The Sun Daily-080222

INSIDE

TELLING IT AS IT IS Papa: 30,000 Covid task
employers in dire force to be
page reactivated page
need of maids
2 4

ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2022 SWEET OFFERING ... A sugarcane seller known only as Ah

No. 7960 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my Boy choosing sugarcane for customers at Bukit Anggerik in Cheras
yesterday, ahead of the Pai Ti Kong (pray to the Heaven God) festival
which is celebrated by Hokkiens on the ninth day of Chinese New
Year. Pronounced similarly to thank you (kam-sia) in Hokkien,
sugarcane (kam-chia) is the key offering in prayers to symbolise
gratitude. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

Keypad war

█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH oContesting parties banking on social
[email protected] media to reach voters in Johor polls

PETALING JAYA: The Johor He added that Barisan Nasional to voters.
election could well become the (BN) had begun preparations early to Azmi said a large proportion of the
first polls in the country to be use social media. Johor electorate are young voters who
fought largely on social media. “They know now that this will are social media savvy, so reaching
Taking the fight to the virtual arena become the main avenue to reach them through their mobile devices is
is inevitable, given the continued rise voters,” he told theSun. the way to go.
in the Covid-19 daily tally. However, Azmi said physical He said the Malacca election
appearance is still essential to reach should not be used as a yardstick to
Many contesting parties have older voters who are not as savvy with measure support for BN in the Johor
realised that it is now an essential modern technology and polls because many older voters, most
medium through which to reach communications. of whom had traditionally
voters, particularly the young ones He added that while the election been BN supporters, went
who will be casting their votes for the candidates are busy on the keypads, out to vote in large Turn to
first time. they and their supporters will also be numbers. It is unclear if
looking for loopholes in the SOP that the same pattern would —
Nusantara Academy for Strategic
Research senior fellow Prof Azmi page 3
Hassan pointed out that the Health
Ministry would likely put in place strict would enable them to show their faces repeat itself in Johor.
standard operating procedures (SOP)
to curb the spread of Covid-19, making
it more difficult to reach out to voters.

2 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022 PN completes
seat distribution
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
BATU PAHAT: Perikatan Nasional
Papa says 30,000 employers
in dire need of maids
(PN) has completed seat distribution
among its component parties for the
Johor state election, said Parti
Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu)
information chief Datuk Wan Saiful
Wan Jan.
KUALA LUMPUR: About 30,000 o Situation to worsen if inking of MoU with Bangladesh, but regarding He said the seat allocation
local employers have been facing Indonesia gets postponed: Association chief Indonesian domestic maids, there involving Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan
difficulties in obtaining the services are some constraints. was completed on Sunday afternoon.
of foreign maids since last year, He added that the announcement
following the closure of the country’s “The MoU, which was supposed of candidates would only be made
borders due to Covid-19, said to be signed on Feb 8 may also be after Feb 11, when the party
Malaysian Association of time when the country is in the country, and in turn affect economic delayed due to issues that have completes several other
Employment Agencies (Papa) midst of a National Recovery Plan recovery. arisen.” programmes, including the launch of
president Datuk Foo Yong Hooi. and people have started returning to the PN machinery in Johor Baru.
work, how will they take care of the He expressed hope that the Malaysian Maid Employers “We will focus on all seats that we
He said the situation would elderly and children whom they had government would conclude the Association president Engku Ahmad will be contesting, but we have some
worsen if negotiations on the previously (during the lockdown) MoU with Indonesia immediately Fauzi Engku Muhsein expressed (seats) that we believe we have a
recruitment of Indonesian domestic taken care of on their own?” and also allow workers to be hired hope that there would not be a better chance (of winning),” he said
workers to Malaysia through a from other countries to meet the further delay, as it could result in after a “Current Issues Information
memorandum of understanding He added that there were families needs of employers, Bernama local employers hiring foreign Tour” programme on Sunday.
(MoU) scheduled for today were to which faced difficulties in keeping reported. workers as domestic maids illegally. He said hot seats would be
be postponed. tabs on their children undergoing managed by Johor state election
Home Teaching and Learning, after Local newspapers quoted He said the situation would only director Datuk Seri Hamzah
“Around 600 maid agencies their schools were closed due to the Human Resources Minister Datuk increase the people’s safety risk, Zainuddin, who has outlined a big
under category B and C licences pandemic. Seri M. Saravanan on Sunday as especially that of the elderly and statewide strategy.
want to hire foreign maids to work in saying that several issues had children. On the issue that occurred at the
Malaysia, where there are at least 50 Foo said if the issue of hiring cropped up that led to a delay in Tanjung Piai division, he said Bersatu
requests on the waiting list for each foreign maids could not be resolved signing the MoU with Indonesia. To encourage local workers to was not affected by it.
agency. immediately, it would affect the work as maids, Engku Ahmad Fauzi Wan Saiful said the process of
productivity of workers in the “Malaysia has resolved the issue suggested that the government
“This is quite a high demand. At a of bringing in foreign workers from should allow their employment on a
daily basis, which is more practical.

quitting the party was only done by
individuals but in terms of party
structure, especially for Bersatu, it
would not change and they would be
replaced by others.
On Sunday, more than 300
members of the Bersatu Tanjung Piai
division announced that they had
quit the party to join Warisan.
– Bernama

‘We did not ask
seniors not
to vote’

PROTECTED ... Schoolchildren PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian
can safely return to school after a Communications and Multimedia
vaccination programme for Commission (MCMC) reminded the
children aged five to 11 public to be vigilant and not be
commenced on Feb 3. deceived by fake news asking senior
– BERNAMAPIX citizens not to vote in the Johor state
election.
Warisan yet to decide whether to contest
MCMC said it had detected a
PONTIAN: Warisan is poised to be a reporters on Sunday. would also be launching Warisan in the peninsula. message on social media, asking
game-changer if the party decides to When asked whether Warisan Johor, and from the event, people He added that as of last month, senior citizens to refrain from taking
contest in the Johor polls, said its could gauge the support Warisan has part in the polls to curb the spread of
vice-president Datuk Junz Wong. would be part of Pakatan Harapan from various races. Warisan has about 20,000 members Covid-19 among the elderly.
(PH) as rumoured, he said that there from 85 branches in the peninsula.
He said he was in the state to had been no discussions with the The Tanjung Aru assemblyman “This reminder is important to
assess the situation before submitting coalition to date. said that the support by many Earlier, more than 300 Bersatu avoid confusion and panic among the
a report to party president Datuk Seri quarters could be seen via Tanjung Piai division members, people that can trigger unwanted
Mohd Shafie Apdal. He confirmed that Mohd Shafie membership applications, thus including office bearers, quit the situations,” it said in a statement
would be in Johor on Feb 15, and is contradicting claims that the party party and announced that they were yesterday.
“He (Mohd Shafie) will decide expected to make an announcement. would not be successful in joining Warisan, with Wong receiving
whether we will contest,” he told their membership forms. – Bernama MCMC said the public is also
Wong added that Mohd Shafie advised to get the latest information
and obtain authentic news from
official sources, especially the Health
Ministry, or through the
Sebenarnya.my portal.

“Stern action can be taken against
those who spread false news under
relevant legislation.”

On Sunday, the ministry denied it
had suggested that senior citizens
should not go out to vote in the
election.

The ministry added that it had
never issued such a recommendation
and expressed hope that the public
would not spread unverified
information. – Bernama

Consider PN’s track record: Mohamed Azmin

TANGKAK: Voters who will be in managing Covid-19 recovery achievement, and I leave it to the candidates, and Barisan Nasional He added that the government
casting their ballots in the upcoming efforts. people to make the right decision in launched its election machinery in had taken into account the negative
Johor state election need to consider the state election,” he said after several zones. impact on the economy and
Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) track “Within a short period (after attending a Chinese New Year dinner consequent unemployment
record in administering the country coming into power), the country with representatives of small and Based on statistics released by the following the implementation of
during the pandemic, said Parti faced a health and economic crisis, medium enterprises on Sunday. Election Commission, there are 2.6 MCO since March 18, 2020.
Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) but under the leadership of Tan Sri million registered voters eligible to The election follows the
supreme council member Datuk Seri Muhyiddin Yassin, PN successfully Mohamed Azmin, who is also vote in the polls. dissolution of the Johor state
Mohamed Azmin Ali. brought the country out of the crisis. International Trade and Industry assembly on Jan 22. The EC is
senior minister, said this when asked Mohamed Azmin, who is also expected to announce tomorrow the
He said one of PN’s extraordinary “The Nikkei Covid-19 Recovery about PN’s readiness to face the Gombak member of parliament, said dates for nomination, early voting
successes was gaining world Index ranked Malaysia 13th election after Parti Amanah Negara the economic sector would no longer and polling. – Bernama
recognition as the best government compared with 115th last year. We and DAP named some of their be shut down under a movement
need to continue with this control order (MCO).

3theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Best option for
campaigning
during pandemic

By announcing its intention to also focus
on the use of social media to reach out to
voters, the ruling coalition shows that it
understands the power of the medium, the
way Pakatan Harapan (PH) did
in the 2018 general election.
“PH used social media to
From highlight the 1MDB
(1Malaysia Development
front Bhd) controversy and the
page

allegations of corruption
against BN leaders to great success.
These two issues easily captured the minds
FLYING TACKLE ... A law enforcement canine leaps over a car of voters,” he said.
towards its handler during a demonstration yesterday at the Police Azmi added that BN has learned from that
Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur involving the VAT 69 Commando Unit, episode and is also using social media
Special Action Unit and the General Operations Squad. – BERNAMAPIX extensively.
“PH and Perikatan Nasional (PN) will
certainly ensure that their keypads come in
handy too. They know this is necessary to
reach young voters.”
New age investing trend Malaysian Council of Professors senior
fellow Dr Jeniri Amir said the focus on the
use of social media is based on the need to
reach young voters and the assumption that
they will play a major role in determining
who comes out victorious.
you not only your initial capital, but also future “They are all social media savvy. This is
o Millenials have more avenues to grow their money income to pay for the instalments.” why BN has also turned to their favourite
compared with options used by their parents medium,” he said..
Another financial planner, Ian Wong, agrees Jeniri added that all parties are also aware
that property purchases can be risky in the of the fact that the rising number of Covid-19
current economic climate. infections would force the government to
█ BYMUHAMMADYUSRY AND EMILYJESSINTA investment vehicles. tighten restrictions during the campaign
[email protected] “In the past, Malaysians had the “While stocks are still a good option, not all period.
PETALING JAYA: While the older generation properties make money. In fact, a bad property Given that it will make it more difficult for
tend to put their money in properties and blue opportunity to invest in local stocks (directly or purchase ends up severely damaging your door-to-door campaigning and political
chip stocks, the younger ones are investing via unit trusts), local property, local businesses finances. There are lot more bad properties rallies, the option is to turn to social media.
differently through the various investment (as an entrepreneur or shareholder) or plain nowadays.” Jeniri said PH and PN would have carried
platforms available. vanilla bank (low risk) deposits,” said Neoh, out a post mortem to determine how they
who is director of Financial Planning at However, he pointed out that not all failed to properly harness the power of social
Traditionally appealing options such as real Finwealth Management Sdn Bhd. Millennials would dismiss the older way of media during the Malacca and Sarawak
estate might have lost their lustre among investing. polls.
Millennials due to risks seen during the “These days, we now have platforms “PH was able to use social media to its
pandemic. offering access to crypto-currencies, peer-to- “People are now more information-seeking, advantage in 2018 because it had the 1MDB
peer lending, equity crowdfunding, foreign and thus may be open to newer ideas. For and corruption issues to highlight, but such
The current property market has made shares and ETF (exchange-traded fund) example, a fresh graduate who saw his parents issues are not relevant now,” he said.
investors think twice before committing due to investing, structured investments, foreign make their fortune in property investments is He said as in Malacca, local issues will
their reluctance to borrow for investment, properties and foreign currency deposits, very likely to still be pro-property investment matter in Johor and PH must be able to tell
according to financial planner Felix Neoh. among others, in addition to the common because his experience has shown him so. voters what it will do to manage local issues.
investment options.” “Only this will help them win in Johor,”
“The risk of investing in properties depends “A similar youth may have seen his parents he added.
on one’s ability to meet the repayment Financial planner Marshall Wong suggests make their fortune in stocks, so he would
commitment,” he told theSun. that Millenials do not make property their first (probably) also believe primarily in stocks,” No trace of tiger after
investment. he added. sighting in Perak
“It is less risky if you buy to stay at the
property. But if it is for investment, the risks “One may start by allocating 5% to 10% of Author of financial book Enam Angka IPOH: The Perak Department of Wildlife and
(involved) are if the price falls, if you can’t get a his income into an automated savings account, Menjelang Dua Puluh Lima, Muhamad Azraei National Parks (Perhilitan) is continuing with
tenant at the expected rental value, or if you and slowly increase the savings as their income Idros, said high inflation and low salary have efforts to track a tiger that was seen roaming in
have income concerns.” increases,” said Wong, who also founded made buying property no longer an attractive the Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands
planNERD, a financial blog. investment for young people. area recently.
Due to technological advancement and
continued economic globalisation, the young “Just like any investment, property “With the new trend of remote societies Its director Yusof Shariff said following a
generation also has a bigger choice of investment requires a high amount of research where they can work from anywhere, many are Tiger Unit was sent to the location on Saturday
and due diligence. One wrong move could cost reluctant to put their limited hard-earned but so far, no tracks of the animal had been
money into a single big-ticket item such as found.
a house,” he said.
“Checks in the area found marks on the
Move to improve disaster management grass and we also received information from
auxiliary policemen there that they had seen
ALOR STAR: Flood victims in Kedah have “I really hope the state government would Jamilah Mohamed, 57, said she was glad to hear the tiger themselves.
lauded a government decision to take strategic focus on upgrading works, especially to the the measures proposed by the government to
measures to improve disaster management so drainage system around our housing area address the flood problem and hoped that the “The tiger is nowhere to be seen now,
that the people are better prepared when through these measures.” plan could be implemented efficiently and possibly it has gone back into the nearby Bukit
disaster strikes. effectively. Tapah permanent forest reserve,“ he said
At a Central Disaster Management when contacted yesterday.
Adzizah Kassim, 60, from Kampung Padang Committee meeting last week, it was agreed that “The recent floods (between November and
Asun Luar near Bukit Kayu Hitam, said her eight strategic measures be initiated to improve December last year) had taken a toll on my Yusof said Perhilitan would continue to
family has been facing flood problems for the national disaster management as outlined by family. Our income was affected as we could not monitor the area periodically to ensure the
past 30 years, adding that a systematic approach the National Disaster Management Agency. run our food business and had to bear the costs safety of the public as well as the tiger, and
to flooding problems was needed. of property damage,” she said. would not attempt to trap it if it was healthy
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri and not attacking humans or livestock.
“Each time it floods, my house will be Yaakob was quoted as saying that short, Meanwhile, Bandar Baru assemblyman
inundated and there was one time when the medium and long term measures must be taken Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor said the He also called on the public not to provoke
water reached waist level.” by the federal and state governments so that measures to be taken were comprehensive as or throw objects at it in an encounter.
floods do not have a big impact on the country short, medium and long-term plans have been
She said the area was at times hit by floods and the people. outlined in managing the flood situation. “Stay away from the tiger and report the
three times a year and her furniture and – Bernama sighting immediately to Perhilitan at 011-
electrical equipment could not be saved. Another resident of Kampung Alor Gunung, 62917 567 or 012-5809 593 for further action.“

Weather forecast system upgrade needed in Sabah Last Friday, a 17-second video was
uploaded on TikTok showing a tiger walking
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs a more “If we have a more advanced and efficient minister, said the recent massive floods through some bushes along the road in the
advanced weather forecasting system to weather forecasting system, we can make early experienced by several states resulted in huge hilly area.
disseminate accurate information in efforts to preparations and this would certainly reduce losses and should serve as a prompt to take
reduce the impact of floods, especially in the impact of the floods and enable aid to be immediate proactive steps to alleviate such The owner of the social media account
flood-prone areas. sent to the victims faster. impact in the future. advised the public to be careful, claiming that
the location of the sighting was near Cafe
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung “We will propose this to the federal He added that disaster operations centres Banjaran, a rest area on the mountain
Moktar Radin said such a system would be government to get the necessary allocation as at all districts in Sabah must also be equipped highway. – Bernama
able to provide accurate weather forecasts and Sabah faces the risk of floods almost every with equipment that are in good condition to
allow for immediate measures to be taken to year,” he said in a statement yesterday. ensure rescue and relief operations can run
mitigate floods in affected areas. smoothly. – Bernama
Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Works

4 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022 FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS ME
@thesundaily

█ BY MUHAMMAD YUSRY Covid task force Totalconfirmed
AND ELLY FAZANIZA to be reactivated cases
[email protected]
PETALING JAYA: The Health oMove to ensure nation prepared to “We urge individuals aged 2,925,254
Ministry has revived the Covid-19 face onslaught of Omicron: Khairy above 60 as well as Sinovac
National Rapid Response Task recipients to get their booster Totalactive Newcases
Force (RRTF) in the face of an to endemicity. an 8.1% decline compared with shots as soon as possible. cases
expected resurgence of infections. While the emergence of the previous week. 11,034
“Should they fail to do so by 69,572
Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Omicron has led to a rapid In the same period, the March 1, their digital vaccination
told a news conference yesterday increase in the daily tally of new number of cases in intensive care certificates will turn from yellow to Currentrecovery Totalcraesceosveries
the move was to ensure that the cases, especially in the last few also declined between Jan 30 and white, showing that they are no rate
nation was prepared to face the days, the symptoms of those who Feb 5. longer fully vaccinated.”
onslaught of the new Omicron have been infected are a lot less 96.15% 2,812,614
variant. severe. By then, there were only 91 He added the Johor election
cases, which was 17% down from can still proceed as planned. Deathtoll Brought-in-Dead
“The RRTF is a special A total of 11,034 new infections Epidemiology Week 5.
committee that will implement were reported yesterday, the “The government had 32,034 6,464
preliminary action to manage second day in a row that the tally Khairy said people aged 60 and recommended the standard
transmissions in a state or area,” has topped the 10,000 mark in above and those who initially operating procedures (SOP) to the PERLIS 98
Khairy said. several weeks. received the Sinovac vaccine National Security Council and KEDAH 1,448
should get their booster shots Election Commission (EC). Our
The RRTF tasks include adding However, the number of before March 1. view is that the Omicron is not as PENANG 693
beds at hospitals, building field patients who need to be bad as the Delta variant, hence the PERAK 412
hospitals and referring patients to hospitalised or sent to intensive Otherwise, their status as polls can be executed with the
private hospitals. care is much lower. fully-vaccinated individuals will SOP that will be announced later ,” SELANGOR 2,411
be withdrawn. he added.
It will be co-chaired by the Khairy said there were 68
deputy public health director- deaths in Epidemiology Week 5, This will be reflected on their The EC is expected to
general and deputy medical MySejahtera app. announce the nomination date
director-general, who will report and polling date after its meeting
directly to the health minister. tomorrow.

The task force was originally
known as the Greater Klang Valley
Special Task Force.

It is a multi-discipline national
response unit established to
manage the fight to curb the
spread of Covid-19 as Malaysia
prepared to make the transition

Aim to vaccinate
80% of children
in six months

ALOR STAR: The Kedah Health K. LUMPUR 380
Department has set a target for PUTRAJAYA 105
80% of children aged five to 12 in
the state to receive their Covid-19 PAHANG 581
vaccine shots in six months
through the National Covid-19 MALACCA 496
Immunisation Programme for
Children. N.SEMBILAN 368

Its director Dr Othman Warijo JOHOR 1,369
said based on statistics, there were KELANTAN 666
215,508 children in the age group
in the state. TERENGGANU 312

He added that the programme LABUAN 11
in Kedah started on Sunday with SABAH 1,600
10 children receiving the vaccine.
SARAWAK 84
“Four special vaccination
centres have been opened at the PROGRESS STATISTICS FOR THE NATIONAL COVID-19
Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor
Star, Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME As of February 6
in Sungai Petani, Kulim Hospital
and the Sultanah Maliha Hospital COMFORTING PRESENCE ... Parents accompanying their children while they wait for their turn to be 26,108,028 Received second dose
in Langkawi,” he said after vaccinated at IDCC Shah Alam in Selangor. – ASYRAF RASID/THESUN
officiating at the programme 25,720,902
launch at Sultanah Bahiyah
Hospital yesterday. Self-monitoring for low-risk positive individuals

Othman said based on data KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals who Meanwhile, Noor Hisham said activities, muscle aches but still able to positive individuals who are
from the Kedah Crisis test positive for Covid-19 and are in individuals who are tested positive do daily activities are in category 2A. asymptomatic and have completed
Preparedness and Response categories 1 and 2A but not at high and in category 2B and above vaccination is seven days, while
Centre, a total of 22,067 children in risk, do not need to go to a Covid-19 (whether or not at high risk) or have Those with persistent fever for two symptomatic cases or those with
the state had been infected with assessment centre (CAC). worsening symptoms, are required to days or more, have breathing difficulty either incomplete vaccination or have
Covid-19, with three deaths go to the nearest CAC or hospital for when doing activities, experience yet to be inoculated with the Covid-19
recorded so far, Bernama Health Director-General Tan Sri further examination without waiting chest pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, vaccine have to undergo isolation for
reported. Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said such for a call from the centre. worsening symptoms (cough, nausea, 10 days.”
individuals need to do vomiting or diarrhoea) as well as low
“Of the 13,217 cases recorded self-monitoring through the health Individuals who are asymptomatic level of consciousness and less Noor Hisham also reminded the
in the state this year, 1,623 assesement option available on the are in category 1, while those with urination within 24 hours are in public to comply with
involved children aged five to 12. MySejahtera app. symptoms such as sore throat or flu category 2B. recommendations as well as health
This is very alarming. As such, without fever or shortness of breath, advice from the Health Ministry and
children must be vaccinated to In a Facebook post, Noor Hisham cough without fever or shortness of Noor Hisham said those who are to practise TRIIS (Trace, Report,
protect them from being infected. said the individuals will receive SMS breath, loss of sense of taste but still required to go to the nearest CAC for Isolate, Inform, and Seek) before
or calls from an automated voice have appetite, loss of sense of smell, further evaluation will be notified via attending social activities. Those with
“As of last Saturday, a total of recording (robocall) service if they diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, MySejahtera or contacted by CAC via symptoms are advised to get tested
33,930 children have registered for have not or do not carry out their daily fatigue but could still do daily SMS or phone call. immediately. – Bernama
the vaccine through the self-monitoring.
MySejahtera app but the number “The isolation period for Covid-19
is still low as it represents only 15%
of the age group, or 215,508 of
children in the state.”

