The Sun-26th July 2021

TELLING IT AS IT IS INSIDE page
Human factor ruled out in
2
disease plaguing sharks

Adjustments to WFH concept page

needed, say experts 4

ON MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 FORTUNATE
FLIGHT ... A
No. 7828 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my seriously injured
woman being
flown from
Tioman to the
Rompin Hospital
in Pahang on a
Fire and Rescue
Department
helicopter that
just happened to
be delivering
vaccines to the
island yesterday.
– BERNAMAPIX

More snags, less aid

█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI oProblems brought by lockdowns
[email protected] outweigh solutions, say experts

PETALING JAYA: A change in Jan 25 last year. true incidence of the disease.”
strategy is now inevitable if the Sanjay said the lockdown had been He said the severity will likely ease
country is to win the war with more people vaccinated, and this
against Covid-19. effective in the early stages of the would lead to reduced utilisation of
Health experts agree that the pandemic because the transmission healthcare facilities from
frequent lockdowns have not only rate was relatively low and people still mid-September.
proven to be ineffective in curbing the had the reserves to enable them to Social and preventive medicine
transmission of infections, but have led comply. expert Dr Victor Hoe, who is also with
to other problems. Universiti Malaya, believes the
“Unfortunately, fatigue has set in as lockdown has helped to reduce the
Universiti Malaya epidemiology and a result of the incessant imposition of rate of transmission marginally but has
public health expert Dr Sanjay Rampal high-intensity standard operating not been effective in containing it.
said there is now a high level of fatigue procedures (SOP). “A mix of factors have led to the
among the people. failure,” he said.
“I believe the people are being “Firstly, businesses were allowed to
“This has led to psychological unfairly blamed. It is likely that the SOP continue operations under the recent
distress, decreased social connectivity is ineffective because it is based on lockdown, contributing to workplace
and financial losses.” intuition rather than strong evidence,” clusters.
he added. “Secondly, we already had a large
He said the restrictions on number of community cases when a
movement have been in force for Sanjay said the number of new cases lockdown was initiated. Thirdly, the
most of the past 17 months but the reported daily is likely to continue emergence of new variants that are
spread of Covid-19 continues rising over the next four weeks.
unabated.
“We will likely reach a high enough
Yesterday, Malaysia reported level of herd immunity only in
another 17,045 cases, breaching the September. However, this will be the
one million mark in the total number of
result of high vaccination rate
cases since the first case on rather than a

more transmissible has also
contributed to the failure of
the lockdown,” he added.

Turn to

—
page 4

BRIEFS2 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021 Influence of pandemic
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS on next general election

ALMOST 17 MILLION o Voters expected to be swayed by issues of inadequate qualifying those aged 18 and above to vote) is
DOSES ADMINISTERED healthcare management and economic fallout, says expert implemented, it would most likely be felt in
urban constituencies.
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 16.9 million █ BY ALISHA NUR MOHD NOOR dissolution of Parliament to pave the way for
vaccine doses have been administered [email protected] polls as early as the end of the year. Wong added that unlike in previous
under the National Covid-19 PETALING JAYA: The impact of Covid-19 on the elections, negotiations and party realignments
Immunisation Programme, said Health economy and public health will have a telling However, this will depend on economic to form the next government may be more
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba. He effect on the next general election. recovery and attainment of a certain protracted.
said in a Twitter post that 5.4 million vaccination threshold.
people had received both doses as of Additionally, unhappiness over shifting “It may also turn out to be messy and ugly,
11.59pm on Saturday. “A total of 11.5 loyalties could leave the nation with a hung Wong said voters will be coloured by the twin which will put the nation at risk again if there is
million people have received their first Parliament. issues of inadequate healthcare and economic another deadly variant of Covid-19 or if there is
jab,” he added. – Bernama fallout due to the pandemic. a new pandemic.”
This is the view shared by political scientist
DELTA VARIANT SURFACES Dr Wong Chin Huat, who believes that the “Friends have turned foes and vice-versa Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst
IN KELANTAN damage wreaked by the pandemic will weigh over the past six years, leaving voters feeling Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the current
heavily on people’s minds when they cast their cheated. unprecedented situation offers an opportunity
KOTA BARU: Kelantan has detected its ballots. for independent candidates to shine.
first case of the Covid-19 Delta variant, “Coupled with the poor management of the
involving a woman in Pasir Puteh who He said political realignments have also left health crisis, many feel that politicians are “Any independent candidate will have a
was confirmed positive last Friday. State voters feeling cheated. completely self-serving and without principles.” better chance of winning now than ever before.
Local Government, Housing and Health The health and economic issues will be their
Committee chairman Dr Izani Husin Wong told theSun that nonetheless, race and He said voters could expect more platform to convince voters.
said the woman had also been infected religion, the deciding factors traditionally, will multi-cornered fights than in the last general
with Covid-19 before. He said the case continue to feature prominently. election in 2018. “Pakatan Harapan had shown in 2018 that
has been classified as sporadic. He any party can win enough votes to form a
called on the state’s residents to be The next general election is not due until “We may end up with ‘outsider’ lawmakers government. This means the (contest for votes)
more vigilant and comply with 2023, but a meeting that Parti Pribumi Bersatu who know nothing about policies but are driven remains wide open and we may eventually see a
standard operating procedures. Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin only by personal conviction or popular new alignment.”
– Bernama had with the party’s Johor chapter last week has sentiments.”
fuelled speculation that he may call for the University of Tasmania Asia Institute
30% OF TOURISM He said health and economic issues usually political analyst Prof James Chin offered a more
FRONTLINERS VACCINATED feature more prominently among urban voters guarded view.
and if the Undi18 strategy (automatically
PULAU PANGKOR: About 30% of He believes it is still too early to predict a
frontline workers in the tourism sector change of government, given that “it may be
have been vaccinated against Covid-19 difficult to make a change”.
so far. Tourism, Arts and Culture
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said
the ministry was gathering information
on the vaccination level of industry
players in tourist hotspots. Nancy said
tourism frontliners such as taxi drivers
and hotel workers need to be
vaccinated. – Bernama

Tough action shows Selangor govt committed to fighting graft No hybrid
Dewan Rakyat
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is firm several departments and will not hesitate to receiving bribes from a contractor in Selangor. sitting
in combating corruption and abuse of power, as take action on individuals found guilty. This followed the arrest of three individuals,
reflected by the remand of several public including two former municipal council KUALA LUMPUR: All 220 members of
service officers in the state by the Malaysian He said the state government respects the presidents. Parliament (MP) are allowed to attend the
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist ongoing process and upholds the principle of special meeting of the third session of the
in investigations into bribery cases. transparency. According to an MACC source, they are 14th Parliament, which begins today.
believed to have collaborated with a company
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said On Saturday, at the Putrajaya magistrate’s that is part of a syndicate, which had Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar
the state government is also closely monitoring court, a district officer and a quantity surveyor monopolised government projects. – Bernama Azizan Harun, in disclosing this, said the
were remanded for five days for allegedly proposal to conduct a hybrid meeting had
been deferred.
MAMMOTH TASK ... A wild
elephant in Kelantan being moved He said the matter regarding hybrid
from Kampung Kuala Tiga in Tanah sessions will not be discussed at the five-day
Merah with the help of a trained special sitting from July 26 to 29 and
elephant from the Kuala Gandah on Aug 2.
Elephant Conservation Centre in
Pahang. – BERNAMAPIX Azhar added there is no limit on the
number of MP allowed in the House, and all
elected representatives can attend, including
those who have yet to be vaccinated against
Covid-19.

There are 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat,
but two seats have been left vacant after the
deaths of the representatives.

Azhar said at a virtual media conference
on the final preparations for the special
meeting that almost all MP have been
vaccinated, with the latest information
showing that 205 of them had received both
doses while 12 had one dose and three have
yet to be vaccinated.

He added only matters set by Prime
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will be
discussed and no other motions will be
allowed.

He said unlike a regular meeting, the
special sitting will be convened based on
Standing Order 11(3) of the Dewan Rakyat
Standing Orders, which empowers the prime
minister to set the meeting’s agenda.

On allegations that there would be no
question-and-answer sessions or debates,
Azhar said these were mere misconceptions
because there is room for representatives to
raise questions and voice opinions.
– Bernama

Human factor ruled out in shark skin disease outbreak

SEMPORNA: Malaysian marine The experts said further term research on the phenomenon, the first session of field work from Hussein, Dr Zarinah Waheed and Dr
biologists said human factor could be investigations are needed to find which has gone viral on social media. April to early May. Mohd Tamrin Mohd Lal, from UMS
ruled out as the cause of a mysterious definitive answers to help the sharks Borneo Marine Research Institute.
skin disease plaguing sharks near but their efforts are limited due to Reef Guardian senior marine Besides Davies, the team
popular dive spots in Sipadan Island several factors. biologist Davies Austin Spiji said a comprises five researchers, Dr Mabel “The researchers were able to see
near here. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)-led Manjaji Matsumoto, Dr Rafidah skin disease in every group of sharks
They need funds to support long- investigating team had conducted Othman, Muhammad Ali Syed they encountered.” – Bernama

█ BY MURRAY HUNTER 3theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

THERE are now in excess of 10,000 new Covid- NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
19 cases and over 100 deaths each day. There is
little sign that these figures will decrease any Malaysia must avoid
time soon. becoming a lockdown loser

Malaysia has always been more susceptible o It has become clear the MCO strategy to lower case will reach a peak in August and begin to decline.
to any epidemic. The nation’s porous borders, numbers is not working With Covid-19 sure to linger around for a
and an average population density of 99 people
per sq km, having densities in excess of 2,000 The national recovery plan, announced by People are crying out for help and expressing long time to come, it is necessary to embark
people in urban areas, makes any disease Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on their anguish on social media. The suicide rate upon preventative programmes. This should be
transmission difficult to suppress. June 15, specifies that current restrictions will is rising, with 468 suicides recorded by police in related to how best people can build up their
only be eased when national cases fall below the first five months of this year, many in a own health and personal immunity to disease.
There are only 1.6 hospital beds available per 4,000 per day. desperate bid to end their problems.
1,000 people and 3.3 functioning intensive care This requires an investment in education
unit (ICU) hospital beds per 100,000 people. Covid-19 is not going away for a long time, Government assistance during restrictions and community-level programmes.
and this arbitrary figure does not consider the and lockdowns has been scant and lacks any
In contrast, Italy, which last year ran out of severity among cases. medium to long-term programmes to assist This has been the most neglected tool
ICU capacity due to a massive outbreak of those in chronic need, like the unemployed, against the spread of Covid-19 to date and
severe Covid-19 cases, has 12.5 ICU beds per Malaysian case statistics indicate that 1.4% of over this extended period. should in the medium to long term minimise
100,000. active cases are severe, requiring an ICU level of the impact of future outbreaks upon the
care. Therefore, the load on ICU is the critical The MCO isn’t the solution community.
Malaysia also has a high incidence of metric, not the aggregate number of daily cases.
diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart and It has become very clear the movement control The medical profession has learnt a lot about
respiratory diseases and cancers among the Malaysia’s Covid-19 death rate is currently at order (MCO) strategy to lower case numbers is the treatment of Covid-19 cases since the
population. This makes many Malaysians 227 per million, one of the lowest per-capita not working. The longer the MCO continues, beginning of the pandemic in December 2019.
extremely vulnerable to contracting Covid-19 rates in the world. the greater the hardship to the people, and the
severely. greater will be the damage to the economy. Many treatments have now been the subject
The country’s primary Covid-19 eradication of research trials and a number of medicines
It also has another vulnerable demographic, strategy is mass vaccination. This is seen as the Gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.5% in and treatments show positive results. Covid-19
with those aged 65 or above comprising 7% of solution to returning to normality. However, the first quarter of 2021, following a contraction is a curable disease for most with treatment.
the population, or 2.23 million. recent data from studies in Israel and the UK of 3.4% in the last quarter of 2020. This latest
show that rates for “breakthrough infection” MCO is expected to severely depress GDP in the Most cases need not be treated in hospitals
These factors have made Malaysia a disaster (where a vaccinated individual becomes sick second and third quarters of this year. or other medical facilities, and can be treated at
waiting to happen. The government and health from the same illness that the vaccine is meant home with mobile medical teams, taking great
authorities took no early preventative to prevent) in those two countries are 50% and There needs to be an urgent transition from pressure off hospitals.
measures, or even attempted to educate the 43%, respectively. the MCO strategy to treat Covid-19 like any
public about the dangers of the virus for the other infectious disease, an approach other The government needs to undertake major
vulnerable in the community. Vaccines cannot eliminate Covid-19. There countries are beginning to contemplate. This investment to increase the capacity of hospitals,
is already talk of people requiring booster shots. requires an alternative strategy based upon particularly the number of ICU beds. Firm
Gatherings, which could potentially lead to what has been learnt about the virus and arrangements need to be put in place with the
superspreading events like the Sri Petaling Malaysia’s rollout of public inoculations has various strategies employed by countries private medical sector under an emergency
Tabligh Jemaah last year, were allowed to been slow and haphazard. Although nearly 15% around the world, over the last 18 months. plan that can be automatically activated, if need
continue, even though the risks were well of the population have been fully vaccinated, be.
known. The Sri Petaling incident became not many of the vulnerable have not had access to This is especially the case, where Malaysia
just an epicentre for Malaysian cases, but the the vaccine yet. The programme is totally may not be able to afford any new stimulus The feasibility of infectious disease hospitals,
region as well. dependent upon imported vaccines. packages in the future, according to Fitch once part of colonial times, needs to be re-
Solutions. evaluated, along with state quarantine facilities,
Malaysia is now in a state of desperation. The once heralded Malaysian biotechnology and a firm quarantine plan, with procedures.
Industry and commerce is stalled, people are initiative has failed the country in providing a Any lockdown should only be applied to the
hoisting make-shift white flags as an SOS for local vaccine source. aged and vulnerable. Lockdowns should be The fallacy of lockdowns is that they are not
food assistance, and police reports have been specifically targeted. Statistics indicate that 87% complete ones, and disease still infects people
made against Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Long extended lockdowns have been the of deaths in Malaysia have occurred with those through holes in the lockdown. There is no
Adham Baba, Health Director-General Tan Sri result of vaccine mismanagement. This is who were identified with comorbidities. point forcing people to stay at home and placing
Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and the Health leading to an even bigger disaster than the heavy fines upon those who breach restrictions
Ministry for refusing to adopt the drug disease itself. More than 30,000 companies The rest of the community should be if factories are allowed to operate without
Ivermectin for high-risk Covid-19 patients. closed forever last year, and many more will allowed to continue with their economic adhering to SOPs.
close during this latest extended lockdown. This activities. With over 800,000 full recoveries from
Videos criticising the government’s handling has led to the loss of almost one million jobs. 950,000 cases, and more than 10 million who Factories are where many outbreaks are
of the pandemic dominate social media. have received their first vaccination, there is occurring. This is the hypocrisy of the MCO.
About 30% of retail shops have closed down, more immunity within the population than at Inconsistency is rendering lockdowns
Suffering is worse than the disease leaving more than 300,000 without jobs in the the beginning of the year. ineffective, costing the community dearly.
retail sector.
The suffering caused by the lockdown is causing In the absence of Health Ministry modelling, There is growing evidence that the end-
more damage than the disease, bringing Many families are in crisis, unable to feed that from the Institute for Health Metrics and results from countries that select the lockdown
anguish and desperation to so many in the themselves. This has led to the “bendera putih” Evaluation in the US indicates that daily deaths strategy and those that don’t are very similar.
community. Experience in other countries is or white flag movement, where distressed
indicating that lockdowns will not eliminate the families put out a white flag outside their The only exception is the countries that
virus, after suppressing case numbers. houses as a plea for assistance. chose the lockdown strategy suffer steep
declines in GDP and put their communities
There will always be another outbreak, under great financial and emotional duress.
followed by another lockdown. This vicious
cycle is damaging not just to the economy, but They become lockdown losers.
society as a whole. This article was first published on FMT.

The World Health Organisation has never
recommended blanket lockdowns as they cause
too much community suffering.

Covid vaccine a protective shield
against more severe infection

GENTLY DOES IT ... A health worker from the Terengganu state Health Department taking a nasal KUALA LUMPUR: To be infected with the “I don’t think I will be able to survive,” she
swab specimen of a baby for the Covid-19 test in Kampung Teluk Menara, Manir, Kuala Terengganu more aggressive and transmissible Covid-19 told Bernama recently.
yesterday. A total of 640 out of the 1,244 villagers screened were found to be positive for the variants, which are currently causing a surge
coronavirus. – BERNAMAPIX in new cases, will definitely be a terrifying A similar experience was shared by
experience, especially for those categorised to Muhammad Khuzaimi Ishak, 30, from Kuala
be at high risk, including people who have Lumpur, who also had mild symptoms of sore
asthma. throat, stuffy nose and lost his sense of smell
after he was confirmed positive early this
As such, health worker Nurul Ezuahani month.
Samad Fatimi, 32, is thankful to have
completed both doses of the vaccine at the “The cycle threshold (CT) value detected
end of March, as this protective “shield” had during screening was low at 15, which was
allowed her body’s natural defences to categorised as dangerous and showed that
develop immunity against more serious the virus is active in the body,” he said.
infection.
According to him, although there is no
Nurul Ezuahani, a radiographer at a guarantee that one would not be infected after
hospital in the capital city, had mixed feelings getting vaccinated, he trust that the vaccine
when she tested positive on July 7, more so would build some protection, making him feel
because she suffers from asthma and is safe.
overweight.
Khuzaimi, a radiographer at a government
“My immediate concern was what is going hospital in Kuala Lumpur, said being fully
to happen if my husband and two children are vaccinated had given him confidence and
also infected, but luckily, as I was fully kept all negative thoughts at bay as he fought
vaccinated, I was confirmed to be in category the virus.
two of Covid-19 infection.
Earlier, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr
“I only had mild symptoms of itchy throat Noor Hisham Abdullah was reported as saying
and blocked nose. that fully vaccinated individuals could be
infected with Covid-19, but the likelihood of
“I cannot imagine how it would be if I infecting others is low and they would
had been infected with the more contagious experience less severe symptoms compared
and severe variants, before getting with those who have not been vaccinated.
vaccinated. - Bernama

4 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Health system Amendments to WFH tolerant and understand that the
overwhelmed concept needed quality of work at home will differ
from that at the office.
Hoe said the people should not have to
continuously take the blame because the Effendy said personal factors
majority of them have actually adhered to such as costs, loneliness, stress,
the SOP. distractions, burnout, impact on
“Intervention measures should be mental health and problems with
constantly updated based on the professional development caused by
changing behaviour of the virus. However, WFH inclines many employees to
we do not have enough data and o Experts: Practice in its current form impacts employee prefer returning to the office.
information about the virus in health and quality of life, as well as productivity
Malaysia because we do not MEF president Datuk Dr Syed
conduct genomic Hussain Syed Husman said
sequencing. From employees must realise that the
“Our public health front █ BY HAKEM HASSAN balance and mental strain from to responding to demands from same problems they face in the WFH
system is also overwhelmed page [email protected] having to take on a wider range of bosses all day. arrangement will continue under a
PETALING JAYA: A shift in responsibilities, while employers hybrid concept.
and contact tracing has not corporate culture and policy may be feel WFH has led to a negative “Furthermore, there is an
been done in a timely manner. As a result, necessary to address the issue of impact on productivity. increase in demand from the spouse “On days when they choose to
we were not able to identify and work-from-home (WFH) fatigue. and children when you are at home.” work from home, they may have to
quarantine all contacts. There was also a In a recent survey of 1,500 office Srithren added that a shift in work longer hours. There will be
delay in the isolation of all positive cases. Both employers and employees workers across the Asia-Pacific, 68% corporate culture and policy is more virtual meetings and the line
This means the virus will continue to agree that rather than a complete revealed that they prefer a model necessary, and this should include a between work and personal life will
spread,” he said. shift back to the office, a hybrid of that allows them to switch between clause in the employment contract be blurred,” he told theSun.
On a brighter note, Hoe said there is both may become the norm post the office and home, or elsewhere. that specifically states what
reason for some optimism. Covid-19. At the same time, both constitutes WFH and how an Syed Hussain said employers
“The formation of the Greater Klang sides also say that there are This was a slight drop from 74% employee can be compensated for who adopt the WFH policy must
Valley Task Force, although a little late in sacrifices to be made before the recorded in a similar survey the extra work. define the expectations,
planning, is a positive move. We hope that benefits can be experienced. conducted in October last year. He said the government should responsibilities, eligibility and other
it will be able to turn the situation around.” also amend the Employment Act to guidelines.
Hoe added that currently, the The Malaysian Trades Union The survey also showed that protect employees when they work
bottleneck in managing the outbreak is Congress (MTUC) said employers preference to work in the office post- from home. “WFH should be carefully
due to a shortage of healthcare workers will have to be more tolerant and pandemic has risen to three days a MTUC deputy president Mohd designed to ensure it results in
both in hospitals and at the district level. flexible while the Malaysian week, compared with two in the Effendy Abdul Ghani said a clear efficiency and higher productivity.”
“If we want to exit the current situation, Employers Federation (MEF) said previous survey. policy is needed to guide employers.
we should strengthen our public health compromise is essential to ensure “Employers should be more He urged employers to offer
system. We also need to increase contact success of a hybrid arrangement. About 60% of respondents said tolerant and flexible by giving guidance and advisory services,
tracing and risk assessment, so that we they were more productive in the permission as well as freedom for equip staff with the necessary tools,
can isolate patients and quarantine The WFH arrangement in the office than at home, compared with employees to manage their families offer mental health support, and
contacts as soon as possible. This is past year or so has taken a toll on 54% a year ago. while completing office allow employees to schedule their
needed for us to stop the transmission,” he both workers and businesses alike. assignments.” own work hours.
added. For the employees, it means longer Human resource expert Srithren He said they must also be more
work hours, unhealthy work-life Krishnan said a more organised At the same time, he said
routine was among reasons for the employers should also establish
preference to return to the office. performance targets but avoid
micro-management.
“Working from home often leads
“When employees are given the
freedom to design their own
schedules, they may be able to
establish a healthy work-life
balance,” he added.

