The Sun Daily-final edition-30_08_2023-complete

TELLING IT AS IT IS ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 30, 2023 No. 8341 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my BEST FOOT FORWARD ... A uniformed contingent taking part in a dress rehearsal for the National Day parade at Dataran Putra in Putrajaya yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN Beacon of hope For grateful refugees and asylum seekers, Malaysia offers a chance to rebuild their lives in a society that has embraced and allowed them to contribute to its rich culture Transport minister says preliminary report expected to be issued in two weeks, with final version usually taking a year to complete Voice recordings of pilots in final minutes retrieved with assistance of CVR manufacturer in Florida, sent back to Malaysia via safe email Full report on hpage 4 Full report on hpage 5 Black box data of plane in Elmina crash extracted There will be no publication tomorrow. We will be back on Friday. Please visit thesundaily.my for the latest news.

2 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Huge potential in Sabah biodiversity KOTA KINABALU: With its immense biodiversity, Sabah has a treasure trove of genetic resources that could be tapped for various biotechnological applications, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang. He said its rich ecosystems, including rainforests, coral reefs and deep-sea environments, house a plethora of organisms, many of which are likely to contain unique and yet-to-be-discovered biomolecules. “These genetic riches could be instrumental in developing new medicines, agricultural varieties, industrial enzymes and other valuable products,” he said in his opening speech at the 8th International Biotechnology Symposium yesterday. oGenetic resources could boost development in biotechnological, medical and agricultural sectors, says minister The two-day symposium, organised by the Biotechnology Research Institute of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), is being attended by 250 participants from Japan, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Indonesia and other countries. Chang said the biomolecules found in Sabah’s biodiversity have unusual characteristics such as antimicrobial and anticancer properties that have the potential to be invaluable assets for further advancements in biotechnology. He added that Sabah’s wellpreserved ecosystems are teeming with diverse microbial communities and these microorganisms could have applications in waste treatment, bioremediation (a process of using microorganisms to break down hazardous materials) and biofuel production. “To harness these opportunities, Sabah’s natural resources and ecosystems must be recognised and utilised to their fullest potential. By doing so, not only could a robust biotechnology sector emerge, but it could also contribute to sustainable development and address both local and worldwide challenges.” He said the symposium would serve as a platform to exchange ideas, share knowledge and forge meaningful partnerships and at the same time, celebrate the collaborative efforts of researchers, entrepreneurs and visionaries who relentlessly push the boundaries of biotechnology, Bernama reported. UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor, in his speech read by deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Rosalam Sarbatly, said the importance of translational biotechnology could not be understated as it has revolutionised the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and made possible great advances in the practise of personalised medicine. He also said translational biotechnology has transformed agriculture, increased crop yields and averted food shortage, paving the way for more sustainable and cleaner, environmentally friendly industrial processes. “We must also encourage collaboration between academics, captains of industry and policymakers to ensure that our breakthroughs are successfully adapted into real-world applications that could benefit communities around the globe.” RM2 billion allocated for energy transition facility KUALA LUMPUR: The government will allocate RM2 billion as seed fund for the National Energy Transition Facility to enable catalytic blended finance, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday. He said the facility would enable a seamless flow of financial resources for energy transition projects that are marginally bankable or yield below-market returns. Blended finance is a broad and flexible term used to describe the merging (blending) of public and private capital to address social and/or environmental needs. It aims to attract private capital by making investments less risky and/or more profitable. “Considering Malaysia’s current state of immature decarbonisation technologies, our progress will significantly hinge on alternative energy sources and robust regional and international collaboration,” said Anwar. He was speaking at the launch of the second phase of the National Energy Transition Roadmap yesterday. “As the paramount challenge Anwar, accompanied by Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (second from right), at an exhibition held in conjunction with the event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Voters urged to choose PH in polls MUAR: Voters have only one choice to make in the Simpang Jeram and Pulai by-elections – pick Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates to ensure continued development and the people’s wellbeing, said Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. The Johor Umno deputy chairman said a vote for PH would mean that the people want development and good relations between the state and federal governments to easily resolve local problems. “The Simpang Jeram state seat should remain under the government, not the Opposition. The same goes for the Pulai parliamentary seat. A vote for Perikatan Nasional will not benefit the people. “But if they pick unity government candidates, they are choosing development, unity and good statefederal relations. By doing so, they would have elected representatives who can easily resolve their problems.” Ahmad was speaking after attending a ceramah with the PH candidate for Simpang Jeram, Nazri Abdul Rahman, at Taman Sri Kasih on Monday. The Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections were triggered by the death of Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23. – Bernama Business aid for army veterans KUANTAN: The Defence Ministry is providing business grants for 200 entrepreneurs from among Armed Forces veterans this year. Its deputy minister Adly Zahari said the assistance is aimed at providing capital injection for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and raise their income levels. “We will cooperate with the relevant ministries to ensure that entrepreneurs among the veterans receive the assistance,” he said after officiating at the Armed Forces Veteran Entrepreneur Empowerment Programme yesterday. At the event, 10 entrepreneurs from Pahang received grants worth RM5,000 each under the Rural Entrepreneurship Support Initiative of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. He said the awarding of grants this year only began last month and as of yesterday, 20 entrepreneurs from the Klang Valley, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan had received such assistance. Adly said the Ex-Serviceman Affairs Corporation was monitoring 1,286 veterans in Pahang who had completed their transitional training from 2018 to 2022. He added that among them, 329 were involved in businesses, 139 were self-employed and 232 had not secured a second career due to various factors. – Bernama Fahmi highlights govt efforts KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has shared several important announcements made by the unity government over the past week. In a Facebook post on Monday, Fahmi said the announcements included the approval of the installation of a Starlink satellite device in Kampung Orang Asli Tonggang in Perak. He said the government had also approved an increase of grant allocations for micro-entrepreneurs to RM10 million, an allocation of RM10 million to guide B40 urban businesses as well as the expansion of the Madani Medical Scheme to seven new districts. He said to enliven National Day celebrations tomorrow, free shuttle bus services will be provided from the Putrajaya MRT station to Dataran Putrajaya. Also announced were the Sekinchan mini pilot project to produce 10.45 tonnes of rice per hectare and an additional allocation of RM30 million for upgrading the East-West Highway connecting Gerik to Jeli. – Bernama in energy transition is financing, it is estimated that an investment of at least RM1.2 trillion between this year and 2050 is needed to enable responsible energy transition.” Anwar added that in this decade alone, the government requires between RM60 billion and RM90 billion to be allocated for crucial projects, including the expansion of public transport, strengthening grid infrastructure and reskilling of human capital. He said the government would launch a major retrofit programme to enhance energy efficiency in government buildings. “An Esco (energy service company) platform will be established to connect private Escos, which are mainly small and medium enterprises, with government projects. “The central role of the platform will be to serve as an intermediary that pools government building retrofitting projects and encourages publicprivate coordination in the Esco market.” Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the government plans to hold the first meeting of the National Energy Council in October. He said the council, chaired by Anwar, would set forth highlevel strategic directions and policies, allowing for the working committees to coordinate and report the progress in turn. “The establishment of the National Energy Council is the strongest indication yet of the government’s intention in moving beyond blueprints and into the nitty-gritty of implementation,” Rafizi said in his keynote address on the second day of the Energy Transition Conference yesterday. – Bernama

3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 GEORGE TOWN: Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN) has not decided who will be the opposition leader in the state legislative assembly, as the decision lies with its leadership. Sungai Dua assemblyman Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff, who is also state PAS commissioner, said the state PN has submitted a list of candidates. “We are trying to resolve this and we hope the PN central leadership will come to a decision soon so that a letter could be issued to the Penang legislative assembly secretary. “We have shortlisted the names of representatives from PAS and Bersatu. The candidate for the opposition leader’s post will be announced before the state assembly convenes in November,” he said after the swearing-in ceremony for 40 assemblymen yesterday. He said among the names proposed to the PN leadership were his and Penang Bersatu chief Zulkefli Bakar, who is also Penanti assemblyman, Bernama reported. Muhammad Fauzi denied that there was a problem in deciding on the appointment of the opposition leader and stressed that it was being finalised by the PN leadership. “It is not an issue. This is also being finalised in other states, namely Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang,” he said. The Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) coalition won 29 out of the 40 state assembly seats in the state election held on Aug 12. DAP managed to retain all 19 state seats it won in the 2018 general election while PKR, Amanah and BN won seven, one and two seats respectively. PN won 11 seats, with PAS controlling seven seats namely Sungai Dua, Permatang Pasir, Pulau Betong, Sungai Bakap, Permatang Berangan, Pinang Tunggal and Penaga while Bersatu won four in Penanti, Telok Ayer Tawar, Telok Bahang and Seberang Jaya. Previously, the state opposition leader was former Bertam assemblyman Khaliq Mehtab Ishaq while former Sungai Dua assemblyman from BN, Datuk Muhamad Yusoff Noor, was the opposition leader from August 2018 until the BN-PH alliance formed the unity government. No word yet on Penang opposition leader post oList of candidates sent to PN leadership, decision to be announced before state assembly convenes Works Ministry urged to set up action team KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry has been urged to set up a rapid action team to handle complaints channelled through the MyJalan app. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Traffic and Road Safety psychologist Prof Dr Rozmi Ismail said it would ensure that follow-up action, including road damage issues raised by users through the app, could be resolved immediately. “Every complaint involves consumer safety which is a critical issue, so immediate action must be taken. “There should also be a clear standard operating procedure. For example, every complaint received must be resolved within a reasonable time and to make this possible, the ministry must always have sufficient manpower and resources at all times,” he said yesterday. The MyJalan app, which was launched recently, is designed as a one-stop centre for complaints related to roads, including those not maintained by the ministry. Meanwhile, National Road Users Association acting president Fahami Ashrof Badaruddin said to ensure the app achieves its objectives, one aspect that needs focus is to ensure all repair works are carried out by qualified contractors. He said the contractor must be able to complete the job within the time frame and according to the detailed plan and specifications. “It is of no use if all complaints are resolved immediately, but the work is slipshod and done without following the specifications because in no time, the problem will recur and continue to endanger road users,” he said. Road user Ainu Adilah Mustafa, 26, in welcoming the launch of the platform, said the move shows the ministry’s approach was in line with technological progress. “The app is easy to use. With just some basic information, we can lodge reports and complain to the relevant parties without having to go to the government office or complaints counter.” – Bernama Hospital plagued by parking woes JOHOR BAHRU: The state government will continue to apply to the federal government for a multistorey car park to be built at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital to deal with congestion. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said apart from the hospital reaching its capacity in accommodating patients, the issue of difficulty in finding parking space is also a concern. “This issue has caused many visitors and patients to park their vehicles on the side of the main road, which has resulted in traffic congestion in the hospital area. “Therefore, I will continue to apply to the federal government so that a multi-storey parking can be built. I also obtained an agreement from the developer to provide a car park at the open area in front of the hospital, close to the overpass,” he said in a post on his Facebook page yesterday. – Bernama Heavy traffic expected at causeways SINGAPORE: Heavy traffic is expected at both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from tomorrow to Sept 11 as Singaporeans cross into Malaysia ahead of the long weekend and school holidays in September. The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said as observed during the recent June school holidays, there was continuous heavy traffic at the land checkpoints, with close to 250,000 travellers at the start of the holidays on June 1. “During the weekend of June 16 to June 18, more than 1.2 million travellers, averaging more than 400,000 crossings per day, used the land checkpoints. “Those who travelled by car had to wait up to three hours before they were cleared through immigration during peak periods. “Travellers to Malaysia are thus advised to factor in additional waiting time for immigration clearance, especially over the weekends,” the ICA said on its website. – Bernama Chow and Law during the swearing-in ceremony yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Law Choo Kiang was yesterday sworn in as the Penang State Legislative Assembly speaker for a third consecutive term. His appointment was proposed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and seconded by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohammad Abdul Hamid. Law took his oath of office before state assembly secretary Hasma Hashim at a ceremony. Meanwhile, Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz was elected deputy state speaker. The ceremony then proceeded with the swearing-in of 40 assemblymen who won in the Aug 12 state election, led by Chow. – Bernama State assembly speaker sworn in Former Jasin MP dies, aged 70 MALACCA: Former Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusof has died. He was 70. His daughter Nur Adawiah said Mohd Said passed away at 8.10pm on Monday at the Malacca Hospital. “He was suffering from heart problems and diabetes and was frequently hospitalised since last December,” she said. He was buried at the Padang Temu Muslim Cemetery. Mohd Said leaves a wife, Datin Rozana Samsudin, 66, three children and six grandchildren. Mohd Said was Jasin MP from 2004 to 2008 and also served as chairman of the Malaysian History and Patriotism Research Institute, now known as the Tun Perak Institute. Meanwhile, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, in a Facebook post, conveyed his condolences to the family. – Bernama

4 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Residents create ‘Merdeka mini park’ IPOH: In conjunction with the National Month celebrations, Taman Klebang Putra 1 residents here have decided to set up Laman Merdeka at their neighbourhood field to show their love for the country. Klebang Putra 1 Neighbourhood Watch Committee chairman Dr Mohamad Azrul Azly said the idea to set up Laman Merdeka, which is nearly 80% complete, came from a discussion with residents who wanted to do something different to commemorate this year’s National Day. “Every year, the Klebang Putra 1 Rukun Tetangga will distribute Jalur Gemilang to every house here. However, not all residents will fly the flag, so we created the Laman Merdeka and put up 1,300 Jalur Gemilang,” he said yesterday. Mohamad Azrul added that the field was chosen because residents would go there for recreation and leisure, especially in the evening. Laman Merdeka director Mohd Rizal Mohd Rajab said notable features of the project include an arch decorated with the Jalur Gemilang as well as replicas such as KL Tower and the wau (traditional kite). He said the replicas were built by residents using recycled materials such as PVC pipes, plastic bottles and tyres. To enliven both National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations this year, Mohd Rizal said a mini independence exhibition would be held at the field on Sept 10 from 8.30am to 12.30pm. – Bernama Residents Ishammudin Isahak (left) and Mohd Rizal Mohd Rajab putting the final touches to Laman Merdeka. – BERNAMAPIC Malaysia beacon of hope for refugees PETALING JAYA: As a nation that has weaved unity and understanding into its very fabric, Malaysia has frequently opened its arms to receive refugees and asylum seekers. For many of them, Malaysia offers a chance to rebuild their lives in a community that has embraced them and allowed them to further contribute to its rich culture. As of July, there were about 182,010 refugees and asylum-seekers in the country registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This has made the country stand proud as a beacon of humanity. A grateful Syrian refugee, Bilal Ahmed, 26, who arrived in Malaysia seven years ago, said: “Malaysia gave me hope when I had none. I lost oMany find chance to rebuild lives, with NGOs offering language classes, vocational training █ BY SIVANISVARRY MORHAN [email protected] contact with my family members when I came here. During my search, a secondary school teacher helped me locate them. “I truly appreciate the people who helped me. For me, Malaysia has become my second home, providing me with safety, opportunities, and a chance to rebuild my life. I am forever grateful to my second home and its people.” A 34-year-old Rohingya community centre teacher, who wished to be known as Eindra, has been tirelessly working with her community for over a decade. “I found it difficult in the beginning. However, interacting with the people here has been an eye-opening experience. I am thankful to the Malaysians who took us in and helped us survive. They have committed themselves to our community’s welfare,” she said. “Thank you, Malaysia for giving me a chance. As a gesture to repay the kindness, our community has started to contribute talents and skills to the local workforce,” she said. The contributions made by refugees and asylum seekers have not gone unnoticed by the local community. Volunteers and NGOs have stepped in to provide essential support, offering language classes, vocational training, and emotional support. Volunteer Sharmili Pradaa Chandran from an international NGO, said she felt proud and happy that the country was giving hope to refugees by accepting them on humanitarian grounds. “I was privileged to work with refugees aged between 10 and 21. The experience of liaising with them was exceptional as their stories taught me about inner strength and facing harsh realities of life,” said Sharmili. “Many refugees who relocated to our country had a chance to make contributions towards the improvement and development of their community. “They are fast learners and are willing to be a part of us. Their ability to speak our national language fluently made me realise that they had adapted to our culture much quicker and at a young age.” Sharmili emphasised that Rohingya youths must engage in voluntary projects as it helps the NGO to teach them about Malaysia’s diverse cultures and its strength. “So, let us proudly celebrate our 66th National Day with commitment, compassion and inclusivity.”