Meanwhile, public sector
worker Shuhaina Shuib, 36, said
her children Damia Nur Sara
Mohd Dzarif, 11, Dahlia Nur
Qisya, nine and Muhammad
Daiyan Ziyad, six, were excited to
get their vaccine shots.

“As long as the vaccine is
beneficial and is able to protect
their health, I fully support the
government’s efforts,” she said.

5theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Court denies Khairy’s appeal BRIEFS FAKE MESSAGE ON
to challenge suit by Anwar CHILD KIDNAPPINGS

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal o Appellate court affirms decision by High then Youth and Sports minister and KUALA LUMPUR: A message
has dismissed Khairy Jamaluddin’s Court judge, also dismisses request to amend Umno Youth vice-chief, for allegedly being shared on social media
appeal to challenge Datuk Seri Anwar statement of defence uttering defamatory words about warning Malaysians about a
Ibrahim’s defamation suit over a him during a ceramah in Lembah kidnapping syndicate targeting
statement of immoral character filed set out in his judgment. of the learned High Court judge is Pantai on Feb 20 the same year, children aged 15 and below for
against him 14 years ago. “As it has been succinctly affirmed. We award a sum of which led to the posting of a video their organs is fake. Supt A.
RM50,000 to the respondent titled “Anwar and kin no threat” on a Skandaguru of the police
A three-member panel described, ‘words, like people, are (Anwar),” he said. news portal. corporate communications
comprising Justices Datuk Lee Swee judged by the company they keep.’ division said the message
Seng, Datuk Darryl Goon Siew Chye The sting is not so much in the words Meanwhile, the appellate court In September 2017, High Court claiming that the syndicate
and Datuk Ghazali Cha ruled in a that are actually used but what also dismissed Khairy’s appeal to Judge Azizul Azmi Adnan allowed used a car and a white van in
unanimous decision that there was ordinary men would infer from them. amend his statement of defence in Anwar’s suit against Khairy and carrying out its activities was a
no appealable error that warranted The inference that may be borne regard to the defamation suit by found Khairy liable for defamation rehashed version of a similar
appellate intervention. from the words used is also to be Anwar. and therefore ordered Khairy to pay message that was widely
regarded in law as part of the natural RM150,000 in general damages to viewed in 2016. He said police
Goon, who read the decision and ordinary meaning used,” he said. “We find no appealable error on Anwar. had never issued a warning
during virtual proceedings yesterday, the part of the judge in the exercise of through “Gerakan Ibu Pejabat
said the impugned statement uttered In relation to the quantum of his discretion to disallow the The judge also dismissed Khairy’s Kontinjen Bukit Aman” as
by Khairy in the choice of analogy damages (RM150,000) awarded to appellant’s application to reamend application to amend his statement claimed by the syndicate, which
and figure of speech within the Anwar, Goon said the court did not his statement of defence as it came of defence to say that his remark was also listed the price of the body
natural and ordinary meaning, was find that the reward was manifestly much too late in the day after the trial fair comment. parts such as heart, liver, lungs,
capable of being defamatory to excessive and there exists no concluded for an amendment of the kidneys and eyes in the
Anwar, Bernama reported. justification for any appellate nature sought to be made,” said Khairy subsequently filed the message. “PDRM confirms that
intervention. Goon, who also ordered Khairy to pay appeal against the High Court ruling no police report of kidnapping
“The learned trial judge has taken costs of RM10,000 to Anwar. but in February 2018, the Court of and sale of human organs has
the impugned statements in context, “We, therefore, find no merit to Appeal struck it out after allowing an been lodged as alleged. No
including the figure of speech this appeal, and the appeal is On March 7, 2008, Anwar, who is application by Anwar’s counsel to such warning has ever been
employed, and concluded that the accordingly dismissed. The decision PKR president, sued Khairy, who was annul the notice of appeal. issued by Bukit Aman,” he said.
ordinary and natural meaning of the – Bernama
impugned statement by implication On Dec 15, 2020, the Federal Court
and/or inference, were both capable allowed Khairy’s appeal for his case to MARA OFFICES
of being, and in fact, defamatory, as be reheard on its full merits at the RAIDED BY MACC
Court of Appeal.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian
Motorcyclists Anti-Corruption Commission
high on drugs (MACC) yesterday raided several
nabbed in CNY Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara)
operation offices over alleged integrity
issues involving a number of
KOTA BARU: Riding motorcycles senior officers. According to an
under the influence of drugs were MACC source, the raids were
among the offences recorded in a conducted at both the Mara and
special operation dubbed “Ops Mara Corp headquarters, and at
Bersepadu”, held in conjunction a corporate secretary company
with the Chinese New Year (CNY) around the city beginning at
holidays last night, said Kelantan 10.30am yesterday, involving 11
Road Transport Department MACC officers. It is understood
(RTD) acting director Nik Azhan that the raids were for the
Ab Hadi. purpose of collecting
documents related to power
He said the act was dangerous abuse linked to several officers
as motorcyclists riding under the at the agencies, which was
influence usually fail to apply the shared on social media. On
brakes in time and tend to speed, Saturday, MACC confirmed that
as well as showing off their skills it received a report on alleged
doing wheelies and “superman” integrity issues involving several
stunts. senior officers of Mara who were
being investigated internally.
“During the operation, the – Bernama
National Anti-Drug Agency
conducted eight screening tests Man claims trial
and two motorcyclists tested in pipeline
positive,” he told reporters after the cheating case
operation here on Sunday night.
TOTAL RUIN ... Armada Chief Senator Wan SHAH ALAM: A laundry shop
He said personnel from various Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Kamal (right) with Kota assistant pleaded not guilty in the
agencies, namely RTD, police, the Kemuning Assembly Of God Church Pastor Ian sessions court yesterday to deceiving
agency, Immigration Department, Wong (left) surveying the condition of a church at an individual four years ago into
Department of Environment and Section 31 in Shah Alam yesterday after it was believing that he could secure a
the National Registration destroyed in a fire on Feb 2 . – BERNAMAPIX pipeline replacement project in
Department were involved in the Terengganu.
integrated operation. Herisyam Abdul Wahid, 48,
entered the plea after the charge was
Nik Azhan said the operation read out to him before judge Rozilah
was focused on motorcyclists as Defendant in defamation suit conforms Salleh.
statistics revealed they were the to court order, deletes offensive posts According to the charge,
ones who contributed the most to Herisyam is alleged to have deceived
the fatal accident rate in the country. a 41-year-old man into handing over
RM100,000 to help secure an
“The enforcement strategy was engineering, procurement,
to detect motorcyclists and pillion construction and commissioning of
riders under the influence of drugs KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno proceedings Justice Datuk Rozana Ali Adam” Facebook page on Jan 10 and a gas pipeline replacement project
at the state’s main roads so (that) supreme council member Datuk Yusoff allowed Mohd Naim’s Jan 13. from Petronas Gas Bhd.
they do not endanger themselves Lokman Noor Adam has deleted all application for the ex-parte injunction He is alleged to have committed
and other road users,” he added. defamatory posts on his Facebook and to be extended until the inter-parte He claimed that the defendant the offence at a restaurant in
YouTube channel on alleged sexual injunction hearing on March 22. also uploaded the live streams on his Persiaran Sukan, Section 13 in April
In a related development, Nik harassment by Chief Syarie judge YouTube channel on Jan 10 and Jan 2018.
Azhan said beginning Jan 25 until Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. The hearing was initially slated for 14, besides uploading three The offence, framed under
last Sunday, a total of 25 yesterday but was postponed after defamatory posts against him on Section 417 of the Penal Code,
motorcycle technical-related Lawyer Datuk Akberdin Abdul Lokman’s lawyer requested more Facebook on Jan 11 and Jan 13. provides imprisonment of up to five
offences were recorded and 332 Kader, representing Mohd Na’im, time to file an affidavit-in-reply. years or a fine, or both.
summonses were issued, and four said Lokman deleted the posts within He further claimed that the The court allowed the accused
vehicles were confiscated. 24 hours as ordered by a court that Mohd Na’im, 54, filed the suit in defamatory statements implied he bail of RM8,000 in one surety as well
allowed an ex-parte injunction his personal capacity and named was a spiritual opportunist, had failed as the public prosecutor’s
“Over 100 summonses were application by Mohd Na’im in his suit Lokman, 49, as defendant, over to be a credible leader or set a good application to transfer the case to the
issued for expired motor vehicle against Lokman during an online allegations of sexual harassment example for the community, and Kuala Lumpur sessions court to be
licence and another 114 proceeding on Jan 20. against several women, including a tarnished the good image of the heard with four other charges under
summonses were issued for “Datin”. Syariah Judiciary Department. Section 417 on Feb 21.
driving without a valid licence.” In the defamation suit filed on Jan MACC deputy public prosecutor
– Bernama 17, Mohd Na’im had sought an Based on the statement of claim, Mohd Na’im claimed that the live Fadhli Ab Wahab prosecuted, while
injunction for the defendant to Mohd Na’im, who is also director- broadcasts and other posts had been lawyer Mohd Baharuddin Ahmad
remove the video and posts, and an general of the Department of Syariah spread to third parties, as the Kassim represented the accused.
injunction to prevent the defendant Judiciary Malaysia, claimed the defendant’s Facebook and YouTube – Bernama
from republishing them. defendant had defamed him by content could be viewed and
making statements through two live commented on by the general public.
Akberdin said in yesterday’s streams on the “Lokman Noor – Bernama

6 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Indonesia bus crash kills 13 Local residents and rescue
workers at the accident
JAKARTA: At least 13 Some died on the scene and scene yesterday. – AFPPIX
people were killed and others died while being
dozens more injured after a treated in the hospital, and NATO MULLS BIGGER MILITARY
tour bus carrying factory 34 others were injured,” PRESENCE IN BALTICS
workers to a beach holiday Ihsan said, adding the
crashed on Indonesia’s Java injured had been taken to VILNIUS: Nato is looking to increase its
island, according to police. three nearby hospitals. military presence in the Baltic states and
The bus and its 47 Poland in case Russia keeps its troops in
passengers were headed The driver was among Belarus after a planned military exercise, the
from Sukoharjo in Central those who died when the head of the alliance’s military committee said
Java to a family gathering in bus tipped over and yesterday. Russia has 30,000 troops in
neighbouring Yogyakarta slammed into the side of the Ukraine’s northern neighbour for joint
province when the driver road, destroying the front of military exercises this month, Nato said,
lost control going downhill, the vehicle and badly bringing the total Russian military
officers said on Sunday. damaging its right side. deployment at Ukraine’s borders to more
“Witnesses we than 100,000. The US sent 3,000 troops to
questioned said they saw Multiple passengers Romania and Poland last week, while
the driver panicking as he sustained head injuries and Germany said it was considering a boost to
tried to manage the gear three toddlers were also its existing military deployment in Lithuania.
stick, so there’s an hurt, according to the police Further deployments from Nato allies were
indication the brake was not chief. possible, said Admiral Rob Baue. “It very
functioning or faulty,” much depends on whether the Russian
Bantul district police chief Shortly before the crash, troops in Belarus remain in Belarus.”– Reuters
Ihsan, who like many passengers had been asked
Indonesians uses only one to temporarily disembark, 19 KILLED IN AVALANCHE ON
name, told a media briefing. as the bus was having AFGHAN-PAKISTAN BORDER
Deadly traffic accidents difficulty going uphill, Ihsan
are common in the said. KABUL: At least 19 people were killed by an
archipelago nation of 270 avalanche yesterday while crossing a remote
million, where vehicles are In March last year, a bus mountain pass from Afghanistan to Pakistan.
often old and poorly carrying dozens of pilgrims Scores of Afghans cross illegally to Pakistan
maintained and road rules plunged into a deep ravine every day through the porous mountain
are routinely ignored. in Sumedang, West Java border in search of jobs or to buy essential
“Thirteen people died. province, killing 29 people. goods for trade. Najibullah Hassan Abdal,
head of information for eastern Kunar
In late 2019, at least 35 province, said rescue workers were still
people were killed when a searching at the avalanche scene. “Nineteen
bus plunged into a ravine on bodies have been recovered already,”he said.
the island of Sumatra. – AFP Illegal traffic across the Pakistan-Afghan
border has soared since the Taliban returned
Peng claims post led to BRIEFS to power in August, plunging the country
‘huge misunderstanding’ into a severe crisis with tens of thousands of
people made jobless. – AFP
o Chinese tennis star says daily L’Equipe on Sunday, reiterating a similar The United Nations and the White House
she never accused anyone comment she gave to a Singaporean also expressed concern.
of sexual assault newspaper in December.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)
BEIJING: Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said The 36-year-old said she was the one who suspended its tournaments in China over the
she never accused anyone of sexual assault, in deleted her allegation from Weibo, China’s matter.
an interview published yesterday, again Twitter-like platform.
walking back an allegation that sparked what When asked about the worries her absence
she described as a “huge misunderstanding”. It was widely suspected that China’s strict sparked, Peng said she had “never
internet censors, sensitive about any criticism disappeared”.
The former doubles world number one of the ruling Communist Party, had removed it.
alleged in a social media post in November that “It’s just that many people, like my friends or
former Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli When L’Equipe asked why she deleted it, people from the IOC (International Olympic
forced her into sex during a years-long Peng said: “Because I wanted to.” Committee) messaged me, and it was simply
relationship. impossible to answer so many messages.”
“There was a huge misunderstanding in the
The post was swiftly deleted and Peng was outside world following this post,” she said Peng was accompanied by Chinese
not heard from for nearly three weeks, during the interview in the Beijing Winter Olympic Committee chief of staff Wang Kan
prompting concern around the world about Olympics bubble. during the interview.
her safety.
“I don’t want the meaning of this post to be Concerns have swirled about Peng’s safety
She has since appeared at public events, twisted anymore. And I don’t want any further despite her appearances following the
and denied ever making the accusation. media hype around it.” three-week absence, which showed her
attending sporting events.
“I never said anyone had sexually assaulted Peng also told L’Equipe that she was retiring
me in any way,” Peng told the French sports from professional tennis, citing a major injury After she denied making any sexual assault
and disruptions to travel and treatment during allegations in December, the WTA said it was
the pandemic. still not convinced of her well-being.

Some of the world’s biggest tennis stars, At the Australian Open last month, activists
including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and handed out 1,000 “Where is Peng Shuai?”
Novak Djokovic, spoke out about the Peng tee-shirts to spectators ahead of the women’s
case. final to highlight the case. – AFP

Myanmar rebels clash with junta troops ‘Fight Club’ ending restored after outcry

YANGON: A Myanmar rebel group township, sparking three hours of state, one of Myanmar’s poorest. BEIJING: The original, iconic ending to bring down modern civilisation.
said yesterday that junta troops clashes, a spokesman for the group After the coup, the junta ended of cult US film Fight Club has been But the version on Tencent
attacked its fighters in breach of a told AFP, adding one of its fighters restored to screens in China after a
ceasefire, accusing the military of had been killed. a 19-month internet shutdown in censored version that brought all instead closed with a line of text on a
trying to destabilise the only region the state. criminals to book sparked outrage. black screen to say the police
of the country that has seen no “There is high tension militarily, “rapidly figured out the whole plan
post-coup crackdown. which could break out any time,” The AA previously reported its Beijing has some of the world’s and arrested all criminals”.
The country has been in chaos he said. fighters had clashed with junta most restrictive censorship rules with
since last February’s putsch, with a troops in November. authorities only approving a handful Tencent this week began to air the
brutal crackdown on dissent and “It seems as if the military wants of foreign films for release each year – original conclusion of the film.
increased fighting in borderlands to destabilise Rakhine’s stability Rakhine state, home to both the sometimes with major cuts.
involving ethnic armed and calm.” Rohingya and the ethnic Rakhine The ending in which the state
organisations. majority, has been a tinderbox of But reversing endings is rare, and triumphs had sparked head
Days after the coup, the junta Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun conflict for decades. there was widespread anger after scratching and outrage among some
reaffirmed a commitment to a said a number of border police had censors replaced the original finale Chinese viewers – many of whom
ceasefire with the Arakan Army been killed in a mine attack on Feb The military drove out more of Fight Club on a version streaming would likely have seen pirated
(AA), which has for years fought a 4, but blamed a local Rohingya than 740,000 Rohingya from the on Tencent Video last month. versions of the unadulterated film.
war for autonomy for Rakhine insurgent group for the attack. state in a 2017 campaign that
state’s ethnic Rakhine population. United Nations investigators have In the original closing scenes, star Human Rights Watch described
On Friday, junta troops entered “We are still investigating the called genocide. Edward Norton’s narrator kills his the cuts as “dystopian”.
an AA base in Maungdaw presence of the AA situation there,” imaginary alter-ego Tyler Durden,
said the spokesman. Rights groups have also accused played by Brad Pitt, before watching The reversal prompted more
soldiers of committing war crimes multiple buildings explode, debate online.
Clashes between the AA and the including extrajudicial killings in suggesting his character’s plan
military in 2019 displaced more their later campaign against the “Now, I’m speechless!” wrote one
than 200,000 people across the AA. – AFP Chinese film fan, with the sentiment
echoed across social media. – AFP

7theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

BRIEFS CYCLONE KILLS 20 Easing curbs could cause
IN MADAGASCAR 2m deaths: China study
ANTANANARIVO: Cyclone Batsirai
swept out of Madagascar
yesterday after killing 20 people
and devastating the island’s
agricultural heartland, leading
the United Nations to warn of a
worsening humanitarian crisis.
Batsirai made landfall on the
Indian Ocean island’s east on
Saturday evening bringing heavy
rain and winds of 165kph. o Researchers say vaccines that are better at Sinovac’s CoronaVac in Chile. They said it was more important
preventing Covid infection needed But even with a global for new vaccines to be effective
Madagascar’s disaster against infection than against
management agency said Batsirai vaccination rate of 95%, if population
had left 20 people dead and mobility was restored to 2019 levels, symptomatic disease or death.
the researchers estimated that all “The key to controlling Covid-19
forced 55,000 from their homes. Covid-zero regions would see 234 lies in the development and
UN children’s agency Unicef million infections within a year,
warned that many of the victims BEIJING: Restoring normal mass infection would put including 64 million symptomatic widespread use of vaccines that are
population mobility to “Covid-zero intolerable pressure on the health cases and two million deaths. more effective at preventing
were likely to be children. The regions” like China will cause some system. infection,” the team said.
eastern city of Mananjary was two million deaths in a year and the “The human race should
“completely destroyed”, a key to controlling the virus is The researchers used studies continue to develop vaccines and China is the only major economy
developing vaccines that are better from Chile and Britain to calculate explore new ways to improve sticking with a zero-Covid policy
resident named Faby said. – AFP at preventing infection, Chinese the “baseline efficacy” of current vaccine protection against infection despite warnings that it could hurt
researchers said. vaccines – CoronaVac in the case of in order to eliminate Covid-19 at the
NINE DEAD IN Chile and the Pfizer and global level,” the team of scientists growth.
PHILIPPINE VAN CRASH China’s “zero-Covid” restrictions Oxford/AstraZeneca shots in Britain. said in a paper published by the Others, like Singapore, Australia
have come under growing scrutiny China Centre for Disease Control and New Zealand, have abandoned
MANILA: Nine people including a in recent weeks as it hosts the They estimated the baseline and Prevention (CCDC) last week. the strategy in favour of what
baby were killed in the northern Winter Olympics in Beijing while efficacy against symptomatic policymakers call “learning to live
Philippines after a speeding van using sweeping restrictions to try to disease of the vaccines was 68.3%. In order to reduce the incidence with Covid”.
lost control on a corner and prevent the spread of the more of Covid-19 to the levels of influenza “We previously thought Covid-19
smashed into a row of houses on infectious Omicron variant. They estimated the baseline after restoring normal mobility, the could be basically contained through
the edge of a highway, police said efficacy of existing vaccines against efficacy of vaccines against infection vaccines but now it seems that
yesterday. The victims were Chinese scientists and public death was 86%. needs to be increased to 40% and there’s no simple method to control
gathered on the porch of a health specialists have reiterated the the efficacy against symptomatic it except with comprehensive
friend’s house after attending a need for maintaining the stringent The efficacy estimate against disease needs to be increased to measures,” CCDC chief
wake in Lal-Lo town on Saturday controls, saying the risks of infection is based on British data 90%, they said. epidemiologist Wu Zunyou told the
night when the accident transmission were too high and that and efficacy against symptomatic Global Times on Sunday. – Reuters
happened. “They were hanging disease and deaths was based on
out when the speeding van data extracted from a study on
ploughed into them,” said Lal-Lo
police chief Jefferson Mukay. A BOJO MUST
parked sports utility vehicle and GO ... A woman
motorised tricycle were also hit. in costume
The van driver, a military reservist, posing in front of
and his passenger were taken to
hospital in a critical condition.
Mukay said the driver would face
multiple homicide charges. – AFP

SRI LANKAN COURT a placard asking
FREES LAWYER for the resignation
of British Prime
COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan court Minister Boris
yesterday ordered the release of a Johnson during a
lawyer arrested over his alleged protest called by
ties to the 2019 Easter Sunday influencer and
bombings and held for nearly two YouTuber Niko
years on charges rights groups Omilana and
say lacked evidence. Hejaaz staged in front of
Hizbullah was arrested in April the Downing
2020 on suspicion of being linked Street gates in
to the devastating series of London on
attacks on churches and hotels Sunday. Johnson
that left 279 people dead. But suffered four staff
after prosecutors failed to provide defections last
evidence of his involvement in the week as pressure
attacks, blamed on a local militant intensified on him
group, he was instead charged over lockdown
with inciting “racial hatred” under parties and his
the expansive Prevention of loose-lipped style
Terrorism Act. The Court of Appeal of politics.
said “draconian elements” of the – AFPPIX
law had been misused to keep
Hejaaz detained. – AFP

