PETALING JAYA: The rise of a “freelance generation” has revolutionised the traditional job market. Today, some four million Malaysians are engaged in freelance work, much to the chagrin of companies that require their services as permanent staff, said human resource expert Sherin Wong. She said companies that require software developers, graphic designers, content creators, marketers and sales consultants have been negatively affected by the growing number of freelancers. “Companies have to explore alternative staffing options because of the shortage of these talents. Hence, it becomes necessary for them to adjust policies and benefits to accommodate the needs and preferences of freelance workers.” Wong said flexible work arrangements, access to necessary tools and resources, clear guidelines on project deliverables and expectations, and considerations for the professional development of freelancers are among the crucial adjustments that can contribute to the successful integration of such individuals in an organisation. “While career progression for freelancers may vary across organisations and industries, working on different projects for various clients can enhance their skill sets and appeal to different employers. “This allows them to efficiently manage fluctuating demands while capitalising on the expertise of freelancers.” However, such opportunities can also be found across various sectors as organisations seek to optimise their workforce. “Companies that hire freelancers now prioritise individuals who have a large following and extensive connection on social media. “These companies play a role in facilitating the freelance career growth by offering contracts for larger projects and providing opportunities for professional development and attracting target audiences. “Recognising and appreciating the diverse experiences brought by freelancers can nurture a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect,” Wong said. She added that striking a balance between traditional employment and freelancing is challenging. However, it is likely that a hybrid model, in which companies adapt their workforce composition based on specific needs, may become more common. Flexibility and a focus on the skills required for the work will be key considerations when determining the future equilibrium between traditional employment and freelancing. Supporting this, Amos Terence Pereira, a micro-influencer from Johor, said: “I began my journey as a content creator and steadily improved my way of life, physical appearance and creations. “Through hard work and determination, I amassed almost 93,000 followers on Instagram by the close of 2021. Following this, I sought freelancing opportunities to promote skincare, food and beverages and sports goods. oEmployers forced to adjust policies to meet preferences of country’s 4 million on-demand workers, who are redefining job cultures █ BYSIVANISVARRY S. MORHAN [emailprotected] INSIDE TELLING IT AS IT IS ON THURSDAY AUGUST 17, 2023 No. 8332 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my Falling roof structure damages several vehicles KUALA LUMPUR: Several vehicles were damaged after part of the roof structure of a five-storey building in Jalan Kuchai Lama collapsed on Tuesday night. A spokesman for the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department said there were no casualties in the incident, which occurred at about 10.30pm. Brickfields district police chief ACP Amihizam Abdul Shukor said checks were conducted by the Fire and Rescue Department on every floor of the building to confirm there were no victims involved, Bernama reported. “Currently, the premises is closed as a safety measure and the department is investigating the cause of the collapse.” Videos of the incident have been widely shared on social media. Kelantan to boost ties with federal govt 2 page No grounds to 3 review cases: AG page Some of the vehicles damaged in the incident involving a five-storey commercial building in Jalan Kuchai Lama. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN Freelancer wave “Anybody who prioritises work-life balance and skill sets can become an influencer or freelancer. In the process, one can build a large network and possess the ability to impact the opinions, actions and behaviour of our audience. “Influencers typically excel in a specific niche or have a deep passion for a particular subject. They build credibility and trust by sharing valuable knowledge, insights and experiences in that field.” Amos said most freelancers and influencers utilise social media platforms to reach and grow their audience, adding that they understand each platform’s unique features, algorithms and trends and tailor their content accordingly. Freelancers also engage with their followers by responding to comments, messages and feedback. It fosters a sense of community by creating dialogues and making their followers feel valued and heard. “Most importantly, influencers and freelancers must stay updated with industry trends and continually innovate their content to remain relevant.” He said careers in freelancing are sustainable for those who stay up to date by embracing new technologies, platforms and strategies to expand their influence and maintain the interest of their followers.
2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME Kelantan to strengthen relations with federal govt KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan administration will strengthen its relationship with the federal government for the wellbeing of the people, said newly-appointed Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud. He said a strong government-togovernment relationship is important for the benefit of all. “Apart from that, we will continue the legacy of developing Islam. This policy has been proven Mohd Nassuruddin clocking in at his office yesterday accompanied by Mohamed Fadzli. – BERNAMAPIC oNew menteri besar also pledges to be leader for all residents, regardless of race or background to place Islam as the foundation for the administration and prosperity of the state as well as the welfare of the people. “Also, my priority is to become menteri besar for all the people of Kelantan regardless of race or background.” He was speaking at his first media conference as the new Kelantan menteri besar at the MABNA-MBI building yesterday. It was also attended by his deputy Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan. Earlier, Mohd Nassuruddin, who is also Meranti assemblyman, clocked in at his office at 8.30am to start his first day at work, Bernama reported. He also spent time mingling with the staff of the Menteri Besar’s Office before starting his duties. Mohd Nassuruddin, who is the third Kelantan menteri besar after PAS took over the state from Barisan Nasional in 1990, said the line-up of state executive councillors (exco) who have been appointed by the Sultan of Kelantan represents a balanced leadership of scholars, technocrats and professionals. “What is important is that the concept of consultation is the foundation of strength in this government, as practised by the previous (PAS) administrations.” On Tuesday, Mohd Nassuruddin was sworn in before Sultan Muhammad V at Istana Negeri in Kubang Kerian. Nine assemblymen were also sworn in as exco. Mohd Nassuruddin said the portfolios of all exco would be compiled and announced soon. In the state polls on Aug 12, PAS swept 43 of the 45 seats in the state legislative assembly. Call to close ranks, focus on business of governing KUALA LUMPUR: The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) has urged all sides in the political arena to return to the business of governing after the recent elections in six states. “We ask all political parties to now focus on institutional reforms, policy-making and good governance,” said its CEO Dr Tricia Yeoh. █ JOSHUA PURUSHOTMAN [emailprotected] “Both government and the Opposition at federal and state levels play pivotal roles in ensuring the proper governance and administration of Malaysia and the respective states. “Most importantly, there must be compromise, cooperation and synergy between federal and state governments in the formation and implementation of policies. The way forward for a true Malaysian federation is for all states to receive their fair share of allocations and resources, regardless of the coalition that governs the state.” She said there are now greater electoral contests, which is positive in a healthy democracy. She added that preliminary analyses of election results suggests that although there are some areas where some parties could claim victory, the overall results showed that no party could rest on its laurels. “Voters are now more willing to transfer their votes to a different party if their preferred party has failed to deliver. Gone are the days of single-party dominance.” Yeoh said Ideas is concerned that there is no opposition bloc in the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly. She also said to ensure checks and balances, Ideas welcomed Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s call to implement the backbencher’s system, where backbenchers must exercise greater vigilance in keeping the state government accountable. Ideas also recommended that Parliamentary Select Committees be formed and institutionalised at the state assembly level in all states. She said Public Service Commissions add another layer of checks and balances, and can be a platform for civil society organisations and experts to provide input. “This is a good time for state governments to demonstrate leadership in good governance.” PAC chairman reveals reason for incomplete reports KUALA LUMPUR: All former control officers and secretariesgeneral must appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when summoned to explain any issues that arose while they were in charge of ministries, departments or government agencies. Its chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said this would allow the committee to conduct a thorough investigation, adding that the absence of former control officers and secretaries-general would result in an incomprehensive PAC report. “PAC is aware that the control officers and secretaries-general mentioned in the Auditor General’s Report were unable to explain the issues highlighted (in the report) because (the discrepancies) did not occur during their service period. “Therefore, it is very important for all control officers and secretaries-general to fulfil their responsibilities for the PAC as stated in the Treasury Directive (Amendment 2023) and attend the proceedings when summoned by the committee,” she said. She added that the refusal of former control officers and secretaries-general to attend PAC proceedings is an offence under Section 9 (a) of the House of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 (Act 347). Mas Ermieyati said the PAC would publish the names of the witnesses who refused to appear at PAC proceedings, to let the public know that the committee did not receive any cooperation from the individuals involved. She also demanded that the chief secretary to the government and the director-general of Public Service take note of any former control officers and secretariesgeneral who had refused to attend proceedings, Bernama reported. “PAC wants the government to establish a mechanism to ensure that all former control officers and secretaries-general who are summoned, appear at PAC proceedings.” She said it is important for the PAC to prepare a comprehensive and transparent report that takes into account the testimonies and explanation of all parties involved in issues under investigation. Encouraging response to Rahmah sales KANGAR: The Rahmah Sales programme launched in Perlis on April 16 continues to receive encouraging response from people of all walks of life and has benefited 71,176 consumers, especially those in the B40 group. Perlis Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Norazah Jaapar said the sales programme has been conducted 45 times in 15 constituencies in the state. “The total sales value is RM957,340 while the total cost, including subsidies is RM513,617. For off-site sales, the ministry is working with community leaders, non-governmental organisations and government agencies.” Norazah added that rice, wheat flour, cooking oil, vermicelli, onions, dried food and various beverage products are popular among consumers. “The Perlis Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has also developed a strategy to implement the Rahmah Mobile Sales in collaboration with various government agencies and the local community to reach out to more people. We would like to invite Perlis folk to follow us on Facebook to get the latest information about the Rahmah Sales programmes across the state.”– Bernama Plan to aid elderly in Sarawak KUCHING: Comprehensive data is needed to understand and plan for the needs of the elderly in Sarawak, especially in facing an ageing state status by 2028. State Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said data from a comprehensive study could help in policy formulation, as well as in the development of intervention programmes. “Good data could help formulate better policies. “The basis is data. We want to know the overall condition of our senior citizens in the city and rural areas. So, we need this information,” she said yesterday at the Wacana Bestari: Isu Penuaan di Sarawak event, a discourse on issues on ageing. Fatimah said a comprehensive study on the problems faced by seniors in Sarawak by three universities in the state would commence next year. On another matter, she said after the Covid-19 pandemic, Sarawak recorded a significant decrease in the number of births, with only about 20,000 babies recorded in 2021 and 2022. – Bernama Stocks initiative to aid hardcore poor families KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is looking into an Amanah Saham Rahmah initiative to assist hardcore poor families in the country. Its deputy minister Fuziah Salleh said the initiative is expected to help alleviate their cost of living burden and ensure a steady income. She added that the initiative involves the government investing a certain amount of money in selected companies. “The dividends generated from these investments will then be allocated to needy families, while the government retains ownership of the principal amount invested. “We are studying the best mechanism to implement Amanah Saham Rahmah and how to establish a consolidated fund for investment purposes. “For example, the government will invest under Permodalan Nasional Berhad. The principal will remain with the government, and the dividends will be distributed among hardcore poor families,” she said when appearing as a guest on RTM’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia programme yesterday. – Bernama
3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) yesterday affirmed that it has no reasonable grounds or justification to re-examine all cases in which individuals have been charged in court. Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun said every decision for prosecution is made after a thorough examination and consideration of relevant laws, and all evidence presented by law enforcement agencies. “There has been no political interference or pressure to initiate any prosecution. The AGC always acts independently and professionally according to the procedures in commencing prosecution against any individual,” he said in a statement, that was issued in response to Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s call for the AGC to re-examine all court charges against Bersatu and PN leaders. The call was made after the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Tuesday freed Bersatu president and PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of four counts of abuse of power involving RM232.5 million in connection with the Jana Wibawa project, Bernama reported. Idrus said the High Court decision in acquitting and discharging the former prime minister only involves four predicate charges under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009. The decision was made solely based on the scope of the application filed by the applicant. “A notice of appeal has been filed by the prosecution to challenge the validity of the decision, while three other charges (faced by Muhyiddin) under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 still stand,” he said. Idrus added that the AGC seriously views statements that tend to undermine its credibility. He urged all parties to exercise caution when making statements that suggest or imply that the AGC’s integrity and independence have been compromised by political interference or undue influence. “The AGC further asserts that it acts independently and professionally at all times in carrying out its functions to uphold justice by the powers granted to the attorney-general under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution.” ‘No grounds to review cases’ oProsecutions initiated independently according to procedures, with no political interference: Attorney-general Supplementary electoral roll open for viewing KUALA LUMPUR: The Supplementary Electoral Roll for May, which was verified on Tuesday and gazetted yesterday, is now open for viewing for 30 days until Sept 14. Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said it also contained 41,289 names of Malaysian citizens aged 18 between May 1 and May 3, who were automatically registered as new voters. “The electoral rolls also contains the names of 12,183 registered voters who changed their electoral constituencies and 3,005 voters who changed their status or voter category,” he said in a statement yesterday. The EC is providing five viewing methods, namely through the EC portal at www.spr.gov.my or mysprsemak.spr.gov.my, the official portal of the state election offices at ppn.spr.gov.my and at myspr.spr.gov.my. Checks can also be made through the MySPR Semak mobile app or the EC hotline at 03-8892 7218. Ikmalrudin urged citizens aged 18 and above and registered voters who applied to change constituencies or voter status to check their names on the electoral roll. “If they find that their names are not listed, they can inform us by filling in Form C while those who wish to object can fill in Form D,” he said, adding that the forms can be downloaded online at myspr.spr.gov.my or by visiting the relevant state election offices. – Bernama RM250m to eradicate poverty in Johor JOHOR BAHRU: The federal and state government have allocated a total of RM254.3 million to implement programmes aimed at eradicating poverty in Johor this year. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said following the implementation of various initiatives, the number of hardcore poor in the state had dropped from 4,378 households in March to 3,270 currently. “This shows the seriousness and determination of the government in resolving the issue of poverty in Johor,” he said in a post on his Facebook page yesterday. He added that discussions involving the relevant agencies were being held to find a new mechanism to address poverty problems in the state, such as foster family programmes, providing job opportunities and targeted assistance “I hope all the relevant departments and agencies will continue to work together to ensure that all plans are carried out (accordingly) for the benefit of all the people in the state. “May the vulnerable groups in Johor continue to be protected, so that the government’s aim of achieving zero poverty by 2027 can be realised,” he said. – Bernama Penang exco sworn in GEORGE TOWN: Members of the Penang state executive council (exco) took their oaths of office yesterday in a ceremony held before the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak. The swearing-in ceremony, which began at about 10am, was held at Dewan Sri Pinang. The line-up of the state exco, comprising 10 individuals, included eight new faces. They are Batu Maung assemblyman Prof Dr Mohd Abdul Hamid, Sungai Acheh assemblyman Rashidi Zinol, Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, Jawi assemblyman H’ng Mooi Lye, Padang Lalang assemblyman Gooi Zi Sen, Perai assemblyman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo and Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol. The other two, Datok Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo and Tanjong Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari have been reappointed as state exco. The lineup also saw Rashidi as the sole Barisan Nasional candidate and Lim as the sole woman representative in the state exco. In the state election held on Saturday, the PH-BN alliance won 29 seats while PN won 11 seats, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told a media conference that he will hold the portfolios of Communications, and also Finance, Economic Development and Land. Deputy Chief Minister 1 Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid will be responsible for Islamic Religious Development, Education, Higher Education and Community Unity, while Deputy Chief Minister 2 Jagdeep Singh Deo holds the Human Capital Development, Science and Technology portfolio. Rashidi is in charge of the State Trade and Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Committee, Zairil is State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Development Committee chairman and Wong Hon Wai is State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman. Lim has been given the Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs portfolio, H’ng is in charge of Local Government and Town and Country Planning, Gooi assumes the Youth, Sports and Health portfolio, Sundarajoo takes the Housing and Environment portfolio and Fahmi will lead the Agrotechnology and Food Security and Cooperative Development. “Their appointments have received the blessings of their respective party central leadership while for the post of deputy state assembly speaker, we propose that it be allocated to a representative from Amanah.” Jagdeep being sworn in by Ahmad Fuzi yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC KUALA TERENGGANU: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) is confident that the government will continue to be committed to raising the salaries of civil servants, regardless of the results of the recent state polls. Cuepacs president Datuk Adnan Mat said it was inappropriate to say that the government would not implement it, because the state polls are another matter. “Some netizens have mischievous views, stating that whatever form (of initiatives) announced by the government previously should not be given to civil servants due to the results of the state polls. This is a skewed and unconstitutional view. “The government is our employer, that is the place for us to have our concerns heard and to seek help. If our employers have agreed to hike salaries, then we are confident the government can implement it. Whether the state election results are seen as positive or negative, that is another topic,” he said after the civil servants’ assembly and the Terengganu-level National Day celebrations yesterday. Adnan also said Cuepacs thanks Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his concern and understanding on the difficulties faced by civil servants, especially those in the lower income group. – Bernama Cuepacs optimistic about pay hike
4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS Get a jump start today on creating a successful tomorrow! For the best in local and international higher education institutions, catch theSun's fortnightly Education Focus. FOCUS 2023 EDUCATION Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising. Community role in nurturing children PETALING JAYA: While raising children and ensuring their education are the responsibility of parents, an educationist and a child psychologist have called on communities to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for children to excel. “Do not put societal pressure on children that makes them feel they must prepare themselves in a certain way to be part of society,” said Taylor’s University senior education lecturer Revati Ramakrishnan. “Instead, let’s work on minimising the gap between where they are now and where you expect them to be.” Revati said children grow in nurturing and stimulating environments, especially in the context of communities. Establishing a relationship with their evolving community gives children a sense of belonging and helps them develop an identity. “A good example of children developing their identity in the context of their oEstablishing relationships renders sense of belonging, improves well-being: Experts █ BY ETHAN YEO [emailprotected] community is when you ask a child to introduce himself. “He will tell you his name, age, where he lives, who the members of his family are and what they like to do.” Revati, who is also Early Childhood Care & Education Council (Malaysia) assistant secretary, said community in the context of children can be found through their families, kindergartens, daycare centre, or even the playground. “Adults are also part of the environment from an emotional perspective. How we choose to engage with the child will influence his reaction and perception of the learning process. “The network of people gained when children are young is instrumental in providing a supportive and enriching environment.” Revati said there are a few key elements that make a nurturing and stimulating environment effective. She added that the main element is the child himself. Child readiness is crucial for learning and development to take place. Next, is the environment that is kept clean, safe, and inviting. This will motivate children to explore and use the space. “All these combined do not only influence the type of learning that takes place but also the impact of learning.” Revati said the essence of education extends further than just academics. “The end goal is to ensure that children are equipped with skills to succeed while transmitting basic cultural values which make them competent citizens.” UCSI University head of child psychology Dr Saeid Motevalli said community involvement in raising children positively influences their social development. “Community events encourage empathy and social skills, while collaboration between families, schools, and resources strengthen support. “A stable environment for social growth is created through adapting to changing requirements, and it enhances the overall well-being of a child.” Saeid said a research he conducted found notable differences in the growth of children, who experienced strong community involvement, compared with those with limited exposure. “Children with autism spectrum disorder, who participated actively in communities, exhibited noticeable changes in their social, emotional and cognitive development. “Their general well-being and growth can be improved by actively participating in community activities.” Saeid said parents can use strength-based strategies to promote a child’s development and well-being via community participation. “Encourage active engagement in a variety of pursuits, and continue to support independence and freedom of choice in children while fostering a feeling of community and purpose.” Cake sellers offer Rahmah desserts IPOH: A married couple’s decision to venture into a new field – selling an assortment of desserts – has paid off. Mohd Roslan Ibrahim and his wife Teh Samrose Mahasan, who are Diploma in Land Survey graduates from Ungku Omar Polytechnic, started a cake and crepe business in 2018 and are enjoying brisk sales. The couple, both 31, joined the Menu Rahmah programme, an initiative by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, and are offering a slice of their freshly baked cakes and crepes for RM1 at their stall in Bercham, which opens at 3pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Mohd Roslan, who was a land surveyor for six years, decided to quit his job after his company experienced problems during the movement control order. “When I was working, my wife made cheesecakes and durian crepes and sold them through agents in the state. “After quitting my job, I decided to help her full time. “With the increasing cost of living, we decided to do our part by participating in the Menu Rahmah programme, offering desserts for only RM1.” He said business is brisk as all Rahmah desserts would be sold out in less than an hour after they went viral on Facebook. Teh Samrose, who also holds a degree in event management, said their customers would start queueing as early as 2.30pm although the stall only opens at 3pm. “With only RM10, my customers could buy an assortment of freshly backed cakes, crepes and doughnuts, at my stall,” she said. She added that she also promotes her business at Samrose Dessert and Crepes on Facebook. – Bernama
