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centres for information on their fees and policies. Since September 2017, 128 out of 700 teachers in learning centres are compensated under the Teachers’ Compensation Programme, where UNHCR pays them a salary. Regular monitoring of learning centres is done by UNHCR staff members.” A Rohingya Community Classroom (RCCR), which is an NGO that has been running a learning centre by the same name since 2018, has taken the responsibility to educate children from the community. Its spokesman, Mohammad Eliyas Ahmad Hussin, said: “RCCR charges RM200 a month as room rental as some of the children come from other states. “We also charge RM300 for learning kits and RM150 for printing charges. RCCR does not charge the parents any tuition fees since the teachers are volunteers,” he told theSun. RCCR conducts its classes in rented commercial units in Jelutong, Penang. There are 30 students separated into three groups, all taught by just one teacher. The lessons take place in two rooms. Mohammad Eliyas said the rooms are not big enough to comfortably accommodate all the students, adding that RCCR needs to hire one more teacher, but is currently short of funds. “It’s important to recognise that refugees possess the potential to positively impact the world, just like any other person. Many refugees who have relocated to other countries were given a chance to make valuable contributions towards the improvement and development of their community. “Education is a potent instrument for facilitating social and economic integration of refugees like us. Access to education enables us to acquire knowledge, skills and self-sufficiency that allow us to contribute to our new communities actively.” KUALA LUMPUR: As if fleeing wars, conflict and natural disasters is not enough, refugees in Malaysia are also allegedly being overcharged by some informal community-based learning centres. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia said there were 183,790 refugees and asylum-seekers in the country as of 2021. A Pakistani refugee, who preferred to be known only as Naz, said: “One of the most crucial challenges I faced in 20 years of being a refugee in Malaysia is educating my children. “We were treated badly by the previous learning centre located in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, where my children studied for almost two years. “As a parent struggling to cover the expenses for our children’s education, it is highly disheartening to experience biased treatment by those community-based learning centres only because of our refugee status,” said Naz, 47. A UNHCR Malaysia spokesperson said 14% (1,234) of refugee children aged between three and five are enrolled in preschool education, 44% (5,046) aged six to 13 in primary education and 16% (874) aged 14 to 17 in secondary education. A refugee from the Rohingya community, who requested anonymity, said: “We are charged fees that are beyond what is charged for other students at a learning centre. “The principal provided a new fee list that was twice the amount of the previous one. As a concerned parent, I asked for some time to gather the funds, but he refused and insisted I should pay half a year’s fees as deposit.” She added that the learning centre her children are currently attending has failed to invite refugee parents to any parent-teacher meetings. “That is quite a concern for me, as it is important to ensure all parents feel included and informed about their children’s progress in school.” The UNHCR spokesperson said learning centres have varying fees and enrolment policies, and not all of them require payment. “It’s recommended to reach out to individual oChildren allegedly face discrimination at learning centres, with parents paying higher fees due to their asylum-seeker status █ BYSIVANISVARRY MORHAN [email protected] TELLING IT AS IT IS ON TUESDAY APRIL 11, 2023 No. 8247 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my HOT HIT ... Muhamad Lutfi Mohammad Yusoff tending to his signature lemang daun lerek at his stall in Greenwood, Gombak. His lemang is said to be unique due to the special aroma of the leaves used as wrapping. – SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN Refugees overcharged INSIDE Theory test for vocational driving licences abolished 2 page 100 Taiwan scholarships up for grabs 3 page

2 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Theory test for vocational driving licences abolished PUTRAJAYA: The theory test for vocational licences, namely the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Licence and Goods Driving Licence (GDL), have been abolished, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. However, he said those applying for a PSV or GDL are still required to attend a theory class before the licence is issued. “Candidates applying for the PSV licence for buses and GDL for articulated lorries are still required to undergo training and pass the practical test before they can get the licence.” Loke said theory classes for all vocational licence categories will also be allowed online, either through a platform provided by the Road Transport Department (RTD), driving institutes or a qualified intermediary business company regulated by the RTD. oApplicants still required to attend class on subject before permits are issued, says transport minister He added that for the purpose, driving institutes or intermediary business companies are required to use only the online vocational licence theory class teaching module or syllabus set by the RTD. “The RTD will set the conditions and regulations on the qualification of online platform providers and regulate the theory classes to ensure the legitimacy and integrity of candidates.” Loke said the data and information on attendance of candidates would be integrated with the MySIKAP system so that vocational licences can be issued directly to candidates without requiring their physical presence at RTD counters. He said the theory class syllabus for all vocational licence categories, especially involving e-hailing and taxi services, would be reviewed and improved by the RTD and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research. He added that the matter would be finalised within six months. Loke said the measures were taken following complaints from ehailing operators and drivers who had to spend too much time on theory classes, Bernama reported. “The move will increase the number of e-hailing drivers to accommodate demand, while also stabilising fares.” Loke also said the maximum age limit for taxi and e-hailing vehicles had been extended to 15 years effective Jan 1 as against 10 years previously. “As such, vehicles that have not reached 15 years (on Jan 1, 2023) can be back in operation,” he said, adding that taxi and e-hailing drivers are required to ensure the cleanliness and safety of their vehicles by conducting periodic inspections every year. In another development, Loke said there was an increase in applications for Temporary Change of Licence for buses to operate as express buses for Aidilfitri. ROYAL BIRTHPLACE ... The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah visiting Istana Mangga Tunggal in Pekan, where the King was born. – BERNAMAPIC Sighting of Syawal new moon on April 20 KUALA LUMPUR: The date for the sighting of the new moon of Syawal is set for Thursday, April 20, or 29th of Ramadan 1444 Hijrah, at 29 selected locations nationwide. This was informed by the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal on the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with the consent of the Conference of Rulers. The Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, in a statement yesterday, said the Conference of Rulers had agreed that the date of Aidilfitri would be decided based on the Rukyah (sighting of the new moon) and Hisab (astronomical calculations). The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal will declare the date for Aidilfitri the same night through radio and television broadcasts, said the statement. A total of 29 locations have been identified for the sighting of the Syawal new moon, namely Pontian Kecil (Johor), Al-Khawarizmi Astronomy Complex in Kampung Balik Batu, Tanjung Bidara (Malacca), Baitul Hilal Complex, Telok Kemang Observatory (Negeri Sembilan), Bukit Melawati (Kuala Selangor), Bukit Jugra (Banting), Sabak Bernam Observatory (Selangor), Pantai Pasir Panjang, Manjong (Perak) and Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir Falak Centre, Pantai Aceh (Penang). Other locations are in Kampung Pulau Sayak Kuala Muda (Pulau Langkawi), Alor Setar Tower (Kedah), Bukit Besar (Kuala Terengganu), Bukit Geliga (Kemaman), Pulau Perhentian (Besut) and Kusza Observatory in Setiu (Terengganu). In Kelantan, the locations are Bukit Peraksi (Pasir Puteh), Bukit Kampung Tembeling (Kuala Krai) and Menara Bangunan SEDC (Kota Bharu), while in Sarawak, the sites are Falak Centre (Miri), Teluk Bandung (Kuching) and Tanjung Batu (Bintulu). In Sabah the locations are at AlBiruni Observatory (Putatan) and Menara Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Labuan International Campus), while in Pahang, they are at Bukit Tanjong, Batu Nenasi, Gunung Berincang and Bukit Pelindong. Three other locations are at the Kuala Lumpur Tower, Putrajaya International Convention Centre and the Al-Hussain Mosque Observation Tower in Kuala Perlis. – Bernama Food waste during Ramadan increasing yearly ISKANDAR PUTERI: The amount of solid waste, in particular food waste, collected by the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) during Ramadan is increasing every year. Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said 252,521 tonnes of solid waste were collected during Ramadan last year compared with 208,143 tonnes in 2019. “The amount increases every year, and in the past five years we have seen an increase of up to 21%, and from the ministry’s point of view, the first step is to reduce the amount of food waste. “Based on the data provided, a total of 44.5% of solid waste collected is food waste and that number is quite substantial in terms of value,” he told a media conference on Sunday after opening the Johor SWM Environment Operations in conjunction with Aidilfitri. Present were Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, SWCorp chief executive officer Ismail Mokhtar and SWM Environment general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin. Meanwhile, Mohd Norlisam said a total of 4,475 SWM Environment workers, with 588 machines comprising compactor trucks, open tipper lorries and roll-on-roll-off trucks, will be on duty during Aidilfitri. “The operation will focus on solid waste collection, especially in 150 areas with high Muslim population, city centres and main roads.” He advised residents not to place any obstacles along the path of compactor trucks. – Bernama Govt to focus on boosting marketability of graduates KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry will focus on more programmes to increase the marketability of university graduates. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this is due to an oversupply of graduates compared with current industry demand. Citing the medical field as an example, he said the challenges faced now are comprehensive, covering aspects of job opportunities in industry, investment and government administration. “If we are to look at the medical field, public universities are producing some 1,300 medical graduates a year. Along with private medical graduates, the total number of medical graduates does not exceed 3,000. “But among them are medical graduates from foreign universities and we cannot stop students who want to pursue the courses of their choice,” he told a media conference at the Securities Commission (SC). Khaled said graduates also need to be provided with entrepreneurial knowledge to enable them to generate income and not just depend on the job search process. He urged universities to be more involved in mobilising various efforts to increase the marketability of graduates, Bernama reported. On the government’s move to control political activities in universities, he said university vice-chancellors could play a role in striking a balance on the matter. ‘Cabinet did not discuss pardon’ PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s petition for royal pardon has never been discussed by the Cabinet as it is not the government’s stance, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. “The (royal pardon) petition is Umno’s stance as a political party,” he said in reply to a question at a media conference here yesterday. Loke, who is also DAP secretarygeneral, said anyone convicted of an offence could seek a royal pardon as it is a normal process in the country. “The process is fair to all. Anyone can seek a royal pardon, but whether it is granted or not, that is for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide. “For us, we believe in the process and the wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to make the best decision.” On Aug 23, last year the Federal Court upheld Najib’s conviction, 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine after being found guilty of misappropriating RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds. On March 31, the court also dismissed his application for a review of its decision. Najib is currently serving his sentence at Kajang Prison. – Bernama

3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 Malacca leadership change augurs well for BN: Expert MALACCA: In just about a week after Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hinted at the formation of a unity government in Malacca, it witnessed a change in leadership when Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali stepped down as the state’s chief minister. The vacant position left by the Lendu assemblyman was then filled by the state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who was sworn in on March 31. It was followed by the appointment of 10 state executive council (exco) members involving nine Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen and one assemblyman representing Pakatan Harapan (PH) on April 5, and 10 deputy exco members the next day of which eight BN assemblymen and two PH assemblymen were named. Ab Rauf, who is the Tanjung Bidara assemblyman, made a bold attempt to create the first zero opposition state when he invited two Perikatan Nasional (PN) assemblymen Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub (Bemban) and Dr Mohd Aleef Yusof (Sungai Udang) to join the state government, which they turned down. Universiti Utara Malaysia Politics and International Relations lecturer Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said a leadership change at the state level was not new in national politics following a change of leadership at the federal level, especially after the general election. He said the move had little impact on the state government, especially in connection with the state election considering that the state still has about three years to face the next polls. “I see that Ab Rauf has the merit to become chief minister since he is the chairman of the state Umno liaison committee and his move to reshuffle the exco by including PH assemblymen is the right one. “This is the best approach by Ab Rauf to strengthen the position of BN in Malacca. “The people now want to see Ab Rauf’s performance (as chief minister),” he said. – Bernama Budget airline launches maiden KL-Kertajati flight KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Malaysia is set to be the first airline connecting Kuala Lumpur to Kertajati, Indonesia starting May 17, strengthening its commitment to Indonesia as a core market and reinforcing its mission to democratise air travel by connecting underserved cities in the region. It will be the only international connectivity out of Kertajati, bringing the Greater Bandung and Cirebon metropolitan areas, as well as parts of West Java and Central Java provinces closer to Kuala Lumpur. The route will boost both countries’ economic and tourism growth, AirAsia said yesterday. “The two weekly flights will land and depart from Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka Regency in West Java province, which is the second largest airport in Indonesia,” it said. To celebrate the new route launch, AirAsia is offering all-in fares from RM149 one-way until April 16 for the travel period between May 17 and Oct 23 on airasia Super App or airasia.com. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: The Taiwan government, through its Education Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry, is offering 100 scholarships to Malaysians who wish to continue their tertiary education in Taiwan. National Chi Nan University vice-president Prof Yang Chou-Sung said those interested can visit the 2023 Malaysia-Taiwan Higher Education Exhibition, which is being held until tomorrow in various locations in East and West Malaysia. The exhibition, organised by the Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia (Faatum), is being held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Yang said the exhibition will introduce Malaysian students to study opportunities and higher education courses in Taiwan. “Aside from the exhibiton, the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students will promote it on its website,” he said. “There will be representatives from 20 public universities and colleges, 21 private universities and colleges and 16 private science and technology universities, as well as technical colleges.” He said Taiwan’s higher education courses are open to Chinese students and those of other races. “However, non-Chinese students should be able to speak and read Mandarin or at least have a basic understanding of the language. “We also provide Chinese language classes for non-Chinese foreign students. By the end of their higher education course, the students would be able to speak Mandarin fluently,” he told theSun. Yang said students with a Malaysian identification card and have a certificate to show that they have completed their secondary education, will be able to apply. “The screening process is entirely up to the university of a student’s choice. The applicants will be assessed by the university based on their scores and recruiting quota,” he said. National Chi Nan University president Prof Wuu Dong-Sing said the Taiwanese government would hire foreign students as part of their workforce. However, it also depends on the courses the students studied. “We need more manpower in the semiconductor and communications industries, and we welcome foreign students to join our workforce upon graduation as most of them are fluent in English.” Wuu said the cost of living in Taiwan is affordable compared with Malaysia. The country is also safe and peaceful which would ensure a smooth journey for students pursuing higher education. Dennis Chen, who manages the Taiwan Gold Card (TGC), said the employment scheme would help foreigners easily integrate into Taiwan’s society. “We are introducing TGC to students who wish to study in Taiwan as it is an opportunity for them to work there.” Chen said TGC is a four-in-one card that includes a work permit, resident visa, alien resident certificate and re-entry permit. “TGC is valid for one to three years and allows cardholders to work and reside in Taiwan,” he said. To apply for TGC, applicants must be an employee at listed industries such as economy, science and technology, architecture, sport, national defence, education, culture and arts, finance or law. “Those who do not pursue any of these disciplines would be considered special cases, which will be reviewed by the National Development Council. “From my experience, most applicants that apply for TGC are from the economic industries as Taiwan’s growth has been improving throughout the years. “If the applicant has graduated from the top five universities in the world, they are also eligible to apply for TGC.” Chen said the application fee for TGC can range between NTD$800 and NTD$8,460, which is equivalent to RM115.84 to RM1,224.98, depending on the validity of the card and the applicant’s background. Visit https://cmnhant.overseas.ncnu.edu.tw/en/committeeschool-area/malaysiaeducation/ for more information. o100 tertiary education scholarships being offered to candidates with basic understanding of Mandarin UKM students hone entrepreneurial skills at bazaar KUALA LUMPUR: The Ramadan bazaar organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is a platform where undergraduates can sharpen their entrepreneurial potential, apart from accumulating business experience to generate income. Its deputy vice-chancellor (Industry and Community Partnership) Prof Datuk Dr Norazah Mohd Nordin said the programme was aimed at giving the students the opportunity and exposure to entrepreneurship activities. “A total of 22 graduate entrepreneur traders have taken the opportunity to sell a variety of food for the breaking of fast at the bazaar site, which is next to the Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Razak, UKM, Bangi,” she said yesterday. Norazah added that unlike the previous year, there is more space for students this year to introduce their products and showcase their entrepreneurial skills. “As suggested by the Higher Education Ministry, entrepreneurship development at institutions of higher learning must be continued so that it would change the mindset of students from being job seekers to job creators. “Through this year’s Ramadan bazaar, graduate entrepreneurs can acquire valuable and hands-on experience,” she said. Rheeima Hari Krishnan, 22, a third-year student from the Faculty of Economy and Management, said the initiative has allowed students to be directly involved in the business field. Rheeima and her partner sell doughnuts and bombolone (Italian doughnuts) at the bazaar. She said she was excited to be involved in entrepreneurship activities that allow her to gain new experiences. “We did not manage to generate good sales on the first day because we did not stock enough food to sell,” she added. The UKM Ramadan bazaar is organised by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small & Medium Enterprises Development with the cooperation of Kolej Tun Hussein Onn, the Centre for Students Affairs and Students Association. – Bernama Co-op pays out over RM30m in dividends KUANTAN: Koperasi Serbausaha Makmur Berhad has distributed a 55% share capital dividend involving a total distribution of RM30.4 million for the financial year ending Dec 31 last year, said Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail. He said the distribution of farm unit profits totalling RM30.2 million of which RM6,500 per unit will be paid in full according to the units owned by members. “This dividend distribution payment involves an advance of 10%, which will be paid in stages to all eligible members starting Thursday,” he said at his office in Wisma Sri Pahang here yesterday. Also present were state secretary Datuk Seri Dr Sallehuddin Ishak and the cooperative administrator Datuk Zazali Haron. Wan Rosdy said last year the cooperative recorded an increase of RM237 million in the plantation sector revenue compared with RM222 million in 2021. Its net profit in 2022 was RM84 million compared with RM74 million in 2021. – Bernama █ BYTHARANI NAIR [email protected] Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying (left), accompanied by Faatum president Datuk Dr Tang Yong Chew (third from right), visiting some of the booths after officiating at the exhibition yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN Opportunity for M’sian students to study in Taiwan