NGO sets up vaccination centre

BUKIT MERTAJAM: One Hope Charity monitoring process. SWEET
and Welfare (One Hope) has invested Chua added that about 360 vaccine RELIEF ...
more than RM2 million to set up a Amid stressful
Covid-19 vaccination centre at the recipients are expected to get their jabs situations
Shop-In d’Park Auto City in Juru, which on opening day and the number would caused by
is expected to begin operations today. increase over time. Covid-19 and
movement
Its chairman Chua Sui Hau said with “Once we get used to the flow, we restrictions,
the launch, One Hope will be among will be looking at a capacity of 1,000 a Kelantan
the first non-government organisations day.” durian seller
(NGO) to set up a vaccination centre. Mohd Norizal
The centre will operate from Ahmad offers
He said the organisation received Mondays to Fridays between 9am and residents in
approval from the Health Ministry to 5pm. Tanah Merah
open the centre on July 14, and spent something to
one week transforming the shopping Chua said the huge space at the appease
centre for the purpose. venue would not only be able to cater palates.
to a large number of recipients, but the – BERNAMAPIX
“One Hope will have more than 200 natural outdoor aesthetics would also
of its staff manning the centre and our help calm their minds.
own medical team will be in charge of
the vaccination process.” He added that photo booths can be
found at the exit of the centre and
He said the team had a trial run on colourful elements from the existing
July 23 to familiarise themselves with outdoor-themed shopping centre, such
the procedures – from screening, as sculptures of the alien from the
consultation, vaccination up to the movie Predator, can be found around
the premises. – Bernama

BRIEFS3 CLAIM TRIAL TO CHILD 5theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
ABUSE CHARGES NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

JOHOR BARU: A babysitter, her Against all odds
husband and a niece pleaded not
guilty in the sessions court yesterday, Overcoming depression to
to two charges of abusing two help others get on with life
children aged two and three, last
month. Fazelina Mohd Lias, 37, o Former executive speaks of irony that the very thing that help herself but others.
Mansor Saat, 57, and a 13-year-old girl made her lose hope also gave her resolve to rebound “I saw that by helping others, I would be
entered the plea after the charges
were read out before Justice Ahmad █ BY ELLY FAZANIZA the staff were informed that the company had helping myself,” she said.
Fuad Othman. According to the [email protected] gone bankrupt and everyone would be laid off. Megalah then signed up for a masters degree in
charge, the three, who were THE Covid-19 pandemic has left many without a
responsible for the care of the two job and fighting to get back on their feet again. Furthermore, given that there was no promise business administration, which she has since
children, had mistreated and caused of retrenchment benefits Megalah quit the job. completed.
them to suffer physical injuries. They But for S. Megalah, it served as inspiration to
were charged with committing the help those who were in more dire situations than “It was not an easy decision. I worried about In the meantime, she used her leadership skills
offence at Taman Bukit Kempas on herself. how I was going to cope with my financial to sign up as a volunteer to help others.
June 10 at about 3pm. The charge obligations,” she told theSun. It led to a period of
framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Just like many others, the impact of the first depression. She withdrew from friends and Charity runs in her blood. Megalah, who is also
Child Act 2001 provides a maximum movement control order in March last year came family. “For five months, I did not want to leave a financial adviser, founded the Love Hope Charity
fine of RM20,000 or a jail term of not as a shock for Megalah. my home. I just fell into a state of depression.” (subsequently renamed Pertubuhan Kebajikan
more than 20 years, or both. Prihatin Setia Masyarakat) eight years ago to help
– Bernama She was working as an executive in an But the constant news of others also losing senior citizens who had fallen on hard times.
oil-related services company for nine years, but their jobs and livelihoods due to Covid-19 soon
31 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS inspired her to strengthen her resolve, not just to It was during a recent visit to a retirement
NABBED IN N. SEMBILAN home in Klang that prompted Megalah to restart
Megalah (left) preparing food baskets with a friend. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN her charity drive.
SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan
Immigration Department detained 31 “I sat down with a woman in her 60s and she
illegal immigrants in a raid on a glove- was coughing so hard. She held my hand and
making factory in the Senawang leaned on my shoulder. I was speechless,” she said.
industrial estate on Saturday.
Immigration department director It was then that the 34-year-old realised she
Kennith Tan Ai Kiang said the 30 had to do something to ensure the community
Bangladeshis and an Indian national was not forgotten. With like-minded friends, she
arrested in the operation, which started a fundraising effort that brought in
began at 2.50pm, were suspected to RM25,000.
have violated the Immigration Act
1959/63 for overstaying and not Megalah and her friends identified 200 families
having valid travel documents. He said in the Klang Valley who were desperately in need
that during the raid, which was of help and arranged to send them dried foodstuff
conducted together with the police, on a weekly basis.
National Security Council and district
health centre, found that the factory Every Saturday, the group of 25 would be
employed a total of 245 foreign working inside a room converted into a makeshift
workers, including from Nepal and food supply centre in Taman Puchong Intan where
Myanmar. He urged the public to they pack food baskets comprising 10kg of rice,
continue relaying information on infant formula and cooking oil for distribution.
illegal immigrants so that
enforcement could be carried out. Apart from Klang Valley locations such as
– Bernama Puchong and Bukit Jalil, they have since expanded
their coverage to Sabak Bernam and Batang
Firefighter helps Berjuntai. Despite her own effort, Megalah said
deliver baby in what touched her the most was the generosity of
front seat of car those who were equally in distress.

SHAH ALAM: The cries of a woman that “We met this family in a PPR (people’s housing
her baby’s head was coming out as she project) flat in Lembah Pantai who had been
was going through labour on Saturday is receiving food supply from their neighbours,” she
still fresh on the mind of senior fire said. “It broke my heart.”
officer Nor Syuhadah Ahmad.
Megalah said some, especially those who live
The experience of having to help in the outskirts, are often worried that their
deliver a baby girl in the front seat of a supplies would not last for more than a week.
car in the compounds of her workplace
at Kota Anggerik Fire and Rescue Station “We try to meet their needs as much as we can.
near here, is something out of Then there are others who have heard of us and
the norm for the 33-year-old single began sending text messages asking for help,” she
woman. said.

As she has not gone through giving Looking back, Megalah said she was thankful
birth, Nor Syuhadah was at a loss when that she was still able to help others. She has
her assistance was required after Nyak chronicled her journey on a Facebook page called
Siti Nurleena Zulkarnain, 29, and her Spread Love and Charity.
husband decided not to proceed to Shah
Alam Hospital but to stop for immediate Rehabilitated youth shares Civil servant charged
help as the baby’s amniotic sac had mistakes as guide to others with falsifying claims
ruptured.
KUALA LUMPUR: When one mentions the away from criminal acts and to avoid the mistakes JOHOR BARU: A civil servant in a statutory
“To calm my nerves I kept reciting Henry Gurney School in Telok Mas, Malacca that I made. I don’t want them to tread the wrong body was charged at the sessions court
verses after verses of the Quran until the many associate it as an institution to “punish” path and suffer the same fate as me,” said Izzad, yesterday on four counts of making false claims
baby came out and let out her first cry. I wayward adolescents who have been consumed who also sought advice and views from several amounting to RM41,025, six years ago.
turned her over and tapped her back by drugs and other social ills, or criminal ustaz before making the move.
gently to ensure no airway obstruction. problems. Having a record as a former trainee of Hasren Amat Sibani@Fahrudin, 40, pleaded
Soon after that the ambulance arrived,” the school is usually not something to be proud of Recounting his wayward past, the eldest of not guilty after the charge was read out to him
she said yesterday. once you are admitted there as society will look at four siblings said he was introduced to drugs by a court interpreter before judge Datuk Abdul
you negatively. when he was 12 and had just started secondary Kamal Arifin Ismail.
Nor Syuhadah said although the school. He was addicted to horse pills, syabu and
training she had received as a firefighter As such, most graduates would prefer to keep morphine and often skipped classes until he was According to the charge sheet, Hasren was
was mainly focused on firefighting this dark side of their life a secret but not for finally expelled. accused of using documents containing false
techniques, helping people in distress is Muhammad Izzad Daniel Abdullah, who has information, namely the order of pineapple
a natural instinct that does not need to taken the initiative to share his three-year He tried to get a job, but with his seeds that were not actually supplied as
be learned, adding that she was happy to experience at the school after he was caught for unmanageable condition no one was willing to claimed, with the intention of deceiving the
see both mother and child were safe. burglary when he was 17. employ him, causing him to commit burglary to principal, the Malaysian Pineapple Industry
get money until he was arrested. Board (MPIB).
The Selangor Fire and Rescue Turning to social media platforms, Izzad, now
Department in a statement said Nyak Siti 22, did not mind opening up about his dark past While in rehabilitation, Izzad spent time The accused, who is an economic affairs
Nurleena and her husband, who were on to serve as a lesson to young people so that they assessing his own thoughts, emotions, decisions assistant at MPIB, allegedly committed the
their way to the hospital, sought help at do not make similar mistakes in finding direction and behaviours, and was determined to be a offences at the MPIB southern region office
the Kota Anggerik fire station at about in their life. better person for his family and the community. in Pontian, Johor between April and
7pm on Saturday. December 2015.
Initially, Izzad, who has a daughter, admitted Izzad, who is currently pursuing a diploma in
“At 8.28pm, the couple’s fifth child was he was not sure if it was the right thing to do as this aviation management at Cybernetics He was charged under Section 18 of the
safely delivered with the help of our would be baring his disgrace but he was International College of Technology, Kuala Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
personnel, and both mother and baby surprised to see it was well received by his family Lumpur and actively giving motivational talks at (MACC) Act 2009, which is punishable under
were taken in an ambulance for further and the community. schools and institutions of higher learning, was Section 24 of the same act which carries a
treatment,” the statement read. also appointed the Yellow Ribbon Project icon by maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not
– Bernama “My intention was purely to drive home the the Youth and Sports Ministry last year. less than the bribe amount or RM10,000, upon
message to the public, especially youths, to stay – Bernama conviction. The court set Aug 25 for mention.
– Bernama

6 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021 BRIEFS IRAN REJECTS U.N.
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS ‘ACCUSATIONS’

US to stress need for TEHRAN: Iran on Saturday
‘guardrails’ in Tianjin talks rejected “false accusations” by
United Nations (UN) rights
WASHINGTON: US Deputy Secretary o Washington does not want competition however, they could help set the stage chief Michelle Bachelet on
of State Wendy Sherman will tell with Beijing to veer into conflict: Official for an eventual meeting between protests over water shortages
China in upcoming talks that while Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in the country’s southwest,
Washington welcomes competition, same rules and on a level playing Sherman’s talks follow several possibly on the sidelines of a G20 where at least four people
there needs to be a level playing field field.” combative months since the summit in Italy in October. have been killed since last
and guardrails to ensure ties do not countries’ first senior diplomatic week. Khuzestan, Iran’s main
veer into conflict. A day ahead of her arrival, Wang meeting under President Joe Biden’s “If the trust is there, both sides can oil-producing region, has been
warned that China does not accept administration in March. use these talks to discuss cooperation gripped by drought since
Senior US officials, briefing the United States taking a “superior” on bilateral issues like removing the March, with protests erupting
reporters on Saturday ahead of position in the relationship. Chinese officials publicly restriction on diplomat and student in several towns and cities
Sherman’s talks in Tianjin with lambasted the United States at that visas, and multilateral issues since July 15. Bachelet on
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi “If the US has not learned how to meeting in Alaska, accusing it of involving Iran, Afghanistan, Friday told Iran to address the
today, said the world’s two largest deal with other countries on an equal hegemonic policies. US officials Myanmar and climate change,” said chronic water shortage in
economies needed responsible ways footing, then we have the accused China of grandstanding. Shanghai Fudan University director Khuzestan instead of cracking
to manage competition. responsibility to work with the of American Studies Wu Xinbo. down on protesters. Iran’s
international community to teach the The Tianjin meeting would be a Foreign Ministry spokesman
“She’s going to underscore that we United States this lesson,” he said, in continuation of the Alaskan talks and Evan Medeiros, an Asia specialist Saeed Khatibzadeh said the
do not want that stiff and sustained remarks published by the Ministry of “all dimensions of the relationship in the Obama administration now at comments are “regrettable”. He
competition to veer into conflict,” said Foreign Affairs on its website. will be on the table”, said a US official. Georgetown University, said there decried “false accusations and
one official ahead of the first were no illusions about the tense incorrect information”. – AFP
high-ranking, face-to-face contact Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin Since Alaska, the two countries state of relations, but Wang’s
between Washington and Beijing in will next week travel to Singapore, have traded diplomatic barbs on an willingness to meet Sherman CONGO ARMY FREES
months as the two sides gauge how Vietnam and the Philippines, and almost constant basis. suggested China was taking the talks 150 HOSTAGES
they can ease festering ties. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will seriously.
visit India, as part of American efforts With bilateral ties so poor, foreign BUNIA: The army in the
“The US wants to ensure that there to intensify engagement as China policy experts do not expect “Ultimately, it’s about figuring out Democratic Republic of Congo
are guardrails and parameters in challenges US influence in Asia. significant outcomes from Tianjin. what a stable equilibrium in the said yesterday its troops have
place to responsibly manage the relationship looks like. That will take freed more than 150 people
relationship,” he said. If the talks go reasonably well, time, but you have to be talking to do taken hostage by the ADF
so.” – Reuters militia, blamed for thousands
“Everyone needs to play by the of deaths in the country’s east.
“The army was able to release
Typhoon In-Fa drenches eastern China more than 150 civilians –
women, elderly people,
BEIJING: Typhoon In-Fa uprooted Workers moving a fallen hover over a wide expanse of eastern season for millennia, but the record children and young people,“
trees and drenched communities in tree in Ningbo yesterday. China for days, wringing itself out rainfall this past week in Henan has said Jules Ngongo, spokesman
knee-deep water in parts of eastern – AFPPIX and bringing heavy rainfall, possibly prompted questions about how cities for the army in Ituri province.
China, but there were no reports of The government announced that to areas still recovering from last could be better prepared for freak He said the success came after
major damage as it made landfall it would extend a suspension of week’s flooding. weather events, which experts say are army offensives against ADF
yesterday. railway services in and out of happening with increased frequency from July 18 to 20 in Boga and
Shanghai. “It is necessary to be highly and intensity due to climate change. Tchabi in Irumu territory in the
Sea, air and rail traffic had been Some public attractions in vigilant and prevent disasters that northeast.“These civilians were
shut down across a swathe of the Shanghai and other cities, including may be caused by extreme heavy Millions were affected by the being held and used by ADF as
coast centered on the major shipping Shanghai Disneyland, also were rainfall,” the administration said Henan floods, with some trapped human shields. Currently, they
port of Ningbo, where the weakening closed and residents were warned to yesterday. without fresh food or water for days, are going about their usual
typhoon rumbled ashore around avoid outdoor activities. and economic losses have run into business freely,“ he said. – AFP
midday packing winds of up to 38 The meteorological China has suffered an annual billions of dollars.– AFP
metres per second, said the China administration said after landfall, summer flooding and typhoon Anti-graft
Meteorological Administration. In-Fa would weaken but continue to investigator
flees Guatemala
Response teams in Ningbo cleared
away fallen trees in the city centre, GUATEMALA CITY: Top
while residents in some anti-graft investigator Juan
neighbourhoods waded through Francisco Sandoval fled
floodwaters and merchants piled up Guatemala on Saturday to
sandbags in front of their businesses “safeguard his life”, hours after he
to keep out water. was sacked in a move that sparked
international backlash.
The typhoon hit as the central
province of Henan was still cleaning Guatemalan Ombudsman
up after torrential downpours Jordan Rodas accompanied
dumped a year’s worth of rain in just Sandoval to the Salvadoran border
three days last week. “in light of the difficult decision to
leave the country to safeguard his
Government officials yesterday life and integrity due to recent
added another five dead to the toll events”, according to the Central
from the freak flooding in Henan, American country’s human rights
raising the total to 63. body.

In-Fa’s effects were also felt Sandoval had been fired from
yesterday in the metropolis of his post as Guatemala’s Prosecutor
Shanghai, with strong gusts of wind Against Corruption and Impunity
and steady but not heavy rainfall. (Feci) head by Attorney-General
Consuelo Porras on Friday.
All inbound and outbound flights
were cancelled yesterday for the city’s Sandoval said he had
two international airports, as were encountered many obstacles in
dozens of scheduled trains, while his work at Feci and that he was
activity at the ports of Shanghai and told not to investigate President
Ningbo – two of the world’s largest – Alejandro Giammattei without the
was also shut down. attorney-general’s consent.

India searches for survivors as monsoon toll rises The Attorney-General’s Office
said he had been let go due to
NEW DELHI: The death toll from Flooding and landslides are southeast of Mumbai, on Thursday. homes in a matter of minutes, leaving “constant abuses and frequent
flooding and landslides triggered by common during India’s treacherous Villager Jayram Mahaske said just two concrete structures standing. violations” of the institution and
heavy monsoon rains in India monsoon season, which also often that attempts had been made to
climbed to 127 yesterday, officials sees poorly constructed buildings “many people were washed away as In Posare village, 210km south of “undermine” the “work, integrity
said, with rescuers searching for buckle after days of non-stop rain. they were trying to run away” from Mumbai, officials said four bodies and dignity” of Porras.
dozens more missing. the landslide. were found overnight.
Experts say climate change has His firing sparked criticism
The country’s western coast has caused the annual deluge to increase Another villager, Govind In parts of Chiplun, water levels from the US State Department,
been inundated by torrential rains in frequency and intensity. Malusare, said his nephew’s body rose to nearly 6m on Thursday after which has called him an “anti-
since Thursday, with the India had been found after the landslide hit 24 hours of uninterrupted rain. corruption champion”.
Meteorological Department warning In Maharashtra state, 117 people his family’s home, but his mother,
of further downpours over the next have been killed, including more brother, sister-in-law and niece were Rescuers were working in The Centre against Corruption
few days. than 40 in a large landslide that hit still missing. waist-deep mud to search for 100 and Impunity in the North of
the hillside village of Taliye, 250km people still missing, with the help of Central America also hit out at
The landslip flattened dozens of excavators. – AFP Porras’ decision, saying it would
create “setbacks in the fight
against corruption”. – AFP

7theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
* NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

