The Sun - 05 January 2023

INSIDE

TELLING IT AS IT IS No bias against Call to review

foreign tourists, page March school page
says Anwar session plan
2 3

ON THURSDAY JANUARY 5, 2023 PRINT PARADISE ... A customer going

No. 8182 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my through one of the myriad of pre-loved titles at a
secondhand bookstore frequented by foreign tourists
in Chowrasta Complex at Jalan Penang in George
Town. The books are sold at between RM5 and
RM150. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

█ BY MUHAMMAD YUSRY Kbeeeppocliatelm,
[email protected]
oPublic should not spurn Chinese tourists
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Inbound despite Covid-19 resurgence in China,
Tourist Association (Mita) president says inbound tourist association chief
Uzaidi Udanis said Malaysians should
not react negatively towards Chinese 3.1 million Chinese tourists visited the Chinese tourists there. Although that
tourists arriving in the country as they help country in 2019, making Malaysia China’s country is blessed with oil and gas, it
boost the local economy. third largest source market for international does not mind spending vast amounts of
arrivals. money to attract Chinese tourists
He said Malaysians should have more faith because it knows it will earn it back from
in the Health Ministry (MOH) as it is competent Uzaidi said the public should not claim them. But in Malaysia, we are questioning
and able to manage the outbreak of any disease that Malaysia will have another lockdown just the decision to bring them in. Why should
in the country. because Chinese tourists are visiting the we be scared of this?”
country. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong
Uzaidi was commenting on the resurgence King Sing urged the people not to
of Covid-19 in China and the detection in “Singapore Airlines flies to China daily. So create any perception that we
Malaysia of two Omicron variants of the by logic, shouldn’t we close the Singapore do not welcome tourists from Turn to
disease, namely BA.5.2 and BF.7, which are border too since it could import the virus to China, but instead help to
responsible for about 80% of the current the island state? Of course, doing this would preserve the good relationship —
infections in China. be irrational.
page 2
Backing him is the Malaysian Association of “Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is spending
Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), which said US$800 million (RM3.5 billion) to attract between the two countries.
initial estimates indicate that 1.2 million
Chinese nationals will travel to Malaysia
this year.

Their arrivals are expected to generate about
RM3.6 billion in tourist receipts.

“It’s not their fault that China continues to be
ravaged by newer variants of Covid-19. These
tourists are here to get away from the stress and
lockdown they have been under for the past
three years. Let’s not frighten them away by
being rude or saying negative things because of
what is happening in their country.

“They have chosen to visit Malaysia because
of our wide-ranging and delectable food, the
various tourist sites and more. Tourism
Malaysia previously reported that in the first
quarter of 2019, 1.33 million Chinese tourists
spent a total of RM3.7 billion, so they are very
important as a huge source of tourist ringgit for
the country.

“On average, they spent RM11,012 per
person, a lot more compared with other foreign
visitors. They are among the top spenders when
they visit foreign countries,” he said.

Data from Tourism Malaysia indicated that

2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Ministry to step up

No bias against foreignhealth checks
“Although there have been tourists entering Malaysia
negative news and opinions posted
on social media on
China’s decision to
reopen its borders, I
wish to remind From █ BY MUHAMMAD YUSRY o Government’s priority is to protect people’s go through the federal government.
everyone to be [email protected] health amid concerns of another Covid-19 He said this was the first step in
careful with their front PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will not wave, says prime minister
page discriminate against foreign tourists proving that the unity government
entering the country, said Prime was serious about committing to
words and actions,” Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. the Malaysia Agreement 1963
he said. (MA63).
Uzaidi concurred with Tiong’s However, he assured the public
comment and said the public should that the government’s priority was “This was decided by the
put its trust in the ministry’s to protect the people’s health. Cabinet as many of the projects in
capability to contain the virus. Sabah and Sarawak have been
“We should have faith in MOH’s Speaking after the weekly delayed due to decision-making
ability to take care of public health. Cabinet meeting yesterday, he said and China. had their booster jabs as of now. bureaucracy by the federal
However, everyone must play their the government was well aware “We know travelers carrying the The Covid-19 virus is still present, government. There will also be
part. Our airports should always be on of the people’s concerns and not just in Malaysia but globally. further allocation from the federal
alert. Follow all SOP required and we fears of experiencing another virus can come from anywhere government for Sabah and Sarawak,
can do this. Let’s boost our economy,” Covid-19 wave. around the world. We are acting to “We still have around six million which will be given through the
he added. save our people. We don’t want to booster doses ready for those who Works Ministry.”
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa “The Cabinet agreed that the be hasty.” want to take them. Journalists
said with the resurgence of Covid-19 economy and tourism sector should take the lead in getting the Anwar said the Cabinet had
in China, her ministry is prepared to should take a backseat to public Anwar said last month alone, booster jabs and this can set an discussed at length the need for
tighten health checks as part of its health. Our borders will be 53,000 visitors from China arrived example for others.” political will to commit to the
border policies to keep the pandemic tightened. The Immigration in Malaysia and despite the provisions of MA63, which were
in check. Department has been tasked to number, there was no spike in Anwar said the onus is on the long overdue.
On Jan 2, she said she was taking check foreign tourists at our Covid-19 cases. public to take care of one another
public concerns seriously regarding airports, including travellers from and fight the virus together. He added that a meeting of the
the increase in Covid-19 cases in countries that have a high number He said for the whole of last year, special committee on MA63,
China, as well as restrictions imposed of Covid-19 cases such as the US Malaysia recorded 336,000 visitors On a another matter, Anwar chaired by him, would be held in
by several countries on travellers from from China. added that all government projects Kuching late next month to iron out
that country. in East Malaysia below a RM50 matters of contention.
“It will be implemented if Anwar also called on Malaysians million budget would now be
to take the Covid-19 booster decided by the state governments of
vaccine as stocks are available. Sabah and Sarawak, and need not

“Only 49% of Malaysians have

necessary on Malaysians, visitors and Ministry ready to improve ICT access for disabled
travellers arriving from China and
other countries. The ministry will step
up methods to contain the spread of
Covid-19 in the country as well as our KUALA LUMPUR: The Its deputy minister Teo Nie through apps developed by expanded through the
preparedness to face any possible Communications and Digital Ching said at the moment, major companies such as Google organisation of awareness
increase in cases.” Ministry is ready to forge strategic the country was falling and Microsoft,” she said in her programmes on the rights and
collaborations with the behind developed nations in speech at the launch of World needs of the visually impaired
Malaysian Association for the providing access to ICT Braille Day yesterday. Also community so that the group is
Blind (MAB) and NGOs for facilities for people with visual present was MAB CEO Datuk not marginalised.
Minister takes firm persons with disabilities (PwD) impairments. George Thomas. “The ministry and I will
to task over 5G to increase access to information continue our efforts to raise
coverage claim and communication technology “Visually impaired people Teo said the collaboration awareness to help the PwD
(ICT) facilities for the group. now use various digital mediums between the ministry and MAB as community so that they are also
KUALA LUMPUR: Communications to obtain information, including well as other NGOs could be involved in the socio-economics
and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil
yesterday called on Digital National of our society, in line with the
Bhd (DNB) to explain how it unity government’s objectives,”
concluded that the implementation of she said.
5G network coverage in the country Teo also said the ministry
had reached nearly 50%. was working with the country’s
web address administrator,
He said the Malaysian Mynic, to ensure that the
Communications and Multimedia website was accessible to the
Commission (MCMC) had not yet PwD community to enable
verified the information. them to be involved in the
digital economy.
“I think DNB must explain how “In addition, the development
they arrived at these figures. of the SaveME 999 DEAF and
SaveME 999 BLIND apps is also
“Next time, I don’t think DNB among the initiatives to help
should publish (these figures) prior to people with visual or hearing
verification,” he said in response to a impairments to call the 999
tweet claiming that the numbers emergency line.”
published by DNB were fake. Meanwhile, Sabah Chief
Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor
On Monday, DNB chief operating said the state government was
officer Nasution Mohamed said in a committed to helping PwD,
statement that the implementation including the visually impaired,
of 5G network coverage throughout to ensure that the group is not
the country had reached almost marginalised.
50% in populated areas as of the end He said there were 43,214 PwD
of 2022, thus surpassing the initial registered with the Sabah
target of 40%. General Welfare Services
Department as of Dec 29 last year,
Nasution said the network had with 3,597 of them being visually
now reached 15 million Malaysians impaired.
involving 3,900 sites and would Hajiji called on parents and
reach over 30 million people families to register their PwD or
and businesses when fully visually impaired family members
implemented. with the department to enable them
to get all the assistance they need to
He also said DNB was now be able to live independently for
focused on achieving the themselves and their families.
commitment of 80% coverage in Teo chatting with one of the teaching staff at Wisma MAB in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC – Bernama
populated areas by the end of 2024
or earlier. – Bernama

Feasibility report on cashless payment system to be tabled soon

PUTRAJAYA: A feasibility report Seri Nancy Shukri. “Now, we are waiting for the because there is a certain president senator Datuk Ras
on the monthly cashless welfare She added that the Social report because we want to know system that needs to be Adiba Radzi to do away with the
assistance payment scheme, or which is better for users. followed,” she said after implementation of the JKMPay
JKMPay, will be presented to the Welfare Department had delivering a New Year’s message system as it was difficult for
ministry soon, said Women, conducted a study on the “If more people prefer cash to the ministry staff yesterday. recipients to make purchases
Family and Community scheme and the pilot project was payments, there will be no using the methods involved.
Development Minister Datuk also implemented in several problem to revert (to the old Nancy was commenting on a – Bernama
states for six months in 2021. method), but it will take time suggestion by OKU Sentral

3theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

RM152m to complete offshore patrol vessel project

PUTRAJAYA: The government is from Tabung Haji subsidiary Destini meeting yesterday. company based in Pulau Indah, advantage in matters involving the
injecting RM152.6 million to ensure Sdn Bhd after it was found to be Earlier, the Public Accounts Selangor. procurement of security assets due
that the first offshore patrol vessel facing major problems. to weaknesses in the
(OPV) project belonging to the Committee (PAC) had called the Anwar said the government is implementation of the projects.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement “We have to give another form of Home Ministry and MMEA to committed to resolving the
Agency (MMEA) will be completed loan for the project to be completed explain the delay. problems related to projects “The first thing to do is save the
this year, said Prime Minister Datuk and it amounts to RM152.6 million. involving security forces under the project and try to complete it as
Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In a statement on Sept 13 last Home Ministry and the Defence scheduled, and the second is not to
“From our observation, the year, MMEA said the three OPVs Ministry. let go of anyone who misuses power
He added that the Finance project can be the first OPV project which they should have received in to gain wealth without
Ministry had taken over the project to be completed this year,” he 2020 were still under construction He said it was important to investigation,” he added. – Bernama
said after chairing the Cabinet by Destini, a local shipbuilding ensure that no parties take

Govt urged to review Mayor, ministry to
discuss city facilities

March school session plan KUALA LUMPUR: The Local Government
Development Ministry will hold a meeting with
o Thorough consultative making and implementing national level during monsoon seasons, with schools in Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che
processes needed to changes, the ministry needs to practise more affected regions being converted to Ngah to resolve issues pertaining to the
ensure preparedness of all thorough consultative processes to ensure the temporary relief centres.” maintenance of infrastructure and public
stakeholders: Educationist preparedness of all stakeholders. facilities in the city, said its minister Nga Kor
Anuar also said a school session that starts Ming following his visit to Dataran Merdeka
█ BY ARINA MUSTHAFA “Rescheduling will not only affect obvious in March would reduce idle time and the huge on Tuesday.
[email protected] parties like teachers, who set and mark gap between the end of the school term and
PETALING JAYA: An educationist has urged examination papers and the university university admissions. “The roof of the men’s toilet was damaged,
the Education Ministry to revisit the move to admissions process, but will also have an the water pipes were not working properly and
reschedule the school session that has been indirect impact on sectors like tourism and “The previous school sessions mostly the hand soap dispensers were not refilled.”
pushed to March and revert to the previous businesses (such as canteen operators and ended in December. Secondary school
session, which was in January. shops that sell school supplies).” students will have to wait until mid-August to However, he said the cleanliness of public
attend their first class in university, which toilets was satisfactory and the lighting system
Ainee Adina Noor Adlan said there are She also said students sitting for the Sijil costs them nine months of waiting. works well.
both pros and cons to scheduling classes in Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi
January and March, considering national Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil “The slight change to March would benefit He added that it was important to maintain
examinations scheduled in March might be Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) examinations them as the time for them to enter their cleanliness of public toilets, especially at
better for students, parents and teachers to will benefit from the March session due to a tertiary education institutions will be around tourist spots as they reflected the country’s
avoid the rainy season and floods. longer study period and shorter waiting time six months.” image as well as the people’s perception of
for tertiary education placement. local authorities.
Ainee Adina said the current change from On Dec 24, Education Minister Fadhlina
January to March was a result of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Centre of Sidek said the school session that was pushed Nga expressed hope that all 155 local
disruption caused by Covid related closures. Community Education and Wellbeing senior to March would soon be reverted to its councils nationwide could set up a unit to
lecturer Dr Anuar Ahmad said maintaining original schedule in January, but it could not monitor the cleanliness of public toilets in their
“The ministry must stick to a firm decision March as the beginning of the school session be implemented this year. respective areas of jurisdiction as this would
as to whether the change is temporary or is the right decision, taking into account some ensure they are always clean, well-functioning
permanent. If we change the calendar areas that are affected by floods during the She added that any change to the school and in orderly condition.
permanently, all our processes should be year end that may disrupt teaching processes. session needed to take the SPM, STPM and
aligned to enable that change to be STAM examinations schedules into account, He said he also found the field at Dataran
implemented smoothly.” “January is synonymous with the month along with local economic factors and the Merdeka was not properly maintained, with the
that marks the beginning of the school year. year-end floods. underground commercial space in a
She added that when it comes to policy Every family trip and yearly schedule, dilapidated state and the electric switch box not
including parents’ annual leave, which used The school session for the academic properly covered. – Bernama
to be in late November and throughout calendar for 2023 and 2024 will start on March
December, is based on and adjusted to the 19 for schools in Group A states such as Johor, Labour talks between
school schedule. Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which have M’sia, Indonesia
Fridays and Saturdays as weekends. It will
“However, the bigger issue here is the start on March 20 for schools in other states, PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Indonesia have
inability of children to attend school sessions which have their weekends on Saturdays held talks on ways to improve labour
and Sundays. cooperation, especially in providing protection
to Indonesian workers in Malaysia.

The matter was discussed by Human
Resources Minister V. Sivakumar and
Indonesian ambassador Hermono, who paid a
courtesy call on Sivakumar at the Human
Resources Ministry yesterday.

The ministry said the visit was to discuss
bilateral labour issues that are set to be the
agenda at the highest level during the official
visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim to Jakarta on Jan 8 and 9.

“It is hoped that the prime minister’s official
visit to the Republic of Indonesia in January will
strengthen existing collaborations between
both nations in various fields, especially the
labour sector,” the ministry said in a statement.

Malaysia and Indonesia have forged labour
ties through two memorandums of
understanding, which involved the hiring of
Indonesian workers. – Bernama

RETRO APPEAL ... A visitor trying out a ‘70s telephone unit at the Telekom Museum in Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. New langkawi-Kuala
– SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN Kedah ferry schedule

ALOR STAR: The ferry services between
Langkawi and Kuala Kedah will operate from
7.30am to 7.00pm on Monday onwards.

Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd
Consortium human resources and operations
manager Kapt Dr Baharin Baharom said the
services from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah will be
at 7.30am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm but there
would be changes to the service schedule
should the water level at the jetty drop below
one metre.

He added that the new ferry schedule follows
the certification of Kuala Kedah Cruise Line by
the Marine Department after the completion of
dredging works.

He also said the consortium would have
additional ferries for both routes on public
holidays. – Bernama

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/thesundaily

Police urged the public to download Veterinary enforcement
the app to curb phone scam cases. assistant claims trial
– PIC COURTESY OF PDRM to graft charges

Use ‘Whoscall’ app to be KUALA TERENGGANU: A veterinary
alerted on scam risks: Police enforcement assistant pleaded not guilty at
the Sessions Court here yesterday to charges
o With database containing numbers of dubious parties, Be Smart, Be Alert to make the public more of soliciting and accepting RM35,000 in bribes
platform enables public to identify and reject calls aware of scams. The song, which was last year.
composed by musician and composer Lenny
█ BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN possibility of calls being from scammers. Ooi Teck Wai, involved the participation of Abol As Mohd Jamil, 43, who is with the
[email protected] This will help the call recipient to decide several singers and police personnel. Terengganu Veterinary Services Department,
KUALA LUMPUR: Police yesterday urged the made the plea after the charges were read out
public to download the “Whoscall” app on their whether to take the call. He said with the ongoing anti-scam before judge Dazuki Ali.
mobile devices to curb the rising number of “The Whoscall app has a database of the campaigns, cases declined to 20,041 last year
scams in the country. compared with 20,701 cases in 2021. The Grade 22 civil servant was charged
phone numbers of scammers which police with soliciting RM35,000 from a man as an
Its Commercial Crime Investigation have compiled. With the app, a smartphone Mohd Kamarudin said although there were inducement for Abol As to amend the charge
Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri user will be alerted of a possible scam call by fewer cases last year, losses were higher, at involving a Sessions Court case to a charge
Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said the app would flashing a warning on the user’s screen. The app RM684.5 million compared with 2021 where that comes with a lighter sentence.
help the public stay ahead of phone scammers is free and safe to use,” he said at the launch of victims of phone scams reported losses
by being warned of calls from suspected the app in Cheras yesterday. amounting to RM560.8 million. The offence was allegedly committed at
fraudsters. No. 11596-H Jalan Fikri in Kampung Seberang
Mohd Kamarudin also urged the public to He said total losses involving all cases of Takir, Kuala Nerus, between 12.30pm and
The app developer is collaborating with continue providing police with the phone commercial crimes last year were lower at 1pm on July 27 last year.
police to blacklist the telephone numbers of numbers of scammers from calls they receive as RM1.73 billion, compared with the RM2.2
scammers and warn smartphone users of the this would improve the CCID’s database. billion lost in 2021. Abol As was also charged with accepting a
bribe of RM35,000 from the same man for
At the same event, police also introduced an “Our fight against scammers will keep on the same purpose at the same address on
anti-scam song and music video titled going and we will never tire of educating the Aug 3, 2022.
public. We hope the public will remain cautious
at all times when taking calls from suspicious The charges framed under Section
individuals, who are out to fleece them.” 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission Act 2009, which carries a
Big Blue Taxi founder charged with cheating maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of
not less than five times the value of the bribe
MALACCA: Big Blue Taxi Services founder would not have done if he knew it was not gain without written permission from the or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Shamsubahrin Ismail was yesterday charged genuine. chief minister at the same place and time.
in the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court here with Dazuki allowed Abol As bail of RM8,000 in
cheating over the sale of a luxury car and use The offence was allegedly committed at He faces a maximum fine of RM500,000 or one surety for both charges and ordered him
of the “Datuk” title. the Malacca state assembly office, Level 2, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. to surrender his passport to the court and
Blok Laksamana, Seri Negeri on Dec 7, 2021. report to the nearest MACC office every
The 57-year-old pleaded not guilty to both The court allowed him bail of RM30,000 for month.
charges before judge Darmafikri Abu Adam. The charge was framed under Section 420 both charges, ordered him to surrender his
of the Penal Code which provides for passport and report to the police station every The court fixed Feb 7 for mention.
On the first count, Shamsubahrin was imprisonment of up to 10 years, whipping and month. MACC DPPs Farah Yasmin Salleh and Nur
charged with cheating one Datuk Seri Ab Rauf a fine. Athikah Aziz appeared for the prosecution,
Yusoh, 62, over the sale of a 2019 MPV with Darmafikri set Feb 7 for mention and while lawyer Mohd Hazwan Hamidun
registration number VVP 7, which was priced Shamsubahrin was also charged under submission of documents. represented Abol As. – Bernama
at RM180,000, prompting the latter to hand Section 3(1)(a) of the Emblems and Names
over RM95,000 for the vehicle, which he (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment DPP Aliff Asraf Anuar Sharuddin appeared Three drug traffickers
1981 for using the “Datuk” title for personal for the prosecution, while lawyer Loh Chon sentenced to death
Mee represented Shamsubahrin. – Bernama
SHAH ALAM: The High Court yesterday
No reports of push-pocket, extortion activities at airports ordered three men to be hanged to death
after finding them guilty of trafficking a
KUALA LUMPUR: The police have confirmed “According to the online post, the criminal the victim refuses, the criminal would total of 585.1g of drugs into the country four
that it had not received any report of “push- would slip in items such as a mobile phone or threaten to report the matter to the police.” years ago.
pocket” and extortion activities in hotspot wallet into the victim’s pocket before
areas such as airports and LRT stations. accusing the victim of stealing their Noorsiah urged the public not to be easily Judge Datuk Abdul Halim Aman meted
belongings. taken in by unsubstantiated and unverified out the sentence on C. Peter Yesudas, 55,
Police secretary Datuk Noorsiah Mohd news. V. Kasinathan, 43, and K. Nagaraj, 57, after
Saaduddin said a message on such activities “The criminal would then make a huge finding that they had failed to raise
was first posted online in 2016 and was commotion, before offering a settlement by She added that sharing or disseminating reasonable doubts against the charges.
recirculated on social media recently. asking the victim to pay a sum of money. If such news may create uncertainty in the
community. –Bernama They were also found to be in direct
possession of the drugs, which is the act
of processing the drugs and knowledge of
the drugs in a cow shed, which they had
control of.

