PETALING JAYA: Allowing children to take the wheel is akin to providing them with a weapon that could result in their deaths and those of other road users. Hence, parents should be blamed for incidents where young children are found to be riding motorcycles or driving cars, say road safety experts. Universiti Putra Malaysia Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Sciences professor Dr Kulanthayan K.C. Mani said a child does not have the vision sense, speed awareness and judgement of distance to drive a vehicle. Parents need to be aware of the dangers they put their children and others in when they turn a blind eye to their children taking control of vehicles. He was commenting on a recent case in Langkawi in which a six-year-old boy sneaked out of his house with his three-year-old brother and drove his parents’ car. The boy travelled about 2.5km before he lost control of the vehicle and crashed it into a lamp post near Kampung Titi Chanwang. Kulanthayan said a child would not have a proper view of the road and might not be able to reach the pedals, which is extremely dangerous. “Children will not be able to understand the dangers of being unable to manoeuvre, accelerate or stop a vehicle when required. This exposes them to the possibility of being involved in a fatal crash. “Parents should never expose their children to a vehicle’s operation, especially by allowing them to sit on the driver’s lap and placing their hands on the steering wheel. “Every child is curious and wants to try new things. On observing their parents drive with ease, they too would want to drive, with no understanding of the danger they will put themselves in. “There are irresponsible parents who want to keep their children entertained and think there is nothing wrong in allowing them to hold the steering wheel, without realising the child could be indirectly encouraged to do so.” Kulanthayan said even when a car is parked, parents should never allow a child to sit in the driver’s seat or touch the steering wheel. Statistics released by police reveal that a total of 402,626 road crashes were recorded from January to September last year, resulting in 4,379 fatalities. The figures show an increase from 255,532 road crashes for the same period in 2021, during which 3,324 deaths were recorded. The numbers for the first nine months of last year represent a 58% increase (147,094) in road crashes compared with 2021, and the death toll increased by nearly 32% (1,055). Alliance for a Safe Community founder and chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said parents must realise the dangers they put their children and other road users in by not securing their vehicles. He said children do not understand the importance of traffic laws and regulations and will not follow them when using a vehicle, thus endangering other road users. “Children will be more excited to get behind the wheel of a vehicle than being worried about safety. This is simply down to parental irresponsibility because they had allowed their child to sit on their lap and lay their hands on the steering wheel when they were driving. “There are some ‘crazy parents’ who pander to the whims and fancies of their child when they are driving. They give in to the demands of the child to allow them to hold the steering wheel.” oCar in the hands of kids can become weapon to kill, road safety expert reminds parents █ BYRAJVINDER SINGH [email protected] No child’s play INSIDE TELLING IT AS IT IS ONMONDAY MAY 15, 2023 No. 8267 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my FORGING BONDS ... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Abang Openg at the Unity Government National Convention in the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC See also — page 2 Lee said parents must be held responsible if their child is allowed to take the wheel and a road crash happens, adding that this would deter others from allowing their child to have “control” of a vehicle. Plan to restructure Fire and Rescue Dept 2 page Myskills fund gets RM6m boost 3 page
2 theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Ministry exploring plan to revamp Fire and Rescue Dept MALACCA: The Local Government Development Ministry will take a comprehensive look at a proposal to restructure the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, said its minister Nga Kor Ming. He said according to the proposal, the restructuring would be done in phases involving the upgrading and filling of posts as well as increasing the number of the department’s personnel. Nga said the proposal follows an imbalance in ratio, of over 15,000 The Canine Unit of the department during a demonstration at the event yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC oProposal prompted by personnel to population ratio imbalance and includes review of remuneration schemes: Minister personnel to 33.57 million population, or one for every 2,238 Malaysians, as the department receives more than 100,000 emergency calls every year. “This (restructuring) includes welfare aspects such as a review of existing schemes such as salaries and related allowances. I believe the department and the Human Resources Division of the Local Government Development Ministry are reviewing the proposal paper before we take it to the Public Services Department for consideration and approval. “As a major rescue and emergency entity in the country, the department is always ready to deal with any emergency situation whether fire, accident, special services or any form of disaster.” He was speaking in conjunction with the national-level International Firefighters Day 2023 celebration at Dataran Pahlawan here yesterday, which was officiated by the Malacca Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam. Also present was Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management senior exco member Datuk Rais Yasin, Bernama reported. Nga said the unity government has allocated RM206.64 million through Budget 2023 to empower the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, including RM46.51 million for the acquisition of equipment and supplies to increase its efficiency and level of preparedness, an increase of almost five times compared with 2022. “I am pleased to announce that RM18.2 million in allocation has been approved for the procurement of firefighting equipment and 12 detection dogs, as well as RM129.93 million for the construction of new buildings nationwide, upgrading of standby rooms in existing fire stations, maintenance of buildings and fire engines.” International Firefighters Day, which falls on May 4, is to appreciate the sacrifices and services provided by firefighters. A total of 30 contingents and 54 units of machinery involving 1,330 firefighters participated in the parade yesterday. Increase trips during Lima, transport operators urged SEREMBAN: The Transport Ministry has asked airline companies and ferry operators to increase the number of trips to Langkawi, Kedah in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (Lima ’23) next week. Its minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said transport operators are expected to cooperate as it would also benefit them because more visitors would use their services during the international exhibition. “There is also pressure from the market, and when there is demand, there is supply. These operators will, of course, take the opportunity to increase their capacity (number of trips), because they know that when the Lima ’23 exhibition is held, many visitors will visit Langkawi.” He was speaking after officiating at the Road Transport Department’s (RTD) 77th anniversary celebration, which was also attended by the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan and RTD director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim here yesterday. Loke said many local and foreign aviation and maritime companies have shown great interest in promoting their products at Lima this year, adding that all booths were fully booked. “The response is extraordinary, all booths are fully booked. We will inform you of the actual number (of companies) after the coordination meeting of Lima ’23 tomorrow night. Many agreements will be signed during this exhibition, which will give us an advantage. “In terms of preparation, I’m not worried because we have the experience and the company entrusted to organise it has certainly been preparing for more than a year,” he said, adding that everyone is looking forward to the exhibition. Lima ’23 is scheduled to run for five days starting May 23, featuring more than 600 companies from 60 countries. The biennial exhibition was last held in 2019 with the participation of 400 companies. – Bernama Strengthen rapport, govt parties told KUALA LUMPUR: All 19 parties in the unity government should forge greater compatibility to strengthen their relationship, especially in facing the six state elections due this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the Unity Government National Convention 2023 is the best platform for firming this compatibility. “Following today’s Unity Government National Convention, (enhancing of) compatibility among all the 19 parties should be hastened,” said the Umno president. Ahmad Zahid was speaking after a special meeting with Umno division chiefs, deputy chiefs and vice-chiefs at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The Unity Government National Convention, the first of its kind, kicked off in the morning with the Unity Government Women’s National Convention and Unity Government Pemuda Puteri National Convention, which were held simultaneously. The highlight of the convention, themed Madani: Mengangkat Agenda Rakyat, is a keynote address by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is the unity government secretariat chairman. The convention will end with the launch of a joint resolution. Ahmad Zahid urged all Umno leaders at the division level to set aside any differences they might have had, especially during party elections for the 2023-2026 term. The Barisan Nasional chairman said Umno members should bury the hatchet to strengthen the party and put it in a stronger position to face the state elections in Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu. “To face the six state elections, we need to mobilise our machinery from now and more importantly, to reach out to voters who are not members of political parties.” – Bernama King, Queen commend student for doing Malaysia proud KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah congratulated Nur Hanisah Aripin for earning a perfect score in the MA2 Managing Cost and Finance subject in the ACCA Foundation in Accountancy examination recently. According to a post on Istana Negara Facebook page, the royal couple expressed joy and pride at the success of the Pahang-born student who ranked number one in Malaysia and the world for the subject, thus placing the state and country’s name on the world stage. “The achievement of the former Pahang Maahad Tahfiz student for the 2017-2021 intake once again proved that with dedication and hard work, Pahang natives and Malaysians are able to compete and excel at the international level. “May her success inspire other Pahang and Malaysian students to work hard and give their best to succeed in their respective fields.” Nur Hanisah, a student at INTEC Education College, Shah Alam, Selangor, scored 100% for the MA2 Managing Costs and Finance subject in the recent ACCA Foundation in Accountancy examination. She obtained 11As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination in 2021 and successfully memorised the Quran in 2020. She also passed the preshahadah test of five juz of the Quran in 2021. – Bernama ‘Geng Perpaduan’ to boost unity KUALA LUMPUR: The Geng Perpaduan or “GP” initiative is proof of the commitment of all parties that support the unity government to strengthen unity to build a nation-state, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said the initiative is to attract the interest of young people to work together with Pemuda Perpaduan, the youth movement under the unity government, to mobilise the unity agenda. “The foundation of a nation’s strength is the unity of various layers of society in political, economic and social aspects. “If we unite, InsyaAllah, all other plans to build a stronger, more harmonious and prosperous nation can be done,” he said after the Unity Government Pemuda National Convention at Dewan Tun Dr Ismail, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. Earlier, Fadillah launched the GP initiative and Tekad Pemuda Perpaduan (youth resolutions) in conjunction with the national convention. He said it is a platform for the youth wing of each party under the unity government to find common ground in efforts to help the people. – Bernama Resolution to empower women in decision-making positions KUALA LUMPUR: Women’s empowerment and the involvement of at least 30% of women in decisionmaking positions at every level are among matters contained in a resolution, called Tekad Wanita Perpaduan, signed in conjunction with the Unity Government National Women’s Convention yesterday. The resolution was signed by five heads of women’s wings in the various parties which make up the unity government, a commitment in support of the theme, Madani: Mengangkat Agenda Rakyat. It was signed by Barisan Nasional Wanita chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Pakatan Harapan Wanita chief Aiman Athirah Sabu, Gabungan Parti Sarawak Women’s chief Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah representative Datuk Flovia Ng and Parti Warisan acting Women’s chief Norfaizah Chua. The resolution, among others, is to ensure that women will receive protection in terms of welfare, education, security as well as social and human rights. – Bernama
3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 KUALA LUMPUR: MySkills Foundation has collected a total of RM6 million from its fundraising event that was held on May 12 at HGH Convention Centre. MySkills Foundation director Pasupathi Sithamparam said the foundation, which started operations at a rented shop lot, operates from its 13.7ha campus in Kalumpang, Hulu Selangor. “We had plans to further MySkills’ operations in 2020 and we were full of expectations and excited about it. But the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, and instead of expanding, we had to slash operating costs and increase our funding through donations. “Despite the difficulties, we wanted to achieve our aims, complete the construction of our campus, and provide skills training to more students. Due to the pandemic, most parents wanted their children to remain on campus because they were worried about their well-being. “We were put in a tough spot at that time as construction of the cafeteria, kitchen, bathrooms and the girls’ hostels was still in progress. However, we also understood the concerns of parents and guardians. “Despite the challenges, we went ahead to complete the construction of the facilities by March 30, 2021, with generous funding from Sekhar Foundation and Genting Group Berhad,” he said. MySkills Foundation CEO Devasharma Gangadaran thanked Creador Foundation and its CEO Brahmal Vasudevan and wife Shanthi Kandiah for initiating the MySkills Endowment Fund. “Brahmal had contributed RM3 million in 2021 and pledged another RM2 million this year to make it an RM5 million endowment fund. “Their support for MySkills will assist us to raise capital to invest in businesses and generate returns that will sustain our long-term operations,” he said at the fundraising event. Devasharma also expressed appreciation for a visit from Berjaya Corporation Bhd, led by Berjaya Land Bhd non-independent non-executive deputy chairman Datuk Sri Robin Tan Yeong Ching and staff to the MySkills Foundation campus in 2019. “We knew that the visit was just the beginning of a great collaboration, and MySkills was blessed to have Tan Sri Vincent Tan attending our fundraising dinner in early February this year. “During the dinner, Tan had pledged to support 10% of MySkills annual operational expenditure, which translates to RM250,000 annually over the next 10 years,” he said. MySkills alumni Kamaleshwaran Subramaniam said the foundation had helped him turn over a new leaf. “I was a typical bad boy in school as I was always involved in fights, had to face disciplinary action and other unhealthy incidents. “MySkills was a second chance for me to improve, but I did not care because I had already considered myself to be a lost cause. Hence, I didn’t put in any effort despite all the counselling I received. “Knowing my attitude, Devasharma offered me an alternative, which was to try my best in school activities and education. If I failed regardless of my effort, I would be able to leave. “Being a rebellious teen, I accepted the challenge and surprisingly, I graduated as the best student in my year at the campus. “Right now, I’m working as a senior technician with Berjaya Group and just signed a loan offer for my first house in March last year. I am a living proof of the success of MySkills Foundation,” he said. 250,000 in three Kedah districts facing water cuts ALOR SETAR: A total of 252,000 households in Kuala Muda, Kulim and parts of Baling are experiencing unscheduled water supply disruption due to a sudden drop in water level caused by a damage to the Sungai Muda barrage gate. In a statement, Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada) said the water supply disruption in the three districts started at 7.25am yesterday. It said the incident resulted in the operation of the Sungai Petani/Pinang Tunggal water treatment plant and the Kulim Hi-Tech treatment plant being temporarily suspended until the river level stabilises. Among the areas involved are Sungai Petani, Bedong, Pantai Merdeka, Kulim, Lunas, Kuala Ketil and several other major areas. It also said it will mobilise water tankers to the affected areas, with priority given to critical premises such as hospitals, clinics, dialysis centres, and funeral homes throughout the disruption period. Operation rooms have been activated and users can channel complaints or inquiries via the Sada head office at 04-740 8976; Central Kedah Region (04-421 6798); Southern Region (04-484 6770) and the Sada Information Centre at 1300-88-0017. “Sada will always closely monitor the level of Sungai Muda together with the Lembaga Sumber Air Negeri Kedah as the body that is responsible for regulating and supplying raw water resources to Sada,” read the statement. Information on the disruptions will be communicated from time to time on its website www.sada.com.my, its official Facebook and TikTok accounts. – Bernama Foundation endowment fund gets RM6m boost oSupport from donors would help sustain long-term operations to provide skills training for students, says CEO Good union-management relationship vital: News agency head PORT DICKSON: Good relationship between an organisation’s union and the management needs to be always maintained to optimise liaison between employees and employers, said Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin. For example, Bernama inhouse union Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Bernama has shown that it plays an important role in helping management improve the welfare and needs of its more than 1,000 workforce, he said. “I hope this good relationship (union members and management) will continue in the long term. “We need to get to know each other and share our views and implement ideas that would help Bernama become the best media agency in the country,” he said after officiating at the union’s Family Day and Dinner on Saturday night. Roslan said Bernama will hold the 2023 National Journalists Day from May 27 to 29, and hoped the staff will help organise and make the programme a success. The union, established in September 1974, has more than 300 members. – Bernama Perak PKR ready to help in state polls KAMPAR: Perak PKR is all set to assist the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery to face the six state elections due this year. Perak PKR secretary Mohd Azlan Helmi said the arrangements would be finalised by the central leadership. “We are still waiting for their instructions, and I believe the state-level election machinery has been organised according to its own needs and functions. We have no problems to be sent to any state for the elections. Our focus is to help secure victory for the PH-BN pact,” he said after attending the Tualang Sekah state assemblyman Aidilfitri open house on Saturday night. Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan are expected to dissolve their state assemblies in the second half of June to pave way for the simultaneous state polls. – Bernama Robin (fourth from left) making the contribution to Myskills alumni at the event. – SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN Regular CIQ checks not to find fault, says MB JOHOR BAHRU: Regular inspections at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in the Sultan Iskandar Building here and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex in Iskandar Puteri are not meant to find fault with any party. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said he wanted to help address the problems plaguing these places and ensure that the people get to enjoy the services at both entry and exit points safely and conveniently. “The problems at the CIQ are not something that happened in the last one or two years, but it is a legacy issue. (Therefore,) we intend to tackle the issue. “I took the opportunity to go down to the ground and personally witness the situation, and I have worked closely with the Immigration Department and Home Ministry to find a solution,” he said when officiating at the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) at the Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam Temple here on Saturday night. Onn Hafiz was reported to have made a number of surprise visits to the CIQ at both premises the last few weeks. Earlier at the launch, the menteri besar announced a RM1 million allocation for the 112-year-old temple. – Bernama Clarification PETALING JAYA: In our report on May 12 quoting OrphanCare Foundation, it was reported that 519 infants were abandoned in dumpsites, bushes and public toilets between 2009 and April this year. The NGO has since clarified that the 519 infants were “saved” through their baby hatches and not abandoned as reported. The error is regretted.