5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 Stinky woes of Kapar residents KLANG: Illegal dumping is nothing new in Kapar, but a dumpsite behind the Lay Hong feed mill stands out due to the height, size and space it occupies. Located near Tenaga Nasional Berhad transmission pylons, the trash heap is as tall as a flagpole and spans an area equivalent to eight football fields. The landfill grew unchecked during the Covid-19 movement control order (MCO). Smoke and haze would constantly hang over the area, causing nearby residents to complain of its impact on their health. Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali promised in May that the rubbish would be removed, Bernama reported. Two months on, the clean-up exercise has proven to be a herculean task with no easy end in sight. The Klang Municipal Council has removed 400 metric tonnes (MT) by using dozens of heavy vehicles for excavation and transportation. Environmental Services Department director Zaireezal Ahmad Zainuddin said the council could only remove big pieces from the top. “There is still a lot of rubbish like shredded plastic or plastic resin there. It’s hard to clear them because there is too much rubbish.” The amount of trash to be cleared is estimated to range between 30,000MT and 50,000MT, with the cost likely to be in the millions. Due to the high price tag, local authorities were largely pinning their hopes on getting the 11 owners of the land it is situated on to fulfil the task. Kekal Sejati Venture Sdn Bhd owner Tan Tiam received a May 24 notice from the Klang District o50,000 metric tonne mountain of garbage would cost millions to clear, says Environmental Services Dept Duo held over kidnapping of foreign women KUALA LUMPUR: Two local men were arrested during an operation in Klang, Selangor last week, following an alleged attempt to obtain a ransom after kidnapping foreign women. Serdang district police chief ACP A. Anbalagan said the suspects were arrested at 1.30pm after a woman in Puchong lodged a report, claiming that two of her friends had been abducted. He said the complainant received photos via WeChat on Aug 10 that showed the women tied up and blindfolded. She was then asked to pay a ransom of RM20,000 to free them. “Preliminary investigations found that she knew the suspects from an entertainment centre in the Klang Valley and had saved their phone numbers. “We conducted an Aug 11 operation around Klang and arrested the duo.” Anbalagan said the suspects, aged 31 and 35 from Selangor, were unemployed and had criminal records. He said in a statement the duo admitted to having committed such acts several times, adding that they were wanted by police in other Klang Valley districts. He said the suspects, who were placed under remand from Aug 11 until yesterday, are being investigated under sections 365 and 385 of the Penal Code for kidnapping. – Bernama Investigation on teen assault completed JOHOR BAHRU: Police have completed an investigation paper on seven male teenagers, including a foreign national, who allegedly assaulted a schoolboy at Taman Bistari Indah here. South Johor Bahru district police chief ACP Raub Selamat said the paper will be submitted to the DPP Office for further action. “The investigation has been completed and they (suspects) have been released on (police) bail,” he said in a statement yesterday, adding that the 15-year-old victim lodged a report at 4pm on Monday over the incident. He said based on the investigation, it is believed that the cause of the incident was displeasure by the main suspect, aged 15, after the victim became friends with his girlfriend. The seven suspects, aged 14 to 17 and all students, were remanded for two days starting on Tuesday to facilitate investigations on the case according to Section 147 of the Penal Code (rioting). On Monday, a 59-second video was uploaded on Facebook showing a teenage boy being beaten by another teen. There were also several other boys around him. – Bernama and Land Office, warning him to dispose of the rubbish properly, provide evidence of the clean-up and restore the soil, among others, by Aug 22. However, Tan is against doing so, saying the dumping was not his fault. He said he filed a police report in 2020 when he first detected such illegal acts, adding that the MCO prevented him from following up and obstructing subsequent dumping. “It would cost at least RM1 million to clean up. I bought this land for RM100,000.” Zaireezal said there is no plan of action should the landowners fail to clear their respective lots past the due date, as the council is currently waiting for orders from the courts or state or federal authorities. The council was reported to have confiscated six trucks and fined their owners for illegal dumping at various areas in Klang in 2021, but did not prosecute the companies. Meanwhile, solid and hazardous waste expert Prof Agamutu Pariatamby said: “If nobody is disposing of anything illegally now, at least you have won the first battle.” He also suggested that Malaysia look into landfill mining, which involves excavating and processing solid wastes. KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court was told yesterday that only after nearly seven years, did Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) find US$700 million (RM3.25 billion) belonging to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had been deposited into Good Star Ltd, a company owned by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low. Former BNM governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, 76, said following the money trail entailed a lengthy process. The 46th prosecution witness was replying to lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah at former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s trial yesterday involving the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds. Earlier, the court was told that the US$700 million transaction had occurred in 2009 and the authorities only discovered it in 2015. Muhammad Shafee: Tan Sri, only after nearly seven years, (did the) authorities realise that the money went into Low’s entity? Zeti: Correct. Muhammad Shafee: Was it not a long period to discover that the money went into the wrong entity? Zeti: It is very common. I was told by financial authorities all over the world that it takes many years to uncover and detect such wrongdoing. Yes, the transaction occurred in 2009 and we found out in 2015, but it doesn’t mean that BNM didn’t do any follow-up. We sent several letters and emails to 1MDB. We asked about the status of the US$1 billion investment. But (nothing was) forthcoming, and when 1MDB applied for more money in 2014, BNM rejected its application because the indebtedness kept on increasing. She said it had to undertake a multi-year investigation after 1MDB officials failed to provide satisfactory answers on what happened to the funds sent overseas in 2009. Zeti also said it was not BNM’s role to conduct due diligence on the transaction, adding that it is the function of the financial institution. Najib, 70, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. The trial before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues. – Bernama Normal for financial probe to take years: Zeti A section of the garbage at the dumpsite. – BERNAMAPIC More assets to be seized in 1MDB case KUALA LUMPUR: Police are expected to confiscate more assets related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case following the testimony by lawyer Jasmine Loo Ai Swan, who is former 1MDB general counsel. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the assets concerned would be forfeited by the government through a court process. “Loo is still in police custody at the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department for an investigation involving money laundering,” he said after launching the police Madani Ride and Ipoh Super Bike Club in conjunction with the 216th Police Day and National Month at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre yesterday. A total of 150 high-powered motorcycle riders from the police force and the club are participating in a six-day convoy around Peninsular Malaysia, as well as South Thailand. Razarudin said Loo would be handed to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission after investigations are completed. Loo, who is also former 1MDB group strategic executive director, is believed to have been part of fugitive businessman Jho Low’s inner circle and possessed information regarding 1MDB. – Bernama
6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Wave of violent muggings in Indonesia JAKARTA: A spate of violent muggings by machete-wielding thieves in Indonesia has drawn coded calls from prominent politicians for them to be killed on sight by police, in comments condemned by rights groups as condoning extrajudicial murders. Last month, police in the northern Sumatran city of Medan shot dead a begal – a term used to describe a type of street thief known for their brutality – as part of what the force said was a bid to “eradicate” them. Bobby Nasution, Medan mayor and President Joko Widodo’s son-in-law, lauded the officers involved, saying such criminals should be shot dead on the spot. “I appreciate this because begal and criminals have no place in Medan,” he wrote in an Instagram post on July 9, sharing footage of the suspect’s dead body. The president has not commented on the statement. Other leaders, including the governor of North Sumatra province, have supported the comments. Rights groups want an oPresident’s son-in-law says such criminals should be shot dead on the spot investigation into the killing, and have condemned the rhetoric as giving officers and citizens the right to take the law into their own hands. “It is inappropriate for public officials to declare support for such extrajudicial actions,” Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid told AFP. “The shooting not only violates human rights principles – such as the right to life, the right to a fair trial – but also the regulations.” Indonesian police rules state that firearms should only be used as an officer’s last resort. Indonesia’s Institute for Criminal Justice Reform called the Medan mayor’s words “irresponsible”. However, some public sentiment is on the mayor’s side. Under viral videos of the begal attacks, social media users call for the thieves to be shot dead or to face the death penalty. And in a village east of Jakarta, local leaders have issued a 10 million rupiah (RM3,028) bounty for the capture of begal. They have savagely attacked their victims with sickles, airguns and rocks, terrorising Indonesians in the capital Jakarta, Medan and other urban centres. They approach their victims on scooters, usually in carefully chosen areas that have few security cameras, so that they can rapidly escape after the robbery. “They have to do it quickly and cruelly to make the victim surrender,” said Adrianus Meliala, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia. “Begal run away using the city labyrinth they have mastered.” According to official data, the rate of robberies has risen this year, but experts said Indonesian criminal data is often incomplete due to under-reporting. The issue is a complex culmination of factors, including rising poverty in one of the world’s most unequal countries, the difficulty of countering such quick and violent attacks, weak rule of law and crumbling public trust in the police. “The begal phenomenon cannot be separated from the social economic order of society,” said Ida Ruwaida of the University of Indonesia. – AFP N. Korea says US soldier defected due to racism PYONGYANG: Travis King defected to North Korea to escape “mistreatment and racial discrimination in the US Army”, state media said yesterday, Pyongyang’s first official confirmation they were holding the American soldier. A private second class with a chequered disciplinary record, King was due to fly back to America in July but instead slipped out of South Korea’s main airport, joined a tourist trip to the DMZ and ran across the border into the North. The US previously said that the African American soldier crossed the border at the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarised Zone separating the North and the South “wilfully and without authorisation”. Following a North Korean investigation, King “admitted that he illegally intruded”, Korean Central News Agency reported. “Travis King confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK as he harboured ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the US Army,” KCNA said, referring to the North by its official name. King “came to be kept under control by soldiers of the Korean People’s Army” after he crossed the border, KCNA said. “He also expressed his willingness to seek refugee in the DPRK or a third country, saying that he was disillusioned at the unequal American society,” KCNA said, adding that a government investigation was still ongoing. KCNA did not provide any details about King’s health or location, or about what they planned to do with him. – AFP B R I E F SDEATH TOLL FROM MYANMAR MINE LANDSLIDE HITS 31 YANGON: The death toll from a landslide at an unregulated jade mine in a remote part of Myanmar has hit at least 31, with eight people still missing, rescuers said yesterday. The disaster struck on Sunday outside northern Kachin’s Hpakant township, after torrential rain and floods ravaged the region over the weekend. “We found six more dead bodies,” a rescue worker said. They added that eight people remain unaccounted for, with the search continuing. Rescuers dug through mud to find bodies, while others were discovered floating in water. – AFP PAKISTAN COURT TO HEAR JAILED IMRAN’S APPEAL ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani high court will next week take up a plea from former prime minister Imran Khan for the suspension of a three-year prison sentence on corruption charges, his lawyer said yesterday. Imran was jailed this month after his conviction for corruption and then barred from politics for five years, preventing him from contesting a general election due late this year. “Our application with regard to suspension of Imran’s conviction has been fixed for Aug 22,” lawyer Naeem Panjutha said, adding that he hoped the Islamabad High Court, which will take up the plea, would grant the former premier bail. – Reuters Court rejects petition on Pita’s renomination for PM BANGKOK: Thailand’s Constitutional Court yesterday refused to hear a case on election winner Pita Limjaroenrat’s thwarted bid to become prime minister, clearing the way for a new leadership vote in Parliament. The ruling means the new vote to choose a prime minister could come as early as tomorrow, potentially ending the deadlock that has gripped the kingdom since the general election in May. “The Constitutional Court has agreed unanimously to not accept the case for a hearing,” the court said in a statement. Pita’s Move Forward Party (MFP) won most seats in the May polls, riding a wave of support from young and urban Thais to end nearly a decade of army-backed rule. But the Harvard-educated 42-year-old was defeated in his bid to become premier by a nexus of conservative forces spooked by his pledges to reform royal insult laws and business monopolies. Pita dropped out of the running after Parliament rejected him in a first prime ministerial vote and then denied him a second. The case thrown out by the court yesterday had centred on the constitutionality of parliament refusing Pita a second vote. The Pheu Thai party of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, which came second in the election, is now set to lead a multi-party coalition government without the participation of MFP. Pheu Thai will nominate business tycoon Srettha Thavisin for prime minister, and the party said it is confident he will get enough votes to be approved. To become prime minister, a candidate must be approved by a majority of both houses of Parliament – the 500 elected MPs and the 250 senators appointed under the last junta. Pita could not muster enough support from senators, and several parties said they would play no part in any government that included MFP. – AFP Fast food chains in India remove tomatoes from menu NEW DELHI: Burger King has scrapped tomatoes from its wraps and burgers in many Indian outlets after prices more than quadrupled, the latest symptom of surging food inflation that is hitting consumers hard across world’s most populous nation. “Even tomatoes need a vacation ... we are unable to add tomatoes to our food,” read notices pasted at two Burger King India outlets. The chain has cited quality issues in explaining the shortfall. The burger chain, one of India’s biggest with nearly 400 outlets, joins many McDonald’s and Subway stores that have removed tomatoes from menus as India’s food inflation this week hit its highest since January 2020. Domino’s has tried bringing down prices to appeal to struggling consumers with a US$0.60 pizza – its cheapest in the world. The tomato supply crisis has coincided with a surge in prices by as much as 450% to record highs as monsoon rains disrupted crop and supply chains – although they have since eased. “Why are there no tomatoes in my burgers?” reads a question on the support page of Burger King India’s website. The answer states its Indian franchisee follows “very high standards of quality” and tomatoes will be back soon. “We request your patience and understanding.” – Reuters TRADITIONAL GREETINGS ... Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomes representatives prior to the annual session of the People’s Representative Council in Jakarta yesterday. – AFPPIC
7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 NZ court finds woman guilty of murdering three daughters WELLINGTON: A New Zealand court yesterday found a woman guilty of murdering her three daughters after a harrowing month-long trial. Lauren Dickason was accused of strangling and suffocating her twins Maya and Karla, aged two, and first daughter Liane, six, while her husband was out to dinner with colleagues, according to local media reports. Dickason admitted killing the girls, but had argued a defence of insanity and infanticide. Under New Zealand law, infanticide is a defence for a mother who causes the death of her child when, “at the time of the offence, the balance of her mind was disturbed”. The girls were killed at their home in the South Island city of Timaru soon after the family arrived in New Zealand from South Africa. A jury at Christchurch High Court found Dickason guilty of all three charges of murder. As the verdict was handed down, Dickason’s lawyer looked on in shock. In New Zealand, murder carries a prison sentence of at least 10 years. Following the verdict, Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said in a statement that police extended their “sympathies to the families who will never get to see Liane, Maya, and Karla grow up”. “Words cannot begin to express the tragic circ*mstances of this investigation.” During an emotional trial, the prosecution and defence lawyers had agreed Dickason was mentally unwell when she killed her children. However, they differed as to whether her mental state was such that she was not fully aware of what she was doing. In court, crown prosecutor Andrew McRae told the jury that anger had driven Dickason to murder her children. But Dickason’s lawyer Kerryn Beaton had argued that the girls deaths were not due to anger and resentment, but were the result of a “severe mental illness”. – AFP B R I E F SCARGO SHIP LEAVES UKRAINIAN PORT KYIV: A container ship set off from the Black Sea port of Odesa yesterday in a test of Russia’s threat to attack shipping after it abandoned a deal last month allowing Ukraine to export grain. The departure of the HongKong-flagged Joseph Schulte, which had been in the Ukrainian port since Feb 23 last year – the day before Russia’s invasion – followed a new Russian attack on Ukraine’s grain export infrastructure. Russian air strikes damaged grain silos and warehouses at one of the Danube River ports, Odesa officials said, releasing photos showing destroyed storage facilities and piles of scattered grain and sunflowers. – Reuters 17 NIGER SOLDIERS KILLED IN AMBUSH NIAMEY: Niger’s Defence Ministry said 17 of its soldiers had been killed in an ambush on Tuesday in a southwest region bordering Burkina Faso. Attacks in Niger have been falling since 2021 but security remains a major problem, especially in the southwest near the border with neighbouring Mali. On the Malian side, the departure of French troops last year left a security vacuum that groups linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda have expanded into. A detachment of Niger’s army was attacked in an ambush next to Torodi commune, the ministry said in a statement. It added that more than a hundred “terrorists” were neutralised. – Reuters Femicide cases on the rise in Afghanistan KABUL: Women are being beheaded and having their bodies dumped in rivers and streets under Taliban rule, according to a troubling new report. A study by Afghan Witness found 3,329 claims of human rights infringements in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power of the country in August two years ago. Researchers, using open-source data, documented 1,977 claims of human rights breaches involving killings, arbitrary detentions and torture of the population since January last year. The study notes hundreds of reports of women being violently killed by the Taliban, with the figures indicating a “gradual rise” in femicide cases. “Since January last year, Afghan Wintess has been recording reports of women being individually killed, often in circ*mstances of extreme violence and brutality.” Researchers state they recorded 188 such cases across the country from January last year to July this year – with reports including cases of women being beheaded or shot at, as well as cases of stabbings. oWomen beheaded and bodies dumped in rivers, says report “Since then we have seen reported cases of femicide on the increase, the reintroduction of public lashings and executions, a steady stream of deaths and detentions of former security and armed forces personnel, and the continuing repression of civil society, the media and activists.” He noted while not all cases can be verified, the “sheer scale” of reports from “so many Afghans” sheds light on the “widespread and wide-ranging nature of human Thousands flee gang violence in Haiti capital PORT-AU-PRINCE: Crammed into cars, on motorcycles or on foot, thousands of residents on Tuesday fled a gang-ridden district of the Haitian capital, an AFP reporter observed. “We’re living in an extremely difficult situation,” said Elie Derisca, a resident of the Carrefour-Feuilles district in southern Port-au-Prince. “I don’t even know where to go. I had to flee my house.” At least 3,120 people have fled the district, according to an estimate by the Haitian Civil Protection Department and officials say more are likely to follow. The neighborhood is regularly attacked by a gang led by Renel Destina, known by his alias Ti Lapli, who is wanted by US authorities for kidnapping American citizens. “Police officers who live in the area no longer have the means to defend us. As a result, the bandits were able to take over our homes,” said Derisca. He said criminals looted and set fire to houses in the neighborhood and caused several deaths. Haitian authorities also said that houses in the area had been burnt down and that there had been “loss of human life”. Chaos was palpable on the streets of Carrefour-Feuilles on Tuesday. Some residents were carrying their suitcases on their heads, while others stacked mattresses and furniture on top of their cars. Still others sought refuge in public squares and inside schools in safer neighborhoods, according to images posted on social media. On Monday, residents in the besieged neighborhood demonstrated against the security crisis, and the Haitian National Police intervened to restore order in the area. In a statement, police vowed to counter the gangs, but that offered little assurance to locals who continued fleeing the district on Tuesday. Haiti has been mired for years in intertwining economic, security and political crises. The assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021 has dramatically worsened the situation, with gangs taking an increasingly strong hold. Criminal gangs now control some 80% of Port-au-Prince, and kidnappings, rape, robbery and murder have become a daily threat. – AFP rights abuses being carried out, with impunity, by the Taliban and others”. “Despite the risks, some – predominantly women – have continued to protest. But these voices and wider civil society within Afghanistan, are increasingly isolated on the ground after two years of Taliban rule.” Researchers documented 56 announcements by the Taliban Supreme Court issuing public punishments to 50 people – with this form of reprisal mainly linked to socalled moral crimes like adultery, sodomy and entering an illicit relationship – since the first public corporal punishment in October last year. – The Independent Man sentenced for mailing faeces, urine to Hollywood stars CANBERRA: A man in Australia who sent his faeces and urine to US actors Leonardo Di Caprio and Jared Leto was sentenced yesterday to a two-year good behaviour bond. Veronica Grey sent parcels from post offices around the state of Western Australia in February, a court in the town of Broome heard, and was found out after one of the packages ruptured and leaked onto a postal worker. Public broadcaster ABC said Grey, who identifies as male, had placed his faeces and urine inside 23 postal satchels, sent to the recipients as “valentine confectionary (sic)”. The 49-year-old pleaded guilty to five charges of using a postal service to menace, harass or cause offence. Grey was born in the Philippines before moving to the US and then Australia, ABC reported. Grey’s defence lawyer said he had not intended to harass the actors but instead wanted to share his “passion for the environment”. A psychiatric report shared in court also showed Grey had a mental health condition that affected his impulse control, local media said. – AFP REDUCED TO ASHES ... The Wahikuli Terrace neighborhood in the Hawaii town of Lahaina lies in ruins after wildfires swept through it. The number of people known to have died in the blaze reached 106 on Tuesday. – REUTERSPIC Bodies are said to be frequently discarded in rivers or streets, with reports sometimes stating their bodies indicate torture or suffocation, according to the Afghan Witness study. David Osborn, of the Afghan Witness project, said: “The Taliban have reneged on many of their early promises regarding human rights, particularly for girls and women, and an amnesty for officials and security personnel who worked under the republic.
