The Sun Daily-180322

INSIDE

TELLING IT AS IT IS 2page ‘Don’t always 3page Do homework before
blame the investing with EPF
weather’ money: Expert

ON FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022

No. 7988 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my

EGGS-QUISITE ATTRACTION ... projection

Iranians walk past large decorated eggs displayed at
a park during an event organised by the municipality
of Tehran yesterday, ahead of the celebration of
Noruz, the Persian New Year. Noruz begins on March
20 and coincides with the first day of spring during
which locals revive the ancient Zoroastrian
celebration of dancing around a bonfire. – AFPPIX

Flawed

█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH oAverage household income about
[email protected] RM7,000 but median income only
PETALING RM2,000, says economist
JAYA: The
government’s projection of the
nation achieving an average
household income of RM10,000 a
month by 2025 is unrealistic, economists
pointed out yesterday.
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak economist income in the projection, he said, is that RM10,000 a month can be achieved
Dr Barjoyai Bardai called it a “flawed idea” we tend to disregard very low income by 2025.
because it is not properly calculated. earners. He said the strategies to meet this
This, he said, is because of the way target included efforts to increase
average income is calculated, where those He said big data analytics should be productivity, promote quality
earning millions and others earning about used to calculate a family’s income. investment, accelerate economic
RM1,500 are included to obtain the structural transition, leverage
average household income. “The Statistics Department continues participation in the global value
Barjoyai pointed out that the average to rely on averages, which is a mockery. chain, increase the proportion of
household income in the country is about Using big data, we can analyse a workers’ compensation, and ensure
RM7,000 but the median income is only household’s income and expenditure on a long-term fiscal sustainability.
RM2,000 which is very low. daily basis to get a better picture of the Meanwhile, Universiti Utara
“We should look at the cost of living, patterns which can help the government Malaysia professor of economics Dr K
which will give us an accurate picture of formulate better policies,” Barjoyai said. Kuperan Viswanathan said we can
households. Even in this, there is a big achieve RM10,000 household income
disparity between institutions as some say He said we need to use a median but the caveat is our economic growth
it’s RM2,500 and others RM6,000. salary, which for a household must be must be 6% or above.
“The cost of living will depend on what above RM6,000, but 50% of our He said for this year, the projected
are included in the basket, such as food, households earn below RM5,000. growth is 4% to 5%. “We did not
rental, clothing and other items,” he said. achieve Vision 2020 to be a
Barjoyai said another problem is that The target of achieving a RM10,000-a- developed nation because
wages differ from location to location, month household income can be we could not meet the Turn to
with those living in the Klang Valley achieved only if the government takes into projected growth that
earning higher than those in other areas. account how fast our economy will grow, would make us a —
Barjoyai added.
page 3
Deputy Minister in the Prime
The major setback of using average Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk developed nation.
Eddin Syazlee Shith said the government
is confident household income of

2 theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Muafakat ‘Don’t always blame
Nasional pact weather for floods, landslides’
still on: Mohamad
Hasan

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and PAS’
political cooperation through
Muafakat Nasional (MN) has not o Inadequate drainage systems, poor slope maintenance and holistically as it necessitates coordination
ended, Umno deputy president Datuk heavy monsoon rains among primary reasons, says dept chief between a number of authorities, including the
Seri Mohamad Hasan said. Irrigation and Drainage Department, local
However, he admitted that ties governments and land offices.
between both parties appeared to be
edging towards its final chapter. Hanif Basree was commenting on the recent
“But we have to be clear here that █ BY SIVAA TANGAI RAJU maintenance, improper drainage system, catastrophic landslide at Taman Bukit Permai 2,
we will only be with those loyal to us, [email protected] loading change on soil, water level change and Ampang, which resulted in four deaths.
not with those who play many sides, PETALING JAYA: While a city council slope geometry.
as this would cause confusion, which engineering department director says a Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan
would end up with us being confused combination of factors may have caused the “As for flooding, among the causes are heavy Sri Lee Lam Thye said local authorities should
as well,” he told a media conference recent floods and landslide, a social activist has monsoon rains which strain the capacity of the take the initiative to ensure public safety by
after officiating at the simultaneous urged authorities not to always blame the drainage system, poor maintenance of drainage conducting safety audits on a regular basis,
opening of Umno’s Wanita, Youth and weather for such incidents. systems, deforestation, shrinkage of river rather than blaming the weather.
Puteri wings assemblies on capacity, urbanisation and rapid uncontrolled
Wednesday night. Shah Alam City Council Engineering development. He added that slope maintenance is essential
Mohamad was asked about the Department director Hanif Basree Abdul to protect houses in residential areas and public
current direction of the MN charter Rahman said the root causes of landslides and “Poor drainage systems are often associated roads, especially when an area has been
that was signed by Umno and PAS on flood disasters in Malaysia include inadequate or with flash floods but major flooding incidents in classified as landslide zone.
Sept 14, 2019. poor drainage systems, poor slope maintenance the country are due to heavy rainfalls that exceed
Asked whether PAS was invited to and heavy monsoonal rains. the design standards of drainage systems. “Of course, the weather is bad with rain and
this year’s Umno general assembly, thunderstorms almost every day but heavy
Mohamad said space constraints and Hanif Basree, who revealed that some new “Some new initiatives are being considered rainfall and bad weather should not be used as
strict standard operating procedures policies are being considered for for implementation,” he told theSun. excuses when landslides occur as local
have not allowed it. implementation, said speedy rectification and authorities have the responsibility to prevent
On the next general election, he flood mitigation projects should be carried out “The key factor is that most flood-prone areas these disasters.
said the party wants it to be held as even if they require a large budget. are already fully developed and therefore
soon as possible. immediate rectification and flood improvement “If you are the authority, then you have to get
“As the party election director, I “There are a few factors that cause landslides projects need to be implemented. This requires a experts to go and check areas, especially those
in Malaysia such as rainfall, poor slope large budget if you want a total flood mitigation identified as landslide prone.”
solution.”
The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, under
He said this issue should be addressed whose jurisdiction the landslide-hit area falls, did
not respond to queries from theSun.

plan the strategies so that the party Extension of Keluarga Malaysia
wins elections. sales programme being considered Umno must maintain
“Now it is the time for us to strike, winning momentum,
so let us hold discussions at a higher say members
level, on what is good and what is not,
what could be beneficial and what KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) and
could be detrimental to the party.” Umno have proven their strength in the recent
– Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and (Warisan-Kota Belud) on the issue of lack of Malacca and Johor state elections and need to
Consumer Affairs Ministry is evaluating a subsidised packaged cooking oil, Rosol said the keep up the winning momentum ahead of the
Supplementary proposal to extend the Keluarga Malaysia ministry is implementing various initiatives to 15th general election (GE15), say party
Supply Bill tabled (Malaysian Family) Sales Programme until the curb misappropriation and smuggling of members.
end of Ramadan. subsidised cooking oil.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Supplementary Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri
Supply Bill (2021/2022) that provides for, Its deputy minister Datuk Rosol Wahid said He said this included surveillance on Ahmad Maslan said the party needs to take
among others, the usage of fund from this depends on the budget given to the ministry. manufacturers, packers, wholesalers, retailers advantage of the weakened state of its
the Consolidated Fund for additional and select targets suspected of misappropriating opponents in determining the appropriate
expenditure for the year 2021, was tabled To implement the programme, the ministry subsidised cooking oil. time for GE15.
for the first time in the Dewan Rakyat needs to have several strategic partners who are
yesterday. committed, he said, adding that to date it has the He added that so far 15 packaging companies “When the enemy is weak, that’s when we
support of the Agriculture and Food Industries have had their Cooking Oil Stabilisation Scheme should attack, and at present, we have
The bill was among four tabled by the Ministry and 196 strategic partners. quota suspended, and five cooking oil wholesale witnessed success after success in Malacca
Finance Ministry yesterday. companies have had their Controlled Substances and Johor.”
“In rural areas, we are looking for ways to Act licences suspended.
Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk deliver this programme,“ he told the Dewan He said the Sarawak state election could
Mohd Shahar Abdullah, while tabling all Rakyat yesterday. “As of March 17, the ministry conducted 6,955 also be considered a success because the state
the bills, said the second reading would inspections on premises involved in cooking oil government is a close ally.
be made at the proceedings. He said this in reply to Datuk Rubiah Wang transactions and opened 25 investigation papers.
(GPS-Kota Samarahan), who wished to know Another 94 premises are still under audit.” “Now, we leave it up to the Prime Minister
The ministry presented the Labuan whether there was a proposal to maintain the (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) and the party
Companies (Amendment) Bill 2022 to programme, especially during festive seasons. Replying to a supplementary question from president (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid
amend the Labuan Companies Act 1990 Chan Foong Hin (PH-Kota Kinabalu) on the Hamidi) to make the decision on the way
as well as the Labuan Financial Services The programme, which began on Dec 2 and is expected amount of subsidy to be borne by the forward,” he told the media on Wedneday
and Securities (Amendment) Bill 2022 scheduled to end this month, aims to help government this year, Rosol said it was estimated after the simultaneous opening of the
for the amendment of the Financial alleviate the cost of living of low-income to be more than RM2 billion compared with assemblies of Umno’s Wanita, Youth and
Services Act 2010. – Bernama consumers affected by the pandemic and floods. RM1.9 billion last year. Puteri wings by deputy president Datuk Seri
Mohamad Hasan.
It offers consumers the option to get a variety “There is a proposal to increase the price (of
of daily necessities at prices 20% lower than the packet cooking oil) slightly to RM3 each, but it In his speech Mohamed said Umno’s
open market. needs to be evaluated carefully to ensure that performance in the government did not
under the current difficult times.” – Bernama reflect the confidence that had been hoped
On a separate question from for but admitted it was not for lack of trying.
Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri
Ismail Sabri lauds Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the most important
smooth running thing now is to restore the people’s confidence
of assemblies in the party to face the next election.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Ismail Sabri being greeted by Wanita Umno members yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX Zambry, who is also BN secretary-general,
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday said all party members should also come up
expressed satisfaction with what he with new and innovative changes to face the
described as smooth proceedings of next election and always learn from
Umno’s Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings’ shortcomings.
assemblies.
Another supreme council member Datuk
Despite his busy schedule, Ismail Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the opening
Sabri, who is also Umno vice-president, speech by Mohamad conveyed an honest and
managed to spend some time checking sincere message, especially with regard to the
on the proceedings of the assemblies. party’s future direction after winning the
Malacca and Johor state elections.
“I saw that the assemblies ran
smoothly. “It is not just about success in the two state
elections, but wanting the party to continue
“I also heard the debaters from the working hard because Umno is not yet safe.
three wings giving constructive input for Do not be boastful or arrogant. That’s the
the future of the party,” he told reporters message,”Abdul Rahman said.
when met at the World Trade Centre,
where the assemblies of Umno’s Wanita, Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi
Youth and Puteri wings were held. Dusuki concurred, adding that Mohamad’s
speech was in line with the aspirations of the
The arrival of the prime minister at grassroots. – Bernama
10.56am was greeted with cheers and
applause from the delegates. – Bernama

3theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Special withdrawal can help people improve livelihood: Umno

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to stimulate the local economy, Bernama yesterday. many things,” he said. “I believe that, judging from the
allow Employees Provident Fund especially for petty traders. Umno secretary-general Datuk Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief trend today, many are thankful to the
(EPF) contributors to make a special Supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, meanwhile, Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the government. For me, it’s never too
withdrawal of RM10,000 from their Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan believes described the announcement as announcement should not be viewed late ... the most important thing is the
accounts as announced on the affected contributors can timely. However, he said it is up to as a political move, instead it is for the positives, it shows that we are not
Wednesday will enable those replenish their retirement savings in contributors whether they want to benefit of those in need. politicising this issue,” he said.
impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic the EPF once the country’s economy make the special withdrawal. “They (the people) still have On Wednesday, Prime Minister
to settle their outstanding picks up. “What’s important is that when substantial savings in the EPF and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said
commitments. “Surely many like this, but there they withdraw (their savings), they need this amount to settle their the government has decided to allow
Most of the Umno members who will also be some who won’t have the can use it to top up their business outstanding commitments and EPF contributors who are still
support the move said besides that, opportunity or be eligible to capital, settle debts and for their own debts. That’s why what was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic
the withdrawal would help to withdraw the money. The people are and their family’s commitments. announced will bring huge relief to to make a special withdrawal of up to
improve the people’s livelihoods and very much in need of it now,” he told They can use the withdrawal for so the people. RM10,000 to ease their burden.
‘Do homework before
investing with EPF money’ Prayers without
physical distancing
from April: Jawi

KUALA LUMPUR: Congregational and
tarawih prayers without physical distancing
will be allowed at all mosques and surau in
o Financial expert’s advice thousands,” he told theSun. maintain confidence in the fund house and the Federal Territories in line with the
Wong said if unit trusts are a person’s management. transition to endemic phase, starting April 1,
to those who want to make preferred investment style (relying on a “To get started with unit trusts (also known according to the Federal Territories Islamic
special withdrawal professional to manage the money), then a as mutual funds), you should first research and Religious Department (Jawi).
person should start as early as possible in understand the structure.
his/her career. Jawi director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail said
“Then, have a general strategy of what the matter is among six new rulings that have
“Fund houses and platforms generally want regions or countries and industries you would received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan
to encourage more investors onboard, so a like to invest in,” he said. Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-
█ BY SURAYA ALI reduction in minimum investment helps serve Wong added those who plan to invest must Mustafa Billah Shah, apart from being based
[email protected] that purpose,” he explained. evaluate the various funds in their chosen area. on the existing guidelines and standard

Wong also cautioned against choosing a “You can do this via the fund fact sheets, operating procedures (SOP) for activities at
PETALING JAYA: A financial expert is advising fund just based on the minimum investment prospectus, or other relevant documents of a mosques and surau.
those who wish to make further special amount. particular fund (usually easily found on a fund Congregants are encouraged to bring and
withdrawals from their Employees Provident “It’s better to enter a good fund than to house’s website),” he said. use their own prayer mats when performing
Fund (EPF) accounts, especially to invest, to invest in something that is lacklustre,” he said. Wong highly recommends looking at prayers at mosques and surau, he said in a
think carefully. According to Wong, the most important different funds from different fund houses statement yesterday.
Licensed financial planner and partner at thing about understanding unit trusts is that (fund management companies). Attendance to mosques and surau is
IPP Financial Planning Group Ian Wong said they are a relatively passive method of “Don’t stick to only one fund house. Every allowed without the age limit for those who
EPF is a very solid fund where your money is investment. fund house has its good funds and its bad have received the Covid-19 vaccination.
safe and the returns have been good so far. “You are effectively ‘hiring’ a professional funds; just because a fund house has a really “Mosques and surau are allowed to
He added the 6.10% dividend announced manager to manage your money (in a pool good fund, it doesn’t mean that the same fund perform tarawih prayers up to 20 rakaat
recently was great. with other mutual investors). house’s other funds will be good,” he said. (unit of prayer) in the month of Ramadan.
“Using your EPF savings to invest is just “You would be leaving all the details of the When asked what options people have, While qiamullail (the act of worship during
moving money from your left to the right individual securities buying/selling to this Wong said Malaysians are spoiled for choice. the last part of the night) is allowed to be
pocket, often deducting some fees in the manager,” he said. “There are hundreds of funds from many held from midnight,” he said.
process. It is better to invest from personal He said unit trust investment is not meant different fund management companies. Some He added that breaking fast, moreh
cashflow rather than using EPF unless your to be a frequent buy or sell type; instead, of those funds are good, many are average. You (supper) after tarawih prayers and sahur
account is already in the hundreds of investors should buy and hold as long as they have to choose wisely,” he said. (pre-dawn meal) are also allowed in
mosques and surau and food is encouraged
to be prepared in packages.
Tadarus (reciting) Quran activities in
mosques and surau are also allowed at any
suitable time and in small groups.
“All permissions are subject to the SOP set
in accordance with the advice of the Ministry
of Health and the National Security Council.
– Bernama

Students can apply
for device package
from mid-April

MRL HI-TEA ... KUALA LUMPUR: The application for the
Malaysia Rail Link PerantiSiswa Keluarga Malaysia (the
Sdn Bhd (MRL) Malaysian Family Student Device) package
project director Yew specifically for institutions of higher learning
Yow Boo and ERE (IPT) students from the bottom 40% income
Consulting Group group (B40) families will open from mid-
Sdn Bhd managing April.
director Dr G.
Balamurugan at the Communications and Multimedia
MRL media Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said 400,000
appreciation hi-tea students from either public or private IPT,
in Kuala Lumpur on colleges or community colleges under the
Wednesday. Higher Education Ministry will benefit from
– AMIRUL the initiative.
SYAFIQ/THESUN
“Students from the poor and B40 families
Median income a more accurate measure of household earning whose parents earn not more than RM4,850
a month can apply for the package, which
“The projected growth was 6% but over states and regions to achieve the RM10,000 to be answered is what makes up a household offers mobile devices and internet access
the years our economy only grew below target. and its size. which they can use for their studies,” he said
the Vision 2020 projection,” he said. Average income, he said, does not when winding up the debate on the motion
Kuperan said to achieve a From mean anything as one needs to look at As an example, Kuperan said, in a of thanks for the Royal Address for the
front median income, which is more useful household of four working adults and a total ministry at the Dewan Rakyat sitting
RM10,000 household income, we must page and a valid measure of household income of RM10,000, each person would only yesterday.
ensure the economy grows evenly income. be earning RM2,500. “The devil is in the
across all sectors, not just one or two of details, and the RM10,000 idea does not make The PerantiSiswa Keluarga Malaysia
them. It must also grow evenly across all He said one important question that needs sense,” he said. package was announced during the tabling
of the Budget 2022 in October last year in
line with the government’s aspiration to
ensure that the people, especially IPT
students can use the necessary devices and
enjoy internet access at a reasonable cost.
– Bernama

4 theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022 READ OUR HERE SCAN
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS ME
/thesundaily

Hidden gem for fruit lovers

o Selangor’s agro-tourism site
offers variety of local produce
as well as activities for visitors

█ BY EMILY JESSINTA
[email protected]

PETALING JAYA: If you are looking for a variety Visitors at one of the farms in Selangor Fruit Valley. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN
of local fruits, you might want to visit the state’s
hidden gem, Selangor Fruit Valley (SFV) in activities and programmes that we have operating procedures and work closely with prepared to accept foreign tourists,” he said.
Bestari Jaya in Rawang. lined up. tour guides and travel agencies. “We are always expanding our attractions.

The project was established in 2003 with the “We have been ready since last year to “Selangor Fruit Valley would be a boost for We cannot remain static in order to get tourists.”
aim to modernise the state’s agricultural sector welcome visitors. the tourism industry, especially for Selangor. SFV is open from 9am to 4pm. It is closed on
in line with the vision of the Selangor
Agricultural Development Corporation. “We will strictly comply with the standard “Once our borders are opened, we will be Friday.

Its group chief executive officer, 214 CASES IN CATEGORIES
Dr Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi, said THREE TO FIVE
among the fruits available at SFV is a unique
fruit called “nangcem”. KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 214 out of the
28,298 new Covid-19 cases reported on
“The inside of the fruit is soft, and it has an Wednesday were in categories three to five,
aroma like jackfruit,” he said. said Health Director-General Tan Sri
Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. He said the
Mohamad Khairil added “nangcem” was remaining 28,084 were in categories one
grown after a comprehensive research and and two comprising asymptomatic and
development process by SFV. mild cases, bringing the cumulative total
to 3,900,433.“Meanwhile, 33,009 recoveries
Other fruits that are found at SFV are durian, were reported on Wednesday, raising the
guava, rambutan, jackfruit and mangoes, as cumulative number of recovered cases to
well as coconuts. 3,567,003,”he said in a statement yesterday.
Noor Hisham said of the 214 cases in
Mohamad Khairil said SFV is also an categories three to five, 56 involved
agro-tourism site as well as the state’s food unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated
security hub. individuals, while 101 received two doses
of the vaccine but not the booster shot. He
Visitors can also enjoy other attractions at said 1,743 Covid-19 cases were admitted to
SFV such as a deer park, petting zoo and a herb hospital on Wednesday, with 743 in
garden. categories three to five and 1,000 in
categories one and two, adding that 374
They also can harvest vegetables as well as required treatment in the intensive care
enjoy cultural performances that are held every unit and 233 required ventilators.
month. – Bernama

SFV also has plans to introduce all-terrain ELDERLY URGED TO GET
vehicle rides as well as other activities such as BOOSTER JABS
fishing, cycling and water sports.
KUALA LUMPUR: Senior citizens are advised
“This place is suitable for families to enjoy all to get their Covid-19 vaccination and
booster jab for better self-protection,
Perlis harumanis growers all set for visitors BRIEFS especially with the coming of Ramadan,
said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. In
KANGAR: The harumanis mango season in control order (MCO), it is not a surprise that Meanwhile, the farm marketing manager his tweet yesterday, Khairy said taking the
May is awaited by many, especially fruit many harumanis fans started requesting to Ehsan Ibrahim, 44, said, since the vaccine is crucial because during the
orchard operators and growers who are busy buy the fruit following the government’s implementation of MCO two years ago, they fasting month, many senior citizens are
making preparations to welcome tourists recent announcement,” he told Bernama. switched to online marketing. expected to perform tarawih prayers at
and fruit enthusiasts. mosques. Khairy also said 105 Covid-19
Shahril said Harumanis Mentalon Agro Ehsan said he was surprised that deaths were reported on Wednesday, and
With the announcement of the reopening Farm is in Kampung Belukar and covers response to online marketing was very good that senior citizens, who are unvaccinated,
of the country’s borders on April 1 and the 8,345ha. compared to the conventional methods used or have yet to receive their booster shot, are
transition to the endemic phase, harumanis before. at risk of contracting the virus. “The
mango fans will have the opportunity to He added with an entrance fee as low as capacity of hospitals or the intensive care
experience picking and enjoying the RM10 per person, visitors could enjoy the “Before lockdown, we marketed our fruits unit is under control. But I also want the
sweetness of the fresh fruit. fruit as much as they like. through expos, farmers’ markets and direct death rate to be under control,“ he said.
delivery to customers,” he said. Based on a graph posted on his Twitter
Harumanis Mentalon Agro Farm “Before MCO, we would receive about 45 account, the data per population of
manager Shahril Azmi Abu Bakar, 38, said bus load of visitors at the orchard in three Another harumanis mango grower in 100,000 according to vaccination status on
although the fruit season would only arrive months. Beseri, Norzaidi Hashim, 56, is optimistic Wednesday showed that the highest
in two months, he has already received many that the number of visitors to his mango deaths were recorded for the unvaccinated
inquiries and orders from customers. “I expect the number to increase after the orchard will increase this year. group across every age level. – Bernama
borders reopen.
“As the public’s movement was restricted He said several plans are being planned to
for the past two years under the movement “Most of our visitors are from other states attract more visitors to his orchard.
such as Johor, Malacca, Selangor, – Bernama
Terengganu and Kelantan,” he said.

