The Sun Daily-291222

TELLING IT AS IT IS INSIDE Historic year
‘PBM without
3in Malaysian page
2direction, going page politics

nowhere nationally’

ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 29, 2022 FORCES OF NATURE ... Visitors

No. 8178 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my taking pictures of coconut trees uprooted by
huge waves brought on by northeast
monsoon winds at Damat Beach in Bachok,
Kelantan yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Help the needy
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH
[email protected] oNot all civil servants, pensioners
should get increment and financial aid,
PETALING JAYA: The government say former secretaries-general
should continue to help low-ranking
members of the civil service by money could be better used for other purposes. explains the reasons to them . civil servants will provide them with some relief.
providing special financial assistance He also said helping low-ranking civil “The government must quantify “The public will have more respect for the
and additional salary increment, but higher-
ranking civil servants should forgo them. servants was a good idea but the rest of the the savings it is making when civil servants who are making this sacrifice.
money should be spread out to help the poorest explaining it to high-ranking civil Many of them do not have to worry about not
Several retired senior civil servants believe of the poor. servants and also state how and to having a job when people in the private sector
money that would be given to higher-ranking whom the money will be given.” are being laid off.”
civil servants could be better spent by helping On Dec 20, the unity government agreed to
the poor and needy. proceed with an additional annual salary Ramon said communication is
increment of RM100 for civil servants in Grade very important between the
Former treasury secretary-general Tan Sri 11 to 56. government and senior civil
Mohd Sheriff Kassim said there are public servants to make them understand
servants who need aid and these are the people Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim why they are being asked to make
the government should look at helping. said the government has also agreed to grant a such a sacrifice.
special financial assistance of RM700 to civil
He said if the government wants to help servants in Grade 56 and below, and RM350 to He added that they need to feel
the serving and retired civil servants, then one million government pensioners. satisfied that they are doing a good deed
any special allowance should go only to and helping those in the B40 group, who
low-ranking staff, not high-ranking officers. Former transport ministry secretary-general are in dire need of assistance.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said bonuses and
“The public at the bottom of the income allowances should not be given to all civil Most senior civil servants will
level need the most help and the government servants, but only to those who are facing understand the sacrifice they have to make,
should concentrate on helping these people. difficulties. especially when ministers are taking pay cuts,
he added.
“Some of them have lost their jobs, others He said even raising the salary of civil
are unemployable. These are the people who servants should be reconsidered as not all of Ramon also said the government will need
need the most help.” them need a pay hike. to thank them for giving up their allowances
and allow the poorer segment of society to
Sheriff said instead of giving allowances to “High-ranking civil servants such as benefit from it.
high-ranking officers, the money could be secretaries-general and department heads will
better spent on the B40 group, which is facing understand why they will not be getting any He said many people today are living hand-
hard times due to the high cost of living. special allowances if the prime minister to-mouth and this small sacrifice from senior

He said it is the low-income groups that
really need help, adding that announcing
allowances for civil servants is not necessary,
especially for high-ranking officers, as the

2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

FRIENDLY CHAT ... Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan meeting Inland Revenue Board Kuala Terengganu branch staff during a working Integrated database
visit yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC for targeted petrol
subsidy: Minister
‘PBM without direction,
going nowhere nationally’ JOHOR BARU: All available databases will
be integrated to identify those eligible for
o Sacking of party’s top leaders will not have any impact on Dr Sathiskumar Govindaraju, Saiful Bahari targeted petrol subsidies, said Domestic
nation’s political landscape, says analyst Sahari and information chief Zakaria Abdul Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri
Hamid as well as supreme council members Salahuddin Ayub.
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH strengthen the party, no nationally influential Ab Aziz Ab Kadir, Zakaria Abdul Rahim, Roger
[email protected] political leader will want to join it. Tan and Albacore Salim. He said the comprehensive database
PETALING JAYA: Parti Bangsa Malaysia would consist of information from not only
(PBM) is going nowhere nationally because of He added that former PKR leaders who The party’s disciplinary committee said the the Road Transport Department (RTD) but
the confusion in the party about the direction joined PBM did not bring anything to the party 11 sacked included PBM secretary-general also the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Bank
it should take, said a political analyst. as could be seen from the results of the 15th Nor Hizwan Ahmad and Youth chief Na’im Negara, Khazanah Nasional Bhd,
general election. Brundage. Department of Statistics and studies by
National Council of Professors senior universities.
fellow Dr Jeniri Amir said PBM is basically a “Zuraida, who was synonymous with Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research
Sarawak-based party that is trying to go Ampang, and former PKR leaders were senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said Sng, He said having a comprehensive data
national. rejected by voters for their actions during the who is popular in Sarawak, wants to go centre is necessary to make the targeted
‘Sheraton Move,’ which led to the downfall of national but he needs the support of strong subsidy mechanism a success.
He said the party wants to dream big but it the Pakatan Harapan government. political leaders.
will not be able to realise it. “I have already clearly stated that RTD
“Many ex-PKR leaders involved in the He said the party needs all the backing it data is among the data needed, as we also
Jeniri also questioned the leadership of Sheraton Move had joined PBM.” can get at the moment but the purging of its have data from IRB, Khazanah, Department
PBM president Datuk Larry Sng. top leadership will only hurt it. of Statistics, Bank Negara and university
Jeniri said these leaders simply did not have studies.
“The sacking of the party’s top leaders will the pulling power to influence voters and their “No other well-known politicians will want
not really make any impact on the national sacking would make no difference to the party. to join the party because it seems to take “The ministry or the National Action
political landscape. They have been sacked action against leaders as and when it wants. Council on Cost of Living should look at all
most probably because Sng wants to shape the PBM sacked Zuraida and 10 others, while Zuraida can survive without PBM as she has the data before we make a final decision,” he
party’s future and Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin its deputy president Haniza Talha and Muafakat Nasional as a back-up. said after a Malaysian Islamic Chamber of
had not been supportive of him. Women’s chief Daroyah Alwi were stripped of Commerce meeting on Tuesday.
their positions but remained as party “The reason for the sacking remains
“Their sacking will not help the party in any members. unknown but there is a possibility it was done Salahuddin was commenting on the
way. PBM leaders such as Sng are popular only because Zuraida was likely to challenge Sng views of economists that granting targeted
in his area in Sarawak and have no national Sng, who is also Julau MP, said on Monday for the top post.” petrol subsidies based on the cubic capacity
pull.” that 13 members were issued of vehicle engines is not very appropriate.
show-cause letters on Dec 19 and they had He said Zuraida lost big in Ampang and this
Jeniri said PBM also lacks strong grassroots been given a one-week deadline to respond. shows that PBM is unable to nationally exert It was recently reported that the RTD
support, and no matter what is done to any kind of influence and is seen as weak. database could be used for the RON95 petrol
Other party leaders who have been sacked subsidy scheme, as the government could
are vice-presidents Rahimah Majid, Azmi added that PBM is not strong because identify those eligible based on the engine
individual leaders in the party are popular capacity of vehicles. – Bernama
with voters in their respective areas but do not
have star power nationally. RM65m in taxes
collected at
Tok Bali Supply Base

PASIR PUTEH: The Kelantan Customs
Department has collected more than RM65
million in taxes at the Tok Bali Supply Base
(TBSB) as of Dec 22.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri
Ahmad Maslan said the tax collection at
TBSB last year was RM34.3 million.

“The rise in the tax collection was driven
by operations conducted by renowned
companies such as HESS Exploration and
Production Malaysia BV, Hibiscus Oil and
Gas Malaysia Ltd in the Joint Development
Area, Commercial Arrangement Area and
North Malay Basin.”

Ahmad was speaking after visiting TBSB
yesterday, accompanied by Kelantan
Customs Department director Wan Jamal
Abdul Salam Wan Long and TBSB general
manager Nur Hasmin Kamarollzaman.

He added that among other things, the
Customs Department oversees the entry of
local goods into TBSB, the movement of
goods from offshore to the supply base and
controls the entry and departure of ships.

“Additionally, it also checks on solid,
liquid and chemical wastes from upstream
petroleum activities, storage of upstream
petroleum items and compliance with the
licensing requirements of the supply base.”
– Bernama

Perak sees increase in mangrove Malaysia to benefit from China’s
swamp permanent reserve forests reopening of borders

IPOH: Perak recorded an increase in the area. Of this total, 944,451ha are terrestrial KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will flights at fixed low fares for the Since airfares are increased
area covered by mangrove swamp forests and 42,410ha are marine swamp see a surge in demand for flights coming Chinese New Year. during festive seasons, he urged
permanent reserve forests from 4.1% in forests (mangrove forests). following the reopening of China’s airlines to add more flights so that
2010 to 4.3% in September this year, the borders, said Transport Minister It was reported that China prices can be made more
state assembly was told yesterday. “The size from 2010 to 2022 is Anthony Loke. would reopen its borders on Jan 8 affordable.
consistent at 47%. The mangrove swamp after keeping them closed for
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani permanent reserve forest area increased He said there would be flights almost three years. “We encourage all airlines to
Mohamad said the change in size and from 4.1% (2010) to 4.3% (2022) going in and out of China, increase their flight frequencies
percentage of forest and mangrove compared with the overall permanent increasing air traffic movement On the fixing of air ticket prices, but it also depends on their
swamp areas was due to the repeal and reserve forest area.” between both countries next year. Loke said the government had no capacity. Airport operators will
declaration of permanent reserve forests plans to do so as airlines operate facilitate (the increase in flight
under the National Forestry Act 1984 He said the increase is due to the state Loke added that since many based on dynamic pricing. frequencies).”
(Usage) 1985 for the purposes of government’s commitment to achieving people are beginning to travel
settlement, agriculture, mining, industry a target of 50% of state land area as again, there would be an increase “If we put a price ceiling, there Loke added that the
and others. permanent reserve forests. in air traffic back to pre-Covid will be negative implications for government is more than happy to
levels. passengers. For example, they assist and support any airline
“As of September, the size of He was responding to a question from (airlines) will cut down capacity. prepared to provide lower fixed
permanent reserve forests in Perak was Wong May Ing (DAP-Pantai Remis) on He was speaking after the No airline will want to operate if fares. – Bernama
986,862ha, which is 47% of the state’s land the protection of forest reserves and announcement of AirAsia’s extra it’s a losing concern.”
mangrove forests. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: It has been a year of many Historic year in 3theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022
firsts on the Malaysian political scene, with the Malaysian politics NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
15th general election (GE15) culminating in
the formation of an unprecedented unity o Appointment of Anwar as 10th PM welcomed as epitome Malacca eyes cruise
government. of people’s aspirations for healing of nation ship sector potential

The snap polls on Nov 19 resulted in a hung opposed by PH, PN (BN’s partner in the then When His Majesty proposed that PN and MALACCA: The luxury cruise ship tourism
Parliament, as for the first time since the government) and some Umno leaders. PH form a unity government, Muhyiddin sector will be among the focus of the state
general election of 1955, no party or coalition declined. government to attract more tourists,
managed to win a simple majority to form a Eventually, Umno’s “Top 5” comprising especially from abroad, ahead of Visit
new government. party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid On Nov 24, Al-Sultan Abdullah held a Malacca Year 2024.
Hamidi, deputy president Datuk Seri special meeting with the Malay Rulers and
In GE15, which saw the voting age being Mohamad Hasan and vice-presidents Datuk on the same day, BN also decided to join a State Tourism Promotion Division
lowered from 21 to 18 and the introduction of Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri unity government led by PH, as decreed by general manager Sa’ari Basiron said three
new voters through automatic voter Mahdzir Khalid and Ismail Sabri agreed to His Majesty. cruise ship companies have agreed to work
registration, Pakatan Harapan (PH) won 82 dissolve Parliament. with the state to make Malacca a stopover
seats, Perikatan Nasional (PN) had 74, Barisan The King also announced the appointment destination.
Nasional (BN) clinched 30, Gabungan Parti The polls also produced major upsets in the of Anwar as the 10th prime minister on the
Sarawak (GPS) secured 23, Gabungan Rakyat defeats of heavyweights such as former prime same day. “In 2019, we received about 100,000
Sabah (GRS) took six, Parti Warisan (Warisan) minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, longest- foreign (cruise ship) tourists, who stopped at
achieved three, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) serving MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Later that day, Anwar, who is also PKR Malacca to visit attractions promoted by
and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik several incumbent ministers. president, was sworn in as the head of the unity appointed travel agents.
Masyarakat (KDM) attained one each and two government, which is supported by BN, GPS,
seats went to Independents. But after the final seat tally was announced, Warisan, GRS, PBM, KDM and the “Next year is our preparatory year to
political parties started scrambling to form a Independent MPs. celebrate Visit Malacca Year 2024, and
Although already predicted by many coalition government, with Anwar claiming on among our focus is to create international-
analysts after Parliament was dissolved on Oct Nov 21 that he had secured a simple majority Anwar’s Cabinet also broke new ground class tourism packages to attract more
10, the stalemate still nudged the country into while PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and fulfilled his promise of having two deputy foreign tourists,” he said yesterday after
uncharted territory and put the people on said he had submitted to Istana Negara the prime ministers – Ahmad Zahid and Parti attending a ceremony to welcome
tenterhooks for five days, Bernama reported. statutory declarations of 112 MPs who pledged Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice- passengers of the Ocean Odyssey cruise ship
support for PN. president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is the at the Malacca-Dumai International Ferry
But the maturity of the country’s democratic first leader from Sabah or Sarawak to hold the Terminal in Kota Laksamana.
system came to the fore to resolve the political The political turmoil forced the King to number two post.
conundrum, and PH chairman Datuk Seri intervene, summoning Anwar, Muhyiddin and More than 100 tourists from Europe
Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the 10th prime leaders of other coalitions to the Palace to help Anwar subsequently also won a vote of disembarked from the ship to visit famous
minister on Nov 24, thanks to the wisdom of resolve the impasse so that the new confidence as the new prime minister with a destinations in the state, especially around
the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah government could be formed. simple-majority voice support in the Dewan Banda Hilir.
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. Rakyat on Dec 19.
Sa’ari said tourism packages would also
Anwar thus realised his 24-year dream of be created based on history and heritage,
assuming the country’s top post. particularly involving tourist destinations
around Banda Hilir.
His predecessor Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri
Yaakob had earlier signed a historic “Currently, luxury cruise ship tourists
memorandum of understanding on usually only stop for a short time, about half
transformation and political stability with then a day. But in the future, we hope they can
opposition PH on Sept 13, 2021, with the two spend (at least) a night in Malacca.”
sides agreeing not to have the general election – Bernama
until after July 31 this year.
Penang to increase
After July, however, the political scene free bus passes
heated up again, with calls for snap polls being
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government
SWEET N SOUR will continue its free bus service next year
SNACKS .... Kota and increase the number of “Mutiara” passes
Baru trader Rohani to 150,000, involving an allocation of RM7.5
Hashim showing her million.
signature ‘nise’ fruit
pickles, that are State Infrastructure and Transport
processed using Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said
Gula Melaka, at her the state government decided to add
stall in Kampung another 30,000 passes as the number of
Cherang, Kelantan. passengers was increasing every month.
– BERNAMAPIC
Mutiara pass holders can use the Rapid
Zahid expresses faith in unity govt pact Penang bus service throughout the state for
free on all routes and at all times.
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister first foundation of the agreement not only for the parties.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is now, but for the long term,” he said during a Ahmad Zahid said following the 15th “Due to overwhelming response, the
confident that the cooperation agreement special interview broadcast live on the Penang government has agreed to fund
among political parties to establish the unity YouTube channel and Facebook page of general election, Umno and BN were better off 150,000 units of Mutiara passes next year.
government will be long-lasting. NRChannel TV on Tuesday night. with PH for their long-term struggle.
“We started sponsoring the Unlimited
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president On Dec 16, the five major political parties, On working together with PH, he said Travel pass, better known as Mutiara pass,
and chairman of Barisan Nasional (BN), said namely PH, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalitions in the unity government need to on March 1 last year, with 100,000 passes
his party agreed to the cooperation as long as it (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and move forward and work as a team and remain involving RM3 million,” he said in a
had elements to uphold Islam, Malay special Parti Warisan (Warisan) signed a united in thoughts, values and deeds. statement yesterday.
rights, the status of Bahasa Melayu as the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to
national language and the sovereignty of the form a unity government. He also said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zairil said the Mutiara pass was getting
royal institution. Anwar Ibrahim agreed to seek similarities in more popular because the transition to the
The MoU was signed by the respective the manifestos of all parties in the unity endemic phase of Covid-19 allowed the
He said the elements were the prime secretaries-general, namely Datuk Seri government, adding that Umno and BN’s aim resumption of all economic and industrial
concern of BN when negotiations were held Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PH), Datuk Seri is to create political stability and ensure the activities and had a positive impact on the
with Pakatan Harapan (PH). Zambry Abdul Kadir (BN), Datuk Masidi people’s prosperity. use of public transport. – Bernama
Manjun (GRS), Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta
“When the agreement was signed by the Linggi (GPS) and Datuk Loretto Padua Jr Ahmad Zahid said he would explain the Malacca NRD to go
various (political) parties, the matter was never (Warisan), and witnessed by the chairmen of plan in further detail to Umno members cashless from Jan 1
compromised, and was even deemed as the during the party general assembly from Jan 11
to 14. – Bernama MALACCA: The National Registration
Department (NRD) here will fully
implement cashless transactions at the Ayer
Keroh and Urban Transformation Centre
(UTC) branch counters starting Jan 1.

The Malacca NRD Corporate
Communications Unit said in a statement
the move will involve the MyKad, marriage,
divorce and citizenship as well as the birth,
death and adoption divisions.

“E-Payment is an electronic payment
method for government services that is
cashless, via multiple channels such as credit
card or debit card, internet banking, e-wallet
payment, agency portals or government
payment gateways.

“It aims to provide the best platform for
more convenient, secure, systematic and
efficient payment facilities.”

Enquiries may be directed to the Malacca
NRD Corporate Communications Unit at
06-232 6881, 06-232 6600 or via email at
[email protected]. – Bernama

4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022 Dengue cases
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS up by 3.5%

‘Green’ society targets 2,300 KUALA LUMPUR: The number of
sign-ups for vegan challenge dengue fever cases in the 51st
Epidemiological Week of 2022 from
oCampaign calls for non-vegetarians to adopt which is equivalent to 36 Olympic-sized Dec 18 to 24 increased by 3.5% to 2,018
predominantly plant-based diet for 31 days swimming pools, and preserve land the size of cases compared with 1,950 in the
25 football fields that are used for livestock previous week.
█ BY ARINA MUSTHAFA target to reduce GHG emissions if we do not farming. One megalitre is equivalent to a million
[email protected] change our food habits and choices. litres. Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr
PUCHONG: The youth arm of the Malaysian Noor Hisham Abdullah said one death
Vegetarian Society, The Green Spoon, is calling Faisal added that although red meats, poultry “Even with a small number of pledgers, due to dengue fever complications was
for 2,300 people to switch to a plant-based diet and eggs (products of livestock agriculture) are eating plant-based food for 31 days can also reported during the week. The
for 31 days starting in January through its high in protein, they have adverse effects such as save Malaysia from being burdened with cumulative number of cases reported so
“myVeganuari” campaign. high fat and cholesterol content, which RM1.7 million of productivity losses from NCD.” far is 64,078, compared with 25,794 for the
contribute to non-communicable diseases corresponding period in 2021, an increase
Its project director Faisal Mansor said the (NCD) such as heart diseases, cancer and Faisal stated that although vegetarianism is of 148.4%.
campaign aims to create awareness on one’s diabetes. common in Malaysia, with 5% of the population
food choices that are impacting the world being vegetarian, veganism is fairly new, and A total of 50 deaths was also reported,
population and environment. According to Faisal, veganism has been thus “2,300 is currently our measurement of compared with 19 during the same period
scientifically proven to protect a person against success”. last year.
“Nowadays, everyone seems to have a good NCD. He said the Journal of the Academy of
grasp on the effects of greenhouse gases (GHG) Nutrition and Dietetics has stated that a “There were 561 people who pledged to go “Around 58 hotspot localities were
on the planet. However, a majority of us do not plant-based diet can lower the risks of vegan during the myVeganuari campaign this reported, 32 of which were in Selangor, 16
see the link between our food choices and GHG developing NCD. year. Now, we are pushing for 2,300 pledges.” in Sabah, six each in Kuala Lumpur and
emissions. Putrajaya and four in Penang,” he said in a
“Within a week into a vegan diet, you will Faisal said myVeganuari 2023 features a statement yesterday.
“Unfortunately, livestock agriculture is the experience more comfortable bowel movement Malaysian vegan recipe book with over 100
biggest contributor to GHG emissions into our and reduced bloating. After a month, you will recipes from local chefs and social influencers, Noor Hisham added that 16 cases of
atmosphere, where gases such as methane and feel more energised and will not be lethargic or discounts and promotions at vegan restaurants chikungunya were reported, with 10 cases
nitrous oxide are known to be more harmful and sluggish. and for food products and non-food items and in Penang, two each in Perak and Negri
deadly compared with carbon dioxide,” he told tips from experienced vegans for the novice. Sembilan and one each in Selangor and
theSun recently. “It is medically proven that some people who Pahang.
suffer from sensitive and acne-prone skin, “We have also planned fun events, including
Faisal said the increasing dependency especially caused by consuming dairy products, vegan picnics, Chinese New Year potluck, food “As for Zika, a total of 2,181 blood
and demands for animal-based products and can reduce acne in just a few weeks of practising bazaars, movie screenings with university samples and 18 urine samples was
livestock farming in recent years have veganism.” students and weekly prize giveaways.” screened, with results all negative.”
contributed to climate change.
Faisal said myVeganuari is a call for Faisal added that a plant-based diet is slightly Meanwhile, Noor Hisham suggested
“According to the United Nations non-vegetarians and non-vegans to adopt a cheaper than the omnivorous diet that includes that the community conduct gotong-
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, predominantly plant-based diet. ingredients of both plant and animal origin. royong to end the life cycle of Aedes
we will not be able to achieve the Paris Climate mosquitos. – Bernama
Accord (also referred to as The Paris Agreement) “At the end of the challenge, the target of “If you cook your own food, 500g of plant
2,300 participants who pledged to be vegan for a proteins such as tofu, tempeh, lentils and Priority for Tambun
month can help save 90 megalitres of water, chickpeas are more cost effective than meat, infrastructure
poultry, fish and eggs of the same weight. development

“If you dine out, vegan food in vegan-only IPOH: Various issues related to the
restaurants are quite costly compared with construction of roads, drains and other
places that serve meat.” infrastructure projects in Tambun are
expected to be resolved next month
Members of the following discussions by stakeholders
society at a recent and related parties.
gathering to promote
the myVeganuari Hulu Kinta assemblyman Muhamad
campaign. – SYAZWAN Arafat Varisai Mahamad said he had
KAMAL/THE SUN discussed and listened to the problems
faced by the companies responsible for
the projects, so that they can be completed
immediately.

