m

46.5 Institutions 530.4 543.1 -12.7

28.4 Retail 340.8 314.5 26.3

25.1 Foreign 283.8 297.4 -13.6 6.62 10.98 457.42 482.65 27.22 28.20
STI SCI NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
100.0 1155.0 1155.0 0 5.52 3,095.59 CLOSED 25,935.62 2,305.42
KLCI 3,387.64 14,343.08 6,539.90
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com 1,449.74 HANG SENG
Source: Bursa Malaysia

KL MARKET SUMMARY Why does ringgit weaken
July 1, 2022

INDICES 10,315.80 CHANGE +8.62 when the US raises rates?
FBMEMAS
FBMKLCI 1,449.74 +5.52
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 557.48 -0.23
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 181.69 -0.01
CONSTRUCTION 153.54 -1.69
FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,056.80 +72.63
ENERGY 684.48 -9.05
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 558.21 +1.65 █ BY HAYATUN RAZAK o Higher borrowing costs tend to attract foreign
HEALTH CARE 1,640.99 -35.16 [email protected] investments, increasing demand for and value of the
TRANSPORTATION 805.69 -2.99 PETALING JAYA: The main driver for the country’s currency
PROPERTY 634.13 -2.58 depreciation of the ringgit against the US
PLANTATION 6,924.72 +23.89 dollar is because of the expectation that US
FBMSHA 10,480.90 -22.98 interest rates are to be higher than rates in
FBMACE 4,784.52 +33.14 Malaysia, said Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd
TECHNOLOGY 61.91 -0.63 chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam
Abdul Rashid.
TURNOVER VALUE
1.493 BIL RM1.154 BIL “The US Federal Reserve is anticipated
to increase its interest rate to 3.4% by end of
5 MOST ACTIVES 2022 and to 3.8% by end of 2023. This
July 1, 2022 would mean investment returns in the US
would be much higher compared with
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) investments in Malaysia, considering the
YONGTAI 62,702,900 9.0 UNCH pace of increase in the Overnight Policy
HIBISCS 39,525,800 97.0 -3.0 Rate (OPR) is expected to be much less
TOPGLOV 38,528,100 101.0 -3.0 than that of the US rate. We are projecting
MYEG 37,799,100 89.5 +1.5 the OPR could be higher by another 50
CYPARK 34,572,000 35.0 +0.5 basis points throughout the year. So
effectively we are probably looking at OPR
5 TOP GAINERS at 2.50% by end of the year,” he told SunBiz.
JULY 1, 2022
A country uses monetary policy to achieve
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM specific economic goals. It intentionally
NESTLE 54,300 134.60 2.00 manipulates monetary supply, availability of
SP500-H17 18,600 0.705 0.315 credit, and cost to borrow money, which
HARNLEN 8,706,400 1.37 0.17 could be attempts to stem inflation,
KLK 1,262,900 22.10 0.16 promote job creation, or for other reasons.
DIGI 7,201,900 3.64 0.14 As a result, monetary policy such as interest
rates impacts the value of that country’s
5 TOP LOSERS currency – which becomes stronger or The ringgit is likely to trade around the current level of between 4.40 and 4.41 versus the US
July 1, 2022 weaker – and other downstream impacts dollar this week. – BERNAMAPIX
on global exchange rates occur.
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM Meanwhile, the fear of increasing in higher as a result at 5% and the Q2’22
DIN040000223 2,000 101.10 0.40 Higher interest rates tend to attract interest rates could root in its GDP is also likely to accelerate further.
HARTA 10,563,700 2.74 0.32 foreign investments, increasing the contractionary effects on credit and the “Therefore, BNM needed to realign its
HEIM 118,100 22.78 0.24 demand for and the value of the country’s money supply. Economic theory says monetary policy stand as the OPR at 1.75%
ORIENT 289,100 6.38 0.24 currency. Similarly, lower interest rates higher interest rates lead to a decrease in (previously) was deemed too low. If too low
BKAWAN 600 22.88 0.20 might be unattractive for foreign investors money supply and appreciation of the interest rates are allowed at a time when the
and decrease the currency’s relative value. currency. At the same time, lending and economy has normalised, it might lead to
Therefore, when the Fed increases its rates, credit markets contract. As interest rates other problems. Savers may have less
it also makes the dollar stronger. The increase, the cost of credit does, too. From incentive to save their money in the banks
EXCHANGE RATES higher yields attract investment capital bank loans to mortgages, it becomes more and might be inclined to search for a higher
JULY 1, 2022 from investors abroad seeking higher
returns on bonds and interest-rate
products as it is directly connected to expensive to borrow. Hence, an increase in return on investment. In doing so, they
changes in US interest rates. Accordingly, the cost of capital can hinder consumption, might take excessive risks and this would
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy global rates are set as the yield curve moves manufacturing, and production. lead to imbalances in the economy such as
up or down. However, Afzanizam said an asset price bubble.
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD previously Bank Negara “Asset price can be in the form of
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.4700 4.3370 4.3270 US Treasury bonds are considered risk- Malaysia (BNM) did property, stocks or other forms of
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.0990 2.9750 2.9590 free assets; therefore, other securities must not increase the speculative activities like cryptocurrency,
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.2130 3.1200 3.1120 offer higher yields to remain attractive, and OPR after the US foreign exchange and perhaps even get-
1 EURO 3.4680 3.3750 3.3630 with interest rates expected to increase, raised its rates. rich-quick schemes. In other words, it
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 4.6850 4.5340 4.5140 global investors would put their money This was because would do more harm than good if the BNM
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.7990 2.6970 2.6810 in the US, which causes emerging e c o n o m i c allows the OPR to remain too low for too
1 STERLING POUND 3.2130 3.1200 3.1120 markets to feel pressure to remain a c t i v i t i e s long at a time when the economy has
1 SWISS FRANC 5.4380 5.2680 5.2480 attractive as well. It could also hinder i m p r o v e d improved,” he explained.
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.6630 4.5560 4.5410 employment levels in developing following the Last week, the ringgit extended its
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 123.1000 116.7600 116.5600 nations, along with exports and reopening bearish momentum and weakened to
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 4.8620 4.5640 4.3640 exchange rates. of the 4.4100 on Friday against the
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 66.7000 64.3000 economy See greenback, from 4.4050 on Monday,
100 INDIAN RUPEE 57.5600 54.7100 N/A Oil, gold, cotton and other global beginning in also due to profit-taking activities and the
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.7500 5.4000 54.5100 commodities are priced in US October last page 13 hawkish stance by the Fed to keep
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0310 0.0281 5.2000 dollars, and a strong currency
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.2930 3.1900 0.0231 following a rate increase would year. raising interest rates. The ringgit is
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 16.1000 3.1800 increase the price of commodities for “ T h e likely to trade around the current level of
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.2200 N/A non-dollar holders. Economies that Q1’22 GDP between 4.40 and 4.41 versus the US dollar
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.2500 2.0800 N/A rely primarily on commodity c a m e this week, with all eyes on BNM Monetary
100 SAUDI RIYAL 123.4300 7.7800 1.8800 production and an abundance of natural Policy Committee meeting which will be
100THAI BAHT 120.4500 117.1800 7.5800 resources will be worse off. As the held on Wednesday.
13.2100 114.3500 116.9800 products of their principal industries
11.7300 114.1500 decline in value, their Afzanizam expects the OPR
11.3300 available credit to be at 2.50% by the end
streams will of the year
shrink.

Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama

12 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
SUNBIZ

Time is running out for tax dodgers
THERE are individuals and
corporates which do not their transgressions before July 15, powerful IT system which arises is: “How were the overseas the amount of tax they pay in
believe in paying taxes. 2022. Otherwise, enforcement action incorporates artificial intelligence. It assets funded?” Malaysia will reveal whether they
These entities want to in the form of audits, civil can connect various sources of have been underdeclaring their taxes.
enjoy the benefits without investigations and criminal information to discover tax dodgers. If IRB goes one step further to Is amnesty a good idea?
contributing. They are investigations will Such taxpayers can be identified work together with Bank Negara Amnesty is unfair to the general
“leeches” living off good commence against such when they buy properties, cars, Malaysia or the Companies taxpaying public. Why should the
taxpayers. The time has tax dodgers. jewellery, use credit cards for lavish Commission of Malaysia (SSM) to diligent good taxpayers fund the tax
come to put the heat on spending, or when they receive extract information on the dodgers?
such taxpayers to make Does time bar apply? income as agents, dealers, or movements in the bank account,
them surface voluntarily Normally, if the distributors. Information is also credit card details, or details of the Tax dodgers should be penalised
or force them out of their taxpayer has been filing available when you submit directors of companies, and and it should act as a deterrent
refuge. returns in compliance documents for stamping, or from financials available within the SSM without any discrimination.
with the law, IRB has a time Real Property Gains Tax returns. system, the “Pandora’s box” on the
On June 14, 2022, the Inland limit to raise assessments up tax dodgers will be wide open. It is time for the tax entities to
Revenue Board (IRB) issued a media to five years after the end of the year in The next level of discovery is voluntarily come forward and settle
release stating that it has detected a which the tax returns were filed, and through the exchange of information Illegal businesses such as their past outstanding taxes.
total of 31,598 entities consisting of up to seven years in the case of from overseas, which includes gambling or corruption funds use
individuals, businesses, companies, transfer pricing matters. For tax financial information such as bank cash or cryptocurrencies to avoid The only incentive that can be
and others who either have not dodgers who have not complied with accounts, insurance policies and detection. At some point, these funds given to such taxpayers is perhaps a
registered for tax purposes or are the law or have been underreporting mutual funds through the exchange will surface using illegal moneychangers reduction in the penalties for
underreporting their income. This is their income, the time bar will not of information protocol. or money-laundering mechanisms. At voluntarily coming forward. The tax
based on such entities owning assets apply, and IRB can go back as long as that point, increased vigilance from liabilities themselves should not be
or being able to borrow more than there is taxable income. In the future, the exchange of IRB on fund flows will catch the tax reduced.
RM500,000. information will go beyond financial dodgers through AI.
How can find the tax dodgers? information and may include This article is contributed by
IRB has advised such taxpayers to Please do not forget that IRB has a overseas properties. Lastly, the well tried and tested Thannees Tax Consulting Services
come forward voluntarily and rectify method of issuing capital statements
If such taxpayers do not file tax to suspected individuals with flashy Sdn Bhd managing director
returns in Malaysia, the question that lifestyles that do not reconcile with SM Thanneermalai.

WARRANTS WATCH LEGALLY SPEAKING

Top warrants by volume traded: Non-fungible tokens: content-ious space?

