PETALING JAYA: The government must support home ownership schemes such as the programme by Yayasan My First Home (YMFH) as it will benefit Malaysians and the housing industry in the long term, said Universiti Utara Malaysia economist Dr K. Kuperan Viswanathan. He said supporting home ownership schemes that are targeted at those earning low wages and first-time homeowners is a must to lift those from the B40 group out of their quandary of not being able to own property. “The fact that such home ownership schemes exist must be supported. The act of acquiring assets can be the pinnacle to break away from the poverty cycle. “Allowing the B40 group to acquire assets is a good thing because they (the assets) always increase in value compared with wages. This form of ownership can potentially break the nation’s poverty cycle,” he told theSun. YMFH is an initiative to help low-income Malaysians acquire their first home. Last Sunday, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said affordable home ownership was among the dreams or aspirations expressed by youths during a Budget 2023 dialogue session earlier in the week. Universiti Tun Abdul Razak economist Prof Dr Barjoyai Bardai echoed the sentiment, saying Malaysia could also take a leaf from UK’s form of cooperative housing, through which a large group can benefit from home ownership schemes such as YMFH. “The cooperative society can apply for funding, rather than being individually accountable (to the payment scheme applied). For instance, if 1,000 members are recruited to a cooperative, then the amount paid to own a home can be substantially reduced. This way, everyone stands to benefit and individual titles (to their home) can be given after a certain time frame,” he said. Under YMFH, Malaysians in the low-income bracket can opt to be part of a financing scheme that can help them purchase their first home. Its general manager Nambee Ashvin Nambiar said the scheme is also open to those in the 40 and below age group, who find it difficult to obtain loans to purchase a place of their own, especially young individuals who have just joined the workforce or those who are about to start a family. “The lowest monthly instalment currently being paid (to YMFH) is RM100 and the highest is RM600. This commitment brings a sense of pride and dignity to the homeowner, without placing any further burden on their existing commitments. “Additionally, we are open to financing the payment of other fees associated with owning a first home, as long as the purchasers are in the B40 category and the houses they wish to purchase are within the affordable homes category,” Nambee told theSun. He said YMFH itself is offering three different types of houses it has designed – a 69.7sq m unit with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, an 83.6sq m unit with five bedrooms and four bathrooms and an 83.6sq m dual-key unit with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. “We have an idea of how we would like to see more of these houses fall under the affordable housing category. Thus, we are open to other developers who want to use the same design and we wish to put forward this space or design to the government, to show that it can be done and an entire family can live comfortably in such houses,” he said. National House Buyers Association honorary secretary-general Datuk Chang Kim Loong said YMFH’s aspirations to assist the B40 group to buy their first home is a noble initiative. The foundation was launched last year by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who lauded the scheme initiated by Berjaya Corporation Berhad founder and chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan, calling it a “noble cause”. Chang added that other affluent business leaders and high net worth entrepreneurs and philanthropists should also help the government in coming up with solutions to provide affordable housing. TELLING IT AS IT IS ON TUESDAY JANUARY 31, 2023 No. 8198 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my MYSTICAL APPEAL ... A Balinese Barongan dance performed to the beat of gongs, gamelan music and angklung attracted the full attention of guests at a wedding in Meru, Johor over the weekend. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN Help B40 buy homes oSchemes such as YMFH aid them to acquire assets and break away from poverty, says economist 2 Exploring food security page cooperation with S’pore INSIDE 3 Free tertiary studies for page poor students mooted █ BYELLY FAZANIZA [email protected]
2 theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS M’sia keen to explore food security pact with S’pore SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sees food security as one area of cooperation that can be explored with Singapore for the benefit of both countries. Anwar, who is here on a one-day official visit, said this new area of food security can be explored amid outstanding issues that Malaysia and Singapore need to further focus on. “I think we would solicit support for Singapore to use Malaysia as the heartland to produce for the benefit of both countries.” He was speaking at the official (From left) Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Anwar and Lee tossing Yee Sang during lunch at the Presidential Palace in Singapore yesterday. – REUTERSPIC oAnwar to solicit support for land back home to be used to generate produce to benefit both countries lunch hosted by his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong yesterday. Anwar said although his position in the administration is very new, his views and that of his Cabinet’s are very clear. “Not only do we want to continue relations but also want Singaporeans and Malaysians to understand that we are two great countries and two great neighbours, that we can do so much more for the benefit of our people.” He added that it was up to Singapore leaders to move forward not only on trade, investment and cyber security but also on resolving all outstanding issues. Both leaders had earlier in the day witnessed the signing of three MoUs to promote cooperation in new and emerging areas, specifically in digital and green economies as well as cyber security. Lee, in his speech, said he and Anwar had a fruitful discussion earlier, including on how both countries could make progress on outstanding bilateral issues. “As close friends and neighbours, the destinies of Singapore and Malaysia are intertwined. When we work constructively together, we produce win-win outcomes with tangible benefits for our peoples and businesses. “I am confident that with Prime Minister Anwar’s support, Singapore-Malaysia relations can reach greater heights,” said Lee. Earlier, the prime minister held a four-eyed meeting with Lee before calling on President Halimah Yacob. “President Halimah is visiting Malaysia soon. It is a clear signal that the relations are vibrant,” he said. Meanwhile, Anwar’s maiden visit to Thailand next month after becoming premier has raised hopes that he can help forge peace in southern Thailand, according to Thai news reports. Academicians and experts are upbeat that his visit will add momentum to the southern Thailand peace dialogue process, Bernama reported. Malaysia is the facilitator for the peace dialogue to end the decades-old conflict that flared up in January 2004 in Thailand’s southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and parts of Songkhla. Civil Society Organisations for Peace and Development in the Southern Border Areas independent academic and coordinator Mansor Salae said Anwar could play an instrumental role in making headway in the peace talks. Bilateral issues to be discussed constructively: Minister SINGAPORE: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir is confident that bilateral issues involving Malaysia and Singapore will continue to be discussed in a “constructive and productive context”. It is very important for both countries to hold discussions or negotiations that can provide good results “not for one side but for both”. Zambry was speaking to the Malaysian media at a meet-andgreet session on Sunday night, after meeting with his Singapore counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. He was in the republic yesterday in conjunction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit. Zambry said the meeting between him and Balakrishnan was to discuss matters on bilateral relations and as preliminary preparation for the two leaders’ meeting. “We discussed some matters related to issues involving both countries that require mutual understanding for resolution. “There are not so many (issues) that require immediate steps for us to resolve, but they involve several important matters to be looked at together for a joint decision.” He added that among the issues are maritime boundary delimitation, flight information region and several other matters regarding mutual agreements that have been made so far. Zambry said Malaysia and Singapore have always had similar expectations to see the region in an ideal condition. “In other words, discussions or negotiations need to continue in the spirit of good neighbourly relations, with good intentions and a genuine desire to solve various issues.” He added that this spirit should lead to win-win decisions that would enable both countries to move forward in a better way in future. Zambry said Malaysia expressed hope that any form of discussion or negotiation made in the future would not be a zerosum game. “We want to have a really constructive outcome. This also involves matters pertaining to sea boundaries.” – Bernama National Higher Education Policy to be reviewed PUTRAJAYA: A committee will be formed soon to review the National Higher Education Policy to ensure that all plans and policies by the Higher Education Ministry are based on the current reality and include the importance of a sustainable future, said its minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. Speaking at the ministry’s New Year mandate event yesterday, he said the committee would be given three months to submit findings and suggestions for improvement. “Some policy adjustments should be implemented, requiring a change in the way of working, thinking and actions taken. “It is very important for our policies to change. We should drop outdated ones, explore new ones and make them successful. We should correct mistakes and avoid making errors.” He said the committee’s findings and recommendations would be critical for the ministry, given that the current national education landscape is becoming more and more diverse. “Higher education today is much more complex, complicated and challenging. We need a more sophisticated, sustainable and contemporary plan and strategy to translate national aspirations.” He added that the higher education sector is no longer limited to providing skilled graduates for the job market. Mohamed Khaled suggested that a White Paper on “A New Horizon for Science, Technology and Innovation – A Strategy for Malaysia” be drawn up to prepare the ministry for managing the various changes and technological booms that affect teaching and learning. He said to realise the concept of Malaysia Madani mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the ministry would need to have a very reliable system and close cooperation from ministry staff to restore the people’s trust in the government. – Bernama Flood damage to houses being assessed for repair aid PITAS: Assessment of damage to houses to provide assistance to flood victims will be conducted thoroughly, with priority given to badly affected homes, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the ministry together with district offices would assess the damage caused by flooding. “After we have made the assessment, the ministry will disburse allocations to repair houses. Our allocation is limited and we need to be prudent by giving priority to badly affected houses.” Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister, was speaking after handing contributions to 968 families at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Pitas flood relief centre yesterday. He added that the ministry is also determining damage caused to roads by floods. “I request the cooperation of elected representatives, MPs, district offices and state governments so that this can be implemented smoothly.” – Bernama More initiatives to help govt empower entrepreneurs KOTA KINABALU: Holding more engagement sessions can help the government to empower and produce competitive, innovative, and proactive entrepreneurs in the local and global markets in line with the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the ministry’s programmes would afford business associations, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives to provide opinions, suggestions, and feedback so that the ministry can help entrepreneurs meet their needs. “This initiative will also enable information to be shared with the government so that the ministry can organise and design entrepreneurship programmes that meet the needs of entrepreneurs and cooperatives more holistically,” he said yesterday. – Bernama
3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 Combat ship order reduced to five vessels, says Navy KUALA LUMPUR: The procurement process involving the first batch of littoral combat ships (LCS) has been reduced from the previous six to five vessels, after the application to continue the project was discussed again by the government, said Navy chief Admiral Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob. “Originally, it was six units, but when we reapplied and discussed the matter again, we agreed for the number to be reduced. “The decision was made when the government decided to continue the project last year,” he said at Wisma Pertahanan. Also present were Deputy Chief of Navy Vice-Admiral Datuk Sabri Zali, Western Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Datuk Abu Bakar Md Ajis, Eastern Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Datuk Muhammad Ruzelme Ahmad Fahimy and president of National Centre for Defence Studies, Vice-Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain. Abdul Rahman said the sixth supplementary agreement on the project would be signed soon to enable construction to be carried out. He also said the procurement process of the second batch would be realised in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the country’s waters. “We hope the application can be approved this year to enable us to carry out the procurement process. “This time, we need LCS with combat capability. That’s a significant difference from four LCS we have acquired from China. For now, we have requested three units for the second batch,” he said. – Bernama Stop work order issued after LRT hitch KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall has issued a stop work order for a construction site in Jalan Raja Laut following a service disruption at the Ampang LRT line on Jan 27. Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah said the order was issued to Tetuan Persekutuan Seruan Islam Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan, which are the owners of the proposed project, which involves the construction of the 44 storey Menara SoHo building comprising 326 units. He said the decision was made after a meeting with representatives of the Land Transport Agency, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and several City Hall departments on Saturday. “The directive is a safety measure to ensure that the Land Transport Agency and its related agencies can investigate, scrutinise and then determine the cause of the disruption,” he said. “City Hall, through its one stop committee, will also seek the involvement of the Land Transport Agency and Prasarana to obtain their views when there is a development application in or near the Railway Protection Zone.” On Jan 27, the Ampang Line experienced delays due to a kinked track alignment near the Bandaraya station. Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd stated preliminary checks found that the service delay was caused by damage to the flyover due to the construction work adjacent to the area. – Bernama Asean foreign ministers to meet JAKARTA: Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are scheduled to meet here on Feb 3 and 4, according to the Asean secretariat. The annual gathering, known as Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) and related meetings, will be held at the secretariat headquarters. This year’s AMM Retreat is the first gathering of foreign ministers and heads of delegations under Indonesia’s Asean Chairmanship with the theme, “Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”. In a statement, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the Asean Coordinating Council meeting and AMM Retreat will discuss topics related to regional and international issues, including Myanmar. Indonesia has also invited “non-political” representatives from Myanmar to take part in the meetings, she added. Asean has banned leaders of Myanmar from participating in its top-level meetings to pressure them to comply with a peace plan, known as the Five Point Consensus, to help resolve its ongoing internal conflict. – Bernama RM150m lost due to SST defaulters PUTRAJAYA: Over 90% of companies paid their Sales and Service Tax last year and the remaining 10%, which are defaulting companies, caused the country to lose almost RM150 million in revenue, according to the Customs Department. Its deputy director-general (enforcement/compliance) Datuk Sazali Mohamad said periodic checks conducted by the department’s compliance and audit division found that some companies failed to meet regulations. He also said actions that can be taken against defaulting companies included barring their board members from travelling abroad. – Bernama Free tertiary studies for poor students mooted PUTRAJAYA: The Higher Education Ministry is planning to introduce a free studies sponsorship programme for first-generation students from poor families who are able to pursue studies at institutions of higher learning. Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the matter will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. “It is a measure to end poverty through knowledge and skills,” he said when speaking at the ministry’s New Year mandate event yesterday. Mohamed Khaled said the ministry also plan to remodel the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) by exploring the possibility of turning it into a national trust fund. “We want to reduce its debt burden to ensure its sustainability and make it a national education financing institution that allows all individuals from inside and outside the country to contribute to the funding of the country’s higher education.” He added that the ministry was also exploring a flexible education system by combining face-to-face and virtual elements to take advantage of digital platforms and technology as such an approach would have a significant impact on reducing the cost of education. On the selection of leadership at institutions of higher learning and agencies under the ministry, Mohamed Khaled said it would go through a strict, thorough and objective screening process to ensure the positions are filled by the most qualified and credible candidates, Bernama reported. He said such strict screening was aimed at reflecting the professional, fair, objective and oInitiative among several planned by govt, including move to ensure sustainability of PTPTN non-political operation of the ministry in executing the various national policies and programmes. “The country needs an efficient and excellent higher education sector. This must start with a credible and highperforming leadership.” He also called on ministry staff to educate students to be on the right track to meet academic standards and intellectual culture, adding that the ministry focuses on the need to be equipped with artificial intelligence for managing people and technology. “Maturity in controlling emotions, multilingual and negotiation skills, the ability to lead discussions and work effectively in a team. It’s all smart skills.” He also said a major overhaul would be conducted on the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme to strengthen the system and ecosystem towards producing more skilled and technologically competent students. “The country needs many individuals who have skills and technological competence that are future-proof.” Move to gazette Tembat Forest Reserve for Rafflesia flowers KUALA BERANG: The Terengganu Forestry Department will gazette part of the Tembat Forest Reserve in Jenagor to preserve the habitat of Rafflesia flowers. Its director Roslan Rani said the department would submit the related papers to be studied by the government. “If everything goes smoothly, the move to gazette the area would be implemented this year in accordance with Section 10 (1) of the National Forestry Act 1984,” he said, adding that the move is to ensure sustainability of the habitat and ecosystem of Rafflesia, that is also known as Pakma flower. Roslan said Pakma flowers were first found in the reserve in 2019 and since then, it has proliferated in abundance. He also said the species at Tembat is the Rafflesia cantleyi type, which is the largest and rarest. “The flower, which is normally found in Sabah and Sarawak, attracts the interest of many nature lovers, including climbers.” – Bernama Terengganu Forestry Department officer Mohd Shahril Nizam Mat Ali (left) checking on a Rafflesia flower at the Tembat Forest Reserve. – BERNAMAPIC
4 theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Chance for autistic individuals to work and be independent oNGO establishment assists those with condition to learn new skills, realise purpose and meaning in life, says project founder PETALING JAYA: Employment opportunities are still very scarce for those afflicted with autism, no thanks to negative stereotypes, stigma against them, and the lack of education and training to raise their employability. However, all is not lost, as long as there are people like Autism Cafe Project (ACP) founder Mohd Adli Yahya, 58, who has employed four autistic individuals as permanent staff. ACP is a food and beverage outlet at the MIJ International Hub in Kota Damansara, Selangor. MIJ is part of an NGO that offers academic and daily living skills to students aged from two to 30 with different learning difficulties such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, and Down syndrome global developmental delay. Mohd Adli said ACP serves as an example that people with autism can work and earn a living, just like the rest of us. “We encourage autistic individuals to come to our centre and learn new skills instead of staying at home. They will learn Food suppliers encouraged to join ‘RM5 meal’ govt initiative KUALA LUMPUR: Suppliers are welcomed to play a part in the “Menu Rahmah” initiative introduced by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry alongside Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association and the Malaysian Tomyam Operators Association. Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said the suggestion is to help provide raw materials at a lower cost to restaurants that take part. “If there are suppliers who offer a price cut (on raw materials) during the collaboration of ‘Menu Rahmah’, we can allocate the funds from companies to them,” he said. The ministry will soon introduce “Menu Rahmah”, which offers meals at RM5 and below, which includes rice, chicken or fish and vegetables specifically for the hardcore poor. – Bernama Nurul Izzah an asset to govt, says PKR leader PETALING JAYA: Nurul Izzah Anwar will be seen as an asset and a welcome addition to any government or institution, says PKR Damansara division head Elizabeth Wong. Nurul Izzah, who will be working in the Prime Minister’s Office, has 15 years of experience as a legislator and as a policymaker outside of boardrooms and classrooms. She said Nurul Izzah’s experiences are IRL (in real life) and she can engage, interact with and has empathy for women as well as the rural and urban poor, specifically those in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. “She also knows in minute detail which economic policies work and which don’t and has been a parliamentarian under no less than five prime ministers,” Wong said. Nurul Izzah is more than qualified and her work in connected fields are related to the socio-political economy. “Trust is the most important currency in today’s atmosphere of constant political sabotage and betrayal. “It is only right for the prime minister to officially gather his most trusted group to assist and advise him on matters of national importance. We need an adviser who listens to the people and there is no one more willing to do that than Nurul Izzah,” she added. SPECIAL CARE ... Two devotees cleaning a silver chariot in preparation for a procession in conjunction with Thaipusam. The march will start from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves on Friday night. – SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN communication, work, earn a salary and be independent. One or two hours at our centre is more than enough for them to learn and gain new experiences.” Mohd Adli said before admitting students, he would first ask their parents to list down their children’s likes and dislikes. “People with autism need to enjoy what they do so that they will not get easily stressed or overwhelmed. We are proud to say that throughout the six years of operating, we have had zero cases of tantrums by the students. “We have to tailor-make their tasks according to what they enjoy doing. For example, we have a student who likes water, so we gave him dishwashing duty,” he said. Mohd Adli hopes that ACP would branch out to reach more autistics in other states by assisting them to realise their purpose and meaning in life. Universiti Teknologi Mara Clinical Psychology Unit lecturer at the Department of Psychiatry, Dr Sakinah Idris, said those with autism find it harder to get jobs due to their inability to adjust to the transition process. This is particularly so for those with low-functioning autism, who have limitations in many areas. Hence, they need education and training to prepare themselves to be independent. “In Malaysia, there is a lack of effective transition plans from school to employment. “This leads to poor employment outcomes for such persons. Autistic individuals also have the right to access employment. The Person With Disabilities Act 2008 provides employment opportunities for 1% of autistics in the civil service. “Some individuals with autism have exceptional skills that enable them to succeed in roles such as sales assistant, computer programming, journalist and many more. The ability of each individual with high-functioning autism is sometimes better than normal people. They may demonstrate persistence, accuracy, attention to detail and excellent memory.” Sakinah said the stigma towards those with autism is still prevalent in the country. “If an autistic child is screaming, spinning around or making lots of noises, flapping their hands when happy, or no eye contact while talking, people will stare at the parents and be annoyed with such behaviour. They assume the child lacks discipline,” she said. Such social stigma may also influence families of autistic children from seeking proper diagnosis and professional assistance for them. She said employers ought to be less discriminating towards autistics. “Let’s hope that the government can increase the 1% employment opportunity policy. A special team should be activated to monitor and ensure its implementation,” she added. Woman saves stranger with swift CPR action MALACCA: A woman’s swift act of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a man believed to be having a heart attack saved his life during a badminton match in Durian Daun on Sunday. Kristil Tan Ai Teng, 55, said the incident occurred when the 55-year-old player, who represented the Kota Baru Institute of Teacher Education (IPG), collapsed during a veteran men’s doubles quarter-finals. The match was held in conjunction with the Inter-Staff Games Carnival of the Malaysian IPG. “When I saw the man collapse, I ran towards him. I suspected that he was having a heart attack so I immediately performed CPR on him. “I asked a volunteer on duty to get an automated external defibrillator (AED) from my car,” she said yesterday. Tan, who is also the Central Malacca St John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) head, said another staff from IPG Ipoh also helped to perform CPR on the man while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The lecturer of the co-curriculum unit at IPG Durian Daun said she was glad that she managed to help the man She added that she was told the man’s condition was stable. “The public need to learn first aid to be able to help anyone who might be in similar situation,” she said, adding that the CPR is a basic treatment method that can save lives. She also encouraged the public to attend the free SJAM courses to increase their knowledge on ways to save lives. – Bernama Call to set up volunteer fire squads in Sarawak interiors SIBU: Establishing volunteer and community fire squads is the best way to deal with fire incidents and early rescue operations in scattered interior settlements in Sarawak. Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said Sarawak residents are encouraged to form these volunteer groups so that they can intervene early in the event of an emergency such as a fire. Given Sarawak’s vastness with its complex topography and geography, it is difficult for fire and rescue services to respond in less than 10 minutes, which is the average response time in the country, he said after opening a fire and rescue station in Selangau, 78km from here yesterday. – Bernama █ BYNURIN ABDULLAH [email protected]
