KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar has called on media practitioners to shed light on the atrocities in Gaza and hold those responsible accountable in the escalating violence and civilian suffering. “The media’s role in reporting war and conflict to the public is crucial as it provides accurate, timely information and responsible coverage. “This role is critical and serves as an important information source for the public, holding parties accountable and raising awareness and understanding, and shedding light on human rights abuses, war crimes and violation of international law,” he said during the media discourse Wacana Pengamal Media: Solidariti Palestin on Tuesday. He also mentioned that the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 23 journalists who were reporting on the ongoing war. “The discourse we are having today is to call for journalists to be fair and just in reporting what is happening.” Mohd Na’im said the media should always promote understanding of the issues at hand by documenting and publicising violations of international law and human rights. “It can contribute to justice and efforts to prevent future atrocities.” He said people have come together to participate in rallies, demonstrations and protests, uniting in solidarity with Gaza and demanding an oMedia should shed light on atrocities in Gaza, says minister █ BY QALIF ZUHAIR [emailprotected] ‘Uphold truth, report facts’ INSIDE TELLING IT AS IT IS ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 26, 2023 No. 8380 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my MAJESTIC GESTURE ... Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, accompanied by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, planting a Sepang tree in the garden of Istana Negara to mark the Sultan’s chairing of the 262nd Conference of Rulers. – BERNAMAPIC Govt depts told to entertain only letters written in Bahasa CYBERJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday reminded all government departments not to entertain any letters written in a language other than the national language. In his speech at the opening of the National Language Decade carnival and National Reading Decade, Anwar said he noted that there is a tendency by some parties to deny the fundamentals of the Federal Constitution, which requires them to communicate with government departments in the national language. “So, I would like to give a reminder (to all government departments), that if they receive a letter from local companies or public and private universities in a language other than the national language, just return it to the sender. “The empowerment of culture, language and literature is an integral part of nation-building, so let us not underestimate it. “I hope this reminder is duly noted. The directive is clear, and Public Service DirectorGeneral Datuk Dr Zulkapli Mohamed is also here ... that we shall not entertain any letters written in a language other than the national language.” Anwar said such an action would not make Malaysia narrow-minded because the government does not undermine the importance of English proficiency, Bernama reported. “This does not make us narrow-minded because I often remind my friends that I would not have been invited to teach at Georgetown University in Washington DC if I had not mastered the English language. I never underestimate it (the importance of English proficiency).” On another note, Anwar said the love and the culture of reading should be instilled in children at a young age so that it will develop as a passion, and not merely to pass an examination. “I hope the reading culture would be revived because as soon as we can read, analyse and understand, Insya-Allah, we can master indepth knowledge in all fields. Otherwise, we will just become shallow intellectuals,” he said. Article 152 of the Federal Constitution states that the Malay language, or Bahasa Melayu, is the national language. accurate reporting, people will be misled. “If the media does not take action, the public won’t know the truth so they could not act upon the truth.” He urged media partners to rectify inaccuracies and offer a platform for the dissemination of facts. “I urge all members of the press to expose any appalling facts and to use every platform available to you to shed light on the aggression, injustice and inhumane acts upon the Palestinian people.” end to the violence. “Empathy of what is happening in Gaza is a powerful force that can contribute to international efforts to address the challenges and conflicts in the region.” He also said journalists must uphold the truth and facts, as misinformation can lead to public misunderstanding and misguided actions. “In the context of upholding the truth and facts, it needs to be highlighted. But without proper Turn to — page 2 Report on — page 2 In the soup over food labelling offences 4 page Shelter home gets much-needed upgrade 3 page
2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME Johor Sultan chairs Rulers Conference KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar chaired the 262nd meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara yesterday. The meeting was last held on Feb 22 and 23, presided by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. Before chairing the meeting, Sultan Ibrahim took the salute at a grand guard of honour mounted by officers and men of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment at the main square of the palace. He then planted a Sepang tree in the garden of Istana Negara as a symbol of his chairing of the meeting. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong AloSultan Ibrahim also plants tree at palace garden in inaugural ceremony mooted by King to mark occasion Shorter time for citizenship application PUTRAJAYA: The citizenship application security vetting period has been reduced from 73 days to 14 days through the integrated security vetting system launched by the National Registration Department (NRD) yesterday. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said with the implementation of the system developed by the NRD in collaboration with the police, the processing time for an application is more efficient. “Before this, citizenship application documents received by the NRD would be submitted to the police physically (printed), but with this system, the documents will be submitted online,” he said after officiating the department’s 75th anniversary celebration yesterday. He said the system will automatically reject an application if it finds that an applicant is involved with an organisation considered dangerous and a threat to public order, or he had overstayed. Saifuddin Nasution added that the Cabinet will finalise the establishment of a single agency to regulate the country’s borders soon. “The decision of who will be involved in the single border agency will be made by the prime minister and the Cabinet. “Security and national border control in any country in the world is an important aspect and there are several security agencies under the Home Ministry.” – Bernama Saifuddin with siblings Woon Thiam Po, Woon Huei Min and Woon Xiao Ming, who received their citizenship certificates at the event yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin AlMustafa Billah Shah accompanied Sultan Ibrahim at the tree-planting ceremony. The grand guard of honour and the tree-planting initiatives were mooted by Al-Sultan Abdullah and had never been done before he was appointed as Malaysia’s 16th Yang diPertuan Agong. The grand guard of honour was first mounted at the 254th edition of the meeting, while the tree-planting initiative was introduced at the 255th meeting. Among those who attended the 262nd meeting, being held over two days from yesterday, were the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. Pahang was represented by Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah, Perlis by Regent Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and Kelantan by Tengku Mahkota Tengku Dr Muhammad Faiz Petra. Also present were Penang Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, Malacca Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Sarawak State Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar. At the meeting, the Malay rulers were accompanied by their respective menteris besar, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri were accompanied by chief ministers and the Sarawak Speaker was accompanied by the state’s Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. Apart from the 262nd meeting, the Malay rulers are also scheduled to attend the 263rd Meeting (Special) of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Friday to deliberate on matters concerning the election of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. – Bernama I will not be swayed by threats over Palestine support: PM KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has revealed that he received multiple “threats” from western countries following Malaysia’s firm stand, support and commitment in defending the rights of the Palestinian people as well as criticism against the Israeli government. He said as long as he is given the mandate and trust by the people, as the head of the government, he will not succumb to or be intimidated by such threats. He added that as a sovereign nation, Malaysia will remain independent and continue to defend the country’s freedom as well as advocate the freedom of the Palestinian people. “I have received numerous threats. I told them you have chosen the wrong person. As long as I have the trust of the people, I will not succumb to such threats. “We will continue to fight,” he said during his speech at the Malaysia Stands with Palestine Rally held at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday night. Anwar also criticised the United States’ biased stance condemning Russia regarding the Ukraine issue but supporting Israel in the Palestinian invasion. He pointed out that Israel’s arrogance, fuelled by support from the United States and Europe, led to horrific acts such as intentional killing of infants during attacks on hospitals and schools. “It is a level of insanity to allow people to be butchered, babies to be killed, hospitals to be bombed and schools to be destroyed. These are acts of barbarism. We observe that when Israel invades Palestine, there is silence. What kind of justice is this? It’s the law of the jungle.” He also conveyed the deep appreciation expressed by Arab nations such as Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt for Malaysia’s efforts to address the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Anwar said most Islamic leaders whom he had recently met, acknowledged the difficulty in resolving the Palestinian conflict. “Their future (Palestinians) is very bleak, with a potential that the Israeli army will continue to invade Gaza. The situation has been extremely grim in recent weeks, with a significant number of casualties caused by Israeli forces. “We have faith in Allah’s help, but what’s crucial is that we must continue to provide encouragement and support for the freedom of the Palestinian people,” he said to chants of “Long Live Palestine” and “Free Palestine”. – Bernama Enhanced security for Anwar KUALA LUMPUR: Police have given an assurance that security for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be increased following his disclosure regarding numerous threats he received due to his outspoken advocacy for Palestine. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police will not compromise on this. “The security of the premier is our top priority,” he said in response to Anwar’s disclosure that he had received multiple threats from Western countries, Bernama reported. Razarudin said most of the threats may be related to economic issues. Govt to meet TikTok over Gaza content KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications and Digital Ministry is meeting TikTok’s parent company today over alleged content restriction involving the Palestine-Israel conflict. Its minister Fahmi Fadzil said the meeting will be held between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the company. “TikTok has started to get cuak (nervous) because we will be meeting with their parent company,” he said after attending the Malaysia Stands with Palestine Rally on Tuesday. Fahmi was asked about the government’s actions regarding claims from social media users that the content they created containing words like “Hamas” and several other words were automatically taken down by the social media company. – Bernama Local media should report responsibly: MP He urged journalists to extend their role beyond mere narration, and act as the best version of themselves. “To stay silent and remain neutral in the face of injustice and oppression is not a virtuous act. The role of journalists extends beyond narration. “People who know the truth will act in accordance with what has been reported in the news,” he said. Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee Chuan How said everyone, including the media, must strive to understand the historical context of the current crisis in Palestine. “The bombardment, as seen in the recent attacks, raises concerns of crimes against humanity and war crimes, especially under Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.” He said should an all-out invasion happen, it can result in more dispossession, an annihilation of what is the remainder of hope, and hopelessness will breed radicalisation, which will increase acts of violence. He said the call to action is clear, and the international community must recognise the truth behind the escalating conflict and actively work towards a path of reconciliation and peace. Lee said local media practitioners must report responsibly, understanding the nuances behind the conflict and promote peace above all else. “I invite all news reports to end on a path of reconciliation, and peace should be the ultimate aim. Media practitioners must report responsibly by seeing the truth behind the issue.” Apart from Lee, the other speakers at the discourse were Shahool Hameed, a Palestinian activist, Zairul Zainal Abidin, an adviser to multiple charity organisations and Dr Muslim Imran, a Palestinian and a founding director of Asia Middle East Centre for Research and Dialogue. From front page
3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 Firm sponsors RM40,000 upgrade for shelter home Move to safeguard fishery resources KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has prepared an action plan to ensure the supply of protein resources is safeguarded and guaranteed. Its deputy minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the move includes increasing the preservation of fishery resources and habitat conservation by placing artificial reefs in the notrawl zone to avoid habitat destruction and increase fishery biomass. He said efforts were also taken to increase resources through aquaculture activities, by focusing on high-productivity and potential aquaculture species, such as white shrimp, seaweed and co*ckles. “Developing the fisheries and aquaculture economic community by providing financial facilities, tax incentives and facility assistance for investors, fishermen and breeders will increase competitiveness and the ability to produce at an optimal rate,” he said. He was responding to a question from Dr Ahmad Fakhruddin Fakhrurazi (PNKuala Kedah) on a sustainable strategy to increase the income of inland fishermen, during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Meanwhile, the ministry has established a strategic partnership with private companies to develop agricultural technology as an initiative to promote smartfarming models in the country’s agricultural industry. Chan said the collaboration involved FGV Integrated Farming Sdn Bhd in the Large-Scale SMART Padi Field programme to implement the Beras Wangi Fortified Field initiative. He added that this initiative is related to the use of microbes and soil conditioners to enhance soil fertility, which will directly increase yields, especially in lowyield areas. “To support this effort, (the ministry) also helps provide sufficient information and requirements about the necessary soil treatment as well as hyperspectral imaging in controlling pests and diseases with various items of equipment,” he said in response to a question from Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) on the ministry’s initiative in promoting smart agriculture models. – Bernama RM2m used for Sungai Buloh development projects KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 37 development projects have been implemented in the Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency this year through an allocation under the People-Friendly Projects. Sungai Buloh MP Datuk R. Ramanan said of the number, six projects are aimed at upgrading public utilities, eight for upgrading and building mosques and surau, four for upgrading non-Muslim places of worship, 12 for upgrading and building national schools, five for upgrading and building secondary schools and two for upgrading and building vernacular schools. “Thanks to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the allocation under (the project) for all government MPs. The RM2 million allocation can be used for the development of their respective constituencies. “The Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency has successfully utilised the RM2 million allocated under the monitoring of the Selangor State Development Coordination Unit,” he said when debating Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday. Ramanan added that efforts to bridge the existing poverty gap in Malaysia require the commitment of all stakeholders. “The cooperation of all stakeholders, right up to members of Parliament, is needed and their involvement in their respective constituencies is needed to end the vicious cycle of poverty.” Ramanan added that all these cannot happen in the blink of an eye but must go through a time frame, with the commitment of everyone contributing towards the community as a reflection of the Malaysia Madani concept. He stressed that the aspect of education is the main key to strengthening a civilisation and achieving the set objective. Therefore in the Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency, there are continuous efforts to encourage the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies among students. Ramanan hoped the initiative will one day bear fruit and the Sungai Buloh constituency can assist the nation in competing with organisations like Tesla. – Bernama Volunteers working on the improvements at the home. PETALING JAYA: Radium Development Bhd recently sponsored RM40,000 worth of improvements to enhance living conditions at the Shelter Home for Children in Taman Overseas Union Garden. Its group managing director Datuk Gary K.S. Gan said the initiative reflects his company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its dedication to creating a positive impact in the community. “The upgrading works cost about RM40,000. A total of 15 volunteers took about a month to complete the work, which involved levelling and installing a concrete floor in the 1,200sq ft car porch area and repairing ground floor window grilles. “We also added new mosquito netting, installed new door frames for the indoor kitchen and sink area, and a lockable grille door at the outdoor kitchen, where cooking is done. “Besides this, we also patched a section of an interior wall that was previously exposed brick,” he said. Gan added that the CSR initiative aligned with Radium’s “Building Good” policy, which goes beyond the construction of physical structures to improve lives. He said Radium first engaged with the organisation in February and donated money and two sofas. “After visiting the home, we realised that there was more that we could do to assist the young residents there. “We wanted to help make a more comfortable living space at the shelter so the children could have a more conducive environment to focus on their studies and personal wellbeing.” Gan said the company enlisted the expertise of its business associates, Evermix Concrete Sdn Bhd and MCF Sdn Bhd, to help with the home’s upgrade. As a homegrown business, the company recognises that it has the potential and responsibility to better society. “Through our CSR efforts, we hope to play an active role in creating a better world for our future generations.” As its next outreach effort, Gan said Radium will support Zoo Negara in animal conservation. Shelter Home for Children general manager Chris Fan said the home was established in 1981 to provide a haven for abused and neglected children. “We help them to overcome their initial trauma and restore their selfesteem, dignity and trust in people by offering them unconditional love, care and education. “This will help them become responsible members of society. As a charitable organisation, we are dependent on public goodwill to support our mission. “We are grateful for corporate partners such as Radium, whose kindness and generosity allowed us to create a more comfortable space for the children in our care,” Fan said. He added that the home welcomes donations no matter how small and is keen to partner with corporations and other entities for the betterment of its children. For those looking for more information on Shelter Home for Children and to offer financial and other assistance, they can visit www.shelterhome.org/index.cfm oMove aimed at providing comfortable space for children to focus on studies and personal well-being, says MD Plan to have tourism offices nationwide THE TOURISM, Arts and Culture Ministry is in the process of obtaining staffing approval from the Public Service Department and allocations to open Tourism Malaysia (TM) branch offices in all states. Its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the opening of the TM offices was crucial in the interest of domestic and international tourism as they played a role in promoting tourism destinations in the respective states. “However, the opening of the state TM offices is subject to the government’s decision and the additional allocations involved for that purpose,” he said during a question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. – Bernama █ BY JOSHUA PURUSHOTMAN [emailprotected] Initiative to boost village communities A TOTAL of 199 villages nationwide have been included in the Desa Lestari programme under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry through the Rural Development Policy 2030. Its deputy minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the programme’s implementation, which uses the concept of cooperatives in village development, has succeeded in increasing the involvement of the village community in the agricultural and business sectors. “This programme has a positive impact. The Migration Survey 2022 conducted by the Statistics Department shows the trend of internal migration involving rural to urban areas reduced to 2.4% last year, compared with 3.8% in 2020,” she said this in reply to an additional question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai), who wanted to know the extent of the Desa Lestari programme and the number of villages that achieved the goal in an effort to reduce migration to the city. – Bernama
4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME Contact theSun's Advertising & Marketing team to book your advertising space. 03-7784 6688 [emailprotected] Christmas Christmas Special Advertise with us on Christmas Special on Dec 15, 2023 PUBLICATION DATE 15 DECEMBER, 2023 (Friday) BOOKING DEADLINE 1 DECEMBER, 2023 (Friday) When the time comes for you to once again put up a Christmas tree in your living room and going through the family festive recipe book, don't forget to check out our Christmas Special on where, when and how to get the festive gifts, surprises and promotions for your loved ones, friends and associates. Paying the price for labelling offences PETALING JAYA: From 2021 to July this year, a total of 718 compound notices were issued to companies found selling food that failed to comply with labelling requirements, said Health Ministry Food and Safety Quality Division senior director Norrani Eksan. “Food manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that all their products comply with the standards and regulations under the Food Act 1983 and the Food Regulations 1985. “Failure to comply with any of the provisions can be subject to a fine of not more than RM10,000 or a jail term not exceeding two years,” she said. However, Norrani added that imported food products that do not comply with labelling regulations could undergo a relabelling procedure with the director’s approval. The imported food products must be re-exported to the country of origin or any other country if the product is not approved to be relabelled. Companies that fail to comply must dispose of their products. oViolators liable to fine of up to RM10,000 or jail term not exceeding two years: Ministry █ BY ALLEN WONG [emailprotected] She said the division received 107 applications for relabelling approval in 2021, 192 in 2022 and 174 as of September this year. “After thoroughly inspecting the imported food products, 113 labels in 2021, 796 in 2022 and 695 as of September this year have been approved for relabelling.” Norrani said the Food Safety and Quality Division is consistently monitoring food sold in the market and imported food at entry points to ensure they comply with legislations, including labelling. She said monitoring and enforcement activities of food labels are carried out at the country’s entry points and retail outlets in domestic markets, adding that this is done through routine inspections and special enforcement operations. Routine inspection is conducted to ensure compliance with the Food Act 1983 and its regulations. “The labels of imported foods are examined using a risk-based criterion. Items are frequently selected based on past non-compliance, such as language and format used. “Besides routine inspections, special operations to check on labels are carried out during festive seasons when a higher number of food products are imported.” Norrani said themed operations such as Ops Label, Ops Akuan Kesihatan and Ops Minuman Alkohol are also carried out to ensure compliance with food label requirements. The division also provides voluntary advisory and screening services for the food industry on their labels. “These services are provided to assist food manufacturers to comply with all related provisions prescribed under the Food Act 1983 and its regulations.” She said consumers can also do their part if they have any concerns regarding labelling of food products. “Consumers can contact any district health office or the nearest state health department to report their suspicions. “They also have the option to file a complaint through the division’s official website, which contains information about the labelling requirements. “The official website recorded a total of 130 complaints regarding food labelling from January to September.” Norrani said the public should read the food label before buying and consuming products. “The label provides important information about nutritional content, ingredients and allergens in food products, which can help shoppers make healthier and safer choices.” New expressway to open on Nov 1 KUALA LUMPUR: The Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE) is expected to be officially open to the public on Nov 1. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the expressway is 99% complete, but final preparations are under way for facilities such as public restrooms, street lighting involving electrical supply and toll collection systems. “I understand the concerns of road users who are requesting the SPE to be opened as soon as possible to help reduce traffic congestion issues in certain areas in Kuala Lumpur,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday. Nanta said the ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority will not compromise on the safety of road users. He added that the ministry has directed concession companies to ensure that every specification and facility along this route are fully completed and up to standard. This is aligned with the MyJalan campaign, which focuses on ensuring road users’ comfort. According to the Duke highway website, the SPE is a 29.8km dual-two carriageway that spans from north to south Kuala Lumpur. It covers areas such as Wangsa Maju, Setiawangsa, Ampang, the Tun Razak Exchange and Bandar Malaysia development corridor. – Bernama Trader fulfils umrah dream with bike ride KUALA LUMPUR: After travelling 18,000km for 108 days riding a Yamaha FZ150 motorcycle, Zulkepli Mo’minin’s dream to set foot in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and perform the umrah pilgrimage finally came true. Zulkepli, 55, a tasbih (prayer beads) trader, who arrived in Mecca on Oct 23, began his solo journey on July 8 from Gombak, Selangor. He had to travel across 11 countries, including Thailand, Laos, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He said an unforgettable event was when he had to stay in Iran for more than a month, deviating from the original plan of 11 days, due to documentation problems to enter Iraq, especially at Shalamche at the Iran-Iraq border. Zulkepli said Iraq was the third-last destination along his route, before arriving in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He did not expect that such a bad situation would occur, as it only was only 100km to transit Iraq from Shalamche to Safwan at the Iraq-Kuwait border. “Before starting the expedition, I learnt from travellers who had been to Iraq that if one has a transit visa with no overnight stay in the country, one would face no problem entering Iraq. “However, the opposite happened at Shalamche as the Iraqi officials did not allow me to enter. I had to turn back to the city of Khorramshahr, which is 20km from Shalamche, to spend the night.” Zulkepli said he had to temporarily leave his motorcycle and take a flight from the city of Ahvaz to Tehran, which is 900km away, to apply for a visa physically from the Iraqi Embassy. “To cut a long story short, the Iraqi Embassy finally approved my visa application after 15 days in Tehran.” Zulkepli also faced another challenge when he had to ride 450km through a rocky path in one of the mountains in Kyrgyzstan, Bernama reported. “Even though I had to go through various tests and hardships throughout the expedition, I accepted them because they were all Allah’s will, and the tests were a blessing for me.” Zulkepli said he will take a flight back home, and his motorcycle will be sent home via sea cargo. Zulkepli with his trusty motorcycle during his solo journey.
