INSIDE
TELLING IT AS IT IS
ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2022
No. 7965 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my
Not a trend
█ BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
P polls to political instability
ETALING JAYA: The recent
Malacca state election and the
next one in Johor do not
indicate a trend but are due to
political instability in the country, say
political experts.
Prof James Chin of the Asia Institute
at the University of Tasmania pointed
out that the recent frequency of state
elections cannot be called a “trend” as
they were necessitated mainly due to a
loss of majority by the ruling
government of the state concerned.
“It just so happens that we are going
through a period of political
instability, especially in Peninsular
Malaysia, that is making way for these
state elections to happen,” he told
theSun.
When asked if these occurrences
would bring about an abuse of the
system, Chin said it was quite the
contrary.
“I would argue that it is better to
have separate state and federal
elections throughout the country as
this offers people a choice.
“If elections can be split up, then
people would have a choice on who
gets a say on national issues and state
issues. It cannot be considered as
Focus on graft
o Experts attribute frequent state
abuse, as our laws allow it.”
According to Chin, the costs of
elections is actually less than the
amount Malaysia has lost to
corruption and overpriced
government contracts.
The Election Commission
estimated that last year’s Malacca polls
cost about RM46 million, while the
upcoming Johor state election would
cost some RM96 million.
“The reason people complain about
the cost is because we do not have
‘good’ people leading Parliament.
However, if that changes, then the cost
becomes acceptable because we get
good leaders in return,” he said.
“I believe elections are important as
they help us hold politicians
accountable for the services they owe
the people.”
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya
political analyst Dr Awang Azman
Awang Pawi believes that when
political instability occurs, the best
way forward is to dissolve the state
assembly to get a fresh mandate and
Abolition of
instead of page temperature page
whistleblowers, 3 scans, log book 4
MACC urged SOP lauded
WRECKED ROUTE ... Government
officials checking on the progress of repair
works at the site of a road that collapsed
due to heavy rain recently in Bentong,
Pahang. – BERNAMAPIX
hopefully, resolve the
instability.
“Every state election that
takes place, be it Malacca or
Johor, takes place for a reason.
This ‘trend’ is also expected to
expand to Kedah and Perak if the
general election is not held
earlier,” he said.
Similar to Chin’s views, Awang
Azman added that as long as the
law permits such elections, there
should be no reason for them not
to be held.
However, he said that to stop or
diminish the need for state
elections, an anti-hopping law
should be implemented and
political funding laws should be
created.
“These will ensure that the ruling
government at state level
is a stable one and will
continue to remain so. Turn to
As long as there are no —
such laws, this problem page 3
will continue to exist.”
 2 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Data to help create
senior citizen policy
SHAH ALAM: Statistics showing an
increase in the number of senior citizens
aged 65 and above will help the government
to draft policies to deal with Malaysia’s
aging population.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s
Department (Economy) Datuk Seri
Mustapa Mohamed said according to the
2020 Population and Housing Census, 6.8%
or 2.2 million of the nation’s 32.4 million
population are aged 65 and
above, compared with 5% or 1.4 million in
2010.
“This is an important finding in the
context of the Malaysian Family. We are fast
becoming an aging nation,” he told a media
conference yesterday.
He said it is projected that by 2030, the
number of senior citizens aged 65 and
above will be 10.3% or 4.1 million people.
He added that the issue of an aging
population is a global phenomenon and
this would have an influence on investment
in health, education and housing.
Mustapa said while seniors increased in
numbers, there was a decline in the average
population growth rate in 2020 to 1.7%
compared with 2.1% recorded in the 2010
census.
“The data also shows that the fertility
rate and the number of children are
declining, causing the average household
size to decrease.” – Bernama
Ismail Sabri with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (second from right) at the launch yesterday.
– BERNAMAPIX
Malaysia’s population grows to 32.4 million
SHAH ALAM: Based on the 2020 Population
and Housing Census, Malaysia’s population
stands at 32.4 million, registering a compound
annual growth rate of 1.7% over a 10-year
period.
Malaysians made up 29.8 million or
91.7% of the population while non-citizens
accounted for 2.7 million or 8.3%, said Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob
when launching the Report on Key Findings
of Population and Housing Census 2020
yesterday.
He added 52.3% of the population are
men and 47.7% women, giving a ratio of 110
men to 100 women.
“The census also shows that women
outnumber men in the Federal Territory of
Putrajaya at a ratio of 100 women to 96 men.”
‘S’wak should not focus on
designation change’
oSolve more pressing issues instead of tabling Bill to
replace words ‘chief minister’ with ‘premier’, says analyst
█ BY SURAYA ALI
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: The Sarawak government
should focus on more pressing issues instead of
giving importance to changing the designation
of its head of government to “premier”, an
analyst told theSun.
Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr
Awang Azman Awang Pawi said that after the
big win of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in
the last state election, voters would want an
empowered economic development policy for
Sarawak.
“The need for a minimum wage in the
private sector due to rising prices of goods and
services, is one of the main problems today.”
Awang Azman added that providing
Statistics on ethnic groups reveal that
bumiputras account for 69.4%, followed by
Chinese (23.2%), Indians (6.7%) and others
(0.7%).
In terms of age groups, 6.8% are aged 65
and above, 69.3% are of working age (15 to
64 years) and the balance of 24% are
categorised as young (0 to 14 years).
“Senior citizens or those aged 60 and
above account for 10.4% (3.4 million),
compared with 8% (2.2 million) in 2010.
“The ‘young’ age group registered a drop
from 27.6% in 2010 to 24% in 2020,” he
added.
Ismail Sabri said 9.6 million places of
residence were recorded, with 8.2 million
households having an average size of 3.8
members.
employment opportunities, especially for
graduates who have been jobless for a long
time needs to be given priority.
He was responding to a report that the
Sarawak assembly has scheduled the tabling
of a Bill that seeks to change the formal
designation of the state government’s top
executive from chief minister to premier.
It was reported that the proposed move
would involve an amendment to Article 6(3) of
the Sarawak constitution, which among
others, substitutes the words “chief minister”
with “premier”.
He said the term premier in the Westminster
concept refers to the head of a government.
Awang Azman said that in Australia, the
title premier is used for heads of states.
“Similarly, heads of provincial
He said the 2020 census would be a new
benchmark for the government to formulate
development policies for the people’s
well-being. It would also serve as a
comprehensive input for implementing
existing policies such as the Shared
Prosperity Vision 2030, 12th Malaysia Plan
and Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
He said the Statistics Department had
established strategic cooperation with
ministries, state government agencies and
local authorities, as well as the private sector
and society in general to ensure the integrity
of the census data.
Ismail Sabri urged the people to utilise
data and information for life management to
produce a civilisation with critical and
analytical thinking. – Bernama
governments in Canada are called premiers.”
He pointed out that the word “chief
minister” is translated as “ketua mentri”,
whereas there is no English equivalent for
“mentri besar”.
“The head of the Commonwealth
government and in the Westminster system is
known as prime minister, premier, chief
minister or first minister. This term is
considered confusing when translated into the
national language unless clearly
distinguished.”
Awang Azman suggested it may be possible
to work with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka to get
terms that are more apt.
Another suggestion is for Sarawak to use
the term “mentri perdana” for premier so as
not to confuse the meaning with “prime
minister”, which has long been used for the
head of the federal government.
“If the term premier is translated directly as
prime minister, it would give the impression
that GPS wants to equate the position with the
post of Malaysia’s prime minister,” he said.
79 state reps take
oath of office
KUCHING: Seventy-nine of the 82 newly
elected Sarawak assemblymen took their
oath of office before State Assembly Speaker
Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar at the
State Assembly Building yesterday.
They were led by Chief Minister Tan Sri
Abang Johari Abang Openg, who is Gedong
assemblyman.
Also taking their oath were the three
deputy chief ministers – Datuk Amar
Douglas Uggah Embas (Bukit Saban), Datuk
Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (Bukit Sari)
and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (Batu
Kawah) – followed by other members of the
state’s Cabinet and elected representatives.
The swearing-in ceremony for the other
three assemblymen will be held later.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) led by
Abang Johari won 76 of the 82 seats
contested in the Sarawak state election on
Dec 18, Bernama reported.
The first meeting of the first session of the
19th State Assembly begins today and five
bills are expected to be tabled this week.
Fee exemption for
electric vehicles
PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry, via the
Road Transport Department, will offer full
motor vehicle licence fee exemption for
electric vehicles (EV) and vehicles for
persons with disabilities (PwD).
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka
Siong said EV would receive the exemption
from Jan 1, 2022 to Dec 31, 2025.
“This motor vehicle licence exemption is
only given to full EV vehicles, whether
powered by battery or fuel cells.”
“The exemption is not applicable to
hybrid vehicles with either petrol or diesel-
powered internal combustion engines.”
On motor vehicles owned by PwD, Wee
said the waiver would only be applicable to
motor vehicles that had been specially
modified for their use.
“For vehicles that are not specially
modified, the exemption is only given to
completely knocked-down vehicles and
national cars.
“The vehicles must be registered under a
particular PwD who has a valid PwD card
issued by the Social Welfare Department.”
He said the waiver is also extended to
motor vehicles registered and owned by
parents, guardians or spouses of PwD, on
condition that the PwD are registered with
the welfare department. – Bernama

Wisma Putra
helping 13
M’sians stranded
at Manila airport
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian
embassy in Manila is assisting 13
Malaysians stranded at Manila’s
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
due to the non-recognition of their
Malaysian digital Covid-19
vaccination credentials by the
Philippine authorities.
The Foreign Ministry (Wisma
Putra) is also liaising with the
relevant agencies in the Philippines
to sort out the problem.
“Wisma Putra is liaising with
relevant agencies to facilitate the
process smoothly. The Malaysian
government will continue to uphold
and protect the rights of our fellow
‘Keluarga Malaysia’ (Malaysian
Family),” said the latest tweet from
Wisma Putra on the matter.
Malaysian media has reported
that the 13 were part of a group of 15
people who had travelled from Kuala
Lumpur to Manila on Sunday.
They were refused entry into the
republic and told that the Malaysian
digital vaccine certificate in the
MySejahtera app was not an
acceptable proof of vaccination.
Meanwhile, the affected travellers
told the Malaysian media that their
passports were confiscated and were
told that they would be deported on
Tuesday.
They have to remain at the airport
in the mean time as no hotel facilities
were provided.
It was also reported that the
Malaysian ambassador to the
Philippines had personally met the
stranded passengers at the airport
and was working on an appeal for
vaccination reciprocity, but had yet
to receive a response from the
Philippine authorities. – Bernama
‘Too many polls
waste money’
But unlike Chin, Awang Azman
added that holding too many state
elections may also have a
negative impact, such as
being a waste of From
taxpayer’s money. front
“But keep in mind page
that as a democratic
country, to nurture the
practice of democracy, the total cost
of these elections should not be
made important compared to the
political instabilities,
widespread issue of party-hopping,
the
the threat of a sudden government
overthrow, and the loss of people’s
confidence in the party and our
current leadership.”
Independent political analyst
Khoo Kay Peng said the two main
problems that come with state
elections are costs and time.
“This trend leads to excessive
and endless politicking. It is also
costly and time-consuming to hold
separate elections.”
He added that politicians should
instead focus on policy-making and
governance to build a better nation
and keep our Covid-19 situation
under control.
Soap makers urged to use palm oil as primary ingredient
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian
Palm Oil Board (MPOB) is
encouraging soap makers to use
palm oil as a primary ingredient in
their soap formulations and is
inviting these entrepreneurs to
conduct pre-marketing trials at its
Oleochemical Incubation Centre.
SAY IT WITH
FLOWERS ...
An early
customer
checking out
Valentine’s Day
bouquets at a
shopfront in
Petaling Street,
Kuala Lumpur
yesterday.
– ASYRAF
RASID/THESUN
‘Fight corruption
not whistleblowers’
oGoing after those who try to expose
wrongdoings will dampen public confidence
in MACC, says social activist
█ BY RAJVINDER SINGH
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC) should fight corruption
instead of going after those who
expose wrongdoings, says social
activist Tan Sri Robert Phang.
Phang said going after
whistleblowers may discourage the
public from exposing wrongdoings.
“This will only lead down one
path: more corruption. Suing
someone who has exposed some
wrongdoing is not the right way to
Embassy in close contact with 20 M’sians in Ukraine
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian
embassy in Kyiv is in close contact
with 20 Malaysians, including nine
staff members and their
dependents, in Ukraine.
Wisma Putra said it is closely
monitoring the developments in
and around Ukraine.
It added that the embassy
remains in close contact with
Malaysians, including two students
to ensure their safety and to provide
assistance if required.
It urges Malaysians who are
currently in Ukraine, but have yet to
register to immediately contact and
register with the embassy.
Its director-general Datuk Dr
Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said
the centre, located at MPOB’s head
office in Bandar Baru Bangi, offers a
series of facilities for pre-marketing
trials for the production of various
types of palm-based soaps.
“The service offers a full package
go about it.
“MACC chief commissioner Tan
Sri Azam Baki should not have filed
a defamation suit against anti-graft
activist Lalitha Kunaratnam.
“Instead he should have come
out immediately to explain what
had occurred,” Phang told theSun.
He wondered how the public
could place their faith in the anti-
graft body when its head failed to
satisfactorily explain the share
transaction (issue) but filed a legal
suit instead.
Phang said we need to have our
faith in MACC restored and the only
Malaysians in Ukraine who
require help can call the embassy at
+380 442 855 271/+380 988 387 885
(after working hours) or email
mwkiev@kln.gov.my / are among those which told their
malaysia@embkiev.com.
“This will help the embassy to
extend assistance when people are
in need of it.
“Malaysians in Ukraine are
advised to give utmost attention to
their safety and well-being and
adhere to instructions issued by
local authorities,” Wisma Putra said
in a statement.
More than a dozen countries
have urged their citizens to leave
of formulations, quality testing
facilities and a team of competent
staff and officers to assist the
interested parties to operate the
facilities and to formulate the palm
ingredient into the desired products,”
he said in a statement yesterday.
The agency responsible for the
theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
way to do so is for Azam to go on
garden leave while an independent
body conducts an investigation into
the issue.
He said we also need to go further
by placing MACC under the purview
of Parliament to allow proper
scrutiny of its actions.
Phang, who was a former adviser
to the MACC corruption prevention
panel, said the fight against
corruption is an on-going effort and
we cannot have people in charge of
MACC suing whistleblowers.
He pointed out that the
Whistleblower Protection Act 2010
gives protection to those who
expose wrongdoings. “What is the
use of the Act if the MACC head can
file a defamation suit against a
whistleblower?” he asked.
He also questioned the need for
senior MACC officers – deputy chief
commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad
Ukraine amid warnings from
Western powers that an invasion by
Russia could be imminent.
The US, UK, Japan and Germany
nationals to leave. Singapore, too,
has urged its citizens in Ukraine to
leave the country as soon as
possible.
The island republic’s foreign
ministry said Singaporeans in
Ukraine are advised to leave the
country as soon as possible via
commercial means while it is still
possible to do so.
Russia has amassed an estimated
100,000 troops along Ukraine’s
promotion and development of the
palm oil in Malaysia said palm-based
soaps are developed with ingredients
of natural origin, safe and
environmentally friendly, which suit
the current consumer demand.
However, the addition of active
ingredients provides unique and
3
Khusairi Yahaya, deputy chief
commissioner (Prevention) Datuk
Norazlan Mohd Razali and deputy
chief commissioner (management
and professionalism) Datuk Junipah
Wandi – to express their support for
Azam.
He said instead of going out to
fight graft, these officers seem to
have a lot of time on hand to do
other things.
“We desperately need a change of
mindset in the government; action
must be taken against officers such
as (asking them to) go on garden
leave until it can be proven they are
innocent.
“If the government continues to
turn a blind eye, the public will lose
confidence not only in the
government but also MACC,” he
said.
Azam, who is mired in a proxy
stock trading issue, had explained
that his share trading account had
been used by his younger brother
Nasir Baki to purchase shares in
2015.
The explanation was made after
it was reported that Azam had
significant shareholdings in several
companies.
He denied any wrongdoing and
said the stocks purchased had
subsequently been transferred to
Nasir’s account.
border but denies any intent to
invade.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri
Saifuddin Abdullah had a telephone
conversation with his Russian
counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Feb 8
to discuss areas of potential
cooperation and collaboration at
regional and bilateral levels.
He said they had discussed Joint
Russia-Malaysia Commission for
Economic, Scientific, Technical and
Cultural Cooperation, besides
exploring a possible Asean-Russia
strategic partnership and potential
bilateral cooperation at the United
Nations.
niche functions to the soaps which is
a strategy in product marketing,
MPOB added.
MPOB’s soap pilot plant has a
capacity for 10kg per batch and each
customer usually uses the facilities
for production trials of 1,000 bars of
soap. – Bernama
 FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN
4 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS /thesundaily ME

Study needed before reopening of borders

KUALA LUMPUR: Various factors
need to be carefully studied before
Malaysia’s tourism sector and
international borders can be allowed
to fully reopen without the
implementation of travel bubbles.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and
Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said
thorough study and preparations,
including discussions with the
tourism ministries in other countries,
were among her ministry’s ongoing
efforts.
She said although the government
will not reopen the borders on March
1 as recommended by the National
Recovery Council (NRC), the
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
(Motac) is optimistic that the success
of the Langkawi Domestic Travel
Bubble pilot project could be set as a
benchmark for the sector.
“Based on the success of the travel
bubble project in Langkawi, Motac
has confidence for the country’s
borders to be reopened.
“However, the matter needs to be
further studied as some countries
have yet to allow their people to travel
and this must be taken into
consideration for the tourism sector
to fully reopen,” she said yesterday.
Nancy said the two travel bubble
projects in Langkawi, that began on
Sept 16 (for domestic travellers) and
on Nov 15 (for international
travellers) last year, had recorded
more than 720,000 local and foreign
tourist arrivals, with tourism income
amounting to RM750 million as of
Dec 31.
For the Langkawi International
Travel Bubble project, the number of
foreign tourist arrivals recorded as of
Feb 9 was 4,274, without any cases of
Covid-19 transmission.
On Feb 8, the NRC proposed to the
government to fully reopen the
country’s borders as early as March 1,
without the need for mandatory
quarantine. But Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said it
could not be done as further study
needs to be conducted on several
aspects first. – Bernama

Abolition of temperature
scans, logbooks lauded Total confirmed
cases

oSelf-regulation on people to adhere to standard operating

procedures (SOP) implemented by the
observance of SOP vital authorities.
“The problem is whether people will
as country moves into listen, understand and behave in a safe way
Azmir Khalid, a manager at an indoor
sports facility in Shah Alam, said he would
3,061,550
continue to place two digital thermometers at
the entrance as he had spent more than Totalac�ve New cases
cases
RM100 on each device in the early stage of

155,673 21,315
by keeping a distance, wearing face masks, the pandemic.
endemic phase using hand sanitisers, and avoiding closed
and crowded spaces.”
“It is up to the visitors if they want to check
their temperature. We won’t stop them
Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and because for sports, if they are really unwell, Current recovery
Petty Traders Associations president Datuk they would not come here anyway. No one rate
Total recoveries
█ BY EMILY JESSINTA Yow Boon Choon said traders are pleased wants to play sports when they are sick.” cases
AND MUHAMMAD YUSRY
2,852,437
with the government announcement on the Azmir said he would continue to check the
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Business operators and a

medical expert are on the same page on
further easing of Covid-19 restrictions as the
country moves into the endemic stage.
Restrictions and lockdowns have outlived
their usefulness at this point of time, as most
of the population has received at least two
doses of vaccine, said Galen Centre for
Health and Social Policy chief executive Azrul
Mohd Khalib.
“At the endemic stage of this crisis, we will
live with the coronavirus just like with its
cousins such as influenza,” he told theSun.
He added that the onus would be on the
abolition of temperature checks and logbook
registration to enter business premises.
“This is a good move as 90% of adults in
Malaysia are fully vaccinated and it will boost
our economy as a whole,” Yow said, while also
expressing concern on awareness and self-
regulation when the country moves to the
endemic phase.
“For hawkers, we encourage them to do a
test at least once a week because we are
expecting more crowds once more
restrictions are lifted.”
Two business operators theSun spoke to
also welcomed the decision to do away with
temperature checks when entering public
premises.
risk status on the MySejahtera app of visitors
before they enter his premises.
“I hope that more visitors would come,
93.17%
while complying with the SOP after this Deathtoll Brought-in-Dead
because when the movement control order
was in force, we were the first sector to be
shut down and among the last to reopen.” 32,125 6,493
Fashion boutique manager Siti Aida
Zulkefli said she finds the logbook SOP for
visitors ineffective.
“If customers walks in and writes down PERLIS 129
their names and phone numbers instead of
using the MySejahtera app, I won’t know if
they are vaccinated. This can compromise KEDAH 2,733
the health of other customers inside
my store.”
PENANG 1,656

No differential PERAK 461

treatment for SOP
violators: PM SELANGOR 3,955

SHAH ALAM: The government does not K. LUMPUR 1,010

differentiate between individuals who
commit offences, including those who violate
Covid-19 standard operating procedures PUTRAJAYA 124
(SOP), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail
Sabri Yaakob.
“There is no concept that people in high PAHANG 938
places are not compounded and only
ordinary folk are compounded. Anyone who
violates the SOP will be compounded, MALACCA 666
including the minister of Defence and others,
no matter who they are,” he said after
launching the Report on Key Findings of the N.SEMBILAN 707
Population and Housing Census 2020
yesterday.
He was commenting on the compounds JOHOR 2,800
imposed by the Health Ministry on the
organisers of an MIC Brigade launching KELANTAN 1,330
ceremony as well as several senior
government leaders, including Defence
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin
Hussein for violating Covid-19 SOP at an
TERENGGANU 376
event in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
On calls by DAP leaders for LABUAN 189
Hishammuddin to resign, the prime minister
said there was no need for him to do so.
“Violating the SOP is not a crime, it has SABAH 4,035
nothing to do with crime and the Health
Ministry has issued compounds. If everyone
issued a compound has to resign, I think no SARAWAK 206
one can work,” he said, while acknowledging
that the SOP is an important matter.
“Government officers and many PROGRESS STATISTICS FOR THE NATIONAL
government employees have been COVID-19 IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME
compounded, so do they all have to resign? As of February 13
There is no need. The important thing is that
action was taken, which means that the TAKING IT LIKE A MAN ... Seven-year-old Adam Rayyan Rizqi Mohmad Zalman cooly receives Received second dose
government does not differentiate between
individuals who commit offences.” – Bernama
his Covid shot at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital lobby in Kelantan yesterday.
– BERNAMAPIX
26,257,079 25,732,151