8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 SPEAK UP Redefining parenthood PARENTHOOD, a role as ancient as humanity, has undergone multifaceted evolutions shaped by sociocultural, economic and technological shifts. Historically, each generation has formulated its parenting paradigms based on prevailing societal norms, personal experiences and available resources. The current generation of parents, informed by retrospective evaluations of their upbringings and the surfeit of information available today, often finds itself grappling with the intricate task of redefining child-rearing practices. Changing the tides Why this profound desire for change? Factors abound: evolving societal norms, greater awareness of mental health, exposure to global cultures and parenting styles and the rapid rise of technology, to name a few. Unlike previous generations that often followed a more “one-size-fitsall” approach, today’s parents are swimming in a sea of choices, making it harder for them to identify the “right” way. Reconciling with the past For many, the resolve to parent differently comes from personal experiences. They may want to avoid the strictness, emotional distance or other perceived flaws they felt in their upbringing. But this can mean dealing with unresolved personal issues that can interfere with their current parenting methods if unchecked. Information overload Thanks to technology, parents have unprecedented access to a plethora of parenting philosophies, techniques and expert opinions. But this wealth of information can often lead to analysis paralysis or incessant selfdoubt. Societal pressure While society has evolved, vestiges of traditional expectations remain. Parents wanting to break the mould often face pressure or even judgement from their own parents, peers or society at large. Balancing tradition and modernity How does one incorporate valuable aspects of traditional parenting while integrating newer ideas? This tightrope walk can often feel like a Herculean task. Suggestions for the brave new parent Reflect, do not reject: The impulse to deviate from the parenting patterns of one’s childhood is a natural aspect of generational evolution. It is crucial to understand that the strategies employed by our parents were often products of their times, influenced by societal norms, personal experiences and available knowledge. By acknowledging this, we cultivate a sense of gratitude and empathy, recognising their efforts and intentions. This reflective stance not only bridges generational gaps but also allows one to sift through past practices with discernment, selectively adopting those that resonate with contemporary values while graciously setting aside others. Trust yourself: In an era saturated with information, parents are often inundated with diverse and occasionally conflicting advice on child-rearing. While expert opinions and research can offer invaluable insights, it is paramount for parents to cultivate and rely on their intuitive understanding of their child’s unique needs and temperament. Each child is an individual, and no scholarly article or expert can know them as intimately as their parents. Open dialogue: The foundation of effective parenting often rests upon open and transparent communication. As one embarks on the journey of child-rearing, ensuring alignment with one’s partner becomes paramount. Through regular discussions, parents can synchronise their approaches, share observations and jointly navigate challenges, ensuring a cohesive environment for the child. Beyond the immediate familial unit, initiating dialogues with the preceding generation – one’s parents – is equally essential. This dialogue will not only foster understanding but also allow parents to glean insights from the past while contextualising them for the present. Seek community: Historically, the adage “it takes a village to raise a child” has held profound significance. In today’s fragmented societies, where nuclear families often operate in isolation, the importance of a supportive community cannot be overstated. Whether it is online forums, local parent support groups or close-knit circles of friends and family, finding a community provides an opportunity for shared learning, mutual support and validation. Engaging in such communities will not only foster a sense of belonging but also provide a platform for collective problem-solving and camaraderie. Stay flexible: As children grow and evolve, so too must the approaches parents employ. Their experiences, stages of development and external influences will continuously mould them, necessitating parents to be agile in their responses. Rigidity in methods or expectations can often lead to frustration and missed opportunities for growth for the child and the parent. Adopting a flexible mindset, one that is receptive to change and adaptive to unforeseen challenges, is crucial. This ability to pivot and adjust will not only ensure that parents remain relevant and effective in their roles but also serve as a model for children. Self-care: The demands of modern parenting, coupled with professional responsibilities and personal aspirations, can exert immense pressure on parents. Regular self-care, be it through physical activities, meditation, hobbies or periods of rest, will ensure that parents can approach their duties with rejuvenated energy and clarity. Furthermore, by prioritising their well-being, parents can inadvertently model the importance of self-care and mental health to their children, embedding these values for the next generation. The desire to offer a different childhood than one’s own is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of parenthood. While this path is riddled with its unique set of challenges, it is also a journey of profound discovery, not just of your child, but of yourself. Embrace it with an open heart, armed with the wisdom of the past and the promise of the future. The writer is a Certified Mental Health and Awareness Practitioner specialising in Narcissistic Abuse Recovery. Comments: [emailprotected] “Unlike previous generations that often followed a more ‘one-sizefits-all’ approach, today’s parents are swimming in a sea of choices, making it harder for them to identify the ‘right’ way. Regular self-care, be it through physical activities, meditation, hobbies or periods of rest, will ensure that parents can approach their parenting duties with rejuvenated energy and clarity. – REUTERSPIC MIND THE MIND BY DR PRAVEENA RAJENDRA
9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 Promoting unity and values through the Rukun Negara THE government’s decision to expand the Rukun Negara culture in public and private schools, as announced by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, is commendable. This is in line with what I have been advocating for several years – the importance of educating our young generation on the significance of our national philosophy. This effort can be facilitated through the establishment of Rukun Negara clubs, of which there are currently 6,849 throughout the nation. While we laud these quantitative initiatives, it is hoped that this will also help nurture responsible citizens, who will understand the importance of unity, mutual respect and moral values in a multiracial and multicultural nation. This is based on the five tenets of the Rukun Negara. Teachers, as “agents of unity” in schools, must also be equipped to play their role appropriately. Students in several schools today are adept at reciting the five principles of the Rukun Negara: Loyalty to King and Country, Upholding the Constitution, The Rule of Law and Good Behaviour and Morality. However, they do not understand its significance, and more importantly, to put them into practice. Students must be made conversant with the reasons, implications and outcomes of adhering to the Rukun Negara principles. These include: National unity: The Rukun Negara promotes a sense of unity among the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds in Malaysia. Children will learn to respect and appreciate their peers of different backgrounds, fostering a harmonious and inclusive society. Understanding and internalising the principles of the Rukun Negara will cultivate a sense of pride in the nation’s history, culture and shared values. Social cohesion: This can contribute to reducing prejudice, discrimination and conflicts in the future. Civic responsibility: Children will be able to understand their civic responsibilities and the importance of contributing positively to society. Character development: The Rukun Negara values will help shape children’s characters and personalities, guiding them towards becoming responsible, empathetic and compassionate individuals. Long-term stability: A society that is grounded in shared values is more likely to enjoy long-term stability and social cohesion. Teaching the Rukun Negara will contribute to the overall well-being and progress of the nation. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye Kuala Lumpur LETTERS [emailprotected] Preserving our gentle giants “AN elephant never forgets” is the famous saying that holds undeniable truth as we uncover more about these gentle giants. They exhibit intellectual capabilities that distinguish them from others in the animal kingdom, from remembering specific people to mapping complex migration routes across hundreds of kilometres. Furthermore, they remember these specific details decades later, proving their survival skills and revealing the astounding intelligence and emotional complexity of these majestic beings. They are highly respected and valued in many societies due to their wisdom, strength and strong family connections. They play important roles in folklore, myth and religious stories, deeply connecting them to human culture and history. Featuring a human body combined with an elephant head, Lord Ganesha is a revered figure in Hindu scriptures. He is widely worshipped as the deity who removes obstacles and represents wisdom and intellect. In Thai culture, elephants are regarded as a national symbol of luck, prosperity and power. Within African folklore, elephants are revered as wise and noble creatures, believed to bring blessings and good fortune to communities. During ancient times in Egypt, elephants were associated with strength and royalty, often portrayed in artistic representations and embraced as symbols of power by pharaohs. In many tribal cultures, elephants are considered sacred animals and command profound respect for their intelligence, social bonds and role in the ecosystem. The impact of elephants extends far beyond their numbers, influencing the entire ecosystem they inhabit. They modify habitats, create water sources and disperse seeds through their dung, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health. Their extensive migration patterns help maintain ecological balance and nutrient recycling. They also indirectly regulate predator populations and influence vegetation composition. Similar to the keystone in architecture, which functions as the central stone supporting all other stones and providing vital structural stability, elephants serve as keystone species. They play a critical role in maintaining the structure and functioning of an ecosystem. Protecting and conserving these magnificent creatures is vital, not only for their survival but for maintaining the health and balance of the ecosystems they inhabit. Battling for survival Every year, countless elephants are brutally slaughtered for their priceless tusks, a tragic consequence of the persistent illegal ivory trade that persists despite global bans. The rapid expansion of human activities encroaches upon their natural havens, resulting in the loss and fragmentation of their habitats. This forces these majestic creatures into smaller territories, where they encounter increased conflicts with humans. The landscapes that elephants are accustomed to for years are shifting due to changing climate patterns, adding another layer of uncertainty that affects their access to vital food and water sources. There is also the possibility of disease outbreaks, with the ominous threat of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) looming over elephants, mainly Asian elephants. To understand the disease caused by EEHV among Asian elephants, we must know the diversity within the world of elephants. There are three main species: the African elephant, which includes the African bush elephant and the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. Each species has its unique characteristics and habitats. The African elephant roams Africa’s vast savannas and dense forests, while the Asian elephant is found in various Asian countries, such as India and Thailand. Different species have distinct needs, face different threats and hold specific ecological roles, underscoring the necessity to customise conservation strategies accordingly. Fine balance Around the globe, brave individuals are joining forces to protect and save elephants from the challenges they face. Governments, non-governmental organisations and conservation groups, such as BioDB, are working together to take a resolute stance against the threats endangering these majestic creatures. They are taking bold steps to protect the future of elephants, armed with knowledge, innovation and determination. Human-elephant conflicts have increased as human populations rise and encroach on traditional elephant habitats. Focusing on community involvement, exploring alternative forms of support and using cuttingedge fencing techniques have gained significance in addressing these conflicts and fostering harmonious coexistence. Poaching is a critical-added threat to elephant populations, primarily fueled by the illegal ivory trade. Governments and conservation organisations have intensified their anti-poaching efforts through increased law enforcement, intelligence-led operations and awareness campaigns to curb the demand for ivory. In recent years, elephant conservation efforts have gained momentum worldwide. The use of cutting-edge instruments, such as GPS monitoring collars, drones and video traps to follow elephant movements and behaviours as well as locate poaching hotspots has been vital in supporting these efforts. Data-driven approaches have become prevalent, empowering conservationists to develop effective strategies. The emergence of ethical and sustainable wildlife tourism has provided an additional avenue for conservation support. Today, many responsible travellers seek experiences that not only contribute to elephant conservation but also uplift local communities while avoiding cruelty. Climate change is impacting elephant habitats, migratory patterns and food sources. Conservationists are diligently studying the potential effects of climate change on elephant populations and integrating climate resilience measures into their conservation plans. Moreover, international collaboration has become a pivotal aspect of elephant conservation, with neighbouring countries forging alliances to safeguard migratory corridors and enhance regional conservation efforts. These crossborder initiatives will address critical issues, such as poaching and habitat protection on a broader scale. Balancing elephant conservation with socioeconomic development is a delicate task. Conservation measures often require restrictions on land use and resource exploitation, potentially impacting local livelihoods. Striking a balance between preserving elephant habitats and supporting human development can be challenging. Role as guardians As we learn more about these creatures, we discover their challenges, and the urgency to act becomes clearer. We realise that their story is not just a tale of wilderness but also resilience, coexistence and shared responsibility. The fate of elephants is not carved in stone, but humanity’s collective will and efforts shape it. Governments, communities and individuals must play vital roles in determining the outcome of this epic saga. Together, as guardians of the Earth, we can shape the future of elephants and their habitats. Let us be the authors of change, crafting the world of coexistence where elephants roam. Join us in this conservation journey and help us create hope for future generations to witness and enjoy the presence of elephants in the wild. “The survival of elephants is a shared responsibility, transcending borders and cultures. Together, we can create a better world for them and us.” – Prince William, Duke of Cambridge The writer is the Founder and CEO of BioDB.com, a group tasked with collecting conservation data, raising awareness for biodiversity loss and fundraising. Comments: [emailprotected] COMMENT by Assaf Levy Elephants play a critical role in maintaining the structure and functioning of an ecosystem. – PIC COURTESY OF PEAKPX.COM, USED UNDER CC0 LICENCE. “The impact of elephants extends far beyond their numbers, influencing the entire ecosystem they inhabit. They modify habitats, create water sources and disperse seeds through their dung, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health.
