The Sun Daily-120422

INSIDE

TELLING IT AS IT IS Cut food wastage, Children’s
urges Muslim safety takes
page page
consumers body priority
2 4

ON TUESDAY APRIL 12, 2022

No. 8005 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my

FLOOD FISHING ... Ebey

Oton, a resident of Kampung Paka
Paka in Kota Belud using a cast net to
catch fish in front of his house
yesterday. Torrential rain last Thursday
caused several villages in the Sabah
district to be flooded. – BERNAMAPIX

█ BY MUHAMMAD YUSRY Addressing
[email protected] overhang

PETALING JAYA: The government
must encourage developers to
build more affordable properties,
said National House Buyers
Association secretary-general Datuk
Chang Kim Loong.
Based on a report by the National
Property Information Centre, the
number of unsold properties last year
stood at 36,683 units, with a total value
of RM22.79 billion.
This represents an increase of 24.1%
over the 29,565 units unsold from the
previous year.
Chang cited affordability and
location as the main reasons for the
overhang.
“Developers need to build the right
number of properties at the right
location and at the right price.
“For example, the high number of oGovt should encourage developers
unsold properties valued at below to build more affordable properties,
RM300,000 is probably due to such says HBA sec-gen
properties being at locations which are
not strategic and the overhang of
properties valued at between
RM300,000 and RM500,000 could be due
to both affordability and location issues.”
Without reducing the quality, Chang “The government should encourage credit scores as they are burdened with
suggested that the government lend a a larger RTO scheme targeting both high debts ranging from car loans to
hand to property developers to build low- and middle-income groups,” study loans and other personal loans.
more affordable houses by reducing the he said. “If we do not resolve this issue, the
cost of construction. low-income earners will remain in the
This can be achieved by reducing the Yayasan My First Home executive rental category for long periods,”
compliance cost for developers by director Felix Miller said the foundation he said.
passing the costs of building the last is looking at innovative financing One of the burdens that the lower-
mile of public utilities back to the solutions to overcome affordability income group faces is that they cannot
respective utility companies, issues. find an affordable unit close to their
said Chang. workplace and they are forced
“Developers can assist house buyers He added that his engagement with to find homes further away.
to own properties by giving steep low-income earners indicates that “This leads to more idle Turn to
discounts to attract more buyers or offer everyone who does not own a house
these unsold properties on rent-to-own desires one. travel time to and from —
work, which is a loss of
However, about 70% of the loan page 2
applications from those in the lower-
(RTO) schemes. income group are rejected due to low productivity to the nation.

2 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Govt can help boost ‘Pay heed to food wastage
home ownership during Ramadan’

“If they spend about RM300 a month on
travel expenses, and three persons in the
same household are working, the total
monthly travel expenses can go towards
paying an RM900 mortgage for their
own home,” he said.
Pointing out that Yayasan My From o Association urges consumers to keep temptation tonnes of food waste is produced daily
in check and plan purchases from bazaars nationwide, and a total of 24% or about 4,050
First Home was primarily set up to front tonnes of this could have been saved to feed
increase home ownership, Felix page three million people three meals every day.

said the foundation has been According to Alam Flora, about 33,000
working to improve credit scores of tonnes of food waste was collected during
prospective house buyers, provide financial Ramadan last year, when bazaars were allowed
training and financial assistance to defray or to open briefly.
rework on some debts affecting the lower- █ BY MUHAMMAD YUSRY needed it.
income group. [email protected] He called on the public to get relevant Pertiwi Soup Kitchen president Datuk
“We try to do our part to help increase PETALING JAYA: The authorities need to Munirah Abdul Hamid said the lack of
home ownership and the government can educate Malaysians on the true meaning of non-governmental organisations (NGO) to coordination and cooperation among ad hoc
assist us by providing land, subsidies, Ramadan in order to reduce food wastage, said handle the distribution of excess food. groups could be a reason for the high volume
shared equity or monthly vouchers. All Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association of food wastage during Ramadan.
these will have a direct impact on the lower- lead activist Datuk Nadzim Johan. Nadzim added that it is better to provide the
income group in reducing monthly homeless ready-to-eat meals so that they can “In our early years, everything was
mortgages if they are executed properly. “Some hotels offer buffets at a price of over consume them over a few days. managed well, but as feeding street dwellers
“There are many successfully RM200 per head. The food prepared in excess became a trend, it presented a problem with
implemented models and solutions is thrown away at the end of the night, when it Solid Waste Management and Public too much food being handed out,” she said.
available in different parts of the world. We could be donated to the less fortunate,” he told Cleansing Corporation chairman Datuk
need to review them and see what fits here,” theSun. Rizalman Mokhtar said on Saturday that its Munirah said it is actually not a good idea
he said. research showed that there is a significant for NGO to swarm to feed the needy late into
The association released a statement on increase in food waste of between 15% and the night.
Harjeet Singh Sunday about pictures, which were widely 20% during festive periods, including
appointed Health circulated on social media, of food items left by Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. “Please think of the children. It is not good
Ministry sec-gen the roadside for Kuala Lumpur’s homeless. for them to stay up till 2am, waiting for convoys
To avoid wasting food, he urged consumers of cars to arrive with food and gifts. Since they
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Harjeet Singh has been Nadzim said all that wasted money could to plan their purchases when visiting Ramadan have to stay up late, they could miss school the
appointed as the new secretary-general of have been used to help those who desperately bazaars and not give in to temptation to buy following day,” said Munirah.
the Health Ministry with effect from more.
yesterday, said Chief Secretary to the
Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali. The landfill operator said about 17,000

Prior to the appointment, Harjeet, 59, MAB files report on Tawau flight M’sian envoys
was the ministry’s deputy secretary-general that experienced technical issue in UAE recalled
(Management).
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd at all times following the necessary and PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s ambassador to the
Mohd Zuki said in a statement that (MAB) said it has filed a Mandatory standard procedures. United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the consul-
Harjeet has vast experience in planning, Occurrence Report to the Civil Aviation general of Malaysia in Dubai have been
human resource management as well as Authority of Malaysia (Caam) about the “Malaysia Airlines regrets and apologises recalled by the Foreign Ministry for failing to
policy, and had previously served as the technical issue involving flight MH2664. for the anxiety and discomfort experienced coordinate administrative and logistical
director-general of the Public Complaints by passengers on the flight.” matters during Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Bureau. The aircraft made a turnback to the KL Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s UAE visit late last month.
International Airport while en route to MAB reiterated that it is fully committed
“I believe that with his experience, Tawau on April 3. to ensuring the safety of its passengers and The ministry said on Monday that the
knowledge and credibility, Harjeet will be would make sure that all instructions for failure had forced the prime minister to wait
able to lead the ministry to provide services MAB said in a statement yesterday that corrective measures underlined by Caam for a long time at the arrival hall for passport
with integrity, efficiency and speed in line the report was filed as required by would be implemented immediately. and immigration clearance by the Dubai
with the ministry’s slogan Kami Sedia Regulation 165 of the Civil Aviation Immigration.
Membantu (We Are Ready to Help).” Regulation 2016 for Caam’s action as part of Caam chief executive officer Datuk
the monitoring and safety resolution Chester Voo was reported to have said There was also no security coverage and
Harjeet, who holds a Bachelor of requirements. yesterday that a technical issue that motorcade that should have been provided for
Science degree from Ohio University, occurred during the flight was due to a the prime minister as per usual standard
Columbus, United States, has been with the It said throughout the past week, the malfunction to the pitot-static system – an operating procedures.
civil service for 33 years. – Bernama airline had cooperated with Caam to instrument that measures pressure
identify the cause or causes of the incident, differences to determine air speed and “The two officials had also failed to inform
as well as to examine the responses by its altitude. the Foreign Ministry about the World
pilots. Government Summit (WGS), which was held
He said the malfunction produced a false during the Dubai Expo. The Foreign Ministry’s
The statement added that the airline speed indication, which caused the aircraft leadership only knew about the summit on
strongly refuted allegations of any to pitch up, deactivating the autopilot. March 30 through a different source.
concealment from the public, and that it was – Bernama
“If we had been informed of the summit,
SAFETY LESSON ... Kelantan Fire and certainly efforts would have been made so that
Rescue Department director Jainal @ the prime minister could have delivered a
Zainal Madasin demonstrating the use of speech at the programme.”
a fire extinguisher at the Ramadan bazaar
at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV in Kota However, Ismail Sabri attended the closing
Baru yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX ceremony of the WGS on the same day upon
receiving an invitation to the event after a
meeting with UAE Minister of State for
International Cooperation Reem Ebrahim Al
Hashimy.

The statement added that the confusion
would not have occurred if coordination had
been made earlier and that the UAE
government had prepared all facilities for the
prime minister as head of government right till
the end of his visit.

“The move to recall the two officials is
nothing out of the ordinary and was made
through discussions with relevant parties,
including the Public Service Department. It
was taken to protect interests in bilateral
relations between Malaysia and the said
countries and to ensure the competency of the
public service.”

The visit still managed to achieve the
targeted objectives, the statement said.

On the day Ismail Sabri departed from
Dubai, the UAE government arranged for a
static guard of honour at the Al Maktoum
International Airport and the Minister of State
for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and
Remote Work Omar Sultan Al Olama was
present to represent his government.

The statement added that the Foreign
Ministry also regretted the report by the Free
Malaysia Today news portal regarding the two
diplomats being recalled, which it published
on Sunday. – Bernama

Input sought for 3theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022
Planet Health plan NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

KUALA LUMPUR: The Academy of Lower growth forecast
Sciences Malaysia (ASM) is calling on the ‘on conservative side’
public and private sectors to provide
input to formulate the National Planet o 4.9% projection could have factored in Ukraine war, US growth in the region of 4.5%.
Health Action Plan (PTKPN). interest rate hikes and resurgence in Covid-19 cases: Experts He said the economy has not fully recovered

ASM president Emeritus Prof Datuk █ BY RAJVINDER SINGH could dampen global economic growth. from the pandemic, while the government’s
Dr Asma Ismail said the advisory body [email protected] However, he said people should not be too pump-priming exercise, such as allowing EPF
sees the formulation of the plan – driven PETALING JAYA: The Asian Development Bank worried as the country is developing withdrawals, does not provide a true picture of
by science, technology, innovation and (ADB) forecast for Malaysia’s economic growth progressively. Tourist arrivals are expected to the economy.
economy – as an important step for the and inflation is not in tandem with the country’s grow and help the economy.
country’s progress. projection. “Even a 4.5% growth is good, as it was negative
“But with the growth in domestic demand set during the pandemic period.
As such, a more holistic participation Sunway University economics professor Dr to be high even if exports drop, this will not
of stakeholders as a show of support to the Yeah Kim Leng said the ADB projection was impact the economy,” he said, adding that if the “Inflation may rise but the nation can escape
effort is welcomed, she said. more on the conservative side since it put growth country continues on this path, inflation can be the worst and still grow because high oil prices
at 4.9% while Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and controlled as costs will be pushed down. will allow the government to continue
“Planet Health refers to the the World Bank put it at 5.5%. implementing controls and subsidies.”
interdependence between human, Yeah said there will be little chance of
animal and environmental health in an “ADB could have made this projection based high inflation because the people still have He said inflation in Malaysia cannot be
effort to maintain universal well-being. on the war in Ukraine, which could have an government subsidies and price controls to limit measured as in other countries because of price
impact on global import and export demand. the impact of inflation. control placed on essential goods.
“ASM sees the formulation of PTKPN The lockdown in China could also disrupt the
as one of the most important steps in global supply chain, which may result in lower In its economic report released last Kuperan said prices of essential goods will
making Malaysia a country that is resilient exports from that country.” Wednesday, ADB said economic growth in remain low but the services sector, for instance,
to future challenges,” Asma said in a Malaysia is expected to be around 4.9% and may exhibit huge increase in costs.
statement yesterday. Yeah said rising US inflation and its Federal inflation around 3.7% due to the war in Ukraine,
Reserve Bank hiking up interest rates could also US interest rate hikes, and a resurgence in He said the government must prevent
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri hurt financial markets and create volatility across Covid-19 cases. hoarding and profiteering to manage inflation.
Yaakob approved the formulation of the world.
PTKPN at the National Science Council Universiti Utara Malaysia resources and “To help push economic growth, the
meeting on April 8. It is too early to predict how world affairs environmental economics professor Dr government needs to find ways to help industries
K. Kuperan Visvanathan predicted economic that are suffering because of the war and the
ASM had previously presented a pandemic. They must be given help to survive,
Planet Health concept paper to however, the higher cost should not be passed on
the High-Tech Nation Council on to the people.”
Nov 5 last year.
Kuperan said it is still too early to tell how the
Subsequently, the paper was economy will grow because the nation’s borders
presented to the prime minister on April have just reopened.
8, and approval was then given to draw up
the PTPKN. Ismail Sabri speaking to Wan Junaidi after the meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX

Stakeholders who wish to provide Govt, PH agree on three points to amend Constitution
feedback may do so through the e-mail
addresses: [email protected] and KUALA LUMPUR: The government and resignation takes effect, be disqualified from imposed by federal law.
[email protected]. – Bernama Pakatan Harapan (PH) have reached an being a member of the House of Wan Junaidi said the amendment would also
agreement on three points relating to the Representatives.
Anwar to defend proposed amendment to the Federal provide an enabling clause for a specific
PKR president post Constitution, with the first to refine the “And the third point is to formulate a specific anti-party hopping law to be formulated, tabled
definitions of the restrictions for elected law to prevent members of the Dewan Rakyat to and approved in Parliament.
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar representatives to switch parties, as stated in switch parties, and that these points will be
Ibrahim will be defending his president’s Article 10. submitted for discussion and consideration “Apart from that, the Bill will also prevent any
post in the PKR election for the by a Select Committee appointed by the elected representatives from switching parties
2022/2025 term. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department House,” he said when tabling the Constitution without valid and solid reasons, hence,
(Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2022 at the ensuring political stability in the country for the
According to a statement from his Tuanku Jaafar said the agreement was reached Special Meeting of the Dewan Rakyat here long run.”
office, the Port Dickson MP said he at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk yesterday.
submitted his nomination to defend the Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday. Wan Junaidi said the government had also
post through the party’s Adil application The amendment to Article 10 of the agreed yesterday for a special select bi-partisan
at 12.14pm yesterday. He said they also agreed to the proposal to Constitution seeks to insert Clause 3A after committee to be set up to formulate the new
repeal Article 48(6) of the Constitution, as well Clause 3, on which the restrictions on the anti-party hopping law.
Anwar, 75, won the PKR presidency as other amendments deemed necessary. right to form associations conferred by
unopposed in the party polls for the paragraph (c) of Clause (1) relating to He said the committee, which will comprise
2018/2021 term in November 2018. Article 48(6) states that a person who membership in a political party, of members of stakeholders including academicians and
resigns as a member of the House of the House of Representatives and members of representatives from the Opposition and the
The party’s election this time will be Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) shall, for five the State Legislative Assembly, may also be government, will study and decide the best
held in hybrid form, that is in-person years, beginning from the date on which his policy and provisions for the new law.
voting and online voting via the Adil – Bernama
application introduced by PKR on Feb 28.

Nominations for divisional posts
opened on April 8 and ended last
Sunday.

The deadline for nominations for the
six top posts in the party, namely
president, deputy president and four
vice-presidents, as well as for top posts in
Angkatan Muda Keadilan (Youth wing)
and Wanita (Women’s wing) was
yesterday.

In-person voting will be held from May
13 to 17, while online voting is from May
18 to 20. – Bernama

RM825,000 for
needy students

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Central
Terengganu Development Authority
(Ketengah) has allocated RM825,000 to be
distributed to selected secondary and
primary school students in the state
through the Back to School programme.

Its chairman, Datuk Razali Idris, said the
corporate social responsibility programme
has so far benefited more than 5,500
students.

“Ketengah is concerned about those
struggling to provide for their children’s
school needs following the rising cost of
living. However, this cannot be an excuse to
neglect the children’s education,” he said.

Each student will be given RM150.
– Bernama

4 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022 FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS ME
/thesuntelegram

‘Child safety must be prioritised’

o Govt should consider providing public Mansul said it was ridiculous to leave very useful as many childhood hire a caretaker for his son, said
inclusive daycare facilities to minimise risks a newborn alone at home. conditions are a result of breathing parents should prioritise children’s
to children, says foundation CEO problems such as choking, health and safety over money.
Parents should not overlook their aspiration, and near-drowning,”
█ BY SIVAA TANGAI RAJU their priorities. children’s safety, especially when “Parents must think of their
[email protected] The recent death of a they show threatening symptoms Yayasan Chow Kit CEO Ananti children’s safety first. If they cannot
PETALING JAYA: The choice such as fever and breathing Rajasingam said the government afford a babysitter, they should find
between family and work continues three-month-old infant, believed to difficulties, Mansul told theSun. should consider public inclusive work where they could be near their
to be difficult for many in the have choked on his milk after his daycare to provide a safe home for children.
community, where people embrace father left him alone and gone to “They also should take note if a children.
one over the other based on work, is an example. child is dehydrated and does not pass “The need to provide babysitters,
urine.” She said her organisation provides day-care services or community-
Prince Court Medical Centre free daycare services for based childcare services should be
consultant paediatrician Dr Anthony Mansol said parents and underprivileged children aged seven given serious attention to minimise
caretakers should be well versed in and above. incidents that could endanger
first aid to help children during an children. Employers should also take
emergency. OrphanCare CEO Datin Paduka responsibility by providing such
Che Asmah Ibrahim, who services,” she said.
“Basic mouth-to-mouth or understands the father’s inability to
cardiopulmonary resuscitation is

Private haj package
could cost RM50,000

KUALA LUMPUR: The cost to by the Saudi Arabian government.
perform the haj pilgrimage using Razali said the increase in costs
the services of private companies
is expected to reach RM40,000 to was also due to the increase in
RM50,000 per person, said value-added tax imposed by Saudi
Association of Umrah and Haj Arabia.
Travel Agencies president Datuk
Seri Razali Mohd Sham. “Those who want to use private
services need to take into account
He said this was due to the the location of hotels and others.”
rising management costs
consisting of accommodation, Manazel Mashaer Travel
food and transport that need to be Services Sdn Bhd managing
borne by the pilgrims. director Mohd Lokman Hamzah
said the price hike was partly due
“Before this, the cost for one to soaring accommodation costs
pilgrim to stay in Arafah and Mina as only a limited number of hotels
was 1,034 riyal (about were allowed to operate.
RM1,166.44). Now it has increased
to 5,433 riyal (about RM6,128.72),” “The hotels are available but
he said yesterday. the permit or licence to operate
has yet to be approved due to the
He was asked to comment on Covid-19 factor and the standard
the expected increase in the cost of operating procedures set by the
performing haj this year. Saudi government.

On April 7, Lembaga Tabung “As a result, the price of a room,
Haji said the cost of performing haj which used to be about RM19,000,
for pilgrims this year was expected has increased to RM25,000.”
to increase to over RM25,000 per
person following the hike in taxes Mohd Lokman hoped that
and new service charges imposed those financially capable would
accept the inevitable price
increase. – Bernama

Cases showing downward trend

KUALA LUMPUR: New Covid-19 Noor Hisham added the
cases showed a downward trend country’s infectivity rate (Rt)
when 8,112 cases were reported on decreased slightly to 0.82 on
Sunday, said Health Director- Sunday from 0.83 on April 9.
General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham
Abdullah. He said two states registered
over 50% bed occupancy at
Noor Hisham said of the new intensive care units (ICU) –
cases reported, 8,056 or 99.31% Putrajaya at 100% and Selangor at
were in categories one and two. 53%.

“A total of 56 cases or 0.69% For non-ICU bed usage,
were in categories three, four and Putrajaya surpassed the 50% mark
five,” he said in a statement at 59%, while no state recorded
yesterday. occupancy of more than 50% at
Covid-19 Quarantine and Low-
He also said only one new Risk Treatment Centres.
cluster was reported, bringing the – Bernama
number of clusters so far to 130.