“We need to be fair and listen to both
sides. The people have given their trust to
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
We want to make sure the problems do not
happen again,” he told reporters after
handing food aid to 30 recipients
yesterday.

He said recently that Anwar, who is
Tambun MP, had requested that the
development in Tambun be given priority,
and any problems regarding the matter be
resolved immediately. – Bernama

Appointment system at health facilities Staff mental health becoming
expanded to MySejahtera app grave concern for employers

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has B40 and smoking cessation services, and will KUALA LUMPUR: Mental health has been He suggested that to resolve the issue, a
expanded the appointment system to the be expanded to other services in stages,” she identified as one of the new challenges whole different set of parameters in soft skills
MySejahtera app for visits to all primary health said in a statement yesterday. confronting Malaysia’s manpower and would need to be drawn up regarding mental
facilities to ensure efficiency of services and management needs. health at the workplace.
patient access. She added that one of the advantages of
the online appointment system is that patients This was recently voiced at a dialogue “Many businesses have already started to
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the can plan their visits according to their organised by Asian human resources (HR) prepare for a challenging 2023 ahead as they
expanded appointment system aims to assist suitability. consultancy firm GKK Consultants Sdn Bhd, began hiring choice personnel to fill vacancies
primary health facilities to arrange schedules attended by around 40 senior HR personnel of in their companies.”
based on their respective capacities to avoid “In addition, patients can also easily multinational and local corporations.
congestion at registration and waiting points. change the appointment date on However, the real test for any HR director or
MySejahtera, without having to call the health In efforts to identify manpower challenges department is whether the manpower team is
She added that eight services will be facility. of 2023, they included mental health as an ready to face uncertain trials, despite being
included in the system, namely outpatient issue. The participants represented various equipped with strong technical skills, focused
treatment, National Health Screening Zaliha said the appointment system also business industries, namely hospitality, IT, mindsets and unwavering soft skills at work.
Initiative (NHSI), PeKa B40 health screening has an automated reminder function so that healthcare, food and beverage, manufacturing,
and pre-employment/pre-study health patients can attend appointments according oil and gas, as well as others. “This will help many businesses to start the
screening. Also included are pre-marital to the time and date which has been booked. new year on a firm, solid footing for a strong
screening, smoking cessation services and GKK CEO Dr Gajendra Balasingam said business forecast and growth,” added Gajendra.
family planning services, as well as procedures She added that the MySejahtera many HR directors were concerned about
such as wound treatment, tube replacement appointment system for 2023 has started, and emotional stress, mental health and the According to the World Health Organisation,
and others. bookings can be made from now. mindfulness of workers. This was particularly so the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a 25%
for those not able to face the reality of today’s increase in the prevalence of anxiety and
“This system has commenced at 673 health For emergency, fever or infectious disease demanding workplace, and the impact of depression worldwide, which was a wake-up
clinics in phases, starting with the NHSI, PeKa cases, patients can go directly to the primary isolation of working from home. call for all countries to step up on mental health
health facility, without having to make an services and support. – Bernama
appointment. – Bernama

MASSIVE CLEAN-UP ... Terengganu 5theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022
residents Wan Nisah Wan Mahmood and her NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
husband Bustaman Mat Saman of Kampung
Bukit Payong in Besut sorting clothes that Cops seize 320kg of
were soiled in the floods that hit the district syabu worth RM11.5m
on Dec 19. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN
KUALA LUMPUR: Police seized 320kg of
Aid for flood-hit communities syabu (methamphetamines) worth RM11.5
in Kelantan, Terengganu million from two local men in a raid at a house
in Setiawangsa on Saturday.
oWeneedRM1.5m moretoprovideaidinHuluTerengganu, items such as comforters and blankets,” he
Pasir Mas , says Malaysian Red Crescent Society sec-gen said, adding that building resilience and Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk
preparedness for newly affected communities Yahaya Othman said the men, aged 29 and 34,
█ BY MUHAMMAD YUSRY areas such as Hulu Terengganu and Pasir Mas will be the way forward in the long term. had been actively trafficking drugs since last
[email protected] in Kelantan, we need another RM1.5 million.” September and were arrested at 5.40pm.
PETALING JAYA: With approximately 70,000 “We encourage anyone who is interested in
people affected by floods in Terengganu and Hakim said while food items are required, assisting flood-hit communities to register He said in the raid on the house, which was
Kelantan, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society mobile health and psychosocial services are themselves at mrcscommunity.org.my and to used as a drug store, police found 13 sacks
(MRCS) has stepped up to provide aid to the also important, as people need those services find out more about how they can volunteer. containing 310 packets of Guanyingwang
affected communities. until the community recovers from the effects Chinese tea that are believed to contain syabu.
of the floods. “We welcome both generalist and specialist
Its secretary-general Hakim Hamzah said volunteers, whether they are for mobile “Police also seized a car worth about
MRCS has enough funds to assist “From past flood responses, we have found clinics, processing of clean water or providing RM20,800, believed to be the vehicle used to
approximately 1,000 families in Bachok, that cash assistance gives people the option to psychosocial support to children and the transport the drugs,” he told a press
Kelantan and 1,000 families in Besut, decide what they want to spend the aid funds elderly.” conference at the Kuala Lumpur police
Terengganu. on, be it fixing damaged houses, paying for contingent headquarters yesterday.
rent or school fees, or buying food. Hakim said the MRCS welcomes donations
“Any disaster that occurs in any one state is whether in cash or kind. Yahaya said investigations found that both
a national concern as people care what “It is important that communities are suspects had drug-related criminal records.
happens to their families, friends and empowered to decide their own needs and we However, cash donations are easier to
colleagues. We are dependent on one another will ensure the assistance is not only during channel as it helps reduce logistics and He added that investigations also found
and even now our aid response in terms of the two-week emergency phase, but well into warehousing costs required to deliver in-kind that the two suspects were selling the drugs in
donations and volunteer deployment to the the post-flood recovery phase,” he told theSun. donations. the Klang Valley and one of them tested
East Coast comes from as far away as Johor. positive for drug use.
The items MRCS plans to donate include “In the meantime, food and other relief
“Our funding from the International food items and hygiene kits with towels, items have been donated by various He also said the suspects have been
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent toothbrushes, soap bars, sanitary pads and companies and members of the public. So far, remanded for seven days from Dec 25 to
Societies for this disaster is approximately shampoo. we have delivered some ready-to-eat items to Dec 31 to assist with investigations.
RM1.2 million and that is only enough to cover our chapters in Terengganu and Kelantan for
the communities in Bachok and Besut. “Colouring books and colour pencils for local distribution. We have also launched an The case is being investigated under
children are included too, as they are ‘Emergency Flood Relief Fund’ for members of Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“To provide assistance to other flood-hit important psychological support tools that the public who want to donate cash,” he said.
help ensure good mental health. He urged those with information on any
Those who wish to contribute can donate drug abuse activity to call 03-211 5999.
“We are also still looking for more bedding to MRCS’s Maybank account: 5144 2210 2657. – Bernama

All cash contributions to the MRCS are Missing girl found
tax-exempt and official receipts will be issued safe, three arrested
accordingly.
SEPANG: A teenage girl who was reported
Tahfiz fire case: Court to hear teen’s appeal on March 9 missing last Sunday was found safe at a
condominium in Section 13, Shah Alam, on
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has set At the same time, the prosecution is Code and read together with Section 34 of the Tuesday.
March 9 next year to hear an appeal of a appealing against the High Court’s decision to same law, which provides for the mandatory
teenager, currently being detained at the acquit and discharge another teenager of the death sentence. The 13-year-old was found at the location
pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after murders without calling for his defence. with a 19-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl
being found guilty of causing the death of 23 However, Section 97(1) of the Child Act by policemen at about 9pm.
people in a fire at Pusat Tahfiz Darul Quran High Court Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah 2001 stipulates that a death sentence shall not
Ittifaqiyah five years ago. found that the first teenager, who was 16 years be pronounced or recorded against a person Sepang district police chief Wan Kamarul
old at the time of the incident, had convicted of an offence if the child is under the Azran Wan Yusof said the two individuals
His lawyer, Haijan Omar, said the intentionally committed mischief to cause age of 18, and in lieu of the death sentence, as were detained to assist with investigations.
prosecution’s appeal against the High Court’s death. provided under Section 97(2) of the same law,
decision to acquit and discharge another the court shall order the person to be detained He said an interrogation of the individuals
teenager charged with committing the same According to the charge, the teenager, at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. led to the arrest of another 21-year-old man in
offence, will also be heard on the same date together with another unidentified individual, Shah Alam at 9.30pm the same day.
(March 9). was accused of murdering and causing the A total of 71 witnesses testified for the
death of 23 people staying at the tahfiz centre prosecution while six defence witnesses, “We also seized three mobile phones, two
“The court also fixed Feb 23 next year for on Jalan Keramat Hujung at Kampung Datuk including the teenager were called to stand in shirts and trousers, two helmets and a
case management,” said the lawyer yesterday. Keramat in Wangsa Maju between 4.15am and the trial which started on May 30, 2018. motorcycle from the suspects,” said Wan
6.45am on Sept 14, 2017. Kamarul.
The teenager, who is now 21 years old, is The teenager, in his defence, denied he was
appealing against the High Court verdict on He was charged with 23 counts of murder, in the tahfiz compound at any time during the He added that a preliminary investigation
Aug 17, 2020. each framed under Section 302 of the Penal incident.– Bernama found both male suspects admitted to riding a
motorcycle together to meet the victim.

“Then, the victim and one of the suspects
took an e-hailing ride, while the other suspect
rode the motorcycle back to Shah Alam.”

Wan Kamarul said the case was being
investigated under Section 361 of the Penal
Code for kidnap of a minor.

On Tuesday, the victim was reported
missing by her brother at 2.30am.

Video surveillance footage showed that the
girl had left the house and met a man who
took her out of the area. – Bernama

Third wave of floods
‘likely’ to hit Kelantan

KOTA BARU: Kelantan police will monitor
the flood situation in Thailand to prepare for
the third wave of floods which was predicted
to hit the state soon.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Muhamad
Zaki Harun said they also obtained
flood updates from the relevant
agencies, especially in areas near the
Malaysia-Thailand border.

“We have received information and
forecasts on the third wave happening early
next month. As such, we will monitor the
flood situation in Thailand because the
recent floods have also affected Hatyai and
Sungai Golok town.

“The water level at Sungai Golok has a
bearing on floods in the state and we are
prepared in terms of personnel and assets to
deal with any eventuality,” he told reporters
here yesterday.

Muhamad Zaki said four police stations
and eight General Operations Force beat
bases were inundated following floods which
have hit the state since Dec 18. – Bernama

6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022 FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS ME
/thesuntelegram

China Covid pivot sparks quarantines that has stalled its
jitters worldwide economy and triggered large-scale
nationwide protests.
oJapan and India introduce PCR testing emergency wards in Tianjin, 140km ongoing Covid-19 surges in China
on arrival for Chinese visitors southwest of Beijing yesterday. and the lack of transparent data, “Currently, the development of
including viral genomic sequence China’s epidemic situation is overall
BEIJING: China’s sudden pivot away of the world’s harshest border Medical staff are “pretty much data, being reported from the PRC,” predictable and under control,”
from containing Covid-19 has restrictions. all” expected to continue working the US officials said, referring to the Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang
caused jitters around the world, with despite testing positive for the virus, People’s Republic of China. Wenbin said yesterday.
the United States saying it may The move was greeted with one doctor said.
restrict travel from the country jubilation by Chinese citizens, who The United States is “considering “Hyping, smearing and political
following its decision to end rushed to book international flights, Other countries have expressed taking similar steps” to countries manipulation with ulterior motives
mandatory quarantine for overseas triggering a surge in ticket prices. concerns about the potential for new such as Japan and Malaysia, they can’t stand the test of facts,” he
arrivals. variants to emerge as China battles added. added, calling Western media
Hospitals and crematoriums the world’s biggest surge in reporting on China’s Covid surge
China on Monday scrapped across China continue to be infections. Taiwan, a self-ruled island that “completely biased”.
quarantine for inbound travellers overwhelmed by an influx of mostly China claims as its own, said
from Jan 8 onwards, dismantling the elderly people. US officials said on Tuesday they yesterday that it would also screen All passengers arriving in China
last remaining piece of its stringent were considering Covid entry travellers from the mainland for the have had to undergo mandatory
zero-Covid policy and ending some AFP reporters saw dozens of restrictions on travellers from China, virus. centralised quarantine since March
mostly elderly Covid patients lying after countries including Japan and 2020.
on gurneys in overflowing hospital India introduced PCR testing on China’s loosening of measures
arrival for Chinese passengers. effectively brought the curtain down The period of isolation fell from
on a zero-Covid regime of mass three weeks to one week in June, and
“There are mounting concerns in testing, lockdowns and long to five days last month.
the international community on the
The end of that rule in January
will also see Covid-19 downgraded
to a Class B infectious disease,
allowing authorities to adopt looser
controls.

Chinese immigration authorities
said on Tuesday they will resume
issuing passports for tourism
purposes from Jan 8, after years of
strict exit controls. – AFP

BRIEFS JAPAN PREMIER MULLS
SNAP ELECTION
Cars, vans
TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister and lorries
Fumio Kishida on Tuesday floated piled up
the possibility of calling a snap on one section
election before a tax increase of the Zhengxin
aimed at funding the country’s Huanghe
defence budget comes into place Bridge
“sometime after 2024”. The yesterday.
government is set to implement – AFPPIC
tax increases to cover a shortfall of
¥1 trillion (RM33 billion) in the One dead in pile-up on bridge involving 200 vehicles
defence budget, despite stiff
opposition from within the ruling BEIJING: One person was killed One car was jack-knifed in the Visibility in many areas was less Emergency rescue efforts were
coalition amid Kishida’s sagging yesterday when more than 200 middle of a pile in a picture taken than 500m yesterday and down to carried out soon after the accident
popularity. “We will be asking the vehicles were involved in a pile-up from CCTV footage. 200m at times, the meteorological occurred and the crash site was
general public to take on the (tax) on a bridge in the Chinese city of service said. being cleared up for the normal
burden for an appropriate period Zhengzhou in heavy fog, rescuers “This is too scary. Full of people resumption of traffic, it said.
of time, starting from sometime and broadcaster CCTV reported. here, I don’t think we can get off the Rescuers said more than 200
after 2024 up to 2027. We’ll make a bridge,” one person can be heard vehicles had slammed into one Road accidents are common in
decision on when it starts, and I Cars and trucks could been seen saying in one video. another, media reported. China due to a lack of strict safety
think there could be an election crumpled and piled on top of one controls.
by then,” Kishida said. – Reuters another on the Zhengxin Huanghe Many of the injured were trapped CCTV said cars travelling in both
Bridge in pictures and videos posted in their vehicles and the fire directions over the bridge, a major In September, 27 passengers died
SOUTH KOREA VOWS on social media. department sent 11 fire trucks and crossing of the Yellow River, were after a bus flipped over on a
TO RETALIATE 66 rescue personnel to help. involved in numerous crashes. motorway. – Agencies

SEOUL: South Korean President Malaysian behind Singapore stock scam jailed 36 years
Yoon Suk-yeol said yesterday that
any provocation by North Korea SINGAPORE: A Malaysian accounts to inflate the share prices of serious case” of stock market managing to push up some prices by
must be met with retaliation businessman convicted of three companies in what High Court manipulation in Singapore. around 800% in 2013.
without hesitation despite its masterminding a stock scam that judge Hoo Sheau Peng called a
nuclear weapons, his office said. wiped S$7.8 billion (RM26 billion) “scheme of substantial scale, They detailed how the accused However, prices crashed on Oct 4
Five North Korean drones crossed off Singapore’s exchange was complexity and sophistication”. planned a “complex and elaborate that year, wiping billions from the
into South Korea on Monday, sentenced yesterday to 36 years in fraud” to manipulate the share Singapore Exchange.
prompting South Korea’s military jail by a court in the city-state. “Armed with a good prices of Blumont Group, Asiasons
to scramble fighter jets and attack understanding of the securities and Capital and LionGold Corp. Singapore authorities say the
helicopters to try to shoot them John Soh Chee Wen orchestrated financial markets, and tapping on incident dented investor confidence
down, in the first such intrusion the scheme, according to court their extensive connections and Soh and Quah used the shares as and directly affected trading
since 2017. “We must punish and documents, and his accomplice, networks, they boldly exploited the collateral, convincing several banks volumes in 2014.
retaliate against any provocation Singaporean Quah Su-Ling, was system,” she said during sentencing. – including Goldman Sachs – to
by North Korea. That is the most given a 20-year jail term. extend more than S$170 million in Soh was convicted on 180 of 188
powerful means to deter “Immense harm” was caused by credit to finance their scheme. charges and Quah on 169 of 177
provocations,” Yoon said in a Both were convicted in May of the stock market crash, she said. charges.
meeting with his aides. “We must using more than 180 trading They then used this cash to create
not fear or hesitate because North Prosecutors called it the “most demand for penny stocks, reportedly They plan to file an appeal,
Korea has nuclear weapons.” – AFP according to court documents. – AFP

RAPIST FREED AFTER
DEAL TO MARRY VICTIM

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan court
freed a rapist after he married his
victim in a settlement brokered by
a council of elders in the
northwest of the country, his
lawyer said yesterday. Dawlat
Khan, 25, was sentenced in May to
life imprisonment by a lower court
in Buner district of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province for raping
a deaf woman. He was released
from prison on Monday after the
Peshawar High Court accepted an
out-of-court settlement agreed by
the rape survivor’s family. “Both
families have patched up after an
agreement was reached with the
help of local jirga (traditional
council),” said Dawlat’s lawyer
Amjad Ali. Dawlat was arrested
after his victim delivered a baby
earlier this year. – AFP

7theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

UN council urges Taliban to reverse restrictions on women

NEW YORK: The UN Security suspended university education for human rights and fundamental Council’s message, calling the latest only increase the suffering of all
Council on Tuesday called on the women and secondary schooling for freedoms”. restrictions on women and girls Afghans but, I fear, pose a risk beyond
Taliban to reverse policies targeting girls. “unjustifiable human rights Afghanistan’s borders.”
women and girls in Afghanistan, The council also condemned the violations” that “must be revoked”.
expressing alarm at the “increasing The 15-member UN Security ban on women working for NGOs, He said the policies risked
erosion” of human rights in the Council said it was “deeply alarmed” adding to warnings of the Earlier on Tuesday, United destabilising Afghan society.
country. by the increasing restrictions on detrimental impact on aid operations Nations High Commissioner for
women’s education, calling for “the in a country where millions rely on Human Rights Volker Turk warned of Turk warned that banning women
In the latest blow to women’s full, equal and meaningful them. the “terrible” consequences such from working in NGOs would strip
rights in Afghanistan since the participation of women and girls in policies would have. families of crucial incomes as well as
Taliban reclaimed power last year, Afghanistan”. “These restrictions contradict the “significantly impair, if not destroy”
the hardliners on Saturday banned commitments made by the Taliban to “No country can develop, or organisations’ capacity to deliver
women from working in In a statement, it urged the the Afghan people as well as the indeed survive, socially and essential services, calling it all the
non-governmental organisations, Taliban “to reopen schools and expectations of the international economically with half its population more distressing with Afghanistan in
sparking international outcry. swiftly reverse these policies and community.” excluded,” he said in a statement. the grip of winter, when
practices, which represents an humanitarian needs are at their
The Taliban have already increasing erosion for the respect of UN Secretary-General Antonio “These unfathomable restrictions highest. – AFP
Guterres echoed the Security placed on women and girls will not

