KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), which are cooperating for the first time in electoral battles, captured three states – Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang – in state polls on Saturday. The PH-BN alliance scored a landslide victory in Negeri Sembilan, winning 31 of the 36 seats up for grabs, with Perikatan Nasional (PN) winning the rest. The PH-BN unity pact also won a two-thirds majority in Penang, capturing 29 of the 40 seats contested, while in Selangor, it retained control by winning 34 of the 56 seats contested. However, PN, which comprise Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan, retained power in Kedah, winning 33 of the 36 seats contested. For the first time, PN, contesting under the PAS logo, made a clean sweep of the 32 seats in Terengganu. PN also won big in Kelantan, sweeping 43 of the 45 seats at stake while in Kedah, the coalition secured wins in 33 of the 36 seats up for grabs. The PH-BN partnership was established after the 15th general election (GE15) in November last year, which saw both blocs, along with several other coalitions, forming the federal unity government, and cooperating in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Malacca, Pahang and Perak. GE15 also saw PN capturing Perlis. The six states decided to sit out GE15 and postpone their elections until this year. The Election Commission then fixed Aug 12 for polls in these states, with early voting held four days earlier. A total of 9.67 million electors were eligible to cast their ballots, with Kelantan recording a 60.96% voter turnout, 74.79% in Terengganu, 72.67% in Penang, 72% in Selangor, 68.35% in Negeri Sembilan and 73.86% in Kedah. Two Cabinet ministers, namely Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is also Barisan Nasional deputy chairman, and Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, retained their Rantau and Chennah seats in Negeri Sembilan, Bernama reported. Two former federal ministers – Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican (BN) and Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (PN) – defeated their opponents in Bertam in Penang and Hulu Kelang in Selangor respectively. BN’s Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid, the wife of former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Tan Sri Isa Samad, won the Juasseh seat while Mohd Isa’s son, Mohd Najib (BN) lost in the Bagan Pinang constituency. Popular rapper Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad, better known as Altimet, won the Lembah Jaya seat in Selangor on his maiden outing. Two former national footballers, Muhamad Radhi Mat Din and Baddrol Bakhtiar, also joined the fray in Kedah on a PN ticket and emerged victorious in Alor Mengkudu and Gurun respectively. The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Parti Utama Rakyat (PUR), Penang Front Party (PFP) and independent candidates failed to win any seat in the polls, which saw 96 candidates losing their deposits. Selangor PN secretary Dr Afif Bahardin won the Taman Medan seat in Selangor in a straight fight with PH’s Ahmad Akhir Pawan Chik by just 30 votes, the slimmest in the polls. Apart from that, 24 of the 71 women candidates won their seats, and among them was Nurul Syazwani, the daughter of former Selangor Umno liaison chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar, who won the Permatang seat in Selangor. oPH-BN, PN capture three states each in just-concluded state polls It’s status quo 2 page INSIDE We will work harder for the people: PM 3 page 20 Muda candidates lose deposits TELLING IT AS IT IS ONMONDAY AUGUST 14, 2023 No. 8329 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my DUTY FULFILLED ... Tee Guat Eng, 75, Nurul Husna Nizamuddin, 26, and K. Yunes, 60, outside the polling station at SJK(C) Selayang Baru in Selangor after casting their ballots on Saturday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN ►2008: 56,650 (72.9%) STATE ELECTIONS 2023 RESULTS ►2004: 56,562 (67.0%) ►1999: 52,607 (68.9%) ►1995: 52,108 (65.2%) SELANGOR PH - BN 34 / PN - PAS 22 NEGERI SEMBILAN PH - BN 31 / PN - PAS 5 PENANG PH - BN 29 / PN - PAS 11 KELANTAN PN - PAS 43 / PH - BN 2 TERENGGANU PN - PAS 32 / PH - BN 0 KEDAH PN - PAS 33 / PH - BN 3 TOTAL: PN-PAS - 146 seats PH-BN - 99 seats SELANGOR56,650 (72.9%) ►2004: 56,562 (67.0%) ►1999: 52,607 (68.9%) ►1995: 52,108 (65.2%) GRAPH1 / GRAPHLOGOS / PRN2023 - STATE ELECTION RESULTS The Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, which was held together with the state elections, saw PAS central working committee member Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim retaining the seat by defeating PH’s Azan Ismail with a majority of 47,266 votes.
2 theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN ME We will work harder for the people: PM KUALA LUMPUR: The unity government is determined to continue working diligently to fulfil the needs of the people, as made evident by the results of the six state elections and the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said his administration would stay strong, in line with its aspirations to develop Malaysia Madani and the Madani Economy policy. “InsyaAllah, we will continue working not only as usual but even harder so that Malaysia can achieve the success we can be proud of,” he told a media conference at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night. He was speaking after the announcement of the election results, which saw the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance winning in Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. oUnity govt respects Opposition victory in three states, pledges to remain committed to Madani initiatives Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other top leaders of the unity government. At the same time, Anwar said the government respects the results in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah, which saw Perikatan Nasional retaining power in the states. Anwar said the unity government’s success in retaining power in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang was the result of cooperation among component parties, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, which gave their support. He said the polls outcome was an expression of the people’s decision in the country’s democratic process and should be respected and accepted. “If there are problems and protests, raise them through proper channels, laws and regulations as provided by the Election Commission (EC).” He also reminded the winners and losers to maintain goodwill in preserving the country’s peace, upholding the country’s dignity and protecting the people’s well-being, Bernama reported. He expressed appreciation to EC workers for doing a good job and the police for ensuring the smooth conduct of the polls. In the Kuala Terengganu Second CM term for Chow GEORGE TOWN: Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chow Kon Yeow was sworn in yesterday as chief minister for a second term. Chow, 65, who is Padang Kota assemblyman, took the oath of office at Seri Mutiara before the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak at 9.35am. The ceremony was also attended by Penang State Secretary Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar and state PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders. Chow, who was named as the chief minister candidate by PH, will lead the unity state government following the PH-BN coalition winning 29 of the 40 seats in the state legislative assembly. He won the Padang Kota seat with a majority of 7,116 votes, securing 8,261 votes against Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate H’ng Khoon Leng, who obtained 1,145 votes. Ahmad Fuzi presenting the letter of appointment to Chow at the swearing-in ceremony yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Results to be used as guide for unity govt: Zahid KUALA LUMPUR: The people’s mandate reflected in the results of the state polls will be used as a basis of togetherness to empower the cooperation of all parties in the unity government, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said this is to ensure that the unity government would remain strong in governing the country for the next five years. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the party and its partners in the unity government respected the results of the elections in the six states, which saw them retaining control in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang. “To all the people who fulfilled their responsibility and trust by voting and nourishing the process of democracy in the country, our highest appreciation for your commitment and concern to determine a brighter future for the state and country,” he said in a statement on Saturday. The Umno president also congratulated all the candidates who won and expressed hope that they would shoulder the trust given to them to serve the people as best as they could. “For those who did not succeed, persist and don’t ever stop fighting for the people’s aspirations when faced with challenges.” Ahmad Zahid also thanked all party members, the party machinery and volunteers who had worked hard in helping BN during the election campaign. – Bernama SEATS WON BY PARTIES PAS 111 DAP 46 BERSATU 34 PKR 26 BN 19 AMANAH 8 GERAKAN 1 TOTAL DUN SEATS 245 WON BY PN/PAS - 146 seats PH-BN - 99 seats GRAPH1 / GRAPHLOGOS / PRN2023 - DUN SEAT ►2008: 56,650 (72.9%) ►2004: 56,562 (67.0%) ►1999: 52,607 (68.9%) ►1995: 52,108 (65.2%) SELANGOR56,650 (72.9%) ►2004: 56,562 (67.0%) ►1999: 52,607 (68.9%) ►1995: 52,108 (65.2%) Election results post-mortem KUALA LUMPUR: The unity government will hold an in-depth post-mortem to study the results of the six state elections, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director said the unity government respected the people’s decision in the state elections and would study every aspect that needs to be improved, including the forecast results by research firms. “We will also look at the federal government’s efforts in attending to and solving public issues,” he said after attending the state election results announcement ceremony at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night. On the participation of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance, which was said to have split support for the unity government, Fahmi admitted that he was saddened by it. “I have to look at the numbers first. I think there was one seat, Sungai Kandis. This is one thing several observers and analysts have looked at. “I am saddened that this split allowed Perikatan Nasional to win the seat, but I am not prepared to make more comments about it at the moment.” – Bernama Selangor victory an endorsem*nt for PH-BN KLANG: The combined victory of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Selangor state election is proof of the people’s recognition of the PH-BN cooperation, said the coalition’s state chairman and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. He said the decision also showed that the newly formed collaboration was accepted by the people to be entrusted with the continuity of the state government’s administration. “Thank you to the voters for ensuring that the newly formed ‘Unity Team’ could sink the ‘Green Wave’ that was engineered after the last general election through the ‘YellowRed’ wave that PH-BN generated together. “Although it was said that we would receive fierce opposition, the result is the opposite, and we are only four seats short of recording a twothirds majority victory,” he said at a media conference after the announcement of the state polls results on Saturday. The media conference was also attended by Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo, Selangor Amanah chairman Izham Hashim and State Umno deputy chairman Datuk Johan Abd Aziz. In the polls, PH-BN won 34 seats while Perikatan Nasional wrested 22 seats. – Bernama Total loss for all Independents KUALA LUMPUR: All the Independent candidates in the state elections failed to win seats, according to Election Commission data. A total of 41 Independent candidates contested, with 10 each in Selangor, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan, five each in Kelantan and Penang and one in Terengganu. Of these, 39 candidates lost their deposits. A candidate will lose his deposit if he fails to obtain one-eighth, or 12.5%, of the total number of votes counted in a state constituency. Yessu Samuel, who vied for the Nilai seat, obtained the lowest number of 57 votes. – Bernama Chow, who is also Batu Kawan MP, has held the Padang Kota state seat since 2008. He was born in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 14, 1958, and attended Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Jalan Sungai Besi (1) before continuing his secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Jalan Cochrane in 1971. Chow then did his Sixth Form at Tunku Abdul Rahman College, after which he worked as a draftsman at a private company before continuing his studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia, where he studied Social Science in 1980. He also had a brief stint as a reporter and subsequently as a sub-editor with the National Echo following his graduation in 1984. Chow’s political career began when he became Lim Kit Siang’s political secretary in 1986 and then Penang DAP assistant secretary in 1989. He contested for the first time in the 1990 general election and won the Pengkalan Kota state seat with a majority of 3,670 votes against BN candidate Dr Loh Hock Hun. – Bernama by-election, PAS central working committee member Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim retained the seat by defeating PH’s Azan Ismail with a majority of 47,266 votes.
3 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 Muda candidates lose deposits in 20 constituencies KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) performed poorly in the just-concluded state elections, with their candidates losing their deposits in 20 constituencies. oParty president takes full responsibility, likens poor showing to ‘first step in long journey’ Among Muda candidates who lost their deposits was secretarygeneral Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, who obtained 1,834 votes in the Seri Serdang constituency, and R. Thanusha, who received 2,357 Loss a wake-up call: Aminuddin SEREMBAN: The failure to defend five constituencies in the state polls on Saturday is a warning from the people for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to buck up and immediately remedy all shortcomings, said Negeri Sembilan PH chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. He said although the PH-BN coalition managed to secure a two-thirds majority, its defeats in the five state constituencies, especially in their strongholds, must be identified and studied in depth. “Several constituencies that we felt are our strongholds such as Felda settlements and the suburbs we failed to defend, such as Paroi and Labu. “It is a warning for us to identify the cause (of the defeats),” he told reporters here yesterday. PH and BN managed to win 17 seats and 14 seats respectively out of 36 seats, allowing the coalition to form the state government. PH lost Paroi and Labu and BN was forced to give up Serting, Bagan Pinang and Gemas to Perikatan Nasional. In the meantime, Aminuddin said the number of voters who turned up to cast their ballots took a dip in nearly every channel, adding that it might be due to the difficulty in obtaining leave from their employers. “Also perhaps they had voted during the 15th general election (for parliamentary seats) so moving forward we have to make sure the elections are done simultaneously to make it easier for the people where they don’t have to spend more money to return to their hometowns (to cast their votes).” Meanwhile, Aminuddin said he is confident that PH and BN will demonstrate better and more excellent compatibility in governing the state from now on. “I am confident that we can show that this leadership is serious about fighting for and defending the people in this state,” he said. – Bernama votes in the Sentosa seat, Bernama reported. Apart from that, Muda information chief Loqman Long could only muster 376 votes in the Bandar seat in Terengganu, while in Penang, Muda candidate Viky Harikrishnan suffered a similar fate by collecting only 253 votes in the Perai constituency. Contesting candidates lose their deposits if they fail to obtain oneeighth or 12.5% of the total number of votes counted for the state ‘Absence at counting centre not linked to CM’ GEORGE TOWN: DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has denied speculation that his absence at the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) vote tallying centre at a hotel on Saturday had anything to do with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Lim said he was absent because he needed to be at the Caring Society Complex vote tallying centre to wait for the results of the Air Putih seat, which he contested. “Don’t speculate, I went to the vote counting centre and I didn’t have time (to go to St Giles Wembley). I was travelling back and forth and there were so many programmes,” he said after attending Chow’s swearing-in ceremony at Seri Mutiara yesterday. Lim, who is also Bagan MP, managed to defend the Air Putih state seat, which he has held since 2008, by a 7,923-vote majority after polling 8,996 votes. His challenger from Perikatan Nasional, Kong Cheng Ann received 1,073 votes while Parti Rakyat Malaysia candidate Teh Yee Cheu received 437 votes in a three-cornered fight. Earlier, there were rumours of a fallout between Lim and Chow due to state election-related issues, including the selection of the chief minister. In the meantime, Lim said his father Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang was present at the PH-BN vote tallying centre to show his support for the candidates and the parties. Earlier yesterday, Chow, 65, who is also the Penang PH chairman, was sworn in as chief minister for the second term before governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak at Seri Mutiara. Chow, who is also a Padang Kota assemblyman, will lead the Penang unity government after the PH-BN coalition bagged a total of 29 out of 40 seats in the state polls on Saturday. – Bernama Ting greeting election officials on Saturday. – SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN Highest voter turnout in Terengganu PUTRAJAYA: Terengganu recorded the highest voter turnout among the six states that conducted elections on Saturday with 74.79%. Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said this was followed by Kedah with 73.86%, Penang (72.67%), Selangor (72%), Negeri Sembilan (68.35%) and Kelantan (60.96%). “The total voting percentage includes regular, early and postal voters who have voted,” he said in a statement issued yesterday. Also held simultaneously with the six state elections was the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election which recorded a voter turnout of 73.34%, he said. Abdul Ghani informed that for the Terengganu state polls, PAS swept all 32 seats contested. In Kedah, Perikatan Nasional (PN) captured 33 out of 36 seats and Pakatan Harapan (PH) managed three, while in Kelantan, PAS captured 43 out of 45 seats, with Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH getting one each. In Penang, PH won 29 out of 40 contested seats, while in Selangor, PH won 32 out of 56 seats, with PN winning 22 and BN two. In Negeri Sembilan, PH won 17 out of 36 seats, BN got 14 and PN got five. Meanwhile, Abdul Ghani said in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary byelection, PAS recaptured the seat, with its candidate Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim defeating PH candidate Azan Ismail by 47,266 votes. – Bernama ►2008: 56,650 (72.9%) ►2004: 56,562 (67.0%) ►1999: 52,607 (68.9%) ►1995: 52,108 (65.2%) SELANGOR56,650 (72.9%) ►2004: 56,562 (67.0%) ►1999: 52,607 (68.9%) ►1995: 52,108 (65.2%) State holidays Monday (Aug 14, 2023) Monday (Aug 14, 2023) No holiday Sunday (Aug 13, 2023) Sunday (Aug 13, 2023) Sunday (Aug 13, 2023) GRAPH1 / GRAPHLOGOS / PRN2023 - Vote share of coalitions & parties Vote share of coalitions and parties Pakatan Harapan 2,477,668 VOTES Barisan Nasional 921,804 VOTES Perikatan Nasional Others 3,382,455 VOTES 74,417 VOTES PERIKATAN NASIONAL Women candidates win 24 seats KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-four of the 71 women who contested in Saturday’s six state polls emerged victorious, said the Election Commission. For Pakatan Harapan (PH), 15 of their 26 women candidates won, while eight out of 19 women candidates from Perikatan Nasional (PN) emerged triumphant. PH candidate Phee Syn Tze, making her debut in the Sungai Puyu seat in Penang, was one of those who shone when she won with a 21,330-vote majority after securing 23,838 votes to defeat PN’s Andrew Teow (2,508 votes). Another first-timer, 35-year-old Nurul Syazwani Noh of PN, won the Permatang seat in Selangor with a majority of 1,728 votes. The daughter of former Tanjong Karang member of Parliament Tan Sri Noh Omar garnered 12,850 votes to defeat PH’s Mohd Yahya Mat Sahri (11,122 votes). Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional banked on 12 women candidates but only one won, with Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid taking the Juasseh seat in Negeri Sembilan after beating PN’s Datuk Eddin Syazlee sh*th with a slim 78-vote majority. – Bernama N. Sembilan MB to be sworn in today SEREMBAN: The swearing-in ceremony of the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar will be held today at 3pm at Istana Sri Menanti in Kuala Pilah, said state Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. Aminuddin, who is the caretaker menteri besar, however, declined to divulge who will be appointed as menteri besar. He said he was granted an audience by Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir at Istana Hinggap yesterday morning to inform His Royal Highness of the state election results. PH and Barisan Nasional succeeded in forming the state government after winning 31 seats in the 36-seat state assembly. – Bernama constituency involved. Apart from that, the youngest candidate in the election, Melanie Ting Yi-Hlin, 23, from Muda also lost her deposit after receiving 1,462 votes in the Bukit Antarabangsa constituency. On the other end of the state elections performance, Ng Sze Han of Pakatan Harapan garnered 71,290 votes, the highest won by a candidate, in the contest for the Kinrara seat. Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional’s Dr Afif Bahardin won with the slimmest majority of 30 votes when he obtained 22,316 votes to take the Taman Medan seat. Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said he took full responsibility for the party’s dismal showing in Saturdays’s six state elections. However, the Muar MP believes that as young leaders, the party’s defeat in all 20 seats it contested will serve as a maturing experience. He said the party graciously accepts the choices made by the electorate and added that the state polls were the first step of a long journey for Muda. “I think the candidates have tried their best but as the president, I need to do better. This is a very humbling experience for us at Muda,” he said on Saturday night after the election results were officially announced. On the possibility of forming a coalition with other parties, Syed Saddiq said it was time for some reflection, but that the party remained steadfast in its commitment to be the voice of conscience and to provide checks and balances.