5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 Black box data of plane in Elmina crash extracted PUTRAJAYA: The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data of an aircraft that crashed onto the Guthrie Corridor near Elmina West in Shah Alam on Aug 17 has been extracted, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke yesterday. He added that the Air Accident Investigation Bureau managed to retrieve it with the help of the CVR manufacturer L3Harris at its laboratory in Florida, USA. “All the data was downloaded, including the last 30 minutes of voice recordings before the crash.” Loke said they were sent to an investigation team in Malaysia for analysis and a preliminary report is expected to be issued in two weeks, Bernama reported. oTransport minister says preliminary report expected to be issued in two weeks “The voice recordings of the two pilots will be analysed in the best way possible and all that transpired in the cockpit can become (materials for investigators) to determine the cause of the tragedy.” He said the preliminary report will be displayed on the Transport Ministry website and serve as the basis for the final report, which would normally take a year to prepare. Loke also said the bureau will establish the cause of the incident and recommend safety measures for the future. “It is not to find fault, but to identify the cause of the crash. If the report shows there are weaknesses in any aspect, we need to take measures to prevent a recurrence.” All eight individuals onboard the Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1) plane, including Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Seri Johari Harun, died in the crash. An e-hailing driver and a p-hailing rider travelling on the highway were also killed. Loke said a team from the bureau earlier failed to extract the data in Singapore and had to take a whole day to retrieve it in Florida. “They are facing difficulties leaving the US because of a hurricane in Florida. The team is still there. They were supposed to leave immediately after retrieval of the data, but they can’t. “The data has been transmitted back to a safe email system, so we already have the voice recordings in Malaysia. It is in good condition and the voice recordings are very clear.” CRUSHING MESSAGE ... Selangor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living director Mohd Zuhairi Mat Radey destroying seized goods at the ministry exhibit storage premises in Shah Alam yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Four foreigners acquitted of murder KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court yesterday acquitted and discharged four Myanmar nationals over the murder of their countryman four years ago. Judge K. Muniandy found the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Pau Deih Lian, Kai Lian Mong, Kai Za Muang and Tuang Siang Muang. He said based on closed circuit television footage presented in court, a security guard known as Rajan had brandished a baton at a group of Myanmar nationals during the incident. “The question of whether Rajan was the individual who beat the victim to death was not answered (even) until the end of the prosecution’s case because he was not called as a witness. “Based on the testimony of other prosecution witnesses, Rajan was the only individual who could explain what happened because he was the last person to speak to the victim and the only person who carried a weapon that could cause blunt force injuries to the deceased. “A pathologist testimony confirmed that the victim’s death was caused by blunt force trauma, but there was no evidence from the prosecution to establish that all the accused were armed. Therefore, the four are acquitted and discharged from the case without being called to enter their defence.” The four, aged between 30 and 40, were accused of intentionally causing the death of a male coffee shop employee known as Kawan at Jalan Pudu Lama in Dang Wangi at 10am on Nov 18, 2019. Framed under sections 302 and 34 of the Penal Code, the charge carries the death sentence. DPP Zaileen Nadia Zubir prosecuted, while the accused were represented by Datuk C. Vignesh Kumar, P.G. Cyril, Datuk Dr Baljit Singh Sidhu and M. Visvanathan. Eleven prosecution witnesses were called to testify in the trial, which began on Feb 28. – Bernama Tiger jitters after pet dogs found mauled GUA MUSANG: The Orang Asli at Pos Belatim here has been gripped by fear after their pet dogs were found dead, believed to be due to tiger attacks over the past week. Residents of the Temiar community claimed that wild animal tracks were found around Kampung Chachuh, Kampung Sempadik, Kampung Cekrok, Kampung Penusin, Kampung Kajak, Kampung Kenben, Kampung Kansid and Kampung Belatim since Aug 24. Kamal Pedik, 45, from Kampung Chemal, said the latest incident was on Sunday, after several pet dogs were found dead with bite marks on their heads and tiger paw prints were spotted near a villager’s house. “Some 30 residents decided to move to the Kampung Chemal Health Clinic in Post Belatim carrying spears, machetes and other weapons. “We moved because the iron fencing at the clinic made us feel safe,” he said yesterday. Pos Belatim Orang Asli Village Development and Safety Committee chairman Roireng Ngah said four dog carcasses have been found by the villagers. “The attacks in several villages were believed to have occurred at night and early in the morning between Aug 24 and 27.” – Bernama Boat capsize survivor dies IPOH: Nurulafiqah Abdullah Sani, who was involved in a boat capsize incident at Pantai Teluk Batik in Seri Manjung, died yesterday. Manjung district police chief Asst Comm Mohamed Nordin Abdullah said the 34-year-old woman died at around 5am while undergoing treatment at the Seri Manjung Hospital. “Police received a report from Nurulafiqah’s husband, who said her death was confirmed by a doctor on duty. “A physical examination carried out by nursing staff found that there were no elements of crime.” A boat carrying nine individuals, including seven local tourists, capsized on Monday about nine metres from shore. Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said two individuals had to be given emergency treatment. – Bernama Lahad Datu Prison to open on Oct 1 LAHAD DATU: A new prison with a 1,000-inmate capacity here is expected to begin operations on Oct 1, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He expressed hope that the operation of the Lahad Datu Prison would reduce overcrowding in the Tawau and Kota Kinabalu prisons. Saifuddin said the prison will begin operations with a one-month trial period involving 100 prisoners and will then be expanded to 450 inmates before operating at full capacity in January. “This additional 1,000 capacity will help the Prisons Department to address overcrowding issues, which can lead to problems like transmission of infectious diseases and unconducive conditions that distress inmates and result in suicide, escape attempts or fights,” he said. Earlier, Saifuddin and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi witnessed the handover of the Lahad Datu Prison project from the Works Ministry to the Home Ministry. – Bernama Prosecution to call more witnesses in 1MDB case KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial yesterday told the High Court that it will be calling at least four more witnesses to testify, including former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan. DPP Ahmad Akram Gharib said apart from Loo, the other witnesses are Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) analysts, two investigating officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and police. He was replying when Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah asked about the total number of witnesses the prosecution would call if the current 46th prosecution witness, former BNM governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, wraps up her testimony. On July 12, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Loo was arrested by police on July 7 to assist in the investigations into the misappropriation of 1MDB funds. Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told the court yesterday that he wanted to reserve cross-examining Zeti. – Bernama

6 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS * GENEVA: Hundreds of thousands of people are being coerced in Southeast Asia by criminal gangs into carrying out online scams, often under the threat of torture, the United Nations said yesterday. Many have been trafficked into working in online criminality and face serious violations such as torture or sexual violence, the UN said in a report. “People who are coerced into working in these scamming operations endure inhumane treatment while being forced to carry out crimes,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. “They are victims. They are not criminals.” The scale of the scourge in Southeast Asia is difficult to gauge because of the practice’s clandestine nature and gaps in the response by authorities, the report noted. However, it said that credible sources indicated that at least 120,000 people across Myanmar may be held in situations where they are forced to carry out online scams. Estimates in Cambodia are at around 100,000, it added. Laos, the Philippines and Thailand are among other nations in the region identified as the main countries of destination or transit. The scam centres generate revenue amounting to billions of dollars a year, the UN said. Victims come from across the Asean region, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Asia and further afield from Africa and Latin America. Most people trafficked into the online scam operations are men, although women and teens are also victims, the report said. The illicit networks benefited from the Covid pandemic, which in some countries saw casinos closed under public health measures. This led to casino operators moving to less regulated spaces, including conflict-affected border areas and online, the report said. The Covid crisis also left many migrants more vulnerable, stranded in countries and out of work due to border and business closures. Lockdowns also saw people spending more time online and susceptible to becoming targets of online fraud, the report said. – AFP Strong quake, aftershocks rattle Bali JAKARTA: A strong, deep 7.1-magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks rattled Bali and other Indonesian islands yesterday, sending panicked tourists into the streets but causing no major damage. The quake struck at a depth of 515km off the northeastern coast of Bali at 3.55am local time, according to the US Geological Survey. The tremors were felt across Bali, and also in the nearby islands of Lombok and Sumbawa. Bali residents said a second aftershock sent “longer and stronger” tremors than the first. “When the first earthquake struck, I woke up my husband. Not long after that, the second earthquake struck, so we immediately took our children outside,” said Ardylla Yuliacitra, 31. “The first earthquake made me sway like on a boat, and the second made my house tremble.” The US Geological Survey reported a 5.4-magnitude and a 5.6-magnitude aftershock within minutes of the initial quake. Hotels evacuated their guests as staffers checked beaches for fear of a possible tsunami. “We calmed (guests) and provided mineral water and towels for those who were evacuating. Then after 15 to 20 minutes, when things felt safe, the staff invited guests to return to their rooms,” said Nimas Ayu, spokesman of Artotel hotel in Bali’s eastern Sanur area. The epicentre was 181km northeast of the Gili islands off Lombok, a short boat ride from Bali. Indonesian authorities ruled out a tsunami and said no immediate damage was reported. – AFP Hundreds of thousands forced into online crime oSoutheast Asian scam centres generate billions in revenue annually: UN Brick thrown at Japan embassy in Beijing TOKYO: Tokyo demanded yesterday that China ensure the safety of Japanese citizens as it reported a brick being thrown at its embassy in Beijing in an escalating row over the release of Fukushima water. Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed media reports that the brick was thrown at its mission and echoed calls from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for China to calm the situation. “We would like to urge the Chinese government again to take appropriate measures immediately, such as calling on its citizens to act calmly to prevent the situation from escalating, and to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese residents and our diplomatic missions in China,” Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo. He added that China should “provide accurate information” about the Fukushima water release “rather than unnecessarily raising people’s concerns by providing information without any scientific basis”. In Beijing, a spokesman at the Japanese embassy told AFP that staff were “extremely worried”. “Some individuals have come to our (embassy) entrance. “They took these kinds of actions, then were led away by armed police.” In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Beijing “protects the safety” of foreigners in China, dismissing the “so-called concerns of the Japanese side”. “Ignoring the strong doubts and opposition of the international community, the Japanese government unilaterally and forcibly started the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear accident, which aroused strong indignation among people of all countries. “This is the root cause of the situation.” Eggs and stones have also reportedly been thrown at Japanese schools in China. Japanese residents in China vented their fears on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’m a bit scared ... We have to worry about our own children being harmed by something we can’t control. I don’t know what to think,” tweeted Miki, a Japanese woman living in Shanghai. A range of businesses in Japan, from bakeries to an aquarium, have also reportedly been subjected to thousands of crank calls that have included abusive and racist language. – AFP Chinese county offers cash reward to young brides HONG KONG: A county in eastern China is offering couples a “reward” of 1,000 yuan (RM637) if the bride is aged 25 or younger, the latest measure to incentivise young people to get married. The notice, which was published on Changshan county’s official WeChat account last week, said the reward was to promote “age-appropriate marriage and childbearing” for first marriages. It also included a series of childcare, fertility and education subsidies for couples who have children. Concerned about China’s first population drop in six decades and its rapid ageing population, authorities are urgently trying an array of measures to lift the birth rate including financial incentives and improved childcare facilities. China’s legal age limit for marriage is 22 for males and 20 for females, but the number of couples getting married has been falling. That has driven down birth rates due to official policies which make it harder for single women to have children. Marriage rates hit a record low last year at 6.8 million, the lowest since 1986, according to government data released in June. There were 800,000 fewer marriages last year than in 2021. – Reuters B R I E F SBOMBS KILL TWO IN SOUTHERN THAILAND BANGKOK: A series of bomb attacks in Thailand’s insurgency-hit far south killed two people and wounded four others, a senior local official said yesterday. The blasts hit Yarang district of Pattani province on Monday night as security forces patrolled the area. A low-level conflict has rumbled for two decades in the kingdom’s southernmost provinces, with militants carrying out regular attacks as they battle for greater autonomy from the central government. “Two are confirmed dead and four others were wounded in the blast,” Pattani governor Pateemoh Sadeeyamu said. Local media reported that the first blast targeted a police car and was followed by several more hitting electric poles in the area. – AFP KIM CALLS FOR BOOSTING OF NORTH KOREA’S NAVY PYONGYANG: Kim Jong-un has called for boosting North Korea’s navy, saying the country’s waters brimmed with “the danger of a nuclear war”, state media reported yesterday as Seoul, Washington and Tokyo carried out joint naval drills. Kim slammed growing trilateral cooperation among the “gang bosses” of the US, South Korea and Japan, saying they had recently “closeted with one another”, the Korean Central News Agency reported, in an apparent reference this month’s Camp David summit. He also promised that the navy would be given new weapons as part of North Korea’s policy for “expanding the tactical nuclear weapons operation”. – AFP FESTIVE JOY ... Devotees preparing Pookalam, a traditional floral arrangement, as they celebrate the ‘Onam’ festival at Ayyappa Temple in the Indian city of Hyderabad yesterday. – AFPPIC

7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 Judge sets March 4 for historic Trump trial WASHINGTON: A judge on Monday set March 4, 2024 for former president Donald Trump’s election subversion conspiracy trial – placing one of the biggest criminal cases in American history at the height of the next White House race. The date – a full two years before the defence team’s proposal – is the eve of “Super Tuesday”, when more than a dozen states will pick between Trump and one of his rivals to be the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. “Setting a trial date does not depend on the defendant’s professional obligations so Mr Trump will have to make a date work,” district court judge Tanya Chutkan told the hearing in Washington. The decision could harm Trump’s hopes of recapturing the White House, and he posted an angry reaction on his social network Truth Social, calling lead prosecutor Jack Smith “deranged” and complaining of “election interference”. “Today a biased, Trump Hating Judge gave me only a two month extension, just what our corrupt government wanted, SUPER TUESDAY. I will APPEAL!” he said, although trial dates are usually not appealable. Molly Gaston, prosecuting, said Trump was accused of “historic crimes” and described an “extraordinary public interest” in a quick trial. The 77-year-old has been slapped with four criminal indictments this year – twice by Smith and once each by state prosecutors in New York and Georgia. But the case before Chutkan may pose the greatest legal peril to Trump – particularly if it ends up Men turning violent on a lone anti-Trump protester outside of a closed Catholic school-turned-migrant shelter in New York. – AFPPIC Haiti gang opens fire on church protesters PORT-AU-PRINCE: Gang members in the Haitian capital opened fire on parishioners at an evangelical church marching to protest criminal mayhem in their district, police said on Monday. The death toll from Saturday’s attack, the latest burst of violence from gangs that control most of the city, remained unknown. The march was organised by Pastor Marco Zidor, leader of the Piscine de Bethesda evangelical church. Zidor had gathered his followers, some carrying machetes or sticks, to march towards the area held by members of the Canaan gang in the north of the capital. However, presumed gang members opened fire with automatic weapons as the crowd arrived. Videos broadcast by the gang show numerous corpses strewn about. Contacted by AFP, an official from the Piscine de Bethesda church said he was “not in a position to give any information at the moment”. Haitian National Police on Monday condemned a “regrettable tragedy”, saying its forces had tried to avoid a bloodbath. Police said they set up security perimeters and sought to convince the parishioners to desist “in order to avoid bloodshed at the hands of bandits who had an arsenal of war weapons at their disposal”. “However, the demonstrators bypassed the security arrangements ... and still arrived in the desired areas to confront the members of said gang,” a police statement said. Police said the confrontation “left several demonstrators shot dead and several others wounded”. “Some of the faithful are ... held hostage.”– AFP Air pollution greatest threat to human health: Study WASHINGTON: Air pollution is more dangerous to the health of the average person on planet Earth than smoking or alcohol, with the threat worsening in its global epicentre South Asia even as China fast improves, a study showed yesterday. Yet the level of funding set aside to confront the challenge is a fraction of the amount earmarked for fighting infectious diseases, said the research from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (Epic). Its annual Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report showed that fine particulate air pollution – which comes from vehicle and industrial emissions, wildfires and more – remains the “greatest external threat to public health”. If the world were to permanently reduce these pollutants to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guideline limit, the average person would add 2.3 years onto his life expectancy, according to the data, oFine particulate matter linked to lung disease, heart disease, strokes and cancer Australian doctors find parasitic worm in woman’s brain CANBERRA: A parasitic roundworm typically found in snakes has been pulled “alive and wriggling” from a woman’s brain in a stomach-churning medical first, Australian doctors said yesterday. Baffled doctors performed an MRI scan on the 64-year-old Australian woman after she began suffering memory lapses, noticing an “atypical lesion” at the front of her brain. It was an 8cm roundworm, called ophidascaris robertsi, which researchers said was a common parasite in kangaroos and carpet pythons – but not humans. “This is the first-ever human case of ophidascaris to be described in the world,” said infectious disease expert Sanjaya Senanayake. “To our knowledge, this is also the first case to involve the brain of any mammalian species, human or otherwise.” Researchers believe the woman was infected after foraging for edible shrubs near her house, which were likely contaminated with parasitic larvae shed in snake faeces. The parasite, which appeared as a “stringlike structure” on brain scans, was identified through DNA testing. Senanayake said ophidascaris roundworms were known to infect animals in other parts of the world, and it was “likely that other cases will be recognised in coming years”. The findings were published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. – AFP B R I E F SUNICEF: 1,300 UKRAINE SCHOOLS DESTROYED GENEVA: More than 1,300 schools have been totally destroyed in government-held areas of Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion and others have been badly damaged, UN children’s fund Unicef said yesterday. Persistent attacks mean that only a third of school-age children there are attending classes fully in person and many are forgetting what they have already learned, it said. Beyond Ukraine, more than half of the children whose families have fled the conflict to seven countries are not enrolled in national education, Unicef said, citing language barriers and overstretched education systems. Around half of Ukraine’s teachers have reported a deterioration in students’ abilities in language, reading and mathematics, it said. – Reuters BURNT BODIES FOUND IN BRAZIL HOMES BRASILIA: Brazilian police are investigating after nine bodies – mostly charred and at least three belonging to children, according to local media – were discovered in two rural homes. Five of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, two partially, and two others not at all, a statement from police in the northeastern Bahia state said on Monday. A child who survived was taken to hospital with severe burns, it added. Police did not elaborate on the causes of death nor the focus of the criminal investigation. The bodies were found at two houses in Mata de Sao Joao, 60km from state capital Salvador. Police have interviewed neighbours and victims’ family members and friends. – AFP which has a 2021 cutoff. Fine particulate matter is linked to lung disease, heart disease, strokes and cancer. Tobacco use, by comparison, reduces global life expectancy by 2.2 years while child and maternal malnutrition is responsible for a reduction of 1.6 years. Asia and Africa bear the greatest burden yet have some of the weakest infrastructure to deliver citizens timely, accurate data. They also receive tiny slices of an already small global philanthropic pie. For example, the entire continent of Africa receives less than US$300,000 to tackle air pollution. “There is a profound disconnect with where air pollution is the worst and where we, collectively and globally, are deploying resources to fix the problem,” said Christa Hasenkopf, director of air quality programmes at Epic. Globally, South Asia is the worstimpacted region. Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan are in order the top four most polluted countries in terms of annualised, population-weighted averages of fine particulate matter, which are detected by satellites and defined as particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5). Air pollution concentrations are then fed into the AQLI metric which calculates their impact on life expectancy, based on peerreviewed methods. Residents of Bangladesh, where average PM2.5 levels were 74 micrograms per cubic metre, would gain 6.8 years of life if this were brought to WHO guidelines of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. India’s capital New Delhi is the “most polluted megacity in the world” with annual average particulate pollution of 126.5 micrograms per cubic metre. China, on the other hand, “has had remarkable progress in terms of its war on air pollution” which began in 2014, said Hasenkopf. Its air pollution dropped 42.3% between 2013 and 2021. If the improvements are sustained, the average Chinese citizen will be able to live 2.2 years longer. In the US, legislative actions like the Clean Air Act helped reduce pollution by 64.9% since 1970, helping Americans gain 1.4 years of life expectancy. – AFP being the first of what is shaping up to be a busy legal calendar for the former president. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges in an early August court appearance and was not required to attend Monday’s procedural hearing. Smith had asked to begin on Jan 2 but Trump’s lawyer John Lauro described that proposition as “a request for a show trial, not a speedy trial”, calling the idea of having just four months to prepare “absurd”. Trump is to go on trial in New York later in March on charges of paying election-eve hush money to a porn star, and in Florida in May for allegedly mishandling top secret government documents. Trump and 18 co-defendants also face racketeering charges in Georgia over their efforts to overturn the 2020 election result in the southern state and are due to enter pleas at an arraignment next Wednesday. The judge presiding over the Georgia case has not yet set a firm date for that trial to begin. The case before Chutkan accuses Trump of conspiracy to defraud the US and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding – the Jan 6, 2021 joint session of Congress that was attacked by a mob of Trump supporters. Trump, the sole defendant in this indictment, is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise American voters with his false claims he won the 2020 election. – AFP