Warrant Volume Issuer Exercise Expiry date IN the past year, we have seen an
name (mil) Macquarie level 28 Jul 2022 explosion of news relating to non-
HSI-CQW 311.8 Macquarie 22,200.00 28 Jul 2022 fungible tokens (NFT).
HSI-HB5 224.4 Macquarie 20,400.00 30 Aug 2022
HSI-CQ2 116.8 Macquarie 23,400.00 30 Aug 2022 For the uninitiated, NFT are
HSI-HB9 107.0 Kenanga 19,800.00 28 Jul 2022 unique, one-of-a-kind digital
HSI-HB1 74.6 21,000.00 representations of real-life objects
that cannot be replaced with
HSI, SP500 in the something else. Deployed through
limelight again distributed ledger technology such as
Blockchain, NFT are created and
LAST week’s warrant trading units and 107 million units traded on NFT marketplaces, and In Malaysia, non-fungible tokens are subject to the Communications and
turnover was lower by 13.7% changing hands. exchanged through the use of Multimedia Content Code and to other laws including intellectual property laws,
to RM444.9 million from cryptocurrencies. defamation law and the criminal law. – AFPPIX
RM515.6 million in the Other HSI warrants actively
previous week, partly due to traded last week include HSI- How NFT intersect with existing form of intellectual property, despite said, whether this would actually be
the Hong Kong market being HB1, HSI-CJB, HSI-CQ1, HSI- laws is not always clear given the occupying a virtual technological the case here would depend on the
shut in conjunction with the HB4 and HSI-HB6 with a net technology involved, but essentially, space as “tokens” capable of being scope of this new exception, which
Hong Kong Special combined total of 323.2 a digital representation of anything traded, NFT are still subject to remains untested to date.
Administrative Region million units. raises overlapping issues with digital content regulation.
Establishment Day on Friday. content, thus bringing NFT within It is not only the NFT creators who
Average daily turnover also SP500 warrants were also the scope of content regulation. Generally, the Content Code need to be aware of the Content
tumbled 13.7% to RM89 in the spotlight last week, prohibits offensive content such as Code, but also NFT marketplace
million last week, versus the particularly the December In Malaysia, content is regulated hate speech, which covers portrayals operators, given that the latest
previous week’s RM103.1 expiry call warrant SP500-C14 by the Communications and that denigrate, defame, or otherwise edition of the Content Code expressly
million. Warrants over the which saw investors trading Multimedia Content Code. devalue a person or group on the introduces a new definition of online
Hang Seng Index (HSI) and up to 30.8 million units and Implemented and enforced by the basis of race, ethnicity, and religion marketplace operators, and states
the SP500 made up over 74.6% registering a total value Communications and Multimedia (among other factors). While the that both creators and online
and 10.7% of total turnover, traded of RM24.9 million Content Forum of Malaysia. The Content Code also provides marketplace operators are
respectively. amid the decline in SP500 Content Code outlines the model exceptions in circumstances of satire responsible for observing the
HSI warrants once again futures. It fell 2.6% w-o-w as practices and standards for content and parody, or where it is clear to an relevant provisions in the Content
dominated trading, recording dire consumer confidence disseminated in the communications ordinary user that the content is Code.
a value traded of RM331.8 data dampened investors’ and multimedia industry. fiction, these exceptions would
million, a 4.1% decrease optimism and fuelled worries usually apply in the case of “false” Under the latest Content Code,
week-on-week (w-o-w). It was over recession. The Content Code defines content as opposed to offensive compliance with its provisions
another volatile week for the “content” to include any text, still or content. remains mandatory only for certain
Hong Kong market. The HSI Other warrants that were moving picture or other audiovisual stakeholders in the content and
rose on Monday and Tuesday popular among investors last representation or combination of the Therefore, the scope of what media industry. Nevertheless,
into a four-day winning streak week include SP500-C12 and preceding which is capable of being would amount to offensive content demonstrated adherence to the
but lost some of its gains on MYEG-C2T which recorded created, manipulated, stored, casts a considerably wide net which provisions of the Content Code
Wednesday and Thursday to up to 37.6 million and 73.8 retrieved or communicated is likely to cover offensive NFT about would be a defence to prosecution,
end the week at 21,859.79. million units traded. electronically. the monarchy in Malaysia. action or proceedings where a matter
The July futures contract is addressed within the Content Code
finished at 21,744 as investors To view the full list of structured Given that NFT are capable of In the case of NFT depicting and the Communications and
continued to worry about US warrants that are available on representing the objects intended by human genitalia, the Content Code Multimedia Act 1998.
interest rate increases and the NFT creators in different sensory prohibits indecent content, that is,
surging global inflation amid Bursa Malaysia, ways, for example, visibly or audibly, material that is offensive, morally However, the Content Code is not
strong tightening measures by malaysiawarrants.com.my. it is unlikely to be disputed that NFT improper and against current an exhaustive reflection of the
major central banks across Provided for Malaysian residents’ fall within the ambit of “content” standards of accepted behaviour. regulatory space governing content
the globe. under the Content Code. in Malaysia, and NFT are also subject
On the back of the information only. This In this regard, while the Content to other laws including intellectual
volatility, HSI warrants HSI- commentary has not been While NFT present new and Code generally prohibits the property laws, defamation law and
CQW and HSI-HB5 took the reviewed by the Securities attractive opportunities for artists depiction of nudity, the latest edition the criminal law.
first two spots in the most and creators looking to diversify their of the Content Code (effective in May
active list with up to 311.8 Commission Malaysia. engagement and multiply their 2022) introduced a limited exception As such, while stakeholders
million and 224.4 million It is not an offer or income streams, this is not always for non-sexual nudity based on art, inhabiting the NFT space forge ahead
units traded followed by HSI- achieved without risk. For instance, information and/or sciences. in this new and exciting arena, such
CQ2 and HSI-HB9 in third and recommendation to trade the website of local graphic artist and Therefore, the depiction of human stakeholders are advised to seek
fourth spot with 116.8 million and is not research material. satirist Fahmi Reza’s “Monyet Istana” genitalia within such NFT may fall formal legal advice before taking any
Past performance is not indicative NFT which depicted a monkey in within the new exception for decisive (and creative) action.
of future performance. You should what appeared to be royal garments, depictions based on art, provided
make your own assessment was temporarily blocked shortly after however that the depictions are not This article is contributed by Yu Xin
and seek professional advice. launch. It was also reported that a excessive or explicit in nature. That Yi of Christopher & Lee Ong.
The warrants will not be offered to local NFT marketplace was ordered
to discontinue the sale of NFT
any US persons. containing cartoon depictions of
male genitalia with humanlike
features.

By virtue of being “content” and a

Three more OPR hikes 13theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
expected in 2022 * SUNBIZ

o Rising commodity prices have reached a point where it nominal interest rate minus the inflation rate, Berjaya Corp
is starting to etch into the government budget has been in negative territory since 2021. announces
Prolonged negative real interest rate is changes in
WE delve into the reasons why Bank Negara Increasing food prices signal that the stress on detrimental to the economy as inflation boardroom
Malaysia (BNM) could increase the Overnight household budgets from food is more than erodes savings and diminish the purchasing
Policy Rate (OPR) three more times in 2022. indicated by inflation statistics. Also, the power of consumers. As such, it is imperative PETALING JAYA: Berjaya Corp Bhd (BCorp)
1. Persistent global inflationary pressures transport inflation is sensitive to the higher oil that BNM take proactive measures to reverse has announced changes in its boardroom
have spilled over to Malaysia price, which is currently controlled by the negative real interest rate environment. effective July 1, 2022.
Rising commodity costs have caused Asia’s RON95’s ceiling price at RM2.05 a litre.
inflation to skyrocket. With supply shortages 4. Narrowing interest rate differential The group has appointed two new non-
aggravated by the Ukraine war, oil and food In May 2022, Malaysia’s Producer Price another cause for concern to BNM independent non-executive directors to the
prices will continue to rise. In some countries Index (PPI) accelerated to 11.2% y-o-y board, namely Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan
including Malaysia, subsidies have kept fuel contributed by higher manufacturing and Year-to-date, we have witnessed the strong Ibrahim Ismail and Chryseis Tan Sheik Ling.
prices low, rendering inflation vulnerable to mining indexes at 10.1% and 20.6% y-o-y appreciation of the US dollar as the US Fed
fiscal policy. respectively. Apparently, the increase in embarked on more aggressive rate hikes The group also saw the resignation of Datin
Malaysia’s PPI shows manufacturers are compared to the rest of the world. At the same Seri Sunita Mei-Lin Rajakumar and Datuk
The reopening of economies is expected to facing tightening supply issues which led to time, Malaysia’s foreign reserves have Hisham Othman as independent non-
drive the recovery of services sector higher costs, which could translate into an dropped 6.0% to US$109.2 billion as of June executive directors. Hisham has been
worldwide. Rising demand from higher upsurge of prices to end consumers. 15, 2022. appointed as the CEO and executive director of
consumer confidence and accumulated 2. Gradual reduction or removal of Berjaya Assets Bhd (BAssets) effective July 1,
savings after two years of lockdowns likely government subsidies to lead to further cost We believe that BNM has dipped into its 2022.
boost spending in the economy. push inflation foreign reserves to support the ringgit in the
Although the inflation rate in May seems recent months as the US dollar-ringgit has “The new line-up and changes in the BCorp
Although Malaysia is a net commodity manageable as seen in the recent data, we hovered around the same level since May boardroom reflect a total of 14 members of the
exporter, rising commodity prices have don’t think the relatively inferior inflation rate whereas the Dollar Index has appreciated board of directors. Nine female directors
reached a point where it is starting to etch into in Malaysia could be persistent. At this further. representing 64% of female representation, far
the government budget. As one of the major juncture, government subsidies serve as the exceeding the 30% recommended under the
industrial suppliers, lockdown in certain main contributor to cushion inflationary Most recently, the Fed surprised markets Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance,”
provinces in China due to the zero-Covid pressures in Malaysia. by announcing a 0.75% hike at its June policy BCorp said in a statement.
policy has negatively impacted productions in meeting (the biggest increase since 1994).
other countries, with Malaysia is not an However, is the Malaysian government Hence, we think that the onus is now on BNM The new board of directors line-up:
exception. Meanwhile, pent-up demand from capable to cope with the rapid pace of to move accordingly to counter the negative 1. Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun – Non-
regional reopening alongside the ongoing inflation? In recent months, we heard the impacts of the narrowing interest rate independent non-executive chairman;
supply chain disruptions has worsened the government has changed its tone towards differential. 2. Datuk Seri Robin Tan Yeong Ching – Non-
situation further. With all the factors more concentrated and targeted subsidies Hence, BNM could hike OPR 3 more times independent non-executive deputy chairman;
combined and ramped up, Malaysian are instead of a blanket subsidy system. in 2022 3. Vivienne Cheng Chi Fan – Executive
forced to bite the inflation bullet. BNM has signalled its positive view on the director/ joint group CEO;
The relatively low inflation rate in Malaysia rejuvenating economy which is supported by 4. Syed Ali Shahul Hameed – Executive
Malaysia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) was aided by government accommodative the easing of movement restrictions and director/ joint group CEO;
growth jumped to 2.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) measures, yet these countermeasures have reopening of international borders. Hence, we 5. Datuk Seri Zurainah Musa – Executive
in May 2022, beating market expectations of a limits, with Malaysia’s debt-to-GDP hovering think there is room for BNM to normalise the director;
2.7% y-o-y growth. Excluding the most volatile around 68.4%, the highest since 1991 and an monetary policy after two years of loosening. 6. Nerine Tan Sheik Ping – Executive director;
items of fresh food and administered prices of elevated debt proportion. Moving forward, we 7. Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim Ismail –
goods and services including cooking oils, believe the subsidies would be reduced or We believe that BNM does not wish to Non-independent non-executive director;
fuels and electricity, core inflation rose by removed gradually under the assumption that make the same mistake as the Fed did – by 8. Chryseis Tan Sheik Ling – Non-independent
2.4% y-o-y in May 2022 while inflation without the global situation is going to remain (or even hiking rates too slowly and letting inflation non-executive director;
fuel escalated by 2.7% y-o-y. The rise in core worsen). That said, we suggest the low inflation spiral out of control. BNM has shown during 9. Datuk Robert Yong Kuen Loke – Senior
inflation indicated a pass-through of higher in Malaysia wouldn’t last long and it could the last MPC meeting in May that they are independent non-executive director;
costs to a broader swath of goods and surprise investors just around the corner. willing to take proactive steps ahead of 10. Dr Jayanti Naidu G. Danasamy –
services. 3. Prolonged negative real interest rates to consensus expectations. Independent non-executive director;
force BNM to react 11. Penelope Gan Paik Ling – Independent
The high proportion of food in Malaysia’s The real interest rate in Malaysia, which is the Taking all of the above into account, we non-executive director;
CPI basket suggests that rising food costs have project there will be three more hikes (75 basis 12. Datuk Leong Kwei Chun nee Datuk Anne
a disproportionate impact on households. points) to the interest rate during the Eu – Independent non-executive director;
remaining monetary policy neetings this year. 13. Norlela Baharudin – Independent non-
executive director;
This article is contributed by 14. Tan Peng Lam – Independent non-
the iFast research team. executive director.

