INSIDE

TELLING IT AS IT IS
No bias against page
Call to review page
foreign tourists, 2 March school 3
says Anwar session plan

PRINT PARADISE ... A customer going

through one of the myriad of pre-loved titles at a
ON THURSDAY JANUARY 5, 2023 secondhand bookstore frequented by foreign tourists
No. 8182 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) www.thesundaily.my in Chowrasta Complex at Jalan Penang in George
Town. The books are sold at between RM5 and
RM150. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Keep calm
calm,,
█ BY MUHAMMAD YUSRY
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

K
UALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Inbound
Tourist Association (Mita) president
Uzaidi Udanis said Malaysians should
not react negatively towards Chinese
tourists arriving in the country as they help

be polite
boost the local economy.
He said Malaysians should have more faith
in the Health Ministry (MOH) as it is competent
and able to manage the outbreak of any disease
in the country.
Uzaidi was commenting on the resurgence
of Covid-19 in China and the detection in
Malaysia of two Omicron variants of the
disease, namely BA.5.2 and BF.7, which are
responsible for about 80% of the current
infections in China.
Backing him is the Malaysian Association of
Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), which said
initial estimates indicate that 1.2 million
Chinese nationals will travel to Malaysia
this year.
Their arrivals are expected to generate about
o Public should not spurn Chinese tourists
RM3.6 billion in tourist receipts.
“It’s not their fault that China continues to be despite Covid-19 resurgence in China,
ravaged by newer variants of Covid-19. These
tourists are here to get away from the stress and says inbound tourist association chief
lockdown they have been under for the past
three years. Let’s not frighten them away by
being rude or saying negative things because of 3.1 million Chinese tourists visited the Chinese tourists there. Although that
what is happening in their country. country in 2019, making Malaysia China’s country is blessed with oil and gas, it
“They have chosen to visit Malaysia because third largest source market for international does not mind spending vast amounts of
of our wide-ranging and delectable food, the arrivals. money to attract Chinese tourists
various tourist sites and more. Tourism Uzaidi said the public should not claim because it knows it will earn it back from
Malaysia previously reported that in the first that Malaysia will have another lockdown just them. But in Malaysia, we are questioning
quarter of 2019, 1.33 million Chinese tourists because Chinese tourists are visiting the the decision to bring them in. Why should
spent a total of RM3.7 billion, so they are very country. we be scared of this?”
important as a huge source of tourist ringgit for “Singapore Airlines flies to China daily. So Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong
the country. by logic, shouldn’t we close the Singapore King Sing urged the people not to
“On average, they spent RM11,012 per border too since it could import the virus to create any perception that we
person, a lot more compared with other foreign the island state? Of course, doing this would do not welcome tourists from Turn to
visitors. They are among the top spenders when be irrational. China, but instead help to —
they visit foreign countries,” he said. “Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is spending preserve the good relationship page 2
Data from Tourism Malaysia indicated that US$800 million (RM3.5 billion) to attract between the two countries.
 2 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Ministry to step up
health checks
“Although there have been
negative news and opinions posted
on social media on
China’s decision to
reopen its borders, I From
wish to remind front
everyone to be page
careful with their
words and actions,”
he said.
Uzaidi concurred with Tiong’s
comment and said the public should
put its trust in the ministry’s
capability to contain the virus.
“We should have faith in MOH’s
ability to take care of public health.
However, everyone must play their
part. Our airports should always be on
alert. Follow all SOP required and we
can do this. Let’s boost our economy,”
he added.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa
said with the resurgence of Covid-19
in China, her ministry is prepared to
tighten health checks as part of its
border policies to keep the pandemic
in check.
On Jan 2, she said she was taking
public concerns seriously regarding
the increase in Covid-19 cases in
China, as well as restrictions imposed
by several countries on travellers from
that country.
“It will be implemented if
necessary on Malaysians, visitors and
travellers arriving from China and
other countries. The ministry will step
up methods to contain the spread of
Covid-19 in the country as well as our
preparedness to face any possible
increase in cases.”
Minister takes firm
to task over 5G
coverage claim
KUALA LUMPUR: Communications
and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil
yesterday called on Digital National
Bhd (DNB) to explain how it
concluded that the implementation of
5G network coverage in the country
had reached nearly 50%.
He said the Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia
Commission (MCMC) had not yet
verified the information.
“I think DNB must explain how
they arrived at these figures.
“Next time, I don’t think DNB
should publish (these figures) prior to
verification,” he said in response to a
tweet claiming that the numbers
published by DNB were fake.
On Monday, DNB chief operating
officer Nasution Mohamed said in a
statement that the implementation
of 5G network coverage throughout
the country had reached almost
50% in populated areas as of the end
of 2022, thus surpassing the initial
target of 40%.
Nasution said the network had
now reached 15 million Malaysians
involving 3,900 sites and would
reach over 30 million people
and businesses when fully
implemented.
He also said DNB was now
focused on achieving the
commitment of 80% coverage in
populated areas by the end of 2024
or earlier. – Bernama
Feasibility report on cashless payment system to be tabled soon
PUTRAJAYA: A feasibility report
on the monthly cashless welfare
assistance payment scheme, or
JKMPay, will be presented to the
ministry soon, said Women,
Family and Community
Development Minister Datuk
No bias against foreign
tourists entering Malaysia
█ BY MUHAMMAD YUSRY
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will not
discriminate against foreign tourists
entering the country, said Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
However, he assured the public
that the government’s priority was
to protect the people’s health.
Speaking after the weekly
Cabinet meeting yesterday, he said
the government was well aware
of the people’s concerns and
fears of experiencing another
Covid-19 wave.
“The Cabinet agreed that the
economy and tourism sector
should take a backseat to public
health. Our borders will be
tightened. The Immigration
Department has been tasked to
check foreign tourists at our
airports, including travellers from
countries that have a high number
of Covid-19 cases such as the US
Ministry ready to improve ICT access for disabled
KUALA LUMPUR: The
Communications and Digital
Ministry is ready to forge strategic
collaborations with the
Malaysian Association for the
Blind (MAB) and NGOs for
persons with disabilities (PwD)
to increase access to information
and communication technology
(ICT) facilities for the group.
Teo chatting with one of the teaching staff at Wisma MAB in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC
Seri Nancy Shukri.
She added that the Social
Welfare Department had
conducted a study on the
scheme and the pilot project was
also implemented in several
states for six months in 2021.
oGovernment’s priority is to protect people’s
health amid concerns of another Covid-19
wave, says prime minister
and China.
“We know travelers carrying the
virus can come from anywhere
around the world. We are acting to
save our people. We don’t want to
be hasty.”
Anwar said last month alone,
53,000 visitors from China arrived
in Malaysia and despite the
number, there was no spike in
Covid-19 cases.
He said for the whole of last year,
Malaysia recorded 336,000 visitors
from China.
Anwar also called on Malaysians
to take the Covid-19 booster
vaccine as stocks are available.
“Only 49% of Malaysians have
Its deputy minister Teo Nie
Ching said at the moment,
the country was falling
behind developed nations in
providing access to ICT
facilities for people with visual
impairments.
“Visually impaired people
now use various digital mediums
to obtain information, including
“Now, we are waiting for the
report because we want to know
which is better for users.
“If more people prefer cash
payments, there will be no
problem to revert (to the old
method), but it will take time
had their booster jabs as of now.
The Covid-19 virus is still present,
not just in Malaysia but globally.
“We still have around six million
booster doses ready for those who
want to take them. Journalists
should take the lead in getting the
booster jabs and this can set an
example for others.”
Anwar said the onus is on the
public to take care of one another
and fight the virus together.
On a another matter, Anwar
added that all government projects
in East Malaysia below a RM50
million budget would now be
decided by the state governments of
Sabah and Sarawak, and need not
through apps developed by
major companies such as Google
and Microsoft,” she said in her
speech at the launch of World
Braille Day yesterday. Also
present was MAB CEO Datuk
George Thomas.
Teo said the collaboration
between the ministry and MAB as
well as other NGOs could be
because there is a certain
system that needs to be
followed,” she said after
delivering a New Year’s message
to the ministry staff yesterday.
Nancy was commenting on a
suggestion by OKU Sentral
go through the federal government.
He said this was the first step in
proving that the unity government
was serious about committing to
the Malaysia Agreement 1963
(MA63).
“This was decided by the
Cabinet as many of the projects in
Sabah and Sarawak have been
delayed due to decision-making
bureaucracy by the federal
government. There will also be
further allocation from the federal
government for Sabah and Sarawak,
which will be given through the
Works Ministry.”
Anwar said the Cabinet had
discussed at length the need for
political will to commit to the
provisions of MA63, which were
long overdue.
He added that a meeting of the
special committee on MA63,
chaired by him, would be held in
Kuching late next month to iron out
matters of contention.
expanded through the
organisation of awareness
programmes on the rights and
needs of the visually impaired
community so that the group is
not marginalised.
“The ministry and I will
continue our efforts to raise
awareness to help the PwD
community so that they are also
involved in the socio-economics
of our society, in line with the
unity government’s objectives,”
she said.
Teo also said the ministry
was working with the country’s
web address administrator,
Mynic, to ensure that the
website was accessible to the
PwD community to enable
them to be involved in the
digital economy.
“In addition, the development
of the SaveME 999 DEAF and
SaveME 999 BLIND apps is also
among the initiatives to help
people with visual or hearing
impairments to call the 999
emergency line.”
Meanwhile, Sabah Chief
Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor
said the state government was
committed to helping PwD,
including the visually impaired,
to ensure that the group is not
marginalised.
He said there were 43,214 PwD
registered with the Sabah
General Welfare Services
Department as of Dec 29 last year,
with 3,597 of them being visually
impaired.
Hajiji called on parents and
families to register their PwD or
visually impaired family members
with the department to enable them
to get all the assistance they need to
be able to live independently for
themselves and their families.
– Bernama
president senator Datuk Ras
Adiba Radzi to do away with the
implementation of the JKMPay
system as it was difficult for
recipients to make purchases
using the methods involved.
– Bernama
 3
theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

RM152m to complete offshore patrol vessel project

PUTRAJAYA: The government is
injecting RM152.6 million to ensure
that the first offshore patrol vessel
(OPV) project belonging to the
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement
Agency (MMEA) will be completed
this year, said Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He added that the Finance
Ministry had taken over the project
from Tabung Haji subsidiary Destini
Sdn Bhd after it was found to be
facing major problems.
“We have to give another form of
loan for the project to be completed
and it amounts to RM152.6 million.
“From our observation, the
project can be the first OPV project
to be completed this year,” he
said after chairing the Cabinet
meeting yesterday.
Earlier, the Public Accounts
Committee (PAC) had called the
Home Ministry and MMEA to
explain the delay.
In a statement on Sept 13 last
year, MMEA said the three OPVs
which they should have received in
2020 were still under construction
by Destini, a local shipbuilding
company based in Pulau Indah,
Selangor.
Anwar said the government is
committed to resolving the
problems related to projects
involving security forces under the
Home Ministry and the Defence
Ministry.
He said it was important to
ensure that no parties take
advantage in matters involving the
procurement of security assets due
to weaknesses in the
implementation of the projects.
“The first thing to do is save the
project and try to complete it as
scheduled, and the second is not to
let go of anyone who misuses power
to gain wealth without
investigation,” he added. – Bernama

Govt urged to review Mayor, ministry to

discuss city facilities
KUALA LUMPUR: The Local Government

March school session plan

oThorough consultative
processes needed to
ensure preparedness of all
stakeholders: Educationist
█ BY ARINA MUSTHAFA
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: An educationist has urged
the Education Ministry to revisit the move to
reschedule the school session that has been
pushed to March and revert to the previous
session, which was in January.
Ainee Adina Noor Adlan said there are
both pros and cons to scheduling classes in
January and March, considering national
examinations scheduled in March might be
better for students, parents and teachers to
avoid the rainy season and floods.
Ainee Adina said the current change from
January to March was a result of the
disruption caused by Covid related closures.
“The ministry must stick to a firm decision
as to whether the change is temporary or
permanent. If we change the calendar
permanently, all our processes should be
aligned to enable that change to be
implemented smoothly.”
She added that when it comes to policy
making and implementing national level
changes, the ministry needs to practise more
thorough consultative processes to ensure the
preparedness of all stakeholders.
“Rescheduling will not only affect obvious
parties like teachers, who set and mark
examination papers and the university
admissions process, but will also have an
indirect impact on sectors like tourism and
businesses (such as canteen operators and
shops that sell school supplies).”
She also said students sitting for the Sijil
Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi
Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil
Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) examinations
will benefit from the March session due to a
longer study period and shorter waiting time
for tertiary education placement.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Centre of
Community Education and Wellbeing senior
lecturer Dr Anuar Ahmad said maintaining
March as the beginning of the school session
is the right decision, taking into account some
areas that are affected by floods during the
year end that may disrupt teaching processes.
“January is synonymous with the month
that marks the beginning of the school year.
Every family trip and yearly schedule,
including parents’ annual leave, which used
to be in late November and throughout
December, is based on and adjusted to the
school schedule.
“However, the bigger issue here is the
inability of children to attend school sessions
during monsoon seasons, with schools in
affected regions being converted to
temporary relief centres.”
Anuar also said a school session that starts
in March would reduce idle time and the huge
gap between the end of the school term and
university admissions.
“The previous school sessions mostly
ended in December. Secondary school
students will have to wait until mid-August to
attend their first class in university, which
costs them nine months of waiting.
“The slight change to March would benefit
them as the time for them to enter their
tertiary education institutions will be around
six months.”
On Dec 24, Education Minister Fadhlina
Sidek said the school session that was pushed
to March would soon be reverted to its
original schedule in January, but it could not
be implemented this year.
She added that any change to the school
session needed to take the SPM, STPM and
STAM examinations schedules into account,
along with local economic factors and the
year-end floods.
The school session for the academic
calendar for 2023 and 2024 will start on March
19 for schools in Group A states such as Johor,
Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which have
Fridays and Saturdays as weekends. It will
start on March 20 for schools in other states,
which have their weekends on Saturdays
and Sundays.
Development Ministry will hold a meeting with
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che
Ngah to resolve issues pertaining to the
maintenance of infrastructure and public
facilities in the city, said its minister Nga Kor
Ming following his visit to Dataran Merdeka
on Tuesday.
“The roof of the men’s toilet was damaged,
the water pipes were not working properly and
the hand soap dispensers were not refilled.”
However, he said the cleanliness of public
toilets was satisfactory and the lighting system
works well.
He added that it was important to maintain
cleanliness of public toilets, especially at
tourist spots as they reflected the country’s
image as well as the people’s perception of
local authorities.
Nga expressed hope that all 155 local
councils nationwide could set up a unit to
monitor the cleanliness of public toilets in their
respective areas of jurisdiction as this would
ensure they are always clean, well-functioning
and in orderly condition.
He said he also found the field at Dataran
Merdeka was not properly maintained, with the
underground commercial space in a
dilapidated state and the electric switch box not
properly covered. – Bernama
Labour talks between
M’sia, Indonesia
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Indonesia have
held talks on ways to improve labour
cooperation, especially in providing protection
to Indonesian workers in Malaysia.
The matter was discussed by Human
Resources Minister V. Sivakumar and
Indonesian ambassador Hermono, who paid a
courtesy call on Sivakumar at the Human
Resources Ministry yesterday.
The ministry said the visit was to discuss
bilateral labour issues that are set to be the
agenda at the highest level during the official
visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim to Jakarta on Jan 8 and 9.
“It is hoped that the prime minister’s official
visit to the Republic of Indonesia in January will
strengthen existing collaborations between
both nations in various fields, especially the
labour sector,” the ministry said in a statement.
Malaysia and Indonesia have forged labour
ties through two memorandums of
understanding, which involved the hiring of
Indonesian workers. – Bernama

New langkawi-Kuala
Kedah ferry schedule
ALOR STAR: The ferry services between
Langkawi and Kuala Kedah will operate from
7.30am to 7.00pm on Monday onwards.
Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd
Consortium human resources and operations
manager Kapt Dr Baharin Baharom said the
services from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah will be
at 7.30am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm but there
would be changes to the service schedule
should the water level at the jetty drop below
one metre.
He added that the new ferry schedule follows
the certification of Kuala Kedah Cruise Line by
the Marine Department after the completion of
dredging works.
He also said the consortium would have
RETRO APPEAL ... A visitor trying out a ‘70s telephone unit at the Telekom Museum in Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. additional ferries for both routes on public
– SYAZWAN KAMAL/THESUN holidays. – Bernama