5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 1MDB trial deferred after death of lead prosecutor KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court yesterday postponed the hearing of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s trial involving the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah allowed the postponement after a request made by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib following the sudden passing of Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, who was described as “a father figure to the 1MDB prosecution team”. “My Lord, you know, Sri Ram was our boss and team leader, and he is like a father to all of us. Today was set for continued hearing. But in light of the sudden demise of Sri Ram, we seek an adjournment for two days,” said Ahmad Akram. He requested an adjournment for yesterday and today to redistribute the case workload and to attend Sri Ram’s wake today. “His wake for non-family members to pay their respects is tomorrow at Nirvana 2, Kuala Lumpur, between 8am and 1pm and he will then be cremated at Nirvana Shah Alam,” said Ahmad Akram. Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah did not object. “We have no objections to the adjournment and our condolences to the prosecution team,” said the veteran counsel. The court then allowed the postponement and fixed Thursday for the continued hearing. The trial had been fixed today, with the defence to conduct cross-examination of former AmBank relationship manager Joanna Yu Ging Ping. Sri Ram passed away on Sunday at the age of 79 at a private hospital here. He was admitted to the intensive care unit last week for a lung infection. He was the lead prosecutor in Najib’s 1MDB corruption case. Najib, 70, is facing four charges of using his position to receive bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering. – Bernama Appeals to forfeit monies totalling RM21.7m withdrawn PUTRAJAYA: The prosecution yesterday withdrew its appeals to forfeit monies totalling RM21.7 million belonging to 11 entities and individuals, including Pekan Umno and the Johor Umno liaison committee, allegedly linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd funds. The others are from Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, Jakel Trading, Barisan Nasional Johor Baru division, Mediaedge CIA Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sarawak United People’s Party, director for Strategic Engagement Media Sdn Bhd Sim Sai Hoon, AGA Touch (M) Sdn Bhd, Yayasan Persatuan Bekas Anggota Kemas Malaysia and former land and cooperative development minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam. Deputy public prosecutor Kamal Bahrin Omar notified the Court of Appeal yesterday that the prosecution had withdrawn its appeals against the eleven respondents. Justice Datuk Seri Kamaludin Md Said, who presided with justices Datuk Abu Bakar Jais and Datuk Supang Lian, then struck out the appeals. The prosecution were unsuccessful in the High Court in forfeiting RM700,000 from Pekan Umno, RM100,000 from Yayasan Persatuan Bekas Anggota Kemas Malaysia, RM628,314 from Jakel Trading, RM10,747,042.77 from Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, RM677,872.55 from the Johor Umno liaison committee and RM957,395.65 from the Barisan Nasional Johor Bahru division. A separate High Court had also dismissed the prosecution’s appeal to forfeit RM100,000 from Kasitah, RM3 million belonging to IT firm AGA Touch (M) Sdn Bhd, RM41,261.64 from Sim Sai Hoon, RM188,138.26 from Sarawak United People’s Party and RM4,631,602 from Mediaedge CIA. Meanwhile, the court fixed March 28 for hearing of the appeals brought by Pahang MCA liaison committee, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and the family of the late former Paya Besar MP and Umno division head Datuk Seri Abdul Manan Ismail. – Bernama Samaritan provides roof for neglected senior citizens KUALA LUMPUR: Hewan Lee did not realise there would be so many single people without a place to call home when he set up Xiao Xin Serdang Old Folks Home at Taman Sri Serdang in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. Raising funds to support these single, elderly men and women has proven to be an uphill battle, with all of them having no roof over their heads as no family members were willing to take them in. When Lee initially started Xiao Xin in 2019, he had four residents in their 60s and 70s. Now, the number has grown to 15, with four arriving after Chinese New Year. Lee said he is building two additional rooms in the corner single-storey terrace house to accommodate the new residents. He had little choice but to take them in after repeated pleas from their relatives. “I left home when I was 19 years old to find my way in life, and decided to work in Australia doing odd jobs, such as picking and packing fruits. I returned after five years, only to find that my grandparents had passed on. “I felt sad for months, so I decided to help elderly folk who are single and needed a place to stay.” Lee added that it has not been easy as many of them have had no source of income and when they pass on, he has had to bear the cost of funeral expenses as well as fulfil their wishes on either being buried or cremated. “The rental for the house is RM1,500. The food bill comes up to Lee chatting with a resident at the home. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN oCaregiver sets up home for single old folk abandoned by family members █ BYDHARSHINI GANESON [email protected] Fire razes five stalls at food court SEREMBAN: Five of 15 stalls at the Medan Selera Sri Kendong in Kota near here were destroyed by fire yesterday morning. Kota Fire and Rescue station chief Ahmad Hafezze Mat Junoh said a team of 16 firefighters from the Kota and Tampin fire stations rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 5.14am. “Two stalls were razed while three others were 80% damaged. No casualties were reported. “The fire was brought under control at 7.27am.” He said the cause of the fire and total losses suffered has yet to be established. The food court is believed to have been in operation for more than 10 years. – Bernama Court decides to lift attachment in Sulu Sultanate heirs claim PUTRAJAYA: A court in Luxembourg has decided to lift the attachment (saisie arret) requested by individuals who claimed to be “heirs” of the Sulu group, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Azalina said in a statement yesterday that the District Court of Luxembourg issued the decision on Jan 24 to lift the attachment requested by the group on July 11 last year. She added that the attachment was based on the purported final and preliminary awards issued by the purported arbitrator Dr Gonzalo Stampa on Feb 28 and May 25 last year as well as on the ex parte Exequatur Order of May 18, 2022 recognising the awards in Luxembourg. “Malaysia is currently challenging the ex parte Exequatur Order before the Luxembourg Court of Appeal.” – Bernama A LITTLE HELP RM2,000 and utilities add another RM2,000 monthly. The medical bills and medication for 15 of them are high as three are bedridden. Thus, they need personal care and assistance to clean and rebandage wounds. “We need RM13,000 in total monthly to cover all our expenses,” Lee said. Thomas Lam, 76, has been living at the home since he had an accident some months ago, which has left him partially paralysed. His relatives claimed they could not care for him. “I used to help my father, working at a tin mine in Ipoh. But after my parents passed away, I lived in many places, and somehow I managed. After the accident, my younger brother left me here because I have no home. “I am happy to be here,” said Lam. Chow Loke Luen, 65, worked in a roti canai shop in Cheras for most of her life before she was laid off. With no income, she had no money to pay rent, and desperately needed some place to stay as she had multiple health problems. “I cannot stand for long because I have swollen legs. I love to stay here with all my new friends as I have no place to call home,” she said, with tears in her eyes. Chia See Luang, 70, came here as her only son had left home when he could not pay his debts. Another resident, Lai Bee Yong, 63, was left at Xiao Xin after he became difficult to manage due to his age, erratic behaviour and constant complaints. Lee said the residents feel a common bond of friendship and camaraderie, and he is committed to looking after them for as long as he can. Those who wish to assist can contact Lee at 016-885 1687.
6 theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Indonesia finds trader forged ingredient label in cough syrup probe JAKARTA: Indonesian police said yesterday a local trader of industrial-grade chemicals sold them as pharmaceutical-grade, leading to their use in medicated syrups that authorities suspect may have caused deaths of more than 200 children across the country. Authorities have said two ingredients, ethylene glycol (EG) and diethyelene glycol (DEG), found in some syrup-based medications are linked to acute kidney damage, which many of the children suffered. The two ingredients are used in antifreeze, brake fluids and other industrial applications, but also as a cheaper alternative to glycerine in some pharmaceutical products, which is a solvent or thickening agent in many cough syrups. They can be toxic and can lead to acute kidney damage. Senior police official Pipit Rismanto told reporters authorities have found that CV Samudera Chemical sold “industrial-grade” EG and DEG as pharmaceutical-grade propylene glycol manufactured by Dow Chemical Thailand and supplied them to distributors of local drug-makers. Police have arrested and charged officials at Samudera and its distributor CV Anugrah Perdana Gemilang. More suspects may be named as the probe continues, Pipit said. Reuters could not immediately reach CV Samudera Chemical or its distributor for comment. Dow Indonesia president director Riswan Sipayung said the company was “committed to working with the government, distributors and industry partners to do our part in mitigating the pervasive and urgent issue of counterfeiting and tackling this industry-wide problem with all stakeholders”. Last week, The World Health Organisation called for “immediate and concerted action” to protect children from contaminated medicines after about 300 deaths in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Indonesia were linked to cough syrups last year. Twenty-five Indonesian families of some of the children demanded restitution as a court this month started hearing their class-action lawsuit against government agencies and pharmaceutical firms. Indonesia’s drugs regulator BPOM said the spike in the cases occurred as several parties “exploited a gap in the safety guarantee system” and pharmaceutical companies did not sufficiently check the raw ingredients they used. – Reuters China’s Sichuan frees unmarried people to legally have children BEIJING: Health authorities in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan will allow unmarried individuals to raise a family and enjoy benefits reserved for married couples, in the latest effort to bolster a falling birth rate. The government dictates that only married women are legally allowed to give birth, but with marriage and birth rates having fallen to record lows in recent years, provincial authorities revamped a 2019 rule to cover singles who want to have children. From Feb 15, married couples and any individuals who want offspring will be allowed to register with the government in China’s fifth most populous province, with no ceiling on the number of children they can register for. The measure aims to “promote long-term and balanced population development”, Sichuan’s health commission said in a statement on its website. Until now, the commission had allowed only married couples who wanted to have up to two children to register with local authorities. China’s population shrank last year for the first time in six decades, a historic turn expected to usher in a period of decline. That prospect is pushing authorities to roll out incentives and measures to boost the population. A nationwide registry system for couples to register with local authorities ensures maternity insurance to cover medical bills while letting married women keep their salary during maternity leave. These benefits will now be extended to single women and men in Sichuan, which ranks seventh in the nation in terms of those older than 60, or more than 21% of its population, government figures show. – Reuters B R I E F SSOUTH KOREA DROPS INDOOR MASK MANDATE SEOUL: South Korea yesterday scrapped a face mask mandate for most indoor public places in a major step to loosen Covid-19 rules, but many residents opted to keep wearing coverings due to lingering concerns over infections. The lifting of the face-covering rules in the majority of indoor locations is South Korea’s latest step in easing Covid rules as new cases show signs of a slowdown. People are still required to wear the masks in public transport settings and in medical facilities. “Covid-19 isn’t over yet and it looks like masks do protect me from getting a cold and other diseases, so I think I’ll wear them for the time being,” said office worker Jeong Hye-won. – Reuters TWO DEAD AFTER AVALANCHE IN JAPAN TOKYO: The bodies of two men were recovered following an avalanche in Japan, police said yesterday, a day after an off-piste accident in the central region of Nagano. Authorities declined to identify the pair, but US ski magazine Mountain Gazette reported that one of the dead was American professional skier Kyle Smaine. The missing two had been outside the patrolled areas of a ski resort in Otari village along with several other skiers and snowboarders when the incident took place on Sunday. The others were able to return down the mountain, but the two foreign nationals were still missing on Sunday night. – AFP Search for radioactive capsule in Australia CANBERRA: Mining giant Rio Tinto apologised yesterday for losing a tiny but dangerously radioactive capsule that fell off a truck along a 1,400km stretch of road in Western Australia. The silver-coloured cylinder is smaller than a human fingernail – just 8mm by 6mm – but authorities said it contains enough Caesium-137 to cause acute radiation sickness. It disappeared this month from a truck that drove to the suburbs of Perth from a remote mine near the town of Newman, which lies 1,400km north of the state capital. “We recognise this is clearly very concerning and are sorry for the alarm it has oMissing cylinder contains enough Caesium-137 to cause acute sickness caused in the Western Australian community,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott in a statement. “We have launched our own investigation to understand how the capsule was lost in transit.” The radioactive capsule, part of a gauge used in the mining industry to measure the density of iron ore, was transported by a certified Rio Tinto contractor, he said. People should stay at least 5m away from the capsule, which emits beta and gamma rays with a radiation level equivalent to receiving 10 X-Rays every hour, authorities warned. “If you have it long enough near you, it could cause what is known as acute radiation sickness,” said Western Australia chief health officer Andrew Robertson. The container it was in collapsed because of the vibrations of the road trip, he said. The capsule apparently fell through a hole left by a bolt that was also lost. The gauge was originally picked up on Jan 12 from the Gudai-Darri iron ore mine near Newman and delivered to the Perth suburb of Malaga on Jan 16, Rio Tinto said. But the package was not opened until Jan 25 when the gauge was found “broken apart”, with the radioactive capsule missing. Police were informed on the same day. Officials in high-visibility yellow vests were seen searching along key stretches of the road – such as where the truck had stopped – but the capsule remains missing. Portable radiation monitors that can be mounted on vehicles are being used to detect emissions across a 20m radius along the route, said Western Australia emergency services. “We are not trying to find the small capsule by eyesight. The radiation equipment will hopefully lead us to it,” said the service’s incident controller Darryl Ray. Finding the capsule will not be easy, said University of Sydney professor of medical imaging Dale Bailey. “Given the large distance involved, it will be akin to finding a needle in a haystack.”– AFP New Zealand counts cost of Auckland floods, more rain forecast WELLINGTON: Flood-ravaged Auckland is forecast to receive further heavy rain in the coming days, authorities in New Zealand’s largest city said yesterday as insurers counted the costs of what looks likely to be the country’s most expensive weather event ever. Four people lost their lives in flash floods and landslides that hit Auckland over the last three days amid record downpours. A state of emergency remains in place in Auckland. Flights in and out of Auckland Airport are still experiencing delays and cancellations, with thousands of passengers still stranded, including hundreds from overseas, flag carrier Air New Zealand said yesterday. Beaches around the city of 1.6 million are closed and all Auckland schools will remain closed until Feb 7. “There has been very significant damage across Auckland,” New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told state-owned television station TVNZ yesterday. “Obviously, there were a number of homes damaged by flooding but also extensive earth movements.” Around 350 people were in need of emergency accommodation, he said. “We have more adverse weather coming and we need to prepare for that,” Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Rachel Kelleher told a media conference. Fire and emergency services received 30 callouts yesterday, including responding to a landslide when a carport slid down a hill. – Reuters PAYING TRIBUTE ... Students scattering flowers on the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary in the Indian city of Hyderabad yesterday. The anniversary is observed as Martyr’s Day in the country. – AFPPIC
7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 Putin threatened to lob missile at me: Johnson oKremlin official dismisses former British prime minister’s claim as ‘a lie’ LONDON: President Vladimir Putin threatened to personally target Boris Johnson with a missile attack just before ordering Russian forces into Ukraine, the former UK prime minister claimed. The apparent threat came in a phone call just ahead of the invasion on Feb 24, according to a new BBC documentary. Johnson and other Western leaders had been hurrying to Kyiv to show support for Ukraine and try to deter a Russian attack. “He sort of threatened me at one point and said ‘Boris, I don’t want to hurt you, but with a missile, it would only take a minute’, or something like that,” Johnson quoted Putin as saying. Johnson emerged as one of the most impassioned Western backers of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. But prior to the invasion, Johnson said he was at pains to tell Putin that there was no imminent prospect of Ukraine joining Nato, Husband asks public to forgive wife who ‘killed their children’ WASHINGTON: The husband of a 32-year-old woman from the US state of Massachusetts, who is accused of strangling their children to death last week, is urging the public to forgive her. In a statement, Patrick Clancy begged the public to forgive his wife Lindsay Clancy. “I want to ask all of you that you find it deep within yourselves to forgive Lindsay, as I have.” “The real Lindsay was generously loving and caring towards everyone ... me, our kids, family, friends, and her patients. The very fibres of her soul are loving. All I wish for her now is that she can somehow find peace.” His wife is facing two counts of homicide, three counts of strangulation, and three counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon. She is suspected of strangling Cora, five, and Dawson, three, to death. The third child, eight-month-old Callan, was pronounced dead on Friday at Boston Children’s Hospital after he was hospitalised. Lindsay was also accused of attempting to kill the infant, according to several media outlets. Clancy addressed speculation regarding his wife’s mental health. He said she had recently been portrayed “largely by people who have never met her and never knew who the real Lindsay was”. He added that her “condition” had recently worsened, even though he did not specify what she was battling. “She loved being a nurse but nothing matched her intense love for our kids.”– The Independent Italy condemns attacks on diplomatic missions B R I E F S 17 KILLED IN PAKISTAN MOSQUE BLAST ISLAMABAD: A blast at a mosque inside a police headquarters in Pakistan yesterday killed at least 17 worshippers and wounded 80 more, hospital officials said. The incident happened during afternoon prayers in the northwestern city of Peshawar near the border with Afghanistan. Part of the mosque roof and wall had collapsed and bloodied survivors limped from the wreckage, as dead bodies were ferried away in ambulances. Many worshippers were still trapped inside, police said, and heavy machinery and fire brigades were combing the ruins for survivors. Officers said the blast emanated from the second row of worshippers, with bomb disposal teams probing the possibility of a suicide attack. – AFP W.H.O.: COVID REMAINS GLOBAL EMERGENCY GENEVA: Three years to the day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) sounded the highest level of global alert over Covid-19, it said yesterday the pandemic remains an international emergency. The UN health agency’s emergency committee on Covid-19 met last Friday for a 14th time since the start of the crisis. Following that meeting, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus “concurs with the advice offered by the committee regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and determines that the event continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern”, the agency said in a statement. The WHO chief warned that the global response to the crisis “remains hobbled”. – AFP HELLISH SIGHT ... Participants with demon masks brandishing sticks during the traditional Correfoc (fire-run) festival in the Spanish city of Palma de Mallorca. The Correfoc is a night of revelry in which participants dress up as demons and devils, and run through the streets scaring people with fire and fireworks. – AFPPIC while warning him that any invasion would mean “more Nato, not less Nato” on Russia’s borders. “He said ‘Boris, you say that Ukraine is not going to join Nato any time soon. “‘What is any time soon?’ “And I said, ‘well it’s not going to join Nato for the foreseeable future. You know that perfectly well’.” On the missile threat, Johnson said: “I think from the very relaxed tone that he was taking, the sort of air of detachment that he seemed to have, he was just playing along with my attempts to get him to negotiate.” The Kremlin yesterday dismissed as a “lie” accusations from Johnson that Putin personally threatened him with a missile attack. “What Mr Johnson said is not true. More precisely it’s a lie. There were no missile threats,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. The BBC documentary charts the growing divide between the Russian leader and the West in the years before the invasion of Ukraine. It also featured Zelensky reflecting on his thwarted ambitions to join Nato prior to Russia’s attack. “If you know that tomorrow Russia will occupy Ukraine, why don’t you give me something today I can stop it with?” he said. “Or if you can’t give it to me, then stop it yourself.”– AFP Russian firm offers cash bounties for Western tanks MOSCOW: A Russian company said it will offer five million roubles (RM305,000) in cash to the first soldiers who destroy or capture western-made tanks in Ukraine, after the Kremlin vowed Russian forces would wipe out any Western tanks shipped to Ukraine. The United States, Germany and several other European countries are lining up to send Kyiv dozens of advanced combat tanks over the next few months to help boost Ukraine’s military capacity as the war approaches the 12-month mark. The decision has been criticised by the Kremlin as a dangerous escalation, and spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the tanks would “burn” on the frontlines. Fores, a Urals-based firm which makes proppants for the energy industry, is offering cash payments to Russian servicemen who “capture or destroy” German-made Leopard 2 or US-made Abrams tanks. The company said it will pay five million roubles to the first Russian soldier to destroy one of the tanks, and 500,000 roubles (RM30,500) for all subsequent attacks. Echoing language used by Russian officials and pro-war state TV hosts, Fores said Nato was pumping Ukraine with an “unlimited” amount of arms and escalating the conflict. It also said it would pay a 15 million rouble (RM912,000) bounty on Western-made fighter jets, should they ever be delivered to Ukraine. The tanks have not yet been dispatched to Kyiv, and it could take several months before the bulk of the promised deliveries are sent. Since the start of the conflict, Russia’s Defence Ministry has claimed to have destroyed hundreds of pieces of Western weaponry. Kyiv has previously dismissed those statements, highlighting for instance that Russia has claimed to have destroyed more US-made Himars rocket launcher pads than were ever delivered to the country. Previous deliveries of advanced Western arms have been credited with turning the tide of the war, helping Kyiv to secure a series of victories and pushing back Russian forces from territory captured at the start of the invasion. – Reuters ROME: Italy’s government on Sunday denounced a series of attacks on its diplomatic missions in Europe, following protests at home over the fate of a jailed anarchist. A government statement said it was “following with concern and attention these new cases of violence against our officials and diplomatic representations”. Anarchists have mobilised throughout Italy in recent weeks to protest what they say is the harsh prison treatment of 55-year-old anarchist Alfredo Cospito, on hunger strike since October and now in poor health. “Such actions will not intimidate institutions,” the government said, without mentioning Cospito or any anarchist groups. “Especially not if the aim is to have the harshest detention regime relaxed for those responsible for terrorist acts.” Cospito was sentenced in 2014 to nearly 11 years in prison for shooting a nuclear power company executive in the knee. He is also serving a 20-year sentence for setting two explosive devices outside a police training barracks in 2006 where no one was injured. Since April, he has been subject to Italy’s strictest prison detention regime usually reserved for top mafia members at a prison on the island of Sardinia. On Friday, the windows of Italy’s consulate in Barcelona were broken and a wall damaged, while in Berlin the car of an Italian diplomat was set afire, according to Italy’s Foreign Ministry. Graffiti scrawled on the wall in Barcelona called for Cospito’s liberation. In the Greek capital Athens last month, anarchists claimed responsibility for an arson attack targeting two Italian diplomatic cars, saying they were staged in support of Cospito. Sunday’s statement by the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also cited “street violence” in Rome and Trento, where anarchists held protests against Cospito’s detention. – AFP