4 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Labuan to face water cuts from today LABUAN: Thousands of consumers in more than 20 areas here will experience water cuts beginning today, as a result of pipe repairs to be carried out near Taman Kian Yap, and power cable replacement works at the Bukit Kalam intermediate pumping station. The affected areas include Kiamsam involving Kampung Bebuloh, Kampung Belukut, Kampung Sungai Buton, Kampung Sungai Bedaun and Taman Mahkota Impian on Jalan Bukit Timbalai and nearby areas. Kampung Layangan, Kampung Sungai Labu, Kampung Kilan Kasim and Pulau Akar, Kampung Bukit Kuda, and areas in Kampung Bukit Kalam will also be affected. Other places that will face water supply disruptions are Kampung Durian Tunjong, several areas on Jalan Penghulu Tuah, Kampung Lajau, Kampung Ganggarak, Kampung Merinding, Kampung Pohon Batu, Pancur Hitam, Kampung Batu Manikar, Tanjung Kubong, Kampung Lubok Temiang and the surrounding areas in Pohon Batu. Several old pipes had burst near Taman Kian Yap on Sunday, and the Labuan Water Supply Division said the 800mm main pipes had been scheduled for replacement in development projects tendered out at the end of March. In a statement yesterday, the division said old pipe leaks were the main reason for the frequently low water supply to the treatment plant on Jalan Kolam, and the insufficient distribution to all the balancing tanks on the island. It said the resumption of supply would depend on the level of water in the balancing tanks at the respective areas. – Bernama Civil service Raya payment on April 14 PUTRAJAYA: The government has agreed to bring forward the payment of the 2023 Aidilfitri Special Financial Assistance to civil servants and government retirees from April 17 to April 14. In a circular dated yesterday, Public Service Director-General Datuk Dr Zulkapli Mohamed announced the date change was to help reduce the burden of civil servants and government retirees in preparing for the upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations. The change applies to all state civil service, statutory bodies and local authorities. During the tabling of Budget 2023 in February, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the assistance was an effort by the government to assist civil servants prepare for the festivities. All civil servants, grade 56 and below, who are still serving as of April 17, including 87 contract appointments, will receive RM700 while pensioners will receive RM350. – Bernama Free bubur lambuk distributed in Putrajaya PUTRAJAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) distributed 1,500 packets of bubur lambuk to the public, regulatory enforcement agencies and frontline workers in Putrajaya yesterday. EAIC commissioner Tan Sri Mahmood Adam said the event was one of the initiatives under its “Erat Ramadan” community programme to strengthen cooperation between the commission, enforcement agencies and the people. “In addition to distributing bubur lambuk, we also conducted a survey to get public feedback on EAIC and improvements to regulatory enforcement agencies. “The public has also been made aware of complaints that can be lodged with the EAIC and the available complaint channels.” He said any complaint to EAIC would be investigated, adding that besides lodging complaints of enforcement officer misconduct, the public can also submit complaints about delays in passport issuance or police reports that are not acted upon. – Bernama Over 43,000 students found to be smokers PETALING JAYA: A total of 43,019 secondary school students out of 1.3 million and 341 primary school pupils out of two million tested positive under Kotak, an early smoking detection and intervention programme designed for schoolchildren nationwide as a strategic partnership between the Health and Education ministries. Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah told theSun that children from homes where smoking is common will usually pick up the habit. “These children, when encouraged or introduced to smoking by their peers, will usually become habitual smokers.” He said to prevent schoolchildren from smoking, their homes and all public spaces should be made tobacco-free environments. He said MCTC is involved in tobacco oPreventing children from picking up habit needs strict legal controls, community education: Cancer society MD █ BYVEISHNAWI NEHRU [email protected] control advocacy and encourages the implementation of all provisions in the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. “We conduct various tobacco control activities, including smoking cessation services as well as education and public awareness on the dangers of smoking in communities, schools and universities. “The effective rate for smoking cessation depends on the implementation of a smoke-free environment. “This enables smokers to stop smoking and prevents children and young people from picking up the habit, which is why all public spaces need to be made smoke-free.” National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) managing director Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said preventing smoking among children needs a multipronged approach. “The first step is to have strict legal control where children’s access to cigarettes and vapes should be prohibited. “The second is community education and awareness that smoking is not normal and should be looked down upon. “Only then will children be deterred from smoking because it becomes culturally unacceptable and legally prohibited.” Murallitharan said schoolchildren who smoke are at greater risk of contracting 15 different cancers by the time they reach their 30s and 40s. “They are also more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack as they grow older. “Since they had started smoking from a young age, the cumulative damage hits them earlier and they develop illnesses in their 30s and 40s” He also said NCSM provides holistic cancer-related services to sufferers, caregivers and the public at six centres. These are the Cancer and Health Screening Clinic, Nuclear Medicine Centre, Resource and Wellness Centre, Quit Smoking Clinic, Children’s Home of Hope and the Adults’ Home of Hope. “We have been working with schools to promote anti-smoking activities and have been running the largest school smoking cessation programme for many years. “We continue to promote new activities for healthy living among young people.” Footwear maker rushing to meet Aidilfitri demand KEPALA BATAS: Capal Jago maker Badril Shahidan Hashim is working around-theclock to meet customers’ orders for his traditional footwear, which is in high demand as Hari Raya approaches. The owner of Capal Jago Gemilang, Badril, 42, said he has received up to 300 orders so far, ahead of the festival. “I try to sew the capals mostly at night for this Ramadhan month as in the day, I have to work and entertain my customers. If I go all out, I can make about 25 pairs of capals in 20 hours a day, depending on the patterns.” Badril, a second-generation Capal Jago maker, said he had to stop receiving orders as he is the only person producing the traditional footwear. He said he is likely to start taking orders again a week before Aidilfitri, after he has finished with the present batch. “I have been receiving orders from Terengganu, Kelantan, Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. I have also received orders via Shopee and Lazada,” said Badril, who inherited the business from his late father Hashim Hassan, who started producing capals in 1958. Badril, who learnt how to make capals from his father at the age of nine, said many people still prefer to use capals because of their durability and value for money. He also made exclusive capals for some customers who wished to show their support for political parties in the last general election. “I had customers requesting green and blue capals to show their support.” Badril said he has also received orders from customers in Singapore, Brunei and Australia. Badril said aside from Malay buyers, he has also received orders from Indian and Chinese customers as well. “I have Indian, Malay and Chinese customers. I prepare white capals for my Indian customers as it is suitable for them to wear to the temple,” he said, adding that some of his more distinguished customers include, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former housing and local government minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and the Malacca Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam. Badril’s capals are made from cow, goat, and buffalo leather as well as snake skin leather and are priced at between RM150 and RM480 a pair. – Bernama Badril said many people prefer to use capals because of their durability and value for money. – BERNAMAPIC

5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 Mechanic jailed 28 years for raping, sexually assaulting daughter SEREMBAN: A mechanic was sentenced to a total of 28 years in jail and 13 strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court yesterday for raping and sexually assaulting his daughter. Judge Datin Surita Budin passed the sentence after the 47-year-old man pleaded guilty to both charges. He was sentenced to 18 years and 10 strokes of the cane for the first offence of rape, and eight years and one stroke of the cane for sexual assault, and an additional two years and two strokes of the cane because he is in a relationship of trust with the victim. He was ordered to serve the jail sentences concurrently from the date of arrest, which was April 3. According to the first charge, the man was charged with raping the girl, who was then 11 years old, in a bedroom at their house in Jempol between Dec 20 and 31, 2017. The charge was framed under Section 376 (3) of the Penal Code, which provides imprisonment of 30 years and 10 strokes of the cane. He was also charged with committing physical sexual assault when she was 12 years and two months old at the same location and time between April 11 and 30, 2018. The charge was framed under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(a) of the same law for committing an offence with a person in a relationship of trust. According to the facts of the case, the victim told her mother and other siblings about the incident, but the accused denied it. It was only on April 3 this year that the matter came to light when the 17-year-old victim told her friend, who then reported the matter to a teacher and a police report was lodged on the same day. In mitigation, the accused, who was unrepresented, asked the court for a lighter sentence because he had repented and regretted the heinous act. DPP Goh Hsiao Tung requested a commensurate sentence as a lesson considering the victim is his own child and needs to be protected. – Bernama Ex-Perlis MB claims trial to false claims charges KANGAR: Former Perlis menteri besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man was yesterday charged in the Sessions Court with five counts of submitting false claims of more than RM1.18 million between 2013 and 2017. Azlan, 64, pleaded not guilty to all the charges before Judge Norsalha Hamzah. According to the charge sheet, Azlan allegedly used several documents containing false particulars to make claims for a holiday in London when there was no such trip. The documents included invoices and quotations for return air tickets and hotel accommodation issued by Sri Kedawang Travel & Tours (W) Sdn Bhd and Aidil Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, and Perlis state government order form AM 75E. All the offences were allegedly committed at the Perlis State Secretary’s Office in Kompleks Dewan Undangan Negeri, Persiaran Wawasan between December 2013 and December 2017. He was charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act. The section provides for imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the false claims involved or RM10,000, whichever is higher. Norsalha granted Azlan bail of RM50,000 in one surety and ordered him to surrender his passport to the court. Azlan was represented by Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid while the prosecution was conducted by DPP Ahmad Akram Gharib. The DPP asked the court to fix mention of the case within the next one month, saying Azlan was expected to be charged with five charges under the AntiMoney Laundering, AntiTerrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 in a Kuala Lumpur court on Wednesday. He also suggested that the case at the Kangar Sessions Court be transferred to Kuala Lumpur to facilitate the trial process for both the cases. The court then fixed May 12 for mention. Azlan was Pauh state assemblyman from 2013 to 2018, before winning the Bintong state seat in 2018. He failed to defend the seat in the last general election in 2022. Azlan served as the Perlis menteri besar from 2013 to 2022. – Bernama Zahid seeks withdrawal of 47 charges related to CBT, graft KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has sent a letter of representation to the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers (AGC) to drop 47 charges related to criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB). Lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh, representing Ahmad Zahid, asked High Court Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who is now a Court of Appeal judge, to adjourn yesterday’s proceedings pending a decision from Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun. “We wrote a letter of representation in January, and we sent a continuation and new representation with some new facts and evidence in February. “(The) Prosecution has replied they have no objection (to postponing the trial) on their side, as the representation is about 200 pages long and they need more time to consider it,” he said. Ahmad Zahid, 70, who is also oCourt adjourns trial as AGC needs more time to review 200-page representation Man charged in RM460,000 cheating case KUALA LUMPUR: A traditional medicine practitioner was charged in the Sessions Court yesterday with cheating a senior citizen on the pretext of providing religious spiritual services, prompting the victim to make payments. P. Wicknesvaran, 35, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read out before Judge Datin Sabariah Othman. He was charged with cheating G. Kanniason, 60, into believing that he could provide the services, prompting the victim to pay a total of RM467,935. The offence was allegedly committed at a bank at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng in Menara Ampang between July 21 and Dec 29. The charge, framed under Section 415 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 417 of the same law, provides five years’ imprisonment or a fine, or both. The court granted Wicknesvaran bail of RM20,000 in one surety. He was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court, which then set May 10 for mention. DPP Hanis Anisha Jamilludin prosecuted, while lawyer Shamsher Singh Thind represented the accused. – Bernama MP probed over alleged racial remarks BUKIT MERTAJAM: Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan has provided his statement to police over investigations into his alleged inflammatory statements against non-Muslims. Muhammad Fawwaz said he submitted his statement at the Northeast district police headquarters at 3pm on Friday. “I have given my statement, so let the police to investigate. Insya-Allah, there’s nothing to it. “I do not want to comment further as the case is under investigation. I can’t remember when the posting was made and when it was taken down by my Facebook administrator. There’s nothing to this issue actually, it was deliberately raised. It is not a new issue,” he said. Yesterday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission have opened investigation papers on statements allegedly issued by two MPs deemed to prejudice non-Muslims. – Bernama SMOKED OUT ... Kelantan Customs director Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long (second from right) showing some of the contraband cigarettes worth RM606,899 that were seized in three separate operations recently. – BERNAMAPIC Rural and Regional Development minister, is facing 47 charges – 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to YAB, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, DPP Abdul Malik Ayob said he received instructions from Idrus not to object to the application for the postponement of the trial. “In the representation letter submitted to us, there were several parts, first in January, then on Feb 14. Various documents were handed to us. “After going through the representation, which is lengthy and contained complex issues, we were instructed not to object to the application (adjournment of hearing) because the prosecution needs reasonable time to consider it,” he said. Asked by Sequerah how long it would take to pore through the representation and make a decision, Abdul Malik said they needed more time because the application for adjournment of the trial was accompanied by a letter from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki to Idrus dated Feb 20. According to Abdul Malik, the letter stated that MACC was conducting further investigations regarding new evidence presented by the defence. “We have not received any information regarding MACC’s investigations. The prosecution needs the results to decide on the application. “We do not know whether they (MACC) have started the investigation,” he said. Abdul Malik added that the prosecution would inform the court if the representation decision was decided before the next hearing date. Hamidi said the defence wanted the 16-day hearing, from April to July, which had previously been set to be vacated pending response from Idrus on the representation. Sequerah allowed yesterday’s hearing of the case to be adjourned and the April/July trial dates vacated. The court also maintained the trial dates in August, which are 1 to 3, 7 to 10 and 21 to 24 while new trial dates have been set for Sept 4 to 8, Oct 30 and 31, Nov 13 to 17 and 20 to 24 and Dec 11 to 15. Ahmad Zahid arrived in court at 9am yesterday. The trial is at the defence stage. The defence has so far called six witnesses, including Ahmad Zahid to testify.

6 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME China rehearses ‘sealing off’ Taiwan oAmerican warship sails through contested waters in show of force BEIJING: China simulated “sealing off” Taiwan during a third day of wargames around the self-ruled island yesterday. China launched the exercises in response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with US House of Representatives speaker Kevin McCarthy last week, an encounter it had warned would provoke a furious response. After two days of exercises that included simulating targeted strikes on Taiwan and Japanese universities restrict use of ChatGPT Philippines rules out ‘offensive actions’ from bases US can use MANILA: The Philippines will not allow “any offensive actions” from the bases it has opened to US troops, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said yesterday. Manila last week announced the locations of four more military bases it is allowing the US military to use on top of the five agreed on under the 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, known as EDCA. The deal allows US troops to rotate through and store defence equipment and supplies. China warned last week the expanded military deal could endanger regional peace, and accused Washington of a “zero-sum mentality”. The four additional bases include sites near the hotly disputed South China Sea and another not far from Taiwan. Marcos said China’s reaction over the expanded military deal was “not surprising”, but assured them the Philippines is only shoring up its territorial defence. “We will not allow our bases to be used for any offensive actions. This is only aimed at helping the Philippines whenever we need help,” Marcos told reporters. “If no one is attacking us, they need not worry because we will not fight them.” The pact stalled under ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, who favoured closer ties with China. But Marcos has adopted a more US-friendly foreign policy and sought to accelerate the implementation of the EDCA. – AFP B R I E F S72 DROWNINGS IN PHILIPPINES SINCE APRIL 1 MANILA: At least 72 people have died by drowning in the Philippines since the start of the month, police said yesterday, attributing the unusually high figure in part to millions hitting the beach for Holy Week. The holiday is traditionally marked in the Catholic-majority nation by millions of people leaving the capital Manila to spend time with family. National police spokesman Colonel Jean Fajardo said the high toll was partly due to “revenge travel” as the country emerges from years of Covid restrictions. “People got a bit excited to go to beaches and resorts,” she said. Fajardo said the victims included children who were left unattended by guardians while swimming as well as people who hit beaches while drunk. – AFP TWO HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS JAILED BEIJING: Two prominent Chinese human rights lawyers, including one who had called for President Xi Jinping to resign, have been jailed for over a decade, an advocacy group and one of the men’s wives said yesterday. Xu Zhiyong and fellow campaigner Ding Jiaxi were convicted of “subversion of state power” following closed-door trials. Both were leading figures in the New Citizens’ Movement, a civil rights group that called for constitutional reform and criticised government corruption. Xu, who called for Xi to step down over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, was jailed for 14 years after a trial in Shandong province, Human Rights Watch said. Ding was jailed for 12 years, according to his wife Luo Shengchun. – AFP DAY TO REMEMBER ... Performers taking part in a new daytime parade to mark the 40th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland in the city of Urayasu yesterday. – AFPPIC encirclement of the island, the Chinese military said the wargames also included “sealing” it off, and a state media report said dozens of planes had practised an “aerial blockade”. One of China’s two aircraft carriers – Shandong – also “participated in today’s exercise”, the military added. The US, which had repeatedly called for China to show restraint, yesterday sent the USS Milius guided-missile destroyer through contested parts of the South China Sea in a show of force. “This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea,” the US Navy said in a statement. It added that the vessel had passed near the Spratly Islands – an archipelago claimed by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, TOKYO: Japanese universities are curtailing students’ use of the OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT amid concerns about information leaks from the use of the artificial intelligence tool. Tokyo’s Sophia University banned the use of the chatbot by students to write assignments such as essays, reports and theses. “The use of text, programme source code, calculation results generated by ChatGPT and other AI chatbots is not permitted on any assignments such as reaction papers, reports, essays and thesis, as they are not created by the student themselves,” the university noted in new guidelines published recently on its website. “If the use is confirmed by detection tools, etc, strict measures will be taken in accordance with the university’s disciplinary rules on misconduct.” OpenAI released ChatGPT in November last year and the chatbot immediately gained prominence online with experts praising the AI tool’s ability to respond to user queries with human-like output. The chatbot has demonstrated the ability to summarise research studies and answer logical questions and has also cracked business school and medical exams crucial for students to pass. Citing some of these advances, several AI experts also have warned that there could be significant disruptions, especially in academia due to the breakthrough technology. Others have also warned the AI’s nature to provide plausible-sounding but incorrect responses with glaring mistakes to some queries. In areas where the AI does not have sufficient knowledge, experts have flagged that it may confidently provide incorrect answers that may mislead people, adding that its use may also result in copyright infringement. The University of Tokyo also published a new document on its internal website with updated guidelines on the use of AI chatbots which noted that “reports must be created by students themselves and cannot be created solely with the help of AI”. In a set of instructions for teachers, Tohoku University noted that while it is “not realistic” to completely eliminate the use of tools like ChatGPT “especially after class hours”, there can be major problems for students’ own learning if they use generative AI for compiling reports that may lead to “strict grade evaluation”. “Assuming that many students will use it, we will take measures as necessary,” the university noted. – The Independent Plane turns back after passenger hits cabin crew members NEW DELHI: A passenger reportedly caused “physical harm” to two cabin crew members on a London-bound Air India flight yesterday, forcing the pilots to return to the Indian capital and hand over the man to the police. The Air India flight AI111 – scheduled to leave for London’s Heathrow Airport from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport – returned to terminal three in Delhi after the passenger started behaving in an unruly manner within 15 minutes of takeoff, it was reported. The passenger reportedly hit two cabin crew members and pulled their hair, according to the Hindustan Times. Air India said that the London-bound flight returned to Delhi “shortly after departure due to the serious unruly behaviour of a passenger on board”. It added that the passenger did not heed the “verbal and written warnings” and instead “continued with unruly behaviour including causing physical harm to two of the cabin crew members”. The pilot in command decided to return to Delhi and the passenger was handed over to the security personnel upon landing, the statement said. A police complaint has been filed against the man, whose identity was not revealed by the authorities. – The Independent Malaysia and Brunei. It is about 1,300km from Taiwan. The deployment of the Milius immediately triggered more anger from China, which said the vessel had “illegally intruded” into its territorial waters. And Beijing warned yesterday that Taiwan independence and cross-strait peace were “mutually exclusive”, blaming Taipei and unnamed “foreign forces” supporting it for the tensions. “If we want to protect peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait we must firmly oppose any form of Taiwan independence separatism,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. Meanwhile, Japan said yesterday it had scrambled jets in recent days as Chinese planes landed and took off from the Shandong. A video published yesterday to the Chinese Eastern Theatre Command’s official WeChat account showed a pilot saying he had “arrived near the northern part of Taiwan Island”, with missiles “locked into place”. In another video with dramatic orchestral accompaniment, an officer’s piercing whistle sends military personnel running into position as a simulated barrage on Taiwan unfolds on screen. Taiwan’s military has repeatedly said it will respond calmly to China’s drills and not provoke conflict. – Agencies

7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 Twitter labels NPR and BBC ‘govt-funded’ WASHINGTON: Twitter has backtracked after an uproar for labelling the US radio network NPR as “state-affiliated media” and now calls it “government-funded”. Elon Musk’s social media network has also applied that new label to the BBC, which is funded predominantly by British households paying a licence fee. Britain’s beloved national broadcaster has reached out to Twitter for clarification, news reports said. The change in how Twitter refers to Washington-based National Public Radio happened quietly on Saturday and comes after the network complained that the term “state-affiliated” was disparaging and inaccurate. Twitter last week branded NPR in the same way as government-owned Chinese and Russian platforms. In protest, NPR stopped tweeting. In its updated Twitter bio, NPR’s main account – which has more than 8.8 million followers – invited users to “find us every other place where you read the news”. NPR CEO John Lansing said the decision by Twitter was “unacceptable” and the radio’s account has remained silent ever since. Other accounts run by NPR, such as its music and politics handles, did not have the “state-affiliated” specification and have continued to post tweets. Musk’s move against NPR came just days after Twitter stripped The New York Times of its verified status on the platform, which like NPR, is often accused of left-leaning bias, particularly by US conservatives. According to Twitter policy, the decisions will deamplify tweets from both companies, limiting their reach on a platform that remains a major communication tool for media outlets, celebrities and officials. According to NPR’s website, the bulk of its budget comes from fees paid by member stations throughout the US, who are themselves supported by individual donors and government funds. NPR said less than 1% of its operational budget comes from federal sources. – AFP US assessing how documents leak could affect national security WASHINGTON: The United States is assessing how the apparent leak of a trove of highly classified documents could impact national security, the Pentagon said on Sunday. The breach – which is being investigated by the Justice Department – appears to include assessments and secret intelligence reports that touch not only on Ukraine and Russia but also highly sensitive analyses of US allies. While the Defence Department is still reviewing the validity of photographed documents circulating online, they “appear to contain sensitive and highly classified material”, said Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh in a statement. “An interagency effort has been stood up, focused on assessing the impact these photographed documents could have on US national security and on our allies and partners.” A steady drip of dozens of leaked documents and slides have made their way onto Twitter, Telegram, Discord and other sites in recent days, and new documents continue to surface. US officials told the Washington Post that some documents appeared to have been manipulated but many were consistent with CIA World Intelligence Review reports that are shared at high levels within the White House, Pentagon and State Department. Defence analysts say any breach of internal classified US documents would be both damaging and potentially embarrassing. In addition, the leak would prove valuable to Moscow by showing how deep US intelligence has penetrated parts of the Russian military apparatus, US media said. – AFP B R I E F S‘RUSSIA SWITCHING TO SCORCHED EARTH TACTICS’ KYIV: The commander of Ukrainian ground forces said yesterday that Russian troops had switched to “scorched earth” tactics in the embattled eastern city of Bakhmut and were destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery. Russia’s assault on Bakhmut, a small city in the Donetsk region, has been the focus of the biggest battle of Moscow’s full-scale invasion launched in February last year. “The enemy switched to the so-called scorched earth tactics from Syria. It is destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery fire,” said Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi. He said Russian forces were bringing in special forces and airborne assault units to help their attack as members of the Wagner mercenary group had become “exhausted”. – Reuters TWO DEAD, 20 MISSING IN MEDITERRANEAN ROME: At least two migrants have died and around 20 others are missing after their vessel sank in the Mediterranean between Tunisia and Italy, German aid group ResQship said on Sunday. The group’s ship Nadir rescued another 22 people and took them to the Italian island of Lampedusa, said Stefen Seyfert of ResQship. Describing the operation on Sunday on Twitter, the group said when they arrived at the scene of the wreck, the migrants had already been in the water for about two hours. As well as rescuing 22 people, they had recovered two bodies, they said. “This is an unspeakable tragedy that could and should have been prevented by a humanitarian approach to migration instead of barb-wiring the European borders,” the group said. – AFP Saudi officials in Yemen for talks with rebels SANAA: A Saudi delegation was in Yemen’s capital on Sunday to negotiate a potential new truce with the Iran-backed Huthi rebels who control the city, diplomats said as Riyadh seeks a way out of the war. Huthi media showed the group’s political leader, Mahdi al-Mashat, shaking hands and meeting with Saudi officials including the kingdom’s ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber. The Saudi officials are “in Sanaa to discuss moving forward to create peace in Yemen”, said a Yemeni diplomat. The delegation’s arrival comes a month after oRiyadh-Tehran rapprochement bearing fruit, says analyst China helped broker a surprise rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. That deal has fuelled hopes for progress on ending the Yemen conflict that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and triggered what the United Nations called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The top Saudi and Iranian diplomats met in Beijing on Thursday, pledging to work together to bring “security and stability” to their turbulent region. Omani mediators arrived in Sanaa on Saturday. The Huthis seized the city in 2014, triggering the conflict with the internationally recognised government which has been backed for eight years by a military coalition led by Riyadh. A truce announced roughly a year ago has significantly reduced active hostilities within Yemen, and is still largely respected even though it officially expired in October. A Yemeni government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Saturday that the Saudis and Huthis had agreed in principle on a six-month truce to pave the way for three months of talks on establishing a two-year “transition” for the war-torn country. The deal is expected to fulfil key Huthi goals, including paying salaries of civil servants in Huthi-controlled areas and lifting operational restrictions on Huthi-controlled airports and ports. Naif Arab University for Security Sciences head of national security programmes Hesham Alghannam said the apparent diplomatic momentum was a sign that the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement was bearing fruit. “Progress on Yemen was always a priority for the Saudis. But without Iranian (cooperation) things would not go as fast as what we are witnessing now. “In the past, talking to (the Huthis) was not very helpful, to say the least.” – AFP Two bodies found in rubble of collapsed French building PARIS: Two bodies were found in the rubble of a building that collapsed in Marseille following a major explosion, French authorities said yesterday, as rescue workers scrambled to find at least six people still unaccounted for. More than 24 hours after the four-storey building imploded, with residents reporting a strong smell of gas, dozens of firefighters are still battling a blaze that has hampered search operations. However, the mayor of the port city said rescue workers have not given up hope of finding survivors. “There is still hope, and as long as there is hope, we will not stop,” said Benoit Payan. He said emergency workers were carrying out a “surgical” operation at the site, to “protect at all costs” any potential survivors. The building was believed to have one apartment on each floor. The fire at the site has made it hard for sniffer dogs to detect more victims or survivors. “Given the particular difficulties of intervention, the extraction (of the bodies from the site) will take time,” the fire department said in a statement. On Sunday, before the discovery of the bodies, local prosecutor Dominique Laurens told reporters that eight people “were not responding to phone calls”. The cause of the explosion is still to be determined, but investigators are looking at the possibility it was the result of a gas leak. Two buildings next to the destroyed property were severely damaged. – AFP QUIET DISAPPROVAL ... Protesters on horseback and dressed in white riding silently through the streets of the Mexican city of Guadalajara during a march against a recent wave of violence, murders and disappearances. – AFPPIC