4 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Police urged the public to download
the app to curb phone scam cases.
– PIC COURTESY OF PDRM
Use ‘Whoscall’ app to be
alerted on scam risks: Police
oWith database containing numbers of dubious parties,
platform enables public to identify and reject calls
█ BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Police yesterday urged the
public to download the “Whoscall” app on their
mobile devices to curb the rising number of
scams in the country.
Its Commercial Crime Investigation
Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri
Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said the app would
help the public stay ahead of phone scammers
by being warned of calls from suspected
fraudsters.
The app developer is collaborating with
police to blacklist the telephone numbers of
scammers and warn smartphone users of the
Big Blue Taxi founder charged with cheating
MALACCA: Big Blue Taxi Services founder
Shamsubahrin Ismail was yesterday charged
in the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court here with
cheating over the sale of a luxury car and use
of the “Datuk” title.
The 57-year-old pleaded not guilty to both
charges before judge Darmafikri Abu Adam.
On the first count, Shamsubahrin was
charged with cheating one Datuk Seri Ab Rauf
Yusoh, 62, over the sale of a 2019 MPV with
registration number VVP 7, which was priced
at RM180,000, prompting the latter to hand
over RM95,000 for the vehicle, which he
No reports of push-pocket, extortion activities at airports
KUALA LUMPUR: The police have confirmed
that it had not received any report of “push-
pocket” and extortion activities in hotspot
areas such as airports and LRT stations.
Police secretary Datuk Noorsiah Mohd
Saaduddin said a message on such activities
was first posted online in 2016 and was
recirculated on social media recently.
possibility of calls being from scammers.
This will help the call recipient to decide
whether to take the call.
“The Whoscall app has a database of the
phone numbers of scammers which police
have compiled. With the app, a smartphone
user will be alerted of a possible scam call by
flashing a warning on the user’s screen. The app
is free and safe to use,” he said at the launch of
the app in Cheras yesterday.
Mohd Kamarudin also urged the public to
continue providing police with the phone
numbers of scammers from calls they receive as
this would improve the CCID’s database.
At the same event, police also introduced an
anti-scam song and music video titled
would not have done if he knew it was not
genuine.
The offence was allegedly committed at
the Malacca state assembly office, Level 2,
Blok Laksamana, Seri Negeri on Dec 7, 2021.
The charge was framed under Section 420
of the Penal Code which provides for
imprisonment of up to 10 years, whipping and
a fine.
Shamsubahrin was also charged under
Section 3(1)(a) of the Emblems and Names
(Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment
1981 for using the “Datuk” title for personal
“According to the online post, the criminal
would slip in items such as a mobile phone or
wallet into the victim’s pocket before
accusing the victim of stealing their
belongings.
“The criminal would then make a huge
commotion, before offering a settlement by
asking the victim to pay a sum of money. If
READ OUR
/thesundaily
Be Smart, Be Alert to make the public more
aware of scams. The song, which was
composed by musician and composer Lenny
Ooi Teck Wai, involved the participation of
several singers and police personnel.
He said with the ongoing anti-scam
campaigns, cases declined to 20,041 last year
compared with 20,701 cases in 2021.
Mohd Kamarudin said although there were
fewer cases last year, losses were higher, at
RM684.5 million compared with 2021 where
victims of phone scams reported losses
amounting to RM560.8 million.
He said total losses involving all cases of
commercial crimes last year were lower at
RM1.73 billion, compared with the RM2.2
billion lost in 2021.
“Our fight against scammers will keep on
going and we will never tire of educating the
public. We hope the public will remain cautious
at all times when taking calls from suspicious
individuals, who are out to fleece them.”
gain without written permission from the
chief minister at the same place and time.
He faces a maximum fine of RM500,000 or
imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
The court allowed him bail of RM30,000 for
both charges, ordered him to surrender his
passport and report to the police station every
month.
Darmafikri set Feb 7 for mention and
submission of documents.
DPP Aliff Asraf Anuar Sharuddin appeared
for the prosecution, while lawyer Loh Chon
Mee represented Shamsubahrin. – Bernama
the victim refuses, the criminal would
threaten to report the matter to the police.”
Noorsiah urged the public not to be easily
taken in by unsubstantiated and unverified
news.
She added that sharing or disseminating
such news may create uncertainty in the
community. –Bernama
HERE SCAN
ME
Veterinary enforcement
assistant claims trial
to graft charges
KUALA TERENGGANU: A veterinary
enforcement assistant pleaded not guilty at
the Sessions Court here yesterday to charges
of soliciting and accepting RM35,000 in bribes
last year.
Abol As Mohd Jamil, 43, who is with the
Terengganu Veterinary Services Department,
made the plea after the charges were read out
before judge Dazuki Ali.
The Grade 22 civil servant was charged
with soliciting RM35,000 from a man as an
inducement for Abol As to amend the charge
involving a Sessions Court case to a charge
that comes with a lighter sentence.
The offence was allegedly committed at
No. 11596-H Jalan Fikri in Kampung Seberang
Takir, Kuala Nerus, between 12.30pm and
1pm on July 27 last year.
Abol As was also charged with accepting a
bribe of RM35,000 from the same man for
the same purpose at the same address on
Aug 3, 2022.
The charges framed under Section
16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission Act 2009, which carries a
maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of
not less than five times the value of the bribe
or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Dazuki allowed Abol As bail of RM8,000 in
one surety for both charges and ordered him
to surrender his passport to the court and
report to the nearest MACC office every
month.
The court fixed Feb 7 for mention.
MACC DPPs Farah Yasmin Salleh and Nur
Athikah Aziz appeared for the prosecution,
while lawyer Mohd Hazwan Hamidun
represented Abol As. – Bernama
Three drug traffickers
sentenced to death
SHAH ALAM: The High Court yesterday
ordered three men to be hanged to death
after finding them guilty of trafficking a
total of 585.1g of drugs into the country four
years ago.
Judge Datuk Abdul Halim Aman meted
out the sentence on C. Peter Yesudas, 55,
V. Kasinathan, 43, and K. Nagaraj, 57, after
finding that they had failed to raise
reasonable doubts against the charges.
They were also found to be in direct
possession of the drugs, which is the act
of processing the drugs and knowledge of
the drugs in a cow shed, which they had
control of.
Another accused, M. Radakrishnan, 52,
had the charge against him dropped as he
died in custody.
The four men, together with
S. Balaguhan, 50, who is still at large, were
jointly charged with trafficking 432.5g of
heroin and 152.6g of monoacetylmorphines
at a cow shed on Jalan Bukit Beruntung in
Rawang at about 12.40pm on Nov 26, 2019.
– Bernama
Man held for driving
against traffic
JOHOR BARU: The lorry driver who was
arrested for driving against the flow of traffic
at Km5.5 of the Second Link Expressway on
Tuesday, was yesterday remanded for four
days to assist with investigations.
The remand order against the 41-year-old
man was issued by magistrate Nurzihan
Abdul Rehman for the probe under Section
44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
On Tuesday, Iskandar Puteri police chief
ACP Rahmat Ariffin said the suspect was
also driving under the influence of alcohol
and had collided with other vehicles.
He said the incident occurred at 4.30pm
when the lorry driver was on his way from
Kulai to Tanjung Pelepas Port.
“The lorry driver had missed the
intersection to the port and gone into the
opposite lane,” he added. – Bernama
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 6 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
Philippines asks top cops
to resign to ‘cleanse’ force
oMinister accuses
officers of involvement
in drugs trade
MANILA: Efforts by Philippine
authorities to crack down on drugs
under President Ferdinand Marcos
Jr are being hampered by
the involvement of a few high-
ranking police officials in the
narcotics trade, the interior minister
said yesterday.
In the past six months, authorities
have confiscated 10 billion pesos
South Korea may scrap buffer zone pact
SEOUL: South Korean President
Yoon Suk-yeol said yesterday he
would consider suspending a 2018
agreement that created maritime
buffer zones with the North should
Pyongyang “violate” Seoul’s territory
again.
The deal, struck during a period
of high-profile diplomacy at a
summit in Pyongyang, aimed to
reduce military tensions along the
heavily fortified border.
At the time, the two sides agreed
to “cease various military exercises
aimed at each other along the
military demarcation line”, but
Taiwan to give cash payouts to citizens
TAIPEI: Taiwan plans to give cash
payouts of T$6,000 (RM863) to every
citizen this year, Premier Su
Tseng-chang announced yesterday,
saying the island’s economic growth
will be shared by everyone.
The export-reliant economy, a
global tech powerhouse for products
including semiconductor chips,
grew 6.45% in 2021, the fastest rate
since it expanded 10.25% in 2010.
(RM783 million) worth
methamphetamine, including a
of
record seizure of 990kg with an
estimated street value of 6.7 billion
pesos in October.
Interior Secretary Benjamin
Abalos appealed for the voluntary
resignation of police officers holding
the rank of colonels up to generals to
restore trust in anti-narcotics
operations after some of them
were suspected of having links to the
drug trade.
“This is one way of cleansing our
ranks. Let us start afresh,” he told
a news conference.
While only a few senior police
officers were believed to have a role
Pyongyang began repeatedly
violating the deal last year.
North Korea fired artillery shots
into the agreement’s designated
maritime buffer zones multiple
times last year, and last week sent
five drones across the border into
South Korean airspace.
The violations have prompted
growing calls from ruling-party
parliamentarians for the hawkish
Yoon administration to scrap the
four-year-old deal, inked under
then-president Moon Jae-in.
Yoon instructed his security aides
yesterday “to consider suspending
While economic growth is
expected to slow in 2022 and 2023,
the government has made plans to
plough an extra T$380 billion in tax
revenue from last year back into the
economy to help protect the island
from global economic shocks,
including subsidies for electricity
prices and labour and health
insurance.
Su said a total of T$140 billion,
in the drugs trade, they held critical
positions, Abalos said, without
elaborating.
Roughly 300 officers hold the
rank of colonel to general in the
227,000-strong police force.
Asked for comment, police head
of public information Col Redrico
Maranan told reporters officers
would follow the decisions of
political leaders “because we know
all these are for the good of our
organisation”.
Former Philippine president
Rodrigo Duterte faced international
condemnation for launching
a bloody anti-narcotics crackdown,
with more than 6,200 people
the military agreement if the North
carries out another provocation
violating our territory,” spokesman
Kim Eun-hye told reporters.
Yoon also called for “a large-scale
production of small-size drones that
are hard to be detected by the end of
the year” and the creation of a
multi-purpose drone unit for an
“overwhelming counter-offensive
capability”.
The North Korean drone
incursion, the first such incident in
five years, prompted an apology
from Seoul’s defence minister after
the military failed to shoot down any
part of the tax revenue, would be
spent as cash payouts and each
citizen would get T$6,000.
“The fruit of economic
achievements will be shared by all
citizens, from young to old,” Su told
reporters, adding the potential payout
requires approval from parliament,
where the ruling Democratic
Progressive Party has a majority.
“We wish to give all citizens a
BRIEFS
killed in police operations during
his term between 2016 and 2022.
Police have rejected allegations
the killings were executions, saying
the drug suspects violently resisted
arrest and that authorities acted in
self-defence.
In November, police said killings
in anti-drugs operations would be
minimised, as the administration of
Marcos Jr focused on rehabilitation
and education.
Since Marcos Jr took office in
June, authorities have conducted
more than 24,000 sting operations,
arrested around 30,000 people and
killed around a dozen drug suspects,
according to police data. – Reuters
FOND
FAREWELL ...
Visitors looking
at penguins in
an enclosure at
Jurong Bird
Park during its
final day of
operations,
before the
aviary closes
and the birds
are moved to a
new park called
Bird Paradise, in
Singapore
yesterday.
– AFPPIC
of the unmanned aircraft despite
scrambling jets for a five-hour
operation.
Scrapping the 2018 deal would
“increase the chance of heightened
military tensions and an actual clash
in border areas”, said Hong Min of
the Korea Institute for National
Unification.
Despite Pyongyang violating the
deal, the agreement still helped with
“preventing a major military clash”,
he said.
“It will be a much different story if
Yoon puts an official, political end to
the agreement.”– AFP
New Year blessing after the
beginning of the Lunar New Year.”
Taiwan is a major producer of
semiconductors used in everything
from cars and smartphones to
fighter jets.
Its economy continued to grow
during the Covid-19 pandemic,
helped by strong chip demand for
consumer electronics as more
people worked from home. – Reuters
MARCOS JR SEEKS
STRONGER CHINA TIES
BEIJING: Philippine President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr said
yesterday he hoped to strengthen
ties with Beijing on his first state
visit to China since taking office.
China and the Philippines are at
odds over the hotly disputed
South China Sea, with Marcos
expected to sign a deal in Beijing
this week to establish direct
communication on maritime
issues. Manila considers it “of
primary importance to strengthen
the relationship between China
and the Philippines”, Marcos said
in a meeting yesterday with top
Chinese legislator Li Zhanshu.
Marcos, who is also expected to
meet Chinese President Xi
Jinping, said he hoped for
“partnerships that will stabilise
and strengthen all of our
economies”. – AFP
EX-NATO CHIEF URGES
DEMOCRACIES TO UNITE
TAIPEI: Democracies must join
together to resist “advancing
autocracies”, Nato’s former head
warned yesterday during a visit to
Taiwan, which he said must be
allowed to decide its own future.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a former
Danish prime minister who served
as Nato secretary-general from
2009 to 2014, made the remarks at
a meeting with Taiwanese
President Tsai Ing-wen. “We need
to strengthen our fight against, or
our attempts to counter, the
advancing autocracies,” he said.
“The world’s democracies
represent 60% of the global
economy, if we can work
together, then we are
representing a formidable force
that will create respect in Beijing
and other capitals of autocratic
nations”. – AFP
Myanmar marks
Independence
Day with
mass pardons
YANGON: Myanmar’s military
government will release 7,012
prisoners under an amnesty to mark
the country’s independence day,
state broadcaster MRTV reported
yesterday, as the junta chief praised
some countries for maintaining
support for his nation.
The country has faced
international isolation and sanctions
since the military seized power from
an elected government led by Aung
Sang Suu Kyi two years ago.
“I want to say thank you to some
international and regional countries
and organisations and individuals
who positively cooperated with us ...
in the midst of all the pressure,
criticisms and attacks,” Min Aung
Hlaing said in a speech to mark
Myanmar’s 75th independence day.
“We are closely working with
neighbouring countries such as China,
India, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh.
We will work together for border
stability and development,” he said in
a speech at a parade in the capital
Naypyitaw, complete with flag-waving
civil servants, marching soldiers, tanks
and a flypast by military jets.
Authorities typically release some
prisoners to mark the day when
Myanmar declared independence
from British rule.
MRTV said the latest amnesty
would not include those convicted
of murder and rape, or jailed for
charges related to explosives,
unlawful association, weapons,
drugs, natural disaster management
and corruption. – Reuters

Mexico sends
troops to fight
organised crime
MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s defence
ministry said on Tuesday it had flown
200 military personnel to the northern
border city of Juarez to fight organised
crime there, days after a deadly prison
riot led to a manhunt for escaped
convicts.
Authorities also sacked the director
of the prison, from which at least 30
inmates escaped.
State prosecutors in the border
state of Chihuahua said Alejandro
Alvarado, head of the Juarez prison,
had been dismissed, and is also under
investigation for his possible role in
the jailbreak, alongside others.
On Sunday, 19 people died after
gunmen attacked the prison a few
miles south of El Paso, Texas, killing
guards and inmates and triggering a
mass escape that included cartel
kingpin Ernesto Alfredo Pinon de la
Cruz, also known as “El Neto.”
Federal authorities arrived to
restore order, later finding a “VIP
zone” in the state-run prison with
drugs and money.
Prisoners’ relatives queued outside
the prison on Tuesday, some asking to
speak to authorities.
Maria Luisa Pena, an inmate’s aunt,
told Reuters authorities had yet to give
her information about her nephew’s
situation.
“We’re worried, we want to know
what’s happening with our relatives,
we want them to tell us something.”
“We’re all humans, aren’t we? We
all make mistakes. Now many of us
want the opportunity to know what’s
happening with our relatives,” added
an inmate’s wife, who was not
identified. – Reuters
BRIEFS
CAR BOMBINGS KILL
NINE IN SOMALIA
MOGADISHU: At least nine
people were killed and several
others wounded in
simultaneous car bomb attacks
in a town in central Somalia
yesterday, security officials and
witnesses said. “The terrorists
attacked Mahas town using
vehicles loaded with explosives,”
said local security official
Abdullahi Adan. “They have
targeted a civilian area and we
have confirmed that nine
people, all of them civilians, died
in the two explosions.” The
attack, blamed on
Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab
fighters, took place in the Hiran
region of central Somalia.
Witnesses said the blasts
occurred near a restaurant not
far from a district administration
building in Mahas. “I saw the
dead bodies of nine civilians,
including women and children,”
said witness Adan Hassan. – AFP
FIRST EXECUTION OF
TRANSGENDER IN U.S.
WASHINGTON: A transgender
woman convicted of murder was
put to death on Tuesday in the
first such execution in the US.
Amber McLaughlin, 49, was
pronounced dead shortly before
7pm local time at the Diagnostic
and Correctional Centre in the
town of Bonne Terre, according
to a statement from the Missouri
prison department. Local news
station Fox2now reported that
she died by lethal injection. She
was the first transgender person
of either sex to be executed in
the country, and also the first
person to die by capital
punishment this year in America.
McLaughlin was convicted of
murdering a former girlfriend in
2003 in a suburb of St Louis,
before she transitioned. – AFP
US House in chaos after
no speaker elected
oRepublican rebels reject own party’s
candidate in three rounds of votes
WASHINGTON: Voting for a new
leader of the US House of
Representatives is expected to
resume early today, a day after
Congress was plunged into disarray
when renegade right-wing
Republicans blocked favourite Kevin
McCarthy from becoming speaker in
a series of humiliating votes.
The California congressman
needed a simple majority to be
elected as Washington’s top
legislator, who presides over House
business and is second in line to the
presidency, after the vice-president.
But for the first time in a century,
Republicans failed to elect a speaker
in a nail-biting first three rounds of
A soldier from
Carpathian Sich
international
battalion firing
an RPG while
conducting
manoeuvres near
the frontlines in
the Ukrainian city
of Kreminna.
– REUTERSPIC
Russia blames soldiers’ mobile phone use for attack
MOSCOW: Russia’s Defence
Ministry yesterday blamed mobile
phone use by its soldiers for a
deadly Ukrainian missile strike that
it said killed 89 servicemen, raising
the reported death toll from 63.
The New Year’s Eve strike, the
deadliest single incident Moscow
has acknowledged since the start of
the war, has angered pro-war
Russian commentators, increasingly
vocal about what they see as a
half-hearted and incompetent
campaign in Ukraine.
Criticism has been directed at
military commanders rather than
Russian President Vladimir Putin,
who has not commented publicly
UK to make maths compulsory for pupils until age 18
LONDON: British Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak will unveil plans to
make it compulsory to study some
form of maths until the age of 18, in
a drive to ensure the UK rivals the
best education systems in the world.
However, the change will not
come about until after the next
election, which opinion polls
voting – given blanket coverage
across US television networks.
Rather than celebrating their
new control of the House, the party
instead faces a drawn-out fight to
elect a speaker that could further
deepen internal divisions and put
McCarthy’s political career on the
line.
The 57-year-old needed 218
votes in the lower chamber, which
flipped to a narrow 222-212
Republican majority after last year’s
midterm elections.
But he failed to bring into line the
party rebels, including several
high-profile allies of former
president Donald Trump, and he
on the attack, which has dealt a
further blow after major battlefield
retreats in recent months.
The Russian Defence Ministry
said four Ukrainian rockets had hit a
temporary Russian barracks in a
vocational college in Makiivka, twin
city of the Russian-occupied
regional capital of Donetsk in
eastern Ukraine.
Although a probe has been
launched, the ministry said the
main reason for the attack was the
mass use of mobile phones by
servicemen, which it described as
illegal.
“This factor allowed the enemy
to track and determine the
currently suggest the Conservatives
will lose to Labour.
In his first public engagement of
the year, Sunak will use a speech in
central London to warn that the
jobs of the future will require more
analytical skills than ever before.
“Letting our children out into the
world without those skills, is letting
theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS
was shocked by 19 “no” votes from
his own side in each of the first two
rounds, rising to 20 in the third.
His performance was so weak
that he lost out to the Democratic
minority leader Hakeem Jeffries in
each of the opening three ballots –
although there remains little doubt
a Republican will ultimately claim
the speaker’s gavel.
McCarthy has long coveted the
role, having withdrawn from the
race in 2015 amid a number of
blunders and a right-wing revolt.
This time he was once again
tripped up by far-right rebels,
despite bowing to their calls to push
aggressive investigations of
Democrats, including President Joe
Biden, after taking over the House.
“The reality is McCarthy doesn’t
have the votes,” Florida
congressman Byron Donalds said in
a statement urging fellow members
of the party conference to “recess
coordinates of the soldiers’ location
for a missile strike,” it said in a
statement issued yesterday.
Russia has effectively shut down
all direct opposition to the war, with
open criticism banned by severe
media rules.
But it has given comparatively free
rein to pro-war nationalist bloggers,
many with hundreds of thousands of
followers on social media.
Semyon Pegov, a war
correspondent awarded the Order of
Courage by Putin, said on Telegram
that pointing the finger at troops
using mobile phones “looks like an
outright attempt to smear the blame”.
There were other ways Ukraine
our children down,” he will say.
He will also point to the fact that,
unlike many other countries, just half
of all those aged 16 to 19 study maths.
However, maths at A-Level will
not be compulsory for all.
Instead, ministers are looking at
pupils taking some form of maths
course alongside other subjects.
7
and huddle” in search of a
breakthrough.
The last time it took more than
one round of voting to pick a
speaker at the start of a new
Congress was a century ago, in 1923.
One speaker selection process in
1855 took 133 rounds of voting over
two months.
One roadblock to McCarthy’s
anointment was the perception by
some on his party’s far-right that he
is insufficiently loyal to Trump, who
is running for the White House
again after losing to Biden in 2020.
No clear Republican alternative
to McCarthy had emerged, although
one obvious name would be
incoming House majority leader
Steve Scalise, a McCarthyite who
has nevertheless been clear that he
has ambitions of his own.
However, the “Never Kevin”
crowd are likely to see Scalise as
more of the same. – AFP
could have spotted the base, he
said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky, who rarely comments on
specific Ukrainian military strikes,
made no mention of the attack in a
video address on Tuesday.
He said Russia was set to launch
a major offensive.
“We have no doubt that current
masters of Russia will throw
everything they have left and
everyone they can round up to try to
turn the tide of the war and at least
delay their defeat.
“We have to disrupt this Russian
scenario. We are preparing for this.
The terrorists must lose.” – Reuters
The A-Level system narrowed the
number of subjects teenagers study
more quickly than in other countries.
Critics said this hampered
the drive to create all-rounders,
while supporters said it allowed
students to adapt more quickly to
the rigours of a university course.
– The Independent
 8 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
SPEAK UP
COMMENT by Chin Yew Sin
Safety is everyone’s responsibility
I
T seems that more and more
Malaysians are living in fear due to
the increasing threat of floods and
landslides. Housing areas which
were previously flood free have now
become flood prone. Places for family
holidaying – the beautiful hill slopes and
river banks for outdoor activities – are
no longer deemed safe.
People have become anxious by the
disasters that have been happening.
Shocking images of affected areas have
been reported in the media and shared
on social network almost instantly. For
example, following the Batang Kali
landslide, I received at least two video
clips of several other landslides in the
country, thus creating another wave of
fear for the public, albeit, there were no
reported casualties. We are not immune
to disasters.
Most of us have the perception that
anything to do with natural disaster
risk mitigation and reduction are solely
the responsibility of the authorities. I
disagree. When it comes to health and
safety, we as individuals must embrace
the belief that “safety is everyone’s
responsibility”.
Making resolutions and keeping them
█ BY KATE NG
MAKING a new year’s resolution is like pushing
the pedestrian button at a busy crossing:
Basically pointless, but you do it anyway. Every
year, we go through the same rigmarole. For
some people, resolutions work, for most, they
spark a vicious cycle. You make a promise to
yourself, swiftly break it. You feel bad about it.
Resolution-haters may be placated by the
fact that they have been falling out of fashion in
recent years anyway. Last year, a survey of more
than 2,000 British adults found that only one in
four planned to make resolutions come Jan 1.
According to research by Strava, most people
would have already begun to give up on their
resolutions by middle of January. But do not fret
if you are still attracted to the “idea” of setting
goals for yourself – experts say there are still
ways we can make resolutions work.
“Manifesting” has begun to replace making
resolutions in the new year. The pseudoscience
behind manifestation suggests that the power
of thought alone can be enough to make your
desires a reality. While the practice is not new, it
is seen as a major boom in popularity over the
last year, thanks to videos on TikTok, with the
hashtag #manifesting drawing 4.3 billion views
on the platform alone. There have been more
than 529 million views for the hashtag
Everyone must take safety seriously
or everyone will be at risk.
The NGO that I am in (Alliance for a
Safety Community), which promotes
and realises safety as our way of life,
recently attended a dialogue session
“With
organised by Nadma (National Disaster
Management Agency). The agency is
knowledge,
increasing focus on emergency
preparedness. In this regard, it is setting information
up a network of NGOs called “Rakan
Nadma” to leverage on the strength of and a safety
these organisations to go beyond, not
only response and rescue, but also in mindset, we
reaching out to the community to raise
awareness, and learn the importance of have the
preparedness in disaster risk reduction.
Nadma is advocating that safety is ability to
everyone’s responsibility. The rakyat has
a role to play in making the country a
safer place. As an individual, how can
reduce the risks
we play a role in safeguarding our lives
and those of our loved ones in the face
of facing
of a potential disaster?
Just a week before the landslide
disasters.
incident, a few of my friends with our
families were discussing and planning a
getaway at a highland resort. The plan
was, however, halted by the “heads” of
#manifestingtips. Senior lecturer in psychology
at the University of Law Mark Jellicoe said there
is no real evidence that manifestation works.
But he thinks the idea of it can have a positive
influence on human behaviour.
“It makes sense that if we orient ourselves
towards an outcome, we may be more
motivated to achieve it,” he explains. “When we
are considering a vision that we have for
ourselves, we likely need to get tactical about
the goals we seek to achieve, and the science of
goal-setting may help with this.”
However, he warns that manifesting “is not a
magic bullet”. We are easily distracted as human
beings, he continues, making us “often quite
bad at the deliberate mechanics of goal-setting,
even when we want to achieve the outcome”.
Jellicoe suggests using a model called a
“woop”, which stands for “wish, outcome,
obstacle, plan”. “This approach encourages us
to think about the reality of our situation and
the likely obstacles that come between us and
our ultimate goals,” he says. “We can then plan
ways to overcome them.”
If manifestation is not your choice, making a
resolution can still be useful when it comes to
shaping your year ahead. While it is true that
resolutions can feel arbitrary, thinking about
what you want from them before you set them
can make a difference.
the house (our wives) after they
unanimously decided it unwise to take
the risk during the rainy season to drive
through winding hill slopes. In
hindsight now, my friends and I salute
the wisdom of the women for making
the safe choice by factoring the seasonal
risk. The quality of our life was not
compromised either because we always
have the option to visit this place
another time or choose another place.
In a short video clip produced by
Channel NewsAsia titled “Batang Kali
landslide – the tragedy unfolded near
Genting Highland”, one survivor
reportedly said: “We felt the tents
becoming unstable and soil was falling
around us. Luckily, I was able to leave
the tent and go to some place safer.” I
must applaud her for her alertness on
the first sign of being exposed to risk,
and was able to make a quick decision
that eventually saved her life and those
of her loved ones.
To be in a position of making safe
choices related to landslides, we rely on
knowledge and information, such as
early warning systems to avoid
surprises.
Glassdoor career trends expert Jill Cotton
says resolutions can provide “clear direction”
for the next 12 months as long as they are rooted
in reality. “Rather than rushing into a resolution
that may soon feel overwhelming or outdated,
take time to work out how you want your life or
career to change in 2023,” she says. “The prep
work will allow you to feel optimistic about the
steps ahead.”
B+A global research and strategy partner
Tamika Abaka-Wood agrees. “It is in our nature
to rush to find solutions without considering
what it is we are truly trying to solve,” she says.
She suggests asking yourself a series of
questions to determine what kind of resolution
would work for you. “For example, you may
decide you are going to start a daily meditation
practice, but why?” she says. “What actually is
the root cause we are addressing? Maybe it is
that you are not sleeping well? You could be in a
relationship that is not serving your emotional
needs. You could be spending too much time
on screens.”
Setting a goal without first working out why
you want to achieve it can lead to feelings of
aimlessness. Abaka-Wood suggests asking
yourself “five whys” once you have a goal in
mind. “Whatever your reply, interrogate it to see
where it takes you. It will feel ridiculous but I
promise it leads to a core truth.”
Approved hospitality facilities are
legally bound to protect their guests
from harm, which include landslides or
other types of disasters, such as floods.
Guests have every right to refuse
checking in or cancelling reservations if
operators are non-compliant with
safety rules.
In most cases, our tolerance to risk
becomes higher during vacations as we
are relaxed. There is an element of
“tidak apa” attitude and we choose to
care less about safety or assess the risks,
let alone report any potential danger or
safety non-compliance by operators.
When incidents happen, we point
fingers at the authorities or blame
mother nature. With knowledge,
information and a safety mindset, we
have the ability to reduce the risks of
facing disasters.
My new year wish is for all
Malaysians to start embracing the
mindset that “safety is everyone’s
responsibility”.
Chin Yew Sin is the author of “Unlocking
the secret of making safe choices”.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
When it comes to new year’s resolutions for
2023, many of us have money on our minds. A
survey of 1,000 British adults by financial advice
website Unbiased found that 72% were acutely
aware of their finances, with many planning to
tighten their belts next year amid the cost of
living crisis. For those polled, that means giving
up on takeaways (47%), stopping from eating
out and going to the pub (40%), and attempting
to use cars less (30%).
Cotton suggests a different approach,
advising that workers do not necessarily cut
back but resolve to “know their worth” when it
comes to their salaries. “This can be done by
using a salary calculator, having an open
conversation with co-workers about salary
bands or looking at job adverts for similar roles.
There is unnecessary secrecy around salaries.
Without transparency, pay equality will be
almost impossible to achieve.”
It is tempting to say “humbug” when it
comes to new year’s resolutions. But if we stop
using them as just another way to beat
ourselves up, they can become real sources of
hope and inspiration – things that keep us going
at a time of global unrest. And if you stick with
them, you may surprise yourself. After all,
sometimes pushing the button at the crossing
really does make a difference. – The
Independent