8 theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 SPEAK UP Strategic needs drive Brunei-Malaysia ties PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to Brunei underscored the strategic importance of both countries to one another, especially in the field of high politics and security spectrum. Historically, culturally and socioeconomically, both players have been traditional partners and similarly to Indonesia, have formed the axis of shared roots and affiliations that have provided progressive and justifiable tools, and shared interests in preserving the sanctity and long-term resilience of these ties. The visit, as also portrayed in the recent Indonesia visit, has largely focused on common collaborative ventures and integration in low politics, including tourism, education, economic empowerment and people-to-people ties. Brunei-Malaysia ties have vast untapped potential and benefits that will provide greater returns under the umbrella of high politics and joint commitment in common defence and security. In ensuring Brunei’s long-term security needs and in facing renewed vulnerabilities and uncertainties in the regional security landscape, Malaysia remains its closest and most crucial partner in bolstering heightened responsive and deterrence capacity. Both in capitalising on shared fears and anxieties, particularly on the dispute in the South China Sea and the threat to the crucial oil and gas resources to both countries, but significantly more integral and important to Brunei, the combined assurance and weight of support will form a greater level of ripple and spillover effects to other areas of low politics. In determining the immediate and near-term priorities for Brunei, the crucial economic reform needed in pivoting away from the oil and gas-reliant economic setting will need strategic leverage on Malaysia’s same path of economic reorientation. The transition towards a digital and knowledge economy based on the high-impact value chain of critical sectors and technologies - including green and renewable energy, the chips and semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence and digital-led innovation - highimpact scientific assets, including space and quantum technologies, form the foundational push towards the leap. Both countries need the pushing tools and factors in propelling the new shifts and transitions, away from the conventional decades-old fixed reliance on natural fossil fuel assets in sustaining their economies. In this regard, Brunei is acutely aware of the changing geopolitical parameters at play, as can be seen in the fierce competition for supremacy in the technological sector, resources and security-related assets that will prove fundamental in the new global competition and rivalry. Brunei’s construct and imagination of maritime security and its security priorities are driven heavily by developments taking place within the country’s immediate periphery. The major risks facing Brunei’s economy are mainly from domestic factors because of its high reliance on the oil and gas sector. Notwithstanding the fact that the government has enhanced its effort to develop other industries, the role and level of the oil and gas sector in GDP growth, exports and fiscal revenue remain high. An unexpectedly large shortfall in oil and LNG production in the past has affected economic growth, and so did headwinds in the volatility of oil prices. Policy efforts on structural reforms and to diversify the economy away from the oil and gas sector into manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and other non-traditional industries will be projected to be the main focus of Brunei’s economic transformation. All these will need the right and strategic capitalisation on Malaysia’s parallel focus and shift in these new ventures and transformations and will remain the core cooperation fundamentals between the two countries, which should be continued to enhance Brunei Darussalam’s long-term growth prospects. The strong personal bond between Anwar and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has also enabled direct and superseding factors in cementing core trustbuilding efforts and bypassing lower-level frictions and stumbling blocks. Asean remains one of the most important regional platforms for both countries in deriving economic and peace dividends. For Brunei especially, its exposed geopolitical risks and security settings have compelled it to rely on Asean and its various conflict prevention mechanisms to strengthen its defensive and deterrence capacity in a collective setting. Diplomacy and dialogue-building measures will remain the prime dependence and Brunei will also capitalise on strengthening its Islamic leadership and credentials in building deeper linkages and returns from other powerful Islamic peers that will contribute to building a pool of combined strength in resource and supply chain resilience. Greater synergy and integration of joint efforts for shared interests involving the tripartite strength of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei will be among the most important fundamentals, elevating the importance of shared roots, trust and understanding, and in capitalising on shared concerns and strength. This includes the capitalisation on the upcoming potential and openings for Indonesia’s new capital, the Nusantara, which will propel the progressive potential of Borneo as a whole that will benefit the three countries on many fronts. Increased intensity in security and deterrence measures in the South China Sea, especially in disputed territories, will need to depend on expanded boost and support from a similar joint front, in capitalising on the tripartite joint arrangement and security cooperation in this spectrum. The 2021 Defence White Paper of Brunei shows a drastic shift in perspective, according greater strategic importance to Brunei’s maritime domain in light of increasing security risks and vulnerabilities. It identifies increasing risks surrounding overlapping claims and emerging threats to the safety of sea lines, communication and trade routes. The risk of miscalculation and the ensuing spiralling of regional instability is a concern spelt out as the “most significant threat” in the maritime domain. This urgency is also reflected in domestic efforts to reassess Brunei’s strategic posture and conduct a Force Capability Review. It still reflects the growing concerns and anxieties of Brunei in facing the traditional threats alone, with less reliable capacity. Brunei is in a precarious and exposed position as a claimant state to the South China Sea dispute, owing to its limited geographical advantage and size and its level of deterrence capacities. As the security landscape in the South China Sea continues to rapidly evolve, Brunei’s maritime and defence agencies are treading carefully on adapting to the new risks and needs without inciting retaliatory perceptions and threats from other regional powerhouses. It will need to assiduously craft wise yet strategic calculations moving forward, and Malaysia and Indonesia will remain on the periphery of crucial geopolitical support fronts for Brunei. For now, economic and security calculations remain of the utmost significance for Brunei and are reflected in the central lining of BruneiMalaysia ties. Comments: [email protected] COMMENT by Collins Chong Yew Keat Revive funicular train service at Batu Caves THE Hindu Disabled community in the country will be celebrating Thaipusam on Feb 5. On a personal and organisational level, we have been continuously pleading for the past 10 years to the Batu Caves’ temple management to revive the funicular train service at Batu Caves, which was halted more than 20 years ago. The funicular train service would make it easier for people with physical disabilities, senior devotees, and parents with babies in prams to fulfil their vows and visit the temple, whether for special occasions such as Thaipusam or for daily prayers. An individual’s right to worship should not be denied solely because of their physical condition or age. The temple management should actively look into the pleas of people with physical disabilities and revive the train service to promote inclusiveness in places of worship. One must understand that reviving the train services would not only be useful for people with disabilities, but it would also attract more tourists since Batu Caves is a well-known tourist destination. This year will be another quiet year for Lord Muruga’s devotees such as us. Worshipping him at Batu Caves is one of the most important places of worship for Lord Muruga during Thaipusam, which will remain a fantasy for the disabled. They will continue to pray at home and include in those prayers a request, hoping for revival of the funicular train service to cater to people with physical disabilities and the elderly. Murugeswaran Veerasamy President Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia “The strong personal bond between Anwar and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has also enabled direct and superseding factors in cementing core trustbuilding efforts and bypassing lower-level frictions and stumbling blocks. LETTERS [email protected]
9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 Understanding national unity in post-GE15 NATIONAL unity is a very dynamic and relevant theme for public discussion. One concern arising from GE15 based on the voting pattern is how divided Malaysians are on the party or coalition that should run the federal government. The question before us is, are we more divided or have we become politically more mature? Why have the voters not given any coalition the majority needed? Is it because voters are unable to agree on the federal government or because they want politicians to form a more inclusive and representative government? It is clear that different communities have different aspirations for the kind of Malaysia, they want a more ethnic or religious or linguistic society. However, the thing they all have in common is the commitment to both the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara – the five principles for nationbuilding. Distinguished professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Bharuddin of KITA-UKM recently spoke at the mySDG Academy on Jan 26 where he provided both a historical overview and a conceptual framework for understanding national unity in Malaysia. In his presentation, he made five significant points which might present some answers. Historical overview Firstly, Shamsul provided a historical overview of the national unity department’s development, which eventually became a full ministry. The government established a department of national unity after the May 13 riots in 1969. However, it was under the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin administration which established a unity ministry on March 10, 2020. The Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration as well as the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim administration continued this tradition. In addition, in 2021 the Federal government launched a national unity policy and blueprint for the first time, which further consolidates this theme as a key national agenda. Conceptual understanding Secondly, Shamsul provided a conceptual understanding of the term national unity from a monolithic, singular understanding of national unity to a tri-concept of national unity, social cohesion and reconciliation. He said the major shift took place through the findings of the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), which met between 2013 and 2015. Here, national unity is seen as something we desire but currently experience social cohesion, where there is a spirit of give and take, a spirit to agree and disagree. This leads to reconciliation which is achieved through bargaining, negotiation and mediation. We have been experiencing a spirit of tolerance, appreciation and acceptance among the various ethnic, religious, linguistic and economic communities. Therefore, the theme of social cohesion better explains the Malaysian experience. Analytical tool Thirdly, he stressed the analytical tools used for measuring national unity from a perspective of half empty or half full. What is keeping us together? What is working is that there is no violent conflict but clearly a way of living together in Malaysian society. Shamsul cited a unique Malaysian calendar popularly used in Malaysia which is in all languages, including Mandarin and Arabic scripts, with dates for horse racing and gambling as well as Chinese symbols for the year such as dragon and monkey to illustrate the idea. He notes examples of agreeing to agree and agreeing to disagree. Here, he noted ten components of social deficit which need to be managed and resolved. They are ethnicity, religion, class, education, language, inter-generational gap, gender, politics and federalism, spatial or urban-rural divide and finally media. According to Shamsul, this is where that barraging, negotiation and mediation take place. Peace is the absence of violence Fourthly, Shamsul expounded his views that there are many areas where our various communities are in agreement and where the spirit of consensus is working. He cited another Malaysian example of “street weddings” which is a local initiative where local roads are blocked for a family event and everyone in the local community adjusts to this communal celebration. While there are grievances in society, these matters have to be continuously monitored and efforts to find reconciliation are most urgent and essential. According to Shamsul, this is the pillar of a resilient Malaysia. Where do we go from here? Finally, in hearing these views on Malaysia one can note the many positive aspects of harmony and living together but at the same time we have challenges. Therefore, we need to take steps for a greater understanding as well as address disinformation and misinformation which exists on many of the social deficits highlighted earlier. The direction towards reconciliation is most urgent. In an application to the localising of sustainable development goals (SDG), the APPGM-SDG has reached out to 86 local communities and in undertaking 236 SDG micro solution projects via 97 solution providers, we are seeking community resilience at the grassroots. This theme of national unity, social cohesion and reconciliation have great potential in building inclusive communities. In so doing it will ensure no individual or community (ethnic, religious, linguistic) is left behind in Malaysian society. Prof Datuk Denison Jayasooria is president of the Society for the Promotion of SDGs, an Honorary professor at KITA-UKM and a Senior Fellow of ISIS Malaysia. Comments: [email protected] Madani Malaysia key to a strong nation A well-advanced and far-sighted framework or rather a direction unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the name of “Madani Malaysia” on Jan 19 created much enthusiasm and excitement among Malaysians with the anticipation that it will steer and reshape the country in a formidable nation-state. The framework is based upon six holistic and interconnected components, being a set of core values to live by and used as the foundation of a nation-state. The values are sustainability, care and compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity and trust (SCRIPT). Taking cognisance of the intrinsic substance of Madani Malaysia or the Masyarakat Madani concept as espoused by is very timely and laudable to enhance the nation to a civilised society and hence, boost the spirit of unity in this multi-racial and multireligious society. A civilised nation that portrays a civilised society is one that is characterised by a high level of culture, education, and social organisation. The move towards a civilised nation is an ongoing process that requires the participation and commitment of all members of society. It is a journey that is filled with challenges, but one that is worth undertaking for the betterment of all. One of the key elements of a civilised nation is education. Education is the foundation upon which all other aspects of civilisation are built. It is the means by which individuals acquire the knowledge, skills and values that are necessary for the development of a society and to bring about creativity and innovation. A well-educated population is essential for the advancement of science, technology and arts, as well as for the promotion of democracy, human rights and social justice. It creates respect, trust and compassion too. Another important aspect of a civilised nation is culture. Culture is the expression of human creativity and diversity, and is what gives a society its unique character and identity. A nation that is rich in culture such as Malaysia is one that is able to celebrate the diversity of its people and promote understanding and mutual respect among different groups. A nation that is able to harness the power of culture is able to build stronger communities and foster greater social cohesion. The rule of law is also a fundamental aspect of a civilised nation. The rule of law is the principle that all citizens are equal before the law and that the law is applied fairly and impartially. A nation that respects the rule of law is one that is able to provide protection and security for all its citizens and to promote justice and accountability. A nation that is ruled by law is one that is able to provide a stable and predictable environment for economic development and social progress. Finally, a civilised nation is one that is characterised by social justice. Social justice is the principle that all citizens have the right to equal opportunities and a fair distribution of resources. A nation that is committed to social justice is one that is able to reduce poverty, promote economic growth, and provide access to education, health care and other essential services. A nation that is able to achieve social justice is one that is able to build stronger and more inclusive communities and promote greater social harmony. The move towards a civilised nation is an ongoing process that requires the participation and commitment of all members of society. It is a journey that is filled with challenges, but one that is worth undertaking for the betterment of all. Madani Malaysia sets a stronger foundation to shape a civilised nation that is characterised by a high level of culture, education, social organisation, the rule of law and social justice. As a society, we need to strive to provide equal opportunity, promote diversity and inclusivity, ensure the rule of law and foster a culture of mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. By working together, we can build a brighter future for all citizens, and create a nation that is truly civilised. This is the new “Malaysian Dream” as envisioned by the prime minister and Malaysia as a whole. Dr G. Periasamy is a senior research fellow at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN). “As a society, we need to strive to provide equal opportunity, promote diversity and inclusivity, ensure the rule of law and foster a culture of mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. COMMENT by Dr G. Periasamy Silent reflection is real education WHEN one flips through newspapers and online media, and reads the statements by researchers, politicians, ministers and economists, there is kind of a consensus that our Malaysian education system needs a revamp to ensure that we are able to produce first-class graduates in technical and academic fields that would contribute to the development of the nation. Education is merely seen from a social-economic point of view, rather than a holistic perspective that integrates the wholeness of human reality. In this regard, the pertinent question that the nation needs to contemplate is whether we have an education process that merely focuses on a technicality, whether management and leadership are derived from psychological, emotional and physiological aspects of intelligence or whether we are paying attention to the roots of all intelligence, which is spiritual, that provides the needed energy and wisdom to all aspects of human intelligence. The lack of spiritual education and wisdom that is derived from the silent contemplative spirituality that embraces wholeness and integrates all intelligence, is the prominent cause of greed, religious bigotry, poverty, terrorism and war around the world. The truth of human living and progress resides in the spiritual ability to observe reality as it is without imposing one’s ideological conditions on reality. For example, if we meet another person who is culturally different from us, do we judge the person according to his ethnicity, religion and social background or on whether he meets our religious beliefs, or do we try to know the person as he is and see the good quality that is inherent in him and his culture? When we observe nature and the environment, do we observe its functions and contributions to the survival and health of the planet or are we in an ideological frame of mind to exploit it from our education on economic theories? Is it not due to the blind ideology of progress that merely focuses on human intelligence the root cause of the climate crisis? Spiritual education accepts that our human intelligence is finite and there is a sense of mystery that is not seen, but provides spiritual nourishment that is universal and nonideological, and should be incorporated into our education system. We could learn from mystical experiences and wisdom of all religious traditions to revamp our education system to be more contemplative in nature. Human intelligence is not merely about the psychological, emotional and physiological reality. It has a reality that cannot be seen and felt but is ingrained in the human conscience, where moral truths and ethics that are universal reside. It is from this holistic intelligence that human intelligence and spiritual wisdom is integrated, where human beings are not merely regarded as mere technical conduits or objects for economic progress, but as an inherent human dignity capable of love, reconciliation, peace and justice. Let’s add the value of contemplative spirituality in education processes to better grasp human and environmental realities. Toward this end, it is vital to understand there is a broader dimension of spirituality that is not a monopoly of any religion and this is relevant to Malaysia today. Ronald Benjamin Secretary Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue COMMENT by Denison Jayasooria LETTERS [email protected]
10 theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 MEDIA & MARKETING Get a jump start today on creating a successful tomorrow! For the best in local and international higher education institutions, catch theSun's fortnightly Education Focus. FOCUS 2023 EDUCATION Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising. WHILE food-related consumer habits often come and go as fads, plant-based alternatives are here to stay – and grow, with more meat eaters turning towards a vegan or flexitarian diet. In 2021, Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer survey revealed that 49.5% of consumers chose to follow a flexitarian or mostly plantbased diet. The survey indicated that about 37% of consumers opted for plant-based alternatives in a bid to feel healthier. “Consumers are increasingly becoming conscious that plantbased food consumption is in fact a more sustainable and ethical option. However, in order to help fuel this transformation, it is crucial for those in the food industry including restaurant owners and manufacturers to make plant-based products more easily accessible to all,” said Vangie Hu, Marketing Director, Southeast Asia & South Asia at Unilever Food Solutions. These days, more and more eateries are now offering meat-free options to their diners. Here to drive this revolution and transform the food supply industry in Malaysia is The Vegetarian Butcher by Unilever – a plant-based meat brand now available to a variety of restaurants in Malaysia With The Vegetarian Butcher, restaurants and chefs can meet diner’s demands for wellness and well-being while playing their part to be a force for good in the world by solving issues that have plagued the food industry for decades. Meanwhile, meat lovers need not sacrifice quality, taste and most importantly, nutrition, towards a more hearty, sustainable meal. The Vegetarian Butcher in Malaysia allows chefs to deliver their best with delicious and easyto-use products while marrying the mouth-watering flavours of the country’s many local cuisines together with the benefits of plantbased meat alternatives. By working with chefs, product developers and food scientists who understand the specific qualities of meat, The Vegetarian Butcher is able to create an entirely new generation of plant-based meat alternatives that will appeal to all meat lovers – from vegans to carnivores Now available in Malaysia to all restaurants, The Vegetarian Butcher offers a selection of delicious plant-based meat, including NoBeef Burger, NoChicken Burger, NoMeatballs, and NoMince, making it easy for restaurants to offer meat-free alternatives to all Malaysian diners. Sustainable dining is now a valid option, without sacrificing quality, nutrition and most importantly, taste. For more details about products from The Vegetarian Butcher, visit www.unileverfoodsolutions. com.my/en/the-vegetar ianbutcher.html NATIONAL Kidney Foundation (NKF) Malaysia and Fresenius Medical Care Malaysia kicked off The Kidney Kid initiative with approximately 200 elementary school students at Sri Bestari Private School to raise awareness on kidney health through edutainment. The programme comprised students partaking in colouring, quizzes, dancing, fitness activities and more that all tied back to the topic at hand in a fun and engaging manner. Pradeep Ranjan, Managing Director of Fresenius Medical Care Malaysia, said: “We are thrilled that we, working hand in hand with National Kidney Foundation Malaysia, are able to reach close to 200 students at this school with our preventative kidney health message. “The Kidney Kid is our corporate social responsibility initiative that is aimed to help educate children with kidney health knowledge and help them minimise risk factors for renal disease. “I am ecstatic to observe the students have gained substantial knowledge about kidney health and enjoyment at school today, along with the exciting events that will be organised by our group of Fresenius Medical Care Malaysia volunteers in collaboration with the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia. “We would like to thank the instructors and parents of Sri Bestari Private School for inviting us to share this extensive and vital knowledge with their pupils.” NKF Malaysia and Fresenius Medical Care Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year detailing their commitment to the cause that comes from an urgent need to preach prevention over treatment seeing as more than 8,000 Malaysians are diagnosed with kidney failure every year. The Kidney Kid initiative is not just one that preaches the message but places an emphasis on edutainment to ensure that younger students are receptive to the programme. Dr Steven Baptist, Principal of Sri Bestari Private School, said: “The Kidney Kid was one of the most popular and meaningful events at Sri Bestari Private School Kuala Lumpur this year. Our children in level one (years 1-3) enjoyed the “edutainment” very much today. The event was excellently conducted by the Fresenius Medical Care team in collaboration with the National Kidney Foundation. “This joint event was timely and much appreciated as all around we are exposed to friends, family members and acquaintances who are afflicted by ailments which could lead to kidney failure and our young children are aware of these happenings. “The Kidney Kid had a positive impact on the kids, as they not only got to have fun through the activities, but also learned a lot more about how to keep their kidneys healthy.” Apart from the activities on the day, The Kidney Kid programme continues in the digital realm in the form of a game that can be downloaded from the app store and the play store. There are also educational materials that will be easily accessible for teachers and carers through The Kidney Kid website, www.thekidneykid.org, to continue the kidney health learning experience for children in their care. Join the plant-based meat revolution oNKF and Fresenius Medical Care Malaysia kick off The Kidney Kid initiative Raising awareness on kidney health