Malaysian vehicle buyers shift attention to used-car industry Meanwhile, in a separate statement on
Hisham’s appointment as BAssets CEO and
A WAITING list of three to six months has effect on the automotive industry, which led initiatives to improve the quality of pre- executive director, BAssets said Hisham has
become a common complaint among new- to a longer waiting period and late deliveries owned cars while providing a better customer extensive top management experience in
car buyers not just in Malaysia, but globally. It for new vehicles. The Sales and Service Tax experience to ease the process of owning a various spheres of business such as
is by no fault of the car manufacturers. The exemption that ended on June 30, 2022 may vehicle with financing options. strategy, investments, operations
automotive and industrial sectors were among also result in higher car prices or a decline in management, financial management, risk
the hardest hit by the global chip shortage. the sales of new cars. While this serves as a stopgap solution, it is management, project management, quality,
undeniable that this situation presents an marketing & sales, business development,
They are not seeing the light at the end of While local carmakers compete to ship opportunity for used-car players to change governance, compliance, and stakeholder
the tunnel yet as the semiconductor supply vehicles to buyers and adjust to this disruptive buyers’ perception so that pre-owned cars are management.
crunch is likely to last through 2023 and phenomenon, consumers have been looking not viewed as “hand-me-downs” anymore.
perhaps longer. for attractive alternatives. Furthermore, the “Having been a CEO in various industries
used-car market makes a strong contender This perception is further dispelled by key for many years, Hisham has valuable in-depth
The situation was aggravated by the with many shifting their demands to pre- players in the used-car industry that offer a experience in the fields of property
constant shutdowns of chip manufacturers owned cars as a viable and appealing option. thorough inspection process, with other development, construction, highways,
during the Covid-19 pandemic, while any As consumers seek alternatives to meet their added services to provide customers the concessions, infrastructure, automotive, and
available supply was prioritised to consumer needs and overcome this disruption, pre- peace of mind and convenience they need. transportation. He is familiar with the project
electronics. This eventually crippled the owned cars became in demand and provided For example, at Carsome Certified Lab, all management, design, construction, execution,
supply to carmakers and resulted in a growing a boost for sales in the market. cars have gone through a 175-point completion and maintenance of projects.”
backlog of orders for new cars. inspection process before they are selected to
Having seized this window of opportunity, undergo many stages of refurbishment to Hisham holds a Bachelor of Civil
In Malaysia, the chip shortage created a used-car dealers enjoyed brisk business from become a Carsome Certified car. The journey Engineering from the University of Western
ripple effect on the supply and demand chain January to May 2021, with sales increasing by to owning a pre-owned car is also made easier Australia and a Master of Business
in the automotive market. It negatively more than 10% compared with the same at Carsome PJ Automall, a newly launched Administration from Universiti Putra Malaysia.
influenced the total industry volume (TIV) period in 2020. Moreover, there are some 10 Carsome Experience Center where customers He holds a Senior Management Certificate
numbers and production output, which led to million active drivers in Malaysia, and the can view, test drive a car, and explore from Insead of France.
price hikes, longer waiting period, and delay numbers are growing each year with first-time financing options and car aesthetics services
in deliveries of new cars. car buyers, half of whom opted for used cars, in one location for total convenience. Hisham is a Qualified Risk Director and a
as reported by MAA. This is a testament to the Member of the Institute of Enterprise Risk
The Malaysian Automotive Association high demand for pre-owned vehicles. Regardless of the global chip shortage, Practitioners based in the UK. He is also a
(MAA) reported that the ongoing computer used-car players must continuously member of Malaysian Institute of Corporate
chip shortage and the supply chain disruption The surge in demand for pre-owned cars strengthen their offerings, and what better Governance and Institute of Corporate
caused by the floods in December 2021 has led to growing opportunities for brands time to do that than now, when the demand Directors Malaysia.
affected TIV numbers in January 2022 . It may like Carsome to bridge the supply and for pre-owned cars is high.
take a while before local production and supply demand gap for vehicles and address the
return to normal . Moreover, MAA expects new need for private transportation ownership in This article is contributed by
car prices in Malaysia to increase due to the Malaysia. Given the situation, brands in the Carsome Certified Malaysia
rising prices of raw materials and logistic costs. used-car market have also been ramping up country general manager Alan Cheah.

These external factors delivered a domino

14 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022 FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN
SUNBIZ ME
/theSunMedia

SoftBank’s Fortress offers to buy Sogo & Seibu for ¥200b: Report

BENGALURU: SoftBank-owned Fortress convenience store business, Nikkei said. the acquisition, the report added. In April, Seven & i said it would continue
Investment Group has offered around ¥200 Fortress Investment did not respond to a Fortress is considering having Yodobashi reforms of its business portfolio and had hired a
billion (RM6.5 billion) to buy Japanese financial adviser to conduct a strategic review of
department store unit Sogo & Seibu from Reuters request for comment outside US run its store within the Seibu department in Sogo & Seibu.
parent Seven & i Holdings, Nikkei reported business hours. Seven & i could not be Ikebukuro, Tokyo, according to Nikkei.
yesterday, citing sources. immediately reached. Seven & i, the parent of 7-Eleven
Investment firm ValueAct, which holds a 4.4% convenience stores, is expected to hold more
Fortress has obtained the first refusal right in The US-based private equity firm is also in stake in Seven & i, had urged the Japanese retailer detailed talks with Fortress, including on
the acquisition of Sogo & Seibu, amid investor talks with Japanese electronics and appliance to sell off Sogo & Seibu, saying in February the employment and whether to shut some stores,
pressure at Seven & i to focus on its core retailer Yodobashi Holdings to collaborate on company could more than double its share price according to the Nikkei report. – Reuters
efforts to revamp the department stores after by focusing on its convenience stores.

US multinationals grapple Argentina economy
with soaring dollar minister quits
as govt crisis builds

BUENOS AIRES:
Argentina’s economy
minister Martin Guzman
(pix), the architect of a
plans on a quarterly or even monthly basis, recent major debt deal
o Many firms have revised their earnings forecasts for the sometimes trying to predict currency with the International
year to account for the changing exchange rate movements, Kyriba’s Bob Stark said. Monetary Fund (IMF),
resigned on Saturday as
But it’s not an exact science, he noted, deep splits emerged in the
especially in a time of great uncertainty ruling coalition over how
NEW YORK: The rapid rise of the US dollar Kyriba estimates the currency effects about the direction of inflation, interest rates to handle mounting
since the start of the year is a double-edged could mean a US$40 billion hit to earnings of and the possibility of a recession. economic crises.
sword for American multinational S&P 500 firms in the first half of the year. Guzman, a minister since late 2019 and a
companies, pushing some of them to decide But “since the start of the pandemic, close ally of President Alberto Fernandez,
whether to hedge or reposition their The Federal Reserve’s decision to CFOs have gotten very good at looking at posted a letter on Twitter announcing his
activities abroad to avoid fallout. aggressively increase interest rates to combat multiple scenarios and building on them”, decision, adding he maintained “confidence in
rampant inflation, combined with an influx Stark said. my vision of the path Argentina should follow”.
For an importer, the surge in the of funds into the country from investors The president is facing his lowest approval
greenback against the euro, yen or British looking for a safe haven in uncertain times, Sporting goods giant Nike, for instance, rating since taking office in 2019, with cracks in
pound is a plus, because it makes the have combined to boost the US dollar. warned last Monday that currency effects his coalition, inflation running above 60%, the
products they buy cheaper. would cut annual revenue by several peso currency under growing pressure and
The greenback has risen 13% compared percentage points. But the profit hit is much sovereign bonds at record lows.
But for a US export company, products to the euro over the last 12 months, lower because of the hedging. Guzman, a moderate, had clashed with
sold in dollars have become more expensive, approaching parity, and gained 22% against powerful Vice President Cristina Fernandez de
which increases the risk of losing clients and the yen. The current high volatility in foreign Kirchner, a two-term former president, who has
seeing sales decline. exchange markets also means it costs more criticised his handling of the economy and
“Short term, that’s a good thing for the to hedge, so some firms are choosing not to called for greater spending to alleviate high
And they also lose money when United States because it means all the use those instruments. poverty levels.
converting foreign revenue back into to imports are cheaper and it puts downward The resignation leaves the ministry
dollars. pressure on inflation,” said Desmond Among the other tools at their disposal, leaderless just as Guzman was expected to
Lachman of the American Enterprise multinationals can reduce their exposure travel to Europe to negotiate a US$2 billion
Many firms already revised their earnings Institute think tank. with other techniques, such as by paying (RM8.8 billion) debt deal with the Paris Club of
forecasts for the year to account for the their Japanese suppliers in dollars, by sovereign lenders.
changing exchange rate, including But further out, the effect on the US renegotiating prices, or even by buying their Investors, already jittery about the country’s
computing giant Microsoft, which warned its economy is more nuanced, because if supplies from different countries. economic outlook, have pushed bonds down
quarterly sales will fall by US$460 million exports fall, “the United States trade deficit toward 20 cents on the dollar in recent weeks.
(RM2.03 billion) and its net profit by US$250 widens and then we get more external debt”. Or they can simply wait for the US All eyes now will be on Guzman’s replacement.
million due to the currency hit. currency to weaken before repatriating their Guzman, 39, said “there should be a political
But multinationals “don’t have control profits. agreement within the governing coalition” to
Adobe, Salesforce, Biogen and Pfizer have over these big items”, he explained. choose his successor.
all warned that the dollar’s rapid rise will However, once the exchange rate has Two Economy Ministry officials, asking not
have a greater impact on their accounts than They can, however, mitigate the effect of strengthened, there is limited room to to be named, said that Guzman’s position had
expected. fluctuations in foreign currencies in which manoeuvre, according to Nikolai Roussanov, become untenable, especially without support
they price and invoice goods by adopting a finance professor at the University of for his economic agenda. –Reuters
Companies that generate most of their hedging strategies – using financial Pennsylvania – especially when prices are
revenue outside of the United States are the instruments that provide a kind of insurance also rising because of supply chain issues
most exposed, starting with tech giants, against losses caused by the changing and energy costs.
medical equipment makers and service exchange rate.
companies, according to Kyriba, a corporate “If you try to react to something already
cash management platform. Most corporations already have hedging happening, it might come to bite you later
programs in place, and they change their because some of these movements are quite
transitory,” he told AFP.

Seven myths about foreign exchange

THERE is no question about the sheer influence new and promising trading strategy. The instrument in a single day. Those market traders foundations, and a valid risk management
and rising popularity of foreign exchange (forex). potential gains could be considerable, but the who find themselves managing long-term strategy. You should never make trading decisions
Yet myths and misconceptions still cling to the losses would eat up the initial funds quickly. trading have one more advantage on their side: on hunches, gut feeling, or intuition alone.
most significant financial market by trading they save capital on the spreads paid per order.
volume. There are positive and negative myths Never invest or trade more than you are Anyone claiming they can predict the market
about forex. Both are equally in need of willing to lose. That’s true for any leverage ratio. Spreads are the forex “commission” or promise to sell you the skills to do so is not
clarification. 0 Easy and quick money with forex incorporated into each open order. Rather than trustworthy or reliable.
0 You need a lot of money to start This might be the strongest myth about forex that paying many daily spreads equivalent to opened 0 The more trades you make the better
This hasn’t been true for almost two decades. The unjustly attaches the “gambling” accusation to orders, you pay much less spread since you have You can quickly lose the organisational and
myth is debunked every day by many new traders the service. There is no such thing as “easy fewer orders over a more extended period. analytical overview if you have too many active
who come into this dynamic market at an hourly money” with almost anything – especially on a 0 The forex market is rigged orders – unless it is one or two assets that you
pace. Over 1,200 forex brokers compete for these regular, honest basis. Out of frustration, many former and current forex know inside out. First, get accustomed to keeping
new clients and regularly improve their trading participants believe that the market is actually track of one to two orders a day and find a realistic
conditions. Money is hard-earned. If someone trades rigged. They think some authorities or insiders template of how many motions you can handle
forex successfully, this person puts much time manipulate or control the market to exploit the simultaneously.
The decentralisation that came with the and effort into developing psychologically, ordinary traders’ positions to cheat them out of
internet goes hand in hand with the mentally, and intellectually as a trader. their funds. There has never been conclusive If you start losing track of an asset, you have
democratisation of the once-elite forex domain, forensic evidence for a systematic, ongoing overloaded yourself: bring the total of trading
opening up to regular people around the world. Research the market, read the literature, use foreign exchange market manipulation. orders back down to a manageable amount.
online forex education that brokers grant, and
The journey with forex trading can start with a follow well-conceived trading strategies. Plus, Historically, there were instances of powerful Some successful traders open many orders to
relatively low initial deposit, depending on the always utilise proper risk management tools. and extremely wealthy players who exploited and maximise their profits. However, this is a
broker and its conditions. Instead of “easy and quick money”, hard-earned took advantage of temporary institutional testament to their skill development and
0 A high level of leverage is good and lasting profits will follow. weaknesses, like in central banks. But this rare, experience gained over a non-trivial period.
High leverage is not necessarily “good”. To be 0 Is forex only suitable for short-term traders? criminal behaviour is possible in any market and
more precise, look at it not as “good or bad” – but Many people trade on a day-to-day basis, tracking is not a hard-wired attribute of forex. Focus on quality and not quantity. Focus on
rather as “risky or safe”. High leverage shouldn’t the movements of an asset short-term. Because of 0 You can predict the market taking the one good trade each time. Just do the
be applied too often within the framework of the lucrative but risky option of high leverage, this Of course, you can’t. But many participants trick math, all you need is one solid trade on average
proper risk management, especially by beginners has become quite popular. Popularity is not a themselves into believing they can. This is a per month to enjoy the 2% to 5% return. Why
and intermediate traders. measure of how forex should or could be traded. psychological trap someone can get into, which trouble yourself by taking so many trades only to
Long-term strategies can be applied just as much. can eventually lead to losses. The only way to go is end up having just about the same results? And
Experienced traders who have some spare to deal with probabilities – backed up by research, worse if that makes you more susceptible to
capital to experiment with – a small fraction of Traders of long-term trends have a different technical analysis, solid psychological unnecessary mistakes.
their portfolio – can try a high leverage play with a psychological approach since they are less
concerned about what happens with a financial This article is contributed by
international forex broker OctaFX.