Kedah to create booster awareness at mosques

ALOR STAR: The Kedah government intends Department held discussions with the state vaccinated but did not receive their booster
to use mosques as a platform to share Islamic Religious Council and the Kedah mufti doses, he said.
information and create awareness among the office for advice and views regarding the use of
community on the importance of Covid-19 mosques for the purpose. “The number of those in Kedah who
vaccine booster dose. received booster shots was still low, especially
“From Jan 1 to March 12, a total of 65 deaths among the Malays.
State Health and Local Government were reported to occur outside the hospital. Of
Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati the total, 86.2% of the cases did not take their “Among the reasons could be the
Othman said the move was due to the low booster shots. inaccurate news that had been spread on
number of people taking the booster dose in social media,” he told reporters here yesterday.
the state, adding that the number of those Mohd Hayati added that about 90% of the
brought-in-dead (BID) was worrying. BID cases in the state were patients who were He advised those who experience flu-like
unaware they were infected. symptoms like fever or sore throat to take the
Mohd Hayati said the state Health Rapid Antigen Test Kits screening test.
BID cases also involved those who were – Bernama

Over 34% of children received first vaccine dose

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,209,694 15,393,296 or 65.4% of the group received portal, 105 deaths due to Covid-19 were
children aged five to 11 or 34.1% of the group their booster dose, and a total of 22,939,552 or recorded on Wednesday.
received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine 97.5% were fully vaccinated, while 23,215,558
under the National Covid-19 Immunisation or 98.7% received at least one dose. Perak recorded the highest with 21 cases,
Programme for Children as of Wednesday. followed by Kedah (17), Johor (13), Selangor
On Wednesday, a total of 47,773 doses of (12) and seven each in Pahang and Kuala
According to the CovidNOW website, for vaccine were administered, with 12,788 as the Lumpur.
adolescents aged 12 to 17, a total of 2,840,296 first dose, 1,927 as second dose and 33,058 as
or 91.3% of the group completed their booster dose, bringing the cumulative total Sabah and Malacca recorded five cases
vaccination, while 2,939,622 or 94.5% vaccine doses dispensed under the each, Penang four, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak
received at least one dose of the vaccine. immunisation programme to 68,328,203. and Terengganu three cases each, while
Kelantan and Perlis recorded two cases each,
For the adult population, a total of According to the Health Ministry’s GitHub and one in Putrajaya. – Bernama

5theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Police clamp Police score another He said police also impounded
down on TnG major drug bust the suspect’s assets worth about
hacking syndicate RM88,000.
o Two suspects held, 468kg of ganja and 10kg Police learnt that the suspects
KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate that syabu worth RM1.5m seized in Klang had smuggled the drugs into the Since taking over the NCID in
hacked into the Touch ’n Go (TnG) country through the Malaysia-Thai January, the former Johor police
digital payment system and █ BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN suspects were held in Kuala Langat border in a northern state. chief declared an all-out war against
fraudulently managed to perform credit [email protected] when they were in the midst of a drug dealers and pledged to clean
top-ups without cash was busted by SHAH ALAM: The Federal Police drug deal. “The drugs originated from Laos. up drug activities in the country.
police at a luxury condominium unit in Narcotics Crime Investigation Usually, the harvesting time in Laos is
Cheras on Wednesday. Department (NCID) scored another He said the men, aged 31 and 47, in March and October. During these Ayob Khan went after drug users
success on Tuesday when it seized led police to a house that had been months, the smuggling of ganja into at drug haunts in Felda settlements
Kuala Lumpur police commercial almost half a tonne of ganja and turned into a store for drugs in Malaysia is high. However, over the and low-cost housing settlements
crime investigation department chief 10kg of syabu with the arrest of two Klang. past three years the harvesting and nationwide, nabbing thousands of
ACP Mahidisham Ishak said that two suspects. smuggling into Malaysia has not them and destroying their “ports”.
male and three female suspects, He added police recovered 468kg been seasonal but all year long,” he
including two foreign women, were NCID director Datuk Ayob Khan of ganja of three grades and 10kg of said at a press conference at the About 10 days ago, federal NCID
nabbed in the 4pm raid. Mydin Pitchay yesterday said the syabu worth RM1.5 million, an Selangor police headquarters. nabbed a fisherman and nine civil
amount which could feed the servants of an enforcement agency
He said that apart from making addiction of 987,000 drug users. Both the suspects, with one who for drug trafficking.
fraudulent TnG credit top-ups, the had a criminal record for drug
syndicate also did the same with related offences, tested positive for The civil servants, who are
various reward point cards. drug abuse. enforcement officers, allegedly sold
50kg of syabu worth RM1.8 million
Mohd Mahidisham said police to a drug dealer.
seized a card data reader that is believed
to have been used to perform the top- The drugs were earlier seized in
ups in the TnG and reward point cards. an anti-narcotics operation by
enforcement officers.
Also recovered were 1,400 TnG
cards, 5,200 reward point cards, Ayob Khan said the suspects,
receipts, cheque books and a computer. who are still in police custody, are
being interrogated, with police
He said police found 22 TnG cards trying to ascertain if there are more
that had unauthorised reloads worth civil servants and other drug dealers
RM12,500. who were conspiring with them.

He advised the public not to get Ayob Khan (third
involved in the use of such from right)
unauthorised digital payment or showing the drug
reward cards as it was an offence. – by haul during a
Charles Ramendran press conference
yesterday. – ADIB
Ministry probing RAWI
two cases of YAHYA/THESUN
child abuse
Najib’s appeal hearing to get bank info set for May 10
KOTA BARU: The Women, Family and
Community Development Ministry is PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib who appeared for the prosecution, and fugitive businessman Low Taek seeking to obtain the confidential
investigating two child abuse cases that Abdul Razak’s appeal hearing at the and Nur Syahirah Hanapiah, who is Jho. settlement agreement between the
took place in Teluk Intan, Perak and in Court of Appeal to obtain representing the former prime government and Goldman Sachs
Gelugor, Penang recently. documents which he claimed were minister, were present. On March 24 last year Najib filed Group entered in 2020 and
relevant to his defence in his trial a court order to compel the transcripts or the forensic report
Its minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd involving misappropriation of “The court fixed the hearing on prosecution to provide several on the phones of former Goldman
Harun said both cases, which went RM2.3 billion in funds from May 10. Submissions have already banking statements from Sachs partner in Asia, Tim
viral on social media, involved a 1Malaysia Development Bhd been filed by parties involved,” said companies, including Aktis Capital Leissner.
mother and a babysitter for alleged (1MDB) has been rescheduled to Mohamad Mustaffa to the media. Singapore Pte Ltd, Country Group
abuse that resulted in the death of one May 10. Securities Public Company Ltd, Najib is on trial for four charges
of the young victims. On July 12 last year, High Court ACME Time Ltd (BVI), Butamba of using his position to obtain bribes
The date was fixed following case Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Investments Ltd and Central totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB
She added that further investigation management held yesterday before Sequerah dismissed Najib’s Holdings Ltd, believed to be related funds and 21 charges of money
will be carried out into the two cases the Court of Appeal deputy registrar applications to obtain documents to Jho Low and Zeti’s family in his laundering involving the same
and the ministry will consider whether Nurul Azrina Mohamed Yusof. involving the US investment bank 1MDB case. amount.
to provide counselling services to the Goldman Sachs, former Bank
perpetrators. Deputy public prosecutor Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor The Pekan MP filed his second The trial is ongoing in the High
Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz’s family application on April 7 last year Court before Sequerah. – Bernama
“We view abuse cases seriously,
especially involving infants and Court orders media not to expose names, pictures of Loh’s children
children. A detailed investigation will
be carried out and be given immediate KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court children not to be exposed so as to their reports. intervene on March 7 so that it would
attention,” she said. yesterday issued an order for all protect them. “The court also set the hearing have locus standi to apply for a
mainstream media organisations and variation on the terms of the sole
Rina was speaking to reporters after social media platforms not to expose Mohamed Haniff, when date for MAIPs’ application to custody order granted to Loh on
the presentation of RM1.5 million and publish the names and pictures contacted, said yesterday’s case intervene in the divorce petition grounds that because the children
Tenaga Nasional Bhd sponsorship to of the three children of single mother, management was also attended by between Loh and Muhammad had converted to Islam and registered
the National Welfare Foundation’s Loh Siew Hong, effective yesterday. two other lawyers representing Nagahswaran Muniandy (who in Perlis, MAIPs was responsible for
Better Brighter Anjung Kasih at the MAIPs, Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar converted to Islam with their three ensuring they get access to the rights
Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital Judicial Commissioner Evrol and Aidil Khalid, while Loh was children), for 10.30am on April 29,” he as new converts.
here yesterday. – Bernama Mariette Peters made the decision represented by Sri Murugan and Dr said.
after lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Shamsher Singh Thind. MAIPs claimed that despite being
86 charged for Abdulla representing the Perlis In the divorce petition, Loh, 34, in Loh’s custody, the children were
lodging false reports Islamic Religious and Malay Customs He said with the court order, it was had been granted sole custody, care seen expressing desire through their
Council (MAIPs), requested in verbal hoped that the media will cooperate and control over their three children, actions to remain in Islam and were
PETALING JAYA: A total of 86 for the identity and pictures of the and not expose the picture, names aged 10 and 14. still practising the religion. – Bernama
individuals were charged in court and identity of the children in
throughout last year for lodging false MAIPs filed the application to
police reports, Petaling Jaya police
said.

Its chief ACP Mohd Fakhruddin
Abdul Hamid yesterday said that
topping the list of false police reports
were robbery, snatch theft and theft
of belongings.

He said other cases were rape,
molestation, criminal intimidation
and extortion.

Mohd Fakhruddin said the 86
individuals are aged between 15 and
57.

He said 66 cases were concluded
in court with offenders receiving fines
of between RM500 and RM2,500
while the remaining 20 cases are still
in trial.

BRIEFS6 theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022 Kremlin rejects UN court order to halt offensive
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
MOSCOW: The Kremlin yesterday rejected an it commenced on Feb 24 on the territory of Russians under duress, saying such treatment
MALI ORDERS FRENCH order by the United Nations top court for Russia Ukraine.” violated Kyiv’s international obligations.
BROADCASTERS OFF AIR to suspend the military offensive in Ukraine.
Kyiv dragged Moscow to the UN’s top court Ukraine has paraded captured Russian
BAMAKO: Mali’s ruling junta ordered “We cannot take this decision into account,” days after President Vladimir Putin launched soldiers before the media at news conferences
French broadcasters RFI and France Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding his military campaign. in Kyiv, and these images have been spread via
24 off the air on Wednesday, that both parties – Russia and Ukraine – had to official accounts on social media and messaging
complaining they had falsely agree for the ruling to be implemented. Peskov claimed that Moscow’s delegation in apps.
accused the army of committing talks with Kyiv to end fighting was “showing
abuses. The government “No consent can be obtained in this case.” much greater readiness than our counterparts Such actions violate the Geneva
“categorically rejects these false The UN’s International Court of Justice ruled to negotiate”. Conventions that aim to provide a framework
accusations against the courageous on Wednesday that Moscow should for humanitarian law in conflict, the US-based
Fama (Malian Armed Forces),” “immediately suspend military operations that Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch is urging group said in a statement on Wednesday. – AFP
spokesman Col Abdoulaye Maiga Ukraine to stop posting videos of captured
said. The junta is “initiating
proceedings to suspend broadcasts Ukraine denounces
by RFI and France 24 until further new ‘Wall’ in Europe
notice,” he said. The junta, which
seized power in August 2020, said o Russian forces accused of bombing theatre, he implored German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
there had been “false accusations” in Biden slams ‘war criminal’ Putin “It’s not a Berlin Wall – it is a Wall in central
a report early in the week in which
RFI aired comments from alleged KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky apartment block damaged by a downed rocket, Europe between freedom and bondage and this
victims of abuse by the army and said yesterday Russia was building a new Cold AFP journalists saw, in the latest in a series of Wall is growing bigger with every bomb.”
shadowy Russian private-security War wall across Europe “between freedom and early morning attacks.
group Wagner. RFI and France 24 bondage”, after his government accused In an overnight video message, Zelensky also
cover African news extensively and invading forces of bombing a theatre sheltering Zelensky addressed the German parliament urged Russians to lay down their arms, three
have a strong following in the former civilians and marked with the word “children”. a day after a speech to the US Congress, where weeks into an invasion that has seen the West
French colony. – AFP he secured US$1 billion in new military aid, impose swingeing sanctions against President
Kyiv emerged from a 35-hour curfew to new including Stinger anti-aircraft missiles used Vladimir Putin’s regime.
N. KOREAN MEDIA SILENT destruction, as Russian troops try to encircle the against Soviet forces in Afghanistan.
AFTER MISSILE EXPLODES Ukrainian capital as part of their slow-moving “If your war, the war against the Ukrainian
offensive. The Ukrainian leader reached back to that people, continues, Russia’s mothers will lose
SEOUL: North Korea’s state media Cold War era as he drew on a 1987 speech in more children than in the Afghan and Chechen
was silent yesterday after a A distraught man crouched over a body Berlin by American president Ronald Reagan. wars combined,” he said, referencing the
suspected missile test ended in what draped in a bloodstained cloth beneath a Kyiv thousands lost in those conflict.
Seoul said was total failure, “Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall,”
exploding mid-air in the skies above US President Joe Biden called Putin a “war
the capital. The projectile, most likely Figures depicting Biden, Putin and China President Xi Jinping playing a game of bowling with Ukraine, criminal”, triggering fury in the Kremlin, as the
a ballistic missile, exploded to be burnt at the traditional Fallas festival, in the Spanish city of Valencia yesterday. – REUTERSPIX Russian leader also lashed out at “traitors” at
moments after launch, with home who he said were undermining the war
Seoul-based NK News reporting that effort.
debris fell in or near Pyongyang.
North Korea’s state media – Rodong Russia’s Defence Ministry denied it had
Sinmun and KCNA news agency – targeted the Drama Theatre in the besieged port
typically carry reports on successful city of Mariupol, where local officials said more
weapons tests within 24 hours of than 2,000 people have died so far in
launch, often with photographs. But indiscriminate Chechnya-style shelling.
state media yesterday made no
mention of the test, the 19th launch The ministry said the building had been
this year. “North Korea is constantly mined and blown up by members of Ukraine’s
promoting this myth that its far-right Azov Battalion, a claim dismissed in the
leadership is doing a great job. They West as Russian disinformation.
don’t want to highlight any failures,”
Sejong Institute senior researcher Zelensky said the “number of dead is not yet
Cheong Seong-chang said. – AFP known” but said the attack showed that “Russia
has become a terrorist state”.
Uganda author
charged with cyber Ukrainian officials said more than 1,000
stalking president civilians had been taking shelter in the theatre.

KAMPALA: Ugandan author and activist Human Rights Watch said it was at least 500
Norman Tumuhimbise and a female people.
journalist have been charged with
cyber-stalking the country’s president, Satellite images of the theatre on March 14
their lawyer said yesterday. shared by private satellite company Maxar
showed the words “children” clearly etched out
Tumuhimbise, who heads local in the ground in Russian on either side of the
pressure group The Alternative building.
Movement and an online media
platform Alternative Digitalk TV, was due Officials posted a photo of the building,
to launch a book critical of President whose middle part was completely destroyed,
Yoweri Museveni on March 30. with thick white smoke rising from the rubble
after they said a bomb was dropped from an
The 36-year-old was among nine airplane.
journalists arrested for offensive
communication a week ago. “The only word to describe what has
happened today is genocide, genocide of our
Seven were released without being nation, our Ukrainian people,” Mariupol mayor
charged, his lawyer Eron Kiiza said. Vadim Boychenko said. – AFP

“Norman Tumuhimbise and his China accused of harassing US congressional candidate
colleague, Farida Bikobere, who works
with him at Digitalk TV, were charged WASHINGTON: US prosecutors accused China China in 1992 and served in the US Army as a Wang, who was arrested on Wednesday and
with cyber-stalking the president.” on Wednesday of spying on pro-democracy chaplain. faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted,
activists in the United States and seeking to founded a pro-democracy organisation but
Following Wednesday’s hearing, “the harass and intimidate a former Tiananmen Yan announced in September that he was since at least 2015 he has “secretly operated at
two denied the charges and were Square dissident who is running for Congress. seeking the Democratic Party nomination for a the direction and control of several MSS
remanded to Luzira prison until March seat in Congress from Long Island, New York. officers”, prosecutors said.
21”, Kiiza said, referring to a Attorney Breon Peace, who announced the
maximum-security facility in the capital. filing of charges against five men in three cases, According to the complaint, Lin, who His victims included individuals and groups
said they “involve campaigns to silence, harass, remains at large and is the subject of an arrest in the US but also Hong Kong pro-democracy
“Both were tortured like the other discredit and spy on US residents for simply warrant, contacted a private investigator in the activists, advocates for Taiwan independence,
journalists with whom they were exercising their freedom of speech”. United States seeking information about Yan. and Uyghur and Tibetan activists, they said.
arrested.”
Lin Qiming, 59, an agent with China’s “We don’t want him to be elected,” Lin In the third case, Fan “Frank” Liu, 62, of New
According to court documents seen Ministry of State Security (MSS), was accused in allegedly told the private investigator. York, Matthew Ziburis, 49, of New York, and
by AFP, prosecutors allege Tumuhimbise a criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District Qiang “Jason” Sun, 40, of China, are charged
and Bikobere used their online platform of New York of conspiracy to harass a Lin suggested that the private investigator with conspiring to act as agents of the Chinese
to relay “offensive communication ... congressional candidate. could help manufacture a scandal with a government.
directed against the person of the prostitute, a beating or even a car accident to
President of Uganda”. The candidate was not identified in the prevent Yan from seeking office. Liu and Ziburis were accused of acting at the
complaint but his profile fits that of Yan Xiong, a direction of Sun to discredit pro-democracy
Tumuhimbise and his colleagues former student leader of the 1989 Tiananmen “Whatever price is fine. As long as you can do activists living in the United States.
were reportedly bundled into a van by Square pro-democracy protests who is seeking it,” he allegedly told the private investigator, who
armed security personnel last week, with a seat in the US House of Representatives. ended up cooperating with authorities. The schemes allegedly included a plot to
Kiiza alleging police also confiscated destroy a sculpture by a dissident artist that
phones, laptops, recorders and cameras. The former Beijing University Law School In the second case, prosecutors accused depicted Chinese President Xi Jinping as a
graduate student fled to the United States from Shujun Wang, 73, a prominent Chinese-born coronavirus. – AFP
If convicted, Tumuhimbise and academic living in Queens, New York, of acting
Bikobere risk a year in jail and a fine, as an agent of the Chinese government.
under the computer misuse act. – AFP

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Cambodia jails A quake-damaged building in Soma, Fukushima
opposition politicians prefecture yesterday. – KYODO/REUTERSPIX
for sedition