4 theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME 14 affected by heat-related illnesses KOTA BHARU: The Health Ministry (MoH) has recorded a total of 14 cases of heat-related illness as of yesterday, said Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Suani. He said of that number, four were cases of heatstroke, four were due to heat exhaustion while six were related to heat cramps, adding that the ministry expects the number of such cases to increase until August. “The situation is still under control and can be accommodated by health facilities nationwide. “There were six cases reported in Kelantan, five in Sarawak and three in Sabah and most of them (seven cases) involved adults,” he said after officiating at the 4th Intermediate Electrocardiogram oThirteen individuals recovered while boy in Kelantan died, says deputy health minister Conference 2023, organised by Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital and Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian. He added that from the 14 cases, 13 have recovered while an affected 11-year-old boy died in Kelantan. Lukanisman said at the MoH level, the top leadership has made efforts and listened to briefings from relevant ministries and is prepared to face the prolonged hot weather and heatstroke cases, Bernama reported. “MoH will cooperate with the Communications and Digital Ministry to disseminate information via television and social media, and representatives are asked to play a role in spreading the word about the hot weather. “Currently, the situation is under control, and MoH facilities and hospitals are prepared to receive all cases involving heatstroke and those suffering from heat cramps.” Lukanisman said the ministry, with the cooperation of the Meteorological Department, has also identified locations that are experiencing high temperatures for quick action, including preparing health facilities. “Parents are asked not to be overly anxious about sending their children to school, but they need to take precautions, especially to ensure their children carry sufficient drinking water as well as to make sure their children do not indulge in excessive sports. “Padi planters, farmers and gardeners also need to be cautious during the hot weather, rest and drink enough water to avoid untoward incidents,” he added. Anti-online scam task force to be set up KAMPAR: The Perak government will soon set up an inter-agency task force to deal with online fraud cases. State Communications, Multimedia and NGO Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi said the task force will involve police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Information Department, among others, adding that discussions would be held with the relevant agencies to identify methods to curb online scams. “This matter needs to be taken seriously because it happens frequently among the public at various levels and involves millions of ringgit in losses,” he said. On April 12, Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri was quoted as saying that 564 cases of online fraud were recorded in Perak in the first three months of this year, involving losses amounting to RM14.6 million. He said information sessions aimed at raising awareness among people from all levels of society will also be organised. – Bernama Approval needed for religious speeches IPOH: Any individual intending to deliver religious talks and lectures at mosques and surau in Perak needs to obtain accreditation and approval from the district religious office. Perak Islamic Religious Department director Harith Fadzilah Abdul Halim said the individual must comply with the rules set by the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council, as a policy-maker for religious agencies. “Perak is sticking to its decision, if any individual wants to give a religious talk or lecture, there are two conditions. The first one, to teach in a mosque or surau, requires accreditation. If he wants to give a lecture, he needs to get approval from the relevant district religious official. “Even if he is a famous speaker, he still has to (get the approval),” he said. – Bernama ‘Be cautious when buying haj packages’ KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Tourism Agency Association (Mata) has urged prospective haj pilgrims who purchase packages using the invitation visa to exercise caution before making payment to any party that offers such deals using the visa. Mata president Datuk Dr Mohd Khalid Harun said usually, after the Aidilfitri celebrations, certain parties would vigorously promote their haj packages by giving various promises that could attract the interest of pilgrims. “Every year, we receive news about pilgrims stranded at the KL International Airport or Jeddah International Airport. “Mata urges pilgrims not to make any payment until receiving confirmation that their application for the invitation visa has been accepted,” he said. – Bernama Crackdown on illegal immigrants in Malacca MALACCA: Five illegal immigrants from India and Pakistan acted aggressively and tried to escape during several Op Selera and Op Pintu raids by the Malacca Immigration Department on Saturday. State Immigration director Anirwan Fauzee Mohd Aini said 26 illegal immigrants, including a girl, were arrested near food courts, restaurants and foreign worker hostels. “The foreigners acted aggressively by crashing into the enforcement officers to escape and they were willing to put themselves in danger by running towards the busy road but all of them were arrested. “In the operation that ended at 1.30am, a total of 72 foreigners were screened and 26 of them were arrested. They were all aged between two and 54, involving 22 men, three women and a minor,” he said. Anirwan added that those arrested comprised 13 Myanmar nationals, five Indians, five Indonesians, two Bangladeshis and a Pakistani national. The raids involved 20 enforcement personnel and was based on complaints received from the public. He said those arrested are suspected of not having valid documents and the offences included not having identification documents, overstaying, expired temporary employment visit passes and other offences under the Immigration Act. He added that three witness summons forms were also issued to the representatives of employers to assist in the investigations and the department will also track down employers who are found to be employing foreigners illegally. “The main objective of the operation was to detect and combat the influx of foreigners, especially illegal immigrants and to identify and track any individual who attempt to protect and exploit them for profit. “We wish to warn foreigners and the individuals who protect them that they are always under surveillance and strict action will be taken against those involved.” – Bernama Michelin Guide to release latest edition GEORGE TOWN: The Michelin Guide will be disclosing its latest restaurant findings and releasing some of its new additions ahead of its annual reveal ceremony. Michelin Experiences director of communications Elisabeth Boucher-Anselin said the announcement next month will involve restaurants in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. “The inspection team has decided collectively that before the next Michelin Guide Ceremony 2024 to announce the new global selected restaurants, we are going to release their newest and nicest findings. “We do not want to wait for one full year before revealing the findings. We want to be able to say that the particular restaurant is great where we definitely consider that it is going to be a part of the guide,” she said. She added that the discoveries led to greater opportunities to highlight the industry as well as to support new restaurants. Boucher-Anselin also said the findings were motivated by discoveries made by anonymous inspectors in the field. “We can’t tell you that it is going to be a star restaurant, bib gourmand restaurant or Green Star 1, we want to put the spotlight on this place.” She said all the restaurants that are part of the 2024 selection will be assessed by the inspectors based on five criteria – ingredient quality, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavours, expression of the chef’s personality in the cuisine and consistency over time and across the entire menu. She added that distinctions and special awards related to the newest restaurant selections will be unveiled exclusively at the annual ceremony. In addition, she stated that the release of the restaurant findings will be featured on the Michelin Guide official website and mobile app. “We hope these regular revelations and updates continue to create excitement and provide opportunities for gourmets to continue supporting this profession and we invite everyone to discover the restaurants,” she said. The Michelin Guide unveiled its first 2023 Kuala Lumpur and Penang selection last December, showcasing a total of 97 restaurants across 20 types of cuisines, including four 1-Michelin-star restaurants. – Bernama PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE ... Pedestrians and cyclists enjoying the tranquility yesterday during ‘Car Free Day’ in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ /THESUN
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6 theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Cyclone hits Myanmar, Bangladesh DHAKA: Powerful Cyclone Mocha began to crash ashore at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border yesterday, Bangladesh’s weather office said, uprooting trees and bringing driving rain to a region home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees. Packing winds of up to 195kph, Mocha hit between Cox’s Bazar, where nearly one million Rohingya refugees live in camps largely made up of flimsy shelters, and Myanmar’s Sittwe, the office said. The US Joint Typhoon Warning Centre earlier said Mocha was packing winds up to 259kph, equivalent to a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. “Our camp houses, which are constructed with bamboo and tarpaulins, can be blown away in soft, light winds,” Mohammad Sayed, 28, told AFP from Nayapara refugee camp in Bangladesh. “The schools, which are designated as cyclone shelters ... are not strong shelters that can withstand the winds of a cyclone. “We are scared.” “The wind is getting stronger at the moment,” rescue worker Kyaw Kyaw Khaing told AFP earlier from Myanmar’s Pauktaw, about 25km inland from Sittwe, and where he said around 3,000 people had arrived to seek shelter. “We distributed enough food for one or two meals to the people evacuated to temporary shelters. I don’t think we will be able to send any food today due to the weather.” Thousands left Sittwe on Saturday, packing into trucks, cars and tuk-tuks and heading for higher ground inland as meteorologists warned of a storm surge of up to 3.5m. A media account run by junta authorities in Rakhine showed what it said were trees downed over a road near Sittwe. “We are not OK because we didn’t bring food and other things to cook,” said Maung Win, 57, who spent the night in a shelter in Kyauktaw town. “We can only wait to get food from people’s donations.” Bangladeshi authorities moved 190,000 people in Cox’s Bazar and nearly 100,000 in Chittagong to safety, divisional commissioner Aminur Rahman said on Saturday. The rain and wind were also felt in Myanmar’s commercial hub Yangon. – AFP Imran calls for nationwide protests NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan called for nationwide “freedom” protests yesterday, after his brief arrest last week triggered deadly unrest. The one-time cricket superstar – who has been tied up in dozens of legal cases since being ousted from power in April last year – was freed on bail on Friday after his detention was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court. Enraged by the arrest, supporters set fire to government buildings, blocked roads and damaged property belonging to the military, which they blame for Imran’s downfall. “Freedom does not come easily. You have to snatch it. You have to sacrifice for it,” he said in an address broadcast on YouTube on Saturday night. He called for supporters to hold protests “at the end of your streets and villages” across the country. After five days of tumult across Pakistan, yesterday morning was quiet, but Imran has also pledged to return to campaigning on Wednesday for immediate elections. For months, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party leader has waged a campaign of defiance against the military. His arrest on Tuesday came just hours after he was rebuked for claiming senior officials were involved in an assassination attempt against him last year. At least nine people died in the unrest last week, police and hospitals said. Hundreds of police officers were injured and more than 4,000 people detained, mostly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, according to authorities. – AFP Thai polls close with Prayut tipped for defeat BANGKOK: Vote counting got under way in Thailand’s general election yesterday with pro-democracy opposition parties tipped to defeat the conservative military-backed government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha after almost a decade in power. Opinion surveys pointed to a resounding defeat for ex-army chief and coup leader Prayut after a campaign that played out as a clash between a young generation yearning for change and the traditionalist, royalist establishment. The main opposition Pheu Thai party, fronted by the daughter of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was ahead in final opinion polls. But in a kingdom where victory at the ballot box has often been trumped by coups and court orders, there are fears the military could seek to cling on, raising the prospect of fresh instability. Polling stations closed at 5pm (6pm in Malaysia) after a smooth day of voting, with no major problems reported by Thai media. After casting her ballot in Bangkok, Pheu Thai’s main candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra showed no signs of nerves. “Today is going to be a good day. I have very positive energy about it,” the 36-year-old told reporters, smiling broadly. Millions of Thais cast ballots at 95,000 polling stations scattered from the lush-forested mountains of the north to the idyllic sands of the southern beaches. Paetongtarn casting her ballot at a polling station in Bangkok yesterday. – AFPPIC oOpposition Pheu Thai party ahead in final opinion polls Philippines places buoys in parts of South China Sea MANILA: The Philippines has placed navigational buoys within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to assert sovereignty over the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea, a coast guard spokesman said yesterday. The step comes amid China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea as Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr pursues warmer ties with treaty ally the United States. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it set up five buoys carrying the national flag from May 10 to 12 in five areas within the 322km zone, including the Whitsun Reef, where hundreds of Chinese maritime vessels moored in 2021. “This move highlights the Philippines’ unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard spokesman on South China Sea issues, said on Twitter. China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In May last year, the coast guard installed five navigational buoys on four islands in the Spratlys. China’s claim of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea was invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016. Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the Spratlys, where China has dredged sand to build islands on reefs, and equipped them with missiles and runways. – Reuters B R I E F S13 KILLED IN ATTACK ON PAKISTAN BASE ISLAMABAD: More than a dozen people were killed in an overnight battle between Pakistani paramilitary troops and militants who stormed their base and took families hostage, the army said. “Well equipped” fighters assaulted a Frontier Corps compound in Muslim Bagh, Balochistan province, and captured three families in a residential block, the military said. Fighting raged from Friday evening until Saturday morning and “the complex clearance operation involved hostage rescue operation”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. “The terrorists had not even spared children” in their hostage-taking, ISPR said. All six militants were killed, it said. – AFP CONGRESS WINS KEY INDIA STATE ELECTION NEW DELHI: India’s main opposition Congress party registered an emphatic win in elections in the southern state of Karnataka on Saturday, defeating the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a big boost to its prospects ahead of national elections due next year. It is the first big electoral face-off between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP and Congress since Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was convicted of defamation in March and lost his Parliament seat. Karnataka, which was ruled by the BJP, voted on Wednesday and votes were counted on Saturday. Congress won 135 seats against 66 for the BJP in the 224-member legislature, the Election Commission website showed at the end of counting. – Reuters A turnout of 90% in last Sunday’s early round of voting pointed to an electorate looking for change, but the opposition faces an uphill battle to secure power, thanks to the junta-scripted 2017 constitution. The new premier will be chosen jointly by the 500 elected MPs and 250 Senate members appointed by Prayut’s junta – stacking the deck in the army’s favour. In the controversial last election in 2019, Prayut rode senate support to become prime minister at the head of a complex multi-party coalition. The election is the first since major youth-led pro-democracy protests erupted across Bangkok in 2020 with demands to curb the power and spending of Thailand’s king – breaching a long-held taboo on questioning the monarchy. The protests petered out as Covid curbs were imposed and dozens of leaders were arrested, but their energy has fuelled growing support for the more radical opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). As he arrived to vote in Bangkok, MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, said he expected a “historic turnout”. “Younger generations these days care about their rights and they will come out to vote,” he told reporters. While MFP is looking for support from millennial and Gen Z voters – who make up nearly half the 52 million-strong electorate – Pheu Thai’s base is in the rural northeast where voters are still grateful for the welfare policies implemented by Thaksin in the early 2000s. Prayut also urged voters to turn out in large numbers as he cast his ballot yesterday. The former general has made an unashamedly nationalist pitch to older voters, painting himself as the only candidate capable of saving Thailand from chaos and ruin. But he has lagged badly in the polls, blamed for a sputtering economy and feeble recovery from the pandemic, which battered the kingdom’s crucial tourism industry. Once results come in, attention will turn to the Electoral Commission, the judges and the generals to see what the next steps will be. – AFP
7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 Mali denounces ‘fictitious’ UN report on army killings BAMAKO: Mali’s military junta on Saturday denounced as “fictitious” and “biased” a UN report that said the army and foreign fighters executed at least 500 people during a anti-militant operation last year. Rejecting revelations that the UN had used satellites to gather information for its report, the authorities also announced an investigation into “espionage”. The statement came a day after the UN released its long-awaited report into the events that unfolded in the central town of Moura between March 27 and 31 last year. “No civilian from Moura lost their life during the military operation,” said a statement by government spokesman Col Abdoulaye Maiga. “Among the dead, there were only terrorist fighters.” Condemning what it called a “biased report based on a fictitious narrative”, the government also expressed surprise that the UN investigators had used satellites above Moura to gather information, without government clearance. It was launching an investigation into espionage, an attack on the external security of the state and “military conspiracy”, it added. In its report, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it had “reasonable grounds to believe that at least 500 people were killed in violation of norms, standards, rules and/or principles of international law”. The victims were “executed by FAMa (Malian Armed Forces) and foreign military personnel” who had complete control over the area, it said. The nationality of the foreign fighters is not explicitly identified in the report, but Mali has brought in Russians that Western countries and others said are Wagner mercenaries. The United Nations report was published after a lengthy investigation by the human rights division of Minusma, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali. – AFP B R I E F SKHARTOUM REGION UNDER BOMBARDMENT KHARTOUM: Shelling and air strikes pounded parts of Sudan’s capital yesterday with little sign that warring military factions were ready to back down in a conflict that has killed hundreds despite ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia. Khartoum and the adjoining cities of Bahri and Omdurman across the Nile’s two branches have been the main theatre of conflict along with western Darfur province since the army and Rapid Support Forces paramilitary started fighting a month ago. Shelling struck Bahri and air strikes hit Omdurman early yesterday, according to a Reuters reporter and witnesses. Al-Arabiya television reported heavy clashes in central Khartoum. – Reuters 33 CIVILIANS KILLED IN BURKINA FASO ATTACK OUAGADOUGOU: At least 33 people were killed when gunmen opened fire on vegetable farmers in a militant-hit region of Burkina Faso as the country struggles to stem an insurgency. The attack on the farmers happened on Thursday evening, governor Babo Pierre Bassinga said in a statement on Saturday. “The village of Youlou in the department of Cheriba, Mouhoun province suffered a cowardly and barbaric terrorist attack,” he said. “The gunmen targeted peaceful civilians” who were farming along the river, he said, adding that the “provisional death toll” included 33 people. Local sources said heavily armed assailants on motorcycles had fired indiscriminately on the farmers. – AFP Four Russian military aircraft shot down MOSCOW: Russian news outlet Kommersant said two Russian fighter jets and two military helicopters had been shot down on Saturday close to the Ukrainian border, in what would be a spectacular coup for Kyiv if confirmed. Kommersant said on its website that the Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 fighter and two Mi-8 helicopters had made up a raiding party, and had been “shot down almost simultaneously” in an ambush in the Bryansk region, adjoining northeast Ukraine. “According to preliminary data ... the fighters were supposed to deliver a missile and bomb attack on targets in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, and the helicopters were there to back them up ... among other things to pick up the ‘Su’ crews if they were shot down.” The last time Russia took such catastrophic hits on its airforce was in early March of last year, according to Britain’s The Telegraph newspaper. The Russian state news agency TASS said a Russian Su-34 warplane had crashed in that region but did not specify a cause. TASS also cited an emergency services official as saying an engine oNews outlet, Telegram channel say Ukrainian forces likely staged ambush fire in a helicopter had caused it to crash near Klintsy, which is about 40km from the border. It made no mention of the Su-35, or of a second helicopter. A video posted on the Russian pro-war Telegram channel Voyenniy Osvedomitel showed a helicopter high in the sky suffering an explosion, being thrown off course and then plunging towards the ground in flames. Comments accompanying the video, which Reuters could not immediately verify, said it showed a Mi-8 being shot down by a missile. Other images posted by the channel showed wreckage in an agricultural field. Kommersant provided no evidence for its report that four aircraft had been downed, but the same assertion was also made by several heavily followed pro-war military bloggers. Later on Saturday, Bryansk regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said a Ukrainian drone had hit a food production plant in Starodub, close to the Ukraine border, damaging the roof. Moscow’s Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a Turks decide Erdogan’s future in knife-edge vote ANKARA: Turks voted yesterday in one of the most important elections in modern Turkiye’s 100-year history, which could either unseat President Tayyip Erdogan or usher in a third decade of his rule. The vote will decide not only who leads the Nato member country of 85 million but also how it is governed, where its economy is headed amid a deep cost of living crisis, and the shape of its foreign policy, which has taken unpredictable turns. Opinion polls give Erdogan’s main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who heads an alliance of six opposition parties, a slight lead, but if either of them fail to get more than 50% of the vote there will be a runoff election on May 28. Voters will also elect a new Parliament, likely a tight race between the People’s Alliance comprising Erdogan’s conservative AK Party, the nationalist MHP and others, and Kilicdaroglu’s Nation Alliance of six opposition parties, including his secularist Republican People’s Party, established by Turkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Under Turkish law, the reporting of any results is banned until 9pm (2am today in Malaysia). By then, there could be a good indication of whether there will be a runoff vote for the presidency. Erdogan, 69, is a powerful orator and master campaigner who has pulled out all the stops on the campaign trail as he battles to survive his toughest political test. He commands fierce loyalty from pious Turks who once felt disenfranchised in secular Turkiye and his political career has survived an attempted coup and numerous corruption scandals. However, if Turks do oust Erdogan it will be largely because they saw their prosperity, equality and ability to meet basic needs decline, with inflation that topped 85% in Oct last year and a collapse in the lira currency. Kilicdaroglu, a 74-year-old former civil servant, promises that if he wins he will return to orthodox economic policies from Erdogan’s heavy management. Kilicdaroglu also said he would seek to return the country to the parliamentary system of governance, from the executive presidential system passed in a referendum in 2017. – Reuters request for comment on the Kommersant report. Voyenniy Osvedomitel said it appeared that “most likely, the enemy staged an ambush with air defences previously transferred to a border zone close enough to hit our group”. It said the downed helicopters appeared to be Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare craft. Kommersant said all four crews had been killed. There was no official response from Ukraine, which usually declines to comment on reports of attacks inside Russia. However, in a Twitter post, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, called the incident “justice and instant karma”. – The Independent/Reuters Six lions killed by herders in Kenya NAIROBI: Six lions were killed on Saturday by Kenyan herders after the pride attacked 11 goats and a dog the previous night, wildlife officials said, in the latest incident of human-wildlife conflict in the country. The killings came a day after a lion believed to be the world’s oldest in the wild was speared by herders when he wandered into a livestock pen on the outskirts of the famed Amboseli National Park. “A total of 10 lions (have been) killed in the Amboseli ecosystem” since last week, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in a statement, adding that officials had met with community members to discuss the issue. “The discussions centred on exploring ways to minimise the risk of human-wildlife conflict, including developing early warning systems to alert communities of the presence of wildlife in their vicinity. “The KWS officials engaged the community in an effort to find lasting solutions that will address the conflict while protecting both human lives and wildlife.” Reports of wildlife straying into human habitats in Kenya have increased in recent years as the animals come under growing pressure from cities expanding into ancient migration and hunting grounds. On Friday, Loonkito, an iconic 19-year-old male lion, was speared to death by Maasai morans (warriors) after he left the park in search of food. – AFP QUIET PROTEST ... Indigenous people taking part in a ‘Silent March’ to demand their landowning rights as the first inhabitants in Suriname capital Paramaribo. – AFPPIC
8 theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 SPEAK UP Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ Treat vape the same way as cigarettes THERE is a perception that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking tobacco but the reality is that we do not have as much data as we have about cigarettes. What we do know is that vaping is not completely safe and carries with it various health risks. Until we have sufficient, transparent and independent long-term data that compares vaping, tobacco smoking and people who do neither, then it is best to treat vaping and ecigarettes as no less harmful than cigarette smoking. We only have relatively short-term data that indicates lesser health risks from vaping compared with cigarettes, but even these can be questionable and are confined to relatively limited measurements such as nicotine addiction. As widely known, there are many more health risks associated with tobacco, including negatively affecting the heart, lungs, blood vessels, fertility and many other organs. Furthermore, there are not enough applesto-apples data to compare cancer risk, which is usually seen as a long-term impact. Thus, the principle is to be on the safe side until we know more about its long-term implications. Even then, the short-term outlook is quite worrying. Although some studies may indicate vaping as not a gateway to smoking, there are also studies pointing to an increase in smoking among youths through the use of e-cigarettes. Similarly, although many experts warn that this opens up the route to smoking, some studies indicate an inverse relationship between vaping and smoking. For example, a research paper by Dr David T Levy and associates presented a reduction in smoking initiation during the period of rise in vaping, resulting in an insignificant net impact at the population level. As reported by public health portal CodeBlue, the president of IKRAM Health Malaysia Dr Mohd Afiq Mohd Nor also pointed to the reliability issues of some of these reports, where he mentioned 76 studies as being inconsistent and contradictory. Mohd Afiq also reportedly referenced the 2015 Systematic Review of Health Effects of Electronic Cigarettes by the World Health Organisation, which revealed that e-cigarette manufacturers were funding and supporting most of the studies with conflicts of interest. With an insufficient number of long-term, reliable, independent and robust data, it is unwise to treat vaping and e-cigarettes as a less harmful option for what could be a mere shortterm gain in taxes. This is assuming that taxes can be collected efficiently and short-term health implications have not been underestimated. Getting these two factors wrong could spell a health disaster and severe financial burden for Malaysia. This is why various quarters are calling out on the controversial (unilateral) decision to exempt nicotine from the Poisons Lists under the Poisons Act 1952, which went against a unanimous objection from the Poisons Board. Even for cancer, which is usually seen as a long-term risk, it is known that vaping liquid includes thousands of chemicals some of which are known carcinogenic compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene and metals. Given Malaysia’s financial situation, the controversial move could be interpreted as driven by the government’s need to collect more taxes instead of discouraging vaping. Time will tell whether the impact on consumption from increased sales prices is significant. In any case, both of these reasonings may end up being severely flawed. Firstly, as reported by CodeBlue, the sin tax rate on cigarettes or vape needs to be at least 75% or higher to effectively discourage nonsmokers from initiating and assisting existing smokers to quit, as mentioned by International Medical University professor of economics, health policy and management Prof Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid. Secondly, Syed Mohamed also pointed out that the sin tax may not be enough to cover the costs of related illnesses. The government may be seen as “gambling” for a short-term gain in tax-based revenues, probably (and mistakenly) hedging against a future of lower health implications compared with smoking. How long before they reap what they sow is anyone’s guess but there is mounting evidence indicating that it may not be that far ahead in the future. Tobacco needed a few decades before scientific evidence triumphed over the tobacco industry lobby. In the early 1900s, tobacco was deemed trendy and harmless. Then people started to become more aware of the increasing cases of lung disease and cancer in the 1940s and experiments in the 1950s proved the link between chemicals in tobacco and cancer. By the 1960s society’s perception of cigarettes had changed for the better, with US Congress leading the way in mandating warning labels on cigarette packaging in 1969. That is over six decades of studies looking into over 7,000 chemicals involved in cigarette smoke. Vaping has not had the chance to go through these phases and it should not take as long. Unlike the 1900s, we are in an era of higher awareness of health, scientific progress, health standards and more advanced investigative techniques. But, at the same time, the magnitude of the industry lobby can be said to be just as great or more compared with the 1900s, with influence reaching policymakers and even the scientific community. After all, it is known that major tobacco companies are going into the vaping and ecigarette market, and supporting studies related to vaping. That said, even though vaping only entered the mass market over a decade ago, we can already form a confident picture that vape is not as safe as initially thought or, at least, how the vaping industry would like you to believe. Though an older (2015) study by Public Health England noted e-cigarettes as about 95% less harmful than tobacco, a more recent study in 2021 by researchers from the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) found nearly 2,000 unknown chemicals in e-cigarette and vaping liquid, including known and potentially harmful compounds. Though this is a lower amount than cigarettes, one of the JHU researchers and author of the said study correctly pointed out that “cigarette aerosols contain other completely uncharacterised chemicals that might have health risks that we don’t yet know about” in a statement. Even though the long-term impacts are less known, it is a fact that vaping liquid contains nicotine and various other toxins commonly found in cigarettes. The mounting evidence linking acute respiratory diseases with vaping - many other health issues such as infertility and related health conditions involving the cardiovascular system, the various unknown chemicals and their physiological impacts, insufficient longterm data and questionable independence of studies - put into question the notion of a “safer” option of vaping compared with cigarettes, even in the near term. EMIR Research will elaborate more on these in a separate article. Suffice it to say here that shifting from smoking to vaping is likely trading a bad habit with serious health consequences with another. Recommendations If the intention is to discourage vaping, the reasonable step is to maximise taxation and regulate vapes and e-cigarettes just like tobacco i.e, maximising the sin tax rate, earmarking a bigger allocation to the Health Ministry, setting the highest age limit and putting in force the generational endgame policy to stop vaping and smoking altogether. Considerable risk of secondhand exposure also calls for vaping only in designated places, at a safe distance and location from the public. Vaping liquid, ingredient mix and concentrations, atomizer technology, wattage and voltage would have varying health and safety profiles. Regulations must cover both vape liquid and the devices. More studies should be done to provide finer details in vape regulation such as limitation to wattage and atomiser technology to minimise health harm, and voltage for safety reasons. Depending on further studies, higherpowered devices of 50 watts and above should be banned and only consider devices below 25 watts as these contribute to the aerosol particle size that can impact biochemical and physical interactions in the body. Another parameter that could be added as part of device and substance regulation is aerodynamic resistance, with restrictions on technologies and liquid combinations that result in higher resistance and longer residence time in the lungs as these can exacerbate deposition risk in the lungs. The allowable base liquid for vaping and ecigarettes liquid should also be studied. Current findings appear to indicate vitamin E acetate as a riskier option linked to an e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury. Other base liquids such as vitamin E oil, coconut oil and medium-chain triglycerides need further investigation. There should also be a list of restricted ingredients and maximum ingredient concentrations in vape and a regulation to ensure additives and their concentrations are listed on the packaging. For example, this may include addictive stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine, known carcinogens and other restricted compounds. Of course, this would require testing and monitoring capabilities for the regulation to be effective. EMIR Research supports the call to put the collection taxes and the exemption of nicotine from the Poisons List on hold until the Tobacco Regulations and Control Bill is passed. The Bill must be debated and should include the generational endgame provision alongside the consideration of EMIR Research’s recommendations above, which requires more studies to be done by the authorities to adequately evaluate vaping risks and come up with proper standards, regulations and means of enforcement. Dr Rais Hussin and Ameen Kamal are part of the research team of EMIR Research, an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research. Comment: [email protected] COMMENT by Dr Rais Hussin and Ameen Kamal