8 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 SPEAK UP improve the viability of Matarbari. Similarly, full-fledged port access will improve northeast India’s attractiveness to the investor community. In 2018, Bangladesh granted NER access to Chattogram Port but only for the movement of goods to the rest of India. The port is in the same area as Matarbari and is barely 80km from the Sabroom border in Tripura. What makes the Japanese proposal great is that India and Bangladesh are already building the necessary transport infrastructure connecting Tripura and NER to Chattogram Port. The Indian side of the project, including a state-of-the-art cargo and passenger terminal linked by both rail and road at Sabroom, is in the advanced stage of completion and will be ready in 2023. Related infrastructure is under construction in Bangladesh but at a delayed pace. Considering the dramatic improvement in rail and highway connectivity between NER and the rest of India over the last decade, the restricted access to Chattogram Port barely justified the huge investments in crosscountry connectivity. Full port access through Matarbari will solve that problem. Great opportunity The Northeast has changed dramatically over the last nine years. It will change more. Huge investment in infrastructure and energy sectors is converting it into a costcompetitive, modern economy. The region now has access to low-cost transport options for both intra and inter-region movement of goods. Guwahati emerged as the regional logistics hub, thereby removing the dependence of farflung states such as Tripura on Kolkata. From the electricity deficit, NER will be in an electricity surplus by June this year as the 2,000MW Subansiri (Lower) project will start coming into operation in phases. Over the next few years, it will be a hydroelectricity generation hub. Completion of the Paradip (Odisha)- Numaligarh (Assam) crude pipeline, operationalisation of nine million tonnes per annum (MTPA) Numaligarh Refinery and implementation of the sprawling Indradhanush Gas Grid connecting every state in NER, will open a vista of opportunities by 2024. First, NER will have a huge exportable surplus of petro-products, including diesel and cooking gas, which are imported by the neighbouring economies. Second, the refiners in landlocked Northeast India will surely look for a market in close proximity. The case for the regional value chain will be stronger over the next four to five years as a substantial part of the 15 MTPA refining capacity in NER will be converted into petrochemicals. Ideally, it should usher investment opportunities in downstream units in the neighbourhood. A beginning was made by the recently inaugurated India-Bangladesh diesel pipeline, which may replace one-fifth of Dhaka’s fuel imports through the sea route and will meet the entire fuel requirement of northern Bangladesh. Pipeline transport will remove an average 30-day time lag from the Middle East to the consumption point in Bangladesh, the related capital block and the associated risks from foreign exchange volatility. Geoeconomics and geostrategy India and Japan established the Act East Forum in 2017. Since then, the two countries are in dialogue for sustainable growth of NER and connectivity in the region. Delhi and Tokyo have also been in dialogue on potential connectivity projects between NER and Southeast Asia through Myanmar. Successful implementation of NBEC will, therefore, be important to showcase the benefits of this collaboration. The ultimate gainer will be regional peace and security, which has been the cornerstone of the India-Japan relationship over the last decade. A lot has been written on “why Japan needs India as a security provider” vis-à-vis rising military threats from China. The first three pages of the seven-page joint statement issued last year were dedicated to strategic issues. Though there is no direct mention of China, highlighting the need to ensure a “code of conduct” in the South China Sea, the need for a “rule-based order” that respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and protection against “attempts to unilaterally change status quo”, leaves very little to the imagination. Japan and South Korea have already advised their industry to relocate from China. Also, as part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, there is an active discussion to secure the supply chain in critical areas. The collaboration, therefore, might prove a unique opportunity for both Northeast India and Bangladesh to attract a part of the relocated supply chain. Comments: [email protected] Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ Significance of trilateral meeting in Tripura BANGLADESH, India and Japan will be holding an event in Tripura, India from today to tomorrow on connectivity initiatives to harness the commercial potential of the region. Asian Confluence, a think tank from Northeast India, is organising the meeting in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, according to India-based news outlets. Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam is expected to join the event to represent Bangladesh. India’s deputy foreign minister and Japanese ambassador to India will also join the programme. A recently conducted study suggested that both Northeast India and Bangladesh need to scale up their multi-modal connectivity, which would not only help the region to raise its competitiveness but also narrow the development gaps in the region. In parallel, both entities should work together to bring synergy in trade facilitation and build express corridors for the transhipment and transit of goods from the Northeast Region to Chattogram Port of Bangladesh, the study further suggested. It also suggested the creation of industrial value chains to create a win-win situation for all stakeholders in India and Bangladesh, and Japanese companies in the region. It was also suggested that the JapanNortheast India Chamber of Commerce be established to promote Japanese investment in Northeast India, and a Northeast IndiaBangladesh-Japan CEO Forum so that it can provide the required business leadership. The Northeast-Bangladesh economic corridor may add a significant geo-economic component to regional geopolitics. The involvement of Japan in creating an industrial value chain between Northeast India and Bangladesh, and connecting the northeastern region (NER) to the Bay of Bengal, may well lead to significant results on the regional geopolitical front vis-à-vis China. Depending on the level of participation by the three countries, there is potential that the initiative may create a thriving and sustainable NER-Bangladesh economic corridor (we’ll call it, NBEC), triggering mutual interest to attract private investments by harnessing natural advantages. “Viewing Bangladesh and other areas to the south as a single economic zone, we will promote the Bay of Bengal-Northeast India industrial value chain concept in cooperation with India and Bangladesh to foster the growth of the entire region,” Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said during his recent visit to Delhi. The proposal is part of the ongoing collaboration between India and Japan to build a “free and open Indo-Pacific”, and is an extension of the discussion that took place at the Japan-India Summit in 2022. “The prime ministers reaffirmed the significance of collaborative projects ... in the Indo-Pacific region. They acknowledged the progress in ongoing projects in Bangladesh. They appreciated the importance of their continued collaboration through the Act East Forum for the sustainable economic development of India’s North Eastern Region and for enhancing the Region’s connectivity with Southeast Asia,” the 2022 joint statement said. The economic corridor The initiative is a win-win for both countries. From less than US$3.5 billion (RM15.4 billion) in 2010, IndiaBangladesh trade reached nearly US$16 billion in 2021. The trade logistics improved and more projects are under implementation. But the regional value chain creation suffered. Lack of complementarity, traditional weaknesses of the border economies of West Bengal and the northeastern region (NER) in India, and political-economic realities in Bangladesh were three major reasons behind this failure. While West Bengal continues to be an economic backwater of India and is not showing much intent to tap into the opportunity, dramatic improvement in infrastructure and investment readiness of NER over the last decade has ushered in new opportunities. Add to that the opening of Padma Bridge in a fast-growing Bangladesh, thereby ensuring easy connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the country and two major structural hurdles in creating a cross-border value chain being removed. This brings us to Bangladesh’s political-economic realities which are tilted in favour of China. Considering its goodwill in Bangladesh, Tokyo can act as a neutralising factor and may create new opportunities for both economies. The far east Asian nation is building a deepsea port at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The project, located close to the Sabroom border in India’s Tripura, is expected to be completed in 2026. A deep-sea port is costly. Since eastern India has multiple such facilities, access to NER may “Depending on the level of participation by the three countries, there is potential that the initiative may create a thriving and sustainable NERBangladesh economic corridor, triggering mutual interest to attract private investments by harnessing natural advantages. COMMENT by Dr Arpita Hazarika

9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 Showcasing Malaysia’s various cultures MALAYSIANS reading a recent online report “Man claims that Malaysia has no culture for tourists to explore” would be quick to disagree as our country has long been known as multiracial and multicultural, with three major races and numerous indigenous groups. The report was based on the views expressed by a street photographer based in Selangor who tweeted, “It’s all just cities and shopping malls. Unlike Indonesia and Thailand, the second you step foot there you can already see their culture.” He seems to have made a very bold statement by saying that there is nothing in Malaysia for tourists to experience and explore. But he is far from being naive or ignorant and may be much more knowledgeable than most Malaysians. In fact, he has been to many places in Malaysia, talked to the locals and taken photos during his journey that showcases some of the cultures around Malaysia. He tweeted to raise awareness of an appreciation for one’s own culture. He added: “You don’t really need to go that far. Just pay close attention to your surroundings, see how locals live and talk to different people, and then you’ll finally be able to appreciate the culture. As for traditional culture, we’ll have to leave that to the government to fund for preservation and promotion.” While I was driving a budget taxi in 2004, an Middle Eastern passenger wanted to get close and meet local people. The best way to do so was to go to where they live but would those living in landed properties or apartments open their doors and allow two strangers to come in? So, I suggested a trip to Pulau Ketam, drove to Port Klang and took a ferry there, where all buildings and walkways were built on stilts atop the muddy island, and residents and visitors could walk past houses with front doors open when the occupants were at home. We got to meet numerous residents and they were genuinely warm and hospitable, with many inviting us into their homes to look, including the toilet that was just an opening on the floor to allow human waste to drop onto the mud at low tide or seawater during high tide. Likewise, if I were to visit Saudi Arabia 65 years ago, I would be expecting the locals to be riding on camels and living in Bedouin tents. I would be curious as to where they got their food and water supply, and would their toilets be just a hole in the sand, covering it after their use? While driving a premier taxi in 2003, I met a Thai woman who was a senior executive with an airline in Bangkok. She had heard of Malay houses built on stilts and wanted to see them, but they were not easy to find in urban areas. Fortunately, there was “Rumah Pak Ali”, a grand Minangkabau house built in 1876 and opened to visitors in 1989 at Jalan Gombak in Kuala Lumpur. It was fully authentic as we saw the original building that was also used as a home by the descendants living there. I wrote “Tourism: Why we need ‘Malaysia Village” a decade ago, which was published on Feb 14, 2013. I am now reiterating the call as nothing has been done since then and do not wish to wait for another 10 years in vain. While tourists may be satisfied with all the comforts and convenience that we offer, we can do much more to enhance the quality of their experience. An effective approach would be to set up a “Malaysia Village” to showcase our rich heritage, cultures, traditions, handicrafts and food. Proclaiming that we are a multi-racial nation is meaningless to visitors that cannot distinguish between foreigners from the locals they see or meet. Many Malaysians are only aware of the three main races and the indigenous people in Sabah and Sarawak. But our population is much more diverse. For example, we have half a million Mandailings in this country that originated from northern Sumatra and they have contributed to the rich Malay race and culture. The Tor-tor dance and Gordang Sambilan they brought with them have been officially recognised as one of the branches of our national heritage. We are virtually sitting on a huge pool of untapped wealth which would be fully unlocked when our entire heritage is harnessed and embraced, and not on a selective basis. Showcasing of cultural dances should not be confined to performances by our national troupe. We have enough variety to present different dances every day for several years running. Experiential tourism is the in-thing and visitors may want to learn a local dance, how to tie a sarong, cook a local dish or play bride and groom in a bersanding ceremony, and not be just mere spectators. Domestic tourists would be more enlightened about their roots and ancestry and look beyond the narrow definition of race. When we learn and appreciate the trials and tribulations of our ancestors, we would be more caring for our descendants and future generations of Malaysians. We need to be more professional by striving for excellence. Sadly, curiosity is grossly lacking as many Malaysians hardly know themselves, the people around them and foreigners in our midst. The Malaysia Village can also be an arena for the exchange of ideas and information as visitors are equally keen to share, as much as we want to showcase what we have. It would be the ideal platform to promote our souvenirs and allow visitors to witness how our handicrafts are made. The efforts and skills needed to make them would then be better appreciated and visitors should be given the opportunity to try their hand at it. It is bound to be the most popular attraction for foreigners and locals alike when the widest range of Malaysian foods and fruits are also offered for them to enjoy to the hilt. The initiative to set up this Malaysia Village has to be government-led by providing the space but must be commercially run for creativity and sustainability. It would be an ideal setting to encapsulate and showcase our rich Malaysian heritage that has evolved through centuries of assimilation of people that have once lived or visited our land. YS Chan is a master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel & Tours Enhancement Course as well as an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a transport and training consultant and writer. Comments: [email protected] “Experiential tourism is the in-thing and visitors may want to learn a local dance, how to tie a sarong, cook a local dish or play bride and groom in a bersanding ceremony, and not be just mere spectators. Promoting emotional well-being among men IN the post-pandemic era, the social order, patterns and behaviour have unequivocally changed. This is undeniably affecting people’s emotions, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, education, marital status or age group. One issue that is the most cringe-worthy and embarrassing to discuss is the relationship between men and emotional well-being. While the topic can be highly uncomfortable, many myths are yet to be debunked in the modern world. Traditionally, men have learnt to act “cool” and hide their fears as an unwritten law of masculinity. This is one reason why men often show a straight face and women find them “emotionally challenged”. Often perceived as a weakness, the notion of expressing emotion is reserved for women and children. Men are often told to “keep it together”, “brush it off” or “move on, buddy”. Men are often associated with being strong, courageous and independent. They grow up enduring pressure, suppressing fear and pain to conceal their softer emotions, as well as confidently withstanding challenges. This is often perceived as coldhearted, less empathetic and egotistical. More often than not, as humans, men crave closeness and cuddling just as much as women. As a consequence, they are often misjudged by other men and women as being soft or weak. Without proper understanding and awareness of the context of men and emotions, we might easily stereotype men in a negative light. Without the promotion of emotional well-being for men, they risk poor mental health and may become even more reluctant to seek mental health support and intervention. This is a result of normative masculinities and deep stigmatisation by society. Focus group data revealed that men’s mental health is primarily centred on social factors such as the lack of psychological safety, negative perceptions and the risk of being ridiculed or judged, or recourse, which has created uncomfortable positions for men in general. In “The Male Brain”, neuropsychiatrist Louann Brezendine asserts that men are prone to expressing anger and aggression due to their biological nature since birth and the hormonal reinforcement they experience through to adulthood. Scientists call this autocatalytic or self-reinforcing anger. When men get angry, they find it hard to stop due to changes in the testosterone, vasopression and cortisol hormones. Anger can cause flawed thinking but also be useful to prompt a more careful and rational analysis of another person’s reasoning. Anger is also associated with aggression. A male tendency to violence can be dialled either up or down by social conditions. The male brain is hardwired for protection and territorial defence, which explains why males instinctively fight for hierarchical status and fight to the death to defend their loved ones. When their loved ones are in distress, this immediately sparks the area of the male brain used for problem-solving. Men tend to restrain negative emotions, which results in worse mental health and increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Over time, this leads to cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease and substance abuse in response to emotionally arousing stressors. Therefore, men need to be supported to seek help in managing their emotional wellbeing at the workplace, as well as among family and friends. The open discussion of men and emotions is taboo as men are often perceived as responsible for their families and need to appear masculine, not weak. However, in the modern world, emotion-related psychological disorders and physical health problems among men are often overlooked, especially in the age of information technology. The writer is a senior lecturer at the School of Construction and Quantity Surveying, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam. Comments: [email protected] COMMENT by Dr Sheikh Ali Azzran COMMENT by YS Chan Reward our athletes when they perform DO not pamper our sportsmen and sportswomen. These days they are spoilt. There are so many incentives, allowances, remunerations and accolades that they are feted with. They are given good jobs and everything is taken care of – their training, good professional coaches, exposure to local and international stints and vacations. This was never heard of in the old days. Back then, they had to work at low-paying jobs, apply for leave and play for the nation. Many never had the perks and privileges enjoyed by our presentday athletes. In fact, some of these former athletes who brought fame and glory are still living in meagre and impoverished conditions. I have read reports of former badminton stars from Indonesia who brought fame and glory to their nation. When they did not perform they were told to pay the expenses lavished on them, including their flight tickets and training expenses, back to the Indonesian government. When we pamper our athletes, it gets to their heads and they think that they are indispensable. When that happens, they become big-headed, make unreasonable demands and throw tantrums, and do not follow the rules and regulations of their respective sporting councils. They become prodigals thinking that they can do it their own way. Our athletes should be subservient to their respective boards and follow the guidelines of coaches and trainers. They should be obedient, disciplined, committed and dedicated. Everyone has to toe the line with no exceptions and no one is above the law. Datuk Lee Chong Wei is an exemplary badminton player who should be a role model for our athletes. He came the closest to winning an Olympic gold through his hard work, perseverance and grit. When individual athletes are pampered and become a “teacher’s pet” it can cause a rift and unhealthy competition. There are many athletes in swimming, cycling, badminton, football and athletics. Everyone is a potential winner and a potential Olympic Gold winner. Do not single out individual athletes. We need to recognise their talents and gifts and encourage all of them. Singling out individuals as our hope for Olympic gold is like putting all our eggs in one basket. If that basket drops, our dreams and hopes would be shattered. Let them perform in the sporting arena and if they garner accolades and bring glory to the nation, reward them. Samuel Yesuiah Seremban LETTERS [email protected]