KLCI 1,499.39 1.84 STI 3,378.29 HANG SENG 22,069.73 SCI 3,269.32 4.50 NIKKEI 27,433.40 33.55 TSEC 15,493.82 560.89 KOSPI 2,450.47 S&P/ASX200 7,481.70 50.84 TUESDAY JANUARY 31, 2023 Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] Advertising: Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] 5 MOST ACTIVES January 30, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) HONGSENG-WB 243,397,300 2.0 +0.5 HONGSENG 170,098,300 20.5 +2.5 ZENTECH 145,015,700 6.5 +1.5 ATAIMS 117,432,600 43.0 +2.5 VELESTO 109,154,900 23.0 +1.0 EXCHANGERATES JANUARY 30, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.3080 4.1700 4.1600 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0800 2.9540 2.9380 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.2800 3.1810 3.1730 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.2330 3.1440 3.1320 1 EURO 4.6870 4.5310 4.5110 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8090 2.7040 2.6880 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.2800 3.1810 3.1730 1 STERLING POUND 5.3460 5.1700 5.1500 1 SWISS FRANC 4.6610 4.5500 4.5350 100 UAE DIRHAM 118.5800 112.3200 112.1200 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.1290 3.8690 3.6690 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 63.8000 61.3000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 55.5800 52.7600 52.5600 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.3700 5.0400 4.8400 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0297 0.0269 0.0219 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.3150 3.2070 3.1970 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.3000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.7500 1.6400 1.4400 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.0300 7.5600 7.3600 100 QATAR RIYAL 119.2800 113.2400 113.0400 100 SAUDI RIYAL 115.9000 110.0300 109.8300 100 THAI BAHT 13.7200 12.1600 11.7600 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY January 30, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,909.60 +16.27 FBMKLCI 1,499.39 +1.84 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 604.29 -1.82 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 191.30 +0.53 CONSTRUCTION 161.42 -0.02 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,538.00 +67.86 ENERGY 893.29 +12.53 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 606.69 +5.28 HEALTH CARE 1,702.81 -3.84 TRANSPORTATION 969.36 +9.93 PROPERTY 681.83 +1.68 PLANTATION 6,850.06 +8.83 FBMSHA 11,189.60 +12.08 FBMACE 5,758.51 +27.28 TECHNOLOGY 68.41 +0.12 TURNOVER VALUE 4.559 BIL RM2.441 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS January 30, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM NESTLE 120,500 136.00 +0.80 PETGAS 866,800 17.60 +0.60 HLBANK 1,264,100 21.20 +0.40 KESM 76,200 7.70 +0.36 HEIM 212,300 27.80 +0.30 5 TOP LOSERS January 30, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM DIN045801028 30 101.30 -0.95 F&N 21,000 24.22 -0.54 RAPID 7,500 15.92 -0.54 MPI 147,300 33.90 -0.50 HSI-CLJ 107,000 1.61 -0.25 619.17 12.10 Foreign net selling continues, totals RM57.8m PETALING JAYA: Foreign investors continued to net sell Malaysian equities on Bursa Malaysia last week for the third consecutive week at a rate of RM57.8 million on a Chinese New Year holidayshortened trading week, according to MIDF. In its weekly fund flow report, it said that year-to-date, foreigners have net sold RM200.77 million of Malaysian equities. The week saw only net foreign outflows with the heaviest outflow on Friday to RM30.67 million and Wednesday to RM26.51 million. Additionally, Thursday was rather muted with foreign outflows recorded at RM0.66 million. “The top three sectors that saw net foreign inflows last week were consumer products and services (RM54.6 million), energy (RM26.3 million) and healthcare (RM21.8 million), while the top three sectors that saw net foreign outflows were financial services (RM140.5 million), telecommunications and media (RM14.3 million) and construction (RM14.1 million),” said the research house. “Local institutions remained net buyers for the third consecutive week after net buying RM78.9 million worth of equities last week. There were net inflows of RM57.3 million and RM35.5 million on Wednesday and Friday, while Thursday saw a net outflow of RM14 million by the local institutions. They have been net buyers of domestic equities so far this year with a total net inflow of RM685.39 million,” it said. Meanwhile, local retailers net sold RM21 million last week. They net sold RM30.8 million on Wednesday and RM4.8 million on Friday. Thursday was a net buying day at RM14.6 million. Year-to-date, local retailers have net sold RM484.62 million of Malaysian equities. In terms of participation, MIDF said that there was an increase in average daily trading volume (ADTV) among local retailers (19.2%) and foreign investors (4.6%). The local institutions recorded a decline in weekly ADTV at 0.9%. Samsung Wallet to be available in eight new markets, including M’sia PETALING JAYA: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has made available its Samsung Wallet in eight new markets beginning end of this month including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. Samsung Wallet is a secure, goeverywhere app for organising and using daily essentials. Last year, Samsung successfully launched the Samsung Wallet platform and expanded its services to 21 countries. According to the company, regardless of where one might live, protecting personal data and information is crucial and Samsung Wallet goes above and beyond to safeguard one’s data by storing it in a secure environment where it is protected from malware and other potential threats. “When Samsung launched Samsung Wallet last year, we committed to building the experience through open partnerships with our business and service providers and ensuring access to the platform for as many people as possible. Over the past several months, we have worked hard to rapidly expand the availability of Samsung Wallet, bringing the platform to more potential users. We look forward to sharing exciting new developments in the year ahead,” said Samsung Electronics EVP and head of digital wallet team at Mobile eXperience Business, Jeanie Han. On Feb 2 at 2am Malaysian Time, Samsung Electronics will host an in-person unpacked event in San Francisco. The event will be live streamed on various platforms such as Samsung Malaysia YouTube, Samsung Malaysia Official Website, Samsung Malaysia Facebook, and Samsung Malaysia Newsroom. Optimism over Malaysia’s economic growth, stability KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s new unity government, with a sense of political correctness, will provide a strong foundation for economic growth and stability this year despite fears of a recession among developing countries, economist Prof Marc Lim said yesterday. Lim, dean of Sunway Business School, based his optimism on the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and reopening of Malaysia’s largest trading partner China with which it conducted 20% of its trade in 2021. There were also opportunities for higher exports into expanded markets due to 10 countries including Malaysia having ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), he told Bernama TV at The Brief programme recently. No less important is the government’s robust infrastructure spending on Light Rail Transit, Mass Rapid Transit and Pan Borneo Highway coupled with the diversified economy comprising manufacturing, services, organic and reverse tourism as well as the push in education. Malaysia should invest in improving its infrastructure such as roads, airports, ports and telecommunications, to better connect the nation and facilitate trade and investment, he said. To stimulate the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), he said the government and private sector should increase spending, which in the process would create jobs, stimulate demand and stimulate businesses. He suggested reducing taxes and encouraging innovation and performance to stimulate growth in supply and putting more money into people’s pockets, which inevitably will raise demand as well as focus on developing new technologies and innovative products to improve productivity and create more high-value jobs. oExpert confident unity government will provide a strong foundation, cites country’s healthy macro fundamentals There should also be support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) as they are the backbone of the economy, accounting for 97% of total business establishments, generating close to 40% of GDP. However, he lamented that while there was much access to financing, many were complex and tedious. Touching on the blue and green economies, Malaysia should also develop green energy sources and promote environmentally friendly practices to leverage on returns from the sea. As for manufacturing and logistics, Malaysia should stress on developing its manufacturing sector to become a regional hub for production and supply chain management. “Promote internationalisation as increasing exports can help to stimulate economic growth by generating jobs and new markets for goods and services,” he said. International education should also be promoted to make Malaysia, Australia, UK and US of the East, where international students can work during and after study as well as improving and investing in education and creating a more productive workforce, he said. 15.92 Participation 46.8 29.0 24.2 100.0 Institutions Retail Foreign Bought RM m 1145.9 728.4 566.9 2441.2 Sold RM m 1136.3 689.4 615.5 2441.2 Net RM m 9.6 39.0 -48.6 0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad SECUR ITIES S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 30/01/2023
12 theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 SUNBIZ /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME YTL, TNB to supply 100MW of electricity to Singapore KUALA LUMPUR: YTL PowerSeraya Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of YTL Power International Bhd, and TNB Power Generation Sdn Bhd (TNB Genco), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), have jointly announced an agreement to export and import 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Malaysia to Singapore via a newly upgraded interconnector. In a statement yesterday, YTL PowerSeraya said it was awarded an electricity importer licence for Malaysia on a two-year trial by the Energy Market Authority of Singapore (EMA) after a competitive request for proposal process in October 2021. It said the electricity would be purchased from TNB Pasir Gudang Energy Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned oAgreement marks the first time Malaysia will supply power to city-state on a commercial basis special vehicle company by TNB Genco. “Both parties will work closely with the EMA and the (Malaysian) Energy Commission to refine all technical settings and regulatory arrangements under the Electricity Import Framework. “The agreement will be effective upon fulfilment of conditions precedent,” YTL PowerSeraya said. TNB Genco managing director Datuk Nor Azman Mufti said the agreement is a positive step for the strengthening of cross-border energy supply towards the realisation of a fully interconnected Asean power grid. YTL PowerSeraya said the agreement marks the first time Malaysia would supply electricity to Singapore on a commercial basis, adhering to the Malaysian Energy Commission’s Guide for Cross-Border Electricity Sales. It said the collaboration was made official at an exchange of documents ceremony for the cross-border electricity purchase agreement that was witnessed by International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng. Tengku Zafrul is in Singapore to accompany Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on his first official visit to Singapore. YTL PowerSeraya is the only party in Singapore with prior experience in cross-border power trade and financial settlements, having traded across the interconnector to supply electricity to TNB in Malaysia in 2011 and 2013. – Bernama Producer price index up 3.5% last month PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s producer price index (PPI) increased 3.5% last month compared with 3.2% in November 2022 and all sectors indicated an increase except agriculture, forestry & fishing sector which recorded a decrease (-17.5%) in December last year compared with (-18.5%) in the prior month, according to chief statistician Datuk Seri Drx Mohd Uzir Mahidin. In its latest monthly report the local production in December 2022 issued by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, it said that the contraction in the index of growing of perennial crops (-27.3%) which recorded a double digit decline for six consecutive months contributed to the decrease in the sector. However, the report found that the manufacturing sector increased 6.1% compared with 6.2% in November 2022, attributed to the increase of 14.2% in the indices of manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, followed by manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (9.3%) as well as manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (3.1%). Additionally, the mining sector registered an increase of 3.7% compared with 2.4% recorded in the month prior. The water supply as well as the electricity and gas supply sectors, similarly recorded an increase of 3.8% and 1%, respectively. “Month-on-month comparison, PPI local production decreased (- 0.3%) in December 2022 as compared to 0.6% in the previous month, owing to the decrease in agriculture, forestry and fishing index to post (-1.7%) in December 2022 (November 2022: 5.5%), attributed to the decrease in the indices of fishing (-5.6%) and growing of perennial crops (-2.2%). Moreover, the prices of oil palm fresh fruit bunches also decreased (-2.4%) in this month.” “Mining sector decreased (-3%) due to the decrease particularly in extraction of crude petroleum index by (-4.3%). In contrast, manufacturing sector remain unchanged, due to the increase of manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (1.5%) and manufacture of electrical equipment (0.6%) indices, but counterbalanced with the decline in manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (-1.6%) as well as the manufacture of rubber and plastics products (-0.6%) indices. Water supply index recorded a slight increase of 0.2%. However, electricity and gas supply declined (-0.3%),” said Mohd Uzir in a statement yesterday. In the fourth quarter of 2022, Mohd Uzir said that the PPI local production recorded an increase of 3.5% compared with 6.5% in the third quarter of 2022 (Q3’22), due to the manufacturing (6.6%), water supply (4.3%), mining (1.8%) as well as electricity and gas supply (1.2%) indices. Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry and fisheries index fell 18.1%. Quarter-on-quarter shows that the PPI decreased by 0.7 % as compared to the decrease of 2.6% in Q3’22. In 2022, he said that the PPI local production increased 7.8 %, slightly lower than 9.5% recorded in 2021. In the first half of 2022, PPI local production accelerated which was supported by the increase of Malaysia’s main commodities’ prices. Maybank launches ‘kill switch’ on M2U, MAE to boost online security PETALING JAYA: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has introduced a ‘kill switch’ feature for Maybank2u (M2U) web and the MAE app for customers to temporarily deactivate their M2U access if they suspect of an online scam. Maybank said it is part of its efforts to enhance online security as well as combat online scams by allowing customers to immediately deactivate their M2U access should they notice something peculiar or believe that they have been scammed. The bank said this is done through the enhancement of its existing security features in M2U that are in place as the bank rolls out more measures that can help customers minimise their losses. Maybank community financial services group CEO Datuk John Chong said that in line with its M25+ strategic thrusts to intensify customer centricity as well as accelerate digitalisation and technological modernisation, the bank is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its customers when banking online and this is evident by the frequent upgrading and enhancement to its systems. The kill switch can be activated via the Maybank2u web or MAE app and once enabled, customers will be automatically logged out of all active online sessions on the MAE app as well as the M2U app and web. For security reasons, during the deactivation period, customers will not be able to log into M2U and reactivation can only be done after verification via the branch or the Maybank Group Customer Care. Customers are still able to withdraw cash from ATMs and make purchases using their Maybank debit or credit cards. B R I E F SAEON MALAYSIA LAUDED FOR NEW ANIMAL HEALTH, WELFARE POLICY PETALING JAYA: AEON Co (M) Bhd was lauded yesterday for publishing a comprehensive new animal health and welfare policy that protects the Five Freedoms of animals in the company’s supply chain, ranging from egg-laying hens to cows, chickens and fish. The company operates 28 AEON Malls, 34 AEON Stores, 9 MaxValu Prime, 65 AEON Wellness, 42 DAISO, and 4 Komai-so stores throughout Malaysia. The policy, developed with the help of an international NGO Lever Foundation, will require animal protein suppliers to halt using cages and crates, limit stocking densities, provide suitable environments, and meet additional animal welfare standards. AEON is collaborating closely with its suppliers to ensure compliance with the new standards and guidelines within the next 12 to 18 months. AGRICO QATAR READY TO INVEST IN MALAYSIAN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR PUTRAJAYA: Agrico Qatar, which has expertise in the production of vegetables, organic fruits, aquaculture and organic waste management, is ready to invest and establish cooperation in the Malaysian agricultural sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) in a statement yesterday said the collaboration would be carried out through its subsidiary Agrico Malaysia Sdn Bhd, mainly for aquaculture projects, integrated agriculture, fertilizer and fodder supply. “MAFS is also ready to facilitate cooperation between departments or agencies under the ministry with Agrico Qatar to ensure sustainable and continuous food sources,“ it said. – Bernama
13 * SUNBIZ theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 Sunway REIT FY22 earnings jump to RM323.56m KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway REIT Management Sdn Bhd, the manager of Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust (Sunway REIT), saw its net profit surging to RM323.56 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2022 (FY22) from RM127.59 million a year earlier, underpinned mainly by higher contribution from all segments. Revenue for FY22 increased to RM651.45 million from RM472.35 million. In a statement yesterday, Sunway REIT said its financial performance was further buoyed by income contributions from Sunway Carnival Mall’s new wing and the resumption of lease rental from Sunway Resort Hotel as the hotel reopened in phases beginning May 2022. CEO Datuk Jeffrey Ng said the manager’s financial performance in FY22 has surpassed the pre-pandemic level of FY19. “As a result of the improved financial performance and cash flow, Sunway REIT has increased its income distribution payout to 100% in the fourth quarter of 2022, and endeavours to maintain an income distribution payout of 100% in FY23,” he said. For FY22, Sunway REIT’s retail segment recorded a jump in revenue to RM426.9 million from RM269.5 million, representing a growth of 58%. It said the growth was driven by a significant reduction in rental rebate, higher turnover rent, promotion and car park income as retail footfall and retail sales returned to normalcy. “The hotel segment has demonstrated encouraging recovery signs as business and leisure activities picked up during the year with revenue and net property income (NPI) leaping 62% year-on-year (y-o-y) and 83% y-o-y to RM63.3 million and RM59.4 million, respectively,” it said. Meanwhile, the office segment remained stable in FY2022, with revenue growing 4.0% yo-y to RM79.3 million, from RM76.6 million in the preceding year, while NPI was marginally higher at RM51.8 million. Sunway REIT announced a final income distribution of 5 sen per unit for FY22. On the outlook for FY23, Ng said Sunway REIT maintained a positive outlook, underpinned by stable domestic economic growth, sustained growth momentum for the retail segment, further recovery in the hotel segment, as well as full-year income contribution from Sunway Carnival Mall (new wing) and Sunway Resort Hotel. Ng said Sunway REIT has been actively pursuing acquisition opportunities and expects to make headway on the acquisitions front in FY23. – Bernama B R I E F SBURSA CLOSES HIGHER ON LATE BARGAIN HUNTING KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa MalaysiaI ended in positive territory on late bargain hunting yesterday, with support in the broader market primarily seen in small-cap energy as well as transportation and logistics stocks. The FBM KLCI gained 1.84 points to 1,499.39 from Friday’s close of 1,497.55. On the broader market, gainers outpaced losers 478 to 472, while 395 counters were unchanged, 873 untraded and 54 suspended. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the market bellwether was again stuck within a tight consolidation mode due to lack of fresh catalysts. “Nonetheless, we reckon the outlook of the local equities to remain steady due to prevailing low valuations while the fundamentals of the local economy remains strong,” he told Bernama. RUBBER MARKET ENDS MIXED KUALA LUMPUR:- The Malaysian rubber market ended mixed yesterday, tracking regional rubber futures markets and declining crude oil prices. A dealer said markets globally are cautiously awaiting the decision by the US Federal Reserve meeting this week. The Malaysian Rubber Board’s (MRB) price for SMR 20 was down 7 sen to 609.5 sen a kg, while latex-in-bulk was up 3.5 sen to 542.5 sen a kg. MRB’s closing price for SMR 20 stood at 609.5 sen a kg, while latexin-bulk was at 544.5 sen a kg. – Bernama Maybank: No financial impact from subscription to Adani’s share offering KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) does not face any financial impact from its subscription to Indian conglomerate Adani Enterprises’ share offering, the bank said yesterday Marquee investors Maybank Securities and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority picked up a stake in Adani Enterprises’ US$2.45 billion (RM10.4 billion) secondary share offering last Wednesday, which coincided with a short-seller report that slammed the shares of Adani group companies. The demand from anchor investors comes despite Hindenburg Research disclosing a short position in Adani Group, accusing it of improper use of offshore tax havens and flagging concerns about high debt that eroded US$11 billion in investor wealth. “We would like to clarify that there is no financial impact to Maybank as the subscription to Adani Enterprises were client subscriptions and fully-funded by client funds,” Maybank told Reuters in an emailed statement. Maybank was allocated 34.09% of the 18.2 million shares reserved for institutional investors for 20.4 billion rupees (RM1.06 billion). Adani Enterprises’ secondary share sale entered its second day amid weak investor sentiment. The stock was trading at 2,686 rupees, 13.6% below the 3,112 rupees lower end of the offer price band. The upper band is 3,276 rupees. Initial data from stock exchanges on Monday showed Adani has now received bids for 687,840, or 1.5%, of the 45.5 million of shares on offer. The deal closes on Tuesday. Foreign and domestic institutional investors, as well as mutual funds, have made no bids so far, according to the data. On Sunday, the group led by Gautam Adani, the world’s third richest person according to Forbes, said Hindenburg Research’s report was a “calculated attack“ on the country and its institutions while a senior executive has compared a rout of its stocks with a colonial-era massacre. Adani said it complies with all local laws and had made the necessary regulatory disclosures. Adani Enterprises, the flagship firm of Adani Group, is looking to fund capital expenditure and pay off some debt from the proceeds of the share sale. Adani group shares extended their sharp falls yesterday as the Indian conglomerate’s rebuttal of Hindenburg Research’s criticism failed to pacify investors, driving stock market losses for the companies to almost US$70 billion over three days. Flagship Adani Enterprises fell 2.5%, reversing its initial gains of as much as 10% and staying significantly below the offer price. Adani Transmission, Adani Total Gas, Adani Green Energy, Adani Power, Adani Wilmar and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone fell between 4.2% and 20% yesterday. – Reuters The logo of the Adani Group is seen on the facade of its Corporate House on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India. – REUTERSPIC Insulation segment buoys PGF Capital’s Q3 results PETALING JAYA: PGF Capital Bhd’s net profit for its third quarter ended Nov 30, 2022 (Q3’22) surged to RM2.03 million compared with RM39,000 in the previous year’s corresponding quarter, due mainly to higher production and increased sales revenue from its insulation segment. Revenue increased 31.27% to RM17.75 million compared with RM13.52 million in the previous corresponding quarter. For the nine-month period, net profit rose to RM11.16 million from RM1.05 million. Its revenue increased by 62.27% to RM66.14 million from RM40.76 million. The group said that its insulation segment continued to be the largest contributor to its topline, with RM17.36 million in Q3’22 which translated to about 98% of its total revenue, reflecting an increase of RM4.17 million or 32% compared with the corresponding period oNet profit surges to RM2.03 million on higher production and sales revenue of the previous year. PGF remarked that its production increased in Q3’22 with sales delivery on schedule. It achieved higher production which resulted in the increase of sales delivery and sales revenue, which in turn boosted its net profit. Executive chairman Fong Wern Sheng (pic) said that in line with the group’s plan to increase its market share in the Oceania region, it has secured leases of multiple warehouses in strategic locations across major cities in Australia through wholly owned subsidiary PGF Insulation Pty Ltd, which was incorporated in Australia in May last year. “We have set up our regional HQ in Melbourne, Australia, which enabled the group to be in closer proximity to the Oceania market, increasing our ability to provide localised solutions and offer a wider range of products to the market. As such, we are cautiously optimistic about our future in the Oceania region. “We also believe demand from this region will continue to be strong due to revisions in the National Construction Code in Australia and the Building Code in New Zealand, which require more insulation to achieve higher energy efficiency ratings for their buildings. This bodes well for PGF’s expansion plans in the region,” he said in a statement yesterday. On prospects, the group said that insulation and related products segment will continue to drive the company’s profit. Although the inflationary pressure on raw material has eased, the removal of electricity subsidy by the Malaysian government for industrial customers and the increase of natural gas price have put significant pressure on production costs. The group continues to be cautiously optimistic that the insulation business will have a stable performance in the current financial year. For the agriculture segment, it said that durian trees are continuously being replanted from the nursery to the designated orchard land. Cash crops such as kumquat and passion fruit have been planted to generate cash flow for Diamond Creeks Ecofarm Sdn Bhd. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the group said that the cash crops are expected to be harvested latest by the first quarter of the financial year in 2024, which will contribute to the sales revenue of this segment. As for the other segments, it will continuously seek out new business opportunities that will add value to the shareholders by investing in property development, eco-tourism, agriculture and aquaculture to unlock the value of the land held.
