Sun20042023

PETALING JAYA: The Aidilfitri exodus from the Klang Valley began yesterday as people from outstation made their yearly balik kampung trip to reunite with their families for Hari Raya. Having learnt from previous experience, many of them are carpooling, even with strangers this time around, to avoid any last-minute rush for bus or plane tickets. Architectural graduate Muhammad Noriman Mohd Fadzi, 26, who has been carpooling to return to his hometown in Tanah Merah, Kelantan, from Selangor since his early university days eight years ago, said it was a better way to get home. “I have been travelling (this way) between the two states. Although it takes 10 hours to commute to Kelantan, every minute in the car would be joyful because all of us are excited to see our families back home. “One of my most memorable moments travelling interstate is breaking fast at a grassy area beside the highway emergency lane. With the long hours of standstill traffic, most commuters chose to buka puasa outside of their vehicles. “They had warm dishes, snacks and kuih to share with fellow commuters. I think that is unique and a very Malaysian culture that is not found anywhere else,” he said. This year, Muhammad Noriman said he would set out for Kelantan at 11pm with his younger brother, who works as a software engineer in Kuala Lumpur. Diana Shafie, 23, a Shah Alam-based social media executive who is carpooling with a friend, said sharing stories was a great way to curb sleepiness while driving for long hours. “I rarely feel sleepy when driving, even when it is late at night or in the wee hours of the morning because sharing stories somehow makes me stay focused and alert. “This technique of staying up could also be paired with singing along to Hari Raya songs or a karaoke session in the car. Balik Kampung is the best song to chase any sleepiness away.” Design architect Nik Muhammad Idzham Shah Abdul Hadi, 26, said the thought of warm, home-cooked food waiting at home is enough to chase away the gloom of the stressful traffic on the way to Kota Bharu. “Although the ride can take up to 12 hours being cramped inside a car with other friends, I can bear the tight space because I can finally have my favourite Kelantanese dishes made by my mother. So, I will have light snacks for buka puasa inside the car. “I often have power naps near the RnR area in Genting Sempah. However, since my younger brother, who is studying in Shah Alam, is joining me this year, I think we can beat any sleepiness. Nevertheless, I will make sure I get adequate sleep the day before the long trip.” Sports reporter Syifa Abdul Nasir, 23, a Johorean, said she would carpool with a friend she met in university. “For people who came from other states to work in Kuala Lumpur, carpooling is the cheapest means to balik kampung. “Since I have only been working for less than a year, I don’t want to spend too much of what I have saved on transport for Raya. “My friend and I found out that our homes in Johor Bahru are less than 10 minutes’ drive apart. So, we have decided to carpool this Hari Raya and perhaps the next.” Unlike everyone else, interior designer Hanis Farhana Ismail, 26, carpooled to klia2 from her rental house in Ampang Jaya. “This year, my family and I will be celebrating our first week of Hari Raya at Setiu, Terengganu, with my extended maternal family. “Because of the expected high traffic volume on the highway heading towards Terengganu and Kelantan, I chose to carpool oMany in Aidilfitri exodus from Klang Valley beat festive travel jitters through vehicle-sharing █ BYARINA MUSTHAFA [email protected] TELLING IT AS IT IS ON THURSDAY APRIL 20, 2023 No. 8254 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my MESMERISING MAIDENS ... Two members of the Mermaid Mission of the Dolphin Lee Aquatic Group performing the ‘Raya Dance’ at the Aquatheatre yesterday as part of the two-week Fintasticnya Raya Aquaria KLCC celebration, which is on until May 2. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN INSIDE There will be no publication tomorrow and on Monday. Please visit thesundaily.my for the latest news. theSun wishes everyone Selamat Hari Raya. Raya carpooling from my rental house to the airport with friends who are also heading south. They dropped me off at the airport at around 2am for my 6am flight home. “It is important to carpool in well-maintained cars, especially if we travel late at night and will be on the road for six to eight hours or even up to 10 hours if caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic,” she said. 2 page Mixed marriage couple raise family on multi-culturalism

2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Mixed marriage couple raise family on multi-culturalism oMalaysian Chinese Muslim convert and Indonesian spouse celebrate CNY while practising Islam PETALING JAYA: Despite their cultural differences, a ChineseMalaysian husband and his Indonesian wife have raised three children to value and practise both ethnic cultures. Zulkarnain Tan Abdullah, 56, who converted to Islam 26 years ago, and his family of five celebrate Chinese New Year (CNY) and other Chinese cultural festivities, while practising Islam. “This year’s celebration will be even more special as our major house renovation was completed just two weeks before the fasting month. “For Hari Raya, we will have a simple celebration and feast on delicacies such as nasi himpit and chicken rendang, as well as Chinese dishes like wonton noodles and dumplings in our newly styled home,” Zulkarnain said. Speaking to theSun, the couple said they could not celebrate CNY fully this year because the house renovation was in progress. Zulkarnain said their routine would usually begin two weeks before CNY, when his wife, Ninin Amiyanti Mujiono, 51, would prepare some CNY delicacies such as pineapple tarts and cookies for the whole family. He would decorate the house weeks before CNY with lanterns at the entrance, paper cuttings, red packets pasted on the walls, and long stalks of pink cherry blossoms as the centrepiece of their living room. Ninin Amiyanti said her husband New sec-gen for ministry Khazanah aims to improve social housing KUALA LUMPUR: Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah) and several of its affiliates will do a comprehensive review of issues related to the People’s Housing Project. The review aims to address common gaps in social housing in Malaysia through policy proposals, community empowerment and “placemaking” initiatives. Khazanah managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said Khazanah would lead the collaboration with other entities under its umbrella such as Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), Yayasan Hasanah and Think City in efforts to create conducive living conditions at People’s Housing Projects. He said the collaboration among Khazanah entities would further strengthen its role as a sovereign wealth fund that is able to deal with key issues affecting the people. “We praise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of the RM35 million additional allocation for community empowerment programmes for public housing communities in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. “This allocation will benefit 50,000 residents through the KitaUntuk-Kita programme led by Think City,” he said in a statement. Meanwhile, KRI chairman Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said his team conducted a public policy study on the People’s Housing Project programme and published a report in March. He said the Residential Wellbeing of the Urban Poor study report was the result of the participation of 3,878 households from five People’s Housing Projects here and in Penang. He said the report outlined an action plan that needed to be taken to address weaknesses affecting People’s Housing Projects, including a review of the social housing policy. “The policy proposals include focus on the quality of social housing, the government’s role in maintaining an adequate social housing scheme as well as the impact of providing social housing on the private housing market.” Meanwhile, Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed said in line with the Malaysia Madani concept, the Kita-Untuk-Kita programme encourages collective action for a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous public housing community, as well as shared responsibilities to meet the needs and aspirations of the community. – Bernama SPIRIT OF RAYA ... Staff of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur posing at the ‘Rumah Kampung’ display put up in conjunction with Aidilfitri. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN would always get very excited decorating the house for CNY. “If I do not stop him from buying too many CNY ornaments, the whole house would be covered with red decorations.” Zulkarnain added that on the first day of CNY the family would go to the Malaysian Chinese Association CNY open house at Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang. He said the following day, all family members would gather at his maternal uncle’s house to celebrate together. “We would come together for lunch and exchange red packets (ang pau). My wife would usually do the cooking.” Ninin Amiyanti said lunch would often be a noodle dish that symbolises longevity and her signature dish of chicken rendang. She said she sometimes served a rice dish with chicken curry. “I did not have the opportunity to learn traditional Chinese dishes from my mother-in-law, especially those that are served during festivities since she passed away before our marriage. “Only light dishes such as vegetarian spring rolls and sweet red bean porridge are served at the uncle’s house to accommodate our halal food needs. “To be safe, they would let us bring halal food so that everybody can enjoy delicious food in the spirit of togetherness,” she said. Ninin Amiyanti said apart from CNY, the family would celebrate the Winter Solstice festival by making tangyuan (glutinous rice balls cooked in a sweet, gingery soup). “Cooking tangyuan on the day of Winter Solstice and celebrating CNY are traditions that my husband practised before we got married. “As the children’s mother, I am simply preserving those traditions and teaching my children the values and meaning of celebrations, so that they could have special bonds with their extended families.” The couple also send their children to Chinese primary schools and national secondary schools. “Thus, the children can stay connected with their roots besides mastering multiple languages.” PUTRAJAYA: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali announced that Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang has been appointed as the secretarygeneral of the Human Resources Ministry effective yesterday. Zaini, 58, who started his career as a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia on Aug 6, 1988 before assuming the position of administrative and diplomatic officer on Oct 1, 2011, has served as secretary-general of the Higher Education Ministry and the Environment and Water Ministry. Mohd Zuki in a statement said Zaini has extensive experience in human resource management, education, planning, research and the environment, especially water technology. “Hopefully with this appointment he can realise the vision of the ministry as ‘Leader of National Human Resource Development and Management’.” – Bernama Mask up, limit outdoor activities, says minister PUTRAJAYA: The public is advised to use face masks and umbrellas or hats to avoid direct exposure to the sun and haze currently affecting the country, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. She said people should avoid strenuous activities to prevent illnesses during the current hot spell. “Limit the time spent outdoors to avoid exposure to the hot weather and haze,” she said in a statement yesterday. Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was reported to have said that the haze is expected to be worse this year compared with the last three years as plantation and industrial activities have returned to normal operations. Based on the monitoring of the hot weather status by the Malaysian Meteorological Department yesterday, several areas were reported to be in the Warning Level 1 (Caution) category but no areas were reported to be in Warning Level 2 (heat wave). Zaliha urged the public to keep windows closed to prevent haze particles from entering their homes or buildings. “Avoid activities such as smoking that can increase indoor air pollutants and clean the inside of premises regularly.” She said another preventive measure to reduce the ill effects of hot weather and haze is choosing the air-recirculation mode when using air-conditioners while driving. “Drink lots of plain water, at least eight glasses per day, even if you do not feel thirsty. This is to maintain the body’s hydration level, which is important in regulating body temperature. “Take frequent baths to cool down. Avoid wearing thick, tight and dark-coloured clothes,” she said, adding that people should seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility if they feel unwell. – Bernama RM93m for free toll initiative KUCHING: The government has to bear the cost of implementing the free Rahmah toll initiative for four days from today amounting to about RM93 million, said Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He said the free Rahmah toll initiative, applicable on 13 highways and for all classes of vehicles, was one of Madani’s aspirations to reduce the cost of living for the people. Ahmad said the amount was a preliminary estimate calculated by the National Budget Office to be paid to the concessionaires involved. “Think of it as duit raya, to give highway users the opportunity to return to their hometowns or visit family members in conjunction with Aidilfitri,” he said after handing over donations to 30 asnaf at the Malaysian Tax Academy. In another development, Ahmad said the Sarawak Inland Revenue Board recorded a total of RM6.6 billion in tax collection last year. – Bernama █ BYARINA MUSTHAFA [email protected] Keluarga Madani

3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 PETALING JAYA: Located on the ground floor of Central Market in Kuala Lumpur is an old money trading shop that has been in business for almost 12 years. Despite being fairly new to the business, the shop has an expert who appraises the value of currencies. Old money trader Abdul Hadi Ali Ahmad, 34, also known as Eddy, said he would mostly refer to the Malaysia Banknote and Coins Catalogue to value the coins or notes brought to him for sale. “A 10-cent coin that was minted in 1971, has a high value because its production that year was low. So, demand for that particular coin is high,” he told theSun. Eddy said demand for old coins and notes varies with people’s interest. “To money collectors, the demand for old coins and notes is high. Let’s say a collector has a set of 10-cent coins produced each year except for one, then he would be willing to pay a high price for the coin that’s missing from his collection. “Throughout my years in this industry, I’ve seen many collectors pay from RM1,000 to RM8,000 just to obtain one particular old coin or note.” He said at the moment, RM1 with the Aisyah signature and 10-cent coins that were produced in 1971 are in demand. “Just one note of RM1 with the Aisyah signature will cost RM1,000. However, if a customer is willing to sell the note to us and asks for a higher price, we will consider, providing it meets our criteria. “For instance, we will first check whether the note is new, not faded or torn before we decide on the higher value that the customer wants,” he said Eddy added that not all old money has high value and not all new money is worthless. “A certain coin or note becomes valuable not just because it is old. The same principle applies to new money. If a note is old but everyone has it, then we may not even trade in it.” His worker, Faris Izzuddin Mohd Zakaria, 25, said a potential customer once attempted to sell him fake coins and notes. “Usually coins are either in copper or silver and once they are old, the coin will become darker and lose its lustre. If it is rusty, then it is fake. “Malaysian currency is easier to check because of its watermark and security line. Sometimes, we use a UV light to check the currency. If it is US dollars, we will check how it feels. Fake notes will usually seem smooth to the touch and thinner while original notes feel stiffer.” Faris Izzuddin said most of his customers are aged between 30 and 70, while some are a little older. “Sometimes, even school children will come by but we only entertain them if they are accompanied by their parents.” To avoid problems, Faris Izzuddin said he would determine the origin of the currency first before proceeding to buy it. “Sometimes, the old coins or notes are handed down by their family members, sometimes customers find them while in some cases, they received the currency from a cleaner or friend.” Full efficiency target at CIQ complex JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has expressed hope that the efficiency level at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in the Sultan Iskandar Building (SIB) will reach 100% throughout the Aidilfitri festive season. He said optimal operational efficiency was needed to ensure the smooth movement of travellers, reducing congestion on the land route between Malaysia and Singapore via the Causeway. “This CIQ is the busiest in the world and will be even busier after this. However, from today’s visit I can say that the efficiency level is not at 100%. For me, it is only 80%. “All counters for pedestrians, cars, motorcycles and buses must be fully opened. If there is any technical problem or lack of manpower issue, it must be resolved immediately,” he said after inspecting the CIQ operation yesterday. Onn Hafiz also invited the newly appointed immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh to visit the CIQ as soon as possible to find the best measure to improve its efficiency. “Malaysians and I hope the CIQ SIB can operate at full capacity. We are also concerned with the welfare of immigration personnel who are struggling to cope with the increase in the number of travellers. “I also received reports that sometimes, their overtime claims took too long to be settled. I hope this can be resolved immediately within a day or two,” he said. Last Friday, Johor Police Chief Datuk Kamarul Zamat Mamat said about two million vehicles are expected to enter Johor, including through the Causeway and the Second Link in conjunction with Hari Raya. – Bernama Trading place for vintage currencies in Kuala Lumpur oExpert in old money says collectors willing to pay up to RM8,000 for specific rare coins or notes Visitor target exceeded at Ramadan festival PUTRAJAYA: The 11th edition of the Putrajaya Ramadan Festival (FRP 2023) has so far recorded 600,000 visitors, exceeding the target of 500,000 for the month-long festival. Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) city services department licensing division director Jeffri Mustapa said the FRP, an annual event organised by PPj, began on March 22 and will end tomorrow. The festival, themed “Seindah Ramadan, Harmoni Lebaran”, has two components, namely the Ramadan Bazaar and the Aidilfitri Sale, which are aimed at making Putrajaya a one-stop centre for selling iftar food and Aidilfitri essentials. “With the response so far, PPj is confident of attracting more visitors this year. “This encouraging response is evident with the number of patrons arriving even on weekdays and even more on weekends. Many of them converge on the Ramadan Bazaar, the Aidilfitri Sale at the Syawal Anjung and the Laman Iftar area,” he said. For this year’s FRP, PPj features a new element at the Ramadan bazaar, with the setting up of four mini Ramadan bazaars at the parking lot in Taman Seri Empangan, Precinct 5 involving the participation of 11 traders, public market parking area in Precinct 8 (12 traders), the site in front of PPj Depot in Precinct 9 (45 traders) and the Precinct 14 night market site (145 traders). A total of 290 traders participated in the Ramadan bazaar at Precinct 3. “This mini Ramadan bazaar is opened following the overwhelming response from traders. We received 500 applications. So, we decided to open a bazaar at another location to give the traders, who were previously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, an opportunity to increase their income,” he said. He added that the opening of the Ramadan mini bazaar provided another option for the residents of Putrajaya, other than the Ramadan bazaar at Precinct 3. Jeffri said the mini bazaar also attracted residents from outside the Putrajaya area. To ensure cleanliness and hygiene at the FRP, he said more than 100 personnel were tasked with monitoring the compliance of traders to the stipulated regulations daily. Last year’s edition of FRP managed to attract more than 500,000 visitors, with gross sales of RM3 million. – Bernama March electoral roll open for review KUALA LUMPUR: The Supplementary Electoral Roll for March 2023, which has been verified and gazetted, is open for review for 30 days starting yesterday until May 18. Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said the DPT BLN3/2023 contained 39,604 names of citizens aged 18 and above for the period from March 1 until March 31. “It also involved 13,534 registered voters who changed constituencies and 3,229 voters who changed status or category of voters,” he said. The EC provides five methods for review, namely via its portal at www.spr.gov.my or mysprsemak.spr.gov.my and the official portals of state election offices at ppn.spr.gov.my. The review can also be done through the online application at myspr.spr.gov.my, MySPR Semak mobile application and the EC hotline at 03-88927218. – Bernama █ BYTHARANI NAIR [email protected] High traffic volume expected during Raya KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) expects an increase in traffic volume of up to 2.3 million vehicles daily on the three major expressways in the country starting yesterday until May 7 in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration. MHA, in a statement, said the expected increase in traffic is on the North-South Expressway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway and East Coast Expressway 1. To ensure the smooth flow of traffic and reduce congestion on expressways, it has instructed the highway concessionaires to take several steps to minimise the impact of the increase in traffic, including stopping construction and maintenance work involving the closure of highway lanes effective Tuesday until May 7 and to issue Travel Time Advisory to help motorists plan their journey, as well as display traffic information and reminders for them to top up their Touch ’n Go or e-Wallet before starting their journey. – Bernama Faris Izzuddin showing a visitor vintage collections of various currencies at the shop. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME Maaf Zahir & Batin Aidilfitri from all of us at Selamat Hari Raya Festive treat for 2,000 underprivileged families PUCHONG: Nestle Ice Cream Malaysia gave out 10,000 pints of its recently launched Nestle La Cremeria Chocolate Brownie Fudge and Butter Cookies ice cream to more than 2,000 underprivileged families here yesterday. Nestle partnered with social activist and philanthropist Kuan Chee Heng, popularly known as Uncle Kentang, to hand out the ice cream in Puchong Utama. The event was part of its “Raya Together-gether Bersama Nestle La Cremeria” campaign, which aimed to share the festive joy with less privileged communities. Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad CEO Juan Aranols said the company is pleased to partner with Uncle Kentang and Empire Project, an NGO that helped with the event, to spread joy through its campaign. “As many are preparing for the festivities, we wanted to keep in mind those in need and give back to the community in the spirit of Raya. “We hope that our humble contribution would help make their celebrations brighter.” Aranols said the campaign aims to bring joy and smiles to everyone. “Our latest addition to the Nestle La Cremeria range – Chocolate Brownie Fudge and Butter Cookies – is full of rich flavours, offering an indulgent and delicious experience for chocolate lovers. “For interested consumers, the flavour is available at all major supermarkets and hypermarkets across the country.” Aranols chose to distribute ice cream more than any other product under the Nestle brand because he believes ice cream would “bring out the smiles in the recipients as well as soothe their hearts with its sweetness”. “We know well of the little smiles that sharing a nice pint of great ice cream can bring, and it has been proven right from the smiles you can see here.” Aranols added that Nestle and (From left) Aranols, Kuan and Teo at the event in Puchong Utama yesterday. – SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN o10,000 pints of ice cream given to participants of Aidilfitri themed event █ BYTHARANI NAIR [email protected] Fama to expand direct sales programme KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) will expand the location of the direct-from-farm sales programme in an effort to help more people get essential goods at reasonable prices. Fama deputy director-general of operations Abdul Rashid Bahari said among the planned new locations for the programme were government office complexes in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. “We will also have the programme at People’s Housing Projects, mostly in areas with many people from the B40 group, such as the Agrobazaar Kedai Rakyat, AgroBazaar Rakyat and at the supermarkets of our strategic partners, Lotus’s and Aeon.” Abdul Rashid said Fama would also help entrepreneurs find a sales location and would also provide facilities such as tents and cleaning staff as well as ensure the safety of visitors at the events. He added that the agency would work with the Farmers’ Organisation Board, Malaysian Fisheries Development Board and the National Fishermen’s Association to obtain supplies at even lower prices. An entrepreneur under the Fama contract farming programme, Muhd Zulfadli Zuhaimi, said he welcomed the implementation of the direct sales programme, adding that he believes it would benefit many people. – Bernama Uncle Kentang’s collaboration has been an experience to remember. “He is a great philanthropist and with his help, we were able to get in touch with the lower-income group and make our event a success.” Kuan said Nestle’s generosity was deeply appreciated. “Simple acts of kindness such as this can make a difference to the less fortunate. “It shows them they are not forgotten, and brings a little more joy and happiness as we celebrate together with them as one Keluarga Madani. “We hope this initiative would inspire others to give back in whatever way they can during this festive season, so that we can help those in need to have a better Raya celebration than they otherwise would have.” Nestle business executive officer Teo Heng Keat said the event would not be the only one. “Nestle is planning to distribute another 30,000 pints of ice cream all over Malaysia. “We will be holding similar ice cream giveaways in Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Selangor.”