10 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 MEDIA & MARKETING True taste of Vietnam LOCAL gift concierge, BarangBarang & Co., has launched its Raya Collection, featuring an eclectic range of gifts inspired by the unexpected treasures of the Middle East - the lush gardens of Egypt and Morocco. Each of the gifts, Le Jardin Secret, Orman Garden, and La Mamounia, craft a journey to an exquisite tapestry of plants that bloom in the heart of the desert. The captivating artwork on the gifts captures the rich colour palette of the region’s golden sands and emerald fields. While celebrating the cultural diversity and creative spirit of these exotic countries, the brand supports local Malaysian businesses by thoughtfully sourcing a selection of items and treats from small and medium-sized enterprises and homegrown businesses. The delicacies include must-haves like Kurma Ajwa, dodol made from authentic gula melaka, the flavourful Sambal Onyet, and handmade cookies. The cookies are made in collaboration with GOLD (Generating Opportunities for the Learning Disables), a social enterprise that is dedicated to empowering people with learning disabilities, not only providing delicious treats but also championing a meaningful cause that uplifts marginalised communities. As families and friends gather to celebrate the joyous occasion of Raya, the act of gifting serves as a reminder of the importance of relationships and the value of meaningful connections. Explore BarangBarang & Co.’s exquisite Raya Collection, which is available for purchase on the brand’s Instagram page, where bespoke corporate gifting services are being offered as well. For further information, kindly visit instagram.com/ barangbarang.co. Gift sets inspired by the gardens of the Middle East [From left] Le Jardin Secret, La Mamounia and Orman Garden gift sets. COSMIC Cookware is here to add some sizzle to your kitchen with the launch of its limited edition “Aidil’’ Cookware collection in the shade Green Bean, just in time for the Ramadan Raya season. With the tagline The ideal companion for any kitchen, the “Aidil” Cookware is providing busy urban home cooks with charming, non-toxic, and Swisscertified cookware. This new collection is designed to make the kitchen experience easy and effortless, ensuring that cooking becomes a chore no more. The Cosmo Set in Green Bean is the perfect addition to elevate your cooking space. These essential cookware sets come in complementary colours that add flair to any kitchen. The cookware is made to look good in any kitchen, prepare your favourite festive recipes, and clean effortlessly after every dish. The “Aidil” Cookware also comes with limited edition cookware sleeves, making them a perfect gift for your loved ones during the festive time. Cosmic Cookware is also introducing the all-new Cosmo Saucepan, exclusively available in Green Bean. The Cosmo Saucepan is perfect for portions that are just right and is great to use for boiling, simmering, and sauce reductions. The non-toxic Swiss-certified cookware ensures that your food remains safe and healthy to consume. The “Aidil” Cookware collection is now available for purchase on the Cosmic Cookware website at cosmiccookware.com. Spice up your kitchen YOU can now ‘time-travel’ to Hanoi in the romantic past and enjoy a cup of aromatic, authentic Vietnamese coffee in Malaysia. The swanky Vietnamese café, Cộng Caphe, promises a transporting experience with its history-themed interior and aromatic strong Robusta brews that evoke the bustling café streets of Hanoi. Cộng Caphe has three outlets located within the Klang Valley; in Nu Sentral, The Starhill, and in 1 Utama, each featuring a unique theme based on the childhood memories of founder Linh Dung, who grew up during the Subsidy period in 1970s Vietnam. For example, latest Cộng Capheoutlet in 1 Utama was designed based on the interior of a textile factory during the Subsidy Period. This means wooden furniture and fittings lit with dreamy light boxes, colourful thread lines of loom, and a rustic atmosphere accented by military cloth. The setting is markedly different from other Cộng Caphe outlets, such as the one in Nu Sentral mall that opened in 2019 – which emulated the look and feel of a library in the Subsidy Period. “With every café we open, we create a different Cộng story, which is at its core a Vietnamese story! The environment and design of the cafés are inspired by the community living and camaraderie in Vietnam’s historical settings, such as the classrooms, meeting halls for communities, and old neighbourhoods bustling with activities,” said Jaemie Lew from Business Development Division of Cộng Caphe Malaysia. She explained that the community-inspired setting makes Cộng Caphe a comfortable and cool place for family and friends to hang out, take some chic pictures together to share on social media, and enjoy the food and drinks that Vietnam is famous for. Coffee lovers are especially spoilt for choice with Cộng Caphe’s wide selection of authentic Vietnamese “Phin”-based brew and classic coffee, which use high quality Robusta beans from the Lam Dong province in Vietnam. Its signature Coconut Milk with Coffee Smoothie is a must-try – the exceptional recipe makes it the most in-demand beverage at Cộng Caphe. Meanwhile, Bạc Xỉu, a bitter but yet creamy and sweet coconut coffee with condensed milk gives you the authentic taste and aroma oCộng Caphe opens third Malaysian outlet to continue promoting the essence of Vietnam’s coffee culture The special Ramadan menu for the fasting period. Cộng Caphe presents the taste traditional Vietnamese coffee with a hint of nostalgia. from Vietnam. For those who want an extra kick, the Hanoian Coffee is one of Cộng Caphe’s most popular drinks. The aroma and silky-smooth texture of this strong coffee is made with their in-house signature condensed milk recipe. Non-coffee drinkers are not left out. The Honey Kumquat Tea and Peach Tea with Passion Fruit lends interesting twists to the taste, and there are also refreshing juices and comforting cocoa beverages to satisfy your non-caffeine thirsts. You can also load up on the iconic Vietnamese delicacy, Banh Mi, which comes with a selection of tofu, beef or chicken; or a Vietnamese Rice Noodles with sweet and savoury taste, traditional Vietnamese dish which you can pair with homemade ham, spring roll or tofu at Cộng Caphe. To satiate any sweet tooth cravings, a set of Croissant with Condensed Milk is sure to hit the spot. The various hot food and snacks selection at the café is available for both dine-in or takeaway. Cộng Caphe also has a special Ramadan menu during the fasting month. They are introducing a Malaysian favourite with a unique Vietnamese twist – Rendang Ayam and Daging in Bahn Mi, which is paired with delicious Gula Apong coconut smoothie or Gula Apong Pandan coconut smoothie, both of which are guaranteed to leave customers satisfied. For more information, visit Cộng Caphe Malaysia’s social media pages.

KLCI 1,428.13 1.09 STI 3,294.43 HANG SENG 115.35 SCI 3,315.36 NIKKEI 27,633.66 12.29 TSEC 15,876.17 39.67 KOSPI 2,512.08 CLOSED S&P/ASX200 21.67 TUESDAY APRIL 11, 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 APRIL 10, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) FITTERS 250,280,400 5.0 -2.0 EDUSPEC-OR 157,231,500 0.5 -6.0 TOPGLOV 121,351,500 115.0 +8.0 ZENTECH 92,305,500 2.5 UNCH AIMFLEX 86,144,700 17.5 +0.5 EXCHANGERATES APRIL 10, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.4720 4.3370 4.3220 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 2.9980 2.8770 2.8610 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.3570 3.2580 3.2490 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.3060 3.2180 3.2050 1 EURO 4.8850 4.7250 4.7030 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8050 2.7010 2.6820 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.3570 3.2580 3.2490 1 STERLING POUND 5.5630 5.3860 5.3660 1 SWISS FRANC 4.9270 4.8120 4.7920 100 UAE DIRHAM 123.1800 116.7700 116.4300 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.2810 4.0150 3.8240 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.0000 62.5000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 57.5700 54.6900 54.4300 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.5500 5.2100 5.0100 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0310 0.0281 0.0230 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.3800 3.2730 3.2770 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.8000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.6000 1.5000 1.2800 100 PHILIPPINE PESO N/A N/A N/A 100 QATAR RIYAL 123.1600 116.9200 116.5700 100 SAUDI RIYAL 120.4900 114.3900 114.0500 100 THAI BAHT 13.6600 12.1100 11.7200 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY APRIL 10, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,501.00 +22.60 FBMKLCI 1,428.13 +1.09 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 574.80 +1.40 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 174.16 -0.50 CONSTRUCTION 162.22 +0.63 FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,704.10 +2.85 ENERGY 864.41 +0.90 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 601.15 +1.26 HEALTH CARE 1,886.19 +43.50 TRANSPORTATION 912.94 +6.71 PROPERTY 703.98 -2.00 PLANTATION 6,807.72 +76.00 FBMSHA 10,857.30 +34.60 FBMACE 5,303.54 -23.00 TECHNOLOGY 62.46 +0.26 TURNOVER VALUE 3.077 BIL RM1.457 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS APRIL 10, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM MPI 175,800 29.40 +1.06 NESTLE 6,900 136.40 +1.00 KLK 423,600 21.46 +0.46 HEIM 49,600 27.02 +0.30 UTDPLT 145,800 16.64 +0.24 5 TOP LOSERS APRIL 10, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM PMBTECH-WA 7,000 3.54 -0.29 RAPID 26,900 17.24 -0.26 MALPAC 4,800 0.805 -0.245 DLADY 5,500 26.46 -0.24 KERJAYA-CX 850,000 0.060 -0.24 Cooperative revenue set to reach RM60b by 2025 KOTA KINABALU: The National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 (DKN2030) has set a target of contributing RM60 billion in cooperative revenue generated by 2025, said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick (pic). He said that through various efforts and initiatives that will be implemented under the policy, the revenue is expected to increase to RM100 billion by 2030. “To strengthen the cooperative movement, DKN2030 has outlined the role of cooperatives through a strategic core, such as stimulating the development of integrated and holistic entrepreneurship that focuses on cooperatives as a driver for inclusive socioeconomic development, among other things,” he said. Ewon said this when officiating at the Sabah Cooperative Wholesale and Retail Sector Network Enhancement programme here yesterday, which was attended by more than 120 participants from 60 cooperatives throughout Sabah. oContribution expected to exceed RM100b by 2030 through initiatives outlined in National Entrepreneurship Policy Perodua output, sales hit new highs in March PETALING JAYA: Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd’s (Perodua) production and sales reached new heights in March with its manufacturing arm churning out 33,666 units, and its sales division registering 32,179 vehicles. “These achievements can be attributed to several factors, such as our efforts to fulfil the Penjana orders before its deadline on March 31, 2023, production improvements throughout the supplier ecosystem and better coordination within our sales network,” Perodua president and CEO, Datuk Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said. On a quarterly basis, production increased by 33.9% to 84,800 units compared with 63,325 units produced in the same quarter of 2022. In terms of sales, registrations rose by 27.5% to 78,564 units in the first three months of 2023 compared with 61,624 units in the corresponding period last year. On a monthly basis, Perodua recorded an increase of 20.2% to 32,179 units last month compared with 26,759 units sold in March last year, and up 29% when compared with 24,936 units sold in February this year. “Despite these achievements, there are still a small number of Penjana orders that we were unable to fulfil, to these customers, we will honour the sales exempt amount guaranteed under the initiative and we apologise for the long wait,” Zainal Abidin said. He said Perodua is expected to build on these achievements as the number of bookings for its models continue to be healthy. He added that the sustained production growth managed to reduce some of the waiting period in certain models. “In fact, some of our models, the waiting period has been reduced significantly, only particular models such as the Bezza, Axia and Alza have a slightly longer waiting period based on their respective variants and colour,” Zainal Abidin said. In terms of production, he said the global price of raw materials has decreased recently, and this has eased cost pressures for suppliers, Perodua as well as most of the automotive players. “These favourable conditions will give us a chance to build up our stock faster while at the same time enable us to reduce the waiting period for our customers,” he added. In late January, Perodua announced its production target of 330,000 cars and sales target of 314,000 cars in 2023. Reservoir Link subsidiary secures four solar contracts PETALING JAYA: Reservoir Link Energy Bhd, an energy-related services provider, announced yesterday its 51% owned subsidiary, Founder Energy Sdn Bhd, has secured four solar contracts, between February and March 2023. The contracts collectively have a value of RM7.16 million with a total capacity of 76.14 MWp. Leveraging on the group’s expertise and solid track record, Reservoir Link will be involved in the development of a large-scale solar project as well as multiple solar roof top power generation facilities. The projects, which are located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Perlis, are targeted to be completed in November 2023. Reservoir Link executive director Thien Chiet Chai said, “As the solar renewable industry gains more attention, we are delighted to announce that we have recently secured four additional contracts, which is a testament to the growing demand for solar power. Our customers’ trust in our services is premised on the outstanding performance of Reservoir Link which has a proven track record of excellence. “These contracts highlight our expertise and capabilities in the solar energy industry, and we are confident that this will lead to further opportunities in the future. We remain committed to providing sustainable and reliable solar energy solutions to meet the needs of our clients and contribute to a greener future.” 6.05 CLOSED He said that currently there are 15,315 cooperatives in Malaysia with a total income of RM38.5 billion, adding that a total of RM16.99 billion in shares capital and cooperative membership fees have been recorded with total assets of RM159.9 billion. He said this achievement boosted the cooperative movement in Sabah, where the total number of registered cooperatives stood at 1,706, with a total of 343,230 members. “The accumulated shares and fees stood at RM220 million, the accumulated assets at RM826.44 million, and the total revenue stood at RM437.15 million. “It is understood that of that figure, 441 cooperatives are involved in the wholesale and retail sector and I hope that cooperatives will continue to contribute to the country’s income,” he said. – Bernama Participation 49.3 33.0 17.7 100.0 Institutions Retail Foreign Bought RM m 740.1 471.6 245.3 1457.0 Sold RM m 695.1 489.3 272.6 1457.0 Net RM m 45.0 -17.7 -27.3 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) 10/04/2023

12 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 SUNBIZ @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME Petronas Dagangan to grow core ops, boost revenue stream KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Dagangan Bhd (PDB) is committed to leveraging fuel demand by continuing to grow its core businesses in line with customers’ evolving preferences, and at the same time enhancing the revenue stream from the non-fuel segment. In its 2022 annual report, managing director/CEO Azrul Osman Rani said PDB is set to launch more Café Mesra outlets this year at various locations outside of Petronas stations. “We will also expand the range of PRYSM merchandise offered on Petronas Shop via the Setel App,” he said. He noted that international air passenger arrivals in Malaysia are oNational energy company’s retail arm to open more Cafe Mesra outlets, expand range of branded merchandise anticipated to hit 9.6 million in 2023 on the back of the reopening of international borders, and this will catalyse further demand for fuel, not only from the aviation sector but also the hospitality, food and beverage and transport sectors. Azrul said PDB remains committed to supporting Malaysia’s aspiration to become a low-carbon nation, and will ensure that the group’s growth is sustainable. He said following the launch of PDB first electric vehicle (EV) charging hub, the group will not only expand its EV charging network but will ensure a seamless customer experience by integrating EV charging facilities with the Setel App. “Within PDB itself, we will install more solar panels at Petronas stations and look for other ways to lower our carbon footprint. “Our efforts will not be confined to environmental initiatives, but will include various environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices for the benefit of our communities, guided by various standards, including the FTSE4Good,” he added. According to the annual report, PDB’s net profit for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2022 (FY22) increased to RM776.6 million from RM529.75 million in FY21, while revenue expanded to RM36.75 billion from RM22.67 billion previously. The higher net profit was mainly contributed by higher gross profit from all segments following an increase in demand during the period. – Bernama Alliance Bank’s innovative digital solutions for MSME financing win The Asian Bankers award PETALING JAYA: Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd has clinched the “Best SME Financing” award at The Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services International Awards 2023 for its innovative digital solutions which make financing more accessible to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). The bank was benchmarked against more than 100 financial institutions around the world and emerged tops in the business lending category winning the “Best SME Financing” award for its digital SME financing initiatives which include fully digital collateral-free financing solutions for up to RM1 million via Alliance Digital SME Express Financing and Alliance Digital SME Cash Flow Financing. Both can be applied for online and requires only one single document for submission. These digital solutions also won recognition at two other recent awards programmes – the Global SME Banking Innovation Awards 2023 for “Microfinance Product of the Year” as well as at the Retail Banker International Asia Trailblazer Awards 2023 for “Best Loan Offering”. “Over the last few years, we have grown our market share in the SME industry from 3.4% to 5%, growing even through the challenges of the global pandemic. The inroads we have built has been further strengthened by the innovations in our product and service offerings as well robust digital platforms that provides fast and relevant solutions to meet our customers’ needs,” said Raymond Chui, Alliance Bank’s group chief SME and commercial banking officer. He added that the digital user journey introduced for MSME saw a 71% better completion rate since inception while customers only need an average of 10 minutes to complete their remote form submission which also features a 30% improvement on the number of details they have to provide during submission. Earlier this year, Alliance Bank launched its MSME Business Outlook 2023 report which found that insufficient cashflow and working capital to be among the common barriers to the growth aspirations for MSMEs with 42.9% expecting cash flow to be an issue for them to capture business opportunities this year. Accepting the Best SME Financing Award 2023 on behalf of Alliance Bank are Chui (second from left) and the bank’s digital SME head Kevin Shum (second from right). They are flanked by The Asian Banker Global international resource director and Excellence Awards Advisory Council member David Gyori (left) and The Asian Banker Global research director Christian Kapfer. Wahed Tech renews commitment to embrace ESG practices PETALING JAYA: Wahed Technologies Sdn Bhd, a leading global Islamic fintech company, announced yesterday that it is renewing its commitment to embrace environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in its operations as it recognises the importance of sustainability and is taking proactive steps towards building a more sustainable future. Wahed Invest Inc CEO & founder Junaid Wahedna said, “Embracing ESG practices is not only the right thing to do for the environment and society, but it is also crucial for the long-term sustainability and success of our business. It is also very consistent and in line with the syariah principle, of which Wahed was built upon. “We are committed to building a sustainable future and creating value for all our stakeholders.” By embracing these practices, Wahed aims to reduce its environmental footprint, promote social responsibility, and enhance corporate governance. The company believes that its commitment to ESG practices will not only benefit the planet and society but also contribute to its long-term financial performance. Concurrently, Wahed announced that it is launching its Malaysian headquarters at Bluedome Mines, an office complex in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, which will allow for further expansion as the company grows its footprint in the region and doing so sustainably. Bluedome Mines is an established entrepreneur hub that fits well with Wahed’s ideals and will be a focal point for the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach in the region. Wahed has been engaging with Sapura Resources Bhd (SRB), the owners of Bluedome Mines on the opening of the HQ. Wahed Malaysia country head Juliana Abu Bakar said, “Wahed is excited to further our role in this space, this includes introducing products and services that support this agenda. Moving our headquarters to a sustainable-working environment such as Bluedome Mines ensures that our goals are consistent in every aspect of the business.” SRB managing director Datuk Shahriman Shamsuddin said, “Sapura’s Bluedome Mines is a syariah-focused Entrepreneurship Centre that places sustainability as the core proposition for our partners. “These shared core values enable us to foster a collaborative partnership with each other, and jointly tap the wide SME and Mass Market segment to allow them to meet our partner’s sustainability objectives.” Betamek set to ride on Perodua’s strong sales: HLIB KUALA LUMPUR: Betamek Bhd’s earnings are expected to align with Perodua’s strong sales performance, being a key supplier to the car maker. In a note yesterday, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) said Perodua recorded sales of 21,400 units in January 2023, with a market share of 43.4%. “Perodua’s management has recently disclosed an ambitious sales target of 314,000 units for 2023, which implies a year-on-year growth of 11.3% after achieving a record high of 282,000 units in 2022. “This impressive target is backed by healthy order backlogs of 220,000 units and an increase in planned production for the year to 330,00 units,” it said. HLIB noted that Perodua launched the all-new Axia replacement model priced from RM38,600 to RM49,500 in mid-February with over 20,100 bookings recorded. “We expect another two models update for 2023 and a new hybrid electrical vehicle in 2024. These further augment Betamek’s sales outlook, given its track record in supplying to every Perodua model,” it said. “Betamek is building a strong base at 42 sen to 49 sen levels, with indicators on the mend. A successful breakout above 50 sen immediate resistance may indicate a potential uptrend for the stock, potentially revisit 52 sen, 55 sen and 57 sen levels.” Betamek provides electronic manufacturing services to the automotive industry and manufactures a range of vehicle audio products and components. Starting from supplying vehicle audio systems for the Perodua Kancil, Betamek has grown to become a key supplier to Perodua, supplying 63.2% of the volume of Perodua vehicles sold in 2021. – Bernama Mudajaya secures RM64m building job KUALA LUMPUR: Mudajaya Group Bhd (Mudajaya), through its whollyowned subsidiary Mudajaya Corporation Bhd, has accepted a letter of award from Kotra Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd for a RM64.1 million construction project in Taman Teknologi Cheng, Melaka. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Mudajaya said the project would be the construction of a onestorey warehouse together with six mezzanine floors. “The project is subject to final remeasurement of the contract and is targeted to be completed by October 2024 with a construction period of 18 months from the date of site possession. “The project is expected to contribute positively to the group’s earnings for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2023, onwards,” it added. – Bernama Press Metal bags aluminium ingot deal with Daching Enterprises PETALING JAYA: Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, a Malaysiabased aluminium smelter, has sealed an export deal with Daching Enterprises Ltd for aluminium ingots amounting to RM110 million for 2023. Both companies are projected to transact the same product valued at RM670 million over the next five years. Press Metal secured the immediate export sales of aluminium ingots during a meeting arranged by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) last week. Commenting on this, Group CEO of Press Metal Tan Sri Paul Koon stated: “Press Metal is delighted with the assistance provided by Matrade in introducing reputable clients like Daching Enterprises. We hope there will be more matching that can be arranged especially since the international borders of China and Hong Kong have fully opened”. Press Metal said its aluminium ingots are low in carbon content and appeals to manufacturers who are now increasingly focused on climate commitments and looking to ensure ethical and sustainable practices across the supply chain. Daching Enterprises and its subsidiaries are one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aluminium foil, with an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons for aluminium foil and 220,000 tons for aluminium sheets.