9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 Asean must change or face irrelevance THE recently concluded 42nd Asean Summit and Related Meetings in Indonesia remain the most critical crossroads for the immediate and longterm relevance and fate of Asean’s role in the region and beyond. It exposes the most consequential crossroads with the lingering Myanmar debacle, unchecked tensions in the South China Sea, futile efforts for conflict prevention mechanisms, growing autocratic trends and disregard for human rights and other structural economic and geopolitical challenges, both cumulatively and further eroding Asean’s relevance, and exposing its deep-lying systemic weaknesses. Asean was born out of a common fear of communism and external threat, and it remains the same for now. However, the capacity to stand up to external threats from a collective joint deterrence and capacity point of view remains lost. Indonesia will want to be seen as the everstrong Asean leader and will want to take the lead in solving the Myanmar issue and in providing a clear platform and guidelines for South China Sea stability through a fast-tracked Code of Conduct (CoC) and a flurry of backdoor diplomacy for Myanmar. It races against time and pressure to be seen as the most important regional and Asean leader, fresh from its G20 and global diplomatic success and would want to set the right tone before handing over to Laos, knowing well that by then the momentum might drop due to entrenched affiliation with Beijing and the potential pressure applied, as happened previously. The Myanmar crisis and the growing tensions in the South China Sea are just two of the main indicators highlighting the failed approach of Asean in being limited by its inability to exert credible and solid measures. Jakarta realises this and so do other member states. However, decades of stable status quo benefit derivation have created a common reluctance for significant shifts that would alter regime and regional security. Historical regional cohesiveness in the region is primarily tied to trade and economic relativity and common yearning for security assurances. The region is primarily shaped by economic and security importance, and openings for value-based and normative moral high ground for strong value-driven developmental essence are inadequate, unlike the European Union. The region remains trapped by its own ignorance and utopian belief of its decades-old Asean Way approach and de-escalation of conflict through idealistic dependence on a non-confrontational approach and conflict prevention mechanisms through its different tiers and channels of dialogues. Fears and wariness on China’s ambitions for the region, the quest to deny the West’s containment foothold in the region, the agenda in the South China Sea and the fallout of a fullblown Taiwan conflict, all create a perfect firestorm for both a declining impact of dialogue building efforts and the efficacy of confidence-building measures. The West sees Asean as a lost cause in standing up against China and containment measures, while China wants Asean to remain in its status quo of neutrality, which means a freer option for China and a denial of space for the West. Asean has repeatedly yearned for stability and status quo, in fear of a repeat of the Cold War divide and has created a flurry of mechanisms from the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation to the Asean Regional Forum and Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, among others. However, this desired stability and peace has failed to materialise and the efforts have been threatened by the growing security dilemma and eventual arms race in the scramble for survival. It cannot shed the trap of its founding principles and cannot afford to intimidate Beijing, while at the same time cannot solicit greater Western assurances either. It remains trapped in its own worst game. Asean has no capacity in hard or soft power to push for greater deterrence in order to secure its aim of stability in the region and will need external involvement and support. Ironically, this will also break its own yearning for neutrality. Years of Asean, regional strategic ambiguity, and strategic status quo maintenance have only provided a three-pronged result. Firstly, it gives Asean the weakest returns and makes it even weaker with its trapped dogma and inability to provide credible solutions apart from the futile preventive mechanisms and confidencebuilding measures. Secondly, it denies the full space needed for the West to galvanise collective regional cohesion and unity in creating a more able and credible shield and deterrent effectiveness. Thirdly, it gives Beijing the biggest space and green light to further deepen its hard power postures and build on the increasing pie of influence and dominance in the South China Sea and the region. The divide is apparent and growing as a result of the continental state grip (Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia) and the archipelago states (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines). The region and Asean bask in the false sense of security from its avoidance of the hard truth and in refraining from directly challenging the risks in the region while hoping for a tacit Western counterbalancing act, especially in direct economic and trade support. While the region has no qualms in being quick to embrace Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Belt and Road Initiative and direct economic overtures from Beijing, it faces a reluctant move to quickly embrace the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). The IPEF is no match for its Chinese counterparts in terms of capital and trade capacity, and it does come with the moral highground values of labour standards, climate initiatives, normative democratic adherence and human rights. All these are as unappealing to the region as a carrot is to a lion. Declining deterrence impact will only worsen the depth of the arms race and further weaken the region’s collective resolve. There is only so much the returns from Track I and II diplomacy can do if policymakers are reluctant to initiate bold changes to the set-up. Hypocrisy and self-trap are laid bare, from the chastising of Washington for doing so little for Asean financially and economically but continuing to yearn for its defensive support, to pushing for deeper Washington trade commitment but boasting of its strict neutrality approach. Asean needed external capacity to effectively enforce binding agreements in the future CoC or to keep United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea adherence, but cannot afford to directly solicit this hard power deterrence and to maintain Asean’s concept. Direct bilateral defence engagement and overtures and agreements are meant to secure individual states but will also give the region assurance and credible hard power deterrence. Asean needs to change its principles and be bold in calling out law-defying behaviours by external parties to ensure that it walks the talk of maintaining regional stability. Failure to address the current systemic shortcomings will see it fade into irrelevance. The founding principles of non-interference and consensus decision-making have held member states together, forming a platform for autocrats, monarchs and democracies. These principles assured the regime’s survival and security from the prying interference and influence by external parties and Asean. These also serve as the needed assurance against third-party and external influencing factors and the need to cede sovereignty in certain segments to a supranational entity such as the EU. However, the negative implications have been proven to serve more regional short-term interests and individual internal regime security more than future long-term collective interests. Mutual distrust and mistrust, economic disparity, intra-trade deficiencies, redundancy and internal peer competition are some of the many structural deficiencies affecting Asean. The returns from Asean affiliation as a grouping are dwindling in the long term, as member states seek external support individually to safeguard their survival. External moves on individual states, including Japan’s Official Security Assistance, the upcoming potential Japan-Philippine-US alliance, individual direct bilateral engagement by external powers and others, all reflect the failed efficacy of Asean. It has also given rise to various mini-lateral engagements, each with a specific tailor-made agenda in upping the survival interests of states. Erosion of trust and stability in expectations and predictions of behaviours have further pushed member states to seek their own survival and assurances, giving rise to an arms race and a perpetual security dilemma. Asean remains ill-equipped to handle the fallout from the South China Sea or the potentiality of a full-blown Taiwanese conflict. The Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific offers nothing more than the usual parameters of safe play and continuous dependence on futile past efforts. Harping on diplomatic moves through quiet and backdoor approaches and expanded dialogue mechanisms will only provide temporary cooling-off measures without tackling the root causes of the regional security dilemma, arms race and prisoner’s dilemma. Asena now faces a critical crossroads and a tough choice, it has been trapped between a rock and a hard place for decades but lacks the audacity to implement significant changes. It wanted to remain neutral and hoped that this would prevent the worst outcome and bring desired stability, but has persistently failed. Asean members will prioritise their own national survival and interests above the interests of the region and the grouping, with little interest to commit more than desired, especially regarding the political survival of the ruling regimes and governments. Little incentivisation efforts can be seen in chasing the regional standard of imposing greater rules, criteria and norms in setting the high standards and concepts of regionalism as is the case of the EU. Lacking a rewarding, resilient and sustainable future and returns from the regional grouping in the long-term projection, member states find better stature and assurances from the existing external power that provides these lifelines and assurances. The time is now for Asean leaders to be fully committed and open to admitting past mistakes, and for them to chart their legacy to enact credible changes that will ensure the region’s future sustainability and survival. It will not be their legacy alone, as it will provide lasting assurances and legacies for the nations. Collins Chong Yew Keat is a foreign affairs and strategy analyst at Universiti Malaya. Comments: [email protected] Take a stronger stance against bullying BULLYING should never happen in schools or anywhere else. We need to put a stop to disturbing videos of student assaults and bullying. Such violence and aggression among children are frightening and haunting. Watching groups of boys ganging up and beating a boy to a pulp in a room is gutwrenching and sickening. Many of us feel helpless and are in a sense of loss over such barbaric and ruthless beatings of the innocent. There have been far too many cases of student bullying and assaults in schools and colleges that have hostels and dormitories. Such violent and aggressive behaviour cannot be tolerated and action has to be taken against the perpetrators to put an end to these forms of abuse. Students who beat up other students should be hauled up and expelled. Those who are assaulted and beaten up are physically and emotionally scarred. Many suffer broken bones and ribs and in extreme cases, paralysis and death may also occur. Many are traumatised and psychologically affected by the assaults. Cases of aggression and violence among students within and outside schools and colleges should be checked and curbed by authorities. How did our education system create such individuals? Where did we go wrong? There are many children in schools and colleges who are violent and aggressive in nature. These bullies make life in school a living hell for other children. They pick on children who are different, who are weak and small and who are vulnerable. Severe punishment should be meted out to students who slap, hit, punch or kick another student for whatever reason, even if they have been provoked. Repeated and serious aggressive offenders should be expelled from the school. Education institutions need to take positive affirmative action and instil fear in bullies by expelling them on the spot. Sadly, some schools sweep these bullying cases under the carpet for fear of tarnishing their name. When that happens, the bullies reign supreme in school, making life a menace for innocent children. Aggressors and bullies should be sent for rehabilitation to correct their disruptive behaviour. If this is not done, they will grow up to be juvenile delinquents, vandals and road bullies and end up as thugs with criminal tendencies. Parents of bullies should be held responsible and made accountable for the actions of these students. The parents should be summoned to school and informed of their children’s violent behaviour. Many of the bullies come from homes where there is abuse and aggressive violent behaviour. Proper enforcement is needed and punishment should be meted to students who fight and engage in violent behaviour. Hopefully, teachers, discipline teachers and parents play their role as guardians and look after their children from bullies and hoodlums in schools. Many children will not tell their teachers or parents if they are being bullied or harassed by fellow students. The onus is on parents and teachers to check and supervise the children closely in schools. Samuel Yesuiah Seremban LETTERS [email protected] COMMENT by Collins Chong Yew Keat “Asean has no capacity in hard or soft power to push for greater deterrence in order to secure its aim of stability in the region and will need external involvement and support.
10 theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 MEDIA & MARKETING Coffee lovers, rejoice! THE International Café & Beverage Show (ICBS) 2023, the leading showcase of artisan food, beverage and café products, is back at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 25-27, 2023. The popular Roasters Pavilion also returns and is designed to provide a cost-effective way for many smaller coffee roasters to showcase their unique coffee flavours. The pavilion is a must visit during ICBS 2023 where visitors can try some really creative and innovative coffee roasts produced by over 15 companies at the show. Josh Teo, Director of HisBrew, one of the local coffee roasters participating in the Roasters Pavilion at ICBS 2023, shared: “As a Specialty Coffee Roaster from Malaysia, ICBS not only provides an opportunity for us to share our vision and coffee with the market, but it also helps us connect with like-minded folks that will be there, to exchange ideas and work together to improve and further advance the coffee industry in Malaysia.” Christopher McCuin, Managing Director of Montgomery Asia, the show organiser, shared: “We are delighted with the positive response to ICBS 2023 and proud to have confirmed so many new and returning exhibitors this year. The remaining space is filling fast, so get in touch with our team soon to join the 250 brands exhibiting from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, The Netherlands and Italy. With less than a month to go until the doors officially open, we are getting very excited to welcome so many of the Malaysian, regional and international café and coffee industry players, as well as The ICBS will held KLCC from May 25 to 27, 2023. oThe International Café & Beverage show is back this month with more brew-tiful delights The Roasters Pavilion is one of the many show favourites returning at ICBS 2023. coffee enthusiasts, to ICBS 2023.” In addition to the exhibition, the organisers (Montgomery Asia) have again teamed up with the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA) to host the semi-finals and finals of the 8th edition of the Malaysia National Coffee Championship (MNCC). The national champion baristas (in three categories – Gigi Coffee Malaysia Barista Championship 2023, Falcon Coffees Malaysia Brewers Cup 2023 and Gigi Coffee Malaysia Latte Art Championship 2023) will go on to represent Malaysia at the World Coffee Championships (WCC) 2024. During this year’s show, Montgomery Asia will be introducing an educational series Cafe Talk @ ICBS 2023, which will involve 14 workshops and talks throughout the exhibition. This will include workshops from Barista Guild Asia, who will be hosting two courses – Introduction to Coffee for those who are truly passionate about great coffee and want to understand how to brew some really awesome coffee and So, you want to start a café?, specifically designed for anyone who wants to start a Café but not so sure of where to begin. Dankoff Coffee Specialist will also be hosting their Sensory Room with DC Academy, where participants will learn what it takes to identify different coffee and tea flavours and aromas. The show will be held in Halls 4 & 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with trade and industry visitors the focus of the first two days (May 25 & 26 – 10am to 6pm). The third and final day (Saturday, May 27 – 10am to 5pm) will be open to the public who can treat their tastebuds to the best that the coffee and café industry have to offer. Anyone interested in visiting or exhibiting at ICBS 2023 should visit www.intlcbs.com to pre-register their visit and get the latest news and updates. ICBS 2023 and Cafe Culture Malaysia are also gearing up for the show by giving away Montigo Sense Coffee Cups, each worth RM150 to 10 lucky winners! The giveaway is now live. To enter, scan the QR Code. In addition, all those participating in the giveaway will receive ‘freebies’ from Dankoff Coffee Specialist & Monin Asia at ICBS 2023 when you enter and visit the show! Taking Malaysians on a sweet adventure AS Coolblog, the beloved Malaysian dessert and beverage brand, launched its new Indulgence beverage series, what better way to celebrate than with a journey of exploration and passion? Together with over 100 bikers, Coolblog embarked on a 143KM indulgence ride through some of Peninsular Malaysia’s most picturesque routes, while giving back to communities in need. Coolblog believes that indulging in your passion is what makes life sweet, as everyone has their own unique way of finding joy and satisfaction. As such, Coolblog, a homegrown company which is dedicated and passionate about producing the best dessert drinks for almost two decades, together with a community of bikers who embody the same sense of passion and freedom in spirit, joined forces to inspire Malaysians to pursue their passion(s) with the same heartfelt level of enthusiasm and dedication as them. Coolblog’s passion in creating quality beverages is truly reflected in their Indulgence series. With four tantalising flavours to choose from, each drink is topped with a decadent mix of salted caramel sauce, creamy cheese mousse, and crunchy Lotus Biscoff cookie crumbs. Every sip of The Indulgence series is a celebration of the richness and depth of flavour that is put into every Coolblog creation. Whether you are a fan of the Cookies & Cream Indulgence, the Triple Coffee Indulgence, the Lattecino Indulgence, or the Choctiramisu Indulgence, you will find a way to indulge yourself for a sweet treat with this wholesome, satisfying series. Coolblog and the bikers also teamed up for a charitable cause to help children in need to encourage them to pursue their own passions and make a difference in their Coolblog and the bikers gathered for a journey from R&R Awan Besar KESAS to Aeon Bandaraya Melaka to inspire Malaysians while giving back to the community in need. communities. For every biker who participated in the ride from R&R Awan Besar KESAS to Aeon Bandaraya Melaka, Coolblog pledged to donate RM100 to Teach For Malaysia, Yayasan Munarah, and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Harapan. Tunku Ali Redhauddin, Chairman of Coolblog Malaysia, said that passion is at the core of this wellloved homegrown brand, and that this passion extends beyond the storefront. “We are thankful for the opportunity to be able to support organisations that strive to uplift the lives of the underprivileged. “This commitment of ours to contribute positively to society, combined with our passion in what we do, pushes us to help empower others to realise their full potential and pursue their own passions in life.” Coolblog’s commitment to enlivening Malaysians’ lives with quality, affordable product offerings that uplift their spirits and ignite their passions, remains strong as ever, and the company looks forward to continuously inspiring Malaysians on their own individual life journeys. For more information on Coolblog and The Indulgence series, please visit coolblog.com.my. Scan the QR code to visit the contest page
KLCI 1,422.92 STI 3,208.55 HANG SENG 19,627.24 SCI 3,272.36 NIKKEI 29,388.30 15.58 TSEC 15,502.36 261.58 KOSPI 2,475.42 S&P/ASX200 7,256.70 4.80 MONDAY MAY 15, 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 May 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) FITTERS-WC 206,868,200 0.5 UNCH HSI-CLQ 110,142,500 12.0 -2.5 VINVEST 101,318,700 16.0 -3.5 DNEX 82,489,300 43.0 -3.0 BAHVEST 77,197,000 12.5 -0.5 EXCHANGERATES MAY 12, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.5430 4.4030 4.3870 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0630 2.9370 2.9430 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.4130 3.3090 3.3010 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.3650 3.2700 3.2700 1 EURO 4.9680 4.8010 4.7860 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8730 2.7630 2.7680 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4130 3.3090 3.3010 1 STERLING POUND 5.6940 5.5070 5.5020 1 SWISS FRANC 5.0740 4.9580 4.9170 100 UAE DIRHAM 125.1700 118.5300 117.7200 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.3030 4.0310 3.8110 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 65.4000 62.9000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 58.5700 55.5900 55.1800 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.6300 5.2700 5.0600 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0319 0.0289 0.0238 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.3840 3.2730 3.2530 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.8000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.5600 1.4600 1.2500 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.2700 7.7800 7.5600 100 QATAR RIYAL 126.0200 119.6300 118.6900 100 SAUDI RIYAL 122.4200 116.2100 115.3400 100 THAI BAHT 14.0300 12.4300 12.0500 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY May 12, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,415.60 -15.20 FBMKLCI 1,422.92 -2.26 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 573.20 -2.35 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 167.12 -1.35 CONSTRUCTION 161.75 +0.19 FINANCIAL SERVICES 15,513.20 -74.90 ENERGY 829.39 -2.42 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 620.29 +1.27 HEALTH CARE 1,816.64 +4.48 TRANSPORTATION 901.90 -5.55 PROPERTY 692.56 -6.49 PLANTATION 6,956.66 +42.35 FBMSHA 10,775.90 +7.37 FBMACE 4,984.48 -41.70 TECHNOLOGY 58.99 +0.14 TURNOVER VALUE 2.742 BIL RM1.775 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS May 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM IHS046000824 200 102.50 +0.50 TENAGA 13,164,300 9.46 +0.37 IMASPRO 54,600 6.00 +0.31 PJBUMI 2,390,900 1.53 +0.28 HEXTECH 693,900 23.50 +0.26 5 TOP LOSERS May 12, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM NESTLE 40,500 134.50 -0.40 PPB 240,300 16.22 -0.26 F&N 343,200 27.00 -0.20 HEIM 118,000 28.20 -0.20 PETDAG 104,900 22.12 -0.20 Participation 40.9 24.9 34.2 100.0 Institutions Retail Foreign Bought RM m 762.9 439.1 573.9 1775.9 Sold RM m 690.7 443.8 641.4 1775.9 Net RM m 72.2 -4.7 -67.5 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) 12/05/2023 airasia Superapp, foodpanda seal tie-up, to ride on each other’s strengths KUALA LUMPUR: airasia Superapp and foodpanda have come together as partners to leverage on each other’s strengths to offer better value and greater convenience to users across Asean and beyond. In the strategic partnership, airasia Superapp’s ride-hailing service, airasia ride, is made available on the foodpanda app. Foodpanda – the largest on-demand food and grocery delivery service in Asia outside China – will power the travel superapp’s food delivery service, connecting millions of airasia Superapp users to foodpanda’s network of more than 100,000 merchants and thousands of delivery partners. With this, airasia Superapp’s food offerings will move towards a dine-in model. The CEO of airasia Superapp owner Capital A, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, commented: “We are laser-focused on fulfilling our travel superapp vision, and we are glad to have found positive synergy with a strong delivery partner as we move on to a dine-in model for our food business. This platform partnership will enable us to leverage on each other’s strengths – foodpanda’s food and grocery delivery prowess and our ride-hailing services backed by a complete travel superapp ecosystem, both a necessity for travellers and everyday users of both apps alike.” He said there is so much potential where both airasia Superapp and foodpanda can █ BY RANJIT SINGH [email protected] ‘Malaysia’s Q1 GDP growth one of the best in the region’ KUALA LUMPUR: The power and wealth of the national treasure should be used to rebuild Malaysia to emerge as a new economic giant, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said Malaysia's economy was still strongly on track with a growth of 5.6% in oPower and wealth of national treasure should be used to develop country, says PM Property market remains robust despite OPR increase: Rehda PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian property market remained robust despite the rise in the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 3%, said the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Malaysia. Its president Datuk NK Tong noted that there will be a tailwind amid the inflationary environment particularly after the property sector is opening up after three years of pandemic. “However, I think people recognise real estate is a good way to hedge against inflation. So I think investing in property is still positive. “We did a survey every six months and the results that came out in February for the end of 2022 showed that most of the developers are more optimistic about the second half of 2023,” he told reporters at Rehda’s Aidilfitri Open House at Wisma Rehda on Saturday. On subsidised cement prices, Tong said the government’s move to reduce cement prices for developers building affordable housing priced RM300,000 and below is a good initiative to encourage buyers to buy their first house. He said developers have been actively building affordable housing for close to 50 years with the majority of such housing being built by its members. Rehda Malaysia is of the view that it is high time other related industry players offer initiatives in an effort to make housing more affordable. – Bernama 2.26 21.00 116.55 37.19 12.28 the first quarter of this year despite the challenging economic conditions. “The growth is one of the best in the region at 5.6% compared to China at 4.5%, Indonesia at 5.0% and Vietnam at 3.3%,” he said in his inaugural address at the Unity Government National Convention 2023 here yesterday. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said Malaysia recorded a low inflation rate of 3.6% in the first quarter of this year compared with other countries in the region. He stressed that the government is committed to rebuilding Malaysia and protecting the people’s interest with the cooperation of the Cabinet to attract more foreign investments into the country. It is proven by the quality digital investment by Amazon Web Services which is about to open a regional infrastructure in Malaysia with an investment worth RM25.5 billion, he added. The government also attracted several other investments including an investment commitment of RM170 billion from China, he said. “This means good governance and negotiations that do not provide commissions for ministers and their families. This means the ease and speed of doing business that we must set so that this country can emerge again as a giant in the region,” Anwar said. – Bernama explore together, such as payment solutions via BigPay, joint loyalty programmes with airasia rewards, possible subscription plans and much more. “We are happy to kick off this partnership with our food and ridehailing collaboration in Malaysia,” said Fernandes. Meanwhile, foodpanda CEO said Jakob Angele said, “The opportunity to bring together two of Malaysia’s biggest household brands is a special one for us; we’ve both built great services that Malaysian customers have grown to rely on and love – so this is a natural partnership to jointly offer great value, variety and convenience to all our customers.” Airasia Superapp acting CEO Mohamad Hafidz Mohd Fadzil added, “As a regional travel superapp, we are all about providing a seamless and convenient experience to users, who are primarily travellers across the Asean region. We are a one-stop centre for everything they need, from flights, accommodations, rides to and from the airports and hotels, to even culinary experiences via food delivery or dine-in reservations. “We look forward to further excelling in the superapp space with this landmark partnership.” Fernandes (seventh from left) with Angele, along with management of airasia Superapp and foodpanda at the partnership announcement.