South Korea steps NEW NORM ...
up coronavirus Screens show
safety regulations devotees gathering
via Zoom during a
SEOUL: South Korea said yesterday it ceremony to
will tighten social distancing rules commemorate the
across most of the country this week, Buddhist Lent Day at
warning that its worst-ever Covid-19 the Wat Phra
wave might spread further in the Dhammakaya Temple
summer holiday season. in Thailand.
– REUTERPIX
The curbs will be increased to
Level 3 on a four-level scale, which Unvaccinated Germans
will mean a 10pm dining curfew and may face new restrictions
ban on gatherings of more than four
people, from tomorrow for two weeks o Individuals to be barred from restaurants, The country has a duty to protect However, Merkel has also said
for most areas except for some small cinemas and stadiums even if tested negative people’s health, Braun said. Germany is not planning to follow
counties. France and other countries in
“This includes a health service introducing compulsory
“What’s most concerning is the that does not have to postpone vaccinations for parts of the
virus’ recent spread in the cancer and joint operations again in population.
non-capital areas,” President MoonBRIEFS BERLIN: People who have not been facilities such as restaurants, winter to treat Covid patients.” Health Minister Jens Spahn said
Jae-in told an intra-agency meeting vaccinated against Covid-19 could cinemas and sports venues if they people who are vaccinated will not
reviewing efforts in the campaign face new restrictions if infections are either fully vaccinated or able to Germany has seen low infection have to go into full lockdown again
against the coronavirus. continue to rise in Germany, said provide a recent negative test. numbers over the summer and will enjoy more freedoms than
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of compared to many of its European unvaccinated people in case of
“There has been an increase in staff Helge Braun in an interview But if infection rates continue to neighbours, but cases have been another virus resurgence.
movements nationwide, especially published yesterday. rise, unvaccinated people will have creeping up over the past two weeks, “As long as there are no
around vacation spots.” to reduce their contacts, Braun said. largely fuelled by the Delta variant. mutations that impact the
“Vaccinated people will protection from vaccines ... then
South Korea managed to largely definitely have more freedom than “That could mean that visiting Merkel last week said she was being fully vaccinated means that
avoid major Covid-19 outbreaks with unvaccinated people,” Helge Braun places like restaurants, cinemas and concerned about the “worrying restrictions of the kind we saw last
an extensive testing and tracing told the Bild am Sonntag stadiums would no longer be dynamic” of rising cases, urging as winter will not be necessary, needed
campaign for the first year of the newspaper. possible even for tested many Germans as possible to get or legally appropriate.” – AFP
pandemic. unvaccinated people because the vaccinated. As of yesterday, 60.8% of
Currently, Germans can use risk is too high,” he said. Germans had received one jab, with
But the latest spikes in infections 49.1% fully vaccinated.
have dented public confidence even
though there have been relatively few Donations to save Tunisia from catastrophe
critical cases and deaths.
TUNIS: With Tunisia’s health Now more than three million global shortage of doses, vaccines even private citizens organised
The government early this month system close to collapse after being doses, most of them donated, have have arrived late. fund-raising events.
imposed the toughest Level 4 curbs, overwhelmed by a surge of Covid-19 been sent, with the number set to
which include a ban on gatherings of cases, other countries and even reach five million by mid-August. It now has one of the world’s “The mobilisation of civil society
more than two people after 6pm, in individuals have stepped in to stem highest coronavirus death rates. saved Tunisia from a catastrophic
the capital Seoul and neighbouring the crisis. China and the United Arab scenario,” said gynaecologist Cyrine
areas. Emirates each supplied 500,000 Tunisia recorded 1.4 daily deaths Chedly, a member of an
European and Gulf nations, doses, while Algeria gave 250,000. per 100,000 population over the organisation of young doctors.
The Korea Disease Control and Tunisians abroad and ordinary previous seven days, among the
Prevention Agency yesterday citizens have organised equipment Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne at the worst globally on this metric. “Donations of oxygen
reported 1,487 cases for Saturday, the and vaccine donations that are now French Ministry for Europe and concentrators have made it possible
highest increase recorded on any helping to battle the pandemic. Foreign Affairs told AFP that France At the beginning of summer, to reduce the number of serious
weekend. this week alone sent more than one Tunisia’s public hospitals put out a cases and deaths,” said Chedly.
The North African nation of 12 million AstraZeneca and Janssen plea for help – for personal
South Korea’s total infections have million people had been struggling doses, enough to vaccinate “a tenth protective equipment and intensive France, Italy, Algeria, Egypt,
risen to 188,848, with 2,073 deaths. to come up with the necessary of the adult population”. care resources in particular. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE
– Reuters vaccine doses even before Covid-19 have all sent medical equipment.
really began to hit hard. But either because of sluggish Groups including the country’s
STUDENT SHOT FOR diplomatic efforts by Tunisia or the organisation of young doctors, Mauritania even offered to send
NOT WEARING MASK Tunisian embassies abroad and 15 tonnes of fish. – AFP

KINSHASA: A Democratic Covid-positive man disguises himself as wife to board flight
Republic of Congo policeman has
shot a student who was not JAKARTA: An Indonesian man who as niqab to board, which obscured Police said it was not long before After testing positive, he was
wearing a mask while filming on was Covid-positive disguised his face. a flight attendant aboard the Citilink ordered to self-isolate at home.
the streets of the capital, himself as his wife to board a plane travelling from Jakarta to
witnesses said yesterday. “Our domestic flight but was caught “He bought the plane ticket with Ternate in North Maluku province Police said they will move to
friend Honore Shama, a student midway, after a flight attendant his wife’s name and brought the noticed the man change the clothes prosecute him as soon as his
in the faculty of arts at the spotted him changing into his identity card, the PCR test result and in the lavatory. quarantine ends.
University of Kinshasa, was regular clothes. the vaccination card with his wife’s
filming a video,” said Patient Odia, name. All documents are under his Police told reporters that the The incident comes as Indonesia
a friend who was present at the The man, who went by his wife’s name,” said police official man was detained after the plane experienced a surge in coronavirus
confrontation. “A policeman told initials, wore a full-face veil known Aditya Laksimada. landed and was tested immediately. infections, driven by the Delta
him to wear a mask during the variant. – The Independent
filming. Despite his (Shama’s)
explanations and after having
showed him a mask, the
policeman became infuriated,
accused him of resisting and shot
him at point-blank range,” Odia
said. The policeman has fled and
his colleagues are searching for
him. – AFP

U.K. MINISTER SORRY
OVER ‘COWER’ TWEET

LONDON: Britain’s Health
Secretary Sajid Javid apologised
yesterday after he tweeted that
the country need not “cower” in
the face of coronavirus, having
himself recovered from a bout of
the disease. “I was expressing
gratitude that the vaccines help
us fight back as a society, but it
was a poor choice of word and I
sincerely apologise,” he said. His
inital tweet urged “please, if you
haven’t yet, get your jab, as we
learn to live with, rather than
cower from, this virus”, sparking
criticism that he was being
disrespectful to those who died
from the disease in Britian.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper
tweeted that “129,000 people
who died didn’t cower, they
fought for their lives“. – AFP

8 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
SPEAK UP

COMMENT by Dr Paolo Casadio and Dr GeoffreyWilliams LETTERS

Welcome change [email protected]
in tone on Covid policy
Sad tale of super
jumbo proportions

KHAZANAH Nasional Berhad, there was a need for bigger
through Malaysia Airlines aircraft.
Group, has finally decided to 2) The biggest commercial
put up their six Airbus A380 aircraft then, Boeing 747-400,
aircraft for sale. I had written were due for replacement.
FACED with growing case an article regarding Malaysian Singapore Airlines acquired
numbers and the post-Raya the number of cases has risen from a analysis has shown that this medicine Airlines A380 in theSun in 19, followed by Qantas, with
infections yet to emerge, the seven day average of 1,800 per day in can be effective and the MOH is January. It was further six; and Thai International,
government is showing signs of May to around 46,000 today. conducting trials in Malaysia on its expanded, detailing the with six.
a welcome change in tone on the potential use. These changes in policy background of the purchase in The airlines in the Middle
management of the Covid-19 crisis. In Israel, which also has a high tone are in line with our my book Malaysian Aviation – East were the biggest buyers –
vaccination rate around 60%, the seven recommendations on how the The Untold Stories, published Emirates, with an
The data of 17,045 new Covid-19 day average at the end of May was 15 economy can be reopened responsibly in March. I had mentioned unbelievable number of 117,
cases yesterday is an important and sad cases but is now around 1,700 per day. by combining multiple policy that the best option for the followed by Qatar and Etihad,
milestone. They give us a clear idea of a approaches, including complimentary aircraft was to sell them. They 10 each. Malaysia Airlines had
new scenario we will be facing in Israel’s Health Ministry produced a treatments, such as Ivermectin, have no other choice. to join the league, lest it be
coming weeks, which members of study on the effectiveness of the Pfizer Dexamethasone and Baricitinib, to totally pushed out of
Parliament would have to address in vaccine against the Delta Variant, quickly revert the trend and severity of Now all grounded, the next competition flying aircraft,
their meeting that begins today. There which shows the efficacy or protection cases and retake control of the period the aircraft can be of with inferior product.
are three elements of caution in from being infected is only about 39%, management of the virus. some use is the next Haj Nobody expected Covid-19
interpreting the daily data. even though there is a high rate of 91% season, which is about one to create havoc to the aviation
protection from serious symptoms. Reducing the number of cases and year away – and for the Umrah industry. Virtually all of these
The first, daily cases are highly deaths this way is not possible with operations when Saudi Arabia giants are now lying idle on
volatile and so it is better to look at Protection from transmitting the vaccines alone because the effect will opens up again for pilgrims. the ground. With the virus not
weekly averages to smooth out the daily virus from vaccinated people to others take weeks or months, as shown by But at the most, only three going away and with the
spikes. Nonetheless, the Health has fallen to 16% for those vaccinated in MOH projections. Only when the aircraft would suffice. emergence of new variants,
Ministry (MOH) and other experts have January, which means they have lost process is on a clear downward path for there are still uncertainties as
indicated clearly that cases will rise protection from transmission to others all indicators, especially severe cases To keep them idle on the to the future of air travel. But
significantly in coming days and weeks, and now have a 84% chance of passing and deaths, can we ground, they would still need one thing is
especially following the Raya holiday it to someone, according to the study. be sure that the to be maintained. To fly them certain,
last week. alternative when the borders are open, the days
Based on international experience, management of A380
Second, as is now well known, data we can expect an increase of new cases and early which we still do aircraft are
on new cases are sensitive to the in the next few weeks and as the treatment is working, not numbered.
number of tests and so indicators such vaccination rate rises, the number of and that a responsible reopening Since then, the
as the percentage of positive cases, or cases may also be stubbornly high. This of the economy is possible. know when, not being two major
positivity rate, and the R-0 or infectivity is why a change in signals from the able to fill up the seats, means aircraft
rate must be used to interpret the data government is helpful and reassuring in This is why even non-medical operating at a loss. manufacturers, Airbus
over time. These show the spread of the understanding how policies may evolve experts must follow and understand the Industrie and Boeing Aircraft
disease is far from under control. in the coming weeks. data and the evolution of the virus, and So indeed, the airline, like Company, have come up with
must learn from the experiences of all airlines that at one time 2-Engine Long Range wide
Third, we need to look at the impact First, there is a sensible signal from other countries so we can make the boosted and boasted their body aircraft that can cover
and severity of the virus and the best Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul correct policy choices. image upon securing these the routes done by the 4-
indicator of that is the data on deaths. Aziz that, subject to approval from now “white elephants”, is in a engine giant: Airbus A350-
This can be affected by different lags in experts, the number of daily new cases According to our analysis, future bad situation. And this is an 900, and Boeing B777 X.
the pre-Delta and Delta phase, may no longer be used as a primary prospects for the economy depend understatement. Following Seeing a bleak future for the
cumulating the deaths and creating guide to the NRP and may be replaced crucially on the ending of lockdowns. that decision made a week ago aircraft, Singapore Airlines
extra fatalities in the short term. by severity indicators and deaths. This depends on the projected path of to sell them, a local daily had laid out plans to retire
the virus, which in turn depends on the opined that it was a “good seven of their Airbus A380.
Even though the recent data on new Second, the signal from MOH that a policy used to manage the crisis. By decision but wrong timing”. Other airlines may follow suit.
cases has been alarming, Health wider range of therapeutic medicines looking at the economic impact of It quoted an opinion that The decision by Malaysia
Director-General (DG) Tan Sri Dr Noor are already being used is also a sensible different policy paths, we can see that Malaysia Airlines should have Airlines to sell their six A380 is
Hisham Abdullah has been quick to move. These include the anti- the changes in policies signalled by sold the A380s a long time ago. an expected move, but a little
point out that 98% of cases are Category rheumatic treatment Dexamethasone, recent announcements are important But anybody can be wise with too late? No, circumstances
One (no symptoms) and Category Two which is also used for asthma and discussion points between the the benefit of hindsight. prevail. The big question is,
(mild symptoms). This severity respiratory illnesses, and Baricitinib, a government and Parliament. under the present situation
indicator is essential to put the number drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Airlines, with Singapore with restrictions still on air
of cases and the best management, and These are being used “off-label”, which Economic recovery can follow Airlines as the launch travel, who would buy them,
treatment options into context. means the medicines are used to treat quickly with a new scenario for customer in October 2007, no matter how low the price?
Covid-19 even though they have not managing the health challenges. went for the aircraft for two
It is important to note that the been approved for the purpose. It main reasons: Capt Mohd Kamil is a former
vaccination rate, although a key shows an openness by MOH to try Dr Paolo Casadio is an economist at Malaysia Airlines director of
indicator for the National Recovery whatever drug that is effective and can HELP University and Dr Geoffrey 1) With the boom of the
Plan (NRP), may not be helpful in help overcome the hesitancy towards aviation industry at that time, Flight Operations.
predicting future cases. Data from the other possible treatments such as Williams is an economist at Malaysia
United Kingdom shows that even with Ivermectin, a medicine the DG has said University of Science and Technology,
close to 70% of the population partially he used himself “off-label” for
vaccinated and 55% fully vaccinated, treatment of dengue. both based in Kuala Lumpur.
Comments: [email protected]
Respected peer-reviewed meta-

TELLING IT AS IT IS

LIFESTYLE YOUTH FASHION ENTERTAINMENT

MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

Devilof a star YongL is a master of
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>>> Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT

2 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

A star is born
o Cannes falls for The Worst
Person in the World actress

THE Cannes film festival he said knowing her gift for
has fallen head over heels improvisation. “I could cut four of
for a Norwegian film five different versions of any scene
about a young woman with her in this film.
trying to find herself and the
unknown actress who plays her. “I always wondered why the
hell is Norwegian film so messed
“A star is born,” declared The up that she hasn’t had a lead role
Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw. yet?” Trier added.
Love in the time of #MeToo
Renate Reinsve “takes off like a Reinsve told AFP that she had
rocket and deserves star status to “been through the same”
rival Lily James or Alicia labyrinth of self-doubt
Vikander,” he added, giving The and indecision as
Worst Person in the World a five- her character.
star review – one of several it has
already garnered. And she too
would often
In her first big screen lead, think of
Reinsve plays a twenty-something herself as
trying and failing to define herself the worst
through her pinballing person
relationships with men until she in the
finally strikes out on her own path.
world as she saw others she said. Reinsve in
Variety predicted it would around fly. The film – which includes one of the The Worst
become a “touchstone” movie for In the film her character Person in the
millennials, Britain’s Daily Julie drifts from medical most gobsmackingly feminist sex scenes World.
Telegraph called it “wondrous”, school to a psychology ever seen at Cannes – has also been (far left)
while Xan Brooks of The Observer degree to photography to praised for the way it deals with the Reinsve wins
said it was “simply gorgeous”. five minutes of Facebook shifting gender power balance. best actress
fame for writing a piece at Cannes
Bradshaw – one of several called “Oral sex in the era In one particularly telling scene, Film Festival.
critics to admit wiping away a tear of #MeToo”. Reinsve’s older graphic novelist
or two during the premiere – “Growing up before boyfriend crashes and burns when a
credited the director Joachim #MeToo you kind of radio interview turns to the lumpen
Trier with inventing a whole new shape yourself with the sexism of his past creations.
genre. strong opinions and
presence of men,” Trier said the film was navigating “the
“Trier has taken on one of the Reinsve added. beautiful chaos” and complications of
most difficult genres imaginable, “She finds her love in a time of massive change.
the romantic drama, and identity in
combined it with another very others’ eyes. “With #MeToo it is very polarised. But
tricky style – the coming-of-ager – When you free I believe that change also comes about
to craft something gloriously yourself from through humanity and understanding,”
sweet and beguiling,” he said. that, you he said.
become yourself
The French media were and stronger,” “Is there such a thing as pure love? I’m
equally bewitched. not sure, they are millions of agendas,
conscious and unconscious.
And everyone wondered why
the world has never heard of 33- “I want to give a big hug to people with
year-old Reinsve before. this the film and say hey, ‘It’s OK. we are
all going through this.’” – ETX Studio
Trier told AFP that “there is an
awful lot of her in the character.
She has had a big, big impact on
this film.

“I wrote it specifically for her,”

Malaysian singer featured on billboard A scene from Madres Paralelas.
in Times Square
SPOTIFY has featured Malaysian
artist Layla Sania on the world- Latest Almodovar movie to kick
famous Times Square billboard in off Venice Film Festival
New York City, making her only the
second Malaysian artist ever to be Layla on the billboard in Times Square, New York. PEDRO Almodovar’s Madres “And I hope to live up to it,“ he
featured there after international Paralelas (Parallel Mothers), starring added.
star and fellow Malaysian, Yuna. never imagined that I’ll ever be on we are,” Layla says. the Spanish filmmaker’s muses
the billboard in Times Square, New Layla is a 19-year-old, multi- Penelope Cruz and Rossy De Palma, The director of the festival,
Layla was featured as artist of the York, following in the footsteps of my will open the 78th Venice Film Alberto Barbera, called Almodovar’s
month for Spotify’s EQUAL fellow Malaysian Yuna and a lot of lingual singer-songwriter from Festival in September. film an “intense and sensitive
Singapore & Malaysia program, other amazing international artists. I Malaysia signed to Warner Music portrait of two women facing
which saw her grace the cover of the hope I can serve as an inspiration to Malaysia. She released her first The film – which follows two pregnancy with unpredictable
playlist and appear on the billboard all female musicians out there, that Mandarin single By Your Side in single women in different stages of implications, of female solidarity, of
in Times Square, New York as the women have the power to change January 2021 following the success life preparing to give birth in a a sexuality lived in full freedom and
EQUAL representative for Singapore the world, no matter who and where of her debut single Que Sera Sera in maternity ward – will compete for without hypocrisy”.
and Malaysia. 2019. the prestigious competition’s top
prize, the Golden Lion. The 71-year-old filmmaker was
EQUAL is Spotify’s global and awarded a Golden Lion for lifetime
evergreen program fostering equity “I was really born as a director in achievement by the festival in
for women in music. The audio Venice in 1983 ... 38 years later, I am 2019.
industry is not an equitable space: called to open the festival,“ said the
only one in five artists are women, Oscar-winning Almodovar in a He debuted at Venice in 1983
and Spotify believed that music can statement. with his black comedy, Entre
help shape the future. On Tinieblas (Dark Habits).
International Women’s Day, Spotify “I am truly grateful to the festival
launched their new EQUAL hub, a for this recognition. The festival will be held this year
place where content from women from Sept 1-11. – ETX Studio
creators can be listened to, any day
of the year, in 178 markets. They
want to turn the volume on the
existing inspiring voices so that
more opportunities are created, and
more women can enter the field.

“I’m super grateful to be a part of
EQUAL programme by Spotify. This
means a lot to me as a singer and I’ve

ENTERTAINMENT

3theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

█ BY JOHN TAN A scene from
the TV series,
THE Thai television series, Girl From
Girl From Nowhere has Nowhere.
become a phenomenal hit
after its second season the current pandemic. And
globally aired in May this year. The none of us can travel like before.
two-season series follows Nanno, But to see people liking the show
an enigmatic girl who transfers to despite it being in an uncommonly
different schools across Thailand. used language like Thai has been
Upon making her way into the amazing! I am so glad that this
social ecosystem, she exposes the
darkest secrets of the students and show and the character have
faculty. introduced me to fans from all
around the world.
Nanno is said to be an immortal
entity who punishes wrongdoers What comes after Nanno?
for their sins. Since its airing, the Right now, I am very open
show has ranked in the top 10 for to exploring many kinds of
the currently most watched Netflix characters. I mean anything that
shows across the globe. It has also excites me! If the script makes my
been praised for its heart race, I am down for that! As
unconventional plot and take on for my plans outside acting, I
modern high school society. initially thought of making music
last year. I was thinking a lot about
In an exclusive interview with it but it is a weird time now. I have
theSun, lead star Kitty Chicha finished some songs though but I
Amatayakul speaks about the am not really sure of it myself. I
character that gained her traction have been insecure about it. So, I
as a star to watch with actually do not know when I am
international audiences. going to release it.
What would you like to see for
What made you said yes to the Devil of a star Nanno if there is a season 3?
role of Nanno? It would be cool to see Nanno
When I first read the script, I was o Thai celebrity Kitty Chicha Amatayakul talks going to schools all around the
quite excited about it. It gave me about the quirky role that has brought her world. I have seen some videos
the space to create a character that international fame from fans showing things that they
would suit me as I could tailor it to would like Nanno to expose or
fit myself. And it also reminded me emotions. And we also see her episode, I do not have one. solve. Though the issues are
of Japanese manga characters I questioning herself at times as she However, I would say every time similar, they are also very different
grew up reading. So, I felt like it is not really sure what she is there is blood involved, it was very as they are specific to a country.
would be fun to be able to design feeling, and what is right and difficult for me. This is because it So, it would be interesting to
and construct these characters and wrong. takes hours to put it on, and it takes learn more about the differences in
make them appear on the screen. even longer to wash it away in the the schooling systems around the
What would you say are your As for the least favourite shower. Like when I was shooting world. Aside from that, I hope we
favourite and least favourite for the second season, I was blonde can also tell more of the backstory
episodes? and there were times when the fake of Nanno. Like it would be nice to
My favourite episode would be blood would be stuck in my hair. have a spin-off that would be the
episode eight from the first season. And I would have stripes of red hair prequel to the whole story – the
It is called Lost and Found. I like it after that. character of Nanno, her origins
because it is the first time, we see and what she really is!
Nanno in a different light. Even
though she is like the devil’s
daughter, she still has human

Her character
Nanno is said
to be a divine
being.