5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 Ex-Bersatu leader slapped with additional money laundering charges KUALA LUMPUR: Former Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who was previously charged with corruption in relation to the Jana Wibawa project, was again brought before the Sessions Court yesterday on 18 counts of money laundering involving RM5.59 million last year. Wan Saiful, 48, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before Judge Suzana Hussin. The director of WA Advisory Group Sdn Bhd is facing 13 charges of transferring proceeds from illegal activities totalling RM1.6 million and five charges of using illegal money, amounting to RM3.9 million. The offences were allegedly committed at the CIMB Bank Berhad Bukit Tunku branch between Aug 12 and Nov 13, 2022, and the charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. The section provides imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM5 million, whichever is higher. DPP Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan proposed bail of RM400,000 in one surety, which was set for Wan Saiful’s previous predicate case in the Sessions Court. She said the accused had previously been subject to additional conditions such as surrendering his passport to the court and reporting to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office every two months. “The prosecution requests that the bail and additional conditions set previously be applied and we also request that the case be transferred to Criminal Sessions Court 8, to be heard together. The predicate case is set for mention on Dec 1.” Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing Wan Saiful, said the defence does not object to the request. Suzana allowed the application for bail and additional conditions and transferred the case to Criminal Sessions Court 8 for a joint trial. On Feb 21, Wan Saiful claimed trial in the Sessions Court to two charges of soliciting and receiving bribes totalling RM6.9 million related to the Jana Wibawa project. – Bernama Rohingya woman, teenage daughters nabbed over burglary KUALA TERENGGANU: Police here have arrested a Rohingya woman and her two underage daughters for allegedly working with a syndicate to commit burglaries. State police chief Datuk Mazli Mazlan said the 33-year-old woman and her children, aged 13 and 14, were nabbed at about 7pm on Monday in Kampung Binjai, Kemaman while trying to flee in a car. Two sharp tools and an assortment of belongings believed to be loot, including jewellery, bags, cash and wristwatches were found in the car boot. “The suspect tested positive for methamphetamine. Preliminary investigations showed she has three criminal records and is also wanted for housebreaking in Johor,” he told a news conference yesterday. He said the woman used false number plates when driving around to commit housebreaking and had confessed to being involved in five burglaries in Kemaman and Johor this year. “She targeted senior citizens staying alone. Her children would attract the victim to engage in a conversation outside the house before she entered to ransack it.” Mazli added that police were tracking down other members of the housebreaking syndicate. On the case of a trader flying the Israeli flag in Bukit Payong, Marang last week, he said police had completed the investigation paper and would submit it to the state prosecutor’s office. “The case was investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for committing acts to disturb the peace and Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. “Investigations showed the suspect has five records in connection with crimes related to drugs and violence.” – Bernama Eastern Sabah waters curfew rebranded as MCO KOTA KINABALU: The move to rebrand the dusk-to-dawn curfew in eastern Sabah waters to the “Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESS Zone) Movement Control Order (MCO)” and to reduce the areas placed under the list, shows that the level of security is improving. Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) commander Datuk Victor Sanjos said the move was important to boost confidence, especially to the maritime oMove expected to boost confidence of tourists and stakeholders, says ESSCOM commander Police to dispose drugs worth RM8.8 million KUALA LUMPUR: Various types of drugs worth RM8.89 million that were seized in the capital between 2001 and 2021 will be disposed, said city police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid. He added that the disposal would be carried out by an appointed contractor in Bukit Pelanduk, Negeri Sembilan. “The process involves 2,894 investigation papers, in which trials have already been completed,” he said yesterday. “The drugs include methamphetamine weighing 36.1kg, 34.1kg of heroin, 72.2kg of cannabis, 1.5kg of ketamine and 871.57 litres of ketum water (mitragynine).” Meanwhile in Pahang, police disposed 2,388 items, comprising various types of drugs worth an estimated RM4.5 million, seized over a period of 15 years since 2008. State police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said all the drugs would be disposed by a Kualiti Alam Sdn Bhd contractor in Bukit Pelanduk. According to him, police arrested 970 individuals involved in drug-related offences in 615 operations statewide from Oct 1 to 23. – Bernama Yahaya (centre) showing the drugs to be destroyed. – BERNAMAPIC Flood evacuee numbers up in Perak IPOH: The number of flood evacuees at three temporary relief centres in the Hilir Perak and Kerian districts has increased to 245 individuals from 77 families, compared with 182 from 59 families on Tuesday. The State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat said 185 individuals from 59 families were housed at the Padang Tembak multipurpose hall, comprising residents from Lorong Kedah, Lorong Belakang Klinik, Batu 9 Simpang Tiga, Batu 7, Batu 9, Batu 10 and Lorong Sidang Osman. “A total of 41 individuals from 15 families were placed at the Teluk Intan Municipal Council hall in Langkap. They are from Kampung Kilang Kacang and Kampung Batu 9 Changkat Jong. “The SK Changkat Lobak relief centre in Kerian is accommodating 19 individuals from three families from Kampung Matang Tengah,” it said in a statement. Thunderstorms are expected at several districts, including Kinta, Kuala Kangsar, Muallim, Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak and Central Perak. The state Public Works Department said Jalan Kubu Gajah Ijok-Sumpitan in Selama was closed to all vehicles due to landslides, but Jalan Pintasan Kampung Sumpitan-Kampung Masjid can be used as an alternative route. – Bernama community, tourists and investors, that the ESS Zone is safe to carry out any activity. He said since the curfew was implemented on July 16, 2014, it has had a positive effect in ensuring security, Bernama reported. “I also believe the media can play a role in creating confidence in stakeholders that the ESS Zone is safe. If tourists come in droves, of course they will come back with investments. “The Sabah government wants to turn the east coast into an investment area, especially in POIC (Palm Oil Industrial Cluster) Lahad Datu. I believe the move will erode negative perceptions, especially in foreign countries. It is hoped that foreign countries will also remove the ESS Zone from the list of unsafe areas.” On Oct 16, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the Home Ministry, National Security Council and the Sabah government agreed to rebrand the curfew. Following the move, the ESS Zone MCO now only involves the waters up to three nautical miles in the districts of Sandakan, Semp*rna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Beluran and Kinabatangan, from 6pm to 6am, effective Oct 17. The ESS Zone was introduced on March 25, 2013 after the Lahad Datu incursion and covers 10 districts, namely Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semp*rna and Tawau. Victor said the move to remove Tawau from the list was based on the improved security. “However, we must continue this effort (of maintaining security) by joining forces with the community, as well as domestic and foreign intelligence. Then, we can study other areas and remove them from the MCO.”
6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Three-way presidential race in Indonesia China bolsters ‘patriotic education’ with new law BEIJING: China has adopted a new law strengthening so-called patriotic education, state media said, the latest step in President Xi Jinping’s drive to reassert the Communist Party’s ideology in the country’s classrooms. A crackdown on the highly lucrative world of for-profit private tutoring in 2021 was also seen as part of efforts to reassert ruling party control over the education system. The moves banned tutoring firms from hiring overseas teachers, with critics saying it was cutting off Chinese children from outside influences. The new law, which comes into effect on Jan 1 and was approved on Tuesday, will “strengthen patriotic education in the new era” and seek to impart a “patriotic spirit” in China’s youth, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. A Xinhua commentary hailing the law’s adoption by Beijing’s top lawmaking body said that education had been “facing challenges” recently. “Some people are at a loss about what is patriotism.” It attacked “the influences of some social thoughts, such as historical nihilism” – a term often employed by Beijing’s leadership to condemn accounts that run contrary to official rhetoric about the party. The law contains provisions already included in other legislation, the commentary said, including those banning “insulting the national flag and distorting or denying heroes’ deeds and spirit”. Zhao Leji, China’s top lawmaker, said the law would help the country in “forging a mighty force” to build a “strong” nation, Xinhua reported. Education has long been used by the Communist Party to boost its legitimacy in the eyes of China’s 1.4 billion people. Much of its narrative centres on its role in conquering absolute poverty and asserting China’s position in a hostile international climate. But conspicuously absent are detailed discussions of the party’s role in instigating China’s bloody Cultural Revolution and Great Famine, in which millions died. – AFP Dozens of bushfires rage through eastern Australia CANBERRA: Hundreds of firefighters battled bushfires in Australia’s eastern state of Queensland yesterday, where soaring temperatures and dry winds have fanned some of the most dangerous conditions in years. One of the worst-affected areas was the state’s Western Downs, an important fruit-growing region four hours’ drive west of Brisbane. Around 350 people spent Tuesday night in council-run evacuation centres, the fire service’s acting chief superintendent Warren Buckley said. One out-of-control fire has burnt through more than 11,000ha and has claimed four homes and one shed so far, Buckley added. “I’m not going to mince my words, it’s a dangerous fire.” Temperatures in the area reached 42°C yesterday – significantly higher than monthly averages – with Buckley describing conditions as “very uncomfortable” for firefighters. In September, the weather bureau confirmed that an El Nino weather pattern was under way, bringing soaring temperatures that risked a severe wildfire season and drought. Australia is facing its most intense bushfire season since 2019, when a series of out-of-control infernos raged across the eastern seaboard – razing swathes of forest, killing millions of animals, and blanketing cities in noxious smoke. Police found a body on Tuesday near the town of Tara, although they have not yet confirmed whether the death was related to the fires. – AFP B R I E F SCOURT STRIKES DOWN STERILISATION RULE TOKYO: Japan’s top court said yesterday that requiring transgender people to be sterilised in order to change their legal gender was unconstitutional. The claim that requiring they also undergo gender affirmation surgery is also unconstitutional will be sent back to a lower court for further deliberation, the court said. The sterilisation rule “restricts a person’s free rights not to have their bodies invaded against their will,” the Supreme Court said in a keenly awaited decision overturning its own 2019 ruling. Under rules introduced in 2004, transgender people applying to legally change their gender must forfeit reproductive capacity – effectively meaning sterilisation. – AFP HK TO CREATE NEW SECURITY LAW HONG KONG: Chief Executive John Lee said yesterday the semi-autonomous city would create its own national security law in 2024, four years after Beijing imposed sweeping legislation aimed at silencing dissent. In a policy address, he unveiled measures aimed at revitalising Hong Kong’s Covid-ravaged economy and flagging population growth, while asserting the need to protect the Chinese city from “external forces”. He said Hong Kong would “continue to safeguard national security”. “The government is pressing ahead to draw up effective legislative options and will complete the legislative exercise in 2024 to fulfil our constitutional duty.” – AFP Prabowo and Gibran greeting supporters as they arrive at the election commission headquarters in Jakarta yesterday. – REUTERSPIC JAKARTA: The candidates for next year’s Indonesian presidential election were set yesterday, with septuagenarian former special forces general Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, the president’s son, seen as the frontrunners. Nearly 205 million eligible voters can cast their ballot on Feb 14, with the winner set to succeed President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, after he completes the maximum two terms ruling Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. Three candidates – Defence Minister Prabowo, former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan – confirmed their run for the presidency before the midnight deadline. Prabowo and Jokowi’s son Gibran Rakabuming Raka were joined by supporters and a marching band in their journey to the election commission yesterday, both dressed in baby blue shirts after attending a concert by tens of thousands at a central Jakarta arena. “We ask for the blessing from all Indonesians. We are now facing a very important point in the history of Indonesia,” said Prabowo. “We are at a point where we can rise and become an Indonesia that is great and an Indonesia where the natural resources are utilised optimally for all.” The presence of Jokowi’s son on the ticket has fuelled criticism that the president is trying to create a political dynasty in the world’s third-largest democracy, an allegation he denies. Just before the registration deadline, the constitutional court – led by Jokowi’s brother-in-law – controversially ruled that candidates under 40 can run for office if they have served in a regional position. Thirty-six-year-old Gibran, who is mayor of Surakarta city, would otherwise have been ineligible to contest the vice-presidency. Several polls have put Prabowo, 72, marginally ahead of his nearest rival Ganjar. This is his third run at the top office after losing to Jokowi in the previous two elections. The incumbent defence chief, a former son-in-law of Indonesia’s late dictator Suharto, remains dogged by allegations of his role in human rights abuses in Jakarta, restive province Papua and breakaway nation East Timor, but has never been charged. Jokowi’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle has chosen Ganjar as its candidate. He is viewed as a figure from a humble background and was initially touted as the favourite, but his popularity fell after he opposed Israel’s participation in this year’s U20 World Cup, with Fifa subsequently stripping Indonesia’s hosting rights. He has announced Chief Security Minister Mahfud MD as his running mate. The third challenger Anies is favoured by conservatives and chose National Awakening Party chairman Muhaimin Iskandar as his running mate. The next president will be sworn in next October. – AFP oPresence of Jokowi’s son on frontrunner’s ticket draws criticism South Korean, 82, chokes to death on live octopus SEOUL: An 82-year-old man in South Korea died of a heart attack after choking on a live octopus dish served as a local delicacy. The incident took place in the southern city of Gwanju on Monday, where fire station authorities received a report of san-nakji being stuck in a man’s throat. Salty, sticky and chewy, the name of the dish – san-nakji – literally translates to “live octopus”. According to the fire station department, when the first responders arrived at the scene, the man was already in a cardiac arrest. They conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but were unable to resuscitate him. He was later declared dead at a local hospital. The dish consists of dead raw octopus that is chopped and traditionally served drizzled with sesame oil, but is served instantly after chopping when pieces that are still in motion. Served while the octopus tentacles are still wriggling, the food poses a safety risk and people are advised to cut it into smaller pieces and chew thoroughly before swallowing. This incident is not the only instance in which people have died of asphyxiation from eating the dish. At least three people have died from eating the live octopus dish between 2007 and 2012, according to data from the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters cited by The Korean Herald. – The Independent
7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 Dozens of American states sue Meta over harm to children WASHINGTON: Dozens of US states on Tuesday accused Facebook and Instagram owner Meta of profiting “from children’s pain”, damaging their mental health and misleading people about the safety of its platforms. “In seeking to maximise its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” argued a joint lawsuit filed in federal court in California. In total more than 40 states are suing Meta, though some opted to file in local courts rather than join in the federal case. Meta has exploited young users by creating a business model designed to maximise time they spend on the platform despite harm to their health, the legal filing argued. “Kids and teenagers are suffering from record levels of poor mental health and social media companies like Meta Platforms are to blame,” said New York attorney-general Letitia James in a statement announcing the suit. “Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem.” The suit accuses Meta of deceptive and unlawful conduct harming vulnerable youth for financial gain. The suit urges the federal court to order Meta to stop manipulative tactics and pay hefty financial penalties along with restitution, according to James. “Social media companies, including Meta, have contributed to a national youth mental health crisis and they must be held accountable,” James said. Meta said it was “disappointed” by the suit and that the states were not working with the array of social media companies to create age-appropriate standards. Meta maintained that it has developed more than 30 tools in its apps to support teenage users, and made it easier for parents to “shape” online activity. The Silicon Valley tech firm contended it is disappointing that the state officials have singled out Meta instead of seeking industry-wide solutions given the popularity of rivals including TikTok, YouTube and Snap. Social media can also be a place where young people struggling with other issues in their lives go to find support of community, Meta maintained. – AFP ‘Potentially catastrophic’ hurricane hits Mexico MEXICO CITY: A major Category 5 hurricane made landfall near Mexico’s Pacific beach resort of Acapulco yesterday, threatening to wreak “catastrophic” damage, said the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC). Hurricane Otis was packing maximum sustained winds of 265kph when it came ashore, the NHC said. The storm had rapidly strengthened to the most powerful category of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale as it neared land. “Catastrophic damage likely where the core of the hurricane moves onshore,” the NHC warned. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador made an appeal on social media for people to move to emergency shelters and away from rivers, streams and ravines. Earlier, soldiers were seen patrolling the beach of Acapulco, where visitors had made the most of the calm before the storm. “We won’t be running any tours today,” boat operator Carolina Torres said, voicing hope that Otis might weaken before making landfall. “If it hits us, that’s very serious for us.” Rainfall of up to 51cm was expected across Guerrero and parts of neighbouring Oaxaca state, the NHC said. “This rainfall will produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain. “A potentially catastrophic storm surge is expected to produce life-threatening coastal flooding.” – AFP B R I E F SRUSSIA SAYS U.S. MUST END ‘HOSTILITY’ FOR NUKE TALKS MOSCOW: Russia said yesterday it would study US proposals to resume dialogue on nuclear arms control, but that it would not accept them unless Washington dropped its “hostile” stance towards Moscow. The US and Russia used to regularly inspect each other’s nuclear facilities and limit warheads under the New START treaty, but Moscow suspended the treaty in February amid tensions over Ukraine. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow had received an informal memo from the US calling for renewed dialogue. “It is simply impossible to return to dialogue on strategic stability without changes in the United States’ deeply, fundamentally hostile course towards Russia.” – AFP GOOGLE TO RUN INTERNET CABLES TO PACIFIC ISLANDS WASHINGTON: Google will run undersea cables powering internet access to at least eight far-flung Pacific Ocean nations under a joint US-Australian deal set to be announced this week, according to an American official. The deal will expand an existing commercial project by Google in the region to the nations of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, TimorLeste, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Set to be announced during a White House visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the previously unreported deal involves contributions from both governments. Canberra will contribute US$50 million and Washington is adding another US$15 million. – Reuters Republicans try again with fourth speaker nominee WASHINGTON: Republicans on Tuesday made their fourth pick in just two weeks to replace the ousted speaker of the US House of Representatives, underlining the chaos engulfing the fragmented party after three previous nominees failed to win the gavel. Louisiana’s Mike Johnson won an internal party vote just hours after previous nominee, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, buckled under a backlash led by former president Donald Trump and announced his withdrawal. Congress has been at a standstill and unable to address multiple global crises, as well as the fast-approaching threat of a government shutdown, since Kevin McCarthy’s historic dismissal in a far-right rebellion on Oct 3. “The dysfunction in the Republican Party right now seems to be saying we want to lose,” exasperated Congressman Andy Barr told CNN. “That is crazy to me. “We were elected as a majority to govern, and we are not doing that right now.” Johnson – the vice-chairman of the conference but a relative novice in politics – lost out to Emmer earlier in the day but quickly threw his hat back in the ring after his leadership colleague bowed out. But all the indications are that Johnson will likely fall foul of the same internal divisions that have left the party incapable of uniting around any leader. Tuesday’s disarray marked two weeks since the party’s first nominee to replace McCarthy, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, withdrew as it became clear he was nowhere near the 217 votes needed to be elected. Hardline Trump ally Jim Jordan, the next nominee, flopped three times on the House floor as successively larger tallies of Republican opponents joined the Democrats to reject him. – AFP ‘Hospitals could become mass gravesif fuel runs out’ GAZA CITY: A third of Gaza’s hospitals are closed and more will shut down within hours due to lack of fuel, the United Nations said, as medics warn wards could turn into “mass graves”. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has begged for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and safe passage of supplies and generator fuel to the 42km-long strip, which is being pounded by Israeli airstrikes and a punishing siege. The WHO said that supplies were so low that six hospitals had already closed across the strip. Many more will halt operations in the coming hours if fuel is not delivered. That will put thousands of vulnerable patients at risk of dying, including 130 premature babies, 1,000 patients dependent on dialysis and those on life support machines. “We are on our knees asking for that sustained, scaled up, protected humanitarian operation,” said WHO regional emergencies head Rick Brennan. The single oncology hospital in the Gaza Strip is only partially functional due to lack of fuel, putting around 2,000 cancer patients at risk. On Monday, the private Indonesian Hospital, the biggest in northern Gaza, was forced to switch off everything except for the intensive care unit due to a critical lack of generator fuel. The only other hospital that had still been serving patients in northern Gaza, Beit Hanoun Hospital, stopped operations because of the intense bombardment of the town. In total, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said 40 medical centres had suspended operations at a time when the bombardment and displacement are putting enormous strain on the system. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British-Palestinian doctor who works with medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, said the situation in Al-Shifa Hospital was so dire that doctors and surgeons were having to “improvise at every Palestinians watching rescue efforts at the site of a destroyed building in southern Gaza yesterday. – AFPPIC oPalestinian doctors forced to use washing up liquid to clean wounds level” including using washing up liquid to clean wounds. “The number of wounded is astronomical compared with the size of the hospital.” Gaza’s largest medical complex is already at 150% capacity and sheltering thousands of terrified civilians displaced by the bombings. “The wounded are everywhere, on mattresses, on the floor of the wards and in the corridors and the emergency department. “When I have a patient I want to clean up for surgery I first wash them with washing up liquid that I bought from the corner shop then I wash them with vinegar to make sure they are antiseptic,” Ghassan said. Only then can he use iodine-based antiseptic materials sparingly. The next problem is power as the generator fuel runs out. “If the electricity runs out, Al-Shifa Hospital will become a mass grave,” Ghassan said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guettes pleaded on Tuesday for civilians to be protected, voicing concern about “clear violations of international humanitarian law” in the Gaza Strip. He told the 15-member UN Security Council that at a “crucial moment like this”, it was vital to be clear that war has rules, starting with the fundamental principle of respecting and protecting civilians. US President Joe Biden, asked by reporters whether aid was getting to Gaza as fast as needed, said: “Not fast enough.” – The Independent