Power substations in Dozens of Iran
US state vandalised protesters risk death
penalty: Rights group
o Officials fear attacks are detectives identify the suspects responsible”. power infrastructure in various locations.
part of extremist campaign On the day of the attacks, the office said it “They pursued a disturbing plot, in PARIS: At least 100 Iranians arrested in more
to ‘spark race war’ than 100 days of nationwide protests face
was investigating but had made no arrests and furtherance of white supremacist ideology, to charges punishable by death, Oslo-based group
WASHINGTON: Investigators probing did not know if it was a coordinated attack. attack energy facilities in order to damage the Iran Human Rights (IHR) said on Tuesday.
vandalism at electricity substations in the economy and stoke division in our country,”
western US state of Washington on Tuesday “It could be any number of reasons at this Assistant Attorney-General Matthew Olsen Protests have gripped Iran since the Sept 16
appealed for public help in tracking down point. We have to investigate and not just said at the time. death in custody of Iranian-Kurdish Mahsa
those responsible for attacks that have fuelled jump to conclusions,” it said, adding that it Amini, 22, after her arrest in Tehran for an alleged
concerns of a right-wing extremist campaign. was aware of similar incidents in Washington, Last year, five men who allegedly belonged breach of the strict dress code for women.
Oregon and North Carolina. to white supremacist and neo-Nazi online
Local police gave no information on who discussion groups were charged in North Earlier this month, Iran executed two men in
they suspected was behind the vandalism, The vandalism follows warnings by US Carolina with planning attacks on power connection with the protests, an escalation of
which knocked out power on Christmas Day officials that neo-Nazis who said they want to infrastructure. the authorities’ crackdown that activists said is
for some 14,000 in Tacoma, a port city area spark a race war are targeting electricity meant to instill public fear.
south of Seattle. infrastructure. They planned the attack to create “general
chaos” as part of their “goal of creating a white In a report on Tuesday, IHR identified 100
Tacoma Public Utilities, which owns two of Violent extremists “have developed ethno-state“, the indictment said. detainees who face potential capital
the facilities targeted on Sunday, said in a credible, specific plans to attack electricity punishment, including at least 11 already
statement that it was alerted by federal law infrastructure since at least 2020, identifying Former chairman of the Federal Energy sentenced to death.
enforcement early this month about threats to the electric grid as a particularly attractive Regulatory Commission Jon Wellinghoff said
its grid. target given its interdependency with other on CNN early this month that the Moore Five detainees on the IHR list are women.
infrastructure sectors”, the Department of County attack resembled one on an electricity The report said many of them have limited
The Pierce County Sheriff’s office appealed Homeland Security said in an intelligence network substation near San Jose, California access to legal representation.
on Tuesday for those near damaged memo, according to US media. in 2013. “By issuing death sentences and executing
substations to look at “surveillance video at some of them, they (the authorities) want to
your home or business and let us know if In early December, 45,000 homes and In that case, which has never been solved, make people go home,” said IHR director
you find anything that could help our businesses in Moore County, North Carolina one or more people fired close to 100 rounds Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.
were left without power after someone used a at the substation, damaging 17 high-voltage “It has some effect but what we’ve observed
high-powered rifle to damage two electricity transformers at a cost of US$15 million. in general is more anger against the authorities.
substations. “Their strategy of spreading fear through
The Washington Post said after the Moore executions has failed.”
In February, three men with neo-Nazi ties County case that law enforcement was In an updated death toll issued on Tuesday,
pleaded guilty in Columbus, Ohio to plotting investigating eight incidents in four states. IHR said 476 protesters have been killed so far.
to use rifles and explosives to damage – AFP At least 14,000 people have been arrested
since the nationwide unrest began, the United
Nations said last month.
Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, was hanged in
public from a crane on Dec 12 after being
sentenced by a court in Mashhad for killing two
members of the security forces with a knife.
Four days earlier, Mohsen Shekari, also 23,
had been executed for wounding a member of
the security forces. – AFP

BRIEFS CANADIAN COP KILLED WHILE
INVESTIGATING ACCIDENT
DEEP CHILL ... A building entrance is covered in snow
following a winter storm in the US city of Buffalo. – REUTERSPIC OTTAWA: A Canadian police officer was
killed on Tuesday after being shot while
Mexican president warns against accepting cartel gifts investigating a traffic accident about 100km
south of Toronto. “It is with an extremely
MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s president on “Don’t let yourself be manipulated, even if were believed to be members of the Jalisco heavy heart that I regretfully advise that
Tuesday urged people not to be tricked by they give you food,” President Andres Manuel New Generation Cartel, one of the most Grzegorz Pierzchala was killed while
drug traffickers giving out Christmas gifts, Lopez Obrador told reporters. powerful and violent in a country plagued by courageously serving in the line of duty,“
after suspected cartel members were filmed drug-related bloodshed. commissioner Thomas Carrique said on
handing out toys in a major city. “It’s not in good faith but to use the people Twitter. Pierzchala “was investigating a
as a shield.” During the Covid-19 pandemic, food motor vehicle collision when he was shot
Authorities said they had launched an handouts by the same cartel were reported in and killed” in the town of Hagersville in
investigation after images on social media He said the gang members’ aim was to several communities in western Mexico, southern Ontario, police said in a statement.
showed alleged criminals distributing encourage residents to alert them so that, for while gift boxes bearing the image of The officer was 28 and had been on the job
presents from trucks adorned with Christmas example, “if cocaine is seized, the community notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” for a little more than a year. He died in
decorations to residents of Guadalajara. comes out and protects the traffickers”. Guzman were seen in Sinaloa state. – AFP hospital after the shooting. Two suspects
have been taken into custody. – AFP
According to local media, the gift givers
AMERICAN COURT KEEPS
BORDER POLICY IN PLACE

WASHINGTON: The US government’s
two-year-old policy of invoking Covid-19
precautions to turn away hundreds of
thousands of migrants at the Mexican border
will remain in place for now, the Supreme
Court ruled on Tuesday. The decision to
uphold the controversial rule known as “Title
42” delayed a looming political crisis for
President Joe Biden, as thousands waited at
the southern border in expectation the
policy was about to end. The high court
accepted a petition from 19 states warning of
a surge of migrants should the policy
introduced be lifted as ordered by a lower
court. The Supreme Court would hear the
case in February. – AFP

8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022
SPEAK UP

█ BY TABAN SHORESH Mental health a casualty
of war we must address
IN conflict scenarios, humanitarian
organisations assume that being away to traumatic events, loss of loved ones, or violence in the home. Unlike multilateral institutions, we can do
from physical harm provides sanctuary. leaving one’s home behind, can all create During the Covid-19 pandemic, this just that.
But the reality for most survivors is that new, or exacerbate pre-existing mental health
the ashes of war will always weigh heavy on issues. became even more acute as the loss of We deeply understand each local context
the mind. livelihoods put a strain on families. and its community.
For Nazanin, we were able to provide a
Just last week, the UN launched a record space and access to counselling to provide the Nearly 80% of people we support saw or We do not assume what people need but
US$51.5 billion (RM228 billion) humanitarian support she needed. knew someone who had experienced gender- listen and provide.
appeal for 2023. based violence.
But across the camps, we cannot meet There are barriers to accessing mental
Glaringly absent in its report was any sheer demand. But methods teaching mental health health post-conflict environments.
mention of mental health support. awareness and creative outlets such as art
We see high rates of youth suicide, and therapy, are transformative in these settings Weakened infrastructure, poor referral and
And unfortunately, this is an all too familiar physical manifestations of mental health just as much as they have been away from information systems and stigmatisation are
experience for those who are trying to provide leading to an increasing number of young war. just a few.
safe spaces during war, as it was for me people dropping out of school and sacrificing
supporting women and girls in Kurdistan’s their futures. Mental health provision is not formulaic. It But the centres we run prove that they are
internally displaced persons (IDP)camps. is a careful understanding of a person, their not impossible to overcome.
If our aim is to transform societies past and their potential.
When the dust has settled and immediate fractured by war into safe and thriving Items such as “long-lasting support” and
needs are met, many humanitarian communities, it must start with sustained Salma is a mother raising seven children in “mental health care” in the Choose Love Store
organisations leave, viewing the job as mental health support. This is true for all the Essyan camp in Kurdistan. She also suffers will enable us and others to keep the lights on
complete. family members. from severe depression. when other humanitarian organisations have
closed their doors.
But we know it is far from over. It is For the men we support, many have seen Through Lotus Flower, she accessed
sustained support that rebuilds lives. the unimaginable atrocities of war with their English language classes, training and So far, we have positively impacted over
own eyes. financial support to start her own restaurant. 44,000 community members across
Nazanin is a young woman we support as Kurdistan’s IDP camps.
part of our youth suicide prevention In time, this trauma, once locked away by For her, it wasn’t just therapy but the space
programmes. She once told me how one social stigma, can turn to anger and fear. to come together with other women and have But the world must come together and
morning she woke early, while her family were a purpose beyond her tent. recognise that mental health casualties are as
sleeping. These feelings prevent reintegration into severe as any other in war.
family life and for some, become the root of In her words, she needed an organisation
Feeling hopeless and without a future, she to “not just look at our situation, but see us”. For we know a life saved, simply isn’t a life
went outside and set herself alight “without lived. – The Independent
even thinking twice”.

She said she’ll never forget the moment she
screamed as the flames engulfed her body.

Globally, at least a third of forcibly
displaced people face mental health issues.

This staggering figure should come as no
surprise. Prolonged food insecurity, exposure

LETTERS [email protected] TVET education should also
apply to existing workers
Indian restaurants and their food timing
THE Association for Welfare Community and Hussain said.
WHEN I first drove to Kelantan, I was pleased to see time too, due to health reasons. Dialogue (Acid) welcomes Malaysian Employers While Acid welcomes this statement, it is
an Indian restaurant and stopped by to have my If profit is the keyword, I think Indian restaurants Federation president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed
favourite teh tarik and roti canai. Husman’s statement urging the government to obvious that MEF has only highlighted a part of
should follow international food chains like remove the red tape on tax incentives to TVET’s educational development while
It was about 2:20pm, my children who were in Saravana Bhava or Anjappar as they serve any dish encourage internships forTechnical andVocational ignoring its wholeness or holistic development
primary and kindergarten were even more hungry at any time. Education and Training (TVET) students. that should involve existing workers.
than me.
We must move up the food supply and service According to him, this would encourage If only 29% of workers are skilled today, MEF
We entered the restaurant and I ordered my ladder to ensure we don’t lose any customers. more micro and smaller and medium-sized should shoulder equal responsibility with the
favourite drink. My children also jumped in to enterprises (MSMEs) to provide internships to government on why it has failed to upskill and
order their drinks. Indian food is a much-preferred food by every students requiring industrial training. reskill its workers over the years.
Malaysian.
When we asked for roti canai, we were told, Doing away with the prevailing bureaucratic Has MEF done honest research on why we
“sorry we only make roti canai at 3pm”. Why not cash in on this opportunity rather than red tape for employers would avail employers have more low-skill workers compared with
merely restricting to serving only rice? to the tax incentives for providing internships. developing nations?
I was totally shocked by this practice and what
was more shocking even to date, Indian I would like to seek the support of the This would encourage more MSMEs to It is also vital that suggested industry input
restaurants in Klang Valley still practise this unusual Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association provide internships to students requiring on the curriculum for TVET education should
habit of saying they will not serve thosai, roti-canai, to advise their members to provide any food at any industrial training. also cater to existing workers who work in
idli or rava thosai between 11am and 3pm. Why is time since this creates a better market and will also factories, hotels and service lines so that TVET
this so? be the focal point of good food. He also noted that presently, skilled workers education is democratised, where every
in the country still remain at a low of 29%, Malaysian worker has the opportunity and
Do we have any consensus or survey done on While I understand the shortage of workers compared with the ideal level of above 50% incentives to enjoy equal TVET education.
this matter or is it the prerogative of the restaurant issue, I think the new government should help in achieved by most developed nations.
to decide when they sell what? bringing more foreign workers to work in our Therefore, MEF should also incorporate its
restaurants as I do sympathise with the current “As the country is moving towards existing workforce in the development of TVET
I think consumers have the right to choose condition at most of the Indian restaurants. mechanisation, automation and digitalisation, education.
between eating rice or any other light food during the country needs stronger technical labour to
this period between 11am and 3pm. It is my sincere hope that such rules will be execute the growth and development plans. Ronald Benjamin
revoked allowing greater choice and freedom for Secretary
Why must we be told what to eat? We can customers. “The diplomas and degrees conferred to
always go to the next shop, but we have dietary TVET graduates should be fully recognised by Association for Welfare Community and
constraints to look out for. Ravindran Raman Kutty the government and industries,” Syed Dialogue
Kuala Lumpur
Many of my friends love chapati as a meal at this

P8: NEW COLUMN: Green Inspiration LOGO w

9HEADLINE:
theSUN ON
THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022

SPEAK UP

RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES THE OBJECTIVES

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

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

Make empathetic living a lifestyle

NOT long ago we could still empathy a pervasive integral part of the people of Kelantan and do what they do and understanding their superiors.
remember how our their lifestyles. Terengganu would not have been the cultural differences but Such mutual exchange will foster
neighbours, Putting ourselves in the sufficient. appreciating the values behind each
regardless of race TEH TARIK other person’s shoes is of the varied practices. a better working environment that
and religion, would step The presence of government can promote better teamwork.
usually how empathy leaders would have provided a This can lay the foundation for a
up to help look after the can be experienced. healing balm and some relief. better country that will insulate It is the same at school, where
children next door if However, this itself from possible extremism and children should express their
their parents had implies a need to The poor hawkers who get up in fanaticism. appreciation for their teachers and
errands. sufficiently grow the wee hours of the morning, feel the challenges that their
It is a great memory enough confidence to sweat and struggle to make their Public speaking competitions on teachers have to put up with.
how dishes were BY DR ND step out of our comfort food items, and stand the whole day topics such as “The joy of living with
GOVI zone from the get-go. just to make a meagre sale only to other races”, “The advantages of Likewise, teachers also can
exchanged during festivals SURESH One of the first things sadly part a good part of their living in a multi-cultural society” express their sentiments to
and the amazing seamless earnings to the middleman who and “Celebrating diversities” can be children.
comradeship that existed between our 10th Prime Minister Datuk Seri arranged the space assigned for good subjects for the young to
everyone. Anwar Ibrahim did was to call for an them to sell. explore and research. Even in politics, race-based
The glue of care and concern emergency meeting on the first parties should speak in their forums
people had created the concept of a Sunday after his official It is empathy again when the If a person from one particular on how they can help other races.
caring society then. appointment with all key officials to prime minister asked to remove the race can boldly highlight the
The sharp eyes of the elders were discuss how the cost of services of the middleman in order contribution made by other races The problem facing one race
like CCTV cameras back then, that commodities could be made to increase the sales profit for them. toward nation-building then this should be equally shouldered by
would painstakingly watch children affordable. will be a stepping stone to infusing others as well.
grow up in the neighbourhood and The painful challenge of meeting These are exemplary leadership empathy and strengthening a
out of respect and love, youngsters rising costs does burden the B40 traits shown by the unity consciousness for unity. It might be considered idealistic
would ensure that their moral communities and it is his sheer government that we have inherited but when a natural disaster
standing did not get compromised empathy that provoked the focus to now and we should continue Pockets of activities of this nature happens, everybody extends help
in any way. be directed at this. practising empathy on the basis of in schools, universities and even regardless of race and religion.
However, technology-driven In fact, the committee assigned fostering goodwill among people community centres can create tiny
social media shrunk the world to to look into this would have gained a from all political divides. ripples which could eventually grow Maybe that is why it is called a
the point that everyone is aware of better emotional understanding of into a tidal wave of love for all that natural disaster as it brings us back
everything. the proposal if they had visited the The two-thirds majority in can sweep the nation. to our own nature.
The paradox is that it has also randomly selected homes of Parliament supporting the prime
pushed people further into isolated members of the B40 communities of minister provides clear evidence The hardship caused by poverty There is a need to get into other
cocoons resulting in a all races and heard first-hand the that the runaway has been clear for traps is painful and as Anwar states people’s shoes. Feel their
communication breakdown. dilemma they are facing. the long overdue flight to take off. his focus is not on building mega discomfort, fuel your passion to
This has led to families and Daniel Goleman’s Emotional buildings but to take care of the serve and fulfil their needs.
societies experiencing an increase Intelligence would have had a better Dr Robbin Banerjee, Head of welfare of the people.
in fragmentation and separation. opportunity to kick in so that the Psychology at the University of These are the 3Fs that can
This disconnectivity has been proposal being worked on would Sussex states that if you are An empathy-driven government empower empathy.
attributed as the leading cause of have had a firmer ground to be interested in how you can foster can bridge the expectations of people
the drop in levels of empathy. based upon as opposed to gathering children’s well-being and resilience, and this will surely bring the desired If this empathetic culture can be
A study by the University of scattered information from third there is good evidence that empathy connectivity with all Malaysians. re-emphasised, we will strengthen
Michigan found that college parties. should be a key priority. the concept of the previously lived
students today are showing 40% less It is this empathetic connection The government should make “caring society”.
empathy than in previous decades. that could have propelled Anwar to Perhaps the Youth and Sports NEW a pervasive celebration of
In Malaysia, as in other parts of visit the opposition-led flood- Ministry in collaboration with the experiencing diversities. Our empathetic living style
the world, there is an increase in the stricken states and extend financial National Unity Ministry and should become so synonymous that
number of incidences of people assistance. Education Ministry should organise Corporate offices should have someone, somewhere in the world
experiencing loneliness. The homes devasted by the rising a National Empathy Week (NEW) to bosses who vocalise appreciation might say “as empathic as a
Hence, there has never been a waters drenched hope and security, create a NEW breed of emphatic for staff and recognise contributions Malaysian”.
greater need for people to make and whatever help was extended to Malaysians. however small.
Prof Dr Suresh Govind FASc is an
Empathy should start from It is also an opportunity for staff honorary professor at the University
school with simple activities such as to express their gratitude for having of Malaya, chairman of the board of
how to care for your friends, been given the opportunity to work
learning how friends celebrate their in such an environment. trustees for Yayasan Perpaduaan
festivals, appreciating why people Malaysia, director of the Sathya Sai
They can also convey their true
feelings of gratitude to Academy for Human Values and
coordinator for Friendship Group for

Inter-religious Service. Comments:
[email protected]

COMMENT byMarkChong

Understanding, preventing risks of osteoporosis in women

MENOPAUSE is the natural osteoporosis can progress faster. realise they have the disease until a later on. 0 Exercise
biological process women go through Unfortunately, the disease fracture happens. Fortunately, some at-home Exercise involving high impact and
that marks the end of their muscle strengthening should be
reproductive years in their 40s and continues to remain underdiagnosed However, there are things that practices can be incorporated into incorporated to help maintain bone
50s. and undertreated in Malaysia, women can look out for: our daily lives to help prevent density. Recommended exercises
making it harder to document its 0 Fragility-related fractures osteoporosis after menopause. include strength training,
The process is gradual and causes prevalence in our society. Even when milk impact results in a walking/jogging and jumping rope.
significant hormonal changes, fracture of the wrist, back, hip or Early introduction of these By doing this, bones will respond by
resulting in many unique symptoms According to Bone Health Alliance other bones practices does help reduce the effects creating stronger, denser cells.
such as hot flashes, mood swings, Malaysia, 77% of Malaysian women 0 Loss of height of osteoporosis later on.
sleep deprivation, moodiness and are living with undiagnosed post- Over time, more than two inches of 0 Avoid unhealthy habits
irritability. menopausal osteoporosis. height is lost. Here are a few tips to reduce the Chronic, heavy alcohol use is associated
0 Receding gums risk of osteoporosis: with an increased risk of osteoporosis,
Menopause has three stages While the cause may not always As the jaw is losing bone density, and 0 Consume proper supplements to so keep consumption moderate.
signalling the permanent end of clear, researchers have found a teeth are connected to the jawbone, boost bone health Additionally, smoking can be
menstruation. specific connection between receding gums become obvious Supplements such as Vitamin D help detrimental to our health and slows the
menopause and osteoporosis. 0 Stooped or curved spine the body absorb calcium as we production of bone-producing cells.
At the last stage, postmenopausal, Because this disease also affects the should have an intake of at least 1,000 Termed the “silent disease”,
estrogen and progesterone levels Estrogen plays a critical role in vertebrae, the spine can eventually mg per day, with a recommendation osteoporosis often goes
start to decrease. maintaining bone strength, hence it become more curved. of 1,200 mg per day for underreported, underestimated, and
is unsurprising that women reach 0 Lower back pain postmenopausal women. Similar to remains undertreated.
The lack of estrogen is directly peak bone mass at around 25 to 30 Due to a weakened spine, the back is calcium, proper intake of vitamin D Timely screening and early
shown to have an impact on bone years old, when the skeleton stops affected as it cannot handle normal can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. detection of osteoporosis can
density, leading to osteoporosis, a growing and bones are at their stress the way it could before the Milk, salmon, orange juice, yoghurt significantly reduce the risk of the
condition where bones become weak strongest and thickest. disease. and cereal are dietary sources of orthopaedic condition and facilitate
and brittle over time, making them vitamin D. treatment before it becomes severe.
more prone to breaks or fractures. Therefore, when menopause Treating osteoporosis with 0 Consuming a healthy diet
occurs on average at the age of 50, continuous bone care and regular The optimal diet for bone health Dr Mark Chong is a consultant
It is important to note that in the estrogen levels drop, resulting in treatments is important to prevent involves getting plenty of protein and trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at
first five to seven years of menopause, increased bone loss. serious, damaging consequences vitamin K. Vitamin K which is
women are at greater risk of losing present in leafy greens helps increase ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital.
20% of bone density, making them If the peak bone mass before bone density and reduce hip Comments:
susceptible to osteoporosis. menopause is less than ideal, any fractures.
bone loss that occurs around [email protected]
It is also important to note that menopause may result in
decreased estrogen levels are not the osteoporosis.
main cause of osteoporosis, if
combined with other factors, Since there are no obvious
symptoms, many people do not