Turning point in going vegan
█ BY EMILY JESSINTA
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Many Gen Z and
Millennials are opting for a meat-free
diet not just for religious, cultural or
spiritual reasons.
Some want to alleviate animal
suffering. There are also those who
strongly believe in sustainability and
wish to reduce the carbon footprint
caused by animal farming.
While their concerns lie with the
environment, they also reap rewards
for themselves in terms of better
health and emotional well-being.
Jaspreet Kaur, 23, (pix) learned
more about animal cruelty and
industrial livestock production after
becoming a vegetarian.
“I stopped eating meat because it
caused intense period pain,” said the
final-year chemical engineering
Iraqi arrested over killing of African woman
█ BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: A 25-year-old
Iraqi man was held on Sunday night
in connection with the murder of an
African woman who was found dead
on a road shoulder in Jalan
Memanda 2 near Ampang Point.
Ampang Jaya police chief ACP
‘SLIPPERY’ HAUL ... Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Ministry Enforcement (Operations) deputy director Shamsul
Nizam Khalil yesterday showing a tanker seized during a crack
down on misappropriation of subsidised diesel.
– BERNAMAPIX
Prosecution to cross-examine ‘hostile’ witness
KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution
in the corruption trial of
Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung
Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri
Zizie Izette Abdul Samad has
applied to cross-examine a key
witness who has been considered a
hostile witness for giving
contradictory statements in a case
involving a Public Mutual Bhd unit
trust investment.
Deputy public prosecutor Law
Chin How said the application to
cross-examine unit trust consultant
Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar, 45, who is
oFrom religious, cultural to health reasons,
final-year student finds watershed moment
after reading about animal cruelty linked to
treatment of farmed animals
student, who has been on a meat-free
diet for a year.
“When the pandemic started, I
practised more plant-based diet.
“One day, I did research on
veganism and I learnt about the
cruelty that was going on in the meat
and cosmetic industries and
surprisingly, the garment industry
too.
“Since that day, I changed my view
on being a vegetarian. Veganism isn’t
just a diet. Nor is it a fancy or luxury
Mohamad Farouk Eshak said the
Iraqi, who has United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees status,
was arrested at Ampang Putra near
Ampang Jaya at 11.20pm.
Mohamad Farouk said a knife,
believed to be the murder weapon,
was also recovered, adding that the
suspect and the 28-year-old victim
worked at an Arab restaurant.
the 25th prosecution witness, was
made in accordance with Section
154 of the Evidence Act 1950.
“There is material discrepancy
between the witness’ testimony in
court and the recording of the
conversation taken by the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission
during investigations,” he said at the
trial before sessions court judge
Rozina Ayob yesterday.
Law said the prosecution had
handed the recording of the witness’
conversation to the defence.
Lawyers Ridha Abdah Subri and
lifestyle. It is a stand we make to stop
cruelty towards animals.”
After opting for a vegan diet,
Jaspreet finds that she is more
energetic and her fitness level also
improved.
“I realised that my energy
conservation is much better. I would
have more energy during the day,
making it easier for me to do my
workouts.”
Jaspreet said vegans would not
lack protein if they follow the right
He said investigations are
ongoing to ascertain what led to a
fight between the suspect and the
victim, before she was killed.
Mohamad Farouk added police
learnt that the African woman had
come to Malaysia with her family
nine years ago.
“We managed to solve the case
within a day with the arrest of the
Datuk K. Kumaraendran,
representing Bung Moktar and Zizie
Izette respectively, confirmed
receiving the recording on Feb 11,
but objected to the prosecution’s
application on the grounds that it
was not made according to
procedures.
Rozina set Feb 24 to hear the
application and advised Norhaili not
to communicate or discuss the case
with any party, including the
defence team, the accused and the
investigating officer.
On May 3, 2019, Bung Moktar
theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
eating methods.
Freelance writer and model
Lakshmi Mohana Krishnan, 25,
follows a plant-based diet but is not
completely a vegan.
However, she is trying her best to
not use animal-based products.
“I don’t eat any animal-based
food. After reading more about
veganism and its impact on the
environment, I decided to become
one. I read about how reducing meat
intake, especially red meat, could
help reduce our carbon footprint.
“Being a vegan has changed my
lifestyle. I am more health and
environmentally conscious,” she said,
adding that going vegan has also
helped her lose weight.
“Veganism changed a lot for me,
not just my diet.
“It makes me more disciplined
and committed,” she said.
Iraqi. The suspect is under a
seven-day remand order,” he said.
Mohamad Farouk added that
initial results of a post-mortem on
the victim’s body at the Kuala
Lumpur Hospital showed that the
woman was positive for Covid-19.
He urged those with information on
the case to come forward to assist in
the probe.
pleaded not guilty to two charges of
accepting bribes amounting to
RM2.2 million and RM262,500 as
inducement to obtain Felcra
approval to invest RM150 million in
Public Mutual unit trust funds.
He also pleaded not guilty to
accepting a RM335,500 cash bribe
from Norhaili through Zizie Izette for
the same reason, at the same place
on June 19, 2015.
Zizie Izette, 44, pleaded not guilty
to three charges of abetting her
husband at the same place, date and
time. – Bernama
5
Man held over
nude videos
threat
KLANG: A 21-year-old man, who
threatened to publicise nude videos
of his teenage girlfriend if she ended
their relationship, was arrested by
police on Saturday.
South Klang police chief ACP Cha
Hoong Fong said the 16-year-old
victim had befriended the suspect
through Instagram while staying at
her grandmother’s house in Telok
Gadong in May last year.
“While they were in a relationship,
the suspect had forced the teenager
to make video calls in the nude,”
Cha said.
The man allegedly also caressed
the girl on six occasions when she
met him.
Cha added the teenager, unable to
bear the man’s behaviour, broke up
with him last Wednesday. However,
the suspect warned her he would
circulate nude photos and videos of
her if she ended their relationship.
The victim lodged a police report
soon after.
Cha said police arrested the
suspect in Jalan Kapar at 10.40pm. He
is being remanded for five days.
The suspect is being investigated
for committing sexual crimes on an
underage girl under provisions of the
Sexual Offences against Children Act
2017.
Fined for
threatening
health officer
LUMUT: A hawker was fined
RM2,500, in default eight months’ jail,
by the Seri Manjung magistrate’s
court yesterday after he pleaded
guilty to threatening a health officer
with a knife last month.
The charge was read out to the
accused Tang Keng Su, 56, before
magistrate A. Hafiizh Abu Bakar.
Tang, who has no criminal record,
was told not to repeat the offence or
he would face a jail sentence of up to
two years.
According to the charge, Tang had
pointed a knife at environmental
health officer Mohd Amin
Aminuddin, 32, to stop him from
carrying out his duties.
The offence was committed at
stalls No. 40 and 42 at the Looking
Good Hawker Centre in Kampung
Koh, Sitiawan at about 9.30pm on
Jan 25. – Bernama
 6 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Flight attendant
uses coffee pot to
subdue passenger
WASHINGTON: An “unruly
passenger” forced an American
Airlines plane to make an
emergency landing in the US city of
Kansas on Sunday after crew and
others onboard subdued the person.
Flight 1775 from Los Angeles to
Washington diverted mid-journey to
Kansas City where it was met by law
enforcement officers.
“An unruly passenger displaying
erratic behaviour was ultimately
subdued by our crew and with the
help of other passengers,” the airline
said in a statement.
The FBI confirmed the incident
and said in a statement that the
passenger had been taken into
custody, with the matter “ongoing”.
A fellow passenger, who said he
saw the incident, told CNN that a
man had tried to get into the cockpit
and open a plane door.
In response, a flight attendant hit
the man over the head with a coffee
pot, according to the witness.
During the pandemic, flight
attendants have reported a surge of
unruly passenger incidents.
Last year, the Federal Aviation
Administration logged 5,981 reports
of unruly passenger behaviour,
including 4,290 mask-related
incidents. – AFP
BRIEFS
FRENCH POLICE KILL
KNIFE-WIELDING MAN
PARIS: French police shot dead a
man who lunged at them
yesterday with a long-blade knife
at a train station in the capital,
sources said. The man attacked
two policemen on patrol at Gare
du Nord station, one of Europe’s
busiest, with a 30cm knife, said
one source. “The police used their
firearms, thus eliminating all
danger, both for themselves and
for travellers,” Interior Minister
Gerald Darmanin tweeted. The
attack occurred at about 7am, he
said. The station is the hub for
Eurostar trains to and from
London and Thalys trains that link
France with Belgium and the
Netherlands, as well as high-speed
trains to the French north. – AFP
NUCLEAR TALKS ‘NOT
AT DEAD END’: IRAN
TEHRAN: Talks to salvage Iran’s
2015 nuclear deal are not at a dead
end but key outstanding issues
require political decisions by the
West, the Iranian Foreign Ministry
said yesterday. Iran has already
taken its political decision by
staying in the deal after the US
abandoned it in 2018, ministry
spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh
said. Indirect talks in Vienna
between Iran and the US resumed
last week after a 10-day break.
“There is no dead end in Vienna.
Negotiations are under way as
before,” Saeed said. “What is going
on today in the talks is a
continuation of important and
critical points.” – Reuters
Gunmen attack high-profile Sri Lanka journalist’s house
COLOMBO: Armed men stormed the
home of a high-profile Sri Lankan
television journalist critical of the
government yesterday, police said,
sparking condemnation by local
media rights groups.
Chamuditha Samarawickrama,
who had criticised the powerful
ruling Rajapaksa family and their
allies in recent broadcasts, including
on YouTube, was shaken but unhurt
after the pre-dawn raid, police said.
Residents taking part
in military training for
civilians conducted
by far-right radical
group Right Sector in
Kyiv on Sunday.
– REUTERSPIX
Ukraine hints at
concessions to Russia
oGerman leader due in Kyiv, then Moscow for talks
KYIV: Ukraine’s ambassador to
Britain yesterday backtracked on
remarks suggesting that his country
would reconsider its attempt to join
Nato as Russia masses a huge force
along their border, but said other
concessions could be on offer.
The Kremlin said that if Ukraine
renounced its aspiration to join the
US-European military alliance, that
would significantly help address
Russia’s concerns.
A day after Washington said
Russia could now invade Ukraine at
any time on a surprise pretext, the
Group of Seven economies (G7)
warned Russia of “massive”
economic consequences if it did so,
and promised Ukraine swift support.
Cambodia ups surveillance with new internet gateway
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is
powering up its new National
Internet Gateway, a move activists
say will allow the government to
further silence the country’s
embattled opposition voices.
Internet gateways are the points
on a network where a country
connects to the worldwide web.
United Nations rights experts
warn the gateway, which will funnel
all web traffic through a
state-controlled entry point from
tomorrow, will have a “devastating”
effect on privacy and free speech.
Critics said it is the latest move by
“They carried weapons to
intimidate the guard and gained
access to the housing compound,” a
police official said, adding that
forensic experts had been called in to
launch an investigation.
“There were at least three armed
men and they travelled in a white
van,” Samarawickrama told AFP.
“I heard shots fired. They smashed
my windows and threw faeces at the
house. It was captured on CCTV.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
flew to Kyiv for talks, to be followed
later today by a meeting with
President Vladimir Putin in Moscow,
but a German official said Berlin did
not expect concrete results.
A senior Russian military officer
was quoted by the news agency
Interfax as saying Russia was ready
to open fire on foreign vessels that
entered its waters illegally, though
such a decision would have to be
approved at the “highest level”.
Moscow denies planning to
invade Ukraine and has accused the
West of hysteria, but has made clear
that it sees Kyiv’s quest for closer ties
with Western countries and Nato as
a threat.
Prime Minister Hun Sen to clamp
down on dissent in a country that
has arrested dozens for online posts
in recent years.
Hip-hop artist Kea Sokun, whose
lyrics about injustice and corruption
have struck a chord with
Cambodia’s disaffected youth, was
among those jailed.
As his music clocked up millions
of views on YouTube, plainclothes
police came knocking in September
2020.
“They kept asking who was
backing me?” Kea Sokun said.
He was arrested and convicted of
“I don’t know who is behind this
attack, but I want to tell them that
they can’t silence me.”
Media rights groups denounced
the attack on Samarawickrama, who
is both liked and loathed for his
confrontationist interviews with
public and business figures on his
programme Truth With Chamuditha.
“This attack underscores the
dangerous environment in which
journalists have been working in Sri
Ukrainian ambassador Vadym
Prystaiko was initially quoted by the
BBC as saying Ukraine might be
“flexible” over this aim, “especially
being threatened like that,
blackmailed by that”.
Later, Prystaiko said he had been
misunderstood on Nato, although
Ukraine was prepared to make other
concessions.
“We are not a member of Nato
right now and to avoid war we are
ready for many concessions and that
is what we are doing in
conversations with the Russians,”
Prystaiko told the BBC.
“It has nothing to do with Nato,
which (membership application) is
enshrined in the constitution.”
incitement, spending a year behind
bars, and now fears the new gateway
will lead to more people suffering
the same fate.
“It will be difficult to freely
express opinions.
“They arrested me in order to
intimidate others.”
Last year, an autistic teenager, the
son of a jailed opposition figure, was
sentenced to eight months in jail for
Telegram messages deemed
insulting to the government.
Cybersecurity expert Matt
Warren, from Australia’s RMIT
University, said there could be
Lanka in recent decades,” said media
rights group Free Media Movement.
“It is ironic that this (incident)
comes less than a week after we
commemorated journalists who were
killed or otherwise victimised.”
Reporters Without Borders said at
least 14 journalists were murdered
during the 2005 to 2015 presidency of
Mahinda Rajapaksa, the current
prime minister and elder brother of
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The G7 finance ministers said
that military aggression by Russia
against Ukraine would trigger
“economic and financial sanctions
which will have massive and
immediate consequences on the
Russian economy”.
Sanctions could rebound on
Western powers, which rely heavily
on Russia for energy supplies,
notably gas, as well as other raw
materials.
Scholz may receive a cool
reception in Kyiv, which has long
resented the German-Russian Nord
Stream 2 project – a pipeline that will
allow Russia to circumvent Ukraine
for its gas exports to Germany – and
has bristled at Germany’s refusal to
join other Nato partners in selling it
weapons.
The Kremlin said it expected
Putin’s talks with Scholz today to
address Ukraine, security guarantees
for Russia, and Nord Stream 2, which
is awaiting European Union
approval.
US national security adviser Jake
Sullivan said on Sunday that an
invasion could begin “any day now”,
but officials said they could not
confirm reports that American
intelligence indicated it would start
tomorrow. – Reuters
attempts to silence high-profile
opposition figures living in exile from
weighing into the domestic political
debate ahead of the 2023 polls.
Government spokesman Phay
Siphan insisted the internet gateway
is needed to crack down on
cyber-crime, maintain national
security and collect revenue.
He said Cambodians needed to
understand that freedom of
“expression comes with
responsibilities” and that “insulting
or manipulating information can
affect national security or
individuals’ reputations”. – AFP
Two weeks ago, police began
investigating Samarawickrama and
his Hiru TV network for polemic
against law enforcement and
allegedly making a false complaint of
a threat to his life.
He had broadcast last week an
interview with a former police officer
who had secured political asylum in
Britain after claiming that he was
being persecuted during a previous
Rajapaksa administration. – AFP