M O N DAY
4 JULY 2022

The Princess has no clothes 0CAST: Joey E-VALUE
King, Dominic 6
oWhile mildly entertaining, this frenetic, try-hard edgy action film is full of flaws Cooper, Olga
Kurylenko ACTING
and Veronica 6
Ngo.
0DIRECTOR: PLOT
Le-Van Kiet 5

█ BY ANANSA JACOB

FEMALE empowerment is the name of
the game in The Princess, the new
period-drama action film that made its
debut on Disney+ Hotstar late last week.
Featuring Joey King as the titular Princess – the
character’s actual name is never spoken – the
film has some well-choreographed action
scenes and thankfully decent performances,
but suffers from clunky dialogue and
cinematography that takes too much
‘inspiration’ from the works of Guy Ritchie and
Matthew Vaughn.
We’re introduced to the Princess as she
wakes up after being knocked out and
imprisoned by some mercenaries. Within
moments, we find out that she’s not your
stereotypical damsel-in-distress as she
singlehandedly kills them – in quite a brutal
fashion – and escapes.
Eventually we learn that the palace has been
invaded by a nobleman named Julius (Dominic
Cooper), whom the Princess refused to marry.
The rejected Julius, together with his army and
paramour/second-in command Moira (Olga
Kurylenko), decides to capture the royal family
and force the Princess to marry him so that he
can take over the kingdom.
Unbeknownst to almost everyone, the
Princess has been taking swordfighting lessons
on the side from one of her subjects, the warrior
Linh (Veronica Ngo). It is now up to her to free
everyone and get her revenge on Julius. Ngo (left) and King facing off against the
Despite starting out strong, the film’s flaws patriarchy. – DISNEY+
soon bog it down. For one thing, this is a film Netflix ‘actively’ working on ad-
that knows it’s an ‘empowerment’ film, and it Holmes. Whether it’s an homage or outright supported subscription
doesn’t let the audience forget it, which makes plagiarism, I suppose it is up to the viewer to
the entire effort come off as insincere and decide. Comparisons have also been made to
preachy. The Raid, and I have to concur.
In addition, the film feels as though it I’m not sure how much of the film’s failures
suffered from a limited budget. Most of the story can be blamed on the director. Vietnam native NETFLIX is “actively” working on building its The Wall Street Journal said Netflix is
takes place during a single day Le-Van Kiet – who is making his cheaper, ad-supported deal, the company’s actively looking into partnerships with
within the confines of the Hollywood debut – has proven to be French team said on Tuesday, but added Google and Comcast to provide ads.
palace, and while that allowed Scan the QR a competant filmmaker in the past, there was no clear timeline.
for the focus to remain on the code to as seen in his 2019 action film Furie. There are also tricky questions about
characters, it also made the watch the It was revealed last month that the where to place the ads.
film feel rather small and trailer Incidentally, Furie starred Ngo, streaming platform was planning to
who is criminally underused in The introduce a new cheaper subscription model Should they come only at the start of
cheap. Princess. The few scenes that she by the end of the year that would break its programming? Or will their teams have to go
Fortunately, the cast managed to do a good had with King were among the highlights of the taboo on advertising. back through countless hours of content to
job with the weak material they were given. film – especially once the two of them team up find suitable moments for an ad break in
King in particular makes a believable ‘warrior to fight the bad guys – and I wish that we could That leak to the New York Times followed shows like Stranger Things that were never
princess,’ and manages to pull off not just the have seen more of those. news that Netflix had lost 200,000 subscribers created with ads in mind?
fast-paced action scenes, but also a solid British For one thing, it would have been more in the first quarter of the year – its first decline
accent. empowering to demonstrate how strong in a decade. “For now, nothing is decided,” said
Cooper also proves himself to be a decent women can and should work together, instead Dauba-Pantanacce.
antagonist, despite being saddled with cringe- of showing the Princess being forced to go at it “We don’t have a precise timeline yet,”
inducing dialogue that would have turned a less alone most of the time. Anne-Gabrielle Dauba-Pantanacce, head of In its bid to rake in more cash, Netflix is
competant actor into a one-dimensional villain. Still, while The Princess is ultimately not a communications for Netflix France, told AFP. also looking to crackdown on users who
One thing I noticed while watching The great film, it’s far from being a bad one, and the share their passwords with others.
Princess was how similar the way the action action scenes alone are worth sticking around “We are actively working on it. It’s a
scenes were shot looked to what we’ve seen for. I only wished that the film had lived up to priority – this idea of giving subscribers more Despite losing subscribers, which led to a
previously in films like Kingsman and Sherlock what it promised. options in the context of high inflation,” she tumble in its share price, Netflix remains by
added. far the most popular streaming service in the
world with 222 million subscribers.
Bloomberg reported over the weekend
that Netflix has yet to appoint a head of But they are shared with an estimated 100
advertising or build a sales team. million other households that are not paying
for the service. – ETX Studio

Joey King makes a
surprisingly
competent action
heroine. – DISNEY+

Netflix is planning to introduce a new cheaper subscription model by the end of the year. – ETX
STUDIO

ENTERTAINMENT Playing a down-
to-earth hero
16 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022

█ COMPILED BY ANANSA JACOB

Pratt’s character
in The Terminal
List was written
with him in
mind. –
AMAZON

oChris Pratt decided to portray a Navy SEAL in
TheTerminal List to honour the US armed forces

OVER the past few on a book series written by to get what is very obviously an
weeks, Chris Pratt Navy SEAL veteran-turned- authentic point of view into the
has been having a bestselling author Jack Carr. life of a Navy SEAL
rough time in commander’ and that’s Jack
Hollywood, specifically from Ironically, Carr confessed Carr and his experience with
fans who have launched that when he wrote the books, combat deployments overseas.
several social media he was envisioning Pratt But yeah, that was the reason
campaigns against him. portraying his protagonist we did it, the authenticity and
However, all that has not James Reece, who uncovers to honour these men and
diminished his star power, with some troubling conspiracies in women.”
his most recent film Jurassic the highest ranks of the
World: Dominion grossing American government. However, despite being a
more than US$774 million bona fide action hero, Pratt
(RM3.4 billion) worldwide. Pratt himself immediately admits that he could never
signed on to star in and survive real-life Navy SEAL
Pratt is also set to make an executive produce the training.
appearance in the upcoming adaptation of the book, saying
Marvel Studios film Thor: Love that his “great respect” for the “I think most people don’t
and Thunder (which premieres US armed forces was a factor. have the makeup to get it done.
in Malaysia on July 21), and I’m blessed to be in a position
also has voice roles in two “That was a huge as an actor and as a producer
major animated films – determining factor in choosing to be able to share this story
Garfield and Mario – to option this book and bring it onscreen.”
scheduled for production. to the screen,” he told Yahoo
Entertainment. “It was wildly Following The Terminal
He is also the star of the authentic. I think that’s the List, Pratt is set to return to
Amazon action series The main thing people rave about space, as his next Marvel film
Terminal List, which is based when they read The Terminal Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
List is ‘Wow, it’s very refreshing is set to premiere in May 2023.

Jensen Ackles talks future for Soldier Boy Secret wedding for Lindsay Lohan?
FANS of actress Lindsay Lohan “Every woman should feel like this
THE most recent episode of Amazon In a separate interview, Kripke said: were blindsided over the weekend every day.”
series The Boys surprised fans with a “I’m like, of course, because many of when she appeared to hint that
stunning revelation: that the recently- our main characters are dealing with Ackles said she had gotten married recently. This caused fans to wonder if
revived superhero Soldier Boy (played issues of their parents and parenting ... that Soldier the two had secretly gotten
by Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles) Homelander should have to deal with Boy will have Lohan, 36, announced her married, and they immediately
was in fact the biological father of his dad. So it all fell together.” some hard engagement to financier Bader began flooding Lohan’s comments
series villain Homelander (Anthony Now that the secret is out, Ackles choices to Shammas last November with a with messages of congratulations.
Starr). was asked what that would mean for make. – post on Instagram, sharing photos
Soldier Boy going forward, as he has AMAZON of the couple smiling and showing So far neither Lohan nor her
In an interview with Variety made a promise to The Boys’ off her new ring. Her caption representatives have confirmed
following the episode’s release, Ackles Butcher to kill Homelander. simply referred to him as “My life. the nuptials have taken place.
admitted that even as a fan of the Ackles said: “The My Love.” However, a secret wedding would
show, he had not seen that twist awkwardness of that be in line with Lohan’s own desire
coming. realisation gets played While scant information has to keep her personal life as private
out more in [the been released about the couple, it as possible.
He explained: “I just kind of next episode]. We is believed that Lohan first met the
assumed that the only connection was see that struggle US-educated Shamass in Dubai, In February, Lohan had said in
the fact that they were contextualised that, not just where Lohan had been living in an interview with Extra that she
in the same way, that Soldier Boy was recent years. envisioned herself as a “low-key”
the original Homelander and got in bride.
the way and they replaced him with a On Friday, however, Lohan
shinier, newer version of the same Soldier Boy, but shared a photo of herself and
thing. Homelander is Shammas on Instagram, with the
having with that caption: “I am the luckiest woman
“But in no way, shape or form did I bomb-drop of in the world. You found me and
think that there was an actual information. knew that I wanted to find
bloodline connection. So it kind of Basically, happiness and grace, all at
threw me for a loop.” Soldier Boy the same time. I am
has some hard stunned that you are my
As fans who read the original The choices to husband. My life and my
Boys comics by Garth Ennis and figure out.” everything.”
Darick Robertson know, Soldier Boy is This
not Homelander’s father in the source development She then added:
material, but instead a blindly loyal
subordinate. There had been should made Lohan (left) claimed
questions as to why his character was for a fiery on Instagram that she
changed so much for the show, but final episode had married fiance
following the twist, it has become of the season, Shammas. –
obvious why showrunner Eric Kripke which takes INSTAGRAM
made the change. place on July 8.

LE SSERAFIM performs as quintet in Japan
WEEKS after LE SSERAFIM member accommodate the current line up. school classmates accused the 16-
Members Kim Garam was announced to be The group has been doing year-old of bullying them.
of LE “taking a break from all group
SSERAFIM activities” following her recent promotions with just five members – While the group’s agency Source
during bullying scandal, it appears that the Sakura, Eunchae, Chaewon, Kazuha, Music has remained mum on Garam’s
their other members are determined to and Yunjin – ever since May 22 when future with the group, netizens have
recent continue on as a quintet – at least they made their first Korean TV music been vocal about keeping her out of
trip to unofficially. debut on Inkigayo. This was following the group, as the potential for further
Japan. – a statement released by the group’s scandals is “too high”.
ALLKPOP On Saturday, the group made its agency HYBE Labels/Source Music
Japanese television debut on The stating that Garam would be taking a In addition, many have reacted
Music Day, performing the hit single temporary break from promotional positively to the remaining line up,
Fearless with revised choreography to activities after several former high saying that the dance choreography
works better with five members.