10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022

OCBC Malaysia offers special Do research and hire a
rates for ‘green home’ loans lawyer, homebuyers told

KUALA LUMPUR: To encourage bank’s overall plan to build awareness oAvoid getting scammed – if something agents cannot be held responsible
ownership of “green” homes about sustainability among is too good to be true, it is never true because they are not registered, so
among Malaysian consumers, consumers whilst providing them there is no black and white.
OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd is with the avenues to exercise its █ BY HAYATUN RAZAK because it is a scale fee for the
offering special financing rates and commitment to environmental, [email protected] services,” he stressed. “So get to know your agents and
speedier approvals through its social and governance-related PETALING JAYA: Homebuyers lawyers, go to their offices, and avoid
Green Home Financing scheme. practices. should do their own research as well Prospective purchasers can check using the same lawyer because a lot
as hire a lawyer when buying online and refer to the Bar Council for of times agents want to use only one
The special rates, lower than the “We are seeking to underline the property to avoid getting implicated legal services as well as pro bono lawyer. This is where conflict of
bank’s standard home loans, and value of sustainable practices and in scams, advised Tia & Noordin lawyers for those who cannot afford interest comes in,” Tia said.
speedier approvals of within 48 hours spur consumers on along the journey. Advocates and Solicitors partner to pay for services.
are for those who opt to purchase a People do well when they do good; so, Chris Tia (pic). First-time homebuyers should
residential property that is either we are seeking to reward the posture As for property agent services, Tia know and understand the costs
certified as a “green” building or is (or while encouraging it. This is He said prospective purchasers said homebuyers should only deal involved in buying property,
will be) installed with solar panels. embodied in our special rates and need to do research to at least have with authorised legal agents. including stamp duty, registration
The green buildings may be speedier approvals. We hope the general knowledge and not be afraid fees, legal fees and loan document
completed or under construction. potential homeowners out there will to ask their lawyers for advice and Homebuyers can check on real fees. The fees homebuyers need to
take full advantage of this scheme. guidance to understand the process estate negotiators or real estate fork out upfront can amount to quite
A “green” building is one that has when buying property. agents with the Malaysian Institute of a lot.
been certified to be such by “According to the Real Estate and Estate Agents.
accreditation bodies Green Building Housing Developers’ Association “They must go to reputable sites “In the last Budget, there was
Index (GBI), GreenRE, Leadership in Malaysia (Rehda) 2021/2022 Annual and agencies to get valid information Tia said that during his years of some incentive given for first-time
Energy & Environmental Design Report, there are 188 projects certified when buying a property, especially providing service in the industry, he homebuyers, mainly for property
(LEED) or BCA Green Mark. Those are under GreenRE, which is one of the first timers,” Tia told SunBiz in an has handled many types of fraud valued RM500,000 and below, where
applying for the financing scheme the Green Accreditation agencies in interview. tactics. there is a waiver of stamp duty.
based on solar panel installation need Malaysia. So, there is sufficient supply Homebuyers should find out
only submit a copy of their latest to get things going as others come on He said lawyers who are registered He reminds prospective buyers – if government incentives given during
Tenaga Nasional Bhd bill indicating board as well,” she said. with the Bar Council are able to something is too good to be true, it is the period they are looking to make a
the installation has taken place as advise, guide and act as their legal never true. purchase,” said Tia.
part of the application process. In line with its strategic plan to adviser when buying property.
build on its sustainability-themed “An increasingly common fraud He added that first-time
OCBC Bank had last year offerings, Leh added that the bank is Homebuyers who purchase tactic involves subsale or second- homebuyers are normally confused
introduced its residential solar panel continuing to promote solar panel property legally are also protected by hand houses, in which scammers when it comes to stratified properties
financing plan for individuals as part financing plan which was rolled out insurers. work in a team to fool homebuyers. or properties in a multi-storey
of its thrust to make sustainable last year building, meaning that the land
practices even more accessible to “That means if anything goes “The team will show the belongs to the owners of the property
homeowners in the country. Residential homeowners may wrong, you can claim the insurance purchaser a unit renovated, like a or the developers.
apply for either the bank’s solar panel or sue the lawyer to get hotel, selling at a good price. But the
According to OCBC Bank financing plan, 0% Instalment compensation,” he explained. purchaser will end up with a “For these properties, there is always
managing director & head of Payment Plan of up to 48-month different, empty unit,” Tia said. one very huge cost that they miss up ...
consumer financial services Anne tenure, or Easy Payment Plan which Depending on the complexity of
Leh Geok Meng, the introduction of paves the way for quicker access to the the matter, Malaysian lawyers do not In addition, there is an the perfection of title costs.
Green Home Financing is part of the benefits that accrue from the move. charge for general advice and legal increasing trend of illegal Two or three years
fees for the purchase of a house are agents now providing what down the road, they
Industrial properties likely to extend calculated based on the percentage they call “one-stop service”. still have to pay
strong sales momentum: Maybank IB of the transaction price of the stamp duty and
property, which can be anywhere “They falsify some of the legal fees and if
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s the investment bank said developers from 0.5% to 1%, depending on the documents, and these have they have
industrial properties sector is have turned cautious and intend to value of the property. very bad repercussions financing, they still
expected to extend its strong sales slow down their property launches because once you submit the have to pay for
momentum into 2023 after gaining next year to avoid higher construction “In Singapore and Australia, they false documents to the bank, financing. This is a
traction in 2022, especially after the costs and potential delays in delivery. charge hourly but not in Malaysia. In these banks will find out and common aspect
reopening of international borders Malaysia, lawyers’ services are not blacklist the purchasers, report first-time home-
in April 2022, says Maybank “Also, developers are cautious on expensive, and we are quite friendly. to Bank Negara as well as the buyers are not aware
Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB). property demand as higher interest And 1% is not a lot,” said Tia. police. It is really bad, and all this of,” Tia said.
rates would hit buyers’ affordability,” happens without the
“We expect the strong sales it said. “Unlike litigation lawyers, you do purchasers’ know-
momentum to extend into 2023 with not have to worry about the fee ledge,” he said.
rising investment diversion from Overall, the investment bank has
China on persisting United States- maintained its “neutral” call on the The worst
China trade war,” it said in a note. property sector next year, as external part is that
factors are likely to linger into 2023 these
Although industrial parks and continue to weigh on property
continue to be favoured by investors, stocks. – Bernama

Kitacon launches IPO prospectus, set to raise RM51.7m

Ganesh (fourth from left) and Tan (fifth from left) with other directors and senior management of KUALA LUMPUR: Construction services residential, commercial, industrial, purpose-built
Kitacon and RHB Bank at the prospectus launch. provider Kumpulan Kitacon unveiled its initial and institutional buildings, and today, we
public offering (IPO) prospectus here yesterday. specialise in township construction and pride
This is in conjunction with its proposed listing on ourselves on the quality of our construction works
the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities , which is supported by the awards and
which is set for Jan 17, 2023. recognitions from the Construction Industry
Development Board of Malaysia for QLASSIC and
The IPO involves an offer for sale of 62,500,000 SHASSIC. We are grateful to our team, customers
existing ordinary shares, and will raise about and business partners for their support.
RM51.7 million through a public issue of
76,088,500 new ordinary shares at an issue price “Looking ahead, our goal is to broaden our
of 68 sen per share. reach and expertise in township construction as we
aim to secure more contracts from new clients
Kitacon has earmarked 46.4% of the IPO while continuing to foster our business
proceeds for the purchase of construction relationships with existing clients. Additionally, we
equipment, which includes aluminium formwork will continuously explore and adopt progressive
systems, scaffoldings and cabins. Meanwhile, construction techniques such as the use of
38.7% has been budgeted for the purchase of land aluminium framework system to improve our
and construction of a storage and refurbishment productivity and deliver projects within the
facility while 6.3% has been set aside for working stipulated time, cost and highest quality standards.”
capital expenditure. The remaining proceeds will
be utilised for the listing expenses. RHB Investment Bank Bhd managing
director/CEO Ganesh Sabaratnam said, “We are
Based on the enlarged issued share capital of delighted to close off 2022 with the launch of
500 million shares and issue price of 68 sen per Kitacon’s IPO prospectus. RHB is honoured to
share, Kitacon will have a market capitalisation of play a key role in Kitacon’s listing. We believe
RM340 million. The company intends to declare Kitacon will continue to scale greater heights and
a yearly dividend, equivalent to at least 25% of its create value for all its stakeholders.”
profit after tax attributable to its shareholders.
The public issue portion of the IPO is available
Kitacon managing director Tan Ah Kee said, and applications will close on Jan 9 2023.
“We started more than 30 years ago with various
small-scale construction and subcontracting RHB Investment Bank is the principal adviser,
works. We have since successfully completed a sole underwriter and sole placement agent for
wide range of construction projects including this IPO exercise.

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. THURSDAY
DECEMBER 29, 2022
197201001092 (12738-U)
Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688
A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad Fax: 03-7785 2624/5

A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad Email: [email protected]
Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888
28/12/2022 Fax: 03-7784 4424

Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected]

% RM m RM m RM m

51.0 Institutions 853.4 1002.4 -149.0

29.7 Retail 565.0 515.2 49.8

19.3 Foreign 400.4 301.2 99.2 8.17 155.33 52.34 21.30
SCI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
100.0 1818.8 1818.8 0 5.42 0.59 305.85 3,087.40 107.37 14,173.10 2,280.45
KLCI STI HANG SENG NIKKEI 7,086.40
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com 1,480.11 3,266.97 26,340.50
Source: Bursa Malaysia 19,898.91

KL MARKET SUMMARY BCorp unit buys land for project in Yokohama
DECEMBER 28, 2022

INDICES 10,618.90 CHANGE +8.02 KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Corporation “Based on the preliminary studies by the
FBMEMAS Bhd’s (BCorp) wholly owned subsidiary management of BY-TMK on the land, the
FBMKLCI 1,480.11 +5.42 Berjaya Yokohama Hospitality Asset TMK company may develop a Four Seasons
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 582.38 -1.62 (BY-TMK) has entered into a sale and Yokohama Harbour Edge project
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 180.90 +0.63 purchase agreement with the City of comprising a luxury hotel and upscale It added that the project would be
CONSTRUCTION 152.20 -1.14 Yokohama to acquire six parcels of freehold residences, aquarium and retail outlets with developed over four years and is expected to
FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,369.04 +14.67 land for ¥12.657 billion (RM408.82 million). an estimated gross development cost be funded via bank borrowings and/or
ENERGY 783.61 -4.34 (including the land acquisition cost) of internal funds.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 587.39 +4.06 In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, about ¥101.54 billion (RM3.28 billion),” it
HEALTH CARE 1,739.99 -36.48 BCorp said the 2.1-hectare land was the last added. BCorp said the proposed acquisition
TRANSPORTATION 847.50 -3.16 waterfront undeveloped area in Yokohama and development would contribute
PROPERTY 644.74 -0.02 City situated in the vicinity of key city BCorp said the estimated gross positively to the future earnings of the
PLANTATION 7,000.22 +11.79 landmarks of Yokohama such as Yokohama development value of ¥138.17 billion group. – Bernama
FBMSHA Landmark Tower and Yokohama Museum (RM4.46 billion) was to be recognised over
FBMACE 10,850.38 +5.96 of Art. the duration of the project.
TECHNOLOGY
5,287.70 -65.95 Malaysia’s November
63.41 -0.71

TURNOVER VALUE
2.648 BIL RM1.818 BIL

5 MOST ACTIVES trade rises to RM238.2b
DECEMBER 28, 2022

STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) o Penang remains the top
TOPGLOV 103,903,900 89.5 -3.0 exporting state with 31.8%
HSI-CJ5 71,143,500 17.0 +1.0 share of total shipments
CYPARK 65,552,600 42.5 -1.5
HSI-HE8 55,638,200 12.5 -4.5
GOB 54,078,700 26.0 -0.5

5 TOP GAINERS
DECEMBER 28, 2022

STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s total trade for
F&N 67,900 21.72 +0.32 November 2022 amounted to RM238.2
PETGAS 716,800 17.12 +0.32 billion, an increase of 15.6% year-on-year
ALLIANZ 9,900 14.20 +0.28 (y-o-y), with exports worth RM130.2 billion
QUALITY 14,300 1.32 +0.27 and imports worth RM107.9 billion.
BKAWAN 2,900 21.90 +0.26
In a statement yesterday, Chief
5 TOP LOSERS Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir
DECEMBER 28, 2022 Mahidin said exports in November 2022
increased RM17.6 billion or 15.6%
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM compared with the same month of the
NESTLE 17,900 138.10 -0.90 previous year.
MPI 42,300 28.92 -0.74
HEXTECH 51,700 16.12 -0.58 Higher exports were recorded in most
HSI-HKA 1,000 -0.27 states – Penang (+RM10.8 billion), Sarawak
TOYOVEN 4,586,900 1.19 -0.23 (+RM3.2 billion), Johor (+RM1.9 billion),
0.96 Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (+RM1.6
billion), Selangor (+RM629.2 million),
EXCHANGE RATES DECEMBER 28, 2022 Terengganu (+RM315.6 million), Malacca View of the North Butterworth Container Terminal. Penang was the second largest importing
(+RM152.0 million), Kelantan (+RM119.3 state in November. – PENANG PORT WEBSITE PIC
million), Negri Sembilan (+RM77.4 million)
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy and Perlis (+RM30.6 million). billion), Selangor (+RM4.0 billion), Johor million) and FT Labuan (-RM16.5 million).
(+RM3.4 billion), Malacca (+RM1.6 billion), “Among the top five major exporting
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD However, exports decreased in Sabah FT Kuala Lumpur (+RM640.7 million),
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.4985 4.3645 4.3545 (-RM565.0 million), Pahang (-RM379.7 Sarawak (+RM447.8 million), Terengganu states, Penang remained the top exporter
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.0500 2.9290 2.9130 million), Perak (-RM180.2 million), FT Labuan (+RM162.1 million), Perak (+RM148.6 with a share of 31.8%, followed by Johor
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.3330 3.2340 3.2260 (-RM38.8 million) and Kedah (-RM13.8 million), Perlis (+RM53.1 million) and 19.0%, Selangor 17.7%, Sarawak 9% and FT
1 EURO 3.3170 3.2260 3.2140 million). Kelantan (+RM33.1 million).” Kuala Lumpur 5.4%. As for imports,
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 4.7830 4.6280 4.6080 Selangor was the largest contributor with a
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.8240 2.7200 2.7040 On imports by state, Mohd Uzir said, However, imports fell in Kedah (-RM368.5 share of 26.5%, followed by Penang 24.3%,
1 STERLING POUND 3.3330 3.2340 3.2260 “Imports increased RM14.5 billion (+15.6%) million), Negri Sembilan (-RM211.5 million), Johor 20.7%, Kuala Lumpur 7.1% and Kedah
1 SWISS FRANC 5.4050 5.2330 5.2130 in November 2022 compared with the same Pahang (-RM89.2 million), Sabah (-RM25.3 5.8%,” said Mohd Uzir.
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.8260 4.7140 4.6990 month of the previous year. The increase in
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 123.8100 117.3400 117.1400 imports was due to the higher imports in
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 4.4490 4.1230 3.9230 most states such as Penang (+RM4.6
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 64.6000 62.2000
100 INDIAN RUPEE 58.2400 55.3100 N/A More EV offerings, new models on the way: RHB IB
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.5200 5.1800 55.1100
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0297 0.0269 4.9800 KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Investment Bank continues to abate, especially after the the SST-inclusive prices.
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.3660 3.2580 0.0219 Bhd (RHB IB) is expecting more electric easing of Covid-19 restrictions in China. “We see this as an encouraging sign and
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 15.7000 3.2480 vehicle (EV) offerings and new faces such as
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.0200 N/A Ora Good Cat by Great Wall Motors to be “Domestically, most players are able to expect new model launches and facelifts in
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.1700 1.8900 N/A seen on Malaysian roads in 2023. secure the semiconductors and 2023 to continue fuelling new orders.
100 SAUDI RIYAL 124.2000 7.6900 1.6900 components needed.
100THAI BAHT 120.8800 117.9100 7.4900 It said BMW is slated to offer the all- “However, we continue to anticipate
13.5600 114.7600 117.7100 electric i7 and i5 EVs and XM plug-in “As a case in point, the national marques slower economic growth and possible
12.0200 114.5600 hybrid, and Bermaz Auto Bhd will be have been producing at almost full capacity excise duty reforms as potential dampeners
11.6200 launching the new Peugeot e-2008 and Kia in recent months and will likely continue to auto demand,“ it said.
PBV1 EVs next year, while Perodua will doing so in the coming months as they rush
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama unveil its first hybrid EV in 2024 and Proton to fulfil the sales and service tax (SST)- For 2023, it expects the total industry
is expected to launch its first EV in 2027, it exempt orders before end-March 2023,“ it volume (TIV) to soften to 600,000 units from
said in a note yesterday. said. 700,000 units projected for 2022, premised
on slower economic growth next year and
On supply chain constraints, the RHB IB said after the SST exemption the absence of an SST exemption.
investment bank said the issue is no longer period ended on June 30, 2022, automotive
a concern as globally, the auto chip shortage orders have been gradually recovering As such, RHB IB has maintained its
month-on-month as consumers adapt to ‘neutral’ call on the automotive sector. –
Bernama

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Carlsberg Malaysia ends
year on high note with
ESG-related recognitions

SHAH ALAM: Carlsberg Malaysia’s Beyond,’ as we sail towards 2023.” Carlsberg Malaysia corporate affairs & sustainability director Pearl Lai receiving the recognition for Partnership for the Goals
efforts were acknowledged in various The brewer received the coveted from Tunku Alizakri Alias (left), witnessed by UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei executive director Faroze Nadar.
environmental, social and governance
(ESG)-related awards held recently, HR Asia ‘Best Companies to Work for On the corporate governance corporate governance experts across Partnership for the Goals and Pioneer
wrapping up the year on a high note in Asia 2022’ award, a recognition front, Carlsberg Malaysia bagged the the region to assess the corporate Sustainable Development Action – at
as probably the most memorable year programme for organisations that Asean Asset Class Award – Malaysia in governance disclosures and best the UNGCMYB Sustainability
for the brewer as it celebrates its 175th have been identified by their the 2021 Asean Corporate practices of PLC in the six participating Performance Awards. Under the
anniversary globally. employees as one of Asia’s employers Governance Scorecard (ACGS). The Asean member countries – Indonesia, ‘Partnership for the Goals’ category,
of choice and ascertains the best ACGS is an assessment based on Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Carlsberg Malaysia was recognised
It is double celebration for Carlsberg employerstoworkfor,viaanindependent publicly available information and Thailand and Vietnam. for its strong collaborations and
Malaysia in 2022 as the year is also the employee engagement survey. benchmarked against international partnerships with e-hailing providers
50th anniversary of the first Carlsberg best practices on corporate In early December, UN Global such as Grab, Riding Pink and AirAsia
Danish Pilsner manufactured locally in The award covers 14 markets governance. This is supported by a Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei ride, as well as chauffeur-on-call
the Shah Alam brewery – the first across the region and recognises rigorous methodology developed by (UNGCMYB) presented the brewer service providers Lailah.
brewery built outside of Copenhagen, companies with the best HR practices with recognitions for two categories –
Denmark. which demonstrate high levels of
employee engagement and excellent
Carlsberg Malaysia managing workplace cultures.
director Stefano Clini said, “Carlsberg
Malaysia is truly humbled by these A whopping 23,000 Malaysian
recognitions as we strive to live by undergraduates from more than 100
their purpose of ‘Brewing for a Better private and public universities
Today and Tomorrow’. These nationwide voted Carlsberg Malaysia
achievements are not ours alone, as the Most Preferred Graduate
rather it is a cumulation of tireless Employers to Work for in 2022 –
efforts of our employees, consumers, Liquor category in the Graduates’
customers, industry peers and other Choice Award – Malaysia’s most
stakeholders who have supported us authoritative graduate employer
throughout this journey of continuous branding award. This is the brewer’s
improvement. fourth consecutive win since year
2020.
“Rest assured that this will serve as
an impetus for us to reaffirm our Employers are given recognition
commitment to the collective action for their dedication and efforts in
needed to achieve our ESG ambition enhancing their employer branding
of ‘Together towards Zero and in public and private universities
across the nation.