12 theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 SUNBIZ @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME Malaysian economy growing at decent rate PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s economy is growing at a decent rate of 5.6%, said Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bank chief economist Dr Afzanizam Abdul Rashid. “Both engines – domestic demand and net exports – grew by 4.6% and 54.4% respectively. BNM expects the economy to reach full employment status this year, which means spending among households will continue to hold up. Nonetheless, the inflation rate is expected to stay elevated,” he told SunBiz when commenting on the announcement of Malaysia’s economic performance by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus recently. Malaysia’s economy recorded a better-than-expected expansion of 5.6% in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1’23) driven mainly by private sector expenditure. Nor Shamsiah said growth in Q1’23 was supported by further expansion of household spending, continued investment activity, improving labour market and higher tourism activities. “The labour market continued to strengthen in the first quarter of 2023 and is expected to remain supportive of domestic demand. The whole economy is no longer in crisis and, in fact, continues to gain strength,” she said when announcing the Malaysian economy’s firstquarter performance. Meanwhile, investment activity was underpinned by capacity expansion and continued implementation of multi-year projects. In addition, Inbound tourism continued to recover, lifting services exports and partially offsetting the slower goods export growth. oConsumer spending holding up but GDP expansion moderating: Economists BY RANJIT SINGH [email protected] The central bank said Malaysia’s growth is expected to remain resilient in 2023, anchored by firm domestic demand. Despite global headwinds, the Malaysian economy is projected to expand by 4.0% to 5.0% in 2023, driven by firm domestic demand. Improving employment and income as well as continued implementation of multi-year projects would support consumption and investment activity. Moreover, higher inbound tourism activity would lift high-touch services industries. Nor Shamsiah said, “Risks to Malaysia’s growth outlook are relatively balanced. Upside risks stem mainly from domestic factors. These include stronger-than expected tourism activity and implementation of projects including those from the re-tabled Budget 2023. Meanwhile, downside risks could emanate from lower exports due to weaker-thanexpected global growth and more volatile global financial market conditions.” On this, Afzanizam said, “The upside risks would stem from global commodity prices, imported inflation from weak ringgit, strong demand from China and larger revision to subsidies and price cap policies. To a large degree, the recent OPR hike was appropriately justified as the growth trajectory has normalised. “In a nutshell, the Malaysian economy is on track to achieve GDP (gross domestic product) growth of 4% to 5% this year. As for the OPR, I think there is no urgency to raise it further as it has reached a level that is consistent with the growth trajectory. And BNM has built a comfortable policy space for them to response to future shocks. So on the OPR, I see it should stay at 3% throughout the year.” Meanwhile, Professor Geoffrey Williams from Malaysian University of Science and Technology (MUST) told SunBiz that GDP in Q1’23 was lower at RM380.9 billion compared with RM398 billion in the previous quarter. “This is a fall of 4.3% and we only get the positive headline figures after various adjustments and rebalancing of inventories which give growth of 0.9% compared with contraction of 1.7% last time. This is also affected by a revision in the statistics. “So although the headline figures appear positive on an annual basis, behind the headlines we see a slowing economy consistent with the view that growth is returning to more moderate levels.” Williams said that across all areas of production, growth was slower and across all areas of expenditure, it was also slower. “In fact the impact of government spending has fallen following the excessive pre-election spending under the previous finance minister.” He added that export and import growth was negative so the impact of external demand remains a concern and is not adding as much as might be hoped from the reopening of China, for example. The net contribution of trade fell significantly. “This puts more emphasis on domestic demand from consumers and domestic investment but the higher OPR will impact both of those in the coming months. We can already see that seasonally adjusted investment contracted 1.4% reflecting hikes in the OPR and also sluggish global demand,” he highlighted. He also said the full year GDP might come in at the lower end of the 4% to 5% projected by BNM. Prof Geoffrey Williams Dr Afzanizam Abdul Rashid Synergy House launches IPO prospectus, targets RM34.4m PETALING JAYA: Synergy House Bhd, a cross-border e-commerce seller and furniture exporter of ready-to-assemble (RTA) home furniture, launched the prospectus for its initial public offering (IPO) recently in conjunction with its upcoming listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities. The IPO will raise RM34.4 million through the issuance of 130 million new shares at an IPO price of 43 sen per share which is expected to support the group’s future growth and expansion plans. The proceeds will be used by the group – RM10.0 million or 29.07% for purchasing of inventories for the group’s proposed e-commerce fulfilment centre in Muar, Johor, and e-commerce fulfilment centres in overseas countries; RM1.5 million or 4.36% to purchase racking system and forklifts for the group’s proposed e-commerce fulfilment centre in Muar, Johor; RM1 million or 2.91% for e-commerce advertisement and promotions; RM10 million or 29.07% to repay borrowings; RM7.7 million or 22.38% for working capital purposes; and RM4.2 million or 12.21% for listing expenses. For the financial years ended Dec 31 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, the group registered revenue of RM111.5 million, RM122.9 million, RM184.3 million and RM194.1 million respectively. In particular, the group has seen encouraging growth from its businessto-consumer (B2C) segment where sales increased from RM1.99 million in FY19 to RM49.63 million in FY22 at a compound annual growth rate of 192.17%. Synergy House will be listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia on June 1. Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd is the principal adviser, sponsor, underwriter and placement agent for the IPO. It will underwrite the 25 million new shares made available to the Malaysian public and the 12.5 million existing shares made available to eligible persons. Market to taper down after recent OPR hike: PropertyGuru PETALING JAYA: The property market is expected to slow down as consumers, buyers and sellers evaluate the current market status before decision-making, following the recent increase in Bank Negara’s overnight policy rate (OPR) to 3%. According to PropertyGuru Malaysia country manager Sheldon Fernandez, interested parties will take a longer time to analyse the market value of property before making their decision due to the OPR hike. “We’ve seen in the past, demand taper down slightly before it comes back up,” he told SunBiz. Fernandez believes that towards the end of the year, property demand will be “a very gradual uptake” because Malaysians in general will continue to “want to hold properties”. He is cautiously optimistic on the property market as he observed that consumers have “the intention to buy” but noted the challenges involved, based on PropertyGuru’s recent Consumer Sentiment Study (CSS) in the first half of 2023 (H1’23). “With the current government assistance, there is an opportunity, but with the recent interest rate hike you will see the wait and see █ BYGLORIA HARRY BEATTY [email protected] approach until conditions improve. And when it does, I think you’ll start seeing demand come back into the market,” Fernandez opined. He pointed out that the OPR was increased from a low base as preCovid levels were about 3% to 3.25%, but Bank Negara Malaysia gradually brought it down to adjust to economic conditions. He noted that the interest rate is returning back towards pre-Covid conditions as in “the last few years, we’ve seen this trend slowly pick up”. In 2022, the National Property Information Centre (Napic) recorded 243,190 residential market transactions (worth RM94.27 billion), up by 22.3% year on year, compared with 198,812 residential market trans-actions (worth RM76.9 billion) in the year prior. “So, people will still buy when they see that the economy situation has improved or when they get their finances in order and they have confidence in going into the transaction,” he said, referring to the Napic’s report. Meanwhile, he remarked that almost half of the respondents in the CSS H1’23, said that they needed government assistance when it comes to house ownership. He added that the past successes around the government-led house ownership campaigns (HOC) were one of the main highlights for potential house owners. “It is welcoming to see the government continue to provide initiatives around stamp duty reduction for property prices, that is within the affordable range of around RM500,000 and below. But they also have stamp duty reduction for prices anywhere between RM500,000 and RM1 million. “I think this continues to help. From our CSS H1’23 survey, the HOC initiative is something that everyone has remembered clearly and also benefited from, which has helped the market in the past,” said Fernandez. He commended the government initiatives and opined that it should be continued as it is helping to spur the industry. He further suggested for the government to focus on “affordable housing” to ensure that Malaysians “have the right kind of supply catered to the right level of demand, based on the location and the right price point”. “There’s a lot of focus and efforts around improving affordable housing. In that sense, I think that’s what we would recommend ourselves because that caters to the B40 and lower M40 groups around those price points, anywhere between RM250,000 and RM500,000 price point is where the market demand is at the highest,” he remarked. In addition, Fernandez said the overhang issue is still a challenge in Malaysia. He noted that it remains to register “a significantly high number, but we’ve seen a positive downward trend in its volume, year on year”. “(It) stems from the funda-mental issue of building at the right place at the right price for the right demand. I think given all stakeholders what they’ve experienced, the government, the developers, the focus is on reducing these numbers, but also putting out new supplies that meet the demands of the property market,” he added. Fernandez opined that in the long term the trend could taper or continue and property developers should put up properties that meet the market demand. On key trend from its report, he observed that the supply index, which is the number of listings on its website, has “come down slightly, both in rental and sales.” With reduction in supply, he said that there was an increase in the asking price, hence the price index for both rental and sales have gone up, which he opined is a reflection of the confidence of the seller. Due to the price increase, demand has declined and “enquiries for such properties in sales and rental has come down significantly compared to last quarter of 5 to 6%, for sales and rental”. “They will obviously want to get the best value for their asset and it’s also a reflection of the market conditions, so people are adapting to this new change. “As the economy grows, as new job creation comes in and unemployment remains low, demand will come back up and they will be able to meet those price points. So it’s a reflection of market where the markets are adapting towards the most recent changes,” he said. The study also found that 74% of Malaysian respondents prefer newly developed properties, with 20% looking towards the subsale market, and the remaining portion considering auction properties to fulfil their property requirements. It also found that the top factors in buying or renting a home, include location (54%), security and safety of the area (46%), amenities (41%), and proximity to transport (35%).
13 * SUNBIZ theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME LAST week’s warrants turnover clocked in at RM267.6 million, 46.2% higher week-on-week (w-o-w) pursuant to the shorter trading week in the first week of May. Warrants over the Hang Seng Index (HSI) once again garnered the highest investor demand with a turnover of RM233.2 million during the week, comprising 87.1% of total turnover, followed by warrants over Malaysian shares at 11.1% of turnover. Among the local underlyings, glove names saw interest last week with the call warrants TOPGLOV-C2X and SUPERMX-C3H recording 87.4 million units and 16.8 million units traded respectively, as their underlyings rose 5.9% and 2.2% for the week, respectively. Further, a range of warrants over MY E.G. Services (MYEG) including calls MYEG-C4J and MYEG-C4Z as well as put MYEG-HI were traded last week as MYEG shares fell 1.2% w-o-w to RM0.800, recovering part of its losses throughout the week after a 4.3% decline on Monday. Meanwhile, HSI futures started the week with a 1.4% gain on Monday. However, on Tuesday, the futures suffered a 2.3% decline to 19,787 as investors digested China’s April trade data that showed a decline in imports of 1.4% and a growth in exports of 8.5%. On this day, bullish investors net bought the HSI calls, most notably 33.7 million units of HSI-CLQ, and net sold the puts as they rose, moving in an opposite direction to the HSI futures’ decline. Investors should note that several top traded warrants such as HSI-CLQ and HSI-HNF will expire on May 30, 2023 with their last trading date on May 26, 2023; investors may consider switching to longer dated warrants as warrants that are expiring soon tend to experience a higher rate of erosion in its time value than warrants with a longer time to expiry. Investors’ accumulation of the calls and sale of the puts continued into the rest of the week as the HSI futures continued to flounder, ending the week at 19,599, a 1.9% fall w-o-w, due to underwhelming economic data out of China as well as the US, as uncertainty over the debt ceiling stand-off in the US added to worries over its banking sector. S&P 500® Index warrants also saw some interest last week as SP500 futures experienced seesaw trading before closing flat. Put warrants SP500- H23 and SP500-H25 (June expiry) were most popular among investors. To view the full list of structured warrants available on Bursa Malaysia, visit malaysiawarrants.com.my. Provided for Malaysian residents’ information only. This commentary has not been reviewed by the Securities Commission Malaysia. It is not an offer or recommendation to trade and is not research material. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. You should make your own assessment and seek professional advice. The warrants will not be offered to any US persons. WARRANTS WATCH Top warrants by value traded Warrant Value Issuer Exercise Expiry date name (RM’ mil.) level HSI-CLQ 85.0 Macquarie 20,400 30 May 2023 HSI-CLZ 53.4 Macquarie 20,000 30 Jun 2023 HSI-HNF 49.8 Macquarie 20,200 30 May 2023 HSI-CLY 11.9 Macquarie 22,000 30 Jun 2023 HSI-HK7 9.3 Macquarie 18,000 30 Jun 2023 Investors accumulate HSI calls, glove names lead Malaysian issues Teladan Setia reports RM8.3m Q1 net profit MALACCA: Malacca-based property developer Teladan Setia Group Bhd has reported that its revenue grew by 4.6% year-on-year to RM61.6 million in first-quarter 2023 (Q1’23) from RM58.9 million in Q1’22. Announcing its first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2023 recently, it said revenue for the quarter under review was mainly contributed by the development of Taman Desa Bertam Phase 3A and 3B, Taman Bertam Heights Phase 1B and the newly launched, Taman Desa Bertam Phase 4A. Net profit in Q1’23 came in lower at RM8.3 million, from RM9.5 million reported last year due to increase in administrative expenses. Teladan Setia managing director Richard Teo Lay Ban said, “Teladan Setia’s encouraging Q1FY23 financial performance reflects the sustained growth of the property industry following Malaysia’s transition towards the endemic phase.” He added that the industry has benefitted from the measures introduced by the government in Budget 2023 that were aimed at supporting homeownership. He said they are cautiously optimistic as the industry continues to be challenged by inflationary pressures and high interest rates. In line with the anticipated challenges, the group has opted for a more prudent approach by rolling out new developments tailored to market needs. The group plans to launch properties worth an accumulated GDV of RM1.1 billion in FY23 with completion within the next two to three years. Maybank retirement products doing well KUALA LUMPUR: The three products in Maybank Flexible Retirement Solution (MFRS) have exceeded RM375 million in assets under management (AUM) as at March 31, said Maybank Asset Management Sdn Bhd (MAM Malaysia). Its CEO Ahmed Muzni Mohamed said the Maybank Global Wealth Growth-I Fund recorded RM82.85 million in AUM, Maybank Global Wealth Moderate-I Fund posted RM180.53 million and Maybank Global Wealth Conservative-I Fund registered RM111.37 million. He also noted the total fund size for Global Wealth Moderate-I Fund and Maybank Global Wealth GrowthI Fund has achieved more than RM260 million as at the end of December 2022. “Based on the data, all the funds have had a positive take-up rate with Maybank Global Wealth Moderate-I Fund at the forefront,” he told Bernama, adding that the Maybank Asset Management Group also targets to close the year at RM35.8 billion in AUM. He said Maybank has offered several products to help Malaysians better save and invest for their retirement, hence, they have the choice to choose among the funds offered under the MFRS that suit their needs and retirement goals. Ahmed Muzni explained that Maybank Global Wealth Growth-I Fund has more exposure to global equities and lower exposure to global sukuk. “Therefore, it is suitable for investors who would want a higher growth prospect to commensurate the higher risk that they are taking for their retirement portfolio. This would include young investors who may just be starting out in their careers or those with minimal commitments,” he said. About the Global Wealth Moderate-I Fund, Ahmed Muzni said it has more exposure to global sukuk as compared to global equities and is designed for investors that would require an annual income payout within 2% to 2.5% per annum. He said the fund is a better match for investors who have a relatively low risk appetite pursuing regular payouts in addition to their longterm capital appreciation. “Investors with families or midway through their career leading towards retirement can consider investing in this fund, especially if oGlobal Wealth Growth-I Fund records RM82.85m in AUM, Global Wealth Moderate-I Fund RM180.53m and Global Wealth Conservative-I Fund RM111.37m they have large commitments and cannot afford to take much risk,” he said. The latest fund, the Maybank Global Wealth Conservative-I Fund, which was launched on Feb 13, is created for investors with relatively lower-risk appetites with an interest in high-income payouts. He said the fund has the decumulation feature, where part of their investment capital would be drawn down as a part of the quarterly income payout of 7.0% per annum. In terms of asset allocation, the new fund would have higher exposure to sukuk as compared to the Growth and Moderate portfolio, said Ahmed Muzni. “Nonetheless, all funds under the Maybank Flexible Retirement Solution are embedded with a capital preservation strategy, whereby the investment strategy – stock picking and asset allocation – are determined to preserve investors’ initial investment in order for them to be well prepared for their retirement age,” he said. Meanwhile, on Malaysians saving culture, Ahmed Muzni said many Malaysians delayed retirement financial planning perhaps thinking they have plenty of time to make up for it, focus on other priorities or withdraw their retirement savings. The lack of long-term foresight has resulted in many not being financially well-prepared for their golden years and it may be too late to catch up or replenish their savings, he said. “With the rising cost of living and inflation, it is wise to start building one’s financial nest egg as early as possible. Our retirement suite can act as a supplement to one’s retirement savings without disrupting their current lifestyle. “Our retirement solution is flexible for our investors, based on their retirement goals. There are no lockup periods. If an investor urgently needs to use their retirement savings, they could simply withdraw with no penalty charges,” he said. In addition, Maybank’s retirement solution not only supplements one’s retirement savings but also allows for flexibility to adjust plans to suit their changing needs. Southern Cable secures RM90.4m contract from TNB KEDAH: Cable and wire manufacturer Southern Cable Group Bhd secured a RM90.4 million contract to supply underground cables and conductors to the nation’s utility giant, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). The new win by the group’s wholly owned subsidiary Southern Cable Sdn Bhd follows the addendum contract of more than RM30 million secured in April 2023, and boosts the group’s total contract value to TNB to RM422.5 million from RM332.1 million earlier. Sales of power cables and wires typically make up more than 80% of the group’s annual revenue. From the financial years ended Dec 31, 2020 to 2022, sales of power cables and wires jumped from RM458.4 million to RM749 million, reporting a compounded annual growth rate of 27.8% in line with the nation’s ramp up in infrastructure activities in the Covid-19 pandemic recovery phase. Besides that, Southern Cable is a registered supplier for cables and wires with TNB and has a strong business relationship for the past 19 years. Apart from TNB, the group also supplies to other utility providers such as Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Energy Bhd. Southern Cable Group Bhd managing director Tung Eng Hai said, “This win further affirms our positive outlook on the demand for cables and wires on the back of Malaysia’s power infrastructure needs, as well as demonstrates TNB’s trust in us.” “With our long-established track record of Apart from TNB, the group also supplies to other utility providers such as Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Energy Bhd. - SOUTHERN CABLE WEBSITE serving the nation’s renowned power utility companies, we are optimistic of securing more wins to fuel our growth while supporting the nation’s infrastructure development.” The group’s current orders in hand amount to RM692.7 million to be fulfilled until 2024. The orders include power cables and wires, and related products and services such as aluminium rods, and supply and installation of rectifier systems for 5G network.