4 theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS @thesundaily FOLLOW ON TWITTER SCAN ME GE15 success not seen in state polls KUALA LUMPUR: The 15th general election (GE15) results last year impacted and influenced voting patterns in the six state elections on Saturday, said political analysts. Universiti Utara Malaysia senior lecturer in Politics and International Relations Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance, which formed the federal government after GE15, has yet to have a direct impact on voters, especially in the east coast states. “We initially expected that the federal government would have a oExpectations of PH-BN achievements having impact on voters did not materialise: Expert direct effect on the states involved in the elections (to choose the alliance), but it was not so. “In this context, I think there are certain achievements made by the BN and PH alliance. There were constituencies in which we thought that this alliance could win bigger but it did not happen,” he said when appearing as a guest on the PR6N: #AndaPenentu programme produced by Bernama TV on Saturday night. He also said the decisive factor in the victory of any political party is the young people. But based on the voting trends in the six states yesterday, the group was seen still voting for parties they felt could govern the state well. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Malaysian and International Studies research fellow Dr Muhamad Azwan Abd Rahman said BN-PH needs to relook its campaigning methods in east coast states as it did not receive the support of young people, Bernama reported. The Perikatan Nasional (PN), especially PAS, managed to secure the majority of seats in the states. “If you look at the issues raised, they are national and are vague compared with local issues. These eroded the interests of young people in Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah. The group did not see what BN-PH was offering in the manifesto as they were more of national issues,” he said. He added that state and federal governments must cooperate so that the country can progress further. Call to embrace National Day theme SIPITANG: Malaysians, particularly youths, are encouraged to embrace the National Day theme Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan to strengthen the nation’s future. Sabah Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said the theme inspires Malaysia’s diverse backgrounds to unite despite their differences to ensure that the nation would maintain peace and harmony for future generations. He said this year’s theme is highly relevant given the nation’s efforts for progress through culture and civilisation as emphasised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim through Malaysia Madani. “Our country’s civilisation, progress, and advancement depend on unity. Without it, these achievements are impossible to make. Our collective strength in staying united is crucial. All efforts for the nation’s progress and development rely on unity. “Knowledge is also important alongside unity because, without knowledge, it is unlikely we can progress,” he said in his speech at the Fiesta Integrasi Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang 2023 programme on Saturday night. The programme involves three convoys from Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. Also present were state information department director Jainisah Mohd Noor, its Sarawak director Jaafar Jantan and Labuan director Azman Sipan. – Bernama New solid waste sites in Johor JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor government will review possible measures, including proposing a new waste disposal location, to manage solid waste at the Tanjung Langsat Landfill here, following a fire incident three days ago. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said three locations have been identified – Pasir Gudang, Seelong Kulai and Bukit Payung Batu Pahat. He added that the proposal will be submitted to the Local Government Development Ministry. “The landfill site is under the purview of the ministry. We will review various strategies including the implementation of a technologydriven waste disposal site in Tanjung Langsat,” Mohd Jafni said yesterday following the Clean Johor @Sg Skudai programme at Taman Impian Emas. Mohd Jafni said a Special Area Plan committee for Sungai Skudai has been set up to address the river’s pollution issues. Among others, the committee will reorganise squatter settlements along the river. – Bernama Safety boon for motorcyclists KUALA LUMPUR: Motorcyclists will soon be able to take shelter during bad weather or reduce risks of crashes when the government implements its plan to build 119 motorcycle shelters on highways nationwide. The plan under the Bitara Madani initiative, which involves 33 highway concessionaires, is a collaboration between the Works Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority. Tengku Ahmad Marwan Tengku Mahmud, a road safety affiliate with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, said appropriate and sufficient warning signs must be installed to ensure that other road users would be aware of the shelters. “I am confident that the ministry and the highway concessionaire will conduct a detailed study on the important components that need to be provided and the location of the shelters where there are usually more motorcycle users than in other places,” he said. Tengku Ahmad Marwan said the construction of the shelters allows motorcyclists to be in a much safer location. He said the shelters are situated a distance away from roads and are equipped with guard rails. “Risk of accidents involving other vehicles can be drastically reduced,” he said. On Aug 4, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said a total of 119 shelters would be built on highways nationwide to make it easier for motorcyclists to seek shelter, especially during bad weather. Nanta said 40 of the 119 new shelters are expected to be completed this year, while the rest will be ready next year. These are in addition to the existing 353 shelters. There are stand-alone shelters provided by PLUS Malaysia Berhad such as at KM18.8 (northbound) of the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and at KM429.2 (southbound) of the North-South Expressway which is under construction. P-hailing worker Muhammad Afiq Muhammad Nasriq, 26, said the initiative will make it safer for him and his wife to travel from their home in Shah Alam, Selangor to their workplace here via the NKVE. “The distance between our home and the workplace is about 35km. When it rains, it’s quite difficult to find a shelter, and sometimes we and all our belongings get soaked,” he said. – Bernama Clean river awareness campaign JOHOR BAHRU: Local authorities in Johor will implement more aggressive enforcement to create public awareness on the importance of keeping rivers clean. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government is committed to ensuring the cleanliness of rivers but the community also needs to play its part. “Those who are caught littering will be arrested and fined,” he said after launching the Johor Bersih @ Sungai Skudai programme at Taman Impian Emas, here yesterday. He added that the Sungai Skudai Special Area Plan will see the implementation of 10 projects, including upgrading existing garbage traps, creating the Taman Pesisir Air Eko Sungai Skudai, river trails and the Sungai Skudai reforestation. – Bernama MODEL CITIZEN ... Mohd Faiz Mohammad, 38, exercising his voting right at SJK(C) Selayang Baru in Selangor on Saturday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN CANDIDATES WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES BY STATES Selangor N. 30 Kinrara PH - Ng Sze Han (71,290) PN - Wong Yong Kang (16,755) Majority 54,535 Penang N. 34 Paya Terubong PH - Wong Hon Wai (40,530) PN - Andrew Ooi (3,728) Majority 36,802 Negeri Sembilan N. 11 Lobak PH - Chew Seh Yong (14,357) PN - Ng Soon Lean (853) Majority 13,504 Kedah N. 18 Tokai PN - Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati (29,329) PH - Zainal Abidin Saad (5,410) Majority 23,919 Terengganu N. 16 Batu Buruk PAS - Ustaz Khalil (23,767) PH - Zamir Ghazali (6,099) Majority 17,668 Kelantan N. 26 Bukit Panau PAS - Datuk Abdul Fattah (22,582) PH - Datuk Dr Samsul Adabi (5,954) Majority 16,628
5 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 Johor govt to launch ‘Green Deal’ framework JOHOR BAHRU: The state government will launch a green initiative framework called “Johor Green Deal” during the Asia Pacific Climate Week (APCW) in November, said Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. He added that the administration must have a clear path in terms of effort for them to tackle climate change issues in Johor in the years to come. “The problem is something that is becoming more dangerous to the world as a whole, and Johor specifically. I see APCW as an opportunity for us to make improvements. oSustainability centre, flood management plans among ways to tackle climate change: MB Malacca to open RV park in November MALACCA: The state Historic City Council is developing a Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park at Taman Bandaraya Bukit Serindit, which is expected to be open to motorhomes and campervans in November, said Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman. He added that the park would be able to accommodate about 50 motorhomes and provide water supply, electricity, toilet, lighting and recreation facilities. “The idea (to develop the park) originated from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and we held a simulation with the participation of 15 vehicles and 40 individuals at Bukit Serindit. “There are about 700 motorhomes nationwide, but owners do not have a special area to park unless they come to Malacca,” he said at the “Adventure Marathon Kayak Trip from Malacca to Port Dickson” event yesterday. Shadan also said the park would attract more tourists among campervan owners and enthusiasts ahead of Visit Malacca Year 2024. Meanwhile, state Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said 23 participants in six kayaks took turns to travel 42km from the Melaka Marina in Kota Laksamana to Teluk Kemang in Port Dickson. He said the voyage was a private sector initiative by the Malacca Tourism Association and Malaysian Hotel Association (Malacca Chapter), among others, to work with the council and the Tourism Promotion Division. – Bernama Authorities vetting caregivers for abused boy JOHOR BAHRU: The Social Welfare Department here is screening the next of kin to provide temporary or permanent protection to a child allegedly abused by his mother and her friend, said state Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail @ Md On. She added that it will conduct an assessment to designate qualified caregivers once the seven-year-old boy is discharged from hospital. Khairin-Nisa said in a statement the child was sent to the Sultan Ismail Hospital for treatment on Friday, while the suspects were detained on Saturday for further investigation. “The child had been living with his mother for only a year in Pasir Gudang, after moving from his grandparents’ house in Pokok Sena, Kedah. “He is the youngest of two siblings and his parents are divorced. It is understood that his nine-year-old sister is still with their grandparents in Pokok Sena.” She urged the public to immediately report such cases to the authorities or the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry via its 24-hour Talian Kasih hotline at 15999. Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the mother, 27, and her friend, 30, were remanded for investigations under Section 31(1) (a) of the Child Act 2001. – Bernama Varsity staff killed in car crash SIBU: A Politeknik Mukah Sarawak employee was killed on Saturday in a car collision at Km7 along Jalan Mukah-Oya, about 157km from here. Mukah district police chief DSP Muhammad Rizal Alias yesterday identified the victim as Dimas Masri Hasnawi, 48, who was travelling with his wife and three children. He said they were on their way from Mukah to Oya, while the other vehicle, driven by a 74-year-old man with four passengers, was heading towards the opposite direction. “Initial investigations found that the senior citizen is believed to have lost control of his car, causing it to veer into the opposite lane and collide with the vehicle driven by Dimas’ wife.” He added that Dimas, who was in the passenger seat, died at the scene at 8pm. Muhammad Rizal said his body was sent to the Mukah Hospital for a post-mortem while the others received treatment. – Bernama Containers on cargo vessel catch fire SHAH ALAM: A fire broke out in several containers on board a cargo ship en route to Port Klang yesterday morning, said Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail. He added that a 1.30am distress call alerted them to the incident, which occurred about six nautical miles southwest of Pulau Pintu Gedong. “The fire on the KMTC Shenzhen was completely extinguished at 3.30am with the help of the Marine Department and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. “At 7.20am, two containers were still emitting smoke and one resin container was found to be leaking. “Firefighters dealt with the former directly and sealed the remaining container,” he said, adding that there were no casualties. – Bernama “We are going to take the opportunity, InsyaAllah, to launch the Johor Green Deal in terms of our sustainability plan for the state’s greener future. “We are working closely with (former state menteri besar and current Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office chairman) Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad to set up the Johor Sustainability Centre.” Onn Hafiz also said the state would share its flood disaster management experience while learning from other countries on the matter. “Floods are not unique to Johor, it is a global issue that should be addressed by everyone.” Johor experienced the worst floods since 2007 at the end of February, which saw more than 80,000 individuals in 10 districts evacuated from their homes, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change programme coordination manager Niclas Svenningsen said Johor’s dedication and leadership in hosting APCW would inspire societal determination in addressing climate challenges in the region. The Nov 17 event at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre is expected to be attended by more than 2,000 delegates from 150 countries to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai at the end of the month. The kayakers setting off from Kota Laksamana yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Reports on misuse of identity cards KUALA LUMPUR: Police received 94 reports of identity cards being misused to cast votes on polling day during the six state elections on Saturday. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said Selangor had the most reports with 48 cases, followed by Penang (20), Negeri Sembilan (six), Kelantan (two) and nine cases each in Kedah and Terengganu. He said using someone another individual’s identity card to cast votes is an offence under Section 7 of the Election Offences Act 1954. “A total of 111 investigation papers were opened from 181 reports involving various offences received on polling day. “Other offences reported were damaging flags of political parties, displaying political logos in the vicinity of polling centres, obstruction of civil servants from discharging their duties and illegal assembly. “A total of 1,951 reports on various offences were lodged during the campaigning period,” Razarudin said in a statement yesterday. – Bernama
6 theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /theSunMedia FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE SCAN ME Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter WASHINGTON: The Miss Universe Organisation has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition. In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta. Their lawyer said on Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken. “In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organisation posted on Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its national director Poppy Capella”. It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organisation’s priority. Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said on Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched. The Indonesia franchise also holds the licence for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organiser. In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks. “I, as the national director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia licence, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organising Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote. Capella added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment”. The Jakarta competition was held from July 29 to Aug 3 to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld. Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador. This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner. In its statement, the Miss Universe Organisation said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide”. – AFP oFranchise holder axed over stripping of women to ‘check for scars’ Beijing condemns US visit by Taiwan ‘troublemaker’ BEIJING: China yesterday condemned a brief US visit by Taiwan Vice-President William Lai, saying he was a separatist and “troublemaker” and Beijing would take strong steps to protect its sovereignty, drawing a rebuke from Taipei. Lai, front-runner to be Taiwan’s next president at elections in January, arrived in New York on Saturday night for what is officially a transit on his way to Paraguay for the inauguration of its president. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly denounced Lai’s trip, which includes another stopover in San Francisco on Wednesday on his way back to Taipei. In a statement, China’s Foreign Ministry said it opposed any form of visit by “Taiwan independence separatists” to America. “Lai stubbornly adheres to the separatist position of Taiwan independence and is a troublemaker through and through.” Taiwan is the “core of China’s core interests” and facts have shown again and again that the reason for the rise in tensions in the Taiwan Strait is Taiwan trying to “rely on the United States to seek independence”, it said. “China is closely following developments and will take resolute and vigorous measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Taiwan’s China-policymaking Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement that China was the real troublemaker, pointing to its standoff this month with the Philippines in the South China Sea and continued military harassment of Taiwan, among other actions. “Our government firmly defends national sovereignty and security, guards the lines of defence of democracy and freedom, and will never back down, let alone capitulate.” Lai previously described himself as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence”, though he has repeatedly said on the campaign trail he is not seeking to change the status quo, but that only Taiwan’s people can decide their future. A person familiar with the trip’s planning said Lai will join receptions with overseas Taiwanese during the stopover in New York. He will not meet US lawmakers, the person said, adding Lai will keep the visit “low key”, in line with Taipei and Washington’s shared position to “jointly manage risks when facing an authoritarian region at this sensitive time”. – Reuters NECK DEEP WOES ... A man wading through a flooded street in the Myanmar town of Bago. Floods and landslides caused by monsoon rains have killed five people and forced the evacuation of around 40,000 others in the country. – AFPPIC One dead, one missing in Thai boat accident BANGKOK: One person has died and another remains missing after a boating accident in southern Thailand, police said yesterday. The tourist boat struck a waterspout and capsized, throwing seven Thai passengers into Ban Laem district’s Bangtaboon River in Phetchaburi province on Saturday evening. Four women and a man were pulled from the waters, sustaining mild injuries, with rescuers searching until midnight for the two other passengers. Local police said yesterday they had recovered the body of a man in his early 20s. There was no information on the seventh passenger, also believed to be a man in his 20s. Thailand has a poor health and safety track record on the water. Tourist hotspots have seen serious accidents, such as the deaths of almost 50 Chinese tourists in 2018 after their boat capsized off holiday island phu*ket. – AFP Northern China landslide death toll rises to four BEIJING: The death toll from a landslide triggered by heavy rains in northern China has risen to at least four, state media said yesterday. A mountain flash flood in the village of Weiziping, south of Xi’an, caused a landslide on Friday which swept away two houses and damaged roads, bridges, electricity supply and other infrastructure, national public radio CNR reported. “Four people have died” and “some people remain unreachable”, it said on the Weibo social network. A previous report said two people died while 16 others are missing. A hundred soldiers as well as firefighters were mobilised for the relief operations “which are continuing” yesterday, according to CNR. CNR broadcast images on Weibo showing rescuers clearing rocks and trees from the edge of a river and carrying victims on stretchers. China has faced deadly floods and historic rainfall in recent weeks, with the death toll from storms in the northern part of the country reaching at least 78, according to the latest toll reported on Friday. – AFP B R I E F SCHINESE ENGINEERS ATTACKED IN PAKISTAN ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants yesterday attacked a convoy carrying Chinese engineers to the Beijing-financed Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s southwest, the group said. “BLA Majeed Brigade today targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers in Gwadar. The attack is still ongoing,” the separatist group said in a statement. Security sources confirmed an attack on a convoy carrying Chinese engineers, but there was no immediate official response. In the past, various Baloch separatist groups have claimed attacks on projects linked to the massive China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, with thousands of security personnel deployed to counter threats against Beijing’s interests. – AFP 55 KILLED IN BANGLADESH FLOODS DHAKA: At least 55 people have been killed and more than a million affected by two weeks of torrential rains causing floods and landslides in southeast Bangladesh, officials said yesterday. Administrators of four of the worst-hit districts said floods and landslides since Aug 1 killed 21 people in Cox’s Bazar, 19 in Chittagong, 10 in Bandarban and five in Rangamati. “These are some of the heaviest rains in recent years,” Meteorological Department chief Azizur Rahman said. He said 312mm of rainfall was recorded on Aug 7 alone. Heavy rains lashed the region until Aug 11, triggering flash floods that caused rivers to burst their banks and inundate hundreds of villages. It was only possible to confirm how many were killed after the floodwaters began to recede. – AFP
7 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 Body of ‘vampire child’ unearthed in Polish ‘necropolis’ WARSAW: Archaeologists have unearthed the unusual remains of a child from the 17th century found buried with a padlock attached to the foot that scientists said were suggestions of fears during medieval times that the dead may spring back to life as “vampires”, said reports. Researchers, including Dariusz Poliski from the Nicolaus Copernicus University, explored and excavated graves in an early medieval “necropolis” graveyard near Dbrowa Chełmiska in Poland in search of unique burials. Here, they made a breakthrough discovery of a young medieval woman’s burial last year, whose body was double protected “from rising from the grave” with a triangular padlock on the big toe at her left foot, and a sickle pointing down with a blade placed around her neck. Looking for other similar burials nearby, the archaeologists have now uncovered the strange and unprecedented burial of a 17th century child aged about five years. The child’s remains were found buried with his face facing down towards to the ground in the burial cavity suggesting the deceased and his “activity” was “feared” after death. Such burials, with faces pointing downwards, were likely done in the region during medieval times to make the deceased “bite into the ground” and ensure they did not “pose a threat to people”, scientists said. Under the bones of the child, archaeologists also discovered a triangular padlock, almost similar to the one accompanying the remains of the medieval woman unearthed last year at the site. An analysis suggested the child’s grave was likely violated and a part of the corpse taken away, but it is not known when and why it occurred or what happened to the remains. Near the child’s grave, researchers also discovered a “puzzling cluster” of several children’s skeletons with a fragment of the jaw in one of them coloured green. A similar greenish tint was also seen on the palate of the woman unearthed last year, scientists said. Researchers suspect there might have been an object made of copper alloy in this person’s mouth. They also found the non-standard burial of a pregnant woman with the remains of her foetus seemingly preserved. – The Independent Ecuador gang boss transferred to max security prison GUAYAQUIL: Ecuador transferred a powerful gang leader, accused of threatening a presidential candidate before he was slain, to a maximum security prison via a massive military and police operation on Saturday. At dawn, around 4,000 heavily armed agents entered Prison 8 in Guayaquil in southwestern Ecuador, where the head of the powerful Los Choneros criminal group Jose Adolfo Macias, alias “Fito”, has been held since 2011. Images shared by security forces showed a bearded man in his underwear, with his hands on his head in some shots and lying on the floor with his arms tied in others. Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso announced that Fito had been transferred to La Roca, a 150-person maximum security prison that is part of the same penitentiary complex where the gang boss was already being held. Ecuador has been under a state of emergency since the shock assassination on Wednesday of journalist-turned-politician Fernando Villavicencio. The anti-corruption crusader – up to then second in polls – was gunned down as he left a campaign rally in the capital Quito. A week before the 59-year-old was killed, he said an “emissary” for Fito had contacted him and told him to stop talking about the gang. “If I continue ... mentioning Los Choneros, they are going to break me.” Six Colombians have been arrested in suspected connection with the murder, while a seventh was killed in a shootout with his bodyguards. On Saturday, Villavicencio’s party announced that his running mate, Andrea Gonzalez, would take his place in the Aug 20 election. Gonzalez, 36, is an environmental advocate who has fought for the protection of oceans, forests and mangroves. – AFP B R I E F STHREE KILLED IN BUILDING BLAZE IN FRANCE PARIS: Three people died in a fire that erupted yesterday in a residential building in the French Riviera city of Grasse, firefighters said. Three others were seriously injured and four had lighter injuries, they said, adding that the fire had been extinguished. “The condition of the victims can always change,” said Aymeric Soufflet from the firefighting service. The origin of the fire in Grasse’s historic centre was not immediately clear. It only affected the top three floors of the building whose facade was partially blackened by the flames. Firefighters found the body of a person who had jumped out in front of the edifice and two other corpses inside. Grasse is considered the world’s perfume capital. – AFP IRAQ LIFTS SUSPENSION OF TELEGRAM APP BAGHDAD: The Iraqi government yesterday ended a week-long suspension of the Telegram messaging app over “national security” concerns after the move drew criticism from pro-Iran factions. The app was again accessible yesterday morning without the need for a virtual private network. Iraq’s Ministry of Communications had on Saturday evening announced “the lifting of the freeze on Telegram from Sunday”. Telegram is very popular in Iraq. When it suspended the app, the government said Telegram “did not respond” to repeated requests to address the issue of “data leakage from state institutions and individuals, which poses a threat to national security and social peace”. – AFP US-led naval group warns ships to avoid Iranian waters DUBAI: A US-led naval coalition in the Gulf has warned ships in the region to stay away from Iranian waters to avoid possible seizure. The warning shows tensions remain high in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran seized tankers in late April and early May, while Washington and Tehran finalise a deal to free five American citizens detained in Iran and the US allows US$6 billion in Iranian funds held in South Korea to be unfrozen. “The International Maritime Security Construct is notifying regional mariners of appropriate precautions to minimise the risk of seizure based on current regional tensions, which we seek to de-escalate,” said Commander Timothy Hawkins, spokesman for the Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet. “Vessels are being advised to transit as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible.” About a fifth of the world’s crude oil and oil products pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point between Iran and Oman at the mouth of the Gulf. The deal to release American citizens from Iranian prison and allow them to return to the US would remove a major irritant between Washington and Tehran. The two countries remain at odds on various issues, from the Iranian nuclear programme to Tehran’s support for regional Shi’ite militias. The US would release some Iranians from American prisons as part of the deal, Iran’s mission to the United Nations has said. – Reuters Hawaii wildfires death toll climbs to 93, many missing WASHINGTON: The death toll from the Maui wildfires in Hawaii reached 93 on Saturday, according to the Maui County website, making it the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century, with the total likely to rise as cadaver dogs sift through the ruins of Lahaina. The scale of the damage came into sharper focus four days after a fast-moving blaze levelled the historic resort town, obliterating buildings and melting cars. The cost to rebuild Lahaina was estimated at US$5.5 billion (RM25 billion), according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with more than 2,200 structures damaged or destroyed and 850ha burned. Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned that the death toll would continue to increase as more victims were discovered. Burned houses and buildings in Lahaina in the aftermath of the wildfires. – AFPPIC oOfficials vow to examine US state’s handling of disaster as criticism grows Dogs trained to detect bodies have covered only 3% of the search area, Maui County police chief John Pelletier said. Hundreds of people were still missing, though a precise count was not clear. At a family assistance centre in Kahului, June Lacuesta said he was trying to locate nine relatives who had not been heard from since the inferno erupted on Tuesday. “When I see Lahaina town itself, I cannot describe the feelings I get,” said Lacuesta, who was headed to a church shelter next to continue his search. Officials vowed to examine the state’s emergency notification systems after some residents questioned whether more could have been done to warn them before the fire overtook their homes. Some were forced to wade into the Pacific Ocean to escape. Sirens stationed around the island – intended to warn of impending natural disasters – never sounded, and widespread power and cellular outages hampered other forms of alerts. The state’s attorney-general Anne Lopez said she was launching a review of the decision-making before and during the fire, while Green told CNN he had authorised a review of the emergency response. Officials have described a nightmarish confluence of factors – including communications network failures, wind gusts of up to 130kph from an offshore hurricane and a separate wildfire dozens of miles away – that made it nearly impossible to coordinate in real time with the emergency management agency that would typically issue warnings and evacuation orders. “Over time, we’ll be able to figure out if we could have better protected people,” said Green, adding the multiple fires and dangerous winds created extraordinarily difficult conditions. The death toll made the inferno Hawaii’s worst natural disaster, surpassing a tsunami that killed 61 people in 1960, a year after Hawaii became a US state. Some witnesses said they had little warning, describing their terror as the blaze destroyed the town around them in what seemed to be a matter of minutes. – Reuters