FedEx will continue Kenanga ‘neutral’
to monitor demand on aviation sector,
in Asia Pacific sees 9.6 million
including Malaysia, tourists in 2023
where it will provide
the right solutions to KUALA LUMPUR: Kenanga Research is
help SME tap new projecting tourist arrivals in the country to
markets and benefit jump four-fold to 9.6 million in 2023 from an
from greater import estimated 2.5 million a year ago on the back of
and export the reopening of international borders.
opportunities.
It said the increase would be driven by the
FedEx pledges to support return of both business and leisure air travel
M’sian businesses via RCEP globally, the revocation of all on-arrival
portfolio of solutions. quarantine and testing requirements in
o Regional agreement plays critical role in expanding trade, Citing an example, he added that Malaysia and the eventual gradual reopening
helping companies build supply chains and delivering of China which historically accounts for an
products and services to global customers, says logistics giant customers enjoy smooth customs clearance estimated 12% of the total tourist arrivals in
process through the use of online automation Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR: FedEx Express (FedEx), a business by taking advantage of this tools to ensure their shipments are delivered
subsidiary of FedEx Corp and one of the economic agreement. on time. These factors would support growth in the
world’s largest express transportation passenger throughput of Malaysia Airports
companies, is ready to support Malaysian FedEx Express Malaysia managing director FedEx Global Trade Manager provides Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and the passenger
businesses in tapping potential growth SC Chong said, “FedEx has been a long-time customers a one-stop resource for demand of Capital A Bhd (Capital A), it said.
opportunities from the Regional Comp- advocate for free global trade. We are international shipping information that helps
rehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The delighted to see Malaysia become a member companies enter new markets. FedEx “We project MAHB’s system-wide
RCEP is the world’s largest free trade state of the RCEP.” Electronic Trade Documents helps passenger throughput to rise 29% and 15% to
agreement covering 15 countries. Malaysia companies automate and streamline their 101 million and 116 million in 2023 and 2024,
became the 12th signatory country in March He added, “For local businesses looking customs clearance processes. respectively, but it is still a long way from
2022 to implement the pact. to leverage RCEP to fuel their future growth, matching the pre-pandemic level of 141
it is vital to find a reliable logistics partner The conference was organized by FedEx million recorded in 2019.
FedEx, at the RCEP conference held on who can provide the right solutions to meet in collaboration with think tank Institute for
Dec 15, highlighted the key opportunities the diverse needs for themselves and their Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas). “Similarly, we project Capital A’s system-
offered by this trade agreement that local customers. Since Asia Pacific has a 30% Other industry leaders invited as keynote wide revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) to
economies and businesses can tap, as it share of the global air cargo market (IATA speakers included representatives from the grow by 52% to 35 billion in 2023, but this still
plays a critical role in expanding trade, news release Nov 7), FedEx will continue to Ministry of International Trade and Industry, falls short of the pre-pandemic RPK level of 63
helping businesses build nimble supply monitor demand in the region including Ideas, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies billion in 2019,“ Kenanga Research said in its
chains and delivering local products and Malaysia, optimize our global network, and Yusof Ishak Institute and Deloitte’s Global Sector Update note yesterday, where it
services to global customers around the provide the right solutions to help SME tap Trade Advisory, Climate Change and reiterated its ‘neutral’ call on the aviation
world. new markets and benefit from greater Sustainability. sector.
import and export opportunities.”
FedEx shared how the company can RCEP is the world’s largest free trade Meanwhile, it noted that MAHB’s much-
support local companies globalize their He said that FedEx supports all types of agreement, covering nearly one-third of the needed tariff hike does not appear to be
businesses including SME through their world’s gross domestic product and close to forthcoming, while a regularisation plan is
one-third of the world’s population. RCEP underway to lift Capital A out of its Practice
endeavours to create opportunities for trade Note 17 status.
and investment by strengthening economic
linkages. “Despite the rising demand, we expect
Capital A to remain in the red over the short
term as economies of scale are still lacking in
its airline operations while its digital business
has a long gestation period.

“The group plans to divest its aviation
group to AirAsia X in exchange for shares
which will subsequently be distributed back
to its shareholders,” it said, adding that the
details of the regularisation plan are expected
to be announced by end-January or early
February 2023, with completion by July 2023.
– Bernama

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KUALA LUMPUR: Working closely with NCT Group woos investors
Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, NCT to smart industrial park
Group of Companies is actively strengthening
economic and trade development between o With the Hainan government’s support, the project social and governance (ESG) values. It was
Malaysia and China. As part of the effort, NCT in Selangor is on track to attract businesses from China designed with this very objective and we have
was recently invited to present its NCT Smart seen great interest in the development. Creating
Industrial Park (NSIP) project to more than 350 From left: MCCC deputy president Ngan Teng Ye, president Loo Kok Seong, Transport Minister Anthony Loke an efficient and effective development, NSIP is
delegates that include representatives from the Siew Fook, Chinese Ambassador for Malaysia H.E. Ouyang Yujing and NCT Group founder and group designed in line with the GreenRE rating criteria
Hainan government who joined virtually, at the managing director Datuk Seri Yap Ngan Choy at the MoU ceremony for the upcoming NSIP project. and is on track to being a solar-equipped MIP,
recent 12th Malaysia-China Entrepreneurs among other components. This will be further
Conference (MCEC 2022), themed “Regional supported by various partners such as Telekom
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Malaysia Bhd, Solarvest Holdings Bhd, and
Agreement” (RCEP). Samaiden Group Bhd, and other players, who
are aligned with NCT’s vision to contribute
A project endorsed by the Selangor towards reducing industrial carbon footprint.”
government, NSIP’s unique positioning as ‘The
First’ Managed Industrial Park (MIP) aims to With 4IR at the forefront of NSIP, the project is
boost investment opportunities from local and set to be the benchmark for 4IR application in
international investors. Coupled with the Malaysia. Realising the significance of technology
support of the Hainan government, the project and innovation, NCT has been ramping up end-
is currently on track to attract investors from to-end digitalisation of its facilities at NSIP by
China to invest in NCT’s properties and partnering with prominent industry players to
developments under the NSIP project. feature advanced infrastructure, state-of-the-art
data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and
Located at the Integrated Development Internet of Things (IoT) technology in order to
Region in South Selangor (IDRISS), NSIP is led boost productivity and maximise return of
as a 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) inspired investment for investors.
development that integrates smart innovations
and sustainable solutions to cater to the current “The project is consciously designed to also
and future needs of entrepreneurs. Upon address common challenges faced by industrial
completion, the project is targeted to create parks including floods and traffic congestion.
50,000 job opportunities, addressing the There will be flood prevention features and
shortage of jobs in the state while contributing smart traffic systems within and around the
to the local economy. facility to better manage traffic flows,” added
Eddy.
NCT is also working closely with the state
government’s investment arm Invest Selangor, NSIP’s positioning as the global hub for the
Malaysian Investment Development Authority, semiconductor, electronic & electrical, and
and the Ministry of International Trade and pharmaceutical industry is set to create a
Industry to strengthen the exposure of NSIP by multiplier effect in Malaysia.
tapping into their pool of investors and
network. The project, which has started with
site clearing earlier this month, has received an
overwhelming response, with 100% of Phase
1A fully booked.

During the conference, Eddy Lim Swee
Shien, general manager and NSIP project lead
said, “Sustainability is at the core of NSIP and
the project truly embodies environmental

G Capital unit seals 21-year RE power purchase deal with TNB

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Main Market- TNB will purchase electricity from Gunung the group envisages a potential revenue of more “Reflecting our achievements this year, we
listed G Capital Bhd (GCAP) 96%-owned Hydropower at Feed-in-Tariff (“FiT”) rate of than RM200.89 million over 21 years from the have done well with securing 10MW Reppa with
subsidiary Gunung Hydropower Sdn Bhd has RM0.2460 per kilowatt-hour. date of the commission and completion of the TNB for small hydropower projects and
signed a renewable energy power purchase plant. This is based on the FiT rate of RM0.2460 successful commissioning of solar PV Projects of
agreement (Reppa) with Tenaga Nasional Bhd Gunung Hydropower has been granted the per kWh and the plant’s estimated annual 17.41MWp; as well as progressing towards
(TNB) . feed-in-approval by the Sustainable Energy production of 38.89-gigawatt hours of electricity. completing our Non-Revenue Water Projects in
Development Authority Malaysia in respect of its hand.
According to the filing with Bursa Malaysia, 8.0MW high-head mini-hydropower plant G Capital Bhd executive director Datuk Yap
the Reppa will be for 21 years from the situated on Sungai Temelong Ibul, which is in Yee Ping, said: “We’re pleased to ink the Reppa “We remain committed and optimistic
commercial operation date, which is scheduled the vicinity of Lenggong District, Perak. ahead of the due date in February 2023, ending towards the 2023 prospects of our sustainable-
to start from May 11, 2027. Under the Reppa, our year 2022 well. linked businesses.”
The filing with Bursa Malaysia also stated that

Petronas Chemicals completes Klang Valley CSR MABC committed to
project, boosts awareness on waste management being key bridge
between Malaysian,
KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Chemicals Group Volunteers and Mohd Yusri (fourth from the left) at the clean-up activity during its Be Green programme. Australian businesses
Bhd (PCG) recently wrapped up its annual Be
Green programme in the Klang Valley, as part of Plastics Economy initiative promoting plastics and among the largest in Southeast Asia. It KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Australia
its sustainability initiative to drive the nation circularity. was established as part of the Petronas Group Business Council (MABC) chairman and
towards a circular economy. to maximise value from Malaysia’s natural gas executive committee Datuk SR Peter Tan said
Petronas Chemicals Group is the leading resources. MABC recognises the significance of the recent
Partnering with the Ministry of Education’s integrated chemicals producer in Malaysia virtual meeting between prime ministers Datuk
National STEM Centre, Malaysian Plastics Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Anthony Albanese held
Manufacturers Association and Cenviro Sdn on Dec 24.
Bhd, the programme welcomed a total of 200
volunteers from 27 selected schools in Kajang, He said the Comprehensive Strategic
Hulu Langat and Bangi as well as the locals Partnership which defines the bilateral
from Pangsapuri Prima Cempaka, Kajang, engagement as important to the trade and
together with PCG employees and investment ecosystem that exists between
collaborative partners. Australia and Malaysia and compliments several
multilateral agreements which also play an
The sustainability campaign featured an important role in the existing business dynamic.
educational talk on the impact of responsible
waste management followed by a communal Tan said Australia has a great desire to be a
clean-up of the area surrounding Taman Tasik part of the Asean story, from the perspective of
Cempaka, Bangi. the MABC stands committed to being the all-
important bridge between the two business
“We hope to instil the culture of recycling communities in the respective countries.
and spread awareness on waste management
among Malaysians, particularly the youth,” “Looking forward the Malaysia Australia
said PCG managing director and CEO Mohd Business Council will continue to focus on areas
Yusri Mohamed Yusof. of strategic business importance to the bilateral
relationship. A relationship that has been built
“By nurturing our children at a budding on the back of countless person-to-person
age, we can create a responsible generation interactions. At the fore front of that relationship
with greener habits for a sustainable future,” is the educational linkages which boost two-
he added. way investments at the institutional level and
the Australian government’s commitment to
In line with its aspiration to become a Asia through the New Columbo Plan,” he
solution partner in addressing plastic added.
pollution, PCG introduced the Be Green
programme in 2013, an environmental
conservation and waste management Open
programme, with the aim to accelerate its New

14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022 FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN
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SOUTHWEST LEADS US
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONSBRIEFS
AGAIN ON WEATHER WOES
A slowing pace of
WASHINGTON DC: Southwest Airlines interest rate hikes in
Co on Tuesday led US airline the US and other
cancellations again as the low-cost major economies
carrier struggled with harsh winter could set the stage
weather that grounded planes and left for an emerging
some workers unable to tend to jets, markets recovery in
disrupting holiday travel for many. The 2023. –AFPPIX
carrier had cancelled 2,589 flights as of
Tuesday 2.25pm ET or roughly two- What investors will watch out
thirds of its schedule. Additionally, for in emerging marts in 2023
Southwest called off about 2,500
flights scheduled for yesterday and o Rake hikes, China reopening lockdowns will be bumpy, but making up nearly take office on Jan 1, with markets already
over 1,000 flights from its today’s and Ukraine war among major a fifth of global gross domestic product the looking for signals of a fiscal anchor to control
schedule. An arctic blast and a massive factors that will shape next prospect of a sharp upswing at a time of slow spending in Latin America’s largest economy.
winter storm swept over much of the year’s globaleconomy global growth is enticing. Analysts expect a sharp Policymakers have highlighted inflationary
US in the lead-up to the Christmas pick-up in consumption and investment in the risks arising from da Silva’s 168 billion reais
holiday weekend, forcing Southwest LONDON: It has been a rough 12 months for world’s second-largest economy from mid-2023 (RM140 billion) spending proposal to meet
to scrap more than 12,000 flights since emerging markets that have seen more onwards. campaign promises.
Friday. – Reuters governments stumble into default, currencies War in Ukraine Turkey elections
suffer and double-digit losses in stocks and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine roiled markets and President Tayyip Erdogan could face the biggest
CRYPTO EXCHANGE bonds alike – though many investors are the world economy – and how the war political challenge of his two decades in power
KRAKEN TO STOP optimistic that 2023 could bring some relief. progresses in 2023 could be no less important, as Turks head to the ballot box in the most high-
OPERATIONS IN JAPAN whether that would be a continuation, profile vote in emerging markets. The country
Below are the events, trends and topics escalation or progress towards finding a has grappled with surging living costs and a
TOKYO: US-based crypto exchange investors expect to shape the outlook for resolution. Globally, the war has transformed plunging currency, with the lira falling to a
Kraken said yesterday it would cease its emerging markets next year. energy markets and inflation pressures, food record low against the dollar in recent days.
operations in Japan next month, citing High rates, low growth security and geopolitical risk perception - Years of unorthodox monetary policy have seen
the current market conditions in the A slowing pace of interest rate hikes in the US and factors that are often more keenly felt in many investors cut exposure to the country’s
country and a weak crypto market other major economies could set the stage for an emerging economies. assets. A change in leadership could mark a
globally. Kraken will deregister from the emerging markets recovery in 2023, with a softer Debt reworks stellar turnaround.
Financial Services Agency as of Jan 31, dollar and falling inflation providing much sought A growing list of countries are in debt distress in the Casting a vote
by which time clients would have to relief. Developing economies are expected to wake of Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine: Zambia A number of other emerging market countries
withdraw their fiat and crypto holdings, cling to their growth differential over developed and Ethiopia are trying to overhaul debt burdens face elections. Voters in Africa’s most populous
it said. Kraken said it is fully funded to peers, but recession fears in the US as well as under the Group of 20 Common Framework. Sri nation Nigeria choose their next president in
ensure that all affected clients could Europe are casting a pall over global markets Lanka and Ghana defaulted in 2022. But a more February, with incumbent Muhammadu
withdraw their assets in a timely generally – especially in the first half of the year. complex mix of creditors – including the Buhari not taking part due to term limits. In
manner. Last month, Kraken said it China reopening emergence of China as the world’s top bilateral Latin America, Argentina will hold presidential
would reduce its workforce by 30% as China’s reopening following its Covid-19 lender – compared to previous episodes of debt elections in October. In Poland, an election
tough market conditions had crippled distress have made proceedings slow and complex. expected in autumn might see voters ousting
demand for digital assets. – Reuters Brazil under Lula 2.0 the country’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice
President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will party, which could reshape Warsaw’s tense
S. KOREA’S EXPORTS SEEN relations with Brussels. – Reuters
FALLING FOR THIRD MONTH
HK November home prices ease to more than 5-year low
SEOUL: South Korea’s exports likely
extended their falling streak to a third HONG KONG: Hong Kong private home prices surge in unsold units this year would drive Home prices were
straight month in December, a Reuters dropped 3.3% in November to the lowest since developers to offer discounts. weighed down by a
poll showed yesterday, with demand August 2017, official data showed yesterday, as its weak economic
from China yet to recover from housing market – one of the most unaffordable in The selling prices of some recently launched outlook and rising
loosening Covid-19 restrictions. The the world – is set to post the first annual drop since projects were 7% to 13% lower than the average mortgage costs,
country’s outbound shipments were 2008. price of the secondary market in the same area, following a serious
projected to have fallen 10.1% in Covid outbreak at
December from the same month a Prices in the Asian financial hub were weighed the beginning of
year ago, according to the median down by a weak economic outlook and rising the year. – AFPPIX
forecast of 12 economists. – Reuters mortgage costs, following a serious Covid JLL added.
outbreak at the beginning of the year. Last week, major developer CK Asset Holdings
Japanese govt to won a residential land plot in the downtown Kai
make raising November’s fall in home prices came after a Tak area for a price much lower than market
wages a top priority revised 2.7% drop in October. Home prices in expectations. – Reuters
Hong Kong have fallen 13.8% in the first 110
TOKYO: Japan’s government will make months of the year.
raising wages a top priority in its economic
policy next year, Deputy Chief Cabinet Transaction volume for the year is expected to
Secretary Seiji Kihara said yesterday. fall to a decade low but it could have a small
bounce next year after authorities lift travelling
“The biggest challenge for Japan’s restrictions with mainland China, property agents
economy is a lack of wage growth. Unless said.
wages rise, consumption won’t pick up and
firms won’t increase investment,” Kihara said, For 2023, real estate consultancy Cushman &
speaking during a television programme. Wakefield expects home prices to be 0-5% lower
than this year, with prices stabilizing in the second
While companies are responsible for half after an expected peak of interest rates.
deciding how much they hike pay, the
government can help achieve higher wages Another consultancy, JLL expects prices to fall
through tax incentives, Kihara said. The another 10% next year for the mass market. It said
government can also prod firms to disclose a high level of inventory for developers due to a
more information on how much they are
spending on human resources, he said.

The remarks echo those of Bank of Japan
(BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda who has
stressed that achieving higher wages would
be crucial for the economy to sustainably
achieve its 2% inflation target, driven by
strong domestic demand.

“The government will increase its focus on
achieving wage growth. This is particularly
important because prices are rising,” Kihara
said.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s
administration has seen approval ratings
plunge due in part to worries over the rising
cost of living, as recent sharp yen falls boosted
the cost of importing already expensive raw
materials.

Japan’s consumer inflation hit a four-
decade high of 3.7% in November, well above
the BOJ’s target, hitting households who have
yet to see wages rise enough to make up for
the spike in prices of consumers goods. –
Reuters

T H U R S DAY
29 DECEMBER 2022

IF you’re getting next year’s Big books for 2023 memoir from the broadcaster and co-
reading list sorted, there are o From Prince Harry’s explosive memoir, Salman presenter of the Breakfast Show on
plenty of good books to choose Rushdie and more – experts make their predictions Times Radio (and former Saturday
from. But which authors are Live presenter with Richard Coles)
going to rise to the top of the the raft of traditional diet and exercise shared past, to the right way to stop the emotional fabric of the 17-year- who recalls her story as young girl of
bestseller list? books which come out in the New someone from choking. old protagonist Bret and his Pakistani heritage growing up in her
Year, she continues. “It’s more about Lifestyle obsession with the killer. native Glasgow, in parallel to that of
Of course, the Duke of Sussex’s mental health, lifestyle and thrift, Thrifty Kitchen by Jack Monroe her mother, who was sent abroad to
memoir Spare (Bantam, Jan 10) is people hunkering down.” (Bluebird, Jan 5): Sanderson A Death In The Parish by The Rev Scotland after marrying a man she
likely to smash January sales, anticipates this book with money- Richard Coles (Orion, June 8): If you barely knew.
especially following the tell-all Netflix Here are just some of the books saving recipes and home hacks will prefer cosy crime, you may plump for
series Harry and Meghan, but there’s experts are predicting could be big in be big. “She’s a big campaigner to the second in this genre from the There are also memoirs coming
a buzz around many other page- 2023. highlight food poverty and the plight celebrity vicar, which sees the return from Paris Hilton, Jon Snow and
turners over the year, both in fiction Romance of people on the lowest incomes.” of Canon Daniel Clement trying to Melanie Sykes, while Geordie Shore
and non-fiction. Happy Place by Emily Henry (Viking, keep order in the village of Champton star Charlotte Crosby talks about
Apr 27): One of the current stars of The Crystal Path by Georgina while investigating what seems like a pregnancy and motherhood in Me,
“It’s looking like it’s going to be a romantic fiction brings us a tale Easterbrook (Michael Joseph, Mar ritualistic killing. Myself & Mini Me (Headline, Mar 2),
really good year as we have tons of about a couple who have gone to 16): With more than a million and Tess Daly offers a lifestyle fitness
great books in every area,” says Bea their cottage every year to soak up the followers on TikTok, Easterbrook’s The Year Of The Locust by Terry and wellbeing guide 4 Steps To A
Carvalho, head fiction buyer at sea air with their favourite friends. guide on how crystals can boost self- Hayes (Bantam, Jun 8): From the Happier, Healthier You (Bantam, Mar
Waterstones. But this year they are lying through confidence and improve all aspects of bestselling author of I Am Pilgrim, a 16).
their teeth, as they broke up six your life could be big. Richard & Judy Bookclub ‘Cli-fi’ (climate fiction)
Richard Osman’s fourth book in months ago and haven’t told anyone. phenomenon, comes Hayes’ second Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
The Thursday Murder Club series (as Can they fake it for a week without “It intersects with manifesting, novel. In it, his hero Kane travels to (Granta, Mar 2): The author of The
yet untitled, Penguin, September) their friends finding out? which started with the Rhonda Byrne the badlands where the borders of Luminaries brings us a new
will no doubt be another cosy crime book The Secret (Simon & Schuster), Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan meet psychological thriller about a
runaway success, while booksellers Romantic Comedy by Curtis manifesting the life you really want,” to exfiltrate a man with vital guerrilla group farming the land in
are anticipating a lot of interest in Sittenfeld (Doubleday, April 6): From says Sanderson. information for the safety of the West. unclaimed spaces such as
Victory City (Jonathan Cape, Feb 9), the international bestselling author of But instead he meets an adversary abandoned parks and the sides of the
Sir Salman Rushdie’s forthcoming American Wife and Rodham comes Manifest: Dive Deeper by Roxie who will take the world to the brink of road, who come up against a man
novel, written before he was attacked this tale about a successful Nafousi (Michael Joseph, Jan 5): The extinction. who has bought the land and made a
in New York. scriptwriter for a legendary TV follow-up to her bestselling Manifest Memoirs bunker to protect himself from
comedy show and her long aims to take people deeper into their Pageboy by Elliot Page (Doubleday, forthcoming apocalypses.
“There’s been a real influence of abandoned search for love, as she healing journey. Jun 6): The Oscar-nominated actor,
BookTok (a community within falls for a pop idol. Thrillers the first openly trans man to appear Go As A River by Shelley Read
TikTok, in which people give each Short stories The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis (Swift on the cover of Time magazine after (Doubleday, Apr 6): One of
other recommendations) which has Old Babes In The Wood by Margaret Press, Jan 27): In his first novel in 13 coming out as transgender in 2020, Doubleday’s key 2023 titles, this
had a hugely positive impact on the Atwood (Chatto & Windus, March 7): years, the bestselling author of charts his life in a memoir full of soaring, compassionate tale of female
book trade. The award-winning author of The American Psycho offers this chilling behind the scenes details and resilience is set against a breath-
Handmaid’s Tale offers this collection tale which tracks a group of intimate interrogations on sex, love, taking picture of our natural world –
“Certain genres have really of 15 short stories, ranging from two privileged Los Angeles high school trauma, and Hollywood. its trees and mountains and light.
benefited from it, including romance, best friends who disagree about their friends as a serial killer strikes across Fantasy
which is booming,” says Carvalho. the city. Set in 1981, the story explores A Pebble In The Throat by Aasmah Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
There will also be a continuing push Mir (Headline, May 18): Fascinating (HarperCollins, Jan 23): Pre-orders
for diversity and recognition of are doing well for this tale about a
authors of colour, she adds. world in which gods are projected
from the beliefs of the inhabitants –
People with a substantial online and not always forces for good. The
following may be making their mark protagonist is out to get them. – The
in 2023, predicts Caroline Sanderson, Independent
associate editor of trade publication
The Bookseller.