HK ‘overwhelmed’ by Covid
infections, says city leader
oHospitals almost
full, schools suspended
until Mar 6
HONG KONG: The latest wave of
Covid-19 infections has
“overwhelmed” the city, its leader
said yesterday as daily cases surged
by some 20 times over the past two
weeks, leaving hospitals short of beds
and struggling to cope.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam issued
a grim update for residents already
subjected to tight restrictions on
social gatherings as health authorities
reported a record 2,071 infections
yesterday, with 4,500 separate
preliminary positive cases.
“The onslaught of the fifth wave of
the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow
COOL PIC ... A family posing for photos in
front of an installation for the Beijing Winter
Olympic Games in the Chinese capital on
Sunday. – AFPPIX
Key US-Canada border crossing reopens
OTTAWA: A major US-Canada
border crossing reopened on Sunday,
almost a week after it was forced shut
by truck driver-led protests against
coronavirus restrictions, prompting
police to quell the demonstration
with a series of arrests.
The blockading of the
Ambassador Bridge, which handles
an estimated 25% of trade between
the two countries, had disrupted
business in the world’s largest
economy and forced automakers in
the United States and Canada to halt
or scale back production.
The demonstrations, which have
also paralysed the Canadian capital
Germany to end most curbs next month
BERLIN: Germany will end most
government restrictions to fight the
coronavirus pandemic next month,
according to a draft official plan seen
by AFP yesterday, as new infections
rates eased.
Two years after the start of the
outbreak in Germany, curbs to
prevent infections will begin falling
away.
As a first step, contact restrictions
to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the
city’s capacity of handling,” Lam said,
adding patients were having to wait
longer to access isolation facilities.
“The situation is
undesirable and the government
highly
feels worried and sorry about it,”
she said.
As the caseload soared, Lam said
her administration would coordinate
with Chinese officials to address the
“aggravating situation”.
China has said it would help the
city with testing, treatment and
quarantine, and secure resources
from rapid antigen kits and protective
gear to fresh vegetables.
Despite the latest surge, deaths in
the global financial hub remain far
less than similar-sized cities since the
pandemic erupted two years ago.
But with the healthcare system
already overstretched, medical
experts warn the city could see 28,000
Ottawa, have sparked similar
movements in France, the
Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia
and New Zealand.
Some US truckers are considering
a protest next month.
“The Ambassador Bridge is now
fully open, once again allowing the
free flow of commerce between the
Canadian and US economies,” the
Detroit International Bridge
Company said in a statement.
In a tweet, Canadian Border
Services confirmed the reopening
but said “non-essential travel is not
advised”.
Police had begun clearing the
will ease, allowing more to meet
privately, while access to shops will
be open to all without checks on
whether the individuals are
vaccinated or tested.
From Mar 4, access to restaurants
will be open to unvaccinated people
too if they show a negative test.
In a final step, “broad restrictions
of social, cultural and economic life
should be gradually lifted by the start
daily infections by the end of next
month, with the unvaccinated elderly
a particular concern.
Hospital beds for Covid-19
patients are already at 90%
occupancy, data from the city’s
Hospital Authority showed, while
isolation facilities are near full
capacity.
Hong Kong is prioritising
the elderly, children and those in
serious condition in hospitals, said
Hospital Authority chief manager
Larry Lee.
There are about 1,000 patients
waiting to be hospitalised, authorities
said yesterday.
For all the alarm over the latest
wave of the pandemic, Hong Kong’s
total caseload since the pandemic
first erupted is about 24,000
infections, including more than 200
deaths, less than many other similar
major cities.
bridge to the US city of Detroit on
Saturday, successfully removing
trucks from one major intersection.
But some demonstrators
remained, extending the protracted
standoff and preventing traffic from
flowing.
By Sunday, police said between 25
and 30 protesters had been arrested.
“There will be zero tolerance for
illegal activity,” tweeted police in
Windsor, Ontario.
The truckers have found support
among conservatives and vaccine
mandate opponents across the globe,
even as Covid-19 measures are being
rolled back in many places.
of spring on March 20”, said the draft
document to be approved by federal
and state leaders tomorrow.
After that date, Europe’s top
economy would rely on “basic
protection measures”, including “in
particular the wearing of medical
masks” in public.
Rules requiring employers to allow
staff to work from home if possible
would also be lifted at that time.
theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
BRIEFS
Lam said authorities would “spare
no effort” to implement the “dynamic
zero” coronavirus infection strategy
in Hong Kong, which like mainland
China, seeks to curb outbreaks as
soon as they occur, in contrast with
many other places that are trying to
live with Covid.
Inside the city, residents are
banned from public gatherings of
more than two people while most
venues are shut, including schools,
churches and gyms.
Dining in restaurants is banned
from 6pm and most people are
working from home.
The government announced
yesterday all schools will suspend
face-to-face classes until Mar 6.
Strict flight restrictions have
turned Hong Kong into one of the
world’s most isolated major cities,
with its borders effectively sealed for
about two years. – Reuters
Washington had applied pressure
on the Canadian government, asking
it last week to use “federal powers” to
end the blockade and warning of
“serious consequences” for the US
economy.
As police moved to clear the
protest over the weekend, US officials
commended the “decisive” action.
Speaking before the bridge
resumed operations, White House
homeland security adviser Liz
Sherwood-Randall said American
and Canadian officials recognised
“the imperative of taking swift, strong
action and deterring future
blockades”. – AFP
Germany yesterday reported
76,465 new Covid-19 infections over
the last 24 hours and 42 deaths in the
second week in a row to show falling
rates.
Germany states, which have
significant autonomy in
implementing restrictions from
mask-wearing in public transport to
home-schooling, have already begun
to gradually ease curbs. – AFP
7
‘HISTORIC’ GOVT
SETTLEMENT
CANBERRA: The Australian
government has agreed to pay
“a historic settlement” to three
women who accused a former
top justice of sexual
harassment, lawyers for the trio
said yesterday. Rachael
Patterson Collins, Chelsea
Tabart and Alex Eggerking all
worked as associates at the
High Court of Australia, where
they alleged they were sexually
harassed by Dyson Heydon,
then a justice. The deal followed
a High Court internal inquiry
that upheld the women’s claims
against Heydon, and those of
three other women who had
also worked at the court.
Lawyers from Maurice
Blackburn called the settlement
“historic”, saying they believed it
to be the first involving sexual
harassment allegations against
a serving federal justice. – AFP
U.S. SUSPENDS
AVOCADO IMPORTS
MEXICO CITY: The United States
suspended avocado imports
from the western Mexican state
of Michoacan after a US
inspector received phone
threats. Michoacan Governor
Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla on
Sunday contacted the US
embassy in Mexico City to seek a
solution and resume exports, a
state government press release
said. The US Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service had
announced that it had “decided
to pause, until further notice,
avocado inspection activities in
Michoacan“. The decision came
after an agency official, who was
inspecting export shipments in
the city of Uruapan, “received a
threatening call“. – AFP
Belgian police
scramble to
block convoy
BRUSSELS: Belgian authorities said
yesterday they had intercepted 30
vehicles as police scrambled to stop a
Canada-style protest convoy against
Covid regulations from reaching the
capital.
Demonstrators in the
self-proclaimed “freedom convoy”
were seeking to head north to the seat
of the European Union in defiance of
a Belgian ban after a weekend trying
to block traffic in France.
Brussels mayor Philippe Close
told local RTBF Radio that 400 to 500
cars and vans had been spotted en
route to the Belgian capital.
“About 30 have been blocked and
the others have vanished into thin
air,” Close said.
He said several dozen vehicles
were in a car park on the edge of
Brussels, where police had decided to
direct the protesters and they could
negotiate heading to the city centre
“on foot”.
“It is a matter of not allowing the
Belgian capital to be taken hostage,”
he said.
The self-proclaimed “freedom
convoy” is one of several worldwide
inspired by a truckers’ standoff with
authorities in Canada.
More than 100 vehicles on
Saturday managed to converge on the
Champs-Elysees in Paris despite a
heavy police deployment to keep
them out of the city.
Security forces used teargas to
disperse protesters and detained
dozens in scenes reminiscent of the
“yellow vest” clashes of 2018 and
2019.
French police on Sunday said they
had counted 1,300 vehicles in the
northern city of Lile that appeared to
have stopped on their way to
Belgium. – AFP
 8 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
SPEAK UP
LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com
Be frugal now to enjoy
retirement later
THE Employees Provident
Fund (EPF) will soon be
announcing dividend rates for
the year 2021.
Although a large number
of its members will be
waiting excitedly, millions
who have withdrawn their
savings under i-Lestari,
i-Sinar and i-Citra may feel
unenthused with the
announcement.
Perhaps, the
announcement of another
withdrawal as proposed by
some social activists may
liven them up.
Investment analysts are
positive on the performance
of EPF, based on its
impressive earnings for the
first nine months until
September 2021.
A dividend rate of 5.5%
or even 6.0% is highly
anticipated as we wait for
the last quarter results to be
finalised.
As most retirees rely on
returns to replenish their
EPF withdrawals, they
would be hoping for a
repeat performance when
EPF declared a dividend of
6.9% in 2017.
However, more than six
million EPF members have
less than RM10,000 in their
accounts after they dipped
into their savings via the
three pandemic withdrawal
schemes since 2020.
As of October 2021, an
accumulated sum of RM101
billion had been withdrawn
under these schemes.
Unavoidably, this group
of contributors may not be
able to meet the EPF basic
savings threshold of
RM240,000, which is the
minimum amount members
should have when they
reach the age of 55 in order
to enjoy a decent
retirement.
It is a tedious task saving
for one’s retirement,
especially among low
income earners who have
school-going children to
support. They have to
scrimp and save for their
families’ well-being and
children’s education.
More so, if they do not
wish to end up as helpless
retirees with insufficient
savings to see them through
their twilight years.
I suffered a prolonged
instability in my early
thirties causing my savings
to dip as I had to make ends
meet occasionally.
I had to tighten my belt
just so I would not exhaust
my savings before I could
turn things around, which
was a few years later.
However, the situation
did not dampen my
determination to work
harder, and I constantly
sought other job
opportunities to improve
my earning capabilities.
I dread to imagine what
would have been the
outcome had I no savings
but only borrowings to get
through the quandary I
was in.
Not wanting to dip too
much into my savings, I had
to hop from one job to
another more than six times
over a period of four years
to make ends meet.
Thankfully, I was not
burdened by any heavy
financial commitments
then, otherwise the
aggravated situation would
have affected the progress
of my children’s education
and my wish to retire
comfortably.
I urge those whose
livelihood has been severely
affected by the Covid-19
pandemic not to lose hope,
instead they should learn
from the disaster that
physical and financial well-
being should be prioritised
before an unexpected event
happens.
If you have not started
leading a frugal life, do not
delay in doing so.
Patrick Teh
Ipoh
Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and
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COMMENT by Prof Paolo Casadio and Prof Geoffrey Williams
New growth engine
vital for recovery
T
HE annual economic growth for
2021 was as expected at around
3.1%, which is towards the lower
end of Bank Negara’s forecast
range of 3%-4%. The outcome for the full
year confirmed that there has been and,
we believe still is, too much optimism
about the growth prospects for the
coming year in 2022. Our analysis
suggests that the low growth numbers
last year were due to the structural
impact of the lockdowns, which created
a more complicated situation for
businesses and consumers,
and slowed the transition to
normal growth.
On a positive note, the
“While we see
economy recovered well in
the fourth quarter
some positive
compared with
previous quarter. Gross
the
signs, we still
domestic product (GDP)
grew by 10.4% on a need new
quarterly basis and 6.6% in
seasonally adjusted terms. sources of
This is second only to the
21.3% quarterly growth private
seen in the third quarter of
2020, which was the biggest investments
rebound in recent years.
Nonetheless, the bumpy
pattern tells us that the
and an
economy is being pushed
by the many government
increase in
stimulus and other policy
measures, such as the
disposable
Employees Provident Fund
withdrawals, rather than
income to
expanding due to strong
underlying growth and allow
improvements
fundamentals. This is
in
consumers to
concerning after two years
of crisis and shows that we spend more.
still do not see the quality of
growth that would allow us
to be optimistic just yet.
If we look at the two main pillars of
economic growth in detail, we can see
some of the causes of our cautious
approach. Private Consumption grew by
about 5% on a quarterly basis and fixed
investment grew by 5.5%. Looking at the
composition, we can see that there is a
worrisome reliance on low-quality,
short-term factors.
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As the economy reopened at the end
of the year, we would expect
consumption in the fourth quarter to
pick up significantly. As people started to
go out again after the lockdown phase,
many forecasters had expected them to
spend more of the pent-up consumption
that had been held back during the
lockdowns.
We felt that we may not see this pent-
up consumption and although it did
happen to some extent, what we actually
saw was a sort of zero-sum expenditure
effect so that the overall
consumption impact was
muted for three reasons.
First, as people began to
move around more freely,
the use of cars and other
transport increased. This
caused consumption to
increase due to extra
transport spending, which
was about RM10.8 billion.
This increase in transport
spending contributed more
than the total increase in
consumption, which was
RM10.3 billion. So, net of
the “transport effect”
consumption would have
been flat.
Second, as people went
out more, they saved on
eating and drinking at
home, as much as RM4.4
billion, but spent RM4.7
billion in restaurants,
hotels, on recreation and
services. So, we can see that
this overall near-zero sum
suggests a shift in
consumption rather than a
net increase.
Third, we can see that
the savings made by many
from utility bills discounts,
about RM1.7 billion, were used as a
buffer on discretionary items such as
clothing and footwear, furnishings,
household appliances and
communications, which in total
increased by about RM1 billion. Again,
this is more of a redistribution than a net
increase in consumption.
Overall investments rose 5.5% in the
Publication date 08 MARCH, 2022 (TUESDAY)
Booking deadline 22 FEBRUARY, 2022 (TUESDAY)
fourth quarter compared with the third
quarter, which is important and is good
news. However, the breakdown shows
that the aggregate increase comes from
an 81% rise, or an extra RM10.4 billion
increase in public investments,
compared with the previous quarter but
a sharp contraction over the same
period of 13%, or RM6.8 billion, in
private investments. During the
lockdowns, private investments fell 33%
compared with the final quarter of 2019,
and has yet to recover.
As we noted before, we have to
consider investments and in particular
private investments as the engine of the
economy. If there is not enough
aggregate demand and enough profits
generated from that demand, then
private investments will continue to fall,
and this is not compatible with a robust
and solid growth phase ahead.
There were some good signs from
external demand and trade balance,
which again contributed to overall
growth. Exports rose by 12% on a
quarterly basis, consolidating the
recovery over the last few quarters and
bringing the current account ratio to its
highest level in the pandemic crisis
period, reaching 8.6% of GDP. This
export-led recovery in turn will help
employment and wages.
While we see some positive signs
pointing towards slow but steady
recovery, we still need a new engine to
sustain this momentum, from new
sources of private investments and an
increase in disposable income to allow
consumers to spend more in net terms
rather than switching spending from one
place to another.
It is essential for Malaysia to build a
new phase of growth on solid domestic
investments and robust consumption
rather than relying on external demand
and government spending. This will be
the challenge for 2022.
Prof Paolo Casadio is an economist
at HELP University and
Prof Geoffrey Williams is an economist
at Malaysia University of Science and
Technology. The views expressed
are those of the authors.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
 9
theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022

SPEAK UP

COMMENT by Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen

Sustainable blue economy

T
HE seas neighbouring Malaysia
provide a major source of food,
energy and livelihood for our
ecosystem. The Malaysian
marine environment is renowned for its
biodiversity and unique ecosystems,
which include mangroves, coral reefs
and seagrass, and its natural resources
contribute significantly to sustainable
development.
The ocean has been a main
component of the country’s
socioeconomic development since it has
historically served as a foundation for
global commerce and commercial
activities, particularly shipping, tourism,
fisheries and offshore oil and gas.
However, human development has
placed a severe strain on the marine
environment’s resilience and resources.
Increased pollution and irresponsible
coastal development are among the
concerns contributing to biodiversity
loss and changes in the ecosystem, such
as food security and ecological function.
Sustainable oceans for human well-
being and increased awareness of ocean
resilience has increased since the United
Nations General Assembly established
the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDG) in September 2015.
The SDG, commonly known as
Agenda 2030, are a set of 17 targets on
environmental sustainability, social
inclusion, economic development,
peace, justice, good governance and
collaboration, to address the world’s
primary concerns in the 21st century.
Plan (MP) for the 2016-2020 term.
SDG 14 has 10 objectives that focus
primarily on ocean life and its resources.
Malaysia, in line with the international
community, has agreed on each target
for ocean conservation and sustainable “The nexus
development in order to keep the
ecosystems healthy and productive. between a
As a result, it is critical to conserve,
restore and safeguard the diversity and
vital functioning of our marine
blue economy
ecosystems that will contribute to the
achievement of SDG 14. The art of ocean
and UN’s goals
health and resilience is inextricably
linked to blue economy, which strives to
for ocean
manage and conserve
ecosystems sustainably.
marine conservation
The notion of blue economy evolved
from the concept of green growth in and The Malaysian marine environment is renowned for its biodiversity and unique ecosystems.
response to growing concerns about the
considerable harm being done to our development United Nations Conference on Trade Malaysia and is on track to becoming a
ocean ecosystems because of activities
such as overfishing, habitat destruction, is crucial for and Development in 2020, the blue
economy accounts for around 3.5% – 7%
pillar of socioeconomic growth. Hence,
the blue economy idea was incorporated
marine pollution, ocean acidification
and climate change. supporting of global gross domestic product (GDP),
which is valued at US$1.5 trillion
into the 12th Malaysia Plan, with input
from relevant ministries and agencies.
The idea of a blue economy has (RM6.29 trillion) and is predicted to In light of the critical role played by
grown popular over the last decade, Malaysia’s reach US$3 trillion by 2030. Thus, it is the blue economy in national growth,
since it underlines the need to capitalise necessary to identify the value of ocean the government must adopt a strategy to
on the economic potential of oceans,
while preserving them for future
socioeconomic resources in order to maximise
economic growth.
manage its development. A shift towards
blue economy would maximise the
generations. This is defined by the
sustainable use of marine resources for
progress and The blue economy strives to strike a
balance between long-term economic
potential of marine-based sectors, which
can help employment, while decreasing
economic growth while also protecting
and promoting the health of the oceans
ensuring a advantages and ocean health.
Appropriate use of marine resources has
environmental degradation.
Thus, the nexus between a blue
in the SDG.
The blue economy originated during
sustainable garnered global attention in recent years.
Malaysia will gain from the blue
economy and SDG 14 is crucial for
supporting socioeconomic progress and
the 2012 United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development in Rio de
ocean by economy in terms of job generation and
the country’s growth.
ensuring a sustainable ocean by 2030.

As a United Nations member state,

Malaysia has demonstrated her
commitment to having a sustainable
ocean by 2030 by incorporating SDG14
(life below water) into the 11th Malaysia
Janeiro. It is primarily concerned with
the effective and equitable use of
resources, and places a premium on
sustainable development.
According to a recent study by the
2030. In fact, it has been projected that the
blue economy will contribute up to 23%
of Malaysia’s national GDP.
The blue economy has been officially
reported to be a work in progress in
The writer is a senior lecturer at the
Faculty of Maritime Studies,
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

COMMENT by Masnurah Zain LETTERS

letters@thesundaily.com

Life insurance business a profitable industry Counsel students on

LIFE insurance is an important method of
protection. Malaysia has various insurance
companies and takaful operators. This
article focuses on life insurance
companies in Malaysia.
Data from Bank Negara Malaysia’s
website shows that the life insurance
business in Malaysia is mostly owned by
foreign entities. There are only four locally-
owned entities, namely, Etiqa Life
Insurance Berhad, Hong Leong Assurance
Berhad, Axxa Affin Life Insurance Berhad
and Sunlife Malaysia Assurance Berhad.
Various incentives have been given by
the government, especially in terms of
taxation, to ensure the life insurance
business in Malaysia grow rapidly. Income
tax charged for life insurance business has
been kept relatively low, as little as 8%, as
opposed to other nature of businesses, at
about 24%, according to the Income Tax
Act 1967.
In addition, to promote business
continuity, income from the sale of
policies, i.e. premiums received by life
insurance companies, is also not taxable.
Apart from that, the government also gives
relief to life policy buyers, up to a
maximum of RM3,000. This shows the
importance of life insurance to the people
and country.
Since 2018, Bank Negara Malaysia
requires all insurance companies and
takaful operators in Malaysia to
distinguish and keep their life insurance
business and general insurance separate.
In essence, this is to enable insurance
companies to focus more on the
products sold.
It is intriguing to note that data gathered
from audited financial statements of life
insurance companies for the period
between 2018 and 2020, resulted in total
gross income of RM29 billion in 2018, of
which RM25 billion was from foreign-
owned companies, and RM4 billion from
locally-owned companies.
For 2019, the gross income from life
insurance companies showed a sharp
increase of RM44 billion, of which RM35
billion was contributions from foreign-
owned companies, and RM8 billion from
locally-owned life insurance companies.
Whereas for 2020, there was a slight
decrease in gross income amounting to
RM42 billion, of which RM8 billion was
from locally-owned companies, and the
rest from foreign-owned companies. The
plausible explanation for the reduction in
2020 may be due to the Covid-19
pandemic that hit Malaysia towards the
end of 2019, where it had a huge impact on
the country and across the globe.
From the total gross income reported,
the largest contribution to life insurance
companies was from the sale of policies or
premiums. A total of RM29 billion was
received for 2018 and 2019, while there
was an increase for 2020 of RM31 billion.
This shows that Malaysians have a growing
awareness on the importance of life
insurance. Although the overall gross
income reported a slight decline in 2020,
policy sales continued to show an increase.
Comparing the percentage of policy
sales for foreign-owned and locally-owned
life insurance companies, the percentage
of sales for foreign-owned companies
showed a downward trend, from 86% in
2018 to 81% in 2020, while locally-owned
companies reflected an increase in policy
sales, with 14% for 2018 and 19% for 2020.
The possible increase may be due to the
type of products offered, promotions and
advertising.
From the total number of policies sold
or risks to be borne, life insurance
companies have reinsured some of the
risks to reinsurance companies. Only 4% of
reinsurance policies have been purchased
by life insurance companies. This indicates
that life insurance companies, whether
foreign owned or locally owned, have a
high ability to pay claims in the event of an
insured risk.
The insurance industry in Malaysia is
constantly changing and growing. This
poses a challenge to all insurance
companies, including life insurance
companies. Among the challenges that
they will face is the introduction of the
Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards
(MFRS) 17 to replace MFRS 4, which will
come into effect in 2023.
All parties, especially insurance
companies and enforcers, mainly Bank
Negara Malaysia and Inland Revenue
Board (IRB) need to play their respective
roles more efficiently and effectively to
ensure MFRS 17 is in line with existing laws
and provisions.
The government, through the IRB, will
cooperate with insurance industry players
in terms of understanding and assessment
of tax laws. As this industry has yet to
contribute more to the general economy of
this nation through direct tax, it is hoped
that locally-owned and foreign-owned
companies will work together to offer more
innovative advertising methods as well as
competitive products that will lead to
increase in sales, which in return will
benefit everyone.
Masnurah Zain, Special Industry branch,
Inland Revenue Board Malaysia.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
Note: Data in this article is taken from
publicly available information.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this
article are those of the author.
mental health
IT is pertinent to note that the return to classrooms,
with Covid-19 restrictions easing, does not signal
“business as usual” for students.
It is important that our Education Ministry gets
sufficient government funding to increase the
number of counsellors in schools, to deal with
students’ mental health issues.
A sound education system is not just
about striving to improve students’ academic
achievements but managing their emotions and
stress levels as well.
Anyone doubting the increasing need for more
qualified school counsellors need only refer to the
Health Ministry’s Global School-based Student
Health survey. As far back as 2012, 7% to 9% of
25,507 schoolchildren between the ages of 13 and 17
had a tendency to commit suicide, and about 6% to
7% of those surveyed had tried to commit suicide
more than once in a period of 12 months. These dire
statistics will only get worse with the additional
worries and anxieties arising from the impact of
Covid-imposed restrictions.
Experts stress that, generally, children are not
able to recognise the symptoms or seriousness of
mental health problems. The loss of confidence and
frustration in our children are best dealt with by
employing more qualified school counsellors and
social workers in schools.
The investment in these counsellors is not a cost,
as it is “easier to build strong children than fix broken
adults”. There is a strong need to prioritise the
mental health needs of our young students.
While it is not a substitute for professional help, it
is also important that schools teach the basics of
poor mental health, to help students identify peers
with possible issues.
Students should also be taught how to cope with
problems, including setting realistic goals, being able
to express themselves and learning to be
emotionally strong.
Sze Loong Steve Ngeow
Kajang
10 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
MEDIA & MARKETING
One Doc X Hair Doc launch
21st outlet in Subang Jaya
M
ULTI-AWARD winning PicoPulse
and Hair Growth Centre, One Doc
and Hair Doc celebrated its 21st
outlet opening at Subang Jaya,
Selangor, on Jan 28, 2022.
The event was officiated by Dato’ Sri
Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Domestic
Trade and Consumer Affairs. The signing was
witnessed by YAM Dato’ Seri Tengku Baderul
Zaman Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-
Muktafi Billah Shah, Group Chairman of One
Doc, together with the company’s co-founders
Dr Michael Ong and Dr Terrence Teoh.
With years of research and development,
One Doc has co-created a brand new
technology named PICOPULSE with Korea’s
No.1 Pico Manufacturer, Wontech Co Ltd.
Their PICOPULSE treatments produce
dramatic results that can be achieved with
lesser treatment sessions, lower costs, minimal
discomfort and downtime, faster recovery and
is almost pain-free.
One Doc PICOPULSE treatment uses the
non-surgical, non-invasive radio pulse
technology specifically for the treatment of:
0 Melasma
0 Sun damage
0 Freckles and age spots
0 Acne and acne scars
0 Uneven skin tone and dark patches
0 Poor skin texture
0 Fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores
Hair Doc, on the other hand, is a multi-
award winning, locally established hair growth
centre focusing on non-invasive hair growth
solutions for all types of hair loss, dandruff and
flaky scalp. Their patented Hair Doc Folli-Lite
and Folli-Pulse technology have helped many
clients to regain their confidence from male &
female pattern hair loss (androgenetic
alopecia).
About One Doc
Founded in 2016, One Doc is a multi-award
winning PicoPulse Centre which focuses on
non-invasive facial treatments for skin-related
problems such as acne, pores, pigmentation
and ageing skin.
With a team of highly trained therapists, its
PicoPulse treatments are one of the safest and
combined with the highest quality standards
tested with proven results.
One Doc has established itself as the market
leader that specialises in PicoPulse treatment.
In 2019, One Doc emerged as the centre
with the largest number of PicoPulse devices in
Malaysia.
One Doc introduces the world’s most
advanced and fastest PicoPulse technology to
combat all types of skin imperfections such as
pimples, pigmentations and acne marks.
Clients can immediately experience a
An extra special day ... Dato’ Sri Alexander posing for photos with the founders, special guests and
lion dance troupe during the opening ceremony.
Dr Micheal
and Dr
Terrence
with the
One Doc
and Hair
Doc Team.
difference in their skin appearance. 0 2019 The 100 Most Influential Young
One Doc develops the formulation and Entrepreneurs Awards
manufactures all its professional range of One 0 2019 Lang International Corporate Titan
Doc products to eliminate skin’s issues. Best to Awards
paired with One Doc PicoPulse, or used as a 0 2019 Sinchew Business Excellence Awards
standalone regimen. 0 2019 Top10 Asia Awards
One Doc x Hair Doc Group have won 0 2020 Top10 Malaysia Awards
several accolades in recognition of the young 0 2021 Lang International Corporate Titan
start-up as the nation’s fastest-growing Awards Duke Enterprise
PicoPulse centre: 0 2021 NiagaTimes Anugerah Personaliti
0 Emerging SME Brand 2018 by The Golden Industri Usahawan Malaysia
Bull
0 2018 Growth Excellence Leadership Awards For more information please visit
by Frost and Sullivan www.onedoc.com.my or call 018-227 9168.
0 2019 Growth Excellence Leadership Awards You can also follow One Doc on Facebook at
by Frost and Sullivan www.facebook.com/onedocskin.
Increasing
health literacy
CHEVRON partnered with Southeast Asia
One Health University Network
(SEAOHUN) and other public agencies to
increase health literacy and an
understanding of the One Health
approach, with the launch of a two-year
program called, “Strengthening One
Health Education in Southeast Asia”.
Teams of 4 multidisciplinary students
from member Universities across Southeast
Asia One Health University Network
entered the 2021 SEAOHUN Students’
Regional Competition. Teams had to create
an original video to communicate the risk of
zoonotic diseases from three topics: gender
and zoonotic diseases, underserved
communities and their interactions with
animals, wildlife, and zoonotic diseases.
The winner, based on public votes, was
the Malaysian team, Panthera Tigris
(named after the scientific name for Tiger),
from Malaysia One Health University
Network (MyOHUN) member universities,
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and
Universiti Putra Malaysia. Instead of
focusing on one zoonotic disease, Panthera
Tigris decided to address the root issue of
human illegal activity. The submission
delved into the relationship between illegal
logging and the role of bats in the
ecosystem.
The group originally met through a
MyOHUN event, said their objective was to
reach the broader public using simple
terms so that the video could be easily
understood. “We hope that our video
prompts young students to care about this
important health issue,” said Panthera
Tigris group member, Shasha Aqilah Sheikh
Zulkifli.
“SEAOHUN Students’ Regional
Competition fosters a network of young,
multidisciplinary professionals to learn and
apply One Health concept. They achieve
this through crafting messages to increase
knowledge of the interdependencies
among humans, animals, and their shared
environment, and stimulating good
practices in communities on how to make
our world safer from infectious disease
threats,” commented Dr Vipat
Kuruchittham, SEAOHUN Executive
Director.
Kurt Glaubitz, General Manager,
Corporate Affairs, Chevron Asia Pacific, said
“We are proud to support SEAOHUN’s
efforts to train the next generation of One
Health professionals to better prepare
Southeast Asian nations to combat
infectious disease outbreaks.”
 TUESDAY
S E C U R I T I E S S D N.
197201001092 (12738-U)
B H D.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2022
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INDICES
KL MARKET SUMMARY
February 14, 2022