Fix dilapidated facilities in East M’sia
COMMENT
By Amanda Yeo
W
HILE it marks a good
starting point for newly
minted Health Minister Dr
Zaliha Mustafa to provide
free sanitary pads at the ministry level,
the period poverty issue is just the tip of
the iceberg.
Period poverty refers to a lack of or
inadequate access to menstrual
products, sanitation facilities and
information on menstruation – often
leading to adverse health, psychological
and social consequences. As highlighted
by Emir Research, the Covid-19
pandemic has exposed the underlying
risks of inadequate access to sanitary
pads among low-income and poorer
girls and women.
With shrinking income and job
losses, the affected working-age women
were left with few options but to go for
unhygienic methods by using tattered
clothes, coconut husks, old or discarded
newspapers, and even banana leaves
during their menstruation period.
This is just one chronic issue. The
other issue is the insufficient number of
medical specialists and healthcare
amenities in sub-urban and rural areas.
Malaysians who reside outside major
cities and conurbations have to travel
afar to access necessary medical
treatment.
Such a phenomenon is especially
acute in Sabah and Sarawak (including
the Federal Territory of Labuan), which
account for 60% (i.e. 198,100 sq km) of
the total area of Malaysia. In 2021,
Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan’s official
ratio of doctors to the population were
1:776, 1:662 and 1:837, respectively,
lower than the national average of 1:420.
Moreover, Sabah and Sarawak’s
teacher-to-student ratios in the rural
secondary schools were 1:11.75 and
1:12.61 in 2020, lower than the national
average of 1:9.36. The issue of
dilapidated schools in both Sabah and
Sarawak has also become a hindrance
for students to experience a conducive
learning environment.
As of April 2020, out of 1,296 schools
in Sabah, 589 of them were dilapidated
(latest obtainable figure). For Sarawak,
latest derived figure as of Sept 2022
shows that 476 dilapidated schools were
yet to be repaired or upgraded.
Due to the limited number of
Comprehensive Special Model Schools
Nine (K9), which offers schooling from
Year One to Form Three in the remote
areas of Sabah and Sarawak, fewer
children have been graduating.
As a result, only 12.7% and 13.4% of
the rural workforce in Sabah and
Sarawak received tertiary education
qualifications in 2020.
East Malaysians with lower
educational attainment can only opt for
lower-skilled jobs, thus depriving them
of opportunities to earn a higher
income.
As 2023 marks Sabah and Sarawak’s
Empower youths for sustainable living
LETTERS
letters@thesundaily.com
WE need to make significant differences in the
quality of life of our youths by creating positive
changes for them.
Youths nowadays are becoming more
engaged, qualitatively and quantitatively, to
assume effective roles in our societies with
exposure to better education and modern
communication facilities and tools.
As the saying goes, “the young shall inherit
the earth”. But are we supporting our youths to
lead the next world? Are we doing enough to
60th anniversary of independence
and, by inclusion and extension, of
the Malaysia Agreement/MA (1963), the
unity government does not have much
time to delay or postpone these issues.
Both newly appointed education and
health ministers have to start carrying
out the necessary groundwork,
understand the underlying problems
and develop solutions to ensure a
brighter future for the next generations.
Pakatan Harapan has claimed that
among the 21 issues under MA63, 17
were resolved during the tenure of its
“Provide full
administration between May 2018 and
February 2020. However, one month autonomy
for both
before the 14th Parliament was
dissolved on Oct 10, 2022, former
minister in the prime minister’s
department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs)
Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili insisted Sabah and
that 15 MA63 issues remain
outstanding. These include jurisdiction
over health, the remaining (i.e. based on
Sarawak
and derived from pre-existing shared list
of the Federal Constitution) jurisdiction
state
on the environment, labour and the
release of land ownership rights to the governments
to carry
federal government.
Although the current unity
government aspires to resolve all MA63
issues within a month (due by this
month), it remains to be seen whether immediate
the federal ministers will be able to
effectively translate the political
commitments into policies and laws.
upgrading of
Also, the federal government has to
be proactive in organising frequent
dilapidated
engagements with the
governments. This includes ensuring
complete decentralisation of power
state
health and
from the federal to the state in the
matters of health and education.
education
However, it is currently challenging for
the federal government to fully delegate facilities or
initiate
them to the states as Sabah no longer
has its own health and education
ministries.
When the Warisan-led PH plus
governed Sabah between 2018 and development
2020, then chief minister Datuk Seri
Shafie Apdal set up both the state level
Health and People’s Well-being Ministry
for new
and the Education and Innovation
Ministry.
hospitals,
Sarawak also followed in Sabah’s
footsteps post-2021 state election. The clinics and
Cabinet rebranding saw the
establishment of the Education,
Innovation and Talent Development
schools.
Ministry as well as the Public Health,
Housing and Local Government
Ministry under Sarawak premier Tan Sri
Abang Johari Openg.
Given that Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor
remains the chief minister of Sabah (the
state assembly has until Dec 9, 2025
before it has to be dissolved), he may
consider having the current state local
government and Housing Minister
Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Munjun
holding an additional, i.e. health
portfolio.
Whereas Datuk Yakub Khan, the
current state science, technology and
innovation minister, could be put in
charge of education as well to ensure
effective transition of power devolution
empower them in decision-making and
socio-economic discussions such as climate
change, child labour, human rights, green
energy, for them to offer valued inputs and
create an impact?
We witnessed our youths in action in the
last 15th general election. It is time we equip
them in civic engagement. However, without
access to resources and opportunities to
participate in positive change making, their
voices will be curtailed.
We must review our current model and
redesign it accordingly to fulfil this objective,
especially with the new unity government
under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim, who himself was a former youth
from the federal to the Borneo
territories.
When both Sabah and Sarawak have
their respective ministries to manage
health and education affairs, Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim’s administration will find
the MA63 agenda a less daunting task to
achieve within his first 100 days serving
as prime minister (March 3).
In promoting the overall national
health and education infrastructure,
Emir Research has recommendations
for the unity government to look into:
1. The Health Ministry should think
of ways to increase the number of
medical officers (MO) for permanent
positions without compromising on the
three-tier assessment system that is in
place. The three-tier assessment
comprises the Permanent Appointment
Technical Committee at the medical
programme level, the Permanent
Appointment Selection Committee
chaired by the deputy secretary-general
(management) and the committee to
certify the permanent appointment by
making the final recommendations to
the ministry’s top management. If some
MO have yet to have their contract
renewed after the two-year compulsory
service, the ministry can work with
potential employers in the private
sector, i.e. including government-linked
hospitals (both federal and state), to
absorb them. It should also look into the
working conditions of MO, such as
giving them unrecorded leave and
maternity leave, and financial assistance
or sponsorship for post-specialist
training.
2. It is highly commendable that
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek
intends to bring back the National
Education Advisory Council. Although
she did not specify the council’s
purview, it would be ideal that it
comprises experts, academics and
representatives from teacher and parent
associations to formulate an integrated
plan for post-pandemic education.
Moving forward, the Education
Ministry should go ahead and
implement the plan to revamp the
national education system, with a
stronger emphasis and focus on science,
technology, reading, engineering, arts
and mathematics stream, encompassing
primary, secondary and university
levels. In abolishing the arts and
sciences streams, so that whatever
subjects the students choose will still
revolve around some science and
engineering or technology-based
subjects, they will still be exposed to
a holistic education (i.e. via the
introduction of liberal arts disciplines
such as communications, philosophy,
literature, etc. in addition to
conventional subjects like history and
geography, inter alia).
Essentially, the vision is to ultimately
revamp the education philosophy to
produce graduates who are both
generalists (minoring) and specialists
(majoring) in their respective streams
of choice, which will boost their
employability in the “new” economy.
This will also facilitate the promotion of
leader in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
The question is how do we engage our
youths in urban sustainable development? A
special programme should be introduced with
the aim to inform youths on sustainable
development, and financial assistance offered
to support them throughout the programme.
Participants should be given training on the
necessary skills, knowledge and networking,
complete with a certificate of achievement to
assist them in their job hunt.
A programme imparting skills and
knowledge as youth ambassadors in the
community should also be introduced, with
resources and social capital allotted for the
function. They can join as volunteers, event
9
theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
SPEAK UP
flexibility in skills needed for upskilling,
reskilling and cross-skilling to adapt to
the rapidly evolving economic and
industrial landscape.
Nonetheless, the stream initiative has
to be supported by digital devices and
connectivity. Students without digital
and internet accessibility cannot
upgrade themselves with the relevant
knowledge and practical skills, hence,
diminishing their chances of securing
higher-paying jobs after graduation.
The Education Ministry should also
introduce education in sexual and
reproductive health, moral and civic to
provide a holistic framework for
Malaysians from a young age (“Women’s
issues are also issues that require the
national or the other gender’s attention”,
Emir Research, April 6, 2022).
3. Initiate discussions with the
education and health ministries to
allocate more teachers and doctors to be
based in the rural areas of Sabah and
Sarawak. Both ministries can provide
training and job guarantee incentives
to motivate more Sabahans and
Sarawakians to contribute to their home
territories through teaching and medical
professions. Encouraging more
Sabahans and Sarawakians to become
teachers and doctors will eventually
narrow the gap between the number of
teachers and doctors required and the
number of students and residents in a
particular rural district of Sabah and
Sarawak.
4. Provide full autonomy for both
Sabah and Sarawak state governments
to carry immediate upgrading of
dilapidated health and education
infrastructure or initiate development
for new hospitals, clinics and schools. As
part of a new era of partnership between
the Peninsular and East Malaysia, the
unity government should standby to
provide additional funding if the Sabah
and Sarawak state governments require
more financial assistance.
5. Monitor the construction progress
regularly to ensure that the
infrastructures comply with
requirements (i.e. construction industry
standard by the Construction Industry
Development Board, road safety audit
by the Public Works Department, etc.).
Also ensure that projects are completed
within the specific timeframe.
Anwar’s commitment to combat
wastages, leakages and graft in the
public sector, including projects related
to health and education infrastructure,
whereby an open tender environment
and culture should be the default
system, has reignited fresh and renewed
hope for our nation.
Let us pray that the prime minister
will lead Malaysia towards promising
economic growth prospects and stable
governance in the next five years and
beyond.
Amanda Yeo is research analyst at
Emir Research, an independent
think tank focused on strategic policy
recommendations based on
rigorous research.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
organisers and social innovation builders.
These type of programmes will increase
their diversity in the community, and they will
be better prepared to be involved in civic
engagement. These programmes should also
focus on equipping them as youth leaders and
professional apprentices, to enable, especially
the B40 youths, to build a career.
The future is in the hands of our youths, and
they have the power to bring about change.
What they need is a driving force. And, they will
succeed if they are given the opportunities for
development.
C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu
Seremban
 10 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

Mah Sing targets sales

BRIEFS

KNIGHT FRANK MALAYSIA

NAMES NEW GROUP
MANAGING DIRECTOR
PETALING JAYA: Real estate consultancy
company Knight Frank Malaysia has

of at least RM2.2b for 2023

announced the promotion of Keith HY
Ooi to group managing director
effective January 2023 as part of its
succession plan which is in line with its
growth strategy. The group said in a
statement that Ooi plans to elevate the
premier real estate brand with his
personal mantra of 4Es – to empower,
engage, embrace and expand. His
strategy includes empowering the
people at Knight Frank Malaysia to
make a difference within the company,
engaging stakeholders to improve
service, embracing change and digital
adoption as well as expanding the
company’s presence to other states in
Malaysia.
CREST BUILDER SECURES
RM251M CONDO PROJECT
PETALING JAYA: Crest Builder Sdn
Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Crest Builder Holdings Bhd has
secured a contract worth RM250.52
million by Sime Darby Property (Bukit
Raja) Sdn Bhd for the construction
and completion of three blocks
condominium in Putra Heights,
Mukim Damansara, in Petaling Jaya.
In its Bursa Malaysia announcement
yesterday, the company said the
design-and-build contract spans 36
months from Feb 2, 2023, to Feb 2,
2026.
DBKL PRESENTS RM2.6B
BUDGET FOR 2023
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City
Hall (DBKL) has allocated RM2.6 billion
for its 2023 Budget for the
implementation of various initiatives for
the well-being of the city dwellers.
Themed “Bandar Raya Mampan,
Sejahtera Bersama”, the amount was a
decrease of 3.7% from the budget for
this year which allocated RM2.7 billion.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi
Che Ngah said through the budget,
RM1.96 bilion or 75.3% had been set
aside for operating expenditure and
RM643.7 (24.7%) for city development.
He said the budget comprised 14
programmes including the road and
drainage infrastructure, management
and administration, public and people’s
housing as well as greening, park
maintenance, open space and
recreational facilities. – Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Mah Sing Group
Bhd has set a minimum RM2.2
billion sales target for 2023, citing
robust demand for its M-series
launches.
The group in a statement said
that as of Sept 30, 2022, it has
achieved RM1.69 billion in sales and
its unbilled sales position has grown
to RM2.29 billion, providing more
than one year of revenue visibility.
Mah Sing said it is positioned to
capture the demand for affordably
priced properties with focus on the
M series development that target
first-time homebuyers and buy-to-
stay groups.
Group wants to capture the demand for affordably priced properties with focus on the M series projects that target
first-time homebuyers and buy-to-stay customers. – MAH SING WEBSITE
oGroup optimistic about prospects this
year, especially for its M-series launches
Its recent M-series launches have
recorded strong take-up rates such as
M Astra Tower B in Setapak (95%
taken up), M Senyum Phase 2
Camellia 2 in Salak Tinggi (98%) and
M Panora Phase 1A in Rawang (100%).
Upcoming M Nova in Kepong,
new phases of M Senyum (Phase 3),
M Panora (Phase 1B) as well as
Meridin East (Jasmine and Erica
West) in Johor Baru have also
received “overwhelming” registration
of interests.
Economic growth and employment
conditions domestically as well as the
global reopening of borders further
boost sentiment for property buying.
“In view of the strong pipeline of
projects that are priced for the
current market conditions and
targeting the right buyer segment,
we are confident that despite the
slowdown in global economies,
high inflation and high-interest rate
environment, strong home buying
momentum for the group’s
properties should remain resilient
in 2023,” it said.
Mah Sing founder and group
managing director Tan Sri Leong
Hoy Kum revealed that supported
by confidence in the M-Series of
affordable homes, and backed by
healthy balance sheets and
liquidity, the group will continue to
scout and acquire new lands to
strengthen its M series portfolio.
“Beyond 2023, the mid to long-
term outlook remains positive
supported by strong fundamental
demand for properties due to the
young demography. Demand for
houses from first-time homebuyers
should remain sustainable,” he
added.
Mah Sing has also integrated
sustainability into its business and
operations, making it a constituent of
FTSE4Good Index Bursa Malaysia.
Apart from its core business in
property development, Mah Sing
has also ventured into the
healthcare and plastics industries.
HOME BUYERS will benefit
from the exemption of 75%
of stamp duty on the sales
and purchase agreements of
properties priced between
RM500,001 to RM1 million
(signed by Dec 31, 2023).
Meanwhile, 100% of the
stamp duty exemption for
first-time homebuyers
remains and is applicable for
properties priced at
RM500,000 and below.

STELLA GETS RM41.2M
SERENDAH ROAD DEAL
KUALA LUMPUR: Stella Holdings Bhd,
via its wholly owned unit Mewah Kota
Sdn Bhd, has secured a RM41.22
million construction contract from
RSM Builders Sdn Bhd. In a filing with
Bursa Malaysia yesterday, the company
said the contract was in respect of the
construction of a new road at UMW
High-Value Manufacturing Park (UMW
HVMP) in Serendah, Selangor. Stella
said that the project is scheduled to be
completed on Feb 28, 2024. “The
contract is expected to contribute
positively to the earnings of the group
for the relevant financial periods within
the duration of the contract,” it said. –
Bernama
Savills: Ride will remain bumpy but with stronger positive bias
KUALA LUMPUR: Property
consultancy Savills Malaysia sees the
overall property market in the
country “to be a direct extension of
2022” and that the bumpy ride will
move into 2023 but with a stronger
positive bias.
In a statement on Sunday, Savills
commented with the new government,
hopefully there will be better support
for a strong landing.
Breaking the property market
into different sub-sectors, the Savills
said older offices and retail
properties are “likely to struggle”
while newer properties in the
industrial, logistics and data centre
segment will “continue to be in the
limelight” of market activities.
Group managing director/head
of Savills Malaysia Datuk Paul Khong
said the consultancy awaits the new
Budget 2023 with anticipation for
measures to rejuvenate the entire
sector and not just goodies for those
in the bottom 40.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged
that construction costs and higher
loan rates have dampened the real
estate sector and the overall domestic
economy.
“We have seen a major cost-push
(effect) on new developments. These
new products will eventually result
in a higher price tag,” the statement
said.
In the residential property segment,
the statement said demand will be
“resilient” and this will be evidenced
by improving sales in the first to the
third quarter of 2023 due to the pent-up
demand.
Savills said there will be those
who will continue to take advantage
of the “still-low” mortgage costs, said
Khong.
Nevertheless, he noted that
challenges are there as Bank Negara
Malaysia (BNM) may raise the
overnight policy rate (OPR) above
the pre-pandemic level (3.25-3.5%)
depending on the global situation. At
3.25%, the OPR will be back to pre-
pandemic levels.
The benchmark interest rate now
stands at 2.75%, after four consecutive
hikes of 25 basis points from 1.75% at
the start of 2022.
The rising cost of buying a house
could impact the purchasing power
of potential buyers in the coming
years, he added.
Savills also sees a global trend in
environmental, social, and governance
issues being embedded deeply into
investment decisions. This awareness
is also growing in Malaysia,” Khong
said. – Bernama

China’s border reopening will bring gradual increase in investors: Juwai IQI CEO
PETALING JAYA: China’s border
reopening from Jan 8 means there
will be a trickle of property investors
for the Malaysian property market,
said real estate technology group
Juwai IQI co-founder and group
CEO Kashif Ansari.
The doors are about to be flung
open on the world’s largest source of
travellers. During the pandemic,
China restricted overseas travel,
reduced the number of passports it
issued, and required all returning
Chinese to undergo strict Covid
quarantine and testing.
“China is going from virtually
sealed off to nearly wide open in
just a couple of days. From Jan 8,
Beijing will ease most restrictions,
and the Chinese will again be able
to travel overseas.
“Travellers’ priorities include
visiting family and friends, studying
abroad, business, tourism, and
property investment. This will be
the first opportunity in three years
for most Chinese to visit overseas
real estate markets,” he said.
The group expects Chinese
outbound travel and accompanying
property investment to increase
rapidly in January from its current
very low level.
“We can’t bounce back to 2019
levels all at once. Outbound travel
from China will snowball and may
reach 2019 levels by mid-2024.
“Chinese international property
investment is already beginning to
recover from its pandemic lows.
Depending on the destination,
Chinese property investment
dropped by 50% to 60% during the
pandemic.
According to Juwai IQI Chinese
buyer enquiry data (see chart), the
top three countries for Chinese
property buyers in December are
Australia, the US, and Canada
while Malaysia came in at number
seven.
Juwai IQI said it will issue a
report to forecast how fast and far
Chinese international property
investment will recover in 2023
given its new policy conditions.
 THURSDAY
S E C U R I T I E S S D N.
197201001092 (12738-U)
B H D.