Another accused, M. Radakrishnan, 52,
had the charge against him dropped as he
died in custody.

The four men, together with
S. Balaguhan, 50, who is still at large, were
jointly charged with trafficking 432.5g of
heroin and 152.6g of monoacetylmorphines
at a cow shed on Jalan Bukit Beruntung in
Rawang at about 12.40pm on Nov 26, 2019.
– Bernama

Man held for driving
against traffic

JOHOR BARU: The lorry driver who was
arrested for driving against the flow of traffic
at Km5.5 of the Second Link Expressway on
Tuesday, was yesterday remanded for four
days to assist with investigations.

The remand order against the 41-year-old
man was issued by magistrate Nurzihan
Abdul Rehman for the probe under Section
44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

On Tuesday, Iskandar Puteri police chief
ACP Rahmat Ariffin said the suspect was
also driving under the influence of alcohol
and had collided with other vehicles.

He said the incident occurred at 4.30pm
when the lorry driver was on his way from
Kulai to Tanjung Pelepas Port.

“The lorry driver had missed the
intersection to the port and gone into the
opposite lane,” he added. – Bernama

5theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023 BRIEFS MARCOS JR SEEKS
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS STRONGER CHINA TIES

Philippines asks top cops BEIJING: Philippine President
to resign to ‘cleanse’ force Ferdinand Marcos Jr said
yesterday he hoped to strengthen
o Minister accuses (RM783 million) worth of in the drugs trade, they held critical killed in police operations during ties with Beijing on his first state
officers of involvement methamphetamine, including a positions, Abalos said, without his term between 2016 and 2022. visit to China since taking office.
in drugs trade record seizure of 990kg with an elaborating. China and the Philippines are at
estimated street value of 6.7 billion Police have rejected allegations odds over the hotly disputed
MANILA: Efforts by Philippine pesos in October. Roughly 300 officers hold the the killings were executions, saying South China Sea, with Marcos
authorities to crack down on drugs rank of colonel to general in the the drug suspects violently resisted expected to sign a deal in Beijing
under President Ferdinand Marcos Interior Secretary Benjamin 227,000-strong police force. arrest and that authorities acted in this week to establish direct
Jr are being hampered by Abalos appealed for the voluntary self-defence. communication on maritime
the involvement of a few high- resignation of police officers holding Asked for comment, police head issues. Manila considers it “of
ranking police officials in the the rank of colonels up to generals to of public information Col Redrico In November, police said killings primary importance to strengthen
narcotics trade, the interior minister restore trust in anti-narcotics Maranan told reporters officers in anti-drugs operations would be the relationship between China
said yesterday. operations after some of them would follow the decisions of minimised, as the administration of and the Philippines”, Marcos said
were suspected of having links to the political leaders “because we know Marcos Jr focused on rehabilitation in a meeting yesterday with top
In the past six months, authorities drug trade. all these are for the good of our and education. Chinese legislator Li Zhanshu.
have confiscated 10 billion pesos organisation”. Marcos, who is also expected to
“This is one way of cleansing our Since Marcos Jr took office in meet Chinese President Xi
ranks. Let us start afresh,” he told Former Philippine president June, authorities have conducted Jinping, said he hoped for
a news conference. Rodrigo Duterte faced international more than 24,000 sting operations, “partnerships that will stabilise
condemnation for launching arrested around 30,000 people and and strengthen all of our
While only a few senior police a bloody anti-narcotics crackdown, killed around a dozen drug suspects, economies”. – AFP
officers were believed to have a role with more than 6,200 people according to police data. – Reuters
EX-NATO CHIEF URGES
FOND DEMOCRACIES TO UNITE
FAREWELL ...
Visitors looking TAIPEI: Democracies must join
at penguins in together to resist “advancing
an enclosure at autocracies”, Nato’s former head
Jurong Bird warned yesterday during a visit to
Park during its Taiwan, which he said must be
final day of allowed to decide its own future.
operations, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a former
before the Danish prime minister who served
aviary closes as Nato secretary-general from
and the birds 2009 to 2014, made the remarks at
are moved to a a meeting with Taiwanese
new park called President Tsai Ing-wen. “We need
Bird Paradise, in to strengthen our fight against, or
Singapore our attempts to counter, the
yesterday. advancing autocracies,” he said.
– AFPPIC “The world’s democracies
represent 60% of the global
South Korea may scrap buffer zone pact economy, if we can work
together, then we are
SEOUL: South Korean President Pyongyang began repeatedly the military agreement if the North of the unmanned aircraft despite representing a formidable force
Yoon Suk-yeol said yesterday he violating the deal last year. carries out another provocation scrambling jets for a five-hour that will create respect in Beijing
would consider suspending a 2018 violating our territory,” spokesman operation. and other capitals of autocratic
agreement that created maritime North Korea fired artillery shots Kim Eun-hye told reporters. nations”. – AFP
buffer zones with the North should into the agreement’s designated Scrapping the 2018 deal would
Pyongyang “violate” Seoul’s territory maritime buffer zones multiple Yoon also called for “a large-scale “increase the chance of heightened Myanmar marks
again. times last year, and last week sent production of small-size drones that military tensions and an actual clash Independence
five drones across the border into are hard to be detected by the end of in border areas”, said Hong Min of Day with
The deal, struck during a period South Korean airspace. the year” and the creation of a the Korea Institute for National mass pardons
of high-profile diplomacy at a multi-purpose drone unit for an Unification.
summit in Pyongyang, aimed to The violations have prompted “overwhelming counter-offensive YANGON: Myanmar’s military
reduce military tensions along the growing calls from ruling-party capability”. Despite Pyongyang violating the government will release 7,012
heavily fortified border. parliamentarians for the hawkish deal, the agreement still helped with prisoners under an amnesty to mark
Yoon administration to scrap the The North Korean drone “preventing a major military clash”, the country’s independence day,
At the time, the two sides agreed four-year-old deal, inked under incursion, the first such incident in he said. state broadcaster MRTV reported
to “cease various military exercises then-president Moon Jae-in. five years, prompted an apology yesterday, as the junta chief praised
aimed at each other along the from Seoul’s defence minister after “It will be a much different story if some countries for maintaining
military demarcation line”, but Yoon instructed his security aides the military failed to shoot down any Yoon puts an official, political end to support for his nation.
yesterday “to consider suspending the agreement.”– AFP
The country has faced
Taiwan to give cash payouts to citizens international isolation and sanctions
since the military seized power from
TAIPEI: Taiwan plans to give cash While economic growth is part of the tax revenue, would be New Year blessing after the an elected government led by Aung
payouts of T$6,000 (RM863) to every expected to slow in 2022 and 2023, spent as cash payouts and each beginning of the Lunar New Year.” Sang Suu Kyi two years ago.
citizen this year, Premier Su the government has made plans to citizen would get T$6,000.
Tseng-chang announced yesterday, plough an extra T$380 billion in tax Taiwan is a major producer of “I want to say thank you to some
saying the island’s economic growth revenue from last year back into the “The fruit of economic semiconductors used in everything international and regional countries
will be shared by everyone. economy to help protect the island achievements will be shared by all from cars and smartphones to and organisations and individuals
from global economic shocks, citizens, from young to old,” Su told fighter jets. who positively cooperated with us ...
The export-reliant economy, a including subsidies for electricity reporters, adding the potential payout in the midst of all the pressure,
global tech powerhouse for products prices and labour and health requires approval from parliament, Its economy continued to grow criticisms and attacks,” Min Aung
including semiconductor chips, insurance. where the ruling Democratic during the Covid-19 pandemic, Hlaing said in a speech to mark
grew 6.45% in 2021, the fastest rate Progressive Party has a majority. helped by strong chip demand for Myanmar’s 75th independence day.
since it expanded 10.25% in 2010. Su said a total of T$140 billion, consumer electronics as more
“We wish to give all citizens a people worked from home. – Reuters “We are closely working with
neighbouring countries such as China,
India, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh.
We will work together for border
stability and development,” he said in
a speech at a parade in the capital
Naypyitaw, complete with flag-waving
civil servants, marching soldiers, tanks
and a flypast by military jets.

Authorities typically release some
prisoners to mark the day when
Myanmar declared independence
from British rule.

MRTV said the latest amnesty
would not include those convicted
of murder and rape, or jailed for
charges related to explosives,
unlawful association, weapons,
drugs, natural disaster management
and corruption. – Reuters

Mexico sends 7theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
troops to fight NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
organised crime
US House in chaos after
MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s defence no speaker elected
ministry said on Tuesday it had flown
200 military personnel to the northern oRepublican rebels reject own party’s was shocked by 19 “no” votes from and huddle” in search of a
border city of Juarez to fight organised candidate in three rounds of votes his own side in each of the first two breakthrough.
crime there, days after a deadly prison rounds, rising to 20 in the third.
riot led to a manhunt for escaped WASHINGTON: Voting for a new voting – given blanket coverage The last time it took more than
convicts. leader of the US House of across US television networks. His performance was so weak one round of voting to pick a
Representatives is expected to that he lost out to the Democratic speaker at the start of a new
Authorities also sacked the director resume early today, a day after Rather than celebrating their minority leader Hakeem Jeffries in Congress was a century ago, in 1923.
of the prison, from which at least 30 Congress was plunged into disarray new control of the House, the party each of the opening three ballots –
inmates escaped. when renegade right-wing instead faces a drawn-out fight to although there remains little doubt One speaker selection process in
Republicans blocked favourite Kevin elect a speaker that could further a Republican will ultimately claim 1855 took 133 rounds of voting over
State prosecutors in the border McCarthy from becoming speaker in deepen internal divisions and put the speaker’s gavel. two months.
state of Chihuahua said Alejandro a series of humiliating votes. McCarthy’s political career on the
Alvarado, head of the Juarez prison, line. McCarthy has long coveted the One roadblock to McCarthy’s
had been dismissed, and is also under The California congressman role, having withdrawn from the anointment was the perception by
investigation for his possible role in needed a simple majority to be The 57-year-old needed 218 race in 2015 amid a number of some on his party’s far-right that he
the jailbreak, alongside others. elected as Washington’s top votes in the lower chamber, which blunders and a right-wing revolt. is insufficiently loyal to Trump, who
legislator, who presides over House flipped to a narrow 222-212 is running for the White House
On Sunday, 19 people died after business and is second in line to the Republican majority after last year’s This time he was once again again after losing to Biden in 2020.
gunmen attacked the prison a few presidency, after the vice-president. midterm elections. tripped up by far-right rebels,
miles south of El Paso, Texas, killing despite bowing to their calls to push No clear Republican alternative
guards and inmates and triggering a But for the first time in a century, But he failed to bring into line the aggressive investigations of to McCarthy had emerged, although
mass escape that included cartel Republicans failed to elect a speaker party rebels, including several Democrats, including President Joe one obvious name would be
kingpin Ernesto Alfredo Pinon de la in a nail-biting first three rounds of high-profile allies of former Biden, after taking over the House. incoming House majority leader
Cruz, also known as “El Neto.” president Donald Trump, and he Steve Scalise, a McCarthyite who
“The reality is McCarthy doesn’t has nevertheless been clear that he
Federal authorities arrived to have the votes,” Florida has ambitions of his own.
restore order, later finding a “VIP congressman Byron Donalds said in
zone” in the state-run prison with a statement urging fellow members However, the “Never Kevin”
drugs and money. of the party conference to “recess crowd are likely to see Scalise as
more of the same. – AFP
Prisoners’ relatives queued outside
the prison on Tuesday, some asking to
speak to authorities.

Maria Luisa Pena, an inmate’s aunt,
told Reuters authorities had yet to give
her information about her nephew’s
situation.

“We’re worried, we want to know
what’s happening with our relatives,
we want them to tell us something.”

“We’re all humans, aren’t we? We
all make mistakes. Now many of us
want the opportunity to know what’s
happening with our relatives,” added
an inmate’s wife, who was not
identified. – Reuters

BRIEFS CAR BOMBINGS KILL A soldier from
NINE IN SOMALIA Carpathian Sich
MOGADISHU: At least nine international
people were killed and several battalion firing
others wounded in an RPG while
simultaneous car bomb attacks conducting
in a town in central Somalia manoeuvres near
yesterday, security officials and the frontlines in
witnesses said. “The terrorists the Ukrainian city
attacked Mahas town using of Kreminna.
vehicles loaded with explosives,” – REUTERSPIC
said local security official
Abdullahi Adan. “They have
targeted a civilian area and we
have confirmed that nine
people, all of them civilians, died
in the two explosions.” The
attack, blamed on
Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab Russia blames soldiers’ mobile phone use for attack
fighters, took place in the Hiran
region of central Somalia.
Witnesses said the blasts
occurred near a restaurant not MOSCOW: Russia’s Defence on the attack, which has dealt a coordinates of the soldiers’ location could have spotted the base, he
far from a district administration Ministry yesterday blamed mobile further blow after major battlefield for a missile strike,” it said in a said.
building in Mahas. “I saw the phone use by its soldiers for a retreats in recent months. statement issued yesterday.
dead bodies of nine civilians, deadly Ukrainian missile strike that Ukrainian President Volodymyr
including women and children,” it said killed 89 servicemen, raising The Russian Defence Ministry Russia has effectively shut down Zelensky, who rarely comments on
said witness Adan Hassan. – AFP the reported death toll from 63. said four Ukrainian rockets had hit a all direct opposition to the war, with specific Ukrainian military strikes,
temporary Russian barracks in a open criticism banned by severe made no mention of the attack in a
FIRST EXECUTION OF The New Year’s Eve strike, the vocational college in Makiivka, twin media rules. video address on Tuesday.
TRANSGENDER IN U.S. deadliest single incident Moscow city of the Russian-occupied
has acknowledged since the start of regional capital of Donetsk in But it has given comparatively free He said Russia was set to launch
WASHINGTON: A transgender the war, has angered pro-war eastern Ukraine. rein to pro-war nationalist bloggers, a major offensive.
woman convicted of murder was Russian commentators, increasingly many with hundreds of thousands of
put to death on Tuesday in the vocal about what they see as a Although a probe has been followers on social media. “We have no doubt that current
first such execution in the US. half-hearted and incompetent launched, the ministry said the masters of Russia will throw
Amber McLaughlin, 49, was campaign in Ukraine. main reason for the attack was the Semyon Pegov, a war everything they have left and
pronounced dead shortly before mass use of mobile phones by correspondent awarded the Order of everyone they can round up to try to
7pm local time at the Diagnostic Criticism has been directed at servicemen, which it described as Courage by Putin, said on Telegram turn the tide of the war and at least
and Correctional Centre in the military commanders rather than illegal. that pointing the finger at troops delay their defeat.
town of Bonne Terre, according Russian President Vladimir Putin, using mobile phones “looks like an
to a statement from the Missouri who has not commented publicly “This factor allowed the enemy outright attempt to smear the blame”. “We have to disrupt this Russian
prison department. Local news to track and determine the scenario. We are preparing for this.
station Fox2now reported that There were other ways Ukraine The terrorists must lose.” – Reuters
she died by lethal injection. She
was the first transgender person UK to make maths compulsory for pupils until age 18
of either sex to be executed in
the country, and also the first LONDON: British Prime Minister currently suggest the Conservatives our children down,” he will say. The A-Level system narrowed the
person to die by capital Rishi Sunak will unveil plans to will lose to Labour. He will also point to the fact that, number of subjects teenagers study
punishment this year in America. make it compulsory to study some more quickly than in other countries.
McLaughlin was convicted of form of maths until the age of 18, in In his first public engagement of unlike many other countries, just half
murdering a former girlfriend in a drive to ensure the UK rivals the the year, Sunak will use a speech in of all those aged 16 to 19 study maths. Critics said this hampered
2003 in a suburb of St Louis, best education systems in the world. central London to warn that the the drive to create all-rounders,
before she transitioned. – AFP jobs of the future will require more However, maths at A-Level will while supporters said it allowed
However, the change will not analytical skills than ever before. not be compulsory for all. students to adapt more quickly to
come about until after the next the rigours of a university course.
election, which opinion polls “Letting our children out into the Instead, ministers are looking at – The Independent
world without those skills, is letting pupils taking some form of maths
course alongside other subjects.

8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
SPEAK UP

COMMENT by ChinYew Sin

Safety is everyone’s responsibility
IT seems that more and more
Malaysians are living in fear due to Everyone must take safety seriously “With the house (our wives) after they Approved hospitality facilities are
the increasing threat of floods and or everyone will be at risk. knowledge, unanimously decided it unwise to take legally bound to protect their guests
landslides. Housing areas which information the risk during the rainy season to drive from harm, which include landslides or
were previously flood free have now The NGO that I am in (Alliance for a and a safety through winding hill slopes. In other types of disasters, such as floods.
become flood prone. Places for family Safety Community), which promotes mindset, we hindsight now, my friends and I salute
holidaying – the beautiful hill slopes and and realises safety as our way of life, have the the wisdom of the women for making Guests have every right to refuse
river banks for outdoor activities – are recently attended a dialogue session ability to the safe choice by factoring the seasonal checking in or cancelling reservations if
no longer deemed safe. organised by Nadma (National Disaster reduce the risks risk. The quality of our life was not operators are non-compliant with
Management Agency). The agency is of facing compromised either because we always safety rules.
People have become anxious by the increasing focus on emergency disasters. have the option to visit this place
disasters that have been happening. preparedness. In this regard, it is setting another time or choose another place. In most cases, our tolerance to risk
Shocking images of affected areas have up a network of NGOs called “Rakan becomes higher during vacations as we
been reported in the media and shared Nadma” to leverage on the strength of In a short video clip produced by are relaxed. There is an element of
on social network almost instantly. For these organisations to go beyond, not Channel NewsAsia titled “Batang Kali “tidak apa” attitude and we choose to
example, following the Batang Kali only response and rescue, but also in landslide – the tragedy unfolded near care less about safety or assess the risks,
landslide, I received at least two video reaching out to the community to raise Genting Highland”, one survivor let alone report any potential danger or
clips of several other landslides in the awareness, and learn the importance of reportedly said: “We felt the tents safety non-compliance by operators.
country, thus creating another wave of preparedness in disaster risk reduction. becoming unstable and soil was falling
fear for the public, albeit, there were no around us. Luckily, I was able to leave When incidents happen, we point
reported casualties. We are not immune Nadma is advocating that safety is the tent and go to some place safer.” I fingers at the authorities or blame
to disasters. everyone’s responsibility. The rakyat has must applaud her for her alertness on mother nature. With knowledge,
a role to play in making the country a the first sign of being exposed to risk, information and a safety mindset, we
Most of us have the perception that safer place. As an individual, how can and was able to make a quick decision have the ability to reduce the risks of
anything to do with natural disaster we play a role in safeguarding our lives that eventually saved her life and those facing disasters.
risk mitigation and reduction are solely and those of our loved ones in the face of her loved ones.
the responsibility of the authorities. I of a potential disaster? My new year wish is for all
disagree. When it comes to health and To be in a position of making safe Malaysians to start embracing the
safety, we as individuals must embrace Just a week before the landslide choices related to landslides, we rely on mindset that “safety is everyone’s
the belief that “safety is everyone’s incident, a few of my friends with our knowledge and information, such as responsibility”.
responsibility”. families were discussing and planning a early warning systems to avoid
getaway at a highland resort. The plan surprises. Chin Yew Sin is the author of “Unlocking
was, however, halted by the “heads” of the secret of making safe choices”.