Do you share any personality Prior to
traits with Nanno? becoming an
I am very lucky to have good acting actress, Kitty
coaches. They helped me find the was a
best way to get into character and member of a
also to get out of Nanno when I Thai girl
finish shooting. But I would say group, Kiss
that both Nanno and I are Me Five.
introverts. We like being in the
back and observing things. And we
also share a great deal of hope for
humanity.

Has the show’s popularity
changed your life?
At first, I was quite shocked at the
amount of love I was receiving
from fans around the world. I
mean, it is a weird time now given

RIM sets up emergency fund to help music industry practitioners in need

THE Recording Industry pandemic which have put song actively putting together a strategic affected music industry Kid (guitarist of popular band
Association of Malaysia (RIM) has recording projects on hold and plan for the development of the practitioners. Search) for his wife’s cancer
taken an initiative to assist music which have significantly limited local music industry for our “We are, in fact, planning a treatment fund. A RM1,000
industry practitioners in need with other income-generating members’ benefit and the larger scale fund raising activity in donation will also be made to
the formation of its Emergency opportunities for the practitioners Emergency Charity Fund is one of collaboration with the Malaysian renowned composer, Ross Ariffin
Charity Fund. Under this initiative, in the music industry. Live the key initiatives that required Publishers Association (MPA) whose plight was recently
selected recipients of much needed performances have also grounded immediate execution due to the involving a songwriting highlighted in the media. RIM is
financial aid would comprise of to a halt with the present hardship caused by the pandemic competition and song bidding also collaborating with Musicians
those who are involved in or have restrictions in place making it to many music industry players. process that will help raise funds to for Musicians (MfM) to donate
contributed to the recording difficult for the music industry provide more assistance to music RM10,000 to 20 recording
industry, and whose income have ecosystem to generate sustainable “Our planned donations to the industry players in need. RIM will musicians who have been unable
been severely reduced or totally revenues for music industry affected parties would adhere to set continue to explore other to earn a living with the extended
lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. players,” said Rosmin Hashim, parameters and conditions that collaborations with music industry closure of entertainment outlets.
Chairman of RIM. would enable us to make selections related groups to raise funding for RIM will continue to identify other
“We have read and heard the He added: “Since the election of and decisions of funding our future charity initiatives.” music industry players in need and
plight of many music industry RIM’s New Council Members for recipients as best we can. We hope RIM’s Charity Initiative kick will extend a helping hand to get
practitioners who are struggling to the 2021-2023 term, we have been that our contributions will provide started with a RM1,000 donation to them back on their feet.
make ends meet as a result of the some measure of relief to the

LIFESTYLE of iMmaasgtienration

4 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021 o Digital artist YongL gives us a peek into his
creative imagination
ch
people

envi
diffe
COUR

YongL says that he is inspired by key elements that are unique to Malaysia. – COURTESY OF YONGL █ BY ANANSA JACOB purchase a camera, and I’m really grateful to
One of YongL’s food-inspired artworks. – COURTESY OF YONGL my mother for believing in my vision to this
EVER wondered what the Petronas day.”
Twin Towers would look like as a Of all your awards, which were
spaceship? What about if a giant particularly memorable?
bison tornado began attacking the “There were two that stood out as very
suburbs? Photographer and digital imaging profound. The first is when I won a small
artist Tan Yong Lin, better known as YongL, contest in a local Chinese newspaper,
has managed to turn such musings into earning me RM30. It was essentially the start
captivating surrealist artworks which never of my competition career.
fail to make viewers do a double-take.
“The [other] would be the Sony World
The 25-year-old Penang native’s photography awards in 2015, because it was
creations twist our perception of otherwise the first time I travelled on an aeroplane and
familiar landmarks, and have earned him to a foreign city (London) all by myself. I had
numerous awards from art and photography to convince my father that this is not a scam
competitions around the world. Currently but a legitimate award in order for me to
YongL is based in Cyberjaya where he is a visit there (we had some heated
creative director. arguments/fights). The rest is history!”
How would you describe your particular
In an email interview, he shared how he style, and how has it developed over the
first began his journey into digital art, and years?
how he keeps the creative spark alive. “My current style is more surrealistic and
conceptual, emphasising the concept or
What initially drew you to photography? story behind the artwork; it can be bizarre,
“I began photographing when I was in Form out of this world, or significant; it can be
Five, begging my mother to get me a camera anything I want it to be, and [my] style has
despite the fact that we could hardly afford evolved significantly over the years.
it; we must pay in three years’ instalments. I
was interested in photography since I’ve “I began my creative adventure with
always had a fascination for drawing and art, traditional drawing and painting,
which began when I was a child. progressed to digital art, and then
discovered photography and film making. I
“I realised one day in high school that use various skills and methods to create
photography is a faster way to draw or bring what I do now. I’m not interested in being
my vision to reality, which prompted me to defined by a certain style, and I wish to
continue evolving and improving, adapting
and thriving over time!”

What inspires you to come up with a
visual?
“Malaysia! The space in which I was born
and grew up; the time when I chose to take
the leap of faith and pursue my dream full-
time; my friends; my family; the people I
admire, a teacher I despise, and so forth,
[can] inspire me to create a visual.

“Occasionally, I am inspired by the
stories of others. Our surroundings are
constantly bombarded with ideas and
inspirations. We simply need to listen more
intently and pay more attention to them,
particularly the overlooked small things
around us.”

He hopes to be able to create more works based The Petronas Towers appear to be a
on popular Malaysian landmarks and elements favourite base for your work.
after the pandemic. – COURTESY OF YONGL “I have no choice, [because] I am unable to
travel due to the Movement Control Order
and the increasing number of Covid cases.
[The] closest and coolest or most relevant
things to me geographically are the
buildings and landmarks in and around
Kuala Lumpur.

Katsushika Hokusai’s unseen drawings coming to the British Museum this autumn

MOST art aficionados know It is believed that Hokusa one face down onto a plank of objects that give further
Katsushika Hokusa for “Under created these lively drawings cherry wood and cut through insight into his working
the Wave off Kanagawa” – or between the 1820s and the the back of the paper with practices. Hokusai is said to
“The Great Wave” – one of the 1840s for the illustrated chisels and knives to create have worked with frenetic
most recognizable and encyclopedia, “Great Picture detailed printing blocks. This energy, rising early to paint
reproduced artworks of all Book of Everything”. He wanted process would have destroyed and continuing until well after
time. But the Japanese artist is to present vignettes about the the drawings. Instead, they dark.
thought to have produced origins of Buddhism in India, were kept in a box and have
30,000 works over the course ancient China and the natural not been seen publicly since. “The show shines a light on
of his lifetime. world. the last chapter of the artist’s
The drawings will be career and life, uncovering a
Among them are 103 Despite creating the exhibited for the first time as restless talent that burned
previously unseen drawings, drawings for what was part of “Hokusai: The Great brightly into his final years,“
which were acquired last year intended to be a book, the Picture Book of Everything”, explains the British Museum.
by the British Museum. Their project was never completed. which runs Sept 30 through
existence had been all but Historians at the British Jan 30, 2022, at the British Those who cannot travel to
forgotten until 2019, when Museum claim that, if the book Museum. London to visit “Hokusai: The
they resurfaced at an auction had been published, these Great Picture Book of
in Paris and were purchased by illustrations would not exist Visitors will also have the Everything” can discover the
the cultural institution for because a professional block- opportunity to see Hokusai’s Japanese artist’s drawings on
£270,000 (about US$369,360). cutter would have pasted each masterpiece “Under the Wave the museum’s website. – ETX
off Kanagawa”, alongside Studio

LIFESTYLE

5theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

YongL
hallenges
e to view

their
ironment
erently. –
RTESY OF

YONGL

American researchers are working on giving artificial intelligence the same
capacity for imagination as humans.

How scientists are trying
to give AI ‘imagination’

IN recent years, artificial knowledge by attributes-for
intelligence has managed to instance, shape, pose, position,
“The Petronas towers are just the when real life gets in the way, such as paying Digital artist make its way into the arts world. color-and then recombine them
beginning; my motivation is to creatively bills, rent, loans, and worrying about client YongL hopes So much so that some people to imagine a new object. Our
visualise Malaysia.” projects, among other things. I’m aware that that his works already envision it emulating paper attempts to simulate
What are the biggest differences between we occasionally need to take a break in can inspire real-world artists, in creating this process using neural
the works you create for fun, and the work order to remain creative. people to autonomously. But AI seems to networks.”
you create as part of your day job? look at the lack an essential quality: Bringing machines closer to
“[The] works I create for my day job are far “It’s a whole new level of difficulty for me world imagination. Now, American humans
more plain and straightforward than the right now because of the Covid scenario and differently. – researchers are trying to remedy The scientists used the concept
crazy work I create for enjoyment. I work endless MCOs, but I’m thankful that I have a COURTESY the situation. of “disentanglement” to allow
with a variety of clients in a variety of group of teammates and OF YONGL While machines outperform the machine to generate new
industries, including real estate, friends whom I can man in many fields, they lag images from numerous visual
automotive, and food and beverage. count on; we’ll behind when it comes to being samples. The artificial
Although creative imaging art is not widely survive the creative. Or it takes a lot of intelligence program uses the
appreciated here, I am doing my best to bloodbath.” training. The French collective features it has observed in the
advance the scene!” Any advice Obvious, for example, previously various images analysed to
Where do you hope to take your art next? for others “fed” an algorithm with more perform a “controllable novel
“I wish to continue taking my art to different who might than 15,000 portraits dating from image synthesis.” This process of
parts of the world, essentially bringing want to try the Middle Ages to the 20th extrapolation could be the next
Malaysia to the global stage; I’m not their hand at century to enable the program to best thing to what we might
concerned with whether the local what you do? create a portrait titled “Edmond consider imagination, and has
authorities recognise my efforts or not, and “I’m going to be de Bellamy.” And this long-term allowed the researchers to
I’m doing it out of pure love for the country, honest here. If effort paid off, it seems, as the generate a database containing
environment, and culture in which I was you want to try, painting sold for US$432,500 at 1.56 million novel images.
born. I hope that my work inspires and go all the way; Christie’s, 45 times its estimated
uplifts others.” otherwise, do not price. “Disentanglement” already
How do you stay creative, and do you find bother because Now, researchers at the allows algorithms to make
it a challenge? the journey would University of Southern California deepfakes, the controversial
“Yes, at all times. It’s not simple, especially be extremely hard, (USC) are working hard to endow videos where one face is
especially here in artificial intelligence with the replaced by another. But this
Malaysia.” very “human” quality of technique could help machines
imagination. They have go even further, according to
recently developed an Laurent Itti, professor of
algorithm capable of computer science at USC. In fact,
designing novel it could make it easier to
objects with synthesise new drugs, or to avoid
different reproducing the racist and sexist
‘Fumei Choja attributes. stereotypes recently highlighted
and the nine- “We were in artificial intelligence
tailed spirit fox’ inspired by programmes.
is one of human visual
Hokusai’s generalisation “Deep learning has already
drawings that capabilities to demonstrated unsurpassed
will be on show try to simulate performance and promise in
at the British human many domains, but all too often
Museum this imagination this has happened through
autumn. in machines,“ shallow mimicry, and without a
explains deeper understanding of the
Yunhao Ge, separate attributes that make
a PhD each object unique,” said
student on Laurent Itti.
the USC
research “This new disentanglement
team. approach, for the first time, truly
“Humans unleashes a new sense of
can separate imagination in AI systems,
their learned bringing them closer to humans’
understanding of the world.” –
ETX Studio

HEALTH

6 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

Has the pandemic
affected your memory?
o You need to get representation of people who difficulties emerged, such as
moving to remember consider that their memory has forgetting things we’ve been told or
things better deteriorated. forgetting to do something that we
Tip of the tongue said we’d do.
SINCE the pandemic, do you For 55% of those surveyed, the most Adeeba: ‘The global community must do more to ensure immediate vaccine
sometimes lose your words or frequent change was forgetting when The most likely explanation is the supply to countries with high HIV disease prevalence.’
forget something you were an event or incident happened. The lack of cues from the outside
supposed to do? Rest assured, next most common change they environment. Instead of going to HIV ‘significant’ risk factor
you’re not alone. As part of her reported was forgetting the words to work, moving around an office, going for severe Covid: WHO
research, Catherine Loveday, a say in a sentence. This is known in to other places for meetings, and
professor of cognitive neuroscience psychology as the “tip-of-tongue” constantly encountering people,
at the University of Westminster, has phenomenon, and it’s something we some of us are mostly confined to a
been studying this sense of memory all experience from time to time. room at home. Going out, walking
impairment. past rooms or seeing someone often
While many people – perhaps like It’s unclear why forgetting words reminds us of something we’re
you – may have had the feeling they in this way has increased during the supposed to do or an upcoming HIV is a “significant” risk factor for IAS President Adeeba
were forgetting things, no one has period of Covid-19 restrictions, but it event like a birthday. So, as well as severe Covid-19, the World Health Kamarulzaman said the study
sought quantified this phenomenon may simply be because many of us being nice for socialising, seeing Organisation said in research results showed the importance of
until now. The results of the study have spent the last year working other people could also be necessary published recently that showed a prioritising people living with HIV
have not yet been made public. alone, at home or remotely, with for the proper functioning of our major increase in deaths among in national Covid-19 vaccination
However, the scientist shared some fewer opportunities to talk to others. brains. patients who have the virus that programmes.
of her findings on a BBC Radio 4 We may have lost the habit of social Get moving! causes AIDS and are also
show. She explains how she used the interaction and our neurons have In this new study of memory during hospitalised with Covid-19. “The global community must
“Every Memory Questionnaire” to been less active. the pandemic, one of the main do more to ensure immediate
subjectively assess how different What did you say? predictors of memory quality for the There are more than 37 million vaccine supply to countries with
facets of respondents’ memories Lack of social interaction has not only individuals involved was how much people known to be living with HIV high HIV disease prevalence,” said
have been performing recently. weakened our language. they moved around during the day. globally, and up to 45 million have Adeeba.
Sample questions include: “Did Dr. Loveday’s People who went out and about to died from the virus since the start
you forget to tell people something findings of the AIDS pandemic. “It is unacceptable that as of
important?” and “Did you start reveal that different places reported fewer today, less than 3% of the entire
other memory difficulties. So, in short, Previous studies had failed to African continent has received a
common if you want to remember establish a clear link between HIV single dose of the vaccine, and less
things better, then get and a higher likelihood of Covid-19 than 1.5% have received both
reading something, only to realise moving! – ETX Studio severe illness and death, given that doses.”
that you’ve read it before?” In many patients also suffer from
addition, respondents were As well as being fun additional health complications The United Nations’ UNAIDS
asked whether they thought for socialising, such as high blood pressure or programme said recently that the
their memory had seeing other people obesity. pandemic had severely disrupted
improved, stayed the also appears to be HIV diagnosis and treatment
same or important for the Researchers analysed data on services.
deteriorated proper functioning more than 15,500 people living
during the of our brains. with HIV who were hospitalised for In some regions of South Africa,
pandemic. The Covid-19. HIV testing fell nearly 50% during
data collected the first lockdown in April 2020 as
by Catherine The average age of patients was more than 28,000 health workers
Loveday seems to 45.5 years and more than a third were shifted from HIV
confirm many had severe or critical Covid-19. programmes to Covid-19
people’s impressions: screening.
80% of the Ninety-two percent had
respondents said that at received anti-retroviral therapy “Rich countries in Europe are
least one aspect of their prior to hospitalisation. preparing to enjoy the summer as
memory had deteriorated. their populations have easy access
However, the scientist Among patients for whom an to Covid-19 vaccines, while the
acknowledges that there outcome was recorded, 23% died global South is in crisis,” said
could be an issue with the in hospital. Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS
representativeness of the executive director.
sample. The people who “HIV appears to be a significant
answered the questionnaire on independent risk factor for severe “We have failed to learn the
memory problems responded to a or critical illness at hospital lessons of HIV, when millions were
call for participants on social media. admission and in-hospital denied life-saving medicines and
This could give rise to an over- mortality,” said authors of the died because of inequalities in
study, which was released during access.
the 11th annual International AIDS
Society (IAS) Conference on HIV “This is totally unacceptable.” –
Science. ETX Studio

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FEATURE

7theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

█ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI Wooden heart

A metric of success in life often is o Passion for furniture inspires designer to transform
the freedom to choose what to do raw wood into beautiful bespoke creations for the abode
and who to do it with.
Hani Ali says she selects her design centre for two years. ‘rubbish’ as interesting and beautiful things. for creative nomads. In April 2012,
clients, rather than the other way around. I familiarised myself with design and Although I have been running Lain for We were given the opportunity to create Hani started
nine years, it is always a challenge Lain, a
Each of her limited edition pieces not furniture-making and learning the when it comes to making new and design out-of-norm products for them. furniture
only takes time to craft by hand, but is business ways of an entrepreneur. furniture as we don’t run a Lain worked closely with the founder and design
uniquely designed. For instance, a bespoke cookie-cutting business. the architect from MMN Architects. That workshop
sculptural dining table inspired by a local After living in Australia for seven years, I was one of my proudest moments because I that creates
fruit, mangosteen, exudes elegance. finally came back to Malaysia in 2009. Our main business is got to work with clients who appreciate and limited
Before I started Lain, I was mentoring and bespoke furniture. So each respect what we do and also to collaborate volume
For Hani, it is not just a piece of judging at a couple of furniture design time we are given a new with local architects. wood
furniture. It is a form of art or sculpture that competitions for three consecutive years, brief, it also comes with a creations. –
fits into any home or cafe. from 2010 to 2012. new set of production Last year, I was requested to design and PICTURES
solutions. make a sculptural dining table using COURTESY
The pieces, from wood like oak, I started Lain in April 2012, a furniture reclaimed timber. We managed to complete OF HANI ALI
showcase simplicity with clean and straight design workshop that creates limited As I was born in the era the job but it ended up disastrously due to
lines, fine craftsmanship and functionality, volume wood creations. when colonial furniture was different expectations from both parties.
such as the one-of-a-kind Food and What sets you apart from other furniture typical in every household, I
Beverage trolley. designers? love the functions in vintage I will remember this because it taught
When I studied furniture design and furniture – the clean lines, me to be alert in choosing the right clients
Hani likes to challenge herself in design making in Australia, I was exposed to a lot wood tones and wood in future.
and grow from the experience. of Western designs. joineries in Danish furniture.

“There is nothing plain in ‘Lain,’’ says I had to build a working prototype in the I love the eclectic designs in Dutch style
the designer, who founded the firm nine workshop because the courses I did were and the traditional joineries in Malay
years ago. mostly hands-on. wooden houses and how they complement
What inspired you to become a furniture its natural surroundings.
maker? I implement the basic traditional wood
I became intrigued with furniture design in joineries into all my designs. We go back to basics and that is what I
the course of my internship with an interior want Lain to be.
firm after I completed my diploma of Wood joineries take a lot of labour, effort What is your most memorable creation?
interior architecture. and skill. This is where Lain is different I have different kinds of memorable
from other bespoke makers in Malaysia. projects.
I decided that I must pursue this
uncharted course and got myself to study The design we do also sets us apart from One is sweet and gives you confidence,
furniture and industrial design in Perth other rivals and carpenters. another is unpleasant but matures you.
and Adelaide. What influences you when it comes to
designing? In 2018, Lain was chosen to design
I stayed on after graduation for two Everyone has different eyes when they look furniture for KLOE Hotel in Bukit Bintang,
more years in Australia to gain work at things. Kuala Lumpur.
experience.
How did your journey into furniture I look at objects that other people call As per the founder, it is a boutique hotel
making begin?
I landed a full-time job as a junior designer.
Since I had knowledge of interior design, I
worked on drafting home plans and
layouts. After a year, I joined a renowned

█ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI

Back to her rootsHOUSEplants, potted flowers and all
things natural are having a moment
as Malaysians discover their inner extinction, she hopes to protect in the field.
gardener during lockdown. endangered varieties by cultivating “Initially, it started solely for
But for Sharon Lee Wee Chee, more and including them in her the purpose of obtaining a degree,”
booty from the jungle has been a designs. said the parks and urban space
lifelong passion, and also her However, there are setbacks as the designer.
profession. species grows slower in an urban However, her interest in
Like a true daughter of the area compared to its natural landscape planning and design grew
earth, she especially enjoys habitat in the forest. She has as she worked under her late mentor,
working with native plants to plant creatively, for the Robbert van Nauhuys.
and indigenous species to survive. “Landscape design principles do
elements in her The “modern not only apply in my professional life
creative and unique naturalist” also insists but also in my personal life as well,
designs. on environment- especially in dealing with day-to-day
“I use plants native friendly materials for life,” revealed Sharon.
to the area,” her projects. She founded her own firm,
explained the She described a UrbanSpace Consultants 10 years
Sarawak-based residence she worked ago and has since been (above) A home
landscape creator. on where she designing for residential and showcases a
“I stand for the introduced a “Green commercial clients, and public modern
principle of creatively Sanctuary” theme. institutions, parks and landmark contemporary
using more locally “I used more areas in Sarawak. Balinese garden
available materials, indigenous plants The mission, Sharon explains, is to with Koi pond.
rather than imported Sharon has won awards for and local materials create beautiful spaces where the A rooftop
ones like stones from her creations. – PICTURES such as concrete with owners or the public can enjoy the garden with
other countries.” COURTESY OF SHARON a bare finish and “manicured” environment. custom-made
bricks,” said the BBQ pit,
It’s about bringing LEE WEE CHEE concrete stools
and ledge table
nature nearer to the graduate in Stay-at-home gardening surrounded by
doorstep, she adds. landscape architecture. The lockdown has created new home green plants.
For instance, Sharon has been gardeners who are getting their
working with a Malaysian native Love for landscape hands dirty and trying to beautify
plant, Dipterocarp, that grows wild in About 19 years ago, Sharon’s keen their environment, whether it’s a
tropical rainforests. interest to transform or shape small space like a balcony, plot, patio
Although some are facing landscapes inspired her to specialise or a sprawling garden.