8 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 SPEAK UP “ DON’T tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” – Paul Brandt While we ritualistically participate in our 66th Merdeka celebrations, we dream of an “over the moon” victory comparable to India’s historic lunar landing of its spacecraft Chandrayaan-3. On Aug 23, Chandrayaan 3’s robot Vikram landed with a six-wheeled rover, Pragyan, on an unexplored part of the South Pole while it sent back images and data on the landing, sparking triumphant celebrations all over the world. The Chandrayaan-3 mission cost a shoestring budget of US$74.6 million (RM347 million), especially when compared with Nasa’s planned lunar South Pole mission, which had an estimated budget of US$433.5million and Russia’s failed similar mission of US$200 million. Experts say India kept costs low by copying and adapting existing technology. The successful cost-efficient mission is also a testament to the hundreds of highly skilled engineers who earned a fraction of their foreign counterparts’ wages. Chandrayaan-3 was not built in a day This is all about India’s quest for scientific excellence. Mathematics is the language science is written in and it provides precise tools for understanding engineering, technology and economics. What seemed like effortless space navigation and exploration was the inculcation of a deeply-rooted syllabus of mathematics and science from primary school. From the physics of rocket propulsion to the calculations of orbital mechanics, mathematics played a pivotal role. On Aug 3, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged the Education Ministry to find new approaches to captivate students’ interest in science and mathematics. Local academicians have been criticising the present teaching methods as dull and uninteresting. Instead of instilling creative methods to make science and mathematics more exciting, the system is focused on high marks. According to UKM senior lecturer Dr Annuar Ahmad, students find it difficult to understand basic concepts of science and mathematics, leading to their reluctance to choose science stream for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination. “Moreover, teachers lacking proficiency in English are unable to teach effectively, leaving the students in a lurch,” he added. The real challenge for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects is the rapid changes in new technology. Teaching mathematics and science in English is a matter of professional concern rather than a political one. The involvement from political figures in deciding the language medium for teaching these subjects has resulted in inconsistent decisions. The teaching of mathematics and science in English was introduced in 2003 to align with the global trend of using English in the fields of science and technology. This policy faced challenges and criticisms, including concerns about language proficiency, the adequacy of teachers’ training and accessibility for students from various language backgrounds. In 2013, then Education minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, phased out the teaching of mathematics and science in English and replaced it with the “Upholding the Malay language and strengthening command of English” policy. However, Sarawak Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said: “The Sarawak dual-language programme, launched in 2020, which uses English in the teaching of mathematics and science, will continue. “There will be no turning back as far as the policy is concerned and the state government has spent RM18 million on facilities, training of teachers and books,” he added. Anwar, who is also the Finance minister, launched the “Madani Economy” narrative last month, to project a stronger global economic public image. The “Madani Malaysia” concept centres on six core values: sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion. Anwar has long advocated this approach, since he wrote The Asian Renaissance in 1996, which includes a chapter on Madani. The Madani society’s way forward should be guided by an innovative knowledge-based society, which is essentially a free market economy, with minimal government interference. India’s rise in the space game is also indicative of its growth on the global stage. Its emergence as a space power is spurring investment in private space launches and related satellite-based businesses. We too want to take pride in our nation that recognises the collective efforts and contributions purely based on merit, with no reference to ethnicity or gender. It is worth noting that there were about 100 women involved in the Chandrayaan-3 launch, one of whom is Dr Ritu Srivastava, known as India’s “rocket woman”, who propelled India’s space programme to new celestial heights. India has left its indelible mark on the cosmos. As for Malaysians, the sky is no longer the limit for us, the moon is. The writer is an author and brand strategist, and runs Helping Hands. Comments: [email protected] Moving beyond tolerance TOMORROW marks our 66th National Day celebration, signifying a remarkable journey. We have weathered many challenges but, most importantly, we are still standing as a nation. At 66, Malaysia has evolved into a rapidly advancing nation, making great strides and progress in economics, society, healthcare and social welfare. What makes Malaysia unique is its rich tapestry of diversity, encompassing Malays, Chinese, Indians, Dayaks, Kadazans and more. This multifaceted, cosmopolitan society has coloured our culture, lifestyles and cuisine. Despite our racial, religious and cultural differences, we have grown together as a unified nation, coexisting harmoniously in peace. We understand, respect and accept each other’s racial, religious and cultural differences. It is time for us to move beyond mere tolerance. Tolerance is for strangers and acquaintances, but we have coexisted for 66 years, which calls for the acceptance of each other’s unique differences and complexities. We should refrain from dwelling on racial, religious and cultural issues as we are all Malaysians, and this land is our shared home. Political leaders, the government and opposition parties must set aside their differences and personal ambitions and work together for the betterment of all Malaysians, especially those in need of assistance to rebuild their lives. We should not dwell on petty issues when there are more pressing challenges that require our attention and action. Let us be mindful of the saying, “small minds focus on individuals, while great minds concentrate on development and advancement”. We need to eliminate corruption, money politics, embezzlement of corporate funds, banking scandals and misuse of public funds. Despite progress, challenges remain: crime rates are on the rise, road accidents claim lives, poverty endures, non-communicable diseases pose grave threats, drug addiction persists and the cost of living continues to rise. We should no longer settle for mere tolerance, instead, we must embrace each other as brothers and sisters, fostering unity within our diversity. Remember, “united we stand, divided we fall”. This year’s Merdeka theme is “Malaysia Madani: Determination of Unity Fulfils Hope”. To secure a promising future, we need to work together to accomplish this vision and mission of a unified nation. Malaysians should reflect on the essence of unity, understanding and empathy. For Malaysia Madani to thrive, it must be firmly rooted in the principles of the Rukun Negara, forming the foundation for a cohesive, respectful, inclusive and progressive society. A resolute commitment is necessary to turn this vision into reality. Samuel Yesuiah Seremban The Madani society’s way forward should be guided by an innovative knowledgebased society. – BERNAMAPIC LETTERS Mathematics and science [email protected] way to the moon

9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 theSun ON WEDNESDAY | NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS THE OBJECTIVES TO achieve greater unity among Malaysians TO maintain a democratic way of life TO create a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared TO ensure a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions TO build a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES BELIEF IN GOD LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY THE SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION THE RULE OF LAW COURTESY AND MORALITY VAPING has become a ubiquitous and concerning practice among children and young adults in Malaysia. Its prevalence was already significant before nicotine was removed from the Poison Act. Malaysia is entangled in a global “vaping epidemic” and some argue its spread may seem inevitable. Although many countries have resorted to extreme measures, such as outright bans on vape devices, others have permitted their use to assist heavy smokers in transitioning to healthier alternatives. Former health minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, made efforts to deter minors from picking up smoking and using tobacco products by introducing the “Generation Endgame” (GEG) Bill. However, the Bill did not include vaping and the use of e-cigarettes. Hopefully, the current health minister will incorporate vaping control into the GEG Bill. Such a step will empower the government to oversee the import, production, sale, packaging, distribution and use of these products. This, in turn, will safeguard minors by prohibiting their access to vapes and imposing significant penalties on those breaching these regulations. As a parent, I am concerned about the possibility of my teenage children adopting this habit, whether at school, during tuition sessions or while socialising with friends. It has become effortless for them to acquire these devices, given the proliferation of vape shops and the online availability of such products through social media and e-commerce platforms. Children can easily purchase disposable vape sticks, using them when they are away from home and discarding them before returning, often without their parents’ knowledge. I am sure that I am not the only parent harbouring such concerns. While we can advise our children, teenagers sometimes overlook the risks associated with vaping. Apart from the health hazards, the treatment of vape-related illnesses and lung damage can be financially burdensome. Nevertheless, well-regulated vapes or e-cigarettes can serve as a temporary substitute for heavy smokers looking to quit. However, the issue lies in the fact that young individuals are often using perilous, unregulated or disposable devices for recreational purposes or following trends. Imposing a blanket ban on vape devices and e-cigarettes will not eliminate the issue. Instead, it is likely to promote the emergence of black markets dealing in even riskier, unregulated products, where the content and nicotine levels in vape juices remain uncontrolled. I hope the Health Ministry will implement vaping legislation, similar to what the Philippines has done. Urgent government action is necessary. We do not want to witness reports of minors and young adults being hospitalised or, worse, succumbing to vaping-related illnesses. Dr Edward Ding Klang Fallacy of prosperity via productivity AMID the diverse perspectives on economic progress presented by politicians and the media, it is evident that increased productivity and heightened production are not the sole determinants of genuine and enduring prosperity. The prevailing Keynesian and capitalist notion of relentlessly maximising output often conceals a misleading fallacy that has been imposed upon developing nations. This fallacy, with the intention that the surplus output will benefit the industrialised North at rock-bottom prices, has been thrust upon emerging industrial cultures across developing countries. This strategy of exporting economic surplus, orchestrated by prominent figures in the Third World and beyond, does not align with the mindset of these nations. Instead, it has been insidiously introduced through Westernised education to their indigenous leaders. The concept of “exporting away poverty” has gained prominence, driving the pursuit of prosperity and progress that has been propagated by the North within the global community. The urgency placed on export trade has morphed into a persistent compulsion ingrained within the psychology and character of the Third World. This compulsion has manifested as a visible and distressing phenomenon that drains the energy and health of the labour force. Workers are now compelled to toil longer hours, aiming to boost productivity without reaping commensurate rewards. The cessation of export production due to international market fluctuations releases a disgruntled workforce into the Third World economies, eventually forming a potent political bloc that demands acknowledgement. However, the transformation of this bloc into a public interest group can hinder the revival of these economies. The challenge posed by the pursuit of increased productivity is in part a reflection of the export-focussed psychosis gripping the South’s community of nations. It can be contended that the labour force is mobilised en masse to secure tangible gains, such as foreign exchange reserves, rather than nurturing a cohesive national ideology or cultural consciousness. Consequently, the emphasis is placed on the movement of resources and workforce, rather than on safeguarding the genuine economic interests of the Third World. Furthermore, the resulting increase in employment brings marginal benefits to the labour class, offering limited gains in terms of enhanced economic selfsufficiency for countries or their populations. Enhanced productivity on its own cannot guarantee authentic prosperity for its proponents. This belief represents a substantial risk when labour is treated solely as a production factor. While fixed assets, such as land and capital, yield predictable and quantifiable output, labour cannot be confined to a static role until it is aligned with its aspirations and capabilities. Until this perspective is adopted, labour, especially in the Third World, must be viewed sceptically as an enduring asset. Lasting prosperity through increased productivity can only be realised if guided by a genuine national ideology that values the economic foundation of a good life and acknowledges the psychological and social costs of escalated production. In today’s era of sweeping globalisation, individuals’ lives are dominated by aspirations for efficiency, innovation and imagination, although rarely through creativity. As a consequence, dubious goods and superficial technologies are manufactured, destined to fail when economic needs cease to dominate lifestyles. A growing number of workers are apprehensive about the economic benefits derived from increased production and productivity. This apprehension stems from the failure of liberalisation and globalisation in addressing the fundamental human needs for selfhood and self-sufficiency in the Third World economies. Thus, people grapple with their responsibilities, seeking better productivity while enduring psychological stress and social isolation. The pursuit of greater productivity seems endless, mirroring situations in the North, leading to potential physical and mental suffering as true selves are eroded by the relentless need to produce more. As a result, labour and labourers can be seen as finite economic components within the production process. Third World leaders aim to boost productivity and enhance distributive justice, ideals lauded as paramount in social and economic advancement. However, little consideration has been given to the ideologies or cultural consciousness that should underpin these pursuits. False ideologies have arisen, offering glimpses of more fulfilling and productive lives. This has driven individuals to devote their waking hours to efficiency campaigns and wastage reduction, only to find wastefulness rampant in consumer North nations, where it is flaunted as a social norm. The cult of efficiency is a facade utilised by the North to taunt the South. Technologies are transferred from the North to the South, rewarding nations engaged in efficiency endeavours. An example is the emergence of IT products and call centres in India. The idea that increased or coerced productivity is the foundation and future of Southern prosperity is patently flawed. Embracing this notion risks rendering the Third World “useless” to other nations, potentially transforming them into servants of cultures that claim moral superiority. Third World nations need to shield their people from the imposition of increased production and safeguard their cultural heritage. Without vibrant national cultures, the economic conditions in the Third World may deteriorate. The ongoing struggle within the South community is to restore psychological well-being among its people. The attention of the workforce has shifted from national economies to global markets due to globalisation and liberalisation. The rich repositories of ancient national cultures in Asian and African minds are distorted by the pursuit of increased production, with benefits primarily accruing to the industrialised North. Ultimately, the excess output from increased productivity can destabilise the peace within the South community of nations, straining existing economic structures. The concept of more efficient production as the sole path to prosperity is an archaic fallacy. Its proponents are bound by practical necessity rather than a comprehensive understanding of economic reality. Thus, a viable economic policy necessitates constraining production goals until they can be attained without false posturing or commandeering. The paymaster will consistently exhibit parsimony towards the producers. The writer holds a background in economic and social development from the University of Pittsburgh. Comments: [email protected] COMMENT by Kamal Wadhwa Disposable vape sticks are easily available in shops. – REUTERSPIC “The concept of more efficient production as the sole path to prosperity is an archaic fallacy. Its proponents are bound by practical necessity rather than a comprehensive understanding of economic reality. Thus, a viable economic policy necessitates constraining production goals until they can be attained without false posturing or commandeering. LETTERS [email protected] Implement laws to curb youth vaping

10 TRAVEL & LEISURE theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 Damaging effects of climate change on tourism THE Pyramids of Giza were eroded by acid rain; Central Park in New York and London was flooded; California’s roads were engulfed in flames. There are already a host of chilling scenarios sketching out how popular tourist spots around the world could be transformed by global warming. Now artificial intelligence has been used to give us an even more concrete idea of just how disfigured these destinations may be, reminding us of the urgency to take action. In its sixth report, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) estimated that global warming would reach 1.5C by the early 2030s. In concrete terms, the consequences will be felt in the form of increased heat waves, droughts, and extreme precipitation, as well as the extinction of certain species while others migrate to other areas. Specifically, in the event of a 2C warming by 2100, scientists project that up to 18% of species are at high risk of extinction. Tourism is estimated to be responsible for 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, and the sector is said to emit around four GT of CO2-equivalent worldwide every year, but it will also be directly affected by climate catastrophes that will disfigure the destinations adored by travellers. Researchers have estimated that, by 2100, Venice will be largely underwater, while most of the Maldives archipelago could disappear since the average elevation of its 1,196 islands is two metres above sea level. By 2050, rising sea levels could also threaten the Dutch cities of Rotterdam and Amsterdam if global temperatures rise by between two and four degrees, as well as New York and London. Even more specifically, the monuments threatened by global warming are identified in a list from World Monuments Watch that is updated every two years. Not only could the statues of the Moai on Easter Island be lost at sea, but archaeological remains such as the amphitheatre in Arles, France, could be at risk, just as the Acropolis in Athens could see various extreme weather phenomena, such as pollution and acid rain that degrade the marble, threatening its existence. But even when you think about it, it’s not always easy to visualise how all these destinations could be disfigured by climate change. As the saying goes, sometimes you Artificial intelligence has been used to help visualise what London will look like under the effects of climate change. oAI gives us a glimpse of how global warming will alter popular travel destinations by 2050 Japan, and London, UK, to demonstrate visually how climate catastrophes could impact their appearance. This analysis was based on the various possible scenarios put forward by environmental and sustainable development specialist Marish Cuenca, who then transformed each photo. Like a before and after, each image offers a representation of what may become of ten popular locations around the world. In London, Big Ben will have its foundations flooded, just as Central Park in New York will be flooded. This presentation, which focuses in particular on popular road trip destinations, shows just how complicated road trips will become, with California engulfed in flames and landslides wiping out roads in Italy’s South Tyrol. - ETX STUDIO Artificial intelligence to help reduce impact of airlines GOOGLE and American Airlines are piloting an ambitious project based on artificial intelligence models to limit pollution from the airline industry. This involves reducing the trails of condensation in the sky caused by aeroplanes by identifying areas pilots should avoid. As a child, you might remember lying on the grass and following the white lines formed in the blue sky by passing aeroplanes with your finger. Called “contrails,“ these white streaks are far less poetic than the picture we’ve just painted. These are artificial clouds caused by aircraft, which form when water vapour from the engine condenses into droplets, or even small ice crystals, in contact with cold air. This phenomenon generally occurs when aircraft are flying at high altitudes and in humid or tropical regions. Aircraft contrails are problematic because of the effect they have on the planet. By absorbing and capturing part of the Earth’s sunlight, the white trails caused by aircraft contribute to global warming. However, this ‘non-CO2’ pollution is often ‘overlooked’ by airlines when calculating the climate footprint of their flights, Greenpeace France points out. Nevertheless, contrails can be avoided, as they only occur in specific airspace zones. This is precisely what Google and American Airlines are working on. The two companies have joined forces as part of a programme using artificial intelligence models to develop contrail forecast maps to find out whether pilots can choose routes that avoid creating these trails. To develop this technology, Google teamed up with American Airlines and Breakthrough Energy, an investment fund founded by Bill Gates and specialising in sustainable energy innovation. Together, they compiled satellite images, weather data, and flight path data. Forecast maps were then drawn up so that pilots could choose routes that avoided creating contrails. “A group of pilots at American flew 70 test flights over six months while using Google’s AI-based predictions, cross-referenced with Breakthrough Energy’s open-source contrail The airline industry is working on ways to reduce the condensation trails in the sky caused by aircraft. models, to avoid altitudes that are likely to create contrails,” Google explains in a blog post. “After these test flights, we analysed satellite imagery and found that the pilots were able to reduce contrails by 54%.” The trial showed that aircraft that tried to avoid contrails burned 2% more fuel. Still, Google assumes that “a small percentage of flights need to be adjusted to avoid the majority of contrail warming. “Therefore, the total fuel impact could be as low as 0.3% across an airline’s flights,” the company argues. - ETX STUDIO have to see it to believe it. And that’s where artificial intelligence comes in. Online car rental site Discovercars.com used AI to modify photos of popular destinations such as the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, the Queensland region of Australia, Okinawa,