8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 SPEAK UP Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ Cultivating multicultural understanding I N recent months, there has been a constant reference to the “Three Rs” of race, religion and royalty in Malaysia, highlighting the increasingly polarised ethnic relations in the country. While these topics provide the cultural dimensions in our daily conversations, they also need to be addressed with care and sensitivity in our multicultural society. The question that arises is whether Malaysians, after more than 65 years of independence, possess the knowledge and skills to handle racial sensitivities without emotional outbursts. Adding to the complexity of the situation, one of our former leaders once stated that the Federal Constitution never explicitly proclaimed Malaysia as a multiracial country. This has added confusion to the discussion. So, how should we describe Malaysia to others? Are we a multicultural society or is one dominant race the defining characteristic of our nation? Is there a description that can be acceptable to all ethnic groups in the country or are we still uncertain about our Malaysian identity? If we wish to describe Malaysia as a multicultural society, we must navigate the intricacies of talking about race, religion and royalty in a manner that respects and includes all ethnic groups. Do all the diverse ethnic communities in the country share a common understanding of what it means to live and coexist in a multicultural society or is this a phrase we have yet to define in terms of form and substance? Navigating an inclusive path In light of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s vision of building a civilised, skilled and inclusive multicultural society where all ethnic groups will have a place under the Malaysian sun, what role should the rakyat play in supporting him? With the rising influence of individuals and interest groups in the name of identity politics, racism, bigotry, discrimination and religious extremism, the journey ahead may indeed be an uphill battle. There will be competing interests, conflicting identities, confusing ideologies and ongoing scepticism along the way. This challenge has been aggravated by recent incidents related to dress codes, liquor sales, gambling, risque films in local cinemas, foreigners in bikinis in hotel swimming pools, massage parlours, women’s hair salons and rock concerts. These incidents have indicated a lack of understanding of what it takes to present a persona of respect and understanding of the other. To foster multicultural understanding, it is crucial to recognise and address these issues. Drawing from studies conducted in multicultural societies, we can identify several key characteristics that Malaysians should develop: 0 Self-knowledge of culture: Have a deep understanding of our culture, values and beliefs, and be able to describe them to others. 0 Understanding other cultures: Recognise the values, beliefs, underlying assumptions and typical behaviour of Malaysians from different ethnic groups beyond book learning. 0 Cross-cultural knowledge: Understand the histories, heroes, traditions, customs and social institutions of other ethnic groups when making decisions. 0 Respect for diversity: Show consideration for the cultures of others and be willing to influence one’s value system. 0 Empathy and perspective: Approach issues from the perspective of more than one ethnic group to develop a deeper understanding. 0 Acknowledging contributions: Acknowledge the historical contributions of all ethnic groups to the country’s development. To be truly inclusive in the context of a multicultural society, we must possess a repertoire of appropriate skills and be sensitive to the nuances, manners, observations and restrictions when we communicate with fellow Malaysians. The potential danger we face is when we are comfortable interacting only at the intracultural level – within our ethnic group. We must avoid imposing our values and beliefs on others without understanding their sensitivities. Our challenge is to ensure that when we make decisions and interact with fellow Malaysians, we are aware of the values and sensitivities of others. In moving forward, each of us must find ways to promote the value of inclusivity in the spirit of muhibbah dan bertolak ansur (goodwill and tolerance), based on knowledge and understanding of the cultural values and hidden assumptions of the various cultures in the country. Goodwill through coexistence A true Malaysian should embody compassion (ihsan) and respect (hormat) and not be perceived as ignorant and arrogant, especially when dealing with diversity. After all, diversity is a source of creativity and innovation (daya cipta). As mentioned in Surah Al Hujurat (49:13), “O mankind, we have created you all from a male (Adam, the foremost father) and a female (Eve, the foremost mother) and formed you into nations and tribes so that you may recognise one another. The noblest among you with God is most conscious and fearful of Him. God is All-Knowing and All-Informed.” This verse carries a profound implication for our multicultural society: the purpose of diversity is to “know each other”, to learn from one another and not to despise one another for our differences. Embracing multiculturalism requires respecting the values and sensitivities associated with all ethnic groups in Malaysia. We need to strive for accuracy in our judgements based on our understanding of the complexities and sensitivities of the situation. If this principle had been observed, the recent incidents mentioned earlier would have been better managed in the true spirit of muhibbah (goodwill through coexistence). In conclusion, fostering multicultural understanding in Malaysia is not merely a noble aspiration but a pressing necessity for the country’s future. This endeavour requires an unwavering commitment to respecting, embracing and celebrating the rich diversity that defines Malaysia. By developing intercultural skills, empathy and a shared commitment to unity, Malaysians can lead the way in building a society that thrives on the strength of its multicultural fabric. This journey may be challenging, but the rewards are a harmonious, inclusive and prosperous Malaysia, where every citizen can find their place under the Malaysian sun. The writer is an interculturalist. Comments: [emailprotected] “If we wish to describe Malaysia as a multicultural society, we must navigate the intricacies of talking about race, religion and royalty in a manner that respects and includes all ethnic groups. Embracing multiculturalism requires respecting the values and sensitivities associated with all ethnic groups in Malaysia. – BERNAMAPIC COMMENT by Asma Abdullah
9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 The government should redouble its efforts to attract more people to use public transport, especially given that the Klang Valley accounts for some 25% of the country’s population. – BERNAMAPIC Bridging gaps in public transport OVER the past two decades, significant strides have been made in the field of development. However, the goal of establishing an efficient and fully integrated public transport network has yet to be achieved. In spite of the introduction of new MRT and LRT lines, Malaysia’s most urbanised agglomerate, the Klang Valley, appears disjointed and plagued by low ridership. A significant factor contributing to the underutilisation of public transport is the prevalence of affordable cars and motorcycles, which offer travellers convenience and flexibility. Furthermore, low fuel prices compound this problem. All of these factors contribute to the traffic congestion and environmental pollution plaguing urban areas. The protests against projects, such as the PJD (Petaling Jaya Dispersal) Link Expressway (formerly Kinrara– Damansara Expressway or Kidex) and Dash (Damansara–Shah Alam Elevated Expressway), reflect the increasing awareness among locals of the drawbacks of sprawling highways that bring smog and mar the once lush verdant valley. While many factors contribute to the underutilisation of public transport, a pressing issue is integration. Despite the introduction of various public transport options in the Klang Valley, such as the KTM Commuter, MRT and LRT lines, travellers still face difficulties in accessing stations and seamlessly connecting to other modes of transport. Stations frequently lack effective integration in the wider urban design, rendering them as isolated islands in low-density areas. In extreme cases, such as the Cyberjaya City Centre MRT station on the Putrajaya Line, they appear to be situated in remote and incongruous locations. The primary reason is the absence of a hub-and-spoke design that facilitates: 0 Seamless interchange between the commuter rail and light rail systems, with punctual bus services featuring short service intervals and adequate capacity to meet demand, and; 0 Optimisation of walkable radius to high density commercial, retail and industrial buildings that are close to MRT/LRT/KTM stations. Case in point one: Consider the daily commute of a worker travelling from Sungai Buloh to Damansara Jaya. In this scenario, the journey entails taking a bus to Sungai Buloh MRT station, then transferring to another bus at Bandar Utama station to finally reach the workplace. However, as many Malaysians reliant on public transport are aware, the problem often arises not from the MRT but with the connecting bus service, which can negatively impact the entire commuting experience. It is frustrating when buses are consistently late or, on occasiona, fail to arrive altogether. Moreover, bus drivers frequently take breaks without adhering to the published timetable, further worsening the issue of reliability. Routes with overwhelming demand may lead to a situation where not all commuters can board, making it a challenge for workers to reach their workplaces on time. Even those fortunate enough to have bus stops within walking distance of their destinations may encounter poorly designed pedestrian pathways. This lack of reliability erodes the average commuter’s confidence in, and subsequent reliance on, public transport for their daily commute, let alone for more leisurely purposes. Furthermore, this situation contributes to the perception that cars are a necessity, even for individuals with financial constraints, resulting in many young Malaysians taking on burdensome car loans. Suggestion: A crucial measure is the revitalisation and comprehensive overhaul of the bus network, which is critical in connecting the MRT stations to the surrounding areas, and providing feeder services for commuters. The expansion of the bus network should be an ongoing endeavour to cover more rural and suburban areas, where public transport options are limited or irregular. This has been partly done. However, to further improve the system, the government should allocate resources towards enhancing the quality, reliability and frequency of existing services. This includes substantial investments in infrastructure upgrades, equipment and vehicle modernisation, increasing bus fleet and professionalising staff. Ensure universal, consistent and real-time information is accessible through Application Programming Interfaces that can be seamlessly integrated into popular applications, such as Google Maps or Moovit, to provide a smoother travel experience. In addition to infrastructure improvements, there is a need to revisit the contracting model. Promoting healthy competition by opening the playing field to enable Prasarana to compete with domestic and internationally partnered consortiums will elevate service standards and cost efficiencies. Additionally, this approach will allow the country to tap into the valuable expertise of international transport operators. Simultaneously, it is worth considering a streamlining of the existing framework of stage bus operators. Many of these operators manage convoluted routes with inconsistent reliability, and grapple with profitability challenges. Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s Bus Contracting Model (BCM), the relevant authorities can explore the idea of centralising the procurement and maintenance of bus assets under the purview of the Land Public Transport Agency. This approach will enable operators to focus on competition based on their ability to operate bus routes at service standards set by the agency. In the long run, adopting a BCMinspired approach will enable the efficient use of government funds. This shift will allow funds to be directed primarily toward the acquisition and maintenance of bus assets, and if extended to the KTM/MRT/LRT lines, the rolling stock, rather than being spread thinly to include covering the cost of operational elements. All this will ultimately benefit commuters and bolster the public transport system. Case in point two: For the second scenario, I will refrain from discussing the Cyberjaya City Centre MRT station as I remain hopeful that prudent urban redevelopment around this relatively new station will eventually lead to its optimal usage. Instead, I will illustrate the point using the Kampung Selamat MRT station. This station was inaugurated seven years ago as part of the Kajang Line but has since been integrated into the Putrajaya Line. Since then, two commendable mixed-use developments have sprung up adjacent to the station. These are Sqwhere, offering serviced apartments and versatile retail office spaces, and D’Sara Sentral, which combines residential and commercial properties with SOVO (Small office, Virtual office) lots. Both enjoy seamless connectivity to the station via a convenient link bridge, ensuring ease of access for residents and commuters. However, despite these promising developments, the connectivity and overall viability of the surrounding area leave much to be desired. Beyond Sqwhere and D’Sara Sentral, we encounter a perplexing mix of light industry and new villages, which contribute to peak-hour congestion and a web of industrial and private vehicle traffic that snakes in and out of the sprawl. On the opposite side of the MRT station lies Kampung Selamat proper, characterised by its low-density single or double-story private homes. Recent land clearing activities near the Sungai Buloh Forest Reserve indicate the potential introduction of standardised terrace housing to the area, a pattern that is increasingly dominating much of Klang Valley’s suburban landscape. Suggestion: I am not advocating for the displacement of residents and tenants in such areas. Instead, the state and/or federal governments should explore avenues to re-evaluate land usage and promote the development of areas similar to Sqwhere and D’Sara Sentral, spanning residential, commercial and even industrial facets, to prosper in close proximity to each MRT/LRT/KTM station. For example, Damansara Perdana already showcases high-density living, but it lacks clear public transport integration. The question arises: Why can’t we replicate such development within the vicinity of transportation nodes? Naturally, heightened density should be accompanied by comprehensive pedestrianisation initiatives to ensure that reaching the station does not turn into a perilous journey in an urban environment. Malaysia’s demand for more conventional suburban developments can still be satisfied by extending outwards from the high-density hub around the station, all seamlessly connected through arterial bus networks. This holistic approach will widen the catchment area for existing public transport and also provide convenience to residents. They can fulfil most of their needs, desires and employment purposes within the nearest hub or along the connected spokes, without the hassle of dealing with traffic on Jalan Loke Yew or the arduous quest for parking at Mid Valley Megamall on a busy Saturday evening. Additionally, this transformation will benefit local businesses by capitalising on the increased localisation of foot traffic, ultimately fostering economic growth and urban vibrancy. The government’s decision to invest in rail and light rail infrastructure in the Klang Valley is commendable. What remains is to ensure that this same infrastructure is able to improve the lives of as many people as possible. Thus, it is imperative that the government redouble its efforts to attract more people to use public transport, especially given that the Klang Valley accounts for some 25% of the country’s population. As Malaysia debates the introduction of incentives for electric vehicle adoption, as proposed by Minister of International Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz, the need to enhance public transport to address environmental concerns is pivotal. Such measures will alleviate congestion and improve overall liveability in urban areas. Public transport should be viewed not only as a means of mobility but also as a catalyst for social and economic development. Enhancements in the urban planning of Klang Valley can provide a template for the country’s other urban centres to follow. This collective effort to enhance the public transport system can lead Malaysia towards its vision of becoming a high-income and sustainable nation while significantly elevating the quality of life for its citizens. Comments: [emailprotected] “Enhancing the urban planning of Klang Valley can provide a template for the country’s other urban centres to follow. This collective effort to enhance the public transport system can lead Malaysia towards its vision of becoming a high-income and sustainable nation while significantly elevating the quality of life for its citizens.” COMMENT by Joshua Ng
10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 Plenitude’s Hibiscus Impian Hills sees encouraging take-up ULU TIRAM: Hibiscus, a collection of freehold double-storey terrace homes in the Impian Hills township here, has seen a booking rate of 50% since its launch in August this year. Nestled in the heart of Ulu Tiram within the expansive 285.5-acre township, the project is being developed by Bursa Malaysia-listed property and hospitality group Plenitude Bhd. Completion date for the homes is targeted for the third quarter of 2025. Hibiscus caters perfectly to a discerning demographic of firsttime homebuyers and those with growing families, featuring households typically consisting of three to six members. There are two types of houses: Type A featuring a land size of 22’ x 75’ and built-up of 2,057 sq ft and Type B with a land size of 22’ x 80’ and 2,203 sq ft. Hibiscus stands out with its oSales of double-storey terrace homes in Ulu Tiram ride on success of earlier phase Magnolia, which is sold out thoughtfully designed ensuite bathrooms for every bedroom, along with additional family rooms upstairs. The interconnected living and dining areas form a central communal space, perfect for both entertainment and family togetherness. Stepping outside leads residents directly to a dedicated jogging track and park. As part of the broader vision for Impian Hills, 13% of the development area comprises open parks and orchards. The concept of unity with nature is strongly embraced and further reflected in the naming convention which pays homage to the floral elements that define the two phases – Magnolia (first phase) and Hibiscus. “The astounding take-up rate of over 50% since our preview in August 2023 speaks volumes about the irresistible appeal of Hibiscus. Our previous phase Magnolia sold out, and now Hibiscus with (an) encouraging take-up, demonstrates Plenitude’s commitment to creating the homes of everyone’s dreams,” said Plenitude CEO Lee Wee Kee in a statement. The entire development is connected to major expressways including the Senai-Desaru Expressway and Tebrau Highway via Jalan Kota Tinggi. An array of convenient amenities and services are within easy reach for the Impian Hills community. From the bustling Ikea Tebrau and Aeon Mall Tebrau City to the homely Lotus’s Desa Tebrau, shopping is a breeze. Residents have easy access to reputable institutions – both public and private – such as SMK Ulu Tiram, Sunway College, and Crescendo-Help International School. Medical needs are wellcatered for, with clinics and hospitals in close proximity. Additionally, residents can enjoy recreational activities at Tebrau Sport & Recreation Centre, Kota Tinggi Firefly Park, and Austin Heights Water and Adventure Park. Tropicana makes a splash in Langkawi with Merissa serviced suites PETALING JAYA: Real estate company Tropicana Corporation Bhd has launched the Merissa Serviced Suites, which is part of its Pantai Cenang integrated mixed development in Langkawi. Merissa comprises 60 beachfront homes in a low-rise serviced suites tower. Merissa stands out from the rest as the epitome of resort living offering large, fully furnished units with sea views and various resort themed facilities. Merissa offers built-ups from 1,066 sq ft to 1,303 sq ft in duplex, intermediate and corner units with two and three bedroom layouts. Completion is projected for March 2026. “Our latest second phase, Merissa offers the best of both worlds – strategic location, fully furnished with low-density seafront units that are suitable as holiday homes. Based on our market analysis and benchmarking with neighbouring upscale hotels, the average daily rate (ADR) per day hovers from RM360 to RM1,100 – depending on the size and standard of the hotel room. “Langkawi records the highest ADR in the country which will spur positive yields on the shortterm rental stay rates for developments such as Assana and Merissa that offer family and group-sized accommodation options. With these observations, the property rental yield stands at an average 9%, making our Langkawi development a good investment decision,” said Tropicana marketing & sales and business development executive director Ixora Ang. The Merissa is the second phase of the Pantai Cenang development; the first was the Assana Serviced Suites, which has seen a 90% take-up rate. The Assana Serviced Suites comprises 831 signature homes in a 39-storey