Ottawa declares emergency over Australia to reopen borders to tourists
‘out of control’ truckers’ protest
CANBERRA: Australia will reopen hammered the country’s The latest decision will see
its borders to tourists from Feb 21, multi-billion-dollar tourist almost all remaining caps lifted.
OTTAWA: The ongoing truckers’ protest we are losing this battle,” he told CFRA Prime Minister Scott Morrison industry and prompted often
in the Canadian capital is “out of radio. announced yesterday, ending bitter debates about Australia’s It comes after the country’s
control”, its mayor said on Sunday, some of the world’s strictest and openness to the rest of the world. long-standing “Covid-zero” policy
announcing a state of emergency as the “This has to be reversed; we have to longest-running pandemic travel “Bout time,” said Melbourne was abandoned, vaccination rates
city centre remained blocked by get our city back.” restrictions. resident Marshall McDonald. rose and the once stellar
opponents of anti-Covid measures. “It’s exciting. It almost feels like track-and-trace system collapsed
Watson called the truckers “It’s almost two years since we the end of a period of hermit under a wave of Omicron cases.
The protesters, who first reached the “insensitive”, as they have continued took the decision to close the kingdom-ness ending.”
capital on Jan 29, have parked their big “blaring horns and sirens and fireworks, borders to Australia,” Morrison Every month of “Fortress For Australia’s travel and
rigs on city streets and put up tents and and turning it into a party”. said, announcing borders will Australia” policies has cost tourism sector – which struggled
temporary shacks – paralysing the reopen to all visa holders “on the businesses an estimated A$3.7 as visitor numbers fell almost 98%
capital to the consternation of officials The demonstrations began as 21st of February of this year”. billion (RM11 billion), according compared to pre-pandemic levels
and the mounting frustration of many protests by truckers angry with vaccine to the Australian Chamber of – the news brought elation.
residents. requirements when crossing the “If you’re double vaccinated, Commerce and Industry.
US-Canadian border, but have morphed we look forward to welcoming you “Our borders will have been “We’re very excited about
Mayor Jim Watson announced a state into broader protests against Covid-19 back to Australia,” he said. closed to international tourists for being able to reopen,” said Tony
of emergency that “reflects the serious health restrictions and the government 704 days,” the chamber said in a Walker, managing director of the
danger and threat to the safety and of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Australia’s ports and airports statement. Quicksilver Group, which
security of residents posed by the slammed shut to tourists in March “This decision will allow our operates cruises, diving and
ongoing demonstrations and highlights Locals have complained of the 2020 with the aim of protecting flailing tourism sector to recover, resorts across the Great Barrier
the need for support from other ceaseless sound of air horns and of the island continent against the saving businesses and saving Reef.
jurisdictions and levels of government”, being harassed, insulted or blocked by surging global pandemic. livelihoods.”
a statement from the city said. the protesters. In recent months, rules have “The last couple of years have
Since then, Australians have been gradually relaxed for been incredibly difficult for us,” he
Earlier, he had described the The truckers and their supporters mostly been barred from leaving Australians, long-term residents said, urging people overseas to
situation as “completely out of control”, have dug in, however, saying the and only a handful of visitors and students. “come visit”.
adding the protesters “have far more protests will continue until the have been granted exemptions to
people than we have police officers”. Covid-related restrictions are lifted. enter. Over the course of the
pandemic, the firm went from 650
“Clearly, we are outnumbered and Similar, if smaller, demonstrations hit The rules have stranded employees down to the 300 it has
the cities of Toronto, Quebec City and nationals overseas, split families, today. – AFP
Winnipeg on Saturday. – AFP

8 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
SPEAK UP

COMMENT by M. Santhananaban LETTERS [email protected]

Tunku’s unfulfilled legacy Fine-tune Covid-19 national task
force to face Omicron threat

TODAY would have been Tunku who went unobtrusively to pacify the A lasting after-effect of the short- JUST when we thought that causing critical case numbers in
Abdul Rahman’s 119th Umno Youth supporters and discreetly lived PH government’s actions is that Covid-19 is headed for July 2021, resulting in total
birthday. Tunku, who passed escorted Harun under the cover of it had whetted the public’s appetite endemicity, the emergence of collapse of the healthcare
away in December 1990 is for night to prison. Hussein was then for more transparency, prosecutions Delta and Omicron variants has services, and catastrophic number
most of us the greatest Malaysian. He prime minister. and conviction of the most highly sent a rude reminder that we are of deaths.
was a statesman of great wisdom, placed public officials. not out of the woods yet in
nobility, charm, compassion, Harun was charged, tried and Today most people, especially the this pandemic. The NTF, which reports directly
diplomacy, simplicity, with highest convicted and took the sentences well-educated groups, are to the health minister, has
integrity, and he contributed greatly to imposed in stride. A lawyer himself, he disappointed that since the ouster of The world has been shaken multi-sectoral engagements, with
advancing national interest by recognised and realised the the PH government, the strong with record-high numbers of new representations from government
expanding the country to form significance of adhering to and political and professional will to Covid-19 cases, mainly of the agencies, universities, private
Malaysia. upholding the sanctity and spirit of the investigate and pursue corruption Omicron variant. Although the sectors, expert advisory
law. That was the essence and matters seems to have waned. clinical severity of the Omicron groups and non-governmental
He prioritised national unity and foundation of the harmony and law Prof Syed Hussein Al-Atas says in infection is less compared with organisations.
harmony, and regarded and treated all and order in our society. his book Sociology of Corruption, earlier variants, the rapid
as equal. The sad thing is that very few that “every bureaucratic machine transmission, exponential case As with GKVSTF, NTF will
people, especially the younger Harun did not believe in the law of suffers to some extent from an numbers and effects on ensure that the national
generation know much about the the jungle. Tunku later explained that antipathy towards initiative and unvaccinated persons or people pandemic protocols for national
father of our nation. he was sympathetic towards Harun. originality, from sycophancy and the with non-communicable diseases clusters are contemporary, and
However, Harun had to commence the preferment of intrigues and yes men. such as diabetes and heart they would re-examine their
His powerful critics have long prison term as he could not have But when graft is added to these disease are major causes of strategic plans to be synchronised
dominated our national narrative to flouted the law. Currently, the country disorders, the machine ejects all concern. with other clusters. This is closely
the extent that he has been rendered seems to be in somewhat of an odd honest men, selects for promotion the monitored by the Independent
somewhat obscure, more a historical abeyance, a kind of a paralysis and most ruthless and astute rogues and But are we ready to face this Compliance team to ensure
figure than a great leader that inspired caught in a political and governance compels the rest to follow their potential new wave? Admittedly, NTF directives are satisfied,
and moved the country to attain the stupor. Malaysians are being subjected example.” The eminent professor had the challenges are different this harmonised, coordinated, and
greatest heights. to a barrage of information and news half a century ago accurately time. Apart from ensuring that the they would recommend
clips by the mainstream media that a anticipated the direction of the healthcare infrastructure is ready immediate solutions for any
He was the worthy successor of person convicted by the courts for the country’s governance trajectory. to face the possible deluge of lapses or weaknesses.
another great man, Datuk Onn Jaafar, most egregious white-collar crime can Institutions of the state, whether they patients, the authorities also need
lamentably another much forgotten be offered hero-worship, even are involved in policy-making to manage pandemic fatigue The entire workflow from
figure. During Tunku’s time, Malaysia acclamation and jubilation because a functions, security, regulatory or among the public. With offices, pre-hospital, health centres,
was the most promising country in Asia few untainted political leaders see no enforcement responsibilities, should malls, schools and places of district hospitals, Covid-19
in spite of its many teething problems. harm in keeping his company and endeavour to protect and enhance worship opening up, the man in quarantine and treatment centres,
seeking his patronage. the situation of the citizen and not the street is hungry for life to government hospitals, private
He could claim he was the happiest exclusively the elite or the supreme return to normal. hospitals, intensive care units are
prime minister in the world. He Most would recall that the Pakatan political elite. comprehensively addressed, with
believed he had a first rate Cabinet, Harapan (PH) team, which took over In the long term, it is strong This means that the health the implementation of an end-to-
which included the two Rahman the government in May 2018 had its institutions that matter, not minister needs to take charge and end automated outbreak
brothers, Suleiman Abdul Rahman and shortcomings. But it is greatly missed. individuals heading them. Individuals make hard decisions, some that management system.
Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tun V. T. That government shot itself in the foot can be replaced easily but institutions may not be popular.
Sambanthan and Tun Tan Siew Sin. repeatedly but it provided abundant need much time to be nurtured and Omicron has also taken a toll
There was also an excellent civil service evidence that it was willing to take on established. The recent call by the health on healthcare providers (HCP),
and he had great confidence and trust squarely corruption involving the We have to think of institutional minister to halt umrah travel due with many falling ill.
in his people whether they were supreme political elite. strength in Bank Negara, the police to the high cases of Omicron
government functionaries or the force, the Attorney-General’s cases among returning umrah It is important that all our HCP
nation’s footballers. Shortly after the swearing-in of its Chambers, the Malaysian Anti- pilgrims is one example of a are boosted with vaccines to
attorney-general, former prime Corruption Commission and not of decision that was not well ensure we are not short-staffed
Today, in contrast, our country minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak the individuals that head these received by the public. when Omicron really hits us.
appears to be in a bind. Football was produced in court and charged institutions. These individuals are
prowess is a far off and fanciful thought with various kinds of corruption, certainly not indispensable. Similarly, we urge the minister There is no need to reinvent
because food and a decent life have abuse of office and forgery offences. He We must not forget how Tunku and to take a proactive stance now, the wheel. We have had a
become more germane concerns. has since been convicted first at the his small Cabinet team of upright and sound the clarion call to successful working model and
Failure, fauxpas in public policy High Court after a lengthy trial and men laid the foundations for a stable, counter the onslaught of Omicron modus operandi in dealing with
matters and fanciful fanfare over most recently at the Court of Appeal. spectacular and successful country by reactivating the Covid-19 the Delta wave.
ordinary non-events have replaced One appeal to the Federal Court is based on the rule of law in what was a National Task Force (NTF).
solid and quiet progress. pending. turbulent regional environment. Fine-tuning the NTF is all it
Originally the Greater Klang takes now to face the Omicron
In the halcyon days of the Tunku To its credit, the PH government The writer is a retired ambassador, Valley Special Covid-19 Task Force threat, protect our healthcare
and Tun Hussein Onn, there was the showed unambiguous, unequivocal who has had 45 years of (GKVSTF), the NTF is made up services, prevent our HCP from
highest respect amounting to and the utmost commitment and public sector experience. of an inclusive, coordinated burnout and minimise national
reverence for the law. Tunku and concern about clamping down on not multi-agency/sectorial team, with morbidity and mortality.
Hussein are singled out because when just corruption but corruption Comments: [email protected] varying expertise in pandemic
supporters of the then convicted involving the country’s supreme management. We have learnt from the
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Harun political elite. This was commendable, failures of managing the
Idris were holding him hostage and courageous and reassuring to The GKVSTF had successfully third wave.
preventing him from leaving his home the public. plunged the Delta curve when all
to serve his prison term, it was Tunku earlier efforts, including Let us not repeat the mistakes,
movement control orders and and kick off confidently with the
Emergency Ordinances failed, reactivation of the NTF.

Dr Musa Mohd Nordin

9theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
SPEAK UP

Fine balance in flood control

COMMENT mechanisms to deal with areas identified in Thus, anything that slows down the flow, to blend urban development designs and
flood maps include development restrictions, such as rubbish build-up must be removed. architecture with disaster-prevention form
by Dr Rais Hussin and Ameen Kamal zoning for land use and population Frequent monitoring and servicing of drainage and function.
resettlement. systems in these areas are also crucial.
FLOOD should be Malaysia’s core Although these examples of non-structural Consequently, new protocols to clean and flush For older cities, innovative drainage systems
disaster management focus area, and solutions are relatively easier to implement critical drainage routes must be tied to early that swiftly redirect increased water runoff at
this will require drastic investments in compared with structural solutions, they must warning systems. the community level will be needed. As
immediate and long-term strategies. be complemented with structural approaches Note that this does not replace the reported, Malaysia’s Smart Tunnel successfully
that are also needed in the immediate term. biodiversity and natural ecology, whereby its diverted five million cubic metres of excess
Non-structural solutions loss would have a far-reaching water, which prevented flooding at Kuala
Flood experts and hydrologists generally agree Structural solutions impact, beyond flood mitigation. Lumpur city centre.
that an ideal framework for flood management There is an urgency to apply New building designs should
must have a balanced combination of structural engineering solutions for flood- “The government incorporate nature harmoniously, Existing under-utilised sites should be used
and non-structural solutions. proofing and disaster-resistant must allocate a such as trees, etc, instead of sterile for more deployment of hybrid solutions, such
designs or upgrades to essential budget to concrete-metal architectures that as The Hybrid Off River Augmentation System
Non-structural solutions include early structures related to national implement both increase water runoff. (Horas) project which utilises depleted mining
warning systems (forecasting and detections), security - electrical power stations, structural and Examples of the use of land for storing storm water runoff and
readiness in disaster relief and emergency the armed forces, healthcare traditional physical barriers such underground water.
response, legislations and policies. Structural facilities, water and food supplies as levees and embankments, and
solutions include engineering and design networks, oil and fuel systems and non-structural innovative use of tunnels and Malaysia has had decades of experience with
solutions that can be applied to existing and reserves, disaster relief and rescue mitigation plans tanks to capture floodwater major flooding events and has the highest
new buildings, urban development and organisation assets - particularly underground, and other examples percentage (67%) of the population exposed to
physical structures, to increase resilience to in known flood-risk areas, flood can be referred to in EMIR floods among Asean member states. Just like
disaster events. plains and drainage corridors. to ensure financial Research article “Flood the Netherlands, Malaysia has all the reasons to
prudence and management – please come up pursue drastic, long-term flood management
In the immediate term, the most important In the medium term, there is a oversight in with a masterplan” by Dr Rais strategies nationwide.
thing is to ensure readiness in emergency need for new standards in increased Hussin and Jason Loh.
operations and the provision of aid. infrastructure designs, urban expenditure, and Malaysia has an existing guideline for
development or deforestation to disaster resilient urban planning, which must
Frequent rains are expected in the coming qualify for stricter ecological Prevention and respond be updated with the latest urban development
weeks and months, and disaster relief assets sustainability and better mentalities designs and standards as part of the national
must be mobilised and on high-alert mode. environmental footprint. The Netherlands is a global leader flood management strategy. These solutions
Armed forces should be on standby to New urban development get expert help in dealing with floods and should can be applied in varying intensities and along
provide assistance. standards from agencies of be an example for Malaysia. with different timelines, according to their
New design standards and nations that are Reportedly over two-thirds of their priority levels.
There must be a restructuring and legislative used to national population is below sea level and
enforcement to clarify the role of the National architectural philosophy should level disasters. face frequent storms. They An important lesson from the Dutch
Disaster Management Agency within the learn from nature: How trees, experienced a massive flood in experience is noted in a research article by
frameworks under the National Security vegetation, soil composition, etc. 1953 which killed nearly 2,000 Alcoforado FAG, whereby large public
Council; and coordination issues between the slow down rainwater, which then people, but due to advanced and investments in flood control infrastructure are
district, state, and federal authorities must be flows into the fast-flowing river to massive structural changes, the not only effective but can be more economical
ironed out through frequent drills. carry it downstream, preventing Netherlands has reportedly not than responding after a disaster.
flooding in rainforests. This is why faced any flood-related deaths ever since.
In the short term, flood forecasting and conservationists call for a stop to deforestation What did the Dutch do right? They went all For example, catastrophes caused by
warning systems need to be improved via and the protection of natural flood plains as out in landscaping and urban development hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (which did
expansion of monitoring areas, sensors and use part of the strategy to mitigate flood. principles, adopting the “prevention mentality” not have the Dutch solutions at that time)
of 4IR technologies to crunch big data from However, for a growing country like instead of relying solely on the “respond reportedly resulted in US$150 billion
multiple sources, with use of artificial Malaysia, this may not be so straightforward, mentality”. (RM627.68 billion) worth of losses and many
intelligence for improved predictions. and a balance must be achieved. For example, The Dutch have built dikes and dams, lives lost. Hurricane Sandy reportedly caused
expansion of flood plains in Kelantan may reportedly strong enough to withstand extreme US$70 billion in damages and killed hundreds
For example, as published in Nature in entail sacrificing padi fields, which impacts weather for thousands of years, based on of people.
September this year, artificial intelligence another area of concern for Malaysia (food computer simulations and projections. They
company DeepMind demonstrated accurate security) and involve resettlements of rural folk built the Maeslantkering, which are basically The Dutch government avoided these costs
short-term rain forecasts through “deep that rely on this as their home and livelihood. giant gates the size of two Eiffel towers, acting by “investing” more than US$1 billion annually
generative models” of meteorological data. That said, illegal and unsustainable logging like dams protecting it against surges from the on flood management measures and spent
Bigger data sources through data sharing across practices must be curbed through tighter sea during storms. US$500 million over six years to build the
national boundaries may provide even better regulations, monitoring and enforcement. The show 60 Minutes documented very well Maeslantkering gates. This resulted in the
forecasts. Virgin forests help prevent water runoff, how Rotterdam is a world-class example of Netherlands recording no flood-related deaths
landslides and many other benefits. Therefore, preventive/defensive urban designs. It reported ever since its disastrous 1953 flood.
Advanced warning, even as short as a few it is unsurprising that places with heavy basketball courts that can hold 450,000 gallons
hours earlier can make a difference in deforestation such as Pahang experienced of storm runoff water, sloping parks on top of On this note, the Malaysian government
mobilising emergency responses, and allowing extreme flooding. It is time to stop blaming shopping centres that act as a storm surge must allocate a related budget using
people lead time to evacuate and avoid Mother Nature and realise that these disasters barrier, water recreation facilities acting as a Input-Output-Outcome-Impact framework to
flood-prone areas, saving lives and potentially are man-induced. flood reservoir, man-made dunes along the implement both structural and non-structural
reducing related damages. At the least, infrastructure design and North Sea that protect towns from sea surge and mitigation plans, to ensure financial prudence
development must measure how much water storms, parking garages built under these dunes and oversight in increased expenditure, and get
Thus, communication to the public should catchment and the rate of water runoff to raise the heights of the dune plains’ height of expert help from agencies of nations that are
be improved by merging MyCuaca application prevention a particular virgin land provides. 25ft above sea level, and many more. used to national level disasters, such as experts
functionality with the widely used Any development on new lands must be Even simpler things such as constructing from the Dutch authorities and the Japan
MySejahtera application. built in such a way that the original water sidewalks, pavements and roads with blocks International Cooperation Agency.
catchment and reduction in runoff water is and rooftops with vegetation (“Sponge City”
What is also needed immediately is the replaced. Individual structures should be approach) that provides a combination of In the long term, and beyond flood
identification of flood-prone areas, water flood designed to slow down water movement so as additional water holding volume and slowing management, widespread use of renewables
plains and drainage corridors for gazetting, to to not overburden the drainage systems with down water runoff can collectively make a (chemicals, materials, and energy) and
be protected and perhaps even artificially run-off water, while drainage systems should difference in the larger scale of things. implementation of Circular Economy
expanded under National Security provisions. be flowing as rapidly as possible to Likewise, Malaysia should adopt similar principles will have to be established, as part of
prevent flooding. design principles which require new standards Malaysia’s contribution to global climate
Flood maps by various researchers are change efforts, and local environmental and
available but must be updated continuously natural resource protection.
given changes in topography via natural and
man-made reasons such as development, Dr Rais Hussin and Ameen Kamal are part of
weather fluctuations and climate change. the research team of EMIR Research, an

As mentioned in a document by the independent think tank focused on strategic
Department of Irrigation and Drainage, policy recommendations based on rigorous
research. Comments: [email protected]

Traffic police should step up in monitoring bikers

LETTERS Most of the city drivers face these hazard Selayang traffic conditions. city as we are already slowed down by traffic
daily. There are also many of these poor Traffic cops are regularly stationed under jams and bottlenecks within the city. Please do
[email protected] delivery bikers who get hit by oncoming not burden road users further by setting up
vehicles. While these delivery boys are trying to the NKVE flyover, which is about 200m away speed traps at unnecessary spots.
THIS Chinese New Year festivities and the long meet their deadlines, I also would like to draw from the toll gate. I wonder what is the
break were a real breather, especially for Klang a parallel with the city traffic police, who objective of the speed trap when you can reach I would like to urge the traffic police to focus
Valley residents who chose not to drive regularly do speed traps at city-bound the toll in 10 seconds. on reducing the number of road crashes
outstation. highways. among motorcyclists, especially youths who
I wonder why the police have chosen such a are dying everyday on the roads.
As a Kuala Lumpur resident, I had the Daily, we see traffic cops setting up speed spot, where you need to pay toll almost every
luxury of driving at ease in most of the city traps near the Sungai Penchala LDP toll gate. It time after paying for a speed ticket. The traffic The gig economy may be good, but if it is
roads and nearby highways. Although we were is unfortunate that the Kepong, Selayang, police can be more useful and beneficial to our going to kill and maim our youths, let us take
relieved of the cars, we still had to face the Sungai Buloh dwellers have to use the only country by monitoring reckless motorcyclists this seriously. Our traffic police can help to
menace of delivery bikers, who are like access to Petaling Jaya by paying a hefty toll at that ply the roads daily. reduce reckless motorcycle riding, by carrying
daredevils on the road. They beat almost every Kg Sungai Penchala and Bandar Sunway. out spot checks at busy junctions, especially in
traffic light to reach their destination. They Traffic policemen should strategically place Petaling Jaya, Damansara, Bangsar, Kepong,
appear colour blind when it comes to the traffic To make matters worst, the traffic police do themselves at junctions to help deter bikers Puchong, Shah Alam, Klang and Brickfields.
lights, particularly when it turns red. a speed check daily on the LDP users, who use and motorists from beating traffic lights and
the highway coming from the Sungai Buloh posing a threat to other road users. Concerned Citizen
traffic crawl, Kepong congestion and Kuala Lumpur
As for speed traps, I urge the traffic police to
reduce the number of speed traps set up in the