A Participating Organisation of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad

JANUARY 5, 2023
A Trading Participant of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad
Editorial Tel: 03-7784 6688
4/01/2023 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5
Participation Bought Sold Net Email: sunbiz@thesundaily.com
% RM m RM m RM m Advertising Tel: 03-7784 8888
Fax: 03-7784 4424
49.8 Institutions 825.3 831.5 -6.2 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com
30.0 Retail 514.4 485.7 28.7
20.2 Foreign 325.0 347.5 -22.5
4.44 3.34 647.82 7.00 377.64 24.99 37.30 113.00
100.0 1664.7 1664.7 0
Preliminary stats (excluding trade amendments). For final data, please refer to www.bursamalaysia.com
KLCI STI HANG SENG SCI NIKKEI TSEC KOSPI S&P/ASX200
Source: Bursa Malaysia 1,469.55 3,242.46 20,793.11 3,123.52 25,716.86 14,199.13 2,255.98 7,059.20

INDICES
KL MARKET SUMMARY
January 4, 2023

CHANGE
Proton posts fourth
straight year of growth
FBMEMAS 10,562.40 -24.95
FBMKLCI 1,469.55 -4.44
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 583.46 +1.90
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 181.42 -0.48
CONSTRUCTION 153.85 +1.30
FINANCIAL SERVICES 16,320.54 -38.75
ENERGY 781.23 -0.12
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 580.20 -3.54
HEALTH CARE 1,699.51 -19.14 oCarmaker retains
TRANSPORTATION
PROPERTY
882.31
645.20
-0.36
+2.88 number two ranking in
PLANTATION
FBMSHA
6,877.54
10,758.74
-96.29
-38.09 nation’s automotive sales
FBMACE
TECHNOLOGY
5,378.53
63.23
+41.38
-0.15 with estimated market
TURNOVER VALUE
share of 19.6% in 2022
3.13 BIL RM1.66 BIL

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd

5 MOST ACTIVES
January 4, 2023
concluded 2022 with its fourth consecutive
year of sales growth at 141,432 units
(domestic and export), its highest overall
STOCK VOL CLSG (sen) +/– (sen) sales since 2013.
HONGSENG-WB 375,546,800 3.0 -0.5 Total sales grew by 23.3% year-on-year
SAPNRG 111,739,700 4.5 +1.0 (y-o-y) despite a tough start to the year
HONGSENG 107,071,900 18.0 -4.0 when the combination of flood-affected
L&PBHD 85,275,800 54.0 -0.5 spare parts vendors and an acute shortage
CYPARK 65,567,100 53.5 +1.5 in the global chip industry depressed
volumes in the first four months of 2022, The Proton X70 retains its position as the best-selling C-segment SUV for the fourth
Proton said in a statement yesterday. consecutive year despite strong challenge from new competitors. – BERNAMAPIX
5 TOP GAINERS
January 4, 2023
“Sales volume for international markets
increased to 5,406 units, growing by 79.1% models grew in 2022, with three models Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah said
y-o-y, allowing the company to comfortably ending the year as segment leaders. looking ahead towards 2023, Proton is
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM end the year as the industry’s leading “The Proton X50 continues to be the confident of achieving more growth as it
HEXTECH 181,500 20.40 +0.56 exporter. best-selling sport utility vehicle (SUV) in adds to its range of offerings with new
MPI 31,100 29.16 +0.38 “Overall, the company has retained its Malaysia, ending the year with a new SUV model launches this year.
CHINAETF-MYR 21,000 5.34 +0.31 number two ranking in the nation’s annual sales record of 40,681 units, an “However, we expect TIV to be lower as
AJI 61,800 13.78 +0.34 automotive sales table with an estimated increase of 41.4% y-o-y,” it said. deliveries for orders placed during the sales
HSI-CLP 35,600 1.79 +0.23 market share of 19.6%,” it said, adding that Meanwhile, the Proton X70 retained its tax exemption period will be fulfilled by the
the Total Industry Volume (TIV) for 2022 is position as the best-selling C-segment SUV end of March.
estimated to have closed at over 720,000 for the fourth consecutive year despite a “Interest rates are also expected to
5 TOP January
LOSERS 4, 2023
units – a new industry high on the back of a
record-setting December.
strong challenge from new competitors,
ending the year with an overall sales figure
increase again this year so it will be tough
for the automotive industry to continue its
Proton said sales for five out of six of its of 18,533 units, an increase of 13.1% y-o-y. upward trajectory,” he said. – Bernama
STOCK VOL CLSG (RM) +/– RM
KLK 309,300 21.70 -0.40
HSI-HKA
HSI-HKI
GENP
8,100
18,800
363,500
0.93
0.385
6.10
-0.33
-0.285
0.21
G Cap gets RM8.4m chartering contract from Mindef
HSI-HKD 62,000 0.64 -0.21 KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Main value of RM44.2 million. transportation services, mini-hydropower
Market-listed G Capital Bhd (GCAP) via its G Capital Bhd executive director Datuk activities, and solar photovoltaic energy
wholly owned subsidiary GPB Corporation Yap Yee Ping said, “It is an honour to serve generating system via its subsidiaries.
EXCHANGE RATES JANUARY 4, 2023 Sdn Bhd (GPB) signed a supplementary our national heroes and we believe the In prior years, the transportation segment
agreement with the Ministry of Defence Supplemental Agreement is a testament to has been the sole revenue contributor to
Foreign currency Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy Malaysia (Mindef) on Dec 30, 2022. our commitment to top-notch quality group before commissioning mini-
TT/OD TT OD A filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday services we are providing to our customers in hydropower projects and solar photovoltaic
1 US DOLLAR 4.4780 4.3420 4.3320
shows the contract tenure has been our undertakings.” energy generating systems. However, the
extended for another one year to end on Dec According to Yap, reopening the economy discontinuation of the National Service
1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0330 2.9100 2.8940 31, 2023 with additional contract value and resumption of schooling nationwide Training Programme in 2018 has taken a toll
1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 3.3290 3.2300 3.2220 awarded of RM8.4 million – making it a total had led to recovery in demand for the group’s on the group’s financial performance,
1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.2750 3.1860 3.1740 contract value of RM52.6 million from Jan 1, chartering services. coupled with the strong headwinds of the
1 EURO 4.7340 4.5780 4.5580 2020 to Dec 31, 2023. “A good beginning is half the battle; I’m Covid-19 pandemic starting the year 2020.
The Supplementary Agreement is in pleased to kick start 2023 by announcing the The group is now diversifying its core
1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.8110 2.7060 2.6900 relation to the current contract of GPB to Supplemental Agreement taking place. We business, that is, transportation, to include
1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.3290 3.2300 3.2220 chartering school buses for the children of will continue striving for excellence to what energy solutions, prioritising the renewable
1 STERLING POUND 5.3760 5.2030 5.1830 the Malaysian Armed Forces nationwide makes people better off because of our energy segment. This diversification aims to
1 SWISS FRANC 4.7720 4.6600 4.6450 including the Southern, Eastern, Northern, presence,” Yap added. improve the revenue and earnings of GCAP
Sabah and Sarawak zones of Malaysia from G Capital is an investment holding firm. Group and reduce its reliance on the
100 UAE DIRHAM 123.3200 116.9000 116.7000
Jan 1, 2020 to Dec 31, 2022, for a contract GCAP Group is principally involved in transportation segment.
100 BANGLADESH TAKA 4.4040 4.1290 3.9290
100 CHINESE RENMINBI 64.6000 62.3000 N/A
100 HONGKONG DOLLAR
100 INDIAN RUPEE
57.9000
5.5000
55.0000
5.1600
54.8000
4.9600
PMI survey shows cost, supply pressure easing: MIDF Research
100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0297 0.0269 0.0219 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s latest Purchasing worries that the demand outlook would “We expect slower activities in regional
100 JAPANESE YEN 3.4210 3.3110 3.3010 Managers Index (PMI) survey has revealed that remain muted going forward, MIDF production will remain for now on the back
100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR 15.6000 N/A N/A cost and supply pressures have eased as Research said in a note yesterday. of weaker demand and in anticipation of
companies indicate that vendor performance Malaysia’s manufacturing activities slow growth in advanced markets,” the
100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 2.0100 1.8800 1.6800
has stabilised after three years of deterioration contracted further in December 2022 with research house said.
100 PHILIPPINE PESO 8.1300 7.6600 7.4600 and firms finally cut selling prices, the first the PMI remaining below 50 for the fourth Meanwhile, commenting on the Asean
100 QATAR RIYAL 123.4300 117.1700 116.9700 reduction in 2.5 years. consecutive month. Manufacturing PMI data, S&P Global Market
100 SAUDI RIYAL 120.3800 114.2800 114.0800 However, despite improving confidence “We view the contraction in December Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said
that the outlook will be better in 2023, 2022 to be in line with the weaker regional the latest PMI data indicated that growth
100 THAI BAHT 13.6000 12.0500 11.6500
manufacturers’ confidence in December production as reflected by declines in PMIs across the Asean region is losing steam. –
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama 2022 remained below average, mainly due to for other regional countries, including China. Bernama

12 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
SUNBIZ
Standard Chartered rolls out sustainable account solution for corporate clients
KUALA LUMPUR: Standard Chartered Bank
Malaysia Bhd and its Islamic banking unit,
Standard Chartered Saadiq Bhd have rolled out
the Sustainable Account solution for corporate
clients following the successful global launch in
November 2021.
In a statement yesterday, the bank said the
solution caters for corporates looking to use
their surplus cash to contribute to sustainable
development while maintaining daily access to
that capital for liquidity needs.
‘More investments needed
to ensure stable prices’
o Economist urges govt to focus on housing, food, transport and energy
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s inflation may
have peaked in line with the trend seen in the
United States and the United Kingdom
although prices will remain elevated.
Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist
Firdaos Rosli (pic) said the government needs
more investments in key inflation items such
as housing, food, transport and energy so that
prices can be more stable over a longer time
horizon.
“Lowering house prices is quite complex
as it involves varying stakeholders, but not the
other three main items. The increasing
application of environmental, social and
governance (ESG) standards helps, but it
cannot be the sole channel for technological
upgrading,” he added.
Firdaos said the country’s inflation would
likely come down in the coming months of
2023 in line with the moderating inflation rate
seen in the US and the UK though taming it is
far from over.
According to him, Malaysia’s Overnight
Policy Rate (OPR) would probably rise closer
to its pre-Covid levels in 2023 amid the
widening policy rate and yield gaps.
Economists in general are of the view that
Bank Negara Malaysia would raise the OPR by
another 50 basis points to 3.25% this year
amid expectation that inflationary pressure
would ease.
Firdaos said policymakers assess inflation
from the price level and surveys.
“Economists believe that inflation
counteracts unemployment and correlates
with policy rates. In simple terms, when
Nippon Paint expects slow recovery for local construction sector
KUALA LUMPUR: Nippon Paint Malaysia Sdn
Bhd expects slow growth for the Malaysian
construction sector in 2023 as labour supply
issues and increased cost of operations
stemming from the effects of the Covid-19
pandemic and global economic uncertainty
continue to affect profitability.
It said cash placed into the Sustainable
Account would be referenced against projects
aligned with the bank’s green and sustainable
product framework, which was developed with
the support of Sustainalytics – a leading
independent provider of environmental, social
and corporate governance (ESG) research and
ratings.
“Clients can see the impact of Standard
Chartered’s sustainable finance asset base
every year in the Sustainable Finance Impact
inflation is high, unemployment is low and
the policy rate tends to increase.
“The reverse relationship also holds;
hence, demand-pull and cost-push as the two
common types of inflation,” he said, noting
that governments monitor prices more
closely than they do incomes.
He shared that the recent global
inflation is a combination of the two
phenomena. Demand-pull happened
amid rapid post-pandemic labour
market recovery, whereas cost-push
resulted from high energy prices, which
took place almost overnight due to the
military conflict.
The unfavourable foreign exchange
terms amid the strengthening US dollar
have made it worse for all but the US and, to
a certain extent, Hong Kong and Singapore.
All eyes are on central banks to intervene
whenever inflation becomes a national issue.
“We often overlook the role of fiscal
policy in taming inflation, if any. One
reason is that fiscal policy appears
to be more ‘restrictive’ than
monetary policy, more so when
governments are out of
ammunition to counterbalance
the deleterious effects of the
pandemic.
“Another reason is that, unlike
the interest rate, policymaking is
extremely complex when
assessing the wages/incomes
perspective as it differs from one
economic centre to another.
According to World Bank, unless supply
disruptions and labour-market pressures
subside, the economic pressure, especially
rising inflation and interest rates globally, is
unavoidable, which is feared to lead to a global
economic slowdown.
On that note, Kenanga, a research house,
Nippon Paint sees
opportunities in providing
service to people’s housing
and ongoing infrastructure
works by the government.
– NIPPON PAINT PIC
FOLLOW
/theSunMedia
Report,” it added.
Standard Chartered Malaysia’s head of
Transaction Banking, Samuel Ding said there is
a huge opportunity for the public and private
sectors to work together to drive the transition
to net zero carbon emission by moving assets to
where they are needed to plug a US$94.8 trillion
(RM417 trillion) financing gap.
“Our Sustainable Account allows corporates
to get involved by embedding sustainability into
cash management, while balancing their
“Lowering taxes is problematic as tax
foregone could attract more problems when
the labour market is tight and may even affect
the core functions of the
government as revenues
fall. On the contrary,
raising taxes to stifle
demand growth is
inopportune, so we
can safely discard
that,” Firdaos said.
He said the
natural thing to do
is to expect
monetary policy to
tame inflation via
demand-side
intervention. – “I am thankful for a diligent team who
Bernama
said the tightening financial conditions, global
economic slowdown and the rising cost of living
may exert downward pressure on sales activity
in the next few months.
Despite challenges, Nippon Paint Malaysia
continues to fortify its position as the leading
brand for coating and construction through its
Total Coating and Constructions Solutions
(TCCS) initiative, foresees that the construction
and property industry will be mainly focused on
maintenance while there will be less private
infrastructure development to spur earnings.
“As it is imperative for companies to adapt,
we suggest market players to consider all
options for a smooth sailing year. We always
must be on our toes and be alert to changes in
consumer patterns,” said Nippon Paint Malaysia
group managing director Yaw Seng Heng.
In line with that, Nippon Paint has set a target
to increase its market share in business-to-
consumer (B2C) and business-to-business
(B2B) segments to 46% and 42% respectively
despite the ongoing labour shortage, delayed
real estate development, and significant price
hikes in raw materials.
“While there might be challenges, we foresee
opportunities in providing service to people’s
housing and ongoing infrastructure works by the
government. The focus shifted to the services
ON YOUTUBE SCAN
ME
liquidity needs.
“By understanding the impact of the
sustainable finance assets, corporates can make
more informed decisions to accelerate their
sustainability agenda,” he said.
In 2022, Standard Chartered recorded
US$12.9 billion of sustainable assets in its
Sustainable Finance Portfolio – a growth of 40%
year-on-year, while its operational green assets
have helped avoid 1.3 million tonnes of carbon
emissions in the past year]. – Bernama
SMC Sunway City
named 2022 Malaysia
Smart Hospital
Company of the Year
KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Medical Centre
(SMC), Sunway City has won the 2022 Malaysia
Smart Hospital Company of the Year for the
second year at the Frost & Sullivan Best Practices
Awards.
The Frost & Sullivan Excellence Awards
recognised companies in a variety of regional
and global markets for demonstrating
outstanding achievement and superior
performance in areas such as leadership,
technological innovation, customer service, and
strategic product development.
In a statement yesterday, Sunway Healthcare
Group president Datuk Lau Beng Long said this
exceptional win is a collective effort by the team,
and Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City has
always been committed to be at the forefront of
the smart hospital technology in the country and
region.
He noted that the group’s goal is to transform
Malaysia’s private healthcare sector, and is
constantly looking for innovative ways to
enhance patients’ experience while keeping their
comfort and well-being at the top of minds.
constantly seeks out new clinical and hospitality
solutions to serve the needs of our patients,
medical consultants and staff better. Without a
robust teamwork, this recognition would not
have been possible.
“There is still a lot to do but this award is a
testament that we are on the right track and we
look forward to an exciting time of growth
ahead,” he added.
Frost & Sullivan best practices research
analyst Azza Fazar commented that Sunway
Medical Centre created a mark in Malaysia’s
smart hospital industry through its continuous
investments in technology, and its reputation as
the hospital with the most sub-specialities
centred on three main philosophies – clinical
excellence, operational efficiencies and patient
experience. – Bernama
due to the supply chain issues that we have been
dealing with this year and the expected
economic downturn in 2023,” said Yaw.
Meanwhile, for the B2B market, he added,
“We aim to widen our footprint in providing
refurbishment solutions for residential,
industrial, and commercial use as this is one of
the ways to increase our revenue. Regardless of
the market outlook, building refurbishment will
not be affected as sinking fund will be collected
by joint management body and management
committee for future expenditures such as
large-scale maintenance on a building.”.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia said
the value of construction work done in the third
quarter of 2022 surged 23.2% compared with the
same quarter of 2021, amounting to RM30.5
billion. The expansion was driven by non-
residential buildings (37.7%), special trades
(32.2%), residential buildings (17.8%) and civil
engineering (14.6%) subsectors.
Nevertheless, Nippon Paint is poised to help
the professionalism and workmanship of newly
built or refurbishment projects while giving
homeowners and developers the assurance of a
high-quality finishing as it acts as a one-stop
solution which will lead to time and cost-savings
as well as effective manpower utilisation for
better productivity.
 FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK SCAN
13
/thesundaily ME theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

* SUNBIZ

OCBC Malaysia bags VSTECS to distribute

Microsoft Surface

Best Maiden Sukuk Award devices in Malaysia

oRecognised for roles as principal adviser and
sustainability structuring adviser for edotco group’s
landmark RM3 billion Islamic debt programme
PETALING JAYA: OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd
together with its Islamic subsidiary OCBC Al-
Amin Bank Bhd has won the Best Maiden
Sukuk Award in the Alpha Southeast Asia 16th
Annual Best Deal and Solution Awards 2022,
for its key roles as principal adviser and
sustainability structuring adviser for edotco
group’s landmark RM3 billion Sukuk Wakalah
programme.
The sukuk programme was the first foray
into the ringgit debt capital market by Axiata
group’s subsidiary, edotco, which is a regional
integrated telecommunications infrastructure
services company in Asia.
The programme embedded the option for
issuance of sustainability sukuk to facilitate
the edotco group’s decarbonisation journey.
OCBC Malaysia managing director, senior
banker and head of investment banking, Tan
Ai Chin (pic) said the bank has demonstrated
its capabilities to lead advise, arrange local
and foreign currency a sukuk as well as loan
syndications for its key clients.
“Beyond what we have just won, we also
bagged two additional sustainability awards
from The Asset Triple A Islamic Finance
Awards 2022, namely Best SRI Sukuk and Best
Sustainability-Linked Term Financing, which
acknowledged our role in pioneering various
innovative sustainable financing transactions.
“Given our aspiration to be Asia’s leading
bank for responsible and sustainable finance,
OCBC Malaysia will continue to help facilitate
the nation’s transition journey by advising
and offering innovative financing products to
our valued clients, through partnership with
regulators like Bursa Malaysia and Securities
Commission,” she said in a statement.
KUALA LUMPUR: VSTECS Bhd, Malaysia’s
leading information & communications
technology distributor, through its wholly
owned subsidiary, VSTECS Astar Sdn Bhd, is
now authorised to supply Microsoft Surface
devices to enterprises in Malaysia for
commercial usage.
VSTECS Bhd CEO JH Soong said, “We are
thrilled to add Microsoft Surface for Business to
our suite of offerings. This is timely as we
continue to witness increasing investment by
enterprises in digital transformation to improve
business continuity.
“Microsoft Surface for Business supports the
market’s evolving needs as the hybrid
workplace continues to take shape. With its
streamlined deployment, high performance
and enterprise level security, it is a compelling
product for enterprises across various
industries. We will now be able to offer these
devices together with Microsoft Office 365 to
help meet organisations’ need for robust
security, reliability, and user productivity.”
Azizah Ali, chief marketing and operations
officer for Microsoft in Malaysia, said: “With
businesses of all sizes embracing the era of
hybrid work, we are pleased to welcome VSTECS
as an authorised distributor for Microsoft
Surface for Business in Malaysia, building on our
long-standing partnership in the region.”