PHNOM PENH: A Cambodian court Powerful quake rocks Japan
sentenced 20 ex-politicians and activists to up
to 10 years in prison yesterday for sedition, a o Two dead, thousands of homes without water and power northeast coast was lifted and power was fully
lawyer and a human rights group said, part of restored to the capital by yesterday morning,
a broad crackdown on the opposition thatBRIEFS TOKYO: A powerful earthquake off Japan’s triggered at a turbine building at the plant although people in some parts of Fukushima
has drawn international condemnation. northeast coast left thousands of homes crippled in 2011. were still waiting for electricity.
without water and power yesterday and
Sam Rainsy, self-exiled founder of the forced factories to suspend operations, Parts of building facades tumbled into Matsuno said the Self-Defence Forces
disbanded opposition Cambodia National adding to supply chain woes for makers of streets in some areas of Fukushima. were delivering water to communities whose
Rescue Party (CNRP), has already been smartphones, electronics and automobiles water systems were damaged, and residents of
convicted of multiple offences and was worldwide. Television footage showed a steep tiled roof one town in Fukushima queued to fill plastic
among those found guilty yesterday over crumpled over a parked, crushed car and tanks.
remarks the authorities said were tantamount The magnitude 7.4 tremblor struck just workers examining cracked highways.
to plotting to overthrow the government. before midnight on Wednesday east of the Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the
Fukushima prefecture, the same area that “This one felt different (to the 2011 quake), government would be on high alert for the
More than 100 opposition members or suffered Japan’s biggest quake 11 years ago. it was huge. I had to hang on to something to possibility of further strong tremors over the
supporters have been charged with treason stay upright,” said Aoi Hoshino, who owns a next two to three days.
and incitement in the past few years in At least two people died and 161 were bar in Fukushima.
Cambodia, where Prime Minister Hun Sen injured in the latest quake, according to The quake stuck at 11.36pm local time
has been accused of trying crush all government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno, One of her customers shrugged off the (10.36pm in Malaysia) just off the coast of
challenges to his party’s political monopoly. whereas thousands perished in the 2011 initial tremors, but when the biggest one hit he Fukushima prefecture at a depth of 60km,
disaster, when a magnitude 9.1 magnitude stood up and shouted “this is a big one!” according to the Japan Meteorological
Former CNRP leader Kem Sokha is quake also triggered a tsunami and caused a Hoshino recalled, though the only damage Agency.
among dozens of people on trial for treason, meltdown at a nuclear power plant. in her bar were broken cups and picture
many of whom are living in exile. frames. Commemorated across the country less
There were no abnormalities reported at than a week ago, the 2011 quake and tsunami
The government has denied targeting the any nuclear power plants this time, though About 300km south of Fukushima, areas of left some 18,000 dead.
opposition and said the trials are not authorities said a fire alarm had been the capital Tokyo lost power for nearly three
politically motivated. hours following quake. The latest quake, however, revived
lingering concerns over nuclear safety, posing
Rainsy, Hun Sen’s biggest rival who fled An earlier tsunami warning for the a potential challenge to Kishida’s drive to
to France for fear of persecution in 2015, said restart the idled nuclear plants. – Reuters
the justice system was corrupt.
Thailand faces early election as coalition cracks widen
“The will for democratic change which
the Cambodian people have demonstrated BANGKOK: Thailand’s embattled prime power over when polls are held, it is the first only be re-elected with the Senate’s help,” he
on every available occasion is impossible to minister will hold talks with party leaders in government indication on the date of national said, a reference to Bangkok’s second
extinguish. Opposing dictatorship is a duty, his ruling coalition this week as he seeks to elections – months ahead of Prayut’s term chamber, which is stacked with
not a crime,” he said in an e-mail. control growing divisions that could lead to ending in March next year. pro-government figures.
early elections later this year.
Seven senior CNRP members were tried Speaking after his deputy’s remarks, Prayut The former army chief, who led a 2014 coup
in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in Prayut Chan-O-Cha heads a sprawling refused to comment on a possible election before taking power as prime minister after
prison while 13 of its supporters, who were coalition facing criticism over his date. the 2019 election, leads a 16-party coalition
in custody, were each ordered to serve three mismanagement of Covid-19, a pandemic that holds 248 seats compared with the
years and eight months in prison, defence economy still in the doldrums and simmering If polls are held after the Asia-Pacific opposition’s 208.
lawyer Sam Sokong said. tensions over huge pro-democracy protests Economic Cooperation summit – or sooner –
that have dominated the past 12 months. analysts said they could return an But his base is fragmenting.
He said the case was politically motivated unfavourable result for Prayut. In January, a faction of 20 MPs from his
and all his clients were guilty of was voicing The turbulent political atmosphere in Palang Pracharat party was kicked out over
their support for Rainsy to return. Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has “A lot of Thais want to see General Prayut internal squabbles.
seen a weakened opposition agitate for the out of office,” said Chulalongkorn University’s And last month, seven ministers from a
“What (our clients) said was just a right to prime minister to step down, calling for a Prof Thitinan Pongsudhirak. junior coalition party refused to attend a
express opinions as guaranteed by the no-confidence debate when parliament cabinet meeting in a row over an extension to
constitution,” he said. resumes in May. “The economy is not doing well. The the concession for Bangkok’s Sky Train urban
population still remembers the early railway.
New York-based Human Rights Watch And on Monday, Prayut’s one-time mentor, pandemic incompetence when there were no Prayut has sought to buttress his coalition by
called for international condemnation of the Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, vaccines in the country.” reaching out to smaller groups and must drum
convictions, which it said amounted to a said early elections could be held after up enough support to survive a no-confidence
“witch hunt that discredits both the Thailand hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Paul Chambers, of the Centre of Asean debate tabled by the opposition when
Cambodian government and the country’s Cooperation summit in November. Community Studies at Naresuan University, parliament reconvenes in May. – AFP
courts”. – Reuters believed the longer the premier can stave off
While the deputy prime minister has no elections, the better it will be for him.
SOUTH KOREA REPORTS
RECORD COVID CASES “Prayut is so unpopular today that he could

SEOUL: South Korea reported a record of
over 600,000 coronavirus cases yesterday,
with authorities saying the country was
near the peak of an Omicron-fuelled
infection wave. According to World
Health Organisation data, South Korea
leads the world in newly reported cases in
the last seven days with 2,417,174
infections, followed by Vietnam with
1,776,045. The 621,328 case tally
recorded yesterday is South Korea’s
highest daily figure since the pandemic
began.“The number is much greater than
what was expected,” Korea Disease
Control and Prevention Agency official
Lee Sang-won said. But critical cases and
deaths remain comparatively low in the
country of 52 million where the majority
of adults are fully vaccinated. – AFP

YEMEN REBELS: NO TALKS
IN‘ENEMY COUNTRIES’

SANAA: Yemen’s Huthi rebels are not
prepared to hold talks with the
government in Saudi Arabia or other
“enemy countries”, an official said
yesterday, after a proposal to meet in
Riyadh. The Iran-backed rebels said they
were open to finding a peaceful solution
to the seven-year war but baulked at
travelling to Saudi Arabia, which leads a
military coalition fighting on the side of
the government. “We will welcome an
invitation to dialogue that does not take
place in enemy countries,” a Huthi official
said on condition of anonymity. “We will
always extend our hand for peace,” the
official said. The Saudi Arabia-based Gulf
Cooperation Council this week
suggested hosting talks between the
two sides in Riyadh. – AFP

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Sanctions can come back to bite the West

COMMENT
by Anis Chowdhury and Jomo Kwame Sundaram

FINGER-POINTING in the blame 1990s, its economy shrank by half – “The World Supply disruptions will
game over Russia’s Ukraine lowering Russian life expectancy more Bank has have serious ramifications
incursion obscures the damage than anywhere else in the last six warned, on the world economy.
it is doing on many fronts. millennia. ‘There will be – REUTERSPIX
Meanwhile, billions struggle to cope with important
worsening living standards, exacerbated Russia has become a major primary ramifications nor cheap. The EU is Russia’s largest World Bank has warned, “There will be
by the pandemic and more. commodity producer – not unlike many for the trading partner, accounting for 37% of important ramifications for the Middle
Losing sight in the fog of war developing countries and the former Middle East, global trade in 2020. Thus, sanctions may East, Africa, North Africa and sub-Saharan
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken settler colonies of North America and Africa, North well hurt Europe more than Russia – like Africa, in particular”, where many have
insists, “the Russian people will suffer the Australasia. It is now a major exporter of Africa and cutting one’s nose to spite one’s face. already been food-insecure before the
consequences of their leaders’ choices”. crude oil and natural gas. sub-Saharan incursion.
Western leaders and the media seem to Africa, in The European Central Bank now
believe their unprecedented “crushing It is also the largest exporter of particular’, expects stagflation – economic The Ukraine crisis will be devastating
sanctions” will have a “chilling effect” on palladium and wheat, and among the where many stagnation with inflation, and for countries struggling to cope with the
Russia. world’s biggest suppliers of fertilisers have already presumably, rising unemployment. It has pandemic. Unable to access enough
using potash and nitrogen. On March 4, been already slashed its growth forecast for vaccines or mount adequate responses,
With sanctions intended to strangle Moscow suspended fertiliser exports, food- 2022, from 4.2% to 3.7%. Inflation is they already lag behind rich countries.
Russia’s economy, the US and its allies citing “sabotage” by “foreign logistics insecure expected to hit a record 5.1% – way above The latest food and fuel price hikes will
somehow hope to increase domestic companies”. before the its previous 3.2% forecast. also worsen balance-of-payments
pressure on Russian President Vladimir incursion. Developing countries worse victims problems and domestic inflationary
Putin to retreat from Ukraine. Farmers and consumers will suffer as Global food prices are already at record pressures.
yields drop by up to half. Sudden massive highs, with the Food Price Index (FPI) of No to war!
The West wants to choke Russia by supply disruptions will thus have serious the Food and Agricultural Organisation The African proverb, “When two
cutting its revenue streams, e.g. from oil ramifications on the world economy – up more than 40% over the past two years. elephants fight, all grass gets trampled”,
and gas sales to Europe. now more interdependent than ever, due sums up the world situation well. The US
to earlier globalisation. The FPI hit an all-time high in and its allies seem intent to “strangle
Already, the rouble has been Inflation boomerang February – largely due to bad weather and Russia” at all costs, regardless of the
hammered by the prevention of Russia’s International Monetary Fund managing rising energy and fertiliser costs. By massive collateral damage to others.
central bank from accessing its US$643 director Kristalina Georgieva has February 2022, the Agricultural
billion (RM2.7 trillion) in foreign currency ominously warned of the Ukraine crisis’ Commodity Price Index was 35% higher, This international crisis comes after
reserves, and barring of Russian banks economic fallouts. She cautions wide- while maize and wheat prices were 26% multilateralism has been undermined for
from using the US-run global payments ranging sanctions on Russia will worsen and 23% more than in January 2021. decades. Hopes for reduced international
transfer system, SWIFT. inflation and further slow growth. hostilities, after US President Joe Biden’s
Besides shortages and rising election, have evaporated as US foreign
Withdrawal of major Western No country is immune, including production costs – due to surging fuel and policy double standards become more
transnational companies – such as Shell, those imposing sanctions. But the worst fertiliser prices – speculation may also apparent.
McDonald’s and Apple – will undoubtedly hit are poor countries, particularly in push food prices up – as in 2007-2008.
hurt many Russians, not only oligarchs, Africa, already struggling with rising fuel Russia has little support for its
who are their ostensible target. and food prices. Signs of such speculation are already aggressive violation of international law
visible. Chicago Board of Trade wheat and norms. Despite decades of deliberate
Thus, Blinken’s claim that “The For Georgieva, more inflation – due to future prices rose 40% in early March – provocations by the North Atlantic Treaty
economic costs that we have been forced Russian sanctions – is the greatest threat to its largest weekly increase since 1959. Organisation (Nato), even after the Soviet
to impose on Russia are not aimed at you the world economy. “The surging prices Union ended, Putin has lost international
(ordinary Russians)” may well ring hollow for energy and other commodities – corn, Rising food prices impact people in sympathy with his aggression in Ukraine.
to them. They will get little comfort from metals, inputs for fertilisers, low- and middle-income countries more
knowing, “They are aimed at compelling semiconductors – coming on top of as they spend much larger shares of their But there is no widespread support for
your government to stop its actions, to already high inflation” are of grave incomes on food than in high-income Nato or the West. Following the vaccine
stop its aggression”. concern to the world. countries. apartheid and climate finance fiascos,
the poorer, “darker nations” have become
As The New York Times notes, Russia and Ukraine export more than The main food insecurity measure has more cynical of Western hypocrisy as its
“sanctions have a poor record of a quarter of the world’s wheat, while doubled in the past two years, with 45 racism becomes more brazen. – IPS
persuading governments to change their Ukraine is also a major corn exporter. million people close to starvation, even
behavior”. US sanctions against Cuba over Supply chain shocks and disruptions before the Ukraine crisis. Comments: [email protected]
six decades have undoubtedly hurt its could add between 0.2% to 0.4% to
economy and people. “headline inflation” – which includes both Countries in Africa and Asia rely more
food and fuel prices – in developed on Russian and Ukrainian grain. The
But – as in Iran, North Korea, Syria and economies over the coming months.
Venezuela – it has failed to achieve its
supposed objectives. Clearly, “If the goal US petrol prices jumped to a 17-year
of sanctions is to compel Putin to halt his high in the first week of March. The costs
war, then the end point seems far-off.” of other necessities, especially food, are
Russia, major commodity exporter rising as well. US Treasury Secretary Janet
Undoubtedly, Russia no longer has the Yellen has acknowledged that the
industrial and technological edges it once sanctions are worsening US inflation.
had. Following former Russian president,
Boris Yeltsin, era reforms in the early The European Union (EU) gets 40% of
its natural gas from Russia. Finding
alternative supplies will be neither easy

Where are we at right now?

COMMENT described by foreign media as the world’s month, economists and the layman are deeply The rakyat has every right to demand for
byTan Sri Robert Phang biggest ever financial scandal. Just as we concerned about EPF’s ability to maintain a politicians who are bent on disrupting our once
thought the 1MDB scandal was taking a respite, decent annual dividend rate moving forward. cherished political stability at their whims and
IT is saddening for me to note that our more explosive details of how Malaysia was fancies to do the most honourable thing – to
country over the past few years has milked off by tens of billions have been revealed It is of utmost importance now for step down gracefully before more damage is
regressed both domestically and on the in an ongoing trial in New York of a former politicians, especially those running the done.
international front. Goldman Sachs banker. country, both at federal and state levels, to get
Malaysia, which previously ranked ahead of their act together by putting aside their selfish In this regards, I urge Putrajaya to expedite
most of our fellow Asean member nations in Domestically, Prime Minister Datuk Seri interests to mitigate the damage they have done without any further delay the presentation of
terms of economic progress and governance, Ismail Sabri has announced that the so far. the Anti-Hopping law during the current sitting
has now fallen behind. government is allowing another one-off of Parliament. I also urge our Members of
withdrawal of RM10,000 for Employees Since the 14th General Election (GE14) in Parliament as well senators to buck up and to
What is obvious and is practically felt by Provident Fund (EPF) contributors from April 2018, self-created political instability has live up to the people’s expectations. Many
most Malaysians is the feeling that there have 20. This will be the third such withdrawal over forced three states to hold snap elections, would agree that most of them are warming
been too much politics and politicking since the two years since the outbreak of the Covid-19 something that could have been avoided and their seats at the taxpayers’ expense.
2018 general election. pandemic, to tide over the financial woes of the saved taxpayers a few hundred million ringgit.
B40 households who have been worst hit via job With Covid-19 still raging and our elected
There is no such thing as political peace that losses and unemployment. In the first three years after GE14, Malaysia representatives both at federal and state levels
generally follows after the people have has had four prime ministers, something no still free to jump from Party A to Party B, we
delivered their mandate in an election. Instead, Such frequent withdrawals mean millions of county can ever be proud of. And now Umno, need a strong political will to fix
the country and people are suffering from contributors are facing a bleak old age financial the nation’s dominant party, basking in its all the wrongs that are undermining the
political fatigue. And they are fed up. And this is future, with the media reporting that some 50% landslide election wins in both Malacca and country’s future.
happening in a nation that once proudly of the total EPF contributors have less than Johor, is upping the pressure for a snap GE15 as
boasted of political stability and was the envy RM10,000 balance as of now. well. At the outset, I asked where are we at right
of many. now? And the rakyat at large must be saying
The previous two withdrawals by some 7.3 This has been met with a resounding “No” “Enough is enough”.
Our international image has been badly million, or half of the total contributors, have from at least six state governments so far, whose
battered by the 1MDB saga, that has been depleted EPF funds by a whopping RM101 leaders have said they will not dissolve the state Tan Sri Robert Phang is chairman
billion. legislative assemblies should GE15 be held this of Social Care Foundation.
year instead of the scheduled one only a year
With the latest withdrawals beginning next from now. Bravo to them. Comments: [email protected]

ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022

Bake like a
Masterchef with
these easy recipes

>>> page S3

100%-electric Volvo 6 home bakers to follow on Instagram >>> page S4&S5
XC40 is here

>>> page S6

S2 Buzz

theSun BUZZ ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022

LOOKS like there’s a new Ms Marvel
superhero in town. Comic showcases the
book fans have been raving character’s
over the trailer for Ms journey from
Marvel, the latest Disney Plus series nerdy teen to
from Marvel Studios which cosmic
premiered on June 8. superhero. –
MARVEL
The show follows the adventures STUDIOS
of Kamala Khan, a Pakistani
American teenager from New Jersey o The show introduces the Marvel Universe’s
who idolises Carol Danvers, aka first Muslim superhero
Captain Marvel. The character made
her debut in Marvel Comics in 2013, speculated that this may be in order Marvels, the feature film sequel to Wesley will portray a younger version of the iconic Star Trek captain. –
and is the first Muslim superhero to to tie-in better with Marvel 2019’s Captain Marvel, which will PARAMOUNT+
headline a Marvel comic. Cinematic Universe canon, as Carol feature Vellani alongside Brie
Danvers’ powers are also cosmic- Larson’s Carol Danvers and New Kirk for Star Trek:
Newcomer Iman Vellani won the based. Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau. Strange New Worlds
title role after an extensive search by That movie is scheduled to premiere
Marvel Studios. Indeed, the series is already in February 2023.
noted as a prelude to the The
In an interview with Variety, she
said: “The fact that the show is being
made and they’re including this
character in the MCU is [what’s
important]. I don’t really have to go
out of my way and talk about being a
Muslim and being Pakistani – it all
comes out in the show.”

She’s joined by fresh face Saagar
Shaikh as her older brother Aamir,
Mohan Kapur and Zenobia Shroff as
her parents Muneeba and Yusuf,
Matt Lintz as her best friend Bruno,
and Aramis Knight as the vigilante
known as Red Dagger.

Set to The Weeknd’s Blinding
Lights, the trailer kicks off with
Kamala in the high-school guidance
counselor’s office, while doodles of
speech bubbles, hearts and devil
horns pop up on screen, a motif that
recalls the recent Spider-Man
Marvel films.

Kamala is branded as the typical
day-dreaming, superhero nerd, but
at some point she gets strange
cosmic powers, like the ability to
launch energy blasts and create
glowing stepping stones to walk in
the air.

Later in the trailer, she gets a
comic-accurate, red-and-blue
costume and throws some cosmic
punches with a giant, glowing fist,
which is a change from her powers
in the comics which include
stretching, shrinking and growing.

There were complaints about the
new powers, but fans have

Jung Ho Yeon fangirls over IT looks like Star Trek is getting a humbled and still a little startled”
Andrew Garfield brand new Captain Kirk. about the opportunity to play
James Kirk.
EVER since the hit Netflix series Way Home and tick, tick ... Boom!. Jung got to meet one of her own screen idols The TV series Star Trek:
Squid Game first aired last year, Photographs taken at the in Garfield. – TWITTER Strange New Worlds has cast Paul He added that, by chance, he
people haven’t been able to stop Wesley in the iconic role of James recently sat next to Shatner on a
talking about the show. All this event showed Jung grinning T. Kirk for the Paramount Plus flight to Los Angeles after
success has propelled its cast, widely over the opportunity to show’s upcoming second season. Shatner’s recent trip into low
mostly comprising unknowns or interact with and pose with her Earth orbit on Jeff Bezos’ Blue
those who had only worked celebrity idol. Wesley is best known for Origin space shuttle.
within South Korea, into playing Stefan Salvatore in The
international superstardom. Following the event, Jung and CW drama series The Vampire “I could barely put two words
the rest of the Squid Game cast Diaries during the show’s eight together but ultimately I
One of those overnight attended the Critics Choice season run. managed to say hello and we
sensations was Jung Ho Yeon, Awards, where she was asked chatted,” Wesley wrote.
who played Kang Sae Byeok in about the experience. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
the series. follows the adventures of Captain “I’m not one who usually
Jung couldn’t stop gushing Christopher Pike prior to Kirk believes in fate but this was more
The cast recently attended the over the interaction, telling the becoming captain of the than a coincidence … So thanks
AFI Luncheon in America, and it interviewer: “It was amazing. I Enterprise. Wesley will appear as Mr. Shatner for the good
was a star-studded event with watched tick, tick ... Boom! a young version of Kirk. company. And for seating us
some of the biggest names in the recently, and it was amazing. His together, my thanks to the great
industry. Yet, one interaction in performance was [excellent] and He is now the third actor to bird in the sky.
particular stood out. then he was there! play the character in a live-action
project. Most famously, William “Can’t wait for all of you to see
Jung got to meet none other “Then we were sharing, ‘Oh, Shatner played Kirk in the our Captain Kirk on your
than English actor Andrew your show is great.’‘Your show is original Star Trek series as well as screens.”
Garfield, who himself is enjoying great,’ like that kind of moment.” in multiple films. In recent years,
his moment in the spotlight Chris Pine has played Kirk in Strange New Worlds is due to
following star turns in It appears that the admiration three Star Trek films to date, with premiere on Paramount Plus on
blockbuster hit Spider-Man: No was mutual, and we could not be a fourth on the way. May 5. It was renewed for a
happier for Jung to have her second season back in January,
Hollywood moment. After the news broke, Wesley with that season already in
tweeted that he was “deeply production.

Jungkook surprises fans with Instagram name change

Fans were sad When BTS members created their became obsessed with it. It seems as if the youngest BTS
to find that individual Instagram accounts late Fellow groupmate J-Hope even member decided overnight to
Jungkook had last year, ARMYs were particularly change his iconic and unique
changed his drawn to Jungkook’s account, mainly shared just how proud Jungkook was username to the more generic
Instagram due to its unsual name: of his username and confirmed that @Jungkook.97, which combined his
handle. – @abcdefghi_lmnopqrstuvwxyz. Jungkook’s one-of-a-kind ideas are name and year of birth.
TWITTER what he’s the proudest of.
Many netizens joked that the ARMYs were sad to say goodbye
username was because Jungkook But on Wednesday, netizens were to the unique username, and many
had a secret account in the past and in for the shock of their lives when said that they will miss clicking
didn’t want to change the name. Yet, they went to search for Jungkook’s almost all the alphabet keys to find
it was so unique that everyone Instagram username … and Jungkook’s Instagram.
discovered that it had changed.

FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN Buzz S3
ME
/thesundaily theSun BUZZ ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022

█ BY MARIETTA MU o Once you get the hang of frozen puff 2. Cut the pastry sheet into
pastries, you’ll realise how easy it is to prepare 12 even squares slightly
PASTRIES have higher fat oh-so-tasty dishes like a pro bigger than each muffin
content compared to bread, hole and push into
which gives them their greased muffin holes
iconic flaky and crumbly
texture. A good pastry is light, airy 3. Spoon 1 tsp of fruit
and buttery, but firm enough to chutney into the base of
support the weight of the filling. each pastry and top
with a wedge of cold
While insanely delicious, puff cheese.
pastry is also one of the most finicky
and labour-intensive things that you 4. Place rosemary sprigs on
can make from scratch in the top and season with
kitchen, which includes using lots of black pepper.
butter and lots of dough folding.
5. Bake 10-12 minutes or
And if you’re trying to make until pastry is golden
pastry from scratch in our typical and crisp.
Malaysian weather without AC in
the kitchen, you’ll just end up with a 6. Remove from tin and
melted mess. cool slightly. Top with
extra fruit chutney and
This is where frozen puff pastry serve warm.
sheets come in! With frozen pastry
sheets, you skip to the good part, Apple turnovers
and you can customise your pastry These easy apple
based on your mood. turnovers can be eaten
warm with cream or ice
When working with frozen puff cream, or at room
pastry, it needs to be thawed before temperature as an
you can do anything with it. Remove afternoon treat. If you like,
the number of sheets you need from you can also try using pear Apple turnovers. – PINTEREST
the packet while still frozen with the instead of apple, or a mix of
help of a knife and tightly repackage both to jazz it up. edges together to make a triangle.
leftover pastry to avoid freezer burn 7. Transfer onto the lined tray, and
and return to the freezer. INGREDIENTS make small cuts in each turnover
0 30g unsalted butter to allow steam to escape.
Lay out the frozen puff pastry 0 3 medium apples, peeled, cored 8. Mix the egg yolk and milk together,
with the plastic film side down for 8- and chopped in small dice and brush over the pastry using a
10 minutes until they are just pliable 0 2 tbsp lemon juice and zest of the pastry brush.
enough to work with. They should lemon 9. Sprinkle over the remaining sugar
still be cold to the touch. 0 2 tbsp sultanas and place into the oven to bake for
Chicken mushroom ramekin pie. – PINTEREST 0 Puff pastry sheets, thawed 15-20 minutes or until puffed,
You can also thaw the pastry 0 75g brown sugar golden and crisp.
overnight in the fridge on trays small slit on the puff pastry before 0 120g fruit chutney 0 1 egg yolk 10. Remove from oven and allow to
covered with a tea towel. If the topping the ramekins with 0 200g brie, chilled and cut into 12 0 1 tbsp milk stand for 5-10 minutes before
pastry gets too warm and soft to rounds of pastry. serving.
handle easily, place in the fridge for 8. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle equal wedges INSTRUCTIONS
a few minutes to firm up the dough with sesame seeds before baking 0 Fresh rosemary sprigs 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line a Egg and ham breakfast pastry
again. Always cut with a clean, sharp for 15-20 minutes or until pastry 0 Ground black pepper 0 Puff pastry
motion and avoid dragging the knife is puffed and golden. INSTRUCTIONS sheets, thawed
or twisting with cutters, as this will Brie and chutney puffs 1. Preheat oven to 220°C and grease 0 4 eggs plus one
affect the layers and can stop the These sweet and cheesy puffs are egg for egg wash
pastry from puffing up properly. lovely additions to dinner parties. a 12-hole muffin tray with 0 ½ cup sour cream
The natural creaminess of brie cooking spray or oil. 0 1 cup kale firmly
The best part about puff pastry is cheese meld with chutney is a real
how easy it is to create impressive- crowd-pleaser. packed, ribs removed,
looking dishes that look way more chopped and oiled
difficult than they actually are, so 0 2 slices deli ham
here are four ways you can spice up diced
your feast spread. INGREDIENTS 0 2-3 tablespoons
Chicken mushroom ramekin pie 0 Puff pastry sheets, thawed sliced scallions
An easy warm pie recipe topped 0 ½ cup finely
with a tasty flaky puff pastry. For the shredded cheese
shredded chicken, you can use a 0 Salt and pepper
roasted chicken or any leftover to taste
chicken from last night’s dinner
party. It’s perfect to serve on a rainy INSTRUCTIONS
night along with creamy mashed 1. Preheat the oven to
potatoes or freshly cooked peas and 210°C and line a baking
broccoli. sheet with parchment
INGREDIENTS paper.
0 1 tablespoon olive oil 2. Prick the pastry
0 1 medium leek, white part only, sheets all over with a
fork to let steam
halved lengthways and thinly escape.
sliced 3. Dollop some sour
0 3 cloves garlic, crushed Egg and ham breakfast pastry. – PINTEREST cream, kale, ham,
0 1 medium red capsicum, diced scallions on each
0 4 cups shredded chicken large baking tray with baking square.
0 450g canned chicken mushroom paper and set aside. 4. Bake for 10 minutes.
sauce/soup 2. In a medium saucepan, heat the 5. Take it out after 10 minutes, your
0 1 cup baby spinach, roughly butter over medium heat. pastry is now half baked and
chopped 3. Once the butter has melted, add puffed up a little. The pastry has
0 4 sheets puff pastry, thawed and the apple, sultanas, and lemon. now puffed into a bowl-like
cut into rounds to fit over the 4. Stir gently for 5 minutes or until shape, so crack an egg on each
ramekins the apples have softened and set square and top with the cheese.
0 1 egg, lightly beaten aside. 6. Put them back into the oven and
0 Sesame seeds, to sprinkle 5. Place 1 tbsp of the apple into the bake for another 10-12 minutes
INSTRUCTIONS middle of each puff pastry square depending on how you like your
1. Preheat oven to 200°C and grease Brie and and sprinkle with 1 tsp of sugar. eggs. (10 more for a slightly runny
4 ramekins. chutney puff. 6. Brush the edges lightly with water, yolk)
2. Heat oil in a medium pan over – PINTEREST fold one corner over to the 7.Season with a little salt and pepper
medium-high heat and fry the
leek until softened. opposite corner, and press the and you’re done!
3. Add garlic and fry for 1 minute,
then add capsicum. Fry for
another minute or until soft.
4. Stir in the chicken and cook until
warmed through.
5. Stir in the sauce and bring to a
boil, then reduce heat and
simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in the
spinach.
7. Divide the sauce evenly between
the greased ramekins and cut a

S4 Buzz

theSun BUZZ ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022

Homemade
wholemeal sandwich
loaf with raisin, made
by Sandy Lai (inset). -
PASTRIES_BY_SANDY

Soft Chocolate Sourdough Buns. – BAKEWITHPAWS

█ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI o Follow these six Malaysian bakers on Instagram as they 4. @thebakeanista
share their love for baking and yummy recipes with the world Michelle Ng, 32, does not just bake fluffy bread,
SINCE the pandemic began two years ago she also cooks mouthwatering dishes.
(yes, it feels like it only began yesterday!), “[I like] making every day bakes slightly
some people have spent their time at different and appetising, especially for my Ng, a full-time home baker declared that she
home learning or baking a fresh loaf of children,” added Chuah. She is motivated to has a “soft spot for soft bread”. The bread she
bread and other pastries, filling their kitchens make fresh and healthy bakes for her family, and bakes would make you want to grab one,
with delicious aromas. to “ensure wholesome nutrition with no additives immediately.
and preservatives.”
One of the popular favourites is sourdough “Most of my bakes incorporate higher
bread. The golden-brown hard and crusty She has 144,000 followers on Instagram and hydration, which may be more time consuming
topped loaf with soft and chewy inside turns it’s easy to see why, with her minimalist photos and complex but the result is well worth the extra
everyone into an obsessed sourdough lover. and easy-to-do videos of her creations that tempt effort,“ revealed Ng.
Besides, all you need to make it are simple you to make them yourself! She has a huge list of
ingredients like flour, water and salt. recipes and if you are a bread lover, she is a ‘must- The bakeanista (a portmanteau of
follow’ on Instagram. baker and fashionista) comes up
If you are planning to jump on the baking with several creative ideas for
bandwagon and are in need of creative and 2. @bakewithpaws Sharon Kuan wih one of her yummy creations - bread, for instance,
simple recipes to start your journey, look no Self-taught baker Oh Yean Lay, 52, was once a SHARON KUAN transforming ordinary
further. We have found six talented and amazing personal assistant at an international hotel chain. bread for her community. She bakes a variety of bread into checkered
home bakers right here in Malaysia, who have Today she is the author of Low Sugar Cakes and sourdoughs such as sourdough demi baguettes, matcha milk bread or
been baking their own homemade breads, Bakes, and has a mission to create a healthier sourdough cinnamon rolls and many others. tiger-striped orange
especially the great sourdough. bread with less fat and less sugar, and prefers to and chocolate bread,
use as many natural ingredients as possible. “I saw my first sourdough when I was and the soft and sweet
They have been sharing recipes through holidaying in Vancouver, Canada and I was orange cranberry loaf
Instagram posts and we recommend you to “Making healthier bakes with low sugar using motivated to do my first sourdough through the inspired by Christmas
follow them, right away. Here they are, based on local ingredients to create innovative flavours and help from so many sourdough bakers on panettone. Yummy!
the number of followers: textures, catering to the Malaysian taste palate,” Instagram,” said Kuan, who recreates or
1. @autumn.kitchen said Oh. experiment making bread that she ate, during her Apart from sharing
Chuah Chiew See, 47, is a former engineer and oversea trips. recipes for pillowy-soft
part-time baker and author of the cookbook She shares over 200 recipes and bread-making yoghurt buns, soft
Autumn Baking. She is an inspiring individual, tips on sourdough, yeast-based bread, cakes, “I am so addicted to sourdough that I am pumpkin buns, Tangzhong
and probably one of the more famous sourdough cookies and pastries. Her favourites are taking small orders to satisfy my craving, and I Ube milk bread, gluten-free
bakers in Malaysia, as she has appeared in many sourdough shokupan (Japanese soft white love to make artisan sourdough bread, sour cream blueberry
magazines, digital and print media. bread), sourdough focaccia or olive, sundried sourdough panettone and sourdough croissants. muffins, Ng
tomato sourdough loaf and sourdough bagels. I am happy that I am able to bake healthy bread also
An inspiration to many Malaysians to pick up for the community here,” said the former shares
bread-making, Chuah will get you ‘hooked’ on The Instagrammer, who was motivated to personal assistant in a listed company.
making sourdough because she handcrafts become a baker as she wanted to bake healthy Chuah
aesthetically-beautiful and healthy bakes. She bread and cakes for the family, currently has What makes her baking style different AUTU
experiments and explores every aspect of making 46,900 followers and she has ventured into from other bakers is that she uses 100%
bread: from the recipe, flavours, ingredients, baking vegan-friendly and dairy-free bread. sourdough products (or ingredients)
shapes, scoring pattern and methods. 3. @sharonkuan while most bakers use
Describing herself as a “sourdough addict”, commercial yeast.
“I love creating natural (especially sourdough) Sharon Kuan Choi Fun, 56, who is based in a
bakes with a new style, design and flavour. It small town in Tawau, Sabah, first started baking Aside from sourdough,
makes my bakes livelier, more appealing and five years ago. Now, she is happy to bake healthy she also explores making
attractive,” said Chuah. macaron, french butter
croissants, panettone,
From simple bread and sourdough to doughnuts, bagels,
something you have never discovered before, madeleines and many
Chuah will have a recipe for it! She has even come more.
up with the ‘best discard recipe.’ When comes to
bread, it seems like there is nothing that she can’t She also shares
do. The creative baker can bake just about recipes for her all-time
anything on the planet and more! favourites – candied orange
peel and black sesame
Chuah describes her baking style as: “Creative sourdough, sourdough cinnamon
and innovative.” rolls – with her 45,000 followers on her
Instagram.
Tiramisu. –
THEBAKE
ANISTA

Buzz S5

theSun BUZZ ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022

Michelle
Ng. –
THEBAKE
ANISTA

Macarons.
– SHARON

KUAN
Accordion Bread with
Sourdough Discard. –
POIWANC_BAKING

recipes for cakes like the Matcha Basque Chong Poi Wan. – POIWANC_BAKING Watermelon artisan bread cakes, cupcakes, pastries like Pain
Burnt Cheesecake and delicious Asian creative recipe and a step-by-step guide to 12,000 Mousse Cake. – au Chocolat, baguet Maison, panettone, pizza
dishes buttermilk chicken and others. followers on how to make bread, using AUTUMN.KITCHEN and many more.
Thermomix.
“I was living abroad for many years, and Oh Yean Lay. – BAKEWITHPAWS “I am a quiet worker and I prefer working the
there were some childhood favourites that I “Baked with passion and love, in my home Chong described her baking as full of backstage, so baking is definitely is something
couldn’t get my hands on overseas which kitchen (though not for commercial purposes), I that suits me well. I don’t follow trends or take
pushed me to make my own,“ said Ng, who was inject my strength in the subtlety of flavour and “adventures, classic or rustic-inspired with a shortcuts, so my bakers are the authentic ones
working at a Korean language school in Seoul aesthetic appearances, which makes my twist, playing with natural ingredients to layer the but I am also not one that doesn’t catch up with
sourdough loaves the healthy choice for my flavour and colours.” time. Sometimes, I inject some fun elements,
before she returned to Malaysia for good. family,” said Chong, who also takes good quality whenever I like,” she said.
“I bake with my family in mind. close-up photos of her bakes. Another bread to try is her Pumpkin
So, I use only the best Sourdough Loaf, which is shaped like a cute If you are looking to try different types of
ingredients and cut down on One of her stunning breafs is the Blackpink pumpkin! pastries, bread or sourdough, then Lai has the
the calories whenever I can. Sourdough Shokupan Accordion Loaf, which 6. @pastries_by_sandy answer. She posts photos, videos and reels on
Essentially baking with looks like an accordion with eye-catching Home baker Sandy Lai, 46, has been a bread lover how to shape bread and recently reached a
love, to feed the tummies beautiful swirls made with Valrhona cocoa since she was young and her favourites are milestone of 10,000 followers on Instagram.
of those I love,” added powder and purple Sweet potato, producing European breads.
Ng. amazing chocolate and red layers. She also “I try to inject my own creativity whenever
Her posts perfectly makes the Accordion Loaf with a light blue colour Her speciality is that she can bake a variety of possible,” said Sandy, who creates niche,
show off her creations using Butterfly Blue Pea flowers. bespoke, authentic bakes and describes herself
beautifully and it’s as not a trend follower. Among her creative bakes
no wonder that she Chong, who managed to attract 10,000 is watermelon bread, which looks just like a cut
now has about followers within five months, has great scoring piece of real fruit.
19,300 followers on skills and has created gorgeous clean blooms on
Instagram. her country loaves and accordion breads. “One day, I got tired with low-quality
And soon, her supermarket bread, and decided to take matters
followers will be into my own hands,” said Lai, who uses high-
able to taste her quality ingredients for homemade pastries,
fresh bakes, as including using quality food grade colouring for
she revealed that cupcake frosting.
she is in the midst
of setting up her Lai also conducts private online sourdough
own cafe. (We can’t classes, where she takes you behind the recipes of
wait!) all the pastries and sourdough breads, including
5. @poiwanc_baking teaching people how to do ‘shaping’ and ‘scoring’
on bread using bread lame.
A former quality and reliability
engineer turned home baker, Chong Check out her beautifully crafted pieces of
Poi Wan, 44, bakes a range of bread like the Four Leaf Clover Loaf.

gorgeous sourdough bread;
sourdough country loaf,
sourdough choc brownies,
sourdough yudane soft
h Chiew See. – wholemeal loaf, pumpkin
UMN.KITCHEN sourdough and many more.

Chong shares bread her

ONONFRFIRDIADYAY RED SBEATTFEER

NOVEMBMEARR2C3,H201188, 2022 MEANS SOTHRARNY

STOP! A Community Campaign
by

XC40 EV launched
THE Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric features a
electric vehicle (EV) was locally launched on fully electric all-wheel-drive powertrain that
Tuesday, being part of Volvo’s global offers a range of up to 418km (Worldwide
ambition of becoming a fully-electric Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) on
company by 2030. a single charge.

To date, Volvo is the only automotive Its debut was a milestone for Volvo Car
maker in Malaysia with a full range of locally- Malaysia, as it works towards becoming a
assembled (CKD) plug-in hybrids. climate-neutral company by 2040.

At the launch, Volvo Car Malaysia Continuing the company’s historic
managing director Charles Frump made the achievement, the XC40 EV for the Malaysian
following announcements: market is locally-assembled (CKD).
0 Volvo Car Malaysia aims to become the
leading electric luxury car brand in Malaysia; The company will also export fully-electric
0 Starting from this year, Volvo Car Malaysia vehicles to markets within the Asean, thanks
will launch one new EV every year; to capabilities to assemble pure EVs through
0 The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is Volvo’s its own local assembly plant, out of which
first EV in Malaysia; Volvo Car Malaysia will now launch a new
0 Volvo Car Malaysia is the first luxury car electric vehicle in Malaysia every year for the
brand in the country to locally assemble EVs next five years.
as CKD units;
0 Price of the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric Those interested in the XC40 Recharge
will be announced on April 4, after which Pure Electric can book for test drives through
customers may book online on the same day; www.volvocars.com/my or contact any Volvo
0 Deliveries for the XC40 Recharge Pure authorised dealer.
Electric will start from the end of April;
0 Hassle-free price* across Malaysia for the
XC40 Recharge Pure Electric; and,
0 Volvo Car Malaysia will export fully-
electric vehicles to markets within the Asean
region soon.

Volvo Car Malaysia aims to accelerate its
transformation towards electrification with a
75% contribution from its pure electric line-
up by 2025.

Through that ambitious goal, Volvo looks
to become the leading maker of premium EVs
in Malaysia.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric kicked
off the company’s “new chapter of
electrification”.

Frump also said Volvo Car Malaysia is
ready to implement Volvo’s global plan for a
fully-electric line-up by 2030, starting with
the launch of the XC40 Recharge Pure
Electric.

“The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is just
one of our many steps to encourage
consumers to adopt electric vehicles for a
more sustainable future.

“By mid-decade, we’re aiming to reduce
our overall CO2 lifecycle emissions per car by
40 per cent. This means more than simply
reducing tailpipe emissions – electrification is
not enough. We must reduce CO2 emissions
across our operations and supply chain.”

Based on the XC40 small premium SUV,

More BMW fast chargers in northern region BMW Group Malaysia on Monday unveiled
two new DC fast chargers at Tian Siang
Premium Auto Butterworth (pix) and Tian
Siang Premium Auto Ipoh, as part of the
charging infrastructure expansion strategy
that complements Malaysia’s commitment
towards accelerating the adoption of
electrified mobility.

Company managing director Hans de
Visser said: “Our expansion plans for our
network of charging infrastructure in
Malaysia has been a success thus far, having
made available eight BMW i Charging
facilities at various authorised BMW
dealerships in the first quarter of 2022 alone.

“By tackling common pain points of
electric vehicle (EV) ownership in tandem
with our electro-offensive this year, we are
hopeful that the local perspective on
electromobility will shift for the better.”

Now available for public use, the new DC
fast chargers at Tian Siang Premium Auto
Butterworth and Tian Siang Premium Auto
Ipoh feature dual DC outlets (CCS) capable
of up to 120kW.

On The Saddle theSun on friday 7
MARCH 18, 2022

A█ BY AZLAN RAMLI StOurznaukeci GkSlXe--Rtr10te0ea0Rrdaynd its
FTER winning the 16th FIM
Endurance World Championship
(EWC) title in 2016 – impressively its
12th victory since the first
championship’s in 2001– with the GSX-R1000,
Suzuki surely wanted to keep its “Gixxer”
victorious in the following years.
Out came a refreshed GSX-R1000 and also
the GSX-R1000R later in that same year; the
latter obviously a specced-up model of the
former. Suzuki did not win the EWC titles in the
2017-18 (since Sept 2016 the championship
runs from Sept to July the following year) and
2018-19 seasons, but won it again in 2019-20 o Spicy version is always more fun
and last year, its 14th victory in the EWC’s 21-
year-old history. Unlike the previous victories
won on the GSX-R1000, last year’s features. the ideal torque for strong acceleration.
championship winner was the GSX-R1000R. Also, the Motion Track Brake System, The launch control system not only helps the
Like the 1000, the 1000R’s compact, liquid-
cooled, dual overhead camshaft, 999.8cc, equipped on both the 1000 and 1000R, does rider get a good initial launch, but also helps
inline-four-cylinder engine was designed with a something extra on the latter. Working with the reduce the need to close the throttle twist grip
high level of top-end performance plus strong IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), which prematurely. It does so by working with the
low- to mid-range power. constantly monitors vehicle movement in six- bike’s Motion Track Traction Control System
The bike also features the Suzuki Racing directions along three-axes (pitch, roll and yaw) (TCS) and controlling throttle valve opening
Variable Valve Timing System (SR-VVT) to and constantly gives out its input, the Motion and ignition timing while monitoring front and
increase high engine rpm power without losing Track Brake System reduces rear-wheel lift rear wheel speeds.
low- to mid-range power. Featuring a six-speed during very hard braking on the racetrack and is
close-ratio transmission, the bike has a lower especially effective on downhill sections of The launch control system automatically
primary gear ratio compared to its predecessor track. On the 1000R, the system also optimises disengages when the rider upshifts into fourth
for stronger acceleration. brake pressure when the motorcycle is leaning. gear or closes the throttle twist grip.
There is a bi-directional quick shift system Launch control BFF, BFRC lite
that allows for clutchless upshifts and This feature makes it easier for the rider to get a The suspension system on the 1000R was Other features of the 1000R are similar to the
downshifts, which is always a good feature to good start by automatically limiting engine rpm developed for racing and adapted to mass 1000 – full LCD instrumentation, which
have, especially on the race track. The shifter and optimising torque delivery while the rider production. Both the BFF and BFRC lite, incorporates SDMS mode and Motion Track
linkage can also be easily set up for reverse holds the throttle twist grip wide open and complemented by an automatic steering TCS level indicators as well as a fuel gauge and
pattern, enabling GP-style shifting even with the concentrates on feeding in the clutch lever. damper, improve cornering traction by readouts showing instantaneous or average fuel
quick-shifter in use. A programmable shift light delivering smoother, more controlled travel and consumption, ambient temperature and
on the main instrument panel meanwhile, Once launch control is selected using a doing a better job of dealing with pavement service reminders. The 1000R also comes with a
sends out a visual alert to the rider to shift when switch on the right handlebar, the system imperfections. The front and rear suspension lighter, more compact battery, which plays a
a certain engine rpm is reached. engages special maps controlling throttle valve are fully-adjustable. part to make the whole bike about 1kg lighter
During the few days I spent on this 1000R, opening and ignition timing. The system Others than the 1000.
my rides were nothing but fun, thrilling and monitors throttle twist grip position, throttle LED position lights are located above the
comfortable, considering the very sporty valve position, engine rpm, gear position, front SRAD* intakes on each side of the 1000R’s In November last year, I published an article
seating position on it and the Klang Valley wheel speed, and rear wheel speed. headlight. about the 1000, where I stated that the easy-
traffic. A lot of credit goes to the suspension going bike should be your first-ever super sport
system and the Suzuki Clutch Assist System’s At the moment of launch, the system is set to The vertical taillamps, brake lamps ride; “the sport litre to start with”. I also did
(SCAS) multi-plate, wet hold the engine at ideal rpm for an effective and registration number plate lamp mention that an extra RM11,000 will get you the
clutch which acts as a launch. Once the clutch lever is released and much-nicer, still-very-friendly and more track-
slipper clutch during the clutch engaged, rpm is no longer limited feature LED elements. The LED friendly 1000R.
downshifts and increases but throttle opening is number plate lamp is about half
pressure on the controlled to keep the size and significantly lighter Considering the 1000’s RM99,289 price tag,
than a conventional bulb, yet waiting for and/or putting together another
the engine at produces more light and is RM11,000 to go straight to the 1000R
better at resisting (RM110,289, without insurance and
plates during vibration, allowing the registration, with two years or 20,000km
acceleration to rear fender assembly to standard warranty, whichever comes first) may
smoothen engine be lighter. The turn be the better option, especially if you plan to
braking and signals are LEDs too, take it for track days. Just the launch control
lighten the clutch making them lighter system, Showa BFF and BFRC lite package are
lever pull. and brighter. worth more than that extra money you have to
What else does *The Suzuki spend to skip the 1000 and go for the 1000R.
the 1000R have that Ram Air Direct
makes it RM11,000 system, used by Its 199hp and 117.6Nm of torque are
more than its all Suzuki super probably the least compared to its current
standard 1000 sport models rivals, but when you are on a machine like this
brother?: Launch since 1996, Suzi – not all its rivals are able to provide its
control, Showa provides air levels of rider enjoyment, smoothness and
Balance Free Front intakes at the rider-friendliness, they are more than sufficient.
(BFF) fork and front that force They certainly are for me.
Balance Free Rear air directly into the
Cushion lite (BFRC lite) airbox. The GSX-R1000R is available in two colours,
are among the major, extra Metallic Matte Black and Metallic Triton
Blue/Metallic Mystic Silver.