10 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
MEDIA & MARKETING

Heineken Malaysia
seals another win
HEINEKEN Malaysia o Heineken and Tiger Beer proudly takes home the
Berhad (HEINEKEN Gold Award while Guinness wins the Silver Award
Malaysia) has continued
its winning streak at the
Putra Brand Awards 2021. The
company raised their glasses for yet
another triple win as Heineken and (from left) Plenitude CEO Tan Seng Chye, Hashimah, TAR UC president Prof Ir
Tiger Beer won Gold, while Guinness Dr Lee Sze Wei, and TAR UC Dean for the Faculty of Social Science &
achieved Silver. Humanities Dr Karthiyani.
These new wins bring the total
awards tally to 36 since the inception PnulerntuitruediendjouisntsryTAtRaleUnCtsto
of the Putra Brand Awards.
Commenting on the achievement,
HEINEKEN Malaysia managing
director Roland Bala said: “A huge
thanks to all our consumers for their
amazing support to our brands. AS part of its ongoing efforts to Plenitude will also work closely
Despite the challenges, we continue nurture local talents in the tourism with the establishment to facilitate
to invest behind our brands and our and hospitality industry, Plenitude undergraduates with greater
people whilst adapting to the new Berhad, has established a opportunities to further their
normal. partnership with Tunku Abdul career development at Plenitude’s
“Our achievements were made Rahman University College (TAR local and international hotels,
possible by the team at HEINEKEN UC) through a Memorandum of properties and other business
Malaysia and our business partners Understanding (MOU) on Jan 26. divisions.
who demonstrated resilience, Hashimah added: “At
courage, commitment, and passion The collaboration will see Plenitude, we always believe that
to ensure we delivered the best to our Plenitude creating opportunities to quality education is the key driver
consumers. Indeed, we are guided by exchange industry knowledge for transformation. The MOU with
HEINEKEN’s purpose, which is to The HEINEKEN Malaysia management team celebrating their win at the Putra among employees and students at TAR UC is a great opportunity for
brew the joy of true togetherness to Brand Awards 2021. strategic and working levels. This is us to provide access for students to
inspire a better world.” in line with Plenitude’s mission to strengthen their ability and gain
HEINEKEN Malaysia marketing campaign by giving away 10,000 units Guinness, Malaysia’s favourite care for people, communities and exposure in the corporate world,
director Pablo Chabo added: “We are of Heineken 0.0 4-can packs, sent and the World’s No. 1 Stout, rolled out the environment under the United which helps them graduate with
proud to once again be recognised at straight to consumers’ doorsteps for a a month-long St. Patrick’s Nations Sustainable Development sufficient technical competencies
the prestigious Putra Brand Awards, refresher while working from home – celebration. For 31 days in a row, Goals to deliver optimal Economic and professional skills that allow
further demonstrating consumers’ minus the guilt and alcohol. Guinness spread joyful St. Patrick’s Sustainability, Environmental them to be able to contribute
trust and preference for our winning Tiger Beer, Malaysia’s No. 1 Beer, spirit to its fans with the Guinness St. Sustainability, and Social positively to the growth and
brands. The pandemic challenged started 2021 with a big bang by Patrick’s Celebration Kits, curated Sustainability (EES) practices. development of the nation.
existing norms and pushed us to be introducing the ‘Bring on the ONG’ exclusively for fans to catch up on Moving forward, we will continue
more creative as we strived to Chinese New Year campaign their missed celebrations. Plenitude director Hashimah to explore ways that could benefit
connect with consumers whilst featuring limited edition festive Tiger Ismail said she welcomed the the youth and the future
delivering Beer and Tiger Crystal Guinness also gave family and collaboration, which is part of workforce, this includes new talent
premium, world- cans while enjoying an loved ones an opportunity to Plenitude’s vision of building development programmes and
class experiences abundance of reconnect post lockdown through its sustainable real estate business initiatives that are in the pipeline.”
just as we’ve ‘ONGSOME’ ‘Ready When You Are’ campaign. activities and communities of the Prior to this MOU, Plenitude
been known to promotions and future. “As a young talent-oriented has been offering scholarships to
do.” giveaways worth more Guinness brought back the corporation, we are committed to underprivileged students through
During the year, Heineken was the than RM1,000,000. renowned STOUTie machines to preparing Malaysia’s youth to the Plenitude Scholarship.
proud official beer partner of UEFA As a brand that has always selected partner restaurants and bars thrive in the complex and ever- Plenitude has awarded the
Euro 2020, which took place from championed local street food culture, where consumers can print their changing future with the scholarship to two students from
June 12 to July 12, 2021. Through the with roots that go back to being a selfies on top of a cold and creamy fundamental transformation of the TAR UC in the Bachelor of
‘Enjoy the Rivalry’ campaign, fans brand born and raised on the streets glass of Guinness. higher education system.” Hospitality Management
were invited to the virtual Heineken of Asia, Tiger Beer launched the (Honours) degree programme.
Rivalry Stadium to challenge ‘Xperience the Xtraordinary’ virtual HEINEKEN Malaysia is a strong Under the MOU, students from lenitude’s Talent Development
celebrity opponents and outsmart street food festival, championing advocate for responsible TAR UC can gain insights into Programme is part of an initiative
their match predictions to be in the local businesses by introducing an consumption, and constantly industry-relevant skills and to identify potential employees, in
running to win exclusive prizes. innovative experience for digital encourages consumers to enjoy knowledge through the collective efforts to provide career growth
Additionally, with many working festivalgoers to purchase limited- responsibly and to not drink and scope of Industry Knowledge and through training to close the
from home in the new normal, edition streetwear and enjoy street drive through its commercial and Job Placement. Plenitude is skillsets gaps and guide individuals
Heineken encouraged consumers to food paired with refreshing Tiger marketing activities. entrusted to take on a crucial role to achieve their full potential.
work smart and drink smart through Beer – all conveniently delivered to as a key industrial partner to TAR For more information, visit
the launch of the ‘#NowYouCan’ their doorsteps. For more information, visit UC to share industry knowledge in www.plenitude.com.my.
www.heinekenmalaysia.com. the form of guest lectures, hotel
visitations, workshops, and co-
HEINEKEN Malaysia’s products development of academic syllabi.
are strictly for non-Muslims aged 21
and above only.

DISCOVER

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

Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and Publication date 24 FEBRUARY, 2022 (THURSDAY)
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S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 8, 2022
197201001092 (12738-U)
Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688
A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad Fax: 03-7785 2624/5

A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad Email: [email protected]
Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888
07/02/2022 Fax: 03-7784 4424

Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected]

% RM m RM m RM m

46.1 Institutions 1046.2 1078.5 -32.3

30.4 Retail 705.4 694.9 10.5

23.5 Foreign 551.6 529.8 21.8

100.0 2303.2 2303.2 0.0 7.89 35.07 6.26 68.14 191.12 225.90 5.20 9.40
KLCI STI HANG SENG SCI NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com 1,530.65 3,429.58 27,248.87 2,745.06
Source: Bursa Malaysia 3,366.48 24,579.55 17,900.30 7,110.80

KL MARKET SUMMARY Omicron clouds Malaysia’s
February 7, 2022

INDICES 11,018.86 CHANGE +59.29 economic recovery hopes
FBMEMAS
FBMKLCI 1,530.65 +7.89
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 565.21 +0.38
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 204.61 +1.31
CONSTRUCTION 147.93 +0.41
FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,826.62 +40.93
ENERGY 785.44 -4.50
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 608.85 -1.35 o New wave of Covid-19
HEALTH CARE 2,232.74 +70.28 infections could mean
TRANSPORTATION 865.85 +3.68 more pain for services
PROPERTY 703.46 +2.61 sector, but less so for
PLANTATION 6,611.77 +67.91 manufacturing: Expert
FBMSHA 11,754.50 +87.69
FBMACE 6,248.28 +62.54
TECHNOLOGY 82.46 +0.97

TURNOVER VALUE
3.079 BIL RM2.303 BIL

5 MOST ACTIVES █ BY AMIR IMRAN HUSAIN SAFRI
February 7, 2022 & JUNE MOH
[email protected]

STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s economic Tourists are seen in Jonker Walk, Malacca, last Saturday. The new wave of Covid-19 infections is
SMTRACK 134,489,000 18.5 +1.0 recovery momentum is expected to be expected to have a negative impact as people shy away from in-person activities. – BERNAMAPIX
KANGER 114,989,500 3.0 +1.0 dampened by a surge in the number of
KANGER-WB 94,866,500 0.5 UNCH Covid-19 infections due to the Omicron businesses to reintroduce some previous introduced in 2020 and 2021.
DNEX 90,054,300 97.0 -4.0 wave with new cases breaching the 10,000 measures, such as staggered shifts and “MEF fully supports the government’s
HIBISCS 87,499,400 108.0 -1.0 mark for a second straight day. work-from-home (WFH) protocol to control
transmission should the situation escalate. action to introduce stricter standard
5 TOP GAINERS Yesterday, new Covid-19 cases stood at operating procedures (SOP) to better
February 7, 2022 11,034, an increase of 945 from 10,089 new Indeed, later yesterday, at the Health manage and lessen the infection of Omicron.
cases reported for the preceding day. Ministry’s daily Covid-19 briefing, Khairy Such efforts of the government should be
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has urged businesses to reintroduce the WFH supported by all stakeholders so as to enable
PMBTECH-LA 19,700 15.70 0.40 cautioned that daily cases will reach 15,000 protocol and the implementation of the government to delicately balance the life
CHINTEK 5,000 7.30 0.30 soon. staggered shifts wherever possible in order and livelihood of the rakyat,” he said.
PMBTECH 258,400 15.86 0.30 to reduce people mobility. He also
PMBTECH-WA 35,000 12.68 0.28 Against this backdrop, Inter-Pacific encouraged employers to provide test kits National Recovery Council’s industry
HARTA 7,376,900 5.83 0.23 Securities head of research Victor Wan and good face masks and called on expert, Datuk Michael Kang, opined that the
expects the surge will translate into a businesses to look into the incentives Covid-19 surge will definitely hit Malaysia’s
5 TOP LOSERS negative economic impact due to a knee- provided by the government to improve economic recovery as other countries, too,
February 7, 2022 jerk reaction as the public shies away from their air ventilation systems. have experienced the Omicron wave.
in-person activities.
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM In the face of the Omicron variant-led “If we can follow the SOP strictly and
F&N 149,200 24.12 0.34 “The services sector will definitely see Covid-19 surge, Malaysian Employers conduct self-testing prior to travel or any
DLADY 1,500 32.28 0.30 some impact from this,” he told SunBiz. Federation (MEF) president Datuk Dr Syed physical visits, these precautions will
HEIM 70,700 20.12 0.24 Hussain Syed Husman said he is comforted definitely help with Malaysia’s economic
ALLIANZ-PA 16,800 12.38 0.22 However, Wan expects the manufacturing by the government’s assurance that it will recovery,” he said.
LPI 75,000 14.64 0.22 sector to remain resilient as the government not impose the movement control order
has stated that there will be no more (MCO) or total lockdown that was Kang does not believe the Omicron wave
lockdowns. will trigger another MCO but said the
increase will still affect businesses.
With regard to pre-emptive measures, he
said there could be calls and
recommendations from the government for

EXCHANGE RATES FEBRUARY 7, 2022 Set up independent fiscal institution to
assess budget’s impact, says economist
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy
KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of an Then two recessions occurred, resulting in proposals prior to their debate in Parliament.
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD independent fiscal institution in Malaysia is massive economic losses. Commenting on the Financial Sector
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.2420 4.1170 4.1070 critical for the assessment of the budget’s
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.0200 2.8990 2.8830 economic impact, providing alternative “We are once again at a stage where Blueprint 2022-2026 (FSB3), which was
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.1510 3.0590 3.0510 forecasts and conducting independent official and international forecasts are launched recently and dubbed as
1 EURO 3.3280 3.2380 3.2260 analysis of potential policies, particularly as bullish, but we are resisting easing of complementing the 12MP, he highlights the
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 4.8600 4.7040 4.6840 the country moves towards economic standard operating procedures for example. importance of having an independent
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.8160 2.7120 2.6960 recovery while preparing for potential assessment of FBB3.
1 STERLING POUND 3.1510 3.0590 3.0510 economic challenges posed by Covid-19 “We also had virtually no assessment of
1 SWISS FRANC 5.7480 5.5680 5.5480 variants, an economist said. the budget implications and no “We need a body that can independently
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.5690 4.4640 4.4490 independent assessment of the 12th assess that for Parliament to debate. Will it
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 116.8500 110.8300 110.6300 Geoffrey Williams, professor and dean of Malaysian Plan (12MP) implications for have a good impact or not? Who assessed
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 5.0180 4.7090 4.5090 the Institute of Postgraduate Studies at growth and development in light of the that? It cannot be independently evaluated by
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 66.8000 64.2000 Malaysia University of Science and structural damage caused by the Covid-19 the same individuals who present it,” he said.
100 INDIAN RUPEE 55.0400 52.3100 N/A Technology, said the body could assess the crisis,” he told Bernama.
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.7800 5.4200 52.1100 costs and benefits of various options and the Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0305 0.0276 5.2200 historical impact of policies, while Williams cautioned that poor forecasts economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.6840 3.5690 0.0226 conducting a comprehensive economic and result in ineffective policies, thus Malaysia said the FSB3 envisions a financial sector
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 16.4000 3.5590 social impact assessment of policy proposals requires a diversity of forecasts and that would promote structural reform such
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.4800 N/A to assist policymakers and the general public forecasters to evaluate policies. as investment among businesses, especially
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.4500 2.3200 N/A in comprehending the implications. the small and medium enterprise sector by
100 SAUDI RIYAL 117.1100 7.9600 2.1200 “We need to be aware and prudent in improving access to credit.
100THAI BAHT 114.3500 111.1700 7.7600 “The body is crucial because Malaysia light of the current economic situation and
13.4800 108.5500 110.9700 had two years (2020 and 2021), where quantify the economic losses associated He said the reform can be from traditional
11.9600 108.3500 official economic forecasts indicated that with the Covid-19 lockdowns; the economic sources of financing such as banks and
11.5600 the economy would grow at a rate of 5.0% to and social costs associated with Employees development financial institutions, as well as
6.0% or even more and, as a result, the Provident Fund withdrawals; and the full from alternative financing.
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama government felt confident that the economic impact of the 12MP,” he said.
economy would withstand the lockdowns. At the same time, he said, embracing
Williams said that more importantly, the change via digitalisation in a more effective
independent body would be able to conduct manner, one that will improve efficiencies
an independent analysis of the budget and productivity.

12 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022 READ OUR HERE SCAN
SUNBIZ ME
/thesundaily

CME: Minimum wage hike no panacea

o FMM also voices concern, says adjustments must be done rising underemployment are strictly interrelated for a 25% hike in minimum wage to RM1,500
progressively and considering multi-stakeholder impact and partially due to mass tertiary education. from the current RM1,200, as president Tan Sri
Moreover, the rising access to tertiary education Soh Thian Lai pointed out that business
PETALING JAYA: A simple minimum wage hike unintended consequences: too high wages is generating two additional phenomena, conditions remain fragile for many.
is not the proper answer to address shrinking could expel unskilled workers from the labour decreasing quality of education and decreasing
wages and salaries as well as the ensuing market rather than bettering their conditions,” it value of the education certificates. “It must be recognised that any increase in
downward pressures on purchasing power due said in a statement yesterday. business cost for manufacturers would have a
to inflationary pressures, according to the Center On this subject, CME suggested education spiralling multiplier impact on the economy and
for Market Education (CME). CME believes a well-designed policy should reforms aimed at lowering the number of tertiary derail business and economic recovery.
consider the replacement point between graduates. Adjustments to wages must be done
It outlined that the mean monthly wages and workers and machines, in order to avoid progressively and considering multi-stakeholder
salaries fell by 9% in 2020, while the median harming workers rather than helping them. “Secondary education should be already a impact.”
monthly wages and salaries fell by 15.6% due to qualifying one, preparing for administrative and
different movement restrictions and stay-at- The think tank opined that the better solution technical jobs, while tertiary education should He explained that manufacturers are
home orders. Furthermore, the Human to improve labour conditions of unskilled be left only for qualifications requiring an generally concerned about an immediate
Resources Ministry that 8.8% of workers in workers is to increase the degree of freedom of extremely high level of skills. In this way, false increase to RM1,500 but are receptive for a
Malaysia earn a monthly salary below the movement between different employers, which expectations would be avoided and most of the gradual increase under the current minimum
minimum wage of RM1,200 per month. would create competition among employers and professionals could join the labour force at an wages review to a quantum to be decided by the
the competition would increase wages. early age,” it said. National Wages Consultative Council.
On this issue, the think tank believes it is likely
a good portion of these wage-earners are made On the other hand, CME believes the The think tank also believes inflationary The president believes a more gradual
of low-skilled and immigrant workers that government should furthermore be concerned pressures should be closely monitored and increase in the wage rate would still be able to
cannot command a higher salary because of with other and more general problems affecting controlled, as failure to do so would bring about address the issue of rising cost of living due to the
their skills and productivity. the labour market, namely fresh graduate misleading analyses and wrong policies. It pandemic.
conditions, rising underemployment and pointed out that too much money chasing too
“Policymaking should deal not only with inflation. few goods is the result of the excess quantity of “In addition, employers have always
good intentions but also, and above all, with money created to handle the damages created by maintained that any increase in the minimum
It believes fresh graduates’ low wages and lockdowns. wages must commensurate with productivity
increases as any steep increases in wage costs
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers could adversely affect the overall costs and
(FMM) also raised its concern over the proposal competitiveness of businesses.”

High inflation rate gives rise to digital assets BRIEFS SERBA DINAMIK ORDERED TO
as new investment options: MX Global CEO ANNOUNCE REVIEW FINDINGS

PETALING JAYA: With rising prices and uncertainties surrounding its existence among MX Global are regulated exchanges that are PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur High
inflation trends, as well as thinning options in investors. compliant and provide a secured platform as Court yesterday ordered Serba Dinamik
the investment basket, investors can look into a opposed to unregulated exchanges. The Holdings Bhd to make an immediate public
different set of investment options that sees “We have a financial system that has been company focuses on the underlying announcement of the factual findings
growth in the era of digital finance and assets. here for years, so it is understandable that there fundamental technology behind the potential update on the special independent review
are investors who are still sceptical over the coins such as the existence of credible business as at Sept 30, 2021 within two market days
MX Global Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Fadzli Shah concept of cryptocurrency, and that is why it is and developer guidelines, as well as the in respect of the suit by Bursa Securities
said despite the slight downturn at the end of important for us regulated exchanges to keep technological promises that the coins intend to against Serba Dinamik. The High Court also
last year, people will begin to reinvest in the first investors informed on what it is, the benefits, deliver. Hence, a regulated exchange provides a struck out Serba Dinamik’s application to
quarter of 2022, a trend that is not historically and the safe and danger zones of this relatively much safer environment for investors’ peace of expunge the findings from the records.
uncommon. As fiat currency demonstrates new digital asset,” said Fadzli in a statement mind. Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd reiterate that
weaker power in the past two years, yesterday. listed issuers must make immediate public
cryptocurrency sees a huge increase in Moreover, the concept of sm art contracts is disclosure of any material information
acceptance in many countries. Malaysia is Similar to the equity and the forex markets, also climbing the ranks in terms of safety and under the Listing Requirements to ensure
observing its active cryptocurrency traders cryptocurrency is also a digital asset class that is efficiency in usage. Smart contracts are digital, all investors are well informed of and are
reaching almost the million range. speculative, thus investors should differentiate self-executing contracts written into codes on given equal access to material information
between questionable coins and legit coins that a blockchain that automatically runs when the in order to be able to trade on equal
As one of the four recognised market have strong and serious underlying fundamentals. conditions are met. It may be used in footing. “Bursa Securities will continue to
operator-digital asset exchanges (RMO-DAX) situations such as funds transfer, account discharge its statutory duties to uphold
with approval from Securities Commission “This is one of the reasons why MX Global’s registration or issuing a document. and maintain an orderly and fair market,“ it
Malaysia, MX Global sees more licences being exchange platform currently only has two coins said.
rolled out and an increase in local regulated available for trade, which is bitcoin and “I think what’s going to be in store in 2022
exchanges in the future. This shows that crypto ethereum. These coins are considered as blue will be the utilisation of smart contracts and PROTON’S JANUARY SALES
trading is already being accepted, and as it chip assets and are legitimate, that have leveraging on smart contracts. Blockchain SLIP ON SUPPLY DISRUPTION
becomes more real, there is a need for it to be withstood the test of time with clear indications technology will fundamentally change how we CAUSED BY FLOODS
regulated for its continued expansion. Albeit that is it here to stay and grow,” added Fadzli. live and work in the future, with big players
cryptocurrency’s high investment potential and such as China which is already adopting KUALA LUMPUR: Protons sales volume in
obvious future growth, there are still MX Global plans to introduce more coins in blockchain into their economy,” said Fadzli. January fell to 4,453 units (for both
the future following internal research and domestic and export sales) in January, a
reviewing of potential coins. RMO-DAX such as reduction of 25.3% from the same month
in 2021 and equivalent to an estimated
LPI Capital posts higher full-year net profit, declares 45 sen dividend local market share of 11.3% It attributed
the decline to the knock-on effects of the
PETALING JAYA: LPI Capital Bhd’s net profit claims intimations as at Dec 31, 2021. partly due to the poor performance of its fixed severe flooding in Selangor at the end of
for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2021 fell Pretax profit of Lonpac for Q4’21 was also income unit trusts investment as the increase 2021. “While Proton’s production facilities
23.2% to RM73.07 million from RM95.23 in bond yields during the year had lowered the in Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim were
million a year ago as the performance of the affected by reduced investment income and valuation of the unit trust investment. In unaffected by the floods in December, the
group was affected by the higher fair value loss on investment, reported FY2021, Lonpac booked in net fair value loss of company’s vendors were not as lucky.
normalisation of claims ratios RM46.1 million for its investment as compared Many have production facilities in Shah
with the easing of the lockdowns at RM99.1 million which is 20.1% to net fair value gain of RM1.5 million reported Alam and were thus affected by rising
and the re-opening of the lower than the RM124.1 million in FY2020. However, Lonpac registered a floodwaters,” it said in a statement
economy. registered in the previous strong underwriting performance, especially yesterday. “This had a direct effect on
corresponding quarter. in the first three quarters of the year. production volume in January, leading to a
The year-end flooding disaster shortage of units to fulfil orders. The
and lacklustre performance of the For the full year, LPI’s net profit Despite facing operational challenges situation was further compounded by
fixed income unit trusts had also increased 2.4% to RM344.68 during the year arising from movement minimal carry overstock from the previous
contributed to the lower profit of million from RM336.73 million a restrictions under various stages of MCOs, month as the company worked to close
the group. year ago. LPI registered a 5.9% Lonpac had sustained its business portfolio the gap between supply and market
increase in revenue to RM1.72 and registered a marginal 0.7% increase in its demand.” – Bernama
However, revenue improved billion from RM1.62 billion gross premium income to RM1.56 billion from
1.6% to RM429.04 million from achieved in FY2020, mainly due to RM1.55 billion reported in FY2020. Lonpac MANULIFE IN DISTRIBUTION
RM422.38 million achieved in the higher gross earned premium managed to increase its market share with AGREEMENT WITH OCBC BANK
previous corresponding period. which contributed 93.8% to the gross premium income having improved by
total operating revenue in FY2021. 5.8% to RM363 million from RM343.1 million. PETALING JAYA: Manulife Investment
For Q4’21, the group’s wholly Management (M) Bhd has entered into a
owned insurance subsidiary Lonpac Group chairman Tan Sri Dr Teh The board has declared a second interim distribution agreement with OCBC Bank
Insurance Bhd, reported an increase in its Hong Piow (pix) said despite the various dividend of 45 sen per share (FY2020: 44 sen). (Malaysia) Bhd. Through this, the company’s
claims incurred ratio to 37.7% from 34.4% in challenges encountered, triggered mainly by Together with the first interim dividend of 29 Manulife Global Thematic Fund will become
the corresponding quarter in FY20. Generally, the prolonged pandemic, the group remained sen per share (FY2020: 28.0 sen) amounting to available to OCBC Bank’s customers. The
all major classes of insurance reported an resilient and continued to report satisfactory RM115.5 million which was paid in September Manulife Global Thematic Fund is a retail
increase in their claims incurred ratio as performance in FY2021. 2021, the proposed total dividend payout for fund that invests at least 95% of its net asset
economic activities resumed and movement FY2021 is RM294.8 million representing 85.5% value into the Allianz Global Investors Fund
restrictions eased in the last quarter of the For FY2021, LPI’s net return in equity was (FY2020: 85.2%) of the group’s net profit and a – Allianz Thematica which is managed by
year. The floods in December also contributed reported at 16.1% while its earnings per share 2.8% increase from the total RM286.8 million Allianz Global Investors GmbH. The target
partly to the increase in claims incurred ratio improved to 86.52 sen from 84.52 sen. paid in FY2020. fund invests primarily in global equity
with Lonpac receiving more than 1,300 flood markets with a focus on theme and stock
For FY2021, Lonpac reported a 4.9% lower selection. It strives to build a diversified
pretax profit of RM397 million as compared portfolio that is unconstrained by region,
against RM417.6 million achieved in FY2020, sector or market capitalisation.

13theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
* SUNBIZ

KUALA NERANG: Kedah Rubber City Kedah Rubber City: RM10b
(KRC) is set to attract potential potential investments by 2025
investments worth RM10 billion and
create 15,000 job opportunities by 2025, o Project also set to create 15,000 jobs by the Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) platform. million for Phase 1 of the KRC
which will provide various spillover sameyearandwilltransform Kedahintoa According to him, KRC will also project. Following the remarkable
benefits to the local community. developed state via the NCER programme progress of KRC Phase 1, Phase 2 of
be a rubber product innovation the project is scheduled to be
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri He noted that KRC was among economic growth momentum and centre to support downstream and implemented in 2023,” he added.
Yaakob said despite being just launched, the various game changer projects development of Kedah, which will upstream activities for the sector.
the Northern Corridor Economic Region implemented by the Northern be driven by the modern and smart At the ceremony, Ismail Sabri
(NCER) strategic project had to-date Corridor Implementation Authority agriculture sector as well as high- The industrial park’s also witnessed the exchange of
attracted committed investments of RM4 (NCIA) in collaboration with the value manufacturing,” he added. development covers an area collaboration documents between
billion that would generate nearly 7,000 Kedah government to transform spanning 503ha consisting of 201ha NCIA and various stakeholders and
job opportunities for the Malaysian Kedah into a developed state, thus The prime minister said that under Phase 1 and 302ha in Phase 2. investors with regard to the
Family. narrowing the regional KRC, strategically located along the development of KRC.
development gap. “Rubber Belt” area of the Malaysia- He said the physical project
“For example, the strategic Thailand border, would cultivate development works by NCIA were The launch of KRC yesterday was
partnership between Mitsui & Co “KRC is developed with the aim stronger regional cooperation and running smoothly, with Phase 1 also attended by Finance Minister
(Malaysia) and Hong Seng Consolidated of making it a leader in the integration between the two already completed and ready to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul
Bhd involves an investment of about RM3 development of Malaysia’s rubber countries, as well as serving as a welcome the arrival of investors. Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister
billion for KRC. industry, as well as a global hub for driver in connecting major rubber Department (Economy) Datuk Seri
high-value rubber industry. producers in the region under the “Therefore, I hope that local and Mustapa Mohamed, Rural
“The partnership will also strengthen Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand foreign investors will seize the Development Minister Datuk Seri
the raw material supply chain in the “Its existence reflects the opportunity to set up their Mahdzir Khalid, Perlis Mentri Besar
manufacture of nitrile butadiene latex operations in KRC. Datuk Seri Azlan Man; Perak Mentri
(NBL) polymers through Mitsui’s Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad,
expertise in this industry. The investment “The federal government, with and Penang Chief Minister Chow
will not only create 1,600 new job the support of the Economic Kon Yeow. – Bernama
opportunities but will also help reduce Planning Unit and the prime
the dependence on imported NBL minister’s department, has
polymers,” he said when launching KRC approved an allocation of RM417.5
yesterday.

Ismail Sabri said the launch of the KRC
project, one of the national strategic
projects in NCER, was timely as the
country was in the recovery process and
its economic growth had been affected by
the Covid-19 pandemic.

BRIEFS OPENSYS BAGS EXTRA
RM10.8M DEAL TO
SUPPLY CRM TO BSN From left, back row:
NCIA CEO Datuk Seri
PETALING JAYA: Financial services, Jebasingam Issace
telecommunications and utilities John, Kedah Mentri
solutions provider OpenSys (M) Besar Datuk Seri
Bhd has secured an additional Muhammad Sanusi
RM10.8 million in a letter of award Md Nor, Prime
(LOA) to supply more cash Minister Datuk Seri
recycling machines (CRM) to Bank Ismail Sabri Yaakob,
Simpanan Nasional (BSN) Minister in the Prime
branches nationwide. OpenSys Minister’s
first supplied BSN the initial batch Department
of CRM in 2019. With additional (Economy) Datuk Seri
CRM deployed under this latest Mustapa Mohamed,
LOA, BSN would commission and Rural
more than 270 CRM in total across Development
branches nationwide by the end Minister Datuk Seri
of 2022. Apart from supplying and Mahdzir Khalid. In the
commissioning the CRM, OpenSys front row are Mitsui
would also undertake regular Malaysia managing
maintenance of the machines. director Daiji Kojima
(left) and Teoh.
BIOALPHA TO START
HUMAN CLINICAL TRIAL Hong Seng partners Mitsui Group for NBL plant and tank farm
FOR DIABETES DRUG
PETALING JAYA: Integrated health
supplement company Bioalpha
Holdings Bhd has obtained
approval from Malaysia’s National
Pharmaceutical Regulatory
Agency (NPRA) to commence
human clinical trial in Malaysia for
the botanical drug in relation to PETALING JAYA: Hong Seng spans 63 countries in Asia; Europe; Hong Seng’s NBL plant, as well as chain from upstream to
treatment of type 2 diabetes. Consolidated Bhd accepted North, Central and South America; finance, and to provide raw downstream incorporating
Bioalpha will undertake the yesterday a letter of intent (LOI) the Middle East; Africa; and materials for the tank farm
clinical trial in collaboration with from Mitsui & Co (Malaysia) Sdn Oceania. The Mitsui group has built established by Hong Seng’s fully advanced technologies and world-
Bhd to form a partnership for Hong a strong and diverse core business owned subsidiary HS Petchem Sdn class standards.
an internationally accredited Seng’s nitrile butadiene latex (NBL) portfolio covering the mineral and Bhd. “We will be developing our RM3
Contract Research Organisation, business at Kedah Rubber City and metal resources, energy, machinery
expected to take place at a tank farm integrated logistics and infrastructure, and chemicals Hong Seng group managing billion NBL project here, which is
services business in Penang. industries. The group generated a director Datuk Seri Teoh Hai Hin poised to position Hong Seng as the
Malaysian general hospital. The revenue of ¥8.6 trillion (RM312 said that with this partnership, Hong first public-listed and large-scale
objective of the trial is to ascertain The partnership will strengthen billion) for its nine-month financial Seng will be able to contribute to the
the ideal dosage for humans and Malaysia’s dominance in the global period ended Dec 31, 2021. nation in terms of knowledge nitrile raw material producer in
glove industry with its world-class sharing and new technology Malaysia. Thus, the partnership that
evaluate the human body reaction technologies and capabilities. According to the LOI, Mitsui transfers to be acquired during the we will form with Mitsui will enable
to the drug. Bioalpha managing expressed its intention to provide a course of the project, which will
director William Hon said with this Mitsui is a subsidiary of Japan’s one-stop supply chain management position Malaysia into becoming us to leverage on the expertise and
Mitsui & Co Ltd, which has a for feedstocks and raw materials of the hub for nitrile latex total supply global network of Mitsui in the
NPRA approval, Bioalpha is one diversified business portfolio that chemical supply industry, while
step closer to bringing a safe and
efficacious herbal treatment for helping to strengthen Mitsui’s
type 2 diabetes to the market. market in Malaysia.”

Dominant Opto to invest RM1.3b more in Malacca

MALACCA: Dominant Opto could further expand the vehicle lights leading manufacturers by starting in He said the company also received more sophisticated and higher output
Technologies Sdn Bhd, an automotive manufacturing industry for the world’s Malacca,” he told reporters after a the contract as a supplier to BMW machines.
light-emitting diodes (LED) leading car manufacturers. working visit to the factory yesterday. luxury car for the X Series, which used
manufacturer, will make an additional LED technology produced by the “The move is also to strengthen
RM1.3 billion investment this year in ”It is also to increase productivity. Rauf said the state government is company. product manufacturing and compete
Malacca. The construction of a new 10-storey also proud of the Malaccan-owned with other companies globally,” he
The state’s Industry, Investment building in the area will increase firm’s achievement, which had been Meanwhile, Dominant Opto said.
and Entrepreneur Development employment opportunities for the operating there for three decades and Technologies CEO Tay Kheng Chiong
executive councillors Datuk Seri Ab people in the state. succeeded to place itself in fourth place said the company has about 120 He added that currently, the
Rauf Yusoh said the investment by the of the world’s LED technology supplier researchers, who conducted research company has 2,126 local workers and
local firm operating in Batu Berendam “We hope this company will pioneer after Germany, Japan and the United and development, covering the design 404 foreign workers besides targeting a
LED manufacturing technology and States. and modification process to produce 20% increase in revenue in the sector
continue to compete with the world’s annually. – Bernama

14 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
SUNBIZ

SGX bets on niche SPAC BRIEFS INVESTOR CONFIDENCE
IN THAI STOCKS AT
LOWEST IN 6 MONTHS
BANGKOK: Investor confidence
listings to capture tech boom in Thailand’s stock market over
the next three months slipped
to a six-month low on
concerns about the Federal
Reserve’s tightening plans and
a sluggish domestic economy.
A January survey by the
o Singapore Exchange hosted three blank-cheque companies said Ashish Wadhwani, a Singapore-based Federation of Thai Capital
managing partner at IvyCap Ventures, an Indian Market Organizations showed
firm managing about US$400 million (RM1.67 its investor confidence index
last month and ‘the pipeline is very strong’ billion) of assets. tumbled to 93.91 from 129.53
Last year, fundraising on SGX halved to the previous month. Foreign
US$565 million, a six-year low, with just eight investors’ confidence plunged
SINGAPORE: After years of struggling to emerge have turned to Hong Kong for blockbuster equity listings, Refinitiv data shows. to the “bearish zone” from the
from the shadows of regional rivals, Singapore listings over the past decade. Underlying Singapore’s cautious approach, “bullish zone”, hurt also by
Exchange (SGX) is looking to establish itself as While a craze in SPACs has fizzled out in the state investor Temasek-linked entities featured international conflicts, the
the hub for blank-cheque firms, riding on among cornerstone investors in two of the three federation said yesterday. –
regulatory overhaul, support by state firms, and a United States since early 2021 amid regulatory SPACs, all of which were oversubscribed. Reuters
scrutiny and poor returns, SGX hosted three
tech boom in its back yard. SPACs last month in their first major debut in Vertex Venture Holdings, a Temasek
Encouraged by the flurry of Southeast Asian Asia. The attraction is that they are simpler and subsidiary, and one of Southeast Asia’s largest FOREIGN EXIT FROM
tech startups seeking funding and the bourse’s typically more rewarding for startups than an funds, was the first to launch a S$200 million tech ASIAN EQUITIES
revised rules, Singapore could list up to a dozen IPO. SPAC in January.
special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) “Looking at the response for the first SPACs, “I expect the exchange and regulators to be HITS 7-MONTH HIGH
within the next 12-18 months, bankers, venture
capitalists, and analysts say. the pipeline is very strong,” said Eng-Kwok Seat quite careful in all these processes. I don’t think BENGALURU: Asian equities
Moey, capital markets head at DBS, joint issue they will suddenly just open up the floodgates faced big outflows in January
A key test for SGX will come when such manager on two SPAC IPOs with Credit Suisse. and everybody can come,” said Chua Kee Lock, on concerns over a surge in US
companies, also known as blank-cheque or shell CEO of Vertex, which manages US$5.1 billion of yields, with the Federal
firms, have to seal merger targets within two Singapore SPACs are likely to chase targets in assets. Reserve indicating that it
years, a “de-SPACing” process already weighing fintech, tech and consumer sectors, bankers say. would be more aggressive in
on US deals as hundreds of SPACS chase targets. Valuations of targets could range between S$800 Backers of regional tech and industrial tightening its monetary policy
million and S$2 billion (RM2.49 billion and buyout fund Novo Tellus’ S$150 million SPAC this year. Cross-border
Analysts say Singapore faces a challenge to RM6.22 billion), with dealmaking likely as early included a Temasek unit. investors sold Asian equities
get its traditionally risk-averse investors as this year. European asset manager Tikehau Capital, worth a net US$8.41 billion
interested in a new asset class, especially after “The size of the opportunity, of younger which has two Europe-listed SPACs, also chose (RM35.19 billion) in South
SGX has met with limited success in its previous companies scaling up and going for listings, is Singapore for a S$170 million SPAC listing, with Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines,
attempts to shore up its equity market. several times what it was many years ago and co-sponsors including LVMH chairman Bernard Vietnam, Indonesia and India
In contrast, large international institutions over the next decade it’ll be multiples of those,” Arnault. – Reuters in the last month, according to
Refinitiv data. That marked the
biggest outflow since July
Commodities drive Toshiba to split into two 2021, data from regional stock
Indonesia economic companies in revised plan exchanges showed. MSCI Asia
recovery in 2021 Pacific Index dropped 4.36% in
TOKYO: Japan’s Toshiba yesterday announced case for other Japanese giants. January, marking its biggest
JAKARTA: Indonesia’s economy returned to plans to split into two companies, revising a But it said yesterday that “since this is the first monthly decline in six months.
controversial proposal to divide into three large-scale spin-off transaction in Japan ... it However, Indonesian and Thai
equities received inflows
worth about US$400 million
each. – Reuters

growth last year as surging commodity following a tumultuous period for the storied turned out there were obstacles which were not BRITAIN’S HOUSING
prices helped drive a recovery from a industrial conglomerate. initially expected”. BOOM STARTING
coronavirus-triggered recession, data TO FADE: HALIFAX
showed yesterday, though officials warned The group said it plans to spin off its device Among those were higher-than-expected
the outlook depended on how well the fast- segment, including its semiconductor business, costs, and an extensive process to list the two new LONDON: British house prices
in a bid to speed up decision-making and boost entities.
spreading Omicron variant is managed. stock performance. A two-way split instead “can significantly in January rose at their slowest
Southeast Asia’s biggest economy Shareholders, who have clashed with reduce separation costs, secure financial monthly pace since June last
soundness for each company, and significantly year as a post-lockdown boom
expanded 3.69% on-year, the country’s management on the best way forward for the reduce spin-off uncertainty”, the company said. in the housing market started
statistics agency said, having contracted in troubled company, must still approve the to fade and a growing cost-of-
2020 for the first time since 1998 during the proposal in a vote expected in March. The The spin-off is expected to cost ¥20 billion living squeeze is likely to add a
region’s financial crisis. original spin-off plan faced stiff opposition from (RM727 million) over two years, with running further brake, mortgage lender
some key investors. costs also increasing by ¥13 billion a year. But Halifax said yesterday. House
The healthy rebound came largely on the Tsunakawa said that would be offset by plans to prices in January rose by 0.3%
back of declining coronavirus cases and The firm also said it will unload its stake in air- reduce operating costs by ¥30 billion annually. from December, Halifax said.
robust exports, as prices for key conditioning business Toshiba Carrier and seek Russell Galley, managing
commodities such as palm oil, coal and to sell its elevator and lighting units. The Japanese giant wants the split finalised by director at Halifax, said “it
nickel rose significantly, Central Statistics the second half of the 2022-23 financial year, but remains likely that the rate of
Bureau head Margo Yuwono told a news “We believe a spin-off is optimal,” president it could yet face shareholder opposition. house price growth will slow
conference. and CEO Satoshi Tsunakawa told investors, considerably over the next
promising it would “enable more agile and As part of the overhaul, the company yesterday year” even as the limited
And in an optimistic sign, the economy flexible operations”. declared Toshiba Tec and its air-conditioning, supply of houses for sale will
grew a forecast-beating 5.02% on-year in the elevator and lighting units “non-core businesses”. provide some support to
final three months. He said the sprawling business “struggled with It has already agreed to the sale of Toshiba Carrier prices. Compared with January
the conglomerate discount and slowness in to the US-based Carrier Corporation in a deal last year, house prices were
“We hope the momentum of the decision-making” in the past, and streamlining reportedly worth some ¥100 billion . 9.7% higher than a year earlier,
economic recovery will be maintained in operations would allow investors to choose the Halifax said. – Reuters
2022 as long as we all agree that health portion of the business that interested them. The conglomerate currently owns 60% of the
protocols are critical so daily cases will decline Toshiba initially unveiled a plan to split into air-con company’s shares and will retain only 5%
and mobility will get better,”Yuwono said. three last November, in what analysts called a test when the sale is completed later this year. – AFP
The country’s trade surplus for 2021
reached US$35.34 billion (RM147.9 billion), its
highest in 15 years, the agency said earlier.

BHP unveils world’s first LNG-powered ore carrierIndonesia was hit hard in July as the Delta
variant swept the country, forcing the
government to impose tighter social- SINGAPORE: BHP Group unveiled value chain by 2050. It views its fleet
distancing restrictions that hobbled the world’s first liquefied natural gas- of LNG-powered bulkers as a key
businesses. A subsequent easing of those fuelled bulk carrier vessel in means to reduce emissions of carbon
restrictions as cases declined in the fourth Singapore yesterday, one of five dioxide and other pollutants over the
quarter allowed for a bounceback in some vessels that the mining giant will near term even as a majority of its
sectors, including transportation. take delivery of in 2022 as part of fleet still runs on high-emitting fuel
But daily caseloads are once again efforts to curb supply chain oil.
surging owing to Omicron, with the country emissions. BHP chief commercial officer
reporting 30,000 cases a day compared with The 299-metre long Mt Tourmaline Vandita Pant said the LNG vessels
fewer than 1,000 in December, forcing Newcastlemax ore carrier was built would lower emissions by about 30%
officials to reimpose containment measures by Eastern Pacific Shipping in China per journey.
in Jakarta, Bandung and Bali. and stopped off in Singapore to take “That reduces our emissions for
The government expects daily cases to on LNG fuel. It will next head to Port our customers and for our suppliers,”
peak by late February or early March. Hedland in Western Australia to load she said at the vessel launch at
Despite worries over Omicron, the Central iron ore that will then be shipped to Jurong port in Singapore.
Bank of Indonesia has projected the customers in China. While the vessel can also still burn
economy to grow 4.7-5.5% this year, while BHP, which is the world’s largest traditional very low sulphur fuel oil,
the International Monetary Fund has miner and shipper of dry bulk BHP intends to use LNG to power Mt
projected a 5.6% expansion in 2022 and commodities, is targeting net zero Tourmaline as much as possible, said Mount Tourmaline seen moored at Jurong Port in Singapore yesterday.
6.0% in 2023. – AFP greenhouse gas emissions from its Pant. – Reuters – REUTERSPIX

T U E S DAY
8 FEBRUARY 2022

█ BY MARIETTA MU

WITH more than 4.75
million votes cast and
counted, the 13th
Annual Goodreads
Choice Awards are now official.

The season of love is right around
the corner and if you’re short of a
date but want to feel head-over-
heels, here are the top romance
books to accompany you on
Valentine’s Day that are sure to make
you feel like sparks are flying in the
air.

0 People We Meet on Vacation by Love is in the writings Suddenly, the town is under attack
Emily Henry from murderous wind-up toys, a
Poppy and Alex are two best friends o Here are the top Romance books from Goodreads Choice Awards pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with
who are the complete opposite of 2021 to bury your head in this Valentine’s Day some interesting things to say.
each other and have spent their
summers going on a week-long other words, a plan that will never Ever After, The Spanish Love around, trying to help. Before long, Follow Vivi and Rhys along as they
vacation together every year since work. Deception is the perfect book for you she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen, try to mend the curse (along with the
becoming friends a decade ago. That to read this Valentine’s. and his spare bedroom. city) before it’s too late.
is, until two years ago when they Catalina Martín knew her family 0 Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia 0 The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling 0 Neon Gods by Katee Robert
complicated everything and haven’t would be overjoyed if she were to Hibbert Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones When society darling Persephone
spoken since. bring her American boyfriend to her Eve Brown is a certified hot mess so nursed her broken heart like any Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-
sister’s wedding in Spain. However, a she decided it was time for her to young witch would: vodka, weepy modern city of Olympus and start
Poppy has everything she should month wasn’t enough time to find grow up and prove herself, even music, bubble baths … and a curse on over far from the backstabbing
want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone willing to fly across the though she’s not entirely sure how. the horrible boyfriend. politics of the Thirteen Houses, her
someone asks when she was last Atlantic Ocean for a wedding, let Jacob Wayne is a perfectionist B&B plans were ruined when her mother
truly happy, she knows, without a alone someone eager to play along owner on a mission to dominate the Vivi knew better than to use her ambushes her with an engagement to
doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final with her charade. hospitality industry. So when the magic this way, but she thought it Zeus, the dangerous power behind
trip with Alex. And so, she decides to purple-haired tornado of a woman would only cause him a bad hair day their glittering city’s dark facade.
convince her best friend to take one With just her luck, her insufferable turns up out of the blue to interview or two.
more vacation together to make it all 6’4”, blue-eyed colleague Aaron for his open chef position, he, of With no options left, Persephone
right. Miraculously, he agrees, and Blackford was standing in front of her, course, said not a chance in hell. When her ex, Rhys Penhallow, flees to the forbidden undercity and
now she has a week to fix everything. offering himself to be her date. Then she hits him with her car, breaker of hearts, returns to Graves makes a devil’s bargain with a man
Without much choice left and to supposedly by accident. Glen, Georgia, a quick trip to recharge she once believed a myth ... a man
This book is perfect for the person Catalina’s total despair, she takes on the town’s ley lines ended up being who awakens her to a world she never
who wants to read Emily Henry’s his offer. Now with his arm broken, his B&B horrendously disastrous. With one knew existed.
insightful analysis about the is understaffed, the dangerously calamity after another striking Rhys,
perplexing grey area between If you’re looking for an enemies- unpredictable Eve is fluttering Vivi realises her silly little Ex Hex may Hades has spent his life in the
friendship and true love. to-lovers, fake-dating romantic not have been so harmless after all. shadows, and he has no intention of
0 The Love Hypothesis by Ali comedy, a steamy slow-burn stepping into the light. But when he
Hazelwood romance with the sweetest Happily finds that Persephone can offer a little
As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, slice of the revenge he’s spent years
Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to
romantic relationships, but her best help her – for a price.
friend Anh would not take a ‘no’ for
an answer, so the only thing Olive For a modern retelling of Hades
could do was convince her that she and Persephone, Neon Gods is a story
was already dating someone by that is as sinful as it is sweet.
panicking and kissing the first man 0 Seven Days in June by Tia
she sees. Williams
Brooklynite Eva Mercy is a single
Turns out, it was Adam Carlsen, a mom and bestselling erotica writer,
young hotshot professor, who is who is feeling pressed from all sides.
infamous for his manners, or lack Shane Hall is a reclusive, enigmatic,
thereof. However, Stanford’s reigning award-winning literary author who,
lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade to everyone’s surprise, shows up in
a secret and be her fake boyfriend New York.
was the first but not the last thing he
surprises her with. So when Shane and Eva meet
unexpectedly at a literary event,
As their whirlwind of a not-so-real sparks fly, raising not only their past
relationship continues, sparks starts buried traumas, but the eyebrows of
to fly in their little experiment. New York’s Black literati.