residential tower, with built-ups from 380 sq ft. It is also projected for completion in March 2026. The 5.28-acre Tropicana Cenang integrated mixed development is located close to the Langkawi International Airport, the ZON Duty Free, Underwater World Langkawi and other facilities. It also enjoys direct access to the vibrant Pantai Cenang beach front and a scintillating view of the Andaman Sea. Merissa Serviced Suites complements Assana Serviced Suites, with 60 low-density, cool beachfront homes. Teladan holds preview of Malacca’s first solar-ready project MALACCA: Ace Market listed property developer Teladan Group Bhd held an exclusive two-day preview event for phase 2A of its Taman Bertam Heights development, a gated and guarded housing project here. Phase 2A comprises a total of 352 residential units of two-story terraces and semi-detached houses. The project is estimated to have a gross development value (GDV) of RM242 million and is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026, Teladan said in a statement. Phase 2A is part of the 166.3-acre Taman Bertam Heights township, first introduced in February 2022 with the launch of Phase 1B, which achieved an impressive take-up rate of 98.9%. Phase 2B with an estimated GDV of RM268 million, is set to launch next year. Phase 2A is the first development project in Malacca to integrate solar readiness. These forward-thinking homes will not only foster green living among homeowners, but also significantly reduce electricity costs by up to 75%. The development is also wellequipped with landscaped parks, gardens, playground area, clubhouse, gymnasium, swimming pool and a back lane jogging pave. These thoughtfully designed amenities are intended to promote the well-being of residents and cater to both the young and senior communities. Teladan has also collaborated with Maxis Bhd to provide fibre optic infrastructure for residents to enjoy high-speed broadband connectivity. On accessibility, Phase 2A offers great connectivity through major highways and trunk roads. “We plan to incorporate EV charging stations in our future developments to encourage the adoption of EVs and play a role in mitigating carbon emissions,” said Teladan managing director Richard Teo Lay Ban. Grand Damansara condominium suites 75% sold since launch PETALING JAYA: Grand Damansara Lifestyle Suites, the latest offering from property developer Grand Global, has achieved a 75% take-up rate after its official launch last weekend. Situated in the heart of Petaling Jaya, the development presents a unique blend of compact luxury and urban living. Unit sizes start from 273 sq ft and priced competitively from RM240,000. “The rapid take-up of our Lifestyle Suites is a result of our comprehensive understanding of today’s property market and the evolving needs of both property investors, and the lifestyle needs of young people. “We have fused design innovation with practicality, supported by an attractive price, ensuring our residents experience the best of convenience and affordability,” said Grand Global executive director Song Chin Yew in a statement recently. Song added that positive feedback from buyers highlighted a trend among adult youth who prefers convenience over living spaces, if community spaces are designed to a high standard. In conjunction with the launch, Grand Damansara Lifestyle Suites also announced a collaboration with HostAStay that offers property owners the unique opportunity to transform their assets into consistent income generators. Vierra Residence in Bandar Kinrara snapped up KUALA LUMPUR: Vierra Residence, a freehold housing project in Kinrara, KL has achieved a remarkable 100% sales success. Recognised as the “Best Value HighRise Development in Malaysia for 2022” by the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, Vierra Residence comprises two towers: Tower A and Tower B, rising to 38 and 39 floors, respectively. These towers house a total of 1,604 units designed to meet modern living standards, said the project’s developer Fajar Land (M) Sdn Bhd, the property arm of Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd in a statement. Vierra Residence is strategically located near bustling hubs such as Bandar Puchong Jaya, Bukit Jalil, Sri Petaling, and Bandar Sunway. It is well-connected to several LRT stations along the Sri Petaling line and major highways like NPE and Kesas offering residents easy access to essential amenities, medical facilities, and esteemed educational institutions. The project is expected to be completed by 2026. Fajarbaru Land, the driving force behind Vierra Residence, has a track record of successful projects. Their maiden property development Rica Residence Sentul in Kuala Lumpur is a freehold serviced apartment that was wellreceived for its diverse floor plans and strategic location.
KLCI 1,442.51 6.86 STI 3,078.78 207.57 HANG SENG 17,085.33 93.80 SCI 2,974.11 11.87 NIKKEI 31,269.92 20.34 TSEC 16,358.89 49.13 KOSPI 2,363.17 S&P/ASX200 6,854.30 THURSDAY OCTOBER 26, 2023 Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [emailprotected] Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [emailprotected] 5 MOST ACTIVES October 25, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) WIDAD 108,876,800 47.5 +4.5 KANGER 103,454,300 12.5 UNCH HSI-CRY 77,301,400 7.0 -0.5 LEFORM 67,561,700 24.0 +1.0 SCIB 59,441,800 54.5 +0.5 EXCHANGERATES OCTOBER 25, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.8520 4.7180 4.7080 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.1130 2.9900 2.9740 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.5500 3.4480 3.4400 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.5300 3.4360 3.4240 1 EURO 5.1520 4.9870 4.9670 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8510 2.7470 2.7310 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.5500 3.4480 3.4400 1 STERLING POUND 5.9150 5.7300 5.7100 1 SWISS FRANC 5.4200 5.2960 5.2810 100 UAE DIRHAM 133.7800 126.8700 126.6700 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.4880 4.1960 3.9960 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 66.8900 64.0700 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 62.7300 59.6300 59.4300 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.9500 5.5800 5.3800 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0317 0.0287 0.0237 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.2450 3.1430 3.1330 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR N/A N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.7700 1.6600 1.4600 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.6900 8.1900 7.9900 100 QATAR RIYAL 134.7000 127.8700 127.6700 100 SAUDI RIYAL 130.9100 124.2800 124.0800 100 THAI BAHT 14.0300 12.4500 12.0500 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY October 25, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,638.30 +46.99 FBMKLCI 1,442.51 +6.86 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 553.25 +1.72 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 172.38 +1.27 CONSTRUCTION 184.54 -0.98 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,236.10 +55.07 ENERGY 872.03 -1.82 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 566.61 +2.42 HEALTH CARE 1,661.91 +5.48 TRANSPORTATION 926.10 +3.66 PROPERTY 848.55 +1.07 PLANTATION 6,882.58 +25.34 FBMSHA 10,863.40 +45.22 FBMACE 5,067.48 +20.17 TECHNOLOGY 62.33 +0.42 TURNOVER VALUE 2.827 BIL RM1.776 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS October 25, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM BLDPLNT 7,800 10.92 +0.60 AAX 13,644,800 2.11 +0.27 F&N 11,200 26.26 +0.26 HAPSENG 1,793,600 5.30 +0.19 SSTEEL 1,320,300 0.735 +0.175 5 TOP LOSERS October 25, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM HEIM 133,800 24.04 -0.36 ALLIANZ-PA 1,500 16.60 -0.20 NESTLE 180,800 126.60 -0.20 PEB 400 1.17 -0.16 NHFATT 12,000 3.03 -0.10 5.10 2.60 BRI venture incubator to boost business ties launched KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and China have unveiled the Belt and Road Overseas Venture Incubator to deepen business collaboration between the two countries. The launch was made at the Belt and Road Symposium Malaysia 2023 here, which aims to chart the course towards the collaborative development of Malaysia Madani and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The symposium also marked the inauguration of a Malaysia-China Belt and Road Institute to foster academic collaboration between the two countries. Chinese embassy charge d’affaires Zheng Xuefang said China is willing to jointly carry out a series of initiatives and embark on substantive progress towards achieving a China-Malaysia shared future vision. “The Malaysia Madani concept proposed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chimes with the concept of a global community of a shared future proposed by President Xi Jinping. “The two countries’ leaders have reached an important consensus on the joint building of a China-Malaysia community of shared future, which provides a clear direction for the development of bilateral relations,” he said in his remarks at the launch yesterday. Through previous collaborations, he said fruitful results of bilateral BRI can be seen across various sectors, with China having continued to be Malaysia’s largest trading partner for the 14th consecutive year. In 2022, China-Malaysia trade surpassed the US$200 billion mark for the first time to hit US$203.6 billion. Chinese investments in Malaysia amounted to US$12.5 billion in 2022, accounting for 33.9% of Malaysia’s total foreign direct investment. – Bernama MAHB to sell entire stake in Indian airport operator for US$100m PETALING JAYA: Airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) proposes to sell its entire stake in the Indian operator of airports in Hyderabad and Karnataka, India, for US$100 million (RM478 million). In a statement to Bursa Malaysia yesterday, MAHB said it and wholly owned subsidiary MAHB (Mauritius) Pvt Ltd (MAMPL) have entered into a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with GMR Airports Singapore Pvt Ltd for the disposal of the entire 41,580,000 equity shares of 10 rupees (57.5 sen) each, representing 11% of the issued and paid-up share capital of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL). GHIAL manages the operations of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad and the Bidar Airport in Karnataka. Payment will be made in two parts – US$1.5 million within seven days from the signing of the SPA and the balance US$98.5 million will be paid on the completion date of the SPA, less any tax. MAHB said the sale provided an opportunity for it to unlock the value of its non-core assets and streamline its overseas investment portfolio. The total cost of investment made by MAMPL and MAHB for the 11% stake in GHIAL was 415.8 million rupees (US$9.9 million). As of Dec 31, 2022, the carrying book value of the investment in GHIAL amounted to US$76 million. Japan investments in M’sia this year set to top US$30b KUALA LUMPUR: With 2,778 projects already in progress and investments totalling US$27.25 billion (RM91.89 billion) as of June, Japanese investments in Malaysia this year are poised to surpass the US$30 billion mark, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. “In fact, when I was there in May, we managed to secure a RM23 billion investment. We hope that with the continuous support from Japanese companies already established in Malaysia and new companies entering the Malaysian market, we expect investments from Japan to increase,” he told reporters after delivering his keynote speech at the Malaysia-Japan Economic Dialogue 2023 yesterday. At the event, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance the competitiveness of Malaysian companies and promote increased trade between Malaysia and Japan. In terms of bilateral trade, FMM has set its sights on a 10% to 20% increase from the US$40 billion achieved last year, according to its president, Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai. “Last year, we achieved about US$40 Tengku Zafrul (right) and Japan’s ambassador to Malaysia Katsuhiko Takahashi (left) witnessing the exchange of documents between JCCI president Ken Kobayashi (second from left) and Soh. – BERNAMAPIC oFMM and JCCI sign pact to promote business and trade between the countries █ BY HAYATUN RAZAK [emailprotected] billion of trade. With this MoU, we can have more direct business-to-business communication and more exports from the Malaysian side. At the same time, Japan can also expand its exports to Malaysia,” he said. Soh highlighted the potential for expanding strategic partnerships, particularly in emerging technologies, technical services and high-value sectors. Additionally, there is a focus on strengthening cooperation in technology transfer through Industry 4.0 and the digital economy. The FMM president expressed a desire to learn from Japan and to work together on projects for trade and sustainability. “The increased focus on adopting and adapting ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles has brought about challenges as well as opportunities for economies around the world towards sustainable growth for future generations, while contributing towards value creation. “Malaysia currently ranks 72nd in the 2022 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Country Performance rankings; while Japan is ranked 19th. As such, we hope to learn from Japan and pursue more collaborative projects in this area while we move ahead with trade and sustainability,” he said. Tengku Zafrul commented that it is good that Malaysian private sector (FMM) is optimistic and aggressive despite uncertainties in the international trade landscape. “Trade last year was US$40 billion, this year it is still early (to predict). What we are seeing is that because global trade is slowing down and Malaysia being an open economy, our trade to GDP (gross domestic product) last year was 160%; this year it should be around there. “We will monitor this closely but we expect the growth will continue as there are too many uncertainties in the global trade. But for investment, which is a separate issue, we are optimistic,” he said. Participation 29.0 40.4 30.6 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 500.7 807.1 469.0 1776.8 Sold RM m 528.3 629.1 619.4 1776.8 Net RM m -27.6 178.0 -150.4 0 % Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com Source: Bursa Malaysia A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad S E C U R I T I E S S D N. B H D. 197201001092 (12738-U) 25/10/2023
12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 SUNBIZ /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME Lead the way in enterprise 5G solutions, local firms told KUALA LUMPUR: The government wants local businesses to lead in the development of enterprise 5G solutions, so as to ensure that the development of Malaysia’s digital ecosystem is of the highest international standards, which in turn will elevate the economy to greater heights. Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil called for a united effort from all stakeholders, from the private and the public sectors, to speed up 5G adoption in the country, for the nation to grow and stay competitive on the global market. “To thrive, 5G requires the right ecosystem – and to develop a robust ecosystem, there needs to be a concerted effort from corporates, public sector, technology enablers and connectivity providers, and the public sector working closely handin-hand to accelerate the adoption of 5G,” he said yesterday in a recorded video speech at the CelcomDigi MY5G Conference and Showcase 2023 launch. He said that internet connectivity, digital accessibility as well as 5G technology are crucial components for almost any country and its economic development. Fahmi cited the Global System for Mobile Communications Association that recently identified five key components required for a digital nation – infrastructure, innovation, people, data governance and security. “These key components are interconnected and must be developed together to avoid potentially costly gaps CelcomDigi chief enterprise business officer Afizulazha Abdullah (left) and Idham during the press conference. oFahmi wants united effort from Malaysian businesses to build robust digital ecosystem █ BY GLORIA HARRY BEATTY [emailprotected] and delays in the implementation of digital initiatives,” he said. Furthermore, he encouraged all enterprises, including SMEs, to actively find new solutions, by leveraging advanced technologies, to drive the next phase of development for their businesses, industries and, ultimately, the country. With strong 5G infrastructure, Fahmi said, SMEs, enterprises and Malaysians can collectively benefit from its efficient foundation for digital services and applications to be developed, stored, distributed and consumed. “Here in Malaysia, we are pleased to also see industries now leveraging the full potential of 5G to significantly boost efficiency, reach and growth,” he added. CelcomDigi Bhd CEO Datuk Idham Nawawi said the event has Leading Index points to further moderation in M’sian economy PETALING JAYA: The annual growth rate in the Leading Index (LI) moderated further in August 2023 by registering a marginal negative 0.5% to 109.7 points compared with negative 1.0% in the previous month, according to Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, He said four components contributed positively to the index, notably the number of housing units approved (245.7%), followed by Bursa Malaysia industrial index (15.2%), number of new companies registered (13.1%) and real imports of other basic precious & other non-ferrous metals (3.6%). Conversely, he added real imports of semi conductors continued to demonstrate a decline (-31.9%). Looking at the monthly performance, the LI showed negative 0.8% in July 2023 but rebounded to 0.7% in the reference month, as a result of significant increase in real imports of other basic precious & other non-ferrous metals (0.9%). The August 2023 smoothed LI growth rate remained below the 100-point trend, expecting that the economy will continue to moderate attributed by global economic uncertainties albeit strong domestic demand. Referring to the current economic scenario, Mohd Uzir said the Coincident Index (CI) recorded a growth of 2.1% to 123.6 points in August 2023 as compared to 121.0 points in the same month of the previous year. The uptick was contributed by all components except the Industrial Production Index (-0.4%). The monthly change in CI registered 0.04% to reach 123.6 points as compared to 123.5 points in July 2023, primarily backed by the increase of total employment of manufacturing (0.4%). Proton records 624 new bookings via trade-in event KUALA LUMPUR: National carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd has recorded 624 new bookings through its recent trade-in event collaborated with e-bidding company (EBC) Carsome, Trade-in Trade-Up Saturday. The first ever collaboration between an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and EBC involving 32 Proton outlets has drawn a crowd of 1,552 people, with 320 customers opting to trade-in their current vehicles, Proton said in a statement yesterday. “Carsome also conducted 489 vehicle inspections on the day, far exceeding the initial target of 320 units set prior to the event,” it said. Proton Edar CEO Roslan Abdullah said: “As our sales volume continues to grow, the company needs to consider avenues to facilitate the taking-in, distribution and disposal of used cars to support new bookings.” For 2023, the national carmaker said the used car management division has taken in over 4,500 units via its 32 outlets and is on track to set a new record by the end of the year.– Bernama Islamic banks intermediate RM16.5b in green financing PETALING JAYA: The Islamic banking industry has intermediated RM16.51 billion in net zero or green financing and RM61.55 billion in social financing, according to the third Valuebased Intermediation Report 2022 (VBI Report 2022). The report also highlighted RM53.4 billion in VBI deposit, investment and other bank accounts while RM185 million was contributed via zakat, sadaqah, iTEKAD, waqf, CSR and charities. VBI Report 2022 was unveiled by Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) president and Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd group CEO Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed at his Fireside Chat at the JC3 Journey to Zero Conference 2023 yesterday. The report centres on the evolution of Islamic banks from “emerging to engaging” in their VBI journey which maximises their influence on socioeconomic development and the role of Islamic banking in achieving sustainability, resilience and ethical financial practices. The report also features transformative action taken by Islamic banks to shape a prosperous and sustainable future for Malaysia and the global community. The VBI Community of Practitioners (CoPs) which comprises 16 Islamic banking institutions which are members of AIBIM is at the forefront of advancing sustainable finance through the development of VBIAF Sectoral Guides. Third Cohort of VBIAF Sectoral Guide Working Group chairman and Alliance Islamic Bank Bhd CEO Rizal IL-Ehzan Fadil Azim said, “There is increased expectation for businesses to be aware of and address material environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters.” The third set of sectoral guides is currently in development for agriculture, mining and quarrying, road transportation, and waste management, and is expected to be released by the end of 2023. The current set of guides also play a vital role in aligning the VBI and climate risk initiatives by including detailed case studies that address BNM Climate Change and Principle Based Taxonomy Guiding Principles, highlighting the VBI community’s unwavering commitment to sustainable and climateresilient finance. AIBIM will be entering into a memorandum of understanding with UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei together with the Association of Banks in Malaysia which will focus on advancing sustainability practices. Hextar ventures into fintech, unveils MoneyX mobile super app PETALING JAYA: Hextar Technologies Solutions Bhd is venturing into financial technology (fintech) with the introduction of MoneyX, a one-stop mobile super app. Released by Hextar’s 100%-owned fintech unit Hextar Vision Sdn Bhd in September, MoneyX is a personal financial information management app with artificial intelligence (AI) supported tools, Hextar said in a statement to the bourse yesterday. Main Market-listed Hextar is involved in the provision of logistics services, trading of building materials and technology. MoneyX aims to promote financial literacy and management by making information pertaining to available financial products and services accessible and easily understandable to users, and thus, empowering users in making responsible and informed financial decisions. MoneyX includes a secure digital vault where users can store important documents like bills, insurance policies, and agreements, ensuring easy access and organisation. Users are also given the option to utilise the reminder / notification feature in MoneyX which will prompt users regarding any upcoming payment or renewal deadlines. In conjunction with the soft launch, Hextar Vision also unveiled partnerships with more than 14 partners – Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd, M&A Securities Sdn Bhd, Exsim Development Sdn Bhd, Finology Sdn Bhd, GKash Sdn Bhd, Edge Property Sdn Bhd, ServeDeck Innovation Sdn Bhd, Theta Edge Bhd, Richard Wee Chambers, ShopIQ Sdn Bhd, MWM Myworld Malaysia Sdn Bhd and CTOS Data Systems Sdn Bhd to aggregate their services on MoneyX. MoneyX has selected Amazon Web Service to deploy its automated financial information management app. registered about 400 participants from 220 companies, across 30 industries, due to high interest from local businesses. “This shows the level of interest among Malaysian businesses in their desire to learn about 5G and its potentials. At our Tech Showcase, we have partnered with 18 companies, showcasing a range of 5G use cases,” he said. He added that one of the common challenges that organisations face is securing funds, since the development and deployment of 5G technology will require companies to have sustainable access to capital to drive digital transformation initiatives. “Beyond adoption, participation of enabling sectors like banking will also be crucial in paving the way to unlocking benefits for all consumers and businesses,” he said. Touching on Budget 2024, Idham pointed out that the government has announced various initiatives, including RM100 million in digitalisation grants, which will benefit more than 20,000 SMEs and micro entrepreneurs.