10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 Expo to highlight sustainable construction for net zero future KUALA LUMPUR: BuildXpo 2023, to be held in November in conjunction with the established International Construction Week (ICW 2023), gears to showcase cutting-edge sustainable materials and practices, emphasising its role as a leader in driving sustainability in the construction sector. Themed, “Leading ESG in Construction,” the exhibition highlights the crucial role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in shaping the future of the industry. Co-organised by QUBE Integrated (M) Sdn Bhd and the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia, BuildXpo 2023 will feature experienced exhibitors such as YTL Cement, KIMMU Group of Companies, NL Scientific Instruments, and Leviat Sdn Bhd, who are at the forefront of driving the industry’s transformation towards achieving Net Zero 2050 in Malaysia. “We anticipate a surge of interest in sustainability practices across all industries with the imminent implementation of Malaysia’s National Carbon Policy this year. We are excited to be driving this positive change and showcasing innovative solutions in the construction industry that align with the country’s commitment to sustainability. BuildXpo 2023 will be a pivotal platform for industry professionals oBuildXpo 2023 held together with ICW 2023, will put spotlight on crucial role of ESG in shaping the industry’s future to explore cutting-edge sustainable materials and practices, encouraging a greener and more eco-conscious future for the construction sector,” explained QUBE’s group managing director Richard Teo. YTL Cement has been leading the charge in developing Green Cement, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional construction materials. Their ECO product range comprising ECOCem, ECOConcrete, ECOSand, and ECODrymix, offers lower embodied carbon, recycled materials, and improved indoor air quality. These products have already made a positive impact on landmark projects like Merdeka 118, MRT Putrajaya Line, and the Damansara-Shah Alam Highway, showcasing the significance of sustainable construction practices in reducing carbon footprint. During BuildXpo 2023, YTL Cement will offer interactive experiences and demonstrations at their booth, providing attendees with insights into the properties and applications of Green Cement. “It’s encouraging to see Malaysia’s construction industry recognising the importance of sustainability and pushing towards positive progress to build a better world for the next generation,” says Clarisse Loh, head of sustainability at YTL Cement. “Our ECO product range not only improves environmental impact but also delivers superior product performance, making it a driving force for sustainable construction in Malaysia.” KIMMU Group of Companies has been making significant contributions with its range of sustainable products and services. Among the key products showcased at BuildXpo 2023 will be the Dramix Steel Fibre, a cutting-edge concrete reinforcement solution known for its performance and sustainability traits. Additionally, KIMMU will present the CWS waterproofing system, offering a “green” concrete waterproofing solution that ensures durability and ecological responsibility. NL Scientific Instruments’ presence at BuildXpo 2023 perfectly aligns with the event’s emphasis on sustainability. As the Asia leader in material testing equipment for construction materials, NL Scientific Instruments plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable practices throughout the building process. Its commitment to research and development towards achieving higher accuracy, sustainability, and ease of maintenance, further reinforces its position as a frontrunner in sustainable technology. Leviat, a global leader in engineered solutions for the construction industry, is poised to make a significant impact at BuildXpo 2023. Its innovative products enable safer, faster, and more sustainable construction practices, with a strong commitment to eco-conscious solutions. As part of CRH, the world’s largest building materials company, Leviat is connected to a vast network of industry experts, amplifying its reach and influence. Its technical resources including cutting-edge digitised design solutions and industry-leading software, empower professionals to embrace sustainable construction approaches. Leviat’s presence will inspire transformative conversations, driving commitment to greener and more resilient construction practices. Tropicana reaffirms ESG commitment as it enters seventh year of sustainability journey PETALING JAYA: Property developer Tropicana Corporation Bhd reaffirmed its commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, as it moves into the seventh year of its sustainability journey. As a responsible developer and community builder, the group has prioritised sustainability and green features throughout its developments and signature townships since inception. This includes the cultivation of a The dragonfly pond project was established for sustainable management of pests. Sunway Iskandar Development to become SunCity’s fully owned unit KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Bhd’s wholly owned unit Sunway City Sdn Bhd (SunCity) recently inked a share transactions agreement with Iskandar Assets Sdn Bhd (IASB) and Sunway Iskandar Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB). In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, it said that pursuant to the agreement, SunCity will acquire 770,450 ordinary shares held by IASB in SIDSB, representing 40% of the share capital of SIDSB, for a total purchase consideration of RM770,450. SunCity will also subscribe for 84.2 million non-convertible noncumulative redeemable preference shares (NCRPS) in SIDSB for a total consideration of RM84.2 million. Thereafter, SIDSB will redeem 76.3 million NCRPS held by IASB in the share capital of SIDSB at a redemption price of RM84.2 million out of the proceeds of the fresh issuance of NCRPS to SunCity. It said consequent to the completion of the proposed acquisition and redemption of NCRPS, SIDSB will become a wholly owned subsidiary of SunCity. Sunway said the proposed acquisition and subscription bode well with the development strategy of both SunCity and IASB. “From Sunway’s perspective, SunCity will take on a full 100% stake in SIDSB as Sunway is confident with the prospect of developing Sunway City Iskandar Puteri into Sunway’s next flagship township. “The proposed development under Sunway City Iskandar Puteri township will consist of two major precincts Riverside and Capital with a low plot ratio of 1:1. “With a sizeable total landbank of 445ha wholly owned by Sunway, the process of emulating the two successful townships in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur and Sunway City Ipoh can be carried out with the tremendous opportunity to realise and unlock the value of SIDSB’s landbank and thus, increase the future earnings of SIDSB,” it said. On the risks of the proposed transactions, Sunway said the proposed acquisition and subscription would entail higher financial requirements to fund the future development of Sunway City Iskandar Puteri. “However, Sunway will take the necessary steps to mitigate the risks identified by obtaining external debt financing as the development progresses. “No assurance can be given that significant changes in any of these factors will not materially affect Sunway’s operations and financial performance,” it added. Barring unforeseen circ*mstances, the proposed transactions are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023. – Bernama I-Berhad strengthens board with industry veterans PETALING JAYA: I-Berhad, the master developer of Malaysia’s No. 1 Technology City, i-City in Shah Alam, has appointed two industry veterans Gan Kim Khoon and Prem Kumar Subramaniam, to its board of directors. Both Gan and Prem bring a wealth of expertise to I-Berhad’s board of directors. Their strategic thinking, combined with their deep industry knowledge, bodes perfectly with the company’s vision for sustainable growth and financial success. Gan has an impressive career spanning over three decades in capital markets. His illustrious journey encompasses investment banking, equity fundraising, stockbroking, and investment research. According to I-Berhad chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong, “Gan’s proven track record in capital markets coupled with profound understanding of market dynamics and investors’ behaviour will be an added advantage to infuse the group’s leadership with a dynamic blend of financial acumen, strategic foresight and strong governance to steer business towards achieving its strategic goals”. Meanwhile Prem, an eminent figure in the real estate sector with a career spanning more than three decades. His deep expertise in property management, valuation and development has been showcased through his involvement in various mega projects and real estate ventures. Notable among these are his contributions to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Bandar Iskandar Puteri, and KL Metropolis. Lim states, “Prem’s wealth of knowledge and leadership in property valuation and management is poised to enhance the value of our RM1 billion investment properties’ portfolio and ultimately create long-term value for I-Berhad’s stakeholders.” Prem’s rich industry experience in property valuation management will provide the group with great insights to solidify its plans to create better value as a location for destination living. thriving ecosystem at its flagship Tropicana Golf & Country Resort with over 22,000 plant species and 300 acres of landscapes, as well as renewable energy generation via more than 2,200 solar panels installed. Since 2016, the group has achieved numerous sustainability milestones such as cultivating over 375 acres of green lungs, planting more than 6,500 trees, and building more than 11km of biking and walking trails across its signature townships. “At Tropicana, we hold the view that development is by nature forward-looking, with the needs of the future implicit across development timescales. However, climate change has brought the need for sustainability and compliance to the fore, with diverse and increasingly rigorous requirements across regulatory, financial and social dimensions. With this in mind, we are accelerating the adoption of ESG practices throughout the group, in line with the changing business operating landscape,” said the management. While sustainability has been part of Tropicana’s DNA from the start, the group formalised its ESG journey in 2016, in conjunction with Bursa Malaysia’s reporting requirements. Since then, Tropicana has grown from strength to strength, with landmarks such as Tropicana Golf & Country Resort’s pioneering dragonfly pond project for sustainable management of pest populations, to Tropicana Metropark’s windmill bio-filtration system for its 4.41-acre lake. In 2022, Tropicana codified its ESG commitments into its three ESG pillars namely: People, Planet and Partnership. These pillars address the group’s approach to social, environmental and governance principles respectively, and draw momentum from its business values while at the same time sustaining them.
KLCI 1,463.51 3.23 NIKKEI 31,766.82 472.07 THURSDAY AUGUST 17, 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 August 16, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) AIMFLEX 192,201,800 20.5 +4.5 UEMS 113,229,500 61.0 +4.0 KNM 92,233,800 8.0 UNCH CLASSITA 85,215,700 7.5 UNCH HSI-CRF 75,594,500 16.0 -2.0 EXCHANGERATES AUGUST 16, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.7080 4.5750 4.5605 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0540 2.9330 2.9270 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.4650 3.3660 3.3550 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.4860 3.3940 3.3810 1 EURO 5.1420 4.9780 4.9640 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8110 2.7090 2.6960 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4650 3.3660 3.3550 1 STERLING POUND 5.9870 5.8000 5.7790 1 SWISS FRANC 5.3440 5.2220 5.2190 100 UAE DIRHAM 129.7600 123.0800 122.5200 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.3770 4.1080 3.8960 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 64.6000 62.2000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 60.8400 57.8400 57.5100 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.7500 5.4000 5.1900 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0318 0.0288 0.0237 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.2400 3.1380 3.1210 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.8000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.6500 1.5400 1.3400 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.4200 7.9400 7.7300 100 QATAR RIYAL 130.6800 124.0600 123.5900 100 SAUDI RIYAL 127.0100 120.5700 120.0000 100 THAI BAHT 13.8800 12.3100 11.9400 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY August 16, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,769.80 +21.62 FBMKLCI 1,463.51 +3.23 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 564.86 +2.01 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 168.44 +0.42 CONSTRUCTION 177.96 +2.35 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,415.90 +14.78 ENERGY 830.27 -5.21 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 586.38 +2.29 HEALTH CARE 1,707.74 +4.42 TRANSPORTATION 929.85 -1.64 PROPERTY 807.88 +5.66 PLANTATION 7,034.46 +16.99 FBMSHA 10,966.90 +16.55 FBMACE 5,377.74 +42.52 TECHNOLOGY 64.50 -0.46 TURNOVER VALUE 3.623 BIL RM2.213 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS August 16, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM NESTLE 18,200 132.30 +0.40 HEIM 156,300 26.10 +0.28 IMASPRO 437,400 5.16 +0.18 GENTING 4,011,100 4.57 +0.12 CAPITALA-WA 52,805,200 0.46 +0.10 5 TOP LOSERS August 16, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM PPB 621,900 16.04 -0.12 SAM 30,700 4.83 -0.12 TOCEAN 6,800 1.88 -0.12 FAREAST 13,500 3.59 -0.11 AEONCR 244,700 11.72 -0.10 SHAH ALAM: Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) expects to onboard more than one million unitholders yearly to invest in its unit trusts through its partnership with TNG Digital Sdn Bhd’s (TNGD) eWallet, GOinvest feature launched yesterday. According to CEO Muzaffar Othman, it has 12 million individual unitholders and 15 million unit trust accounts, while TNGD has about 21 million users. Through the partnership, it hopes to tap into the significant overlap between its unitholders and the latter’s users. “We don’t have the numbers yet, however we hope to onboard a million people annually as we have a big overlap. Hence, we hope for at least a million ... or more,” he told reporters during the press conference at the launch of ASNB Investment on Touch ‘n Go eWallet yesterday. ASNB will be the first and only eWallet ASNB eyes 1m unitholders annually through GOinvest KUALA LUMPUR: Jannafarm Sdn Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Geo Artha International (M) Sdn Bhd to market and export it’s black ginger products to the Indonesian and South Korean market. On Aug 14, the MoU was signed by Jannafarm CEO Engku Azhan Fahmi and Geo Artha International’s Zuraini Hasanuddin, witnessed by Geo Artha Indonesia strategic partner Abdul Wahab, who is also the CEO of PT Dirgantara Wahana Angkasa Semesta. According to Geo Artha which has 17 years of experience in global marketing in Indonesia, the country has a population of 275 million, of which 30% is their company’s main target market within five years. It said these target consumers are prepared to pay premium price for high quality imported Malaysian F&B products as this has been proven before and they expect this market to grow up to RM10 million per annum in the next two to three years. The company also believes this collaboration will bring a win-win for the three nations – Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea. Engku Azhan said “We are always on the lookout for export partners to bring our products overseas. Our black ginger products has received very positive response at the local retail market. They’re now available at Giant, Mercato, Jaya Grocer, Sogo, TVF Value Mart, 7-Eleven and the latest will be KK-Mart and Aeon. We’ll be launching our ‘win RM20,000 cash’ competition in a few weeks. Just watch out for our upcoming announcement.” A certified nutritionist Peggy Ng said there are over 100 clinical studies done on black ginger that demonstrates its health benefits and its popularity in Thailand (also known as thai ginseng), especially within the muay thai sports community where they’re regularly used for boosting energy, muscle building and expediting recovery of injury after fights. She added Jannafarm products are the very few that use stevia or low gi nano-sugar. Jannafarm chairman Datuk Dr Othman Omar said “This is one of Jannafarm’s effort to help the local black ginger farmers. We provide our contract farmers with off-take arrangements at an agreed price before they start farming so that they eliminate the risk of uncertainty in market demand and price fluctuation at harvest.” He added that the average yield per ha per year for black ginger farms are much higher compared to oil palm. Sometimes even over 100 times higher, but the plant requires a lot of care and do not allow the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticide. “The government should impose higher tax on these imported raw and processed food products to support the local farmers and manufacturers. We should learn from countries like Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Bangladesh that have successfully developed their local health food and agricultural industry, and made it into a multi-billion dollar industry.” JannaFarm is a social agri-enterprise located at Lang Agro Park near Kuah, Langkawi where they grow premium quality organic black ginger. It cultivates high-yield, short cycle and premium value crops with the aid of technology. They use 95% less water using drip-fertigation, zero pesticide using natural pest control, composting for organic fertilisers, booster enzymes and effective microbes to produce high quality rhizomes whilst protecting the environment. They are currently working on getting organic certification for their rhizomes. Jannafarm partners Geo Artha to export black ginger products to Indonesia, South Korea █ BYGLORIA HARRY BEATTY [emailprotected] agent to offer investments in its unit trusts for Malaysians through the Touch ‘n Go eWallet. On target, he said that the partnership is geared more towards financial inclusion and financial literacy “to grow investment and to save for the future”. “We hope that through this collaboration, there would be more unitholders coming in via this channel, enabling them to save and invest with us … less of a sales or financial target at this moment in time,” he said. Meanwhile, TNGD CEO Alan Ni said that the introduction of ASNB to its growing financial services portfolio aligns with its commitment towards digital inclusion and making financial investment accessible for everyone. “With a relatively low risk and long-term investment instrument, our users can save and invest with a consistent and competitive return on investment through ASNB. With an incredibly low minimum initial investment of just RM10, over 12 million ASNB unitholders can now effortlessly invest through GOInvest in the Touch ‘n Go eWallet. “This innovative partnership further diversifies GOinvest’s offerings to a total of 26 unit trusts that caters to different risk appetites, while making online investments convenient and affordable for the masses,” remarked Ni. The partnership enables Malaysians to subscribe to all 17 ASNB unit trusts via the feature in the eWallet, which will complement the nine unit trusts that are currently available. Existing ASNB unitholders can now invest in ASNB unit trust through the feature such as checking portfolio performances and make new investments. New users are also encouraged to access their ASNB account through the eWallet for hassle-free investing once they have completed the easy online registration via the MyASNB app. For the second phase, TNGD chief financial services officer Desmond Teoh said new users from ASNB can onboard themselves, (which we expect to launch) by the end of the year or first quarter of next year. In conjunction with the launch, TNGD and ASNB are running a “Labur Online Laju” cashback campaign between Aug 16 to Sept 30, to reward users who subscribe to ASNB Investment GOinvest in the Touch ‘n Go eWallet. From left: Engku Azhan, Zuraini and Abdul Wahab. oUnit trust firm will be the first and only eWallet agent to offer investment products for Malaysians via TNG eWallet SCI 3,150.13 26.05 STI 3,213.58 19.16 TSEC 16,446.78 8.02 S&P/ASX200 7,195.20 109.80 KOSPI 2,525.64 45.23 HANG SENG 18,329.30 251.81 Participation 27.9 43.7 28.4 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 587.1 944.0 682.9 2214.0 Sold RM m 646.6 990.8 576.6 2214.0 Net RM m -59.5 -46.8 106.3 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) 16/8/2023