“Increasingly, TikTok is a big
influence on what’s published.”

Mental health, lifestyle and thrift
guides will be prevalent rather than

ENTERTAINMENT

16 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022

Returning with
a bang
o The Subculture
2022 concert was a
spectacular showcase
of musical diversity
and genres

█ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Fred Perry’s Subculture
returned with a bang. –
AFTER venturing into the ALL PIX BY SAUFI NADZRI
digital realm the past two
years, Fred Perry’s Hawa. and getting the early crowd into the Joanna & Co.
Subculture returned to the Malaysia ambassadors Dani Komari groove. Trophy Knives.
live music scene on Dec 11 by taking and The Fatalis, a ‘fuzz rock n roll’
over Sentul Depot, a historic railway quartet. Afterwards, rockers JEMSON took
monument close to the heart of Kuala the stage with electrifying riffs and
Lumpur. “The reason we did it this way was vocals, with Trophy Knives’ vocalist
because there is just so much more to Vinesh Muniandy joining them for a
A series of global annual show and to share, to really showcase song.
celebrations of music and street the Malaysian music scene. It’s not
culture organised by the UK clothing just about the brand, as the brand Right after, the rest of the Trophy
brand, Fred Perry, Subculture began started off as a community thing and Knives were on stage for their set,
in 2005 and “lasted” until 2019 before it has always been about the which ended with “Look the Other
the pandemic forced it online. community. It’s also why the show is Way”, a song off their latest album that
absolutely free,” Fred Perry Malaysia proved to be a hit with the crowd.
For its 2022 iteration that returned brand manager Darren Teh told
to live, in-the-flesh music, it had to be theSun. Segueing into a different genre
grand and had to reflect the progress entirely, Hawa was up next. The
the country’s in music. The event began at roughly 4pm band’s pop sounds were a different
with Joanna & Co. setting the stage colour from the bands before but lit
As such, the Subculture 2022 up the crowd nonetheless.
featured nine bands from a diverse
array of sounds, faces and Once Dani Komari was done
backgrounds; ska legends Gerhana belting out her set, the second half of
Skacinta, indie rockers The Times the night begun. Right outside the
and Pesawat, indie pop supergroup depot’s wide roofs, the downpour
Joanna & Co, punk rockers Trophy had become heavier, yet people kept
Knives, cult-favourites Hawa and pouring into the venue undeterred.
JEMSON, along with Fred Perry
The diversity in Subculture’s band
Dani Komari. lineups were also reflected in the
audience themselves; plainly obvious
skinheads were standing in a crowd
that included mothers with their kids
in baby-strollers.

“For me the show is also about
diversity; in genres and ethnicity. I
wanted to make sure everybody is
featured. In Fred Perry, we don’t care
about (superficial aspects) like a
person’s social media numbers,” Teh,
who also curated the selected bands,
explained.

“As long as they have talent, are
hardworking, and have been
grinding, those are the kinds of
people we want to work with”.

Books and prizes galore at
Big Bad Wolf Sale
BOOKWORMS assemble! The Big chance to win a RM50 voucher up to
Bad Wolf Book Sale is back at The Jan 2, 2023, at 2am. One lucky winner A custom gaming PC visitors can win. Over 3.5 million books are available at the event.
Mines this December – two years will walk home with the Grand Prize Kualiti Books, IMAN Shoppe,
since the last physical Book Sale of a trolley full of books of their Prestasi, Pelangi, PTS, Pustaka Azhar, two NGOs, Friends to Mankind for some reason, you cannot visit the
event in Kuala Lumpur – and choice! Sasbadi and many more. Book lovers Malaysia’s The Book Effect project on-ground Book Sale at MIECC, you
admission is free. Head down to the will have the opportunity to shop for and Project AIME, a Malaysian- have the option of shopping 24 hours
Mines International Exhibition & To participate in the Lucky Draw, a some crazy, amazing deals that are based youth-lead activist, to donate from the comfort of your home at the
Convention Centre (MIECC) from customer has to spend RM200 on a affordable and friendly on the pocket. books to several orphanages in Big Bad Wolf Online Book Sale,
now to Jan 2, 2023 to find out what single receipt and be eligible for one Malaysia. running concurrently from now to
The World’s Biggest Book Sale has to (1) Lucky Draw ticket. The other As part of the Big Bad Wolf Books’ Jan 2, 2023. Sit back and browse for
offer contest not to be missed is the Spend, CSR initiative, the Red Readerhood Another good news is that the Big your favourite books at
Share & Win, where one (1) winner (RRH) program is collaborating with Bad Wolf Book Sale Kuala Lumpur my.bbwbooks.com.
With more than 3.5 million books, will take home a Gaming PC worth 2022 is a Hybrid Book Sale this time. If
and discounts up to 95% off, book RM6,999 (Big Bad Wolf KL Edition)
lovers can indulge in their favourite sponsored by PCU.
hobby and savour more time
browsing at the Book Sale this round How to participate? Just spend a
as the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale will stay minimum of RM250 on a single
open from 10am to 2am every day. receipt and post a picture of the
We’re calling all our beloved Wolfies purchase with the hashtag
to get ready and invite the whole #BBWXPCUKL in the caption (after
family and friends to come and enjoy setting your profile to public). The
the 16-hour Book Sale at MIECC. winner will be selected based on the
most creative post and caption.
To top the excitement, customers
who attend the Big Bad Wolf Book What’s more, Big Bad Wolf Books
Sale have the opportunity to will partner with local Malaysian
participate in a Lucky Draw where publishers to bring in an array of
five winners will be picked daily for a educational and entertainment
Malay-language book titles from

FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ENTERTAINMENT
ME
@thesundaily 17theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022
Drumhouse.

BEHATI
Chinese
New Year
Collections.

█ BY SHOBANA MANOKARAN HANDS her composition Hadir Mu in a nod
MALAYSIA’S renowned Percussion towards our cultural heritage.
percussion group,
team. The playing of the erhu, guzheng,
flute and cello by ITA Ensemble adds
HANDS Percussion more chemistry into our
debuts its new performance of the day, in addition to
performance Drumhouse: Honouring the North Sumatran Gordang
A Cultural Heritage after their Sambilan and Balinese Reyong to
Kaleidoscope 6 - HANDS honour their cultural heritage, to
International Drumming Festival narrate their stories of friendship,
“Thunder” performance in hard work and survival.
conjunction with the group’s 25th
anniversary. Drumhouse took place Costumes designed by Kei Wen of
from Dec 8 to 11 at Petaling Jaya BEHATI, known for their pranakan
Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), 1 clothing, provide a fashionable touch.
Utama Shopping Centre. Furthermore, all of the performers
Southeast Asia is home to different wore costumes made by Kel Wen,
cultures and traditions, languages BEHATI’s creative director.
and dialects. The peoples, although
different, share and mix similar tastes “My manifestation came true
in cuisines and beverages. In when Bernard approached me to
Malaysia, the Muhibbah style is how story me his concept of merging
we describe the spirit of togetherness. Chinese and Malay music into the
For HANDS and their fellow play, aligned with what I do for
performers, they define their fashion, I knew this will be the best
togetherness with music. And this chance for me to convey my message
time around, they are experimenting through performing arts. This show
to present a blend of contemporary Drumhouse hit with a represents the true spirit and identity
24 Festive Drumming, Teochew and fashionable twist of the Malaysian Chinese, a show like
Gamelan styles. no other, only in Malaysia,” remarked
Drumhouse is directed by Bernard Kel Wen.
Goh, the artistic director,
arrangement by Ng Siu Yee, the music He continued: “To work with
director, choreograph by Dr. Tan Chai Drumhouse, is one way for the
Chen, the composition of the show is audience to experience fashion not
a collaboration between Jimmy just visually but also, through their
Ch’ng, the principal percussionist ears to feel the energy.”
and Wayan Sudirana, an
ethnomusicologist from Indonesia. What is so special about BEHATI’s
In addition, all the performers will parts. They begin with a dedication to Chinese New Year Collection?
present themselves in the costumes o BEHATI X HANDS percussion’s debut attempt the late Tan Hooi Song and Tan Chai Chinese clothing is mixed with Malay
designed by Kel Wen, the creative at innovating to keep a cultural legacy alive Puan, both of whom were components, such as using Pesak and
instrumental in starting their 24 Kekek, which are ancient drafting
Zamzuriah Zahari, performing together with Jeff Chua. festive Drums adventure and HANDS. methods of Malay clothing such as
baju melayu and baju kurung.
Bernard director of Teochew and have since spent time “It’s never too late,” Goh remarked,
Goh, BEHATI. This show talking to famly and friends to listen “therefore, in this 25th year of ours, “My work is known for its
Artistic truly showcases a to old tales as well as learn details of it’s fitting to honour our heritage and contemporary twists on traditional
Director. cultural crossover with the culture, more so about its music, those who led us to where we are clothing. What is contemporary for
operas and traditions. We spent time now.” me? It is always important to have
deep integration. with Ling Goh, a fouth-generation new ideas, fresh concepts, and I
Drumhouse, as its Teochew Opera practitioner based in They put a modern spin on believe that this performance is a new
title describes, is a Penang learning as much as we could Teochew music, instruments, and level of experimentation by clashing
production they from her (and her brother),” said traditional opera in portion two. They races in order to reach harmony. “I
embarked on to honour Bernard Goh. believe there is still potential for fun think that’s very beautiful, very
Teochew cultural heritage. and making things more Malaysian,” he said.
“Many of us in HANDS are The show was divided into three “fashionable” without losing any
traditional authenticity. For finale, they presented a classic
HANDS showcase. Having recently
Besides the Hands Percussion performed a thrilling excerpt of this
performers from Team 1 and 2, a line- piece that includes elements of 24
up of guest performers are invited Festive Drumming, their percussion
including Zamzuriah Zahari who techniques and four types of chinese
expertise in traditional dance “Mak cymbals in Kadeidoscope 6, the piece
Yong” and Malay theatre “Mek included the North Sumatran
Melung”, also a dancer, singer and gordong sambilan (gendang
composer; Jeff Chua, singer; Chong sembilan). Adding Balinese flavour to
Eugene, cellist; Gideon Alu8khan it is the Balinese reong and cymbals,
Chen, electric & acoustic guitarist; played to a piece composed by long
Howz, Lim Wei Siong, Lim Lin, Sara time collaborator Wayan Sudirana.
Heng, from ITA Ensemble; Matdin
Hussin and Asri Sharizan who play Drumhouse was a presentation of
Malay traditional percussion comtemporary Southeast Asian
instruments and many more. music with exquisite drumming
skills, technique, synchronisation
Zamzuriah Zahari, an expert of and precision. It is also honoured to
Mak Yong and Mek Mulung art, be one of the supporting arts, culture
brings in the classic Kelantanese style and heritage organisations for Arts
to mix with characteristics of well- for All Seasons (ArtsFAS) under
known Teochew opera Tao Hua Guo Yayasan Hasanah this year. Through
Du by guest artiste Jeff Chua. The this exciting show, HANDS
performance of Gamelan, vocals and Percussion hopes to uphold the
Chinese musical instruments passion of drum music, continue to
elaborates the changes of life in the explore the possibility of diversity
Southeast Asia. She also introduced and creatives, discovering the rich
Southeast Asian culture in depth to
add more “colourful values” in the
world music.

FEATURE

18 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022

█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN

THE start of a new year is generally a
time to reflect on our life, calm down,
and start fresh with self-care practises.
We seem to need it more this time
around than usual. Despite the fact that it can
seem like we are bearing a bit more of the
weight of the world than in previous years. We
may all take solace in the time-tested ritual of
evaluating how we take care of ourselves and
changing our course to achieve new objectives.
Every fresh beginning offers us the chance to
embrace our most important values. Never
forget that self-care isn’t stupid or selfish. It’s
absolutely essential to living a healthy lifestyle.

Reflect on your year Self-care helps us practice hitting pause and being present. – 123RF Commit to following tour ideal morning routine and
Understanding your past is the first step in ensure the routine turn into habits. – 123RF
getting ready for a season of well-being. Think nNeeww yyoeuar,
back on the previous year to identify your
strengths and weaknesses. Knowing your o For a start, we
stress-inducing factors allows you to anticipate created this list of eight
setbacks and alter your response to them. You simple self care routines
can seek guidance for your future through
reflecting. Assessing your way of life and
deciding what measures to take to move toward
a better life.
Be kind to yourself
To have a successful self-care practise, you must
first be kind to yourself. You will not be flawless
at practising self care, so keep that in mind.
When you mess it up, offer mercy to yourself. To
take care of yourself, practise forgiveness and
appreciation toward others. The beneficial
effects they may have on you and others around
you will surprise you.
Change your morning routine
The way you begin your day may really affect
how the rest of it goes. You don’t have to wake
up really early to change your morning routine.
Instead, focus on your present morning routine
and any small adjustments you might make to
make getting ready less stressful. Setting a good
tone for the remainder of your day involves
doing everything that will enable you to
complete your tasks in a less hurried manner.

Great a goal for yourself Start your new year off
Having achievable goals is a terrific way to feel a fresh and positive. – 123RF
feeling of success, whether it’s something as
straightforward as accumulating money for a
trip, or a lunch with friends. Additionally,
having something to anticipate serves as a
beacon of hope, so no matter how much work
you have piling up, you will always have
something to look forward to at the end of the
day, no matter how busy you are.

Celebrate improvement nutritious meals are almost instantly felt by our
As you make changes to your routines and way body and emotions, which is one of their
of life as a whole, you should acknowledge your greatest benefits. Giving yourself the time to
progress and give yourself credit. Even a minor sometimes prepare a nice meal that will provide
success should be celebrated since it shows that you with nutrition and last you a few days is a
you are making progress. Acknowledging your simple self-care suggestion. This may involve
successes might help you feel stronger and making a recently discovered new dish or
more confident. Progress requires a positive indulging in a long-time family favourite.
view, and pleasure is more a function of your Invest in yourself
attitude than of your surroundings. We all have ambitious goals we want to achieve,
Nourish yourself therefore invest in those goals to get a jump
Particularly if we are preoccupied with a start. To save more money, set aside a certain
plethora of concerns and obligations, it may be amount each week or round up your purchases.
simple to forget to offer ourselves nutritional
meals throughout the day while we are under
stress. The benefits of consuming wholesome,

Self-care routines help
contribute to improved
mood and reduced
irritability. – 123RF

Shun away the negativity that is filled inside of you and move closer
and embrace all things positive. – 123RF

It is more than acceptable to spend money on great alternative to have. It’s a great approach to
oneself. It’s acceptable as long as you do not feel more secured in your life in general. As a
overspend. In the midst of everything, result, there are a lot of suggestions available
indulging oneself is something that is that are ideal for everyone. Finding something
worthwhile because life can be so chaotic. It has of which you can be excited outside of job,
already proven its value if it makes you feel school, and other stressful situations in your life
happy. is crucial, whether it requires a time or financial
Learn a new hobby investment.
Spend some time this year learning a new
hobby that interests you. When work or just life Self-care is ultimately about honouring
in general becomes stressful and chaotic, it is a oneself; it’s a delicate balancing act. It should
incorporate activities that make you happy and
are good for your mind and spirit.

FEATURE

19theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022

█ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Put the
resolutions and
JUST how time is in a constant state of goals down on
motion and can’t be stopped, so is the paper for
inevitability of going from one year into a easier tracking.
new one. With each new year, there will be – 123RF
the “pressure” to create new resolutions.
Tackling If a resolution fails,
It is more common for people to enter the 2023 goals don’t give up and
next year with resolutions or goals than those improvise. – 123RF
who do not. And accordingly, there are more o Take up personal
that fail in carrying out their goals than those resolutions that
who do not. inspire you to be
proactive and help
This mainly happens due to several reasons, you achieve success
such as no thought put into making sure the in the new year
resolutions are met to creating unachievable
ones.

With 2023 around the corner, here are some
ways to make realistic resolutions
Patience and discipline
Want to successfully save a certain amount of
money before 2023 ends? Or, perhaps want to
do the usual resolution of losing weight?

Like most long-term goals, treat new year’s
resolutions the same way and go into it with the
same mindset, by acknowledging there has to
discipline in sticking to a gameplan and being
aware that each resolution requires patience.

Do not expect to accomplish something
within a few months, but leave the door open to
it happening by just sticking to a route that
would get you where you want to be.
Show off
If you manage to clear a resolution or make a
significant progress in reaching that end goal,
do not be shy in showing off, but maybe do it
humbly with a degree of self-awareness so that
others are not “cringed out” from second-hand
embarrassment.

People, in general, enjoy seeing others
achieve something, and you will feel more
confident in pushing ahead with your
resolutions.

And in some ways, it can even inspire others.
Just don’t do it like an Internet “influencer”
would.

Create a timeline Nothing too extreme where if they only lose a small amount of A new year brings more
No, you don’t need to whip out a Microsoft Coming up with outlandish resolutions is a weight in that timeframe, they give up challenges, even through new
Excel document to plan an entire year’s worth recipe for failure, and just as important, is not completely. resolutions. – 123RF
of resolutions. You could, but it’s just extra steps having the “Either I succeed or I’ll give up” Failure is not the end If you wanted to save a certain amount of
for something as simple as setting “deadlines” mentality. An extension of the two above, any progress money in 2023 to buy a house in 2024 or later,
in your head. that falls short of the end goal is exactly that: and only manage to save half of the desired
For one thing, it’s absurd for someone to progress. goal, that amount doesn’t magically disappear;
If someone wanted to lose weight – for want to lose 100kg in three months, but this it’s still there, ready for you to build upon.
example – they could just make a mental note becomes worse with the defeatist mentality, Progress is not failure. Attempting to
each month on how much they should achieve some goal and falling short isn’t
approximately lose, building that amount each necessarily (in most cases) a failure.
successive months. This goes for savings, doing
good deeds, etc.

This also helps the sliding scale; if you don’t
reach or accomplish that certain amount,
simply “slide” back, and give yourself room to
work towards it. Timelines also help you pace
yourself.

Remember, a year has 12 months. There is
plenty of time to reach most common goals or
resolutions.

Vienna’s dementia-friendly concerts
THE elegant audiences for its world-famous the normal rules of concert-going, so people
New Year’s Concert with the Vienna with or without dementia “feel welcome”, said The gilded columns of Vienna’s grand old Musikverein are now home to concerts where older people,
Philharmonic may be the epitome of buttoned- Pauly. often living with dementia, can let it all hang out and just go with the music. – AFP
up reserve, all tailcoats and taffeta.
“People are still receptive to music even in an
But the gilded columns of Vienna’s grand old advanced stage of dementia,” said the concerts’
Musikverein are now home to concerts where moderator Veronika Mandl, “because it
something very different happens – where older connects to different areas of the brain.
people, often living with dementia, can let it all
hang out and just go with the music. “Music is memory, an emotion, a connection
with different things,“ she said.
“People can get carried away, they can dance
and sing, which allows you to feel the music Mandl did “a lot of research” into music that
much more intensely,” said Andreas Trubel, a spectators might recognise as she was coming up
67-year-old former IT developer dealing with with the programme, she said. And she watches
neurocognitive issues, who heads a self-help how the audience reacts, with some leaning on
group for “people who forget”. each others’ shoulders as they are moved.

He said he loved the “relaxed style” of the six- At the beginning of each concert, which lasts
concert Souvenir series with people able to get around an hour, Mandl sets the tone. She tells
up, walk around and talk as he listened to the audience they can move around, go to the
Schubert, Schumann and Brahms and a toilet if they wish, or even leave when they want.
seasonal sprinkling of Christmas carols.
Staff are also trained to understand people
“Everything is allowed, every reaction is living with dementia and help them feel more
allowed and welcome,” the Musikverein’s comfortable.
director Stephan Pauly told AFP.
An audience member who mumbled
The series, which began in October, is a through a recital by a young Polish trio was
“huge success”, he said, and has already become gently guided to another place to give her more
a “very beautiful and very important part” of its space.
output, with more shows planned for the next
season. Nursing home caregiver Iris Krall-Radulian, a
Still receptive to music trained musician herself, said many of the
Rows of seats are spaced out to allow for spectators were concertgoers before they got
movement and wheelchairs, and there are few of dementia.