13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 Glomac shareholders approve 1.25 sen final dividend for FY23 Saujana Perdana, Saujana Utama 5, and Saujana KLIA, as well as Plaza@Kelana Jaya and 121 Residences. Consequently, unbilled sales also improved to RM528 million as at end-April 2023, providing healthy earnings visibility. Going forward, the group is resolute in committing to its construction schedules, and ensuring the seamless and punctual delivery of all its ongoing projects to buyers. Glomac’s balance sheet remains solid. As at April 30, 2023, the group’s cash and bank balances increased to RM288.8 million from RM215.4 million a year ago. Net gearing improved to 0.16 times from 0.23 times a year ago. Net assets per share attributable to owners of the company edged higher to RM1.53 in FY23 from RM1.51 previously. Glomac is gearing up to introduce new projects worth approximately RM700 million in the current financial year. Among the new launches is the much-anticipated debut of Loop City Puchong. This is Glomac’s latest integrated residential development boasting a total estimated gross development value of RM1.57 billion. Glomac’s new sales are mainly supported by its highly successful residential townships at Saujana Perdana, Saujana Utama 5, and Saujana KLIA, as well as Plaza@Kelana Jaya and 121 Residences. – GLOMAC WEBSITE oStrong revenue growth driven by steady construction activities from ongoing projects in PJ and Damansara Carlsberg wins top spot for highest ROE at BRC awards KUALA LUMPUR: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd has once again clinched the top spot for the highest return-on-equity (ROE) over three years within the Consumers Products & Services category at the 14th edition of the The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards. The accolade, which is the brewer’s fourth consecutive win, is testament to Carlsberg’s commitment to delivering longterm sustainable growth and shareholder value. According to its 2022 Annual Report, the brewer has reported a return on shareholders’ funds of 181.1% in 2022, 107.9% in 2021 and 105.1% in 2020, respectively. “Winning this award as the consumer goods company with the highest ROE in Malaysia for the fourth consecutive time is a significant achievement for us. We take great pride in this recognition, as it underscores our relentless efforts to enhance performance and deliver value to our shareholders,” said Carlsberg managing director Stefano Clini (pix) yesterday. Carlsberg’s market capitalisation as at Dec 31, 2022 was RM7 billion and was one of 181 nominees in this year’s BRC assessment consisting of publiclisted companies with a market capitalisation of RM1 billion and above. The 181 members command a market capitalisation of RM1.49 trillion or 90.4% of the combined market capitalisation of all Bursa Malaysia-listed companies as of March 31, 2023. No stranger to the BRC Awards, this is the sixth award for the brewer. Carlsberg has also won the Best Corporate Responsibility Award for publiclisted companies under RM10 billion market capitalisation in 2019 and 2014. Carlsberg’s transparency and action on climate remains with a rating of “A” by the Carbon Disclosure Project and its resilience to long-term ESG risks remain rated at “AA” by the Morgan Stanley Capital International in a recent review. Burhan appointed Airbus chief representative for Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Airbus has appointed Burhanudin (Burhan) Noordin Ali (pix) as its chief representative for Malaysia, effective Oct 1. Burhan will be responsible for Airbus’ overall strategy, industrial footprint, and operations in the country as well as for advancing the company’s “One Roof” policy to integrate and support its business entities in Malaysia. At the same time, Burhan is the managing director of Sepang Aircraft Engineering (SAE), a Malaysia-based, fully owned subsidiary of Airbus. SAE is an EASA-approved independent maintenance, repair, and overhaul service provider specialising in commercial aircraft, engines, and components. Burhan will report to Airbus region Asia Pacific president and sales commercial aircraft head Anand Stanley. Burhan has more than 24 years of experience in Malaysia’s aviation aerospace and defence industries having worked with related local and multinational organisations. “Airbus and Malaysia have been strategic partners for over 40 years. The country is a key customer base for Airbus in the region across our commercial aircraft, defence, space and helicopter businesses. We also have strong industrial partnerships with Malaysia, with the country serving as our largest supplier base in Southeast Asia. Burhan will represent Airbus-wide interests in Malaysia and support our plans to strengthen our local presence,” said Anand. Burhan Noordin Ali succeeds Raymond Lim who has been promoted to head of customer services, Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. Hiring managers face challenges in scouting for talent KUALA LUMPUR: Against the backdrop of ongoing economic challenges and changing employeremployee dynamics, hiring managers in Malaysia are navigating new complexities in their quest for talent, according to a report from Employment Hero (ER), a leading HR, payroll and employee engagement platform. According to “The State of Recruitment Growing Costs and Concerns”, rising costs in the hiring process is a key concern for hiring managers. They cited higher salaries due to the cost of living (52%), labour shortages (37%), and increased job board posting costs and recruitment recruiter fees (32%) as key factors. On average, it takes hiring leaders 41 days to fill a role in Malaysia and Singapore – the longest period of time needed out of all the other countries surveyed (Australia, New Zealand and the UK). Their challenges don’t end there. Once hired, 19% of candidates do not pass probation or remain in their role after the first six months, which complicates the hiring process. 23% of hiring leaders mentioned that this factor contributes to hiring costs increasing. “The data from the report underscores the complexities of today’s hiring landscape in Malaysia. Rising costs, longer hiring cycles and the struggle to retain talent during the crucial probationary period are hurdles hiring managers face daily,” said ER co-founder and CEO Ben Thompson in a statement yesterday. The report surveyed 515 business leaders in Singapore and Malaysia from across different organisation sizes and industries. Kuching gets its first Sheraton hotel KUCHING: Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 31 extraordinary hotel brands, opened Sheraton Kuching Hotel, making this the first Sheraton Hotel outside of Peninsular Malaysia and the third Sheraton in the country. Marriott International Indonesia & Malaysia area vice-president Ramesh Jackson said, “We are very excited to expand our portfolio in beautiful Sarawak with the opening of Sheraton Kuching Hotel, making it our first hotel in Kuching, and our sixth property in Sabah and Sarawak. Whether it’s for leisure or work, we are always in search of opportunities in key destinations to deliver the Sheraton brand’s mission of creating intuitive, holistic experience for guests,” he added. Sheraton Kuching Hotel is situated in the quaint locale of Jalan Padungan, Kuching’s very own Chinatown. Once fully opened, Sheraton Kuching will feature 378 guest rooms and 38 spacious suites, comprising a presidential suite, as well as executive, club and junior suites. KUALA LUMPUR: Shareholders of Glomac Bhd, an established property developer, approved the final single-tier dividend of 1.25 sen per ordinary share for the financial year ended April 30, 2023, at the conclusion of its 39th annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday. This translates to a dividend yield of approximately 3.9% (based on closing price of 32 sen as of April 30). In FY23, the group achieved a pre-tax profit of RM50.5 million and profit attributable to owners of the company of RM31.5 million. This was achieved on the back of a revenue of RM341 million, a 31% growth compared to RM259.5 million reported in FY22. The stronger growth was mainly driven by steady construction activities from Glomac’s ongoing development projects including current phases at its Saujana Perdana township in Sungai Buloh, as well as Plaza@Kelana Jaya and 121 Residences, the group’s two high-rise residential developments within the Petaling Jaya – Damansara districts. Glomac delivered robust sales, surging 89% to RM302 million for the financial year. The better showing in new sales was attributed to Glomac’s strong product offerings as well as successful sales initatives. New sales were mainly supported by its highly successful residential townships at Carlsberg has also won the Best Corporate Responsibility Award for publiclisted companies under RM10 billion market capitalisation in 2019 and 2014.
14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 SUNBIZ China approves new bonds to help recovery Japan mulls US$33b package to cushion inflation impact TOKYO: Japan’s government is considering spending around US$33 billion (RM158 billion) for payouts to low-income households and an income tax cut in a package of measures to cushion the blow to households from rising living costs, three government officials told Reuters yesterday. The spending, currently estimated around ¥5 trillion (US$33.37 billion), will include a blanket, one-off income tax cut worth 30,000 per person and residential tax cut worth ¥10,000 respectively, which will be implemented in June 2024, a draft of the plan obtained by Reuters showed. The spending plan, to be formally decided by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet on Nov 2, also features payouts to low-income households, the officials said, confirming a report by the Nikkei newspaper. Details on tax cuts will be discussed by the ruling party’s influential tax panel toward the year end, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hideki Murai told reporters that he was aware of the prime minister’s comment in a TV appearance late on Tuesday that he wanted to achieve wage hikes that offset price increases next year. Tax revenue has grown this year, and Murai said the prime minister wanted to find a way to return some of that to the public to support households. “The prime minister will give formal and specific instruction at a meeting tomorrow between officials of the government and the ruling bloc, which will shape up through the ruling party’s tax panel debate,” Murai said. Inflation, fuelled by rising costs of raw materials, has kept above the central bank’s target of 2% for more than a year, weighing on consumption and clouding the outlook for an economy making a delayed recovery from Covid-19 scars. With wage rises proving too slow to offset the increase in prices, Kishida has announced a plan to ease the pain by returning to households some of the expected increase in tax revenues generated by solid economic growth. Kishida is due to discuss wage hikes, among other issues, with auto industry officials when he visits the Japan Mobility Show today, Murai said. – Reuters Vietnam takes a leaf out of China’s book to lift market, investment HANOI: Vietnam is planning to relax its stock market settlement procedures for foreign investors, a critical measure to convince equity index managers to uprade the country to emerging market status and attract hundreds of millions of dollars of new investment, sources said. Following a China model, Vietnam would allow brokers to vouch for foreign investors when they buy shares, a move that was seen as a progress by the FTSE index provider, and could lead to remove a regulatory hurdle that has hampered for years the upgrade of the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. The bourse, the smallest among the main Southeast Asian economies, is now classified by both the MSCI and FTSE indices as a frontier market. That prevents many funds, investors and family offices from investing in companies listed there. FTSE experts visited the country last week and were presented with details of the new plan to break the years-long deadlock, the people familiar with the talks said. To meet that timeline, FTSE would need to announce the upgrade as early as September next year, six or twelve months before the actual promotion, according to its procedures on upgrades. If upgraded, Vietnam would join the likes of Indonesia, Philippines, Qatar and China, moving up from the frontier index which it shares now with less advanced markets such as Sri Lanka and Kenya. Under the new plan, Vietnam would adopt a mechanism to settle payments on shares transactions that could meet the key requirement from FTSE for the upgrade. In advanced markets, investors settle transactions two days after they buy shares, but in Vietnam they are required to make the money available the same day, causing higher costs and risks to foreign investors. To bypass the hurdle, Vietnamese authorities and brokers are devising a mechanism similar to one used in China under which securities firms would guarantee for foreign funds’ payments, effectively giving them credit for the two days until transactions are completed. They would take some risks, but they stand to benefit from the new inflows, which SSI estimates could be around US$800 million (RM3.8 billion) from passive funds alone, assuming Vietnam’s weighting in the emerging market index at 1%. Active funds are estimated to have five times more investments in the FTSE emerging market, which could lead to far bigger gains for the HCMC market, which has currently a US$179 billion capitalisation. – Reuters B R I E F STOYOTA ROLLS OUT 1,000KM RANGE LEXUS CONCEPT EV TOKYO: Toyota unveiled a Lexus concept car with a roughly 1,000km range yesterday that it aims to roll out by 2026, part of the Japanese automaker’s strategic pivot to EVs reliant on advanced battery technology. The LF-ZC concept car, which debuted at the Japan Mobility Show, uses “prismatic, highperformance” batteries that achieve around twice the range of conventional EVs – or around 1,000km. “The key to achieving these breakthroughs is parts minimalisation and reduction across the board, including smaller, more efficient batteries with more power and more range,“ Toyota chief branding officer Simon Humphries said at a press briefing introducing the concept model. – Reuters HEINEKEN SHARES UP AS BREWER HOLDS FULL-YEAR FORECAST BRUSSELS: Heineken retained its full-year outlook yesterday, bolstering shares in the world’s second largest brewer even as it sold less beer. The Dutch maker of Europe’s top-selling lager Heineken, as well as Sol and Tiger, said it made more money in the third quarter despite the decline in volumes, thanks to higher prices and consumers opting for more expensive lagers. Overall, its revenues and volumes in the quarter were broadly in line with expectations, with worsethan-expected declines in its Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe region offset by slightly better-than-forecast volumes in Latin America and Asia Pacific. – Reuters BLOCKFI EMERGES FROM BANKRUPTCY, TO WIND DOWN OPS NEW YORK: BlockFi emerged from bankruptcy on Tuesday, saying it will wind down operations and begin returning crypto assets to customers 11 months after it was swept away by the turbulence in the crypto industry following FTX’s collapse. Jersey City, New Jerseybased BlockFi will continue to pursue additional payments through the bankruptcies of other crypto companies including FTX and Three Arrows Capital under a bankruptcy plan approved in court last month. Success in that litigation could increase client recoveries, BlockFi said on Tuesday. – Reuters TELENOR Q3 PROFIT BEATS ESTIMATES, OUTLOOK NARROWED OSLO: Norwegian telecoms operator Telenor yesterday reported third-quarter earnings above expectations, supported by growing mobile service revenue and lower energy prices in the Nordics, and narrowed its full-year projections. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for July-September rose 1.5% on an organic basis to 9.3 billion Norwegian crowns (RM3.9 billion), while analysts on average had expected 9.1 billion. The operator, which has about 158 million customers across the Nordic region and Asia, announced last year it was considering a stock market listing of its Asian unit. – Reuters The world’s second-largest economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter, improving the chances that Beijing can meet its growth target of around 5% for 2023. – UNSPLASH PIX BEIJING: China’s new sovereign bonds will help bolster the economic recovery, China’s vicefinance minister Zhu Zhongming said yesterday, as the government’s stepped-up fiscal stimulus sharply raises its budget deficit. China’s top parliament body has approved a 1 trillion yuan (RM655 billion) in sovereign bond issuance to help rebuild areas hit by this year’s floods and improve urban infrastructure to cope with future disasters, state media said on Tuesday. “After the treasury bond funds are put into use, it will help drive domestic demand and further consolidate the recovery of the economy,” Zhu said at a news conference. The world’s second-largest economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter, improving the chances that Beijing can meet its growth target of around 5% for 2023. But economists say the crisish*t property sector remains a drag on the economy and continues to cloud the growth outlook. In a rare move, China sharply lifted its 2023 budget deficit to around 3.8% of gross domestic product from an originally set 3% due to the rise in central government debt, according to state media. The proposed increase in bond issuance comes as Beijing prepares to inject a fresh dose of fiscal stimulus to shore up the economic recovery, policy insiders say, but there are worries reverting to debtfunded stimulus would undermine the move to a consumer-led economic growth model. Some analysts played down the near-term positive economic impact of the new debt issuance. “We believe the economic impact of this 1 trillion yuan in additional CGBs (Chinese government bonds) should not be overstated, especially in the near term,” Ting Lu, chief China economist at Nomura Holdings, said in a note. “Fiscal multiplier effects from spending on water conservancy projects is likely to be rather limited.” China will reasonably set the pace of bond insurance and match the issuance with spending, Zhu said, adding that authorities will take steps to prevent bond fund misuses. The government’s debt level is still within a reasonable range, the minister said, without giving details. Some policy advisers say the central government has room to spend more as its debt as a share of GDP is just 21%, far lower than 76% for local governments. Half of the funds raised via the bond issuance will be spent this year and the other half will be used next year, according to state media said. Analysts at UBS expect the government to raise its budget deficit and special local bond quotas for 2024, alongside further cuts in interest rates and bank reserve requirement ratios. China’s parliament has also approved a bill to allow local governments to front load part of 2024 local bond quotas. Local governments had been told to complete the issuance of the 2023 quota of 3.8 trillion yuan in special local bonds by September to fund infrastructure projects. – Reuters oMove widens deficit target but economists say crisis-hit property sector remains drag on economy and continues to cloud outlook
2 6 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3 T H U R S D A Y #GimmeTheMic Malaysian champion Jelly Belly ready to shine at global finals page 16 Yang Se-jong delights fans with Instagram leap page 17 Riveting retelling of Osage murders page 18 Britney’s tell-all set to explode page 19