5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 Court sets May 12 to decide on ex-ministry official’s graft case KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court yesterday set May 12 to decide on a corruption and money laundering case involving Youth and Sports Ministry finance division former secretary Otman Arsahd. Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, representing Otman, 64, said the court set the date after the defence requested for a postponement to allow more time for them to file their submission. Following that, the court vacated yesterday’s date, he said. The court had set yesterday for the decision of the case before Judge Kamarudin Kamsun. On March 31, 2016, Otman was charged with 32 counts of abuse of power and with submitting false claims involving RM38.4 million at the National Sports Council Office at the Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex between Feb 28, 2012, and Nov 18, 2015. Seventeen charges of allegedly submitting false claims were framed under Section 18 (a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009, while the remaining 15 charges of abuse of power were under Section 23 (1) of the same Act. On April 2016, Otman was charged with 64 counts of receiving RM16,623,000 in proceeds from unlawful activities through cheques that were deposited into his Maybank, RHB and CIMB Berhad accounts between March 7, 2012 and Dec 11, 2015. He was alleged to have committed the offences at the RHB Bank branch at Precinct 8 in Putrajaya, Menara Maybank in Jalan Tun Perak, and the Maybank branch in Jalan Raja. The charges were framed under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides imprisonment of 15 years, or a fine of not less than five times the sum of the proceeds from the unlawful activities. A total of 70 prosecution witnesses were called to testify. – Bernama Accident hotspots to be monitored during Aidilfitri operations SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Road Transport Department is focusing its enforcement efforts on 23 locations identified as accident “hotspots” during the Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2023 (Ops HRA) road safety operation, which started on Tuesday. Its deputy director Ahmad Kamarunzaman Mehat said among the locations are the Federal Highway, Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh, Jalan Meru, Elite Highway and at Km9 to Km16 on the Middle Ring Road 2. He said the operation, which will be conducted until April 27, involves 325 personnel who will focus on nine main offences, including disobeying traffic signs, driving over the speed limit, using mobile phones while driving, queue jumping and overloading. “We also conducted Pre Ops HRA, involving bus inspections at the Sani Express Klang Sentral depot and Konsortium Transnasional Bhd depot to ensure bus operators comply with the rules and guidelines set,” he said. Ahmad Kamarunzaman added that during the operation, the department will also focus on motorcyclists, and offences related to driving licences, vehicle registration numbers and technical violations. He said the public could also make traffic related complaints by contacting the department at 03-5566 9442 or email [email protected]. – Bernama Altantuya’s family appeals for higher compensation PUTRAJAYA: The family of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu is appealing for higher compensation than the RM5 million awarded to them by the Shah Alam High Court in a suit they filed over her death in 2006. In the notice of appeal filed on Jan 16, Altantuya’s family is cross-appealing against part of the High Court’s decision on the quantum of damages. On Dec 16 last year, High Court Judge oFather of Mongolian model had filed suit in 2007 seeking RM100m, but was awarded RM5m Inmates freed under Raya programme LABUAN: Six Muslim inmates were released from prison under the Ihsan Madani Prisoners’ Release on Licence programme yesterday in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Labuan Correctional Centre assistant director Supt Richard Robin said one of them is from Sipitang in Sabah, and the rest are from Labuan. He said they are among the 1,000 prisoners nationwide chosen for the programme. The released prisoners were met by their family and relatives outside the prison. “The release is meant to provide inmates with the opportunity to celebrate Aidilfitri with their beloved families to strengthen family ties. “All of them were due for release next month or in the next two months. They have demonstrated good behaviour and fully complied with the rehabilitation programmes throughout their detention. “We hope family members openly accept the return of the inmates, so that they can return to normal life,” he said. – Bernama Drones used to detect traffic violations KOTA BHARU: Failing to comply with traffic regulations, especially queue jumping, is a persistent problem in Kelantan. The offences were detected by the Kelantan Road Transport Department as a result of monitoring using drones under the OPS Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2023 road safety operation since last Sunday at several locations. Kelantan Road Transport Department director Mohd Misuari Abdullah said as many as 99 summonses had been issued during the period to drivers who committed offences. “The operation was carried out around Kota Bharu, Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas. “The operation was also assisted by the Motorcycle Enforcement Unit to book those who flout Rule 5 of the Traffic Regulations 1959, which is overtaking on the left side of the road. “The use of drones is very helpful in booking drivers who commit offences, which can cause traffic congestion and create risks of accidents, especially during this festive season,” he said. – Bernama Man claims trial to torching motorcycles KUALA LUMPUR: A food delivery rider pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court yesterday to a charge of causing mischief by burning 11 motorcycles and four electric scooters at a shopping centre last week. Azril Kamarunzaman, 34, was charged with committing the offence at the parking area in front of Suria KLCC in Jalan Ampang at 3.30pm on April 13. He was charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which provides imprisonment of 14 years and a fine. Judge Datuk Nu’aman Mahmud Zuhudi allowed him bail of RM5,000 in one surety and fixed May 22 for mention. DPP Wan Nurul Amalina Abu Hanifah prosecuted, while lawyer Muhamad Ridzuan Umar represented Azril. – Bernama Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera (now Court of Appeal judge) allowed the suit by Altantuya’s family and ordered former policemen Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda and the government to jointly pay RM5 million in general, aggravated and exemplary damages. The judge also awarded interest at 5% per annum of the sum of judgment from the date of the filing of the lawsuit until the full settlement of the amount, and legal costs of RM25,000. On Jan 12, the government and Abdul Razak filed their appeals against the court’s decision on liability and quantum. A case management for the appeal was held before Court of Appeal deputy registrar Nadia Mohd Kamal yesterday, who then fixed another case management date on June 13 for parties to update the court relating to the status of the grounds of appeal and notes of proceedings. The appeals by Abdul Razak and the government are also fixed for case management on the same day, Bernama reported. When contacted, lawyer Simranjit Kaur Chhran, representing Altantuya’s family, confirmed the next case management date. On June 4, 2007, Altantuya’s parents Dr Shaariibuu and Altantsetseg Sanjaa, as well as their grandson Mungunshagai Bayarjargal, filed a RM100 million suit against Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar, Abdul Razak and the government. In their statement of claim, Altantuya’s family said the model’s death caused them to suffer mental shock and psychological trauma and sought compensation as well as exemplary and aggravated damages. BLURRY SKYLINE ... Visitors to Teluk Sisek Beach in Pahang yesterday were greeted with a hazy view that obscured Menara Kuantan 188 in the distance. – WAN MIRZA ISKANDAR /THESUN

6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Cyclone leaves fishermen stranded on desert island CANBERRA: A group of Indonesian fishermen are recovering after being shipwrecked on a coral atoll off Australia’s west coast for six days without food or supplies, authorities said yesterday. Ten men washed up on Bedwell Island, about 300km west of the resort town Broome, after their boat was battered by a severe tropical cyclone while fishing in the Indian Ocean. An eleventh fisherman from a second vessel also washed ashore after treading water for 30 hours – but authorities fear his nine crewmates drowned after their boat sank in heavy seas. Photos showed the castaways had fashioned a makeshift camp on the narrow spit of beach, salvaging what they could from their small vessel, which lay beached nearby. Bedwell Island is remote, exposed and inhospitable – little more than a bare stretch of white sand with no natural shelter or freshwater sources. The castaways were winched off the island by a rescue helicopter on Monday evening after being spotted by an Australian Border Force surveillance plane on patrol. They are now receiving medical treatment on the Australian mainland and will return to Indonesia once they have recovered, officials said. “Upon their arrival on the mainland, the individuals were provided with the appropriate care and medical support,” said the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in a statement. Tropical Cyclone Ilsa made landfall in Western Australia last Friday, lashing coastal regions with some of the strongest winds the country has ever recorded. – AFP Beijing hospital fire death toll rises to 29 BEIJING: The death toll in a fire that ripped through a hospital in China’s capital has risen to 29, a city official said yesterday. The fire at the Beijing Changfeng Hospital in Fengtai district broke out at around 1pm on Tuesday and was extinguished about half an hour later. Li Zongrong, deputy mayor of the district, expressed his “deep condolences” as he announced the new toll at a press conference. Twelve people, including the facility’s director, have been detained in connection with the fire, said Sun Haitao from Beijing’s public security bureau. Sun said representatives from a company renovating the hospital were among those being held. State broadcaster CCTV reported that a preliminary probe revealed the blaze had been caused by “sparks generated during the internal renovation and construction of the inpatient department of the hospital”. The sparks “ignited the volatiles of the flammable paint on the site”, CCTV said. Social media users posted videos on Tuesday of people sitting on external air conditioning units, while others clinging to ropes jumped from the building. The victims were 16 women and 13 men, Li told journalists. “We feel deep remorse and guilt. “On behalf of the Fengtai district party committee and district government, I hereby express our deep condolences for the victims, and express our sincere respects to the victims’ families, the injured and their relatives, and apologise to the people of the whole city.” CCTV reported that out of the 29 dead, 26 were patients at the hospital, two were hospital staff and one was a patient’s family member. There were still 78 patients being treated at the hospital, who have been moved to the facility’s west building, the broadcaster said. State-run People’s Daily reported that as of yesterday morning 39 people were being treated in hospital with injuries, and another three had been discharged. Top city officials visited the hospital shortly after the fire, with Beijing party secretary Yin Li vowing to “quickly identify the cause of the accident and hold the relevant responsible persons accountable”, according to the Beijing Daily. – AFP B R I E F S290 MILLION CHILD BRIDES IN SOUTH ASIA: UN NEW DELHI: South Asia is home to the highest number of child brides in the world as increased financial pressures and school closures due to Covid-19 forced families to marry off their young daughters, according to new estimates released by Unicef yesterday. There were 290 million child brides in the region, accounting for 45% of the global total, the UN children’s agency said, calling for more efforts to end the practice. A new study by the agency, that also included interviews and discussions across 16 locations in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, found that many parents saw marriage as the best option for daughters who had limited options to study during Covid lockdowns. – Reuters AILING ELEPHANT IN PAKISTAN MAY BE EUTHANISED ISLAMABAD: Animal experts will decide in coming days whether an ailing elephant at a zoo in Pakistan needs to be euthanised after it collapsed in its pen last week and has since failed to stand up. The 17-year-old African elephant underwent emergency treatment for a tumour on April 5, but collapsed days later and has since lain stricken on its side. The pitiful plight of Noor Jehan is being shared by animal rights activists on social media in Pakistan and abroad, prompting calls for the zoo to be shut down. Pakistan’s zoos are frequently accused of disregarding animal welfare, and in 2020 a court ordered the only facility in the capital to close because of its decrepit state. – AFP Panda on loan from China dies in Thailand BANGKOK: A giant panda on loan from China to Thailand who captivated animal lovers through a 24-hour live broadcast of her antics died yesterday aged 21. Lin Hui was the last of three pandas in Thailand and had lived in an air-conditioned enclosure at Chiang Mai Zoo since 2003, but was due to return to China in October. The notoriously sex-shy bear and her mate Chuang Chuang – who died of a heart attack in 2019 – were part of Beijing’s so-called “panda diplomacy” programme. Zoo director Wutthichai Muangman said Lin Hui suffered a nosebleed on Tuesday and was in a critical condition by the evening, before dying yesterday morning. Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand chairman Dejboon Maprasert said China and Thai experts would jointly conduct an autopsy. Following artificial insemination, Lin Hui gave birth to Lin Ping in 2009, sparking panda mania in Thailand. Animal lovers in the country were glued to a live 24-hour Panda Channel broadcast between 2009 and 2012. Fans took to social media yesterday to express sorrow over the animal’s death. “I used to watch her on the TV all the time. She was my motivation. RIP Lin Hui,” one Twitter user wrote. – AFP India population to surpass China by mid-2023 NEW DELHI: India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country by mid-year with almost three million more people, UN estimates showed yesterday. India’s population will be 1.4286 billion compared with China’s 1.4257 billion at mid-year, the UN Population Fund’s State of World Population report showed. The number of people in China shrank last year for the first time since 1960, when millions starved to death under the disastrous agricultural policies of ex-leader Mao Zedong. Many have blamed the slowdown on the soaring cost of living as well as the growing number of women going into the workforce and seeking higher education. Beijing ended its strict “one-child policy”, oEurope, Asia expected to suffer demographic slump in coming decades imposed in the 1980s amid overpopulation fears, in 2016 and started letting couples have three children in 2021. China faces a looming demographic decline as birth rates plunge and its workforce ages. Several regions have also announced plans to boost birth rates but official efforts have so far failed to reverse the decline. India has no recent official data on how many people it has because it has not conducted a census since 2011. India’s once in a decade census was due to be held in 2021 but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is now bogged down by logistical hurdles and political reluctance, making it unlikely the massive exercise will begin anytime soon. Critics said the government is deliberately delaying the census to hide data on contentious issues such as unemployment ahead of national elections next year. The Indian economy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is struggling to provide jobs for the millions of young people entering the job market every year. Half of the population of the Asian giant are under 30. The country also faces huge challenges providing electricity, food and housing for its growing population, with many of its huge cities already struggling to cope. According to the Pew Research Centre, India’s population has grown by more than one billion people since 1950, the year the UN began gathering population data. The new UN report also estimated that the global population will have hit 8.045 billion by mid-2023. Other countries, mostly in Europe and Asia, can expect a demographic slump over the coming decades, according to other UN figures published last July which forecast how the world’s population will develop between now and 2100. A different picture is emerging in Africa, where the population is expected to rise from 1.4 to 3.9 billion inhabitants by 2100. The population of the entire planet is only expected to decline in the 2090s, after peaking at 10.4 billion, according to the UN. – AFP LONG JOURNEY ... A traffic jam forms at a toll plaza of a highway near the city of Karawang yesterday as Indonesian Muslims return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, known locally as ‘Mudik’. – ANTARAFOTO/REUTERSPIC

7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 New Zealand cat killing competition axed after backlash WELLINGTON: A competition in New Zealand for children to hunt and kill feral cats has been scrapped following public outcry. Organisers of an annual hunting competition caused an uproar when they announced a new category for children under 14 to hunt feral cats for a top prize of NZ$250 (RM690). The category, which came with a warning for youngsters not to kill pets, has been scrapped, organisers said in a statement on Tuesday. New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it was “both pleased and relieved that the children’s category which involved shooting feral cats has been removed”. “Children, as well as adults, will not be able to tell the difference between a feral, stray or a frightened domesticated cat,” said its spokesman. The overall competition, which is going ahead with other categories for hunting wild pigs and deer, is being run as a fundraiser by the Rotherham School in the country’s South Island. In a Facebook post, organisers said “vile and inappropriate e-mails” had been sent “to the school and others involved”. “The decision has been made to withdraw this category for this year to avoid further backlash.” Feral cats are a pest in New Zealand where they have a major impact on native birds, bats, lizards, mice and insects, according to the Department of Conservation. – AFP Man arrested after bathing in rhino pen WELLINGTON: A man was arrested at a New Zealand zoo yesterday after he broke into an enclosure and took a leisurely bath in a moat next to “startled” rhinos and antelopes. Social media footage of the incident in Auckland Zoo showed the man floating on his back, before washing his face and rinsing his hair. The enclosure is home to rhinos and nyalas, a breed of spiral-horned antelope. The animals “were understandably startled by the intruder”, said a zoo spokesman. The man was said to be in the water “for a number of minutes” before responding to instructions by zoo staff to get out of the moat and return to the visitor’s path. He was escorted off the premises and handed to the police. “We hope that the man involved gets the help and support that he very clearly needs,” said zoo director Kevin Buley. – AFP B R I E F SNEW YORK PARKING GARAGE COLLAPSES, ONE DEAD WASHINGTON: At least one person died and four were rushed to hospital after a multi-story parking garage in the US city of New York collapsed on Tuesday. Aerial video footage circulating on social media showed cars piled on top of one another in a jumble of cracked concrete. The building on Ann Street “pancaked, collapsed, all the way to the cellar floor”, acting head of New York’s buildings department Kazimir Vilenchik told a press conference. Officials said they feared further collapse. The fire department’s chief of operations John Esposito said they had ordered all their initial responders out of the building but that a robotics unit had been able to deploy a robot dog and fly drones inside to conduct searches. – AFP TOP MEXICAN COURT LIMITS ARMY’S PUBLIC SECURITY ROLE MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s top court on Tuesday limited the army’s participation in public security tasks, blocking a contentious move by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to put a civilian force under military control. The National Guard plan, approved by the ruling party-controlled Congress last September, alarmed Lopez Obrador’s opponents and human rights campaigners, who said it handed too much power to the armed forces. By eight votes to three, the Supreme Court annulled the legislative reform granting the Defence Ministry operational and administrative control of the National Guard, concluding that it was unconstitutional. – AFP Rival factions defy ceasefire, bombard Sudan capital KHARTOUM: Air strikes and explosions hammered Sudan’s capital yesterday after the failure of a US-brokered ceasefire between the army and paramilitary forces, forcing residents to stay hunkered down. Continuous bombardments and loud blasts could be heard in central Khartoum in the area around the Defence Ministry compound and the airport, which has been fiercely contested and put out of action since fighting erupted at the weekend. Thick smoke billowed into the sky. Foreign powers including the United States have been pushing for a ceasefire between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to allow residents trapped by the fighting to obtain desperately needed relief and supplies. Both sides indicated they had agreed to the ceasefire from 6pm local time on Tuesday (12am yesterday in Malaysia) but firing was oJapan plans evacuation of 60 citizens on military plane unabated, and the army and the RSF issued statements accusing each other of failing to respect the truce. The army’s high command said it would continue operations to secure the capital and other regions. One resident in the eastern edges of Khartoum said that after air strikes and artillery near her home a day earlier, heavy fighting resumed yesterday morning before subsiding again. “We couldn’t sleep, the only quiet was from 3am to 5am.” Japan’s chief cabinet secretary said authorities were planning to use a plane from its Self-Defence Forces for the evacuation of about 60 Japanese citizens currently in Sudan, in coordination with other major countries. Since Saturday morning and for the first time in decades heavy fighting has torn across Sudan’s capital, which consists of Khartoum and its sister cities Omdurman and Bahri that lie across the White and Blue Niles. The battle has derailed the latest plan for a transition to a civilian democracy, four years after the fall of autocrat Omar al-Bashir and two years after a military coup. At least 185 people have been killed in violence that also risks drawing in actors from Sudan’s neighbourhood who have backed different factions, and could play into competition for regional influence between Russia and the US. Widespread power cuts and water cuts caused by the fighting have left residents struggling and put most hospitals and out of service. Khartoum residents were asked to limit their electricity usage, as the state’s distribution authority said the servers that manage online purchases of power had gone out of service. The area the servers are located in was too dangerous for engineers to get to, it said in a statement. Offices and schools have been shut in the capital since the fighting began, there have been widespread reports of looting and assault, and long queues have been forming at bakeries that are still functioning. “Most goods aren’t available. People are looking for things but they can’t find them,” said one resident in Bahri who gave only his first name, Mohamed. – Reuters Russia accuses Ukraine of sabotaging grain deal MOSCOW: Russia yesterday accused Ukraine of sabotaging the Black Sea grain deal by demanding bribes from ship owners to register new vessels and carry out inspections under the cover of a deal the United Nations hopes could ease a global food crisis. There was no immediate comment on the allegation, levelled by Russia’s Foreign Ministry, from Ukraine which has blamed Moscow for problems with the agreement. Moscow did not immediately provide documentary evidence to back its assertion. Russia and Ukraine both said the deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July, is in danger of collapsing just as Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have imposed import bans on Ukrainian grain. Russia has repeatedly warned it will not renew the deal beyond May 18 unless the West agrees to lift a host of restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance which it said are hindering its own agricultural exports. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said in a statement that the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul, which oversees the deal, was experiencing difficulties with the registration of new vessels and inspections. The problems were caused “solely as a result of the actions of Ukrainian representatives, as well as UN representatives, who, apparently, do not want or cannot resist them”, she said. In the same statement, Zakharova accused Ukraine of “trying to exploit the ‘Black Sea initiative’ as much as possible, not refraining from abuses of the rules of procedure or demands for bribes from ship owners ... all for the sake of maximising commercial profits”. Ship owners who refused to pay a bribe to Ukrainians were forced to wait for more than a month while they waited for registration, she said. And Russian proposals to add vessels carrying grain to African countries in need had been “met with hostility” by Ukrainian representatives, she said, who then stopped inspections for 27 outgoing ships carrying 1.2 million tonnes of cargo. “The calculation is simple – to launch a propaganda machine with the help of Westerners and the UN and again ‘play the food card’.” Russia and Ukraine are two of the world’s key agricultural producers, and major players in the wheat, barley, maize, rapeseed, rapeseed oil, sunflower seed and sunflower oil markets. Russia is also dominant in the fertiliser market. Western powers have imposed tough sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine which it launched on Feb 24 last year. Russia’s food and fertiliser exports are not sanctioned. But Moscow said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance amount to a barrier to shipments which it wants lifted. – Reuters Ukrainian soldiers firing a multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut. – AFPPIC