12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 SUNBIZ READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME SP Setia secures sales totalling RM2.56 billion KUALA LUMPUR: SP Setia Group has secured total sales of RM2.56 billion, with local projects contributing RM2.19 billion or approximately 86% of the sales. Sales in the central region generated RM1.49 billion, supported by RM589 million from the southern region and RM74 million from the northern region. The remaining sales were contributed largely from international sales. Furthermore, it was announced that the group has secured total bookings of RM470 million as of June 30, 2023. SP Setia Bhd president and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai (pix) said the strong performance in the first half of 2023 demonstrates their ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality developments and solutions. “We are pleased with these positive results, which reflect the strong demand for our projects, both locally and internationally,” he added. From an operational standpoint, the group’s performance has demonstrated notable improvement, evidenced by a higher gross profit of RM577.9 million for the first half 2023, a 19% oDomestic projects contribute 86% as recovery continues for the Malaysian property market increase year-on-year (RM311.3 million gross profit in the current quarter, a 13% increase from Q2 2022). This positive trajectory can be attributed to enhanced operational efficiency and the continuing recovery of the Malaysian property market, which in turn, has propelled the revenue year-to-date to RM1.91 billion (RM942.7 million in the current quarter). With 44 ongoing projects and unbilled sales amounting to RM6.82 billion as of June 30, 2023 the group’s e a r n i n g s visibility in the short to midterm is r o b u s t . D e s p i t e the global challenges posed by persistent inflation and higher interest rates, the group remains optimistic about achieving a noteworthy performance for the financial year 2023. Through the group’s disciplined debt reduction programme and degearing r o a d m a p implementation across all its business units, the net gearing level of the group has been reduced to 0.55x and is expected to improve further progressively. In addition, the group is committed to monetising n o n - strategic l a n d a n d divesting non-core assets. SP Setia is also preparing to launch its first-ever industrial development offering in the Klang Valley, known as Setia Alaman. This new development will feature a combination of industrial and commercial assets, bringing a unique blend of functionality and business opportunities to the area. The group had also introduced its latest sustainability and innovation-led initiative Setia iHome launched in June 2023. This initiative marks another milestone in the group’s unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability. “We are grateful for the support and trust of our stakeholders, especially our staff, known fondly as Team Setia who have worked tirelessly for the said results. We will continue to focus on delivering quality developments and sustainable solutions, while continuing our long-term plan to move towards a lighter asset structure and leveraging on our effective remaining land bank of 6,870 acres with a total GDV of RM125.77 billion. We remain confident in achieving our targets for this financial year,” affirmed Choong. Maybank mobilises close to RM40b in sustainable finance KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has cumulatively mobilised close to RM40 billion in sustainable finance and has improved nearly 970,000 households across Asean since 2020. Group CEO Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli said the bank has also reduced 43.5% of its scope 1 and 2 emissions and achieved close to 260,000 annual sustainability hours. “I am pleased to mention that we continue to progress in our sustainability commitments and are in line with our M25+ strategic thrusts of becoming a sustainability leader in the region. “Besides being on track in terms of our targets, we have also implemented policies, thoughts and practices across our business to ensure that the group holistically embraces sustainability,” he said in his speech at the Grand Celebration of the Maybank Group Sustainability Week yesterday. In conjunction with its Sustainability Week, the bank has announced three new initiatives – the Maybank Sustainability Practitioner Certification Programme, the launch of the Emission Calculator and the introduction of the myimpact Visa Signature credit card and Maybank Islamic myimpact Mastercard Platinum credit card. Khairussaleh said the bank aimed to get 20,000 new card users through its newly launched credit cards by end-2023. “Our aim is to create a heightened responsibility and awareness for environmental, social and governance (ESG)-friendly spending. “We have created a path for our customers to understand their personal carbon impact through their lifestyle consumptions and provide solutions to track, monitor and minimise carbon footprints through carbon offset initiatives,” he said. The myimpact credit card, made from bio-sourced polylactic acid, features a ground-breaking initiative deemed first-of-its-kind in the country, provides mechanisms for card members to track their carbon footprints, offers rewards for sustainable lifestyle and ecopurchases as well as allows for carbon offsets by contributing towards various reforestation activities in the region. Khairussaleh said the introduction of the Maybank myimpact credit card is a testament to the group’s commitment towards living its purpose of being a values-based platform, incorporating the features of sustainability and ethical principles into our solution and offerings to customers. He said it is also part of the bank’s overall plan to build awareness of sustainability among consumers while providing them with avenues to exercise their commitment to ESG practises. – Bernama Rising investment commitments in digital economy signal investor confidence KUALA LUMPUR: The surge of investment commitments in the digital economy sector is a clear signal of investor confidence and strong digital economic prospects in the near term, an economist said. Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said a positive growth in the sector is expected to invigorate the information and communications services and e-commerce sectors which moderated from around 8% growth annually before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic to slightly below 6% between 2020 and 2022. Factors supporting the growth of the digital economy sector include the rising usage of computer, information technology and web presence by businesses across all sectors. – BERNAMAPIX “The sector’s growth is projected to pick up to 6% and 8% year-onyear (y-o-y) in the second half of 2023 on account of the tripling of digital economy investment amid sustained consumption growth,” he told Bernama. Last week, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil revealed that Malaysia has secured another RM5.2 billion worth of investment commitments in the digital economy sector from China (RM3 billion) and Singapore (RM2.2 billion). He added that the ministry had brought in a total of RM28.4 billion investments in the digital economy sector in the first half of 2023, a 279% jump from RM7.5 billion in the same period last year. Citing a Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) survey, Yeah said factors supporting the growth of the digital economy sector include the rising usage of computer, information technology and web presence by businesses across all sectors. The quarterly survey also revealed a 10.4% y-o-y rise in ecommerce income to RM291.7 billion in the first quarter of 2023, primarily driven by the manufacturing and services sectors. Therefore, with a projected growth of 6% to 8% annually over the next few years, Yeah said the digital economy sector is on track to expand to a quarter of Malaysia’s gross domestic product by 2025. “The e-government policy and digitalisation initiatives mounted by various ministries including the central bank’s drive to accelerate digital payment and banking services are expected to boost the digital economy’s growth trajectory. “In addition, the 5G rollout together with more rapid digital adoption by businesses and industries to meet growing customer and business demands will spur entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity increases that will feed the selfpropelling growth of the digital economy,” he added. B R I E F SMATRADE: REGISTRATION FOR INSP EXCEEDS TARGET KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has exceeded its target for international buyers registered for the flagship International Sourcing Programme (INSP) at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) 2023. INSP Mihas comprises prearranged one-to-one business meetings, both physical and virtual, which connects international buyers with Malaysian suppliers of halal products and services. The physical INSP will be held on Sept 11 at Menara Matrade, while the virtual INSP is from March 20 until Nov 30. Registration and participation is free-of-charge. INSP Mihas 2023 will host more than 470 buyers from 40 countries including from the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, the Americas and Africa region. Malaysian companies can look forward to connect with 11 premium buyers from Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Qatar, Turkiye, UK, France and Australia. These buyers represent some of the largest conglomerates, retailers and supermarkets in these countries. MHB POSTS NET LOSS OF RM388.69M IN Q2 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (MHB) posted a net loss of RM388.69 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 (2Q 2023) against a net profit of RM21.96 million a year ago. However, its revenue rose to RM1.05 billion in the second quarter compared to RM400.63 million previously, mainly due to higher revenue from the heavy engineering segment. “The heavy engineering segment continues to face challenges in executing ongoing projects within the originally budgeted margins due to the impact of raw material price escalations and global supply chain disruption,” it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday. The group said the projects had been awarded on a lump sum basis by clients a few years ago. – Bernama MPOB, PETRONAS TO STUDY SAF PRODUCTION USING COOKING OIL, PALM WASTE KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) are collaborating to conduct a study on the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with used cooking oil and palm wastes as the main raw materials. MPOB said the study is in line with the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 to reduce carbon emissions and make the energy sector a catalyst for the nation’s socioeconomic development. “The production of SAF by recycling used cooking oil and palm waste materials such as palm oil mill effluents is in line with one of the concepts of the Madani Economy that promote Green Technology,“ said director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir in a statement yesterday. – Bernama
13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 UEM to position Cenergi as ‘green champion’ PETALING JAYA: Sustainable energy solutions company Cenergi SEA Bhd is now a subsidiary of UEM Group Bhd after the latter secured a majority stake from Khazanah Nasional Bhd. Incorporated in 2008, Cenergi specialises in reducing carbon footprint through investment in renewable energy specifically biogas, biomass and solar as well as energy efficiency projects. It is Malaysia’s largest gridconnected palm oil mill effluent biogas player. It has a portfolio of 23 biogas power plants in Malaysia and Indonesia, with a total generation capacity of 39.6 megawatts (MW). It also has 20 solar projects across Malaysia, consisting of both solar farms and rooftop solar, with a cumulative capacity of over 37.6 megawatt peak. Cenergi has in the pipeline biogas, rooftop solar and solar farm projects that are under construction and development in Malaysia. In addition, its subsidiary, Cenergi EE Holdings Sdn Bhd, was recently allotted a 29.99MWac quota under Energy Commission’s Corporate oGroup’s new subsidiary specialises in reducing carbon footprint via investment in renewable energy Green Power Programme. UEM Group managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani (pic) said Cenergi has a commendable track record with projects and presence across the country and they see immense potential in the company and are committed to nurture as well as provide the necessary expertise, operational and financial support that will enhance Cenergi’s operational capabilities, secure more projects and usher in a new era of growth. Cenergi, he added, is a key asset of UEM Group and the goal is to ultimately position Cenergi as a green domestic champion to contribute significantly to Malaysia’s sustainable future. From August 2012 to May 2023, Cenergi via its various operating assets and investments have avoided over 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions, which translate into removing approximately 547,762 passenger vehicles from the road or powering 310,234 homes for a year. “Renewable energy is one of the key sectors and immediate priority of UEM Lestra Bhd, the green industries arm and wholly owned subsidiary of UEM Group. “This is due to the sector’s strong market attractiveness and high importance to Malaysia’s decarbonisation agenda. “Cenergi’s extensive experience and capabilities in this sector makes them a valuable addition to UEM Group and UEM Lestra specifically,” said Mohd Izani. At the same time, Cenergi’s inclusion in UEM Group will promote strategic complementarity among their subsidiaries across different core businesses, he added. By leveraging on the expertise and strengths of each of their subsidiary, they will be able to create synergistic business opportunities for UEM Group as whole, Mohd Izani said. Velesto secures contracts from ExxonMobil Malaysia, Jadestone KUALA LUMPUR: Velesto Energy Bhd (VEB) has clinched two contracts from ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc (EMEPMI) and Singapore-headquartered Jadestone Energy Group. The service provider for the upstream oil and gas sector said its indirect wholly owned unit, Velesto Workover Sdn Bhd, has received a letter of award for the provision of a hydraulic workover unit and services for EMEPMI’s wells programme. The VEB group is assigning its Gait 6 unit to perform workover, plugging and abandonment, with a commencement date expected in the third quarter of this year under the two-year contract, it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday. The contract value will be based on the agreed rates and work order, if any, to be issued by EMEPMI within the contract term. In a separate filing yesterday, VEB announced its indirect wholly owned unit Velesto Drilling Sdn Bhd has bagged a US$6.1 million (RM28.3 million) contract from Jadestone Energy (M) Pte Ltd for the provision of jack-up drilling rig Velesto Naga 2. The contract involves drilling four firm wells under Jadestone Energy’s infill drilling programme at the East Belumut field, offshore Peninsular Malaysia. This is also expected to begin in third-quarter 2023. Velesto Naga 2 is a premium independent-leg cantilever jack-up rig with a drilling depth capability of 30,000 feet and a rated operating water depth of 350 feet. VEB said both contracts are expected to contribute to the group’s earnings and net assets for the financial years ending Dec 31, 2023 and 2024. – Bernama Sime Darby Motors, Scientex team up to promote EV adoption PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Motors via its subsidiary Sime Darby Beyond Auto Sdn Bhd has inked a memorandum of understanding with property developer Scientex Bhd to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption across various housing developments in Malaysia. Sime Darby Beyond Auto will become the preferred marketing campaign partner for Scientex’s Mori Residences 2 condominium project in Rawang, Selangor. Scientex plans to establish EV charging stations at selected locations within its nationwide housing developments by leveraging its presence in affordable housing townships. It aims to encourage greater EV adoption among residents and visitors, to foster a greener lifestyle within these communities. “We are determined to make affordable homes and sustainable mobility solutions accessible to all Malaysians, creating a positive difference in the lives of the community,” said Scientex CEO Lim Peng Jin in a statement yesterday. BMI keeps price forecast for third-month palm oil futures KUALA LUMPUR: BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, has kept its average price forecast of RM3,800 per tonne for Bursa Malaysia-listed third-month palm oil futures contracts in 2023 following the range-bound prices seen in the third quarter of 2023 (Q3’23). Up to the time of writing, contracts have traded at an average price level of RM3,804 per tonne on a year-to-date basis and at an average price level of RM3,753 per tonne through Q3’23 to date, it said. “Prices have remained rangebound through Q3’23, having not tested either their minimum or maximum limits of the first half of 2023, and we anticipate that a two-way short-term risk profile will see the continuation of this trend through the remainder of the calendar year,” it said in a note yesterday. BMI noted that the elevated inventories in India and China, an expected increase in global soybean production through the 2023/2024 season, and the upcoming SeptemberOctober period of peak palm fruit yields across the two major palm fruit producers would all point to downward pressure on prices through the remainder of the second half of this year. Moreover, it said that the oil markets are expected to soften over Q4’23 after benefiting from support in Q3’23. “On the other hand, bullish signs can be found in the fact that sunflower oil prices are set to receive further upward price pressure following the July 17 collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and a related uptick in Black Sea hostilities,” it said. BSGI is a United Nations-brokered agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, BMI said the approach of the peak of the current El Nino event could see an increase in palm oil demand, especially if expectations for a severe El Nino rise. It said the current El Nino event would pose a major upside risk to its average palm oil price outlook over the next 12 to 18 months, depending on the eventual strength of the climate pattern. “We forecast that global palm oil production will increase by 3.6% yearon-year (y-o-y) to 80 million tonnes and that global palm oil consumption will increase by 3.7% y-o-y to 78.9 million tonnes in 2023/2024.” – Bernama Carlsberg Malaysia posts Q2 net profit of RM88.24m PETALING JAYA: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd registered a net profit of RM88.24 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 (Q2’23) compared with RM88.95 million in the same quarter last year, amid a weaker trading environment. Revenue decreased to RM506.73 million from RM574.23 million. “The group’s lower performance is also attributed to the higher base observed in Q2’22 driven by the higher trade demand ahead of the price increase in July 2022, coupled with the post-Omicron recovery and pent-up consumer demand,” said the group. For the six-month period, net profit declined slightly to RM173.28 million from RM180.53 million. Revenue decreased to RM1.17 billion from RM1.23 billion in the same period last year, due to the earlier timing and shorter sales period for the Chinese New Year celebrations this year as well as the weaker consumer sentiment. Earnings were also impacted by higher input costs and increased marketing expenses. The group declared an interim dividend of 22 sen per share for Q2’23, which brings the total first half interim dividend per share of 43 sen. Managing director Stefano Clini said the results were mainly affected by a decline in consumer off-take, driven by growing concerns over the escalating cost of living, especially the rising food prices amid the backdrop of global economic uncertainty. “Additionally, consumer sentiment has been impacted by the higher interest rates in Malaysia and Singapore, which further exacerbated the weak consumer spending during this period,” he said in a statement. Moving forward, it observes a cautious Clini says Carlsberg will remain focused on revenue and cost optimisation initiatives. outlook as the anticipated higher inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions will continue to pose challenges and dampen consumer spending. However, the end of the Prosperity Tax 2022 will positively impact the group’s net profit. “Guided by group’s SAIL’27 strategies, the group will continue to strengthen its mainstream beers, step up on premiumisation, drive alcoholfree brews as an alternative for consumers who prefer nonalcoholic beverages and stay focused on both revenue and cost optimisation initiatives,” said Clini.
14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 SUNBIZ @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME China: Economic recovery will be ‘bumpy and tortuous’ BEIJING: China said yesterday that its economic recovery “will be a bumpy and tortuous process”, but insisted Western critics “will for sure be proven wrong”. The comments come after a raft of recent figures that have stoked concerns over China’s stuttering post-Covid recovery, and after US President Joe Biden said the country’s mounting economic problems made it a “ticking time bomb”. “After the smooth transition of the epidemic prevention and control, China’s economic recovery is a wave-like development and a tortuous process, which will inevitably face difficulties and problems,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang oWe will prove Western critics wrong, says foreign ministry spokesman Vietnam’s VinFast faces stern sales test to retain whopping valuation HANOI: Vietnam’s electric vehicle (EV) champion VinFast has managed to sell Wall Street on a Nasdaq listing that values the loss-making startup at more than US$85 billion (RM393.5 billion), almost twice as much as Ford or General Motors. Now comes the hard part: moving overseas growth out of the slow lane. VinFast needs to deliver more than twice the sales notched up so far this year in the remaining five months to hit a stretch annual target set by its founder of selling 50,000 EVs. For that, it needs to complete a revamp of a sales strategy to bring in distributors and dealers rather than selling through its own platform alone, an approach it borrowed from Tesla. It will also require bringing costs down to compete on price with the likes of Tesla, which has been using its scale and industry-leading margins to cut prices and pile pressure on rivals since the start of the year. Shares of dedicated EV maker VinFast, which merged with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Black Spade, surged on their Nasdaq debut on Tuesday. Since 99% of the company is controlled by VinFast’s founder, Pham Nhat Vuong, the stock’s tiny float makes it subject to more volatility. Other EV SPAC deals, including Lucid, which Black Spade used as the basis of its initial US$23 billion valuation of VinFast, have seen their shares tumble after listing. Lucid is valued now at under US$15 billion, nearly 40% less than its US$24 billion SPAC valuation in 2021. VinFast’s intent to raise additional capital is also a potential threat to its lofty valuation. CFO David Mansfield said on Tuesday the company was talking to a range of investors, including sovereign wealth funds, and was on track to raise additional funding in the next 18 months. CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy said on Tuesday VinFast would be shifting to a new “hybrid model” for sales, bringing in distributors and dealers for overseas markets. Since it announced its overseas expansion plans, VinFast had been counting on just using its own showrooms. VinFast opened 122 showrooms globally as of June, the company said, concentrated on the US West Coast. – Reuters Tencent Q2 revenue below forecast, gaming falls short HONG KONG: China’s Tencent Holdings posted a smaller-than-expected 11% rise in second-quarter revenue yesterday, as the country’s sputtering economic recovery weighed on the social media and gaming giant’s recovery from last year’s record downturn. The world’s largest video game company and operator of the WeChat messaging platform said revenue reached 149.2 billion yuan (RM94.69 billion) for the three months ended June 30. That compared with the 151.73 billion yuan average of 21 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv. Revenue growth was little changed from a 10.7% rise in the first quarter. Tencent posted a 1% revenue drop in the same period last year, when it reported its first ever sales decline, hit by Beijing’s bruising regulatory crackdown on its sprawling tech sector. Regulatory concern has eased this year for China’s tech giants, including Tencent, with Chinese authorities keen to boost private sector confidence. But the world’s second-largest economy failed to surge after it lifted Covid-19 restrictions late last year. Net profit rose 41% to 26.17 billion yuan as compared to the same period last year. But it fell under the 33.41 billion yuan average analyst estimate. Tencent’s core gaming business experienced weaker-than-expected growth in the second quarter. Domestic gaming revenue stayed mostly flat at 31.8 billion yuan, while international gaming revenue rose 12% to 12.7 billion yuan, excluding the impact of currency movements.