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ME
/thesundaily 17theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022

Hit me baby, one more time
█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN
o The hit Hindi baby-drama film gets a Tamil remake Billie Eilish set for KL
THE movie Veetla Vishesham is a concert on Aug 18
remake of Badhaai Ho, which Veetla Vishesham
won a Hindi National Award in is an official Tamil LIVE Nation is thrilled to announce seven-time
2018. The plot tells of Ilango remake of Hindi GRAMMY winner, US pop sensation Billie Eilish,
(Balaji), whose life is turned upside blockbuster will headline arenas and stadiums throughout
down when his elderly parents movie Badhaai Asia in August.
Krishnaveni and Unni (played by Ho. – TIRUVARUR
Urvashi and Sathyaraj) reveal that they MOVIES Eilish brings her hotly anticipated Happier
are about to have another baby. Than Ever, The World Tour to Manila, Seoul, Kuala
0Cast: This film is a Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo this
Faced with shame and scorn from Sathyaraj, RJ well-written August. It will be the singer’s first live dates in
society, Elango’s brother and Balaji, Urvashi, drama that Asia, and the shows come off the back of her #1,
grandmother (KPAC Lalitha) are Aparna managed to critically acclaimed sophomore record Happier
compelled to carefully manage their Balamurali capture the Than Ever – out now via Universal Music.
personal and social lives. Veetla heart of
Vishesham is the narrative of a family of 0Director: audiences. Eilish’s tour dates in North America, the UK
five dealing with a pregnancy, individual N.J. Saravanan, – LMK MOVIE and Europe sold out in record time back in May
decisions, and societal consequence. RJ Balaji MANIAC 2021. Happier Than Ever, The World Tour is set to
take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August
Urvashi owns this film. She doesn’t E-VALUE 18, 2022.
say much, but that reflects her 7
Krishnaveni’s function in a lower- General public tickets are currently on sale via
middle-class household. The actress is ACTING golive-asia.com or GoLive Ticketing App.
fantastic in conveying much innocence 8
and maternal affection without ever In just four years, Billie Eilish has become one
coming off as naive or stupid. She is her PLOT of the music industry’s greatest success stories,
own person, and she will not submit to 7 with an incredible seven GRAMMY wins and 10
coercion. nominations, her music accumulating over 73
billion streams globally.
Throughout the film, you can witness
these polar opposites coexisting. She is Debuting at #1 on Album Charts worldwide in
terrified of societal shame and July 2021, her new album Happier Than Ever
condemnation from her own family, but “fully establishes Eilish as one of her generation’s
when her husband, Unni, attempts to most significant pop artistes”, as stated by NME in
push her to his will in kind, gentle ways, their 5-star review. Rolling Stone called it
you will see signs of a powerful woman. “heroically honest”, while DIY Mag noted it’s“not
This film comes to life through the love just a triumph in progressing a signature sound
between Unni and Krishnaveni. into new territories, but a lesson in how to own
your reality with confidence and class.”
Unni is not like the Sathyaraj we are
used to seeing. He is the parent that Weaving razor-sharp wit, everyday
creates videos that any son or daughter observations, secrets and escapades, Happier
would squirm at. He never speaks out, Than Ever explores what it means to be a
and he never confronts an issue. So complex human being, navigating the modern
much so that when his mother abuses world. Eilish has delivered her rawest, most
his wife, he only way to deal with it is by confessionary work to date.
ordering tea for her. He is unwaveringly
supportive, yet he never solves any of One of the most crucial pop artists of our time,
the difficulties. He is the lovable on Sept 3 last year Eilish made her Disney+ debut
common man. with Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles
– a cinematic concert experience, filmed on the
RJ Balaji is excellent in the part of stage of the legendary Hollywood Bowl and
Ilango, a dumb moron. Ilango is weak, featuring an intimate performance of every song
ignorant yet genuine without the on Happier Than Ever in sequential order,
peculiar RJ Balaji-isms. KPAC Lalitha performed for the first and only time.
does a fantastic as the mother-in-law.
She is so faithful to her character that On her Happier Than Ever, The World Tour,
even the expected change goes above Eilish will continue her work with sustainability
and beyond. partner REVERB, which focuses on climate action
and climate justice, hosting and supporting local
Veetla Vishesham is a mash-up of and global environmental organisations as well
many comic techniques, including dark as a comprehensive programme via REVERB’s
comedy, situational humour, and Music Climate Revolution campaign.
Balaji’s well-known sharp counters. The
finest part about this remake is that no In addition to reducing the tour’s
alterations were made to the original environmental footprint, the initiative will
plot. When compared to the original support projects that directly and measurably
film, the remake contains many more eliminate greenhouse gases. These collective
daring elements that need to be efforts will make the tour climate-positive;
discussed in our daily lives. Even when eliminating significantly more emissions than the
the picture appears to be a touch loud, it tour creates.
surprisingly remains convincing, and
the music, photography, and editing
brought additional complexity to the
film, making it really shine with its
authenticity.

Veetla Vishesham is a pleasant
comedy-drama that embodies the
phrase “family entertainer.”

Totoro’s home: Japan crowdfund for forest that inspired film
A JAPANESE city is launching a the forest into a nature reserve. An initial 1,000 sets will be
crowdfunding campaign to help The 1988 animation film from available, targeting donors inside
preserve a special spot of Japan, though additional rounds
woodland: the forest that inspired Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli features could be organised if there is
the animator of beloved movie My the cuddly but mysterious forest interest, the official said.
Neighbour Totoro. spirit character Totoro, who has The 1988 animation
The city of Tokorozawa outside become an instantly recognisable While the campaign will only film ‘My Neighbour
Tokyo plans to buy the 3.5-hectare figure for fans around the world. cover a small portion of the cost of Totoro’ from Miyazaki’s
Totoro Forest for 2.6 billion yen buying the land, the city is hoping it Studio Ghibli features
(RM83.8 million), with The forest that inspired his will bring attention to the forest the cuddly but
crowdfunding covering just a small home is about 30 kilometres and build support for its mysterious forest spirit
portion of that. northwest of Tokyo and has some preservation. character Totoro, who
“The area is one of the places 7,000 oak trees. has become an
that director (Hayao) Miyazaki Miyazaki, who co-founded instantly recognisable
developed ideas for Totoro after Tokorozawa will ask Studio Ghibli with Isao Takahata, is figure for fans around
walking there,” officials said, crowdfunding participants to known for a string of animated hits, the world. – STUDIO
adding that the plan aims to turn contribute 25,000 yen (RM815.60) including Spirited Away, though GHIBLI
and in return, they will receive Totoro is one of his studio’s most
prints of background artwork beloved characters. – ETX Studio
offered by Studio Ghibli.

LIFESTYLE

18 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022

The debate
about whether
violent video
games actually
cause violence
in young kids
has been up in
the air for a long
time. – 123RF

█ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Does violence beget violence?Before video games, films and even music were blamed as the cause of real world violence. –XYZFILMS

ON May 24, the deadliest US school o Today’s video games are becoming exponentially more complex, with astoundingly realistic
shooting of this year occurred, when graphics,intricateplots,andlengthyplayingtimes –butdotheypromoteviolenttendencies?
Salvator Ramos invaded Robb
Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas
and took 21 innocent lives, 19 of whom were
children.

In the days that followed, investigators
pieced together information about Ramos’
background, and news eventually broke that the
18 year old had allegedly made threats to “shoot
up a school” after losing in a video game, a threat
he was known to hurl when playing.

Surprisngly, American news media (and
politicians) did not latch on to the alleged link
between Ramos and video games like after
previous mass shooting events in the past.

However, a Fox News host said: “It seems like
these things have gotten so much worse since
video games became so realistic and so violent”.

He was referring to another mass shooting
incident that occurred prior to the one in Texas.

This isn’t the first time the media (and
politicians) have attempted to link real-world
violence to video games, or the entertainment
media as whole, and it certainly isn’t confined to
America.

Nine years ago, a Malaysian politician
attempted to get the game Grand Theft Auto 5
banned in the country due to in-game violence.

Finger pointing is as natural to humans as
breathing, and the finger pointing to violence in
video games (and movies, and TV shows) has
been persistent for a long time, and frankly, it is
distracting from actual causes of real-world
violence, primarily mental health and child
upbringing.

Correlation vs. Causation For many, consumers of violent upbringing (“Were they neglected/abused as cases, may cause them to lash out in the real
The idea that the consumption of content from media use it as escapism, and it children?”), and the other actual factors behind world due to desensitisation and weakened
video games and related entertainment media rarely affects their real world why they are the way that they are. moral inhibitors.
directly causes an uptick in hostility, anti-social behaviour negatively. –123RF
behaviour and ultimately, explosive aggression on social media. In most situations, correlation is ruled out, In these cases, again, entertainment media
in the real world, or that children will become Then there is the violence in worse-off third because most people – be it children, teens or still isn’t the primary cause for the behaviour of
killers after playing a violent video game is world countries without the kind of access to adults – who consume violent media are not a small part of the population.
inherently false. videogames or entertainment media that other violent in the real-world, even if they display
developing or developed countries have. some anti-social behaviour. At the end of the day, most video games,
While there has been research done overseas This isn’t to say video games, movies or TV movies, TV shows and music “with violent or
and in Malaysia exploring violent tendencies shows are entirely blameless, or that studies That said, there are strong causal effects, graphic content” are just politically-charged
and whether entertainment media aggravates it, about these subject matters are a waste, but the where those who are aggressive or violent are talking points turned into a convenient
the findings are either “bad” due to limited scope has to take other variables into naturally drawn to violent media, which may bogeyman meant to distract from the root
research methodologies – i.e. small sample sizes consideration, such as the mental state of the “aggravate” existing tendencies and in most causes of real world violence.
– or if they’re decent, the correlation is so small, children or adults that resort to violence (“Do
they mean nothing on a wider scale. they have anger management issues?”), their

This is backed up by a 2020 study that re-
examined 28 global studies on the subject,
which reported that when bundled together, all
the previous studies showed minuscule positive
corelation between gaming and aggression.
It makes sense
Video games have been present in Malaysia for
decades, and gaming is increasingly common
within every household, while the availability of
film and TV streaming are just as widespread,
yet Malaysia rarely – if ever – experiences mass
casualty events or violent attacks like America
does.

The real-world violence that we experience
“regularly” however, is often – ironically –
isolated, occurring once in a blue moon, such as
the torture and subsequent death of a Navy
cadet, or the school assaults on lone children by
groups of other children that sometimes go viral

TECH

19theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022

█ MARK MATHEN VICTOR

SIX months into 2022, and the
gaming industry has seen
several heavy releases such as
Forbidden Horizon West, the
reinvented Pokemon Legends:
Arceus, along with the critically and
commercially acclaimed Elden Ring.

While the rest of the year has seen
the release dates of big games being
delayed to 2023, such as Suicide
Squad: Kill the Justice League and
Breath of the Wild 2, the year could
possibly still ended on a high note
rather than on a whimper, if the
release of the following games aren’t
pushed to next year, that is.

Saints Row
Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5,
Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows

Release Date: August 23 Gotham Knights takes place after Batman’s death. – WARNER BROS. GAMES
A complete reboot of the franchise,
Saints Row developer Volition has Remaining
promised that the game will be games of 2022
returning to the era of Saints Row 2, o Here are a list of highly anticipated games
where the reboot will have a balanced set for release in the upcoming months
sense of humour and seriousness,
with the current social climate and Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Batman-related video game. The first A Plague Tale game was renowned for its storytelling. – FOCUS
Gen Z sensibilities in mind. X/S, Windows Taking place in an open-world ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: October 25
This change, or course correction, The Court of Owls, a villainous secret Gotham City much like the Batman:
was due to the last main game in the society, will be making their debut Arkham games, Gotham Knights will
franchise, Saints Row IV in 2013 outside Batman comic books in place players in the shoes of Batman’s
pushing the series’ over-the-top Gotham Knights, the next big first four sidekicks: Nightwing, Red
comedy and parody to its absolute Hood, Batgirl and Robin.
limits. The characters will have their own
distinct play styles that mirrors their
Due to the change in creative
vision being criticised by longtime
fans of the franchise, it remains to be
seen until the game releases on
whether this was the right decision.
Forspoken
Platform: PlayStation 5, Windows
Release Date: October 11
The second game being developed by
Square Enix’s subsidiary, Luminous
Productions after Final Fantasy XV in
2016, Forspoken is a completely new
IP that will take place in the fantasy
land of Athia after protagonist Frey
Holland is transported there from her
modern world.

Developed with the Luminious
Engine, Forspoken will utilise the
power of the PlayStation 5 and PC for
its massive open world, gameplay
and magic-oriented combat.
Gotham Knights

counterparts in other media, though
Red Hood will have several changes,
notably being that the traditionally
violent vigilante’s lethal guns will be
changed to non-lethal.
Gotham Knights was initially also
supposed to be released on last-
generation consoles, but
development on it was ended.

Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon The Saints Row reboot will focus on a Gen Z gang of criminals. – DEEP SILVER
Violet
Forspoken has the potential to be a franchise. – SQUARE ENIX Platform: Nintendo Switch in the same year as the previously rumoured to contain a cure.
Release Date: November 18 released Pokemon Brilliant Requiem will follow Innocence’s
Fans of the Pokemon franchise are Diamond, Pokemon Shining Pearl
living in a golden era, with Pokemon and Pokemon Legends: Arceus. core gameplay of action with puzzle
Scarlet and Pokemon Violet dropping and survival horror elements, with
The new games will mark the start the groundbreaking narrative-heavy
Barring a delay, God of War: Ragnarok is poised to sweep year-end game awards. – SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT of the “ninth generation” of Pokemon storytelling returning to tell a
games, and - based on the trailers compelling tale of survival and
released - will most likely follow a familial bonds.
combined amalgamation of
Pokemon Sword, Pokemon Shield Added improvements are certain
and Arceus when it comes to the new to come, with one being the crossbow
generation’s approach of the open- seen throughout promotional images
world gameplay, while retaining the and trailers.
core formula that has existed since God of War: Ragnarok
1996. Platform: PlayStation 4,
A Plague Tale: Requiem PlayStation 5
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Release Date: November 2022
X/S, Windows Set three years after 2018’s God of
Release Date: To be confirmed War, Kratos and his son, Atreus (and
The story of Amicia and Hugo the players) are set to face off against
continue after 2017’s A Plague Tale: the Norse pantheon of gods.
Innocence, with Requiem taking the
siblings far south of France, as they Unlike the previous God of War
attempt to start a new life and find a games that took three main games
way to cure Hugo’s curse. and several in-between games to tell
the story across almost 15 years,
The rats, however, soon return, Ragnarok will wrap up the Norse era
causing the duo to flee for an island of God of War with just two games.