8 theSun on friday Out & About
MARCH 18, 2022
Flagship MAN debut
Conti360° MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN
beneficial to Malaysia) believes there is significant market take the lead in reducing carbon emissions. In systems, digital networking and above all,
fleet operators demand for the flagship model of its recently- Europe, long distance transport vehicles sustainability.
launched Euro 5 emission-compliant New produce as much as 27 percent of CO2 gases.
CONTINENTAL Tyres is offering MAN Truck Generation line-up. Malaysia must look and act now to reduce its “The industry certainly needs to reinvest in
commercial fleet operators its carbon footprint, the commercial vehicle new, future-proof trucks that meet these
“Conti360º” solutions so they can And so, the all-new TGX was officially industry as well as public service vehicles can criteria especially in the current business
better manage vehicle tyres unveiled at the recent Malaysia Commercial do their part in this environmental challenge,” environment that demands strict
efficiently while reducing fuel and Vehicle Expo (MCVE 2022) in Seri he said. environmental, social and governance (ESG)
mileage costs. Kembangan. compliance.
“As a manufacturer, MAN is doing its part to
A survey conducted by Following its Malaysian debut, the TGX offer the right solution. Our New MAN Truck “The strong uptake since its launch just
Continental in Malaysia showed that with a high roof and the largest cab among all Generation with Euro V engines as standard is some four months ago shows that many
20% of fleet tyres are severely the New MAN Truck Generation models, will an all-new product range that leads the way in Malaysian transporters are forward thinking
underinflated while 38% are be offered alongside its more familiar driver orientation, fuel efficiency, assistance and share our belief that we must do more for
moderately underinflated. This could stablemate, the TGS, that is typically the model the environment now rather than later.”
lead to tyre damage, loss of mileage of choice in the local market.
and fuel; and an increased risk of tyre
breakdown while on the road. With an exterior width of 2,440mm, length
of 2,280mm and height of 2,150mm, the TGX is
Continental further estimates a designed for long-haul and cross-border trips
vehicle that travelled 100,000km with that typically last a few days.
only 10% underinflated tyres could
increase fuel and mileage costs alone The spacious cabin offers more than 520
by up to RM3,100 annually. litres of combined storage space while the
Three services, solutions standing height of 2,100mm allows easy
Conti360º solutions is a suite of solu- movement for the driver and co-driver.
tions designed to help commercial
fleet operators navigate the complex- The TGX is powered by the proven MAN
ity of tyre management so they can D2676 LF08 Euro 5 diesel engine with a
focus on their core business. maximum power output of 540hp, maximum
torque of 2,500Nm and much lower carbon
The three offerings – Core emissions to comply with stricter
Services, Advanced Services and envrionmental, social and governance (ESG)
Digital Solutions – cover a variety of standards that are the norm in today’s business
services and solutions including environment.
training, on-site support and real-
time tyre monitoring to help fleet Its 12-speed MAN TipMatic gearbox
managers operate more efficiently. promises excellent moving-off and gearshift
strategy to reduce fuel consumption and high
With Conti360º Core Services, the levels of driving and operating comfort.
Continental technical team conducts
an analysis on operators’ fleet tyres to In November 2021, MAN became the first
provide feedback on tyre lorry manufacturer in Malaysia to offer Euro 5
performance, sharing industry-best engines as standard across its entire product
tyre maintenance practises on portfolio.
efficient tyre handling and assisting
in specialised driver trainings. MAN Malaysia managing director Andrew
O’Brooks (pix, with the TGX) said that the
The training modules for drivers move demonstrated the company’s desire to
focus on the importance of driver stand-up and be counted in Malaysia’s journey
behaviour, good tyre usage and towards carbon neutral status by 2050.
maintenance practises, and the
significance of good pressure “We are effectively challenging the
maintenance. Malaysian transporters to join the journey and
Conti360º Advanced Services provides
fleets with ContiFleetCheck, a compre- Scania’s sustainable local partnerships
hensive health check solution where SCANIA unveiled sustainable Scania also showcased Billion
the Continental technical team will partnerships of the first New Scania Southeast Asia mamaging director Heba El Tarifi (at right) handing Stars Express Sdn Bhd’s FAME-
perform routine inspections using Truck Generation (NTG) with over the key of the FAME-prepared Scania coach to Edward Lim, chief prepared coaches K360IB4x2 that
advanced digital tools which relays Advanced Driver Assistance executive officer of Billion Stars Express (left), at MCVE 2022. can run on B20 to B100 (biodiesel
data to proprietary systems for in- System (ADAS) and the first Euro blends). It is environmentally-
depth analysis of tyre conditions 5 lorry in Malaysia together with oncoming lane or verge/ditch features such as the rollover side friendly – lowering global
including pressure and tread depth. other sustainable transport markings. curtain airbags, which is a first in emissions by reducing CO2 to
solutions. Malaysia. limit the effects of climate change.
This active engagement provides AEB is a system that uses
managers with an overview of their The company also showcased camera and radar to register what Xin Hwa Holdings Berhad FAME is the abbreviation for
fleet’s tyre efficiency, identifies trends more sustainable partners who is happening in front of the became the first customer to Fatty Acid Methyl Esters which is
and patterns of common causes of are joining the journey to achieve vehicle. The purpose of the system receive Scania NTGs with Euro V the technical term for the
failures observed in the tyres, Scania’s Science-Based Target. is, as far as possible, to prevent a engines. Showcased here, a key biodiesel that is produced in
identifies areas for cost reductions collision with the vehicle in front feature amongst many Scania Malaysia. These Scania coaches
and provides recommendations to be The list goes on with B100 through automatic braking. engine technologies in the Scania come with safety technology,
taken to further increase tyre life. FAME-prepared coaches and the NTG Euro V R620A6x4NZ is the great comfort and reliability that
Conti360º Digital Solutions is an end- test-and-drive competition called The implementation of ADAS Selective Catalytic Reduction every passenger talks about.
to-end completely automated offering “A Good Driver MCVE Edition” in heavy commercial vehicles (SCR) system that reduces local
with sensors that enable 24/7 monitor- that is open to the public. together with proper and emissions that contribute to smog The “A Good Driver”
ing of tyres on the road. authorised maintenance reduces and haze. Competition MCVE edition was
At the recent Malaysia traffic accidents and casualties, also the highlight at this year’s
Fleet managers are then kept Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE reduces repair of road In accordance with the EU expo. It was an opportunity for the
abreast and alerted via an online 2022) recently in Seri Kembangan, infrastructure caused by accidents emission standard, local public to experience driving a
portal and analytics dashboards on the sustainable partnerships are a and reduces traffic congestion as a emissions are measured in Scania lorry or bus and win some
potential punctures, pressure loss, reflection of Scania’s successes result of accidents. nitrogen oxide (NOx), a toxic gas prizes.
tread depth and so on, to help them driving the shift towards a and particulate matter (PM). Extra
manage tyres, prolong tyre life and sustainable transport system that Other features of the New High-Pressure Injection (XPI) Winners were awarded prizes
increase vehicle safety on the road. contributes to our customers’ Truck Generation include new enhances performance and fuel every two hours daily (up to four
Winson Khoo Han Kee, national sales improved profitability while chassis design, extended storage economy. times) with the prize-giving
manager of trucks and tyres at caring for the environment. options, and enhanced safety ceremony held at the main Scania
Continental Tyre Malaysia said exhibition area.
Conti360º is designed specifically to Chemtrax Sdn Bhd’s
minimise fuel expenses, increase tyre P410A6x2NA is the first ADR As the first major manufacturer
mileage and improve vehicle safety Specification NTG customer that of heavy commercial vehicles,
with those three services and solutions subscribed to the ADAS – two of Scania’s far-reaching climate
that cater to the diverse needs of the many safe and smart transport targets have officially been
company’s customers depending on technologies are the Lane approved by the Science Based
their fleet size and operating condi- Departure Warning (LDW) and Target initiative (SBTi).
tions. Automatic Emergency Braking
(AEB); and also comes with the Scania is committed to
“Customers who implemented award-winning rollover side achieving the set goals of limiting
Conti360º solutions have realised curtain airbags, for the latest 10 global warming to 1.5 degrees
savings in the form of reduced fuel units delivered. Celcius above pre-industrial
expenses by up to 3% and increased levels. Scania will cut CO2
tyre mileage by 20% while seeing LDW is a practical aid that emissions from its own operations
significant increase in vehicle and warns the driver if the vehicle is by 50% by 2025 and reduce
driver safety.” about to cross the lane markers, emissions from its products by
without activating the indicators. 20% during the same period.
The system automatically detects
the lane markers and advises the All the Scania Total Solution
driver when the vehicle offerings play their part in
combination is too close to the collectively achieving the SBTi
target.

S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. FRIDAY
MARCH 18, 2022
197201001092 (12738-U)
Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688
A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad Fax: 03-7785 2624/5

A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad Email: [email protected]
Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888
17/03/2022 Fax: 03-7784 4424

Participation Bought Sold Net Email: [email protected]

% RM m RM m RM m

47.1 Institutions 1691.1 1806.1 -115.0

29.9 Retail 739.3 885.2 -145.9

31.0 Foreign 1281.1 1020.2 260.9

100.0 3711.5 3711.5 0.0 19.56 31.81 1,413.73 44.33 890.88 507.39 35.28 75.60
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 1,590.88 3,322.71 26,652.89 17,448.22 2,694.51
Source: Bursa Malaysia 21,501.23 3,215.04 7,250.80

KL MARKET SUMMARY TÜV Rheinland Malaysia to
March 17, 2022

INDICES 11,274.68 CHANGE audit SKP’s labour practices
FBMEMAS +151.88
FBMKLCI 1,590.88 +19.56
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 567.91 +4.81
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 202.98 +2.82
CONSTRUCTION 156.63 +1.86
FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,795.58 +327.15
ENERGY 708.57 +9.62 PETALING JAYA: SKP Resources Bhd has o Social compliance review will cover issues related to
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 629.66 +7.72 appointed TÜV Rheinland Malaysia Sdn ILO indicators and recruitment fee remediation, among
HEALTH CARE 2,076.94 +55.74 Bhd to conduct an independent third-party others
TRANSPORTATION 823.54 +0.95 social compliance (forced labour) audit of
PROPERTY 695.35 +7.11 its labour practices and operations.
PLANTATION 7,827.42 -113.78
FBMSHA 11,818.37 +110.21 The third party social compliance audit
FBMACE 5,363.82 +94.61 will examine and identify whether the
TECHNOLOGY 74.69 +3.39 group and its subsidiaries are involved in examine, identify, and close any gaps in its
any practices that may be considered any of worker welfare practices.
TURNOVER VALUE the 11 International Labour Organization’s
3.349 BIL RM3.711 BIL (ILO) indicators of forced labour. “Having examined a myriad of vendors
in the selection process, I trust that we have
5 MOST ACTIVES The audit will verify whether the two have cooperated to enhance the welfare collectively made the right decision taking
March 17, 2022 electronics manufacturing services (EMS) of migrant workers at SKP. into account the scope of work, quality,
provider has carried out an adequate track record and cost,” said Gan in a
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) remediation programme with respect to For the appointment of the auditor, SKP statement yesterday.
DNEX 173,953,700 99.0 -1.0 repayment of recruitment fees previously consulted Hall over the coverage and
XOX 106,206,400 2.0 UNCH paid by their migrant workers to agents or methodology involved. The group said the The auditor will work alongside SKP’s
AT 89,901,500 2.0 UNCH third parties. exercise will begin in April and it is expected internal resources teams to complete the
BSLCORP 66,202,400 20.0 -1.0 to be completed within two months. Hall will audit in two months and the findings of this
HSI-CQV 63,273,200 22.5 +10.5 Last year, British-based Dyson terminated be present alongside SKP management for audit will help it reach its long-term
its contract with another Malaysian EMS the opening and the closing audit meetings. sustainability goals, he said.
5 TOP GAINERS provider, ATA IMS Bhd, over allegations
March 17, 2022 relating to labour practices. In December SKP executive director Ivan Gan said the Gan reaffirmed SKP’s commitment to
2021, migrant worker specialist Andy Hall appointment of TÜV Rheinland is another uphold the best practices in all aspects of its
raised concerns of excessive overtime and step forward that will enable SKP to business that has enabled the group to build
payment of recruitment fees faced by a track record with its multinational clients
workers for one of SKP’s subsidiaries and the over the last 25 years.

STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM Special EPF withdrawal could lead to higher
MPI 767,100 35.20 3.64 net selling by local funds, says research house
FANG-2XL 10.50 1.60
NESTLE 200 135.80 0.80
VITROX 75,600 7.22 0.75
CARLSBG 2,394,200 19.98 0.54
254,700

5 TOP LOSERS PETALING JAYA: The Employees Provident special EPF withdrawal scheme will “Given the gradual pick-up in economic
March 17, 2022 Fund (EPF) special withdrawal facility of nevertheless help boost consumer activities, the number of contributors that
RM10,000 could impact fund flows for spending power ahead of the Hari Raya are still struggling economically from the
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM Malaysia arising from potentially higher net Aidilfitri festival on May 2 and May 3, even pandemic may have been reduced while
KLK 4,085,500 25.00 0.82 selling by local institutional funds due to the as product prices rise amid higher others might avoid further unnecessary
HSI-HA8 10,000 0.83 0.74 requirement for the pension savings to raise commodity, labour and freight costs. withdrawal from their retirement savings.
HSI-HA2 14,000 1.10 0.72 liquidity to meet withdrawals, according to Besides, after several withdrawals in the
HSI-HA3 1.77 0.66 CGS-CIMB. “Potential beneficiaries are consumer, past two years, consumers may need some
HSI-HMZ 9,100 0.955 0.605 travel and healthcare sectors as they will time to replenish their savings. Hence there
14,600 “Year-to-date 2022 up to March 15, local benefit from higher domestic consumer would not be as many contributors making
institutional investors have been the largest spending ahead of the festive season and withdrawals this time round,” it said.
EXCHANGE RATES MARCH 17, 2022 net sellers of Malaysia equities with a net the reopening of Malaysia’s borders on April
sell flow of RM5.6 billion, against 2021’s net 1. In the consumer space, our top picks are The research house maintained its
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy sell flow of RM12.1 billion,” it said in a report Berjaya Food, Bonia and QL Resources. We ‘overweight’ recommendation on the
yesterday. also like Malaysia Airports as a border sector. It said the sector’s revenue
1 US DOLLAR TT/OD TT OD reopening play,” it noted. predominantly depends on domestic
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 4.2495 4.1245 4.1145 Historically, EPF withdrawal schemes demand, thus it will be relatively shielded
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.1190 2.9950 2.9790 have seen take-up rates of 52-82%, it said, AmBank Research said the withdrawals from the impact of geopolitical conflicts.
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.1280 3.0360 3.0280 based on its estimates. As such, based on will affect the sector positively as additional The ongoing pick-up in economic activities
1 EURO 3.3480 3.2590 3.2470 Ministry of Finance estimates to Parliament liquidity is likely to trickle down, spurring will continue to benefit the sector.
1 NEWZEALAND DOLLAR 4.6950 4.5430 4.5230 of RM63 billion and assuming a 50% take- demand for consumer goods and providing
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.9170 2.8090 2.7930 up rate, CGS-CIMB projects the potential further support to consumer spending in the AmBank Research’s top picks are Mr DIY
1 STERLING POUND 3.1280 3.0360 3.0280 withdrawal value to be RM31.5 billion. near term. Nevertheless, the impact is likely and Guan Chong. It also has a ‘buy’ call on
1 SWISS FRANC 5.5950 5.4190 5.3990 to be softer than that of previous withdrawals. Berjaya Food.
100 UAE DIRHAM 4.5030 4.4000 4.3850 However, the research house said the
100 BANGLADESHTAKA 117.0700 111.0100 110.8100
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 5.0240 4.7150 4.5150 Economist: Asset sales can help fund cope with higher outflow
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR
100 INDIAN RUPEE N/A N/A N/A KUALA LUMPUR: Selling overseas central bank and (such a directive) strays involve extra costs to BNM is not true.”
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 54.9300 52.2100 52.0100 investment assets and reducing domestic from the objectives of BNM,” Ahmed Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri
100 JAPANESE YEN 5.3200 5.1200 investments by the Employees Provident Razman told Bernama.
100 NEWTAIWAN DOLLAR 5.6700 0.0278 0.0228 Fund (EPF) is a more suitable method to Zafrul Abdul Aziz warned on Monday that
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 0.0307 3.4650 3.4550 accommodate rising withdrawals by BNM helps the government in various the EPF might have to sell more of its
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 3.5770 contributors. ways, such as buying Malaysian bonds and investment assets overseas if the
100 QATAR RIYAL N/A N/A giving out loans to SME Bank to help small government were to allow contributors
100 SAUDI RIYAL N/A 2.2500 2.0500 Putra Business School economics and medium enterprises and providing another round of withdrawals. He said that
100THAI BAHT 2.4100 7.8000 7.6000 professor Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said dividends to the government, he explained. if the government again allowed another
8.2700 111.6400 111.4400 such measures that enhance liquidity need one-off withdrawal of RM10,000, the 6.3
117.6000 108.7300 108.5300 not require Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to “These measures by BNM will expand million contributors eligible might take out
114.5400 11.8100 11.4100 create certain reserves or print more money. the money supply in the market. Therefore an estimated RM63 billion.
13.3200 the proposal by Asyraf for BNM to take over
Ahmed Razman was commenting on the EPF assets will result in the same thing, that The government has since allowed a
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama statement by Umno Youth chief Datuk is the central bank will have to print more special withdrawal of RM10,000 for EPF
Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki who said the pension money,” he pointed out. contributors.
savings fund does not have to sell its
financial assets and instead the government When BNM has to print more money to Previously, in the last two years, the
can direct BNM to buy EPF assets. take over assets from the EPF, the central government also allowed EPF withdrawals
bank will have to take on more liabilities, through three schemes, namely i-Lestari, i-
“Although in general it does not impact Ahmed Razman explained. “His view that it Sinar, and i-Citra, resulting in RM101 billion
the EPF and the people, it will burden the is only an accounting entry and does not in withdrawals by 7.34 million contributors.