13 * SUNBIZ theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME Maybank enhances ‘Kill Switch’ to thwart scammers KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank’s Kill Switch solution is now introducing a new security add-on, in addition to the Maybank2u access’ deactivation feature launched in late January this year. The new security add-on via Maybank2u (M2U) web and the MAE app will allow customers to swiftly and conveniently temporarily block the usage of their credit and charge cards should they suspect a compromise on their cards. The new security add-on is part of Maybank’s ongoing efforts to further enhance its online banking security and strong commitment to combat online scams by empowering its customers to take immediate control of their credit and charge cards and ensure that their funds are safe and protected. Prior to this new feature, Maybank had enabled customers the option to freeze their MAE card and to also temporarily deactivate their Maybank2u access. To further strengthen online banking security and create a more secure digital platform for its customers, Maybank’s Secure2u has been the only authorisation method for online transactions for all amounts since April 5. Community Financial Services, group CEO Datuk John Chong said that Maybank’s larger agenda is to create a safer digital ecosystem, one that will bolster the confidence of consumers, businesses and investors whose needs are ever evolving, as well as propel the country for the digital leap whilst at the same time spurring economic growth for the nation. “In relation to that, we also want to stand by our customers during these challenging times and win this war together by introducing a holistic Kill Switch solution in the market that covers various angles of online banking security. More so, nowadays scammers are becoming even bolder and more creative by coming up with new ways to oNew security add-on allows customers swift and convenient way to temporarily block usage of cards Second consecutive week of net foreign inflow into Bursa Malaysia PETALING JAYA: Last week was the second consecutive week of net foreign inflows into Bursa Malaysia with the sentiments remaining healthy following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to China, said MIDF Research. During the week under review, net foreign inflows grew to RM18.8 million from RM11.5 million the week prior. It was a mixed trading week with a negative bias among foreign investors as they net sold for four out of the five trading days. However, the net buying of RM63 million on Thursday cushioned the net selling for the rest of the week. Sentiments remain healthy, lifted by Anwar’s recent visit to China, which secured the commitment of RM170.07 billion of Chinese investments into several industries in Malaysia and also RM2.44 billion of potential exports to China. Foreigners net sold RM150,000 on Monday, RM14.9 million on Tuesday, RM24.4 million on Wednesday and RM4.7 million on Friday. Thursday was the only day with net inflows, which saw the bulk of foreign funds flowing into blue chips namely Petronas Gas, QL Resources and Public Bank. Top three sectors that saw net foreign inflows last week were Consumer Products and Services (RM39.1 million), Utilities (RM24.2 million) and Energy (RM18.2 million), while the top three sectors that saw net foreign outflows were Financial Services (RM39.1 million), Healthcare (RM30.2 million) and Technology (RM16.9 million). Year-to-date, foreigners have net sold Malaysian equities for nine out of 14 weeks, totalling RM1.86 billion. MoHE, SC to develop Capital Market Graduate Programme PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday to develop the Capital Market Graduate Programme (CMGP). CMGP aims to improve the knowledge and employability of 9,000 public and private university graduates, particularly for the capital market industry over three years. “The programme is expected to address the shortage of skilled manpower in the capital market industry and will help produce graduates who are more prepared to be employed in the capital market. This will reduce the deficit of skilled talent in the capital market and simultaneously improve graduate employability,” they said in a statement yesterday. It is funded via an allocation of RM30 million by the Capital Market Development Fund, a fund managed by the capital market industry. The MoU was signed by the SC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Awang Adek Hussin and the deputy director-general of higher education, who is also serving the duties of directorgeneral of higher education Ahmad Rizal Adnan, and was witnessed by the Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. The MoU outlines several areas of cooperation including increasing awareness among graduates of the multi-disciplinary career opportunities in the Malaysian capital market industry, building basic capacity among graduates in fields related to the Malaysian capital market, and promoting CMGP through lectures and career fairs to create a steady stream of graduate talent for the Malaysian capital market. In addition, it includes the collaboration with senior representatives of Bursa Malaysia and the capital market industry, as well as vicechancellors from major local universities, with full commitment to implementing the core and main activities of the CMGP, and identification of qualified graduates to participate in structured programmes managed by the Securities Industry Development Corporation and the CMGP Leadership Development and Job Placement Programme. KKB bags RM112m contract from Samsung Engineering KUALA LUMPUR: KKB Engineering Bhd’s subsidiary OceanMight Sdn Bhd has bagged a RM111.6 million contract from Samsung Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, KKB said it had received a purchase order contract from Samsung Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd for the module fabrication and supply of steel structures for the Malaysia Shell R&M onshore gas plant project in Bintulu, Sarawak. The completion date for Samsung Engineering is scheduled to be within the third quarter of 2024. It said that the contract will have no effect on the share capital of the company and is expected to contribute positively towards its earnings and net assets for the duration of the contract. KKB added that among the risk factors affecting the contract include execution risks such as availability of skilled manpower and materials, forex and changes in pricing, weather conditions and/or political, economic and regulatory conditions. – Bernama orchestrate their scam tactics,” he added. In addition, he said that this is also in line with the group’s M25+ strategic thrusts, to intensify customer centricity as well as accelerate digitalisation and technological modernisation, as Maybank has always been at the forefront of ensuring that its customers’ safety and security is prioritised, evident through the frequent upgrading and enhancement to its online banking systems. The new add-on feature can be activated via Maybank2u web or MAE app and once enabled, all outgoing transactions on the blocked credit and charge card will not be processed. For security reasons, once blocked, customers can only reactivate their cards by successfully verifying themselves at the nearest branch or via Maybank Group Customer Care at 1300 88 6688. This will also prevent scammers or any unauthorised parties from further accessing their cards. Chong also said that no matter how robust a system’s security can be, scammers will always try to use social engineering methods to deceive customers out of their hard earned savings. Malaysia’s unemployment rate in February dips to 3.5% PETALING JAYA: The unemployment rate in February dropped by 0.1 to 3.5% compared to January, stable in line with the current economic developments, the Department of Statistics Malaysia reported yesterday. Releasing the Statistics of Labour Force for Februrary, Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said, “The number of labour force in February was on an increasing trend, with a month-on-month increase of 0.2% to 16.78 million persons (January: 16.76 million persons), recording a higher labour force participation rate at 69.9% (January: 69.8%). This situation was attributed to a continuous addition in the number of employed persons while the number of unemployed was on a decreasing trend.” In February, he added, the number of employed persons continued to rise, recording 16.19 million persons, an increase of 0.2% month-on-month (January: 16.16 million persons). On the contrary, the number of unemployed persons in February continued to be on a downward trend, with a decrease of 0.7% to 591.9 thousand persons (January: 596.1 thousand persons). Accordingly, the unemployment rate during the month fell by 0.1 percentage points to 3.5% (January: 3.6%).” Mohd Uzir said, “The employees’ category comprised 75.7%, which consistently has the largest composition of employed persons in February. This category registered a monthon-month increase of 0.1% to 12.25 million persons (January: 12.24 million persons). The own-account workers also posted a rise of 0.5% to record 2.89 million persons in February (January: 2.88 million persons).” Mohd Uzir said, “The actively unemployed or those who were available for work and were actively seeking jobs, comprised 80.3% of the total unemployed persons in February. Out of the total actively unemployed, those unemployed for less than three months comprised 61%, while those who were in long-term unemployment for more than a year was 6.3%.

14 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 SUNBIZ @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Aramco maintains supply to Asia despite Opec+ cuts oMonthly allocation keenly monitored by investors as indicator of whether reductions could tighten shipments to region Inflation, geopolitical tensions and financial stability cloud World Bank and IMF meetings WASHINGTON: The World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) spring meetings get under way later this week with an ambitious reform and fundraising agenda likely to be overshadowed by concerns over high inflation, rising geopolitical tension and financial stability. “Growth remains historically weak – now and in the medium term,” IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said during a speech last week. The fund now expects global growth to fall below 3% this year, and to remain at close to 3% for the next half a decade – its lowest medium-term prediction since the 1990s. Close to 90% of the world’s advanced economies will experience slowing growth this year, while Asia’s emerging markets are expected to see a substantial rise in economic output – with India and China predicted to account for half of all growth, she said. Low-income countries are expected to suffer a double shock from higher borrowing costs and a decline in demand for their exports, which Georgieva said could fuel poverty and hunger to increase. Updated growth projections published in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook today will provide a broader look at how different countries are coping, with additional publications to detail fiscal and financial challenges to the global economy. This year’s spring meeting will be held against the backdrop of high inflation and ongoing concerns about the health of the banking sector following the dramatic collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Georgieva told AFP last week that central banks should continue battling high inflation through interest-rate hikes, despite concerns that it could further inflame the banking sector. The spring meeting also provides an opportunity to make progress on an ambitious US-backed agenda to reform the World Bank so it is better-prepared to tackle long-term issues like climate change. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told AFP in an interview that she expects member states will agree to update the World Bank’s mission statement to include “building resilience against climate change, pandemics, and conflict and fragility,” to its core goals. – AFP B R I E F SINDONESIA EXPECTS TO CLINCH US$560M CHINESE LOAN FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL JAKARTA: Indonesia expects to conclude negotiations with China in coming weeks on an additional US$560 million (RM2.5 billion) loan for a high-speed rail project being built in the Southeast Asian country, a senior minister said yesterday. The cost of the line linking the capital Jakarta with the textile hub of Bandung has overshot, pushing Indonesia to seek a new loan from the China Development Bank to help cover a US$1.2 billion cost overrun. The total cost of the most high profile Belt and Road Initiative in Indonesia has now risen to more than US$7 billion, Indonesian officials have said. – Reuters PC SHIPMENTS SLIDE IN Q1, APPLE TAKES BIGGEST HIT BENGALURU: Global shipments of personal computers (PC) fell by 29% in the first quarter of 2023 due to weak demand, excess inventory and a deteriorating macroeconomic climate, with Apple Inc taking the largest hit, market research firm IDC said. In the report published Sunday, the International Data Corporation (IDC) said global PC shipments numbered 56.9 million in the first quarter of this year, down from 80.2 million in the same period last year. Of the top five PC companies analysed in the report, Apple’s Q1 shipments saw the largest drop of 40.5% from the same period in 2022, with Dell Technologies Inc coming in second with a drop of 31%. Lenovo Group Ltd, Asustek Computer Inc and HP Inc also faced declines in shipments, the IDC said. – Reuters TEMASEK BUYS 41% STAKE IN INDIA’S MANIPAL HEALTH MUMBAI: Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund Temasek said yesterday that it is acquiring an additional 41% stake in India’s Manipal Health Enterprises from investors including TPG, boosting its stake in one of the country’s largest hospital chains to 59%. While Manipal did not specify the deal value, Temasek has paid about US$2 billion (RM8.8 billion) for the additional stake, said a person with direct knowledge of the matter. – Reuters THAI CENTRAL BANK KEEPS 2023 GDP GROWTH OUTLOOK BANGKOK: Thailand’s economy is expected to grow 3.6% this year, Bank of Thailand governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said yesterday, adding that fiscal and monetary policy should prioritise stability rather than economic stimulus. The economy grew 2.6% last year. The central bank has the tools to support the financial system in the event of any problems, he said. – Reuters Source: OPEC © GRAPHIC NEWS OPEC cut sends crude price surging OPEC+, the international cartel of oil producing countries plus Russia, has announced a surprise cut in production, forcing prices up and risking new inflationary pressure on the global economy 90 80 110 100 120 29 29.5 28.5 30 OPEC+ output (million barrels/day) Brent crude (U.S. $/barrel) Feb 24, 2022: Russia invades Ukraine Oct 2022: Production cut until end of 2023 Apr 2, 2023: Output cut by around 1.16m bpd Jul 2022: OPEC increases output by 0.6m bpd Jan 2022 Price: $80.433 28mbd Mar $118.87 28.7mbd Aug $92.34 29.7mbd Mar 2023 $72.77 28.9 mbd Apr 3 $84.74 OPEC+ PRODUCTION CUTS barrels/day Saudi Arabia 500,000 Russia 500,000 Iraq 211,000 UAE 144,000 Kuwait 128,000 Kazakhstan 78,000 Algeria 48,000 Oman 40,000 Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan Mar half this year and push prices towards US$100 a barrel. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, a state-owned oil giant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has informed at least three buyers in Asia that it will supply full contractual volumes of crude in June, trade sources said. The UAE plans to cut 144,000 bpd from May as part of the Opec+ cuts. – Reuters SHANGHAI: Some shares among the first batch of stocks to list under China’s registration-based initial public offering (IPO) system more than tripled in their debut yesterday despite tepidness in the broader market. The listing of the 10 companies on the main boards in Shanghai and Shenzhen marks the full roll-out of China’s new US-style IPO mechanism, designed to make public share sales more market oriented. The system has already been adopted by Shanghai’s tech-focused STAR Market, Shenzhen’s start-up board ChiNext and the Beijing Stock Exchange for smaller companies. Shenzhen CECport Technologies Co, an electronic components distributor based in the southern technology hub of Shenzhen, opened up 161% yesterday, and surged by as much as 239%, after it raised 2.25 billion yuan (RM1.4 billion). Under the new rules, there is no daily trading limit for the first five trading days for shares that have listed after an IPO. However, after those five days, stocks listed on the main boards will be subject to the regular 10% daily trading limit. Dencare Chongqing Oral Care Co, an oral products maker, opened up 98% and soared by as much as 214%. The other eight companies, including Shaanxi Energy Investment Co and Both Engineering Technology Co, rose by between 50% and 120%. Overall, China’s stock benchmark index, slipped roughly 0.3% yesterday, as investors focused on China’s drills around the Taiwan Strait and awaited more data to gauge the strength of China’s economic recovery after it dropped restrictive Covid-19 policies. The market-oriented IPO system reform is expected to speed up listings and corporate fundraising, as Beijing seeks to revive an economy ravaged by Covid restrictions. “The changes brought about by the IPO reform are all-round and fundamental, centred by information disclosure,” Yi Huiman, the chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission said, according to a report from state media CCTV yesterday. “The service function of the capital market to the real economy, especially technological innovation, has been greatly improved,” Yi said. – Reuters SINGAPORE: State oil giant Saudi Aramco will supply full crude contract volumes loading in May to several North Asian buyers despite its pledge to cut output by 500,000 barrels per day, several sources with knowledge of the matter said yesterday. This comes after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and allies, known as Opec+, surprised markets last week by announcing an extra output cut of 1.16 million barrels per day (bpd) from May for the rest of the year. Saudi Aramco’s monthly allocation was being keenly watched by investors as an indicator of whether planned output cuts could tighten supplies in Asia, the world’s biggest crude import market. People are wondering whether the additional voluntary cut will actually affect supply, or whether it is designed just to shore up oil prices, said a source at an Asian refiner who declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to media. The Opec+ announcement caused Brent and US West Texas Intermediate crude futures to jump 6% last week, returning to levels last seen in November. Last week, Saudi Aramco also surprised the market by raising prices for the flagship Arab Light crude it sells to Asia for a third month in May. It also increased the prices of other oil grades to Asian clients amid expectations of tighter market supply. Asia’s oil demand had been expected to weaken in the second quarter as several refiners in Asia namely SinOpec, South Korea’s third largest refiner and Aramco affiliate S-Oil Corp, Japan’s Fuji Oil and Idemitsu Kosan are shutting a combined 1.15 million bpd of crude distillation capacity in May. Still, some investors are bullish about a recovery in China’s oil demand and expect global oil markets to tighten in the second China’s first batch of shares under new IPO system surge in debut

1 1 A P R I L 2 0 2 3 T U E S D A Y UNDER the glow of a ring light in the spare bedroom of a Mumbai high-rise apartment, Indian make-up maven Debasree Banerjee has found fans across the world with a simple philosophy: brown is beautiful. Banerjee’s audience includes women from as far afield as the Middle East and United States who also have a deeper complexion but have historically been overlooked by the cosmetics industry. “I actually have a lot of followers who are outside India, and I feel like it’s probably because our skin tones match,“ Banerjee told AFP. “They can see how the product looks like on my skin tone, how the lipstick applies on my skin tone, and just have that sense of belongingness.” Banerjee, 34, began experimenting with make-up videos in her spare time a decade ago, after graduating from university and moving to Mumbai to work in sales. She is now a full-time beauty and lifestyle influencer, teaching more than half a million followers how to beautify themselves on Instagram and YouTube. Early inspirations included British beauty content creators Tanya Burr and Fleur De Force – both white and with millions of followers between them. But Banerjee said she had found no role models who resembled her. She credits Rihanna for the seismic shift towards greater inclusiveness in the cosmetics industry. In 2017, the pop superstar launched her make-up line Fenty Beauty, which offered 40 shades of foundation and turned her into a billionaire. “Fenty Beauty really, really changed the game,“ Banerjee said. “I think that’s when people knew that this is important.” While other international brands have tried to keep up, many still have “miles and miles to go” before they can be considered truly inclusive, she added. “I still see products being launched in three shades, in four shades, calling them ‘universal’. And it’s just ridiculous,“ Banerjee said. “In India, everywhere you go ... you see our features changing, our language changing, our skin colour changing. So it’s very, very important to have more inclusive make-up.” Learning to love ourselves Cheap internet data, rising income levels and the world’s largest population of young people have fuelled an explosion in India’s beauty and personal care market. Indian make-up influencer Debasree Banerjee has found fans across the world with a simple mantra: brown is beautiful. – AFP Influencer Kavita Jadon visits a shop selling makeup products in Uttar Pradesh. – AFP Debasree is calling on brands to have more inclusive makeup. – AFP purchasing power of the vast majority of Indians. A single lipstick by a prominent international brand can cost around 2,000 rupees (RM105) locally – more than what half of India’s households pay for their weekly groceries, according to British market research firm Kantar. But the gap between material desires and means has proven to be fertile ground for other Indian influencers showing their audiences how to keep on-trend without breaking the bank. “There are many people who cannot afford expensive products, so my DIY shows them how to look more beautiful,“ Kavita Jadon, 34, told AFP. From her home a couple of hours’ drive from the capital New Delhi, the housewife and mother-of-two makes videos showing how to make ersatz concealers out of moisturiser and coffee grinds, at a fraction of the cost of name-brand products. Despite filming from a cheap phone, editing with free software, and lacking Banerjee and Faby’s elaborate studio setups, Jadon has amassed more than 169,000 followers on Facebook. Many of her homemade product ideas are the result of painstaking trial and error, with her audience eagerly sharing their own ideas or petitioning her with requests. “Using products from big brands is not essential – it’s possible to use local products and create beauty products at home too,“ she said. “That’s why my page has grown so significantly.” – AFP oIndia’s brown beauty makeup influencers are going global All shades of beauty The industry is now worth US$15 billion (RM66.1 billion) nationally each year, with Euromonitor projecting that figure will double by 2030. Homegrown e-commerce platform Nykaa – which helped make global cosmetic brands easily available to Indians for the first time – was one of India’s most-anticipated IPOs in 2021. “People thought brown skin is not pretty,“ Faby, another beauty influencer living in Mumbai, told AFP. “But now we’ve started learning to love ourselves.” Faby has nearly 900,000 Instagram followers and has established herself as one of India’s top cosmetic stylists, recently teaming up with top Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone to promote a skincare line. Almost her entire apartment has been refashioned into a studio with professional lights, camera equipment and retractable backdrops to stylise her regular online tutorials. The work can be taxing, with some daylong shoots lasting until well after midnight, but the money Faby makes from brand collaborations is enough to c o m f o r t a b l y support both herself and her mother. “It has been difficult, but now I can have my own Dior bag, I can have whatever I want,“ said Faby. “It’s all because of the followers who are watching.” Look more beautiful India’s government belatedly recognised the explosive growth of online content creation last year, announcing a 10% tax on promotional gifts worth over 20,000 rupees (RM1,075). That move brought part of the country’s US$120 million (RM529 million) i n f l u e n c e r market under the tax net – chiefly t h o s e advertising p r o d u c t s b e y o n d the Faby has nearly 900,000 Instagram followers and is one of India’s top cosmetic stylists. – AFP