CHANGE
AirAsia X banks on cargo
services to push profitability
FBMEMAS 11,321.72 +1.30
FBMKLCI 1,583.84 +4.95
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 578.38 -0.23
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 210.43 -0.51
CONSTRUCTION 148.82 -0.56
FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,383.36 +86.71
ENERGY 794.90 +6.11
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 620.17 +1.42 oTeleport will use the
HEALTH CARE
TRANSPORTATION
2,173.27
872.35
-13.45
-5.50 additional A330 jet from
PROPERTY
PLANTATION
709.58
7,285.36
+0.42
+70.94 AAX to fulfil customer
FBMSHA
FBMACE
12,022.77
6,249.50
-17.62
-95.45
requirements both within
TECHNOLOGY 81.76 -2.12 and across the Asia-Pacific
TURNOVER VALUE
3.175 BIL RM2.489 BIL
PETALING JAYA: AirAsia X (AAX) has
secured full belly space utilisation for one-
5 MOSTFebruary
ACTIVES 14, 2022
third of its wide-body A330-300 fleet for an
initial period of one year. Teleport, the
As more aircraft are brought back into service, AAX intends to recall pilots and crew who have
been laid off during the pandemic to resume duties. – BERNAMAPIX
logistics venture of Capital A (formerly
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) AirAsia Group), will use the additional we can fly profitably where other airlines our fleet and adding more prime
SMTRACK 192,491,500 20.5 +1.0 capacity from AAX to fulfil its robust may not be able to and this is a significant destinations into our scheduled network
KNM 151,532,100 18.0 -0.5 customer requirements both within and advantage to us. We intend to add a further with extensive coverage in Southeast Asia
DNEX 145,659,500 115.0 +6.0 across the whole of the Asia-Pacific. one plane a month to full service from now and beyond coupled with the wide
AHB 136,290,700 21.5 +5.5 AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said and we hope to have our full fleet coverage and high frequency from our
HIBISCS 76,809,300 113.0 +4.0 AAX was in discussions with several other operational by the end of the third quarter. existing AirAsia passenger flights’ capacity,”
major global clients that have air cargo “As more aircraft are brought back into he said.
requirements, particularly to where the service, we are able to recall pilots and crew This is the second major announcement
5 TOP February
GAINERS 14, 2022
company has established bases and flying
rights.
who have been through a tough period
during this pandemic,” he said.
for the newly restructured AAX, which
seeks to significantly boost its regional
“For the foreseeable future, cargo Teleport COO Adrian Loretz said presence as a viable long term partner to
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM revenue will underpin our route strategy besides its dedicated 737-800 freighter, the some of the biggest global freight
PMBTECH-WA 21,900 16.52 0.40 and passenger revenue for the first time will added A330 aircraft from AAX allows forwarders.
PETDAG 599,400 20.90 0.30 be ancillary,” he said in a statement. Teleport to provide more capacity access It recently announced a strategic
PMBTECH-LA 5,900 19.30 0.30 AirAsia X COO Captain Suresh Kumar for its customers to serve the demand in the partnership with global logistics leader
CARLSBG 59,700 20.12 0.26 Bangah said the company only fly region while operating from its main hubs Geodis, to mount several weekly dedicated
CHINTEK 42,800 7.54 0.26 profitable routes. in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. cargo flights throughout the Asia-Pacific for
“With our restructured low-cost base, “In 2022, we are looking at strengthening an extended period.

5 TOPFebruary
LOSERS
STOCK
MPI
14, 2022
VOL
440,000
CLSG (RM)
37.62
+/– RM
1.38
Boosting trade via Matrade, Medac and SME Bank
FANG-2XL 1,000 11.90 1.32 DUBAI: The Malaysia External Trade According to Matrade CEO Mohd Mustafa and leverage strategic collaborations with
SAM 71,400 22.50 1.00 Development Corp (Matrade) in Abdul Aziz, the strategic collaboration various ministries, agencies, foreign
KESM 17,400 11.08 0.62 collaboration with Ministry of Entrepreneur between Matrade, Medac and SME Bank embassies and trade industry associations in
F&N 102,900 23.80 0.38 Development and Cooperatives (Medac) as signifies the importance of synergy within the implementing export-related programmes to
well as SME Bank continue to assist trade ecosystem in strengthening Malaysia’s create more opportunities for the business
Malaysian SMEs for post-pandemic business trade competitiveness as recommended by communities.
EXCHANGE RATES FEBRUARY 14, 2022 recovery, which involves the participation of the National Trade Blueprint. “Matrade outlines a total of 286 export
11 companies from multi-sectors in the The blueprint outlines a five-year (2021- promotion and exporters development
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy Export Acceleration Mission to Dubai, United 2025) development strategy and initiatives to programmes this year for Malaysian
TT/OD TT OD Arab of Emirates (UAE). enhance Malaysia’s trade competitiveness, companies to brace themselves in weathering
1 US DOLLAR 4.2525 4.1275 4.1175
Held in conjunction with the World Expo specifically in the exports of merchandise. the market demands as well as to expand
2020 Dubai, the week-long mission aims to Launched in October 2021 by the prime their global footprintst,” said Mohd Mustafa.
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0520 2.9310 2.9150 provide opportunities for the SMEs to expand minister, the blueprint aims to position With a network of 46 overseas-based
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.1570 3.0660 3.0580 their brands’ presence in the market and Malaysia as a dynamic and pre-eminent offices and five regional offices in Malaysia,
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.3360 3.2470 3.2350 establish business partnerships with the UAE trading nation through sustainable export Matrade collaborates with both public and
1 EURO 4.8380 4.6820 4.6620 and its neighbouring countries, the Middle development and promotion. private sectors to drive the country’s export
East and North Africa. This year, Matrade continues to establish growth.
1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8380 2.7330 2.7170
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.1570 3.0660 3.0580
1 STERLING POUND
1 SWISS FRANC
5.7770
4.5860
5.5970
4.4800
5.5770
4.4650
IMF projects Malaysia’s GDP at 5.75% this year
100 UAE DIRHAM 117.1500 111.0900 110.8900
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s economy is set “Growth in 2022 is projected at about protecting the vulnerable segments of the
100 BANGLADESH TAKA 5.0300 4.7210 4.5210 for a gradual recovery from the Covid-19 5.75%, driven by pent-up domestic demand population, and scaling up productive
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 66.9000 64.3000 N/A downturn, with real gross domestic product and continued strong external demand,” he investments, in line with the authorities’
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 55.0900 52.3600 52.1600 (GDP) growth at 3.1% in 2021 and projected said in a statement yesterday. spending priorities.
to accelerate to about 5.75% in 2022, Leigh said the pandemic crisis is set to “A credible, specific, growth-friendly, and
100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.7400 5.3900 5.1900
according to the preliminary findings of an leave implications that could linger over the clearly communicated consolidation
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0307 0.0278 0.0228 International Monetary Fund (IMF) team. medium to long run, citing the recovery strategy should be implemented once the
100 JAPANESE YEN 3.6930 3.5770 3.5670 The team, led by Lamin Leigh, reported would likely be uneven, with output recovery is entrenched to rebuild fiscal
100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 16.3000 N/A N/A that growth would be supported by the remaining well below its potential level. buffers, preserve fiscal sustainability, and
authorities’ impressive vaccine rollout and He said the team recommended reduce fiscal risks, supported by robust fiscal
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 2.4800 2.3200 2.1200
swift implementation of economic policy additional near-term targeted fiscal support governance practices,” he said.
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.4200 7.9400 7.7400 support measures. towards vulnerable and hard-hit segments of The findings also included that the
100 QATAR RIYAL 117.8000 111.8300 111.6300 “A more severe downturn (in 2021) was the economy and productive investments. accommodative monetary policy stance is
100 SAUDI RIYAL 114.6300 108.8200 108.6200 averted, thanks to the swift, substantial, and “In the near term, fiscal policy should appropriate and the financial sector support
multi-pronged pandemic policy response continue to be nimble and increasingly measures should continue to be more
100 THAI BAHT 13.6100 12.0700 11.6700
targeted to support affected households and targeted, with a focus on further buttressing targeted and unwound as the recovery
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama businesses. the recovery, minimising economic scarring, becomes entrenched. – Bernama
 READ OUR HERE SCAN
12 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
SUNBIZ /thesundaily ME

Ukraine tensions spook investors

oVolatility to roil
global financial
markets, commodity
prices to spike if war
breaks out: Economists
█ BY JUNE MOH
sunbiz@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Asian equity
markets tumbled yesterday as
investors fled for cover after the
United States warned that Russia
could attack Ukraine within days,
adding to concerns over inflation.
Investors are wondering what the
escalating tensions surrounding the
Russia-Ukraine conflict could mean
for the financial markets.
Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief
economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul
Rashid said it remains uncertain as to
how the conflict would evolve.
“At the moment, we have heard
the US claiming that Russia is ready
to invade Ukraine. To some degree, it
may feel like deja vu given that Russia
has denied the allegation. A similar
situation happened during the Iraq
War in 2003 when the International
Atomic Energy Agency indicated that
they had not found any weapons of
mass destruction.
“Whatever the outcome may be,
the conflict zone represents an
important equation in oil and gas
supplies. So we cannot run away
from possible disruption in oil
supplies should the situation evolve
into military aggression.
“Perhaps it could provide a boost to
crude oil prices to reach US$100
(RM419) or more per barrel which then
could have an important implication
on inflation and how the central banks
would react to it. In other words, risks
of higher interest rates could rattle the
markets as the central banks would
want to anchor the inflation
expectations,” he told SunBiz.
Socio-Economic Research Centre
(SERC) executive director Lee Heng
Guie said if a war were to break out
between Russia and Ukraine,
volatility would erupt in the global
financial, foreign exchange and
commodity markets.
“Risk-averse investors would seek
shelter by moving into or buying safer
assets – that is, flight to quality. This
will increase demand for US
Treasuries, the US dollar, Japanese
yen and gold.
“Crude oil prices, which have
already spiked up in recent weeks,
partly reflecting uncertainty about
the escalating tensions between
Russia and Ukraine, will rise further
to above US$100-125 per barrel if the
conflict escalates into a war, followed
by sanctions against Russia by the US
and the European Union countries,”
Lee told SunBiz.
He noted that Russia supplies 30%
of Europe’s oil market and 35% of its
natural gas. Russia and Ukraine are
among the top five largest growers of
wheat. Besides that, Russia exports a
large quantity of industrial materials
and minerals such as nickel,
aluminium, platinum, steel, copper,
and palladium. The prices of these
commodities are expected to surge
due to supply disruptions.
“The consequences of an
escalation in crude oil, commodity
and industrial materials prices would
worsen the already-high business
costs and consumer inflation.
“Russia-Ukraine headwinds will
impact Malaysia’s financial market in
the form of volatility transmitted to the
global markets. The ringgit would take
a hit against the US dollar due to the
flight to quality as investors lighten
their portfolio of the emerging markets
asset class in times of uncertainty.
“Nevertheless, given that foreign
investors have lowered their holdings
of Malaysian equities relative to
Malaysian bonds, the impact of
financial volatility on the domestic
stock market will be manageable
compared to the bond market,” he said.

Crypto – improving but not yet bullish Exports of rubber,

PETALING JAYA: Cryptocurrencies have
been plunging across the board of late, as
rumours of a market crash caused investors to
question their stability. What could the
Russia-Ukraine conflict mean for
cryptocurrency and crypto portfolios?
Luno Malaysia country manager Aaron
Tang said the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict
could cause further uncertainties to the
cryptocurrency market that is already
impacted by macroeconomic fears of rising
interest rates and tightening monetary
policies in the coming months.
“The price of cryptocurrencies is linked
directly to supply and demand. Events that
impact the economy globally determine
people’s need to buy or own cryptocurrencies.
During periods of geopolitical tensions,
investors tend to avoid volatile assets and
store their money in safe-haven assets such as
cash and gold.
“Furthermore, interest rate hikes tend to
influence the performance of the whole
cryptocurrency market. When interest rates
are low and it is cheap to borrow money,
investors tend to pour money into high-risk
investments, including bitcoin. Conversely,
investors move their money out of risky
investments following an interest rate hike,”
Tang told SunBiz.
Tang said even though bitcoin trading has
been quite active in the past few weeks, many
market participants are still sitting on the
fence with the current volatility of the asset
class.
“While we are seeing bitcoin’s
performance improving lately, given the
lack of investor confidence, it may take a
while for the market to become bullish
again,” he said.
Tokenize founder and CEO Hong Qi Yu
said since December 2021 sentiment in the
whole of the crypto market has been quite
bearish in anticipation of aggressive interest
rate increases in 2022 by the US Federal
Reserve.
“All risk-on assets have taken a big hit, not
just crypto. Even US tech stocks. However, an
Conditions in Apac ripe for issuance of sustainable bonds: Moody’s
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asia-Pacific’s (Apac)
large financing needs post-pandemic, and
the region’s focus on carbon transition and
other environmental, social and governance
(ESG) risks will propel issuance of
sustainable bonds, according to Moody’s
Investors Service.
The credit rating agency said there is also
rising investor demand for instruments that
cater to the sustainable market.
Moody’s assistant vice president and
analyst Nishad Majmudar said conditions
are ripe for a rise in the issuance of
sovereign sustainable bonds, which is
expected to come initially from established
issuers.
“Although the development of regulatory
The cryptocurrency market has been impacted by prospects of rising interest rates and tightening
monetary policies. – AFPPIX
interesting point to take note of is when a tech
stock like Meta takes a hit and plunges 26%.
We see rotational play happening where
significant funds flow into crypto like bitcoin
and ethereum. The price has found the
bottom and has appreciated almost 30% and
more.
“It will be interesting to see how the
price of crypto such as bitcoin correlates
with US indices like the S&P 500, Dow
Jones and Nasdaq from here onwards,” he
told SunBiz.
Hong said the overall crypto market
capitalisation barely holds at US$1.5 trillion
(RM6.3 trillion) while tech stock like Apple alone
standards and taxonomies across the region
is still at an early stage, it will gradually
facilitate markets,” he said in a statement
yesterday.
The credit rating agency said Apac
governments with track records of
conventional issuance or have strong
market access, such as Hong Kong (Aa3
stable), Indonesia (Baa2 stable), South
Korea (Aa2 stable) and Malaysia (A3 stable),
are driving sustainable bonds.
“The issuer base is likely to expand
through multilateral support and as
investors’ appetite for sustainable bonds
catches up with vanilla bonds,” it said.
The credit rating agency also said the
post-pandemic focus on investment to meet
holds a US$2.75 trillion market value easily.
“Institutional investors will look for high-
beta stocks now, crypto such as bitcoin and
ethereum profiles will attract fund managers
to rebalance most of their risk on holding to
portfolios such as Meta, Apple, Microsoft,
Amazon, and Google’s parent company
Alphabet.
“I am a supercycle believer for crypto and
the crypto bull run will be extended. Of
course, mixed with some corrections that can
go up to 50% to 60% from its all-time high and
consolidation for three to six months.
Between here and there we can anticipate an
all-time high in each cycle,” he said.
UN Sustainable Development Goals will
drive issuance, particularly as major
governments including China (A1 stable),
Japan (A1 stable) and South Korea pursue
net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Although the regulatory landscape in
Asia remains uneven, efforts to harmonise
national standards in major issuing markets
will help address concerns relating to
transparency and greenwashing, and will
provide clarity around the use of proceeds
and project availability, which remain global
issues.
“Hong Kong and Singapore (Aaa stable)
have intensified the development of such
standards as both aim to become green
financial hubs,” it added. – Bernama
rubber products to
hit RM140b this year
PETALING JAYA: The value of rubber and
rubber product exports is expected to increase
to RM140 billion this year from RM71 billion in
2021 and RM49.2 billion in 2020, Plantation
Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk
Zuraida Kamaruddin said.
She said the rubber industry has seen an
encouraging performance from the tyre
industry with tyre exports increasing by 30.5%
to RM1.7 billion in 2021 compared with RM1.3
billion in 2020.
“Malaysia’s export contribution of high-
value goods and improvement in the export
performance of dry rubber products as well as a
boost in the consumption of locally produced
rubber have driven the increase in export
performance,” she told reporters after the
launch of the International Rubber Industry
Convention and Expo in Malaysia here
yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Plantation
Industries and Commodities is coming up with
strategic solutions to rid the country of
allegations regarding labour in the rubber
industry, Zuraida said.
“The ministry will work together with the
rubber association and the agency and do its
part in coming up with the solutions and it is
going to be a continuous effort to expel these
allegations and eradicate labour issues that
plaque the commodity sector.
“This is the thing that we will work together
on and we have to consolidate our narrative to
the European Union and the World Trade
Organisation in a more concerted manner than
being done on an ad hoc basis.”
The ministry will play its role and in a
consolidated manner in representing the
country as a whole, she said, adding: “This is
something we need to do and we have to speak
in one voice.” – Bernama
Covid nasal self-test kits
available at MR DIY stores
KUALA LUMPUR: MR D.I.Y Malaysia (MR DIY)
has rolled out the sale of Covid-19 nasal self-test
kits at its more than 900 stores nationwide, after
the introduction of saliva self-test kits in
November last year.
Head of marketing Alex Goh said the nasal
and saliva self-test kits are available at all MR DIY,
MR DOLLAR, and MR TOY stores nationwide.
“By buying in bulk, we are able to make these
test kits accessible to everyone who needs them
at very affordable prices,” he said in a statement
yesterday.
MR DIY is also distributing more than 1,000
nasal self-test kits and face masks to 23 charity
homes nationwide to help stem the spread of
the infections among some of the country’s
most vulnerable communities. – Bernama
 FOLLOW
@thesundaily
BRIEFS
MONDELEZ NAMES
NEW MD FOR
MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE
KUALA LUMPUR: Mondelez
International, the maker of iconic
brands including Cadbury Dairy
Milk, Oreo, Jacob’s, Chipsmore and
Twisties, yesterday announced the
appointment of Narmeen Khan as
managing director (MD) for
Malaysia and Singapore, effective
Jan 1. She is responsible for the
overall growth and operational
excellence for the business in both
markets. Narmeen has a 17-year
career with Mondelez International,
helming several senior category
and leadership roles in Pakistan
and Dubai. Prior to this
appointment, she was the MD for
Mondelez Pakistans. Narmeen
succeeds James Kane, who will
be moving to a new role within
Mondelez International.
SUPERMAX’S MAXTER
DROPS PLAN TO BUY
LAND FROM SP SETIA UNIT
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxter Glove
Manufacturing Sdn Bhd has
scrapped its plan to acquire two
parcels of land from SP Setia
Bhd’s subsidiary, Bandar Setia
Alam Sdn Bhd. In a Bursa Malaysia
filing yesterday, Supermax Corp
Bhd said the proposed acquisition
of the land by Maxter, its wholly
owned unit, was subject to and
conditional upon obtaining
Economic Planning Unit’s
approval. It said the total deposit,
including the stamp duty, was
refunded to the company on Jan
27, 2022, and the caveat on the
two land parcels has been
withdrawn effective Jan 31.
Supermax said the termination of
the proposed acquisition does
not have any material effect on
the earnings per share, net assets
per share and gearing of the
company for the financial year
ending June 30, 2022. – Bernama
INDIA: 376,612 TONNES
OF PALM OIL IMPORTS
FROM M’SIA IN JANUARY
NEW DELHI: India imported
376,612 tonnes of palm oil from
Malaysia in January, representing
68% of its total imports of the
commodity. Data from trade
group Solvent Extractors’
Association of India showed
imports from Malaysia were made
up of 296,548 tonnes of crude
palm oil, 68,855 tonnes of refined,
bleached and deodorised palm
olein and 11,209 tonnes of crude
palm kernel oil. It said palm oil’s
share in the country’s 1.25 million
tonnes total edible oil imports
last month was 44%. – Bernama
PUBLIC INVESTMENT
BANK KEEPS DIALOG
AT ‘OUTPERFORM’
KUALA LUMPUR: Dialog Group
Bhd’s engineering, procurement,
construction and commissioning
segment has been gaining
momentum and will increase
utilisation of its yard, which is
busy with plant maintenance
jobs, Public Investment Bank said.
“Our ‘outperform’ call on Dialog is
maintained with an unchanged
target price of RM3.64,” it said. –
Bernama
Foreign investors turn net buyers with inflow of RM749m in week ended Feb 11
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investors
turned net buyers for the week ended
Feb 11 with net inflow of RM749.34
million compared with net outflow of
RM160.7 million in the preceding
week, influenced by upbeat
Malaysia’s economic data, MIDF
Research said.
“So far in 2022, international
ON INSTAGRAM
Stable outlook for Malaysian
banking sector this year
oIHS Markit says economic activities forecast
to return to pre-Covid levels, rate hikes
will be supportive of margins and profitability
KUALA LUMPUR: The outlook for
the Malaysian banking sector for
2022 is stable as economic activities
are expected to return to pre-
pandemic levels, leading to more
jobs and higher wages.
The sector will also be supported
by a gradual increase in interest
rates that will help banks improve
net interest margins and
profitability, said IHS Markit.
Its research analyst, Tanisha
Bhardwaj, said the upbeat trend is in
line with the positive regional
sentiment across Southeast Asia,
with banks from Thailand,
Singapore and Indonesia poised for
steady growth in the new year.
She noted that banking
dividends for all four markets are
expected to rise by 9.25% on average
TM: 2600MHz spectrum adds value, capacity
KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom
Malaysia Bhd (TM) has reaffirmed
its commitment to enhancing
customer experience, capacity and
value with the 2600 megahertz
(MHz) spectrum band acquired from
the Malaysian Communications and
Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
recently.
The company accepted the offer
from MCMC for a 20MHz spectrum
block of the 2600MHz spectrum
band through its subsidiary, Webe
Teluk Sepanggar to be site of RM1b Sabah RE industrial complex
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Maju
Jaya Renewable Energy Industrial
Complex (SMJREIC) worth RM1
billion will be built on a 10ha site at
Teluk Sepanggar Container Port,
said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk
Hajiji Noor.
He said the effort to realise the
SMJREIC will be implemented by
Suria Capital Holdings Bhd in
collaboration with Vandelay
Ventures Sdn Bhd.
“Suria Capital Holdings Bhd has
added another potential investment
portfolio to the list of successful
private sector ventures in the state. I
hope to see the results of this
memorandum of understanding
(MoU) in the near future,” Hajiji said
in conjunction with the launch of
SMJREIC.
The chief minister witnessed the
signing of the MoU between Suria
Capital as the landowner and
Vandelay Ventures as well as
funds have been net buyers on Bursa
Malaysia for four out of six weeks.
“We noted that last week’s net
buying by foreign investors was also
the highest so far this year,” it said in a
note yesterday.
MIDF Research said the previous
highest net buying by foreigners was
in the second week of January at
SCAN
ME
in financial year 2022 (FY22).
“However, there are still
uncertainties surrounding the
Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged
supply chain disruptions, as well as
natural disaster risks such as floods,”
said Tanisha in a statement
yesterday.
With FY21 year-end dividends to
be announced this month, IHS
Markit expects the Malaysian
banking sector’s aggregate
dividends to increase by 26% year-
on-year (y-o-y) in FY21 to US$3.43
billion, after a 27.8% plunge in FY20
due to Covid-19.
Tanisha said the dividend
payouts were forecast to grow 4.6%
y-o-y in FY22, supported by strong
liquidity and capital buffers, but
noted that there was a mixed picture
Digital Sdn Bhd.
In a statement to Bursa Malaysia
yesterday, TM said the assignment
of 20MHz in the 2575-2595MHz
frequency band is effective from July
1, 2022, and entails a total
applicable fee of RM37 million over
a period of five years, including an
upfront fee of RM7.06 million and
the annual fee of RM5.98 million to
be paid by Dec 15 each year.
Group CEO Imri Mokhtar said
the spectrum provides substantial
partners, including Sawit Kinabalu
and Sabah Land Development
Board as the raw material supplier,
Sulzer GTC Technology as the
technology provider, and Thinkat
Advisory Sdn Bhd as the finance
partner here yesterday.
The effort to create SMJREIC will
boost the state’s economic growth,
generate employment opportunities,
and bring in new technologies to
Sabah, Hajiji said.
“This collaboration involves
Suria Capital, which is one of the
public limited companies with a
high reputation in the state, and it
will play a big role in helping to
ensure this viable project is
implemented successfully,” he
added.
Upon completion, SMJREIC will
house the edible oil bulking terminal
with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes and
a palm oil refining complex with a
capacity of 100,000 tonnes a year. It
RM397.85 million.
It said foreigners were net buyers
every day of the week, and the last
time this occurred was in the week
ending Jan 14, 2021.
The largest foreign inflow was
recorded Wednesday at RM279.64
million and the smallest inflow was
on Monday at only RM21.82 million.
theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
in terms of dividends in FY21.
AMMB Holdings has decided to
hold dividend payouts until the end-
2022 due to cautious capital
management, while CIMB Group’s
year-end dividend is expected to rise
more than threefold from the
previous year.
Maybank and Public Bank are
also expected to continue to be top
dividend contributors.
CGS-CIMB Research said the
pre-emptive provisions, or
management overlay for Covid-19
amounted to a hefty estimated sum
of RM6.84 billion at end-September
2021 for all Malaysian banks under
its coverage.
The brokerage said management
overlay accounted for 35% of the
banks’ total gross impaired loans
(GIL), with the largest amount of
management overlay recorded at
RM2.1 billion by Maybank, followed
by RM1.3 billion by Public Bank.
CGS-CIMB said this should
provide a strong buffer against any
increase in GIL in 2022, adding that
the management overlay only
value and leverage to TM as a
leading convergence provider.
He said the acceptance of this
spectrum offer is aligned with TM’s
future direction in the dynamic
digital space, and the increased
capacity will enable the company to
provide seamless fixed and wireless
access as well as content to its retail
and enterprise customers wherever
they may be.
“With our strong and extensive
fibre infrastructure, the spectrum
Hajiji (centre) witnessing the exchange of documents between Vandelay
Ventures CEO Mohamed Mohar Onn (second from left) with Sabah Land
Development Board general manager Syaheddrul R. Joddari. – BERNAMAPIX
will also house the hydrogenated
vegetable oil plant, the first in
Malaysia with a capacity of 250,000
tonnes a year to produce materials
for sustainable aviation fuel.
For the week, MIDF Research
said, local institutions were active
sellers, with the largest net outflow on
Wednesday and the smallest on
Monday, amounting to -RM261.35
million and -RM32.37 million,
respectively.
The market saw retailers as net
sellers every day of the week except
13
* SUNBIZ
accounted for an estimated 2.4% of
the total loans under repayment
assistance.
“We are not overly concerned
about this as we think that only a
small percentage of these loans
would eventually turn into GIL,
premised on the improvements in
loan delinquency rate following the
reopening of the economy and
continuous repayment assistance
offered by banks to their borrowers,”
it said in a note yesterday.
The brokerage believes
provisions could be written back in
2023 – at the earliest – if the GIL
ratio does not spike in 2022. It
estimated that a write-back of
every 10% of management overlay
would lift its profit forecast for
FY2023 for Malaysian banks by
around 2%.
“The impact would range from
1.5% for Public Bank Bhd (due to its
strong net profit base), to 5.4% for
Alliance Bank (due to the
management overlay ratio of 71.2%
over its FY23 net profit),” CGS-CIMB
said. – Bernama
will enable future expansion of
telecommunication services to
customers, for an end-to-end
converged experience.
“The allocation of the spectrum
also allows TM to support the
national agenda in delivering
extensive telecommunications
coverage with high service quality,
especially through the Jalinan
Digital Negara (Jendela) and the
Malaysian Digital Economy
blueprint,” he added. – Bernama
The complex and its facilities as
well as ancillary industries are
estimated to generate about 10,000
new job opportunities for the
people of Sabah. – Bernama
on Monday at RM10.55 million.
“On a year-to-date basis, we
observed RM1.052 billion in net
inflows from foreign investors,” MIDF
Research said, adding that retailers
net buying was marginal at RM0.98
million and local institutions were
net sellers amounting to -RM1.053
billion. – Bernama
 14 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
SUNBIZ