CGS-CIMB tips FBM KLCI to end 2023 at 1,633 points BURSA MALAYSIA EXPECTS

KUALA LUMPUR: CGS-CIMB Securities Sdn
Bhd expects the benchmark FTSE Bursa
Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) to finish 2023 at
1,633 points, up by 9 % against 1,495 points at
the end of 2022.
The brokerage predicted that this year
could remain challenging as corporates adapt
to the new policy and political landscape
post-15th general election (GE15) and adjust
to slower global growth, tighter monetary
policy and ongoing geopolitical tensions with
the Russia-Ukraine war leading to higher
commodity prices.
“We expect this to be priced in by the first
half (H1) of 2023, and the market to rebound
in the second half of the year.
“We think the downsides could be capped
by expectations of stronger KLCI earnings
growth of 12.8% in 2023 and the KLCI’s
undemanding valuations,” it said in a note
yesterday.
In 2022, the key index fell 4.6% as a series of
negative events hit the market, including
concerns over the outbreak of the Covid-19
Omicron variant, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,
record-high commodity prices leading to
inflation concerns, US Federal Reserve’s
interest rate increases, and a hung parliament
resulting from GE15 on Nov 19.
Foreign investors stayed net sellers of
equities, and their net selling grew to RM1.4
billion in December compared with an
BRIEFS
outflow of RM282 million in November.
Local institutional investors were the
largest net buyer last month, as their net
buying surged to RM1.7 billion.
As for 2023, CGS-CIMB said foreign
shareholdings are close to their historical
lows, and domestic institutional investors
could turn net buyers in the market on
improved liquidity.
The brokerage’s top three picks for 1H 2023
are Malaysia Airports in view of potential
higher international pax as China reopens
border; MR DIY, a likely beneficiary of the
downtrading trend due to rising inflationary
pressure; and RHB Bank due to its attractive
dividend yield last year. – Bernama
NationGate
website pic
NUMBER OF IPO IN 2023
TO EXCEED LAST YEAR’S TOTAL
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia expects
initial public offerings (IPO) this year to
exceed 2022’s record of 35. Bursa Malaysia
CEO Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift said the
optimism is based on the first Bursa Malaysia
listing this year on the ACE Market by L&P
Global Bhd on Jan 3, 2023 and the high
liquidity in the local market. “We have
another six listings for the month of January.
As we look forward, we are seeing our
businesses return to profitability,” he told
reporters after the memorandum of
agreement signing ceremony between Bursa
Malaysia and the Department of Statistic
Malaysia here yesterday. – Bernama
STATISTICS DEPT TO CONDUCT
ECONOMIC CENSUS THIS YEAR
KUALA LUMPUR: The Statistics Department
of Malaysia (DOSM) will implement the
Economic Census 2023 to be used as a
benchmark for the economy and as planning
continuity for the country’s development.
Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohd
Uzir Mahidin said a vital feature of the census
would be to assess the 12th Malaysia Plan
and the Malaysia Transformation Programme.
The census will also be used in the
production of new economic data such as
from the Industrial Revolution 4.0, the
Internet of Things or the Internet of
Everything, he told the media at the signing
of a memorandum of understanding
between the department and Bursa Malaysia
here yesterday. The economic census will
also be used to generate main statistics at
the national, state, and district levels. –
Bernama

ACE Market-bound NationGate IPO oversubscribed by 16.49 times
PETALING JAYA: NationGate Holdings Bhd, en
route to a listing on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE
Market on Jan 12, has recorded an
oversubscription rate of 16.49 times for the
public portion of its initial public offering (IPO).
The electronics manufacturing services
(EMS) provider said a total of 20,444
applications seeking 1.81 billion new shares,
valued at RM689.16 million were received
from the Malaysian public for 103.70 million
new shares that were made available for
public subscription.
The bumiputra public portion of shares
were oversubscribed by 9.10 times, after a
total of 9,431 applications for 523.50 million
new shares received.
For the remaining public portion, a total of
11,013 applications for 1.29 billion new shares
were received, which represents an
oversubscription rate of 23.88 times.
Additionally, 103.70 million new shares for
its eligible directors, employees and persons
who have contributed to the success of the
group have been fully subscribed.
Meanwhile, its placement agent has
confirmed that 518.48 million shares made
available for application by way of private
placement to selected bumiputra investors
approved by the Ministry of International
Trade and Industry and selected investors
have been fully placed out.
Managing director Ooi Eng Leong said part
of the proceeds will enable the group to
purchase various raw materials, consumables
and electronic components consumed for the
group’s EMS activities in tandem with the
expected growth in its EMS business activities.
“It will also enable NationGate to part
finance the acquisition of new machineries
and equipment to expand its EMS service
offerings and surface mount technology
assembly capacity to cope with the rising
demand from its existing multinational
customers and new customers in the next 36
months,” he said in a statement.
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
TO BENEFIT 2,000 BANK
EMPLOYEES IN SARAWAK
KUCHING: The Sarawak Commercial Banks
Association (SCBA) and the Sarawak Bank
Employees Union (SBEU) yesterday inked
their 16th collective agreement which will
benefit more than 2,000 banking sector
employees in the state. Banking sector
employees will receive salary arrears
between RM10,000 and RM36,000. The
agreement, which will come into effect Jan
21, 2023, includes the setting of a new
minimum wage of RM1,945 a month. It also
stipulates a wage increase of between 8%
and 15%, the abolition of the limit on
overtime claims, a 10-18% increase in other
allowances, and a housing allowance of
RM575 per month for employees with
families. – Bernama
 14 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
SUNBIZ
Eurozone recession
may not be as
deep as expected
LONDON: Eurozone business activity
contracted less than initially thought
at the end of last year as price
pressures eased, according to a survey
which suggested the bloc’s recession
may not be as deep as expected.
S&P Global’s final composite
Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)
for the eurozone, seen as a good
gauge of economic health, rose to
49.3 in December from November’s
47.8, above a preliminary estimate of
48.8.
While the index has been below the
50 mark separating growth from
contraction since July, December was
a five-month high. The final data was
compiled earlier than usual last
month due to the holiday season.
“The eurozone economy continued
to deteriorate in December, but the
strength of the downturn moderated
for a second successive month,
tentatively pointing to a contraction in
the economy that may be milder than
was initially anticipated,” said Joe
Hayes, senior economist at S&P Global
Market Intelligence.
“Nevertheless, there is little
evidence across the survey results to
suggest the eurozone economy may
return to meaningful and stable
growth any time soon.”
A December Reuters poll predicted
the region’s economy contracted 0.3%
last quarter and would do so by 0.4%
this quarter.
Overall demand declined for a
sixth straight month, albeit at a
shallower pace than initially thought.
The PMI new business index bounced
to 47.0 from 45.8, comfortably above
the 46.5 flash estimate. – Reuters
BRIEFS
ANT GROUP GETS NOD
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR
CONSUMER FINANCE ARM
BEIJING: Chinese authorities have
given approval to Jack Ma’s Ant
Group to raise 10.5 billion yuan
(RM6.7 billion) for its consumer
finance arm, in a sign that Beijing
may be loosening its grip on the
fintech giant. An office of the
China Banking and Insurance
Regulatory Commission in the city
of Chongqing will let the firm raise
its registered capital from 8 billion
yuan to 18.5 billion yuan, according
to a notice issued on Dec 30. – AFP
INDIA’S NEXUS VENTURE
EYES US$700M FUND TO
INVEST IN TECH STARTUPS
MUMBAI: India’s Nexus Venture
Partners is in advanced talks to
raise a US$700 million (RM3.08
billion) fund, the second-biggest
such pool to be garnered in the
country in the past year, to invest
in domestic and US-based
technology firms, two sources with
direct knowledge said. The planned
fundraising, one of the sources said,
will close within two months. Nexus
will invest the new funds in early
stage funding rounds of Indian
internet and technology startups,
as well as US-based software firms,
the sources said. – Reuters
JAPAN DECEMBER
FACTORY ACTIVITY FALLS
TOKYO: Japanese factory activity
fell in December at the sharpest
pace in 26 months, a business survey
showed yesterday, with companies
seeing further declines amid a
global economic slowdown. The au
Jibun Bank Japan manufacturing
purchasing managers’ index edged
down to a seasonally adjusted 48.9
in December from November’s final
49.0. The reading was the weakest
since October 2020. – Reuters
Goldman Sachs dealmakers
see M&A recovery in H2’23
oBig investors sitting on piles of cash, large
companies looking to diversify – but they are
waiting for economic uncertainty to fade: Bankers
NEW YORK: Goldman Sachs Group
Inc’s top dealmakers are bullish on
a recovery in global mergers &
acquisitions (M&A) in the second
half of 2023 despite a slowdown in
economic growth and a weak credit
market.
As economic forecasts turn
gloomier, executives at the Wall
Street powerhouse – including Dan
Dees and Jim Esposito, who jointly
run its global banking and markets
division – said they are primed for a
recovery when financing markets
ease up, potentially as early as the
second half of 2023.
The projections come after
global M&A values slumped 36% to
US$3.78 trillion (RM16.6 trillion) in
2022, from a record US$5.91 trillion
in 2021, according to Dealogic data.
Banks, including Goldman, have
cut jobs as activity slumps.
In a series of interviews with
Reuters in recent weeks, top Goldman
dealmakers who have been at the firm
Japanese firms urged to give wage
increases that are above inflation rate
TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister
Fumio Kishida urged companies
yesterday to achieve wage increases
that exceed the rate of inflation as
part of the country’s efforts to put
the economy on a sustained
recovery path.
Central bank governor Haruhiko
Kuroda also piled pressure on
companies to hike salaries, saying it
would underpin the Bank of Japan’s
(BOJ) efforts to sustain prices
around its 2% inflation goal.
Their remarks come ahead of
annual spring wage negotiations
between companies and labour
unions, which will be key to how
soon the BOJ may dial back its
massive stimulus.
Wealth accumulated by
companies have failed to trickle
down to households via higher
wages in the past 30 years, a situation
the government hopes to change,
Kishida told a news conference.
“I would like to create an
economic structure in which wages
rise every year,” he added.
Separately yesterday, Kuroda
reiterated his resolve to maintain
Tokyo Gas unit nears US$4.6b deal to buy US natural gas producer
NEW YORK: A unit of Tokyo Gas Co
Ltd is in advanced talks to buy US
natural gas producer Rockcliff
Energy from private equity firm
Quantum Energy Partners for about
US$4.6 billion (RM20.2 billion),
including debt, people familiar with
the matter said on Tuesday.
If consummated, the deal would
be the latest move by a Japanese
entity to secure gas in jurisdictions
perceived as friendly, the importance
of which has risen for the import-
dependent Asian nation after
for more than two decades apiece
said there are plenty of reasons for
global deal activity to pick up.
Big investors are sitting on piles of
cash preparing to fund transactions,
and large companies earning solid
profits are looking to diversify their
businesses – but they are waiting for
economic uncertainty to fade, the
bankers said.
“I remain quite bullish, maybe
not on the first quarter, but certainly
as we go forward,” said Stephan
Feldgoise, global co-head of M&A.
Still, there are “clear headwinds in
the first part” of 2023, he said.
Mark Sorrell, Feldgoise’s
counterpart in London, sees
corporate clients jumping on deals
when financing is available because
their underlying motives are still
intact, such as gaining new
customers, new products or
geographic expansion.
Companies are staying on the
sidelines because their creditors
Japan’s Finance Minister Shun’ichi Suzuki during the opening of the stock
market for the new year at the Tokyo Stock Exchange yesterday. – AFPPIC
ultra-loose monetary policy to
sustainably achieve 2% inflation.
“Japan’s economy will likely
sustain fairly stable growth,“ Kuroda
told a gathering of commercial bank
executives.
“The BOJ will support the
supply markets for the commodity
were roiled by Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine.
The all-cash deal with Houston-
based TG Natural Resources, which
is 70% owned by the Japanese energy
firm, is set to be announced this
month, the sources said, requesting
anonymity as the discussions are
confidential. Castleton Commodities
International (CCI) owns the rest of
TG Natural Resources.
TG Natural Resources is
arranging funding from several
have pulled back from making
riskier loans for buyouts as
interest rates rise, but that could
change rapidly, he said.
“When the financing market
comes back, we don’t know when
it will happen, but it will happen
because of the amount of liquidity
in the system, we think
transaction volumes will and
activity will recover,” Sorrell said.
The resurgence may be “quicker
than people expect”, he said.
If markets recover, Goldman’s
investment bankers stand to gain.
The company has been the top
global M&A advisor by revenue
for the past 20 years, followed by
JPMorgan Chase & Co, according
to Dealogic data.
Despite that position, Goldman
is not immune to a slowdown. Its
investment-banking division
accounted for just 13% of the
company’s revenue in the third
quarter, shrinking from 27% a
year earlier.
The bank is preparing to cut
thousands of employees in the
new year, intensifying an earlier
round of about 500 layoffs in
September, Reuters reported
earlier.Goldman’s leaders said
staffing levels were being adjusted
economy with monetary easing, so
that its inflation target is sustainably
and stably met accompanied by
wage growth,” he said.
Japanese long-term interest rates
have crept up since the BOJ stunned
markets last month by widening the
financing sources to support the
transaction, including banks and
private credit providers, added the
sources, who cautioned that no deal
was guaranteed and the talks could
end without an agreement.
Quantum and CCI declined to
comment. Rockcliff and TG Natural
Resources did not immediately
respond to requests for comment.
Tokyo Gas was not immediately
available to comment.
Rockcliff produces more than 1
billion cubic feet per day of natural
to fit the economic environment,
and in some cases, employees were
being reassigned to more active
areas.
The bank sees opportunities in
advising clients who are being
targeted by activist investors, or
fintech companies open to suitors
after their valuations plunged, said
Russ Hutchinson, the bank’s chief
operating officer of global M&A.
The fortunes of Wall Street’s
dealmakers hinge to a large extent
on whether the leveraged loan
market will reawaken after a lull
last year. Some observers have
drawn parallels to the global
financial crisis, when plunging
corporate valuations and a
recession triggered by a collapse in
the housing market froze the
leveraged buyout market.
The market stress means
lenders are less willing to finance
deals because they are saddled
with tens of billions of dollars of so-
called “hung debt” that they are
unable to sell on to investors.
But for all the market turbulence,
Goldman veterans remain
confident. “When you go through
periods of volatility, you know it
creates opportunity,” Dees said. –
Reuters
band around its 10-year bond yield
target, a move investors saw as a
prelude to a future interest rate
increase.
Kuroda has repeatedly ruled out
the chance of a near-term interest
rate hike on the view that wages
must rise more for inflation to
sustainably meet the 2% target.
The BOJ conducted emergency
bond buying operations for a fourth
straight session on Wednesday in a
show of its resolve to keep yields
from rising too much.
Core consumer prices in
November rose 3.7% from a year
earlier and analysts expect inflation
to remain above the BOJ’s 2% in
coming months, hitting households
that have yet to see wages rise much
and stoking fears of a consumption
downturn.
Japan’s umbrella labour union
has decided to demand a 5% pay
hike in this year’s spring wage
negotiations, which, coupled with a
tightening job market and repeated
calls by government to raise wages,
is pressuring firms to lift salaries. –
Reuters
gas from the Haynesville shale
formation, which stretches across
Louisiana and East Texas. Quantum
originally backed the Rockcliff
management team with a US$350
million investment in 2015.
Buying Rockcliff would
significantly increase TG Natural
Resources’ operations, with the
company producing around 330 net
million cubic feet per day as of June
2022 from the Haynesville
formation, according to its website.
– Reuters
 T H U R S D AY
5 JANUARY 2023

Season 2 of
Alchemy of
Souls contains
elements from
both the past
and the
present. –
INSTAGRAM/@
NETFLIXKR

The on-screen chemistry of Lee Jae-wook (Jang Uk) and Go Yoon-jung (Nak-su) has been noted
by netizens ever since the series’ premiere. – INSTAGRAM/@TVN_DRAMA

Light and Shadow

oSeason 2 of Alchemy of Souls is darker
and much more intense
█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN second season.

T
HE Season 1 finale of the popular
Korean drama Alchemy of Souls on
Netflix raised more questions than it
answered. The 10-episode first season
of the show focused on Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook),
who rose to become Daeho’s most potent
sorcerer and who had a sinister secret involving
illegal soul-shifting.
However, the second season picks up three
years after the thrilling first season’s events. As
the newly appointed bearer of the ice stone,
Jang Uk has accepted the responsibilities of a
renegade soul-shifter hunter. The last 10
episodes of the historical fantasy drama, written
by the Hong Sisters (Hong Mi-ran and Hong
Jung-eun) and directed by Park Joon-hwa, are
currently running as part of the second season.
The first episode of Alchemy of Souls Part 2
topped its time slot among all channels with an
average national rating of 6.7%. Season 2 marks
Jang Uk’s transition from the jovial young
magician to a more sombre character. The
majority of the show’s weight is carried by the
character of Jang Uk, whose nuanced narrative
cues serve as the catalyst for Alchemy of Souls’
This introspective, even gloomy version of
the previously hilariously boyish mage is
dressed in black clothing, and it makes for
interesting watching and leaves the spectator
with an exhilarating abundance of questions.
Of course, I was equally sad to hear that Jung
So-min would not be making a comeback, just
like every other fan. So-min won over many
viewers with her portrayal of Nak-su/Mu-deok,
a shadow assassin who transferred her soul into
a maid’s body during the first season.
However, Go Yoon-jung’s unique
interpretation of Nak-su/Jin Bu-yeon won over
many fans in Season 2. Bu-yeon, who lost her
memories, is now the long-lost oldest daughter
of the Jinyowon mage clan.
We saw a different side of her in Season 2.
This time, she was more adorable and bubblier,
which was totally in line with her persona.
The series’ remaining cast members are still
just as amazing as when we originally met them
in Season 1. Even if Seo Yul (Min-hyun) and
Park Dang-gu (Yoo In-soo) aren’t providing as
much to the series, I’m confident we may
expect something from Seo Yul as he is now
struggling with his own illness.
0Cast: Lee Jae-wook, Go Yoon-
With only a few episodes remaining, I can’t yung, Hwang Min-hyun, Shin
wait to see how Jang Uk reacts when he realises Seung, Yoo Joon-sang, Oh Na-
that Bu-yeon, whom he has been rejecting for ra, Yoo In-soo, Oh My Girl’s Arin,
so long, is truly Nak-su, his first love. and Do Sang-woo
As much as I like Jung So-min and Lee Jae- 0Director: Park Joon-hwa
wook’s chemistry in Season 2, Yoon-jung and
Jae-wook’s relationship is super convincing and
their scenes together are adorable. I’m looking E-VALUE
forward to seeing more of them in the following 8
episodes.
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 is undoubtedly a ACTING
series that I would recommend everyone to 8
watch, especially if you are a lover of fantasy PLOT
series. It has a compelling, intricate plot and 8
excellent visuals.
Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow is
currently streaming on Netflix.

Jang Uk is a soul-shifting hunter in Alchemy of Souls. –INSTAGRAM/@TVN_DRAMA

 ENTERTAINMENT FOLLOW ON TWITTER
16 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023 SCAN

@thesundaily ME

Naomi
Judd.
– REUTERS

Remembering
█ BY ANANSA JACOB

L
AST year, we said goodbye to
many famous faces, including
actors, musicians and public

those we lost
figures from all fields. Let’s Sidney
take a look back at their legacy over Poitier.
the course of their careers. – AFP
0 Sidney Poitier
Died: Jan 6 several tribute concerts in his name, Dreams, but his most famous role
Tomorrow marks the first anniversary with his son Shane taking his place came when he played mobster Henry
of the death of this icon of stage and
screen, who paved the way for many
oAs we begin the new year, we on drums. Hill in Goodfellas.

Black actors with roles in major
motion pictures. He became the first
Black actor to win an Academy Award
for best actor for his performance in
Lillies of the Field (1964).
0 Bob Saget
Died: Jan 9
Saget began his career as a stand-up
comedian and was best known for his
role as Danny Tanner in the TV show
Full House, and remained a beloved
star to generations of fans.
0 Andre Leon Talley
Died: Jan 18
Talley was an author, curator, TV
personality and style icon, known for
his work at US Vogue and his
influence on the fashion industry.
decided to take a moment to pay
tribute to those who left us in 2022
0 Tom Parker 0 James Caan
Died: March 30 Died: July 5
Bob Saget.
A singer in the British boyband The A multi-Emmy and Oscar nominee,
Wanted, Parker was diagnosed with Caan is best known for the role of
– REUTERS stage four brain cancer in 2020, and Sonny Corleone in the Godfather film
wrote a book “about finding hope in series. He starred in several movies in
whatever situation you’re dealt”, the 1970s and 1980s, such as
which was published after his death. Rollerball and Thief.
0 Gilbert Gottfried
Died: April 12
Gottfried’s distinctive voice made
him a voice acting icon, with his
most memorable role being Iago in
the Disney film Aladdin. He was a
frequent guest on late night TV
shows, comedy clubs and celebrity
roasts.