16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Star Wars introduces new Ahsoka series DURING the Star Wars Celebration 2023 over the weekend, Lucasfilm unveiled their goals for the ongoing franchise, following a period of no new updates on upcoming Star Wars films. Created by The Mandalorian’s Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the newest Disney+TV series trailer from the franchise, Star Wars: Ashsoka, was presented at the event. The story follows Ahsoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson), a former Jedi knight, as she looks into a new danger to the galaxy after the collapse of the Empire. The official synopsis of the series indicates that Ahsoka will examine a developing threat to a fragile galaxy and she states in a voice-over: “Something’s coming. Something dark. I can sense it.” The trailer also features co-stars Ray Stevenson as Baylan, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren. A number of firstlook pictures from the new series were also made available by Disney+. Ahsoka made her debut in the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where she was also voiced by Dawson. During the celebration, actor Indira Varma in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. – LUCASFILM LTD A smashing box-office hit AGAINST all “films based on videogames will fail” odds, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has raked in a whopping US$146 million in its opening weekend, before powering up further to US$204.6 million in its first five days at the US box office. At the international box office, the film garnered another US$173 million, pushing the global tally to a total US$377 million (roughly RM1.6 billion). The animated movie, a collaboration between Illumination, Nintendo and Universal, has even landed a number of box office records, thanks to positive word-ofmouth, nostalgia for the popular video game series and a huge turnout from family audiences. The Super Mario Bros. Movie features the voices of Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach and Jack Black as Bowser. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the story follows the mustachioed plumber and friends as they prepare to stop the all-powerful Koopa King from world domination. Critics have been mixed on the film, but audiences sentiments were enthusiastic. oThe new hightly-anticipated Super Mario Bros movie is a mushroom-stomping success The animated film’s reception and release timing also coincides with the other film based on the same IP: Super Mario Bros., the live-action film from 1993. Unlike the new film, the former, upon release 30 years ago, was torn apart by both critics and the audience. It then bombed at the box office. Though the film gained a cult following in subsequent years, co-director Rocky Morton claimed that it was the end of his and co-director Annabel Jankel’s movie career due to how “reviled” it was, that is, until very recently. Morton and Jankel’s film was recently screened at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema last month, which drew in a massive crowd. The screening came after Tarantino name-dropped the director duo on his podcast. During the film, Morton says the audience was “laughing and clapping at all the right places. They weren’t doing it ironically; it was genuine.” Though the film was problematic from production to release, 1993’s Super Mario Bros. is finally getting its time in the sun due to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which is currently playing in cinemas. – by Mark Mathen Victor Jeremy Renner hits Six Flags FOLLOWING his traumatic accident back in January, actor Jeremy Renner appears to be making progress on his recovery journey. Renner was hospitalised for blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries on New Year’s Day after he was crushed by a snowplough while trying to clear a driveway near his Nevada home. The actor recently posted an Instagram photo of his family at the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park in Valencia, California, indicating that his recovery is proceeding well. The photo shows Renner leaning against a pole with the aid of a cane, and a motorised scooter by his side. “Good Friday was spent creating magic on the mountain with some of my incredible family,” read the caption. Recently, Renner opened up about the nearfatal accident in an exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer in the ABC News special Jeremy Renner: The Diane Sawyer Interview - A Story of Terror, Survival, and Triumph last Thursday. The Avengers star recalls the horrifying moment, as he was rushed to the hospital after the accident, believing he would not survive. Heeven wrote his family a farewell letter. Renner is scheduled to appear in public on April 11 at the premiere of his new reality series Rennervations, which will follow the actor’s first on-camera appearance since the accident. The show, which makes its Disney+ debut on April 12, follows Renner as he works with communities around the world by “reimagining unique purpose-built vehicles.” – by Hazique Zairill Renner and his family enjoying their holiday. – INSTAGRAM Jennie is Kill Boksoon fan BLACKPINK’S Jennie’s favourite show right now is Kill Boksoon, and we know this because she posted a video clip on her Instagram story with the words: “I’m Boksoon unnie’s fan. My favourite show right now.” Kill Boksoon, starring Jeon Do-Yeon, Sol Kyunggu, and Kim Si-a, premiered on Netflix late last month. It’s about a single mother, who is also a lethal killer, trying to strike a balance between work and life. The film premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on Feb 18 this year, and has received a lot of attention since its release. Currently, Jennie is on her Born Pink World Tour with the rest of BLACKPINK, which began last October in Seoul, South Korea, and will end on July 15 in Paris, France, after the K-pop super quartet has finished performing in 21 countries. The group recently completed a North American tour with 14 shows in seven cities, including the Hyde Park British Summer Time Festival in the United Kingdom and Coachella in the United States, with several additional dates added to the tour. BLACKPINK will next be performing at the Singapore National Stadium on May 13 and 14. – by S. Tamarai Chelvi Jennie still makes time for entertainment while on tour. – INSTAGRAM Varma, who appeared as disillusioned Imperial officer Tala Durith in last year’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, claimed that Pedro Pascal, her former Game of Thrones co-star, and his performance in The Mandalorian was one of the key things that impacted her choice to join the series. Varma remarked: “I have to confess, I didn’t know much about Star Wars. The Mandalorian completely sucked me in. Having seen [director Deborah Chow’s amazing work on it, and also my mate [Pedro Pascal] ... he gave Deborah such an amazing review that I had to meet her. Just talking to her, Deborah cares so much about character work and relationships and that’s personally what I’m interested in. And I think that’s why [ObiWan Kenobi] is so strong, because of the character work we all got to do.” In the meantime, Ahsoka arrives on Disney+ in August. – by Thashine Selvakumaran Scan QR code to watch the trailer

17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 THE weekend before Earth Day, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) is inviting families and art lovers to have some fun in the sun with good music, good times and good deals. Apart from its family-friendly outdoor concert, there will be a car boot yard sale and trial classes also. Family-Friendly Tunes at Music Play Date Families looking for the perfect weekend outing, look no further. If you missed the 2022 edition (or simply couldn’t get enough), round up your family and friends for the return of Music Play Date on April 15 and 16 2023 from 11.30am to 12.30pm. No stuffy dress codes, no fixed seating. Pack your picnic mats, grab a spot under klpac’s giant banyan tree, sing along to familiar tunes such as It’s a Small World and clap along to the Clapping Music. The klpac Symphonic Band musicians will be taking turns to entertain you with toe-tapping tunes and, at the same time, introduce some basic musical knowledge and terminology. Parents, make your own DIY instruments with your kids using stuff around the house or make a quick pit stop at MR. D.I.Y. Children, get ready to take part in the music quizzes and games to stand a chance to win fun prizes courtesy of MR. D.I.Y., MR. TOY & MR. DOLLAR, a valued sponsor of klpac. Part of klpac’s audience development and community outreach efforts, admission for Music Play Date is free but Enoy some good music while hunting for the best deals at klpac’s Music Play Date and Carboot Yard Sale. donations are welcomed. Carboot Yard Sale Kabut in the Park Year-Round Fixture at klpac Don’t throw out your future. Make “Reducing, Reusing and Recycling” your motto this year – while saving up cash, feeling good and doing good. Carboot yard sale Kabut in the Park is back at klpac with a whole year’s worth of dates beginning with April 15, 2023 from 9am to 2pm, perfectly timed to coincide with klpac’s free outdoor concert Music Play Date Saturday concert. B a r g a i n hunters, start planning! Like before, it will feature some 40 vendors selling almost anything under the sun from electronics to books, clothing to children’s items, and vintage collectables to plants. During these tough times, a little heart goes a long way – look out for the free bins with a selection of free items. As frills are kept to a minimum, so are the prices. Kabut in the Park is once again partnering with Khon Thai Events to offer mouthwatering Thai delicacies like Som T a m , ma ng o / ja ck f r u i t sticky rice, Hat Yai fried chicken as well as other local snacks. Created with Earth in mind – all F&B sold are packaging-free. Remember to BYOC (Bring Your Own Cups, Cutleries, Containers, Carrier bags, and Camping gear). Free Trial Classes at The Actor Studio Academy @ klpac For parents looking at exposing their children to the arts, The Actors Studio Academy @ klpac is offering free trial classes ahead of its second Speech and Drama and drama workshops intake. It is the perfect chance to get to know the Academy’s course offerings, experience a taster class with fun theatre games and meet our amazing faculty where you can ask them any questions you may have. The trial classes on April 15 are for PreSchool Speech & Drama (3 to 4 years old) from 2pm to 3pm and another one for Speech & Drama (13 to 18 years old) from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, followed by Modern Dance for Children (7 to 12 years old) from 2.30pm to 3.30pm and for teens (13 years old and above) from 3.45pm to 4.45pm. On April 16, there will be trial classes for Pre-School Speech & Drama (5 to 6 years old) from 12.30pm to 1.30pm followed by Speech & Drama (13 to 18 years old) from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. On April 30, Zhafir Muzani will be conducting a trial class for Jom Menari! ~ Intro To Traditional Malay Dance for 8 years old and above from 3pm to 3.45pm, followed by Int ro d u c t i o n T o Contemporary Dance for Adults (16 years old and above) from 4pm to 4.45pm. In addition, The Actors Studio Academy @ klpac will be running another round of trial classes on May 14 from 10.30am to 11.30am (7 to 9 years old) and 11.30am to 12.30pm (10 to 12 years old). Limited places are available for all trial classes and pre-registration is required via bit.ly/tasa_trialclass. The fun does not stop there. For those interested to get a leg into performing arts, sign up for Acting Foundations for Adults (starts May 3) designed by Omar Ali, a crash course to learn the basics of acting. There will also be a 2-day Malay Gamelan Crash Course (May 13 & 14) led by Gangsapura Gamelan Group. Celebrating International Dance Day on April 29, the Academy has lined up two dance workshops curated by choreographer Zhafir Muzani to get children and adults moving - Jom Menari: Intro to Traditional Malay Dance for Kids and Intro to Contemporary Dance for Adults, both start on May 21, 2023. Visit www.klpac.org, call 03-4047 9000 or WhatsApp +6018 227 7212. Donation can be made at www.klpac.org/donations. First Look at Extraction 2 CHRIS HEMSWORTH returns as Tyler Rake in Extraction 2, the sequel to Netflix’s blockbuster action film Extraction. After barely surviving the events of the first movie, Rake is back as the Australian black ops mercenary, tasked with another deadly mission: rescuing the battered family of a ruthless Georgian gangster from the prison where they are being held. Hemsworth reunites with director Sam Hargrave, with Joe and Anthony Russo’s AGBO producing and Joe Russo writing. Golshifteh Farahani reprises her role from the first film, with Adam Bessa, Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Bernhardt and Tinatin Dalakishvili also co-starring. This is a sequel to the first film that was based on the graphic novel ‘Ciudad’ by Ande Parks, from a story by Ande Parks, Joe Russo & Anthony Russo, with illustrations by Fernando León González. Extraction 2 is produced by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Angela Russo-Otstot, Chris Hemsworth, Patrick Newall and Sam Hargrave, with Jake Aust, Benjamin Grayson, Steven Scavelli, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely as executive producers. For more info visit netflix.com/Extraction2. Chris Helmsworth returns as Tyler Rake. One final adventure? INDIANA Jones will return to the Cannes Film Festival for the world premiere of Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, starring Harrison Ford as the legendary hero archaeologist and directed by James Mangold on May 18, 2023. The highly anticipated final instalment of the beloved franchise – a big, globe-trotting, riproaring cinematic adventure – will screen out of the competition. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will open in cinemas June 29, 2023. Mangold said: “In 1995, I was honoured to come to Cannes with my first film as part of Director’s Fortnite. Twenty-eight years later, I am proud to return with a slightly larger spectacle. My legendary collaborators and I are very excited to share a brand new and final Indiana Jones adventure with you!” Starring along with Ford are Phoebe WallerBridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore and Mads Mikkelsen. Directed by James Mangold, the film is produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Simon Emanuel, with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas serving as executive producers. John Williams, who has scored each Indy adventure since the original Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, has once again composed the score. Scan the QR code to watch the trailer oGood Music, Good Times and Good Deals at klpac this April Fun in the sun

18 EDUCATION theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 Grooming students into global champions OUR students or fondly called BERJAYAns are specially trained by a team of professional chefs, thereby excelling in competitions and winning awards, making them much sought-after in the industry. At BERJAYA University College, we take the business of food very seriously and have invested heavily in our premier state-of-the-art kitchen facilities and equipment for our students, sparing no expense to ensure that they are well-versed with the equipment that they will encounter in the working world. In line with our philosophy of providing experiential learning, BERJAYA University College ensures that students gain exposure to real-world industry practices by learning from industry professionals. From sessions with internationally-renowned guest lecturers to participating in real-world events, activities and industry competitions, our students are awarded the privilege to learn hands-on in exclusive environments for optimum personal development of their craft. Recently, our students from the Faculty of BERJAYAns with their 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals. oAt BERJAYA University College, our students take centre stage Records (GWS). Organised by Malaysia Bersatu Culinary Association (MBCA) and endorsed by Tourism Malaysia, the cooking competition was held at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from the 21st-23rd of February 2023 comprising 713 participants and 90 judges. With over 60 categories, culinary school students, professional chefs, home cooks, hawker stall owners and food truck operators from all over the world including South-East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa competed. Our students cooked up a storm and emerged victorious with their winning Malaysian dishes bringing home 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals! GOLD 0 Felicia, Bachelor of Hospitality Management (Hons) - winning dish, Mee Mamak 0 Kaylee, Diploma in Patisserie - winning dish, Malaysian Rendang 0 Thanusha, Diploma in Culinary Artswinning dish, Malaysian Laksa - all types SILVER ·0 Mellisa, Diploma in Patisserie - winning dish, Special Fried Rice ·0 Anis, Diploma in Culinary Arts - winning dish, Fish Asam Pedasf BRONZE 0 Fabian, Bachelor of Culinary Arts Management (Hons) - winning dish, Hainanese Chicken Chop 0 Adriana, Diploma in Patisserie - winning dish, Prawn Mee 0 Jivesneha, Diploma in Patisserie - winning dish, Kerabu The contestants were judged based on a point system with marks awarded for presentation, hygiene, taste and other criteria and were awarded medals according to the number of points accrued. Well done BERJAYAns! If a stellar career in the prestigious world of gastronomy is what you desire, enrol now at Malaysia’s top culinary school and let the Faculty of Culinary Arts turn your passion into a rewarding career! Culinary Arts and Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism participated in the world’s largest cooking competition, the Malaysia Culinary World Cup as recognised by Guinness World

19 EDUCATION theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 Gain a UK design degree in Malaysia WITH increasing educational ties between Malaysia and the United Kingdom, there is no doubt that there are more students seeking education with a better level of quality abroad. Students interested in design education from the UK can now pursue degree studies locally at The One Academy’s Bandar Sunway campus. In addition to offering exceptional creative arts and technology diploma programmes in Advertising & Graphic Design, Digital Media Design, Digital Animation, Illustration, Film Visual Effects (VFX), Interior Design, Fine Arts, ESMOD Paris Fashion Design & Pattern Making, and the newest addition, DigiPen Game Design & Computer Science, The One Academy has for many years partnered with the prestigious University of Hertfordshire, UK, to offer 3+0 degree programmes in Graphic Design, Digital Media Design & Interior Architecture and Design. In the Rookie Awards 2022 – one of the world’s most significant student award and education rankings – The One Academy ranked the World’s No. 1 for Best Production Excellence in Game Design & Development (Immersive Media) and 3rd in the Top 50 Best Creative Media and Entertainment Schools & Colleges in the World. The University of Hertfordshire is an established name in the UK design education scene and has an outstanding reputation for its distinctive teaching techniques in a wide range of fields. Together with The One Academy’s advantages in practical skills and creative prowess, this alliance has not only been able to cultivate students who are capable of creating high-quality work, but are also proficient in the implementation of creative ideas. In this era of trending technologies such as the metaverse, 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), extended reality (XR), cloud computing, blockchain, big data, game design and more, it is now even more crucial to be in on the digital revolution. As technology advances, it creates new opportunities and possibilities for digital media design, and in turn, digital media design drives the development of new technologies. The rise of user-centred design and the need to create more intuitive interfaces has led to the development of new interaction technologies such as touchscreens, gesture recognition and voice control. Computer-aided design (CAD) is an essential tool in interior architecture design that allows designers to create realistic 3D renderings of their designs to visualise how the finished space will look. The use of digital tools such as graphic design software, computer hardware, and the internet has revolutionised the way graphic designers work. With these tools, designers can create complex designs more quickly and easily than ever before. They can manipulate images, type, and other design elements to create unique and visually stunning designs. The BA (Hons) Digital Media Design explores the digital domain, including multimedia platforms, mobile devices, augmented and virtual realities, and establishes a rich, hybrid area of study for the 21st century. The BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design allows students to gain, develop and demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills with focus on the creative improvement of existing and new buildings and spaces. The BA (Hons) Graphic Design aims to create designers that are skilled in graphic arts, and would be able to bring their skills beyond the boundaries of conventional graphic design. In addition to meeting the needs of students, the 3+0 UK degree programmes also meet the needs of parents. Offered locally at the Bandar Sunway campus of The One Academy, these degree courses save twothirds of the normal cost that would have been incurred if one chooses to study in the UK. However, with the flexibility to complete their final year either in Malaysia or in the UK, these programmes certainly offer opportunities for those who desire the experience of pursuing a quality education abroad as well. The degree courses are now open for intake; interested students can get more information from The One Academy’s professional counsellors. The One Academy is committed to providing the best art education programmes and continues to nurture its students passionately through its “Masters Train Masters” coaching philosophy, which has been practised for over 30 years, by providing diploma and degree courses namely Advertising & Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Digital Media Design, Film Visual Effects, Interior Architecture and Design, Illustration, Fine Arts and Paris Fashion Design & Pattern Making. For more information on The One Academy, visit www.toa.edu.my or call 03-7875 5510 or email your enquiries to [email protected]. Get the same UK design degree education in Malaysia at The One Academy. One of University of Hertfordshire’s two main campuses – de Havilland Campus in Hatfield, UK.

20 EDUCATION theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 the Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies, the Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering, the International Medical School, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Education and Social Sciences, the School of Hospitality and Creative Arts, the School of Graduate Studies, the Graduate School of Management, and the Centre for Fundamental Studies. In all, as an applied, enterprise, holistic and international university, MSU offers foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and flexible programmes through an entry system that facilitates admission of students from all walks of life, where it aims to TRANSFORM LIVES and ENRICH FUTURES. MANAGEMENT and Science University (MSU) has been ranked Top 50, Top 150, and Top 350 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject 2023. Receiving rankings in the Arts and Humanities as well as the Social Sciences, MSU is now a World Top 50 University for Hospitality and Leisure Management, a World Top 150 University for Art and Design, and a World Top 350 University for Business and Management Studies. QS WUR by Subject 2023, comprising five disciplines and 54 areas of study, evaluated 15,700 academic programmes across 1,594 universities in 93 localities worldwide. Management and Science University (MSU) entered QS Rankings and Ratings in 2016; receiving QS 5 Stars for Teaching, Facilities, Graduate Employability, Social Responsibility, and Inclusiveness in 2017. MSU was named among the World’s Top 50 Under 50 on the inaugural QS list in 2020, as well as Best Newcomer in the University’s first-ever inclusion on the QS World University Rankings the previous year. MSU entered QS WUR by Subject in 2021, ranking Number 1 for Art and Design (Fashion Design) and 11th in Malaysia for Business and Management Studies. The university’s award-winning academic programmes meet the stringent standards of local and international bodies. MSU accreditors include the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the United Kingdom’s Accreditation Services for International Schools, Colleges & Universities (ASIC), Japan’s Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21), the Netherland’s Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial & Engaged Universities (ACEEU), the United Kingdom’s Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) as well as Sri Lanka’s University Grant Commission (UGC) As an applied and enterprise university focused to enhance graduate employability, MSU graduate employability currently ranks at 97.5% of its graduates successfully securing employment within six months of their graduation on the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) tracer study. Also rated by MoHE as SETARA Tier-5 Excellent Status for Emerging University as well as ranked The Most Entrepreneurial Private University in Malaysia. MSU is also the first university recognised outside of Japan by the ABEST21 and the first to be recognised by the ASIC as a Global TVET Model University with Outstanding Leadership in International TVET Education as well as a Fellowship Award for Leadership. MSU had received the ASIC double awards of Excellence in Quality International Education and Outstanding Contribution to International Education. MSU International Medical School Bangalore campus is Malaysia’s first offshore medical school granted the full 5-year accreditation by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), and MSU’s MBBS programme is recognized by India’s National Medical Commission (NMC), Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and Maldives Medical and Dental Council (MMDC). The opening of the MSU Medical Centre (MSUMC), has put MSU as the first private university in Malaysia that has its own private specialist hospital The MSU mission for excellence is benchmarked against internationalization, industry marketability, job creator mindset, community sustainability, research, lifelong learning, and flexible education. Its highly qualified academics and international visiting professors support a holistic curricular framework that delivers compelling learning experiences. Blending technical vocational education and training (TVET) with traditional academic curricula, MSU enhances competencies with industry internship, community and creative entrepreneurship, as well as global exposure; empowering MSU graduates with the well-roundedness desired and sought after by employers. Extensive partnerships and collaborations with more than 350 institutions in over 40 countries worldwide provide comprehensive mobility opportunities for all MSU students, enhancing their graduate employability through global exposure through studies and internships abroad. Management and Science University (MSU) houses the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, MSU is now a World Top 50 University for Hospitality and Leisure Management. Ranked among the best

theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 21 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF KAMEN MARKETING SDN. BHD. [198901012637 (189946-T)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding UP) At a General Meeting of Members of the Company duly convened and held at 182A, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang on the 5th day of April, 2023 at 9.00a.m. the following Special Resolution was duly passed: “MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP OF THE COMPANY That, the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Tang Yin Kham (NRIC No. 510610- 07-5414) be appointed as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up.” DATO’ FAN KAM MENG Director Dated this 11th day of April, 2023 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Creditors of the Company which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 11th day of May, 2023 to send their names and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the Company, and, if so required in writing from the Liquidator, are, by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at the Liquidator’s office of 184A, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. TANG YIN KHAM Liquidator Dated this 11th day of April, 2023 DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KAJANG DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO.: BH-A72NCVC-27-02/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat: 199001009294 (200866-W)] …PLAINTIF DAN TAN KAI LEONG [NO. K. P.: 830222-14-5647] ...DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, TAN KAI LEONG [NO. K. P.: 830222-14-5647] No. 6, Jalan Midah 10A Taman Midah, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur Dalam perkara Writ yang dikeluarkan pada 9 haribulan Februari 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Writ telah dikeluarkan terhadap Defendan dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Kajang dalam Guaman No. BH-A72NCVC-27-02/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294](200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Plaintif ialah untuk jumlah RM33,616.84, faedah ke atas jumlah RM33,616.84 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh pemfailan saman sehingga tarikh penghakiman, faedah ke atas jumlah RM33,616.84 pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh penghakiman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian penuh dan kos dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Writ bertarikh 9/2/2023 dan Penyata Tuntutan bertarikh 9/2/2023 disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ dan Penyata Tuntutan tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Kajang, ditinggalkan di alamat terakhir Defendan di No. 6, Jalan Midah 10A, Taman Midah, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur (selepas ini “alamat terakhir Defendan”) dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar harian tempatan “The Sun” dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Defendan tersebut empatbelas (14) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut. Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Kajang pada 11/5/2023 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Penghakiman Ingkar boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 11 haribulan April 2023 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj:SA/L/TNB/TAN KAI LEONG/1857/2023/ SA) IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GOLDEN VIEWPOINT SDN BHD (199401036117 (321800-H)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of GOLDEN VIEWPOINT SDN. BHD. (199401036117 (321800-H)) on 28 March 2023:- 1.THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2.THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Rais Bin Hasnan Director Dated this 7th day of April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GOLDEN VIEWPOINT SDN BHD (199401036117 (321800-H)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 11 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator GOLDEN VIEWPOINT SDN BHD (199401036117 (321800-H)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts 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 and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 7th day of April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF METRO RIA SDN BHD (199001017968 (209637-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of METRO RIA SDN. BHD. (199001017968 (209637-D)) on 28 March 2023:- 1.THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2.THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Azman Hanafi Bin Abdullah Director Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF METRO RIA SDN BHD (199001017968 (209637-D)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 11 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator METRO RIA SDN BHD (199001017968 (209637-D)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts 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 and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MIRACLE FORTUNE (M) SDN BHD (199501012626 (341828-V)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of MIRACLE FORTUNE (M) SDN. BHD. (199501012626 (341828-V)) on 28 March 2023:- 1.THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2.THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Azman Hanafi Bin Abdullah Director Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MIRACLE FORTUNE (M) SDN BHD (199501012626 (341828-V)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 11 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator MIRACLE FORTUNE (M) SDN BHD (199501012626 (341828-V)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts 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 and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 7th day of April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF NOBLE EIGHT (M) SDN BHD (199301002655 (257392-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of NOBLE EIGHT (M) SDN. BHD. (199301002655 (257392-K)) on 28 March 2023:- 1.THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2.THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Muhammad Nor Bin Saliman Director Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF NOBLE EIGHT (M) SDN BHD (199301002655 (257392-K)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 11 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator NOBLE EIGHT (M) SDN BHD (199301002655 (257392-K)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts 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 and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 7 April 2023 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI DI SHAH ALAM DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA SAMAN PEMULA NO.: BA-24NCVC-83-01/2023 Dalam Perkara Seksyen 327, 417 dan 329 Kanun Tanah Negara 1965 Dan Dalam Perkara Aturan 7, 28, dan 92 Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012 Dan Dalam Perkara Kaveat Persendirian No. Perserahan 3676/2020 yang dimasuki terhadap hartanah yang dipegang di bawah HSD 262670 No. Lot PT 24617, Mukim Bukit Raja, Daerah Petaling, Negeri Selangor Dan Dalam Perkara Berkenaan Perisytiharan Jualan dan Memorandum Jualan bertarikh 25.02.2022 ANTARA KOH CHEE P’NG (NO K/P.: 910822-14-5333) ...PLAINTIFF DAN RIEN HASHIM (NO K/P.: 750611-10-5059) ...DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Kepada: RIEN HASHIM (NO K/P.: 750611-10-5059) NO.11, JALAN MERANTI 3/7 40000 SHAH ALAM SELANGOR AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam dalam Saman Pemula No. BA-24NCvC-83-01/2023 oleh pihak Plaintif, Koh Chee P’ng (No K/P.: 910822-14-5333) yang beralamat di No.7, Lorong Bidor, Taman Summit, 41300 Klang, Selangor dan Mahkamah perintahkan bahawa Saman Pemula yang bermeterai bertarikh 16.01.2023 dan Afidavit Sokongan yang bertarikh 13.01.2023 (kemudian dirujuk sebagai “kertas-kertas tersebut”) diserahkan kepada kamu secara Penyampaian Ganti dengan Sijil Akuan Mengepos di alamat terakhir kamu yang diketahui di No.11, Jalan Meranti 3/7, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor dan menampalkan satu salinan kertas-kertas tersebut bersama-sama dengan Perintah untuk Penyampaian Ganti bertarikh 08.03.2023 di Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam serta mengiklankan sekali dalam mana-mana satu surat khabar tempatan dan penyampaian tersebut dianggap sebagai penyampaian yang memuaskan dan memadai ke atas kamu tujuh (7) hari sekepas tarikh akhir penyerahan, penampalan dan/atau pengiklanan tersebut. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan tersebut kamu mestilah hadir sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui penguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam, Persiaran Pegawai, Seksyen 5, 40000 Shah Alam Selangor, pada 13 April 2023 pukul 9.00 pagi. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, maka Penghakiman boleh dimasukkan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 05.04.2023 ……………t.t…………… TETUAN VINCENT, SI JING & CO Penguamcara bagi Pihak Plaintif NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Vincent, Si Jing & Co, peguamcara Plaintif yang mempunyai alamat penyampaian di No. 6A, Jalan Uda Utama 4/2, Bandar Uda Utama, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor. No. Ruj.:VTSJ/LIT/LIT009/04-2022-P No. Tel.:011 – 5559 6782 Emel.:[email protected] DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO.: WA-24NCVC-4439-12/2022 Dalam Perkara Aturan 15 Kaedah 16 Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012; Dan Dalam Perkara Seksyen 40 dan Seksyen 41 Specific Relief Act 1950; Dan Dalam Perkara Jadual Seksyen 25(2)(16) Akta Mahkamah Kehakiman 1964; Dan Dalam Perkara hartanah yang terletak di bawah HSD 55819 PT 43524 Mukim Kajang - Kawasan Maju, Bandar Kajang, Negeri selangor Darul Ehsan (dahulunya dikenali sebagai HS (D) 6415 & 6416, PT No. 1154 & 1155 Mukim of Kajang, Daerah Ulu Langat, Negeri selangor Darul Ehsan Antara NATARAJA A/L PALANI (No. K/P : 550702-08-6547) …PEMOHON Dan Kamala A/P Annamalai (No K/P : 610509-08-6272) …RESPONDEN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Kepada : KAMALA A/P ANNAMALAI (No. K/P : 610509-08-6272) E-3-9, PANGSAPURI KOS RENDAH, JALAN 30/146, BANDAR TASIK SELATAN, 57100 KUALA LUMPU W. PERSEKUTUAN (KL) Penyampaian sesalinan Saman Pemula bertarikh 23/12/2022 dan Afidavit Sokongan bertarikh 22/12/2022 (selepas ini dirujuk sebagai ‘dokumen-dokumen tersebut’) terhadap Responden dilakukan secara penyampaian ganti iaitu dengan cara pengiklanan di dalam akhbar “The Sun” dan penampalan di papan kenyataan Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur dan di alamat terakhir Responden yang diketahui iaitu di E-3-9, Pangsapuri Kos Rendah, Jalan 30/146, Bandar Tasik Selatan, 57100 Kuala Lumpur W. Persekutuan (KL) menurut Perintah Mahkamah yang akan dikeluarkan nanti. Pengiklanan dan penampalan tersebut akan dianggap sebagai penyerahan sempurna bagi dokumen-dokumen tersebut kepada Responden dalam masa empat belas (14) hari dari tarikh penyampaian tersebut dilakukan. DAN SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa Saman Pemula ini ditetapkan untuk Pengurusan Kes pada 09/05/2023 jam 9.00 pagi secara e-review dan kamu dikehendaki memasukkan kehadiran dalam masa tujuh (7) hari dari penyampaian terhadap kamu. Notis ini diperiksa oleh kamu atas permintaan di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Bertarikh pada 05 April 2023 T.T. ……………………… Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Sharif & Khoo, Peguam bagi Plaintif yang beralamat di No. 6, Jalan Tuanku Hassan, 70000 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. Tel:06-761 1257 Faks:06-763 5431 Emel:[email protected] Ruj:SK/CA/1234/21/A 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI DI SHAH ALAM DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO.: BA-28NCC-674-12/2022 Dalam Perkara Seksyen 466(1)(a) dan 465(1)(e) Akta Syarikat 2016 Dan Dalam Perkara Islah Mega Sdn Bhd (No. Syarikat: 201301009670 (103915-W)) Dan Dalam Perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat 1972 ANTARA SINCERE SPECTRUM (M) SDN BHD (No. Syarikat: 199501032507 (361713-P)) .... PEMPETISYEN DAN ISLAH MEGA SDN BHD (No. Syarikat: 201301009670 (103915-W)) .... RESPONDEN NOTIS IKLAN NOTIS ADALAH DENGAN INI DIBERI bahawa suatu Petisyen Terpinda untuk Penggulungan Syarikat yang dinamakan di atas oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah pada 24 haribulan Mac, 2023, dikemukakan oleh SINCERE SPECTRUM (M) SDN BHD. DAN bahawa Petisyen tersebut diarahkan supaya dibicarakan di hadapan Mahkamah yang bersidang di Shah Alam pada pukul 10.00 pagi, pada 24 haribulan Mei, 2023. DAN mana-mana pihak pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang ingin menyokong atau menentang sesuatu perintah mengikut Petisyen tersebut boleh hadir dengan tujuan itu secara peribadi atau melalui peguambelanya pada masa perbicaraan. Salinan Petisyen tersebut akan dibekalkan oleh pihak yang bertandatangan di bawah ini kepada mana-mana pemiutang atau penyumbang Syarikat tersebut yang memintanya dengan membuat bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di No. 61, 2nd Floor, Medan Bunus, Off Jalan Masjid India, 50100 Kuala Lumpur dan/atau alamat perniagaannya di 4-2, Jalan Bandar 3, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor. Peguamcara Pempetisyen ialah Tetuan Azraai, Hazieq & Zikry yang beralamat di B-8-5A, Level 10, Block B, Menara Uncang Emas, Jalan Loke Yew, 55200, Kuala Lumpur. Bertarikh pada 06 haribulan April, 2023 t.t ........................................... AZRAAI, HAZIEQ & ZIKRY Peguamcara bagi pihak Pempetisyen PERINGATAN: Sesiapa yang ingin hadir pada perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut hendaklah menyampaikan, atau menghantar dengan pos, kepada peguamcara yang dinamakan di atas suatu notis bertulis tentang niatnya sebegitu. Notis tersebut mestilah menyatakan nama dan alamat pihak berkenaan, atau jika ia sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, dan mestilah ditandatangani oleh pihak atau firma berkenaan atau peguamcaranya, jika ada. Notis hendaklah disampaikan, atau jika dihantar dengan pos, hendaklah dihantar dalam jangkamasa mencukupi, supaya sampai kepada pihak yang dinamakan di atas sebelum pukul 12 tengahari pada 23 haribulan Mei, 2023 (sehari sebelum tarikh yang ditetapkan untuk perbicaraan Petisyen tersebut). [Ruj Kami: SA/2.2/326/2021/SSSB(IMSB)] IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF KSS MACHINERY SDN. BHD. 201301024864 (1054693-V) (Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Creditors of the abovenamed Company which is being voluntarily wound-up, are required on or before the 10th day of May 2023 to send in their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims, and of any security held by them, and the names and addresses of their Solicitors (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator at Suite D23, 2nd Floor, Plaza Pekeliling, No. 2 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur and if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, are by their Solicitors or personally required to write in and prove their said debts and claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Kuala Lumpur Dated this 10th day of April 2023 Yap Siew Cheng Liquidator Note: This notice is purely formal. All known creditors have been or will be paid in full. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF KSS MACHINERY SDN. BHD. 201301024864 (1054693-V) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of KSS MACHINERY SDN. BHD. duly convened and held at Suite D23, 2nd Floor, Plaza Pekeliling, No. 2 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur on the 31st day of March 2023 the following special resolutions were duly passed:- That the Company be wound up voluntarily and that Yap Siew Cheng of Suite D23, 2nd Floor, Plaza Pekeliling, No. 2 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed Liquidator of the Company. That the said Liquidator be authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind amongst the contributors of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. That the Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred in or sustained by her in the execution and discharge of her duties as Liquidator and in relation thereto. Ng Soon Hock Director IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF COMBINE STRATEGY SDN BHD (199301010637 (265374-T)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of COMBINE STRATEGY SDN. BHD. (199301010637 (265374-T)) on 28 March 2023:- 1.THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2.THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Muhammad Nor Bin Saliman Director Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF COMBINE STRATEGY SDN BHD (199301010637 (265374-T)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 11 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator COMBINE STRATEGY SDN BHD (199301010637 (265374-T)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts 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 and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SB EQUITY SDN BHD (199201009602 (241105-M)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of SB EQUITY SDN. BHD. (199201009602 (241105-M)) on 28 March 2023:- 1.THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2.THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Hasnol Hadi Bin Md Khaidzir Director Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SB EQUITY SDN BHD (199201009602 (241105-M)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 11 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator SB EQUITY SDN BHD (199201009602 (241105-M)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts 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 and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PEARL DESIGN SDN BHD (199301027209 (281947-X)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 439(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Special Resolutions as set out below were duly passed by the members of PEARL DESIGN SDN. BHD. (199301027209 (281947-X)) on 28 March 2023:- 1.THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Chong Ai Ling of SOHO Suites @ KLCC, Block A2, Level 32-3A, No. 20, Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed as the liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such winding up. 2.THAT Ms. Chong Ai Ling, the Company’s Liquidator, be and is hereby authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind any surplus assets of the Company as she shall think fit to the contributory of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. Arsad Bin Mat Jali Director Dated this 7 April 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF PEARL DESIGN SDN BHD (199301027209 (281947-X)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required, to send in their names and addresses on or before 11 May 2023, with particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to:- The Liquidator PEARL DESIGN SDN BHD (199301027209 (281947-X)) SOHO Suites @ KLCC Block A2, Level 32-3A No. 20, Jalan Perak 50450 Kuala Lumpur and, if so required by notice in writing from the said Liquidator, or by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts 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 and claims are proved. Chong Ai Ling Liquidator Dated this 7 April 2023 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424

22 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 SPORTS MANCHESTER CITY and Pep Guardiola have a Champions League score to settle against Thomas Tuchel, when the newlyappointed Bayern Munich boss visits the Etihad in tomorrow’s quarterfinal, first leg. Tuchel emerged victorious as Chelsea manager in City’s first, and so far only, run to the Champions League final in 2021. That was also the closest Guardiola has come in 10 tries during spells at Barcelona, Bayern and City to land his third European Cup as a coach. Chelsea’s 1-0 win in front of largely empty Estadio do Dragao in Porto due to coronavirus restrictions two years ago was a case of the apprentice outshining the master. As a young coach Tuchel studied and admired Guardiola’s dominant Barcelona side that won 14 trophies in four years from 2008 to 2012, including two Champions League titles. Their paths then crossed during Guardiola’s three years in charge at Bayern, while Tuchel was coach of Mainz and then Borussia Dortmund. Two football obsessives, the pair even talked long into the night at a Munich bar in 2014, using glasses and salt and pepper shakers to mimic formations. “I was such a huge admirer of Pep when he was a player and then when he became a coach it was like learning on the job for me,” said Tuchel prior to the 2021 Champions League final. “I was an academy coach and then in the Bundesliga with Mainz, but I don’t think I missed a game (of Guardiola’s Barcelona) because there was so much to learn.” The respect is mutual. Guardiola described Tuchel last season as “one of the few managers I learn from to develop (into) a better manager myself.” Guardiola has tended to have the upper hand in clashes between the two. Three Chelsea wins in the space of six weeks towards the end of the 2020/21 season are Tuchel’s only victories in 10 meetings between the two to Guardiola’s six. But he won the most important one and his Champions League pedigree played a large part in Bayern’s swoop to secure his services and sack Julian Nagelsmann in a shock move last month. Tuchel also took Paris Saint-Germain to their maiden final in Europe’s premier club competition in 2020 and took eventual winners Real Madrid to extra-time in the quarterfinals last year despite Chelsea being thrust into crisis by sanctions imposed on then owner Roman Abramovich. The 49-year-old now has the challenge of succeeding where Guardiola failed in leading Bayern back to Champions League glory. But the weight of expectation falls much more heavily on the City boss. In his seventh season in Manchester, Guardiola is in the running for his fifth Premier League title. Yet the failure to get over the line in Europe remains a blot on his copybook. “It doesn’t mean I agree with that but absolutely we will be judged by this competition,” said Guardiola on the importance of winning the Champions League to his legacy at the Etihad. – AFP IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF KARLEX INDUSTRIES SDN. BHD. [200401000528 (639031-T)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding UP) At a General Meeting of Members of the Company duly convened and held at 182A, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang on the 5th day of April, 2023 at 11.00a.m. the following Special Resolution was duly passed: “MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP OF THE COMPANY That, the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Tang Yin Kham (NRIC No. 510610- 07-5414) be appointed as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up.” DATO’ FAN KAM MENG Director Dated this 11th day of April, 2023 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Creditors of the Company which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 11th day of May, 2023 to send their names and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the Company, and, if so required in writing from the Liquidator, are, by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at the Liquidator’s office of 184A, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. TANG YIN KHAM Liquidator Dated this 11th day of April, 2023 322 Notices 2 The SunMegazine Tuesday, 11 April, 2023 Mickelson defies expectations PHIL MICKELSON rolled back the years to deliver the best final round at the Masters, with his 7-under 65 earning him a tie for second and a place in the history books. The three-time Masters winner finished the tournament on 8-under 276, four shots behind Spanish winner Jon Rahm and level with fellow American Brooks Koepka. “Today was a great day for me to stay present and just keep hitting good shots, even after I might have had a mess-up here or there… I really worked hard in the off-season to get ready. I’ve been shooting some really low scores at home, and today I kind of let it happen rather than trying to force it, and I had a really good day and made some noise,” he said. “Unfortunately it wasn’t enough, but it was really a lot of fun for me to play at this level again, and it’s encouraging for me going forward the rest of the year.” Theegala channels inner Tiger SAHITH THEEGALA may not have garnered much attention when he arrived at Augusta National last week but the Masters debutant left a lasting impression, most especially when he evoked one of the greatest shots in the tournament’s rich history. The highlight of the day for Theegala came when he evoked memories of Tiger Woods’ 2005 chip at the par-three 16th hole that remains one of the best shots in the history of the Masters. The iconic Woods chip is also 25- year-old Theegala’s first memory of the Masters. Theegala missed the green with his tee shot but then, with patrons surrounding him, he chipped onto the green and watched as his ball curled down a slope and speed into the side of the hole for a birdie, prompting wild scenes. “You should have seen how many people said, ‘Do it for Tiger’, ‘Tiger chip-in’, and all that stuff when I was over there,” said Theegala. “I can’t wait to watch the replay because I don’t know what I did. I don’t even know the angle the ball took. I was just blacked out when I hit the chip because I was just so happy to get it on the green.” … as Woods limps out WHEN Tiger Woods won his fourth Masters Tournament in nine years in 2005 by the age of 29, the question wasn’t whether he’d equal Jack Nicklaus’ total of six green jackets – but how many more would he win. But after personal turmoil and a bevy of injuries set in, Woods didn’t claim his fifth Masters until 2019. He entered the Masters this week with a recognition that his best days were behind him and it didn’t end the way he hoped. Woods finished just seven holes on Saturday before the third round was suspended and decided to withdraw on Sunday morning as he sat at the bottom of the leaderboard. “I am disappointed to have to WD this morning due to reaggravating my plantar fasciitis,” Woods posted to Twitter. “Thank you to the fans and to @TheMasters who have shown me so much love and support. Good luck to the players today!” Moment of truth Tuchel threatens City’s European dream once more Atletico close in on Madrid after Vallecano win ATLETICO MADRID cut the gap on second place Real Madrid to just two points with a 2-1 win over 10- man Rayo Vallecano yesterday in La Liga. Valencia fell to a damaging 2-1 defeat at Almeria which leaves them in the relegation zone, while nineman Real Betis lost 2-0 at home against Cadiz, denting their bid for Champions League football. Defenders Nahuel Molina and Mario Hermoso struck first half goals two minutes apart to put Atletico into a dominant position at Vallecas. Rayo had defender Florian Lejeune sent off in the second half for a professional foul on Alvaro Morata, allowing Atletico to stroll, but Fran Garcia’s powerful drive gave the hosts some hope in the final stages. Atletico held on to keep up the pressure on their rivals, champions Real Madrid, who lost 3-2 at home against Villarreal on Saturday. Diego Simeone’s side have been in superb form in 2023, unbeaten in their last 12 league games, winning nine of those matches. “The first thing we did was take stock of what we weren’t doing well,” Hermoso told DAZN, when asked about his side’s form. “We wanted to turn around the situation, which wasn’t nice, and we know what Atletico’s shirt means, what it demands.” Rayo, ninth, have failed to earn a victory in their last eight league games. “We were having a good game, then they scored their first goal which gave them wings,” Rayo midfielder Oscar Valentin told DAZN. “We are calm because we know the team is competing well in every game and sooner or later those three points will come, which will bring calm.” – AFP A LOT of responsibility lies at the feet of Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, who is aiming to fire his side past Inter Milan and into the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 1990. The striker is growing used to the pressure, shooting into the global football consciousness during the World Cup in December when he was picked to start for Portugal ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the last 16 against Switzerland. Ramos hit a hattrick as his country thrashed their opponents 6-1, leaping into the limelight having made his international debut just a few weeks earlier, in a friendly. In March the striker dazzled against Club Brugge in the Champions League last 16 second leg, scoring a brace in the 5-1 win to guide Benfica into the quarterfinals for the second season running. Inter’s visit to Lisbon tomorrow is an opportunity for the forward to put himself in the shop window, as many other young Benfica talents have done over the years. Ramos came through Benfica’s admired Seixal academy after joining the club at 12 years old, and nearly a decade later many of Europe’s giants are chasing him. “I am very satisfied with Gonçalo Ramos, but not only for what he did against Club Brugge,” said Benfica coach Roger Schmidt in March. “I love his attitude, which he gives to the team. He is young, he is scoring goals in the Champions League and it is normal for him to attract the attention of other clubs.” Some have compared Ramos to Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller, a parallel the forward enjoys, although he is stronger in the air. “I think I have some similarities to him, and he is also an example for me. I like being compared to him,” said Ramos. Benfica are undefeated in Europe this season and have a strong defence, but are fully aware their best chance of reaching the semifinals hinges on Ramos and his superior finishing. – AFP Benfica relying on hit-man Ramos in Inter clash BRIEFS UEFA Champions League 2022-23 Q-FINAL, 1ST LEG – APR 12 @ 3am in M’sia CL form W D L Form Goals for / against Passes Corners Possession 22 / 3 21 / 2 MAN CITY vs BAYERN Etihad Stadium Head-to-head Won 3 Drawn 0 Won 3 60 63 5273 52 63.6% 143 Total shots / Shots on target 4114 28 54.6% 134 Team statistics (8 matches) Source: UEFA Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS 2022 2021 2020 2019 2017 Chelsea Chelsea PSG PSG Dortmund Q-final (lost to Real) Winner (bt Man City) Final (l. to Bayern) Last 16 (l. to Man Utd) Q-final (l. to Monaco) Record Tuchel: Champions League performance Won 33 Drawn 7 Lost 13 Thomas Tuchel Kick-started Bayern tenure with resounding win over Dortmund EUROPEAN TOUCH: Tuchel has twice made UEFA Champions League final – beating Man City in 2021 final with Chelsea Ramos