– Reuters B R I E F SHYUNDAI MOTOR UNIT TO BUY GM’S INDIA PLANT BENGALURU: Hyundai Motor Co’s Indian unit will buy automaker General Motors’ Talegaon plant in the western state of Maharashtra, a move that will allow the US automaker to exit the country as well increase Hyundai’s annual production. The South Korean firm said it intends to upgrade the existing infrastructure at the Talegaon unit and start manufacturing in 2025. The plant currently has an annual production capacity of 130,000 units. Hyundai, India’s secondbiggest carmaker by sales, did not mention a deal value. – Reuters UK ANNUAL INFLATION IN JULY AT 15-MONTH LOW LONDON: Britain’s annual inflation rate dropped sharply in July to a 15- month low, official data revealed yesterday, off the back of lower energy prices and in line with economists’ expectations. The Consumer Prices Index rose by an annual rate of 6.8%, down from 7.9% in June, the Office for National Statistics said, easing the country’s cost-of-living crisis. July’s price growth met the predictions of analysts, including the Bank of England, which had forecast the 6.8% rate. It follows a biggerthan-expected drop in June, when the CPI fell 0.8%. – AFP Wenbin said at a press conference. “A number of Western politicians and media have hyped up the periodic problems in China’s post-epidemic economic recovery process. But eventually, they will for sure be proven wrong,” he added. In the latest developments, missed payments on investment products by a leading Chinese trust firm and a fall in home prices have added to worries that China’s deepening property sector crisis is rapidly stifling what little momentum the economy has left. Zhongrong International Trust Co, which traditionally had sizeable real estate exposure, missed payments on dozens of investment products since late last month, a senior official has told investors. Adding to the gloom, China’s new home prices fell in July for the first time this year, the latest in a string of downbeat data that underlines the urgency for bolder policy support. Prices fell 0.2% month-on-month on a nationwide basis and 0.1% year-on-year, according to Reuters calculations based on National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data. But the picture is far worse outside of the country’s megacities like Shanghai and Beijing. Average new home prices in the 35 smallest cities surveyed by NBS fell for the 17th straight month in June on a year-on-year basis. The worsening debt crisis at major developers including Country Garden, the country’s largest private developer, has scared away many home buyers, with property investment, home sales and new construction contracting for more than a year. Given the property market has traditionally accounted for about a quarter of China’s economy, some analysts say the slump, combined with the shock from three years of strict Covid measures, has had an unprecedented impact on activity. Most analysts expect further falls in home prices and sales over coming months. – Reuters, AFP BANGKOK: Thailand’s exports may be weaker than expected but the overall economic recovery was intact, the central bank governor said yesterday. Inflation was lower than expected and would return to a target range of 1% to 3%, Bank of Thailand governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput told a central bank seminar, adding there was increasing uncertainty over global issues and domestic politics. The current policy rate was near a balanced level, he said. “The economy as a whole was recovering on consumption and tourism,” Sethaput said. Thailand has been under a caretaker government for five months as deadlock prolongs after the election-winning Move Forward party’s failure to form a government. Minutes from the monetary policy meeting on Aug 2 said that policy rates were approaching stability levels. Public consumption and investment were expected to decline from a year ago due to a delay in the budgeting process, the minutes said, but should recover in 2024, the minutes showed. Meanwhile, Thailand’s industrial sentiment dropped to its lowest level in 10 months, dented by declining exports and uncertainty over the formation of a new government after May’s election, an industries group said yeserday. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said its industrial sentiment index in July fell to 92.3 from 94.1 in June. Softer global demand and China’s slowerthan-expected economy pulled exports down for nine consecutive months, FTI chair Kriengkrai Theinnukul told a news briefing. Political uncertainty with parties attempting to form a government also weighed on sentiment, he said. Businesses were concerned that a prolonged government formation would impact the state budgeting process and the continuity of economic policies. – Reuters Thai growth rebound intact despite weaker exports: Central bank chief The VinFast VF-8 EV is displayed at a showroom in Santa Monica, California. The Vietnamese EV maker has opened 122 showrooms globally as of June, concentrated on the US West Coast. – AFPPIC
1 7 A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 T H U R S D A Y Super heroines inside Each super heroine’s achievement is a result of herself 1970s-era psychedelia inspired Dua Lipa page 16 page 16 The heart of gold queen Taylor Swift The unstoppable force of Miss World Priyanka Chopra page 17 Gal Gadot returns as Wonder Woman? Find out on page 16
16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME SINGER-SONGWRITER Dua Lipa recently opened up about her upcoming third studio album. In a conversation with T Magazine, the Don’t Start Now artist shared that her third album is scheduled for release in 2024. As she looks to pivot from her disco sound, Lipa mentioned to the publication that her music will remain within the pop genre, aiming not to “alienate” her fans. However, she highlighted that the upcoming project will draw inspiration from “1970s-era psychedelia.” The English-Albanian star also shared that she is collaborating with a smaller, more closely knit group of creative partners. She also touched upon speculations regarding her collaboration with Kevin Parker from the Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala. Additionally, according to Lipa, her upcoming album will carry a “more personal” tone. Lipa recalls watching the 2020 Bee Gees documentary How You The pop singer said “1970s-era psychedelia” inspired the project. – REUTERS oDua Lipa’s upcoming album boasts new sound █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL Can Mend a Broken Heart and “just bawling my eyes out.” She told the publication that a character in the film talks about “music that just makes your body feel good” and that “those are the songs I get attached to — that’s the kind of feeling I want to convey.” Last month, Mark Ronson, who executive produced the Barbie soundtrack, discussed Lipa’s contribution to it – Dance the Night – as well as her f o r t h c o m i n g album. “ I ’ v e heard some of it, and it’s incredible,” he told Vulture of the pop singer’s forthcoming album. He also talked about the way the music video for Dance the Night introduced Lipa’s new era with the smashing of a disco ball. “I think that’s why there’s the disco ball that smashes in the video, right? This feels like her triumphant stomp on that era of her music into whatever she does next,” he added. In addition to recording Dance the Night for Barbie, Lipa made a cameo appearance in the film as a Barbie inspired by mermaids. Lipa was included on the Barbie soundtrack alongside Ava Max, Charli XCX, Ice Spice, Karol G, Khalid, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish, and many more charttopping artists. Taylor’s heart of gold DESPITE the scorching, hot summer, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour crew has reason to be anything but cruel. The renowned pop superstar surprised her hardworking team, including dancers, riggers, sound technicians, and catering staff, with generous bonuses exceeding US$55 million (RM255 million). In addition to this, Taylor gifted truckers on her tour US$100,000 (RM463,000) each during her stop in Santa Clara. Since kicking off the tour in March in Arizona, Swift has been wowing fans with a 44-song setlist that spans her entire career. The concerts have also seen appearances from famous friends like Miles Teller, Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, Gigi Hadid, and Paul Rudd. Furthermore, Taylor Swift has exciting plans for the future, announcing her intention to tour Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America. Amidst the release of her re-recorded album Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), Swift surprised fans during her Kansas City tour stop by bringing out Joey King, Presley Cash, and Taylor Lautner, who starred in her music videos and had a brief relationship with her in the past. Upon the release of the album, Swift expressed gratitude for the memories and the chance to reclaim her work. Swift generously compensates the Eras Tour crew. – E! ONLINE █ BYYASMIN ZULRAEZ Wonder Woman 3’s quagmire CONTRARY to Gal Gadot’s recent comments about a third Wonder Woman movie on the way from Warner Bros and the new DC Studios, may not be happening. After Gadot’s recent comments that DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran told her they would develop the film together, Variety has reported that sources with knowledge of the situation are claiming otherwise. According to these sources, a third Wonder Woman film is not in development at DC Studios, and Gunn and Safran have no plans at this time for any Wonder The possibility of a third Wonder Woman film remains unknown as of yet. – IMDB █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Zooey gets hitched ACTRESS Zooey Deschanel, 43, known for her role in the New Girl sitcom (2011–2018), is engaged to Jonathan Scott, 45, from HGTV’s Property Brothers, a real estate and home-makeover show that includes his twin brother, Drew Scott. The pair have been dating since 2019, and they announced their engagement on Instagram on Aug 14 with a picture of themselves, with Zooey showing off her ring. The two got engaged during a family trip to Scotland. Jonathan has said that she brings out the best in him and makes him want to be the best version of himself. Jonathan was previously married to Kelsy Ully. This is the third marriage for Zooey, who married Ben Gibbard in 2011, split, and married film producer Jacob Pechenik in 2015. She has a daughter, Elsie Otter Pechenik, and a son, Charlie Wolf Pechenik, with Jacob. Zooey and Jonathan announced their engagement after four years. – INSTAGRAM █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI Woman project in the new DC Universe, except the Paradise Lost prequel series for Max. The idea of a third film was initially pushed by Gadot in an earlier interview with ComicBook.com, when she claimed Gunn and Safran would be “developing a Wonder Woman 3” together with her. In a more recent profile by Flaunt magazine, the actress said she was invited to a meeting with Gunn and Safran and was told, “You’re in the best hands. We’re going to develop Wonder Woman 3 with you. We love you as Wonder Woman; you’ve got nothing to worry about”. This was refuted by Variety’s sources, who are claiming that “nothing was ever promised to Gadot”, and that the DC Studios heads are laser focused on the new films presented at the start of the year, including Superman: Legacy. Before any of Gadot’s claims, the entire potential for a third film had fallen apart last December, when Warner Bros’ leadership passed on Patty Jenkins’ sequel treatment, which led the director of both Wonder Woman films to publicly exit the project. The news hit shortly after Gunn and Safran took the reins of DC Studios and announced they would be overhauling the DC Universe. From disco to ‘psychedelia’
17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 Padma Shri and a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Filmfare Awards, a tribute to a legend who ignited screens and souls. 0 Anil Kapoor Imagine a celluloid journey spanning four decades, with over a hundred roles etched in time. Anil Kapoor, the virtuoso, waltzed through epics like Mr. India, Taal, and Dil Dhadakne Do. Hollywood beckoned, and he answered the call in Slumdog Millionaire and the riveting drama of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Kapoor’s resonance extended to the untamed jungle, lending his voice to Baloo in the Hindi dub of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. His tapestry of roles traverses borders and genres, he is an actor who carved his niche under different skies. 0 Shah Rukh Khan In the pantheon of global stardom, one name reigns supreme: Shah Rukh Khan. The epitome of Bollywood grandeur, he essayed romantic sagas etched in collective memory. From the poignant Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge to the exuberant Chennai Express, his artistry knew no bounds. Surprisingly absent from Hollywood’s silver realm, Khan’s aura spans continents. A cardboard cutout atop Switzerland’s Mount Titlis and the prestigious Legion of Honour bear witness to his global allure as an actor celebrated and cherished across boundaries. Unveil the brilliance of these Bollywood supernovas, their m a s t e r p i e c e s beckoning on the cinematic tapestry of Netflix. F Shining beyond boundaries ROM the vibrant tapestry of Indian cinema, where melodies weave tales and spectacles mesmerise, emerges a constellation of stars whose luminosity transcends continents. These Bollywood enchanters, known for their charisma and kaleidoscopic performances, are now leaving their mark on the global stage, showcasing their prowess to audiences far and wide. Venture with us into this starstudded galaxy, where Bollywood meets Hollywood, and witness the meteoric rise of these captivating luminaries. 0 Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt, the ingenue turned virtuoso, burst forth in Karan Johar’s 2012 coming-of-age marvel, Student of the Year. Her cinematic voyage traverses mesmerising biopics like Gangubai Kathiawadi, otherworldly fantasies such as Brahmâstra: Part One: Shiva, and a fleeting yet unforgettable presence in the Oscar-gilded RRR. Hold your breath, for a new horizon beckons Alia as she embarks on her Hollywood odyssey in the espionage thriller Heart of Stone, a rendezvous with international stars like Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, and Matthias Schweighöfer, all to unfold exclusively on Netflix starting Aug 11. 0 Dhanush From the heartland of Tamil cinema emerges a maestro whose melody transcends borders. Dhanush, the torchbearer of modern Kollywood, etched his name in the annals of YouTube history with the viral anthem Why This Kolaveri Di. The enigmatic star’s canvas extends to masterpieces like Aadukalam, Maryan and his Bollywood debut, Raanjhanaa. Behold, as Dhanush’s global foray unfolds in The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2018), followed by a thrilling spectacle alongside Hollywood titans Ryan Gosling, Chris Bhatt in Heart of Stone. – PICS BY NETFLIX oA list of Bollywood icons illuminating Hollywood █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Dhanush at the Los Angeles premiere of The Gray Man. Evans, Ana de Armas and Regé-Jean Page in The Gray Man. 0 Priyanka Chopra A story that traverses continents begins with the coronation of Miss World. Priyanka Chopra, a transcendent force, heralded her cinematic voyage with Tamil allure and Bollywood fervour. From the suspense-laden Aitraaz to the high-octane Don saga, her meteoric rise knew no bounds. Priyanka, an embodiment of cinematic history, scripted a Hollywood chapter as the lead in Quantico, an unprecedented triumph for a North Indian starlet. The silver screen continued its rendezvous with her presence in Baywatch, Isn’t It Romantic, We Can Be Heroes, and the m u c h - anticipated The M a t r i x Resurrections. 0 Irrfan Khan In the realm of thespians, one name reverberates across the globe: Irrfan Khan. His cinematic sojourn, marked by awards and adulation, captured hearts with soul-stirring portrayals in The Warrior, The Namesake, and Paan Singh Tomar. Hollywood’s canvas embraced him, from The Amazing Spider-Man to Life of Pi, leaving an indelible legacy. A laurel-laden path was carved for Irrfan, who was crowned with the Chopra in We Can Be Heroes. Khan in My Next Guest with David Letterman. Kapoor in Mission: Impossible – GHOST PROTOCOL. Khan in The Amazing Spider-Man. – FIRST POST
18 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 o n l y functional but also served as a symbol of theatricality and drama. T o d a y , bold and statement footwear with unique designs can be seen as a nod to the spirit of the buskin, epitomising the showmanship and artistic expression of theatrical fashion. The fashion dictionary is a treasury of timeless terms that have shaped the course of style history. As we unearth forgotten style terms, we discover their relevance and influence in shaping the modern fashion landscape. From the crinoline’s graceful bell to the regal mantua’s elegance, these vintage terms continue to inspire designers, fashion enthusiasts, and runway shows around the world. So, let us embrace the past with open arms, bringing to life these forgotten gems and honouring the rich legacy of fashion. I N the ever-evolving world of fashion, styles and trends often come full circle, drawing inspiration from the past to shape the present. Among the vast array of fashion terminologies, there exists a treasure trove of vintage terms that have fallen into obscurity over the years. Today, we embark on a journey through the fashion dictionary, unearthing forgotten style terms and reviving their historical significance and relevance in today’s fashion lexicon. Crinoline In the mid-19th century, the crinoline, a stiff and bell-shaped petticoat made of horsehair or steel hoops, revolutionised women’s fashion. Embraced by Victorian ladies, the crinoline created a voluminous silhouette, accentuating their waistlines while allowing for an air of elegance and grace in their movements. Although no longer a staple, its influence can be seen in the structured ballgowns and voluminous skirts that grace modern runways, inspiring designers to reimagine the concept of extravagance in contemporary fashion. Spats In the early 20th century, spats were all the rage among well-dressed gentlemen. These protective shoe covers, typically made of fabric or leather, adorned men’s shoes to shield █ BYTHASHINE SELVAKUMARAN A taste to remember THE Guinness Flavour by Fire Media Masterclass and Taste Preview with Chef Sherson Lian was an exciting sneak-peek of a larger event. This preview provided a behind-thescenes look at the skilled chef as he prepares Guinness-infused, flamecooked meals. This smaller-scaled showcase was a definitive way to demonstrate snippets of what the upcoming festival may include. At the masterclass, the steak, lamb, chicken, ribs, and dessert were all served with that distinct Guinness flavour. It tasted like no other, merely preparing us for what was to come. Guinness Flavour by Fire at Sentul Depot Guinness Malaysia extends a warm invitation to fans and food enthusiasts to join the extraordinary culinary experience of Guinness Flavour By Fire. This unique event showcases the power of fire and infusion, elevating the taste of flamecooked foods with the unmistakable flavours of Guinness. Renowned chefs will take the stage, demonstrating their culinary prowess by creating an array of creative Guinness-infused dishes that tantalise the taste buds. At Flavour By Fire, everything comes to life as flame-cooked foods release distinctive rich flavours, textures, hues, and aromas, a phenomenon perfectly complemented by Guinness. Brewed with fire-roasted barley at a scorching 232 degrees Celsius, Guinness boasts a distinctive and supreme taste that captivates beer connoisseurs. The festival takes place at Sentul Depot, Kuala Lumpur, from Aug 18 - 20, and at Fort Cornwallis, Penang, from Sept 2 -3. Attendees can expect a plethora of flavours to excite their palates, accompanied by lively performances from local musicians and a range of engaging activities that embody the convivial atmosphere that Guinness fans adore. Lots of great prizes to be won Noteworthy promotions and prizes await enthusiasts, including exclusive invites to the festival Finale Party, dining vouchers for Arthur’s Storehouse, and Guinness smoky marinade sauce. For a chance to win a Guinness mini fridge filled with Guinness Draught In A Can, patrons can head to their nearest convenience store and make a purchase of Guinness Draught or Guinness Foreign Extra Stout while stocks last. Those with a passion for culinary creativity can partake in a fun digital contest by crafting their own Guinness infusion recipes. The top three winners will have their recipes brought to life and expertly prepared by chefs in real-time at the festival. The festival also hosts the Long Bar Challenge, where participants have the opportunity to win exclusive Guinness T-shirts, vouchers, or merchandise. Additionally, festival-goers can have their selfie photographs imprinted on a creamy Guinness head at the Guinness STOUTie machine stations. For a more exclusive experience, groups of 10 friends can opt for the Party Keg package, which grants access to a cordoned-off space with a private bar, 70 Guinness vouchers, a scrumptious food platter valued at RM300, and one entry to the Long Bar Challenge. Attendees can also take home flavours beyond the ordinary with a complimentary Guinness-infused meat rub for every purchase of Guinness Draught In A Can through DRINKIES at the festival. For more information and updates, visit the official website at guinnessflavourbyfire.my/ or follow Guinness Malaysia on social media via facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia and instagram.com/guinnessmy. Hype up the festival alongside us with the following hashtags: #flavourbyfire and #guinnessmy. █ BYYASMIN ZULRAEZ Buskin. – WORD GENIUS An immaculate meal completed with Guinness. – GUINNESS MALAYSIA Special char siew chicken rice with Guinness marinade. – PRISCILLA EMMANUEL/THESUN Sticky Guinness lamb ribs. – PRISCILLA EMMANUEL/THESUN Spats. – SCOTTISH LION Crinoline. – 5 MINUTES HISTORY The fashion dictionary oReviving once-forgotten styles them from dirt and debris while lending an air of sophistication. Although spats have largely faded from everyday use, their spirit lives on in modern shoe design with ankle boots, shoe accessories, and the occasional runway appearance, emphasising the enduring appeal of menswear-inspired fashion. Dickey Long before layering became a fashion trend, the dickey reigned supreme as a clever and practical accessory. A false shirt front, often in a contrasting colour or pattern, the dickey created the illusion of a full shirt without the added bulk. In recent years, dickeys have made a quiet comeback in contemporary fashion, serving as statement collars or bibs and adding a whimsical touch to otherwise simple outfits. Mantua The 18th-century mantua was an opulent and sumptuous gown worn by elite women in Europe. Its rich, heavy fabric and intricate draping showcased the wearer’s social status and appreciation f o r craftsmanship. While modern fashion leans towards lighter and more accessible fabrics, the grandeur of the mantua persists in couture designs and red carpet e n s e m b l e s , honouring the timeless appeal of regal elegance. Buskin In ancient times, buskins were kneehigh, sturdy boots worn by actors in Greek and Roman theater productions. These shoes were not Dickey. – UBUY INDIA