8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 SPEAK UP Teach media W literacy in schools E live in an increasingly connected world where our lives and futures are shaped by online interactions, and the media and technological advances have dramatically changed our existence. While new technologies provide us with a range of opportunities and benefits, such as easy access to information, social connectivity and the ability to create and share content, it is important to continually evaluate and choose the type of information we engage with. The digital and media landscape has continued to change rapidly. The current landscape has revolutionised the way we read news and retrieve information. It has become a global means of daily communication. According to the International Telecommunications Union, 71% of the world’s youth are now online. As of July 2021, the internet reaches 65% of the world’s population and now represents 5.17 billion people. Every day, people watch more than a billion hours of video on YouTube and almost two billion use Facebook, often as a primary source of news and information about the world. The new and social media has altered how people acquire and process information, interact with friends and strangers and buy and sell items. It has the capacity to influence human behaviour, which in turn affects health. The new media and cyberspace in particular, allow users to have free access and exposure to uncensored content holding destructive messages. This phenomenon affects the entire world, including Malaysia and its Southeast Asian neighbours. With over 400 million people in the Southeast Asia region accessing the internet, the battle to fight fake news is understandably hard. Media activists and educators are also working frantically to teach media literacy to citizens. While the proliferation of digital technologies has been empowering and enriching for many, it has also given way to massive disinformation, misinformation, hate speech and other forms of harmful content that are damaging to youth wellbeing and civic participation. Combating false information on social media has been a challenging task for governments in several countries, including Malaysia. Educating our children on responsible media use is long overdue. The lag is expected as governments and societal institutions cannot keep up with the rapid advancement of technology. The Covid-19 pandemic has opened the floodgates to a deluge of misinformation, inaccurate reporting and false information in our country. While the authorities, along with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, have stepped up efforts to curb the spread of fake news, those responsible for spreading them remain undeterred. Leading with the heart LEADERSHIP is a life-changing position, not just for the leader but for the followers or people that one leads. Understanding the intensity, responsibility and impact is of utmost importance for any person taking up the position. It is understandable that to err is human, nevertheless, if the position of leadership is assumed with entitlement without realising the responsibility that comes with it, this can have a dire impact on people’s lives and the leader himself. How many leaders reflect on this? Leadership is not a seat-warming position assigned to an organisation for an individual’s goal; a leader must have the ability to transcend that. He must understand the past, present and direction for the future. Making sense of these three phases and making them applicable to those he leads takes skill and art. Hence, a leader needs to have a vision that binds all three phases while he charts a new path. Sadly, many are positioned in the leadership role as mere glorified “super managers”. The role of nurturing, challenging, moulding and shaping the people they lead is diluted, and in some cases nonexistent. These leaders are in constant survival mode to ensure that their position and security are armoured well by keeping unconventional ideas that challenge status quo practices, traditional and archaic systems, procedures, regulations and operations in the organisation at bay. Accountability and integrity should be practised at all times and not only when a leader is observed. Leading is more than just speaking on stage and in public about the latest strategies and displaying academic zeal. It is about anchoring oneself in the challenges, struggles, hopes and strides of the people who grind the mill to improve the leader’s performance. Social media gives an excellent opportunity for leaders to inspire, guide, coach and create visibility for the people they lead and showcase the work of the people backstage, who are as essential in ensuring the position of the leader remains. Validation is an important task which a leader must give to deserving individuals, irrespective of their position, age or experience. It is not just about mentioning names and handing out certificates and gifts; it becomes effective when the leader can connect the dots and highlight how the person’s role, responsibility and action have contributed towards the organisation or team’s progress and achievement. Appreciation events have become a trend to fit the corporate culture. In many instances, the leader may remember a face but not the person behind it and his stories. As Malaysia Madani emphasises the humane concept, it will be beneficial and transformational for every leader to review and reflect on the impact of his leadership on the people and organisation. A leader must be able to balance the heart and mind, as author and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek said: “The boss has the title, the leader has the people”. Comments: [email protected] Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ COMMENT by Wong Lai Cheng COMMENT by P. Veni Muthusamy Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said the era of digitisation allows information to be easily manipulated by parties with malicious intent, especially information disseminated on social media. Therefore, people need to be more aware when evaluating information received before acting on it or sharing it with others. The Kaiser Family Foundation study in 2010 reported that it is imperative for educators, including parents and teachers as well as policymakers and public groups, to consider the relationship between the media and young users. In today’s media- and digitally-mediated cultures, media literacy is seen as a fundamental skill for all individuals. Media literacy is more than just acquiring knowledge and producing communication materials for consumption. It refers to the ability to understand, use and create media content in a range of contexts. Media literacy empowers people to actively participate in society. Today, media literacy has become essential for society to participate as a citizen. Proficiency in all aspects of media literacy is a valuable asset in contemporary societies and economies. Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund) Innocenti’s Global Kids Online research (2020) revealed that up to three quarters of young people lack confidence in their ability to authenticate online information. Media literacy competencies help us better understand the messages we receive. It emphasises critical thinking skills that enable consumers to judge media content independently. Media-literate children and youth are better able to understand media content and are aware of its influence. Teaching citizens in Malaysia to critically evaluate information and media content and participate actively in societal issues can be challenging for educators. Digital transformation can help improve the learning experience for both students and teachers but at the same time, it can cause disruption. Today, teachers are responsible for not only transferring knowledge but also empowering students with critical evaluation skills, such as information verification, source credibility assessment and responsible use of social media. Every nation and educational institution must do their part to develop critical thinkers, who can traverse the information flow of today, check sources, tell fact from fiction and counter hate speech. Teachers need to continue teaching about biased reporting and learn to find ways to gather evidence in the classroom through accurate data, not subjective opinions. This will help students become more independent. However, media literacy is not officially integrated into the school system in Malaysia. The call for integrating media literacy into public education is decades old. There are several ways of doing this – by incorporating projects concentrating on media literacy across various courses, schools can adopt an interdisciplinary approach to fostering media literacy in students. Teachers play a crucial role in equipping students with the necessary skills to become both critical consumers and informed producers of media in today’s society. But they must first be informed and educated about media literacy before they can promote critical thinking about media, develop students’ technology skills and empower youth to participate in society. Broadening the scope of teachers’ competencies in media literacy will help to ensure that future educators have the requisite knowledge to teach students to successfully navigate the changing digital media landscape. Wong Lai Cheng is the co-founder of Media and Information Literacy for Asean Network. She is a media and communication educator with more than 15 years of work experience in media, corporate communication and policy advocacy. Comments: [email protected] “Every nation and educational institution must do its part to develop critical thinkers, who can traverse the information flow of today, check sources, tell fact from fiction and counter hate speech.

9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 theSun ONWEDNESDAY | NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSun ON WEDNESDAY | NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS THE OBJECTIVES TO achieve greater unity among Malaysians TO maintain a democratic way of life TO create a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared TO ensure a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions TO build a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES BELIEF IN GOD LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY THE SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION THE RULE OF LAW COURTESY AND MORALITY THE OBJECTIVES TO achieve greater unity among Malaysians TO maintain a democratic way of life TO create a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared TO ensure a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions TO build a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES BELIEF IN GOD LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY THE SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION THE RULE OF LAW COURTESY AND MORALITY Keeping tuberculosis at bay TUBERCULOSIS (TB), also known as “the consumption” because of the weight loss it causes, is a debilitating disease that we may assume is a thing of the past. However, it still affects millions of people worldwide. It is indeed an old disease – it was discovered in the 1880s. TB is endemic in Malaysia – a disease we live with – just like dengue and, recently, Covid-19. While awareness is high for the latter two, many of us rarely spare a thought to the existence and threat of TB in the community. We only need to remind ourselves by looking at our arms – Malaysians are vaccinated with BCG (i.e. Bacille Calmette-Guerin) as babies and in primary school. This shot protects us against TB. This may be the reason we feel a sense of security but we do not realise that its effectiveness wanes over the years and many of us no longer have immunity as adults. Basics of TB TB is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can attack different parts of the body, with the lungs – referred to as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) – being the most common. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is a term used to categorise TB when it manifests in other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, bones (usually the spine), in rare cases, the gut. It can also attack the brain of immunosuppressed patients, especially those having HIV. Those with the highest risk are the elderly, individuals with lowered immunity, such as diabetics and those undergoing chronic steroid therapy, and people living with HIV. Young children are also more at risk because their immune systems are still developing and that is why they are given BCG. Others include those who live in overcrowded living spaces – making it easier for the bacteria to pass on – such as migrant workers and the poor. The four cardinal symptoms of PTB are chronic cough, profuse night sweats, weight loss and recurrent rise in body temperature in the evenings. In EPTB manifestations, the disease presents itself as swollen lymph nodes, chronic back pain and fragile bones, a sensitive gut and if in the brain, it can cause seizures, headaches, confusion and even alterations in personality. One of the challenges in detecting TB is that it does not present symptoms immediately. “You could have been exposed long ago and the bacteria will stay latent or dormant in the body and hibernate. Symptoms can come up months or even years later,” says the Head of Division of Medicine, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Prof Dr James Koh. The slow and subtle onset of the symptoms are also unlikely to set off alarm bells until the disease has advanced, when you find yourself coughing up blood. Testing for TB TB is diagnosed through a few tests. For PTB, an X-ray of the lungs will show “cavities”, a telltale sign of TB. There is also a saliva test and a skin test; in cases of EPTB, a biopsy of the bone or swelling may need to be done. When do you need to see a doctor? The rule of thumb is: Do not wait to cough up blood. See a doctor if you have had persistent cough for two weeks. Taking into account your general state of health, the doctor will know whether to test you for TB. Do the same if you have unexplained night sweats and weight loss, along with swollen lymph nodes or chronic back pain. “If you are aware that you have been exposed to someone with TB, someone you share a working or living space with, then you may also want to see a doctor to be screened,” adds Koh. He explains that a good notification system is in place in the public health sector. When a patient is detected as having TB, the doctor has to notify the public health officer. The officer will then initiate contact tracing to identify the possible people who have been exposed. Arrangements will then be made for these people to be tested. Contagious or not? The good news is that while TB is contagious, it is not as contagious as Covid-19. Similar to all respiratory diseases, it spreads through water droplets from coughing or spitting. However, unlike the coronavirus, the bacteria is heavy, so these need to be significant water droplets. “You have to be in quite close contact and there is prolonged exposure. Generally, more than eight hours,” says Koh. Some examples of close contacts would be immediate carers, colleagues or those living in the same house. A person with latent or dormant TB is not infectious and neither are those who have EPTB, without the infection settling in the lungs. What to expect for treatment TB treatment is straightforward but long. A combination of four antibiotics will be prescribed for anything between six months and a year, depending on which part of the body is affected. “For PTB, it is generally six months. EPTB needs nine to 12 months,” says Koh. Newer medications can potentially treat TB within three months but Malaysia does not have them yet. “At the moment, we are still using the old regime,” he adds. However, it is crucial to take the medication on time and as prescribed. If a patient does not complete the course or misses doses, the bacteria can become resistant to the drug. This can escalate into extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) – or what is commonly known as superbugs. “Those with MDR/XDR TB can spread it to others and, unfortunately for the infected person, it can become hard to treat because the bacteria is already resistant. In this case, alternative medications involving injections and a much longer therapy of up to two years is necessary. It can get complicated,” warns Koh. To prevent such lapses, the public health system has a check-in protocol where those undergoing treatment are regularly monitored to ensure the proper administration of drugs. Once treatment is started, a person will be non-infective in 10 to 14 days. Patients in hospitals are put in isolation but there is no prescribed quarantine period. “The most important thing is to wear a mask and wash your hands frequently.” TB numbers While Malaysia is not on the World Health Organisation’s top 30 highburden countries for TB, it is still considered a country with a high incidence rate, estimated at 92 per 100,000 population. Every year, between 20,000 and 25,000 cases of TB are recorded, resulting in an average of 1,500 to 2,000 deaths. (To put things in perspective: There are 50,000 to 100,000 dengue cases a year, with about 100 recorded deaths.) Recently, there have been reports that cases have been on the rise. However, Koh explains that the trend in TB cases correlates with the implementation of Covid-19 protocols. Malaysia recorded 25,837 cases pre-pandemic in 2018. During the pandemic, in 2020 and 2021, the cases decreased to 23,644 and 21,727, respectively. “We were wearing masks, observing social distancing and adhering to movement control orders – all of which helped to dampen the spread of TB,” explains Koh. With the relaxation of these standard operating procedures, the incidence of TB has risen back to pre-pandemic levels – 25,391 cases were recorded in 202 – although the World Health Organisation’s incidence rate estimates actual cases at around 30,000. What to do? There is no “booster shot” to raise immunity levels against TB. The best way to keep it at bay is to ensure a healthy lifestyle. “Generally, a person who is healthy and has a good immune system should be able to fight off TB on their own,” says Koh. It also pays to be aware of symptoms as early treatment is crucial. If left for too long, even after recovery, TB can leave scarring on the lungs that will forever curb a person’s lung capacity. “When a person has recovered, maintain a good diet, exercise and do not smoke. You can get reinfected with TB and that can be quite bad,” he advises. Education on the disease is also crucial to prevent stigmatisation of those with TB. Perhaps, due to the portrayal of the disease in movies, TB is often seen as a “dirty disease” and a confirmed death note. It is far from this, and this perception can lead to delays in seeking treatment, arising from a sense of helplessness, fear of isolation and rejection by society. Remember that the disease is curable and that it can happen to anyone. This article was contributed by the International Medical University. Comments: [email protected] “It pays to be aware of symptoms as early treatment is crucial. If left for too long, even after recovery, TB can leave scarring on the lungs that will forever curb a person’s lung capacity. Education on the disease is also crucial to prevent stigmatisation of those with TB. Natural sites offer great potential for tourism MOST Malaysians take our natural environment for granted. We should treasure earth’s most precious resource and visit these natural sites, which can be life transforming. Malaysia has many natural sites that are accessible and open to the public. They include sandy beaches, mangroves, secondary jungles, waterfalls, hot springs and wetlands, such as Tasik Bera, and hundreds of islands. Most visitors make day trips to these natural sites. Unfortunately, many intentionally or inadvertently cause harm to the enviroment by taking living or non-living objects from these sites. Hence, to protect these areas, such as national or state parks as well as marine parks, it is imperative that licensed guides escort visitors. Malaysia boasts of 50 marine parks, which attract divers from around the world. The incredible diversity of these parks has a calming effect on the soul. Malaysia also prides itself with two natural heritage sites recognised by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) – Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak and Kinabalu Park in Sabah. Travel packages to these two worldrenowned sites cost more than tours centred around the cities that provide comfortable accommodation, gourmet dining or street food, malls, museums, entertainment spots and theme parks. But for those who can afford, it is worth every penny. Being close to nature can be a transformative and remarkable experience. Malaysia has been targeting both low-end and high-end visitors. There is a comprehensive range of services and facilities to cater to budget-conscious travellers, right up to those who choose luxury accommodation as well as professionals travelling on business or to attend conventions and exhibitions. Nevertheless, the target group has been those attending business events, formerly known as meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE). Since 1990, the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers, together with other tourism and travel associations, have been organising business events to attract high-yielding tourists. Despite the Malaysian Nature Society commencing its activities in 1940 and the subsequent founding of the Ecotourism and Conservation Society in 2015, there is still considerable scope for tourism trade associations to promote and unlock the full potential of ecotourism. Hosting ecotourism fairs on the same scale as Matta fairs can prove highly effective in reaching out to more visitors. This will lead to more tour operators marketing ecotourism for visitors to enjoy and appreciate nature. Ecotourists will not only ensure they do not harm the environment but will contribute to the livelihood and well-being of the people in the vicinity through sustainable engagements by utilising their services or paying for local produce. Eco-excursionists can also participate in giving back to the local communities by organising activities, such as rubbish removal and environmental rehabilitation efforts. By doing so, not only can they enjoy nature at its best but also assist in the conservation efforts and be recognised as Eco-heroes. Our natural sites are deteriorating with each passing year due to the effects of global warming, climate change, pollution and human greed. If not conserved, these areas may become too scarce, leading to restricted access for visitors to these pristine areas. Ecotourism is sustainable if all stakeholders, including the authorities, tour operators and guides and visitors, play their part in conserving these areas. YS Chan is a master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course as well as an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a transport and training consultant and writer. Comments: [email protected] COMMENT by YS Chan COMMENT