noted the current significant interest in the Asean region in its decision to expand its operation in Kuala Lumpur. “We serve both buy-side and sell-side entities spanning the global financial spectrum, from institutional giants to local banks and fintechs to help them make informed investment decisions. Our presence in Asia is substantial, with more than half of our workforce based here in Asia. It is really important for us to be closer to our clients and be part of the financial services community,” he said. Day highlighted the firm’s global presence and commitment to supporting financial markets across different levels of maturity. “Financial markets are all at different levels of maturity. And we play in every single one, from the most developed markets to developing markets. And we have an ability at LSEG to share that knowledge across different markets. So when we have mature functioning, growing capital markets, economies, the people benefit,” he said. “We’ve already had a presence in Malaysia for years, including KL in a smaller capacity. We’re not swayed by short-term political changes. This is a lasting commitment driven by our belief in Malaysia’s long-term potential and our aim to be a responsible corporate presence.” he added. implementation, analyst, content management and curation, as well as order management and billing. “In terms of the number of roles that we’re going to bring into Malaysia, it will be wrong for me to give you an actual number at this moment, as that number is continuously changing. But it’s not just 20 or 30 roles, we’re looking to bring in over 300 roles. And as I mentioned, we’ve already brought in 55 roles this year. We’re looking to double that by the end of this year,” Frossell said. Meanwhile, LSEG head of sales Apac managing director David Day said LSEG KLCI 1,454.44 10.38 STI 3,223.09 9.41 HANG SENG 18,484.03 353.29 SCI 3,135.89 37.25 NIKKEI 32,226.97 TSEC 16,623.65 114.39 KOSPI 2,552.16 S&P/ASX200 7,210.50 50.70 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 30, 2023 Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] 5 MOST ACTIVES August 29, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) RGB 184,973,200 30.5 -0.5 PARKSON 145,064,800 25.0 -6.5 IWCITY 127,878,100 76.0 +10.0 EKOVEST 114,638,900 50.0 +0.5 E&O 83,580,500 63.5 +4.0 EXCHANGERATES AUGUST 29, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.7180 4.5840 4.5730 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0500 2.9290 2.9020 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.4820 3.3810 3.3760 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.4670 3.3740 3.3540 1 EURO 5.1170 4.9530 4.9280 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.7990 2.6960 2.6750 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4820 3.3810 3.3760 1 STERLING POUND 5.9610 5.7740 5.7510 1 SWISS FRANC 5.3280 5.2070 5.1940 100 UAE DIRHAM 130.0300 123.3100 122.7500 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.4030 4.1160 3.9040 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.1900 62.4500 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 60.8000 57.7900 57.4400 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.8100 5.4500 5.2300 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0319 0.0289 0.0239 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.2290 3.1270 3.1140 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR N/A N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.5900 1.4800 1.2800 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.4500 7.9700 7.7500 100 QATAR RIYAL 130.9600 124.3300 123.7900 100 SAUDI RIYAL 127.2400 120.7900 120.3600 100 THAI BAHT 14.0000 12.4200 12.0300 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY August 29, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,747.80 +66.29 FBMKLCI 1,454.44 +10.38 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 558.25 +1.09 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 172.78 +1.88 CONSTRUCTION 179.75 -1.01 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,328.70 +137.20 ENERGY 832.31 -4.46 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 588.17 +0.85 HEALTH CARE 1,672.20 -14.50 TRANSPORTATION 936.93 +5.24 PROPERTY 858.27 +5.29 PLANTATION 6,941.50 -7.58 FBMSHA 10,953.90 +35.92 FBMACE 5,256.47 +18.00 TECHNOLOGY 63.16 +0.58 TURNOVER VALUE 4.019 BIL RM2.848 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS August 29, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM MPI 480,500 27.74 +1.44 PETDAG 605,200 22.10 +0.50 HARISON 31,100 8.48 +0.46 RAPID 88,300 23.48 +0.44 ALLIANZ 37,800 16.20 +0.40 5 TOP LOSERS August 29, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM DLADY 133,200 21.50 -0.52 HEXTECH 21,400 27.60 -0.32 HEIM 143,400 24.70 -0.30 KESM 9,400 7.20 -0.24 AAX 48,566,200 2.25 -0.23 Trade visitors to SAS 2023 set to exceed 4,000 SHAH ALAM: The number of trade visitors to Selangor Aviation Show 2023 (SAS 2023) is expected to exceed 4,000 this year compared with 3,479 registered last year, according to Invest Selangor Bhd CEO Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris. As at Aug 27, he said, there were 4,185 registered trade visitors and 20,014 public visitors. SAS 2022 recorded a 10,824 overall turnout with 32.14% trade visitors. The event is expected to see about RM700 million in potential transaction value and more than 10 memorandums of understanding (MoU) to be signed. However, Hasan Azhari does not discount the possibility that there will be additional potential transactions and MoU. “We are screening the proposed MoU that are to be exchanged or to be signed during the event, by exhibitors and potential buyers … maybe there will be (more) MoU or sale and purchase agreements. We are looking into that possibility as well. Those interested in buying new jets and so on, they are most welcome to attend the event,” he told reports at a press conference yesterday. Hasan Azhari said the event comprises major attractions such as aircraft display, exhibitions within two hangars and career fair. Drone technology will be a new attraction this year. “We are organising sports aviation and drone technology such as drone racing, soccer and so on. We provide a drone pitch From left: Darul Ehsan Management Facilities corporate communications manager Sayuti Bashiron, Hasan Azhari and Selangor Darul Ehsan Aerospace Industry Coordination Office senior director Jamie Haniff Ramlee after the press conference. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN █ BY GLORIA HARRY BEATTY [email protected] London Stock Exchange opens KL flagship office KUALA LUMPUR: London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has opened a Kuala Lumpur flagship office to enhance its presence in the Asean market and to tap into Malaysia’s rich talent pool. LSEG head of customer operations Thomas Frossell said the expansion reflects the exchange’s strategic vision to establish a robust operational centre in Asia and leverage Malaysia’s linguistic and technological expertise. “We take location very seriously, we want to have an Asian language hub, and one of the biggest things is talent. Part of coming here was to really understand the availability of talent, certainly around languages,” he said. “Our decision to establish a flagship office in Kuala Lumpur was driven by our profound belief in the immense potential of this region. Beyond a geographical expansion, this move signifies our intent to forge lasting partnerships with Malaysia’s vibrant business ecosystem,” Frossell told the media at the inauguration of its Kuala Lumpur flagship office yesterday. LSEG plans to ramp up its Malaysia workforce with hundreds of new roles spanning helpdesk, technical oBourse operator wants to tap into Malaysia’s linguistic and technological expertise, enhance presence in Asean 56.98 8.75 into all these activities, so that is something that not a lot of people have seen,” he added. Hasan Azhari said there will be 41 aircraft featured this year in its static display compared with 30 last year. SAS 2023 will accommodate 117 exhibitors from six countries, namely the US, France, Denmark, Singapore, Australia and China (Hong Kong). It expects participation from 26 countries in total. The third edition of the SAS is set to unfold at Skypark RAC, Bukit Jelutong, from Sept 7 to 9. Trade visitors will have exclusive access on the first two days, and the third day is open to the public. █ BY HAYATUN RAZAK [email protected] Participation 27.9 43.7 28.4 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 776.9 1235.5 835.9 2848.3 Sold RM m 813.4 1252.6 782.3 2848.3 Net RM m -36.5 -17.1 53.6 0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 29/8/2023

12 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 SUNBIZ READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME BCorp registers higher revenue for fourth quarter and FY23 PETALING JAYA: Berjaya Corporation Bhd (BCorp) posted a higher revenue of RM2.56 billion for its fourth quarter ended June 30, 2023 compared with RM2.35 billion in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. The higher revenue was mainly contributed by the non-food retail business and hospitality segments. In the non-food retail business segment, HR Owen Plc’s revenue increased mainly due to improved sales from both new and used car sectors coupled with favourable foreign exchange effect. The property segment reported a marginal increase while the hospitality segment delivered a higher revenue mainly due to the higher overall average room rates as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The revenue in the services segment was driven by STM Lottery Sdn Bhd. The total revenue in Q4’23 was lower than the corresponding quarter of the previous year mainly due to fewer draws conducted in the quarter (40 draws this year compared with 42 draws in the corresponding quarter last year). The group registered a lower pretax loss of RM8.7 million in the quarter under review compared with RM16.72 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, due to lower net investment-related expenses incurred as well as share of better results from associated companies. HR Owen’s higher pre-tax profit was due to lower restoration cost and lower lease related expenses incurred in the current quarter upon relocation of certain showrooms and after sales service sites to the Hatfield Centre. The property segment reported a higher p r e - t a x profit as a result of the reduction of development costs for a completed project upon finalisation of construction billings. The better performance from hospitality segment was in tandem with the higher revenue attained. For the financial year ended June 30, 2023, BCorp registered revenue of RM9.64 billion against RM8.16 billion in the previous financial year, representing an increase of 18%. The better revenue for the financial year under review was contributed by all business segments in the group. On future p r o s p e c t s , BCorp said that despite the uncertainty in the global economic environment, Malaysia’s economic growth is anticipated to moderate in 2023, supported by robust domestic demand and the lowering of the average inflation rate. The Number Forecast Operator business industry in Malaysia continues to be vigilant and to navigate carefully through the changes in the local government policies. Due to the increase in consumer spending, a recovery in tourism, and better anticipated labour market circumstances, the group’s business segments are anticipated to perform better. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the directors are cautiously optimistic that the group’s business performance for the financial year ending June 30 2024 will be satisfactory. Taiwanese firms showcase innovative lifestyle solutions KUALA LUMPUR: Five awardwinning companies were in the spotlight at the Taiwan Excellence “Pioneering Your Lifestyle” product talk event at Taiwan Expo 2023 in Malaysia recently. The event was held to introduce the “Taiwanese technology for living aesthetics” concept to Malaysia with products catering to the personalised smart living needs of Malaysian consumers. The five Taiwanese companies – AIFA Technology Corp, FerroCarbon Enterprise Corp Ltd, AcerPure Inc, PlainLiv Taiwan Corp Ltd and Youbike Corp, Ltd – showcased their innovative lifestyle solutions ranging from smart home From left: Wang, Ferro-Carbon sales manager Christine Hsu, Chang, Chiu, AcerPure consumer business product manager Lee Chee Han, PlainLiv international trade representative Hui Kuan and Youbike international business department deputy director James Huang at the event. o‘Pioneering Your Lifestyle’ introduces ‘tech for living aesthetics’ concept to Malaysians █ BY GLORIA HARRY BEATTY [email protected] appliances to electric bicycles during the event organised by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (Taitra) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. In response to the growing trend of smart living, the highest honour symbolising Taiwan’s innovative values, Taiwan Excellence set up the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion within the expo. It featured nearly 60 innovative products from 33 brands, which aimed to highlight high-quality products which were Made-in-Taiwan (MIT). According to Taitra executive vice-president Felix H.L. Chiu, the quality behind MIT products is recognised globally and consistently seen by customers from around the world as the prime choice for a higher quality way of life and Taiwan Excellence is tapping into its creativity to bring Taiwan’s best products into everyone’s lives. “The talk not only brings products closer to buyers and promotes the brands but also, through interactive methods such as real-time surveys and immediate inquiries, help manufacturers comprehensively understands buyers’ perspectives on products. The ability to not only reach a wider audience but gain immediate feedback has garnered unanimous acclaim from Taiwanese manufacturers,” he said in his address at the event. In addition, Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia president Chang Yew Cheong said the expo showcased cutting-edge innovations from Taiwanese counterparts. “These advancements stand as a testament to the success of innovation, sustainability, and excellence that characterises Taiwanese manufacturers. They truly embody the essence of Taiwan Excellence. I believe the cuttingedge Taiwanese products to be presented will meet this objective and at the same time, will be very much appealing to the Malaysian market and beyond,” he said. AIFA Technology Corp marketing department manager Chao-Cheng Wang said the fullservice infrared and radio frequency wireless electronics manufacturer is looking for potential Malaysian distributors for its products, mainly the I-Ctrl Pro and the I-Ctrl AC. The I-Ctrl Pro is a smart remote control that allows users to integrate their home remote control into a smart phone, while I-Ctrl AC allows users to integrate air conditioners into their smartphone. “I think the products are fitting for the Malaysian weather, since (almost) everyone has an air conditioner. However, most air conditioners here are controlled by a traditional remote control. This product connects to WiFi, which can immediately upgrade your home appliances,” Chao told SunBiz. Axiata net loss widens in second quarter KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd’s net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, widened to RM576.21 million from RM106.38 million recorded in the same period last year. Revenue, however, rose to RM5.99 billion from RM5.20 billion previously, the group said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday. It said the higher revenue was mainly contributed by all operating companies except mobile operations in Nepal and the digital business (Axiata Digital & Analytics Sdn Bhd and its subsidiaries). The lower net profit was mainly impacted by several factors including higher depreciation and amortisation, impairment of assets for mobile operations in Nepal, and higher finance costs, partially cushioned by higher top lines, lower foreign exchange losses, share of profits from associates mainly from CelcomDigi Bhd and lower taxes. – Bernama RHB Bank’s half-year earnings increase to RM1.57 billion KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Bank Bhd’s net profit for the first half of 2023 ended June 30, 2023 (H1’23) rose 29.5% to RM1.57 billion from RM1.21 billion in the same period last year. Revenue increased to RM7.97 billion from RM5.76 billion previously. For the second quarter of 2023 (Q2’23), RHB’s net profit increased to RM808.7 million from RM630.07 million a year ago, while revenue climbed to RM4.05 billion from RM2.95 billion in the same quarter last year. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, RHB said the better performance for H1’3 was mainly due to higher non-fund-based income and lower expected credit losses. “Non-fund based income increased 46.3% to RM1.07 billion, primarily from higher net gain on forex and derivatives, and net trading and investment income. RHB noted that its net fundbased income was lower by 10.4% to RM2.72 billion on the back of higher funding costs, mainly due to fixed deposits growth of 16.4% yearon-year (y-o-y) with net interest margin for the quarter at 1.82%. Group managing director and group CEO Mohd Rashid Mohamad said the group continued to deliver sustained financial performance for H1’23 despite the challenging economic and business environment. “Our fundamentals remain strong, and we will continue to remain focused on the Group’s Together We Progress 2024 corporate strategy, which is now in its second year of execution. “In appreciation of the support and loyalty that our shareholders have given us, we are pleased to declare an interim dividend of 15 sen per share, representing a payout ratio of 40.9%,” he added. – Bernama Alliance Bank Q1 net profit stands at RM150.5 million KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd reported a net profit of RM150.5 million in the first quarter of the financial year ending March 31, 2024 (Q1’24). Net interest income rose 2.4% yearon-year (y-o-y) attributable to higher loans volume while net interest margin moderated to 2.43%. The bank recorded a client-based fee income (excluding brokerage) at RM78.6 million. Overall revenue stood at RM466.3 million while cost-to-income ratio was at 49.3%. Overall loan growth continued its momentum, expanding 7.9% y-o-y to RM49.7 billion as SME, commercial and consumer banking loans grew 13.4%, 11.7% and 7.1% y-o-y respectively. Customer-based funding increased 6.5%, bolstered by a rise in fixed deposits. CASA ratio remained healthy and is among the highest in the industry at 43.9%. Alliance Bank maintained a strong capital position with Common Equity Tier-1 ratio at 13.7% and Tier-1 Capital ratio at 14.6% respectively as at June 30. Total capital ratio was at 18.5%. The bank’s liquidity position is also robust with coverage ratio of 163.2% (industry average: 155.3%) and loan to fund ratio of 85.8%. The bank said it continues to proactively engage with customers to assist them in managing their financial commitments.