14 theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 SUNBIZ New Twitter CEO says she ‘excited to help transform’ platform BENGALURU: Newly appointed Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino said in a tweet on Saturday that she has been inspired by owner Elon Musk’s vision to create a brighter future and is excited to help to transform the social media platform. It was the first time Yaccarino has spoken publicly since the news broke Thursday that she was in talks to become the next CEO of Twitter. Musk, who has served as CEO since his US$44 billion (RM196 billion) buyout of Twitter last October, announced her appointment on Friday. “I’ve long been inspired by [Musk’s] vision to create a brighter future. I’m excited to help bring this vision to Twitter and transform this business together!” Yaccarino tweeted. Yaccarino, who as advertising chief for Comcast Corp’s NBCUniversal spent several years modernising its ad business, said she is committed to Twitter’s future, and said user feedback is vital to build Twitter 2.0. Yaccarino will take over a social media platform that has been trying to reverse a plunge in ad revenue and is beset with challenges, along with a heavy debt load. Since Musk acquired Twitter, advertisers have fled the platform, worried that their ads could appear next to inappropriate content after the company lost nearly 80% of staff. Musk earlier this year acknowledged that Twitter had suffered a massive decline in ad revenue. While Musk said Yaccarino would help build an “everything app,” which he has previously said could offer a variety of services such as peer-topeer payments, his selection of an advertising veteran signaled that digital ads would continue to be a core focus of the business. Musk has long said he intended to find a new leader for Twitter. – Reuters B r i e f sSAMSUNG, TESLA CHIEFS MEET TO DISCUSS HIGH-TECH COOPERATION SEOUL: Samsung Electronics executive chairman Jay Y. Lee met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk last Wednesday to discuss ways to cooperate in future high-tech industries, Samsung said yesterday. The two companies are currently seeking ways to cooperate in the development of IT-related technologies such as semiconductors for autonomous vehicles, Samsung added. The meeting was held during Lee’s trip to the US and was the first between the heads of the South Korean chip giant and the US electric-vehicle maker, the company said. – Reuters AMAZON NETWORK BOOST RESULTS IN SPEEDIER DELIVERIES, LOWER COSTS BENGALURU: Amazon.com Inc said it has optimised its delivery network coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing it to increase delivery speeds and lower costs, while also reducing the ecommerce giant’s carbon emissions. The online retailer on Saturday said it has reduced delivery times, reshaped its inventory management system as well as search capabilities to show customers items closest to them, leading to products reaching 12% less touchpoints before being delivered. At a time of slack consumer demand, Amazon and other online retailers have also been making efforts to slash costs for home delivery and returns. Amazon this week said it was offering US customers US$10 (RM44.60) to pick up a purchase rather than have it shipped to a home address. – Reuters FORMER EXEC AT TIKTOK PARENT SUES, ALLEGES WRONGFUL DISMISSAL SAN FRANCISCO: A former US-based executive of ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, has sued it for wrongful dismissal, saying he was fired for sounding the alarm over what he called its “culture of lawlessness.” The suit, filed by Yintao Yu in a San Francisco court, comes as political pressure has been growing in the US to ban TikTok. Critics say the popular platform allows Beijing to covertly collect users’ data and influence their opinions – something the company denies. In his suit, Yu says that he discovered shortly after being hired in 2017 that ByteDance “was stealing” videos published on rival sites like Instagram and Snapchat and presenting them as its own. Yu, who was ByteDance’s US head of engineering, says he notified company leaders about the problem, but the “intellectual property infringement continued unabated.” – AFP G7, EU TO BAN RESTART OF RUSSIAN GAS PIPELINES BENGALURU: The Group of Seven (G7) industrial powers and the European Union (EU) will ban Russian gas imports on routes where Moscow has cut supplies, the Financial Times reported yesterday, citing officials involved in the negotiations. The decision, to be finalised by G7 leaders at a summit in Hiroshima starting on Friday, will prevent the resumption of Russian pipeline gas exports on routes to countries such as Poland and Germany, where Moscow cut off supplies last year, the newspaper said. – Reuters Tighter ECB policy could push up bad debt levels FRANKFURT: European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate hikes are in their final stretch, ECB vicepresident Luis de Guindos told an Italian newspaper, while warning that higher borrowing costs could put stress on banks’ asset quality, even if indicators so far remain healthy. The ECB has raised rates by a combined 375 basis points since last July and has promised further increases, but at a more measured pace of 25 basis point increments, after oversized moves in the early part of its tightening campaign. “We have now entered the home stretch of our monetary policy tightening path,” Il Sole 24 Ore quoted de Guindos as saying yesterday. “And that’s why we are returning to normality, to 25 basispoint steps.” These rate hikes improve banks’ oCentral bank vice-president warns that higher borrowing costs may put stress on banks’ asset quality lending margins but could also make it more difficult for some borrowers to repay their debts, lifting the portion of nonperforming loans or NPL. “Right now, the improvement in margins more than compensates for the potential losses from the growth in NPL,” de Guindos said. “The combination of a slowing economy and the interest rate hikes will bring a rise in the cost of funding for banks and possibly an increase in non-performing loans.” ECB supervisory chief Andrea Enria earlier told Croatian newspaper Vecernji list that the ECB is seeing “some early signs” of loans being paid with a delay, an indicator that NPL could be rising. “We do not expect a wave of NPL, but now is not the time for complacency,” de Guindos added. De Guindos also warned about so-called shadow banks – a category including non-bank financial firms such as funds or insurers – that are experiencing “some tension” given that they are highly leveraged and more are exposed to liquidity risk. Providing the ECB’s first estimate on the effects of quantitative tightening, or the reduction of the bank’s massive holdings of government debt, de Guindos said this had increased 10-year government bond yields by between 60 and 70 basis points, with rate hikes having had a far bigger effect. – Reuters Audio book narrators say AI already taking away business NEW YORK: As people brace for the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on jobs and everyday living, those in the world of audio books say their field is already being transformed. AI has the ability to create human-sounding recordings – at assembly-line speed – while bypassing at least part of the services of the human professionals who for years have made a living with their voices. Many of them are already seeing a sharp drop off in business. Tanya Eby has been a full-time voice actor and professional narrator for 20 years. She has a recording studio in her home. But in the past six months she has seen her work load fall by half. Her bookings now run only through June, while in a normal year they would extend through August. Many of her colleagues report similar declines. While other factors could be at play, she told AFP, “It seems to make sense that AI is affecting all of us.” There is no label identifying AIassisted recordings as such, but professionals say thousands of audio books currently in circulation use “voices” generated from a databank. Among the most cutting-edge, DeepZen offers rates that can slash the cost of producing an audio book to one-fourth, or less, that of a traditional project. The small London-based company draws from a database it created by recording the voices of several actors who were asked to speak in a variety of emotional registers. “Every voice that we are using, we sign a licence agreement, and we pay for the recordings,” said DeepZen CEO Kamis Taylan. For every project, he added, “we pay royalties based on the work that we do.” Not everyone respects that standard, said Eby. “All these new companies are popping up who are not as ethical,” she said, and some use voices found in databases without paying for them. “There’s that gray area” being exploited by several platforms, Taylan acknowledged. “They take your voice, my voice, five other people’s voices combined that just creates a separate voice... They say that it doesn’t belong to anybody.” All the audio book companies contacted by AFP denied using such practices. Speechki, a Texas-based startup, uses both its own recordings and voices from existing databanks, said CEO Dima Abramov. But that is done only after a contract has been signed covering usage rights, he said. But professionals contacted by AFP said several traditional publishers are already using socalled generative AI, which can create texts, images, videos and voices from existing content – without human intervention. “Professional narration has always been, and will remain, core to the audible listening experience,” said a spokesman for that Amazon subsidiary, a giant in the American audio book sector. “However, as text-to-speech technology improves, we see a future in which human performances and text-to-speech generated content can coexist.” The giants of US technology, deeply involved in the explosively developing field of AI, are all pursuing the promising business of digitally narrated audio books. Early this year, Apple announced it was moving into AI-narrated audio books, a move it said would make the “creation of audio books more accessible to all,” notably independent authors and small publishers. Google is offering a similar service, which it describes as “auto-narration.” “We have to democratise the publishing industry, because only the most famous and the big names are getting converted into audio,” said Taylan. Eby said she fears, however, that people will grow accustomed to the machine-generated version, “and I think that’s quietly what’s kind of happening.” Her wish is simply “that companies would let listeners know that they’re listening to an AI-generated piece... I just want people to be honest about it.” – AFP © GRAPHIC NEWS *U.S. university entrance exam. †Grading exam system in U.S. universities. Note: Scores shown are at lower end of percentile range. Sources: The Verge, OpenAI. Picture: Hotpoint NEW GPT-4 UPDATE OUTPERFORMS PREVIOUS GPT-3.5 (results from range of standardised exams, %) Image analysis: Can recognise food in fridge and suggest recipes Struggles with more creative pursuits 90 89 85 84 71 66 43 8 14 10 70 62 33 22 30 0 14 8 Bar Exam (legal profession) SAT* Maths AP† Biology AP Macroeconomics AP Chemistry AP Physics AP Calculus AP English Language AP English Literature GPT-4 GPT-3.5 ChatGPT, the world’s fastest growing internet app, has received a major software update that allows it to ace exams and write about what it can decipher from photographs Artificial intelligence becomes smarter
1 5 M A Y 2 0 2 3 M O N D A Y Le French Festival 2023 THE Alliances Françaises de Malaisie in Kuala Lumpur and Penang are launching the 21st edition of Le French Festival (LeFF 2023)! Taking place from May 25 to June 25, LeFF 2023 will invite its audiences to jump into an immersive, one-month-long cultural experience, made up of performing arts, visual arts, gastronomy, music and a wide range of contemporary French movies. Travelling from Western to Eastern Malaysia, LeFF 2023 will tour across four different cities starting from Kuala Lumpur, to then take over Penang, Johor Bahru and lastly Kuching, for its premiere in Sarawak. This year’s festival is presented by L’Oréal Paris, and co-organised by the Alliances Françaises in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Penang) and the Embassy of France in Malaysia along with their longstanding partners and collaborators, Golden Screen Cinemas and Martell. Gold sponsor Cartier is supporting the event for the second consecutive year. As the festival presenter of the French Festival 2023, L’Oréal Paris continues their effort to reaffirm its long-standing commitment in supporting women in cinema, arts and culture while bringing its beauty expertise at the forefront of the festival. Movie-goers will have plenty to look out for with 15 French movies enriching GSC theatres’ line-up, from comedy and thriller to drama and romance among many other genres. One of the flagship movies is an adaptation of The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, a milestone in French literature and cloak-anddagger novels. After a very successful kick-off in France, the Malaysian release will be the movie’s Asian premiere. For the young ones, Le Petit Festival – the children’s chapter of the festival launched in 2022 – will unfold at the Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur and the Penang Public Library with exciting animated movies, storytelling sessions and concerts. Alongside its substantial movie program, Le French Festival continues its scope’s expansion with a wider variety of contemporary performances, exhibitions, and a special culinary journey: 0 Get your hands in flour with PAUL’s chefs and book your slot for a pastry or bakery workshop. Indulge in the taste of French delicacies as you admire the colourful artworks displayed at Champignons and Delia Wines with Gallery des Artistes. Elevate your French dining experiences at participating restaurants Entier, Nathalie Gourmet Studio and Le Gourmandin. 0 Experience a unique exhibition and live painting act by French painter and performer Vaultman in collaboration with local musicians Mei Lin Hii (piano) & John Thomas (drums), where you will witness two exceptional art forms under one roof at The Godown. 0 Cercle, a solo dance performance brought to you by Olé Khamchanla from the KHAM Company, questions through movement the crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures. 0 Let’s groove and sway along during the Fête de la musique which will explore a new format: a two-fold musical journey starting at The Godown during the day and across (from far left)Luca Griseri, VP of the Alliance Française de Penang; Emmanuelle Marchand, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of France in Malaysia; His Excellency Axel Cruau, Ambassador of France to Malaysia; Violaine Dupic, Director of Alliance Française of KL; and Asma Manssouri, Cultural Officer from Alliance Française of KL at the 21st edition of Le French Festival 2023 press conference. oPanorama of a month-long celebration of arts and culture His Excellency Axel Cruau. Chinatown at night to discover a diversity of genres and artists. 0 Join LeFF 2023’s first-ever French-Malaysian duo, Lorraine Thiria and Nadirah Zakariya, as they come together to explore the power of photography to reveal the beauty in the ordinary at AFKL. His Excellency Axel Cruau, Ambassador of France to Malaysia said during the press conference: “The 2022 edition was the edition of renewal after Covid, and it was a resounding success. The 2023 edition will do even more to highlight the best of French culture and share it with our friends all over Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and to a new location: Kuching!” Violaine Dupic, Director of Alliance Française of Kuala Lumpur shared: “In 2023, while the Alliance Française will celebrate its 140th anniversary globally, the new edition of Le French Festival will turn the spotlight on dialogue. As a platform for artistic encounters, the festival will foster vibrant collaborations. Let’s embrace the richness of French and Malaysian cultures!” Sharing more insights on this year’s festival, Asma Manssouri, Cultural Officer from Alliance Française of Kuala Lumpur said: “After 20 editions, Le French Festival has now fully matured to be multidisciplinary and aims at offering a 360° view of the contemporary artistic scene. We want to bring new artistic forms, contents and ideas, in order to make the festival a platform in time and space for sensory exploration but also one that triggers critical thinking. Let’s make this a Some of the movies that will be showing during the festival. memorable edition, driven by curiosity and artistic discoveries.” In Penang, in addition to the films, Festival goers will have the opportunity to walk among the many sites on the island with links to France, and to experience some of the best French music and visual arts. Luca Griseri, Vice President of the Alliance Française de Penang, says: “Penang has always had a strong connection with France. The festival is an important part of how we continue to celebrate and bring to life French culture on our island. It is also a catalyst through which the Alliance creates long-lasting partnerships with many of Penang’s cultural institutions.” Festival enthusiasts can look forward to Le French Festival 2023 at the below cities and dates: 0 Kuala Lumpur: May 25 - June 11 0 Penang: June 8 - June 18 0 Johor Bahru: June 14 - June 18 0 Kuching: June 21 - June 25
16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 THE ongoing Writers Guild Strike in Hollywood appears to have had some unintended results, and has been shining a spotlight on the difficult work environments faced by many creatives in the industry. Over the weekend, many people were surprised that The Kelly Clarkson Show has been named as one of the programmes named as fostering a toxic atmosphere for employees. The country singer has previously been praised for having one of the most wholesome talk shows on network television. Rolling Stone published a report in which 11 current and former employees anonymously made complaints about being “overworked” and “underpaid” on Clarkson’s talk show, telling the magazine that working under the show’s “toxic environment” was “traumatising to their mental health.” Many placed the blame on several producers on the show, who were notorious for their abusive behaviour. Another major point of contention has been the show’s recent decision to move its filming location from Los Angeles to New York. Staffers reportedly did not learn of the move until “minutes” before news of it broke in the media. The staffers feared that the suddenness of the announcement would result in most of them losing their jobs due to being unable to plan for the cross-country shift in location. While the network has denied the allegations and maintained that it is “committed to a safe and respectful work environment”, one person who appears blameless for the situation has been Clarkson herself. Staffers have called her a “fantastic” person to work for, and she has been outspoken in her support for the strike and for fair working conditions for all employees. Commenting on the allegations, Clarkson wrote on Instagram: “To find out that anyone is feeling unheard and or disrespected on this show is unacceptable.” She added: “As we prepare for a move to the East Coast, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that not only our team that is moving, but also our new team in NY, is comprised of the best and kindest in the business.”– by Anansa Jacob S WEDEN won the Eurovision Song Contest early Sunday, as singer Loreen beat out 25 competitors in the finale of the world’s biggest live music event, hosted by Britain on behalf of war-torn Ukraine. A previous victor in 2012, Loreen is the first woman to win the eccentric, much-loved competition twice and only the second person to do so after Johnny Logan for Ireland in the 1980s. It is a record-equalling seventh Eurovision crown for Sweden, and means the Scandinavian nation will host next year’s contest on the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s win – the country’s first – with breakthrough hit Waterloo. Loreen – real name Lorine Talhaoui – told reporters that her victory with dance-pop track, Tattoo, felt “surreal” and “so beautiful”, and had left her “seriously overwhelmed”. Born in Sweden to parents of Moroccan Berber origin, the 39-year-old’s win for Sweden over 25 other countries competing in the final was celebrated in her homeland. “It feels wonderful,” she said. She narrowly triumphed over Finland’s Kaarija after the public and jury votes were combined following an evening of typically eclectic musical acts in Liverpool. Third place went to Israel, with Noa Kirel’s Unicorn, as more than 160 million estimated viewers watched on television around the world. Feeling proud Last year’s runner-up Britain selected Liverpool – home of The Beatles – to stage the Europop music festival after organisers ruled it was impossible for 2022 victors Ukraine to do so amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. During the glittering spectacle in northwest England, reports emerged that Moscow was unleashing a fresh barrage of bombs on Ukraine. The attack included Ternopil, the hometown of Ukraine’s entry this year. Band Tvorchi were performing electro-pop offering Heart of Steel, which was inspired by the siege of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, as air raid sirens rang out across their city. “Ternopil ... was bombed by Russia while we sang on the Eurovision stage about our steel hearts, indomitability and will,” the band said on Instagram. “Europe, unite against evil for the sake of peace!” Throughout the contest, Britain sought to keep Ukraine front and centre. Central Liverpool was awash in the yellow and blue of the country’s flag while displaced Ukrainians were among the 6,000 fans packed into the M&S Arena host venue. “It feels like I’m home,” Vasylyna Kindrat, who fled Lviv in December, told AFP as she headed into the waterfront arena. The 25-year-old added she was hoping for victory not in Eurovision “but for the war”. Earlier, British spectators echoed the sentiment. “We’re supporting Ukraine, our heart is bleeding for them,” said Jenny Birchett, 70, a theatre worker dressed in Ukrainian colours. “We feel it’s theirs, the Eurovision, more than ours,” she added, flanked by her daughter. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak lauded the “fantastic celebration” shortly after Loreen’s win. “Liverpool, you’ve done the United Kingdom and Ukraine proud,” he said. War and peace Sweden and Finland had been the bookmakers’ favourites heading into the contest beloved for its kitschy, quirky performances. Sweden’s biggest broadsheet Dagens Nyheter on Sunday hailed Loreen’s victory an “enormous, unbelievable feat”, praising her ability to touch audiences “like few others do”. “She’s a strange combination of vague and ethereal,” it mused. Rapper Kaarija, representing Finland, came a close second after a memorable performance of Cha Cha Cha, delivered in his distinctive green bolero-style jacket with spikes around the neck, which has become a craze in his homeland. After coming in 16th place, France’s contestant La Zarra showed the cameras her middle finger, later defending her “gesture of disappointment” to French media. The home crowd went wildest for the UK’s entry, Mae Muller, who flopped in the vote count. Britain’s Sam Ryder, runner-up in 2022, performed his latest song – with Queen’s Roger Taylor on drums – during the voting for this year’s spectacle. He was pipped to the coveted glass microphone trophy by last year’s winners, Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, who also reappeared onstage to kickstart the night. The band performed in a pre-recorded video – featuring a surprise appearance by the Princess of Wales, Kate, playing the piano – and also gave a live performance. Although there was the usual riot of colour, camp and unbridled joy, several of the contest’s songs evoked the Ukraine war. Switzerland’s young singer Remo Forrer conveyed a message of peace with his track Watergun. Meanwhile, Croatia’s extravagantly moustachioed Let 3 performed Mama SC, seen as a veiled attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin and “human stupidity”. Politics preceded the finale, with a row erupting Friday over a proposed appearance by Volodymyr Zelensky. For fear of politicising the event, the European Broadcasting Union refused an invitation for the Ukrainian president to send a message. That came despite Russia being barred from participating and the overtly political message of some songs, and prompted criticism from the UK government. – AFP Kelly Clarkson Show was ‘toxic’ to work for Employees do not blame Clarkson for the working conditions. – AFP IT appears that the streamer bloodbath is far from over. In what is just the latest news of a popular new show being culled, Netflix announced that it was cancelling Lockwood & Co. after one season. The supernatural detective series, which is based on Jonathan Stroud’s young adult novels of the same name, was developed by Joe Cornish under his Complete Fiction banner and debuted on Netflix in January of this year. It starred Ruby Stokes as Lucy Carlyle, a teenage ghost hunter with a tragic past, who teams up with Anthony Lockwood (played by Cameron Chapman) and George Karim (Ali Hadji-Heshmati) to form a ghost-busting agency that specialises in dealing with deadly ghouls. A report by Variety indicated that while Netflix was very pleased with the show, and especially the work that had gone into it, viewing numbers didn’t meet the threshold to greenlight a second season. Lockwood & Co. will now join a list of shows that were beloved by watching audiences, but which executives said failed to meet the minimum threshold to justify a continuation. Earlier this year, fans were appalled over the cancellation of the critically-acclaimed mind-bending show 1899, which was produced by the same team that created the successful series Dark. Fans of another Netflix-cancelled show, Warrior Nun, started a petition to call for other networks to pick up their show. It remains to be seen what Lockwood & Co.’s fans will do. Fortunately, it appears that Netflix will continue to work with Complete Fiction to produce other series, with a number of other productions said to be “in the works”. – by Anansa Jacob Lockwood & Co. failed to reach enough viewing hours for a renewal. – NETFLIX Eurovision magic oSwedish songstress Loreen wins this year’s competition in Britain, an event that celebrated Ukrainian resilience Eurovision 2023 winner Loreen (holding trophy) onstage with this year’s Eurovision hosts and last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra. – REUTERS Lockwood & Co is latest show cancelled by Netflix