10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 Bay Street shoplots 90% taken up PETALING JAYA: Gamuda Land’s Bay Street commercial shops in Gamuda Cove, South Klang Valley, achieved a 90% take-up rate following their launch recently. Gamuda Cove general manager Brandon Yong is confident of achieving a full take-up rate in the next six months. He said, “There is strong demand for commercial units that are mindfully designed to cater to the nearby residential catchment; that also has good connectivity within and beyond the township. All of which makes Bay Street an enticing investment for property investors.” Bay Street is a mere 10-minute walk from Palma Sands Homes, and is across the road from Maya Bay Residences. Both residential components have close to 1,500 homes and they are scheduled for vacant possession in April 2023 and 2024 respectively. Bay Street is on the tourist e-tram line which connects the shops to the various residential components, placemaking attractions such as SplashMania Waterpark and future developments, making it an appealing investment property. The tourist etram in Gamuda Cove is already up and running. Upon completion of Bay Street in 2026, the commercial shops will then be catering to more than 2,600 homes in Gamuda Cove. Their non-strata titles allow for a wide range of tenant mix for the residents. In the next 15 to 20 years, Gamuda Cove is projected to house 100,000 residents and 20,000 homes. This is in addition to the projected 2 million visitors annually from eco-tourism and placemaking initiatives that Gamuda Land has put in place, such as the newly opened SplashMania Waterpark, which already attracts more than 75,000 footfalls per month on average. Other placemaking attractions such as Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands, outdoor adventures such as the Goosebumps Rope Course and the Cove Aerobar add to the vibrancy of Gamuda Cove. Bay Street has a total of 47 units comprising two- and three-storey retail shops with built-up sizes ranging from 3,300 to 7,557 sq ft with prices ranging from RM2 million to RM3.7 million. A nature sanctuary and smart city with good master-planning and Bay Street has a total of 47 units comprising two- and three-storey retail shops with built-up ranging from 3,300 to 7,557 sq ft. oUpon completion in 2026, the commercial units in Gamuda Cove will be catering to more than 2,600 homes design for the 1,530-acre township, Gamuda Cove has been awarded five-diamond recognition in Low Carbon City Framework design by the Environment and Water Ministry. This will see Gamuda Cove taking various measures, ranging from urban planning, urban transport, energy, buildings, water and waste management in its carbon reduction strategies with a target to achieve 45% overall reduction in carbon emission. Taking a leaf from the overall master plan, the design of Bay Street will include pedestrian-friendly walkways and bicycle lanes that encourage greener modes of transport. On connectivity beyond the township, Yong said, “Gamuda Cove will have direct access to Cyberjaya via a new toll-free link road. Reducing the commute between Gamuda Cove and Cyberjaya considerably to 2km, it is expected to be ready by 2025. Bay Street is planned to be only 300 metres away from this new link road.” This will give Gamuda Cove a population catchment of 650,000 from immediate neighbourhoods within a 10km radius as well as a working population of 103,000 from KLIA, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya. Additionally, upgrade work to enhance a link road that connects Gamuda Cove through Jalan Kampung Sri Cheeding to twentyfive.7, Kota Kemuning – a township developed by Gamuda Land – is under way. This connectivity allows residents at Gamuda Cove to benefit from the amenities and services at twentyfive.7, Kota Kemuning and the surrounding developments. Yong concluded, “We believe that when we stay true to our development principles to create a good, vibrant and sustainable town, we are also creating value for our community.” KSK Land terminates contract with main contractor of 8 Conlay KUALA LUMPUR: KSK Land Sdn Bhd has terminated its contract with Grand Dynamic Builders Sdn Bhd (GDBSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of GDB Holdings Bhd, as the main contractor for its flagship 8 Conlay development. In a statement yesterday, KSK Land said the decision to terminate the contract between its wholly owned subsidiary, Damai City Sdn Bhd, and GDBSB follows a failure to achieve agreeable solutions to various disputes relating to construction site matters over the last nine months. Among the disputes are scope of works, construction programme and financial instalment payments following the Covid-19 pandemic. It said throughout the process of discussions, there have been an increasing number of conditions imposed by GDBSB, culminating in a series of demands communicated on April 4, 2023. “In the communication, GDBSB requested for Damai City to novate all existing nominated sub-contractors (NSCs) within two weeks, and to take on all liabilities and responsibilities thereafter as well as for any matters arising before the determination of the NSCs. “GDBSB also asked to be removed from main builder works, and for Damai City to pay for the loss of profits arising from that,” KSK Land. It said these stipulations are extremely onesided and unreasonable on the part of GDBSB as 8 Conlay’s main contractor, and despite best efforts to find a viable solution for each matter, it has become impossible for KSK Land and Damai City to accommodate or fulfil them. Since then, KSK Land has been in discussions with potential new main contractors, including Conlay Construction Sdn Bhd, which has formally submitted an offer to Damai City. “More details will be announced soon,” KSK Land added. – Bernama How to burglar-proof your home during the holidays AS the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities are just around the corner, many of us are eager to enjoy the celebrations with family and friends. However, there is a less cheery thought to consider: the possibility of a home break-in while you’re away on holiday. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, house break-ins and theft went down by 19% from 2020 to 2021. Still, the numbers remain concerning as there were 11,352 home break-ins recorded in 2021 alone. However, it’s not all doom-and-gloom, as there are steps you can take right now to keep your home safe while you’re away. Here are ways to protect your home: Do a quick security check To avoid the sudden feeling of doubt after leaving your home or overlooking details in the haste of rushing off for a trip, it’s important to do a security check as part of your holiday preparations, which involves doing a quick walkthrough of your home to ensure that all entryways are firmly locked. In Malaysia, common house break-in methods include forcing open windows, doors, and padlocks, and gaining entry through refuse chutes, false ceilings, or ventilation openings, so it’s advisable to invest in high-quality locks or deadbolts that can make your home less appealing to burglars. Tidy up your outdoor environment Gardening might seem unrelated to crime prevention, but an overgrown yard with tall shrubs and secluded spots may make it easier for burglars to carry out their deeds unnoticed. Be sure to remove any tools or equipment (such as ladders) from your home’s exterior space as well. Think about lighting too – a well-lit exterior will make it easier for others to spot anything amiss. Alternative lighting options such as motion-activated outdoor lights will give your home a much-needed lighting boost. Create an illusion The “Home Alone” movies were on to something: creating the perception that your home isn’t empty can deter potential burglars. Make sure to cancel any physical subscriptions, empty your mailboxes, and time your deliveries well to avoid having these items pile up unattended. It may also be helpful to install motion sensor lights that turn on and off during the evening hours. Avoid oversharing on social media Social media is a great way to let friends and family know what you’re up to, but bear in mind that not everyone viewing your posts has your best interests in mind. Avoid making posts which indicate that you’re away from home for an extended period of time, as these spell “opportunity” for burglars who are keen on making a move. Keep in mind the basics of internet privacy as well: never reveal sensitive personal information online. Inform trusted people Being on friendly terms with your neighbours can go a long way in protecting your home as well as the wider community you’re in. Your neighbours will be the ones to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity while you’re away. If there is an existing neighbourhood watch group in your area, consider informing them that you’ll be away as well. It is important to review your home insurance policy as the loss of belongings can be a devastating experience. A dependable and all-inclusive home insurance policy can reduce the impact of such an incident. Ensure that you evaluate the scope of your existing policy and modify it as required. This article is contributed by Liberty Insurance. Good response to Tropicana Grandhill TwinPines suites PETALING JAYA: Tropicana Grandhill at Genting Highlands, a 112-acre integrated development by Tropicana Corporation Bhd, recorded strong take-up for its first phase of residential offerings. Sited in the cool midhills amid nature, TwinPines Serviced Suites is a hit with local and international property seekers, recording strong take-up of 90% for Tower A. Tower B is gaining good traction as well, recording 50% take-up so far. The strong demand for TwinPines was driven by its strategically accessible location and versatile layouts. This signature development features 1,443 units in two towers, with built-ups ranging from 379 sq ft to 1,330 sq ft. Jared Ang, group executive director of Tropicana, shared, “TwinPines Serviced Suites is positioned on 3.57-acre freehold land offering 13 layouts, catering for a wide range of living and investment needs. Owners and residents can enjoy the breathtaking scenery, verdant greenery and cooling climate of the surrounding highlands. “We’re so glad to see these pull factors resonate with our purchasers, which is a testament to Tropicana’s development approach as we continue Redefining the Art of Living.” In line with the group’s unique development DNA, TwinPines services suites offers ample resort-style facilities, from a heated swimming pool, spring jacuzzi and putting green to a gymnasium, yoga studio and more. The signature development also benefits from Tropicana Grandhill’s proposed lifestyle offerings, such as a wellness hub, education centre and silver hair village. Tropicana Grandhill is part of Tropicana WindCity, the only freehold integrated master plan in Genting Highlands offering a holistic lifestyle and easy accessibility (just 40km from Kuala Lumpur city centre). Tropicana WindCity is envisioned as a 596-acre master plan comprising three distinctive districts: Tropicana Paradise, with exclusive villa lots complemented by commercial and retail components, and Tropicana Avalon, a vibrant commercial centre with a mix of lifestyle offerings and Tropicana Grandhill.

KLCI 1,425.07 STI 3,324.05 14.49 HANG SENG 20,367.76 SCI 3,370.13 NIKKEI 28,606.76 52.07 TSEC 15,770.47 3.99 KOSPI 2,575.08 S&P/ASX200 7,365.50 5.30 THURSDAY APRIL 20, 2023 Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] 5 MOST ACTIVES April 19, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) FITTERS-WC 272,422,900 1.5 UNCH FITTERS 96,397,100 5.0 UNCH PHARMA 80,564,100 39.0 +1.5 HONGSENG 80,223,800 12.5 -0.5 MYEG 72,129,900 82.0 -2.0 EXCHANGERATES APRIL 19, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.4940 4.3580 4.3620 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0440 2.9220 2.9090 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.3700 3.2720 3.2620 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.3520 3.2610 3.2500 1 EURO 4.9380 4.7780 4.7600 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8040 2.6990 2.6740 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.3700 3.2720 3.2620 1 STERLING POUND 5.5920 5.4130 5.4030 1 SWISS FRANC 4.9990 4.8820 4.8740 100 UAE DIRHAM 123.8000 117.3300 117.2200 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.3050 4.0370 3.7850 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.5000 62.9000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 57.8600 54.9600 54.7900 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.5700 5.2200 5.0300 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0313 0.0283 0.0234 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.3550 3.2480 3.2390 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.8000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.6100 1.5100 1.3100 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.1200 7.6500 7.4700 100 QATAR RIYAL 124.5200 118.2100 118.0500 100 SAUDI RIYAL 121.1100 114.9700 114.8700 100 THAI BAHT 13.6900 12.1400 11.6800 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY April 19, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,475.80 -64.00 FBMKLCI 1,425.07 -7.29 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 576.66 -4.70 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 172.37 -2.00 CONSTRUCTION 161.52 -0.60 FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,690.50 -40.00 ENERGY 860.19 -7.00 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 619.94 -9.30 HEALTH CARE 1,791.39 -48.00 TRANSPORTATION 925.53 -4.30 PROPERTY 699.22 -4.00 PLANTATION 6,851.72 -32.00 FBMSHA 10,806.30 -83.00 FBMACE 5,352.59 -37.00 TECHNOLOGY 62.16 -0.10 TURNOVER VALUE 3.139 BIL RM1.760 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS April 19, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM MPI 43,500 28.54 +0.14 CEB 9,434,000 1.51 +0.11 SBAGAN 34,300 3.31 +0.10 OPPSTAR 7,304,600 2.18 +0.08 PADINI 238,000 4.10 +0.08 5 TOP LOSERS April 19, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM NESTLE 27,000 135.00 -1.10 HEXTECH 103,700 22.62 -0.68 SALUTE 65,105,300 1.16 -0.49 PETDAG 97,300 21.90 -0.48 DLADY 8,200 26.14 -0.36 7.29 282.75 23.20 98.97 Carlsberg Malaysia declares final dividend of 25 sen KUALA LUMPUR: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd (Carlsberg Malaysia) yesterday announced a final single-tier dividend of 25 sen per share for its financial year 2022 (FY22) after holding its 53rd annual general meeting. At the meeting, the group saw all eight resolutions passed, including the payment of a final single-tier dividend of 25 sen per share, which brings the total paid and shareholder-approved dividends for FY22 to 88 sen per ordinary share, representing 85% of its net profit for FY22. Meanwhile, CFO Vivian Gun Ling Ling hopes that the surge in demand for consumer post-pandemic will “stabilise”, as it will have a stabilising effect towards the overall supply demand. In July last year, she observed that the commodity prices had decreased, but a spike was seen in April 2022. However, she noted that it “still remains high, but wasn’t as high as it was before”. “I’m hoping that it will gradually come down and maybe hit back to the lower pre pandemic levels. But given the global situation, tension in Ukraine and Russia, there’s still a bit of uncertainty,” she told reporters at the press conference after the group’s FY22 performance and business outlook for 2023 briefing. In terms of trends, managing director Stefano Clini said that their beer products continue to be the biggest part of the alcohol industry in Malaysia, based on local and global research studies. He said that the beer market continues to hold the lion’s share in the Malaysian alcohol industry, driven by population growth and high disposable income over the next three years and beyond. Recently, the group announced its From left: Carlsberg Malaysia’s corporate affairs and sustainability director Pearl Lai, Clini, and Gun after the AGM. – SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN oGroup hopes surge in demand for consumer post-pandemic will ‘stabilise’ but global uncertainty continues to cloud business outlook MAHB records 6.7m passenger movements in March KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s total passenger movements increased by 15% to 6.7 million in March 2023 from the preceding month, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB). In a statement, the airport operator said the increment was due to the resumption of various flight routes during the month as travel demand in the region continues to rise. Managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said the active resumption of airline operations and routes at airports nationwide continues to give optimism on travel demand and he expected more new airlines to fly to Malaysia in the coming months. “Indonesian low-cost carrier TransNusa Airlines has recently made its debut international flight to Kuala Lumpur from Jakarta this month, initially serving only domestic routes in Indonesia. “TransNusa is the ninth airline with operations between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, proving the route’s popularity and high demand,” he added. MAHB said the international and domestic passenger movements in Malaysia continued to grow steadily in March 2023, registering three million and 3.7 million passengers respectively. Both sectors showed an increase in passenger movements by more than 10% each from the preceding month. The March 2023 year-to-date total passenger movements in Malaysia were 18.7 million, a 125% increase from 8.3 million passengers during the same period in 2022. On its asset in Turkiye, MAHB said Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport recorded 2.8 million passengers in March, which was a 10% increase over the previous month. Total international passenger movements registered 1.5 million, while domestic passenger movements recorded 1.3 million passengers respectively. – Bernama financial results, where its net profit surged 57.7% to RM317 million for its full financial year ended Dec 31, 2022 compared with RM201 million recorded in its corresponding quarter last year, as it thrived in business recovery, premiumisation and revenue management. Revenue rose 36.1% to RM2.4 billion from RM1.8 billion in the same period in the prior year. Commenting on the FY22 results yesterday, Clini said it was a “stellar” performance and was better compared with its FY19 results. “This is a record year for the performance of the company. 2022 has been even better than our previous record, that was 2019,” he said. Clini added that the group will continue to strengthen its mainstream core beer and step up in premium, while further build on alcohol-free and beyond beers to drive category and sales growth. On the sustainability front, the group has evolved to an enhanced environmental, social and governance programme, together towards zero and beyond, which addresses a broader set of material ESG topics through a more holistic approach. To note, the group has made significant progress in reducing its environmental footprint, with water consumption reducing from 4.0hl water per hl beer to 3.4hl water per hl beer for the year 2022 against 2021 and achieving zero waste to landfill status since November 2022. In addition, it has taken concrete steps towards reducing packaging waste, and one of the recent campaigns was CarlsBot, a glass bottle recycling and community empowerment programme in East Malaysia. It has also received a Morgan Stanley Capital International ESG ratings of “AA” and rated ‘A’ from the Carbon Disclosure Project for transparency and action on climate. Building on a strong foundation for its SAIL’22 strategy, Carlsberg Malaysia has embarked on a new five-year corporate strategy SAIL’27 beginning this year and will guide the group in delivering sustainable long-term value creation for shareholders. As the group evolves to SAIL’27, it remains steadfast in its commitment to brewing excellence and sustainability, while it gets ready to face the headwinds ahead due to subdued consumer sentiment resulting from the rising cost of living. Participation 49.3 29.5 21.2 100.0 Institutions Retail Foreign Bought RM m 882.1 551.0 327.5 1760.6 Sold RM m 852.0 487.5 421.1 1760.6 Net RM m 30.1 63.5 -93.6 0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 19/04/2023 █ BYGLORIA HARRY BEATTY [email protected]

12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 SUNBIZ SINGAPORE: Accor, the region’s largest hospitality group, is allying with Crowne Estate Malaysia to increase its presence in the country. Set to open in Q3 2028, Swissôtel Genting Highlands will bring the iconic Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts brand to Malaysia for the first time. The signing ceremony yesterday was attended by Crowne Estate COO Sean Chen, Highlands ParkCity executive director Thanesh Jayandren, and Accor South & Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and India CEO Garth Simmons. Swissôtel Genting Highlands, located at an altitude of 3,000ft, will be part of King’s Park in Genting Highlands, a development by Highlands ParkCity, in partnership with Yuk Tung Group and CrownHie Estate Malaysia. Genting Highlands is a popular tourist area well-known for its unique flora and wildlife, as well as its cool climate all year round, frequented by more than 41 million visitors yearly. During his address Chen said, “Our first strategic alliance with Accor is something we are very excited about. It is a huge step forward for Highland ParkCity and Crowne Estate Malaysia in their goal to make the King’s Park in Genting Highlands into an eco-friendly tourist and destination hub for people all over the world.” “I am thrilled to share that with today’s signing ceremony we are officially bringing the Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts brand to Malaysia. The signing of Swissôtel Genting Highlands in one of the most popular destinations in the country for locals and tourists alike, further strengthens Accor’s leading position in Malaysia’s hospitality industry. We look forward to working with our partner Crowne Estate on this exciting project,” said Simmons. Swissôtel’s brand mission is to ensure that its guests relax and enjoy themselves while traveling or taking advantage of other life possibilities. Intelligent design, distinct, and high-quality design that is inspired by local customs, high-caliber craftsmanship, and a conscientious attitude to sustainability are the pillars on which Swissôtel properties are built on. The Swissôtel Genting Highlands is set to be a posh retreat with a backdrop of beautiful natural surroundings. The 300-room property is a cornerstone of this extraordinary development, offering unmatched hospitality, contemporary conference facilities, and a spectacular grand ballroom for unforgettable events. The hotel’s 30-storey building will provide uninterrupted views of the stunning mountains and the Genting Highlands summit, located just a 15-minute drive away. Guests will be able to venture beyond the Swissôtel Genting Highlands to discover a sanctuary of sophisticated living, with 44,515 sqm of exquisite villas and bungalows, as well as 96,000 sqm of stylish residences and serviced apartments, perfect for discerning urbanites, all of which will be located in the enchanting world of Crowne Estate Malaysia – an elegant retreat nestled amidst breathtaking natural beauty. The development at Crowne Estate Genting Highlands is a captivating and impressive 156,419 sqm project with a remarkable gross development value of over RM3 billion. Thanesh described the ambitious plan to develop King’s Park in Genting Highlands into an outstanding resort on an area of 150 acres. He said, “Visitors from all over the world will be able to enjoy a broad variety of events, shows, cultural arts, and delectable cuisine at this development because of its focus on entertainment, international attractions, and eco-tourism.” Swissôtel Genting Highlands will be located close to King’s Park by Highlands ParkCity, which is home to a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions, as well as several other hotels in a beautiful natural setting. Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts operates 34 properties in 20 countries, while another 33 are in the planning stages. Chen (seated left) and Simmons at the signing ceremony. Looking on are Highlands ParkCity executive director Thanesh Jayadren (left) and Accor Group vie-president of development, Malaysia and Indonesia Rio Kondo. Forcar, BateriHub team up to deliver innovative products KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s automotive aftermarket startup Forcar has entered into an exclusive strategic partnership with BateriHub, allowing both parties to leverage their strengths and resources to develop innovative products and services. The collaboration is expected to lead to the creation of new business models and allow both parties to explore new market opportunities to deliver greater value to their customers. “This includes providing battery support services with same-day delivery and installation to car users, as well as an upcoming innovative battery purchasing journey for Forcar merchants,” said Forcar co-CEO Jeff Tan Ka Wei in a joint statement yesterday. Meanwhile, BateriHub CEO Kok Wai Kit said the partnership marked a significant step forward in Malaysia’s car battery industry. “We are confident that it will enable us to continue to grow and deliver a seamless customer experience to our customers,” he said. BateriHub is a prominent automotive battery retailer, offering comprehensive, highquality battery products and services to meet the rapidly growing market demand. Currently, BateriHub has 70 outlets across Accor, Crowne Estate to Peninsular Malaysia. – Bernama bring Swissôtel to Malaysia oBrand to make its debut with 300-room hotel which will be part of King’s Park in Genting Highlands, a project by Highlands ParkCity, with Yuk Tung Group and CrownHie Estate Malaysia Axis-REIT posts 5% rise on-year in total trust income PETALING JAYA: Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (Axis-REIT) posted a 5.3% year-on-year growth in property income to RM69.7 million on the back of a 5.2% increase in total trust income to RM70.2 million for the first quarter of its financial year ending Dec 31, 2023 (Q1’23). The higher earnings were due to, among others, contribution from properties acquired after Q1’22 – the Axis Industrial Facility 1 @ Meru and the green certified DW1 Logistics Warehouse in Johor. The warehouse was acquired in April 2022, and is Axis-Reit’s largest acquisition to date. In the quarter under review, capital expenditure totalling RM47.7 million was incurred, of which RM44.1 million was for the ongoing development of Bukit Raja Distribution Centre 2 and Axis Mega Distribution Centre (Phase 2). Higher property expenses were incurred due to increased maintenance cost. Axis-Reit made a provision of doubtful debts of RM3.5 million for Yongnam Engineering Sdn Bhd, the lessee of Axis Steel Centre @ SiLC in Johor. Coupled with the higher Islamic financing cost of RM14.4 million in contrast to RM10.6 million in Q1’22, all these factors resulted in a realised net income of RM32.5 million, compared with RM39.1 million in the preceding year’s corresponding quarter. Axis-REIT’s management company, Axis REIT Managers Bhd, has proposed to distribute 99% of the realised income available for distribution generated from operations for the first quarter of 2023. Subsequently, RM35.7 million has been set aside as the first interim income distribution for 2023. This translates to 2.05 sen per unit. Axis REIT Managers CEO/executive director Leong Kit May said, “I am delighted that our continuous lookout for Grade A logistics and manufacturing facilities with long-term leases from tenants has been paying off as we managed to record a rise in the total trust income. Moving forward, we believe subsequent quarters will improve progressively on the strength of this strong growing portfolio and the newly refurbished Axis Facility 2 @ Bukit Raja’s tenancy is starting in mid-May. As of the end of the first quarter of this year, we have already renewed 64% of the space that will be expiring in 2023.” Maxis to enhance sustainable business practices, reduce waste KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd aims to adopt circularity within the organisation by establishing a system that reduces waste and promotes sustainable resource usage. In its annual report for 2022, the telecommunication service provider said it would also enhance its sustainable business practices as sustainability became a fundamental aspect of business operations and regulatory requirements. Maxis said it had undertaken initiatives to understand its emissions, set reduction targets, implement strategic measures to reduce emissions and disclose sustainability indicators as required by regulations. “We have a crisis management team and comprehensive response plan in place to effectively manage the impact of extreme weather events on its operations,” it said. It added the company has also prepared for the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)-aligned disclosures and other reporting requirements to reinforce its commitment to climate action and resilience. Meanwhile, Maxis said it remained cautiously optimistic despite economic headwinds as there is increasing demand for digital convergence among consumers and enterprises. It said increased travel mobility around the world is expected to boost demand for mobile connectivity and international roaming and companies are expected to prioritise sustainable business growth by investing in sustainable technology, promoting circularity and creating more sustainable value chains. Maxis said it is also differentiating itself through advanced analytics and machine learning in enhancing its customers’ experiences and would continue to increase business agility by pursuing the addition of modern digital IT capabilities, automation, artificial intelligence and analytics as well as new platforms on the cloud. The telco said it also continued to invest in technology to ensure cyber resiliency, focusing on data protection, cloud, application programming Interfaces, the Internet of Things and 5G. “We are implementing a risk management programme to assess the cybersecurity posture of selected vendors and suppliers. We participate in forums organised by regulators and agencies to provide input on privacy and cybersecurity regulations,” it said. It added that cybersecurity training was also provided to employees and partners with vendors and academic institutions to develop training programmes. – Bernama