14 theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 SUNBIZ JD.com to shut e-commerce sites in Indonesia, Thailand oChinese company will continue to serve global markets, including Southeast Asia, through its supply chain infrastructure JAKARTA/BEIJING: China’s JD.com is to close its e-commerce services in Indonesia and Thailand, retreating from Southeast Asia after a bruising year for China’s retail and technology sectors. JD.com will end its services in Thailand from March 3 and in Indonesia from the end of the same month, its local websites showed. Both units will stop taking orders on Feb 15. A spokesperson for JD.com said in a statement yesterday that the company will continue to serve global markets, including Southeast Asia, through its supply chain infrastructure. The company, which did not give a reason for the closures, started its e-commerce operation in Indonesia under the name JD.ID in 2015 as a joint venture with Provident Capital, while the Thai platform was launched two years later with the country’s largest B R I E F STOYOTA IS WORLD’S TOP-SELLING AUTOMAKER AGAIN TOKYO: Japan’s Toyota was the world’s top-selling automaker in 2022, retaining its lead over German rival Volkswagen for the third year, company data showed yesterday. Toyota and its subsidiaries sold nearly 10.5 million vehicles last year, around the same as in 2021. In comparison, Volkswagen Group – which held the top spot until 2020 when it was overtaken by Toyota – sold 8.3 million units last year, an annual drop of 7%. In 2022, Toyota sold 2.7 million electrified vehicles, around 5% more than the previous year. The vast majority of those – 2.6 million – were hybrid models. – AFP SAUDI ARABIA’S AL RAJHI BANK 2022 NET PROFIT RISES 16% DUBAI: Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest lender by assets, reported a 16% rise in its full-year net profit yesterday, beating analyst estimates. The bank made 17.15 billion riyals (RM19.4 billion) in 2022, up from 14.75 billion riyals in 2021, it said in a bourse filing. Al Rajhi made 4.4 billion riyals in the fourth quarter, according to Reuters calculations, compared with 4 billion riyals in the same period last year. Operating income 11% helped by net financing and investment income. – Reuters PHILIPS TO SLASH 6,000 MORE JOBS WORLDWIDE THE HAGUE: Embattled Dutch medical tech maker Philips said yesterday it will slash 6,000 more jobs worldwide after fresh losses caused by a massive recall of faulty sleep respirators. Chief executive Roy Jakobs announced the “difficult, but necessary further reduction of our workforce” by 2025, which comes just three months after it announced another 4,000 cuts. The Amsterdam-based firm unveiled net losses of €105 million (RM485 million) for the fourth quarter of 2022 and €1.6 billion for last year as a whole, largely due to the recall. – AFP GERMAN ECONOMY SURPRISINGLY SHRINKS IN FOURTH QUARTER FRANKFURT: Germany's economy unexpectedly shrank at the end of 2022 due to the fallout from the war in Ukraine, official data showed yesterday, adding to worries it could be on the brink of recession. Europe's top economy contracted 0.2% in the October to December period compared with the previous quarter, according to preliminary figures from statistics authority Destatis. For the whole of 2022, the German economy grew 1.8%, the data showed, a revision from an earlier figure of 1.9%. – AFP retailer Central Group. But JD.com failed to gain traction against larger players such as Alibaba Group’s Lazada, Sea Ltd’s Shopee and GoTo Group’s Tokopedia. The company, which also runs the omnichannel retail brand Ochama in Europe, said in November that “new businesses” – including units abroad as well as other ventures such as JD property - accounted for just 2% of total revenue in the third quarter. In China, the company, like many of its tech peers such as Alibaba, has been battling a slowing economy and the impact of strict Covid curbs, which have prompted cost cutting and worker lay offs. While JD.com has performed better than its peers, posting an 11.4% rise in third-quarter revenue, its chief executive has described the second quarter as the most difficult one since listing in 2014. Jeffrey Towson, a Beijing-based partner at TechMoat Consulting said JD.com had behaved more prudently than its competitors in Southeast Asia when it came to spending on marketing and subsidies, and he believed they were exiting without losing too much money. “JD is now exiting the consumer side and focusing on Southeast Asian merchants, brands and logistics infrastructure that connect with Chinese consumers. That plays to their strengths,” he said. – Reuters Japanese chip equipment makers in the dark about new China export restrictions TOKYO: Japanese makers of semiconductor manufacturing machinery and materials used to make chips said yesterday they had yet to hear from Japan’s government about export restrictions that could directly or indirectly affect their business in China. Reuters contacted 10 chip-related companies, of which five – Advantest Corp, Nikon Corp, Resonac Holdings Corp, Lasertec Corp and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd – said they were unaware of any contact from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry about any new restrictions reportedly agreed by Japan, the United States and the Netherlands last week to stymie rival China’s technological advancement. “As we do not know what the situation is, we cannot comment on what the impact is and what our response will be,” said a spokesman for Advantest, which makes chiptesting machines and other chiprelated equipment. Past restrictions on advanced semiconductor shipments to China have not affected Japan because the country, which once dominated global chip manufacturing, now only makes around a 10th of the world’s semiconductors, most of them less advanced than the chips made by the likes of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd and South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. Japan, however, is a major supplier of machines used to make those leading-edge semiconductors that could come under restrictions following reports Washington and other governments had agreed on a deal to curb their exports to China. “South Korea has constantly beaten Japan in semiconductors all these years, but one thing they don’t have is steppers,” which are used to project electronic circuits on to silicon plates, said Tokai Tokyo Research Institute analyst Masahiko Ishino. Without knowing the details of any new restrictions it is impossible to know their impact, he said. The five other Japanese firms Reuters contacted did not respond when asked about the possible impact of tighter export rules and whether they were concerned China would retaliate. Among them was Tokyo Electron Ltd, Japan’s biggest semiconductor manufacturing machinery maker. – Reuters TOKYO: French automaker Renault will slash its stake in Japanese partner Nissan as part of a deal rebalancing the rocky alliance between the two companies, the firms said yesterday. The deal will also see Nissan take a stake in Renault’s new electric vehicle venture Ampere, though the size of the investment was not immediately announced. The agreement comes after months of painstaking negotiations, and repeated delays, as the two firms sought to reset their decadesold alliance after years of tensions. The automakers called yesterday’s announcement “an important milestone” in “discussions on defining new foundations for their partnership”. The agreement is intended to “strengthen the ties of the alliance and maximise value creation”, the statement issued simultaneously by both companies said. Renault will reduce its stake from 43.4% to 15%, the same size as Nissan’s stake in its French counterpart, in what the firms said would produce “a balanced governance”. Nissan will also invest in Ampere, “aiming to become a strategic partner”, the firms said, without specifying how large the Japanese automaker’s stake would be. In November, Renault announced that it would split its operations in two – Ampere, and a separate subsidiary for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars that will pair up with China’s Geely. But concerns at Nissan about future technology transfers to the Chinese carmaker, as well as details over the sharing of electric vehicle intellectual property, complicated the negotiations. The agreement is expected to be signed next week following board approval from both sides. The international auto alliance began in 1999, when Renault rescued Nissan from bankruptcy. They were joined by Mitsubishi Motors in 2016, when Nissan took a 34% stake in its struggling Japanese rival. But the union was destabilised by the 2018 arrest of Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, who claimed the charges against him were intended to prevent him from bringing the Japanese and French automakers closer together. – AFP The international auto alliance began in 1999, when Renault rescued Nissan from bankruptcy. – AFPPIC Renault to reduce stake in Nissan, rebalancing alliance Shell’s CEO combines LNG, upstream operations LONDON: Shell will combine its oil and gas production and liquefied natural gas (LNG) divisions as part of CEO Wael Sawan’s first changes since taking charge of the energy giant earlier this month. The new division, which combines Shell’s most profitable operations, will be headed by current upstream director Zoe Yujnovich, Shell said in a statement yesterday. Sawan took office on Jan 1 after heading Shell’s integrated gas division, which included Shell’s LNG and renewables businesses, with a vow to simplify and improve the company’s operations. Under the internal restructure, renewables operations will be combined with Shell’s oil refining and marketing operations led by current downstream director Huibert Vigeveno, the company said. “Fewer interfaces mean greater cooperation, discipline and speed, enabling us to focus on strengthening performance across the businesses and generating strong returns for our investors,” Sawan said in the statement. The changes will take effect on July 1. – Reuters
3 1 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 T U E S D A Y An evening with Ne-Yo THREE-TIME Grammy Award-winning R&B singersongwriter Ne-Yo was nothing less than extraordinary during his muchawaited concert at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Jan 21. The 43-year-old artiste showed the breadth of his talent by fusing songs from his most recent album with compositions from earlier in his career. The gates opened promptly at 7.30pm, and seats started to slowly fill up. While waiting for the concert to start, all of the fans were engaged in discussing how excited they were for the event. In the meantime, highly skilled DJ Hafiz from Mix FM entertained the crowd by having a brief talk about the singer’s hit songs. When Ne-Yo did eventually show up, it was a spectacular entrance complete with flashing strobe lights and a montage of the performer himself on a large screen at the rear of the stage. Screams from the audience competed with the speakers as he launched into one of his biggest hits, Miss Independent, strutting about with a trilby hat pulled low over his face and a dazzling blue coat to match, performing alongside three beautiful back-up dancers. He continued by singing She Knows, Because of You, and Champagne Life. These hit tracks, along with the star’s vivacious choreography – which was of course appropriately provocative – proved to be a crowd-pleaser right away and had the spectators cheering and singing along from the start. The fact that Ne-Yo seemed to speak from the heart made the performance feel intimate even The concert was jointly organised by Hitman Solutions and Happymoon. oNe-Yo performed his greatest hits as well as songs from his latest album, Self-Explanatory █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN The entire concert venue was turned into a dancing floor by Ne-Yo. – ALL PIX BY HITMAN SOLUTIONS Neyo referred to songs from his new album as “future classics”. Nobody was let down by Neyo’s modest yet extremely exciting performance. Ne-Yo last visited Malaysia in 2010 for a performance at the Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach. though there were a lot of people in the room. This was especially clear when he performed one of his most romantic tracks, Sexy Love, while addressing the crowd in a frantic cadence that swerved between triedand-true appeals to “the ladies in the house”. The most memorable point of the night came when Ne-Yo sang what was undoubtedly his biggest fan favourite, So Sick. The fans all pulled out their smartphones and turned on their lights, creating such a beautiful visual atmosphere. They also sung along enthusiastically with the emotive hit. Ne-Yo was extremely overwhelmed by the audience response and thanked everyone for singing along to the song, which is almost 16 years old, meaning that his loyal fans have been bopping to his music for a very long time. While the singer’s R&B megahits like So Sick and Mad were the night’s more poignant tunes, his party tracks like Closer and Beautiful Monster transformed the venue into a club. The live band was able to raise the tempo while maintaining the original R&B tones. The singer also took the opportunity to identify which of his tracks were “classic classics” or “future classics”, the latter of which consisted of releases from his latest album Self-Explanatory such as Handle Me Gently and U 2 Luv. The skilled musician also dazzled the audience with a few covers, including breath-taking renditions of Mario’s Let Me Love You, Beyonce’s Irreplaceable, and Rihanna’s Take a bow. He had been handling all the shifts in musical genres excellently prior to this, but his vocal prowess was especially chill-inducing during this part of the performance. And just when we thought the event was over, he delivered an encore of his some of his most iconic dance collaborations with artistes like Pitbull and David Guetta, including a thrilling performance of Let’s Go, Play Hard, and Give Me Everything, before calling an end to the night. He thanked everyone for coming and left the stage to wild cheers. Ne-Yo delivered his all during his performance, and his enthusiasm was evident throughout the whole evening as he never once stopped dancing or singing. It was fantastic to see so many dedicated fans with grins on their faces among the audience, having the best time of their life. It wa truly a memorable night! Thanks to sponsor Mola and concert organisers Hitman Solutions and Happymoon for making this happen!