17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 W Unwind in style ITH Edelweiss Weekend Unwind, Edelweiss is returning to make your weekends more fun. From Thursday to Sunday, now to May 28, 2023, the event will be held in Central Rooftop Garden at Lalaport BBCC. From June 2 to 6, 2023, it will also be held in Penang’s Hin Bus Depot. All music enthusiasts will have something to look forward to during this weekend: discovering and participating in a variety of programmes. For each visitor, Edelweiss has prepared a special workshop. Visitors may explore, educate themselves about, and take part in the many activities to add a splash of exploration and adventure to their weekend. The events’ schedules are jam-packed with pop-up markets, workshops, musical performances, and interactive activities featuring homegrown scene-shakers. The bar introduced Edelweiss innovative cocktail choices, which were created by professional mixologists using Edelweiss Wheat Beer. Fans of Edelweiss may unwind at the Unwind Bar at the Lalaport BBCC’s Central Rooftop Garden. Visitors may also enjoy the Sip and Paint experience by snapping photos and sharing them on social media while sipping a cold pint of creative cocktail. Then, from June 2-4, 2023, The Unwind Bar will make a pit stop at Hin Bus Depot in Penang. Willemijn Sneep, the marketing director of Heineken Malaysia, said, “Following the success of Chalet Edelweiss Unwind in Genting Highlands, we felt the need to bring the fun and playfulness to the city. Edelweiss Edelweiss cocktails crafted by expert mixologists. oEdelweiss invites everyone to a fun-filled weekend in Penang and Kuala Lumpur █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Barrymore Show) Best reality on-screen team, presented by SONIC Ariana Madix, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Lala Kent (Vanderpump Rules) Best music documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me Best musical moment, sponsored by SONIC (Social Only) Purple Hearts: Come Back Home Comedic genius award Jennifer Coolidge Coldplay bound for KL IT is happening; Coldplay is coming to Malaysia. Announcing their hugely anticipated return to Asia and Australia with a special run of stadium shows in November later this year, the announcement also marks the band’s first ever show in Kuala Lumpur. The performance will take place on Nov 22, 2023 at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil. “Live Nation Malaysia is thrilled that music fans will get to experience this highly anticipated live concert experience for the first time in Malaysia,” said Live Nation Malaysia managing director Para R. The dates feature Coldplay’s first Tokyo shows since 2017, their first ever dates in Kaohsiung, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, and a special one-off performance in Perth, their first in Western Australia since 2009. Support for Perth will come from special guests Amy Shark and Thelma Plum. Additional support for all shows will be announced at a later date. Tickets will go on sale to the public next Wednesday, May 17 from 10am onwards. As CIMB Bank is the Official Main Sponsor of the Music Of The Spheres World Tour Kuala Lumpur, CIMB cardholders can access an exclusive ticket presale on Tuesday, May 16 from 10am to 11:59pm, only on goliveasia.com For more information, visit livenation.my For full presale and on sale info for all shows, visit coldplay.com/tour Guests enjoying the live band performance. THE 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards held on May 7, 2023 honoured the biggest and brightest stars in both movies and television, scripted and unscripted. HBO’s The Last of Us leads winners with three trophies including two for lead Pedro Pascal; Jennifer Coolidge and Scream VI bag two awards each. In Southeast Asia, the MTV Movie & TV Awards is slated to premiere on the MTV Live channel at a later date (to be announced). Fans can also follow @MTVAsia on Instagram and TikTok for the best moments from the show. 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards - Winners List: Best Movie Scream VI Best Show The Last of Us Best performance in a movie Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick) Best performance in a show Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) Best Hero Pedro Pascal (The Last Of Us) Best Villain Elizabeth Olsen (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) Best Kiss, presented by Cheetos Madison Bailey + Rudy Pankow (Outer Banks) Best comedic performance Adam Sandler (Murder Mystery 2) Breakthrough performance Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) Best Fight Courteney Cox vs. Ghostface (Scream VI) Most frightened performance Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus) Best Duo Pedro Pascal + Bella Ramsey (The Last Of Us) Best Kick-a$$ Cast Stranger Things Best Song Taylor Swift – Carolina (Where The Crawdads Sing) Best docu-reality series The Kardashians Best competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars Best Host Drew Barrymore (The Drew Weekend Unwind is a space where people can come together, enjoy the present moment and immerse themselves in a weekend filled with relaxation and entertainment at an easily accessible venue. We’re thrilled to also be able to provide a platform for our tastemakers to create unforgettable moments with their fans.” A further collaboration between Edelweiss Weekend Unwind and Pingmin Market, a renowned venue for showcasing the works of regional artisans, was announced. They also provide a range of culinary, artistic, and cultural experiences, which may be a wonderful way for guests to get to know locals and their crafts. Visitors trying the Sip and Paint session prepared by Edelweiss. Scan the QR Code for the full list of nominees 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards Winners If you are looking for a fun activity to do with your friends on the weekends, head down to Lalaport to enjoy a fantastic session with Edelweiss. Plan your schedule before going as this showcase will be up for four Saturdays in a row. Also, remember to drink responsibly. Do not drink and drive! Scan the QR Code for more information ALL PIX BY EDELWEISS
18 HEALTH theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 Stroke cases are on the rise among younger adults - in recent years, 40% of patients that needed hospitalisation Preventing stroke were below 60 years of age. in your prime oCases of stroke are rising amongst the younger generation, but there are ways to prevent, manage and a better chance of recovery with robotic rehabilitation Poor sleep affects the immune system and may cause abnormalities in blood and heart function, increasing the risk of stroke. With the help of modern technology, robotic stroke rehabilitation is able to provide intensive training with highly accurate feedback, which is vital to improve any movement and function. S TROKE is a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability worldwide. A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, happens in one of two ways: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured artery (haemorrhagic stroke). According to the National Stroke Association, stroke cases are on the rise among younger adults, with 15% of ischemic strokes occurring in young adults and adolescents. This highlights the importance of young adults taking proactive measures to safeguard their health and prevent strokes from occurring. Dr Kok Chin Yong, Consultant Neurologist and Internal Medicine Physician from Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) shares that in 2016, 40% of the stroke cases that needed hospital admission were aged less than 60. Healthcare professionals also recognise an increasing trend of ischemic stroke in the younger working group. “However, the earlier the recognition of the stroke, the better, as there are more treatments available,” he adds. What are the contributing factors of young stroke and how can it be prevented? There are many risk factors for stroke, including smoking, physical inactivity, hypertension, and many more. Studies showed that young adults are more susceptible to these risk factors due to their sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food habits, excessive screen time, and increased alcohol consumption and smoking. “Vascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes, and environmental factors such as air pollution is one of the recognised risk factors as well. One frequently missed risk factor is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and of course illicit drug usage such as amphetamine and heroin that can cause blood vessel disturbances and lead to both types of strokes,” Dr Kok elaborates. However, Dr Kok also shares that there are rare, acquired risk factors that occur in the younger population. These include Moyamoya syndrome (a rare progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by blocked arteries), anti-phospholipid syndrome (leading to abnormal blood clotting) as well as heart abnormalities. To address these risks, most importantly, young adults need to adopt healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercise and a well-balanced diet. Dr Kok strongly discourages the use of recreational drugs in any way, shape or form, as misuse and overdosing may lead to severe constriction of blood vessels and then stroke. He adds that stress is very common nowadays and it can directly affect to unhealthy behaviour. “It is very important to learn to recognise these stressors and address them accordingly. For instance, if stress leads to poor sleep, then it is a concern and needs to be addressed. This is because poor sleep itself has an impact on the immune system and causes abnormality in blood and heart issues, which may potentially lead to stroke,” he says. How can one identify a stroke in a young person? The most common signs and symptoms of stroke include facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties. Dr Kok addressed that the signs and symptoms of a stroke are rather similar across the board. A keyword that will be good to always remember in the back of our minds is BE FAST, which means B for balance issue or dizziness, E for eye/visual problems, F for facial drooping, A for arm or leg weakness or numbness and S for speech disturbance. For further assessment, the doctors will use a defined stroke scale like the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) to determine the severity of the stroke. The higher the score, the more serious the stroke. When it comes to stroke treatment, time is of the essence – hence, when an individual notices something is not right, they should not delay and visit their nearest hospital for timely assessment. This will not only give the doctors better insight into what is going on in our body, but also a higher chance of receiving and getting the best outcome from the treatment. The process of recovery and rehabilitation There is no denying that treatment and rehabilitation are crucial aspects of the journey to recovery. But many factors will come into consideration before and during the stroke rehabilitation process. According to Dr Foong Chee Choong, Consultant Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist, rehabilitation is an important part of the recovery process, hence it is important to choose a location that is well equipped with the right expertise and tools to aid the process. He also notes that the recovery process and types of treatment will vary, and no two patients will have the same progress. Bearing this in mind, doctors will have to assess the patient’s condition and propose a suitable and effective treatment plan tailored to their needs. On top of that, age is an important factor in stroke recovery. “Younger stroke survivors have a better outcome, regaining mobility and recovering much faster. However, older stroke survivors will also benefit well from a proper stroke rehabilitation programme,” adds Dr Foong. Dr Foong explains that the rehabilitation technology in Malaysia has improved and one of the widely investigated and adopted approaches for the past decade is the use of an exoskeleton gait trainer in improving the mobility of a stroke survivor. The EksoNR device is very versatile and benefits not only stroke patients but other conditions such as spinal cord injury, paraplegia (paralysis of the lower half of the body), traumatic brain injury, joint replacement, osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy among others. The benefit of using robotics in stroke rehabilitation is that it provides intensive training with highly accurate feedback, which is vital to improve any movement and function. Additionally, the robotic device can provide various levels of assistance required so that different severities of survivors can benefit from this machine. With the help of robotic technology, it generally takes between one to three months to see any improvement in walking among stroke patients. “It is important for the patient and their family to have a functional goal, be motivated and be patient, as any rehabilitation process takes time and effort and will result in recovery for them,” Dr Foong concludes. On the whole, it is essential for young adults to prioritise their lifestyle habits and take proactive measures to safeguard their health. By identifying risks, recognising symptoms, and pursuing recovery, young adults can prevent stroke and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
19 TRAVEL theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 P Living it up LANNING your next trip and looking to get the best bang for your buck? Online travel platform Agoda has you covered with a selection of 11 quirky, unique and/or breathtakingly beautiful properties that are each in their own way remarkable, loved by travellers. From luxury retreats and creative hubs, to lodging above a Belgian beer café and even inside a shipping container, these properties are unbeatable when it comes to combining character and comfort with affordability. So, whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, read on to discover traveller’s favourites for mostly budget-friendly, yet unforgettable, stays that are sure to delight, surprise, and inspire. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: KLoe Hotel Value for Money rating: 9.2 KLoe Hotel was recognised as the top choice by Agoda travellers in Kuala Lumpur last year. Scroll through the images on Agoda and you’ll get an idea why. This boutique hotel positions itself as a hub for creative nomads and has given a lot of care to its interior design, making sure the central courtyard and the open walkways unleash the creativity within every guest. With special rooms for reading, listening, and drawing, there’s a place for any potential artist. And any writer’s block is sure to disappear with a plunge in the courtyard pool. Singapore: Shipping Container Hotel @ Haw Par Villa Value for Money rating: 9.0 We all know true beauty comes from within, and boy does that hold true for this Singapore favourite. The Shipping Container Hotel @ Haw Par Villa is exactly what the name Bali, Indonesia: Desa Hay Premium Jabu. oFrom flipped shipping containers to indoor golf courses, here are 11 remarkable valuefor-money holiday accommodations Hanoi, Vietnam: Smarana Hanoi Heritage. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: KLoe Hotel. Singapore: Shipping Container Hotel @ Haw Par Villa. Tokyo, Japan: Nohga Hotel Akihabara. Bangkok, Thailand: Feel Good Bangkok Hostel. implies: A shipping container turned hotel room. Doesn’t sound that appealing? Think again! The interior is surprisingly cosy and comfy. ‘An experience’, but a pretty good one given the 9 out of 10 ‘Value for Money’ rating. Hanoi, Vietnam: Smarana Hanoi Heritage Value for Money rating: 9.2 Even before setting foot in the Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel, its distinct exterior will put a smile on your face. It surely stands out, with vibrant colours, lively plants, and charming French balconies. Once inside, odds are you’ll by now have fallen completely in love with this hotel: It’s authentic, stylish, and welcoming. Everything just feels right. Truly a unique and reasonably priced 5-star in a prime Hanoi location. Bangkok, Thailand: Feel Good Bangkok Hostel Value for Money rating: 9.8 The Feel Good Hostel & Cafe, the only hostel on this list, more than deserves its spot. Guest reviews mention comfy beds, clean rooms, great service, and the location isn’t bad either with backpacker’s favourite Kao San Road or the splendour of the Grand Palace just on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. Oh, and for those wanting a bit more privacy: Rooms with private bathrooms are available, often for under 900 Baht (RM118.50) per night. Perth, Australia: Nightcap at Belgian Beer Cafe Value for Money rating: 9.0 Attention all beer lovers! In the heart of Perth there’s a hotel where you’ll never get thirsty: The Nightcap at Belgian Beer Café. It will be of no surprise that the vibrant, Flemishstyle pub above which the hotel is located offers a wide selection of Belgian and international brews, and tasty pub food. And the rooms are pretty good too, with king beds and modern bathrooms, making this the ideal value for money stay in Perth. Manila, Philippines: Seda Residences Makati Value for Money rating: 9.2 Strategically situated on Ayala Avenue, the Seda Residences Makati more than deserves its top value badge. This four-star hotel radiates class and is a sure bet for anyone who wants to a stress-free stay in the Philippines. You’ll feel right at home in one of the comfy rooms and will be awed by the unparalleled views from the Sky Lobby on the 19th floor or the roof deck bar on the 35th floor. Tokyo, Japan: Nohga Hotel Akihabara Value for Money rating: 9.4 From the lobby and the cocktail bar to the bed light design and the shower head: Every detail has been given the utmost care in Nohga Hotel Akihabara. This hotel scores higher than 99% of other properties in Tokyo, not just in terms of value for money but also when it comes to cleanliness and service score. The location is great, with amazing restaurants and a train station at walking distance, but you’ll be perfectly happy to just spend time at this urban retreat. Seoul, South Korea: Union Hotel Value for Money rating: 9.1 The first thing you’ll notice about the newly renovated Union Hotel in Seoul is how much everyone working at the hotel cares about the place. The staff take a lot of pride in the hotel’s exquisite modern design and keep the rooms and facilities sparkling clean. Talking about facilities: In addition to the fitness center, there’s a garden, a yoga room, an indoor golf center and even an indoor tennis court! All of that for room rates that are available for as little as RM395 per night. Bali, Indonesia: Desa Hay Canggu Value for Money rating: 10 The Desa Hay Canggu resort in Bali might not fit everyone’s budget, but if you do want to splash some cash you’ll experience a stay that guests describe as nothing short of exceptional. It’s rated 10/10 for ‘value for money’ by over a hundred verified guests, a perfect score! The rooms are huge, and some include private pools, which you’ll probably have to free up some space in your phone’s gallery because of how photogenic everything is. From the lush gardens and the tranquil pool to the rice fields just outside the resort. Highly recommended for romantic getaways. Goa, India: Casa Severina Value for Money rating: 9.1 Casa Severina, got awarded ‘top choice’ in Goa last year in the 3-star hotel segment. The remarkable service level contributes greatly to Severina Hotel’s value for money rating, but so do the lush grounds, the swimming pool and the fitness facilities. And don’t forget its prime location near the beach. All of that can be enjoyed from the comfort of a sizable 40m2 room with a king bed and a balcony, for as little as RM210 per night. Value for money indeed! Taipei, Taiwan: Cho Hotel 3 Value for Money rating: 9.2 Sure, Cho Hotel 3 is located in the heart of Taipei, close to the sights, public transportation and all that, but you’ll fall in love with this little gem because of its heart. Guests call it a home away from home, and for good reason: There’s a piano in the lobby, a wall full of drawings and messages from previous guests, and there’s a relaxing lounge with free mineral water and instant noodles. The friendly, multilingual staff at the reception solidifies Cho Hotel 3’s reputation as a travellers’ favourite.
20 ENVIRONMENT theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME AN ongoing drought and soaring temperatures have unleashed fears of an olive “catastrophe” in Spain, the world’s largest producer of olive oil, which suffered a very difficult year in 2022. “It’s barely rained since January. The ground is very dry,” worries Cristobal Cano, secretary general of the small farmers’ union (UPA) in the southern region of Andalusia, the heart of Spain’s olive oil industry. Cano, who owns 10 hectares of olive trees in Alcala la Real near Granada, has never seen such a worrying situation in the 20 years he’s been a farmer. “If something doesn’t change radically in the next few weeks, it’s going to be a catastrophe,” he warned. According to the AEMET weather agency, accumulated rainfall since Oct 1 has been 25% lower than normal across Spain and 50% lower in most of Andalusia, where reservoirs are at 25% capacity. And the situation worsened at the end of April, when an early heatwave brought exceptionally high temperatures that saw the mercury hit 38.8 degrees Celsius in southern Spain. “This happened as the olive trees were in bloom,” says Rafael Pico, director of Asoliva, the Spanish association of olive oil producers and exporters, who fears the blooms will dry up. “If there are no flowers, there’s no fruit. And if there’s no fruit, there’s no oil.” On the brink of collapse For Spain – which normally supplies FORD Motor Co said last week it will test a small fleet of prototype hydrogen fuel-cell versions of its electric E-Transit model to see if they are a workable zero-emission option for customers hauling heavy goods long distances. Ford will lead a consortium in the three-year project that includes BP, which will focus on hydrogen and infrastructure, and British online supermarket and technology group Ocado. “Ford believes that the primary application of fuel cells could be in its largest, heaviest commercial vehicles to ensure they are emission-free, while satisfying the high daily energy requirements our customers demand,” Ford’s UK chairman Tim Slatter said in a statement. Interest in using hydrogen fuel cells to power trucks and vans is getting a boost from fleet operators looking for a more practical alternative to electric vehicles and rising government aid, particularly the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). While most of the world’s combustion engine cars and shortdistance vans and lorries should be replaced by battery electric vehicles (BEVs) over the next two decades, hydrogen fuel-cell proponents and some long-haul fleet operators say batteries are too heavy, take too long to charge and could overload power grids. Vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells, in which hydrogen mixes with oxygen to produce water and energy to power a battery, can refuel in minutes and have a much longer range than those with BEVs. But there are major challenges to be overcome for mass adoption of hydrogen fuel cells, including the lack of fueling stations and green hydrogen made using renewable energy to power them. The project is partially funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre, a government and auto industry venture. – Reuters Malaysia to lift export ban on renewable energy MALAYSIA will lift a ban on exports of renewable energy as part of efforts to develop its clean power industry and boost generation from non-fossil fuel sources, Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli announced last weel. Malaysia currently generates just over 1% of its electricity annually from renewable sources, and banned its export in October 2021 in the hopes of developing the local industry. Rafizi said reversing the ban will help firms build renewable power generation capacity on a larger scale and take advantage of high demand from neighbouring Singapore. “The creation of a electricity m a r k e t system to implement cross-border renewable energy trade will put Malaysia ahead as a regional renewable energy hub,“ he said in a statement, adding the system will be developed by the government at a later, unspecified date. He did not specify when the export ban would be lifted. Malaysia has pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions dramatically by 2030 and reach netzero emissions by 2050. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said in March that Malaysia will need to double its investments in renewable power capacity, infrastructure and energy efficiency to at least US$375 billion (RM1.66 trillion) in order to achieve that ambitious target. Rafizi said the government aims to increase the proportion of renewable energy supply to 70% of its total capacity by 2050 in a bid to create new economic opportunities and attract foreign investment. The current installed capacity is 25% of the total, he said. The expanded capacity would allow surplus renewables capacity to be traded with neighbouring countries, he said. Increasing renewables energy capacity will require an estimated RM637 billion in investment until the year 2050, Rafizi said, including in power generation resources, grid infrastructure and energy storage capacity. – Reuters Farmer Cristobal Cano checks his olive grove, in Alcala la Real, near Jaen. – AFP 50% of the world’s olive oil and exports close to €3 billion (RM14.6 billion) worth every year – the situation is even more worrying given the sector’s disastrous output in 2021-2022. During that season too, a lack of rain and extreme temperatures saw olive oil production plummeting 55 percent to 660,000 tonnes, compared to 1.48 million tonnes in 2021-2022, agriculture ministry figures show. The scene is set to play out again this year. “Looking at the forecasts, it’s almost a given – it’s going to be another grim year,” says Rafael Sanchez de Puerta, head of Dcoop, Spain’s leading olive cooperative. If the predictions prove true, it could spell the end for many olive farms. “We can cope with one difficult year. It’s a natural part of the growing cycle. But two years in a row will be a disaster. Many are on the brink of collapse,” he says. With the cost of machinery, paying salaries and repaying loans, “farmers need liquidity” to remain afloat, says Asoliva’s Pico, recalling that many in Spain live from olive oil production. Runaway prices For consumers, the outlook is also bleak. “The global price of olive oil depends largely on Spain,“ says Pico. In recent months, the price of oil has jumped. “In mid-April, olive oil was selling at €5,800 euros (RM28,251) per tonne, up from €5,300 (RM25,815) in January,” says Fanny de Gasquet of Baillon Intercor, a brokerage firm specialising in oils and fats. In January 2022, it was selling at €3,500 (RM17,048). And the upward trend looks set to continue. In Andalusia, young olive trees “don’t have sufficiently developed roots to be able to extract water” from deep underground, meaning “there will be losses” that will have an impact on production over the next two or three years, she warns. At the end of 2022, the Spanish government moved to lower VAT on olive oil from 10% to 5% as part of a package of measures to help consumers in the face of soaring inflation. And to help farmers cope with the drought, the government has reduced the sector’s income tax by 25%. But for many, it’s too little in the face of the looming crisis. “Lowering taxes for people who will have almost no income is of little use to them,” says Dcoop’s Sanchez de Puerta, calling for more ambitious moves to combat “a drought that is lasting longer than it should”. – AFP Growing pains oDrought spells ‘catastrophe’ for Spain’s olive harvest Ford to test hydrogen fuel cell vans in UK