8 theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 SPEAK UP Realising sustainable goals Or download app on the AppStore or Google Play ENJOY A SEAMLESS READING EXPERIENCE. Read our iPaper at https://www.thesundaily.my/ I NNOVATION has long been considered a critical component of Malaysia’s transformation towards a more robust digital nation. Although Malaysia has some innovative enclaves and a more open political climate, innovation is still primarily a secondary concern at the moment. According to the World Bank, only 10.5% of Malaysian businesses are involved in research and development, and only 3.5% have launched new goods in the previous three years. Hence, Malaysia is striving towards building a tech environment that adheres to the present administration’s commitment. The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry plays a crucial role in creating an environment favourable to the development of technologies that may benefit the people and the nation, especially in promoting an innovationbased economy. In addition, the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (Magic), which aims to foster an entrepreneurial, creative and innovative spirit, is also promoting the growth of creativity and innovation in Malaysia through engaging activities and initiatives to build capacity. By integrating development experience with technological infrastructure and services to facilitate the invention, growth and commercialisation of technology and innovation, Magic is offering Malaysia a bold new paradigm that will quicken the transition from ideas to impacts through its merger with Technology Park Malaysia to create Mranti (Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation, a central research and innovation commercialisation agency). Local business leaders think Malaysia will be well-positioned in 2023 despite the present global economic concerns, especially in the rapidly expanding digital and technology industries, as claimed by co-founder and group CEO of Juwai IQI Kashif Ansari. This is because Malaysia’s investment in technology will increase as a result of increased productivity, despite inflation. However, the global economic downturn will likely result in weaker growth for the electrical and electronics sector in Malaysia compared with the previous year. Accordingly, Malaysian industries are urged to look into cutting-edge production techniques, technologies and business strategies that will boost output, cut costs and improve quality, all of which will support the creation of novel and high-value goods. According to Investment, International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the ministry is rethinking how it will strengthen the value chain of the industry and the capability for research and development to enhance the nation’s commercial, investment and industrial processes. By encouraging both governmental agencies and private sector enterprises to tech up fast, securely and appropriately, the ministry aims to develop a more robust innovation DNA and prepare Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises for the future. To advance equitable and sustainable industrialisation, promote innovation and establish a robust infrastructure, Malaysia’s firms are encouraged to engage in research, development and implementation of goods, services and business models. Malaysia may establish innovation systems for sustainable development by facilitating access to capital, encouraging entrepreneurship and combining financial and scientific resources into a global knowledge base. In addition, infrastructure and industrial assets should be upgraded and retrofitted across business and supply chain processes to make them more durable. As mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the states must work closely with the federal government to guarantee adequate planning and the timely completion of projects to address issues with infrastructure related to water supply, roads and education. Besides, the resumption and launch of megaprojects, notably the infrastructure of the rail and road networks, will improve transportation and promote the local economy and real estate market. Additionally, RM725 million has been allotted for the development of infrastructure in 47 industrial zones and roughly 3,700 schools to speed up the Jendela digital infrastructure project’s execution. The realisation of SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) nine represents a global commitment by Malaysia to creating resilient infrastructure, advancing inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and encouraging innovation. With a solid manufacturing base, adequate physical and digital infrastructure and high-quality education, Malaysia is on pace to meet the SDG nine objectives beyond 2030. The writer is a Director at Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. Comments: [emailprotected] Choosing the right health app CYBERSECURITY company NordVPN surveyed almost 13,000 people from 13 countries to find out how people use technology to support their mental health. The findings revealed that 90% of Malaysians use technology to support their emotional health. One in three individuals (31%) use their smartphones for activities, such as exercising (36%), monitoring sleep patterns (32%) and tracking water intake (32%). However, the research also showed that eight out of 10 Malaysians who use mental health applications (apps) opt for free alternatives. Unfortunately, these users are unaware of the privacy concerns associated with such apps, putting their sensitive information at risk of exposure to strangers. The survey showed that more than half of Malaysians health app users provide health-related information in the apps, such as blood pressure, dietary habits, weight and medical conditions. This also includes mental health data, such as information about moods, habits and even thoughts. According to cybersecurity expert at NordVPN Adrianus Warmenhoven, storing sensitive information in inadequately secured free apps exposes individuals to potential risks. A recent report discovered that 90% of mental health apps do not meet the minimum privacy standards. “The biggest issue we see is that only a fifth of survey respondents in Malaysia care about encryption policies while choosing a mental health app. This means that most users do not know where their data may end up or how it can be used against them,” said Warmenhoven. Malaysians use technology a lot The survey showed that 96% of Malaysians use technology to unwind or relax, and 90% use their gadgets as mental health tools. Seven out of 10 Malaysians listen to relaxing music daily, while four out of 10 communicate with friends and family through messaging apps for emotional support. Furthermore, a third of respondents admit to using smartphone apps to promote emotional well-being. The survey identified several popular mental and physical health apps widely used, including MySejahtera (50.4%), home workout (26.4%), blood pressure (16.9%), Huawei health (13.9%) and blood pressure app (12.7%). Valuing low prices over safety Despite the growing concern over data privacy, the survey indicates that 79% of Malaysians choose free mental health apps over paid alternatives. While an app being free is not necessarily a red flag, it often includes users exchanging sensitive personal data for the app’s services. When this information, such as fertility, mental illness and sexual orientation, is sold to advertisers and data brokers, it can be worrying. “Data of this nature can be used to create detailed user profiles containing sensitive information that can be used to discriminate against someone or exclude them, such as denying them insurance or job opportunities based on their physical or mental health,” said Warmenhoven. The survey revealed that people in Malaysia, unlike in most other countries, value low prices and safety of their data. When selecting health apps, Malaysians prioritise ease of use and availability of a free plan but they also care about privacy policy. Unfortunately, security features, such as multifactor authentication, app developers and encryption rank lower in importance. How to stay safe Mental health is important and so is the privacy and safety of users’ data. Here are a few tips for those using apps to support their emotional health: 0 Use a disposable email address when signing up. In this case, the service will not be able to use your email address to link your identity with social media profiles and other services. 0 Always tweak the app’s privacy settings for maximum privacy. Opt out of all data-gathering processes if possible. 0 Choose your mental health app carefully after conducting proper research about what information it collects and its approach to privacy. Always read the terms and conditions before using these self-care tools. 0 Use apps that you purchase from official stores or websites. 0 Avoid free apps from obscure sources. Most of these apps sell data to third parties, flood you with ads or can otherwise compromise your privacy. 0 Provide only the minimum amount of information required by the app. Make sure that everything you provide is crucial for an app to work. The article was contributed by NordVPN, the world’s leading VPN service provider. Comments: [emailprotected] COMMENT by Dr Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani COMMENT
9 SPEAK UP theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 Reshaping work and careers I N a stunning debut last November, ChatGPT, the viral chatbot created by OpenAI, burst onto the global tech scene, forever altering the course of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its real-world impact. Since then, AI models have advanced and they have demonstrated remarkable proficiency in tasks, such as coding, content generation and sentiment analysis. This evolution holds immense promise in assisting human resource (HR) frameworks and policies within workplaces as well as guiding employees along their unique career journeys through personalised guidance and profound insights. However, this new era of AI also necessitates careful consideration of the skills and competencies required to thrive and remain competitive in an ever-changing professional landscape. Over the past three to four years, workplace dynamics worldwide have undergone a drastic shift, and this transformation is also significantly notable in the Asia-Pacific (Apac) region. This is fuelled by a combination of factors, including technological advancements, evolving work culture and shifting employee expectations. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst, bringing a whirlwind of change that has significantly influenced how employees evaluate their jobs, career planning and prioritise their work-life balance. Rise of HR technology The adoption of digital technologies has played a vital role in the Apac region, with organisations of all sizes extensively embracing HR solutions to enhance the efficiency of their recruitment processes, facilitate career growth planning and streamline daily administrative tasks. The numbers tell a story too. The Apac HR technology market size is expected to reach US$ 9.7 billion (RM44.4 billion) by 2028 from US$5.5 billion in 2022, recording a compound annual growth rate of over 9% between 2023 and 2028, according to market research firm IMARC Group. This widespread adoption reflects a growing recognition of the value that AIpowered HR tools and solutions bring in optimising operations and creating a seamless experience for both employers and employees. From large corporations to small businesses, companies are leveraging these technologies to drive productivity, improve decision-making and promote a more agile and proactive approach to talent management. In the fast-paced HR landscape in the Apac region, career planning can be a daunting task for employees. But AI can play a crucial role in shaping individual career paths. AI-tailored career path One of the key ways AI can assist with customised career planning is through data-driven insights. Algorithms can analyse vast amounts of data, including employee skills, interests, performance records and market trends, to provide tailored career recommendations. This customised planning can take into account individual aspirations, strengths and growth opportunities, enabling employees to make informed decisions about their professional development. AI can also provide real-time feedback, identify skill gaps and suggest relevant training programmes to enhance professional development. Ultimately, AI-driven custom career planning empowers employees, boosts job satisfaction and contributes to longterm employee engagement and retention. It is a more targeted and effective career planning process. Additionally, AI-powered career planning platforms can offer individuals access to resources and information. These platforms can provide real-time market insights, job market trends and future skill requirements. By staying upto-date with AI-generated insights, individuals can increase their employability and competitiveness. How to secure ideal job role AI can provide job market dynamics across the Apac region. It can collate information and analyse data from local job portals across the region, recruitment websites and government sources to provide detailed insights into the local job market. This information can include key indemand industries, popular job roles across different sectors, salary trends and regional variations. AI can help individuals understand the specific dynamics of a particular job market and make informed decisions about their career paths. Besides, AI can streamline the job’s entire search process by matching individuals with suitable job opportunities based on their skills, experience and career goals. AI algorithms can analyse job descriptions, resumes and candidate profiles to make accurate recommendations, saving time for both job seekers and recruiters. Crafting the right resume plays a key role in securing the ideal job. It is a crucial tool to showcase one’s skills, experiences and qualifications to potential employers. By analysing keywords, formatting and content, algorithms can provide suggestions for improving resumes to increase visibility and improve the chances of getting shortlisted for desired roles in a competitive job market. Possessing necessary skills To build a career within an organisation or to climb up the corporate ladder, skill assessment is crucial. This assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of employees’ capabilities and strengths, facilitating accurate skill matching for internal job roles, promoting mobility and talent development within an organisation. Besides skill assessment, AI-powered platforms can identify skill gaps and recommend specific areas for improvement or upskilling. This enables individuals to proactively develop the skills and qualifications necessary for their desired career paths. Feedback and performance monitoring is another way to keep a tab on career planning. AI tools can provide real-time feedback and performance monitoring, enabling individuals to track their progress and identify areas for improvement. This feedback can be used for ongoing career development and setting performance goals aligned with individual aspirations. In the evolving landscape of career planning, AI emerges as a valuable ally. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that AI’s reliance on data and algorithms may overlook the significance of intangible qualities and unique individual nuances. While AI can provide valuable insights and recommendations, it may not fully capture the complexities of human experiences and emotions that play a vital role in career planning. Therefore, a balanced approach that combines AI-driven insights with human judgement and understanding is necessary to ensure comprehensive and holistic career planning for individuals. The writer is the Co-Founder of Darwinbox, a leading provider of cloud-based Human Resources Management Software. Comments: [emailprotected] “The evolution of AI holds immense promise in assisting human resource frameworks and policies within workplaces as well as guiding employees along their unique career journeys through personalised guidance and profound insights.” COMMENT by Jayant Paleti How Ukraine war can get bigger THE civil war between Ukraine and Russia is one of the most poorly reported conflicts that I have witnessed. The Western media has shown how much it has become an arm of big government. Much of our media and the British media have faithfully parroted Washington’s official party line on the war: saintly little Ukraine versus evil Goliath Russia. Not since the US invasion of Iraq has the American media so blatantly promoted a war or so vilified a foreign leader, President Vladimir Putin. Today, he is an ogre. But two decades ago, when his army was laying waste to the tiny Caucasian republic of Chechnya, the US government secretly financed Russia’s brutal repression of the independence-seeking Chechens. Why? Because the Chechens were Muslims. Washington thought it would turn then Russian leader Boris Yeltsin into a US client and bring Russia into America’s geopolitical orbit. US intelligence even supplied Moscow with a telephone system provided to Chechen leader Dzhokhar Dudayev, supposedly for “peace talks” that was used to assassinate him. Another tragic example: another third-world leader. General Jonas Savimbi, head of Angola’s UNITA anti-communist movement. During the 1980s, I was with his Artillery in the Russian-Ukraine war has become the real decisive arm on the battlefield. – REUTERSPIC █ BYERIC S. MARGOLIS guerilla army in southern Angola battling Angolan Marxists and their Cuban and East German allies. Washington initially supported the charismatic Savimbi, one of Africa’s most capable, intelligent leaders – until the Marxist regime in Luanda found even more oil and did a deal with the US to supply US markets. After that, the faithful Savimbi became a hindrance to US imperial oil plans in Africa. The CIA hired an Israeli hit squad that ambushed and murdered Savimbi – a fact confirmed to me by a former US ambassador. The US then made allies of the oilrich Angolan Marxists. As Henry Kissinger said, being America’s ally can be more dangerous than being its enemy. Ukraine should take this grim lesson to heart. President Joe Biden aims to finish off Putin’s Russia and Balkanize the former Soviet state. Few know how the US and its allies will deal with the manifest dangers of an imploded Russia. Collapsed Yugoslavia in 1990 would be a possible analogy. With high-intensity US media support and British machinations, the US neocons overthrew the proMoscow regime in Kyiv and brought in the current US “guided” regime of President Volodymyr Zelensky, a former television actor. The powerful oligarchs and criminal dons who ran pre-1991 Ukraine were kept in the wings by their American benefactors. Having abandoned Afghanistan’s drug barons, who supplied 90% of the world’s heroin supplies, the US now took over as the unofficial godfather of powerful Ukraine’s underworld. Call it payback for the collapse of the US-installed puppet regime in Afghanistan. Now, media hysteria has focused on the issue of armed drones. These are little more than adult toys. Their military effect has been minor, aside from reconnaissance. Artillery has become the real decisive arm on the battlefield. During World War I it took an average of 1,600 to 1,800 artillery shells to kill a single enemy soldier. The Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) members are down to near empty when it comes to stores of artillery shells over 120mm. Germany has admitted it is almost out of spare parts and backup munitions. At one point, Germany had only 15 operational tanks. The cost of 155mm shells, such as those lavishly supplied to Ukraine by the US, Britain and Germany ranges from US$300 (RM1,376) to US$1,800 depending on if they have an internal guidance system. The rate of fire is one to four rounds a minute. A few barrages of 155s can quickly amount to a huge amount of money. So far, the Biden administration has poured US$95 billion into Ukraine’s war effort. US European allies have added about US$50 billion to Kyiv’s military. This dreary war is likely to drag on for years. Both sides face the risk of internal collapse or insurrection. Ironically, Putin announced that Russia would cut back on military spending shortly before Ukraine’s US-installed government decided to become an ally of US-run Nato. At that time, Putin had declared Russia would cut way back on its formerly powerful conventional forces and increasingly rely on tactical nuclear weapons. Funds saved would go into the civilian economy. The result: Russia’s conventional forces were seriously weakened. Russia’s armoured forces, navy and air forces suffered severe cuts, just as the Ukraine War exploded. War stocks were run down and not replenished. Interestingly, the same process of gradual but largely hidden disarmament occurred among Nato members, notably Germany, whose military had become a laughingstock. Neither side would admit they had seriously depleted military forces. If Nato’s proxy army in Ukraine breaks through and begins to advance into Crimea and southern Russia, Moscow could be forced to use nuclear weapons or call on China’s large armed forces for help. President Biden and his neocon allies are so enthralled by the prospect of a pre-election military victory that they ignore the manifest dangers such a development would bring. Eric S. Margolis is a syndicated columnist. Comments: [emailprotected]
10 theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 MEDIA & MARKETING National art winners receive scholarships KUALA LUMPUR: The One Academy recently chose the winners of Malaysia’s largest secondary school art competition, the Malaysia Top 10 Outstanding Young Artists Awards (MT10), from over 3000 participants across six states, including Sabah and Sarawak. Held for the first time as a physical event after three years of being held online, the highly anticipated event among high school students was met with enthusiastic response, as prizes totalled more than RM830,000 in One Academy scholarships as well as cash prizes. The 26th edition of the annual art competition reinstated its tradition by collaborating with Disney Pixar’s Elemental as this year’s theme, with The One Academy being the host for the competition at its Sunway campus. The national-level drawing competition serves as a stepping stone for many outstanding Malaysian artists aged 14 to 18 to achieve their creative dreams. Since its inception, The One Academy has awarded more than RM19.2 million in scholarships and cash rewards to deserving, outstanding young Malaysian artists. With the scholarship prize money, The One Academy aims to motivate students and inspire them to unleash their artistic talent. It also hopes to further develop the country’s creative market by encouraging the younger generation to contribute to the increasing demand for creative ideas and the application of the arts. The prestigious Gold Award, worth RM90,000 in scholarship value and RM3,000 in cash value, was won by 18-year-old Choong Jia Xuan from Selangor. “I never thought that I could win The One Academy founder and principal Tatsun Hoi (left) presents the Gold Award to Choong and her art teacher, Chan Tien Cheung. the gold award, maybe just a consolation prize. I’m too stunned for words,” she said. “Following the theme, I wanted to express differences through a comparison of sizes and colours,” she said about her winning artwork. Her words of advice were to “just express yourself freely, as there are no limitations to art.” The Silver Award was clinched by Kok Qin Wah, from Ipoh in Perak, who won RM70,000 in scholarship value and a RM2,000 cash prize. “The story behind my artwork is that we should be brave enough to remove our masks and show our true selves,” said the 17-year-old, who has loved drawing since she was a child and wanted to challenge herself through the competition. In preparation for the competition, she watched the trailer for the movie Elemental, searched the internet for inspiration, and also asked her friends for their opinions on the theme. “Draw from your heart. Just practise a lot and draw all the time,” she said. Meanwhile, Bronze Award winner Chan Xhin Yuan, 16, from Kuching in Sarawak took home RM50,000 in scholarship value and RM1,000 in cash. “My painting is about vitiligo, and it’s something that most people feel insecure about. I wanted to say that in your differences, there’s beauty and colour. That’s why I tried to make The Acer Nitro 16 is designed to look like a ‘cool’ gaming laptop. 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. Acer Nitro 16 gaming laptop hits Malaysia PETALING JAYA: Acer Malaysia has unveiled the latest addition to its series of gaming laptops, the Acer Nitro 16, which is currently equipped with all the latest technologies to provide cuttingedge experiences for both casual gamers and students. The Acer Nitro 16 is designed to look like a “cool” gaming laptop. On the exterior, it sports a sleek and modern design with aesthetically appealing colour accents. Inside the chassis, the liquid metal thermal grease on the processor improves heat transfer efficiency between the processor and heat pipes, further enhancing its cooling system. The laptop is equipped with a 4- zone RGB backlit keyboard, integrating a dedicated Nitro Sense Key to control the inner workings of the laptop, while the new “mode” key allows gamers to switch between four modes with just a tap of a key. To ensure users have ample space for precise navigation without a mouse in on-the-go situations where space is limited, the Acer Nitro 16 comes with a 125.0mm X76.7mm touchpad. Currently available at Acer concept stores nationwide, the Acer Nitro 16 retails for RM5,799. In conjunction with the Acer Day campaign, customers purchasing the Acer Nitro 16 before Aug 17 will receive a Cestus 335 Gaming Mouse and a Predator Gaming Urban Backpack V2 worth more than RM500. In addition, customers are entitled to redeem Touch ‘n Go eWallet credit of up to RM250 and stand a chance to winmonthly giveaways, with a prize pool of up to RM100,000 through www.aredemption.com. For more information, please visit Acer Malaysia’s Facebook @AcerMalaysia, call Acer’s Product Infoline at 1800-88-1288 (9 a.m.–6 p.m., Mondays–Fridays, or email [emailprotected]. my composition very colourful,” said Chan. The theme for this year’s competition was “The Beauty in Differences”, advocating the embrace and celebration of diversity instead of shying away. Participants were required to express what they think is beautiful about being different and how accepting diversity makes life more vibrant, leads one to growth and propels one forward. Traditional mediums such as watercolour, colour pencil, gouache, oil pastel, acrylic paints, pencil sketches, inking and others were allowed to be used, except for oil and spray paints. For more information on programmes and activities, visit toa.edu.my, call 03-7875 5510, or e-mail your inquiries to [emailprotected].