Comments: [email protected]

Making resolutions and keeping them

█ BY KATE NG #manifestingtips. Senior lecturer in psychology Glassdoor career trends expert Jill Cotton When it comes to new year’s resolutions for
MAKING a new year’s resolution is like pushing at the University of Law Mark Jellicoe said there says resolutions can provide “clear direction” 2023, many of us have money on our minds. A
the pedestrian button at a busy crossing: is no real evidence that manifestation works. for the next 12 months as long as they are rooted survey of 1,000 British adults by financial advice
Basically pointless, but you do it anyway. Every But he thinks the idea of it can have a positive in reality. “Rather than rushing into a resolution website Unbiased found that 72% were acutely
year, we go through the same rigmarole. For influence on human behaviour. that may soon feel overwhelming or outdated, aware of their finances, with many planning to
some people, resolutions work, for most, they take time to work out how you want your life or tighten their belts next year amid the cost of
spark a vicious cycle. You make a promise to “It makes sense that if we orient ourselves career to change in 2023,” she says. “The prep living crisis. For those polled, that means giving
yourself, swiftly break it. You feel bad about it. towards an outcome, we may be more work will allow you to feel optimistic about the up on takeaways (47%), stopping from eating
motivated to achieve it,” he explains. “When we steps ahead.” out and going to the pub (40%), and attempting
Resolution-haters may be placated by the are considering a vision that we have for to use cars less (30%).
fact that they have been falling out of fashion in ourselves, we likely need to get tactical about B+A global research and strategy partner
recent years anyway. Last year, a survey of more the goals we seek to achieve, and the science of Tamika Abaka-Wood agrees. “It is in our nature Cotton suggests a different approach,
than 2,000 British adults found that only one in goal-setting may help with this.” to rush to find solutions without considering advising that workers do not necessarily cut
four planned to make resolutions come Jan 1. what it is we are truly trying to solve,” she says. back but resolve to “know their worth” when it
However, he warns that manifesting “is not a comes to their salaries. “This can be done by
According to research by Strava, most people magic bullet”. We are easily distracted as human She suggests asking yourself a series of using a salary calculator, having an open
would have already begun to give up on their beings, he continues, making us “often quite questions to determine what kind of resolution conversation with co-workers about salary
resolutions by middle of January. But do not fret bad at the deliberate mechanics of goal-setting, would work for you. “For example, you may bands or looking at job adverts for similar roles.
if you are still attracted to the “idea” of setting even when we want to achieve the outcome”. decide you are going to start a daily meditation There is unnecessary secrecy around salaries.
goals for yourself – experts say there are still practice, but why?” she says. “What actually is Without transparency, pay equality will be
ways we can make resolutions work. Jellicoe suggests using a model called a the root cause we are addressing? Maybe it is almost impossible to achieve.”
“woop”, which stands for “wish, outcome, that you are not sleeping well? You could be in a
“Manifesting” has begun to replace making obstacle, plan”. “This approach encourages us relationship that is not serving your emotional It is tempting to say “humbug” when it
resolutions in the new year. The pseudoscience to think about the reality of our situation and needs. You could be spending too much time comes to new year’s resolutions. But if we stop
behind manifestation suggests that the power the likely obstacles that come between us and on screens.” using them as just another way to beat
of thought alone can be enough to make your our ultimate goals,” he says. “We can then plan ourselves up, they can become real sources of
desires a reality. While the practice is not new, it ways to overcome them.” Setting a goal without first working out why hope and inspiration – things that keep us going
is seen as a major boom in popularity over the you want to achieve it can lead to feelings of at a time of global unrest. And if you stick with
last year, thanks to videos on TikTok, with the If manifestation is not your choice, making a aimlessness. Abaka-Wood suggests asking them, you may surprise yourself. After all,
hashtag #manifesting drawing 4.3 billion views resolution can still be useful when it comes to yourself “five whys” once you have a goal in sometimes pushing the button at the crossing
on the platform alone. There have been more shaping your year ahead. While it is true that mind. “Whatever your reply, interrogate it to see really does make a difference. – The
than 529 million views for the hashtag resolutions can feel arbitrary, thinking about where it takes you. It will feel ridiculous but I Independent
what you want from them before you set them promise it leads to a core truth.”
can make a difference.

9theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
SPEAK UP

Fix dilapidated facilities in East M’sia

COMMENT 60th anniversary of independence from the federal to the Borneo flexibility in skills needed for upskilling,
By AmandaYeo and, by inclusion and extension, of territories. reskilling and cross-skilling to adapt to
the Malaysia Agreement/MA (1963), the the rapidly evolving economic and
WHILE it marks a good unity government does not have much When both Sabah and Sarawak have industrial landscape.
starting point for newly time to delay or postpone these issues. their respective ministries to manage Nonetheless, the stream initiative has
minted Health Minister Dr health and education affairs, Datuk Seri to be supported by digital devices and
Zaliha Mustafa to provide Both newly appointed education and Anwar Ibrahim’s administration will find connectivity. Students without digital
free sanitary pads at the ministry level, health ministers have to start carrying the MA63 agenda a less daunting task to and internet accessibility cannot
the period poverty issue is just the tip of out the necessary groundwork, achieve within his first 100 days serving upgrade themselves with the relevant
the iceberg. understand the underlying problems as prime minister (March 3). knowledge and practical skills, hence,
and develop solutions to ensure a diminishing their chances of securing
Period poverty refers to a lack of or brighter future for the next generations. “Provide full In promoting the overall national higher-paying jobs after graduation.
inadequate access to menstrual autonomy health and education infrastructure, The Education Ministry should also
products, sanitation facilities and Pakatan Harapan has claimed that for both Emir Research has recommendations introduce education in sexual and
information on menstruation – often among the 21 issues under MA63, 17 Sabah and for the unity government to look into: reproductive health, moral and civic to
leading to adverse health, psychological were resolved during the tenure of its Sarawak provide a holistic framework for
and social consequences. As highlighted administration between May 2018 and state 1. The Health Ministry should think Malaysians from a young age (“Women’s
by Emir Research, the Covid-19 February 2020. However, one month governments of ways to increase the number of issues are also issues that require the
pandemic has exposed the underlying before the 14th Parliament was to carry medical officers (MO) for permanent national or the other gender’s attention”,
risks of inadequate access to sanitary dissolved on Oct 10, 2022, former immediate positions without compromising on the Emir Research, April 6, 2022).
pads among low-income and poorer minister in the prime minister’s upgrading of three-tier assessment system that is in 3. Initiate discussions with the
girls and women. department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) dilapidated place. The three-tier assessment education and health ministries to
Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili insisted health and comprises the Permanent Appointment allocate more teachers and doctors to be
With shrinking income and job that 15 MA63 issues remain education Technical Committee at the medical based in the rural areas of Sabah and
losses, the affected working-age women outstanding. These include jurisdiction facilities or programme level, the Permanent Sarawak. Both ministries can provide
were left with few options but to go for over health, the remaining (i.e. based on initiate Appointment Selection Committee training and job guarantee incentives
unhygienic methods by using tattered and derived from pre-existing shared list development chaired by the deputy secretary-general to motivate more Sabahans and
clothes, coconut husks, old or discarded of the Federal Constitution) jurisdiction for new (management) and the committee to Sarawakians to contribute to their home
newspapers, and even banana leaves on the environment, labour and the hospitals, certify the permanent appointment by territories through teaching and medical
during their menstruation period. release of land ownership rights to the clinics and making the final recommendations to professions. Encouraging more
federal government. schools. the ministry’s top management. If some Sabahans and Sarawakians to become
This is just one chronic issue. The MO have yet to have their contract teachers and doctors will eventually
other issue is the insufficient number of Although the current unity renewed after the two-year compulsory narrow the gap between the number of
medical specialists and healthcare government aspires to resolve all MA63 service, the ministry can work with teachers and doctors required and the
amenities in sub-urban and rural areas. issues within a month (due by this potential employers in the private number of students and residents in a
Malaysians who reside outside major month), it remains to be seen whether sector, i.e. including government-linked particular rural district of Sabah and
cities and conurbations have to travel the federal ministers will be able to hospitals (both federal and state), to Sarawak.
afar to access necessary medical effectively translate the political absorb them. It should also look into the 4. Provide full autonomy for both
treatment. commitments into policies and laws. working conditions of MO, such as Sabah and Sarawak state governments
giving them unrecorded leave and to carry immediate upgrading of
Such a phenomenon is especially Also, the federal government has to maternity leave, and financial assistance dilapidated health and education
acute in Sabah and Sarawak (including be proactive in organising frequent or sponsorship for post-specialist infrastructure or initiate development
the Federal Territory of Labuan), which engagements with the state training. for new hospitals, clinics and schools. As
account for 60% (i.e. 198,100 sq km) of governments. This includes ensuring part of a new era of partnership between
the total area of Malaysia. In 2021, complete decentralisation of power 2. It is highly commendable that the Peninsular and East Malaysia, the
Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan’s official from the federal to the state in the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek unity government should standby to
ratio of doctors to the population were matters of health and education. intends to bring back the National provide additional funding if the Sabah
1:776, 1:662 and 1:837, respectively, However, it is currently challenging for Education Advisory Council. Although and Sarawak state governments require
lower than the national average of 1:420. the federal government to fully delegate she did not specify the council’s more financial assistance.
them to the states as Sabah no longer purview, it would be ideal that it 5. Monitor the construction progress
Moreover, Sabah and Sarawak’s has its own health and education comprises experts, academics and regularly to ensure that the
teacher-to-student ratios in the rural ministries. representatives from teacher and parent infrastructures comply with
secondary schools were 1:11.75 and associations to formulate an integrated requirements (i.e. construction industry
1:12.61 in 2020, lower than the national When the Warisan-led PH plus plan for post-pandemic education. standard by the Construction Industry
average of 1:9.36. The issue of governed Sabah between 2018 and Development Board, road safety audit
dilapidated schools in both Sabah and 2020, then chief minister Datuk Seri Moving forward, the Education by the Public Works Department, etc.).
Sarawak has also become a hindrance Shafie Apdal set up both the state level Ministry should go ahead and Also ensure that projects are completed
for students to experience a conducive Health and People’s Well-being Ministry implement the plan to revamp the within the specific timeframe.
learning environment. and the Education and Innovation national education system, with a Anwar’s commitment to combat
Ministry. stronger emphasis and focus on science, wastages, leakages and graft in the
As of April 2020, out of 1,296 schools technology, reading, engineering, arts public sector, including projects related
in Sabah, 589 of them were dilapidated Sarawak also followed in Sabah’s and mathematics stream, encompassing to health and education infrastructure,
(latest obtainable figure). For Sarawak, footsteps post-2021 state election. The primary, secondary and university whereby an open tender environment
latest derived figure as of Sept 2022 Cabinet rebranding saw the levels. In abolishing the arts and and culture should be the default
shows that 476 dilapidated schools were establishment of the Education, sciences streams, so that whatever system, has reignited fresh and renewed
yet to be repaired or upgraded. Innovation and Talent Development subjects the students choose will still hope for our nation.
Ministry as well as the Public Health, revolve around some science and Let us pray that the prime minister
Due to the limited number of Housing and Local Government engineering or technology-based will lead Malaysia towards promising
Comprehensive Special Model Schools Ministry under Sarawak premier Tan Sri subjects, they will still be exposed to economic growth prospects and stable
Nine (K9), which offers schooling from Abang Johari Openg. a holistic education (i.e. via the governance in the next five years and
Year One to Form Three in the remote introduction of liberal arts disciplines beyond.
areas of Sabah and Sarawak, fewer Given that Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor such as communications, philosophy,
children have been graduating. remains the chief minister of Sabah (the literature, etc. in addition to Amanda Yeo is research analyst at
state assembly has until Dec 9, 2025 conventional subjects like history and Emir Research, an independent
As a result, only 12.7% and 13.4% of before it has to be dissolved), he may geography, inter alia).
the rural workforce in Sabah and consider having the current state local think tank focused on strategic policy
Sarawak received tertiary education government and Housing Minister Essentially, the vision is to ultimately recommendations based on
qualifications in 2020. Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Munjun revamp the education philosophy to rigorous research.
holding an additional, i.e. health produce graduates who are both
East Malaysians with lower portfolio. generalists (minoring) and specialists Comments: [email protected]
educational attainment can only opt for (majoring) in their respective streams
lower-skilled jobs, thus depriving them Whereas Datuk Yakub Khan, the of choice, which will boost their
of opportunities to earn a higher current state science, technology and employability in the “new” economy.
income. innovation minister, could be put in This will also facilitate the promotion of
charge of education as well to ensure
As 2023 marks Sabah and Sarawak’s effective transition of power devolution

Empower youths for sustainable living

LETTERS empower them in decision-making and leader in the late 60’s and early 70’s. organisers and social innovation builders.
[email protected] socio-economic discussions such as climate The question is how do we engage our These type of programmes will increase
change, child labour, human rights, green
WE need to make significant differences in the energy, for them to offer valued inputs and youths in urban sustainable development? A their diversity in the community, and they will
quality of life of our youths by creating positive create an impact? special programme should be introduced with be better prepared to be involved in civic
changes for them. the aim to inform youths on sustainable engagement. These programmes should also
We witnessed our youths in action in the development, and financial assistance offered focus on equipping them as youth leaders and
Youths nowadays are becoming more last 15th general election. It is time we equip to support them throughout the programme. professional apprentices, to enable, especially
engaged, qualitatively and quantitatively, to them in civic engagement. However, without Participants should be given training on the the B40 youths, to build a career.
assume effective roles in our societies with access to resources and opportunities to necessary skills, knowledge and networking,
exposure to better education and modern participate in positive change making, their complete with a certificate of achievement to The future is in the hands of our youths, and
communication facilities and tools. voices will be curtailed. assist them in their job hunt. they have the power to bring about change.
What they need is a driving force. And, they will
As the saying goes, “the young shall inherit We must review our current model and A programme imparting skills and succeed if they are given the opportunities for
the earth”. But are we supporting our youths to redesign it accordingly to fulfil this objective, knowledge as youth ambassadors in the development.
lead the next world? Are we doing enough to especially with the new unity government community should also be introduced, with
under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar resources and social capital allotted for the C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu
Ibrahim, who himself was a former youth function. They can join as volunteers, event Seremban

10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

BRIEFS KNIGHT FRANK MALAYSIA Mah Sing targets sales
NAMES NEW GROUP of at least RM2.2b for 2023
MANAGING DIRECTOR
PETALING JAYA: Mah Sing Group o Group optimistic about prospects this slowdown in global economies,
PETALING JAYA: Real estate consultancy Bhd has set a minimum RM2.2 year, especially for its M-series launches high inflation and high-interest rate
company Knight Frank Malaysia has billion sales target for 2023, citing environment, strong home buying
announced the promotion of Keith HY robust demand for its M-series Its recent M-series launches have received “overwhelming” registration momentum for the group’s
Ooi to group managing director launches. recorded strong take-up rates such as of interests. properties should remain resilient
effective January 2023 as part of its M Astra Tower B in Setapak (95% in 2023,” it said.
succession plan which is in line with its The group in a statement said taken up), M Senyum Phase 2 Economic growth and employment
growth strategy. The group said in a that as of Sept 30, 2022, it has Camellia 2 in Salak Tinggi (98%) and conditions domestically as well as the Mah Sing founder and group
statement that Ooi plans to elevate the achieved RM1.69 billion in sales and M Panora Phase 1A in Rawang (100%). global reopening of borders further managing director Tan Sri Leong
premier real estate brand with his its unbilled sales position has grown boost sentiment for property buying. Hoy Kum revealed that supported
personal mantra of 4Es – to empower, to RM2.29 billion, providing more Upcoming M Nova in Kepong, by confidence in the M-Series of
engage, embrace and expand. His than one year of revenue visibility. new phases of M Senyum (Phase 3), “In view of the strong pipeline of affordable homes, and backed by
strategy includes empowering the M Panora (Phase 1B) as well as projects that are priced for the healthy balance sheets and
people at Knight Frank Malaysia to Mah Sing said it is positioned to Meridin East (Jasmine and Erica current market conditions and liquidity, the group will continue to
make a difference within the company, capture the demand for affordably West) in Johor Baru have also targeting the right buyer segment, scout and acquire new lands to
engaging stakeholders to improve priced properties with focus on the we are confident that despite the strengthen its M series portfolio.
service, embracing change and digital M series development that target
adoption as well as expanding the first-time homebuyers and buy-to- “Beyond 2023, the mid to long-
company’s presence to other states in stay groups. term outlook remains positive
Malaysia. supported by strong fundamental
demand for properties due to the
CREST BUILDER SECURES young demography. Demand for
RM251M CONDO PROJECT houses from first-time homebuyers
should remain sustainable,” he
PETALING JAYA: Crest Builder Sdn added.
Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Crest Builder Holdings Bhd has Mah Sing has also integrated
secured a contract worth RM250.52 sustainability into its business and
million by Sime Darby Property (Bukit operations, making it a constituent of
Raja) Sdn Bhd for the construction FTSE4Good Index Bursa Malaysia.
and completion of three blocks
condominium in Putra Heights, Apart from its core business in
Mukim Damansara, in Petaling Jaya. property development, Mah Sing
In its Bursa Malaysia announcement has also ventured into the
yesterday, the company said the healthcare and plastics industries.
design-and-build contract spans 36
months from Feb 2, 2023, to Feb 2, Group wants to capture the demand for affordably priced properties with focus on the M series projects that target HOME BUYERS will benefit
2026. first-time homebuyers and buy-to-stay customers. – MAH SING WEBSITE from the exemption of 75%
of stamp duty on the sales
DBKL PRESENTS RM2.6B and purchase agreements of
BUDGET FOR 2023 properties priced between
RM500,001 to RM1 million
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City (signed by Dec 31, 2023).
Hall (DBKL) has allocated RM2.6 billion Meanwhile, 100% of the
for its 2023 Budget for the stamp duty exemption for
implementation of various initiatives for first-time homebuyers
the well-being of the city dwellers. remains and is applicable for
Themed “Bandar Raya Mampan, properties priced at
Sejahtera Bersama”, the amount was a RM500,000 and below.
decrease of 3.7% from the budget for
this year which allocated RM2.7 billion. Savills: Ride will remain bumpy but with stronger positive bias
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi
Che Ngah said through the budget, KUALA LUMPUR: Property segment will “continue to be in the in a higher price tag,” the statement depending on the global situation. At
RM1.96 bilion or 75.3% had been set consultancy Savills Malaysia sees the limelight” of market activities. said. 3.25%, the OPR will be back to pre-
aside for operating expenditure and overall property market in the pandemic levels.
RM643.7 (24.7%) for city development. country “to be a direct extension of Group managing director/head In the residential property segment,
He said the budget comprised 14 2022” and that the bumpy ride will of Savills Malaysia Datuk Paul Khong the statement said demand will be The benchmark interest rate now
programmes including the road and move into 2023 but with a stronger said the consultancy awaits the new “resilient” and this will be evidenced stands at 2.75%, after four consecutive
drainage infrastructure, management positive bias. Budget 2023 with anticipation for by improving sales in the first to the hikes of 25 basis points from 1.75% at
and administration, public and people’s measures to rejuvenate the entire third quarter of 2023 due to the pent-up the start of 2022.
housing as well as greening, park In a statement on Sunday, Savills sector and not just goodies for those demand.
maintenance, open space and commented with the new government, in the bottom 40. The rising cost of buying a house
recreational facilities. – Bernama hopefully there will be better support Savills said there will be those could impact the purchasing power
for a strong landing. Nonetheless, he acknowledged who will continue to take advantage of potential buyers in the coming
STELLA GETS RM41.2M that construction costs and higher of the “still-low” mortgage costs, said years, he added.
SERENDAH ROAD DEAL Breaking the property market loan rates have dampened the real Khong.
into different sub-sectors, the Savills estate sector and the overall domestic Savills also sees a global trend in
KUALA LUMPUR: Stella Holdings Bhd, said older offices and retail economy. Nevertheless, he noted that environmental, social, and governance
via its wholly owned unit Mewah Kota properties are “likely to struggle” challenges are there as Bank Negara issues being embedded deeply into
Sdn Bhd, has secured a RM41.22 while newer properties in the “We have seen a major cost-push Malaysia (BNM) may raise the investment decisions. This awareness
million construction contract from industrial, logistics and data centre (effect) on new developments. These overnight policy rate (OPR) above is also growing in Malaysia,” Khong
RSM Builders Sdn Bhd. In a filing with new products will eventually result the pre-pandemic level (3.25-3.5%) said. – Bernama
Bursa Malaysia yesterday, the company
said the contract was in respect of the
construction of a new road at UMW
High-Value Manufacturing Park (UMW
HVMP) in Serendah, Selangor. Stella
said that the project is scheduled to be
completed on Feb 28, 2024. “The
contract is expected to contribute
positively to the earnings of the group
for the relevant financial periods within
the duration of the contract,” it said. –
Bernama

China’s border reopening will bring gradual increase in investors: Juwai IQI CEO

PETALING JAYA: China’s border quarantine and testing. The group expects Chinese dropped by 50% to 60% during the
reopening from Jan 8 means there “China is going from virtually outbound travel and accompanying pandemic.
will be a trickle of property investors property investment to increase
for the Malaysian property market, sealed off to nearly wide open in rapidly in January from its current According to Juwai IQI Chinese
said real estate technology group just a couple of days. From Jan 8, very low level. buyer enquiry data (see chart), the
Juwai IQI co-founder and group Beijing will ease most restrictions, top three countries for Chinese
CEO Kashif Ansari. and the Chinese will again be able “We can’t bounce back to 2019 property buyers in December are
to travel overseas. levels all at once. Outbound travel Australia, the US, and Canada
The doors are about to be flung from China will snowball and may while Malaysia came in at number
open on the world’s largest source of “Travellers’ priorities include reach 2019 levels by mid-2024. seven.
travellers. During the pandemic, visiting family and friends, studying
China restricted overseas travel, abroad, business, tourism, and “Chinese international property Juwai IQI said it will issue a
reduced the number of passports it property investment. This will be investment is already beginning to report to forecast how fast and far
issued, and required all returning the first opportunity in three years recover from its pandemic lows. Chinese international property
Chinese to undergo strict Covid for most Chinese to visit overseas Depending on the destination, investment will recover in 2023
real estate markets,” he said. Chinese property investment given its new policy conditions.