“We know that (the music) has an enormous
impact. They are much happier and they feel
alive” after the concerts, she said. – ETX Studio

WELLNESS

20 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022

█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN

A HANGOVER is a
symptoms of excessive
intake of alcohol that are
typically noticed the
morning after a heavy drinking night.
Hangover symptoms include fast
heartbeat, anxiety, bodily pain,
headache, nausea, stomach
discomfort, and vomiting. There is no
one cure for a hangover, but relieving
the symptoms might help you
recover. Consider the following home
treatments to help relieve hangover Reaching for oatmeal after a night of
symptoms. heavy drinking may help with
hangover. –123RF
Eat Breakfast
A powerful hangover therapy is food,
which may help you recover the
nutrients you lost during your night
out. It is important to eat breakfast in
the morning even if don’t feel like it.
However, if nausea is one of your
symptoms, you should avoid eating
anything substantial until your
stomach settles. Choose electrolyte-
rich meals to rehydrate your body
and replenish your calories. Food that
are easy to digest items that will
provide you with the energy you need
to begin going.

Eat Carbohydrates Tomato juice can boost liver function and speeds up alcohol digestion. –123RF The best hangover cure is to wait it out
Alcohol consumption can cause and drink lots of water. –123RF
blood sugar levels to drop, resulting foHrohmaengreomveerdsies day full of vigour. With a hangover,
in weariness and headache. People o Here are some simple home remedies for this may be tough to accomplish. Yet,
frequently forget to eat while on a hangovers to help you feel better can help lower blood alcohol levels. after a long night, a well-chosen
drinking spree. This results in a Ginseng breakfast may make a significant
further drop in blood sugar. Getting by eating ginger or drinking ginger symptoms. Ginseng might help you get rid of difference. Because it includes
some carbs into your system might tea, since ginger’s natural Stay hydrated alcohol faster since it improves various vital nutrients and vitamins,
assist alleviate hangover symptoms. compounds act as an excellent Drinking water is the simplest way to alcohol metabolism. That is how it oatmeal is a good choice for
You can experiment with bland carbs antidote to all hangover-related alleviate hangover symptoms. Since helps to alleviate hangover redefining the morning after. A quick
such as bread and crackers. It will alcohol dehydrates your body, it is symptoms. Ginseng may also help and easy cup of oats will help
assist to reduce nausea and improve Alcohol very important to rehydrate it at with alcohol increase serotonin providing you
blood sugar levels. directly regular intervals by drinking water. toxicity and with energy and a good mood.
Ginger contributes to Water also helps to dilute the toxins in function as an Rest well
Experts and dietitians alike believe hangover your stomach. Raising your anti-hangover Getting extra sleep is among the most
that ginger is one of the greatest symptoms in consumption of water may reduce remedy. successful tactics to heal a hangover.
natural cures for calming an upset several ways. certain hangover symptoms or Ginseng may While napping may not be a solution
tummy, which is a frequent hangover – FREEPIK possibly prevent them entirely. be used in for us all, particularly if you have
symptom. Despite the lack of studies a variety things to do after, it is one of the
to support the advantages of ginger of ways. easiest and most natural remedies to
for hangovers, it is one of the natural You may enable your body to recover itself.
treatments recommended repeatedly brew a tea Without a good deep sleep, it may
on the internet. You may assist lessen out of fresh
sensations of nausea and indigestion ginseng and water and drink them or surely exacerbate the symptoms.
it may also be added to meals and Allow your body to relax and
Tomato juice recipes. you will get better soon.
Drinking tomato juice is another Oatmeal Hangovers
simple way to relieve hangover We all feel guilty after a night of heavy may be
symptoms. This vegetable juice drinking and want to start the next frustrating and
includes glucose, a kind of sugar that even
helps alcohol digestion. Because it unpleasant at
includes electrolytes, tomato juice times. The best
thing to do for
you is to remain calm
and relax, enabling your body

to clear itself. However, if the
hangover persists, and develops into
worse symptoms, do not waste time
and consult the doctor immediately
and get yourself treated.

During burnout, entrepreneurs fare better than employees
MORALE may be flagging in the with the possibility of failure. great involvement in the work.”
world of work, but researchers in the This over-investment should The appeal of entrepreneurship Researchers at the University of Amsterdam have found that burnout risk can
Netherlands have discovered that As a result, entrepreneurs have more actually be lower among entrepreneurs than salaried employees. – ETX STUDIO
entrepreneurs seem to be less theoretically make entrepreneurs, energy and a better state of mind
susceptible to burnout than their and especially first-time than their corporate counterparts. generating broader social and the University of Amsterdam – has a
corporate counterparts. entrepreneurs, more vulnerable to They are also happier and more economic benefits,“ said Martin methodological bias. It was
stress and burnout. But this doesn’t satisfied with their work. The Obschonka. conducted before the Covid-19
Martin Obschonka, a professor of appear to be the case. Researchers at scientists noticed that this was pandemic, a period that many
entrepreneurship at the University of the University of Amsterdam found particularly the case for Note, however, that the study – entrepreneurs found difficult to cope
Amsterdam, and colleagues came to that they were, on average, at lower entrepreneurs working alone. recently published in the Journal of with. – ETX Studio
this conclusion by following 348 risk of developing this kind of However, the risk of burnout Business Venturing by researchers at
entrepreneurs and 1,002 salaried psychological disorder than salaried increases as they grow their business
employees for nearly six months. employees. This is what they call the and hire people.
They asked them to complete several paradox of “positive workaholism.”
questionnaires to find out how they All of which shows, according to
felt about their working lives. “The work of entrepreneurs the researchers, that
actually appears to result in less daily entrepreneurship can bring a certain
Entrepreneurs are often portrayed work stressors – such as work professional serenity. “If we can
as workaholics who cannot maintain pressure, time pressure and maximise the psychological utility of
a healthy work-life balance. They can administrative tasks – compared to working as an entrepreneur, it
be very demanding of themselves, paid work,” explains Martin promises not only personal benefit in
which prevents them from setting Obschonka in a statement. “In the entrepreneurial sector, but also,
limits or boundaries. And for good addition, entrepreneurship offers the more broadly, to the development of
reason, entrepreneurs often take big entrepreneur a high degree of healthy, motivated, and well-
risks to set up their businesses: they personal work autonomy. All this rewarded entrepreneurs running
invest their time, their money and leads to a positive psychological their businesses, collectively
their hopes in such ventures. As such, return on the substantial investment
it’s hard to take it easy when faced that entrepreneurs make due to their

21theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022
* SPORTS

322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE Bring it on
COMPANIES ACT 2016
NOTICE OF REDUCTION OF SHARE CAPITAL ‘Highly motivated’ Nadal ready for Djokovic challenge Down Under
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND
IN THE MATTER OF A “highly motivated” Rafael after refusing to get vaccinated for Despite a poor second half of the
AND IN THE MATTER OF ANDREW HO EYE SPECIALIST Nadal welcomed rival Covid-19. year, Nadal said he was raring to go
BLACK ACE PLUS ENTERTAINMENT SDN BHD Novak Djokovic’s much- Australia has since lifted its again with a clash first up at the
(FORMERLY KNOWN AS SENG CREATIVE (M) SDN BHD) SDN BHD anticipated return to the requirement for visitors to show United Cup against British world No.
[COMPANY NO. 201401040935 (1117088-X)] Registration No.: Australian Open as “good for tennis” proof of vaccination against Covid. 14 Cameron Norrie ahead of a
200801034657 (835996-A) yesterday, while brushing off The Serb arrived back in the country blockbuster showdown with
(Incorporated in Malaysia) suggestions this may be his last tilt on Tuesday for the first time Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 117 of the Companies Act (In Members’ at the season-opening Grand since being turfed out.
2016 that the members of BLACK ACE PLUS ENTERTAINMENT SDN BHD Voluntary Winding Up) Slam. Nadal, who has a record “The highest motivation to try to
(formerly known as Seng Creative (M) Sdn Bhd) have passed a Special Notice is hereby given that The 36-year-old Spanish men’s 22 Grand Slam titles start well. It’s always important to
Resolution on 29 December 2022 to reduce the issued and paid up pursuant to Section 459(2) of great, who recently became to Djokovic’s 21, said he start well for me, for the confidence,”
share capital from RM270,100 comprising of 270,100 Ordinary Shares of the Companies Act 2016, a Final he said.
RM1.00 per share to RM100 comprising of 100 Ordinary Shares that is in Meeting of the members of Andrew
excess of the needs of the Company and such reduction be effected by Ho Eye Specialist Sdn Bhd will be “The last few months haven’t
returning to the holders of the Company payable in cash. held at the Liquidator’s office at been easy for me. Main thing for me
Chai Wen Yao No. 1 Jalan Lasam, 30350 Ipoh, now is recover the positive feelings
Director Perak Darul Ridzuan on Monday, 30 on court, being competitive. I hope
Date: 29 December 2022 January 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the to. I am ready to make that happen,
following purposes: but let’s see.”
a father, is beginning his was happy to see his
AGENDA new season at the United superstar rival back. Nadal played his first Australian
1. To receive and adopt the account Cup, a new mixed-teams “Novak is here, good for Open in 2004. He is now a father, and
event starting today in tennis, good for probably with a history of injuries he was asked
from the Liquidator showing the Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. the fans,” the world No. 2 if this could be his last trip to
manner in which the winding It will provide a warm-up said in Sydney. “Let’s see, no? Australia.
up has been conducted and to for his defence of the Best players on court always
hear any explanation that may be Australian Open title win.” “As a professional, you never
given by the Liquidator. next month at Fifth-ranked Djokovic know, hopefully not,” he said.
2. To determine pursuant to Section Melbourne Park, will begin his quest for
518(3)(b) of the Companies where he swept an incredible 10th “I mean, when you are at the age
Act 2016, the manner in which past Russian title at Melbourne of 36, you never know when it’s going
the books, accounts and Daniil Park at the Adelaide to be the last one. It’s obvious, but I
documents of the Company and Medvedev to International from don’t like to talk about that because I
of the Liquidator thereof shall be win this year in Sunday. am not in that mood now.
disposed of. an epic five- Nadal backed up
Cheai Weng Hoong setter. his Australian Open “I’m just focused on trying to play
Liquidator That victory win this year with a at the highest level possible and give
Date: 29 December 2022 myself possibilities to keep being
Note: competitive, to fight for anything.
A member entitled to attend and That’s my goal now.
vote at the meeting is entitled to
appoint a proxy to attend and vote “I’m not thinking about it being
instead of him. The instrument my last time here. I am happy doing
appointing a proxy must be what I am doing. I’m looking forward
deposited at No. 1 Jalan Lasam, to keep doing this.” – AFP
30350 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan
not less than 48 hours before the
time appointed for holding the
meeting.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR DALAM MAHKAMAH came after 14th French Open
VOLUTARY WINDING UP OF LIMITED LIABILITY TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR arch-rival and but struggled with
nine-time injury after
PARTNERSHIP (BAHAGIAN PERDAGANGAN) Australian withdrawing
(Section 50(4)(a) of the PETISYEN (PENGGULUNGAN) Open winner from the
Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012) Djokovic was Wimbledon
Notice is hereby given that KIAN TECK HERBS PLT (LLP No. SYARIKAT NO.: detained and Nadal semifinal with
LLP0028470-LGN) (“LLP”) will be making an application to the WA-28NCC-957-12/2022
Registrar of Limited Liability Partnerships for a declaration of Dalam Perkara Seksyen 465(1)(e) deported ahead an abdominal
dissolution pursuant to section 50(2) of the Limited Liability dibaca bersama Seksyen 466(1)(a) Akta of the tournament tear in July.
Partnerships Act 2012 within seven (7) days after the Syarikat 2016;
publication of this notice. Any partner or creditor of the LLP 322 Notices Horner fires Hamilton
desiring to object to the application may do so in writing to the Dan
Companies Commission of Malaysia within thirty (30) days from Dalam Perkara Kaedah-Kaedah IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA warning to Max
the date of this notice. (Penggulungan) Syarikat, 1972; AT TAIPING
Dated this : 27 December 2022
Dan IN STATE OF PERAK DARUL
322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE Dalam Perkara ACE PICTURES RIDZUAN, MALAYSIA CHRISTIAN HORNER has warned his star of lessons from this year, and I’m sure that
COMPANIES ACT 2016 ENTERTAINMENT SDN. BHD. (No. COMPANIES man Max Verstappen about a Lewis cars will converge significantly in ‘23.
IN THE MATTER Syarikat: 1217596-K) Hamilton and Mercedes resurgence in 2023.
OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND (WINDING-UP) PETITION “The biggest winner from that is the
IN THE MATTER OF ANTARA NO. AB-28NCC-11-11/2022 Red Bull dominated in 2022, winning the fans, it’s obviously more stressful for the
AND UNI-REWARD SDN. BHD. GBBLOCK WORLD SDN. BHD. constructors title and the drivers’ teams, but the winner is the sport if there’s
IN THE MATTER OF [199201019704 (251208-D)] (No. Syarikat. : 1298585-V) In the matter of Sections 465(1)(e) & championship as Verstappen defended his more competition.”
ECKV INDUSTRIES SDN BHD (In Members’ Voluntary 466(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016 world title.
Registration No.: …PEMPETISYEN Red Bull’s constructors’ title was no
202101002937 (1403235-K) Winding Up) DAN AND Car regulations introduced by the FIA at doubt an overdue one, having not won the
NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING ACE PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT SDN. the beginning of the year no doubt played F1 crown since 2013 following Mercedes’
(In Members’ NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BHD. (No. Syarikat. : 1217596-K) In the matter of JIMAT JIMAT FRESH a big part in the 2022 campaign, with some period of dominance. As a result, after such
Voluntary Winding Up) pursuant to Section 459(1) of & FROZEN MART SDN. BHD. teams adapting better than others. a long wait Horner put the victory down to
Notice is hereby given that pursuant the Companies Act, 2016 the …RESPONDEN (Company No. : 201901016595 his team’s “spirit”.
to Section 459(2) of the Companies Final Meeting of Members NOTIS IKLAN PETISYEN [1325923-H]) Whilst Red Bull thrived the usually
Act 2016, a Final Meeting of the of the Company will be held NOTIS dengan ini adalah diberi bahawa dominant Mercedes struggled, picking up “I think the team spirit and culture that
Members of ECKV Industries Sdn at the Registered Office, No. satu Petisyen untuk menggulungkan BETWEEN just one win across the season. we’ve always had has never lost belief or
Bhd will be held at the Liquidator’s 7126 (1st Floor), Jalan Bagan Syarikat tersebut di Mahkamah Tinggi sight of the target of wanting to get back
office at No. 1 Jalan Lasam, 30350 Jermal, Taman Bintang, 12300 Kuala Lumpur telah pada 05-12-2022 NG SAY WOOI One man who felt the effects was seven- into a winning position.
Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan on Butterworth, Pulau Pinang on diperserahkan di Mahkamah oleh (NRIC : 880923-08-6227) time world champion Hamilton, whose
Tuesday, 31 January 2023 at 10.00 Tuesday the 31st day of January GBBlock World Sdn. Bhd. DAN Petisyen An individual trading under the problems with the car saw him endure his “Obviously, we did have a few lean years
a.m. for the following purposes: 2023 at 3.30 p.m. for the tersebut diarahkan untuk didengar oleh name and style of Tong Heng Fruit first ever winless Formula 1 campaign. off the back of the dominance in the V8
following purpose: Mahkamah yang bersidang di Kuala Enterprise (engine era), to a big regulation change
AGENDA 1. To receive the Liquidator’s final Lumpur pada 18-07-2023 pukul 9.00 Business Registration No.: Despite their 2022 troubles, Horner with a V6.
1. To receive and adopt the account accounts showing the manner pagi dan mana-mana Pemiutang atau 200303112042 (IP0197176-D) believes his Mercedes rivals will improve
in which the winding-up has Pencarum Syarikat tersebut yang ingin ...PETITIONER massively next season. “But everybody focused on their part
from the Liquidator showing the been conducted and of hearing menyokong atau membantah Perintah and doing the best that they could on the
manner in which the winding up any explanations thereof. di dalam Petisyen itu boleh hadir pada AND “I’d love to continue to dominate! But it’s areas that they could influence.
has been conducted and to hear 2. To determine pursuant to waktu perbicaraan dengan sendirinya somewhat unrealistic in this business,
any explanation that may be Section 518(3)(b) of the atau melalui peguamnya bagi tujuan JIMAT JIMAT FRESH & FROZEN MART because the other teams are simply too “We kept a very strong core, we
given by the Liquidator. Companies Act, 2016 the tersebut dan sesalinan Petisyen SDN. BHD. good,” Horner told Racing News 365. developed some young talent and that’s
2. To determine pursuant to Section manner and period in which akan diberikan pada mana-mana (Company No. : 201901016595 really starting to pay dividends.” – Express
518(3)(b) of the Companies the books, accounts and Pemiutang ataupun Pencarum Syarikat [1325923-H]) Tipping a return to the top for his rivals, Newspapers
Act 2016, the manner in which documents of the Company tersebut yang mengkehendakinya Horner went on: “They will have learnt a lot
the books, accounts and and of the Liquidator shall be oleh penandatangan di bawah dengan …RESPONDENT
documents of the Company and disposed off. membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan
of the Liquidator thereof shall be Dated this untuknya. ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION
disposed of. 29th day of December 2022 Alamat Pempetisyen ialah di 105-07-08
Cheai Weng Hoong LIM SIN HIN Jalan Gurdwara, Hexagon Tech Park, NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition AJ admits he is ‘out of title race’
Liquidator LIQUIDATOR 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, for Winding-Up of the abovenamed
Date: 29 December 2022 Note: Malaysia. Respondent by the High Court was
Note: Pursuant to Section 334 of Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan on the 23rd day of November, 2022
A member entitled to attend and vote the Companies Act 2016 the Roshan beralamat di Suite 7-01, Blok presented by Ng Say Wooi AND
at the meeting is entitled to appoint members of the Company are B, Tingkat 7, Kelana Square, 17, Jalan that the said Petition is directed to
a proxy to attend and vote instead entitled to appoint a proxy to SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling be heard before the Court sitting
of him. A proxy may but need not attend and vote. Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. at Taiping at 9.00 o’clock in the
be a member of the Company. The forenoon, on the 21st day of February
instrument appointing a proxy must TETUAN ROSHAN 2023; and any creditor or contributory
be deposited at No. 1 Jalan Lasam, NOTA-Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada of the said Company desiring to
30350 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan not hari Pendengaran Petisyen mestilah support or oppose the making of an
less than 48 hours before the time menyerahkan pada ataupun melalui order on the said Petition may appear
appointed for holding the meeting. Pos kepada Tetuan Roshan secara at the time of hearing by himself or
bertulis niatnya untuk berbuat begitu. his counsel for that purpose and a
Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan copy of the Petition will be furnished
nama dan alamat orang tersebut atau to any creditor or contributory of the
jika ianya sebuah firma, nyatakan said Company requiring the same by
nama dan alamat firma itu dan mesti the undersigned on payment of the
ditandatangani oleh orang tersebut atau regulated charge of the same.
firma tersebut atau penguamcaranya
atau penguamcara mereka (jika ada) The Petitioner’s address is at No. 755, ANTHONY JOSHUA has admitted he is knocked out in a 2015 professional contest.
dan mestilah diserahkan ataupun jika Jalan Pertama 14, 34000 Taiping, “out of the championship title race” as he “I like to see my name constantly
diposkan mengikut tempoh supaya Perak Darul Ridzuan. plans his next step in the heavyweight
sampai kepada penama di atas tidak The Petitioner’s Solicitors are Messrs division. mentioned among other fighters,” Joshua
lewat dari pukul 12.00 tengahari Fong & Hakim of Suite 1-26, Menara told The Sun this week. “The opportunities
pada 17-07-2023 (sebelum hari yang TKSS, 206, Jalan Segambut (Off Jalan “AJ” last fought in August, suffering a are always there for me, there are big
ditetapkan bagi pendengaran Petisyen Duta), 51200 Wilayah Persekutuan second straight decision loss to Oleksandr opportunities to fight.
tersebut). Kuala Lumpur. Usyk while failing to regain the WBA, WBO,
[(RS/CIVL/4/11/22/GBBLOCK)] IBF and IBO titles. “I’ll fight whoever’s ready; I’m ready and
MESSRS FONG & HAKIM we’ll get cracking in the new year. I want to
Advertise with us & connect to our urban readers. Solicitors for the Petitioners Joshua was then offered a shot at the be consistent, be fit to fight, and
Note – Any person who intends to WBC belt by Tyson Fury, but the Britons everything comes off the back of that.
MALACCA KLANG VALLEY JOHOR BAHRU appear on the hearing of the said could not come to an agreement over what
MR. Rajah PENANG | KEDAH MS. Anne Lim Petition must serve on or send by post would have been the biggest heavyweight “I’m dying for the world championship,
TEL: 012-628 2844 PERAK | PERLIS TEL: 013-770 6699 to the above-named solicitors notice fight of this generation. 100%. That’s all my heart and soul is
in writing of his intention to do so. leading towards, (but) I lost a fight this year
FAX: 06-764 2051 PAHANG | FAX: 07-355 5549 The Notice must state the name and Fury instead boxed Derek Chisora for a which took me out of the championship
KELANTAN address of the person, or, if a firm, third time, beating his compatriot via TKO title race.
TERENGGANU the name and address of the firm and to stay undefeated.
MS. Shoba must be signed by the person or firm “When I lost, I was finally out of the race,
TEL: 03-7784 8888 or his or their solicitor (if any) and Joshua, 33, has meanwhile been linked and overcoming that was a new
FAX: 03-7784 4424 must be served, or, if posted, must with a potential rematch against Dillian beginning… It’s challenging to overcome
be sent by post in sufficient time to Whyte, whom AJ lost to as an amateur but that.” – The Independent
reach the above-named not later than
twelve o’clock noon on the 20th day
of February 2023 (the day before the
day appointed for the hearing of the
Petition).
(Ref No.: FH/LT/83/2022)