MEDIA & MARKETING

8 theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

Imperative STEM Inspiring Gen-Z to
education tackle pressing issues

AS innovation accelerates interest in innovation and
progress in our society, it calls STEM amongst Malaysian
for the need to upskill future youth. Inspiring this young
generations in this field of generation to identify and
research and study. Driven to solve societal problems using
o UTAR recognises the needs of Faidz says the enhance science, technology, STEM will help us support
IR 4.0 for STEM graduates number of engineering and mathematics them to create a better future
students who (STEM) education in for all,” said Datuk Roh Jae
█ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR entered Form Malaysia, Samsung Malaysia Yeol, Director of Corporate
1 and made it Electronics has launched Affairs, Samsung Malaysia
THE Fourth Industrial all the way Solve for Tomorrow 2021, a Electronics.
Revolution (IR 4.0) has into STEM youth competition to inspire
already begun. Though in fields after students to create solutions to This year, Malaysia’s
its infancy, IR 4.0 has seen a graduation is fix issues faced by society famous content creator and
alarmingly through STEM. social media influencer,
low. Imran Aqil, is onboard as the
Samsung Solve for face of Solve for Tomorrow
significant increase in the rapid Tomorrow 2021 is executed in 2021. Imran is currently
partnership with Universiti pursuing Electronic
development and expansion of Malaya’s STEM Centre and is Computer Engineering at
artificial intelligence and robotics, supported by the Ministry of Sultan Idris Shah Polytechnic
due to the growth and support of Education, Malaysia. The and will be a great role model
other technologies such as the competition is open to Form 1 and inspiration.
Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Form 2 students across all In line with the National
Analytics, machine learning and national secondary schools Education Policy under the
cloud computing. registered with the Ministry of Ministry of Education,
Realising the importance of Education Malaysia, Samsung Malaysia and
making sure Malaysia, and by providing them with an Universiti Malaya hope that
extension Asia, is prepared for the opportunity to engage in the Solve for Tomorrow
full brunt of IR 4.0, Universiti Tunku STEM activities and improve competition will shine a
Abdul Rahman (UTAR) is one of the their learning experience. spotlight on students who can
many institutions putting itself at This year, Solve for Tomorrow create, think logically, and use
the forefront in preparing the next will address two main social technology to solve problems
generation to be science, issues – ‘Access to Education’ in a real-world context.
technology, engineering and and ‘Environmental The winners will be judged
mathematics (STEM) savvy. Sustainability’. based on the relevance of the
“We are in the era of the IR 4.0. the structure of a virus, the “The other aspect that we’re “Samsung is dedicated to issue, creativity, feasibility of
You can see changes in how we live, vaccines, types of vaccines and so focusing more on is programming, Imran is creating a future that provides ideas, application of STEM
work and communicate,” said on. These are things students are data analytics and machine the face of a better life for all. Our and presentation of
UTAR R&D and Commercialisation more aware of now, and even my learning among others. These can Solve for strength lies in innovation. innovative solutions. The
Vice President Prof Ts Dr Faidz Abd own kids,” he said. be learned online”. Tomorrow Therefore, with Solve for prize-giving ceremony will be
Rahman. On how education has been Faidz related a competition last 2021. Tomorrow, we aim to spark held on Dec 9.
Stressing the importance of taking to a virtual space, Faidz year on data analytics, where
preparing the country for IR 4.0, acknowledged that STEM has also a simple tool such as Excel was
Faidz pointed out one of the major been been affected, due to how used.
hurdles faced by education hands-on experience previously “People were not aware that it
institutions – the statistics of available pre-2020 has been taken could be used for data analytics.
students not being interested in the out of the picture. Before the competition, we had a
STEM field. “They have limited resources at workshop with students on how to
“The data collected from 2007 to home to do assignments. In a way, use Excel.
2017 shows that the number of this pandemic for the past two “We then gave them a problem
students in the arts stream is years has affected the students’ and during the competition, they
increasing, while in the STEM (ability in) learning about STEM. submitted very interesting
stream, the numbers have dropped It’s a bit worrying, but we can only analyses,” he said.
significantly,” said Faidz, adding see the effect once the MCO lifts. I Another undertaking by UTAR
that the decline is alarming. can’t tell the actual effect now”. and possibly its longest is the Kuala
On what role the pandemic has To curtail any setbacks, UTAR Lumpur Engineering Science Fair
played in the public’s awareness of has evolved its education pedagogy (KLESF).
the importance of the STEM field, and deployment. Held since 2013, KLESF is one of
Faidz said that he has observed “For instance, what we’re doing the institution’s effort in boosting
how people are more aware of now is seeing what the common awareness, propagation and
the importance of scientific objects are available at home. interest in STEM. Due to the
knowledge. Simple things like flour and sugar. circumstances that gripped the
“People know about virus, like We think around those materials to country last year, KLESF was taken
how it is not a living thing, which come up with interesting virtual for the first time.
they previously did not know. Now experiments that we can share with This year, the next e-KLESF will
they are aware of it, how it spreads, students online,” Faidz said. be held in October.

EDUCATION

The Class of 2021 is here.

PUBLICATION DATE 11 AUGUST, 2021 (Wednesday)

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9theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
SPEAK UP

COMMENT by Dr Ho ChaiYee

IT is disconcerting to note that we hit a Learn from West and India
record high in Covid infections of 17,045 to deal with Delta variant
new cases yesterday, with 92 deaths after
recording nearly 200 deaths earlier. This is It has quickly assumed dominance in which has paid a heavy price to reach apparent programme further and reach herd immunity
despite the lockdown since June 1. Europe and the US. Cases in Europe are herd immunity. We may recall that Sweden faster if we can implement 24/7 vaccination
expected to spike by Aug 1 and its disease initially elected to regard the virus like an where feasible. We have enough vaccine doses
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor agency is expecting five times more cases. ordinary flu and did not take extra lined up for the next two months, and also an
Hisham Abdullah has attributed these recent Between July 5 and 11, the number of new cases precautionary measures when the pandemic additional 14 million doses available from
increases partly to the rising dominance of the in the European Union jumped by over 60%, first hit Europe. Pharmaniaga to tap on between now and
Delta variant. increasing for the second week in a row due to Another significant development in India September if needed.
relaxation of measures in the EU countries and concerns the treatment of Covid patients. A
Notwithstanding that we have limited increasing spread of the Delta variant. better understanding of how the virus acts We have all the facilities available at
genomic sequencing capacity, the rapidly rising In the UK, 55.2% of the population have following infection and how the body responds vaccination centres. What is needed is for CITF
number of infections and deaths do reflect the been fully vaccinated. has enabled better treatment protocols, which to rope in more retired medical staff, Rela
scenario faced by countries in Europe and the The Delta variant forms about 98.9% of the resulted in better survival rates. volunteers and other supporting staff to man
United States as the Delta variant quickly takes sequenced samples over the last month. Dr Mathew Varghese clearly explained the the night shifts.
over as the dominant strain. There is still no sign of an findings in “Managing Covid-19 through
increase in deaths timelines” that is I have suggested 24/7 vaccination in early
We are fortunate that we can learn from the well after the strain available on YouTube. June. Had we implemented this then, we may
situations and experiences in Europe, especially has become “Vaccination is the best tool It is worthwhile for have been able to avoid the record number of
the United Kingdom, and also the United States dominant. The available to us in mitigating the our Health Ministry to new cases and deaths that we are experiencing
regarding the impact of the Delta variant. message is clear: Get spread and transmission of the take note of this now.
vaccinated. development and
We can sieve through the latest information In the US, 49.4% adopt these protocols We have a narrow window to implement
that is available at the click of a button. All the of the population if it has not already 24/7 before the Delta variant’s rapid spread
latest statistics are readily available for us to have been fully Delta variant, and restore done so. overwhelms the nation, causing more deaths
make informed decisions to tackle the rising vaccinated as of July normalcy. This is a race between Notwithstanding and paralysing our health services, and further
prevalence of the Delta variant locally. All we 22. The vaccination the Indian damaging our economy.
need is to learn from their experiences and rate has slowed experiences,
adapt these to our local situation. significantly. The the vaccine and the variant. vaccination vastly A notable point is that we need to vaccinate
Delta variant last reduces the number 55% of the adult population as seen in the UK to
There are certain important facts to note Tuesday accounted of new cases and bring down the deaths to a minimal. Even when
about the Delta variant. It spreads quickly in the for more than 83% of deaths. The clearest 50% of the population were vaccinated in the
air and has a higher load factor accompanying it new cases compared with 30% just a month example is Britain, where the Delta variant has US, infections and deaths continued to rise. We
compared with other strains, making it more ago. After declining steeply for six months in the spread widely and accounts for more than 90% have managed to exceed daily 500,000
easily transmissible – hence, we see a very short US, new cases are on the rise again because of of new cases. It is the best tool available to us in vaccinations. Let us step up a gear by
timeframe for it to become the dominant strain the Delta variant. These are up by 70% in just a mitigating the spread and transmission of the introducing night vaccinations.
where it is detected. week and hospitalisations and deaths are up by Delta variant, and restore normalcy. This is a
nearly 36% and 26%, respectively. Surges are race between the vaccine and the variant. In addition, the MOH should continue to
Fortunately, it does not appear to be more most pronounced in areas where vaccination Malaysia has 16% of its population fully encourage all private hospitals, and both public
deadly than the existing strains, but mortality rates are low and unvaccinated people are vaccinated and reached a record daily and private clinics to provide vaccination to all
rates are inevitably higher because of the being hit hardest. vaccination of 500,000 recently. All credit must walk-ins. Also make it convenient for the public
substantial increase in the number of An unusual situation is seen in India, which be accorded to the Covid-19 Immunisation to get their vaccinations.
infections. has bucked the trend compared to other Task Force (CITF) for this achievement, which
countries. The virus was raging in April and May must rank Malaysia among the top countries in Continue to provide more drive-through
The infection among children, although low, when India reported 400,000 new cases and rolling out its vaccination programme. and mobile vaccination units to service the
is rising but mercifully, their mortality rate 4,000 deaths daily. “Operation Surge Capacity” that was people in the kampungs, factory workers,
and hospitalisation needs remain low Since then, the daily incidence has declined launched about a week ago, targets to have all service providers, other categories of workers,
compared to adults. sharply and was down to 38,033 cases on July adults in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor as well as college students when they resume
22, notwithstanding that only 6.3% of its vaccinated by Aug 1. This is a laudable decision their classes physically, so that those above 18
Another piece of good news is that the population have been fully vaccinated. because these two areas have accounted for can be vaccinated more quickly.
current vaccines used are generally adequate to A government study suggested that up to about half the daily new cases and deaths in the
curb infection and hospitalisation for those who two-thirds of India’s population may have been nation in recent times. This should help to The prime minister has talked about offering
are fully vaccinated. infected with the virus. This was based on the relieve the pressure on health facilities, the “carrot” to those who are fully vaccinated.
blood serum survey of 29,000 people in June especially in the Klang Valley, which have been Perhaps we should also consider using the
However, recent research emanating from and July, which showed 67.6% of those tested overwhelmed. “stick” by depriving people who refuse to get
Hong Kong shows that those receiving the had antibodies. This is good news for India, We can ramp up our vaccination vaccinated by end of September, access to
neucleotide-based vaccine produces shopping outlets, entertainment centres and
substantially higher levels of antibodies other public amenities.
compared to inactivated virus type vaccine.
There may, therefore, be a need for a booster We can still beat the Delta variant!
dose for those fully vaccinated with the Dr Ho Chai Yee
deactivated virus type of vaccine.
(Citizens Network for a Better Malaysia)
We see countries like Thailand and Comments: [email protected]
Indonesia considering a mix and match vaccine
strategy. Israel, which has 58.4% of its
population fully vaccinated, is also
recommending a booster dose for those with
compromised immune systems manifested by
low antibody counts.

Another important point to note is that the
Delta variant is now reported in 111 countries.
The World Health Organisation has declared
that it will dominate the world in the next
few months.

COMMENT by LeonardYeoh and Nurul Qarirah

Is there a limit for statutory audit? A legal claim may also arise from an auditor’s It is worthy to note that in Malaysia, the
failure to raise certain irregularities in a statute does not make any provision for auditors
IN recent weeks, news outlets reported high- Auditors also have a duty to report any company’s financial affairs, if such irregularities to limit their liabilities in respect of any act or
profile legal suits filed against a leading breach of the CA 2016 or any fraud or could reasonably be detected by auditors omission. This is in stark contrast with the
accounting firm in respect of statutory audits dishonesty that are being or have been exercising reasonable skill and care. However, it position in the UK, where the UK Companies
carried out by the firm. The legal suits were filed committed against the company. Failure to do is worth highlighting that an auditor’s role Act 2006 allows auditors to enter into Liability
pursuant to alleged negligence, breach of so may cause the auditors to be liable to under the statute is not to investigate fraud, but Limitation Agreements with companies in
contractual duty and breach of statutory duties. imprisonment and/or fine. rather to express his opinion on a company’s order to limit the amount of liability owed to a
The damages claimed in these legal suits financial statement. company by its auditor for one financial year.
amounted to billions of dollars, which may A similar duty is also provided under section Limited liability partnership and liability
cause concern to all auditors. Can the opinions 128 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 limitation agreement It would definitely be interesting to watch
expressed by auditors in statutory audits expose (CMSA 2007). Both the CA 2016 and CMSA 2007 Accounting firms may be registered with the how these recent legal suits will unfold and
them to civil liabilities? provide for protection for auditors against any Companies Commission of Malaysia as a how the Malaysian courts will decide on
Roles and duties of auditors legal suit in respect of any statement made in Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), which has a these issues. The question of the extent of
The Companies Act 2016 (CA 2016) requires all good faith in discharge of their duties. different structure than conventional auditors’ duties has not been rigorously tested
companies to appoint an auditor for each Can legal claims against auditors be partnerships. While the partners in a LLP are in Malaysian courts since legal suits against
financial year, where the auditor has a duty to successfully proven? still owners and managers of the LLP, the LLP is auditors are rather rare given their statutory
report to the members of the company on his Auditors are afforded with privilege from legal recognised as a separate legal entity on its own privilege against civil claims.
opinion on the financial statements prepared suits under the statutes, but it is pertinent to and the partners enjoy limited liability. This
by the directors of the company. note that such statutory privilege would only means that unlike a conventional partnership, In any event, auditors will have to keep in
apply where the statements and reports are an innocent partner will not be personally liable mind that as professionals, they would have
Auditors are required to form an opinion on made by the auditors in good faith. Since for the wrongdoings of the LLP or another certain duties and responsibilities which may
whether the financial statements give a true and auditors are subject to stringent statutory partner in which he was not involved. also expose them to criminal and civil liabilities.
fair view of the company’s financial affairs, requirements and duties, it would be a Therefore, it is important to ensure that such
whether there is any defect or irregularity in the challenge for a party to prove that reports However, a partner may still be personally duties are properly and professionally
financial statements and whether he has lodged and statements made by auditors, in the liable for any of his own wrongful act or discharged with reasonable skill and care.
obtained all the information and explanations performance of their statutory duties, were omission. Thus, a legal suit against auditors Leonard Yeoh is a partner and Nurul Qarirah a
that he required. made in bad faith. may be filed against the LLP itself or against the
partners responsible for a particular matter. legal associate with the legal firm
Tay & Partners.

Comments: [email protected]

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. SunBIZ MONDAY
JULY 26, 2021
197201001092 (12738-U)
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% RM m RM m RM m

44.3 Institutions 1439.5 1404.9 34.6

43.0 Retail 1382.9 1375.9 7.0

12.7 Foreign 384.9 426.5 -41.6 4.18 2.21 401.86 24.34
KLCI STI HANG SENG SCI
100.0 3207.3 3207.3 0 1,523.44 3,157.05 CLOSED 0.59 4.21 7.95
27,321.98 3,550.40 TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com NIKKEI 17,572.92 3,254.42
Source: Bursa Malaysia 7,394.35

KL MARKET SUMMARY Family firms get wake-up
July 23, 2021 call on succession planning

INDICES 11,178.10 CHANGE -10.27
FBMEMAS
FBMKLCI 1,523.44 -4.18
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 591.52 -2.23
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 189.87 -0.24
CONSTRUCTION 164.16 -0.04
FINANCIAL SERVICES 14,844.90 -39.58
ENERGY 764.88 +1.26
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 700.74 +2.65 oCovid-19pandemica lessononpreparedness, “The goal of the family business founders
HEALTH CARE 2,916.65 -6.20 agility and adaptation, says Rockwills Advisory GM on succession planning is to unite the family
TRANSPORTATION 853.53 -4.04 members and to ensure the family business
PROPERTY 706.69 -1.16 is still managed by the family after the
PLANTATION 6,243.54 +0.07 founder is no longer around.
FBMSHA 12,325.10 +3.17
FBMACE 7,423.23 +41.07 █ BY JUNE MOH and adaptation. “Most of the cases we handled are
TECHNOLOGY 89.52 +2.47 [email protected] “Now they realise they cannot put all clients with private limited business
entities. There are two important roles in
TURNOVER VALUE PETALING JAYA: The Covid-19 pandemic eggs in one basket. They have to ensure private companies, the shareholder and
2.518 BIL RM3.207 BIL when certain restrictions happen, they the director. Usually, the business owner is
is a wake-up call to family enterprises to have backup plans for the business to also the director and the shareholder.
establish a succession plan and prepare for operate without any disruptions.
the next unexpected personal or worldwide “Many business owners expect the “We will advise them on how to pass the
5 MOST ACTIVES crisis, according to Rockwills Advisory pandemic and the new norm to last for shares to the next of kin to avoid
July 23, 2021 Services Sdn Bhd general manager Jason another two to three years. They have fragmentation of the shares and who should
Tham Jiessen (pix). moved their offices to their homes and only be the director to run the business,” Tham
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) Tham said many small enterprise use online platforms to communicate with said, adding that without a succession plan,
PASUKGB-WA 235,881,500 1.0 -0.5 founders meet their family members more employees. They are already used to this the business owner creates a time bomb
PASUKGB 232,673,200 10.0 -0.5 often during the stay-at-home and working environment,” Tham said. that not only destroys the company but also
GLOTEC-WA 195,945,300 13.5 +4.0 movement control order periods that He said this includes having many of tears apart the family.
PAOS-WA 137,429,400 10.5 +3.5 give them the space to talk about their workers work remotely and adapt
KYM 124,616,200 64.0 +15.5 the future and the structure of the to a new virtual environment. Some He said one of the challenges for a
business owner, especially when the owner
business. Hence they can adapt businesses shut down temporarily has a majority share, is the continuation of
to the pandemic and make while others changed their business the business within the family itself.
5 TOP GAINERS plans for what follows. model completely.
July 23, 2021 “Many business owners did “Some positions are removed, “Many local businesses fail to train their
not foresee that the Covid-19 such as front desk staff as payment successors or future generation to run the
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM pandemic could last so long. and orders have shifted online. Many family business. When their children do
VITROX 1,201,700 19.42 1.84 Enquiries on estate and business family enterprises have reduced staff not want to run the business we will suggest
MPI 220,200 42.50 0.50 succession in company strength to invest in developing and that the client identify a key person to
UNISEM 1,320,700 8.15 0.40 planning surged in June enhancing electronic and operate the business.
RAPID 256,300 8.23 0.33 and July. They asked us online systems,” he said.
CARLSBG 125,100 22.00 0.28 about planning, Tham recommended “It is not necessary to have the next of
business successors, three major steps that kin to run the family business. The
business models and family-owned businesses founder’s children can be the shareholders
5 TOP LOSERS how they want to should follow, to create a to receive the dividend. For operations,
July 23, 2021 solidify their position in viable succession plan they can hire CEOs and directors to run the
the market,” he told including ownership business. Porsche and Volkswagen are
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM SunBiz in an interview. succession, good examples of family business
HEIM 58,100 22.38 0.62 He said the pandemic management continuation,” Tham said.
NESTLE 163,900 133.30 0.60 is teaching family succession, and
GENETEC 384,500 18.16 0.56 businesses many lessons distribution of There are two timelines for succession
HIGHTEC 8,920,300 4.58 0.35 about preparedness, agility, income. planning, he said – the family trust is for
ASIAPAC-LC 2,300 0.675 0.245 those who want an 80-year planning which
is meant for three generations, while the
family foundation is for 10 or more
generations, which is perpetual.