16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Trailer for Picard final season released PARAMOUNT+ has released the official trailer for the final season of Star Trek: Picard which is to be Patrick Stewart’s final journey as the Starfleet captain. According to the official synopsis: “A desperate message from a long-lost friend pushes Starfleet legend Admiral Jean-Luc Picard into the most daring mission of his life, forcing him to recruit allies spanning generations old and new.” The trailer focuses on Picard’s bittersweet reunion with fellow Star Trek: The Next Generation characters William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), Worf (Michael Dorn), and Data’s twin brother, Lore (Brent Spiner). The teaser also includes appearances by Picard regulars Rafaella “Raffi” Musiker (Michelle Hurd) and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), and also announces two new cast members: Ed Speleers as a “series regular who supports Beverly Crusher’s medical endeavours on places Starfleet has forgotten,“ and Todd Stashwick as the captain of the USS Titan. Picard’s third and last season will launch on Paramount+ on Feb 16. – by Shobana Manokaran Stewart as Star Trek icon Picard. – PARAMOUNT+ Scan the QR code to watch the trailer BTS’ Jin wins military talent show IT appears that BTS member Jin is thriving while undergoing his mandatory military training. Recently, it was revealed that the K-pop star and his team took part in a military talent show that was held in conjunction with the Lunar New Year celebrations. Jin’s team won first place at the talent show, and it was said that Jin personally taught his team members some dance moves which they used during the competition. As a reward for winning first place, Jin and his team members received an extra day of holiday during the Lunar New Year. Jin officially completed his five weeks of basic training at the 5th Infantry Division recruit training centre and attended his completion ceremony on Jan 18. During that time, fans were kept updated through posts on the training centre’s social media pages. There, fans were able to see Jin training to handle firearms and explosives. Fans are anticipating other BTS members RM, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, will soon follow Jin in enlisting for military service. – by Anansa Jacob Jin in his army uniform. – WEVERSE Michelle Williams on paparazzi scrutiny IN a recent interview with The Guardian, Michelle Williams recalled the intense paparazzi attention she experienced in 2008 following the passing of Heath Ledger. In 2004, Williams and Ledger started dating after meeting on the set of the cowboy romance-drama Brokeback Mountain. Their daughter Matilda was born to Williams in 2005, and the couple split up in 2007. Months later, Ledger passed away at age 28 from an accidental medicine overdose. This led to Williams and their daughter being hounded by the paparazzi in the aftermath. Williams told The Guardian: “That feeling of being watched goes very, very deep, because it cuts you off from living your life. And for a while it felt like such an impediment to being natural and unguarded that my daughter and I moved outside of the city.” She moved with her daughter to a farm in upstate New York, because she felt “more capable” of leading an unnoticed life there. “The particles shift under observation. I certainly felt that when we were living in Brooklyn.” She also disclosed that one of the few close friends who moved into her house at that time was actor Jeremy Strong. She said: “Jeremy was serious enough to hold the weight of a child’s broken heart and sensitive enough to understand how to approach her through play and games and silliness. Matilda didn’t grow up with her father, but she grew up with her [’uncle’] Jeremy, and we were changed by his ability to play as though his life depended upon it, because hers did.” Williams has continued working and starred in several hits in the years after Ledger’s death. In 2020, she married filmmaker Thomas Kail, with whom she shares two sons. – by Thashine Selvakumaran Williams only recently moved back to Brooklyn. – AFP Standing by Bruce Willis LATE March last year, it was confirmed by Bruce Willis’ family that the actor will be retiring from acting due to being diagnosed with aphasia, a cognitive disorder that progressively affects a person’s ability to communicate. “As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” his daughter Rumer wrote in an Instagram post. Prior to the announcement, rumours of (left) The video shared by Heming; (right) the couple at a red carpet event. – INSTAGRAM/GETTY oWife Emma Heming gives fans an update on the retired actor’s condition Willis’ declining cognitive state were already swirling in the film industry. The announcement was followed by a Los Angeles Times report that claimed the action star was often confused on the set, couldn’t carry out simple stunts and had to have his lines fed to him through an earpiece, sparking concern from crewmembers. Meanwhile, Willis continued to act in films, making 21 direct-to-video films in just two years. In the months since his retirement, Willis’ wife of 13 years, Emma Heming Willis has shared glimpses of their life as a couple. In a recent video posted on her Instagram Stories, Heming’s hand is seen being embraced by Willis’ hands. She also opened up about her “grief” last summer, noting it’s been “paralyzing but I’m learning how to live alongside it.” The post followed a video of the couple’s two young daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, enjoying a night out with their mum at Harry Styles’ Harry House concert at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Emma also posted a throwback photo of the couple on a stroll through the woods. Emma has noted that despite struggles growing up, her husband has always treated her with the utmost love and consideration. Back in October, she noted that her husband has “always made me feel like the smartest person in the room when I felt otherwise”, mentioning that she often felt “stupid” growing up while learning to “navigate” life with “some form of ADD and dyslexia.” “I’ll never forget that and I just love him so much for that,” she shared. – by Mark Mathen Victor
17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 KENNY GORELICK, known to millions as Kenny G, skyrocketed to i n t e r n a t i o n a l superstardom in the 1980s with smooth jazz ballads like Songbird and Silhouette. The Grammy awardwinning saxophonist remains the best-selling instrumentalist of the modern era, adored by legions of fans from around the globe throughout the last three decades. And here’s the good news! Kenny G has added Malaysia to his World Tour schedule, and will be here for a solo concert on April 2 at 6pm at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting. Since becoming a household name in the ‘80s, the 66-year-old musician has religiously practised the saxophone for up to four hours a day, every day. Kenny G has remained active on the music scene and stayed connected with fans. Apart from his many tour dates, Kenny released his last album New Standards in 2021 which features 11 original compositions inspired by the Jazz @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME THE released on AppleTV+ on Dec 9 last year, is based on the true story of a slave movie Emancipation, Quest for freedom named Peter, who was the subject of an iconic photo called Whipped Peter or The Scourged Back, which depicted his bare back which had been mutilated due to whipping, and which helped to expose the truth about cruelty against slaves in the United States in the 18th century. Peter, who was originally from Haiti, his wife Dodienne, and their three children were enslaved at a cotton plantation owned by Captain John Lyons in the Atchafalaya River, Louisiana. In the first scene of the film, Peter – played by Will Smith – is thrown into a big cage pulled by horses, and sent off to a place called Clinton. Peter later witnesses the gruesome manner in which other slaves’ decapitated heads are displayed on sticks, revealing the brutality meted out to those who disobey. At Clinton, the slaves are treated cruelly, subjected to physical torture, oEmancipation is a gripping story about a slave embarking on an epic journey to attain freedom for himself and his family █ BYS. TAMARAI CHELVI Kenny G to perform in Malaysia on April 2 Ballads of the ’50s and ’60s. He has stayed current through unexpected music crossovers with megastar artistes Kanye West and The Weeknd in recent years, which attracted and appealed to newer fans. Kenny G has once again proven his unrivalled popularity and how his music has stayed relevant for so long with a music documentary Listening to Kenny G specially crafted and filmed featuring his unconventional journey to the top, his legacy in music and the jazz purists’ feathers he’s ruffled along the way. The film, which premiered on HKB, also details his Seattle upbringing and the massive success of hit songs like Silhouette, Songbird and Sentimental. Kenny G, the man who made playing the saxophone sexy and charmed many fans with his music is set to serenade the audience with a set consisting of his hit classics and his superb showmanship and technical skills will promise to be a splendid music feast for fans. For enquiries, call the hotline 03-92233667 or visit www.starplanet.com.my First look at K-drama Call It Love WHEN Woo-joo’s life gets turned on its head by her father’s mistress, she will go to unbelievable lengths to get her own back in Call It Love, a new Korean romance series coming exclusively to Disney+ Hotstar on Feb 22. Sent into a downward spiral after discovering her father’s infidelity, Woo-joo’s situation goes from bad to worse when her father unexpectedly dies and his mistress kicks her out of the house. While she plans her revenge, Woo-joo has no clue that she will fall in love with Dong-jin, the son of the woman who ruined her life. Starring Kim Young-kwang (Somebody, On Your Wedding Day) as lonely CEO Han Dong-jin; Lee Sung-kyoung (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, The Doctors) as the mistreated Sim Woo-joo, Sung Jun as Woo-joo’s friend; Ahn Heeyeon as Dong-jin’s ex-girlfriend; and Kim Ye-won as Woojoo’s sister, Call It Love is directed by Lee Kwang-young. Lee Sung-kyoung will star alongside Kim Young-kwang in the upcoming romance series, Call It Love. – DISNEY+ HOTSTAR Will Smith with Charmaine Bingwa play Peter and his wife Dodienne, who are both slaves in Louisiana. and forced to build a railroad track. One day, Peter overhears a conversation about President Abraham Lincoln declaring all slaves to be free, and that the Union Army has taken control of Baton Rouge. Peter decides to escape to Baton Rouge. Together with fellow slaves John (Michael Luwoye) and Gordon (Gilbert Owuor), he manages to run away. The three men eventually split up to go their separate ways in order to make it harder for the overseer Jim Fassel (Ben Foster) and his men to hunt them down. Peter realises that he has sustained an injury to his thigh and is bleeding while escaping, but he continues to run through the dangerous swamp filled with snakes and alligators. At one point, Peter is forced to fight an alligator which attacks him. Smith is excellent in his portrayal of a brave man running through the dangerous swamp. Smith is able to portray the pain, intensity, and persistence of his character Peter’s desire to survive despite encountering a lifeor-death situation. His performance is nothing short of heartwrenching. Smith speaks in actual Haitian Creole in some scenes, but mostly speaks English with an accent, showcasing his best acting talent in a very different role compared to his past performances. He is extremely good and engaging in this film, almost from the first scene to the last. In my opinion, this is his best role yet, surpassing his Oscar-winning performance in King Richard last year, where he played the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams. The movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua, captures the difficult lives of slaves working on a cotton plantation, as well as their cruel treatment under their “master”, and the brutality dished out to them, as well as their escape through the treacherous swamps. The film was shot entirely in black and white, which helped to tone down some of the more gory scenes. However, the brutality of the actions of the slaveowners was often difficult to watch, and a little too much to digest. The only part I could not make sense of was when Peter’s wife Dodienne (played by Charmaine Bingwa), who had purposely put her hands into a spikey cotton weaving machine in one scene, later appeared to only have sustained minor injuries, in what appears to be a continuity error by the filmmakers. The ending of the film, however, was deeply touching. I highly recommend this movie, especially for Smith’s powerful performance. 0 Cast: Will Smith, Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Gilbert Owuor, Michael Luwoye 0 Director: Antoine Fuqua E-VALUE 5 ACTING 9 PLOT 7 Will Smith and Ben Foster in the movie.
18 FASHION theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 Suit up for 2023 oMen’s fashion: Paris collections embrace the iconic suit in all shapes and sizes I T’S back. The suit was the star of Paris Men’s Fashion Week, which ended Jan 22. But, far from going back to traditional, formal suits, the French capital’s catwalks ushered in materials, cuts, colours and other details that take this menswear must-have in a new direction. Here’s a look at the major trends from the men’s fall-winter 2023-2024 fashion shows in Paris. Milan had already made the suit its star piece for next winter, but Paris pushed the trend to the extreme, with designs each more innovative than the next. If one thing’s for sure, it’s that sportswear is giving way to a more elegant wardrobe, albeit still very comfort-focused. Otherwise, sportswear is worn in combination with more sophisticated pieces, such as long coats, of the kind already spotted on the Milan catwalks. And while black was very present in Paris, many designers brought touches of colour, sometimes bright and bold, to this menswear wardrobe. Meanwhile, flashes of flesh – despite the winter season – brought a fresh twist to a neat, polished but ultra-sexy look. Star piece: the suit Suits were everywhere in Paris, worn with a perfectly cut turtleneck at Givenchy, with a crop top and loose pants at Sankuanz, revealing a bare chest at Loewe, in a nonchalant dandy style at Yohji Yamamoto, channelling casual elegance at Louis Vuitton, and shaking up the codes of masculinity at Saint Laurent. The women who dress men WOMEN are increasingly making their mark in men’s fashion, breaking through the “fabric ceiling” that has seen the industry dominated by men, and attracted by a sector where some of the most radical changes are taking place. Fashion has long been an industry-focused predominantly on women but run by men, with a 2019 study by PriceWaterhouseCooper showing just 12.5% of fashion houses had female bosses. While change is slow at the top, the latest men’s fashion week in Paris that wrapped up on Jan 22 highlighted the number of exciting women designers choosing to focus on menswear. Grace Wales Bonner’s opening night show in a Place Vendome hotel – her first physical event in Paris – was one of the hottest tickets. Known for literary references and highlighting black and minority artists, it was clear why she is considered a frontrunner to replace the late Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton. “I went into menswear because I thought there’s a lot more room for expression,“ she told AFP. “It feels like it’s not overdeveloped – (menswear) can be quite conservative at times.” It was well-received, with Bloomingdale’s men’s director Justin Berkowitz praising her “sharp tailoring ... with charming details for a spot-on, personal collection”. Bode, meanwhile, returned to Paris for the first time since the pandemic, with a vintage collection inspired by rural America and her mother’s family. Known for handcrafted clothes, often made from recycled materials, she was named menswear designer of the year at the CFDA Awards in 2022. Fewer cliches There were also shows from France’s Marine Serre, who has disrupted the industry with her determined adherence to sustainability, and Britain’s Bianca Saunders, who told AFP she was attracted to menswear because it offered “a different canvas where I could be very explorative”. Wales Bonner, Bode, Serre and Saunders are all in their early thirties, but more experienced designers like Gabriela Hearst and Isabel Marant have also launched menswear lines in recent years. “Men chase an ideal – today I want to feel like Marlon Brando so I throw on a leather jacket,“ said Hermes shoe designer Pierre Hardy, a longtime collaborator of Veronique Nichanian, who has headed menswear at the label for 35 years. “Women come with fewer cliches, with an external and more neutral perspective,“ he told AFP. “They have an eye that is more centred on reality, with a bit of distance and less fantasy,“ agreed Alice Feillard, menswear buying director at Paris department store Galeries Lafayette. A new crop is hot on their heels – among them France’s Jeanne Friot, who presented a flamboyant, bright-red collection as part of a newcomer’s showcase in Paris. “As a woman designer and a lesbian, I have a different perspective on men and fashion,“ said Friot, whose most popular piece is an upcycled pair of jeans made from feathers. “Men need to have more options in their wardrobe than just black, white and grey -- why not some pieces that are more feminine and fun,“ she said. – ETX Studio Hermes designer Veronique Nichanian at the Hermes Menswear Ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 2023-2024 collection show at the recent Paris fashion week. – AFP The suit made a comeback on the Paris runways, landing in less formal styles. – AFP Suits were all the rage at the recent Paris Fashion Week. Play with colours and while you’re at it ... add a handbag. – GETTY Prada’s Spring and Summer collection. – GETTY Whatever the look or aesthetic proposed, the suit was reinvented to meet the needs and desires of men in search of style – and no longer just a uniform necessary for work – as well as comfort. This is reflected by the Valette Studio label, whose designs, matching comfort with elegance, proved a true ode to this inspiration, with suits taking the form of overalls. Core colours: black and brights Milan gave pride of place to neutral and muted shades, especially black. This was also echoed on the Paris catwalks, including at Saint Laurent, Hed Mayner and Givenchy, but with one exception. The French capital added colourful touches to the mix, sometimes with bold and bright hues, contributing strongly to this reinvention of the suit. Red, yellow and orange were among the eyecatching shades that brought a burst of energy to these collections, whether at Sacai, Casablanca, Kenzo, Botter or Facetasm. And when the creations did not feature vivid shades, they were adorned with embroidery or more quirky prints. Prints take a backseat while flesh moves to the forefront If checks, slogans, fruit and other carefully composed patterns were popular on the Paris catwalks, these were often overshadowed by flashes of men’s torsos. Not content with adopting an elegant and particularly well-polished look, men’s fashion also seems to want to embrace a sexier style, stripping back some of the preconceived ideas around masculinity. This inspiration was particularly evident at Loewe, where the first model on the runway wore a black coat with a low neckline, revealing his bare chest and legs. It was a theme running through the entire collection, in fact. But chests were also bared at Rick Owens, Acne Studios, Sankuanz and, to a lesser extent, at Dior Homme, which showed transparent tops. His fresh take on masculine style is also reflected in the emergence, or proliferation, of handbags in the majority of the men’s collections presented in Paris. From cross-body bags to shoulder bags and tote bags, finished in black, in colours or even in python print, the handbag is now moving in the realm of the unisex accessory, without any gender distinction. This trend was spotted on the catwalks of Wooyoungmi, Acne Studios, Kenzo, Solid Homme and Louis Vuitton, and is expected to take off in 2023. – ETX Studio Dior looks to elevate menswear staples to new definitions. – DIOR
19 HEALTH theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 THE global epidemic innovations fund said recently that it was working with a vaccine manufacturer to create a patch using mRNA technology, which would be easier to use against Covid. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) said it would provide up to US$4.3 million (RM18.25 million) to biotechnology company Vaxxas to advance the development of a patch for mRNA vaccines. Messenger ribonucleic acid vaccines – such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid jabs – have been among the most heavily used during the pandemic. However, they have the disadvantage of needing ultracold storage before use. Pfizer’s jab must be stored at -60°C to -90°C. Vaxxas’ vaccine delivery platform could improve access to mRNA vaccines by removing the need for frozen storage, enabling easier distribution and offering accurate and safe dosing with minimal waste, CEPI said. The fund’s investment will go towards laboratory testing of a patch “to assess its stability, safety and immunogenicity and to evaluate its potential as a rapid-response technology for heat-stable, driedformulation mRNA vaccines”, CEPI said in a statement. High-density microarray patches (HD-MAPs) are made up of thousands of microscopic points attached to a small patch. Each point contains a tiny dose of vaccine in a dried format. When put on the skin, the patch delivers the vaccine to the immune cells immediately below the skin surface. Besides the dried form of the vaccine being more stable at higher temperatures than liquid vaccines, patches are easier to administer than needle- and syringe-injectable vaccines. “Ultimately, HD-MAP patches ... could be mailed directly to peoples’ homes, workplaces and schools,” CEPI said. CEPI chief executive Richard Hatchett said the advances in mRNA vaccine technology were critical to the global Covid-19 response, and adapting it to patches could improve access to the next generation of vaccines. He called it “particularly promising as a platform for rapid delivery of vaccines in an outbreak situation, particularly in harder-to-reach regions”. CEPI, along with the Gavi vaccine alliance and the World Health Organization, also co-led the Covax effort to deploy donor-funded Covid19 vaccines to poorer nations. CEPI was an early investor in the Novavax jab, one of only nine Covid19 vaccines which have been given the WHO stamp of approval. More than 13.1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far, according to the WHO. – ETX Studio Push to develop mRNA vaccine patches The WHO is aware of 176 potential Covid-19 vaccines in clinical development and being tested on humans, as well as a further 199 that are being worked on in the labs. – 123RF smoked daily. This reduces the amount of nicotine in your body progressively. You may stop smoking with your morning coffee, or you could opt to smoke only at particular times of the day. It makes sense to limit your smoking prior to your stop date in order to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Either you can gradually reduce your cigarette consumption before your stop date, or you can continue smoking as usual until you quit. Both are perfectly fine, although it appears that rapid cessation, or “cold turkey”, may be the superior method. However, as long as you are in the process of quitting and putting in the effort, any approach is acceptable. Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy Many people who are addicted to nicotine I S quitting smoking your New Year’s resolution? Or do you intend to do so in the future? Whether you have been smoke-free for a few days or are still mentally preparing to stop, you are already on the right track. However, the path ahead will totally be paved with urges and temptations. Quitting smoking is challenging, especially for those who have been nicotine-dependent for many years. Numerous medical conditions are associated with cigarette smoking, including an increased risk of lung disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and heart problems. Even though they are aware of how destructive smoking is to their health, many smokers struggle to kick the habit or maintain their resolve after making a commitment. To quit smoking, you must not only change your behaviour and deal with nicotine withdrawal symptoms, but you must also find alternative strategies to regulate your emotions. With a proper strategy, it is possible to overcome nicotine addiction and kick the habit for good. Here are five approaches to help you along the way: Objectives and goals First, find your reason to quit. To convince yourself to stop, you need a strong, compelling personal reason. It could be to protect your loved ones from breathing secondhand smoke, to lower your chance of getting lung cancer, cardiovascular disease – or other diseases – or to look and feel younger. If you are an active person, you could also use the need to maintain your stamina and fitness level as a convincing reason. Avoid triggers The strongest tobacco cravings are likely to occur in places where you smoked frequently, such as gatherings or hanging out with friends at a coffee shop, or even when you are stressed. Identify your triggers and create a plan to avoid them or get through them without smoking. Often, you may link specific activities or habits with smoking. Find an alternative activity to smoking after meals, such as brushing your teeth, taking a walk, playing games, or chewing gum. Also, a reminder not to get too close to groups of smokers, as the scent of their smoke could also be a trigger. Don’t set yourself up for a smoking relapse. Go cold turkey You may have heard that more people find it easier to quit cold turkey. Indeed, many smokers quit immediately, without the use of medication or nicotine replacement therapy. Quitting smoking abruptly poses no threat to your life or health. Nonetheless, unpleasant and occasionally severe withdrawal symptoms can have a major impact on your mental and physical health during the recovery process. Only dedicated individuals have successfully quit smoking for good with this kind of method. Gradual withdrawal Another method is gradual withdrawal, which involves reducing the number of cigarettes Ways to quit smoking oTobacco cravings and the urge to smoke can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, you still can overcome them with just a few key tips It’s not easy to kick the habit of smoking, especially after a long history of nicotine addiction. Each time you resist a tobacco craving, you go closer to quitting tobacco permanently. In the absence of strong motivation, quitting cigarettes can be excruciating, with cravings and withdrawal symptoms lasting for weeks or even months. – ALL PIX VIA 123RF █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. Nicotine replacement products can help alleviate some of the physical symptoms, such as patches, sprays, chewing gum and lozenges. When you stop smoking, nicotine withdrawal may give you headaches, affect your mood, or sap your energy. The craving for “just one drag” is tough. Nicotine replacement therapy can curb these urges. Studies show that nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches improve your chances of success when you’re also in a quit-smoking programme. According to Medical News Today: “Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) provides a low level of nicotine without the other poisonous chemicals in tobacco smoke.”