22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022 READ OUR HERE SCAN
ME
SPORTS /thesundaily

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI has taken La Heat on Xavi
Liga by storm but Barcelona coach Xavi Pressure rising as Barca must cope without Lewandowski in derby
must cope without him during a busy
January period, starting with a Catalan ahead of the World Cup was an players, making controversial needs to be brave.”
derby against Espanyol on Saturday. important morale boost for the financial sacrifices to do so. Barcelona’s first chance to lift silverware this
Catalans. Lewandowski’s arrival
The Polish striker is the division’s top scorer seemed to be paying instant season comes in mid-January with the Spanish
but is suspended for three league games after The coach is under pressure dividends but after Barcelona Super Cup.
being sent off in Barcelona’s final match before to win trophies in his second were beaten twice by his
the World Cup. season at the helm after former side Bayern Munich in However they must face Espanyol and Atletico
finishing the previous Europe, pressure on them has Madrid in La Liga before that, along with Intercity
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Barcelona campaign trophyless. risen. in the Copa del Rey.
came from behind to beat Osasuna and move “I am aware that we need
two points clear of champions Real Madrid, who Barcelona spent to win titles this season,” Crosstown rivals Espanyol are fighting for
are second after 14 games each. big in the Xavi told Barca TV survival at the other end of the table, 16th and
s u m m e r, last week. only one point clear of the drop zone.
Xavi has three options to pick from up front, signing “The
with Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Memphis Lewandowski, pressure is Coach Pablo Machin is likely to select Martin
Depay vying for a start, although none of the Brazil winger Braithwaite in attack against his former side, after
three are natural centre forwards. Raphinha, a sour parting of ways last summer.
France
Meanwhile winger Ousmane Dembele, World defender The Danish forward said he thought Xavi did
Cup runner up with France, returned to training Jules not believe in him and has a chance to prove his
with Barcelona on Monday and could be Kounde point on Saturday.
involved against Espanyol. and
other Xavi preferred to rely on Torres, Fati and
After Barca’s disappointing Champions Depay as backups for Lewandowski instead of
League group stage elimination, moving top ‘Juventus comes Braithwaite – so further scrutiny will fall on his
before everything’ derby lineup selection. – AFP
mainly on
me. And I DrawDate:28/12/22(Wed) DrawNo:5521/22 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB
accept it. I
thrive on
5574/2022 28/12/2022 (WED) challenge
Xavi and one

7096
2974
2437

9515 8348 3896 3723 OUTGOING Juventus chairman Andrea chairman for over a decade, said that by 3308
5301 0772 5753 5727 Agnelli yesterday defended his tenure stepping down he had wanted to avoid
4605 6356 0780 9200 at the helm of the Serie A club and said any risk that people might think his 1121
3967 5285 1672 5319 the decision to step down had been a personal situation could affect the club’s
6476 1578 0516 7123 hard one to take. decisions. 0014

7096 2974 3,209,791.89 “On top of loving Juventus, in recent “Juventus comes before everything 6510 + 7429 5015 + 6041
7096 2437 2974 7096 years I have given my best to achieving and everyone,” he said. “I am strongly 2186 + 9609 1005 + 4560
2974 2437 2437 7096 results on and off the pitch,” Agnelli told convinced I have acted properly in 7835 + 0978 1345 + 8247
2437 2974 shareholders gathered in Turin’s recent years, and that accusations raised 4561 + 4717 5287 + 1329
117,748.29 Juventus Stadium. against us were not founded.” 0511 + 2670 5692 + 3080

Investors approved results for the Italy’s football prosecutors last week RM5,248,650.80
fiscal year ended in June which showed sought the partial cancellation of a
7096 a €238 million (RM1.12b) loss. ruling that cleared Juventus and other 3308 + 1121 1121 + 3308
clubs and their executives following the 3308 + 0014 0014 + 3308
2974 Juventus, Italy’s most successful accounting investigation focused on 1121 + 0014 0014 + 1121
2437 team, is under scrutiny by prosecutors capital gains.
and the country’s market watchdog for
alleged false accounting, leading its A hearing on the case is scheduled
board to resign last month. on Jan 20, Juventus CEO Maurizio
Arrivabene said yesterday. – The
Agnelli, a member of the family that Independent
controls Juventus, and the team’s

RABBIT SIDENETTING RM171,410.60
Ramsey yet to return to Nice
who has 78 caps for Wales. “He was very 753 308 + MONKEY RM2,592,222.10
AARON RAMSEY has not returned to club disappointed with the World Cup.” Ramsey
26508 side Nice since Wales’World Cup exit, has been a regular in the Nice side since 091 121 + ROOSTER RM841,666.60
6508 manager Lucien Favre has confirmed. joining the French club as a free agent in
29992 508 Favre said the former Arsenal and August after his contract was terminated 500 014 + DRAGON RM2,025,972.10
07558 08 Juventus midfielder was finding it “hard to at Juventus, making 16 appearances in all
digest” his country’s failure to reach the competitions and playing in 12 of their 15
048733 knockout stages in league matches, including 90 minutes in 296 510 197 429 515 015 446 041
Qatar. Ramsey has their final match before the World Cup 642 186 569 609 431 005 654 560
04873 48733 not played since break on Nov 11. Nice are due to return to 297 835 720 978 801 345 468 247
0487 8733 Wales’ final action in Ligue 1 today when they host RC 554 561 904 717 155 287 661 329
048 733 group game on Lens. 340 511 412 670 515 692 633 080
04 33 29 November -
a 3-0 defeat by Blind terminates contract
6 19 25 38 46 50 England. “He is with Ajax 308 121 014
22,935,663.73 taking his time
to really recover NETHERLANDS defender Daley Blind RM677,578.00
5 16 19 21 33 39 – that’s it,” said has agreed to terminate his contract
6,669,827.69 Favre of the 32- with Ajax six months early, the club 308 + 121 + 014 121 + 014 + 308
year-old, confirmed yesterday. The 32-year-old, 308 + 014 + 121 014 + 308 + 121
13 30 45 46 47 49 8 who joined Ajax’s academy aged eight, 121 + 308 + 014 014 + 121 + 308
7,287,206.16 Blind played 333 times during two spells with
105,707.60 the Dutch side. He has won seven dmcGO: Refer more friends and
Eredivisie titles with the club and scored earn more rewards!
Toto 4D Jackpot 2 13 goals. “Over the course of the last

RM222,778 few days, we reached an agreement
Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System) with Daley to terminate his
RM19,372 contract,” Ajax president Edwin
van der Sar said. “I hope he can
won on 27/12/2022 ! find another club to end his
successful career with.” Blind,
who has played all but one
league game this season,
moved from Ajax to
Manchester United in 2014 and
spent four years with the Premier
League side before returning to
the Amsterdam-based club.
“Together with Daley, we have

decided on a match in the ArenA
where he can say a proper
goodbye to the supporters,”Van
der Sar added.

23theSUN ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2022
* SPORTS

RESULTS & STANDINGS ‘It’s not OK’

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea █ ANDY SIMS Kulusevski frustrated by Tottenham’s trend of slow starts
2 (Havertz 16, Mount 24) Bournemouth
0, Manchester United 3 (Rashford 19, DEJAN KULUSEVSKI has revealed his
Martial 22, Fred 87) Nottingham Forest frustration at Tottenham Hotspur’s habit
0. of starting matches slowly. Spurs found
themselves 2-0 down at Brentford on
Arsenal P W D L F A Pts Boxing Day after conceding goals to Vitaly Janelt playing from the first minute. the game, from the start until the end. You know
15 13 1 1 36 12 40 and Ivan Toney. “It’s not enough with words, we have to do it on very well the difficulty of this League.
Newcastle 16 9 6 1 32 11 33
Man City 14 10 2 2 40 14 32 Harry Kane’s fine header halved the deficit and the pitch. If I knew how to change it I would tell “At this moment, United, Chelsea and
Tottenham 16 9 3 4 33 23 30 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg slammed home an equaliser. everybody but I don’t know. We have to figure it out Liverpool stay out of a place in the Champions
Man Utd 15 9 2 4 23 20 29 as a team. League. For this reason, we have to continue to
Liverpool 15 7 4 4 31 18 25 But Spurs had to settle for a point after making it improve, to work very hard and put in our mind
Brighton 15 7 3 5 26 20 24 nine consecutive matches in which they have “We didn’t expect this and we work so hard to to go to another level.”
Chelsea 15 7 3 5 19 17 24 conceded the first goal. not play like this. When you work hard you want
Fulham 16 6 4 6 27 26 22 to see the results. But we have another game The Bees beat Manchester City before the
Brentford 16 4 8 4 25 27 20 “The first half was very bad, we didn’t feel ready, against Aston Villa soon and we will be prepared. World Cup break and German midfielder Janelt
Crystal Palace 15 5 4 6 15 21 19 we lost every second ball and didn’t do anything The first game is always the difficult one after such was satisfied with a point against Spurs.
Aston Villa 16 5 3 8 17 25 18 with the ball,” Swedish winger Kulusevski told the a break.”
Leicester 16 5 2 9 25 28 17 club website. “On one side, we’re a bit disappointed. On the
Bournemouth 16 4 4 8 18 34 16 Head coach Antonio Conte is also losing other side, I think before the game we would
Leeds 14 4 3 7 22 26 15 “So we were very disappointed with the game. patience over Tottenham’s tendency to play catch- have taken a point,” he said.
West Ham 16 4 2 10 13 20 14 It’s not OK. You feel as a player as soon as we got the up and fears Spurs’ slow starts could allow
Everton 16 3 5 8 12 19 14 first goal we thought we were going to win. But the Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool to pip “We knew, especially after the City game,
Wolves 16 3 4 9 10 25 13 big problem is not the second half, it’s the first half. them to a top-four spot in the long run. everyone was excited after the World Cup break,
Forest 16 3 4 9 11 33 13 we’d done well to make it 2-0 but, after that, I
Southampton 16 3 3 10 14 30 12 “We have to improve. It’s not OK to start games “I spoke with my players, because now it’s think we gave it a bit away.
like this. If we want to be a big team we have to start becoming usual, this type of situation. OK we were
good to come back, but we have to try to improve. “But, at the end of the day, I think we’ll take a
point against Tottenham at home.” – The
“It’s important to be stable in every moment of Independent/Agencies

CHAMPIONSHIP: Reading 2 Swansea Saints urged to take advantage
1, Burnley 3 Birmingham 0. of ‘winnable games

(Top 5) P W D L F A Pts █ ED ELLIOT Perraud’s own goal put
Burnley 24 14 8 2 49 24 50 Brighton in a
Sheff Utd 24 14 5 5 41 21 47 JAMES WARD-PROWSE believes struggling comfortable
Blackburn 24 13 0 11 28 28 39 Southampton face a series of “winnable position at the
Watford 24 10 7 7 30 24 37 break.
Norwich 24 10 5 9 31 27 35 Solly
March’s long-
SIDENETTING games” in a critical spell of the season after range
Norwich sack coach Smith slipping to the foot of the Premier League stunner
table. tightened
NORWICH have sacked head coach Dean Saints were jeered off at the end of each Albion’s
Smith after a Boxing Day defeat by Luton half as Nathan Jones’ first top-flight home grip on
Town. Smith’s side were beaten 2-1 on game as manager ended in a dismal 3-1 the
Monday to leave them fifth in the defeat to Brighton. contest
Championship, 12 points off the Captain Ward-Prowse pulled a prior to
automatic promotion spots, with the goal back for the hosts but Ward-Prowse
club taking the decision to look for a new Tuesday’s poor performance claiming a
manager in their pursuit of regaining a against the Seagulls was consolation goal
place in the Premier League. Assistant compounded by a host “Two easy
head coach Craig Shakespeare and first- of calamitous errors. goals took the
team coach Liam Bramley have also left Southampton game away from
the club. “As the club continues to work return to action us,” said the
towards its on-field objectives this at Fulham on
season, the board believe that it is the Saturday midfielder.
right time to make this transition,” read (11pm) and “Ultimately that’s
an official club statement yesterday. “The also face fellow the level of the
club will now work to identify and strugglers
appoint a new head coach that is able to Nottingham Forest, Everton and Wolves, Premier League.
deliver both the level of performances plus Aston Villa and Brentford, during the You give half
required to challenge at the top end of next two months. chances or easy
the league whilst implementing a “Of course, we’re disappointed,”Ward- opportunities,
consistent style of play.” Smith, 51, took Prowse told Saints’ website. “First game after
over as Norwich coach in November the restart and we saw it as a good and they take
2021, a week after being fired as Aston opportunity to be on the front foot and give them.
Villa manager. The Englishman joined the everybody something to be excited about.
Canaries on a two-and-a-half-year “I think we failed to implement the “The
contract, replacing Daniel Farke, but was manager’s messages and that’s disappointing. manner in
unable to save the club from relegation. “This time of year gives you the which we
Norwich ultimately finished bottom of opportunity to turn bad results around very conceded the
the Premier League table. quickly and it’s a definitive period of the goals was the
season for us. most
Burnley storming “There’s a lot of winnable games disappointing
towards EPL return coming up but that’s down to us thing and when
and it starts on the training you give them
ANASS ZAROURY took less than a pitch with the work we’re goals like that you
minute to announce his return from the going to do with the manager.” give yourselves a
World Cup as Burnley beat Birmingham Poor goalkeeping from mountain to
3-0 to open up an 11-point cushion in Gavin Bazunu and Romain Ward-Prowse climb.” – The
the race for promotion to the Premier Independent
League. Moroccan winger Zaroury, who
played for his country in the third place Klopp cool about ‘unstoppable’ Nunez
playoff just 10 days earlier, was thrown
straight back into the action by manager █ NICK MASHITER But Klopp feels he will become more
Vincent Kompany and responded by LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp saluted clinical as he adapts to life at Anfield.
scoring the quickest goal in the Darwin Nunez and insisted he is unstoppable
Championship this season after just 50 despite his wastefulness at Aston Villa. “He’s unstoppable in the moment when
seconds. Connor Roberts, another player we keep the ball and pass it in the right
who tasted World Cup action last month The striker missed several chances in moment, there’s no defender who can really
with Wales, netted just before half-time Boxing Day’s 3-1 win at Villa but was a catch up speed-wise,” said Klopp.
and Nathan Tella rounded off the scoring constant danger.
in stoppage time. The win takes “I know all the stories around and it’s all
Kompany’s men back three points clear Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Stefan fine but we are completely calm, everything
of Sheffield United at the top of the table. Bajcetic scored, with Ollie Watkins replying will be fine. He played an exceptional game
However, more importantly they are 11 for Villa, to move Liverpool five points adrift and we won 3-1 and that’s all that counts.
clear of rivals Blackburn, who sit third, of the Premier League’s top four.
with the top two automatically “I haven’t been in the business since
promoted to the top flight. Nunez, who has nine goals in 20 yesterday and I’ve had some strikers around. I
appearances since an £85 million (RM459m) know scoring at the beginning is really not
summer move from Benfica, wasted two fine important.
openings in the first half before dragging
wide when clean through after the break. “There are so many other things that are
much more important. You just have to stay
calm.” – The Independent

THURSDAY • DECEMBER 29, 2022 QUOTE OF THE DAY

We have to improve. It’s not OK to start
games like this. If we want to be a big
team we have to start playing from the first
minute... If I knew how to change it I would tell
everybody but I don’t know. We have to figure it
out as a team.”

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dejan Kulusevski

█ IAN PARKER am looking at our team,” he said. “I am

ERIK TEN HAG expressed convinced of the squad we have, the players in
faith in the strikers he has our team, they have the capabilities,
at his disposal after individual and as a team to compete with all of
watching Marcus those teams.”
Rashford and Anthony Martial
United played with a patched-up defence
with illness ruling out Victor Lindelof and
score in a comfortable victory Scott McTominay, while Harry Maguire was fit
over Nottingham Forest. enough only for the bench.
Rashford continued his Raphael Varane started as the only
strong form by opening the recognised centre-half just days after
scoring in the 19th minute, returning from the World Cup, with Luke
then teed up Martial for the Shaw out of position next to him.
second moments later, with “You always question yourself after a break
Fred then sealing a 3-0 win what will be the restart,” Ten Hag said. “The
with a late goal in the back four never played together and we had a
second half. player who never played ever in a centreback
Ten Hag is keen to position.
strengthen in attack in “If you win with three, concede no goal,
the January transfer you are happy with the performance. Rapha
window following shows once again his great personality, the
Cristiano Ronaldo’s standard he is giving Manchester United.
exit, but the “I had a problem in the centre-half position
Dutchman said he and he took the responsibility and played
has full confidence in really well and was important for our team.”
Defeat for Forest keeps Steve Cooper’s
‘We have numbers’side in the bottom three, and without a goal
on the road since August. They had the balldid.
in the net late in the first half but Willy Boly
was offside.
“We’ve lost 3-0, so the main reflection is
one of disappointment,” Cooper said. “It’s
disappointing we’ve given away the goals we
“United were the better team throughout
and deserved to win the game, but what we
post-Rondmiadonml’dtendotos era inwas make sthteymloest of any good
Ten Hag has faith in current players after United begin
we had.
“We did find some good positions in the
first half, but we didn’t make the most of them.
“We had enough corners and set-pieces to
the players he already has as United try to have more of an opportunity to create and
break into the top four. score goals. Delivery has let us down.
“I never spoke about that I have doubt “The overriding factor is United were better
about that on the counter side,” Ten Hag said. than us tonight and deserved to win the game.
“We have (Alejandro) Garnacho, we have But I just think we lacked quality and, for me,
(Anthony) Elanga, we have numbers as well, belief when we had moments to make a
but those four didn’t play two games together. difference in the game.
I think only Everton. “That’s something we are going to have to
“When we can play those front four often do better going forward.” – The Independent
together there will be more routines and when
we get more routines in we have more of a
goalscoring threat and that is what you see
tonight, we score three goals. I am quite happy
with them.
“When you are critical – and I am – there is
room for improvement because we should
score more than three goals with the
chances we create but I’m happy with
creating all those chances.”
United were strongly linked with Cody
Gakpo in the summer and had been
tipped to pursue the PSV Eindhoven Manchester United’s Anthony Martial
forward again, but the Eredivisie club celebrates after scoring during their
have now announced that a deal has Premier League match against
been struck with Liverpool. Nottingham Forest. – AFPPIX

“I’m not looking at other teams, I

Chelsea back to winning ways but suffer James injury setback

CHELSEA put their pre-World Cup The only downside for the Blues disappointed, of course he is. At the going off probably affects the stadium, had,” continued Potter. “The first-half
blues behind them as England duo was the sight of England defender moment we are hoping it isn’t as bad. the team,” added Potter. “There’s going performance was good. The attitude
Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount Reece James, back from the knee to be concern, worry, and we wanted was fantastic. The players tried their
starred in a 2-0 victory over injury which forced him to miss the “He’s been really disappointed to to hold onto the win. best.
Bournemouth yesterday. World Cup, limping off injured again miss the World Cup, of course. It was a
just after halftime. huge blow to him. You could see today “He is a world-class player. You see “It was a deserved win, we had to
Graham Potter was in desperate his quality and what he brings to the it from the outside but not till you hold on. Bournemouth made it
need of a win following the three There are now fears Chelsea could team. work with him you see how good he competitive. We weren’t in the best of
straight Premier League defeats which be without one of their key players for is. moments (before the break).
had left his side outside the top six at another extended spell. “He’s had to deal with the injury
Christmas for only the second time in and he’s done that well. The plan was “He could play in any team in the “You have to use breaks as best you
22 seasons. “It’s really too soon, but it’s the to play 60 minutes today so now he’s world, and any team would miss him.” can, evaluate and reassess and get
same area so we are concerned and disappointed, of course. injured players back. We used it as best
But there were encouraging signs we’ll have to see over the next 24-48 The result saw the Blues move up we could even with players coming
that Potter has put the six-week break hours,” said Potter. “We hope it’s not as bad as it was to eighth in the Premier League table back at different times.”
to good use as Chelsea stylishly put and he can have a speedy recovery.” and they will be determined to
their bogey side to the sword. “He’s not good but we’ll have to maintain their newly-found winning “When you’re 2-0 down at Chelsea
wait and see. It’s too early for me to Chelsea had cruised into a 2-0 lead momentum at the next time of asking and they are passing the ball around
Bournemouth had won on three of speculate but whenever he comes off after just 24 minutes through goals by claiming another morale-boosting like they were it would have been easy
their last five visits to Stamford Bridge like that, it is not positive. from Kai Havertz and Mount but after victory over Nottingham Forest on for it to get to three, four or five, so
but they never looked like repeating James went off, seven minutes into the Monday (12.30am Malaysian time). there are lots of positives as well from
the feat in Gary O’Neil’s first match as “He felt something there and we second half, Bournemouth threatened the second half.” – The
permanent manager. will have to find out the extent of it to get back into the match. “Credit to the players, you’re never Independent/Express Newspapers
and keep our fingers crossed. He’s sure how it’ll go with the break we
“Reece was playing well and him

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