13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 PETALING JAYA: SGX Mainboard-listed Thomson Medical Group Limited (TMG) reported revenue of S$355.8 million (RM1.2 billion) for its financial year ended June 30, 2023 (FY23), up 6.6% from the previous year, buoyed by a rising influx of patient cases and higher healthcare spending. The group recorded ebitda of S$103.3 million in FY2023, compared to S$109.7 million in the financial year ended June 30, 2022 (FY22), mainly due to lower income from project related services and a reduced government grant received during the period. Net profit after tax was S$41.1 million in FY23, compared to S$58.6 million in FY22. For FY23, revenue from its hospital services segment grew 14.6%. In Singapore, this was mainly driven by higher average bill sizes. In Malaysia, revenue continues to grow by 20.5% due to increased patient loads driven by opening of new beds at Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara (THKD) and higher case intensity handled. For FY23, ebitda from the group’s Malaysian operations rose 43.7% to S$21.7 million. In ringgit terms, the ebitda amounted to RM71.7 million, representing a growth of 52.4%. One of the key contributors to Malaysia’s strong growth is due to increased patient loads driven by the 145 new beds at the expansion wing at THKD and higher case intensity handled. The balance of 185 beds is expected to be commissioned in the next two years. In addition to strengthening the group’s Singapore and Malaysia operations, group remains committed to expanding its footprint in the region. In July, TMG announced that it has agreed to acquire Vietnam’s FV Hospital for an enterprise value (EV) of US$328.5 million (or approximately S$445.3 million). Based on the FY2022 ebitda of US$19.5 million (RM91 million), this translates into an EV/ebitda of 16.8x. The deal highlights the increasing importance of Vietnam’s thriving healthcare market, and paves the way for the group to realise its Southeast Asian expansion strategy. TMG’s executive vice-chairman Kiat Lim said the group is poised to evolve into a healthcare leader in the region, offering endto-end, holistic and quality healthcare services, driven by organic and inorganic expansion. He added their strategic acquisition in Vietnam enlarges their footprint in the Southeast Asian healthcare market, which offers many more opportunities for the group to increase its reach and scale. Other operating expenses increased to S$80.7 million during FY23, from S$70.5 million in FY22, driven by higher professional fees incurred for potential acquisitions and higher operating costs from the new expansion wing at THKD. Staff costs during FY2023 also rose 9.3% from the previous year following additional headcount in Malaysia after the opening of THKD’s new expansion wing, as well as stiffer competition for talent in the healthcare sector. Net finance costs rose 18% year-on-year to S$26.6 million, due to the recognition of interest on bank loan relating to THKD’s new expansion wing, and higher interest rates during the financial year compared to the same period last year. TMG’s executive director and group CEO Dr Melvin Heng said, “With Covid-19 transitioning to an endemic phase, we continue to see increased patient loads in both our Singapore and Malaysian operations, particularly in fertility services and paediatric medicine. We remain focused on our plans to expand and enhance our medical centres and clinics in Singapore, including a multi-year asset enhancement initiative of our flagship hospital in Singapore. The expanded operating capacity at Malaysia’s Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara has already started contributing to our revenue.” TMG’s board of directors has proposed a dividend of 0.040 Singapore cent per ordinary share for FY23. Public Bank reports higher Q2 earnings of RM1.62b, declares 9 sen dividend KUALA LUMPUR: Public Bank Bhd posted a higher net profit of RM1.62 billion for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 (2Q FY23) compared with RM1.42 billion in 2Q FY22. Revenue jumped to RM6.26 billion from RM4.97 billion previously, it said in a Bursa Malaysia filing yesterday. For the first half ended June 30, 2023 (1H FY23), the bank’s net profit rose to RM3.33 billion from RM2.82 billion in 1H FY22, while revenue improved to RM12.39 billion from RM9.86 billion previously. The bank said its performance in 1H FY23 was mainly driven by continued healthy loans and deposit growth, prudent cost management as well as stable asset quality. The bank said in a release that its net interest income increased by 3.4% year-onyear (y-o-y) in 1H, mainly led by its loans and deposits businesses which expanded at an annualised growth rate of 5.4% and 6%, respectively. Non-interest income grew by 5.4%, on the back of higher income from foreign exchange and stock-broking businesses. The group sustained an efficient cost-toincome ratio of 33.7% in the 1H FY23, underpinned by prudent cost management with operating expenses increasing by 3.5% versus the corresponding period in 2022. Asset quality remained stable with a gross impaired loans ratio of 0.55%, loan impairment allowances were lower by 85.7%, while its loan loss coverage ratio stood at a prudent level of 199.1% at the end of June 2023. The board declared a first interim dividend of 9.0 sen per share, which brings the total dividend payout to RM1.75 billion, or 52.4% of the group’s 1H FY2023 net profit, payable on Sept 22, 2023. Ex-date is Sept 14, 2023. – Bernama Thomson Medical FY23 revenue up 6.6% on-year oMalaysian operations record strong performance amid opening of new beds, Singapore results buoyed by fertility and paediatric services Trina Solar, GSPARX Malaysia to promote clean energy, sustainability KUALA LUMPUR: Trina Solar, a global PV and smart energy total solutions provider, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GSPARX Sdn Bhd, Malaysia (GSPARX, Malaysia) a wholly owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), to work together in developing a robust sustainable energy sector in Malaysia. Through the MoU, GSPARX, Malaysia and Trina Solar have agreed to establish a working committee that will help drive sustainability initiatives and promote the adoption of renewable energy in the country. Additionally, the parties have agreed to do joint marketing and work collaboratively to explore and unlock new business opportunities, so as to develop Malaysia’s solar photovoltaic market. Trina Solar Southeast Asia head Elva Wang said they have had a long standing relationship with GSPARX, Malaysia as its solar module supplier for rooftop solar business in Malaysia since 2019 and this agreement further strengthens and expands their relationship on a strategic and working level. “We are focusing on securing business opportunities for rooftop, floating and grounded-mounted systems, for our mutual benefit and helping Malaysia move towards a green net-zero future, said Wang, adding that under the MoU Trina Solar will share its international knowledge and technical expertise with GSPARX Malaysia with regards to among others smart grid solutions, and energy storage systems. “This co-operation will enable GSPARX, Malaysia to strengthen its technical in-house capabilities and help, for example, navigate technical challenges in solar rooftop projects,” Wang said. Edgepoint, Sunway team up to upgrade telco infrastructure PETALING JAYA: EdgePoint Infrastructure (EdgePoint), an Asean-based independent telecommunications infrastructure firm via EdgePoint Towers Sdn Bhd, has partnered with Sunway Group to upgrade the telecommunications infrastructure in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur. The deployment will benefit Sunway Pyramid, the largest themed mega mall in the country, the adjoining Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre as well as the internationally recognised Sunway Medical Centre, the largest private hospital in Malaysia. In the recently signed agreement, EdgePoint will deploy refreshed neutral hosted In-building Coverage (IBC) systems at the mall and convention centre. These next generation coverage systems, which are also 5G ready, will enable seamless mobile coverage throughout the mall, in line with the group’s target to provide seamless connectivity towards catering to the annual footfall of 42 million coming through Sunway City Kuala Lumpur each year. This agreement will also see similar IBC deployments across other Sunway-owned commercial properties. KUALA LUMPUR: Direct Lending, a leading Malaysian digital lending platform has partnered with Petronas AutoExpert, to introduce a syariahcompliant, fully digital car service installment plan to Malaysian car owners. Through this partnership, Petronas AutoExpert has adopted the Buy Now Pay Later model, in line with its commitment to make their customers’ life simpler and better, while providing a competitive advantage to its chain of service centres. Available at all 55 Petronas AutoExpert centres nationwide, car owners will enjoy increased flexibility in managing their car service and repair expenses, by allowing payments to be spread over a maximum 12-month period. Petronas Lubricants Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd CEO Mohd Zameer Zahur Hussain said this facility will help ease the financial stress typically associated with car maintenance, offering greater affordability and convenience for their customers. With just three easy steps, applicants can swiftly secure financing by filling in their details, submitting their identification card along with latest three months’ bank statements, and finalising the process by making the first payment, setting up monthly payments and signing the financing agreement – all to be done digitally via smartphone. Customers of Petronas AutoExpert can apply for this instalment plan by scanning the QR code displayed at the participating service centres. Following the partnership, Petronas AutoExpert will benefit from this innovative offering at no cost for a minimum period of two years. In addition, all Petronas staff members will be able to enjoy a lower financing rate when using the installment plan at any Petronas AutoExpert centres. This offering will also enable Petronas AutoExpert to receive the complete invoice amount upfront, fostering healthy cash flow and potential sales growth. Direct lending founder Hui Yik Seong said, “We are honoured to offer an instalment plan that adheres to syariah principles, benefiting everyone, including valued customers of Petronas AutoExpert. This partnership aims to alleviate the financial burden of vehicle maintenance – worn or damaged components can be detrimental to the car’s performance, putting drivers, passengers and other road users at risk. “We hope that by presenting a more inclusive and user-friendly option for Malaysians, we get to enhance their overall vehicle journey with ease.” Direct Lending, Petronas AutoExpert in syariah-compliant car service instalment plan

14 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 SUNBIZ @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME China, US hold fresh talks on trade disputes BEIJING: US and Chinese officials held a fresh round of talks on contentious trade issues yesterday, the third day of a visit to Beijing by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Raimondo’s trip to China is the latest by a senior US official in recent months as Washington seeks to defuse tensions with the world’s second-largest economy. Yesterday, she met China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Beijing, reiterating her view that “the US-China commercial relationship is one of the most consequential” in the world. “Managing that relationship responsibly is critical to both of our nations and indeed to the whole world,” she said during a part of the meeting where journalists were allowed in the room. She stressed the US would “never compromise in protecting our national security”, but added that Washington “did not seek to decouple, or to hold China’s economy back”. He, in response, said Beijing was willing to work on “new, positive efforts to keep economic consensus and step up cooperation”. Raimondo also met China’s Culture and Tourism Minister Hu Heping yesterday, underscoring “the importance of people-topeople exchange to the broader US-China bilateral relationship”, the US Commerce Department said. She will also pay a courtesy visit to Premier Li Qiang, before heading to China’s economic powerhouse Shanghai and leaving the country today. Earlier in her trip, she met with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, with the two sides agreeing to set up a working group to iron out the laundry list of trade disputes between them. They also agreed to set up what Washington called an “export control enforcement information exchange” – described as a platform to “reduce misunderstanding of US national security policies”. The information exchange will convene for oRaimondo reiterates that their mutual commercial relationship is ‘one of the most consequential’ in the world Investors eagerly await UBS’ first results since Credit Suisse merger ZURICH: As UBS prepares to post earnings this week, investors and employees are eagerly awaiting clues as to how Switzerland’s largest bank is faring after swallowing up its fallen rival Credit Suisse. UBS is due to release its secondquarter income statement early tomorrow – the first results presented since the mega-merger that rocked the Swiss banking scene earlier this year. Keen attention will be paid to layoff plans and the fate of Credit Suisse’s Swiss division, which have been at the heart of swirling rumours in recent months. Swiss authorities strongarmed UBS into the US$3.25 billion (RM15 billion) takeover on March 19 to prevent its closest domestic rival from going under – which could have had catastrophic consequences for the global financial system. But since the complex merger was completed in June, UBS has divulged little about its plans. In the meantime, the number of questions around the repercussions of the deal has swelled. “The list is long,” Andreas Venditti, an analyst at Swiss investment manager Vontobel, told AFP. In particular, he added, he will be looking for details on the retention of Credit Suisse staff and clients, and hopefully a timeline for the integration process. Venditti also said there would be less focus this time around on UBS’s net profit – usually a key measure of how the bank is faring – since it will be distorted by a string of exceptional items. UBS has already indicated that the results should include an exceptional accounting gain of nearly US$35 billion due to the difference between the purchase price and the recognised net assets of Credit Suisse. They will also include less than a month of integrated Credit Suisse results, making any profit estimates difficult, he said. There has been particularly intense speculation around the fate of Credit Suisse’s Swiss unit, with questions over whether it could continue to operate independently due to the significant overlap with UBS’s business in Switzerland. Last week, the Bloomberg financial news agency, citing unidentified sources, reported that UBS was leaning towards a full integration of Credit Suisse’s domestic bank, rather than spinning it off. That suggests that significant job cuts could be expected. A source close to the matter told AFP that a first wave of layoffs has already begun at Credit Suisse, while the Financial News website reported that 200 investment bankers had already been asked to leave. B R I E F SBRITAIN AIR TRAVEL DISRUPTION TO LAST FOR DAYS: MINISTER LONDON: British transport minister Mark Harper said it would take days to resolve the widespread disruption to flights into and out of the country after air traffic control systems were hit by a technical problem. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed on Monday – one of the country’s busiest travel days – after air traffic controllers were forced to switch to manual systems. Harper added that government officials did not believe the technical problem was the result of a cyber attack. Heathrow Airport, Britain’s busiest hub, told passengers on X, formerly known as Twitter, to contact their airline before travelling to the airport yesterday. – Reuters JAPAN TO CONSIDER EXTENDING PETROL SUBSIDIES TO YEAR-END TOKYO: Japan’s government and ruling coalition are set to consider extending petrol subsidies from September to ease the pain of fuel bills, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters yesterday. The policymakers are aiming to keep retail prices of gasoline below ¥180 per litre, the sources said on condition of anonymity. Japan’s nationwide average retail price of regular petrol rose by ¥1.80 to ¥183.70 per litre over the week to Aug 21, marking the 14th consecutive weekly increase, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said last week. Without the subsidies, the price could be as high as ¥195.70 per litre, the ministry said last week. – Reuters CHINA EXTENDS TAX BREAKS FOR FOREIGN WORKERS UNTIL 2027 BEIJING: China will extend preferential tax policies for foreign nationals working in the country through to the end of 2027, the finance ministry said yesterday, in a boon to foreign firms struggling to attract talent post-Covid. The government proposed scrapping the provision of non-taxable allowances for foreign workers in 2022, but decided to extend the scheme on a review basis until the end of this year. As China’s economy slows, authorities have struggled to revive foreign investment with global firms unimpressed by new incentives they say fall far short of sweeteners once used to attract overseas money. – Reuters NZ PLANS DIGITAL SERVICES TAX ON MNC FROM 2025 SYDNEY: New Zealand said yesterday it would introduce legislation for a digital services tax on large multinational companies (MNC) from 2025 after talks for a global rollout did not reach consensus at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. More than 140 countries were supposed to start implementing next year a 2021 deal overhauling decades-old rules on how governments tax multinationals that are widely considered to be outdated as digital giants like Apple or Amazon can book profits in lowtax countries. The proposed digital services tax will target multinational businesses that earn income from New Zealand users of social media platforms, search engines, and online marketplaces. – Reuters Toyota’s Japan output halted as system glitch hits plants TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp yesterday said it has suspended operations at all 14 of its assembly plants in Japan due to a production system malfunction, bringing domestic output to a standstill at the world’s biggestselling automaker. The glitch is preventing Toyota from ordering components and its cause is under investigation, though it is “likely not due to a cyberattack”, a spokesman said. Toyota suspended 12 plants in its home market from yesterday morning and added the final two from the afternoon, the spokesman said. It was unclear how much output would be lost. The plants together account for about a third of the automaker’s global production, Reuters calculations showed. Toyota’s domestic production had been on the rebound after a series of output cuts it blamed on semiconductor shortage. Output was up 29% in January-June, the first such increase in two years. Its Japan output averaged about 13,500 vehicles daily in the first half of the year, Reuters calculations showed. That excludes vehicles from group automakers Daihatsu and Hino. Operations were halted for a day last year when a supplier suffered a cyberattack, hampering Toyota’s ability to order parts. Toyota resumed operations using a back-up network. Yesterday’s incident is having a knock-on effect. Group firm Toyota Industries said it has partially suspended operations at two engine plants due to the automaker’s glitch. Toyota is a pioneer of just-intime inventory management, which keeps down costs but means supply chain snarls put production at risk. – Reuters the first time at Beijing’s commerce ministry yesterday, Washington said. But Beijing painted a less rosy picture, saying Wang had raised “serious concerns” over Washington’s trade curbs on Chinese businesses. Those included “US Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, its semiconductor policies, restrictions of two-way investment, discriminatory subsidies, and sanctions on Chinese enterprises”, Beijing’s commerce ministry said. The commerce secretary is one of a number of senior US officials to visit China in recent months – part of an effort by Washington to improve its working relationship with its largest strategic rival. Relations between the two countries have plummeted to some of their lowest levels in decades, with US trade curbs near the top of the list of disagreements. This month, Biden issued an executive order aimed at restricting certain US investments in sensitive high-tech areas in China – a move Beijing blasted as being “anti-globalisation”. The long-anticipated rules, expected to be implemented next year, target sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. – AFP Sources: Bloomberg, Companies Market Cap, Financial Times, Reuters UBS bails out Credit Suisse Credit Suisse market capitalisation ($ billions) Feb 2018: Patrice Lescaudron – former Credit Suisse banker – sentenced to five years in prison on charges of fraud and forgery Mar 2021: British financial firm Greensill declares insolvency, Credit Suisse loses $10bn of clients’ money Apr: Collapse of U.S. hedge fund Archegos Capital, Credit Suisse loses $5.5bn © GRAPHIC NEWS 0807 10 12 14 16 18 20 2322 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 10 0 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 Apr 2007: $87.8bn Dec 2009: $78.7bn Dec 2012: $57.5bn Jan 2018: $51.7bn Feb 2021: $35.4bn Mar 20 2023: $4.1bn Oct 2021: Credit Suisse is fined $475m by U.S. and UK regulators following Mozambique bribery scandal Oct 2022: Bank agrees to pay €238m to avoid prosecution in France over money laundering and tax fraud charges Mar 15, 2023: Top shareholder Saudi National Bank sparks market panic, saying it will not invest more money in Credit Suisse Mar 19: UBS agrees to buy Swiss rival in government-backed deal for about $3.25bn Feb 2022: Media investigation alleges bank has had human rights abusers, dictators and criminals among its clients Jun: Credit Suisse fined $2m in money laundering case linked to Bulgarian cocaine network Feb 2009: $25.38bn Credit Suisse survives global financial crisis without bailout Sources: Bloomberg, Companies Market Cap, Financial Times, Reuters UBS bails out Credit Suisse Credit Suisse market capitalisation ($ billions) Feb 2018: Patrice Lescaudron – former Credit Suisse banker – sentenced to five years in prison on charges of fraud and forgery Mar 2021: British financial firm Greensill declares insolvency, Credit Suisse loses $10bn of clients’ money Apr: Collapse of U.S. hedge fund Archegos Capital, Credit Suisse loses $5.5bn © GRAPHIC NEWS 0807 10 12 14 16 18 20 2322 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 10 0 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 Apr 2007: $87.8bn Dec 2009: $78.7bn Dec 2012: $57.5bn Jan 2018: $51.7bn Feb 2021: $35.4bn Mar 20 2023: $4.1bn Oct 2021: Credit Suisse is fined $475m by U.S. and UK regulators following Mozambique bribery scandal Oct 2022: Bank agrees to pay €238m to avoid prosecution in France over money laundering and tax fraud charges Mar 15, 2023: Top shareholder Saudi National Bank sparks market panic, saying it will not invest more money in Credit Suisse Mar 19: UBS agrees to buy Swiss rival in government-backed deal for about $3.25bn Feb 2022: Media investigation alleges bank has had human rights abusers, dictators and criminals among its clients Jun: Credit Suisse fined $2m in money laundering case linked to Bulgarian cocaine network Feb 2009: $25.38bn Credit Suisse survives global financial crisis without bailout

3 0 A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 W E D N E S D A Y on page 16 on page 18 on page 17 BTS’ V takes on the prestigious Billboard charts Dive into the multi-faceted world of Mask Girl Malaysia celebrates Malaysia celebrates Journey of unity and resilience on page 19 Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Cara Delevingne in latest American Horror Story: Delicate