Producer Cory Balrog explained

ENVIRONMENT FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN
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20 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022 @thesundaily

HUMANITY must heal Garbage, including plastic waste, is seen at the beach of Costa del Este, in More than 100 tons of dead sea creatures were shoveled up from smelly, deserted beaches
oceans made sick by SavingPanama City. – AFP oceansin tourist areas along Florida’s southwest coast during a single month in 2018. – AFP
climate change, pollution our where issues ranging from the
and over fishing in order to destruction of precious mangrove
rescue marine life and save ourselves, forests to rampant antibiotic use.
experts warned during a major UN o The UN Ocean Conference was recently held in Lisbon to address Year-end summits
conference which recently concluded the various negative impacts of humanity on our oceans The conference reported trend lines
in Lisbon. for wild fisheries – which peaked in
Jointly hosted by Portugal and Kenya, the five-day UN Ocean Conference -- delayed from April 2020 by the Covid-19 the 1990s – and seafood farming for
By absorbing – decade after pandemic - brings together thousands of government officials, businesses, scientists and NGOs in search of solutions. – AFP the first time, with each producing
decade – a quarter of CO2 pollution about 100 million tons per year.
and more than 90% of excess heat seas as fish by mid-century is also on coastlines, how to make wild climate-friendly, micro-nutrient
from global warming, oceans have the agenda, with proposals ranging fisheries sustainable will be high on protein source that can feed one The Lisbon meet saw ministers
kept Earth’s terrestrial surface from recycling to outright banning of the Lisbon agenda. billion people a healthy seafood and even a few heads of state,
liveable. plastic bags. meal every day – forever,” said including French President
The new watchword is “blue Matthews. Emmanuel Macron, but was not
Our species has returned the From East Asian factory ships food” – sustenance from the sea that considered a formal negotiating
favour by dumping mountains of prowling the high seas to artisanal is both sustainable and equitable. Also under the microscope is the session.
plastic waste into the sea, emptying fishing boats hugging tropical booming aquaculture industry,
the deep blue of big fish, and “Wild ocean fish can provide a That didn’t stop participants,
poisoning coastlines with toxic however, from pushing for a strong
chemicals and agricultural runoff oceans agenda at two critical
that create dead zones bereft of summits later this year: the COP27
oxygen. UN climate talks in November, hosted
by Egypt, followed by the long-
“At least one-third of wild fish delayed COP15 biodiversity
stocks are overfished and less than negotiations, recently moved from
10% of the ocean is protected,” China to Montreal.
Kathryn Matthews, chief scientist for
US-based NGO Oceana, told AFP. Oceans are already at the heart of
a draft biodiversity treaty tasked with
“Destructive and illegal fishing halting what many scientists fear is
vessels operate with impunity in the first “mass extinction” since a
many coastal waters and on the high meteor wiped out terrestrial
seas.” dinosaurs more than 65 million years
ago.
Nearly US$35 billion (RM154.3
billion) in subsidies that aggravate A coalition of nearly 100 nations
overfishing will fall under a harsh supports a cornerstone provision that
spotlight in Lisbon, despite the first would designate 30% of the planet’s
steps towards a partial ban put in land and ocean as protected areas.
place by the World Trade
Organization (WTO) last week. For climate change, not so much.
Despite global warming’s dire
At the same time, ocean water impact and the key role oceans play
made acidic by CO2 along with vast in soaking up atmospheric CO2, the
marine heatwaves lasting months or seven seas have barely rated a
longer are killing coral reefs that mention within ongoing UN climate
support a quarter of marine life and talks until recently.
provide livelihoods for a quarter of a But science has made it clear they
billion people. need each other: oceans will
continue to suffer unless greenhouse
“We have only begun to gas concentrations stabilise, and the
understand the extent to which fight against global warming will be
climate change is going to wreak doomed if oceans lose their capacity
havoc on ocean health,” said to draw down CO2 and soak up heat.
Charlotte de Fontaubert, the World – ETX Studio
Bank’s global lead for the blue
economy.
‘It’s scary’
Jointly hosted by Portugal and Kenya,
the five-day UN Ocean Conference –
delayed from April 2020 by the
Covid-19 pandemic – brought
together thousands of government
officials, businesses, scientists and
NGOs in search of solutions.

While they did not all see eye-to-
eye on what needs to be done, they
largely agreed on what was at stake.

“If we don’t do the right thing, we
might end up with a dead ocean,”
Rashid Sumaila, a fisheries expert
and professor at the University of
British Columbia, told AFP.

“Think about that – Oh man, it’s
scary.”

Pollution that could, on current
trends, see as much plastic in the

Atlantic ocean’s waves are pictured off in Lege-Cap Ferret, southwestern France. – AFP

21theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
* SPORTS

End of the road for Aaron-Wooi Yik

260 Business 322 Notices 322 Notices
Opportunities

4
ǕǓǔ Ł Ǖ DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA NOTICE
ǔ $ Œ DI SHAH ALAM IN THE SESSION COURT AT
4
ǔǕ
ǔ ǔ ǔ
-Ǖǔ Ǖ #
ΠDALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL JOHOR BAHRU
0
* )
ΠEHSAN, MALAYSIA SUMMON NO:
$ 2
Ŕ JA-B52NCvC-42-04/2022
. ǔ Ǔ [ (BAHAGIAN DAGANG) Notice is hereby given to LEE
PETISYEN PENGGULUYNGAN SYARIKAT DAL HYUN (No. ID Republic of
( ]ņŇňŕňōňŇŌŇŌ Korea: 790630-1471511) (No.
NO.: BA-28NCC-290-05/2022 Passport Korea: M30176680)
322 Notices Dalam perkara EUGENCY SDN BHD to appear in the Johor Bahru
[989219-A] Session Court at 9.00 a.m.
on 12-07-2022, Tuesday or Aaron Chia (right) and Soh Wooi Yik in action
Dan contact Messrs. S.K. SONG during their men’s doubles match against Takuro
Dalam perkara seksyen 465(1)(e) dan 466 before the above date for the
Akta Syarikat 2016 hearing of the above summon. Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi. –BERNAMAPIX
Location of the Court is at
Dan Johor Bahru Session Court, MALAYSIA’S challenge at the The defeat also saw Aaron-Wooi and address it,” Aaron told reporters.
Dalam perkara Kaedah (Penggulungan) Level 25, Menara MSC Malaysian Open ended on Saturday, Yik, who is also the Tokyo 2020 They advanced to the semifinals
Syarikat 1972. Cyberport, No.5, Jalan Bukit after the country’s No. 1 men’s Olympic bronze medalist, still failing
Meldrum, 80300 Johor Bahru, doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi to win their maiden Badminton after beating Indonesian veteran
ANTARA Johor. Yik was ousted in the semifinals. World Federation (BWF) Tour title. pair Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra
BIOTANIC ENTERPRISE SDN BHD In the event, if you failed to Setiawan 21-13, 20-22, 21-19
(NO. SYARIKAT: 1124423-A) appear, the court may grant The sixth-ranked pair’s plans to The only men’s doubles title yesterday.
any order that the Court spring a surprise against the 2021 (excluding team events) Aaron-Wooi
… PEMPETISYEN deems fit. world champion, Takuro Hoki-Yugo Yik has ever won so far is the 2019 Earlier, another national men’s
DAN This notice is filed by Messrs. Kobayashi failed to materialise when SEA Games gold medal in the doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur
EUGENCY SDN BHD S.K. SONG, Advocates & they went down 23-21, 9-21 at the Philippines, while they have also lost Izzuddin Rumsani lost 14-21, 12-21
(NO. SYARIKAT: 201201019074 Solicitors, whose address for Axiata Arena here. in the finals of six World Tours, to world number seven Fajar Alfian-
(989219-A)) service is at No.75A, Jalan including the 2019 All England and Muhammad Rian Ardianto from
Mutiara 1/9, Taman Mutiara Despite giving a tough fight and 2020 Thailand Open. Indonesia.
…RESPONDEN Mas, 81300 Skudai, Johor. leading 18-14 in the first set, they
IKLAN PETISYEN [Ref: SKS/L 8924/22/LIM] failed to seize their opportunity, “We were leading during the The last time Malaysia won the
NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa TEL NO.: 07-556 8187 while the second set saw the crucial points in the first set, but the men’s doubles title at the Malaysian
suatu Petisyen bagi Penggulungan Syarikat FAKS NO.:07-556 8188 Japanese duo dominate the match same problem always happens. We Open was in the 2014 edition when
yang tersebut di atas oleh Mahkamah Tinggi COURT BOX NO.: 95 from the start. have to identify why it happened Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah
telah pada 12 May 2022 dikemukakan oleh emerged champions. – Bernama
BIOTANIC ENTERPRISE SDN BHD. 322 Notices
DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut telah
diarahkan untuk didengar di hadapan India dominate
Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya yang bersidang di
Shah Alam pada 23 August 2022 jam 9.00 Ton-up Jadeja hails ‘serious batter’ Bumrah against England
pagi hari Selesa. RAVINDRA JADEJA said
DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau scoring his first overseas first time after regular skipper Rohit “Whenever Bumrah bats in the
penyumbang syarikat tersebut yang Test hundred had given him Sharma was sidelined by nets he takes it seriously,” he said.“It
ingin menyokong atau menentang satu “confidence” as he praised coronavirus, then starred in his is not like when he bats he has a
Perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut more familiar new-ball role by casual approach, he puts a price on
boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara
peribadi atau melalui peguamcaranya
pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen
tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang
bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-
mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang
syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan
membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan.
Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di 66-2, Jalan
PJU 8/5B, Bandar Damansara Perdana,
47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Nee
& Co beralamat di No. 17-M, Kompleks
Bandar, Jalan Mega Mendung, Batu 5, Jalan
Klang Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur.
Bertarikh pada 20 Jun 2022

t.t
.........................................

Tetuan Nee & Co
Peguamcara Pempetisyen
Peringatan – Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada
perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah
menyampaikan atau menghantar dengan
pos kepada Peguamcara Pempetisyen
yang dinamakan diatas suatu notis
bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis
tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan
alamat pihak atau firma berkenaan atau
alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani
oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau
peguamcaranya sekiranya ada. Notis
hendaklah disampaikan atau jika dihantar
dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam
jangka masa mencukupi supaya sampai
kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas
sebelum pukul 12.00 tengahari pada 22
August 2022 (sehari sebelum tarikh yang
ditetapkan untuk perbicaraan Petisyen
tersebut).
IKLAN PETISYEN ini diisukan oleh Tetuan
Nee & Co, peguamcara Pempetisyen yang
dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di
No. 17-M, Kompleks Bandar, Jalan Mega
Mendung, Batu 5, Jalan Klang Lama, 58200
Kuala Lumpur.
[ Tel : 018-2528986 / 012-6867991 ]
[ Rujukan Kami: LIT/2022/0030/Y ]