13 * SUNBIZ theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Petronas Chemicals put up strong performance in 2022 oThis year will see the growth of its special products portfolio and continued drive to strengthen sustainability efforts KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PCG) recorded a commendable performance in 2022 against a background of geopolitical conflicts, market volatilities and general industry challenges. The company continued to demonstrate operational and commercial resilience, despite uncertainties in the energy and commodity markets resulting in a surge in crude oil and petrochemical prices, along with China’s persistent zero-Covid policy and higher cost of operations. PCG recorded production volume of 10.4 million tonnes per annum (tpa), sales volume of 8.3 million tpa and continued its excellent track record on safety. PCG closed 2022 with record revenue of RM29 billion and profit after tax of RM6.3 billion. PCB briefed shareholders on the company’s performance for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2022 at its 25th annual general meeting on Tuesday. PCG managing director/CEO Mohd Yusri Mohamed Yusof, who shared the company’s performance, growth plans, sustainability strategy and outlook for 2023 said, “We are pleased to have delivered a solid performance despite numerous challenges. Guided by our two-pronged strategy to sustain our strength in basic petrochemicals and selectively diversifying into specialties, we look forward to MST Golf makes retailing foray into Indonesia PETALING JAYA: MST Golf Group Bhd, the largest specialised retailer of golf equipment in Malaysia, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PT Sinar Eka Selaras, a leading provider of multi-brand retail and distribution solutions in Indonesia with the vertical name of Erajaya Active Lifestyle, marking MST Golf’s maiden golf retailing foray in Indonesia. The MoU sets out the parties’ intention to collaborate and create a joint venture company (JVC) to undertake the establishment and operation of golf retail business and indoor golf centres under the “MST GOLF” and “MST GOLF ARENA” brands respectively. MST Golf executive director and group CEO Ng Yap said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Erajaya Active Lifestyle to bring our passion for golf and retailing to the Indonesian market. The Erajaya Group is well established and respected in Indonesia, and its complete retail business infrastructure and extensive local knowledge will contribute tremendously to the setting up the MST Golf brand in Indonesia.” The expansion into Indonesia is part of MST Golf’s key business strategies and growth plan. Erajaya Active Lifestyle chief executive director Djohan Sutanto said, “We are very pleased to partner with MST Golf to expand its retail reach in Indonesia. This collaboration is in line with Erajaya Active Lifestyle’s growth strategies and focus on the active lifestyle space. We have successfully established ourselves as the leading player in this space, which, coupled with our parent company’s decades of experience in the retail segment, make us a formidable retail force in Indonesia.” MST Golf has submitted its initial public offering application to the Securities Commission Malaysia and is seeking to list on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities. ScaleUp Malaysia reveals Cohort IV, investments in 7 companies KUALA LUMPUR: ScaleUp Malaysia has disclosed its fourth cohort and investments in seven innovative companies. This cohort marks a significant milestone for ScaleUp Malaysia, with upfront investments for its accelerator programme as opposed to at the end of the programme as with previous cohorts. “We are delighted to welcome Cohort IV to our accelerator programme,” said ScaleUp Malaysia managing partner Andre Sequerah (pic), adding that their selection process was highly competitive, and they are thrilled to have seven outstanding and diverse companies on board. “These companies have been selected based on their potential to drive regional scalability and positive impact to society and the economy. We are also happy to add two female-founded companies to our portfolio which brings us to a total of 14 companies with female founders,” he said. The focus of the accelerator programme is to equip the companies with the necessary skills and knowledge to take their businesses to the next level. The programme will provide the companies with best practices in pitching, financial modelling, business strategy, and product development. ScaleUp Malaysia managing partner Tay Shan Li said, “We are committed to providing our cohort companies with comprehensive support and resources to help them grow and succeed. Our team of experienced mentors and advisers will guide them through the programme to refine their business models and strategies to attract further funding and drive regional growth. “Over the past three cohorts we have designed best practices to work with our investee companies and have seen immense success in helping them regionalise and raise their next rounds.” The companies selected for Cohort IV of ScaleUp Malaysia are BeeBag, Docspe, Huddle, Petotum, Stayhere, and Kabel which will receive a US$100,000 (RM443,000) investment each, while the seventh company Sonicboom, will receive an undisclosed strategic investment. These companies will undergo a rigorous 12-week accelerator programme aimed at refining their business models, developing regional scalability, and will culminate in a demo day with investors from all over the world. From left: Mohd Yusri, PCG chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim and chief financial officer Mohd Azli Ishak at the AGM. capturing new revenue streams and strengthening our position in the region.” Last year was significant in terms of growth for PCG. Its landmark acquisition of Swedenbased Perstorp Group resulted in further diversification of the company’s product offerings, specifically for its specialty chemicals portfolio. “The addition of Perstorp Group marks a major milestone, which will see over 130 new product offerings, seven manufacturing sites globally and more than 1,500 new members coming into the PCG family. PCG has also established a new Specialty Chemicals Division to manage and steer critical strategic priorities supporting PCG’s long-term aspirations within this space,” said Mohd Yusri. In 2022, the company launched BRB Group’s new lubrication oil additives manufacturing facility in the Netherlands to serve as a global Lube Oil Additives and Chemicals hub for PCG. In addition, two projects achieved Final Investment Decision status – the development of a melamine plant in Gurun, Kedah, and the expansion of the 2-ethylhexanoic acid plant in Gebeng, Pahang. PCG enhanced its commitment towards sustainability in 2022 and surpassed its shortterm target to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 100,000 tonne carbon dioxide equivalent by 2024. Commenting on PCG’s sustainability agenda, Mohd Yusri said, “After the establishment of PCG’s own NZCE 2025 Roadmap in 2021, we are proud to have built a strong momentum in the first year. We enhanced our sustainability agenda, which aims to address all topics that are material to our stakeholders.”

14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 SUNBIZ READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME Palm oil’s rare premium leads to ‘wash out’ in India MUMBAI: Indian buyers have opted to cancel 75,000 tonnes of palm oil purchases for the first time in many years and switch to rival soft oils, such as sunflower oil and soyoil, five industry officials told Reuters. Palm oil usually trades at a discount to soft oils, but import restrictions by top producer Indonesia have helped to push palm oil to a premium, making sun oil and soyoil more attractive to buyers. This has prompted some Indian buyers to reduce purchases of palm oil for May shipments and increase soft oil imports. They can do this via mutual agreements with importers to cancel the sales – a process known locally as a “wash out”. This allows a buyer to sell back a product to the seller based on a pricing formula that includes the prevailing market price. Lower palm oil imports by India, the world’s biggest buyer of vegetable oils, could weigh on Malaysian palm oil prices, but support soyoil and oBuyers cancel some orders, shift to rival soft oils: Industry officials sunflower oil prices. A few buyers decided to opt for a wash out because of negative margins prevailing in the local market, said Sandeep Bajoria, chief executive of Sunvin Group, a vegetable oil brokerage and consultancy firm. Crude palm oil (CPO) imports are currently being offered at about US$1,050 (RM4,659) a tonne, including cost, insurance and freight (CIF), in India for May delivery, while palm oil imported in the past few months is now priced between US$1,000 and US$1,010, dealers said. Wash outs are relatively rare in the Indian vegetable oil industry and the quantity is usually small at around 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes, said a Mumbaibased dealer with a global trade house. “Big wash out is happening because of unusual price movement in palm oil. It has been rising even as other oils are falling in the past few months,” said the Mumbai-based dealer. Price-sensitive Asian buyers traditionally rely on palm oil because of low costs and quick shipping times. But palm oil has moved to a premium at the same time as soft oil prices have dropped, partly due to a record rapeseed crop. Palm oil’s discount to rival oils was much as US$500 in the December quarter, but now it is holding a rare premium of more than US$30 per tonne over sunoil for May shipments, dealers said. Indian buyers are replacing palm oil with soyoil and sunflower oil for shipments in May, said Rajesh Patel, managing partner at GGN Research. India’s palm oil imports in May could fall to 700,000 tonnes, compared with an average monthly import of 879,000 tonnes so far in 2022/23 marketing year ending on Oct 31, dealers said. India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. It imports soybean and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine. – Reuters Heineken maintains profit growth projection for 2023 BRUSSELS: Heineken maintained its forecast for 2023 profit growth with the risk of slower economic expansion in the Asia-Pacific region offset by greater resilience among beer drinkers in Europe. The world’s second-largest brewer expects its operating profit this year to increase by a mid- to high- single-digit percentage. “We see signals of a relatively resilient Europe and risks of slower economic growth in Asia Pacific, thus performance across markets may be different than anticipated,” Heineken said. The Dutch brewer reported a steeper-thanexpected decline in first-quarter beer sales yesterday, with a sharp decline in major markets Nigeria and Vietnam, but price increases and some consumer shift to more expensive beers meant revenue expanded in line with the market consensus. The brewer – whose namesake brand is Europe’s top-selling beer – said consumer demand in Europe and the Americas was holding up better than expected, but results in the Asia-Pacific and the region including Africa were “disappointing”. Overall beer volumes fell 3% in the first quarter, below the average expectation of a 1.9% decline in a company-compiled poll. Revenue before exceptional items grew 8.9% to €6.38 billion (RM31 billion), exactly in line with expectations. – Reuters B R I E F SASML BEATS FORECASTS BUT EXPECTS CHIPMAKER CAUTION AMSTERDAM: ASML Holding NV beat firstquarter earnings forecasts yesterday on continued strong demand for its chipmaking equipment, but noted some signs of caution among customers. ASML posted a threefold jump in net profit to €1.96 billion (RM9.52 billion) on revenue up 91% at €6.74 billion. Analysts had forecast net profit of €1.62 billion on revenue of €6.31 billion, Refinitiv data shows. ASML plays a key role in the semiconductor industry because it dominates the market for lithography equipment used to create the minute circuitry of chips. – Reuters CHINA DRAFTING PLANS TO BOOST REBOUND, CONSUMPTION BEIJING: China is formulating plans to boost the recovery and expansion of consumption, the state planner’s spokesperson Meng Wei said yesterday, signalling officials are worried about weak demand despite a sharp rebound in retail sales. The National Development and Reform Commission pledged to promote a sustained recovery in consumption. “Currently, we are working on drafting documents on the recovery and expansion of consumption, mainly focusing on key areas such as stabilising big-ticket consumption, enhancing service consumption and expanding rural consumption,” said Meng. – Reuters Japan’s SMFG sells US$1b worth of AT1 bonds TOKYO: Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) sold US$1 billion (RM4.43 billion) of additional tier-1 (AT1) debt yesterday, becoming the first major global bank to sell the risky securities since similar bonds issued by Credit Suisse were wiped out last month. The deal shows confidence in the banking sector of Asia’s second-largest economy and that risk appetite is returning as the turmoil in financial markets sparked by the collapse of two U.S. regional lenders fades. AT1 bonds – the riskiest tranche of a bank’s bonds also known as “contingent convertibles” or “CoCo” bonds – can be converted into equity or written off if a bank’s capital level falls below a certain threshold. The market for AT1s froze after the government-brokered takeover of Credit Suisse by rival UBS in March. The Swiss regulator determined that more than US$17 billion worth of Credit Suisse’s AT1 bonds will be written down to zero, even as shareholders, who sit below bonds in the priority ladder for repayment in a bankruptcy process, will receive over US$3 billion. The resultant tumult cast doubts on whether SMFG would move ahead with its planned AT1 offer, and led to Japan’s biggest bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc, putting on hold its issuance until at least midMay. “SMFG had a choice of not selling them but they went ahead, likely signalling that the Japanese financial system may be more stable than those in other countries,” said Nana Otsuki, senior fellow at Pictet Japan. SMFG sold the bonds in two tranches, in ¥89 billion (RM2.92 billion) five-year notes, and ¥51 billion 10-year bonds. The ¥89 billion issuance carries a coupon rate of 1.879% for the initial five years and twomonth period, a regulatory filing showed. That compared with an initial 1.534% coupon on similar bonds issued by the bank in December. The ¥51 billion one has a coupon of 2.180% for the first 10 years and two months, compared with 1.750% on the 10-year bonds sold in December. The terms were attractive for investors, some analysts said. “In Japan, where spreads over corporate bonds are thin, the terms for these AT1 bonds were reasonably good, provided that the banking sector is credible,” said Pictet’s Otsuki. Japanese banks’ AT1 bonds had been configured in a way the value is secured even if the government is involved in restructuring, and SMFG’s new issues are seen to have the same features, she said. – Reuters UK inflation dips but holds above 10% on rampant food prices LONDON: UK inflation slowed last month but held above 10% on soaring food prices, official data showed yesterday, further fuelling a costof-living crisis despite a series of aggressive interest-rate increases. The Consumer Prices Index rose by a stronger-than-expected 10.1% in March from 10.4% in February, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement. Inflation held in double figures on surging food and housing costs, dashing expectations for a drop below 10% after the Bank of England (BoE) sharply raised borrowing costs. The rate had zoomed to a 41-year peak at 11.1% last October on sky-high energy bills after key gas producer Russia invaded Ukraine. The UK’s Conservative government, headed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, had last month unveiled a budget aimed at tackling the cost-of-living crisis, which has sparked strikes as wages drop in value. “These figures reaffirm exactly why we must continue with our efforts to drive down inflation so we can ease pressure on families and businesses,” said finance minister Jeremy Hunt. “We are on track to do this ... and we’ll continue supporting people with cost-ofliving support.” Despite the efforts, official data this week showed that pay continues to grow more slowly than prices. “Inflation eased slightly in March, but remains at a high level,” said ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner. The main downward impact was from falling motor fuel and heating oil costs, while clothing, furniture and household goods rose by less than one year ago. Fitzner cautioned that this was “partially offset by the cost of food, which is still climbing steeply”. Food price inflation rocketed in March to 19.1%, hitting the highest level since August 1977. The food rate has hit a series of 45-year peaks for several months. There were record March gains for bread and cereal, chocolate and confectionery, other food products including ready-meals and sauces, and hot beverages, the ONS said. “The cost of simply living has crept insidiously higher and wage increases are struggling to keep pace with such high inflation,” noted AJ Bell analyst Danni Hewson. “UK consumers will be utterly fed up with the situation and they’ll be angry that other parts of the world seem to be benefiting from inflation falling much faster.” The government forecasts inflation will sink to 2.9% by the end of this year. The BoE has ramped up interest rates 11 times in a row since late 2021 in a bid to tame consumer prices. Its key rate currently stands at 4.25%, the highest level since late 2008. Yet inflation remains at more than five times its official target of two percent. The central bank’s next decision is due in May. – AFP The City of London financial district seen from atop Primrose Hill Monday. The government forecasts inflation will sink to 2.9% by the end of this year. – REUTERSPIC

2 0 A P R I L 2 0 2 3 T H U R S D A Y AS Hari Raya draws near, it’s the perfect opportunity to gather your loved ones and indulge in quality family time with a side of ketupat and rendang. Spend your ‘balik kampung’ journey with your favourite local stars through various captivating shows featured on Disney+ Hotstar. From action-packed dramas to heartwarming family stories, there’s something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in some of Malaysia’s best local content this Hari Raya. Meerqeen – Melur Untuk Firdaus Season 1 and Season 2 Fans of Meerqeen looking for a heartwarming and humorous performance, should not miss out on his role as Firdaus Iskandar in this charming romantic drama, Melur Untuk Firdaus. Despite being in love with his girlfriend, Dee, Firdaus is forced into a marriage with Melur. Join him throughout season one as he attempts to navigate the tricky waters of his new relationship. Watch as Melur works her charm on Firdaus, employing various tactics to stop his involvement with Dee. Season two promises to be just as exciting as Firdaus struggles to repair and improve his relationship with Melur after the tumultuous events of the previous season. This Hari Raya, follow Meerqeen and indulge in the heartwarming story while learning a few valuable lessons about overcoming the challenges that often arise in relationships. Ummi Nazirah – Risik Pada Hati, Rindu Kasih Compelling viewers with her brilliant performance in Risik Pada Hati, Ummi Nazirah portrays the character of Hayfa, a devoted wife who faces criticism from her community due to her infertility. Despite the challenges, Hayfa remains determined and courageous, making the ultimate sacrifice to allow her husband to have a child with another woman. Ummi’s versatility as an actress is also evident in Rindu Kasih, where she takes on the role of Salina, a woman who goes to great lengths to reunite with her long-lost mother, even committing a crime. As we approach Hari Raya, let these shows remind us that we can all face our challenges with bravery and resilience, just like the strong female characters portrayed by Ummi Nazirah. Aedy Ashraf – Kerana Cinta Itu Ada, Kisah Cinta Kita This Hari Raya, love may also be in the air, and if you’re a fan of romantic dramas, Aedy Ashraf’s performances in Kerana Cinta Itu Ada and Kisah Cinta Kita are not to be missed. In Kerana Cinta Itu Ada, Aedy portrays the charming Tengku Aisy, the son of a prominent hotel owner who unexpectedly falls in love with an ordinary girl. As the story unfolds, viewers witness the ups and downs of his relationship as he faces various obstacles and struggles to keep the love alive. Aedy’s ability to convey a range of emotions in his portrayal of Tengku Aisy makes for a charming and delightful performance that we can’t forget. Meanwhile, in Kisah Cinta Kita, Aedy takes on the role of a man who hires a lookalike to pose as his missing partner, leading to a surprising turn of events that ends in marriage. Aedy’s talent brings this complex and twisted plot to life, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming love story or a thrilling plot twist, Aedy Ashraf delivers in both dramas. Follow Meerqeen’s adventures in Melur Untuk Firdaus. Ummi Nazirah puts in a good performance in Rindu Kasih. Sharifah Rose steals the show in Kekasih Hati Mr Bodyguard. Be moved by Fify Azmi’s stellar performance in Kau Cipta Kasih. Sharifah Rose – Do You Love Me, Captain?, Kekasih Hati Mr. Bodyguard, Ku Punya Hati Follow Sharifah Rose, a multi-talented actress who shines in every role she takes. In Kekasih Hati Mr. Bodyguard, Sharifah plays the character of Hana, a fierce and determined woman who sets out to complete a mission. Along the way, she clashes with a former bodyguard, but as they spend more time together, they develop an unexpected romance. In Ku Punya Hati, Sharifah’s fun and spirited side is on full display as Rashidah transforms into a social media influencer and artist overnight. Witness how this character navigates through the ups and downs of fame, showcasing Sharifah’s talent as an actress. Another standout role is her portrayal of Daneena in Do You Love Me, Captain? She brings depth and emotional complexity to her character as she disguises herself as a maid to escape her evil aunt. Sharifah’s dynamic performances in these roles make her an impressive actress to watch. Fify Azmi – Special Force: Anarchy, Kau Cipta Kasih, Ada Hantu 2 Fify Azmi never fails to amaze audiences with her wide range of acting skills. Her performance as Merah in Special Force: Anarchy is not to be missed, as she takes on a challenging role in an action-packed series. Acting alongside Chacha Maembong, who plays her sister Putih, Fify showcases her dynamism and chemistry on screen as they embark on a mission together. In Kau Cipta Kasih, Fify portrays the character of Ramlah, a determined and intelligent girl who pursues her dreams of studying abroad with the help of her estranged brother. Audiences will be moved by her inspiring journey to reunite with her family. Lastly, Fify’s role as Anita in Ada Hantu 2 is a must-see for horror-comedy fans. She delivers a solid performance as a loyal friend who helps her friend fulfil her mission in a haunted house. Her impeccable acting skills also landed her the 31st Malaysian Film Festival’s Most Promising Actress award in 2021. For your Raya viewing pleasure oDisney+ has some of the best local entertainment titles for you to enjoy during the festive holidays Don’t miss Aedy Ashraf in Kerana Cinta Itu Ada.