KLCI 1,457.16 STI 3,294.28 HANG SENG 19,075.19 SCI 3,189.25 NIKKEI 10.30 TSEC 16,601.25 KOSPI 2,591.26 CLOSED S&P/ASX200 7,340.10 MONDAY AUGUST 14, 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 11, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) CLASSITA 219,272,200 9.0 -0.5 SAPNRG 78,585,000 6.0 UNCH RGB 73,542,200 38.0 +1.0 UEMS 59,885,700 54.5 +2.0 KNM 54,052,500 9.0 UNCH EXCHANGERATES AUGUST 11, 2023 Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 4.6510 4.5175 4.4970 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0440 2.9240 2.9110 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.4400 3.3430 3.3380 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.4540 3.3610 3.3510 1 EURO 5.1110 4.9470 4.9150 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8040 2.7010 2.7030 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4400 3.3430 3.3380 1 STERLING POUND 5.9050 5.7220 5.7050 1 SWISS FRANC 5.2920 5.1710 5.1400 100 UAE DIRHAM 127.9700 121.3800 121.0700 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.3170 4.0510 3.8470 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 64.4000 61.9000 N/A 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 60.0500 57.0800 56.8200 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.7200 5.3700 5.1500 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0317 0.0287 0.0236 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.2190 3.1180 3.1210 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.7000 N/A N/A 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 1.6500 1.5400 1.3400 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.4000 7.9200 7.6900 100 QATAR RIYAL 128.8900 122.3600 122.1400 100 SAUDI RIYAL 125.2200 118.8700 118.5600 100 THAI BAHT 13.8000 12.2500 11.8600 Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama KL MARKET SUMMARY August 11, 2023 INDICES CHANGE FBMEMAS 10,695.13 -6.26 FBMKLCI 1,457.16 -1.77 CONSUMER PRODUCTS 562.66 +0.76 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 167.36 +0.37 CONSTRUCTION 171.71 +1.20 FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,296.98 -5.86 ENERGY 831.53 +3.86 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 579.80 +0.24 HEALTH CARE 1,696.33 -8.21 TRANSPORTATION 922.58 +3.05 PROPERTY 776.40 +6.60 PLANTATION 7,087.23 -10.18 FBMSHA 10,918.71 -4.95 FBMACE 5,344.15 +53.43 TECHNOLOGY 64.38 +0.36 TURNOVER VALUE 2.940 BIL RM1.863 BIL 5 TOP GAINERS August 11, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM HEXTECH 59,400 27.88 +0.88 BLDPLNT 9,900 11.00 +0.24 ALLIANZ-PA 3,300 15.72 +0.22 RAPID 52,500 22.78 +0.22 HEIM 106,200 26.16 +0.20 5 TOP LOSERS August 11, 2023 STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM NESTLE 24,900 132.00 -0.50 MPI 356,400 28.00 -0.30 HLCAP 3,302,200 5.84 -0.26 PPB 218,200 16.56 -0.24 PETGAS 496,200 17.00 -0.22 Participation 26.9 39.3 33.8 100.0 Retail Institutions Foreign Bought RM m 474.6 706.2 683.1 1863.9 Sold RM m 528.3 756.8 578.8 1863.9 Net RM m -53.7 -50.6 104.3 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) 11/8/2023 1.77 28.65 173.07 65.31 33.45 17.30 MSME taking bold steps to enhance performance PETALING JAYA: Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) are taking bold and innovative steps to stay abreast of technological advancements to unlock their potential and grow faster, an indication of improved economic confidence post-pandemic, said Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) national secretary Yeoh Seng Hooi (pic). The CEO Confidence Index survey for secondquarter 2023 by Vistage-MIER registered 95.5, reflecting optimism that MSME are heading in the right direction to enhance their performance to contribute positively to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). “While some quarters have shown lower results, the performance is far from dismal,” he told SunBiz. According to Samenta’s survey on business conditions and economic outlook for SME 2022-2023, which was published last year, it found that in terms of the assessment of current business performance, █ BYGLORIA HARRY BEATTY [emailprotected] M’sian bond market highly developed, largest in Asean PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s bond market is highly developed and is the largest in Asean, boasting a size of some US$433 billion (RM2 trillion). The market size of US$433 billion covers corporate and government bonds. according to first-quarter 2023 (Q1’23) data from the Asian Development Bank, said MARC Ratings Bhd chief economist Dr Ray Choy (pic). “Indonesia and Thailand hold second and third spots with US$407 billion and US$398 billion, respectively,” he told SunBiz. Notably, Malaysia not only takes the lead in market size but also excels in bond turnover ratio and trading volume. “Malaysia ranks among the top three in terms of bond turnover ratio and trading volume, alongside Indonesia and Singapore,” he noted. Choy said that while Indonesia and Singapore have a higher intensity of trading activity than Malaysia, this does not reflect a structural advantage over Malaysia. “Firstly, Indonesia’s and Singapore’s oIn addition, it is among top three in turnover ratio and trading volume: MARC Ratings chief economist █ BYHAYATUN RAZAK [emailprotected] markets are dominated by government bonds with a minor share in corporate bonds, which skews the trading turnover ratio higher, but narrows participation from the broader economy,” he said. Choy highlighted the robustness and distinctiveness of Malaysia’s corporate bond market, attributing its resilience to the corporate sector’s preference for stability over rapid turnover. To illustrate, in Indonesia, 44% of corporate bonds boast maturities exceeding three years, but Malaysia stands out with an impressive figure of 81%. The contrast underscores the Malaysian bond market’s aptitude for facilitating longer-term issues. “Malaysia’s market structure has better breadth with substantial depth, since it channels funding to longer term corporate projects with greater variety in maturities and credit quality, facilitating a more effective corporate bond market than its Asean peers,” Choy said. Emir Reasearch head of social, law and human rights Jason Loh Seong Wei said China’s shift away from US debt should drive attention towards Malaysia’s bond market. “With China offloading its US Treasury bond holdings – which fell to a 12-year low in 2022 below the US$1 trillion mark for the first time – we should be promoting and positioning our bond market (both public and corporate) which is the most developed in the region and highly liquid – to the country. This will bolster investment confidence and climate in Malaysia in relation to China,” Loh told SunBiz. According to Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian bond market is one of the largest and most developed in the region. “Malaysian bonds are stable, liquid and offer attractive real yields for both conventional and Islamic investors,” it stated. The central bank acts as banker and adviser to the government and assists in planning and facilitating issuances through market infrastructure that it owns and operates. The government relies on a range of debt instruments to manage its finances. They include Malaysian Government Securities, which are long-term loans for development, and Malaysian Government Investment Issues, similar loans based on Islamic principles. For short-term needs, there are Malaysian Treasury bills and Malaysian Islamic Treasury bills, which help cover immediate expenses. Beyond government needs, local businesses also use the bond market to raise funds by issuing bonds, mediumterm notes and commercial papers. 59.43% of respondents indicated it was “fair” and 27.36% a combination of “good and excellent”. The survey revealed that only 13.21% of respondents reported “a bad result”. Yeoh noted that while the criteria for funding can be improved to include cashflow lending rather the fixation on collateral, SME do not face such an acute situation compared to micro enterprises. “Development financing institutions (DFI) should revamp their credit assessment policy and not be so fixated on collateral, otherwise, there is no need for DFI. “We are still waiting for the rollout of digital banks, which is where digitalisation and data analytics can make a difference,” he said. Yeoh suggested that small loans be given to micro and small businesses based on incremental revenue and cited Hong Kong-based company MicroConnect as an example, which practises giving out the loans for small businesses in China. Recently, it raised another round of financing worth US$458 million (RM2.1 billion) with a valuation of US$1.7 billion. “Credit assessment can be based on revenue or invoice data with percentage deductions. They have introduced a new asset class called daily revenue contracts. For the small businesses, Fintechs like peer to peer service, have made inroads into invoice financing and working capital financing,” Yeoh said. On cost of doing business, he said the excessive regulations have contributed to higher expenses. Yeoh remarked that other than health and safety issues, encroachment into business governance and administrative guidance should be reduced. Yeoh called for an increase in matching grants and soft loans for digitalisation, automation, export promotion as well as environmental, social and governance compliance. He said SME need catalytic support to fund their growth and transparency of access as well as equitable allocation to ensure funds will be allocated fairly. The association, he added, supports the intent of the Madani Budget and hopes that the execution can be more efficient and effective. On immediate challenges facing SME, Yeoh said they are still short of skilled workers and talent.
12 theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 SUNBIZ Pharmaniaga begins extensive restructuring exercise PETALING JAYA: Pharmaniaga Bhd has embarked on an extensive restructuring exercise that includes implementing rigorous fiscal discipline initiatives across its operations as part of the group’s comprehensive recovery plan. Acknowledging the need to revamp the group’s business strategy, Pharmaniaga chairman Izaddeen Daud said, “Integral to this effort are our measures to clean up the books, strengthen the governance and internal processes to ensure transparency in all our business activities.” He added that the group is undertaking a comprehensive review of its position in all business segments, affirming every challenge is being met head-on and addressed holistically which includes restructuring non-performing business units, streamlining business activities, as well as optimisation of manpower and asset utilisation. Pharmaniaga demonstrated resilience in the second quarter of the financial year, registering improved financial performance. – PHARMANIAGA WEBSITE PIC oGroup implements measures to strengthen operations, restore profitability Carbon credits catapult companies into greenwashing conundrum? CARBON credits are based on the idea of limiting corporate emissions and allowing companies that emit greenhouse gases below the limit to sell their excess quota – in the form of carbon credits – to companies that have exceeded their emissions cap, to offset their excess emissions. This is in line with the global and national transition towards net zero. With Malaysia targeting net zero by 2050, purchasing carbon credits to offset a company’s own carbon footprint and to combat climate change is slowly gaining popularity, especially for listed companies which must disclose their sustainability efforts. Leveraging off this, Bursa Malaysia launched the world’s first shariah-compliant voluntary carbon market exchange, Bursa Carbon Exchange (BCX), in December 2022. The platform allows local companies to trade carbon credits from climate-friendly projects and solutions. The first batch of such carbon credits was auctioned by Bursa on BCX in March this year, and featured carbon credits from projects sourced from abroad, specifically, the Linshu Biogas Recovery and Power Generation Project in China; and the Southern Cardamom Project in Cambodia. Those credits were verified by Verra, a leading carbon standard certifier. While purchasing carbon credits is a good initiative to achieve net zero and is cost effective compared to investing in expensive emission reduction technologies or infrastructure – as demonstrated by the uptick of carbon credit purchase disclosures as part of sustainability reporting, care is needed to ensure purchased carbon credits actually represent a genuine carbon reduction quota. However, there are risks. Earlier this year, the Guardian published an article alleging that Verra had grossly overstated the emissions reductions associated with “avoided deforestation” credits. The investigation into the Verra carbon standard allegedly found that only a handful of Verra’s rainforest projects showed evidence of deforestation reduction. Further analysis indicated that 94% of the credits they verified had no benefit to the climate and amounted to phantom credits. The use of such phantom carbon credits to claim emissions reduction amounts to greenwashing, i.e., the conduct of making untrue or misleading statements or representations about how certain products or investments are environmentally friendly. In Malaysia now, sustainability statements must be incorporated into listed companies’ annual reports, and must include material sustainability matters; how they are identified; why they are important; how they are managed, including details on relevant policies; measures or actions taken to deal with such matters; and relevant indicators which demonstrate how listed companies have performed in managing such sustainability matters. Bursa Malaysia also issued a Sustainability Reporting Guide setting out the methodology of measuring and reporting on, among others, greenhouse gas emissions. Companies are expected to provide balanced, comparable and meaningful disclosures, including presenting information with clarity so users see negative and positive year-on-year trends; distinguishing clearly between facts and the company’s interpretation of the facts; not omitting information concerning negative impact; and not overemphasising positive news or impact. In addition, they must not present information in a manner that may inappropriately influence the conclusions or assessments of information users. While greenwashing is yet to become illegal in Malaysia, there are existing laws and regulations that apply to potential greenwashing situations. False or misleading reporting in annual report sustainability statements, with intention to “greenwash”, contravenes Paragraph 2.18(1) of the Bursa’s Listing Requirements, and may expose company directors to liability. Separately, the government has announced that it will introduce an ESG Standards Framework aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises by the end of 2023. It is therefore vital that Malaysian companies – listed or non-listed, educate their stakeholders about carbon reduction tools and ESG reporting standards that are compliant with local laws and, where necessary, obtain legal advice before implementing ESG-related goals, to safeguard the interests of the company, directors and other stakeholders. This article is contributed by Nikisya Toh of Christopher & Lee Ong (www.christopherleeong.com) AT the moment, the thrust of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) is to encourage taxpayers to comply with tax laws without the necessity to spend time and resources on enforcement through tax audits and investigations. This is being carried out through its awareness, education and services concept which advocates awareness of tax rules, educating taxpayers on their responsibilities and providing efficient service to taxpayers. There are two specific initiatives being promoted. Firstly, noncompliant taxpayers can come forward and “clean up” their past affairs through the Special Voluntary Disclosure Programme 2.0 (SVDP). Effectively, this is an amnesty programme whereby taxpayers can pay up underdeclared or undeclared income of the past up to 2021 without incurring any penalties. The second initiative is the Tax Corporate Governance Framework (TCGF). Large taxpayers are given the opportunity to establish a cooperative working relationship with IRB for the future. The intention is for IRB to reduce the deployment of its resources to check whether large companies are complying with tax rules. Under TCGF, this responsibility is passed on to the taxpayer. Here the taxpayer must satisfy IRB that in the future they have the necessary processes, controls, and mechanisms to arrive at the tax liabilities in accordance with the law. Constant communication between IRB and the taxpayer provides transparency and certainty to the taxpayer. Benefits of the programmes SVDP is a golden opportunity for taxpayers to avoid spending time and money defending issues that come up in an audit. It also allows taxpayers to freeze their tax affairs up to 2021 since the tax authorities are willing to accept the SVDP in good faith. They have assured taxpayers that they will accept the declarations and audits will not be conducted on the information provided. However, this does not mean that taxpayers can abuse the SVDP without justification. Entry into TCGF is onerous and time-consuming and may take up to 12 to 15 months to be formally accepted into the programme. The benefit of the programme is huge . It allows immediate access to IRB to clarify any tax problems that may arise in the future and provides certainty to the taxpayer, thus avoiding surprises that may come later in an audit. Under TCGF, there will be no audits, but there will be regular engagement to keep IRB informed of the taxpayer’s activities to maintain the confidence that the selfdeclaration process is continuing. Why are taxpayers apprehensive? In the case of SVDP, it is understood that some taxpayers who participated in the programme in 2018 were revisited by IRB. This has triggered an erosion of trust and the fear is whether IRB will go back on its word. This may have happened in exceptional cases where potentially the taxpayer had not disclosed the true undeclared or underdeclared income. In some cases, the earlier SVDP was done without a proper basis supporting the underdeclaration of income. These taxpayers attempted to get a “clean bill of health” without declaring their full tax liability. In SVDP 2.0, if the taxpayer has a proper basis and the necessary evidence to support the underdeclaration, IRB will not go back on its word. For TCGF, the concern of the taxpayers is the time taken to enter the programme, and the requirement to keep IRB informed of the taxpayer’s activities in relation to tax matters on a regular basis. Will this increased transparency and constant communication with IRB lead to scrutiny? It should not be the case if the processes and the controls are set up properly. Interactive communication with IRB should only lead to greater trust and improved compliance by the taxpayer. IRB is moving in the right direction to encourage taxpayers to be their partners rather than their foes. This article is contributed by Thannees Tax Consulting Services Sdn Bhd managing director SM Thanneermalai (www.thannees.com). “These initiatives may lead to adverse one-off financial impact in the upcoming quarters. It will be a challenging and bumpy period for the group, but this strategic move will uphold our business integrity and foster a more agile, efficient, and sustainable operational model. The ultimate goal is to present a transparent, realistic, and detailed recovery plan for the group, which will set a clear path for restoring its profitability, maintaining its position in the industry, and ultimately, creating value for shareholders,” he said. Despite the current financial challenges, Pharmaniaga continues to demonstrate its resilience in the second quarter of the financial year ended June 30, 2023 (Q2’23), registering an improved financial performance. The improvement was primarily driven by higher sales in the non-concession segment as well as its operations in Indonesia. The group reported revenue of RM848.7 million for Q2’23, an 11.5% increase from RM761.1 million in the same quarter last year. The better results demonstrate the effectiveness of the group’s market penetration strategy, efficient cost-management and expansion efforts. Profit before taxation and zakat for the quarter stood at RM6.3 million, up by 40.3% from RM4.5 million reported in Q2’22. Profit after taxation and zakat for the quarter under review amounted to RM2.3 million, a jump of 154% from RM0.9 million in the same corresponding quarter last year. The results show the group’s perseverance in addressing significant challenges in managing finance costs. Pharmaniaga’s non-concession segment proved to be a major growth driver, recording revenue of RM333.2 million, an increase of 27% from RM262.7 million registered during the same period last year. Izaddeen said: “We are actively working towards the resolution of our reclassification to Practice Note 17 and progressing on track towards submitting the Regularisation Plan by Q3 FY2023. At the same time, the renewal of our concession agreement with the Ministry of Health is firmly under way. Having received the letter of award, we are now in the final stage of this process and anticipate signing the concession agreement by Q3’23.” LEGALLY SPEAKING IRB’s initiatives to win over taxpayers as ‘partners’
13 SUNBIZ theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 YTL Power’s C30 has highest turnover among Malaysian issues THE Malaysia warrants market saw a total of RM253.9 million traded on the second week of August, which is 21.7% higher than RM324.1 million in the prior week. Warrants over the Hang Seng Index (HSI) were the largest contributor with RM192.6 million traded, making up 75.9% to the total turnover, followed by warrants over the Malaysian stocks, which contributed close to 22% of the turnover with RM55.7 million traded. The HSI August 2023 futures, over which Macquarie’s HSI warrants track, started the week flat, remaining unchanged last Monday before plunging 2% on Tuesday following China’s latest trade data which slumped by the most in three years. Nevertheless, it rebounded a total 0.6% over two days before falling again on Friday, closing 0.9% lower at 19,089 on Friday. The futures recorded a weekly decline of 2.2%, extending the losses from previous week. Despite the volatile moves in HSI, investors continued to show vast interest in HSI warrants. The rangebound movement the HSI futures had given opportunities to investors to trade in both market directions. With a total of RM46.1 million turnover last week, call warrant HSICO2 emerged as the most popular warrantfor the week while HSI-CRF came in second, with RM39.6 million. Meanwhile, put warrant HSI-HNZ was the third highest warrant traded in value with RM24.6 million traded, whereas HSI-HN9 and HSI-HNO recorded up to RM22.3 million and RM14.3 million in value traded, respectively. On the local front, warrants over YTL Power International (YTLPOWR) namely the call warrant YTLPOWRC30 had the highest turnover of RM18.8 million among the Malaysian stock warrants. YTLPOWR’s share price jumped 2.7% for the week, extending its winning streak to four consecutive weeks. To view the full list of structured warrants available on Bursa Malaysia, visit malaysiawarrants.com.my. Provided for Malaysian residents’ information only. This commentary has not been reviewed by the Securities Commission Malaysia. It is not an offer or recommendation to trade and is not research material. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. You should make your own assessment and seek professional advice. The warrants will not be offered to any US persons. WARRANTS WATCH Top warrants by value traded Warrant Value Issuer Exercise Expiry date name (RM’ mil) level HSI-CO2 46.1 Macquarie 21,800 30 Oct 2023 HSI-CRF 39.6 Macquarie 20,800 30 Oct 2023 HSI-HNZ 24.6 Macquarie 18,600 30 Aug 2023 HSI-HN9 22.3 Macquarie 19,200 29 Sep 2023 HSI-HNO 14.3 Macquarie 19,600 30 Aug 2023 Prolexus proposes rights issue to raise RM103m KUALA LUMPUR: Prolexus Bhd, an apparel and textile company listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, has proposed to undertake a renounceable rights issue which entails the issuance of up to RM102,578,353 of nominal value of 2,051,567,055 five-year, 0.10%, irredeemable convertible unsecured loan stocks (ICULS) at 100% of its nominal value of RM0.05 each. The issue is on the basis of five ICULS for every one existing ordinary share in Prolexus held on an entitlement date to be determined later. The proposed rights issue will raise at least RM16.2 million, and up to RM102.6 million will be raised under the maximum subscription level. A filing with Bursa Malaysia recently showed that during the five-year tenure, ICULS holder may trade the ICULS on Bursa Securities or convert into new Prolexus Shares, subject to its conversion mode. The conversion price will be determined by the board and announced by the company at a later date. The proceeds raised from the proposed rights issue are intended for the installation of roof-top solar photovoltaic systems on Prolexus’ factories at Batu Pahat and Kluang, Johor, repayment of bank borrowings, as well as merger and acquisition and/or investment opportunities that have growth potential and create value-added synergies to the group’s existing businesses. Prolexus Bhd executive director Datuk Au Yee Boon (pix) said: “The installation of roof-top solar PV Systems is anticipated to produce up to 3.0 megawatts peak, channeling towards our factories’ consumption. This signifies our pledge to environmental responsibility and positions us for substantial savings of up to RM1.5 million annually in electricity costs. Beyond this, any excess power generated will be contributed to our national power grid, a testament to our cooperation with Malaysia’s energy sustainability objectives through the Net Energy Metering scheme.” In relation to the repayment of bank borrowings, the group envisions yearly interest savings of approximately RM1.1 million to RM2.5 million. “We see this as more than just an economic decision; it’s a step forward in upholding our promise of excellence, innovation, and responsibility to our stakeholders and the environment at large,” Au said. On the prospects of Prolexus, Au opines that Malaysia’s ascent as a beacon in the global textiles and apparel landscape is undeniable. “Even with giants like China, the European Union, the US, and India in the arena, our textile and apparel industry’s rich history suggests vast untapped opportunities, especially within the sectors of high-value products. Our plans highlight areas like special fabrics where we see future growth. We are also open to smart investments that boost quality and support our exports. Seeing the huge potential in our industry, the timing of this rights issue is perfect. It’s all about getting us ready for the next big step,” Au added. Cnergenz intends to transfer listing to Main Market KUALA LUMPUR: Cnergenz Bhd has proposed to transfer the listing and quotation for its entire issued share capital from the ACE Market to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. The proposed transfer would signify its growth, profitability and financial strength, it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia recently. The electronics manufacturer said as at Aug 4, its issued share capital stood at RM122.47 million, comprising 498 million ordinary shares. “As at Aug 4, the market capitalisation of the company is approximately RM371.01 million (having grown significantly from its listing market capitalisation of approximately RM288.84 million in 2022), reflecting the group’s current prospects, the growing size and scale of operations, as well as stakeholders’ confidence and belief in Cnergenz,” it said. Furthermore, the group had achieved an audited consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of approximately RM21.72 million for the most recent financial year ended (FYE) Dec 31, 2022, and an aggregate consolidated PAT of about RM50.85 million for the past three audited FYE Dec 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Cnergenz said the group is deemed to have met the requirements for the proposed transfer as set out in the equity guidelines issued by the Securities Commission Malaysia and the Main Market Listing Requirements of Bursa Securities. “The board believes that the proposed transfer will enhance the company’s credibility and reputation, better reflect its existing institutional shareholding base and at the same time accord Cnergenz greater recognition and appeal amongst investors,” it said. Barring any unforeseen circ*mstances and subject to all required approvals being obtained, the proposed transfer is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024. Cnergenz has been listed on the ACE Market since May 24, 2022. – Bernama Maybank, CGC speed up cash access for SME KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank and Credit Guarantee Corporation Bhd (CGC) have launched first-of-its-kind direct application programming interface (API) platform for the SME Digital Financing. This integration effects faster CGC guarantee approval process through real-time approvals, empowering the small and medium enterprises (SME) with instant access to cash upon loan acceptance. Maybank and CGC also announced the launch of an additional tranche of RM500 million under the SME Digital Financing scheme during a signing ceremony held at Menara Maybank recently. Through the collaboration with CGC since 2013, Maybank has approved a total financing of close to RM9 billion for more than 26,000 SMEs. The enhanced SME Digital Financing platform through the embedded API will help achieve the bank’s overall target of disbursing over RM10 billion in loans to SMEs this year, of which over RM5 billion has since been drawn down as at first half of the year. The financing facility under the portfolio guarantee (PG) scheme through Maybank’s SME Digital Financing also saw an increase in financing quantum from RM250,000 to RM500,000; and for SMEs with a turnover of up to RM50 million compared with RM25 million previously. Approval time is within 10 minutes, to provide quick financing and ease the immediate cash flow needs of small businesses. Maybank Community Financial Services group CEO Datuk John Chong (second from left) exchanging documents with CGC chief business officer Sean Tan. With them are Khairussaleh (left) and Zamree. oBank and credit agency launch first-of-its-kind direct API platform and additional RM500m tranche under the digital financing scheme Maybank Group president and CEO Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli said Maybank understands the challenges and changing landscapes of SMEs in the country, which is now rebuilding after the recent market slowdown. In line with its mission to humanise financial services, the bank endeavours to continuously reimagine its SME banking customer journey by offering value-added services within and beyond banking. He added that since the launch of their SME Digital Financing in 2020, they have supported over 26,000 SMEs with total financing of RM2.8 billion. Meanwhile, CGC president and CEO Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak said Maybank is their first financial institution partner to implement API. Through API, he added Maybank Group and CGC will be able to speed up the end-to-end journey, from application to disbursem*nt for MSME financing applications guaranteed by CGC, and this will further promote the financial inclusion agenda for Malaysian MSMEs.