20 TRAVEL theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 Happy meow year in Vietnam AS China welcome the Year of the Rabbit, Lunar New Year looks slightly different in Vietnam, where the Year of the Cat is about to begin. Across the country, streets are decked out with statues of felines and shops are stocked full of cat-themed decorations, popular gifts during Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet. Vietnam and neighbouring China share 10 of the calendar’s 12 signs – the rat, tiger, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. But the Vietnamese honour the cat instead of the rabbit, and the buffalo instead of the ox. There are a host of theories to explain why the Vietnamese plumped for the cat. Nguyen Hieu Tin, an expert on traditional Vietnamese culture, said the answer may lie in the rice fields prized by farmers. “Rice is a huge part of Vietnam’s The Year of the Cat is believed to bring good luck and smooth sailing in Vietnam. – AFP oWhy Vietnam is celebrating the Year of the Cat, not the Rabbit agriculture, but with the threat of many rats in the fields, the cats (which can hunt them) are a popular animal for the Vietnamese,” he told AFP. “Another explanation is that the Vietnamese don’t want to observe two years with a similar animal. They see the mouse and the rabbit as being closely linked,“ Tin said. There is also a theory that the Vietnamese made their own interpretation of the Chinese word for rabbit, “mao”. In Vietnamese, this sounds like “meo”, which means cat. The Year of the Cat is believed to bring good luck and smooth sailing in Vietnam. Hoang Thi Huong Giang, an office worker in Hanoi, a city filled with traditional orange kumquat trees and pink blossoms ahead of Tet, said she had never paid attention to the reasons that Vietnamese honoured a different zodiac animal to the rest of the world. But she believes that those who were born in the Year of the Cat, like her, have things easier than most. “It seems to be true that those who are born in the Year of the Cat are often more active, hard-working and easy to get on with,” Giang said proudly. – ETX Studio Reunite and Recharge FOR most of us, reuniting with friends and family is the main reason to travel in 2023. Agoda’s Travel Trends survey asked travellers to share their top travel goals for the new year, with reuniting with loved ones, wellness and food, arts & culture making the top three, and adventure and celebrating a milestone rounding out the top five. Taiwan (33%), Australia (31%) and the United States (25%) are where travellers will most likely plan a holiday reunion with family or friends, but for travellers from several other countries, there are other key motivations to embark on a trip. In South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore for example, it is recharging mentally and physically that tops the list, contributing to the number two spot for wellness in the ‘reasons to travel’ ranking of Agoda’s Travel Trend survey. Among people from Japan (44%), Taiwan (24%) and Vietnam (23%), the biggest travel appetite is for (re)discovering food, arts & culture. In fact, a staggering 44% of Japanese travellers listed this as their main travel goal, the highest number for any travel objective in a single country. Four times more than the Philippines, where only 11% are looking to travel for food, arts & culture and seeking adventure is the main reason to leave home (30%). Adventure travel also ranks highest among travellers from Indonesia (23%). For Malaysia, reuniting with family and friends (21%) is the main driver for travel. This is closely followed by an appetite for adventure (20%), a desire for an indulgent break to refresh the senses (19%) and the lure of food, arts and culture (18%). Nintendo to open theme park in California NINTENDO’S first theme park outside of its native Japan will open in California next month, just weeks before Mario gets the big-screen treatment in a major new Hollywood film. Super Nintendo World will be part of Universal Studios Hollywood – an amusement park that is traditionally home to rides based on film and TV franchises from Waterworld to Harry Potter. But with the video game industry now eclipsing movies in size, and theme parks using increasingly interactive technology to immerse guests, bosses of the two companies have joined forces to capitalise on the platform-hopping plumber’s global popularity. The new Nintendo attraction will largely mirror the design of its recently opened, slightly larger sister park in Osaka, including a Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride that uses augmented reality goggles. Visitors race along a real-life track surrounded by actual set pieces, but can aim and shoot virtual shells at computerized villains they see displayed on their head-mounted, individual visors. Ultimate playground There are also a number of minigames in which visitors with interactive wristbands can accrue coins and stamps, to qualify for a “final showdown” with the evil Bowser Jr. “It’s kind of the ultimate playground,” said Jon Corfino, vice president of Universal Creative. “We are known for our film franchises, which are terrific, and they’re very immersive. Games are a different thing. “How we even engage with entertainment is evolving in and of itself ... entertainment is not static.” Nintendo fans have already begun flocking to the Los Angeles amusement park, where word quickly spread last week that the new attraction was admitting visitors for a “soft opening” to iron out any final technical glitches. “Being here, it’s like my childhood in real life,” said Carlos Moctezuma, who wore a Mario outfit to the park. “I’ve known Mario since I was in second grade. That was one of my first games on the Game Boy,”said his partner Lexsi Houseman, dressed as Luigi. “It’s a dream come true,” she added. Star-studded cast The official launch of Super Nintendo World is set for Feb 17, when visitors surrounded by mechanical Yoshis, Piranha Plants and Goombas from the beloved gaming franchise will be greeted by actors dressed as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. A third Nintendo theme park will follow in Orlando. Meanwhile, Universal Pictures – the Hollywood film studio that shares its parent company with the theme park – will release The Super Mario Bros. Movie in April. The film features US actor Chris Pratt as the voice of Italian plumber Mario – a casting choice which has sparked controversy and criticism on social media, but only drawn more attention to the nostalgia-laden movie. A starry voice cast also includes Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong. It will be Hollywood’s second attempt to bring Nintendo’s most famous characters to the big screen, after a widely panned 1993 liveaction movie. The first Super Mario Bros game came out in 1985 for Nintendo’s NES console. The platform game, in which Mario runs and jumps past obstacles to collect coins and save Princess Peach from the evil Koopa turtles, was based on the Mario Bros arcade game released earlier. – ETX Studio Guests explore during a preview of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California. – AFP
21 * SPORTS theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF VIRTUAL MIND SDN BHD (200801023774 (825097-M)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) At a General Meeting of the members of abovenamed Company held on 26 January 2023, the following special resolutions were duly passed :- 1. THAT the Company be liquidated by way of members’ voluntary winding up and that Liew Siew Lin of 199 Jalan 8, Taman Tan Yew Lai, 58200 Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of the winding up. 2. THAT the said Liquidator be authorised to distribute either in cash, specie or in kind amongst the contributories of the Company in accordance with their respective rights and interests therein. 3. THAT the said Liquidator be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred in or sustained by her in the execution and discharge of her duties as Liquidator and in relation thereto. SEOW YONG HAU Director Date: 31 January 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF VIRTUAL MIND SDN BHD (200801023774 (825097-M)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) Notice is hereby given that the creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required on or before 4 March 2023 to send in their names and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and their names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned at 199 Jalan 8, Taman Tan Yew Lai, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, the liquidator of the said Company, and, if so required in writing from the said liquidator, are by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove the said debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved. LIEW SIEW LIN Liquidator Date: 31 January 2023 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI SHAH ALAM (BAHAGIAN SIVIL) No Sivil: BA3lNCvC-1574-09/22 DALAM PERKARA Harta Pusaka Palany A/L Ramasamy (No k/p: 580103-10-5977)simati DAN Dalam perkara Akta Probet dan Pentadbiran 1959 DAN DALAM perkara Kaedah-kaedah Mahkamah 2012 PARVATHY A/P RAMASAMY PEMOHON PENYAMPAIAN GANTI BENTUK IKLAN Penyampaian Sitasi Kepada Periasamy a/l Ramasamy 140, Jalan Kuala Garing, 48000 Rawang Selangor. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu Sitasi telah difailkan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Tinggi Malaysia di Shah Alam dibawah Petisyen No. BA-31NCVC-1574-09/2022 oleh Pemohon Parvathy a/p Ramasamy. Sila ambil perhatian bahawa Sitasi tersebut ditetapkan untuk Pengurusan kes dihadapan Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Puan Nurul Jannah Binti Zakaria pada 21/2/2023 jam 9.00 pagi secara talian E-Review. Dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa penyampaian Sitasi dalam tindakan ini kepada kamu dilaksanakan melalui iklan ini. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan ini kamu hendaklah dalam tempoh (14) hari dari tarikh pengiklanan ini, termasuk hari pengiklanan memasukkan kehadiran di Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam. Bertarikh pada Tandatangan .............................. Kanagarajah a/l A. David Peguamcara bagi pihak Pemohon Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk iklan ini difailkan oleh Kanagarajah & Co peguambela dan peguamcara bagi pihak pempetisyen yang dinamakan diatas dan mempuyai alamat penyampaiannya di No. 75-2B, Jalan Bandar Rawang 1, Bandar Baru Rawang, 48000 Rawang Selangor. Tel; 03-60935955 Fax 03-60924955 Email : kanagarajahco@yahoo. com IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF DRIZORO MALAYSIA SDN. BHD. 200901034209 (877322-K) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 a Final Meeting of the abovenamed Company will be held at 110B-1, Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan on the 2nd. day of March, 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- 1. To receive an account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the windingup has been conducted and property of the Company disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereof, shall be disposed of. Dated this 31st. day of January, 2023 NG SENG @ NG KIN SIN Liquidator 110B-1, Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30250 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan. HOST International Foundation (1354783- V) invites the submission of food and non-food items (NFIs) bids from qualified suppliers of food and hygiene items for the preparation and delivery of these items to the location provided in the RFQ document. Prospective bidders must be capable of providing food & NFI items for a one time delivery in the month of March across 5 states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak and Negeri Sembilan for a total of 1300 kits of food & NFI items. All items and delivery details are provided in the RFQ. The vendor should take into account all the following: Have good business reputation and performance, proven clean track record. Possess all relevant certificate of registration, licenses approvals and permits with the local authorities and a copy of which are to be furnished when requested. All employees, especially food and beverage handlers, are required to comply with food safety requirements. The vendor shall be able to produce a Food Safety Plan containing procedures on hygienic food storage, preparation, handling, waste management, hygiene, and pest control. Please email: malaysia@hostinternational. org.au for access to RFQ. The key dates for this tender are as follows: Tender open date : 30/01/2023 Tender closing date : 08/02/2023 Last day for bid submission : 08/02/2023 by 5pm Period of bids analyses and comparison : 3 days Date of announcing the awarded tenderer: 13/02/2023 Submission of tender bid: All bids can be submitted either online or send hard copy to our HQ address. Send by email to: malaysia@ hostinternational.org.au Send as hardcopy to the address: No 208 Block A Pusat Dagangan Phileo Damansara 1, No 9 Jalan 16/11, Off Jalan Damansara, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Any inquiries or questions can be sent by email to: malaysia@hostinternational. org.au Content provided by HOST International Foundation. 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 All’s well that ends well Emotionally drained Djokovic savours happy end to difficult fortnight NOVAK DJOKOVIC said shedding tears in his players’ box following victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final on Sunday was the result of an emotional collapse following his huge display of mental strength in a challenging fortnight. Djokovic overcame Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) in a repeat of their 2021 French Open final to claim a record-extending 10th title at Melbourne Park, draw level with Rafa Nadal on 22 Grand Slam crowns. It was an extraordinary two weeks for the Serbian who also managed a hamstring issue and dealt with the emotions of playing a year after his deportation from Australia and the distraction of his father posing with fans holding banned Russian flags. “When I went into my box, I emotionally collapsed there and teared up with my mother and my brother when I gave them a hug,” Djokovic told reporters. “Because up to that moment, I wasn’t allowing myself to be distracted with things off the court or whatever was happening in dealing with an injury… that could easily have been a big disturbance to my focus, to my game. “It required enormous mental energy to stay present, to stay focused, to take things day by day and see how far I can go.” Djokovic said he was more nervous than usual coming into the tournament after his deportation 12 months ago due to being unvaccinated against Co, with his return possible only after his three-year visa ban was waived in November. “I didn’t know how I was going to be received by the people but overall, it was a very positive experience,” said Djokovic, who also received a warm reception en route to the title at the Adelaide warm-up event where he injured his hamstring. Adding to his troubles was the drama surrounding his father Srdjan, after a video emerged showing him with fans holding Russian flags banned early in the tournament. Djokovic senior skipped his son’s semifinal against American Tommy Paul and was also absent from the title clash. “I thought things will calm down in terms of the media and everything, but it didn’t. We both agreed it would probably be better that he’s not there,” Djokovic said. “It wasn’t easy for him. I saw him after… though he was happy to hug me, I could see he was a bit sad. “What he told me is it’s important that I feel good on the court, I win the match and he’s here for me. If it’s going to be better for me… that he’s not in the box, then so be it. “I’m also sad he was not there in the stands. But he was throughout the entire tournament, so it’s fine. In the end we have a happy ending.” – Reuters Novak gave everything: coach Ivanisevic NOVAK DJOKOVIC won a recordextending 10th Australian Open title on Sunday despite battling an injury that would have forced most players to quit, his coach Goran Ivanisevic said, adding that the world No. 1 kept getting “crazier and crazier”. The 35-year-old Serb said last week that questions over whether he has genuinely been struggling only served to give him extra motivation. “Let me put it like this. I don’t say 100%, but 97% of the players, on Saturday when you get results of the MRI, you go straight to the referee office and pull out of the tournament. But not him,” Ivanisevic told reporters. “He gave everything… Every day was kind of better and better. I didn’t expect this. Okay, first two rounds okay, but then against (Grigor) Dimitrov I was very scared. But he got through and in the end he won the tournament. “He’s getting crazier and crazier, I can say that (laughter). It’s no end of the field of craziness. In a positive way, I mean (smiling).” Despite dominating the match, Djokovic grew frustrated with Tsitsipas’s resilience at one point and began mouthing off at his coach, but Ivanisevic said the exchange of words was water under the bridge. “I was also a tennis player. I was also little bit crazy. I understand how he feels. I understand the emotions,” Ivanisevic said. “This is the final of a Grand Slam. I don’t mind. If this going to help him, we already talked about it so many times. I told him, ‘you can tell me whatever you want, but you have to win, otherwise you have a problem’. “It’s the same as if you are a football coach of Real Madrid, you need to have the pressure. If you don’t win one, two games, you get fired. Only Grand Slam counts. But it’s a good challenge.” Ivanisevic also hailed the incredible rivalry between Djokovic and Nadal, likening their growing Grand Slam tallies to the score of a handball match. “It’s a battle of Spain against Serbia… 22-22 for the moment. Now it’s going to be interesting this year,“ Ivanisevic said. “(Younger players) are here, it’s great for tennis, great for the future of tennis. But you still have these two guys battling. “This was Novak’s home court, and now we go next to Rafa’s home court (the French Open)… It’s amazing. They really push each other.” – Reuters STEFANOS TSITSIPAS dreamed of holding the Australian Open trophy aloft after nodding off on the eve of Sunday’s final but Novak Djokovic ended up giving the confident Greek a rude awakening. Though falling short again in his goal of becoming Greece’s first Grand Slam champion and world No. 1, Tsitsipas was philosophical in defeat. “Of course, I was dreaming about the trophy, lifting that trophy. I even dreamt it last night in my sleep,” the 24-year-old told reporters. “The desire is really there. I really, really want it badly. But just dreaming about it won’t make it happen. You got to act. “Losing finals is not the best feeling in the world, for sure. But definitely much better playing finals than being stuck behind in the semifinals.” Despite a fine fortnight at Melbourne Park, third seed Tsitsipas was short of his best in the final, though loath to admit it. Wobbly serving cost him the first set and his usually devastating forehand was a liability throughout, producing 27 unforced errors versus 11 winners. Djokovic barely gave him a chance on serve, though, and the Serb saved the one set point Tsitsipas had held against him in the second set with an imperious forehand winner. Tsitsipas praised Djokovic in his news conference, saying the 35-year-old Serb had made him a much better player. “Getting our a**es kicked is for sure a very good lesson every single time,” he said. “I find it a very important part of my career, to have a player like him that will help me grow better and do bigger things.” At 24, Tsitsipas has his career ahead of him and can hope for clear air eventually when the likes of Djokovic and Nadal hang up their rackets. While admitting he needs to improve certain things about his game, confidence is unlikely to be one of them. “I don’t see any reason to be lowering my expectations or my goals. I am born a champion,” he said. “I can feel it in my blood. I can feel it as a competitive kid that I was when I was young. It’s something that is within me.” – Reuters I am born a champion, says beaten Tsitsipas Pitch ‘shocker’ as India level T20 series against Kiwis SKIPPER Hardik Pandya yesterday blasted the Lucknow pitch as a “shocker” after India edged New Zealand by six wickets in a low-scoring second Twenty20 international to level the series at 1-1. India restricted New Zealand, who won the opener of the three-match series, to just 99-8 with Yuzvendra Chahal leading the spin charge on a viciously turning pitch. India then lost regular wickets as the Kiwi bowlers took it into the final over but Suryakumar Yadav hit an unbeaten 26 and along with Pandya (15 not out) anchored the tricky run chase to achieve the target with one ball to spare. “To be honest, it was a shocker of a wicket,” Pandya said. “I don’t mind difficult wickets. I am all up for that, but somewhere down the line the curators or the grounds that we are going to play in should make sure they prepare the pitches earlier.” The series moves on to the decider in Ahmedabad tomorrow. The match witnessed 30 overs of spin without a six being hit in either innings. The Kiwis just used 2.5 overs from their fast bowlers. Spinners Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi took a wicket each. “We bowled 17 overs of spin, definitely something different,” said New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner. “With the bounce out there, it looked challenging.” – AFP Novak Djokovic takes selfies with his supporters outside the Government House in Melbourne. – AFPPIX