DBS profit rebounds, rate

TOSHIBA SETS MARCH 24
BRIEFS

FOR PRELIMINARY VOTE

ON BREAK-UP PLAN
TOKYO: Japan’s Toshiba Corp plans an
extraordinary general meeting of

rise prospects boost outlook

shareholders on March 24, to seek their
initial approval to hive off its devices
business, the company said yesterday.
The final, legally binding vote to
determine whether to break up the
146-year-old conglomerate will not
happen until next year, but next
month’s meeting will be a key gauge of
shareholder support for the board’s
restructuring plan. Singapore-based 3D
Investment Partners has submitted a
separate proposal for the meeting,
urging Toshiba to explore other options
and solicit buyout offers from private
equity firms and potential strategic
buyers. This month, Toshiba proposed
to split off the business that includes its
power chips and hard disk drive units,
rejigging an earlier plan to break into
three companies. – Reuters
STANCHART HK QUALIFIES AS
DIRECT CIPS OFFSHORE PLAYER
SHANGHAI: Standard Chartered Bank
(Hong Kong) Ltd said yesterday that it
has become the first foreign bank
qualified as a direct participant in
China’s Cross-border Interbank
Payment System (CIPS) outside
mainland China. Backed by the People’s
Bank of China, China launched the CIPS
clearing and settlement services
system in 2015 to internationalise yuan
use. It allows global banks to clear
cross-border yuan transactions directly
onshore, instead of through clearing
banks in offshore yuan hubs. – Reuters
KIRIN TO EXIT MYANMAR,
SEEKS SALE OF TWO UNITS
TOKYO: Japanese beverage maker Kirin
Holdings will withdraw from its
business in Myanmar and terminate its
joint venture with a military-linked
partner, it said yesterday. Kirin has been
in a dispute with local partner Myanmar
Economic Holdings Public Company
Limited on how to dissolve their
brewery venture following a military
coup against the democratically elected
government last year. Kirin executives
previously said they wanted to remain
in the Myanmar market somehow. But
after a year of negotiations, the two
sides agreed this month on terminating
the venture. Kirin will now seek to sell its
stakes in two business units in the
country, Myanmar Brewery Ltd and
Mandalay Brewery Ltd, a spokesman
said. – Reuters
CROWN RESORTS ACCEPTS
BLACKSTONE TAKEOVER OFFER
SYDNEY: Australian casino giant Crown
Resorts said yesterday it will ask
shareholders to approve an A$8.9
billion (RM27 billion) takeover offer
from Blackstone, after months of
negotiation with the US private equity
firm. If accepted, the deal will spell the
end of Australian billionaire James
Packer’s two decades as Crown’s major
shareholder. The offer came a month
after a dramatic inquiry found Crown
had facilitated money laundering
through its Melbourne and Perth
casinos and confirmed high-roller
junket operators had organised crime
links – leading the inquiry to deem
Crown unfit to hold a gambling licence
in New South Wales. – AFP
oSingapore’s economy expected to grow 3-5% this year after
expanding at its fastest annual pace in over a decade in 2021
SINGAPORE: DBS Group flagged strong business
momentum after its profit rose to a record last
year, cementing a recovery for Southeast Asia’s
largest lender as pandemic-hit economies
rebound and boost loan growth and asset quality.
Singapore lenders are also expected to be big
beneficiaries of rising interest rates, while the city-
state’s economy is forecast to grow 3% to 5% this
year after expanding at its fastest annual pace in
over a decade in 2021.
Krishna Guha, an analyst at Jefferies said
yesterday that while the bank’s fourth-quarter
profit was slightly below estimates due to lower
than expected non-interest income, growth in
DBS expects mid-to-single digit loan growth or better this year, after reporting a 9% increase last year. –
AFPPIX
Some Chinese firms revive NY IPO plans after crackdown
SHANGHAI: At least six Chinese companies
have lodged documents for New York listings in
recent weeks, filings showed, promising an end
to a months-long freeze after an unprecedented
clampdown last year by Chinese regulators.
However, the plans are for initial public
offerings (IPOs) of small size, ranging from US$1
million (RM4.2 million) to US$35 million, and
are unlikely to trigger a slew of sizeable debuts
soon, as companies await more clarity on new
offshore listing rules, bankers said.
Chinese firms raised US$12.8 billion in the
United States in the first seven months of last
year, but the deals halted after the New York
debut of Didi Global in late June triggered a
regulatory backlash by Beijing.
That brought tighter scrutiny for all offshore
listings.
Some smaller Chinese companies are now
reviving efforts to sell shares in the US, confident
they are not targeted by the new rules seeking to
other revenue metrics was “outstanding.”
“Guidance for 2022 is in line with our current
inputs but for the credit costs, and is likely to be
the next driver of positive earnings revisions,”
Guha said in a note.
DBS, the first Singapore bank to report this
season, said net profit for October-December
rose to S$1.39 billion (RM4.3 billion) and follows
a particularly weak pandemic-hit year when
profit tumbled to a three-year low in the fourth
quarter.
The result, however, missed an average
estimate of S$1.47 billion from four analysts
polled by Refinitiv, and was also 18% lower than
block offshore listings by firms handling large
amounts of data or posing national security
risks.
“I think both US and Chinese regulators hope
legitimate, law-abiding companies like us can
grow bigger and stronger through listings,”
Zhang Jiulin, chairman of insurance broker
Hengguang Holding Co, told Reuters.
His company filed a draft IPO prospectus on
Jan 18 with the Securities Exchange Commission
(SEC), aiming to raise up to US$19.6 million via
its Nasdaq listing later this year.
Zhang brushed aside concerns that tighter
Chinese control of cross-border data transfer will
hamper the firm’s US listing, saying Hengguang
did not collect sensitive individual customer
data.
New rules by the Cyberspace Administration
of China (CAC) take effect today, requiring a
security review of all platform companies with
data on more than one million users before they
the third quarter, hit by a 41% drop in non-interest
income.
DBS shares were up 0.5% yesterday, taking
gains this year to nearly 15%.
“As I look forward, the pipelines are looking
good,” CEO Piyush Gupta told a news conference
yesterday, adding that DBS was seeing all-round
robust growth across its wealth management,
transaction banking and investment banking
businesses.
He said risks included the uncertainty on the
level and timing of US rate increases, and China’s
moves to combat the spread of the Omicron
variant of the coronavirus and the impact on the
world’s second-largest economy.
Under Gupta, DBS has pumped in billions of
dollars to upgrade its technology infrastructure
over the past decade as it embraced cloud
computing and digitised services.
Since Gupta took charge in 2009, DBS has
broken into the ranks of the top wealth managers
in Asia, acquired a bank in India and one in China
over the past year, and forayed into businesses
such as a digital exchange and a global carbon
exchange to tap new revenue streams.
DBS, which earns most of its profit from
Singapore and Hong Kong, struck a deal last
month to pay S$956 million to buy Citigroup’s
consumer business in Taiwan, as it shores up
regional acquisitions to power growth.
DBS expects mid-to-single digit loan growth or
better this year, after reporting a 9% increase last
year.
The bank’s full-year profit rose 44% to a record
S$6.8 billion as 9% growth in loans, the highest in
seven years, and a surge in wealth management
and transaction banking services fees offset the
impact of lower interest rates.
US interest rate futures are more or less fully
priced for a half-point increase in March and up
to 1.75 percentage points of tightening by year
end, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.
For the latest quarter, DBS said allowances for
loan losses decreased to S$33 million in the latest
quarter from S$577 million a year earlier. –
Reuters
list overseas.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission
has also proposed setting up a filing system to
tighten scrutiny of offshore listings.
These new rules came against the backdrop
of China’s regulatory crackdowns in major
sectors such as e-commerce and tutoring which
have bashed shares in offshore-listed Chinese
companies.
“The filings are too small to be of relevance. I
don’t see any real easing any time soon,” said
one equity capital markets banker based in
Hong Kong, citing uncertainty about the rules,
including security review for firms with data on
more than one million users.
Chinese applicants, among which are
software maker U-BX Technology and electronic
components maker Ostin Technology Group,
were enthused by positive signals recently from
Chinese and US regulators about such deals,
company executives said. – Reuters

No sign of light at end of tunnel for Credit Suisse investors

FRANKFURT: Weary Credit Suisse
investors fear a long wait for the bank
to get back on piste after a string of
scandals which have wiped billions off
its market value and piled pressure on
management.
While Switzerland’s second-largest
bank says that it can create value by
serving its wealthy clients with “care
and entrepreneurial spirit”, the market
is not yet convinced and its share price
has dropped by nearly a third in a year,
knocking some 10 billion Swiss francs
(RM46 billion) off its valuation.
Meanwhile, other big European
banks, buoyed by the prospect of
rising interest rates, have gained
almost 50% in stock market value over
the same period and its cross-town
Zurich rival UBS has left Credit Suisse
for dust.
“Credit Suisse has a long list of
scandals and problems,” Stefan
Sauerschell, a bond investor with
Union Investment, said of the bank,
which was founded in 1856 and says it
has 48,770 employees and 3,510
relationship managers around the
world.
Things did not get any better last
week, however, when Credit Suisse
reported a worse-than-expected
US$2.2 billion (RM9.2 billion)
quarterly loss and warned of bleak
prospects for 2022, when it said
earnings would be hit by restructuring
costs and pay.
That outlook knocked its already
battered shares further, after a year
when the bank racked up a 1.6 billion
franc loss as a result of the collapse of
US$10 billion in supply chain finance
funds linked to insolvent British
finance firm Greensill and a US$5.5
billion hit from the implosion of
investment fund Archegos.
Proxy adviser Ethos was critical of
Credit Suisse’s decision not to publish
its investigation into the Greensill
affair.
“The bank should restore
confidence with its shareholders and
stakeholders by providing
transparency on the roots and causes
of the problems,” Ethos’s Vincent
Kaufman said in an emailed response
to Reuters.
The bank’s past continues to haunt
it, making it harder to repair an image
which is critical to holding on to
wealthy customers.
Its reputation is once again being
put through the mill in the first
criminal trial of a major bank in
Switzerland, in which Credit Suisse
and a former employee face charges of
allowing an alleged Bulgarian cocaine
trafficking gang to launder millions of
euros, some of it stuffed into suitcases.
– Reuters