16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 FORMER American professional tennis player Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian have welcomed a new member of their family with the birth of their latest child. The pair introduced their second child, a daughter named Adira, on Aug 22. Ohanian confirmed the name and date in an Instagram post featuring a family portrait of the four members on Aug 23. “Welcome, Adira River Ohanian,” his caption read. “I’m grateful to report our house is teaming with love: a happy and healthy newborn girl and a happy and healthy mama. Feeling grateful. @serenawilliams You’ve now given me another incomparable gift – you’re the GMOAT. Thanks to all the amazing medical staff who took care of my wife and our daughter. I’ll never forget the moment I introduced @olympiaohanian to her baby sister.” Williams and Ohanian had their first child, a daughter named Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, in September 2017. The tennis star revealed her second pregnancy during the 2023 Met Gala, debuting her baby bump in a form-fitting black Gucci dress. She later confirmed the pregnancy on Instagram, expressing her excitement about “the three of us attending the Met Gala,” alluding to their upcoming addition as the third attendee. In a heartfelt essay published last year when she announced her retirement from tennis, the superstar athlete shared her desire to grow her family. “I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people. Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution,” she wrote at the time. “I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis towards other things that are important to me. A few years ago, I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family.” @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Expanding horizons J AEHYUN stands out both within his groups, NCT 127 and NCT DoJaeJung, but diving into solo music has ignited a distinct creative spark for the K-pop sensation. “When collaborating in a group, we amalgamate our ideas with a holistic vision. However, when I work individually, my focus shifts entirely to self-expression,” Jaehyun elaborates. “This shift in the creative process allows me to convey more unfiltered emotions and explore my unique style.” It’s also an opportunity to share more of himself, his preferences, and his personal perspective with their devoted followers, collectively known as NCTzens. “It’s a wonderful way to offer my fans a glimpse into my leisure activities,” he remarks. “Moreover, it provides me with a platform to showcase my musical growth even more intimately through these individual projects.” His most recent solo release, Horizon, premiered via STATION: NCT LAB, an initiative established by SM Entertainment in 2022. This programme empowers members of the expansive NCT collective to pursue their own creative endeavours alongside their group work. Jaehyun has capitalised on this opportunity, having previously dropped the solo track Forever Only in 2022. Additionally, he recently released The K-pop sensation. – SM ENTERTAINMENT oNCT Jaehyun’s way to stardom █ BY YASMIN ZULRAEZ the mini album Perfume alongside two fellow bandmates, Doyoung and Jungwoo, forming the dynamic trio Dojaejung. Horizon exudes a ‘90s R&B vibe, yet Jaehyun rejects genre constraints and continuously seeks inspiration from diverse musical genres. “I possess a broad musical palate. You’ll often find me with earphones or headphones, especially when I’m not engaged in conversation. I love staying connected to an array of music,” he shares. One artist who has recently captured his attention is Pharrell Williams. While the life of a K-pop idol is undoubtedly marked by remarkable moments, such as DoJaeJung’s groundbreaking performance at Fandom’s San Diego Comic-Con Party and Jaehyun’s imminent film debut in the upcoming thriller You’ll die in 6 hours, it was a seemingly ordinary day that sowed the seeds of Horizon. “There was one day that lingered in my thoughts. It was a day like any other, spent on a flight to the next destination amidst a gloomy sky and bustling surroundings,” he reminisces. “As the plane ascended, I gazed out the window and witnessed a tranquil yet stunning skyline beyond the clouds. In that instant, I realised that, even at the same time and place, a slight shift in perspective could yield profound changes in perception. It was a change in how I viewed the world. I hope that my fans can experience happiness and joy as we share this moment together through my song.” Horizon is available for streaming now, inviting listeners into Jaehyun’s musical journey and unique perspective. BTS’ V shines on Billboard charts BTS’ V has taken a fresh approach by unveiling two pre-released music videos that offer a sneak peek into his forthcoming album, titled Layover. The tracks, namely Love Me Again and Rainy Days, have been met with enthusiastic applause from his fan base, building up fervent excitement for the imminent launch of his solo album. These songs have already begun to make their mark by achieving remarkable records. V has marked his presence on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second time as an individual artist. During this week’s ranking, V’s latest solo prerelease track, Love Me Again, made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 list, securing the 96th position. This accomplishment signifies the song’s popularity in the United States. Love Me Again becomes V’s second solo track to grace the chart, following his earlier solo endeavour, Christmas Tree, which made its debut at No. 79 the previous year. Simultaneously, V’s other pre-release track, Rainy Days, made its entry at No. 18 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100. Love Me Again also marked an impressive entry, securing the first position on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales Chart, the third position on the primary Digital Song Sales Chart, the eighth spot on the Global Excl. US chart and the 16th position on the Global 200. Adding to the excitement, V recently shared a teaser of his upcoming track, Blue, which is a part of his solo album. This teaser has effectively heightened the anticipation and eagerness among fans for the album’s release. The album, Layover, is anticipated to showcase a collection of five songs along with an additional bonus track. Furthermore, V is all set to officially rerelease Scenery, Winter Flower and Winter Bear as part of his promotional schedule, ensuring their availability on all major streaming platforms. The much-awaited solo album by BTS’ V is scheduled for release on Sept 8. BTS’ V dominates the Billboard charts with pre-released tracks ahead of solo album Layover. – INSTAGRAM █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Serena and Alexis welcome second child The family of four. – PEOPLE █ BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL

17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 Bruno Major mesmerises Zepp KL oThe UK artist wraps up Southeast Asia tour with KL show ENGLISH singer and songwriter Bruno Major has wrapped up the Southeast Asian leg of his Tour of Planet Earth with Kuala Lumpur as the final stop. The show managed to garner approximately 1,500 audience at Zepp Kuala Lumpur on Aug 20. Despite playing to sold-out crowds in Indonesia and Singapore the previous night, the 35-year-old independent artist displayed no signs of fatigue and delivered an outstanding performance to his dedicated fans in Malaysia. Presented by Shiraz Projects, Major showcased a selection of his popular songs during the concert. His setlist included famous tracks like Fair-Weather Friend, Wouldn’t Mean A Thing, Regents Park, Tell Her and several others, ensuring that the crowd had an enjoyable time. The show kicks off at approximately 8.30pm, with Major taking the stage to perform the first song from his latest album, Columbo, titled The Show Must Go On. Before proceeding to the next song in the setlist, Bruno Major warmly greeted the Kuala Lumpur audience with a cheerful “What’s up Kuala Lumpur.” He then proceeded to perform Like Someone In Love with captivating guitar solos and harmonious chord p r o g r e s s i o n s , prompting the audience to enthusiastically join in with sing-alongs. This lively participation from the crowd continued throughout the performance, especially during renditions of Regents Park and The Most Beautiful Thing. Major delivered an outstanding performance, treating the audience to a setlist of approximately 18 songs during his nearly two-hour show, which concluded at around 10.30pm. One of the standout moments of the evening occurred when the entire venue was lit up by audience members’ phone flashlights as the British singer performed another one of his chart-topping songs, Nothing, which had gained significant popularity on TikTok. To close out the night on a high note, Major presented his e n c o r e p e r f o r m a n c e , featuring the beloved and soothing track Easily. The entire a u d i e n c e █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL Multi-faceted world of Mask Girl SOUTH Korean director Kim Yonghoon’s latest drama series, Mask Girl, delves into the complex life of an office worker whose insecurities about her appearance lead her to become an enigmatic masked internet personality by night. This compelling K-drama takes an unexpected turn when a series of illfated events unravels her life. Starring prominent actors including Lee Han-byeol, Nana, Go Hyun-jung, Ahn Jae-hong and Yeom Hye-ran, Mask Girl draws inspiration from the Naver webtoon of the same name by Mae-mi and Hee-se, originally published between 2015 and 2018. In a recent virtual press conference, Director Kim and the cast provided insights into the series’ unique storytelling and character dynamics. The show’s narrative unfolds through the lives of its multifaceted characters. As Ko Hyun-jung, one of the lead actors, eloquently explained, Mask Girl delves into pertinent societal issues and explores their underlying causes. The title, though centred around a masked trio, resonates with the struggles faced by each individual, prompting viewers to reflect on their own lives. The decision to adopt a multiperspective approach in the series, as opposed to the original Webtoon’s single viewpoint, was aimed at enriching the storytelling experience and resonating with a wider audience. Director Kim’s fascination with the webtoon’s intricate characters and compelling storyline led him to undertake this ambitious project. The unconventional choice to split a single character’s role among three actors created an initial challenge for the cast and crew. However, this unique approach ultimately allowed for a deeper exploration of the character’s evolution over time. This decision reflects the essence of Mask Girl the courage to shed one’s metaphorical mask and reveal one’s true self. The character portrayals by the cast, each encapsulating different stages of life and emotions, add depth to the series. The cast’s dedication to their roles, as well as Director Kim’s guidance, ensures a nuanced and authentic representation of their characters’ journeys. For instance, Nana’s portrayal of showgirl A-reum brought forward the complexities of living a double life, seamlessly blending acting and dancing to create a fresh and dynamic performance. The series also tackles the societal pressure s u r r o u n d i n g appearances. Lee Hanbyeol, who embodies the titular Mask Girl, spoke of her connection with her character’s struggles. Through Mo-mi’s story, the show challenges traditional beauty standards and highlights the multifaceted nature of human beauty. Han-byeol’s portrayal conveys the message that beauty is not defined by a single mould but is instead a multidimensional concept. Director Kim’s m a s t e r f u l orchestration of t h e s e i n t r i c a t e character a r c s a l i g n s w i t h h i s intention to explore the complexity of human emotions and societal pressures. Mask Girl stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to transcend stereotypes and delve into the deeper layers of human experiences. Through its innovative narrative structure and thought-provoking character dynamics, the series prompts viewers to question the masks they wear in their own lives and to contemplate the pivotal moments that lead to authenticity and self-discovery. As the characters’ lives intertwine and reveal their vulnerabilities and strengths, the series promises to captivate viewers with its exploration of identity, societal norms and the relentless pursuit of selfunderstanding. With its blend of compelling characters, societal commentary and innovative storytelling, Mask Girl is poised to leave a lasting impression on the landscape of contemporary Kdrama. Mask Girl is now available to stream on Netflix. Right: Major’s guitar licks and solos enchanted the crowd. Mask Girl reached second place on the global top 10 rankings on Netflix three days after its release. – PICS BY NETFLIX █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN enthusiastically sang along with him throughout the song, creating a memorable and cherished moment for everyone in attendance. Throughout the performance, Major not only showcased his exceptional singing abilities but also demonstrated his remarkable skills on the guitar and keyboard. The venue was immersed in a captivating melodic ambiance, enhanced by the warm and vibrant hues of the c o l o u r f u l spotlighting. T h i s combination of talent and lighting created an atmosphere that was truly spine-tingling and filled with positive vibes. The performance was intimate, fostering a strong connection between the audience and the artist. He interacted casually with fans, shared the stories behind the lyrics, and even sang a spontaneous birthday song for one of the fans in the crowd. Prior to his performance, Major spoke with the local media at a press conference and expressed his excitement about being back in Asia. He was eager to perform songs from his third album and particularly from his second album, which was released during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Speaking of excitement and his hit songs, Major also talked about his thoughts on his song Nothing becoming a sensation on TikTok. “It was pretty life-changing, that song. The craziest part of that whole thing is that it was on album two and it became my most popular song, but I’ve never played it live,” he said. “So it’s pretty crazy because I’m coming to countries that are on the other side of the world from where I grew up and hearing people sing this song back to me and I’ve never felt that energy before. It’s really special and it means the world to me,” Major added. Bruno Major’s concert series, Tour of Planet Earth 2023, kicked off in Tokyo on Aug 8. Originally planned for 2020, the tour had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Next, the singer will take his concert tour to the United States and Canada in September before heading to several European countries in November. The tour is set to conclude on Nov 23 in London, England. The singersongwriter performed a total of 18 songs. – PICS BY SHIRAZ PROJECTS. The series is based on a popular webtoon of the same name.

18 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 Roberts in AHS: Delicate. – FX Upcoming AHS promises a stunning cast IN an exciting development, FX has just unveiled a bone-chilling sneak peek of American Horror Story: Delicate, featuring a star-studded cast that includes Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Cara Delevingne. Set to a haunting rendition of the nursery rhyme Rock-A-Bye-Baby, the teaser is filled with spine-tingling imagery, including an abundance of spiders and spider webs. In one unsettling scene, Roberts can be seen screaming while lying on a medical bed. Delevingne’s character adds an air of mystery as she holds a needle filled with an ominous liquid, while Kardashian, cradling a baby, dons a particularly skincrawling all-black spider web dress. The upcoming 12th season draws inspiration from Danielle Valentine’s newly released novel, Delicate Condition. The plot revolves around Anna Alcott, who is convinced that a sinister figure is determined to prevent her from giving birth. The cast also boasts Michaela Jaé Rodriguez from Pose and features a cameo from Zachary Quinto, a long-time staple of the American Horror Story series. News of the 12th season’s development first surfaced in April, with Roberts sharing the teaser on Instagram, hinting at her and Kardashian’s involvement. Kardashian herself shared the teaser, adding to the eerie anticipation. Series co-creator Ryan Murphy expressed excitement about Kardashian joining the AHS family, recognising her as one of the biggest television stars globally. Prepare for the spine-tingling premiere of American Horror Story: Delicate Part 1, scheduled for Sept 20 on FX, with streaming available on Hulu the following day. This promises to be a season filled with hair-raising suspense and star power. – BY YASMIN ZULRAEZ /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME THE movie Jailer released in theatres on Aug 10, 2023, and superstar Rajinikanth’s hardcore fans around the world celebrated with much fanfare. Rajinikanth plays an ordinary man (Muthuvel Pandian/Tiger) living with his wife (Ramya Krishnan), son Arjun (Vasanth Ravi), daughter-in-law and grandson who is desperate to become a YouTube sensation. Arjun, an assistant commissioner of police, investigates a high-profile case involving a network stealing statues of important deities when he suddenly goes missing. The villain Varma (Vinayakan), who describes himself as a “100% professional,” is a merciless criminal who cruelly kills his own men by drowning them in acid. Varma is then accused of “murdering” Arjun secretly, before he goes on to target the entire family. In the meantime, Muthu hunts the villain responsible for the “death” of his son to take revenge while saving the rest of his family. To destroy Varma, Muthu seeks the help of Narasimha (Shiva Rajkumar), Matthew (Mohanlal) and Kamdev (Jackie Shroff). This is when Muthu’s true identity as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, a prison warden, was revealed to the audience. Celebrating a hero Jailer is deemed by ardent fans as a sort of “comeback” movie for the superstar, who is known for producing consistent blockbusters in a career spanning five decades since 1975. The best part of the movie is, well, the actor himself. At 72 years old, Rajini never fails to impress with his charisma, acting prowess and his own style of dialogue delivery and punchlines. From a caring father transforming into a violent but silent killer and later, a jailer in the flashback, Rajini delivers a magnetic presence, added with sarcasm, action and comedy. Besides all this, he speaks fluently in multiple Indian languages: Malayalam, Kannada, Telegu and Hindi. In Jailer, the superstar sports a stylish new look with button-down long sleeve shirts, straight-cut long trousers and a unique pendant with black-framed Tom Ford glasses that makes the actor look younger, casual and contemporary. Rajini often has a grand entry, and thus, in this movie, his glasses appear before his character comes on screen, providing a signature entry or introduction, but this was done, repeatedly. An ensemble of great talents Shiva Rajkumar, a well-known actor in Kannada films but unknown to Tamil audiences, has tremendous screen presence and leaves an indelible impression. Mohanlal’s 70’s and 80s era looks are surprising, and Jackie Shroff makes an impact in his cameo role. Apart from them, the supporting cast of Yogi Babu, Jaffer Sadiq and Sunil as “Blast Mohan” provide much of the comedy and entertainment, but Vinayakan’s portrayal of the terrifying villain is quite realistic. Sadly, Ramya Krishnan, who gave a powerful performance with Rajini in Padayappa, has a very small role. M u s i c c o m p o s e r A n i r u d h Ravichander ’s foot-tapping song Ra Kavaala and dance moves by the sensational T a m a n n a h Bhatia evoke a sense of excitement. T h a l a i v a r Allappara, with youthful and upbeat music and lyrics that celebrate Rajini’s glory, has become a theme song for Rajini’s fans, and the background score is unforgettable. Overall, director Nelson Dilipkumar created a gripping storyline with an unexpected twist in the climax. The story highlights a relevant issue: the theft of deity statues from Hindu temples, which has been happening in Tamil Nadu for decades. One smart thing Nelson did was to bring all the well-known artists from other film industries together in one movie. So, it was not just a Tamil movie but more of a collective South Indian movie. Rajini is back with a bang with a bang oThe superstar’s latest action movie draws massive crowd Rajinikanth takes revenge in Jailer – PICS BY IMDB Mohanlal as Mathew with an 80’s era look. Shroff plays one of the prisoners. █ BYS. TAMARAI CHELVI

19 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 The day Malaysia came to be ONCE upon a time, in the beautiful lands of Southeast Asia, there existed a country known as Malaya. Its captivating landscapes, diverse cultures and vibrant traditions painted a picturesque setting for an extraordinary tale of coming together. This is the story of how Malaysia, a melting pot of communities, achieved its long-awaited freedom in a journey filled with passion, unity and perseverance. Our story begins during the colonial era, when Malaya was under the rule of various foreign powers. The British, with their ambition for expansion, gradually took control of the region. From the 18th century onward, they established trading posts and slowly extended their influence over the peninsula and the island of Borneo. The early 20th century saw the emergence of a new generation of Malayans yearning for change. A sense of nationalism started to take root, sparked by the spread of ideas from neighbouring countries struggling for independence. Inspired by the successes of their fellow Asian nations, the people of Malaya dreamed of a brighter future free from foreign rule. In the face of British dominance, leaders began to emerge from all corners of the country. One of the most prominent figures was Tunku Abdul Rahman, a charismatic statesman with a passion for uniting the people. Tunku believed that only through unity could the country achieve independence. He tirelessly crisscrossed the nation, engaging with various ethnic groups and encouraging them to set aside their differences and work towards a common goal. As the flames of nationalism burned brighter, the people’s desire for freedom grew stronger. They held rallies, protests and meetings, demanding their right to selfgovernance. But the British were not keen on letting go of their hold on the prosperous land. World War II brought a tumultuous turn to the story. The Japanese swept through the region, occupying Malaya and bringing with them the harsh reality of oppression. However, amidst the darkness, the spirit of resistance burned brightly. The people bravely fought against the invaders, proving their unwavering determination to determine their own fate. With the war’s end, Malaya emerged battered but not broken. The British sought to regain control, but the people stood resolute. The call for independence grew louder, reverberating through the hearts of every citizen. The turning point came on a historic day, Aug 31, 1957. Gathered in Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur, the nation held its breath as Tunku proudly proclaimed the country’s independence. The joyous celebration echoed far and wide, marking the dawn of a new era for Malaya. However, the journey did not end there. Malaya’s newfound freedom came with its fair share of challenges. The country was a melting pot of different ethnicities and religions, each with its own customs and traditions. The 66th Malaysia Independence Day (National Day) is celebrated on Aug 31. – FREEPIK o A spirited journey of unity and resilience █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN In the mosaic of cultures and beliefs that define our nation, unity stands as our cornerstone, unbreakable and enduring. Through challenges and triumphs, our shared values and mutual respect fortify the bonds of unity. Our country’s unity, a tapestry woven from diverse threads, binds us together in strength and harmony. For true independence to be achieved, unity and inclusivity were essential. T h e g o v e r n m e n t led by Tunku e m b a r k e d on a mission to build a nation that c e l e b r a t e d d i v e r s i t y while fostering a sense of b e l o n g i n g a m o n g i t s citizens. They laid the foundation for a parliamentary democracy, promoting harmony and understanding between the various ethnic communities. But there was one final chapter yet to be written in Malaysia’s quest for unity: the partnership with Sabah and Sarawak. These two states on the island of B o r n e o chose to join the federation in 1963, completing the picture of modern Malaysia. With this union, the people of Malaysia demonstrated the strength of their solidarity, defying geographical barriers to build a truly united nation. And so, the story of Malaysia continues to be written every day. As the years pass, the nation thrives, evolving with the spirit of unity and resilience that brought about its freedom. The country’s journey towards unity serves as an inspiring tale of what can be achieved when people come together, bound by a common dream. To d ay , Malaysia stands tall as a vibrant nation that cherishes its past, celebrates its present and embraces a promising future. Its journey of independence, filled with colourful characters, moments of adversity, and triumphant victories, is a testament to the power of unity and the indomitable spirit of its people. And so, dear reader, as you reflect on this remarkable tale, remember the lesson it imparts: united, Malaysians are strong, and together, they shall prevail in the face of any challenge that may come their way. For Malaysia, this is just a new beginning in the journey of an everlasting story of unity and resilience.