Over 132,000 children vaccinated

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of completed their vaccination. A ‘Suntong tutok’ is a popular breaking of fast delicacy in Sarawak during the fasting month. – BERNAMAPIX
132,390 children aged five to 11 total of 23,234,427 or 98.8% have
have completed their vaccination received at least one vaccine dose. Rolled cuttlefish a Ramadan favourite
under the National Covid-19
Immunisation Programme for A total of 38,820 doses were KUCHING: During Ramadan, bubur Zunika Abang Adenan, 61, who has also from Sabah and Peninsular
Children as of Sunday. dispensed on Sunday, comprising pedas and kuih bongkol are among been selling the delicacy since aged Malaysia,” she added.
4,079 first doses, 28,469 second the favourites for breaking of fast in 20.
Based on the CovidNow doses and 6,272 booster shots, Sarawak. However, for those who Dayang Zunika uses no less than
website, 1,365,915 children in the bringing the cumulative total enjoy seafood, suntong tutok is a Dayang Zunika, from Kampung five kg of squid per day and sells each
age group or 38.4% have received administered under the preferred delicacy. Nombor, said the current market at RM5 to RM25, depending on the
at least one dose of the vaccine. immunisation programme to price of squid has reached more size.
69,221,371. Suntong tutok, a flattened grilled than RM160 per kg compared with
For adolescents aged between dried squid eaten with a hot sauce RM45 per kg 30 years ago. She said she preferred to use a
12 and 17, 2,860,287 or 91.9% have According to the Health dip, is popular among customers for roller to flatten the squid, adding that
completed their vaccination, while Ministry’s GitHub portal, 12 deaths breaking of fast despite the increase “Despite the steep increase in she would also make sotong ketuk if
2,961,642 or 95.2% have received at due to Covid-19 were reported on in price each year, said Dayang price, orders for suntong tutok has there was a demand for it from
least one dose of the vaccine. Sunday, with Sarawak recording been good not only in Kuching but customers. – Bernama
the highest at five cases, Perak two
Meanwhile, 15,922,033 of the and one each in Johor, Kedah,
adult population or 67.7% have Kelantan, Selangor and Kuala
received their booster shot, while Lumpur. – Bernama
22,957,184 or 97.6% have

5theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Deforestation threat to MACC to record
Malaysian primary forests statements
over airport
land sale

IPOH: The Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission
█ BY ELLY FAZANIZA o Data shows country lost 2.7 million hectares possible from forested areas which (MACC) in Perak will summon
[email protected] of tree cover between 2002 and 2020 are marked for clearing. several individuals to assist in its
PETALING JAYA: Deforestation is “Replanting projects that involve investigations into the sale of
one of the many problems facing the seedlings from forests which are not land for the building of an
environment, while logging activities going to be cleared or were already international airport in Seri
pose a threat to wildlife and the being sustainably managed will not Iskandar.
livelihoods of indigenous “Between 2002 and 2020, must first properly plan to protect serve any purpose as the seedlings State MACC director Datuk
communities. Malaysia experienced several primary forests from climate change will survive there anyway,” he said. Mohd Fauzi Mohamad said the
economic problems that led to and preservation of water catchment However, environmental individuals concerned would be
Data from Global Forest Watch significant logging, which is a quick areas that support a community. advocate Mohd Rashdan Abd Rashid called in to record their
(GFW), an online platform that income earner. expressed optimism that current statements this week.
monitors forests, showed Malaysia “The state must restore forests awareness programmes would “MACC has obtained
lost 2.7 million hectares of primary “Increasing demand for housing that have been degraded and permit benefit youths in the long term. documents regarding the issue
forests between 2002 and 2020. and agricultural products to fill the logging only outside natural forests. He said the Malaysian Rubber and will start calling witnesses in
demands of a growing population Similarly, logging concessionaires Council’s recent programme to plant to record their statements,”
This accounted for the loss of 34% has also led to a sharp increase in must replant trees that have been 2,022 trees with students from he added.
of the country’s total tree cover deforestation,” he said. lost,” he added. Universiti Tengku Abdul Rahman Prior to this, Mohd Fauzi was
during the period. The total area of Kampar is praiseworthy. reported to have said that the
Malaysia’s primary forests also Eco-tourism and Conservation Amlir also warned on the possible “Their practice is in line with the investigation was conducted
shrank by 17%. Society Malaysia chief executive negative impacts if tree-planting Sustainable Development Goals upon receiving an official
officer Andrew Sebastian echoed the activities are not carried out 2030 that includes engaging with complaint on the matter from
Environmentalists said while sentiment, stressing the need for responsibly. experts from Seeds Malaysia and the Manjoi assemblyman Datuk
replanting efforts by corporate more planned and coordinated Tropical Rainforest Conservation Asmuni Awi on April 5.
entities and activists are to be educational efforts to be carried out, “Corporate sectors whose and Research Centre to create the Mentri Besar Datuk Seri
applauded, Malaysia is still far perhaps led by the state government. operations have a direct negative first food forest. Saarani Mohamad reportedly
behind in terms of forest impact on forests should be “The project will be assessed for said that the piece of land had
preservation. “Such efforts may significantly responsible to ensure the forests they two years to calculate the carbon been sold to a private company
improve the motivation for logging clear are replaced. footprint and empower the during the Pakatan Harapan
Environmental organisation concessionaires to replant community in Kampar as it heads state government
EcoKnights vice-president Amlir deforested areas that have been “They should not achieve this by towards 2030,” he said. administration, but under the
Ayat said recently that the figures logged,” he said. merely preserving another forest that Barisan National state
mentioned in the GFW report “are exists or replanting trees from other
not surprising”. “The primary stakeholder is the forests. Replanting should be done
state that approves the permit. It by transferring as many seedlings as

Policewoman charged with government, it was reserved for
possession of ketum drinks the state development
corporation for the construction
of an international airport.
Aulong assembyman Nga Kor
Ming had claimed, during a
state legislative assembly sitting,
KOTA BARU: A policewoman was from the National Legal Aid that the land had been sold
among five individuals charged in the Foundation. without the approval of the state
magistrate’s court yesterday with two government. – Bernama
counts of possessing 2.5 litres of Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur,
ketum drinks. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Doctor loses
Public Order Department director RM173,000
However, L/Cpl Raja Rozalia Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said only in job scam
Fadila Raja Mamat, 30, and the other 10% of police personnel were allowed
four accused – Wan Muhammad Alif to go on leave during Aidilfitri, while SEREMBAN: A female doctor in
Wan Yusoff, 20, Muhammad Faries the rest are to remain on standby to Port Dickson lost RM173,888.74 to
Aizat Ruslan, 23, Anis Najiehah face any eventuality. a part-time job offer scam on
Muhammad Anggelan, 27, and Bidah Instagram last Friday. Negri
Napi, 30, – pleaded not guilty to both He said from April 30 to May 4, Sembilan police contingent
the charges before magistrate Mohd many travellers would return to their headquarters Commercial Crime
Izdham Che Ani. hometowns for the Aidilfitri Investigation Department head,
celebrations for the first time in two Supt Aibee Ab Ghani said the
They were charged with years since the movement control 29-year-old was offered a digital
possession of the prohibited item, order was imposed. marketing job by an individual
mintragynine or ketum, in a 1.5-litre known as June on an online
and 1-litre bottle, at a house in Jalan “The Bukit Aman Internal Security shopping website.
Pasir Puteh-Kubang Kerian at and Public Order Department has
3.25am on April 7. about 26,000 officers and personnel “She said the woman then
and only some are allowed to go on dealt with a man named Alex who
The charges were framed under leave as we expect a massive exodus asked her to purchase products via
Section 30 (3) of the Poisons Act 1952, will take place across the country the website and she would receive
which provides a maximum fine of ahead of the festivities. a commission for each purchase
RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to of the items.
four years, or both. “Those who are not on leave will
be involved in preparing for any “The victim’s first task was to
All the accused were allowed bail eventuality, including disasters and purchase items costing a total of
of RM4,500 each on both charges. other issues. We are also preparing RM99 and the woman received a
police assets to be deployed,” he said commission of 10% of the amount
Deputy public prosecutor after an event at the General that she spent.
Nursyafiqah Mohamad prosecuted, Operations Force parade grounds
while the five were represented by yesterday. – Bernama “The victim was then asked to
lawyer Intan Nor Nadhirah Ismail, buy more items and she made
seven local bank transactions
Rape suspect arrested after 12 years amounting to RM173,888.74 the
next day.
KUALA LUMPUR: A man was index for other cases. The DNA
arrested over the rape of a teenage profile (of the suspect) has been kept “She was promised a
girl at a workshop in Sungai Pinang, until the individual involved in this commission on the purchases
Balik Pulau in Penang 12 years ago, case 12 years ago, was arrested again,” made that were settled but the
after his deoxyribonucleic acid he said. victim realised that she had been
(DNA) matched two profiles in the cheated after she was asked to
police data system. Abd Jalil said this meant that make a ‘personal protection’
Bukit Aman Criminal individuals who commit another payment of RM74,872.41 to
Investigation Department director offence would have their DNA redeem her capital and
Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said the sample taken for a second time and commission that were promised
first DNA sample, its owner matched with the DNA sample to her,” he said in a statement,
unknown, was lifted at the location available in the system. yesterday.
of the incident 12 years ago.
The sample collected was entered He said when a match is made The victim made a police
into the system under the DNA linking an offender to a crime, the report and the case is being
Identification Act 2009, which allows individual involved would be FAKE THREAT... Central Seberang Perai District Criminal Investigation investigated under Section 420 of
the police to store past DNA data. detained to assist in the investigation. Division head DSP Raja Munawir Shah Raja Harun showing imitation guns the Penal Code for cheating.
“According to the Act, we are seized from car theft syndicate suspects arrested in Kubang Semang, Bukit – Bernama
allowed to keep DNA evidence and The police could also send the Mertajam, Kuala Muda and Baling in Kedah. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN
categorise them under the suspects suspect’s DNA sample to the
Chemistry Department to determine
his or her involvement in a crime.
– Bernama

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Journalist held for

Indonesia police disperseallegedsedition
HONG KONG: Police here arrested a protest at Parliament
veteran journalist and former
contributing writer with the oRallies held over cooking oil prices, or delaying the 2024 election, has it was clear that an election would be
now-shuttered media outlet Stand move to extend president’s term gained momentum lately in the held in February 2024, as planned.
News yesterday for alleged sedition. world’s third-largest democracy
JAKARTA: Indonesian police fired The rally was one of several after some influential political “Don’t let there be speculation
A crackdown on the media, based tear gas and water cannons across Indonesia yesterday, figures publicly backed it. among the public that the
on a sedition law that dates from the yesterday to disperse hundreds of including in South Sulawesi, West government is trying to delay the
British colonial-era as well as a university students protesting high Java and Jakarta, where hundreds of University students have election or speculate on extending
China-imposed national security law, cooking oil prices and a mooted students wearing neon jackets traditionally been at the forefront of the presidential term or anything
has seen several outlets raided by extension of President Joko marched towards Parliament to efforts to protect Indonesia’s related to a third term,” the
police and closed down, including Widodo’s term in office. protest rising goods prices and the democratic gains, after taking to the 60-year-old told a meeting.
the Apple Daily newspaper and the prospect of the president staying streets in 1998 during huge protests
Stand News online news portal. Crowds of demonstrators were longer than his two-term limit. that helped topple former Jokowi has retained a high
seen running away outside the strongman president Suharto. approval rating since he was first
In a statement, police said its Parliament building in the capital Jokowi, as the president is elected in 2014, but a recent survey
national security department had Jakarta, according to a Reuters known, on Sunday sought to The idea of allowing more than by pollster Saiful Mujani Research
arrested a 54-year-old male for witness, while Kompas TV said dampen speculation of a plan being the maximum two, five-year terms and Consulting showed more than
“conspiracy to publish seditious rocks had been thrown into the hatched by his allies to keep him in as president has fuelled concern 70% of Indonesians reject the
publications” and had detained him complex. power longer. about a threat to hard-won extension plan.
for further investigation. democratic reforms.
There were no immediate The idea of extending his tenure, He has been criticised for his
Local media indentified the man reports of violence or injuries. either by changing the constitution On Sunday, for a second time in ambiguous stance on the issue,
as Allan Au, a journalist and Chinese under a week, Jokowi urged calling it a slap in the face and just
University of Hong Kong academic ministers and security chiefs to “an idea”, but without explicitly
who wrote columns for newspapers cease discussion of the issue to rejecting it or ruling out staying in
including Ming Pao and Apple Daily. prevent public speculation and said power longer. – Reuters

Sedition is not among the offences
listed under a national security law
imposed by Beijing in 2020 that
punishes terrorism, collusion with
foreign forces and secession with
possible life imprisonment.

But court judgments in recent
months have enabled authorities to
use powers conferred by the new
legislation to deploy rarely used
colonial era laws covering sedition.

The Hong Kong Journalists’
Association expressed “deep
concern” and said the arrest risked
“further damaging Hong Kong’s press
freedom”. – Reuters

BRIEFS QUEEN E ‘EXHAUSTED’ SPRING
FROM COVID DAWNING ...
Youths
LONDON: Britain’s Queen performing
Elizabeth II, who turns 96 soon, a traditional
has spoken of serious fatigue after ‘Bhangra’
she contracted Covid-19 in Punjab folk
February despite aides dance ahead
downplaying her illness. At the of the harvest
time, Buckingham Palace said the festival of
vaccinated monarch had “mild, Baisakhi at
cold-like symptoms”. The queen a wheat field in
recalled her experience when she the Indian city
spoke to Royal London Hospital of Amritsar.
staff and patients by video-link on – AFPPIX
Wednesday to mark the opening
of a unit named in her honour. “It Shanghai eases lockdown in some areas
does leave one very tired and
exhausted, doesn’t it?” she said to BEIJING: China’s financial centre of Shanghai is grouping residential of the city’s 25 million residents infections, and 7,565 “prevention
a former patient about the virus, Shanghai started easing lockdown units into three risk categories as a stand to have lockdowns areas” to be opened up after two
according to footage released by in some areas yesterday, despite step towards allowing “appropriate immediately eased, the step weeks without a positive case.
the palace on Sunday. – AFP reporting a record of more than activity” by those in promises some relief for many
25,000 new Covid-19 infections, as neighbourhoods with no positive cooped up for more than three Some social media users
TAIWAN ORDERS authorities strive to get the city cases during a two-week stretch, weeks. criticised the easing move as a big
PFIZER PILL moving again after more than two said city official Gu Honghui. risk at a time of a record new daily
weeks. One video widely shared online caseload, but others said Shanghai
TAIPEI: Taiwan has ordered “Each district will announce the showed occupants of a row of had no choice.
700,000 units of Pfizer’s anti-viral Pressure has been mounting on specific names of the first batch (of apartment blocks screaming and
Covid-19 pill Paxlovid, its health authorities in China’s most populous communities) divided into the three shouting from windows. “I think this is the Shanghai
minister said yesterday, amid a city from residents growing types, and three subsequent lists government admitting it cannot
steady increase in the number of increasingly frustrated as curbs drag will be announced in a timely Gu said Shanghai was divided continue locking down while
infections as the government on, leaving some struggling to find manner,” Gu told a news briefing. into 7,624 areas that are still sealed ensuring that its citizens don’t starve
pledges to gradually reopen its enough food and medicine. off, with a group of 2,460 now subject to death,” said a Weibo user, posting
borders. Chen Shih-chung said the While it was not clear how many to “controls” after a week of no new under the name Ruan Yi. – Reuters
pills ordered would be enough to
cover 3% of Taiwan’s population,
with half of them due to arrive in
the second quarter this year. “The
medication could prevent serious
illness and is very helpful for
overall pandemic prevention,” he
said. Taiwan reported 439 new
Covid cases yesterday. – Reuters

Pakistani lawmakers vote in Shehbaz as prime minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Parliament Analysts said Shehbaz, unlike Nawaz was barred by the Supreme formation of a government by his fresh by-elections in well over 100
yesterday elected Shehbaz Sharif Nawaz, enjoys amicable relations Court in 2017 from holding public political opponents. seats.
prime minister after a week-long with Pakistan’s military, which office and subsequently went abroad
constitutional crisis that climaxed on traditionally controls foreign and for medical treatment after serving “We are announcing we are all “There can’t be any bigger insult
Sunday when his predecessor Imran defence policy in the nuclear-armed just a few months of a 10-year jail resigning,” former foreign minister to this country,” Imran told reporters
Khan lost a no-confidence vote. nation of 220 million people sentence for corruption charges. and PTI vice-president Shah yesterday on the prospect of Shehbaz
Just minutes before the vote, Mahmood Qureshi said in a speech being elected.
Shehbaz, 70, who has a reputation The younger Sharif emerged as legislators from Imran’s in the assembly.
as an effective administrator more the leader of a united opposition to Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party resigned No elected prime minister has
than as a politician, is the younger topple Imran, a former cricket star en masse from the lower house of PTI had submitted papers completed a full term in Pakistan
brother of three-time prime minister who has claimed that the United Parliament in protest at the expected nominating Shah Mahmood as its since it won independence from
Nawaz Sharif. States was behind his downfall. candidate for prime minister. colonial power Great Britain in 1947.
– Reuters
The mass resignations will require

7theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Le Pen and Macron duel for French presidency

PARIS: French President Emmanuel advance to a second round on April voters who backed other candidates Polls gauging second-round As well as campaigning on the
Macron and far-right rival Marine 24. in the first round. voting intentions mostly point to merits of their respective
Le Pen yesterday embarked on a around 53% for Macron and 47% for programmes, both candidates will
final fortnight of bruising Far-left candidate Jean-Luc “Make no mistake: nothing is Le Pen. also scramble to woo voters of their
campaigning for a French Melenchon came close to beating Le decided,” Macron told cheering defeated first-round rivals.
presidential election run-off whose Pen for the second spot, after a late supporters at his campaign However, one poll by the
outcome is far more uncertain than surge gave him a score of just under headquarters on Sunday night. Ifop-Fiducial group suggested “We’re going to have to win over
their encounter five years ago. 22%. Macron could have only a razor-thin the French people who didn’t vote for
Le Monde daily headlined: win with 51% versus 49%. Emmanuel Macron in the first
With 97% votes counted, Macron The duel between Macron and Le “Macron-Le Pen – A more uncertain round,” government spokesman
came in first in Sunday’s first round of Pen is a re-run of the 2017 election Act II.” “The second round is the hardest Gabriel Attal told the France Inter
voting with 27.6% of the vote. final from which Macron emerged one,” said Finance Minister Bruno Le broadcaster.
victorious with 66%. Left-leaning daily Liberation Maire on RTL radio.
Le Pen was second with 23.4%. called the Macron-Le Pen duel “A sad “We’re going to have to fight for
As the top two finishers, they But this time polls predict a closer repetition” yesterday, adding: “This “Everything begins again with a this election.” – AFP
contest which will crucially hinge on time it’s really scary.” new campaign.”

KYIV: Ukrainian troops have repulsed several Ukraine repulses UK minister refers
Russian assaults in the country’s east, British attacks in east himself to ethics chief
intelligence said yesterday, while President
Volodymyr Zelenskiy said thousands of o Zelenskiy says thousands of Russian soldiers LONDON: Britain’s embattled Chancellor of the
Russian soldiers were massing for a new massing for new offensive Exchequer Rishi Sunak has asked the
offensive. government’s ethics adviser to review whether
Britain’s Defence Ministry said Russian actions. We will answer,” he said in a late night he followed all the rules after revelations about
Russian forces were also pushing to shelling continued in the Donetsk and video address. his family’s financial affairs stoked political
establish control over the southern port city of Luhansk regions. controversy.
Mariupol, the lynchpin between Russian-held Addressing South Korea’s parliament, he
areas to the west and east. But Ukrainian forces had beaten back said Russia was concentrating tens of In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson –
several assaults and destroyed Russian tanks, thousands of soldiers for the next offensive. disclosed on Sunday – Sunak requested that the
“There are tens of thousands of dead, but vehicles and artillery equipment, it said in its government’s adviser on ministerial standards,
even despite this, the Russians are not regular intelligence bulletin. He asked Seoul for any military aid it could Christopher Geidt, assess his declarations of
stopping their offensive,” Zelenskiy told South provide. interest since he first became a minister in 2018.
Korea’s parliament by videolink. Powerful explosions rocked cities in the
south and east and air raid sirens blared out Zelenskiy also said Mariupol has been It follows a leak last week revealing that his
The Russian invasion, the most serious across Ukraine early yesterday. destroyed. wealthy Indian wife has benefited from
conflict in Europe since the Balkans wars of “non-domicile” tax status in the UK, shielding
the 1990s, has left a trail of death of Zelenskiy kept up his campaign to Russia’s Defence Ministry said her overseas income from taxes at a time when
destruction that has drawn condemnation generate international support and rally his high-precision missiles had destroyed the they are rising for most Britons.
from Western countries and triggered countrymen, warning the coming week headquarters of Ukraine’s Dnipro battalion in
concern about Putin’s broader ambitions. would be important. the town of Zvonetsky. After initially claiming his spouse Akshata
Murty – whose father co-founded the Indian IT
About a quarter of Ukraine’s 44 million “Russian troops will move to even larger In a later statement, the ministry said behemoth Infosys – was the victim of a smear
population have been forced from their operations in the east of our state. They may Russian sea-launched missiles had on Sunday campaign, the couple U-turned last Friday and
homes, cities turned into rubble, and use even more missiles against us, even more destroyed S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems vowed she would now pay British taxes on all
thousands of people have been killed or air bombs. But we are preparing for their which had been supplied to Ukraine by a her global income.
injured – many of them civilians. European country. – Reuters
But it has failed to quell accusations of
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer hypocrisy for raising taxes on Britons in the
planned to meet Russian President Vladimir middle of a cost-of-living crisis, while his own
Putin in Moscow early today and will call for family has seen millions of pounds in Infosys
an end to the conflict. dividends shielded from his own ministry.

It would be Putin’s first face-to-face Sunak is believed to be Britain’s richest
meeting with a European Union leader since member of Parliament.
Russia’s invasion started on Feb 24.
He has also faced criticism for a lack of
Russian forces have abandoned their transparency, after admitting to holding a
attempt to capture the capital Kyiv, for now at “Green Card” for US permanent residents until
least, but are redoubling their efforts in last year.
Ukraine’s east.
Possession of the card would enable him to
keep the United States as his long-term home
and pay US taxes, despite serving as Britain’s
second-most powerful politician with designs
on Johnson’s job.