21 * SPORTS theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 Alcaraz returns to No. 1 CARLOS ALCARAZ marked his return to the world No. 1 spot by comfortably seeing off fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in his first ever match at the Italian Open yesterday, as play was cut short by miserable wet weather. In-form Alcaraz ensured top spot just by taking to the court to play his second round match in Rome as he seeks a third straight tournament win. The 20-year-old, who saw off Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 6-1, will overtake Novak Djokovic as world No. 1 and is assured of the top seeding at the French Open later this month. He came through in a match which started several hours late due to the pelting rain which drenched the Italian capital. “The conditions here weren’t easy, the rain, the waiting all day, not knowing if I was going to play or not. It was tough,” said Alcaraz. “For me it doesn’t change too much to be No. 1 or No. 2 seed. I just focus on the tournament and on my game.” Pooran the finisher NICHOLAS POORAN has unlocked his potential in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a finisher for Lucknow Super Giants, former West Indies player Ian Bishop said after the batsman hit an unbeaten 44 off 13 balls in a seven-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pooran, released by Hyderabad last year, returned to haunt his former team yesterday and was particularly severe on part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma, with three huge sixes in the 16th over to help Lucknow get closer to their target of 183. Lucknow eventually crossed the line with four balls left to move back into the top four in the table. “He’s come in this finisher’s role primarily without having to build up to anything and go from ball one. It has seemed to free him up a couple of times this season. He had a lean patch coming into this game,” Bishop told the Cricinfo website. “But (coach) Andy Flower’s psychology of letting him fire from ball one seems to be working to the benefit of the team.” Garcia stunned in Rome CAROLINE GARCIA became the latest big hitter to be dumped out of the Italian Open after the world No. 4 lost 6-4, 6-4 to outsider Camila Osorio (pix) yesterday. A career-best win for world No. 100 Osorio puts her in the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event for the first time in her career. “I literally have no words to describe what I’m feeling right now,” said Osorio on court. “I’ve been struggling a little bit with my injuries and now that I’m back playing and beating the number four in the world I can’t believe it. I’m just super happy and proud about how I managed to stay calm and finish the match.” Garcia joins world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, third-ranked Jessica Pegula, 2019 winner Karolina Pliskova and world No. 7 Ons Jabuer in being dumped out of the tournament. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF WESTMA ENGINEERING SDN. BHD. [199901002493 (477393-D)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding UP) At a General Meeting of Members of the Company duly convened and held at 182A, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang on the 10th day of May, 2023 at 11.00a.m. the following Special Resolution was duly passed: “MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP OF THE COMPANY That, the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Tang Yin Kham (NRIC No. 510610- 07-5414) be appointed as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up.” TEH LI JUN Director Dated this 15th day of May, 2023 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Creditors of the Company which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 14th day of June, 2023 to send their names and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the Company, and, if so required in writing from the Liquidator, are, by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at the Liquidator’s office of 184A, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. TANG YIN KHAM Liquidator Dated this 15th day of May, 2023 T & J TRUCK SDN. BHD. [Company No: 201501040309 (1165627-W)] (Incorporated in Malaysia) NOTICE is hereby given that the Final General Meeting pursuant to Section 459(1) of the Companies Act, 2016 of the abovenamed Company will be held at No. 23, Jalan Sulam, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor on the 19th June 2023.at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- (1) To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to receive any explanation thereon. (2) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company shall be disposed off after the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the dissolution of the company. Dated this: 15th May 2023 CHAI MIN YEAW Liquidator 23, Jalan Sulam, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor. Note: Registered Office : 23, Jalan Sulam, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is also entitled to appoint a proxy or proxies to attend and vote on his/her stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. All form of proxies must be deposited at No.23, Jalan Sulam, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the Meeting. 322 Notices IN THE HIGH COURT IN MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) WINDING-UP NO. WA-28NCC-152-02/2023 In the matter of One-Touch Solutions Sdn. Bhd. (Company Registration No.: 200001018111 (520718-T)) and In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) and 466(1)(a) and other relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2016 BETWEEN STAR MEDIA GROUP BERHAD (Company No.: 197101000523 (10894-D)) …PETITIONER AND ONE-TOUCH SOLUTIONS SDN BHD (Company Registration No.: 200001018111 (520718-T)) …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for the winding-up of the abovenamed Respondent by the High Court was, on the 17th day of February 2023, presented by the above-named Petitioner. And that the said petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Malaya sitting at Kuala Lumpur at 9 o’clock in the morning, on the 20th day of September 2023; AND any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; AND a copy of the petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is Level 15, Menara Star, 15 Jalan 16/11 46350 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. The Petitioner’s solicitor is Fahri, Azzat & Co. of 15, Jalan PJU 7/16a, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Dated this 28th March 2023 Messrs. Fahri, Azzat & Co., Solicitor for the Petitioner. Note: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named Solicitor for the Petitioner notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of the day 19th of September 2023 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the petition). IN THE HIGH COURT IN MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) WINDING-UP NO. WA-288NCC-158-02/2023 In the matter of Graceful Summit Sdn. Bhd. (Company Registration No.: 200001007488 (510094-W)) and In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) and 466(1)(a) and other relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2016 BETWEEN BREEZEWATER PROPERTIES SDN. BHD. (Company Registration No.: 199401003980 (289659-W)) …PETITIONER AND GRACEFUL SUMMIT SDN BHD (Company Registration No.: 200001007488 (510094-W)) …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for the winding-up of the abovenamed Respondent by the High Court was, on the 20th day of February 2023, presented by the above-named Petitioner. And that the said petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Malaya sitting at Kuala Lumpur at 9 o’clock in the morning, on the 20th day of September 2023; AND any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; AND a copy of the petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is Suite 7.05, 7th Floor, Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s solicitor is Fahri, Azzat & Co. of 15, Jalan PJU 7/16a, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Dated this 28th March 2023 Messrs. Fahri, Azzat & Co., Solicitor for the Petitioner. Note: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named Solicitor for the Petitioner notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of the day 19th of September 2023 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the petition). DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG DI NEGERI PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA DALAM KEBANKRAPAN NO: PA-29NCC-213-06/2022 Per: JOSHUA TAN YI-SHAUN (NO. K/P: 931231-10-6095) …Pemiutang Penghakiman Ex-Parte: LAU YANG KIM (No. K/P: 661229-07-5624) …Penghutang Penghakiman NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Kepada: - LAU YANG KIM (No. K/P: 661229-07-5624) No. 21, Lorong Kucing Pulau Tikus 10350 Georgetown Pulau Pinang dan/atau LAU YANG KIM (No. K/P: 661229-07-5624) 20, Cangkat Ria 11100 Batu Feringghi Pulau Pinang AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu Petisyen Pemiutang bertarikh 16/1/2023 (“Petisyen Pemiutang tersebut”) telah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu dalam Mahkamah ini oleh JOSHUA TAN YI-SHAUN yang beralamat di 29, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, dan pihak Mahkamah telah memerintahkan Petisyen Pemiutang tersebut hendaklah disampaikan bersama dengan Perintah Penyampaian Ganti bertarikh 19/4/2023 kepada kamu melalui penampalan di alamatalamat kamu yang terakhir diketahui oleh Pemiutang Penghakiman, iaitu No. 21, Lorong Kucing, Pulau Tikus, 10350 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang dan 20, Cangkat Ria, 11100 Batu Feringghi, Pulau Pinang, dan dengan penampalan di Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi di Pulau Pinang, serta mengiklankan notis ini di akhbar tempatan Berbahasa Inggeris “The Sun” selama satu (1) hari dan penyampaian ini dianggap cukup dan sempurna empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan tersebut, yang mana lebih lewat dalam masa. Petisyen Pemiutang tersebut ini boleh diperiksa oleh kamu dengan memohon kepada Mahkamah ini. Bertarikh pada 19 April 2023. -Sgd- ..………..………… NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Josephine, L K Chow & Co., peguamcara bagi pihak Pemiutang Penghakiman yang dinamakan di atas, yang mempunyai alamat penyampaian di No. 21, Jalan Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-7727 3800 Faks: 03-7725 7300 [Ruj: 2022910693/SH] DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI PETALING JAYA DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: BB-A72NCvC-286-03/2023 ANTARA COLUMBIA ASIA SDN. BHD. (No. Pendaftaran: 199601016009 [388359-P]) …PLAINTIF DAN LETCHUMI A/P IYAKANNOO (No. K/P: 821125-14-6352) …DEFENDAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada :- LETCHUMI A/P IYAKANNOO (No. K/P: 821125-14-6352) No. 14, Jalan PU 2/8, Taman Puchong Utama, 47100 Puchong, Selangor. Ambil perhatian bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu dalam Writ No. BB-A72NCvC-286-03/2023 oleh COLUMBIA ASIA SDN. BHD. (No. Pendaftaran: 199601016009 [388359-P]) yang mempunyai alamat penyampaian di Tingkat 7, Wisma Consplant 1, No. 2, Jalan SS16/4, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor dan mempunyai perniagaan bergelar Columbia Asia Hospital Puchong yang beralamat di No. 1, Lebuh Puteri, Bandar Puteri Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor, dalam mana tuntutan Plaintif untuk jumlah wang sebanyak RM 7,555-60 dengan faedah 5% setahun ke atas jumlah penghakiman mulai tarikh pemfailan Writ Saman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian sepenuhnya. Dan bahawa telah diperintahkan bahawa penyampaian writ itu dalam tindakan tersebut kepada kamu kena dilaksanakan melalui iklan ini. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela dalam tindakan tersebut kamu mestilah dalam masa 14 hari dari tarikh tersiarnya iklan ini, termasuk hari penyiaran itu, memasukkan kehadiran di Pejabat Pendaftaran Mahkamah. Jika ingkar apa-apa kehadiran yang demikian maka penghakiman boleh dibuat terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 09 Mei, 2023. -T.T- ……………….……………… Peguamcara Plaintif Tetuan Kelvin Wong, Phang & Associates Penyampaian Ganti (Bentuk Iklan) ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Kelvin Wong, Phang & Associates, peguamcara dan peguambela bagi Plaintif yang dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di Block J-3A-04, Setiawalk, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47160 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03- 8600 2162; Faks: 03-8600 2163 Email: [email protected] (Ruj: LIT/KWPA/2723/Columbia (PCH)/ Letchumi/h) 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA (BAHAGIAN DAGANG) DALAM KEBANKRAPAN NO: WA-29NCC-219-03/2023 BERKENAAN: OOI CHONG BOON (NO. K/P: 630130-07-5729) … PENGHUTANG PENGHAKIMAN EX-PARTE: TAN LAM KHOON (NO. K/P: 680209-06-5115) … PEMIUTANG PENGHAKIMAN NOTIS IKLAN Kepada: OOI CHONG BOON Block F-11-10, Henge Residence Kepong, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat, 52100 Kuala Lumpur AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu Notis Kebankrapan telah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur oleh TAN LAM KHOON (No. K/P: 680209-06-5115) yang beralamat di B272, Jalan Bahagia 24, Taman Bahagia, 28000 Temerloh, Pahang Darul Makmur dan Mahkamah telah memerintahkan bahawa Notis Kebankrapan diserahkan kepada kamu secara penyampaian ganti dengan menampalkan sesalinan Perintah bertarikh 13 April 2023 dan Notis Kebankrapan bertarikh 10 Mac 2023 ini di Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur dan pengeposan secara Pos Berdaftar di alamat terakhir kamu yang diketahui iaitu di Block F-11- 10, Henge Residence Kepong, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat, 52100 Kuala Lumpur dan dengan mengiklankan sekali satu Notis mengenai Notis Kebankrapan tersebut di dalam satu akhbar tempatan iaitu “The Sun” DAN AKHIRNYA ADALAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa penyampaian tersebut hendaklah menjadi satu penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas kamu dalam masa empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh akhir penampalanpenampalan dan pengiklanan tersebut. Notis Kebankrapan ini boleh diperiksa oleh kamu atas permohonan kamu di Mahkamah ini. Bertarikh 2023. t.t .................................... NOTIS IKLAN ini difailkan oleh TETUAN WK WONG & CO, peguamcara Pemiutang Penghakiman yang beralamat penyampaian di K-3A-8, No. 2, Jalan Solaris, Solaris Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. [Tel: 03-23893465 Faks: 03- 27268983 Emel: [email protected]] [Ruj: RW-ST/AA/22/10137/LIT/TLK] IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT SHAH ALAM IN THE STATE OF SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO.: BA-28NCC-229-05/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of the Companies Act 2016, the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 and the Companies (Windingup) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Al Ansar Health Sdn. Bhd. [Company No. 201301006478 (1036321-W)] BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 199101010745 (221057-V)] PETITIONER AND AL ANSAR HEALTH SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: 201301006478 (1036321-W)] RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court at Shah Alam was on the 9th day of May 2023 presented to the said Court by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Insolvency sitting at Shah Alam on Wednesday, the 9th day of August 2023 at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any Creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at 10th Floor, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Kama & Wan, whose address is at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. ……………………… Messrs. Kama & Wan Solicitor for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named Messrs. Kama & Wan, notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock in the noon of the 8th day of August 2023. This Advertisement of Petition is filed by Messrs. Kama & Wan, Advocate & Solicitor on behalf of Petitioner of 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. (Tel: 03 89221485) (Ref. No.: WS/PUNB/AAH/1450(L)(FP)) 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MASA MULIA SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 198401015771 (128327-U) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, a Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at 1115, 11th Floor, Block A, Lobby 4, Damansara Intan, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan on Monday, 12th June 2023 at 11.00 a. m. for the following purposes: AGENDA 1. To receive an account from the liquidator showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and to hear explanations that may be given by the liquidator. 2. To resolved that under Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, all books and papers of the Company and of the Liquidator be destroyed upon the dissolution of the Company. NG THIEN FOO Liquidator Dated this 15th day of May 2023 322 Notices 322 Notices LOST SHARE CERTIFICATE The following Share Certificates have been reported lost or destroyed Certificate No Name of Shareholder No Of Shares LAM SOON (M) BERHAD 16409 WONG LIANG MOK 3 x 1000 33092 – 093 14052 THE YEOK LEY 1 x 1000 13050 TAN KOK SOH 3 x 1000 35944 – 945 16854 LEONG SWEE CHENG 1 x 1000 981 CHEW LIEW KING 3 x 1000 24323 – 324 6049 MOO AH KIO @ MOO KOK SENG 1 x 1000 2134 FOONG SONG 1 x 1000 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that if within fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, no claim or representation in respect of such certificates is made to the Directors, they will then proceed to issue replacement certificates and the original certificates will be deemed cancelled and void. REGISTRARS BOARDROOM SHARE REGISTRARS SDN (378993-D) Date : 15.05.2023 Item Reg No Make Model Price 1 VGX5190 2021 HONDA DASH 4000 2 MDL 2042 2021 YAMAHA LC135 5000 3 ALS2159 2020 HONDA RS150R REPSOL FS150FL2 6000 4 PPU3884 2021 YAMAHA EGO SOLARIZ 4000 5 BQB5728 2019 HONDA VARIO 5000 6 BRA7103 2022 YAMAHA LAGENDA 4500 7 BRD3386 2022 YAMAHA LAGENDA 3900 8 BQE3756 2022 MODENAS PULSAR-NS200 NS200 3500 9 SB2481F 2022 YAMAHA Y15ZR 6900 10 RAK2592 2021 HONDA RS150 5500 11 BRB 3284 2022 HONDA VARIO 6800 12 SWF3642 2022 YAMAHA 135 LC 7200 13 BRA9646 2022 YAMAHA EGO 4200 14 VJF6924 2022 YAMAHA LC135 6500 15 VJA4248 2022 HONDA RS150 6000 16 VJD4808 2022 YAMAHA Y15ZR 6200 17 CEQ9635 2022 MODENAS 110 DI 3200 18 BRD3713 2022 YAMAHA LAGENDA 115Z 5200 19 WA8027P 2014 PROTON SAGA FL 10000 20 VAH2192 2017 BMW 330E 110000 21 ALG6787 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ C200 200000 22 MDL 2982 2021 NISSAN CD4 (RB/HS H1U) 85000 23 CEL2982 2021 HINO FC7J (RB/BKS55/7) 85000 For more information contact us at 016-6999170 | 012-5553727 (WhatsApp) www.pickles.my | [email protected] Scan QR to download Pickles Auctions App PICKLES ASIA SDN BHD [1231292-D] Lot 19391, Batu 8 ½, Jalan Klang Lama, Taman Desaria, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Bank Repossessed bikes and vehicles for sales by eBidding auction. eBidding auction on May 17th, 24th and 31st, 2023 starts at 10.00am (for bike) and 11.00am (for vehicles). All are invited, come join our weekly Wednesday PUBLIC AUCTION. Viewing and inspection is every Tuesday from 9.30am - 5.30pm. Download Pickles Auctions app to view all auction listings or visit www.pickles.my 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF WESTMA ENGINEERING SDN. BHD. [199901002493 (477393-D)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding UP) At a General Meeting of Members of the Company duly convened and held at 182A, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang on the 10th day of May, 2023 at 11.00a.m. the following Special Resolution was duly passed: “MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP OF THE COMPANY That, the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that Ms. Tang Yin Kham (NRIC No. 510610- 07-5414) be appointed as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up.” TEH LI JUN Director Dated this 15th day of May, 2023 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Creditors of the Company which is being voluntarily wound up, are required on or before 14th day of June, 2023 to send their names and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the Company, and, if so required in writing from the Liquidator, are, by their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove their debts or claims at the Liquidator’s office of 184A, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefits of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. TANG YIN KHAM Liquidator Dated this 15th day of May, 2023 T & J TRUCK SDN. BHD. [Company No: 201501040309 (1165627-W)] (Incorporated in Malaysia) NOTICE is hereby given that the Final General Meeting pursuant to Section 459(1) of the Companies Act, 2016 of the abovenamed Company will be held at No. 23, Jalan Sulam, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor on the 19th June 2023.at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- (1) To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to receive any explanation thereon. (2) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company shall be disposed off after the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the dissolution of the company. Dated this: 15th May 2023 CHAI MIN YEAW Liquidator 23, Jalan Sulam, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor. Note: Registered Office : 23, Jalan Sulam, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is also entitled to appoint a proxy or proxies to attend and vote on his/her stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. All form of proxies must be deposited at No.23, Jalan Sulam, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the Meeting. 322 Notices IN THE HIGH COURT IN MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) WINDING-UP NO. WA-28NCC-152-02/2023 In the matter of One-Touch Solutions Sdn. Bhd. (Company Registration No.: 200001018111 (520718-T)) and In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) and 466(1)(a) and other relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2016 BETWEEN STAR MEDIA GROUP BERHAD (Company No.: 197101000523 (10894-D)) …PETITIONER AND ONE-TOUCH SOLUTIONS SDN BHD (Company Registration No.: 200001018111 (520718-T)) …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for the winding-up of the abovenamed Respondent by the High Court was, on the 17th day of February 2023, presented by the above-named Petitioner. And that the said petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Malaya sitting at Kuala Lumpur at 9 o’clock in the morning, on the 20th day of September 2023; AND any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; AND a copy of the petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is Level 15, Menara Star, 15 Jalan 16/11 46350 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. The Petitioner’s solicitor is Fahri, Azzat & Co. of 15, Jalan PJU 7/16a, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Dated this 28th March 2023 Messrs. Fahri, Azzat & Co., Solicitor for the Petitioner. Note: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named Solicitor for the Petitioner notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of the day 19th of September 2023 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the petition). IN THE HIGH COURT IN MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) WINDING-UP NO. WA-288NCC-158-02/2023 In the matter of Graceful Summit Sdn. Bhd. (Company Registration No.: 200001007488 (510094-W)) and In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) and 466(1)(a) and other relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2016 BETWEEN BREEZEWATER PROPERTIES SDN. BHD. (Company Registration No.: 199401003980 (289659-W)) …PETITIONER AND GRACEFUL SUMMIT SDN BHD (Company Registration No.: 200001007488 (510094-W)) …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for the winding-up of the abovenamed Respondent by the High Court was, on the 20th day of February 2023, presented by the above-named Petitioner. And that the said petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Malaya sitting at Kuala Lumpur at 9 o’clock in the morning, on the 20th day of September 2023; AND any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; AND a copy of the petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is Suite 7.05, 7th Floor, Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s solicitor is Fahri, Azzat & Co. of 15, Jalan PJU 7/16a, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Dated this 28th March 2023 Messrs. Fahri, Azzat & Co., Solicitor for the Petitioner. Note: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named Solicitor for the Petitioner notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of the day 19th of September 2023 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the petition). DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG DI NEGERI PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA DALAM KEBANKRAPAN NO: PA-29NCC-213-06/2022 Per: JOSHUA TAN YI-SHAUN (NO. K/P: 931231-10-6095) …Pemiutang Penghakiman Ex-Parte: LAU YANG KIM (No. K/P: 661229-07-5624) …Penghutang Penghakiman NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI Kepada: - LAU YANG KIM (No. K/P: 661229-07-5624) No. 21, Lorong Kucing Pulau Tikus 10350 Georgetown Pulau Pinang dan/atau LAU YANG KIM (No. K/P: 661229-07-5624) 20, Cangkat Ria 11100 Batu Feringghi Pulau Pinang AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu Petisyen Pemiutang bertarikh 16/1/2023 (“Petisyen Pemiutang tersebut”) telah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu dalam Mahkamah ini oleh JOSHUA TAN YI-SHAUN yang beralamat di 29, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, dan pihak Mahkamah telah memerintahkan Petisyen Pemiutang tersebut hendaklah disampaikan bersama dengan Perintah Penyampaian Ganti bertarikh 19/4/2023 kepada kamu melalui penampalan di alamatalamat kamu yang terakhir diketahui oleh Pemiutang Penghakiman, iaitu No. 21, Lorong Kucing, Pulau Tikus, 10350 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang dan 20, Cangkat Ria, 11100 Batu Feringghi, Pulau Pinang, dan dengan penampalan di Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi di Pulau Pinang, serta mengiklankan notis ini di akhbar tempatan Berbahasa Inggeris “The Sun” selama satu (1) hari dan penyampaian ini dianggap cukup dan sempurna empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan tersebut, yang mana lebih lewat dalam masa. Petisyen Pemiutang tersebut ini boleh diperiksa oleh kamu dengan memohon kepada Mahkamah ini. Bertarikh pada 19 April 2023. -Sgd- ..………..………… NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Josephine, L K Chow & Co., peguamcara bagi pihak Pemiutang Penghakiman yang dinamakan di atas, yang mempunyai alamat penyampaian di No. 21, Jalan Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-7727 3800 Faks: 03-7725 7300 [Ruj: 2022910693/SH] DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI PETALING JAYA DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: BB-A72NCvC-286-03/2023 ANTARA COLUMBIA ASIA SDN. BHD. (No. Pendaftaran: 199601016009 [388359-P]) …PLAINTIF DAN LETCHUMI A/P IYAKANNOO (No. K/P: 821125-14-6352) …DEFENDAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada :- LETCHUMI A/P IYAKANNOO (No. K/P: 821125-14-6352) No. 14, Jalan PU 2/8, Taman Puchong Utama, 47100 Puchong, Selangor. Ambil perhatian bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu dalam Writ No. BB-A72NCvC-286-03/2023 oleh COLUMBIA ASIA SDN. BHD. (No. Pendaftaran: 199601016009 [388359-P]) yang mempunyai alamat penyampaian di Tingkat 7, Wisma Consplant 1, No. 2, Jalan SS16/4, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor dan mempunyai perniagaan bergelar Columbia Asia Hospital Puchong yang beralamat di No. 1, Lebuh Puteri, Bandar Puteri Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor, dalam mana tuntutan Plaintif untuk jumlah wang sebanyak RM 7,555-60 dengan faedah 5% setahun ke atas jumlah penghakiman mulai tarikh pemfailan Writ Saman sehingga tarikh penyelesaian sepenuhnya. Dan bahawa telah diperintahkan bahawa penyampaian writ itu dalam tindakan tersebut kepada kamu kena dilaksanakan melalui iklan ini. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela dalam tindakan tersebut kamu mestilah dalam masa 14 hari dari tarikh tersiarnya iklan ini, termasuk hari penyiaran itu, memasukkan kehadiran di Pejabat Pendaftaran Mahkamah. Jika ingkar apa-apa kehadiran yang demikian maka penghakiman boleh dibuat terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 09 Mei, 2023. -T.T- ……………….……………… Peguamcara Plaintif Tetuan Kelvin Wong, Phang & Associates Penyampaian Ganti (Bentuk Iklan) ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Kelvin Wong, Phang & Associates, peguamcara dan peguambela bagi Plaintif yang dinamakan di atas yang beralamat di Block J-3A-04, Setiawalk, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47160 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03- 8600 2162; Faks: 03-8600 2163 Email: [email protected] (Ruj: LIT/KWPA/2723/Columbia (PCH)/ Letchumi/h) 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA (BAHAGIAN DAGANG) DALAM KEBANKRAPAN NO: WA-29NCC-219-03/2023 BERKENAAN: OOI CHONG BOON (NO. K/P: 630130-07-5729) … PENGHUTANG PENGHAKIMAN EX-PARTE: TAN LAM KHOON (NO. K/P: 680209-06-5115) … PEMIUTANG PENGHAKIMAN NOTIS IKLAN Kepada: OOI CHONG BOON Block F-11-10, Henge Residence Kepong, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat, 52100 Kuala Lumpur AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu Notis Kebankrapan telah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur oleh TAN LAM KHOON (No. K/P: 680209-06-5115) yang beralamat di B272, Jalan Bahagia 24, Taman Bahagia, 28000 Temerloh, Pahang Darul Makmur dan Mahkamah telah memerintahkan bahawa Notis Kebankrapan diserahkan kepada kamu secara penyampaian ganti dengan menampalkan sesalinan Perintah bertarikh 13 April 2023 dan Notis Kebankrapan bertarikh 10 Mac 2023 ini di Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur dan pengeposan secara Pos Berdaftar di alamat terakhir kamu yang diketahui iaitu di Block F-11- 10, Henge Residence Kepong, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat, 52100 Kuala Lumpur dan dengan mengiklankan sekali satu Notis mengenai Notis Kebankrapan tersebut di dalam satu akhbar tempatan iaitu “The Sun” DAN AKHIRNYA ADALAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa penyampaian tersebut hendaklah menjadi satu penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas kamu dalam masa empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh akhir penampalanpenampalan dan pengiklanan tersebut. Notis Kebankrapan ini boleh diperiksa oleh kamu atas permohonan kamu di Mahkamah ini. Bertarikh 2023. t.t .................................... NOTIS IKLAN ini difailkan oleh TETUAN WK WONG & CO, peguamcara Pemiutang Penghakiman yang beralamat penyampaian di K-3A-8, No. 2, Jalan Solaris, Solaris Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. [Tel: 03-23893465 Faks: 03- 27268983 Emel: [email protected]] [Ruj: RW-ST/AA/22/10137/LIT/TLK] IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT SHAH ALAM IN THE STATE OF SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO.: BA-28NCC-229-05/2023 In the matter of Section 465 (1) (e) of the Companies Act 2016, the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 and the Companies (Windingup) Rules 1972 AND In the matter of Al Ansar Health Sdn. Bhd. [Company No. 201301006478 (1036321-W)] BETWEEN PERBADANAN USAHAWAN NASIONAL BERHAD [COMPANY NO.: 199101010745 (221057-V)] PETITIONER AND AL ANSAR HEALTH SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: 201301006478 (1036321-W)] RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed Company by the High Court at Shah Alam was on the 9th day of May 2023 presented to the said Court by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the High Court of Insolvency sitting at Shah Alam on Wednesday, the 9th day of August 2023 at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any Creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at 10th Floor, Block 1B, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s Solicitor is Messrs. Kama & Wan, whose address is at 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. ……………………… Messrs. Kama & Wan Solicitor for the Petitioner NOTE: Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named Messrs. Kama & Wan, notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm or his or their Solicitors (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later that 12:00 o’clock in the noon of the 8th day of August 2023. This Advertisement of Petition is filed by Messrs. Kama & Wan, Advocate & Solicitor on behalf of Petitioner of 5-1-1, Jalan Medan PB 4A, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan. (Tel: 03 89221485) (Ref. No.: WS/PUNB/AAH/1450(L)(FP)) 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF MASA MULIA SDN. BHD. REGISTRATION NO.: 198401015771 (128327-U) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, a Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at 1115, 11th Floor, Block A, Lobby 4, Damansara Intan, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan on Monday, 12th June 2023 at 11.00 a. m. for the following purposes: AGENDA 1. To receive an account from the liquidator showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and to hear explanations that may be given by the liquidator. 2. To resolved that under Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act 2016, all books and papers of the Company and of the Liquidator be destroyed upon the dissolution of the Company. NG THIEN FOO Liquidator Dated this 15th day of May 2023 322 Notices 322 Notices LOST SHARE CERTIFICATE The following Share Certificates have been reported lost or destroyed Certificate No Name of Shareholder No Of Shares LAM SOON (M) BERHAD 16409 WONG LIANG MOK 3 x 1000 33092 – 093 14052 THE YEOK LEY 1 x 1000 13050 TAN KOK SOH 3 x 1000 35944 – 945 16854 LEONG SWEE CHENG 1 x 1000 981 CHEW LIEW KING 3 x 1000 24323 – 324 6049 MOO AH KIO @ MOO KOK SENG 1 x 1000 2134 FOONG SONG 1 x 1000 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that if within fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, no claim or representation in respect of such certificates is made to the Directors, they will then proceed to issue replacement certificates and the original certificates will be deemed cancelled and void. REGISTRARS BOARDROOM SHARE REGISTRARS SDN (378993-D) Date : 15.05.2023 Item Reg No Make Model Price 1 VGX5190 2021 HONDA DASH 4000 2 MDL 2042 2021 YAMAHA LC135 5000 3 ALS2159 2020 HONDA RS150R REPSOL FS150FL2 6000 4 PPU3884 2021 YAMAHA EGO SOLARIZ 4000 5 BQB5728 2019 HONDA VARIO 5000 6 BRA7103 2022 YAMAHA LAGENDA 4500 7 BRD3386 2022 YAMAHA LAGENDA 3900 8 BQE3756 2022 MODENAS PULSAR-NS200 NS200 3500 9 SB2481F 2022 YAMAHA Y15ZR 6900 10 RAK2592 2021 HONDA RS150 5500 11 BRB 3284 2022 HONDA VARIO 6800 12 SWF3642 2022 YAMAHA 135 LC 7200 13 BRA9646 2022 YAMAHA EGO 4200 14 VJF6924 2022 YAMAHA LC135 6500 15 VJA4248 2022 HONDA RS150 6000 16 VJD4808 2022 YAMAHA Y15ZR 6200 17 CEQ9635 2022 MODENAS 110 DI 3200 18 BRD3713 2022 YAMAHA LAGENDA 115Z 5200 19 WA8027P 2014 PROTON SAGA FL 10000 20 VAH2192 2017 BMW 330E 110000 21 ALG6787 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ C200 200000 22 MDL 2982 2021 NISSAN CD4 (RB/HS H1U) 85000 23 CEL2982 2021 HINO FC7J (RB/BKS55/7) 85000 For more information contact us at 016-6999170 | 012-5553727 (WhatsApp) www.pickles.my | [email protected] Scan QR to download Pickles Auctions App PICKLES ASIA SDN BHD [1231292-D] Lot 19391, Batu 8 ½, Jalan Klang Lama, Taman Desaria, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Bank Repossessed bikes and vehicles for sales by eBidding auction. eBidding auction on May 17th, 24th and 31st, 2023 starts at 10.00am (for bike) and 11.00am (for vehicles). All are invited, come join our weekly Wednesday PUBLIC AUCTION. Viewing and inspection is every Tuesday from 9.30am - 5.30pm. Download Pickles Auctions app to view all auction listings or visit www.pickles.my 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 BRIEFS REUTERSPIX