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. THURSDAY
JANUARY 5, 2023
197201001092 (12738-U)
Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688
A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad Fax: 03-7785 2624/5

A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad Email: [email protected]
Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888
4/01/2023 Fax: 03-7784 4424

Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected]
RM m
% RM m RM m

49.8 Institutions 825.3 831.5 -6.2

30.0 Retail 514.4 485.7 28.7

20.2 Foreign 325.0 347.5 -22.5

100.0 1664.7 1664.7 0 4.44 3.34 647.82 7.00 377.64 24.99 37.30 113.00
KLCI STI HANG SENG SCI NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com 1,469.55 3,242.46 3,123.52 25,716.86 14,199.13 2,255.98
Source: Bursa Malaysia 20,793.11 7,059.20

KL MARKET SUMMARY Proton posts fourth
January 4, 2023

INDICES 10,562.40 CHANGE -24.95 straight year of growth
FBMEMAS
FBMKLCI 1,469.55 -4.44
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 583.46 +1.90
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 181.42 -0.48
CONSTRUCTION 153.85 +1.30
FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,320.54 -38.75
ENERGY 781.23 -0.12
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 580.20 -3.54 o Carmaker retains
HEALTH CARE 1,699.51 -19.14 number two ranking in
TRANSPORTATION 882.31 -0.36 nation’s automotive sales
PROPERTY 645.20 +2.88 with estimated market
PLANTATION 6,877.54 -96.29 share of 19.6% in 2022
FBMSHA 10,758.74 -38.09
FBMACE 5,378.53 +41.38
TECHNOLOGY 63.23 -0.15

TURNOVER VALUE
3.13 BIL RM1.66 BIL

5 MOST ACTIVES KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd
January 4, 2023 concluded 2022 with its fourth consecutive
year of sales growth at 141,432 units
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) (domestic and export), its highest overall The Proton X70 retains its position as the best-selling C-segment SUV for the fourth
HONGSENG-WB 375,546,800 3.0 -0.5 sales since 2013. consecutive year despite strong challenge from new competitors. – BERNAMAPIX
SAPNRG 111,739,700 4.5 +1.0
HONGSENG 107,071,900 18.0 -4.0 Total sales grew by 23.3% year-on-year
L&PBHD 85,275,800 54.0 -0.5 (y-o-y) despite a tough start to the year
CYPARK 65,567,100 53.5 +1.5 when the combination of flood-affected
spare parts vendors and an acute shortage
5 TOP GAINERS in the global chip industry depressed models grew in 2022, with three models Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah said
January 4, 2023 volumes in the first four months of 2022, ending the year as segment leaders. looking ahead towards 2023, Proton is
Proton said in a statement yesterday. confident of achieving more growth as it
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM “The Proton X50 continues to be the adds to its range of offerings with new
HEXTECH 181,500 20.40 +0.56 “Sales volume for international markets best-selling sport utility vehicle (SUV) in model launches this year.
MPI 31,100 29.16 +0.38 increased to 5,406 units, growing by 79.1% Malaysia, ending the year with a new SUV
CHINAETF-MYR 21,000 5.34 +0.31 y-o-y, allowing the company to comfortably annual sales record of 40,681 units, an “However, we expect TIV to be lower as
AJI 61,800 13.78 +0.34 end the year as the industry’s leading increase of 41.4% y-o-y,” it said. deliveries for orders placed during the sales
HSI-CLP 35,600 1.79 +0.23 exporter. tax exemption period will be fulfilled by the
Meanwhile, the Proton X70 retained its end of March.
5 TOP LOSERS “Overall, the company has retained its position as the best-selling C-segment SUV
January 4, 2023 number two ranking in the nation’s for the fourth consecutive year despite a “Interest rates are also expected to
automotive sales table with an estimated strong challenge from new competitors, increase again this year so it will be tough
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM market share of 19.6%,” it said, adding that ending the year with an overall sales figure for the automotive industry to continue its
KLK 309,300 21.70 -0.40 the Total Industry Volume (TIV) for 2022 is of 18,533 units, an increase of 13.1% y-o-y. upward trajectory,” he said. – Bernama
HSI-HKA 8,100 0.93 -0.33 estimated to have closed at over 720,000
HSI-HKI 18,800 0.385 -0.285 units – a new industry high on the back of a
GENP 363,500 6.10 0.21 record-setting December.
HSI-HKD 62,000 0.64 -0.21
Proton said sales for five out of six of its

G Cap gets RM8.4m chartering contract from Mindef

EXCHANGE RATES JANUARY 4, 2023 KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Main value of RM44.2 million. transportation services, mini-hydropower
Market-listed G Capital Bhd (GCAP) via its G Capital Bhd executive director Datuk activities, and solar photovoltaic energy
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy wholly owned subsidiary GPB Corporation generating system via its subsidiaries.
Sdn Bhd (GPB) signed a supplementary Yap Yee Ping said, “It is an honour to serve
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD agreement with the Ministry of Defence our national heroes and we believe the In prior years, the transportation segment
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.4780 4.3420 4.3320 Malaysia (Mindef) on Dec 30, 2022. Supplemental Agreement is a testament to has been the sole revenue contributor to
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.0330 2.9100 2.8940 our commitment to top-notch quality group before commissioning mini-
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.3290 3.2300 3.2220 A filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday services we are providing to our customers in hydropower projects and solar photovoltaic
1 EURO 3.2750 3.1860 3.1740 shows the contract tenure has been our undertakings.” energy generating systems. However, the
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 4.7340 4.5780 4.5580 extended for another one year to end on Dec discontinuation of the National Service
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.8110 2.7060 2.6900 31, 2023 with additional contract value According to Yap, reopening the economy Training Programme in 2018 has taken a toll
1 STERLING POUND 3.3290 3.2300 3.2220 awarded of RM8.4 million – making it a total and resumption of schooling nationwide on the group’s financial performance,
1 SWISS FRANC 5.3760 5.2030 5.1830 contract value of RM52.6 million from Jan 1, had led to recovery in demand for the group’s coupled with the strong headwinds of the
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.7720 4.6600 4.6450 2020 to Dec 31, 2023. chartering services. Covid-19 pandemic starting the year 2020.
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 123.3200 116.9000 116.7000
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 4.4040 4.1290 3.9290 The Supplementary Agreement is in “A good beginning is half the battle; I’m The group is now diversifying its core
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 64.6000 62.3000 relation to the current contract of GPB to pleased to kick start 2023 by announcing the business, that is, transportation, to include
100 INDIAN RUPEE 57.9000 55.0000 N/A chartering school buses for the children of Supplemental Agreement taking place. We energy solutions, prioritising the renewable
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 5.5000 5.1600 54.8000 the Malaysian Armed Forces nationwide will continue striving for excellence to what energy segment. This diversification aims to
100 JAPANESE YEN 0.0297 0.0269 4.9600 including the Southern, Eastern, Northern, makes people better off because of our improve the revenue and earnings of GCAP
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 3.4210 3.3110 Sabah and Sarawak zones of Malaysia from presence,” Yap added. Group and reduce its reliance on the
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 15.6000 0.0219 Jan 1, 2020 to Dec 31, 2022, for a contract transportation segment.
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 2.0100 N/A 3.3010 G Capital is an investment holding firm.
100 QATAR RIYAL 8.1300 1.8800 GCAP Group is principally involved in
100 SAUDI RIYAL 123.4300 7.6600 N/A
100THAI BAHT 120.3800 117.1700 1.6800 PMI survey shows cost, supply pressure easing: MIDF Research
13.6000 114.2800 7.4600
12.0500 116.9700 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s latest Purchasing worries that the demand outlook would “We expect slower activities in regional
114.0800 Managers Index (PMI) survey has revealed that remain muted going forward, MIDF production will remain for now on the back
11.6500 cost and supply pressures have eased as Research said in a note yesterday. of weaker demand and in anticipation of
companies indicate that vendor performance slow growth in advanced markets,” the
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama has stabilised after three years of deterioration Malaysia’s manufacturing activities research house said.
and firms finally cut selling prices, the first contracted further in December 2022 with
reduction in 2.5 years. the PMI remaining below 50 for the fourth Meanwhile, commenting on the Asean
consecutive month. Manufacturing PMI data, S&P Global Market
However, despite improving confidence Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said
that the outlook will be better in 2023, “We view the contraction in December the latest PMI data indicated that growth
manufacturers’ confidence in December 2022 to be in line with the weaker regional across the Asean region is losing steam. –
2022 remained below average, mainly due to production as reflected by declines in PMIs Bernama
for other regional countries, including China.

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Standard Chartered rolls out sustainable account solution for corporate clients

KUALA LUMPUR: Standard Chartered Bank It said cash placed into the Sustainable Report,” it added. liquidity needs.
Malaysia Bhd and its Islamic banking unit, Account would be referenced against projects Standard Chartered Malaysia’s head of “By understanding the impact of the
Standard Chartered Saadiq Bhd have rolled out aligned with the bank’s green and sustainable
the Sustainable Account solution for corporate product framework, which was developed with Transaction Banking, Samuel Ding said there is sustainable finance assets, corporates can make
clients following the successful global launch in the support of Sustainalytics – a leading a huge opportunity for the public and private more informed decisions to accelerate their
November 2021. independent provider of environmental, social sectors to work together to drive the transition sustainability agenda,” he said.
and corporate governance (ESG) research and to net zero carbon emission by moving assets to
In a statement yesterday, the bank said the ratings. where they are needed to plug a US$94.8 trillion In 2022, Standard Chartered recorded
solution caters for corporates looking to use (RM417 trillion) financing gap. US$12.9 billion of sustainable assets in its
their surplus cash to contribute to sustainable “Clients can see the impact of Standard Sustainable Finance Portfolio – a growth of 40%
development while maintaining daily access to Chartered’s sustainable finance asset base “Our Sustainable Account allows corporates year-on-year, while its operational green assets
that capital for liquidity needs. every year in the Sustainable Finance Impact to get involved by embedding sustainability into have helped avoid 1.3 million tonnes of carbon
cash management, while balancing their emissions in the past year]. – Bernama

‘More investments needed SMC Sunway City
to ensure stable prices’ named 2022 Malaysia
Smart Hospital
o Economist urges govt to focus on housing, food, transport and energy Company of the Year

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s inflation may inflation is high, unemployment is low and “Lowering taxes is problematic as tax KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Medical Centre
have peaked in line with the trend seen in the the policy rate tends to increase. foregone could attract more problems when (SMC), Sunway City has won the 2022 Malaysia
United States and the United Kingdom the labour market is tight and may even affect Smart Hospital Company of the Year for the
although prices will remain elevated. “The reverse relationship also holds; second year at the Frost & Sullivan Best Practices
hence, demand-pull and cost-push as the two the core functions of the Awards.
Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist common types of inflation,” he said, noting government as revenues
Firdaos Rosli (pic) said the government needs that governments monitor prices more fall. On the contrary, The Frost & Sullivan Excellence Awards
more investments in key inflation items such closely than they do incomes. raising taxes to stifle recognised companies in a variety of regional
as housing, food, transport and energy so that demand growth is and global markets for demonstrating
prices can be more stable over a longer time He shared that the recent global inopportune, so we outstanding achievement and superior
horizon. inflation is a combination of the two can safely discard performance in areas such as leadership,
phenomena. Demand-pull happened that,” Firdaos said. technological innovation, customer service, and
“Lowering house prices is quite complex amid rapid post-pandemic labour He said the strategic product development.
as it involves varying stakeholders, but not the market recovery, whereas cost-push natural thing to do
other three main items. The increasing resulted from high energy prices, which is to expect In a statement yesterday, Sunway Healthcare
application of environmental, social and took place almost overnight due to the monetary policy to Group president Datuk Lau Beng Long said this
governance (ESG) standards helps, but it military conflict. tame inflation via exceptional win is a collective effort by the team,
cannot be the sole channel for technological demand-side and Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City has
upgrading,” he added. The unfavourable foreign exchange intervention. – always been committed to be at the forefront of
terms amid the strengthening US dollar Bernama the smart hospital technology in the country and
Firdaos said the country’s inflation would have made it worse for all but the US and, to region.
likely come down in the coming months of a certain extent, Hong Kong and Singapore.
2023 in line with the moderating inflation rate All eyes are on central banks to intervene He noted that the group’s goal is to transform
seen in the US and the UK though taming it is whenever inflation becomes a national issue. Malaysia’s private healthcare sector, and is
far from over. constantly looking for innovative ways to
“We often overlook the role of fiscal enhance patients’ experience while keeping their
According to him, Malaysia’s Overnight policy in taming inflation, if any. One comfort and well-being at the top of minds.
Policy Rate (OPR) would probably rise closer reason is that fiscal policy appears
to its pre-Covid levels in 2023 amid the to be more ‘restrictive’ than “I am thankful for a diligent team who
widening policy rate and yield gaps. monetary policy, more so when constantly seeks out new clinical and hospitality
governments are out of solutions to serve the needs of our patients,
Economists in general are of the view that ammunition to counterbalance medical consultants and staff better. Without a
Bank Negara Malaysia would raise the OPR by the deleterious effects of the robust teamwork, this recognition would not
another 50 basis points to 3.25% this year pandemic. have been possible.
amid expectation that inflationary pressure
would ease. “Another reason is that, unlike “There is still a lot to do but this award is a
the interest rate, policymaking is testament that we are on the right track and we
Firdaos said policymakers assess inflation extremely complex when look forward to an exciting time of growth
from the price level and surveys. assessing the wages/incomes ahead,” he added.
perspective as it differs from one
“Economists believe that inflation economic centre to another. Frost & Sullivan best practices research
counteracts unemployment and correlates analyst Azza Fazar commented that Sunway
with policy rates. In simple terms, when Medical Centre created a mark in Malaysia’s
smart hospital industry through its continuous
investments in technology, and its reputation as
the hospital with the most sub-specialities
centred on three main philosophies – clinical
excellence, operational efficiencies and patient
experience. – Bernama

Nippon Paint expects slow recovery for local construction sector

KUALA LUMPUR: Nippon Paint Malaysia Sdn According to World Bank, unless supply said the tightening financial conditions, global due to the supply chain issues that we have been
Bhd expects slow growth for the Malaysian disruptions and labour-market pressures economic slowdown and the rising cost of living dealing with this year and the expected
construction sector in 2023 as labour supply subside, the economic pressure, especially may exert downward pressure on sales activity economic downturn in 2023,” said Yaw.
issues and increased cost of operations rising inflation and interest rates globally, is in the next few months.
stemming from the effects of the Covid-19 unavoidable, which is feared to lead to a global Meanwhile, for the B2B market, he added,
pandemic and global economic uncertainty economic slowdown. Despite challenges, Nippon Paint Malaysia “We aim to widen our footprint in providing
continue to affect profitability. continues to fortify its position as the leading refurbishment solutions for residential,
On that note, Kenanga, a research house, brand for coating and construction through its industrial, and commercial use as this is one of
Nippon Paint sees Total Coating and Constructions Solutions the ways to increase our revenue. Regardless of
(TCCS) initiative, foresees that the construction the market outlook, building refurbishment will
opportunities in providing and property industry will be mainly focused on not be affected as sinking fund will be collected
service to people’s housing maintenance while there will be less private by joint management body and management
and ongoing infrastructure infrastructure development to spur earnings. committee for future expenditures such as
works by the government. large-scale maintenance on a building.”.
“As it is imperative for companies to adapt,
– NIPPON PAINT PIC we suggest market players to consider all The Department of Statistics Malaysia said
options for a smooth sailing year. We always the value of construction work done in the third
must be on our toes and be alert to changes in quarter of 2022 surged 23.2% compared with the
consumer patterns,” said Nippon Paint Malaysia same quarter of 2021, amounting to RM30.5
group managing director Yaw Seng Heng. billion. The expansion was driven by non-
residential buildings (37.7%), special trades
In line with that, Nippon Paint has set a target (32.2%), residential buildings (17.8%) and civil
to increase its market share in business-to- engineering (14.6%) subsectors.
consumer (B2C) and business-to-business
(B2B) segments to 46% and 42% respectively Nevertheless, Nippon Paint is poised to help
despite the ongoing labour shortage, delayed the professionalism and workmanship of newly
real estate development, and significant price built or refurbishment projects while giving
hikes in raw materials. homeowners and developers the assurance of a
high-quality finishing as it acts as a one-stop
“While there might be challenges, we foresee solution which will lead to time and cost-savings
opportunities in providing service to people’s as well as effective manpower utilisation for
housing and ongoing infrastructure works by the better productivity.
government. The focus shifted to the services

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VSTECS to distribute
OCBC Malaysia bags Microsoft Surface
Best Maiden Sukuk Award devices in Malaysia

o Recognised for roles as principal adviser and KUALA LUMPUR: VSTECS Bhd, Malaysia’s
sustainability structuring adviser for edotco group’s leading information & communications
landmark RM3 billion Islamic debt programme technology distributor, through its wholly
owned subsidiary, VSTECS Astar Sdn Bhd, is
PETALING JAYA: OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd Ai Chin (pic) said the bank has demonstrated now authorised to supply Microsoft Surface
together with its Islamic subsidiary OCBC Al- its capabilities to lead advise, arrange local devices to enterprises in Malaysia for
Amin Bank Bhd has won the Best Maiden and foreign currency a sukuk as well as loan commercial usage.
Sukuk Award in the Alpha Southeast Asia 16th syndications for its key clients.
Annual Best Deal and Solution Awards 2022, VSTECS Bhd CEO JH Soong said, “We are
for its key roles as principal adviser and “Beyond what we have just won, we also thrilled to add Microsoft Surface for Business to
sustainability structuring adviser for edotco bagged two additional sustainability awards our suite of offerings. This is timely as we
group’s landmark RM3 billion Sukuk Wakalah from The Asset Triple A Islamic Finance continue to witness increasing investment by
programme. Awards 2022, namely Best SRI Sukuk and Best enterprises in digital transformation to improve
Sustainability-Linked Term Financing, which business continuity.
The sukuk programme was the first foray acknowledged our role in pioneering various
into the ringgit debt capital market by Axiata innovative sustainable financing transactions. “Microsoft Surface for Business supports the
group’s subsidiary, edotco, which is a regional market’s evolving needs as the hybrid
integrated telecommunications infrastructure “Given our aspiration to be Asia’s leading workplace continues to take shape. With its
services company in Asia. bank for responsible and sustainable finance, streamlined deployment, high performance
OCBC Malaysia will continue to help facilitate and enterprise level security, it is a compelling
The programme embedded the option for the nation’s transition journey by advising product for enterprises across various
issuance of sustainability sukuk to facilitate and offering innovative financing products to industries. We will now be able to offer these
the edotco group’s decarbonisation journey. our valued clients, through partnership with devices together with Microsoft Office 365 to
regulators like Bursa Malaysia and Securities help meet organisations’ need for robust
OCBC Malaysia managing director, senior Commission,” she said in a statement. security, reliability, and user productivity.”
banker and head of investment banking, Tan
Azizah Ali, chief marketing and operations
CGS-CIMB tips FBM KLCI to end 2023 at 1,633 points BRIEFSofficer for Microsoft in Malaysia, said: “With
businesses of all sizes embracing the era of
KUALA LUMPUR: CGS-CIMB Securities Sdn “We think the downsides could be capped outflow of RM282 million in November. hybrid work, we are pleased to welcome VSTECS
Bhd expects the benchmark FTSE Bursa by expectations of stronger KLCI earnings Local institutional investors were the as an authorised distributor for Microsoft
Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) to finish 2023 at growth of 12.8% in 2023 and the KLCI’s Surface for Business in Malaysia, building on our
1,633 points, up by 9 % against 1,495 points at undemanding valuations,” it said in a note largest net buyer last month, as their net long-standing partnership in the region.”
the end of 2022. yesterday. buying surged to RM1.7 billion.
BURSA MALAYSIA EXPECTS
The brokerage predicted that this year In 2022, the key index fell 4.6% as a series of As for 2023, CGS-CIMB said foreign NUMBER OF IPO IN 2023
could remain challenging as corporates adapt negative events hit the market, including shareholdings are close to their historical TO EXCEED LAST YEAR’S TOTAL
to the new policy and political landscape concerns over the outbreak of the Covid-19 lows, and domestic institutional investors
post-15th general election (GE15) and adjust Omicron variant, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, could turn net buyers in the market on KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia expects
to slower global growth, tighter monetary record-high commodity prices leading to improved liquidity. initial public offerings (IPO) this year to
policy and ongoing geopolitical tensions with inflation concerns, US Federal Reserve’s exceed 2022’s record of 35. Bursa Malaysia
the Russia-Ukraine war leading to higher interest rate increases, and a hung parliament The brokerage’s top three picks for 1H 2023 CEO Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift said the
commodity prices. resulting from GE15 on Nov 19. are Malaysia Airports in view of potential optimism is based on the first Bursa Malaysia
higher international pax as China reopens listing this year on the ACE Market by L&P
“We expect this to be priced in by the first Foreign investors stayed net sellers of border; MR DIY, a likely beneficiary of the Global Bhd on Jan 3, 2023 and the high
half (H1) of 2023, and the market to rebound equities, and their net selling grew to RM1.4 downtrading trend due to rising inflationary liquidity in the local market. “We have
in the second half of the year. billion in December compared with an pressure; and RHB Bank due to its attractive another six listings for the month of January.
dividend yield last year. – Bernama As we look forward, we are seeing our
businesses return to profitability,” he told
NationGate reporters after the memorandum of
website pic agreement signing ceremony between Bursa
Malaysia and the Department of Statistic
ACE Market-bound NationGate IPO oversubscribed by 16.49 times Malaysia here yesterday. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: NationGate Holdings Bhd, en new shares received. have been fully placed out. STATISTICS DEPT TO CONDUCT
route to a listing on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE For the remaining public portion, a total of Managing director Ooi Eng Leong said part ECONOMIC CENSUS THIS YEAR
Market on Jan 12, has recorded an
oversubscription rate of 16.49 times for the 11,013 applications for 1.29 billion new shares of the proceeds will enable the group to KUALA LUMPUR: The Statistics Department
public portion of its initial public offering (IPO). were received, which represents an purchase various raw materials, consumables of Malaysia (DOSM) will implement the
oversubscription rate of 23.88 times. and electronic components consumed for the Economic Census 2023 to be used as a
The electronics manufacturing services group’s EMS activities in tandem with the benchmark for the economy and as planning
(EMS) provider said a total of 20,444 Additionally, 103.70 million new shares for expected growth in its EMS business activities. continuity for the country’s development.
applications seeking 1.81 billion new shares, its eligible directors, employees and persons Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohd
valued at RM689.16 million were received who have contributed to the success of the “It will also enable NationGate to part Uzir Mahidin said a vital feature of the census
from the Malaysian public for 103.70 million group have been fully subscribed. finance the acquisition of new machineries would be to assess the 12th Malaysia Plan
new shares that were made available for and equipment to expand its EMS service and the Malaysia Transformation Programme.
public subscription. Meanwhile, its placement agent has offerings and surface mount technology The census will also be used in the
confirmed that 518.48 million shares made assembly capacity to cope with the rising production of new economic data such as
The bumiputra public portion of shares available for application by way of private demand from its existing multinational from the Industrial Revolution 4.0, the
were oversubscribed by 9.10 times, after a placement to selected bumiputra investors customers and new customers in the next 36 Internet of Things or the Internet of
total of 9,431 applications for 523.50 million approved by the Ministry of International months,” he said in a statement. Everything, he told the media at the signing
Trade and Industry and selected investors of a memorandum of understanding
between the department and Bursa Malaysia
here yesterday. The economic census will
also be used to generate main statistics at
the national, state, and district levels. –
Bernama

COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
TO BENEFIT 2,000 BANK
EMPLOYEES IN SARAWAK

KUCHING: The Sarawak Commercial Banks
Association (SCBA) and the Sarawak Bank
Employees Union (SBEU) yesterday inked
their 16th collective agreement which will
benefit more than 2,000 banking sector
employees in the state. Banking sector
employees will receive salary arrears
between RM10,000 and RM36,000. The
agreement, which will come into effect Jan
21, 2023, includes the setting of a new
minimum wage of RM1,945 a month. It also
stipulates a wage increase of between 8%
and 15%, the abolition of the limit on
overtime claims, a 10-18% increase in other
allowances, and a housing allowance of
RM575 per month for employees with
families. – Bernama

14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023 Goldman Sachs dealmakers
SUNBIZ see M&A recovery in H2’23

Eurozone recession o Big investors sitting on piles of cash, large have pulled back from making to fit the economic environment,
may not be as companies looking to diversify – but they are riskier loans for buyouts as and in some cases, employees were
deep as expected waiting for economic uncertainty to fade: Bankers interest rates rise, but that could being reassigned to more active
change rapidly, he said. areas.
LONDON: Eurozone business activity NEW YORK: Goldman Sachs Group for more than two decades apiece
contracted less than initially thought Inc’s top dealmakers are bullish on said there are plenty of reasons for “When the financing market The bank sees opportunities in
at the end of last year as price a recovery in global mergers & global deal activity to pick up. comes back, we don’t know when advising clients who are being
pressures eased, according to a survey acquisitions (M&A) in the second it will happen, but it will happen targeted by activist investors, or
which suggested the bloc’s recession half of 2023 despite a slowdown in Big investors are sitting on piles of because of the amount of liquidity fintech companies open to suitors
may not be as deep as expected. economic growth and a weak credit cash preparing to fund transactions, in the system, we think after their valuations plunged, said
market. and large companies earning solid transaction volumes will and Russ Hutchinson, the bank’s chief
S&P Global’s final composite profits are looking to diversify their activity will recover,” Sorrell said. operating officer of global M&A.
Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) As economic forecasts turn businesses – but they are waiting for
for the eurozone, seen as a good gloomier, executives at the Wall economic uncertainty to fade, the The resurgence may be “quicker The fortunes of Wall Street’s
gauge of economic health, rose to Street powerhouse – including Dan bankers said. than people expect”, he said. dealmakers hinge to a large extent
49.3 in December from November’s Dees and Jim Esposito, who jointly on whether the leveraged loan
47.8, above a preliminary estimate of run its global banking and markets “I remain quite bullish, maybe If markets recover, Goldman’s market will reawaken after a lull
48.8. division – said they are primed for a not on the first quarter, but certainly investment bankers stand to gain. last year. Some observers have
recovery when financing markets as we go forward,” said Stephan The company has been the top drawn parallels to the global
While the index has been below the ease up, potentially as early as the Feldgoise, global co-head of M&A. global M&A advisor by revenue financial crisis, when plunging
50 mark separating growth from second half of 2023. Still, there are “clear headwinds in for the past 20 years, followed by corporate valuations and a
contraction since July, December was the first part” of 2023, he said. JPMorgan Chase & Co, according recession triggered by a collapse in
a five-month high. The final data was The projections come after to Dealogic data. the housing market froze the
compiled earlier than usual last global M&A values slumped 36% to Mark Sorrell, Feldgoise’s leveraged buyout market.
month due to the holiday season. US$3.78 trillion (RM16.6 trillion) in counterpart in London, sees Despite that position, Goldman
2022, from a record US$5.91 trillion corporate clients jumping on deals is not immune to a slowdown. Its The market stress means
“The eurozone economy continued in 2021, according to Dealogic data. when financing is available because investment-banking division lenders are less willing to finance
to deteriorate in December, but the Banks, including Goldman, have their underlying motives are still accounted for just 13% of the deals because they are saddled
strength of the downturn moderated cut jobs as activity slumps. intact, such as gaining new company’s revenue in the third with tens of billions of dollars of so-
for a second successive month, customers, new products or quarter, shrinking from 27% a called “hung debt” that they are
tentatively pointing to a contraction in In a series of interviews with geographic expansion. year earlier. unable to sell on to investors.
the economy that may be milder than Reuters in recent weeks, top Goldman
was initially anticipated,” said Joe dealmakers who have been at the firm Companies are staying on the The bank is preparing to cut But for all the market turbulence,
Hayes, senior economist at S&P Global sidelines because their creditors thousands of employees in the Goldman veterans remain
Market Intelligence. new year, intensifying an earlier confident. “When you go through
round of about 500 layoffs in periods of volatility, you know it
“Nevertheless, there is little September, Reuters reported creates opportunity,” Dees said. –
evidence across the survey results to earlier.Goldman’s leaders said Reuters
suggest the eurozone economy may staffing levels were being adjusted
return to meaningful and stable
growth any time soon.”BRIEFS Japanese firms urged to give wage
increases that are above inflation rate
A December Reuters poll predicted
the region’s economy contracted 0.3% TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Japan’s Finance Minister Shun’ichi Suzuki during the opening of the stock band around its 10-year bond yield
last quarter and would do so by 0.4% Fumio Kishida urged companies market for the new year at the Tokyo Stock Exchange yesterday. – AFPPIC target, a move investors saw as a
this quarter. yesterday to achieve wage increases prelude to a future interest rate
that exceed the rate of inflation as ultra-loose monetary policy to economy with monetary easing, so increase.
Overall demand declined for a part of the country’s efforts to put sustainably achieve 2% inflation. that its inflation target is sustainably
sixth straight month, albeit at a the economy on a sustained and stably met accompanied by Kuroda has repeatedly ruled out
shallower pace than initially thought. recovery path. “Japan’s economy will likely wage growth,” he said. the chance of a near-term interest
The PMI new business index bounced sustain fairly stable growth,“ Kuroda rate hike on the view that wages
to 47.0 from 45.8, comfortably above Central bank governor Haruhiko told a gathering of commercial bank Japanese long-term interest rates must rise more for inflation to
the 46.5 flash estimate. – Reuters Kuroda also piled pressure on executives. have crept up since the BOJ stunned sustainably meet the 2% target.
companies to hike salaries, saying it markets last month by widening the
ANT GROUP GETS NOD would underpin the Bank of Japan’s “The BOJ will support the The BOJ conducted emergency
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR (BOJ) efforts to sustain prices bond buying operations for a fourth
CONSUMER FINANCE ARM around its 2% inflation goal. straight session on Wednesday in a
show of its resolve to keep yields
BEIJING: Chinese authorities have Their remarks come ahead of from rising too much.
given approval to Jack Ma’s Ant annual spring wage negotiations
Group to raise 10.5 billion yuan between companies and labour Core consumer prices in
(RM6.7 billion) for its consumer unions, which will be key to how November rose 3.7% from a year
finance arm, in a sign that Beijing soon the BOJ may dial back its earlier and analysts expect inflation
may be loosening its grip on the massive stimulus. to remain above the BOJ’s 2% in
fintech giant. An office of the coming months, hitting households
China Banking and Insurance Wealth accumulated by that have yet to see wages rise much
Regulatory Commission in the city companies have failed to trickle and stoking fears of a consumption
of Chongqing will let the firm raise down to households via higher downturn.
its registered capital from 8 billion wages in the past 30 years, a situation
yuan to 18.5 billion yuan, according the government hopes to change, Japan’s umbrella labour union
to a notice issued on Dec 30. – AFP Kishida told a news conference. has decided to demand a 5% pay
hike in this year’s spring wage
INDIA’S NEXUS VENTURE “I would like to create an negotiations, which, coupled with a
EYES US$700M FUND TO economic structure in which wages tightening job market and repeated
INVEST IN TECH STARTUPS rise every year,” he added. calls by government to raise wages,
is pressuring firms to lift salaries. –
MUMBAI: India’s Nexus Venture Separately yesterday, Kuroda Reuters
Partners is in advanced talks to reiterated his resolve to maintain
raise a US$700 million (RM3.08
billion) fund, the second-biggest Tokyo Gas unit nears US$4.6b deal to buy US natural gas producer
such pool to be garnered in the
country in the past year, to invest NEW YORK: A unit of Tokyo Gas Co supply markets for the commodity financing sources to support the gas from the Haynesville shale
in domestic and US-based Ltd is in advanced talks to buy US were roiled by Russia’s invasion of transaction, including banks and formation, which stretches across
technology firms, two sources with natural gas producer Rockcliff Ukraine. private credit providers, added the Louisiana and East Texas. Quantum
direct knowledge said. The planned Energy from private equity firm sources, who cautioned that no deal originally backed the Rockcliff
fundraising, one of the sources said, Quantum Energy Partners for about The all-cash deal with Houston- was guaranteed and the talks could management team with a US$350
will close within two months. Nexus US$4.6 billion (RM20.2 billion), based TG Natural Resources, which end without an agreement. million investment in 2015.
will invest the new funds in early including debt, people familiar with is 70% owned by the Japanese energy
stage funding rounds of Indian the matter said on Tuesday. firm, is set to be announced this Quantum and CCI declined to Buying Rockcliff would
internet and technology startups, month, the sources said, requesting comment. Rockcliff and TG Natural significantly increase TG Natural
as well as US-based software firms, If consummated, the deal would anonymity as the discussions are Resources did not immediately Resources’ operations, with the
the sources said. – Reuters be the latest move by a Japanese confidential. Castleton Commodities respond to requests for comment. company producing around 330 net
entity to secure gas in jurisdictions International (CCI) owns the rest of Tokyo Gas was not immediately million cubic feet per day as of June
JAPAN DECEMBER perceived as friendly, the importance TG Natural Resources. available to comment. 2022 from the Haynesville
FACTORY ACTIVITY FALLS of which has risen for the import- formation, according to its website.
dependent Asian nation after TG Natural Resources is Rockcliff produces more than 1 – Reuters
TOKYO: Japanese factory activity arranging funding from several billion cubic feet per day of natural
fell in December at the sharpest
pace in 26 months, a business survey
showed yesterday, with companies
seeing further declines amid a
global economic slowdown. The au
Jibun Bank Japan manufacturing
purchasing managers’ index edged
down to a seasonally adjusted 48.9
in December from November’s final
49.0. The reading was the weakest
since October 2020. – Reuters

T H U R S DAY
5 JANUARY 2023

Season 2 of
Alchemy of
Souls contains
elements from
both the past
and the
present. –
INSTAGRAM/@
NETFLIXKR

The on-screen chemistry of Lee Jae-wook (Jang Uk) and Go Yoon-jung (Nak-su) has been noted

Light and Shadowby netizens ever since the series’ premiere. –INSTAGRAM/@TVN_DRAMA
oSeason 2 of Alchemy of Souls is darker
and much more intense

█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN second season. With only a few episodes remaining, I can’t 0Cast: Lee Jae-wook, Go Yoon-
This introspective, even gloomy version of wait to see how Jang Uk reacts when he realises yung, Hwang Min-hyun, Shin
THE Season 1 finale of the popular that Bu-yeon, whom he has been rejecting for Seung, Yoo Joon-sang, Oh Na-
Korean drama Alchemy of Souls on the previously hilariously boyish mage is so long, is truly Nak-su, his first love. ra, Yoo In-soo, Oh My Girl’s Arin,
Netflix raised more questions than it dressed in black clothing, and it makes for and Do Sang-woo
answered. The 10-episode first season interesting watching and leaves the spectator As much as I like Jung So-min and Lee Jae- 0Director: Park Joon-hwa
of the show focused on Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook), with an exhilarating abundance of questions. wook’s chemistry in Season 2, Yoon-jung and
who rose to become Daeho’s most potent Jae-wook’s relationship is super convincing and E-VALUE 8
sorcerer and who had a sinister secret involving Of course, I was equally sad to hear that Jung their scenes together are adorable. I’m looking ACTING 8
illegal soul-shifting. So-min would not be making a comeback, just forward to seeing more of them in the following PLOT 8
like every other fan. So-min won over many episodes.
However, the second season picks up three viewers with her portrayal of Nak-su/Mu-deok,
years after the thrilling first season’s events. As a shadow assassin who transferred her soul into Alchemy of Souls Season 2 is undoubtedly a
the newly appointed bearer of the ice stone, a maid’s body during the first season. series that I would recommend everyone to
Jang Uk has accepted the responsibilities of a watch, especially if you are a lover of fantasy
renegade soul-shifter hunter. The last 10 However, Go Yoon-jung’s unique series. It has a compelling, intricate plot and
episodes of the historical fantasy drama, written interpretation of Nak-su/Jin Bu-yeon won over excellent visuals.
by the Hong Sisters (Hong Mi-ran and Hong many fans in Season 2. Bu-yeon, who lost her
Jung-eun) and directed by Park Joon-hwa, are memories, is now the long-lost oldest daughter Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow is
currently running as part of the second season. of the Jinyowon mage clan. currently streaming on Netflix.

The first episode of Alchemy of Souls Part 2 We saw a different side of her in Season 2.
topped its time slot among all channels with an This time, she was more adorable and bubblier,
average national rating of 6.7%. Season 2 marks which was totally in line with her persona.
Jang Uk’s transition from the jovial young
magician to a more sombre character. The The series’ remaining cast members are still
majority of the show’s weight is carried by the just as amazing as when we originally met them
character of Jang Uk, whose nuanced narrative in Season 1. Even if Seo Yul (Min-hyun) and
cues serve as the catalyst for Alchemy of Souls’ Park Dang-gu (Yoo In-soo) aren’t providing as
much to the series, I’m confident we may
expect something from Seo Yul as he is now
struggling with his own illness.

Jang Uk is a soul-shifting hunter in Alchemy of Souls. –INSTAGRAM/@TVN_DRAMA

ENTERTAINMENT FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN
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16 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023 @thesundaily

Naomi
Judd.
– REUTERS

█ BY ANANSA JACOB Remembering Sidney
those we lost Poitier.
LAST year, we said goodbye to – AFP
many famous faces, including
actors, musicians and public several tribute concerts in his name, Dreams, but his most famous role
figures from all fields. Let’s with his son Shane taking his place came when he played mobster Henry
take a look back at their legacy over o As we begin the new year, we on drums. Hill in Goodfellas.
the course of their careers. decided to take a moment to pay
0 Sidney Poitier tribute to those who left us in 2022 Bob Saget. 0 Tom Parker 0 James Caan
Died: Jan 6 – REUTERS Died: March 30 Died: July 5
Tomorrow marks the first anniversary A singer in the British boyband The A multi-Emmy and Oscar nominee,
of the death of this icon of stage and Wanted, Parker was diagnosed with Caan is best known for the role of
screen, who paved the way for many stage four brain cancer in 2020, and Sonny Corleone in the Godfather film
Black actors with roles in major wrote a book “about finding hope in series. He starred in several movies in
motion pictures. He became the first whatever situation you’re dealt”, the 1970s and 1980s, such as
Black actor to win an Academy Award which was published after his death. Rollerball and Thief.
for best actor for his performance in
Lillies of the Field (1964).

0 Bob Saget 0 Gilbert Gottfried
Died: Jan 9 Died: April 12
Saget began his career as a stand-up Gottfried’s distinctive voice made
comedian and was best known for his him a voice acting icon, with his
role as Danny Tanner in the TV show most memorable role being Iago in
Full House, and remained a beloved the Disney film Aladdin. He was a
star to generations of fans. frequent guest on late night TV
shows, comedy clubs and celebrity
0 Andre Leon Talley roasts.
Died: Jan 18
Talley was an author, curator, TV
personality and style icon, known for
his work at US Vogue and his
influence on the fashion industry.

0 Marvin Lee Aday aka Meat Loaf known for his adventurous and 0 Ivan Reitman 0 Naomi Judd
Died: Jan 20 theatrical designs, worn by Died: Feb 12 Died: April 30
The rock and roll icon was known for supermodels, Hollywood royalty and The iconic director was the visionary The country music
his lyrics, operatic stage presence and fashionistas around the world. of films like Animal House, Stripes, icon scored 20 Top
hit singles I’d Do Anything For Love, Ghostbusters and Junior, all of which 10 hits with her
Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad and You remain classics even today. mother- Tom
Took the Words Right Out of My 0 Emilio Delgado daughter group Parker.
Mouth. Died: March 10 the Judds, with – AFP
0 Manfred Thierry Mugler Delgado played Fix-It Shop owner her daughter
Died: Jan 23 Luis on PBS’ Sesame Street for more Wynonna.
French fashion designer Mugler was than 40 years, bringing warmth and Despite her
humour to children’s lives. fame, she
Taylor 0 William Hurt was secretly
Hawkins. Died: March 13 battling
– REUTERS Hurt was one of Hollywood’s leading personal
men of the 1980s, starring in movies demons.
such as Broadcast News, Body Heat Today, her
and The Big Chill. daughter
0 Taylor Hawkins Wynonna
Died: March 25 continues her
The drummer of the Foo Fighters music legacy.
tragically passed halfway through the 0 Ray Liotta
band’s South American tour. His Died: May 26
bandmates and peers have held He made his acting
debut in the daytime
soap opera Another
World, and won
critical praise for
his role in the 1990
film Field of

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ME
@thesundaily 17theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

addiction cast a pall over his later
artistic efforts, but fans and family
remember Carter as someone
determined to succeed.

0 Kevin Conroy
Died: Nov 6
Conroy was the voice for Batman in
Batman: The Animated Series from
1992 to 1995, Batman: Mask of the
Phantasm in 1993 and Batman
Beyond from 1999 to 2001, and was
beloved by DC fans the world over.

0 Christine McVie
Died: Nov 30
A member of iconic folk-rock group
Fleetwood Mac, McVie, 79, was a
keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter.
She wrote such hits as You Make
Loving Fun and Don’t Stop, and was
seen as one of the pioneering women
of rock-and-roll.