EXCHANGE RATES JULY 23, 2021 SMEs need new ways to rebuild businesses

Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s 907,065 “In a way, the pandemic has become a head of commercial banking Andrew Sill
small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are wake-up call for SMEs that threats to said SMEs should get the basics on cash
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD struggling amid very uncertain times – businesses could come in various management right and tight.
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.2850 4.1600 4.1500 from day to day it seems almost impossible directions. Therefore, it is critically
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.1830 3.0580 3.0420 for them to predict what will come next. important to be ready for changes and to be He said basic principles like preparing
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.1530 3.0620 3.0540 swift in their response,” he told Bernama. payments with the correct value date,
1 EURO 3.4100 3.3180 3.3060 Businesses across the country are barely collecting receivables with real time
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 5.0550 4.8930 4.8730 hanging on after the arrival and persistence Mohd Afzanizam said that apart from reconciliation and paying invoices on time
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.0060 2.8970 2.8810 of Covid-19. digitalisation and technological adoption, will yield far bigger benefits than saving a few
1 STERLING POUND 3.1530 3.0620 3.0540 businesses must be open to diversifying thousand dollars from having tough pricing
1 SWISS FRANC 5.9120 5.7280 5.7080 In this regard, entrepreneurs need to their revenue stream and this means they discussions or negotiating the right tariff.
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.6500 4.5450 4.5300 live in a new normal, which entails high must explore other industries so that they
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 118.0500 111.9500 111.7500 adoption of technology as the businesses will not be overly dependent on one “Once businesses have tightened their
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 5.1490 4.8050 4.6050 have learnt their lesson well during the revenue source. approach to cash management, they will be
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 66.3000 63.7000 coronavirus outbreak, says an economist. in a far better position to make informed
100 INDIAN RUPEE 55.7400 52.9800 N/A “Perhaps, exploring joint venture or decisions on whether they should be
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.8500 5.5000 52.7800 Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief partnering could be the options to borrowing to supplement their working
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0306 0.0277 5.3000 economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid safeguard the market share and to gain capital or otherwise,” he said.
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.8960 3.7750 0.0227 said small companies must be cognisant on operational efficiency,” he suggested.
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 16.4000 3.7650 how they should seek help to upgrade their Having this cash flexibility enables SMEs
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.7100 N/A operation, sales and market segmentation Explaining further, he said research and to pay suppliers faster and to negotiate
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.6900 2.5400 N/A by ensuring that technology will be development as well as upskilling require more favourable rates and terms, Sill said.
100 SAUDI RIYAL 119.0300 8.1900 2.3400 embedded in every aspect of their business. time and money. Some SMEs are not
100THAI BAHT 115.5400 113.0000 7.9900 convinced that such investment will help The solutions include receivables
13.6000 109.6900 112.8000 Thus, he said, all SMEs should explore to future proof them from threats of intense finance – a financing arrangement whereby
12.0800 109.4900 what assistance is provided by the relevant competition and economic shocks. you receive capital that is equivalent to the
11.6800 government agencies that can assist them outstanding balances of invoices that have
in transforming their business in the most “In order to bridge the gap between their been billed but not yet paid. Second, supply
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama efficient and cost-effective manner. fear factor and what is available to them, chain finance – a set of automated solutions
constant engagement with the relevant that support more efficient transactions,
For instance, matching grants of up to government agencies will help the SMEs to allowing suppliers to approve invoices and
RM5,000 provided by Malaysia Digital have a clear view on how they should access capital at a discount. And last but not
Economy Corporation (MDEC) for capitalise on the available measures and least – guarantees, they can be issued to
digitalising the businesses should be fully incentives provided by the government. help a company make a claim on non-
utilised by SMEs in respect of technological payment of monies, he added.
adoption. Meanwhile, HSBC Malaysia country

SME Bank sets 11theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
modest loan * SUNBIZ
growth target
Get the learning right, and
KUALA LUMPUR: SME Bank is targeting the earnings will follow
a modest financing growth of RM400
million this year, compared with RM934 oYBVentures Bhd executive director Au Yee Boon tells SunBiz
million recorded in 2020 as domestic there is nothing that cannot be achieved if you put your heart into it
economic activities continue to slow
down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. SUCCESS: THE about the industrial revolution, are we in for a This is where ideas come from. Never stop
INSIGHT STORY technological revolution? Your thoughts. staying updated, so read and research to be in the
Group president and chief executive I see huge, but yet to be fully harnessed, potential trend. I continuously expand my network and we
officer Aria Putera Ismail said the HOW has your life experience made you the in blockchain technology. Blockchain is an exchange favours in the business world
decline in financing growth is in line leader you are today? emerging technology, a digital ledger that stores frequently. We will never know when will we
with weaker business sentiment amid transactional records; it supports both need a favour from anyone but it is a never a bad
prevailing uncertainties. There were definitely times when life was applications and complex programming. Many idea to have someone in your circle to have your
tough, but these were the moments that shaped industries can capitalise on its benefits. back covered in vital times.
“The widespread containment me into the person I am now. I am grateful for Blockchain is the future of modern data transfer If you could have an hour with any thought
measures such as the movement control the experiences life has bestowed upon me. I technology and its full potential has yet to be fully leader in the world, who would it be and why?
order and international border closures believe that with perseverance and hard work, I discovered. Tony Robbins. He offers a lot of guidance and
have prompted a weak external demand can achieve anything. How has mentorship made a difference in your insights through his motivational speeches and
environment as well as impacting the professional life? books, which are really inspiring. I would surely not
domestic economy,” he told Bernama in What traits do you look for in your talent or There are two ways on how I look at it. Coming hesitate to meet him in person if there is a chance.
an e-mail interview. how do you decide who is right for a job? from a mid-low income group and blue-collar What has been the biggest challenge you have
Efficiency, producing desired outcomes with worker family, I am disadvantaged in the sense faced? And what did you learn from it?
Aria said SME Bank, which focuses minimal mistakes or error. Next is that I don’t actually have anyone to guide me for Accepting responsibility. Once I had accepted it,
on financing small and medium determination. Being able to commit despite what I want to achieve since my younger days. At I became more confident and began to see things
enterprises (SMEs), has taken a direct stumbling into obstacles from time to time is the the same time, I am the lucky one because I like from a different perspective. Doing the right
hit as SMEs were facing an almost 90% characteristic of a person who wins and wins to read books, especially on autobiographies of thing and choosing the correct actions will have
plunge in sales during the initial big. Confidence is also something to highlight successful people, I like to know their story. From influence in producing the right outcome.
containment period. This was followed because it boosts your attitude and mentality. there, I learnt a lot, and, without me realising it, What man-made innovation confounds you?
by a liquidity crisis due to extreme cash these successful people have somehow become Why?
flow constraints and disruptions in How do you think the industry you are in will my mentors. Artificial intelligence. I am certainly amazed by
supply chains, he noted. evolve? What do you want to accomplish in the next this technology as it can mimic human
Recently, we launched Talos Living Tiles, five years? intelligence and simulate behaviors, making it
“Moving forward, we expect the Malaysia’s first antivirus tiles, using the ground- possible for machines to help reduce the
recovery of SMEs and the Malaysian breaking nano glaze technology to produce I always believe that we should never stop necessity for us to perform tedious or repetitive
economy for this year and 2022 to be endless negative ions. The unique tiles can learning. I hope to be able to develop work and even dangerous tasks.
gradual. This would be supported by the improve indoor air quality, and much better leadership skills, to increase A must-read for every business
easing of restrictions and improvement more. As people are increasingly the income of the company and owner/manager is ...
in global trade, coupled with the more cautious about the state of reduce operational expenses. To be Good to Great by Jim Collins. Great content for
continued policy support, stimulus their health due to the ongoing the best person I can be for my owners and leaders, will read it every year to
assistance and more importantly the pandemic, I am strongly positive family, friends and the company. refresh the advice and value inside. I see things
success of the Covid-19 inoculation on future demand for Talos Living Best piece of advice you ever differently every other year I read it as experience
programme,” he said. Tiles. received on your career. change my perspectives towards the content.
Play to your strengths and embrace How do you expect policies on climate change
Asked whether there is an increase in What advice can you offer those your weakness. to impact businesses in the future?
non-performing loans (NPL), Aria looking to start their Most-admired business leader? Climate change, such as extreme weather,
noted that the bank’s gross impaired career/own business? Why? drought, and so on, will greatly impact our health
ratio stood at 16% as at Dec 31, 2020. Focus on learning, not earning. and disruption to economic and social activity.
Once the learning is done right, then Carl Icahn. Icahn is a renowned We try to adapt as much as possible, by doing our
Taking into account the impact of the the earnings will follow. Don’t be businessman, popularly known as part to reduce waste, energy consumption, by
pandemic and the challenging business afraid to ask for help, path to aiming to improve resource productivity in the
environment, the bank will strive its best success is hard to reach “Corporate Raider”, founder of Icahn most efficient and sustainable way.
to improve or at least maintain it at that alone. Set goals to Enterprises and one of the What are the top three factors you would
level, he said. achieve and most successful investors of attribute your success to?
cultivate Wall Street. Resilience, optimism and proper mindset.
Aria said SME Bank has been perseverance. How do you stay abreast Tell us a joke.
carefully managing its balance sheet There is of issues affecting your Why is money called dough? Because we all knead it.
and asset quality throughout this nothing that industry?
unprecedented period, which has cannot be The ability to observe
provided greater leeway for the bank to achieved if alerts you to the big or
grow its business with sufficient cushion you set your minor changes that is
against potential risks and challenges heart to it. happening around you.
that may lie ahead.
We all know
On SME Bank’s maiden sustainability
sukuk wakalah issuance of RM500
million, which registered a final order of
RM1.78 billion in its book-building
exercise, translating into 3.56 times bid-
to-cover, he said demand for
sustainability-linked bonds will continue
to gain traction as supply is still limited.

Aria also said SME Bank has been
incorporating environmental, social
and governance elements in carrying
out its mandate since its establishment.

WARRANTS WATCH

HSI, DNeX and JAKS step into the spotlight

DESPITE a market closure last Call warrant HSI-CFR (-75.9% on- Top stock warrants by value traded: trading volumes of 91.0 million units
Tuesday in conjunction with the week) was the most active warrant as and 65.2 million units, respectively.
public holiday for Hari Raya investors net bought 5.9 million units Warrant Value Issuer Exercise Expiry date Similarly, DNeX rose 4.0% week-on-
Aidiladha, overall warrants turnover out of 121.7 million units traded, name (RM’ mil) Macquarie level 29 Jul 2021 week, closing at 77 sen (-0.7%) on
surged 85.7% to RM243.5 million last followed by put warrant HSI-HGR HSI-CFR Macquarie 27,600 29 Jul 2021 Friday.
week due to the increased turnover (+27.3%) which recorded a total HSI-HGR 121.7 Kenanga 26,800 28 Mar 2022
in warrants over indices and single trading volume of 116.6 million units. JAKS-CD 116.6 Kenanga 0.880 30 May 2022 To view the full list of structured
stocks (up 91% and 83% week-on- Investors trading these warrants DNEX-CF 94.0 Kenanga 0.900 30 May 2022 warrants available on Bursa Malaysia,
week respectively). should trade with caution as they are DNEX-CG 91.0 1.20
expiring on Thursday. 65.2 visit malaysiawarrants.com.my.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index Provided for Malaysian residents’
(HSI) traded below the 28,000 level All warrants listed on Bursa Hong Kong shares, recording a top warrants list. Its mother share information only. This commentary has
and was mostly in the red last week, Malaysia will have a last trading day, volume of 10 million units. The reversed the previous week’s not been reviewed by the Securities
resulting in a loss of 2.4%. It closed which is the last day that investors warrant fell 33.3% on the week as its lacklustre performance, rallying to Commission Malaysia. It is not an offer
1.5% lower on Friday at 27,321.98 can buy or sell the warrants before mother share Tencent Holdings trade above the 50 sen mark and or recommendation to trade and is not
points, wiping off its previous day’s they expire. The last trading day falls weakened 5.9%. closing at 52 sen (-1.0%) last Friday,
1.8% rally. The HSI’s bearish trend two days before the warrants’ expiry 8.3% higher on-week. Other popular research material.
came on the back of lingering date – in this instance, tomorrow is On the local front, the call warrant warrants include those over Dagang Past performance is not indicative
concerns about Beijing’s crackdown the last trading day for HSI-CFR and over JAKS Resources, JAKS-CD, was in NeXchange (DNeX) namely DNEX-CF of future performance. You should
against internet-platform companies HSI-HGR. the spotlight as investors traded 94.0 and DNEX-CG with both registering make your own assessment and seek
along with the increased Delta million units, placing it third on the professional advice. The warrants will
variant Covid cases globally. Meanwhile, TENCENT-C11 was top not be offered to any US persons.
traded among warrants over the

12 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
SUNBIZ

TAXPAYERS value legal Time to stop restrospective
certainty in the application of laws
application of laws to
enable them to plan so the introduction of the Transfer Pricing Activate dormant legislation prospectively pronouncements in the transfer pricing
as to avoid being left in Regulations on May 11 2012 but was It is not uncommon for the IRB to remain guidelines.
the dark with regard to applicable retrospectively from Jan 1, 2009. silent on the application of certain provisions
their taxation rights and Introduction of such laws retrospectively of tax laws for many years. A prime example of Suddenly attacking taxpayers on a
obligations. The majority creates uncertainty and infringes on the rights a dormant legislation being currently activated retrospective basis is not fair. If the authorities
of taxpayers want to pay the of the taxpayers as they could be asked to pay is the imposition of arm’s length interest rates wish to activate a tax provision that has been
correct taxes and not any extra taxes which they were not aware of on interest-free loans between related parties. dormant since 1967 or from 2009, it is only
more. earlier. appropriate that IRB provides a warning or
The right to impose the arm’s length guidance to the taxpayers of their intention to
Through taxation, the government Another recent example of a new legislation interest rate on such interest-free loans has activate this legislation. Furthermore, tax
becomes a partner in your business by being applied retrospectively is the been in our legislation since 1967 via anti- experts may not agree that the IRB has
collecting a portion of your income as taxes. introduction of Section 113B in the Income Tax avoidance provisions in Section 140(6) and sufficient legal authority to impose interest on
Business enterprises venture into new Act 1967 where the failure to provide transfer further widened for non-anti-avoidance interest-free loans within the ambit of the
businesses based on an expected return of pricing documentation within 14 days upon situations with the introduction of Section current tax legislation.
capital and taxes are factored into this the request by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) 140A. The way forward
calculation. If tax laws are applied arbitrarily or will trigger a penalty between RM20,000 and It is in the interest of all parties that such
applied retrospectively, it will become difficult RM100,000 for each year of failure. The law Interest-free loans are extremely common application of law should be on a prospective
for many businesses to venture into new came into effect on Jan 1, 2021. However, since within groups in Malaysia. Historically, we basis rather than on a retrospective basis and
business areas where the margins are thin. the IRB has the power to request for transfer have not seen the tax authorities use these guidance on IRB’s stand should be made
What is happening now? pricing documentation going back seven years provisions to impose taxes on such known.
Uncertainties are arising from two sources – during an audit commencing in 2021, they can transactions until recently. This is a subject
introducing retrospective legislation or apply this provision to penalise taxpayers for matter that has been raised with the IRB many This article was contributed by Thannees Tax
enforcing laws which were dormant the earlier years. times in public forums to seek guidance on Consulting Services Sdn Bhd
previously. where the tax authorities stand. There were no
Avoid retrospective legislation The penalty provisions should only apply forthcoming clear-cut answers nor any managing director SM Thanneermalai.
It has been observed that primary legislation forward, not backward. guidance from the IRB other than generic
or secondary legislations in the form of gazette
orders have been introduced without
grandfathering the existing situations (i.e.
without allowing the old rules to apply to the
situations prior to the introduction of the new
law). An example of such legislation would be

‘Fair value’ concept in financial reporting The environmental
enforcement show
THE ACCOUNTANT‘S
PERSPECTIVE THE GREEN EQUILIBRIUM addition cost to infrastructure?
Mining zones are not detached
FINANCIAL accounting concepts can Care should indicative synergistic value will not be A STRING of mining projects are in
be daunting for laymen to grasp. In be exercised considered under FV, but the same the process of being approved. from the real world. Mining
this article, we will explain one of the in interpreting can be regarded under FMV in Some projects use state residues and pollutants will
broad basic fundamental accounting the meaning structuring this transaction. governments’ position to get accumulate and increase in
concepts, that is, the fair value of fair value as approvals. Perhaps increasing the concentration over time. To
concept, in the simplest terms It is imperative for users of pollution risk to the environment contain this risk, a mining
possible. This important concept is it does not financial statements to understand and impacting the food chain. In company will have to invest a
governed by the Malaysian Financial equate to fair the concept of FV for financial all these scenarios, we see the huge sum and it will make the
Reporting Standard (MFRS) 13 – Fair market value. reporting and the difference with Department of Environment (DOE) mining activities not lucrative. So,
Value Measurement issued by the FMV. This clarity is essential to and its ministry always repeating a “smart” businesses will make use of
Malaysian Accounting Standards – AFPPIX appreciate the value of financial show. Until today there is no sense loopholes in the law.
Board. The legal force on this interpreting the meaning of FV as it statements better. The application of of actual environmental
standard is given under the Financial does not equate to FMV. The FV accounting has many advantages, enforcement. We have been To end the show on
Reporting Act 1997. International Valuation Standard 104 among them are: hearing the stale reason of environmental enforcement, we
– Bases of Value provides two needing to amend the need the federal government to
Prior to the introduction of fair definitions of FMV, that is: i) it requires enterprises to disclose Environment Quality Act (EQA) for revamp the DOE’s structure and
value concepts in financial reporting more information as opposed to more than a decade but nothing amend the EQA by end of 2021.
some decades ago, financial (1) the price a willing buyer would historical cost convention; much is moving forward. The Cabinet must form a cabinet
statements of public listed pay a willing seller in a transaction on committee that includes real
corporations were prepared based on the open market; and ii) it emphasises the relevance of The Association of Water and environmental experts to review
historical cost conventions, where financial information including a Energy Research Malaysia (Awer) the proposed amendments. This is
financial transactions were recorded (2) the price at which the property focus on providing decision-relevant has been raising the issue of to ensure that the DOE and the
at their acquisition or transaction would change hands between a information to investors; Environmental Impact Assessment ministry in charge of the
cost. willing buyer and a willing seller, (EIA) being an outdated process environment do not table only non
neither under any compulsion to sell iii) it allows for timely recognition with archaic requirements. essential amendments.
The typical confusion the fair value and both having reasonable of any value impairment; Changing the requirements for EIA
(FV) concept brings is that it gives the knowledge of the relevant facts. review and expanding the list of The amendments must have a
impression to a layman that it iv) it can be useful to alert users if prescribed activities is an easy task. clause to follow a strict grace
resembles fair market value (FMV). Both definitions indicate that the the corporate asset’s value trend is Pollution loading is ever increasing period to shift to new
They are not the same. Fair value for transaction or exchange between decreasing; and and available undisturbed natural requirements for existing projects
financial reporting is the price that buyer and seller was not under duress, zones are getting less. If these basic or operations. Lastly, the
one would receive to sell an asset and similar to FV as defined under MFRS v) it can give signals on the entity’s parameters do not give urgency to government must have new rules
pay to transfer a liability in an orderly 13. However, the key difference is that financial wellness. the DOE to buckle up on under the amended EQA for the
transaction between market FMV may not need to consider market enforcement, we are in danger of mining sector to enforce and
participants at the measurement date, participants, while FV for financial It is hoped this article has enabled contaminating the food chain as induce a mandatory containment
and in the case of non-financial reporting only considers buyers and readers to gain a better understanding well as destroying the environment. and decontamination requirement.
assets, it shall be measured at its sellers in the principal or most of one of the fundamental concepts in However, the decontamination
highest and best use basis (HABU). advantageous market. It also allows financial accounting. No doubt, at Let’s look at the Kuantan should involve proper treatment of
Clearly, it denotes the exit price of an the value of non-financial assets to be times, it can sound Greek but, with bauxite pollution incident. Where waste and wastewater and not an
asset or liability. valued on HABU basis, which is not some effort, it can be rewarding and are the detailed technical reports? “approved dilution” or direct
necessarily the case under FMV. fulfilling. Basically, when pollution like this discharge to rivers. For developers
The orderly transaction notion takes place, the DOE must carry that are developing disused
means that there was sufficient time An illustration is provided here to This article was contributed by The out detailed pollutant tracing and mining pools into residential and
to market and create interest among give clarity to the meaning of FV and Malaysian Institute of Certified present a detailed report for the other property development,
market participants in disposing of FMV with the recent corporate public. Unfortunately, we had the similar rule must also be imposed.
the asset or liability. It means that exercise between Axiata and Digi. The Public Accountants (MICPA) member moratorium lifted and the mining
sellers aren’t forced to accept a price merger structure of Axiata and Digi and Mazars associate director Roger activities will continue. There is still a lot of work to be
in a short period. At the same time, results in Axiata receiving 33.1% of the done in environmental enforcement
market participants are assumed to be enlarged issued share capital of Digi Loh Kit Seng, and business & Suspected arsenic pollution and the DOE and the ministry in
independent of each other, and cash consideration of RM2 financial adviser Sukh Deve Singh from a mining area in Gerik, Perak, charge of the environment need to
knowledgeable, able, and willing to billion. The rationale of this caused a treatment plant to be step up their game.
enter into the transaction. It further transaction is based on an indicative Riar. The views reflected in this shut down in first quarter of 2019.
assumes that the transaction takes synergistic value of around RM8 article are those of the authors and Why should we allow mining “Quality is not an act, it is a
place in the principal market or, in the billion in current value. do not necessarily reflect the views activities to disturb the public’s habit” – Aristotle.
absence of one, in the most livelihoods? In the case of water
advantageous market. The principal Both Axiata and Digi are publicly of MICPA. treatment plant shutdown, who This article was contributed by
market is where there is the greatest listed corporations on Bursa Malaysia. should bear the cost of sourcing Piarapakaran S, president of the
volume and level of activity. The principal market for both treated water from another Association of Water and Energy
corporations, in this case, is the stock treatment plant which may cause Research Malaysia (Awer), a non-
Care should be exercised in exchange. However, in the absence of government organisation involved in
market participants, the RM8 billion research and development in the fields
of water, energy and environment.