23 * SPORTS theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 11, 2023 REFEREEING body PGMOL is set to investigate after Liverpool defender Andy Robertson appeared to be elbowed by linesman Constantine Hatzidakis in the Reds’ match against Arsenal at Anfield. PGMOL intends to “review” the extraordinary incident which happened after the half-time whistle was blown, with Robertson remonstrating with and possibly coming into contact with the assistant referee. Sky Sports cameras zooming in on the confrontation showed Hatzidakis then seemingly throwing up his arm and making contact with Robertson, who gesticulated that he had been hit by the official. An irate Robertson was led away by teammates including Mohamed Salah but while he received a yellow card in the aftermath, it is the action of Hatzidakis that is likely to come under further scrutiny. “The PGMOL is aware of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at halftime during the Liverpool vs Arsenal fixture at Anfield,” said the Premier League referees’ body in a statement. “We will review the matter in full once the game has concluded.” The issue of confrontations between players and officials has had greater prominence in the last few weeks given Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was recently given an eight-match ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh in the Cottagers’ FA Cup defeat against Manchester United last month. But former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes it will be Hatzidakis who finds himself in hot water. “I’ve never seen an official raise an elbow to a player,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “I think he’ll be in a lot of trouble after this game ends.” Roy Keane, another former Manchester United captain, pointed the finger squarely at Robertson. “Does Robertson grab the linesman first? I’m not sure but Robertson’s then complaining,” said former Manchester United captain Keane, speaking in his role as a pundit on Sky Sports. “He should be more worried about his defending. Do you know what he is, that Robertson? I’ve watched him a number of times, he is a big baby, that’s what that guy is. “Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first.” – The Independent /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME ‘You need more than 11’ Strength in depth key for Devils attacking on three fronts: Maguire HARRY MAGUIRE says the return to fitness of Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial is a massive boost as Manchester United attempt to end a promising season on a high. After a wretched 2021-22 campaign that began poorly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and unravelled under interim Ralf Rangnick, there has been an upturn under Erik ten Hag. United are on course for a top-four finish having ended their six-year wait for a trophy by lifting the Carabao Cup in February and could yet add further silverware as they fight for FA Cup and Europa League glory. That would mean playing a further 16 matches this season, meaning the strength in depth of the Old Trafford squad will be key. “We’re never going to be successful as 11 players,” captain Maguire said after returning to the starting line-up in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Everton. “This is the Premier League and we’re playing in all competitions. We want to do as much as we can in every competition, win more trophies and also compete at the highest level of the Premier League. To do that you need more than 11 players. “To get Christian back, Anthony back, they’re huge players for us, huge players for the squad,” Maguire said on MUTV. “We’ve got a good squad to be able to cope with the demands that we’ve been put through in the games that we have to play.” Maguire also opened up the his situation at United after losing his place in the team. “I’m not going to stand here and say I love it, or that I like it. I don’t. I want to play every game and I have done for the last eight years of my career,” Maguire said. “Also I have to respect the manager and his decisions and also respect how good the competition is at centreback at this club. “Of course I want to play every game and I’m sure if you spoke to our centrebacks in their roles, they will all be disappointed when sat on the bench. “It is not like I’ve been frozen out or not been involved. I’m still playing a lot of games but obviously as a footballer I want to play every game. “But I’m sure every other centreback in the dressing room does as well and the manager cannot play all four. “I also understand we have amazing centrebacks at this club. We have four top international centrebacks who could play at the top level. Myself, Licha (Martinez), Rapha and Victor (Lindelof) as well.” – The Independent Still work to do, say Hodgson ROY HODGSON warned his Crystal Palace side still had plenty to do to secure their Premier League status after their 5-1 win at relegation rivals Leeds. Palace rode out a first-half storm at Elland Road after falling behind to Patrick Bamford’s header and completed a turnaround to move six points clear of the bottom three. The Londoners equalised in time added on at the end of the first period through Marc Guehi and stunned Leeds with two goals in three minutes after the restart from Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze. Odsonne Edouard struck a fourth as the hosts capitulated and Ayew sealed the rout with his second to make it back-to-back wins for Hodgson since he returned to the club for his second spell in charge. “It gives us a nice Sunday evening and a nice Easter Monday and a nice week’s training, but it’s still divorced from the number of points we need to stay in the league,” Hodgson said. “So there’s plenty more performances like today that we have to produce and the good thing I think is that we won’t need to produce them by pulling rabbits out of hats. “We need to produce them by making certain we do the right things tactically, defensively and offensively and we show the right determination, which we certainly did second half.” Palace were indebted to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who produced three crucial first-half saves in his first top-flight appearance for the club as a replacement for the injured Vicente Guaita. “This was a great opportunity for him to show what a good quality goalkeeper he is and he took that and that’s all you can hope for.” – The Independent Linesman under spotlight after Robertson ‘elbowed’ █ SIMON PEACH █ MARK WALKER ‘No complaints about defeat’ CONOR GALLAGHER admitted Chelsea’s misfiring squad are angry after their limp 1-0 defeat at Wolves. Matheus Nunes’ first-half stunner sunk the Blues as Frank Lampard failed to inspire his side in his first game back as manager. Lampard returned after last week’s sacking of Graham Potter and Chelsea remain 11th in the Premier League – ahead of Wednesday’s (Thurs 3am Malaysian time) Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Real Madrid. “We can’t have too many complaints,” midfielder Gallagher told the club’s official site. “It was a disappointing game. We had confidence, we were up for it and excited for the game but we’re disappointed and angry because we want it so bad. We want to win games for the club, for the fans. It’s just not clicking at the minute. It was a tough one to take. There are a lot of areas we can improve and do better. We have to look at ourselves, individually and collectively. We didn’t do enough on the day.” Brighton receive apology BRIGHTON have received an apology from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after the refereeing governing body admitted Kaoru Mitoma should have been awarded a penalty in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Tottenham. PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has since made contact with Brighton, the PA news agency understands. Webb is understood to have apologised and acknowledged it was a mistake by the officials not to award a penalty for the challenge by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on Mitoma. Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi, who was sent off alongside Spurs’ acting head coach Cristian Stellini, did not want to be drawn into criticising the officials after the match but did admit: “There is a clear penalty of Mitoma.” Emery feels no pressure ASTON VILLA boss Unai Emery insists he is under no pressure after his side intensified their pursuit of European qualification by moving into the top six. Villa claimed a sixth win from seven games as they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Villa Park to become firm contenders for a spot in the Europa League – or maybe even better. Second half goals from Bertrand Traore and Ollie Watkins were enough for Villa, whose rise under the former Arsenal manager is incredible. “Pressure is there when you’re in the bottom and you have to win,” he said. “Not now. But I like it and I grew up playing under pressure as a coach. I like this, playing against the best, being very, very determined because you are playing for something to win. “I want to share with the players; it’s not pressure and it’s to be ambitious and to get to being competitive, to being stronger and stronger.” ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Leeds 1 (Bamford 21) Crystal Palace 5 (Guehi 45, Ayew 53, 77, Eze 55, Edouard 69), Liverpool 2 (Salah 42, Firmino 87) Arsenal 2 (Martinelli 8, Jesus 28). P W D L F A Pts Arsenal 30 23 4 3 72 29 73 Man City 29 21 4 4 75 27 67 Newcastle 29 15 11 3 48 21 56 Man Utd 29 17 5 7 44 37 56 Tottenham 30 16 5 9 55 42 53 Aston Villa 30 14 5 11 41 40 47 Brighton 28 13 7 8 52 36 46 Liverpool 29 12 8 9 50 35 44 Brentford 30 10 13 7 47 40 43 Fulham 29 11 6 12 39 40 39 Chelsea 30 10 9 11 29 31 39 Crystal Palace 30 8 9 13 29 40 33 Wolves 30 8 7 15 24 42 31 West Ham 29 8 6 15 27 39 30 Bournemouth 30 8 6 16 28 57 30 Leeds 30 7 8 15 39 54 29 Everton 30 6 9 15 23 43 27 Nottm Forest 30 6 9 15 24 54 27 Leicester 30 7 4 19 40 52 25 Southampton 30 6 5 19 24 51 23 LA LIGA: Real Valladolid 3 (Perez 33, Amallah 68, Monchu 86) Real Mallorca 3 (Muriqi 53, 90+4-pen, Morlanes 58), Real Betis 0 Cadiz 2 (Alcaraz 53-pen, Ramos 59), Almeria 2 (Melero 49, Babic 58) Valencia 1 (Castillejo 61), Rayo Vallecano 1 (Fran Garcia 85) Atletico Madrid 2 (Molina 22, Hermoso 24). TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Barcelona 27 23 2 2 53 9 71 Real Madrid 28 18 5 5 59 24 59 Atletico 28 17 6 5 45 20 57 Real Sociedad 28 15 6 7 37 26 51 Villarreal 28 14 5 9 37 26 47 Real Betis 28 13 6 9 34 29 45 BUNDESLIGA: Borussia Monchengladbach 2 Wolfsburg 0, Bochum 2 Stuttgart 3, Hoffenheim 2 Schalke 0. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Bayern 27 17 7 3 77 29 58 B. Dortmund 27 18 2 7 59 36 56 Union Berlin 27 15 6 6 42 30 51 RB Leipzig 27 14 6 7 50 33 48 Freiburg 27 13 8 6 39 36 47 Leverkusen 27 13 4 10 51 41 43 LIGUE 1: Lyon 3 Rennes 1, Ajaccio 0 Auxerre 3, Montpellier 1 Toulouse 2, Reims 1 Brest 1, Troyes 0 Clermont 2, Nantes 2 Monaco 2, Lorient 0 Marseille 0. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Paris SG 30 22 3 5 70 29 69 Lens 30 18 9 3 50 22 63 Marseille 30 18 7 5 54 29 61 Monaco 30 17 7 6 63 42 58 Lille 30 15 7 8 54 38 52 Rennes 30 15 5 10 48 33 50 SIDENETTING Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson (left) reacts with Mohamed Salah after being shown a yellow card by referee Paul Tierney (not pictured) at halftime. – REUTERSPIX RESULTS & STANDINGS

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] We’re never going to be successful as 11 players. This is the Premier League and we’re playing in all competitions. We want to do as much as we can in every competition, win more trophies and also compete at the highest level of the Premier League. To do that you need more than 11 players.” Manchester United defender Harry Maguire QUOTE OF THE DAY Roberto Firmino (left) scores Liverpool’s second goal during yesterday’s English Premier League match against Arsenal at Anfield. – REUTERSPIX TUESDAY • APRIL 11, 2023 JON RAHM produced a nerveless performance to claim his first Masters green jacket in dominant but emotional style at Augusta National, in the perfect tribute to the late Seve Ballesteros. Forty years after Ballesteros claimed his second green jacket, and on what would have been his 66th birthday yesterday, Rahm became the fourth Spanish winner after Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia. The fourth and final round of a wild week at Augusta looked set to be a shootout between Rahm and four-time major winner Brooks Koepka. Koepka actually led by four shots heading into the final round, after bad weather forced play to be abandoned midway through Saturday’s third round, but by the time that belated third round had concluded, his advantage over Rahm was down to two strokes. And as the American headed backwards in the fourth round, his Spanish foe relentlessly marched on and claimed his second major title – adding to his 2021 US Open crown – by carding a 69 to end on 12-under, a four-shot triumph over Koepka and a rejuvenated Phil Mickelson, who shot a magical Sunday 65 at the age of 52 to end in a tie for second on -8. Koepka struggled to a final round of 75 and it was Mickelson who put the most pressure on Rahm with a brilliant 65 to equal his lowest score at Augusta, his other coming in the first round 27 years ago. “Still really hasn’t sinked in yet. I’m looking at the scores, and I still think I have a couple more holes left to win,” said Rahm, who looked to the sky with his hands in prayer after his winning putt. “Can’t really say anything else. This one was for Seve. He was up there helping, and help he did.” Ballesteros, who died of brain cancer in 2011, inspired a generation of golfers in his country and counts two Masters titles among his five major championships. “I was told a lot of things about why this could be the year, and I just didn’t want to buy into it too much,” said Rahm, who will reclaim top spot in the world rankings. “I kept hearing, ‘Seve! Seve! Seve! Do it for Seve!’ I heard that the entire back nine,“ Rahm added. “That might have been the hardest thing to control today, is the emotion of knowing what it could be if I were to win; that might have been the hardest thing.” “For me to get it done on the 40th anniversary of his win, his birthday,… it’s incredibly meaningful,” said Rahm. “To finish it off the way I did – an unusual par, very much a Seve par, it was in a non-purposeful way, a testament to him, and I know he was pulling for me today, and it was a great Sunday.” Koepka, who could not even properly stoop to read his putts two years ago at the Masters when he competed three weeks after surgery to repair a shattered kneecap, says his latest outing is proof of his progress even if it might take time to sink in. “I tried. Gave it my all, so I can go to sleep at night,” said the four-time major winner. “Give it a week, and I’ll start to see some positives out of it and carry this over to the PGA (Championship), the US Open and The (British) Open,” Koepka said. “But right now, it’s kind of tough to see, if I’m honest, probably for the next few hours and the next few days.” Although he came up short in this one, he said he showed the golfing world he once again has what it takes. “Yeah, I think I proved it this week, no?” Koepka said. “I led for three rounds, and just didn’t do it on the last day, that’s it. Plain and simple.” – The Independent/ Reuters Untimely slip Liverpool draw feels like two points dropped, says Gunners boss Arteta ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta admitted the draw at Liverpool felt like two points dropped after they squandered a 2-0 first half lead. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus put the Gunners into a comfortable lead inside the opening half hour, but Mohamed Salah’s goal brought Liverpool back into it and after the Egypt international missed an early second half penalty, Roberto Firmino grabbed a late equaliser. The Premier League leaders’ advantage over Manchester City is now just six points having played a game more. “When you concede at the end it’s always two points dropped because you have it and you’re suffering in certain moments,” said Arteta. “The feeling is ‘Ah we should have done it’. But being fair to ourselves, they had four big chances that they could score and the penalty. “We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and we should have done better in the second half.” Arsenal were in complete control until Granit Xhaka intensified the atmosphere with an off-the-ball clash with Trent Alexander-Arnold late in the first half and from that point the momentum appeared to be with the hosts. Jurgen Klopp’s side applied most of the pressure after the break and had three late chances to force the winner. “We started very well, dominated, scored the first and took the game where we wanted and scored the second and that was the moment to kill the game,” added Arteta. “Just before half-time we gave them hope. We conceded a goal and they generated belief in this special atmosphere and stadium. “The second half was a very different story. We gave every ball away, especially in dangerous areas, and allowed dangerous results and big transition moments against the best team in the world in doing that. “When that happens it’s chaos. It’s a lot of balls in your box, it’s difficult to get out of those situations and then you have to suffer. “We relied on big defensive moments where (goalkeeper) Aaron (Ramsdale) took a big part of it and they missed the penalty. “Then we could have nicked the game, because we had three huge chances on the counter where they are overloaded, but we missed that ruthlessness to take the game. “Looking at the two halves it’s probably a fair result. You have to take it. The big lesson is probably play the way we did in the first half.” After a defeat at Manchester City and disappointing draw at Chelsea, the week at least ended on a positive for Liverpool. “It was a great reaction from our team,” Kop boss Klopp said. “The first goal was kind of unlucky. “Robbo (Andy Robertson) slips, they go inside and I think it was Martinelli and that is the 1-0 and the 2-0 happened in a situation which we shouldn’t have too often, that the ball arrives and we don’t have a challenge. “We had chances before we scored, good moments, didn’t use them but then the goal was the most helpful thing, before halftime it was 2-1 and everyone thought we could turn the game around. “The question I had after the game was how did we not win the game. We didn’t fall apart and it could have happened. One-nil, 2-0 and the next chance is 3-0 and it didn’t happen. “We looked better, more ready to fight back and second half we deserved at least a point. It was a bit typical of us this season. An open game, completely open. “I’m caught in between (being happy and not). I have no problems with drawing. “Arsenal were good but they could and should have lost this game. The point for them is better. All of a sudden we were in charge of a wild game.” – The Independent/Agencies █ CARL MARKHAM Rahm wins first Masters green jacket to honour Ballesteros