Nichelle Nichols. – IMDB Issey Miyake. – REUTERS 0 Bob McGrath
Died: Dec 4
0 Nichelle Nichols Angela McGrath, 90, is the second founding
Died: July 30 Lansbury. member of Sesame Street to pass this
Nichols broke through barriers – REUTERS year. McGrath played the show’s
during her decades-spanning career neighborhood teacher for nearly five
as an actress, singer and dancer. She decades.
is best known for her portrayal of Lt.
Uhura on the pioneering TV and 0 Kirstie Alley
movie series Star Trek. Died: Dec 5
Alley was best known for her award-
0 Issey Miyake winning performance as Rebecca
Died: Aug 5 Howe on Cheers and her roles in
Japanese fashion designer Miyake iconic movies like Look Who’s Talking
rose to global fame by defining a and Drop Dead Gorgeous. She died
unique Japanese vision; his designs after a longtime battle with cancer.
featuring origami-like pleats merged
art and fashion. 0 Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss
Died: Dec 13
0 Olivia Newton-John Christine Boss worked as a dancer and
Died: Aug 8 McVie. – AFP choreographer, competing on So You
Newton-John rose to fame after Think You Can Dance in 2008. In
starring alongside John Travolta in Grammys throughout the course of 2010, he worked with Ellen
the movie adaptation of Grease, and his career. DeGeneres on a dance routine, and
had a number of hits during the was hired as the show’s DJ and
1980s. She was also a tireless frequent guest host in 2014. He also
advocate for breast cancer awareness appeared in Step Up, Magic Mike XXL
before succumbing to the disease at and Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming.
age 73.
0 Vivienne Westwood
0 Jean-Luc Godard 0 Angela Lansbury Died: Dec 29
Died: Sept 13 Died: Oct 11 The fashion designer widely credited
Godard was a radical and Best known for the role of mystery with popularising the punk styles of
revolutionary filmmaker who helped writer Jessica Fletcher in the Murder, the 1970s, Westwood died at her
shape cinema in the 1960s, and She Wrote series, Lansbury also had a home in London. She was 81.
inspired a generation of modern feature film career spanning six
filmmakers including Quentin decades, with roles in a variety of 0 Barbara Walters
Tarantino. films ranging from thrillers like The Died: Dec 30
0 Hilary Mantel Manchurian Candidate to the Walters’ amazing career transcended
Died: Sept 22 animated Disney musical Beauty & six decades, from 1951 to 2015. She
The bestselling author of historical The Beast. interviewed every sitting president
fiction published 17 novels during 0 Robbie Coltrane and first lady from the Nixons to the
her writing career. Mantel won the Died: Oct 14 Obamas, and was famous for her sit-
Booker prize twice, once in 2009 for Scottish actor Coltrane was best down interviews with household
Wolf Hall, and again in 2012 for the known for playing the role of Hagrid
sequel Bring Up The Bodies. in the Harry Potter movies. The multi- names.
0 Coolio BAFTA-winning star also appeared in
Died: Sept 28 the James Bond movies Goldeneye popular shows such as Ally McBeal, 0 Jeremiah Green
While international listeners may and The World Is Not Enough. Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives, Died: Dec 31
remember him for the 1994 hit 0 Leslie Jordan and American Horror Story. Modest Mouse drummer and
Gangster’s Paradise, Coolio was Died: Oct 24 0 Jerry Lee Lewis
known in the US as one of the A beloved TV star to generations of Died: Oct 28 cofounder Jeremiah Green
pioneers of hip-hop, winning six fans, he was a familiar face on The 87-year-old rock-and-roll icon died at the age of 45, just
known as The Killer made waves in days after his family and
the 1950s with his hits Whole Lotta bandmates announced he
Shakin and Great Balls of Fire. His life had been diagnosed with
story was adapted into a 1989 movie stage 4 cancer.
starring Dennis Quaid.
Aaron Carter.
– REUTERS

0 Takeoff
Died: Nov 1
The shooting death of the founding
member of the hip-hop trio Migos
shocked the music industry, with
music peers and fans remembering
the 28-year-old for his talent and
generosity.

Kevein Conroy. – REUTERS 0 Aaron Carter
Died: Nov 5
Carter first shot to fame at age nine
with the hit single Candy, and
continued his musical career into
adulthood. Personal struggles with

ENTERTAINMENT

18 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

Its official music video and a separate digital release
on Apple Music were released after TikTok revived
its popularity in September 2021. – SPOTIFY

An incredible song, staying in the top ten charts
for 32 consecutive weeks. It was well deserved
and I never tire of listening to it. – SPOTIFY

Glimpse of Us by Joji. – SOUNDCLOUD Another smash hit by the British singer, and it no
doubt will serve to whip fans into a frenzy prior to
his impending world tour. – SPOTIFY

Top tracks of 2022 This song is undeniably catchy, whether on the
in Malaysia radio or in TikTok videos. It remained in the Top20
RIM2022 charts for 37 weeks and counting,
o Here’s a list of the year’s most-played tunes, chosen for achieving its highest position in April. – PINTEREST
their quality and consistency, specifically in Malaysia

█ BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL released on Sept 10, 2021 via EMI, Universal, Glimpse of Us by Joji Die for You by The Weeknd
and Capitol Records. With critics praising its simplicity, lyrics, and This song ultimately spent 82 consecutive
WE’VE come to realise that all of Joji’s emotional vocals, this song hits deep for weeks on the Top 10 charts and is a big hit. This
the current musical trends are Lyrically, it features Sivan confessing to his most Malaysians. It was released as the lead song appeared on the Weeknd’s third studio
algorithmically generated by lover that he has saved him, stating that he single from his third studio album album Starboy and was composed by himself.
artificial intelligence (AI) based “almost died, but you’re bringing me back to Smithereens on June 10, 2022 through 88rising
on everyone’s listening habits. life” and that his lover has sacrificed a lot to and Warner Records. Its peak position only reaches number six,
be with him, declaring them his “angel baby”. but what’s most fascinating is that it stayed in
No matter where we go, these top hits The song became Joji’s most successful the top ten for a significantly longer period of
always sound great whether they’re used to Having been on the list since January last single to date, reaching number one in time than the other songs. Perhaps many
score a TikTok video, are played at full year, the song reigns at the peak position for Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Malaysians are really into The Weeknd – or
volume in a car, or even played through a 34 weeks and is still on the list of top 50 the Philippines, and Singapore, and hitting in maybe just into those kinds of melancholy
small speaker at a campsite. Spotify and Apple Music currently. How cool the top ten in the majority of European music.
is that? I guess we will still be playing the song nations. Top Hits 2023 possibly?
If you’ve been wondering which songs in 2023. With 2023 rapidly approaching, there are new
were the favourites in Malaysia for last year, As It Was by Harry Styles The music and melody of this song are so songs that have the potential to be the biggest
we’ve got you covered with a complete As It Was is a song by British singer Harry comforting that it managed to stay in RIM’s hits for the year as well, with Taylor Swift’s Anti-
overview of the year-end charts compiled Styles, released as the lead single from his Top 10 chart for 26 weeks straight, despite the Hero currently trending on social media, SZA’s
from Apple Music and Spotify’s top songs of third studio album, Harry’s House, on April fact that it was written to accompany a specific new albums launching alongside her current
2022, as well as topped with the duration of 1, 2022 via Erskine and Columbia. Styles co- type of heartbreak. number one song Kill Bill, and Blackpink’s
the #1 peak position on the RIM Charts 2022 wrote the song with the song’s producers, Kid Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez countless hits – not to mention the group is
(Recording Industry Association of Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. This track has racked up massive streams. scheduled to perform in Malaysia in March.
Malaysia). There were over 347 million total listens to
Angel Baby by Troye Sivan This song has been nominated for and both versions on Spotify. On top of that, it These masterpieces would ensure their
Let’s be honest, we’ve been listening to Angel won multiple awards worldwide, as well as garnered over 38 million views on YouTube. positions in the top 10 on Spotify and Apple
Baby by Troye Sivan nearly everywhere, being voted number one on Entertainment Music for this year.
whether in shopping malls, on the radio, at Weekly’s list of the ten best songs of 2022. As a result of a string of TikTok videos
events, or anywhere else. Angel Baby is the showcasing Stephen Sanchez’s vocal and And not to forget, D4VD’s Here with Me and
lead single from Sivan’s upcoming third Furthermore, with the song being number lyrical abilities, he has gained fame as the hit Sam Smith’s Unholy are the ones that I predict
studio album and his first solo release since one in almost every country’s weekly charts producer behind the song. It was inspired by will have staying power in 2023, keeping their
Rage Teenager! in August 2020. It was in Europe and Asia, Harry’s international tour his current relationship, and even featured positions on the charts for at least another
this year will probably be sold out in a matter vocals from his sweetheart. couple of months.
of seconds.

FOOD

19theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

An assortment of Limóne’s desserts. Cocoa Treats, marshmallow-topped, thick hot chocolate. The Chicken Teriyaki Poke Bowl.

█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Chef Tee and
Sherina at the
GOOD food, good drink plus an Limóne launch. –
aesthetically pleasant design with PIX BY AMIRUL
gorgeous décor make up THE ideal SHAFIQ/THESUN
café. That is precisely the focus of & LIMÓNE CAFE
Limóne. This cosy new café with European
influences opened its doors in Bukit Spicy Seafood Pasta with Squid Ink.
Damansara last month and began serving A tasty treatChickenParmigianaTomatoPasta.
high-quality food and desserts. You will oLimóne is a cafe
immediately notice the café because of the that’s here to stay
distinctive neon green Limóne signage
hanging on a green wall. The bright yellow greens, lychee, pomegranate, walnut, apple, The cafe space is airy, cosy, and bright. Limóne, which has earned a spot on our
and green colour scheme creates a warm orange, and cherry tomatoes. will be treated to a mouth-watering display at list of places to go, provides an engaging
atmosphere. the front of the counter showing off the cafe’s experience that enables you to know more
We also tasted their Smoked Salmon Eggs best-selling pastries. The café offers decadent about the European-inspired café. As you
Under the direction of her trusted friend Benedict (RM38), which came on a Brioche sweets and artisanal pastries made with the consume their breakfast dishes or pastries,
and confidante Chef Tee, Sherina, the owner bun with a poached egg and their own best ingredients. Each dessert, from coconut feel free to snap pictures of the beautiful
of Limóne, began working on her home hollandaise sauce. Although I’m not a big mango mousse to pistachio strawberry crème, surroundings.
baking business, Baked by Sher. When the lover of poached eggs, my co-workers said it has a distinctive flavour. Expect to linger for a Limóne
demand for Baked by Sher increased, they was delicious. while with your dear ones. Address: Plaza Zúrich, Block A Lot G01-03,
realised it was the ideal moment to start Jalan Gelenggang, Bukit Damansara, 50490
Limóne. We also tried two of their pasta dishes. According to Sherina and Chef Tee, they Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala
One of the major reasons you should stop by intend to open at least three additional Lumpur
To bring out the many flavours in their this café is their Spicy Seafood Pasta with locations within the next five years. “We Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm, Tuesdays to
recipe, they make every effort to use fresh, Squid Ink (RM42), a mixed seafood pasta in a envision Limóne will become a go-to and a Sundays.
high-quality ingredients in all of their dishes. hot yellow curry sauce. Absolutely worth household name etched in our customers’
every last penny. minds and potential customers,” Sherina
“Constantly staying innovative is essential added.
in our line of industry. So, we always make it a We were also able to sample their Chicken
point to produce new and exciting creations,” Parmigiana Tomato Pasta, which turned out
Sherina said. to be one of their daily specials. These two
dishes were among my favourites.
Sherina claimed that the idea for Limóne
first occurred to her when she began baking Even though the restaurant was crowded
during the epidemic. When she visited her with customers, the beverages arrived fast.
friend Chef Tee to learn the techniques, she When you are there, be sure to get their Cocoa
discovered they shared a love of Europe and Treats (RM20). After a meal, this Valrhona hot
had the same dream of starting a café with a chocolate drink with whipped cream,
European flair. “When borders were closed marshmallows, and caramel sauce is just
during the pandemic it made us miss heavenly. The marshmallow-topped, thick
travelling to Europe even more. It was a vision hot chocolate is simply too good. If you enjoy
we had for over two years. Our cafe, though chocolate, you should try it.
European inspired, features a lot of Malaysian
flavours,” she explained. In addition, we ordered a Matcha Latte, a
Princess Peach mocktail, and a Classic Hot
Sherina noted that the challenge of finding Chocolate, all priced at RM16 each.
the right staff during the epidemic caused the
café’s launch to be delayed. “It was important Don’t overlook their choice of desserts. You
to find a group that worked well individually
and together. We are lucky to have a good
close-knit team here.”

The specialty of Limóne, aside from its
desserts, is that the menu is always changing
to keep it fresh and appealing. “Our menu is
unique thanks to its local twist. From poached
eggs with sambal ikan bilis, to percik squid ink
pasta with seafood to name a few. Our
flavours and creations speak for themselves.”

When it comes to the desserts, Chef Tee
pays close care to every last detail. To assure
freshness and reduce wastage, the majority of
the items are prepared in limited quantities.

He stated that the factors he considers to
guarantee client pleasure include having staff
that is adequately equipped to managing the
manufacturing line, standardised recipes, and
menu replication. “It all takes time and
discipline to achieve,” he said.

The cafe offers a broad variety of coffee
and non-coffee drinks like tea, mocktails, and
others to choose from on their menu, along
with delectable desserts and filling meals to
satisfy your appetite.

We began by trying their Shroom Satay
(RM24) first, and then we moved on to the
Sweet & Spicy Tempeh Tofu (RM16).

I must say that the satay was really tender,
and paired perfectly with the sauce. Although
I don’t particularly enjoy tempeh, I’ll admit
that this was different from other tempehs I’ve
had in the past.

After that, we had their Chicken Teriyaki
Poke Bowl (RM30). Brown rice, cucumber,
carrot, edamame, pea sprout, seaweed,
quinoa, tempeh, beetroot, chicken, and
teriyaki sauce are all ingredients in the poke
bowl.

If you don’t feel like eating meat, try their
Summer Salad (RM32), which is dressed in
handmade yuzu vinaigrette and has mixed

FEATURE

20 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

ANCIENT monasteries in the
deepest provincial Austria
do not normally feature on
the bucket lists of the TikTok
generation.

Nor do libraries
But the Admont abbey library in the
small Styrian town – which claims to
be the largest monastic library in the
world – is also the most
Instagramable, with Baroque
interiors so breathtaking they almost
look like they have been
Photoshopped.

“Go for Baroque in Austria and
visit the Admont Abbey library,”
Oprah Winfrey’s book club urged its
two million members last year.

And Britain’s Daily Mirror gushed
that the library “could give
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel a run
for its money with its beauty.”

Once far from the beaten track, the
near 950-year-old Benedictine abbey
now struggles on some days in
summer to accommodate all the
influencers and selfie hunters who
want to immortalise themselves amid
its frescos and chequerboard marble
floors reminiscent of the library in
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Media-savvy monks A visitor is seen in the library of the Benedictine Abbey in Admont, Austria. – AFP
Two of its 23 monks are active in the
monastery’s online promotion, as at Step into a fairytale
ease with concepts like “content” as
with the finer points of theology, even o The Admont abbey library which claims to be the largest
offering “online spiritual advice”. A monastic library in the world, is also the most Instagramable
virtual tour of the library is also
available. was opened in iTnhfleuenneocaner r9ss5oa0mn-ydeesdaear-lyfoiseldihnBusenuntmeerdmsicoetrninttoehaaecbhcbuoenmytmnfopooriwcdtthausettrereup.age–llrgAftleheFcesPt
1776, the oldest
“We have succeeded, together manuscripts date
with the monks of our house, to from the eighth
transmit content that captivates and century and were the archives, told AFP that as
interests people,” communications miraculously spared from a 1865 fire well as receiving queries from
manager Mario Brandmueller told that engulfed much of the town and researchers and historians, they also
AFP. the monastery. get very “diverse requests ... from
One of the library’s hidden people who want to do a photoshoot
The abbey’s Facebook reach has architectural gems is a secret to a fashion show” within its hallowed
rocketed to 25 million people per staircase leading to a reading halls.
month – 2,500 times its audience platform. But it is only accessible to “So you have to be very careful,
back in 2018. the masses on the virtual tour. and I’m also very strict to evaluate
Father Maximilian what makes sense ... After all, it’s a
From being something of a local The 70m-long hall is packed with 70,000 books. – AFP Schiefermueller, 41, who takes care of monastery.” – ETX Studio
gem nestled amid the mountains of
central Austria, it has become an
international “crowd puller”,
Brandmueller said, with photos and
videos of the 18th-century library
featured on travel and culture
platforms in a dozen countries.

The abbey’s promotional work
even earned it an Austrian
government prize for “special
achievements in the field of public
relations and institutional
communication”.

But this summer the monastery
was pushed to its “organisational
limits” handling the 15,000 visitors a
month it was getting, although
Brandmueller said more visitors
could still be accommodated in
winter.
Fashion shoots
The library’s 70-metre-long hall is
packed with 70,000 books. While it

The Admont abbey library nestled amid the mountains of central Austria has built a strong presence
Father Maximilian Schiefermueller evaluates public tours and fashion shoot requests at the library. – AFP on social networks, with Baroque interiors attracting crowds of influencers and selfie hunters. – AFP

21theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
SPORTS

IN THE MATTER OF THE Trendy Garden Sdn. Bhd. 199501020670 322 Notices 322 Notices SHORTS
COMPANIES (349873-T) Rahm wants joint decision
ACT 2016 IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC NOTICE
AND In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation COMPANIES ACT, 2016 THE PGA Tour and Europe’s DP World Tour must
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Special NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the strata title to the property known be on the same page in deciding whether
IN THE MATTER OF Resolution set out below was duly passed by and as Parcel No. 05, Storey No. 01 designated as RI-01-05, Kondominium players from the breakaway LIV Series can take
DTBB RESOURCES SDN. BHD. the members of the Company on 28 December IN THE MATTER OF Relau Indah, Pulau Pinang bearing assessment address No. 2-1-05, part in the Ryder Cup, former US Open
2022: GENTING MANAGEMENT AND Persiaran Bukit Jambul 1, 11900 Pulau Pinang (“the Property”) has champion Jon Rahm said.
[Co. No. 201501038946 The Company be wound up voluntarily CONSULTANCY SERVICES SDN. BHD. been issued and is in the process of being transferred to Teh Siew Geok
(1164267-K)] pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Registration No. 198401000375 and Teh Siew Geok as the Executrix of the Estate of Ang Cheng Wan, The US-based PGA Tour has suspended
Companies Act 2016 (the “Act”) and that deceased. those who joined the rebel circuit but the DP
(In Members’ Voluntary Teoh Lye Huat of Sirius Corporate Services (112896-T) Any person or persons, banks and financial institutions, authority or World Tour, formerly the European Tour, has yet
Liquidation) 199303033572 (JM0192213-D), 28A Jalan (In Member’s Voluntary Winding-Up) authorities having any objection, claim, right, title, interest, charge, lien, to decide whether LIV players can play in the
Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80050 Johor At a Meeting of Sole Member of the litigation, mortgage or dispute in respect of the Transfer of the Property Ryder Cup.
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Bahru, Johor be appointed as Liquidator of the Company duly convened and held at 14th should give notice of the same in writing supported by documentary
Section 459(2) of the Companies Company for the purpose of the Winding Up Floor, Wisma Genting, Jalan Sultan Ismail, evidence to Choy & Associates as stated below within seven (7) days Spaniard Rahm said it would not be a smart
Act, 2016 that the Final Meeting of with such powers as are conferred by Section 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan from the date of publication of this notice failing which the Transfer of move to have one team with LIV players and
the Members of the abovenamed 456 of the Act on Wednesday, 28 December 2022, the the Property shall be completed without further notice. one without.
Company will be held at Suite 12B- Dated this 05 January 2023 following Special Resolutions were duly
23, Level 12B, Wisma Zelan, No. 1 Tan Cheng Hai, Chairperson of proceedings passed: Choy & Associates “There’s some people that are going to have
Jalan Tasik Permaisuri 2, Bandar 1. THAT the Company be liquidated by 3rd Floor, Wisma Penang Garden to make some tough choices, right? A little bit
Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Trendy Garden Sdn. Bhd. 199501020670 of that is out of my reach,” Rahm said at the
Lumpur on the 6 February 2023 (349873-T) way of Member’s Voluntary Winding Up. 42, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah Sentry Tournament of Champions.
at 11.00 a.m. for the following 2. THAT Ms. Lam Lee San and Ms. Lee Yee 10050 Georgetown, Penang
purposes: In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation “I hope the PGA of America and European
(1) To receive the Liquidator’s NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors Ching, both of Norvic Corporate Tel: 04-2282550 Tour make a decision together.”
of the above Company, which is being wound Services Sdn. Bhd. of Wisma Goshen,
Statement of Accounts showing up voluntarily, are required on or before 05 2nd Floor, 60, 62 & 64, Jalan SS 22/21, IN THE MATTER OF IN THE MATTER OF … and expects‘tense’Masters
how the winding-up has been February 2023 to submit particulars of their Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya, THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 dinner
conducted and the assets of the debts or claims in prescribed forms to the Selangor Darul Ehsan be appointed as
Company disposed off and to Liquidator at the above registered address Joint and Several Liquidators to act for AND IN THE MATTER OF AND IN THE MATTER OF SPAIN’S fifth-ranked Jon Rahm said yesterday
hear any explanations that may for due process and adjudication or in default the purpose of winding-up the KSC HENG SDN. BHD. PEBBLE HEIGHTS SDN. BHD. he expects more PGA Tour players to exit for
be given by the Liquidator. thereof, their rights to any claims on its assets Company’s affairs and distributing its Reg. No. 199501027833 (357038-K) Saudi-backed LIV Golf in 2023 and anticipates a
(2) To determine the manner in will be expunged. assets. Reg. No. 199101017312 (227624-P) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY tense champions dinner at the Masters.
which the books, accounts and Dated this 05 January 2023 3. THAT the said Liquidators be authorised (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY
documents of the Company Teoh Lye Huat, Liquidator to divide amongst the members in WINDING-UP) WINDING-UP) Rahm spoke ahead of today’s start of the
and of the Liquidator shall be specie or kind, the whole or any part NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to PGA Tournament of Champions at Kapalua,
disposed off. IN THE MATTER OF of the assets of the Company and may, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 439 of the Companies Act 2016, Hawaii, a select event of tournament winners of
SURDASS @ VIPIN KUMAR THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 for such purpose, set such value as Section 439 of the Companies Act 2016, that the Special Resolutions set out Tour Championship qualifiers.
they deem fair upon any property to be that the Special Resolutions set out below were duly passed by the Members
Liquidator AND divided as aforesaid and may below were duly passed by the Members of the Company on 1 January 2023. “I think we all know where we stand,” Rahm
Dated : 5 January 2023 IN THE MATTER OF determine how such division shall be of the Company on 1 January 2023. 1. THAT the company be liquidated by said. “There are still going to be players that
Kuala Lumpur SEONG MOH KEAT KEE SDN. BHD. carried out as between the members. 1. THAT the company be liquidated by choose to transition to LIV is my guess.”
Note: Registration Number : Chiew Sow Lin way of members’ voluntary winding
A member of the Company entitled 198101011423 (77550-M) Director way of members’ voluntary winding up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the The Masters announced last month it will
to attend and vote at the meeting Dated this 5th day of January 2023 up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2016 (“the Act”). not change qualifying criteria for the 2023
is entitled to appoint a proxy to (IN MEMBERS’ Companies Act 2016 (“the Act”). 2. THAT Chan Eng Mat of 4-5-3A Masters, ensuring LIV Golf players will be able to
attend and vote in his stead. A VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) IN THE MATTER OF THE 2. THAT Chan Eng Mat of 4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698 compete.
proxy need not be a member of the NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to COMPANIES ACT, 2016 Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala
Company. The instument appointing Section 439 (2) of the Companies Act, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala Lumpur be appointed as Liquidator to “It’s probably only funny to me, but I think
a proxy must be deposited at the 2016 that the Special Resolution set out and Lumpur be appointed as Liquidator to act for the purpose of winding-up the the Masters Champions Dinner is going to be a
Liquidator’s office not less than 48 below was duly passed by the Members IN THE MATTER OF act for the purpose of winding-up the company’s affairs and distributing its little tense compared to how it has been in the
hours before the time appointed for of the Company on 30 December 2022. GENTING MANAGEMENT AND company’s affairs and distributing its assets to the members and to exercise past,” Rahm said.
holding the meeting. MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP CONSULTANCY SERVICES SDN. BHD. assets to the members and to exercise the powers of the Liquidator as set out
AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR - Registration No. 198401000375 the powers of the Liquidator as set out in Section 456 of the Act. “So I keep thinking about it because I wish I
IN THE HIGH COURT OF SPECIAL RESOLUTION in Section 456 of the Act. 3. THAT the Liquidator be indemnified could be there and just be able to see how
MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR RESOLVED THAT the Company be wound (112896-T) 3. THAT the Liquidator be indemnified by the company against all costs, things work out. Too bad the US Open doesn’t
IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) (In Member’s Voluntary Winding-Up) by the company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and have one of those.”
PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors charges, losses, expenses and liabilities sustained by him in the
COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) NO. : Nigel Loh Kwong Weng of 4, Cantonment of the above Company are required to send liabilities sustained by him in the execution and discharge on his duties
WA-28NCC-972-12 / 2022 Road, 10350 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, in their names and addresses and the execution and discharge on his duties as liquidator and in relation hereto.
who has given his consent to act, be particulars of their debts or claims and the as liquidator and in relation hereto. TAN KIM YAN
In the matter of Section 465 (1)(e) and Section and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for names and addresses of their solicitors (if KHOO TENG LEONG Director
466 (1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2016 the purpose of such winding up with all any), to the undersigned (the Liquidators of Director Dated: 5 January 2023
powers given by Section 456 and Section the said Company) at the belowmentioned Dated: 5 January 2023 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
And 457(1) of the Companies Act, 2016. Fadedbrreusasryb, y2052.30:0- p.m. on 7th day of NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the abovementioned
RESOLVED THAT the Liquidator be and is c/o Norvic Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd. creditors of the abovementioned Company, which is being wound up
In the matter of the Companies (Winding-Up) hereby authorised to divide all or such Company, which is being wound up voluntarily, are required on or before
Rules, 1972 part of the surplus assets of the Company Reg. No. 200201033104 (600769-D) voluntarily, are required on or before 4 February 2023 to send in their names
as he shall think fit to the members of the Wisma Goshen, 2nd Floor 4 February 2023 to send in their names and addresses and the particulars of
And Company. 60, 62 & 64 Jalan SS 22/21 and addresses and the particulars of their debts or claims and their names
Dated this 5th of January, 2023. Damansara Jaya their debts or claims and their names and addresses of their solicitors (if any)
In the matter of LIGHTGREY MALL NIGEL LOH KWONG WENG 47400 Petaling Jaya and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the Liquidator of
MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.: Director Selangor Darul Ehsan to the undersigned, the Liquidator of the said Company, and if so required in
201401030045 (1106131-V)] the said Company, and if so required in writing from the said Liquidator, are by
IN THE MATTER OF The creditors (either through their writing from the said Liquidator, are by their solicitors or personally, to come in
BETWEEN THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 solicitors or personally) who do not their solicitors or personally, to come in and prove the said debts or claims at
file their debts and claims on or before and prove the said debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified
TAN CHUEN HWA …PETITIONER AND the specified date and time above will such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof, they IN THE HIGH COURT OF 322 Notices
(NRIC No. : 820829-05-5163) IN THE MATTER OF be excluded from the benefit of any in such notice, or in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR
SEONG MOH KEAT KEE SDN. BHD. distribution made. will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH IN THE MATTER OF
AND Registration Number : Lam Lee San (f) distribution made before such debts are proved. PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
198101011423 (77550-M) Lee Yee Ching (f) proved. CHAN ENG MAT COMPANIES (WINDING-UP)
LIGHTGREY MALL MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD. Liquidators CHAN ENG MAT Liquidator NO.: WA-28NCC-971-12 / 2022 AND
[COMPANY NO.: 201401030045 (1106131-V)] (IN MEMBERS’ Dated this 5th day of January 2023 Liquidator 4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, IN THE MATTER OF NICE FASHION
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) 4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, In the matter of Section 465 (1)(e) and Section
…RESPONDENT NOTICE is hereby given that the Creditors 698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala Lumpur 466 (1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2016 WHOLESALES (M) SDN. BHD.
of SEONG MOH KEAT KEE SDN. BHD. 51200 Kuala Lumpur Dated: 5 January 2023 200001009662 (512268-V)
ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION Registration Number : 198101011423 Dated: 5 January 2023 (Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up)
(77550-M) which is being wound up NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition voluntarily, are required within one And Creditors of the abovenamed Company
for the Winding-Up of LIGHTGREY MALL month from the date hereof to send their which is being voluntarily wound-
MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD. (“the Company”) names and addresses and particulars In the matter of the Companies (Winding-Up) up, are required on or before the 5th
by the High Court was, on 12 December of their debts or claims, and the names Rules, 1972 day of February 2023 to send in their
2022 presented to the said Court by TAN and addresses of their solicitors (if any) names and addresses with particulars
CHUEN HWA of A-3-9, Jalan 3/144A, Medan to the undersigned, the Liquidator of And of their debts and claims, and of any
Connaught Centre Point, 56000 Cheras, the said Company and, if so required by security held by them, and the names
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (“the notice in writing by the Liquidator, either IN THE MATTER OF In the matter of PAK CHUN CONSTRUCTION and addresses of their Solicitors (if
Petitioner”). by their solicitors or personally to come THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 SDN. BHD. [Company No.: 198201002589 any) to the undersigned Liquidator at
in and prove their debts or claims at such (82335-K)] Suite D23, 2nd Floor, Plaza Pekeliling,
time and place as shall be specified in AND No. 2 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala
AND that the said Petition is directed to be such notice and in default thereof they IN THE MATTER OF BETWEEN Lumpur and if so required by notice in
heard before the High Court sitting at Kuala will be excluded from the benefit of any STERLING RESERVES SDN. BHD. writing from the said Liquidator, are by
Lumpur, at 9.00 o’clock in the morning on 8 distribution made before such debts are Registration Number : 322 Notices 322 Notices TAN CHUEN HWA their Solicitors or personally required
August 2023. proven. 200001005579 (508184-K) (NRIC No. : 820829-05-5163) to write in and prove their said debts
Dated this 5th of January, 2023. IN THE MATTER OF IN THE MATTER OF and claims at such time and place as
AND any creditor or contributory of the NIGEL LOH KWONG WENG (IN MEMBERS’ THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND …PETITIONER shall be specified in such notice, or in
Company, desiring to support or oppose the Liquidator VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) default thereof they will be excluded
making of an Order on the said Petition, may O-26-A1 Gurney Tower Office NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to AND IN THE MATTER OF AND IN THE MATTER OF PAK CHUN CONSTRUCTION SDN. BHD. from the benefit of any distribution
appear at the time of hearing by himself or his 18 Persiaran Gurney Section 439 (2) of the Companies Act, 2016 WEB PROMOTION SDN. BHD. MOUNTVILLE (Company No. : 198201002589 (82335-K)) made before such debts and claims
Counsel for that purpose. 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang that the Special Resolution set out below Registration No. 199601006252 are proved.
was duly passed by the Members of the CONSTRUCTION SDN. BHD. …RESPONDENT Kuala Lumpur
IN THE MATTER OF Company on 30 December 2022. (378598-K) Registration No. 198101009058 Dated this 5th day of January 2023
AND a copy of the Petition will be furnished THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION Yap Siew Cheng
to any creditor or contributory of the Company AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR - (75175-U) Liquidator
requiring the same by the undersigned on AND SPECIAL RESOLUTION WINDING-UP) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition for Note:
payment of the regulated charge for the same. IN THE MATTER OF RESOLVED THAT the Company be wound NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the Winding-Up of PAK CHUN CONSTRUCTION This notice is purely formal.
PELANCUNGAN CEPAT BERSATU up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1) Section 439(2)(b) of the Companies Act WINDING-UP) SDN. BHD. (“the Company”) by the High Court All known creditors have been or will
The Petitioner’s address is TAN CHUEN HWA of (b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that M 2016, that the Special Resolutions set out NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to was, on 12 December 2022 presented to be paid in full.
A-3-9, Jalan 3/144A, Medan Connaught Centre SDN. BHD. Thada Ganthavee @ Gan Beng Liang of 4 below were duly passed by the Members Section 439(2)(b) of the Companies Act the said Court by TAN CHUEN HWA of A-3-9,
Point, 56000 Cheras, Wilayah Persekutuan REGISTRATION NO. 198501012888 Halaman Cantonment, 10350 Georgetown, of the Company on 1 January 2023. 2016, that the Special Resolutions set out Jalan 3/144A, Medan Connaught Centre Point, IN THE MATTER OF
Kuala Lumpur. Pulau Pinang, who has given his consent 1. THAT the company be liquidated by below were duly passed by the Members 56000 Cheras, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
(145343-A) to act, be and is hereby appointed as of the Company on 1 January 2023. Lumpur (“the Petitioner”).
The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Abraham (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) Liquidator for the purpose of such winding way of members’ voluntary winding 1. THAT the company be liquidated by AND
Ooi & Partners of 2nd Floor, Wisma Harwant, At the extraordinary general meeting up with all powers given by Section 456 up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the AND that the said Petition is directed to be IN THE MATTER OF NICE FASHION
No. 106, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100 of the members of the abovenamed and Section 457(1) of the Companies Act, Companies Act 2016 (“the Act”). way of members’ voluntary winding heard before the High Court sitting at Kuala
Kuala Lumpur. Company duly conveyed at No 8, Jalan 2016. 2. THAT CHAN ENG MAT of 4-5-3A up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the Lumpur, at 9.00 o’clock in the morning on 8 WHOLESALES (M) SDN. BHD.
Nyonya, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur on 27 RESOLVED THAT the Liquidator be and is Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698 Companies Act 2016 (“the Act”). August 2023. 200001009662 (512268-V)
Signed Illegible December 2022 at 10.00 am, the following hereby authorised to divide all or such part Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala 2. THAT CHAN ENG MAT of 4-5-3A
special resolutions were duly passed: of the surplus assets of the Company as Lumpur be appointed as Liquidator to Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698 (In Members’
……………………………………… THAT the Company be wound up he shall think fit to the members of the act for the purpose of winding-up the Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala AND any creditor or contributory of the Voluntary Winding-Up)
Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) Company. company’s affairs and distributing its Lumpur be appointed as Liquidator to Company, desiring to support or oppose the At an Extraordinary General Meeting
Solicitors for the Petitioner of the Companies Act 2016 and that Mr. Dated this 5th day of January 2023 assets to the members and to exercise act for the purpose of winding-up the making of an Order on the said Petition, may of the members of NICE FASHION
Munzir bin Roslan of S.K.Tee & Co., No. 8. THANAPON GANTHAVEE the powers of the Liquidator as set out company’s affairs and distributing its appear at the time of hearing by himself or his WHOLESALES (M) SDN. BHD. duly
Note:- Jalan Nyonya, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur Director in Section 456 of the Act. assets to the members and to exercise Counsel for that purpose. convened and held at Suite D23, 2nd
Any person who intends to appear on the be appointed as Liquidator to act for the 3. THAT the Liquidator be indemnified the powers of the Liquidator as set out Floor, Plaza Pekeliling, No. 2 Jalan
hearing of the said Petition must serve on, purpose of winding up the Company’s IN THE MATTER OF by the company against all costs, in Section 456 of the Act. AND a copy of the Petition will be furnished Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur on
or send by post to, the abovenamed Messrs. affairs and distributing its assets. THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 charges, losses, expenses and 3. THAT the Liquidator be indemnified to any creditor or contributory of the Company the 27th day of December 2022 the
Abraham Ooi & Partners, notice in writing of Dated 5th of January 2023 liabilities sustained by him in the by the company against all costs, requiring the same by the undersigned on following special resolutions were
his intention to do so. The Notice must state LUM AH FAH @ LUM KHEE FAH AND execution and discharge on his duties charges, losses, expenses and payment of the regulated charge for the same. duly passed:-
the name and address of the person, or, if a Director IN THE MATTER OF as liquidator and in relation hereto. liabilities sustained by him in the That the Company be wound up
firm, the name and address of the firm, and STERLING RESERVES SDN. BHD. CHEAH SIN CHYE execution and discharge on his duties The Petitioner’s address is TAN CHUEN HWA of voluntarily and that Yap Siew Cheng of
must be signed by the person or firm, or his IN THE MATTER OF Registration Number : Director as liquidator and in relation hereto. A-3-9, Jalan 3/144A, Medan Connaught Centre Suite D23, 2nd Floor, Plaza Pekeliling,
or their solicitors, if any. The notice must be THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 200001005579 (508184-K) Dated: 5 January 2023 TANG JUANG YEW Point, 56000 Cheras, Wilayah Persekutuan No. 2 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala
served, or if posted, must be sent by post in NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Director Kuala Lumpur. Lumpur be and is hereby appointed
sufficient time, to reach the abovenamed not AND (IN MEMBERS’ creditors of the abovementioned Dated: 5 January 2023 Liquidator of the Company.
later than 12.00 p.m. of 7 August 2023. IN THE MATTER OF VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) Company, which is being wound up NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Abraham That the said Liquidator be authorised
PELANCUNGAN CEPAT BERSATU NOTICE is hereby given that the Creditors voluntarily, are required on or before creditors of the abovementioned Ooi & Partners of 2nd Floor, Wisma Harwant, to distribute either in cash, specie or
This Advertisement of Petition is issued by of STERLING RESERVES SDN. BHD. 4 February 2023 to send in their names Company, which is being wound up No. 106, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100 in kind amongst the contributors of
Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners, Advocates & SDN. BHD. Registration Number : 200001005579 and addresses and the particulars of voluntarily, are required on or before Kuala Lumpur. the Company in accordance with their
Solicitors, solicitors for the Petitioner, whose REGISTRATION NO. 198501012888 (508184-K) which is being wound up their debts or claims and their names 4 February 2023 to send in their names respective rights and interests therein.
address of service is at No. 106, 2nd Floor, voluntarily, are required within one and addresses of their solicitors (if any) and addresses and the particulars of Signed Illegible That the Liquidator be indemnified
Wisma Harwant, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, (145343-A) month from the date hereof to send their to the undersigned, the Liquidator of their debts or claims and their names by the Company against all costs,
50100 Kuala Lumpur. (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) names and addresses and particulars the said Company, and if so required in and addresses of their solicitors (if any) ……………………………………… charges, losses, expenses and
Tel No: 03-2691 0725 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the of their debts or claims, and the names writing from the said Liquidator, are by to the undersigned, the Liquidator of Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners liabilities incurred in or sustained by
Fax No: 03-2697 0626 creditors of the abovenamed Company and addresses of their solicitors (if any) their solicitors or personally, to come in the said Company, and if so required in Solicitors for the Petitioner her in the execution and discharge of
Ruj: AW/L/SB/JY/33274/22/W-UP which is being voluntarily wound up, are to the undersigned, the Liquidator of and prove the said debts or claims at writing from the said Liquidator, are by her duties as Liquidator and in relation
required on or before the 4th of February the said Company and, if so required by such time and place as shall be specified their solicitors or personally, to come in Note:- thereto.
CALL 2023 to send their names and addresses notice in writing by the Liquidator, either in such notice, or in default thereof, they and prove the said debts or claims at Any person who intends to appear on the Foo Chee Chau
TO PLACE with particulars of their debts and claims by their solicitors or personally to come will be excluded from the benefit of any such time and place as shall be specified hearing of the said Petition must serve on, Director
CLASSIFIED ADS and of any security held by them, and the in and prove their debts or claims at such distribution made before such debts are in such notice, or in default thereof, they or send by post to, the abovenamed Messrs.
names and addresses of their solicitor time and place as shall be specified in proved. will be excluded from the benefit of any Abraham Ooi & Partners, notice in writing of
MS. SHOBA (if any) to the undersigned Liquidator at such notice and in default thereof they CHAN ENG MAT distribution made before such debts are his intention to do so. The Notice must state
S.K.Tee & Co., No. 8. Jalan Nyonya, Pudu, will be excluded from the benefit of any Liquidator proved. the name and address of the person, or, if a
T 03 7784 8888 55100 Kuala Lumpur, and if so required by distribution made before such debts are 4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, CHAN ENG MAT firm, the name and address of the firm, and
F 03 7784 4424 notice in writing from the said Liquidator, proven. 698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Liquidator must be signed by the person or firm, or his
are by their solicitors or personally to Dated this 5th day of January 2023 51200 Kuala Lumpur 4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, or their solicitors, if any. The notice must be
come and prove their debts and claims at M THADA GANTHAVEE @ Dated: 5 January 2023 698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, served, or if posted, must be sent by post in
such time and place as shall be specified GAN BENG LIANG 51200 Kuala Lumpur sufficient time, to reach the abovenamed not
in such notice or in default thereof, they Liquidator Dated: 5 January 2023 later than 12.00 p.m. of 7 August 2023.
will be excluded from the benefits of any O-26-A1 Gurney Tower Office
distribution made before such debts and 18 Persiaran Gurney This Advertisement of Petition is issued by
claims are proved. 10250 Georgetown Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners, Advocates &
Dated 5th of January 2023 Pulau Pinang Solicitors, solicitors for the Petitioner, whose
MUNZIR BIN ROSLAN address of service is at No. 106, 2nd Floor,
Liquidator Wisma Harwant, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman,
50100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel No: 03-2691 0725
Fax No: 03-2697 0626
Ruj: AW/L/SB/JY/33274/22/W-UP