0 Marvin Lee Aday aka Meat Loaf

Died: Jan 20
The rock and roll icon was known for
his lyrics, operatic stage presence and
hit singles I’d Do Anything For Love, 0 Naomi Judd
Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad and You Died: April 30
Took the Words Right Out of My The country music
Mouth. icon scored 20 Top
known for his adventurous and 0 Ivan Reitman 10 hits with her
0 Manfred Thierry Mugler theatrical designs, worn by Died: Feb 12 m o t h e r -
Died: Jan 23 supermodels, Hollywood royalty and The iconic director was the visionary daughter group
French fashion designer Mugler was fashionistas around the world. of films like Animal House, Stripes, the Judds, with
Ghostbusters and Junior, all of which her daughter
remain classics even today. Wynonna.
Despite her
0 Emilio Delgado fame, she
Died: March 10 was secretly
Delgado played Fix-It Shop owner battling
Luis on PBS’ Sesame Street for more personal
than 40 years, bringing warmth and d e m o n s.
humour to children’s lives. Today, her
daughter
0 William Hurt Wynonna
Died: March 13 continues her
Hurt was one of Hollywood’s leading music legacy.
men of the 1980s, starring in movies
such as Broadcast News, Body Heat 0 Ray Liotta
and The Big Chill. Died: May 26
He made his acting
0 Taylor Hawkins debut in the daytime
Taylor Died: March 25 soap opera Another
The drummer of the Foo Fighters World, and won Tom
Hawkins. Parker.
tragically passed halfway through the critical praise for
– REUTERS band’s South American tour. His his role in the 1990 – AFP
bandmates and peers have held film Field of
 FOLLOW
@thesundaily
Nichelle Nichols. – IMDB
0 Nichelle Nichols
Died: July 30
Nichols broke through barriers
during her decades-spanning career
as an actress, singer and dancer. She
is best known for her portrayal of Lt.
Uhura on the pioneering TV and
movie series Star Trek.
0 Issey Miyake
Died: Aug 5
Japanese fashion designer Miyake
rose to global fame by defining a
unique Japanese vision; his designs
featuring origami-like pleats merged
art and fashion.
0 Olivia Newton-John
Died: Aug 8
Newton-John rose to fame after
starring alongside John Travolta in
the movie adaptation of Grease, and
had a number of hits during the
1980s. She was also a tireless
advocate for breast cancer awareness
before succumbing to the disease at
age 73.
0 Jean-Luc Godard
Died: Sept 13
Godard was a radical and
revolutionary filmmaker who helped
shape cinema in the 1960s, and
inspired a generation of modern
filmmakers including Quentin
Tarantino.
0 Hilary Mantel
Died: Sept 22
The bestselling author of historical
fiction published 17 novels during
her writing career. Mantel won the
Booker prize twice, once in 2009 for
Wolf Hall, and again in 2012 for the
sequel Bring Up The Bodies.
0 Coolio
Died: Sept 28
While international listeners may
remember him for the 1994 hit
Gangster’s Paradise, Coolio was
known in the US as one of the
pioneers of hip-hop, winning six
Kevein Conroy. – REUTERS
ON INSTAGRAM
Grammys throughout the course of
his career.
0 Angela Lansbury
Died: Oct 11
Best known for the role of mystery
writer Jessica Fletcher in the Murder,
She Wrote series, Lansbury also had a
feature film career spanning six
decades, with roles in a variety of
films ranging from thrillers like The
Manchurian Candidate to the
animated Disney musical Beauty &
The Beast.
0 Robbie Coltrane
Died: Oct 14
Scottish actor Coltrane was best
known for playing the role of Hagrid
in the Harry Potter movies. The multi-
BAFTA-winning star also appeared in
the James Bond movies Goldeneye
and The World Is Not Enough.
0 Leslie Jordan
Died: Oct 24
A beloved TV star to generations of
fans, he was a familiar face on
SCAN
ME
Issey Miyake. – REUTERS
popular shows such as Ally McBeal,
Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives,
and American Horror Story.
0 Jerry Lee Lewis
Died: Oct 28
The 87-year-old rock-and-roll icon
known as The Killer made waves in
the 1950s with his hits Whole Lotta
Shakin and Great Balls of Fire. His life
story was adapted into a 1989 movie
starring Dennis Quaid.
0 Takeoff
Died: Nov 1
The shooting death of the founding
member of the hip-hop trio Migos
shocked the music industry, with
music peers and fans remembering
the 28-year-old for his talent and
generosity.
0 Aaron Carter
Died: Nov 5
Carter first shot to fame at age
with the hit single Candy,
continued his musical career
adulthood. Personal struggles
ENTERTAINMENT
theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023 17
addiction cast a pall over his later
artistic efforts, but fans and family
remember Carter as someone
determined to succeed.
0 Kevin Conroy
Died: Nov 6
Conroy was the voice for Batman in
Batman: The Animated Series from
1992 to 1995, Batman: Mask of the
Phantasm in 1993 and Batman
Beyond from 1999 to 2001, and was
beloved by DC fans the world over.
0 Christine McVie
Died: Nov 30
A member of iconic folk-rock group
Fleetwood Mac, McVie, 79, was a
keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter.
She wrote such hits as You Make
Loving Fun and Don’t Stop, and was
seen as one of the pioneering women
of rock-and-roll.
0 Bob McGrath
Died: Dec 4
McGrath, 90, is the second founding
Angela member of Sesame Street to pass this
Lansbury. year. McGrath played the show’s
– REUTERS neighborhood teacher for nearly five
decades.
0 Kirstie Alley
Died: Dec 5
Alley was best known for her award-
winning performance as Rebecca
Howe on Cheers and her roles in
iconic movies like Look Who’s Talking
and Drop Dead Gorgeous. She died
after a longtime battle with cancer.
0 Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss
Died: Dec 13
Boss worked as a dancer and
choreographer, competing on So You
Think You Can Dance in 2008. In
2010, he worked with Ellen
DeGeneres on a dance routine, and
was hired as the show’s DJ and
frequent guest host in 2014. He also
Christine appeared in Step Up, Magic Mike XXL
McVie. – AFP and Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming.
0 Vivienne Westwood
Died: Dec 29
The fashion designer widely credited
with popularising the punk styles of
the 1970s, Westwood died at her
home in London. She was 81.
0 Barbara Walters
Died: Dec 30
Walters’ amazing career transcended
six decades, from 1951 to 2015. She
interviewed every sitting president
and first lady from the Nixons to the
Obamas, and was famous for her sit-
down interviews with household
names.
0 Jeremiah Green
Died: Dec 31
Modest Mouse drummer and
cofounder Jeremiah Green
died at the age of 45, just
days after his family and
bandmates announced he
had been diagnosed with
stage 4 cancer.
Aaron Carter.
– REUTERS
nine
and
into
with
 ENTERTAINMENT
18 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

Its official music video and a separate digital release

on Apple Music were released after TikTok revived
its popularity in September 2021. – SPOTIFY

An incredible song, staying in the top ten charts

for 32 consecutive weeks. It was well deserved
and I never tire of listening to it. – SPOTIFY

Another smash hit by the British singer, and it no

doubt will serve to whip fans into a frenzy prior to
Glimpse of Us by Joji. – SOUNDCLOUD his impending world tour. – SPOTIFY

Top tracks of 2022

in Malaysia This song is undeniably catchy, whether on the
radio or in TikTok videos. It remained in the Top20
RIM2022 charts for 37 weeks and counting,
oHere’s a list of the year’s most-played tunes, chosen for achieving its highest position in April. – PINTEREST

their quality and consistency, specifically in Malaysia

█ BY HAZIQUE ZAIRILL released on Sept 10, 2021 via EMI, Universal, Glimpse of Us by Joji Die for You by The Weeknd

W
E’VE come to realise that all of
the current musical trends are
algorithmically generated by
artificial intelligence (AI) based
on everyone’s listening habits.
No matter where we go, these top hits
always sound great whether they’re used to
score a TikTok video, are played at full
volume in a car, or even played through a
small speaker at a campsite.
If you’ve been wondering which songs
were the favourites in Malaysia for last year,
we’ve got you covered with a complete
overview of the year-end charts compiled
from Apple Music and Spotify’s top songs of
2022, as well as topped with the duration of
the #1 peak position on the RIM Charts 2022
(Recording Industry Association of
Malaysia).
Angel Baby by Troye Sivan
Let’s be honest, we’ve been listening to Angel
Baby by Troye Sivan nearly everywhere,
whether in shopping malls, on the radio, at
events, or anywhere else. Angel Baby is the
lead single from Sivan’s upcoming third
studio album and his first solo release since
Rage Teenager! in August 2020. It was
and Capitol Records.
Lyrically, it features Sivan confessing to his
lover that he has saved him, stating that he
“almost died, but you’re bringing me back to
life” and that his lover has sacrificed a lot to
be with him, declaring them his “angel baby”.
Having been on the list since January last
year, the song reigns at the peak position for
34 weeks and is still on the list of top 50
Spotify and Apple Music currently. How cool
is that? I guess we will still be playing the song
in 2023.
As It Was by Harry Styles
As It Was is a song by British singer Harry
Styles, released as the lead single from his
third studio album, Harry’s House, on April
1, 2022 via Erskine and Columbia. Styles co-
wrote the song with the song’s producers, Kid
Harpoon and Tyler Johnson.
This song has been nominated for and
won multiple awards worldwide, as well as
being voted number one on Entertainment
Weekly’s list of the ten best songs of 2022.
Furthermore, with the song being number
one in almost every country’s weekly charts
in Europe and Asia, Harry’s international tour
this year will probably be sold out in a matter
of seconds.
With critics praising its simplicity, lyrics, and
Joji’s emotional vocals, this song hits deep for
most Malaysians. It was released as the lead
single from his third studio album
Smithereens on June 10, 2022 through 88rising
and Warner Records.
The song became Joji’s most successful
single to date, reaching number one in
Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand,
the Philippines, and Singapore, and hitting in
the top ten in the majority of European
nations.
The music and melody of this song are so
comforting that it managed to stay in RIM’s
Top 10 chart for 26 weeks straight, despite the
fact that it was written to accompany a specific
type of heartbreak.
Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez
This track has racked up massive streams.
There were over 347 million total listens to
both versions on Spotify. On top of that, it
garnered over 38 million views on YouTube.
As a result of a string of TikTok videos
showcasing Stephen Sanchez’s vocal and
lyrical abilities, he has gained fame as the hit
producer behind the song. It was inspired by
his current relationship, and even featured
vocals from his sweetheart.
This song ultimately spent 82 consecutive
weeks on the Top 10 charts and is a big hit. This
song appeared on the Weeknd’s third studio
album Starboy and was composed by himself.
Its peak position only reaches number six,
but what’s most fascinating is that it stayed in
the top ten for a significantly longer period of
time than the other songs. Perhaps many
Malaysians are really into The Weeknd – or
maybe just into those kinds of melancholy
music.
Top Hits 2023 possibly?
With 2023 rapidly approaching, there are new
songs that have the potential to be the biggest
hits for the year as well, with Taylor Swift’s Anti-
Hero currently trending on social media, SZA’s
new albums launching alongside her current
number one song Kill Bill, and Blackpink’s
countless hits – not to mention the group is
scheduled to perform in Malaysia in March.
These masterpieces would ensure their
positions in the top 10 on Spotify and Apple
Music for this year.
And not to forget, D4VD’s Here with Me and
Sam Smith’s Unholy are the ones that I predict
will have staying power in 2023, keeping their
positions on the charts for at least another
couple of months.
 FOOD
theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023 19

An assortment of Limóne’s desserts. Cocoa Treats, marshmallow-topped, thick hot chocolate. The Chicken Teriyaki Poke Bowl.
█ BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN

G
OOD food, good drink plus an
aesthetically pleasant design with
gorgeous décor make up THE ideal
café. That is precisely the focus of
Limóne. This cosy new café with European Chef Tee and
influences opened its doors in Bukit Sherina at the
Damansara last month and began serving Limóne launch. –
high-quality food and desserts. You will PIX BY AMIRUL
immediately notice the café because of the SHAFIQ/THESUN
distinctive neon green Limóne signage & LIMÓNE CAFE
hanging on a green wall. The bright yellow
and green colour scheme creates a warm
atmosphere.
Under the direction of her trusted friend
and confidante Chef Tee, Sherina, the owner
of Limóne, began working on her home
baking business, Baked by Sher. When the
demand for Baked by Sher increased, they
realised it was the ideal moment to start
Limóne.
To bring out the many flavours in their
recipe, they make every effort to use fresh,
high-quality ingredients in all of their dishes.
“Constantly staying innovative is essential
in our line of industry. So, we always make it a
point to produce new and exciting creations,”
Sherina said.
Sherina claimed that the idea for Limóne
first occurred to her when she began baking
during the epidemic. When she visited her
friend Chef Tee to learn the techniques, she
discovered they shared a love of Europe and
had the same dream of starting a café with a
European flair. “When borders were closed
during the pandemic it made us miss
travelling to Europe even more. It was a vision
we had for over two years. Our cafe, though
European inspired, features a lot of Malaysian
flavours,” she explained. Chicken Parmigiana Tomato Pasta. Spicy Seafood Pasta with Squid Ink.

Sherina noted that the challenge of finding
the right staff during the epidemic caused the
café’s launch to be delayed. “It was important
to find a group that worked well individually
and together. We are lucky to have a good
close-knit team here.”
The specialty of Limóne, aside from its
desserts, is that the menu is always changing
to keep it fresh and appealing. “Our menu is
unique thanks to its local twist. From poached
eggs with sambal ikan bilis, to percik squid ink
pasta with seafood to name a few. Our
flavours and creations speak for themselves.”
When it comes to the desserts, Chef Tee
pays close care to every last detail. To assure
freshness and reduce wastage, the majority of
the items are prepared in limited quantities.
He stated that the factors he considers to
guarantee client pleasure include having staff
that is adequately equipped to managing the
manufacturing line, standardised recipes, and
menu replication. “It all takes time and
discipline to achieve,” he said.
The cafe offers a broad variety of coffee
and non-coffee drinks like tea, mocktails, and
others to choose from on their menu, along
with delectable desserts and filling meals to
satisfy your appetite.
We began by trying their Shroom Satay
(RM24) first, and then we moved on to the
Sweet & Spicy Tempeh Tofu (RM16).
I must say that the satay was really tender,
and paired perfectly with the sauce. Although
I don’t particularly enjoy tempeh, I’ll admit
that this was different from other tempehs I’ve
had in the past.
After that, we had their Chicken Teriyaki
Poke Bowl (RM30). Brown rice, cucumber,
carrot, edamame, pea sprout, seaweed,
quinoa, tempeh, beetroot, chicken, and
teriyaki sauce are all ingredients in the poke
bowl.
If you don’t feel like eating meat, try their
Summer Salad (RM32), which is dressed in
handmade yuzu vinaigrette and has mixed
A tasty treat
oLimóne is a cafe
that’s here to stay
greens, lychee, pomegranate, walnut, apple,
orange, and cherry tomatoes.
We also tasted their Smoked Salmon Eggs
Benedict (RM38), which came on a Brioche
bun with a poached egg and their own
hollandaise sauce. Although I’m not a big
lover of poached eggs, my co-workers said it
was delicious.
We also tried two of their pasta dishes.
One of the major reasons you should stop by
this café is their Spicy Seafood Pasta with
Squid Ink (RM42), a mixed seafood pasta in a
hot yellow curry sauce. Absolutely worth
every last penny.
We were also able to sample their Chicken The cafe space is airy, cosy, and bright.
Parmigiana Tomato Pasta, which turned out
to be one of their daily specials. These two will be treated to a mouth-watering display at Limóne, which has earned a spot on our
dishes were among my favourites. the front of the counter showing off the cafe’s list of places to go, provides an engaging
Even though the restaurant was crowded best-selling pastries. The café offers decadent experience that enables you to know more
with customers, the beverages arrived fast. sweets and artisanal pastries made with the about the European-inspired café. As you
When you are there, be sure to get their Cocoa best ingredients. Each dessert, from coconut consume their breakfast dishes or pastries,
Treats (RM20). After a meal, this Valrhona hot mango mousse to pistachio strawberry crème, feel free to snap pictures of the beautiful
chocolate drink with whipped cream, has a distinctive flavour. Expect to linger for a surroundings.
marshmallows, and caramel sauce is just while with your dear ones.
heavenly. The marshmallow-topped, thick According to Sherina and Chef Tee, they Limóne
hot chocolate is simply too good. If you enjoy intend to open at least three additional Address: Plaza Zúrich, Block A Lot G01-03,
chocolate, you should try it. locations within the next five years. “We Jalan Gelenggang, Bukit Damansara, 50490
In addition, we ordered a Matcha Latte, a envision Limóne will become a go-to and a Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala
Princess Peach mocktail, and a Classic Hot household name etched in our customers’ Lumpur
Chocolate, all priced at RM16 each. minds and potential customers,” Sherina Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm, Tuesdays to
Don’t overlook their choice of desserts. You added. Sundays.
 FEATURE
20 theSun LYFE ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

A
NCIENT monasteries in the
deepest provincial Austria
do not normally feature on
the bucket lists of the TikTok
generation.

Nor do libraries
But the Admont abbey library in the
small Styrian town – which claims to
be the largest monastic library in the
world – is also the most
Instagramable, with Baroque
interiors so breathtaking they almost
look like they have been
Photoshopped.
“Go for Baroque in Austria and
visit the Admont Abbey library,”
Oprah Winfrey’s book club urged its
two million members last year.
And Britain’s Daily Mirror gushed
that the library “could give
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel a run
for its money with its beauty.”
Once far from the beaten track, the
near 950-year-old Benedictine abbey
now struggles on some days in
summer to accommodate all the
influencers and selfie hunters who
want to immortalise themselves amid
its frescos and chequerboard marble
floors reminiscent of the library in
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Media-savvy monks
Two of its 23 monks are active in the
monastery’s online promotion, as at
ease with concepts like “content” as
with the finer points of theology, even
offering “online spiritual advice”. A
virtual tour of the library is also
available.
“We have succeeded, together A visitor is seen in the library of the Benedictine Abbey in Admont, Austria. – AFP

Step into a fairytale

with the monks of our house, to
transmit content that captivates and
interests people,” communications
manager Mario Brandmueller told
AFP.
The abbey’s Facebook reach has
rocketed to 25 million people per
month – 2,500 times its audience
back in 2018.
From being something of a local
oThe Admont abbey library which claims to be the largest
gem nestled amid the mountains of
central Austria, it has become an
monastic library in the world, is also the most Instagramable
international “crowd puller”,
Brandmueller said, with photos and
videos of the 18th-century library
featured on travel and culture
platforms in a dozen countries.
The abbey’s promotional work s
y now struggle
even earned it an Austrian
0-ye ar-o ld Be nedictine abbe odate all the
government prize for “special was opened in The near 95 summer to acco
mm
ct
achievements in the field of public 1776, the oldest on some days in ers on the hunt for the perfe
an d selfie hu nt picture. – AFP
relations and institutional manuscripts date influencers
communication”. from the eighth
But this summer the monastery century and were the archives, told AFP that as
was pushed to its “organisational miraculously spared from a 1865 fire well as receiving queries from
limits” handling the 15,000 visitors a that engulfed much of the town and researchers and historians, they also
month it was getting, although the monastery. get very “diverse requests ... from
Brandmueller said more visitors One of the library’s hidden people who want to do a photoshoot
could still be accommodated in architectural gems is a secret to a fashion show” within its hallowed
winter. staircase leading to a reading halls.
platform. But it is only accessible to “So you have to be very careful,
Fashion shoots the masses on the virtual tour. and I’m also very strict to evaluate
The library’s 70-metre-long hall is Father Maximilian what makes sense ... After all, it’s a
packed with 70,000 books. While it The 70m-long hall is packed with 70,000 books. – AFP Schiefermueller, 41, who takes care of monastery.” – ETX Studio

The Admont abbey library nestled amid the mountains of central Austria has built a strong presence
Father Maximilian Schiefermueller evaluates public tours and fashion shoot requests at the library. – AFP on social networks, with Baroque interiors attracting crowds of influencers and selfie hunters. – AFP
 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023 21
SPORTS