A
S global temperatures rise,
the body sizes of many
migratory species of birds in
North America are
shrinking in response. But now
scientists believe that more
intelligent birds are resisting this
trend.
The reductions in body size over
the last four decades have been so
widespread that it has been
considered “a universal response to
warming”, with previous US-based
research finding there had been
reductions in the length of birds’ legs
and the size of their bodies among
more than 50 species.
But the new research – the first to
directly link cognitive power to a
physical response to warming –
“shows that bigger-brained birds
have been able to out-think shrink, at
least to a certain extent,” the scientists
said.
“As temperatures warm, body
sizes are decreasing,” said Justin
Baldwin, a PhD candidate at
Washington University in St Louis.
“But larger-brained species are
declining less strongly than small-
brained species.”
Baldwin and his co-authors
analysed data from about 70,000
birds that died when they collided
with buildings in Chicago from 1978
to 2016.
They then augmented this vast
dataset, first published by
researchers at the University of
Michigan, with new brain-volume
measurements and lifespan data for
49 of the 52 species of North
American migratory birds included
in the original study.
They found that birds that had
very big brains relative to their
bodies, had body-size reductions that
were only about one-third of those
observed for birds with smaller
brains.
They said the finding was
significant because brain size is a key
indicator of birds’ capabilities.
Relative brain size is often
considered a proxy for behavioural
flexibility in birds, the team said.
The idea is controversial when it is
applied to some other animals,
Baldwin said, but it works well for
birds.
He added: “Relative brain size
correlates with increased learning
Gardeners in Ireland encouraged to feed birds to aid pest control
Feeding birds encourages them to stay around and feed on garden pests during
summer months. – GETTY
Smart
songbirds
oBrainier birds are better at
adapting to climate crisis,
research suggests
Songbirds are getting smaller, but scientists say species with relatively larger brains are adapting to the changes. – GETTY
ability, increased memory, longer
lifespans and more stable population
dynamics.
“In this case, a bigger-brained
species of bird might be able to
reduce its exposure to warming
temperatures by seeking out
microhabitats with cooler
temperatures, for example.”
The team said their study was the
first time scientists have been able to
show a direct link between cognition
and phenotypic responses to the
climate crisis.
Despite evidence that birds are
generally getting smaller as
temperatures go up, it is still not
entirely clear why.
“One possible explanation is that
heat causes stress, and birds with
smaller bodies can dissipate heat
better. This explanation is consistent
with observations that birds that live
in the warmer parts of their species’
normal geographic ranges are
smaller than those that live in the
colder parts of their range,” the
research team said.
But while downsizing to deal with
the crisis could come with some
costs, such as increased vulnerability
to predation or reduced competitive
ability, having a larger brain may offer
alternatives that are not available to
smaller-brained species.
“This doesn’t mean that climate
GARDENING enthusiasts and
vegetable growers in County Mayo in
Ireland are being encouraged to feed
their local bird populations over the
coming months to ensure they are
around in summer to play a vital role
in pest control.
Bird expert Patrick Croke says that
several common bird species are
invaluable for eating the kinds of
caterpillars, moths and larvae that
can ruin a gardener’s year.
“For gardeners and farmers, birds
are helpers, not pests – in fact, they
play an important role in balancing
the local ecosystem,” said the
Technical Officer with Connecting to
Nature – a new Irish company that
specialises in all-year-round bird
food as well as wild flower seed.
“When insect populations rise in
summer time, birds swoop in and
feast on them,” said Croke.
“In fact according to the
Smithsonian’s Zoo and Conservation
Biology Institute, birds reduce the
pest insect population by almost 30%
– and can significantly reduce the
need for insecticide, which can only
The research on how bird brain size was
related to climate adaptation was done
by Baldwin and his colleagues. –
FACEBOOK
change is not affecting brainy birds,”
said Carlos Botero, from Washington
University in St Louis, whose lab led
the research.
Nor does it mean “that brainy
birds are going to do just fine”, he
added. “What our findings suggest is
that climate change can have a much
stronger effect on the less-brainy
birds.”
The species the team focused on
spanned a two-fold difference in
relative brain size, which was enough
to reduce the effects of increases in
breeding temperature by 70%.
“This tells us that even small
differences in cognition matter,” said
Baldwin.
be a good thing.
“But the birds won’t magically
appear – making the effort to invite
them in at this time of year will pay
dividends in the summer.
“It’s also important to be sure we
are feeding the birds the right food for
the time of year that match the
requirements of their lifecycle.
“As we move from winter towards
spring we need to start moving from
the fat-based food we were feeding
them in winter to one that is more
protein-heavy.
“We will shortly be entering the
mating season, and they will require
good proteins to grow good feathers
and eggs.
“Connecting to Nature’s Robin
and Songbirds Seed Mix, which
contains mealworms and fruit, offers
the perfect blend of the right
nutrients that those birds need now
as the mating season approaches.
“The robins and song birds in
particular are vital to controlling the
kinds of insects that can be found in
many commonly grown vegetables
and flowers.”
T U E S D AY
15 FEBRUARY 2022
The team said their findings also
have practical implications for
conservation, as three billion birds –
about one in three – have been lost in
North America since the 1970s.
“That’s probably a lot of natural
selection that hits different species
differently,” Baldwin said.
“Rapid changes in the
environment often produce a few
winners and a whole lot of losers,
which is really unfortunate,” he said.
“Many wildlife populations have
moved toward colder places as the
planet has warmed. Selection forces
those that don’t move to adapt, for
example, by changing their body
size.” – The Independent
Connecting to Nature is the
brainchild of Julie Power, whose
family has been in the seed business
for six generations, and it aims to
improve our feelings of wellness.
“The World Economic Forum has
published research that the happiest
Europeans are those who see the
most bird species in their day-to-day
life,” said Julie.
“Studies have shown that greater
bird biodiversity can make people
more joyful. Feeding birds is a very
good way of feeling closer to nature
and bringing wildlife closer to you,
and Ireland has a wonderful array of
small wild birds that you can feed.
“You don’t have to be in the
countryside to connect with nature,
all you have to do is create an
environment that consistently
attracts birds and bees.
“After the experience of Covid
lockdowns, we have a new awareness
of the mental health benefits of
connecting to nature, a renewed
interest in our living world and
improving our gardens for the benefit
and love of wildlife.” – Agencies
 ENTERTAINMENT
16 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
█ COMPILED BY JOHN TAN, MARIETTA MU, S. TAMARAI CHELVI & ANANSA JACOB
Jordan Peele unveils
trailer for thriller ‘Nope’
JORDAN Peele’s films are
highly acclaimed for their
exploration of social issues
such as racism and systemic
inequality through the horror
genre. After directing his first
two hits, Get Out (2017) and Us
(2019), Peele’s long-awaited
new thriller, Nope, finally
debuted its first official trailer
on Sunday.
It starts off
upbeat and
c o l o u r f u l ,
introducing
Daniel Kaluuya
and Keke Palmer
to as two
Hollywood horse trainers,
emphasising that they are the
only Black-owned business in
their industry. After a quirky
musical interlude during which
Palmer’s character dances,
things quickly take a dark turn.
Among the terrifying images
is an ominous cloud seems to
be sucking unfortunate souls
up into the sky, hinting that the
danger this time might be
Kaluuya and Palmer in the trailer for Nope. – UNIVERSAL PICTURES
A screenshot from BLACKPINK’s Ice Cream video. – YOUTUBE
Another viewing record for BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK’S Ice Cream (with
Selena Gomez) music video which
was released in August 2020 has
surpassed 700 million views on
YouTube.
According to BLACKPINK’s
agency, YG Entertainment, the
something extraterrestrial.
“What’s a bad miracle? Do
they have a word for that?”
Kaluuya’s character wonders
aloud in the trailer.
Just like his previous film Us,
there was not much
information about the plot of
Nope since it was first
announced last February.
When the project was revealed,
the only
Scan the QR information that
code to was known was
watch the that Kaluuya,
who received an
trailer O s c a r
nomination for
his lead performance in Get
Out, would reunite with Peele,
and that Palmer had been cast
in a key role.
From the trailer, besides
Kaluuya and Palmer, other
Hollywood names like Steven
Yeun, Barbie Ferreira, Brandon
Perea, and Michael Wincott are
part of the cast.
The horror movie is set to hit
theatres on July 22.
video has accumulated 700 million
views as of yesterday.
This is BLACKPINK’s 10th music
video to reach 700 million views,
with the four of their prior music
videos accumulating over a billion
views.
FOLLOW
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of her new film Marry Me in Los Angeles. – GETTY
Love don’t
cost a thing
oJennifer Lopez gushes over Ben Affleck’s
Valentine’s Day gift
B
EN AFFLECK may have
just come up with the
most romantic gift for
Valentine’s Day. As an
early Valentine’s Day present, the
actor made a four-minute-long
video for his girlfriend, Jennifer
Lopez.
Set to her song, On My Way:
The Remix, the clip featured photos
from the early days of the
lovebirds’ relationship in the early
2000s. It ended with an adorable
In addition to that, at the time
of its release, the song ranked
13th, the highest among Korean
female singers, on the U.S.
Billboard’s main single chart, and
stayed on the chart for eight
consecutive weeks.
ON TELEGRAM
/thesuntelegram
selfie of the couple kissing when
they rekindled their romance last
year.
“Watching it made me think
about the journey of true love, its
unexpected twists and turns, and
that when it’s real, it actually can
last forever,” Lopez gushed in her
latest newsletter, On the JLo. “This
seriously melted my heart.”
The couple – who dated from
2002 to 2004 – reconnected last
spring after Lopez called off her
Gaining weight to fight zombies
ACTORS will go to great lengths to
transform themselves for a role in a
movie or series, but Im Jae Hyuk
raised the bar for his commitment
and dedication to gain weight f or
his part in All of Us Are Dead.
In the series, he has a strong
physique that helps when fighting
the zombies and protecting his
fellow students. But little did
audiences know that the
actor actually had to gain
32kg for the role.
Initially, Im already
had a bigger frame
when he first joined his
agency 2019, but he
was told to lose weight
in order to get part, and
he did! In fact, he lost
30kg. However, all of his
hard work to lose weight
proved to be premature.
In an unexpected
turn, when he
scored the
role of
Dae Su
in the
SCAN
ME
engagement with Alex Rodriguez.
Speaking of the relationship,
Lopez revealed how grateful she is
to be in love with Affleck again.
“It’s a beautiful love story that
we got a second chance,” said
Lopez of rekindling their romance
17 years later. However, the duo
intends to do things differently this
time around since they have
grown and learned from the past.
“We’re older now, we’re
smarter, we have more experience,
we’re at different places in our
lives, we have kids now, and we
have to be very conscious of those
things. We’re so protective
because it is such a beautiful time
for all of us.”
Her new movie, Marry Me is
currently showing in cinemas. In
it, Lopez plays a pop star named
Kat Valdez who is set to get
married to another music star,
Bastian. But after learning about
his infidelity, she marries a
stranger (Owen Wilson) in the
crowd instead.
zombie series, the production team
wanted a heavier male character
and requested Im to gain back
some weight!
Im dutifully then put back
almost all the weight he had lost
previously.
However, after the series had
finished filming, the actor then
decided to lose weight once again,
based on his own wishes and
preference, and ended up
shedding about 25kg.
Now, the 180cm actor
weighs a healthy 82kg.
It looks like body
image is just as
important in the South
Korean film industry as it
is in Hollywood.
Hollywood celebrities
have spoken out about
being pressured to lose
weight to look a certain
way.
Im Jae Hyuk
gained
32kg in
order to
play Dae
Su. –
NETFLIX
 FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE ENTERTAINMENT
SCAN theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022 17
/theSunMedia ME

Sudden fame
█ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR

A
T the start of the
pandemic over two years
ago, a law student began
posting videos of her
singing on the popular social
media platform TikTok. Due to her
eclectic range and vibrant vocals, oSinger Fatia talks about the challenges of
19-year-old Fatia quickly accrued a
solid following that supported her becoming a professional singer overnight
videos which covered a variety of
songs.
Growing up in household which speaking your mind, expressing Aubrey about her own struggles
played a range of music – from pop yourself the way you want,” Fatia with being vulnerable and sharing
to show tunes – Fatia told theSun said. information about herself,
that she has been singing since To realise the message she especially as an introvert.
childhood. wanted to convey, Fatia “We spoke about that
“I don’t think there [was ever] a worked with renowned and it became a big part
time where I wasn’t singing,” she musician Aubrey Suwito, of the song’”
said. who wrote and
Always recording, Fatia would composed the single. More to come
often hear herself and think: “Oh “When Aubrey and Through the
my gosh, I sound bad”. me first met, it was TikTok deal, Fatia
Through trial and error, on Zoom, and we was able to make
persistence and discipline, Fatia discussed my range proper, studio-
found ways to improve herself in and how to quality music.
parts that she didn’t like. showcase much of Ideas that
“I think when you sing a lot all that, and the type were once
the time, you naturally find ways to of message and considered
be better, to sing healthier and thing that I stood d r e a m s
comfortably”. with, like what I mat e r i a l i s e d
wanted to put into reality,
Going professional in the song.” moving
In August of the same year she Fatia added her
joined TikTok, Fatia was contacted that she
by the platform’s representatives. talked
“They DM’d me one day on with
Instagram, out of the blue during
my semester. I was like: ‘This is so
suspicious. This is totally a scam’. I
had to look up some of the names,
to be sure they were real and
worked at TikTok. Then I replied
them,” she explained with nervous
breaks of laughter. Moving forward, Fatia sees herself being more involved in the songwriting
“They said they wanted to have process. – TIKTOK MALAYSIA
a meeting with me, and talk about
working on something.” In the blink of eye, Fatia went
The “something” was Fatia from being just a law from singing inside her try different things and be more
being signed on by TikTok as the student to also juggling a room to the the greater, risky with anything that I do.”
platform’s first global signed professional singing career. – proper music industry. As exciting as the journey has
artiste. TIKTOK MALAYSIA The experience has been so far, Fatia admits that it was
“I was pretty shocked. I didn’t been very eye-opening for also quite daunting.
expect it or see it coming at all. I Fatia, and seems to have “I wanted to do a good job and
think at that point, I hadn’t posted bolstered her confidence. impress, so I tried my best. It was
(on TikTok) in a few months. So I “The biggest thing I very scary.
was shocked that they even found learned is that anything is “I’m an introvert and having
me. I had to sit on it for a while, and possible. I’ve dreamt about people wanting to know who I am
talk to people.” making music before and is also very scary”.
about being on stage, but never Now that the new single is out,
First single thought it would come true,” she the singer shows no hint of
On Nov 26 last year, Fatia’s debut noted. stopping.
single My World Too was released “And no one could dream about “We’re in the works of making
under the TikTok banner. being signed by TikTok, because it new music, which might possibly
“The song is about having the hasn’t been done before. lead up to an EP. Among that,
courage to be yourself and “I think I’m now more ready to maybe even cover songs.”

New Firestarter adaptation sets Hollywood alight

FROM the producers of The
Invisible Man comes a new
adaptation of Stephen King’s
classic thriller Firestarter , the story
of a girl with extraordinary
pyrokinetic powers who fights to
protect her family and herself from
sinister forces that seek to capture
and control her.
For more than a decade, parents
Andy (played by Zac Efron) and
Vicky (Sydney Lemmon) have been
on the run, desperate to hide their
daughter Charlie (Ryan Kiera
Armstrong) from a shadowy federal
agency that wants to harness her
unprecedented gift for creating fire
into a weapon of mass destruction.
Andy has taught Charlie how to
defuse her power, which is
triggered by anger or pain. But as
Charlie turns 11, the fire becomes
harder and harder to control.
After an incident reveals the
family’s location, a mysterious
operative is deployed to hunt down
the family and seize Charlie once
and for all. However, Charlie has
other plans.
The film is helmed by Keith
Thomas and also stars
Kurtwood Smith, John
Beasley and Gloria Reuben
while the score is
composed by John
Carpenter and his fellow
Halloween franchise
composers Cody Carpenter
and Daniel Davies.

Scan the QR
code to
watch the
Burning rage ... don’t mess with this little girl. – trailer
PARAMOUNT PICTURES Andy (Zac Efron) and Charlie (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) hiding from the bad guys. – UNIVERSAL PICTURES
 FASHION
18 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022

PIX BY ANANSA JACOB/ THESUN

█ BY ANANSA JACOB (right) Pieces
in indigo

U
NIQLO wants to remind colours
people of the Joys of paired with
Clothing with its jeans will be
Spring/Summer the highlight
Collection for 2022. Last Thursday, for casual
local media were given a sneak wear.
preview of what was in store for this
season at a special closed-door
event held at The Grey Box, GMBB in
Kuala Lumpur.
Clothing is designed to be
functional, with an emphasis on
comfort and wearability. A large
number of items also can be unisex,
(left)
demonstrating UNIQLO’s mission to
make clothing that is accessible to UNIQLO’s
everyone. new range
For those looking to stay cool in of workwear
our tropical weather, UNIQLO’s features new
expanded range of linen and cotton Kando
fabrics will keep you comfortable, pieces, wide
while still looking stylish. Inspired by pants and
easy, breezy resort and beach wear, comfortable
these new pieces will certainly offer silhouettes.
some respite from the heat. (above, left) Linen is one of the key fabrics for the season.
There are several new items and

Style for all

colours in both the men’s and
women’s range, including premium
100% European linen shirts with
stand collars, and a new linen-blend
kaftan dress with a skipper collar. In
addition, there are also new linen
jackets and shorts, which can be
paired together or with other cooling
clothing items, including the ever-
popular Airism range.
UNIQLO’s bratop range also gets
a cooling upgrade in the American
Sleeve Cropped Bra Tank Top. The
cropped top has a higher neckline
and narrower straps, offering a
stylish look that pairs well with long
skirts or wide pants.
For those who love the outdoors,
UNIQLO has a range of stylish and
functional outfits for this season,
with colours and textures that blend
in the scenery so that you feel at one
with nature.
Its jeans range has also received a
boost, with high-rise jeans and
straight leg jeans continuing to be
the most celebrated cuts. The men’s
range will see the addition of light,
oUNIQLO’s Spring/Summer collection
is casual, functional and wearable
relaxed fit jeans, and items in spring
and summer hues and special
finishes will be introduced.
This season also sees UNIQLO
embrace the beauty of Indigo,
highlighting the colour in a new
series of casual items, including
stand collar shirts and sweatshirts
with oversized silhouettes as well as
pairings of work jackets and pants.
Speaking of work, there is good
news for those looking for brand
new workwear: UNIQLO’s popular
Kando series is now being offered in
the women’s line of pants and
comfort and wrinkle resistant for
easy care.
For those who favour more
functional outfits that suit urban
living, UNIQLO has a number of
parkas, sweaters and cardigans for
every occasion – clean casual outfits
that look great at work and during
down time. One of the highlights is
the utility parka, made from light,
water-repellent material and with
multiple pockets. This unisex item is
jackets, as well as the men’s. great for urban travellers.
The 3D cut of the jacket Members of the media also got a
creates a beautiful silhouette, look at upcoming pieces from the
even when wearing it as a Uniqlo U, Ines de la Fressange, JW
short coat, while delivering Anderson and Hana Tajima lines. All
exceptional lightness, fast the lines seem to be embracing
drying, and stretch colours this season, and for the JW
functionality. Anderson and Hana Tajima lines,
The men’s Kando pants also people can look forward to some
gets an upgrade, with two-way new fabrics and cuts that will
stretch to fit even more comfortably. definitely stand out from the crowd.
Another notable item are the UNIQLO’s utility
wide straight pants, which feature a parka is one of its For further information on the
draped fabric and elastic waists. many unisex UNIQLO Spring/Summer Collection
They offer two-way stretch for pieces. – UNIQLO 2022, visit www.uniqlo.com.

Kate Spade New York

Coach’s
Spring 2022
campaign

embraces florals
Petal 3D Flower features its
Pot Crossbody. iconic logo in
a bright pop
palette. –
THIS season, Kate Spade New both fun and versatile. COACH
York’s range of bags feature pops The Wing It collection is the
of colour and playful prints. Sunny perfect interpretation of
yellows and passionate pinks sit springtime with a butterfly tote, a
alongside beachy stripes and ever- flowerpot crossbody, and a
present polka dots, allowing our butterfly coin purse.
girl to celebrate everyday magic One surefire hit is Courtside, a
with a classic New York twist. collection that embodies tennis’s
The brand is also introducing long history with fashion. The
its Floral Garden Jacquard capsule features an All Day tote
fabrication across a range of styles embellished with a tennis net- Travel the world with Coach’s
and silhouettes, continuing its inspired print that comes with a
collaboration with Italian mill and tennis ball coin purse. The
jacquard innovator, Limonta. Just Courtside Large Tennis tote has a
Spring campaign
like nylon, jacquard is a forever- side compartment fit for a racquet, COACH recently launched its Spring reimagines Coach’s iconic Horse and
favourite and part of the Kate and the Doubles Tennis small 2022 campaign which features a Carriage code and first-ever house
Spade New York heritage. crossbody bag completes the set bevy of celebrities as logo in a pop palette for a new
Available in both pearl blush with unique detailing, including a part of its Coach generation.
and meadow black florals, the woven handle and a tennis Family including The campaign features the Coach
Floral Garden Jacquard is racquet zipper Jennifer Lopez, Family getting around town via their
sprinkled across several handbag pull. Megan Thee Stallion, unique modes of transport, and
groups, including the Manhattan Courtside Noah Beck, Wisdom introduces the house’s Spring 2022
tote, and the Lovitt top-handle Kaye and Kōki. collection and Coach creative director
Large Tennis
bag. The Stuart Vevers’ vision for the season of
This also marks the Tote in Fresh campaign American classics subverted through
debut of Avenue, its latest Greens. the lens of now.
satchel in both canvas and In addition to the Horse and
refined grain leather. With Carriage collection, it spotlights the
three compartments for house’s Field Tote and Hitch Backpack
everyday essentials, it’s the and will also introduce a
perfect Spring bag that can reimagination of Coach’s Signature,
be hand- held or worn as a launching in February with the next
crossbody, in mini or chapter of the campaign.
medium sizes. Captured in cities around the
Meanwhile, the Voyage world, the campaign was also created
bag is a focus for Mother’s in collaboration with new
Day and has been designed ambassadors for the house Dean
in seasonal florals, and the Fujioka and Shawn Dou, TikTok star
Petal collection features Voyage Floral Medley with Parker Kit Hill and comedian Elsa
floral-forward handbags small top handle. Majimbo.