20 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023

21 * SPORTS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT SHAH ALAM IN THE STATE OF SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO.: BA-28NCC-450-08/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of the Companies Act 2016, the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 and the Companies (Windingup) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Vertical Impact Sdn. Bhd. [Company No. 200701013864 (771870-T)] BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 199101010745 (221057-V)] …PETITIONER AND VERTICAL IMPACT SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: 200701013864 (771870-T)] …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the above-named Company by the High Court at Shah Alam was on the 21st day of August 2023 presented to the said Court by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Insolvency sitting at Shah Alam on Tuesday, the 21st day of November 2023 at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any Creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at 10th Floor, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Kama & Wan, whose address is at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. ……………………… Messrs. Kama & Wan Solicitor for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Kama & Wan, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock in the noon of the 20th day of November 2023. This Advertisement of Petition is filed by Messrs. Kama & Wan, Advocate & Solicitor on behalf of the Petitioner of No. 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. (Tel: 03 89221485) (email: [email protected]) (Ref No.: WS/PUNB/VISB/2167(L) IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA TERENGGANU IN THE STATE OF TERENGGANU DARUL IMAN, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO.: TA-28NCC-12-07/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of the Companies Act 2016, the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 and the Companies (Windingup) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Kedai Emas Khamisah Sdn. Bhd. [Company No. 201101003730 (931870-D)] BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 199101010745 (221057-V)] PETITIONER AND KEDAI EMAS KHAMISAH SDN. BHD. (COMPANY NO.: 201101003730 (931870-D)) RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court at Kuala Terengganu was on the 18th day of July 2023 presented to the said Court by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Insolvency sitting at Kuala Terengganu on Monday, the 9th day of October 2023 at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any Creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at 10th Floor, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Kama & Wan, whose address is at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. ………………………… Messrs. Kama & Wan Solicitor for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Kama & Wan, notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock in the noon of the 8th day of October 2023. This Advertisement of Petition is filed by Messrs. Kama & Wan, Advocates & Solicitor on behalf of Petitioner at No. 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. (T: 03 8922 1485) (email: [email protected]) (Ref. No.: WS/PUNB/KEKSB/1693(L)) DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG PETISYEN CERAI NO. PA-33-275-06/2023 Dalam perkara Seksyen 54 Akta Membaharui Undang-Undang (Perkahwinan dan Perceraian), 1976 DAN Dalam perkara Kaedah-Kaedah Prosiding Perceraian dan Hal Ehwal Perkahwinan 1980 ANTARA GOH ZENG XIANG (No. K/P: 910902-07-5945) … Pempetisyen DAN NG CHEW LING (No. K/P: 940105-07-5560) … Responden DI HADAPAN PENOLONG KANAN PENDAFTAR JANICE BRENDA A/P SAVARIANNAN PADA 16 OGOS 2023 DALAM KAMAR PERINTAH (Penyampaian Ganti) ATAS PERMOHONAN Pempetisyen yang dibuat pada hari ini melalui Saman Dalam Kamar Ex-Parte (Untuk Penyampaian Ganti) bertarikh 25hb Julai 2023 DAN SETELAH MEMBACA dalam kehadiran Lee Chun Chek menyebut untuk Tetuan Chow Tat Seng & Low, peguamcara bagi Pempetisyen, MAKA ADALAH DIPERINTAHKAN seperti berikut:- 1. Bahawa kebenaran diberi untuk membuat permohonan ini; 2. Bahawa Petisyen Perceraian yang bertarikh 27hb Jun 2023 bersama surat yang bertarikh 05hb Julai 2023, dalam tindakan ini (selepas ini dirujuk sebagai ‘dokumendokumen tersebut’) diserahkan kepada Responden di atas secara penyampaian ganti dengan cara menampalkan Petisyen tersebut serta sesalinan termeterai Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti yang akan dibuat di sini, di Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi Pulau Pinang dan di premis Responden dikenali sebagai No. 10, Solok Binjai 2, Taman Sri Rambai, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang yang merupakan alamat terkini Responden yang diketahui; 3. Bahawa penyampaian dokumendokumen tersebut dalam tindakan ini dilaksanakan dengan mengiklankan notis sekali dalam sebuah akhbar tempatan; 4. Bahawa penampalan dan penyiaran sedemikian boleh disifatkan penyampaian sempurna dan cukup akan dokumen-dokumen tersebut keatas Responden yang dinamakan di atas selepas tujuh (7) hari selepas perbuatan terakhir penampalan dan penyiaran sedemikian; dan 5. Bahawa kos permohonan ini adalah kos dalam kausa. Bertarikh pada 16 haribulan Ogos 2023 t.t. …………………..…… JANICE BRENDA A/P SAVARIANNAN Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya Georgetown 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF BBS AUTO PARTS SDN. BHD. (201701020869 (1235035-D)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 439 of the Companies Act, 2016, that the special resolution set out below was duly passed by the members of the Company at a General Meeting held on 29 AUGUST 2023. “That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Mr. LIM FOOK HON (NRIC No.: 650829- 10-7147) of A-10-2 Residensi Perdana, No. 1, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat, 52100 Kepong, W.P. Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for the purposes of such winding up with all powers given by Section 456 of the Companies Act, 2016.” TAN MENG HUAT Director Kuala Lumpur Date: 30 AUGUST 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF BBS AUTO PARTS SDN. BHD. (201701020869 (1235035-D)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the above-named Company which is being voluntarily wound up are required to, on or before 21 SEPTEMBER 2023 to send in their names and addresses with full particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the Company, and, if so required by notice in writing from the Liquidator, either personally or by their solicitors, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved. LIM FOOK HON Liquidator No. 29-2, Jalan 46A/26, Taman Sri Rampai, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, W.P. Kuala Lumpur. Date: 30 AUGUST 2023 322 Notices IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT SHAH ALAM IN THE STATE OF SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO.: BA-28NCC-450-08/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of the Companies Act 2016, the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 and the Companies (Windingup) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Vertical Impact Sdn. Bhd. [Company No. 200701013864 (771870-T)] BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 199101010745 (221057-V)] …PETITIONER AND VERTICAL IMPACT SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: 200701013864 (771870-T)] …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the above-named Company by the High Court at Shah Alam was on the 21st day of August 2023 presented to the said Court by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Insolvency sitting at Shah Alam on Tuesday, the 21st day of November 2023 at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any Creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at 10th Floor, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Kama & Wan, whose address is at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. ……………………… Messrs. Kama & Wan Solicitor for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Kama & Wan, notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock in the noon of the 20th day of November 2023. This Advertisement of Petition is filed by Messrs. Kama & Wan, Advocate & Solicitor on behalf of the Petitioner of No. 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. (Tel: 03 89221485) (email: [email protected]) (Ref No.: WS/PUNB/VISB/2167(L) IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA TERENGGANU IN THE STATE OF TERENGGANU DARUL IMAN, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO.: TA-28NCC-12-07/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of the Companies Act 2016, the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 and the Companies (Windingup) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Kedai Emas Khamisah Sdn. Bhd. [Company No. 201101003730 (931870-D)] BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 199101010745 (221057-V)] PETITIONER AND KEDAI EMAS KHAMISAH SDN. BHD. (COMPANY NO.: 201101003730 (931870-D)) RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court at Kuala Terengganu was on the 18th day of July 2023 presented to the said Court by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Insolvency sitting at Kuala Terengganu on Monday, the 9th day of October 2023 at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any Creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at 10th Floor, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Kama & Wan, whose address is at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. ………………………… Messrs. Kama & Wan Solicitor for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Kama & Wan, notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock in the noon of the 8th day of October 2023. This Advertisement of Petition is filed by Messrs. Kama & Wan, Advocates & Solicitor on behalf of Petitioner at No. 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. (T: 03 8922 1485) (email: [email protected]) (Ref. No.: WS/PUNB/KEKSB/1693(L)) DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG PETISYEN CERAI NO. PA-33-275-06/2023 Dalam perkara Seksyen 54 Akta Membaharui Undang-Undang (Perkahwinan dan Perceraian), 1976 DAN Dalam perkara Kaedah-Kaedah Prosiding Perceraian dan Hal Ehwal Perkahwinan 1980 ANTARA GOH ZENG XIANG (No. K/P: 910902-07-5945) … Pempetisyen DAN NG CHEW LING (No. K/P: 940105-07-5560) … Responden DI HADAPAN PENOLONG KANAN PENDAFTAR JANICE BRENDA A/P SAVARIANNAN PADA 16 OGOS 2023 DALAM KAMAR PERINTAH (Penyampaian Ganti) ATAS PERMOHONAN Pempetisyen yang dibuat pada hari ini melalui Saman Dalam Kamar Ex-Parte (Untuk Penyampaian Ganti) bertarikh 25hb Julai 2023 DAN SETELAH MEMBACA dalam kehadiran Lee Chun Chek menyebut untuk Tetuan Chow Tat Seng & Low, peguamcara bagi Pempetisyen, MAKA ADALAH DIPERINTAHKAN seperti berikut:- 1. Bahawa kebenaran diberi untuk membuat permohonan ini; 2. Bahawa Petisyen Perceraian yang bertarikh 27hb Jun 2023 bersama surat yang bertarikh 05hb Julai 2023, dalam tindakan ini (selepas ini dirujuk sebagai ‘dokumendokumen tersebut’) diserahkan kepada Responden di atas secara penyampaian ganti dengan cara menampalkan Petisyen tersebut serta sesalinan termeterai Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti yang akan dibuat di sini, di Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi Pulau Pinang dan di premis Responden dikenali sebagai No. 10, Solok Binjai 2, Taman Sri Rambai, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang yang merupakan alamat terkini Responden yang diketahui; 3. Bahawa penyampaian dokumendokumen tersebut dalam tindakan ini dilaksanakan dengan mengiklankan notis sekali dalam sebuah akhbar tempatan; 4. Bahawa penampalan dan penyiaran sedemikian boleh disifatkan penyampaian sempurna dan cukup akan dokumen-dokumen tersebut keatas Responden yang dinamakan di atas selepas tujuh (7) hari selepas perbuatan terakhir penampalan dan penyiaran sedemikian; dan 5. Bahawa kos permohonan ini adalah kos dalam kausa. Bertarikh pada 16 haribulan Ogos 2023 t.t. …………………..…… JANICE BRENDA A/P SAVARIANNAN Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya Georgetown 322 Notices 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF BBS AUTO PARTS SDN. BHD. (201701020869 (1235035-D)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 439 of the Companies Act, 2016, that the special resolution set out below was duly passed by the members of the Company at a General Meeting held on 29 AUGUST 2023. “That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Mr. LIM FOOK HON (NRIC No.: 650829- 10-7147) of A-10-2 Residensi Perdana, No. 1, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat, 52100 Kepong, W.P. Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for the purposes of such winding up with all powers given by Section 456 of the Companies Act, 2016.” TAN MENG HUAT Director Kuala Lumpur Date: 30 AUGUST 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF BBS AUTO PARTS SDN. BHD. (201701020869 (1235035-D)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the above-named Company which is being voluntarily wound up are required to, on or before 21 SEPTEMBER 2023 to send in their names and addresses with full particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the Company, and, if so required by notice in writing from the Liquidator, either personally or by their solicitors, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved. LIM FOOK HON Liquidator No. 29-2, Jalan 46A/26, Taman Sri Rampai, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, W.P. Kuala Lumpur. Date: 30 AUGUST 2023 322 Notices Back at No. 1 Ruthless Djokovic makes winning return to US Open NOVAK DJOKOVIC made a winning return to the US Open by storming past Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 yesterday to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking and take the first step towards matching Margaret Court’s record haul of 24 Grand Slams. Unable to play at last year’s event due to being unvaccinated against Covid-19, Djokovic had not been seen on the Flushing Meadows hard courts since his loss to Daniil Medvedev in the 2021 final. And fans let the 36-year-old know they had missed him, showering the Serb with applause as he emerged from the tunnel onto Arthur Ashe Stadium court. It was clear that the three-time champion had missed them as well as he embraced the cheers of a record crowd of over 30,000 that included former-US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. “This court has seen so much history and so many battles,” Djokovic told the New York crowd. “Everyone knows in tennis that night sessions at Arthur Ashe definitely are the most exciting, fun, loud, energetic sessions you can have out there in the tennis world.” Arriving in New York on the back of an absorbing win over his young rival Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Open final, an in-form Djokovic showed the 84th ranked Muller no mercy in what was his US Open main draw debut. Firing on all cylinders, Djokovic broke the overwhelmed Frenchman to open the match and never took his foot off the gas, closing out the first set in 23 minutes with a thundering ace. Djokovic broke Muller for a fourth time to open the second set and went 2-0 up before his opponent held serve for the first time, raising both hands in triumph as the crowd roared. But the cheers would be few and far between as Djokovic closed out the second with a wicked forehand. Muller showed more ambition in the third, taking the set to 3-3 before Djokovic took control by breaking the Frenchman twice on the way to closing out the match. “I started tremendously well, we started quite late but nevertheless I was excited to go out on the court – it has been a couple of years,” said Djokovic, who will spend a recordextending 390th week at the top of the ATP rankings. “In the second and third sets I dropped the level of my serve and I had to work for the points a bit more. Nevertheless I played great and I liked the level.” – AFP/Agencies Thiem beats Bublik for first Slam win since 2021 DOMINIC THIEM savoured his first grand slam match win since 2021 at his happiest hunting ground yesterday, as the injury-plagued former us open champion downed Kazakh Alexander Bublik to reach the second round. Thiem broke the Grand Slam stranglehold of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic by winning the 2020 title in New York but a wrist injury the following year sidelined him for months and other niggles meant his ranking slipped to 352nd. The Austrian, now ranked No. 81, has endured a dismal run at the majors since reaching the Australian Open fourth round two years ago and said beating Bublik 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 felt special. “Yeah, it was a very good match basically from the first moment on. It’s a pretty special victory, because it’s the first since 2-1/2 years in Grand Slams,” Thiem told reporters. “I think, I don’t know, six or seven Grand Slams without a match win. So it’s great. Especially here at the US Open with all the past and all the memories I have here.” Thiem said he had slowly regained full strength in his wrist but rediscovering his confidence proved to be a challenge after his return in March 2022. “The physical trust is there. Since the injury I’ve played many tournaments. I did many practice sessions. I really also gave a lot of load on the wrist again. It’s completely fine,” said Thiem, who meets American Ben Shelton next. “The mental side wasn’t easy to restore. Wasn’t doing the same job I was used to before the injury, that wasn’t easy. “With every success, every match, especially with bigger successes or better weeks like I had in Austria when I played my first finals or also here… it helps a lot on the mental side and to get full trust again in the wrist.” – Reuters AMERICAN teenager Coco Gauff slammed US Open officiating after battling to a stormy first round victory over German veteran Laura Siegemund yesterday. The 19-year-old American sixth seed – tipped by many as one of the favourites for the this year’s title – was forced to dig deep before winning 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in 2hr 50min on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. But an ill-tempered clash was marked by angry confrontations by both players with chair umpire Marijana Veljovic. Gauff later said she had snapped in frustration at Veljovic’s perceived failure to crack down on Siegemund’s pace of play. “I felt like the rules were being bent,” Gauff said. “That’s why a lot of players get mad when these time violations are called because one ref is letting them go over, the other is more strict on the time. “I think tennis needs to be more strict on the rules for everybody regardless of every situation.” Siegemund, 35, meanwhile slammed the partisan home crowd on Arthur Ashe that had cheered her every error relentlessly throughout. “I am very very disappointed of the way the people treated me today,“ she told reporters. “I’m a fighter. I never did anything against the audience, I stayed calm, not even a gesture against the audience. They had no respect for me, no respect for the way I played, no respect for the player that I am, they had no respect for good tennis.” Siegemund fought back tears as she admitted the crowd reaction would make her think twice about playing the tournament in future. “This kind of unfair, respectless behaviour towards the nonAmerican player. I have only experienced it here on this court,” she said. “I won here two times. I left every minute of every game I played here, everything left out on the court. And this is how (they) treat me? To be treated like that? I will only come back because it’s a Slam. For sure not because of the people and to give them a show.” – AFP Coco slams officiating after stormy win against Marijana Sakkari may take a ‘break’ GREEK world No. 8 Maria Sakkari said she may take a break from tennis after suffering an opening-round exit at the US Open. The 28- year-old crashed out after a 6-4, 6-4 defeat by Spanish world No. 71 Rebeka Masarova, capping a miserable year at the Grand Slams after first-round exits at the French Open and Wimbledon and a third-round appearance at the Australian Open. “I wouldn’t say I was playing well,” an emotional Sakkari told Eurosport. “If I played at least five or 10% better, I would have won that match. These are the matches that I have to win. I cannot lose these matches; there have been too many for my level this year, and it’s unfortunate. It’s not a lack of effort, for sure. It’s very uncertain, I don’t know what I am going to do, whether I am going to take a break or not.” Wozniacki makes winning return FORMER world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki marked her return to Grand Slam action for the first time in more than three years with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Russian qualifier Tatiana Prozorova yesterday to reach the second round at the US Open. Wozniacki is competing in her third tournament since returning to the tour in Montreal and playing in Cincinnati this month after retiring in 2020 to start a family, but the Dane’s vast experience shone through against 19-year-old Prozorova. “It feels amazing to be back,” said Wozniacki, who booked a place in the next round against 11th seed Petra Kvitova. “Obviously I was very nervous coming out here, I haven’t been here since 2019 and a lot has happened since then. It just feels amazing to have the chance out here on this big court, playing a night session and getting a win under my belt. It feels so special.” TRAMLINES Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return against Alexandre Muller (not in picture) during their US Open singles match. – AFPPIX