IN THE MATTER OF THE
COMPANIES
ACT 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
DTBB RESOURCES SDN. BHD.
[Co. No. 201501038946
(1164267-K)]
(In Members’ Voluntary
Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given pursuant to
Section 459(2) of the Companies
Act, 2016 that the Final Meeting of
the Members of the abovenamed
Company will be held at Suite 12B-
23, Level 12B, Wisma Zelan, No. 1
Jalan Tasik Permaisuri 2, Bandar
Razak, Cheras, 56000 Kuala
Tun Razak
Lumpur
m on the 6 February 2023
at 11.00 a.m.m for the following
purposes:
w
(1) To receive the Liquidator’s
Statement
m of Accounts showing
w
how
w the w winding-up has been
conducted and the assets of the
Company
m disposed off and to
hear any explanations that mmay
be given by the Liquidator.
(2) To determine
m the m manner in
which the books, accounts and
w
documents
m of the Company
m
and of the Liquidator shall be
disposed off.
SURDASS @ VVIPIN
P N KUMAR
Liquidator
Dated : 5 January 2023
D
Kuala Lumpur
m NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to
Note:
N
A member
m m of the Company
m entitled
to attend and vote at the m meeting
is entitled to appoint a proxy to
attend and vote in his stead. A
proxy need not be a mmember
m of the
Company.
m The instument
m appointing
a proxy m must be deposited at the
Liquidator’s office not less than 48
hours before the time
m appointed for
holding the m
meeting.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF
MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR
IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH
PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA
COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) NO. :
WA-28NCC-972-12 / 2022
In the matter of Section 465 (1)(e) and Section
466 (1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2016
And
In the matter of the Companies (Winding-Up)
Rules, 1972
And
In the matter of LIGHTGREY MALL
MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD. [COMPANY NO.:
201401030045 (1106131-V)]
BETWEEN
TAN CHUEN HWA
(NRIC No. : 820829-05-5163)
…PETITIONER
AND
LIGHTGREY MALL MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD.
[COMPANY NO.: 201401030045 (1106131-V)]
…RESPONDENT
ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition
for the Winding-Up of LIGHTGREY MALL
MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD. (“the Company”)
by the High Court was, on 12 December
2022 presented to the said Court by TAN
CHUEN HWA of A-3-9, Jalan 3/144A, Medan
Connaught Centre Point, 56000 Cheras,
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (“the
Petitioner”).
AND that the said Petition is directed to be
heard before the High Court sitting at Kuala
Lumpur, at 9.00 o’clock in the morning on 8
August 2023.
AND any creditor or contributory of the
Company, desiring to support or oppose the
making of an Order on the said Petition, may
appear at the time of hearing by himself or his
Counsel for that purpose.
AND a copy of the Petition will be furnished
to any creditor or contributory of the Company
requiring the same by the undersigned on
payment of the regulated charge for the same.
The Petitioner’s address is TAN CHUEN HWA of
A-3-9, Jalan 3/144A, Medan Connaught Centre
Point, 56000 Cheras, Wilayah Persekutuan
Kuala Lumpur.
The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Abraham
Ooi & Partners of 2nd Floor, Wisma Harwant,
No. 106, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100
Kuala Lumpur.
Signed Illegible
………………………………………
Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners
Solicitors for the Petitioner
Note:-
Any person who intends to appear on the
hearing of the said Petition must serve on,
or send by post to, the abovenamed Messrs.
Abraham Ooi & Partners, notice in writing of
his intention to do so. The Notice must state
the name and address of the person, or, if a
firm, the name and address of the firm, and
must be signed by the person or firm, or his
or their solicitors, if any. The notice must be
served, or if posted, must be sent by post in
sufficient time, to reach the abovenamed not
later than 12.00 p.m. of 7 August 2023.
This Advertisement of Petition is issued by
Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners, Advocates &
Solicitors, solicitors for the Petitioner, whose
address of service is at No. 106, 2nd Floor,
Wisma Harwant, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman,
50100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel No: 03-2691 0725
Fax No: 03-2697 0626
Ruj: AW/L/SB/JY/33274/22/W-UP
CALL
Trendy Garden Sdn. Bhd. 199501020670
(349873-T)
In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Special
Resolution set out below was duly passed by
the members of the Company on 28 December
2022:
The Company be wound up voluntarily
pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the
Companies Act 2016 (the “Act”) and that
Teoh Lye Huat of Sirius Corporate Services
199303033572 (JM0192213-D), 28A Jalan
Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80050 Johor
Bahru, Johor be appointed as Liquidator of the
Company for the purpose of the Winding Up
with such powers as are conferred by Section
456 of the Act
Dated this 05 January 2023
Tan Cheng Hai, Chairperson of proceedings
Trendy Garden Sdn. Bhd. 199501020670
(349873-T)
In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors
of the above Company, which is being wound
up voluntarily, are required on or before 05
February 2023 to submit particulars of their
debts or claims in prescribed forms to the
Liquidator at the above registered address
for due process and adjudication or in default
thereof, their rights to any claims on its assets
will be expunged.
Dated this 05 January 2023
Teoh Lye Huat, Liquidator
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
SEONG MOH KEAT KEE SDN. BHD.
Registration Number :
198101011423 (77550-M)
(IN MEMBERS’
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP)
NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to
Section 439 (2) of the Companies Act,
2016 that the Special Resolution set out
below was duly passed by the Members
of the Company on 30 December 2022.
MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP
AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR -
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
RESOLVED THAT the Company be wound
up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)
(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that
Nigel Loh Kwong Weng of 4, Cantonment
Road, 10350 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang,
who has given his consent to act, be
and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for
the purpose of such winding up with all
powers given by Section 456 and Section
457(1) of the Companies Act, 2016.
RESOLVED THAT the Liquidator be and is
hereby authorised to divide all or such
part of the surplus assets of the Company
as he shall think fit to the members of the
Company.
Dated this 5th of January, 2023.
NIGEL LOH KWONG WENG
Director
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
SEONG MOH KEAT KEE SDN. BHD.
Registration Number :
198101011423 (77550-M)
(IN MEMBERS’
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP)
NOTICE is hereby given that the Creditors
of SEONG MOH KEAT KEE SDN. BHD.
Registration Number : 198101011423
(77550-M) which is being wound up
voluntarily, are required within one
month from the date hereof to send their
names and addresses and particulars
of their debts or claims, and the names
and addresses of their solicitors (if any)
to the undersigned, the Liquidator of
the said Company and, if so required by
notice in writing by the Liquidator, either
by their solicitors or personally to come
in and prove their debts or claims at such
time and place as shall be specified in
such notice and in default thereof they
will be excluded from the benefit of any
distribution made before such debts are
proven.
Dated this 5th of January, 2023.
NIGEL LOH KWONG WENG
Liquidator
O-26-A1 Gurney Tower Office
18 Persiaran Gurney
10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
PELANCUNGAN CEPAT BERSATU
SDN. BHD.
REGISTRATION NO. 198501012888
(145343-A)
(In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up)
At the extraordinary general meeting
of the members of the abovenamed
Company duly conveyed at No 8, Jalan
Nyonya, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur on 27
December 2022 at 10.00 am, the following
special resolutions were duly passed:
THAT the Company be wound up
voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)(b)
of the Companies Act 2016 and that Mr.
Munzir bin Roslan of S.K.Tee & Co., No. 8.
Jalan Nyonya, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
be appointed as Liquidator to act for the
purpose of winding up the Company’s
affairs and distributing its assets.
Dated 5th of January 2023
LUM AH FAH @ LUM KHEE FAH
Director
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
PELANCUNGAN CEPAT BERSATU
SDN. BHD.
REGISTRATION NO. 198501012888
(145343-A)
(In Members’ Voluntary Winding Up)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
creditors of the abovenamed Company
which is being voluntarily wound up, are
required on or before the 4th of February
2023 to send their names and addresses
with particulars of their debts and claims
and of any security held by them, and the
322 Notices
No ces
IN THE MATTER OF THE
COMPANIES ACT, 2016
and
IN THE MATTER OF
GENTING MANAGEMENT AND
CONSULTANCY SERVICES SDN. BHD.
Registration No. 198401000375
(112896-T)
(In Member’s Voluntary Winding-Up)
At a Meeting of Sole Member of the
Company duly convened and held at 14th
Floor, Wisma Genting, Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan
on Wednesday, 28 December 2022, the
following Special Resolutions were duly
passed:
1. THAT the Company be liquidated by
way of Member’s Voluntary Winding Up.
2. THAT Ms. Lam Lee San and Ms. Lee Yee
Ching, both of Norvic Corporate
Services Sdn. Bhd. of Wisma Goshen,
2nd Floor, 60, 62 & 64, Jalan SS 22/21,
Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan be appointed as
Joint and Several Liquidators to act for
the purpose of winding-up the
Company’s affairs and distributing its
assets.
3. THAT the said Liquidators be authorised
to divide amongst the members in
specie or kind, the whole or any part
of the assets of the Company and may,
for such purpose, set such value as
they deem fair upon any property to be
divided as aforesaid and may
determine how such division shall be
carried out as between the members.
Chiew Sow Lin
Director
Dated this 5th day of January 2023
IN THE MATTER OF THE
COMPANIES ACT, 2016
and
IN THE MATTER OF
GENTING MANAGEMENT AND
CONSULTANCY SERVICES SDN. BHD.
Registration No. 198401000375
(112896-T)
(In Member’s Voluntary Winding-Up)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors
of the above Company are required to send
in their names and addresses and the
particulars of their debts or claims and the
names and addresses of their solicitors (if
any), to the undersigned (the Liquidators of
the said Company) at the belowmentioned
address by 5.00 p.m. on 7th day of
February, 2023:-
c/o Norvic Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd.
Reg. No. 200201033104 (600769-D)
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
STERLING RESERVES SDN. BHD.
Registration Number :
200001005579 (508184-K)
(IN MEMBERS’
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP)
NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to
Section 439 (2) of the Companies Act, 2016
that the Special Resolution set out below
was duly passed by the Members of the
Company on 30 December 2022.
MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP
AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR -
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
RESOLVED THAT the Company be wound
up voluntarily pursuant to Section 439(1)
(b) of the Companies Act, 2016 and that M
Thada Ganthavee @ Gan Beng Liang of 4
Halaman Cantonment, 10350 Georgetown,
Pulau Pinang, who has given his consent
to act, be and is hereby appointed as
Liquidator for the purpose of such winding
up with all powers given by Section 456
and Section 457(1) of the Companies Act,
2016.
RESOLVED THAT the Liquidator be and is
hereby authorised to divide all or such part
of the surplus assets of the Company as
he shall think fit to the members of the
Company.
Dated this 5th day of January 2023
THANAPON GANTHAVEE
Director
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
STERLING RESERVES SDN. BHD.
Registration Number :
200001005579 (508184-K)
(IN MEMBERS’
VOLUNTARY WINDING UP)
NOTICE is hereby given that the Creditors
of STERLING RESERVES SDN. BHD.
Registration Number : 200001005579
(508184-K) which is being wound up
voluntarily, are required within one
month from the date hereof to send their
names and addresses and particulars
of their debts or claims, and the names
and addresses of their solicitors (if any)
to the undersigned, the Liquidator of
the said Company and, if so required by
notice in writing by the Liquidator, either
322 Notices
No ces
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the strata title to the property known
as Parcel No. 05, Storey No. 01 designated as RI-01-05, Kondominium
Relau Indah, Pulau Pinang bearing assessment address No. 2-1-05,
Persiaran Bukit Jambul 1, 11900 Pulau Pinang (“the Property”) has
been issued and is in the process of being transferred to Teh Siew Geok
and Teh Siew Geok as the Executrix of the Estate of Ang Cheng Wan,
deceased.
Any person or persons, banks and financial institutions, authority or
authorities having any objection, claim, right, title, interest, charge, lien,
litigation, mortgage or dispute in respect of the Transfer of the Property
should give notice of the same in writing supported by documentary
evidence to Choy & Associates as stated below within seven (7) days
from the date of publication of this notice failing which the Transfer of
the Property shall be completed without further notice.
Choy & Associates
3rd Floor, Wisma Penang Garden
42, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah
10050 Georgetown, Penang
Tel: 04-2282550
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT 2016
AND IN THE MATTER OF
KSC HENG SDN. BHD.
Reg. No. 199101017312 (227624-P)
(IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY
WINDING-UP)
Section 439 of the Companies Act 2016,
that the Special Resolutions set out
below were duly passed by the Members
of the Company on 1 January 2023.
1. THAT the company be liquidated by
way of members’ voluntary winding
up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the
Companies Act 2016 (“the Act”).
2. THAT Chan Eng Mat of 4-5-3A
Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala
Lumpur be appointed as Liquidator to
act for the purpose of winding-up the
company’s affairs and distributing its
assets to the members and to exercise
the powers of the Liquidator as set out
in Section 456 of the Act.
3. THAT the Liquidator be indemnified
by the company against all costs,
charges, losses, expenses and
liabilities sustained by him in the
execution and discharge on his duties
as liquidator and in relation hereto.
KHOO TENG LEONG
Director
Dated: 5 January 2023
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
creditors of the abovementioned
Company, which is being wound up
voluntarily, are required on or before
4 February 2023 to send in their names
and addresses and the particulars of
their debts or claims and their names
and addresses of their solicitors (if any)
to the undersigned, the Liquidator of
the said Company, and if so required in
writing from the said Liquidator, are by
their solicitors or personally, to come in
and prove the said debts or claims at
such time and place as shall be specified
in such notice, or in default thereof, they
will be excluded from the benefit of any
distribution made before such debts are
proved.
CHAN ENG MAT
Liquidator
4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima,
698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,
51200 Kuala Lumpur
Dated: 5 January 2023
Notices
322
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT 2016
AND IN THE MATTER OF
WEB PROMOTION SDN. BHD.
Registration No. 199601006252
(378598-K)
(IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY
WINDING-UP)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to
Section 439(2)(b) of the Companies Act
2016, that the Special Resolutions set out
below were duly passed by the Members
of the Company on 1 January 2023.
1. THAT the company be liquidated by
way of members’ voluntary winding
up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the
Companies Act 2016 (“the Act”).
2. THAT CHAN ENG MAT of 4-5-3A
Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala
Lumpur be appointed as Liquidator to
act for the purpose of winding-up the
company’s affairs and distributing its
assets to the members and to exercise
the powers of the Liquidator as set out
in Section 456 of the Act.
3. THAT the Liquidator be indemnified
by the company against all costs,
charges, losses, expenses and
liabilities sustained by him in the
execution and discharge on his duties
as liquidator and in relation hereto.
CHEAH SIN CHYE
Director
Dated: 5 January 2023
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
creditors of the abovementioned
Company, which is being wound up
voluntarily, are required on or before
4 February 2023 to send in their names
and addresses and the particulars of
their debts or claims and their names
and addresses of their solicitors (if any)
to the undersigned, the Liquidator of
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT 2016
AND IN THE MATTER OF
PEBBLE HEIGHTS SDN. BHD.
Reg. No. 199501027833 (357038-K)
(IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY
WINDING-UP)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to
Section 439 of the Companies Act 2016,
that the Special Resolutions set out
below were duly passed by the Members
of the Company on 1 January 2023.
1. THAT the company be liquidated by
way of members’ voluntary winding
up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the
Companies Act 2016 (“the Act”).
2. THAT Chan Eng Mat of 4-5-3A
Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala
Lumpur be appointed as Liquidator to
act for the purpose of winding-up the
company’s affairs and distributing its
assets to the members and to exercise
the powers of the Liquidator as set out
in Section 456 of the Act.
3. THAT the Liquidator be indemnified
by the company against all costs,
charges, losses, expenses and
liabilities sustained by him in the
execution and discharge on his duties
as liquidator and in relation hereto.
TAN KIM YAN
Director
Dated: 5 January 2023
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
creditors of the abovementioned
Company, which is being wound up
voluntarily, are required on or before
4 February 2023 to send in their names
and addresses and the particulars of
their debts or claims and their names
and addresses of their solicitors (if any)
to the undersigned, the Liquidator of
the said Company, and if so required in
writing from the said Liquidator, are by
their solicitors or personally, to come in
and prove the said debts or claims at
such time and place as shall be specified
in such notice, or in default thereof, they
will be excluded from the benefit of any
distribution made before such debts are
proved.
CHAN ENG MAT
Liquidator
4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima,
698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,
51200 Kuala Lumpur
Dated: 5 January 2023
322 Notices
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT 2016
AND IN THE MATTER OF
MOUNTVILLE
CONSTRUCTION SDN. BHD.
Registration No. 198101009058
(75175-U)
(IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY
WINDING-UP)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to
Section 439(2)(b) of the Companies Act
2016, that the Special Resolutions set out
below were duly passed by the Members
of the Company on 1 January 2023.
1. THAT the company be liquidated by
way of members’ voluntary winding
up pursuant to Section 439(1)(b) of the
Companies Act 2016 (“the Act”).
2. THAT CHAN ENG MAT of 4-5-3A
Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 698
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala
Lumpur be appointed as Liquidator to
act for the purpose of winding-up the
company’s affairs and distributing its
assets to the members and to exercise
the powers of the Liquidator as set out
in Section 456 of the Act.
3. THAT the Liquidator be indemnified
by the company against all costs,
charges, losses, expenses and
liabilities sustained by him in the
execution and discharge on his duties
as liquidator and in relation hereto.
TANG JUANG YEW
Director
Dated: 5 January 2023
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
creditors of the abovementioned
Company, which is being wound up
voluntarily, are required on or before
4 February 2023 to send in their names
and addresses and the particulars of
their debts or claims and their names
and addresses of their solicitors (if any)
to the undersigned, the Liquidator of
SHORTS
Rahm wants joint decision
THE PGA Tou and Eu opes DP Wo d Tou mus
be on he same page n dec d ng whe he
p aye s om he b eakaway L V Se es can ake
pa n he Ryde Cup o me US Open
champ on Jon Rahm sa d
The US based PGA Tou has suspended
hose who o ned he ebe c cu bu he DP
Wo d Tou o me y he Eu opean Tou has ye
o dec de whe he L V p aye s can p ay n he
Ryde Cup
Span a d Rahm sa d wou d no be a sma
move o have one eam w h L V p aye s and
one w hou
“The es some peop e ha a e go ng o have
o make some ough cho ces gh ? A e b
o ha s ou o my each” Rahm sa d a he
Sen y Tou namen o Champ ons
“ hope he PGA o Ame ca and Eu opean
Tou make a dec s on oge he ”
… and expects tense Masters
dinner
SPA N S h anked Jon Rahm sa d yes e day
he expec s mo e PGA Tou p aye s o ex o
Saud backed L V Go n 2023 and an c pa es a
ense champ ons d nne a he Mas e s
Rahm spoke ahead o oday s s a o he
PGA Tou namen o Champ ons a Kapa ua
Hawa a se ec even o ou namen w nne s o
Tou Champ onsh p qua e s
“ h nk we a know whe e we s and” Rahm
sa d “The e a e s go ng o be p aye s ha
choose o ans on o L V s my guess”
The Mas e s announced as mon h w
no change qua y ng c e a o he 2023
Mas e s ensu ng L V Go p aye s w be ab e o
compe e
“ s p obab y on y unny o me bu h nk
he Mas e s Champ ons D nne s go ng o be a
e ense compa ed o how has been n he
pas ” Rahm sa d
“So keep h nk ng abou because w sh
cou d be he e and us be ab e o see how
h ngs wo k ou Too bad he US Open doesn
have one o hose”
IN THE HIGH COURT OF
MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR
IN THE STATE OF WILAYAH 322 Notices
PERSEKUTUAN, MALAYSIA
COMPANIES (WINDING-UP)
NO.: WA-28NCC-971-12 / 2022
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
In the matter of Section 465 (1)(e) and Section
466 (1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2016 AND
IN THE MATTER OF NICE FASHION
And WHOLESALES (M) SDN. BHD.
200001009662 (512268-V)
In the matter of the Companies (Winding-Up) (Members’ Voluntary Winding-Up)
Rules, 1972
And NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
Creditors of the abovenamed Company
In the matter of PAK CHUN CONSTRUCTION
SDN. BHD. [Company No.: 198201002589
which is being voluntarily wound-
up, are required on or before the 5th
(82335-K)]
day of February 2023 to send in their
BETWEEN names and addresses with particulars
of their debts and claims, and of any
TAN CHUEN HWA security held by them, and the names
(NRIC No. : 820829-05-5163) and addresses of their Solicitors (if
…PETITIONER any) to the undersigned Liquidator at
AND
Suite D23, 2nd Floor, Plaza Pekeliling,
No. 2 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala
PAK CHUN CONSTRUCTION SDN. BHD.
Lumpur and if so required by notice in
(Company No. : 198201002589 (82335-K))
writing from the said Liquidator, are by
…RESPONDENT
their Solicitors or personally required
ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION to write in and prove their said debts
and claims at such time and place as
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition for shall be specified in such notice, or in
the Winding-Up of PAK CHUN CONSTRUCTION default thereof they will be excluded
SDN. BHD. (“the Company”) by the High Court from the benefit of any distribution
was, on 12 December 2022 presented to
made before such debts and claims
the said Court by TAN CHUEN HWA of A-3-9,
are proved.
Jalan 3/144A, Medan Connaught Centre Point,
56000 Cheras, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala
Kuala Lumpur
Lumpur (“the Petitioner”).
Dated this 5th day of January 2023
AND that the said Petition is directed to be
heard before the High Court sitting at Kuala Yap Siew Cheng
Lumpur, at 9.00 o’clock in the morning on 8 Liquidator
August 2023.
Note:
AND any creditor or contributory of the This notice is purely formal.
Company, desiring to support or oppose the
All known creditors have been or will
making of an Order on the said Petition, may be paid in full.
appear at the time of hearing by himself or his
Counsel for that purpose.
IN THE MATTER OF
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016
AND a copy of the Petition will be furnished
AND
to any creditor or contributory of the Company
IN THE MATTER OF NICE FASHION
requiring the same by the undersigned on
WHOLESALES (M) SDN. BHD.
payment of the regulated charge for the same.
200001009662 (512268-V)
The Petitioner’s address is TAN CHUEN HWA of (In Members’
A-3-9, Jalan 3/144A, Medan Connaught Centre Voluntary Winding-Up)
Point, 56000 Cheras, Wilayah Persekutuan
Kuala Lumpur.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting
of the members of NICE FASHION
The Petitioner’s Solicitors is Messrs. Abraham
Ooi & Partners of 2nd Floor, Wisma Harwant,
WHOLESALES (M) SDN. BHD. duly
convened and held at Suite D23, 2nd
No. 106, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100
Floor, Plaza Pekeliling, No. 2 Jalan
Kuala Lumpur.
Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur on
Signed Illegible the 27th day of December 2022 the
following special resolutions were
……………………………………… duly passed:-
Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners
Solicitors for the Petitioner That the Company be wound up
voluntarily and that Yap Siew Cheng of
Note:-
Suite D23, 2nd Floor, Plaza Pekeliling,
Any person who intends to appear on the
hearing of the said Petition must serve on,
No. 2 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala
Lumpur be and is hereby appointed
or send by post to, the abovenamed Messrs.
Abraham Ooi & Partners, notice in writing of Liquidator of the Company.
his intention to do so. The Notice must state

TO PLACE
names and addresses of their solicitor Wisma Goshen, 2nd Floor by their solicitors or personally to come the said Company, and if so required in the name and address of the person, or, if a That the said Liquidator be authorised
60, 62 & 64 Jalan SS 22/21 in and prove their debts or claims at such the said Company, and if so required in firm, the name and address of the firm, and to distribute either in cash, specie or
(if any) to the undersigned Liquidator at writing from the said Liquidator, are by writing from the said Liquidator, are by
S.K.Tee & Co., No. 8. Jalan Nyonya, Pudu, Damansara Jaya time and place as shall be specified in their solicitors or personally, to come in must be signed by the person or firm, or his in kind amongst the contributors of

CLASSIFIED ADS
55100 Kuala Lumpur, and if so required by
notice in writing from the said Liquidator,
are by their solicitors or personally to
come and prove their debts and claims at
such time and place as shall be specified
47400 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
The creditors (either through their
solicitors or personally) who do not
such notice and in default thereof they
will be excluded from the benefit of any
distribution made before such debts are
proven.
and prove the said debts or claims at
such time and place as shall be specified
in such notice, or in default thereof, they
will be excluded from the benefit of any
their solicitors or personally, to come in
and prove the said debts or claims at
such time and place as shall be specified
in such notice, or in default thereof, they
will be excluded from the benefit of any
or their solicitors, if any. The notice must be
served, or if posted, must be sent by post in
sufficient time, to reach the abovenamed not
later than 12.00 p.m. of 7 August 2023.
the Company in accordance with their
respective rights and interests therein.
That the Liquidator be indemnified

MS. SHOBA
in such notice or in default thereof, they
will be excluded from the benefits of any
distribution made before such debts and
file their debts and claims on or before
the specified date and time above will
be excluded from the benefit of any
distribution made.
Dated this 5th day of January 2023 distribution made before such debts are distribution made before such debts are This Advertisement of Petition is issued by by the Company against all costs,
proved. charges, losses, expenses and
proved. Messrs. Abraham Ooi & Partners, Advocates &
M THADA GANTHAVEE @ liabilities incurred in or sustained by
Solicitors, solicitors for the Petitioner, whose
GAN BENG LIANG CHAN ENG MAT her in the execution and discharge of
CHAN ENG MAT address of service is at No. 106, 2nd Floor,

T 03 7784 8888
claims are proved.
Liquidator Liquidator Liquidator Wisma Harwant, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, her duties as Liquidator and in relation
Lam Lee San (f)
Dated 5th of January 2023 Lee Yee Ching (f) O-26-A1 Gurney Tower Office 4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 4-5-3A Kompleks Kantonmen Prima, 50100 Kuala Lumpur. thereto.
18 Persiaran Gurney 698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,
F 03 7784 4424
Liquidators 698 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Tel No: 03-2691 0725
MUNZIR BIN ROSLAN 10250 Georgetown 51200 Kuala Lumpur 51200 Kuala Lumpur Fax No: 03-2697 0626 Foo Chee Chau
Liquidator Dated this 5th day of January 2023 Pulau Pinang Dated: 5 January 2023 Dated: 5 January 2023 Ruj: AW/L/SB/JY/33274/22/W-UP Director
22 theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023
SPORTS