22 theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 SPORTS /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME 5636/2023 14/05/2023 (SUN) 3356 9877 1334 0581 4574 3979 3393 3014 3139 5456 2017 9314 8472 4933 5275 2152 7968 6238 2398 6843 6706 6771 8511 5,767,685.91 3356 3356 3356 1334 1334 9877 1334 1334 9877 9877 3356 9877 542,537.31 3356 9877 1334 SNAKE 80619 28659 8659 659 22533 5 9 8 9 871589 71589 1589 589 87158 8715 871 8 7 6,051,951.83 3,404,422.67 10 29 33 45 48 55 100,000.00 1310 15 32 35 49 4 13 21 22 30 31 17 11,752,459.47 RM109,182 Star 6/50 Jackpt 2 (EZ-Bet) won on 13/05/2023 ! 597 136 +ROOSTER 352 444 + GOAT 454 560 + DOG Draw Date: 14/05/23 (Sun) Draw No: 5583/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 7136 2444 4560 8998 + 2923 5592 + 0897 4352 + 1549 1833 + 9364 1485 + 1517 9865 + 0295 1845 + 7990 5460 + 6548 1930 + 0909 2789 + 7272 RM6,700,460.30 7136 + 2444 2444 + 7136 7136 + 4560 4560 + 7136 2444 + 4560 4560 + 2444 RM202,520.60 RM2,188,335.70 RM1,346,527.70 RM2,256,754.20 598 998 642 923 735 592 660 897 334 352 981 549 321 833 639 364 611 485 911 517 089 865 400 295 651 845 837 990 605 460 476 548 781 930 530 909 862 789 397 272 136 444 560 RM692,475.90 136 + 444 + 560 444 + 560 + 136 136 + 560 + 444 560 + 136 + 444 444 + 136 + 560 560 + 444 + 136 HSSB 1+3D Jackpot 1 RM374,827.40 won on 13/05/2023! City on their mind Rotated Madrid side beat Getafe ahead of CL showdown REAL MADRID warmed up for their decisive Champions League semifinal visit to face Manchester City with a 1-0 win over Getafe yesterday in La Liga. Marco Asensio broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with a deflected strike from distance, in a game of few chances. Madrid’s win saw them climb provisionally second above Atletico Madrid, 11 points behind Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti rotated heavily to keep his key players fresh ahead of the second leg battle with Pep Guardiola’s City, following the 1-1 draw last Tuesday in Madrid. Ancelotti lined up with just three of the side that started the first leg – goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde. Camavinga limped off in the final stages with knee pain sustained in a clash with Juan Iglesias. Ancelotti said the French midfielder would not take long to recover. “He twisted his knee a bit, it’s a blow, nothing more, he will recover very quickly,” Ancelotti told reporters. “Tomorrow he will rest like the others who played today and I think from Monday he will train with the team, he doesn’t have a problem.” Ancelotti added: “The knee is stable, it hurts him a bit now, but the important thing is stability and he has that, 100%.” The most excitement Madrid supporters had in the first half was the team presenting the Copa del Rey trophy they won the previous weekend in Seville to the Santiago Bernabeu. Beyond that the opening period was devoid of action at either end, with Belgian forward Eden Hazard looking unsurprisingly flat on his first league start since September. A forgotten man at Madrid since his failed move from Chelsea in 2019, the 32-year-old winger showed no signs of life. Ancelotti, disgruntled by his team’s lacklustre display, brought on midfielder Toni Kroos for Ferland Mendy at halftime, moving Camavinga to leftback. Vinicius Junior and Luka Modric soon followed. Courtois produced a fine save to deny Iglesias from distance as Getafe hunted for points vital for their survival hopes. However Asensio sent Madrid ahead with 20 minutes remaining when his shot from 20 yards deflected off Nemanja Maksimovic and past the helpless David Soria. “I’m trying to take advantage of the chances the coach gives me,” Asensio told DAZN. “We knew that it would be a tough game against a team that is strong defensively.” Earlier Villarreal romped to a 5-1 win over Athletic Bilbao to cut the gap on fourth-place Real Sociedad to five points. Girona held La Real to a 2-2 draw earlier on, giving Villarreal a sliver of hope that they can usurp the Basque side in the race for Champions League qualification. Quique Setien’s Yellow Submarine took full advantage with an emphatic victory over Athletic, eighth, inspired by Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson. The in-form 21-year-old netted a brace to take his tally to six goals in his last four games. Alex Baena also scored twice and Aitor Paredes put through his own net to deepen Athletic’s misery. – AFP Dortmund stay on Bayern’s heels A STUNNING first half performance from Sebastien Haller helped Borussia Dortmund move back within a point of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with two matches remaining after a 5-2 thrashing of Borussia Moenchengladbach yesterday. After Bayern demolished Schalke 6-0 earlier in the day, Dortmund struck four times in the opening 32 minutes against Gladbach, with Haller having a hand in each of the goals. “We showed today that we will keep believing until the end and we will chase everything until the end,” said Dortmund coach Edin Terzic. “We still have two games, after that we will see whether it was enough. Bayern have to step on the gas and we will as well.” The victory kept Dortmund right behind Bayern, who recorded their biggest win under Thomas Tuchel by putting six goals past struggling Schalke. Veteran Bayern captain Thomas Muller slotted in after 21 minutes, his first goal in eight matches. Joshua Kimmich doubled Bayern’s lead shortly after, converting a penalty despite losing his footing after Jamal Musiala copped an arm in the box. Serge Gnabry added two more early in the second half, with French teenager Mathys Tel also scoring before Noussair Mazraoui chalked up his first goal in Bayern colours. “We made a step in the right direction – our buried self confidence is coming back,” said Tuchel. “But there’s no reason for euphoria, we’ll be tested again on Saturday (against RB Leipzig).” The loss leaves Schalke, who had climbed out of the relegation places for the first time since September with last week’s win at Mainz, in the relegation playoff spot. Union Berlin solidified their hopes of a first Champions League appearance, leapfrogging RB Leipzig into third and going three clear of fifth-placed Freiburg with a 4-2 home win over the Black Forest side. “The fans can keep dreaming,” said an elated Union coach Urs Fischer. “We had to go for it today.” – AFP Messi jeered on return PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN closed in on a record 11th French league title with a 5-0 home win over Ajaccio yesterday as Lionel Messi received a mixed reception on his return from suspension. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring on 22 minutes at the Parc des Princes and Achraf Hakimi added a second goal before Kylian Mbappe struck twice shortly after halftime. Mohamed Youssouf compounded a miserable night for the Corsicans with an own goal for PSG’s fifth, while Hakimi and Ajaccio midfielder Thomas Mangani were sent off after a late bust-up. PSG need four points from their final three games – against Auxerre, Strasbourg and Clermont – to secure the Ligue 1 title after restoring their six-point lead over second-placed Lens. “The players were very determined to put in a proper display. They want to be champions and they realise that Lens aren’t giving up and a misstep could raise the pressure,” said PSG coach Christophe Galtier. Messi’s name elicited a combination of whistles and applause when it was read out before kickoff after he was banned by the club for last weekend’s match over an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. The Argentine again drew jeers with his early touches in what was likely his penultimate appearance in Paris ahead of a reported move to Saudi Arabia for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. “So there are whistles but very quickly a large part of the stadium made sure to drown them out to support Leo,” said Galtier. “He stayed focused with the desire to liven up the game and create chances. He’s used to it because he’s been in difficult situations in his career.” – AFP Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna (right) scores their fifth goal during the Bundesliga match against Moenchengladbach yesterday – REUTERSPIX
23 * SPORTS theSUN ON MONDAY | MAY 15, 2023 RUBEN SELLES admits standards at Southampton have not been good enough after Premier League relegation was sealed by a limp 2-0 loss to Fulham. Second half goals from Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic inflicted a club-record 24th defeat of the season on the division’s bottom side to leave them eight points from safety with two fixtures remaining. Captain James Ward-Prowse conceded at fulltime that Saints should have performed better across a dismal campaign, an assessment echoed by manager Selles. “It’s a tough day for everybody, the performance on the pitch was not what we expect it to be and we were not good enough today and that’s why we are in this situation,” said the Spaniard. “If we were in our standards, we would not be talking about this situation right now. We need to face it like that. I don’t think there is one point where you can say that is exactly the point where it happened. “As a club we need to evaluate and see what the standards that James referred to are and be sure that when the club starts the next season those standards are on point.” Boos and chants of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” from disgruntled home supporters greeted the full-time whistle. Selles, who has been in charge for 14 of Saints’ 36 top-flight matches this term following the sackings of Ralph Hasenhuttl and then Nathan Jones, felt he should have been able to inspire better results. “I take all the responsibility for the last three months, that’s my responsibility,” he said. “I should be able to win more football matches. I should be able to have a team that competes better. I think I could have done (things) different; more is difficult but I think I can do different. I made my mistakes like any other and of course it was not good enough.” Sport Republic, the club’s owners, issued a statement vowing to fight to restore Saints to the top flight but accepting “significant improvement” would be required. It read: “Today is a hugely disappointing day for everyone associated with Southampton Football Club. “We have fought tirelessly as a club throughout the season, but the Premier League is the most competitive league in the world and our results were simply not good enough to stay there. Our work begins today to return Southampton Football Club to where it belongs.” Speaking about Saints’ plight, Fulham boss Marco Silva expressed sympathy with Southampton. “All the sympathy with this football club. It’s a tough period for this club, a big club, and it deserves probably to be in a different situation. “For sure they can come stronger next season to be able to play again in the Premier League because a club like Southampton they probably deserve this situation. It’s up to them now to come stronger next season.” – The Independent Saints go down Standards have not been good enough, says Selles Smith counting on character in Foxes survival fight LEICESTER boss Dean Smith has challenged his players to carry the psychological burden of their relegation battle. The Foxes host Liverpool tomorrow (3am Malaysian time) desperate for victory as they sit two points from safety with three games left. Leeds’ 2-2 draw with Newcastle added extra pressure on the 2016 champions and dropped them to second bottom in the Premier League. Smith, who replaced Brendan Rodgers until the end of the season last month, knows the importance of the Foxes keeping their heads. “My approach has always been to challenge the players in terms of their performances because that’s the only thing they can control,” he said. “When they go into the game their decision-making has to be good and they’ve made good decisions because otherwise they wouldn’t have won the FA Cup a couple of years ago. There are players here who have won the Premier League as well. “What they’ve done in the past shows that they are good decision-makers but this is the cut and thrust now, we need to make sure we’re all good at making decisions. “We’ve shown in all the games we’ve had so far that we can come back from a goal down, they know they can come back from that. “We knew Fulham would come and press us and if they did we needed to play beyond them on the press and we played straight into it for the third goal. “I felt we needed to change something at halftime and that might open us up a little bit in the second half because we wanted to be a bit more aggressive in our press. “I’ve seen a really good attitude and application to training and to the matches that we’ve had, with the exception of 45 minutes at Fulham which I felt we were too passive, we looked a yard off it. “Whether that was psychological or not I don’t know but it appeared to be because I get the running numbers after and I think we were slightly higher than Fulham in every metric. “That psychological bit can let you down on technical ability at times and so our job is to ease that up.” – AFP Nunez would have more goals, says Klopp JURGEN KLOPP insists forward Darwin Nunez would have scored a lot more goals if Liverpool had performed better this season. The Uruguay international, signed from Benfica in the summer for a potential clubrecord £84 million (RM454m), has found the net 15 times in his maiden campaign. However, with virtually all of Klopp’s first-choice forwards available again the 23-year-old has struggled to secure a place in the team recently, starting just five times in the last 11 matches in which he has scored just once. But Klopp said the failing was that of the team, which has been wildly inconsistent prior to their current six-match winning run, and not the player. “There’s a lot more to come. That’s clear. He needs time to settle,” said the Liverpool manager. “The most difficult thing for a striker is to come into a team that is not clicking. Imagine if we played for us a good season, an 80-point or more season, he would have scored more goals definitely. “But it is like now each situation we created and miss it is a more high level (of pressure). “Mo Salah, in his best season when he scored 40-odd goals, missed chances. That’s normal. Erling Haaland missed chances. But they had much more than we created in this period. “Fifteen goals is absolutely fine. Still three games to go so possibly he can increase that number as well. “He had time to adapt at Benfica and there was no language issue, or less than it is here. We tried to help him so he can help us even more than he did already.” – The Independent █ ED ELLIOT █ CARL MARKHAM ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Leeds 2 (Ayling 7, Kristensen 79) Newcastle 2 (Wilson 31-pen, 69- pen), Aston Villa 2 (Ramsey 8, Luiz 72) Tottenham 1 (Kane 90-pen), Chelsea 2 (Sterling 51, 58) Nottingham Forest 2 (Awoniyi 13, 62), Crystal Palace 2 (Eze 39, 58) Bournemouth 0, Manchester United 2 (Martial 32, Garnacho 90+4) Wolves 0, Southampton 0 Fulham 2 (Vinicus 48, Mitrovic 72). P W D L F A Pts Man City 34 26 4 4 89 31 82 Arsenal 35 25 6 4 83 39 81 Newcastle 35 18 12 5 63 31 66 Man Utd 35 20 6 9 51 41 66 Liverpool 35 18 8 9 67 42 62 Tottenham 36 17 6 13 65 59 57 Aston Villa 36 17 6 13 48 44 57 Brighton 33 16 7 10 63 45 55 Fulham 36 15 6 15 52 49 51 Brentford 35 12 14 9 52 45 50 Chelsea 35 11 10 14 36 41 43 Crystal Palace 36 11 10 15 37 46 43 Wolves 36 11 7 18 30 52 40 Bournemouth 36 11 6 19 37 69 39 West Ham 35 10 7 18 38 50 37 Nottm Forest 36 8 10 18 36 67 34 Everton 35 7 11 17 32 53 32 Leeds 36 7 10 19 46 71 31 Leicester 35 8 6 21 49 64 30 Southampton 36 6 6 24 31 66 24 CHAMPIONSHIP (Playoff semifinal 1st leg): Sunderland 2 Luton 1. LA LIGA: Real Sociedad 2 (Oyarzabal 5-pen, Silva 24) Girona 2 (Couto 37, Stuani 45+3), Osasuna 3 (Budimir 46, Abde 51, Gomez 81) Almeria 1 (Lazaro 90+2), Villarreal 5 (Baena 24, 90, Jackson 37, 50, Paredes 61-og) Athletic Bilbao 1 (Sancet 45+3-pen), Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70) Getafe 0. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Barcelona 33 26 4 3 60 11 82 Real Madrid 34 22 5 7 70 32 71 Atletico 33 21 6 6 60 26 69 Sociedad 34 18 8 8 45 31 62 Villarreal 34 17 6 11 52 35 57 Real Betis 33 15 7 11 40 37 52 SERIE A: Inter Milan 4 (Lukaku 41, 89, Tressoldi 55-og, Martinez 58) Sassuolo 2 (Henrique 63, Frattesi 77), Salernitana 1 (Candreva 90+3) Atalanta 0, Spezia 2 (Wisniewski 75, Esposito 85) AC Milan 0. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Napoli 34 26 5 3 70 23 83 Juventus 34 20 6 8 52 28 66 Inter Milan 35 21 3 11 66 37 66 Lazio 35 19 8 8 54 28 65 AC Milan 35 17 10 8 55 41 61 Roma 34 17 7 10 45 33 58 BUNDESLIGA: Dortmund 5 B. Moenchengladbach 2, Bayern Munich 6 Schalke 0, Union Berlin 4 Freiburg 2, Eintracht Frankfurt 3 Mainz 0, Wolfsburg 2 Hoffenheim 1, Bochum 3 Augsburg 2. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts B. Munich 32 20 8 4 89 34 68 Dortmund 32 21 4 7 78 42 67 Union Berlin 32 17 8 7 48 34 59 RB Leipzig 31 17 6 8 55 37 57 Freiburg 32 16 8 8 48 42 56 Wolfsburg 32 13 10 9 56 44 49 FRENCH LIGUE 1: Strasbourg 2Nice 0, Paris Saint-Germain 5 Ajaccio 0. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Paris SG 35 26 3 6 84 35 81 Lens 35 22 9 4 59 27 75 Marseille 34 21 7 6 62 34 70 Monaco 34 19 7 8 68 51 64 Lille 34 17 8 9 60 41 59 Rennes 34 17 5 12 56 38 56 CHAMPIONS RELEGATED RESULTS & STANDINGS Southampton manager Ruben Selles (2nd right) gives instructions to Kamaldeen Sulemana (2nd left) and Sekou Mara (right) before they came on as substitutes against Fulham. – REUTERSPIX
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 MONDAY • MAY 15, 2023 Lampard urges Blues to be more ruthless after Forest draw FRANK LAMPARD called on his players to be killers in attack if they are to emulate Raheem Sterling’s two goals in the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest and finally vanquish the team’s scoring woes. Chelsea were booed off at the break against struggling Forest, trailing to Taiwo Awoniyi’s header after Edouard Mendy had flapped at a cross on his return to the side. It then took just seven second half minutes for Sterling to turn the game on its head and remind those same supporters of the potential the England forward still has to transform a match single-handedly. His first he owed to good work from Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah down the right and to a fortunate deflection off Ryan Yates who lay stricken on the turf, but his second was a sublime solo effort, ramming the ball into Keylor Navas’ bottom corner after finding space inside the box. Lampard said Sterling’s example was one the whole team would need to follow going into next season if Chelsea are to put this miserable campaign behind them. “Raheem’s a player that has the credit in the bank, he’s been a regular scorer in the Premier League and for his country,” said the Blues boss. “To see him score there (the first goal) was Raheem. Arriving for a cross, and then individual brilliance to score the (second) goal. I’m very happy for him. It’s what we need across the top end of the pitch. “Raheem has done it and he’s produced it again. If you’re going to win games when you have 76% possession, you need to be killers at the top end of the pitch, and Raheem is proven to be that. At the moment we don’t have enough of that.” The draw means Chelsea are still without a home win since Lampard returned as interim manager on April 6 and saw them slip back into 12th place with Crystal Palace’s win over Bournemouth. Aside from Sterling’s solo intervention, there was little to suggest the goalscoring troubles that have derailed their season have an end in sight. Lampard added: “What pleased me was not so much the week’s training, it was more the idea of what the plan is before the game that we were going to have a lot of ball in their half, so we have to be really dynamic to move their back five, we have to make sure our counter-press positions are good, which they are to be fair. “What displeased me was that in the first half we didn’t do it with enough urgency to break the back five; sideways, safe. Then in the second half when we did, we underlapped them and get a goal and we showed urgency in our running forward and we get another goal.” Forest kept themselves at the head of the Premier League’s four relegation-threatened sides with Awoniyi’s second goal of the game in the second half stealing a point, ensuring the gap to 18th-placed Leeds remained at three going into the season’s final two games. “Probably a mix really of some disappointed guys in the dressing room, and I like that, because although we had to work really hard for what we got today, we could easily have got a little bit more,” said Forest boss Cooper. “It’s the mixed feeling really of that, and also knowing that we gave everything, we stuck to the plan, we showed good resilience from going 2-1 down when really, I wouldn’t say we gifted it to Chelsea but we could have done so much better with them goals. “We knew Chelsea were going to have the ball, we were away from home. “It was good really after going 2-1 down to get something out of the game because I don’t think many would have backed us to get anything today.” – The Independent Back with a bang ‘Huge talent’ Garnacho will play key role in Man Utd’s run-in: Ten Hag ERIK TEN HAG highlighted Alejandro Garnacho’s bravery, maturity and confidence after the Manchester United teenager made a goalscoring return after a two-month injury lay-off. The nascent 18-year-old talent, who recently signed a new deal until 2028, received an excellent reception on his first appearance since sustaining an ankle injury against Southampton on March 12. Garnacho was brought on in the 82nd minute and scored with a stoppage-time strike off the post in front of the Stretford End to wrap up a 2-0 victory against Wolves. Ten Hag was happy with all his introductions after a few weeks when he said the “subs were bad”, but the Argentinian took the headlines after United got their top-four tilt back on track. “Garna, of course, scored a great goal,” the United boss said. “He came in, he did I think almost everything good and then he scored a goal. “That will give him belief and that is good for us for the rest of the season that he is back. It’ll give him confidence and he can have an impact. “He is showing when you score some winners, like Fulham, assist against City, for instance. Now the second goal, he is showing some things. “Also sometimes he lacks defensive transition, in pressing, he has to step up in such things. Also, when you are going into an action or keep the ball, so decisions. “But I think when you see it all over, yeah, he is a huge talent and he’s brave.” Garnacho arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2020 and was last season’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year having played a key role in United’s FA Youth Cup triumph. The Argentina youth international frustrated Ten Hag during pre-season but has since won the Dutchman over, making 30 first-team appearances so far this campaign. “One of the aspects from the biggest talent is that they are mature,” the United boss said. “First, they take responsibility and, second, they are mature. “To bring in their skills, they have belief that they can dominate opponents and I think once again he did it. “He has a big impact in many games either when starting or coming on, he’s ready, straight into the game and that is so important for the squad you can bring such players. “I am happy that you can bring young players and hopefully he will progress so quickly that he can compete for a starting XI position because that is his next challenge.” Garnacho’s strike was United’s 100th goal of the season in all competitions and complemented Anthony Martial’s opener in a 25th Old Trafford victory of the campaign. The win was an important response to defeats at Brighton and West Ham, which had allowed Liverpool to close the gap in the race for Champions League qualification. “You have to deal (with setbacks),” Ten Hag said, “Everyone told me in United it is never going in the easy way, we go the difficult way. I think the team was ready for this battle, for this fight. “Once again, we make the goalie of the opponent the man of the match, so we could have made life easier if we score the second goal early on. “But we have the points, we are happy with that and we move on.” Wolves failed to muster a shot on target as their poor away form continued, leaving boss Julen Lopetegui frustrated. “Obviously, the result was not good for us, but we tried to compete with them,” said the Spaniard, who praised goalkeeper Dan Bentley after making an impressive Premier League debut. “In the context of the match, the first half, we suffered one goal in one mistake that we had and they didn’t have any more chances. “In the second half, we take a risk, we dominate the game and had situations when we could have done better. “In the end, it was a pity, we tried, but, in the end, they deserved to win.” – The Independent █ SIMON PEACH Man United’s Alejandro Garnacho scores his team’s second goal during the English Premier League match against Wolves at Old Trafford. – AFPPIX █ ROBERT O’CONNOR