If Season 2 of Bridgerton wasn’t That was because no one knew
enough for you and you crave about the one crazy week they spent
another story of a ruse to love, this is together 20 years ago when they were
the story for you. teenagers, and very much madly in
0 One Last Stop by Casey love.
McQuiston
Twenty-three-year-old August is a They may be pretending that
self-proclaimed cynical loner who everything is fine now, but they can’t
moved to New York City and she deny their chemistry, or the fact that
definitely doesn’t believe that magic they’ve been secretly writing to each
and cinematic love stories exist in other in their books ever since.
real life.
Over the next week in the middle
But then, a gorgeous girl on her of a steamy Brooklyn summer, Eva
daily commute came along: Jane. and Shane reconnect, but Eva’s not
Dazzling, charming, mysterious sure how she can trust the man who
Jane. Jane in a leather jacket with her broke her heart.
rough edges and swoopy hair and
soft smile. If you want a witty, warm, and
romantic novel of two writers and
August’s subway crush becomes their second chance at love, Seven
her favourite part of her day, only for Days in June should be your pick to
her to discover that Jane doesn’t just read on Feb 14.
look like an old school punk rocker,
she’s literally displaced in time from
the 1970s, and August is determined
to help her with a little bit of magic
and love.
0 The Spanish Love Deception by
Elena Armas
Like the title suggests, a trip to Spain
and three days of pretending. Or in

ENTERTAINMENT

16 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022

█ COMPILED BY JOHN TAN, ANANSA JACOB, MARIETTA MU & S. TAMARAI CHELVI

Angelababy takes
a welcome break

ACTRESS Angelababy, 32, who
announced her divorce from Huang
Xiaoming, 44, just last month, was
spotted enjoying some quality time at a
ski resort.

During the Lunar New Year last week,
she posted four selfies at midnight
showing herself already on holiday.

Then on Saturday, she posted a video
of her having fun, wearing full ski gear
and showing off her snowboarding skills.

Fans appeared relieved that the star
seems to be enjoying herself following
the end of her seven-year marriage. Both
Angelababy and Huang announced their
split through social media on Jan 28,
saying that they were grateful for the past
and that they will continue to co-parent
their five-year-old son, affectionately
nicknamed Little Sponge.

Speculation had been rife that the
couple were no longer together, after fans
noticed that Angelababy was no longer
wearing her six-carat Chaumet diamond
wedding ring, which cost US$1.6 million
(RM6.7 million).

Sudden turnaroundJohnson (left) openly withdrew his support for Rogan after learning the host had used a racial slur in the past. – LA TIMES/FACEBOOK
oDwayne Johnson withdraws his podcasts from the streaming that I wish I hadn’t said, or had
support for Joe Rogan, calls it a platform. But things took a turn said differently,” Rogan captioned
“learning moment” after singer India Arie posted a the video. He then admitted how it
compilation of clips showing was horrible of him to use the
One of the pictures shared by Angelababy of THE ROCK aka Dwayne recent complaints about him Rogan using the “N-word”, in order offensive slur.
her snowboarding. – CHINA PRESS Johnson appears to have spreading false information about to explain why she was
withdrawn his support for Covid and vaccines. withdrawing her music from And though he has not been
embattled podcast host Spotify. using it for years, he calls his past
Joe Rogan, following revelations He even suggested going on the act “the most regretful and
about the latter’s “N-word” show as a guest. “Great stuff here Following this, Johnson posted shameful thing I’ve ever had to talk
controversy. brother,” Johnson had tweeted at a mea culpa on Twitter, saying: “I about publicly.” Rogan then
Rogan. “Perfectly articulated. Look was not aware of his N-word use concluded the post by expressing
The Fast and Furious star had forward to coming on one day and prior to my comments, but now how he is not a racist and wishes
originally voiced out his support breaking out the tequila with you.” I’ve become educated to his he could take it all back.
for Rogan and his podcast, The Joe complete narrative. Learning
Rogan Experience, stating he was Johnson was the lone voice moment for me.” “There’s nothing I can do to
impressed by Rogan’s response to against protests from major take that back. I wish I could,
artistes to remove Rogan’s Rogan has since apologised for obviously, that’s not possible.”
his usage of the offensive racial
slur in his old episodes. Spotify has also since removed
over 100 episodes of Rogan’s
“There’s been a lot of s*** from podcast after discussion with the
the old episodes of the podcast speaker and his team.

Tom Holland details Uncharted challenges Multiple takes needed for iconic kiss

FOR Spider-Man star Tom Holland, IN a recent commentary video for smiling from cheek to cheek
taking on the role of Uncharted hero Netflix’s latest hit zombie K-drama, before revealing that they had to
Nathan Drake was an unusually All Of Us Are Dead, the cast sat with perform 17 takes to get it right.
challenging because it meant playing director Lee Jae-gyu and writer
against his traditional movie type. Chun Sung-il to share behind-the- Cho explained that she initially
scenes stories that took place had her eyes closed when she was
“One of the most difficult things during filming. leaning in for the kiss, so she
about this character was playing ‘the couldn’t find where his lips were.
cool guy,’” Holland explained in an When the directors were talking
interview with The Hollywood about the much-talked about Lomon revealed that he was
Reporter. kissing scene between Choi Nam- really nervous before the first take
ra (played by Cho Yi-hyun), the and kept worrying, however, after
“Historically, I’ve always sort of studious class president, and Lee the first take and kiss, he jokingly
played the outsider who doesn’t Su-hyeok (played by Lomon), a added that he finally understood
particularly have many friends and former delinquent, Lomon was why actors enjoy acting in
isn’t the cool kid. So Nathan Drake is romance dramas.
the complete opposite, and that was
something that took me a while to get Holland (right) and Wahlberg in a scene from the upcoming Uncharted film. –
used to and feel comfortable doing.” SONY PICTURES

Making the process a little more (played by Mark Wahlberg) from the game Uncharted 3: Drake’s A screenshot from the video showing Cho recounting the kiss scene. –
difficult were the numerous searching for explorer Ferdinand Deception, most notably a scene of NETFLIX/YOUTUBE
production issues that plagued the Magellan’s lost treasure, with Drake trying to climb back onto a
film. Numerous directors were Uncharted’s trailers drawing a lot of plane’s cargo bay using a series of
attached to the project, before it parallels to the story of Uncharted 4: strapped crates dangling in the air.
ultimately fell to Zombieland’s A Thief’s End.
Reuben Fleischer. The film releases in theatres on
Its set pieces also borrow heavily Feb 18.
Holland has openly admitted that
the process of finding the right
director was “stressful,“ noting that
certain directors “had ideas that we
didn’t like, that just didn’t fit the
characters, and we had to move on to
other people.”

The film will serve as a prequel to
Drake’s story and how he met Sully

ENTERTAINMENT

17theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022

█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN A director’s journey
o The upcoming movie Vannam is a
BECOMING a director isn’t romantic tale dedicated to everyone in love
just about making movies,
web series, commercials, or Siddharth Thevadason; and (inset) the Vaanam movie poster.
music videos. The
opportunity to direct a project is not attempts were made; however, the But one year later, he finally felt up, I couldn’t do it anymore.” was unexpected, and considers it
a given just because you have idea was thwarted by tight that he had found the right people. However, his team members one of his greatest achievements.
successfully completed a project in schedules and difficulties finalising Of course, this wasn’t the end of managed to persuade him to carry
another medium. talents for the movie, and Siddarth’s their struggles. Just when they on and assured him that everything Since then, the film has earned
dream of directing a movie had to thought everything was finally was going to be okay as long as they around 16 awards.
Transforming a passion into a be put on hold. getting back on the right track, the continued working as a team.
profession requires creativity and leading stars left due to busy “Of course, I didn’t expect all
the ability to do so with confidence Two years later, he decided to schedules again, this went on for a Filming eventually took place, these wins but this could not have
at the exact moment when it is resume filming again. “I started it while until the team finally picked and despite having technical issues, been possible without my team, [I
needed. It requires a lot of hard work myself, I did the research and wrote up new leads for the film. they wrapped up their shoot am] forever grateful.”
and struggles. That’s exactly how it the script accordingly.” When asked beautifully.
was for Siddarth Thevadason. about the process of casting, he said: “When I finally thought When asked what were his plans
“I give [priority] to people who need everything was going well, I was In July 2021, Siddarth received for the future, he said: “Looking at
“I was into writing and filming a chance.” shocked to hear that the producer the good news he never expected. my short film’s success, I want to do
but I didn’t know what was the exact was backing off from the film The team celebrated their first a feature film next.”
word to this profession.” Siddarth In 2018, he had to postpone the because of financial issues.” This success when their film, a love story
told theSun. The first-time director filming again fas he was unable to was the moment when Siddarth was titled Vannam, bagged two awards Malaysian audiences can look
started off as a junior assistant in decide on the main leads for the ready to give up on his dream to at the Uruvatti International Film forward to seeing Vannam for
2007. He was introduced to the film. “I put a lot of effort into getting make his first film. Festival in India. It also won an themselves this year. You can look
world of production by his friend the best cast, but most of the time, I award at the Toronto Tamil Film out for the film’s trailer on SE
Siva, and asked to participate in a was just not satisfied.” Siddharth said: “I wanted to give Festival, which Siddarth admitted Network’s social media channels
film directed by the talented Indian (YouTube, Instagram and
director Vishnu Vardhan. Facebook).

Siddarth said: “I was just asked to
be there because they needed more
manpower and I thought it was just a
contract-based job.” He later
realised this was the beginning of a
new journey, and he tried to make
the most of it.

Following his good friend’s
advice to learn as much as possible
in three weeks without expecting
much in return, Siddarth did his
best.

Towards the end of the shoot, he
took his opportunity to exchange
phone numbers with the director. “I
had the opportunity to meet Mr.
Vishnu again and traveled with him
for three days. He was kind enough
to give me important tips on how to
become a skillful director and I
learned a lot from him.”

Since then, Siddarth became
passionate about directing and
grabbed every opportunity to excel
and learn. His friend Siva continued
to introduce him to places to widen
his knowledge.

“I took every chance, I became a
writing assistant, location
coordinator, and even a camera
assistant. I wanted to learn as much
as I can.”

He explainedl “[The years] 2007
to 2009 were a major turning point
for me, I was given opportunities to
[work] on documentaries and
advertisement shoots.”

Siddharth continued working
hard to build up a good career for
himself. In 2011, luck came
knocking on his door when he was
offered the position of assistant
director for a local TV station.

Along the way, he met Dev, a
cinematographer who wanted to
make a film with Siddarth. Several

Growing on love and against his better judgement, he lets Clifford and use it as a laboratory animal. 0Cast:
Clifford stay in her room for the night. Of course, the movie is better than expected, Darby Camp,
THIS is the first live-action adaptation of the Jack Whitehall,
late Norman Bridwell’s classic children’s book The next morning, they are all shocked to the CGI was satisfying. However, I do feel some Izaac Wang,
series. This version of Clifford The Big Red Dog, discover that the tiny puppy has grown into a parts are lacking. As an example, the villain’s Tony Hale
directed by Walt Becker, sticks to his original giant dog. Then, when the news of Clifford’s mission can be confusing for viewers especially 0Director:
story. Much like in the books, Clifford is a existence goes viral on social media, Lyfgro CEO the younger ones who might struggle to Walt Becker
scrappy delight. He may be frantic and stagger Tieran (Tony Hale), makes plans to steal understand his goals.
here and there, but he is passionate about E-VALUE
what’s important and his basic charms are 8
almost impossible to resist.
ACTING
The story begins when Emily (Darby Camp), 9
a middle school student, moves to New York
City with her mother, Maggie (Sienna Guillory). PLOT
She is constantly bullied by her classmates. 8

When her mum is away for a business trip, Despite all of that, the film focuses on being
she asks her brother Casey (Jack Whitehall), to an entertaining and lovely story. It’s a classic
take care of Emily. story about how people react to things that are
different and reassures viewers that it’s okay to
Clifford is a puppy who was born in an be different. Overall, the movie is definitely
abandoned building and after accidentally watchable and occasionally amusing. – by
getting separated from his mother and siblings, Thashine Selvakumaran
he lands in the hands of an animal vendor Mr.
Bridwell (John Cleese). When Emily stumbled
upon Bridwell’s Animal Rescue, an adoption
booth in Central Park, she instantly connects
with Clifford, an adorable red puppy.

When Emily leaves the adoption booth, she
discovers that Clifford has slipped into her
backpack. She pleads with Casey to keep him,

FOOD FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN
ME
18 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022 /theSunMedia

Good for heart and soul
oWe explore the benefits of non-
alcoholic beer, minus the hangover

█ BY MARIETTA MU normally drink beer.
NON-ALCOHOLIC beer is a 2. Help in cutting down drinking
malt beverage with very low Whether you’ve been thinking of
alcoholic content. Although cutting down on drinking or giving it
the name might lead one to up completely, non-alcoholic beer
believe that a non-alcoholic beverage can help. One of the reasons why
contains no measurable alcohol, this non-alcoholic beer is an effective
is not true. Technically speaking, replacement for alcoholic drinks is
there is no such thing as non- because your body associates the
alcoholic beer, because beer contains flavour and smell with full-strength
alcohol by definition.
However, if one of your beer.
new years’ resolutions This leads to dopamine
is to drink less, that production, which is
doesn’t mean you the same chemical
have to stop that makes you
drinking beer feel good when
altogether. you drink
It also alcohol.
doesn’t mean Research
that you have has also
to opt for just found that
water or drinking non-
sugary soft alcoholic beer
drinks. gives you the
That’s where same feelings
non-alcoholic of reward as full- 4. A good night’s sleep 5. Anxiety-away! restless during the night. In another
beer comes in. It is a strength beer. Some researchers have found that Just as the hops in beer help promote study that looked into sleep patterns of
great alternative to This means that you hops, which is a key ingredient in better sleep, researchers have found university students during a stressful
regular beer as it lacks the can get some of the some non-alcoholic beer, improves that consuming alcohol-free beer exam period, researchers found that
harmful effects of alcohol, so sleep disorders. Specifically, the reduces feelings of anxiety and stress. drinking non-alcoholic beer helped
here are some of the reasons to try positive emotional effects compounds xanthohumol and In an experimental study, participants them fall asleep faster too.
out non-alcoholic beer. of alcohol without all the myrcenol in hops also have a sedative showed a decrease in urinary levels of
negative consequences. effect and can improve sleep. This is 5-HIAA during the period of drinking So if you still want to enjoy a cold
1. The taste 3. Good for the heart because hops decreases neural zero-alcohol beer for two weeks, beer with friends but want to avoid a
If the thought of drinking a can of Non-alcoholic beer has several activity and allows the brain to relax. indicating a reduction in anxiety as hangover, try some non-alcoholic
beer is gag-inducing, you’re not health benefits. making it one of the those with anxiety disorders show beer instead!
alone. Many people who dislike the healthiest drinks available behind the Besides that, drinking alcohol too high levels of this compound.
strong bitter taste can try alcohol-free bar. For instance, researchers have close to bedtime can disrupt your Do note that since non-alcoholic
beers which are as flavourful and shown that the polyphenols derived sleep-cycle in several ways. Besides that, in an experimental beer provides some of the sensory
aromatic as their alcoholic from hops in non-alcoholic beer can According to the National Sleep study with work-stressed nurses, cues of full-strength beer, it’s possible
counterparts. From dark and roasty benefit your cardiovascular health. In Foundation (NSF), people get lower- drinking alcohol-free beer in the to lead you back onto the stronger
flavours to fruity and refreshing tarty addition, non-alcoholic beer offers quality sleep following alcohol evening during a two-week period stuff. If you have an addiction to
flavours, there’s something for small amounts of several vitamins because it suprresses REM sleep, improved their sleep quality. In alcohol, it’s best to speak with a
everyone, even those who don’t and minerals, including phosphorus, which is often considered the most particular, researchers found that the healthcare professional before you use
magnesium, and vitamin Bs. restorative type of sleep. nurses fell asleep faster and were less non-alcoholic beer to cut down your
drinking.

Study reveals Britons’ boozing French champagne houses toast
skyrockets during lockdown record sales

BRITONS are increasingly A YouGov survey looked at how often and how much people drink, and FRENCH champagne sales French champagne sales rebounded
drinking dangerous levels of whether they miss out on usual activities due to drinking. – ETX STUDIO rebounded last year to reach a record last year to reach a record RM26.31
alcohol since the start of the 5.5 billion euros (RM26.31 billion) as billion. – ETX STUDIO
pandemic and will not return to College of Psychiatrists, said the except when they went out or went demand soared despite the lingering
drinking at levels before the global increased drinking was partly to the pub are now drinking at impact of Covid restrictions that The record sales came as
health crisis, official figures down to drinking at home where home,” Sinclair said. weighed on restaurants and bars, champagne vineyards were hit with
showed Monday. the activity could last many hours producers said Wednesday. severe spring frosts followed by
longer than in a pub. “The best-case scenario would summer rains last year, which
Data from the government’s be that suddenly everyone goes Around 322 million bottles were wreaked havoc on wine harvests
Office for Health Improvement Sinclair blamed some of the back to drinking as they were sold in 2021, up 32 percent from the across France.
and Disparities showed that lockdown drinking increase on doing in 2019 – but we’ve sort of previous year, when shipments
millions of people in England are being “limited in what else we can discounted that because people slumped 20 percent during Covid But champagne producers
downing bottles of wine, beers and do – it’s become a habit.” aren’t going to do that,” she said. – lockdowns worldwide, the Comite traditionally keep millions of bottles
spirits that are harmful to their ETX Studio Champagne federation said in its locked away in their cellars to ensure
health. “Some people who never drank preliminary estimates. steady supplies from one year to the
next. – ETX Studio
The monthly YouGov survey of The French market saw a 25
at least 1,700 people showed that percent jump with 142 million bottles
18% of adults in England (around sold, a return to the pre-pandemic
eight million people) were levels of 2019, while exports reached
drinking at increasing or higher a record 180 million bottles on strong
risk in the three months to October demand from English-speaking
2021. countries in particular.

By contrast, just around 12% of Restocking by restaurants
adults (numbering around six accounted for part of the growth, but
million people) were drinking at the committee also said that with
that level before the pandemic hit tourism and many restaurants still
in February 2020. suffering, more people were drinking
champagne at home.
The issue of problem drinking
is now affecting around a quarter “Clients have decided to treat
of adult men and 10% of women. themselves at home and create new
moments for conviviality and sharing,
The YouGov survey looked at despite the morose atmosphere,“ it
how often people drink, how many said.
units in one session, whether they
ever feel guilty and whether they The surge in demand caught
sometimes miss out on usual some houses by surprise, with stocks
activities due to drinking. temporarily running out for some --
Dom Perignon, Moet and Chandon,
Professor Julia Sinclair, chair of and Ruinart saw shortages in Spain,
the addictions faculty at the Royal for example.

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ME
/thesuntelegram 19theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022

█ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI A dream home green landscape with rows of green
trees, planted in order and the
A MALAYSIAN-AMERICAN o This Spanish farmhouse has the soul of a traditional American home, right here in Malaysia manicured land brings a sense of
couple shared a dream of harmony. Seen through the window,
living in a Spanish-style This magnificent house proves that dreams can come true. – ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF SHAARI AND DIYANA LADUE the serene scene looks just like a
home. Six years later, their painting come to life.
dream came true. Spain, and Spanish Revival houses. cosy abode. room with a view.
The wrought iron doors, Spanish- The iron door and staircase are “In fact, for our kitchen cabinets, “We were lucky enough to have a
Malaysian-born Diyana Ladue styled staircases, arched entryways, stunning natural view situated to the
and her American husband Shaari and terracotta tiles are some of the among the eye-catching features. The despite looking like a wooden, the rear of our property, where the living
Ladue are now living in a 5,000 features that we love. relatively low riser staircase has shaker-styled cabinet doors are room and dry kitchen are located,”
square feet gorgeous Spanish different patterns tiled on each stair actually made with aluminium.” said Diyana.
farmhouse (more like a mansion!) in “However, when we did more riser, creating a classy and yet stellar
Melaka. research, we eventually realised that look. Above the staircase, a unique “We feel like we have a huge
the Spanish theme was a bit too three-tiered chandelier hangs on the painting, outside. Interestingly, the
While Diyana, an in-house legal vibrant, especially the colours, for the Diyana said: “The staircase, high ceiling, surrounded by windows idea of using the structure of the
counsel, and Shaari, an English look of our house we had in our mind. indoor-outdoor living room, and dry on the upper part of the wall, which house to frame the natural view had
instructor, were working in Abu We felt that we needed to ‘tone down’ kitchen are the most visually unique brings natural sunlight into the never been a conscious decision on
Dhabi, they always wanted to settle the colours a bit. parts of the house. Everyone loves the house. our part, it just worked out perfectly.”
down in Malaysia. They began way our foldable aluminium glass
looking at what was available on the “We tried to tie in everything door turns the living room into a Inside the charming house, the Some of the furniture picked by
market, and what they envisioned to together using white, black, and living room overlooks a beautiful Diyana from Abu Dhabi adds value,
suit their family needs. natural wood colours (both dark while the classic chandeliers were
wood and rustic) throughout the One happy custom-made in black to match with
“Initially, we weren’t sure whether house.” family... the decor.
to buy a ready-built house or to build Diyana and
from scratch. In 2015, we found our Diyana designed the layout with Shaari Alcove shelves in the living room
answer when we came across a good an indoor/outdoor living room with a together (inspired by Studio McGee), the
land sale deal in Melaka, in a high ceiling, big windows for light with their entryway table and armchairs were
beautifully green residential area,” and ventilation, a large dry kitchen son. custom-made.
said Diyana. adjacent to the dining room, a
family/TV room, a study/office, “To be honest, we have not yet
“We had a pretty good idea of what pantry, laundry room, and a lanai, at fully decorated the interior of the
sort of living space would work for us, the backyard. house. It is still a work-in-progress.
and what wouldn’t. Being practical, We are taking the decorating process
we decided to design a house that “Once the layout was agreed one step at a time, as we enjoy finding
would suit the needs of our family.” upon, our contractor got an architect pieces of furniture and decor items
to draw it up professionally,” added that we like.”
The couple began their project in Shaari.
2020 but halted twice due to the Apart from functionality and
MCO. They successfully completed practicality, they considered
the construction after 15 months in adaptability for their future needs
Nov 2021. and hassle-free maintenance, while
aesthetics came secondary.
Now, the idyllic house sits on a
12,000 square feet private property They created enough space to
with a million-dollar view! accommodate evolving ideas or to
adapt to changes in the future. “We
For their ideal home, the two did purposely positioned the master
not follow any design rulebook and bedroom on the ground floor (to
decided to follow their hearts and avoid walking up and down the stairs,
change up a few things. when age catches up) while the doors
are wide to fit a wheelchair through (if
To begin with, their dream home needed),” said Diyana.
was inspired by Spanish-styled
houses. However, after looking at “When we embarked on the
some of the bold and vibrant colours construction of the house, we
associated with those types of homes, thought we would be able to regularly
they decided to tone it down a bit by return to Malaysia to oversee the
incorporating American farmhouse progress. Unfortunately, the Covid-19
features, which focus on comfort and pandemic hit, and we were not able
spaciousness with a particular to travel.”
emphasis on functionality and
practicality. Despite struggles and challenges
such as having to check the
“First, we decided a farmhouse construction status from Abu Dhabi
design would be a good mix into the through videos, pictures, in the end, it
Spanish theme. Inspired by wood paid off. Now, they have an adorable
elements and a light colour palette, house to call home in Malaysia!
which we love, we came up with our
own interpretation of what a Spanish The dream house
design combined with the The couple’s arched entryway has a
characteristics of an American wrought iron with glass panels to
farmhouse would look like,” said create a ‘wow’ factor and this leads to
Diyana. the foyer, where a grand staircase
welcomes guests into the warm and
Although the size of the house
reminds us of American-style
mansions, the couple ensured the
iconic and appealing features in
Spanish houses were a must-have in
their home design.