Meanwhile, other claims have also emerged
in recent days, including that he was listed as
the beneficiary of offshore trusts set up in
so-called tax havens to help manage his wife’s
business affairs. – AFP

BRIEFS MEXICAN PRESIDENT WINS
RECALL VOTE
Residents looking at a destroyed Russian tank on the outskirts of Buzova village in the west of Kyiv. – AFPPIX
MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Andres
Aussie opposition leader slips up on jobless rate figure Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday easily
won a divisive referendum he promoted on
CANBERRA: Australia’s opposition Labor is, I think it is five point ... four, sorry, I am not it and I will set about correcting that mistake. whether he should step down or complete
Party leader Anthony Albanese said yesterday sure what it is.” “I won’t blame someone else. I will accept his term – a vote marked by low turnout.
he was only human after forgetting the With an approval rating of nearly 60%,
country’s unemployment rate on the first full Australia’s unemployment rate is at a responsibility. Lopez Obrador’s presidency had never
day of campaigning for May 21 elections. 13-year low of 4%, a level that Morrison has “That’s what leaders do.” appeared seriously at risk. The 68-year-old,
been touting as he warns voters not to trust Labor leads the Liberal-National Party elected in 2018 for a six-year term, won
Albanese’s party is ahead in the polls as he Labor with the economy. slightly more than 90% of votes in favor of
seeks to oust Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s coalition by 53% to 47%, according to the his staying in office until 2024. But the
conservative coalition government. Albanese also skirted questions on the key latest Newspoll released this weekend. turnout rate was estimated to be 18%, well
interest that banks charge each other for below the 40% level needed for the poll to
The economy is a key issue for many of the overnight loans. Known as the bank rate, or Asked similar questions later, Morrison be legally binding. That means that even if
country’s 17 million voters. the cash rate, it stands at 0.1%. gave the correct figures. Lopez Obrador had lost, he would not have
been obliged to step down. – AFP
Asked to give the national jobless rate by a “Earlier today I made a mistake. I’m Within hours, a Liberal Party advert on
reporter, Albanese stumbled, replying: “The human,” Albanese said shortly afterwards. Facebook replayed a video of the opposition BIDEN CRACKS DOWN
national unemployment rate at the moment leader’s gaffe with the punchline: “It won’t be ON GHOST GUNS
“But when I make a mistake I will fess up to easy under Albanese.” – AFP
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden will
announce a new rule to rein in ghost guns
and ban the manufacturing of such firearms
today as the administration faces growing
pressure to crack down on gun deaths and
violent crime in the US. Ghost guns are
privately made firearms that are not marked
with a serial number and are difficult for law
enforcement to trace when used to commit
a crime. Biden and Deputy Attorney General
Lisa Monaco will announce the final rule
from the Department of Justice at an event
at the White House. The final rule has been
making its way through the federal
regulation process for nearly a year and is
likely to draw opposition and litigation from
gun advocates. – Reuters

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/theSunMedia
Politics of inflation
has changed COMMENT

by Rahmat Mohamad and Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli

Sulu state arbitration: Ridiculous
claims of a long-lost sovereign

█ BY HAMISH MCRAE enough to buy their first home pushed the UK ON Jan 22, 1878, an agreement was signed Another example could be attributed to the
government to create a string of schemes to try to between the Sultan of Sulu with two British case involving land reclamation in the Straits of
THE economics of inflation remain support home ownership. agents, Alfred Dent and Baron von Overbeck, Johor near Tekong Island by the International
confused, but the politics have become ceding North Borneo to the British in return for Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) back in
abundantly clear. Economists and But while falling home ownership became a the payment of cession money of 5,000 2003, where ITLOS decided in favour of
central bankers are still debating how far political issue several years ago, and the Malayan dollars annually to the Sultan. Singapore.
inflation will rise, and how best to tackle it. government’s efforts to reverse it attracted
criticism from many directions, including the The payment was increased to 5,300 dollars When the Permanent Court of International
Some central banks, including the Bank of independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, current per year when nearby islands from Banggi Arbitration (PCIA) issued an award in favour of
England and the US Federal Reserve, have inflation remained low. Island to Sibuku Bay were also ceded. the Philippines in 2016, China decided to
started to increase interest rates; whereas others, ignore such an award as the proceedings were
notably the European Central Bank, have not. So there was little pressure to challenge the Sabah was briefly placed under Japanese done unilaterally without Chinese
widespread view that very low interest rates were rule during World War II and later reverted involvement.
But there is no debate to be had about the necessary to keep the economy moving, even if back to British rule upon Japanese surrender in
politics. Voters hate it. They are frightened and they helped fuel higher house prices. 1945. Taking into consideration Chinese reaction
angry, and politicians will get the blame. against the award issued by the PCIA in 2016,
So what is different? One obvious thing is that Sabah remained a British crown colony Malaysia should also consider doing the same
Support for Marine Le Pen this weekend inflation is no longer 2% or 3%. The March until it gained independence within Malaysia as the arbitration was conducted ex-parte
seems to have risen thanks to her attacks on the inflation figures will be a shocker everywhere. in 1963. without Malaysia’s participation.
rising cost of living in France, whereas
Emmanuel Macron appears aloof to the worries We will receive numbers for the UK and US As a component state of the Federation, In addition, the Sultanate of Sulu has lost its
of ordinary people. this week. The Bank of England expects a peak of Malaysia has invested billions of ringgit to sovereignty when it was dissolved by the
“around 8%”. develop Sabah, establishing a working Americans via the Carpenter Agreement in
In the US, the Democrats are under pressure, government to administer this territory. 1915.
with Joe Biden slumping in the polls. Market estimates are for 8.5% in the US, and
in Germany, the Federal Statistical Office thinks The heirs of the forgone Sulu Sultanate have Why should Malaysia honour a colonial
And here in the UK, a sense that the wealthy it will be 7.2% there. not done much to display that they are in fact treaty that was signed by an entity which is no
are not as damaged as ordinary people by the sovereign rulers of Sabah. longer a sovereign?
inflation may have contributed to the pressure But I don’t think the shift in the mood is Conclusion
on Rishi Sunak, and the sense of outrage over his simply the result of these troubling numbers. Therefore, should Malaysia entertain the Historically, Sabah (particularly eastern Sabah)
family’s tax arrangements. arbitral award amounting to RM63 billion put was part of the Sulu Sultanate.
Last autumn, when Joseph Powell was forward by the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate via an
This hatred of inflation is new. When prices seeking another term as chair of the US Federal arbitration court in Paris, France? Nevertheless, this sultanate was dissolved
were rising by 2% or 3% a year, it was quite Reserve, I understand he was told by the International Law and no longer recognised as a sovereign since
welcome. administration that if he wanted to stay at the Since 1963, Malaysia has effectively governed 1915, the same way the Malacca Sultanate was
Fed, he and his colleagues had to do something Sabah establishing numerous government ransacked by the Portuguese in 1511 and the
Over time, even inflation at that sort of rate about inflation. agencies to administer this territory. dissolution of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate by the
whittles away people’s savings, transferring Dutch in 1911.
wealth from renters to homeowners, and from If that is right, the big shift in political mood, The people of Sabah acquired Malaysian
the relatively poor to the relatively rich. at least in the US, took place before the current citizenship, neither Filipino nor that of Sulu. The fact remains that Sulu is no longer a
surge in the numbers. sovereign state.
Since 2000, inflation in the UK has averaged Foreign tourists, upon entering Sabah have
only 2.8% a year. But according to the Bank of Moreover, there are probably two main to pass through Malaysian immigration posts Within less than six decades, Sabah has
England’s inflation calculator, to buy £100 worth drivers, both of which apply to the UK as well. and get their passport stamped, indicating developed progressively as a component state
of goods and services would have cost £179.10 One is that inflation hits the poorest hardest. international recognition that the sovereignty within Malaysia more than it has ever
last year. over Sabah is with Malaysia. experienced centuries under colonial rule.
The biggest increases are in food and fuel,
By the end of this year, the cost will be close to both of which account for a larger part of the The heirs of the Sulu Sultan have not done In addition, Article 1(2) of the Federal
£200. household budgets of poor families than those of much to indicate that they are the rightful Constitution states clearly that Sabah is part of
wealthier ones. Work by the Resolution owners of Sabah. Their silence in protesting Malaysia.
But everyone enjoyed the money illusion, Foundation highlighted this in the UK. against decades of Malaysia’s administration
thinking they were richer as their nominal over Sabah is deafening. As Sabah is recognised globally as part of
wealth (including house prices) went up, even The second is that concern about Malaysia, in no way Malaysia is obliged to
though in real terms they weren’t, or at least not unemployment has diminished dramatically in Under international law, this inaction in entertain claims of descendants of a lost-lost
by much. both the US and UK. Unemployment in the US is itself nullifies the rights of the heirs of the Sulu sovereign.
down to 3.6%. In the UK it is 3.9%. These are the Sultan over their long-lost claims over Sabah.
Tacking unemployment was a more lowest levels for a generation. Non-binding award As a full member of the United Nations,
important political priority, and borrowers, As a sovereign nation, no court or arbitration Malaysia is an independent sovereign state and
particularly people with mortgages, seemed to The pressure is now on governments to may impose its decision or award respectively its sovereignty over Sabah must be respected.
attract more sympathy than savers. consider the huge numbers of people in work against Malaysia.
and to make sure their earnings are not cut so Rahmat Mohamad is a member of the
In social terms, the impact of creeping savagely by inflation, rather than focusing on the There is no enforcement mechanism to Eminent Person Group (EPG) of the Asia-
inflation over a long period was deeply corrosive, much smaller numbers of people not in jobs. compel Malaysia to pay the sum of money to
for it helped sophisticated savers who borrowed the heirs of the Sulu Sultan. Africa Legal Consutative Organsation
and built up assets, and hurt those who kept It is harsh to put it in those terms, for the (AALCO). Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli is
their money in a bank account. But in political unemployed are seeing their incomes cut too. Nevertheless, exception to this general rule associate professor at the Faculty of
terms, this did not seem to matter. But that, for the moment, is the political may apply if Malaysia agrees to submit its
mathematics. sovereignty to the court in deciding certain Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam
Now this has all changed. Inflation in house issues, like that of Pedra Branca case between Malaysia and a research fellow at the
prices was becoming unpopular even before the Eventually, inflation will come down. Can it Malaysia and Singapore that was decided by
surge this year. be brought down without a recession, and rising the International Court of Justice in 2008. Australian National University, Malaysia
unemployment? That, I fear, will be the next Institute, Canberra, Australia. Comments:
The fact that young people could not save challenge. – The Independent
[email protected]

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Nuclear, nonchalance and notoriety

COMMENT Threats and counter-threats As time holds-barred approach, and that in at the same time stalling the second-
by Collins ChongYew Keat involving nuclear annihilation in the drags on, facing Biden, he is forced to again strike readiness and capabilities in
peninsula have already created jitters there is only resort to past proven effects of this leaving them vulnerable to first strike
THE recent flurry of missile even before the new presidency is so much escalatory threats for greater returns in counter-measures from Washington
tests by North Korean officially in store in the South. Pyongyang seeing no clear differences or or even Seoul.
President Kim Jong-un in a can prepare unconventional measures from Biden.
show of defiance further Incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol for the long This will render Pyongyang’s
upended the calculations of regional has already opened the floodgates to ball game of During attempts to straighten out nuclear deterrence and its long held
balance of power. further deterioration of the regional with- the positions under Trump, Kim first strike threat to be less lethal and
security climate with his defiant stance standing the foresaw the once-in-a-lifetime more obsolete, giving greater space for
The sabre-rattling started early this for a more hard-line and hawkish natural opportunity to seal the ultimate the West to act further.
year with the resumption of ICBM deterrence against Pyongyang, with a chain effects breakthrough, but the cost-risk
tests disguised as satellite launches, series of defensive postures with of the non- calculations were too lopsided for The prospects of deterrence and
culminating with the launch of the alliances forged with Tokyo and traditional Washington to continue. MAD (Mutually Assured Destructions)
most advanced missile to date, the Washington, and hopeful for more threats that will also greatly diminish in the long
Hwasong-17 last week, which is within assurances of defensive support from will Kim aspires to be different and to run as Washington develops a better
the range of strategic manoeuvres by Washington, which his delegations persistently stamp his own legacy in aiming for a and more holistic interceptive
Kim in reading the security spectrum have requested during their visit to the pose final peaceful breakthrough, but he capacity with its unrivalled
and cost benefit calculations in his US this week. problems realises that he needs Western technological and military
immediate need for assurances and for his nodding in giving him the face-saving advancement, which will provide
survival. Although he won by a thin margin populations transition and the last say to portray to better first-strike prevention and an
from a neck and neck race with his more than the nation that Washington somehow enhanced second-strike impact that
Although critics have argued on the Democratic rival, he realises that him acknowledges the wisdom and will render Pyongyang’s past
real success of the Hwasong-17 ICBM, conventional methods of dealing with personally strength of the Kim regime in coming mechanism to futility.
which is touted by Pyongyang as its Kim do not yield the intended results, to this compromise and peaceful
crème de la crème with its longest with even worse implications for conflict resolution. This signals that time certainly is
duration on air and the farthest range Seoul’s security assurance. not on the side with Kim and that the
of manoeuvrability, and in theory is In this regard, Kim believes he has window for greater dialogue,
capable of delivering multiple The efforts and policies in the past time on his side, unlike China’s Xi, with engagement and diplomacy is fast
warheads to anywhere in the US to please Kim and in practising his youth and ruthless displacement of closing in terms that will be beneficial
continent, the operational success in strategic patience in dealing with others who challenge him and an for him in the long run.
these ventures further up the ante in Pyongyang seem to be a utopian and unhindered free hand in dictating
regional fear and the subsequent futile strategy for Suk-yeol. policies with the support of his handy All eyes have been fixated on the
retaliatory moves. elites led by his sister Yo-Jong. next potential move by Pyongyang in
It is this reason for his promise in its celebration of Day of the Sun on the
While it remains highly dangerous, his campaigns in requesting for the The long game is his to lose and, 110th anniversary of the birth of its
security analysts expressed scepticism redeployment of American nuclear along the way, outlines further goals to founding father Kim Il-sung on April
on the real capabilities in carrying capacities should conflicts flare in the bolster his military capacities 15, whether it will resort to a nuclear
multiple nuclear warheads and the peninsula. particularly in enhancing the accuracy test, which will be a first since 2017, or
capacity to withstand re-entry into the and range of his missiles and also refrain from a further escalatory push.
atmosphere with the capacities intact He also sensed the prevailing targeting next frontiers with the likes
at such an altitude and duration. sentiment of the public in the South of nuclear submarines and multiple Analyses based on ground
where many would opt for hosting warhead capacity of his ICBMs. movements and preparations seem to
Notwithstanding the real threats American nuclear weapons in putting indicate that a major nuclear test is
imposed, Seoul and Tokyo were the to rest the deficiency of counter- While he calculates that he can still imminent, in pushing the momentum
first to get the jitters and a flurry of threats and deterrence that Seoul is in rely on Xi and Putin, he is also gained from the breaking of its self-
responses were initiated. possession now. observant of the fact that he is imposed moratorium on long range
increasingly being used as an effective testing.
Regional wariness on the looming It remains to be seen whether the tool in their own strategic and
threats by the Axis of Autocracies as bold risk taken by Suk-yeol will be calculated peripheries in their The rationale for such moves, at least
termed by critics, with the new-found effective or backfire. dealings with the West. in Kim’s view, warrants the subsequent
strength and consolidation of support international condemnation and
in the structure of Moscow-Beijing- Of pertinent interest will be However, the reality at hand does sanctions, and further narrowing the
Pyongyang in capitalising on certain whether Kim will actually take the not seem to be rosy as in Kim’s path for conciliatory dialogue and
shared interests, is further deterrence posed seriously or will it projection. openings.
compounded by its internal inability only antagonise him in warranting
to mount an equal level and effective further irrational actions and to He faces both internal and external Like Putin, he has long tasted
deterrence. undertake pre-emptive strikes in squeezes with the full-blown impact Western sanctions and retaliatory
cancelling and preventing the from climate challenges, and a responses with seemingly little
While regional players were supposed pre-emptive strikes by strengthened alliance of democracies detrimental and hindering effects.
temporarily relieved by US President Seoul. and the Western order in threatening
Joe Biden’s pivot to normative to upend internal food security and He can still count on Xi and Putin
assurance and alliance solidification, It is as much as certain as China external survival. for now, but as the cost-benefit
the actual terms are deemed President Xi Jinping will not give up fulcrum increasingly tilts towards
insufficient, and worries abound on Taiwan as will Kim in not giving up his As time drags on, there is only so jettisoning Pyongyang for their own
Washington’s long-term staying power powerful nuclear weapons as the much Pyongyang can prepare for the national needs and survival, and
with potential changing policies in the ultimate deterrence and power long ball game of withstanding the coupled with the inescapable multi-
future under different presidencies. exertion, at least in the near term. natural chain effects of the non- pronged challenges to his nation’s
traditional threats that will persistently survival, he might recalibrate his
Increasingly, they are keen to align Unless clear, committed, collective pose problems for his population strategic manoeuvres and grab the
more closely and openly with key and measurable assurances and more than him personally. opening for a stunning transformation
players and Washington in signalling a guarantees are given, at the same time twist which will stamp his legacy in a
clear and measurable deterring and in terms that are not violating the long- He cannot afford the emergence of different realm.
counter-action under an expansive term survival of Kim’s regime, it is hard fault lines in his circle of elites, what
nuclear and conventional security to foresee he will erode his only more the potential for one among the Or he might be tempted to remain
umbrella. powerful deterrence at his disposal. masses. defiant and stay on to the last straw of
MAD. The rest of the world certainly
The US presidency is another factor There is also only so much roots for the former. Only time will tell.
to consider, with arguments that Kim momentum and progress that he
is forced to play into the hands of could caulk up in sustaining effective Comments: [email protected]
Donald Trump with his unique no- and trusted first strike capacities, and

A truly Malaysian university

LETTERS Southeast Asia prior to European Much has been said about which we dearly need, the objective assistance and help. Government can
colonialism and imperialism, and University Teknologi Mara and is to unite our multi-racial society help with providing yearly grants.
[email protected] Chinese entrepreneurship, which Tunku Abdul Rahman University and develop a sense of togetherness,
needs no introduction. College on their ethnic composition. kinship and oneness while at campus It is hoped, the products of the
“EDUCATION is the most powerful and thereafter. university will not be hardcore
weapon which you can use to change Previously, it is said entrepreneurs Can we now build a university that capitalists and will willingly share
the world”: Nelson Mandela. are born in the likes of Dhirubhai specialises in entrepreneurship It will also do away with “Ali Baba” their success with others to produce
Ambani or Ratan Tata. where it is funded by successful type businesses where a Malay fronts more entrepreneurs.
“The aim of university education entrepreneurs from all races? a Chinese business.
should be to turn out true servants of Today, with the digital revolution, “It is preoccupation with
the people who will live and die for it is accepted that they are made It may not be cheap since the cost It should be nonsectarian possession, more than anything else,
the country’s freedom”: Mahatma through learning and developing of the entire Xiamen University (political or religious) and affordable that prevents men from living freely
Gandhi. certain skill sets, being innovative Malaysia was estimated at RM1.3 or free for those who qualify and run and nobly”: Bertrand Russell.
together with a sharp focus and a billion. by a board of trustees.
I received plenty of feedback from burning desire to succeed. Malaysian Malaysia is a pipe
friends on the article “Malaysians, Rich Malaysians who really want Stanford University is a classic dream. Let us steadily build up the
whom do you love?” on an online Entrepreneurship is a skill that is to see a better Malaysia can also chip example and is known for its great foundation for a Malaysia that truly
portal, but the one that strikes me acquired instead of being an innate in. return on investment and belongs to all.
most is from a Chinese friend who talent. entrepreneurial student body.
fantasises about a University of According to a 2021 report by There should be mass
Muhibbah producing successful We have successful entrepreneurs Wealth Insight, there are more than To save cost, construction risks participation in capital ownership
entrepreneurs. who do not have proper college 26,000 high-net-worth Malaysians or and time, we can buy a going- and not just a section of the populace,
education, but in this fast-moving millionaires with a total of RM522 concern business that is up for sale, if who will feel disenfranchised and
The presence of Malay traders had world attending college can be very billion. So, RM1.3 billion is only available, and at the right price. disenchanted. What say you?
a great impact on intra-Asian trade in helpful as it teaches soft skills like about 0.25%. Therefore, it is
ownership, accountability and achievable. Entrepreneurs can assist by giving Saleh Mohammed
emotional maturity. talks or guidance pro bono. Alumni of Kuala Lumpur
Besides producing entrepreneurs other universities can also provide

10 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022
MEDIA & MARKETING

HELP University hosts 32nd convocation

o HELP awards Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek, Managing
Director of Public Bank, the Doctor of
Philosophy in Economics (honoris causa)

█ BY MARIETTA MU as a generous person who has helped
society and needy people. He truly
ON March 26, 2022 HELP believes health and education
University had its 32nd determine the quality of life of a
Convocation to celebrate person.
the achievements of 3704 Tan Sri Tay who comes from a
graduands, both Malaysian and humble background believes in hard
international students after two years work and perseverance and has
since the pandemic. always imbibed the principle that a
journey of a thousand miles starts
The Covid-19 pandemic has with the first step.
resulted in education changing He believes that education is a
dramatically with the distinctive rise right that everyone deserves and the
of e-learning, whereby teaching and key to lifting people out of
learning are undertaken remotely generational poverty. Tan Sri Tay has
and on digital platforms. Despite all awarded full scholarships to students
these challenges, these graduates of his alma mater who would
demonstrated their self-discipline otherwise not have been able to
and determination to pursue their realise their dream of tertiary Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Tay Ah
personal fulfilment. education. Lek receiving his
The university is also proud that Doctor of Philosophy
At this year’s convocation, the the Ministry of Higher Education in Economics (honoris
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Malaysian Qualifications Agency causa)
Economics (honoris causa) was
awarded to Tan Sri Dato’ (MQA) has approved HELP
Sri Tay Ah Lek, University to offer four of
Managing Director its postgraduate
and Chief Executive programmes via the
Officer of Public APEL.Q route as part
Bank Berhad. of the lifelong
learning agenda.
Tan Sri Tay is a These four
distinguished programmes are the
and influential Doctor of Business
person in the Administration
world of finance (DBA), Master
in Malaysia. of Business

He is
equally
well-
known

Ir Dr Karl Ng receiving
his Distinguished
Alumni Award.

Dr Abdullah Khalid bin Salaudin is the first DBA graduate to have completed his Administration (MBA), Master of This year, Dr Abdullah Khalid bin in various corporations, and is a
degree through the APEL.Q pathway. Entrepreneurship, and the Master of Salaudin, is the first DBA graduate to strong supporter of HELP.
Science in Economics Crime have completed his degree through
Management. the APEL.Q pathway. As one of the pioneers in private
tertiary educa(LEADtion in Malaysia,
APEL.Q focuses on recognizing HELP University also awarded the HELP has always been innovative
prior experiential learning for adults Distinguished Alumni Award to Ir Dr and entrepreneurial in improving
who have relevant working and Karl Ng, who is a Director at MDEC. appropriate education programmes,
business experiences and expertise Dr Karl Ng completed his Masters learning practices and learning
to complete a higher degree. and DBA at HELP, plays an active role outcomes.