16 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Celebrating Borneo AHEAD of Gawai and Kaamatan festivities, The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat presents KonTra: Borneo. Celebrating the culture, the people and the stories of the world’s third largest island, the dance show will take place from May 4-7, 2023 at Pentas 2, klpac. A land of unparalleled beauty and ancient rainforests, there is a wealth of culture and traditions there which serves as the source of inspiration for Zhafir Muzani’s third instalment of this experimental dance series. Growing up in the small port town of Lahad Datu, Zhafir dreamt of showcasing a slice of Borneo through a fusion of contemporary dance. KonTra: Borneo is not your typical traditional cultural showcase. It will be presenting six new dance works, bridging our past and future, by a contingent of five talented choreographers from East Malaysia along with one more from Peninsular Malaysia. Stories have been a powerful tool to pass down cultural values and beliefs in Borneo and to connect its people to the land as a reminder to respect the environment. One will be able to experience this in Yunnus Enn’s RUAI, which refers to the great argus, a species of pheasant celebrated by the Iban of Sarawak as well as Andrew Igai Jamu Dataika Dinihari (Till Dawn) which draws on the intricate hand and body movements of female bards ‘lemambang sabak’ in the DayakIban dirge called ‘sabak bebuah’. Meanwhile Fauzi Amirudin’s TOMBIRUO was inspired by Ramlee Awang Mursyid’s novel of the same name which is set in the forests of oKonTra: Borneo draws inspiration from the people of East Malaysia to present six contemporary dance works Keningau and centres upon a young man believed to be the caretaker of the forest. Borneo traditional dance is known for its expressive and flowing movements. Hafzal Aziz’s Nopeng incorporates ‘nopeng’ or ‘tandak’, one of the main aspects of bergendang, traditional performing arts of Melayu Sarawak, which is performed in pairs. Sabah dances like Magunatip and Sumazau are known for its bouncelike motion and you will see some of this motion in Jabar Laura’s Selasih di kanan, which explores the theme of friendship, and Ethel Deidre’s Don’t Slam The Door, which highlights the stateless community in Sabah. With its colourful costumes and diverse dance styles, KonTra: Borneo is an opportunity to get to know the people of Borneo, its culture as well as their past and present stories better. Tickets are priced at RM50. Students can enjoy a 40% discount (limited offer only) while Eslite Malaysia White Card Members, Tiffin at The Yard & Yamatatsu customers can enjoy 5% off and Eslite Malaysia Gold/ Black Card Members can enjoy 10% off. Purchase tickets online via bit.ly/kontraborneo. Visit www.klpac.org, or WhatsApp +6018 227 7212 for more information. Zhafir Muzani will also be running free trial classes on April 30: 0 Jom Menari: Malay Traditional Dance (3pm-3.45pm, 8-15-year-olds) 0 Contemporary Dance (4pm4.45pm, 16 years old & above). GET ready to be swept off your feet by the captivating rhythms and melodies of Rhythm in Bronze (RiB), the Malaysian contemporary gamelan ensemble that is back with a new mission! Driven by their passion to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Malaysian gamelan, RiB has continued to break new ground in the art form to introduce gamelan on contemporary concert stages to reach a wider audience. Initially, an all-female gamelan group formed in 1997 by composer and ethnomusicologist, Sunetra Fernando, the group is now led by Artistic and Music Director, Jillian Ooi, and Executive Producer, Sharmini Ratnasingam, with a team of 10 gamelan musicians and two guest drummers, all of whom have won accolades for their work. RiB’s infusion of contemporary artistic elements into traditional gamelan has resulted in significant achievements. They are the first Malaysian ensemble to create modernised concert performances exclusively using the Malay gamelan, and are also pivotal in developing the genre of Gamelan Theatre in Malaysia, incorporating music, movement, and storytelling. Their creative endeavours have won numerous BOH Cameronian Awards and recognition, including Laras Gong (2003), Wujud Antara (2004), Monkey Business (2005), Alih PungGong (2007), Hari Jadi (2009), MaYA (2011), and Arus Gangsa (2014). This year, RiB returns with renewed energy and a new mission. They are joining the movement to promote environmental awareness through the performing arts. As the cradle for music and culture, the group aims to engage the audience at a profound sensory level through the resonating rhythms of the gamelan percussion to provoke emotional reactions, and ultimately, spark thought-provoking conversations on environmental conservation. The cause they have chosen to highlight is the importance of seagrass. It is no surprise that RiB is involved in this project, considering the Artistic and Music Director, Jillian Ooi’s background as a marine biologist specializing in seagrass. The first phase of preparation for the August concert is currently in progress. The ensemble recently participated in an innovative Immersive Lab at Mukim Tanjung Kupang, Johor to gain inspiration and a deeper understanding of the significance of seagrass to the environment, the challenges to its survival, and the nearby fishing community. Following this immersion, the composers for this production will begin composing their scores for the pieces dedicated to this concert. Rhythm in Bronze will stage a performance at BoboKL from May 3-6, 2023 and a seagrass conservation-themed concert at klpac Pentas 2 from Aug 25-27, 2023. Get ready for an unforgettable experience as RiB uses their music to shine a light on environmental issues and inspire change. Stay tuned for more stories on RiB’s development leading to the August performance in the coming months! Gamelan ensemble Rhythm In Bronze returns, with their first public performance since 2018. Tamil hip-hop Rhythm in Bronze returns set to take centre stage NAAMASTAY Hip Hop returns this year with a fresh vibe, announcing 36 vibrant homegrown artists (more to be announced soon) and performances, merchandise booths, interactive photo booths, activation spaces and games! The show is set to take place on the May 20, 2023 at Sweet Memory, KL. It is located along Jalan Chagar, Chow Kit KL, opposite Wisma FGV, the old Sime Darby building. Adding to the excitement, Naamastay Hip Hop receives support from the Ministry of Communications and Digital together with the government’s creative arm, MyCreative Ventures Sdn. Bhd. Limited early bird ticket prices are set at RM89 and RM111 for regular ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased online at naamastayhiphop.ubertickets.asia. “Naamastay Hip Hop is going to be different from any other concert you’ve attended, bringing great people, great vibes, and great music together to represent and celebrate (from left) Yogi B, Dr Burn, Janarth, Managing Director of FourOne6, reps from MyCreative Ventures SB. and Emcee Jesz during the gift presentation. the originality and greatness of homegrown hip hop,” said Sri Janarthanan Nair, Managing Director of FourOne6. He promises Naamastay Hip Hop to be an incredible space for music lovers to discover Malaysian Tamil hip-hop talents that our community has to offer. For more details of the event, check out Naamastay Hip Hop on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter under the handle @namastayhiphop. Gary Chaw encore concert GARY CHAW held his long-awaited <Crazy for LIVE> concert at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting last November after a 5-year hiatus in Malaysia. Following high demand, Gary will return to the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting on July 22, 2023 for a <Crazy for LIVE> Malaysia - Encore 2023 concert, providing a chance for fans who had missed out on his previous concert to witness him in action once again. This concert will feature a brandnew upgraded stage setup, produced and crafted by an international team of music professionals. In an effort to provide a more spectacular sensory experience, top-tier hardware sound equipment and stage lighting will be employed to produce a stunning audio and visual experience. Gary will sing a few of his timeless hits at the performance in addition to some brand-new songs. His varied musical approach will be highlighted by this blending of old and new, enabling the audience to fully immerse themselves in a more “crazy” performance experience. Organised by Star Planet, the tickets are currently on sale. The first 800 tickets sold will receive a 10% discount, on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. For more information, you may visit www.starplanet.com.my or call 03-9223 3667.

theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 17 /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Defend the multiverse WIZARDS of the Coast will be releasing March of the Machine, the latest set for the world’s greatest trading card game, Magic: The Gathering. The final instalment to the four-part Phyrexian storyline, March of the Machine will see players team up with Legendary creatures and Planeswalkers from all across the Multiverse to battle against the Phyrexian invasion. The set will launch for the tabletop on April 21, 2023. All worlds will know perfection Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines and leader of the Phyrexian army has amassed a force to take over the entire Multiverse at once. She now expands her reach to bring the glory of New Phyrexia to other planes in an attempt to compleat all beings. One Last Stand Rallied by a heroic team of Planeswalkers, Legends from across all planes of existence must team up to fight the Phyrexian scourge. Popular characters from across Magic’s history will band together for the final fight with the fate of their world – and all other worlds – on the line. March of the Machine features several new mechanics, the most exciting being a brand new card type - Battle. Battles are a new type of dualfaced card: when you play a Battle, you pick an opponent to protect it. Similarly to Planeswalkers, Battles can be damaged or attacked and when they are defeated, flip into a powerful new card for free! This is the first new card type since the debut of Planeswalkers in 2007 so players can look forward to an exciting new gameplay experience. Also featured is the creature-based mechanic Backup which allows players to add +1/+1 counters to creatures and gain additional abilities based on the creature giving the counter. Fans of the Phyrexian armada will also get to play with Incubators - artifacts that enter with a oMagic: The Gathering’s latest launch lets you make your final stand against the Phyrexian horde in March of the Machines NCT DREAM’S upcoming concert, the NCT DREAM TOUR THE DREAM SHOW2: In A DREAM in KUALA LUMPUR has been officially declared sold out! Tickets for the event were fully snapped up in less than three hours after sales began. Presented by Yes, organized by Star Planet, NCT DREAM TOUR ‘THE DREAM SHOW2: In A DREAM’ in KUALA LUMPUR will be held on May 20, 2023, 5pm at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. The organizer and members of NCT DREAM are thrilled with the overwhelming response from fans and would like to express their deepest gratitude to all the fans who made this concert such a resounding success. For any updates, stay tuned to Star Planet social media or visit www.starplanet. com.my. number of +1/+1 counters and can be turned into creatures by paying two mana. Both Jumpstart and Commander product lines return for March of the Machine with five exciting themes for Commander decks: 0 Phyrexian Cats 0 Zhalfir Knights 0 Shaman Creatures 0 Convoke Angels 0 Gremlin Artifacts Five new Jumpstart booster themes will also be introduced: 0 Brood 0 Overachiever 0 Expendable 0 Reinforcement 0 Buff To capture the battles happening all across the Multiverse, March of the Machine will feature the most showcase art styles to date: all showcase frames from recent sets will feature in March of the Machine alongside several brand new frames to represent additional planes. These showcase frames will primarily focus on Multiverse Legends: teams of Legendary creatures who are fighting against the Phyrexian invasion. Additionally, a new type of foiling process will feature in the set. The new Halo Foil pattern will appear for Multiverse Legends cards in Collector Boosters only. Lastly, the 30thanniversary celebrations continue for Magic with three more unique promo cards releasing in WPN stores to celebrate the launch of March of the Machine. March of the Machine will be available as Draft Boosters, Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, Jumpstart Boosters, Welcome Boosters, Commander decks, Bundles and a Secret Lair. For more information on March of the Machine, visit magic.wizards.com / e n / p r o d u c t s / m a r c h - o f - t h e - machine. House of the Dragon S2 begins production PRODUCTION has commenced on the second season of HBO Original drama series House of the Dragon at Leavesden Studios in the United Kingdom. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen. Ryan Condal, series cocreator, showrunner and executive producer, said: “House of the Dragon has returned. We are thrilled to be shooting again with members of our original family as well as new talents on both sides of the camera. All your favourite characters will soon be conspiring at the council tables, marching with their armies, and riding their dragons into battle. We can’t wait to share what we have in store.” In its first season of production, House of the Dragon set up a successful on-set shadowing and mentorship programme for production trainees. Now that filming is underway on season two, House of the Dragon has once again opened its doors to WBD Access Directors Shadows, giving two emerging directors, B Welby and Ebele Tate, the chance to hone their skills and learn from one of the finest crews in the industry. Season 2 cast includes Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham. NCT Dream concert tickets sold out

18 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 Cough, cough, go away I T’S a scene on screen we know all too well: the lonely figure with a chronic cough, slowly wasting away day after day, with a sickly pallor attributed to getting older or working too hard. Until the day the coughs get more violent and bring up blood – then there’s no mistaking it. Something is seriously wrong. Tuberculosis (TB), or “consumption” as it was known because of the weight loss it caused, is a debilitating disease that we might erroneously think was left behind in the past. It’s true that the disease is old – it was discovered in the 1880s – however, it is still very much around today. TB is endemic in Malaysia – a disease we live with in this country – just like dengue and, recently, Covid-19. While awareness is high for the latter two, many of us rarely spare a thought to the existence and threat of TB in the community. We only need to look at our upper arms to remind ourselves – Malaysians carry the scar of the BCG (i.e. Bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccine given as babies and at primary school. This shot protects us against TB. This may be why we feel a sense of security, but what we may not know is that its effectiveness wanes over the years and by the time we are adults, many of us no longer have immunity. The Basics of TB TB is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can attack different parts of the body, with the lungs – referred to as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) – being the most common. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is a term used to categorise TB when it manifests in other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, bones (usually the spine); in rare cases, the gut. In patients who are immunosuppressed such as those living with HIV, it can attack the brain. Those most susceptible to the infection are the elderly, those with lowered immunity such as diabetics, people who are immunosuppressed such as those on chronic steroid therapy and people living with HIV. Young children are also more at risk because their immune systems would still be developing and that is why they are given the BCG. Others include those who live in Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. – 123RF oWe are familiar with tuberculosis as a disease portrayed in movies, but is much closer to our reality than we think Prof Dr James Koh, frequently speaks about tuberculosis to raise awareness about the disease that many of us don’t even think about. overcrowded living spaces – making it easier for the bacteria to pass on – such as migrant workers and the poor. The four cardinal symptoms of PTB are a chronic cough, profuse night sweats, loss of weight, and a recurrent rise in body temperature in the evenings. In EPTB manifestations, the disease presents itself as swollen lymph nodes, chronic back pain and fragile bones, a sensitive gut and if in the brain, it can cause seizures, headaches, confusion and even alterations in personality. One of the challenges in detecting TB is that it doesn’t present symptoms immediately. “You could have been exposed long ago, and the bacteria will stay latent or dormant in the body and hibernate. Symptoms can come up months or even years later,” says Prof James. The slow and subtle onset of the symptoms is also unlikely to set off alarm bells until the disease has advanced such as when you find yourself coughing up blood. Testing for TB TB is diagnosed through a few tests. For PTB, an X-ray of the lungs will show “cavities”, a telling sign of TB. There is also a saliva test and a skin test; in cases of EPTB, a biopsy of the bone or swelling might need to be done. When do you need to see a doctor? The rule of thumb is: Don’t wait to cough up blood. See a doctor if you have had a persistent cough for two weeks. Taking into account your general state of health, the doctor will know whether to test you for TB or not. Do the same if you have unexplained night sweats and weight loss together with swollen lymph nodes or chronic back pain. “If you are aware that you’ve been exposed to someone with TB, someone you share a working or living space with, then you might also want to see a doctor to be screened,” Prof James adds. He explains that a good notification system is in place in the public health sector. When a patient is detected with TB, the doctor has to notify the public health officer. The officer will then initiate contact tracing to identify the possible people who have been exposed. Arrangements will then be made for these people to be tested. Contagious or Not? The good news is that while TB is contagious, it is not as contagious as we experienced with Covid-19. Similarly to all respiratory diseases, it is spread by water droplets that come from coughing or spitting. However, unlike the Coronavirus, the bacteria is heavy so these need to be significant water droplets. “You have to be in quite close contact and in a situation where there’s prolonged exposure. Generally, more than eight hours a day,” says Prof James. Some examples of close contacts would be immediate carers, office mates or those living in the same house. A person with latent or dormant TB is not infectious, and neither are those who present only with EPTB, without the infection settling in the lungs. What to Expect for Treatment TB treatment is straightforward but long. A combination of four antibiotics will be prescribed for anything between six months to a year, depending on which part of the body is affected. “For PTB, it is generally within six months. EPTB needs nine to 12 months,” says Prof James. Newer medications can potentially treat TB within three months but Malaysia does not have the facility yet. “At the moment, we’re still using the old regime,” he says. It is crucial however to take the medication on time and as prescribed. If a patient does not complete the course or misses doses, the bacteria can become resistant to the drug. This can escalate into extensively drugresistant TB (XDR TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) – or what is commonly known as superbugs. “Those with MDR/XDR TB can spread it to others and unfortunately for that someone, because the bacteria is already resistant, it becomes very hard to treat. These cases will need a lot of alternative medications involving injections and much longer therapy for up to two years. It gets very, very complicated,” warns Prof James. To prevent such lapses, the public health system has a checkin protocol where those undergoing treatment are regularly monitored to ensure the proper administration of the drugs. Once the treatment is started, a person will be non-infective in ten to 14 days. In hospitals, a patient will be put in isolation but there is no prescribed quarantine period. “The most important thing is to wear a mask and wash your hands frequently,” Prof James says.

theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 19 RICH in nutrients, potatoes are a crowd-loving vegetable and a staple in most parts of the world. You can make a delicious potato dish with just a few ingredients lying around your kitchen pantry. There are endless ways to cook potatoes; you can bake, roast, mash, and of course, fry them. It is said that Inca Indians in Peru were the first to cook them, about 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, before they were discovered by the Spanish in the 1500s and later, became a staple in many European countries. Today, you can find so many types of potatoes, like red, purple, white, yellow, and others. For delicious recipes, we contacted cooking influencer Muhammad Aniq Zulfadhly, who loves to share recipes through his Instagram page @aniqclone. The 28-year-old has a degree in culinary arts, and currently runs the Kotak Kopi restaurant at Setia Eco Park. Aniq aspires to open up more branches of his restaurant, and to write recipe books someday. He shared his easy-to-do potato recipe using an air fryer with theSun’s readers. However, you can still try this recipe out even if you don’t have an air fryer. 0 Potato Cheese Ball Irresistible yet easy to make, this dish is perfect for a party. Similar to croquettes, the crispy potato cheese balls burst with melted cheese inside is heavenly. Ingredients 200gm of potatoes 50gm potato crisps 1 cup bread crumb 5 gm parsley leaf chop for garnish 1 egg 6 tablespoons of wheat flour Mozzarella cheese cubes Salt to taste Steps 1. Boil the potatoes. Peel off the skin and mash the potatoes with th epotato crisps until smooth. 2. Mix the mashed potatoes with the wheat flour, add the seasoning to the mixture, and make a dough. 3. Divide the dough into small balls. Spread the small balls and put the Mozzarella cheese cubes inside. and make a ball out of the mixture. 4. Coat the balls evenly with eggs, and then, roll the balls in the bread crumbs. 5. Fry until golden and crispy (175°C – 190°C for 1-2 minutes), then serve hot. 0 Bergedil (fried potato patty) Bergedil (in the Malay language) is a deep-fried mashed potato patty that is eaten as a side dish to a larger meal, Potato Cheese Balls with melted stringy cheese that you would want to pull apart. – @ANIQCLONE oEasy-to-do comfort food but delicious potato recipes that you must-try at home █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI Bergedil has crispy outside but soft inside perfect as a snack. – @ANIQCLONE but it’s also delicious to eat as a hot snack on its own, dipped in chili. Ingredients 500gm boiled potatoes 1 packet tofu 300gm minced chicken 1 carrot, sliced into small pieces 4 cloves of garlic 15gm parsley leaf, finely chopped 50gm fried onions 1 egg Steps 1. Boil the potatoes until they turn mushy 2. Cut the chicken filling into small pieces and pan fry inside a frying pan with oil, and mix with garlic and carrots. 3. In a bowl, mix mashed potatoes with fried onions and seasonings. 4. Roll it into a small ball, and press it inside the tofu. 5. Dip the tofu inside lightly beaten eggs and fry in heated oil (175°C – 190°C for 1-2 minutes). 6. Drain the oil using paper. 0 Potato pocket A crispy skin with a fluffy inside topped with cheese. This luscious potato recipe will never go out of style. The British version of this dish, known as the English Jacket potato, has similar ingredients, ideal for any occasion. Ingredients 4 russet potatoes A tablespoon of olive oil Salt to taste 4 pieces of streaky beef ½ tablespoon butter 3-4 small cubes of mozzarella cheese One spring onion, thinly chopped A pinch of black pepper Steps 1. Rinse the potatoes and pierce or prick them randomly using a fork. 2. Rub salt and olive oil evenly on the outside, and bake or air fry until the potatoes are fully cooked inside (180°C for 15 minutes). 3. Once cooked, slice the potatoes to the bottom but do not cut through them. 4. Put the butter on both sides and mix with the potato flesh, then add the grated mozzarella cheese. You can scoop the flesh out, mix it in a bowl, and put it back into the potato skin. 5. Add salt and pepper with small cut pieces of streaky beef, black pepper, and mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle with thinly sliced spring onions before serving. 0 Air Fryer Potatoes This crispy roasted bites are so easy to make, and you only need a few ingredients to make this savoury dish. Switch up or add different herbs and you would get different taste, each time. Ingredients 1 kg mini potatoes 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon of Texas BBQ seasoning 1 tablespoon onion powder One spring onion, finely chopped Salt to taste Steps 1. Clean the potato skin and cut it in half. 2. Toss the potato with olive oil, onion powder, and BBQ seasoning, season with salt, and marinate for 30 minutes. 3. Put the potatoes in the air fryer with the cut side facing up, and cook at 180°C for 18 minutes. 4. If you don’t have an air fryer, deep fry it for about 10 minutes between 175°C – 190°C. 5. Serve with chili or any sauce you like. 6. Garnish with spring onions. Potato pockets are just baked potatoes with golden skin and fluffy insides. – @ANIQCLONE Air Fryer Potato is light and everyone would love this recipe Different ways to cook potatoes