“Both of us fell in love with the
colour tones of al-Andalus, Moorish

The view from the kitchen. The iron wrought door and staircase. High windows bring in natural sunlight.

EDUCATION

20 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022

Shaping the heroes of tomorrow
o Alumna thanks alma mater, MSU for It is safe to say that undergraduate
comprehensive learning experience life is not about merely graduating or
adding a qualification to the
curriculum vitae, but building,
discovering, and sharpening one’s
A CLINICAL optometrist at skills, talents and self; it is only wise to
the Optimax Eye Specialist frontliner during the pandemic has do this while the wind still blows.
Centre, Wiki Safarina been unfathomable, though she has As a top university in Malaysia,
Narawi is also an alumna of not been directly working with Covid- MSU prioritises student development
Management and Science University 19 patients. to enhance graduate employability.
(MSU). With 98.7% of its graduates
“Since we were considered a successfully secure employment
“I studied Foundation (Biological health essential service, we were within six months of their graduation,
Science/Health Science), then open daily for emergency eye cases. leading to MSU’s ranking by the
furthered to International Medical The good news is that there was an Ministry of Higher Education
School’s Bachelor of Medical increasing awareness among the (MOHE) as Malaysia’s #1 for graduate
Sciences (Hons) and graduated in public on eye health during the employability.
2013,” she said. pandemic. Blending technical vocational
education and training (TVET) with
“In 2014, I decided to continue my “On the contrary, emerging eye traditional academic curricula, MSU
studies in Faculty of Health and Life cases were on a rise during the enhances competencies with
Sciences Bachelor of Optometry pandemic due to overexposure to industry internship, community and
(Hons) and graduated in 2019. digital screens while they were asked Wiki Safarina is an alumna of Bachelor of Optometry (Hons) graduated in 2019. creative entrepreneurship, as well as
to stay at home (MCO). Hence, it was global exposure; empowering MSU
“I grew up with MSU since it was my job to treat and educate people on graduates with the well-roundedness
just a small and old campus, which how to take care of their eyes during desired and sought after by
was MSU College in Shah Alam. I am the pandemic.” employers.
so thankful for MSU. Further, various skills
Just like the many frontliners, enhancement programmes that are
“It has come so far in its success. Safarina was no exception to aimed to improve students
All the facilities and lectures at MSU challenges while working during the competitiveness are offered to
were discerningly improved day by Movement Control Order (MCO) for students. The Graduate
day. I am grateful that I learned a lot three months. Employability Skills (GEmS) and
during my time at MSU.” Personal Enrichment Competencies
“As an optometrist, I was working (PEC) programme at MSU serves to
A fruitful learning experience is closely with patient’s eyes, which improve the students’ soft skills.
not measured by the years spent for a means I had a high risk of getting In all, as an applied, enterprise,
degree, but it comes with the igniting infected if I did not follow strict SOPs. holistic and international university,
span of how many skills have been For example, some of the eye tests A comprehensive learning experience at MSU ... Wiki pictured here with her MSU offers foundation,
improved and learnt along the way; needed us to have a closer distance, classmates.
cut to the chase, a self-discovery at as close as 10cm or less. These joining events and GEMS activities. I undergraduate, postgraduate and
play. procedures exposed us to the virus flexible programs through an entry
and other infections. “I am planning to upgrade my was not active in co-curriculum system that facilitates admission of
“MSU inspired me to learn from skills and knowledge more on clinical activities during my studies. students from all walks of life, where it
scratch. It taught me independence. “So, during these trials, we tried to specialities and hopefully have my “But, I only realised later after aims to TRANSFORM LIVES and
It enhanced my soft skills and have less contact with patients, own clinical practice in the future,” participating in events and ENRICH FUTURES.
educated me with new skills. maybe skip some procedures that she said. community services that these
needed closer contact with the The only advice Safarina can offer activities have helped me to sharpen For information on the programmes
“I am more confident now patients and ensured that our staff her juniors is to be relentless and my soft skills. So, please use these offered at MSU, call 03-5521 6868,
because MSU had exposed me to and patients followed the SOPs all the hardworking. opportunities to build yourself while email [email protected], or visit
many industrial and clinical time so we could lower the risk of “Initially, I used to be lazy in you can.”
environments during my internship,” infection as much as possible.” www.msu.edu.my.
she said.
For Safarina, the future is robust,
With a solid year of experience in with a certain dream for an
the optometry metier, Sarawak-born undertaking.
Safarina’s recent manoeuvre as a

302 Jobs 322 Notices 21theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022

WE ARE HIRING IN THE NATTER OF THE COMPANIES * SPORTS
AI3T, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF
Manager – Finance and HR Maiden Tour
ZOF TECHNIK SDN. BHD. win for Hoge
Job Description: Registration No. 200601037813 TOM HOGE made four birdies on the
(757573-D) (Members’ Voluntary back nine to pass Jordan Spieth and said on the CBS broadcast.
• To handle full set of accounts following accounting principles, compliance with claim his first PGA Tour victory at the “So finally today I felt great the whole day
applicable standards and regulations. Liquidation) AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the yesterday in Pebble Beach, California. and felt real calm, kind of standing over those
• Prepare & oversee full spectrum of accounting, month-end closing, year-end creditors of ZOF TECHNIK SDN. BHD. putts you need to make down the stretch. It’s
closing, audit schedules, tax, stock control, etc. Registration No. 200601037813 (757573- One of three co-leaders after 54 holes, awesome. You work through so many hard
D) which is being sound up voluntarily, Hoge rebounded from a double bogey at times to be here and to finally pull one off
• Responsible for management, statutory and group reporting requirements. are required on or before the 7” March the par-3 fifth hole to card a 4-under 68, feels incredible.”
• Responsible for finding solutions and resolving daily operational issues if any. 2022 to send their names and addresses landing him at 19-under 268 for the
• Responsible for the development of business plans, budget and cash flow and the particulars of their solicitors (if tournament. Despite the outcome, Spieth felt his tee
any) to the undersigned Liquidator at No. shot at No. 17 was “my best swing of the
forecast. 93B, Jalan Pekeliling Lama, 50400 Kuala That proved two shots better than Spieth, week.”
• Periodically review financial reports and identify opportunities for cost reduction. Lumpur and if so required by notice in the three-time major winner who spent some
• Ensure internal control and accounting control procedures are in place. writing from the Liquidator or by their time alone in front on the back nine Sunday. “I hit the dead center of the face, high,
• Administer credit control and debt collection. solicitors or personally required to come in kind of hold-straight ball – the wind just took
• Responsible for Finance audit and tax matters. and prove their said debts and claims at A tee shot into the sand led to a costly it a little,” Spieth said.
• Oversee the recruitment and selection process to attract, recruit and retain such time and place as shall be specified bogey for Spieth at the par-3 17th as Hoge
in such notice, or in default thereof, they “And it was on the line where it would
talents. will be excluded from the benefit of any surged past him. Spieth carded have actually not only bounced towards the
• To manage payroll system, staff benefit, yearly performance and appraisal. distribution made before such debts and a final-round 69 at Pebble hole, it would have then fed left. … In the air,
• Develop, design & implement of HR policies to support the company business claims are proYed. Beach Golf Links. I was thinking this might lip out. And it hits
SOH WEE CHONG Hoge, 32, finally the lip and goes in the bunker.”
objectives and compliance with law and regulatory. Liquidator broke through after
• To handle disciplinary matter including staffs counselling, grievances handling, DATED THIS : 8th February 2022 playing on tour since Beau Hossler posted a 71 to finish alone in
KUALA LUMPUR 2015. third at 16-under. Troy Merritt (67) and
domestic inquires & termination process & other industrial relation procedures in “I’ve always kind of got Patrick Cantlay (71) tied for fourth at 15-
compliances with local Labour Law. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES under.
• To handle standard HR letters, documents, memorandums and other ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF myself into position and
correspondences, such as warning letters, appointment letters, confirmation then just felt a little Cantlay birdied three of his first
letters and related correspondence as requested. ZOF TECHNIK SDN. BHD. bit uncomfortable six holes yesterday to tie for
• Other administration duties where required and part of the scope. Registration No. 200601037813 the lead, but he faded
• Any other duties as assigned by the superior/ management from time to time. on Sundays down the stretch and
(757573-D) out there,” consecutive bogeys at
Requirements: (Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) Hoge Nos. 15 and 16 took him
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT at the out of the running. –
• Candidate must process at least Professional or Degree in Finance / Extraordinary General Meeting of the Field Level Media
Accountancy or equivalent. Company held at Registered Oflice at No.
93B, Jalan Pekeliling Lama, 50400 Kuala
• At least 5 Year(s) managerial / supervising of working experience in audit, Lumpur on 4* February 2022, the following
financial accounting and HR. special resolutions were duly passed :-
I. THAT the Company be wound up
• Familiar with Accpac, ERP Accounting & HR software would be an added voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)
advantage. (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that
Mr. Soh Wee Chong of No. 30, Jalan Dato
• Computer literate and knowledgeable of Ms Excel, Word & Power Point. Yusof Shahbudin 25, Taman Sentosa,
• Good command of written and spoken in English. Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia 41200 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan be
appointed Liquidator for the purpose of
& Mandarin will be an added advantage. such minding-up.
2. THAT the liquidator be and is hereby
Office based in Petaling Jaya (5 days a week) authorised to divide all or such parts of
the surplus assets of the Company as he
Send in your CV with your photo via email to : think fit in specie amongst the members
[email protected] of the Company.
SOH WEE CHONG
Liquidator
DATED THIS : 8th February 2022
KUALA LUMPUR.

322 Notices Tom Hoge with the
championship
DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET
KUALA KUBU BHARU trophy after winning
the AT&T Pebble
DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR
DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA Beach Pro-Am golf
tournament
GUAMAN SIVIL NO:
BF-A72-59-08/2021 yesterday. – USA
TODAY Sports

ANTARA

MAJLIS DAERAH HULU SELANGOR
… PLAINTIF

DAN

ALAGAMAH A/P VAYRAJAN
(No. K/P: 510623-10-5328)

… DEFENDAN

Kepada: NOTIS

ALAGAMAH A/P VAYRAJAN
No. 159, Rumah Murah,
Jalan Padang Tembak,
44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.

IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES IN THE MATTER OF ALAGAMAH A/P VAYRAJAN Gilchrist slams CA after Langer quits
ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 No. 2, Kuarters MDHS-JKR,
SYARIKAT PEMBINAAN LAL SDN. BHD. 816, Kg. Kandain,
Registration No. 199601015022 AND 44200 Rasa,
IN THE MATTER OF Selangor Darul Ehsan.
(387372-A) WBW E BIT TRADE SDN BHD
(Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) (201601025327 (1196266-V)) AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu FORMER Australia captain Adam Gilchrist “He’ll be the first to admit he has his
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT at the (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap criticised Cricket Australia (CA) yesterday for frailties, he has his areas of weakness, but
Extraordinary General Meeting of the kamu di Mahkamah Majistret their treatment of Justin Langer, saying the he’ll sit and look you in the eye and work it
Company held at Registered Office at No. WINDING-UP) Kuala Kubu Bharu dalam Saman former head coach had been painted as a out with you.”
93B, Jalan Pekeliling Lama, 50400 Kuala NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING No. BF-A72-59-08/2021 oleh “monster”.
Lumpur on 4” February 2022, the following NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor yang In a LinkedIn post yesterday, Langer said
special resolutions were duly passed :- pursuant to Section 459 of the beralamat di Jalan Bukit Kerajaan, Langer resigned on Saturday, just weeks Cricket Australia offered him a short-term
1. THAT the Company be wound up Companies Act, 2016, the Final 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu di mana after leading Australia to a 4-0 Ashes series contract to lead the team’s defence of the
voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) Meeting of the Company will be tuntutan Plaintif adalah untuk win over England, with Cricket Australia T20 World Cup title on home soil later this
(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that held at 199 Jalan 8, Taman Tan jumlah wang sebanyak RM 1, saying he had rejected a short-term year but he opted not to accept it.
Ms. Lim Ai Hong of No. 32, Jalan TR 3/1, Yew Lai, 58200 Kuala Lumpur on 11 745.70 bersama-sama faedah extension of his contract.
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, 47410 March 2022 at 10.30 a.m. for the pada kadar 5% setahun ke atas “If media reports are correct, several
Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan be following purposes :- jumlah RM 1, 745.70 dari tarikh Australia also won last year’s Twenty20 senior players and a couple of support staff
appointed Liquidator for the purpose of (i) To receive an account from the Writ Saman ini hingga tarikh World Cup for the first time under Langer don’t support me moving forward, and it is
such minding-up. Liquidator showing the manner penyelesaian penuh beserta kos but there have been reports of player now apparent the CA board and CEO, Nick
2. THAT the liquidator be and is hereby in which the winding-up has dan bahawa telah diperintahkan discontent over his coaching style. Hockley, are also keen to see the team
authorised to divide all or such parts of been conducted and of hearing yang penyampaian Saman kepada move in another direction,” Langer said.
the surplus assets of the Company as he any explanations that may be kamu dalam tindakan tersebut “He’s been painted by some particular
think fit in specie amongst the members given by the Liquidator; and hendaklah dilaksanakan melalui people as a monster, that is not Justin “I respect that decision,” he said. –
of the Company. (ii) To determine the manner in iklan ini. Langer,” Gilchrist told Australian SEN Radio. Reuters
LIM AI HONG which the books, accounts and
Advertise with us & Liquidator documents of the Liquidator and Jika kamu berhasrat untuk Varner grabs Saudi International
connect to our urban DATED THIS : 8th February 2022 of the Company thereof shall be membela tindakan tersebut kamu
KUALA LUMPUR. disposed of. mestilah hadir sama ada secara
readers. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES Date: 8 February 2022 sendiri atau melalui peguambela
KLANG VALLEY ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF LIEW SIEW LIN kamu di Mahkamah Majistret
PENANG | KEDAH SYARIKAT PEMBINAAN LAL SDN. BHD. Liquidator Kuala Kubu Bahru, 44000 Kuala
PERAK | PERLIS Registration No. 199601015022 A member of the Company entitled Kubu Bahru, Selangor Darul Ehsan
PAHANG | KELANTAN to attend and vote at the Meeting pada 25.02.2022 pukul 9.00 pagi.
TERENGGANU (387372-A) is entitled to appoint a proxy to Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian
(Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) attend and vote instead of him. maka Penghakiman boleh
MS. Shoba NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the The instrument appointing a proxy diberikan terhadap kamu.
TEL: 03-7784 8888 creditors of SYARIKAT PEMBINAAN LAL must be in writing under the hand
FAX: 03-7784 4424 SDN. BHD. Registration No. 199601015022 of the appointer or his attorney Bertarikh pada
(387372-A) which is being wound up duly authorised in writing or if the 3 Februari, 2022.
MALACCA voluntarily, are required on or before the appointer is a corporation under
7* March 2022 to send their names and its common seal or the hand of its t.t HAROLD VARNER III sank an eagle putt Varner finished with a 1-under 69 for a
MR. Rajah addresses and th8 particulars of their attorney and must be deposited at ........................... from off the last green yesterday to wrest 13-under total and his first win since the
TEL: 012-628 2844 solicitors (if any) to the undersigned the above address not less than Tetuan Dzulkifli J victory in the Saudi International from Australian PGA Championship in December
FAX: 06-764 2051 Liquidator at No. 93B, Jalan Pekeliling forty-eight (48) hours before the aafar Nizam & Co. compatriot and friend Bubba Watson by 2016.
Lama, 50400 Kuala Lumpur and if time set for the Meeting. Peguamcara Plaintif one shot.
JOHOR BAHRU so required by notice in writing from “That’s just great! I was so wanting that.
the Liquidator or by their solicitors or NOTIS ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Watson shot a 64 which finished with a That is awesome. That’s the goal, man. That
MS. Anne Lim personally required to come in and prove Dzulkifli Jaafar Nizam & Co., birdie on the 17th hole and an eagle gets you in the things that I haven’t played
TEL: 013-770 6699 their said debts and claims at such time penguamcara bagi Defendan following a monster drive on the par-5 18th. in. This is why we play!” said an excited
FAX: 07-355 5549 and place as shall be specified in such di sini dan mempunyai alamat Varner.
notice, or in default thereof, they will penyampaiannya di 6/1, 6/2, 6/3 & That gave the two-time Masters
be 8xcluded from the benefit of any 8/1, Jalan Anggerik Vanilla R31/R, champion the clubhouse lead at 12-under “Winning just never gets old. There’s
distribution made before such debts and Seksyen 31, Kota Kemuning, 40460 268 with overnight leader Varner still on the been times where it just didn’t go my way,
claims are proved. Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan. course. and today it did,”Varner added. – AFP
LIM AI HONG No. Tel: 03-5122 2413
Liquidator No. Faks: 03-5122 2493
DATED THIS : 8th February 2022 [Ruj: DZJN/MDHS/L-382/7-20/KN]
KUALA LUMPUR

22 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022 FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN
SPORTS ME
@thesundaily

Show of intent from Barca
Catalan giant up to fourth as Real sneak past Granada

JORDI ALBA scored an extraordinary volley minutes left. welcomed back into the fold despite his Liga goals this term, was denied another by an
and Dani Alves was sent off as Barcelona A statement victory returns Xavi ongoing stand-off with the club over a new outstanding save from Granada goalkeeper Luis
delivered a major boost to their hopes of contract. Maximiano.
finishing in La Liga’s top four yesterday by Hernandez’s side into the top four for the first
winning a six-goal thriller against Atletico time since September, with Atletico now two Dembele was whistled before kickoff and “He’s a very important player,” Real coach
Madrid 4-2. points behind in fifth. not brought on in the second half. Carlo Ancelotti told reporters after the game.

Real Madrid then capitalised on Sevilla’s “The team, the fans and the club in general “I was going to bring him on but the “He’s scored a lot this season, he’s made a lot
goalless draw with Osasuna on Saturday by needed a win like this,” said Xavi. “It could be a situation changed after the red card,” Xavi said. of goals, and is very committed defensively,
edging past Granada 1-0 to extend their lead at turning point, we can’t hold back now.” which is important for us.
the top of the table to a daunting six points. Granada looked like they might hold on
Atletico coach Diego Simeone said: “If we against Real Madrid, who were without their “I don’t know if he’s a starter, but he’s an
In the absence of the injured Karim took advantage of our opportunities everyone deadly attacking duo, Vinicius Junior important player. He is reliable, he works hard
Benzema, Marco Asensio finally broke would be saying how good our counter-attack suspended and Benzema still recovering from a and we won the game today thanks to his best
Granada’s resistance in the 74th minute at the was. Their effectiveness has prevailed today.” thigh strain. quality, his shooting.
Santiago Bernabeu.
The game saw striker Pierre-Emerick Isco and Rodrygo started up front instead “He returned from a difficult period of
Barcelona were more emphatic as they Aubameyang make his debut for the Catalan but were replaced by Luka Jovic and Eden injuries full of confidence.
scored four in 40 minutes at Nou Camp before giants. Hazard shortly before Asensio struck, a superb,
surviving a late fightback from Atletico after swerving shot finding the corner after Eder “This is an important week for us because
Luis Suarez headed in and Alves saw red with 20 The former Gunners’ skipper was only Militao had won the ball back. we’ve had a really tough period with some long
deemed fit enough for the bench, where he sat trips and we didn’t come into this game at
along with Ousmane Dembele, who Xavi The Spanish forward, who has netted six La 100%,” Ancelotti added. – AFP/Agencies

SHORTS Juventus’ Denis Zakaria (centre) celebrates Dortmund thrashed
F1 all set for new look scoring his team’s second goal with by Leverkusen in
Haaland’s absence
FORMULA ONE will be showing teammate Dusan Vlahovic (left) and Weston
off its new look when Red Bull, McKennie during the Serie A match against BORUSSIA DORTMUND’S Bundesliga title hopes
who carried Max Verstappen to a were left in tatters yesterday as they crashed to a 5-
controversial maiden title last year, Hellas Verona yesterday at the Allianz 2 defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen, with injured
start the annual catwalk season by Stadium in Turin. – REUTERSPIX star striker Erling Haaland forced to watch from the
unveiling their 2022 car tomorrow. sidelines.