Open roundtable discussion on mental health

THE Green Ribbon Group (GRG) according to YAM Tengku Puteri. The Green Ribbon Group (GRG) and students and staff of Heriot-Watt University leaders who are equipped with skills
held a roundtable with students and The unprecedented nature of the Malaysia (HWUM) posing with the ‘W’ hand gesture which represents Heriot- and attitudes that will enable them to
staff of Heriot-Watt University Watt University. flourish in a highly uncertain and
Malaysia (HWUM) on Wednesday, 30 pandemic led to sudden shifts in increasingly complex world,”
March 2022. everyday activities. During the Statement Workshop for the GRG “Mental health is a global issue Professor Mushtak added.
pandemic, many students and staff team. that is impacting national
Moderated by Marsya Shamshul reported an increase in anxiety and a productivity and competitiveness. At Building on this growing
Bahari, Advocacy & Programmes sense of entrapment. To ensure that Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi said: HWU, we adopt positive education partnership, a 1.5-day training
Executive at GRG, the roundtable students can progress in their studies “Heriot-Watt University and Green that supports the holistic programme called The Green Ribbon
gathered opinions and experiences despite the challenging situation, the Ribbon Group share common values development of students, Effective Agent Training (GREAT)
on three topics: (i) the Covid-19 University implemented its and purpose and the passion to emphasising three important Project will be held at the university
pandemic and its disruptions to daily Responsive Blended Learning. The promote positive mental health and components: academic excellence, in October 2022. This year, GRG’s
life; (ii) mental health awareness and lack of physical interactions made the resilience through positive education mental and physical well-being, as focus is to create and mobilise
the experience of stigma amongst creation of a sense of community a among our youth. We are pleased to well as character building. It is our community champions in mental
university students; and (iii) peer challenge. All year one (1) students work with them on this mental health duty to nurture purpose-driven health. These champions would be
support and the importance of were put in digital Impact Groups initiative.” trained in basic mental health
having a strong support system. where students discovered their literacy, to provide interim support to
sense of purpose and developed a one another in times of crisis, as well
In her welcoming remarks, GRG sense of belonging. as advocacy to help raise awareness
Founder and President YAM Tengku and break the stigma associated with
Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan The pandemic also had some mental health. GRG hopes that the
Al-Sultan Abdullah stated that open positive effects. These include more roundtable marks the first of many
discussions on youth mental health awareness and acceptance of mental that will be held with other
are very much needed, especially health amongst university students universities, both public and private.
from the youth themselves, given the and more support for one another on A report based on these findings will
challenges of the pandemic and the social media. Generally, tertiary be published in 2023.
transition towards the endemic students seem to be more receptive
phase of Covid-19. to reaching out and checking in with For more information on the
one another. Green Ribbon Group, kindly visit
“If the pandemic has taught us greenribbongroup.com. For more
anything it is that we must learn to The roundtable is not the first time information on Heriot-Watt
manage disruptions to our everyday that GRG and HWUM had worked University Malaysia and its World-
lives; mental health is the foundation together. In November 2021, Class Programmes, kindly visit
that we must get right, and positive Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, HWUM www.hw.ac.uk/malaysia/about/
attitudes towards mental health Provost & Chief Executive Officer campus.html
should be cultivated from young,” (CEO), facilitated an Impact

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. TUESDAY
APRIL 12, 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
11/04/2022 Fax: 03-7784 4424

Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected]

% RM m RM m RM m

49.3 Institutions 1143.0 1195.5 -52.5

33.3 Retail 814.8 762.7 52.1

17.4 Foreign 412.1 411.7 0.4

100.0 2369.9 2369.9 0.0 2.68 19.72 663.71 84.72 164.28 236.17 7.29 7.20
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 1,604.61 3,363.56 26,821.52 17,048.37 2,693.10
Source: Bursa Malaysia 21,208.30 3,167.13 7,485.20

KL MARKET SUMMARY Firefly: Seven more aircraft
April 11, 2022

INDICES 11,487.90 CHANGE -63.60 over next two to three years
FBMEMAS
FBMKLCI 1,604.61 -2.68
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 588.84 -2.52
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 214.08 -0.39
CONSTRUCTION 165.87 -2.12
FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,755.80 -26.40
ENERGY 740.30 -4.70 o Assets will be used
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 638.73 -4.56 for domestic, Asean
HEALTH CARE 2,132.41 -32.80 and Asia-Pacific routes
TRANSPORTATION 884.34 -5.53 with Penang as airline’s
PROPERTY 728.07 -6.37 new hub
PLANTATION 8,474.96 +121.30
FBMSHA 12,115.10 -87.40
FBMACE 5,794.49 -66.90
TECHNOLOGY 72.95 -3.68

TURNOVER VALUE GEORGE TOWN: Firefly plans to add seven
4.402 BIL RM2.369 BIL aircraft over the next two to three years to
boost domestic, Asean and Asia-Pacific
5 MOST ACTIVES flights.
April 11, 2022
Malaysia Aviation Group CEO Captain
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) Izham Ismail said its subsidiary currently From left: See, Yeoh and Izham at the launch of the inaugural Firefly Boeing 737-800 flight at
VIZIONE 261,434,200 8.0 +0.5 has three new Boeing 737-800 aircraft based Penang International Airport yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX
VSOLAR 212,299,300 1.0 -0.5 at the Penang International Airport (PIA).
TECHNAX 161,153,800 9.5 UNCH
TANCO 138,674,300 39.5 -8.5 “Domestic travel and short-distance
MNC 123,841,200 3.0 UNCH flights are expected to be in high demand and
this will meet the northern region’s growing
5 TOP GAINERS demand with PIA as Firefly’s new hub,” he “The country reopened its borders since Firefly resumed its Penang-Johor Baru
April 11, 2022 told reporters after launching a Boeing 737- April 1 and we are celebrating today as flight yesterday after suspending the service
800 inaugural flight at PIA yesterday. Firefly resumes flight operations, while at last year, with a Malaysia Airlines Boeing
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM the same time begin new route (from PIA as 737-800 aircraft which took off from Penang
F&N 196,700 22.18 0.66 “Additional Firefly aircraft in the next two Firefly’s new hub) to benefit tourists and the at 7.15am carrying 98 passengers. It landed
TAANN 3,577,500 5.98 0.39 to three years is expected to expand its flight community. in Johor Baru at 8.30am and was welcomed
DLADY 6,500 33.38 0.38 network and at the same time introduce by Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd
HSI-HA3 7,600 1.73 0.36 new markets to draw passengers to “This also marks our 15th year of CEO Kennedy Ayu and Tourism Malaysia
SOP 5,633,300 6.04 0.33 Malaysia via Penang to boost the economy, operations. We have strengthened our southern region director Muhammad Nasir
trade, tourism industries, and to reconnect position as a pioneer in short-haul flights in Pahmi, Firefly said in a statement.
5 TOP LOSERS with loved ones,” he said. the region. Firefly will continue to expand
April 11, 2022 flights within Asean by offering value-added The airline said the flight route to Johor
Firefly resumed its Penang-Johor Baru, packages beyond convenience and region,” Baru is expected to boost the tourism sector
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM Penang-Kota Kinabalu (KK) and Penang- he said. in Johor.
MPI 578,500 33.08 2.20 Kuching flights yesterday.
PMBTECH-WA 19,700 15.00 0.78 Firefly will offer two daily return flights “Apart from Penang-Johor Baru route
VITROX 1,695,400 7.50 0.60 State Tourism and Creative Economy on the Penang-Johor Baru route, one daily today (yesterday), there were also inaugural
PMBTECH 207,200 18.42 0.58 Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and return flight each for the Penang-KK and Firefly flights from Penang to Kuching and
BKAWAN 9,900 26.40 0.52 Firefly CEO Philip See also attended the Penang-Kuching route with frequency to be Kota Kinabalu. Firefly is now offering a 30%
flight launching ceremony. increased to thrice daily starting April 25 for discount for domestic flight bookings until
Penang-Johor Baru, and twice a day for the April 17 for travel period until October 2022,
See said the global aviation market has Penang-KK and Penang-Kuching routes. it said. – Bernama
changed since the Covid-19 pandemic and
airlines need to make changes in line with
market demand with Firefly ready to take on
the challenge.

EXCHANGE RATES APRIL 11, 2022 MDEC, MTDC strengthen tie-up to boost digital agenda

Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy CYBERJAYA: Malaysia Digital Economy audience in driving the nation’s MyDIGITAL core objectives,” he added.
Corp (MDEC) and Malaysian Technology digitalisation efforts. MTDC CEO Datuk Norhalim Yunus said
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD Development Corp (MTDC) yesterday
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.2840 4.1590 4.1490 signed a memorandum of understanding “With this MoU, we will be able to ensure that the MoU will be a platform for their
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.2090 3.0810 3.0650 (MoU) to strengthen the alliance and further reach, efficiency and impact to our partners in MTDC’s Centre of 9 Pillars
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.1400 3.0500 3.0420 collaboration between the two government tech ecosystem and increase Malaysia’s (Co9P) to collaborate with the companies
1 EURO 3.4000 3.3080 3.2960 agencies with the aim to catalyse the growth competitiveness in the digital economy,” and partners under MDEC. MTDC’s Co9P
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 4.6700 4.5190 4.4990 of Malaysian tech companies. said Mahadhir. community members will assist the
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.9420 2.8330 2.8170 companies in the areas of Industry 4.0 and
1 STERLING POUND 3.1400 3.0500 3.0420 MDEC CEO Mahadhir Aziz said that “Ultimately, the MoU is envisaged to digitalisation.
1 SWISS FRANC 5.5890 5.4120 5.3920 leveraging on each organisations’ platforms support development of a thriving
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.5690 4.4650 4.4500 and expertise in support of meeting their ecosystem for Malaysian companies to “This opportunity to work with the
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 118.0300 111.9300 111.7300 objectives will be the key thrust of the flourish. The race to produce successful companies under MDEC will be part of
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 5.0530 4.7430 4.5430 collaboration. global champions is a shared responsibility expanding our Co9P into other regions in
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 67.4000 64.7000 and this MoU is evident of Malaysia’s Malaysia and an opportunity to build
100 INDIAN RUPEE 55.2400 52.5000 N/A “For MDEC, our programmes under the holistic approach. linkages with its global partners by
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.7400 5.3800 52.3000 Malaysia Digital and #SayaDigital providing advisory business with MDEC as
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0309 0.0280 initiatives will serve to provide a greater “Through this initiative we are able to our strategic partner,” he said.
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.4460 3.3380 5.1800 move as one nation to drive forward the
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 15.9000 0.0230
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.3700 N/A 3.3280 FIM2022 to focus on providing conducive franchise ecosystem
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.4300 2.2100
100 SAUDI RIYAL 118.8700 7.9500 N/A KUALA LUMPUR: The 29th Franchise 10 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, body World Franchise Council, Asia-Pacific
100THAI BAHT 115.5300 112.8400 2.0100 International Malaysia Exhibition and will be the official meeting place between Franchise Confederation and Malaysia
13.3300 109.6800 7.7500 Conference 2022 (FIM2022) will focus on industry players and potential investors and External Trade Development Corp.
11.8300 112.6400 providing a conducive franchise business potential franchisees.
109.4800 ecosystem to help local industry players Meanwhile, adding to the uniqueness of
11.4300 strengthen their businesses at home and The programme organised by the FIM2022, the main activities provided are
abroad after facing the Covid-19 pandemic. Malaysian Franchise Association in international exhibitions and conferences,
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic franchise business opportunity workshops
According to a media statement, Trade and Consumer Affairs is fully supported and franchise business matching sessions. -
FIM2022, which will be held from Sept 8 to and recognised by the international franchise Bernama

12 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022 Moody’s keeps stable outlook
SUNBIZ on 13 Apac banking systems

MARC reaffirms o Credit rating agency says prospect could have been parts of Apac.
Top Glove’s AA+ positive for many, including Malaysia, if not for war in “However, banks will be reluctant to release
corporate credit rating Eastern Europe
significant amounts of general reserves amid
SHAH ALAM: Top Glove Corp Bhd announced KUALA LUMPUR: Moody’s Investors Service outlook on Vietnam’s banking system. macroeconomic uncertainties,” it said.
yesterday that it has maintained its corporate has maintained its stable outlook on 13 Asia- It said the outlook on many Apac banking
credit rating of AA+, which was awarded by the Pacific (Apac) banking systems including On non-performing loans (NPL), it said
Malaysian Rating Corp Bhd (MARC Ratings) in Malaysia. systems could have been positive if not for the Apac banks’ NPL ratio would increase but only
2021. military conflict in Eastern Europe, which is modestly in some markets amid the
Others are Australia, China, Hong Kong, the key risk for the outlook. macroeconomic recovery, which is consistent
Concurrently, Top Glove successfully India, Indonesia, South Korea, New Zealand, with a stable credit view on asset risk
maintained its 2021 rating of AA-IS(CG) with a Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan “A potential further escalation of the particularly when considering the credit
stable outlook in relation to its special purpose and Thailand. military conflict and/or additional sanctions benefits of banks’ large loan-loss reserves.
vehicle, TG Excellence Bhd’s Perpetual Sukuk or embargoes on Russia’s exports would fuel
Wakalah Programme. The credit rating agency also revised commodity prices and inflation, a credit- Moody’s expects Apac banks would
upwards the banking systems outlook of Japan negative for real economic growth, financial maintain strong and stable funding and
Top Glove’s strong ratings reflect its global and Bangladesh to stable from negative. markets, business and consumer confidence,” liquidity, following improvements over the
market leadership position in glove it said. past two years in funding conditions that
manufacturing, its very strong cash flow “The stable outlook is supported by benefited from easier monetary policy and
generation and liquidity position relative to its recovering macroeconomic and operating Moving forward, Moody’s expects Apac slow credit growth.
financial obligations, which the company has conditions in Apac economies, banks’ largely banks’ profitability to generally rise this year
maintained amidst a challenging business stable asset quality, capital and liquidity, and because of wider net interest margins against “Their core capital will remain stable,
environment. rising profitability,” it said in a statement the backdrop of higher policy rates. although a mild decrease will occur in some
yesterday. systems as banks will post higher credit
MARC Ratings notes that Top Glove’s already It said loan loss provisions as a share of growth and pursue capital optimisation
robust balance sheet has been further Meanwhile, Moody’s retains its positive gross loans, will likely decrease modestly in strategies.
strengthened with a sharp increase in equity base
to RM6.9 billion as at first half of FY22 (FY19: “Furthermore, government support for
RM2.6 billion). Its adjusted debt-to-equity (DE) banks will remain strong in most Apac
was strong at 0.20x and in a net cash position. It banking systems, supporting the credit ratings
also notes Top Glove’s capital structure to remain of the banks,” it said. – Bernama
strong in the foreseeable future.
IPI up 3.9% in February, driven by growth in manufacturing sector
“We are extremely pleased to have MARC
affirm its strong ratings for Top Glove. We are KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s industrial “On a month-on-month basis, the IPI products (12.8%), transport equipment and
inspired to continue building on our firm production index (IPI) increased 3.9% in decreased 6.6%, affected by all components of other manufactures (8.4%), and food,
foundation which is rooted in our business February compared with the same month of indices,“ he said in a statement yesterday. beverages and tobacco products (6.6%).
ethics of honesty, integrity and transparency, the previous year, driven by the growth in the
while deepening our commitment to manufacturing sector, the Department of Mohd Uzir said the manufacturing sector “Simultaneously, the growth of the
sustainability, towards deftly navigating this Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). output year-on-year increased 5.2% in manufacturing sector was driven by both
challenging period and delivering the results our February after recording a growth of 6.8% in domestic-oriented industry (6.2%) and export-
stakeholders have come to expect of us,” said Chief statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohd January. oriented industry (4.7%).”
Top Glove executive director Lim Cheong Guan. Uzir Mahidin said the manufacturing index
increased 5.2%, electricity index expanded He said the main subsectors contributing to For month-on-month comparison, Mohd
Bursa foreign net 3.9%, while mining index declined 0.4%. the growth in the manufacturing sector in Uzir noted that the manufacturing sector
inflow totalled February were electrical and electronics decreased 7.2% compared with January,
RM312.4m last week influenced by lower capacity utilisation,
Main subsectors contributing to growth in the manufacturing sector are electrical and electronics especially in the nonmetallic mineral
PETALING JAYA: Foreign funds continued to products, transport equipment and other manufactures, and food, beverages and tobacco products. products; basic metal and fabricated metal
be net buyers in the previous week with a total – BERNAMAPIX products; and food, beverages and tobacco
net inflow of RM312.4 million as retailers and products subsectors.
local institutions remained net sellers at
RM303.19 million and RM9.22 million He said the mining sector output declined
respectively. 0.4% in February compared with the same
period of the previous year.
According to MIDF Research’s weekly fund
flow report, this marks the ninth straight week “The deterioration was affected by a
of foreign inflows as international funds took decrease of 4.3% in crude oil and condensate
up a net buying position in 12 out of the first 14 index, while natural gas index grew 2.6%. The
weeks of 2022. mining index registered a decrease of 3.8%
compared with the previous month,“ he said.
The total net inflow for the ninth week
stands at RM6.67 billion while on a year-to- Mohd Uzir said the electricity sector output
date basis international investors’ total net rose 3.9% in February compared with the same
buying stood at RM6.98 billion. month of the previous year with the electricity
index decreasing 8.4% on month-on-month
In the previous week, foreign funds were net comparison.
buyers for all the trading days with the largest
being on Monday at RM93.34 million and the In the meantime, Mohd Uzir said the IPI in
smallest on Thursday at RM17.38 million. the period of January to February recorded an
expansion of 4.1% compared with the same
Last Friday saw international investors period of the previous year.
logging in 14 days of consecutive net buying
from foreigners. “The increment was supported by the rise
in the manufacturing index (6.0%) and
MIDF Research noted that the most electricity index (5.4%), while mining index
favoured sectors by foreign investors last week shrank 2.8%,” he added. – Bernama
continued to be financial services, industrial
product and services, and plantation, which
saw net inflows of RM329.9 million, RM57.3
million and RM45.1 million respectively.

Serba Dinamik’s application to stay court order on disclosure of FFU dismissed

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal appointed to conduct a special or exceptional circumstances to be with the report and inform Bursa in Young Consulting in a bid to prevent
yesterday dismissed Serba Dinamik independent review on Serba given the stay order. the announcement,” he said, adding them from disclosing the FFU and
Holdings Bhd’s application for stay of Dinamik’s financial accounts for a that it was for the public to judge. other related matters which was
a High Court order for the company 12-month period ending Dec 31, He said the court was satisfied dismissed by another High Court.
to make public the Factual Findings 2020, within two market days. that the appeal would not be The court ordered Serba
Update (FFU) by Ernst & Young nugatory if Serba Dinamik was Dinamik to pay RM15,000 costs to On Feb 14 this year, the High
Consulting Sdn Bhd on its finances Yesterday’s court proceedings successful in its appeal. Bursa. Court also rejected Serba Dinamik’s
pending disposal of an appeal. was conducted virtually before a application for a stay of the High
three-member panel comprising Justice Lee said that Bursa The bourse regulator and Court’s order for the company to
Serba Dinamik had sought for Justices Datuk Lee Swee Seng, Malaysia Securities Bhd’s rules on operator had on Nov 23, 2021 make a public announcement of the
the stay order pending disposal of Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail and disclosure was binding on Serba started legal action against Serba FFU.
its appeal in the Court of Appeal Datuk Gunalan Muniandy. Dinamik and that public Dinamik after the company failed to
against a High Court’s decision on shareholders were entitled to know comply with Bursa’s directive, dated Lawyer Mah Lin Kum appeared
Feb 7, directing the oil and gas In the court’s unanimous what had happened. Oct 22, 2021, requiring the company for Serba Dinamik, while lawyer
company to make a public decision, Justice Lee, who led the to disclose the material findings of Datuk Loh Siew Cheang
announcement of the FFU by Ernst panel, said the court found no “Bursa is not asking the applicant FFU made by Ernst & Young represented Bursa. Lawyer Ng Jack
& Young Consulting. merits in Serba Dinamik’s (Serba Dinamik) to agree to the Consulting. Meng held a watching brief for the
application for a stay order as the contents of the EY (Ernst & Young Securities Commission of Malaysia.
Ernst & Young Consulting was company had not shown any special Consulting) report and that the Serba Dinamik had also filed an – Bernama
applicant has the liberty to disagree action against Bursa and Ernst

13theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022

* SUNBIZ

UMW Toyota Motor Local SME recovering “We would also like to commend
expects rising from manpower woes the Malaysian government for
sales for rest of year swiftly addressing the country’s
o BrioHR.com’s index finds increases in than 4% increase for Q4’21 or a 10% unemployment rates through the
KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota salaries and employment numbers in Q1 2022 increase in employment numbers implementation of various schemes
Motor Sdn Bhd recorded total sales of over the last six months from such as the JaminKerja Keluarga
22,447 units in the first quarter (Q1) of PETALING JAYA: Malaysian small continue to operate on limited October 2021 to March 2022. Malaysia,” said the CEO.
2022 and expects the upward trend to and medium enterprises (SME) are budgets as they focus on navigating
continue for the rest of the year. showing positive signs of recovery, their way out of the “This is a good sign, and it shows The initiative is divided into three
tackling the labour shortage caused Covid-19 problem and that the SME sector is aggressively major programmes – JaminKerja
The company recorded sales of by the “great resignation” due to the back to growth, forward- recovering from the epidemic and Employment Initiative, which aims
8,386 units of Toyota and 101 units of Covid-19 pandemic, BrioHR.com’s thinking SME are eager taking the required steps to recruit to create 300,000 new job
Lexus, bringing the total to 8,487 units SME Employment Index shows. to overcome the opportunities; the Malaysia Short-
sold in March against 6,432 units in manpower scarcity and retain people.” Term Employment Programme
February. BrioHR.com co-founder and caused by the great BrioHR.com pointed (MySTEP) that provides 80,000 job
CEO Benjamin Croc (pix) said the resignation and the opportunities in the public sector,
“Month-on-month sales achieved index tracks health of employment pandemic,” he said in a out the Malaysian government-linked companies, and
for Lexus in March were at 101 units, and factors of SME in the statement. economy has long relied strategic partners; and HRD Corp’s
while the previous month’s sales were aggregated data of 14,000 on SME. Upskill Malaysia which provides
at 66 units. Toyota achieved 8,386 employees on its platform. The index also job-seekers with practical skills
units sold compared with 6,366 units indicated a more than Over the last two training to improve their
in February, translating to a 32% of In the first quarter of 2022 (Q1), 5% increase in years, it said, SME in the marketability and guarantees job
increase in units sold,” it said. it found a 1.3% increase in salaries employment numbers among SME country and abroad placements.
following the drop during the just in Q1. have faced a lot of
UMW Toyota Motor attributed its Covid-19 lockdowns, with a notable challenges. Moving forward, Croc foresees
positive sales result to the ongoing rise in salary budgets. Croc commented that it is strong that demand for skilled workers to
March promotions, which offer value- growth and an uplift on the more BrioHR.com noted remain at an all-time high as firms
added benefits worth RM4,000 for “While many other organisations SME Association of strive to attract and keep the best
bestsellers such as Vios and Yaris. Malaysia (Samenta) has and most diverse talent as they
reported that since the outbreak of embrace the post-pandemic period.
The non-national automotive the pandemic, at least 150,000 SME
brand is also anticipating a further in the country have shut their doors, “With the better economic
boost in sales with its new product resulting in 1.2 million job losses. situation in many locations,
launches later in the year. employers must frequently examine
their current employee value
President Ravindran K said the propositions and look into delivering
company is constantly reviewing and complete benefits packages that will
adapting to the changing circumstances encourage individuals to work for
and uncertainties, working closely them in order to retain and recruit
with suppliers and monitoring these employees.”
developments to ensure minimal
impact on its production and Yew Lee signs IPO underwriting deal with M&A Securities
customers. – Bernama
BRIEFS KUALA LUMPUR: Yew Lee Pacific
DEMAND FOR LOCAL Group Bhd, which is engaged in
BONDS TO RECOVER IN manufacturing of industrial brushes From left: Yew Lee COO Amber Ang, Ang Lee Leong, Tan and M&A Securities deputy head of corporate finance Danny
MEDIUM TERM: KENANGA as well as the trading of machinery Wong at the signing of the underwriting agreement.
parts and industrial hardware,
KUALA LUMPUR: Kenanga entered into an underwriting our eventual successful listing on with a history that goes back to the the one-stop leading brush
Research expects demand for agreement with M&A Securities Sdn the ACE Market of Bursa Securities. early 1990s. It has come far but we manufacturer in Malaysia
local bonds to recover in the Bhd yesterday for its initial public This listing will help us to raise the have no doubt that Yew Lee will specialising in custom-brush
medium term as Malaysia is likely offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of capital needed for our expansion build upon this listing to go even solutions.
to chart a sustained economic Bursa Malaysia Securities. plans while at the same time, boost further and excel. We wish the
recovery. In a research note our brand visibility in the industrial company well as it enters a new The company operates its
yesterday, the research firm said it The IPO involves the public issue brush industry,” said Yew Lee stage in its growth.” manufacturing of brushes in Perak,
also expects continued foreign of 133.1 million shares and an offer managing director Ang Lee Leong. Padang Besar in Perlis, Thailand
fund outflows in April amid the for sale of 26.62 million shares to Yew Lee manufactures, among and Medan, Indonesia, while the
US Federal Reserve’s increasingly selected investors. M&A Securities corporate others, industrial brushes for glove industrial hardware and machinery
hawkish tone, narrowing yield finance managing director Datuk makers, electrical and electronic parts unit operates in Ipoh, Perak,
differentials and RM11 billion From the public issue, 26.62 Bill Tan said: “We are pleased to be product manufacturers, industrial and Klang, Selangor.
worth of government investment million shares will be made playing a key role in the IPO exercise and commercial cleaning providers,
issue maturing this month. available for application by the of Yew Lee. The company has solid and glass and wood producers. For the financial year ended Dec
“However, the outflow may be Malaysian public via balloting; 15.97 experience and expertise in the 31, 2020, Malaysia contributed
smaller than in March,“ it added. million shares will be allocated to its production of industrial brushes With more than 25 years in the 81.4% of Yew Lee’s total revenue,
– Bernama eligible directors and employees industry, Yew Lee aims to become Thailand 6.7% and Vietnam 6.2%.
(pink forms); 23.96 million shares
MANUFACTURING SALES will be reserved for private
VALUE UP 11.2% placement to selected investors;
ON-YEAR IN FEBRUARY and 66.55 million shares will be
allocated through private
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s placement to bumiputra investors
manufacturing sales value in approved by the Ministry of
February grew 11.2% to RM131.6 International Trade and Industry.
billion compared with the same
month in 2021. The Department Under the agreement, M&A
of Statistics Malaysia said the Securities will underwrite 42.59
sales value, however, decreased million shares of the total proposed
5.3% compared with the previous issue of shares allocated to the
month. The total employees Malaysian public and through pink
engaged in the manufacturing forms. M&A Securities will also
sector in February 2022 was 2.28 place out 90.51 million issue shares
million persons, an increase of 2.1% to selected investors and bumiputra
compared with 2,228,415 persons investors approved by Miti.
in February 2021. – Bernama
“We are delighted to be working
BURSA ISSUES UMA with M&A Securities on our IPO as
QUERY TO TANCO ON this underwriting agreement marks
PRICE, TRADING SPIKE the first stage of the path towards

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia DNeX: No objection from UK authority to Avalon development concept
Securities Bhd has issued an
unusual market activity (UMA) CYBERJAYA: Dagang NeXchange 21/6b, Licence P.2006, containing 23 million barrels of oil, production tie-back of Avalon production wells
query to Tanco Holdings Bhd over Bhd (DNeX), via its 90%-owned the Avalon Oil Development from from Ping’s second oilfield asset is to a reused floating production
the sharp rise in its share price subsidiary Ping Petroleum Ltd Summit Exploration and Production scheduled to begin between mid- storage and offloading facility,
and trading volume recently. (Ping), has passed a key milestone Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of 2024 and mid-2025. which has spare ullage to provide an
“Investors are advised to take after receiving a letter of “no Sumitomo Corp, bringing Ping’s offtake route for nearby stranded
note of the company’s reply to objection” from the North Sea ownership in the licence to 100%. DNeX group managing director discoveries. He added that discussions
the UMA query, which will be Transition Authority (NSTA) in Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed are ongoing with the UK regulator and
posted on Bursa Malaysia’s relation to the company’s proposed The company will now finalise Mohamed Tahir said receiving “no supply chain to decarbonise the
website under the Company development concept for the Avalon conceptual development planning objection” to the development development through integration with
Announcements (section) when discovery in the Central North Sea, and begin front-end engineering concept represents a material floating offshore wind.
making their investment the United Kingdom. works in preparation to submit the opportunity to expand and diversify
decision,“ the exchange said in a Avalon Field Development Plan, Ping’s portfolio of oil assets in full The next step for Ping is to
statement yesterday. At 12.30pm, Ping had last year announced the with final investment decision accordance with the UK’s production submit the company’s field
the counter rose 60.5% from 12.5 purchase of the remaining 50% anticipated later this year. and emissions-reduction targets. development plan for Avalon to
sen with 64.6 million shares interest in UK North Sea Block NSTA by the next quarter.
traded. – Bernama With a total estimated recovery of He said the concept comprises

14 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022
SUNBIZ

Inflation, rising rates, war create uncertain outlook for US earnings

NEW YORK: An aggressive Federal first three months of 2022 from a year heels of a tumultuous quarter for raw material and other costs on decades with meaty rate hikes and
Reserve, soaring inflation and ago and forecast profit growth of asset prices that saw the S&P 500 margins in recent weeks, including balance sheet runoff, leading some
geopolitical uncertainty from the war about 9% for the year, forecasts in line swoon nearly 13% before paring packaged food company Conagra investors to worry that the central
in Ukraine are muddying the outlook with those at the start of the month, losses in a furious rebound late last Brands Inc, which this month bank’s monetary policies may bring
for the upcoming US earnings according to IBES data from Refinitiv. month. The index is down about 6% lowered its full-year profit forecast. on a recession.
season, leaving some strategists wary for the year-to-date.
of surprises as corporate results kick The reporting period for S&P 500 Tightening labour market Among sectors, analysts expect a
off this week. companies begins this week with Energy and other commodity conditions are boosting wages, massive year-over-year jump in
results from major banks including prices have surged, with Brent crude another negative for companies. The energy earnings in the first quarter
Expectations for earnings growth JPMorgan Chase tomorrow. futures up 32% for the year so far. The Conference Board’s consumer because of the higher oil prices, while
have largely held up in recent weeks, war in Ukraine has also created confidence index rebounded in materials’ growth also is expected to
despite a first quarter that saw Some worry, however, that a worries about supply and March amid growing labour market have benefited from surging prices.
commodities prices surge after cocktail of rising prices, higher wages transportation problems, adding to optimism.
Russia invaded Ukraine, threatening and tightening financial conditions concerns that have been building Meanwhile, big banks are
to exacerbate already-high consumer may have weighed on some since the start of the coronavirus In March, the Fed raised rates for expected to report a large decline in
prices. companies’ balance sheets or pandemic. the first time since 2018 and earnings from a year earlier, when
clouded expectations for the rest of policymakers have signalled they are they benefited from exceptionally
Analysts expect S&P 500 earnings the year. That’s led a number of companies ready to aggressively fight the fastest strong dealmaking and trading. –
to have increased by about 6% in the to warn about the impact of rising consumer price growth in nearly four Reuters
Earnings season comes on the

GoTo soars in market debut BRIEFS BOJ CUTS VIEW ON MOST
JAPAN REGIONS,
o IPO is world’s 5th largest Tokopedia, with its businesses straddling It became Indonesia’s third most-valuable WARNS ON UKRAINE IMPACT
this year, sets mood millions of small and mid-sized firms across listed firm at US$33 billion, after Bank Central
for buoyant Indonesian the archipelago. Asia and Bank Rakyat Indonesia. TOKYO: The Bank of Japan (BOJ) yesterday
technology sector cut its assessment for most regional
“There was no perfect timing for this IPO, GoTo’s founders only have a small stake economies in the country and its governor
JAKARTA: GoTo soared as much as 23% in its but our focus was on Indonesia, with a local after Gojek, Tokopedia and the combined warned of “very high uncertainty” over the
market debut yesterday after Indonesia’s investor audience,” GoTo’s CEO Andre firm previously raised US$9 billion from fallout from the Ukraine crisis,
largest tech company raised US$1.1 billion Soelistyo, a former private equity banker who investors including Alphabet’s Google, underscoring heightening risks to the
(RM4.6 billion) in a keenly watched IPO, steered Gojek’s push into consumer services, Tencent, Singapore state investor Temasek economic recovery. The downgrade
fuelling expectations of more offerings from told reporters. Holdings and the Abu Dhabi Investment highlights a growing concern among
the sector in Southeast Asia’s largest Authority. policymakers over the pain from rising
economy. The strong listing will boost tech giants commodity costs, and raises the chance
backing GoTo, including SoftBank Group’s With sharp share price declines seen in that the central bank will cut its growth
The initial public offering (IPO) is the Vision Fund 1 and Alibaba Group Holding US-listed peers Grab Holdings and Sea that forecasts in fresh projections due this
world’s fifth-largest this year, Refinitiv data Ltd, who have been battered by the global operate across Southeast Asia, GoTo’s month. “There’s very high uncertainty on
showed, and came despite IPOs being pulled market rout since late 2021. valuation was lower than expected. All three how developments in Ukraine could affect
due to the Russia-Ukraine war and rising loss-making companies are under pressure to Japan’s economy and prices,“ BOJ
interest rates. It also affirms the attractiveness of turn around near-term. governor Haruhiko Kuroda told a meeting
Indonesia’s US$70 billion digital market, of the bank’s branch managers. A senior
PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk was formed where record venture funding is creating a GoTo’s main focus is Indonesia, where the BOJ official also warned yesterday that
by last year’s merger of ride-hailing-to- wave of startups. digital economy is forecast to grow nearly five excessive volatility in yen moves could
payments company Gojek and e-commerce times to up to US$330 billion by 2030. hurt businesses, signalling the bank’s
leader GoTo’s shares rose to as much as 416 alarm over the currency’s slide to its lowest
rupiah (12 sen) minutes after trading began, It boasts 2.5 million drivers, 14 million level against the dollar since 2015. In a
compared with the 338 rupiah IPO price. Sold merchants and 55 million annual transacting quarterly report analysing regional
only to investors in Indonesia, unlike most users, and also has small operations in Japanese economies, the central bank
Singapore and Vietnam. offered a bleaker view than in January for
other domestic offerings, the eight of the country’s nine regions as a
shares later traded at 400 GoTo’s IPO benefited from booming resurgence in Covid-19 cases and lingering
rupiah. equities, with Jakarta’s main index rising 1% to supply constraints hit growth. Of the total,
five regions saw a rebound in their
a record yesterday, taking gains to 11% economies “level off” or “slow”, the report
so far this year and making it Asia’s said. That was a bleaker view than the
best performing market. BOJ’s current assessment of the national
It sold only about 4% of its economy that it was“picking up as a trend”.
shares. GoTo is the first to issue – Reuters
multiple class voting shares and
tap new rules allowing GOLDMAN PAYS €1.7B FOR THE
unprofitable firms to list directly HAGUE-BASED ASSET MANAGER
on the bourse’s main board.
GoTo allocated shares to 600,000 LONDON: Goldman Sachs has acquired
drivers and said a record 300,000 Netherlands-based asset manager NN
investors participated in the Investment Partners for €1.7 billion (RM8
IPO. – Reuters billion) to expand its asset management
footprint in Europe and increase its
GoTo’s main sustainable investment capabilities. NN
focus is Investment Partners, formerly part of NN
Indonesia, where Group, will be integrated into Goldman
the digital Sachs Asset Management (GSAM). The
economy is acquisition of the firm, which has more
forecast to grow than 900 employees, brings Goldman’s
nearly five times assets under supervision to approximately
to up to US$330 US$2.8 trillion (RM12 trillion). Buying NN
billion by 2030. - Investment Partners, based in The Hague, is
AFPPIX part of Goldman Sachs’ plan to scale up its
European operations. The business will
push growth in products such as European
equity and investment-grade credit,
sustainable investments and “green” bonds.
It will also help GSAM deepen its
integration of environmental, social and
governance values into its operations. –
Reuters

Chinese oil giant CNOOC to raise 28b yuan in Shanghai listing ERICSSON SUSPENDS
ALL BUSINESS IN RUSSIA
BEIJING: Chinese oil giant CNOOC Ltd said use the share sale proceeds to fund one gas companies have paused Shanghai listing
yesterday it will raise 28.08 billion yuan (RM19 and seven oilfield projects in China and plans citing disruption to business life in the STOCKHOLM: Swedish telecom equipment
billion) in a share listing in Shanghai, after overseas, and to replenish capital. city, under lockdown to fight China’s biggest maker Ericsson said yesterday it was
setting the price for what will be mainland coronavirus outbreak in two years. suspending its business in Russia
China’s 11th-biggest public stock offering. The firm’s Hong Kong shares fell 3.3% in indefinitely. “In the light of recent events
Hong Kong yesterday morning, more than the CNOOC seeks to take advantage of soaring and of European Union sanctions, the
Fundraising will be expanded to 32.29 2.5% drop in the benchmark Hang Seng global oil prices as Russia’s war on Ukraine company will now suspend its affected
billion yuan if an over-allotment “greenshoe” index. pushes up already high energy prices. business with customers in Russia
option to buy and sell more shares, issued to CNOOC expects first-quarter profit to jump indefinitely,“ it said in a statement.
investment banks underwriting the deal, is The Shanghai sale comes after CNOOC 62%-89% from a year earlier, after registering Employees in Russia will be placed on paid
fully exercised, the company said in a sales was delisted last October by the New York record profit, and output in 2021. leave, it said. Ericsson said it would record a
prospectus. Stock Exchange after Washington added the 900 million crown (RM401 million)
firm to a trade blacklist citing suspected CNOOC priced its Shanghai offering, provision in the first quarter for impairment
CNOOC, China’s largest offshore oil connections to the Chinese military. State- which will make the top 10 of China’s listing if of assets and other exceptional costs
producer, priced its Shanghai offering at 10.8 backed rivals PetroChina and Sinopec are the greenshoe option is fully exercised related to the move. In February, Ericsson
yuan per share, a 13% premium to its Hong already listed in Shanghai. according to Refinitiv data, at 23.88 times paused deliveries to customers in Russia. –
Kong share price last Friday. It said it would earnings, or 1.05 times net assets. – Reuters Reuters
It also comes as a number of Chinese

T U E S DAY
12 APRIL 2022

IN the shadow of Lahore’s sarangi players, died in 2015 after a
centuries-old Badshahi Mosque, career that saw him perform with
Zohaib Hassan plucks at the orchestras around the world.
strings of a sarangi, filling the Now players say they struggle to
streets with a melodious hum and cry. survive on performance fees alone,
often much smaller than those paid to
Remarkable for its resemblance to modern musicians.
the human voice, the classical Carved by hand from a single block
instrument is fading from Pakistan’s of cedar native to parts of Pakistan, the
music scene – except for a few players sarangi’s primary strings are made of
dedicated to preserving its place. goat gut while the seventeen
sympathetic strings – a common
Difficult to master, expensive to feature on subcontinent folk
repair, and with little financial reward instruments – are steel.
for professionals, the sarangi’s decline The
has been difficult to halt, Hassan told instrument
AFP. costs around
120,000 rupees
“We are trying to keep the (RM2,640) and
instrument alive, not even taking into most of its parts
account our miserable financial are imported
condition,” he said. from
neighbouring
For seven generations, his family India, where it
has mastered the bowed, short- Pakistani sarangi remains a
necked instrument and Hassan is players say they
well-respected across Pakistan for his principal part
abilities, regularly appearing on struggle to survive of the canon.
television, radio and at private parties. on performance “The price
fees. – AFP has gone up as
“My family’s craze for the Zohaib Hassan (second from left) teaches his students to play sarangi at his academy in Lahore. – AFP there is a ban on
instrument forced me to pursue a imports from
career as a sarangi player, leaving my Deaantharotfform India,” said Muhammad Tahir, the
education incomplete,” he said. owner of one of only two repair shops
o The sound of the Mughal-era sarangi in Lahore.
“I live hand-to-mouth as the is slowly fading away in Pakistan Tahir, who spends around two
majority of directors arrange musical months carefully restoring a single
programmes with the latest orchestras worn-out sarangi, said no one in
and pop bands.” Pakistan manufactures steel strings
because of the lack of demand.
Traditional instruments are “There is no admiration for sarangi
competing with a booming R&B and players and the few people who are
pop scene in a country where more repairing this wonderful instrument,”
than 60% of the population is aged said Ustad Zia-ud-Din, the owner of
under 30. the other Lahore repair shop, which
has existed in some form for 200 years.
Sara Zaman, a classical music Efforts to adapt to the modern
teacher at the National Council of Arts music scene have shown pockets of
in Lahore, said alongside the sarangi, promise.
other traditional instruments such as
the sitar, santoor, and tanpura are also
dying out.

“Platforms have been given to
other disciplines like pop music, but it
has been missing in the case of

More than classical music,” she said. “We have invented new ways of
60% of the “The sarangi, being a very difficult playing, including making the sarangi
Pakistani semi-electric to enhance the sound
population is instrument, has not been given due A miniature painting dated from 1750 during performances with modern
under 30, importance and attention in Pakistan which depicts a Raja listening to a musical instruments,” said Hassan of
with few leading to its gradual demise.” performance by female musicians, one the academy he runs in Lahore.
interested to The strings of the heart of whom is playing a sarangi. – He has now performed several
learn to play The sarangi gained prominence in MUSEUM REITBERG ZURICH times with the adapted instrument,
traditional Indian classical music in the 17th musicians. and says the reception has been
instruments. century, during the reign of the positive.
– AFP Mughals in the subcontinent. “The instrument was close to the One of the few students is 14-year-
hearts of the top internationally old musician Mohsin Muddasir, who
Its decline began in the 1980s after acclaimed male and female classical has shunned instruments such as the
the death of several master players singers, but it began to fade away after guitar to take on the sarangi.
and classical singers in the country, they died,” he said. “I am learning this instrument
said Khwaja Najam-ul-Hassan, a because it plays with the strings of my
television director who has created an Ustad Allah Rakha, one of heart,” he said. – AFP
archive of Pakistan’s leading Pakistan’s most globally acclaimed

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16 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022 @thesundaily

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

mMadaetcihn heaven wedding’s designs, the matrimony
o Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz married reportedly had orchids hung from the
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INSTAGRAM Beckham – the son of honour. Beckham and Peltz exchanged their vows
legendary footballer David As for in front of their nearly 600 guests and a
Brie Larson Beckham and former Spice Girl the rabbi.
cast for Fast & Victoria Beckham – and billionaire
Furious 10 heiress Nicola Peltz are officially In fact, some of their high-profile guests
husband and wife! included Serena and Venus Williams,
IN the latest addition to the all-star cast of the The younger Beckham, 23, and Gordon Ramsay, Eva Longoria, Mel C, Gigi
upcoming Fast and Furious 10, Vin Diesel Peltz, 27, tied the knot on Saturday in Hadid and Tom Brady. Crooner Marc
announced that Brie Larson, who plays Palm Beach, Florida, at an elegant Anthony was also in attendance as the
Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic black-tie ceremony. According to a ceremony’s main performer.
Universe, will be joining the Fast Family. close source, the ceremony
was a multi-day Other performers included magician
Diesel made the announcement on his celebration at Peltz’s David Blaine, who was on stage during the
Instagram Saturday night, sharing a photo of family estate. cocktail hour.
himself together with Larson. Their famous
guests reportedly When it came to the gifts for the
“Clearly, there is love and laughter in this arrived on Friday for newlyweds, Peltz’s father asked in his
image. What you don’t see, however, is the welcome cocktails wedding speech for all donations to be
character you will be introduced to in ‘Fast 10.’ ahead of Saturday made in support of Ukraine. And of course,
You have no idea how timeless and amazing a f t e r n o o n ’s legendary footballer dad David also gave a
she will be in our mythology. Beyond her wedding and toast to the happy couple. The footballer
beauty, her intellect … her Oscar, haha is this reception. “spoke about Brooklyn being born, their
profound soul who will add something you The insider family life and how great of a mum Victoria
might not have expected but yearned for. also revealed that Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz is”, according to sources.
Welcome to the FAMILY Brie,” Diesel wrote in the pair’s big day have been together since
the caption. featured a November 2019. – REUTERS Beckham and Peltz got engaged in 2020
soon after announcing their relationship
Larson also confirmed her casting on publicly. However, if not for the Covid-19
Sunday morning through a post on her pandemic, the couple would have gotten
Instagram. “Excited doesn’t even begin to
explain how I feel about joining the Fast married earlier.
family.” “If Covid wasn’t a thing we’d have

The tenth movie of the franchise will be liked to have been married already, and
directed by Justin Lin and set to be released on it has been a bit difficult,” said Beckham
May 19, 2023. in a 2021 interview with Hello! magazine.
Regardless, both were more than happy
Besides the nine previous Fast and Furious to tie the knot two years later.
movies, the franchise has had short films, a
television series, live shows, video games and The new couple took to social media
theme park attractions. to commemorate their journey as life

The first film was released in 2001 with the partners.
story beginning with illegal street racing and Peltz first posted a picture of
transitioned towards heists and spying with
Fast Five. The most recent movie was F9, the two with the caption: “Mr. &
released in 2021 and an eleventh film which Mrs. Peltz Beckham.” Beckham
will also be directed by Lin is planned to later followed suit with the similar
conclude the series as the final film in the Fast caption and photo.
Saga.
Fans want BTS to choose military service alternative
The series has been commercially
successful as the seventh highest-grossing film A survey in South Korea shows that most Fans would prefer the supergroup to continue performing. – ALLKPOP
series with a combined gross of over US$6 people agree for BTS to opt for alternative
billion (RM25.33 billion). Critical reception service instead of fulfilling military
was mixed until the fifth movie and Furious 7 obligations.
was rated as the best film in the franchise with
its emotional send off to the late Paul Walker. Dispatch, together with Macromill
Embrain conducted a survey on the “public
awareness of special cases on military
service”.