C Over and out

RISTIANO RONALDO says he is a unique
player and declared “in Europe, my work
is done” as the Portuguese revealed he
turned down several top clubs to join Al
Nassr at his unveiling with the Saudi Arabia club.
Ronaldo has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or
award on five occasions and the Champions
League five times while he also counts multiple
Premier League, La Liga and Serie A titles among
an enviable trophy haul.
Following an acrimonious exit from
Manchester United in November, Ronaldo said he
had been courted by clubs from around the world
but he put pen to paper on a deal until 2025 with
Al Nassr.
A number of outlets have reported the former
United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward’s salary
as upwards of £160 million (RM864m) per year,
making the 37-year-old the highest paid footballer
in history.
At his first public appearance for his new
club, Ronaldo told a press conference: “I’m
feeling very good. I’m so proud to make this big
5577/2023 04/01/2023 (WED)
Ronaldo turns back on Europe for ‘unique’ contract in Riyadh
decision in my life.
“In Europe, my work is done; I won
everything, I played at the most important clubs
in Europe and for me now, it’s a new challenge.
“This is a great opportunity. Nobody knows
this but I had many opportunities in Europe,
many clubs in Brazil, in Australia, in the US and
even in Portugal.
“Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave my
word to this club to develop not only the football
but other parts of this amazing country.”
Ronaldo wore a suit as he addressed the
assembled media, with the only questions
coming from an Al Nassr official, before changing
into his new club’s kit for his presentation at
Mrsool Park stadium.
Ronaldo added: “I’m a unique player. I beat all
the records there. I want to beat a few records
here. This contract is unique but I’m a unique
player, so for me it’s normal.
“Many people speak and give their opinions
but they really do know nothing about football.
It’s not the end of my career to come to Saudi
Arabia. I really don’t worry about what the people
say.”
Ronaldo was greeted by thousands of ecstatic
fans as he walked on to a stage on the Mrsool Park
pitch.
He said in a brief on-stage interview “I will
give my best for this club” before posing for
photographs and then autographing and kicking
balls into the assembled crowd.
Chants of “Ronaldo” and his trademark “siu”
celebration echoed constantly around the
stadium before the presentation ended with
Ronaldo joined on the pitch by his children and
partner Georgina Rodriguez.
Al Nassr head coach Rudi Garcia, formerly of
Roma, Marseille and Lyon, hailed Ronaldo as a
terrific coup for the club.
“Cristiano is one of the best players in the
world, he’s a legend,” Garcia said. “In my life, I’ve
seen that the great, great players like Cristiano are
the easiest to manage. We are here to win,
nothing else.” – The Independent

7420
4234
9231 Draw Date: 04/01/23 (Wed) Draw No: 5524/23 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB

4452 8446 3477 2500 General view of fans as the casket of Brazilian football legend Pele is transported by
2127 2261 0468 9478 the fire department, from his former club Santos’ Vila Belmiro stadium. – REUTERSPIX 1721
1349 4697 9010 8892
1554 4866 9194 9827 2491
9587 7480 8727 6327
Pele’s funeral leaves fans in tears 1555

FOOTBALL FANS wept and waved goodbye to “the

1488 + 9896 9428 + 1708
5,484,909.53 King” at Pele’s funeral in Santos. 3863 + 3542 2313 + 3763
Thousands of football fans waited to say their 2878 + 1604 0795 + 9519
7420 4234 4234 7420 farewells to the legendary forward before his 9203 + 9881 3442 + 2958
7420 9231 9231 7420 coffin was driven away and transported on a
4234 9231 9231 4234 2566 + 6286 3155 + 6987
firetruck outside the Urbano Caldeira stadium.
273,307.54 Many fans struggled to hold back the tears while
many wept for some time as Pele was brought
from his home ground through to the streets of RM6,956,117.10
Santos.
The iconic yellow and green colours of 1721 + 2491 2491 + 1721
7420 Brazil, whether it was flags or football shirts, 1721 + 1555 1555 + 1721
permeated the capacity crowd. One 2491 + 1555 1555 + 2491
4234 supporter even proudly showed off a tattoo
of the legendary player wearing a crown RM457,327.60
9231 TIGER
on top of his head.
Reports from the Mirror understand
his mother Celeste will be the final
person to say goodbye to Pele at the
funeral. His older sister Maria Lucia do
Nascimento revealed the 100-year-old 731 721 + ROOSTER RM2,622,222.10
was unaware her son had passed away.
9 0 3 7 7 “We talk but she doesn’t know the RM871,666.60
situation. She’s in her own world,”
872 491 + TIGER
0 3 7 7 Nascimento said recently. “She opens
5 7 4 9 5 3 7 7 her eyes when I mention his name 331 555 + OX RM2,055,972.10
6 5 0 4 6 7 7 and say, ‘We’re going to pray for him’ A Santos fan in tears as the coffin with
but she’s not really conscious of Brazilian football legend Pele is transported
what I’m saying.” – Express 291 488 399 896 599 428 291 708
by the fire department. – REUTERSPIX
0 0 5 3 2 3 Newspapers 323 863 683 542 232 313 673 763
532 878 011 604 420 795 459 519
0 0 5 3 2 0 5 3 2 3
049 203 439 881 273 442 782 958
0 0 5 3
0 0 5
0 0
5 3 2
3 2
2
3
3
3
Rodrygo salutes Pele 192 566 706 286 923 155 126 987

as Real advance 721 491 555

5 7 21 24 28 55 RODRYGO scored the only goal and
celebrated by paying tribute to Pele as
24,182,161.13 Real Madrid advanced to the Spanish Cup
last 16 yesterday with a hard-fought 1-0
win over fourth-tier Cacereno.
9 10 24 26 28 31
The Brazilian broke the deadlock after
6,902,178.03 69 minutes beating two defenders to fire
in and celebrated by jumping with an
upward fist, the way football great and
1 6 14 31 38 42 10 compatriot Pele used to celebrate his
goals.
1,315,129.72 Pele’s funeral was held yesterday in
137,268.04 Brazil after his death last week at age 82.
The poor standard of the surface at
Estadio Principe Felipe made it difficult for
Madrid to get going as they made hard
work of avoiding a massive upset.
Ancelotti was frustrated with the
quality of the turf, telling reporters: “You
can’t play football. For me it’s not football,
it’s another sport.
“It’s nice because small teams can fight
and compete with bigger teams. It’s good
for the fans, but the fans also want to see RM704,136.60
nice games.”
721 + 491 + 555 491 + 555 + 721
Despite Madrid’s lacklustre
performance against a team three leagues 721 + 555 + 491 555 + 721 + 491
below them, Ancelotti was content with 491 + 721 + 555 555 + 491 + 721
how his team played, saying: “Rodrygo
made a fantastic play, the rest was an even
and competitive game. dmcGO: Refer more friends and
“A lot of struggle, a lot of long balls, it earn more rewards!
couldn’t be done any other way. The team
has complied and I’m satisfied, it was a
game we’re not used to.
“I liked everything, from the first
minute to the last, I knew we had to suffer.
We didn’t risk anything, the line of defence
was fine, a clean sheet, everything was
fine.” – AFP/Agencies
 FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM SCAN
23
/thesuntelegram ME theSUN ON THURSDAY | JANUARY 5, 2023

* SPORTS

Writing on the wall

RESULTS & STANDINGS
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal
0 Newcastle 0, Everton 1 (Gray 90-pen)
Brighton 4 (Mitoma 14, Ferguson 51,
March 54, Gross 57), Leicester 0 Fulham
1 (Mitrovic 17), Manchester United 3
(Casemiro 23, Shaw 49, Rashford 86)
Bournemouth 0.
in a relegation battle and you have to focus on
going again.”
On his players being booed, he added: “It’s
difficult, you have to understand human
nature at that time. It is what it is.”
Owner Farhad Moshiri has sacked five
… but Lampard confident he can turn things around at Everton managers in almost seven years since
becoming the majority shareholder and
Lampard now has a win ratio lower than the
█ CARL MARKHAM of “sack the board”. man he replaced, the hugely unpopular Rafael

E
Lampard, who did not emerge from the Benitez, as he approaches his first-year
P W D L F A Pts VERTON manager Frank Lampard dressing room area for his media interviews anniversary at the end of the month.
Arsenal 17 14 2 1 40 14 44 insists he does not fear for his future until more than 45 minutes after the final Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi has
Man City 16 11 3 2 44 16 36 after an insipid 4-1 defeat to Brighton whistle, was asked whether he feared for his guided the Seagulls to eighth in the League
Newcastle 18 9 8 1 32 11 35 saw Goodison Park turn on his players job after just one win and seven defeats in the having taken over from Graham Potter in
Man Utd 17 11 2 4 27 20 35 and the club’s board. last 10 Premier League matches. September and his side were organised and
Tottenham 17 9 3 5 33 25 30 A catastrophic seven-minute spell at the “Since I’ve been here we’ve been in this effective – everything Everton were not.
Liverpool 17 8 4 5 34 22 28 start of the second half in which they conceded situation of fighting relegation,” he said. “We have to improve. We have to ask
Fulham 18 8 4 6 30 27 28 three soft goals to Evan Ferguson, Solly March “It’s not a case of fear, I can’t control the talk ourselves for more. In the second half it was a
Brighton 17 8 3 6 32 25 27 and Pascal Gross to add to Kaoru Mitoma’s or the decision when you are around this area different quality of play, the second half was
Brentford 18 6 8 4 30 28 26 early first-half strike did the damage but their of the table. When you lose a game like this I amazing,” he said.
Chelsea 16 7 4 5 20 18 25 performance up to that point had only been absolutely understand any reaction. “We played with more energy to score more
Crystal Palace 16 6 4 6 17 21 22 delaying the inevitable. “I am very confident in myself and will work goals and I’m sad only for the Everton goal.
Aston Villa 17 6 3 8 19 25 21 Demarai Gray’s added-time penalty to turn it around. The only concern you can Our improvement is to find the right
Leicester 18 5 2 11 26 31 17 consolation merely prompted yet more chants have is the work you do the next day. I arrived mentality.
Leeds 16 4 4 8 23 29 16 “We can’t concede the goal of Everton in
Bournemouth 18 4 4 10 18 39 16 that moment. The goal changed nothing today
Everton 18 3 6 9 14 24 15 but it can change in the end of the season for
West Ham 17 4 2 11 13 22 14 example.” – The Independent
Nottm Forest 17 3 5 9 12 34 14
Wolves 17 3 4 10 10 26 13
Southampton 17 3 3 11 15 32 12

SPANISH CUP ROUND OF 32: CF La

Nucia 0 Valencia 3, Cartagena 1
Villarreal 5, Espanyol 3 Celta Vigo 1,
Cacereno 0 Real Madrid 1, AD Ceuta 1
Elche 0, Levante 3 Getafe 2, Sporting
Gijon 2 Rayo Vallecano 0.

TOUCHLINES
CHELSEA are set to make a last-ditch
attempt to hijack Arsenal’s January bid
for Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine
winger Mykhailo Mudryk, despite the Brighton & Hove Albion’s Pascal
Gunners having already agreed per- Gross (right) scores their fourth goal
sonal terms with the 21-year-old. against Everton. – REUTERSPIX
CHELSEA are reluctant to meet the
€120m (RM552m) release clause in
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez’s
contract with Benfica, who want the fee
Cottagers focused on
paid in full to agree to the move.

DUTCH midfielder Memphis Depay has

been linked with a return to Manchester
United but Barcelona boss Xavi wants
the 28-year-old to stay at the Nou Camp.
MANCHESTER UNITED could still sell
English defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka
in January, despite the 25-year-old’s
impressive recent showings.
TOTTENHAM are to hold talks with
Sporting Lisbon today over potential deals
for Spain rightback Pedro Porro, 23, and
24-year-old English midfielder Marcus
Edwards.
NEWCASTLE UNITED have ended their
pursuit of Borussia Monchengladbach
and France striker Marcus Thuram, 25,
with Magpies boss Eddie Howe priori-
tising other positions.
BAYERN MUNICH, Newcastle, Paris St-
Germain and Liverpool are set to compete
for the signature of Borussia
Monchengladbach’s 21-year-old French
midfielder Manu Kone.
beating the drop: Silva
█ NICK MASHITER
BOSS Marco Silva vowed Fulham were focused
on beating the drop and not Europe after
Aleksandar Mitrovic sunk Leicester.
The Cottagers sit seventh in the Premier
League after reaching 28 points – the same
amount they were relegated with two years
ago – following yesterday night’s narrow 1-0
win.
Mitrovic’s 11th goal of the season also
equalled his best Premier League tally, although
a fifth booking means he will miss next week’s
visit of Chelsea.
Fulham are 14 points clear of the bottom
three but Silva insisted they must stay out of
trouble.
He said: “We will not change anything. If in
one moment you are going to achieve
something, I’m the first one to come and find
different targets and different goals.
“Right now it would not make sense. The
next game at home we are going to go there to
match the opposition side, to try to play with
quality and keep improving our players.
“After, the points will be a consequence
from our games and performances. The fans are
dreaming of winning something, they can
dream.
“We are here to work really hard to achieve
things for the football club. Right now the main
thing is to remain in the Premier League.”
Leicester were disjointed after losing
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to injury minutes before
kickoff and also saw Boubakary Soumare limp
off early – taking the Foxes’ injury list to nine.
“The changes affected the balance of the
team, but we gave away a poor goal, we were
in possession and don’t recover quick enough,”
said Foxes’ boss Brendan Rodgers.
“From then we were much better and in the
second half we were able to sustain the attacks.
I can’t fault the players after that in terms of
their effort. It was another decent performance
but we didn’t get the result.
“It’s a small squad. When we have a few
injuries, we are short in terms of the numbers
we want.
“The guys are giving everything, in the run
we were on before the break (five wins from six
games) there were five of those players who
weren’t out this evening.” – The Independent

Oxlade-Chamberlain admits Reds ‘just weren’t good enough’

█ ANDY SIMS
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN was blunt in
his assessment of Liverpool’s performance in
the 3-1 defeat at Brentford, admitting “we just
weren’t good enough”.
The Reds lost further ground in the race
for the top four after falling behind to
Ibrahima Konate’s own goal and a fine header
from Yoane Wissa, who had already had two
goals disallowed for offside.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, making his 100th
Liverpool appearance, hauled them back into
the match with a glancing header from Trent
Alexander-Arnold’s cross.
But Bryan Mbeumo outmuscled Konate to
hit Brentford’s third and leave the visitors
empty-handed.
“We just weren’t good enough,” Oxlade-
Chamberlain told the club website. “We knew
it was going to be a difficult game, we knew
their threat around the set-pieces and we
didn’t do well enough.
“We got away with a couple with VAR
ruling them out, but they were the warning
signs and in the end we conceded a sloppy
second goal after we sort of got away with
that.
“Then at 2-0 it’s difficult. I think at times we
did well and we created some good
moments but we didn’t carry on doing the
same things that got us that success.
“We came looking for the ball to feet a
little bit too much I think and stopped
offering in behind and causing them
problems.
“At half-time we wanted to come out and
really go for the game and believe. The early
goal helped but unfortunately we couldn’t
get the second one in quick succession. If we
had it might have been a different ending.
“Brentford play their game and they play it
really well, and we kind of fell into the trap a
little bit. Overall, it wasn’t good enough from
us.” – The Independent
 QUOTE OF THE DAY
I’m feeling very good. I’m so proud to
make this big decision in my life. In
Europe, my work is done; I won everything,
I played at the most important clubs in Europe
and for me now, it’s a new challenge. This is a
great opportunity.”
THURSDAY • JANUARY 5, 2023 Cristiano Ronaldo

IAN PARKER
United want to play football not tennis,
█
Ten Hag – who will wait until
today for more information on a
ERIK TEN HAG said “belief is potentially serious injury to Donny
growing” at Manchester United after
the 3-0 win over Bournemouth
despite getting “into a tennis match”
says Ten Hag after Cherries win van de Beek – said it had been far
from a perfect performance and
warned his team they needed to
but insisted it is still too early to think play smarter in the future.
about a Premier League title “I think we have two top
challenge. departments, attacking and
Marcus Rashford scored for a defending, and a big gap in
fourth consecutive game to add to between, and that cost us a lot of
earlier strikes from Casemiro and energy,” he said.
Luke Shaw as United made it four “We got into a tennis match and
wins in a row in the League, and 13 we don’t want to play tennis, we
in the last 16 in all competitions. want to play football.
The victory left United fourth, one “We want to keep the ball, keep
point behind rivals Manchester City, possession, recognise when to
who head to Chelsea overnight speed up and go for goal, but it cost
before their next League us too much energy.
appointment comes in the derby at “The backline took a lot of risk
Old Trafford on Jan 14. and when it was difficult to get back
United’s recent form is a match for we got stretched. It’s the next step
almost anyone, but Ten Hag tried to we have to make and we are still in
brush off a question about the title the process.”
race. Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil
“That’s a big step,” he said. “We called Saturday’s performance in the
have to go game to game, get the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace the worst
progress. of his tenure, but was much happier
“Belief is growing and that’s a with the display at Old Trafford
good sign, it’s good to have that despite the final score.
feeling but we have to understand “I thought it was very good,” he
and be able to give 100% in every said. “3-0 was hard on us. We had
game – 100% energy, 100% focus, some really big chances. Their first
100% playing as a team. goal was disappointing because we
“If you keep that philosophy it’s kept them at bay and didn’t really
possible but we have to go game to feel under threat at 0-0.
game and don’t think too far ahead. “The boys nailed the out-of-
It’s now January so it’s not even half possession shape and we broke out
a season we are talking about.” a few times so to concede from a
United secured what was a wide free-kick when we were well
comfortable win despite only into the game was tough for them,
occasionally hitting top gear, with Bournemouth’s Adam we didn’t deserve it.
Casemiro’s goal the only shot on Smith (centre) in action “After halftime we tried to be
target in the first half. with Manchester United’s more aggressive in the press more
Shaw created and finished the Christian Eriksen (left) and often but we get caught and it’s 2-0.
second, bursting from his own half, Marcus Rashford during the “It’s a tough ask from that
shifting the ball right and applying English Premier League moment but the response was
the finish when Alejandro Garnacho match at Old Trafford excellent and we had six big chances
rolled in a low cross. yesterday. – REUTERSPIX with David De Gea making big saves.
David De Gea then made saves to “The majority of United’s chances
deny Philip Billing and Jaidon came when we opened the pitch up
Anthony before Rashford finished so there is lots to be pleased with.” –
things off in the 86th minute. The Independent

Pele’s funeral leaves fans in tears - page 22 Writing on the wall - page 23

Frustrated Gunners
█ ED ELLIOT
Arteta furious with ‘scandalous’ penalty decisions in Arsenal draw

M
IKEL ARTETA bemoaned two
“scandalous” penalty decisions after
Premier League leaders Arsenal
missed the chance to move 10
points clear following a frustrating goalless draw
with Newcastle.
The Gunners dominated proceedings at a
sold out Emirates Stadium but were unable to
break down the division’s stingiest defence as
they dropped points at home for the first time
this season.
Manager Arteta was unhappy that Dan Burn
escaped punishment for a second half shirt pull
on Gabriel Magalhaes, while his players
surrounded referee Andrew Madley in added
time following a possible handball in the box by
Magpies substitute Jacob Murphy.
“I’m really proud, the way we played, the way
we dominated the game, the approach that we
had from the beginning,” said the Spaniard.
“We lacked that spark in the final third to find
that opening, to find that right moment and
extra pass and a little bit of finishing quality but
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we had a lot of situations in and around the box
to do better.
“And then there were two scandalous
penalties. Both of them. It is a penalty or not a
penalty and they were both penalties.”
Eddie Nketiah was denied a late winner by a
fine save from Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope
before Granit Xhaka struck the ball against the
arm of Murphy as a fractious encounter
featuring nine yellow cards came to a
controversial end.
It was the first time the Gunners have failed
to score this season.
“We wanted to win it and we still have that in
the guts that we did more than enough and it
merits a different result but we didn’t get it,”
continued Arteta.
“And when you can’t win, (make sure you)
draw. I think the team was on top of it, we were
really chasing it, we really wanted it, you could
see that the team was putting everything to take
the three points.
“And we lacked that in the final third and we
lacked two big decisions.”
Newcastle remain third after becoming the
first visiting team to take points off the Gunners
since Brighton secured a 2-1 victory in north
London in April.
The draw stretched the Magpies’ unbeaten
run to 13 league matches on the back of a fourth
successive clean sheet.
Manager Eddie Howe played down the hosts’
penalty appeals and said he had no problem
with opposition coach Arteta following some
heated touchline exchanges between the rival
benches.
“I don’t actually remember the first one so I
can’t give you a comment on that,” Howe said of
Arsenal’s spot-kick claims.
“The handball? If it was the other way
around, I would be shouting for it. Probably not
with the belief that it should be given because I
think the distance is too tight.
“I don’t think Jacob’s arm is aloft, I think it’s
by his side, so for me that shouldn’t be a penalty.
“Mikel’s a top manager, I think he’s done an
incredible job here and there were no issues
between us.”
On the performance, Howe added: “I’m very
pleased with our defensive effort today, very
resilient.
“Arsenal are a top team, very good players, a
very good way of playing, so we knew we had to
be at our very best.”
When asked whether there would be any
incomings this month as Newcastle look to
cement their place in the top four, the Newcastle
boss said: “At the moment we are taking it day-
by-day.
“We have a strong group of players but we
will assess what we need in January. There are
no intentions iminently to improve the squad
but that may change.
“There’s no race from our perspective, it’s
just about continuing to improve and that’s our
main goal.” – The Independent