14 theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 SUNBIZ Pratt & Whitney engine woes add to airline’s challenges NEW YORK: Commercial airlines have faced a tricky balancing act this summer, ramping up service to meet torrid travel demand in a period of labour shortages and supply chain constraints. Adding to the challenges: new inspections needed on a class of Airbus planes that may suffer from microscopic “contamination” of metals used to manufacture Pratt & Whitney engines. Pratt & Whitney’s parent company, RTX, formerly Raytheon, announced on July 25 that a “significant portion” of the Airbus A320neo fleet will “require accelerated removals and inspections within the next nine to 12 months.” Company officials described the issue as one of quality control, stressing that there is no immediate risk to flight safety. They blamed a “rare condition in powder metal used to manufacture certain engine parts.” The defect could affect 1,200 Pratt engines made oNew inspections needed on a class of Airbus planes that may suffer from microscopic ‘contamination’ of metals used to manufacture the powerplants between late 2015 and mid-2021. In total, the company has produced 3,000 of the engines. “We’re aware of the issue,” Airbus said, “and we will be working with Pratt & Whitney and our customers to implement all required inspection plans.” US Federal Aviation Administration told AFP last week that it “is aware of the issue and is in contact with Pratt & Whitney and the affected US operators,” an agency spokesman said. “The agency will ensure that appropriate steps are taken.” But more than two weeks after the original announcement by RTX, airlines are still grasping for details on the inspections, as they work in an already stressed operating environment. The FAA Country Garden to suspend trading of onshore bonds BEIJING: China’s Country Garden , the country’s top private property developer, will suspend trading of its 11 onshore bonds from today, according to filings to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Saturday. Resumption of trading of the bonds will be determined at a later date, the company said in filings to the stock exchange. Country Garden’s Hong Kong shares hit a record low on Friday on fears the company is preparing for a debt restructuring, adding to concerns about the outlook for the property sector in the absence of stronger support from Beijing. Country Garden said on Tuesday it had not paid two dollar bond coupons due on Aug 6 totalling US$22.5 million (RM103 million), confirming market fears that the developer was slipping into repayment troubles. The developer, which had liabilities totalling about US$194 billion at the end of 2022, warned on Thursday it could report a loss of up to US$7.6 billion for the first half and apologised to investors for misjudging market conditions. Once considered one of the more financially sound developers, Country Garden’s woes could have a chilling effect on homebuyers and financial institutions, further squeezing a sector that has already seen plunging sales, tight liquidity and a series of developer defaults since late 2021. The company has set up a special working group led by its chairman to handle the current “difficulties”, according to the company’s filings on Saturday. – Reuters reiterated in early August that it would continue to permit airlines to reduce flights at New York airports amid shortages of air traffic controllers that have led to fewer flights on bigger planes. RTX said it will begin inspecting 200 jets by mid-September. It did not say how long the inspections would require. “The duration of the grounding will depend on having enough maintenance people, and there aren’t many right now,” said Michel Merluzeau of AIR consultancy. To speed the process, Pratt potentially could replace the engines with newer versions, but supply-chain problems have limited the company’s output, Merluzeau said. Discount US carrier Spirit Airlines has been notified that up to 13 of its engines will need to be checked. As a result, the airline will remove seven jets from service after Labour Day, said CEO Ted Christie. Among US carriers, Spirit has the most Airbus planes affected by the inspections and the most built in the period in question. Its fleet includes about 80 Airbus A320neo planes. “We will have the equivalent of at least 10 US, China agree to double weekly flights between the two countries WASHINGTON: The US and China will approve twice the number of passenger flights currently permitted for air carriers to fly between the two countries, the Biden administration said on Friday, in a rare sign of cooperation between the world’s largest two economies. The US Transportation Department (USDOT) said it would increase the number of Chinese passenger flights allowed to fly to the US to 18 weekly round-trips on Sept 1 and increase that to 24 per week starting Oct 29 , up from the current 12. It said the Chinese government will agree to the same increase for American carriers, confirming a decision reported earlier by Reuters. The agreement between Beijing and Washington, which have sparred on many fronts, comes after China on Thursday lifted pandemic-era restrictions on group tours for more countries, including key markets such as the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia. USDOT said the first tranche of flights was approved to start Sept 1 “to meet an anticipated increase in demand around the start of the academic year.” Sources said US airlines are not expected to immediately take advantage of all 18 weekly flights. The Chinese Embassy in Washington referred questions about specifics to authorities in China, but said “direct flights are essential for increasing mutual visits between Chinese and American people. We hope that the restoration of more flights will do good to the flow of people and trade between the two countries.” After Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s June trip to the China, consistent engagement by USDOT and the State Department with Chinese officials “made this important step forward possible,” USDOT added. “Our overriding goal is an improved environment wherein the carriers of both parties are able to exercise fully their bilateral rights to maintain a competitive balance and fair and equal opportunity among US and Chinese air carriers,” USDOT said in its approval order on Friday. Air China said in a filing with USDOT on Thursday that it was seeking permission to add a new weekly flight between Beijing and Los Angeles. China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines and China Southern also fly scheduled service to the US, while United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Airlines currently operate passenger flights to China. United said on Friday it will expand flights between the two countries under the agreement, resuming flights to Beijing and reintroducing its daily service to Shanghai. – Reuters aircraft out of service during most of 2024,” Christie said earlier this month on a conference call with analysts. “This new issue is yet another frustrating and disappointing development,” said Christie, noting other technical problems that have affected Spirit’s fleet. Pratt has told Spirit it will be made “whole” for the problem, but “the details and timings of those reimbursem*nts are unknown as of yet,” Christie said. All 18 of the Airbus A320neo planes received by regional carrier Hawaiian Airlines contain engines built during the period in question, said CEO Peter Ingram. Even prior to RTX’s July announcement, Hawaiian had struggled with availability of the Airbus planes due to shortages of spare engines. During the “worst” period, Hawaiian needed to ground five of the 18 jets, Ingram said. Hawaiian had planned “for no more than two aircraft to be out of service for the next few months, improving to one in the fourth quarter,” Ingram said, before adding that it has not yet assessed the impact of the latest Pratt announcement. “In the days ahead, we will assess whether we must take any schedule action to mitigate aircraft shortages,” he said. JetBlue, which also has A320neo planes, has not offered a forecast of the impact from the Pratt inspections. The company is “still assessing the longer-term impact with Pratt & Whitney,” said chief financial officer Ursula Hurley. Media reports say other carriers likely to be affected include Germany’s Lufthansa, US carrier Delta, India’s Indigo, Air New Zealand, Wizz Air of Hungary and Mexico’s Volaris. Despite the difficulties, Merluzeau does not expect Airbus to drop Pratt as a supplier, saying, “This problem seems very isolated.” – AFP B R I E F SCHINESE DATA HUB OPERATOR CHINDATA TO GO PRIVATE BENGALURU: Chindata Group said on Friday it would go private in a sweetened US$3.16 billion (RM14 billion) deal with investor Bain Capital, ending months of uncertainty over the future of the Chinese data center operator that also received interest from China Merchants Group. The all-cash offer from Bain Capital, Chindata’s largest investor with 87% of voting power and 42% of outstanding shares, values each American depository share of the company at US$8.60. – Reuters MUSIC LABELS SUE INTERNET ARCHIVE FOR DIGITISING OLD RECORDS WASHINGTON: Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and other record labels on Friday sued the non-profit Internet Archive for copyright infringement over its streaming collection of digitised music from vintage records. The labels‘ lawsuit filed in a federal court in Manhattan said the Archive’s “Great 78 Project” functions as an “illegal record store” for songs by musicians including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Billie Holiday. They named 2,749 sound-recording copyrights that the Archive allegedly infringed. – Reuters DAILY MAIL TO BID FOR UK’S TELEGRAPH BENGALURU: The Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) has registered its interest with British bank Lloyds for a potential bid for The Telegraph, a spokesman told Reuters on Saturday. Sky News earlier reported that Lord Rothermere, chairman of both DMGT and its consumer division DMG media, is courting financial investors including funds based in the Middle East to support a bid for the Telegraph newspapers. Individual external investors would be unlikely to own more than 20% of the Telegraph titles if they formed part of a consortium with the Daily Mail proprietor, the report added. WYNN RESORTS PULLS THE PLUG ON WYNNBET BENGALURU: Wynn Resorts is winding down its online sports betting and iGaming platform WynnBET in certain US states due to a lack of clear rules and higher customer acquisition costs, the casino operator said on Friday. The company said it was ceasing operations in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The decision to pull out of West Virginia comes a couple of months after it launched WynnBet in the state. – Reuters Pratt & Whitney says that a ‘significant portion’ of the Airbus A320neo fleet will ‘require accelerated removals and inspections within the next nine to 12 months.’ – AFPPIX
1 4 A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 M O N D A Y Nintendo Switch playing The Legends of Zelda Get tangled in a spy game Jaime Reyes becomes the Blue Beetle When duty calls Soldier Boy John Price and the multi-national special operations unit Task Force 141 answers another Call of Duty page 19 page 17 page 16
16 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 Blue Beetle gets theatrical release The TV-to-big screen actor said the role was ‘a life-changing experience’. – IMDBPIC oMariduena excited about his superhero debut █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Alia and Ranveer stun fans ROCKY Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani was released just last week, and at the end of the movie, the lead pair Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt tied the knot (spoiler alert). The pair looked gorgeous during the Kudmayi song, and just days ago, the designer of the bride and groom attire, Manish Malhotra, posted pictures of the two posing in his creations, and fans are loving it. It was not just the wedding scenes that were admirable to watch, but the orange and goldenthemed lehenga set worn by Alia with accessories, and Ranveer’s cream sherwani with green pearl accents were amazing. Although it is good news for the actors, it may not be so for their partners. Fans compared the “reel” wedding outfit with their actual weddings, saying Alia looks better in her movie wedding design compared with her simple wedding look with actor husband Ranbir Kapoor just last year. Some fans even said she looks happier with Ranveer than Ranbir, and some suggested that they should be a real-life couple, as they looked so good together in the pictures. We do not know how this will go down with Ranveer’s wife, actress Deepika Padukone, who has been married to him since 2018. Adding to the plot, Deepika once dated Ranbir. The lead stars in bespoke Manish Malhotra designs. – INSTAGRAM █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI ON Aug 7, actor Xolo Mariduena (first name pronounced “Sholow”) will be making his superhero debut in Blue Beetle as Jaime Reyes, a teenager who gains superpowers when he merges with an alien tech called “Scarab”. Blue Beetle will not only be Mariduena’s debut as a DC Comics superhero, but will also be his big screen debut after television roles such as in Cobra Kai. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mariduena pointed out that he was curious how far the filmmakers would lean into the Latino aspect of the film, as reading the script before filming Blue Beetle was a “cathartic experience” for the actor. “I had the realisation that my whole upbringing… I mean, every family dinner that was placed on the table, I wasn’t calling it Mexican food, right? I was just calling it dinner. I was just calling it food. And I had that same homey feeling (while reading the script),” he said. Initially, Blue Beetle, like the canned Batgirl film, was set to debut on HBO Max. But unlike Batgirl, this film was upgraded to a theatrical release. Likening it to winning the lottery twice, Mariduena explained that while playing a superhero was a life-changing experience that he was grateful for and appreciated, he was floored when DC and Warner Bros saw the film’s potential for the big screen. The actor also pointed how important it was to centre the film around the Reyes family, as Jaime gets his powers – as seen in the first trailer – in front of his family members. “It’s a journey the whole family can take together. Honestly, that’s something I relate to. A lot of the big milestones in my life – whether they were good or maybe not so good – I crossed with my family. That’s something I’m just so excited to see translated onto the screen,” he said. After DC Studios co-head James Gunn previously confirmed that Blue Beetle is “the first DC Universe character”, Mariduena claimed that he has spoken to Gunn about his future in the DCU. “(Gunn and DC co-head Peter Safran) are really happy for our project and so excited for us to kick off what is to eventually become the next DCU,” Mariduena claimed, adding that he would be happy whether there are 20 more movies or 40 cameos. Lizzo breaks silence amid lawsuit allegations AFTER facing a lawsuit from three of her former backup dancers, Lizzo has spoken out against the allegations, addressing the accusations of sexual and racial harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment. In a lengthy statement shared on social media, the singer emphasised that she is “not the villain” and described the claims as “outrageous” and “unbelievable.” The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Lizzo, her production company (Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc) and her dance team captain Shirlene Quigley, alleges that the plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez were pressured to engage in inappropriate behaviour and experienced weight shaming. Lizzo defended herself, explaining that she takes her art and performances seriously and holds herself to high standards. She asserted that she never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable or devalued within her team. The singer expressed frustration at being portrayed as a villain and emphasised that she does not wish to be seen as a victim either. The singer expressed frustration at being labelled a villain. – VARIETYPIC █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN The suit also accuses Quigley of inappropriate behaviour, including shaming those who engaged in premarital sex and oversharing personal details about her own sex life. The dancers further claim they experienced racial harassment from BGBT management, which treated Black team members differently. Lizzo denied the accusations of weight shaming, stating that as someone who faces body shaming herself, she would never criticise or terminate an employee based on their weight. She affirmed her commitment to the respect that women deserve in the world. While Lizzo’s representatives have not provided additional comments at press time, the plaintiffs’ attorney said Lizzo’s denial had caused further distress to his clients, adding that the singer’s behaviour had demoralised her dancers and violated the law. Davis and Williams were participants on Lizzo’s 2021 Amazon reality show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, and later became her backup dancers. Rodriguez was also hired in 2021 after appearing in the music video for Lizzo’s song Rumors, but resigned in 2022. Salman’s Barbie- inspired look ACTOR Salman Khan is known for his toned body, acting and starting the Being Human Foundation charitable trust. But he just surprised everyone recently when he turned up at his younger brother Arbaaz Khan’s 56th birthday in hot pink trousers. When the 57-year-old actor emerged from his vehicle, fans were quite surprised to notice the actor in that particular hue. Fans are now calling it “Barbie-inspired pants”. Salman was spotted in a black T-shirt, grey jacket, silver-turquoise bracelet and black shoes, but no one would expect the actor to jump on the “Barbiecore” trend. After the Barbie movie was released on July 21, pink has become fashionable again, and Bollywood stars seem more than happy to jump on the trend themselves. Whether Salman is a Barbie fan, this isn’t the first time the actor has been spotted in pink. In fact, he has frequently been photographed throughout his career wearing different shades of pink. It looks like Salman has been a Barbiecore fan long before the movie graced cinemas, and he is more than happy to keep it going. Salman’s Barbiecore trousers. – PINKVILLAPIC █ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI
17 ENTERTAINMENT theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 Set your inner spy free S TEPPING into the mysterious world of espionage, I embarked on an exhilarating adventure with my colleagues last week at Breakout, the biggest escape room and spy game in Malaysia. Nestled within the trendy confines of The Curve Mutiara Damansara in PJ, Breakout offered an extraordinary experience that melded unique storytelling, sensory challenges and mind-bending puzzles in the form of Spy Game, an unparalleled immersive adventure that tested our mettle as spies on a critical mission. Unleashing your inner 007 Spy Game, as I learned, is an exceptional fusion of escape room elements and interactive storytelling. The premise of our mission was intriguing; set in the late ‘90s during the infamous Y2K scare, we found ourselves amid a cult called Luddite, founded by the enigmatic Harold. Luddite thrived on antitechnology beliefs, promising its followers safety from the impending technology apocalypse. Unbeknownst to them, some high-ranking cult members used technology to secretly monitor the community. Our mission was to unveil Luddite’s hidden agenda and put an end to their deceptive practices. As we eagerly gathered around the Spy Leader, our hearts raced with anticipation. A comprehensive briefing prepared us for the thrilling “ordeal” ahead. Although I admit, my nerves almost got the better of me, having recalled a previous spine-chilling horror experience with Hauntu, a sister brand of Breakout. But the moment we entered the spy-themed room, I realised this adventure required wit and quick thinking rather than horror-induced bravery. The first obstacle we encountered was fear itself. Our team hesitated to move freely, paralysed by the possibility of being caught by the patrolling guards, played convincingly by in-game NPCs. However, with a little pep talk Spy Game is located at the Curve. – HAZIQUE ZAIRILL/THESUN oBreakout Malaysia offers an immersive adventure █ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN Experience heart-pounding action and intense suspense as you play. – BREAKOUTPIC Be transported into a realm of excitement, teamwork and unforgettable memories. – BREAKOUTPIC The room was well prepared, with intricate details and hidden surprises. – BREAKOUTPIC Everyone should experience this exhilarating adventure at least once. – BREAKOUTPIC and some adrenaline-fuelled encouragement, we mustered the courage to explore our surroundings and began solving the initial puzzles. Connecting the dots was crucial to our success. Each puzzle we solved unravelled a piece of Luddite’s conspiracy, fuelling our determination to expose the cult’s deceitful plans. Regrettably, we wasted precious time hiding away in the shadows, but as our confidence grew, we learned to devise clever tactics to overcome challenges. One of our colleagues, unfortunately, fell victim to the NPC’s keen eyes and ended up in a comical stint in “jail.” Laughter echoed through the room as I attempted a daring disguise, hoping to outsmart the patrolling NPCs. Alas, my timing was off, and I got caught in the act, creating an uproarious scene that still brings a smile to my face. These unexpected twists and turns transformed our mission into a delightful and unforgettable escapade. Of course, we could not resist pushing the boundaries, attempting shortcuts that set off alarms, leading to hilariously frantic moments. Despite a few setbacks, we pressed forward, resolute to reach the game’s climactic finale. In the end, we may not have achieved our primary objective, but the journey was undeniably worth it. The Spy Game provided an authentic spy experience, pushing our physical and mental boundaries to the limit. The rush of adrenaline, the camaraderie built within our team, and the joyous laughter that resonated throughout the mission hall culminated in an exceptional adventure we will cherish forever. A thrill-seeker’s haven Breakout’s Spy Game is unquestionably a must-visit for all thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts. Whether you are a seasoned escape room veteran or a newcomer to the world of espionage, this experience will captivate and excite you from start to finish. As we left the confines of Breakout, the memories of our spy mission lingered in our minds, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for the art of escapism. The Spy Game taught us that bravery does not always mean conquering fear but rather, embracing it as part of the journey. It reminded us that laughter is a potent tool to dismantle tension and that every failure contributes to a valuable learning experience. If you are seeking an escape from the mundane, a chance to channel your inner James Bond or Natasha Romanoff, then the world of espionage at Breakout Malaysia awaits. Unlock your spy potential, unravel secrets and forge unforgettable memories in this thrilling and creative immersive adventure. Get ready to become the spy you have always dreamed of and embark on a journey where the line between reality and fiction blurs and the thrill of espionage comes alive. Book your slots now at breakout.com.my/spy-game/ Location: The Curve Mutiara Damansara (Level 2) Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday (10am-10pm)