22 theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 SPORTS 5684/2023 29/08/2023 (TUE) 5125 1752 6632 6799 8405 3059 8495 8880 5224 2190 8959 6160 5755 3310 1278 4112 4772 9221 8614 0570 8671 0941 7664 17,366,693.48 5125 5125 5125 6632 6632 1752 6632 6632 1752 1752 5125 1752 189,588.41 5125 1752 6632 TIGER 40261 77924 7924 924 99435 2 4 3 9 606339 06339 6339 339 60633 6063 606 6 0 9,159,485.27 5,093,789.10 2 29 39 40 49 56 102,751.85 4 12 29 32 44 55 12 20 30 31 34 44 5 25,611,794.37 RM196,150 RM28,580 won on 27/08/2023 ! Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System) Toto 4D Jackpot 2 758 436 + DOG 636 476 + OX 949 746 + DOG Draw Date: 29/08/23 (Tue) Draw No: 5631/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 8436 6476 9746 6490 + 1560 2037 + 3623 6524 + 0807 8400 + 6048 8922 + 9661 7063 + 1911 5388 + 3029 6110 + 0501 1675 + 0352 0874 + 7836 RM9,354,685.60 8436 + 6476 6476 + 8436 8436 + 9746 9746 + 8436 6476 + 9746 9746 + 6476 RM362,987.70 RM1,910,327.50 RM1,646,817.00 RM2,488,691.30 656 490 101 560 042 037 643 623 796 524 830 807 168 400 356 048 238 922 369 661 857 063 031 911 785 388 743 029 266 110 090 501 111 675 230 352 540 874 367 836 436 476 746 RM695,125.60 436 + 476 + 746 476 + 746 + 436 436 + 746 + 476 746 + 436 + 476 476 + 436 + 746 746 + 476 + 436 3+3D 2nd Prize Bonus RM149,710.70 partially won on 27/08/23! Ruthless Atletico Simeone’s Madrid crush dismal Rayo in seven-goal rout AN inspired Atletico Madrid humiliated city rivals Rayo Vallecano with a 7-0 demolition job yesterday, with substitute Alvaro Morata scoring twice and midfielders Saul Niguez and Rodrigo de Paul giving two assists each. Atletico took an early two-goal lead with Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay scoring from close range, while Nahuel Molina extended their lead in the 36th minute in a counter-attack. Griezmann netted a close-range volley in the second minute from a De Paul cross. Depay almost extended Atletico’s lead two minutes later but his point-blank strike was brilliantly stopped by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. He ended up scoring in the 16th minute after Saul delivered a low cross and the Dutch striker tapped in from just inside the six-yard-box. Depay had to be substitute a few minutes little after he injured his leg. De Paul then found Molina and the defender netted a tidy finish past Dimitrievski. In the second half Morata, who had replaced Depay, netted twice, while Angel Correa fired a brilliant dipping strike over the goalkeeper. Marcos Llorente was also on target as a rampant Atletico ripped apart their rivals to secure a second win in three games this season. “We had a great game from the start, with a lot of intensity,” Antoine Griezmann told Movistar. “They’re three important points and I’m very happy with the team’s work today. The first goal gave us peace of mind. Let’s rest and think about the next one now.” Atletico’s emphatic victory took them second in the table, two points behind leaders Real Madrid. Head coach Diego Simeone was delighted with the early season form of Pablo Barrios, who played as a defensive pivot in midfield. “I spoke four or five months ago with him, I told him ‘you’re not going to believe me, but I see you as a midfielder,” Simeone said after yesterday’s win. “He replied that he had already played there when he was younger, there are still many things to improve, but he has all the conditions. “With Koke and Barrios there, plus (Axel) Witsel, the place is covered. If another midfielder goes out, another will have to come.” Rayo had started the season well, with two wins in their first two matches, but were brought crashing back down to earth by Diego Simeone’s side. “They were better in every way,” said Rayo midfielder Oscar Valentin. “We are not this bad – we just have to continue and forget about what happened today.” In an earlier match, Getafe snatched a 1-0 home win over Alaves, their first triumph of the season. – AFP/Reuters/Agencies Inter stroll through Cagliari FIRST-HALF goals by Denzel Dumfries and Lautaro Martinez earned Inter Milan a comfortable 2-0 win at newcomers Cagliari in Serie A yesterday. After 21 minutes, a midfield mishap by Cagliari gave Marcus Thuram the chance to skilfully thread the ball to Dumfries, who executed an angled drive to break the deadlock. At the half-hour mark, Martinez latched on to Federico DiMarco’s pass and clinically finished from close range to extend the visitors’ lead. Unipol Domus buzzed with passionate energy as Cagliari fans once again welcomed Serie A matches after a yearlong absence, following their goalless draw at Torino in the first round. “The lads did very well, from the first minute we had the right approach against a newly-promoted side that had done very well in its opening game and was making its return to Serie A in front of their fans,” Inter manager Simone Inzaghi told DAZN. In the early minutes, Martinez narrowly missed giving Inter the lead when his volley struck the inside of the far post and deflected away while team mate Hakan Calhanoglu also hit the goal frame as the match neared its conclusion. Cagliari’s Zito Luvumbo appealed for a penalty after he went down following a collision with the Inter defence but the referee waved play on. Martinez appears to be thriving in his newfound role as captain as he has now scored three goals in the first two matches. “In these two years and a bit I have been at Inter, he has been growing exponentially,” Inzaghi said. “He feels more and more responsibility; he has a key role in the way we interpret the game and I am sure he will continue like this.” – Reuters Spain to probe Rubiales’ kiss PROSECUTORS at Spain’s top criminal court opened a preliminary investigation yesterday into Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales’ forcible kiss on the lips of World Cup player Jenni Hermoso on grounds it could constitute a crime of “sexual assault”. The Spanish football federation (RFEF) regional presidents then asked the 46- year-old to resign because of his “unacceptable behaviour” and called for “profound and imminent” restructuring of the organisation. The RFEF statement leaves Rubiales shorn of allies – some of the regional presidents had been among those who applauded his speech last Friday, in which he insisted he would not resign, and his kiss was “consensual”, contested by Hermoso. Spain’s National Court said they had opened a preliminary probe into Rubiales’s kiss on Hermoso at the World Cup final in Sydney on August 20, “which could constitute an offence of sexual assault”. They would also contact Hermoso to offer her a chance to file a lawsuit within 15 days, the court statement said. World football governing body FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days last week while they open disciplinary proceedings against him. With Rubiales under heavy fire, his mother Angeles Bejar locked herself in a church in the southern seaside town of Motril, and went on hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son. – AFP Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios (right) vies with Rayo Vallecano’s Alvaro Garcia Rivera (below) and Randy Nteka during their La Liga match. – AFPPIX

23 * SPORTS theSUN ON WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 30, 2023 MANCHESTER UNITED are considering a surprise move for Tottenham’s 28-year-old Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. BAYERN MUNICH are looking to secure a loan deal for Manchester United’s Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, 26, and could allow Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, 21, to move to Old Trafford on loan. AL-ITTIHAD are ready to test Liverpool’s resolve with a £129m (RM755m) bid for Mohamed Salah, despite the Reds insisting the 31- year-old Egypt forward is not for sale. THE SAUDI side are also interested in Liverpool’s England defender, Joe Gomez, but the Reds have no intention of selling the 26-year-old. MANCHESTER UNITED have inquired about Brentford’s English defender Rico Henry, 26, as they consider options to replace injured England leftback Luke Shaw, 28. UNITED are set to reject West Ham’s latest offer for England defender Harry Maguire, with manager Erik ten Hag keen to keep the 30-year-old amid the club’s mounting injury problems. WEST HAM have agreed personal terms with Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto and the 22-year-old is expected to complete a permanent switch in the next 24 hours. TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD saluted one of the best performances of manager Jurgen Klopp’s reign after helping Liverpool clinch a “very, very special” victory at Newcastle. The Reds looked dead and buried at St James’ Park when skipper Virgil van Dijk was sent off three minutes after Anthony Gordon had fired the home side into a 25th-minute lead. However, they escaped further punishment to make it to the latter stages of the game still only one goal in deficit, and ultimately emerged with three points after substitute Darwin Nunez scored an unlikely late double. “It’s unbelievable, to be honest. It was something very special,” Alexander-Arnold told the club’s official website. “You come here with a game plan, you want to dictate possession, you want to control the game, you want to try to kill the atmosphere as quick as possible, as much as possible because you know that’s a big advantage for them. “But that wasn’t the case and we’ve had to do it the hard way, the very hard way. “I think we have made it difficult, but out there we dug deep, we all pulled in together. “It was something for the ages, to be honest, one of our best performances since the manager’s come in – and we’ve had some outstanding performances as a team, as individuals. “But I think we’ll look back on this game as something very, very special.” Goalkeeper Alisson added: “You cannot underestimate (Liverpool), even in a game like that. But to be honest, even when we play against them here last season they had one player sent off and it was really hard to play against 10 men. “When you play as a unit, you can do so many things on the pitch. You can make the pitch be smaller. With the quality that we have in the team, we can do so many things. “We said in the changing rooms in halftime that we should believe, we’re going to have chances and we should believe that we are capable of doing something here tonight. We did it. This is one of a kind.” – The Independent “ IN HINDSIGHT, you would always do things differently,” said Eddie Howe. In hindsight, there is relatively little Newcastle would change about his 21-month reign. Yet for United fans of a certain vintage, Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool may have had echoes of the 4-3 defeat in 1996, a great game whose greatness can only be appreciated by one side, with the other left to reflect on the possible cost. It is a point of the season where perceptions alter swiftly. If Newcastle produced the outstanding performance of the opening weekend, thrashing Aston Villa 5-1, suggesting they may be the second best team in the country, two weeks later they find themselves level on points with Wolves and in the bottom half of the table. Newcastle, who only lost one of their first 22 League games last season, have been beaten in two of the first three now. The alternative perspective is to note that they lost the same two fixtures – Manchester City away and Liverpool at home – last season, when they also beat Villa by four goals. Arguably no one had a harder group of their first three games (or four, given they visit Brighton next). In their different ways, City and Liverpool represent the barometers of progress for Newcastle and these results imply there has been insufficient progress to defeat either. The manner of the results, however, ought to irritate a manager, even one – in public, anyway – who is as mildmannered and measured as Howe. There were two types of missed opportunity: at the Etihad Stadium because City were exhausted, three days after the Super Cup, and at St James’ Park because Liverpool were a man down for an hour, a goal behind for almost as long. In each case, a hard-running Newcastle team failed to make a physical advantage count. They were too timid in Manchester, registering a lone shot on target. They were twice inches from a second goal against Liverpool but still lost their way in the second half; a difficulty breaking down a deep, disciplined 4-4-1 formation prompted the thought that Newcastle may regret missing out on James Maddison, the kind of creator they do not possess. Howe’s blueprint worked spectacularly well last season. The amendment to it this year seems simply to entail more of the same. And yet that created an issue itself. Newcastle face the challenge of keeping the same chemistry from different combinations of players, particularly when the Champions League starts. They have a better pool of players now but they may need better decisions, on and off the pitch, than those taken in the last two matches. – The Independent /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Howe to reboot Newcastle? Alexander-Arnold hails Liverpool win for the ages New Saudi boss Mancini targets Asian Cup NEW Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini said his main goal is for the men’s national team to win the Asian Cup after 27 years, at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) presentation event in Riyadh yesterday. The former Italian coach outlined his aspirations to raise the team’s level in Asia, and detailed his long and short-term plans, adding he will evaluate the players to complete the objective to win the continental tournament. “Our target is to win the Asian Cup after 27 years. Our target before that is that we have four friendlies, we have two World Cup qualifiers and after that we have a 20-day training camp to prepare for the Asian Cup,“ Mancini said in a statement. “I am not a magician, we have exceptional talents and we can achieve our goals through continuous work. We have good players, the previous coach did a great job, and in the coming period we have to translate our words into realities on the field.” Former coach Herve Renard led the Saudi team at the Qatar World Cup, where they pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history by defeating eventual champions Argentina in their opening match before being eliminated in the group stage. Mancini also spoke about the state of Saudi soccer, drawing parallels with what happened in his home country: “Many great foreign players came to Italy and we improved a lot. It’s good for Saudi players.” – Reuters █ DAMIAN SPELLMAN LA LIGA: Getafe 1 (Mayoral 84-pen) Alaves 0, Rayo Vallecano 0 Atletico Madrid 7 (Griezmann 2, Depay 16, Molina 36, Morata 72, 84, Correa 79, Llorente 86). TOP 5 P W D L F A PTS Real Madrid 3 3 0 0 6 1 9 Atletico 3 2 1 0 10 1 7 Girona 3 2 1 0 6 2 7 Barcelona 3 2 1 0 6 3 7 Bilbao 3 2 0 1 6 4 6 SERIE A: Salernitana 1 (Dia 72) Udinese 1 (Samardzic 57), Cagliari 0 Inter Milan 2 (Dumfries 21, Martinez 30). TOP 5 P W D L F A PTS AC Milan 2 2 0 0 6 1 6 Napoli 2 2 0 0 5 1 6 Inter Milan 2 2 0 0 4 0 6 Hellas Verona 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 Fiorentina 2 1 1 0 6 3 4 Magpies boss facing challenge creating last year’s chemistry TOUCHLINES RESULTS & STANDINGS Alexander-Arnold

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . Read iPaper at www.thesundaily.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 30, 2023 Reds add another late winner to Klopp’s mythology EVEN the conjurer of many a comeback could not think of anything comparable. Jurgen Klopp cast his mind back over two decades in the dugout and said: “I think in my 1,000 games as a coach or a manager I never had a game like this.” Football, bloody hell – as another managerial great said after a 2-1 victory was sealed in injury time. Sir Alex Ferguson’s most famous comeback came in Barcelona against Bayern Munich. Klopp had Barcelona on his mind, too, as he reflected on Liverpool’s extraordinary victory at Newcastle. “It was more difficult than Barcelona,” he said. Barcelona in 2019, a 4-0 hammering as Divock Origi upstaged Lionel Messi and co, without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, may rank as both Liverpool and the Champions League’s finest fightback. But Newcastle, a game that threatened to show a shift in the balance of power between the clubs, where it looked like Liverpool were losing control and composure, could have provided problems at Anfield. Not at the final whistle, with Newcastle shellshocked and Liverpool celebrating. More difficult than Barcelona? Klopp is no stranger to hyperbole but difficulties were abounding. A goal down, a man down for over an hour, when the red card had gone to the talismanic Virgil van Dijk, when Alexander-Arnold spent 84 minutes a foul away from a sending-off of his own. Perhaps it was football at its most illogical and improbable. Given how far Darwin Nunez’s star has waned, a £64 million (RM371m) forward still contrived to rank as an unexpected hero, but he twice looked like Edinson Cavani in his prime as he bore down on goal. Nunez was clinically brilliant in a way he rarely has been since coming to England. Liverpool’s late rejoinder was only facilitated by Alisson, making more stops than he ever previously had in a Premier League game, making a stunning save to deny Miguel Almiron. It came at a ground where Newcastle have only suffered two defeats in 32 League games under Eddie Howe to anyone else, but now three in three against Liverpool. Part of Klopp’s rationale was that the Barcelona game was at Anfield. This was not. “In an atmosphere like this, against an opponent like this, I am pretty sure it never happened because these moments are rare and yet super special,” Klopp said. Rare but not entirely unknown. Perhaps it is a sign of spirit, perhaps an indication that Liverpool still have it, but memorable injury-time winners have been features of his reign. From Klopp breaking his glasses when celebrating Adam Lallana’s decider at Norwich to Divock Origi and Sadio Mane in Merseyside derbies, they have formed a key part of the mythology that surrounds Klopp’s Liverpool. Dejan Lovren’s decider against Borussia Dortmund was an indication that something special was building at Anfield. Mane’s goal against Aston Villa felt huge in the 2019-20 title campaign, even if it ultimately turned into a landslide win. Alisson’s header against West Brom in 2021 was both the most improbable of all and crucial in Champions League qualification. The encouraging element for Liverpool is that goals as dramatic as Nunez’s 93rd-minute decider can lead to greater achievements. If Klopp spent much of the first half haranguing the fourth official Craig Pawson, his other actions had a more tangible effect. Liverpool were recalibrated: from high pressing and high defensive line with 11 men to a deeper block and more of an emphasis on counter-attacking with 10, via a host of influential substitutions, culminating in Nunez’s arrival. At the interval, he showed his players a clip of an Alexander-Arnold pass to Cody Gakpo but his contribution was part tactical, part motivational. “At half time we said if we can turn this around it’s something we can tell our grandkids.” And, he added, he will see his soon. They can spend the international break being informed about Darwin Nunez and a comeback that felt unique even in Klopp’s career. – The Independent Muddled start Points can’t mask United’s underperforming attack or shaky defence MANCHESTER UNITED have made worse starts to seasons than this and won titles. But United have also made a worse start to this season than the table suggests. Early as August is, every week has come to assume seismic proportions for them. In the space of seven days, they lost both standing and the prospect of Mason Greenwood’s return in the resolution to a damaging episode. They lost to Tottenham and, after what Erik ten Hag termed a “horror start”, threatened to lose to Nottingham Forest. They lost Mason Mount and Luke Shaw; taking Raphael Varane off on Saturday was a precautionary measure, but the Frenchman may yet join them on the injury list. The next seven days, besides the end of a transfer window in which United have come to look in need of further reinforcements, brings things to shape a season: Carabao Cup and Champions League draws that can determine their destiny, a trip to Arsenal. “We know inside the dressing room that we’re capable of doing great things,” said Bruno Fernandes after his match-winning turn against Forest. Inside the dressing room, maybe, but the concern is what United do on the pitch. A tally of six points is decent but also flattering from a fixture list that gave them two of the most winnable home games, while United were terrible for the last 55 minutes at Spurs. A second season under Ten Hag ought to have begun more smoothly but issues abound. United have been too open. They have conceded 49 shots, an average of 16.33 per game, and an expected goals tally of 5.22, an average of 1.74 per match, and each tally would have been higher had Andre Onana conceded an injury-time penalty against Wolves. Onana’s otherwise encouraging introduction to life in England was marred again on Saturday when, for Forest’s secondminute opener, the supposed sweeperkeeper first retreated and then contrived to sit down before Taiwo Awoniyi scored. Ahead of him, Lisandro Martinez has produced a hattrick of ignominious showings; substituted to stop him being sent off against Wolves, scoring an own goal at Tottenham, culpable for Willy Boly’s header for Forest. Without Luke Shaw, United may be lacking an established specialist leftback until November. The makeshift Diogo Dalot may face a duel with Bukayo Saka on Sunday. An out-of-form Martinez might not afford him enough help. Ten Hag has disputed some of the criticism of his midfield. Yet Mount’s start has been doubly bad: first failing to gel with Fernandes and leaving Casemiro exposed and then getting injured. Worryingly for the newcomer, both the Portuguese and the Brazilian delivered their best displays of the season in his absence on Saturday. Marcus Rashford had his finest so far on the left, playing a part in three goals. However, and despite Ten Hag’s defence of him, he had been ineffectual in two outings as a striker. Antony struck the post at Tottenham and was bright against Forest but a winger faulted for his lack of productivity is yet to actually contribute to a goal this season. Alejandro Garnacho was underwhelming in his two outings, as was Anthony Martial, while Jadon Sancho has not been trusted to begin games. United had three goals from midfielders at the weekend but still have none from attackers this season. The broader picture is that United are a work in progress, yet their opponents have looked the more coherent teams: Wolves five days into Gary O’Neil’s reign, Tottenham in their second match under Ange Postecoglou, Forest with a terrible away record. Even as a United comeback took their unbeaten run at Old Trafford to 31 matches, it has been a stuttering start to the season, one that scarcely suggests a first title challenge since Alex Ferguson’s day is coming. They have made hard work of what could have been a soft landing at home. – The Independent █ RICHARD JOLLY Man United’s defender Lisandro Martinez (right) reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the English Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. – AFPPIX