322 Notices 13theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
* SPORTS
DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI
MALAYA DI IPOH Red Bull still raging

DALAM NEGERI PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN
PETISYEN PERCERAIAN NO:
AA-33-83-03/2021

Dalam perkara mengenai pembubaran
perkahwinan kerana keretakan perkahwinan

Dan

322 Notices Dalam perkara mengenai Kaedah 8 Kaedah- Horner takes another swipe at Hamilton over Verstappen crash at Silverstone
Kaedah Prosiding Perceraian dan Hal-Ehwal
Perkahwinan 1980

Dan RED BULL boss Christian Horner has
again lashed out at Lewis Hamilton
GOLDEN HOME ELEGANCE SDN. BHD. Dalam perkara mengenai Seksyen 53 Akta for his role in a crash which put Max The 10-second penalty handed to deal of experience.
Company No.: 200101012121 (547877-D) Membaharui Undang-Undang (perkahwinan Verstappen out of the British Grand Hamilton caused him to temporarily drop “The reality is that Hamilton has met his
dan perceraian) 1976 down to fifth place, before he staged a
(Incorporated in Malaysia) dramatic comeback to overtake Ferrari’s match in a car that is now competitive, and I
agree that both drivers need to show each
NOTICE OF REDUCTION OF ISSUED ANTARA
SHARE CAPITAL
GUNAVATHI A/P VEERIAH
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by Golden (No.K/P: 741008-08-5300) Prix, pointing out the fact Verstappen has no Charles Leclerc in the closing stages and claim other respect, but Hamilton was the aggressor
Home Elegance Sdn. Bhd. pursuant to
Section 117 of the Companies Act 2016 PEMPETISYEN
in respect of the following: -
DAN penalty points on his licence while Hamilton a famous victory. on Sunday.”

(a) Golden Home Elegance Sdn. STEYEN A/L SAMY THURAI RESPONDEN has two. And Horner has taken a new dig at Horner and team advisor Helmut Marko
(No.K/P: 660725-08-5747)

Bhd. has on 22th July, 2021, passed Kepada:- Horner was extremely vocal during and Hamilton as he said in his Red Bull column: “I were both livid, claiming that Hamilton
a special resolution approving the
reduction of its issued share capital after the race, demanding that the Briton felt the narrative that Max was being ‘overly should have been dealt a far harsher
from RM5,700,000.00 comprising STEYEN A/L SAMY THURAI should receive a harsher punishment after he aggressive’ at that stage was unjustified. punishment for a crash which ultimately sent
5,700,000 ordinary shares to (No.K/P: 660725-08-5747)
RM2,400,000.00 comprising 1000, Jalan Tokong, went on to claim maximum points in dramatic “You only have to look at the fact Max has Verstappen to hospital.
2,400,000 ordinary shares; Jelapang,
30200 Ipoh, Perak. fashion. zero penalty points on his licence and has not The 23-year-old took to Twitter that night

(b) The aforesaid reduction in the issued PERINTAH UNTUK PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Hamilton made an audacious move at been found guilty of any on-track to claim that Hamilton had made a
share capital of Golden Home
Elegance Sdn. Bhd. is effected by the AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu tindakan Copse corner after a ferocious opening misjudgements in recent years. “dangerous move”, and that his celebrations
repayment of any paid up share telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah exchange between the title challengers. “The aggressive 17-year-old F1 rookie Max were “disrespectful”.
capital in excess of the needs of the Tinggi Malaya di Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak After diving up the inside, the pair came Verstappen that Hamilton is referring to is not One thing is clear, although the dust has
Company by returning to the holder Darul Ridzuan melalui Petisyen Perceraian wheel-to-wheel and Verstappen was sent the Max Verstappen of today, just as Hamilton now settled, tensions certainly have not.
of the 3,300,000 ordinary shares No: AA-33-83-03/2021 dalam tindakan ini flying into the tyre wall at high speed. is not the same driver he was when he entered The rivalry between Mercedes and Red
that have been issued and paid up oleh Gunavathi a/p Veeriah beralamat di 1000, Naturally, Hamilton protested his the sport. Bull, as well as Hamilton and Verstappen, is
to the extent of RM1.00 per share, Jalan Tokong, Jelapang, 30200 Ipoh, Perak innocence in claiming that the pair were side- “Both drivers are of course truly in full flow as the pair prepare to do battle
such capital being in excess of the dan Mahkamah telah memerintahkan supaya
needs of the Company AND the said Petisyen Perceraian disampaikan kepada
capital repayment shall be funded by kamu melalui Perintah Untuk Penyampaian
the Company surplus cash reserves. Ganti dengan menampalkan sesalinan Petisyen
Untuk Perceraian yang bertarikh 10.5.2021
(c) The aforesaid special resolution berserta dengan Afidavit Pempetisyen yang by-side, but those in the Red Bull camp uncompromising in their driving style, but all over again in Hungary this weekend. –
together with the solvency diikrarkan pada 15.3.2021 tersebut pada thought otherwise. they are both highly skilled drivers with a great Express Newspapers
statement made pursuant to Section Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di Ipoh
117(3) of the Companies Act 2016 bersama dengan Perintah Untuk Penyampaian BRIEFS Matsuyama ready to
shall be available for inspection by Ganti yang diperolehi ini dan menampalkan Pooran, Holder power Windies begin gold medal quest
any creditor of Golden Home yang sama di alamat Responden 1000, Jalan
Elegance Sdn. Bhd. at the registered Tokong, Jelapang, 30200 Ipoh, Perak dan juga HALF-CENTURIES from Nicholas Pooran HOME hero Hideki Matsuyama (pix) “can’t wait”
office of S.C. Chua Management akhir sekali mengiklankan di Surat Khabar and Jason Holder guided the West Indies to to launch his quest for a prized gold medal for
Services Sdn. Bhd. at No. 36 (2nd “The Sun”. Dan bahawa penampalan dan a series-levelling four-wicket win the second Japan when the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Floor), Jalan Pesta 1-2, Taman Tun Dr pengiklanan sedemikian dianggap sebagai One-Day International of the three-match men’s golf competition gets underway on
Ismail 1, Jalan Bakri, 84000 Muar, penyampaian wajar dan mencukupi akan series against Australia at Kensington Oval
Johor, for a period of six weeks from Petisyen Perceraian ke atas kamu selepas in Barbados yesterday. Replying to the Thursday.
the date of the special resolution; tamat tempoh EMPAT BELAS (14) hari dari visitors’ modest total of 187 all out, the Matsuyama, 29, was in a relaxed mood as
and tarikh terakhir penampalan dan pengiklanan. home side slipped to 72 for five before
Pooran, who earned the “Man of the Match” he took time out from his preparation at
(d) A creditor of the Company may, DAN AMBIL PERHATIAN SELANJUTNYA award for his unbeaten 59, and former Kasumigaseki Country Club yesterday to
within six weeks from the date Petisyen Perceraian tersebut akan didengar captain Holder, who contributed an pose for team photos with fellow male
of the special resolution, apply to di Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di Ipoh pada invaluable 52, put on 93 for the seventh
the Court for the special resolution to 3.8.2021 jam 9.00 pagi yang mana kamu wicket to tilt the balance of the match compatriot Rikuya Hoshino, and the
be cancelled pursuant to Section adalah dikehendaki hadir. decisively in their team’s favour. They Japanese women’s duo of Nasa Hataoka
118(2) of the Companies Act 2016. reached the target at 191 for six with 12 and Mone Inami.
Jika kamu berhasrat membantah Petisyen overs to spare. This result sets up the final
Dated this 26th July 2021 Perceraian tersebut kamu mestilah dalam match today at the same venue as the series The six-time PGA Tour winner will carry
masa empat belas (14) hari dari dari tarikh decider. “This was all about putting in the his nation’s golden hopes just three
penyampaian menjadi sempurna memohon hard work,” said Pooran. “We know it is
memfailkan dengan pendaftar suatu Afidavit never easy against a team like Australia and months after securing his historic
bagi maksud tersebut. while we didn’t help our own cause with Masters Tournament triumph where
some of our earlier batting, I really want to he became the first male major
By Order of the Board Petisyen Perceraian ini boleh diperiksa oleh credit the support of Jason in helping to winner from Japan.
kamu dengan memohon kepada Mahkamah take us over the line.” “Finally, the Olympic Games will begin
ini. soon. I will brace myself and I hope I can
… as Aussie skipper Finch deliver a good performance,” said
LIM YING KHOO Bertarikh pada 10 Mei 2021. returns home Matsuyama.
Company Secretary While his lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics
CAPTAIN Aaron Finch will return to hit a slight road bump after he tested positive
Muar …………… T…T…………… Australia to try to be fit for the Twenty20 for Covid-19 on July 2, Matsuyama said he will
PENOLONG KANAN PENDAFTAR / World Cup after a knee injury ended his be ready to take on the stellar field that is
involvement in the current tour of the West assembling at Kasumigaseki.
TIMBALAN PENDAFTAR Indies and the up-coming series in “When I got infected in the US, I could not
MAHKAMAH TINGGI Bangladesh. Finch missed the first two really practice. But since I came back, I have
IPOH, PERAK. meetings with the West Indies in the three- been able to practice gradually, so I can’t wait to
match one-day international series and is tee up in the competition,” said Matsuyama.
322 Notices Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti telah likely to undergo surgery after completing “My condition has been getting
difailkan oleh TETUAN AL MURALI & CO, 14 days of quarantine upon his arrival in
IN THE HIGH COURT OF Peguambela dan Peguamcara yang beralamat Australia. “I’m extremely disappointed to be better and I am looking
MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR di No. 15A, Tingkat Satu, Medan Istana heading home,” Finch said in a statement forward to the
IN THE STATE OF FEDERAL TERRITORY 7, Bandar Ipoh Raya, 30000 Ipoh, Perak; released by Cricket Australia. “This was Olympic Games.”
Peguamcara bagi pihak Pempetisyen. [Ruj considered the best course of action rather – PGA Tour
OF KUALA LUMPUR Kami: AMC/2901/GS-DV/2021]sha than travelling to Bangladesh, not being
(COMMERICAL DIVISION) able to play and losing that recovery time. I
WINDING-UP PETITION NO.: IN THE HIGH COURT OF will have the surgery if required and start
WA-28NCC-443-07/2021 MALAYA AT KOTA BHARU the recovery process ahead of the World
In the matter of Sections 465(1)(f) and (h) IN THE STATE OF KELANTAN Cup.”
of the Companies Act 2016; COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) NO:
And DA-28NCC-29-07/2021 Covid knocks DeChambeau out of Olympics
In the matter of Companies Winding-Up In the matter of Section 465 (1)(e) BRYSON DECHAMBEAU was scratched from Reed said in a statement: “I am so excited Olympics and the value Patrick places on
Rules 1972; and Section 466 of the Companies the US men’s Olympic golf team yesterday to have the opportunity to represent our playing for Team USA and for his country.
And Act, 2016. after testing positive for Covid-19 in the country and be a part of Team USA in Tokyo. We’re excited to welcome him to Tokyo soon
In the matter of Arcadia Acres Sdn Bhd team’s final screening before heading to and know he’ll be a formidable competitor for
[Company No.: 201601005480 (1176406- And Tokyo. “I wish Bryson nothing but the best, and I Team USA.”
V)]. In the matter of PERNIAGAAN PACCU know how disappointed he is to not be able
OR (M) SDN. BHD. [Company No.: He was replaced on Team USA by Patrick to compete, and I will do my best to play my DeChambeau, 27, is ranked sixth in the
BETWEEN 201001017811 (901516-H)] Reed, joining Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa best and represent our country.” world. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational
WAN AZRYN BIN WAN AB RASHID and Xander Schauffele. earlier this year for his eighth career PGA Tour
(NRIC No.: 830623-14-5867) Between USA Golf executive director Andy Levinson victory. His only major title came at the 2020
SOON SOON FEEDMILLS SDN. BHD. DeChambeau said in a statement issued by added in a statement: “We’re obviously US Open.
…PETITIONER [Company No.: 197901007628 USA Golf: “I am deeply disappointed not to be disappointed for Bryson, as we know how
AND (36301-D)] able to compete in the Olympics for Team much he was looking forward to representing Reed, 30, prevailed at the 2018 Masters for
1. ARCADIA ACRES SDN BHD USA. the United States in his first Olympics. his lone major championship. He has nine
[Company No.: 201601005480 … PETITIONER career PGA Tour wins, including the Farmers
(1176406-V)] And “Representing my country means the “But we’re thrilled that Patrick Reed is Insurance Open in January, and he is ranked
PERNIAGAAN PACCU OR (M) SDN. BHD. world to me and it is was a tremendous excited to play for his country when he is 13th in the world.
…RESPONDENTS [Company No.: 201001017811 honour to make this team. called upon, even with the strenuous testing
2. ZAINAL ‘ABIDIN BIN ABD JALIL (901516-H)] protocols and he is set to arrive just in time to Morikawa is ranked No. 3, Thomas is No. 4
“I wish Team USA the best of luck in Tokyo. compete – on a golf course he will have never and Schauffele is No. 5. Morikawa won the
(NRIC No.: 590122-01-5247) … RESPONDENT I will now focus on getting healthy, and I look seen prior to the start of competition. Open Championship last week for his second
3. RUSMIN BINTI JAAFAR ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION forward to returning to competition once I am major title. – Field Level Media
NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition cleared to do so.” “It really illustrates the importance of the
(NRIC No.: 640108-09-5028) for the Winding Up of the abovenamed
ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION Company by the High Court of Malaya
at Kota Bharu in Kelantan was on
Notice is hereby given that a petition the 13th July 2021 presented by
for the winding-up of the abovenamed SOON SOON FEEDMILLS SDN. BHD.
company by the High Court was, on the [Company No.: 197901007628
7th day of July 2021, presented by Wan (36301-D)] and that the said Petition
Azryn Bin Wan Ab Rashid of No. 7, Jalan is directed to be heard before the
SG 6/12, Taman Seri Gombak, 68100 Batu Court sitting at Kota Bharu in Kelantan
Caves, Selangor and that the said petition at 9.00 a.m., on the 29th August
is directed to be heard before the Court 2021 and any Creditor or contributory
sitting at Kuala Lumpur [Insolvency of the said Company desiring to
Court/NCC 10] at 9.00 o’clock in the support or oppose the making of an
forenoon, on the 12th day of October Order on the said Petition may appear
2021; and any creditor or contributory of at the time of hearing by himself or
the said company desiring to support or his counsel for that purpose; and a
oppose the making of an order on the said copy of the Petition will be furnished
petition may appear at the time of hearing to any creditor or contributory of the
by himself or his counsel for that purpose; said Company requiring the same by
and a copy of the petition will be furnished the undersigned on payment of the
to any creditor or contributory of the regulated charge for the same.
said company requiring the same by the The Petitioner’s address is at
undersigned on payment of the regulated 2425, Lorong Perusahaan Dua, Prai
charge for the same. Industrial Estate, 13600 Prai, Pulau
The Petitioner’s address is No. 7, Jalan Pinang.
SG 6/12, Taman Seri Gombak, 68100 Batu The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. JB
Caves, Selangor. Lim & Associates of Straits Chambers,
The Petitioner’s solicitor is Messrs Chan & No. 1, Lintang Selat, Taman Selat,
Associates of Suite 1-08, 1st Floor, Wisma 12000 Butterworth.
Badan Peguam Malaysia, No. 2, Leboh
Pasar Besar, 50050 Kuala Lumpur. ………….t.t.…………
M/S JB Lim & Associates
CHAN & ASSOC. Solicitors for the Petitioner
…………………………………….. NOTE – Any person who intends to
appear on the hearing of the said
Messrs Chan & Associates Petition must serve on or send by
Solicitors for the Petitioner post to the abovenamed Messrs. JB
NOTE- Lim & Associates, notice in writing of
Any person who intends to appear on the his intention so to do. The Notice must
hearing of the said petition must serve on state the name and address of the
or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs firm, and must be signed by the person
Chan & Associates, notice in writing of his or firm, or his or their Solicitors (if any)
intention so to do. The notice must state and must be served, or if posted,
the name and address of the person, or, if must be sent by post in sufficient
a firm, the name and address of the firm, time to reach the abovenamed not
and must be signed by the person or firm, later than twelve (12) o’clock noon
or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be of the 26th day of August, 2021 [Ref.:
served, or, if posted, must be sent by post JBL/08/015/2021/FRD//YAS]
in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed
not later than twelve o’clock noon of the
11th day of October 2021 (the day before
the day appointed for the hearing of the
petition).
[Ref : YWL/0493/21 Tel : 03-26936988
Email: [email protected]]