A Kimi bucket bag. – CROTCHET MY HOBBY
Lo hard at work making her latest bag. – CROTCHET
MY HOBBY
Strung up on style
oPair your outfit with trendy crochet bags, made
with earth-friendly yarn
█ BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI
B
AGS are not just a necessity, they are
also a fashionable accessory, a must-
have staple in this modern era. They
come in an abundance of styles,
shapes and sizes for each occasion.
One crochet lover is turning her passion
into a business, crafting elegant crochet bags
with refined knots that look simply stylish. Her
bags have a sophisticated look, and are so
detailed that they can even pass for one
manufactured by a famous bag brand.
The bags are actually hand-knitted by 44-
year-old Lo Shuk Fui under her label Crotchet
My Hobby. She patiently knits each knot to
create bags in different styles including totes,
crossbody bags, bucket bags and many more.
The bags are made with Hamanaka brand
hand-knitted yarn (from the Eco Andaria
series) from Japan.
This environment-friendly yarn is thin, light
and has a smooth texture as it is made from
wood pulp, whioch is normally used for paper.
This makes each bag soft, flexible and light to
carry.
Stylish and simple
Gone are the days when crochet bags only
came in oversized and undesirable shapes,
which were largely only suitable to bring to the
beach. Now, modern crocheters have breathed
new life into these bags by upgrading them to
suit today’s urban and trendy consumer.
“My bags have a basic and simple design,
and are lightweight and versatile for daily wear
and all other occasions,” said Lo.
While the designs are fashionable and chic,
the colours are also attractive. Her bags come
in a selection of pretty colours along with
handcrafted leather straps, and are tanned
with natural vegetable dye, locally.
“The colours are more earth toned and
sometimes in a contrasting colour to the top
FASHION
theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022 19
A bright and colourful clutch. – CROTCHET MY HOBBY
Two of Lo’s deisgns, a hobo bag and matching bucket
hat. – CROTCHET MY HOBBY A bucket bag that comes in two tones. – CROTCHET MY HOBBY
quality tanned leather straps,” said Lo.
Previously, Lo had been knitting everything
from Amigurumi dolls to clothes as a hobby.
Then, she had an idea to explore knitting bags
instead.
“Basically, I have been making everything
but hats, and bags [suddenly] became popular.
Hence, I spend most of my time creating bags,”
said Lo.
Endless possibilities
For Lo, there is no restriction or limitation
when comes to crafting the design, shape and
style of the bags.
“Bags are easy to match with anybody,
without having to worry about the size and
fitting of their garments,” said Lo.
Besides, she finds bags make a good gift to
give to others, especially women, as most
women love her unique bags.
“When comes to crafting bags, I can
crotchet [different] shape and sizes which I like
and want, without the need to worry if it fits,”
said Lo.
Lo spends about six to eight hours knitting a
medium-sized bag, applying simple and basic
repetitive stitching techniques, which is
actually a difficult and labour-intensive task.
“The consistency of thestitches is the most
challenging part of crocheting the bag,”
explained Lo. “Consistency in the shape and
size of each knot or stitch is important to
ensure that the bag has a balanced shape.
“Apart from that, each and every new
design, shape, size is also challenging due to Lo with some of her pretty creations. – CROTCHET MY HOBBY
the differences in stitch count.”
knitting hobby. “Trial and errors are common. It’s not easy
Love for crotchet “I started when I was still in secondary as one requires both skill and patience, but I
Her passion for crochet was sparked when she school. I was given a knitting needle and some still enjoy doing it as I believe the challenges
was still young. yarn by my aunt. I then picked up crotchet not you go through help you learn more,” added
“Crochet has no boundaries. I can create long after, despite my lack of knowledge and Lo.
anything, anywhere. Crochet and knitting are tools, and access to quality yarns,” said Lo. The price of each bag ranges from RM250 to
very convenient, all I need is a needle and yarn For Lo, crocheting has been a very RM700 for a custom-made design, depending
only,” said Lo, who is passionate about her therapeutic exercise. on the size, pattern and material.
 EDUCATION
20 theSun LYFE ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
More access to education
oMSU offers a wide range of flexible
programmes for adult learners looking
to upskill themselves
M
ANAGEMENT and
Science University (MSU)
offers breakthrough ways
for working adults
wishing to further their studies. A
wide range of programmes is offered
with the student’s convenience as
well as their educational and
professional backgrounds in mind.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential
Learning returns opportunities lost to
educations put on hold, with flexible
learning at MSU.
Knowledge is the currency of the
21st-century economy, and meeting
the ever-increasing need for
qualified, higher-skilled workers is
the Accreditation of Prior
Experiential Learning (APEL).
Introduced and approved by the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency
(MQA), APEL widens access to higher
education for adult learners who are
richly work-experienced yet lacking
academic qualifications. The APEL C
pathway provides credit transfer for
entry into diploma programmes right
up to PhD.
APEL C or Accreditation of Prior
Experiential Learning via Credit
Transfer allows assessment of credits
against matching modules in a
programme of study.
Once an APEL C applicant’s
competency level is determined,
those credits can shorten his or her
entire study duration considerably,
saving time and money.
An applicant presenting only SPM
for university entrance application,
for example, would usually qualify for
diploma studies only. With APEL C,
it’s possible to pursue a bachelor’s
degree directly.
Another flexible option for adult
learners to pursue their education is a
micro-credential programme. Its
offer offers industry in-demand
programmes that provide flexible and
made easy learning assessments that
shall fulfil his or her needs for
comprehensive education in
preferred areas of study. These
stackable programmes will allow for
exemptions into academic
programmes at MSU.
MSU comprises the Faculty of
Health and Life Sciences, the Faculty
of Business Management and
Professional Studies, the Faculty of
Information Sciences and
Engineering, the International
Medical School, the School of
Pharmacy, the School of Education
and Social Sciences, the School of
Hospitality and Creative Arts, the immense personal fulfilment. employers. gender equality and no poverty in
School of Graduate Studies and the As a top university in Malaysia and Among the best in the region, the THE University Impact Rankings
Graduate School of Management. the country’s best teaching and University’s programmes of study are 2021.
Lifelong learners from all walks of learning university, MSU prioritises meticulously crafted to enhance With 98.7% of its graduates
life may access MSU’s range of student development to enhance graduate potential, producing successfully securing employment
undergraduate as well as graduate employability. Its highly graduates that are a popular pick within six months of their graduation,
postgraduate programmes, and qualified academics and visiting among employers. MSU is ranked by the Ministry of
choose from a variety of study modes professors support a holistic MSU currently ranks in the Top Higher Education (MoHE) as
to fit their situation best: whether to curricular framework that delivers 100 among the world’s top young Malaysia’s #1 for graduate
attend classes on the weekdays, the compelling learning experiences. universities, Top 200 among Asia’s employability. Also rated by MoHE as
weekends, or in the evenings or to opt Blending technical vocational best universities, Top 301+ for SETARA Tier-5 Excellent Status
for virtual learning that runs via video education and training (TVET) with Graduate Employability Ranking and University and ranked as The Most
conference supported by online traditional academic curricula, MSU Top 601+ for University Impact. Entrepreneurial Private University in
discussion. enhances competencies with Ranked by both Quacquarelli Malaysia.
Lifelong learning is vital for industry internship, community and Symonds (QS) and Times Higher
everybody and not just for the creative entrepreneurship, as well as Education (THE), MSU’s world For more information on MSU, call
insatiably curious. Make lifelong global exposure; empowering MSU rankings place it in the Top 47% of the 03-5521 6868, email
learning a part of yourself, advance in graduates with the well-roundedness world’s best universities in the QS enquiry@msu.edu.my, or visit
your professional life, and gain desired and sought after by WUR 2022 and Top 200 for impact on www.msu.edu.my
 IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
KLIE RENTALS (PENANG) SDN. BHD.
(199601029780)(402132-P)
(IN MEMBERS’
VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP)
At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the
Company duly convened and held at Lot
425, Jalan Batu Arang, Rawang Integrated
Industrial Park, 48000 Rawang, Selangor
D. E. on 10 February 2022, the following
Special Resolutions were duly passed :-
302 Jobs
1) That the Company be liquidated by way
of members’ voluntary winding up; and
2) That Lim Lay Hoon of Room 401-A,
WE ARE HIRING
Bangunan Loke Yew, No. 4, Jalan
Mahkamah Persekutuan, 50050 Kuala
Lumpur be and is hereby appointed
as Liquidator to act for the purpose of
winding-up the company’s affairs and
Assistant Manager/Manager - distributing its assets.
Finance and HR Dated this 15th day of February 2022
CHIA GET CHEU
Director
Job Description: IN THE MATTER OF
• To handle full set of accounts following accounting principles, THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
IN THE MATTER OF
• Prepare & oversee full spectrum of accounting, month-end closing, KLIE RENTALS (PENANG) SDN. BHD.
year-end closing, audit schedules, tax, stock control, etc. (199601029780)(402132-P)
(IN MEMBERS’
• Responsible for management, statutory and group reporting VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP)
requirements. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
• Responsible for finding solutions and resolving daily operational issues creditors of the abovenamed Company,
which is being voluntarily wound-up, are
if any.
required on or before 15 March 2022, to
• Responsible for the development of business plans, budget and cash send in their names and addresses and
flow forecast. the particulars of their debts and claims
and the names and addresses of their
• Periodically review financial reports and identify opportunities for solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, the
cost reduction. Liquidator of the said Company and if
so required by notice in writing from the
• Ensure internal control and accounting control procedures are in place. said Liquidator, are by their solicitors or
personally to come to prove the said debts
• Administer credit control and debt collection.
or claims at such time and place as shall
• Responsible for Finance audit and tax matters. be specified in such notice or in default
• Oversee the recruitment and selection process to attract, recruit and
thereof they will be excluded from the
benefit of any distribution made before
retain talents. such debts are proved.
• To manage payroll system, staff benefit, yearly performance and LIM LAY HOON
appraisal. Liquidator
Room 401-A, Bangunan Loke Yew,
• Develop, design & implement of HR policies to support the company No. 4, Jalan Mahkamah Persekutuan,
business objectives and compliance with law and regulatory. 50050 Kuala Lumpur.
• To handle disciplinary matter including staffs counselling, grievances
Dated : 15 February 2022
handling, domestic inquires & termination process & other industrial
relation procedures in compliances with local Labour Law.
• To handle standard HR letters, documents, memorandums and other
correspondences, such as warning letters, appointment letters, IN THE MATTER OF
confirmation letters and related correspondence as requested. THE COMPANIES ACT, 1965
• Other administration duties where required and part of the scope. AND
• Any other duties as assigned by the superior/ management from time IN THE MATTER OF
to time. HILL-HOMES
DEVELOPMENT SDN. BHD.
Requirements: (200401022396
• Candidate must process at least Professional or Degree in Finance / (660901-T))
Accountancy or equivalent. (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY
• At least 5 Year(s) managerial / supervising of working experience in WINDING-UP)
audit, financial accounting and HR. NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING
• Familiar with Accpac, ERP Accounting & HR software would be an
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
added advantage.
that pursuant to Section
• Computer literate and knowledgeable of Ms Excel, Word & Power Point.
459(b) of the Companies
• Good command of written and spoken in English. Proficiency in Bahasa Act,2016, the Final Meeting
Malaysia & Mandarin will be an added advantage. of the Contributories of the
Company will be held at 4th
Admin Executive cum Floor, Lin Ho Building, 15,
Jalan Hang Lekiu, 50100
Personal Assistant Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah
Persekutuan on 18 March
Job Description: 2022 at 10.00 a.m for the
• Reporting to senior management, performing and administrative duties. following purposes of:-
• Data entry, maintaining operations database, records keeping, compile i) To receive an account from
and analyse KPI reports. the liquidator showing
• Liaising and coordinating with internal departments, answering calls the manner in which the
winding up has been
and making travel arrangements.
• Scheduling appointments, maintaining events calendar and sending conducted and of hearing
any explanations that may
reminders.
• Arranging and preparing monthly meeting minutes.
be given by the liquidator;
ii) To resolve that under
• Any other ad hoc duties assigned by management from time to time.
Section 518(3)(b) of the
Companies’ Act, 2016,
Requirements:
• SPM/High School/Diploma level and above.
the books, accounts
and documents of the
• Certification in secretarial work, office administration or related training Company be destroyed
will be an added advantage. after the expiration of three
• 1-2 years of experience as a personal assistant would be
(3) months from the date of
advantageous. the final meeting.
• Knowledge in using software such as MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Possess advanced skills in typing, note-taking, organising, and Date: 15 February 2022
record-keeping. JAYASHANKER S-O
• Ability to manage internal and external correspondence. RAJAGOPAL
Liquidator
• Good command in written and spoken English.
Office based in Petaling Jaya (5 days a week) IN THE MATTER OF THE
Closing date - 28 February 2022 COMPANIES ACT, 1965
Send in your CV with your photo via email to : AND
IN THE MATTER OF
thesun.hr2@gmail.com YUEN CHUN
CHAN SDN. BHD.
(195801000017
CALL TO PLACE (3244-W))
(IN MEMBERS’
CLASSIFIED ADS
VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP)
NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that pursuant to Section
KLANG VALLEY 459(b) of the Companies
PENANG | KEDAH Act, 2016, the Final Meeting
of the Contributories of the
PERAK | PERLIS | PAHANG | Company will be held at
25-1, Suite B, Jalan USJ
KELANTAN 10/1E, 47620 Subang Jaya,
TERENGGANU Selangor on 18 March
2022 at 10.00 a.m for the
MS. Shoba following purposes of:-
i) To receive an account from
TEL: 03-7784 8888 the liquidator showing
the manner in which the
FAX: 03-7784 4424 winding up has been
conducted and of hearing
any explanations that may
MALACCA | N.SEMBILAN be given by the liquidator;
ii) To resolve that under
MR. Rajah Section 518(3)(b) of the
TEL: 012-628 2844 Companies’ Act, 2016,
the books, accounts
FAX: 06-764 2051 and documents of the
Company be destroyed
after the expiration of
JOHOR BAHRU three (3) months from the
date of the final meeting.
MS. Anne Lim
TEL: 013-770 6699 Date: 15 February 2022
LIM LI KUNG
FAX: 07-355 5549 Liquidator
322 Notices
21
theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
* SPORTS
IN THE MATTER OF
Maiden Tour title
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
UKO TRADING (M) SDN. BHD.
[REGISTRATION NO.:
198101012759 (78889-M)]
(In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation)
for Scottie
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to
Section 459 of the Companies Act, 2016,
that a Final Meeting of the abovenamed
Company will be held at Messrs Rodgers
Reidy & Co. at K-3A-09, No.2, Jalan
Solaris, Solaris Mont’ Kiara, 50480 Kuala
Lumpur on 14 March 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Scheffler out-duels Cantlay to win Phoenix Open
for the purpose: -
To receive the Liquidators’ Statement of
Accounts showing the manner in which
S
the winding-up has been conducted and
COTTIE SCHEFFLER drained a 26- birdies in his 4-under 67, but just one of
the property of the Company disposed of,
and of hearing any explanation that may foot birdie putt at the third playoff them on the back nine.
be given by the Liquidator.
hole to win his first US PGA Tour title Scheffler gained a share of the lead with
LIM TIAN HUAT
Liquidator
at the Phoenix Open yesterday ahead a birdie at the par-four 17th, where his chip
Dated this 15 February 2022 of world No. 4 Patrick Cantlay. from off the green left him a four-footer.
Scheffler had looked to be in trouble He had a chance to seize the win at the
A member of the Company entitled to
attend and vote at the above meeting may when he found a fairway bunker off the tee 72nd hole, but his five-foot birdie attempt
appoint a proxy to attend and vote on his
behalf. A proxy need not be a member of
at the final playoff hole, while Cantlay was in didn’t fall.
the Company. The instrument appointing a the fairway. But he blasted out to the green “I didn’t hit a bad putt,” he said. “It didn’t
proxy shall be in writing under the hand of and rolled in his putt, watching as Cantlay feel great coming off the face, but I think I
the appointer or his attorney duly
authorized in writing or, if the appointer is was unable to get his own birdie effort to just hit it through the break. I think there
a corporation, either under its common drop. was a little bit of excitement, whatever it
seal or signed by its attorney or by an
“I’ve had a few putts on this green now. I was.”
officer of the Company duly authorized in
writing in that behalf. The instrument started to have it figured out pretty good,” He and Cantlay headed back to the 18th
appointing a proxy must be deposited at Scheffler said. “It’s kind of a tee, and both parred the hole twice before
the address above, not less than 48 hours tricky hole location. This Scheffler polished off the victory.
before the time for holding the meeting.
one we got a good read For awhile, it looked like 318th-ranked
on it and it chased Sahith Theegala would be the tour’s third-
322 Notices down nicely.” straight first-time winner.
Scheffler had The 24-year-old Californian rookie,
DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET
birdied four of the playing on a sponsor’s exemption, had a
DI KAJANG last six holes at TPC one-shot lead to start the day and led
DALAM NEGERI SELANGOR
DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA Scottsdale to roar much of the way.
GUAMAN SIVIL NO: into contention with His fourth birdie of the day at the 15th,
BH-A72NCvC-97-09/2021
a 4-under467. where he blasted out of a greenside bunker
ANTARA
He finished tied on to four feet, put him 16-under.
TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD
(No. Syarikat: 199001009294)
16-under 268 with But he hit his tee shot at the 17th into the
… PLAINTIF Cantlay, who water on the way to a bogey and didn’t
had four make the playoff,
DAN
LAI KIM CHING
finishing tied for
(No. K/P: 490303-10-5673) third on 269 with
… DEFENDAN
former world
NOTIS PENGIKLANAN No. 1 Brooks
(Dalam Perkara mengenai
Penyampaian Ganti Writ Saman Koepka and
dan Pernyataan Tuntutan bertarikh
22.9.2021 melalui Perintah Mahkamah
bertarikh 19.1.2022)
Tokyo Olympic
gold medalist
Kepada:- Scottie Scheffler X a n d e r
LAI KIM CHING of the United Schauffele. –
(No. K/P: 490303-10-5673)
States and his AFP
25-G, Jalan Putra 8
Taman Putra Kajang
Kajang 43000, Selangor
wife Meredith
pose with the
dan/atau
trophy after
LAI KIM CHING
(No. K/P: 490303-10-5673) winning the
2, Jalan Desa Ria
Taman Desa
Phoenix Open at
58100 Kuala Lumpur TPC Scottsdale in
Arizona yesterday.
AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu Writ
Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan
bertarikh 22.9.2021 (“Writ tersebut”) – AFPPIX
dan satu Perintah Untuk Penyampaian
Ganti bertarikh 19.1.2022 (“Perintah
tersebut”) telah dikeluarkan terhadap
kamu di Mahkamah Majistret Kajang
oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad (No.
Syarikat: 199001009294) yang
mempunyai alamat penyampaian di
Pejabat Setiausaha Syarikat, Tingkat
2, Ibu Pejabat Tenaga Nasional
Berhad, No. 129, Jalan Bangsar,
59200, Kuala Lumpur dan Mahkamah
telah memerintahkan supaya Writ
dan Perintah tersebut disampaikan
TRAMLINES
keatas kamu secara penyampaian
ganti dengan menampalkan sesalinan
now also boasts a season-leading 12 wins
Writ tersebut berserta dengan
sesalinan Perintah tersebut di papan on tour.
notis Mahkamah Majistret Kajang,
dengan menampalkan sesalinan Writ Opelka beats Brooksby in Dallas
tersebut berserta dengan sesalinan
Perintah tersebut di alamat-alamat Kontaveit claims Saint
REILLY OPELKA captured his third career ATP
Petersburg title
Defendan seperti yang tertera pada
Writ Saman tersebut yang merupakan
alamat-alamat Defendan tersebut title yesterday, defeating fellow American
Jenson Brooksby 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3) to win the ESTONIA’S Anett Kontaveit claimed her sixth
yang terakhir diketahui, dan dengan
mengiklankan satu Notis sekali dalam
akhbar “The Sun”. Dallas Open final. World No. 23 Opelka blasted career title yesterday with a gruelling 5-7, 7-6
DAN BAHAWA penampalan dan 16 aces past Brooksby in taking the crown. (7-4), 7-5 victory over top seeded Maria
pengiklanan tersebut hendaklah
dianggap sebagai penyampaian Opelka’s prior ATP titles came at the 2019 New Sakkari in the St. Petersburg final. Victory
yang sempurna dan mencukupi Writ York Open and 2020 Delray Beach Open. He allowed Kontaveit to become just the sixth
Saman dan Pernyataan Tuntutan
lost his only other final last August at the woman since 1990 to win 20 straight indoor
tersebut keatas Defendan tujuh (7)
hari selepas pelaksanaan terakhir
Canadian Open. Brooksby, a 21-year-old matches. Kontaveit needed almost three
tindakan penampalan-penampalan
dan pengiklanan tersebut. Californian ranked a career high 54th, lost his hours to take victory, recovering from a break
DAN AMBIL PERHATIAN SELANJUTNYA only prior career ATP final last July on down in both the second and third sets. Of
bahawa Saman tersebut tersebut
Newport grass. Opelka, 24, faced only one her six titles, five have come in the last seven
akan didengar di Mahkamah Sesyen
Dan Majistret Kajang, Kompleks break point in the tournament. months. During her indoor dominance, she
Mahkamah Kajang, 43000 Kajang,
Selangor Darul Ehsan pada 22.2.2022, collected three trophies last year in Ostrava,
pukul 9.00 pagi di hadapan Majistret
Tuan Syahrul Sazly bin Md. Sain di Ninth time lucky for Felix Moscow and Cluj-Napoca. She also reached
mana kamu perlu menghadirkan the top 10 for the first time and was runner-up
diri pada tarikh tersebut. Jika kamu
gagal menghadirkan diri pada tarikh CANADA’S Felix Auger-Aliassime ended his to Garbine Muguruza at the WTA Finals.
tersebut, suatu penghakiman ingkar
boleh dikeluarkan terhadap kamu. eight-final losing streak to capture his first
Sesalinan Writ Saman dan Pernyataan
ATP title in Rotterdam yesterday with Ruud awakening for Casper
victory over world No. 4 and top seed
Tuntutan tersebut dan Perintah
tersebut boleh diperiksa oleh kamu
atas permintaan di Mahkamah ini. Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 21-year-old NORWAY’S Casper Ruud won his seventh
Bertarikh 27 haribulan Januari 2022
triumphed 6-4, 6-2 in 78 minutes, backing career title and sixth on clay with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-
up his semifinal win over second seed and 3 victory over Diego Schwartzman in
t.t.
defending champion Andrey Rublev. Before yesterday’s Argentina Open final. Top seed
..................................
Peguamcara Plaintif Sunday, world No. 9 Auger-Aliassime held Ruud was the champion in the Argentine
NOTIS PENGIKLANAN ini telah an 0-8 record in tour-level finals and had capital in 2020 while second-seeded
dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Vin Law Co.
yang beralamat di Suite 6.05, Tingkat not won a set in any of these matches. Schwartzman succeeded him last year. Ruud’s
6, Wisma E&C, No. 2, Lorong Dungun However, he has been in solid form in 2022, record at the event now stands at 9-0. The 23-
Kiri, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala
Lumpur, peguamcara bagi pihak helping Canada to the ATP Cup title in year-old’s two clay titles in Argentina add to
Plaintif. Tel: 03-2093 3300
Faks: 03-2093 2200 / January, before he reached the quarterfinals those in Kitzbuhel, Gstaad, Bastad and Geneva
emel: elaine@vinlawco.com at the Australian Open, where he pushed in 2021. He won his only hardcourt event at
(Ruj: VR/LIT/63/2020/TNB-LKC(KUPM))
world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev to five sets. He San Diego, also last year.