19 GAMING & TECH theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 WHILE perusing the app store for potential new game downloads, I came across several titles that I had previously enjoyed on my PlayStation 2 (PS2) console during my childhood. This encounter Rediscovering childhood joy San Andreas sold 17.33 million copies, making it the console’s best-selling game. – ROCKSTAR GAMES oA nostalgia-fuelled ranking of PlayStation 2 games █ BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL The game depicts Batman’s dark world with detailed environments. – IMDB This generation’s best survival horror was made by Capcom. – XTIMELESSGAMING This game encourages players to stand up against bullying. – GAMESPOT Shred the guitars as a true rock star would. – IGN unexpectedly evoked a strong sense of nostalgia, prompting a flood of memories related to those gaming experiences from my earlier days. In light of this, I came up with a ranking of the top games I used to play, and the results have revealed a great deal of exceptional choices. Given the extensive array of available games, identifying the definitive best is a challenging task. Nevertheless, having deliberated upon the matter, I present to you the top five enduring classics that have significantly influenced the realm of gaming, a sentiment that resonates with my own experiences as well. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) Let’s kick off the list with one of the most iconic titles in gaming history, GTA San Andreas, an undeniable favourite among gamers and individuals alike. After Grand Theft Auto 3, Rockstar North’s first 3D game, this game has dominated open-world games. Set in San Andreas, a state with three cities loosely modelled after Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, the game allowed players to explore the vast open-world environment while following CJ (Carl Johnson) and his clan through gang warfare, intense police pursuits, impossible missions, and more. While every game in the GTA series qualifies as a classic, San Andreas stands out as a solid and unforgettable open-world masterpiece, representing the pinnacle of gaming on the PlayStation 2. Batman Begins is an exciting and immersive video game that puts players in the shoes of the legendary and iconic Dark Knight. Developed by Eurocom and published by Electronic Arts, the game offers an engaging experience that captures the essence of Batman’s world. One of the standout features of Batman Begins is its gripping storyline, which draws inspiration from the acclaimed movie of the same name. Players follow Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman as he takes on the criminal underworld of Gotham City. The narrative is well-paced and captures the Batman franchise’s dark and gritty tone. The gameplay mechanics in Batman Begins are a blend of stealth, combat, and puzzle-solving elements. Players use Batman’s gadgets, stealth, and combat skills to defeat enemies and navigate challenging environments. The game empowers and rewards players who strategise and outwit their opponents. Resident Evil: 4 (2005) Resident Evil 4’s over-the-shoulder perspective and intense action sequences revolutionised the survival horror genre. As Leon S. Kennedy, the players were confronted with grotesque horrors while attempting to save the president’s daughter, Ashley Graham. Developed by Capcom, the game marked a departure from traditional zombie foes, introducing the intelligent and coordinated Los Ganados, capable even of wielding weaponry. With graphics that stood out for their era, Resident Evil 4 presented a truly remarkable experience, whose excellence is in need of timeless preservation. Recently, Capcom unveiled a remake of this iconic title, featuring an updated narrative, enhanced visuals, fresh characters, a reimagined cast, and modified gameplay, tailored for contemporary console platforms like PS5 and Xbox. Batman Begins (2005) Bully (2006) Another captivating open-world game developed by Rockstar Vancouver set at Bullworth Academy, players step into the shoes of rebellious teenager Jimmy Hopkins. The game skilfully combines humour, satire, and relatable high school scenarios, offering a diverse range of activities, missions, and interactions. While the game’s controls and camera angles can be a bit challenging at times, Bully shines with its nostalgic visuals, engaging gameplay, and catchy story, making it a must-play title for those seeking a lighthearted and enjoyable gaming experience. Although Bully contains some violence, it is fundamentally a game that empowers players to stand up against bullying, foster connections among different social groups, and enforce attendance and adherence to rules. An exciting musical journey that lets players live out their rock star fantasies. As a rock and metal guitarist, you’ll strum and fret your way through an electrifying collection of classic rock tracks. The gameplay is addictive and challenging, requiring precise timing and coordination to hit the right notes and create your own rock symphony. While the graphics may not be up to par with more modern consoles, the gameplay and music selection more than compensate. Overall, Guitar Hero III on the PS2 is a must-have for music and rhythm game fans. It captures the essence of rock ‘n’ roll and provides hours of fun and excitement, whether you play solo or challenge friends in multiplayer mode. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (2007)
20 FASHION & BEAUTY theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 light material was extremely fulfilling. The layering styling tips at the preview, showcasing different types of materials and different colour palettes, help to give buyers a fresh look and to create a distinctive personal style. In these sections, life-size mannequins were used to show different layering styles, from minimal to elegant, which are all stylish and yet comfortable with their latest collection. It was an opportunity to look at the details of the design, feel the texture, and even try the clothes. A few steps further inside, used Uniqlo clothes, torn jeans, or jackets were given a new life through “repair” or “remake” works. These items are tailored or custom-made with “Sashiko stiching” at the RE. UNIQLO Studio section to maximise the possibilities of the Lifewear items. Sashiko, which means “little stabs” in Japanese, is traditional Japanese sewing or stiching. It’s a form of decorative reinforcement stitching used to strengthen the torn part with thread that gives it a classy or creative look. The handmade sewing pattern, or Sashiko pattern, is sewn separately and attached to the torn parts of the denim jeans or jacket. Sashiko patterns come in a few designs, and each has its own meaning, like rice designs, which signify prosperity; fishnet designs, which are about determination or will; and windmill designs, which mean wellness. Customers with torn jeans can make it more interesting by attaching the patterned pieces instead of just patchwork, and there are an abundance of colours to choose from. Interestingly, Uniqlo sewing services had actually started in London, but very soon the service will be brought to one of the Uniqlo stores in Malaysia. UNIQLO apparel unveiled the 2023 Fall and Winter collection through a unique preview showcase inspired by lifestyle magazines, highlighting the concept of modern layering. The latest Uniqlo Lifewear collection is easy to layer with shirts, knits in different colours and patterns, a mix of natural fabrics and sporty items, urban outdoor styles, and functional items to create new styles and creative looks. Apart from showcasing the wardrobe essential, Uniqlo showcased the many style ideas, inspirations,and possibilities of fashion with the new collection, adding colours, textures, and combining designs and styles. Guests and media members had the opportunity to take a closer look at the new collection, which was high in quality and boasted simple cuts with elegant designs, at Jio Space on July 26. Guests were invited to enter through an entry that resembles a “magazine cover” with the words “2023 Uniqlo: Fall and Winter Issue” above the entry point, and inside, we discovered a map of fictional places. These places were named after the brand’s most popular products, materials, and best-seller clothing items, like warm padded “parks”, Souffle Yarn “mountains”, Ultra Stretch “fishing pond,” and Ultra Light “Lake.” Then, guests got a chance to view the collections divided into the three sections under Modern Layering. The first Modern Layering of Function showcased outerwear made with their unique designs and innovative HEATTECH technology. Popular winter clothing like the Warm Padded Parka and Powder Soft Down Jacket were displayed on the wall, highlighting their key features like lightweight, soft, fluffy feel, and high-quality down. As you walk to the second section, which was Modern Layering of Style, they showcase layering with knits, utility bottoms, and outerwear shirts and different ways to layer the items stylishly to look classic and yet modern, casual and yet chic. There was a burst of vibrant colours at the Modern Layering with Colour and Texture section, which showcased styling with tone-totone gradation colours in grey, berry, and offwhite as well as a variety of textured materials like soft wool and knits. An array of colours and textured materials were so attractive, captivating, and just so beautiful to look at, and the feel of the soft and A closer look at the colours. Endless fashion possibilities with Uniqlo oThe 2023 Fall and Winter Collection features ‘modern layering’ A styling tip. Modern Layering of Function. – PICS BY UNIQLO Captivating styles and designs. Sashiko sewing at Re.Uniqlo Studio. Simple and elegant designs by Sashiko. Modern Layering of Style. █ BYS. TAMARAI CHELVI
21 * SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: WA-A72M-7943-05/2023 ANTARA YAYASAN IHSAN RAKYAT (No Syarikat.: 201201017719 [1003231-A]) … PLAINTIF DAN MOHAMMAD SUHAIMI BIN TAIB (No. K/P: 920216-05-5249) … DEFENDAN NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) Kepada: - 1) MOHAMMAD SUHAIMI BIN TAIB SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Lumpur , dalam Guaman No. WAA72M-7943-05/2023 oleh Yayasan Ihsan Rakyat (“Plaintif”) yang beralamat di di Tingkat 19, Menara Teo Chew, No. 1, Jalan Lumut, 50400 Kuala Lumpur di mana Plaintif menuntut terhadap kamu antara lain untuk membayar semula pinjaman, faedah dan kos. DAN TELAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 30.05.2023 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui serahan melalui mengiklankan sekali di suatu penerbitan akhbar ‘The Sun’ dan penyampaian Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan sedemikian akan disifatkan sebagai penyerahan lengkap dan sempurna terhadap kamu dalam masa tujuh hari (7) hari selepas tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan yang terakhir tersebut. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah memasukkan kehadiran sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui peguamcara kamu. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, penghakiman boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 17 haribulan Ogos, 2023 …….……………t.t……………….. TETUAN GM TAN & COMPANY Peguamcara Plaintif NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) ini telah difailkan oleh Tetuan GM Tan & Company,peguamcara pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di C-10-28, Block C, Lobby 2, Centum Oasis Corporate Park, No. 2, Jalan PJU 1A/2, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel No. : +603 2714 5456 E-mel :[emailprotected] Faks No.: +603 2714 5457 Ruj Kami:GMT/YIR(RCE)/00812/2023 DALAM MAHKAMAH SESYEN DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN SIVIL NO: WA-A52M-385-01/2023 ANTARA YAYASAN IHSAN RAKYAT (No Syarikat.:201201017719 [1003231-A]) … PLAINTIF DAN FARIDAH A/P AMAN (No. K/P: 921231-06-5896) … DEFENDAN NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) Kepada: - 1) FARIDAH A/P AMAN SILA AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Lumpur , dalam Guaman No. WAA52M-385-01/2023 oleh Yayasan Ihsan Rakyat (“Plaintif”) yang beralamat di di Tingkat 19, Menara Teo Chew, No. 1, Jalan Lumut, 50400 Kuala Lumpur di mana Plaintif menuntut terhadap kamu antara lain untuk membayar semula pinjaman, faedah dan kos. DAN TELAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 30.01.2023 dilaksanakan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menghantar melalui serahan melalui menampalkan pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Lumpur dan mengiklankan sekali di suatu penerbitan akhbar ‘The Sun’ dan penyampaian Writ Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan sedemikian akan disifatkan sebagai penyerahan lengkap dan sempurna terhadap kamu dalam masa empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan yang terakhir tersebut. Jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah memasukkan kehadiran sama ada secara sendiri atau melalui peguamcara kamu. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, penghakiman boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 17 haribulan Ogos, 2023 …….……………t.t……………….. TETUAN GM TAN & COMPANY Peguamcara Plaintif NOTIS (IKLAN PENYAMPAIAN GANTI) ini telah difailkan oleh Tetuan GM Tan & Company,peguamcara pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di C-10-28, Block C, Lobby 2, Centum Oasis Corporate Park, No. 2, Jalan PJU 1A/2, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel No.: +603 2714 5456 E-mel:[emailprotected] Faks No.: +603 2714 5457 Ruj Kami:GMT/YIR(RCE)/00764/2023 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI IPOH DALAM NEGERI PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN SAMAN PEMULA NO: AA-24NCvC-169-05/2023 Dalam perkara mengenai hartanah yang dikenali sebagai PN 394747, Lot 7455, Mukim Slim, Daerah Muallim, Negeri Perak dengan sebuah rumah beralamat di No. 2, Jalan Indah 6/5, Bandar Baru Fasa 3, 35800 Slim River, Perak Darul Ridzuan; Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Kaveat Persendirian melalui No.Perserahan 00B20047/2022 bertarikh 11.11.2022; Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Seksyen 327 dan 329 (1) Kanun Tanah Negara 1965 (Akta 828) Disemak 2020 Dan Dalam perkara mengenai seksyen 417 Kanun Tanah Negara 1965 (Akta 828) Disemak 2020 ANTARA KARTHIGEYAN A/L KANDASAMY (No.K/P: 730605-71-5039) PEMOHON DAN MURUGAN A/L KRISHNAN (No.K/P: 760713-08-6011) RESPONDEN PERINTAH UNTUK PENYAMPAIAN GANTI KEPADA:- MURUGAN A/L KRISHNAN (No.K/P: 760713-08-6011) No. 96, Jalan Maarof Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan melalui Saman Pemula No: AA-24NCvC-169-05/2023 dalam tindakan ini oleh Karthigeyan a/l Kandasamy beralamat di No. 2, Taman Wira, 35800 Slim River, Perak. Mahkamah telah memerintahkan supaya Writ dan Pernyataan Tuntutan disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti dengan menampalkan sesalinan Saman Pemula bertarikh 8 Mei 2023 dan Afidavit Sokongan yang diikrarkan oleh Pemohon pada 8 Mei 2023 tersebut pada Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di Ipoh bersama dengan Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti bertarikh 5-7-2023 yang diperolehi ini dan akhir sekali mengiklankan di akhbar “The Sun” dan bahawa penampalan dan pengiklanan sedemikian dianggap sebagai wajar dan mencukupi akan Saman Pemula ke atas kamu selepas tamat tempoh EMPAT BELAS (14) hari dari tarikh akhir penampalan dan pengiklanan. Jika kamu berhasrat membela tindakan tersebut kamu mestilah hadir samaada secara sendiri atau melalui peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Tinggi di Ipoh dalam Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan pada 23 haribulan Ogos 2023 pukul 9.00 pagi. Jika kamu ingkar hadir sedemikian, perintah boleh diberikan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 5hb Julai 2023. ……..…T.T ……..… TIMBALAN PENDAFTAR MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA IPOH, PERAK. Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti ini telah difailkan oleh TETUAN AL MURALI & Co, Peguambela dan Peguamcara yang beralamat di No.15A, Tingkat Satu, Medan Istana 7, Bandar Ipoh Raya, 30000 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan; Peguamcara bagi Pemohon yang dinamakan diatas. [Ruj Kami: AMC/3397/KM/2023]sha IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF KAMALAND DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD [Company No. 199701032291 (447790-W)] (In Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016, that a Final Meeting of the members of the above-named Company will be held at No. 280-D First Floor, Kota Road, 34000 Taiping, Perak on 18 September 2023, Monday, at 10.00 a.m. for the purpose of laying before the meeting the accounts of the winding up of the Company by the liquidator for adoption and of giving any explanation thereof and to determine that books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator be destroyed three (3) months immediately after the Company has been dissolved. Y.Bhg. DATO’ MURUGAN ALIMUTHU Liquidator c/o M.A. & Co. (AF001964) Chartered Accountants No. 280-D First Floor Jalan Kota 34000 Taiping Perak Darul Ridzuan Taiping, Perak Dated: 17 August 2023 N THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 LINK-UNITED CORPORATION SDN. BHD. [Company No. 198101005987 (72103-D)] (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 & 518 of the Companies Act 2016, that a Final Meeting of the Members of the above-mentioned company will be held at No. 83-1B, Jalan 3/62A, Bandar Menjalara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur on 18th September, 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes :- 1) To receive an account from the Liquidator showing the manner in which the windingup has been conducted and the property of the Company disposed of and hearing any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2) To determine by ordinary resolution, that the books, accounts or any other documents of the company be kept by the Liquidator for a period of 6 months after the company has been dissolved, and that thereafter such book, accounts and documents may be destroyed by the Liquidator. Dated this 17th day of August, 2023. KUALA LUMPUR LIM MING YEN Liquidator IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF EXCEL ABRASIVE SDN. BHD. (199901012299 (487199-T)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, the Final Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at 13C, Lorong Brunei 2, 55100 Kuala Lumpur on the 18 day of September 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the purpose of:- 1. To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Final Account showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the property of the Company disposed of and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine the manner in which books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed of. Dated this: 17 August 2023 Signed by HUN SIEW TIN Liquidator Misfiring Alcaraz Spaniard battles through rain to down world No. 55 in Cincinnati CARLOS ALCARAZ battled through a rain interruption to claim his 50th win of the season, defeating Jordan Thompson 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 yesterday at the Cincinnati Open. The top-seeded Spaniard is bidding for his seventh trophy of 2023 as he prepares for a US Open title defense in less than a fortnight. His victory took three hours, with the world No. 1 breaking open the third set as he delivered two love games and moved through on a second match point. “I had never played him and the start/stop was not easy,” Alcaraz said. “It was not easy to wait for the rain. “He played aggressive, I’m glad to get through. It was a long day waiting to play and then find rain in the first set. “I had to play my best level at the end; I’m hoping for better conditions in the next round.” Alcaraz was tested by world No. 55 Thompson who now stands 2-16 against Top-10 opponents. The Spaniard had 32 winners and 41 unforced errors in the marathon. Including a 15-minute pause for rain and subsequent warmup, the first set took nearly 90 minutes, with Thompson saving 10 of a dozen break points only to lose on the first Alcaraz set point. Alcaraz came back from a break down in the second set and ran away with the third as Thompson complained to the chair umpire about an incorrectly strung racquet which he only discovered at a late stage in the epic. In other games, an inspired Gael Monfils applied the finishing touches to a British exodus with a 3- 6, 6-4, 6-3 defeat of 13th seed Cameron Norrie. Meanwhile on court, Lorenzo Musetti defeated Dan Evans 6-4, 6- 3. In other matches, Alexander Zverev defeated fellow former tournament champion Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2. Germany’s Zverev, the 16th seed, claimed the title at his last participation in 2021 while Dimitrov lifted the trophy in 2017. Zverev was joined in the second round by former semifinalist Stan Wawrinka, who polished off a win after rain called a halt to his match the night before. Switzerland’s three-time Grand Slam champion defeated American Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, requiring just two concluding games to reach the second round after the overnight pause. Borna Coric concluded unfinished business with Petra Korda, winning 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 while Ugo Humbert defeated fellow Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. – AFP Hamilton, Ferrari transfer saga set to continue FERRARI TEAM principal Fred Vasseur has confirmed he speaks with Lewis Hamilton at every Grand Prix and that the pair have a close relationship. The Ferrari team principal was clear in his praise for the seventime world champion, citing him alongside Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen as the best drivers in Formula One. Hamilton and Ferrari have been wrapped up in a “will they, won’t they” saga this summer with the Italian manufacturer desperately chasing the signature of the legendary British driver. The 38-year-old’s contract with Mercedes is set to expire at the end of the season but there is a desire from both parties to renew the partnership for at least another two seasons. What is clear is that Vasseur is an admirer of Hamilton. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Frenchman explained: “I talk to him at every GP, he raced for me 20 years ago and we are still close. “I helped him when he went to McLaren at the beginning of his F1 career. “Clearly if we are seen together in the paddock a fuss comes out, but the relationship has remained. I don’t want to compare him to our drivers, it would not make sense. But the contribution of a top driver is not only driving. “It’s also technical, strategy, help in hiring an engineer. And in this case, if you have Hamilton, Verstappen but also Leclerc it’s easier. People who work in F1 are passionate about racing, they like to work with champions.” Italian news outlet QN Motori explained earlier this month that the company chairman, John Elkann, had personally contacted the British driver to offer him the switch. Unfortunately for Ferrari, he declined the proposal despite previously stating it would be a “dream” of his to race the Scuderia. – Express Newspapers TWICE champion Victoria Azarenka upset Czech 11th seed Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 7-5 yesterday to reach the Cincinnati Open second round while Danish wildcard Caroline Wozniacki, in her second tournament out of retirement, lost her opening match. The 34-year-old unseeded Belarusian Azarenka broke Krejcikova four times, saved three of five break points and won the final five games of a match lasting one hour 45 minutes. “I am just a fighter and I will keep going until I get it right,” Azarenka said during her on-court interview. “My mentality has been like this since I’m a kid. Growing up not in the greatest conditions I had to fight for everything and that really shaped my personality today.” Wozniacki, who reached the second round last week in Montreal where she played her first competitive matches after more than three years away to start a family, fell 6-4 6-4 to lucky loser Varvara Gracheva of France. “I still have about 10 days to prepare for the US Open. There is quite a few things that I feel like I need to do better,” Wozniacki told reporters. “… last week I thought I was pretty pleased about where I was. I think this week I don’t feel like my timing is exactly where I want it to be, so I’m just going to go back and work hard.” Despite only having three competitive matches since her return, Wozniacki feels she has what it takes to eventually meet the expectations for her to make a splash. “I believe in myself, and I believe that I can. Obviously it’s just taking me a little bit of time just to get used to the matches again and competing in real tournaments,” she said. “But, you know, I don’t really feel the expectations from everyone else. I think I have always just been, you know, tough on myself. I’m looking for perfection, which is not possible in this sport but, you know, just going to work hard and try and play better and better.” Three-time Grand Slam runnerup Ons Jabeur, playing for the first time since losing last month’s Wimbledon final, survived a struggle with Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine to reach the third round 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-2). Unseeded American Sloane Stephens, making her 12th tournament appearance, defeated holder Caroline Garcia 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the last 16 alongside Jabeur. The sixth-seeded Frenchwoman had won the title here a year ago from a qualifying start, defeating three Top 10 opponents along the way. All England Club titlewinner Marketa Vondrousova beat Katerina Siniakova 7-5, 6-4. – AFP/Reuters Azarenka through, Wozniacki loses opener Carlos Alcaraz celebrates while playing Jordan Thompson (not pictured) during the Cincinnati Open. – AFPPIX