22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023 Over and out Ronaldo added: “I’m a unique player. I beat all
Ronaldo turns back on Europe for ‘unique’ contract in Riyadh the records there. I want to beat a few records
SPORTS here. This contract is unique but I’m a unique
decision in my life. “Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave my player, so for me it’s normal.
CRISTIANO RONALDO says he is a unique “In Europe, my work is done; I won word to this club to develop not only the football
player and declared “in Europe, my work but other parts of this amazing country.” “Many people speak and give their opinions
is done” as the Portuguese revealed he everything, I played at the most important clubs but they really do know nothing about football.
turned down several top clubs to join Al in Europe and for me now, it’s a new challenge. Ronaldo wore a suit as he addressed the It’s not the end of my career to come to Saudi
Nassr at his unveiling with the Saudi Arabia club. assembled media, with the only questions Arabia. I really don’t worry about what the people
“This is a great opportunity. Nobody knows coming from an Al Nassr official, before changing say.”
Ronaldo has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or this but I had many opportunities in Europe, into his new club’s kit for his presentation at
award on five occasions and the Champions many clubs in Brazil, in Australia, in the US and Mrsool Park stadium. Ronaldo was greeted by thousands of ecstatic
League five times while he also counts multiple even in Portugal. fans as he walked on to a stage on the Mrsool Park
Premier League, La Liga and Serie A titles among pitch.
an enviable trophy haul.
He said in a brief on-stage interview “I will
Following an acrimonious exit from give my best for this club” before posing for
Manchester United in November, Ronaldo said he photographs and then autographing and kicking
had been courted by clubs from around the world balls into the assembled crowd.
but he put pen to paper on a deal until 2025 with
Al Nassr. Chants of “Ronaldo” and his trademark “siu”
celebration echoed constantly around the
A number of outlets have reported the former stadium before the presentation ended with
United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward’s salary Ronaldo joined on the pitch by his children and
as upwards of £160 million (RM864m) per year, partner Georgina Rodriguez.
making the 37-year-old the highest paid footballer
in history. Al Nassr head coach Rudi Garcia, formerly of
Roma, Marseille and Lyon, hailed Ronaldo as a
At his first public appearance for his new terrific coup for the club.
club, Ronaldo told a press conference: “I’m
feeling very good. I’m so proud to make this big “Cristiano is one of the best players in the
world, he’s a legend,” Garcia said. “In my life, I’ve
5577/2023 04/01/2023 (WED) seen that the great, great players like Cristiano are
the easiest to manage. We are here to win,
nothing else.” – The Independent

7420 DrawDate:04/01/23(Wed) DrawNo:5524/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB
4234
9231

4452 8446 3477 2500 General view of fans as the casket of Brazilian football legend Pele is transported by 1721
2127 2261 0468 9478 the fire department, from his former club Santos’ Vila Belmiro stadium. – REUTERSPIX
1349 4697 9010 8892 2491
1554 4866 9194 9827 Pele’s funeral leaves fans in tears
9587 7480 8727 6327 1555

5,484,909.53 FOOTBALL FANS wept and waved goodbye to “the 1488 + 9896 9428 + 1708
4234 7420 King” at Pele’s funeral in Santos. 3863 + 3542 2313 + 3763
9231 7420 Thousands of football fans waited to say their 2878 + 1604 0795 + 9519
7420 4234 9231 4234 farewells to the legendary forward before his 9203 + 9881 3442 + 2958
7420 9231 273,307.54 coffin was driven away and transported on a 2566 + 6286 3155 + 6987
4234 9231 firetruck outside the Urbano Caldeira stadium.

Many fans struggled to hold back the tears while
many wept for some time as Pele was brought
from his home ground through to the streets of
Santos. RM6,956,117.10

The iconic yellow and green colours of 1721 + 2491 2491 + 1721
Brazil, whether it was flags or football shirts, 1721 + 1555 1555 + 1721
7420 permeated the capacity crowd. One 2491 + 1555 1555 + 2491
4234 supporter even proudly showed off a tattoo
of the legendary player wearing a crown RM457,327.60
9231 TIGER
on top of his head.
Reports from the Mirror understand
his mother Celeste will be the final
person to say goodbye to Pele at the
funeral. His older sister Maria Lucia do
Nascimento revealed the 100-year-old 731 721 + ROOSTER RM2,622,222.10

was unaware her son had passed away.
“We talk but she doesn’t know the
90377 situation. She’s in her own world,” 872 491 + TIGER RM871,666.60
0377
377 Nascimento said recently. “She opens
57495 77 her eyes when I mention his name 331 555 + OX RM2,055,972.10
65046 and say, ‘We’re going to pray for him’
but she’s not really conscious of A Santos fan in tears as the coffin with
what I’m saying.” – Express Brazilian football legend Pele is transported
005323 Newspapers by the fire department. – REUTERSPIX 291 488 399 896 599 428 291 708
323 863 683 542 232 313 673 763
00532 05323 Rodrygo salutes Pele 532 878 011 604 420 795 459 519
0053 5323 as Real advance 049 203 439 881 273 442 782 958
005 323 192 566 706 286 923 155 126 987
00 23

5 7 21 24 28 55 RODRYGO scored the only goal and it’s another sport. 721 491 555
24,182,161.13 celebrated by paying tribute to Pele as “It’s nice because small teams can fight
Real Madrid advanced to the Spanish Cup RM704,136.60
9 10 24 26 28 31 last 16 yesterday with a hard-fought 1-0 and compete with bigger teams. It’s good
6,902,178.03 win over fourth-tier Cacereno. for the fans, but the fans also want to see 721 + 491 + 555 491 + 555 + 721
nice games.” 721 + 555 + 491 555 + 721 + 491
1 6 14 31 38 42 10 The Brazilian broke the deadlock after 491 + 721 + 555 555 + 491 + 721
1,315,129.72 69 minutes beating two defenders to fire Despite Madrid’s lacklustre
137,268.04 in and celebrated by jumping with an performance against a team three leagues dmcGO: Refer more friends and
upward fist, the way football great and below them, Ancelotti was content with earn more rewards!
compatriot Pele used to celebrate his how his team played, saying: “Rodrygo
goals. made a fantastic play, the rest was an even
and competitive game.
Pele’s funeral was held yesterday in
Brazil after his death last week at age 82. “A lot of struggle, a lot of long balls, it
couldn’t be done any other way. The team
The poor standard of the surface at has complied and I’m satisfied, it was a
Estadio Principe Felipe made it difficult for game we’re not used to.
Madrid to get going as they made hard
work of avoiding a massive upset. “I liked everything, from the first
minute to the last, I knew we had to suffer.
Ancelotti was frustrated with the We didn’t risk anything, the line of defence
quality of the turf, telling reporters: “You was fine, a clean sheet, everything was
can’t play football. For me it’s not football, fine.” – AFP/Agencies

FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN 23theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
ME * SPORTS
/thesuntelegram
in a relegation battle and you have to focus on
RESULTS & STANDINGS Writing on the wall going again.”

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal … but Lampard confident he can turn things around at Everton On his players being booed, he added: “It’s
0 Newcastle 0, Everton 1 (Gray 90-pen) difficult, you have to understand human
Brighton 4 (Mitoma 14, Ferguson 51, █ CARL MARKHAM of “sack the board”. nature at that time. It is what it is.”
March 54, Gross 57), Leicester 0 Fulham Lampard, who did not emerge from the
1 (Mitrovic 17), Manchester United 3 EVERTON manager Frank Lampard Owner Farhad Moshiri has sacked five
(Casemiro 23, Shaw 49, Rashford 86) insists he does not fear for his future dressing room area for his media interviews managers in almost seven years since
Bournemouth 0. after an insipid 4-1 defeat to Brighton until more than 45 minutes after the final becoming the majority shareholder and
saw Goodison Park turn on his players whistle, was asked whether he feared for his Lampard now has a win ratio lower than the
P W D L F A Pts and the club’s board. job after just one win and seven defeats in the man he replaced, the hugely unpopular Rafael
Arsenal 17 14 2 1 40 14 44 last 10 Premier League matches. Benitez, as he approaches his first-year
Man City 16 11 3 2 44 16 36 A catastrophic seven-minute spell at the anniversary at the end of the month.
Newcastle 18 9 8 1 32 11 35 start of the second half in which they conceded “Since I’ve been here we’ve been in this
Man Utd 17 11 2 4 27 20 35 three soft goals to Evan Ferguson, Solly March situation of fighting relegation,” he said. Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi has
Tottenham 17 9 3 5 33 25 30 and Pascal Gross to add to Kaoru Mitoma’s guided the Seagulls to eighth in the League
Liverpool 17 8 4 5 34 22 28 early first-half strike did the damage but their “It’s not a case of fear, I can’t control the talk having taken over from Graham Potter in
Fulham 18 8 4 6 30 27 28 performance up to that point had only been or the decision when you are around this area September and his side were organised and
Brighton 17 8 3 6 32 25 27 delaying the inevitable. of the table. When you lose a game like this I effective – everything Everton were not.
Brentford 18 6 8 4 30 28 26 absolutely understand any reaction.
Chelsea 16 7 4 5 20 18 25 Demarai Gray’s added-time penalty “We have to improve. We have to ask
Crystal Palace 16 6 4 6 17 21 22 consolation merely prompted yet more chants “I am very confident in myself and will work ourselves for more. In the second half it was a
Aston Villa 17 6 3 8 19 25 21 to turn it around. The only concern you can different quality of play, the second half was
Leicester 18 5 2 11 26 31 17 have is the work you do the next day. I arrived amazing,” he said.
Leeds 16 4 4 8 23 29 16
Bournemouth 18 4 4 10 18 39 16 “We played with more energy to score more
Everton 18 3 6 9 14 24 15 goals and I’m sad only for the Everton goal.
West Ham 17 4 2 11 13 22 14 Our improvement is to find the right
Nottm Forest 17 3 5 9 12 34 14 mentality.

“We can’t concede the goal of Everton in
that moment. The goal changed nothing today
but it can change in the end of the season for
example.” – The Independent

Wolves 17 3 4 10 10 26 13
Southampton 17 3 3 11 15 32 12

SPANISH CUP ROUND OF 32: CF La
Nucia 0 Valencia 3, Cartagena 1
Villarreal 5, Espanyol 3 Celta Vigo 1,
Cacereno 0 Real Madrid 1, AD Ceuta 1
Elche 0, Levante 3 Getafe 2, Sporting
Gijon 2 Rayo Vallecano 0.

TOUCHLINES

CHELSEA are set to make a last-ditch Brighton & Hove Albion’s Pascal
attempt to hijack Arsenal’s January bid Gross (right) scores their fourth goal
for Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine
winger Mykhailo Mudryk, despite the against Everton. – REUTERSPIX
Gunners having already agreed per-
sonal terms with the 21-year-old.

CHELSEA are reluctant to meet the Cottagers focused on
€120m (RM552m) release clause in beating the drop: Silva
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez’s
contract with Benfica, who want the fee █ NICK MASHITER from our games and performances. The fans are
paid in full to agree to the move. BOSS Marco Silva vowed Fulham were focused dreaming of winning something, they can
DUTCH midfielder Memphis Depay has on beating the drop and not Europe after dream.
been linked with a return to Manchester Aleksandar Mitrovic sunk Leicester.
United but Barcelona boss Xavi wants “We are here to work really hard to achieve
the 28-year-old to stay at the Nou Camp. The Cottagers sit seventh in the Premier things for the football club. Right now the main
MANCHESTER UNITED could still sell League after reaching 28 points – the same thing is to remain in the Premier League.”
English defender AaronWan-Bissaka amount they were relegated with two years
in January, despite the 25-year-old’s ago – following yesterday night’s narrow 1-0 Leicester were disjointed after losing
impressive recent showings. win. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to injury minutes before
TOTTENHAM are to hold talks with kickoff and also saw Boubakary Soumare limp
Sporting Lisbon today over potential deals Mitrovic’s 11th goal of the season also off early – taking the Foxes’ injury list to nine.
for Spain rightback Pedro Porro, 23, and equalled his best Premier League tally, although
24-year-old English midfielder Marcus a fifth booking means he will miss next week’s “The changes affected the balance of the
Edwards. visit of Chelsea. team, but we gave away a poor goal, we were
NEWCASTLE UNITED have ended their in possession and don’t recover quick enough,”
pursuit of Borussia Monchengladbach Fulham are 14 points clear of the bottom said Foxes’ boss Brendan Rodgers.
and France striker MarcusThuram, 25, three but Silva insisted they must stay out of
with Magpies boss Eddie Howe priori- trouble. “From then we were much better and in the
tising other positions. second half we were able to sustain the attacks.
BAYERN MUNICH, Newcastle, Paris St- He said: “We will not change anything. If in I can’t fault the players after that in terms of
Germain and Liverpool are set to compete one moment you are going to achieve their effort. It was another decent performance
for the signature of Borussia something, I’m the first one to come and find but we didn’t get the result.
Monchengladbach’s 21-year-old French different targets and different goals.
midfielder Manu Kone. “It’s a small squad. When we have a few
“Right now it would not make sense. The injuries, we are short in terms of the numbers
next game at home we are going to go there to we want.
match the opposition side, to try to play with
quality and keep improving our players. “The guys are giving everything, in the run
we were on before the break (five wins from six
“After, the points will be a consequence games) there were five of those players who
weren’t out this evening.” – The Independent

Oxlade-Chamberlain admits Reds ‘just weren’t good enough’

█ ANDY SIMS But Bryan Mbeumo outmuscled Konate to moments but we didn’t carry on doing the
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN was blunt in hit Brentford’s third and leave the visitors same things that got us that success.
his assessment of Liverpool’s performance in empty-handed.
the 3-1 defeat at Brentford, admitting “we just “We came looking for the ball to feet a
weren’t good enough”. “We just weren’t good enough,” Oxlade- little bit too much I think and stopped
Chamberlain told the club website. “We knew offering in behind and causing them
The Reds lost further ground in the race it was going to be a difficult game, we knew problems.
for the top four after falling behind to their threat around the set-pieces and we
Ibrahima Konate’s own goal and a fine header didn’t do well enough. “At half-time we wanted to come out and
from Yoane Wissa, who had already had two really go for the game and believe. The early
goals disallowed for offside. “We got away with a couple with VAR goal helped but unfortunately we couldn’t
ruling them out, but they were the warning get the second one in quick succession. If we
Oxlade-Chamberlain, making his 100th signs and in the end we conceded a sloppy had it might have been a different ending.
Liverpool appearance, hauled them back into second goal after we sort of got away with
the match with a glancing header from Trent that. “Brentford play their game and they play it
Alexander-Arnold’s cross. really well, and we kind of fell into the trap a
“Then at 2-0 it’s difficult. I think at times we little bit. Overall, it wasn’t good enough from
did well and we created some good us.” – The Independent

THURSDAY • JANUARY 5, 2023 QUOTE OF THE DAY

I’m feeling very good. I’m so proud to
make this big decision in my life. In
Europe, my work is done; I won everything,
I played at the most important clubs in Europe
and for me now, it’s a new challenge. This is a
great opportunity.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

█ IAN PARKER United want to play football not tennis, Ten Hag – who will wait until
ERIK TEN HAG said “belief is says Ten Hag after Cherries win today for more information on a
growing” at Manchester United after potentially serious injury to Donny
the 3-0 win over Bournemouth Bournemouth’s Adam van de Beek – said it had been far
despite getting “into a tennis match” Smith (centre) in action from a perfect performance and
but insisted it is still too early to think with Manchester United’s warned his team they needed to
about a Premier League title Christian Eriksen (left) and play smarter in the future.
challenge. Marcus Rashford during the
English Premier League “I think we have two top
Marcus Rashford scored for a match at Old Trafford departments, attacking and
fourth consecutive game to add to yesterday. – REUTERSPIX defending, and a big gap in
earlier strikes from Casemiro and between, and that cost us a lot of
Luke Shaw as United made it four energy,” he said.
wins in a row in the League, and 13
in the last 16 in all competitions. “We got into a tennis match and
we don’t want to play tennis, we
The victory left United fourth, one want to play football.
point behind rivals Manchester City,
who head to Chelsea overnight “We want to keep the ball, keep
before their next League possession, recognise when to
appointment comes in the derby at speed up and go for goal, but it cost
Old Trafford on Jan 14. us too much energy.

United’s recent form is a match for “The backline took a lot of risk
almost anyone, but Ten Hag tried to and when it was difficult to get back
brush off a question about the title we got stretched. It’s the next step
race. we have to make and we are still in
the process.”
“That’s a big step,” he said. “We
have to go game to game, get the Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil
progress. called Saturday’s performance in the
2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace the worst
“Belief is growing and that’s a of his tenure, but was much happier
good sign, it’s good to have that with the display at Old Trafford
feeling but we have to understand despite the final score.
and be able to give 100% in every
game – 100% energy, 100% focus, “I thought it was very good,” he
100% playing as a team. said. “3-0 was hard on us. We had
some really big chances. Their first
“If you keep that philosophy it’s goal was disappointing because we
possible but we have to go game to kept them at bay and didn’t really
game and don’t think too far ahead. feel under threat at 0-0.
It’s now January so it’s not even half
a season we are talking about.” “The boys nailed the out-of-
possession shape and we broke out
United secured what was a a few times so to concede from a
comfortable win despite only wide free-kick when we were well
occasionally hitting top gear, with into the game was tough for them,
Casemiro’s goal the only shot on we didn’t deserve it.
target in the first half.
“After halftime we tried to be
Shaw created and finished the more aggressive in the press more
second, bursting from his own half, often but we get caught and it’s 2-0.
shifting the ball right and applying
the finish when Alejandro Garnacho “It’s a tough ask from that
rolled in a low cross. moment but the response was
excellent and we had six big chances
David De Gea then made saves to with David De Gea making big saves.
deny Philip Billing and Jaidon
Anthony before Rashford finished “The majority of United’s chances
things off in the 86th minute. came when we opened the pitch up
so there is lots to be pleased with.” –
The Independent

Pele’s funeral leaves fans in tears - page 22 Writing on the wall - page 23

Frustrated Gunners
█ ED ELLIOT Arteta furious with ‘scandalous’ penalty decisions in Arsenal draw

MIKEL ARTETA bemoaned two we had a lot of situations in and around the box “And we lacked that in the final third and we by his side, so for me that shouldn’t be a penalty.
“scandalous” penalty decisions after to do better. lacked two big decisions.” “Mikel’s a top manager, I think he’s done an
Premier League leaders Arsenal
missed the chance to move 10 “And then there were two scandalous Newcastle remain third after becoming the incredible job here and there were no issues
points clear following a frustrating goalless draw penalties. Both of them. It is a penalty or not a first visiting team to take points off the Gunners between us.”
with Newcastle. penalty and they were both penalties.” since Brighton secured a 2-1 victory in north
London in April. On the performance, Howe added: “I’m very
The Gunners dominated proceedings at a Eddie Nketiah was denied a late winner by a pleased with our defensive effort today, very
sold out Emirates Stadium but were unable to fine save from Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope The draw stretched the Magpies’ unbeaten resilient.
break down the division’s stingiest defence as before Granit Xhaka struck the ball against the run to 13 league matches on the back of a fourth
they dropped points at home for the first time arm of Murphy as a fractious encounter successive clean sheet. “Arsenal are a top team, very good players, a
this season. featuring nine yellow cards came to a very good way of playing, so we knew we had to
controversial end. Manager Eddie Howe played down the hosts’ be at our very best.”
Manager Arteta was unhappy that Dan Burn penalty appeals and said he had no problem
escaped punishment for a second half shirt pull It was the first time the Gunners have failed with opposition coach Arteta following some When asked whether there would be any
on Gabriel Magalhaes, while his players to score this season. heated touchline exchanges between the rival incomings this month as Newcastle look to
surrounded referee Andrew Madley in added benches. cement their place in the top four, the Newcastle
time following a possible handball in the box by “We wanted to win it and we still have that in boss said: “At the moment we are taking it day-
Magpies substitute Jacob Murphy. the guts that we did more than enough and it “I don’t actually remember the first one so I by-day.
merits a different result but we didn’t get it,” can’t give you a comment on that,” Howe said of
“I’m really proud, the way we played, the way continued Arteta. Arsenal’s spot-kick claims. “We have a strong group of players but we
we dominated the game, the approach that we will assess what we need in January. There are
had from the beginning,” said the Spaniard. “And when you can’t win, (make sure you) “The handball? If it was the other way no intentions iminently to improve the squad
draw. I think the team was on top of it, we were around, I would be shouting for it. Probably not but that may change.
“We lacked that spark in the final third to find really chasing it, we really wanted it, you could with the belief that it should be given because I
that opening, to find that right moment and see that the team was putting everything to take think the distance is too tight. “There’s no race from our perspective, it’s
extra pass and a little bit of finishing quality but the three points. just about continuing to improve and that’s our
“I don’t think Jacob’s arm is aloft, I think it’s main goal.” – The Independent

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