22 theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022
SPORTS
SHORTS
Whitmarsh building up
Aston Martin for F1 success
ASTON MARTIN’S Formula One chief executive Martin
Whitmarsh said leading the British manufacturer to title
success would rank as the greatest achievement of his
storied career.
The Briton, who spent 24 years with McLaren
winning a combined 10 drivers’ and constructors’ titles
before being ousted in 2014, returned to F1 in his
current role last October.
The target set by Canadian billionaire owner
Lawrence Stroll is clear – win the championship.
“For me, to see a great brand, Aston Martin, up on
the top step of the Formula One podium will be
incredibly satisfying,” Whitmarsh, still McLaren’s last title-
winning team boss having won the 2008 title with
Lewis Hamilton, told Reuters in an interview. “Frankly
that’s why I’m here,” added the 63-year-old.
Stroll has big ambitions for the British marque,
which finished seventh in the overall standings last year.
He has set the team the target of fighting for the
championship within five years and is building a new
factory and wind tunnel.
The 2022 season is the second year of that plan.
Livingstone top IPL player auction
ENGLAND’S Liam Livingstone yesterday became the
most expensive foreign player in this season’s IPL
auction at US$1.52 million (RM6.5m), while fellow
England international Jofra Archer also fetched a high
price despite being doubtful for the upcoming edition.
Livingstone went to Punjab Kings as the 10 teams
splurged millions in Bangalore but the final day
witnessed England white-ball stars including Eoin
Morgan and Dawid Malan going unsold.
However, Archer’s price of US$1.06m (RM4.5m)
remained the day’s surprise after the franchises had
been warned to pick the quick bowler at their own risk
and with a view to potential participation only in 2023
and 2024 due to his elbow injury.
Mumbai owner Akash Ambani said Archer will make
a “formidable” pace pair with India’s Jasprit Bumrah who
was retained by the franchise ahead of the auctions.
“We had discussed his name in the pre-auction
meetings, but firmed up on our plans last night after
being priced out on all the other fast bowlers,” Ambani
told reporters.
“Of course he is not available this year but we
believe in the best of him and when he is fit and
available I believe that with Bumrah he will make a
formidable partnership.”
TOP 10 IPL BUYS
Ten Indian Premier League teams spent nearly US$75
million to buy 204 players in a two-day auction that
concluded yesterday. Here’s the top 10 signings.
Player Team Price (US$)
Ishan Kishan Mumbai Indians 2 million
Deepak Chahar CSK 1.85m
Shreyas Iyer KKR 1.62m
Liam Livingstone Punjab Kings 1.52m
Shardul Thakur Delhi Capitals 1.42m
Harshal Patel RCB 1.42m
W. Hasaranga RCB 1.42m
Nicholas Pooran Sunrisers Hyderabad 1.42m
Lockie Ferguson Gujarat Titans 1.32m
Avesh Khan Lucknow Super Giants 1.32m
Aussie Smith out of Sri Lanka series
STEVE SMITH was yesterday ruled out of the rest of
Australia’s Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka with
concussion after landing heavily as he made a
spectacular attempt to take a catch.
The star batsman threw himself into the air on the
boundary to try to prevent a six from Maheesh
Theekshana in a dramatic final over in the second game
of the five-match series in Sydney on Sunday.
He remained on the ground as medical attention
was sought before groggily getting back on his feet,
with his efforts to no avail as the six was given and the
match went to a rare super over finish after ending in a
tie.
Australia prevailed to take a 2-0 series lead ahead of
the third match in Canberra today.
“Steve Smith has concussion, will be subject to low
level protocols for the next few days and full recovery (is
expected) in 6-7 days,” Cricket Australia said in a
statement.
“He will miss the remainder of the series against Sri
Lanka.”
Australia are due to leave for a tour of Pakistan later
this month and Smith took to Twitter to assure people
he was all right.
“My head has felt better but I will be ok,” he said.
Leao snatches top spot for Milan
RAFAEL LEAO fired AC Milan top of Serie A
on Sunday with the only goal in a 1-0 win
over Sampdoria which allowed his side to
overtake champions Inter.
With seven minutes gone Leao collected
a huge kick from goalkeeper Mike Maignan
and breezed past Bartosz Bereszynski
before slotting home his seventh of the
season.
Stefano Pioli’s side were four points
behind Inter, who drew 1-1 in an enthralling
match with fellow title rivals Napoli in
Naples on Saturday, before the previous
weekend’s Milan derby win but have taken
the summit after a dominant display at the
San Siro.
Luuk rescues Catalans
De Jong salvages late draw for Barcelona at Espanyol
B
ARCELONA started and finished
strongly yesterday but sagged in
between and drew 2-2 at less
fashionable neighbours Espanyol
to cling on to fourth place in La Liga.
“We didn’t play brilliantly, but we
played well enough to win. The bad news is
that we didn’t win,” said Barcelona coach
Xavi.
Pedri gave Barcelona a second minute
lead but Sergi Darder levelled after 40
minutes and set up Raul de Tomas for a
counter-attack goal after 64 minutes.
With time running out, Luuk de Jong
headed an equaliser that saved a point for
Barcelona, but they still end the weekend
15 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
They did edge past Atletico Madrid,
who won on Sunday, on goal difference.
“In the end we lost more ground,”
added Xavi. “We saved a point at the end,
which is insufficent, but we are still in the
race for the Champions League.”
Barcelona applied brisk pressure from
the start and quickly gained a reward.
Dortmund trim Bayern lead after Reus brace
MARCO REUS defied the boos of the
home crowd with two goals against Union
Berlin yesterday, as Borussia Dortmund
cruised to a 3-0 win to narrow the gap at
the top of the Bundesliga to six points.
Reus, who won a controversial penalty
when the two teams met last season, was
given a hostile welcome in the capital.
He silenced the home end with two first
half goals as Dortmund bounced back
from the previous week’s loss to
Leverkusen to claim their first ever away
win at Union.
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@thesundaily
They also set up another two derbies
with Inter in the Italian Cup semifinals after
smashing Lazio 4-0 on Wednesday.
“This is a perfect week, it’s not easy to do
much better than this,” midfielder Sandro
Tonali told Sky Sport Italia.
“We are proud, but getting satisfied with
ourselves after the last three matches would
be the stupidest thing we could do.”
Just two points separate Italy’s top three
as third-placed Napoli are themselves one
behind Inter – who have a game in hand –
in a title race which could go down to the
wire.
Juventus cemented their place in the
Champions League positions after Danilo
Pedri leapt unmarked at the far post to
meet a Jordi Alba cross and volley visiting
Barca ahead. The early domination
gradually ebbed.
Darder levelled for the home team with
a curling right-foot shot after Barcelona
gave the ball away on 40 minutes.
Espanyol hit their visitors with a
beautifully executed counter attack just
pass the hour mark when Darder’s long
pass picked out De Tomas who drilled a
shot past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
“The first goal was a pass that we didn’t
need to risk, and the second one was a
mistake of ours,” said Xavi. “But football is
a game of mistakes. In the end they were
more effective.”
Xavi felt his side deserved more than a
draw at their Catalan rivals.
“It was a game to win,” Xavi later told
Movistar. “When we were at our best we
were able to make it 2-0.
“In the end, when the score was 2-1, it
seems like you won a point, but analysing it
I think it was ours to win.
“Last week was really bad and we
wanted to show a reaction today. It’s
difficult to come here because Union are a
really good team,” Reus told DAZN.
He batted away questions about the
title race.
“We don’t need to keep answering
those questions, so please stop asking it,”
he said.
Teammate Mats Hummels was equally
unwilling to talk about his side’s chances of
catching runaway leaders Bayern, pointing
instead to the fact that Dortmund now
SCAN
ME
snatched a last-gasp point in their 1-1 draw
at Atalanta.
Atalanta thought that they had
leapfrogged Juve into the top four when
Ukraine midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi
unleashed an unstoppable strike in the 76th
minute at the Gewiss Stadium.
However Danilo nodded home Paulo
Dybala’s corner in the 92nd minute to take a
point which keeps Juve fourth, two points
ahead of Atalanta who have a game in
hand.
Roma are six points behind Juve in
seventh after Bryan Cristante scored a 94th
minute equaliser to earn his side a 2-2 draw
at Sassuolo. – AFP
Barcelona’s Gavi (centre)
scores a goal which was
later disallowed during
yesterday’s La Liga match
against Espanyol at the
RCDE Stadium. –
REUTERSPIX
“We dominated well and we had more
chances. We lost two points. We’ve been in
Espanyol’s half the whole game. They’ve
come two or three times and they’ve been
very effective. The other day we were and
that pays off.”
Barcelona lost ground to third-place
Real Betis who won 4-2 at last-place
Levante earlier on Sunday.
Nabil Fekir, Edgar Gonzalez, William
Carvalho put the visitors three up after 42
minutes.
But Dani Gomez replied with his first
two league goals of the season, either side
of half time for Levante.
Fekir quelled the resistance with a 49th-
minute freekick for the sixth goal in a
frantic 39 minutes.
Real Sociedad climbed to sixth as
captain Mikel Oyarzabal converted a
penalty and Rafael Alcantara added a
second as they beat visiting Granada 2-0.
Atletico Madrid were involved in an
uncharacteristic festival of goals as they
beat Getafe 4-3. – AFP
have a 12-point cushion in the race for the
Champions League.
“I am just happy that we’ve opened up
a huge lead on fifth place,” he said.
Marco Rose’s side now turn their
attention to Thursday’s Europa League
clash with Scottish champions Rangers.
“A lot of our players have never played
in the Europa League, and Rangers are a
really good team. It’s important that we
enjoy this win and let out the frustration
from last week, and then we can focus on
Rangers from Tuesday,” said Reus. – AFP
 23
theSUN ON TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 15, 2022

* SPORTS

RESULTS & STANDINGS

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Burnley
0 Liverpool 1 (Fabinho 40), Leicester 2
(Tielemans 45-pen, Pereira 57) West Ham
Devils need to toughen up
2 (Bowen 10, Dawson 90), Newcastle 1
(Trippier 35) Aston Villa 0, Tottenham Rangnick tells players their physicality must match technical ability
0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 6, Dendoncker 18).
P W D L F A Pts █ SIMON PEACH “To be honest, I don’t know if we are not fit I would have wished us to stay a bit calmer and

I
Man City 25 20 3 2 61 14 63 enough in order to play that way because, as you cooler but we had the chances.
Liverpool 24 16 6 2 61 19 54 NTERIM Manchester United manager Ralf said, I came in the middle of the season,” the “So, I don’t think that this is a question of
Chelsea 24 13 8 3 48 18 47 Rangnick is unsure whether a lack of fitness German said ahead of tomorrow’s (4.15am physicality with regard to fitness but, yes, it might
West Ham 25 12 5 8 44 33 41 is an issue for his players but accepts they Malaysian time) match against Brighton. well be.
Man Utd 24 11 7 6 38 32 40 must make sure their physicality matches “We had no pre-season (together) and in “As I said, the players that we have are
Arsenal 22 12 3 7 34 25 39 their technical ability. essence only maybe two weeks in total in technical players, they like to play technical
Wolves 23 11 4 8 21 17 37 After bowing out of the FA Cup at home to between where we could train in a normal way. football but in the Premier League no matter
Tottenham 22 11 3 8 28 29 36 Middlesbrough and being held at Burnley in the “If I watched the team in training and the way against which team – even more so against teams
Brighton 23 7 12 4 25 23 33 Premier League, the out-of-sorts Red Devils that it’s being prepared for games, I wouldn’t like Southampton – you cannot win games only
Southampton 24 6 11 7 30 37 29 again started well only to draw 1-1 against allow myself to say we are not fit enough to play in a technical way. You also have to show some
Leicester 22 7 6 9 36 41 27 Southampton on Saturday. like that. physicality.”
Aston Villa 23 8 3 12 31 36 27 It could have been worse at Old Trafford, “I don’t think that this is the case because then Asked if he was concerned the club might slip
Crystal Palace 24 5 11 8 32 35 26 where Saints boss – and former RB Leipzig we would also struggle in the last 20 minutes of out the Champions League race if they do not
Brentford 25 6 6 13 26 40 24 colleague – Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “it’s not a big the game and both against Burnley and (on soon improve their form, Rangnick said: “It has
Leeds 23 5 8 10 27 46 23 secret that when they lose the ball their reverse Saturday) in the game I think we showed that we always been a concern since Ole left the club –
Everton 22 6 4 12 28 38 22 gear is not always the best.” were physically able to again play forward. that was one of the reasons probably why he had
Newcastle 23 4 9 10 25 44 21 Rangnick acknowledged it was difficult to “We didn’t always take the right decisions, we to leave the club.
Norwich 24 4 5 15 14 50 17 become a pressing team mid-season having were not as composed and not structured “We have to face and realise the truth and
Watford 23 4 3 16 23 43 15 succeeded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November, enough in the way that we played in the first half obviously with results like (Saturday) it doesn’t
Burnley 21 1 11 9 17 29 14 leading to a question as to whether a lack of compared to the last half-hour. make it any easier to finish fourth at the end.” –
fitness was more of an issue than attitude. “We were a little bit erratic in those moments. The Independent
CHAMPIONSHIP: Swansea 3 Bristol

Azpilicueta
City 1.
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts
Fulham 30 19 7 4 78 26 64 West Ham’s Craig Dawson (No. 15) scores the
Bournemouth 30 17 7 6 49 26 58
Blackburn
QPR
31 15 8 8 45 33 53
30 15 7 8 46 34 52
equalising goal during the English Premier
League match against Leicester City at the King
Power Stadium yesterday. – AFPPIX
praises Chelsea’s
Huddersfield 32 13 11 8 40 34 50
LA LIGA: Alaves 2 (Loum 14, Joselu 76-
pen) Valencia 1 (Guedes 62-pen),
team of ‘winners’
Levante 2 (Gomez 43, 47) Real Betis 4 █ MIGUEL DELANEY
(Fekir 14, 49, Gonzalez 29, Carvalho 42),
Real Sociedad 2 (Oyarzabal 37-pen, CESAR AZPILICUETA says he looked at his Club
Rafinha 74) Granada 0, Espanyol 2 World Cup runners-up medal from 2012 before
(Darder 40, de Tomas 68) Barcelona 2 this year’s trip because his silvers “p*ss him off”, as
(Pedri 2, L. De Jong 90+6). he hugged the trophy with a look of elation on his
TOP 10 P W D L F A Pts face following the extra-time 2-1 win over
Real Madrid 24 16 6 2 48 20 54 Palmeiras on Sunday.
Sevilla 24 14 8 2 36 16 50 The Chelsea captain has now won every major
Real Betis 24 13 4 7 45 29 43 club honour there is to win in his time at Stamford
Barcelona 23 10 9 4 38 27 39 Bridge, which may well come to an end when this
Atletico 23 11 6 6 42 33 39 season finishes, depending on whether he signs a
Sociedad 23 10 8 5 24 21 38 new contract.
Villarreal 24 9 9 6 38 23 36 One of Azpilicueta’s first experiences at the
Bilbao 23 8 10 5 23 18 34 club was the Club World Cup defeat to Corinthians
Osasuna 24 8 8 8 25 27 32 in 2012, having joined that summer. He was
Celta Vigo 24 8 7 9 28 25 31 determined not to return with another silver
medal.
SERIE A: AC Milan 1 (Leao 7) Sampdo- “After everything that happened and the
ria 0, Atalanta 1 (Malinovskyi 76) disappointment in 2012, we had the chance to be
Juventus 1 (Danilo 90+2), Empoli 1 champions and before I left home, I wanted to
(Pinamonti 38) Cagliari 1 (Pavoletti 84), look at the medal I got in 2012 and I couldn’t
Genoa 1 (Destro 32) Salernitana 1
(Bonazzoli 45+1), Sassuolo 2 (Smalling
47-og, Traore 73) Roma 2 (Abraham
Dawson grabs last-gasp point at Leicester come back with the same colour medal again,” he
said.
WEST HAM UNITED defender Craig be enough for a first win in five matches for “I keep them at home, I have a lot but the silver
45+1-pen, Cristante 90+4), Verona 4 Dawson’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured Leicester only for Dawson to break home ones p*ss me off a lot and I am very lucky, I’ve
(Depaoli 2, Barak 31, Caprari 66, Tameze
85) Udinese 0. Leicester City’s frustrating Premier League hearts. played so many finals and we won a lot.”
season continued as he earned his side a 2-2 “In the first half I felt annoyed after going Azpilicueta praised the group of “winners” that
TOP 10 P W D L F A Pts draw at the King Power Stadium yesterday. into a good lead and gave them a leg up,” Chelsea have put together. Although it is now five
AC Milan 25 17 4 4 50 26 55 The major talking point of the game came Hammers boss David Moyes told Sky Sports. years since their last League title, something they
Inter Milan 24 16 6 2 55 20 54 pre-match with Kurt Zouma named in the “It says lots for the players, we have come are intent on rectifying with renewed transfer
Napoli 25 16 5 4 46 17 53 West Ham starting XI, despite an outcry over quickly and made massive strides in the last business this summer, the Club World Cup was still
Juventus 25 13 7 5 37 22 46 a video on social media this week where couple of years. I will squeeze everything out the sixth trophy they have won in that time. They
Atalanta 24 12 8 4 46 29 44 defender was seen abusing his pet cats, only of them and I want us to challenge the top may make it seven with the Carabao Cup in two
Lazio 25 12 6 7 52 39 42 for him to pull out in the warm up. teams.” weeks.
Roma 25 12 4 9 42 32 40 When the match did get under way, the Leicester have conceded 14 goals from “We are winners and every time you lose it’s a
Fiorentina 23 11 3 9 41 33 36 visitors started well, with Jarrod Bowen set-pieces in the Premier League this season, tough moment because you want to be on the
Hellas Verona 25 10 6 9 47 40 36 racing clear before firing his side into a 10th- more than any other team. winning side and it feels great.
Torino 24 9 5 10 31 25 32 minute lead. “We have had a few of them (late goals “This chance doesn’t come very often and we
Leicester got back on level terms on the conceded) lately, it is deflating for the did a very good job.
BUNDESLIGA: Union Berlin 0 Borussia cusp of halftime through Youri Tielemans’ players,” Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers “We’ve tried to create our own history, we’ve
Dortmund 3, Hoffenheim 2 Arminia penalty, before Ricardo Pereira completed said. always tried to add trophies to the club which is
Bielefeld 0. the turnaround in the 57th minute, heading “That is seven points dropped in our last the most important thing.
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts the hosts into a deserved lead. three games from good positions, it is “We have our own moments and after what
B. Munich 22 17 1 4 70 25 52 Periera’s header looked like it was going to disappointing.” – Reuters happened in 2012, I didn’t think we could make it
Dortmund 22 15 1 6 57 36 46 again but we’ve done it.” – The Independent
Leverkusen 22 12 5 5 58 36 41
RB Leipzig 22 10 4 8 43 27 34
Hoffenheim 22 10 4 8 43 34 34 Trippier sidelined after breaking foot
FRENCH LIGUE 1: Metz 1 Marseille 2, KIERAN TRIPPIER has been ruled three-match winning run that has foot,” Newcastle said in a League games showed they were
Monaco 0 Lorient 0, Nantes 1 Reims 0, out of Newcastle’s “upcoming lifted them out of the relegation statement. in a “good place”.
Clermont 1 Saint-Etienne 2, Brest 5 fixtures” after fracturing a bone in zone. The club’s recent good run has “We’ve worked incredibly hard,”
Troyes 1, Angers 0 Strasbourg 1, Lens 3 his foot during a 1-0 win over The 31-year-old, who struck lifted them one place clear of the he said. “In the last three games I
Bordeaux 2. Aston Villa at the weekend, the from a freekick in the first half at St drop zone, four points ahead of don’t think there’s been any secret
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts club said yesterday. James’ Park on Sunday, was 18th-placed Norwich. to how we’ve won the games.
Paris SG 24 18 5 1 52 19 59 The England fullback has been substituted shortly after halftime. Howe said after Sunday’s win “It’s been very disciplined, hard-
Marseille 24 13 7 4 38 21 46 impressive for Eddie Howe’s side “Trippier underwent an X-ray that Trippier was “stamped on” and working, a lot of energy, a lot of
Nice 24 13 4 7 36 21 42 since joining the Magpies from immediately after the game and could not continue. team-work, team spirit,
Strasbourg 24 12 5 7 46 29 41 Atletico Madrid in the January scans have shown a fracture to the He added Newcastle’s return of togetherness that have made the
Rennes 24 11 4 9 43 22 37 transfer window, scoring twice in a fifth metatarsal bone in his left 11 points from their past five difference for us.” – AFP
 QUOTE OF THE DAY
After everything that happened and
the disappointment in 2012, we had the
chance to be champions and before I left home, I
wanted to look at the medal I got in 2012 and I
couldn’t come back with the same colour medal
again.”
Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta
TUESDAY • FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Klopp praises Fabinho and happy to avoid slip up at Turf Moor

FABINHO’S fifth goal in seven matches helped
Liverpool grind out a 1-0 victory over Burnley in
testing conditions to maintain their pursuit of
Manchester City.
With rain seemingly blowing around Turf
Moor in three different directions at the same
time, the conditions seemed ideal for an upset –
one Jurgen Klopp’s side could ill-afford starting
the game 12 points off the leaders.
But even though the visitors reunited their
famed original front three of Sadio Mane,
Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino for the
first time since the end of October, it was their
new-found goalscoring midfielder who made
the breakthrough.
Since the turn of the year, no teammate has
scored more than the Brazil international,
whose primary role of anchoring the midfield
was also performed superbly in a scrappy
contest which saw a number of players struggle.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits
matchwinner Fabinho would have scored more handled what could have been a potential and when we win football games it is good.
goals in his career had he afforded the upset against the Premier League’s bottom side. “What I like most was how hard we worked
midfielder more opportunity and said part of “I’m absolutely delighted with the way we for it. This is a game where I told the boys that if
the uptick had been a change in tactics. played the circumstances, it was so tricky,” he we came here and played football we better
“He would have probably scored more goals added. stay in the hotel. We had to worked incredibly
for Liverpool if I would have put him in the box “Only when you stood on the pitch could hard and that is what the boys did.
around offensive set-pieces,” said the Reds boss. you feel the extent of the wind, it was “I know how difficult it is to come here,
“Only recently we put him in and he scores, a ridiculous. especially today, and I’m absolutely satisfied
great goal. The space where the ball came to “The boys stuck with it and over the years with what the boys did.”
Sadio (Mane) was the plan but not at that have learned to deal with the circumstances. Burnley boss Sean Dyche was disappointed
height, so Sadio made absolutely the most of it “We asked ourselves to use it instead of his side did not make more of the opportunities
– great header, great deflection, timing is suffering from it. A really difficult game, yes. they created, with January signing Wout
perfect and Fab is there to score a counter- “They had their moments but I think it felt Weghorst, in particular, squandering a couple.
pressing goal in the six-yard box.” they had more moments than they actually had “Frustrating with that one, I thought we were
It was far from being the kind of because of the late offside flag when Ali (Alisson very good defensively and in attack,” he said.
performance expected of Liverpool but it was Becker) made saves he didn’t need to. That is “We created some golden chances today,
nevertheless a crucial one in ensuring they kept the way it is.” we’ve got to continue doing that and we have
pace with leaders Manchester City, whose Asked whether he agreed there was a good got to take them.
advantage was pegged back to nine points feeling within his squad, Klopp replied: “There is, “There were two or three, against this level of
having played one match more. why shouldn’t there be? opposition, that are big chances today.” – The
Klopp praised his players for the way they “We like each other, we respect each other Independent

Long road to the top

Conte says Spurs must develop ‘winning mentality’ in order to challenge for title
█ JONATHAN VEAL “I continue to tell the same things. good to live with the pressure.

T
There is a long road, a long path in Otherwise it will be difficult.”
OTTENHAM head coach front of us. Long. It’s important for us Bruno Lage meanwhile, was not
Antonio Conte said his not to be scared to face this path. letting his Wolves side turn their
players have to be able to “For sure there are many aspects attentions to their own battle, despite
survive his demands if they to improve. It’s difficult the statement win.
are to develop a winning mentality today to speak about Wolves are very much in
after another disappointing result. the game because for contention for Champions League
Spurs saw their hopes of a top- me in my opinion the qualification after going under the
four finish suffer a huge blow with a game was good, the radar this season and kept on the
2-0 home defeat to Wolves who performance was also coat-tails of Arsenal, Manchester
overtook them in the table after good. United and West Ham above them.
scoring two goals inside the first 20 “We created many But the former Benfica coach
minutes. chances against a insisted he was not dreaming of the
The visitors’ win, courtesy of goals team with the promised land just yet.
from Raul Jimenez and Leander second best “I will not dream, I will only dream
Dendoncker, enhanced their own defence after Man of Leicester, they are a very strong
chances of Champions League City. Despite this team, very hard to beat,” Lage said,
qualification. we created many talking of next Monday’s (12.30am)
It was a third straight Premier chances to score, we game against the Foxes.
League loss for Spurs, hot on the had the possession. “Every game is a hard game that is
heels of last week’s 3-2 loss to “But we are why in the last week I have been
Southampton, with Conte again talking about a 2-0 talking about character. I don’t
spelling out just how far his side are defeat against believe to talk about dream.
from challenging at the top end of the Wolverhampton “(We will) continue to work hard,
Premier League. and for sure we the way we are working. One day at a
“The problem is that you cannot have to improve time, training by training, game and
buy the winning mentality,” the and to live with a game. We cannot think about too
Italian said. “You transfer it day by lack of much in the future.
day and (you are) not sure that (it is) confidence. “The goal is every time to improve
day by day, because there are players “Because it the way we are working. The most
that are more open and they can happen. important thing is that. I don’t
understand the process quickly, We have to promise anything.
other players need more time to b e “For me the challenge is to recover
understand this. the team, try to understand our game
“Winning mentality in my opinion to try to decide our best XI to go on
means when you play, (thinking) ‘I the pitch and try to play the way we
am ready to kill you and to live’. This is played today.” – The Independent
the difference in every duel, every
second ball, every set-piece.
“When you show better desire
than your opponent, when you Wolves’ Raul Jimenez (left) in
understand the defeats have to hurt action with Tottenham
you a lot, not a little… This is not Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris (right)
simple. during the English Premier
“The confidence and pressure is League match at the
part of our job – the pressure for me, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
the pressure for the players.
yesterday. – REUTERSPIX
“I think this type of situation is
part of our job. If you remember,
when I spoke about improving many
aspects, it wasn’t only today after two
defeats in a row at home I tell you a
different situation.
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