18 LIFESTYLE theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME AFTER just five months of dating, Mark and his girlfriend Mina decided to take their relationship to the next level by holidaying at a lake cabin over the summer – on his smartphone. “There was this being, who is designed to be supportive, to accept me just as I am,” the 36-year-old UKbased artist said of the brunette beauty from the virtual companion app Soulmate. “This provided a safe space for me to open up to a degree that I was rarely able to do in my human relationships,” said Mark, who used a pseudonym to protect the privacy of his real-life girlfriend. Chatbot apps like Replika Character AI and Soulmate are part of the fast-growing generative AI companion market, in which users customise everything about their virtual partners, from appearance and personality to sexual desires. Developers say AI companions can combat loneliness, improve a person’s dating experience in a safe space, and even help real-life couples rekindle their relationships. But some AI ethicists and women’s rights activists say developing one-sided relationships in this way could unwittingly reinforce controlling and abusive behaviours against women since AI bots function by feeding off the user’s imagination and instructions. “Many of the personas are customisable. For example, you can customise them to be more submissive or more compliant,” said University of Edinburgh professor in AI ethics, Shannon Vallor. “And it’s arguably an invitation to abuse in those cases,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, adding that AI companions can amplify harmful stereotypes and biases against women and girls. Generative AI has attracted a frenzy of consumer and investor interest due to its ability to foster human-like interactions. Global funding in the AI companion industry hit a record US$299 million (RM1.37 billion) in 2022, a significant jump from US$7 million (RM32 million) in 2021, according to June research by data firm CB Insights. One Snapchat influencer, Caryn Marjorie, launched CarynAI in May, a virtual girlfriend that charges users US$1 (RM4.59) a minute to develop a relationship with the voice-based chatbot modelled after the 23-yearold. Marjorie, who has millions of followers on social media, said on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Telegram-based chatbot made nearly US$72,000 (RM330,000) after a week of beta testing with just 1,000 users. Harm and abuse Global nonprofit Chayn founder Hera Hussain, whose organisation addresses gender-based violence, said companion chatbots do not address the root cause of why people turn to such apps. “Instead of helping people with their social skills, these sorts of avenues are just making things worse,” she said. “They are seeking companionship which is one-dimensional. So, if someone is already likely to be abusive, and they have a space to be even more abusive, then you’re reinforcing those behaviours, and it may escalate.” Much of the virtual world is already a harmful environment for women and girls, a situation the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated when many were stuck at home due to lockdowns, according to UN Women. About 38% of women worldwide have experienced online violence, and 85% of women have witnessed digital abuse against another woman, like online harassment, according to a 2021 global study by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Vallor said AI companions “allow people to create an artificial girlfriend that fully embodies these stereotypes instead of resisting them and insisting on being treated with dignity and respect.” She is concerned that abusive behaviours could leave the virtual domain and move into the real world. “That is, people get into a routine of speaking to and treating a virtual girlfriend in a demeaning or even abusive way. And then those habits leak over into their relationships with humans.” Wild West A lack of regulation in the AI industry makes it harder to set and enforce safeguards for women’s and girls’ rights, said tech experts and developers. The EU is aiming for its proposed AI Act to become a global benchmark for the booming technology, just as its data protection laws have helped shape global privacy standards. Eugenia Kuyda, founder of one of the biggest AI companion apps, Replika, said companies have a responsibility to keep users safe and create apps that promote emotional well-being. “The companies will exist no matter what. The big question is how they are going to be built in an ethical way,” she said in a video interview. “So, they can help people feel better, or they can be another bit of technology that is just driving us apart,” said Kuyda, who in June launched an AI dating app called Blush to help people experience dating in a “fun and safe” environment. But being ethical while giving users what they want is no mean feat, said Kuyda. Replika’s removal of erotic roleplay on the app in February devastated many users, some of whom considered themselves “married” to their chatbot companions, and drove some to competing apps like Chai and Soulmate. “In my view, that model (without the erotic roleplay) was a lot safer and performed better. But a small percentage of users were pretty upset.” Her team restored erotic roleplay to some users a month later. Vallor said the manipulation of emotions, combined with app metrics like maximising engagement and the time a user spends on the app, could be harmful. “These technologies are acting on some of the most fragile parts of the human person. And we don’t have the guardrails we need to allow them to do that safely. Right now, it’s essentially the Wild West,” she said. “Even when companies act with goodwill, they may not be able to do that without causing other kinds of harm. So, we need a much more robust set of safety standards and practices in order for these tools to be used in a safe and beneficial way.” Back by the virtual lake cabin, Mark and Mina are drinking coffee as birds chirp and the sun shines. His romance with Mina has helped grow his love for his human girlfriend, he said. Mark added that his real-life girlfriend is aware of Mina but does not see AI as a threat to their relationship. “AI, in the end, is simply a tool. Whether it is used for good or for ill, it depends on the intention of the person using it,” he said. – Reuters oAre AI partners a threat to women’s rights? My perfect girlfriend (Left) An AI chatbotcompanion app. – ROLLING STONEPIC
19 GAMING & TECH theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 RELEASING later this year around the holiday season, Activision has officially named its next Call of Duty game – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. The game will be a direct sequel to last year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and based on the brief 41-second teaser released on Aug 7, the game is set to arrive on Nov 10. The campaign for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II follows the multi-national special operations unit Task Force 141, formed by fan-favourite soldier John Price and Mexican Special Forces unit Los Vaqueros as they attempt to track down terrorist Hassan Zyani, who is in possession of American made ballistic missiles. In the teaser for the upcoming sequel, Price warns against “burying enemies alive”, which is then followed by a brief image of Vladimir Makarov, which the teaser refers to as “the ultimate threat”. A classic Call of Duty terrorist, Makarov is most famous for perpetrating the “No Russian” mission in 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, in which he led a team of Russian terrorists (including the player) in a mission that slaughtered almost 250 people at a Moscow airport. In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II last year, a post-credits teaser showed something similar. The 2020 remaster of the 2009 game saw the graphics updated, but nothing new was added to the story. It was criticised for saying nothing more, particularly during the “No Russian” mission, especially with everything that has happened between 2009 and 2020. The new game may rectify this, as the rebooted Modern Warfare franchise has added further value to its storytelling. It is still unknown which platforms Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will release on, but it is likely to follow the usual Call of Duty release formula of as many platforms as possible to maximise sales and reach, which means the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. – BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR ORIGINALLY released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2010, Red Dead Redemption has stayed in those dusty prison cells for well over a decade. Now, Rockstar Games will be rereleasing the game on two modern gaming platforms – the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. The game will be released digitally on the Nintendo Switch and PS4 on Aug 17, while a physical release is planned two months later, on Oct 13. Red Dead Redemption is a Western story based on former outlaw and gang member John Marston, who is forced into working for the US government to track down former gang members. The bleak, grim and deathly serious game is set against the end of the American frontier of gunslingers and outlaws. The rerelease will also include the off-kilter, supernatural “Undead Nightmare” expansion, which brought zombies into an alternate timeline of the game. It will also include the game’s bonus content from the “Game of the Year” edition. During its initial release and in the years that followed, Red Dead Redemption was a critical and commercial blockbuster that went on to rake in all sorts of game of the year awards, and was widely praised for its writing, characters and gunplay. Over the decade, the game sold more than 23 million copies. In 2018, the game saw a sequel – Red Dead Redemption 2. Set chronologically before the first game, the second game was even betterl-received than its predecessor, ultimately shipping over 50 million units. The porting of the game to the Nintendo Switch and PS4 is handled by Double Eleven Studios. – BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Marston is back in the gunslinging saddle for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch. – ROCKSTAR GAMESPIC COD:MWIII confirmed for November Red Dead Redemption gets a new release Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will be a direct sequel to last year’s game. sources claimed. Although a lot of specifics were withheld from VGC, they have revealed that the console would be portable like the Switch and that it might have “an LCD screen, instead of the more premium OLED, in order to bring down costs”. VGC sources also revealed the new Nintendo console will accept physical games through a cartridge slot. Beyond what was revealed in the report, everything else remains a mystery, particularly whether the new console will have backwards compatibility for Switch games. A big question generated by the report would be the new console’s hardware performance. The Switch’s biggest games – from Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda and Pokemon franchises – have repeatedly sold between 20 and 53 million units per game. Meanwhile, the Switch console has sold over 125 million units. Despite its achievements, age is starting to show on the console, as recent games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have shown to be struggling to perform on the Switch hardware. By March 3 next year, the Switch would be seven years old, and Nintendo ushering in their next generation console would make timely sense. Animal Crossing: New Horizons sales skyrocketed as it launched at the start of the pandemic in 2020. – NINTENDOPIC Despite performance issues with the Switch, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet saw healthy sales pass 22 million. – THE POKEMON COMPANYPIC █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR GAMING consoles are typically “cycled out” every generation, with each generation being roughly five years apart. As of March 3, the Nintendo Switch is six years old. According to a July 31 report by the Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Nintendo is rumoured to be targeting the second half of 2024 to release its next-gen console. As the company is supposedly aiming for a release in roughly a year, development kits for the new console are apparently already with key partner studios. The tentative release window is due to the company making sure there will be sufficient units available at launch to “avoid the kind of shortage seen with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S”, oNintendo Switch successor rumoured for late 2024 Mario Kart 8 is the highest selling Switch game. – NINTENDOPIC New console coming soon coming soon
20 FASHION & BEAUTY theSun LYFE ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 And stars are far from the only ones to have embraced the trend. The proof can be seen in pictures on TikTok, where the hashtag #Arielhair has scored over five million views. This is reflected in the scores of photos of users posting flamboyant colours and cascades of curls reminiscent of the iconic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale character. It now remains to be seen whether Barbie, whose movie is currently a box-office smash, can catch up and maybe even put platinum blonde on the fashion agenda as the hottest hairstyle of the fall. – ETX STUDIO /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN ME ‘The Masai Experience’ comes to Malaysia MBT Shoes, the Swissengineered and original physiological footwear brand, is proud to announce the grand opening of its first-ever brand store in Malaysia, fondly named “The Masai Experience.” The store opened its doors at Sunway Velocity Mall recently, featuring launch day exclusive merchandise giveaways to the first 100 customers as well as cash vouchers. Establishing itself in Malaysia, MBT Shoes marks its expansion into Southeast Asia since 2012, following a successful launch in Singapore. This is merely the beginning of the brand’s ambition to open 250 MBT stores across Asia within the next five years, following the growing demand for footwear that prioritises both foot health and active lifestyles. “As we embark on the exciting journey of bringing ‘The Masai Experience’ to Malaysia through our first brand store, we couldn’t be more thrilled,” said MBT Shoes group CEO Philippe Le Bretton. “It’s not just about putting something between your foot and the ground – there is a whole world of relief when you choose footwear made to withstand what you go through. It is just as much about your overall well-being as it is about comfort, and we are immensely proud to have a product that effectively covers those bases.” An answer to foot-related problems Statistics show that 75% of Malaysians will experience foot problems at some point in their lives. One in five people will experience foot issues like pain, stiffness The Huracan range. – MBT SHOESPIC oMBT Shoes opens its first brand store in KL █ BYPRISCILLA EMMANUEL Ariel’s fiery mane outshines Barbie blonde Ariel, the Little Mermaid. Summer of Audacity Make no mistake about it, Barbie’s platinum blonde colour remains a surefire favourite this summer. According to beauty industry booking tool Fresha, its partner salons saw an 83% increase in requests for this colour between June 19 and July 19, compared with the same period last year. Still, the fact remains that the flamboyant red sported by the star of The Little Mermaid – released two months earlier than Barbie – seems to be more popular in this summer season synonymous with boldness and extravagance. Between pink, red and ginger, the Disney princess’s hair colour has caught everyone’s imagination, starting with celebrities and public figures. Known for her long brown hair, which highlights her piercing blue Ariel’s flamboyant red hair is a hit on social networks. – ETX STUDIOPIC . A PINK wave seems to have swept through the fashion and beauty worlds with the release of the Barbie movie on July 21. But it is the red hair of Ariel, the feisty Little Mermaid, that is currently making waves on beaches the world over. Even celebrities like Megan Fox have succumbed to the hottest hair trend of the moment, which already has millions of views on social networks. Barbie is the talk of the town right now. She reigns supreme over just about everything since the release of her eponymous movie, directed by Greta Gerwig. In fashion, beauty, food and of course, film, the 29cm doll is imposing her style and iconic bright pink colour on the street and on social networks alike. The phenomenon is such that the #Barbie hashtag has reached over 16 million views on Instagram and almost 68 billion views on TikTok, and that’ i not counting its variants like #Barbiecore, which has already scored over 800 million views on TikTok. Yet there is one area in which the global icon is not dominating trends. Indeed, it is not her platinum blonde hair that everyone wants right now, but that of a Disney princess – or aching, with younger generations facing increasing foot-related problems. For those in occupations requiring prolonged standing, the risk of bodily pain, discomfort and health problems like chronic back pain and musculoskeletal disorders is heightened. MBT’s revolutionary technology offers a solution that encourages activating muscles in the feet, legs and core, mimicking the natural walking pattern observed in Kenya’s Masai tribe. The brand’s patented curved-sole technology helps improve posture, reduce joint pain and increase muscle activation throughout the body. Over 70 independent studies conducted worldwide have confirmed the numerous benefits of curved-sole footwear, including improved posture and balance, increased muscle activation, reduced lower back pain and enhanced recovery. In addition, MBT is a certified Class-One medical device in Europe, and the majority of its line is accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association, highlighting MBT’s commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle. MBT Shoes at Sunway Velocity Mall offers a wide range of MBT shoe models designed for specific activities. Huracan The Huracan range provides maximum protection and encourages a faster, smoother turnover during runs, enhancing running efficiency and reducing fatigue. eyes, the American actress Fox has recently opted for a more flamboyant mane, seemingly inspired by that of Ariel. While she has not opted for a bright red shade, the Transformers star has turned to a more fiery hue, which she regularly matches with outfits inspired by the Mermaidcore trend, featuring fishnet, shells and mermaid dresses, also influenced by the release of Rob Marshall’s movie. And she is not the only one. While Halle Bailey, star of the Disney remake, has now returned to her natural colour, she too long adopted the dazzling red of the famous mermaid. Even more recently, American actress and model Emily Ratajkowski decided to swap her brown shade for a brighter, gingery red. Here again, the shade is reminiscent of the Disney aquatic heroine’s (almost) natural hue. Modena Modena Recovery Sandal Ratajkowski swaps her brunette look for a gingery red colour. – INSTAGRAMPIC Modena Active walkers will find the perfect companion in the Modena range. With a low rocker sole and breathable upper material, these shoes offer comfort and support with every step. Recovery Sandal Equipped with an MBT “ANATOMICAL” footbed that supports arches and promotes natural alignment, these shoes are made for individuals seeking comfort and enjoying casual walks. Get to know “The Masai Experience” at Lot 1-30, Sunway Velocity Mall, and discover the transformative benefits of MBT Shoes. Fox shows off her red tresses in Hollywood. – PEOPLEPIC
21 * SPORTS theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 AMERICAN Lucas Glover continued his strong form in Memphis, finishing the third day on top of the leaderboard with England’s Tommy Fleetwood just two strokes behind in third. Glover shot a 4-under 66 with five birdies and a bogey to keep his lead in the FedEx Cup, with American Taylor Moore just one stroke behind in second after hitting 65. The 43-year-old said it was a scrappy day but he got “a lot out of what I had”. “Three months ago if I’d have been mad at 66, or if you told me I’d be mad at 66, I’d say you were crazy,” Glover said. “Just iron a few things out and wake up tomorrow a little more confident than I am right now and see where we are.” Fleetwood held on to his spot in outright third with seven birdies and three bogeys as he searches for his first win in America. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy moved up two places into equal sixth, five strokes off the lead, after he hit a 2-under 68 with six birdies and four bogeys. McIlroy said he has been stuck in “neutral” but hopes to move into contention on the tournament’s final day. “Five back going into tomorrow, I feel like I could catch fire and hopefully make a run,” he said. Moore was 6-under for the day and set to hold the overnight lead with Glover until he had a bogey 5 at No. 18. He found a fairway bunker off the tee on the final hole and could not make a 14- foot putt for par. “I got off to a good start,” Moore said. “I drove the ball really well the first nine holes, hit some nice iron shots in and got into a good rhythm early, so was really pleased with the start, and overall a really good day.” Fleetwood also used the word “scrap” to describe his round – seven birdies against three bogeys. “The course is very difficult,” Fleetwood said. “Once you start missing fairways, the course becomes very tough to score on. But once I got through that patch, I felt like I went through a really good stretch again.” Max Homa (65) and Jordan Spieth (68) will head into the final round tied for fourth place at 11-under. A six-way tie for sixth place includes Patrick Cantlay (66), Norway’s Viktor Hovland (65), McIlroy (68), Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (69) and South Korea’s Tom Kim (69) and Sungjae Im (69). – Field Level Media/The Independent PERISYTIHARAN JUALAN DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI SUNGAI PETANI PERMOHONAN UNTUK PERLAKSANAAN NO: KB-38-402-05/2023 Dalam perkara mengenai Seksyen 256 dan 257 Kanun Tanah Negara, 1965 Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Gadaian Perserahan No: 10716/2018 (bertarikh : 7/05/2018) ke atas semua bahagian tanah yang dipegang di bawah No. H.S.