16 SOCIALMEDIA INFLUENCER theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 audience, forming a supportive community. Before achieving the title of Malaysia’s inaugural national champion for #GimmeTheMic, Jelly Belly had already tasted success by winning various s i n g i n g c o m p e t i t i o n s , underscoring his u n d e n i a b l e talent. Jelly Belly, alongside t h e o#GimmeTheMicMalaysia champion Jelly Belly speaks to theSun on journey to success when they were interacting with me. What are your thoughts are on TikTok? How does the platform assist you and other creators in expanding online presence and pursuing hidden talent? In my opinion, TikTok is a platform that greatly benefits people, especially those who take live streaming seriously. The LIVE feature helps shape creators to be more mindful of their actions and words, promoting a safe and positive space by enforcing community guidelines. The short video format of TikTok allows me to showcase my music and creativity uniquely. The duet feature is particularly exciting, as it helps me reach a new audience. Beyond content sharing, TikTok is a community of creators supporting one another. It has enabled me to connect with fans, display my talents and expand my online presence. Tell us more about the upcoming release of your first single. I’m incredibly excited about the release of my first single, titled Asmara. The song tells a story about fake hope in romantic relationships. It will be released tomorrow, and I can’t wait to share it with the world, especially my fans who voted for me to be the first-ever national champion of #GimmeTheMicMalaysia. For this single, I collaborated with well-known local composer Sharon Paul and Universal Music Malaysia to produce it. What advice would you give to other aspiring artistes pursuing their dreams? My advice is to stay true to yourself and your art. I believe it is also very important to collaborate with others to grow as an artiste and TikTok helps with that as it showcases itself as a platform for collaborations with its duet function. Through collaborations, you also get to learn from them and view things from a different perspective. I like looking at other creators and seeing what I can learn from them. Keep working hard and don’t give up. Your hard work will pay off. @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME A FEW months ago, TikTok launched LIVE #GimmeTheMic, a global competition aimed at discovering emerging musical talent and supporting aspiring music creators. The competition took place entirely within the app, from auditions to the national final and the global final. This innovative approach allowed talented performers to participate from their current locations, breaking free from geographical constraints and physical boundaries throughout the entire competition. Exclusively broadcast on TikTok LIVE, the top 10 local finalists recently competed for the ultimate prize. Jelly Belly was crowned #GimmeTheMic Malaysia National Champion, determined through a combination of public votes, gifting and support. Initially aspiring to be an entrepreneur, Jelly Belly took a chance on TikTok to explore new creative avenues. Experimenting with TikTok’s LIVE feature allowed him to express himself through videos, and he discovered and cultivated his own Jelly Belly’s advice to budding artistes: ‘Stay true to your art’. █ BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL other members of the top five in #GimmeTheMic Malaysia– hafizalonggs, irsyadiofficial, juliaidir and celineee lai – is set to represent Malaysia on the international stage at the #GimmeTheMic Global Finale this month. They will compete with national champions from Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. In preparation for the finals, he managed to spare some time for an interview with theSun. What are your long-term goals and how do you plan to advance your career? My long-term goal is to be an established and well-respected artiste in the local music industry, and as I grow as an artiste, my dream is to collaborate with legendary local artistes such as Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Amy of Search and Ramli Sarip. What were your challenges while live streaming and how did you overcome them? I believe it would be the negative comments I get when I livestream. Some of the comments may seem innocuous to some, but they may be hurtful to others. What helped me the most is TikTok’s keyword filter system, in which certain comments or words could be filtered out to prevent them from appearing in the chat box when I am going live. I also added some terms to the filter to prevent those comments from appearing in the chat. I also regularly advise my viewers to be nice and not be negative. I find that communication skills are very important to have as a host and they are crucial to address if you are unhappy with what your viewers are saying. Over time, the viewers would understand how to act, especially The jovial artiste will represent Malaysia at the global finals. Initially aspiring to be an entrepreneur, Jelly Belly seems to have struck gold with #GimmeTheMic. Rise of TikTok star
17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 and 27 years old respectively, while their characters are both 18. The show’s production for its fifth and final season is currently paused due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, and the delay certainly is not stopping the cast from continuing to outgrow their on-screen characters. From the outside, this seems like it may be a big issue, but Stranger Things series executive producer and director Shawn Levy is not the least worried. “We’ve already watched the cast of our show grow up in the public eye, and between 12 and 22, every human being changes profoundly,” he told Variety in an interview. Admitting that the gaps in production are not helping, Levy is convinced that the series’ crew is more than capable of dealing with the situation. “Our hair, makeup and wardrobe departments are pretty exceptional, using costumes, wigs and makeup. We’re going to use all the tools available to us”. Outgrowing their roles AS the years fly by, the cast of Stranger Things is experiencing both a growth spurt and an increase in age. Although this is expected for any long-running series, it is a bit of a problem for the cast of the Netflix hit series because they are getting older than their on-screen characters, such as in last year’s fourth season, in which the core cast of children were 15 years old in the show but the actors playing them were almost 20 years old. For example, Caleb McLaughlin was 20 years old, while his character Lucas is still 15. On the adult side of the spectrum, Charlie Heaton (who looks like he is in his 30s) and Natalia Dyer are 28 The cast of Stranger Things are almost 20 years old in fourth season. - NETFLIXPIC oActor-character age mismatch plagues series █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Yang Se-jong embraces social media with Instagram leap TALENTED actor Yang Se-jong delighted fans on Oct 23 by officially launching his own Instagram account. The exciting addition to the world of social media has been met with immense enthusiasm, not only from his devoted followers but also from his agency, Blossom Entertainment, as they are thrilled to have him join the digital realm. In a heartwarming gesture to mark the inception of his Instagram journey, Se-jong’s first post featured a captivating photograph of himself and alongside it, a message that exuded warmth, saying: “It’s so nice to see you.” Se-jong’s Instagram debut comes hot on the heels of the highly anticipated premiere of his latest drama, Doona, which hit screens on Oct 20. It is a delightful romance drama adapted from the popular webtoon The Girl Downstairs. In the series, Se-jong takes on the role of Won Jun, an ordinary university student who experiences a fateful encounter with Doona, portrayed by the beloved Suzy. The twist in the tale is that Doona happens to be a retired K-pop idol, which adds an intriguing layer to the story. They cross paths in a shared house, setting the stage for a heartwarming and engaging narrative that is sure to captivate audiences. With Se-jong now sharing his personal moments and insights on Instagram, fans can look forward to a closer connection with the charismatic actor. Be it glimpses from his daily life, behind-the-scenes photos from his various projects, or simply heartwarming messages, this Instagram account promises to be a treasure trove for those who admire Se-jong. – By THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN The actor’s first Instagram post. – INSTAGRAM/@BELL.YSJ Quality over quantity AT the price of RM299, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 costs a lot, and conversation has started swirling on whether the game’s length justifies its cost. If players blaze through only the main story missions in the PlayStation 5 (PS5) exclusive, the game can be completed in between 12 and 15 hours, while those aiming for 100% completion of everything are looking at almost 40 hours of playtime. As a comparison, Baldur’s Gate 3, which was released in September, costs RM249 on the PlayStation Store and takes almost 100 hours to complete. In certain circles, it has brought up the discussion on whether games should be long based on its price tag by attaching the value of a game’s content and length to its price tag in a very “Quality vs Quantity” way. For Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 creative director Bryan Intihar, the developer is firmly focused on quality over quantity. Speaking to BBC Newsbeat, Intihar and developer Insomniac Games had a clearly defined goal of delivering the experience that they wanted with the quality they had to it. “Obviously, there’s a certain level of ‘Hey, someone’s going to spend this much money on a game’, so we want to give them the experience that’s worth it. Our job is to make sure that you feel that no matter how long it is, it’s worth that money and investment,” he said. Based on every review and fan conversation surrounding the game several days into its release, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 definitely achieved what the developers sought to deliver, which is a leap forward for the franchise and a monumental feat in pushing the limits of the PS5. As for where the franchise heads after this, the game has post-credits scenes that hint at the direction the franchise will head in its eventual third game. Insomniac also has Marvel’s Wolverine currently in development, and it will be set within the same universe as Marvel’s SpiderMan games. – By MARK MATHEN VICTOR Insomniac Games took what made the first game good and made it better. – SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT
18 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 Riveting retelling of Osage horror K ILLERS of Flower Moon is based on a book written by David Grann that reveals the true story of the killings of the Osage Native American community living in Oklahoma. The story begins with the discovery of oil reserves on their vast land, which makes the Osage people very wealthy. But this makes them targets and they are eventually killed for their assets due to jealousy. The central character, Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former cook in the army infantry, arrives in Fairfax to work with his uncle William Hale (Robert DeNiro) and live with his (cousin) brother Byron. Viewers are introduced to Osage culture, the town and Hale, a cattle ranch owner and a prominent figure who shares a great relationship with the wealthy Osage community. Hale persuades Ernest, a driver, to get married to Mollie (Lily Gladstone), whose mother, Lizzie Q, owns acres of land rich with oil. Upon her death, assets will go to Mollie and her sisters Reta, Anna and Minnie (married to Bill Smith). Hale pretends to care for Mollie’s family and the Osage community, but in reality, his true intention is to steal Mollie’s family heritage assets and money to support his own estate. (Top and right) Earnest (DiCaprio) drives Mollie (Gladstone) around the town. oLuminary cast perform superbly in Killers of Flower Moon █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI The villain, who wanted to be addressed as ‘King’ in the movie. Child christening according to Osage culture. The investigative White (Plemons) corners Hale. Mollie and her beautiful sisters Minnie, Anna and Reta. The elaborately created movie set. – PICS BY UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES Scorsese A plot to kill Unaware of this evil plan, Mollie falls in love with Earnest, and they get married. Soon, Minnie dies due to illness and her husband Bill marries Reta, while Hale plots to murder her two sisters. Earnest agrees to his uncle’s order and helps in the murder of Reta and Bill, while Byron and a hired killer murder Anna. In the meantime, some of the rich Osage people meet with an “accident” and are killed, but the absence of an investigation to capture the killers leads Osage leaders to bring the matter to Washington, DC. The investigation team led by FBI Agent Tom White (Jesse Plemons) arrives at Fairfax and begins to uncover the truth of the matter, and the rest of the story will have you intrigued to the very end of the movie. A balanced point of view The movie runs for three and a half hours and by far, is one of the longest movies. But the story, despite the slow pace at some parts, keeps viewers glued throughout the movie. The story itself is an eye-opener – it tells the hidden truth about the unfair treatment of the Osage people, suppressing them by imposing restrictions and covering up brutal murders in the early 1920s, which was unknown to many. It is a compelling story, narrated fairly without taking sides or from the perspective of one particular community. In this film, the director delivers yet another amazing story. Initially, Martin Scorsese and Eric Roth’s adaptation of the movie was from the point of view of Thomas Bruce White Sr, the FBI agent who solved the Osage murder, and he was the main character (which DiCaprio was supposed to play). However, they pivoted once they realised they wanted to focus more on the Osage nation and it was not until they read Ernest’s court testimony that they realised the direction they wanted to take. A talented cast This is the sixth time DiCaprio reunites with Scorsese, and by far, it is the best one. DiCaprio is exceptionally well done in his portrayal of the real-life character, who is caught between his love for his wife and his loyalty to his uncle. DiCaprio’s characteristics and mannerism are far different from any other role he previously played. The actor portrayed the desperation, anger, guilt and fear the character faced. Ernest was manipulated, but instead of listening to his heart, he followed Hale’s instructions and paid the price in the end. But who can forget Willian Hale? DeNiro is excellent as a greedy, cunning, conniving and cold man who forces and manipulates his nephew and everyone around him to achieve what he wants. DeNiro’s magnificent performance makes his role one of his greatest villains. In this film, DeNiro and DiCaprio reunite after 30 years since DeNiro helped to cast DiCaprio in This Boy’s Life. It is the tenth collaboration between DeNiro and Scorsese. Meanwhile, DiCaprio’s co-star, Gladstone’s subtle expression, is just so captivating. Her standout performance is indeed praise-worthy. While the appearances of John Lithgow and Branden Fraser are surprising, even in their small roles, they made a mark. Plemons captured the essence of his character, while all the supporting characters played their roles really well. The fact that the makers selected real native Americans to act is applaud-worthy. The movie is a must-watch not just for the ardent fans of DiCaprio (who is also producing the movie) and Scorsese, but because it has a good story that one should watch. Do not miss out on the surprising cameo appearance of Scorsese at the end of the movie.
19 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 Youthful romance I N the vibrant world of Doona, director Lee Jung-hyo introduces us to a narrative that blends the lives of two individuals from vastly different backgrounds. As we delve into the heart of this captivating story, we follow the journey of Lee Doona, a former K-pop idol seeking refuge from her world of stardom, and Lee Won-jun, an ordinary college freshman navigating the complexities of his reality. Their paths intersect in shared housing, setting the stage for a soulful connection and heart fluttering romance. Jung-hyo’s unique take on Doona centres on the beautiful process of two worlds converging and the gradual understanding that unfolds between the characters. It captures the essence of the early twenties, when innocence and inexperience still linger, a period of life he fervently aims to emphasise. Suzy, who portrays the enigmatic Doona, shares her personal journey into the project. Drawn by the allure of the original webtoon, Suzy reveals her excitement at translating its unique mood and vibe onto the screen. Doona’s character offered her a fresh and intriguing challenge, sparking her curiosity and igniting her passion for the role. Yang Se-jong, portraying the character of Won-jun, explains how reading the script of Doona filled him with excitement and anticipation. His return to acting after a four year absence, which included military service, is a testament to his eagerness to bring this character to life. oAn exciting blend of worlds and emotions █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Tell-all memoir by Spears poised to be bestseller Suzy and Se-jong play the lead roles in Doona. The series has nine episodes. TWO years after escaping her father’s guardianship, Britney Spears recounts her years as a superstar who became a victim of her own success in her highly acclaimed memoir released on Tuesday. One revelation from The Woman in Me has already made headlines, with Spears saying she felt pressured into having an abortion while dating fellow popstar Justin Timberlake between 1999 and 2002. The publishers had kept a tight lid on most of the contents, which is surprising since Simon and Schuster reportedly paid more than 15 million dollars for the rights. It was not a risky bet, however – the book had already been topping the pre-sale chart at Amazon US. It was released on Tuesday in around 20 countries and 10 languages. “Reliving everything has been exciting, heart-wrenching and emotional, to say the least,” Spears told People magazine. The emotional turmoil means the 41-year-old singer has only recorded a small section for the audiobook, leaving the rest to actress Michelle Williams. “There are so many hard things to read in the news about my book. Then, I woke up this morning and said it’s all relative... nothing really matters at this point,” she wrote on Instagram this week. Up and down Spears came from a very humble background and found early fame on The Mickey Mouse Club alongside other future stars Ryan Gosling and Christina Aguilera. At 16, she became one of the most famous women on the planet with 1998’s iconic Baby One More Time, which sold 10 million copies and became one of the biggest hits of all time. Eight more albums followed, often selling in the millions, including Oops!...I Did It Again and In the Zone, combined with spectacular world tours. Growing up in the media glare and relentlessly sexualised by her marketing team from a young age, Spears lost her footing in 2007. A highly public breakdown in which she shaved her head and was filmed attacking a paparazzi’s car led to her father, Jamie Spears, taking legal control over her life. It meant he controlled her finances, career decisions and even whether she could see her children or marry, which Spears described as tantamount to “abuse”. Her fans organised a campaign – #FreeBritney – aided by media investigations that finally led a court to remove her father as guardian in September 2021. She apparently no longer speaks to her family. Her life has hardly been smooth sailing since then – her marriage to model Sam Asghari ended in August after just 14 months. But Spears at least looks set to add a number-one bestselling book to her list of artistic accomplishments. – ETX STUDIO Suzy’s portrayal of Doona is that of a former K-pop sensation who has concealed herself from the world, living in shared housing in a college town. Doona, although initially guarded and enigmatic, harbours a deep thirst for love beneath her seemingly impenetrable exterior. Her character is one that elicits a desire to reach out and embrace her. When it comes to directing a romance show, Jung-hyo highlights the paramount importance of chemistry between the characters. He emphasises the necessity of communication with the cast to ensure the emotional authenticity of the on-screen relationships. Building good chemistry and understanding the feelings of the actors were central to the success of the series. Se-jong’s character, Won-jun, is an ordinary college freshman thrust into Doona’s world. Initially hesitant to get close to her, he undergoes a transformative journey, allowing his character to develop and embrace new feelings. Suzy’s return to the small screen, following her success in Anna, comes with high expectations. However, she feels no burden, as the distinctiveness of Doona’s character excites her more than it worries her. The stark differences between her roles ensure that viewers will not be reminded of her previous performances. Intriguingly, Se-jong had to prepare both externally and internally to portray a character a decade younger than himself. This involved laser treatments, grooming and even losing weight to convincingly embody his early twenties character. On the other hand, Suzy draws parallels between Doona and her own experiences as a former girl group member, acknowledging that she admires Doona’s emotional honesty and willingness to express her feelings. For Jung-hyo, Doona represents a new challenge as it marks his first adaptation of a webtoon into a drama series. Adapting a long-running webtoon into a limited series presents unique challenges, but the collaborative efforts of the webtoon’s creator and the scriptwriter have made the experience enjoyable. This adaptation, as he hints, leans more towards an emotional narrative, setting it apart from other romance shows. Catch Doona on Netflix. Spears recounts her years as a superstar who became a victim of her own success.