20 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 Cultivating empathy and compassion Steping forward to improve lives EMBRACING the true meaning of compassion and empathy in this month of blessings, IJM Seremban 2 is back with its annual Program Mesra Ramadan specifically for its Seremban community. This initiative is aimed at providing relief to impoverished and underprivileged families to go through this blessed Ramadan month with ease in the hopes that it will lead to a more meaningful Raya celebrations. For years, IJM Seremban 2 has had a reputation for backing and supporting local charities, and this year, the property developer initiated the programme by identifying six impoverished households in Seremban who are struggling making ends meet. IJM Seremban 2 contributed a box of kindness filled with basic necessities including grocery items worth RM600 such as rice, cooking oil, Raya cookies, noodles and RM1,000 duit Raya. Chai Kian Soon, Senior General Manager of IJM Land Berhad shared that doing these little contributions to bring joy and smiles to the families is one of their ways of supporting and uplifting the Seremban community. “As Muslims around the world are preparing for the upcoming festive season, we realised that this may not be the case for many others. Our beneficiaries have a hard time trying to get through the day, let alone celebrating Hari Raya. We hope that our small contribution will assist them in elevating their lives, cheer them up, and provide them with the opportunity to celebrate Raya just like everyone else,” said Chai. “Underprivileged families require any form of assistance from the community, and this is what we are trying to help with. At IJM Seremban 2, we strive to lend a helping hand in improving their lives which will also contribute to peace of mind. As always, we are grateful for the opportunity to help others and we hope to continue bringing positive changes to the Seremban community,” he added. Program Mesra Ramadan has been held annually since 2018 for the benefit of the community, and IJM Seremban 2 intends to keep up its efforts by supporting those in need through a variety of charitable endeavours for months to come. For more information on IJM Land’s Program Mesra Ramadan initiative, please visit seremban2.ijmland.com. HADA LABO, a renowned skincare brand, has once again taken a step forward to improve the lives of B40 women through its annual We Care For Society CSR campaign which aims to educate and equip these women with valuable skills and knowledge thereby helping them achieve financial independence. The outreach to low-income B40 women was carried out in partnership with Women Of Will (WOW) and Watsons. Through this campaign, Hada Labo pledged to donate RM1 from every Hada Labo Premium Whitening products sold at Watsons outlets nationwide to its We Care for Society campaign fund during the month of March. Through the partnership with Watsons, Hada Labo has successfully raised RM50,000 to support this campaign. The funds raised through this campaign were used to support a group of 37 low-income B40 women bakers and tailors in baking 22,000 pieces of healthy cookies and sewing 500 pouches for 500 elderly folks from 12 different aged homes around Klang Valley in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya celebration. Among homes that Hada Labo reached out to for the cookie and pouch distribution, were Pusat Jagaan Al-Fikrah Malaysia, My Aged Care, Laman Khaira, Darul Insyirah, Zara Aisyah Care Centre, Pusat Jagaan Husna Arrashid, Pusat Jagaan Warga Emas Kaseh Bonda and Pertubuhan Cahaya Hati Selangor. Lim Mei Yuen, General Manager of RohtoMentholatum Malaysia, expressed her commitment to the cause and the brand’s support to low-income B40 women since the Covid-19 pandemic. She reiterated that the brand would continue to offer relief to disadvantaged women in the future as well. “We’ve been running this campaign with WOW & Watsons for the last four years to help improve the lives of B40 women who were badly hit during the pandemic and although we are now in the endemic phase, their economic situation has not improved much with the high inflation rate. We hope that our programme will offer some financial relief, especially with Raya just around the corner,” said Lim. Hada Labo employees also partake in visits to aged homes for Raya cookie distribution and communal work at a selected home to send their love and care to the aged community. F&N is synonymous with festive occasions for generations of Malaysians. In line with the brand promise of “Pure Enjoyment, Pure Goodness”, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&NHB) continued its tradition of spreading joy to the less fortunate this Ramadan by hosting a buka puasa with the residents and staff of the Pertubuhan Rumah Anak Yatim Dan Asnaf Kampung Sijangkang orphanage in Selangor. The celebration was held at the Kota Permai Golf & Country Club. During the buka puasa, F&NHB Chairman Y.A.M. Tengku Syed Badarudin Jamalullail presented duit raya and a full set of baju raya to each of the 51 children from the orphanage along with products from the F&N portfolio. “Ramadan is a time for Muslims to give back to society, especially to those who are less fortunate. For more than 20 years, F&NHB has been actively engaging with orphanages and other homes during this holy month to spread festive cheer. But the past three years of social distancing have prevented us from meeting them in person. Hence, we are grateful for the opportunity this year to spend time with the children, bring them joy and laughter, and make them feel appreciated as a part of our community,” commented Y.A.M. Tengku Syed Badarudin Jamalullail, Chairman of F&NHB. “As we celebrate our 140th anniversary this year, F&N is proud to continue our longstanding tradition of spreading joy and happiness to the less fortunate during festive occasions. Our commitment to social responsibility is a key part of who we are as a company, and we remain dedicated to supporting local communities and promoting social cohesion through our initiatives,” said Karen Tan, Director of Communications, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability at F&NHB. Tan added: “F&N’s long-lasting success was built on the trust that our consumers have in us, and our ability to build bridges across our multicultural nation through our social initiatives. Therefore, we believe that it is our duty to give back to the communities we serve. As we move forward, we will continue to prioritise community engagement as a way to build a better future for all.” F&NHB’s annual festive outreach programme is in line with its commitment to community development and inclusive growth. This commitment is one of the three pillars in the Group’s ‘Enabling Sustainable Growth’ framework to drive positive impact and become a ‘Better Business’ that contributes to a ‘Better Planet’ and a ‘Better Society’. oF&N brings smiles to underprivileged children through buka puasa and Raya gifts Spreading festive cheer A group photo of the residents and staff from Pertubuhan Rumah Anak Yatim Dan Asnaf Kampung Sijangkang, with the F&NHB team.

21 SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 NOTIS JUALAN SECARA LELONG AWAM Akta Pemegang Pajak-Gadai(81)1972 Sandaran-sandaran yang tidak ditebus Pemegang Pajak Gadai yang tersebut dibawah ini yang mana sandaran-sandaran itu telah di-gadaikan dalam tempoh seperti di bawah Akan Di-jual Dengan Lelong Umum Di No 124-A Jalan Jelutong, 11600 Penang. Pada Hari 2hb Mei 2023, Waktu 2.00pm. NEGERI PULAU PINANG No. NAMA PAJAK GADAI TEMPOH GADAIAN SANDARAN ALAMAT PAJAK GADAI YANG AKAN DILELONG 1 Pajak Gadai Sheng Lon (Bayan Baru) Sdn Bhd Mei 2022 - Jul 2022 54 Jalan Tengah, Taman Sri Tunas, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Penang. 2 Pajak Gadai Sheng Lon Sdn Bhd (Jelutong) Dec 2021 – Jul 2022 124 Jalan Jelutong, 11600 Georgetown, Penang. 3 Pajak Gadai Sheng Lon Sdn Bhd (Bukit Jambul) Feb 2022 – Jul 2022 88Q Jalan Tun Dr Awang, 11900 Bukit Jambul, Penang. 4 MCG Pawnshop Sdn Bhd Jan 2022 - Jun 2022 2952 Jalan Perai, Taman Inderawasih, 13600 Seberang Perai, Penang. 5 Hoong Goon Pawnshop Sdn Bhd Mac 2022 - Mac 2022 4-D Jalan Bayan Lepas, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang. 6 Pajak Gadai Wangmax Sdn Bhd Ogos 2020 - Jun 2022 500 Jalan Dato Keramat, 10460 Penang. 7 Pajak Gadai Wangmax Fettes Sdn Bhd Feb 2022 - Jun 2022 16 Jalan Fettes, 11200 Tanjung Tokong, Penang. 8 Pajak Gadai Wangmax Farlim Sdn Bhd Feb 2022 - Jun 2022 63 Jalan Pisang Embun, 11500 Farlim, Penang. 9 Pajak Gadai Cheng Chang Sdn Bhd Jul 2022 – Jul 2022 8, Jalan Penanti 1, Taman Penanti, Bukit Mertajam, 14000 Penang. Sandaran-sandaran tersebut boleh diperiksa dengan Pemegang Pajak Gadai berkenaan diatas pada 20hb Apr 2023 sehingga 26hb Apr 2023, pukul10.00 Pagi sehingga 4.00 Petang sebelum tarikh jualan lelong itu. Neoh Boon Hooi Licensed Auctioneer Pelelong Berlesen 322 Notices SINGGIE FERRY SERVICES SDN. BHD. (Company No.: 201901006594 (1315921-V)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 (1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2016 that a Final Meeting of the members of the above-named Company will be held at its registered office situated at No. 31-3, Jalan Tasik Selatan 3, Metro Centre, Bandar Tasik Selatan, 57000 Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, the 23rd day of May, 2023 at 10.30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and consider the final accounts of the Liquidator. 2. To resolve under Section 459 (5) of the Companies Act 2016, that the books and papers of the Company be destroyed after the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the final meeting. LEE SHOOK MUN @ LEE YUE YEE (f) Liquidator Dated this 20th day of April, 2023 NOTE: A member entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Company’s registered office not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting. IN THE MATTER OF COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF TEH ACTUARIAL SERVICES SDN. BHD. 200701010385 (768388-K) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of Teh Actuarial Services Sdn. Bhd. duly convened at 1A-3 Plaza Mayang, Jalan SS26/9, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan on 14 April 2023 at 10.00 am the following Special Resolution was duly passed :- That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 and that Mr. Chai Yah Kang (NRIC No. 831225-01-5447) of 1A-3 Plaza Mayang, Jalan SS26/9, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan be and is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of winding up. Dated this 20 April 2023 Teh Loo Hai Director 1A-3 Plaza Mayang, Jalan SS 26/9 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan IN THE MATTER OF COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF TEH ACTUARIAL SERVICES SDN. BHD. 200701010385 (768388-K) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Creditors of the above named Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required on or before 20 May 2023 to send in their names and addresses, with particulars of their debts or claims, and the names and addresses of their Solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the said Company; and, if so required by notice in writing by the said Liquidator, are, by their solicitors or personally, to come and prove their 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 such distribution made before such debts are proven. Dated this 20 April 2023 CHAI YAH KANG Liquidator 1A-3 Plaza Mayang, Jalan SS 26/9, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO. PA-28NCC-19-03/2023 Dalam perkara Seksyen 465(1) (e) dan Seksyen 466 (1) (a) Akta SyarikatSyarikat 2016 Dan Dalam Perkara Famous Delicacies Sdn. Bhd. (No. Syarikat: 199601042214 (414567-D) Dan Dalam Perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat-Syarikat 1972 ANTARA Special Coral Sdn. Bhd. (No. Syarikat: 911874-U) PEMPETISYEN DAN Famous Delicacies Sdn. Bhd. (No. Syarikat : 199601042214 (414567-D)) RESPONDEN PENGIKLANAN PETISYEN Notis kini diberi bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan syarikat Famous Delicacies Sdn. Bhd. (No. Syarikat: 199601042214 (414567-D) oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah dikemukakan pada 14/2/2023 oleh Special Coral Sdn. Bhd. (No. Syarikat: 911874-U) yang beralamat di 1F-78 Queensbay Mall, 100 Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang dan bahawa Petisyen tersebut telah diarah untuk didengar dihadapan Mahkamah yang bersidang di Pulau Pinang pada 9.00 pagi, pada 8 Mei 2023 dan sesiapa pemiutang atau penyumbang kepada syarikat tersebut yang berminat untuk menyokong atau membangkang terhadap mana-mana Perintah yang dibuat di atas Petisyen tersebut boleh menghadiri pada masa Pendengaran dengan sendiri atau melalui Peguamcaranya untuk tujuan ini; dan sesalinan Petisyen akan diberi kepada sesiapa Pemiutang atau Penyumbang kepada Syarikat tersebut yang memohon kepada penandatangan seperti dibawah dengan bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di 1F-78 Queensbay Mall, 100 Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang. Peguamcara bagi Pempetisyen adalah Tetuan San Law Chambers yang mana alamat untuk penyampaiannya adalah di Unit 6.2, Tingkat 6, Wisma Leader, No. 8, Jalan Larut, 10050 Pulau Pinang. Ditandatangani …………………………….…… Peguamcara untuk Pempetisyen Nota: Sesiapa yang ingin menghadiri pada pendengaran Petisyen tersebut mestilah menyampaikan ke atas atau kirim melalui pos kepada peguamcara yang dinamakan diatas satu notis bertulis akan tujuan untuk berbuat demikian. Notis ini mesti menyatakan nama dan alamat orang itu atau, jikalau sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, atau peguamcara mereka (jika ada) dan mesti disampaikan atau jika dikirim melalui pos hendaklah dalam masa yang memadai sampai kepada yang dinamakan di atas tidak lewat daripada pukul 12 tengahari pada 7/5/2023 (hari sebelum hari ditetapkan untuk pendengaran Petisyen). (Ruj. : DLMS/DL/797/20/Awin)/Rse. 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI SHAH ALAM DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA (BAHAGIAN SIVIL) GUAMAN NO. BA-23NCvC-55-11/2022 ANTARA DATO’ DR. TIKFU GEE (NO. K/P: 730502-07-5569) ….PLAINTIF DAN 1. KALTHOM BINTE ITHNIN (No. K/P: 501014-01-5744 / 4136837) 2. ZEHAN CHONG BINTI ABDULLAH (No. K/P: 590825-05-5368) 3. MARYATI BINTI MAHARON (No. K/P: 801022-13-5038) … DEFENDAN-DEFENDAN NOTIS IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Kepada: KALTHOM BINTE ITHNIN No. 19G, GCB Court Condominium, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di Shah Alam melalui Writ Saman bertarikh bertarikh 22 November 2022 No. BA-23NCvC-55-11/2022 oleh Dato’ Dr. Tikfu Gee yang beralamat di 45 Jalan UB 7, Taman Ukay Bistari, 68000 Ampang dan Mahkamah telah memerintahkan bahawa Writ Saman bertarikh bertarikh 22 November 2022 dan Pernyataan Tuntutan Terpinda bertarikh 18 Januari 2023 hendaklah disampaikan kepada kamu secara penyampaian ganti dengan menampalkan satu salinan Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan Terpinda bersama-sama dengan sesalinan Perintah Penyampaian Ganti ini di premis kamu di alamat No. 19G, GCB Court Condominium, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, di Papan Kenyataan Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam dan dengan mengiklankan Notis ini di dalam akhbar keluaran tempatan “The Sun” untuk satu hari dan bahawa penampalan dan pengiklanan sedemikian hendaklah dianggap penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup akan penyampaian Writ Saman ini adalah penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup kepada Defendan Pertama dalam masa empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh akhir mana -mana penyampaian terakhir dilakukan. DAN SELANJUTNYA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa jika kamu berhajat untuk membela tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah hadir samada secara sendiri atau melalui Peguambela kamu di Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam dalam 20 hari setelah tamat 14 hari dari tarikh akhir penampalan dan/atau pengikalanan tersebut menjadi sempurna dan sekiranya kamu ingkar hadir, penghakiman boleh dimasukkan terhadap kamu. Writ Saman ini boleh diperiksa oleh kamu dengan memohon kepada Mahkamah ini. Bertarikh pada 07 April, 2023. Notis Iklan (Penyampaian Ganti) ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Low & Partners Peguambela & Peguamcara, Pegumacara Plaintif yang beralamat di No.8B, Persiaran Greentown 1, Greentown Business Centre, 30450 Ipoh, Perak. [Ruj: IP/GL/10548/04/22/LHY/ TCW_KIP] Tel: 05-2418293 Fax: 05-2418298 Emel: [email protected] Pawnbrokers’ forfeited pledges under Section 23 of the Pawnbrokers’ Act 1972 Pawnbrokers’ (Control and Licensing) Regulations 2004 The above will be sold by public auction during the first week of May 2023 at No. 71, Bishop Street, Penang for articles pawned in July 2022 and earlier commencing from the date and time stated below:- Date Time 02.05.2023 9:00 A.M (Tuesday) Note: Interested bidders are to register with the licensed auctioneer 7 working days before the auction date. *Term and conditions apply. A.Dennys & Co Sdn Bhd Licensed Auctioneers 71, Lebuh Bishop 10200 Penang Tel No’s: 04-2611551/2 PERFECT WELLY SALES & SERVICES CENTRE SDN. BHD. (Company No.: 200001001529 (504134-W)) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 (1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016 that a Final Meeting of the members of the above-named Company will be held at its registered office situated at No. 31-3, Jalan Tasik Selatan 3, Metro Centre, Bandar Tasik Selatan, 57000 Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, the 23rd day of May, 2023 at 10.30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and consider the final accounts of the Liquidator. 2. To resolve under Section 459 (5) of the Companies Act 2016, that the books and papers of the Company be destroyed after the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the final meeting. LEE SHOOK MUN @ LEE YUE YEE (f) Liquidator Dated this: 20th day of April, 2023 NOTE: A member entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Company’s registered office not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting. 322 Notices 322 Notices CLASSIFIEDS *Terms And Conditions Apply Call 03-7784 6688 or email [email protected] RM138 6SHFLDO2΍HU for Limited time only! (excl 6% SST) 2 Units 3 Storey Shop House known as 178, 178A, 178B & 180, 180A, 180B Seang Teik Road, 10400 Penang. Price: RM2.5 million per unit Riverside Resort Sdn Bhd, 332D Chulia Street, 10200 Penang 04-2630337 PROPERTY FOR SALE GREAT RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT / SALE! For Viewing Appointment, please call Ms. Chloe : 03-2072 2562 Address: Kota Raya Complex Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock 50000 Kuala Lumpur Area: 5th Floor – 26,102 sf 4th Floor – 22,390 sf Other Floors – From 205 sf to 2,982 sf Size : 5cm x 1 column (3cm) Spec : Full Color Actual Price : RM198.00 5 Days duration *Value Added on website www.thesundaily.my Call : 017-320 8888 Home Repair Expert Plumbing, Tiling, Wiring and A/Cond From RM60 onward 322 Notices DAYASUBUR SDN. BHD. (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) [Registration No.: 198701007256 (165974-K)] Liquidators’ Office: 12th Floor, Menara Symphony, No. 5, Jalan Prof. Khoo Kay Kim, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: 03-7890 4800 Fax: 03-7890 4650 NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, a Final Meeting of the Company will be held at 12th Floor, Menara Symphony, No. 5, Jalan Prof. Khoo Kay Kim, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan on Monday, 22 May 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purpose:- AGENDA 1. To receive the Statement of Account from the Liquidators showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted. 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 Liquidators and of the Company thereof shall be disposed of. For and on behalf of Dayasubur Sdn. Bhd. (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) TAI YIT CHAN TAN AI NING Liquidators Selangor Darul Ehsan Date: 20 April 2023 NOTES: 1. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy shall confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll. 2. The instrument appointing a proxy, with the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed or a notarially certified copy of such power or authority, shall be deposited at the office of Boardroom Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd., being the Liquidators of the Company, at 12th Floor, Menara Symphony, No. 5, Jalan Prof. Khoo Kay Kim, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote, or, in the case of a poll, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll, and in default the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid. CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 Green stars as Mumbai down Hyderabad AUSTRALIA’S Cameron Green hit his maiden half-century in the Indian Premier League and took one wicket to lead Mumbai Indians to a 14-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad yetserday. Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai remain the most successful franchise with five trophies in the men’s edition and moved to sixth in the 10-team table after three successive wins. Green steered the team to 192-5 with an attacking 64 following his promotion to No. 3 in Hyderabad. Aiden Markram-led Hyderabad were bowled out for 178 in 19.5 overs despite a whirlwind 36 by Heinrich Klaasen and Mayank Agarwal’s 48. Needing 20 in the final over, Mumbai handed the ball to Arjun Tendulkar, son of legendary Sachin Tendulkar, and the left-arm quick bowled a perfect over and got his maiden IPL wicket to seal the match. Alcaraz brushes aside Borges WORLD NO. 2 Carlos Alcaraz (pix) began his belated build-up to the French Open with an emphatic second-round win over Nuno Borges at the Barcelona Open yesterday. The Spanish teenager was back in action after hand and back problems forced him to pull out of last week’s 2023 debut on European clay at the Monte Carlo Masters. The top seed swept aside the world No. 79 from Portugal 6-3, 6-1 to set up an all Spanish last-16 clash with Roberto Bautista Agut after the 13th seed beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-2, 6-2. “I feel great,” said Alcaraz. “Moving well, hitting the ball really well so I feel a lot of confidence playing here in Barcelona. It’s a really special place for me.” Sainz ‘very disappointed’ with FIA CARLOS SAINZ said he was disappointment after Formula One stewards dismissed a Ferrari petition to review the penalty that dropped him from fourth to 12th at this month’s Australian Grand Prix. The four stewards upheld their original decision after a virtual meeting yesterday to consider whether to review the matter. Sainz was deemed “wholly to blame” for the first corner collision with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who ended up third, at the final restart of the triple red-flagged race. “Very disappointed that the FIA did not grant us a right to review,” Sainz wrote on Instagram. “Two weeks later, I still think the penalty is too disproportionate and I believe it should have at least been reviewed on the basis of the evidence and reasoning we have presented. We have to continue working together to improve certain things for the future. The consistency and decision-making process has been a hot topic for many seasons now and we need to be clearer for the sake of our sport.” Warner, Marsh make Aussie Ashes squad UNDER-PRESSURE David Warner was yesterday spared the axe and included in Australia’s squad for the first two Ashes Tests and the World Test Championship final, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh earned a recall. Veteran opener Warner is fighting to save his career after a lean run with the bat that had some questioning whether his time was over. But the 36-year-old will head to England as part of a 17-man squad that also includes Josh Inglis as cover for wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and Marcus Harris and Matthew Renshaw as back-up batters. Big-hitting Marsh, who has long battled injuries, returns as a likely replacement for Cameron Green should he pick up an injury. Australia play India at The Oval in the World Test Championship final from June 7 followed by five Ashes Tests at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval. BRIEFS