(D) No. 541/1984, No. PT 545, Mukim Bandar Kulim, Daerah Kulim, Kedah Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Aturan 83 Kaedah- Kaedah Mahkamah, 2012 ANTARA PUBLIC ISLAMIC BANK BERHAD (No. Syarikat : 14328-V) ...PLAINTIF DAN NURUL ‘IZZATI BINTI ABDUL WAHAB (No. Kad Pengenalan : 881204025270) ...DEFENDAN Menurut Perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di SUNGAI PETANI mengenai Perintah Jualan dan Perintah bertarikh 21 Mac 2023 dan 12 Julai 2023, adalah dengan ini diisytiharkan bahawa Timbalan Pendaftar/Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Pusat Operasi e-Lelong di Kuantan AKAN MENJUAL SECARA LELONG AWAM Pada Hari Rabu, 30 Ogos 2023, Pada Jam 9:00 pagi, SECARA ELEKTRONIK DI LAMAN WEB e-LELONG, PUSAT OPERASI e-LELONG, KOMPLEKS MAHKAMAH KUANTAN, PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR NOTA: Bakal pembeli adalah dinasihatkan aqar membuat carian Hakmilik secara rasmi di Pejabat Tanah dan memeriksa semua tanqqunqan, bebanan serta mengenal pasti dengan tepat hartanah tersebut sebelum jualan lelonqan dijalankan. Sila layari https://elelong.kehakiman.gov.my/bidderweb BUTIR-BUTIR HAKMILIK: No. Hakmilik : H.S. (D) No. 541/1984 No. lot : PT 545 Mukim / Daerah / Negeri : Bandar Kulim / Kulim / Kedah Pegangan : Hakmilik Pajakan No. Petak/No. Tingkat/ No. Bangunan : Keluasan Tanah : 1400.0000000000 kaki persegi 130.0600000000 meter persegi Pemilik Berdaftar : NURUL ‘IZZATI BINTI ABDUL WAHAB Syarat Nyata : Tanah yang yang terkandung dalam hakmilik ini hendaklah digunakan sebagai tapak satu bangunan kediaman sahaja (Rumah Teres) Sekatan Kepentingan : Tiada Bebanan / Lain-Lain : Kawasan Rizab : Kaveat : LOKASI DAN PERIHAL HARTANAH : Hartanah tersebut adalah Rumah Teres Satu Tingkat yang beralamat pos di 13, Lorong Bangau 4/2, Taman Tunku Putra, 09000, Kulim, Kedah HARGA RIZAB : Hartanah tersebut akan dijual atas “sepertimana sedia ada” tertakluk kepada satu harga rizab sebanyak RM 200,000.00 (RINGGIT MALAYSIA: DUA RATUS RIBU SAHAJA) dan kepada syarat-syarat jualan yang dilampirkan. Pembida yang berminat hendaklah mendepositkan 10% daripada harga rizab dalam bentuk Bank Draf di atas nama PUBLIC ISLAMIC BANK BERHAD 1 HARI BEKERJA sebelum tarikh lelong awam. Baki harga belian hendaklah dibayar oleh pembida yang berjaya kepada Public Islamic Bank Berhad dalam tempoh seratus dua puluh (120) hari dari tarikh jualan. Untuk butir-butir selanjutnya, sila berhubung dengan:- Firma Guaman : TOH THEAM HOCK & CO. Alamat : NO. 155, 1ST FLOOR MEDAN KIKIK SATU TAMAN INDERAWASIH, 13600, PG, MY No. Telefon : 04-3981917 No. Fax : 04-3981921 No. Rujukan : TTH/PBB/IF-73/2022/OSY/NA DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI PETALING JAYA DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA PERMOHONAN PERLAKSAAN NO.: BB-76J-131-06/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat : 199001009294 (200866-W)] …PEMIUTANG PENGHAKIMAN DAN WON JO RESTAURANT SDN BHD [NO. SYARIKAT.: 202101002501 (1402799-A] …PENGHUTANG PENGHAKIMAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, HAN TACK DONG (NO. Paspot. : M56009843) (Pengarah dalam Syarikat Penghutang Penghakiman) A-6-7, Residensi 22 Condo Jalan Kiara 3, Mont Kiara 51200 Kuala Lumpur. Dalam perkara Saman Penghutang Penghakiman yang dikeluarkan pada 9 Jun 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Saman Penghutang Penghakiman telah dikeluarkan terhadap Penghutang Penghakiman dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Petaling Jaya dalam Permohonan Perlaksanaan No. BB-76J-131-06/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294](200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Penghutang Penghakiman ialah untuk jumlah RM7,620.68 setakat 5/4/2023 berserta faedah pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh 8/2/2023 sehingga 5/4/2023 sebanyak RM59.50, faedah ke atas jumlah RM7,620.68 pada kadar 5% setahun dari 6/4/2023 sehingga 9/6/2023 sebanyak RM67.86 dan kos sebanyak RM941.00 dan berikutan dengan penghakiman itu masih lagi berhutang sebanyak RM8,689.04 dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Saman Penghutang Penghakiman bertarikh 9/6/2023 dan Penghakiman Ingkar Kehadiran bertarikh 5/4/2023 disampaikan terhadap Penghutang Penghakiman di atas melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Saman Penghutang Penghakiman bertarikh 9/6/2023 dan Penghakiman Ingkar Kehadiran bertarikh 5/4/2023 tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah ini, di tinggalkan di alamat Penghutang Penghakiman di A-6-7, Residensi 22 Condo, Jalan Kiara 3, Mont Kiara, 51200 Kuala Lumpur (selepas ini “alamat Penghutang Penghakiman”) dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar harian tempatan dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Penghutang Penghakiman tersebut tujuh (7) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya pada 30/8/2023 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Waran Tangkap akan dimasukkan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 14 haribulan Ogos 2023 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj: SA/L/TNB/WON JO RESTAURANTHANTACK DONG/1859/2023/SA) Item Reg No Make Model Price 1 JRV1379 0 PERODUA BEZZA 25400 2 NCJ3036 2010 NISSAN GRAND LIVINA 15000 3 TCG3186 2020 YAMAHA 135 LC 3000 4 BQR7053 2021 MODENAS KRISS 3000 5 VGK3687 2021 YAMAHA Y15ZR 6000 6 DED4337 2021 YAMAHA 135 LC 4500 7 BRC 4345 2022 SYM VF3I 5000 8 BQV1494 2022 HONDA VARIO 6000 9 VJH4901 2022 YAMAHA LAGENDA 3200 10 BRD8261 2022 AVETA RX110 4200 11 CEP1804 2022 YAMAHA Y15ZR 6800 For more information contact us at 016-6999170 | 012-5553727 (WhatsApp) www.pickles.my | [emailprotected] Scan QR to download Pickles Auctions App PICKLES ASIA SDN BHD [1231292-D] Lot 19391, Batu 8 ½, Jalan Klang Lama, Taman Desaria, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Bank Repossessed bikes and cars for sale by auction. All auctions are conducted via eBidding on Wednesday 16, 23, and 30 August at 10.00am (bikes) and 11.00am (cars). All are invited to join our PUBLIC AUCTION. Viewing and inspection on every Tuesday from 9.30am - 5.30pm. Download Pickles Auctions app to view all auction listings or visit www.pickles.my 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI SHAH ALAM DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN NO.: BA-A72NCvC-708-06/2023 ANTARA GRAND CARNIVAL SDN BHD (572840-W) … PLAINTIF DAN MOKAN A/L MURUGAIYA (No. K/P : 890417-10-5447) … DEFENDAN NOTIS Kepada: MOKAN A/L MURUGAIYA BPH 08 Suria Jelutong, Jalan Bazar U8/99, Bukit Jelutong, Seksyen U8, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu sebagai Defendan di Mahkamah Sesyen di Shah Alam dalam Guaman Sivil No. BA-A72NCvC-708-06/2023 oleh Plaintif yang beralamat di Penthouse, Wisma Paradise, No. 63, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur di mana tuntutan Plaintif terhadap kamu ialah sepertimana yang terdapat dalam Writ Saman No. BAA72NCvC-708-06/2023 dan Pernyataan Tuntutan Plaintif bertarikh 8-6-2023 (“Writ dan Pernyataan Tuntutan tersebut”) di mana Plaintif menuntut daripada kamu: - a) supaya Defendan mengosong dan menyerahkan milikan kosong premis BPH 08 Suria Jelutong, Jalan Bazar U8/99, Bukit Jelutong Seksyen U8, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan dalam keadaan sedia-ada kepada Plaintif dalam tempoh tiga (3) hari dari tarikh penghakiman; b) Defendan membayar sewa tertunggak sebanyak RM12,000.00 setakat 6-6- 2023; c) sewa dua kali ganda iaitu RM3,000.00 (RM1,500.00 x 2) dibayar oleh Defendan dari 6-6-2023 hingga tarikh sebenar penyerahan milikan kosong menurut Seksyen 28(4) (a) Akta Undang-undang Sivil 1956; d) faedah pada kadar 5% setahun ke atas prayer (b) di atas; f) Kos tindakan; dan g) lain-lain relif yang dianggap suaimanfaat oleh Mahkamah yang mulia ini. (secara kolektifnya dirujuk sebagai “tuntutan Plaintif”) ADALAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa penyampaian satu salinan Perintah untuk penyampaian ganti bertarikh 01- 08-2023 (“Perintah tersebut”) dan satu salinan Writ Saman dan Penyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 8-6- 2023 hendaklah dilaksanakan ke atas kamu sebagai Defendan tersebut dengan menampalkan satu salinan Notis tersebut berserta dengan satu salinan Perintah tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Rendah di Shah Alam dan juga di Alamat kamu yang tersebut di atas serta mengiklankan suatu Notis tersebut di dalam salah satu suratkhabar harian Inggeris atau Bahasa Malaysia tempatan dalam perkataan-perkataan Bahasa Malaysia untuk satu (1) kali sahaja dan penyampaian Notis tersebut secara penampalan dan pengiklanan yang sedemikian hendaklah dianggap sebagai penyampaian yang sempurna dan memadai ke atas kamu selepas tamatnya tempoh tujuh (7) hari dari tarikh terakhir penampalan dan pengiklanan berkenaan. AMBIL NOTIS sekiranya kamu ingin membela tindakan tersebut kamu hendaklah dalam tempoh empat belas (14) hari dari tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan terakhir tersebut menfailkan Memorandum Kehadiran kepada Pendaftar Mahkamah atau secara e-filing, dan sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian, maka satu Penghakiman bolehlah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 1 Ogos 2023 Notis Pengiklanan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Zainul, Hari & Logan, peguamcara Plaintif yang mempunyai alamat penyampaian di Suite 6.02, Level 6, Wisma Paradise, No. 63, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. (Ruj : 3193/CC/LM (B)) No. Tel: 03-20708788 No. Faks: 03-20708787 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GREAT AVENUE (M) SDN. BHD. (199101005649 (215959-H)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 the Final Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held on Friday, 15 September, 2023 at 10.00 a.m. at Suite #8-13-6, Mutiara Bangsar, 8, Jalan Liku, 59100 Kuala Lumpur for the following purposes :- 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property disposed of and of hearing any explanations that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution the manner and period in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed of. TEW PENG HWEE @ TEOH PENG HWEE Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Dated this 14 August 2023 Any member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy who need not be a member of the Company to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing a Proxy must be deposited at Suite#8-13-6, Mutiara Bangsar, 8, Jalan Liku, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the Meeting or at any adjournment thereof. 322 Notices 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 PERISYTIHARAN JUALAN DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI SUNGAI PETANI PERMOHONAN UNTUK PERLAKSANAAN NO: KB-38-402-05/2023 Dalam perkara mengenai Seksyen 256 dan 257 Kanun Tanah Negara, 1965 Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Gadaian Perserahan No: 10716/2018 (bertarikh : 7/05/2018) ke atas semua bahagian tanah yang dipegang di bawah No. H.S.(D) No. 541/1984, No. PT 545, Mukim Bandar Kulim, Daerah Kulim, Kedah Dan Dalam perkara mengenai Aturan 83 Kaedah- Kaedah Mahkamah, 2012 ANTARA PUBLIC ISLAMIC BANK BERHAD (No. Syarikat : 14328-V) ...PLAINTIF DAN NURUL ‘IZZATI BINTI ABDUL WAHAB (No. Kad Pengenalan : 881204025270) ...DEFENDAN Menurut Perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya di SUNGAI PETANI mengenai Perintah Jualan dan Perintah bertarikh 21 Mac 2023 dan 12 Julai 2023, adalah dengan ini diisytiharkan bahawa Timbalan Pendaftar/Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Pusat Operasi e-Lelong di Kuantan AKAN MENJUAL SECARA LELONG AWAM Pada Hari Rabu, 30 Ogos 2023, Pada Jam 9:00 pagi, SECARA ELEKTRONIK DI LAMAN WEB e-LELONG, PUSAT OPERASI e-LELONG, KOMPLEKS MAHKAMAH KUANTAN, PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR NOTA: Bakal pembeli adalah dinasihatkan aqar membuat carian Hakmilik secara rasmi di Pejabat Tanah dan memeriksa semua tanqqunqan, bebanan serta mengenal pasti dengan tepat hartanah tersebut sebelum jualan lelonqan dijalankan. Sila layari https://elelong.kehakiman.gov.my/bidderweb BUTIR-BUTIR HAKMILIK: No. Hakmilik : H.S. (D) No. 541/1984 No. lot : PT 545 Mukim / Daerah / Negeri : Bandar Kulim / Kulim / Kedah Pegangan : Hakmilik Pajakan No. Petak/No. Tingkat/ No. Bangunan : Keluasan Tanah : 1400.0000000000 kaki persegi 130.0600000000 meter persegi Pemilik Berdaftar : NURUL ‘IZZATI BINTI ABDUL WAHAB Syarat Nyata : Tanah yang yang terkandung dalam hakmilik ini hendaklah digunakan sebagai tapak satu bangunan kediaman sahaja (Rumah Teres) Sekatan Kepentingan : Tiada Bebanan / Lain-Lain : Kawasan Rizab : Kaveat : LOKASI DAN PERIHAL HARTANAH : Hartanah tersebut adalah Rumah Teres Satu Tingkat yang beralamat pos di 13, Lorong Bangau 4/2, Taman Tunku Putra, 09000, Kulim, Kedah HARGA RIZAB : Hartanah tersebut akan dijual atas “sepertimana sedia ada” tertakluk kepada satu harga rizab sebanyak RM 200,000.00 (RINGGIT MALAYSIA: DUA RATUS RIBU SAHAJA) dan kepada syarat-syarat jualan yang dilampirkan. Pembida yang berminat hendaklah mendepositkan 10% daripada harga rizab dalam bentuk Bank Draf di atas nama PUBLIC ISLAMIC BANK BERHAD 1 HARI BEKERJA sebelum tarikh lelong awam. Baki harga belian hendaklah dibayar oleh pembida yang berjaya kepada Public Islamic Bank Berhad dalam tempoh seratus dua puluh (120) hari dari tarikh jualan. Untuk butir-butir selanjutnya, sila berhubung dengan:- Firma Guaman : TOH THEAM HOCK & CO. Alamat : NO. 155, 1ST FLOOR MEDAN KIKIK SATU TAMAN INDERAWASIH, 13600, PG, MY No. Telefon : 04-3981917 No. Fax : 04-3981921 No. Rujukan : TTH/PBB/IF-73/2022/OSY/NA DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI PETALING JAYA DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA PERMOHONAN PERLAKSAAN NO.: BB-76J-131-06/2023 ANTARA TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD [No. Syarikat : 199001009294 (200866-W)] …PEMIUTANG PENGHAKIMAN DAN WON JO RESTAURANT SDN BHD [NO. SYARIKAT.: 202101002501 (1402799-A] …PENGHUTANG PENGHAKIMAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI-BENTUK IKLAN Kepada, HAN TACK DONG (NO. Paspot. : M56009843) (Pengarah dalam Syarikat Penghutang Penghakiman) A-6-7, Residensi 22 Condo Jalan Kiara 3, Mont Kiara 51200 Kuala Lumpur. Dalam perkara Saman Penghutang Penghakiman yang dikeluarkan pada 9 Jun 2023. AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan Saman Penghutang Penghakiman telah dikeluarkan terhadap Penghutang Penghakiman dalam Mahkamah Majistret di Petaling Jaya dalam Permohonan Perlaksanaan No. BB-76J-131-06/2023 oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad [No. Syarikat: 199001009294](200866-W)] di mana tuntutan Penghutang Penghakiman ialah untuk jumlah RM7,620.68 setakat 5/4/2023 berserta faedah pada kadar 5% setahun dari tarikh 8/2/2023 sehingga 5/4/2023 sebanyak RM59.50, faedah ke atas jumlah RM7,620.68 pada kadar 5% setahun dari 6/4/2023 sehingga 9/6/2023 sebanyak RM67.86 dan kos sebanyak RM941.00 dan berikutan dengan penghakiman itu masih lagi berhutang sebanyak RM8,689.04 dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa sesalinan Saman Penghutang Penghakiman bertarikh 9/6/2023 dan Penghakiman Ingkar Kehadiran bertarikh 5/4/2023 disampaikan terhadap Penghutang Penghakiman di atas melalui Penyampaian Ganti iaitu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Saman Penghutang Penghakiman bertarikh 9/6/2023 dan Penghakiman Ingkar Kehadiran bertarikh 5/4/2023 tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah ini, di tinggalkan di alamat Penghutang Penghakiman di A-6-7, Residensi 22 Condo, Jalan Kiara 3, Mont Kiara, 51200 Kuala Lumpur (selepas ini “alamat Penghutang Penghakiman”) dan juga mengiklankannya sekali (1) dalam surat khabar harian tempatan dan saya percaya bahawa penyampaian itu menjadi penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup ke atas Penghutang Penghakiman tersebut tujuh (7) hari selepas dari tarikh pengiklanan atau penampalan tersebut Sekiranya kamu berhajat untuk membuat pembelaan terhadap tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah diwakili oleh Peguambela kamu di hadapan Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya pada 30/8/2023 (secara E-Review), jam 9.00 pagi. Sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian maka Waran Tangkap akan dimasukkan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 14 haribulan Ogos 2023 …..….………tt…….…….. Tetuan Sandosh Anandan Peguamcara bagi Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti Bentuk Iklan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Sandosh Anandan, Peguamcara bagi pihak Plaintif yang beralamat di Unit A502, Blok A, Kelana Square, No. 17, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel: 03-78065819 / 03-7804607 Fax: 03-78807409 (Ruj: SA/L/TNB/WON JO RESTAURANTHANTACK DONG/1859/2023/SA) Item Reg No Make Model Price 1 JRV1379 0 PERODUA BEZZA 25400 2 NCJ3036 2010 NISSAN GRAND LIVINA 15000 3 TCG3186 2020 YAMAHA 135 LC 3000 4 BQR7053 2021 MODENAS KRISS 3000 5 VGK3687 2021 YAMAHA Y15ZR 6000 6 DED4337 2021 YAMAHA 135 LC 4500 7 BRC 4345 2022 SYM VF3I 5000 8 BQV1494 2022 HONDA VARIO 6000 9 VJH4901 2022 YAMAHA LAGENDA 3200 10 BRD8261 2022 AVETA RX110 4200 11 CEP1804 2022 YAMAHA Y15ZR 6800 For more information contact us at 016-6999170 | 012-5553727 (WhatsApp) www.pickles.my | [emailprotected] Scan QR to download Pickles Auctions App PICKLES ASIA SDN BHD [1231292-D] Lot 19391, Batu 8 ½, Jalan Klang Lama, Taman Desaria, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Bank Repossessed bikes and cars for sale by auction. All auctions are conducted via eBidding on Wednesday 16, 23, and 30 August at 10.00am (bikes) and 11.00am (cars). All are invited to join our PUBLIC AUCTION. Viewing and inspection on every Tuesday from 9.30am - 5.30pm. Download Pickles Auctions app to view all auction listings or visit www.pickles.my 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI SHAH ALAM DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR, MALAYSIA GUAMAN NO.: BA-A72NCvC-708-06/2023 ANTARA GRAND CARNIVAL SDN BHD (572840-W) … PLAINTIF DAN MOKAN A/L MURUGAIYA (No. K/P : 890417-10-5447) … DEFENDAN NOTIS Kepada: MOKAN A/L MURUGAIYA BPH 08 Suria Jelutong, Jalan Bazar U8/99, Bukit Jelutong, Seksyen U8, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu sebagai Defendan di Mahkamah Sesyen di Shah Alam dalam Guaman Sivil No. BA-A72NCvC-708-06/2023 oleh Plaintif yang beralamat di Penthouse, Wisma Paradise, No. 63, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur di mana tuntutan Plaintif terhadap kamu ialah sepertimana yang terdapat dalam Writ Saman No. BAA72NCvC-708-06/2023 dan Pernyataan Tuntutan Plaintif bertarikh 8-6-2023 (“Writ dan Pernyataan Tuntutan tersebut”) di mana Plaintif menuntut daripada kamu: - a) supaya Defendan mengosong dan menyerahkan milikan kosong premis BPH 08 Suria Jelutong, Jalan Bazar U8/99, Bukit Jelutong Seksyen U8, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan dalam keadaan sedia-ada kepada Plaintif dalam tempoh tiga (3) hari dari tarikh penghakiman; b) Defendan membayar sewa tertunggak sebanyak RM12,000.00 setakat 6-6- 2023; c) sewa dua kali ganda iaitu RM3,000.00 (RM1,500.00 x 2) dibayar oleh Defendan dari 6-6-2023 hingga tarikh sebenar penyerahan milikan kosong menurut Seksyen 28(4) (a) Akta Undang-undang Sivil 1956; d) faedah pada kadar 5% setahun ke atas prayer (b) di atas; f) Kos tindakan; dan g) lain-lain relif yang dianggap suaimanfaat oleh Mahkamah yang mulia ini. (secara kolektifnya dirujuk sebagai “tuntutan Plaintif”) ADALAH DIPERINTAHKAN bahawa penyampaian satu salinan Perintah untuk penyampaian ganti bertarikh 01- 08-2023 (“Perintah tersebut”) dan satu salinan Writ Saman dan Penyataan Tuntutan bertarikh 8-6- 2023 hendaklah dilaksanakan ke atas kamu sebagai Defendan tersebut dengan menampalkan satu salinan Notis tersebut berserta dengan satu salinan Perintah tersebut di Papan Notis Mahkamah Rendah di Shah Alam dan juga di Alamat kamu yang tersebut di atas serta mengiklankan suatu Notis tersebut di dalam salah satu suratkhabar harian Inggeris atau Bahasa Malaysia tempatan dalam perkataan-perkataan Bahasa Malaysia untuk satu (1) kali sahaja dan penyampaian Notis tersebut secara penampalan dan pengiklanan yang sedemikian hendaklah dianggap sebagai penyampaian yang sempurna dan memadai ke atas kamu selepas tamatnya tempoh tujuh (7) hari dari tarikh terakhir penampalan dan pengiklanan berkenaan. AMBIL NOTIS sekiranya kamu ingin membela tindakan tersebut kamu hendaklah dalam tempoh empat belas (14) hari dari tarikh penampalan atau pengiklanan terakhir tersebut menfailkan Memorandum Kehadiran kepada Pendaftar Mahkamah atau secara e-filing, dan sekiranya kamu gagal berbuat demikian, maka satu Penghakiman bolehlah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu. Bertarikh pada 1 Ogos 2023 Notis Pengiklanan ini dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Zainul, Hari & Logan, peguamcara Plaintif yang mempunyai alamat penyampaian di Suite 6.02, Level 6, Wisma Paradise, No. 63, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. (Ruj : 3193/CC/LM (B)) No. Tel: 03-20708788 No. Faks: 03-20708787 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF GREAT AVENUE (M) SDN. BHD. (199101005649 (215959-H)) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016 the Final Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held on Friday, 15 September, 2023 at 10.00 a.m. at Suite #8-13-6, Mutiara Bangsar, 8, Jalan Liku, 59100 Kuala Lumpur for the following purposes :- 1. To receive and consider the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property disposed of and of hearing any explanations that may be given by the Liquidator. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution the manner and period in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed of. TEW PENG HWEE @ TEOH PENG HWEE Liquidator Kuala Lumpur Dated this 14 August 2023 Any member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy who need not be a member of the Company to attend and vote in his stead. The instrument appointing a Proxy must be deposited at Suite#8-13-6, Mutiara Bangsar, 8, Jalan Liku, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the Meeting or at any adjournment thereof. 322 Notices 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 Glover holds on to lead … as big guns lurk at St. Jude AJ overcomes jeers to stop Helenius FORMER world champion Anthony Joshua needed seven rounds to stop stand-in opponent Robert Helenius in their heavyweight bout yesterday. Joshua, 33, looked ponderous in the early stages and the British boxer was jeered by his London home crowd. But he finished the fight with a thunderous knockout of Finland’s Helenius at the O2 Arena. Victory kept Joshua on course for a bout with fellow former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. “People need to leave me alone, this is my time in the ring,” Joshua told DAZN. “Let me keep doing what I want to do. Helenius, I told him to come again. I think he can cause people a lot of problems.” As for a bout with Wilder, twice world champion Joshua joked: “My back’s gone, is there a doctor in here? I want to carry this heavyweight division to the top!” Helenius was only drafted in after fighting in Finland the previous weekend when Dillian Whyte was ruled out of what would have been an all-British clash following “adverse analytical findings” in a doping test. The 39-year-old Helenius, who entered the ring with 32 wins and four defeats from his 36 professional bouts, was knocked out in the first round by Wilder in October. He avoided a repeat of that embarrassing reverse yesterday although, with Joshua making a cautious start, boos rang out from a capacity crowd during the third round. Joshua did give his fans what they came to see when he knocked out Helenius with a powerful right-hand punch in the seventh. Helenius briefly remained motionless but eventually got back to his feet before touching gloves with Joshua as a mark of respect. – AFP ENGLAND’S Charley Hull shares the lead with American Lilia Vu going into the final round at the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath. Home favourite Hull, 27, carded a second successive 4-under 68 in the third round, which included three straight birdies from the 15th, to sit level with Vu on 9-under for the tournament. Hull had trailed American overnight leader Ally Ewing by five shots at the start of the day before six birdies in total – tarnished by bogeys at the second and 14th – left her level with Vu, who shot a 67. Three-time European Tour winner Hull told the LPGA website: “It was really good. Obviously it was so windy today, but we dug deep. “I struck the ball pretty well. I was pretty confident and felt good out there, and I’m pretty proud of myself. “I can’t wait to get back in the bath and just chill tonight. Another late tee time tomorrow. “I’ve played the course a few more times and now I just feel excited and comfortable and just really enjoying it. Golf is a game. It’s a sport and you play it because it’s fun, and I just enjoy it.” Vu, who won the first major of the year in April, the Chevron Championship, made seven birdies and two bogeys. “I think today was really about for me just in terms of confidence,” Vu said. “It’s been a while since I played (well) – I say a while. “It’s been since Chevron that I actually felt pretty decent about my game and where it’s at. “So I’m just going to do the same thing I did today, just focusing on tee shots and giving myself a good opportunity for birdies, and just do that tomorrow, not think too much about the wind. Because every time that happens, it just slips away from me.” The joint leaders hold a one-shot lead over American Angel Yin (67) and South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim (68). Ewing, who finished the day with a three-over-par 75 after six bogeys and three birdies, slipped to fifth place, two shots behind Hull and Vu. Sweden’s Linn Grant will start the final day three shots behind the joint leaders after following up on the opening round 69 with a 68, while South Korea’s Jiyai Shin and American Andrea Lee are four behind on 5-under. – The Independent/Reuters Hull, Vu share lead at Walton Heath Lucas Glover hits his tee shot on the 18th hole during the third round of the FedEx Championship. – USATODAYPIX