22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 SPORTS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME 5678/2023 16/08/2023 (WED) 7239 7974 8939 2462 2825 3241 4460 8656 5503 4366 4959 3544 5015 8076 4243 5702 5407 8059 4669 0273 1807 5720 3194 10,840,282.49 7239 7239 7239 8939 8939 7974 8939 8939 7974 7974 7239 7974 566,232.13 7239 7974 8939 TIGER 58531 68942 8942 942 55525 4 2 9 7 459997 59997 9997 997 45999 4599 459 4 5 8,755,713.31 4,849,876.42 10 14 23 35 50 55 100,000.00 7 10 28 39 40 53 3 5 8 14 22 38 24 23,492,301.27 RM2,000,000 Toto 6D won on 13/08/2023 ! 658 863 + RAT 685 611 + RABBIT 734 542 +DRAGON Draw Date: 16/08/23 (Wed) Draw No: 5625/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 8863 5611 4542 2278 + 9273 1365 + 0062 0310 + 3384 6475 + 0872 6630 + 6872 2122 + 9089 9772 + 6904 3941 + 2271 7979 + 8173 5695 + 4784 RM5,898,712.00 8863 + 5611 5611 + 8863 8863 + 4542 4542 + 8863 5611 + 4542 4542 + 5611 RM435,695.60 RM1,850,327.50 RM1,736,527.70 RM2,428,691.30 742 278 289 273 621 365 570 062 890 310 123 384 466 475 440 872 406 630 336 872 402 122 939 089 099 772 146 904 363 941 622 271 287 979 628 173 895 695 524 784 863 611 542 RM644,363.70 863 + 611 + 542 611 + 542 + 863 863 + 542 + 611 542 + 863 + 611 611 + 863 + 542 542 + 611 + 863 Don’t missed out the Special Draw on 29 August 2023! Rahm back in Chicago Spaniard returns to site of Covid-era playoff triumph THE PGA Tour has brought the BMW Championship back to Olympia Fields Country Club in the Chicago suburbs this week for the first time since Jon Rahm made one of the most memorable putts of his career. he only thing missing was a roaring crowd of fans. Rahm beat Dustin Johnson in a playoff at the 2020 BMW Championship by making an incredible, curling birdie putt from 66 and a half feet away at Olympia Fields’ 18th hole. Rahm’s reaction to the putt – disbelief as it tracked toward the cup on an 90° angle, then shouts of excitement and two vigorous fist pumps – was backed by only a handful of spectators allowed on the course, as full crowds were not back that early amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Spanish star had a typically thoughtful response yesterday when asked where that moment ranked in his career. “At that moment, I think if there were crowds and I made that putt, it probably would be a unanimous No. 1,” Rahm said. “But because there was nobody there and there was really no reaction besides mine, it’s not that it’s anticlimactic, but it’s a little bit – it’s a bit lackluster because of what you’re used to seeing when you make a good putt like at a moment like the US Open. It wouldn’t be No. 1, but it’s definitely top three.” It’s understandable, as Rahm has gone on to even greater successes since that putt earned him a US$1.71 million (RM8m) paycheck. He won the 2021 US Open and the 2023 Masters and held the title of No. 1 golfer in the world for 52 total weeks. One thing Rahm has yet to do is earn a FedEx Cup, but he enters this week’s BMW Championship first in points with a slight margin over Scottie Scheffler. He’s in control of his own destiny to enter next week’s Tour Championship at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club in the No. 1 spot, which comes with a two-stroke advantage to start the tournament. “(The) point of coming to the playoffs is to give yourself the best chance to get to East Lake in the No. 1 spot. I’ve done a pretty good job so far,” Rahm said. “Hopefully, this week I can have a good performance like I did last time and earn it and clinch it and give myself the best shot for the win. It’s been a great year so far, so hopefully I can end it off the way I started it.” There’s another honour Rahm could pick up for the first time in 2023: PGA Tour Player of the Year. “Player of the Year is earned on the golf course. That’s what I focus on,” Rahm said. “Because of what I’ve done this year, I’ve earned the spot to be considered Player of the Year, but we’ve got to finish it off. “I would like to play good this week and next week to leave no, let’s say, questionables in there and just clinch it.” Because of recent rains, Rahm feels the course will play different than in 2020. “I think I was 6-over par through two rounds?” Rahm said of 2020. “Honestly, it was a very small tweak on the setup of my swing that allowed me to play the way I did on the weekend. Nothing else.” – Field Level Media Cantlay trusts Johnson to fill Ryder Cup roster THOUGH not official just yet, Patrick Cantlay figures to be a lock for the US Ryder Cup team. Cantlay sits third in the Americans’ qualifying points standings, with the top six points-earners following this week’s BMW Championship automatically on the team. The two players ahead of Cantlay, Scottie Scheffler and US Open champ Wyndham Clark, are already locked in. Behind Cantlay are Brian Harman, LIV Golf member Brooks Koepka and Max Homa – followed by a host of questions. US captain Zach Johnson will fill out his roster for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome with six captain’s picks. Cantlay said Johnson is “very equipped” to make the tough roster decisions coming up. “I know Zach is keeping a close eye, and he obviously has played a ton of great golf out here, so there’s no one more capable of making educated picks than him,” Cantlay told reporters yesterday, “and I trust him, and he’ll do a great job.” While some players have a chance of moving into the top six with a strong finish at the BMW, several big names are going to need a captain’s pick regardless. If Johnson were to go with Nos. 7-12 in the standings, those spots are currently occupied by Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Cameron Young, Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley and Sam Burns. Further down the list but still in contention are the resurgent Rickie Fowler, a slumping Justin Thomas, Harris English and Tony Finau. And what to do about 43-year-old former major winner Lucas Glover, riding a two-tournament winning streak into the BMW and in better form than many of his younger American peers? Cantlay knows there will not be room for everyone. “This go-around seems like it’s maybe tougher than years past,” he said. “There’s a lot of horses for a limited amount of slots. It’s going to be a tough pick for him or tough set of picks.” Cantlay has won the past two BMW Championships. The 31-year-old enters the week No. 5 in the FedEx Cup standings after Glover defeated him in a playoff last week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. “Going into the finale with the way the Tour Championship is set up now, it’s really important to be up there as close as you can to No. 1,” Cantlay said. “Happy to put myself in a good spot and hopefully improve on that spot this week.” – Field Level Media Patrick Cantlay plays a second shot on the tenth hole during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship last Sunday. – AFPPIX Neymar signs two-year Al-Hilal deal NEYMAR has signed a two-year contract at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal after six years with Paris St Germain in which the Brazil forward won several domestic trophies but not the Champions League the club craves. No financial details were disclosed yesterday but the fee was reported to be about €90 million (RM532m) plus add-ons and subject to a medical for the 31-year-old. French newspaper L’Equipe said the deal could net Neymar €160m (RM945m). Saudi Professional League (SPL) club Al-Hilal announced that Neymar had signed a contract until 2025, with the Brazilian saying, “I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali” in a video on the team’s social media accounts. “I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said after signing the contract on yesterday in Paris. “I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment. “I have heard a lot and learned that I am following a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe it is the desired place. “I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al-Hilal.” – Reuters
23 SPORTS theSUN ON THURSDAY | AUGUST 17, 2023 LAUREN HEMP and Alessia Russo did the damage late on in Sydney as England shattered Australian dreams yesterday with a clinical 3-1 win to set up a Women’s World Cup final against Spain. The Lionesses had stumbled at the same stage twice before but the European champions made no mistake this time to reach the final for the first time. They took the lead nine minutes before the break with Manchester United’s Ella Toone unleashing a rocket just inside the box with the outside of her boot. A fit-again Sam Kerr, starting for the first time this tournament, hit back for the home side in the second half with a world-class goal that set the game on fire, picking up the ball and letting fly from 30 yards after a weaving run. It sparked ecstatic scenes from the 75,784- strong partisan crowd. But they were silenced eight minutes later when Hemp muscled her way into the box and stabbed into the corner before Russo put the icing on the cake with four minutes left. England now face a blockbuster final on Sunday at the same Stadium Australia against a dangerous Spanish side that beat Sweden 2-1 in the last four, with a new name to be engraved on the trophy. England defender Lucy Bronze was elated Ruthless Lionesses England’s Bronze elated at reaching World Cup final after achieving a long-held ambition to reach the final. “The one thing I’ve always wanted to do is get to a World Cup final,” Bronze told the BBC after their semifinal win in Sydney. “After two times of such disappointment, I can’t believe it,” added Bronze, twice a losing semifinalist. “We played how we wanted to, we were determined, resilient. We knew the crowd would be crazy and we talked about silencing them and at the end we did that. “We all dreamed of being in the final, all our family and friends have booked to stay here until then because they all believed in us. “It’s been amazing to play against Australia, in Australia, what a fantastic tournament they had but we’re in the final.” Bronze added: “Spain have been very good, they did have that defeat against Japan. Me and Keira (Walsh) know 90 percent of the squad very well so we’ll be getting questions in the analysis I’m sure.” – AFP Bayern pin hopes on Kane BAYERN MUNICH are pinning their hopes on England captain Harry Kane to return a stuttering team fresh off their worst season in a decade to the European elite. Bayern’s 11th straight Bundesliga title failed to paper over the cracks of a side which is yet to click since the arrival of coach Thomas Tuchel in March. Last week’s signing of Kane from Premier League side Tottenham broke the German club’s transfer record. The deal also broke a long-standing promise from former boss Uli Hoeness that the club “wouldn’t buy a player for 100 million even if I had the money”. But whether the 30-year-old Kane, who arrives after a successful but trophyless career in north London, can truly be Bayern’s saviour remains to be seen. Bayern limped to the title in 2022-23, winning on goal difference after Borussia Dortmund’s last-day collapse to draw at home with mid-table Mainz. The shock firing of Julian Nagelsmann for Tuchel in March failed to have the desired effect, with Bayern knocked out of the German Cup and the Champions League soon afterwards. Former Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic repeatedly dismissed criticisms of the team under Tuchel, saying the side needed time to get used to the Champions League-winning coach’s methods. In late May, just days before he himself was sacked, Salihamidzic told Sky: “Thomas Tuchel just needs the pre-season with the team, then everything will be better.” On Saturday, Bayern were beaten 3-0 at home by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup with Kane making little impact, making his debut as a late substitute. Just like last season, Bayern lacked fluency and coherence, with a “sorry” Tuchel saying Kane “probably thinks we haven’t been training here for weeks”. Tuchel said as much after Saturday’s result, saying Kane would “soon help the team and lift us up to a new level”. “We have to get to know him but he will play every game.” Kane embraced the expectations on him at his unveiling on Sunday, saying: “I’m here to win the Champions League with this team.” Kane’s first true test will come on Friday, when he will start up front as Bayern take on Werder Bremen in the season opener. If Kane takes too long to resemble the second coming of Lewandowski, the England captain will soon realise how quickly patience wears thin in Bavaria. – AFP ‘Glazers just want silly money’ THE Glazers have no reason to sell Manchester United, according to Teddy Sheringham. The former striker insists he cannot see a sale anytime soon as the American family would only consider moving on if they received “silly money”. The Glazers announced in November last year that they would be open to a potential sale of the club. However, nine months on and it appears a resolution to the saga is not even close. Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim and INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been going head to head in their attempts to buy the Red Devils for the majority of 2023 so far. Both parties have made several bids but are yet to be successful. The Glazers are said to value United at a minimum of £6 billion (RM35b). However, it still remains to be seen if they would accept an offer around that amount. There is also said to be a split among the Glazer family, with Avram and Joel keen to remain a part of the club. The duo have come under heavy criticism from United supporters for over a decade. United have spent big so far this summer on three signings and are prepared to back Erik ten Hag further if required. But despite the promising transfer window, Sheringham does not think there is any way the Glazers can win back the fans. However, he can also see a situation where they continue to stick around for far longer than supporters want. Sheringham told Express Sport: “In a word, no. No, I don’t think the United fanbase will ever be turned around on the Glazer family. “The fanbase have made it quite clear how they feel about the Glazers and the Glazers have made it quite clear how they feel about Manchester United. While the money keeps rolling in, they have no reason to sell the club. “They are in a great position where they can demand the money that they want for the club – they are in no rush to sell. It’s a bit like having a house that you don’t want to move out of, isn’t it? They will only consider a sale for silly money.” – Express Newspapers Maguire’s exit falls through MANCHESTER UNITED are set to keep Harry Maguire this summer as his transfer to West Ham has fallen through, according to Sky Sports. The centreback looked set to join the Hammers for £30m (RM177m), but the Red Devils will now keep hold of him as a departure this late in the transfer window would have left the 13-time Premier League champions with little time to find a replacement. City accept Laporte offer MANCHESTER CITY have accepted an offer from Saudi Arabia giants Al-Nassr for centreback Aymeric Laporte, according to The Athletic. The 29-year-old still has two years remaining on his current deal but is thought to be open to moving to the Middle East. Laporte has won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at the Etihad Stadium. But if he moves to Al-Nassr he would link-up with former Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed for the Saudi club at the end of last year. ... and agree Doku terms MANCHESTER CITY have told Jeremy Doku that they will hand him a five-year contract after an agreement was found between the Premier League champions and the Rennes winger, according to Foot Mercato. The Citizens will now open talks with Rennes over a transfer. West Ham have also entered the race to sign the 21-year-old Belgium international as they look to hijack the deal and have submitted a verbal bid to the French club. But Doku has his heart set on joining Pep Guardiola’s side. SIDENETTING Australia’s Clare Polkinghorne(left), Hayley Raso and England’s Georgia Stanway (right) jump to head the ball during their Women’s World Cup semifinal match. – AFPPIX
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [emailprotected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [emailprotected] IT MAY be a way of demonstrating they are caring employers. Chelsea have found a way of relieving the burden on Enzo Fernandez of being the most expensive signing in Premier League history. It is, admittedly, a costly way to aid the World Cup winner and will merely transfer the pressure to his new sidekick. But the £107 million (621m) Argentinian will soon be rebranded as the cheaper half of a midfield double act. At £115m (RM667m), Moises Caicedo represents a staggering signing in several respects, and not merely because the Ecuadorian and Fernandez could be a devastatingly good partnership. At £222m (RM1.3b) for the two of them, they really ought to be. But a 21-year-old with a solitary season of regular first-team football in a major league has become the third-biggest buy in footballing history, behind only Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. And if it is stating the obvious to say Caicedo, the scorer of two goals for Brighton, is a very different type of player, that is revealing in itself. Hyperinflation affecting South Americans tended to be a reference to failing economies on the continent until Chelsea escalated the price of defensive midfielders. Chelsea created the climate in which they had to pay way over the odds for Caicedo. They created their own problem in another respect, shedding players at such a rate that they went from having too many midfielders to too few: within a few months, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Ruben LoftusCheek and Denis Zakaria all left Stamford Bridge. Kante’s brilliance was long apparent but it has been underlined by the fact that his replacement cost Chelsea £115m. Caicedo may be the closest thing to a like-for-like successor, another bundle of energy allied with footballing ability. He and Fernandez are a high-calibre, high-cost duo. But the great winners in it all, unsurprisingly, are Brighton. Tony Bloom made his money in gambling and taking a punt on Caicedo has brought him a nine-figure profit. The Ecuadorian was the successor to Yves Bissouma, on whom Albion doubled their money. The sums have long added up for Bloom. They don’t for Chelsea. As Caicedo takes their expenditure in the Todd Boehly era to around £900m (RM5.2b), a destroyer of a player has joined a club with similar characteristics. Chelsea are driving a bulldozer through Financial Fair Play. If much at Stamford Bridge is inexplicable, so are recent actions at Anfield. The only positive element may be that they drove the price for Caicedo up but it does not offer an answer to why Liverpool bid a record sum for a player many at Anfield thought was always bound for Chelsea. It was a way of showing their hand, revealing their budget. Liverpool also seem to have lost out in the race to sign Romeo Lavia; but Chelsea have been forced to pay over the odds for the teenager with limited experience that included relegation. The Blues agreed a £58m deal with Southampton for the midfielder – an initial £53m (RM307m) plus £5m (RM29m) in add-ons. Any other target could cost more as a result, too. It is tempting to wonder if the canny Michael Edwards would have acted in such a way in his time as director of football. The Jorg Schmadtke interregnum, when Jurgen Klopp seems to have more power, is proving a difficult period, with a hole in Liverpool’s midfield and their planning. The simplistic criticism may be unfair: if Liverpool have £100m (RM580m), why did they not spend it on Jude Bellingham? Because, in part, they had concluded he was bound for Real Madrid. But if Chelsea are already making a generational talent like Bellingham look cheap for Real, they are also driving prices up to an unsustainable level. If Liverpool suffer from that now, Chelsea may do later. – The Independent 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 • AUGUST 17, 2023 Caicedo’s RM667m deal could haunt Chelsea █ RICHARD JOLLY Devils goal Manchester United need a lot more than Hojlund to solve attacking dilemma problem THERE were sightings of Manchester United’s new £72 million (RM418m) striker everywhere. Everywhere bar the pitch, anyway. Rasmus Hojlund was staring out from the cover of the programme. He was in the directors’ box, too, watching his new teammates illustrate that the burden of expectation on the 20-year-old newcomer could be huge. United need goals. Hojlund’s tally of nine for Atalanta last season does not explain the fee in itself. United’s total of one on their opening night against Wolves was one more than they looked likely to score for most of the night. It came from Raphael Varane, not any of those with more of a responsibility for finding the net. United have traded on an image as a byword for adventure and excitement that owes much to Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson’s finest teams and rather less to recent seasons. They scored 57 League goals in 2021- 22, followed by 58 last year – as many as Brentford, 14 fewer than Brighton – and in a year where Marcus Rashford had what may remain a personal outlier of a campaign. If Hojlund will be charged with reducing the over-reliance on him, Erik ten Hag, who has the hallmarks of a United manager in several other respects, has to produce goalscoring numbers that are more Busby and Ferguson than Louis van Gaal or Ralf Rangnick. This was an unpromising start. Neither Alejandro Garnacho nor Antony offered enough threat and a tally of three shots on target – only five sides had fewer over the opening weekend and the two who were at home were promoted clubs – was an indication of that lack of incision. There have been times in recent years when United have seemed to think signings mattered more than strategy. If Hojlund should not be seen as a one-stop solution to a relative lack of goals, it is partly a question of personnel, partly of gameplan. Sometimes, though, they collide. Mason Mount’s arrival has brought a shift in the midfield: to 4-3-3, with two players who seem No. 10s by trade flanking Casemiro. If it was supposed to render United more attacking, Bruno Fernandes only showed flair when restored to the No. 10 role after Mount went off. Ten Hag’s gave a generous appraisal of Mount’s underwhelming debut. “It was a moderate game, he did well,” the Dutchman said. The question of how they can dovetail may preoccupy Ten Hag this week. It is too soon to brand Mount and Fernandes too similar to feature in a central trio, let alone incompatible, but an image of the first hour was of Matheus Cunha powering through an empty midfield that gave United’s defence too little protection. It was a reason Wolves had 23 shots, the most of any visiting team at Old Trafford since 2005. If both the configuration of the midfield and Ten Hag’s summer business showed a need to get more goals, the danger is they come at the wrong end. And United felt devoid of ideas themselves. There were points in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign when United’s strategy for scoring – apart from quick counter-attacking – was simply to give the ball to Fernandes and hope he could make something happen. And, for Varane’s goal, he did. But their rivals have a more sophisticated blueprint. Last season, Ten Hag could be given a pass for United’s relative lack of goals: amid Anthony Martial’s frequent injuries, Cristiano Ronaldo’s implosion and Wout Weghorst’s impotence, there were mitigating factors. If United have to offer more entertainment to belong among their truest traditions, there is a pragmatic need to score more. Meanwhile, this season comes a quarter of a century after the most celebrated in United’s history. It finished with perhaps the most famous commentary about them. “Can Manchester United score?” asked Clive Tyldesley prophetically in the Champions League final. “They always score.” It was true then. Is it now? – The Independent █ RICHARD JOLLY FROM LEFT: Antony, Hojlund, Garnacho and Rashford.