22 theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 SPORTS READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME Real problem Remiro rocks boat as Madrid drop points in La Liga title race REAL SOCIEDAD goalkeeper Alex Remiro made a string of fine saves to frustrate Real Madrid in a 0-0 draw yesterday, leaving Barcelona five points clear at the top of La Liga. After the Catalans beat Girona on Sunday, Madrid needed to win to stay three points behind their rivals in the title race, but Remiro ensured otherwise, keeping thirdplace La Real on the champions’ tail. Vinicius Junior had three good chances repelled by Remiro among other Madrid openings, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side sparkled but failed to find the goal their performance deserved. The draw continues a mixed start to 2023 for Real Madrid, slipping further behind Barcelona in the league and losing against them in the Spanish Super Cup final, but reaching the Copa del Rey semis on Thursday with an extratime win over Atletico Madrid. “It was one of the best games we’ve played this season,” Ancelotti told reporters. “It’s true Barca are doing very well, but the season is very long, January is very complicated, but the team have progressed a lot in all areas, in defence, attack, physically. “The players are starting to improve, the injured players (will return), so we are confident for the c o m i n g m o n t h s , we can g e t s t u c k into it in the second half of the season.” Earlier Saul Niguez’s cool finish made the difference for Atletico Madrid as they held on to fourth place with a narrow 1-0 win at Osasuna. Out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, and 13 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, Champions League qualification is Atletico’s key goal in the second half of the season. The Rojiblancos were left fuming after their quarterfinal cup elimination in midweek, unhappy with the refereeing, but had nothing to complain about as they snatched victory at El Sadar. Atletico took the lead after 74 minutes against the run of play, through midfielder Saul, on as a substitute. The Spaniard is no longer a key figure for Diego Simeone but took his chance, reaching Rodrigo De Paul’s lobbed pass and finishing clinically. Simeone believes his team bounced back well from the team’s Copa del Rey elimination by Madrid. “We have a way of thinking and working, and the club has a way of living that is to never give up, and always get up in the face of adverse situations,” the Argentine coach told Movistar. “There is no greater motivation than playing for Atletico Madrid.” Iago Aspas’s goal helped Celta Vigo earn a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, while a 90th-minute strike by Canadian debutant Cyle Larin helped Real Valladolid beat Valencia 1-0, moving a point clear of the drop zone. – Reuters Reims strike late to hurt 10-man PSG ON-LOAN Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun ran through to score a remarkable 96th-minute equaliser as Reims held 10-man Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw yesterday. It looked like Neymar’s strike early in the second half would be enough for PSG to take all three points despite substitute Marco Verratti being sent off shortly after that goal. But an impressive Reims side got the draw they richly deserved when Balogun broke away to fire home right at the death. The result sees the club coached by 30- year-old Belgian-born Englishman Will Still extend their unbeaten run to 14 games between league and cup. They remain in mid-table but have now drawn with the Parisians twice this season, their collective strength allowing a team of hungry young players to hold their own against PSG’s superstars. PSG have now dropped points in three of their four league games in 2023, and while they remain three points clear of Lens at the top of the table, their form is a concern with the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich now little over two weeks away. “Overall we obviously can’t be satisfied with our performance. It is not a question of being worried but we need to get back to winning ways quickly and play much more as a team than we are at the moment,” coach Christophe Galtier told broadcaster Amazon Prime. “To concede a goal after 95 minutes with the number of experienced players we have – it is damaging for us in terms of the points dropped but it is also very surprising.” – AFP GIOVANNI SIMEONE ensured Napoli continued their march towards a first Serie A title in over three decades with the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Roma which pushed his team 13 points clear of the chasing pack. Substitute Simeone rifled home a wonderful finish at the end of a long passing move with four minutes remaining at the bouncing Stadio Maradona to see off a spirited Roma team who thought they had escaped with a point when Stephan El Shaarawy levelled in the 75th minute. However Luciano Spalletti’s side are now 13 points clear of Inter Milan, the closest challengers after champions AC Milan were humbled 5-2 by Sassuolo to leave their title defence in tatters. “I tried to give everything I had. I did the best thing possible today which was get the winner. I am so happy,” said Simeone. Roma can consider themselves unfortunate to leave Naples with nothing. Jose Mourinho’s team sit sixth, a point behind the Champions League positions and Milan who have been dumped down to fifth following their humiliating 5-2 defeat and Lazio’s 1-1 draw with Fiorentina. “There are some matches where you lose but come away feeling better about the team. That’s my feeling today,” said Mourinho to DAZN. “Sometimes football is unfair. Sometimes the team who deserves more loses.” Victor Osimhen’s 14th league strike for Napoli was one of the goals of the season and a blistering opener to an enthralling encounter which ended with Napoli taking yet another step towards glory. Everything that could go wrong for troubled Milan did at a gloriously sunny San Siro, with two goals ruled out for offside and a shocking defensive display condemning them to another heavy loss after also being hammered by Lazio and Inter Milan in the last 10 days. Next up is the derby against Inter who thumped Milan 3-0 in the Super Cup less than a fortnight ago as Milan try to end an alarming slump. “We have to react, we’re probably not going to win the title again but we have to fight to qualify for the Champions League,” coach Stefano Pioli told Sky. – AFP Napoli continue march towards Serie A title F1 tensions with FIA surface FORMULA ONE is never more than a chicane away from an unseemly spat as last week’s surfacing of tensions between the sport’s custodians the FIA and its owners Liberty Media demonstrated Saudi interest in adding F1 to its growing sport-portfolio beyond LIV Golf and the Premier League has triggered a row that threatens to act as a damaging backdrop to the 2023 season just weeks away from the opening race in Bahrain. It was a tweet from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem last week that ignited Liberty Media’s indignation. Mohammed described as “an inflated price tag being put on F1” a report in Bloomberg that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) had tried and failed to buy F1 for US$20 billion (RM86b). Liberty Media, which took over the sports’ commercial rights holder for US$4.4 billion (RM19b) in 2017, called Mohammed’s comments “unacceptable”. In his Mohammed posts Mohammed, who succeeded Jean Todt as president of the FIA in 2021, wrote that “any potential buyer is advised to apply common sense, consider the greater good of the sport and come with a clear, sustainable plan – not just a lot of money”. Liberty hit back in what the BBC called “a dramatic escalation in the strained relationship between F1 and the FIA that has been evident during Ben Sulayem’s 13- month presidency”. In blunt terms Liberty told him to stop meddling in affairs which did not concern him. Reed in fresh controversy FROM “teegate” to “treegate” – it seems impossible to keep Patrick Reed and controversies apart. The American, who now plies his trade as a contracted LIV Golf player, was embroiled in yet another rules controversy during Sunday’s third round of the Dubai Desert Classic, when his ball got lodged in one of the palm trees on the par-4 17th green. Reed said he could identify his ball on the tree after looking through a pair of binoculars and proceeded to take a drop right under the tree with a one-shot penalty. He ended up making a bogey in a 3-under par round of 69 as he ended the day tied in fourth place at 11-under for the rain-hit tournament, four behind leader Rory McIlroy. If Reed was unable to locate his ball, he could not have declared it unplayable. That would have forced him to go back to the tee and hit what would have been his third shot. However, a social media post suggested that television replays showed Reed’s ball disappearing into an adjacent tree, although the footage did not seem conclusive. … as McIlroy leads in Dubai RORY MCILROY leads the Dubai Desert Classic into the weather-delayed final round by three shots despite dumping his second into the water guarding the 18th green yesterday. After the bogey on his last hole, the world No. 1 signed for a third round 7-under 65. That helped McIlroy move to 15-under, three clear of English duo Callum Shinkwin (67) and Dan Bradbury (68) tied for second at 12-under. “I’m always going to hit good enough shots to make birdies and hole some putts but keeping the mistakes off your card is the secret for me,” said McIlroy, a two-time winner of the tournament. He added: “I made one bogey out there today, which I’m pretty frustrated about. You know, the other 17 holes were very good.” Last week’s Abu Dhabi champion Victor Perez (66) was among a large group tied for fourth place at 11-under. That included five LIV Golf players – Patrick Reed (69), Ian Poulter (69), Shaun Norris (67), Adri Arnaus (70) and Richard Bland (71). SHORTS Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior (centre) in action with Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo (right). – REUTERSPIX
23 * SPORTS theSUN ON TUESDAY | JANUARY 31, 2023 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME ‘Like a kid again’ Casemiro enjoying himself and believes United on good path CASEMIRO believes Manchester United are growing towards being title contenders and says playing for the Old Trafford giants makes him feel like an excited, wide-eyed 15-year-old again. Having chased Frenkie de Jong and failed to land Adrien Rabiot, the Red Devils pulled off an almighty coup by signing the Brazil international from Real Madrid in the summer. Some questioned United’s decision to pay £60 million (RM324m) for a 30-year-old – a fee that could yet rise by £10 million (RM54m) – and even the hunger of a player that has won so much. But Casemiro has so far made doubters look foolish, having put in transformative midfield displays and embraced the challenge of turning the club’s fortunes around. “When you arrive at a new club, you always dream of making history… especially if we see the greatness of this club,” the Brazil international said. “We know the history. “But of course, I was aware of needing some time to adapt and of the rivals having a long-term plan before ours, like Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool. “They all have managers that have been there for a while and, therefore, they have an advantage. “I’m happy with my adaptation here, my teammates and the staff are really helping me… also with the English language, it’s been quite hard but I’m really trying to get better. “Everyone here has been lovely with me and since the first day I feel at home here. I appreciate all the effort that the club has done to bring me here, John (Murtough) included. “I’m very comfortable at Manchester United, extremely happy to be here and enjoying every moment like a 15-year-old kid! But the most important is to see the team growing.” United are still fighting on all four fronts and will surely have a shot at glory in next month’s Carabao Cup final as they chase a first trophy since 2017. “We have to see what the reality is and we are still club under construction,” Casemiro said when it was put to him that his decision to join the club at such a low ebb surprised many. “Of course we are already respected, the opponents know we’re strong, that we have good dynamics, the manager is doing a good job, the players as well. “Manchester United is a big club… in my opinion, if we look at the titles, it’s the biggest in England. “In our lives we have to have goals and challenges. It was a challenge for me to keep growing and developing in my career. “The job is on with a lot of humility by knowing there’s a lot to improve, but all the players need to be congratulated now. “We’re on a good path. This is the way to win titles, but we need to keep growing. “We know we’re progressing within a plan, step by step we’re building a well-structured team and this is important. “To win titles in the future, you have to build a solid foundation.” – The Independent Stevenage boss slams referee after Stoke defeat STEVE EVANS criticised referee David Webb’s performance as Stevenage’s FA Cup run came to an end with a 3-1 defeat at Stoke yesterday. The League Two promotion hopefuls were denied a penalty for handball by Josh Laurent with Stoke holding a slender 2-1 lead, with the Potters awarded a controversial spot-kick of their own soon after following Jonathan Tomkinson’s challenge on Jacob Brown. Webb then admitted his mistake on the pitch, according to Evans. “We don’t get a penalty for a handball and the referee’s excuse is that the hand’s by his side,” the Stevenage boss said. “I’ve seen a rerun of it and it’s a penalty. And then he gives Stoke City a penalty and that’s never a penalty; it’s a great challenge. “He then watches the replay as we kick off again and he’s then told my players that he got it wrong. “How does that motivate my players to come back in a cup tie? Somebody needs to explain that. “The referee effectively kills the cup tie, but we’re very proud of our efforts in the FA Cup. It’s a shocking decision and my players were really hurting with the referee running around saying, ‘I got it wrong’.” Stoke secured back-to-back wins for the first time since October as they advanced to round five. Boss Alex Neil said: “It’s job done – they were always going to come and fight for every ball and make it difficult. “I thought our response to the equaliser was excellent as, at that point, you can feel doubt in yourself, and their fans start to get behind them. “I thought we merited the win and we’re deservedly through to the next round.” – The Independent HOLLYWOOD star Ryan Reynolds watched on in anguish as his Wrexham side conceded deep into stoppage time to draw 3-3 against Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round yesterday. Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney took over the National League side in 2020. The American celebrated the Welsh club’s three goals wildly in the stands, but they will need to win a replay to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1997. “When @RMcElhenney and I got into this it all felt so impossible,” Reynolds tweeted after the dramatic match. “But impossible is @Wrexham_AFC ‘s favourite colour. That was one of the most exciting things I’ve EVER seen. “Thank you each and every Wrexham supporter who came out and aimed your heart at that pitch tonight.” Wrexham could not have got off to a worse start as Oli McBurnie headed the Blades in front after 61 seconds. Sheffield United look set for a return to the Premier League next season but they were rocked by a pulsating atmosphere inside the Racecourse Ground. The home side struck twice in 11 minutes early in the second half to turn the tie around as James Jones and Thomas O’Connor scored from set-pieces. Oli Norwood looked to have ended the Wrexham dream with a composed finish to equalise. But a red card for Daniel Jebbison for an off-the-ball incident handed the hosts 20 minutes with an extra man to find the winner. They seemed set for a Hollywood ending when top scorer Paul Mullin steered home in the 86th minute. However, there was a final late twist in the plot as John Egan forced home a corner in the 95th minute to force a replay. Mullin said he was “very disappointed” to concede so near the end of the match. “If we just hold on against 10 men then we are through,” he told the BBC. “I thought we were the better team throughout the game, creating chances and looking dangerous on the break. We limited them to not many chances in open play. “I’m so proud of everyone. We’ve worked so hard to get here. We came into the game thinking we could win and we had a game plan. Unfortunately it hasn’t quite paid off but I think when the dust settles tomorrow we’ll be proud of it.” – AFP Wrexham denied Hollywood ending in FA Cup thriller █ SIMON PEACH Football adventure is greatest experience, says actor HOLLYWOOD star Ryan Reynolds has hailed his involvement with non-league side Wrexham as the “greatest experience” of his life after he jetted in to watch his team in the FA Cup. “Genuinely speaking it has been the greatest experience of my entire life,“ Reynolds told the BBC yesterday. “This adventure has been unlike anything else. I love it because it’s a project that’s going to be multi-decades. “I met a supporter the other day whose grandfather’s ashes were scattered across the pitch. I look at this place as like a church. “In Canada, where I am from, people are obsessed with this club. It’s been pretty remarkable. We’ve sold something like 24,000 jerseys and so many of them went to North America. We can’t get them any more. I can’t get one. “The part I find most gratifying is the support from the community outside the club. The fact Wrexham have become a tourist destination for so many folks and they are showing up here. There is something special about this town.” – AFP CHELSEA have reopened talks with Benfica about trying to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 22, before the transfer window closes today. TOTTENHAM have submitted a €25m (RM115m) verbal offer to Bayer Leverkusen for the transfer of Ecuador centreback Piero Hincapie, 21. NOTTINGHAM FOREST are on the verge of signing Newcastle United’s English midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, 30. ENGLISH FA CUP 4TH ROUND: Brighton 2 Liverpool 1, Stoke 3 Stevenage 1, Wrexham 3 Sheffield United 3. LA LIGA: Real Valladolid 1 (Larin 90) Valencia 0, Osasuna 0 Atletico Madrid 1 (Saul 74), Celta Vigo 1 (Aspas 71) Athletic Bilbao 0, Real Madrid 0 Real Sociedad 0. Top 5 P W D L F A Pts Barcelona 18 15 2 1 37 6 47 Real Madrid 18 13 3 2 38 16 42 Real Sociedad 19 12 3 4 28 18 39 Atletico 19 10 4 5 28 16 34 Villarreal 18 9 4 5 21 13 31 SERIE A: Juventus 0 Monza 2 (Ciurria 18, Mota 39), Lazio 1 (Casale 8) Fiorentina 1 (Gonzalez 49), AC Milan 2 (Giroud 24, Origi 81) Sassuolo 5 (Defrel 19, Frattesi 21, Berardi 30, Lauriente 48- pen, Henrique 79), Napoli 2 (Osimhen 17, Simeone 86) Roma 1 (El Shaarawy 75). Top 5 P W D L F A Pts Napoli 20 17 2 1 48 15 53 Inter Milan 20 13 1 6 40 26 40 Lazio 20 11 5 4 36 16 38 Atalanta 20 11 5 4 39 23 38 AC Milan 20 11 5 4 37 29 38 BUNDESLIGA: Bayer Leverkusen 0 Borussia Dortmund 2, Schalke 0 Cologne 0. Top 5 P W D L F A Pts Bayern Munich 18 10 7 1 52 16 37 Union Berlin 18 11 3 4 31 22 36 RB Leipzig 18 10 5 3 39 24 35 Dortmund 18 11 1 6 33 25 34 Freiburg 18 10 4 4 29 25 34 FRENCH LIGUE 1: Nice 1 Lille 0, Auxerre 0 Montpellier 2, Brest 4 Angers 0, Clermont 0 Nantes 0, Strasbourg 1 Toulouse 2, Ajaccio 0 Lyon 2, Paris Saint-Germain 1 Reims 1. Top 5 P W D L F A Pts Paris SG 20 15 3 2 49 15 48 Lens 20 13 6 1 33 14 45 Marseille 20 13 4 3 40 17 43 Monaco 20 11 5 4 43 27 38 Rennes 20 11 4 5 37 22 37 RESULTS & STANDINGS TOUCHLINES Wrexham’s Paul Mullin (right) scores his team’s third goal against Sheffield United during yesterday’s FA Cup fourth round match. – AFPPIX Reynolds
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] TUESDAY • JANUARY 31, 2023 When you arrive at a new club, you always dream of making history… I’m very comfortable at Manchester United, extremely happy to be here and enjoying every moment like a 15-year-old kid! But the most important is to see the team growing.” Manchester United’s Casemiro QUOTE OF THE DAY LIVERPOOL suffered another horror show on the south coast as Kaoru Mitoma’s stunning stoppage-time goal saw the holders dumped out of the FA Cup 2-1 at Brighton. The Reds, back at the scene of the 3-0 thumping a fortnight ago which Jurgen Klopp described as the worst of his managerial career, looked destined for at least a replay after Lewis Dunk’s lucky strike cancelled out Harvey Elliott’s opener. But Japan star Mitoma produced a fabulous piece of improvisation to control the ball and then volley a dramatic winner to leave Klopp wincing again. The Reds boss bemoaned the type of goal they conceded, while also pointing out that there was a lack of balance in terms of defensive support for fullbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. “We came here after a game a few weeks ago when we weren’t even close to ourselves,” Klopp told Radio 5 Live. “Today we played a better game but we concede two goals from set-pieces and that is not allowed in any way. “On the left side Robbo (Robertson) was okay because we helped him but on the other side Trent didn’t get the support. “Mitoma is really good so, of course, it was tough. We could have defended both goals better. “The first is deflected but we can probably block the shot. It doesn’t feel great. In time we might see the positives but we wanted to get the next round. Congratulations to Brighton. “I understand 100% why people aren’t happy with the game. But it’s just the situation we are in. There’s no other way than to fight through… That’s why we keep working 100%.” The German ruled out the prospect of making a late delve into the transfer market to bring in reinforcements. “Nothing will happen in this transfer window, not at all,” Klopp told reporters. “It’s all good with this squad.” Robertson meanwhile had some harsh words for the rest of the squad following their poor showing at the Amex. “Bitterly disappointing. I thought it was a good cup tie, end to end and both had chances,” he said. “We were more competitive than two weeks ago but that didn’t take much. We created chances and were more compact but at the end of the day we are out of the cup. “At a club like Liverpool, fans expect a lot and to lose with the last kick of the ball it’s disappointing. We need to start winning games. It’s easy to say but harder to fix. “This season has been nowhere near good enough. At the start of the year, we wanted a fresh start but that hasn’t happened. We’ve been worse. “In the League, we haven’t been good enough and now we’re out of both cups now. You can’t put your finger on one thing, it’s more than that. “You can tell we’re not as confident in front of goal and in defence we are a wee bit open. We had two clean sheets coming into today but then go and concede two goals. “We need to get the confidence back, it’s easier said than done, and that’s how we will get results.” Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi was full of praise of Mitoma following his late heroics, saying: “It’s nice to have him in our side, I’m glad I’m not chasing him. “He’s a top player… We are lucky to have him in our team and hopefully we can keep him. We’ll take it game by game.” And on the contest overall, he added: “Sometimes you have to win a game like that. We weren’t great today but managed to grind it out against a top side. “We feel like we can beat anyone on our best days and we showed here we can do it on our not so good days. We just need to keep pushing on.” – The Independent/Express newspapers IN drawing level with Rafael Nadal’s record 22 Grand Slam titles, Novak Djokovic reignited the debate about who is the greatest men’s tennis player of all time. For some, the Serb settled it with his record-extending 10th Australian Open crown. Certainly his vanquished opponent on Rod Laver Arena thinks so. “He’s the greatest that has ever held a tennis racquet, for sure,“ said Stefanos Tsitsipas after losing 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5). It seems inevitable that Djokovic, who returned to world No. 1 with his dominant victory in Sunday’s final, will win more Slams. At 35 he is a year younger than great rival Nadal and except for hamstring trouble early on in Melbourne, he appears to be in excellent physical shape. In contrast, Nadal’s battered body broke down again at the Australian Open and he limped out with defeat in the second round, his title defence over and the Spaniard in pain with a hip injury. Roger Federer, the third of the “Big Three” who have dominated men’s tennis for the past 15 years, retired last year with 20 Grand Slam titles. Federer will always be the “people’s champion” in the eyes of many because of the graceful way he played, but it is Djokovic who looks primed to pull away with the record number of men’s major crowns. Djokovic seems to thrive on pain and feed off adversity. Two years ago he won in Australia despite tearing stomach muscles, this year it was a hamstring that did not allow him to practise between matches. If not for Djokovic’s vaccine status, which saw him deported from Australia a year ago and prevented him competing at the US Open, he may well have already been on 23 or 24 Slam wins. “Haha, I told you. We created a monster… Sat on my couch and enjoyed the entire show. Soak it all in,” Nick Kyrgios, beaten by Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last year, tweeted on Sunday. Djokovic only appears to be getting better with age and the “Next Gen” of young talent are still unable to get near him over five sets. His coach, Goran Ivanisevic, believes there are a few more years at the top – and more Slams – to come. “Definitely two, three more years,“ Ivanisevic told reporters after Sunday’s final. “The way he’s taking care of his body, the way he approaches everything, the food, it’s amazing. It’s unbelievable the level.” Some tennis fans will always take convincing to accept Djokovic as the greatest, despite what the number of Grand Slam titles says. He polarises opinion, whereas Federer and Nadal are universally loved for how they are on and off the court. There are those who see something too calculating in the intense, brooding Djokovic. Controversy is never far away. Last year it was his Covid vaccination status. This year it was his father Srdjan posing with a fan holding a Russian flag featuring Vladimir Putin’s face. Before that, Djokovic’s infamous default from the US Open in 2020 for petulantly swiping a ball which hit a female line judge laid his character bare, said the critics. But Djokovic supporters say those traits are what have driven him to glory. Djokovic clearly felt impacted by the controversies this year and talked honestly about them, whereas before he may have just batted questions away. It “hurts him and me” he said after they decided that his father would not be courtside to see him win the Australian Open. It was one of the reasons an emotional Djokovic called Sunday’s title “the biggest victory in my life”. The Grand Slam numbers don’t lie. But gaining universal acceptance from tennis fans as “the greatest” may be an even bigger achievement. – AFP ‘Monster’ Djokovic may have settled GOAT debate Oh no, not again! Brighton maintain role as Liverpool’s bogey team with last-gasp winner Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma controls the ball before scoring the winner against Liverpool yesterday. – REUTERSPIX