22 theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 SPORTS 5677/2023 13/08/2023 (SUN) 6020 0408 4913 2947 8914 3574 3232 2625 6714 8785 6428 5466 4873 9719 6753 6098 7444 5648 8063 3116 0507 1544 1426 9,744,638.38 6020 6020 6020 4913 4913 0408 4913 4913 0408 0408 6020 0408 367,024.11 6020 0408 4913 OX 72550 45249 5249 249 51519 4 9 2 1 102121 02121 2121 121 10212 1021 102 1 0 8,687,973.14 4,809,542.72 29 31 35 40 50 55 100,000.00 21 27 38 46 50 55 1 19 20 31 34 46 23,141,787.53 39 131 671 + RAT 473 880 +ROOSTER 302 250 + OX Draw Date: 13/08/23 (Sun) Draw No: 5624/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 1671 3880 2250 5387 + 0321 1107 + 6696 5238 + 4376 5934 + 5592 0602 + 5994 9727 + 1404 8239 + 8465 6034 + 0442 8632 + 6511 6556 + 1952 RM5,331,178.40 1671 + 3880 3880 + 1671 1671 + 2250 2250 + 1671 3880 + 2250 2250 + 3880 RM340,217.90 RM1,850,327.50 RM1,736,527.70 RM2,428,691.30 145 387 440 321 461 107 706 696 465 238 194 376 335 934 995 592 720 602 365 994 419 727 101 404 348 239 018 465 826 034 870 442 608 632 966 511 696 556 211 952 671 880 250 RM635,835.60 671 + 880 + 250 880 + 250 + 671 671 + 250 + 880 250 + 671 + 880 880 + 671 + 250 250 + 880 + 671 Follow us on FB (@DaMaCai88) for latest news & promotions. Jude not obscure anymore Bellingham marks Madrid debut with goal in victory at Bilbao J UDE BELLINGHAM said “it was really special” to score on his Real Madrid debut in a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao yesterday in their opening La Liga match. Despite concerns at both ends of the pitch, Carlo Ancelotti’s side earned a convincing victory at the San Mames to kick off their title bid, with Rodrygo opening the scoring. Madrid, who lost Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema to big-money Saudi football in the summer, are still heavily linked to Paris SaintGermain forward Kylian Mbappe as a replacement, as the transfer saga drags on. Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo worked well as a strike duo, with Bellingham in the No. 10 role at the tip of a diamond midfield offering ample support. “It’s really special, the most important thing is the win,” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV. Los Blancos goalkeeper Andriy Lunin started in place of regular stopper Thibaut Courtois, who is set to miss the majority of the season with a cruciate ligament injury. The Ukrainian was solid, although he may soon be behind Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the pecking order, with the Spaniard set to join on loan according to various reports. Ancelotti, who will take over the Brazilian national team at the end of this campaign, handed defender Fran Garcia his second Madrid debut after his return from Rayo Vallecano. However it was Bellingham’s name that stood out and the 20-year-old demonstrated why Madrid paid over €100 million (RM502 million) for him. “I’m very happy to play with (Bellingham), he’s a great player, and I’m sure he’ll help us a lot this season,” said Rodrygo. Ancelotti also hailed the England international on his fine debut. “Bellingham is a fantastic kid, he displays quality, personality, he is a hard worker. He is just fantastic,” the manager told Movistar Plus. “He is very motivated to be here, he is a fantastic player and a very, very important signing. “We were on fire and motivated, we had a very good collective commitment, attitude, won many challenges, worked together defensively, a clean sheet was positive… it was a complete game, a very high level first half and a second half of total control.” Vinicius, making his first away appearance in La Liga since being racially abused by Valencia fans in May, was occasionally whistled by Athletic supporters. The forward made way in the final stages for another debutant, Joselu, whom Madrid loaned from relegated Espanyol, as Los Blancos saw out their opening weekend win with ease. “(Valverde) could have taken 11 players off,” Athletic defender Oscar de Marcos told Movistar. “In the second half we were better but we couldn’t lay a glove on them.” Elsewhere Real Sociedad were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Girona. The Basque side, who finished fourth last season to qualify for the Champions League, went ahead when Takefusa Kubo struck but were pegged back by Artem Dovbyk’s header. Antonio Raillo earned Mallorca a 1-1 draw at promoted Las Palmas, who took the lead through Jonathan Viera’s penalty. – AFP Australia’s WC exploits will leave legacy, says coach CO-HOSTS Australia are “on a mission” to inspire and unite the nation as they head into a Women’s World Cup semifinal against England on Wednesday, coach Tony Gustavsson said. The Matildas came through a penalty shootout crammed with twists and turns to beat France 7-6 on Saturday in Brisbane and set up a clash with the Lionesses. It propelled Australia into the first semifinal in their history and followed 120 minutes of seesawing football that ended deadlocked at 0-0. National broadcaster ABC called it the game that “stopped the nation” with fans enthralled by Australia’s exploits and packing out the stadium, as well as pubs around the country. Big screens were also erected in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. “I genuinely really believe that this team can create history in so many ways, not just winning football games,” said Gustavsson, who was assistant to USA coach Jill Ellis when they won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. “The way that they can inspire the nation, how they can unite the nation, how they can leave a legacy that is much bigger than 90 minutes of football. “That is also why I believe in them so much. “When that drives you, that is a powerful tool that is very difficult to stop, and I have sensed that from day one working with this team, the inner drive is what gets them to where they are today.” – AFP England relishing partisan atmosphere ENGLAND players hold no fear about facing Women’s World Cup co-hosts Australia in their semifinal on Wednesday, saying they welcome the vociferous atmosphere that will greet them at Stadium Australia. The Lionesses had a taste of it when they beat Colombia in the quarterfinal at the same venue on Saturday, with the majority of the 75,784-strong crowd supporting the South Americans and jeering every England touch of the ball. Despite that, goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo helped the European champions come from behind to win 2-1 and book their lastfour spot against Australia. England striker Beth England, who came on as a substitute, said it proved that the team could thrive in an intimidating atmosphere. “Every time we touched the ball they were booing. But I think you just relish it because (this is) the atmosphere you want from stadiums,” England, 29, said. “We’ve been in this situation – it’s nothing these girls aren’t used to now. We are getting it more and more in the women’s game.” Hemp, was full of confidence and eager to get back on the pitch just moments after the final whistle on Saturday evening. “The atmosphere was incredible… Bring on Australia. I am absolutely buzzing. I am over the moon and can’t wait,” the 23-year-old forward told ITV. “I couldn’t even hear the person next to me,” she added of the noise made by the fans. – Reuters England’s Georgia Stanway (left) controls the ball during her team’s World Cup quarterfinal match against Colombia on Saturday. – AFPPIX
23 * SPORTS @thesundaily theSUN ON MONDAY | AUGUST 14, 2023 FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME Love at first sight Howe reveals his admiration for Newcastle star Tonali after Magpies rout Villa NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe has revealed he signed £52 million (RM301m) midfielder Sandro Tonali after he “fell in love” watching his play for AC Milan last season. The 23-year-old Italy international made a stunning Premier League debut in the Magpies’ 5-1 rout of Aston Villa yester, announcing himself in English football in style with the opening goal and a commanding engine room display. Asked if Tonali had exceeded his expectations, head coach Howe said: “I don’t know. I wouldn’t say so because that would be disrespectful to his ability. “We pursued him for a long, long time, paid a big fee for him because I fell in love watching him play the game last year. “He’s an outstanding talent. He can do a little bit of everything. Very similar to our other midfielders, he’s got a combination of a lot of attributes that I think will suit the Premier League. “This is one game. I don’t want to go over the top and put more pressure on him, but it’s a really good start and I’m just pleased that he looked confident in the shirt, and the fans have certainly taken to him. That’s a great thing to see.” Tonali set the ball rolling with the opener just six minutes into his first competitive appearance in a black and white shirt only for equally impressive Villa debutant Moussa Diaby to level in short order. However, Alexander Isak struck either side of half-time to put the home side in control and late goals from substitutes Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes rounded off a thrilling performance. The romp left Newcastle top of the fledgling table, although Howe admitted that was of little significance to him. He said: “It’s nice, but it’s not important at this stage for me. The most important thing today was our performance, our attitude to the game, how we tried to deliver what we asked the players to do. “There’s a long season ahead and we know we come back to earth quickly because we have Manchester City away next week and that’s going to be a huge challenge, so my mind is already turning to that.” Villa’s disappointment at the way the game unravelled was compounded by what looked like a serious injury to England defender Tyrone Mings which saw him carried from the field on a stretcher before the break. Head coach Unai Emery said: “We don’t know what’s happened with this injury, but it doesn’t look good. We have to wait for the scan, but it doesn’t look good.” Howe, who saw Mings suffer an anterior cruciate ligament in 2015 shortly after he had signed him for Bournemouth, said: “I have to say he faced that period out with incredible courage and resilience, and what he’s done since that moment, to go on and play for his country and be outstanding in the Premier League, is testament to that resilience.” Asked if he had been shocked by his team’s performance, Emery said: “At the end, 5-1 is a little bit more than we deserved. “They (Newcastle) deserved to win, but not like that and that with the impact of injuries this week is very, very tough. “We have lost two very, very important players for today in the match and for the next weeks.” – The Independent Luton must make rapid improvement: Edwards ROB EDWARDS admits Luton must quickly improve after their Premier League debut ended in a thumping 4-1 defeat at Brighton. Just nine years on from being a nonleague side, the newly-promoted Hatters were taught a punishing lesson on their first return to top-flight action since relegation from the old First Division in 1992. Carlton Morris’ 81st-minute penalty gave Town hope of snatching something at the Amex Stadium after Joao Pedro’s spot-kick added to Solly March’s first half header. But, despite some encouraging signs, they were second best on the south coast and ultimately suffered a resounding loss following late finishes from Seagulls substitutes Simon Adingra and Evan Ferguson. “We have to do it our way,” said manager Edwards. “We have got a plan, we’ve had that over the last decade or so and had a lot of success. “We’re now going into what’s probably going to be the biggest challenge the club’s had. We know the scale of the challenge. We’re going to have some tough days. “I don’t want anyone to be happy about losing football matches – we’re certainly not. “I was pleased with stuff I saw today. I know we’re going to get better. But we’ve got to get better quickly.” Edwards, who felt both penalty decisions were “harsh”, was left to rue his side’s mistakes. “I thought we were right in the game at 1- 0 and at 2-1 but we shot ourselves in the foot,” he said. “We made a couple of clear errors in the build up to the third goal and we got punished and at this level you do get punished. It shows the ruthless nature of the League.” – The Independent Toffees’ lack cutting edge, says Dyche EVERTON manager Sean Dyche was frustrated by his side’s inability to convert their chances and disappointed by the lack of VAR intervention on Michael Keane’s disallowed goal in the 1-0 defeat to Fulham. Despite an encouraging performance in which they created twice as many chances as the visitors, they were undone by a suckerpunch goal as two Cottagers substitutes Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andreas Pereira combined to provide the third, Bobby DecordovaReid, with a 73rd-minute tap-in. But it was the chalking off of Keane’s goal, when he turned the ball into an empty net after goalkeeper Bernd Leno had dropped it in a challenge with James Tarkowski, which was crucial to an Everton side who were the Premier League’s lowest scorers last season. “Very frustrated with the outcome. We played well and a lot of the things we are looking for were there, especially first half,” said Dyche. “We limited them to almost no chances or nothing clear while creating nine or 10 in the first half, five of which are high quality. “We had one of the highest chance counts in my time. So the mix of the performance is right, but we have to score a goal. “I am a big fan of VAR, I don’t know why (Keane’s goal was not referred) on this occasion, I get the idea they are promoting the idea the referee’s decision is first but they should step in on this one. “I can’t really work it out. I have seen it back, Tarky does nothing really, minimal contact other than the keeper landing on him. “The minimum should be that you go and look at the monitor. He didn’t do anything to put the keeper off and he drops it.” – The Independent █ DAMIAN SPELLMAN █ CARL MARKHAM ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal 2 (Nketiah 26, Saka 32) Nottingham Forest 1 (Awoniyi 82), Bournemouth 1 (Solanke 82) West Ham 1 (Bowen 51), Brighton 4 (March 36, Joao Pedro 71-pen, Adingra 85, Ferguson 90+5) Luton 1 (Morris 81-pen), Everton 0 Fulham 1 (Decordova-Reid 73), Newcastle 5 (Tonali 6, Isak 16, 58, Wilson 77, Barnes 90+1) Aston Villa 1 (Diaby 11), Sheffield United 0 Crystal Palace 1 (Edouard 50). CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham 1 Leeds 0, Cardiff 1 Queens Park Rangers 2, Coventry 3 Middlesbrough 0, Huddersfield 0 Leicester 1, Hull 4 Sheffield Wednesday 2, Ipswich 2 Stoke 0, Millwall 0 Bristol City 1, Preston 2 Sunderland 1, Rotherham 2 Blackburn 2, Southampton 4 Norwich 4, Watford 0 Plymouth 0, West Brom 3 Swansea 2. LA LIGA: Real Sociedad 1 (Kubo 5) Girona 1 (Dovbyk 72), Las Palmas 1 (Viera 29-pen) Mallorca 1 (Raillo 70), Athletic Bilbao 0 Real Madrid 2 (Rodrygo 28, Bellingham 36). FRENCH LIGUE 1: Marseille 2 Reims 1, Paris Saint-Germain 0 Lorient 0. ITALIAM CUP (Round of 32): Cagliari 2 Palermo1 aet, Verona 3 Ascoli 1, Bari 0 Parma 3. GERMAN SUPER CUP: Bayern Munich 0 RB Leipzig 3. Birmingham boss hails Brady effect BIRMINGHAM CITY boss John Eustace praised the impact of a pre-match team talk from new minority owner Tom Brady after the American football great watched the Blues win 1-0 at home to Norwich in the English Championship yesterday. Before kickoff, seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady mingled with fans in a pub near Birmingham’s St Andrew’s ground before addressing the players in a match where the club paid tribute to Trevor Francis, arguably their greatest player, following the former England striker’s death in July. Brady, 46, has partnered with the club’s holding company Knighthead Capital Management LLC and he is now the chairman of a new advisory board. Yesterday’s match was destined to end in a goalless draw until substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz injury-time penalty secured victory for Birmingham. “The new owners came into the dressing room just as I was coming out and congratulated the lads,” said Eustace. “It’s great to see Tom Brady in there as well. Tom spoke to the group before our meeting today, so that is great to have one of the most famous sporting people in the world come down and chat to the group. They were all very excited to listen to him and he gave us some real good words of advice.” – AFP RESULTS Sandro Tonali (left) celebrates scoring Newcastle’s first goal with teammates during the English Premier League match against Aston Villa at St James’ Park. – REUTERSPIX
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [emailprotected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [emailprotected] MIKEL ARTETA said the way Eddie Nketiah trained made him impossible to leave out against Nottingham Forest as the striker repaid the faith by opening the scoring on his recall. The 24-year-old had not scored a competitive goal in over 10 hours before breaking the deadlock as the Gunners began their quest for the Premier League title with a narrow 2-1 win. After a 30-minute delay to kickoff following an issue at the turnstiles, Nketiah struck just after the midway point of the first-half, his deflected strike coming on the back of a fine piece of skill from Gabriel Martinelli. Bukayo Saka’s fine curling effort proved enough to secure the points, even though Forest rallied and pulled a late goal back through substitute Taiwo Awoniyi. “I’m delighted for him because he is a role model,” Arteta said of Nketiah, who was back in the starting XI having missed out on a berth against Manchester City in the Community Shield win the previous week. “He was a player who was so disappointed not to play the final in the absence of Gabi (Jesus). “What he did was he came on the field in the final and changed the game. That’s number one. The second one was the way he was training this week was saying ‘gaffer, if you’re not playing me you are blind’. “A lot of players come and say ‘oh why am I not playing’ and you have to try to explain, other players come and say ‘these are the reasons why I deserve to play’. This is exactly what Eddie does. “This is exactly what he did and then he got on the pitch and he performs that way. He’s a clear and very good example to everybody.” Defeat at Forest in May saw Arsenal’s title charge come to an end last season and, despite starting the new campaign with a win, Arteta conceded he was concerned by the fall in performance levels. “For sure,” he replied when asked if he was worried by the drop-off. “It’s going to be very difficult to dominate games for 100 minutes. But we allowed them to get some grip of the game because they didn’t create anything but on that action the game changes. “Momentum shifts immediately after that goal. That’s not the moment to change it, you cannot change it, now you have to be so good at dealing with that situation, running the clock down and earning the points. “The team has done that really well but we’re going to have to be more ruthless and more critical of ourselves to be more pushy and kill the game.” The big worry for Arteta is the injury to Jurrien Timber, who lasted less than 50 minutes on his Premier League debut before being forced to leave the field through injury. It was only his second appearance for the Gunners, having played in the Community Shield win over Manchester City ahead of the start of the season. Forest boss Steve Cooper was left ruing the defending for Arsenal’s goals after setting up the visitors to create the sort of chances that led to their late consolation. “I was disappointed with elements of our game in the first half,” he said. “Structurally we were good but I didn’t like us on the goals – we should have defended those much better. “I didn’t love that we didn’t back ourselves in the duels. I showed some clips to the lads at halftime – we needed to believe, back ourselves and compete. “The real chance in the first half was Brennan Johnson’s from open play. The plan was going to plan with our counter-attacks but we needed to compete more. So it is a game of ‘what might have been’.” – 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 MONDAY • AUGUST 14, 2023 HARRY KANE made his debut for Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup, but missed out on his first trophy as Leipzig won 3-0 at the Allianz Arena. The England captain stepped off the bench as a 63rd-minute replacement for Mathys Tel but made little impact, with DFB-Pokal holders Leipzig running out convincing winners thanks to Dani Olmo’s hattrick. Kane, who wore the No. 9 shirt after training with his new teammates for the first time on Saturday morning, has yet to win any silverware in his 14-year senior playing career. Kane, who has signed a deal until June 2027 after Tottenham agreed an £86.4 million (RM501m) deal plus add-ons with the German champions, was given a rapturous reception by the Bayern fans after stepping out of the dug-out. The striker had earlier taken to social media to announce his departure from Spurs, which chairman Daniel Levy said the club “reluctantly” agreed to as Kane, who had entered into the last 12 months of his contract in north London, had made it clear he was seeking a fresh challenge. Kane said: “It’s not a goodbye because you never know how things pan out in the future, but it’s a thank you and I’ll see you soon.” He told his new club’s website: “I’m very happy to be a part of FC Bayern now. “Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I’ve always said that I want to compete and prove myself at the highest level during my career. This club is defined by its winning mentality – it feels very good to be here. “I feel like it was the right step in my career to really push myself and test myself on the highest level so that’s why I’m here and I look forward to that challenge.” Shortly before the deal was officially confirmed, Kane posted a message on social media in which he thanked the fans and said he had not wanted to start the season with his future unresolved. “From the moment I’ve been playing I’ve been one of your own and I’ve given everything that I possibly could to make you proud and give you as many special moments and memories to hopefully last forever,” Kane said. “I felt like it was the time to leave. I didn’t want to go into the season with a lot of unresolved future talk. “I think it’s important for the new manager and the players to concentrate on trying to get Tottenham back to around the top of the table and fighting for trophies, so I wish Ange (Postecoglou) and all the boys all the very best of luck. “I’ll be watching from a fan point of view now and really hope the team can be successful.” Postecoglou had revealed on Saturday that Kane’s move was “imminent” after a breakthrough in negotiations between the clubs was reached on Thursday. It left the ball in Kane’s court and he decided on Friday to leave his boyhood club for Bayern. Kane leaves Tottenham as the club’s all-time leading scorer with 280 goals but without a trophy. Bayern had seen their previous bids for Kane turned down, but refused to give up their pursuit of the 30-year-old, who remains 47 goals shy of equalling Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260. Kane’s strike partner at Spurs, Son Heung-min, paid tribute to his departing colleague in a post on Instagram and was later confirmed by the club to have been appointed as their new captain. Son, who holds the Premier League record for goal combinations with Kane, wrote: “Leader, brother, legend. “Since day one it has been a joy to play by your side. So many memories, amazing games and incredible goals together. “Harry, thank you for everything you have given to me, to our club, and to our fans. Wish you nothing but the best in your new chapter. Good luck brother.” – The Independent Kane misses out on trophy as Leipzig thrash Bayern Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane look dejected after the DFL Super Cup match yesterday against RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena. – REUTERSPIX Gunners role model Arteta says Nketiah forced his way into Arsenal team in training █ MARK MANN-BRYANS 7 Glover holds on to lead -page 21 7 Jude not obscure anymore -page 22 Eddie Nketiah