the batting heroics of India stand-in removing all of England’s top three his wicket.”
captain Jasprit Bumrah against as the hosts slumped to 84-5 at England recently started life
England at Edgbaston on Saturday. stumps. under their new red-ball leadership
Rain meant only 38.5 overs of play Jadeja completed a well-made duo of captain Ben Stokes and coach
was possible on the second day of century after playing a supporting Brendon McCullum with a rousing
322 Notices the Covid-19 delayed final Test, with role while Rishabh Pant made a 3-0 series whitewash of Test world
India already 2-1 ahead in a five- dashing 146 during a partnership of champions New Zealand where they
IN THE MATTER OF EKSTRA JUTA match series. 222 on Friday that rescued India repeatedly hit their way out of
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 CONSOLIDATED SDN BHD But in that time India still from the depths of 98-5. trouble.
smashed 78 runs in 11.5 overs, with “To do it outside India, especially England great James Anderson
AND Company No Jadeja extending his overnight 83 not in England to hit a hundred as a forecast more of the same in
IN THE MATTER OF 199601026417 out to 104 in a first-innings total of player is a really big thing,” spin- Birmingham. “I’ve got a fair feeling
SEBATI SDN. BHD.
Company No: 197401003131 (20226-V) (398769-U)
NOTICE is hereby given by Sebati Sdn. Bhd. (“the Company”) (IN VOLUNTARY
pursuant to Section 117(10) of the Companies Act, 2016 in respect LIQUIDATION)
of the following:-
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS NOTICE is hereby given 416. bowling all-rounder Jadeja told that our best line of defence will be
PROPOSED CAPITAL REDUCTION AND REPAYMENT that, pursuant to Section The run-spree also included reporters. attack,” said Anderson.
a) The Company has on 04/07/2022 passed a Special Resolutions 459(1)(b) of the Companies Stuart Broad conceding a new Test “I can really take some “The way Brendon McCullum
approving the proposed reduction and repayment of its issued Act, 2016, a final meeting record 35 runs in a single over. confidence in myself as a player from and Stokesy have gone about the last
share capital from RM2,120,002.00 comprising 2,120,002 of the member of Ekstra Tailender Bumrah hit Broad for this, to score a hundred in England few weeks, the way we’ve got
ordinary shares to RM2.00 comprising 2 ordinary shares; Juta Consolidated Sdn Bhd 29 off the bat, with the paceman also especially in swinging conditions, it ourselves out of sticky situations, has
b) The aforesaid proposed reduction and repayment in the issued (“Company”) will be held at sending down five wides and a no- feels really good.” been by trying to put pressure back
share capital of the Company effected by returning to the No. 1, Tingkat 1, Persiaran ball hit for six. Jadeja added Bumrah’s innings on the opposition. I don’t see this
holders of the 2,120,002 ordinary shares that has been issued Golf, Saujana Resort, Bumrah, captaining India for the was no fluke. being any different.” – AFP
and paid up to the extent of RM0.9999990566 per share, such Seksyen U2, 40150 Shah
capital being in excess of the needs of the Company AND the Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan Grace heats up late to win in Portland
said capital repayment shall be funded by the Company surplus on Monday, 8 August 2022
cash reserves; at 10.00 am to receive an BRANDEN GRACE grabbed five of 18th green at Pumpkin Ridge third with compatriot Patrick Reed
c) The Solvency Statement made pursuant to Section 117(3) of account from the liquidators his eight birdies on the back nine outside Portland, Oregon. on nine-under.
the Act by all the Directors of the Company in relation to the showing the manner in yesterday to pull away for a two-
reduction and repayment of the share capital shall be available which the winding up has shot win in the Portland LIV Golf “This new format, everything is Johnson carded a one-under par
at the Company’s Registered Office at First Subang, Unit S12- been conducted and to hear Invitational and capture the US$4 amazing and everybody is having a 71 while former Masters champion
05, Level 12, Jalan SS15/4G, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor explanations that may be million (RM17.6m) first prize. blast,” Grace said after the win in the Reed moved up with a five-under 67
for inspection during business hours, by any creditor of the given by the liquidators. 54-hole event in which there is no that included a chip-in eagle at the
Company for a period of six weeks from the date of the Special The 34-year-old ranked 128th in cut and all 48 entrants earn some 17th.
Resolutions; and A member entitled to the world pulled level with Carlos piece of a purse of more than
d) THAT pursuant to Section 118(2) of the Act, any creditor of the attend and vote at the Ortiz with a birdie at the 13th, then US$20m (RM88m). The team title went to the All-
Company may apply to the Court for the Special Resolutions above meeting is entitled birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th to American quartet of Johnson, Reed,
to be cancelled within six weeks from the date of the Special to appoint a proxy to attend secure the win in the second event Grace carded a final-round 65 Tolar Gooch and Pat Perez, each
Resolutions. and vote instead of him. A of the controversial Saudi-funded and finished two strokes in front of pocketing US$750,000 (RM3.3m) in
Dated: 04/07/2022 proxy need not be a member series. Mexico’s Ortiz, who closed with a addition to their individual earnings.
ZAINAL BIN PALIL of the Company. three-under par 69.
Director But controversy appeared far The third LIV Golf event is
BY ORDER OF THE from Grace’s mind as the celebratory Two-time major-winner Dustin scheduled for July 29-31 at Trump
LIQUIDATORS champagne was sprayed on the Johnson started the day tied for the National Golf Club Bedminster in
Khoi Hoay Ling & lead with Ortiz but finished tied for New Jersey. – AFP
Karen Yong Syew Ciin

Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Dated: 4 July 2022

22 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022 FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN
ME
SPORTS /thesuntelegram

PLAYING Rafael Nadal on clay is Nadal steps over the mark
considered to be one of the most
frustrating challenges in tennis. On … as he gives Sonego a dressing down “I have to say that I was wrong. I should not
yesterday’s evidence, playing him on (have) called him to the net. So I apologise for
grass can be just as infuriating – just ask Lorenzo department. His serve was on fire as he lost only audience of millions. that. My mistake… I recognise that,” said the 36-
Sonego. two points on his delivery – that too through And what exactly had upset the usually calm year-old, who will next face Dutchman Botic van
double faults – in the opening set. de Zandschulp.
The Italian had boldly talked up his chances and polite Spaniard?
of halting the Spaniard’s charge towards a rare He turned mishits into winners and his A loud grunt made by Sonego in the middle of “All the stuff (after) the match that I don’t
calendar-year Grand Slam by declaring “Grass is usually troublesome feet seemed to have found a want to comment because I spoke with him in
the best surface to meet him.” new lease of life as he raced around Centre a rally in the eighth game of the third set seemed the locker room and it stays there. Only thing I
Court. to have tipped Nadal over the edge, especially can say is I saw him personally. I apologise for
The 27th seed was left with egg on his face, since the Spaniard ended up losing his serve for that.
and a public reprimand, after being on the But yesterday’s showdown will not be the first, and only, time in the match.
receiving end of a 6-1 6-2 6-4 hammering that remembered for any of that. “My intention was never to bother him at all.
mercifully lasted only two hours. That ticking off was followed up by another Just to tell (him) one thing that was bothering me
Instead it will be remembered for the one lengthy exchange at the net once Nadal had that I think he was doing in that moment, but
While Wimbledon has not been a happy moment when, like a stern headmaster, a clearly wrapped up the win, with a visibly upset Sonego that’s it.
hunting ground for the 2008 and 2010 champion irritated Nadal beckoned Sonego to the net and trying to understand what he had done wrong.
on many occasions, with Nadal losing to gave him an earful about the etiquette of tennis “I think there is some codes between players.
unheralded opponents within the first two in front of 15,000 wide-eyed fans and a global But once they stepped off court, Nadal was We had some issues there. But that’s it.”
rounds in 2012, 2013 and 2014. quick to own up to his mistake.
The American contingent impressed once
Any hopes that Sonego had in adding his again as 11th seed Taylor Fritz and Brandon
name to that list of little-known conquerors were Nakashima joined Tommy Paul and Frances
brutally quashed. Tiafoe in the fourth round, hoping one of them
can become the first man from their country to
Nadal dazzled in just about every win a major since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US
Open. – Reuters/AFP
Alize Cornet in action during
her third round match against
Iga Swiatek. – REUTERSPIX

5483/2022 03/07/2022 (SUN)

4873 DrawDate:03/07/22(Sun) DrawNo:5430/22 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB
1140

0526

8629 2638 3897 6542 6647
1957 3422 8481 6852
0320 5194 4789 2025 7056
1808 3896 6565 8094
9744 9702 9749 1484 8649

4873 1140 3,333,485.95 Swiatek stunned by Cornet 5749 + 8862 7489 + 5373
4873 0526 1140 4873 1711 + 9973 5479 + 9571
1140 0526 0526 4873 THE Iga Swiatek winning machine broke same court; maybe this court is a lucky 4362 + 6637 6790 + 6939
0526 1140 down on a lush Wimbledon lawn on charm,” said a beaming Cornet. 8375 + 4360 6783 + 0312
672,804.34 Saturday as the world No. 1 and red-hot 4118 + 7069 8661 + 0426
favourite for the title was comprehensively “I live for this kind of match. It really
beaten 6-4, 6-2 by France’s Alize Cornet. drives me. I knew I could do it and I had RM15,402,651.60
belief because maybe Iga feels a little less
4873 There was a sense of disbelief on comfortable on grass than other surfaces. 6647 + 7056 7056 + 6647
1140 Court One as Poland’s Swiatek, who had 6647 + 8649 8649 + 6647
won her last 37 matches over four “I feel like maybe I’m like a good wine; 7056 + 8649 8649 + 7056
0526 months, was outplayed by the unseeded in France a good wine always ages well,
OX 32-year-old. that’s what’s happened to me” Cornet RM376,016.90
said of her return to form this year.
Even when she fought back from 826 647 + RABBIT RM2,053,333.30
losing the first three games of the match “It’s unreal – I’m playing one of the
00920 and then also led 2-0 at the start of the best seasons of my career, I feel great on 007 056 + GOAT RM140,000.00
0920 second set, top seed Swiatek’s usual the court. I’m still so motivated and I still
64597 920 confidence was missing. have the fire in me.” 568 649 + HORSE RM1,610,000.00
69711 20
The statistics said it all, with 33 errors Amanda Anisimova came up trumps
931201 off Swiatek’s racket compared to seven in the battle of the young guns as she 595 749 828 862 057 489 855 373
by her opponent. toppled 11th seed Coco Gauff 6-7(4), 6-2 401 711 819 973 575 479 579 571
93120 31201 6-1, while former winner Simona Halep 394 362 666 637 476 790 096 939
9312 1201 Cornet is playing in her 62nd punched her ticket to the last 16 with a 748 375 864 360 016 783 830 312
931 201 successive major and will face unseeded straight-sets victory over Magdalena 024 118 157 069 718 661 780 426
93 01 Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in a bid to Frech.
reach her second Grand Slam
quarterfinal this year, having never Debutant Harmony Tan, who ousted
achieved that before. Serena Williams in the first round,
continued her fairytale run with a 6-1, 6-1
“It reminds me of when I beat Serena demolition of local favourite Katie
(Williams) here eight years ago on the Boulter.– Reuters/AFP

Kyrgios is a bully, says Tsitsipas

4 5 24 35 51 56 GREEK fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was probably a bully at school himself. I 647 056 649
19,341,222.83 labelled Nick Kyrgios a “bully” with “an don’t like bullies,”Tsitsipas said.
evil side” to his character after losing a RM880,572.60
2 5 18 22 48 52 bad-tempered Wimbledon third-round “I don’t like people that put other
6,689,432.94 clash yesterday. people down. He has some good traits in 647 + 056 + 649 056 + 649 + 647
his character, as well. But he also has a
5 7 20 28 36 48 50 Kyrgios came out on top 6-7(2), 6-4, 6- very evil side to him, which if it’s exposed, 647 + 649 + 056 649 + 647 + 056
3,096,255.66 3, 7-6(7) after more than three incident- it can really do a lot of harm and bad to 056 + 647 + 649 649 + 056 + 647
100,000.00 packed hours but the feuding continued the people around him.”
in the post-match media conferences. dmcGO: Refer more friends and
Kyrgios laughed off Tsitsipas’s remarks earn more rewards!
Kyrgios had kept up a running about bullying and said the Greek had
dialogue with the umpire at times during “serious issues”.
the match, was warned for swearing and
upset his opponent to such an extent “I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure
that Tsitsipas tried to hit him with a how I bullied him. He was the one hitting
smash after coming close to being balls at me, he was the one that hit a
defaulted for whacking a ball in spectator, he was the one that smacked it
frustration into the crowd. out of the stadium,” said Kyrgios, who is
in the last 16 for the fourth time.
The 23-year-old Tsitsipas was booed
by the crowd at one stage after losing his “I did nothing towards Stefanos today
composure in what he described as a that was disrespectful. I was not drilling
Kyrgios circus. him with balls. To come in here and say I
bullied him, that’s just soft. We’re not cut
“Yeah, it’s constant bullying, that’s from the same cloth. I go up against guys
what he does. He bullies opponents. He who are true competitors.” – AFP

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN 23theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 4, 2022
ME * SPORTS
@thesundaily