In the survey, more than 90% of the
participants, aged between 14 to 59 years
old, stressed the importance of promoting
national prestige and cultural promotion.

A total of 58% of the participants
selected BTS as a figure that has highly
contributed to the development of both
national prestige and cultural promotion,
with 78% of participants agreeing to BTS
opting for alternative service to fulfill
military obligations.

However, it was also revealed there was a
weak understanding among the public of
the specifics behind the system of serving as
cultural agents, while others feel that the
system should lay out some ground rules
and clearer standards for the future.

Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul to appear in Better Call Saul

THE highly-rated crime drama anything, you’ll just have to Bob Odenkirk
series Better Call Saul marks its final discover that for yourself, but I stars as the title
run this year, but fans will have have to say that’s one of many character in
something to look forward to once things that I think you’ll discover Better Call Saul,
the final season begins airing on this season.” whose final
April 18. season airs on
Better Call Saul, which premiered April 18. –
At the show’s panel at PaleyFest in 2015, is a prequel spin-off of NETFLIX
LA on Saturday, series co-creator Breaking Bad, and follows the legal
Peter Gould announced that actors misadventures of lawyer Jimmy
Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will McGill, aka Saul Goodman, played
make appearances on the show, on the show by Bob Odenkirk.
reprising their roles as Walter White Odenkirk has earned four Emmy
and Jesse Pinkman from the hit nominations for his portrayal of the
series Breaking Bad. conflicted, tortured, likable, rule-
floating protagonist.
“I don’t want to spoil things for
the audience, but I will say the first The show’s final season will be
question we had when we started split into two, with the second part
the show was, ‘Are we gonna see airing on July 11. So far, there is no
Walt and Jesse on the show?’ word on how White and Pinkman
Instead of evading, I’ll just say will be worked into the show, but it
yeah,“ Gould said during the event. is expected to line up with the
events of the pilot of Breaking Bad.
“How or the circumstances or

FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ENTERTAINMENT
ME
/thesundaily 17theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022

Bullock and The Lost City is an action-packed film. – PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Tatum play
Loretta and Alan.
– PARAMOUNT
PICTURES

█ BY MARIETTA MU The lost potential

ALTHOUGH The Lost City is oJust another simple star-studded action-comedy
just a simple action-
comedy, it’s just harder to 0Cast: Sandra Daniel Radcliffe plays
enjoy a movie for what it is Bullock, the eccentric billionaire
versus what it could have been. Channing Abigail Fairfax. –
Tatum and PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Sandra Bullock plays the Daniel Radcliffe
withdrawn romance novelist Loretta 0Director:
Sage, who goes on a book tour with Adam Nee and
her sexy cover model Alan ‘Dash’ Aaron Nee
(Channing Tatum). While on tour
promoting her new book with Alan, E-VALUE
Loretta is kidnapped by an eccentric 7
billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who
hopes that she can lead him to the ACTING
ancient lost city’s treasure from her 9
latest novel.
PLOT
When Alan finds out about her 5
kidnapping, he wants to prove that he
can also be a hero in real life, and not ultimately end up as a couple, but positive attribute when it comes to However, if you’re not an hours without having to analyse any
just on the pages of her books. As he only because of shared trauma since mindless entertainment, but The Lost overthinker like me and underlying messages,
sets off to rescue her in the epic jungle their lives were at stake together. City’s entire plot was just a you’re craving a simple The Lost City is pure
adventure, the unlikely pair will need disappointment on my end. It’s action-adventure Scan the QR entertainment that
to work together to survive the The most entertaining scenes perfectly fine for a night out, but it’s comedy, just want to code to you might just enjoy.
elements and find the ancient involved Brad Pitt, but his supporting not the type of movie that’s going to kick back, enjoy a film watch the
treasure before it’s lost forever. arc was all too brief. A film that sticks become a beloved classic. to escape reality for two trailer The Lost City is out
to a tried-and-true formula can be a in theatres now.
In the movie, the odd couple
makes a fish-out-of-water story like
an ode to the 1980s romantic
adventure Romancing the Stone, but I
found most of the attempts at
humour mostly unfunny, with only a
few physical gags finding mild
success.

Despite a promising premise and
charismatic cast, The Lost City turned
out to be a warmed-over, mediocre
adventure romance. I just wished that
they utilised the potential of what the
highly-anticipated chick flick
could’ve been.

The chemistry between Bullock
and Tatum was amusing, but I
couldn’t see any real substance to
Alan and Loretta’s relationship. It’s
mildly plausible that the pair would

A fantasy adventure awaits in The Quest
DISNEY+ Hotstar asked fall. as the teens compete in of scripted and reality,” said
audiences at Wondercon: “Do Brought to the screen by the challenges in a fully-realised Elise Doganieri and Bertram
you have what it takes to save world of adventure. Each van Munster, executive
the Kingdom?” as they were Academy Award- and Emmy- Paladin’s mind, body, and soul producers, New Media
welcomed to Everealm, the winning teams behind The Lord will be put to the test with new Collective.
world at the centre of the of the Rings, The Amazing Race surprises around every corner
unique new Original Series, The and Queer Eye, The Quest is a of the unknown land, changing “It’s a groundbreaking new
Quest, streaming May 11 only on groundbreaking, immersive, not only the fate of Everealm but genre where we place real
Disney+ Hotstar. hybrid competition series that also their own. teenagers in a reality
drops eight real-life teenagers competition and bring them
For thousands of years, (Paladins) into the fantastic, “We’re doing something into a fully realised fantasy
Everealm has been a land of fictional world of Everealm, magical that has never been world that is built on a scripted
unrivalled beauty and powerful where they must save a done at this level. We’re taking mythology of intrigue and
magic. Now, the realm is kingdom by fulfilling an ancient real people and putting them in adventure played out alongside
threatened by a powerful evil prophecy. a fully-realised fantasy story, actors for a completely
Sorceress. conceived and built by immersive experience.”
Throughout the eight- incredible artisans in every
As a last hope, the noble episode series, these heroes are department,” said Jane Fleming “We were very focused on
Fates summon eight strangers immersed in a fantasy world and Mark Ordesky, executive the aesthetic of the show, from
known as Paladins from a world come to life, complete with a producers, Court Five. production design through
beyond to work together to fulfil castle, royals, ethereal fates, all costume design, making sure
an ancient prophecy and forms of mystical creatures and “It’s an immersive, real-life that everything felt authentic.
vanquish the Sorceress. The a sorceress intent on hero’s journey for these eight We wanted both our Paladins
Paladins must unlock the hero destruction and power. normal teenagers, who and our audience to feel
within through a series of transform before your very eyes. immersed in the epic world we
challenges that push their limits The Quest combines the best It’s an exciting new form of created,” said Michael Williams
to restore balance to Everealm. elements of scripted and storytelling.” and Rob Eric, executive
If they fail, all will be lost. unscripted content to create an producers, from Scout
Heroes will rise. Kingdoms will immersive competition series “What makes The Quest so Productions.
where fantasy and reality collide unique is that it’s a true hybrid

FOOD Welcome to
Uno’s Pizzeria.
18 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022

Alan and his
lucky cat.

Curbside pizzeria

o LYFE speaks with the owner of a food truck
pizzeria with oh-so-fresh ingredients located
in Taman Megah

█ BY MARIETTA MU The Formaggi, four cheese pizza,
is distinctive with fior di latte,
MUHAMMAD Abu Bakar, Gorgonzola, ricotta, Grana Padano,
formally known as Alan walnuts, and honey.
Goh, is the pizzaiolo It hasn’t always been easy for Alan.
behind the newly parked As a person who’s never worked in
food truck pizzeria in Taman Megah. the food industry, he never had the
Every day except for Wednesdays at opportunity for any hot kitchen
4.30pm, Alan handmakes and serves internship due to his “lack of kitchen
a limited amount of Neapolitan experience”. Nevertheless, Alan never
pizzas from his food truck, Uno’s gave up cooking, which had always
Pizzeria. been his passion and side hobby.
Food is the linchpin of society and stop learning,” explained Alan. management is an all-inclusive term perfect pizzeria, Alan had to work
Before he started his food truck it creates a connection between After seeing how the Italians make used to encompass every type of work with an engineer to customise the
pizzeria, he initially operated his people, and food has always always their Neapolitan pizzas during his done on the pizza dough from mixing truck and imported some of the
pizza business from his home during been a big part of Alan’s life. Alan time in London, he took an Italian the ingredients until it is prepped to equipment from Italy & UK.
the pandemic. goes to cooking classes to learn more pizza-making masterclass to learn be opened into pizza skins. Alan even
about food whenever he can, loves how to make them when he was 28. stressed that he has one room in his Currently, Uno’s Pizzeria uses two
He mentioned that the home grocery shopping for different and Right now, he’s 31 and Alan handles house just for the prep, and calls it his Gozney Roccbox portable pizza
pizza business allowed him to earn new ingredients, and loves most of the daily preparation while “fermentation lab”. ovens that reach 500°C, giving them
enough to get more funds to expand understanding and learning about his siblings assist him in marketing the ability to cook a Neapolitan pizza
his business and was a good food. and thinking up new ways to expand According to Alan, the in just a minute.
opportunity to practice his craft. As an avid watcher of culinary the business. fermentation time and process are
shows, Alan’s favourite chef is Currently, he only makes up to 50 crucial for the yeast to break down the According to Alan, his pizza dough
Hailing from Kuching, Sarawak, Gordon Ramsay himself. “I watch pizzas per day due to a limited enzymes in the flour so that the pizza must be held at a constant
Alan used to work in sales before he most of his cooking shows. That’s amount of resources, and prioritises is easier on and are healthier for the temperature between 21°C - 26°C for
jumped into the pizza industry. where I get most of my inspiration maintaining the quality of his pizzas. stomach. His pizzas are fermented for 16 to 24 hours as temperature control
During a company trip when he from. I also learn a lot about how to Every morning, he wakes up at up to 48 hours and compared to is the most important component of
worked with a retail company, he had handle things in the kitchen too. 6am to start his preparation and normal dough, the crust on his pizzas making the perfect pizza.
the opportunity to go to London That’s how I learn anything, dough are crispier on the outside but light
where he found his love for making everything about management at and airy on the inside. It’s the contrast For Alan, a good pizza is all about
pizzas. kitchen home before he between the crispy outside and the preparation. “Preparation is the 90%
management starts serving soft interior which helps to create an hard work of making the pizza. We
He explained that he was inspired and food in his food amazing texture experience. never skip steps or try to take
by the history of Neapolitan pizza management. truck at shortcuts to fasten the process
which is first created by baker I know I have Delicious Margherita 4.30pm. Alan uses Italian 00 flour and because that would reduce the
Raffaele Esposito, who baked and much to pizza served in a box. Italian dry yeast to make his gut- quality of the ingredients. We actually
mirrored the first pizza after the Dough friendly pizzas to break down the spend more than 10 hours just on the
colour of the Italian flag for the learn and protein and gluten in the pizza preparation every day.”
monarchs in Napoli. improve so dough. Proper fermentation also
I’ll never gives the pizza more depth of flavour As a Malaysian, food on wheels
Like the flag, the pizza has its red and the special flour that they use has isn’t anything new to him. “We always
tomato base, its white mozzarella extra fibre in it. see trucks and carts selling tau fu fah
cheese, and green basil leaves. That is or cendol on the side of the road ever
what is now known as the classic Alan explains that many since we could remember.” Alan had
Neapolitan pizza today. Malaysians might not be aware of the always wanted to serve great-tasting
benefits and how nutritious pizzas can and authentic Neapolitan pizza at a
Despite the simplicity of be. “Most Malaysians still consider reasonable price so getting a food
ingredients, Alan has never gotten pizza to be fast food or unhealthy, but truck was a no-brainer.
bored of eating Neapolitan pizzas and pizza can actually be a healthy choice
that sparked his inspiration to start when prepared correctly.” Of course, in the future, Alan
his own pizzeria while preserving the hopes to transition his pizzeria into a
origins and culture of the pizza. For Uno’s pizzeria, they also use sit-down restaurant.
good quality cheese, hand-milled
Currently, he has five items on his tomato sauce with no sugar added, “Right now, anyone craving for
menu – Marinara, Margherita, and good quality extra virgin olive oil Uno’s Pizzeria’s pizzas can only pick
Forgmaggi, Beef Salami, and – all of which are healthy and a good up or have their pizzas delivered to
Beef/Chicken Pepperoni. The price source of nutrition. Alan believes that their homes, but I hope to expand this
ranges from RM26 to RM45 and the toppings for the pizzas should food truck into a mobile restaurant in
customers have been loving them. also provide equally well-balanced the near future.”
nutrients, just like a normal meal.
The Margherita is made from On his Instagram page, he jokingly
tomato, fior di latte, Grana Padano, By using the correct type of flour calls the CEO of Uno’s Pizzeria Uno,
basil, and extra virgin olive oil, and is that has been designed for his family cat and the pizzeria was
suitable for vegetarians. Neapolitan style pizza cooking, it also named after his beloved bossy cat.
gives the pizza properties like optimal
You can even enjoy the pizza next water absorption and browning. In Find Uno’s Pizzeria parked at
to his truck on the wooden table and order to turn the food truck into the SS24/13, Taman Megah, 47301
chair, and Alan recommends the Petaling Jaya, Selangor and his
Margherita with freshly-grinded Instagram @my_unos_pizzeria for
Sarawak black pepper that you can updates.
adjust depending on your taste.

FOOD

19theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022

The vegetarian banana lead meal. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ MOHD DIN/THESUN

The fried chicken banana leaf meal. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ MOHD DIN/THESUN Nair mess owner
A sample of some of the dishes available from the menu, which is changed Sashi Nair. –
AMIRUL SYAFIQ
Nair Mess: Simply deliciousdaily.–AMIRULSYAFIQMOHDDIN/THESUN MOHD
DIN/THESUN

oIf you are on a lunch break or just passing delectable sides.
through Puchong, this is a nice place to stop You may find a wide variety of delicacies that
for a tasty banana leaf rice meal
will have you coming back for more!
█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN meal. According to Sashi, he intends to
Vege Galore comprises five varieties of
BANANA leaf rice, a famous South launch a new branch in August.
Indian manner of serving rice, is a veggies, inji puli, payasam, papadam, mooru Nair Mess understands that
popular lunch choice in Malaysia. The molaga and Ghee Rice Vege Galore set includes good comfort food, never
combination of rice, curries, different five types of veggies, nei sambar, karakolambu, fails to touch the diner’s
veggies, rasam, and side dishes creates a filling pudina chutney, inji puli, payasam, appalam soul. Nair Mess’s banana
dinner with spicy and sour flavours. and mooru molagai. leaf rice dishes out a solid
serving of flavour that
In a city brimming with banana leaf rice Affordably priced between RM12-RM19.90 should satisfy any
restaurants, Nair Mess stands out by promoting (excluding side dishes), one may enjoy the banana leaf rice
itself as a “genuine banana leaf restaurant” that satisfying banana leaf served with rice, four to enthusiast!
symbolises the culinary culture of South Indian five varieties of freshly prepared vegetables
states, exhibiting ingredients and cooking ways depending on the day to four choices of curries You can also enjoy
that exceed expectations. (chicken, fish, crab curry and dal), and you can a special meal to
opt to upgrade your rice to ghee rice as well. celebrate this Vishu
This new eatery in Puchong aims to (New Year in Kerala
modernise banana leaf eating by delivering The specialty foods in Nair Mess are mutton and the adjoining areas
traditional foods in modern ways. ghee roast, vanjiram tawa roast, avichameen of Southern India) by
puttu and adyar briyani. Everything makes for a enjoying a delicious
“The idea came up during the pandemic,” marvelous, mouthwatering meal. ‘Vishu Sadhya’
Sashi Nair, owner of Nair Mess, said. prepared by Nair
From coffee to tea (masala chai), the sip- Mess on April 14
Sashi, who has been in the F&B industry for worthy choices will compliment or wash down and 15, with a set
over ten years, revealed that he wanted to open your meal, priced at RM2 only. meal over 23
a banana leaf restaurant that provides varieties of dishes
authentic Indian cuisine, which makes the All of the meals are cooked in coconut oil priced at just
banana leaf rice all the more appetizing. with premium ingredients, which is another RM29.90.
reason why Nair Mess is fast becoming
When questioned why he only serves lunch Puchong’s go-to spot for banana leaf rice. The main items are Aviyal, olan,
in his restaurant, Nair said: “All my staff are kalan, pradhamam, sakkarai uperi
locals and my dear friends. Everyone, in my The restaurant provides a clean and yet big (Jagery chips) which is a staple dish
opinion, should have their own time. seating area. The staff are eager to serve and in Kerala, a state in India famous for
hover around just in case you need to order its cuisine.
“As a result, everyone may go home and more, but are not visibly intrusive.
spend their own leisure time straight after If you are considering a visit to
work.” Our waiter was also keen to clarify this restaurant on the dates stated
everything on the menu on one of our visits. above, it is best to pre-book your
This restaurant has three main menus: Fish place as soon as possible, as the slots
set meal (Tuesdays & Wednesdays), Vege The lunch was everything you could ask for are limited.
Galore (Fridays) and Ghee Rice Vege Galore in a banana leaf rice dish: thick, substantial, Address: Dataran Puchong, Taman
(Fridays). and completely delicious. It received five out of Puchong Utama, 47100 Puchong,
five stars from me. Selangor
Four types of veggies, Kerala fish curry, Hours: 11am – 3.00pm, open
salted fish gravy, vanjirom tawa roast, The curry, made with velvety soft lentils, Tuesdays to Saturdays
aveechameen puttu, ikan bilis sambal, shark and the side dishes were to die for – even the Whatsapp/call: 016-2663949 (Nair),
fish karuvadu fry, pudina chutney, appalam veggies were flavourful and unexpectedly fresh. 0162520063 (Jeg)
and mooru molaga are included in the fish set Note: Proceed upstairs to find Nair
While eating the wholesome banana leaf Mess, which is located on the first floor.
rice, one can also savour the robust and yet

EDUCATION

20 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022

Alumna with entrepreneurship in mind
oMSU gradTiffany Dwi Putri is making manpower, but now I am able to experienced many profitable hard, and you may be committed to
her mark in the business world at 22 handle it well since I have learnt it the curriculums that prepared her for her doing what it takes to make your
hard way. I will expand the business future career. business succeed,” she ended.
and upgrade the quality of the As a top university in Malaysia,
services to increase customer “The practical classes such as MSU prioritises student development
A 22-year-old entrepreneur satisfaction going forward,” she said. Housekeeping, Basic Western, and to enhance graduate employability.
who owns multiple businesses was also a calculated Fine Dining taught me a lot of skills. With 98.7% of its graduates
businesses has managed to undertaking. Before venturing into the In addition, soft skills class and successfully securing employment
keep her stance firm entrepreneurial field, Tiffany’s management class were the theory within six months of their graduation,
amongst the downpour of Covid-19. She states: “The food and starting line was her alma mater, classes that were very useful in my leading to MSU’s ranking by the
Tiffany Dwi Putri is an alumna of beverage industry has been my MSU. She had stated that the main businesses later on. These soft skills Ministry of Higher Education
Management and Science University dream since I was 15 years old. I reason she went to MSU was that it that I learned as part of my (MOHE) as Malaysia’s #1 for graduate
(MSU). already thought that the restaurant offered the degree she wanted to curriculum at MSU nurtured me to employability.
business is a long-lasting one study. be industry-ready,” she said. Blending technical vocational
Tiffany graduated with a Bachelor because food is an important aspect education and training (TVET) with
in Hospitality and Tourism of daily life. I chose this restaurant “MSU provided great facilities, Looking back on her traditional academic curricula, MSU
Management from the School of simply because of the smaller professional staff and also a quality undergraduate days at MSU, Tiffany enhances competencies with
Hospitality and Creative Arts (SHCA) number of competitors, which meant curriculum. MSU also supported us can’t help but reminisce the fond industry internship, community and
in 2018 before pursuing a Master in less contest and more returns. students to feel comfortable during memories she had gained there. creative entrepreneurship, as well as
International Business and our studies by providing a good global exposure; empowering MSU
Entrepreneurship in England, United Many people might say that what environment. Moreover, I learned “There are a lot of unforgettable graduates with the well-roundedness
Kingdom. Tiffany has done is a major about soft skills, which will be useful experiences during my time at MSU. desired and sought after by
achievement given that she is just 22 for me especially being a But one of the most unforgettable employers.
“The first business that I opened years old. However, for Tiffany, her fresh graduate with experiences was going to Perth, Further, various skills
was Bugatti Car Wash, it opened in sense of achievement is different, as basic skills that Australia under the Global Mobility enhancement programmes that are
November 2019. After that, I wanted she goes on to state: “Since the helped me to face Programme (GMP) with my aimed to improve students’
to expand into the food and beverage companies just started a year ago, I the working classmates. My most memorable competitiveness are offered to
industry. Hence, I bought a franchise think we don’t have a solid sense of environment,” moment was getting a Dean’s List students.
brand and opened a branch achievement yet. she said. Award,” she said. The Graduate Employability Skills
restaurant in my hometown. It was (GEmS) and Personal Enrichment
Hey Steak Pekanbaru, one of the “Rather we would achieve our Her time When asked what her greatest Competencies (PEC) programme at
biggest branch restaurants of Hey sales target daily. For me, owning and at MSU was inspiration was, Tiffany looks no MSU serves to improve the students’
Steak Indonesia,” she said well maintaining the restaurant and fruitful as
car wash business is the biggest she further and points a finger
Her restaurant franchise, Hey achievement.” directly to her mother.
Steak, is a self-service ‘all you can eat’ “My mum was the key soft skills.
style eatery. The patrons of the As impressive and noteworthy as driving force behind each In all, as an applied, enterprise,
restaurant may take as much food as it is for a person such as Tiffany to of my successes, and I’ll holistic and international university,
they desire at a buffet table area. own two separate businesses,she had always make her proud,” MSU offers foundation,
to face many challenges along the she said. undergraduate, postgraduate and
While her restaurant provides way. Still filled with youthful flexible programs through an entry
food services to its patrons, Tiffany’s aspirations and an system that facilitates admission of
car wash business, Bugatti Car Wash, “The challenges [to me] were to undaunting mindset to students from all walks of life, where
offers vehicle washing and auto meet customer expectations, tackle new ventures, it aims to TRANSFORM LIVES and
detailing services to customers, and maintaining the quality of products Tiffany is looking forward ENRICHING FUTURES.
while they wait for their vehicles to be and services during tough times, and to expanding her business
serviced, they may wait at a dealing with competition from in the future and opening For a full range and information on
designated comfort cafe. competitors because this is a service- branches of her restaurant programmes offered at MSU, call
based business and that means all over Indonesia.
Owning a restaurant has always customer satisfaction is the most Tiffany gives her 03-5521 6868, email
been a dream for Tiffany that started important part of it all. formula for success to those [email protected], or visit
in her teenage years. Her choice of who are desiring to set their website at www.msu.edu.my.
venturing into her selected “Sometimes, in crowded
conditions, it was challenging to give foot in entrepreneurship.
the perfect service with the same “Be ambitious and work