20 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME A Anger management NGER is an emotion that all humans experience at various points in their lives. While it can serve as a natural response to frustrating or threatening situations, uncontrolled anger can have destructive consequences. It can harm relationships, affect physical and mental health and lead to regrettable actions. In this feature, we will discuss five essential strategies to help you gain better control of your anger. Self-awareness The first step in managing anger effectively is developing self-awareness. Understanding your personal triggers, whether they involve specific situations, people or internal thoughts, is crucial. By identifying these triggers, you can anticipate and prepare for potential anger inducing scenarios. Recognising the physical signs of anger escalation is equally important. Increased heart rate, muscle oHere are five key strategies keep rage in check █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN YouTube announces launch of news option FOR many young people, it has almost become second nature to look for the latest news on social media. YouTube is hoping to capitalise on the popularity of this approach to news consumption by launching pages dedicated to verified news. YouTube is well aware of the large numbers of young people who turn to social networks to keep up with the news. With this in mind, the video streaming platform has announced the launch of pages dedicated to the latest news from authoritative sources in a bid to avoid the spread of false information. Videos, live broadcasts, podcasts and even Shorts, content published by recognised and verified sources, will be aggregated on these pages organised by the topic being addressed. A kind of “immersive watch page experience for news stories” will allow “viewers to deep dive” and explore multiple sources and angles. All on one watch page, people will be able to find relevant long form video, live coverage and Shorts to quickly catch up,” YouTube said in a press release. To access these pages, simply click on a video with the “newspaper” icon, either on the YouTube homepage or directly from the search bar. For the moment, this new feature is only available on the mobile app in around 40 countries. The video platform has indicated that integration will come later for the web version and the YouTube Living Room app. Unlike the Meta group, YouTube has decided to go even further with online news by launching a new programme called the “Shorts Innovation Programme for News.” This initiative aims to help news organisations strengthen their short-form video capabilities through financial grants and support. For the moment, 20 organisations in ten countries are involved and will be able to share US$1.6 million. The platform has announced that it will be working with Univision in the US, AFP in France and Mediacorp in Singapore over the next year on their Shorts content strategy and video production best practices. – ETX STUDIO The platform is putting together news pages featuring video content from reliable media sources. Anger can strain and destroy important relationships, causing alienation and distance from loved ones. Anger can lead to regrettable actions, including violence and impulsive decisions. tension, shallow breathing and a sense of unease are common indicators. When you become aware of these early warning signs, you can intervene before your anger spirals out of control. Practice mindfulness Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises are valuable tools in anger management. They can help you stay present in the moment and reduce the impulsive reactions that often accompany anger. When you feel anger building up, take a few deep breaths and focus on the sensations in your body. This simple act can help you stay calm and make more rational decisions, rather than reacting in the heat of the moment. Improve communication A significant source of anger in many situations is miscommunication or ineffective communication. Learning to express your feelings and concerns clearly and assertively can prevent misunderstandings that lead to anger. Active listening is equally crucial in managing anger. Paying attention to the other person’s perspective and being open to their viewpoint can defuse conflicts and reduce anger. By acknowledging their feelings and concerns, you can create an environment for productive and empathetic conversations. Avoid blame and criticism Blame and c r i t i c i s m a r e c o m m o n e l e m e n t s in anger expression but are rarely productive. Instead of pointing fingers and assigning blame, focus on the issue at hand and seek solutions. When discussing problems, use “I” statements to express your feelings and needs without accusing the other person. This shift in c o m m u n i c a t i o n can significantly reduce the escalation of anger and promote understanding and resolution instead. Time-outs Taking a time-out when you feel anger escalating is a practical and effective strategy. Stepping away from the situation allows you to cool off and collect your thoughts. Use this time to reflect on your feelings and consider alternative perspectives. A time-out provides a temporary buffer between the trigger and your response, giving you time to think more clearly. It can prevent you from reacting in the heat of the moment and help you respond with a calmer, more rational mindset. Anger is a natural emotion that we all experience, but it is crucial to learn how to manage and control it effectively. Remember, anger itself is not the enemy – it is how you choose to respond to it that makes all the difference in your life and relationships. By applying these techniques, you can master the art of controlling your anger and improve your overall well-being. Uncontrolled anger can damage your physical health. – PICS BY FREEPIK
21 * SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 In the matter of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the matter of PDC CONSULTANCY SDN. BHD. Company No: 200401001327 (639830-U) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at the meeting room of PDC Premier Holdings Sdn Bhd, Level 4, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Building, No. 1 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11909 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang on Monday, 27 November 2023 at 9.00 a.m. for the following purposes: i) To lay before the meeting an account of the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and of giving any explanation thereof. ii) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereon shall be disposed of upon the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the dissolution of the Company. iii) To consider the discharge of the Liquidator. Dated this 26 October 2023 HING POE PYNG Liquidator Note: A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 51-8-A, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF AGENSI PEKERJAAN MAVEN RECRUIT SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO. 202101039818 (1440118-T)] (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the General Meeting of the Company pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 will be held at ZC-13A-01, The Zest, Jalan Kinrara 6B, Bandar Kinrara, 47180 Puchong, Selangor on 27 November 2023 at 11:00 a.m. for the following purposes: (1) To receive and consider the Liquidator’s account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to receive any explanation thereon. (2) To determine, pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed of. Yong Lee Ching Liquidator Dated this 26th day of October, 2023. NOTE: A member of the company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Liquidator’s office at ZC-13A-01, The Zest, Jalan Kinrara 6B, Bandar Kinrara, 47180 Puchong, Selangor not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. 322 Notices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ffl (;3(5,(1&(5(48,5(0(176ffl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flflfl WKH6XQLVSXEOLVKHGE\6XQ0HGLD&RUSRUDWLRQ6GQ%KG /RW/HYHO-DODQ3HWDOLQJ-D\D6HODQJRU 322 Notices In the matter of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the matter of PDC HOMES SDN. BHD. Company No: 199501035782 (364984-M) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at the meeting room of PDC Premier Holdings Sdn Bhd, Level 4, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Building, No. 1 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11909 Bayan Lepas, Penang on Monday, 27 November 2023 at 9.30 a.m. for the following purposes: i) To lay before the meeting an account of the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and of giving any explanation thereof. ii) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereon shall be disposed of upon the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the dissolution of the Company. iii) To consider the discharge of the Liquidator. Dated this 26 October 2023 HING POE PYNG Liquidator Note: A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 51-8-A, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF FATTE TECH SDN. BHD. 200701015535 (773542-W) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) (Incorporated in Malaysia) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459(1) of the Companies Act 2016, the FINAL MEETING of the Company will be held at Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor on 27-11-2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- 1. To receive the Liquidators’ Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the Company has been disposed of, and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidators. 2. To destroy all the books and records of the Company and of the liquidators, in digital, printed and any format that are relevant to the affairs of the Company at the expiry of two years from the date of dissolution of the Company and in accordance to the provisions of the Companies Act 2016. LAI CHUNG EN CHAN BEE LEE (F) Liquidators Dated this 26-10-2023 Note : A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and, on a poll, to vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The proxy form must be deposited to the Liquidators’ address at Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor at least 48 hours before the date and time of the meeting. 322 Notices $'9(57,6,1* 0$5.(7,1* (;(&87,9(&/$66,),('6 ,6+,5,1* ,I\RXIHHO\RXKDYHZKDWLWWDNHVWRMRLQXVLQWKH LQWHUHVWLQJPHGLDLQGXVWU\VHQG\RXUUHVXPHWRJHWKHU ZLWKDSKRWRRI\RX YLDHPDLOWRKU#WKHVXQGDLO\FRP <RXFDQFDOOXVDWflflfl WKH6XQLVSXEOLVKHGE\6XQ0HGLD&RUSRUDWLRQ6GQ%KG /RW/HYHO-DODQ3HWDOLQJ-D\D6HODQJRU 5(48,5(0(176ffl 0LQLPXPGLSORPDLQPDUNHWLQJRURWKHU UHODWHGILHOGV )UHVKJUDGXDWHVDUHHQFRXUDJHGWRDSSO\ *RRGLQWHUSHUVRQDOSUHVHQWDWLRQSUREOHPVROYLQJ FRPPXQLFDWLRQDQGRUJDQLVDWLRQDOVNLOOV 6HOIPRWLYDWHGDEOHWRZRUNLQGHSHQGHQWO\DVZHOO DVLQDWHDP $WWUDFWLYHFRPPLVVLRQDZDLWVIRUDFKLHYHUV GD\ZRUNZHHN In the matter of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the matter of PINTAR DAYA CONSULTANCY SDN. BHD. Company No: 200601002895 (722642-K) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at the meeting room of PDC Premier Holdings Sdn Bhd, Level 4, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Building, No. 1 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Batu, 11909 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang on Monday, 27 November 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: i) To lay before the meeting an account of the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and of giving any explanation thereof. ii) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereon shall be disposed of upon the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the dissolution of the Company. iii) To consider the discharge of the Liquidator. Dated this 26 October 2023 HING POE PYNG Liquidator Note: A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 51-8-A, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. In the matter of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the matter of PDC CONSULTANCY SDN. BHD. Company No: 200401001327 (639830-U) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at the meeting room of PDC Premier Holdings Sdn Bhd, Level 4, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Building, No. 1 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11909 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang on Monday, 27 November 2023 at 9.00 a.m. for the following purposes: i) To lay before the meeting an account of the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and of giving any explanation thereof. ii) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereon shall be disposed of upon the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the dissolution of the Company. iii) To consider the discharge of the Liquidator. Dated this 26 October 2023 HING POE PYNG Liquidator Note: A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 51-8-A, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF AGENSI PEKERJAAN MAVEN RECRUIT SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO. 202101039818 (1440118-T)] (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the General Meeting of the Company pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 will be held at ZC-13A-01, The Zest, Jalan Kinrara 6B, Bandar Kinrara, 47180 Puchong, Selangor on 27 November 2023 at 11:00 a.m. for the following purposes: (1) To receive and consider the Liquidator’s account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to receive any explanation thereon. (2) To determine, pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed of. Yong Lee Ching Liquidator Dated this 26th day of October, 2023. NOTE: A member of the company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Liquidator’s office at ZC-13A-01, The Zest, Jalan Kinrara 6B, Bandar Kinrara, 47180 Puchong, Selangor not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. 322 Notices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ffl (;3(5,(1&(5(48,5(0(176ffl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flflfl WKH6XQLVSXEOLVKHGE\6XQ0HGLD&RUSRUDWLRQ6GQ%KG /RW/HYHO-DODQ3HWDOLQJ-D\D6HODQJRU 322 Notices In the matter of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the matter of PDC HOMES SDN. BHD. Company No: 199501035782 (364984-M) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at the meeting room of PDC Premier Holdings Sdn Bhd, Level 4, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Building, No. 1 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11909 Bayan Lepas, Penang on Monday, 27 November 2023 at 9.30 a.m. for the following purposes: i) To lay before the meeting an account of the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and of giving any explanation thereof. ii) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereon shall be disposed of upon the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the dissolution of the Company. iii) To consider the discharge of the Liquidator. Dated this 26 October 2023 HING POE PYNG Liquidator Note: A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 51-8-A, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF FATTE TECH SDN. BHD. 200701015535 (773542-W) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) (Incorporated in Malaysia) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459(1) of the Companies Act 2016, the FINAL MEETING of the Company will be held at Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor on 27-11-2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- 1. To receive the Liquidators’ Statement of Account showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the Company has been disposed of, and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidators. 2. To destroy all the books and records of the Company and of the liquidators, in digital, printed and any format that are relevant to the affairs of the Company at the expiry of two years from the date of dissolution of the Company and in accordance to the provisions of the Companies Act 2016. LAI CHUNG EN CHAN BEE LEE (F) Liquidators Dated this 26-10-2023 Note : A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and, on a poll, to vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The proxy form must be deposited to the Liquidators’ address at Suite 15, 6th Floor, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor at least 48 hours before the date and time of the meeting. 322 Notices $'9(57,6,1* 0$5.(7,1* (;(&87,9(&/$66,),('6 ,6+,5,1* ,I\RXIHHO\RXKDYHZKDWLWWDNHVWRMRLQXVLQWKH LQWHUHVWLQJPHGLDLQGXVWU\VHQG\RXUUHVXPHWRJHWKHU ZLWKDSKRWRRI\RX YLDHPDLOWRKU#WKHVXQGDLO\FRP <RXFDQFDOOXVDWflflfl WKH6XQLVSXEOLVKHGE\6XQ0HGLD&RUSRUDWLRQ6GQ%KG /RW/HYHO-DODQ3HWDOLQJ-D\D6HODQJRU 5(48,5(0(176ffl 0LQLPXPGLSORPDLQPDUNHWLQJRURWKHU UHODWHGILHOGV )UHVKJUDGXDWHVDUHHQFRXUDJHGWRDSSO\ *RRGLQWHUSHUVRQDOSUHVHQWDWLRQSUREOHPVROYLQJ FRPPXQLFDWLRQDQGRUJDQLVDWLRQDOVNLOOV 6HOIPRWLYDWHGDEOHWRZRUNLQGHSHQGHQWO\DVZHOO DVLQDWHDP $WWUDFWLYHFRPPLVVLRQDZDLWVIRUDFKLHYHUV GD\ZRUNZHHN In the matter of the Companies Act, 2016 And In the matter of PINTAR DAYA CONSULTANCY SDN. BHD. Company No: 200601002895 (722642-K) (In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovementioned Company will be held at the meeting room of PDC Premier Holdings Sdn Bhd, Level 4, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Building, No. 1 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Batu, 11909 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang on Monday, 27 November 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes: i) To lay before the meeting an account of the Liquidator showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and of giving any explanation thereof. ii) To determine pursuant to Section 518(3)(b) of the Companies Act, 2016, the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator thereon shall be disposed of upon the expiration of three (3) months from the date of the dissolution of the Company. iii) To consider the discharge of the Liquidator. Dated this 26 October 2023 HING POE PYNG Liquidator Note: A member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy and vote in his stead. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Company. The instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the office of the liquidator, 51-8-A, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang not less than 48 hours before the meeting. Reality check for Bangladesh Shakib accepts World Cup dream all but over after crushing defeat S HAKIB AL HASAN conceded Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the World Cup semifinals were all but over after a crushing 149- run defeat by South Africa in Mumbai yesterday. The Proteas piled up 382-5 after winning the toss, with Quinton de Kock making 174 – his third century of the tournament – and Heinrich Klaasen a rapid 90. South Africa, briefly wobbling at 36-2, ran riot with 144 runs off their last 10 overs. Bangladesh then collapsed to 58-5, with only Mohammad Mahmudullah’s 111 preventing an even larger margin of defeat. As it is, Bangladesh have now suffered four defeats in five games and sit rock-bottom of the 10- team group. “We’d still like to finish up the table, if not semifinalists then fifth or sixth,” said Shakib, returning from a thigh injury that forced him out of a defeat by India. Bangladesh, who’d won three of their four previous one-day internationals against South Africa, made a decent start. “Yes, I thought we bowled well for the first 25 overs, got three wickets and they were going at five-an-over,” said Shakib. “Then they kicked on, I thought Quinton de Kock batted really well and the way Heinrich Klaasen finished it off, we didn’t have any answers to it.” Shakib, now in his fifth World Cup, had a match to forget, the left-arm spinner returning expensive figures of 1-69 in nine overs before falling for just one. “We should have bowled better but we lost our plans in the last 10 overs,” said the 36-year-old all-rounder. “That’s where we lost the game.” As for whether Mahmudullah and fellow middle-order veteran Mushfiqur Rahim should be promoted up the order, Shakib said: “They’re doing their roles well but our top four or five are not scoring runs, need to score more runs so we can get more out of them.” The 37-year-old Mahmudullah added: “I have seen a lot of ups and downs throughout my career. (Batting down the order) is fine. “Yesterday the coach (Chandika Hathurusingha) told me that I was batting at No 6. I went out there and played my game”. Shakib, looking at the tournament as a whole, said: “South Africa, India and New Zealand are the three teams that look like they can win the title. But anything can happen… There’s still a long way to go. “There is a lot to learn and a lot to play for. For the (2025) Champions Trophy, we have to be in the top eight (in the ODI standings) and that’s important.” – AFP Proteas will never ‘clip wings’ of De Kock SOUTH AFRICA stand-in captain Aiden Markram paid tribute to Quinton de Kock (pix) yesterday, describing the match-winning batsman as a “free spirit” who should be allowed “to fly”. De Kock hit 174, his third century in five matches, to lead South Africa to 382-5 in their World Cup match against Bangladesh before the team completed a 149-run rout. For all De Kock is renowned as an outstanding shot-maker, Markram – who himself made a stylish 60 during a stand of 161 with the left-hander – said there was more to the 30-year-old’s game than sheer natural ability. “We all know Quinton to be the freespirited guy that he is, but he actually has a fantastic cricket brain on him,” said Markram. “He assesses conditions really well and communicates that to us off the field even before we’ve walked out to bat. “So, it adds a lot of value in that regard. And then you never want to clip his wings really. You just want to let him fly.” De Kock, in what he has said will be his last major one-day international event, has now surpassed Virat Kohli as the tournament’s leading scorer with 407 runs to the India star’s 354. However, he played down his innings, which followed scores of 100 and 109 during South Africa’s opening two matches against Sri Lanka and Australia. “To be honest I am a bit more tired than satisfied. It was a great day out for the guys,” he said. De Kock was then off the field for the entire Bangladesh innings following a bout of cramp. – AFP