Mo was prepared to join Chelsea
Reds have tied Salah down to a new contract after months of speculation over his futureOHAMED SALAH was preparing a

transfer back to Chelsea before he
eventually agreed a deal to sign a new

Mcontract at Liverpool.
Through his agent Ramy Abbas, the linked recently. what’s next.
forward made it clear to Liverpool’s But after losing Sadio Mane this “I think you can see in the last five or six years
owners that they would consider summer to Bayern Munich, the
returning to Stamford Bridge. likelihood that Liverpool would the team was always going [upwards].
“Last season we were close to winning four, but
The Egypt international has put to bed months Salah spent two years in west have sold Salah as well would unfortunately in the last week of the season we lost
of speculation that he could leave this summer or London but never made much of have been slim unless a two trophies.
next after put to paper on a new deal at Anfield. an impression, moving to AS Roma mammoth offer came in. “I think we are in a good position to fight for
He has become the highest-paid player in the after before being picked up by Talks over a new deal everything. We have new signings as well. We just
club’s history after signing a £350,000-a-week Liverpool. accelerated in recent days need to keep working hard, have a good vision, be
(RM1.86 million) contract that will keep him at the Since then, he has become one after an initial framework was positive and go for everything again.”
club until 2025. of the best players in recent Premier agreed on. Liverpool have already added to the forward
There had been reports that the 30-year-old League history – bagging the most recent Salah said : “I feel great and line with the big-money addition of Darwin
was prepared to run down his terms until next year PFA Player of the Year award. [I am] excited to win trophies Nunez, effectively a Mane replacement, while
and leave Liverpool on a free transfer. A return to Chelsea would have been a with the club. It’s a happy day for fellow attackers Takumi Minamino and Divock
There were a host of clubs keeping tabs on the dramatic turnaround and one that would not everyone. It takes a little bit of Origi have also left the club this summer.
situation, including Paris Saint-Germain and Real have gone down well at Anfield while time, I think, to renew, Salah was named the FWA Footballer of the
Madrid. Thomas Tuchel is desperate to but now Year and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for
But one surprise destination touted was bolster his attacking ranks. The everything is 202/22, while also ending the campaign as the
Chelsea where new owner Todd Boehly was likes of Raphinha, Raheem done so we Premier League’s joint-Golden Boot winner with
preparing to speak to Salah about his contract Sterling and Ousmane just need to Tottenham’s Son Heung-min. –Daily Star/The
situation, report The Sun. Dembele have been Salah focus on Independent

TOUCHLINES SIDENETTING Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans. CBS’ Ben 719/22 03/07/2022
Liverpool to meet Jacobs has said new Newcastle sporting director
NEW manager Erik ten Hag will urge Bellingham transfer fee Dan Ashworth has already made enquiries for the 4135
Manchester United to replace player. The Belgian’s contract at the Foxes runs 1385
Cristiano Ronaldo with Ajax’s Brazil LIVERPOOL would be prepared to pay Borussia out at the end of this season and the club are 6013
forward Antony, 22, if the Portugal Dortmund’s £103 million (RM549m) valuation for willing to sanction a transfer for around £25m
forward, 37, is allowed to leave this Jude Bellingham next summer. The Athletic report (RM133m). Toon face competition from Arsenal 8878 4419 0499 3590
summer. the Anfield side would be and Manchester United for his signature. 2210 5113 6028 4912
MANCHESTER UNITED have bettered willing to meet the fee 1281 2327 0863 5447
Arsenal’s bid for Lisandro Martinez, as they see him as Juventus want Firmino 8278 7185 2777 3856
offering Ajax £38m (RM202m) for the someone who can 4956 4434 2262 8071
Argentina centreback, 24. be a part of their LIVERPOOL could be set to lose another
BARCELONA president Joan Laporta midfield for the member of their legendary front three with RM 6,351,298.87
says the club have spoken to Leeds next decade. Roberto Firmino attracting interest from
United about signing Brazil winger However, wages Juventus. The Mirror state that the Italian giants 4135 + 1385 4135 + 6013
Raphinha and that the 25-year-old could prove to be a are planning a £20m (RM107m) move for the 1385 + 4135 1385 + 6013
wants to join them, despite Chelsea stumbling block with Brazilian before his contract runs out at the end 6013 + 4135 6013 + 1385
agreeing a deal worth £55m the Englishman of this season. The forward has scored 98 goals in
(RM293m) plus add-ons. expecting a large salary 328 appearances for the club since joining in RM 223,542.22
BARCELONA have no intention of sell- at his next club. Jurgen 2015. Liverpool have already lost Sadio Mane to
ing Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Klopp’s side face tough Bayern Munich but Mohamed Salah has signed a 08 14 18 22 25 27 28 34
Jong, although they want the competition for the 02 12
Manchester United target, 25, to agree 19-year-old new three-year deal.
to a pay cut. with Real 358513 58513
EVERTON are in talks to sign 26-year- Madrid, United could use 8513
old Brazilian defender Rodrigo Becao Telles and Bailly 35851 513
from Italian club Udinese. Chelsea and in swap deal 3585 13
NICOLASTAGLIAFICO is expected to Manchester United 358
leave Ajax this summer, with Brighton all hopeful of MANCHESTER UNITED 35
and Lyon among the clubs interested in securing his could use fringe players
signing the Argentina defender, 29. signature. Eric Bailly and Alex 85
NOTTINGHAM FOREST are close to Telles in a swap deal for
signing French centreback Moussa Juve to 01
Niakhate, 26, having reached an complete Pogba Villarreal’s Pau Torres.
agreement in principle on a transfer and Di Maria The Mirror reports RM 8,446,996.69
fee with Mainz. deals that Erik ten Hag is
CRYSTAL PALACE are plotting a late RM 210,232.77
move in the battle to sign Wolves’ JUVENTUS look set to keen on the
£20m-rated (RM107m) English mid- confirm the signings of Spanish centrehalf
fielder Morgan Gibbs-White, 22. Paul Pogba and Angel Di despite his interest
MAN UNITED are considering a £10m Maria next week. Fabrizio in Ajax’s Lisandro
(RM53m) move for Palmeiras’ Romano reports that the Martinez. Bailly and
Brazilian winger GabrielVeron, 19. former Manchester United Telles could be
CHELSEA are in talks with AC Milan over men should join soon after used as
a deal for the Blues’Morocco winger being Max Allegri’s top targets. makeweights for
Hakim Ziyech, 29, to join the Serie A side All the details in the deal for the the player with
on loan with an option to buy. Frenchman have been agreed Ivorian centreback
BARCELONA are willing to allow while the Argentina international returning to his former club.
Netherlands forward Memphis just needs to agree to a few final While the Brazilian faces being
Depay, 28, to leave the club for details. third choice leftback next
£21.5m (RM115m). season at Old Trafford with
OUT-OF-CONTRACT France winger Newcastle enquire the club closing in on Tyrell
Ousmane Dembele, 25, is close to about Tielemans Malacia.
agreeing a new two-year deal at
Barcelona. NEWCASTLE UNITED have City interested
BRAZIL forwardVinicius Jr, 21, is set entered the race to sign in Gnabry
to sign a new contract at Real Madrid
with a £1b (RM5.3b) release clause to MANCHESTER CITY are said
ward off interest from Paris St- to be interested in Serge
Germain. Gnabry as a replacement for
Raheem Sterling should the
Englishman decide to join
Chelsea. The Sun report that
Gnabry would be top of Pep
Guardiola’s wishlist with the
Bundesliga champions willing
to sanction a £35m (RM187m)
deal due to the German’s
contract situation. Manchester
United are also said to be
interested in the winger but

would struggle to oust
their city rivals.

Serge Gnabry

MONDAY • JULY 4, 2022 QUOTE OF THE DAY

I don’t know what to say… He was the one
hitting balls at me, he was the one that hit
a spectator, he was the one that smacked it out of the
stadium… To come in here and say I bullied him,
that’s just soft. We’re not cut from the same cloth. I
go up against guys who are true competitors.”

Nick Kyrgios on Stefanos Tsitsipas.

IT certainly feels like 2008 again. David compete for the biggest prizes.
Tennant is returning as Doctor Who, It is understood United do not regard
Tobey Maguire has donned the red and
blue colours of Spider-Man once again Ronaldo as a player who is for sale.
While it would be a blow to United’s
and, now, Cristiano Ronaldo wants out of prestige if they were to lose one of the greatest
Manchester United but is unlikely to get his players they have ever had, it would also solve
wish. a few issues for new manager Erik ten Hag.
However, the very fact he’s questioning the Ronaldo clashed with Harry Maguire over
club’s ambition is a damning indictment of the United captaincy last season, while
the Glazers and their tenure as owners. interim boss Ralf Rangnick’s desire to
Manchester United are adamant Cristiano implement a pressing game was thwarted by
Ronaldo is not for sale despite the frustrated Ronaldo’s refusal to fit in with such a system.
star reportedly asking the club to leave if an Although Ten Hag has said how much he is
acceptable offer arrives. looking forward to linking up with Ronaldo, it
The 37-year-old made a shock return to is not clear how the forward’s playing style
Old Trafford last summer, joining from would fit in with the Dutchman.
Juventus for a deal rising to £19.6 million In addition, Ronaldo is the highest paid
(RM104.5m). player in the Premier League and his exit
Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all would create more scope within United’s
competitions and was named Sir Matt Busby summer transfer budget.
Player of the Year, but individual quality was Meanwhile, the Red Devils should explore
unable to prevent his first season back at the possibility of a swap deal involving
United ending trophyless and sixth in the Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski,
Premier League. according to former West Ham defender
That finish means Europa League football Anton Ferdinand.
awaits rather than the Champions League – a Lewandowski is also keen to leave Bayern
CR7 wants out
Ronaldo wanting to leave Man United speaks volumes about the Glazers

Ronaldo. – AFPPIX prospect the veteran is not enthused by Munich in this window. Barcelona are
having played at Europe’s top table thought to be his preferred destination but the
throughout his career. La Liga club’s current financial situation
makes any transfer tricky at the moment.
Ronaldo has reportedly asked to be
allowed to leave if a satisfactory offer arrives, United will need to replace Ronaldo if he
but a senior United source indicated to the PA were to leave.
news agency that the forward is not for sale.
And Ferdinand sees no better option for
The stance was the same last weekend the Red Devils than Lewandowski. He said on
when it emerged that agent Jorge Mendes had talkSPORT: “If I’m United, I’m doing a swap
discussed his client in a meeting with new deal with money.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.
“Yep (for Lewandowski). 100 % that’s what
According to The Times, the 37-year-old I’m doing. That’s the only move that they’ve
believes he has three or four years left at the got.”
highest level and is keen to spend them at a
club where he is capable of adding to his Lewandowski is in the final year of his
glittering collection of trophies and individual contract at the Allianz Arena. He has made it
honours. clear he will not put pen to paper on a new
deal.
It is not something he is viewing with relish
and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner feels United’s chances of signing Lewandowski
there could be more attractive options may be diminished somewhat by their failure
available to him at this stage in his career. to qualify for the Champions League.

The former Real Madrid forward is anxious They finished sixth in the Premier League
to stress he respects United but as he enters last season and will play Europa League
the final stages of his career, he wants to football in the upcoming campaign. – The
Independent/Daily Star/Express Newspapers

Six teams Ronaldo could join including Man Utd’s Premier League rivals

CRISTIANO RONALDO has left Manchester topic of conversation. the thought of Ronaldo partnered with Lionel what would be a sensational transfer.
United in a pickle after asking to leave the club if Thomas Tuchel is on the lookout for a new Messi up front might be so ludicrously It would see the two Portuguese icons
a suitable offer comes in from a team that will be irresistible despite club president Nasser Al-
in the Champions League next season. striker after Romelu Lukaku was loaned to Inter Khelaifi insisting such blockbuster transfers at partnered up again after their time at Real Madrid.
Milan while Ronaldo would get the chance to the club will become a thing of the past. However, Roma are neither in the Champions
The Portugal international joined just a year continue shining in the Premier League.
ago in a grand return to Old Trafford but it turned However, with PSG making the Champions League or have the kind of cash to match
out to be a miserable season for the Red Devils. Whether United could face losing their main League their main objective, there is not a Ronaldo’s wages, making this very unlikely.
man to a direct rival would be another matter. better player to sign to make them favourites. REAL MADRID
They finished sixth in the Premier League and BAYERN MUNICH NAPOLI
will play in the Europa League next year. Why not return to Real Madrid and extend
A move to the Bundesliga has not been ruled While a return to Italy is certainly not off the his legacy at the club, where he is already their
But Ronaldo is not keen on plying his trade in out where reports have grown over the summer cards, it would be quite the surprise to see highest-ever goalscorer?
the competition, which is seen as second-rate that a potential transfer is on the cards. Ronaldo rock up at Napoli.
compared to the Champions League. After winning the Champions League, there
With Robert Lewandowski desperate to join Nevertheless, according to The Athletic, the is not a better club primed to reclaim the prize
That would leave Erik ten Hag with a major Barcelona, Bayern could replace one veteran Serie A club are in the race to snap up the Red in a competition that they have won more than
problem, but where could Ronaldo go? Daily Star goalscorer with another. Devils star. anyone else.
Sport has taken a look at six options… AS ROMA
CHELSEA However, after signing Sadio Mane, can the A front three of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and
German giants approve another major transfer? Audacious? Absolutely. But there have been Vinicius Jr would strike fear into team while the
One of the shock destinations that has been PSG reports in Italy that Mendes has met with Jose wages are available after getting Gareth Bale off
mentioned as a possibility is Chelsea after Mourinho and discussed a move for Ronaldo in the books.
Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes met with new With the money on offer at Paris Saint- – Daily Star
owner Todd Boehly, where a transfer was one Germain, it is impossible to rule them out while

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