332222 NNoottiicceess Win will not go RORY MCILROY vowed to keep 21theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022
to champ’s head trying to win the Masters and * SPORTS
332222 NNoottiicceess complete a career grand slam after a
IINN TTHHEE MMAATTTTEERR OOFF MASTERS champion Scottie Scheffler is golf’s thrilling runners-up finish at Augusta McIlroy vows to continue
new leading man but his family will make sure National. career grand slam pursuit
TTHHEE CCOOMMPPAANNIIEESS AACCTT,, 22001166.. success does not go to his head, according to
AANNDD his caddie Ted Scott. McIlroy holed out from a bunker celebrations on the 18th green with heard roars like on the 18th green. It
on the 18th to complete a closing 64, playing partner Collin Morikawa, who was really cool.
IINN TTHHEE MMAATTTTEERR OOFF Moments after completing a Masters equalling the lowest final round in also holed out from the same bunker.
CCEERRDDIIKK HHEEBBAATT SSDDNN BBHHDD caddie hattrick, having previously won with tournament history. “I will come up a little bit short,
((CCoommppaannyy NNoo.. 119999660011002200887755 Bubba Watson in 2012 and 2014, Scott opined “I wasn’t quite close enough to the but I gave it a great go and I can’t ask
that a good family environment allowed The 32-year-old finished three lead (but) to play as well as I did and any more of myself. I went out there
((339933222277--XX)))) Scheffler to play golf without a crushing shots behind world No. 1 Scottie then to finish like this, I mean, it’s just today, shot my best ever score at
((IInn MMeemmbbeerrss’’ VVoolluunnttaarryy burden of expectation. Scheffler, who four-putted the 18th in absolutely incredible. Augusta and it’s going to be my best
an otherwise brilliant performance to finish ever.
LLiiqquuiiddaattiioonn)) “This guy is very much loved at home. Golf claim his first major title with a fourth “This tournament never ceases to
NNOOTTIICCEE OOFF FFIINNAALL MMEEEETTIINNGG is not first and that gives you the comfort to win in his last six starts. amaze and that’s as happy as I’ve ever “Probably not quite good enough,
NNOOTTIICCEE IISS HHEERREEBBYY GGIIVVEENN,, go out and make mistakes and still perform,” been on a golf course right there. but I’ll come back next year and keep
ppuurrssuuaanntt ttoo SSeeccttiioonn 445599 ((22)) ooff Scott told a group of reporters while his boss “It’s what you dream about, right? trying.” – The Independent
tthhee CCoommppaanniieess AAcctt 22001166,, tthhaatt tthhee was having the Green Jacket slipped over his You dream about getting yourself in “That was an incredible. I’ve never
FFiinnaall MMeeeettiinngg ooff tthhee MMeemmbbeerrss ooff shoulders in the Butler Cabin. position,” McIlroy said after his wild
tthhee aabboovvee--nnaammeedd CCoommppaannyy wwiilll
bbee hheelldd aatt CCoonnffeerreennccee RRoooomm,, UUnniitt “If you put the expectations of the world Scottie holds
CC--66--55,, BBlloocckk CC,, 66tthh FFlloooorr,, MMeeggaann on you it’s hard to perform.” nerves to
AAvveennuuee III,, NNoo.. 1122,, JJaallaann YYaapp KKwwaann
SSeenngg,,5500445500KKuuaallaaLLuummppuurroonn1133tthh Scott recited a text he received from nail Masters
MMaayy 22002222 aatt 1100..3300 aa..mm.. ffoorr tthhee Scheffler last week relating a story of being
ffoollloowwiinnggppuurrppoosseess::-- asked by his wife to take out the garbage, Scheffler says he
((11)) TToo rreecceeiivvee aanndd ccoonnssiiddeerr never mind his new exalted status in the golf ‘cried like a baby’
tthhee LLiiqquuiiddaattoorr’’ss SSttaatteemmeenntt world. ahead of the final
ooff RReecceeiippttss aanndd PPaayymmeennttss round at Augusta
sshhoowwiinngg tthhee mmaannnneerr iinn wwhhiicchh “I thought it was hilarious,” Scott said. “He
tthheewwiinnddiinngguuppoofftthheeCCoommppaannyy (Scheffler) said, ‘dude, my wife asked me to Scottie Scheffler poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the Masters
hhaass bbeeeenn ccoonndduucctteedd aanndd ttoo take the trash out’ and I said ‘honey, I’m No. 1’. Wat Augusta National Golf Club yesterday. – AFPPIX
rreecceeiivvee aannyy eexxppllaannaattiioonnss ORLD NO. 1 Scottie Scheffler was two shots off the lead who attracted bigger crowds most of
tthheerreeoonn.. “She said, ‘I don’t care, go take the trash Scheffler revealed he following an opening 69 and opened the week with his amazing comeback
((22)) TToo rreessoollvvee,,ppuurrssuuaanntt ttoo SSeeccttiioonn out’. So I still have to do my chores. “cried like a baby” ahead up a record-equalling five-shot lead at from severe leg injuries suffered in a
551188((33))((bb)) ooff tthhee CCoommppaanniieess AAcctt of the final round of the halfway thanks to a brilliant 67 in car crash 14 months ago.
22001166,,tthhaatt tthhee bbooookkss,,aaccccoouunnttss “That’s a big part of staying grounded and Masters after claiming his first major testing conditions on Friday. “The human condition is to make
aannddrreeccoorrddssoofftthheeCCoommppaannyybbee not get too big of a head.” – Reuters title. “Probably the first time the things bigger than they really are,”
ddeessttrrooyyeedd aafftteerr tthhee eexxppiirraattiioonn Scheffler held a three-shot lead thought of winning popped into my Scheffler said. “And years from now I
ooff tthhrreeee ((33)) mmoonntthhss ffrroomm tthhee LEADERBOARD after 54 holes and carded a closing 71 mind was Friday in the afternoon after would say people may not remember
ddaattee ooff ffiilliinngg ooff tthhee RReettuurrnn bbyy at Augusta National to finish 10-under we got done,” the 25-year-old me as a champion and that’s fine.”
LLiiqquuiiddaattoorr rreellaattiinngg ttoo FFiinnaall MASTERS FINAL-ROUND SCORES (Top 8/US and three shots clear of Rory McIlroy, American said. Scheffler said he never imagined
MMeeeettiinngg.. unless stated) – 278: Scottie Scheffler 69-67-71-71; despite four-putting the 72nd hole. “I can’t thank my family enough. he would be regarded as the world’s
281: Rory McIlroy (NIR) 73-73-71-64; 283: Shane “I was so overwhelmed and didn’t My parents and my sisters have made top golfer.
WWOONNGGCCHHAAMMMMEEWW Lowry (IRL) 73-68-73-69, Cameron Smith (AUS) 68- know I was ready for this,” Scheffler so many sacrifices for me over the “I never expected to be sitting
((LLIIQQUUIIDDAATTOORRSS)) 74-68-73; 284: Collin Morikawa 73-70-74-67; 285: said. “I cried like a baby this morning. years, and we’ve all dreamed about where I am now,” Scheffler said. “You
Will Zalatoris 71-72-75-67, Corey Conners (CAN) “I’ve dreamed of having a chance just making it to this tournament, and don’t expect things to come to you in
cc//ooOONNGG&&WWOONNGG,,CChhaarrtteerreedd 70-73-72-70; 287: JustinThomas 76-67-72-72, Im to play in this tournament, I teared up it’s emotional just getting in the field. this life.
AAccccoouunnttaannttss((AAFF00224411)) Sung-Jae (KOR) 67-74-71-75; 288: Charl Schwartzel when I got my first invite in the mail. “So to have the honour of winning “You just do the best that you can
(RSA) 72-69-73-74, Cameron Champ 72-75-71-70; “I love this place and if you’re the golf tournament is so special, and with the hand you’re dealt and just go
UUnniittCC--2200--55,,BBlloocckkCC,,2200tthhFFlloooorr,, 289: Dustin Johnson 69-73-75-72, Danny Willett going to choose a tournament to win it for them all to be here with us, and my from there.
MMeeggaannAAvveennuueeIII,, (ENG) 69-74-73-73. would be this. wife’s family was here as well, that was “I never really thought I was that
“I don’t know what to say to be a really special moment.” good at golf, so I just kept practicing
NNoo..1122,,JJaallaannYYaappKKwwaannSSeenngg,, 330022 JJoobbss honest, I’m just really thankful to be in Low-key Scheffler said he might and kept working hard and that’s just
5500445500KKuuaallaaLLuummppuurr.. this position. I don’t think anything not be recalled with more flamboyant what I’m going to keep doing.” – The
DDaatteedd:: 1122tthhAApprriill22002222 WE ARE HIRING has sunk in. My head is still spinning.” Masters winners such as Tiger Woods, Independent/AFP

NNOOTTEE:: ASSISTANT MANAGER Tiger targets St Andrews One swing
11.. AA mmeemmbbeerr eennttiittlleedd ttoo aatttteenndd sinks Smith
AADDVVEERRTTIISSIINNGG SSAALLEESS && MMAARRKKEETTIINNGG TIGER WOODS confirmed he that time.
aannddvvootteeaatttthheeGGeenneerraallMMeeeettiinngg Job Description: will contest the 150th Open “To end up here and play all ONE “terrible swing” drowned Cameron
iiss eennttiittlleedd ttoo aappppooiinntt aa pprrooxxyy ttoo Championship at St Andrews Smith’s hopes of a major breakthrough at
aatttteennddaannddvvootteeiinnhhiisssstteeaadd.. •• BBuuiillddiinnggaannddssuussttaaiinniinnggssttrroonnggwwoorrkkiinnggrreellaattiioonnsshhiippsswwiitthh after receiving an four rounds, even a month ago the Masters, where the Australian with an
22..AA pprrooxxyy mmaayy bbuutt nneeeedd nnoott bbee aa aaddvveerrttiissiinngg cclliieennttss.. “unbelievable” reception from I didn’t know if I could pull this affinity for Augusta National settled for a
mmeemmbbeerroofftthheeCCoommppaannyy.. spectators following his final off. share of third behind Scottie Scheffler.
33..TThhee iinnssttrruummeenntt aappppooiinnttiinngg aa •• DDrriivveettooppeerrffoorrmmaannddbbrriinnggiinnssaalleessrreevveennuueeffoorrtthheeccoommppaannyyoonnaalll round in the 86th Masters.
pprrooxxyy mmuusstt bbee ddeeppoossiitteedd aatt tthhee mmeeddiiaa ppllaattffoorrmmss.. “There have been more Smith, the world No. 6 who arrived at
CCoommppaannyy’’ssLLiiqquuiiddaattoorrss’’OOffffiicceeaatt Woods carded a second tough days than easy days and Augusta riding the momentum of a
UUnniitt CC--2200--55,,BBlloocckk CC,,2200tthh FFlloooorr,, •• PPllaannaannddeexxeeccuuttiivveenneeww,,ccrreeaattiivvee,,eexxcciittiinnggaannddiinnnnoovvaattiivvee consecutive 78 to finish 13- I just have to work through it. prestigious Players Championship win in
MMeeggaann AAvveennuuee III,, NNoo.. 1122,, JJaallaann mmaarrkkeettiinngg ccaammppaaiiggnnss ffoorr tthhee ccoommppaannyy over, but was given a standing Those ice baths really suck.” March, went into the final round three shots
YYaapp KKwwaann SSeenngg,, 5500445500 KKuuaallaa ovation as he walked towards behind leader and eventual winner
LLuummppuurr nnoott lleessss tthhaann 4488 hhoouurrss •• DDeevveellooppaannddccoonnttiinnuuoouussllyyiimmpprroovveemmaarrkkeettiinnggmmaatteerriiaallss,, the 18th green and had a broad Speaking to Sky Sports, Scheffler.
bbeeffoorree tthhee ttiimmee ffoorr hhoollddiinngg tthhee pprroodduucctt//sseerrvviiccee pprreesseennttaattiioonnss aanndd pprrooppoossaallss.. grin on his face as he headed to Woods said he was unsure
mmeeeettiinngg oorr aannyy aaddjjoouurrnnmmeenntt Augusta National’s clubhouse. about playing next month’s US He applied pressure early with a birdie-
tthheerreeooff.. •• WWoorrkkcclloosseellyywwiitthhtthheerreessppeeccttiivveeddeeppaarrttmmeennttttooiimmpprroovveerreevveennuuee PGA Championship at birdie start as they dueled in the final
ggeenneerraattiinngg ppllaattffoorrmmss.. Questions were raised about Southern Hills, but that he pairing. But bogeys at the third and fourth
Advertise with us & the 46-year-old’s future would be at the Old Course in saw him right back where he started, and
connect to our urban Requirements: following his car accident in July. when he hit his tee shot into Rae’s Creek on
February last year and Woods the way to a triple-bogey at the 12th, Smith
readers. •• MMiinniimmuummDDiipplloommaa//BBaacchheelloorr''ssddeeggrreeeeiinnbbuussiinneessss,,mmaarrkkeettiinngg,,oorr told CBS: “I had the same “I won’t be playing a full knew his challenge was over.
KLANG VALLEY aannyy ootthheerr rreellaatteedd ffiieelldd.. questions. schedule ever again, it’ll be just
PENANG | KEDAH the big events,” he added. It was all the more disappointing as he
PERAK | PERLIS •• MMiinniimmuumm55yyeeaarrssooffeexxppeerriieenncceeiinnssaalleessaannddmmaarrkkeettiinnggiinnpprriinntt “It was an unbelievable was coming off just the 10th birdie of the
PAHANG | KELANTAN aanndd ddiiggiittaall mmeeddiiaa feeling to have the patrons and “I am looking forward to St week at the tough par-four 11th.
TERENGGANU their support out there. I was Andrews. That is something
•• GGooooddccoommmmuunniiccaattiioonn,,pprreesseennttaattiioonn,,pprroobblleemmssoollvviinnggaanndd not exactly playing my best out that is near and dear to my “It was a terrible swing,” said Smith, who
MS. Shoba oorrggaanniizzaattiioonnaall sskkiilllss there and to have the support, I heart. knew as soon as he struck it. “Probably one
TEL: 03-7784 8888 don’t think words can really of the worst swings of the week and just at
FAX: 03-7784 4424 •• PPoosssseessssoowwnnttrraannssppoorrttaannddwwiillliinnggttoottrraavveell describe that given where I was “I’ve won two Opens there, the worst time of the week. But I’ll grow
•• AAbblleettoossttaarrttiimmmmeeddiiaatteellyyiiffssuucccceessssffuulllyycchhoosseenn and what my prospects were at it’s the home of golf, it’s my from this and be stronger for it.” – AFP
MALACCA •• SSuucccceessssffuullccaannddiiddaattee((ss))wwiilllbbeebbaasseeddiinntthheePPeettaalliinnggJJaayyaaooffffiiccee favourite golf course in the
world. I will be there for that
MR. Rajah SENIOR EXECUTIVE one.” – The Independent
TEL: 012-628 2844
FAX: 06-764 2051 DDIIGGIITTAALL MMAARRKKEETTIINNGG
Job Description:
JOHOR BAHRU
•• DDeessiiggnnaannddddeevveellooppoonnlliinneemmaarrkkeettiinnggssttrraatteeggiieess,,ddiiggiittaallrrooaaddmmaapp
MS. Anne Lim aanndd ccrreeaattiivvee ccaammppaaiiggnnss tthhaatt aalliiggnneedd wwiitthh tthhee bbuussiinneessss ggooaallss aanndd
TEL: 013-770 6699 ddiirreeccttiioonnss..
FAX: 07-355 5549
•• PPrroovviiddeeccrreeaattiivveeiiddeeaassffoorrccoonntteennttmmaarrkkeettiinngg..
•• MMaannaaggeeaalllddiiggiittaallmmaarrkkeettiinnggcchhaannnneellss
•• PPllaannaannddmmaannaaggeessoocciiaallmmeeddiiaappllaattffoorrmmss..
•• AAbblleettooccrreeaatteeccoonntteenntt&&pprroodduucceeggrraapphhiiccssffoorrssoocciiaallmmeeddiiaa

ppoossttiinnggss..
•• PPrreeppaarreeccooppyywwrriittiinnggffoorrtthheemmaarrkkeettiinnggccaammppaaiiggnn..

Requirements:

•• DDiipplloommaa//DDeeggrreeeeiinnMMaarrkkeettiinngg,,DDiiggiittaallMMaarrkkeettiinnggoorreeqquuiivvaalleenntt..
•• MMiinniimmuumm33yyeeaarrssooffeexxppeerriieenncceeiinniimmpplleemmeennttiinnggddiiggiittaall

mmaarrkkeettiinngg ssttrraatteeggiieess
•• EExxcceellleennttuunnddeerrssttaannddiinnggooffddiiggiittaallmmaarrkkeettiinnggccoonncceeppttssaanndd

bbeesstt pprraaccttiicceess..
•• RReeqquuiirreeddSSkkiilll((ss))::GGoooogglleeAAddwwoorrddss,,GGoooogglleeAAnnaallyyttiiccss,,SSEEOO//SSEEMM,,

ssoocciiaall mmeeddiiaa mmaarrkkeettiinngg aanndd ooppttiimmiizzaattiioonn..
•• TTeeaammppllaayyeerr
•• GGooooddttiimmee--mmaannaaggeemmeennttsskkiilllss
•• GGrreeaattiinntteerrppeerrssoonnaallaannddccoommmmuunniiccaattiioonnsskkiilllss

OOffffiiccee bbaasseedd iinn PPeettaalliinngg JJaayyaa ((55 ddaayyss aa wweeeekk))
CClloossiinngg ddaattee -- 3300 AApprriill 22002222
SSeenndd iinn yyoouurr CCVV wwiitthh yyoouurr pphhoottoo vviiaa eemmaaiill ttoo ::
tthheessuunn..hhrr22@@ggmmaaiill..ccoomm

22 theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022
SPORTS

IT’S BEEN far from the perfect start to the Max warned of ‘difficult times ahead’ “Difficult times are ahead of us. We were
defence of his 2021 F1 title for Max surprised at how fast Ferrari was today.”
Verstappen and Red Bull advisor Helmut not been able to finish either Grand Prix. But Marko has been left concerned about
Marko expects even more “difficult times” for Leclerc meanwhile grabbed his second win the reliability issues of the RB18 and is worried Verstappen had been struggling with his
the Dutchman. things may get worse before they get better. Red Bull car all weekend and was having work
of the season Down Under to give him a huge done on his car on the grid just minutes
Red Bull and Ferrari have been battling out early lead at the top of the Drivers’ “We don’t just have these reliability before the start of Sunday’s race.
in front for the opening three races of the Championship. Verstappen is already 46 points problems, which are actually largely unknown
season with some great on-track battles behind his rival with a couple weeks to to us – we don’t know that at all,” he said. And the Dutchman feels it is “unacceptable”
between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. prepare for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. that he was unable to finish the race for the
“The other thing is this weight problem. second time this season already.
Verstappen got the better of the Ferrari Red Bull will be spending the next few days We’re well ahead (heavier) of Ferrari there.
driver in Saudi Arabia to take his first win of trying to discover what happened with That’s a difficult balancing act, even with the “We’re already miles behind, so I don’t even
the season. But the other two races ended in Verstappen’s car. cost cap. want to think about the championship fight at
bitter disappointment for Verstappen, having the moment,” Verstappen told Sky Sports. –
Express Newspapers

BRIEFS

De Jong on songRoyalstopIPLtable

after narrow win

RAJASTHAN ROYALS prevailed Dutchman’s stoppage time header gives Barca victory over Levante
in a last-over thriller to edge out LUUK DE JONG headed in a 92nd-minute
Lucknow Super Giants by three winner yesterday as Barcelona prevailed Pedri came off the bench in the 56th minute second half, but we didn’t play well – we must be
runs and top the Indian Premier in a five-goal thriller against Levante to and three minutes later Barcelona equalised, self-critical.
League table yesterday. West return to second in La Liga. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang heading in
Indies big-hitter Shimron De Jong’s late goal, his sixth in the league for Ousmane Dembele’s cross to score his 10th goal “Even so, we competed and had players that
Hetmyer hit an unbeaten 59 off Barca, proved the decisive moment in a 3-2 for his new club. made the difference, like Luuk and (goalkeeper
36 balls and lifted Royals from 67- victory in Valencia but it was the introduction of Marc-Andre) Ter Stegen, so I am satisfied. There is
4 to 165-6 in the second match of the 19-year-old Pedri off the bench that turned the Then in the 63rd minute, Pedri fired Barca in a winning mentality and they are three golden
the day in Mumbai. Fast bowler momentum of the contest. front with a first-time finish into the corner, only points.”
Trent Boult and leg-spinner for Levante to level again after being awarded a
Yuzvendra Chahal then rattled Asked if the team are too reliant on Pedri, third penalty, Gonzalo Melero this time making Barca climb back above Sevilla into second,
the opposition batting to restrict Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said: “I no mistake. still 12 points behind Real Madrid, who eased to a
Lucknow, one of the two new wouldn’t put it like that but he is an extraordinary 2-0 victory over Getafe on Sunday.
franchises in the expanded 10- player. Levante looked set to claim a point but De
team IPL, to 162-8. Marcus Stoinis Jong, who had come on for Aubameyang, Xavi’s side have a game in hand over Real
hit an unbeaten 38 off 17 balls to “I don’t hold back any praise, he is a player snatched the win, meeting Jordi Alba’s cross and Madrid, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, with Atletico
give the Royals a scare but IPL who excites people and makes a difference. heading in at the near post. three points behind in fourth after losing away at
debutant Kuldeep Sen kept his Mallorca.
nerve and defended 15 off the “He’s scored a great goal but I don’t think there “Luuk is a great option,” Xavi told ESPN of the
final over. In the first match of the is (a dependence on him).” super-sub. “I would not say he’s playing a Pedri scored a brilliant winner against Sevilla
day, David Warner (61) and Prithvi secondary role. last weekend and while the midfielder was
Shaw (51) hit attacking half- A frantic 11 minutes early in the second half initially rested against Levante, Barcelona were
centuries to set up a saw Levante score one penalty in the 52nd minute “I am happy (for him) because he’s an example transformed after he came on.
through Jose Luis Morales before missing a for everyone, how he trains, his professionalism…
Opelka downs Isner second in the 55th, this time Roger Marti stepping That’s why we have these types of players. Aubameyang, meanwhile, continued his own
in Houston up, only to be denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. rich vein of form since leaving Arsenal in January.
“It was a difficult game because Levante press The Gabon striker now has 10 goals in 14 games
REILLY OPELKA defeated his high, they go man for man. We were better in the for his new club. – AFP/Agencis
childhood hero John Isner to win
the tallest final in ATP Tour history Milan let Napoli off the hook in Scudetto chase
at the US Clay Court
Championship in Houston AC Milan’s Theo AC MILAN missed a chance to cement their
yesterday. The 24-year-old Opelka Hernandez (right) in position as Serie A leaders yesterday after only
powered past the veteran Isner in action with Torino’s managing a goalless draw at Torino which left
straight sets to claim the fourth Wilfried Singo during them just two points ahead of the chasing
singles title of his career with a 6- the Serie A match pack.
3, 7-6 (9-7) victory. Yesterday’s yesterday at Stadio
showdown between the two Olimpico Grande Stefano Pioli’s side had the chance to
towering Americans – Opelka Torino in Turin. – extend their lead to four after Napoli slumped
stands at 2.1m, with Isner at REUTERSPIX to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of
2.08m – was billed as the tallest Fiorentina but once again underwhelmed
ATP Tour final of the open era. It against modest opposition.
also marked a symbolic moment
for Opelka, who grew up The draw not only let third-placed Napoli
watching the 36-year-old Isner. off the hook but gave Milan’s local rivals Inter
“He was my idol growing up as a Milan the upper hand in an enthralling race for
kid (and) has been an the Scudetto, as the champions also sit two
unbelievable role model for not back in second after their 2-0 win over Verona
just myself, (but) Taylor Fritz, on Sunday but with a game in hand.
Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul.
We all say the same. He’s been an Also big winners this weekend are
unbelievable competitor for a Juventus, who looked out of the picture after
long time.”onvincing 44-run win being defeated by Inter the previopus
for Delhi Capitals against Kolkata weekend but are now six points back in fourth
Knight Riders. with six matches still to play.