22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 SPORTS Toto 4D Jackpot 2 RM1,100,000 RM8,418,060 won on 22/10/2023 ! Toto 6D Toto 4D Jackpot 1 RM174,637 5709/2023 25/10/2023 (WED) 3494 9818 6985 0513 1308 3703 6756 6769 1779 8823 6150 0359 4155 3979 2660 6496 7607 7543 4961 8634 7057 3590 1418 2,729,648.15 3494 3494 3494 6985 6985 9818 6985 6985 9818 9818 3494 9818 132,663.30 3494 9818 6985 DRAGON 70344 47987 7987 987 07437 8 7 7 5 667475 67475 7475 475 66747 6674 667 6 6 11,803,307.58 1,578,364.01 21 9 25 28 29 100,000.00 9 13 24 42 45 48 1 15 18 33 38 48 49 10,505,869.81 258 319 +MONKEY 892 045 + HORSE 542 291 +ROOSTER Draw Date: 25/10/23 (Wed) Draw No: 5656/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 8319 2045 2291 5361 + 2033 2914 + 8592 6128 + 1941 4104 + 4269 9945 + 1086 9844 + 4882 2664 + 3949 4851 + 0967 4188 + 2282 4183 + 9004 RM2,496,633.10 8319 + 2045 2045 + 8319 8319 + 2291 2291 + 8319 2045 + 2291 2291 + 2045 RM100,000.00 RM2,150,327.50 RM1,886,817.00 RM50,000.00 235 361 972 033 522 914 348 592 856 128 021 941 264 104 814 269 499 945 881 086 329 844 744 882 812 664 073 949 564 851 810 967 464 188 312 282 534 183 829 004 319 045 291 RM661,326.80 319 + 045 + 291 045 + 291 + 319 319 + 291 + 045 291 + 319 + 045 045 + 319 + 291 291 + 045 + 319 1+3DJP1 RM4,083,990 & 1+3DJP2 RM100,000 won on 22/10/23! Three in three for Jude Bellingham stars again for Madrid against Braga J UDE BELLINGHAM scored his third goal in as many Champions League appearances for Real Madrid as the Spanish side won 2-1 away to Braga in Portugal yesterday. Rodrygo put Real ahead and England star Bellingham made it 2-0 just after the hour mark, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side then holding on after Alvaro Djalo pulled one back for Braga. “Overall, I really think we produced a good game,” said Ancelotti. “I didn’t enjoy that they scored because before that we were well in control and the win was in hand.” The result leaves Madrid in a strong position with the maximum nine points from three games in Group C, three ahead of Napoli who beat Union Berlin 1-0 away in Germany. After a cagey start, Nacho released Vinicius down the left flank and the Brazilian stood Serdar Saatci up before squaring for a sliding Rodrygo to give Madrid the lead on 16 minutes. Madrid briefly thought they had doubled their lead 10 minutes before half-time when Rodrygo slotted the ball into an empty net, but Vinicius had strayed offside as Eduardo Camavinga played him in near the halfway line. Bellingham doubled Madrid’s lead on 61 minutes when he stroked the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after being teed up by Vinicius. It was his 11th goal in all competitions for Real since joining the record 14-time European champions from Borussia Dortmund ahead of this season. However, the home side halved the deficit just two minutes later when Djalo powered a near-post drive past Kepa Arrizabalaga. Braga then introduced the dangerous Bruma, who was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench. The change nearly paid off on 70 minutes when a Ricardo Horta drive was spooned just wide by Arrizabalaga. Vinicius thought he had added a goal to his two assists on 82 minutes, but the assistant’s flag denied him with Madrid looking to kill off the game. A VAR check for a penalty in the 89th minute was Braga’s last hope for an equaliser as Madrid ground out a hard-fought victory. There were alarm bells after Bellingham had to be substituted late on with what looked like an injury, but Ancelotti said: “He’s fine. His adductor was a bit overloaded because the pitch was quite soft, but it’s nothing major. He’ll recover in time. He’s fatigued like everyone, but that’s normal.” The Spanish side will be looking to book their place in the round of 16 when they host Braga in the return fixture on Nov 8. Given the nod to start up front, Brazilian attacker Rodrygo will be hoping his goal will ensure his place in the starting XI for Saturday’s (10.15pm Malaysian time) Clasico away to Barcelona. Speaking to UEFA after the match, compatriot Vinicius said of the striker “I’d say it was good for his confidence to get a goal – particularly ahead of the Clasico”. Speaking about the game, Vinicius added: “It’s normal to suffer a little in away matches. But we played well and scored the goals with the chances we created. “We could’ve scored even more. We have to keep this run going after having won the first three matches.” – AFP/Agencies Napoli secure narrow victory in Berlin NAPOLI winger Khvicha Kvaratskheli helped an “ice-cold” Napoli secure a narrow Champions League victory at Union Berlin yesterday, laying on the game’s only goal for Giacomo Raspadori in a 1-0 away victory. The Georgian stepped up in the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen and was dangerous throughout, slicing through the Union defence to set up Raspadori midway through the second half. The victory – Napoli’s second in three group stage matches – boosts the Italian side’s chances of reaching the knockouts, while Union are stranded in last place with no points after three losses. Visiting manager Rudi Garcia said “we had to be patient and in the second half we did better – and scored a great goal.” “We’ve won twice away from home (but) there’s still a long way for us to go to qualify.” Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo told Sky Sports: “We wanted this win – we showed how strong of a side we are.” Goalscorer Raspadori said although his team “could have done better” against Union “an away win like this in the Champions League is always good. We knew it would be difficult.” “Napoli didn’t have many chances but they were ice cold” Union captain Christopher Trimmel told broadcaster DAZN. Union coach Urs Fischer told reporters after the game it was “brutal to leave the field as the loser after the way we played, we had a grip on Napoli.” The Swiss coach said Kvaratskhelia was the difference between the sides. “It’s not possible to defend a player of his quality for 90 minutes.” Spurred on by a fiery home crowd of 70,000 in Berlin’s sold out Olympic Stadium, Union started brighter, forcing the Italian champions to concede some early corners as the home side pushed high and had Napoli on the back foot. Union had the ball in the net after 24 minutes when Chelsea loanee David Fofana found Gosens, who tapped in, but the Ivorian had been offside in the build up. Kvaratskhelia continued to trouble Union down the left and created the opener out of nothing, shedding Trimmel and cutting back to Raspadori, who snuck a looping strike in at the near post. Fischer made all five changes as the clock wound down but Napoli held firm for a hard-fought away victory. Union, who suprisingly qualified for the Champions League after just their fourth season in the top division, have now lost 10 matches in a row in all competitions. Trimmel observed: “It was a good step for us in the right direction. We were brave.” “It’s a bitter feeling because we weren’t missing much.” – AFP Sporting Braga’s Serdar Saatci (left) fights for the ball with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham during their Champions League match. – AFPPIX
23 SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2023 All jackpot amounts stated above are for this Draw. Subject to T&Cs of the Scheme. Please visit to www.magnum4d.my for more info. THE BIGGER PLAY IS TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY 945/23 25/10/2023 7918 0580 2790 8427 1796 5261 5042 3824 9880 7624 0856 4708 6846 0820 1166 4930 8669 4784 0419 6921 0970 8292 9928 RM3,886,869.41 RM231,423.96 7918 + 0580 0580 + 7918 2790 + 7918 7918 + 2790 0580 + 2790 2790 + 0580 10 12 17 19 29 32 34 36 8 26 RM3,719,021.67 RM218,446.32 1 8 8 0 9 0 1 8 8 0 9 8 8 0 9 0 1 8 8 0 8 0 9 0 1 8 8 0 9 0 1 8 9 0 8 0 1 9 Bambi lifts Bayern to victory J AMAL MUSIALA assisted one and scored another as Bayern Munich won 3-1 at Galatasaray yesterday, extending their stellar Champions League group stage record to 17 straight wins. Musiala charged up the middle of the park to help create the opener for Kingsley Coman early, before Argentina striker Mauro Icardi won and converted a penalty to level the scores. Nicknamed “Bambi”, Musiala laid on a goal for Harry Kane before the England captain returned the favour, allowing the 20-year-old Germany midfielder to get a goal of his own. “It was an important win” Kane told Amazon Prime immediately after the victory. “They made it difficult for us in the first half but in the second we calmed down a little.” Fellow goalscorer Coman echoed Kane’s comments, saying “it wasn’t easy, they put plenty of pressure on us – but we got better in the second half.” Kane has gone level with Frank Lampard for Champions League goals. The former Spurs captain strike yesterday took his overall tally to 23 in the competition, therefore equalling the number scored by Chelsea legend Lampard. Six-time winners Bayern came into the game hoping to protect a remarkable recent record in the Champions League. The German champions travelled to Istanbul unbeaten in their past 36 matches in the group stages, including 19 away games. Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, praised his side’s stunning record after the victory. “I don’t know how many group stage matches I’ve done as a coach, but it’s always super difficult – so it’s great to find ourselves with nine points after three matches.” Galatasaray, the only Turkish team to have won a European trophy having lifted the Europa League in 2000, were on a streak of their own, chalking up 17 matches without a loss before Bayern’s visit. Coman got Bayern off to the best possible start, turning in a pinpoint Musiala pass after just eight minutes, his fourth goal in his past ‘Spurs must make absence from Europe count’ DEJAN KULUSEVSKI has acknowledged Tottenham have an advantage over their rivals with no European football this year and feels it could make the difference come the end of the season. Spurs returned to the Premier League summit on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Fulham courtesy of goals from Son Heungmin and James Maddison. Ange Postecoglou’s resurgent side are next in action on Saturday (3am Malaysian time) at Crystal Palace, where they could go five points clear at the top with a victory and while Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have European fixtures to contend with, Tottenham can focus purely on League. “Honestly, it helps a lot. Physically, I remember last season was very hard playing three games a week,” Kulusevski said. “You feel very tired in the warm-ups. Also, mentally not having to travel to Spain or Italy to play games helps. You are at home, with your family. “You have a good rest mentally, so it is a huge thing that we have and we have to take advantage of that this year. “You can feel the difference and hopefully you will see even more at the end of the season. “It is early because we will see what happens. Everything can change every day so we don’t need to talk about (title), but we must live for the day with a smile, train hard and not forget who we are. We must try to get better every day. “It is not important what people say. The important thing is to work hard, be humble, listen to the coach and keep the smiles on faces. Then at the end of the season we will see where we are.” Spurs were without the suspended Yves Bissouma for the visit of Fulham, but PierreEmile Hojbjerg slotted in to good effect on his first League start of the season. The Danish midfielder expressed his delight at starting and urged his teammates to “live with the pressure” amid talk of a potential title challenge. “Honestly it felt amazing to play. I think you have to live with the pressure, assume the pressure but again it is about improving and looking at yourself week in, week out.” – The Independent Cardiff up to 6th after Huddersfield demolition CARDIFF CITY won for the first time in four Championship games as they romped to a 4-0 victory at Huddersfield Town. The Bluebirds seized control of the contest early on as Callum Robinson’s backheel deflected into the net off Matty Pearson. They swiftly doubled the lead when centreback Dimitrios Goutas headed in at a corner before hapless Huddersfield were undone at another set-piece as Yakou Meite lashed in his first Cardiff goal. Jack Rudoni wasted Huddersfield’s best first-half chance with a wayward header before Perry Ng’s fabulous free-kick ended any slim chance of a Huddersfield revival after the break. Cardiff’s second away win of the league campaign is timely for Erol Bulut, who had demanded better from his team having seen them take only one point from their previous three games. They responded with an emphatic victory which lifts Cardiff into the playoff places. “Today we saw a really, really good Cardiff City. What we asked from the players, they did it well,” Bulut said. “Second half we knew the opponent would come with long balls but we were prepared for that. We worked really hard, it was a really good game from us. “Last game we were not aggressive enough, too far away from the opponents. And offensively, with the ball, we didn’t create enough. “Today, in an away game, to score four goals and it could be much more… but okay, I am satisfied with four goals. “We had a really good run, with four wins in a row. But I said always it can change very quickly. We had two games we didn’t want. Now we come back with a victory today but we have to go again.” It’s the Severnside derby against Bristol City up next for Bulut and Co and the manager had a message for his players ahead of the fixture. “We play at home this weekend with our supporters behind us,” he concluded. “My players know what they have to do.” – Agencies/WalesOnline █ GEORGE SESSIONS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP A: Galatasaray 1 (Icardi 30- pen) Bayern Munich 3 (Coman 8, Kane 73, Musiala 79), Manchester United 1 (Maguire 72) FC Copenhagen 0. P W D L F A Pts Bayern Munich 3 3 0 0 9 5 9 Galatasaray 3 1 1 1 6 7 4 Man United 3 1 0 2 6 7 3 FC Copenhagen 3 0 1 2 3 5 1 GROUP B: Lens 1 (Wahi 65) PSV Eindhoven 1 (Bakayoko 54), Sevilla 1 (Gudelj 58) Arsenal 2 (Martinelli 45+4, Jesus 53). P W D L F A Pts Arsenal 3 2 0 1 7 3 6 Lens 3 1 2 0 4 3 5 Sevilla 3 0 2 1 4 5 2 PSV Eindhoven 3 0 2 1 3 7 2 GROUP C: Union Berlin 0 Napoli 1 (Raspadori 65), Braga 1 (Djalo 63) Real Madrid 2 (Rodrygo 16, Bellingham 61). P W D L F A Pts Real Madrid 3 3 0 0 6 3 9 Napoli 3 2 0 1 5 4 6 Sporting Braga 3 1 0 2 5 6 3 Union Berlin 3 0 0 3 2 5 0 GROUP D: Inter Milan 2 (Sanchez 19, Calhanoglu 64-pen) Salzburg 1 (Gloukh 57), Benfica 0 Real Sociedad 1 (Mendez 63). P W D L F A Pts Real Sociedad 3 2 1 0 4 1 7 Inter Milan 3 2 1 0 4 2 7 Salzburg 3 1 0 2 3 4 3 Benfica 3 0 0 3 0 4 0 ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP: Huddersfield 0 Cardiff 4, Swansea 0 Watford 1, Norwich 1 Middlesbrough 2, Millwall 1 Blackburn 2, Leicester 1 Sunderland 0, West Brom 2 QPR 0. Top 10 P W D L F A Pts Leicester 13 12 0 1 27 7 36 Ipswich 11 9 1 1 25 13 28 Leeds 12 6 4 2 20 13 22 Preston 12 6 3 3 16 18 21 West Brom 13 5 5 3 20 14 20 Cardiff 13 6 2 5 21 16 20 Middlesbrough 13 6 2 5 19 18 20 Southampton 12 6 2 4 19 22 20 Sunderland 13 6 1 6 21 15 19 Blackburn 13 6 1 6 20 22 19 RESULTS & STANDINGS … as Kane equals Lampard’s Champions League record three games for the visiting Germans. Much of the pre-match talk surrounded the availability of Galatasaray’s Argentina striker Icardi. While Tuchel said on Monday “my information is that he’s out for a while”, the former Paris Saint-Germain striker was named up front for the 24-time Turkish champions. Icardi soon made his presence felt, drawing a clumsy lunge in the box from Joshua Kimmich to win a penalty after 29 minutes. The forward forced a dive from Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, while he casually chipped a Panenka in to equalise. As the second-half wore on, the home side turned up the volume in pursuit of a winner but it would be the visitors who struck next, Kane backheeling in another Musiala assist. Kane now has 11 goals in 12 games in all competitions for Bayern since making the move from Tottenham in the summer. Musiala then got on the scoresheet himself, slamming a Kane assist past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to put the match beyond doubt. Bayern have now not lost a match in the group stages since September 2017.– AFP Cardiff City’s Callum Robinson (centre) celebrates after scoring against Huddersfield. – Cardiffcity.co.uk
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [emailprotected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [emailprotected] or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . Read iPaper at www.thesundaily.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME THURSDAY • OCTOBER 26, 2023 Gabriel has changed our world, says Arteta after win over Sevilla MIKEL ARTETA has praised Gabriel Jesus for bringing “belief” and “energy” to Arsenal as the forward shone in victory at Sevilla. Jesus continued his love affair with the Champions League with a fine goal and assist double as the Gunners won 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium. A piece of magic set up compatriot Gabriel Martinelli to open the scoring on the stroke of halftime before Jesus doubled the lead with a fine, curling finish of his own – although he later limped off having moments earlier held his hamstring. The Brazil forward may not boast the most prolific strike record but he has now scored an impressive 23 goals in 41 appearances in Europe’s elite club competition. Asked if Jesus had been signed from Manchester City because of his prowess in the competition, Arteta replied: “For sure. He has been through a lot in the last few years and he’s still really young. “He has enormous experiences – some of them not the nicest but very necessary to be the player that he is today. I’m really happy to have him in the team. “He came here for a reason. I think he changed our world. He brough t so much belief and energy to that team, he needs to step in those moments. He’s done that. That’s when a player becomes accountable for the team. “Big games are for big players. He needed to produce those moments to win in a stadium like this. He’s done it for us in a really big way. Then, really sad because he felt something in his hamstring and I’m worried about that. “We need those players to win games. If you want to play Manchester City, then go to Stamford Bridge, then come here – that’s the level we’re at right now. To come here and win, big credit to the boys.” Jesus’ night ended as he hobbled off to be replaced by Eddie Nketiah in the latter stages – with Arteta admitting he is concerned for the striker. “(I am) really sad because he felt something in his hamstring and I’m worried about that,” he added. “He straight away asked to be subbed which is not good news because Gabriel is not a player who does that at all. We will have to wait and see in the next few days.” The victory saw Arsenal recover from defeat in Lens last time out and was enough to take them to the top of Group B at the halfway stage. Arteta’s side will be in a good position to reach the knockout stages if they beat Sevilla in the return game at the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight and the Spaniard was pleased with the reaction to defeat in France. “That result against Lens put us in a difficult position and the team had to react,” he said. “We are coming from the back of very difficult games where the team has to step in and go against adversity as well with some of the injuries that we picked up to big players. “The team is so willing to at least try their best even if we don’t manage to be our best all the time.” Sevilla coach Diego Alonso had no complaints after their home defeat and said his players left everything on the pitch. “I think the first goal was a blow which hurt the team, especially at the start of the second half,” Alonso said via tribalfootball.com. “After their second goal, the team improved. You can’t argue about the ambition of the team. I think we had 12 shots to 15 from them but we lacked clarity in the final third. “My players left everything out there today. We didn’t get the result we wanted but this isn’t over yet – there are three games left and we have a dream which is to reach the last 16.” – The Independent/Agencies ‘It was meant to be’ Under-fire Devils step up to ensure all three points at Old Trafford ON A night that Manchester United desperately needed to win, in part due to their poor standing in Group A of the Champions League and, in part to honour the passing of United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, it fell to two of their most maligned characters to ensure victory at Old Trafford. A tepid first half left the packed house inside the stadium clamouring for a bit of verve and excitement from the hosts, who seemed low on confidence and motivation. Chances were few and far between with Copenhagen coming the closest to scoring as Diogo Goncalves struck the woodwork early on. The introduction of Christian Eriksen provided a new dimension to United’s play and the Dane was the supplier for the only goal of the match. A corner was knocked out to him and he whipped a cross perfectly onto the head of Harry Maguire. The defender, selected for yesterday’s game after a sterling performance at the weekend, repaid Erik ten Hag’s faith with a powerful header into the deck, the ball bouncing over Kamil Grabara to send United in front. That goal should have been enough to clinch victory but a late, late foul from Scott McTominay gifted Copenhagen the chance to equalise. They were awarded a penalty, Jordan Larsson stepped up, but Andre Onana made the save, leaping to his left and touching the ball wide of the post. Old Trafford roared in celebration, as did Onana, who made up for his previous mistakes in this competition with a save that could yet keep United in the Champions League. “I’m just doing my job, the most important thing is to win against a tough team,” Onana said after his match-winning save. “I am happy for the victory, we did a good game and a big goal from Harry. “We are Manchester United. We are a big club, big players. It’s just a matter of time, now we have to continue like this. I have no doubt we will make it.” Maguire spoke about how United were inspired to win as a tribute to Sir Bobby. “It was one of those nights where it was meant to be,” said Maguire. “We were meant to win the game, a magnificent save and a win dedicated to Sir Bobby and his family. “It has been a tough week for us away at Sheffield United and losing someone like Sir Bobby, it affects the cub and the dressing room. We’re really proud that we could get the win for him tonight.” The former United captain added that there were still areas of improvement for the team but getting three points on the board was the most important job. He added: “We have got to be more clinical, we had numerous counter-attacks and we didn’t give them a chance in the second-half. “The first-half was really poor, it was not perfect but an important win. This man (Onana) stepped up and it was a massive save.” The victory sees United move off the bottom of Group A as they jumped above Copenhagen in the table. With Bayern Munich also defeating Galatasary, the Red Devils are now just one point behind the Turkish side and have a strong chance of reaching the knockouts. Maguire says that after a difficult year, he is looking forward to helping the team get back to where they belong and is targeting a place in the Champions League last-16. “It is amazing,” he replied when asked how it feels to have the fans chanting his name. “When you are not on your game it gets picked up, but I am really proud and pleased how I have acted over this six to 12 months. “I have been given an opportunity and I want to help the team and get the club back to where it should be.” – The Independent █ MICHAEL JONES Man United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana (centre) celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty during his team’s Champions League match against FC Copenhagen. – AFPPIX