The interest will be ramped up In a game they had to win to keep pace in the
this year because changes in title race, Dortmund’s calamitous defending saw
Formula One rules mean, as Mike them slump to a sixth defeat of the season and fall
Elliott, the technical director of further behind league leaders Bayern Munich.
world champion constructors
Mercedes, told his team web site: “It was a catastrophic day for us. It’s not the
“The cars are going to look very time to talk about Bayern, we have other issues at
different.” the moment,” captain Marco Reus told DAZN.

While Red Bull will not be quite They are now nine points adrift of the top, with
the first team to launch, it will be their lead over third-placed Leverkusen slashed to
the first with a car, its RB18 model, just five points.
on display.
“It’s a bitter defeat. Talking is one thing, but we
Red Bull, after a winter spent have to put things into practice,” said coach Marco
glorying in the title Verstappen Rose, who had promised a more solid defensive
snatched on the closing laps of performance before the game.
last season, are promising “launch
like no other”. In yesterday’s other game, Wolfsburg hauled
themselves away from the relegation zone with a
It would, the team promised, 4-1 win over bottom club Greuther Fuerth.
“push the boundaries by
disrupting the traditional car Branimir Hrgota gave Fuerth hope from the
launch,” and, showing Red Bull is penalty spot after Aster Vranckx had put Wolfsburg
on the cutting edge of social in front with an early tap-in.
media jargon, allow fans to “curate
and host” the launch. Vranckx then restored the lead after a mistake
from Fuerth goalkeeper Sascha Burchert, before
Marc of Maximilian Arnold made it 3-1 with a curling
disgrace freekick.

Maximilian Philipp added a fourth with a
deflected volley a few minutes later to seal a first
league win in 10 games for Wolfsburg. – AFP

Messi, Mbappe
on target

MARC OVERMARS has left his New boys fire Juve into top four LIONEL MESSI and Kylian Mbappe both scored as
role as director of football affairs at Paris Saint-Germain stretched their mammoth
Ajax after the Dutch club said he DUSAN VLAHOVIC and Denis Inter, Milan and Napoli, we are first since mid-October – helped lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 13 points with a 5-1
sent a “series of inappropriate Zakaria enjoyed dream Juventus out of it right now. It’s still wide put Napoli just one point behind thrashing of defending champions Lille yesterday.
messages to several female debuts yesterday with a goal open for the Champions League Inter following their derby
colleagues”. each in a 2-0 win over Verona and we have to take it one step defeat to Milan on Saturday. Mauricio Pochettino’s men were given a
which puts their new team in at a time,” he said. helping hand by a nightmarish display from Lille
An Ajax statement said the Serie A’s Champions League Luciano Spalletti’s side have goalkeeper Ivo Grbic at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
former Arsenal and Barcelona places, while Napoli are hot on Victor Osimhen put Napoli at played a game more than Inter
winger would leave “with leaders Inter Milan’s heels after the heart of the title race with a but they host the champions Portuguese midfielder Danilo Pereira netted
immediate effect”. seeing off Venezia. goal in his first start since this weekend before travelling to twice, while Presnel Kimpembe also got on the
November which helped his Barcelona for the first leg of their scoresheet.
The 48-year-old had been in “It’s important to score goals team to a 2-0 win. Europa League playoff with the
the role since 2012 and had but I want to improve in every Catalan giants. All eyes in the capital remain on Paris’
recently signed a contract aspect of the game, general play, Andrea Petagna sealed the Champions League last-16 first leg against Real
extension until June 2026. passing, mentality, everything points in the 100th minute of a “We have a lot of objectives Madrid on Feb 15.
that can help the team,”Vlahovic match extended due a clash of this season and the Scudetto is
Overmars said he was told DAZN. heads between the referee and one of them, so step by step and Mbappe, who has long been linked with Real,
“ashamed” and that his behaviour Venezia’s Tyronne Ebuehi, as well with determination I think we’ll said that match has been the reason he is yet to
was “unacceptable”. Coach Massimiliano Allegri as that same player’s late red get there,” Osimhen said. make a decision about his future, despite having
poured cold water on Vlahovic’s card for a dreadful foul on Dries been free to sign a pre-contract agreement with
“Last week I was confronted suggestion that Juve were Mertens. Sampdoria took advantage another club since the start of last month.
with reports about my behaviour aiming for the league title, even by thumping Sassuolo 4-0 and
and how this has come across to though only eight points Wearing a special face mask going five points clear of “Playing against Real Madrid changes a lot of
others,” Overmars told Ajax’s separate his side from Inter. he described to DAZN as a “good Venezia, who dropped into the things,” the World Cup winner told Amazon Prime.
website. look for me”, Osimhen’s sixth relegation zone following
“The Scudetto is between Serie A goal of the season – his Cagliari’s win. – AFP “Even if I’m free to do what I want, I’m not
“Unfortunately I didn’t realise going to talk to the opponents. I’m focused on
that I was crossing the line with winning against Real Madrid and we’ll see what
this but that was made clear to me happens afterwards.”
in recent days. I apologise.
This game, though, was the perfect response
“Certainly for someone in my for PSG after their French Cup exit on penalties at
position this behaviour is the hands of Nice in midweek.
unacceptable. I now see that but it
is too late. I see no other option Earlier on Sunday, Nice missed the chance to
but to leave Ajax.” retake second place in the table from Marseille as
they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat by struggling
Clermont. – AFP

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ME * SPORTS
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Senegal coach savours Fairytale comeback
long road to glory Klopp thrilled with Elliott’s return in FA Cup triumph over Bluebirds

ALIOU CISSE dedicated Senegal’s first Africa Cup of █ CARL MARKHAM Elliott),” said Klopp, whose side will face add to the 14 goals and five assists he
Nations triumph to the country’s people after a nail- Norwich in the last 16. registered for Porto in 18 appearances this
biting final victory over seven-times winners Egypt. LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp season prior to his move last weekend.
was delighted with Harvey Elliott’s “He was over the moon and that is
Liverpool striker Sadio Mane who had earlier “fairytale” comeback from a serious properly touching. In my mind I had the And he was relieved to see what initially
missed a seventh-minute spotkick, converted the ankle injury after the teenager scored situation at Leeds when we lost him with the looked a potentially serious knee injury be
decisive penalty in the shoot-out after the game had his first goal for the club in the 3-1 FA Cup injury but all the way through he was very reduced to bruising and a scratch.
finished 0-0 following extra-time to spark ecstatic fourth-round win over Cardiff City. patient. The medical department did a great
celebrations both at the Stade d’Olembe in Yaounde job with him.” “The goal he set up for Taki was absolutely
and back at home. The 18-year-old marked his return from incredible: high press, I love it, and then Taki
almost five months out with a fracture Klopp praised the youngster’s attitude, finished it off,” he said.
Head coach Cisse, who missed in a shoot-out as dislocation in September with a brilliant which he believes could be his best quality.
Senegal lost the 2002 final to Cameroon, said at his swivelled finish in front of the Kop. “Then then the long ball and the challenge
post-match press conference: “I am African champion. “Probably his biggest talent is how ready and he goes down holding his knee and we
It was long, it was difficult, sometimes complicated, It rounded off the scoring for the hosts mentally he is out there,” he said. “He is a kid, were all shocked. It was a scary moment.
but we never gave up. after Diogo Jota’s 15th of the season was yes, but on the pitch not so much.
followed by Takumi Minamino’s low drive – “I looked on the screen and saw
“I dedicate this victory to the Senegalese people. set up by new £37.5 million (RM212m) “When he got the injury, the next day or everything was fine when he came down but
For years, we have been chasing this cup. Today we signing Luis Diaz, who gave Anfield a glimpse two days later I saw him at the training ground saw the big fella from Cardiff (Aden Flint)
will be able to put a star on our jersey. of what he can offer with an encouraging 30- and I was in a worse mood than he was. standing on his knee.
minute cameo on debut.
“Winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon “He was like, ‘Come on boss, head up, I “It’s red and a little bit open so now he has
has a special meaning. Winning against the most “Coming on is a great step back and will be back.’ He is an exceptional talent in a his first assist and his first little scar. I don’t
successful team in Africa is another symbol.” scoring this nice goal is a proper fairytale (for lot of departments.” think it will be serious. (On Monday) maybe
he feels it more, but nothing serious.” – The
Cisse paid particular tribute to his staff after seeing Klopp was also pleased with Diaz, who Independent
keeper Edouard Mendy save Mohamed marked his first appearance with an assist to
Abdelmonem’s penalty to allow Mane to redeem
himself as he clinched a 4-2 success. Brave Cardiff bow out SIDENETTING

He said: “For almost seven years, we have been in controversial defeat MANCHESTER UNITED forward
working. Good job, guys.” AN IMPRESSIVE first half performance wasn’t frustrated Mark (Harris) didn’t take the ball round Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, and Paris
enough to prevent Cardiff City going down to a the goalie and go and run it into the goal. I Saint Germain boss Mauricio
If Mane was celebrating, club-mate Mohamed 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth thought that option was on. Pochettino, 49, could be set for an
Salah who was in line to take his side’s fifth spot-kick, round at Anfield on Sunday. incredible summer swap.
was left devastated. “It could have changed the complexion (of the Ronaldo has become increasingly
A brave first half performance yielded plenty match).” frustrated with United and is
However, he will not have to wait too long for a of positives for the 6,000 or so Cardiff fans, looking for an exit.The Red
chance to avenge his heartbreak when the sides meet although many will likely be dwelling on what However, Morison, while remaining Devils, meanwhile, are rumoured
over two legs in March with a trip to the World Cup might have been after seeing their side on the diplomatic, suggested his side should have had a to be keen on Pochettino as their
finals awaiting the winner. – AFP end of two contentious refereeing decisions. penalty before the break. next manager.
WEST HAM and England midfielder
RESULTS & STANDINGS Mark Harris was surely unlucky not “I think the penalty incident in the first Declan Rice, 23, will be the subject
to win a spot-kick for his team in the half, if that’s outside the box it’s a of a summer transfer fight between
ENGLISH FA CUP (4th round): Bournemouth 0 first half after seemingly receiving a freekick so I don’t know why Manchester United and Chelsea.
Boreham Wood 1, Liverpool 3 Cardiff 1, Nottingham nudge from Ibrahima Konate, that should change in the BARCELONA are hoping to con-
Forest 4 Leicester 1. with the Wales international box. It is what it is. clude the transfers of Chelsea’s
then scythed down by “We came here and Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta,
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS (Final): Senegal 0 Egypt 0 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. were performing pretty 32, and Denmark centreback
aet (Senegal win 4-2 on pen). well and we shouldn’t Andreas Christensen, 25, in a
Kelleher was perhaps lucky to be conceding from a set- matter of days.
LA LIGA: Valencia 0 Real Sociedad 0, Barcelona 4 avoid a red card for the foul, which was piece,” he said. LILLE president Olivier Letang says
(Alba 10, Gavi 21, Araujo da Silva 43, Alves 49) Atletico examined by VAR before Madeley “Then two sloppy goals 22-year-old Netherlands defender
Madrid 2 (Carrasco 8, Suarez 59), Real Betis 0 Villarreal opted for a yellow card. from us. I’m frustrated with Sven Botman – who was linked with
2 (Torres 41, Capoue 83), Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 74) those moments but on the a move to Newcastle in January –
Granada 0. But Cardiff City manager Steve whole I think the players did deserves to play for a club that can
TOP 10 P W D L F A Pts Morison said he was more focused on themselves proud.” – win the Champions League.
Real Madrid 23 16 5 2 48 20 53 the efforts of Harris to try and round the WalesOnline/The REPRESENTATIVES for former
Sevilla 23 13 8 2 34 16 47 keeper, rather than the foul itself, adding Independent West Ham, Manchester United
Real Betis 23 12 4 7 41 27 40 that he thought the right call was and Manchester City striker
Barcelona 22 10 8 4 36 25 38 made. CarlosTevez are in talks with MLS
Atletico 22 10 6 6 38 30 36 side DC United.The 38-year-old
Villarreal 23 9 8 6 38 23 35 “I don’t think it was a Argentine has been a free agent
Sociedad 22 9 8 5 22 21 35 sending-off,” Morison since leaving Boca Juniors in July
Bilbao 22 7 10 5 21 17 31 said. “There were last year.
Vallecano 22 9 4 9 27 24 31 too many BARCELONA are lining up a move
Celta Vigo 23 8 6 9 28 25 30 players for 23-year-old Sevilla defender
around. Jules Kounde.The France interna-
SERIE A: Atalanta 1 (Palomino 64) Cagliari 2 (Pereiro 50, tional is also a target for Chelsea.
68), Bologna 0 Empoli 0, Juventus 2 (Vlahovic 13, “From my MANCHESTER UNITED have
Zakaria 61) Verona 0, Sampdoria 4 (Caputo 5, Sensi 7, point of agreed a £12m (RM68m) fee with
Conti 63, Candreva 90+1-pen) Sassuolo 0, Venezia 0 view, I was Flamengo for Andreas Pereira,
Napoli 2 (Osimhen 59, Petagna 90+10), Udinese 2 more the club in his homeland where
(Molina 90+3, Pussetto 90+7-pen) Torino 0. the 26-year-old Brazilian is on
TOP 10 P W D L F A Pts loan.
Inter Milan 23 16 5 2 54 19 53
Napoli 24 16 4 4 45 16 52
AC Milan 24 16 4 4 49 26 52
Juventus 24 13 6 5 36 21 45 Cardiff City’s
Atalanta 23 12 7 4 45 28 43 Rubin Colwill
Lazio 24 11 6 7 49 39 39 celebrates his
Roma 24 12 3 9 40 30 39 goal against
Fiorentina 23 11 3 9 41 33 36 Liverpool. –
Hellas Verona 24 9 6 9 43 40 33 WelesOnline
Torino 23 9 5 9 30 23 32

BUNDESLIGA: Borussia Dortmund 2 Bayer Leverkusen
5, VfL Wolfsburg 4 Greuther Fuerth 1.
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts Boreham Wood boss ‘on top of world’
Bayern Munich 21 17 1 3 68 21 52
Dortmund 21 14 1 6 54 36 43
Leverkusen 21 11 5 5 54 34 38
Union Berlin 21 9 7 5 29 27 34 BOREHAM WOOD manager Luke Garrard and Garrard is already contemplating the Bournemouth side lying third in the
Freiburg 21 9 6 6 33 24 33 was pinching himself at the prospect of chance to test himself against the two Championship and Garrard admits he had
locking horns with Frank Lampard and former England and Chelsea greats. feared the worst against Scott Parker’s men
FRENCH LIGUE 1: Lorient 2 Lens 0, Nice 0 Clermont Ashley Cole after his non-league side – only to then be left “on top of the world”.
1, Troyes 0 Metz 0, Reims 5 Bordeaux 0, Strasbourg 1 stunned Bournemouth to book an FA Cup “I love Frank. Ashley Cole is the best
Nantes 0, Rennes 2 Brest 0, Lille 1 Paris Saint- fifth-round clash with Everton. leftback Arsenal ever had. To be able to pit The 36-year-old former Swindon and
Germain 5. my wits against them, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” AFC Wimbledon midfielder said: “I thought
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts Mark Ricketts’ first-half goal was enough he said. they were going to hit us for eight. I am in
Paris St Germain 23 17 5 1 51 19 56 to dump Championship promotion tatters. I am on top of the world. The
Marseille 23 12 7 4 36 20 43 hopefuls Bournemouth out at the Vitality Boreham Wood went into yesterday’s emotions at the minute are incredible.
Nice 23 13 4 6 36 19 42 Stadium and set up a mouth-watering trip fourth-round clash unbeaten in 16 games in
Strasbourg 23 11 5 7 45 29 38 to Goodison Park all competitions and having not conceded a “We rode our luck. I tell my boy every
Rennes 23 11 4 8 43 21 37 goal in their four FA Cup matches to date Sunday to be a good team player. That is
The Toffees recently appointed Lampard this campaign. what we did. I am going to get emotional.
as their new manager with Cole joining the They are unbelievable, these boys.” – The
coaching staff at the Premier League side, However, the National League outfit Independent
were firm underdogs against a

TUESDAY • FEBRUARY 8, 2022 QUOTE OF THE DAY

Band Coming on is a great step back and scoring this
nice goal is a proper fairytale (for Elliott). He
was over the moon and that is properly touching. In my
mind I had the situation at Leeds when we lost him with
the injury but all the way through he was very patient.
The medical department did a great job with him.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

of losers
Rodgers warns Leicester futures on the line after FA Cup horror show against Forest

█ NICK MASHITER that hunger and desire – no matter how meeting today so the players could see the hour at the City Ground. it but the focus now must be on
much they achieve – comes from. what we went through last year to win Forest set up a home fifth-round tie Wednesday (at Blackburn).
FURIOUS boss Brendan Rodgers this competition, to remind them of the
has told his Leicester City flops “I always judge it on the physicality day at Wembley and the journey. To with Huddersfield and boss Steve “The supporters were amazing, the
they are fighting for their futures of the team. The pressing, the provide that motivation and extra Cooper wants them to immediately BBC are here but the reality is that it’s
after being dumped out of the aggression. When you stop getting it, desire to come out here.” refocus. like this all the time.
FA Cup by Nottingham Forest. you can’t quite get there, your time
could be up. The Foxes were second best to a “I thought we were good for the “I’ve said to the players, the better
The Foxes chief questioned his motivated and measured Forest side result and the performance matched the connection with the fans, the
squad’s hunger and desire and labelled “I said to the players after that, for who scored two quickfire goals as it,” he said. stronger we are as a club and days like
their performance embarrassing as the the first time since I’ve been here I’ve Leicester imploded. this can help that.
holders were routed 4-1. been embarrassed. It was an “Some of our attacking play was
Keinan Davis had already hit the bar excellent, scoring three, we hit the bar, “Games like this matter, we have a
Two goals in 87 seconds from Philip embarrassing before Zinckernagel opened the had chances from set- global fanbase. If we want to be a
Zinckernagel and Brennan Johnson performance. I scoring after 23 minutes when he was plays – dare I say it, proper team with a winning mentality,
were added to by Joe Worrall and Djed feel for the left unmarked to prod in Davis’ it could have we have to prepare for the next game.” –
Spence as Forest ran riot at the City supporters. knockdown. been more. The Independent
Ground yesterday. “We
brought the Just 87 seconds later Johnson made “ L e t ’s Nottingham Forest's Sam
Kelechi Iheanacho scored a FA Cup into it 2-0 when he seized on Daniel just let them Surridge (centre) vies with
consolation but Rodgers laid into his our team Amartey’s awful back-pass to finish past enjoy Leicester City's Wilfred
squad, with defeat compounded by a Danny Ward. Ndidi (left) and Caglar
fan running on from the away end to try Soyuncu during the
to attack Forest’s players Worrall added a third with a diving English FA Cup fourth
following Worrall’s header after 32 minutes with Leicester round match at The City
goal. torn apart and there were ugly scenes Ground in Nottingham
yesterday. – AFPPIX
“There are a when a fan ran onto the pitch from
lot of these the away end to throw punches at
players, the celebrating Forest players.
Iheanacho pulled a goal
between back when Brice Samba
now and the end rushed out and he rounded
of the season, who need him to score yet there was no
to prove they are still worthy of coming back for the holders.
being here because we’ve seen Spence made it 4-1,
it now for a little while,” said
Rodgers. swapping passes with Zinckernagel to
“Forget about the players sweep past
who are missing. There are Ward just
players here that may have
achieved everything that they after
can.
“It’s something we’ll have to
look at between now and the end
of the season. Until then, they’ve
got to have a look at themselves in
the mirror and fight like hell to prove
they’re good enough to be here.
“That’s why a lot of these players are
not top players, because they can’t
sustain it. That’s where my admiration
of the really top players who can keep

Mahrez emerges as Manchester City’s sleek assassin

█ RICHARD JOLLY them or pick them. man forward, arrowing his run in the inside-right winger who gets in scoring positions and the
THE JANUARY transfer window had closed and Yet while he described Delap as “a killer”, City channel. There was something Salah-esque about classy technician.
Pep Guardiola was introducing the sort of centre- it.
forward he rarely manages to Manchester City’s have less brutal ways of condemning opponents Perhaps it is unfair to cite an earlier example of
season. to footballing death. Take away his spot-kicks and Mahrez would a left-footed talent on the right who became
still be City’s top scorer this season, first among more potent under Guardiola, and not just
“He is a type of striker we don’t have,” he Riyad Mahrez has emerged as the sleek equals in the rotating cast of attacking midfielders because Lionel Messi reached greater heights in a
mused. “A typical British striker.” He had not made assassin, the languid executioner. Saturday’s five- and wingers. central role. But a recurring theme is that the City
a shock swoop for Andy Carroll. Rather, he was minute double took his tally to seven goals in six manager makes players more prolific.
discussing Liam Delap, a product of City’s City games, separated by an underwhelming He has assumed the mantle Gundogan had
productive academy and a player who would African Cup of Nations. last season, of the player who emerged from the Gundogan had never scored more than six
have featured sooner but for injury. pack to top the scoring charts. goals in a season until he got 17 last year.
His first contribution was an understated assist, Sterling’s best without Guardiola was 11 and with
A penalty-box presence who scored a goal teeing up Ilkay Gundogan. Then came examples Mahrez may be less suited to the false No. 9 him was 31.
(albeit disallowed) on Saturday with a forceful of his armoury as a finisher: the nerveless penalty role than his colleagues but in his own way, he
header, Delap can look the old-fashioned No. 9 that showed why, despite an undistinguished has compensated for their inability to sign Harry From Xavi and Andres Iniesta to Thomas Muller
parachuted into a new-age team. record from the spot for Leicester, Guardiola has Kane. and Leroy Sane, there is a list of players whose
long regarded Mahrez as the answer to City’s finest scoring season came under him. Now
“Every training session, he fights and wins the problems from 12 yards. The shift in City’s scoring model is reflected in Mahrez is closing in on his personal best of 18.
duels or breaks his nose,” Guardiola reflected. the statistics. Since their 2008 takeover, their top
He has missed for Algeria this season but scorers by season were Robinho once, Carlos Carry on at his current rate and he will beat
Delap’s cameo against Fulham was a sideshow, scored five times for his club, adding to April’s Tevez twice outright and once jointly with Sergio that in February. No wonder the typical British
however, just as any further outings this season crucial spot kick against Borussia Dortmund. Aguero, and Aguero on his own six in seven more striker feels an endangered species at the Etihad.
are likely to come from the bench. campaigns.
After his penalty came the scuffed finish from Because if there is something quintessentially
The reason City don’t have that type of Kevin de Bruyne’s lovely pass, capping a swift, Since then, it has been Raheem Sterling, Guardiola about Mahrez’s scoring spree, there are,
striker is in part that Guardiola would not sign devastating counter-attack. Gundogan and now Mahrez. He can seem a Salah apart, few such deadly wingers. – The
hybrid of his two immediate predecessors, the Independent
The left-footed right winger was the furthest

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