22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 SPORTS 5625/2023 19/04/2023 (WED) 6485 6499 2606 0898 8007 9830 5883 1112 3644 5179 5220 1468 3701 3176 1603 9065 8975 3540 2024 6125 7089 9308 9489 7,468,403.23 6485 6485 6485 2606 2606 6499 2606 2606 6499 6499 6485 6499 529,634.61 6485 6499 2606 BOAR 86571 92134 2134 134 47859 3 4 4 0 768740 68740 8740 740 76874 7687 768 7 6 5,349,370.65 3,122,676.87 4 10 17 43 52 54 100,000.00 1413 21 32 36 52 19 29 35 37 42 45 28 9,115,695.30 RM16,970,745 Supreme 6/58 won on 16/04/2023 ! 624 950 + GOAT 313 607 + GOAT 864 320 +MONKEY Draw Date: 19/04/23 (Wed) Draw No: 5572/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 4950 3607 4320 8184 + 2139 8986 + 0693 2930 + 5712 4969 + 7215 9868 + 3048 4541 + 5722 4192 + 4317 9239 + 6661 4388 + 9053 8735 + 8101 RM18,701,915.00 4950 + 3607 3607 + 4950 4950 + 4320 4320 + 4950 3607 + 4320 4320 + 3607 RM227,356.60 RM2,068,335.70 RM1,226,527.70 RM2,136,754.20 338 184 082 139 038 986 610 693 612 930 855 712 524 969 927 215 519 868 813 048 224 541 795 722 364 192 154 317 739 239 996 661 514 388 699 053 058 735 258 101 950 607 320 RM648,782.00 950 + 607 + 320 607 + 320 + 950 950 + 320 + 607 320 + 950 + 607 607 + 950 + 320 320 + 607 + 950 HSSB 1+3D JP1 RM4,904,580 & 1+3D JP2 RM373,818 won on 16 Apr Rebel tour power Norman says ‘long list’ of players want to join LIV Golf LIV GOLF boss Greg Norman says “a long list” of players want to join the rebel tour, as Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson on Wednesday conceded it would benefit from more depth. Norman, who is preparing for the Saudibacked circuit’s first event in his Australian homeland this week, said some of the names would “surprise” people. “We’ve got a long list of players who want to come in, we just don’t have the ability today because players are under contract,” he told NewsCorp Australia, without giving names. “But we’ll get to a position where there will be a relegation series and places will start opening up. “It’s incredible the amount of players who want to come on board,” he added. “It would surprise you how good those names are.” Bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV split the golf world last year by luring away top stars from the US PGA Tour and DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) with lucrative contracts to its 54-hole, no-cut experiment. Now in its second season, it has faced resistance from traditionalists and struggled for credibility in the United States, in particular. Campaigners accuse Saudi Arabia of “sportswashing” – using sport to deflect from its human rights record, including the murder and dismembering of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in its Istanbul consulate in 2018. But LIV looks to have been embraced by some Australians, with tickets selling out for this week’s event in Adelaide. Koepka, runner-up at the Masters two weeks ago, and current British Open champion Cameron Smith are among the top names who have defected to LIV. They headline the action at The Grange Golf Club this week. Phil Mickelson, who tied for second with Koepka at Augusta, and Dustin Johnson also jumped ship to LIV, as did Patrick Reed, who finished fourth at the Masters. Koepka said he had not spoken to any players about making the move to LIV because it was “not my style”. But he added: “I’m sure there’s a bunch of guys who are still looking to come over, whether that be college players, younger players, to guys who have played on the PGA Tour and the DP Tour. “And yes, you can always add depth to anything – the stronger we get, the better we are.” Two-time major winner Johnson agreed that more star power would be beneficial. “Obviously the better players we have playing the stronger LIV gets and it’s better for the game,” he said. LIV currently has 12 teams of four players each and Koepka said there was room for perhaps two or three more teams. But he did not want to see the number of LIV events increase from its current 14. Fellow American and major winner Bryson DeChambeau said field sizes was “up for discussion”, but more growth was inevitable. “How big can the league be? As big as it can be. We’re looking to make this the biggest league out there, and I don’t say that softly, either,” he said. “I think we all see the vision. We see the potential with the teams and the franchises and all that. “We think this could eventually be the norm for the game of golf.” – AFP Korda tightening ‘loose ends’ ahead of Chevron title bid WORLD NO. 2 Nelly Korda has tightened up the “loose ends” in her game in pursuit of her second major title at the Chevron Championship, which begins this week in the Woodlands, Texas. The American has come tantalisingly close this year to adding another title to her eight LPGA wins, finishing in the top six in four of her last five starts, including a second-place showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship last month. She finished third at the Chevron Championship in 2021 and second in 2020 but will not have the benefit of a familiar course as the first women’s major on the calendar moves from its usual Palm Springs venue to the Club at Carlton Woods. “It’s a completely different layout. Water is way more in play this week, I would say, completely different grass,” Korda told reporters. “I would say there’s more trouble off the tee and the greens are smaller, and if it gets firm, it’s going to play really tough because it is still long.” Korda took two weeks off after her fifth-place finish at the DIO Implant LA Open, travelling to watch the Masters in person for the first time before getting back to the grind. “I practised all of last week. Honestly just kind of getting into playing mode, tightening up some loose ends that I thought maybe I could have worked on, done better,” said Korda, who underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from her left arm a year ago. “I don’t think that I’ve had my best stuff yet, so hopefully I can continue working on my game and peak in the right moments.” The Chevron Championship starts on Thursday. – Reuters No negativity towards LIV players at Masters MAJOR winners Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau said yesterday there was no animosity towards them at the Masters earlier this month despite their defection to LIV splitting the golf world. The Saudi-backed series began last year with several big-name PGA Tour players jumping to the upstart circuit for record US$25 million (RM11m) purses and 54-hole events. The established PGA banned LIV players and a legal fight is set for the courts, but major tournaments have allowed LIV and PGA players who qualify to compete side-by-side. That meant 18 LIV Golf players at the Masters, although LIV boss Greg Norman was not invited. Koepka, who led after round three before stumbling in his final round, said it was good for the fans to see there was no animosity between the players who left and those who stayed. “I think it was the best thing for the fans to see what happened at the Masters,” he said in Adelaide ahead of LIV’s first event in Australia this week. Many top golfers live in close proximity in Florida, including arch LIV critic Rory McIlroy, but Koepka said there is no problem when the LIV contingent bump into their PGA counterparts. “I could run into 15 Tour guys if I wanted to in a day and nobody has really had any negative feedback, any negative thing to say, and that would be the time to say it,” said the American. “But I think it was good just for the fans to see that we still communicate, we still play together, we still practise together, do everything the exact same. We’re still the same people.” Johnson, who finished a disappointing tied 48th at Augusta, said friendships remained intact despite the civil war sparked by their move from the PGA Tour. “The fans were great, heard a lot of ‘go Aces’, and I think they were really good at Augusta,” the former world No. 1 added, referring to the LIV team he captains. “Obviously that is one place where fans are always very respectful… it’s more about the golf than what Tour you play on. I think that’s how it should be all the time.” DeChambeau, who missed the Masters cut, added that his experience at Augusta was “awesome”. “Everybody that I had previously had relationships with, nothing changed from my perspective,” he said. “There’s no problems.” – AFP Nelly Korda. – AFPPIX

23 * SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | APRIL 20, 2023 /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME Martial gets starring role Frenchman handed chance to salvage Man Utd career on Sevilla return ANTHONY MARTIAL was shipped out on loan to Sevilla last season with his Manchester United career seemingly at an end, but the Frenchman has returned to prominence in time for a Europa League reunion with the Spanish club. An injury to Marcus Rashford means Martial will likely lead United’s attack on his return to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Friday (3am Malaysian time) with a place in the Europa League semifinals on the line. Two late United own goals in the first leg at Old Trafford have left the tie against the Europa League specialists finely poised at 2-2. Martial played a major part as United shot into a 2-0 lead thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s double inside the first 21 minutes. But the Austrian midfielder could be one of a number of players unavailable to Erik ten Hag for the return leg, putting pressure on Martial to step up. Sabitzer pulled up with an injury in the warm-up prior to Sunday’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest. First-choice centrebacks Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are also missing for the trip to Spain after picking up injuries in the first leg. The biggest blow of all, though, could be the absence of Bruno Fernandes due to suspension. Injury problems have also minimised Martial’s impact this season and has never truly realised his potential despite scoring 86 goals for the club in 288 appearances.. His time at Sevilla was even less fruitful. Having been pushed down the pecking order by Cristiano Ronaldo’s return for a second spell at United, Martial sought first-team football in Spain, but scored just once in 12 appearances in the second half of last season. Ronaldo’s departure has given Martial a final chance to rekindle his career at Old Trafford. Ten Hag’s patience with Wout Weghorst has also run out in recent weeks after the Dutch international scored just twice in 22 games. “When he is fit our team plays better,” said Ten Hag on Martial’s impact. “He’s an incredibly good player. He can link up, keeps the ball, also the pressing is good. He will score goals, he is capable of scoring goals. He can finish no doubt about that.” Martial has netted seven times at a rate of a goal every 133 minutes under Ten Hag. Yet, he has plenty to prove if United are to be convinced of extending his contract beyond the end of next season. Ten Hag’s men face a huge week in their quest for a hattrick of trophies as the League Cup winners face Brighton in the FA Cup semifinals on their return from Seville. Few would have imagined 12 months ago that the English giants would be relying on Martial for goals at the business end of the campaign. – AFP Milan derby not on Pioli’s mind STEFANO PIOLI said that he isn’t thinking about a potential Milan derby in the Champions League semifinals after his AC Milan team got past Napoli in the last eight yesterday. Milan prevailed 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in Naples and are likely to face Inter Milan in the next round. “We’re too happy to have overcome such a good team… it’s a great feeling,” Pioli said reporters. “Let’s take it one step at a time, whoever we get, we get. Whoever we get it will be a great derby and Champions League semifinal.” Milan are in the last four of the Champions League for the first time since they were last crowned kings of Europe in 2007. They have overcome a post-World Cup slump in recent weeks and yesterday’s performance was another statement display which gives them hope of reaching the final. “This gives us real faith in ourselves. We already had belief but getting past Napoli and Tottenham will help us grow,” added Pioli. “These are experiences which give you the strength and ability to manage a certain type of pressure. For many of us it was the first time that we were playing such an important match… It’s another big step forward.” Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti lamented that his team weren’t given a penalty for Rafael Leao’s tackle on Hirving Lozano six minutes before the Portugal winger sped up the pitch to lay on Olivier Giroud’s goal which would decide the tie. Neither referee Szymon Marciniak nor the VAR officials saw anything wrong with Leao’s challenge, but Spalletti was angry at his team not getting a spot-kick while they were only a goal behind. “In the 37th minute there was penalty, it’s a clear penalty… he twisted his ankle,” said Spalletti to reporters. “We were punished by what happened in the first game. The players with strength and power were the ones which were taken away from us, unjustly so.” – AFP Burnley made to wait for title, Blades eye promotion BURNLEY were made to wait for the Championship title after being held to a 2-2 draw at Rotherham, while Sheffield United’s 1- 0 win against Bristol City moved them a step closer to the Premier League yesterday. Goals from Scott Twine and Manuel Benson either side of Vitinho’s own goal pushed Vincent Kompany’s promoted side to the brink of clinching the second-tier silverware. But Georgie Kelly equalised to earn the Millers a deserved point and with second placed Sheffield United winning, it meant the champagne celebrations will have to wait until Saturday, where a win against QPR will secure top spot for the Clarets. Sheffield United should join Burnley in the top-flight next season after substitute James McAtee’s second half goal gave the Blades a win that moved them eight points clear of third placed Luton with four matches remaining. Lukas Jutkiewicz’s first half strike put a dent in fifth placed Millwall’s playoff push as Birmingham claimed a 1-0 win at the Den. Blackpool slipped closer to relegation with a 2-0 defeat against West Bromwich Albion, who moved up to sixth place. Will Keane’s goal kept alive Wigan’s faint hopes of avoiding relegation as their 1-0 win at Stoke moved them within five points of safety. Sunderland’s playoffs charge was hit by a 1- 1 draw against lowly Huddersfield. The Black Cats have closed to within one point of the top six, but with the two sides directly above and below them in the table all having at least one game in hand, Tony Mowbray’s men will feel they have lost ground in the promotion battle. A draw was a better result for Huddersfield, who saw Josh Koroma’s second half strike cancel out Joe Gelhardt’s opener, as it has moved them two points clear of the drop zone ahead of this weekend’s trip to fellow strugglers Cardiff. – AFP Souloukou named Roma CEO SERIE A club AS Roma yesterday named former Olympiakos Piraeus CEO Lina Souloukou as their new Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, effective immediately. Her appointment came a day after Roma sacked their previous CEO Pietro Berardi, due to reported disagreements between him and the club’s ownership. “Lina is an experienced, respected and trusted leader in both football and business and we are delighted to welcome her into the AS Roma family,” club owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin said in a statement. Souloukou was CEO of Olympiakos during 2018-2022 and has been a member of the European Club Association (ECA) executive board since 2019. Roma are third in Serie A and have reached the Europa League quarterfinals in which they will look to overturn a 1-0 deficit in their second-leg match at home to Feyenoord on Friday (3am Malaysian time). Eight to face trial over Maradona’s death AN Argentine appeals court yesterday confirmed that eight medical professionals accused of responsibility in the death of football legend Diego Maradona will indeed stand trial. Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and six others had appealed a 2022 decision to put them on trial for homicide with potential aggravating circumstances. Maradona died in November 2020 aged 60 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot, and after decades of battles with cocaine and alcohol addictions. He was found dead in bed two weeks after going under the knife, in a rented house in an exclusive Buenos Aires neighborhood where he was brought after being discharged from hospital. He was found to have died of a heart attack. The eight defendants had appealed to the court in San Isidro, northwest of Buenos Aires, against the severity of the charges, arguing that they should be accused of involuntary homicide. The initial accusation of homicide with “dolus eventualis” holds a person responsible for negligence while knowing that such conduct could lead to death. Prosecutors accused the medical professionals of being involved in “reckless” and “deficient” home treatment of a patient. A panel of 20 medical experts convened by Argentina’s public prosecutor concluded in 2021 that Maradona “would have had a better chance of survival” with adequate treatment in an appropriate medical facility. No trial date has yet been set. Among those accused are a psychologist, a clinical doctor, a medical coordinator, nursing coordinator and nurses. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (Quarterfinals, 2nd leg): Napoli 1 (Osimhen 90+3) AC Milan 1 (Giroud 43) – AC Milan win 2-1 on agg, Chelsea 0 Real Madrid 2 (Rodrygo 58, 80) – Madrid win 4-0 on agg. ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP: Blackpool 0 West Brom 2, Millwall 0 Birmingham 1, Rotherham 2 Burnley 2, Sheffield United 1 Bristol City 0, Stoke 0 Wigan 1, Sunderland 1 Huddersfield 1. TOP 6 P W D L F A PTS Burnley 42 26 14 2 80 32 92 Sheff Utd 42 25 7 10 65 36 82 Luton 42 20 14 8 53 36 74 Mid’boro 42 21 8 13 79 51 71 Millwall 43 18 11 14 50 42 65 West Brom 42 17 12 13 54 45 63 RESULTS & STANDINGS SIDENETTING AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer (left), Rafael Leao, Brahim Diaz and Olivier Giroud celebrate after beating Napoli. – AFPPIX

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] or download app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Read iPaper at www.thesundaily.my FREE access Interactive Blues made ‘expensive mistake’ with RM3b spending spree, says Owen FORMER England striker Michael Owen has claimed Chelsea have made a “real expensive mistake” with their £600 million (RM3.2 billion) spending spree. The Blues were dumped out of the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage by Real Madrid yesterday evening and currently lie in 11th place in the Premier League table, 17 points adrift of the top four with seven games to go. That is despite an eye-watering recruitment drive since the end of the last campaign which was capped by a £106.8m (RM576m) January swoop for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez. Speaking after the 2-0 home defeat by Madrid which ended their European hopes for this season, BT Sport pundit Owen said: “It’s incredible, isn’t it, how much of a mistake they made buying so many players and it’s going to hit them where it hurts – in the pocket – because now they’re going to have to get rid of players. “Some players won’t want to leave, so they’re going to have to pay them off. It’s been a real expensive mistake.” Owen and fellow pundits Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand insisted the club needed a clear-out, but admitted that might prove difficult in the shortterm. Ferdinand said: “When you’ve got players sitting on huge wages who have got three, four, five, some six or seven years left on their contracts, the problem you’ve got is who buys them for a big price and pays that amount of wages that they’re on?” Owen responded: “Well, they don’t, do they, so they’re going to have a problem for a few years now. They’re going to have players that they want out that they can’t get out. “They’re going to have to get players out so they might have to get some of the players that they don’t really want to get rid of out.” Chelsea currently find themselves in a state of limbo with Frank Lampard, who was sacked as manager in January 2021, back in interim charge as a permanent replacement for Graham Potter is sought following his departure earlier this month. Former Chelsea midfielder Cole said: “It’s a real tough job for Frank now because 30 players in a squad is absurd. “A lot of them think they should be starting, let alone just in and around it. How are you going to motivate those players? “They’ll be on to their travel agents now thinking, ‘What am I going to do for the summer?’. It’s just a hard job for Frank to get a tune out of them for the rest of the season. “But they’ve got to be professional. Some of them will be playing for their futures and trying to impress the next club; some of them will be trying to stake a claim for whoever comes through the door. It’s tough for the club.” However, Owen believes despite the work which needs to be done, there is cause for optimism. He said: “I think with a little bit of a clear-out, a smaller squad, a little bit of stability, it’s virtually impossible they will finish in the bottom half again next season. “They’ll bounce back and they’ll be a top-six team, I’m certain of that, so not all is lost at the moment. At the end of the day, they’ve still got some great players and a lot going for this club. They just need to sort out a lot of these problems that they’ve got. “It could be far worse – they could have a bunch of rubbish players and be languishing and thinking, ‘Right, another £500 million needs to be spent’.” – The Independent Real Madrid’s Rodrygo (left) in action with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella during yesterday’s Champions League 2nd leg quarterfinal match at Stamford Bridge. – REUTERSPIX We’ll be back! Lampard expects Chelsea to rise again after Champions league exit FRANK LAMPARD promised that Chelsea will be back after Real Madrid effectively ended a dismal season for his side with a 2-0 win to eliminate them from the Champions League. Lampard’s team fell to two goals from Real forward Rodrygo to exit the tournament at the quarterfinal stage, thus relinquishing their last faint hopes of qualifying again next year. Chelsea, in 11th place in the Premier League, face the prospect of a first season without European competition since 2016/17, and against Real over two legs looked a shadow of the team that were crowned European champions less than two years ago. Chelsea threatened either side of halftime with glorious chances for Marc Cucurella, who saw his close-range effort from Reece James’ cross beaten away by Thibaut Courtois, and N’Golo Kante whose shot was blocked by Eder Militao. Those opportunities could potentially have turned momentum and the tie in Chelsea’s favour, but across the game Lampard’s team did not show enough cohesion in their attacks nor discipline in defence to match the European champions and threaten their reign. Instead, Rodrygo’s two goals simply confirmed what had been apparent for most of the quarterfinal. Chelsea, despite more than the £600 million (RM3.2b) transfer outlay sanctioned by Todd Boehly, are now a long way behind the team they had run so close at the same stage of this tournament last season. “For 60 minutes of the game, I think you probably saw why I picked the line-up,” said Lampard. “We had big energy, big organisation. We caused Real Madrid a lot of problems. “The only thing missing from our game was a goal. We had really good chances to do that. But at this level, when you’re in a strong moment, the first half was a strong moment for us. “Our game was exactly how I wanted it. One or two goals in those 60 minutes changes the face of it. We didn’t do that. At this level, (Real) are so clinical. You saw the result. “The reality is we’ve been fortunate to have huge success for 20 years. Many clubs in the Premier League would dream of our success in the Champions League and as Premier League winners. “If this is a year where we’re not where we want to be, and there are probably reasons for the transition. “A few years ago we didn’t make the Champions League for the following year, and won the Premier League. We can’t be too short-term with it. “People will make a lot out of this season for Chelsea because we’ve had so much success. The reality is that this club is going to be back. “It will take work. It will take maybe a bit of process. I think the fans appreciated the performance today.” It is now four defeats out of four for Lampard since he took temporary charge of the team after the sacking of Graham Potter on April 2. They have scored just one goal in their last five matches – under three different managers – and are in serious danger of finishing outside of the Premier League’s top half for the first time since 1996. Lampard defended what little progress there has been this season since Boehly bought the club, pointing to the time it can take for new imports to the Premier League to adapt. “The motivation has to be playing for Chelsea,” he said. “There are some players who are maybe quite new here and are getting used to the club. That isn’t easy. “We’ve seen some of the greatest players in the Premier League, when they first arrive, they need some time. “Maybe there’s reasons with some of our players where there’s a bit of transitioning. But in terms of motivation, you’re playing for Chelsea. “There’s individual motivation throughout the squad and then there’s the collective. We have to be absolutely competitive in everything we do every day.” Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said he thought Chelsea caused his team problems during the first half and at one stage looked like they might be able to salvage the tie. “It was a complicated game as we predicted. Chelsea gave everything especially in the first half. They caused us a lot of problems. (Thibau) Courtois saved us.” – The Independent █ ROBERT O’CONNOR THURSDAY • APRIL 20, 2023