…as Bencic claims “Torino are tough for everyone to score
first clay title against. We battled hard but we’re missing that
little moment of magic,” said Pioli to DAZN.
BELINDA BENCIC beat Ons
Jabeur to claim the first clay court “Three weeks ago we were the favourites,
title of her career yesterday with then it was Napoli, then Inter… I think it’s
victory at the WTA Charleston going to be close right up until the final day.”
Open in South Carolina. Tenth
seed Bencic, the reigning Napoli’s bid for a first league crown since
Olympic champion from 1990 was hit less severely than Luciano
Switzerland, dug deep to Spalletti’s team thought when they trudged
overcome Tunisian fourth seed off the field at the Stadio Maradona.
Jabeur 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 in 2hr 35min.
Jabeur shed tears after the game “It’s more difficult for us now but we don’t
as she digested another defeat in have any other choice but to continue being
a final. The Tunisian has lost four top-quality professionals, get back to doing
out of her five WTA finals. “I told what we do and try to win the next match,”
myself not to cry but it’s very said Spalletti to DAZN.
tough,” Jabeur said. “Many finals
we lost now but hopefully it’s Fiorentina have a game in hand and are
going to come soon.” Bencic paid four points off Serie A’s Europa League spot
tribute to Jabeur after the win. currently held by Roma after their 2-1 win over
“You took everything out of me Salernitana.
today,” Bencic said. “This
tournament deserved two Jose Mourihno’s team bounced back from
winners.” losing at Bodo/Glimt for the second time this
season by coming from behind in front of
64,000 fans at the Stadio Olimpico with two
quick-fire late goals from Carles Perez and
Chris Smalling which kept them five points
behind Juve.

“Today we knew even going in at halftime
1-0 down, we needed the points and there
was no way we could lose this,” Smalling told
DAZN.

“You saw the character, we never gave up
and deserved the win.” – AFP

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN 23theSUN ON TUESDAY | APRIL 12, 2022
ME * SPORTS
@thesundaily

RESULTS & STANDINGS Time to get priorities right

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:
Brentford 2 (Mbeumo 48, Toney 64)
West Ham 0, Leicester 2 (Lookman
39, Dewsbury-Hall 45) Crystal Palace 1 Tuchel calls on Chelsea to deliver ‘what makes us strong’ against Madrid
(Zaha 66), Manchester City 2 (De
Bruyne 5, Jesus 37) Liverpool 2 (Jota █ NICK PUREWAL
13, Mane 46), Norwich 2 (Lees-Melou 9, replied: “It was necessary that we turned things and Kai Havertz also on target at Southampton.
Pukki 86) Burnley 0. THOMAS TUCHEL has told Chelsea to around but we came from a long streak of games, Asked what a madcap string of three matches
P W D L F A Pts deliver “what makes us strong” in then we had the international break and we had
Man City 31 23 5 3 72 20 74 tomorrow’s (3am Malaysia time) five days afterwards where we didn’t feel the same. can teach Chelsea, Tuchel replied: “I think it tells
Liverpool 31 22 7 2 79 22 73 Champions League clash at Real Madrid. us that we are not the team that can escape with
Chelsea 30 18 8 4 64 23 62 The Blues boss hailed his side for rediscovering “So it was not a huge turnaround, it was not results if our input is at 90% or 80% of our energy,
Tottenham 31 18 3 10 56 37 57 their poise in Sunday’s 6-0 Premier League necessary to change everything, but it was the commitment and investment.
Arsenal 30 17 3 10 45 36 54 thumping of Southampton. moment for us, I had the feeling, to tell the group
West Ham 32 15 6 11 51 42 51 the truth, my honest opinion, and tell them as a “We are a special group when we have the
Man Utd 31 14 9 8 49 42 51 Chelsea lost their Champions League part of the group this is how I feel. priorities right. If we are committed, if we defend
Wolves 32 15 4 13 33 28 49 quarterfinal first leg 3-1 to Real last week, after with courage, if we have the attitude right and the
Leicester 29 11 7 11 45 48 40 being humbled 4-1 by Brentford the previous “And so the message was clear, and obviously hunger right and win challenges.
Crystal Palace 31 8 13 10 43 40 37 weekend. everybody took it in the right way, I included
Brighton 31 8 13 10 28 37 37 myself in the message, and so it was necessary to “If we have the priorities clear, this is our
Aston Villa 31 11 3 17 42 46 36 Tuchel delivered a tough-talking squad address step up. foundation to then show the quality.
Brentford 32 10 6 16 39 48 36 on Friday, and that sparked Sunday’s rout at
Southampton 31 8 12 11 37 52 36 Southampton. “It is on the players to live up to what we play “Then we are a strong group and a special
Newcastle 31 8 10 13 34 54 34 and they did it in an impressive manner. group of players who have a right to believe in
Leeds 32 8 9 15 38 68 33 Chelsea’s German coach declared their ourselves.
Everton 30 8 4 18 33 52 28 Champions League quarterfinal all-but over after “So it’s now a time to move on because we’ve
Burnley 30 4 12 14 25 44 24 Wednesday’s Real loss, but now wants his side to found what makes us strong and it was another “There is nothing to be ashamed of, but we are
Watford 31 6 4 21 29 60 22 throw everything at tomorrow’s Bernabeu return proof of that and we keep on going.” not the fancy group that comes with a priority of
leg. quality and see if we can get away with an 80% or
In one week Chelsea have leaked seven goals 90% investment and commitment in all aspects of
Asked if a potent performance at Southampton but scored eight across two defeats and one win. the game. This is what it tells me.
can boost the Blues’ chances in Madrid, Tuchel
Tuchel will hope his players are back to their “If we have it right, we can show our quality –
aggressive, tenacious best after Timo Werner and because we have the quality. It’s what makes us a
Mason Mount grabbed braces, with Marcos Alonso dangerous and special group.” – The Independent

Norwich 31 5 6 20 20 63 21 Arsenal not
good enough:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Fulham 1 Ramsdale
Coventry 3.
TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts
Fulham 40 25 8 7 94 35 83
Bournemouth 39 21 10 8 62 35 73
Nottm Forest 39 19 10 10 61 36 67
Huddersfield 40 18 12 10 52 43 66 AARON RAMSDALE admits Arsenal
Luton 40 18 11 11 59 45 65 were “not good enough” as they slipped
Sheff Utd 41 18 11 12 53 41 65 to defeat at home to Brighton.

LA LIGA: Osasuna 1 (Budimir 90+2) Enock Mwepu was the star of the
Alaves 0, Espanyol 1 (Wu 89) Celta show for the visitors, creating Leandro
Vigo 0, Elche 1 (Carrillo 4) Real Trossard’s opener before his own fine
Sociedad 2 (Sorloth 31, Le Normand strike doubled the lead. Martin
39), Levante 2 (Morales 51-pen, Melero Odegaard’s late consolation meant
Manzanares 83-pen) Barcelona 3 Brighton left with a deserved 2-1 win.
(Aubameyang 59, Pedri 63, L. de Jong
90+2). Cristiano Arsenal were already reeling from
TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Ronaldo defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night
Real Madrid 31 22 6 3 63 26 72 smashed a and, with Kieran Tierney and Thomas
Barcelona 30 17 9 4 60 31 60 mobile phone Partey missing through injury, their small
Sevilla 31 16 12 3 44 22 60 out of a young squad was exposed once more.
Atletico 31 17 6 8 57 38 57 boy’s hand after
Real Betis 31 17 5 9 56 37 56 Manchester Arsenal rarely threatened and they
Sociedad 31 15 9 7 32 30 54 United’s defeat lost more ground in their hopes of
to Everton on returning to Champions League action.
SERIE A: Genoa 1 (Patric 68-og) Lazio Saturday.
Rivals Tottenham cantered to victory
4 (Marusic 31, Immobile 45+1, 63, 76), later on Saturday to move three points
Napoli 2 (Mertens 58, Osimhen 84) clear in fourth place with Ramsdale now
Fiorentina 3 (Gonzalez 29, Ikone 66, targeting a return to form at
Cabral 72), Roma 2 (Carles Perez 82, Ronaldo in hot water after smashing phone Southampton this week.
Smalling 85) Salernitana 1 (Radovano-
vic 22), Sassuolo 2 (Traore 24, 61) “This was supposed to be the
Atalanta 1 (Muriel 90+3), Torino 0 AC reaction game but it wasn’t,” he told
Milan 0, Venezia 1 (Henry 86) MERSEYSIDE Police have launched an carrying out extensive witness enquiries to Arsenal’s official website.
Udinese 2 (Deulofeu 36-pen, Becao investigation into an alleged assault after establish if an offence has taken place.”
90+5). Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to smash a fan’s “We’ve lost and not managed to pick
TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts phone following Manchester United’s defeat to In a statement posted across his social media up any points and next (this) week is
AC Milan 32 20 8 4 56 29 68 Everton. channels, Ronaldo said: “It’s never easy to deal even bigger.
Inter Milan 31 19 9 3 65 24 66 with emotions in difficult moments such as the
Napoli 32 20 6 6 58 26 66 Footage of a frustrated Ronaldo appeared to one we are facing. “I think we just need to go out there
Juventus 32 18 8 6 49 28 62 show him strike the phone out of a young and be free and play our game, you
Roma 32 17 6 9 53 36 57 Everton fan’s hand as he left the Goodison Park “Nevertheless, we always have to be know?
Lazio 32 16 7 9 64 47 55 pitch limping at fulltime. respectful, patient and set the example for all the
youngsters who love the beautiful game. “It’s a game of football and I think in
BUNDESLIGA: VfL Bochum 0 Bayer The 37-year-old later publicly apologised on the first half we were very tense and slow
Leverkusen 0, Eintracht Frankfurt 1 social media, describing the incident as an “I would like to apologise for my outburst so we just need to go out there next
“outburst”. and, if possible, I would like to invite this week, trust what the manager and the
supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a coaching staff are saying and go and
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: sign of fair-play and sportsmanship.” – The play our football, which we’ve done all
Inquiries are under way and officers are currently Independent season.

Freiburg 2, RB Leipzig 3 Hoffenheim 0. “It’s not good enough. Two games on
the spin where the first 45 minutes has
got away from us.

“You make it an uphill battle against
any team in the Premier League if you’re
losing at halftime.” – The Independent

TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Son hails ‘superman’ Lloris after Villa heroics
B. Munich 29 22 3 4 86 29 69
B. Dortmund 29 19 3 7 70 42 60
B. Leverkusen 29 15 7 7 68 42 52
RB Leipzig 29 15 6 8 64 31 51
Freiburg 29 13 9 7 46 34 48 HATTRICK hero Son Heung-min The Frenchman made seven “Because Hugo saved us in a this situation because they can’t
Hoffenheim 29 13 5 11 50 45 44 paid tribute to “superman” Hugo saves in the opening 45 minutes, tough time when we needed him, deal with it. We turned up in the
Lloris for his part in Tottenham’s 4-0 including a wonder stop from he was turning like a superman, second half really, really well and
FRENCH LIGUE 1: Bordeaux 3 Metz 1, romp at Aston Villa. Jacob Ramsey, which was the most like a cat. scored the second goal, third goal
Angers 1 Lille 1, Monaco 2 Troyes 1, by a Spurs keeper since data and fourth goal. I am really proud
Brest 1 Nantes 1, Lens 3 Nice 0, The South Korean took the collection began. “It is insane, when he made the for the team.
Strasbourg 1 Lyon 1, Marseille 2 headlines after a superb treble, first save (from Ramsey) it was
Montpellier 0. along with Dejan Kulusevski’s fine That allowed their lethal front really close to him and the shot “The Premier League there is
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts strike, to send Spurs three points three, with Harry Kane again came really he just had them. He never one easy game. You go away
Paris SG 31 22 5 4 70 29 71 clear of Arsenal, making them notching two assists, to run riot in was like a cat. Hugo saved us. from home and the supporters are
Marseille 31 17 8 6 51 29 59 favourites for Champions League the second half. different.
Rennes 31 17 5 9 67 31 56 qualification. “It is a really special day for the
Strasbourg 31 14 10 7 52 33 52 “What can I say? He saved us. team. It is a really hard place, we “These are difficult places to go,
Nice 31 15 7 9 40 27 51 But they were indebted to Lloris’ We are scoring goals but if Hugo showed great personality, great 4-0 sounds easy but it is never easy.
heroics in the first half as, after wasn’t there we were probably 3-1 character, especially after the first We did really well in the second
Son’s early opener, Villa laid siege or 4-1 down,” Son said of his half. half, we turned up and changed
on Spurs’ goal. captain. the game.” – The Independent
“Some teams are going to lose

TUESDAY • APRIL 12, 2022 QUOTE OF THE DAY

I was so overwhelmed and didn’t know I
was ready for this. I cried like a baby this
morning. I’ve dreamed of having a chance to play in
this tournament, I teared up when I got my first invite
in the mail. I love this place and if you’re going to
choose a tournament to win it would be this.”

Scottie Scheffler after winning the Masters

Liverpool and Manchester Premier League
City managers Jurgen Klopp run-in too
(left) and Pep Guardiola close to call
embrace after yesterday’s
English Premier League █ MARK CRITCHLEY
match at the Etihad
Stadium. – REUTERSPIX

AFTER initially appearing to be done and dusted by
Christmas, it now seems as though there may be a Premier
League title race after all.

Manchester City have hardly put a foot wrong since the
start of the season, dropping points in just three games
since the end of October, but Liverpool are right up behind
them.

After a difficult winter, Jurgen Klopp’s side dragged
themselves to within one point of the defending
champions with a run of 10 consecutive league wins.

Yesterday’s meeting at the Etihad was billed as a title
decider, only to end in a 2-2 draw that decided very little.

City have their destiny in their own hands and Liverpool
require a favour from somewhere but it remains too close
to call.

MANCHESTER CITY
Points: 74
Run-in difficulty:
Fixtures: Manchester City: Brighton (H); Watford (H); Leeds (A);
Newcastle (H); West Ham (A); Aston Villa (H); Wolves (A).

‘Missed GuardiolaadmitsCity One of the first things you will notice about City’s run-in
have left Liverpool is that there are no meetings with their fellow members of
alive in EPL title race the so-called “big six”.

opportunity’ All those are out of the way now, with 19 points taken
MANCHESTER CITY manager from a possible 27.
Pep Guardiola admitted he similar pragmatic approach to their title draw level eight minutes later.
“doesn’t know” if his side will win chances. Gabriel Jesus restored the hosts’ lead on Instead, Pep Guardiola’s side are left to face a number of
the Premier League after mid-table sides with little left to play for. Only Watford, who
“missing an opportunity” in yesterday’s 2-2 He said before the game the result would 36 minutes before Sadio Mane struck within visit the Etihad on April 23, are in desperate need of points
draw against Liverpool. be defining and he stuck by that assertion, the first 60 seconds after the break. in order to survive.
even though he accepts it will be more
The top-flight heavyweights played out an difficult for his side with so few games Raheem Sterling thought he had fired That is one of three consecutive home games this
entertaining affair as City twice lost the lead remaining and no room for manoeuvre. City into a third lead just past the hour-mark, month. Brighton visit next weekend after the FA Cup
at the Etihad. but VAR denied him through an agonisingly- semifinals. By the time of a trip to Elland Road, Leeds may
Asked if they now had to win their close offside call. well be safe.
After fulltime, Guardiola expressed remaining seven matches, having been on a
doubts over the outcome of the title race. run of 10 consecutive League victories before The entertaining draw maintained the The defending champions would probably still be
this draw, the Reds boss said: “Yeah, I think Citizens’ one-point lead at the Premier confident of taking all three points, though, just as they
“Seven games in the Premier League is a that’s probably right. League summit with seven games to play. would against Newcastle at the Etihad.
lot of games; we have tough games away,” he
told Sky Sports. “We knew it in January if we wanted to Guardiola’s side have the more A postponed trip to Molineux is not as intimidating as it
win we had to win 18 games, if there was one favourable run-in as they prepare to battle first appears when you consider that Wolves have looked
“They have too, but I don’t know what’s game we can draw it’s today. Liverpool in another memorable, closely- better on the road this season.
going to happen again this season, whether fought title race.
we’re going to win the Premier League or “Now we have two massive games, The visit to the London Stadium to play West Ham is
not.” Benfica (in the Champions League) and the Both juggernauts will lock horns all over City’s toughest test remaining and a fixture that Guardiola’s
FA Cup (semifinal) with City and then it again this Saturday at the home of football, side dropped points in last season, though the prospect of
When asked whether a draw was a fair really starts. Wembley Stadium, in the FA Cup semifinal. David Moyes rotating before a potential Europa League
result, the Catalan coach explained he final a few days later has to be part of the equation.
thought City missed the chance for a huge “We are where we want to be, close to an Few would bet against them meeting in
three points. incredible side, and I said a couple of times if the Champions League, with City perhaps The visit from Aston Villa on May 23 has the greatest
you don’t have luck in life you’re screwed. getting the chance to silence the chants of potential for a narrative-heavy climax. Could Steven
“It is what it is,” Guardiola said. “At “where’s your European Cup?” aimed at Gerrard deliver the title to his former club with a shock win
Anfield, we played an incredible first half, “We need the right decisions, and we have them by Liverpool fans yesterday, an at the Etihad?
and it was the same result. Yeah, it is what it to be as close to perfection to win seven opportunity for Guardiola to reclaim the
is. Premier League games. Insane but that’s the crown he won twice at Barcelona but which Given that City’s schedule otherwise looks relatively
only way to beat this team – even if that’s has proved frustratingly elusive at straightforward, Liverpool could do with a final day favour.
“I have the feeling that we missed an enough.” Manchester City. LIVERPOOL
opportunity to get three points, but as I told Points: 73
you just before the game, it didn’t matter Liverpool were fortunate to trail by just It is Champions League business this Run-in difficulty:
what happened, win, lose or draw, this is not one goal at halftime after Man City week as City take a 1-0 advantage into their Fixtures: Manchester United (H); Everton (H); Newcastle (A);
over. I would say the same with a defeat or a dominated large periods of the first half. quarterfinal second leg away to Atletico Tottenham (H); Aston Villa (A); Southampton (A); Wolves (H).
victory.” Madrid and Liverpool defend a significant 3-
Kevin De Bruyne provided the perfect 1 lead at home to Benfica. – The Whichever way you want to cut it, Liverpool’s run-in is
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp took a start with his fifth-minute opener, but Diogo Independent/Express Newspapers/Agencies more difficult. Back-to-back visits from Manchester United
Jota rounded off an excellent Reds move to and Everton immediately stand out but may be two of the
easier engagements down the stretch.

Away from home, there are no gimmees for Liverpool.
Newcastle and Aston Villa have both improved under new
management. St James’ and Villa Park will be tougher
places to go than they were at the start of the season.

Southampton were in the top half of the home table
until recently having enjoyed a decent season at St Mary’s,
but if a five-game winless run and Saturday’s 6-0 defeat to
Chelsea is anything to go by, the wheels are starting to
come off.

A visit from Tottenham in May will be Liverpool’s
toughest remaining test. Spurs’ away record has
dramatically improved under Antonio Conte and includes
that shock win at the Etihad which opened up this title
race.

Wolves’ away record is just as good as Tottenham’s
across the season and is not an ideal fixture to end a testing
run.

The Independent

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