10 theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022 BRIEFS MARGINAL INCREASE
SUNBIZ IN FEBRUARY TIV: MAA

CMS ventures into energy, PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s total industry
acquires Scomi oil units, assets volume (TIV) in February 2022 went up 1%
year-on-year to 43,722 units, from 43,448
o Scomi Energy, via the Oilfield Group, is one of the top five global providers of units, according to the Malaysian
drilling support services and products for the oil and gas industry Automotive Association (MAA) latest figures.
On a month-on-month basis, vehicle sales
PETALING JAYA: Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd its existing businesses into the markets where RM13.5 million. went up 8% compared with 40,581 units
(CMS) subsidiaries Cahya Mata Oiltools Sdn the Oilfield Group presents. The second SPA involves Oiltools reported for January this year as auto
Bhd (Oiltools) and Oiltools International Sdn companies ramped up production to fulfill
Bhd (Oiltools International) have entered into “The CMS group’s push into sustainability as International acquiring from Scomi Oiltools backlog orders. In the first two months of
four conditional sale and purchase agreements a business strategy will benefit from Oilfield Sdn Bhd (Receiver & Manager appointed) this year, TIV stood at 84,303 units, a 10% y-
(SPA) with Scomi Energy Services Bhd to Group’s waste management services business (SOSB) a 4% stake in Scomi KMC, 25% stake in o-y improvement over 76,840 units reported
acquire Scomi Oilfield Ltd together with various and the business is expected to grow due to Scomi Oiltools Gulf W.L.L., and 25% stake in for the same period of the previous year. For
companies and assets within the Oilfield Group increased drilling activity as crude prices Continental Wire Cloth (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for March, the association expected higher sales
of Companies for RM21 million. remain elevated. RM2.6 million. Through the first and second compared to February on the back of a push
SPAs, Oiltools will hold 52% stake in Scomi for higher sales by companies having their
The proposed acquisitions, which are “The additional benefit from the proposed KMC. financial year ending on March 31, 2022
expected to complete in the third quarter of acquisitions is that CMS will not take on along with the longer working month.
2022, represents a strategic investment with additional debt while drilling and waste The third SPA is for the acquisition of a five-
potential synergy with the group’s existing management services are asset-light storey shop office located in Dataran Prima, PADINI FORMS PARTNERSHIP
businesses and the opportunity to diversify into businesses. The asset-light structure will be the Petaling Jaya by Oilfield International from WITH XTS, HUAWEI MALAYSIA
the global energy sector and grow its revenue core business operating model for future SOSB, while the fourth SPA is for Oilfield
and earnings. growth,“ CMS said in a statement. International’s acquisition of the inventory and PETALING JAYA: Padini Holdings Bhd subsidiary
equipment from SOSB for RM3 million and Padini Dot Com Sdn Bhd has signed a
Scomi Energy, via the Oilfield Group, is one After weighing the risks and opportunities, RM1.9 million respectively. memorandum of understanding (MoU) with
of the top five global providers of drilling the management considers the proposed XTS Technologies Sdn Bhd and Huawei
support services and products for the oil and gas acquisitions as a timely strategy to diversify into Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd for a RM1 million
industry. It offers drilling fluids services and the global energy sector. warehouse automation solution using
drilling waste management services. Scomi automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The
Energy has a presence in 15 markets across Asia, “There is potential for oil tools to become an warehouse automation solution, to be fulfilled
the Middle East, Europe, and Africa with an important contributor to CMS from the increase by XTS and Huawei Malaysia within a year,
ongoing order book. in overall drilling activities due to increased enables Padini to use reach truck type AGVs to
demand for oil and gas and the restructuring of assist in picking up goods in the warehouse for
CMS management expects to leverage the global energy supply chain,“ it added. inbound and outbound delivery of goods.
Oilfield Group’s global presence to expand the When the warehouse is automated, the reach
group’s clientele and serve as a bridge to expand The first SPA is for the acquisition of Oilfield truck driver will search for the required products
and its nine subsidiaries and a 48% stake in on pallets from various racks situated at
Scomi KMC Sdn Bhd from Scomi Energy for different locations in the warehouse. With AGV
reach trucks, data stored within the Huawei
Paramount invests RM10m in Commerce.Asia cloud storage system enables the automated
reach trucks to pinpoint the location of the
PETALING JAYA: Paramount Corp Bhd has record, and business model which financing to Commerce.Asia’s goods, and they will navigate their way to pick
invested RM10 million in Commerce DotAsia has almost doubled in revenue network of merchants utilising up the goods in the warehouse.
Ventures Sdn Bhd (Commerce.Asia), an all- since 2020 and turned profitable in advanced data analytics and
in-one e-commerce ecosystem that provides 2021,” she said in a statement. insights,” she said, adding that it CARSOME ACQUIRES STAKE
one stop, end-to-end e-commerce solutions Commerce.Asia manages all also deepens and broadens the IN SINGAPORE’S CARTIMES
for brands, businesses, and small and aspects of customers’ online merchant ecosystem available to
medium enterprises (SME) in Southeast Asia. businesses, from developing their the Paramount group. PETALING JAYA: Integrated car e-commerce
online stores to managing product platform Carsome Group Pte Ltd yesterday
The investment was made through its sales across multiple e- Fundaztic is one of the first announced the acquisition of a 51% stake in
wholly owned investment vehicle Magna marketplaces, including peer-to-peer financing platforms in Singapore auto company CarTimes
Intelligent Sdn Bhd and Magna’s 30%-owned warehousing, payment, delivery, Malaysia licensed by the Securities Automobile Pte Ltd. Established in 2001,
associated company Omegaxis Sdn Bhd, marketing, and order Commission Malaysia. It has CarTimes offers a full suite of auto solutions
which owns Fundaztic. management. The company disbursed close to RM150 million, ranging from new and used car retail, rental,
currently has over 92,000 active sellers that supporting more than 2,350 micro financing, insurance to repair, maintenance
This is in line with Paramount’s five-year use its various platforms with a group gross to small and medium enterprises, since 2017. and workshops. Carsome co-founder and
(2020-2024) plan to identify new sources of merchandise volume of RM6.7 billion last “Moving forward, Paramount aims to group CEO Eric Cheng mentioned that
earnings, particularly in the digital space. year. further increase our footprint in the digital CarTimes has built a strong brand in
Paramount is also the lead applicant of a Gan said the investment in space and will continue to be on the lookout Singapore, trusted by local customers and
consortium applying to Bank Negara Commerce.Asia creates strong business for opportunities to grow this segment, partners since 2001, through a seamless car
Malaysia for a digital banking licence. synergies between Paramount and especially those that create synergy with our transaction process supported through a
Commerce.Asia and new revenue streams for existing investments or businesses,” she said. broad range of ancillary services such as
Paramount corporate strategy and both groups. Paramount’s core business is in property financing and insurance.
investment head Tracy Gan (pix) said the “The convergence of two fast-emerging development while its coworking division
pandemic had shifted consumer behaviour trends – fintech and e-commerce – serves as offers a network of collaborative ecosystems LUNO LAUNCHES INVESTMENT
and accelerated e-commerce adoption the platform for Fundaztic to provide uniquely designed for entrepreneurs, ARM LUNO EXPEDITIONS
worldwide over the past two years. freelancers, startups, and corporates.
PETALING JAYA: Luno, a wholly owned unit of
“Our investment in Commerce.Asia is Digital Currency Group (DCG), has launched
timely given its end-to-end ecosystem, track Luno Expeditions, a global, early-stage
investment arm to support the fintech and
Malaysia to participate in Atiga Upgrade Negotiations crypto/web3 founders on their journeys to
build the next generation of financial services.
KUALA LUMPUR: Senior Minister cum Deliverables (PEDs) 2022, as proposed under the country coordinator for Asean-India Building on DCG’s seven-year track record in
International Trade and Industry Minister the chairmanship of Cambodia. economic relations, had urged all parties to early stage crypto investing, Luno Expeditions
Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali says Malaysia expedite the endorsement of the scoping paper will now spearhead all of DCG’s early stage
is committed to taking part in the Asean Trade It said during the retreat, Asean Economic to launch the Atiga review negotiations at the investing (seed and pre-seed). The team will
in Goods Agreement (Atiga) Upgrade Ministers also agreed to extend the special AEM-India consultations. scale up investments (targeting 200-300 per
Negotiations to achieve early resolution. memorandum of understanding on the year) and expand the focus beyond crypto
implementation of non-tariff measures on It also said Asean Economic Ministers into the broader fintech space, globally. Whilst
He emphasised the need to ensure holistic essential goods until 2024. continued their active engagement with Asean in stealth mode over the past few months,
and inclusive engagements so that valid Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) with a Luno Expeditions has already invested in over
concerns raised by stakeholders are fully They had also agreed to expand the present primary focus on the imperative of rejuvenating 20 leading crypto and fintech companies
addressed and resolved. list of essential goods while emphasising the the tourism and aviation sectors, assisting globally, including a crypto compliance
importance of conducting an in-depth study of MSME and embracing digital economy. solutions platform, an NFT marketplace in the
Atiga Upgrade Negotiations was launched the impact on the trade flow of essential goods. US, a bank dedicated to women in Pakistan
virtually by Asean Economic Ministers in Miti also said the establishment of the and a remittance solution in Tanzania.
conjunction with the 28th Asean Economic “On economic revitalisation as well as the Green and Sustainable Economy Working
Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat on Wednesday. reinvigoration of regional trade, the ministers Group to champion the sustainability agenda FGV’S LADANG’57 TO PROPEL
were unanimous in expressing their in the region is a timely move by Asean-BAC. GROUP INTO LEADING
In a statement yesterday, the International commitment towards implementing the key LOCAL FOOD PRODUCER
Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) said the PEDs including the upgrade of the Asean- “In this regard, it is noteworthy that under
negotiations are crucial to strengthen intra- Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, the purview of the High-Level Task Force on PETALING JAYA: FGV Holdings Bhd is
regional trade and promote a more connected, framework for promoting the growth of digital Economic Integration, the Asean Secretariat positioning Ladang’57, its premium brand for
inclusive, resilient and competitive region. startup ecosystem and policy toolkit on and Economic Research Institute for Asean its cash crop products, as one of the food
women micro small medium enterprises and East Asia are finalising the concept note on brands under the FGV group to propel FGV as
Miti said the AEM Retreat ended on a high (MSME),” it said. carbon neutrality, an initiative that was a leading food producer in Malaysia.
note, with ministers charting Asean’s mooted by Malaysia last September,” it said. – Produced and grown in Malaysia by FGV and
Economic Work Plan for 2022, notably the On the review of Asean-India Trade In Bernama its contract farmers, Ladang’57 represents its
endorsement of Asean Priority Economic Goods Agreement, Miti said Malaysia, being commitment towards the nation’s food
security programme by supporting and
upscaling local farmers and their produce,
which are safe and sustainable. Ladang’57 will
be available from this month onwards at the
Mydin chain of outlets throughout the nation.

FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN 11theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022
ME SUNBIZ
/theSunMedia
Eco World Q1
DNB stake for telcos offer earnings up,
seen as ‘potentially positive’ thanks to
local units and
o But let’s wait for further to be well managed in the long term. could be more than offset by higher opex, joint ventures
details on the 5G rollout, say As for the worst-case scenario, it named driven by the introduction of fixed 5G annual
research houses capacity charge in the near-medium term PETALING JAYA: Eco World Development
pricey valuation for the equity stake in DNB, while increased revenue from escalated data Group Bhd’s (EcoWorld Malaysia) net profit
PETALING JAYA: The government’s offer of resulting in a big cash outflow for MNO; no demand is likely to be progressive against the for its first quarter ended Jan 31, 2022 (Q1’22)
up to 70% stake in Digital Nasional Bhd change to the total network rollout costs, nor backdrop of scant widespread applications for saw an uptick of 1.5% to RM63.34 million from
(DNB) to mobile network operators (MNO) the proportion of sites leased from MNO; and consumers currently.” RM62.43 million a year ago, attributed to the
for the rollout of 5G under a Single Wholesale no change to the wholesale rate and fee improved performance of its Malaysian
Network (SWN) is potentially positive structure as a possible downside. On the whole, AmBank Research has subsidiaries and joint ventures.
pending further details, according to maintained a neutral outlook on the sector as
analysts. Should there be no change to wholesale the higher opex (operating expenditure) from Revenue for the quarter stood at RM533.42
rate and fee structure, the research house DNB’s fixed 5G annual wholesale capacity million, a 5.1% improvement over RM507.35
CGS-CIMB pointed out noted that although the SWN provider will be charge on celcos could more than offset million previously, arising from higher sales
that many details are more profitable, the players do not fully own escalated data demand and easing competition and realisation of cost savings on completed
pending the outcome of the DNB. Individually, they are likely unable to from the consolidation of two major cellular and near completion phases.
negotiations between the reflect their share of DNB’s earnings (unless operators amid a stagflation outlook which
government and MNO, the latter pays dividends) to partly offset the could depress subscriber affordability. EcoWorld Malaysia recorded RM1.28
including the valuation of billion sales from Nov 1, 2021 to Feb 28, 2022,
the equity stakes in DNB. Nevertheless, it wholesale cost. It reiterated a ‘buy’ call for TM (fair value: which is 40.1% higher than the RM911 million
views the 5G decision as potentially positive On this matter, AmBank RM7.08), which has shown significant cost recorded in the first four months of FY21.
for telcos. improvements together with compelling
Research opined that the dividend yields and it critical role in Malaysia’s The group’s profit after tax from its
“With a 70% stake, MNOs may be able to equity participation has the MyDigital initiative with its ownership of the Malaysian operations grew 60% to RM64.9
better steer DNB’s 5G network rollout, such potential to improve High-Speed Broadband network will underpin million in Q1’22 compared with RM40.6
that it lowers the current total cost of RM16.5 governance oversight for a faster pace of growth for the group’s million in Q2’21.
billion (inclusive of RM4 billion corporate the SWN provider as its own wholesale wholesale revenue
cost), and raise the proportion of leasing from subscribers represent the majority of its board. On the flip side, EcoWorld International
MNO-owned sites. With this, coupled with a “However, this could be partly negated by For the sector, CGS-CIMB has maintained Bhd saw a loss for the current quarter from
lower reliance on debt, DNB may be able to the government’s golden share ownership its ‘underweight’ rating with a preference for lower revenue and profits following the lower
cut the 5G wholesale fees and change the which could mean overruling the the mobile segment due to better revenue handover of units recorded for the quarter
charging structure to be more traffic-based, in appointment or dismissal of top management. growth prospects, more benign competition compared to the previous quarter.
our view,” the research house said in a report We reckon that pricing valuations will be and less regulatory risk. TM remains its top
yesterday. reasonable based on DNB’s future investment Malaysian telco pick with an ‘add’ call and a EcoWorld Malaysia president and CEO
and financing requirements.” target price of RM7.50. Datuk Chang Khim Wah stated that the first
It believes this will hit MNO earnings less, The research house recapped that under quarter saw encouraging performance, as its
while any share of DNB’s net losses will only be this model, proposed 5G fixed capacity In the most recent development on the 5G projects in Iskandar Malaysia went up 194%
accounted for via a reduction in the charges could annually reach RM400-RM500 rollout, the Finance Ministry stated that it will and Penang saw an increase of 110%
investment value in the balance sheets of the million for each of the three largest MNO, offer the stake in DNB to telco players that compared with the same period of the
MNO. which is unlikely to be offset by higher revenue commit to sign a 5G wholesale access previous year.
growth in the first one to two years. agreement and expected the negotiations to
Furthermore, CGS CIMB pointed out, the It outlined that DNB’s 5G wholesale conclude by end-June this year. The ministry It also observed that the end of the
equity ownership offers telcos greater structure has removed intense capital will own the remaining 30% stake and a golden government’s Home Ownership Campaign in
assurance that the SWN provider will continue expenditure requirements from fixed and share, while the rollout will retain the supply- December 2021 did not have any noticeable
cellular operators, who now need to only led cost-recovery model. The 5G rollout target impact on its sales momentum.
focus on marketing and customer service of 80% by end-2024 will be maintained to
support. realise the country’s digital economy “We are pleased with the strong sales boost
“However, concerns have arisen that this aspirations. received from good take-ups of new phases
launched. Over the last two years we had been
Lulu Group to help MSPO-certified companies enter UAE market expanding our product mix and customer
base with a focus on attracting new
KUALA LUMPUR: Conglomerate Lulu Group Senior Minister and Minister of International The selected companies will be in addition homebuyers and young families that form the
International will select a number of Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed to the six local manufacturers currently bedrock for the long term growth of vibrant
Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO)- Azmin Ali last year. supplying to Lulu Hypermarket in Silicon townships,” he said in a statement.
certified companies to help expand their Oasis in Dubai under MPOC’s “Malaysia Palm
market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as “Out of the 43 palm oil-based companies Oil Full of Goodness” consumer campaign The good start to the year notwithstanding,
well as penetrate other countries, including showcasing their products today, Lulu, which from February to April 2022. Chang is cognisant of the market challenges
India. operates a chain of hypermarkets and retail particularly, inflation, rising material and oil
companies, will select some companies that are MPOC and Malaysia External Trade prices and potential interest rate increases.
This follows the memorandum of MSPO-certified and export-ready, producing Development Corporation organised a sourcing
understanding signed recently between the products ranging from cooking oil, cosmetics, event for palm oil-based products yesterday. “However, as a group, we are relatively well
Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and Lulu beverages, frozen food, pharmaceuticals, and positioned given the maturity of our landbank
Group during the World Expo 2020 in Dubai confectionery,” MPOC CEO Wan Aishah Wan Lulu Group is an Indian multinational today with the bulk of our primary
and the Trade and Investment Mission led by Hamid told Bernama yesterday. conglomerate which operates 224 retail stores infrastructure already completed in prior
in 22 countries worldwide. years. Our efforts over the last two years to
reinvent our entire business model to be more
nimble, agile and efficient will also help us
contain costs.”

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BRIEFS12 theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022 Indonesia replaces palm oil
SUNBIZ export curbs with levy

TESLA TRIES TO KEEP o Govt to scrap ‘domestic market obligation’ aimed at cooking oil prices.
PRODUCTION GOING ensuring local supply amid soaring cooking oil prices In a parliamentary hearing, Trade Minister
AT SHANGHAI FACTORY
JAKARTA: Indonesia will remove export The Southeast Asian country has since last Muhammad Lutfi said the DMO would be
SHANGHAI: Tesla said yesterday it was restrictions on palm oil products and raise its week required companies to sell 30% of their withdrawn and the regulations were agreed and
doing its best to keep production going export levy instead, its trade minister said planned exports of crude palm oil or olein at approved yesterday.
at its Shanghai factory while it yesterday, only a week after the world’s biggest home, up from 20% imposed in January, under
cooperates with China’s Covid-19 exporter of the edible oil shocked markets by a so-called domestic market obligation (DMO) Instead, the ceiling of palm export tax and
prevention measures. Reuters reported further tightening its curbs. aimed at ensuring local supply amid soaring levy would be raised, he said, from a combined
on Wednesday that the US electric maximum of US$375 (RM1,573) per tonne to
vehicle maker had suspended Global prices of crude palm oil, which Indonesia uses for cooking oil, have surged to historic highs this US$675 per tonne. The maximum CPO tax
production at its Shanghai factory for year amid rising demand and weak output from top producers Indonesia and Malaysia. - BERNAMAPIX would be applied when prices reach US$1,500
two days, according to a notice sent per tonne.
internally and to suppliers, as China
tightens measures to curb the country’s “This is the market mechanism, and
latest outbreak. “We are actively hopefully this can maintain supply stability for
cooperating with the government’s the people,” Lutfi said.
requirements for nucleic acid testing
and other epidemic prevention Global prices of crude palm oil, which
requirements, and at the same time are Indonesia uses for cooking oil, have surged to
doing our best to ensure production, historic highs this year amid rising demand and
overcoming difficulties together,“ the weak output from top producers Indonesia and
company said. – Reuters Malaysia.

AIRBUS INTERESTED IN Top palm oil producer Indonesia first
TAKING OVER ATOS’ restricted exports after prices of cooking oil –
CYBERSECURITY BUSINESS made from refined crude palm oil – rose more
than 40% at the start of the year amid a surge in
PARIS: European aero and defence global prices.
conglomerate Airbus is interested in
taking over the cybersecurity business Although the policy increased supply at
of French software company Atos, home, consumers complained that cooking oil
France’s BFM TV said yesterday, citing was not available at many retailers across the
sources with knowledge of the matter. country.
Airbus said it had no comment on
market rumours or speculation. “As a The government this week removed price
global company we are in constant caps on packaged cooking oil while providing
discussion with our partners, customers subsidy for bulk cooking oil.
and suppliers across the industry – these
conversations are private in nature,“ Explaining the decision, Lutfi said there was a
Airbus said in an e-mail to Reuters. Atos price disparity between the DMO and market
declined comment, reiterating its BDS price that was being exploited. He did not
cybersecurity business was not up for elaborate.
sale. BFM, in its report, cited one source
as saying Airbus had been looking into a He also told the hearing Indonesia had issued
potential acquisition of Atos over the last export permits for 3.5 million tonnes of palm oil
few weeks, driven by its interest in the and its refined products in the past 30 days. –
field of cybersecurity, but added that at Reuters
this stage, no outright takeover was on
the cards. Rate hike, intervention can’t reverse weak
yen, says former Japanese currency diplomat
UAE, AUSTRALIA PLAN
TO START TRADE TALKS TOKYO: Tightening monetary policy or close contact with incumbent policymakers something useless.”
intervening in the currency market will do little including BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda. The remarks by Watanabe, who oversaw
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) to reverse unwelcome yen declines that inflate Still, there was little policymakers can do to Japan’s currency policy in 2004-2007, highlight a
plans to begin talks with Australia about already rising fuel and raw material prices, arrest yen declines, he told Reuters. sea change in how Tokyo perceives yen moves
a trade agreement, officials from the two Japan’s former top currency diplomat Hiroshi “Intervention (to stop yen falls) won’t work” as the country’s changing economic structure
countries said yesterday, as the oil-rich Watanabe said yesterday. given the huge size diminishes the
Gulf nation seeks to bolster its role as a of the global benefits of a weak
Middle East business hub. A bilateral free Japanese policymakers have historically currency market, yen.
trade agreement of this sort would be battled sharp yen rises that threaten to damage Watanabe said. “The basic
the first for Australia in the Middle East, exports by issuing verbal warnings or currency Tightening stance of a central
Australia’s Trade Minister Dan Tehan said intervention, while keeping a hands-off monetary policy bank must be to
in a statement on his official website, approach on yen falls. won’t help either as strive at enhancing
adding that the UAE is his country’s the BOJ cannot the value of its
largest trade and investment partner in But the yen’s recent weakness – it has fallen raise interest rates c u r r e n c y ,”
the region. In 2020, bilateral trade stood over 3% against the dollar so far this month – has as much as the US Watanabe said.
at US$6.8 billion (RM29 billion) and two- drawn concern from politicians, who worry Federal Reserve, “For the
way investments at US$16 billion. A about the damage it could do to households and which has signalled government, the
Comprehensive Economic Partnership retailers via higher fuel and food costs. hiking aggressively key is to come up
Agreement with the UAE would be “an to combat surging Tweaking interest rates not the solution, central bank with a strategy that
important building block to a Watanabe said the yen, now hovering inflation, he said. must strive at enhancing the value of yen, says Watanabe. allows Japan to run
subsequent potential free trade around ¥118.90 (RM4.21), may fall below 120 to “Under current – AFPPIX trade and current
agreement with the wider Gulf the dollar and add pressure on Japan’s resource- conditions, the BOJ account surpluses,”
Cooperation Council,“ Tehan said. – poor, import-reliant economy. doesn’t need to tweak interest rates,” Watanabe such as by nurturing new businesses, he said. –
Reuters said. “Tightening now would be doing Reuters
“The Bank of Japan continues to say a weak
TOYOTA TO CUT APRIL GLOBAL yen is good for the economy. But if crude oil
OUTPUT TO 750,000 UNITS prices keep rising, it’s uncertain whether it can
keep saying so,” said Watanabe, who retains
TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp cut
yesterday its global vehicle production
target by 150,000 units to 750,000 in
April as a semiconductor shortage and
the Covid-19 pandemic weigh on the
automaker. Average monthly global
production for the period from April to
June would be about 800,000 units, it
added. – Reuters

EU increases tariffs on India, Indonesia stainless steel imports

BRUSSELS: The European Union Wednesday. provision of raw materials, partly companies or joint venture Indonesia said the findings of the
(EU) will increase tariffs on stainless They will add to anti-dumping because of export restrictions for operations in Egypt. EU’s investigation did not take into
steel products from India and those materials. account arguments and evidence its
Indonesia after determining they tariffs already in place. The Commission said that the new government had presented during
benefited from unfair subsidies, Indonesia’s IRNC faces a new tariff Indonesia also benefited from tariffs, that took effect from yesterday, the investigation.
including some from China under its subsidies to help build up its stainless aim to remedy damage caused to EU
Belt and Road investment of 21.4%, bringing the overall rate, steel industry from China, which in producers such as Acerinox and That had “clearly proved that there
programme. including anti-dumping duties, to return benefited from taking up a Outokumpu. is no subsidy from the Indonesian
30.7%. larger share of Indonesia’s nickel ore government to the Indonesian
The European Commission, exports. “Today we are taking action to stainless steel industry,” said Natan
which conducted the investigation, The new rates for India’s Jindal counter unfair state-sponsored Kambuno, a director at the Trade
has set the anti-subsidy duties on Stainless Ltd and Jindal Stainless This is the European Union’s subsidies in India and Indonesia that Ministry.
stainless steel cold-rolled flat Hisar Ltd are 4.3%, taking the total second investigation into trans- directly hurt our workers and
products at rates of between 4.3% and tariff to 14.3%. national Chinese subsidies. In 2020, companies in this vital industrial He said the government would
21.4%, the EU official journal said on the bloc imposed duties on glass fibre sector,” EU trade chief Valdis coordinate with the affected company
The Commission said the fabrics and products from Chinese Dombrovskis said. regarding the duties. – Reuters
subsidies took the form of preferential
loans, duty exemptions and cheap

13theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022

DALAM MAHKAMAH SESYEN DI RAFAEL NADAL battled past SPORTS
JOHOR BAHRU DALAM NEGERI JOHOR big-hitting American Reilly
Opelka 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5) Nadal extend
DARUL TA’ZIM, MALAYSIA GUAMAN yesterday to push his 2022 perfect start
NO. JA-A53KJ-689-10/2021 record to 18-0 and reach the
quarterfinals of the Indian Wells WTA
IN THE MATTER OF THE IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ANTARA and ATP Masters.
COMPANIES ACT, 2016 ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF
TEE AI KIM The 35-year-old Spaniard, who
AND MERIDIAN VIEW SDN. BHD. [NO. K/P: 621128-01-5204] won a record-setting 21st Grand Slam
IN THE MATTER OF 200401012206 (650709 - X) title at the Australian Open in January
BAN HONG PLUMBING & YAP YON ONN and lifted the trophy in Acapulco last Rafa smashes Opelka, Kecmanovic
SANITATION SDN. BHD. (IN MEMBERS’ [NO. K/P: 601124-02-5669] month, stayed on track for a fourth title shocks Berrettini at Indian Wells
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) in the California desert.
(Company No. Notice is hereby given that the Final …PLAINTIF-PLAINITIF
199301003454) (258191-D) General Meeting of the members of the But he had all he could handle
company will be held at the office of DAN from the 2.11m tall American,
(In Members’ Voluntary the liquidator, 80-2, Jalan PPM 4, Plaza including a raft of serves that topped
Winding Up) Pandan Malim Business Park, 75250 NORHANA BINTI MOHAMAD CUSAIRI @ the 225kph mark and had Nadal’s back
Melaka on 25th April 2022 at 9.30a.m. KHUSHAIRI [NO. K/P: 700701-08-6730] against the wall – literally.
NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING for the purpose of receiving the accounts
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN and report of the Liquidator in relation MUHAMMAD ADLI BIN MOHD RAZIF “I manage it so-so,” he said of that I receive every single day here.” second set only for Norrie to charge
pursuant to Section 459 of the to the winding up of the company and [NO. K/P: 961018-14-5877] Opelka’s serve, which the Spaniard The Spaniard will face Australian back to win 6-2, 6-4.
Companies Act 2016 that a that pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of stood as far back in the court as
final meeting of members of the Companies Act, 2016, the books …DEFENDAN-DEFENDAN possible to receive. “I don’t know if the Nick Kyrgios, who advanced on a In other matches, Serbia’s 61st-
the Company will be held at the and papers of the Company and of the cameras can follow me like 10m walkover when Jannik Sinner ranked Miomir Kecmanovic shocked
office of Suite 51-17-E, Menara Liquidator that are relevant to the affairs Kepada :- NOTIS behind the baseline.” withdrew due to illness. sixth-ranked Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-7
BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, of the Company or subsequent to the (5-7), 6-4 to book a quarterfinal clash
10050 Georgetown, Penang commencement of the winding up of the 1. MUHAMMAD ADLI BIN MOHD RAZIF “It’s not only about the speed. The Nadal was followed into the with American Taylor Fritz, who edged
on the 22nd day of April 2022 Company be destroyed accordingly. No. 73, Jalan Pulai 70, Taman Pulai spin is also difficult to read. quarterfinals by 18-year-old Australian Alex de Minaur 3-6, 6-4, 7-6
at 11:00 a.m. for the following Foo Seow Chin Utama, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Sometimes it’s coming with topspin, compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, who (7-5).
purpose :- Liquidator, Melaka sometimes with slice. notched another breakthrough with a
1. To receive an account from AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu 7-5, 6-1 victory over 35-year-old Gael The 22-year-old Kecmanovic
322 Notices tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap “He is a very difficult player to play Monfils of France. equalled the biggest win of his career
the Liquidators showing kamu dalam Mahkamah Sesyen di against with his huge serve and huge as he reached the last eight of a
the manner in which IN THE HIGH COURT Johor Bahru dalam Saman No: JA- forehand, but I think I played my best Should they both advance Alcaraz Masters level event for the second
the windingup has been OF MALAYA AT MUAR A53KJ-689-10/2021 oleh Tee Ai Kim match of the tournament so far,” Nadal would meet his idol, Nadal, in the time.
conducted and property of the dan Yap Yon Onn yang beralamat di said in an on-court interview. semis.
Company disposed of and to IN THE STATE OF No. 22, Jalan Abadi 3, Rini Homes Seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev,
hear any explanation that may JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM, MALAYSIA Mutiara Rini, 81300 Skudai, Johor “It’s a great victory for me against “It would be amazing, but first I chasing a third title of the year, made it
be given by the Liquidators. dalam mana tuntutan Plaintif-Plaintif one of the toughest opponents I can have to win quarterfinals,” said safely through, beating Poland’s
2. To resolved that under Section COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) ialah Defendan Kedua dikehendaki play and I’m very happy. I can’t thank Alcaraz, who next faces defending Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 to set up
518(3)(b) of the Companies NO: JB-28NCC-7-03/2022 membayar gantirugi am dan gantirugi you enough for all the positive energy champion Cameron Norrie. a clash with Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov
Act, 2016, the books, In the matter of Section 465(1)(c), (e) and khas yang akan ditaksirkan oleh – a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) winner over
accounts and documents (h) of the Companies Act 2016 Mahkamah kelak; faedah ke atas Norrie quashed a second-set rally American John Isner. – AFP/Reuters
of the Company and the gantirugi am pada kadar 5% setahun bid from rising US talent Jenson
Liquidators be destroyed three And dari tarikh penyampaian Writ Saman Brooksby, who took a 3-0 lead in the
(3) months after the Company In the matter of GRAND TRACTOR & sehingga tarikh penghakiman; faedah
has been dissolved. AUTO PARTS SDN BHD [Company No: ke atas gantirugi khas pada kadar Halep downs Martic, faces Swiatek in semis
Dated this : 18th March 2022 200001011148 (513754-X)] 2.5% setahun dari tarikh kemalangan
TIONG HEH BIN sehingga tarikh penghakiman; faedah
Liquidator BETWEEN ke atas jumlah penghakiman pada kadar
Suite 51-17-E, Menara BHL, CHEY CHENG WAH 5% setahun dari tarikh penghakiman
Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, (NRIC No: 510811-08-5117) sehingga penyelesaian penuh; kos bagi
10050 Georgetown, Penang. tindakan ini pada dasar peguamcara
.....PETITIONER dan anakguam dan lain-lain relief
322 Notices AND yang difikirkan sesuai dan adil oleh
GRAND TRACTOR & AUTO PARTS SDN Mahkamah Yang Mulia ini dan adalah
DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET BHD [Company No: 200001011148 diperintahkan bahawa penyampaian
DI IPOH (513754-X)] Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan
kepada kamu dalam tindakan tersebut
DALAM NEGERI .....RESPONDENT dilaksanakan melalui iklan ini.
PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION
NOTICE is hereby given that a petition Jika kamu berhajat untuk membela Simona Halep in SIMONA HALEP took less than an hour to breeze past Petra
GUAMAN NO: for the winding-up of the above-named diri atas tindakan tersebut, kamu action against Martic 6-1, 6-1 yesterday and reach the semi-finals of the WTA
AA-A72NCvC-67-02/2022 Company by the High Court was, on the mestilah hadir sama ada secara sendiri Indian Wells tournament for the fourth time, while Iga Swiatek
7th day of March, 2022 presented by atau melalui Peguambela kamu di Petra Martic (not also advanced in style dismantling Madison Keys.
ANTARA the Petitioner, CHEY CHENG WAH AND Mahkamah, Mahkamah Sesyen Sivil in picture) during
HAJJAH SITI AMINAH BINTI that the said Petition is directed to be di Johor Bahru, Mahkamah Sesyen / Halep went up a break at 2-1 in the opening set after her
OSMAN heard before the High Court 1 sitting Majistret Johor Bahru, Jalan Air Molek, her quarterfinal opponent double-faulted, and the Romanian reeled off the
(No.K/P: 511010-02-5354) at Kompleks Mahkamah Muar, Jalan Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, match at the BNP next six games behind confident groundstrokes and precise
Temenggong Ahmad, 84000 Muar, Johor Johor pada 24.03.2022 jam 9.00 pagi. serving.
PLAINTIF at 9.00 o’clock in the morning on Jika kamu gagal hadir pada tarikh Paribas Open at
DAN Monday, 9th May 2022; and any creditor dan masa yang telah ditetapkan maka the Indian Wells The tournament’s 2015 champion was never really pushed,
KAMARUL BIN OMAR or contributory of the said Company Penghakiman boleh dicatatkan terhadap winning 55 points to Martic’s 21.
(No.K/P:661208-07-5537) desiring to support or oppose the making kamu. Tennis Garden
of an order on the said Petition may yesterday. – USA The unseeded Martic had notched impressive wins over
DEFENDAN appear at the time of hearing by himself Bertarikh pada 09hb Mac, 2022. 28th-seeded Ludmilla Samsonova and US Open champion
PERINTAH UNTUK or his counsel for that purpose; and a TODAY SPORTS Emma Raducanu en route to the quarterfinal, but appeared to
PENYAMPAIAN GANTI copy of the Petition will be furnished to ......................t.t…............... run out of gas under sunny skies in the California desert.
KEPADA:- any creditor or contributory of the said Penolong Pendaftar
KAMARUL BIN OMAR Company requiring the same by the Mahkamah Sesyen “I feel like I played my best tennis so far this year,” said Halep,
(No.K/P: 661208-07-5537) undersigned on payment of the regulated Johor Bahru who beat Martic in the 2018 quarterfinal in three sets.
No. 39, Lebuhraya Wirajaya, charge for the same.
Taman Rapat, The Petitioner’s address of service is NOTIS IKLAN ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan “I knew it was going to be a tough match against her. The
31350 Ipoh, Perak. at No. 5, Jalan SS 21/23, Damansara Amin Petra & Partners, Peguambela one in 2018 was a longer match and was much more difficult.
AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor dan Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif But today I felt great. I’ve been on a mission. I wanted to be
tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap Darul Ehsan. di atas yang beralamat di T3-23-03, focused on what I had to do.
kamu di Mahkamah Majistret di The Petitioner’s solicitors is MESSRS. Tower 3 349 Jalan Ampang 55000 Kuala
Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak Darul LOW & PARTNERS of No. 5, Jalan Lumpur. Tel. No: 03-27032066, Faks. No: “When I entered the court, I said my return has to be strong
Ridzuan melalui Guaman No: SS 21/23, Damansara Utama, 47400 0327032067. (Ruj Kami: APP/NAP/BI/ because she has a huge serve with a kick. At my height, it’s not
AA-A72NCvC-67-02/2022 dalam Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. JFP399/2019). easy to return. But I did it pretty well. I practiced it a little bit
tindakan ini oleh Hajjah Siti Dated the 10th day of March 2022. more yesterday and this morning.”
Aminah Binti Osman (No. K/P: NOTICE
511010-02-5354) beralamat di T.T. IN THE MATTER OF Next up for Halep is Swiatek, who got past big-serving
No. 152, Selasar Rokam 14, Kg. .................................................... THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 American Keys 6-1, 6-0 in 56 minutes. The pair have met three
Seri Ampang, 31350 Ipoh, Perak times previously with Halep winning twice.
Darul Ridzuan Mahkamah telah Messrs. Low & Partners AND
memerintahkan supaya Writ dan For and on behalf of the Petitioner IN THE MATTER OF “Tough match, because she’s playing the best tennis of her
Pernyataan Tuntutan disampaikan NOTE:- TNT PLANTATION SDN. BHD. life,” Halep said. “She’s in the best moment. I expect a really
kepada kamu melalui Perintah Any person who intends to appear on the (Company No. 200601029684 tough one. But I’m here in the semifinal, so I’ll take that. I’ll just
Untuk Penyampaian Ganti dengan hearing of the said Petition must serve try my best.
menampalkan sesalinan Writ on or send by post to the abovenamed (749441-V))
bertarikh 8.2.2022 dan Pernyataan solicitors, Messrs. Low & Partners, (In Members’ Voluntary “Madison played a great tournament. Her whole season is
Tuntutan bertarikh 8.2.2022 tersebut notice in writing of his intention so to pretty great. I didn’t really know if I was going to be able to
pada Papan Kenyataan Mahkamah do. The notice must state the name and Winding-Up) push back her speed, because she can play pretty fast. I wanted
Majistret di Ipoh bersama dengan address of the person, or if a firm, the By a Written Resolution of the to stay low on my legs and control it a little more.” – Reuters
Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti name and address of the firm and must Members of TNT Plantation Sdn.
bertarikh 1.3.2022 yang diperolehi be signed by the person or firm, or his or Bhd. duly passed on the 14th March SHORTS The epic draw kept the three- wicketkeeper-batsman who died
ini dan akhir sekali mengiklankan di their solicitor (if any) and must be served, 2022, the special resolutions set Babar up there with the best match series – Australia’s first in earlier this month as a unique man
suratkhabar “The Sun” dan bahawa or, if posted, must be sent by post in out below were duly passed. Pakistan for 24 years – tied at 0-0 after with whom he developed a lasting
penampalan dan pengiklanan sufficient time to reach the abovenamed THAT the Company be wound up PAKISTAN captain Babar Azam has the first Test also ended in a draw in friendship.
sedemikian dianggap sebagai solicitors not later than 12.00 o’clock voluntarily pursuant to Section long established his credentials in Rawalpindi.
wajar dan mencukupi akan Writ noon on Friday, 6th May 2022. 439(1)(b) of the Companies Act limited-overs cricket, but his 196 Marsh, who played 96 Tests in the
dan Pernyataan Tuntutan ke atas This ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION is 2016 and that Mr. Neoh Chin Wah against Australia put him up there Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul- 1970s and 1980s, died at the age of 74
kamu selepas tamat tempoh EMPAT filed by Messrs. Low & Partners of No. of Insol-i Corporate Recovery PLT, with some greats in the long form of Haq told AFP that Azam’s performance in Adelaide, eight days after suffering a
BELAS (14) hari dari tarikh akhir 5, Jalan SS 21/23, Damansara Utama, 3rd Floor, Acctax Corporate Centre, the game too. was “career defining”. heart attack while on his way to a
penampalan dan pengiklanan. 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul No. 2, Jalan Bawasah, 10050 charity event in Queensland.
Jika kamu berhasrat membela Ehsan, solicitors for the abovesaid Georgetown, Penang be appointed Azam fought valiantly for 10 hours “In terms of the context of the
tindakan tersebut kamu mestilah Petitioner. as Liquidator to act for the purpose and seven minutes in an innings game, with the team under pressure, “Caught Marsh, bowled Lillee”
hadir sama ada secara sendiri Tel: 03-7729 5293 of the winding-up. lasting 425 deliveries to help Pakistan him being captain and as batter who appeared on Test scorecards 95 times
atau melalui peguambela kamu Fax: 03-7729 5298 Dated this 18th March 2022 salvage a draw yesterday in the had not scored a hundred for some as the moustachioed Western
di hadapan MahkamahMajistret Ref: LP/GL/10393/03/22/WCK/DC_WCK Sgd second Test in Karachi. time, this is his best innings,” Misbah Australian combination wreaked
di Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak Darul wck ............................ said. havoc on opposing batting orders in a
Ridzuan pada 28 haribulan Mac Tan Lim Hwa His heroic innings became the golden era for cricket Down Under.
2022 pukul 9.00 pagi. Jika Advertise with us Director second-longest knock in the fourth “Such a match-saving innings gives
kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, & connect to our innings of a Test, just 36 minutes you belief. I think this will go a long “It’s taken me days to be able to
penghakiman boleh diberikan urban readers. IN THE MATTER OF behind Michael Atherton’s 185 not out way in establishing his Test write my thoughts down on this
terhadap kamu. THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 that ensured England saved the 1995 credentials,” added Misbah, under amazing bloke,” Lillee said in Adelaide.
Bertarikh pada 1hb Mac 2022 KLANG VALLEY Johannesburg Test against South whose captaincy Azam played his first
……………T.T………… PENANG | KEDAH AND Africa. Test in 2016. “I don’t want to talk about his
PERAK | PERLIS IN THE MATTER OF cricket ability because that’s been very
PENDAFTAR PAHANG | KELANTAN TNT PLANTATION SDN. BHD. Azam added 228 for the third Lillee pays emotional well documented – it’s the person Rod
MAHKAMAH RENDAH (Company No. 200601029684 wicket with Abdullah Shafique (96) tribute to Marsh Marsh that I loved.
TERENGGANU and 115 for the fifth with Mohammad
IPOH, PERAK. MS. Shoba (749441-V)) Rizwan (104 not out) as Pakistan FORMER Australian fast bowler “It’s something that grew over
Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti (In Members’ Voluntary defied the Australian attack for 171.4 Dennis Lillee led the tributes at much- time, even after our careers were
ini telah difailkan oleh TETUAN AL TEL: 03-7784 8888 overs. loved cricketer Rod Marsh’s funeral finished.”
MURALI & Co, Peguambela dan FAX: 03-7784 4424 Winding-Up) yesterday, describing the
Peguamcara yang beralamat di Notice is hereby given that the “I miss my mate and will keep
No.15A, Tingkat Satu, Medan Istana MALACCA | creditors of the abovenamed remembering the good times. He was
7, Bandar Ipoh Raya, 30000 Ipoh, SEREMBAN Company are required on or before a one-off.”
Perak Darul Ridzuan; Peguamcara MR. Rajah 18th April 2022 to prove their
bagi Plaintif yang dinamakan diatas. TEL: 012-628 2844 debts or claims and to establish
[Ruj Kami: AMC/3078/HK/2022]sha FAX: 06-764 2051 any title they may have to priority
by delivering or sending through
JOHOR BAHRU the post to the Liquidator at the
MS. Anne Lim undermentioned address and
TEL: 013-770 6699 affidavit verifying their respective
FAX: 07-355 5549 debts or claims. In default they will
be excluded from the benefit of
priority, if any, and from objecting
to any such distribution. Form of
proof may be obtained from the
Liquidator at the address shown
below.
Dated this 18th March 2022
Sgd
............................
Neoh Chin Wah, Liquidator
c/o Insol-i Corporate Recovery PLT
3rd Floor
Acctax Corporate Centre
No. 2, Jalan Bawasah
10050 Georgetown
Penang