14 theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021
SPORTS

Smashing start for Zii Jia but Chong Wei hits out
heartbreak for Peng Soon-Liu Ying after national shuttlers
come under fire
NATIONAL men’s singles ace There was heartbreak Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia
Lee Zii Jia got his maiden however for national mixed in action against MALAYSIA’S 2020 Tokyo Olympics chef de
Olympic outing off to a doubles pair Chan Peng Soon- Artem Pochtarov of mission (CDM) Datuk Lee Chong Wei is
cracking start with an emphatic Goh Liu Ying after their second Ukraine (unseen) distressed by the online abuses targeting the
21-5, 21-11 win over Ukraine’s straight Group D loss virtually during the Tokyo 2020 national shuttlers.
Artem Pochtarov in his opening ended their medal hopes. Olympics badminton
Group M tie at the Musashino men’s singles group The three-time men’s singles Olympic silver
Forest Sport Plaza in Tokyo The pair, who won the silver stage at the medalist said that as a former teammate, he
yesterday. medal at the 2016 Rio Games, Musashino Forest was dismayed by the number of online
had to beat Germans Mark Sport Plaza yesterday. comments abusing the shuttlers who lost their
The 23-year-old Zii Jia, who Lamfuss-Isabel Herttrich but – REUTERSPIX matches in Tokyo.
is ranked eighth in the world, nothing seemed to work for
was in sizzling form as he the Malaysians as they fell 12- “I feel so much for them… All I want to say
turned on the style with his deft 21, 15-21. is I know these players. They went on court with
flicks and deadly smashes to only one aim, one goal. To win the game for the
brush aside his opponent in just The Malaysians’ poor flag on the chest, to make us proud.
25 minutes. performance handed the world
No. 15 Germans easy points as “No athlete wants to lose. But that is the
Zii Jia was clearly a class they wrapped up the realitiy, each match and each game, surely
above in the first game, proceedings in just 41 minutes. someone wins and someone loses. Sometimes,
trouncing the world No. 98 it is just not your day.
Ukrainian 21-5 in just nine Having lost 18-21, 21-10,
minutes before wrapping up 16-21 to Hong Kong’s Tang “Those watching on TV also experience
the second game with a 21-11 Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet on heartbreak and disappointment, what more the
win. Saturday, world No. 7 pair Peng players themselves? Shouldn’t we support
Soon-Liu Ying are now as good them?
The Kedah-born Zii Jia, who as out of the running for a place
won the All England title in in the quarterfinals. “No one wants to go on court and lose.
March and is the country’s These players brought you joy before. Don’t
medal hopeful at the Tokyo Peng Soon-Liu Ying are set mock and desert them when they lose a game.
Olympics, will next face to face world No. 2 Wang Yilyu- Support them. Support Malaysia.
Frenchman Brice Leverdez in his Huang Dongping of China in
second Group M match. their final group match today. – “Note: Chan Peng Soon, Goh Liu Ying,
Bernama juniors, I’m proud of you. Real Malaysians are
proud of you,” he said in his social media
A JAPANESE skateboarder claimed a accounts. – Bernama
piece of Olympic history as the host
nation enjoyed a gold rush on a day of Gold rush MEDAL
upsets at the Tokyo Games yesterday. Japan celebrate on day of upsets at Olympics TALLY
The second full day of competition saw 18
gold medals up for grabs, including the first Earlier, unheralded swimmer Yui Ohashi morning than yesterday and that’s it. I’m the COUNTRY GS B TTL
ever in skateboarding, one of several new had sparked the Japan gold spree in an action- Olympic champion now.” China 61 4 11
sports introduced in Tokyo as part of an packed morning finals session at the Tokyo Japan 51 06
International Olympic Committee drive to Aquatics Center. It was Tunisia’s first ever Olympic medal in United States 42 4 10
attract younger fans. the event and just their third gold ever in South Korea 20 35
Ohashi powered to victory in the women’s swimming. ROC 14 27
A perfectly scripted final saw Japanese 400 individual medley, toppling Hungary’s Italy 11 35
world champion Yuto Horigome strike gold in defending champion Katinka Hosszu. Austrian mathematician Anna Kiesenhofer Australia 11 13
a tense street competition. meanwhile claimed a shock victory in the France 11 13
Ohashi – whose previous best performance women’s cycling road race, which ended in Hungary 11 02
The 22-year-old, who grew up just a stone’s on the world stage was a silver medal at the bizarre fashion with Dutch veteran Annemiek Tunisia 11 02
throw from the Olympic venue, landed three 2017 World Championships – touched in van Vleuten crossing the line mistakenly Austria 10 01
huge tricks in a row to eclipse American 4:32.08 ahead of US duo Emma Weyant and thinking she had won. Ecuador 10 01
favourite Nyjah Huston, who finished seventh. Hali Flickinger. Iran 10 01
Van Vleuten punched the air as she Kosovo 10 01
“This is special because it was held in Koto “I swam believing in myself. I really did not finished, oblivious to the fact that Kiesenhofer Thailand 10 01
City, where I was born,” said Horigome. “For think of winning the gold,” said Ohashi. had broken away from the peloton earlier to Uzbekistan 10 01
me it’s very meaningful, very inspiring.” take gold.
Ohashi’s win was upstaged however by BRIEFS
Horigome’s victory was one of four golds Tunisian teenager Ahmed Hafnaoui, who “Yes, I thought I had won,” van Vleuten said. Tears for veteran Chusovitina
snaffled by Japan yesterday. pulled off a massive shock in the men’s 400m “I’m gutted about this,
freestyle to take gold. of course. At first I EIGHT-TIME Olympic gymnast Oksana
The haul included a remarkable judo felt really stupid, Chusovitina wept as she missed out yesterday
double, with brother and sister Uta and Hifumi The 18-year-old had only qualified eighth- but then the on a final spot in her last ever Games, but
Abe both winning Olympic titles within an fastest for the final but produced a devastating others (her received a standing ovation as she left the
hour of each other. late burst to win in 3min 43.36sec, overhauling teammates) also sport’s biggest stage for the last time. The 46-
Australian Jack McLoughlin, who took silver in did not know year-old was targeting a place in the vault final,
Uta Abe was first to strike gold in the 3:43.52. who had and was unable to hide her disappointment
women’s under-52kg category, beating won.” – AFP when she realised her score was not high
Amandine Buchard of France in the final. “I just can’t believe that, it’s amazing,” enough to keep her in contention. Athletes and
Hafnaoui said. “I felt better in the water this coaches lined up to embrace the legendary
She then cheered on as her big brother athlete, who made her sporting debut in junior
Hifumi overpowered Georgian judoka Vazha competitions in 1987, representing the Soviet
Margvelashvili in the under-66kg gold medal Union. “We thank her for her contributions to
fight. artistic gymnastics,” the announcer in Tokyo’s
Ariake Gymnastics Centre said as teams,
Phelps hails ‘unbelievable’ Ahmed officials and journalists applauded.

MICHAEL PHELPS hailed (individual medley) – less than “One thing I always tried to Mandatory masks during
Ahmed Hafnaoui for his a second between first and do was think ‘what can I medal ceremonies
“unbelievable swim” on Sunday, eighth just to make the final. control?’ so if you can figure out
saying the 18-year-old what you can control to the THE International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Tunisian’s shock victory in the “I just feel like the globe is best of your ability you said yesterday that masks are a “must to have”
men’s 400m freestyle was a starting to step up and swim are giving yourself at Tokyo medal ceremonies after swimmers
great example of how faster and for me it’s fun to your best were seen taking off masks on the medal
swimming at the Tokyo Games watch. Its amazing to be able chance to podium and hugging other competitors in
is likely to have a series of wide to see kids stand up and accomplish violation of Covid-19 rules. Masks are
open races. accomplish their goals.” your goals.” – mandatory across all Olympic venues, both
Reuters inside and outside for all athletes, staff and
Ahmed was the slowest Phelps said he was unsure media, as part of Games organisers’ strict
qualifier but, from lane eight, whether one of the drivers of Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui poses with his measures to combat the coronavirus.
held off fancied Australian Jack that levelling up was the gold medal after the final of the men’s 400m
McLoughlin and American impact of Covid-19, and freestyle swimming event during the Tokyo
Kieran Smith for a huge upset. consequent disappearance of 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics
so many races and training Centre yesterday. – AFPPIX
“Unbelievable swim, I think opportunities. “You can
he knocked almost five probably go both ways with
seconds off his pb (personal that,” he said.
best), Phelps told reporters in
Tokyo. “There are going to be some
people who really stood up to
“The difference between the challenge, grabbed the bull
these Olympics and the past, in by the horns and said ‘let’s go’.
my opinion, is that every single
person in the final has a chance “Then there others who will
of winning gold – it doesn’t use the year maybe as an
matter if you are in lane one, excuse. The people swimming
eight or four, everyone is close. well now looked at last year as
an opportunity, as a chance to
“Look at the 400IM move forward.

15theSUN ON MONDAY | JULY 26, 2021

* SPORTS

TOUCHLINES JAMIE CARRAGHER has hit out at Gini No ‘love’ lost
Wijnaldum after the midfielder said that he Carra slams Gini after midfielder blames fans for Kop exit
JUVENTUS have rejected an “didn’t feel loved and appreciated” by
£86m bid from Liverpool for Liverpool supporters before joining Paris St Wijnaldum had told The Guardian. like ‘wow, if they only knew what I was doing to
Italy winger Federico Chiesa. Germain. “I would love to say but I don’t think it fits now. stay fit and play every game.’
The 23-year-old joined “There was a moment I didn’t feel loved and
Juventus on an initial two-year The Netherlands star left Anfield on a free “You get players in their last year who are like,
loan in October 2020 before a transfer this summer following months of appreciated. Not (by) my teammates, not the ‘I’m not playing because it is a risk.’ I did the
potential permanent move speculation, joining Mauricio Pochettino’s side in people at Melwood. From them I know, I can say opposite. I was training hard, I was giving
from Fiorentina. their quest to top Ligue 1 and taste European they all love me and I love them. It was not from everything.
ARSENAL, Tottenham and glory. that side, more the other side.
Everton are all considering a “I didn’t always play good but after the game I
move for Argentina forward The 30-year-old has now spoken openly about “I have to say also there was social media. could look in the mirror and say ‘I trained hard to
Joaquin Correa, 26, who is his move, and hinted that social media criticism When it went bad I was the player who they get better.’
expected to leave Lazio this played a big role in his decision to leave Jurgen blamed – said that I wanted to leave.
summer. Klopp’s side. “I think the fans in the stadium and the fans in
BAYERN MUNICH are interested “Every day in training and in the game I gave social media – my feeling was that they were two
in 25-year-old Chelsea striker Sky Sports pundit Carragher has since hit back everything I had to bring it to a good end. During different things. In the stadium, I can say nothing
Timo Werner, with the with a brutal assessment on Twitter – claiming that the years, Liverpool meant so much to me and bad about them. They always supported me.
Germany international’s former Wijnaldum left the Premier League because he also the way the fans in the stadium were treating
manager from RB Leipzig, didn’t get the wages he wanted. me. “Even when they came back [into the stadium],
Julian Nagelsmann, now in already knowing that I was going to leave they still
charge of the Bundesliga “He wanted more money the club said no, “On social media, if we lost, I was the one who supported me and in the end they gave me a great
champions. that’s football!” got the blame. There was a moment when I was farewell.” – Daily Star
MANCHESTER CITY are set to
almost double Portugal That view has been hit with a mixed response
centreback Ruben Dias’ salary online, with many praising Wijnaldum for his
following the 24-year-old’s efforts in a Liverpool shirt over the past five
impressive debut season for seasons.
them in 2020-21.
FRANCE forward Antoine “It will come but I don’t think now is the time,”
Griezmann, 30, would only be
willing to leave Barcelona if he Ole inks new deal and looks to keep Pogba
could return to former club
Atletico Madrid. MANCHESTER UNITED have announced manager Ole win silverware since taking the helm, the club remains
JUVENTUS vice-president Pavel Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a new contract with the impressed with his work in rebuilding the team and
Nedved says Portugal forward club. taking them to multiple semifinals.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, will stay
with the club. Ronaldo has one The Norwegian boss is now tied to the Old Trafford “Everyone knows the feeling I have for this club, and
year left on his contract with the club until 2024, with the option of a I am delighted to have signed this new contract.
Serie A side and has been linked further year.
with leaving them. “It is an exciting time for Manchester United, we
ENGLAND captain Harry Kane, Solskjaer has been in have built a squad with a good balance of youth and
27, is to miss start of Premier charge since 2018 and last experienced players that are hungry for success,”
League season after his season oversaw a run to the Solskjaer told the club website after signing his deal.
exertions at the European
Championship. Europa League final and “I have a fantastic coaching team around me, and we
ARSENAL hope to confirm the a second-place finish are all ready to take that next step on our journey.
£50m signing of England in the Premier
defender Ben White, 23, from League. “Manchester United wants to be winning the biggest
Brighton after his medical While he and best trophies and that’s what we are all striving for.
yesterday. has yet
THE Gunners are also looking to “We have improved, both on and off the pitch, and
at the possibility of signing that will continue over the coming seasons.
Switzerland midfielder Denis Solskjaer (left)
Zakaria, 24, who has expressed and Pogba. “I can’t wait to get out in front of a packed Old
a desire to leave Borussia Trafford and get this campaign started.”
Monchengladbach. SIDENETTING wanted by United, the forward’s £250,000
CRYSTAL PALACE are closing in Au revoir Martial? (RM1.45m) weekly wages would be a massive Ed Woodward, executive vice-chairman, added: “Ole
on a £20m move for Lyon and stumbling block. and his staff have worked tirelessly putting the
Denmark defender Joachim ANTHONY MARTIAL’S Manchester United foundations in place for long-term success on the pitch.
Andersen, 25, and remain in talks days are all but over after Jadon Sancho’s move Telles injury blues
over a deal for Schalke and Turkey to Old Trafford was finally sealed. The France “The results of that have become increasingly
centreback Ozan Kabak, 21. ace, 25, has struggled to command regular first- MANCHESTER UNITED defender Alex Telles visible over the past two seasons and we are all
WATFORD have had a £15m bid team football under Reds manager Ole Gunnar could miss the start of the season after suffering looking forward to seeing this exciting team
for Adam Armstrong, 24, Solskjaer. And United’s £72m (RM417m) an ankle injury. The Brazilian left-back sustained develop further in the years ahead.
turnewd down, with Blackburn capture of England winger Sancho, 21, which the problem during the club’s training camp in “We are more confident than ever
holding out for £25m for the was completed last week, makes Martial very Surrey last week and has returned home, missing that, under Ole’s leadership, we are
former England U-21 forward. much surplus to requirements going into the yesterday’s friendly with QPR. “Unfortunately, Alex heading in the right direction.”
THE Hornets’ long-serving 2021-2022 campaign. United want to off-load slipped and he twisted his ankle so he’ll be out for After putting pen to paper,
captain Troy Deeney, 33, was the ex-Monaco man as soon as possible in a few weeks,” United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Solskjaer said United are still in
called “Tom Deeney” on the order to start recouping some of the money said. “We’re hoping that it’s not going to be too talks with midfielder Paul Pogba
teamsheet for Saturday’s friendly being blown on Sancho and others this bad but he’ll be out for a little while.”Telles looks over a new contract amid
against West Brom. summer. Tottenham are interested but, even if set to this week’s friendlies against Brentford and speculation over the
willing to match the £50m (RM290m) fee Preston, with another warm-up match against Frenchman’s future at the club.
£1 = RM5.80 Everton on Aug 7. British media reported that
Ligue 1 club Paris St Germain
are interested in signing
Pogba, who is in the final year
of his contract at United.
“There’s always
speculation about Paul and
always clubs being
interested,” Solskjaer said
after yesterday’s 4-2 pre-
season defeat by Queens
Park Rangers. “We’ve seen
Paul at his best, Paul knows
what we feel about it.
“I’ve enjoyed my time
working with him and
hopefully we can
continue working
together. All that I’ve ever
heard with Paul is he’s
looking forward to the
season.”
United host Leeds
United in their 2021-22
Premier League season
opener on Aug 14. – The
Independent/Reuters

Kane believes he has ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Levy

HARRY KANE is growing increasingly confident of Tottenham not wanting to sell him as the club’s appears to be confident of holding onto Kane, hitman.
a move to Manchester City as he reportedly most prized asset. describing him as “our player”. City are willing to go as high as £120m
believes he and Daniel Levy have a “gentleman’s
agreement” to allow him to move this summer. According to BBC Sport though, Kane is of the He added: “No need to talk about anything else, (RM696m) for Kane and will sell Bernardo Silva and
belief that he and Spurs chairman Levy have a I am looking forward to him joining the group.” Gabriel Jesus to help fund the record-breaking
Tottenham striker Kane appears to be gentleman’s agreement to allow him to leave if the deal.
desperate to leave Spurs in search of silverware. right offer comes in. Daily Star Sport understands that City chairman
Khaldoon Al-Mubarak knows he will have to smash City have reportedly agreed personal terms
City have appeared as the frontrunners to land Levy has always taken a hard-nosed approach the club’s transfer record – £63.7 million (RM369m) with Kane of £350,000-a-week (RM2.1m) – but the
the England captain and are ready to sell players to in the past when it comes to transfer dealings paid for Ruben Diaz – to land Kane. fee remains the biggest hurdle to the deal being
raise funds to force a deal through. though, and that resolve is sure to be tested again. done before the start of the new season. – Daily
But he will not come close to matching the Star
Kane’s main stumbling block appears to be New Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo also £160m (RM928m) Spurs want for the 27-year-old

TOKYO OLYMPICS 2020

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Events schedule or go to www.thesundaily.my
and medal table

MONDAY • JULY 26, 2021

Osaka wins but Barty booted out
as heat gets Joker all riled up

JAPAN’S Naomi Osaka won in straight I am glad I was able to win, she is a sweltering conditions.
sets on her highly-anticipated return very tough opponent.” Both players began their campaign
to court at the Tokyo Olympics
yesterday, while women’s world No. 1 “I feel like more than anything I’m with straight sets wins and are seen as
Ashleigh Barty crashed out in the first just focused on playing tennis. Playing the leading contenders to win gold in
round. the Olympics has been a dream of the men’s singles.
mine since I was a kid,” she added.
Osaka, the star of the opening Djokovic breezed past Bolivia’s
ceremony, defeated China’s Zheng “I feel like the break that I took was Hugo Dellin in straight sets but was far
Saisai 6-1, 6-4 in her first match since very needed, but I feel definitely a little from happy with playing in the hot
taking an eight-week break for mental bit refreshed and happy again.” and humid daytime conditions in the
Japanese capital.
health reasons. Osaka is now the clear favourite for
“I felt really nervous being gold after Barty, the reigning He said that players were
in Japan and playing here Wimbledon champion, dropped serve “constantly dehydrated” from having
for the first time in twice in each set and made 55 to play during the day. Temperatures
maybe unforced errors in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to reached 32C at one point during play
two Spain’s 48th-ranked Sara Sorribes at the Ariake Tennis Park.
years, Tormo.
and for it The world No. 1 said: “I don’t
to be my “I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to understand why they don’t start
first Olympics,” get through today, it just wasn’t my matches at, say, 3pm. We still have
said Osaka, day,” said Barty. seven hours to play. They have lights
chosen as the on all the courts.”
first tennis “I never really felt comfortable out
player to there and wasn’t able to play the Describing the challenging
light the match on my terms. I was a bit erratic conditions, he added: “You feel you
Olympic and made too many errors.” have weights on your shoulders
cauldron on because there’s so much heat and
Friday. Defending champion Andy Murray humidity and stagnated air.
“It was withdrew from the men’s singles due
definitely to a quad muscle strain just hours “You don’t feel yourself, you feel
really nerve- before he was scheduled to play Felix slow with your legs. It’s not the first
wracking. Auger-Aliassime. time we get to experience tough
But
Murray, 34, will stay in conditions.
Naomi Osaka of Japan in action Japan to play doubles with “I spoke to a couple of guys in
during her first round match Joe Salisbury. The pair won
against Zheng Saisai of China their opening the locker room and all of them
(noy in picture) at the Tokyo match of the said this is the toughest that they
2020 Olympics in Ariake Tennis competition on have experienced day to day.
Park yesterday. – REUTERSPIX Saturday.
“I don’t really get why ITF (the
Back Earlier, Novak International Tennis Federation)
Djokovic and Daniil doesn’t want to move the
Medvedev criticised matches.”
Olympic organisers
and called for tennis No. 2 seed Medvedev was also
unhappy with the playing
matches to be conditions after his win over
played later in the Alexander Bublik.
day to avoid “I don’t think they are going to
having to change anything in the middle of the
tournament but that’s what can be
play in done,” he said.
the “I think the fact that we have only
one minute between the changeovers
is a joke. It should be 1:30, like it is in
other tournaments.”– AFP/Express
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to the future
Liverpool’s next evolution poses greatest challenge in transfer market

█ MELISSA REDDY with the same group. This is no longer, in Klopp’s own words, the introduced a sense of newness, but there will be
Liverpool’s decision to invest in the group, “good football age”, especially considering the an understandable sentiment that it hasn’t been
IN THE afterglow of Madrid, Liverpool taxing demands of his high-intensity style and enough. The overriding view is the process will
holding a sixth European Cup aloft as they prioritising lucrative extensions and bonus preference to use a small group of players. need to be furthered in the current window.
secured the first trophy of the Jurgen Klopp structures as wages prove to be the biggest
era, the club’s outlook was picture perfect. correlation with success in football, undoubtedly As seen with Gini Wijnaldum, Liverpool do Liverpool are actively looking at recruiting in
Having being crowned continental kings after paid dividends. not want to over commit with regards to contract midfield and attack.
registering 97 points to finish just behind length and a substantial increase in pay to ageing
Manchester City in the top flight, there was But through this lengthy stretch of time post- members of the squad. Neither can they In the former department, the Fabinho-
credence that a three-decade wait for the title Madrid to now, has enough been done to aid the guarantee playing time, nor their level of Henderson-Thiago trio is an excellent one, but
would be ended. evolution and refreshing of the squad, and if not, importance within the group. not guaranteed for an entire campaign and there
why? is very little to complement it when looking at the
After all, Liverpool had constructed one of the The news of talks with Henderson stalling, as reality of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-
best XIs in world football and prioritised a policy This summer, the line from the club remains it had done with Wijnaldum, could become the Chamberlain’s recent history.
of retention to keep their spine intact. as it was two years ago: retention is king. norm as there has to be a reduction in sentiment
However, the need to inject fresh talent with a to oversee a successful modification of the squad. Liverpool will be patient in securing the right
Good seasons past had always spelled the exit view to long-term planning has never been more deals on the right terms that tallies with the
of core players, but the Merseysiders had now pronounced. Negotiations beginning when there is two approach which delivered success.
guarded against that. It was a unique position for years left of a deal is normal practice and failed
the club in the modern era, but also for the Crucial personnel Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed discussions, it should be noted, are not solely But the club have also illustrated a tendency
manager. Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Jordan down to a club. to risk not recruiting– see their centreback crisis –
Henderson and Fabinho are out of contract in in the face of all logic.
At Borussia Dortmund, Jurgen Klopp would 2023, with Alisson’s running a year later, although Players are more empowered than ever and
often be left wondering “what if?,” as he the latter two are expected to ink fresh terms fully recognise their worth as well as the fact that More often that not, Liverpool, labelled
continuously ceded key cogs to apex soon. the free-agent market is thriving, think – analytics leaders in recruitment, have made
predators. Now, the manager finally had what Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, David smart decisions in the market.
he craved: a crack at consistent development With the exception of the defensive Alaba, Sergio Aguero.
midfielder, all will be into their thirties at the end The landscape ahead, contracts ticking away,
of their current deals. Since the summer of 2019, Liverpool have is morphing into their greatest challenge yet. –
The Independent

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