14 theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022 FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN
SPORTS ME
/thesuntelegram
SHORTS
LIV Golf unveils plans JUVENTUS coach Massimiliano Humiliation in Turin
for eight-event series Allegri reacted angrily to Allegri fumes at questions over Juve season after Villarreal loss
questions about his side’s
A LONG-DISCUSSED Saudi Arabian- disappointing season following for the first time since 2008-09. Dybala, Giorgio Chiellini and Coquelin was clumsily brought
backed rival for the US PGA Tour unveiled their Champions League exit against Villarreal manager Unai Emery Federico Bernardeschi only on the down by Daniele Rugani, substitute
details for a 2022 season yesterday, with a Villarreal yesterday. has also progressed from a tie bench, Juve started well in a Moreno was fresh enough to send
June start in London and four US events, in the knockout stages of the breathless first half. his spotkick past Wojciech Szczesny
according to multiple media reports. Allegri’s team slipped to a 3-0 Champions League for Villarreal clearly decided to shut with 12 minutes remaining.
home defeat to the side sitting the first time, having up shop after the break
The money-spinning LIV Golf seventh in Spain’s LaLiga to crash previously been and easily held Juve Moreno’s goal deflated the
International Series will feature eight out at the Champions League last-16 eliminated in at bay for the rest of crowd and when Torres pushed
tournaments with US$255 million stage for the third season in a row, the last the match and home the second from Serge
(RM1.1b) in prize money, the last of them a having lost 4-1 on aggregate. 16 in when Francis
team match-play championship in each of Aurier’s cross in the 85th
October, according to Golf Channel, Serie A’s most successful side his three minute the game was well and
Golfweek, Golf magazine, ESPN and Sports have not enjoyed the most fruitful attempts – truly up.
Illustrated. season domestically either. They are with Valencia
fourth in the standings, seven points in 2010-11 and The boos began to ring
With purses of US$25m (RM105m) per behind leaders AC Milan. Paris St Germain in around the stadium, and they
tournament, every leg of the series will be 2016-17 and 2017-18. only got louder when Matthijs de
more lucrative than the richest event on “I knew that people would talk “We had a gameplan,” Ligt charged down Danjuma’s shot
the PGA Tour, with approximately more about a failure in case of elimination, Emery said. “We knew there’d with his arm in the closing
than double the prize money on offer for but that’s intellectual dishonesty,” be tough moments but we
golf’s four majors. Allegri angrily told reporters when looked after Gerard and moments and the Netherlands
questioned about Juve’s campaign. wanted him to come on only international made it a
“I want golf to grow, players to have when we knew it was right. perfect evening for
additional opportunities, and fans to have “We are disappointed and we’ll Today he showed he’s really Villarreal.
more fun,” LIV Golf Investments chief make our assessments to improve back. “It’s a magical night,”
executive Greg Norman said. the team. We do that every year. We “Whoever we get next will Moreno told Movistar+. “We
also need to be realists. There are 10 be a top side, just like we thought we could do it, we’ve
“In many ways, we’re a start-up. We teams in Europe superior to faced today.” always shown that in the big
have a long-term vision and aim to grow. I Juventus. It’s no shame, it’s a fact. Missing a host of
believe we have a very bright and exciting starters and with Paulo Massimiliano Allegri games we compete, the team
future.” “I agree that we had to qualify gives its best.
today, but it was not easy. It’s useless
Players who have signed up to the 54- to talk now, we must remain quiet, “We all want to be in there with
hole, no-cut events that feature team and focus on the league and the Coppa the best in Europe, we’re going to
individual competition and fields of up to Italia to see if we can take a trophy at keep dreaming and we’re going to
48 players across 12 four-man teams were home.” do it together.” – Reuters/AFP
not revealed.
Three late goals from Gerard
Smith eyes maiden major Moreno, Pau Torres and Arnaut
win at Masters Danjuma sent Villarreal through to
the quarterfinals of the competition
AUSTRALIAN Cameron Smith will head to
the Masters fresh and confident as he Hamilton warns Max and pooh-poohs age hindrance
hunts a major maiden win after claiming
the biggest victory of his career at the LEWIS HAMILTON believes he is more dangerous But he has fired an ominous warning to said.
Players Championship this week. than he has ever been as he prepares to go in Verstappen and his other rivals after being asked “But I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m too down in
search of a record eighth F1 championship this whether the improvements he’d made to his pre-
Content his game is in exactly the right season. season preparations made him a more dangerous the slope – I still feel like I’m relatively at the top.
place, Smith will rest at his Florida base driver. “I would say so,” came Hamilton’s response. “I feel I am more efficient in how I train. I’m
and enjoy quality time with visiting And he has hit back at Red Bull advisor Helmut
Australian relatives before heading to Marko, who recently suggested the ace’s days at Last week, Marko questioned whether Hamilton much more in tune with my body in terms of
Augusta for the April 7-10 tournament. the top of F1 could be numbered. could maintain his place among the F1 elite. knowing when I can push and when I can’t push,
when I am recovered and when I am not, how I am
He said his one-stroke win at TPC Last year, Hamilton looked set to surpass the “I can’t imagine that he can continue to drive at feeding my body in terms of fuelling it. I am way
Sawgrass on Tuesday had given him a lot seven titles Michael Schumacher won but missed this high level for much longer,” said the 78-year- more into that than ever before, sleep, all these
of confidence for his assault on Augusta. out on achieving the feat after a chaotic end to the old. “He has reached his peak level now, but at sorts of things.
season-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Max some point his age will come into play.”
“Obviously, to prove myself against 144 Verstappen ultimately tasted glory. “I’ve got all the experience over the years – I’ve
of the best guys in the world and come But Hamilton has rejected Marko’s comments got the great rapport of my team. We’ve been
out on top was pretty cool,” he told The veteran is in the autumn of his career, and insists his age is no barrier to success. together 10 years so I think we probably have the
reporters on a call yesterday. though, and surely doesn’t have many years left at strongest partnership I would say.” – Express
the top of F1. “Naturally your body does age, you do fatigue Newspapers
“It’s basically our fifth major, everyone as you get older – it is a slower recovery,” Hamilton
treats it like that.
China’s first F1 racer is one in more than a billion
“So there’s no reason why I can’t go on GUANYU ZHOU will be the sole rookie in them and it’s my goal I have been working over plenty of pressure as well.”
and win one of those big ones.” Formula One’s Bahrain season-opener on the years for that.” Zhou has been able to secure backing but,
Sunday but, as the first Chinese driver to make
Smith said he felt Augusta National it onto the F1 starting grid, he is already one in Chinese drivers have tested Formula One as a trailblazer for a country relatively lacking in
suited his game. more than a billion. machinery before with Ma Qing Hua and motorsport culture, it has not been the easiest
Dutch-born Ho-Pin Tung, who was reserve for of journeys.
“I think it just allows me to be creative. The 22-year-old is racing for Ferrari-powered Renault in 2010 in another first.
It almost brings out my inner kid,” he said. Alfa Romeo in an all-new lineup with Valtteri “I think overall if we don’t have a leader, it’s
Bottas, the Finn who was teammate to seven Zhou, who was part of Renault-owned always difficult,” he said.
“I feel like I can hit some shots around times world champion Lewis Hamilton at Alpine’s driver academy and finished third last
there that you typically don’t hit week in, Mercedes last year. year in feeder series Formula Two, fell in love “We (China) have not a lot of background
week out and it demands those shots. with the sport when China hosted a grand prix and not a lot of manufacturers involved in
“From my side to become the first Chinese for the first time in 2004. Formula One.”
“So yeah, it’s just a place that I just feel driver is something I dreamed of,” Zhou told
really relaxed on… and I feel I play my best Reuters. “There’s plenty of eyes (that) will be Being the first Chinese driver in F1 is one
golf when I’m being really creative.” watching, plenty of people will be supporting,” thing but Zhou wants to score points and,
“I think our country’s motorsport fans he said. eventually, race in front of his home fans.
Morikawa, Hovland dreamed of having one countryman represent
chase No.1 spot “But of course from my side there will be “Hopefully, one day I’ll be having a home
crowd,” he said. “That’ll be crazy.” – Reuters
PLAYING partners Collin Morikawa and
Viktor Hovland, the world’s No. 2 and No. 3
players, will be chasing the summit of the
global rankings at the US PGA Valspar
Championship starting today.

Five of the world’s 10 top players will
compete at Innisbrook’s par-71
Copperhead course at Palm Harbor,
Florida, with Spain’s Jon Rahm in jeopardy
of losing the No. 1 spot.

Morikawa or Hovland would become
world No. 1 for the first time with a victory.
Morikawa would take the top spot with as
low as a three-way share of second –
provided Hovland isn’t the winner.

“It would be huge,” Morikawa said. “It
would be definitely a part of my career I
would remember but I want to stay there
as well.

“Anyone would love to get there and
everyone would see the satisfaction in the
work and everything you have put in. But
whether I get there next week or whether I
get there whenever or whether I don’t get
there, the work is not going to stop
because I feel I can still get better.”

EPL PREVIEWS & FIXTURES █ JONATHAN VEAL 15theSUN ON FRIDAY | MARCH 18, 2022
* SPORTS
MATCH-BY-MATCH FACTS and stats ahead ANTONIO CONTE has told Harry
of the 30th round of the English Premier Kane he can fulfil his goalscoring Hail king Harry
League (all in Malaysian time). ambitions in his Tottenham team
after the England captain entered Kane can break more records atTottenham, says Conte
TOMORROW the Premier League record books.
Cristian Romero put Spurs ahead in the West Ham.
WOLVES vs LEEDS (4am) Kane’s second half strike in the 2-0 win at first half as Conte’s men restated their position “They have the same target and we are
Leeds snapped an eight-game streak without a Brighton saw him become the record away in the top-four race.
League win with a 2-1 victory over Norwich City goalscorer with 95 while also overtaking Frank talking about a team that in the last season
on Sunday. Wolves have won three of their five Lampard to go fifth in the overall list with 178. They are now three points behind Arsenal, they arrived before us, they are playing Europa
Premier League meetings with Leeds. (L1 D1). who have a game in hand, while Spurs host League.
Spanish striker Rodrigo earned Leeds a 1-1 The 28-year-old, whose future is sure to be West Ham on Sunday (Monday 12.30
home draw with Wolves when the teams met in the spotlight at the end of the season, has Malaysian time). “To get three points on Sunday will be very
earlier this season as he scored a stoppage-time said Alan Shearer’s record of 260 goals is in his important to continue to have a hope to reach
penalty to cancel out Hwang Hee-chan’s early sights and Conte says he can help him “The win means we are improving and we fourth place.”
opener. overhaul it if he stays at Spurs. are trying to go in another step to try to be very
ASTONVILLA vs ARSENAL (8.30pm) close to the top of the table,” Conte said. In contrast Brighton are in freefall, having
Arsenal had won five League games in a row “We are very happy because Harry is lost their last six games.
before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool yester- scoring a lot. He started this season and he “It is right to have ambition and I put
day. Villa did the double over the Gunners in the struggled a bit because he didn’t score a lot,” ambition to my players because it is important Boss Graham Potter says the international
Premier League last season but suffered a 3-1 the Italian said. to have a target, a difficult target for sure break has come at a good time for his team.
defeat at the Emirates when the teams met ear- because to reach the fourth place is not
lier this season. “Now we are very happy because as a simple, it will be very difficult. “We need the time to reset it has been a
manager I know that I have a world-class tough few weeks, sometimes as human beings
SUNDAY striker that in every game he can score. “At this moment we are ready to fight for in that moment little things don’t go your way
every game, then sometimes it can happen and you are not quite on the front foot as you
LEICESTER vs BRENTFORD (10pm) “To have Harry in your team makes you that we lose the game like at United where we would be,” he said.
Brentford are winless in their last nine meetings stronger. Harry is starting to understand with didn’t deserve to lose.
with Leicester in all competitions (D1 L8) since a this team, with the way we are playing, he has “You have to credit the opponent, they
3-2 win in the second tier in March 1953. every game many chances to improve his “We are showing great improvement and played well today and they have got top, top
Brentford have won their last two League record and score and to enjoy. this is good for the present and the future. On players. The quality difference was there. We
games to end an eight-game winless run but Sunday we will have a crucial game against just weren’t good enough on the night.” – The
suffered a 2-1 defeat at home when the teams “I am seeing that he is enjoying to play with Independent
met earlier this season. us together and with his teammates and with Jordan Hugill scores Cardiff
this way we are playing.” City’s second goal during Klopp claims
MONDAY yesterday’s Championship Reds strongest
ever in his
TOTTENHAM vsWEST HAM (12.30am) match against Stoke City at Anfield reign
Of the 51 Premier League meetings between the the Cardiff City Stadium.
pair, 10 have ended in a draw, with West Ham – WALESONLINEPIX
winning 17 and Spurs taking 24. The Hammers
avoided defeat in both Premier League games █ HARRY LATHAM-COYLE
against Tottenham last season (W1 D1) and JURGEN KLOPP has described the current
won their meeting this season – the first time Liverpool squad as the strongest that he has
they have gone three League games without a worked with since taking charge of the club.
loss against their London rivals since May 2006.
Spurs have lost two of their last three home Klopp arrived at Anfield in 2015 and has
games in the League. since guided his side to both Premier
League and Champions League triumphs.
Reuters
The German again finds his team
RESULTS & STANDINGS fighting on several fronts in several
competitions, with Liverpool already lifting
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (Last 16, 2nd leg): Cardiff continue impressive run the Carabao Cup this season.
Juventus 0 Villarreal 3 (Moreno 78-pen, Torres
85, Danjuma 90+2-pen) – Villarreal win 4-1 on Forward Luis Diaz was recruited in
agg; Lille 1 (Yilmaz 38-pen) Chelsea 2 (Pulisic January to further bolster a fearsome
45+3, Azpilicueta 71) – Chelsea win 4-1 on attacking unit on Merseyside.
agg.
And after the Colombian’s arrival and the
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal 0 CARDIFF CITY continued their recent “We didn’t deserve to be 1-0 down but in return club action for several players, Klopp
Liverpool 2 (Jota 54, Firmino 62), Brighton 0 improvement with a 2-1 victory that the end we got our rewards,” Cardiff City believes that this is now the best squad he
Tottenham 2 (Romero 37, Kane 57). extended Stoke’s winless run. manager Steve Morison told BBC Sport has managed at the club – and the one that
Wales. they “always wanted to have”.
P W D L F A Pts Stoke took the lead with their first
Man City 29 22 4 3 68 18 70 opportunity as Lewis Baker curled the ball “Anyone who wants to question the “Of course, it is,” Klopp said to Sky Sports
Liverpool 29 21 6 2 75 20 69 beyond Alex Smith from distance. players’ attitude, application – that kind of when asked if it is the strongest squad that
Chelsea 28 17 8 3 57 19 59 performance puts that to completely to the 54-year-old had ever had.
Arsenal 27 16 3 8 43 31 51 The hosts equalised before the break bed.
Man Utd 29 14 8 7 48 40 50 when Tommy Doyle showed composure to “Funnily enough, apart from Luis, it is the
West Ham 29 14 6 9 48 36 48 slide the ball under Jack Bonham. “When we started this whole process same squad that we had when we started
Tottenham 28 15 3 10 44 35 48 (Morison’s first game in charge at Stoke), we the season.
Wolves 29 14 4 11 29 23 46 Cardiff scored the decisive third goal were in bottom three and they were in the
Aston Villa 28 11 3 14 41 39 36 when Jordan Hugill curled home from playoffs. We now level with each other on “We had this strong squad, they were
Southampton 29 8 11 10 36 45 35 outside the penalty area after Taylor points. just unavailable. Now they are available.
Crystal Palace 29 7 13 9 39 38 34 Harwood-Bellis lost possession. That makes it the squad that we always
Leicester 26 9 6 11 40 45 33 “I really am as pleased and proud as wanted to have.”
Brighton 29 7 12 10 26 36 33 The victory sees Cardiff move level on punch. It has been a really tough seven
Newcastle 28 7 10 11 32 48 31 points with Stoke as they stay in 17th, a weeks, but it ended so well and I’m really Mohamed Salah has again been a key
Brentford 29 8 6 15 32 45 30 place below the Potters and a point below pleased.” – Agencies part of Klopp’s side, showing close to career
rivals Swansea, who are 15th. best form and becoming the second fastest
player in club history to reach 150 goals in
Leeds 29 6 8 15 31 65 26 Carra, Neville agree on favourites for EPL title all competitions.
Everton 26 6 4 16 28 47 22
Watford 29 6 4 19 29 55 22 The Egyptian is currently negotiating
Burnley 27 3 12 12 22 38 21 over a new deal with Liverpool, but has
Norwich 29 4 5 20 18 63 17 JAMIE CARRAGHER and Gary Neville believe because these teams are so good now, just reportedly reached a stalemate over his
Liverpool have edged ahead of Manchester drawing a game – it feels like a defeat now. It wage demands.
CHAMPIONSHIP: Blackpool 0 Sheffield Utd City in the race for the Premier League title does feel like that.”
0, Cardiff 2 Stoke 1, Coventry 0 Hull 2, Luton 4 after yesterday’s win at Arsenal. Salah’s contract does not expire until the
Preston 0, Millwall 2 Huddersfield 0, Neville has consistently backed City to summer of 2023 but if he is unwilling to
Nottingham Forest 3 QPR 1, Peterborough 2 Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were 11 points behind defend their crown but following the draw at sign a new deal Liverpool may attempt to
Swansea 3. the defending champions at one stage, but Crystal Palace on Monday evening now makes sell him this year, while the depth of the
following the victory at the Emirates now sit Liverpool favourites to do it. squad means players on the periphery may
TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts just one shy of Pep Guardiola’s side with nine also seek greater opportunities elsewhere.
Fulham 37 23 8 6 90 32 77 games to go. “Now, they might not win it, because
Bournemouth 35 19 9 7 56 31 66 they’re actually playing up against a Klopp admits that it may not be possible
Huddersfield 38 17 12 9 51 40 63 “It is 50-50, if you like, because of the ridiculously good team in Manchester City, to keep everyone.
Blackburn 38 17 10 11 49 38 61 situation with the game being at the Etihad,” but the hallmarks are there, the form’s there,
Luton 37 17 9 11 53 41 60 Carragher told Sky Sports. “But this is the first the patterns are there, and if you’re Liverpool “It is unlikely with the size of the squad
QPR 37 17 8 12 53 45 59 time I have ever thought Liverpool would win you’re really, really confident going into these that we now stay exactly like this together,”
the title. last nine games. I’m not saying City aren’t, but the German continued.
BUNDESLIGA: Mainz 0 Borussia Dortmund 1. if you’re Liverpool you’re confident,” he said. –
“Man City are not in bad form, losing lots The Independent “For sure, some of the players do not
of games and dropping lots of points. But play often enough for their own
understanding and we will see what will
come in the summer and find solutions for
those situations.

“But the core of the group has to stay
together. There is no doubt about that.” –
The Independent

FRIDAY • MARCH 18, 2022 QUOTE OF THE DAY

Touche We are very happy because Harry is
scoring a lot. He started this season and
he struggled a bit because he didn’t score a lot. Now
we are very happy because as a manager I know
that I have a world-class striker that in every game
he can score.”

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte

Tuchel
Chelsea boss focused on on-field success as Blues advance in Champions League

█ NICK PUREWAL have the national break, and then I’ll The German coach saluted greatest of football stresses. against Lille back in December 2019.
think about a good answer. Chelsea’s travelling supporters with a Tuchel is hopeful his side will have
THOMAS TUCHEL had to fight fist pump and a slap of his chest. “I want us to be the team nobody
“The fans are outside right now and the fear factor in the quarterfinal draw, wants to play,” Tuchel said. “That’s the
to protect his buoyant mood it was brilliant to be with Chelsea’s sale and Abramovich’s which takes place today. role we want to see ourselves in this last
after seeing Chelsea reach the them.” sanctions might have destabilised eight.
Champions League The head coach also heaped praise “(Azpilicueta) is maybe the perfect
quarterfinals when told of potential Tuchel appeared as matters at the west London club, on skipper Azpilicueta, whose last example to describe a person as a
future fan absences facing the Blues. emotional and proud but Tuchel and his team Champions League leader. He is doing it in good times and
Christian Pulisic and Cesar as he has been in his continue to impress under the goal also came bad times, if he is a regular starter or
time as Chelsea boss,
Azpilicueta netted to send the even including the not.
defending champions into the Champions “If he is playing a wing-back, which
Champions League last eight with a 4-1 League and is maybe not his best position, he is
aggregate win over Lille. Club World there. We do not need extra, extra at the
Burak Yilmaz fired a penalty for Lille Cup final moment; we just need reliable
at a raucous Stade Pierre Mauroy but victories. teamwork and reliable spirit.
Chelsea hit back to power through after “I don’t know if Azpi is talking to the
a 2-1 victory on the night in France. FROM LEFT: Chelsea players; I just know he is doing what he
Roman Abramovich’s UK and now head coach Thomas normally does.”
EU sanctions amid Russia’s invasion of Tuchel, Cesar The build-up to the tie was
Ukraine continue to bite hard for the Azpilicueta and Thiago dominated by the club requesting
Blues, who cannot sell any new tickets Silva celebrate after that home supporters also be
to supporters. winning the blocked from attending the
Now UEFA expect Chelsea will Champions League Riverside, after
not be able to have any fans at round of 16 second leg restrictions imposed
future Champions League match against Lille at following the
matches while Abramovich is the Pierre Mauroy sanctioning of owner
the club’s owner. Stadium yesterday. – Roman Abramovich
Chelsea’s sale continues to AFPPIX rendered them
move apace, and the Stamford unable to sell any
Bridge club could even have a tickets beyond the
new owner by the 600 already sold
Champions League’s April from their away
quarterfinals. allocation.
A new face in the owner’s The Blues
seat would alleviate the subsequently
threat of behind-closed- withdrew the
doors matches, but Tuchel request, which had
was in no mood to speculate been met with
after Chelsea’s win in France. widespread ridicule
When asked about the and opposition, with
prospect of playing without Tuchel also welcoming
fans, Tuchel replied: “Thanks that decision.
for ruining my evening! “We love to play in front of
“I was in such a good mood, spectators and I don’t think
can we speak about it when it’s the spectators of our
confirmed? Let’s wait for the opponents should suffer
confirmation of the confirmation. from the consequences,” he
“Let’s see, today I’m happy that we added. “We love to play in
are in the last eight. There were a lot of front of spectators.
things to overcome, so I’m so happy “Me and the team
and so proud. So let’s see. It’s the first were not involved in this
thing I hear now. decision. We were happy
“In three days we play it was withdrawn.” – The
Middlesbrough in the Cup, then we Independent/Agencies

Klopp cautious of relying too much on momentum

█ MARK MANN-BRYANS “Momentum is the most fragile flower on the Carabao Cup, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was less but thank you so much to the Premier League for
JURGEN KLOPP saw his Liverpool side win at planet,” he said. happy. putting the fixtures like this. Very, very helpful.”
Arsenal to record a ninth consecutive Premier
League victory and close to within a point of “If someone walks on it, then you have to The Gunners must now look to bounce back The Gunners will be aiming to regain the sort
leaders Manchester City – but admits any sort of work to get the momentum back and just get from a setback to their own recent good form of form which has seen them compete for a
momentum can be lost in an instant. through it. which has seen them become favourites for a return to the Champions League, but for
top-four finish. Liverpool Klopp is keen to not put any focus on
Second half goals from Diogo Jota and “A rhythm is good but a rhythm is playing City ahead of their showdown meeting.
Roberto Firmino were enough to secure a 2-0 win every four days, three days, it is a rhythm but it is They travel to face Aston Villa in tomorrow’s
at the Emirates Stadium as Liverpool took full an intense one, we are not complaining, we want early kickoff (8.30pm Malaysian time), a sequence “I really don’t think a lot about City, that is the
advantage of City’s goalless draw away to Crystal to be in all competitions. It is fine but the which is repeated next month when they face truth,” he added.
Palace 48 hours earlier. opponents are all quality and they are really Chelsea on Wednesday, April 20 and host
different. Manchester United at 8:30pm just three days “The last few years, we have pushed each
Just a single point separates the title later. other to insane levels. It makes each game
protagonists, who meet at the Etihad Stadium on “We constantly travel, we go here, we go harder, you can enjoy that but you need to be
April 10 in a fixture that will go a long way to there. I don’t complain, we don’t complain, it is “Thank you so much to the Premier League to ready for the intensity.
deciding who lifts the trophy at the end of just how it us. You wake up in a different hotel do that,” said Arteta, who confirmed the club had
another enthralling race. and someone tells you where the restaurant is raised the issue with the Premier League. “I don’t think it is a problem for a human
and you try and remember the number of your being every three days to be focused on what
While Liverpool are now the division’s in-form room.” “And they’ve done it again when we have to you do, but then comes in the physical part.
team, Klopp is cautious about putting too much play Chelsea and Manchester United. So if they
faith in momentum leading the charge to a While Klopp would not complain about the want to give them any advantage, I say to them “We play City in three or four weeks and we
second championship in three years. amount of fixtures Liverpool face as they today: ‘Thank you so much for doing that’. will give them a proper fight then but apart from
compete for the Premier League, Champions that we are in a good moment, in a good mood
League and FA Cup, having already won the “Don’t worry the players on Saturday they will but we know the only way we can do it is to dig
be there, with energy. They will eat, sleep well, really deep.” – The Independent

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